Jacob Post Michelet

Submitted by 

Michele Michelet Boyer

Johann (John) Michelet

When Jacob Post Michelet brought his family to Coon Prairie from Lillehammer, Norway in 1851 he brought with him a desire for his children to be educated. Because of this family’s devotion to education, the Michelet family had involvement in education from one of the earliest schools in Bad Ax Co. to Smith school, one of the last country schools in Vernon Co. The young children of Jacob Post Michelet who came from Lillehammer to Coon Prairie were Sophie Amalia 7, Emil Wilhelm Julian 5, and Carl (Charles) 2; and infant Johanna Dorthea, his teen age son Johann (John) Michelet had come to Coon Prairie the year before. Johan had been educated in the Cathedral or Latin schools in Christiana (Oslo) and worked with his father, a merchant. Because of his experience and education was able to almost immediately get a job working for Hercules Dousman, trader and real estate speculator who played a large role in the economic development of Wisconsin. Johann worked and lived at Prairie du Chien, while he waited for his mother, father and younger siblings to arrive in America. This experience afforded him an education which laid the foundation for his later business success in Westby. In a Westby Times 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 later given the honor. However, Johan Michelet served as township chairman, assessor and treasurer, as well as a member of school boards and the county board. He built a warehouse in Westby and was Westby’s first grain buyer. He served as postmaster from 1884 to 1888 and operated a general store for about 15 years, starting in 1891.” 

In his youth Jacob Post Michelet himself had been sent to attend school in Copenhagen, Denmark and briefly attended University in Christiana (Oslo). His father Johan Wilhelm Michelet, a Lutheran minister, had attended Copenhagen University to become a Lutheran minister. Although the beautiful and fertile topography of the driftless area offered economic opportunity, the opportunity for education was not readily available for these pioneers. Wisconsin had only become a state in 1848. 

Jacob Post Michele residence on North Main Street, Westby
Now the location of Coulecap

The Michelet-Buros cabin which is preserved at Norskedalen Heritage Site  was the home of this pioneer family. Built by Jacob Post Michelet, the cabin was originally located on section 35 near the Coon Prairie Church. According to records at the Vernon County Historical Museum a Michelet School is listed as one of the early schools. Jacob Post Michelet owned land on section 35. Research done by Sandra Lawrence found The History of Vernon County to say “the first term of school in the first school was taught in 1851 in a building erected that year on section 35. It was 22x26 feet and at the time it was built was among the best in the country.” The 1855 Western Times in Viroqua wrote, “Turn to Coon Prairie where the immigrant 5,000 miles from his native land is building up for himself and his children an adopted home. The first good frame school house built in our country was built by these European North men and in it they have a school summer and winter. And what do they teach? Traditions of their native land in their native tongue? No. With English teachers and English books they seek to Americanize their children.” 

Much later in 1881 John Michelet was instrumental in the opening of another school. The Westby Times said “In 1881 another private school was opened by Miss Matilda Gilbertson (later Mrs. E.C Bergh) in a room above Syverson’s machine shop. In 1883, a new school district was formed which elected, the following board of education: Andrew Moen, John Michelet and Simon Syverson three staunch pioneers.” 

Smith School

Research done by Howard Sherpe from early platt books regarding the history of Smith School, shows “sometime between 1878 and 1896 the Smith School was built on its present site.”  and  “John Michelet now owns the land surrounding Smith School”. Our family records show that John Michelet bought that parcel of land in 1888. John Michelet died in 1918 and Richard Grimsrud his son in law (husband of Adella Michelet) then owned the land surrounding the school. It is likely that John Michelet with his previous involvement and interest in education had donated the land for the school.  Anne Nereim Benson, great granddaughter of Johan Michelet remembers her mother Marion Grimsrud Nereim saying that “John Michelet had donated the land for Smith school because he was a very public spirited person.”   

     

When Jacob Post Michelet died his son Charles was only 17 and William was 20 they had to help each other to continue their education as they cared for their widowed mother and youngest sister Elise who was only 7 when her father died. The brothers took turns attending college and and then coming back to work on the farm. Later when it was necessary for them to have more continuity in their education it appears that they had a business which allowed them to both be away from home. From the letters it is not clear what the business was however the best guess is renting of farm implements or equipment, as some letters briefly name well known equipment makers. Additionally, their sister Johanna Dorthea had married Christopher Sollie and he was working the family farm. Johanna died tragically in 1878 following the birth of a daughter.   

Christian A. Morterud

During these times the family kept in touch with frequent letters. A letter is historically a primary source. Some letters focus on significant events taking place or daily observations. Some letters mention well known figures in Westby and Vernon County history. They used the Bloomingdale post office probably because their friend Christian A. Morterud had a large general store there. In the early letters Charles was at Northwestern University prep to prepare for entrance into Northwestern University, and then a University student. William was in Portage doing an internship with a physician to prepare to enter Rush Medical School. After their long struggle to get an education, Charles graduated Valedictorian of his class at Northwestern University class of 1880 then returned to get a masters degree in Law becoming a lawyer, and William Received his medical degree in 1879 from Rush Medical College (Now Rush University Medical School, Chicago) then he too returned to Rush for medical post-graduate courses. 

The collection of preserved letters numbers more than 60 only a few and excerpts of a few are used here. The first language of these brothers was Norwegian, so the letters often sound somewhat strange in sentence structure.  Some letters are too lengthy and are excerpted. 

These letters offer an insight into the life of a Norwegian-American family of pioneers, in this period of time when it was a struggle to get an education. Letters provide an interesting perspective into an age long since vanished into the pages of history. These were real people with real lives that were very much rooted in Westby and Coon Prairie.

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(Northwestern Prep-Northwestern University)

Evanston, Ill. Dec. 1873

Dear Bro,

This is Sunday night and I am not quite well of the mumps yet. I was over to see Dr. Jewell tonight and he advised me to go home in vacation where I could have it more comfortable, and I think you may expect me if I get any money to go with pretty soon.

This mumping has been quite a hard time for me though my fellow batches pretend to have sympathy on a person they are so little self sacrificing that they do not realize an invalid’s true condition. I have suffered much from cold room for they do not mind to leave the doors open, yet when we don’t need it warm for any special reason they are full as careful. If it turns out so I come I may tell you of it before hand.

Your devoted bro.

Charles Michelet

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Evanston, Ill (Northwestern Prep)

Dear Bro, Dec. 1873

I have just received the P.O money order in the amount of $20.00 (this amount is equal to $370.00 in today’s money) and notification of the arrival in my box.

     Since I write to you last Sunday night I have been sick abed and I have just recovered so I  have been able to sit up a couple of days. McKay left for home the following Monday and the other one last Saturday and I was left in the care of the folks in the house. I should like to come home to Christmas. I have lost he privilege of attending any of the examinations but if I get well enough before I go I will try to get private examinations yet I understand that my standing is good. I stood 1st in my class.

Salute all my folks and I wish you all a Merry Christmas.

It seems rather lonesome not to hear anything from home for so long a time.

Your devoted Bro.

Chas Michelet

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Bloomingdale March 2^nd 1873

Dear Brother,

It is a tedious and difficult task for me to write a letter….

The angel of death has visited our neighborhood and called to her reward our aunt, Mrs. Even Peterson. (Christine, sister of Gregine Michelet, wife of Jacob Post Michelet) She died on the 26^th February at 1:00 am and they had the funeral yesterday March 1. I have not been able to learn all the circumstances of her death yet; but am happy to hear that she died in a full hope of a glorious resurrection

Your affectionate brother

Charles  Michelet

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Bloomingdale April 3^rd ‘73

Dear Brother,

As my time is very limited this morning I cannot come up to my expectations in writing to you, you must only expect a little home talk. We are all well as usual and have plenty of small affairs to attend to, yet we have been expecting seed time for quite a while but our hopes have been frustrated so far. A while ago just as the snow was fast changing into water…. I went right into the woods, and got the logs cut and hauled them to the road side, got only two home, of course the others must be hewed on the spot and hauled on the wagon. If you can write to us soon please state for curiosity on what marks you had the seeder last year, for sowing different kinds of grain if you remember, this is all I can scribble this time, I now close with my best wishes to you in every respect.

Your affectionate brother

Chas. Michelet

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Portage Wis, Sept, 1876

Dear Brother;

Am still afloat as you will see from the heading of my letter. But as I have passed through but very little yet, I may just as well give a hurried description of my “beings and doings” up to date. As I had alighted the train I took a seat in an Omnibus…. After quite a drive though the dark I arrived at the city hotel.  (The next morning)… After breakfast I went out to see the town and after 5 minutes walk I inquired at the drugstore about the physicians and found that Dr. Waterhouse was the best doctor as he has been the Vice president and President of the State Medical Association and has always had someone study with him. I went to his office which consists of three rooms on the second floor of a brick building. I found the Doctor in and after 5 minutes of questioning I concluded to stay with him, he is expecting me to keep his books and office in order. He has a large library with all the latest work in. He questioned me regarding my education. He is a very agreeable man between 40 and 50 years. 

… This is the present and the beginning, the progress and future will reveal.

Your Bro.

WEJ Michelet

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Portage, Wis

Oct. 29, 1876

Dear Bro,

…I have neither heard from Mother or Sollie. How are the prospects with Tate. I am waiting to hear from Morterud. My first surgical operation was to take sand burs from the fingers of the Presbyterian minister—was it not a great one. On the 18^th the Dr. and I went out 8 miles to dress the skull of a granger that had been injured in a hop press. The Dr. took out two pieces of bone of the skull. The man had been insensible for several hours. We went out after dark and returned at 6 am. It rained and was dark as pitch.

Your Bro,

WEJ Michelet

Note: other letters indicate surgery was performed with chloroform.

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Portage, Wis

Nov 12, 1876

Dear Bro,

Your bearing the date of the 9^th of the present month together with Eliza’s letter received… I make good progress in my studies and my preceptor says I do as much as anyone could. Yesterday we has an amputation of a leg below the knee, it was a bloody deed, but very interesting from a professional point of view

Your bro,

WEJ Michelet

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Viroqua Oc. 27^th 1876

Friend WEJ Michelelt

Dear Sir,

Please find enclosed a Post office order for the amount of Fifty Dollars. (Equal to $1,030 in today’s money)

Yours Truly

J. Tate

P.S. My best wishes to you & Charlie I would like to write you a long letter but my time is precious. Mr. Tate is a way from home so good night.

J. Morton

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Bloomingdale, Wis Nov 19, 1876

Dear Bro.

WEJ Michelet

I will write a few lines to let you know that we are all well and I hope that these few lines will find you the same. Ma received your most welcome letter last evening. She was delighted to hear that you was well. When you write next time please tell me if you can come home to Christmas. Ma would like it very much if you will come home; it is very lonesome at home now. The second term of the District school will now commence a week from tomorrow and keep in 10 weeks. If I get well I would like to go every day. I was very sorrow to leave the Viroqua School and I think I learned a great deal. Austin Berger was taken sick up in Sparta and the doctors said that he had the throat disease and they could not cure him. He went in the stage home and they sent for the doctor he said he had the brain fever. He died and was buried last Friday on the Lutheran graveyard. …

I send my best respects from Ma and Solie’s folks.

From your affectionate,

Elise Michelet

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Portage Wis,

Nov 26, 1876

Dear Bro.

Your letter bearing the date of the 19^th is received. … Had a letter from Morterud, in which he says “collection is hard this fall, having taken out debits leaves $20.00 (equal to $370 in today’s money) I directed him to send to mother the $20 immediately and collect immediately.

… I have come to the conclusion that it would be profitable for Eliza to attend school at home and the letter I wrote her today I urged her to, because if she does not stay with a family she will learn more. Try to persuade her to take advantage of the school at home.

From “Sollie’s Crop reporter for 76” I learn that “granging” don’t pay on investment this year. It will not pay (here means be worth) the $8 tuition and not attend regular but it is hard to direct her to do what is best. (Note: $8 is equal to $165 in money today)

Your affectionate bro

WEJ Michelet

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Portage City, Wis

Sept 23, 1876

Dear Bro,

I have been living between hope and fear till today I received you most welcome letter which had been delayed by the P.M. (post master). I am pleased to see you got safe to your place of destination and shall be eager to hear about the freshman class at the University. Yesterday and today I have not been well…Doctor told me not to study, I have started in too hard. Before that I have felt very well and liked the studies. I have all the necessary books, microscope, surgical equipment and dry bones.  The Dr. and his wife are very kind. Last Sunday when I came to church he took me into his pew.

… The town had 2 R.R. and a third will be finished soon. When I came here I wrote to Myers Sigbjorn a number of them to pay up and save cost as we would send the papers to Butt (Lt. Col. Cyrus M. Butt, was a lawyer in Viroqua.) for collection. Write Morterud and tell him we have notified and to appear earnest.

Write soon,

Your Bro.

WEJ Michelet