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 CHAPTER
XXIII BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP (As recorded in Anderson & Goodwin's Atlas by M. P. Riggs.) It is conceded by all that Hamilton Campbell, Sr., was the first settler in Bloomfield, having moved here June 10, 1848. They settled on what subsequently proved to be the west half of section 23; also northwest quarter of 26, township 96, range 7, west of the 5th P. M., Winneshiek county, Iowa, said county not having been surveyed until the year 1849. Mr. Campbell's postoffice was Dubuque, Iowa, about sixty miles distant. His first milling was down at or near McGregor landing on Bloody Run. Millers would not grind his wheat but instead would buy the wheat at 25 cents per bushel and sell in return flour at $10.00 per hundred. Mr. David Reed was the next settler in Bloomfield township, settling on section 25. He was better known as Judge Reed. Phineas Banning was the next to settle, in June 10, 1849. He with his wife and four children settled on sections 5 and 6. Mr. Banning traded a gun and only wagon for his claim. Thus for two years his only mode of conveyance in visiting his distant neighbors was a pair of oxen and sled. From now on settlers began to gather in Bloomfield like bees to their hive; among those arriving were Mr. Townsden, John DeCou, Abner DeCou, Mose McSwain and Gideon Green. The latter brought boards from Milwaukee to make the only door in his log cabin. The first born in Bloomfield was Miss Sarah Campbell in the year 1849, who still resides on the same section. Winneshiek postoffice was established in 1851 on section 26. Castalia postoffice the same year and Moneek postoffice in 1852. Winneshiek and Moneek have been discontinued for many years. The first schoolhouse was built in 1853. No.3, or commonly known as the "red schoolhouse," was built in the fall of 1854. Castalia schoolhouse was built in the spring of 1855. No. 1, or "white schoolhouse," was built in 1855. School taught, where and by whom: District No. I was a little log house on Jacob Hohenshielt's land on section 9, a structure 10X14 feet, where every scholar had to furnish his own seat. It was taught by Mrs. Abigail Meyers. 223 PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY 224 District No.5 was taught by Miss Green in section 14 in 1853. Castalia school was taught in the summer of 1855 by Mrs. Abigail Meyers. The first church was built in 1856 by the United Brethren in Christ, on section 16. Fine horse vehicles were not to be seen but instead ox teams and a class of people who always extended their hospitality to everyone. The following weddings were recorded from 1848 to 1858: George Cooper to Miss Emily Logan, March 14, 1854. Lathrop, J.
P. David Meyers to Miss Abigail Baird, November 14, 1854. Rev.
John Brown officiating. Bloomfield township was first known as township No. 96. On April 2d a meeting was held at Moneek for the purpose of electing judges of election and voting upon a name other than No. 96. The following judges were selected: Daniel B. Pierce, Gideon Green and Nelson Burdick. At a vote following the name Bloomfield received the largest number of votes, giving it its present name. The following is the list of first voters at an election ever held in Bloomfield township: Henry Walrath, Samuel B. Jones, A. C. Andrews, John Webster, L. W. Smith, T. A. Windell, Nathaniel Cornell, J. W. Larkins, D. Webster, N. M. Webster, A. P. Cornell, Joel Cailiff, C. B. Riggs, N. Banning, S. Sherman, N. E. Hubbell; M. S. Drury, C. W. Bucknam, S. B. Pierce, C. Dean, Alexander Stewart, Russell Dean, Wm. Taylor, Sam Brush, P. C. Huffman, Fred Larkins, Daniel D. Webster, Levi Grandy, Steven Allen, W. D. Pierce, G. W. Estey, Gideon Green, M. Townsden, J. Gibson, J. Doane, Andrew Shawns, I. Duff, A. DeCou, Harvey Knowles, I. Cailiff. The following township officers were elected: Justices-L. W. Smith, Lewis Boughner. The foregoing record by Mr. Riggs tells of the early days. The
Bloomfield township of today presents a far different sight than
greeted the eyes of the pioneers.. Where then was an occasional
log hut now there are modern homes and the farms are among the
thriftiest in the county. The best methods in crop culture have
many students among her citizens and they are keeping abreast
of the times in all things. PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY 225 CASTALIA This town is one of the oldest in this section of Iowa, and is also one of the youngest. It came into actual existence in the days when the Military road was the only thoroughfare into Northeastern Iowa, but it did not arrive at a state of real prosperity until 1902, when it incorporated. Since then many improvements have been brought about, and more are being steadily added. It makes the boast of having more cement sidewalks for its size than any town in this portion of Iowa. In fact, it has nothing but cement sidewalks, which is a mark of enterprise on the part of its citizens. A town hall that was erected some years ago is owned by a stock company and affords a splendid place for entertainments and public gatherings. It is one of the best live stock markets; its business houses are all prosperous, and enjoy a good trade, largely because it is located in one of the most fertile agricultural districts in the state. Its business houses are eleven in number and are as follows: Garage, Harvey Brothers; general stores, W. H. Haefner, W. H. Roe; hotel and grocery, N. Schoonmaker; drug store, W. K. Riggs; Castalia Savings Bank, D. C. Malloy, cashier; restaurants, Chas. Schara, Thos. Kane; blacksmith shop, Ed. Mann; butcher shop, J. P. Bachelder; hardware, Geo. R. Neuenswander. A. C. Tatro is mayor; D. C. Malloy is clerk; W. K. Riggs is treasurer;
and W. H. Haefner, H. H. Meyer, J. H. Kneeskern, Chas. Schara,
and Geo. R. Neucnswander are councilmen. ________________ WASHINGTON TOWNSHIP (Excerpts from a sketch written by Harrison Goddard for Anderson & Goodwin's Atlas.) Washington is the southern township of next to the western tier of townships, is beautifully rolling and richly productive. The Turkey river, which runs southeasterly through the township, furnishes the power for the Evergreen Roller Mill. The township has two villages, Fort Atkinson and Twin Springs. Fort Atkinson village, in the northwestern part of the township, near the western line, took its name from the fort of that name, which stood on a hill overlooking the site of the present village. The fort was named after the famous and 8Uccessful fighter of the Indians, General Atkinson, the hero of the Black Hawk war. Twin Springs village was platted and the plat recorded October 17, 1856, by Andrew Meyer and wife. It lies in a beautiful valley five miles south of Calmar. The German Catholic church here is a very large building, and has a school connected with it. In the month of September, 1849, a number of families emigrated from Aldenberg, Indiana, and settled near the Turkey river to found homes. These pioneers were strict adherents to the Catholic faith, and after selecting homesteads centered their thoughts in the founding of a church. They were Jos. Huber, Anton Stadel, Andrew Meyer, Geo. Beckel, Jos. Spillman and Jacob Rausch. After purchasing land and Indian log huts, the best of these huts was assigned to the use of a chapel, which after being dedicated derived the name Old Mission, by which name it is known to this day. The priest sent to take charge of the humble church was G. H. Plathe. . In 1853 the little church was destroyed by fire. Instead of rebuilding on the old site it was deemed advisable to build two miles further north. This new site is now called Twin Springs, and is the same place where the present magnificent church was built. The present priest is Rev. August Sauter, who has presided since the 13th day of March, 1877.* *Reverend Sauter has retired, and Rev. J. Rubly is the priest in charge. 227
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY 228 A previous event worthy of mention was the erection of the chapel built on the site upon which stood the first church, dedicated June 15th, 1885, the expense being borne by John Gartner and the family of Joseph Huber. In the spring of 1849 Josiah Goddard came to Washington township to look up a new home. He bought the old Indian trading post from a man by the name of Olmstead situated on section 18, township 96, range 9 (which was the only name the township had at that time), two miles southwest of the fort. He then went back to his old home in Green county, Wisconsin. In the fall of the same year he moved his family. His effects were loaded into two wagons, each drawn by a pair of horses. Besides this they brought with them six head of cattle. They arrived at Fort Atkinson on the 20th day of October, 1849. The writer was but nine years of age at that time. We camped out most of the time on the journey, and I well remember that some of the nights were quite cold and frosty. The last night we camped about one and one-half miles east of where Calmar now stands, arriving at the fort the next day. We spent the winter of 1849 and 1850 in the old fort. Alexander Falconer had charge of it at that time. My father went back to Wisconsin some time in December, 1849, to get some hogs and wheat which he had left there. He butchered the hogs and salted the meat in barrels; the wheat he had ground into flour, then the pork and flour were loaded into the wagon and hauled to Fort Atkinson, a distance of nearly two hundred and fifty miles. The nearest place to get groceries was McGregor, a distance of about fifty miles, a long distance to go to trade, but not so bad as the lack of money to do it with. In June, 1850, Josiah Goddard moved his family to the old trading post. Three or four acres of land had been broken up by the Indians. This was planted to corn and pumpkins, and in the fall we harvested a good crop. With this and what father brought from Wisconsin we had enough to carry us through until the next summer. The corn was ground into meal by rubbing the ears over tin graters, then made into corn bread or mush; the pumpkins were cut into strips, dried and used during the winter for pies and sauce, which made pretty good fodder. In the summer of 1850 a band of Indians came to our place. We had a small patch of early corn which was in roasting ears. They pointed to it and said they wanted some. One of them could talk English. I gathered a sackful and then asked them how much they wanted. They said they would take all I would give them. They would have carried off the whole patch if I had given it to them, which showed the nature of an Indian. They would eat you out of house and home, if you would give it to them. The first school in the township was at the old Olmstead trading post, taught by my sister, Mary Goddard. There were six scholars. The first postoffice in Washington township was established in 1851 or 1852 at Louisville, two and one-half miles southeast of Fort Atkinson, at the house of Francis Rogers. Josiah Goddard was postmaster. In 1852 there was a postoffice at the Old Mission. Joseph Huber was postmaster. In these days it took from 10 to 25 cents postage to send a letter. The first male white child born in the township since the first
permanent settlement was Geo. A. Meyer, near the Old Mission,
August I, 1849. Mr. Meyer is now a resident of Oklahoma. The first
female child born was Mary PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY 229 Krumm at Fort Atkihson, August 5, 1849. Her father, Gottlob Krumm, came to Fort Atkinson in 1848. In the spring of 1849 Joseph Huber, Andrew Meyer, George Beckel, Anthony Stadel, John Gartner and Gottlieb and Gottlob Krumm settled near the Old Mission. Mr. Falconer was a discharged soldier of the regular army. He held the rank of first sergeant. FORT ATKINSON Before any other town existed in Winneshiek county, Fort Atkinson was a definite and important center. We refer now to the fort itself, but only for the purpose of bringing out the fact that here was formed the nucleus of the civilizing forces that brought Winneshiek county to its present state of prosperity. Of the fort more is said in the first chapter of this book, in which its military importance is detailed. Fort Atkinson town came into existence early in the fifties and, because of the previous occupation of the Government post, enjoyed not a little growth. "Sparks' History of Winneshiek County" contains the following account of the years that followed: "After the removal of the Indians in 1848 there was no further necessity for keeping up military appearances, consequently the fort, as a military rendezvous, was dispensed with; yet the Government did not entirely abandon it. Alexander Falconer was appointed to look after it. Soon after Falconer was relieved by Geo. Cooney, a well-known citizen of the county. In 1853, after the removal of the Indians, the fort became useless as Government property, and the administration then in power decided to dispose of it at public auction. "On the reception of this news, in July, 1853, one of the Day boys visited Mr. Cooney at the fort and informed him that the fort would be sold at auction the next Wednesday. By previous agreement he had promised to inform certain parties of the sale when it should take place; and he immediately dispatched a messenger with the intelligence to H. D. Evans and S. A. Clark of Prairie du Chien, and another to the bishop at Dubuque. On the morning of the sale these parties were present, bringing with them $4,000 in gold to purchase it with. John M. Flowers, Captain Frazier and a gentleman from White Pigeon were also on the ground in hopes of purchasing the fort. "The Flowers were extraordinary characters, and played no little part in the history of Fort Atkinson. There were two brothers of them, and were classed, with Charley Clark, Coleman and Tavernier, as 'the Canadians.' These Canadians came to the fort with the intention of making a living easily. They had somehow got the impression that Fort Atkinson was destined to be a great city, and thought it afforded a rich field in which to exercise their wit and shrewdness to benefit themselves. In language not to be misunderstood, they were sharpers. "Flowers wanted to get possession of the fort property,
and induced a widowed English lady by the name of Newington to
purchase it--he bidding the same off. As the bidding progressed
and the price advanced in the fort, Flowers became fearful that
he would not be able to make the purchase, and asked those bidding
against him what they would take to stop where they were. Clark,
Evans PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY 230 and the others held a consultation, and as a result agreed to take $25. Flowers said he would give it, and accordingly wrote his note for the amount. Said note read as follows: " 'I owe you $25 for value received. "'J. M. FLOWERS. " 'Dated. Fort Atkinson, 1853.'" "Four years after this note was given, Mr. Evans placed it in Mr. Cooney's hands (who was a justice of peace at the time) for collection. Three years later Mr. Cooney got his payout of Flowers in sawing. "The fort was sold to Flowers for $3,521. "In 1857 a grist mill was commenced. Finkle & Clark were the builders, and they received a certain portion of the town-plat for building the mill, getting a warranty deed for the same. Mr. McMillan, a resident of Fort Atkinson, who resided, previous to 1857, in Canada, and an acquaintance of Finkle, was induced by Finkle to accompany him to the United States, and aid in the construction of the mill, with promises of a fair remuneration. The mill was completed in November, but, owing to some miscalculation of the architect in laying out the foundation, when the water was let through the flume it undermined the wall, and rent the mill in twain, precipitating a portion of it into Turkey river. The mill was reconstructed shortly afterward. "It is estimated that in 1857, when the fort was at the summit of its grandeur, it had a population of 500 souls. A public school, of course, would be a necessary adjunct to so thriving a community. Consequently one was organized, and an estimable and capable teacher was found in the person of Dr. E. Hazen. To Doctor Hazen belongs the credit of teaching the first school at the fort. The doctor had met Mr. McKinney and wife, at the commencement of Oberlin College, and was advised by them to emigrate west. He was then a young man and had graduated. Mr. J. P. McKinney, assisted by his wife, taught the second term of school at the fort. The school session was held in one of the fort buildings, and their enrollment of scholars numbered nearly one hundred. "A Mr. Sharp, from Fayette county, kept the first hotel in the place. He dispensed his hospitality in one of the Fort buildings. "The new town of Fort Atkinson was commenced in 1869. The same year the railroad entered the place, J. T. Clark's Addition was made to the town, August 28, 1869. This addition was formerly known as the Tavernier Farm, and was sold to J. T. Clark at sheriff's sale several years previous. "About this period the first church building was erected. It was located north of the old fort, and built by the aid of subscriptions. The Methodist church was built soon after. It is located on the old town site, and was built by the aid of S. B. Dunlop, a wealthy farmer, and largely with his money." Fort Atkinson was incorporated in 1895 and Wm. Becker was the
first mayor. Aside from the historic interest that attaches to
the town, it may be said that it has always enjoyed a good market,
the shipments of live stock being for many years a leading industry.
All lines of business are well represented by the following merchants
and professional men: Home Savings Bank, F. J. Pouska, cashier;
loans and real-estate, Frank A. Schreiber; general merchandise,
Frank C. Smith, F. P. Chizek, Joe A. Huber; drug store, Horton
Bros. Co.; jewelry store, A. J. Schreiber; butcher shop, Joe Wandes;
furniture and undertaking, PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY 231 Joseph Chekal; veterinary surgeon, S. H. Bush; barber, Amos Stribley; blacksmith shop, Louis Houdek; lumber dealers, Frudden Lumber Co.; hardware dealer, George A. Bieber; live stock dealers, Glass & Summers; farm produce, Farmers Co-operative Produce Co.; hotels, Adolph Hlubek, Theodore Smith; postmaster, Wm. Summers; Catholic pastor, Rev. Charles Dragoun; Shattler Auto Co.; Shisse1 Implement Co. The town officers are as follows: Mayor, Wentzel Kohout; clerk, A. J. Schreiber; treasurer, Jacob Chekal; councilmen, Fred Houdek, A. B. Leibold, Wm. Rausch, Joseph Schreiber, and John Heine; marshal, George E. Cooney. |
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