The north Iowa times. [volume] (M'Gregor [i.e. McGregor], Iowa) 1856-1857, 1857-01-09
The History Of McGregolr
By, VILLA n, n Potter, Esq. :,

| 1@'''''' -
1t is with some diffidence, and misgiv
fings, thatI undertake the task of writing
the History Of the Town of McGregor.4
I am we'll aware that the number Of its
population, will differ widely from the
views of many Of its citizens. This is
easily, accounted for, from the fact that
many persons came here to settle, but have
temporarily left, to return again in the
Spring, and if they were added, would
swell the number RIO 70 ovef ;ssf Eight Hundred
I am satisfied, the business Of the place
exceeds the expectations Of its most ardent
friends, and that the increase of its popu-
lation for q few past months, will astonisl
distant readers Of this History. '".'./
The character of our population, Shows
conclusively that it is made up of active
business men, and that our business is far
in advance of our population; that the
amount of business done at this place at
present, justifes population Of at least
two thousand. .,.."' .'' ..''.'' ','.
Let my readers think Of this produc-
ton as they may, its author has the salts
faction Of knowing that no effort on his
| part, has been wanting to present to the
public the truth, as to the population, its
business, and its probable future.
have also presented the position, busi-
ness, and future prospects, of our Sister
Town, Prairie du Chen. ~ OF H2oi
The two places are SO intimately con-
nected, that it is hard to separate them
Nc Gregor must remain the Ware Hotise
Of all the goods shipped from the East and
South, destined for Northern Iowa. and a
large portion Of Southern Minnesota.
I The arrangements made with the own
er of the Steam Ferry Boat at this place,
to ship freights to and from the Rail Road
Depot at Prairie du CHEN, together with
the favorable ground over which the road
passes, to the interior West, gives Us every
assurance, that McGregor will not only
be, as it now is, the Depot of goods,
from the East destined West, but in all
future time, is destined to be the granary
of a region of country West, for a distance
.of two hundred miles, comprising nearly
one fourth of all the State of Iowa, and
considerable portion of Minnesota. -" a9d .
This region of country is unsurpassed
in fertility and abounds with numerous
Water Powers and Stone Coal a".-.r,5a
3 lndependentof its adaptation 10 agri-
cultural pursuits, italso offers rare induce
men:s to Manufacturers and Mechanics
The increase of the population of this re-
gion of country in the past year, is nearly
as great in proportion as the Townoi Me-
Gregor ;judging' from it's past historyit
wouldrequire Il Prophet to guess it's fa-
ture destiny. The growth of McGregor
must keep pace with the growth of this
vast region of country, and it does not re-
quire the vision Of a Prophet to foresee
that Nc Gregor will more than double its
population during the year just commen-
cling, and that but few years will elapse
before her population will benumberd by
thousands instead of ahundreds(as now),
and she beianked among one of the great
business Cities on the upper Mississippi
II am indebted to Nessrs Nc Gtegor, A.
E. Wanzer, Bass, Jones, and other old
citizens, for valuable information in coll
ec,ing the facts upon which this product
-ionis based; also to Messrs Kingsley &
Rhodes for Statistical information in re-
gard to the Shipping business. ,''" ''.'a
There is some difficulty in obtaining a
correct history Of NJ Gregor from the earl
lest settlement. Prior to the time the y
S. Government had erected Garrison
Fort, at point on the east Bank OF the
Mississippi, nearly opposite McGregor.
prior to the year ls4o, a Ware house had
been built, near the landing at McGreg-
or, by the General Government, to store
provisions, and other lneceessaries for the
soldiers. This Warehouse still remains
as 9 monument Of the early days Of Ne
Gregor. t,,..... II, 81,
i About the same time the Gen. Govern
ment made road from this place to, Fort
Atkinson, and built q Fort at the latter
place. The selection Of this road by COM
petent Engineers, conclusiyely proves the
route from this place, as the most feasible
to the interior country west,of it. The
State road from this place is laid nearly
on the same route. 81 Ia4rs 5W .smao
The country west was then Inhabited
almost exclusively by Indians but few
white men having prior to that time pene-
trated this region Of, country; nature was
then prescnted in her merriest mood, and
in all her grandure. The stately Oak