USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > Past and present of Winneshiek county, Iowa; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 20
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There was at that time no limit. A person could purchase all the land he wanted if he had the money to pay for it. This afforded speculators an opportunity to buy large tracts, to the detriment of actual settlers, the evils of which are felt even to the present day.
The "Preemption Law," giving a year's time to pay for the land on which a person had settled and made improvements, was of much help in acquiring homes for those who were poor. but the "Homestead" law, enacted in the sixties, was more than all other things the cause of speedily peopling the great West. Just think of it ! get a farm anywhere on the public domain for the trouble of taking it in possession !
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The first political convention in Winneshiek county was held in the spring of 1851, right in our Norwegian settlement. The parties then existing, democratic, free soil and whig, were all represented, but not a word of party politics was ut- tered. The all absorbing question was county organization, county officers and county seat. Nominations that resulted in the election of men to offices of trust were based solely on their honest looks ; handsome dress and silver-tongued oratory played no figure. Overhearing, as I did, some of the caucus talk which dis- criminated against a man because he wore a stovepipe hat, reminds me of the fact that trivial causes may have important consequences. For the public wel- fare it might have been better if some of the officers elected had been in posses- sion of as much ability as honesty. All being strangers to each other, it truly was a wonderful example of how successfully popular government can be initiated where the prime principles of law and order are understood and respected.
The fact that the first district schoolhouse was erected among the Norwegians in our county shows that they had the prerequisites for becoming intelligent American citizens.
Norwegian Church and School
Methodist Episcopal Church
Catholic Church
A GROUP OF CALMAR CHURCHES
CHAPTER XXIII
BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP
(As recorded in Anderson & Goodwin's Atlas by M. P. Riggs.)
It is conceded by all that Hamilton Campbell, Sr., was the first settler in Bloomfield, having moved here June 10, 1848.
They settled on what subsequently proved to be the west half of section 23; also northwest quarter of 26, township 96, range 7, west of the 5th P. M., Winneshiek county, Iowa, said county not having been surveyed until the year 1849. Mr. Campbell's postoffice was Dubuque, Iowa, about sixty miles distant. His first milling was down at or near McGregor landing on Bloody Run. Millers would not grind his wheat but instead would buy the wheat at 25 cents per bushel and sell in return flour at $10.00 per hundred.
Mr. David Reed was the next settler in Bloomfield township, settling on section 25. He was better known as Judge Reed.
Phineas Banning was the next to settle, in June 10, 1849. He with his wife and four children settled on sections 5 and 6. Mr. Banning traded a gun and only wagon for his claim. Thus for two years his only mode of conveyance in visiting his distant neighbors was a pair of oxen and sled.
From now on settlers began to gather in Bloomfield like bees to their hive; among those arriving were Mr. Townsden, John DeCou, Abner DeCou, Mose McSwain and Gideon Green. The latter brought boards from Milwaukee to make the only door in his log cabin.
The first born in Bloomfield was Miss Sarah Campbell in the year 1849, who still resides on the same section.
Winneshiek postoffice was established in 1851 on section 26. Castalia post- office the same year and Moneek postoffice in 1852. Winneshiek and Moneek have been discontinued for many years.
The first schoolhouse was built in 1853. No. 3, or commonly known as the "red schoolhouse," was built in the fall of 1854. Castalia schoolhouse was built in the spring of 1855. No. I, or "white schoolhouse," was built in 1855.
School taught, where and by whom: District No. I was a little log house on Jacob Hohenshielt's land on section 9, a structure IOX14 feet, where every scholar had to furnish his own seat. It was taught by Mrs. Abigail Meyers.
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District No. 5 was taught by Miss Green in section 14 in 1853. Castalia school was taught in the summer of 1855 by Mrs. Abigail Meyers.
The first church was built in 1856 by the United Brethren in Christ, on sec- tion 16. Fine horse vehicles were not to be seen but instead ox teams and a class of people who always extended their hospitality to everyone.
The following weddings were recorded from 1848 to 1858:
George Cooper to Miss Emily Logan, March 14, 1854. Lathrop. J. P.
David Meyers to Miss Abigail Baird. November 14. 1854. Rev. John Brown officiating.
Sam Allen to Sarah Holcomb. May 3. 1855.
David Polly to Martha Windell, January 21, 1855. Lathrop, J. P.
Enos Lambert to Esther Ann Holcomb. April 19, 1855. Rev. John Brown officiating.
Edward Harvey to Lucy Polly. March 31. 1855. Rev. Fathergill, pastor.
Geo. Foster to Ellen Bates, August 21, 1855. L. W. Smith, J. P.
Milton P. Riggs to Mrs. Abigail Meyers, June 10. 1857. Rev. Geo. Larkins. pastor.
I'm. Oxley to Miss C. A. Townsden, December 19. 1857. Rev. W. W. Richardson, pastor.
Bloomfield township was first known as township No. 96. On April 2d a meeting was held at Moncek for the purpose of electing judges of election and voting upon a name other than No. 96.
The following judges were selected: Daniel B. Pierce. Gideon Green and Nelson Burdick. At a vote following the name Bloomfield received the largest number of votes, giving it its present name.
The following is the list of first voters at an election ever held in Bloomfield township :
Henry Walrath, Samuel B. Jones. A. C. Andrews, John Webster, L. W. Smith, T. A. Windell, Nathaniel Cornell. J. W. Larkins. D. Webster, N. M. Webster. A. P. Cornell. Joel Cailiff, C. B. Riggs, N. Banning. S. Sherman, N. E. Hubbell, M. S. Drury. C. W. Bucknam, S. B. Pierce. C. Dean. Alexander Stew- art, Russell Dean, Wm. Taylor, Sam Brush, P. C. Huffman, Fred Larkins, Daniel D. Webster, Levi Grandy. Steven Allen. W. D. Pierce. G. W. Estey, Gideon Green. M. Townsden, J. Gibson. J. Doane. Andrew Shawns. I. Duff. A. DeCou, Harvey Knowles. I. Cailiff.
The following township officers were elected :
Justices-L. W. Smith, Lewis Boughner.
Trustees-Thomas Rathborne. Phineas Banning, Henry Walrath.
Town Clerk-P. C. Huffman.
AAssessor-M. S. Drury.
Constables-T. A. Windell. J. Stewart.
The foregoing record by Mr. Riggs tells of the carly days. The Bloom- field township of today presents a far different sight than greeted the eyes of the pioneers. Where then was an occasional log but now there are modern homes and the farms are among the thriftiest in the county. The best methods in crop culture have many students among her citizens and they are keeping abreast of the times in all things.
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CASTALIA
This town is one of the oldest in this section of Iowa, and is also one of the youngest. It came into actual existence in the days when the Military road was the only thoroughfare into Northeastern lowa, but it did not arrive at a state of real prosperity until 1902, when it incorporated. Since then many improvements have been brought about, and more are being steadily added.
It makes the boast of having more cement sidewalks for its size than any town in this portion of Iowa. In fact, it has nothing but cement sidewalks, which is a mark of enterprise on the part of its citizens. A town hall that was erected some years ago is owned by a stock company and affords a splendid place for entertainments and public gatherings. It is one of the best live stock markets; its business houses are all prosperous, and enjoy a good trade, largely because it is located in one of the most fertile agricultural districts in the state.
Its business houses are eleven in number and are as follows: Garage, Harvey Brothers; general stores, W. H. Haefner, W. H. Roe; hotel and grocery, N. Schoonmaker; drug store, W. K. Riggs; Castalia Savings Bank, D. C. Malloy, cashier ; restaurants, Chas. Schara, Thos. Kane; blacksmith shop, Ed. Mann; butcher shop, J. P. Bachelder ; hardware, Geo. R. Neuenswander.
A. C. Tatro is mayor ; D. C. Malloy is clerk; W. K. Riggs is treasurer ; and W. H. Haefner, H. H. Meyer, J. H. Kneeskern, Chas. Schara, and Geo. R. Neu- enswander are councilmen.
CHAPTER XXIV
WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP
( Excerpts from a sketch written by Harrison Goddard for Anderson & Good- win's Atlas.)
Washington is the southern township of next to the western tier of town- ships, is beautifully rolling and richly productive. The Turkey river, which runs southeasterly through the township, furnishes the power for the Evergreen Roller Mill.
The township has two villages, Fort Atkinson and Twin Springs. Fort Atkinson village, in the northwestern part of the township, near the western line, took its name from the fort of that name, which stood on a hill overlook- ing the site of the present village. The fort was named after the famous and successful fighter of the Indians, General Atkinson, the hero of the Black Hawk war.
Twin Springs village was platted and the plat recorded October 17, 1856, by Andrew Meyer and wife. It lies in a beautiful valley five miles south of Calmar. The German Catholic church here is a very large building, and has a school connected with it.
In the month of September, 1849, a number of families emigrated from Aldenberg, Indiana, and settled near the Turkey river to found homes. These pioneers were strict adherents to the Catholic faith, and after selecting home- steads centered their thoughts in the founding of a church. They were Jos. Huber, Anton Stadel, Andrew Meyer, Geo. Beckel, Jos. Spillman and Jacob Rausch. After purchasing land and Indian log huts, the best of these huts was assigned to the use of a chapel, which after being dedicated derived the name Old Mission, by which name it is known to this day. The priest sent to take charge of the humble church was G. H. Plathe.
In 1853 the little church was destroyed by fire. Instead of rebuilding on the old site it was deemed advisable to build two miles further north. This new site is now called Twin Springs, and is the same place where the present magnificent church was built. The present priest is Rev. August Sauter, who has presided since the 13th day of March, 1877 .*
* Reverend Sauter has retired, and Rev. J. Rubly is the priest in charge.
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A previous event worthy of mention was the erection of the chapel built on the site upon which stood the first church, dedicated June 15th, 1885, the expense being borne by John Gartner and the family of Joseph Huber.
In the spring of 1849 Josiah Goddard came to Washington township to look up a new home. He bought the old Indian trading post from a man by the name of Olmstead situated on section 18, township 96, range 9 (which was the only name the township had at that time), two miles southwest of the fort. He then went back to his old home in Green county, Wisconsin. In the fall of the same year he moved his family. His effects were loaded into two wagons, cach drawn by a pair of horses. Besides this they brought with them six head of cattle. They arrived at Fort Atkinson on the 20th day of October, 1849. The writer was but nine years of age at that time.
We camped out most of the time on the journey, and I well remember that some of the nights were quite cold and frosty. The last night we camped about one and one-half miles east of where Calmar now stands, arriving at the fort the next day. We spent the winter of 1849 and 1850 in the old fort. Alex- ander Falconer had charge of it at that time. My father went back to Wiscon- sin some time in December, 1849, to get some hogs and wheat which he had left there. He butchered the hogs and salted the meat in barrels; the wheat he had ground into flour, then the pork and flour were loaded into the wagon and hauled to Fort Atkinson, a distance of nearly two hundred and fifty miles.
The nearest place to get groceries was McGregor, a distance of about fifty miles, a long distance to go to trade, but not so bad as the lack of money to do it with. In June, 1850, Josiah Goddard moved his family to the old trading post. Three or four acres of land had been broken up by the Indians. This was planted to corn and pumpkins, and in the fall we harvested a good crop. With this and what father brought from Wisconsin we had enough to carry us through until the next summer. The corn was ground into meal by rubbing the ears over tin graters, then made into corn bread or mush ; the pumpkins were cut into strips, dried and used during the winter for pies and sauce, which made pretty good fodder. In the summer of 1850 a band of Indians came to our place. We had a small patch of early corn which was in roasting cars. They pointed to it and said they wanted some. One of them could talk English. I gathered a sackful and then asked them how much they wanted. They said they would take all I would give them. They would have carried off the whole patch if I had given it to them, which showed the nature of an Indian. They would eat you out of house and home, if you would give it to them.
The first school in the township was at the old Olmstead trading post, taught by my sister, Mary Goddard. There were six scholars.
The first postoffice in Washington township was established in 1851 or 1852 at Louisville, two and one-half miles southeast of Fort Atkinson, at the house of Francis Rogers. Josiah Goddard was postmaster.
In 1852 there was a postoffice at the Old Mission. Joseph Huber was post- master. In these days it took from 10 to 25 cents postage to send a letter.
The first male white child born in the township since the first permanent settlement was Geo. A. Meyer, near the Old Mission, August 1, 1849. Mr. Meyer is now a resident of Oklahoma. The first female child born was Mary
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Krumm at Fort Atkinson, August 5, 1849. Her father, Gottlob Krumm, came to Fort Atkinson in 1848.
In the spring of 1849 Joseph Huber, Andrew Meyer, George Beckel, Anthony Stadel, John Gartner and Gottlieb and Gottlob Krumm settled near the Old Mis- sion. Mr. Falconer was a discharged soldier of the regular army. He held the rank of first sergeant.
FORT ATKINSON
Before any other town existed in Winneshiek county, Fort Atkinson was a definite and important center. We refer now to the fort itself, but only for the purpose of bringing out the fact that here was formed the nucleus of the civiliz- ing forces that brought Winneshiek county to its present state of prosperity. Of the fort more is said in the first chapter of this book, in which its military importance is detailed.
Fort Atkinson town came into existence early in the fifties and, because of the previous occupation of the Government post, enjoyed not a little growth. "Sparks' History of Winneshiek County" contains the following account of the years that followed: "After the removal of the Indians in 1848 there was no further necessity for keeping up military appearances, consequently the fort, as a military rendezvous, was dispensed with; yet the Government did not entirely abandon it. Alexander Falconer was appointed to look after it. Soon after Falconer was relieved by Geo. Cooney, a well-known citizen of the county. In 1853, after the removal of the Indians, the fort became useless as Government property, and the administration then in power decided to dis- pose of it at public auction.
"On the reception of this news, in July, 1853, one of the Day boys visited Mr. Cooney at the fort and informed him that the fort would be sold at auction the next Wednesday. By previous agreement he had promised to inform cer- tain parties of the sale when it should take place; and he immediately dispatched a messenger with the intelligence to H. D. Evans and S. A. Clark of Prairie du Chien, and another to the bishop at Dubuque. On the morning of the sale these parties were present, bringing with them $4,000 in gold to purchase it with. John M. Flowers, Captain Frazier and a gentleman from White Pigeon were also on the ground in hopes of purchasing the fort.
"The Flowers were extraordinary characters, and played no little part in the history of Fort Atkinson. There were two brothers of them, and were classed, with Charley Clark, Coleman and Tavernier, as 'the Canadians.' These Cana- dians came to the fort with the intention of making a living easily. They had somehow got the impression that Fort Atkinson was destined to be a great city, and thought it afforded a rich field in which to exercise their wit and shrewdness to benefit themselves. In language not to be misunderstood, they were sharpers.
"Flowers wanted to get possession of the fort property, and induced a widowed English lady by the name of Newington to purchase it-he bidding the same off. As the bidding progressed and the price advanced in the fort, Flowers became fearful that he would not be able to make the purchase, and asked those bid- ding against him what they would take to stop where they were. Clark, Evans
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and the others held a consultation, and as a result agreed to take $25. Flowers said he would give it, and accordingly wrote his note for the amount. Said note read as follows :
"'I owe you $25 for value received.
" .J. M. FLOWERS. "'Dated Fort Atkinson, 1853.'"
"Four years after this note was given, Mr. Evans placed it in Mr. Cooney's hands (who was a justice of peace at the time) for collection. Three years later Mr. Cooney got his pay out of Flowers in sawing.
"The fort was sold to Flowers for $3,521.
"In 1857 a grist mill was commenced. Finkle & Clark were the builders, and they received a certain portion of the town-plat for building the mill, getting a warranty deed for the same. Mr. McMillan, a resident of Fort Atkinson, who resided, previous to 1857, in Canada, and an acquaintance of Finkle, was induced by Finkle to accompany him to the United States, and aid in the con- struction of the mill, with promises of a fair remuneration. The mill was com- pleted in November, but, owing to some miscalculation of the architect in laying out the foundation, when the water was let through the flume it undermined the wall, and rent the mill in twain, precipitating a portion of it into Turkey river. The mill was reconstructed shortly afterward.
"It is estimated that in 1857, when the fort was at the summit of its grand- eur, it had a population of 500 souls. A public school, of course, would be a necessary adjunct to so thriving a community. Consequently one was organized, and an estimable and capable teacher was found in the person of Dr. E. Hazen.
"To Doctor Hazen belongs the credit of teaching the first school at the fort.
The doctor had met Mr. Mckinney and wife, at the commencement of Oberlin College, and was advised by them to emigrate west. He was then a young man and had graduated. Mr. J. P. Mckinney, assisted by his wife, taught the second term of school at the fort. The school session was held in one of the fort build- ings, and their enrollment of scholars numbered nearly one hundred.
"A Mr. Sharp, from Fayette county, kept the first hotel in the place. Hle dispensed his hospitality in one of the Fort buildings.
"The new town of Fort Atkinson was commenced in 1869. The same year the railroad entered the place, J. T. Clark's Addition was made to the town, August 28, 1869. This addition was formerly known as the Tavernier Farm, and was sold to J. T. Clark at sheriff's sale several years previous.
"About this period the first church building was erected. It was located north of the old fort, and built by the aid of subscriptions. The Methodist church was built soon after. It is located on the old town site, and was built by the aid of S. B. Dunlop, a wealthy farmer, and largely with his money."
Fort Atkinson was incorporated in 1895 and Wm. Becker was the first mayor. Aside from the historic interest that attaches to the town, it may be said that it has always enjoyed a good market, the shipments of live stock being for many years a leading industry. All lines of business are well represented by the following merchants and professional men: Home Savings Bank. F. J. Pouska, cashier : loans and real-estate. Frank A. Schreiber : general merchandise, Frank C. Smith, F. P. Chizek, Joe A. Huber; drug store, Ilorton Bros. Co .: jewelry store, A. J. Schreiber : butcher shop. Joc Wandes; furniture and undertaking.
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Joseph Chekal; veterinary surgeon, S. H. Bush; barber, Amos Stribley ; black- smith shop, Louis Houdek; lumber dealers, Frudden Lumber Co .; hardware dealer, George A. Bieber ; live stock dealers, Glass & Summers; farm produce, Farmers Co-operative Produce Co .; hotels, Adolph Hlubek, Theodore Smith ; postmaster, Wm. Summers; Catholic pastor, Rev. Charles Dragoun; Shattler Auto Co .; Shissel Implement Co.
The town officers are as follows: Mayor, Wentzel Kohout; clerk, A. J. Schreiber ; treasurer, Jacob Chekal; councilmen, Fred Houdek, A. B. Leibold, Wm. Rausch, Joseph Schreiber, and John Heine; marshal, George E. Cooney.
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CATHOLIC SCHOOL, OSSIAN
PARROC ITIAL SCHOOL. OS SI.1\
CHAPTER XXV
MILITARY TOWNSHIP
When one essays to record the history of Military township and the town of Ossian, which is its only municipality, he is impressed with the lack of facts and figures necessary to convey adequately the progress of this unit of the county. H. P. Nicholson, who made a brief sketch for the Anderson & Goodwin Atlas, remarks upon his inability to find only meagre data, but writes in this manner :
The history of Military township is not dyed with any blood-curdling tales of Indian massacre; no dire calamity ever befell the aborigines that white man has record of ; neither is it filled with tales of romance or sentiment, but simply the converting of a wilderness covered with tall prairie grass and scrub oak, interspersed with hazel brush and other wild bushes, into the beautiful fields and homes of the prosperous farmer and merchant of today.
Topographically speaking, Military township is a rolling prairie with an in- clination to be bluffy along the creeks, for no river traverses within its borders. It abounds in fertile fields and clear spring water, and has a limited supply of timber mostly grown since the ravages of the prairie fires were controlled.
The first settlements were made along the creeks, whose steep sides abounded in good springs and were covered with a growth of timber sufficient unto the needs of the pioneer. Not being equipped with the tools for making deep wells or converting timber into a commercial state, he naturally accepted the gifts which nature had bestowed upon him and improved upon them to the best of his ability.
The first settler came in 1850, but who he was is not within the knowledge of this writer. The march of the pioneer was steady and continuous and no marked event recorded his advent into the newer fields. Neither was the birth of the first white child worthy of a page in history, for such events were the same then as today, of every-day occurrence. The occupation of the lands within its borders was very rapid, for as early as 1854 no unoccupied land was to be had. Settlers either entered it as school land or bought it outright at $1.25 per acre. Prices advanced rapidly as improvements were made and values as high as $4.50 and $5.00 per acre were reached by 1854. In order to give the reader an insight into the methods used and the privations experienced by the
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people of an early day, it will be necessary to relate some personal experiences.
This writer's father started from Northwestern Pennsylvania in December, 1854, with team, lumber wagon, and a board for a seat, to come to what was then the far West to seek a home in which to spend his future days. He was accompanied by a brother with similar conveyance, bent on a like mission. They were not seeking something they knew naught of, for others preceded them and delivered glowing accounts of the opportunities offered in the newer fields. The trip was not worthy of special mention but no doubt grew monotonous to the participants in the short winter days. The Mississippi river was reached at last, however, and was found to be clear of ice, but as the weather turned cold that day a crossing was effected the next morning by leading one horse across at a time and drawing the wagon by hand. The journey was continued on the day following, as far as Decorah, a party at MeGregor wishing transportation to that place. The route traversed was via Moneek and Frankville, at that time two prosperous villages.
On January 8, 1855, the drive from Decorah to what proved to be a home for over half a century, was made. The road taken ran out through Madison township, to where Calmar now stands, and so on down the Military ridge from which this township takes its name.
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