USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > Past and present of Winneshiek county, Iowa; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 13
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"Most of these immigrants-practically all, in fact,-have been very poor and have sought this land of opportunity to improve their economic condition. As they have come largely from the rural districts in Norway and have left their native land at a time when the spirit of liberty has been strong among her people, their great desire has been to gain possession of a small portion of America's fertile soil and live the independent life of a farmer under her free institutions. For these reasons they have been attracted to the homestead lands and the cheap farming lands of the newer settlements, and have gladly assumed the burdens of pioneer life with its proverbial privations and hardships.
"But, though economically poor, they have not come to America to partake of her blessings without possessing anything to offer in return. They have brought with them a heritage, the best that their adopted country could desire, --- uprightness of character. habits of industry, a law-abiding and God-fearing spirit, a patriotism that impelled thousands of them to take up arms in behalf of the Union during the Civil war, and the desire to give their children the best educa- tion that their scanty means afforded. That their children might enjoy proper educational advantages has been to them a matter of great concern, for they have all tasted, at least, of the 'Pierean Spring'-have received some schooling in their native land-and they have been eager that opportunities for improvement and advancement that circumstances rendered impossible for them should not be denied their children ; and the satisfaction that many of these immigrants have had in seeing their children enjoy the abundant educational advantages of this favored land has been far greater than the possession of broad acres and fertile fields.
"The chief characteristic, however, of Norwegian immigrants has been their deeply religious nature, which systematic instruction in the truths of the Chris- tian religion and the example and precepts of pious parents early implanted in their youthful souls. This characteristic has been the fundamental factor of their existence, determining their view of life, their sense of duty and respon-
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sibility as Christians, parents, citizens, and members of society in general. In this characteristic more than in any other is to be sought the explanation of the hospitality and other qualities that travelers in Norway are wont to praise and the qualities that render the great majority of those of them who have come 10 this country the desirable citizens that they are usually said to be. With zeal they have entered into the political and industrial life of the nation. With equal zeal they have endeavored to supply the means of nourishing their spiritual life and transmitting it to their posterity unimpaired. They are as a whole Lutherans, and have organized church-bodies to promote religious activity and have estab- lished institutions of learning for the purpose of insuring a well-equipped min- istry and an enlightened body of laymen to continue the work.
"Pre-eminent, by virtue of its age and influence, among institutions of learn- ing founded by Norwegian Lutherans in this country is Luther College, of Decorah, lowa. In fact. so distinct and far-reaching has been its influence that i. has been beyond comparison the greatest spiritual and educational factor in the life of Norwegians in America and has rendered a service to church and state that has amply rewarded every sacrifice made in its behalf.
"Luther College was founded in 1861. A beautiful tract of land had been secured for the college by Dr. V. Koren in the northwestern part of the city; buit, as no arrangements had been made for suitable quarters at Decorah, school was commenced during the first year in a large vacant parsonage, which had been placed at the disposal of the Synod for this purpose, at Half Way Creek, Wis., about thirteen miles from La Crosse. School opened Sept. 4. 1861. with ¿ faculty of two teachers, Pres. Laur Larsen and an assistant, and an enroll- ment of five students. Later in the year the number of students increased to eleven and then decreased to nine.
"In 1862 the college was transferred to Decorah, and for three years occupied what is now the St. Cloud Hotel, which the Synod had purchased. Later an adjoining building was erected to meet the increasing requirements for more room.
"Oct. 14, 1865, the new building which the Synod had erected on its 32-acre tract was dedicated and henceforth used by the college. The south wing, which was not built at this time and the erection of which remained to complete the structure according to the original plan, was, in the course of time, added, and the college grew and prospered.
"May 19. 1889. however, the stately edifice was destroyed by fire. The loss was keenly felt, but it was decided to rebuild without delay. In the meantime classrooms were fitted up in the basement of the First N. E. 1 .. Church and in other buildings in the vicinity, where temporary quarters had been secured, and the work of the college was resumed the following school year under many disadvantages. The new building, reared on the foundation of the old, and of the same dimensions, was completed with all possible speed, and was dedicated and ready for occupancy Oct 14, 1890. Since then the equipment, faculty, and number of buildings have steadily been augmented.
"In 1902, after 41 years of faithful service. President Larsen requested the Synod to relieve him of the duties of the presidency. The Synod granted his request and elected President Christian K. Preus as his successor.
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EQUIPMENT
COLLEGE CAMPUS
"The campus is a fine natural park on the left bank of Upper lowa river, about one mile from the center of the city. It is a 32-acre tract of comparatively level ground adorned by many shade trees, chiefly oaks. It has ample space for buildings, driveways, athletic fields, and pleasant retreats. The adjoining river, bluffs, and valley afford scenery of unusual beauty and interest.
MAIN BUILDING
"Main Building ( 170x52, four stories and basement ) is a noble and imposing structure, beautifully situated on an eminence overlooking the city to the east and the river valley to the west. Its well lighted interior is very attractive and affords room for offices, classrooms, the library, reading rooms, chapels, and students' rooms. The students' boarding club has the use of a large part of the basement, while the rest is used for various other purposes. The building is provided with steam heat, electric light, arrangements for artificial ventilation, stand-pipes with hose on each floor ready for instant use at all times in case of fire, lavatories, and other modern improvements. The upper floors afford accom- modations for IIO students, who are thus enabled to pursue their studies under the most favorable conditions.
LAUR LAARSEN HALL
"A commodions new dormitory (center 50x40; two wings, each 90x40; all three stories and basement ) accommodating upwards of 200 students has recently been erected on the campus to the southeast of the Main Building. It was ded- icated Oct. 13, 1907, in the presence of a great number of visitors and given the name of Laur Larsen Hall, in honor of Dr. Laur Larsen, the former pres- ident of the College. It is a handsome brick structure, and is provided with excellent fire protection ( the same system as the Main Building ) steam heat, electric light, and modern conveniences throughout. Besides the excellent ac- commodations that it furnishes a large number of students, it has dwelling apart- ments for a professor and family, class-rooms, a large room for the use of the bands and other musical organizations, a chemical and physical laboratory, and a workshop for the manufacture and repair of scientific apparatus.
LIBRARY AND READING ROOM
"The Library and Reading Room occupy quarters on the first floor of the Main Building. They contain 16.441 volumes, besides pamphlets, papers, and other printed matter. Additions of the best works in the various departments of study are made as rapidly as the available resources permit. The Library receives an annuity of $200 from Synod, besides the annual fees paid by the students.
"The Library is furnished with a card catalogue according to the Dewey decimal classification system.
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"The Reading Room contains the encyclopedias, dictionaries, and other works of reference, also such books as are temporarily assigned to it by the teachers. The Reading Room and the Students' Reading Society, 'Muspelheim,' receive together more than 50 foreign and American periodicals, besides daily and weekly newspapers.
MUSEUM
"The Museum occupies the building (60x30, two stories) to the northwest of the Main Building. The scientific section comprises collections of minerals, mounted animals, plants, birds' eggs and nests. The ethnological section is par- ticularly strong in Norwegian specimens; there are also many specimens illus- trative of Eskimo and Indian life. There are many photographs of churches, schools, and other public buildings erected by Scandinavians in this country, and of ministers, journalists, and other prominent men. The library section contains more than 4,000 numbers, to a great extent Scandinavian-American publications. Of Norwegian- American papers and periodicals there are over 500 complete, and a very large number of incomplete, volumes. There is also a collection of coins and stamps. Special attention is paid to the development of the Norwegian sec- tion of the ethnological department.
LIBRARY AND MUSEUM BUILDING
"It has been quite generally recognized for some time that the quarters occupied by the library and museum are insufficient and do not afford the valu- able collections that they contain adequate protection against fire. The students themselves have become so thoroughly alive to this fact that in the spring of 1909 they voluntarily undertook to make 27,000 cement blocks ( the number re- quired for such a buikling according to the statement of the architect ), of which 17,000 are already done .*
SCIENCE LABORATORY
"The Chemical and Physical Laboratory is located in the west wing of Laur Larsen Itall. The Laboratory is a well-lighted room, and will accommodate 30 students at one time. The tables are designed for laboratory work in Chemistry and Physics, and are supplied with gas and water.
"The lockers containing the individual apparatus for students' use are well supplied. A lecture room adjoins the Laboratory, and contains most of the chem- ical and physical library.
"There are two rooms for the storage of apparatus and chemicals, and a well equipped shop for the manufacture and repair of apparatus.
HOSPITAL
"The Hospital is a small building to the south of the Main Building and was erected to furnish proper accommodations in case of illness among the stu-
" Since this statement was compiled (in 1911) the number has increased to 20,000.
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dents. It is divided into two entirely separate wards, one for contagious and one for non-contagious diseases.
GYMNASIUM AND AUDITORIUM
"This structure is a substantial frame building ( 124x75) pleasantly located to the north of the Main Building, among the shade trees of the Campus. It was originally built in 1885-6, and was paid for with money raised chiefly through the efforts of the students. In the spring of 1903 it was enlarged to nearly three times its former dimensions, and in addition to increased space for gym- nastic apparatus and drills, basketball and kindred sports, it also furnishes a large and commodious auditorium for concerts and other occasions. It has a seating capacity of more than 2,000.
COLLEGE LIGHTING AND HEATING PLANT
"The College has its own electric light plant, which was installed by the Alumni Association some years ago at an expenditure of about $2,500, and a central steam heating plant. Besides adding materially to the comfort and con- venience of the students, this method of lighting and heating the buildings obviates a frequent source of fires, which are often caused by the use of lamps and stoves. "The College is also supplied with city water.
VALUE OF COLLEGE PROPERTY AND FUNDS
"The value of the college plant (campus, buildings, and equipment) is now $236,968.00. Its income-bringing property and funds, received mostly as lega- cies in sums varying from $300 to $7.343.23, amounts to $16,688.95, of which the income of $800 is applied to professors' salaries, the income of $10,493.23 is applied to student aid, the income of $4,000 is applied in the interest of natural sciences."
In 1911 the fiftieth anniversary of the founding of the college was celebrated. The celebration began on October 13th, with a banquet in which several hun- dred members of the Alumni, and friends of the college participated.
On the day following the real celebration occurred. It included the unveil- ing of a bronze statue of Martin Luther, the gift of the women of the Synod churches, and the reading of many congratulatory telegrams, cablegrams and let- ters. Among the cablegrams was one from King Haakon of Norway. The student singers of Norway cabled an invitation to Luther College Concert Band to visit Norway in 1914 and participate in the celebration of the one hundredth an- niversary of Norwegian independence. The invitation was accepted and the band leaves next April to be in Christiania on May 17th.
A feature of the evening was the presentation of an $250,000 endowment fund. James J. Hill, the St. Paul railroad builder and financier, had promised $50.000 on condition that $200.000 more be raised by the college. For good measure they raised $235,000, and J. Pierpont Morgan, the New York banker, topped it off with an unsolicited check for $1,000, but the surplus $36,000 was used in liquidating an indebtedness.
Vol. 1-8
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
To close this sketch here would be to leave unsung a just meed of praise to one who deserves all the good things that have been said of him. We refer to Luther's "grand old man," Dr. Laur Larsen, who for forty-one years ruled as its president and who today, having just celebrated his eightieth birthday, enjoys good health and the reverence and esteem of friends and acquaintances whose numbers are legion. Coming to the college as a comparatively young man, he has devoted his life to the training of boys and young men in the Chris- tian virtues that have made their mature years a monument to his untiring labors, his faith, and his every-day example of clean living and love for his fellowmen. In paying this tribute to Dr. Larsen we are not forgetting those who have worked by his side. They too have done their part, but always with the knowledge that Luther College would not have attained to its present high standing had his ability and influence been lacking.
As previously stated, when Dr. Larsen retired from the presidency of the college his duties were placed upon the shoulders of Rev. C. K. Preus, who was one of Dr. Larsen's "boys" back in 1873. Under his administration the college has continued to prosper in all its departments. While the spiritual develop- ment has not been permitted to lag, the demands of business management have compelled Professor Preus to give much time and attention to this feature of the work, and he has been eminently successful.
During the past eight years the college faculty has been greatly strengthened. The best evidence of this lies in the fact that other and larger schools have made overtures to some of its members. As constituted at the present time the faculty is as follows :
A. M. Rovelstad. A. M .. Latin language and literature.
T. E. Thompson, A. B., English.
Rev. Oscar A. Tingelstad, A. M., psychology and education.
Rev. Sigurd C. Ylvisaker, Ph. D., Greek language and literature, Hebrew. Greek testament.
11. S. Hilleboe. A. M .. Principal of preparatory department, education, psychol- ogy, Norwegian.
B. K. Sævre. A. B., mathematics.
Enoch E. Peterson, A. B., Latin.
O. B. Overn. A. B., science, mathematics.
Rev. I. B. Torrison, A. B., college pastor.
Rev. Laur Larsen, D. D., president emeritus.
Rev. C. K. Preus, president, Christianity, Augsburg confession.
Lars S. Reque. A. M., French, Roman constitution and literature.
Rev. Chr. A. Næseth, A. M., college librarian.
11. W. Sheel, B. S., science, mathematics.
W. Sihler. A. M., German language and literature, Greek.
Oscar L. Olson, A. M., English language and literature.
Knut Gjerset. Ph. D., Norwegian language and literature, history.
Rev. Carlo A. Sperati. A. B .. musical director, Christianity.
PAROCHTIMI. SCHOOLS
In addition to the public schools of the county, the Norwegian Lutheran con- gregations maintain parochial schools. In some of these the pupils are given
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instruction in the common school branches up to the sixth grade, in addition to instruction in religion.
Most of the Catholic congregations also maintain schools of a similar nature. Their schools in Decorah, Spillville, Ossian, Calmar and Fort Atkinson are well attended, and the school properties are a credit to their supporters.
CHAPTER XI
THE NEWSPAPERS
Winneshiek county has never been overburdened with newspapers. While there have been a sufficient number to represent her wealth and progress, and to chronicle the daily doings of her inhabitants, she has been singularly and hap- pily free from a large number of weak and struggling publications, such as mark some counties not far distant where railroad towns have sprung up and grown to proportions that demanded newspaper representation, yet were not able or willing to accord the support necessary to build up strong, substantial papers.
Decorah, as the county seat, naturally attracted the early-day disciples of Guttenburg and Faust. Here in 1855 a man named Tracy established the Chron- icle. The story of this publication and its successor is briefly told in the follow- ing item taken from the Decorah Republican of Oct. 26, 1905:
"In looking over some of his father's papers recently. H. P. Nicholson, Jr., of Military township, came across some papers that bore light upon the early-day newspapers of Decorah and their efforts at existence. They also indicate that Mr. Nicholson was then, as he has always been since, a believer in publicity and an interested follower of the news of the day. The papers above referred to are-all but one-receipts for subscriptions. The first is dated November 23, 1855, and calls for a year's subscription to the Decorah Chronicle beginning with Vol. 1, No. 4, and running to Vol. 2, No. 3. Tracy & Co. were its owners and this was probably the first paper of Decorah. A little over a year later- December 6, 1856-another receipt calls for a year's reading of the Republican, of which B. F. Jones was then editor, from Vol. I, No. 35, to Vol. 2, No. 34. This indicates that Tracy & Co. didn't any more than last the year out. June 15, 1858, is the date of the third receipt which was issued by F. Belfoy for one year of the Decorah Gazette, beginning with Vol. I, No. I."
The Gazette was the immediate predecessor of the Decorah Republic. In the fall of 1859. Wesley Bailey, of Utica, New York, grandfather of this his- torian, came to Decorah and purchased the plant of the Gazette, engaging Mr. Belfoy to remain and hold the field until spring, when, in company with his son Ansel K. Bailey and their families, he returned to Decorah and assumed con- trol of the paper, the firm being Wesley Bailey & Son. Its name was changed
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIER COUNTY
to the Republic and the first number under the new management was issued on April 13. 1860. In March, 1866, the name was changed to the Republican and it has so remained during the intervening years. Because of failing health. Wesley Bailey disposed of his interest in the paper to his sons Ansel and Alvin Stewart Bailey in 1869, the firm name being changed to A. K. Bailey & Brother and remaining so until 1885. In that year Charles T. Bailey purchased the in- terest of AA. S. Bailey, and the firm became A. K. Bailey & Son. Two years later E. C. Bailey purchased the interest of his brother, and in toob the busi- ness was incorporated. the name remaining A. K. Bailey & Son. On the death of A. K. Bailey in September. 1900, E. C. Bailey assumed the complete man- agement of the business in both business and editorial departments.
The Decorah Journal is the second oldest newspaper in Winneshiek county. Its history begins back in 1866 with the establishment of The Winneshiek Reg- ister by George W. Haislet. Alexander's History says the office was destroyed by fire in November of that year. A new office was purchased, but in the spring of 1860 the paper was compelled to suspend. "August 25. 1809. he ( Mr. Hais- let ) re-issued his paper under the name of Register & Ventilator, afterwards dropping the first half of the name. Several years later W. N. Burdick became a partner with Haislet, and soon bought him out entirely, and in 1874 was sole proprietor, and changed the name Ventilator to Winneshick Register. In No- vember, 1874, Mr. Burdick sold out to A. A. Aiken and Henry Woodruff. Early in February, 1875. the Saturday Bee was issued as an extra from the office of the Register. In the latter part of 1875 the Register establishment absorbed the Independent ( which was started by Ed. Wood and S. S. Haislet in the sum- mer of 1874), the combined paper taking the name Independent-Register. In January, 1876. Mr. Viken sold out his interest, Henry Woodruff becoming edi- tor and manager of the Bee, which continued without change till January, 1870. Ed. Wood taking the Independent-Register, and soon dropping the word Register from the name. About the first of June, 1876, Mr. Wood sold out and gave place to J. F. Meagher, who. in the latter part of July, stepped down and out, Mr. Woodruff of the Decorah Journal becoming its purchaser, and its subscription list was united with that of the Bee. In January, 1879, the regular publication of the weekly Decorah Journal commenced, it being virtually the successor of the old Register and Independent, and the Bee office soon dropped its separate character and became part of the Journal establishment." Mr. Haislet spent several years in Cresco, after leaving the Register, but in August, 1875, returned to Decorah and started the publication of the Ventilator, but it suspended in a short time, its editor going to Dubuque, where he remained until the fall of 1876, when he once more engaged in business here, starting the Decorah Radical. Mr. Haislet died March 6, 1881, but his widow continued the paper until May 1. 1882, when Charles 11. Craig purchased the plant and changed the paper's name to the Decorah Pantagraph. On November 15. 1884. W. E. Alexander bought out Mr. Craig and the paper's name was changed to the Press, but after a few months he sold out to Mr. Woodruff of the Journal. In 1891 C. C. Contant, who had been located at Calmar for several years, bought an interest in the Jour- nal and two years later acquired his partner's interest also. He continued in ownership until about six years ago, when he sold out to Charles Meyer of Leaf River, Illinois, and thereafter followed three partnerships Meyer & Mead,
A. K. BAILEY
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
Meyer & Holmes ( the latter, W. HI. Holmes, who had been foreman of the Jour- nal for some time ), and Ilolmes & Biermann, F. E. Biermann being the purchaser of Meyer's interest. Mr. Biermann purchased Mr. Holmes' interest in 1911 and has since been sole owner.
The third paper in age in Winneshiek county is the Decorah-Posten, the lead- ing semi-weekly Norwegian newspaper in America. B. Anundsen, its founder. came to Decorah in 1867 and opened an office for the purpose of printing the various publications of the Norwegian Lutheran Synod. In September, 1874, he began the publication of Posten and gradually it grew both in size and popu- larity. In 1882 he was sending out 7,000 copies weekly, and in the years imme- diately succeeding the subscription list grew rapidly, passing successively in short periods the 10,000 mark, 15,000, 20,000 and on up until in the 'gos the paper was going to more than 30,000 subscribers in all parts of the world. When it was changed from a weekly to a semi-weekly its popularity was still further increased and it has continued to grow steadily and substantially. At the pres- ent time 40,000 copies are issued twice each week. The equipment for printing this large number of papers is of the modern type employed by the city dailies and is complete in all departments. As is well known to the people of the county, Mr. Anundsen died in March, 1913, after an illness of about three years. 1lis business had previously been incorporated under the title of The B. Anundsen Publishing Company and is ably conducted, the business management having fallen upon Robert B. Bergerson, who was a protege of Mr. Anundsen. In the biographical volume of this work will be found a sketch of Mr. Amundsen's life.
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