Wiota, Wisconsin
Wiota, Wisconsin
Hamilton's Diggings | ||
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FIPS code 55-065-88050 | |
Wiota is a
History
When
Wiota was the location of one of the earliest Norwegian settlements in the United States, begun by immigrants traveling from Chicago, including Per Ivarson Undi, in 1841.[8] The East Wiota Lutheran Church, dedicated in 1852, is the oldest continually running Norwegian Lutheran church in America.[9] Johan Storm Munch was an early pastor at the church. His wife, Caja, kept a diary of their time in Wiota that has since been published as The Strange American Way.
Geography
Wiota is in eastern Lafayette County, bordered to the east by Green County. According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 52.8 square miles (136.8 km2), of which 0.03 square miles (0.07 km2), or 0.05%, are water.[1] The western border of the town follows the Pecatonica River, and the river's East Branch flows southward through the east side of the town.
Demographics
As of the census
There were 331 households, out of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.0% were married couples living together, 6.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.5% were non-families. 19.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.12.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.2% under the age of 18, 5.2% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 13.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.2 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $40,000, and the median income for a family was $43,611. Males had a median income of $22,440 versus $22,708 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,176. About 2.6% of families and 6.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.0% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.
Notable people
- George Engebretson, Wisconsin state senator[11]
- Julius M. Engebretson, Wisconsin state representative; born in Wiota[12]
- Martin O. Monson, Wisconsin state representative[13]
- Johan Storm Munch, a prominent early pastor of the Wiota Norwegian Lutheran Church
- Per Ivarson Undi, an early Norwegian settler, and first from the county of Sogn og Fjordane; lived in Wiota and enticed others to emigrate[14]
- Ezra Wescott, Wisconsin state representative; taught school in Wiota
- Grover C. Winn, Alaska territorial legislator; born in Wiota[15]
References
- ^ a b "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files – Wisconsin". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
- ^ "USGS detail on Newtown". Retrieved October 29, 2007.
- ^ a b "Total Population: 2010 Census DEC Summary File 1 (P1), Wiota town, Lafayette County, Wisconsin". data.census.gov. U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 29, 2021.
- ISBN 0-442-26113-6Retrieved October 28, 2007.
- ^ Reed, Parker McCobb. The Bench and Bar of Wisconsin. Reed, 1882, pp. 427–28. Retrieved September 25, 2007.
- ^ a b "Wiota: Town and Village," Wisconsin Historical Society, Date and publication unknown. Retrieved September 26, 2007.
- ^ Butterfield, Consul Willshire. History of Lafayette County, Wisconsin. Western Historical Co., 1881, p. 476. Retrieved September 25, 2007.
- ^ Theodore Blegen, Norwegian Migration to America, p.77
- ^ historical marker
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1937, Biographical Sketch of George Engebretson, pg. 30
- ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1917,' Biographical Sketch of Julius M. Engebretson, pg. 533
- ^ 'Wisconsin Blue Book 1952, Biographical Sketch of Martin O. Monson, pg. 32
- ^ Holand, Hjalmar Rued. History of the Norwegian Settlements (Decorah, Iowa: Astri My Astri Publishing. 2006)
- ^ Alaska Legislature-Grover C. Winn