More of
JUST HOME FOLKSAt first, the water supply question was very important. Many of the early settlers took up land on which there were springs from which they could get water the year around, both for the house
and for the stock. Three of these springs, which still furnish water for the owners, are the Burroughs spring east of St. Ansgar, the Gilbertson spring south of town and the Dodge or Utopia spring northwest of town.
T.H. Hume, Sr. The social life of the pioneer was not strenuous. Neighboring, almost a lost art in these days of huny, was in great favor. Many times, business and pleasure were combined. Bees were very popular-barn raising bees, logging bees, husking bees, quilting bees. In winter, dancing was indulged in by many with old-time fiddlers serving diligently with much stamping of the feet for square dances, polkas, waltzes, schottisches and cotillions. Singing schools and spelling matches were very popular and the school exhibition drew large crowds. These were usually held in the winter.
Life was indeed a great adventure in the "good old days," but it had its troubles, as well. The early settlers had their share of sickness. At first, these settlers must themselves care for the sick. Many of the women were skillful in doing this and always seemed ready to give a helping hand. The St. Ansgar community was fortunate in having a doctor locate here at an early date. Dr. Parks was the first doctor. Then Dr. Rogers came. He remained but two years. Dr. Bundy arrived in
1865 and was the doctor of the community for mauy years. Even after he moved to Osage in 1898 he was still called to care for the St. Ansgar sick. Nelson, Wiggins, Culmsee, Lott, Culbertson, Johnson and Osborne have served the community at different times.
J.F. Peshak At present, doctors Westenberger, Owen and Irwin are serving St. Ansgar as physicians. Dr. Westenberger has served the St. Ansgar community as physician for 56 years, since 1897.
The change in living conditions during these last one hundred years has been very great. Today, homes are fine buildings with rooms for all the needs of the family comfort. Heated by furnaces or stoves, supplied with coal, wood, oil and even electricity. Running water is supplied to the kitchen, bath and laundry. Electricity has replaced the candles and kerosene lamps of early days. The farmer has his mail delivered every
day. One may visit with friend's miles away over the telephone. Food supplies ready to be put on the table, fresh fruit and meat may be purchased at the many food stores. Almost every housewife has her store of home canned vegetables, fruit and meat in her cooler or in a deep freeze locker. A world of entertainment may be secured by turning the switch on the radio or TV. Church services may be listened to in your home if poor health or weather prevent attendance at the local church. Books. Magazines and daily newspapers are to be found in almost every home. The people of today require as necessities the things, which the people of yesterday thought of as unattainable luxuries.
Isaac Patterson E.L.
Mrs. Kjersti Jacobs
Erickson
Andrew Halvorson
Kari H. Rust
Some Photos of Some Homes
The residence and office of Dr. A. D. Bundy
which stood where the Vandermyde residence is
now located.
The Chris Thompson residence which stood
where the present First Lutheran
parsonage now stands.
Former residence of Rev. Johan Olson, also
Rev. Clausen. Part of present structure
was built by Rev. Clausen.
INDIANS
Indian tribes most closely connected with our local history are the Winnebagoes, Sacs and Foxes. The Sacs and Fox at one time inhabited practically all of Iowa. Mitchell county was frequently visited by roving bands of Winnebagoes, generally in groups of 50 or 100. They were not unfriendly, but were given to petty thievery, much to the annoyance of the settlers. It was not difficult to recover stolen goods, because the Indians quite readily relinquished them when apprehended.
The Winnebagoes and the Sioux were deadly enemies. In 1862 the former were moved to Dakota. That was the year of the big Indian scare in St. Ansgar. In the fall of 1862, various conflicting reports reached our settlement concerning the murderous Sioux in Minnesota, who had made a threat to destroy all of the Whites west of the Mississippi river.
Diaries of some of our pioneers tell in graphic language of these exciting times. A line of prairie schooners encamped on the Burroughs farm brought word that the Indians were to reach Albert Lea. Fear of their coming to these parts caused many to flee toward McGregor. Word soon came, however, that the Indians were far away, and the fugitives returned here to safety and contentment.
THE CEDAR RIVER
On goes the river,
And out past the mill,
Away down the valley,
Away down the hill.The Cedar River is inseparably connected with the life of the people
of St. Ansgar. It has been the means of their securing many pleasures: swimming, boating, fishing and skating. It has helped the people in their struggle for a livelihood. It furnished water for their stock before there were wells. Dams were built and mills were erected to which the farmers brought their wheat to be made into flour, their corn to be made into cornmeal, and different grains to be made into ground feed for the farmers' stock. The Cedar River went to work.
A favorite camping place on the Cedar
River. The present Boy Scout camp.Now, in 1953 there is but one mill on the St. Ansgar Cedar River. It is operated by Sherwin Kleinwort. No flour comes forth from the
rollers of this mill, but ground feed which is needed for the farmers' stock. Portable mills take care of a great deal of feed grinding work, but the St. Ansgar Mill is still on the job the year 'round.
Old Newburg bridge, looking east.
Destroyed by the cyclone of 1894.The Newburg mill has disappeared. In its stead, we find a power plant, which uses the river to create power for lighting, heating and for running machinery.
One crop which the Cedar produces is no longer harvested. Years ago, on the cold winter days, one might see horses drawing sleds moving to the river. Soon the buzz of saws was heard.
Old suspension bridge south of St. Ansgar.
Replaced by a modern concrete one in 1952.The horses returned drawing the sleds loaded with great blocks of ice to the ice house in St. Ansgar. These blocks of ice were buried in saw dust to prevent their melting. On
warm summer days these were taken to the various homes by the "Ice Man." They were put into ice boxes to keep foods from spoiling or were used to make homemade ice cream. This same work is done today by electricity.
Deer Creek Bridge Some sorrow has come to St. Ansgar because of the Cedar. Lives have been lost and property has been damaged on account of floods. However, the Cedar is still considered a friend to the community and provides unexcelled natural beauty as well as good fishing and hunting.
ORGANIZATION OF THE TOWN
The Town Site
The land upon which St. Ansgar rests was first claimed by the Rev. Clausen in 1853. In 1854, he had the town platted by government surveyors O. Brunius and Jongsted, dividing 120 acres into lots and blocks. The Rev. Clausen wisely provided for wide streets and reserved three areas as public grounds.
The township was organized in the summer of 1855. It then embraced almost all of the northwest part of the county.
Among those who were chosen at the first election to fill township offices were the following: trustees--Michael Tollefson, Jacob Aslesen and C. G. Classen; justice of the peace--the Rev. C. L. Clausen; road supervisor--Knut Tollefson.
In the spring of 1876, St. Ansgar was incorporated as a town. The first election was held in March of that year. The first officers were as follows: mayor, Henry Lubiens; recorder, S. R. Moody; trustees, P. O. Asperheim, Dr. A. D. Bundy, T. W. Owen, Lars Moe, and D. F. McCarthy; marshal, L. Cole; treasurer, P. A. Hjorth; and street commissioner, W. Caswell.
The first meeting of the council was held in March 1876.
© 2004-2005 -- Tracey Stickney-VanHise
HTMLization by Kermit Kittleson
