Houston County, Minnesota - Chapter 7: Early Settlement, 1919

Situated at the southeast corner of a great State, Houston county began to attract settlers long before the land was open to preemption. These settlers, for the most part came by one of three great routes of traveL One way was to embark on a Mississippi steamboat at some Illinois point, which had been reached overland, and travel directly to this county* Another way was to embark on a Mississippi boat at some Illinois point, and disembark at some Iowa point, often McGregor or Lansing, and thence come overland across the prairies to Houston county. Another way was to reach La Crosse by water or overland, and after Oct. 14, 1858, by railroad, and thence to come across the river into Houston county. Brownsville early became an important port of entry for those who came on steamboats or from LaCrosse. These routes were not only used by settlers coming into Houston county, but also by thousands of settlers seeking land further west, so the trails were thronged with travelers, and much desirable land had been occupied by squatters before it came into the market in

The first settlement in Houston county was made in what is now Jefferson township. In 1847, John and Samuel Ross, natives of Pennsylvania, the former of whom had served in the Mexican War, came up the river by steamboat from Galena, Illinois, and disembarked at an excellent landing on the west bank of the Mississippi. With the help of the Winner bago Indians, each of the brothers erected a cabin. When the survey of the boundary between Iowa and Minnesota was started at the Mississippi River in 1849, it was found that one of the brothers had his cabin in Iowa and one in Minnesota. A few years after their arrival Samuel sold out to John, who later sold the whole property, but continued to live in this vicinity. For some time the brothers engaged in getting out lumber. Their place was long known as Ross's Landing. In 1854 a number of sturdy Irishmen arrived, with their families, among whom may be mentioned Patrick Collins, John Cauley, Thomas Brady, Patrick Donahue, Patrick McCue, Daniel Friney, Daniel Kennedy and Michael Crowley.

BrownsviUe was settled in 1848. The first settler was Job Brown. Brown, whose adventurous nature gave him the sobriquet of "Wild Bill,'' had come from Michigan to Galena, Illinois, and from there had entered service in the Mexican War. After that campaign he came up the Mississippi River on a steamboat, disembarked at the mouth of the Chippewa River, there secured a canoe and floated down the river looking for a townsite. For a while he visited at La Crosse, and then continued his journey. On reaching the group of islands opposite the mouth of the Root River he found there, a shanty, in which were living a German named

Vunk and an American named Phillips, the latter of whom had an Indian wife. The three men decided to form a partnership in plantin^r a town at the foot of the towering crag known as Wild Cat Blutf , a location well known to all three. The excellent landing, the wonderful opportunities of hunting in the surrounding wilderness, the potential possibib'ty of future agriculture in the lands stretching westward, were all factors in this decision, but perhaps the leading reason was that owing to its position in the Neutral Strip, they would not have to pay tribute to the Indians for its occupancy, and would in addition probably be unmolested by the Fur Companies which sought a monopoly of fur trading with the various Indian tribes.

Tearing down the walls of the cabin, the three men constructed a raft, loaded on the roof, and floated down to the new location. This was in June, 1848. Having planted his colony. Brown returned to White Pigeon, Michigan, visited his father, and in the fall started back to Minnesota with his brother, Charles Brown, and his sister's husband, James Hiner, as well as four helpers, one John Miller, two familiarly known as "Jerry the Frenchman" and "Jangulation Bill," and one whose cognomen is not known. Lost in a snow storm, they finally found themselves at Black River Falls, with provisions running short, and Miller with a badly cut foot. Leaving the party there, Job struck out through the snow, and after great suffering reached La Crosse, followed later by the others. About Christmas time, they arrived at Wild Cat Bluff, and found the cabin deserted, Phillips having been drowned and Vunk having moved on. Thus the settlement had its start.

In 1850 came David Brown, who had met Job Brown during the Mexican War, but who was not a relative. A little later came William Morrison, who became known as "Wild Cat Jack." With him was William Blair. Others came in gradually, and with the establishment of the land office and the influx of settlers to the prairie lands west and northwest, the village became an important point.

La Crescent was settled in 1851. The first settler was Peter Cameron. He had been a fur trader in several states, and in 1843 had located at La Crosse, where he had built a claim shanty, and engaged in fur trading and lumbering. In the spring of 1851, he came across the river, and erected a commodious double log house, in section 10, near an excellent spring. At the same time he secured considerable land, and attempted to establish a village. In 1855 he went back to La Crosse, where he died July 30, of that year. In 1852, Thor Halvorson, probably the first Scandinavian in the county, located in the southeast quarter of Section 3. He made some improvements, and did some wood chopping, but for several years spent most of his time away. The same year, William Meyers, a German, established a claim on Section 6, and rolled up some logs for a shelter, while F. Duren settled in the same Section, as did also Henry Wetgen. Samuel Hopper settled near the northwestern part of the county partly in Houston and partly in Winona county. This was the beginning of the Pine Creek settlement. In 1853, Johannes Tuininga, a Hollander, settled in Section 6, and Martin Cody, from Ireland, in Section 8.

Hokah was permanently settled in 1851, but was occupied as early as 1849, by William Richmond and John Kreels, who built a shanty on the banks of the Root River in Section 34, and got out lumber to raft down the Mississippi River. Their shanty was a comfortable affair for their temporary occupancy, but they made no attempt at establishing a permanent home or making a claim at that time. Richmond was afterward identified with the history of Brownsville.

The first permanent settler came, as noted, in 1851. In that year Edward Thompson started out with two companions from Winnebago County, Illinois, looking for a mill site. Coming up across the Iowa prairies, he reached this county, passed a little west of the present village of Caledonia, and reached the South Fork of Root River without finding what he desired. There he hewed out a canoe from a walnut log, and drifted down the Root and Mississippi Rivers to Brownsville. Thus he and his companions reached the cabin of Job Brown, but the owner being away, and the door being securely fastened they were compelled to sleep on the frosty ground. The next day Mr. Brown returned and suggested the mouth of what is now known as Thompson's Creek as a suitable location. Accordingly, Thompson staked a claim there and put up a shelter. In October of the same year he brought his family here, his wife being the first white woman in the community. His brother, Edward, also came, and took a prominent part in the early days of the village. Among those who helped in building the mill were John H. Steward, a blacksmith. Other early comers Were Albert Blackinton, Fred Hammer, William Rielur, and Jeremiah Jenks.

Winnebago was settled in 1851, as was its neighboring towns of Wilmington and Caledonia. Freeman Graves, a native of Vermont, started out from Columbia county, Wisconsin, on foot, to find a new home further west. Crossing the Mississippi at McGregor, Iowa, he pursued his course North through Clayton and Allamakee counties, and on March 15, staked out 200 acres, a part of which was in Section 34, Winnebago township, and a part in the State of Iowa. Working alone in the wilderness, he erected a shanty almost on the state line, and then went back to Columbia county and induced some of his friends to follow him. All selected claims nearby, in Iowa. Having thus secured some neighbors, he brought his family here that winter, his wife being the first white woman in the settlement. Asa Beeman settled in the town in 1852. James and William Tippery came in 1853. Among the arrivals of 1854 were Asa Sherman, S. C. Perry, David Salisbury, Patrick Walsh, Thomas Barry, Michael Sheehan, Timothy McCarthy and F. D. Eaton. There was an influx of settlement in 1855, and in that year the German population began to arrive.

The first settlers in the vicinity of Wilmington township, while intending to locate in Minnesota, got over the line into Iowa. In June, 1851, came Mrs. James Robinson and her sons, William, Henry, John and George. They came from Columbia county, Wisconsin, crossed the Mississippi, and traveled up over the prairie until they reached the state line. On July 4, they erected a log house. Henry, one of the brothers, took a claim of eighty acres in section 86, Wilmington township, and put up a log shanty in 1852.

He continued, however, to live with his mother on the Iowa side. The Indians were nearby on the Upper Iowa River, and frequently visited at the home. In 1852 James Coil and George Carver located on the Iowa side of the line. In the same year a settlement was made in section 32, by John Edger, Michael Callahan, Charles Kelley and Michael Tanner, all natives of Ireland. None of this colony remained long. Gjermund Johnson Lommen came in 1853, and settled on section 16, later moving to section 7. He was soon joined by Knut Anderson, Halver Peterson, Knudt Severson, Enud Olson, Ole O. Hef te, and Fred, Peter, James, Eber and Iver Hanson. In 1854 came the vanguard of the Rhode Island settlement, and that year and the next came such men as James M. and Darius (Duty) S. Paine, Charles F. Albee, Jeremiah Shumway, Silas C. Perry, Dr. Alex Batchellor, Tideman Aldrich, John G. Cook, James K. True, John McNelly, David Salisbury, Elisha Cook and others. In 1854, Henry Deters, the first German settler, arrived, and gradually others of his countrymen obtained possession of practically all the land about Fitzen.

The first settler in Caledonia was Ralph L. Young, said to have been previously a Mormon elder at Nauvoo, Illinois. He came here in 1851, with his wife, two sons and a daughter, and put up a bark hut in the southern part of the town. In May, 1852 Anthony Huyck, a native of Allegany county. New York, settled about a mile and a half from the present village, accompanied by Peter L. Swartout. The two were jolly young bachelors, and many amusing stories are told of their efforts at housekeeping. After breaking forty acres, Huyck went on to Spring Grove. Samuel Armstrong took a claim also in 1852. In December of that year, William F. Dunbar came here, looked over the land and made plans for bringing a colony from Massachusetts.

In March, 1853, Samuel McPhail came over from Wild Cat Valley, where he had settled in December, 1851, and selected a claim. In June of 1853 he began active improvements by building a little log store and log dwelling. In the store venture his partner was O. W. Streeter.

The advance guard of the Massachusetts colony came in August of that year. They landed at Brownsville, and having been recommended to a certain hotel, found it a single room log cabin, in which the party could hardly find standing room, to say nothing of sleeping accommodations. But they made the best of the circumstances, and the next day followed the trail to Caledonia.

In this party were Edwin H. Stewart and family, John Dunbar and family, Henry Parmelee and Michael Mead. Others who came that year were Henry Burnet, Hugh Brown, James Hiner, L. W. Paddock, Nelson Haight, Hugh Brown, Eugene Marshall, J. W. Finn, Jacob Webster, Daniel Herring, Hiram Abbey, James Wing, Joseph Pendleton, John Burns and Thomas Bums. Among those who followed were J. J. Belden, Daniel Kerr, Jedediah Pope, Milton B. Metcalf, Charles W. Metcalf, Oliver Dunbar and Wells E. Dunbar. Nearly all of these settlers landed at Brownsville and found their way to Caledonia on foot or with ox teams. Caledonia village soon became an important stopping place on the route to points further westward.

The first development of Spring Grove dates from the winter of 1851- 52, and before the end of 1852 there was quite a settlement in the town. In the winter mentioned, John Vale, who lived over the line in Iowa, came up and selected a considerable tract of land, and split some rails. In the spring of 1852, Arthur B. Bow and James Smith staked out claims. Bow, who was from Vermont, staked out large tracts in the most desirable locations for the purpose of speculation. He built a crude cabin and proceeded to wait for the influx of land seekers. Smith put up a shanty east of Bow, his claim being on section 11. In the fall he went back to Lansing, where he worked for the winter at his trade as a printer. A little after the arrival of Bow and Smith, Anthony Huyck came over from Caledonia. As he had already been in the county a year he was well equipped for pioneer life. In the summer of 1852, there was a decided influx of settlement, principally of people of Scandinavian birth. Vale sold to H. Narveson, Knud Knudson Kieland and Fingal Asleson. For a time all three lived in the Vale cabin in the eastern part of section 10, and held the land in common, but soon divided their land and erected separate cabins. About the same time Peter Johnson Lommen settled in section 3, Knud Olson Bergo in section 10, Evenson Haime in section 9, Ole and Tolef Amundson Berg in section 16, and Torger Johnson Temelane in section 15. Other early settlers on Norwegian Ridge were Gulbrand M. Rund, Levor and George Timanson, Gilbert Nielson, Myrha and Hans Nielson, Ole C. Steneroder, Ole Oldon (Big Ole) and others. In the southern part of the township, in 1852, Ole 0. Ulen settled in section 26, John Anderson Kroshus in section 26 and Ole Christopherson in sections 34 and 35. In the same year, W. Banning put up a grist mill in section 19.

The first settler in Houston was W. G. McSpadden, who came up the Root River from La Crosse, June 14, 1852, and staked out 80 acres in section 33, just above the confluence of the South Fork with the Root River. Mr. McSpadden operated a ferry at La Crosse, and until 1854 divided his time between the two places. On his second trip here, in 1852, he brought with him, Ole Knudson. Knudson took a claim east of McSpadden, and erected his cabin, by consent, on McSpadden's land. Walter Webster took a claim west of the others, in section 33, the main part of the village now standing on part of his claim. He lived through the winter in McSpadden's cabin.

The year of 1853 marked a period of activity in settlement. Among the arrivals of that year was a colony of six families from Sweden, who had read in a Swedish paper of the wonderful possibilities of the Root River Valley, and decided to cast their lot here. The heads of these families were David Johnson, Lars Johnson, John Anderson, Abraham Anderson, Ole Benson and Lars Redding. David Johnson bought out Webster's rights for $30. Lars Johnson secured a claim west of him, the extreme western part of the village now lying on the western edge of his farm. John and Abraham Anderson located in section 3. Lars Redding settled in section 34.

In the meantime, settlers had been coming into the Silver Creek region. The first comer was Henry Hyatt, who arrived in 1852 and settled on the eastern branch of Silver Creek. He looked over a large tract of land, intend-

John S. Looney came the same year and settled on section 27, in that beautiful valley that has since borne his name. He brought his family in the fall and at once became a prominent citizen. His three adult sons, James, Corydon and Abraham, also secured claims. The family remained about six years. With the Looneys came Charles Gainer, who settled on section 23. Samuel Cushon came the same year and his name is still applied to the high peak which is included in the land he took. He soon left.

Other early settlers were E. K. Dyer, Charles Case, Adam Coon, A. B. Hunt, Isaac Thompson, William Webster, William Butterfield, John Moore, Lawrence Lynch, Harvey McAdams, Albert H. T. Stafford and Morris Farmin.

The first settler in Crooked Creek township was George Powlesland, who came in June, 1852, and selected a claim in section 36. He spent the summer working on a farm in Iowa. In the fall he came back with a team of oxen, accompanied by George Littlefield and William Oxford. A prairie fire had swept over the region and Mr. Powlesland found considerable difficulty in getting his bearings and finding his claim. Mr. Littlefield and Mr. Oxford selected claims, but did not return until the following year. Mr. Powlesland proceeded to erect a cabin, 16 by 20 feet, with a single window and an earth floor. On Jan. 12, 1853, he brought his family here, making the trip with the ox team from Iowa. Though in the middle of the winter there was but little snow on the ground and the trip was made without difficulty. In the spring of 1853 Mr. Oxford drove in with an ox team from Brownsville, following the old Indian trail, on which he made a number of improvements.

The date of the first settlement of Mound Prairie township is in considerable doubt. Along the Black River in this township there was a heavy growth of black walnut timber, which could be cut and rafted down the Mississippi, and this naturally attracted early attention. Possibly John Crypts came in 1852, or earlier. He brought his family, settled south of the river on section 34, and started to get out logs with the assistance of the Indians. Thomas Van Sickle, also probably came in 1852, and engaged in the same business. He was first in section 4 south of the river and later in section 21, north of the river. James C. Day, John Bush and Henry P. Eberhard came in the next year or so.

The first settler in Black Hammer township was Edwin Stevens, who came here with his wife in 1852, and settled on section 21. But the season was unusually dry, water was scarce, and he continued on his way to section 4, where his wife helped him to put up a log cabin. In 1854 he sold out and moved still further north into Yucatan township, where he established a mill. Torkel Anderson, a native of Norway, came in March, 1853, having made his way up over the Iowa prairies on foot bringing with him an axe, two iron wedges and beetle rings as his only tools for making a shack. He put up a shanty of poplar poles with a birch bark roof, split rails to enclose a field, and cleared ten acres the first year. He also planted an orchard of apple trees. In the same year came Halver Olson ; Guttorm and Jens Olsen

Otterness, Knud Olsen Ike, with his three sons, Knud, John and Ole ; and a number of others. This was the beginning of a large Scandinavian colony which soon peopled a large portion of the town.

Union township received its first settler in 1853, when David House, with his wife and father, located a claim in section 14, in the Hokah Valley. Edwin Butterfield had chosen this same claim a few months previous, but without making any improvements had gone further west on a prospecting tour. Finding nothing better to his liking, he returned to the claim he had selected and found Mr. House on it. Accordingly, he took a claim in section 13, and in the fall brought his family. A little later in the same year came Frank J. Kitzinger, who staked a claim in section 15, and started the first hotel. About the same time Marcus Sammons settled in section 29.

Money Creek township was settled in 1853. John Campbell and Nathan Vance, who had previously made several trips to this region looking for a mill site, came here in the spring of that year, and located in the northern part of the township. Campbell secured 320 acres, including the site of the mill and hamlet of Money Creek. Vance took a claim adjoining. The two men moved into a tepee, whose owners were absent, and were thoroughly frightened when the Indians appeared with angry demonstrations at the white men who had thus stolen their habitation. But they were propitiated by a few presents and left the two settlers in possession. As the spring . advanced, fifteen acres were broken on the Campbell claim, com and potatoes planted, and a shanty erected. In the fall Mr. Campbell returned to Wisconsin. Sometime in 1853, Willis Thompson settled in section 19 and James Spaulding in section 26. Toward spring in 1854, Campbell brought his family here, with goods, provisions, oxen, cows, swine and the like. Not long afterward he started a mill, but did not complete it for some time. When Mr. Campbell went back to Wisconsin in 1854, Mi*. Vance remained here several years. He built a cabin, broke some land, and in time brought his family here. Among others who came in 1854 were Captain John Bates, Charles Williams, Russell Thurber, Cyrus B. Sinclair, Stephen Robinson and Nora F. Berry. About the same time, the Root River Valley portion of the township was being settled, James Spaulding being followed in 1854 by Martin Christianson, Ole Omodt and others. In 1855, settlers began to appear in the northwest comer, among whom may be mentioned Samuel Nichols and son, S. A. Nichols, Phil. Mohan, and J. McLeod.

Sheldon township received a few settlers in June, 1853. Probably the first was Gutorm Guttorsen who located in Sections 7 and 8. Michael and Andrew Michaelson and Andrew Jermondson arrived about the same time, and selected their claims while sitting on the bluff east t)f Badger Valley. In 1854 came Ole Targeson. In the southeastern part of the town in that year, claims were taken by John Brown and Benjamin Swan.

The first claim in Yucatan township was staked out in the spring of 1863 or 1854 by Asa Comstock, who did not, however, locate on it until later. The first settler was Edwin Stevens, who came up from Black Hammer township in the fall of 1854. He put up a cabin in the form of an old fashioned "'A" tent, constructing it of two layers of basswood logs, the lower layer flat side up and the top layer flat side down, filling the interstices with hay and then piling the whole structure thick with hay. The ends were made of similar basswood logs driven upright into the ground. At one end was a small door made of split basswood logs fastened together by securing them to cross logs with wooden pegs. This door was hung on leather hinges. At the other end was a stone fireplace and stone chimney, filled in with clay. This cabin was located in the woods on the South Fork not far from where the Howe Mill was later built in Section 23. In 1854 E. Mackintire took a claim in section 33. In 1856, Stevens platted a townsite, and before fall the new village had five log cabins. The same year, Mackintire and his partner Cooper had a mill running. In the fall of 1855, Stevens sold out to Peter Larr and Hiram Howe.

Mayville township received attention in 1854, when Jerry Hooley settled in Section 9. John Pope took land in section 31, that year, but built his cabin over the line in Caledonia. In 1855 a number arrived among whom may be mentioned Edward Buckley who settled in section 9, James Cashman who settled in section 4, Martin Rohan who settled in section 8, Thomas and James Kennedy who settled in section 5, Thomas Moriarity who settled in section 8 and James McCurdy who settled in section 11. In the northwestern part of the town, Charles Klein settled with his large family. John Mann secured a claim in section 4.

Thus began the settlement in the various townships of Houston county. The great influx was in the middle fifties, and before the opening of the Civil War, while the county was still more or less wild, most of the desirable claims had been taken.