USA > Iowa > Winneshiek County > Past and present of Winneshiek county, Iowa; a record of settlement, organization, progress and achievement, Volume I > Part 6
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The settlers were not many during the first two years-just a handful in 1848, and a few more in 1849,-but 1850 saw a large influx and they came from all quarters. With them they brought meagre equipments of household goods- mostly were they endowed with rugged constitutions, and Christian and phy- sical courage to wrest from nature the wherewithal to build homes. Little did they care whether they were first comers, but to us who are living today there is interest in these matters, therefore I shall endeavor to place them in order as far as possible. For that purpose reference is made to the cards of an old set- tlers' gathering held in Decorah in connection with the Centennial celebration of the Fourth of July in 1876. The late Ansel K. Bailey was secretary of that gathering and it is due to his thoughtfulness that these cards were preserved. They have in times past been a court of last resort in settling questions that have arisen regarding dates, ages, or other matters covered by the information recorded on them, hence we may now accept them with more than passing confidence.
On June 7, 1848, Hamilton Campbell and wife took up a claim in what are now Sections 23 and 26 of Bloomfield township, thereby becoming the first recog-
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIER COUNTY
nized permanent settlers in the county. Following close upon these hardy pion- eers came Gottlob and Gottleib Krumm, the former accompanied by his wife. They were just twenty-two days behind the Campbells, the date of their arrival being June 20, 1848, and they settled on the northwest quarter of Section 17, Washington township. On August 15, 1848, David Reed and wife and Daniel Reed settled on the northwest quarter of Section 25, Bloomfield township.
.1. R. Young takes his place at this point in the early settlement of the county, although he can scarcely be classed as a resident in the same sense as others until October, 1850. Mr. Young was a soldier and came to Fort Atkinson in October, 1848, remaining until March, 1849. While there he acquired Govern- ment land, but when the fort was evacuated he was transferred to Fort Craw- ford, Prairie du Chien, then to Fort Snelling, Minnesota, remaining at the latter place until May, 1850, when his regiment was sent to Marengo, lowa, and in August to Fort Dodge, where he was discharged in October. He then returned to his land near Fort Atkinson and made his home there permanently. He mar- ried Mary Jane Rogers at Fort Atkinson in February, 1849. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Rogers and remained at Fort Atkinson with her parents during the absence of her husband. Thus may it be said that Mr. Young was a settler and resident in fact from the fall of 1848 on.
We have attempted to secure accurate data regarding Francis Rogers, but the little that is available discloses only the certainty that he and his family lived at Fort Atkinson in 1848. Mrs. Young, in recounting early days, once told the members of the family of her son Francis Young that during the first winter their home consisted of straw stacks massed on four sides, over which they arranged a roof. In that conversation she gave them to understand that this was the winter of 1847-48, which would give the Rogers family priority of residence over all others. This record is lacking that definiteness of dates which characterizes the coming of the Campbells, the Krumms, the Reeds, and others. so the most that can be said is that their coming was at least contemporaneous with those who made settlement in 1848.
Right here permit me to digress from the records of the cards. It has always been claimed, and quite generally accepted, that the Day family were the first settlers in Decorah. They came in June, 1849. Contradictory of this is the state- ment that William Painter was the first white man to make his home here. My authority for this record is Mrs. P. C. Bloomfield of Decorah, a niece of Mr. Painter. She tells me that her mother (Mr. Painter's sister ) often spoke of the matter and named the month of October, 1848, as the time of his coming to Decorah. Some years ago the writer heard a story to the effect that a member the Day family heard the sound of a woodman's ax as it strikes a tree, one day while out hunting, and upon investigation found Mr. Painter. As I now recall it the occurrence was located some distance north of Decorah. Be that as it may. the story of Mrs. Bloomfield gives weight to the claim of prior residence by Mr. Painter.
The next date that interests us is April 1, 1849. On that day John N. Topliff joined the Reed family, taking the southeast quarter of Section 25, Bloomfield township. On the same date Andrew Meyer and wife became distant neighbors of the Krumms in Washington township, settling on Section 5. June 10, 1849, saw the Day family established in Decorah, while Phinneas Banning settled in
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Section 5 of Bloomfield township during the same month, and Abner DeCou and Moses S. McSwain located at what was subsequently known as Moneek. O. W. Emery, who is still living ( on June 17, 1913, at the home of his son-in-law Mons Askelson in Orleans township), came to Canoe township and made his claim to the northwest quarter of Section 17, on August 20, 1849. Josiah Goddard, of whom more will be said later, came to Fort Atkinson, in the spring of 1849, bought the old trading post and moved his family there in the fall.
The year 1850 saw an influx of settlers that was very large for those pioneer days, but it was not until June that the tide of immigration swelled to more than an occasional straggler.
Springfield township became the Mecca of a large settlement of Norwegians, many of whom came from Dane county. Wisconsin, after a residence there vary- ing from a few months to three or four years. Reference to a historical sketch prepared by the late Abraham Jacobson discloses the fact that during the month of June a party consisting of Erick Anderson, Ole Tostenson Haugen, and his brother Staale, Ole A. and A. O. Lomen, Ole Gullikson Jevne, Knut Anderson Bakken, Andres Hauge, John Johnson Qvale, H. Halvorson Groven and Mikkel Omli made permanent homes in this township. They were followed on July 2d by another party of which Nelson Johnson was the leader and included Tollef Simonson Aae, Knud G. Opdahl, Jacob Abrahamson and Iver Peterson Qvale, Nelson Johnson, E. G. and Albert Opdahl came over into Decorah township to make their homes.
The settlement in Bloomfield township received goodly additions during this year also, among the number being Russell Dean who came in April, while John DeCon and wife and Gideon Green followed in June.
Canoe township was claimed as residence by John W. Holm, David Kinnison and wife and John Fredenburgh during 1850. The record cards show that Chris- topher A. Estrem and wife came to Frankville township on September 3, 1850, and Wm. Padden and wife settled in Section 28 of Frankville in November of that year, as did also Jacob Duff and Walter Rathbun and wife; but George M. Anderson, writing in Anderson & Goodwin's Atlas (published in 1906), gives to A. P. Rosa credit for selecting land in Section 31 in March, hewing timbers and erecting a cabin thereon for his family. They had previously lived in Clayton county for three years. Even before this, in 1849, Wm. Day had erected a house near what is known as the Mckay schoolhouse, but found he was on school land and moved to Decorah.
Probably the most compelling circumstance connected with the final location of the Day family in Decorah was Mother Day. When she saw the claim her husband had staked out she admitted it was good looking land, but her preference was for a site beside running water, and as her word was law the family moved on until they came to a spring that bubbled out from the hillside above the Upper Iowa river. "Here is where we will stay," she declared, and it was due to her decision that on the spot that is now graced by the handsome Winneshiek hotel was erected the log cabin home that formed the nucleus around which the beautiful city of Decorah was built. Long ago the spring above referred to ceased to flow, but as long as the story of the coming of the Day family to Decorah is recalled, mankind will honor the judgment of Mother Day.
Vol. 3-4
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
Ole Germond Johnson was the first settler in Glenwood township. He came with the Nelson Johnson party that landed here on July 2, 1850, and selected the southwest quarter of Section 31 for his home. Nels Thronson and Andrew Gulbrandson Haugen came in the same year, but later, and settled in Section 32.
Benjamin L. Bisby acquired a residence in Hesper township on the first of August, and from all appearances he enjoyed a priority of some six or eight months, for Ezekiel E. Mleader and family have been given credit as the first permanent residents of the township, and they did not arrive until the spring of 1851.
In August, 1850, Peter K. Langland and wife came to Pleasant township and settled in Section 10. From the record made by Edwin Hover, in the Ander- son & Goodwin Atlas, it would seem that John Klontz and Wm. Vale ( Germans), came from Pennsylvania in 1850 and settled in the northwest corner of the town- ship. They were joined in 1851 by Hover Evenson, Ole Magneson, Louis Peter- son. Erick Erickson, Knut L. Liquin and K. Erickson.
Orin Simmons and wife joined the Decorah township settlers on July 2. 1850. taking land adjoining what is now the village of Freeport. Edward Tracy became a Decorian the same year, and Madison township seems to have acquired her first settler on the 25th day of September in the person of John Evenson, who made claim to the northeast quarter of Section 32.
Referring once more to Anderson & Goodwin's Atlas of Winneshiek county, we find that Charles Krock settled in Calmer township, near Spillville, in 1849. The following year saw the arrival of Joseph Spielman from whom Spillville derived its name ; also Thor Peter Skotland. Torsen and Lars Land and Andre P. Sandager, who settled near Calmar. In the year 1850 Ole Shervin, Sr., Ole Shervin, Jr., Erick Stovrem, Ole P. Haugen, Andrew L. Kittelsby. Thron H. Egen and Thora Bagaarson augmented this colony, while George Herzog and Conrod Riehle joined the Spillville settlers. Among the permanent settlers who came during the succeeding four years were Lars P. Kittelsby and his son Peter 1 .. Kittelsby in 1852; Ole A. Flaskrud, Ole P. Bjornstad. Erick Flaskrud and Even Flaskrud in 1853: Alf Clark, Peter Clawson and John P. Landin in 1854; George Yarwood. Henry Wheatman, Ole P. Ramberg, Sr., Ole O. Styve, Jacob Stenseth, John P. Hove and Lars Heried in 1854.
Military township also received her first settlers in 1850, but there is no definite data as to who they were.
In 1851 the tide of emigration and immigration had become fairly steady and material additions to the ranks of settlers were made. Among those who enrolled at the Old Settlers' Reunion the record cards show the following as coming to Winneshick county in that year : =
Decorah township-E. C. Dunning and wife, Peter E. Haugen, Torkel Hanson and wife, Gulbrand T. Lomen, Ole Kittleson and wife, Ole Tollefson Vik and wife, and A. K. Drake.
Madison township -- Gulbrand Erickson Vik, Ole M. Anderson and wife, Helge Nelson Myran, Herbrand Onstine, Iver G. Ringstad and wife, Ole M. Asleson and wife.
Springfield township-E. E. Clement, Rolland Tobiason and wife.
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
Glenwood township-Erick Olson Bakke and wife, Isaac Birdsell, Wm. Birdsell and wife, Philip Hustad.
Bloomfield township-Geo. Blake.
Hesper township-D. D. Huff and wife.
Canoe township-Simon M. Leach and wife.
Burr Oak township-G. V. Punteney. (Mr. Punteney is still living and in fairly good health. His home is at Cresco and he is past ninety years of age.)
The year 1852 seems to have furnished the first settlers in several townships in the northern part of the county. In this year Henry Morse built a saw- mill at Bluffton and the next year he and his brother Lyman D. Morse built a gristmill.
In what is now know as Highlandville the names of the Stoens, Mikkel Solberg, the Arnesons, Brunsvold, Bersie, Kjomme, Kroshus, Walhus, and others appear as first settlers. Fremont was also in the 1852 class. J. J. Jacobson, in the Anderson & Goodwin Atlas, credits Lars Hougeberg with being the first settler in Lincoln township, with Knudt Alfson, Jacob Knutson and Kittel Sand- erson as following close after him.
Burr Oak township acquired her first settlers in 1851, when Samuel Belding and his half brother built the first log hotel and erected a blacksmith shop, while to Nelson Gager belonged the distinction of being first on the ground in Orleans township in 1853.
In reading the foregoing it must be borne in mind that as yet the county had not been wholly divided as to townships, and in mentioning various precincts we use their present names as a matter of convenience. There were undoubtedly many more who came to various parts of the county during those years, but even as now the population was changing-some were coming and others were going-hence we refer more particularly to those we have named because they enjoyed the distinction of being permanent in their residence.
SOME FIRST THINGS OF THE COUNTY
While we are reviewing the early settlers of the county, it may not be improper to refer to some "first things" that will be of interest.
Sparks' History credits James B. Cutler with being the first duly commis- sioned postmaster in the county. His commission was signed on Sept. 18, 1851, by Nathaniel K. Hall, postmaster general under President Willard Fill- more, and the office was known as Jamestown, being discontinued on March 31, 1852. There is reasonable ground for questioning this claim. Judge M. V. Burdick, in Alexander's History, is quoted as stating that Lewis Harkins was postmaster at Fort Atkinson as early as 1850, and about the same time John L. Carson was serving at Old Mission. Mr. Cutler lived to the rare old age of one hundred and one years and seven months, making him one of the few cen- tenarians the county has known.
Sparks' History tells this story of the first marriage in the county :
"In 1850 a young man came from Norway to Iowa and found a spot of ground that suited him in what is now known as Madison township, Winneshiek county. So far as ascertained, he was its first settler. In the year following an older man followed him, who was the father of at least one girl. As young men and maidens
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
will, this young man and this maiden agreed to wed. These parties were Johannes Evenson and Catherine Helen Anderson. At that time, as now. the law required the parties to have a license. In order to obtain this a visit to the judge was neces- sary. Rev. N. Brandt, then a wandering missionary, was in the county, and would perform the ceremony. And if this chance escaped them, no knowing when an- other opportunity would be afforded them. Mr. Evenson straightway started for Bloomfield township to see the judge and get a permit to enter into a matri- monial alliance. The missionary had promised to await his return. Mr. E. found the judge absent. He had gone to Dubuque on official business. Imagine the sensations of that waiting bridegroom! Again the question: Would that minister tarry? After three days Judge Reed returned, and with his license in his pocket, John turned his footsteps homeward a happier man. No grass grew under his feet on that trip. The minister had remained, and the marriage ceremony was performed-the first, as the records show, to have been performed in the county. The license for this marriage was granted on the 5th day of October. 1851."
Rev. J. Th. VIvisaker, in his history of Luther College, states that Reverend Brandt was an uncle of the bride in this wedding, hence it is doubtful if there was any cause for worry on the part of the would-be-weds.
The second marriage license was granted on the 3d of November, 1851. The contracting parties were Erick Anderson and Miss Ann Soles.
The first assessment for taxation purposes in the county produced a total of $1,217.03, divided as follows:
County tax
$696.68
State tax 175.08
School tax 115.42
Road tax 230.75
besides $650 of poll taxes. This would make the total assessable property in the county at that time worth $182.780, says Alexander's History.
The richest man in the county was John McKay, of Washington Prairie. Ile paid the enormous sum of $23.94 in taxes. Francis Teabout was close up to him, being down for $23.16. Benjamin Beard followed with $20.95. These three were the very rich men, for they were the only ones who paid more than $20; or. rather, were regularly assessed for sums that amounted to precisely that figure. The list of other persons who paid over $to is so short that we give the names in full :
Joseph Spillman, Calmar $18.96
Levi Moore, Burr Oak 17.68
Moses MeSwain, Bloomfield 16.83
James S. Ackerson. Burr Oak 16.00
James B. Cutler, Frankville
15.78
Newell & Derrick, Decorah
15.73
Ingebret Peterson, Decorah
14.82
Isaac Callender, Frankville
14.32
Samuel Allen. Bloomfield 14.30
(). W. Emery, Decorah 13.81
OLD CABIN COL. TAYLOR'S FARM, BUILT 1553
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
Gideon Green, Bloomfield 13.59
C. E. Brooks, Military 13.04
David Bartlett, Canoe 12.76
J. T. Atkins, Frankville 12.29
Joseph Huber, Washington 11.27
Abner DeCow, Bloomfield 11.2.4
W. F. Kimball, Decorah II.17
Wm. Cummings, Bloomfield 11.13
Richard M. Carson, Washington 11.13
Wm. Campbell. Bloomfield 11.05
Andrew Mayer, Washington 10.83
John W. Smith, Frankville
10.72
James D. McKay, Frankville
10.09
This table indicates that the wealth of the county then centered on Washing- ton Prairie.
Henry M. Rice, who subsequently became a pioneer in Minnesota and repre- sented that state in the United States Senate, conducted a trading post on the land that is now a part of the Peter E. Haugen estate in the southeast corner of Decorah township. Engebret Hangen, father of Peter F. Haugen, acquired the property in 1850 and for five years thereafter occupied as a residence the building used by Rice for his store.
In the latter part of March, 1899, C. W. Bender told how Washington Prairie received its name. in an article published in the Waukon Standard. He said :
"Speaking of Washington Prairie, its first Fourth of July ought always to be known as the day of its birth. As the national day for 1852 approached, patriotic feelings swelled in the breasts of its pioneers and a few made arrangements to properly celebrate the day. I took a yoke of oxen and went out north where there were some pine trees (on the Trout river bluffs). I cut two, drew them home and pealed them. A Norwegian blacksmith out north made me two rings with which I spliced the pole, which made it from sixty to seventy feet high. We went over to Moneek and got some red and white cloth and a yard of blue, and our sewing circle of mothers and sisters made a fine flag. the first that ever floated over Washington Prairie and probably the first in the county. My brothers and I took our oxen and hauled the liberty pole upon the ridge southwest of Levi Hubbell's place, dug a pit and trench and got everything ready for the eventful day. The Fourth came bright, clear, beautiful. My brother and I, John McKay, and a Mr. White, and a few others whose names I do not remember, met to celebrate the day. We raised the pole, ran up the flag amid much cheering and enthusiasm. though we had no brass band or booming cannon, and one proposed 'Now let us name our beautiful prairie, Washington Prairie; three cheers for the birth of Washington Prairie, by which it will ever be known, and may God bless her.' And I believe He has, abundantly." In a footnote to this article the editor of the Standard adds :
"Geo. W. Mckay tells us that, as a boy, he was one of the party that helped get the trees for the pole; and that the ox team belonged to Dwight Rathbun, and that members of the Walter Rathbun. Alanson Loomis, and perhaps John Bateman families took a part ; and he is under the impression that the 'Norwegian black- smith' was Hans Olson or Hans Patterson."
CHAPTER III
SETTLEMENTS OF FOREIGN BORN
Winneshiek county was one of the first in Iowa to harbor a large and per- manent settlement of foreign born people. The Germans were the first to come. In 1848 and 1849 the Krumms, Andrew Meyer, George Beckel, John Gaertner, Joseph Huber, and Anthony Stadle settled in Washington township. These were not merely the first foreign born residents, but in the case of the Krumms they lacked less than a month of being the very first permanent settlers of any nationality in the county. In 1850-51 another company of Germans settled in the western part of Calmar township. They were Joseph Spielman, George Herzog and Conrad Riehle. Charles Kroeg preceded them in 1849, and, with the exception of Herzog, all brought their families. In later years Military township was a favored spot among the Germans and in its present population may be found many descendants of this nationality. Lincoln township claimed quite a number also. Bloomfield, Frankville and parts of Pleasant, Canoe and Hesper are now popu- lated by the Germans, though most of them are properly entitled German-Ameri- cans, having been born in America.
Calmar township was also destined to be the home of a large Bohemian set- tlement. The first of this nationality came in 1854. In glancing over the record one sees the familiar names of Bouska, Mikesh, Novak, Kubish and Payer. From this beginning there grew up a large company that overflowed into Sumner, Jack- son and Washington townships.
While we are writing of the settlers of Calmar it is worth while to remember that almost all of the Swiss who came to this county resided in or near Spill- ville. In 1854 J. H. Hinterman, Felix and J. H. Meyer and John Leeble settled there, and I think I am right in including J. J. and J. H. Haug in this list, though J. H. Haug came later. Others came at subsequent dates, but the representation by this nationality has never been large. Of those above mentioned J. J. Haug is the only one who survives.
In 1850 the county welcomed its first Norwegian settlers. Reference is made of these people in the chapter dealing with the first residents of the county, but the late Abraham Jacobson has left a very complete and interesting account of the band that located in Springfield township and formed the nucleus of the largest
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PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY
body of foreign born citizens in this part of Iowa, hence we refer the reader to his story, which will be found under the record of townships and towns. During the years immediately following this settlement the central part of the county, and even well up into Highland township, received steady and increasing acces- sions of settlers from Norway. Today their descendants represent about half of the population of the county.
Bluffton township seems for some unaccountable reason to have attracted the Irish, and while there are Norwegians. Germans and Americans among its resi- dents, the rich, musical brogue of Friend Pat is the most often heard. The first settlers in the township were largely Americans, but at just what time the natives of the Emerald Isle began to acquire residence there is not clearly indicated. yet they were there as early as 1855. Most of them came from Illinois, where they had residence for varying periods, but the parent stock of the present generation were largely foreign born.
Winneshick county also boasted of a goodly number of Englishmen. Among the earliest of these were George Yarwood, Harry Wheatmen, Edward and Jack Vine and John Pickworth, who lived out on the prairie beyond the Peter E. Haugen farm in the southwest corner of Decorah township. There was another settlement in Lincoln township, another in Hesper, while in Decorah there was the late Col. William Thurlow Baker and his brothers, Capt. Charles G. Baker and John T. Baker and their families, R. F. B. Portman ( still a resident here ). . \. J. Ashmore, the Clive brothers, 11. 11. Horn and family, Capt. S. Charles Welsh and wife, and a number of others whose names are not now recalled. They brought with them their customs and the traditions of England. Those who resided in Hesper and Lincoln townships were a particularly lively set of fellows. mostly young men who had come here to engage in farming, but whose previous experience and lack of knowledge of local requirements did not hold out much hope of success. Whatever may have been their shortcomings in these respects, they were generally plentifully supplied with money and knew how to win their way socially, so as long as the purse was free they were not poor in companionship or enjoyment.
There have been and still are a few Scotchmen in the county, also a few Danes, and occasionally one may find a native of Sweden, but these are few. Thus is completed the roll of the foreign born ; but whether foreign born or native, almost all are trying to be loyal American citizens, contributing their share in working out the problems that face us as a people and building for a better civilization.
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