_____________________________________________
|
Chronology
October 4, 1840-- The first death occurred; a Government teamster
named The same year quite a number of other families settled in the county, as will be seen by records in first chapter. 1850 Settlements were made in what are now Decorah, Bloomfield, Springfield, Glenwood, Canoe, Pleasant, Madison, Frankville and Military townsbips. Burr Oak was probably settled at about the same time; for in the fall of 1851, Judge M. V. Burdick visited the place and found where the village of Burr Oak is now located, a hotel, a store and a blacksmith shop. Judge Burdick also found in 1850, at the present site of Spillville, Mr. Spillman to be the only settler; while at what is now Twin Springs or Festina, then, there was a saloon. The same year, 1850, the Federal census was taken, showing a
population of 570. 301 PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY 302 1851 An act of the of the Legislature, organizing Winneshiek county, was approved January 15, 1851. It appointed John L. Carson, organizing sheriff, to assume duties March 1St. April 7, Decorah was elected to be the county seat. [Interesting details of the fight with Moneek are given elsewhere.] In 185 1, the first postoffice in the county, excepting those at Fort Atkinson and Old Mission, was established at Jamestown, in what is now Frankville township. James B. Cutler postmaster. His commission was dated September 15, 1851. On October 5, 1851, occurred the first marriage in the county-Johannes Evenson to Catharine Helen Anderson.* August 4, 1851, David Reed, who had come to this county in 1848,
was chosen county judge, and held the position till 1855. Hesper and Highland townships were settled this year. In September, 1851, the first county court was opened at the log house of Wm. Day, Decorah. There being no business, it adjourned to the first Monday in October, when the first marriage license was granted. The Heivly water power was improved by Mr. Painter and "Uncle Philip" Morse, who arrived here in 1851, and built the sawmill, some of the ruins and the race which are to be seen between the present Arlington House and the old stone grist mill. In July the first lawyer came to Decorah. This year also saw the first mercantile firm in Decorah, Aaron Newell and his partner, named Derrick. They opened their goods in the smoke house on the premises of the Winneshiek House, afterwards removed to a slab shanty, and soon built the first frame building in town-a store known as the Pioneer Store, which has since burned. It stood on the present site of the store of Mott & Co., on the southwest corner of Washington and Water streets. This same year, 1851, came to Decorah the first minister of the Gospel, Elder Bishop, preaching here monthly on a circuit described elsewhere. A few weeks afterwards a Congregational minister, A. M. Eastman, came and established monthly meetings at the log tavern. From these spring the Methodist and Congregational churches of Decorah. The first mails came to Decorah in June, 1851. Co Day, postmaster, and Lewis Harkins, mail carrier. 1852 Lincoln township was settled during this year. At the April election 180 votes were cast in the county; at the August election 150. *This marriage must refer to the first marriage after the county was organized. Aaron Young and Mary J. Rogers were married at Fort Atkinson late in the winter of 1849.
PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY 303 March 8, 1852, the county court ordered elections to be held at three precincts. First, at the house of Wm. Day, Decorah; second, at the house of Francis Rogers, Lewiston, in the southwest part of the. county; third, at the house of John DeCow, Moneek. For further and later divisions of the county, see apreceding chapter. Moneek was surveyed and platted in January, but the plat was not recorded till November. . The Pioneer Store building in Decorah commenced in 1851, was completed in 1852, a public hall, known as Newell's Hall, being in the second story. In August and September, there was built by Philip Morse, the first frame dwelling in Decorah. The first term of district court for this county was held in Decorah on Friday, July 9, 1852, Thos. S. Wilson, judge. The first indictment found by the grand jury was against Francis Teabout, for gambling; the second against Philander S. Baker, for selling intoxicating liquors; the third was against James T. Moore, for gambling. Each were held to bail to the next term of court in the sum of $100.00. 1853 The number of votes cast in the county in April, 1853, was 224; and the number steadily increased in successive years, as will be seen by the record elsewhere. The present city of Decorah was surveyed and platted in August
of this year. This year Ammon & Co. came to Decorah and were the first to add steam power to our water power, finally resulting in their foundry, machine shop, and wagon manufactory. The Government property at Fort Atkinson was this year sold at
auction and Mr. Cooney, who was in 1852 appointed to take charge
of the old fort and Government buildings, found his "occupation
gone." 1854 The village of Freeport was platted in May. 1855 Early this year Ossian was platted as a village, and the plat
recorded April 30th. PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY 304 Decorah, which had become quite a village, received an additional impetus by the land office being established here, the office being opened the day before Christmas, 1855. It was removed the following year, but much of the business which it brought remained. In the winter of 1855-6, there were nine banking houses in Decorah. The year 1855 also gave the county its first newspaper, the Decorah Chronicle. It was edited and published by a man named Tracy, but very soon Judge M. V. Burdick became the editorial writer. It had its ups and downs, and the Decorah Republican of today may be considered as its successor, Wesley Bailey and son buying out the establishment, and issuing it as the Decorah Republic, in 1860, and afterwards changing the name to Decorah Republican,
A county loan of $6,000 was also voted this year to build a courthouse
at Decorah, the tax to be levied in the years 185 A special election was also held October 1oth, and the county voted $100,000 in bonds to aid in the building of the Northwestern Railroad; there being 926 votes cast for the tax, and 505 against it. As the road was not built the county was not burdened with the tax.
The courthouse was commenced this year and finished the following
year. This year witnessed the burning of the Tremont House, Decorah,
then a 1858 The plat of the village of Hesper--the township having been first settledin 1851--was recorded on the 25th of February, 1858, the plat having been drawn December 27th of the preceding year. The township of Hesper was also organized in 1858. The county had grown so that the number of votes cast in October of this year was 1,288. On the 18th of April, 1858, the first county superintendent was elected, Dr. H. C. Bulis was chosen. 1859 The close of this year brings us up to the commencement of a
decade which opened with some changes in the manner of county
government, made neces- PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY 305 sary, or at least desirable, by the increase of population and the prospective growth and importance of the county. By the census of 1850, the population was 540, while it was now by the census taken in 1860-13,942. We will not, however, anticipate, but briefly note the important events as they occur. 1860 During this year a change was made in the management of county affairs, up to this time administered by the county judge. A board of supervisors, consisting of one from each township, was elected, the change taking effect on the 1st of January, 1861. In April, 1860, the firm of Bailey & Son, consisting of Wesley Bailey and his son, Ansel K. Bailey, purchased the Decorah Republic, succeeding B. F. Jones, as publishers of that paper. The first number under their management appeared April 14th. In the first issue are notices of Decorah's institutions as follows: "Population of Decorah, estimated, from 1,600 to 2,000. It has a brass band, 17 stores, 3 harness shops, 6 blacksmiths, 5 cabinet-makers, 3 wagon makers, 2 plow and horticultural implement manufactories, 2 jewelers, 2 milliners, 2 tanneries, 1 lumberyard, 2 bakeries, 1 daguerreotype artist, 2 meat markets, 1 distillery, 1brewery, 1 gunsmith, a dozen lawyers, 3 doctors,1 dentist, 2 barbers, a Methodist church in their own building, and a Congregational church, holding services in the courthouse, their church not yet being completed." Hesper has a literary society that meets once a week. May 3d, five prisoners escape from the county jail, one in for horse stealing, one for counterfeiting, and the others for minor offenses. April 29th, the house of Postmaster Stanberg, of Calmar, was burned. May 17th, a Norwegian celebration of their national anniversary occurred at Peterson's trading post, B. O. Dahly delivering the address. In June, the Landers residence on Broadway was commenced, also the Francis residence on Broadway, now owned by A. Bradish. Fourth of July was celebrated in Decorah, the orator being Douglas Leffingwell. By the census then being taken the population of Decorah township
and city was given as follows: Population of Decorah. . . . . . . . . . .904 Total . . . . . . . . .1,925 August 7th, Wm. Day died at the Winneshiek House, in the sixty-ninth year of his age. He built the first house, for some years the only hotel, and afterwards built the Winneshiek House. August 30th, Fitz Henry Warren (republican) spoke at Decorah, Judge Clark, of Dubuque, opposing him. The Congregational church of Decorah was in process of erection
this season. PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY 306 September 21st, county fair was held in Decorah.
At the opening of the year, the board of supervisors, one from each township, in order that the terms of office might not expire at the same time, they cast lots to see which should hold office for one year, and which for two years. The result was as follows: For one year--Levi Bullis in place of Dan Lawrence, who was elected and resigned, for Decorah; J. Fagin, Frankville; J. T. Ga]by, Sumner; T. West, Canoe; G. N. Holloway, Hesper; J. G. Ackerson, Burr Oak; S. Christen, Madison; Lars T. Land, Ca]mar; Levan Wanless, Bluff ton.. For two years-W. H. Baker, Bloomfield; F. S. Northup, Glenwood; Ole Nelson, P]easant; W. B. Chamberlain, Orleans; Ammon Ammundson, Highland; D. E. She]madine, Fremont; M. J. 'Woolsey, Military; A. O. Lommen, Spring field; Orville Jennison, Washington. G. N. Holloway was elected president of the board. March 3d, the remains of a Norwegian, named Iver Knudsen Jouen, were found near the foot of the bluff at the head of Trout Run. He started home from Decorah on Christmas evening. Going over the road past the cemetery, it is thought that he lost his way, rolled down the bluff and froze to death. The Decorah cemetery grounds were laid out this year. April 8th, a public meeting was held and the. Decorah Guards organized, being the first company to enter the service in the War of the Rebellion. The record of this and other companies from the county will be found in a preceding chapter. June 14th, E. E. Cooley received the appointment as postmaster of Decorah and took possession July 1St. June 11th, the county supervisors voted $3.00 per week to each of the families of the Decorah Guards. June 17th, L. Standring turned the first scraper full of dirt into the Decorah branch of the Northern Iowa Railroad. Gangs of men were set at work at Decorah, Calmar, Ossian and Monona but the work was discontinued. In July the plastering -and mason work of the Congregational church was completed. The Norwegian Lutheran Synod decided to build a college on the site selected in West Decorah. August 22d, Winneshiek Norma] Institute incorporated, S. Page, principal. September 27th and 28th, county fair. November 17th, Congregational church, Decorah, dedicated, E.
Adams, pastor. 1862 Fourth of July celebration in Decorah, Hon. M. V. Burdick delivering
the oration. PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY 307 August 30th, saloon of Wm. Oleson, Decorah, burned and George Gulbranson burned to death and others badly injured. September 6th, Aaron Newell, an old resident, died. In September the Luther College opened in Decorah. 1863 June 4th, work on the Norwegian Lutheran College commenced. The building to be 15OX20 feet on the ground and three stories high above the basement. Population of county by assessor's returns in 1863, 15,035. Population of Decorah, 2,165. Fourth of July celebrated in Decorah; addresses by home talent. November 3d, Elisha Hurlbut, postmaster of Decorah, died. Joseph Hutchinson, assistant, continued in office until a successor was appointed. 1864 February 9th, J. R. Slack was appointed postmaster of Decorah and took possession February 28th. George W. Adams was appointed his assistant. June 20th, the $40,000 necessary secured and engineers commenced locating a railroad to Decorah. A grist mill was built by D. Addicken and commenced running that year. June 30th, corner stone of the Norwegian College laid. October 3d, Capt. J. R. Moore, Decorah, died suddenly in his bed. October 12th, celebration of the arrival of the railroad at Castalia. October 22d, the Catholics of Decorah occupied their new church. December 22d, Decorah gets a through mail from Chicago. 1865 March 20th, flood in Dry Run did considerable damage. High waters in the river carried away the West Decorah bridge and also the Freeport bridge. April 8th, a rousing celebration in Decorah of the taking of Richmond, in which enthusiasm extravagantly boiled over in wild and peculiar freaks. April 27th, funeral services in Decorah, Castalia and other places on the death of Lincoln. June 15th, railroad completed to near Calmar. July 4th, Fourth of July celebration at Decorah, Co!. D. B. Henderson orator. July 20th, railroad completed to Conover. In September, Methodist parsonage at Decorah completed. October 15th, dedication of the Norwegian Lutheran College, one wing four stories high, with basement being completed. Prominent Norwegians from all parts of the country were present. 1866 The Decorah public school building was built this year. April 1st, Decorah post office removed to first floor of new
brick building on Winnebago street. PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY 308 April 5th, greatest flood since 1859, carrying off numerous bridges and doing considerable damage in the county. July 4th, celebrated in Decorah, M. V. Burdick and R. Swearingen orators. November 1st, great fire in Decorah, loss from $30,000 to $40,000,
burning out November 11th, county supervisors bought the present poor farm of C. E. Dickerman. This year the railroad reached the site of Ridgeway and gave it its first start. 1867 The new Masonic hall, Decorah, dedicated. It was pronounced the best in Iowa. January 30th, Fremont House and barn burned. February 12th, meeting to organize a fire company in Decorah. May 17th, Norwegian celebration. Addresses by B. O. Dahly, K. E. Bergh, O. M. Lucken and John Steen. May 27th, Decorah graded school established. October 3d and 4th, county fair held at Decorah. During this year the residences of E. E. Cooley, D. B. Ellsworth,
Mrs. Hughes and J. Hunter and the The telegraph line to Decorah was completed this year. November 28th, Rev. E. Adams preached his Thanksgiving sermon, entitled "The first things of Decorah." Near the close of the year 1867, B. Anundson established a Norwegian printing office in Decorah, printing several publications for the college. A few years later he commenced the publication of the Decorah Posten. 1868 February 1st, Decorah secures two mails a day. This winter Decorah secures a course of lectures by Fred Douglas, Theodore Tilton, Henry Vincent and E. P. Whipple. February 2d, Norwegian Methodist Episcopal church on Washington Prairie dedicated. April, Decorah Democrat established, Bob Shurley, editor. May 17th, Norwegian celebration; oration by Professor Larsen. July 4th, celebration at Decorah; Rev. Henderson, of Dubuque, orator. October 7th, 8th and 9th, county fair at Decorah. In 1868, by the creation of the circuit court as previously described,
the county court ceased to exist. 1869 On New Year's day Charles Magoffin fell over the
bluff overhanging the dugway. He was getting some cedar branches
and stepping on ice, slipped and fell down the bluff and was killed.
March 15th, paper mill company at Freeport organized. May 12th, work commenced in earnest on the Decorah branch of the railroad. May 9th, depot and six grain warehouses at Ossian burned. June 7th, A. K. Bailey appointed postmaster at Decorah. June 13th, Kramer's store burned and depot and Lambert's store at Castalia robbed. July 4th, celebrated at Ossian and Hesper. July 12th, Calmar is incorporated as a village of the second class. August 24th, David Self was killed by his wagon tipping over into river, on the dugway, Decorah. He was thrown under the wagon; his wife and children escaped. September 15th, first regular train ran into Decorah. It was a day of celebration and rejoicing. September 22d, 23d and 24th, county fair at Decorah. October 28th, Edgar Harden, son of H. J. Harden, was fatally stabbed at Burr Oak by Jasper Jewell, who became irritated by the badinage of a party of threshers with whom he was working. December 2d, Beauseant Commandery of Knights Templar fully organized and officers installed at Decorah with a grand parade, display, etc. The Decorah Ventilator established this year. This year the railroad reached Fort Atkinson and the building of the new town commenced. 1870 In 1870 the old supervisor system of one from each township gave place to the present system except that at first there were but three supervisors, but this was changed, in 1872, to five, the present number. In February, S. S. Haislet bought E. C. Huntington's interest in the State Press newspaper, recently established at Decorah. In March woman's suffrage lectures were delivered in Decorah by Elizabeth Cady Stanton. A 4th of July accident occurs at Spillville by the premature explosion of an anvil, by which four men were badly hurt. August 17th, the publication of the Winneshiek Representative was commenced at Calmar by Bent Wood. Steyer's hall, Decorah, was completed this year. 1871 February 2d, a fire in Decorah destroyed Goddard & Henry's store, the Howell and Heivly building occupied by P. S. Smout and Mrs. G. W. Adams' millinery store. February 24th, by legislative enactment, Decorah was incorporated
a city of the second class. Its first election was held March
6, 1871. The first mayor was Charles F. Allen. PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY 310 The number of county supervisors was increased from three to five, as at present. June 23d, the Winneshiek Representative at Calmar suspended publication. Decorah celebrated the 4th of July, Mahlon Willet, orator. Mr. Willet is now pastor of the Congregational church. September 6th, a homicide occurred in the evening in Frankville township. Wm. McClintock was scolding his nephew about some piece of mischief when a man, named Seeley, rode up and said: "Take one of your size." And in a quarrel that followed Seeley knocked McClintock down with a club. McClintock died three hours afterward. Seeley was held to bail in the sum of $1,000 and afterwards sent to the penitentiary. The county fair was held at Decorah in September. The Decorah Democrat was discontinued, and the material taken to McGregor for a paper there. 1872 January 17th, old settlers of the county organized. March 27th, Ole Bull comes to Decorah, gives two concerts and a matinee, and is given a grand public reception by the people. July 4th, Fort Atkinson celebrates with W. H. Bennett as orator. Decorah celebrates with Rev. Casebeer as orator and Mrs. H. Bottsford as reader. County fair at Decorah, September 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th. 1873 The great storm and snow blockade commenced January 7th, continuing about a week. It was in this storm that conductor Bob Jamieson organized a rescue party and went from Calmar carrying provisions to passengers in a blockaded train a little south of Ridgeway. They made their way through the blinding storm by starting from one telegraph pole to another, the one who found the pole first shouting to the others. It was nearly two weeks before the blockade was finally lifted. January 20th, the new schoolhouse at Fort Atkinson was burned. February 28th, Andrew Johnson of Pleasant township, starting to go home from Decorah, froze to death on his way. March 12th, W. N. Burdick, of Cresco, purchased half the interest in the Decorah Ventilator. May 17th, Norwegian celebration at Decorah. Addresses by Rev: Larsen and L. S. Reque. June 7th, Ole Bull again visited Decorah and gave a concert. September 18th, the district fair was held at Hesper. County fair was held at Decorah, September 23d, 24th and 26th. 1874 March 31st, death of C. J. Henry, of the firm of Goddard &
Henry, Decorah. April 5th, death of F. E. Ruth, of the firm of
Ruth Bros., Decorah. PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY 311 May 24th, about this date the business part of Ridgeway burned. Twenty five buildings were destroyed and $50,000 worth of property. Fourth of July celebrated in Decorah. Rev. H. B. Woodworth, pastor of Congregational church, orator. July 31st, new bridge over Iowa river at Decorah was finished. August 11th, Decorah Independent started by Ed. Wood and S. S. Haislett. August 13th, corner stone of the Methodist Episcopal church laid. September 11th and 12th, state line fair at Hesper. September 15th, 16th and 17th, county fair at Decorah. October 3d, H, H. Buck, of Decorah, committed suicide. November 3d, A. A. Aiken's Trot Run woolen factory burned. Greer & Hunter's mill was completed this month. December 2d, completion and dedication of one wing of the Norwegian College. December 20th, new Methodist Episcopal church of Decorah dedicated, Bishop Andrews of Des Moines, presiding. In November, 1874. Aiken & Woodruff purchased the Winneshiek Register, published at Decorah (which was the successor of the Decorah Ventilator), of Geo. W. Haislet. In February, 1875, the Saturday Bee was published from the Register office and during the snow blockade about that time and afterwards, at times when occasion demanded, it was issued daily. The present Decorah Journal, F. E. Biermann, editor and publisher, is the successor to the Register, having absorbed the Independent; the Bee also becoming a part of the Journal establishment. 1875 February 4th, a snow blockade continued several days. March 3d, Ole Anderson, who lived north of Hesper, going home from Decorah froze his hands and feet. A suit against H. D. Solberge followed in which $6,000 damage was awarded Anderson's wife. March 31st, it was decided to erect a new Episcopal church in Decorah this year. May 9th, Rev. Father McNulty, pastor of the Catholic church, Decorah, died. June 23d, this night occurred the great flood of Dry Run, supposed to have been caused by a water spout. Three small dwellings were carried away and five bridges over Dry Run; Washington Street bridge being the only one saved. All the bridges and much of the railroad track between Decorah and Conover were washed away. July 2d, presiding elder Wm. Smith of the Methodist Episcopal church, died. July 7th, county supervisors provided for new iron bridges in various parts of the county. July 17th, death of D. Addicken of Decorah. July 19th, death of Horace S. Weiser of Decorah. September 21st, 22d and 23d, State Line Fair at Hesper. |
|
This nonprofit research site is an independent affiliate of the American History and Genealogy Project (AHGP), and proud to be hosted by USGenNet, a nonprofit historical and genealogical Safe-Site Server™ solely supported by tax-deductible contributions. No claim is made to the copyrights of individual submitters, and this site complies fully with USGenNet's Nonprofit Conditions of Use
Copyright © 2000 - 2002 D. J. Coover All Rights Reserved Webmaster: D. J. Coover - ustphistor@usgennet.org |
