Hartge, Fredrick 1813-1878

HARTGE, GALER

Posted By: Audrey Haught, volunteer
Date: 8/5/2021 at 20:31:24

Pioneer at Rest – Died at his residence in Elkport, Mr. Fred Hartge, at the age of 65, Wednesday, August 14th, 1878, at 5 p.m. Interred Friday following.

The deceased was born in Loedington, Kindgom of Hanover in the year 1813. Bred a Blacksmith by profession. In the year of 1833, he left Hanover, being fearful of conscription in military service, in which his brother already was, came to Wheeling, Vir., at which place he worked at his trade until 1835, when being young and energetic, came to the conclusion that pioneer life suited him, he came to where now the city of Dubuque stands.

At that time Dubuque consisted of a few log huts, roughly thrown together. Here he established a Blacksmith shop, probably the first in this part of the state, not even dreaming that then and there was forming the nucleus of the noble city, which now we behold. In the year 1839, the huts had increased in number, forming quite a village, so he concluded to go still further west, and June 15th, 1839, he landed in what is now Elkport.

A few white men had already been here; one, an Indian trader, named Waymon, had built a saw mill on the banks of Elk Creek. The property of Waymon, he purchased, built a log hut and commenced work on his saw mill. Soon he found that the property which he had purchased was not that which he occupied, the mill being situated on other land; then followed litigation between him and Waymon, both going and returning from Dubuque by same conveyance. After considerable trouble, he succeeded in gaining possession of the mill property, causing an enmity to spring up between himself and Waymon.

In 1846, his brother Louie came to him as his companion in this wilderness, both occupying the same hut.

About two years after occurred the murder of Louie by the Indians in this way according to report:

By some means the Indians became incensed that the Harge’s, Waymon supposed to be at the head of it.

One day several Indians came to the hut the door of which was barred by having a rail set up against the inside. Fred way lying on the bed at the time, and Louie was sitting on a bench before the fireplace.

Without any warning they burst the door in, and one of them advancing to the fired was asked by Louie what he wanted. The Indian replied, “I want to light my pipe, after which, I light you.” As Louie had but little knowledge of the Indian language, he could not reason with him, and after while arose to eject him.

Grappling with each other, the Indian grabbing Louie about the waist, when a sharp ring, a crash of glass, and a rifle ball penetrated the side of Louie, entering just above the right hip and coming out above the left, taking off one of the Indian’s fingers.

The Indian was arrested and taken to Dubuque, convicted of murder, but escaped and was afterward killed by one of his own countrymen.

After that the Indians molested him no more, and he settled down to work in earnest with his mill, soon building a more commodious house. Then came others, who began to settle in the fine large bottom-land forming the village of Elkport, which is situated on the land purchased from Waymon.

Then, prosperity began, having lost all that he had possessed in litigation. He opened the fine land to cultivation, wooed and won the heart of a noble young pioneer lady named Susan Galer, who with her parents from Union county, Penn., about the year 1850.

Next we find him purchasing another tract of land adjoining that which he already possessed on the west, having disposed of a great portion of land in the form of town lots; on that last purchased he built a large and commodious dwelling and after beginning the work of erecting a flour mill, sold all interest in his mill property and settled down as a farmer.

About the year 1877, he built an elegant residence on a beautiful lot in the village of Elkport, where he intended to spend the remainder of his life in peace and quiet, enjoying the fruit of his labors, but being unable to sell him farm on satisfactory terms at that time he remained on the farm.

His health began to fail, but his vigorous constitution always carried him safely through, until the last summer, when he overtaxed his already failing body in order that he might meet the olde settlers, pioneers, and early friends at the “Old Settler reunion,” held here, June last, since which he has been gradually failing until death laid his icy finger upon him and claimed him for his own.

So passed away a man, one whose energy we should imitate; one, who braved all danger to prepare a path for civilization to creep into; one, who rose from naught to independence in the backwoods; one, who always clung to the religion of Christ, a devout member of the Lutheran church, a good man and a noble pioneer of Clayton county. Peace to his ashes.
...Victor

Elkader Register: August 22,1878

Burial: Lutheran Cemetery, Elkport
Wife: Susan, also buried in the Lutheran Cemetery, her death was October 23, 1897. She was born in 1820.