Vernon County, Wisconsin - The Town of Hamburg, 1884

The Town of Hamburg

This town, like tliat of Webster, is six miles square, comprising townshiji 14, range 6 west. It is bounded on the north by the county of La- C'rosse ; on the east by the town of Coon ; on ilie south by the town of Harmony; and on the west by the town of Bergen.

The town is watered by one river, which is fe<l by a large number of small tributaries. The Coon river is formed by three or four small >treams in the northeast part of the town, and takes its course through sections 12, 13, 24, 23 and 27, and on the southeast quarter of section -_'8 flows into quite a large liasin. From this il continues its course northerly, then westerh through sections 28, 20 and 29, and leaves the town on the northwest quarter of section 30.

The surface of the country is very rollins. and hilly, but in the valleys and on the bluffs i^ found soil that when fully cultivated will produce bountiful crops.

Kaely Settlement

The first settler in the town was Ole Peterson Gullord, a native of Norway, who came to this country in 1848, and to this town two years later (1850). He entered eighty acres of land on section 13, which he has since increased to 200 acres. In 1854 he married Caroline Evenson, and four children have been born to them - Peter, Amiel, Charles and Joel.

Peter Oleson Brye made his home here for a short time, but was induced by the settlers of the town of Coon to pitch his camp in their midst, that they might have the benefit of his educational facilities.

Even Egleston came into the town in 1853, and was the first to erect a house in the vicinity of Chaseburg. He was born in Norway, in IS. 5, and was here married, the same year he settled, to Gena Olson. They have eight children - Belle, Tliomas, Eiel, Anna, Ole, Hannah, P^leas and Halvor. Mr. Egleston entered 100 acres of land on section 33, where he still resides.

Knudt Olson joined his brother and fellowcountrymen here in 1855. He entered 100 acres of land on section 12, and has since increased his land to 200 acres. He was born in Norw.ay, in 182T, and came to America in 1849. At the age of thirty he married Rachel Sarson, who has borne him six children. Three are living - Lewis O., Elizabeth S. and Olus M. The deceased are Albert A., Lewis O. and Anna. Mr. Olson has been a member of the town board of supervisors for the past eight years.

Tins town was set apart early in 1858, and the first town meeting held at a school house near where Chaseburg now stands, April 6, 1858, when the fullowiiig ofticers were elected : J.

Religious

The larger part of the settlers of this region are Norwegians, and those that reside in the t'oon valley, and along the Coon river, and its ridges on either side, through the towns of Bergen, Hamburg and Coon, and from the town of Coon and northeast into La Crosse county, (a population of about 1,400 souls) are members of the Coon Valley Norwegian Lutheran congregations. These people worship at three different churches, known as the Upper Coon Valley, Middle Coon Valley and Lower Coon Valley. These three congregations, previous to 1874, together with that at Fish Creek, in the town of Monroe, La Crosse county, were connected with the Coon Prairie parish. Their ministers were: Rev. H. A. Stub, who officiated about six years ; Rev. A. C. Preus, about nine years, and subsequently the Rev. H. Halvarson who still preaches at Coon Prairie, Viroqua, and other points. In 1874 the four congregations previously mentioned, were formed into a se]>arate parish, and their first minister was Rev. A. S. Meling. Since July, 1882, Rev. E. Jensen, formerly of Jefferson Prairie, Wis., has been in charge of the parish.

The Middle Coon Valley congregation is the oidyoneof the three located in the town of Hamburg. It was organized in 1854, by the Rev. H. A. Stub, with the following named members : Ole Johnson, Anders Olson Thalong. Even Eielsen, Hans Kongelstad, Erik Marstuen, Anders Nilsen Klonasten, Nils Eriksen Marking, and others. The first services were held at the residence of Ole Johnson. The church is of logs, 30x24 feet in size, and was erected in 1859, at a cost of $500. The present membership is about 250, and the Church is in a good financial condition. The present trustees are : Christian Nilson, Stephen Nilson and John Ilagen. A parochial, or weekly religious school is under the auspices of the Church, and held for about sixty days each year, under Harold Iloff, the teacher.

Hamburg has always had a good class of public schools. In 1884 the town was divided into seven districts, each being provided with a fair building. The school population was at this date one half Norwegian and the other half made up about equally of German and American children.

The Village Of Chaseburg

This village is located on section 28, on the east side of Coon river. It was laid out and platted by George Swain and George Little, on June 4, 18(56, and was named in honor of Henry Chase, who had been instrumental in founding the village. The original plat comprised twelve blocks or squares, and the first dwelling house was erected by George Swain.

Joseph W. Hoyt is also postmaster of Chaseburg, and owns 190 acres of land in this town. In 1861 he enlisted in the 1st regiment, Vermont Cavalry, but was discharged a little later, on account of sickness. He was chairman of the board of Hamburg town for five years, also chairman of the county board for two years. In 1870-71, he represented the county of Vernon in the State Legislature. He was married, in 1863, to Elizabeth Isham, and three children

Dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes - J. \V. Hoyt, L. C. Steinburg; hardware - J. W. lloyt and Thomas Parkin; saw mill - George Swain; grist mill - Granville Akin; harness - -August Getting; blacksmiths - J. C. Markle and Thomas Lattimer; hardwood lumber - George Swain; veterinary surgeon - Monroe Vincent; manufacturer of shoes - Andrew Peterson.

A prominent man of this village was Henry Chase, who came from Vermont in 180-2, and after a short stay in Dane county, came to this place, and was instrumental in building up the village which bears his name. He was elected a member of the Slate Assemlily in 18 i8. He, in company with George A. Lyttle, owned the Coon River Mills at this point. Mr. Chase died in March 1872, leaving a wife and three children. After his death, Mr. Lyttle took Mr. Chase's interest in the mill.