USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > History of Winneshiek county with biographical sketches of its eminent men > Part 14
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
him, there was not to be seen, curling skyward, the neighborly smoke of a single settler.
John Ossian Porter, at the time of his settlement here, was in the prime of life. He was born in Henderson, Jefferson County, N. J., in the year 1822, and at the age of 20 was married to Miss Emily Wilkin- son. His wife was 17 years of age at the time of their marriage. At 25 years of age Mr. Porter moved with his family to Mercer County, Pa., where he followed farming for a living, and two years later he moved to Crawford County, the same State, where he kept hotel. He followed this business but one year, when, in company with his wife and four children, he immigrated to Winneshiek County, Iowa, settling on the northeast quarter of section 10, township 96, north of range 8, west of the principal meridian. In the early history of the place Mr. Porter took a very conspicuous part. He was frequently engaged in litigation, and it is said by those who knew him best in other days that he resem- bled the heathen Chinese.
" For ways that are dark, And tricks that are vain, The heathen Chinee is peculiar."
This is affirmed on good authority, and the writer doubts not, with good reason, Mr. Porter was undoubtedly engaged in many " crooked " transactions, although nothing of a criminal nature has ever been proven against him in a court of justice.
The next settlers in the immediate vicinity, which was afterward des- tined to be Ossian, were the Brookses, who came a year and a half later. Chauncey Brooks had married Janett Newcombe. The natural result of this matrimonial alliance was an offspring born to them in the spring of 1852, which was the first white child born in Ossian. She was christened Mary. Capt. Caleb Brooks and Chauncey built a small, unpretentious log cabin, and lived the first years together. One of them afterwards built a stone building, which was used for years as a hotel.
J. O. Porter was the first to build. He erected a frame building, 18x20 in size, near the site of the old Quarter House, used years before by persons on their way from Fort Crawford to Fort Atkinson, and so named as it was considered a quarter of the distance between these places. This house became noted as a tavern, although the proprietor never " hung out his shingle," and is justly credited with being the first hotel in the place, and J. O. Porter the first landlord. During the year the land-office was located at Decorah, John Ossian Porter's house was a celebrated station for the stages running from McGregor west.
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
The next settlers following in the wake of the Brookses were Adolph Howard, John R. Howard, and Charles Wood. They came from Erie County, Pa. Nicholas Limebeck and family came next, and for a time at least rented land of Mr. Porter before making a permanent settle- ment. About this time James Brooks, the Nicholsons, Barney Boyle and McManus, took up their abode in this section.
The original town site of Ossian was laid out by its founder, John Ossian Porter, on the southeast corner of the section. It consisted of three blocks, in all fourteen lots. It was acknowledged by J. O. Porter and wife on the 13th of April, 1855, and was filed for record in the Recorder's office of Winneshiek County on the 30th of April, the same year. Mr. Elijah Middlebrook did the surveying. Two years later, on the 8th of April, Capt. C. E. Brooks acknowledged the plat of the first addition to Ossian, which was according placed on the proper record. It consists of six blocks, containing sixty-three lots.
On the 8th day of October, 1864, Capt. C. E. Brooks acknowledged the plat of his second addition to Ossian, which consisted of thirty blocks, divided into lots. This plat was properly recorded. On the 4th day of May, 1869, he laid out ten additional blocks, and called it Brooks' Western Addition to Ossian. This, so far as the records show, was the last addition to the place, and, minus the vacation of a few blocks by Mr. Brooks, is the Ossian of to-day.
In the early days of Ossian it was charged that a band of counter- feiters made it their rendezvous. Although counterfeit gold pieces were in circulation, and the " queer " " shoved " by suspicious persons, and other evidence existed that the nefarious business was being plied in this vicinity, yet no action was ever taken for the punishment of the sup- posed guilty parties.
Ossian assumed its name at the time of the establishment of the post- office at that place. Mr. Goddard was very anxious that a postoffice should be established here, and this result was finally brought about through his influence and labor. He circulated a petition asking the location of a postoffice at this point, which was unanimously signed. The petition was finally granted. Mr. J. Ossian Porter was made the first postmaster, and the new office was ever after known by his name.
Several years after the first town plat was made, Mr. Porter erected a shanty, and gave the use of the same to Erick Anderson, in which to conduct a mercantile business. Mr. Anderson purchased a stock of goods of Lathrop, who was located at Moneek, and had by this time begun to sensibly feel that the town was dead, and was glad of an
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
opportunity of selling. This stock was transferred to Ossian, and thus did Ossian acquire her first store and first merchant. At this time the country was poor, and everybody seemed to want credit. Mr. Ander- son very generously trusted, and, as a result, his mercantile pursuit was a failure.
The first school was taught in a roon over Erick Anderson's store, and a young man by the name of John Case taught it. This school was a select one, and was paid for out of the pockets of its patrons. Un- fortunately for the growing up youths of the place, Ossian had no public school building for years after that period when she needed such an institution. The residents were divided as to the best location for such a building, and forever quarreling about it. As a result, no build- ing was built, and the young children were the sufferers thereby.
The first school-house built in the village is now occupied as a saloon. About the year 1870 a large commodious brick school-house was built, which at present furnishes ample accommodations for the scholars that attend the public school. In the year 1871, or thereabout, a German school building was erected.
Almost from its earliest inception-from the time that its proprietor kept his jug well filled, down to the present time,-Ossian has been cel- ebrated for its traffic in intoxicating drinks, and street brawls were not an infrequent occurrence in its early history. The place used to be quite a rendezvous, as it were, for the sporting men. Here they would bring their scrub horses and have their scrub races, which often grew exciting and furnished much amusement. There were other amusements beside horse racing, to lighten the gloom, if such ever fell athwart the path of these settlers. Dancing was another favorite amusement, and considering the disadvantages under which it was pursued, must have been much relished and very exhilirating. Every week, about, a dance was announced to come off at the house of J. O. Porter, and here, at the appointed time, the boys with their girls would gather from every point of the compass. Jimmy Buller was the only musician, and the only tune he could play was, " Pop Goes the Weasel." This he would play and they would dance all night, making the old building fairly shake with their tread.
The first death to occur in the vicinity of Ossian, as near as can be ascertained, was that of Thomas Larsen. He was killed by an ox team running away with him.
In 1856, a Dr. Haskell became a resident of the place. He was a quack, and dealt in quack medicines. Dr. Blakeman was really Ossian's
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first physician. He did not remain long. Dr. N. A. Drake was the first physician that permanently located at Ossian and made a success of his profession.
Porter & Brooks were the first attorneys, or rather pettifoggers that the place had.
To the Rosa boys belongs the credit of running the first threshing machine west of Monona. They were ever busy, and did a lucrative business.
T. B. Wood gave Ossian its first newspaper enterprise. It lived but a short time. A second Enterprise was started in 1876, which likewise had a brief, but brilliant existence. In 1877, the Ossian Independent was started, by E. L. Howe. It remains for time to say whether this last venture shall succeed or not.
About the year 1861, when the whole country was in a fury of ex- citement over the secession of the Southern States, an event occurred which is worthy of record in the history of Ossian. Her chief propri- etors, Porter and Brooks, and a blacksmith named Henry, were Dem- ocrats, and talked favorable to the south, in a joking way. It was the wrong time to joke on so serious a subject. The loyal men of the sur- rounding country, and from the vicinity of Castalia, organized and paid Ossian a visit with the avowed purpose of humiliating her proprietors. They raised a liberty-pole, and floated from its top the Stars and Stripes.
The year 1865 marked a new era in the history of Ossian. That which was the death blow of Frankville-the railroad-gave fresh life to Ossian. During this year the railroad was built past its door. The year before, C. E Brooks made a fresh addition to the place, which was far-sighted, for town lots became in demand immediately. The follow- ing year the construction of numerous dwellings was commenced, and business interests of various kinds multiplied.
Broughton was the first druggist.
Ossian was nearly twenty-one years of age before a single church edifice had been erected. The Catholics erected a building for worship, which was the first, about the year 1869. About two years later the Methodists built a church.
To-day Ossian is the second place of importance in the county. As the shipments by railroad is an indication of what the place is, the figures are here given : In 1874, Ossian shipped 266,505 bushels of wheat, 1,871 bushels of oats, 8,820 bushels of barley, 1,693 live hogs, and 428,000 dressed hogs. This statement shows a business done, sec- ond only to that of Decorah. At the present writing, Ossian has a
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
population of about 700 souls. The city was incorporated March, 1876, and as a result of the first city election, the following city officers were elected :
Mayor-Geo. McWilliams.
Aldermen-James Kenedy, H. C. Borgess, Carl Eiler, S. D. Hinckley and J. J. Smith.
Clerk-James Maloy.
Around Ossian is a broad, open prairie, of the richest description, which is nearly all under cultivation, and presents to the eye a black surface, indicative of a soil of the most productive nature. It is a ship- ping point for a large section of country, the shipments from this station comparing favorably with any other along the road.
Ossian has not yet reached its acme. It will continue to progress for years to come, and in the future, promises to be one of our most flour- ishing inland cities.
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
CHAPTER XVII.
CALMAR.
Founding of Marysville, afterwards known as Calmar-Peter Clawson and Alf. Clark its Founders-Strife between Calmar and Conover for the Supremacy-The Iowa and Dakotah Branch Railroad- Incorporation of the Village - Newspaper History - Societies - Churches-Hotels-Saloons-The Natural Situation of the Place- Its Resources-Its Prospects for the Future-Population.
" In the early part of the year 1854, the first building was erected in Calmar by Peter Clawson and Alf. Clark, natives of Sweden, who came from California about that time, and located at this place. This build- ing was little more than a shanty, but served the double purpose of variety store and dwelling house, Clark & Clawson being the occupants and the first merchants of the town.
"John P. Landin, my informant, tells me that the town site, sur- veyed a little later in the season-himself helping to carry the chain- and was then platted and dedicated to the public, by Clark, the owner of the land. On the completion of the survey it was found that the " store " stood in the center of Main Street. Before winter, however, Clarke & Co. had erected three other buildings of more pretentions,- a hotel, the Calmar House, which burned down in August, 1873, a store, on the site now occupied by P. Olson's building, and a saloon, which stood on the ground now occupied by the Huston House.
Clark and Co. ran the new store, one Henry Miller the hotel, and Hans Gulbranson the saloon, while Landin served for some time in the capacity of hostler in the hotel stable. On account of the scarcity of shingles in the river markets at the time, the hotel was roofed in the first instance with canvas, or sheeting, and so remained for several months. Landin dug the first well in town, during the same year. It was sunk in the public square, and when down about fourteen feet, but before coming to water, it was left uncovered. One night Clawson, in a journey from the saloon to his store, walked into it. As there was no water in town
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
at the time, it is fair to presume that the ardent he got at the saloon was clear, and it made him so "loose " and limber that he was not in the least harmed by the fall. "On the 9th of July, 1854," says Landin, " before I ever saw Calmar, or the site where it stands, I stopped at Fort Atkinson, ate supper, stopped over night and breakfasted next day with Squire Cooney. After hoeing corn a while as an equivalent, I inquired of the Squire if there was any of my countrymen in the vicinity, and he told me that there was one by the name of Clark keeping store at Whisky Grove, and I came up here. It was my first day in Calmar. Whisky Grove, it appears, was a name often applied to this locality in those days.
" The town was by Clark named "Marysville," and went by that name for about one year, when a postoffice was located here, and, on account of there being another Marysville in the state, the name was changed to " Calmar." This latter name was also of Clark's choosing, and was given in remembrance of his native town of "Kalmar," situated on Kalmar Sound, on the southeast coast of Sweeden. Clark was the first Postmaster, and his successors have been P. M. Stanberg, D. S. Lovejoy, and John Scott, the present incumbent.
"In the year 1855, Landin erected a wooden building on the site now occupied by the Clawson & Landin Block. In that building he opened up a grocery business, and sold whisky and beer-the latter he brewed himself in an underground cave near by. A large percentage of his sales were paid in butter and eggs. At that time he paid from six cents to nine cents per pound for butter, and three cents per dozen for eggs. Whisky sold at five cents a glass, so that for only one dozen and eight eggs a man could get a " square drink," and if a customer wanted a "nog" it was common for the trader to throw in the egg "free gratis."
" During the next year (1856) the original portion of the Huston House was built by Clark, and is the oldest structure now standing in town. After this there were the usual changes and improvements com- mon to small country towns, for a number of years. The place was slowly thriving, but nothing of importance occurred until the fall of 1864, at which time the track of the Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway was laid into and past Calmar. No depot was built here, and no side track put down, and the people were quite despondent at the prospect of being totally ignored by the railroad company, and having their village passed by with no more notice than if it had been a straw stack. Con- over, three miles further west, was the terminus of the road for the season, and there the company built a depot and put in side tracks. 18
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
Conover was seemingly the fortune favored locality. During the follow- ing winter and spring it was a point where material for construction was gathered, and a general rendezvous for the railroad operatives ; and for some time it bid fair to become the "boss town " of the county. Like a Pacific Coast mining camp, it was of mushroom growth. In the course of six months from the starting it had attained a population of about twelve hundred, and boasted several hundred buildings, including stores, hotels, butcher shops, and some fourteen saloons-the latter doing a "land office" business. Town lots were held at a fabulous price, and the lucky farmer whose land adjoined the new metropolis considered his fortune secured. The Conover man, with an air of patronizing sympa- thy, advised his Calmar friend to " move up," and not waste his exist- ence in so dull a place as Calmar, assuring him that in no event could it again become of any importance except as a suburb of Conover. Some of our townsmen credulously acted on this advice, with the subse- quent experience of the prodigal son. A few months after this the railroad commenced building a depot and putting down side tracks in Calmar. All the business men were as tickled as a boy who has narrowly escaped a threshing. Some of them exhibited their good feeling by helping the workmen to carry and place rails on the track, and making themselves generally useful, until it seemed to occur to them that the track at that stage would be put down without their help, and that their enthusiasm was manifesting itself in a somewhat ludicrous manner. After this quite a rivalry sprung up between the two villages, and it seemed uncertain for a couple of years which would come off victor. But as the railroad was completed further on, Conover's inhabitants were in part withdrawn. Her trade gradually diminished and her prosperity . disappeared. People moved away and took their buildings with them. the renegade Calmarite took his store or his dwelling, piece-meal, or mounted it on skids, and then attaching a long string of oxen, slowly and mournfully moved back into the bosom of his first love, a sadder, but doubtless a wiser man. This was done by deserters to surrounding towns, until the village up the way had to a great extent disappeared, which disappearance was helped along by a disastrous fire occurring about the same time. Of late years there are some unfeeling persons who, all unmindful of the former glory of the little village, persist in calling it " Gone-over ;" but it is not altogether gone, and there are still some good men staying there. In fact it seems to be a remarkable place for staying, as all who have passed by rail between this point and Decorah can testify. The jolly conductor, who, in the winter of 1873, gained a
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
reputation as a "snow-bucker," seems to have a decided tendency to stay in Conover ; so much so that his passengers often wonder if he has concluded to settle there. Though quite able to buck his train through a formidable snow drift, in any ordinary locality, in Conover he would seem to be unable to propel himself through a bank of moonshine.
But the little town is still a good place to rest. It has about it that " Hold-on-boys-don't-fiet-it-won't-take-you-long-to-rest-an-hour" sort of an air, that is perfectly irresistible. It is fair to presume that if the " Seven Sleepers " had not awakened till recently, and should have first opened their eyes in that village, instead of making many strange inquiries, and exhibiting surprise at the changed appearance of the modern Ephesus, or the altered look, or behavior of the inhabitants, they would have merely looked around a moment, stretched their limbs, yawned, and then turned over and commenced another nap. The Trojan spirits who still cling to the fortunes of that village are certainly deserving of the highest praise. Like the stern Roman soldier who stood guard at the gate of Pompeii, and still refused to leave his post, though the sky " rained fire and ashes," and the molten, bubbling flood advanced, threatening sure destruction, they deserve to be embalmed in history. But when they shall have tired of the unequal struggle against destiny, Calmar stands with open arms to receive them as the honored representatives of her former rival.
" In the year 1868, work was commenced on the Iowa & Dakotah branch of the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, with Calmar as its eastern terminus and junction with the main line. During the year, track was laid as far as New Hampton, considerably increasing the trade of the town, and adding to its importance as a shipping center as the road was pushed further into the interior. During the next year the Decorah branch was built, but for a year thereafter the trains of that branch did not run farther east than Conover, since which time Calmar has been the eastern end of their run and the point of passenger transfer. But, as already stated, these trains still make a stay at Conover.
" In the year 1869, under the provisions of the Municipal Incorpora- tion Act, Chapter 51, Revised Statutes of 1860, Calmar was made an incorporated town, and was duly organized by the election of municipal officers in March, 1870. John Scott was elected Mayor, and was re- elected in 1871. In 1872 John W. Tower was elected Mayor, and in 1873-4 the citizens chose S. V. Potter to fill that office. In 1875 the mantle was worn by A. E. Manchester, and E. Pennington is the present incumbent. Since the incorporation of the town, several miles of side-
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
walks and cross-walks have been built, Town Hall erected, and many other public improvements made.
" In the year 1870, Calmar first boasted a newspaper. It was called the Winneshiek Representative, and was published and edited by T. B Wood. It was continued here for about a year, and was then removed to Ossian, where it died a natural death shortly afterwards. The next venture in the newspaper business was undertaken by S. S. Haislett. He issued the first number of the Calmar Guardian on the 19th of April, 1876, and has ever since continued its publication.
The Free-Masons have a Lodge in Calmar with a membership of forty-five. Their hall is over the postoffice, and is neat, commodious and well furnished. The Lodge is out of debt, and its growth and influence in our town has been rapid and benificent.
"The Sons and Daughters of Temperance also have a Lodge here, and although organized only about a year ago, it has about forty active members, and is doing a good work. Their hall, on the upper floor of the Anderson-Landin Block, is large and well arranged. In them is also embodied the 'Calmar Dramatic Club,' which for the last four years has been one of the recognized institutions of the place. Their hall is furnished with a stage, scenery and all the requisites for success- ful dramatic representation.
"Calmar is not a 'City of Churches," but the near future is full of promise in that direction. The Norwegian Lutheran Society have a substantial stone edifice, occupying a commanding eminence in the eastern limits of the town, which was built in 1857, but has since been enlarged and refurnished. The Methodists hold public worship in the school building at present, but have hopes of being able to build before long, while the Roman Catholics have purchased grounds near the center of town, and will shortly commence the erection of a fine church Edifice thereon.
" The Calmar Graded School, with Prof. J. A. Klein as principal, and Miss Isbell, assistant, is being conducted in a very creditable manner, and exhibits on its rolls for the present term the names of 125 pupils. The school building is large, well ventilated, and a model of convenience.
" The hotels are the Calmar Hotel, the Huston House and the Ameri- can House, all well kept and doing a good business. Our town is still in need of further hotel accommodations. Any person with sufficient capital to erect a first-class hotel building here, and to furnish it in good shape, having at the same time the ' talent to run an hotel," will find a good opportunity for a paying investment.
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HISTORY OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY.
" The manufacturing establishment of Miller, Giesing & Co. is one of the live institutions of the place. Besides turning out numerous bob- sleighs, carriages, etc., this company turned out last season 125 wagons. The' ' Calmar Wagon ' is fast gaining a wide reputation.
" For the size of the place, Calmar has fewer saloons than any other town in the county, though there are five here in active operation, each paying a license of $100 a year to the corporation for the privilege of selling ale, wine and beer.
" John Hammer and -. Umheifer run the Calmar meat markets, and R. Dixon and C. J. Lindgren are the knights of the strop and razor. Prominent among our contractors and builders are L. O. Moon and J. A. Beebe.
"Calmar is situated on an elevated ridge, directly on the line of the old Military Road, which formerly led from McGregor to Fort Atkin- son, and is about five miles southeast of the latter place. The sur- rounding country is a high rolling prairie, with beautiful groves of young timber here and there, some of which have been planted, and others that have grown up since the ingress of the first settlers. No finer prospect can be found in Northern Iowa than is afforded from the Landin Block, in Calmar. Especially is this true in autumn, when a peculiarly heavy haze often lingers in the great troughs between the prairie swells like the arms of a stretching sea, while the summits of the swells, with their russet-tinted groves, and farm houses, stretch away, one beyond another, like island ridges, the whole forming a beautiful and fairy-like archipelago. To the west and south, here and there a glimpse may be caught of the timber fringe marking the course of the Turkey, while northward may be seen patches of the bluffy highlands which lie contiguous to the Upper Iowa. Taken altogether, a more pleasingly-diversified landscape would be hard to find. A more health- ful locality than Calmar can not be found within the State. Being high and dry, it is exceedingly free from malaria, and when other and lower localities are stifling in a dead air, under a sweltering sun, Calmar almost invariably has a cool, refreshing breeze. Excellent water is found at a depth of from 16 to 30 feet.
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