Coon Town

Coon Town

The town of Coon is in tlie northern tier of congressional townships of Vernon county. It is bounded on the north by La Crosse county, on the east by Christiana, on the south by Jefferson, and on the west by Hamburg towns, and comprises township 14, range 5, having an area of 23,040 acres. Coon river flows through the northern part of the town, entering on section 1, passing through sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 1 and 8. This stream has several tributaries, which water the entire northern portion of the town. Coon, in common with all the territory embraced within the county, has a rolling and in some places a very rough hilly surface. The soil is of a sandy loam, which produces the finest crops of grain, corn and vegetables known to this part of the State.

Settlement

Helgar Gilbronson was the first actual settler of the town. He came in 1848 and located on section 8, where he died a few years later. His widovF was still living in the town in 1S84, at the village of Coon Valley.

First Events

The first school was taught in 1855 by Peter 0. Brye, in a dwelling belonging to John Christianson. The first school house was built on section 33, in 1859.

Organic

old log school house on section 33. The first town officers elected were : Peter O. Brye, chairman ; John P. Johnson, clerk ; Peter O. Brye, treasurer ; Ole Nearison and Araund Martinson, side board; Peter O. Brye, superintendent of schools ; Peter O. Brye, assessor. The officers of 1883 were : Helgar Larson, chairman ; E. O. Teffre, clerk ; C. 0. Brye, treasurer; Jacob Johnson and Peter J. Johnson, side board ; Peter M. Johnson, assessor.

Notwithstanding the greater portion of the population of this town are Norwegians, much attention has been paid to schools in which the English language has been taught. The first school dates back -to 1855. In 1884 there were six school houses in the town and 378 scholars.

Village Of Coon Valley

This village was laid out and regularly platted in 1859, by Henry Johnson, and is situated on section 7. It was named Coon Valley, as it is located in the valley of Coon river. The river at this point furnishes an abundant water power. The first house was built by Henry Johnson. There are no school or church buildings within the village proper, but just at the edge of the place, the district school building is located.

In 1861 or 1862 the Evangelical Lutherans organized a Church, and in 1878 built a church edifice on section 8. In 1884 this was the only leligious organization in the town.

The beginning of business in the place was the opening of a store by Henry Johnson, in 1863. A saw mill was put in operation in 1858, by Mr. Johnson, who in 1863 erected a flouring mill. The first blacksmith shop was opened by Hans Nelson in 1866. The first shoemaker was Knudt Olson.

In 1884 the business of the village was represented as follows : Peter Swan & Co., and H. Hanson, dry goods ; the same firms also operated largely in the hardware and grocery trades. Peter Swan & Co., were proprietors of the flouring and saw mills, also a wool card

H. Hanson, the leading merchant of the village of Coon Valley, was born in Norway in 1840, and emigrated to the United States in 1S50. He first settled at La Crosse, Wis., where he remained until twenty-two years of age. He then came to the town of Coon and located in a settlement that two years later was laid out and platted and named Coon Valley. Mr. Hanson purchased a house and lot in the new village and for a number of years worked for Henry Johnson in the saw-mill and general store. In 1872 he opened a general store at Coon Valley postoffice, where he carries a stock valued at about $3,500, and enjoys a large and paying trade. Mr. Hanson was the third appointed postmaster of Coon Valley and has held the position continuously for fourteen years. He was married in 1877 to Alma Olson. They are the parents of three children - Henry Alfred, William Howard and Christian Gerhard.

L. P. Swan, senior member of the firm of Swan, Naperud & Co., was born in Sweden in July 8, 1845. He was induced to come to the United States in 1869, and first located at Lansing, Iowa. He remained in that place for two years and then removed to La Crosse, Wis., where he was a resident for four years. In 1875 he came to the town of Coon and soon after purchased a third interest in the flouring and saw mill and a general store at Coon Valley. The firm is the largest in the village and carry on an extensive business. Mr. Swan was united inmariage, in 1876, to LinaNeperud, and two children have been born to them - Anna and Amanda.

John A. Neperud, of the firm of Swan, Neperud & Co., millers and dealers in general merchandise. Coon Valley postoffice, was born in Norway, in 1847, and when ten years of age came to this country with his parents. They located in the town of Hamburg, where John A.

grew to manhood. He worked on a farm in early life, and in 1878 came to the vil age of Coon "Valley and became a member of the firm of Swan, Neperud & Co., owner-s of the flour and saw mill and a stock of general merchandise. Mr. Neperud has prospered fairly since engaging in business. He married Caroline Haswald, and they have one child - Anna.

Simou P. Lier, junior member of Swan, Neperud & Co., millers and merchants, was born in Norway, in 1842, and was there educated In 1869 he emigrated to the United States and came direct to Vernon county. He located in the village of Coon Valley, and in 1882 rented a one-third interest in the flour and saw mill and mercantile trade, of which he is now the junior partner. The grist mill contains four run of buhr stones, has a capacity of fifty barrels of flour per day and is valued at $15,000. The saw mill has a capacity of 3,000 feet per day. Their stock of goods is valued at $2,000 In 1882 Mr. Lier was married to Regina Frantson.

Peter O. Brye was instrumental in the establishment of a postoflice in 1861. The first postmaster was Henry Johnson, who was in time succeeded by Andrew Engerbretson, who was followed by H. Hanson, the latter being postmaster in 1884, having thus held the office for fifteen years.

Jacob Johnson was born in Norway, March 6, 1845. In 1867 the family emigrated to the United States, coming direct to Wisconsin and settling in Fond du Lac county. In 1869 they came to Vernon county. Jacob Johnson was married June 17, 1875, to Hetta A. Berg. They have three children - Clara Isabel, Caiman Albert and Petter. In 1874 Mr. Johnson settled in the town of Coon, on section .32, where he now resides. In 1878 he was elected a justice of the peace, which position he still holds, and is also serving his third term as member of the town board of supervisors.

Ole Eveiison Nesting, a young and prosperous farmer of the town of Coon, was born in Norway, in 1849. He emigrated to the United States in 1871, and first came to the town of Coon, in this county. He purchased a farm of 200 acres from Christopher Hanson. Mr. Evenson is an energetic and enterprising young man, and not being content with only a farm, he wooed and won Mr. Hanson's daughter, Ingeborg, and they were married in 1874. Three children have been given to them - Eliza, Charlie and Selmer.