USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > History of Winneshiek county with biographical sketches of its eminent men > Part 12
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III
HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
distance, some 250 miles. He was successful in his mission, and brought back his bonny bride (who was his senior by five or six years) to the wilds of Iowa, and settled down on his claim, where he has since lived. He is now the owner of nearly a section of the best land in Pleasant, and, by leading a strictly temperate life, is to-day one of the most respected and wealthiest farmers in that township.
In the year 1853 there was another influx from Dane County, Wis., prominent among whom were Bottolf Olson, Magne Langland, H. Hendrickson, Sven Olson, Ole Thorson, and others. Their history may be stated as a general one. All of them were poor when they first came, and had to struggle hard for a living, but are now all well-to-do farmers and fathers of large and respected families, some of whom have occupied responsible positions in society. The family of Bottolf Olson is deserving of special mention. He had three boys and three girls, four of whom were of age when he settled in Pleasant. The two oldest boys did not remain on the homestead very long, but shifted for them- selves. The two young men were never inside of a school-house, but were soon masters of the language, that they could read and write readily. In 1858 Ole B. Olson was one of the first settlers of Dakota Territory, and was elected the first Judge of the territory, which position he occupied until his death, in 1875. Erick B. Olson, the younger brother, was one of the first four men who climbed the mountains of Colorado in search of gold, in 1859, and is still a resident of Gold Hill, Colorado. The rest of the family is still in Pleasant, except the old lady, who died a few years ago.
I will now take the reader back to a kind of general history of the township. The first school house was built at Locust Lane, in 1854, and served, also, as a church for every denomination. The second school house that was built is still standing, and is known as the Elling- son school house. This was built of logs, quite large, and intended to serve as a church for the Lutheran congregation that was then organized in connection with Highland and Spring Grove. It was built mostly by private funds ; every farmer would bring so many logs and work so many days. This district consisted of portions of four townships, viz : Pleasant and Highland, in Winneshiek, and Waterloo and Hanover, in Allamakee. The first school was taught by one James Lennon, of Frankville township, when all the big boys and girls attended school, apparently more for fun than for study. The late Hon. Ole Nelson taught the first school in this house, and was also the first Norwegian Representative in the Iowa Legislature,
II2
HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
In 1855 and 1856, almost all the land was taken up, and what was not was bought up by speculators when the land office was in Decorah. Among those who came later may be mentioned K. Thompson, who became sheriff of this county in 1870, and was as good an officer as the county ever had. Also Peter Sampson, O. W. Ellingson, the Johnson Brothers (of whom there were seven at one time) who are all well and favorably known in the township. There is also another fact worth mentioning, and that is this, that almost every one of the pioneers that came into the township in the years 1852-3-4, with the exception of one or two, are still living on their old homesteads, which shows that the pioneers must have been a strong, healthy and vigorous set of men.
Previous to the year 1851, Highland Township was a wild and unsettled region, with the vast country lying west of it. But in that year, while the savages were still now and then to be seen in consider- able numbers, three young men-Erick Davidson, Magne Nelson and Hagen Mastad-immigrated, in the spring, from Dane County, Wis., and some time in June, of that year, settled about one mile north of where Highlandville is now situated. For about one year these three young men held undisputed control of the country for miles around. In the spring of 1852 there was quite an influx of immigration, and among the most notable were the Arnesons, Knudt Bjorgo, M. John, Nels Nelson, Sr., with a family of three boys, viz : Andrew, Ole and Nels, Jr., who have played quite a conspicuous part in the history of High- land Township. In the same year Albert Stoneson made his appear- ance with a blooming young bride, and commenced housekeeping and selected his homestead a little north of the three that first settled here. He, with all the rest of them, had no means to speak of; but he went dili- gently to work, and soon made himself independent, and has long been ยท one of the wealthiest farmers of this township. He is now surrounded . by a large family of young men and women.
In the years following there were quite a number that came to High- land Township, among the most notable of whom was E. Berg, father of the late Hon. K. Berg and Rev. J. Berg. K. Berg had preceded his father to this country, and had made his home, before his father's arrival here, in Dane County, Wis.
When Decorah enjoyed the palmy days of the United States Land Office, Highland Township suffered with the rest of the county in respect to her unoccupied lands. Every acre was gobbled up by specu- lators, and great was the struggle among the squatters who had not already a United States patent on their homestead. A great number
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
lost their land, as they were not able to borrow money at the then ruling rate of interest, which was 40 per cent. The immigration then ceased for quite a while, and was almost at a standstill till 1860, or the beginning of the War of the Rebellion. But in the meantime the pio- neers of Highland had not been idle. Most of them had become well- to-do farmers, and many of them were already on the road to wealth, of whom I must not forget to mention Lars Olson, who came from Muskegon here in the year 1851 with only a few hundred dollars. He began to lend his money at 40 per cent, and in the short space of twenty years had amassed a fortune of almost $100,000, without any kind of speculation whatever. Olson died about three years ago, and his money is divided among his large family of ten boys and girls, who are scattered over the southern part of Minnesota.
About the year 1856, a school district was organized, consisting of almost the whole township. At that time the township was not very thickly settled. In the spring of 1857 a small log school-house was erected, which has long since given place to a large and commodious frame building, with all the modern improvements. It was in this old log school-house that the late Prof. Berg taught his first English school, and where K. Bjorgo, Jr., learned his A B C's. He is now a young minister of the Lutheran Synod, of marked ability, having few equals and no superiors among the younger ministers. Martha K. Bjorgo was the first child born in the township.
In 1857 a Lutheran congregation was organized in Pleasant and Highland Townships, and they, in conjunction with Spring Grove, Minn., called C. L. Clauson as their spiritual adviser. He served the two congregations for some time ; but his labors became too arduous, and the congregations separted, about three years after their organization, Spring Grove retaining the minister, who only lived a few years longer, he being the first Lutheran minister that died in this country.
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
CHAPTER XIV.
FRANKVILLE.
An Influx of Immigration - Frank Teabout, the Founder of Frank- ville - First Merchant at Frankville -The Emigrant Store -Pov- erty Point -" Demijohn Arguments"-Trout River - Benj. Beard - The Lathrop House -The Presbyterian Church -Twice Way- laid and Once Robbed -Suspicious Characters -First Justice of the Peace-Frankville Early Contributes Her Quota of County Officers-Frankville's First Saw Mill-First Grist Mill-The Re- ligious Revival of 1857 -- The Railroad Seals its Fate.
In 1851-2-3 the county was deluged with a healthy immigration. They were men noted for their integrity, perseverance, and a determina- tion to succeed. They came in their covered carts drawn by oxen, with the family support hitched on behind in the possession of a good milch cow. A great many of these men found their homes on Washington Prairie. The earliest pioneers were the Hawkes, Moses Hostetter, J. Callender, Christopher Anderson Estrem, Wm. Padden, the Rosa family, Jacob Duff, Walter Rathbun, and others whose names I have been unable to obtain. These came in 1850 or early in 1851. Among the number who drifted into the county in the years 1851-2 were J. T. Atkins, the Beards and Cutlers, John and James D. Mckay, Joel Pagin, Wm. Birdsell, Philip Husted, Isaac Birdsell, Erick Olson Bakke, James B. Schenck, and others too numerous to mention. This immigration had the effect to change the wild prairie of a year or two previous into the garden of Winneshiek County. The construction of houses was carried on until they dotted the prairie from every conceivable point of the compass. Under the strenuous efforts of the settlers the county began to assume a civilized garb. The native heath of the bounding deer was uncovered for agricultural purposes, and the lairs of the vicious timber-wolves converted to the uses of man. The county bore the appearance of health, wealth and prosperity. Although not possessing all the luxuries of life, actual want never confronted them, With the
HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
small crops they were enabled to raise, and the abundance of game easily secured, they weathered through the first years very comfortably. Deer were numerous, prairie-chickens plenty, the small streams abounded with speckled trout, while larger fish were to be obtained from the Iowa River. With these, and what they were able to raise, it would seem these hardy pioneers fared sumptuously.
Along with the tide that rolled over the country in 1851 was a man noted for his wealth, energy and perseverance. He had heard of the new El Dorado ; in fact, he had investigated it, and became convinced that its resources were vast, and when developed would make one of the richest agricultural districts in the world. He foresaw all this, and came to stay, bringing with him a herd of cattle. Among others who pre- ceded him was one Timothy Fuller, whose claim he purchased and settled on. This man is known all over the county as Frank Teabout, the founder of Frankville.
This same year he erected a small building for a store, and built his residence, which at that time was considered palatial-the finest struct- ure throughout the whole county. This same building was destroyed by fire several years ago. These buildings were the nucleus about which was to form one of the liveliest towns known to the early days of Win- neshiek County. The store building was not destined long to remain unoccupied. There was no store within miles where the settlers, who by this time had become quite numerous, could supply their demands for merchandise, with the exception of one at Moneek. It was plain to be seen that a store here would furnish a section of country in a radius of many miles, and the merchant who should first open his stock of goods was sure to prosper. The store building was hardly completed before a peddler came that way who had an eye to business, and made negotiations with Mr. Teabout, whereby he got the privilege of putting in a stock of goods. Peddling suddenly lost all its charms for Mr. Currier, for this was the name of the first merchant of Frankville.
He unloaded his peddler's wagon and commenced trading at once. Mr. Currier carried on the mercantile business at this place for two or three years, during which time he did a lucrative business. He finally sold out his business to Mr. Frink, and he to Mr. Teabout, who finding the capacity of the store becoming too small for the increasing business, erected a larger and better building, which bore the name of " Emigrant Store." This building contained a large hall, the most commodious, at that time, to be found anywhere in the country, and in it were given many dances, and held many important meetings. The name of the
HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
store is suggestive of two things: First, it was a bid for the patronage of the hundreds of emigrants who passed by its door every day on their way to Southern Minnesota. Secondly, it was what its name implied, "The Emigrant Store.' It was the last store of any consequence at which emigrants could supply themselves with the necessities required to see them through to their destination.
In 1852, Frankville was little more than a trading point, at which lived the only inhabitant and proprietor, Mr. Frank Teabout ; but about this time an event transpired which gave to it life and brighter prospects for the future. A commission had been appointed to locate the State road for the benefit of immigrants seeking homes in Northwestern Iowa and Southern Minnesota. This commission held undisputed authority to locate the road, according to their judgment, to the best advantage. It was plain to be seen that wherever this road ran it would be a great advantage to that section of country, and especially would it act as a stimulus to the germ towns along its route, for over this route must travel the great caravans of immigration pouring into the country.
The Road Commission had their headquarters at McGregor, the des- ignated point from which the road would start. For months this road had been talked of, and all kinds of speculations made as to the route it would take. The settlers lining the Military road felt sure that it would only serve as an auxilliary to their established highway, while those further to the northeast were determined that they would have the benefit of it. As a natural consequence, when the time arrived for a session of the commission to be held at " Poverty Point," better known to-day as Monona, a strong lobby, representing these various sections and their interests, were on hand and busily using all the artifices at their com- mand to induce the commission to locate the road through that section of country that would most benefit them.
A strong lobby from the vicinity of Frankville was in attendance, and the result of their labor proves that their arguments were more potent with the commission than those of their opponents. They succeeded in securing the road. It is stated, on good authority, that the founder of Frankville carried " the arguments " that secured the location of the road, in a large demijohn. It is also in evidence that his opponents used the same kind of " arguments," but not being so wealthy, did not take along so large a demijohn as did the Frankville man. His op- ponents were crest-fallen and discouraged as soon as they caught a glimpse of Teabout's "argument." They knew its efficaciousness, and that such a bountiful supply as was exhibited could not help but
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
secure the coveted road. Mr. Teabout, self-conscious of success, let the commissioners smell the jug, then took a bee-line for Frankville. They of course followed, and declared their track to be the line of the road. The military fellows took up their homeward march, much chagrined.
The location of the road is the greatest event in the history of Frank- ville, for without it, in all likelihood, the place would never have been anything more than the residence of Mr. Frank Teabout. As it is, Frankville is a pleasant village, and at one time figured conspicuously in the history of the county.
Among the men who represented the embryo Frankville before the commission at " Poverty Point," and labored for its interests, was one who strenuously objected to the "Demijohn Arguments." He looked upon the merits of his case alone, and would sanction no device that even savored of anything improper. Let his name be placed on record : It was Benjamin Beard, a man of thrift, enterprise, and strong moral character. At that time he figured conspicuously in the history of the county, and was regarded as among its most eminent men. He settled on Washington Prairie in 1850 or 1851, and brought with him more wealth than, perhaps, any other man, with the exception of Frank Teabout. The history of his life is an incessant labor for the temporal and spiritual welfare of the community in which he resided. He was in the minority in his objection to " demijohn argument," and consequently what he said disregarding its use, had little effect. It was near night when the Commission arrived at Mr. Teabout's residence, and they of course accepted his hospitality until the next morning. On the next day Mr. Teabout lead the Commissioners to Decorah, they declaring their line of march to be the location of the new road. There were other parties besides Mr. Teabout who studied self-interest in the loca- tion of the State road. Among the number was John McKay, a re- spected farmer, and in 1851 the largest tax-payer in the county. He secured the passage of this desired highway through his farm. Mr. Mckay had the same ambition for a town that actuated his neighbor, Mr. Teabout, and took measures looking to the accomplishment of such a purpose. His first work in that direction was the establishment of a postoffice, which was effected on the discontinuance of the Jamestown office. He also secured the location of a store at this place. This town bore the name of Trout River, and at one time was a strong com- petitor of Frankville. The postoffice was continued at this place for nearly two years, from whence it was moved to Frankville. It is claimed
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIER COUNTY.
that this move was effected through a compromise entered into between the respective founders of the two towns.
Immediately on the location of the road, as if by magic, a town grew up about the nucleus that had previously been built, and was given the name of Frankville. Frankville very soon became the great center of attraction. Moneek became discouraged, and moved the greater part of its worldly effects up to the new town. Among those who came from Moneek to Frankville was Lathrop and others. As predicted, the road was crowded with immigrants seeking homes in Northern Iowa and Southern Minnesota, and Frankville became a town of great importance. The mercantile interests were represented by Adams & Houg, Teabout and Peter Beard, who kept a complete stock of dry goods and a general assortment of everything in the mercantile line.
The Lathrop House, an impressive three-story frame building, was built by Phillip Lathrop in the year 1854. This hotel was well pro- vided for, and did a good business. The building was destroyed by fire in the winter of 1857-8. Mr. Lathrop was absent at the time of the burning of his house, at Des Moines, lobbying through a bill asking the location of the Deaf and Dumb Asylum at Frankville, the people of that place pledging land and material in aid of its construction. It will hardly be necessary to say that they failed to secure the location. Mr. Teabout replaced the building destroyed, by another, which long afforded hospitality to the traveler. Mr. Lathrop served as landlord in the new building for some time afterward.
Much of the early success and prosperity of Frankville is justly accredited to its founder, Mr. Frank Teabout. He possessed wealth, and lavished it on the various enterprises that benefitted his town. To be concise, Mr. Teabout is an energetic, money-making man, generous and public-spirited, of strong likes and dislikes, and when once im- pressed favorably with an object does not hesitate to give it his support. Mr. Teabout looked upon his town with favor ; in fact, was very solicit- ous of its welfare, and, as a natural consequence, at its beginning took an active part in whatever benefited it. In 1852 he built the Presby- terian Church, and gave it to that denomination-the first house of worship built in the village. This church edifice was early occupied by Rev. D. W. Lyon, a preacher who divided his time between Mc- Gregor, Monona, Frankville and other points. While the Rev. D. W. Lyon was exercising his talents in teaching morality, other elements of the community were trafficking in liquor, and thereby exercising a
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
contra influence. The founder of the town kept a bar and did a lucra- tive business. One day, when the town was at its acme, a man entered his saloon and said : "Well, D- croaked last night ; did you hear of it ?" " No," said Teabout, and continued : " You don't mean to say that he is dead ?" " Yes," was the answer, " as dead as a mackerel- died of delirium tremens !" " Well," answered Teabout, " sorry, very sorry to hear that ; he was a good customer. I have been selling him three gallons a week."
As an illustration of the importance Frankville attained when at its acme, it will only be necessary to state that the Free Masons of Decorah used to go to the former place to hold lodge meetings.
Frankville, like all lively towns in a new country, had its desperate characters, although less known than is frequently the case. Robberies and bold attempts at it were not infrequent. Mr. Phillip Lathrop was twice waylaid and once robbed. On one occasion Mr. Lathrop had returned from Chicago, where he had been to dispose of some stock, and had a large sum of money on his person. It was late when he reached home. Darkness, that boon companion of criminals, had shrounded the earth in gloom Mr. Lathrop, after partaking of his supper, repaired to the barn to look after a blooded horse he owned. It seems that the movement had been anticipated by the desperado who laid in wait for him, and when the opportune time arrived, dealt Mr. Lathrop a fearful blow with a heavy club, which felled him senseless. The would-be assassin tore open his victim's shirt, and abstracted a package containing $700, and immediately decamped. The robber evidently was in a great hurry, for had he stopped to make a careful examination, he might have found an additional package containing $5,000. As it was, in his haste to escape detection he scattered $100 of the amount he had secured along the track as he fled. This amount was saved to Mr. Lathrop.
There was a family living on Washington Prairie who were very sus- picious characters, and were looked upon with much distrust by the settlers. It was firmly believed that their house was the rendezvous for all the desperadoes and law-breakers of the country. A woman of dis- reputable character, who had shared their confidence, and no doubt abetted and aided them in their criminal practices, became angry with them for some fancied or real slight, and divulged many very unsavory things. Among other things, she told that they were the murderers of a missing peddler. Although it was believed that the peddler met such a
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIER COUNTY.
tragic fate, yet nothing could be proven that would inculpate them in the crime.
Where law-breakers abound peace officers are necessary. A Mr. Bateman was the first Justice of the Peace in Frankville. He was a native of Wisconsin. For the enforcement of a due regard of law, the people of Frankville thought they could give him no better officer to assist in that duty than Moses Hostetter, and consequently he was chosen the first Constable.
In 1853, and thereabout, Frankville was the seat of learning-the Athens of Winneshiek County, as it were. At least, she could boast of more professional men. She had no less than three distinguished attor- neys, men who did not think it beneath their dignity to accept an office from their fellow citizens. These men were J. T. Atkins, who served the people as Representative and Senator. and James McKay, the first Representative elected after the organization of the county. John D. McKay served the public as an attorney.
In 1854 Mr. Teabout built a saw-mill at a cost of $1,500. This mill did a good business, its owner finding a ready sale for all the timber it could saw. The mill was sold to Mr. Cutler. No trace of it remains to-day. In 1856 Mr. Teabout built a large steam grist mill, of two run of stone, at a cost of $10,000. Although the county possessed some very valuable mill sites, yet but few of them had been utilized. As a result, the steam grist mill, during the first few years of its exist- ence, was a financial success ; but as the country settled up, and the numerous water powers throughout the county became utilized, the steam mill began to cease paying very large dividends, and was finally sold by the proprietors to Messrs. Beard and Cutler, who transferred the machinery to their Spring Water Mill, on the Canoe. Parties used to come from Southern Minnesota to get their grist ground at this mill.
In 1867 Frankville experienced a revival. The chief mover in the good work was a Rev. Mr. Taylor. Many converts were made and much good effected through the christianizing influence wrought through- out the community by this missionary. Among the number converted was Mr. Teabout. He was trafficking in liquor at the time. He then had in stock about $800 worth of liquors, which he rolled into the street and made into a public bonfire. Ever since this sacrifice Mr. Teabout has not sold a dollar's worth of liquor.
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