THE PIONEERS

If, in the perusal of these pages, the reader finds frequent reference to historical sketches written by others, it will be because those sketches have been proven correct and their recorders are entitled to whatever honor may accrue in having preserved them for those who have followed and are still to follow. It will be our purpose to assemble these records in an orderly and concise manner and, as far as possible, amplify them and add such happenings of later years as may be worthy of a place in a work of historical character.

It is a happy circumstance in the life of a community to have had for its first citizens men of character,--not necessarily brilliant thinkers or doers of heroic deeds, but rather men of thoughtfulness, unswerving purpose and a desire to do the work of and be good citizens in the best sense of the word.

The records of Winneshiek county do not disclose any race for supremacy as to priority in settlement, but it is evident from the fact that actual settlement began in the summer of 1848 that the white man was, as usual, treading on the heels of the American Indian in his desire to acquire an Iowa home.

The settlers were not many during the first two years--just a handful in 1848, and a few more in 1849,--but 1850 saw a large influx and they came from all quarters. With them they brought meagre equipments of household goods--mostly were they endowed with rugged constitutions, and Christian and physical courage to wrest from nature the wherewithal to build homes. Little did they care whether they were first comers, but to us who are living today there is interest in these matters, therefore I shall endeavor to place them in order as far as possible. For that purpose reference is made to the cards of an old settlers' gathering held in Decorah in connection with the Centennial celebration of the Fourth of July in 1876. The late Ansel K. Bailey was secretary of that gathering and it is due to his thoughtfulness that these cards were preserved. They have in times past been a court of last resort in settling questions that have arisen regarding dates, ages, or other matters covered by the information recorded on them, hence we may now accept them with more than passing confidence.

On June 7, 1848, Hamilton Campbell and wife took up a claim in what are now Sections 23 and 26 of Bloomfield township, thereby becoming the first recog-

55

PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY

56

nized permanent settlers in the county. Following close upon these hardy pioneers came Gottlob and Gottleib Krumm, the former accompanied by his wife.
.
They were just twenty-two days behind the Campbells, the date of their arrival being June 29, 1848, and they settled on the northwest quarter of Section 17, Washington township. On August 15, 1848, David Reed and wife and Daniel Reed settled on the northwest quarter of Section 25, Bloomfield towpship.

A. R. Young takes his place at this point in the early settlement of the county, although he can scarcely be classed as a resident in the same sense as others until October, 1850. Mr. Young was a soldier and came to Fort Atkinson in October. 1848, remaining until March, 1849. While there he acquired Government land, but when the fort was evacuated he was transferred to Fort Crawford, Prairie du Chien, then to Fort Snelling, Minnesota, remaining at the latter place until May, 1850, when his regiment was sent to Marengo, Iowa, and in August to Fort Dodge, where he was discharged in October. He then returned to his land near Fort Atkinson and made his home there permanently. He married Mary Jane Rogers at Fort Atkinson in February, 1849. She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Francis Rogers and remained at Fort Atkinson with her parents during the absence of her husband. Thus may it be said that Mr. Young was a settler and resident in fact from the fall of 1848 on.

We have attempted to secure accurate data regarding Francis Rogers, but the little that is available discloses only the certainty that he and his family lived at Fort Atkinson in 1848. Mrs. Young, in recounting early days, once told the members of the family of her son Francis Young that during the first winter their home consisted of straw stacks massed on four sides, over which they arranged a roof. In that conversation she gave them to understand that this was the winter of 1847-48, which would give the Rogers family priority of residence over all others. This record is lacking that definiteness of dates which characterizes the coming of the Campbells, the Krumms, the Reeds, and others, so the most that can be said is that their coming was at least contemporaneous with those who made settlement in 1848.

Right here permit me to digress from the records of the cards. It has always been claimed, and quite generally accepted, that the Day family were the first settlers in Decorah. They came in June, 1849. Contradictory of this is the statement that William Painter was the first white man to make his home here. My authority for this record is Mrs. P. C. Bloomfield of Decorah, a niece of Mr. Painter. She tells me that her mother (Mr. Painter's sister) often spoke of the matter and named the month of October, 1848, as the time of his coming to Decorah. Some years ago the writer heard a story to the effect that a member the Day family heard the sound of a woodman's ax as it strikes a tree, one day while out hunting, and upon investigation found Mr. Painter. As I now recall
it the occurrence was located some distance north of Decorah. Be that as it may, the story of Mrs. Bloomfield gives weight to the claim of prior residence by Mr. Painter.

The next date that interests us is April 1, 1849. On that day John N. Topliff joined the Reed family, taking the southeast quarter of Section 25, Bloomfield township. On the same date Andrew Meyer and wife became distant neighbors of the Krumms in Washington township, settling on Section 50 June 10, 1849, saw the Day family established in Decorah, while Phinneas Banning settled in

PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY

57

Section 5 of Bloomfield township during the same month, and Abner DeCou and Moses S. McSwain located at what was subsequently known as Moneek. O. W. Emery, who is still living (on June 17, 1913, at the home of his son-in-law Mons Askelson in Orleans township), came to Canoe township and made his claim to the northwest quarter of Section 17, on August 20, 1849. Josiah Goddard, of whom more will be said later, came to Fort Atkinson, in the spring of 1849, bought the old trading post and moved his family there in the fall.

The year 1850 saw an influx of settlers that was very large for those pioneer days, but it was not until June that the tide of immigration swelled to more than an occasional straggler.

Springfield township became the Mecca of a large settlement of Norwegians, many of whom came from Dane county, Wisconsin, after a residence there varying from a few months to three or four years. Reference to a historical sketch prepared by the late Abraham Jacobson discloses the fact that during the month of June a party consisting of Erick Anderson, Ole Tostenson Haugen, and his brother Staale, Ole A. and A. O. Lomen, Ole Gullikson Jevne, Knut Anderson Bakken, Andres Hauge, John Johnson Qvale, H. Halvorson Groven and Mikkel Omli made permanent homes in this township. They were followed on July 2d by another party of which Nelson Johnson was the leader and included Tollef Simonson Aae, Knud G. Opdahl, Jacob Abrahamson and Iver Peterson Qvale, Nelson Johnson, E. G. and Albert Opdahl came over into Decorah township to make their homes.

The settlement in Bloomfield township received goodly additions during this year also, among the number being Russell Dean who came in April, while John DeCou and wife and Gideon Green followed in June.

Canoe township was claimed as residence by John W. Holm, David Kinnison and wife and John Fredenburgh during 1850. The record cards show that Christopher A. Estrem and wife came to Frankville township on September 3, 1850, and Wm. Padden and wife settled in Section 28 of Frankville in November of that year, as did also Jacob Duff and Walter Rathbun and wife; but George M. Anderson, writing in Anderson & Goodwin's Atlas (published in 1906), gives to A. P. Rosa credit for selecting land in Section 31 in March, hewing timbers and erecting a cabin thereon for his family. They had previously lived in Clayton county for three years. Even before this, in 1849, Wm. Day had erected a house near what is known as the McKay schoolhouse, but found he was on school land and moved to Decorah.

Probably the most compelling circumstance connected with the final location of the Day family in Decorah was Mother Day. When she saw the claim her husband had staked out she admitted it was good looking land, but her preference was for a site beside running water, and as her word was law the family moved on until they came to a spring that bubbled out from the hillside above the Upper Iowa river. "Here is where we will stay," she declared, and it was due to her decision that on the spot that is now graced by the handsome Winneshiek hotel was erected the log cabin home that formed the nucleus around which the beautiful city of Decorah was built. Long ago the spring above referred to ceased to flow, but as long as the story of the coming of the Day family to Decorah is recalled, mankind will honor the judgment of Mother Day.

PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY

58

Ole Germond Johnson was the first settler in Glenwood township. He came with the Nelson Johnson party that landed here on July 2, 1850, and selected the southwest quarter of Section 31 for his home. Nels Thronson and Andrew Gulbrandson Haugen came in the same year, but later, and settled in Section 32.

Benjamin L. Bisby acquired a residence in Hesper township on the first of August, and from all appearances he enjoyed a priority of some six or eight months, for Ezekiel E. Meader and family have been given credit as the first permanent residents of the township, and they did not arrive until the spring of 1851.

In August, 1850, Peter K. Langland and wife came to Pleasant township and settled in Section 10. From the record made by Edwin Hover, in the Anderson & Goodwin Atlas, it would seem that John Klontz and Wm. Vale (Germans), came from Pennsylvania in 1850 and settled in the northwest corner of the township. They were joined in 1851 by Hover Evenson, Ole Magneson, Louis Peterson, Erick Erickson, Knut L. Liquin and K. Erickson.

Orin Simmons and wife joined the Decorah township settlers on July 2, 1850, taking land adjoining what is now the village of Freeport. Edward Tracy became a Decorian the same year, and Madison township seems to have acquired her first settler on the 25th day of September in the person of John Evenson, who made claim to the northeast quarter of Section 32.

Referring once more to Anderson & Goodwin's Atlas of Winneshiek county, we find that Charles Kroek settled in Calmer township, near Spillville, in 1849. The following year saw the arrival of Joseph Spielman from whom Spillville derived its name; also Thor Peter Skotland, Torsen and Lars Land and Andre P. Sandager, who settled near Calmar. In the year 1850 Ole Shervin, Sr., Ole Shervin, Jr., Erick Stovrem, Ole P. Haugen, Andrew L. Kittelsby, Thron H, Egen and Thora Bagaarson augmented this colony, while George Herzog and Conrod Riehle joined the Spillville settlers. Among the permanent settlers who came during the succeeding four years were Lars P. Kittelsby and his son Peter L. Kittelsby in 1852; Ole A. Flaskrud, Ole P. Bjornstad, Erick Flaskrud and Even Flaskrud in 1853; Alf Clark, Peter Clawson and John P. Landin in 1854; George Yarwood, Henry Wheatman, Ole P. Ramberg, Sr., Ole O. Styve, Jacob Stenseth, Jolm P. Hove and Lars Heried in 1854.

Military township also received her first settlers in 1850, but there is no definite data as to who they were.

In 1851 the tide of emigration and immigration had become fairly steady and material additions to the ranks of settlers were made. Among those who enrolled at the Old Settlers' Reunion the record cards show the following as coming to Winneshiek county in that year:---,

Decorah township-E. C. Dunning and wife, Peter E. Haugen, Torkel Hanson and wife, Gulbrand T. Lomen, Ole Kittleson and wife, Ole Tollefson Vik and wife, and A. K. Drake.

Madison township---Gulbrand Erickson Vik, Ole M. Anderson and wife, Helge Nelson Myran, Herbrand Onstine, Iver G. Ringstad and wife, Ole M. Asleson and wife.

Springfield township-E. E. Clement, Rolland Tobiason and wife.

PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY

59

Glenwood township-Erick Olson Bakke and wife, Isaac Birdsel1, Wm. Birdsell and wife, Philip Hustad.

Bloomfield township-Geo. Blake.

Hesper township-D. D. Huff and wife.

Canoe township-Simon M. Leach and wife.

Burr Oak township-G. V. Punteney. (Mr. Punteney is still living and in fairly good health. His home is at Cresco and he is past ninety years of age.)

The year 1852 seems to have furnished the first settlers in several townships in the northern part of the county. In this year Henry Morse built a sawmill at Bluff ton and the next year he and his brother Lyman D. Morse built a gristmill.

In what is now know as Highlandville the names of the Stoens, .Mikkel Solberg, the Arnesons, Brunsvold, Bersie, Kjomme, Kroshus, Walhus, and others appear as first settlers. Fremont was also in the 1852 class. J. J. Jacobson, in the Anderson & Goodwin Atlas, credits Lars Hougeberg with being the first settler in Lincoln township, with Knudt Alfson, Jacob Knutson and Kittel Sanderson as following close after him.

Burr Oak township acquired her first settlers in 1851, when Samuel Belding and his half brother built the first log hotel and erected a blacksmith shop, while to Nelson Gager belonged the distinction of being first on the ground in Orleans township in 1853.

In reading the foregoing it must be borne in mind that as yet the county had not been wholly divided as to townships, and in mentioning various precincts we use their present names as a matter of convenience. There were undoubtedly many more who came to various parts of the county during those years, but even as now the population was changing-some were coming and others were going-hence we refer more particularly to those we have named because they enjoyed the distinction of being permanent in their residence.

SOME FIRST THINGS OF THE COUNTY

While we are reviewing the early settlers of the county, it may not be improper to refer to some "first things" that will be of interest.

Sparks' History credits James B. Cutler with being the first duly commissioned postmaster in the county. His commission was signed on Sept. 18, 1851, by Nathaniel K. Hall, postmaster general under President Willard Fillmore, and the office was known as Jamestown, being discontinued on March 31, 1852. There is reasonable ground for questioning this claim. Judge M. V. Burdick, in Alexander's History, is quoted as stating that Lewis Harkins was postmaster at Fort Atkinson as early as 1850, and about the same time John L. Carson was serving at Old Mission. Mr. Cutler lived to the rare old age of one hundred and one years and seven months, making him one of the few centenarians the county has known.

Sparks' History tells this story of the first marriage in the county:

"In 1850 a young man came from Norway to Iowa and found a spot of ground that suited him in what is now known as Madison township, Winneshiek county. So far as ascertained, he was its first settler. In the year following an older man followed him, who was the father of at least one girl. As young men and maidens

PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY

60

will, this young man and this maiden agreed to wed. These parties were Johannes Evenson and Catherine Helen Anderson. At that time, as now, the law required the parties to have a license. In order to obtain this a visit to the judge was necessary. Rev. N. Brandt, then a wandering missionary, was in the county, and would perform the ceremony. And if this chance escaped them, no knowing when another opportunity would be afforded them. Mr. Evenson straightway started for Bloomfield township to see the judge and get a permit to enter into a matrimonial alliance. The missionary had promised to await his return. Mr. E. found the judge absent. He had gone to Dubuque on official business. Imagine the sensations of that waiting bridegroom! Again the question: Would that minister tarry? After three days Judge Reed returned, and with his license in his pocket, John turned his footsteps homeward a happier man. No grass grew under his feet on that trip. The minister had remained, and the marriage ceremony was performed-the first, as the records show, to have been performed in the county. The license for this marriage was granted on the 5th day of October, 1851."

Rev. J. Th. Ylvisaker, in his history of Luther College, states that Reverend Brandt was an uncle of the bride in this wedding, hence it is doubtful if there was any cause for worry on the part of the would-be-weds.

The second marriage license was granted on the 3d of November, 1851. The contracting parties were Erick Anderson and Miss Ann Soles.

The first assessment for taxation purposes in the county produced a total of
$1,217.93, divided as follows:

besides $650 of poll taxes. This would make the total assessable property in the county at that time worth $182,789, says Alexander's History.

The richest man in the county was John McKay, of Washington Prairie. He paid the enormous sum of $23.94 in taxes. Francis Teabout was close up to him, being down for $23.16. Benjamin Beard followed with $20.95. These three were the very rich men, for they were the only ones who paid more than $20; or, rather, were regularly assessed for sums that amounted to precisely that figure. . The list of other persons who paid over $10 is so short that we give the names in full:

PAST AND PRESENT OF WINNESHIEK COUNTY

63

This table indicates that the wealth of the county then centered on Washington Prairie.

Henry M. Rice, who subsequently became a pioneer in Minnesota and represented that state in the United States Senate, conducted a trading post on the land that is now a part of the Peter E. Haugen estate in the southeast corner of Decorah township. Engebret Haugen, father of Peter E. Haugen, acquired the property in 1850 and for five years thereafter occupied as a residence the building used by Rice for his store.

In the latter part of March, 1899, C. W. Bender told how Washington Prairie received its name, in an article published in the Waukon Standard. He said:

"Speaking of Washington Prairie, its first Fourth of July ought always to be known as the day of its birth. As the national day for 1852 approached, patriotic feelings swelled in the breasts of its pioneers and a few made arrangements to properly celebrate the day. I took a yoke of oxen and went out north where there were some pine trees (on the Trout river bluffs). I cut two, drew them home and pealed them. A Norwegian blacksmith out north made me two rings with which I spliced the pole, which made it from sixty to seventy feet high. 'We went over to Moneek and got some red and white cloth and a yard of blue, and our sewing circle of mothers and sisters made a fine flag, the first that ever floated over Washington Prairie and probably the first in the county. My brothers and I took our oxen and hauled the liberty pole upon the ridge southwest of Levi Hubbell's place, dug a pit and trench and got everything ready for the eventful day. The Fourth came bright, clear, beautiful. My brother and I, John McKay, and a Mr. White, and a few others whose names I do not remember, met to celebrate the day. We raised the pole, ran up the flag amid much cheering and enthusiasm, though we had no brass band or booming cannon, and one proposed 'Now let us name our beautiful prairie, 'Washington Prairie; three cheers for the birth of Washington Prairie, by which it will ever be known, and may God bless her.' And I believe He has, abundantly." In a footnote to this article the editor of the Standard adds:

"Geo. W. McKay, tells us that, as a boy, he was one of the party that helped get the trees for the pole; and that the ox team belonged to Dwight Rathbun, and that members of the Walter Rathbun, Alanson Loomis, and perhaps John Bateman families took a part; and he is under the impression that the 'Norwegian blacksmith' was Hans Olson or Hans Patterson."

Mardos Memorial Library

More Historical Books online

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