Fayette County, First Things

FAYETTE

Posted By: Joy Moore (email)
Date: 3/31/2020 at 08:53:46

Source: Decorah Republican Aug. 22, 1901 P 4 C 2

FIRST THINGS IN FAYETTE COUNTY
We have heretofore alluded to the series of articles by T. D. Peterman which the West Union Argo has been publishing for the past six months. He has just brought the series to a close. What he anticipated would only be subject matter for two or three articles grew to be twenty-seven, making upwards of eighty columns in all. It is the basis for a fine county history. In the last article Mr. P gives a resume of the very first incidents connected with the white settlers coming in, beginning with 1841 and ending with 1849. The last year of this period, it will be remembered, was the beginning of settlement in this county. This was be¬ause the line dividing the Winnebago reservation followed a course from the northeast almost due southwest. This left the southeast half of Fayette County outside of the reservation, while all of Winnesheik was inside the reservation. Following are the principal events of the years referred to:—
1841—Franklin Wilcox built first house and made permanent location.
1842—Beatty and Orrear built near Wilcox’s. Hensley made a trip to the county on horseback.
1843—Teagardner massacre,in March, Mumford left the county in summer. Winter of 1842 and 1843 very bad.
1844—Hensley made permanent location. Webster raised crop of oats where Fayette now is.
1845—Dan Finney came. Hensley harvested first crop of wheat raised in county.
1846—John Moine made first entry of land. Van Dorn’s baby born, the first white child in the county.
1847—The Brooks and Newton came. Fayette county reduced to present size.
1848—Indians removed. Dutton Smith and others located in the northern part of the county.
1849—Young Rosier drowned In June. Wells located near West Union. J. W. Rogers came and built in the fall. West Union surveyed. Settlers coming in rapidly.