-
-
Settlers from
1800's - 1900's
This page was created by Julie
Budde's fourth grade class at Eleva Elementary, Eleva, WI
-
Cluster A Goals 2000 Grant
| Posted 5.5.97| Updated 4.21.98 | jjb
-
People who settled in Wisconsin
during this time period came here for many different reasons. Those who
ventured to what is now Wisconsin had heard of the great things this new
land could bring. In many cases people were eager to make the trip to this
new land. Poor conditions in their home countries forced them to move in
hopes of a better future.
We have attempted to focus
on the main ethnic groups that have settled in Wisconsin during the following
time periods: Early 1800's, Middle 1800's, and the Late 1800's. The information
that we have gathered came from various resources throughout the year.
-
-
-
French
The French were
one group of early settlers in Wisconsin. Many of the early explorers and
fur traders were of French descent. The French
settled near the Green
Bay area and near what is now the Fox
River Valley. Eventually the explorers ventured down the Fox
River to the portage. After crossing the
small strip of land they traveled down the Wisconsin River to the Mississippi
River. Fur trading posts were built near
these waterways so it would be easier for the Native Americans to trade
their furs for goods that the French brought back from France. The early
French settlers were more interested in the fur trade than farming. For
this reason only small plots of land were cleared so they could build a
log cabin. The skill of blacksmithing was an important one because many
of the tools that were needed had to be made by hand.
-
-
Yankees
This group of
people moved to Wisconsin from the New England states in about the year
1830. The Yankees were eager to move to what eventually became Wisconsin
because of the large amounts of land that were available. A group of English
(Yankees) that was interested in Wisconsin were the Cornish people. They
arrived from Cornwall, England and settled in the southwestern portion
of the state were lead
was discovered.
-
-
German
German settlers
were one of the first ethnic groups to settle in Wisconsin. One area in
the state that still has large populations of German people is
Milwaukee.
Many Germans helped to build cities that are still operational today. An
occupation that had been and remains popular today is farming.
Farmers
spent years clearing land so they could plant and raise various crops like
vegetables, grains, and fruits.
Some of the
things that the Germans are known for are their love of music, and their
love of foods. A festival that is celebrated in LaCrosse
is Oktoberfest. Much of the German culture can be experienced throughout
the festival.
Two well known
German immigrants of Wisconsin are Carl and Margarethe Schurtz. Carl was
very active in politics, and he was elected to Congress. Margarethe started
the first
kindergarten in America while the family
lived in Watertown, WI.
-
-
Norwegian
The Norwegians settled in many
different places in Wisconsin. Some of the main counties that they settled
in are: Dunn, Barron, LaFayette, Vernon, Jackson, LaCrosse, Eau Claire,
and Trempealeau. They were eager to leave their homeland because they had
heard about the plentiful land in America. Once they arrived in Wisconsin
they cleared the land and began farming. The land in Wisconsin reminded
the Norwegians of their homeland.
Near Blue Mounds one can
visit "Little Norway"; a Norwegian settlement built to look like a typical
village in Norway. The designs on the houses reflect the style of homes
in Norway. Goblins and gnomes are carved into the woodwork on the houses.
Also, decorating the interior of many homes in "Little Norway," are wooden
plates decorated with beautiful Norwegian designs. Rosemaling is the style
of painting that is used on Norwegian handicrafts.
| Here is an example of the
rosemaling style. Students in the fourth grade had a chance to design their
own plates and platters. |
|
Norwegians are also known for
the foods they enjoy. Some of the foods common to the Norwegian people
are: lefse, open-faced sandwiches, lutefisk, rosettes, and sunbuckles.
The Norske Nook in Osseo serves some fine Norwegian dinners.
Return
to top of page
-
Swedish
Another Scandinavian
group that settled in Wisconsin were the Swedish people. Today they live
in Ashland, Burnett, Clark, Douglas, Polk, Price, and Oneida counties.
A group of twelve families started a Swedish colony in 1841. The small
community is now known as New Upsala located near Waukesha. Many immigrants
stopped here on their way to Grantsburg, and Stockholm.
-
Swiss
Swiss settlements
can be found in Wisconsin as well. Perhaps the most popular Swiss settlement
is New Glarus. It was named after the town Glarus in Switzerland. In 1844
the Swiss people were met with hardships in their country because of famine
and crowding. Those who settled in New Glarus had been beef farmers prior
to their move to America. When they arrived they were very poor and could
not afford the equipment needed to continue raising cattle for beef. With
the help of friends back in Glarus they were able to purchase a few dairy
cattle. Since that time New Glarus and nearby Monroe have become well-known
for their production of cheese.
The Swiss
celebrate several festivals throughout the year. The William Tell Festival
honors a Swiss hero. Another festival celebrated in New
Glarus is the Heidi
Festival.
-
-
Polish
The Polish people
came to Wisconsin in search of freedom. The first Polish settlers arrived
in Milwaukee in the 1840's. The Polish people are very proud of their religious
background. In 1866 a group of immigrants began St. Stanislaus Church.
Also located in Milwaukee is St. Josaphat's Church.
Some of the
other towns that the Poles have settled in are Beaver Dam, Stevens Point,
Pulaski, and Berlin. Large populations of Poles settled in Trempealeau
County also. The communities of Arcadia and Independence have a lot of
Polish influence. Festivals and celebrations are held throughout the year.
Some of the foods that are served at the festivals and celebrations are:
sausages, roast beef, pork, cabbage, potatoes and pickles. Dancing is also
commonplace at these celebrations. One of the most popular dances associated
with the Polish people is the Polka.
-
-
Irish
Large populations
of Irish immigrants settled in Wisconsin due to the "potato famine." The
potato crop was very important to the lives of the Irish. When the famine
struck many Irish faced the threat of starvation. There was a rush to leave
their homeland of Ireland and travel to America. The ships that transported
the Irish were often overcrowded and disease ridden. The trip to America
could take as long as eight weeks. Due to illnesses and poor conditions
on the ships many Irish immigrants died at sea. For this reason some of
ships became known as "coffin ships."
Irish men,
women, and children made their homes in the communities of Prairie du Chien,
Patch Grove, and Bloomington. Many of those who settled in Wisconsin became
farmers. The land that they decided to settle had to be cleared before
it could be used for farming. Often times they had encounters with the
indians who also lived in the area.
?
Return
to top of page
-
Black American
Black Americans
could be found in Wisconsin as early as the 1860's. Groups of them served
in the Civil War to help fight for freedom from slavery in the southern
states.
One of the
earliest black settlements was Pleasant Ridge. The settlement of about
650 acres was farmed from 1848 to 1961. In about 1870 a little log school
was built. In many cases both blacks and whites attended school together.
The relations between the blacks and whites in this community were good.
In 1882 they even built a church and worshipped together.
Now larger
populations of blacks can be found in Milwaukee, and the Beloit areas.
During WWI large numbers of blacks moved to Beloit to work in factories
like Fairbanks-Morse. Since WWIIgreater numbers of blacks have settled
in Wisconsin.
-
-
Finnish
The Finns who
came to Wisconsin found many different types of work. Many of them decided
to work in the mines. Some chose to work in granite quarries, and others
joined lumber crews. Due to their interests their jobs took them to the
northern part of the state. The customs and traditions they had in their
home country still remained a part of their culture in Wisconsin. Finnish
style homes, barns, and saunas were evident near the Lake Superior region.
Over time
more and more Finnish settlers turned to farming as a way of life. Growing
grain was a common practice of the Finnish farmers. Each season the grain
would have to be harvested by a process called threshing and winnowing.
Some of the
foods that the Finnish enjoy are: wild chokecherries, raspberries, potato
soup, fish pie, lute fish, vegetables, and rye bread. Raw fish cured in
brine was a favorite of many Finnish people.
-
-
Italian
The Italians,
like many others, left their homeland due to poor growing conditions in
their country. At first they took jobs in foundries, tanneries, and coal
yards. Now they work in all types of jobs.
One group
of Italians settled in Genoa. The buildings are designed to represent the
buildings in Genoa, Italy. Other areas where Italians settled in Wisconsin
are Campbellsport, Fond du Lac, and Plymouth. Cheese centers in these cities
have helped to make Italian cheeses popular with many people around the
country.
-
-
Belgium
The Belgian (Dutch)
people came to Wisconsin for many different reasons. Some were in search
of jobs, others tried to escape high taxes, still others were in search
of better soil for growing crops. Those who made the trip to Wisconsin
settled in the communities of Ootsburg, Cedar Grove, New Amsterdam, Union,
and Brussels. Most were interested in farming while others developed an
interest in making ships. Sturgeon Bay has become known as a successful
shipyard city.
The Sturgeon
Bay area shows where the Peshtigo Fire spread to the town of Williamsonville.
Many acres of land were burned killing many animals. More than 200 Belgians
perished in the fire too.
A
Visitor's Guide to Wisconsin's Ethnic Settlement Trail
Chippewa Valley Museum
Ellis Island
Son's of Norway
Wisconsin's Rich Human
Heritage
Return
to top of page
-
Return to "The
People of Wisconsin" 
Return to "Explore
Wisconsin"
-
This page was created by
Julie Budde's fourth grade class at Eleva Elementary, Eleva, WI
-
Cluster A Goals 2000 Grant
| Posted 5.5.97 | updated 4.21.98 | jjb
 |
Please send comments, questions, or additions to Explore - WI
mailbox.
|
