USA > Wisconsin > Trempealeau County > History of Trempealeau County, Wisconsin > Part 22
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 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45 | Part 46 | Part 47 | Part 48 | Part 49 | Part 50 | Part 51 | Part 52 | Part 53 | Part 54 | Part 55 | Part 56 | Part 57 | Part 58 | Part 59 | Part 60 | Part 61 | Part 62 | Part 63 | Part 64 | Part 65 | Part 66 | Part 67 | Part 68 | Part 69 | Part 70 | Part 71 | Part 72 | Part 73 | Part 74 | Part 75 | Part 76 | Part 77 | Part 78 | Part 79 | Part 80 | Part 81 | Part 82 | Part 83 | Part 84 | Part 85 | Part 86 | Part 87 | Part 88 | Part 89 | Part 90 | Part 91 | Part 92 | Part 93 | Part 94 | Part 95 | Part 96 | Part 97 | Part 98 | Part 99 | Part 100 | Part 101 | Part 102 | Part 103 | Part 104 | Part 105 | Part 106 | Part 107 | Part 108 | Part 109 | Part 110 | Part 111 | Part 112 | Part 113 | Part 114 | Part 115 | Part 116 | Part 117 | Part 118 | Part 119 | Part 120 | Part 121
All these were early Irish settlers in the towns of Ettrick and Gale. The data of their lives and work should be gathered and preserved before it is too late, but the limits of this article are such that I cannot now attempt it. It is worthy of mention that these men established the only Irish Catholic church in Trempealeau County, which was built in 1872 and is known as St. Bridget's Church.
A number of the Irish settlers in the county who should have been mentioned have perhaps been omitted. It is safe to say, however, that all told there has not resided in Trempealeau County to exceed one hundred Irish families. Perhaps no other nationality has had among its numbers more men of marked personality, when we consider the number from which to choose.
As a rule they have been good citizens. Some may have been impulsive, some may have been improvident, and it may be possible that some may have been deceitful, yet I venture to say there has been a chord in the make-up of nearly every one which, when touched, vibrated into harmony with the higher and better elements of human character. No two have been alike. Every one has had an individuality that separated him from all others. Very few have seen the clouds-they look more for the sunshine-upon the more optimistic side of life. Every situation to the average Irish settler in this county has had its sunny side, its humorous side. They have mainly lived in an atmosphere of good nature, and they should not be censured too severely if sometimes some of them have taken artificial means to bring it about.
They have been typical in their race. Their friends have been all the people, their faith their own. No climate has been so cold as will not
150
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
produce a shamrock, no soil so barren as will not grow a shillalah. They have been foremost at a fight, at a frolic and at a funeral, where their generous nature has always found a blow for the bad, a smile for the glad and a tear for the sad. (Written at Arcadia, November 12, 1912, by John C. Gaveney.)
Polish and Bohemian Settlers. It is impossible to obtain the exact date of the day, or even month of the year, when the first Polish or Bohe- mian people came to this county, for the reason that there cannot be found anyone that kept any kind of data, and there are only three left in this county of the very first ones that came here-two men and one woman. Those that are alive are all past the age of eighty and their memory is beginning to fail noticeably, and what information I was able to gather is such as these people were able to give me from recollection only, except in one instance, that of the woman I just mentioned. She fixes the dates of their arrival by the age of one of her daughters. She has the names of all her children and the date on which they were born written down on the inside cover of a prayer book, and she seems to be sure that the age of the girl I mentioned was three weeks.
It seems that the Polish and one Bohemian family settled in two locali- ties in this county at about the same time, and as near as I have been able to learn, they did not know of the existence of each other at the time, nor for a good many years after-the length of time no one seems to be able to tell.
During the winter of 1862 and 1863, there came to what is now known as Pine Creek, in the town of Dodge, several Polish families, as follows: Paul Lessman, Paul Libera, Mike Lessman, Frank Weyer, Joseph Lubinski, Joseph Wnuk, and some others whose names I did not get. Of these, all but Paul Libera are now dead. With them came one Bohemian family, that of Math Brom. He is still living, although past eighty years of age and quite feeble. All of these people came from the city of Winona, Minne- sota.
You notice that there were several families that came at the same time, and they settled in close proximity and formed a colony of their own. They claim the distinction of having the second oldest colony in Wisconsin, one in Polonia, Wisconsin, being older, and they claim their colony as the third oldest in the United States, one in St. Mary's, Texas, being first.
The other settlement that took place, which I mentioned before, was in the Town of Arcadia, what is now known as North Creek, and in what is now known as the Town of Burnside.
Here is the history of the settlement in the Town of Arcadia and Burn- side as was told to me by the lone survivor, Mrs. Albert Bautch, Sr. The lady is also past the age of eighty, and although her memory is failing, and failing noticeably, yet after a little conversation with her she recalled quite vividly some of the hardships of pioneer life, and recalled a good deal of its history.
She told me that her daughter Johanna was three weeks old when they came to this county, and, from the entry on the inside of the cover of the
151
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
prayer book I mentioned before showed by her to me, it appears that the girl was born on March 19, 1863.
With Mr. Bautch and his family came his brother Lawrence and his family, and Peter Sura and his family. Those three families came together from New Lisbon, Wisconsin, where they had lived seven years prior to their coming to this county. Albert Bautch, Sr., settled with his family in the town of Arcadia, what is now known as North Creek, and Lawrence Bautch and Peter Sura settled with their families in what is now known as the Town of Burnside. As near as she could remember, no other Polish or Bohemian families came over to this county, to her knowledge, until about two years later, when several families came over from the State of Ohio. .
All those speaking the Polish language settled in the different localities I have mentioned, and came originally from the German Empire, what was formerly Poland. They all came from agricultural districts and quickly adapted themselves to this country. They proved themselves to be sturdy, hard-working and thrifty fellows, and they have greatly assisted in improv- ing the localities in the colonies that they settled in, and the great majority of them have accumulated considerable property.
You may have wondered why I speak of the Polish people and do not have much to say about the Bohemian race. This is the reason. There are now, as near as I have been able to learn, only about a dozen Bohemian families in this county, and those, particularly the younger generation, after living among the Polish people and associating with them, have all, without any exception, learned to talk, read and write the Polish language. They belong to and attend the same church, send their children to the same school, and to all intents and purposes have practically become Polish them- selves.
They have in this county four Polish churches, four Polish parochial schools. The combined wealth of their churches, church furnishings, school buildings, real estate, and other buildings belonging to said churches is estimated at about $200,000.00. The largest church is located at Independ- ence, the largest colony of Polish is in the vicinity of Independence, and the total number of all Polish people in this county is about 3,700.
The principal business of the Polish and Bohemian people is farming. There are a few engaged in mercantile affairs, but only a few. The great majority of them, especially the early settlers, were accustomd to farming. and, being poor, came here looking for an opportunity to better their conditions, jumped at the opportunity this country offered them in the shape of homesteads, and went to farming as best they knew how.
Some strong men were found among the early settlers. For example, take Math Brom, the sole survivor of the Bohemian early settlers, a giant in stature, a pleasant, lovable fellow to meet, well balanced intellectually, of sturdy character, honest and upright in all his dealings, a true and loving husband and father, a true man, and respected by all who know him.
Another striking character was Albert Bautch, Sr., a big man in stature. a kind, loving husband, father and neighbor, a man who was absolutely true to the principles of American citizenship, a hard worker. He rapidly accu-
152
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
mulated considerable property-a big-hearted fellow who was always ready to advise and assist his fellowmen in so far as was in his power to do so.
There were other of the early settlers who possessed strong character- istics and who became prominent in developing this county, but time limit does not permit me to dwell on the individual cases. It stands as the undis- puted fact that the Polish and Bohemian people of this county have prove themselves to be worthy men and women, have done their share in the development of this county, have taken pride in and have learned to love this country, and although a great many, especially the younger generation, some years ago went West seeking to better their condition and find cheaper lands, yet as they become older you will find, by going back with me to some of their localities, that after a number of years of absence and after accumulating some property, they come back and settle in Trempealeau County in their declining days. Only the other day I met one who is not very old yet who has returned from the Dakotas and bought a farm in this county, and intends to live here permanently. I asked him: "What is the matter? Why did you come back?" "Ah," he said, "this is where I was born. I love those trees and those hills, and I wish to spend the rest of my life here and be buried here."
Although they, the early settlers, mostly all came from the German Empire, they came from different provinces. Those living near Pine Creek came mostly from the Province of Posen and Pomerania, and those near Arcadia and Burnside came from the Province of Silesia. They all speak the Polish language, but the dialect is decidedly different. The great majority of them are of the Catholic faith. One of the strong character- istics of the race is they are cheerful givers to churches. Another is that they are hard losers and do not readily forget when some harm has been done them, and they frequently carry their animosities to their death bed. One other 'prominent characteristic they possess, and that is dancing. Not only the young, but in a great many instances men and women past middle age, derive a great deal of pleasure and enjoyment out of dancing. (Written at Independence, November 12, 1912, by John F. Kulig.)
Scandinavian Settlers. The Scandinavian landseekers usually had three things in view, wood, water and hay, as necessary to the establishment of a home. Where any of these essentials were lacking or the soil too sandy, it was ordinarily considered undesirable. Therefore we find them among the hills, if they had a choice.
Gulick Olson was one of a company that came up from the Bad Axe country in Vernon County and settled three miles east of what is now Blair, in 1855. He was the first Scandinavian settler in Trempealeau County. Ebert Olson, his son, now marshal in Blair, is the first child born in Trempea- leau County of Norwegian parents.
About the same time came Bjorgo Olson, Jacob, Peter and Salve Tonne- son and Nils Halvorson. A little later Ole Teppen, Syver and Iver Iverson came from Oleana, Ole Bull's renowned colony. Teppen Coulee is named in honor of this Ole Teppen. In 1858 Terjan Thompson, 1859 Tosten Torrison Forkerud and Helge Opland settled in Tromps Coulee. Settlers continued coming in from older settlements and direct from Scandinavia, mostly from
153
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
Solor, in Norway, and spread in all directions till this settlement has the distinction of being the largest Solung settlement in America.
The Trempealeau Valley congregation was organized by Rev. H. A. Stub in 1857. But a church was not built until 1868.
North Branch Beaver Creek received its first Scandinavian settlers in 1857, when Iver Knutson Syse and his son Orias Torblaa settled there, com- ing from Kosh Konong. Torblaa, however, located just across the line in Jackson County. In 1858 many others followed, among them Knut and Paul Hallenger, Amund Olson Haaheim, Knut Rocholson, Thomas and Nels Herreid, Ole Nilson Skaar, Tosten T. Ringven, Nels Henderson, Lars Hanson, Ole Ellingson, Ole Iverson Dale, Erick Grer and Nils Okland. Rev. Nils Brandt organized a congregation here in 1858, and a church was built in 1861. The congregation paid Ole Olson, a Swede in South Branch, who had some fine timber, $4.00 for the privilege of cutting the necessary mate- rial for their meeting house. The whole congregation came together, cut and hauled the logs and put up a structure 30 by 24 by 12. This church was built just across the line in Jackson County, and was the first Scandinaviar church in Western Wisconsin. This old historical structure is now occupied by Baard O. Herried as residence. Among later arrivals are D. O. Hage- stad, the first chairman of the town of Ettrick, Henrick Swendson, Arne Arneson, Torkel Gunderson, Berge Torkelson and his sons, Iver and Haldor, who came in 1859. K. K. Hagestad came in 1860. Many of the above came from the vicinity of Lodi, Wisconsin. This settlement is mostly by people originally from Hardanger, Norway.
Another distinct Norwegian settlement is French Creek Valley, where Peter Anderson Hogden located in 1859. He came from Halfway Creek to Trempealeau Valley, where he lived a short time before coming to French Creek. He was the first Scandinavian in this valley. The same year his two brothers, John and Andrew Hogden, also settled in this valley. Ole E. Gilbertson, with a large family, arrived in 1860. Among other early set- tlers can be mentioned Ole O. Onsrud, James Emerson, Anders Skundberg, Peter Olson, Lars Tolvstad, Iver Engehagen, Peder Ofsdahl, Christian Iverson, Andred Onsrud, Ole Smehaugen, Lars and Martin Larson, Ole Hovre, Fredrick Svern, Andrew Linrud, Peter and Ole Nilsestuen, Gilbert Jacobson, Hans Madson, Lars and Olaus Thompson, Nils Olson, Marcus P. Benrud, Tobias Olson, Ole Engelien, Ole Schie, Hans and Andrew Mustad. This is a very rich valley and one of the most prosperous settlements in the county. A good church was built in the early '70s, which was enlarged and remodeled about 20 years later.
The next Norwegian settlement in point of time is a little prosperous valley in the town of Gale that bears the name of that sturdy Scotchman, James Hardie, or Hardie's Creek Valley. Christian Larson Hoff and Gilbert Emerson Ekern came across the Black River from Lewis Valley and settled here in 1860. They were the first Norwegians there. Shortly afterward we hear such names as Andrew Ekern, M. J. Scarseth, Ole J. Hemma, Amund Quisselstuen, Anders Trondson, Amund Bjornstad, Peter Amundson, Andrew Larson (Hovensholm), Michael Michaelson, Lars Syverson, Mathew Larson, Otto O. Rindahl, Ole O. Semb, Nils O. Sagen, Bernt Everson, Anders
154
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
C. Haugstad, Mikkel Hanson, Hans Anderkvern and Even Fredrickson. La Crosse County contributed the most of these settlers, and a large majority of them came from Biri, Norway, originally.
Pushing across the ridge northward from Hardie's Creek into South Branch Beaver Creek, another Norwegian settlement was formed. Peter Larson came up from Coon Valley and located there in June, 1861, the first Norwegian in that valley. In the fall of the same year came Even Swenson and Gilbert Nelson, shortly thereafter Christian Olson Syljuberget, Lars Anderson Osley, Ole O. Brendhaugen, Peder Johnson Bratstiengen, Svend Larson Bergum, and others.
In 1862 we find Ole Gutormson locating in Tamarack Valley, the first Norwegian in what shortly became a very extensive Norwegian settlement. The following year arrived Tollef Egilson, Sigurd and Berger Bergerson, John Gunderson, Knut Leofsen Strand, Egil Mikkelson, Trond Osovsen, John Hanson, John Hendrickson, Hendrick Olson and Hans C. Olson. Others among early arrivals are Andrew Amundson, John Nilsestuen, Ole Olson, Lars Amundson, Ole Dove, Hans Hagen, Ole Heram, Ole Lindem, Lars Christianson, Christian Brennom, and the list could be continued to a great length.
Hans Herbjornson settled near that natural monument called Chimney Rock in 1865. Soon after him came H. Kjentvet, Mr. Brynjulson and others, until this whole town, which derives its name from this peculiar rock, is largely Scandinavian.
The large and beautiful valley of the Pigeon Creek, which now no doubt is the finest in the county, was for a long time shunned by the early land- seekers on account of its scarcity of wood and hay, and distance from market. It was not until 1867 that any Scandinavian located there, when Erick Larson from La Crosse County, who, as near as I have been able to learn, was the first Scandinavian to locate in this valley. Then came P. Pederson, Mikkel Hagen, Mathias Tuv, and the list of prominent Scandina- vians who have settled here would be so long that I shall not attempt to mention later arrivals. These settlers located mostly on land claimed by the Wisconsin Western Railroad Company, but this land had not come into market, and on account of its distance from the tracks it was thought the railway company could not hold it, and that the land would revert to the government and become homestead land. The settlers selected their claims and sat on them awaiting the outcome.
One Anders Christianson, locally called "Ringerikingen," a man of rather extravagant ideas, claimed a whole section. His neighbor, Mr. Elsom, who had bought an eighty of State school land just across the road from "Ringerikingen," wanted a forty out of the section claimed by "R"" adjoining his own, and conceived the idea to build on that forty, and com- menced operations with a view of crowding "Ringerikingen" off. This happened to be one of the forties that would eventually be "Ringerikingen's" homestead. He, of course, felt aggrieved, his neighbors viewed such pro- ceedings with alarm, as under such rule no one would be safe from invaders. Several neighbors got together for the purpose of visiting Mr. Elsom to see if a little moral suasion would not induce him to withdraw from his
155
IIISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
neighbor's claim. When they came to the place Mr. Elsom was absent, but Mrs. Elsom, a beautiful young woman of considerable fortitude very much in evidence, was informed of the purpose of their visit-namely, to move what had been done toward a building back to her own side of the road. Mrs. Elsom objected in very unmistakable terms, and to emphasize her objections brought out a double-barreled shotgun and promised to put a hole through the first one that laid hands on her property. This did not put any more ambition in the house movers, as no one knew what she might do.
G. F. Steig, always resourceful, was among the company, saw that something had to be done, approached her jokingly and said: "What do you want of that gun? You daren't fire it off, and if you did you could not hit the side of that big bluff." She contended she could hit any mark they would give her. They wanted the gun discharged and she was anxious to show her marksmanship. So E. Larson, another member of this company, hung his hat on a bush a fair distance away. She brought the gun to her face. Bang! Lo and behold, the hat was so full of holes it hardly made a shadow. But there was still one charge in the gun and the gun in the hands of a marksman of proved ability. It would suit the visitors better if this also was out. Steig insisted this was an accidental hit. She vowed she shot like that every time. Just then a woodpecker lit on a little tree a few rods distant. Steig said: "Bring him down and we will admit you have made your claim good. Thinking that another hit would be still more awe-inspiring, and she had plenty of ammunition, she placed the gun again to cheek, pulled the trigger, and down came the bird fluttering to the ground. "Now, boys," said Mr. Steig, "to the task, and hurry before the gun is reloaded." Several men on each corner of the just-commenced building picked it up and carried it across the road and set it on Elsom's own land. This was done so quickly that she, in her astonishment, did not attempt, nor found time, to reload. Seeing how she had been outgeneraled, she did not further molest the men, who fixed up the building in the new location with cornerstones and excavations precisely as it was found. When Mr. Elsom came on the scene, after the first impulse of wrath had subsided. he took it philosophically and admitted the rule was just and the action of these men was as binding as a decision by a jury. Thus was established the rule no one should molest another on these loose titles. As is usual, the railway company secured extensions and additional grants, got title to these lands, and the settlers each bought his claim.
I have been told the first Scandinavian in the town of Sumner was Mrs. Silkworth. She came up from Richland County to work for Green & Silk- worth at Beef River Station in 1855. She afterward married Mr. Silkworth. I have been unable to learn her maiden name. John Christianson located in the vicinity of Eleva, Anders Skei, A. Staa, Gunder Johnson, Anders Tvet. Nils Larson, John Larson, Halyren Torbjorn and Ole Knutson.
In 1874 the first Scandinavians came to Plum Creek. They were Lars Davidson, Ole, Tom and John Jackson. In 1875 Knut Everson, Oliver A. Hegg, Syver Amundson and Bennet Anderson, and shortly thereafter Ole Thompson, Ole Narveson and Andy Anderson came.
156
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
The early Scandinavians, like most other emigrants, were poor, came here to get cheap land and build themselves homes, some at first living in dug-outs with sod for walls, marsh hay for thatch, and kind Mother Earth for floor. Others, yes, a large majority, had small and hastily-constructed log huts chinked and plastered between the logs with clay. Their farming implements were wood-beam plow, a drag, Morgan cradle, snath and scythe, hand-rake and two-tined fork, wagon with wooden skein and lynch pin, spring seat of two sapplings, rear ends of which were fastened to a cross piece under the wagon box, resting on a cross piece on top of the wagon box, the front ends extending to which was nailed a board for the seat. Oxen, their faithful beast of burden, and their beef when too old for work. They tilled the early settler's soil, marketed his produce and took the family to church. This condition, however, was not peculiar to the Scandinavians alone, but to all early settlers.
Perhaps these glimpses into pioneer life portray a condition full of poverty, misery, sorrow and hopelessness. But such was not the case. True, the early Scandinavians, like most all other new settlers in this county, had little of property and much of poverty, often misery and priva- tions. But they did have a fund of good cheer and hope, and a hospitality that is unknown at this day prevailed. If one had little it was freely divided with one less fortunate. Lodging and board were given the traveler out of such scantiness as the house afforded, style and fashion never mentioned or thought of, the spare bedroom was always in order in the mansion which consisted of one room and perhaps an attic, a sociability and neighborly feeling there prevailed that does not exist today. Religious meetings, socia gatherings and dancing parties were had in these small and simple but happy homes. There were discussed the political affairs, county and town matters, church and domestic problems, agriculture and markets.
The early Scandinavians of this county were religiously inclined. Therefore, as soon as so many had located in a locality as to deserve the name of "settlement," the first work of a social nature was usually to per- fect a church organization. Literary societies, debating clubs and singing schools were also common. The Scandinavians of Trempealeau County have now 27 churches, though nearly all are modest structures, they are all neat, comfortable and sufficient for the needs in their respective locali- ties, and represent considerable money outlay. They have, to my knowl- edge, three parochial school houses, possibly more, one college, one Scandi- navian insurance company which was organized in 1877 mainly by the efforts of Jens K. Hagestad, who became its first president, N. L. Tolvstad its first secretary, and Iver P. Enghagen its first treasurer, which office he has held continually and still holds. At its last annual meeting this com- pany carried $5,058,376.00 in risks and had the neat little sum of $20,445.37 in its treasury.
As before mentioned, the Scandinavians who left their mother country to seek new homes were of the laboring class. So were the Scandinavian pioneers of this county. Labor was their only asset. Strong and willing hands, industrious and frugal habits, honest and cheerful hearts, perse- verance and undaunted courage, was all they brought with them. These
157
HISTORY OF TREMPEALEAU COUNTY
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.