Christiana Town

Christiana Town

This town takes its name from the capital of Norway, its first settler being of that nationality. It is situated on the north line of Vernon county, and comprises congressional township 14, range 4. It is bounded on the north by LaCrosse county, on the east by the town of Clinton, on the south by the town of Viroqua, and on the west by the town of Coon.

The population of this town is largely Norwegian, and in 1883 it contained some of the choicest farms within the county. There is perhaps more tillable land in Christiana than almost any other in the northern tier of towns in the county.

Eaely Settlembkt

The first settlement in this town was made in September, 1848, by Hans Olson Libakken, who with his family located on the southwest quarter of section 35.

About the same time or a little later, an American named Carrier settled on sections 22 and 27, where he took up State lands. He lived there but a short time, but did a small amount of breaking and then sold out to a Norwegian and moved from the town.

In 1849 and 1850 a large number of settlers located in this town. Ole Syverson came in 1849, and the following spring settled on the northeast quarter of section 35. Soon after he sold out to John Michelet and purchased other land on section 34, where he lived for a time, and then bought the forty acres where the village of Westby is now situated, and remained there till his death.

Lars Christopherson was another settler of 1849; he located on section 35, which land he afterwards exchanged f or 1 60 acres on section 34. He had been a soldier of the Mexican War; he was living in 1883 at Bloomingdale, Vernon county.

Ole Thorstenson also settled in 1849 on section 30. He was born in Norway in 1785, and died a few years after coming to this town. His wife was born in March, 1788; died Aug. 27, 1863. Their son, Henry O. Gulord, in 1883, was living on the land claimed by his father.

Hans K. Larson came in 1849 and claimed land on sections 22, 23, 26 and 27; his tract was made up of forty acres from each section. His final purchase, however, was confined to eighty acres, forty on section 22 and forty on section 26. In 1883 he was comfortably surrounded at his home on section 22.

Lars H. Galstad came the same year, locating on section 34. Among other settlers of 1850 were Iver P. Hegge, who settled on "section 29 with his father, Peter Olson and Ingebreth Homsted, who located on section 11. He was a prominent and well-known citizen, respected

In 1851 Ingebreth Homstad settled on section 11. He was a native of Norway, but came to this vicinity from Dane Co., Wis. He remained on this section till his death. His sons were yet occupyini^ it in 1884.

Ole Running, another settler of 1851, settled on section 27, from there moved to Viroqua, and still later left the county and in a short time died.

Early Events

The first tavern for the accomodation of travelers was the residence of Engebreth Homstad, on section 11, who settled there in 1851. This was a popular stopping place for travelers for many years. Mr. Homstad died March 14, 1879.

The first death known in the town was that of a man named Ole Anderson, a non-resident who was on his way from Dane county to the Black River lumber region. He got as far as the house of a German settler near the present village of Weatby, and was unable to proceed further. After a few days painful illness he died. This was about the middle of September, 1849. He was buried on the farm where he died. The deceased had a family living in Dane county.

The first white child born in the town was Brown Olson, a son of Hans and Caroline Olson, who were the first settlers of the town. This birth occurred March 30, 1850. In 1884 he was living on the same farm on which he was born.

"In 1849, there being no gristmill nearer than Prairie du Chien, the settlers had to go to that place for their milling and to purchase their flour. Upon one occasion, I remember T. Unseth went to Prairie du Chien to buy flour and other necessaries of life; but unfortunately the store keeper made a grand mistake and loaded up a barrel of white sugar instead of a barrel of flour. When Mr. Unseth got home his daughter at once climbed up into her fathers wagon to open the supposed flour barrel, the family being entirely out of any kind of bread stuff, at the time. But upon her taking out the head of the barrel, what was the surprise at finding the contents to be white sugar, instead of flour. Imagine the situation! No flour in the house - white sugar, however good in its place, would not make bread. The woman then began to cry as she thought of their con dition - fifty miles away from a mill and not a morsel of bread to eat.

"What was to be done? The only way was to thresh some grain out of the stalk. And how was this to be done, unaided by machinery? Why they simply made a round ring twentyfive feet across on the ground and let oxen iread it out, in the good old fashioned way! After "threshing," came the grinding. This was not by the modern "roller process," but by turning an old cotinlry coffee mill.

Organic

In 1855, the territory now constituting the towns of Clinton and Christiana were set off from the town of Viroqua, by the county board of Bad Ax county. To this territory was given the name of Christiana. In 1856 tbis

The first election in the present town of Christiana was held at tlie house of Nels Hanson Napurd, on section 33, April 7, 1856. The following were the officers elected: J. R. Bjorseth, (chairman), David Wilt and llendrick Johnson, supervisors. Lars Christopherson was elected town clerk, but did not except the office and William McKnight was appointed in his stead. Hendrick Johnson was elected assessor; no other town officers are recorded as beinsr elected at that date.

The town officers for 1883 were: Timothy Madden, chairman; Jacob Olson and Ole Bentson, supervisors; A. J. Moen, clerk; E. C Bratlie, assessor; Julius Johnson, treasurer.

Andrew J. Moen, the present town clerk of Christiana, resides on section 33, where he settled in January, 1869. He was born in Norway in 1844; came to the United States in 1867. He lived in Minnesota two years, coming here from that State. His father, who came to Vernon county, several years later, now lives in the town of Coon.

Timothy Madden resides on section 15. He is the present chairman of the town board. He came to the town in 1855, was born in the city of New York, in 1818, of Irish parentage. Mr. Madden came to Wisconsin in 1852 ; spent some time in the pinery regions and came to this town in 1858.

In 1884 the town was accommodated by three postoffices, Westby and Newry, on section 14, and Lovass on section 8. The first postoffice in the town was established in 1857, and was called Coon Prairie. The first postmaster was George Smith, who had the office on section 5, town 13, range 4. It was then removed to the house of John Benson, on the same section, and subsequently removed to the house of Mr. Whittaker. It was then moved to across the town line into Christiana and kept at the house of Robert Lange. Later it vibrated across the line from one town to another, until the establishment of the postoffice at Westby, in 1879, when the Coon Prairie office was discontinued. The first postmaster at Westby was Andrew Johnson, who was shortly succeeded by Nicholas Nelson, who still held the office in 1884.

Newry postoffice was established in 1868. This office was first kept by Peter Bredle, at his house on section 11. The second postmaster was Frank Delle, who kept the office at his store on section 14. In 1884 tlie office was kept by Christopher Christopherson, who received his appointment in the spring of 1872.

Lovass postoffice is so called from Jacob Lovass, the first settler of that part of the town. It was established, March 15, 1875, when Christian Olson was appointed postmaster and was still in charge in 1884. Mr. Olson keeps a small general store at this point, which is located on section 8.

Mill

The only mill in the town of Christiana is a saw mill built in 1862, on the south branch of Coon creek, on section 8. It was erected by Iver A. Amunson. The object in view, by the builder of this saw mill, was to cut lumber from the fine hard wood found in this section of the county. After running a few years it was taken down and replaced by one of a greater capacity, which was propelled by steam power. In 1883 this was removed to the northeast corner of section 7.

Educational

The first school was taught in 1851 in a building erected that year on section 35. It was 22x26 feet and at the time it was built was among the best in the county. A few years later this building was burned.

In district No. 1 the population are nearly all Norwegians who send their children to school more in the winter season than in the summer. This district affords a fair school building, though quite small.

In district No. .3 the school population is made up largely of Germans, Irish and Norwegians; the latter nationality being in the majority, however. Much interest lias been manifested in school matters.

Timothy Madden, clerk of the school district, lias held the office for many years, during which time he has ever looked after the well being of the schools. The school house in this district is a large, well-planned frame structure, jirovided with the best improved seats, maps, charts, etc.

District No. 4 is situated near Lovass postoffice. Jacob Olson is the leading man in school matters here. The school building is not firstclass, but is rather an index of by-gone days, when the common school was slighted more than it is now-a-days. Notwithstanding this difficulty the patrons, who are nearly all Norwegians, evince a deep interest in their schools.

In district No. 5 the Norwegian element predominates largely. The school house is a log building which is fairly comfortable. School is usually held five months in the year.

District No. 6 is situated on the north line of the town and county and embraces a portion of Portland town in La Crosse county. This district is also provided witii a log house. The Americans have the majority in this locality and great interest is manifested in the schools, which are generally taught by first-class teachers.

Religious

The Methodist Episcopal denomination has for many yeai's been represented by the Norwegians of that faith, who have held their meetings of late years in their church building on section 26; but, in 1884, had discontinued services and were preparing to build a new church in the village of Westby.

The Norwegian Lutheran church on section 2 was erected about the same time that the Coon Prairie church was erected in the town of Viroqua. These two Churches were formerly one, but owing to the large membershi]) and the great distance apart it was deemed necessary to build a second church in the northern part of the town. This structure is a frame one, costing about $2,500. These two Churches are supplied by the same minister.

Rev. O. Jacobson, of Viroqua, pastor of Coon Prairie M. E. Church, was born at Taunsburg, Norway, Feb. 12, 1849. Came to the United States in 1871, lived in New York city some time, where he began preparation for the ministry. He began preaching in 1875 ; was ordained deacon at Faribault, Rice Co., Minn., in 1877 by Bishop Andrew ; was ordained elder at Winona in 1879 by Bishop Peck. Was assigned to the Deer Park circuit where he remained two years ; came here in 1S81. Before his ordination, Mr. Jacobson uad charge of the Churches of his denomination at St. Paul and Minneapolis, and afterward at Faribault. His

In 1884 there were three burying grounds within the town of Christiana. The one first located and used was on section 33. This was finally removed to the village of Westby. One known as the Methodist cemetery is situated on section 26, and one used especially by the Reformed Lutherans, is situated on section 28.