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From: "Allamakee CC" <>
Subject: Marriages in Prairie du Chien
Date: Sat, 9 Jul 2005 13:34:06 -0800
References: <19c.36fdddb5.30012b62@aol.com> <BAY20-DAV992D4B3C6CAEF89D1DEE5D9DA0@phx.gbl>


Elaine,
I don't know exactly why so many of our early Allamakee & Clayton co.
families went to Prairie du Chien to be married, but I do know that it was a
fairly common occurrance.

There were no bridges across the Mississippi river until 1860 when a
railroad pontoon bridge was built from North McGregor (now Marquette) in
Clayton co. Ferries were the chief means of transportation across the
river. The 1882 history of Mendon twp. Clayton co. tells us that a ferry
was first established in 1836. An 1857 history of McGregor also gives
details on early river crossings.
http://www.rootsweb.com/~iaclayto/1882/mendon_twp.htm
http://www.rootsweb.com/~iaclayto/misc/mcgregor_1857.htm

In the early 1930's a car bridge was built from Marquette to Prairie du
Chien. Farther north, the Black Hawk bridge in Lansing was built in the
late 1920's or early 1930's.

Regards,
Sharyl Ferrall


----- Original Message -----
From: "E M" <>
To: <>
Sent: Saturday, July 09, 2005 7:14 AM
Subject: Re: [IAALLAMA-L] Churchtown church dates


> With this discussion of churches in Allamakee County maybe someone could
> answer a question that has been a puzzle to our family. At least 5
> couples who lived in Allamakee County crossed the Mississippi River to get
> married in Prairie du Chien, WI - 2 in 1856, 2 in 1861 and 1 in 1862. At
> first we thought that they did it because there weren't any churches in
> that part of Iowa and then we found we were wrong about that. Why would
> they feel the need to cross that huge river to be married??? From what
> we have read about various members of these families they had church
> connections, mostly Methodist. Were there bridges across the Mississippi
> in those days? or did they need to take a boat of some kind? Any ideas??
> Thanks.
> Elaine

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