Replicated model of Westby in 1910

Mike Mowery, Sr.

Written by Dorothy Robson, Westby Times.

The first Public Viewing of a replicated model of Westby in 1910, constructed by Mike Mowery Sr., was on display at the Logan Mill Lodge, May 17, 2014.

Mowery, a history buff, moved to Westby area 21 years ago. He retired in December 2013, from Vernon Electric Cooperative after 20 years as a technician and recently completed the scale model railroad diorama depicting Westby from 1908-1910, when the population of the city was 902.

“I enjoy model railroad layouts and I am a history buff. After finding out that Westby had two separate railroad lines, it seemed to be the perfect project for me to undertake,” Mowery said.

Mowery spent eight years on the project, three years of research and five years constructing the scale model down to the very last detail. He researched the city through photographs and history provided by Westby Times historian Eric Leum.

According to Leum, the first railroad came to Westby in 1879. The Chicago, Milwaukee, St. Paul railroad started in Sparta, traveled through Leon, Melvina, Cashton, Westby ending its run in Viroqua.

The second railroad, the La Crosse and Southeastern railroad came to Westby in 1905. It traveled from La Crosse through Stoddard, Chaseburg, Coon Valley, Westby and ended in Viroqua.

In Mowery’s scale model, trains are parked by each companies railroad depot.

Replicated model of Westby in 1910

Leum added that the only place the two railroad track were in proximity to each other was on Trygve Thompson farm, two miles south of Westby. There the railway tracks were side by side for a short distance. He said each railway had their own set of tracks and to use each other's tracks they had to pay to a fee. The Rupp's building on Bekkadal and Polly Rude Way was the only structure in the city where access to both railroads was possible.

“The Southeastern was on the west side and the Milwaukee was on the east side of the building,” Leum said.

The scale model layout is 3 foot x 6 foot and stands approximately four feet tall. All buildings were scratch-built by Mowery, using many different types of styrene sheets, polystyrene and basswood.

The project was designed as an N-scale model (160:1), meaning that one actual foot, equals 160 feet of the layout scale. All the pieces are painted or stained, a task he completed all by himself.

“It has been a great hobby, but after eight years, it is very rewarding to have it completed,’ Mowery said.

Dr. Reque and Ole Westby's Store

Dr. S.B. Reque about to cross Main Street

Dr. S.B. Reque, DDS is about to walk east across Main Street shortly after he came to Westby in 1891. Today he would be crossing from Organic Valley to Corner Mechanics. After 1905, Dr. Reque had his office over what was recently Ole and Lena Kaffe Hus.

The hardware store that Dr. Reque is walking toward was built by Ole Westby in 1874 and was his general store until 1884. The upstairs was a hotel until 1879 and from 1880 until 1883 was used as a private school with one of Ole Westby’s daughters as the teacher. This was Ole’s second store as his first was built in 1867 where Organic Valley is located today.

Vang Lutheran Church

By Madeline Neprud Anderson

The Vang Lutheran Church, organized and built in 1898, holds a special place in my family history. My great great grandfather, Tosten Eriksen Vangen, donated part of his farm for the church and the cemetery that adjoins it. The church is a beautiful structure that is situated on the ridge between Coon Valley and Westby on part of section 27 in the town of Coon. It can be seen from Highway 14, nestled amongst pine trees, some of which were planted and cared for by Tosten Vangen himself. 

The Tosten Eriksen Vangen family belonged to the Upper Coon Valley Lutheran Church for many years. Their children were baptized and confirmed at this church and several were married here. Eventually, most of the Vangen family became members of the Vang Lutheran Church.

Vang Lutheran Church

Vernon County land records indicate that on May 3, 1898, Tosten Eriksen and his wife Anne, deeded part of their farm land, "for the purpose that it shall be used partly for the cemetery for said congregation and partly for a church which shall forever be a Lutheran Church and be in connection with Synods of the Norwegian Evangelical Church in America or the Norwegian Synode." In November 1936, their son, Albert Vangen, deeded more land for church use. 

The following is taken in part from "The Golden Anniversary of the Vang Evangelical Lutheran Church, town of Coon, Vernon County, Wisconsin, 1898-1948", a pamphlet published for the 50th Anniversary festival services that were held at the Vang Church on Nov. 14, 1948.

"Vangs Norsk Evangelisk-Luthersk Menighet (Vang Norwegian Lutheran Congregation), town of Coon, Vernon County, was organized at the home of Marcus Gulbrandsen at a meeting that began at 7 p.m. on Wed., March 30, 1898. 

The following resolutions were adopted at this first meeting: "Our congregation shall adhere to a constitution which confesses the same faith and teaching and also endorses the same fundamental principles as those found in the constitution.

‘Upper Coon Valley Congregation.' Upon the above-mentioned foundation, we do hereby organize 'Vor Frelsers Norske Evangelisk Lutherske Menighed' (Our Savior’s Evangelical Lutheran Congregation). These resolutions were formulated and adopted by six men: Edward H. Erickson, Neri Olson, Harris Erickson, Johannes Anderson, Lars C. Sagmoen and Hans Bakkestuen. This group elected the following temporary officers: Neri Olson, president; Edward Erickson, secretary, and Lars Sagmoen,treasurer.

 A second meeting was held on April 27, 1898, and the following business was transacted:

1. The name of the congregation was changed to “Vangs Norske Evangelisk-Lutherske Menighet” (Vang Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Congregation). This was done in honor of Tosten Vangen who donated the land which was to be used for the church and cemetery.

 2. The congregation decided to join the “Norwegian Synod” and call Rev. H. Halvorsen who was pastor of the "Coon Prairie Congregation" at Westby. The Letter of Call was sent on April 30 (1898) and Rev. Halvorsen accepted."

When the congregation met on May 22, 1898, plans for the new church were accepted. The constitution, drafted by Ole Anderson, Hans Erickson and Rev. H. Halvorsen, was adopted on May 30, 1898 and signed by the following charter members: Johannes Andersen, Christian C. Bakkestuen, Hans Bakkestuen, Torger G. Bakkestuen, Hans Erickson, Harris Erickson, Matthias Johnson, Ole Larson, Ole O. Nerison, John Oberson, Ole O. Odegaarden, Neri Olson, Anton H. Peterson, Ole P. Role, Edward Ruud, Lars C. Sagmoen, John Sisbach, John L. Strangstad, Johan Sund, Iver Tostensen, Neri Tveidt and Edward Vangen. Additional members added in 1898 were Ole Lee, Gustave Nelson and Peter Ringholen. In 1899 members added were Ole Anderson, Ole Peterson, Johannes J. Strangstad and Tosten Vangen.

Theodore Thoreson of Westby was given the contract to build the church. The total cost of the church was $1,700. On Nov. 11, 1898 the church, which included pews, altar, pulpit and baptismal font, was dedicated. The church bell was installed in 1899. The church measured 30 feet by 50 feet and the steeple tower was 10 feet by 10 feet at the base. The steeple towered 75 feet high. The church held an all day festival to celebrate the dedication with the Ladies Aid serving dinners. The Ladies Aid, which was organized on May 19, 1898 at the home of Mrs. Johannes Liajordet, paid $150.00 toward the cost of building the church. The Ladies Aid also trimmed the pulpit and the altar, donated the altar cloth, and the altar silver. The Ladies Aid of the Vang Church was very active in the affairs of the church.

The Golden Anniversary book further states:

"To begin with, many of the women walked to the meetings carrying the children who were too small to walk.  Where the distances were too great, horses and lumber wagons were used.  (There were very few single and double buggies in those days)."

"In August 1899, there was a storm which moved the church from its proper place on the foundation. The congregation met on August 26th and decided to repair the damage at once. This work was left in the hands of a committee consisting of Johan Sund, Haagen Olsen and Ole Anderson. According to the records of the meeting held Oct. 21, the cost of repairing the damage was $250.24. 

"In April 1900, fifty pines were bought at twenty cents each. Tosten Vangen volunteered to plant them and care for them."

Later additions to the church were the installation of a pipe organ in 1911, a basement under the church in 1927 and a furnace was bought by the Ladies Aid. The church was rededicated in 1937. The Ladies Aid also purchased electric lights for the church in 1940. In 1948, the year of the Golden Anniversary, the installation of beautiful stained glass windows was paid for by the Ladies Aid. The congregation gave many gifts to the church, including the rose window behind the altar, altar cross, bibles and stands. The chandelier in the church that was donated by the Ladies Aid was very beautiful and ornate with places for candles. That chandelier, refitted for electricity, still hangs in the church. They also donated the pews for the church.

In 1949, a new roof was put on the church and a new oil burning furnace installed. More work, done in 1950, included lowering the pulpit, and removing the old pipe organ. The Ladies Aid had new carpeting installed. In 1951, the new organ for the church was installed. A well was drilled in 1965.

In 1973, an addition was added to the church, which covered the front steps, provided space for restrooms, coat rooms and an area that could be used for extra seating. A telephone was installed in the church in 1975 and an illuminated cross was placed on the new addition. Throughout the years, the church has undergone extensive remodeling and improvements made possible by many donations and gifts by members of the congregation. Many of Tosten and Anne’s descendants are still members of this church.

The Vang Church has always been served by the pastors of the Coon Prairie congregation in Westby. Rev. Halvorsen served from 1898 until his death in 1921. The Rev. J. O. Holum served until his resignation in April 1947, although he continued to serve as an interim pastor until January 4, 1948 at which time, Rev. H. O. Aasen was installed. The church continues to share pastors with the Coon Prairie congregation. 

In a note from the history of the church that was prepared for the 90th anniversary in 1988, I found the following:

Vang Church and Cemetery

"When they (the Ladies Aid) decorated the church at funerals, someone would gather juniper branches. The green was stripped from the twigs and strewn on the floor of the aisle and chancel. Wreathes were often woven with myrtle or evergreen and placed on the caskets." 

Anne Amundsdatter Vangen died Jan. 13, 1917 at the age of 82 and her husband, Tosten Eriksen Vangen died Sept. 7, 1918 at the age of 85. Both are buried in Vang Cemetery. Many of Tosten and Anne’s family are buried in the same cemetery. 

In Rev. H. O. Aasen’s greetings to the congregation in 1948, he wrote “There was a time when Tosten Vangen’s farm looked like anyone else’s farm. Now there is a church and tombstones — many tombstones. These mark the places where the dust of many of those who once worshipped here waits for the day when it is to come forth from the grave to meet the Lord Jesus Christ and be assigned a place in eternity.”

Today, as you drive by on Highway 14 at night, the illuminated cross atop the steeple of the Vang Church can be seen from the highway. It is a beautiful church that has been lovingly preserved and cared for by the congregation and is still in use today.  

Note: Parts of this article originally appeared in the 2011 Gudbransdalslaget Yearbook. Used with permission of Gudbrandsdalslaget.

Drug Stores from Westby's past

Either, Myre’s or Spellum Drugs was located on East State Street

and is visible on the very left of this photo.

Nyal, Myre’s, Spellum, Unseth’s Rexall, Rudie’s and Westby Pharmacy and now Vernon Memorial Pharmacy-Westby have been the drug stores that have been located in Westby the past 125 years or more.

Rexal Drugs owned by O.A. Unseth and later Earl Unseth, opened in 1899, moved into the new Bekkedal Bank building in 1905 and closed in 1961. Rudies’s Drugs , formally Nyal Drugs, moved from what is today, Borgen’s dining room and moved into the bank building vacated by Unseth’s. Gary Miller bought Rudies’s in 1974 renaming it Westby Pharmacy in 1997. Shortly after 2007, Ole and Lena Kaffe House moved into this location, and more recently Organic Valley moved into what was once Ole and Lena.

Early Pioneers from Biri: their final resting place

As you drive south on Hegge Road, just after crossing Unseth Road, you reach the high point and on your left are three gravestones. Years ago someone thought to protect them by installing a sturdy metal fence around them. The question is often asked, who do these graves belong to, what is their

story and why are they buried there?

The graves on this spot belong to Ole Tostensen Gullord, who died in 1855, Torsten Nielsen Unseth, who died in 1852 and his son, Ole Torstensen Unseth, who died in 1851. They were some of the earliest settlers on Coon Prairie.

When the early pioneers began arriving in Coon Prairie, many were related to each other. In some cases, entire families left Norway to resettle in America. In a number of instances they all traveled on the same ship. Eventually every farm in Gjøvik, Vardal, Snertingdal and Biri were touched by the emigration. The Gullord and Unseth story begins in Biri.

Town of Christiana’s first cemetery

Peder Eriksen Gullord (1759-1841) and Eli Jonsdatter Alset (1756-1826) were the owners of the farm Gullord. They had five children: Even Pedersen Gullord, Rangdi Pedersdatter Gullord, Henrik Pedersen Gullord, Jon (Joe) Pedersen Gullord and Ingeborg Pedersdatter Gullord.  All of Peder and Eli's children, except Henrik, who died in Norway, would make the long journey from Biri, Norway to America.

The story really begins in 1848, when adventurous Even Olsen Gullord, son of Ole Tostensten Gullord (Strandbakke) and Rangdi Pedersdatter Gullord, made his way to Coon Prairie and wrote letters home to Biri encouraging his family and others to join him. At this time, Ole and Rangdi were the owners of the Gullord farm.

And thus the Gullord family emigration from Norway began. In 1849, Even's parents, Ole and Rangdi, sold the Gullord farm in Biri and traveled on the ship Flora along with three of Even's siblings: Henrik, Ingeborg, and Marthe. Even's brother, Peder Olsen Hegge, would arrive in 1850. They departed from Christiana on June 15 and arrived in New York on August 23, eventually making their way to Coon Prairie.

Also aboard the Flora were other members of the Gullord family. Ole and Rangdi's son, Tosten Olsen Gullord and his wife, Berte Evensdatter Galtestad, along with their children, Regine, Ole (eventually Ole T. Westby), and Even. Completing the party of family immigrants were Rangdi's brother, Even Pedersen Gullord, his wife Marthe Hansdatter Daffinrud and their children, Hans, Peder and Mathias.

It appears that Even Pederson Gullord, his wife Marthe and son Hans, died of cholera after reaching the Koshkonong settlement in 1849 on their way to Coon Prairie. Sons, Peder and Mathias were cared for by family members and brought to Coon Prairie in November 1849.

Ole and Rangdi Gullord settled on the southeast quarter of section 30 in Christiana Township on what is today the corner of Hegge and Unseth Road. They also had 40 acres of land across the road on section 31.

In 1850 the boat Petrus would depart from the port of Drøbak, Norway on July 5. Drøbak was traditionally the winter harbor for Christiana. The Petrus would arrive in New York on Sept. 9. On board were other Gullord/Unseth family members from the Biri area who were coming to Coon Prairie. John Pedersen Odegaard (Rangdi's brother), his wife, Bertha Jorgensdatter Honne and their children, Johannes, Ingeborg and Karin Bergitte. Not with them at this time, was their daughter, Eline. She married Torger Nielsen Næperud in Biri and would not come to Coon Prairie until 1852.

Rangdi's sister, Ingeborg Pedersdatter and her husband, John Larsen Kvernstuen, along with five of their seven children, Henrik, Elias, Ingeborg, Randine, and Johanne, were also on this voyage of the Petrus. All were traveling til de Nordamerika Fristates (to the North America free states). They would settle with their family on the remaining 120 acres in section 31, Christiana Township, just across from her sister, Rangdi, on Unseth Road.

On the Petrus also were Peder Olsen Hegge (Ole and Rangdi's son) and his wife Mari Iversdatter, and their children, Martinus, 5 and Iver, 2 months. Baby Iver would die on the journey. Mari's mother, Anne Marie Hegge, a widow, and her other four daughters, Marthe, Karen, Ingeborg and Netta, ranging in age from ten to twenty, traveled with them. 

Peder Olsen Hegge would claim a corner of Hegge and Unseth Roads where the Unseth school would eventually be built, while Torsten Unseth completed settlement of the four corners.

Torsten Nielsen Unseth (Anne Marie's brother), a widower, and his children, Nils, Agnethe, Mari, Ole, Even, Anna Marie and Peter, completed the related family members who made this 1850 journey on the Petrus. Thankfully they all arrived safely.  This would be the last journey of the Petrus which was shipwrecked on the return voyage.

So we return to try to answer the final question: why are they buried here? Did these three men, Ole T. Gullord, Torsten N. Unseth and his son, Ole T. Unseth, stand at this spot overlooking the prairie from the high point on Hegge Road and decide that this beautiful place near their new home in America was where they wanted to be buried? The answer is that we will never know for sure. All we can do is speculate. We do know that until larger cemeteries were started, there were any number of small family plots scattered throughout the area. Some have been preserved. Others, sadly, have been lost to the ravages of time.

In Judy Mathison's book, "Vernon County Cemetery Locations and Histories", she notes that the Unseth Plot/The Country Cemetery, seems to have been the first cemetery for the town of Christiana. Eventually, some of the other family members would be buried in Coon Prairie cemetery.

by Sandra K. Lawrence and Madeline Neprud Anderson

Sandra and Madeline are both descendants of these pioneer families. They both enjoy genealogy and writing. Sandra is descended from John Larsen Kvernstuen and Ingeborg Pedersdatter Gullord. Madeline is descended from Ingeborg's brother, John "Joe" Pedersen Odegaargen and Berthe Jorgensdatter Honne.