Westby Area Historical Society
Celebrating Syttende Mai is nothing new to Westby. An early celebration occurred in Westby in May 1885. The Vernon County Censor for May 6, 1885 had an article about the upcoming 17th of May celebration that was to be held in Westby. It was held on Monday, May 18, Sunday being reserved for church services and families.
Officers of the day were listed as follows: President, Dr. J. K. Schreiner, Vice president, C. H. Ballsrud. Others listed were, Thomas Jerman and Marcus Bergh, Viroqua; C. A. Morterud and P. Hanson, Bloomingdale; E. Enochson, Avalanche; Hans Amundson, Springville; Michael Renz and Ole Anderson, Esofea; Nels Neprud and Hans Hanson, Coon Valley; and Peter Nelson and Martin Jackson, Cashton. The marshals of the day were Ole Lien and E. C. Bergh.
The May 20th edition of the Vernon County Censor, recorded the events that occurred and is quoted in its entirety below.
Norwegian Independence Day
The Celebration at Westby
"Notwithstanding the fears of the people at the threatening aspect of the weather for a week previous, Monday was a much better day for the celebration than expected.
"H. C. Dean, who had been engaged as gunner, went to Westby on the evening previous to the celebration, to be ready for the early morning (sunrise) artillery salute, which was fired at sunrise soon after which teams began coming in from all parts of the county.
"At 10:30 the train arrived from Sparta, bearing large numbers from Sparta, Cashton, and other places along the line, to take part in the festivities of the day.
"At 11 o'clock the procession formed and marched to the grove north of Westby in the following order: Westby coronet band, Norwegian musketeers, led by Capt. O. Nordrum, bearing a beautiful banner, and citizens.
"At the grove a short speech was made by the President of the Day, Dr. J. K. Schreiner, who introduced the people to Prof. Heltberg. This gentleman spoke in the Norwegian language, and his address is spoken of in the highest terms by those who understand the language.
"Next came singing by the glee club, which numbered 35 to 40, led by Prof. Heltberg, after which a picnic dinner was indulged in by most of the assemblage.
"At 3:30 Capt. Nordrum, with his drill corps, made a fine display. The program was interspersed at intervals with singing by the glee club, music by the coronet band, and artillery salutes till 5 o'clock, when a variety of amusements were indulged in consisting of wheelbarrow races, sack races, etc.
"Taken altogether the celebration was a success. The crowd was orderly, and nothing occurred to mar the pleasure of the occasion. A dance in the evening closed the day's celebration, and the day will long be remembered by the people of this county as an appropriate celebration of the constitution adopted at Eidsvold in 1814 - the freedom of the mother country from Denmark.”
A few historical notes:
Christian Hanson Ballsrud (1834-1902) was an immigrant from Feiring, Hurdal, Norway, and came to Coon Prairie in 1854. He held various prestigious offices including town chairman, treasurer and justice of the peace. He was also a merchant in Westby from 1879-1893.
Henry C. Dean lived in the town of Webster and was a veteran of the Civil War.
The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul railroad built a branch line from Sparta to Viroqua in 1879.
Prof. C. Heltberg was a school teacher who served Coon Prairie Church.
Capt. O. Nordrum was probably Ole Nordrum who was a shoemaker by trade and lived in Viroqua at this time.
The Constitution of Norway was signed at Eidsvoll on May 17, 1814. The constitution declared Norway to be an independent nation.
The grove north of Westby was Davidson's grove now Davidson Park.
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