Trempealeau County, Wisconsin - Chapter 11: Modern Villages, 1917

Trempealeau County has eight incorporated villages. Trempealeau, Galesville, Osseo and Eleva were started on their present sites with their present names before they were supplied with railroads. Before Arcadia was started, Old Arcadia, a mile away, was a thriving village, at that time the third in importance in the county. Before Whitehall was started. Old Whitehall, a mile away, was a thriving hamlet. Before Blair was started, there was a store and a postoffice not far away.

Trempealeau was platted April 21, 22 and 23, 1852 (as Montoville, April 7, 1852), was incorporated nearly two decades later and reincorporated March 10, 1900. Galesville was platted April 22, 1854, and incorporated June 13, 1887. Arcadia was platted Jan. 27, 1874, and incorporated Dec. 17, 1878. Whitehall was platted Jan. 20, 1874, and incorporated June 14, 1887. Eleva was platted Sept. 10, 1877, and incorporated Jan. 14, 1902. Osseo was platted Sept. 22, 1857, and incorporated Sept. 4, 1893. Independence was platted May 13, 1876, and was incorporated Dec. 16, 1885. Blair was platted April 16, 1877 (as Porterville, Sept. 2 and 3, 1873), and was incorporated Sept. 6, 1894.

The census of 1910 shows the population of the villages as follows: Arcadia, 1,212; Galesville, 873; Whitehall, 703; Independence, 664; Trempealeau, 535; Osseo, 548; Blair, 486; Eleva, 319.

Dodge, Pigeon Falls, Ettrick and Strum are thriving places of between 150 and 300 population each. Dodge was platted Feb. 20, 1874 ; Ettrick, June 30, 1877 ; Pigeon Falls, May 30, 1894 ; and Strum, Sept. 26, 1898. Pleasant Valley is a trading center platted Feb. 16, 17, 19, 1877. Caledonia, platted Sept. 14, 1855, is now merely a neighborhood center. At Coral City, platted on May 28, 1864, there is a mill, a mill dam and a number of houses. At Old Whitehall, platted May 23, 1862, there are two or three houses and a cemetery. East Arcadia, platted April 23 and 24, 1874, and West Arcadia, platted Aug. 15, 1874, adjoin the village of Arcadia. West Prairie is a community center, with a cemetery, a church, a band stand, a mill and a schoolhouse. Other places, such as Elk Creek, Tamarack, Centerville, Frenchville, Hegg, Iduna, Norden, Pine Creek, and Russell, are community or trading centers.

Arcadia is the metropolis of Trempealeau County. It is situated in the western part of the county on the banks of Trempealeau River. Railroad facilities are furnished by the Green Bay & Western. The flats east and west of the river furnish a well-shaded and well-laid-out residence section in which are many beautiful buildings. The business section is situated on the flats east of the river. Circling this section is a plateau with handsome residences. The street from the business section to Old Arcadia is also lined with sightly homes. The commanding churches, the new high school, the Carnegie Library, the macadamized streets, the spreading lawns and magnificent shrubbery all go to make up as pretty a village as is to be found in Western Wisconsin.

The village has two banks, a newspaper, two creameries, a brewery, two mills, three elevators and a stock yard. The principal shipments are cattle, hogs, sheep and grain.

There are six churches in Arcadia - the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, St. Stanislaus church, St. John's German Evangelical Lutheran, St. John's Christ German Evangelical Lutheran, the Methodist Episcopal, and the Evangelical Association. The little church on the hill, first the Baptist church, then a People's church, and then a Unitarian church, is now unoccupied.

D. B. Stitt on Oct. 30 and 31, and the proposed Hmits were found to contain 710 people. A survey of the territory was made Oct. 31, 1878, by Hiram B. Merchant, who was a practical surveyor and who made a map thereof. On Dec. 9, 1878, E. A. Morgan, 4. F. Hensel, J. P. Mallinger, Otto Gazal and J. C. Muir petitioned the court that an order be made incorporating the village of Arcadia. The order was duly issued Dec. 17, 1878, by Hon. A. W. Newman, judge. On Feb. 18, 1879, an election resulted in the choice of

E. C. Higbee as president, W. W. Barnes, Seth Putnam, Otto Gazal, J. C. Muir, -John Maurer and J. Martin Fertig as trustees ; John N. Stariha as clerk; A. F. Hensel as treasurer; Dr. F. L. Lewis as supervisor; Math Danuser as marshal; George Schneller as constable; Douglas Arnold as justice of the peace, and C. M. Mercer as pohce justice, all for three months. The first annual village election was held May 6, 1879. Mr. Higbee was elected president ; Messrs. Barnes, Fertig, Mueller, Mergerner, Putnam and Jacob Schneller were elected trustees ; John N. Stariha, clerk ; A. F. Hensel, treasurer; C. M. Mercer, police justice; Douglas Arnold, justice; Math Danuser, marshal; George Schneller, constable; Dr. F. L. Lewis, supervisor.

The present officers of Arcadia are : President, John Roesch ; trustees, E. G. Bigham, A. C. Foster, William Knoop, J. F. Muir, F. Steinhauser and George Weisenberger ; clerk, Robert Barlow; assessor, J. K. Cysweski; justice, John F. Beon ; supervisor. Dr. J. A. Palmer ; marshal, William Hogan ; health oflficer, Dr. G. N. Hidershide.

The municipal improvements of Arcadia consist of an electric light plant, a waterworks system, a fire department, a village hall, a village clock, a Carnegie Library, a high school, a public park, macadamized roads, and several bridges.

Street lighting had its beginning Oct. 9, 1891, when the village council voted to purchase twelve oil street lamps, and made arrangements for their lighting and care. Electric lighting had its inception June 19, 1893, when W. R. Wolfe was given a franchise to erect an electric light plant and place poles in the streets. After considerable discussion of the question, the Arcadia Electric Light Plant, with John Grover (president), W. R. Wolfe (treasurer) and Louis Hohnmann as owners, was given a contract to supply the streets with arc lights for four years. But, owing to restrictions placed upon the company, the streets were never hghted under this contract. Mr. Wolfe, however, put in a plant and furnished the leading business houses with electricity for some six months before he sold to Benton & Son, who removed the plant. The next move made toward street lighting was on Jan. 10, 1896, when a franchise was granted the Arcadia Milling Company. A contract for street lighting was made Jan. 17, 1896, and several months later the first street lights were installed. The village purchased the plant Oct. 16, 1903, practically renewed the system, and connected it with the power plant at the waterworks.

Fire protection in the early days was furnished by a volunteer bucket company and a hand pump. May 20, 1891, it was voted to buy a fire engine and bell. In the fall the engine arrived, wells were dug, and additional equipment was purchased. On Oct. 30, 1891, the fire ordinance was passed and a few days later, on Nov. 3, 1891, the fire company was organized with the following officers: Secretary, Charles J. Larson; treasurer, Archie Hunter ; chief, John .Durisch ; trustees, C. Wohlgenant, C. W. Lubs, J. P. Runkel and Joseph Hild. The company now consists of forty-two volunteers, and is well equipped with modern apparatus. The village bell is in the village hall, and the fire whistle is at the village power plant. The village clock is in the belfry of the Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, and was installed in the spring of 1903, under a contract signed May 15 of that year.

The village hall was erected in 1893-94 at a cost of about $4,000. The lot was purchased from the Board of Trade Feb. 10, 1893, a special election to vote bonds was held June 9, 1893, and work was started in the fall. It was occupied in the spring, being officially accepted April 20, 1894. The lower floor is devoted to the fire department, jail, council chambers anc clerk's office, while the upper floor is used for lodge purposes.

The first macadamizing in Arcadia was done in 1895, bonds of $5,000 for that purpose being voted on March 22 of that year. A stone crusher was purchased and operations commenced on an extensive scale. The village now has a macadamized street extending from the Buffalo County line through the village to the "Two Mile Corner," so called, beyond the mill. The road to the Arcadia Mineral Spring is also macadamized, as are several of the cross streets.

at which is also located the electric light plant, and the reservoir on Barnes Bluff. The mains cover the principal streets of the village. Bonds of $15,000 were voted Dec. 17, 1901, the ordinance was passed Dec. 19, 1902, and the residences of the village were supplied with water the following spring.

The village park was purchased from J. R. P. Hiles Feb. 20, 1909, and consists of sixteen acres of land. It has been improved by voluntary work, and is used largely as a ball ground, the young men of the village having erected a grand stand thereon. One of the beauty spots of the village is a private park owned by J. M. Fertig. This park, located along the river fi'ont, is kept in its natural condition, and is stocked with a number of native deer, the admiration of travelers from near and far.

The iron bridge across the Trempealeau at Arcadia was built in 1899, the vote being passed March 10. This replaced a wooden bridge, on the same site, the wooden bridge, in turn, taking the place of the ford a little further down the river. In the early days there were two other fords further up the river, and the "Three Mile Bridge" was built as a wooden structure some years before the railroad came through.

A school district comprising the whole town of Arcadia was organized May 24, 1857, and a meeting held at the home of David Bishop in May. School was opened soon thereafter in a log building, with Sarah Bishop McMasters as first teacher. In June, 1860, a frame structure was erected on the same site. After the railroad came through an annex was established in a private residence. When the railroad came through the building was moved to the near village, where in time it became the county courthouse. The graded brick school on the hill was built with four departments in 1875, and later two more departments were added. The present sightly high school structure was erected in 1915. The new building, which was erected at a cost of nearly $45,000, is regarded as a model of its kind. It has a large and beautiful auditorium, with stage. There are English, mathematics, history, foreign language, commercial, teachers' training, domestic science, manual training, agriculture and library rooms, besides a large gymnasium in the basement. The lighting and ventilation are perfect, the heating is the most modern system of direct and indirect radiation, and the temperature is regulated automatically. The equipment is good and is being constantly improved.

The beautiful Carnegie Library was erected in 1906. March 29, 1905, the village council voted an annual appropriation of $500 for this library. That sum has also been given annually to support the public library for some years previous.

The Arcadia Board of Trade was organized Aug. 11, 1885, among those interested being R. L. Dickens, 0. 0. Peterson, Nic. Lehrbach, Stephen Richmond, J. M. Fertig, George N. Hidershide, F. F. Morgan, John Maurer, W. P. Massuere, Emil Maurer, J. D. Rainey and R. W. Wheeler. After a time the association went into the grain buying business in order to establish equitable rates for the farmers. Business was suspended in the summer of 1898. The land owned by the board was sold to the village and is now used as a village hall.

The Arcadia Brewery has long occupied a leading position in Arcadia business life. It was established in 1874 or 1875 by Nick Mergner. In 1876 Bion & Co. erected an imposing structure which is a part of the present establishment.

The woolen industry was at one time numbered among the industries of the village. In the early '70s Philander Allen started a woolen mill. He sold to Dr. Isaac A. Briggs. The Arcadia Woolen Mills were built in 1876 by Dyke, Allen & Co. and were in operation for several years. The production of wool has increased in volume and importance, but the raw wool is now shipped to other places.

The Arcadia Mineral Springs are among the pleasant features of Arcadia life. In 1878 a hotel was built at the springs by George Hiles, a race track was laid out, and preparations made for an extensive summer resort. But the hotel was burned before it was completed in 1879, and the place abandoned. The spring is now permanently arched with cement, and presents an inviting appearance to the traveler, but is not now used for commercial purposes. The water has highly medicinal qualities, and constitutes one of the natural resources of the village yet to be developed and exploited.

The first store in Old Arcadia was opened in 1857 by George Shelly, in his residence on the present site of the home of George Schmidt. The house was a crude pioneer structure, boarded roughly up and down. The next was opened in a lean-to addition to the home of Daniel C. Dewey bj- Mr. Dewey and Dr. Isaac A. Briggs. The next store was that of Gay D. Storm. Before long quite a settlement sprang up at the "Corners."

When the railroad came through in the fall of 1873, Old Arcadia was the scene of busy activity. At the northeast corner of the crossroads was the hotel and store of George Dewey. North of this was the home of P. H. Varney, justice of the peace, and north of him lived Gus Quinn and his aged father.

At the northwest corner of the crossroads was the store of Campbell & Geislin, afterward owned by Ole Peterson and Thom Thompson. West of Campbell & Geislin's store was the brick store and residence of John D. Rainey. West of the Rainey store was the harness shop of Ed. DeLay. Between the Rainey and DeLay locations there had early stood the Quinn cabin in which the postoffice had been opened. Then came the residence of Daniel C. Dewey, in the lean-to of which one of the earliest stores had been kept. Next came the brick residence of Ervin J. Gorton, and next the residence of Ed Gorton. West of this Isaac Ball had at one time kept a blacKsmith shop. Then came the postofhce in the residence of Charles Mercer, in the upper story of which was a public hall, in which justice court was sometimes held. Mrs. Mercer was the widow of David Bishop, the pioneer, who had been killed by lightning. Then came the old schoolhouse. West of the schoolhouse had once lived Albro Matterson. His straw barn was a conspicuous landmark. Further along were the residences of John Penny. J. R. Penny and Benjamin F. Holcomb.

At the southwest corner of the crossroads was an empty lot. Previously on the site there had stood a log house originally used as a schoolhouse, and moved from the school lot to this location to be used as a drug store by Dr. George. Next west of this vacant corner was the drug store and residence of Dr. Franlt L. Lewis. West of this store was a hotel and saloon on the place originally occupied by George Dewey. When Mr. Dewey moved, John P. Mallinger, better known as "Hans Pete," conducted a hotel and saloon there, followed by George Motchenbacker, who was there when the railroad came. Next to the west was the blacksmith shop of Edward Nichols, in the upper story of which was a hall, the scene of many a famous gathering. Next was the blacksmith shop of Albro Matterson. West of this was a vacant building put up and used as a store by Charles Mercer, who had previously clerked for Gay T. Storm. It passed into other hands and was opened as a saloon. Under the operation of a man named Williams, the place became so obnoxious that the good ladies of the community wrecked the place and destroyed the intoxicants. West of this was the furniture store of E. J. Tracy. Next came the brick store of E. J. Gorton. This was the famous Storm store. Early settlers tell of the gatherings of Winnebago Indians held near this place, and the famous pow-wows in which they participated. The brick for the Storm store, the Rainey store and the E. J. Gorton residence were made nearby, probably at the brick kiln of Dr. I. A. Briggs, which flourished for some years thereafter. The arrival of the itinerant tintype photographer was also an important event for several seasons, and in their tents they did a flourishing business. Next to the Gorton store was a building which had been occupied by Michael Mochenbacher as a shoe shop. This had been built as a shoe shop by John D. Rainey. Mochenbacher made and repaired boots and shoes, sometimes using his own leather, but sometimes taking a piece of cowhide furnished by a settler, and making it into fitted boots for the whole family. Next to the shop was the Mochenbacher residence.

East of the southeast corner of the crossroads was the residence of Henry Dewey, in which George Shelly had opened the first store. The corner lot was vacant.

East of Old- Arcadia was the residence of Joseph Kellogg and his 'sister Jane. With them also lived another sister and Joseph Farber, an itinerant evangelist and school teacher. Next east was the residence of James Broughton south of the road, and Broughton's Mill north of the road. At the pond of this mill, in 1857, Eugene Broughton, a son of James Broughton, was drowned while swimming. Further east the road branched to North Creek, and still further east to American, Thompson and Newcomb valleys.

To the north of Old Arcadia, the first house was that of David L. Holcombe, on the west side of the road leading across the river bridge to Independence.

The road leading along the highlands east and south of the present village was well occupied. West was the Benjamin F. Holcombe place, already mentioned in connection with Old Arcadia. Then came the Alonzo

Kenyon residence. From across the street from the Kenyon residence, a foot-path led southwest toward the Gaveney residence, skirting a natural pond which then stood in a depression in the fields, but which has since been drained. West of the Kenyon residence was the Henry Proctor residence. West of this was the road which led north to the mill pond and mill owned by David Massuere, and thence across the ford to the Independence road. Near the mill was the residence of Louis Massuere. From the mill a track led westward to the home of Elliott Van Valkenberg. At the Briggs' Corners lived Dr. I. A. Briggs in a brick house still standing. Dr. Briggs was a self-educated homeopath. Being the only physician in the locality, his practice extended from Fountain City to Coral City. From Briggs' Corners, on the line between sections 32 and 33, a trail led north to the home of David Massuere, beyond which was a river ford. From the Corners, a trail also led through a gate down through the present village, following the high land formed by the sand thrown up by the creek, and crossing the river at a ford a few rods down the river from the present bridge. Across the ford on the south side of the road was the house of Simon Wojczik, while Peter Case lived on the north side. Further up the river toward Independence were Bragg, William Bennett, David Bennett and Charles

Richardson. In the other direction, over the line in Buffalo County, Glencoe was well settled. At Glencoe village, Thomas Courtney had a tavern and store, and George Cowie kept the postoffice.

The main road led south from Briggs' Corners, following a zig-zag line. The first house along the road southwest of Dr. Briggs' was the residence of James Gaveney, over the line in township 20, range 9. South of the next turn in the road was the house built by Noah Comstock, but occupied by Ole B. Canutson. The next house on the west side of the road was that of Noah Comstock, and west of this stood the pioneer cheese factory owned by Noah Comstock and James Gaveney. Further along the road, this same farm several years later was the scene of the pioneer sorghum operators in the county.

At the center of section 6, a branch road led west. On the north side of this road lived A. L. Robinson, while south of it lived Daniel Bigham, and west of him John Bigham.

East of where the road turned was the home built by John Dennis. Further south, at the point where the main road met the south line of section 6, stood the schoolhouse and the Catholic church, the church being east of the road and the schoolhouse west. There the road branched east and west to Meyers Valley and Bill's Valley. On the road to Bill's Valley the first house was that of J. P. Hartman.

With the coming of the railroad, the village of Old Arcadia gradually dwindled away. The drug store of Dr. F. L. Lewis, the blacksmith shop of Ed. Nichols, the schoolhouse, and later the mill, were moved to the newer village, other buildings were moved to other locations and converted to other uses, some of the structures were left on the same location and converted into residences. The famous Gay T. Storm store was vacated and is still standing, a notable relic of the past. The only store now at Old Arcadia is that of James Brownlie, who occupies the old John D. Rainey

The railroad reached Arcadia in the fall of 1873, and the depot was constructed on the present location. Southwest of it along the right of way, in the rear of the present village hall, Canterbury & Smith built a warehouse, and still further along Elmore & Kelley, of Green Bay, built a warehouse. The Elmore & Kelley warehouse was a unique structure, with high sloping runways, up which teams were driven to enable the pouring of grain into the flathouse.

Considerable bitterness followed the building of the railroad, and it was not until the following spring that a village was platted. The people of Old Arcadia, who had believed that the railroad would pass through their village, were determined to keep the business at the old site, regardless of the railroad. Others were reconciled to the site of the depot, as one large village at the depot seemed better than two small villages.

Consequently, in 1874, after the village was started, the business houses began to spring up. The land was a swamp, no grades had been established, the houses were built on piles, and the sidewalks on stilts, "while the customers wallowed through mire and pools.

Probably the first business house to go up was the hotel of James Alexander, afterward operated by John Eckel, the saloon being conducted by John Gaugler. Many business houses followed, and the sound of building was heard on every side.

Two Fountain City concerns, realizing that much of the Waumandee, Glencoe and Montana trade would be turned in the new direction, established branch stores here, Bohri Brothers & Hensel, with Charles Hensel as manager, moving into a building erected by A. F. Hensel, and Fugina Brothers & Fertig, with J. M. Fertig as manager, moving into a store erected by Edson A. Morgan, who had previously lived at Old Arcadia and vended patent medicines throughout the region. The W. P. Massuere Company had its beginning the same year in a building erected by John D. Rainey, who had been a merchant of the old town. For a time E. J. Geislin and Milo Campbell, also merchants at Old Arcadia, were interested with Mr. Massuere in the venture. The Bryan drug store, with a stock of drugs, paints and oils and notions, was also opened.

J. C. Muir, from Glencoe, who had assisted in building the bridge acrosr the river that spring, formed a partnership with G. H. Krumdick and erected a flathouse for the buying of grain. He also dealt in hides and farm produce. C. N. Paine & Co., of Oshkosh, with C. E. Hollenbeck as manager, opened a lumber yard. A year later they erected an office building on Main Street.

The village grew in 1875, and when the flood came in the spring of 1875, the flats already contained a village of considerable size, the business houses being scattered along Main Street both sides of the track, and down Commercial (Grant) Street.

Whitehall, the county seat of Trempealeau County, is located at the geographical center of the county, within the northernmost bend of the Trempealeau River. Platted on the river bottoms, the village is almost entirely level, but is almost entirely surrounded with picturesque hills and bluffs, broken here and there by cooleys and valleys which lead into some of the richest farming lands in the county, notable among which is the Pigeon Valley region, known far and wide for its prosperity and fertility. The Trempealeau River, dammed a short distance below where it receives Pigeon Creek, forms a picturesque artificial lake, excellent for boating and fishing. The public bathhouse and the city light plant are located below the dam.

The business section of the village is located north of the Green Bay tracks. This section is surrounded by a portion of the residence district. Many of the principal residences, however, are located on the two principal streets south of the tracks, one of the streets being at right angles to the tracks, and the other parallel with the tracks.

In the south portion of the village are the courthouse, the jail, the high school, the hospital, the village hall, the public library, the town hall, and the churches, as well as the public park and the cemetery.

Among the leading business industries of the village are the tobacco warehouse, the creamery, the pickling station, the mill, three elevators, two banks and the newspaper. The principal shipments are tobacco, butter, grain, eggs and potatoes.

Especially beautiful is the park system. Beginning at the railroad tracks, a small park north of the village hall is ornamented with numerous flower beds and a cement bandstand erected by the ladies of the Chautauqua Circle in 1915. Southwest from the village hall, the courthouse yard begins, with its spreading lawns and magnificent trees. The courthouse and jail are of yellow brick, and the schoolhouse, west of these buildings, is of the same material. Without interruption, the courthouse grounds and the school playgrounds merge into the John 0. Melby Park, and this in turn stretches to the sightly public cemetery, and likewise faces the community hospital. On the hill above towers the reservoir of the watei'works system.

The waterworks system was originally inaugurated in 1895. A large tank, on a nearby ridge, gives ample pressure, and the system covers the principal streets. On Feb. 23, 1895, the village voted bonds for the installation of a waterworks system, and on May 31, 1895, the first contract was awarded for about $6,500. The original sewer system was installed in the spring of 1902, bonds of $2,500 being voted for the purpose. Additions to the water and sewer system have since been made, and an elaborate extension is now planned in the north and west part of the village at a cost of some $12,000, bonds of $8,000 having been voted.

The electric light current is furnished by the mill. It gives an everynight service from twilight until midnight, and also furnishes power for domestic purposes on Tuesday foi-enoons. Bonds of $2,000 were voted

The village hall is a sightly brick structure, which houses the fire department, the public library and the council chamber, and provides a large audience chamber for theatrical entertainments and public meetings. The hall cost about $18,000. Bonds of $12,000 were voted Dec. 8, 1911, the hall was opened late in December, 1912, and the first council meeting was held therein on January 13, 1913. Elections are still held in the town hall of Lincoln, half a block south of the village hall.

The town hall was built in 1877, in anticipation of securing the county seat. It is of frame, originally designed to be one story high. But the Odd Fellows subscribed $600 and the original plan was changed to make the building two stories high. It cost a total of $1,200. For a time before the courthouse was built it was used for county offices.

The Whitehall Community Hospital was started in 1916, and will be completed late in 1917. It is a beautiful structure, constructed along the most modern lines, and occupies a most commanding position facing the John 0. Melby Park. No less than 843 citizens are shareholders in the venture, and the rooms are being furnished by various local organizations. The officers are : President, Ludwig Solsrud ; vice-president, Ole J. Eggum ; secretary, Cxcorge Larson ; treasurer, S. N. Hegge ; directors, Ludwig Solsrud, Richard H. Holtan, Claude Everson, F. W. Lowe, Gilbert Peterson, A. E. Wood and Ole J. Eggum.

The John 0. Melby Park is to be developed into one of the beauty spots of Whitehall. Already it is beautified by a boulevard and a number of shade trees. It is devoted at present largely to athletic purposes. The original gift was made by Mr. and Mrs. John 0. Melby, Sept. 28, 1906, and at the same time the village acquired an additional tract by purchase. Mr. and Mrs. Melby's dedication of the park declares that its purpose is to promote the comfort, enjoyment and well being of the people of Whitehall. The park borders on the cemetery, the community hospital, the courthouse, the jail, the high school and several churches.

earliest days. The Whitehall Concert Band, which enjoys a wide fame, was established some thirty-five years ago. The present officers are: President, Joel Haugh ; vice-president, Herbert Holtan ; treasurer, A. P. Tallman ; secretary, Ralph H. Wiezorek. The leader is Leo Haesle. The Whitehall Ladies' Band is a notable organization that has won extensive praise wherever it has appeared. It was organized in 1913, composed of the leading ladies of the town, and is an important social as well as musical organization. The officers are: President, Mrs. Ted Harnden; vicepresident, Mrs. Ward Lowe ; secretary, Miss Mabel Larson ; treasurer, Mrs. Eugene Sorenson ; leader, Leo Haesle.

The Whitehall Free Library is one of the vital educational features of the village. In early days, the idea of a free library had been growing in the minds of the citizens of Whitehall, and in May, 1881, we find from the Whitehall Times, a dime entertainment was given to start a fund for establishing a public library.

In June of that year, a library association having been formed, the first order of books was made from Holmes, Hawthorne, Bryant, Longfellow, Dickens and Scott. Maple sugar parties and other forms of entertainment helped until in 1883, the "Ladies Athenaeum," a reading club being founded, they began immediately to incite more interest, so that at the end of that year 152 volumes were in the library, as reported by J. 0. Melby. The old bookcase in which the books were stored can still be seen in the Whitehall Times-Banner office. The checking system was very primitive.

In March, 1899, the village president, Charles Harnden, called a meeting of the village board to consider the proposition of a free library in Whitehall. It carried and he appointed Messrs. F. E. Beach, E. Berg, A. M. Dake, H. L. Ekern, J. 0. Melby, Ludwig Solsrud, Mesdames W. J. Webb (who has served continuously to present time) , O. Rogan, W. H. Stallings and Professor C. F. Huleatt as ex-officio member from the public school. Five hundred dollars was appropriated. "Whitehall was the first village in Trempealeau County to vote an appropriation for such a cause." Besides the village, the town of Lincoln gave $100, with promise of further support. J. 0. Melby donated a lot, and private individuals increased the amount until at the first meeting of the library board, April 9, it was decided to build.

The building was dedicated Sept. 14, 1899. The formal exercises were held in the afternoon, Judge R. A. Odell presiding. R. S. Cowie gave the address of welcome. H. L. Ekern, who was entitled to more credit than any one other person, gave a history of the movement. L. H. Withee, of La Crosse, and Senator Stout, of Menomonie, both had been very helpful and were present, with about 500 out-of-town visitors. A social evening session closed the day.

The library has grown from 450 volumes at dedication to about 3,000. The last year's report gave the borrowers as 615, and reading room attendance as 9,295.

The present library board is : President, C. B. Melby ; vice-president, Mrs. W. J. Webb ; secretary, S. N. Hegge ; Miss Minnie Barron, 0. J. Eggum,

At the beginning of each school year, the librarian meets the high school and eighth grade pupils to explain the working use of the library. Each teacher is given a special card on which they may draw as many books and keep as long as they need. The Whitehall Free Library is depository for county traveling library system, which at present has fifteen boxes in different parts of the county.

A Chautauqua course has been given at Whitehall every year beginning with 1913. The work had its beginning in April, 1910, when 20 ladies gathered as a Whitehall Lecture Course committee. At the second meeting but six ladies were present, and these six - the Mesdames R. S. Cowie, O. J. Eggum, E. F. Hensel, J. F. Hager, C. B. Melby and J. M. Ingalls - have since constituted the entire committee. In the winter of 1910-11 a fournumber lecture course was given, the talent being furnished by the Central Lyceum Bureau. In 1911-12 no hall was available. In 1913-14 and 1914-15 the University Extension Lecture Course was given. Then the lecture field was left in the hands of the high school. The Chautauqua is given under the direction of the Travers-Wick system. In 1913 the committee purchased the piano which now stands in the village hall. In 1915 the ladies, at a cost of $700, erected a cement bandstand which now ornaments the village park. They are at present planning to furnish a room in the neW hospital. The officers are: Chairman, Mrs. R. S. Cowie; secretary, Mrs. 0. J. Eggum ; treasurer, Mrs. E. F. Hensel.

The Trempealeau County Industrial, Agricultural and Driving Park Association held a county fair in Whitehall for several years, beginning with 1887, maintaining grounds and a race track on the south side of Dewey Street near the west limits of the village.

The vicinity of Whitehall has a history dating back to 1855, when the first settlers arrived in this vicinity. The railroad came through late in 1873, and at that time the future site of the village was yielding a rich harvest of wheat. Up and down the Trempealeau Valley, and spreading into the tributary cooleys and valleys, many a prosperous farm could be found.

A mile up Pigeon Creek was located Old Whitehall, platted on May 23, 1862, by Alex. A. Arnold for Benjamin F. Wing. Another mile further up that creek was Coral City, platted May 28, 1868, by George Hodgkin for Phineas Wright. Both of these hamlets were flourishing trading points.

For a time it appeared that the railroad was to go westward from Blair to Arcadia, without following the northern loop of the river, but the present route was finally decided upon, and a village near this point assured.

The tracks were laid through the wheat field that is now Whitehall, on Sept. 2, 1873. Charles Adams, now a leading Whitehall merchant, was one of the crew. Where the courthouse now stands, the harvesters were gathering wheat.

In November, 1873, Theodore H. Earle arrived and selected the site for a dwelling. He was the son-in-law of Henry Ketchum, for several years president of the railroad, and his purpose was to establish a town in the

On New Year's Day, 1874, the first passenger train passed Whitehall on regular schedule. That same day the lumber was unloaded for the first depot, and a section crew in charge of Charles Adams started putting in the, sidetrack and switch. Jan. 4, C. J. Lambert purchased the first load of wheat at $1.00 a bushel. Jan. 6, Daniel C. Camp arrived as station agent and grain buyer for Elmore & Kelley. Jan. 20, the village was platted by T. H. Earle, C. M. Kelly and Henry Ketchum.

During the winter two grain houses went up, one owned by Elmore & Kelley, of Green Bay, and one by T. H. Earle and C. J. Lambert, who came here to make their homes. Mr. Earle's interest was soon acquired by H. E. Getts.

During the spring and summer of 1874, the village presented a scene of busy activity. Hotels, business houses and residences went up here and there, and before fall a flourishing hamlet had been established.

The first hotel was the Empire House, erected by Henry Stratton. The Alexander Hotel, owned by S. L. Alexander, and the Whitehall House, moved in part from Coral City by M. V. Allen, soon followed.

H. E. Getts built the first store. August Cook and Nelson Comstock started hardware stores, but before they could open the tornado demolished their buildings, and they never opened for business. The general store of L. H. Whitney was also swept by the tornado, but he at once rebuilt, and put in a stock of goods.

D. L. Camp put up a double block, and opened a general store in one -side, while T. C. McDermott opened a hardware store in the other. C. E. Scott put up a building and opened a general store. Benjamin F. Wing, the original proprietor of Old Whitehall, moved in and erected a general store. John Rogerson and C. H. Warner opened a hardware store and Melby & Johnson a tailor shop.

The first carpenters to locate permanently in the new village were William Blodgett, Joseph Augustine, A. J. Roscoe and James Hiner. A year or two later came William Scott, also a carpenter, and Alonzo Tucker. a mason.

North of the track and east of the street on the present site of the Model Store was the Alexander Hotel. North of what is now the John 0. Melby & Co. Bank was the store of H. E. Getts, the building being stil' standing. D. L. Camp and T. C. McDermott were on the present site of the Solsrud Mercantile Co., Camp occupying the side farthest north.

East of the present site of the Solsrud building was the tailor shop of Melby & Johnson. East of this was L. H. Whitney, east of this were the foundations of the stores of August Cook and Nelson Comstock.

of the Huleatt Mercantile Company was the home of George Olds, the second residence in the village. North of this was the Rogerson & Warner store. On the northeast corner of the block was the store of C. E. Scott. The building is still standing. In this block, the first term of Circuit Court in Whitehall was held.

The Empire Hotel was on the present site of the American House. The Whitehall House, now called Hotel Allen, is still standing and is operated by Mrs. M. V. Allen.

The Trempealeau Messenger had already been started, Bert E. Clark having purchased the Galesville Journal and Recorder from George S. Luce and moved the material here.

A schoolhouse had been moved from its location a half mile east, and a new building, still standing but not now in use, had been built west of what is now the 0. P. Larson residence.

The wisdom of the establishment of the village was shown by the fact that during the year there were shipped from Whitehall 225,000 bushels of wheat in addition to quantities of oats, barley and corn.

The village was now well established, the various lines of industry were satisfactorily represented, and during the next two years there were but few new business houses erected, though there were many additions to the number of residences. The schoolhouse was completed in 1875, and the Baptist and Methodist churches erected. In that and the succeeding year the new business houses were the grocery store of A. J. Cady, the tailor shop of M. C. Olson, the harness shop of Edward Romander, the general store of Decker & Lawton, the general store of Melvin Johnson, the lumbei: yards of A. S. Trow & Co. and T. H. Earle Company, and the liveries of Eugene Webster and J. R. King.

Galesville, situated in the Beaver Creek Valley on the banks of Lake Marinuka, a beautiful artificial body of water, is one of the most picturesque villages in Western Wisconsin. The site of the village is divided into an upper table, the residence section, and the lower table and flats, which constitute the business section, most of the stores being located about the Public Square or the street immediately adjoining. An extensive park system adds to the beauty of the village, and numerous mineral springs attract tourists. The village is equipped with electric lights, waterworks, sewer system, village hall, fire department and high school. Two telephone systems furnish excellent service. The two banks reflect the financial stability of the surrounding country. A public library is well patronized, and a modern newspaper chronicles the weekly life of the neighborhood.

The Norwegian Lutherans have two churches, and the Presbyterian, Catholic and Methodist denominations each one. A band adds to desirabihty of life here. The annual celebration of the Burns Club and the annual county fair bring visitors from near and far. The Commercial Club has taken an active interest in the civic development of the village. The leading industries are the mill, the creamery, the elevators and the stock yards. Gale College is one of the oldest in the State, having opened its first classes in 1859. Galesville is connected with the outside world with a branch of the Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, and by an excellent system of improved highways.

Founded, settled and platted in 1854, Galesville soon assumed substantial propoi'tions as the county seat and the home of Gale College, enjoying its greatest growth from 1856 until the year following the Civil War. It was not materially affected by the railroad which was built in the southern part of the county in 1870, or by the railroad built through the Trempealeau Valley in 1873. The loss of the county seat late in 1876 took away some of the hotel and legal business, and possibly a little of the mercantile trade.

With the coming of the railroad in 1883, the village took on new life and soon assumed an importance which it still retains as a shipping and trading center.

In that year efforts were made to incorporate the village. A census taken on Oct. 16, 1883, having shown a population of 439 persons, an application was presented to the district court asking for the incorporation. A remonstrance was presented at the same time. Accordingly on Dec. 16, 1883, Judge A. W. Newman appointed Hugh Cameron, of La Crosse, as a referee to hear the testimony in the matter. Mr. Cameron failed to act and the application continued in abeyance for several years. In 1887 the proposition was revived, and on June 13 of that year Judge Newman appointed Isaac Clark, George H. Smith and Moses King inspectors of an election to be held to decide the matter. July 2, 18S7, Gustavus Holmberg was appointed in place of Moses King. The election held Aug. 1, 1887, with H. L. Bunn and Charles T. Silk as clerks, favored the proposition by a vote of 80 to 32. The first election was held on Aug. 20, 1887, and resulted as follows : President, G. Y. Freeman ; trustees, C. B. Thrall, 0. N. Sagen, A. Kribs, A. H. Czepull, G. F. Myhre and F. Langenohl ; clerk, H. L. Bunn ; treasurer, A. Tibbitts ; supervisor, Wilson Davis ; constable, William Raymond; justice, A. Tower. The first meeting of the council was held Sept. 5, 1887".

The present officers are: President, A. T. Twesme; trustees, Carl McKeeth, I. G. Herried, R. H. Ashley, R. E. James, W. F. Plummer and J. A. Berg; clerk, O. D. Witherbee; treasurer. Nils Lund; assessor, J. A. Kellman ; supervisor, Ben W. Davis.

The village government has been most admirably conducted. Waterworks and a sewer system have been installed and extended, the streets have been improved and excellently cared for, a city hall has been built, a good fire department maintained, the business center has been paved, and considerable attention has been given to the extensive park system and to public health and recreation, in addition to the usual routine village maintenance.

The park system is in charge of a commission which was created in 1915, and now consists of A. T. Twesme, 0. D. Witherbee, J. F. Cance, Rev. L. M. Gimmestad, Bert A. Gipple, Emil Francar and Charles Bortle. City beautiful plans have been prepared by John H. Forrer, of La Crosse, and are being gradually worked out by the commission. The plans include public and private property and will make the village one of the beauty spots of the Northwest. The Upper Table Park and the Public Square on the lower table were platted with the village and were donated by George Gale, the founder of the village. The wide streets which enclose the Public Square were paved in 1912, and soon afterward a cement bandstand erected at a cost of nearly $1,000 raised by public subscription. The Upper Table Park is well shaded with old trees and is also supplied with a bandstand. Reception Park, originally called Riverside Park, was acquired from C. E. Perkins in the summer of 1889. At once upon its purchase the property was turned over to William C. Pierce, who agreed to pay Mr. Perkins for the property, to keep the park open to the public except when in use for baseball, horse racing or fair purposes, and at the end of ten years to sell to the village at a fair valuation. Two years after, Mr. Pierce disposed of all his interest to the village. In 1892 extensive plans were made for the advertising of Galesville as a summer resort. A landing platform was erected at Reception Park for the convenience of railroad excursionists, a pavilion was built, an excursion steamer was purchased, lights were installed in Reception and High Cliff parks, and the weeds were cleared from the lake. Efforts were made to have the railroad move its station to the lake front. But the depot was not moved and in a few years the steamboat was sold, owing to lack of patronage. In December, 1902, a curling rink was erected in the park by the Galesville Curling and Burns Club. The park consists of a little over 11 acres lying along the banks of Beaver Creek. It is well shaded and in addition to the pavilion, curling rink and landing platform already mentioned, has an excellent baseball field and an artesian well 600 feet deep. The High Cliff Park consists of a narrow strip of land having Beaver Creek on one side and high, perpendicular water-worn cliffs on the other. It is covered with native foliage and has several springs and caves. The park is open to the public through the courtesy of Ben W. Davis. East Side Park is on the lake shore and is made up of groves of native trees. It is open to the public through the generosity of the heirs of Captain A. A. Arnold. On the flat above the East Side Park are the grounds of the Trempealeau County Agricultural Society, purchased in 1892. At the head of the lake are the Arctic Springs, which will also soon be surrounded with a park. The waters of the spring are widely known for their purity and health-giving qualities, and a company has been formed for exploiting and developing this important asset. In connection with the beauty spots, the public cemetery deserves special mention. The Association was organized in 1861 with Isaac Clark as president and A. A. Arnold as secretary, and eight acres of land obtained from George Gale. The Association has continued to be maintained, and the cemetery is being constantly beautified.

The village waterworks were inaugurated in the summer of 1888, when the village contracted with Wilson Davis to extend his mill waterworks to protect all the property on the lower table, to put in hydrants and to furnish hose for the use of the fire company, the hose and hosecart to be kept in repair by the village. This contract was renewed until the present water and sewer system was put in operation in 1899. Aug. 5, 1898, the citizens voted bonds of $3,000 which were used to construct a reservoir on the property of Charles BouUn. Technical difficulties stood in the way of voting sufficient bonds for the construction of the entire system, so a number of citizens organized a temporary lirm known as the Galesville Waterworks Co., and engaged John P. Dales, of the Western Engineering & Construction Co., as contractor. The contract price was $20,000, to be paid by the village at the rate of $1,000 a year under the guise of a hydrant rental.

The electric light system was installed in the fall of 1889 by T. P. and W. W. Benton under the firm name of T. P. Benton & Co. Since then the system has been continuous, and is now operated by the Davis Mill Company.

The city hall was erected in 1896 and opened Oct. 9 of that year. It houses the opera house, the fire department, village offices and the jail.

The splendid high school building was erected in 1908, replacing the earlier building erected in 1873-74. In addition to the usual classical and English courses, work is given in domestic science and manual training, and special attention is paid to music, oratory, debating, athletics and general community endeavor.

The public library is supported by the village, the building having been donated by the will of Ellen Burchard Burdick, who died Oct. 9, 1913.

The Galesville Commercial Club, whose name was changed from the Galesville Business Men's Association on Nov. 18, 1916, was organized Sept. 16, 1899, 'the first directors being G. 0. Gilbertson, L. N. Hammer, E. F. Clark, F. A. KeUman, Ben W. Davis, Henry Yeoman, W. S. Wadleigh, R. H. Robertson and George Rail. The present officers are : President, J. A. Berg ; vice-president, Carl McKeeth ; secretary, Emil Fi'ancar, and E. F. Clark.

Independence is a thriving village located at the junction of Elk Creek and the Trempealeau River, on the line of the Green Bay & Western, and at the mouth of the far-reaching Pleasant Valley. It is an important shipping point for stock, poultry, butter, eggs, cheese and pickles, and aside from the usual business activities, has four elevators, two banks, a creamery, a mill, two stock yards, a pickling station, and a newspaper. Municipal improvements include the village hall, electric lights, waterworks and sewer systems, and a public library. There are three churches, the Catholic and the Norwegian Lutheran, and one which is used in common by the Methodists and the Evangelical Association. The streets of the village are paved with petrified brick, and macadam roads extend in all directions.

There are a number of beauty spots in the village. The railroad right of way south of the track has been parked, furnishing a beautiful approach to some sightly houses which parallel the track. Elk Creek, dammed at this village, forms a beautiful artificial lake, admirably suited for bathing, boating and fishing. A bath house was erected in the summer of 1917 by popular subscription, and the beach is being impi'oved.

May 5, 6 and 7, by H. B. Merchant, a census was taken Oct. 21, 1885, by J. C. Taylor, showing a population of 350. A petition was accordingly presented to the court by E. S. Hotchkiss, J. C. Taylor, P. Husom, J. A. Johnson, A. W. Liver and John Sprecher. Judge A. W. Newman, on Dec. 16, 1885, granted the petition, and appointed an election. This election was held at the lumber office of E. S. Hotchkiss Jan. 22, 1886, in charge of L. E. Danuser, J. W. Runkel and E. S. Hotchkiss (clerk) , and resulted in a favorable vote of 49 to 29. Officers were chosen Feb. 26, 1886 as follows : President, M. Mulhgan; trustees, Thomas Thompson, J. -C. Taylor, Edward Linse, John Sprecher, E. S. Hotchkiss and Frank Tubbs; clerk, W. B. Faulds; treasurer, George H. Markham; supervisor, J. A. Johnson; constable, Daniel Garlick; justice of the peace, B. M. Johnson; police justice, A. W. Liver.

The Independence Public Library was organized some time in 1907, under the auspices of the Wisconsin Library Commission. The first board consisted of George A. Markham (president), and Dr. C. F. Peterson (secretary), and Anton Senty. When the village hall was built, provision was made for a library, so, upon organization of the board, $500 appropriated by the board was wisely spent in buying books, and the library opened, with Edna Elstad as librarian. The village appropriates some $200 or $300 annually, and the library is open three evenings a week, in charge of Mrs. Minnie Cole and daughter, Sadie Cole. The present board consists of Dr. C. F. Peterson (chairman), Mrs. George A. Markham (secretary), and Mrs. E. E. Runkel.

The first village hall was a two-story wooden building, purchased from John Sprecher June 21, 1886. Later the need of a larger and modern building was apparent, and accordingly on May 5, 1902, the village voted bonds of $8,000 for a village hall and electric light system, the vote being a close one of 98 to 79. The hall is a sightly, two-story building fully adequate for all purposes. It houses the public library, the council chambers, the fire apparatus, the jail and the opera house. A splendid clock adorns the stately tower of the building. The hall was partly demolished by the cyclone of 1903 and was not completely rebuilt until 1906. In 1903 the electric light system was installed, separate bonds having been voted.

The village has an excellent system of waterworks and sewer, consisting of six wells, a pumping station, and a reservoir at the top of the neighboring bluff. The elevation of 176 feet gives adequate fire protection for all needs, a volunteer fire department being well equipped with all necessary apparatus. The first waterworks consisted of wrought iron mains covering about three blocks, and a pump which the village put in at the mill. Water was obtained from the pond. This system was inaugurated in 1886. In 1895 the system was extended, an artesian well drilled and a reservoir built. In 1898 a shallow filtration well was dug.

On June 22, 1909, a special election was held to determine the issuing of bonds for putting in a complete sewer and water system. The proposition was rejected by a vote of 65 to 54. But in the meantime, the old system was condemned by the State Board of Health and on April 25, 1911, sewer and waterworks bonds were authorized by a vote of 93 to 37.

A system of street grades was established Aug. 5, 1908. Oct. 20, 1915, the village voted $1,000 tax for highway purposes, and with this beginning some 12,000 square yards of petrified brick have been laid. There are also some two miles of limestone macadam in the village limits. Two miles are macadamized west to New City, a short link being missing. South, the macadam extends a mile. North the macadam extends up Elk Creek four miles, one mile being in the village and three in the township. In 1916 the business men subscribed $1,000 to help build a macadam road east from the road to the town limits of Lincoln. The permanent street improvements for the two years cost the village $2,500 without creating any bonded indebtedness.

The new High school building, erected at a cost of some $40,000, is one of the finest in the state, and is constructed along the latest improved lines. It was first occupied in January, 1916. The building is of brick. It is excellently equipped, and surrounded by spacious grounds. Aside from the usual graded and High school studies, there are special courses in domestic science, agriculture and the manual arts. The school history of Independence is a most interesting one. The district was organized in July, 1876. In the fall, school was opened in Taylor's Hall. A storehouse on Adams street was next used. In 1880, a brick schoolhouse was erected on a tract of land donated by D. M. KeUey, the village proprietor. Two additions were later erected. In 1914, the agitation for a new schoolhouse was started, and a bitter controversy ensued, resulting finally, however, in the decision to build the new structure. Frank Tubbs and B. L. Hutchins, who had just platted a new addition, made the village what was considered an excellent offer of 24 lots, most of them 50 by 120 feet, on the most advantageous terms. A committee was appointed, consisting of John A. Markham, August A. Mish, John F. Kulig, Frank A. Hotchkiss, C. J. Peterson, H. 0. Carthus and Peter C. Schrock, to consider suitable plans. The committee decided upon the present model, and the decision has since met with general favor. The old school is still used for several phases of the school work, the original donor not having yet cancelled the clause in his dedication of the property, which provided for the revision of the property to him in case its use for school purposes would be abandoned.

Independence had its beginning in 1876, and received its name from the fact that the Centennial celebration of American Independence fell on that year. The agitation for a village at this point started in 1873, when it became certain that the Green Bay & Lake Pepin, now the Green Bay & Western, was to build a railroad down Trempealeau Valley, and a proposition was made that the town of Burnside aid the company by voting bonds of $20,000. But at a special election held for that purpose, May 3, 1873, the result was 9 for and 93 against the proposition, with one vote deficient.

During the summer of 1873 the question of a depot was strongly agitated. The railroad agreed to build a depot in the town if given a bonus of $5,000, and a special election was held Nov. 10 to vote on the question of granting bonds to that amount. The vote stood 29 for and 53 against. The vote resulted from the agitation over the location of the depot rather than from opposition to voting the bonds. At that time the present town of Chimney Rock was a part of Burnside. Those living in the north part of the town wanted the depot on the northeast side of Elk Creek, while those in the southern part of the town wanted the depot about a mile south of Elk Creek at New City.

New City was quite a flourishing hamlet. It had been started about 1869, when Elliott J. Carpenter came to the mouth of Travis Creek and constructed a dam and a mill, also opening a small store. He was followed by Michael Fugina, who opened a store and saloon, and by Peter Eichman, who opened a tavern and saloon. Henry Gibson opened a small store and was appointed postmaster. Carpenter sold the mill to Albert Bautch and Gibson sold his store to David Garlick, who succeeded him as postmaster.

At the Corners, half way between New City and the present site of Independence, Ed Gorton erected a store, and across the road from him, Ernest Walthers erected a small tavern and saloon.

In the fall of 1875 the question of a depot was again strongly agitated. J. C. Noteman, at that time station agent at Dodge, took up the matter with the officers of the railroad with the result that the railroad agreed that if the people would raise $5,000 by subscription, giving their notes for that amount, the request would be granted. It was finally agreed that the depot was to be located between Elk and Travis Creek, and that George H. Markham was to hold the notes until the railroad company should fulfil its part of the contract. If the railroad failed to build the depot the notes were to be returned to the makers. The full amount was subscribed, and the depot was erected at its present site in the spring of 1876.

At this time the present site of the village was a wheat field, operated by Lawrence Pampuch. David M. Kelly secured a tract of land here, and on May 13, 1876, had John Stewart lay out a town. The letter which Mr. Kelly wrote to George H. Markham, thanking him for his hospitality at that time, is now preserved by the Trempealeau County Historical Society. Lots in Independence were offered for sale on May 25, the first to purchase being David Garlick, Edward Elstad and J. C. Taylor.

Then came an influx from New City, Gorton, Walthers, Fugina and Garlick all moving in. Gorton moved his stone building to the southeast corner of block 2, at the corner of Third and Washington streets. Walthers moved his tavern building to lot 6, block 1, on the east side of Second street, between Washington and Adams streets. This building is now occupied by the Farmers & Merchants Bank. Later, north of this building. Walthers erected a large structure, with rooms for a saloon and store on the first floor, and with a public hall on the second floor. This hall was the social center of Independence for many years. Fugina moved his store to the northwest corner of block 2, at the corner of Third and Adams streets. Later he erected another building to the east. Garlick erected a building east of the Fugina buildings, on the south side of Adams street, between Second and Third streets. In the lower front room of this place he kept the post office and a small store. Mrs. Garlick was the first lady to take up her residence in the village.

First street, between Washington and Adams streets. Block 1 was irregularly shaped, the southeast corner being cut off. When Mr. Taylor's building burned, he succeeded in having the village abandon a part of the alley, so that the present building covers what was originally the alley south of his first building.

Cyrus J. Lambert and 0. P. Larson opened a store in the Walthers building, and also started buying grain. Later this firm erected a large building on the southeast corner of block 2, at the corner of Second and Washington streets, the present location of the Lambert Brothers, who now conduct a general store as the successors of their father, Benjamin F. Lambert, who entered business here April 9, 1879.

E. H. Warner erected a hardware store on the north side of block 2, between Second and Third streets. The history of this store is most interesting. Christ Meuli bought the store in 1877, and A. W. Liver entered his employ. Meuli later took in L. F. Danuser as a partner, and the company became Meuli & Danuser. Then Meuli sold to Ferdinand Horst and the firm became Danuser & Horst. In the meantime, since 1883, A. W. Liver has been conducting a place of his own. In 1888 he bought out Horst and the firm became Danuser & Liver. In 1894 Christ Torgerson bought out Danuser and the firm has since been Liver & Torgerson. The Lang Brothers opened a harness shop on the present site of Paul Sura's place of business on the west side of Second street. Nick Theisen opened a shoe shop on Washington street. Later he erected a brick building and moved into it.

Ira Smith opened a lumber yard for White & Emery, on the site of the present lumber yard. The same year Artemus Emery himself came and took charge. Years later he sold to E. S. Hotchkiss. George Hiles opened a lumber yard and sent George Hibbard here to conduct it. The Payne Lumber Company, of Oshkosh, opened a lumber yard where the present stockyards are located. Charles Hallenbeck was the general manager of the Payne interests in this region, but confined his attentions largely to Arcadia, while Charles E. Davis conducted the yard here. J. C. Noteman was the first station agent and the first elevator man. Giles Cripps, Noah Cornstock and Mr. Noteman erected a warehouse, the one now used by John Sprecher & Son. For several years all the grain bought in Independence by the different firms went through this warehouse. Noteman lived in the station until his home was completed. John Sprecher came here as the representative of Krumdick & Muir, implement dealers and grain buyers, of Arcadia, where he previously worked. In 1878 he bought out Krumdick, and a year later bought out Muir. In 1897 Mr. Sprecher sold a half interest of the implement business to William Steiner, and the firm became Sprecher & Steiner. In 1897 Mr. Sprecher sold his remaining interest to Mr. Steiner. He still retains his grain business under the name of John Sprecher & son. Nathaniel Nichols, a lawyer, came over from New City. Dr. W. R. Allison located here, and Drs. Lewis and Brandt, of Arcadia, opened a branch oflice here, Dr. Brandt attending to most of the practice.

the building was being erected he had kept boarders in a nearby shack. The following year he sold to Wilham R. Trumbull, who put on an addition, and changed the name to the Trumbull House. Later the name was changed to the Welcome House.

Edward Elstad built a saloon about the middle of the south side of block 2, on Washington street, between Second and Third streets. Later he erected a store where the firm of Elstad Brothers was established. Hans Melgard opened a saloon at the northeast corner of block 2, at the corner of Second and Adams, where the Sura garage is now located. Andrew Anderson opened a saloon east of the Walthers building on the south side of Adams street, between First and Second streets. Eugene Webster opened a livery on the west side of Second street, where the warehouse addition to the Lambert Brothers' store is now located. West Snow opened a livery east of the Tremont House.

Thus the business of the village started. In addition to the places of business many residences have been put up. Among them were two buildings north of the present business section, which were intended as hotels. The main road then skirted the foot of the hills west of the village, and crossing Elk Creek, continued eastward along the present road to Whitehall. But this route was soon abandoned for one passing through the center of the village and the hotels were never opened as such.

In 1877 a number of important enterprises were started. S. M. Newton erected the dam and mill at a cost of about $22,000. Later this mill came into possession of Noah Comstock and James Gaveney, of Arcadia, bought the mill and controlled it the remainder of their lives. Ira Smith put up the Merchants Hotel at the foot of Washington street. Previously he had operated a small hotel on the north side of Washington street, just north of the present Lambert Brothers' store. John W. Runkle started a furniture store and undertaking establishment. It was this year that Artemas Emery erected the residence south of the tract which has since been a landmark.

The village gradually grew, the business section stretching from the depot north and west. The residence section stretches north and west of the business section west of the artificial lake, north from the bridge east of the lake, and south and west of the depot.

The village of Blair is one of the best shipping towns of its size in the state. The village has about 500 people within its borders, but there are twenty families living just outside the corporate limits in the town of Preston.

It is situated in the east central part of the county and is surrounded by some excellent stock farms. The farmers are enterprising and a big majority of them have fine herds of full-blooded stock.

Blair can well feel proud of its municipal improvements. The electric light and waterworks systems are municipally owned and the power for operation is both water and steam. The main streets are macadamized and it has recently purchased a large market square.

There is a credited High school, two large Lutheran churches and a Baptist church ; a large village hall ; two banks ; a newspaper ; a flour mill ; a creamery, and the usual stores, garages and other places of business.

In 1894 an apphcation was made to the circuit court for Trempealeau county for incorporation. The territory embraced was the southeast quarter and south half of the northeast quarter of 16-21-7, and comprised 241.68 acres. The application was signed by E. L. Immell, T. I. Gilbert, L. S. Fenny, G. A. Slye, J. W. Dalton, J. E. Mayer, Ole 0. Moe, H. Thorsgaard, J. 0. Gilbert, J. Leasum and E. 0. Gilfillan. The survey was made by Geo. M. Adams. The census, taken by Oscar T. Gilbert, gave the proposed village 324 residents. The judgment was entered on September 6, by O. B. Wyman, circuit judge, and a vote was taken on October 16, which resulted as follows : 50 for incorporation and 43 against.

At the first village election held on October 30, 1894, the following officers were chosen : Village president, M. A. Peterson ; trustees, E. Bergseng, J. E. Thorstad, Lars Hanson, H. Knutson, O. H. Benrud, G. O. Hanson ; supervisor, Morris Hanson ; clerk, S. H. Neperud ; treasurer, H. T. Thompson; marshal, W. H. Welch; justices of the peace, 0. A. Brekke, H. N. Halvorson; police justice, F. M. Immell; constable, Lars Hanson. The question of issuing corporate bonds in the sum of $3,000 for the purpose of constructing a waterworks system for the village was submitted to the electors at a special election held May 28, 1898. There were 68 votes cast, of which 64 favored the proposition and 4 opposed.

The electric light system was constructed through private subscription together with moneys in the general fund, the village having been bonded almost to the constitutional limitation. The lights were installed in the early part of 1901, and the shares owned by the individuals were gradually taken over by the village in the following five years.

On Sept. 8, 1911, an election was held for the purpose of authorizing the village board to borrow $10,000 from the trust funds for building a village hall. At the election there were 45 in favor and 39 against. The matter was protested before the trust board and the loan held up until the middle of the year 1913, when it was granted. On August 29 of that year the village board let the contract for its construction for the sum of $11,850, and the building was completed and opened for use in February, 1914.

A movement was made in the spring of 1917 for the extension of the corporate limits of the village so as to include a number of families of the town of Preston, living east of Blair, but the proposition was defeated by a vote of the people.

There is no village park, but the High school has ample grounds and the magnificent grove of Thomas Hogan near the banks of the Ti-empealeau is used for picnic and recreation purposes.

The vicinity of what is now the village of Blair was a center of travel long before the railroad was projected through Trempealeau Valley. From further down the main valley, from many a vale and cooley, and from over the ridges, came the travel into the older Jackson County region, especially to Merrillan, where the pioneers of the eastern Trempealeau County sold their wheat and where they secured lumber to build their houses and barns. One of the principal routes came up from Bear Creek over the ridge, led north through Reynolds Cooley, joined the Trempealeau Valley road as at present, just west of what is now the Ettrick & Northern right-of-way, ran east on the section line a quarter of a mile, turned north on the dividing line of section 16, past what is now the United Lutheran church, thence across the Trempealeau River on a bridge some distance west from what is now the mill bridge, and then eastward up the Trempealeau Valley, north of the river.

A few rods west of where the Reynolds Cooley road joins the main road, lived Martin Hanson. Just north of the north end of the Reynolds Cooley road lived Carl 0. Strum. This farm was a famous stopping place, where the settlers arriving in the evening on their return journey from Merrillan, found it convenient to rest before undertaking the slow and toilsome trip over the ridge. Many a night found the house filled to overflowing with drivers and the barns and yard crowded with teams and vehicles. Just east of where the Reynolds Cooley road joins the main road, T. L Gilbert, about 1870, opened a small store, moving to that location from Mound Spring, four miles east. Ole Strum lived a short distance south of what is now the United Lutheran church. On the east edge of what is now the village was the house of Duke Porter, while his mother and her family lived still further east. North of the river, west of where the road after crossing the bridge, turned east toward Jackson county, was the South Bend postofRce at the home of Ebenezer Thurston, "Yankee" Thurston, as he was called by his foreign-born neighbors.

Early in 1873, the railroad being assured, and a station at this point having already been decided upon, John Van Ness, Orrin Van Ness and Henry Thorsgaard came over the ridge from Ettrick and selected on the snow-covered flats the location for a mill. These men had all been actively interested in the milling industry in western Wisconsin for several years, and at the time of this trip, Mr. Thorsgaard was employed by John Van Ness in the mill which Orrin Van Ness had built at Ettrick, Orrin Van Ness himself being in charge of a mill near West Salem. Mr. Thorsgaard became the active factor in the Blair mill and in a few years bought out the Van Ness interests. He rebuilt the mill after it was burned in 1880, sold it in 1883, and is now actively engaged in the grain business.

As soon as the snow was off the ground in the spring of 1873, active operations were commenced. Two forty-acre tracts were purchased from Ebenezer Thurston for a mill and pond, lumber was hauled from Merrillan, and men put to work on the dam, the mill, the bridge and a dweUing for Mr. Thorsgaard. At the same time the tracks for the railroad were being laid, and every farmhouse along the line was crowded with workmen. While the work w-as in progress, a farmer named John Thinbacken broke through the old bridge with a yoke of oxen, and the mill bridge received all the traffic. Soon afterward a road was established from the mill south to the main highway.

The depot was erected not far from the mill. Two warehouses and a lumber yard were opened in the same neighborhood. The business center developed on higher ground several blocks south of the mill. Even Berseng opened a hotel, the first business establishment in the new village. Three years later an addition was built. This hotel was an important feature in the village life until it bui-ned in 1916. In the hall on the second floor were held dances, public meetings and theatrical entertainments, and many an entertainer since famous played behind its oil footlights in the seventies and eighties.

Some time during the summer of 1873, T. I. Gilbert & Co. moved from Strum's Corners to the new site, and within a short time other places of business had started, including C. C. Hanson's general store, John E. Johnson's hardware store and John Hanson's drug store.

In the meantime Ebenezer Thurston had given forty acres to the railroad, and on a part of the Porter estate, Duke Porter had platted a village which he called Porterville. The Hiles & Ketchum plat of Blair, the railroad plat, was filed April 16, 1877. Later the land was the subject of considei'able litigation, and the title to some of the best land in the village remained long in dispute, some of the railroad officials claiming that the plat belonged to them personally instead of to the railroad as a company.

In 1891 the business section of the village was entirely wiped out by fire. The conflagration took place at about noon on July 27, and rapidly destroyed several blocks, leaving on the east and west a blacksmith shop, on the north the hotel, and nothing else but blackened ruins.

Undaunted the citizens started to make plans for rebuilding. For a time there was considerable talk of remodeling the village plat and establishing a public square around which the business houses would be grouped, but the owners were unable to agree upon a satisfactory plan, for the stores were eventually rebuilt on their former sites.

Eleva is a popular trading center in the northern part of the county on the Mondovi branch of the Omaha. It is located on the north bank of the Beef River, and is intersected by the Big Creek. Trout Creek comes in from the south a short distance east. The mill pond is north of the village. The business section is west of the creek, while the area east of the creek is, except for the creamery entirely devoted to residences.

The churches are of the Norwegian Lutheran and Methodist Episcopal faith. The sightly brick school building of four rooms covers twelve grades of school study.

The bank, mill and creamery, the two elevators and a lumber yard are in flourishing condition, and the usual business houses are well patronized.

The electric light service was inaugurated in December, 1914. The village furnished the plant and Heni-y Rusehng erected the building. The power is furnished from the Ruseling mill.

Eleva was incorporated in 1902. November 29, 1901, Alex A. Arnold made the survey under the direction of N. I. Gilbert, M. C. Whipple, Even Bratberg, A. C. Danuser, Ole Halverson, F. J. Hartman and F. E. Brown. The next day, F. J. Hartman took the census and found a population of 314 persons. A petition was duly presented to the court by N. E. Bersing, Ole Halverson, Even Bratberg, 0. A. Breakey, Ole Void, A. C. Danuser, F. J. Hartman, J. Void, J. B. Rice, E. S. Englesby, H. H. McNish, F. E. Brown, K. Jenson, N. Gregerson, N. B. Nelson, Carl Voss, Peter Steen, N. I. Gilbert, A. P. Davis, Wm. Jackson, Martin Olson and C. H. Elkinton. The court granted the petition January 14, 1902, and ordered an election to be held February 11, 1902. The election resulted in 53 votes for the proposition and 11 against it.

Situated on the broad flats of the Beef River Valley, Eleva, like nearly all the other villages of Trempealeau County, is situated at a natural center of travel. A long stretch of the Beef River Valley, and the fertile expanses of Big Creek and Trout Creek are immediately tributary to it. Through this point in the early days, passed the stage lines from Fairchild to Mondovi, and from Eau Claire to Independence and Whitehall in the Trempealeau Valley.

In this locaUty, probably about 1876, Philo Englesby erected a hotel on a small hill overlooking Big Creek, the present site of the home of H. H. McNish. Jan. 20, 1877, Geo. 0. Babcock platted the village on land of E. J. Carpenter and R. P. Goddard. About this time Mr. Carpenter built the dam and the grist mill, since replaced by the mill of Henry Ruseling. Mr. Goddard put up a store on what is now the northwest corner of Main and Mondovi streets, the present site of the Fogland Brothers' store. In his store the postofiice was kept. In the year that followed, a number of business houses went up. John Redfield put up a blacksmith shop. A. C. Hallanger built a large store, Knute Jenson a blacksmith shop, Martin Olson a hardware store, W. W. Wyman a drug store, Thomas Olson a confectionery store, Ole Halverson a meat shop, Henry Moxen and John Cook a boarding house. The Methodist church was also erected.

The railroad came through late in 1889, and on Dec. 13, 1889, an excursion was given to celebrate the installation of the first passenger service. The first mail arrived by train Feb. 18, 1890.

At that time, as at present, the center of the village was at the intersection of Mondovi and Main streets. The arrival of the railroad brought sevei-al additions to the business life of the village. Gilbert and Hallanger put up an elevator, an outside concern put up another elevator, N. C. Foster opened a lumber yard, and Knute Jenson and David Odell opened hotels.

Osseo is a thriving village on the Mondovi line of the Omaha. Its business section parallels the Beef River, and a dam provides a pretty artificial lake for bathing and boating. The residences are sightly and commodious, and reflect in their architecture and surroundings the New England country from which many of the pioneers hailed.

The principal municipal improvement is the beautiful and thoroughly modern high school completed in the spring of 1917 at a cost of about $35,- 000. Electric lights have been furnished for several years by the Lee & Son mill. The old schoolhouse has been refurnished and refitted as a village hall.

The chief industries consist of the mill at the village, the mill a shortdistance away, a cheese factory and a creamery. Two banks and a newspaper are in a flourishing condition.

Osseo was not materially affected by the arrival of the railroad. Started in the fifties (see account of H. Hyslop elsewhere in this work), the village on June 20, 1887, when the railroad was completed, was already a flourishing hamlet, and the business houses were but little changed by the introduction of railroad transportation.

To this list, D. L. Remington adds: J. H. McKenney, hotel and meat market ; Fred Smith, harness shop ; Valorus Campbell, livery ; Montgomery Reynolds, photographer; J. Huntington, hardware, and Matt Johnson, shoemaker. E. J. Matchett adds to the original list : Anderson Brothers, general stoi-e; Hewett & Foster, hardware; Smith Brothers, hardware; William Henry, cheese factory; Hiram Field, dealer in stock and horses, Arthur Gates, dealer in machinery, and the Osseo Creamery Co.

Osseo was platted in September, 1857, by J. E. Irish, county surveyor of Richland County, on land of W. A. Woodward, A. McCorkle, Caroline E. Sexton and Willard H. Thomas. It embraced 116 blocks of 8 lots each, many of which have since been abandoned.

C. Gates, A. L. Wooster, George F. Newell and E. A. Olson, M. D., asking for the incorporation of the village. The petition was granted by the district court Sept. 4, 1893, and E. J. Matchett, Dr. E. A. Olson and George F. Newell appointed inspectors of election. The election, duly held on Oct. 9, 1893, resulted in a vote of 33 to 8 in favor of the proposition.

About the year 1859, the first school in Osseo was held in the house now occupied by Eric Nelson ; at that time it was owned by W. H. Thomas, who used the front part of the building as a general store, and in the rear were rooms used as a dwelling and occupied by Mrs. Buckley, later better known as Mrs. Barber. In one of these rooms school was held and taught by her. There were only four pupils at that time, consisting of the two daughters of W. H. Thomas, now Mrs. Delia Field, and Julia Shores, and Kate and Fannie, daughters of Dennis Lawler.

Later school was held in the barroom of a hotel erected by Mr. Thomas on the spot where Bert Humes' blacksmith shop now stands, and still later in an old building located just north of the church where Mr. Horgan's house has since been erected.

As the children grew in number it was deemed necessary to build a schoolhouse, which was done in 1860. It was a one-room building and located on the site as the present graded school building.

As years passed the number of pupils outgrew the capacity of this building and it was moved across the street where it still stands and is known as the Town Hall, being occupied by the Sixth and Seventh grades, taught by Miss Mabel Hagen. A two-story frame building was erected in its place in 1881. Miss Nettie Tracy, now Mrs. Nettie Jones, was the first teacher and for six weeks had charge of all the pupils in the district, then numbering 59, as the upper room was not completed at the beginning of the school year.

In October, 1881, the people voted to have a graded school and admit tuition pupils from outside the district. The result was that the number of pupils increased so rapidly that again the rooms were over-crowded and in the fall of 1892 there were 83 pupils seated in what is the lower north room of the present building, taught by Agnes Hyslop, now Mrs. A. Mc- Kenney. At Christmas time it was decided to hire another teacher and use the Town Hall. Lottie Field taught during the two months' winter term, and in the spring it was decided to use the recitation room instead of the Town Hall, and Agnes Walsh of Fairchild was hired as assistant. Frank Robinson was principal at that time.

Again the building fails to accommodate the number of pupils which have increased from 59 in 1881, to 220, and the corps of teachers from one to seven, and we are compelled to vacate its walls for one more modern and beautiful.

In 1916 the people voted to have a High school and to build a new building which is now, 1917, completed, and is a beautiful, modern, one-story brick building, known as Lincoln High school, located in the northeastern part of the village on a sightly spot known as Lincoln Hill.

Strum is a busy ti-ading center in the Beef River valley on the Mondovi line of the Chicago, St. Paul, Minneapolis & Omaha Railway. Like many of the villages in Trempealeau county the village is located at a natural center of traffic and stores were in existence here long before the coming of the railroad.

The pioneer merchant was Thomas E. Holden, who came here about 1884 and erected a small store north of the river, and just west of where the road turns east toward Osseo. About 1885 came Ole Kittleson. He opened a store north of the river a few rods east of Holden's store. Situated as he was in the western part of the Unity township, he received considerable ti'ade from that town and from Albion as well. In connection with his store business he bought home-made butter, and in 1888 he and the farmers organized the Strum Creamery Association.

In 1887 the railroad reached Osseo, and plans were made for continuing the line west to Mondovi through Strum. A switch was laid at Strum in 1889. The depot was not built until 1892. An elevator and lumber yard were built near the depot.

Mr. Kittleson then moved his store to the street leading from the depot to the river, and thus established the location for the future business of the village, all the stores now being located along this street. The mill was also built on the river bank near the same street.

The growth of the village has since been steady and satisfactorJ^ The original mill, erected by Samuel Hogue, has been replaced with a large structure several rods east of the depot. The original creamery has become the flourishing Unity Co-operative Creamery, located on the railroad right-of-way. Two sightly churches have been built, a bank with a most satisfactory amount of deposits is well housed, and the Woodman Hall furnishes an adequate place for public meetings and theatrical entertainments. The school, first occupied in 1914, is a subject of considerable pride to the citizens, and furnishes excellent instruction in the usual grade studies.

The fire of Christmas, 1915, which swept the east side of the principal street, did not retard the growth of the village, but rather gave it new life, for a number of larger and substantial business houses soon replaced those destroyed.

Although Strum is one of the youngest villages in the county, none of the first settlers are now here, and in the neighborhood there are but few of the pioneers of the county. But the newcomers have brought prosperity, and with the constantly increasing improvement of the farms, and the gradual development of the county highway system, the hamlet is designed to be a point of stiU greater importance.

Ettrick is the terminus of the new Ettrick & Northern railroad, and evidences of the prosperity and growth which is to follow the opening of that line is already seen. Outside companies are purchasing building lots, and many new business houses are being projected. At the present time the village has a creamery, a flour mill, a woolen mill, and a new bank and hotel.

Ettrick had its beginning in 1870, when Iver Pederson came over from Frenchville, and erected a store here. Later the dam was put in, the two mills built and the creamery started. Gradually a small village grew up at the point. June 20, 1877, the village was platted by Alfred P. Ford on land of James Corcoran, P. J. Huff, Iver Knudson, Hans Christiansen and Iver Pederson.

Dodge Village is located at a point which has been a center of traffic since the earliest days. Just above the present village was the old Indian ford over the Trempealeau River. At the same ford, was the crossing of the old stage line from Fountain City to Arcadia and Trempealeau. The railroad came through in 1873, the village was platted Feb. 20, 1874, on land of August Bambenek, and business started that year. Nick Lehrback opened the first store. Fred Hoesley opened the first hotel and restaurant John Noteman, the first grain buyer, was also the first station agent. The first blacksmith was James Tandutschy. The village is not incorporated, but is a busy trading center, and is located in a region of fertile farms and rich farmers. It has a good bank and creamery and several good stores.

Pigeon Creek is the trading center of Pigeon Valley. It is the only village of any importance in the county, aside from Ettrick, not supplied with railroad service. The village was started in 1867 when Cyrus H. Hine purchased a tract of land from George Hale and erected a mill. Shortly afterward Johnson & Olson put up a store. Peter Ekern came here in 1875, purchased the mill and store, and established the varied activities of the place. The estate now owns a large store, the creamery and the mill. In addition to this there ai-e a number of other stores. There are hkewise two churches. Good roads extend in various directions, and the village is a most attractive little hamlet with many advantages.

Trempealeau is located in the southern part of the county, and spreads along the banks of the Mississippi under the shadows of the overhanging bluffs and back a mile across the prairie to the depot of the Northwestern Railroad, which with the Burlington supplies its railroad service.

The present organization of the village dates from March 10, 1900, when the old pioneer village government was reincorporated along modern lines.