Jacob Post Michelet letter

Johan Michelet

Like a photo that forever captures a moment in time, a letter can do the same. This letter, was written more than 150 years ago from Jacob Post Michelet in Norway, to his oldest son Johan Michelet. Johan Michelet had come to America in the spring of 1850 at the age of 19. This letter is a primary source which provides insights into the life of a Norwegian family who were among the first settlers of Westby.

In a Westby Times front page article March 25, 1993, Margaret Gulsvig wrote “Johan Michelet’s name became so prominent in the history of Westby, the town could easily be Michelet today, though Ole T. Westby was given the honor.”

Translated by Bjarne O. Breilid

Lillehammer, April 6, 1851

My Dear Johan

I received your precious letter on New Years Day in the afternoon, and it transformed our day from a dismal one to a happy one. I decided at once to take your advice and follow you to America, but as you know the Norwegian inclination is to oppose what other people want, and this had certainly been the case here. Finally, I have triumphed and have sold my property to Mr. Mahlum, the tanner, for 430 spesidaler (sps.) to be paid by April 14. I have had auctions, and from those I have made only 192 (spd). The last auction will take place on April 12. The lack of money is so severe that one can get only ½ or ⅓ of what an item is worth. Confidently, I suppose I have made sales for close to 200 (spd) but the expenses and difficulties are extremely great so that my capital is shrinking considerable. Most likely I will be going on the ship Rochard Cobden, clearing agent Langaard in Christiana (Oslo). The fare is 22 (spd.) per person and 14 (spd) for children without meals.

You dear mother had a baby on the first of February, a beautiful daughter, and we are trying to think of a name for her. (Note: the name Tea has been added above-she was later named Johanna Dorthea) What worries me the most is your mother’s ill health in spite of the fact that this childbirth was the easiest of all. If I could only get her to Christiana (added above 96 miles) from where we expect to leave around the middle of May, then I believe all difficulties would be behind us, and you could expect to meet us cheerful and happy in Milwaukee. Your siblings are doing well and are good looking, healthy and lively. From New York I’ll write to you, and then you must meet us in Milwaukee. As soon as you receive this letter you must start thinking of renting a place to live for us (too faded) the cheapest and best place and make preparations as well as you can, however, without spending any money beyond this. Your efforts ought to concentrate in every way on gathering information about the most fertile and best place for us to settle. Think about and seriously consider whether we ought to buy a farm or rent land, or more correctly what is most advantageous to us, dear Johan, because your own as well as the entire family’s welfare depends on your thoughtful consideration (too faded) always what kind of fortune we can expect in America.

My dear, get advice from anyone you can and pray to God, especially for your mother’s health because of all the child-births have weakened her-she is often ill, but wants very much to go over there to you and then we are going to have a good time.

Here poverty is affecting all of us. Business confidence and friendships are gone.

Christian A. Morterud

I received your greeting in your letter to Morterud. (This was Johan’s friend Christian A. Morterud - who came to Westby later and became a merchant in Bloomingdale) Otherwise I don’t know what to tell you, but you must be informed of everything because our thought are only concerned with the preparation for this long trip and with making it convenient and possible for us to reach you, and for you to be set up in such a way that we, without delay can proceed to our first destination (or place to stay) in America. After receiving your letter, we are trying to work as hard as we can. (note: This sentence is ambiguous because to word handle can mean act-to do some work, or it can mean buy and sell, do business in a store. As Mr. Michelet was a merchant it probably meant that he was trying to liquidate the merchandise. Otherwise they were just very busy getting ready to sail for America.) Accordingly, the middle of May is our departure from Christiana, how I wish we were there! It is no laughing matter for me to get four such small children and my poor wife there all by myself. Today I wrote Landgaard regarding the fare, and I’ll do my best to help and protect in every way so that with luck I can arrive with the family at our future place of residence with God’s help and protection for us against all troubles and hardships, which I also trust He will do for you. Besides, I hope that all your thoughts are focused on yourself and on us since our entire future happiness depends on your present decisions. In addition, you will in a few months (someone added 6 above the months) with certainty be able to meet all of us because God is with us. (Mr. Michelet’s father had been a Lutheran Minister, so he was a religious man.)

Our fondest farewell and greeting from all of us.

Your devoted father

Jacob Post Michelet

Note: Passenger list obtained from the Vesterheim Genealogical Center in Madison, tell that the Jacob Post Michelet family did not come on the Richard Cobden, rather they are listed on the Incognito which is the same ship which John Michelet took a year earlier. On the passenger list dated August 30, 1851 and were listed as: Jacob Post Michelet 55, Gregine 39, Emil (Wilhelm) 5, Charles 2, Sophie 7, The infant was not listed - but she arrived safely.

The letter also mentions Morterud. Johan Michelet and Christian Morterud had been friends in the Lillehammer area. Both were well educated in Norway and raised in the mercantile life. Johan Michelet, was born in 1830 and Christian Morterud was born in 1833.

Johan Michelet general store building.
At the time this photo was taken,
E.T. Borgen owned it as a restaurant.
Corner of First and Main streets.

Johan Michelet general store,
center building. Photo taken from the Cargill
tower southeast of Michelet's general store.

Having been given “gold” by his father he purchased land when he arrived, but Johan Michelet did not farm instead he went to work for merchant Hercules Dousman. In Prairie du Chien. By the year 1850, Dousman had withdrawn from the fur trade and had focused on his other many businesses which included real-estate, grain and lumber. Dousman also beame involved in transportation, steamboats and was a principal investor in the Madison, Prairie du Chien railroad. Dousman is often called Wisconsin’s first millionaire. When he died Dousman was worth 23 million (in today’s money). Working for Hercules Dousman, gave Johan Michelet valuable additional education in business. John later built a warehouse in Westby and was Westby’s first grain buyer. Johan Michelet was active in early Westby, serving as township chairman, assessor and treasurer, as well as member of the county board. He helped to start schools and served on the school boards. He served as postmaster from 1884 to 1888 and operated a general store for about 15 years starting in 1891 at he age of 61.

John’s friend Christian A. Morterud came to Westby in 1865. The history of Vernon County says “when Christian Morterud came to Wisconsin for a short time he clerked for H. Pierce, a merchant in Bloomingdale. He soon formed a partnership with his employer, bought out Mr. Pierce’s interest in stock. Mr. Morterud put in to practice all the business qualifications he was taught in his youth, building up a large lucrative trade. Mr. Morterud served as a member of the school board for several years, treasurer of the town for nine years, was Justice of the Peace two years and was notary public.

The friendship between these two continued through the years, when Charles Michelet, younger brother of Johan requested a letter of recommendation from Morterud for starting a business account after his graduation from law school at Northwestern University. This letter is on the Morterud business letterhead.

Michelet Country House

In the study of history these letters are a primary source of information which is of historical significance as they provide insight into the lives of several people who played important roles in the early history of the village of Westby. I am so glad they were preserved by my family.

Michele Michelet Boyer.