Trempealeau County, Wisconsin - Chapter 22: Historical Sketch of the Town of Pigeon, 1917

A thousand trains freighted with human lives may cross the continent without receiving a line in history, because their runs were merely a part of successful routine ; but the train which, through folly or carelessness, is wrecked, makes an event impressed on history's page forever.

The principles underlying the above statements impress me as I glance backward over the fifty years which have passed since I first became a resident of the town of Pigeon. And as I review, one by one, the living and the dead who helped in the development of this town, there comes to my mind the picture expressed by Gray's beautiful lines :

Strictly an agricultural community, splendidly fitted by nature for man's oldest and most serviceable occupation, the course of social organization and development in this town has been exceedingly tranquil.

The fact that during the thirty years I have been connected with the practice of law I have never had a single lawsuit nor even heard of a lawsuit between residents of this town, leads me to the conclusion that during those thirty years there has not been a suit at law between residents of the town of Pigeon, and the suits had during those years by residents of this town with people of other localities can be counted on the fingers of one hand. Arrests for crime have also been very rare.

Topographically it lies almost wholly within the boundaries of a single main valley traversed by a stream sufficiently large to afford its inhabitants much useful service, while all the cooleys which radiate from the main valley stretch out like arms inviting to their pleasant embrasure such as seek the quiet comforts of rural life. One of the attractive features of early life in these cooleys were the almost innumerable springs which bejeweled nearly every hillside when the rays of the sun were caught and refracted by these bubbling wells of nature.

Show me the place where the pioneer laid his first hearthstone and I will find close by a spring, or, at least, the spot where a spring used to be, for it is true that a large number of these springs have disappeared.

There are many cherished memories from pioneer days, such for instance as ridges or points of bluffs mantled with the purple of ripening blue berries ; or some strip of prairie where the sod had been broken, crimsoned with the sweet wild strawberry. But of all memories concerning natural conditions and environments, no recollection is dearer and coupled with more unfading gratitude than the memory of our pioneer springs. And those who are fortunate enough to possess springs, that promise continuing constancy, ought to build around them arboreal shades and places for rest, yes, even altars for meditation and worship.

Before I take up the man-made history of this town it may not be out of place to present to the reader who may belong to a later generation a brief sketch of the prevailing or general physical conditions found by the pioneer.

The town of Pigeon has no elevations or bluffs comparable in height with bluffs found in some other parts of our country, but it has many elevations from which a large part of the town could have been seen fifty years ago. And the view obtainable from any hill by the first settlers was that of barrenness. Along the main stream, now known as Pigeon Creek, was a strip of level land, generally known as prairie, dotted here and there with shrub-Hke burr oaks, while the stream was bordered by alders and willows. And the hills were even more barren than the valleys because of the frequent fires which kept down all vegetation to a one or two-year growth. Exceptions to this rule were found only in a few north hollows where, protected by late snows, white oak and black oak, through repeated efforts of nature, reached a size sufficient to withstand the occasional onslaughts of the fire demon. These prairie fires, as they were called, occurred with equal regularity spring and fall for many years. In fact, they were fostered by the first settlers for two reasons. First, to furnish better pasture for stock which roamed at large ; second, to secure a constant supply of blueberries; for the berries disappeared wherever the brush was allowed to get a few years' growth. Pasturage was a necessity, and berries, though much cheaper than now, were nevertheless a considerable source of income and food supply for the early settlers. Two well authenticated accounts will attest the plentifulness of blueberries in those days.

During the early seventies Mads Knudtson lived just east of Pigeon Falls, on what is now the Thompson farm. Having a numerous family he frequently found it necessary to go out to work with his "Duke and Dime," as his oxen were called. Andrew Olson and Hans Johnson had lately opened a store at Pigeon Falls and during July and August every summer they found themselves almost compelled to take blueberries in exchange for goods or let the trade of their neighbors go to Coral City and Sechlerville. When we remember that there were no railroads nearer than Sparta and La Crosse nor towns big enough nearby to use the great quantities of berries gathered and the perishable nature of this product, we will appreciate that buying blueberries in those days was not always profitable to the merchant. It was during one of these early years that Olson & Johnson, finding themselves almost swamped with this luscious fruit from the hills, hired Mads Knudtson to take a load of berries to La Crosse, where they had arrangements with a dealer to handle the berries for them. Nowadays we would crate them in small boxes. But at that time they were dumped into an ordinary wagon box with extra sideboards on. No covering of any kind to protect them from sun, rain or dust.

Thus equipped Knudtson proceeded on a trip which took almost five days to make. Before he reached La Crosse a heavy rain came on, and after the rain he says there was a trail of purple wine for miles along the road he followed.

But these wild fires, though to a certain extent desired and encouraged, were often a source of great danger to property and sometimes to human life. They also destroyed thousands of birds' nests and drove away deer and other game useful to man. Of the first settlers who still remain there is probably none who cannot recall one or more occasions when for hours men, women and children fought as they never had fought before to save grain, hay and buildings from destruction. But the memories of these unpleasant contests are offset by memories of the beauty and gi'andeur of one or more long lines of fire gradually creeping up through the night over highland and hill when the element of immediate danger was not present.

The writer remembers several occasions when half a dozen or more fires could be seen from the same place, and one of my friends has repeatedly told me that, looking from an elevation one night he counted seventeen distinct and separate lines of fire. Notwithstanding the destructive effect of forest fires on animal Ufe, game was very plentiful for several years after the coming of the first settlers. Deer were frequently seen in droves, and prairie chickens were sufficiently numerous to furnish every home with delicious meat in proper season.

The late James Hopkins told the writer that he and two of his neighbors killed seventy hares in an afternoon. Another friend of mine, still living, states that he and his family were saved from starvation the first winter of his residence in this county by the plentiful supply of hare meat which he was able to secure.

Snakes were extremely numerous, but as all, except the rattlesnake, were harmless, they were only a source of fear to the immigrants, who saw in every snake man's first enemy. The rattlesnake, however, was a real menace, and at least two persons in the town of Pigeon came near losing their lives by reason of their poisonous character. Mrs. Karen Iverson Kveseth was one of the victims ; the other a son of Aslak Knudtson.

As I am writing from the standpoint of a pioneer of conditions and things forever passed away I make no apology for mentioning matters now entirely of no importance except as historical curiosities.

One of these curiosities was the lightning bugs or fireflies. They are still with us, but their number has been so reduced that the younger generation cannot conceive, even by the use of a vivid imagination, the splendid spectacle presented on still, warm summer nights when whole valleys fairly blazed with the light shed by these tiny insects. I have seen a new comer stand for an hour or more, practically hypnotized, silently admiring and wondering, while a white mist changed the scene into a gently undulating flaming lake. And if by chance this same newcomer continued his watch until dawn, another vision awaited him just as marvelous as that of the night.

For now the valley is filled with the music of wings, while the ground is covered with the shadows of innumerable birds which the radiance of the rising sun cannot lift. Minute after minute passes. Still, from horizon to horizon, the air is filled with this moving mass. Half an hour goes by and the watcher's wonder changes into awe as the incredible scene continues. And as he is informed that the same condition exists in many of the adjoining valleys at the same time he naturally questions, "How can the earth support these vast numbers of birds?" And finally he may explain, "This must be a plague sent to chastise man for his wickedness." The above scene is no exaggeration, but is the result of the personal experience of the writer, confirmed by the testimony of many contemporary witnesses. Yes, I still wonder whence did they all come, and whither did they all go, for it is years since the last Passenger Pigeon was seen in the town that, through its name, will help perpetuate the memory of these transient impressive visitors. It would not be true to call the Passenger Pigeon a plague, though they at times did great damage to newly seeded crops.

The potato bug, first known as Colorado beetle, was here more than fifty years ago. When these pests made their first appearance in this county the writer has been unable to ascertain.

A general survey of physical conditions found by the .first settlers in the town leads to the conclusion that most of the pioneers, notwithstanding some hardships and many privations, were a favored people. The character of the country was such that labor was not only necessary but obtainable the year round. This, for obvious reasons, ought to be considered one of the greatest privileges granted to man. Water was not only plentiful everywhere, but of such excellent quality that no better can be found. Timber, though scarce in the territory under consideration, was easily had nearby, practically without cost except labor. Nutritious grasses for fodder were abundant in every little valley. And the surviving pioneer, in dreams of memory, recalls with pleasure many a natural meadow or marsh waving with Red-top and Blue-joint from four to six feet tall. Land was cheap, and most of its soil wonderfully fertile. And as a dessert to these observations, which all will relish, I will add that every brook abounded with native trout, chubs, bullheads and other edible varieties of fish.

The date when the first white man located in the town of Pigeon has not been found, and there is even a slight uncertainty as to who the man was, though it is generally believed that this distinction belongs to Edwin Cummings, who made his first home on the northwest quarter of Section 19, Township 22, of Range 7, a little north of the bridge which now spans the creek on the road leading into Fly Creek Valley. The date of settlement was probably 1860, and not later than 1861. Mr. Cummings was born in Massachusetts June 13, 1827, and died at his home in the town of Pigeon Jan. 20, 1899. In person, Mr. Cummings was tall and spare. His presence marked him as genial, easygoing and generous. Left an orphan when nine years of age he led a life rich in adventures and toils common to pioneers, for he came to Wisconsin in the early forties, crossed and recrossed the plains in search of California gold, afterwards settled in Clark County, this state, then came to Trempealeau County. He served sixteen months in the Civil War, being color sergeant in Company C, Thirty-sixth Wisconsin Regiment. The date of his marriage, which occurred before he came to this county, I cannot give. His wife's maiden name was Minerva Jessup, a resident of Green Lake County at the time of her marriage. At his death he was survived by his wife, four daughters and one son, all of whom have long since gone west.

He was also Pigeon's first fiddler, using his left hand in this entertaining exercise. In later years he became a member of the M. E. Church. His funeral services were conducted by Rev. Emery Stanford, assisted by Revs. Hackman and Dissmore. His dust rests in the Lincoln cemetery.

In the settlement of this town Mr. Cummings was soon followed by his brothers, Israel and Chauncy, and later on by Caleb. All of his brothers moved away before his death, and only a part of one branch of the Cummings family remains in the county, namely, the widow and some of the children of Wallace Cummings, who was a son of Israel.

If it is conceded that Edwin Cummings was the first settler in the town it is certain that Joshua D. Southworth was the second. With his wife Catherine, daughter Frances and sons Edward and Charles he settled on the northeast quarter of the same section first occupied by Edwin Cummings, in the summer of 1861. Mr. Southworth was born in Cayuga County, New York, March 31, 1820, and died at the home of his daughter, Frances Williams, in the t^ity of Marshfield, Wisconsin, Jan. 28, 1909. He was one of sixteen children. He was married to Catherine Wheeler, who came from a family of twelve children, in Cattaraugus County, New York, Sept. 9, 1849, and after various removals came to Trempealeau County in 1860, living near where Blair is located about a year. He also was a tall, spare man, possessed of wonderful health and a restless energy that manifested itself in manual labor until the accident occurred which caused his death. Always temperate in his habits, he lived the life of a clean man, ardent in his attachments to the best institutions of our land. His wife preceded him in death by several years, and both rest in Lincoln cemetery. Mrs. Southworth was one of the most generous and genial-hearted women the writer has ever met. Her face always reflected sunshine and good will. The sons are still with us, happily combining in their personahties the splendid physical vigor of the father with the sunny temperament of the mother.

In 1863 came Phineas Wright, who at once began the erection of a mill, ready for custom in 1864. The mill, as usual, proved to be the beginning of a village. Uncle Phin was a very good-natured, likable man, and soon attracted other settlers. His brother Benjamin came, followed soon by other relatives. In 1868 Uncle Phin platted the land south of the mill and called the plat "Coral City." The origin of this name, as given by many who lived at Coral City at the time it was adopted, is as follows : When the mill dam was being put in Granville IMcFarland superintended the work. In the bluff north of the mill some of the workmen, while getting material for the dam, found some peculiar looking rock which McFarland called coral. Some add that it was only a joke on the part of McFarland, but evidently Uncle Phin believed the stuff to be genuine coral.

After the Civil War the village grew rapidly for two or three years. Among the men prominent in business affairs in Coral City may be mentioned the Wright brothers, miUers ; William Harlow, Joshua Southworth, Elliot & Egbei't, carpenters ; Christopher Scott, Andrew Olson. Amassa Hodgkins and A. Searles, merchants; George W. Follett, A. Englesby, Philetus Nott, Joseph Popham, hotel keepers; Merritt Most, James Tull, Senecca Johnson and "Peg-leg" Olson, shoemakers ; Wm. Douglas, Geo. W. Follett, Mart Allen and Lars Hanson, blacksmiths.

There were also tanners, wagon makers and other artisans too numerous to mention. Samuel Sheldon was the only one educationally qualified to treat the sick. Wm. Harlow built the first store about 1865. He died March 8, 1870, and left his property to his fiancee. Miss Frances Southworth. His store was also used for the first postoffice, although George W. Follett was the first postmaster. Later on Senecca Johnson was appointed postmaster and remained such until the postoffice was discontinued May 27, 1878.

The mill built by Wright proved a good venture and remained until bodily carried away by the great flood March 10, 1876. The following summer it was rebuilt under the name "Centennial Mills," and though the old French burrs have for many years been still and silent, A. Jacobson, the present owner, is still doing good business at the old stand.

Trempealeau County's now "Deserted Village" was in its day a very lively place. Its decline and fall was not caused by any direct act of Providence, but indirectly by Henry Ketchum, D. M. Kelly and others, who caused the G. B. & W. R. R. to be built down through Trempealeau Valley in 1873. Many memories of this httle village tempt me to finger with reminiscences of men, women and events now made sacred by time and associations. Of all the happenings in Coral City there was probably none that gained a wider notoriety than George W. Follett's tort action against Duke Porter.

The suit was based on the fact that Porter had taken or disposed of a few dollars' worth of hay which evidently both parties claimed title to.

After trial judgment was entered against Mr. Porter for the value of the hay and costs : Porter refused to pay. Execution against the body was issued, and Porter was confined within jail limits at Trempealeau until payment of judgment and cost of board for his keeping were paid. Mr. Follett was delighted to pay Porter's board so long as he could technically keep him in jaU. Mr. Porter was determined to suffer even a curtailment of his liberty rather than pay what he considered an unjust judgment. Months, years went by. the bill against Porter getting constantly larger, while Follett 's abUity to meet this constant drain grew less and less as time roUed by. Finally, after seven years. Follett found that he needed all he had to support himself and family and gave up this contest, which probably has no parallel in this state. In future years some of our debating societies may debate the question: '"Which was the ^ictor in this contest. Follett or Porter ?" It is only fair to say of Follett that nature had dealt with him verj- liberally, and he responded to this liberality by exercising skill and ability in many directions, though not always in the interest of the highest social welfare. He was blacksmith, carpenter, postmaster, justice of the peace, merchant, hotel keeper, legal ad\"iser. and I think the sole dispenser of spirits under sanction of law.

One more incident illustrative of those early days, which is vouched for by one of our most worthy citizens present as a juror at time of its occurrence. West Daggett and Leonard Kicker was brothers-in-law and neighbors, but not always friends. Ricker sued Daggett to recover for various items of property, and Daggett counterclaimed. 0. J. AUen was Daggett's attorney. Andrews, then located at Taylor, in Jackson County, was ilr. Ricker's counsel. Allen was a man possessed of a bulldog tenacity, limited ability and very little education. In the conduct of the lawsuit he always tried the patience of the opposing counsel fully as much as he tried his case. Andrews was a man of education, fair ability and not always the master of a red-hot temper. The suit in question dragged on from day to day. his honor, A. L. Sherwood, presiding, while six men. good and true, acted as jurors. One day in course of the trial, while Allen was displaying his usual tactics in objecting to everything on technicalities. Andrews sprang to his feet, his face glowing like a furnace, reached across the table and grasped AUen by the abundant hair on top of his head and shook him with a \iolence almost sufficient to scalp him. But AUen won the suit just the same. It may sound strange to the present generation that a petty suit of this kind lasted for days, but Hon. M. J. Warner assures me that he attended a suit at Coral City that lasted a week.

Among other settlers who came into the town in 1863 Elder George P. Dissmore and Joseph Fitch deserve special mention. Dissmore settled on Section 8, Fitch on Section 4. Dissmore was an ordained Baptist preacher. For about forty-five years he foUowed his calling as preacher, besides teaching school and farming, with a zeal and constancy worthy of the highest praise. Night or day. without regard to weather conditions, distance or roads, he unhesitatingly obeyed everj- summons where his ministry was needed. A grateful appreciation or a "God bless you" was often the only reward he sought or received. By the side of his worthy wife. Mary Elizabeth, the mother of his thirteen children, he sleeps in the Lincoln cemetery, long to be remembered as one of the best of our pioneer preachers. His son. D. R. Dissmore. still hves on the "Dissmore homestead."

Joseph Fitch Lived only about a year after coming to Pigeon. He also rests in the Lincoln Cemetery. His wife Elizabeth was the mother of fourteen children. She died at her daughter's home at Greenwood. Clark County, and is buried there. The name of this family will be remembered as long as "Fitch Cooley" has any inhabitants, though none of the Fitch family ever lived in this cooley.

In 1864 the upper part of Fly Creek was settled by Aslak Knudtson, Ole Anderson Aga and Hans Ole Xielson. All had families and made the journey with oxen from Dane County. Wisconsin. They were all worthy people, Mr. Knudtson being especially mentioned by all who knew him as a man of exemplary life and habits. So far as known, these were the first Norwegians to settle in this tov^Ti. In the fall of the same year Orson Lamberson settled near the lower end of Fly Creek Valley.

It is well remembered by many of the early residents of Coral City that the Uttle valley which lies almost directly north of the mill was first settled by a man named Johnson. That he lived on the northwest quarter of Sections 18-22-7 ; was married, had no children, and he and his wife were comparatively young, good looking and agreeable, is also weU remembered. But I have found no one who can recall his first name, nor the name of his wife. Neither is it known when he came nor when he left, but it is safe to state that he did not come there prior to 1865. nor remain later than 1867. He hved there long enough, however, to give his neighbors reason for calling the little valley. Johnson Cooley. Other early settlers in the valley were Lars Engen, William Farrell, Ole Linrud. 0. J. AUen and Peder Thompson.

The Dissmore Cooley is one of the smallest valleys in the town, and this accounts for the fact that Elder Dissmore was for many years the only resident in the valley. Ole Iverson Kveseth was the next, settling there in 1871.

The next valley above the Dissmore Cooley is the Daggett Cooley. Here West Daggett and his wife Ann were the first settlers. They came in 1865. With the Daggetts came Leonard Ricker and family, but they settled on the south of Pigeon Creek on the Prairie. The Daggetts and Rickers came originally from Maine, where Daggett was born in 1809. In 1875, his wife died on the farm where they first settled. In 1876 he sold the farm to C. S. Worth, moved to Whitehall, married Sophronia FuUer. widow of Isaac Fuller, who will be mentioned later on. He died at ^Miitehall June 26, 1900. In stature. Daggett was of medium height, thick-set. and very strong built. He was of a quiet, rather phlegmatic temperament, firm and upright character.

Passing over the ridge from Daggett Cooley eastward we find Fuller Cooley. This valley was first settled by Isaac Fuller, who built a shanty there in the fall of 1867. FuUer came from Illinois and verv little is known concerning him except that he had been in the Civil War. He married Sophronia, the widow of Wilham Slyter, and was killed in his home March 14, 1871, by lightning. In person he was rather slender, little above medium height and dark.

The valley that now bears his name is one of the largest and most prosperous valleys in the town. At the present, I am told, there are seventeen farms. Among the earliest settlers that followed Fuller may be named Christian Stenslie, Ole Engen, Christian Tangen, Hans Tangen, Mathias Tangen and Hans A. Fremstad.

The next valley east is Skaarstad Cooley, which has been unique in the fact that it has had no public highway through it until the present year, 1917. This valley was first settled by Johan Hammer and wife Eli. They came there from La Crosse County in 1867, sold out to Christian Anderson Skaarstad in 1869 and moved away. They had no children.

Christian Skaarstad and wife Eline moved into this valley in 1869, with six children. They came from Norway in 1868, stayed for awhile in Vernon County, Wisconsin, then came direct to Pigeon. Mr. Skaarstad was born May 17, 1819, and died at his home Sept. 2, 1886. His wife was born Nov. 18, 1822, and died June 20, 1904. The Skaarstads have always been a conservative people, who strictly minded their own business and prospered.

Going a little further east, we have part of Steig Cooley in this town. It was here that Erick Larson Roterud began his pioneer life in 1865, together with his good wife Ohne, and two sons, Lars and Ole. In a year or two he was followed by Christian Kaas and his wife Pernille.

The Roterud and Kaas people were by nature very social, and after the coming of the Steigs, John Thorson and his wife Ingeborg, in 1868, life in the neighborhood took on a new aspect. The Steigs settled in the same valley, over the line in the town of Hale, and are mentioned here to explain how the valley got its name.

Of all those jolly first settlers in that neighborhood who have not died or moved away, John Thorson is the only one still on the old homestead. Erick Roterud, born in Norway in 1826, died on his farm Nov. 15, 1893. His wife, born in Norway in 1816, died July 25, 1894. Prior to their coming to Pigeon they had lived for about six years in La Crosse County.

The beginnings of the several settlements on the north side of Pigeon Creek have now been briefly mentioned. On the south side of the creek, opposite Steig Cooley, is a valley traversed by a spring brook known as Old's Creek. This valley is nameless until about a mile south of Pigeon Creek it divides into two branches known as Big Slough and Tuv Cooley. In this sketch we are interested only in Tuv Cooley, because the other branch lies in Jackson County.

Near the lower end of this valley, on Sections 36-23-7, George H. Olds settled in the fall of 1864. The next year Isaac Richardson settled just east of Olds in the same section. Lemual B. Mann came in 1865 and made his home a httle to the southeast of George Olds. James D. Olds came in the same fall as his brother George, but settled over the hill to the south- west of George in a little valley by himself. The men just mentioned were better equipped, financially and educationally, for pioneer life than most of the people who settled in the eastern part of this town.

The first settlers in Tuv Cooley were Peder Pederson and his wife Guro, Lars Larson Roterud and his sister Agnette, who came there in June, 1865. These people, together with Erick Roterud, came from La Crosse Valley with oxen, and were the first Norwegian settlers in the eastern part of the town. In 1866 Mikkel Hagen and Mads Knudtson settled in this cooley.

The next valley to claim our attention is Hegge Cooley. The first settler here was Benjamin Oliver, the father-in-law to George Olds, who, with a large family, settled here in August, 1864. Ohver, the olds brothers and Mann, all came from the town of Caledonia in this county. Nels Hegge, who gave his name to the valley, came there in 1871 with his wife Nicoline. The home he bought had formerly been occupied by WiUiam Abbott and Andrew Olson. Another early settler in this valley was Ole Gulbranson Eid, who bought the Ohver farm.

West of the Hegge Cooley lies Fitch Cooley. The Fitch family never lived in this valley, but for several years they were the only settlers in the vicinity.

Ole Iverson Hoff'stad, his wife Anne, and Anton Ekern, were the first home builders in this valley. They came in 1866. Other early settlers were John Hovern and wife. His father, Even Hovern, and mother, Anne, Olaus Nelson and wife, Iver Hanson Tofte, Emert Brandon, John Ringness, Hans Bagstad, Anton Larson and Lars Flikkeshaug.

Between Fitch Cooley and Fly Creek hes Sjuggerud Cooley. The first settler here was Mathias Sjuggerud, who came in 1875. Mr. Sjuggerud, wose name the Cooley bears-, was born in Hedemarken, Norway, May 16, 1844; came to the United States in 1867; spent eight years in La Crosse, Wis. ; was married first to Agnette Haug, who died in 1877 ; married again to Oline Mathiasdatter Feb. 26, 1880. He died June 10, 1914, leaving widow and five children.

This beautiful and prosperous village and its vicinity deserves special notice from me, whose fife and career, through a period of more than forty years, has to a large extent been moulded and determined by influences radiating from the hands and hearts of its inhabitants.

Kings and war lords, for the display of their great and arbitrary powers, have sometimes caused cities and marts of trade to spring up in places unfitted for industries and habitation ; but most of the world's centers of population and trade have had their origin in harmony with the great natural law of supply and demand.

Pigeon Creek, in the summer of 1865, found a place where the waters leaped and sang over a rocky bottom, through a narrow channel between high banks, from which rich agricultui'al lands stretched far in every direction, Reason at once whispered : "Here is a place for a mill and a factory ;" and Hine, who was a natural mechanic and had experience in mill construction, found the voice of the singing waters a call to him which he gladly followed.

Mr. Hine, with his wife Catherine and daughters, had been a resident of the town of Preston in our county since 1856, but having found what he considered a natural fall in the waters of Pigeon Creek he at once began the building of a home, feed mill and carding mill, and in the fall of 1865 became the first inhabitant where the village of Pigeon Falls is located.

For five years he was practically monarch of all he surveyed, but in 1870 Andrew Olson and his brother-in-law, Hans Johnson, opened a store right across the road from Mr.- Hine's mill. April 8, 1873, a commission was issued appointing Hans Johnson postmaster at Pigeon Falls. This I believe is the first public and oflicial recognition of the name Pigeon Falls, and whether Hine or someone else suggested the name for the new postoffice is not known. Prior to 1870 and for several years after Pigeon Falls was in general parlance spoken of as "The Factory," because of the carding outfit operated by Mr.'Hine. It would surprise the present generation to see from what distant places wool was brought to Mr. Hine's mill. Nearly every settler had a few sheep and the wool raised was usually manufactured by the industrious pioneers at home into some form of garment.

It is proper at this point to give the reader just a few lines concerning the man who laid the foundation for a business center which promises to continue as such for centuries to come. A little wizened, wiry man, weighing but a little more than a hundred pounds, as independent in his habits and actions as he was in thought, Mr. Hine gave but little attention to social conventions, religious creeds or even political issues. His world lay mostly within the reach of his hands and within these limits he labored contantly and cheerfully, never meddling with outside affairs. His integrity, sobriety and freedom from all social vices were taken for granted, because contrary qualities would have been absolutely out of harmony with his general character.

Mr. Hine was born in Chautauqua County, New York, April 8, 1819 ; came to Illinois in 1843 ; married Catherine Barber at Joliet, 111., 1847, with whom he had two children, to-wit: Laura Thompson, who was killed by lightning at the home of her husband, William Thompson, in the town of Preston, June 17, 1882, and Mrs. Eva S. Bather, who at present lives at Spooner, Wis. Mr. Hine died at Whitehall, Wis., Feb. 13, 1884.

Mrs. Hine was noted for her excellent table and industrious habits. She was born May 2, 1830, and died at Whitehall May 6, 1894. She sleeps beside her husband in the Whitehall Cemetery.

From 1880 forward to the time of his death, Peder Ekern became the central figure in the community, not only because he prospered in business, but also because of his ability to grasp the larger problems of a rapidly growing settlement. Immediately after buying the mill he began to put it into condition for making flour, and on September 30 of the same year it was ready for custom and on October 28 burned. It was a very severe blow to Ekern's financial prospects, as he had no insurance. But the day following the fire he climbed into his one-horse buggy, drove to Whitehall and other places to get extension of credit from those he owed and the promise of further help to build another mill. The force of the man's character is illustrated by the fact that by Jan. 1, 1881, he had a mill ready for business, better equipped than the one that burned, but the carding machinery was never restored.

In the spring of 1882 F. W. Hinkley from Sheboygan County, Wisconsin, built a cheese factory near the location of the present business place of Ludvig Knutson, which he conducted with varying success for about three years. In the fall of 1885 a creamery plant was put up by Mr. Ekern, which began operations on the 8th of December, 1885.

May 1, 1892, Ekern sold his creamery to a farmers' association, which operated it until the middle of October, when it was destroyed by fire. Mr. Ekern at once commenced the building of another creamery, which was opened for business on December 1 the same year.

April 19, 1898, Ekern caused his business to be incorporated under the name of "P. Ekern Company." Since that time the P. Ekern Company has conducted a general mercantile business, operated a creamery, mill and farm. Peder Ekern died June 25, 1899, and since that time the business affairs of the P. Ekern Company have been almost wholly managed by B. M. Sletteland, a son-in-law of Mr. Ekern, whose unfailing courtesy, combined with eminent business efficiency, has given him a well deserved prominence in the community.

In 190 - , Steig & Jacobson began a general mercantile business, which is still in operation, though interrupted by a fire Nov. 3, 1914, which destroyed the building and a considerable portion of the stock. The business is now wholly managed by Henry Jacobson. For forty years Pigeon Falls has always had a good blacksmith and most of the time a good shoemaker. During several years past it has also had a meat shop, which is at the present time conducted by Ludvig Knudtson.

In social activities of the better kind Pigeon Falls and vicinity has ranked with the very best communities in our county. As early as 1876 it had a very active literary and debating society known as the Pigeon Falls Sentinels, which continued for many years. During the fall of 1876 a library association was organized and before the end of the year a circulating libi'ary was in full operation.

Singing, both English and Norwegian, has been assiduously cultivated since the early eighties. The interest of the people in music is evidenced at the present time by an active band of forty pieces.

resident pastors, and in connection with these churches there have been for many years two young people's societies that have their own commodious halls for meetings, where devotional and literary exercises are conducted and usually followed by a generous lunch, for which the halls are specially fitted with kitchen utensils, tables, dishes, etc. As aids to the moral upkeep of the community the influence of these societies cannot be overestimated.

A lodge of the Scandinavian American Fraternity Society has for many years past been actively supported by the people of Pigeon Falls and vicinity. This order has also a hall for its meetings, built several years ago.

The village has had a graded school with two teachers since 1903. The first school taught in the village was begun by the writer, in the main part of the school house now used, Dec. 10, 1881. Prior to that time, school was held in what was known as the "Olds' school house," about one mile southeast of the village. The first school in the district, which was also the first in the town, was taught in 1866 by Mary Nott, now Mrs. Zenas Wright of City Point, Jackson County, Wis. Her salary was twelve dollars a month and board.

The town of Pigeon, from April 2, 1861, until Jan. 5, 1875, was a part of the town of Lincoln. As a separate political unit it held its first meeting at Pigeon Falls April 13, 1875.

The first town officers were as follows : Peder Ekern, chairman ; Caleb Cummings and Nels Johnson Moe, supervisors; Hans Johnson, treasurer, and George P. Dissmore, clerk.

Mr. Ekern continued as chairman for six successive years. Other chairmen from this town have been James D. Olds, Ole E. Larson, Gilbert H. Neperud, Nels Agneberg and Even A. Hegge, the present incumbent. Anton E. Brandon, the town's present efficient clerk, has served in that capacity for fourteen years.

Local issues have rarely caused factional divisions in this town, but there have now and then been lively rivalries for some particular office. On national issues the people have, as a rule, sided largely with the Republican party. At one general election Leonard Ricker had the distinction of casting the only ballot in favor of the Democratic party. After the great panic of 1873 James D. Olds became an earnest advocate of the Gi'eenback party. He also helped nurse the Populist party, rocked the cradle of the People's party, and followed the hearse of all these parties to their respective places of interment. But today, at the age of eighty-seven, down in his Florida home, he rejoices in the fact that, though all these parties seemed too deeply buried to ever again disturb capitalism and monopohsm, their spirits still walk the earth, shaping the policies and destinies of all existing parties.

In the foregoing sketch some events and matters pertaining to the people generally rather than to any particular portion of the town have been omitted.

The burning of Bear's Mill, April 26, 1880, belongs to this class of events because of the discussion which followed and the fact that Bear had to sue the company which had insured the mill. The mill was built by J. R. Bear in 1879, on the south half of the southeast quarter of Section 4-22-7. From the beginning, many people thought the building of the mill a foolish venture, and after the fire some were unkind enough to say that the burning of the mill proved that the owner had also discovered his mistake. However, the result of the lawsuit did not sustain this suspicion, for Mr. Bear recovered his insurance.

The greatest affliction suffered by the people of Pigeon was the loss of numerous children from repeated epidemics of diphtheria. So fatal was this disease that it usually claimed a victim in every home where it entered. From the home of Lauritz Sinrud, in January, 1888, five children were taken in a week.

The most destructive storm which has visited the town since it was settled occurred June 24, 1914. A large number of expensive barns and sheds were blown down, but fortunately no human lives were lost.

The division of the Lutheran congregation in 1884, over doctrinal differences, was an event of more than ordinary importance, and cause for grief among many earnest seekers after truth. Happily, time and a now reunited church have healed the wounds caused by that unpleasant occurrence.

The question of a railroad through the valley has agitated the people on two occasions. First, prior to the building of the Green Bay & Western. A survey then made, it is claimed, showed that the company would have saved thousands by building their road through the Pigeon Valley instead of the Trempealeau Valley, but did not do so because the promoters got larger bonuses in following the latter route.

In November, 1884, the Freeport & Northern submitted a proposition to the town for a sale of its stock in exchange for $6,000 in municipal bonds to be issued by the town. Nothing was done except to discuss the matter.

In 1912 and 1913 a determined effort was made by local people to interest capital in the building of a road through the valley to connect with the Omaha near Fairchild. This project also went to sleep. But some day the dream of T. R. Kittelson and others who sacrificed so much time four or five years ago to bring about this object will come true.

There are many characters and events connected with the history of this town worthy of particular mention which have been omitted for want of space. May I therefore be permitted to state that I have in course of preparation a history of this town in which it is my purpose to describe separately every farm and its several occupants, from the beginning to the present time, so far as the facts can be ascertained. This history will probably ifivpr he Dubhshed by me, but the manuscript, I trust, will always be accessible in the archives of the Trempealeau County Historical Society. And when death and time shall have removed all the witnesses of early events, may coming generations find this labor of love a source of interest and inspiration. - (Dated at Whitehall, Wis., Oct. 24, 1917.)

Pigeon Township is in nearly every respect a typical western Wisconsin township. A geographical unity, lying in the valley of a picturesque river, sui)porting near its head a flourishing village without a railroad, flowing past two deserted villages, and having its mouth at the county seat, it was first settled by New Englanders, and gradually possessed by the Scandinavian element. Hon. Hans A. Anderson, who for some thirty years has been gathering historical material regarding the county, has taken a particular interest in this township, and the article which is here presented is a splendid example of the thoroughness of the material which he is leaving to posterity, as well as a valuable historical review of a t\T)ical Wisconsin community. It is to be hoped that in the years to come Judge Anderson will treat of the other townships in the county with the same completeness. - F. C-W.