Frank Ingalls Diary
Diary Relates Trials of Pioneer Family
Record of Incidents Back in 1857-58 Written by Frank Ingalls in Possession of Granddaughter
Back in 1857, 86 years ago, the Frank Ingalls family had just established a home on what is now the Frank Sylla farm in Lincoln, situated west of Whitehall about three miles. Mr. Ingalls and family and his brother, Moses Ingalls, left Rock Prairie in Walworth county in the early summer of 1856. They travelled in covered wagons drawn by ox teams. On that trip John M., son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ingalls, learned to walk. The homestead, which comprised 200 acres, was secured and was to be the home of members of the family for nearly three-fourths of a century.
In the year 1857, Frank Ingalls started a diary which he continued for nearly two years. Notations in the notebook, which is now in the possession of his granddaughter, Mrs. J. E. Rhode of Whitehall, are brief. Facts are not recorded in story style but they do relate much about the daily life of a pioneer family. The hardships, sorrows and pleasures are also told. In reading the story, one can plainly visualize the hardships which those early settlers endured. It was the work and suffering of those people which I made it possible for succeeding generations to enjoy the conveniences which we have today.
Mr. Ingalls mentions Deacon Wood in his diary. Deacon Wood was the father of the late David Wood and grandfather of Ralph Wood, Whitehall citizen. The Woods owned land north of Whitehall which in later years was known as the Bishop and Sygulla farms. William Van Sickle is also named in the diary. Mr. Van Sickle was the grandfather of Dr. F. E. Van Sickle of Whitehall and C. D. Van Sickle of Merrillan, who came with his family to the Trempealeau valley in 1856, the same year that the Ingalls family came, and settled on land across the Trempealeau river, formerly known as the Hopkins place, now owned by Joe Pederson. The Van Sickle buildings were situated north of the present farm structures and the site is marked by the lovely old lilac bushes that still grow there.
Frank Ingalls died in 1885. Later his brother Moses married his widow. Moses died in 1895 and John M. Ingalls, son of Frank, passed away Jan. 14, 1943, at the age of 88 years.
Life of a Pioneer Family
Arcadia, Trempealeau, Wis., 1857
Sept. 20. So dar I am, 34 years old. It is the Sabbath of the Lord. I would renew my covenant with my Saviour. May He enable me by His grace to keep it, for without Him I can do nothing.
Sept. 21. Finished stacking all the hay we have down. Pleasantest hay day we have had for several days.
Sept. 22. Today finished cutting one piece of buckwheat, the heaviest and best field I ever saw. Commenced cutting up corn.
Sept. 23. Today eat bear meat for the first time. Neighbor Stratton brought it. Killed by a Mr. Hall who shot him three times and then the bear attacked him, threw him down and bit him badly.
Sept. 24. Cut hay in the coulee. Yesterday wife draped little Moses in pants for the first time. It made he feel very important. It pleased the other children very much. May God have them in His holy keeping. Amen and amen.
Sept. 25. Cut hay today in the cooley. Killed two rattlesnakes. Cooley very wet this year. Last it was perfectly dry.
Sept. 26. Saturday night! What memories of the past come crowding on my mind, thoughts of other days! Gone forever!! O God of my Fathers, enable me by Thy grace to spend my remaining days, be they few or many, in Thy service. O Father in heaven! Thou hast been gracious to us. May Thy goodness lead us to repentance. High wind (south), indications of a storm.
Sept. 27. Today is the Sabbath, we have had our exercise. May the Lord bless them to us. The children got their verses very well today.
Sept. 28. Went to Friend Vansickel’s today, found them very much afflicted by the sickness and probably health of their youngest child, a beautiful child of four years. May God in His infinite mercy by this dispensation of His Providence lead them to Himself. (Wind North).
Sept. 29. Cut more hay today, grass good yet. Fine weather. Wind in Northwest, light frost this morning. Autumn begins to make her appearance.
Sept. 30. Finished stacking hay today. Hard frost this morn. Rain, with thunder.
Oct, 1. Commenced raining last night, rain more or less today, wind North.
Oct. 2. Cloudy all day. Clear tonight. Hauled pumpkins this forenoon.
Oct. 3. Finished cutting buckwheat today. Cloudy tonight. Saturday night. Last of the week!! O may we be prepared for the “Last, of Earth!”
Oct. 4. Today is the Sabbath! O that the Lord would raise up a people in this valley who will delight to do His will. O that we might have sabbath and sanctuary privileges once more! Rain.
Oct. 5. Went up to Van’s today. Their little one is yet alive. Two families of settlers arrived today, Andrew Sherwood and Giles Crips. Pleasant.
Oct. 6. Charming day! Delightful night! Dug potatoes and pulled some beans today.
Oct. 7. Finished haying today. Weather fine!
Oct. 8. Heard that 42 of our state banks have failed. The crash must come! Pleasant.
Oct. 9. Commenced threshing buckwheat—it yields well. English Lines sick. Called on ‘‘M. D.,” 40 miles. The Deacon (Wood) says Lines is a fool! I think both knave and fool!
Oct. 10. Myself and wife called on our new neighbors. It is gratifying to find them so well pleased with the country. Pleasant! Wind south.
Oct. 11. Rain today. O for a more thankful heart for all the mercies God is daily bestowing upon us.
Oct. 12. Weather fine after the storm. Cleaned up buckwheat by the wind. Wind South.
Oct. 13. Fine day. Hard frost this morn. Threshed buckwheat.
Oct. 14. Lib walked over to the Wood’s (4 miles) this afternoon, and back. Cloudy! wind West.
Oct. 15. Franky birthday (9 years old). She, we being out of all kinds of bread timber, got some buckwheat and ground it in the coffee mill and made some cakes. Cold and windy; wind East.
Oct. 16. The weather has been fine today. Wind Northwest.
Oct. 17. Finished threshing buckwheat. Wind North.
Oct. 18. The Sabbath! And no meeting to attend. When shall we be permitted again to go us to the House of the Lord! It snowed slightly. South.
Oct. 19. Our Friends’ (VanSickles) little May was released from her suffering last night. May God by this dispensation of His Providence lead them to Himself. Finished hauling pumpkins. 15 big loads from less than two acres! Wind N-W.
Oct. 20. Started for lumber. Attended the funeral of our friend’s little girl. The whole family were very much afflicted. Stayed all night at Tery’s.
Oct. 21. Fine day. Started for the sawmill with 23 bushels of buckwheat. Paid.
Oct. 22. Paid my bill in buckwheat. Came to the mill, sold my stuff for lumber. Got 50 cents per bush. Passed the night at the mill. Rain today.
Oct. 23. Started out of the woods. Broke my reach and wagon tongue, but soon got rigged again by the help of a kind friend I found in the pines. Went to the grist mill.
Oct. 24. Got my grist and started for home. Rain, wet and cold.
Oct. 25. Started early and got home just at dusk. Found all well. Felt thankful to God for His mercies to us.
Oct. 26. Hauled a load of wood and husked corn today. Pleasant.
Oct. 27. Rain! Went over to Deacon Wood’s and got the calf. Brother he shot a grouse and we had a little meat for supper!
Oct. 28. Finished husking corn. Wind South. Friend Crane came up tonight with news from some of the folks in Rock.
Oct. 29. Went over the south bluff and got some timber. Commenced pulling turnips. Crane returned today. North.
Oct. 30. Finished the lower turnip patch.
Oct. 31. Pleasant today. Wind north.
Nov. 1. The Lord’s day. No meeting to attend. I now miss those Sabbath and sanctuary privileges I used to care so little for. Wind Northeast.
Nov. 2. Cleared the field today.
Nov. 3. Walked 10 miles to election. A few flakes of snow today.
Nov. 4. Pulled turnips today, looks stormy.
Nov. 5. Rain and cold. Hauled up the turnips.
Nov. 6. Friend Sherwood here today. Went road viewing, found good site for bridge. Lib and I went to see the baby (Strat’s), a fine boy of 11 pounds.
Nov. 7. Hauled 4 loads poles, looks like falling weather; begins to snow.
Nov. 8. The Sabbath. Snow! 10 inches of snow today! Rather hard on the new settlers who are almost houseless. But it is the lot of the pioneer to meet with hardships. Wind South.
Nov. 9. Stormy! Built fence round stacks. Got a letter from Banks last Friday. South.
Nov. 10. Hauled stable logs today. No thaw yet. South.
Nov. 11. The snow still lays on the ground.
Nov. 12. Rolled up stable. Mr. Wood and wife at our house this afternoon. Wind South.
Nov. 13. Wind north, cold, snowing!
Nov. 14. Saturday night. How time flies! Soon the night of Death will come. O may the Lord in His goodness prepare us to meet It. It has been a fine day. Wind south.
Nov. 15. The Sabbath! Truly we are beyond the line of sabbaths. May the Lord in His Providence grant us the sabbath!
Nov. 16. Snow! Out of clothes, out of money and in Debt! Blast the English!!!
Nov. 17. Went over to Sherwood’s, got some elk meat of Stratton. Wind south.
Nov. 18. Fine day, thawed a litle. Stormy tonight.
Nov. 19. Today we have suffered with cold. I think we have got to the coldest country I was ever in. Wind North.
Nov. 20. Threshed today. Road commissioners are here tonight. Snow! Cold!
Nov 21. Snows! Commissioners did the road so as to accommodate Banks, Ingalls and Crane, Brother M.
Nov. 22. The Sabbath! Bless God for the sabbath! Cold and snowy. Wind North.
Nov. 23. Very cold. I crossed the river today on the ice. Friends Sherwood and VanSickle are obliged to clean grain with the wind. In this new country’s miserable way I sometimes get discouraged. But still hope on.
Nov. 24. Brother M. started for the grist mill today, 35 miles. Comfortable day.
Nov. 25. Got a dollar for piloting a man toward the Bishop settlement today. Glad to get it. Fine day. Heard today that the snow at St. Paul was 18 inches deep!
Nov. 26. Fine day. Plastered up the stable. Almost thawed. Wind south.
Nov. 27. It has thawed, with some rain. South.
Nov. 28. Continues to thaw. Rains. Snow going.
Nov. 29. Continues to rain; snow all gone. Brother got back tonight from mill.
Nov. 30. Cold today. It has frozen up again. Got a letter from Clara yesterday.
Dec. 1. Went down to the river front. It had broken up so that we could not cross. Pleasant wind, South.
Dec. 2. Three or four inches of snow this morning. Brother M. put a door and window in the house. Wind Northwest.
Dec. 3. Fine today. Plastered the house with mud. Makes it warmer. Pleasant for winter weather in this latitude. North.
Dec. 4. Finished mudding the house. Deacon Wood called with a; minister of his own order, close! Baptist. Lib went over the river to! watch with the sick child of Friend; Sherwood’s. Wind south.
Dec. 5. Looks stormy. Rain! Snow!
Dec. 6. Sabbath! Went to meeting. Got in late. First sermon ever preached in this part of the valley (subject, Mary and Martha. A plain, practical sermon. May God in His mercy send us a man after His own heart.)
Dec. 7. Pleasant day. Hauled rails.
Dec. 8. Elder Bunnel came here last night. Sat up until 1 o’clock. Pleasant interim. Appears to be a well meaning man! Friend Sherwood’s son died at 5 o’clock this morning. Snowed. Northeast.
Dec. 9. Our folks have gone to the funeral. The Lord in His mercy spares my family. Yet may His goodness lead us to repentance! Fine weather for the season.
Dec. 10. Piled rails today. Fine weather.
Dec. 11. Built a shed. Wind Southwest.
Dec. 12. Delightful winter weather. South. The Strattons came with their father, who says wheat is 45 to 50 cents per bushel in the southern part of the state.
Dec. 13. Fine thawing weather. Nothing like it last winter. Musketeers are flying today. Wind, south.
Dec. 14. Covered shed. Fog, colder wind. Southeast.
Dec. 15. Visited Friend Sherwood today. Rain! Got a letter from Emily. Three dollars enclosed, makes $9 in all. Fine noble-hearted woman! South.
Dec. 16. Hauled two loads rails today.
Dec. 17. It has rained all day today, snow all gone.
Dec. 18. Snow this morning, hauled rails.
Dec. 19. Hauled rails and broke sled.
Dec. 20. Sabbath! No meeting! Read the “Great Teacher.” Excellent book.
Dec. 21. Hauled rails today. Wind north.
Dec. 22. Hauled rails, wind north; pleasant.
Dec. 23. Hauled rails. Snow all gone.
Dec. 24. Cut rails today. Wind
Dec. 25. Christmas today, Colder. North.
Dec. 26. Hauled and cut rails today. North.
Dec. 27. Sabbath! We feel the want of a meeting to attend. Mild and pleasant. O may the Lord in His own good time send us Prosperity!
Dec. 28. Went to the Lake settlement. Found our Friend Lere’s child very ill. Do not think it will live.
Dec. 29. I have been today 20 miles to get the loan of a fanning mill!
Dec. 30. Got home today; found all well.
Dec. 31. Cut rails today. Snows now, north. Saw five Indians in the bluff; wretched looking objects!
1858
Jan. 1. First day of new year. May we endeavor to do better and live nearer to God and accomplish more for the good of our fellow men than we have ever done.
Jan. 2. Hauled rails. Pleasant.
Jan. 3. Went to Deacon Wood’s. The Elder did not come. Thawed all day.
Jan. 4. Built foot of bridge.
Jan. 5. Friend Van Sickle and wife came down today. Snows.
Jan. 6. Snow 4 inches deep, cold. Jan and Brother M. went down the river after Ash; found none.
Jan. 7. Went over to Stratton’s. Cold.
Jan. 8. M. went to England to get some money, got none. I hauled rails.
Jan. 9. Hauled rails. Fine weather.
Jan. 10. Sabbath! No meeting. Rain.
Jan. 11. 10 inches snow this morning.
Jan. 12. Threshed today; rain, warm, snow going fast, wind high today, gone down to night.
Jan. 13. Hauled rails today. Warm.
Jan. 14. Hauled rails. Saw two Indians.
Jan. 15. Snow last night. Prepared for threshing.
Jan. 16. Threshed today. The end of the week.
Jan. 17. Sabbath. Rain, snow going.
Jan. 18. Hauled rails. Warm and pleasant.
Jan. 19. Cut rails. Wind north. Fine.
Jan. 20. Hauled rails. Thawing.; South.
Jan. 21. Crane and Slade here.
Jan. 22. Fine weather. Wind South.
Jan. 23. Rain. Snow going fast.
Jan. 24. Thawing fast. Wind rising.
Jan. 25. Run lines today, feet; wet, rains hard, got wet through.
Jan. 26. Snow all gone. South.
Jan. 27. Little colder; begins to snow.
Jan. 28. Four inches snow fell last night. Colder today. Wind north.
Jan. 29. Started for the mill. Stayed at Friend Van’s.
Jan. 30. Lib concluded not to go farther. Wise determination. Got to goal. Stayed at Parker’s all night. South.
Jan. 31. Went to Monteville; went to meeting, heard two sermons, thought them good.
Feb. 1. Did my business and returned to go.
Feb. 2. Got back to Van's. Rather cold. North.
Feb. 3. Got home; found all well here. Good!
Feb. 4. Sold Buck and Charley for $100! Think it a good sale.
Feb. 5. Threshed oats today; to meeting.
Feb. 6. Snow. Threshed. Went to singing school.
Feb. 7. Went to meeting today to hear Elder Burnell*, a Baptist. The people have engaged to do something for him.
Feb. 8. Haltered Trim and Dandy.
Feb. 9. Cold, high North wind.
Feb. 10. Very cold; coldest day this winter.
Feb. 11. Warmer, but still cold, hauled rails, sawed wood.
Feb. 12. Pleasant. Hauled rails.
Feb. 13. Went to raise a bridge today. Snow, rather cold, wind East.
Feb. 14. Four inches snow; warmer, South.
Feb. 15. Hauled rails. Pleasant.
Feb. 16. Hauled rails from the south bluff.
Feb. 17. Wife gone 7 miles to singing school; left me with all the children; first time. Don’t know what to do!
Feb. 18. Wife got back! Glad of it!!
Feb. 19. Went across the river; could not cross with team. Fine day!
Feb. 20. Hauled two loads rails.
Feb. 21. The Sabbath.
Feb. 22. Cold. Hauled rails. Wind North.
Feb. 23. Went to Wood’s and got mill.
Feb. 24. Cleaned up oats; 60 bushels. Bought a Braimer cock of Low.
Feb. 25. Hauled rails; fine warm day, snow going fast.
Feb. 26. Fine, warm weather; snow gone. Hauled rails. Wind South.
Feb. 27. Begins to act like spring.
March 1. March came in like a lion, will go out like a lamb. We shall see.
March 2. Built foot bridge today.
March 5. Yoked Trim and Dandy for the first time.
March 6. Went to make Mr. Weeks a visit; had a good time.
March 7. Went to meeting; a faithful sermon. Came home 8th; found all well. Hope I felt thankful.
March 11. High winds, snow gone, fine weather. Sapped 8 trees.
March 13. Made lounge.
March 14. Sunday. Stratton and Sherwood here.
March 15. Started for Galesville, going so bad returned.
March 18. Frost out. Ground settling fast.
March 20. Cold, northwest wind.
March 25. Lib and I went three miles back on the South ridge; had a pleasant time. Friend Sherwood had a bee; got a good job done.
March 26. Commenced plowing, rather wet. Southeast wind.
March 27. Went to McKnight’s raising.
March 29. Commenced a fence around house.
March 30. Threshed oats. Snyder passed the night with us.
March 31. Went up to Wood's and got mill.
April 1. Cleaned up oats today.
April 2. Commenced sowing wheat on the lower breaking; sowed 7 ½ bushels.
April 3. Esq. Thurston and wife made us a visit; glad to see them. Elder Brinnel came today; preach- I ed this evening across the river. Being quite unwell, did not go.
April 4. Scarce time, no meat, no butter, no sugar, no coffee, no tea, no milk! But hope for better times.
April 6. Election, 10 miles up river.
April 7. Came back from “lection.” Our side beat. Lib and M. D. went off after cranberries today and got home April 9; gone two nights.
April 11. Rain and snow, hail and thunder.
April 14. Fenced stockyard; set hen with 12 eggs.
April 16. Went to Lyman McKnight house raising.
April 20. Lib’s birthday, 32.
April 23. Went up to Thurston’s, had a good visit. Came home 24th.
April 25. Had some letters. How good it is to hear from Sather, Mother and Sister. Thank God for all His mercies to us; they are new every morning and fresh every evening.
April 27. Rosa came in today; did well.
April 28. Sowed wheat today.
April 29. Set out 32 apple trees.
April 30. Sowed and finished dragging in our wheat.
May 2. Friend Wade and brother came in today.
May 3. Started for Monteville to mill today; got home 6th; camped in timber last night!
May 7. Brother M. gone to the upper settlement today. Serie made a claim today.
May 10. Frost.
May 11. Planted dent corn.
May 12. Frost! Sowed oats.
May 14. Plowed corn ground.
May 17. Lost a calf.
May 19. Commenced planting corn.
May 20. Frost for 10 mornings!
May 21. Finished planting Yankee corn.
May 22. Planted dent corn.
May 23. Friend Stratton and wife here today.
May 26. Plowed ground for potatoes. Planted the 27th.
May 30. Friend E. Wade stayed here last night.
May 31. Lib got home from Trempealeau this morning, having been gone three days. All glad to see her!
June 7. Hauled load of rails, from South bluff and fixed for breaking.
June 8. Went fishing last night; got two. Commenced breaking; worked Trim and Dandy, went well.
June 10. Broke plow today; shop 13 miles.
June 11. Hauled rails from house. Not well.
June 15. Got plow fixed and began to break again.
June 16. Plow broke again.
June 17. Started for shop; stayed at Lampson’s. Got home 18th.
June 19. Good corn weather.
June 20. Lord’s day; Prayer meeting. Good time.
June 22. Worked in garden; planted beans.
June 23. Hoed and planted beans today.
June 24. Set out 200 cabbage plants and a lot of tomato plants.
June 25. Broke plow again.
June 28. Warmest day of season. Plowed corn with oxen. Sowed turnips and rutabagas.
June 29. Sowed buckwheat today.
June 30. Elder Sprague called. Did not see things very encouraging.
July 2. (No explanation is given, but the following named are probably settlers in the area.) Calvin Breed. Shubal B. (W) Breed. Alfred Duer. Ira Van Sickle. Quincy Adams. Benjamin F. Wing. John W. Broadwell. Robert Wilmette (?). Charles A. Sherwood. Wenton Blake. Samuel Cusson. David Wood. Genord Previce. Theodore Woodholl. Ellis Hoffman. Moses D. Ingalls. Uriah Horndenhet. Frank Wade. Nelson Batchellor. Vernon Hall Woll (?).George W. Follett. Oscar Hoslow. William H. Duer. Henry M. Pierce. Paul Kribbs.
* Probably Rev. Mr. Bunnell, first Baptist preacher in the Trempealeau Valley.
(From the Sept. 23, 1943, Whitehall Times)
Record of Incidents Back in 1857-58 Written by Frank Ingalls in Possession of Granddaughter
Back in 1857, 86 years ago, the Frank Ingalls family had just established a home on what is now the Frank Sylla farm in Lincoln, situated west of Whitehall about three miles. Mr. Ingalls and family and his brother, Moses Ingalls, left Rock Prairie in Walworth county in the early summer of 1856. They travelled in covered wagons drawn by ox teams. On that trip John M., son of Mr. and Mrs. Frank Ingalls, learned to walk. The homestead, which comprised 200 acres, was secured and was to be the home of members of the family for nearly three-fourths of a century.
In the year 1857, Frank Ingalls started a diary which he continued for nearly two years. Notations in the notebook, which is now in the possession of his granddaughter, Mrs. J. E. Rhode of Whitehall, are brief. Facts are not recorded in story style but they do relate much about the daily life of a pioneer family. The hardships, sorrows and pleasures are also told. In reading the story, one can plainly visualize the hardships which those early settlers endured. It was the work and suffering of those people which I made it possible for succeeding generations to enjoy the conveniences which we have today.
Mr. Ingalls mentions Deacon Wood in his diary. Deacon Wood was the father of the late David Wood and grandfather of Ralph Wood, Whitehall citizen. The Woods owned land north of Whitehall which in later years was known as the Bishop and Sygulla farms. William Van Sickle is also named in the diary. Mr. Van Sickle was the grandfather of Dr. F. E. Van Sickle of Whitehall and C. D. Van Sickle of Merrillan, who came with his family to the Trempealeau valley in 1856, the same year that the Ingalls family came, and settled on land across the Trempealeau river, formerly known as the Hopkins place, now owned by Joe Pederson. The Van Sickle buildings were situated north of the present farm structures and the site is marked by the lovely old lilac bushes that still grow there.
Frank Ingalls died in 1885. Later his brother Moses married his widow. Moses died in 1895 and John M. Ingalls, son of Frank, passed away Jan. 14, 1943, at the age of 88 years.
Life of a Pioneer Family
Arcadia, Trempealeau, Wis., 1857
Sept. 20. So dar I am, 34 years old. It is the Sabbath of the Lord. I would renew my covenant with my Saviour. May He enable me by His grace to keep it, for without Him I can do nothing.
Sept. 21. Finished stacking all the hay we have down. Pleasantest hay day we have had for several days.
Sept. 22. Today finished cutting one piece of buckwheat, the heaviest and best field I ever saw. Commenced cutting up corn.
Sept. 23. Today eat bear meat for the first time. Neighbor Stratton brought it. Killed by a Mr. Hall who shot him three times and then the bear attacked him, threw him down and bit him badly.
Sept. 24. Cut hay in the coulee. Yesterday wife draped little Moses in pants for the first time. It made he feel very important. It pleased the other children very much. May God have them in His holy keeping. Amen and amen.
Sept. 25. Cut hay today in the cooley. Killed two rattlesnakes. Cooley very wet this year. Last it was perfectly dry.
Sept. 26. Saturday night! What memories of the past come crowding on my mind, thoughts of other days! Gone forever!! O God of my Fathers, enable me by Thy grace to spend my remaining days, be they few or many, in Thy service. O Father in heaven! Thou hast been gracious to us. May Thy goodness lead us to repentance. High wind (south), indications of a storm.
Sept. 27. Today is the Sabbath, we have had our exercise. May the Lord bless them to us. The children got their verses very well today.
Sept. 28. Went to Friend Vansickel’s today, found them very much afflicted by the sickness and probably health of their youngest child, a beautiful child of four years. May God in His infinite mercy by this dispensation of His Providence lead them to Himself. (Wind North).
Sept. 29. Cut more hay today, grass good yet. Fine weather. Wind in Northwest, light frost this morning. Autumn begins to make her appearance.
Sept. 30. Finished stacking hay today. Hard frost this morn. Rain, with thunder.
Oct, 1. Commenced raining last night, rain more or less today, wind North.
Oct. 2. Cloudy all day. Clear tonight. Hauled pumpkins this forenoon.
Oct. 3. Finished cutting buckwheat today. Cloudy tonight. Saturday night. Last of the week!! O may we be prepared for the “Last, of Earth!”
Oct. 4. Today is the Sabbath! O that the Lord would raise up a people in this valley who will delight to do His will. O that we might have sabbath and sanctuary privileges once more! Rain.
Oct. 5. Went up to Van’s today. Their little one is yet alive. Two families of settlers arrived today, Andrew Sherwood and Giles Crips. Pleasant.
Oct. 6. Charming day! Delightful night! Dug potatoes and pulled some beans today.
Oct. 7. Finished haying today. Weather fine!
Oct. 8. Heard that 42 of our state banks have failed. The crash must come! Pleasant.
Oct. 9. Commenced threshing buckwheat—it yields well. English Lines sick. Called on ‘‘M. D.,” 40 miles. The Deacon (Wood) says Lines is a fool! I think both knave and fool!
Oct. 10. Myself and wife called on our new neighbors. It is gratifying to find them so well pleased with the country. Pleasant! Wind south.
Oct. 11. Rain today. O for a more thankful heart for all the mercies God is daily bestowing upon us.
Oct. 12. Weather fine after the storm. Cleaned up buckwheat by the wind. Wind South.
Oct. 13. Fine day. Hard frost this morn. Threshed buckwheat.
Oct. 14. Lib walked over to the Wood’s (4 miles) this afternoon, and back. Cloudy! wind West.
Oct. 15. Franky birthday (9 years old). She, we being out of all kinds of bread timber, got some buckwheat and ground it in the coffee mill and made some cakes. Cold and windy; wind East.
Oct. 16. The weather has been fine today. Wind Northwest.
Oct. 17. Finished threshing buckwheat. Wind North.
Oct. 18. The Sabbath! And no meeting to attend. When shall we be permitted again to go us to the House of the Lord! It snowed slightly. South.
Oct. 19. Our Friends’ (VanSickles) little May was released from her suffering last night. May God by this dispensation of His Providence lead them to Himself. Finished hauling pumpkins. 15 big loads from less than two acres! Wind N-W.
Oct. 20. Started for lumber. Attended the funeral of our friend’s little girl. The whole family were very much afflicted. Stayed all night at Tery’s.
Oct. 21. Fine day. Started for the sawmill with 23 bushels of buckwheat. Paid.
Oct. 22. Paid my bill in buckwheat. Came to the mill, sold my stuff for lumber. Got 50 cents per bush. Passed the night at the mill. Rain today.
Oct. 23. Started out of the woods. Broke my reach and wagon tongue, but soon got rigged again by the help of a kind friend I found in the pines. Went to the grist mill.
Oct. 24. Got my grist and started for home. Rain, wet and cold.
Oct. 25. Started early and got home just at dusk. Found all well. Felt thankful to God for His mercies to us.
Oct. 26. Hauled a load of wood and husked corn today. Pleasant.
Oct. 27. Rain! Went over to Deacon Wood’s and got the calf. Brother he shot a grouse and we had a little meat for supper!
Oct. 28. Finished husking corn. Wind South. Friend Crane came up tonight with news from some of the folks in Rock.
Oct. 29. Went over the south bluff and got some timber. Commenced pulling turnips. Crane returned today. North.
Oct. 30. Finished the lower turnip patch.
Oct. 31. Pleasant today. Wind north.
Nov. 1. The Lord’s day. No meeting to attend. I now miss those Sabbath and sanctuary privileges I used to care so little for. Wind Northeast.
Nov. 2. Cleared the field today.
Nov. 3. Walked 10 miles to election. A few flakes of snow today.
Nov. 4. Pulled turnips today, looks stormy.
Nov. 5. Rain and cold. Hauled up the turnips.
Nov. 6. Friend Sherwood here today. Went road viewing, found good site for bridge. Lib and I went to see the baby (Strat’s), a fine boy of 11 pounds.
Nov. 7. Hauled 4 loads poles, looks like falling weather; begins to snow.
Nov. 8. The Sabbath. Snow! 10 inches of snow today! Rather hard on the new settlers who are almost houseless. But it is the lot of the pioneer to meet with hardships. Wind South.
Nov. 9. Stormy! Built fence round stacks. Got a letter from Banks last Friday. South.
Nov. 10. Hauled stable logs today. No thaw yet. South.
Nov. 11. The snow still lays on the ground.
Nov. 12. Rolled up stable. Mr. Wood and wife at our house this afternoon. Wind South.
Nov. 13. Wind north, cold, snowing!
Nov. 14. Saturday night. How time flies! Soon the night of Death will come. O may the Lord in His goodness prepare us to meet It. It has been a fine day. Wind south.
Nov. 15. The Sabbath! Truly we are beyond the line of sabbaths. May the Lord in His Providence grant us the sabbath!
Nov. 16. Snow! Out of clothes, out of money and in Debt! Blast the English!!!
Nov. 17. Went over to Sherwood’s, got some elk meat of Stratton. Wind south.
Nov. 18. Fine day, thawed a litle. Stormy tonight.
Nov. 19. Today we have suffered with cold. I think we have got to the coldest country I was ever in. Wind North.
Nov. 20. Threshed today. Road commissioners are here tonight. Snow! Cold!
Nov 21. Snows! Commissioners did the road so as to accommodate Banks, Ingalls and Crane, Brother M.
Nov. 22. The Sabbath! Bless God for the sabbath! Cold and snowy. Wind North.
Nov. 23. Very cold. I crossed the river today on the ice. Friends Sherwood and VanSickle are obliged to clean grain with the wind. In this new country’s miserable way I sometimes get discouraged. But still hope on.
Nov. 24. Brother M. started for the grist mill today, 35 miles. Comfortable day.
Nov. 25. Got a dollar for piloting a man toward the Bishop settlement today. Glad to get it. Fine day. Heard today that the snow at St. Paul was 18 inches deep!
Nov. 26. Fine day. Plastered up the stable. Almost thawed. Wind south.
Nov. 27. It has thawed, with some rain. South.
Nov. 28. Continues to thaw. Rains. Snow going.
Nov. 29. Continues to rain; snow all gone. Brother got back tonight from mill.
Nov. 30. Cold today. It has frozen up again. Got a letter from Clara yesterday.
Dec. 1. Went down to the river front. It had broken up so that we could not cross. Pleasant wind, South.
Dec. 2. Three or four inches of snow this morning. Brother M. put a door and window in the house. Wind Northwest.
Dec. 3. Fine today. Plastered the house with mud. Makes it warmer. Pleasant for winter weather in this latitude. North.
Dec. 4. Finished mudding the house. Deacon Wood called with a; minister of his own order, close! Baptist. Lib went over the river to! watch with the sick child of Friend; Sherwood’s. Wind south.
Dec. 5. Looks stormy. Rain! Snow!
Dec. 6. Sabbath! Went to meeting. Got in late. First sermon ever preached in this part of the valley (subject, Mary and Martha. A plain, practical sermon. May God in His mercy send us a man after His own heart.)
Dec. 7. Pleasant day. Hauled rails.
Dec. 8. Elder Bunnel came here last night. Sat up until 1 o’clock. Pleasant interim. Appears to be a well meaning man! Friend Sherwood’s son died at 5 o’clock this morning. Snowed. Northeast.
Dec. 9. Our folks have gone to the funeral. The Lord in His mercy spares my family. Yet may His goodness lead us to repentance! Fine weather for the season.
Dec. 10. Piled rails today. Fine weather.
Dec. 11. Built a shed. Wind Southwest.
Dec. 12. Delightful winter weather. South. The Strattons came with their father, who says wheat is 45 to 50 cents per bushel in the southern part of the state.
Dec. 13. Fine thawing weather. Nothing like it last winter. Musketeers are flying today. Wind, south.
Dec. 14. Covered shed. Fog, colder wind. Southeast.
Dec. 15. Visited Friend Sherwood today. Rain! Got a letter from Emily. Three dollars enclosed, makes $9 in all. Fine noble-hearted woman! South.
Dec. 16. Hauled two loads rails today.
Dec. 17. It has rained all day today, snow all gone.
Dec. 18. Snow this morning, hauled rails.
Dec. 19. Hauled rails and broke sled.
Dec. 20. Sabbath! No meeting! Read the “Great Teacher.” Excellent book.
Dec. 21. Hauled rails today. Wind north.
Dec. 22. Hauled rails, wind north; pleasant.
Dec. 23. Hauled rails. Snow all gone.
Dec. 24. Cut rails today. Wind
Dec. 25. Christmas today, Colder. North.
Dec. 26. Hauled and cut rails today. North.
Dec. 27. Sabbath! We feel the want of a meeting to attend. Mild and pleasant. O may the Lord in His own good time send us Prosperity!
Dec. 28. Went to the Lake settlement. Found our Friend Lere’s child very ill. Do not think it will live.
Dec. 29. I have been today 20 miles to get the loan of a fanning mill!
Dec. 30. Got home today; found all well.
Dec. 31. Cut rails today. Snows now, north. Saw five Indians in the bluff; wretched looking objects!
1858
Jan. 1. First day of new year. May we endeavor to do better and live nearer to God and accomplish more for the good of our fellow men than we have ever done.
Jan. 2. Hauled rails. Pleasant.
Jan. 3. Went to Deacon Wood’s. The Elder did not come. Thawed all day.
Jan. 4. Built foot of bridge.
Jan. 5. Friend Van Sickle and wife came down today. Snows.
Jan. 6. Snow 4 inches deep, cold. Jan and Brother M. went down the river after Ash; found none.
Jan. 7. Went over to Stratton’s. Cold.
Jan. 8. M. went to England to get some money, got none. I hauled rails.
Jan. 9. Hauled rails. Fine weather.
Jan. 10. Sabbath! No meeting. Rain.
Jan. 11. 10 inches snow this morning.
Jan. 12. Threshed today; rain, warm, snow going fast, wind high today, gone down to night.
Jan. 13. Hauled rails today. Warm.
Jan. 14. Hauled rails. Saw two Indians.
Jan. 15. Snow last night. Prepared for threshing.
Jan. 16. Threshed today. The end of the week.
Jan. 17. Sabbath. Rain, snow going.
Jan. 18. Hauled rails. Warm and pleasant.
Jan. 19. Cut rails. Wind north. Fine.
Jan. 20. Hauled rails. Thawing.; South.
Jan. 21. Crane and Slade here.
Jan. 22. Fine weather. Wind South.
Jan. 23. Rain. Snow going fast.
Jan. 24. Thawing fast. Wind rising.
Jan. 25. Run lines today, feet; wet, rains hard, got wet through.
Jan. 26. Snow all gone. South.
Jan. 27. Little colder; begins to snow.
Jan. 28. Four inches snow fell last night. Colder today. Wind north.
Jan. 29. Started for the mill. Stayed at Friend Van’s.
Jan. 30. Lib concluded not to go farther. Wise determination. Got to goal. Stayed at Parker’s all night. South.
Jan. 31. Went to Monteville; went to meeting, heard two sermons, thought them good.
Feb. 1. Did my business and returned to go.
Feb. 2. Got back to Van's. Rather cold. North.
Feb. 3. Got home; found all well here. Good!
Feb. 4. Sold Buck and Charley for $100! Think it a good sale.
Feb. 5. Threshed oats today; to meeting.
Feb. 6. Snow. Threshed. Went to singing school.
Feb. 7. Went to meeting today to hear Elder Burnell*, a Baptist. The people have engaged to do something for him.
Feb. 8. Haltered Trim and Dandy.
Feb. 9. Cold, high North wind.
Feb. 10. Very cold; coldest day this winter.
Feb. 11. Warmer, but still cold, hauled rails, sawed wood.
Feb. 12. Pleasant. Hauled rails.
Feb. 13. Went to raise a bridge today. Snow, rather cold, wind East.
Feb. 14. Four inches snow; warmer, South.
Feb. 15. Hauled rails. Pleasant.
Feb. 16. Hauled rails from the south bluff.
Feb. 17. Wife gone 7 miles to singing school; left me with all the children; first time. Don’t know what to do!
Feb. 18. Wife got back! Glad of it!!
Feb. 19. Went across the river; could not cross with team. Fine day!
Feb. 20. Hauled two loads rails.
Feb. 21. The Sabbath.
Feb. 22. Cold. Hauled rails. Wind North.
Feb. 23. Went to Wood’s and got mill.
Feb. 24. Cleaned up oats; 60 bushels. Bought a Braimer cock of Low.
Feb. 25. Hauled rails; fine warm day, snow going fast.
Feb. 26. Fine, warm weather; snow gone. Hauled rails. Wind South.
Feb. 27. Begins to act like spring.
March 1. March came in like a lion, will go out like a lamb. We shall see.
March 2. Built foot bridge today.
March 5. Yoked Trim and Dandy for the first time.
March 6. Went to make Mr. Weeks a visit; had a good time.
March 7. Went to meeting; a faithful sermon. Came home 8th; found all well. Hope I felt thankful.
March 11. High winds, snow gone, fine weather. Sapped 8 trees.
March 13. Made lounge.
March 14. Sunday. Stratton and Sherwood here.
March 15. Started for Galesville, going so bad returned.
March 18. Frost out. Ground settling fast.
March 20. Cold, northwest wind.
March 25. Lib and I went three miles back on the South ridge; had a pleasant time. Friend Sherwood had a bee; got a good job done.
March 26. Commenced plowing, rather wet. Southeast wind.
March 27. Went to McKnight’s raising.
March 29. Commenced a fence around house.
March 30. Threshed oats. Snyder passed the night with us.
March 31. Went up to Wood's and got mill.
April 1. Cleaned up oats today.
April 2. Commenced sowing wheat on the lower breaking; sowed 7 ½ bushels.
April 3. Esq. Thurston and wife made us a visit; glad to see them. Elder Brinnel came today; preach- I ed this evening across the river. Being quite unwell, did not go.
April 4. Scarce time, no meat, no butter, no sugar, no coffee, no tea, no milk! But hope for better times.
April 6. Election, 10 miles up river.
April 7. Came back from “lection.” Our side beat. Lib and M. D. went off after cranberries today and got home April 9; gone two nights.
April 11. Rain and snow, hail and thunder.
April 14. Fenced stockyard; set hen with 12 eggs.
April 16. Went to Lyman McKnight house raising.
April 20. Lib’s birthday, 32.
April 23. Went up to Thurston’s, had a good visit. Came home 24th.
April 25. Had some letters. How good it is to hear from Sather, Mother and Sister. Thank God for all His mercies to us; they are new every morning and fresh every evening.
April 27. Rosa came in today; did well.
April 28. Sowed wheat today.
April 29. Set out 32 apple trees.
April 30. Sowed and finished dragging in our wheat.
May 2. Friend Wade and brother came in today.
May 3. Started for Monteville to mill today; got home 6th; camped in timber last night!
May 7. Brother M. gone to the upper settlement today. Serie made a claim today.
May 10. Frost.
May 11. Planted dent corn.
May 12. Frost! Sowed oats.
May 14. Plowed corn ground.
May 17. Lost a calf.
May 19. Commenced planting corn.
May 20. Frost for 10 mornings!
May 21. Finished planting Yankee corn.
May 22. Planted dent corn.
May 23. Friend Stratton and wife here today.
May 26. Plowed ground for potatoes. Planted the 27th.
May 30. Friend E. Wade stayed here last night.
May 31. Lib got home from Trempealeau this morning, having been gone three days. All glad to see her!
June 7. Hauled load of rails, from South bluff and fixed for breaking.
June 8. Went fishing last night; got two. Commenced breaking; worked Trim and Dandy, went well.
June 10. Broke plow today; shop 13 miles.
June 11. Hauled rails from house. Not well.
June 15. Got plow fixed and began to break again.
June 16. Plow broke again.
June 17. Started for shop; stayed at Lampson’s. Got home 18th.
June 19. Good corn weather.
June 20. Lord’s day; Prayer meeting. Good time.
June 22. Worked in garden; planted beans.
June 23. Hoed and planted beans today.
June 24. Set out 200 cabbage plants and a lot of tomato plants.
June 25. Broke plow again.
June 28. Warmest day of season. Plowed corn with oxen. Sowed turnips and rutabagas.
June 29. Sowed buckwheat today.
June 30. Elder Sprague called. Did not see things very encouraging.
July 2. (No explanation is given, but the following named are probably settlers in the area.) Calvin Breed. Shubal B. (W) Breed. Alfred Duer. Ira Van Sickle. Quincy Adams. Benjamin F. Wing. John W. Broadwell. Robert Wilmette (?). Charles A. Sherwood. Wenton Blake. Samuel Cusson. David Wood. Genord Previce. Theodore Woodholl. Ellis Hoffman. Moses D. Ingalls. Uriah Horndenhet. Frank Wade. Nelson Batchellor. Vernon Hall Woll (?).George W. Follett. Oscar Hoslow. William H. Duer. Henry M. Pierce. Paul Kribbs.
* Probably Rev. Mr. Bunnell, first Baptist preacher in the Trempealeau Valley.
(From the Sept. 23, 1943, Whitehall Times)