History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 116

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn; Pierce, Eben Douglas
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Chicago Winona : H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1318

USA > Wisconsin > Trempealeau County > History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin > Part 116

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HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY

the writer has ever met. Her face always reflected sunshine and good will. The sons are still with us, happily combining in their personalities the splendid physical vigor of the father with the sunny temperament of the mother.

In 1863 came Phineas Wright, who at once began the erection of a mill, ready for custom in 1864. The mill, as usual, proved to be the beginning of a village. Uncle Phin was a very good-natured, likable man, and soon attracted other settlers. His brother Benjamin came, followed soon by other relatives. In 1868 Uncle Phin platted the land south of the mill and called the plat "Coral City." The origin of this name, as given by many who lived at Coral City at the time it was adopted, is as follows : When the mill dam was being put in Granville McFarland superintended the work. In the bluff north of the mill some of the workmen, while getting material for the dam, found some peculiar looking rock which McFarland called coral. Some add that it was only a joke on the part of McFarland, but evidently Uncle Phin believed the stuff to be genuine coral.

After the Civil War the village grew rapidly for two or three years. Among the men prominent in business affairs in Coral City may be men- tioned the Wright brothers, millers; William Harlow, Joshua Southworth, Elliot & Egbert, carpenters; Christopher Scott, Andrew Olson, Amassa Hodgkins and A. Searles, merchants; George W. Follett, A. Englesby, Philetus Nott, Joseph Popham, hotel keepers; Merritt Most, James Tull, Senecca Johnson and "Peg-leg" Olson, shoemakers; Wm. Douglas, Geo. W. Follett, Mart Allen and Lars Hanson, blacksmiths.

There were also tanners, wagon makers and other artisans too numer- ous to mention. Samuel Sheldon was the only one educationally qualified to treat the sick. Wm. Harlow built the first store about 1865. He died March 8, 1870, and left his property to his fiancee, Miss Frances South- worth. His store was also used for the first postoffice, although George W. Follett was the first postmaster. Later on Senecca Johnson was appointed postmaster and remained such until the postoffice was discontinued May 27,1878.

The mill built by Wright proved a good venture and remained until bodily carried away by the great flood March 10, 1876. The following summer it was rebuilt under the name "Centennial Mills," and though the old French burrs have for many years been still and silent, A. Jacobson, the present owner, is still doing good business at the old stand.

Trempealeau County's now "Deserted Village" was in its day a very lively place. Its decline and fall was not caused by any direct act of Provi- dence, but indirectly by Henry Ketchum, D. M. Kelly and others, who caused the G. B. & W. R. R. to be built down through Trempealeau Valley in 1873. Many memories of this little village tempt me to linger with reminiscences of men, women and events now made sacred by time and associations. Of all the happenings in Coral City there was probably none that gained a wider notoriety than George W. Follett's tort action against Duke Porter.

The suit was based on the fact that Porter had taken or disposed of a few dollars' worth of hay which evidently both parties claimed title to.

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After trial judgment was entered against Mr. Porter for the value of the hay and costs: Porter refused to pay. Execution against the body was issued, and Porter was confined within jail limits at Trempealeau until pay- ment of judgment and cost of board for his keeping were paid. Mr. Follett was delighted to pay Porter's board so long as he could technically keep him in jail. Mr. Porter was determined to suffer even a curtailment of his liberty rather than pay what he considered an unjust judgment. Months. years went by. the bill against Porter getting constantly larger. while Follett's ability to meet this constant drain grew less and less as time rolled by. Finally, after seven years. Follett found that he needed all he had to support himself and family and gave up this contest, which probably has no parallel in this state. In future years some of our debating societies may debate the question: "Which was the victor in this contest. Follett or Porter?" It is only fair to say of Follett that nature had dealt with him very liberally, and he responded to this liberality by exercising skill and ability in many directions. though not always in the interest of the highest social welfare. He was blacksmith, carpenter, postmaster, justice of the peace. merchant, hotel keeper. legal adviser. and I think the sole dispenser of spirits under sanction of law.

One more incident illustrative of those early days, which is vouched for by one of our most worthy citizens present as a juror at time of its occurrence. West Daggett and Leonard Ricker was brothers-in-law and neighbors. but not always friends. Ricker sued Daggett to recover for various items of property, and Daggett counterclaimed. O. J. Allen was Daggett's attorney. Andrews. then located at Taylor, in Jackson County. was Mr. Ricker's counsel. Allen was a man possessed of a bulldog tenacity, limited ability and very little education. In the conduct of the lawsuit he always tried the patience of the opposing counsel fully as much as he tried his case. Andrews was a man of education, fair ability and not always the master of a red-hot temper. The suit in question dragged on from day to day, his honor. A. L. Sherwood, presiding, while six men. good and true. acted as jurors. One day in course of the trial, while Allen was displaying his usual tactics in objecting to everything on technicalities. Andrews sprang to his feet. his face glowing like a furnace. reached across the table and grasped Allen by the abundant hair on top of his head and shook him with a violence almost sufficient to scalp him. But Allen won the suit just the same. It may sound strange to the present generation that a petty suit of this kind lasted for days, but Hon. M. J. Warner assures me that he attended a suit at Coral City that lasted a week.

Among other settlers who came into the town in 1863 Elder George P. Dissmore and Joseph Fitch deserve special mention. Dissmore settled on Section 8, Fitch on Section 4. Dissmore was an ordained Baptist preacher. For about forty-five years he followed his calling as preacher. besides teaching school and farming, with a zeal and constancy worthy of the highest praise. Night or day, without regard to weather conditions. distance or roads, he unhesitatingly obeyed every summons where his ministry was needed. A grateful appreciation or a "God bless you" was often the only reward he sought or received. By the side of his worthy

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wife, Mary Elizabeth, the mother of his thirteen children, he sleeps in the Lincoln cemetery, long to be remembered as one of the best of our pioneer preachers. His son, D. R. Dissmore, still lives on the "Dissmore homestead."

Joseph Fitch lived only about a year after coming to Pigeon. He also rests in the Lincoln Cemetery. His wife Elizabeth was the mother of fourteen children. She died at her daughter's home at Greenwood. Clark County, and is buried there. The name of this family will be remembered as long as "Fitch Cooley" has any inhabitants, though none of the Fitch family ever lived in this cooley.

In 1864 the upper part of Fly Creek was settled by Aslak Knudtson. Ole Anderson Aga and Hans Ole Nielson. All had families and made the journey with oxen from Dane County, Wisconsin. They were all worthy people, Mr. Knudtson being especially mentioned by all who knew him as a man of exemplary life and habits. So far as known. these were the first Norwegians to settle in this town. In the fall of the same year Orson Lamberson settled near the lower end of Fly Creek Valley.

It is well remembered by many of the early residents of Coral City that the little valley which lies almost directly north of the mill was first settled by a man named Johnson. That he lived on the northwest quarter of Sections 18-22-7; was married. had no children. and he and his wife were comparatively young, good looking and agreeable, is also well remem- bered. But I have found no one who can recall his first name. nor the name of his wife. Neither is it known when he came nor when he left. but it is safe to state that he did not come there prior to 1865. nor remain later than 1867. He lived there long enough. however. to give his neigh- bors reason for calling the little valley. Johnson Cooley. Other early set- tlers in the valley were Lars Engen, William Farrell, Ole Linrud, O. J. Allen and Peder Thompson.

The Dissmore Cooley is one of the smallest valleys in the town. and this accounts for the fact that Elder Dissmore was for many years the only resident in the valley. Ole Iverson Kveseth was the next, settling there in 1871.

The next valley above the Dissmore Cooley is the Daggett Cooley. Here West Daggett and his wife Ann were the first settlers. They came in 1865. With the Daggetts came Leonard Ricker and family. but they set- tled on the south of Pigeon Creek on the Prairie. The Daggetts and Rickers came originally from Maine, where Daggett was born in 1809. In 1875. his wife died on the farm where they first settled. In 1876 he sold the farm to C. S. Worth, moved to Whitehall. married Sophronia Fuller. widow of Isaac Fuller, who will be mentioned later on. He died at Whitehall June 26, 1900. In stature. Daggett was of medium height. thick-set. and very strong built. He was of a quiet. rather phlegmatic tem- perament. firm and upright character.

The next settlers in this valley were E. H. Chase. Nels Moe. Hans Mortenson. Olaus Knudtson. Stener Skillerud and John Moe.

Passing over the ridge from Daggett Cooley eastward we find Fuller Cooley. This valley was first settled by Isaac Fuller, who built a shanty there in the fall of 1867. Fuller came from Illinois and very little is known

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concerning him except that he had been in the Civil War. He married Sophronia, the widow of William Slyter, and was killed in his home March 14, 1871, by lightning. In person he was rather slender, little above medium height and dark.

The valley that now bears his name is one of the largest and most prosperous valleys in the town. At the present, I am told, there are seven- teen farms. Among the earliest settlers that followed Fuller may be named Christian Stenslie, Ole Engen, Christian Tangen, Hans Tangen, Mathias Tangen and Hans A. Fremstad.

The next valley east is Skaarstad Cooley, which has been unique in the fact that it has had no public highway through it until the present year, 1917. This valley was first settled by Johan Hammer and wife Eli. They came there from La Crosse County in 1867, sold out to Christian Anderson Skaarstad in 1869 and moved away. They had no children.

Christian Skaarstad and wife Eline moved into this valley in 1869, with six children. They came from Norway in 1868, stayed for awhile in Vernon County, Wisconsin, then came direct to Pigeon. Mr. Skaarstad was born May 17, 1819, and died at his home Sept. 2, 1886. His wife was born Nov. 18, 1822, and died June 20, 1904. The Skaarstads have always been a conservative people, who strictly minded their own business and prospered.

The next settler in this valley was Tomter.

Going a little further east, we have part of Steig Cooley in this town. It was here that Erick Larson Roterud began his pioneer life in 1865, together with his good wife Oline, and two sons, Lars and Ole. In a year or two he was followed by Christian Kaas and his wife Pernille.

The Roterud and Kaas people were by nature very social, and after the coming of the Steigs, John Thorson and his wife Ingeborg, in 1868, life in the neighborhood took on a new aspect. The Steigs settled in the same valley, over the line in the town of Hale, and are mentioned here to explain how the valley got its name.

Of all those jolly first settlers in that neighborhood who have not died or moved away, John Thorson is the only one still on the old homestead. Erick Roterud, born in Norway in 1826, died on his farm Nov. 15, 1893. His wife, born in Norway in 1816, died July 25, 1894. Prior to their com- ing to Pigeon they had lived for about six years in La Crosse County.

The beginnings of the several settlements on the north side of Pigeon Creek have now been briefly mentioned. On the south side of the creek, opposite Steig Cooley, is a valley traversed by a spring brook known as Old's Creek. This valley is nameless until about a mile south of Pigeon Creek it divides into two branches known as Big Slough and Tuv Cooley. In this sketch we are interested only in Tuv Cooley, because the other branch lies in Jackson County.

Near the lower end of this valley, on Sections 36-23-7, George H. Olds settled in the fall of 1864. The next year Isaac Richardson settled just east of Olds in the same section. Lemual B. Mann came in 1865 and made his home a little to the southeast of George Olds. James D. Olds came in the same fall as his brother George, but settled over the hill to the south-

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west of George in a little valley by himself. The men just mentioned were better equipped, financially and educationally, for pioneer life than most of the people who settled in the eastern part of this town.

The first settlers in Tuv Cooley were Peder Pederson and his wife Guro, Lars Larson Roterud and his sister Agnette, who came there in June, 1865. These people, together with Erick Roterud, came from La Crosse Valley with oxen, and were the first Norwegian settlers in the eastern part of the town. In 1866 Mikkel Hagen and Mads Knudtson set- tled in this cooley.

Mathias Johnson Tuv, from whom the valley gets its name, came there in the summer of 1869.

The next valley to claim our attention is Hegge Cooley. The first set- tler here was Benjamin Oliver, the father-in-law to George Olds, who, with a large family, settled here in August, 1864. Oliver, the olds brothers and Mann, all came from the town of Caledonia in this county. Nels Hegge, who gave his name to the valley, came there in 1871 with his wife Nicoline. The home he bought had formerly been occupied by William Abbott and Andrew Olson. Another early settler in this valley was Ole Gulbranson Eid, who bought the Oliver farm.

West of the Hegge Cooley lies Fitch Cooley. The Fitch family never lived in this valley, but for several years they were the only settlers in the vicinity.

Ole Iverson Hoffstad, his wife Anne, and Anton Ekern, were the first home builders in this valley. They came in 1866. Other early settlers were John Hovern and wife. His father, Even Hovern, and mother, Anne, Olaus Nelson and wife, Iver Hanson Tofte, Emert Brandon, John Ringness, Hans Bagstad, Anton Larson and Lars Flikkeshaug.

Between Fitch Cooley and Fly Creek lies Sjuggerud Cooley. The first settler here was Mathias Sjuggerud, who came in 1875. Mr. Sjug- gerud, wose name the Cooley bears, was born in Hedemarken, Norway, May 16, 1844; came to the United States in 1867; spent eight years in La Crosse, Wis .; was married first to Agnette Haug, who died in 1877 ; mar- ried again to Oline Mathiasdatter Feb. 26, 1880. He died June 10, 1914, leaving widow and five children.

Pigeon Falls.

This beautiful and prosperous village and its vicinity deserves special notice from me, whose life and career, through a period of more than forty years, has to a large extent been moulded and determined by influences radiating from the hands and hearts of its inhabitants.

Kings and war lords, for the display of their great and arbitrary powers, have sometimes caused cities and marts of trade to spring up in places unfitted for industries and habitation; but most of the world's centers of population and trade have had their origin in harmony with the great natural law of supply and demand.

When Cyrus Hubbard Hine in exploring the stream now known as

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Pigeon Creek, in the summer of 1865, found a place where the waters leaped and sang over a rocky bottom, through a narrow channel between high banks, from which rich agricultural lands stretched far in every direction, Reason at once whispered: "Here is a place for a mill and a factory ;" and Hine, who was a natural mechanic and had experience in mill construction, found the voice of the singing waters a call to him which he gladly followed.

Mr. Hine, with his wife Catherine and daughters, had been a resident of the town of Preston in our county since 1856, but having found what he considered a natural fall in the waters of Pigeon Creek he at once began the building of a home, feed mill and carding mill, and in the fall of 1865 became the first inhabitant where the village of Pigeon Falls is located.

For five years he was practically monarch of all he surveyed, but in 1870 Andrew Olson and his brother-in-law, Hans Johnson, opened a store right across the road from Mr. Hine's mill. April 8, 1873, a commission was issued appointing Hans Johnson postmaster at Pigeon Falls. This I believe is the first public and official recognition of the name Pigeon Falls, and whether Hine or someone else suggested the name for the new post- office is not known. Prior to 1870 and for several years after Pigeon Falls was in general parlance spoken of as "The Factory," because of the card- ing outfit operated by Mr. Hine. It would surprise the present generation to see from what distant places wool was brought to Mr. Hine's mill. Nearly every settler had a few sheep and the wool raised was usually manufactured by the industrious pioneers at home into some form of garment.

Olson & Johnson continued as storekeepers until the fall of 1875, when Peder Ekern bought their building and stock of merchandise.

On June 9, 1880, Peder Ekern bought from Mr. Hine the farm and mill and Mr. Hine and family at once moved to Whitehall.

It is proper at this point to give the reader just a few lines concerning the man who laid the foundation for a business center which promises to continue as such for centuries to come. A little wizened, wiry man, weigh- ing but a little more than a hundred pounds, as independent in his habits and actions as he was in thought, Mr. Hine gave but little attention to social conventions, religious creeds or even political issues. His world lay mostly within the reach of his hands and within these limits he labored contantly and cheerfully, never meddling with outside affairs. His integ- rity, sobriety and freedom from all social vices were taken for granted, because contrary qualities would have been absolutely out of harmony with his general character.

Mr. Hine was born in Chautauqua County, New York, April 8, 1819; came to Illinois in 1843; married Catherine Barber at Joliet, Ill., 1847, with whom he had two children, to-wit: Laura Thompson, who was killed by lightning at the home of her husband, William Thompson, in the town of Preston, June 17, 1882, and Mrs. Eva S. Bather, who at present lives at Spooner, Wis. Mr. Hine died at Whitehall, Wis., Feb. 13, 1884.

Mrs. Hine was noted for her excellent table and industrious habits. She was born May 2, 1830, and died at Whitehall May 6, 1894. She sleeps beside her husband in the Whitehall Cemetery.

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From 1880 forward to the time of his death, Peder Ekern became the central figure in the community, not only because he prospered in business, but also because of his ability to grasp the larger problems of a rapidly growing settlement. Immediately after buying the mill he began to put it into condition for making flour, and on September 30 of the same year it was ready for custom and on October 28 burned. It was a very severe blow to Ekern's financial prospects, as he had no insurance. But the day following the fire he climbed into his one-horse buggy, drove to Whitehall and other places to get extension of credit from those he owed and the promise of further help to build another mill. The force of the man's character is illustrated by the fact that by Jan. 1, 1881, he had a mill ready for business, better equipped than the one that burned, but the carding machinery was never restored.

In the spring of 1882 F. W. Hinkley from Sheboygan County, Wiscon- sin, built a cheese factory near the location of the present business place of Ludvig Knutson, which he conducted with varying success for about three years. In the fall of 1885 a creamery plant was put up by Mr. Ekern, which began operations on the 8th of December, 1885.

May 1, 1892, Ekern sold his creamery to a farmers' association, which operated it until the middle of October, when it was destroyed by fire. Mr. Ekern at once commenced the building of another creamery, which was opened for business on December 1 the same year.

April 19, 1898, Ekern caused his business to be incorporated under the name of "P. Ekern Company." Since that time the P. Ekern Company has conducted a general mercantile business, operated a creamery, mill and farm. Peder Ekern died June 25, 1899, and since that time the business affairs of the P. Ekern Company have been almost wholly managed by B. M. Sletteland, a son-in-law of Mr. Ekern, whose unfailing courtesy, com- bined with eminent business efficiency, has given him a well deserved promi- nence in the community.

In 190-, Steig & Jacobson began a general mercantile business, which is still in operation, though interrupted by a fire Nov. 3, 1914, which destroyed the building and a considerable portion of the stock. The busi- ness is now wholly managed by Henry Jacobson. For forty years Pigeon Falls has always had a good blacksmith and most of the time a good shoemaker. During several years past it has also had a meat shop, which is at the present time conducted by Ludvig Knudtson.

In social activities of the better kind Pigeon Falls and vicinity has ranked with the very best communities in our county. As early as 1876 it had a very active literary and debating society known as the Pigeon Falls Sentinels, which continued for many years. During the fall of 1876 a library association was organized and before the end of the year a cir- culating library was in full operation.

Singing, both English and Norwegian, has been assiduously cultivated since the early eighties. The interest of the people in music is evidenced at the present time by an active band of forty pieces.

Since 1885 the village has had two churches and for many years two

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resident pastors, and in connection with these churches there have been for many years two young people's societies that have their own com- modious halls for meetings, where devotional and literary exercises are con- ducted and usually followed by a generous lunch, for which the halls are specially fitted with kitchen utensils, tables, dishes, etc. As aids to the moral upkeep of the community the influence of these societies cannot be overestimated.

A lodge of the Scandinavian American Fraternity Society has for many years past been actively supported by the people of Pigeon Falls and vicinity. This order has also a hall for its meetings, built several years ago.

The village has had a graded school with two teachers since 1903. The first school taught in the village was begun by the writer, in the main part of the school house now used, Dec. 10, 1881. Prior to that time, school was held in what was known as the "Olds' school house," about one mile southeast of the village. The first school in the district, which was also the first in the town, was taught in 1866 by Mary Nott, now Mrs. Zenas Wright of City Point, Jackson County, Wis. Her salary was twelve dollars a month and board.

Political History.

The town of Pigeon, from April 2, 1861, until Jan. 5, 1875, was a part of the town of Lincoln. As a separate political unit it held its first meeting at Pigeon Falls April 13, 1875.

The first town officers were as follows: Peder Ekern, chairman ; Caleb Cummings and Nels Johnson Moe, supervisors; Hans Johnson, treasurer, and George P. Dissmore, clerk.

Mr. Ekern continued as chairman for six successive years. Other chairmen from this town have been James D. Olds, Ole E. Larson, Gilbert H. Neperud, Nels Agneberg and Even A. Hegge, the present incumbent. Anton E. Brandon, the town's present efficient clerk, has served in that capacity for fourteen years.

Local issues have rarely caused factional divisions in this town, but there have now and then been lively rivalries for some particular office. On national issues the people have, as a rule, sided largely with the Repub- lican party. At one general election Leonard Ricker had the distinction of casting the only ballot in favor of the Democratic party. After the great panic of 1873 James D. Olds became an earnest advocate of the Greenback party. He also helped nurse the Populist party, rocked the cradle of the People's party, and followed the hearse of all these parties to their respective places of interment. But today, at the age of eighty-seven, down in his Florida home, he rejoices in the fact that, though all these parties seemed too deeply buried to ever again disturb capitalism and monopolism, their · spirits still walk the earth, shaping the policies and destinies of all exist- ing parties.

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History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, Part 116

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn; Pierce, Eben Douglas Publication date: 1917 Publisher: Chicago Winona : H.C. Cooper Number of Pages: 1318

Author: Curtiss-Wedge, Franklyn; Pierce, Eben Douglas
Publication date: 1917
Publisher: Chicago Winona : H.C. Cooper
Number of Pages: 1318