THE WAUPACA POST

July 7, 1892

 

SCANDINAVIA

A Town Built By the Farming Industry

 

            The Green Bay & Winona railroad is a line of road which carries the in- and out-going of the people of the town of Scandinavia.  This little city was started some thirty-five years ago by foreigners, mostly from Norway and Sweden.  They are a most determined class, being industrious and honest, and willing to Americanize themselves as soon as possible, become citizens and help the prosperity of our country.  They are also a class of people America is proud of – one that stands at the head in our country.  No matter where or when called upon, that duty is obeyed which is taught them from the cradle – honesty and industry.  Faithful, honest and industrious!  Why shouldn’t they prosper?

            Standing at the head of this little city is a school house.  Not many larger cities could boast of prettier location, building and surroundings.  It is graded in the different branches and a careful selected body of teachers are hired for instruction, for a finer lot is seldom found under one roof than there is during the nine months of schooling which this school enjoys.

            The town is surrounded by the most beautiful farming land, including hard and soft wood of every description, the soil being that of a heavy dark clay loam and the rolling hills with little brooks running in each direction and now and then a lake to afford the hunters and fishermen plenty of sport.

            Two years ago a cornet band was started, every instrument being a Conn make, and of silver-plate.   Under the leadership of C. Walstad they are able to discourse some very good music.

            The POST representative, knowing a few of the business people there, made a slight call on them the first of the week.

            Mr. C. L. Peterson was first found with a number of customers awaiting along the counter.  This being a general store with the post office in connection makes it rather lively for the two clerks and himself most of the time.  Mr. Peterson came in the store some four years ago for L. Nelson & Son.  Two years after Herman Hermanson and Mr. Peterson formed a partnership and bought out the old firm of L. Nelson & Son.  Hermanson being a man of out-door longings became tired of the although prosperous indoor business and sold to O. H. Iverson, who within a few months was bought out by the present management and Mr. Peterson now owns the oldest established business in Scandinavia, being built before a house could be seen.  With his many courtesies his trade cannot be surpassed in that section.  Although his health is quite delicate from the confinement of his extensive business, we join with his friends and wish him a speedy recovery.

            The Silver Lake Roller Mills is the name of J. O. Wolstad’s flour and feed mill.  This was built in 1856 by Nels Anderson.  Six years ago the roller process was put in by Hermanson & Setter Bros., J. O.Wolstad buying the entire plant a year ago and making some extensive improvements; with the remodeling which will take place in about two weeks it will be first-class in every respect.  W. E. Davis, who has full charge of the establishment has our thanks for the many courtesies shown us at the mill.  “Billy”, is a miller from “way back”, his father being in the same business and now the young son prides himself on the excellent grade of flour that is being used all through the state.  There is no better made.

            O. D. Billings, who owns the tonsorial parlors, came to Scandinavia one year ago and started in the confectionery and barber business with plenty of wet drinks, all on the temperance order.  Mr. Billings is a young unmarried man of strictly good habits and is deserving what he already has, a good business.

            Olson & Johnson, who recently bought the hardware store of O. A. Olson are young men of push and vigor.  Owning the only store of this kind there, they have a large trade.  These gentlemen are supplying many farmers with farming implements this season.

            C. Wolstad, the gun and blacksmith and tinner came there last fall from one of the metropolitan cities and opened business.  Playing the claronet and leading the band makes him somewhat popular among the citizens.

            Gunder Knudson came from the old country nine years ago and settled in Scandinavia and opened a blacksmith shop which trade he learned before coming to this country.  His son Knute has charge of the business most of the time.

            Thorson Bros., Thor & Halvor, are in the general store business.  These boys have lived here for 32 years and recognized as old settlers.  Nine years ago they concluded another store would prosper in the town, and by placing a well selected stock of goods before the people they were met by a prosperous and growing trade.

            Ole Wambon, the wagon maker, has all he is capable of turning out in his line of business.

            The good natured blacksmith is E. Gottschalk, a man who is well up in the blacksmithing trade and an all-around good fellow.

            Theo. Paulson & Co. are dealers in groceries and confectionery, Mr. Paulson having lived here since 1857, Christian Hanson being the only person to locate here before him, teaching and clerking up to the time of starting the store which was in the fall of 1890.

            Dr. H. B. B. Poppe has a drug store with a 24 foot front, thus enabling him to carry a large line of everything in the drug business.  The doctor is a graduate of the Keokuk Medical College of Keokuk, Iowa.  The doctor is building a neat cottage home fronting the lake, which will be completed this fall.  Gustavous Jensen is the druggist and a pharmacist of Norway.

            The Commercial House is owned and conducted by O. H. Iverson, a comparatively young man, having been born near here 32 years ago.  Besides this hotel he is owner of a beautiful farm one mile south of here and in active business for some time, gives him large acquaintances.  The hotel is well filled with boarders and the traveling public.  Fifty persons can be comfortably seated at the dining tables.

            Charley Anderson, the potato king of Scandinavia, was seen about the streets.  Much credit is due him in regard to the potato market which was established a few years ago.

            Pete Johnson the umpire of all coming ball games makes his home in this place, and this week is busy trying to get another set-to with the Waupacas.

                                                                                                                        C.W. O.