USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > Past and present of Winneshiek county, Iowa; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 25
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30
293
A
NORWEGIAN CHURCH. OSSLAN
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH, OSSLAN
CHAPTER XXXIX
MADISON TOWNSHIP
Madison township enjoys the prestige of the second marriage in the county. Johannes Evenson settled there in 1850, and early in October of that year Cather- ine Helen Anderson became his bride, Rev. N. Brandt performing the ceremony. The late Benjamin T. Barfoot, a pioneer in Decorah and a landowner in 1855 in Madison township, credits one Brisco as the first permanent resident of Madi- son and gives the year 1849 as the date of his coming. In Mr. Barfoot's article, which was published in the "Atlas of Winneshick County," 1905, he gives the following account of other settlers:
"James MeIntosh and his sons left Wellsville, Ohio, on election day, in 1854. to look up a new home. After traveling over Wisconsin for two days they failed to find a suitable location. They crossed the Mississippi river at DeSoto, came to Winneshiek county and located on a large tract of land in what is now known as Madison township. In the spring of 1855 he moved his family to Decorah and abont ten days later to his new home in Madison township. Previous to the arrival of Mr. McIntosh several families had already located in the town- ship. These were B. and Tosten Haugen, two families of Nestes, John Even- son, Iver Rigstad, Erick Egge and Matthew Bentley. In 1855 William Vree- land located on what is now known as 'the Stone House Farm.' He kept what was called the Four-mile House as a hotel.
"Mr. Ole Fulsaas came from Wisconsin to lowa and located in Madison township in 1852. He bought forty acres of land, which was all he was able to buy at that time. Mr. Fulsaas had three sons, Herbrand, Peter and Harvey, who located and bought land in the same neighborhood. Herbrand bought 120 acres, Peter and Harvey 120 together. Mr. F. and his sons have all passed over the river and at the time of their death were considered very wealthy. Among other early settlers worthy of mention were the Gilbertson family-Mr. and Mrs. Gilbertson, four sons and one daughter. They were very successful as farmers, but there are only two of the family living at this time. Another old settler was Herbrand Ansten, who settled here in 1857; also big Ole Gulbranson. 'Big Ole' was a land speculator. He owned several farms at different times in this town- ship, and finally sold all out and moved to Kansas, where he died.
297
298
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIER COUNTY
"Ole Bakken came to Winneshick county and settled in Frankville township in 1854 (his wife coming in 1851), where they resided for four years. Then they moved to Madison township and located on sections 11 and 12, where they have resided ever since. Mr. Bakken started farming on a 100-acre farm and added on to this until he owned 1,200 acres, which he has divided among his children. Mr. Bakken lives in a large, comfortable house, enjoying his old age in a good, quiet way.
"E. R. Scott settled on section 16 in 1858, and has lived on the same farm ever since. Mr. Scott was the only American in the northwest quarter of the township for over twenty years.
"Mr. Brisco was the first permanent settler in Madison township. Ile set- tled in the timber in 1849. When the writer came to Madison township, there was plenty of game, such as deer, partridge and prairie chicken, and the streams were full of all kinds of fish. Farming was not very extensive until about 1860, when it took quite a boom and things went along at a good rate until the war broke out, then there were a few years in which it was hard to get help. Since then farming has been a good business.
"Nels Gilbertson and I cut the first load of hay in the township; it was cut on section 10, the old farm they purchased from the Government.
"Helge Gunderson, the father of John Gunderson Helgeson, came to lowa and settled in Madison township in 1854. lle bought 160 acres of land from the Government.
"Ox teams were used in breaking the prairie and many of the settlers would join teams, hitching four voke of oxen to a breaking plow. There was but very little corn, so the oxen were turned out on grass during the noon hour and at night. The harvesting was done with the old-fashioned cradle and what little wheat we had to sell we hauled to McGregor and sold it for 40 or 50 cents per bushel."
SOME RECOLLECTIONS IN 1855
"On the sixth day of April, 1855. I went through Madison township in search of Government land, with Doctor Shannon for my guide. We passed Stener O. Hellerud's place ; here we found two men sawing out boards for a floor. They used a whip saw, one man standing on top of a log and the other on the ground.
"{ located on 160 acres in section 30; then we drove southeast through the township and passed 1. Ringstad's. J. Evenson's and Mr. Egge's. In 1855 and 1856 nearly all the Government land had been taken by speculators, and that practically put a stop to the settlement for two or three years. In 1858 and 1850 business began to improve, and the settlements began to grow. I went out through the township several times but could not find any landmarks to show me where my land was. In 1859 | went out again and met Mr. John Crawford, building fence about three-quarters of a mile from my land, and he then showed me where my farm was.
"There was quite a settlement at what was known as Burr Oak Springs. The parties who owned the land laid out a small town, and it grew for four or five years ; but as soon as the railroad was graded to Decorah the town dried up and blew
299
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
away. It was a pretty rough place for several years, and, to my knowledge, was the only place in the township where liquor was sold in any quantity.
"I did not move into Madison township until 1868, so cannot give a very good description of the earliest settlement. It was organized in about 1859. 'Squire Miller of Decorah was the organizing officer. The first schoolhouse was built near the brick church in 1858. At that time the township was organized into four school district, nine sections in each district. General elections were held in the first schoolhouse for several years, or until about 1863. Since then it has been held in districts by turns."
To Mr. Barfoot's record may be added the fact that during the past two years Madison township has become possessed of six new schoolhouses. For many years differences of opinion on schoolhouse matters prevented much needed build- ings, but the matter was finally adjusted in a way that bids fair to be satisfactory. Three of the schoolhouses are now in process of erection and will be completed soon.
Chronology
October 4, 1840-The first death occurred; a Government teamster named Howard was found frozen near the present site of Castalia.
January 16, 1841-Mary Jane Tapper, first white child born in county.
1842-Rev. D. Lawery appointed Indian agent.
1843-Colonel Thomas, under instruction from the Government, built the first grist mill in Winneshiek county.
June 7. 1848-Hamilton Campbell and wife settled on sections 23 and 26, Bloomfield township. Twenty days later the Krumm families arrived from Indiana and settled in Washington township.
1848-Indians were removed from their reservation in this county.
February 11, 1849-Aaron Young and Mary Jane Rogers married. First wedding in the county.
February, 1849-Fort Atkinson abandoned.
June, 1849-Day family settled in Decorah.
W'm. Painter commenced running a small grist mill at the present site of the Spring mill, or Dunning's mill. Decorah.
First settlers at Moneek in July, 1849.
The same year quite a number of other families settled in the county, as will be seen by records in first chapter.
1850
Settlements were made in what are now Decorah, Bloomfield, Springfield, Glenwood, Canoe, Pleasant, Madison. Frankville and Military townships.
Burr Oak was probably settled at about the same time; for in the fall of 851, Judge M. V. Burdick visited the place and found where the village of Burr Oak is now located, a hotel, a store and a blacksmith shop.
Judge Burdick also found in 1850, at the present site of Spillville, Mr. Spillman to be the only settler; while at what is now Twin Springs or Festina. then, there was a saloon.
The same year. 1850, the Federal census was taken, showing a population of 570.
First immigration of Norwegians took place this year.
301
302
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHHIER COUNTY
1851
An act of the Legislature, organizing Winneshiek county, was approved January 15, 1851. It appointed John L. Carson, organizing sheriff, to assume duties March Ist.
April 7, Decorah was elected to be the county seat. [Interesting details of the fight with Moneek are given elsewhere. ]
In 1851. the first postoffice in the county, excepting those at Fort Atkinson and Old Mission, was established at Jamestown, in what is now Frankville town- ship. James B. Cutler postmaster. His commission was dated September 15, 1851.
On October 5, 1851, occurred the first marriage in the county-Johannes Evenson to Catharine Helen Anderson .*
August 4, 1851, David Reed, who had come to this county in 1848, was chosen county judge, and held the position till 1855.
Geo. Bachel, first county sheriff, and other county officers elected, as recorded elsewhere.
Ilesper and Highland townships were settled this year.
In September, 1851, the first county court was opened at the log house of Wm. Day, Decorah. There being no business, it adjourned to the first Monday in October, when the first marriage license was granted.
The Heivly water power was improved by Mr. Painter and "Uncle Philip" Morse, who arrived here in 1851, and built the sawmill, some of the ruins and the race which are to be seen between the present Arlington House and the old stone grist mill.
In July the first lawyer came to Decorah.
This year also saw the first mercantile firm in Decorah, Aaron Newell and his partner, named Derrick. They opened their goods in the smoke house on the premises of the Winneshick House, afterwards removed to a slab shanty, and soon built the first frame building in town-a store known as the Pioneer Store, which has since burned. It stood on the present site of the store of Mott & Co., on the southwest corner of Washington and Water streets.
This same year, 1851, came to Decorah the first minister of the Gospel, Elder Bishop. preaching here monthly on a circuit described elsewhere. . A few weeks afterwards a Congregational minister, A. M. Eastman, came and established monthly meetings at the log tavern. From these spring the Meth- odist and Congregational churches of Decorah.
The first mails came to Decorah in June, 1851. C. Day, postmaster, and Lewis Harkins, mail carrier.
18:52
Lincoln township was settled during this year.
At the April election 180 votes were cast in the county; at the August election 150.
* This marriage must refer to the first marriage after the county was organized. Aaron Young and Mary JI. Rogers were married at Fort Atkinson late in the winter of 1$19.
303
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
March 8, 1852. the county court ordered elections to be held at three pre- cincts. First, at the house of Wm. Day, Decorah; second, at the house of Francis Rogers, Lewiston, in the southwest part of the county; third, at the house of John DeCow, Moneek. For further and later divisions of the county, see a preceding chapter.
Moneek was surveyed and platted in January, but the plat was not recorded till November.
The Pioneer Store building in Decorah commenced in 1851, was completed in 1852, a public hall, known as Newell's Hall, being in the second story.
In August and September, there was built by Philip Morse, the first frame dwelling in Decorah.
The first term of district court for this county was held in Decorah on Friday. July 9, 1852, Thos. S. Wilson, judge. The first indictment found by the grand jury was against Francis Teabout, for gambling; the second against Philander S. Baker, for selling intoxicating liquors; the third was against James T. Moore, for gambling. Each were held to bail to the next term of court in the sum of $100.00.
1853
The number of votes cast in the county in April. 1853, was 224; and the number steadily increased in successive years, as will be seen by the record elsewhere.
The present city of Decorah was surveyed and platted in August of this year.
The village of Frankville was surveyed and platted in October.
This year Ammon & Co. came to Decorah and were the first to add steam power to our water power, finally resulting in their foundry, machine shop, and wagon manufactory.
The Government property at Fort Atkinson was this year sold at auction and Mr. Cooney, who was in 1852 appointed to take charge of the old fort and Government buildings, found his "occupation gone."
In the winter of 1853-4 the first Bohemian settlers came in and settled not far from Fort Atkinson. To those settlers the present village of Spillville largely owes its existence.
1854
The village of Freeport was platted in May.
The first building in Calmar was erected this year; and the village of Calmar was platted in November.
The Decorah House was built this year, and also the Tremont House, which was burnt in 1857, and which stood on the site of the Lutheran Pub- lishing House, Decorah.
The famous Decorah hotel, the Winneshiek House, was built in 1854-5.
1855
Early this year Ossian was platted as a village, and the plat recorded April 30th.
304
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
Decorah, which had become quite a village, received an additional impetus by the land office being established here, the office being opened the day before Christmas, 1855. It was removed the following year, but much of the business which it brought remained.
In the winter of 1855-6, there were nine banking houses in Decorah.
The year 1855 also gave the county its first newspaper, the Decorah Chron- icle. It was edited and published by a man named Tracy, but very soon Judge M. V. Burdick became the editorial writer. It had its ups and downs, and the Decorah Republican of today may be considered as its successor, Wesley Bailey and son buying out the establishment, and issuing it as the Decorah Republic, in 1860, and afterwards changing the name to Decorah Republican.
1856
This year witnessed the famous but unsuccessful fight of the then flourish- ing and enterprising village of Freeport to take the county seat from Decorah ; this contest is told in detail elsewhere.
A county loan of $6,000 was also voted this year to build a courthouse at Decorah, the tax to be levied in the years 1857 and 1858.
A special election was also held October 10th, and the county voted $100.000 in bonds to aid in the building of the Northwestern Railroad; there being 926 votes cast for the tax, and 505 against it. As the road was not built the county was not burdened with the tax.
1857
The courthouse was commenced this year and finished the following year. This year witnessed the burning of the Tremont House, Decorah, then a well known hotel.
This year, also, Decorah became an organized town. A meeting for incor- poration was held on the first Monday in April, and at the election of officers on the 30th of June, E. E. Cooley was chosen president.
The Legislative act of incorporation was not passed till 1871.
1858
The plat of the village of Hesper-the township having been first settled 111 1851-was recorded on the 25th of February, 1858, the plat having been drawn December 27th of the preceding year. The township of Hesper was also organized in 1858.
The county had grown so that the number of votes cast in October of this year was 1,288.
On the 18th of April, 1858, the first county superintendent was elected. Dr. Il. C. Bulis was chosen.
1859
The close of this year brings us up to the commencement of a decade which opened with some changes in the manner of county government, made neces-
305
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
sary, or at least desirable, by the increase of population and the prospective growth and importance of the county. By the census of 1850, the population was 540. while it was now by the census taken in 1860-13.942. We will not, however, anticipate, but briefly note the important events as they occur.
1860
During this year a change was made in the management of county affairs, up to this time administered by the county judge. A board of supervisors, consisting of one from each township, was elected, the change taking effect on the Ist of January, 1861.
In April, 1860, the firm of Bailey & Son, consisting of Wesley Bailey and his son, Ansel K. Bailey, purchased the Decorah Republic, succeeding B. F. Jones, as publishers of that paper. The first number under their management appeared April 14th.
In the first issue are notices of Decorah's institutions as follows: "Popula- tion of Decorah, estimated, from 1,600 to 2,000. It has a brass band, 17 stores, 3 harness shops, 6 blacksmiths. 5 cabinet-makers, 3 wagon makers, 2 plow and horticultural implement manufactories, 2 jewelers, 2 milliners, 2 tanneries, I lumber yard, 2 bakeries, 1 daguerreotype artist, 2 meat markets, I distillery. 1 brewery, I gunsmith, a dozen lawyers, 3 doctors, 1 dentist, 2 barbers, a Methodist church in their own building, and a Congregational church, holding services in the courthouse, their church not yet being completed."
Hesper has a literary society that meets once a week.
May 3d, five prisoners escape from the county jail, one in for horse stealing, one for counterfeiting, and the others for minor offenses.
April 29th, the house of Postmaster Stanberg, of Calmar, was burned.
May 17th, a Norwegian celebration of their national anniversary occurred at Peterson's trading post. B. O. Dahly delivering the address.
In June, the Landers residence on Broadway was commenced, also the Francis residence on Broadway, now owned by A. Bradish.
Fourth of July was celebrated in Decorah, the orator being Douglas Leffingwell.
By the census then being taken the population of Decorah township and city was given as follows :
Population of Decorah 904
Population of West Decorah. 315
Rest of township 706
Total 1,925
August 7th, Wm. Day died at the Winneshiek House, in the sixty-ninth year of his age. He built the first house, for some years the only hotel, and afterwards built the Winneshiek House.
August 30th, Fitz Henry Warren (republican) spoke at Decorah, Judge Clark, of Dubuque, opposing him.
The Congregational church of Decorah was in process of erection this season.
306
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
September 21st, county fair was held in Decorah. October 5th. a daily mail was established between McGregor and Decorah.
1861
At the opening of the year, the board of supervisors. one from each town- ship, in order that the terms of office might not expire at the same time, they cast lots to see which should hold office for one year, and which for two years. The result was as follows:
For one year-Levi Bullis in place of Dan Lawrence, who was elected and resigned. for Decorah: J. Pagin, Frankville: J. T. Galby. Sumner; 1. West, Canoe; G. N. Holloway, Hesper : J. G. Ackerson, Burr Oak : S. Christen, Madi- son : Lars T. Land, Calmar ; Levan Wanless. Bluffton.
For two years-W. H. Baker, Bloomfield: F. S. Northup. Glenwood : Ole Nelson. Pleasant ; W. B. Chamberlain, Orleans ; Ammon Ammundson. Highland ; D. E. Shelmadine, Fremont ; M. J. Woolsey, Military : A. O. Lommen, Spring- field ; Orville Jennison, Washington.
G. X. Holloway was elected president of the board.
March 3d. the remains of a Norwegian, named Iver Knudsen Jouen, were found near the foot of the bluff at the head of Trout Run. ile started home from Decorah on Christmas evening. Going over the road past the cemetery, it is thought that he lost his way, rolled down the bluff and froze to death.
The Decorah cemetery grounds were laid out this year.
April 8th, a public meeting was held and the Decorah Guards organized, be- ing the first company to enter the service in the War of the Rebellion. The rec- ord of this and other companies from the county will be found in a preceding chapter.
June 14th, E. E. Cooley received the appointment as postmaster of Decorah and took possession July Ist.
June 11th, the county supervisors voted $3.00 per week to each of the families of the Decorah Guards.
June 17th, L. Standring turned the first scraper full of dirt into the Decorah branch of the Northern Iowa Railroad. Gangs of men were set at work at De- corah. Calmar, Ossian and Monona but the work was discontinued.
In July the plastering and mason work of the Congregational church was completed.
The Norwegian Lutheran Synod decided to buikl a college on the site selected in West Decorah.
August 22d, Winneshick Normal Institute incorporated. S. Page. principal. September 27th and 28th, county fair.
November 17th, Congregational church, Decorah, dedicated. E. Adams, pastor.
The Livengood-Telyea murder trial commenced near the close of this year and continued into 1862.
1862
Fourth of July celebration in Decorah, Hon. M. V. Burdick delivering the oration.
307
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
August 30th, saloon of Wm. Oleson, Decorah, burned and George Gulbran- son burned to death and others badly injured.
September 6th, Aaron Newell, an old resident, died.
In September the Luther College opened in Decorah.
1863
June 4th, work on the Norwegian Lutheran College commenced. The build- ing to be 150x20 feet on the ground and three stories high above the basement.
Population of county by assessor's returns in 1863. 15.035. Population of Decorah, 2,165.
Fourth of July celebrated in Decorah ; addresses by home talent.
November 3d. Elisha Hurlbut, postmaster of Decorah, died. Joseph Hutch- inson, assistant, continued in office until a successor was appointed.
1864
February 9th, J. R. Slack was appointed postmaster of Decorah and took possession February 28th. George W. Adams was appointed his assistant.
June 20th, the $40,000 necessary secured and engineers commenced locating a railroad to Decorah.
A grist mill was built by D. Addicken and commenced running that year. June 30th, corner stone of the Norwegian College laid.
October 3d, Capt. J. R. Moore, Decorah, died suddenly in his bed.
October 12th, celebration of the arrival of the railroad at Castalia.
October 22d, the Catholics of Decorah occupied their new church.
December 22d, Decorah gets a through mail from Chicago.
1865
March 20th, flood in Dry Run did considerable damage. High waters in the river carried away the West Decorah bridge and also the Freeport bridge.
April 8th, a rousing celebration in Decorah of the taking of Richmond, in which enthusiasm extravagantly boiled over in wild and peculiar freaks.
April 27th, funeral services in Decorah, Castalia and other places on the death of Lincoln.
June 15th, railroad completed to near Calmar.
July 4th, Fourth of July celebration at Decorah, Col. D. B. Henderson orator. July 20th, railroad completed to Conover.
In September, Methodist parsonage at Decorah completed.
October 15th, dedication of the Norwegian Lutheran College, one wing four stories high, with basement being completed. Prominent Norwegians from all parts of the country were present.
1866
The Decorah public school building was built this year.
April Ist, Decorah postoffice removed to first floor of new brick building on Winnebago street.
308
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
April 5th, greatest flood since 1859, carrying off numerous bridges and doing considerable damage in the county.
July 4th, celebrated in Decorah, M. V. Burdick and R. Swearingen orators.
November 1st, great fire in Decorah, loss from $30,000 to $40,000, burning out Dennis & Hulverson, P. S. Smout, Green & Morss and others, also the office of the Winneshiek Register, established in 1866, Haislet Bros., proprietors.
November 11th, county supervisors bought the present poor farm of C. E. Dickerman.
This year the railroad reached the site of Ridgeway and gave it its first start.
1867
The new Masonic hall, Decorah, dedicated. It was pronounced the best in lowa.
January 30th, Fremont House and barn burned.
February 12th, meeting to organize a fire company in Decorah.
May 17th, Norwegian celebration. Addresses by B. O. Dahly. K. E. Bergh,
O. M. Lucken and John Steen.
May 27th, Decorah graded school established.
October 3d and 4th, county fair held at Decorah.
During this year the residences of E. F. Cooley, D. B. Ellsworth, Mrs. Hughes and J. Ilunter and the Dickerman building were erected or commenced.
The telegraph line to Decorah was completed this year.
November 28th, Rev. E. Adams preached his Thanksgiving sermon, entitled "The first things of Decorah."
Near the close of the year 1867, B. Anundson established a Norwegian print- ing office in Decorah, printing several publications for the college. A few years later he commenced the publication of the Decorah Posten.
1868
February Ist, Decorah secures two mails a day.
This winter Decorah secures a course of lectures by Fred Douglas, Theodore Tilton, Henry Vincent and E. P. Whipple.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.