Histories: Trempealeau Co. Historical Accounts:
"Trempealeau County" by Clarence J. Gamroth:
Volume 1A:
Schools: Farmer School
Farmer School, 1948
Traverse Valley was named after its first settler, William Traverse,
who was a Morman minister (actually his name was Travis). After
Traverse settled, other homesteaders moved in. Some were, Pap
Kidder, Vance Hutchins, Chris Amundson, Knut Nelson, Jacob Zimmer, John
Bugby, Warrent, Post Mosier, David Garlick, Brinok Rathburn, Ed and
Martin Jelen, Garlick, Same Brown, and Steinert.
Jacob Zimmer, John and Abe Bugby were Civil War soldiers and were given
each a tract of land by the government.
Kwoseks were the first Polish settlers in Traverse Valley.
In 1875, the settlers took action to erect a school. Mr. Zimmer
donated the land, and others donated hewn timber and helped to build
the school. In 1903, a bigger school was built.
The pupils ranged in age from 7 to 25. Some were married.
Pupils were German, Polish, Swedish, Norwegian and Low Dutch.
They could not speak to each other until they learned English.
No trees were growing in Traverse Valley at that time. Shrubs and
berry bushes were thick. Mr. Zimmer was instrumental in having
wood lots started.
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