Clausen's Colony turns 150 years old
This mural depicting St. Ansgar in the early 1920s was commissioned by the St. Ansgar Heritage Association. It adorns the west wall of The Bridal Theatre.
St. Ansgar, called the Garden Spot of Iowa because of its prosperous farmland, stately trees, and colorful gardens, was founded in 1853 by a group of Norwegian immigrants. The group was led by the Rev. Claus L. Clausen, a Danish minister.
Rev. Clausen was the first Scandinavian Lutheran minister in America. Born in Denmark, he preached in Norway until he felt the spiritual pull to the United States.
He preached his way across the U. S. until he ended up in Wisconsin. Since his people were considerably scattered, it was his dream to start a colony in some fertile region where his people could be together.
After several trips through Wisconsin and Minnesota he came into northern Iowa in 1852. He went as far west as Albert Lea before heading back eastward near the state line until he came to what is now called Deer Creek.
After crossing the Cedar River and going westward through timberland he entered a lush prairie. He knew immediately that this was the place for his new colony. He returned one year later with his group of followers.
The name St. Ansgar means "God's Spear." A French bishop, sainted by the Catholic church in the 9th century, did much to bring Christianity to the Scandinavian countries. His influence inspired many to become followers of Christ. Among these followers was young Claus Clausen. To honor the man who influenced the shaping of his own life, Clausen gave his new colony the name "St. Ansgar".
Clausen claimed 800 acres in 1853, which included St. Ansgar and the mill property at Newburg. In 1854 he had the town platted by government surveyors into 120 acres of lots and blocks. The township was organized in the summer of 1855 and was incorporated as a town in the spring of 1876.
Among the original 75 pioneers were the Rev. Clausen and his family, and brother and the following men and their families: Mikkel Tollefson Rust, Hans Halvorseon Smesrud, Ole Hanson Haugerud, Jacob Asleson, Assor Knudson, Hans Rust, Eric Espedokken and Helek Rasmussen. There were also Halvor Thorson and his son, Erick Thorson Saagebroten, Peter Gunderson, and Ole and Tollef Grovo.
A year later another party included the parties of Knute Kittleson, Hans Knudson, John Helgeson, Erik Stovern, Endre Olson, Helek Benson, Narve Golberg, Knute Tollefson, Assor Groth, Peter Goldberg, G. Blakkestad, Christopher Hanson, Knute Rauk, C.G. Classen and Nels Nelson.
While Norwegians were the original settlers, it was not long before people of other nationalities arrived, bringing along customs of their home countries.
A German group of settlers were important to the development of St. Ansgar as well. In the summer of 1866 the Lubiens brothers and their families started out from Wisconsin at the same time as C.C. Miller and R. Helfritz and families. They arrived in Newburg in July. Miller engaged in the wagon making business and the Lubienses and Helfritz opened a mercantile business. When the railroad was finally built to St. Ansgar, the three families relocated and opened shops.
They were followed by the Swedes, with the family names of Juline, Anderson, Medin and Lovestrum. Still later came the Danes, with family names of Lund, Nissen, Hansen, Nelson and Fedson. All played a part in the building of St. Ansgar.
70 years later St. Ansgar, 900 people strong, was the center of the most important truck growing district of Iowa. Output in 1922 was more than 600 car loads of cabbage, potatoes and onions. The largest ginseng arbors in the world could also be found here.
St. Ansgar was also one of the richest towns in the entire county in per capita bank deposits. The town boasted 60 businesses including three banks, a large flour mill, creamery, co-op lumber yard, coal yard and elevator and a new hydro-electric plant on the Cedar River.
The St. Ansgar Heritage Association was formed in 1993 for the purpose of establishing a museum in St. Ansgar to preserve the Heritage of the community for future generations. Through funds generated by donations, memberships, memorial gifts, grants and fund raisers the museum became a reality in 1998 with the purchase of the building at 126 W. 4th St.
The museum was originally built by Walter Moe for his plumbing shop in the 1920s. Over the years this building housed the Pine Hill Dairy, another plumbing shop, a veterinary clinic and gift store. Many hours of volunteer labor have resulted in two floors of interesting St. Ansgar memorabilia and area treasures.
In 2002, the Heritage Association commissioned David Rottinghaus to do a commemorative print of St. Ansgar for their 150th celebration. The print is entitled "The Cedar Valley" St. Ansgar 2003.
Many festivities have been held over the years. Thousands of people converged on St. Ansgar to commemorate its 125th anniversary in 1978. The patrons were treated to a huge parade, good food, old-time exhibits and an unscheduled mini tornado. A total of 1,060 persons from all corners of the nation registered at the St. Ansgar Elementary School lobby.
Town and Country events have happened almost annually. The 1993 Town and County celebration included an all-school reunion, which was a huge success. A second all-school reunion happened again three years later. The Heritage Association sponsored a Civil War Re-enactment in 1995. Military History Days, promoted by the City Council and St. Ansgar High School, was held in May 2000-2002.
A once-in-a-life-time occurrence happened in St. Ansgar when the Olympic Torch passed through town in 1996 on its journey across the United States from Los Angeles, CA, to Atlanta, GA. The Olympic Torch, a symbol of peace and unity, drew thousands of people to town. The privileged Torch bearers were Chad Tyler, Allison Hannam, Luke Porisch and Kayla Kleinwort..
Bill Matthews, resident of town for 53 years and editor of the Enterprise Journal for 35 years was quoted as saying, "Citizens of St. Ansgar are unique because of their innate pride in their community. This pride is obvious in so many ways, such as well-founded congregations, an excellent school system, well-established and attractive businesses and an overall neat appearance.
"This did not come about by chance. Leaders (with cooperation of every-one) saw to it that residents of the community have enjoyed many amenities that lots of towns this size do not have.
"All this has required hard work and dedication, but again that St. Ansgar pride shows through."
From the "St. Ansgar, Then and Now" video (1853-1993) compiled by the Clausen Colony Questers in 1993 it was said that in 1853 Rev. Clausen suggested that emphasis should be placed on the raising of cattle and growing of grain. Over 100 years ago a historian wrote, "Our town is surrounded by on of the finest and most productive agriculture and stock raising areas to be found in the West. This has proven to be true as agriculture is our most important industry. Our thriving farms and our progressive community, with natural surroundings of great beauty, prove we are surely the 'garden Spot of Iowa'. At the end of a day's labor, we are thankful for our blessings. It is a good place to live."
This history was compiled from information found in the books St. Ansgar Centennial History 1853-1953; Seventieth Anniversary Evangelical Lutheran Church, St. Ansgar 1923; and the Centennial Annivarsary First Lutheran Church.
Mitchell County Press, Jun 18, 2003
Webization by Kermit Kittleson and Kathy Pike, 5/2/2007