Burnside / Independence

Burnside was settled in 1856. The first settlers were the Markham family who came from Great Britain and purchased land near the present day city of Independence. Other early settlers were Giles Cripps, J J Zimmer, Albert Bautch, Jessie and Lovell Kidder, Elias and Albert Spaulding, John Bugby, Martin Jellen and Theodore Sluga. The Town of Burnside was created in 1863 and named after
Gen. Ambrose E Burnside who commanded the Army of the Potomac for a short time in the Civil War. Rural schools within the Town were Borst Valley, Cripps, Farmers(Zimmer), New city and Wickham Valley. Independence was founded in 1875 when the railroad came through the Trempealeau Valley. The site for the town was purchased from Jake Pampuch and christened by Civil War vet David Kelly. The first three lots in town were sold to David Garlick, JC Taylor and Edward Elstad. Prior to the coming of the railroad the hamlet of New City enjoyed a short life southwest of Independence. It had a school, store and mill, When the railroad laid the tracks close to the confluence of Elk Creek and the Trempealeau River, many of the buildings in New City were put on skids and moved to the site of what is today’s Independence. For more information visit the Independence Historical Society on the ‘Links” page.

Old 3 Mile bridge—also called Woychik
bridge 1913 — Old 3 Mile bridge—also called Woychik bridge 1913

Teckla Weirsgalla Kloss and Son Don 1956

1919 Marriage of Tom Bautch and
Pauline Mlynek, Independence — 1919 Marriage of Tom Bautch and Pauline Mlynek, Independence

Kloss Steam Engine breaks thru the bridge,
Independence — Kloss Steam Engine breaks thru the bridge, Independence

Back bricked up door of old pharmacy , Independence

Cooks for the 1940 Gene Bautch/Rose Kampa wedding. Third lady from top row left is Gertie Woychik, 4th lady is Julia Miemietz Kampa

Eagle Bar, Coffee Cup Restaurant, Taco Restaurant 2023

Tom Pride with Darrell Pryzbylla Feb 2023 Tom was given an award for his 60 years of service with the ERGC

ERGC Ice fishing Contest, Lk Bugle 2023 Mary C. Anderson with camera

1956 L-R Hardware Store, Lyga’s Store, Fank, Platz Drug, Dress shop?, Runkel’s Hardware, Andre Grocery

Three Independence girls, about 90 L-R- Agnes Zylla Gruetzel, Tena Reck Smieja, Mary Reck Walek

1911 Choir Picnic near Independence L-R-Tony Sabatta, John Pampuch, Dominick Stencil, Joe Symiczek, Roman Gamroth, Joe Sabatta, Andrew LibMike Maciosek, Louie Sabatta, Sam Sprach(sp?) In background, Mrs. Ray Lyga Photo from Silesians of Tremp Cty Facebook page

Civilian Conservation Corp Chaviri near
Independence 1930’s — Civilian Conservation Corp Chaviri near Independence 1930’s

Independence Wedding Cooks for Joe and Bernice Smick Kulig Oct 1949 Town of Burnside
L-R Tracy Halama Korpal, Anna Bautch Kpr[a;, Gertrude Smick REck, Valaria Suchla Edjno, Mary Dejno Klonecki, (behind Helen) Monica Pientok Dejno, Helen Smick Rumpel, — Independence Wedding Cooks for Joe and Bernice Smick Kulig Oct 1949 Town of Burnside L-R Tracy Halama Korpal, Anna Bautch Kpr[a;, Gertrude Smick REck, Valaria Suchla Edjno, Mary Dejno Klonecki, (behind Helen) Monica Pientok Dejno, Helen Smick Rumpel, Eleanor Dejno Tooley, Clara Halama Reck

Popular dance pavilion later with
supper club and bowling alley — Popular dance pavilion later with supper club and bowling alley

John Markham, descendent of pioneer
family in Town of Burnside — John Markham, descendent of pioneer family in Town of Burnside

1940 Butchering for Gierok/Woychik Wedding left–Rita, Paul, behind him Paul II, Edmund, Paul and Don Woychik

August Weier and Rose Smieja Wedding 1920. August was a WW1 veteran and died in 1927 from poison gas lung damage

1966 New parochial school construction, Independence

Four generations of the John G Lyga family–Mrs Simon Nogosek, Eleanor Nogosek, Mrs John Dubiel, Mrs John Lyga,

1947 Twirlers, Irene Killian, Rita Puchall, Irene Sura and Bernice Halama

Sept 2011 big rain/flood , road north of Independence

Funeral for Louis Wiersgalla . He was an MP directing traffic at the crossroads in Cierges, FR when a German artillery shell hit. He died the next day from his wounds. His remains were brought home for reburial at the St Peter and Paul Cemetery in 1922

1947 St Elizabeth Society luncheon for Harriet Pawlowska

Carl Halama and wife 60th wedding anniversary

Independence Sauerkraut Festival and queen candidates 1950’s

1928 fire in Independence. It is speculated the store was north of the old bank–

Peter G Bautch and his mare Silver 1940’s

Polly’s Bar/aka Nibbies Demolished in 1978, replaced by apartment building

Independence Creamery and Pietrek’s in 1964

1948 Wi Centennial parade in Whitehall—Independence entry

Thoma Auto Wrecking and Junk Yard north of Independence on Hwy 93 in 1963

Peter A Sura, USMC 6th Infantry, killed in action July 19, 2018 at the Battle of Vierzy, Chateau Thierry. Son of Peter and Agata.

Peter A Sura –the American Legion Post Sura Wiersgalla #186 named for Peter

Blacksmith Shop 1926 Ole Huff, A Filla, Ole Hanson at Anvil. Rear-John Gamroth, John and Peter Pampuch

Wreaths Across America St Peter and Paul Cemetery Dec 2018–a wreath was placed on the grave of each veteran.

Wreaths Across American sponsored by Sura Wiersgalla American Legion Post #186 Dec 2018

Martin Wiemer sold furniture and home supplies, was the funeral director and for many years County Coroner

ELK CREEK SCHOOL, ELK CREEK, ON HWY 93 ON EAST SIDE OF THE HIGHWAY 1963

ELK ROD AND GUN CLUB ICE FISHING CONTEST 1964

1928 8th Grade for Monica Woycik who attended Wickham Valley School

Martin Borst Namesake of Borst Valley Early settler, buried in Hale Wegner Cemetery

Kathy Zeiglin, Jescey Thompson, Kiera Kjos, Vaida Goplin 2017

Mike Lyga and the Veteran’s Museum in the Independence High School

Kids’ Fishing Contest , Bugle Lake, Independence 2017

St Peter and Paul about 1910. The old parochial school is on the far left, the steeple poking up from the trees is the original schoolhouse.

Ft Peter Rombalski’s First Mass May 22 1932 Niece Margaret Rombalski with pillow, Helen Rombalski on his left, on far left Peter Kulig and ____Pyka. Ft Rombalski (Rabalsky) was one of 15 children born to Frank and Catherine (Roskosz) Rombalski

SSPP from the southwest side, around 1920

Cripps School- 1959—Back-L-R ___Cilley, ___Smieja, Ruth Smieja, ___Gruentzal, ___? Middle- ___Dumbeck, Berniece Smick, Bernard Halama ____? Front- Theresa Smieja, Dejno Twins, John Dejno, ___Burt, Vernon Anderson, Joan Burt

High water–Bugle Lake Dam Independence 4/4/1956

St Peter and Paul sanctuary decorated for Christmas 2015

Elk Creek School Founded 1870-closed 1940 Photo from 1930s

Isaac Pape and Jackson Standafer 2015 football

July 2014 Old span bridge is replaced during Hwy 93 road construction

July 2014 Road construction on corner of Hwy 121 and 93 junction. Old gas station/Kevin Benning business is removed

Ada Markham took over the Independence newspaper after the death of her husband. Note the presence of either a big cat or small fluffy dog on her desk.

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Top-1939 Independence American Legion Team. They went to state but lost in semifinals. Front L-R-Rudy Smieja, Bill Andre, Saul Isaacs, Ray Reck, Lyman Call, Millard Fellenz, Roman Sobotta Back-Pete Misch, Everett Blaha, Ralph Klimek, Ed R — indee baseb Top-1939 Independence American Legion Team. They went to state but lost in semifinals. Front L-R-Rudy Smieja, Bill Andre, Saul Isaacs, Ray Reck, Lyman Call, Millard Fellenz, Roman Sobotta Back-Pete Misch, Everett Blaha, Ralph Klimek, Ed Resler, Geo Isaacs, Marcel Marsolek, Norris Olson Bottom photo-Indee Old Timers-Front L-R Ray Hagen, Helmer Neperud, Alan Briggs Edmundson, ernie Fremstad, Len Ellison, Al Windjue, Back row-Cliff Bautch, Ray Reck, Ralph Sygulla, Fred Gardner, Ken Swenson, Don Warner, Merton Hagen, coach De Bow, Peanuts hagen

2009 Kids Fishing Contest in front of City Hall

2006 Dale Miemiietz in Bugle Lake quagmire

Lutheran Ladies 1880s Mrs Ever Anderson, Mrs Ole Marveson, Mrs Bennet Anderson, Mrs Tom Jackson, Mrs ___Jackson, Mrs Lars Kelly, Mrs Ole Nelson, Mrs Ed Larson, Mrs Syver, Mrs Amundson

1881 pen and ink drawing of Independence. At this time Bugle Lake was almost 90 acres in size.

Old bank on left, present day office of Kulig Michalak and Franklin on right next to vacant lot which was once the site of the Runkel Hardware Store and Filla’s Farm Lounge.

Independence 1940 at intersection of CR Q and Hwy 93 view west

High Water in Independence 1906 looking west into town. The grain elevators in the background on the right are the site of the telephone office and lumber yard,(2014)

2005 View of City Hall and park from Bugle lake

2010 Kids Fishing Contest on banks by bridge.

Sept 2011 Flood Bridge to Bugle Park, Independence.

2010 Kids Fishing Contest Fishboard Independence

Kids Fishing Contest 2010 L-R Bob Pietrek, Al Suchla,__, Ottie Baecker

Independence aerial shot 2002, Bugle Lake upper right.

George Markham Family (original white settlers of Independence)

Old Independence School–1-12 grades Approx 1915

Markham Farm with octagon house, Ronceval, in mid rear

Markham Castle-Ronceval 1890s. On hill northeast of independence, torn down in 1930’s

Homecoming Court 1960s Bob Maule, Darlene Dejno, Perry Pietrek

Oldest building in Independence moved from New City in 1877–formerly the Thalacker Bait and Garden Store 2021

ERGC dedication of streambank restoration honoring the late James Helgeson.

Peter and Catherine Mlynek Wedding Day 1913

1909 Barn Raising at Mike Skroch farm in Wickham Valley

1940 Cooks at the Monica Mish/Dominic Sylla wedding reception at the John and Julia Sygulla farm front-Martina Sosalla, _____ Back- Sarah Sygulla, Julia Sygulla, Lucy Mish.

Hyacinth and Susanna Woychik Kulig Golden Wedding Anniversary front, back row Gertrude, ____, Paul, John

Wickham Valley School kids in front of the school and Pete Pason’s “bus” Back L-r
R Marion Woychik, Berniece Sonsalla, Delores Wozney, Helen Bautch John and Ernest Sonsalla, _____, Laverne Sura Middle-Beatrice Sonsalla, ____Woychik, ____, Jim Wozney, — Wickham Valley School kids in front of the school and Pete Pason’s “bus” Back L-r R Marion Woychik, Berniece Sonsalla, Delores Wozney, Helen Bautch John and Ernest Sonsalla, _____, Laverne Sura Middle-Beatrice Sonsalla, ____Woychik, ____, Jim Wozney, ____Woychik Front- Bernadine Kampa, Joan Bautch, ____Wozney, Rosaline Puchalla, _____, Grace Kampa Photo Vitus Kampa

wedding invitation to wedding of August Weier and Rose Smieja 1921

Charles Pieterick , WW1 veteran and his four sons

John and Anna Walek Family , Golden Anniversay 1921

Albert and Josephine Skrzypietz Bautch 1903

Anna and Lexi Kurth and Fair Steers 2021

Kampa Wedding at the Charles Kampa home in Wickham Valley—from Vitus Kampa collection.

Kampa Wedding in Wickham Valley–newly weds are in the front seat of the buggy.

Bartender Roman Smieja, owner of bar–Tom Bisek 1904

Libowski Bar perhaps– 1904– photo not identified

Bautch Brothers, Albert and Sebastion in front, Lawrence in back

Indee Cheerleaders 1953 Rita Jackson, Marlene Sobish, Jean Myers and Luvane Helgeson

2020 ERGC Ice Fishing Contest 2020 The fish board.

1954 Township Queen Contest at County Fair

2019 Elk Rod & Gun Club Ice Fishing Contest

Bushy’s Meat Market bear decorated for St Patrick’s Day 2019

Mary Sluga, Julia Skroch, Jennie Moga, Susie Skroch

Henry “Hank” Gamroth, rescued in WW2 by Desmond Doss

Peter Sura and Louis Wiersgalla, KIA 1918

Borst Valley School 1929 ( was located on Cty BB) Teacher Effie Filla Back Row L-R- Phyllis Burt, Albert Sylla, Lyle Back, Fred Marsolek, Gladys Lokken, Raymond Sylla Front- Helen Rombalski, Caroline Rombalski, Glenn Hendrickson, Carol Hendrickson, Elmer Lokken, Verna Burt, Euphrosine Rombalski

New City School 8th Grade Class 1943 (located on Cty X)
L=R- Marcus Kuka, Irene Bautch, Florence Bautch, Bill Filla
photo from Mrs E Dubiel — New City School 8th Grade Class 1943 (located on Cty X) L=R- Marcus Kuka, Irene Bautch, Florence Bautch, Bill Filla photo from Mrs E Dubiel

Borst Valley School girls, 1923 L-R Eleanor Prokop, Agnes Burt, Alla Marsolek, Blanch Burt, Rose Prokop, Phyllis burt Photo from Agnes Amble

Rust proff corset sold at Wise & MIsch in Independence 1915

Peter Filla, son of Victoria and step son of Edward Jelen

Romelle Schneider and her husband, James Roosevelt

Independence New Wave, Ada Markham, editor 1900’s

Prom Queen Marie Bautch –later Mrs Don Kloss–Don was the Prom King 1954

John and Mary Sluga and family John was born as the family was immigrating to the US

Len Resler Bar–Molly behind bar, Corky, Doug and Ken Klimek

1915 strange happenings at Hoff Family farm

Independence 2019, Bushy’s Meat Market, shop for rent, Eagle Bar, Coffee Cup Cafe, empty building.

Happenings February 1915 in Traverse Valley

Autographed advertising fan–Indee Bottling Company

Documents

October 25, 1896

A terrible catastrophe, which nearly resulted in the cremation of an entire family, comes from our neighboring village of Independence. Shortly before midnight on Sunday, the farm home of Frank Bautsch became enveloped in flames, spreading so rapidly that the family was forced to leap from the second floor to safety. Mr. and Mrs. Bautsch were burned badly, their hired girl fatally, and only Mrs. Bautsch’s father, Mr. Sygula, escaped with injury. Shortly before the fire started, a noise was heard and Mr. Bautsch saw someone outside the house, but could not make out who it was. After the fire was extinguished, a five-gallon can of oil was found to have been emptied into the house. Thus is seems there was a most dastardly attempt to cremate a whole family. Every effort will be used to find the fiend.

History of Independence 1878 (PDF)
Independence Baseball Reunion Team 1940s (PDF)
Independence Team IDs (PDF)
Valentine Pietrek (PDF)

Restoration of Independence City Hall and Second Floor Theater (1/2)

Restoration of Independence City Hall and Second Floor Theater (2/2)

1905 List of Civil War and Spanish American War Vets Town of Burnside

1905 List of Village of Independence Civil War Veterans

Norwegian Lutheran church members pre 1900

Independence native Drexel Sprecher, attorney at Nuremberg trials.

1947–meeting at St Peter and Paul to discuss using English instead of Polish

Sno Ball with King James Helgeson and Queen Pauline Roskos