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We have not met with the names of any Norwegians in researches prior to 1850, but in that year there came, if not the pioneers, a band of them who found on the West side of Washington Prairie the land that suited them, and made there homes which have given competence to all and wealth to several of them. They have been, too, among the best citizens of the county; generally founders of large families, with sons and daughters who are following in their worthy footsteps. This band consisted of twelve families, and became the settlers of what is known as Springfield township. The names of the heads of these families were as follows:

Nelson Johnson-died in 1881.
Germund Johnson-still living.
A. Simmonson-dead.

Toleff Simmonson-still living.

Ole A. Lommen-killed by accident, a few years ago.
A. O. Lommen-ex-Representative and still living.
Andrus Hogue-dead.

John Johnson-dead.

Knud G. Opdahl-dead.

H. Holverson died in March, 1875.

Ole Tostenson-still living.
Mickkel Omlie-still living.

These came in two caravans. The first three left homes in Racine county, and the others were from Dane county, Wisconsin. The latter came directly through, but the three were encumbered by flocks and herds-a tendency some of them have not outgrown and had to drive more slowly. One of these, Mr. Nelson Johnson, who furnishes us these names and facts, says his party arrived on the 2d day of July, 1850 nine days after the party from Dane county. They immediately commenced making the homes which grew into rich and valuable farms.

Mr. Johnson informs us that it was at his house, or log cabin, that the caucus or convention, was held which nominated officers preparatory to the first election of county officers. This was prior to, but a part of the work of organizing the county. It occurred in March, 1851. Decorah was not yet a hamlet of amazing importance, and Mr. Johnson's place was centrally located. This is the only reason he can give for its selection. The attendance was large-all the beginnings of settlements being well represented.

DISAPPOINTED ASPIRATIONS.

In this connection Mr. J. tells a little story of political aspirations nipped in the bud, worthy of record. Among the rest who came was a man named Minot, residing over east somewhere. He was ambitious for honors, and capable, besides willing, to serve the people in any place they might see fit to put him. Mr. J.

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was a new comer, a Norwegian, too, not accustomed, then, to participation in public meetings of that kind; and he kept himself busy attending to the arrivals, animals, &c. This, however, gave him an opportunity to hear of the "horse-shed" or by-talk which went on. The claims of Minot were fully discussed; and to a man, they agreed in letting him alone because he was clad in broadcloth coat and pants, satin vest, fine boots and a shiny hat! He was not the man for the horny-handed pioneers; not a bit of it; and Minot went home disgusted. This caucus and convention put in nomination the ticket which was afterwards elected, and has heretofore been given, as the first officers of Winneshiek county.

Engebret Peterson Haugen, followed these in October, after having spent the summer in traveling over portions of Wisconsin. and Minnesota. He actually squatted on a claim back from Red Wing; but could not hold it because it was still Indian territory. Coming down the river he heard of these fellow-countrymen, and came out here. He liked the country; and got his eye fixed on the magnificent farm he still owns three miles southwest of Decorah. It was a claim then owned by G. Cooney living at Garnivillo. It is the claim Mr. C. referred to in his narrative, as the one Dr. Andros threatened to shoot him if he jumped it; and about the safety of doing which he consulted with his friend Judge Murdock. It was also the old H. M. Rice trading post. The The store used by Rice was standing, and for five years later served Mr. Haugen as a dwelling. His family, however, did not arrive until May following. They came from Beloit, where they had located in 1842, when that territory was new. Peter E. Haugen, the son, was a boy 16 years of age when the family removed to Iowa; and he distinctly remembers the first bridge built over the Rock river at Beloit. They came direct from Norway in 1842. Inasmuch as emigration from that country did not commence until 1838, Mr. P. can be called a pioneer settler, in the fullest sense of the term.

Besides those above named, the only other Norwegian we have heard named at this date, is Mr. Thor Peterson, of Calmar.

WHO WERE FIRST.

Sparks' History, published later than sketches, and also the year after Mr. Burley's address, says:

From the most reliable information, it would seem that the first immigration of Norwegian settlers came in the year 1850. But to whom to accord the honor of being the first actual settlers -whether to Thor Peterson and his party, who afterward settled in Calmar Township, or to the Erick Anderson party, who settled in Springfield Township, is a question. The Anderson party emigrated from Dane County, Wis., and included the following persons: Halvor Hulverson, Ole Gullickson, Knudt Anderson, Öle and

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Staale Tostenson. This company was joined at Prairie du Chien by Ole Lomen and Andrew Lomen. Mr. Erick Anderson served the party as guide and interpreter. The Anderson party finding land in Springfield Township that suited them, took up their claims thereon in June, 1850. But it seems that the Peterson party had preceded them by a few days, and had laid claim to the very land on which Anderson's company had squatted. At that time there was a county organization for the protection of settlers against claim-jumpers, if such they can be called. It was an imperative law with this association that the man who first registered his claim at Moneek had a perfect title to the same. The Peterson party demanded that the Anderson party move off what they called their claims; but the other party was determined not to surrender their claims until obliged to, and consequently they immediately dispatched a representative to Moneek, whose duty it was to ascertain if the Peterson party had registered their claims. On examination he found that no registration had been made, and he took advantage of their tardiness and registered the claims for his party. The matter was finally compromised, the Anderson party paying some indemnity for their usurpation.

Mr. Sparks goes on to say that the Nelson Johnson party, referred to a little previously, made settlements in Springfield in July, and were therefore a little later and that Engebret, Peterson and Haugen followed these in October.

Eighteen hundred and fifty-one saw a large addition to each of these these commencements to settlements for settlements they could not yet be called. The northern townships were being occupied in this year, 1851. Among those who came and settled on lands where they still reside are D. D. Huff and E. E. Meader. Both happened to fall within the boundary lines of what is now known as Hesper Township, although they lived between four and five miles apart. They were, however, near neighbors in those days, and very warm friends. As one old settler remarked to us, "We thought nothing of tramping off ten or a dozen miles to see a man." Mr. Huff tells us a story something like this: He lived in Michigan and started west in the fall of 1850. Winter found him in Illinois, where he met a brother of Bernard Harmon. He was told by this brother about Northern Iowa, and became interested in it. Coming to McGregor he met the pioneer merchant, H. D. Evans. By the way, it is singular how warmly these pioneers to a man speak of the generosity and liberality of this same Evans. He trusted them freely when they had nothing; and if it had not been for his kindness and unselfishness, many could not have stayed upon their claims. Evans had been up to Decorah, around among the settlers, and was enthusiastic in his ideas about the country and its future; and imparted some of his enthusiasm to Mr. H.. The latter pushed through to Decorah, with B. Harmon's as an objec

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