Document text
Nettie M. Smith
FROM THE COLLECTIONS OF THE MANUSCRIPT DIVISION, LIE
April 3 9, 1936
Mr. Thomas Thompson
Mt. Horeb, tslis.
Mr. Thompson, County Superintendent of rural schools in the
western half of Dane County, was born in 1872 near Mt. Horeb. His
father, Samuel Thompson, was an early pioneer who was a blacksmith
by trade.
The fiftieth fiftieth anniversary of _their Norwegian Zutheran Church will be
celebrated at Mt. Horeb in 1937. The present pastor, Rev. Anderson,
has been in service there since September 1917.
The Village of Mt. Horeb is the only one by that name in the United
States, and it is believed to be the only one in the world. It was
so named in 1861 when the post office was established; a lady who
was a student of religion, and owing to the physical elevation of the
land. in that vicinity,_ named the glaze for the biblical mount.
George
Wright
lay minister,was appointed. first post master in
July 1861.- (during Lindolnts administration.)
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Where the cemetery is located, in the eastern part of the village,
was the business section.'-, Later in 1882 when the rair-road was
completed end, the depot ereoted, the business district was changed
e vicinity of the dePo,t• e fitaetern part of the village is
the old town."- The'old Military Road. passed
before it was so named as early ae.J828.
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Lj
English or Eastene.rs
Norwegian
cio'irri ten years ago. It was a combination of Presbyterian and.
Methodist churches. The earliest settlers were mostly from England
or the eastern -cart of the United states. A list of the postmasters
will reveal by their names, the trend of settlement in the vicinity
of It. Horeb according to nationality. 'Following the English settlers,
came the Norwegians and. the Irish, later the Germans and Swiss.
Postmasters who have: served. in bit. Horeb..
George iiiright July 25, 1861.
George Barrows --Jan. 54 1867
John Mitchell —Sept. 24, 1867
Andrew Levordson—Oct. 30, 1871
Ole M. Helland—June 5, 1876
Ole C.. Nuubson--Sept. 22, 1876
Allen 0 Ruste—Feb. 6, 1882
P. G. Krogh —March: 2, 1883
John N. Dahlen—July 1/, 1885
Herman B. Dahle—May I, 1889
John C. Johnson --June 23, l893.
John Vilber—June 14, 1097
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LITTLE NORWAY
A forty acre pioneer farm near Mt. Horeb, until recently owned
by the descendents of Austin Olson, a pioneer Norwegian settler,
is a place of unusual interest. This place is noted for its scenery
and, its historical background.. it is within two miles of the place
where Ebenezer Brigham 1st settlir made his home 100 years ago. In
early days people sought home sites where water and. timber were
available. There is an exceptiorlally fine spring on this place, wooded.
hills eta. At the present time the property belongs to the Isak
Rahle family. It has been named ntlissedhlen for the place in Norway
where Mr: Dahle is people formerly lived.
The promoter of th&s place is developing it into a fitting memorial
to those who paved the way for the present generafion.. Within its
buildings are found many old, and quaint reminders of pioneer days.
A collection of .very old, relics have been brought from Norway.and
are on display at iiissedahle. It has become a Museum of intense
interest to the descendents of the early pioneers of that section
as well as to visitors from everY part ,of the United States.