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J CS L ^ ^
Wis.
HI ST O ET
lOV/A COUNTY,
WISCONSIN,
CONTAINING
AN ACCOUNT OF ITS SETTLEMENT, GKOWTH, DEVELOPMENT AND RESOURCES; AN EXTENSIVE AND
MINUTE SKETCH OF ITS CITIES, TOWNS AND VILLAGES— THEIR IMPROVEMENTS, INDUSTRIES,
MANUFACTORIES, CHURCHES, SCHOOLS AND SOCIETIES; ITS WAR RECORD, BIOGRAPH-
ICAL SKETCHES, PORTRAITS OF PROMINENT MEN AND EARLY SETTLERS;
THE WHOLE PRECEDED BY A HISTORY OF WISCONSIN, STATISTICS
OF THE STATE, AND AN ABSTRACT OF ITS LAWS AND CON-
STITUTION AND OF THE CONSTITUTION
OF THE UNITED STATES.
IXjXiTJSTS,-A.a?S X).
CHICAGO :
WESTEKN HISTORICAL COMPANY.
MDCCCLXXXI.
^(o^i^ji
PREFACE.
^ I "'HIS WORK was commenced with a specific object in view, which was to place upon record,
in a reliable manner and in permanent form, whatever incidents of importance have trans-
pired within the region of which Iowa County is now a part. As a necessary preliminary to
this work, a brief history of the entire district now known as Wisconsin is given, together with
such valuable facts concerning the antiquities of the Northwest as science has revealed. Fol-
lowing along this plan of labor, the history of the Lead Region, with an ample geological and
mineralogical sketch thereof, is detailed from trustworthy sources. The more local records
embrace the narrative of settlement in the early times that tried the courage and endurance of
the heroic pioneers ; a recital of the bravery of Iowa's citizen-soldiers in the Indian wars ; a
, description of the characteristic deeds of the representative men of the county, and a complete
delineation of the events of the past half-century. In the history of the county will be found
incidents, reminiscences and anecdotes, which serve to spice the more statistical portions of the
work. In the preparation of this volume, many men of experience have patiently examined
record books, intelligently conversed with pioneers, and carefully compiled the fruits of their
industrious researches. The chief value of the histbry lies in the fact that not only was the
original matter gathered first-handed from the participants in many of the scenes, but in the fact,
of still greater importance, that the proof-sheets have been submitted for correction to many of
the oldest settlers. Herein is furnished a truthful reflex of the times and deeds of by-gone days,
and it is hoped that the present generation will feel that pride in the work which future gener-
ations are surely destined to do. The publishers are aware that all persons cannot be pleased,
but impartial and conscientious efi'orts must eventually be accepted at their true worth. Upon
that faith is this volume submitted to the public with confidence.
Thanks are herein expressed to the scores of Pioneers, the County Ofiicials, the Clergy and
the Press for the uniform courtesy extended the compilers.
April, 1881. THE PUBLISHERS.
CONTENTS.
Page.
Antiquities 19
Indian Tribes 21
Pre-Territorial Annals 29
Wisconsin Territory 41
Wisconitin as a State 52
First Administration 52
Second Administration 57
Third Administration 59
Fourth Administration 62
Fifth Administration 64
Sixth Administration 66
SsTenth Administration 67
War of Secession Commenced 69
Eighth Administration 76
Ninth Administration 85
Statistics ofVolunteer.-* 90
Tenth Administration 92
Eleventh Administration 93
Twelfth Administration 94
Thirteenth Administration 97
Fourteenth Administration 99
Fifteenth Administration 104
Sixteenth Administration 109
'pography and Geology 110
The Archaean Age 112
Paleozoic Time — Silurian Age 115
Devonian Age 119
Glacial Period 120
Climatology 121
Trees, Shrubs and Vines 128
Fauna 134
Fish and Fish Culture 134
Large Animals — Time of their Disap-
pearance 138
Peculiarities of the Bird Fauna 139
Educational 140
Original School Code 140
Agitation for Free Schools 141
School System under State Govern-
ment 141
School Fund Income 142
State University 143
Agricultural College 144
Normal Schools 144
Teachers' Institutes 146
Graded Schools 146
HISTORY OF WISCONSIIV.
Page.
Educational :
Township System 146
Free High Schools 147
School Offices 147
State Teachers' Certificates 147
Teachers' Associations 148
Libraries 148
State Superintendents 148
College Sketches 149
Female Colleges 150
Academies and Seminaries 151
Commercial Schools 151
Agriculture 151
Mineral Resources 162
Lead and Zinc 162
Iron 165
Copper 168
Gold and Silver 168
Brick Clays 168
Cement Rock ..,170
Limestone — Glass Sand 171
Peat — Building Stones 172
Railroads ^ 173
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul 173
Chicago & Northwestern 176
Wisconsin Central 178
Western Union 179
West Wisconsin 180
Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western. 180
Green Bay & Minnesota 181
Wisconsin Valley 181
Sheboygan & Fonddu Lac 181
Mineral Point 182
Madison & Portage 182
North Wisconsin 183
Prairie du Chien & McGregor 183
Chippewa Falls & Western 183
Narrow Gauge 183
Conclusion 184
Lumber 185
Banking 191
Commerce and Manufactures 198
Furs 199
Lead and Zinc — Iron 200
Lumber 201
Grain 202
Page,
Commerce and Manufactures :
Dairy Products 203
Pork and Beef. 203
Hops 204
Tobacco — Cranberries 205
Liquors 205
Miscellaneous 206
Water Powers , 206
Manufactures 208
Conclusion 208
The Public Domain .....210
Health 230
Geographical Position 230
Physical Features 230
Greology 231
Drainage 232
Climatology 232
Rain Character 233
Isotherms 234
Barometrical 234
Winds 235
Climatological Changes from Settling
in the State 235
Influence of Nationalities 237
Occupations— Food — Education, etc 238
History of Disease 238
Ratio of Sickness, Ft. Howard and Win-
nebago 239
Education of the Blind 241
Institute of Deaf and Dumb 241
Industriiil School for Boys 242
State Prison 242
State Hospital for the Insane 242
Northern Hospital for the Insane 243
City of Milwaukee 243
Health Resorts 244
Change of Diseases 246
Pulmonary Diseases 248 '
Statistics 249
Population, 1875, of Townships, Alpha-
betically Arranged by Counties 249
Population by Counties 258
Nativity by Counties 259
Valuation of Property 260
Acreage of Principal Crops 261, 262
ABSIRACT OF WISCO:KSIi\ STATE IjAWS.
Page.
Actions 283
Arrest 283
Attachment 284
Adoption of Children 276
Assignment of Mortgage 274
Assessment and Collection of Taxes 267
Assessmentof Taxes 268
Bills of Exchange or Promissory Notes 272
Borrowed Money 267
Capital Punishment 278
Collection of Taxes 270
Commercial Terms 285
Common Schools 266
" 3 for Trespass 279
Page.
Elections and General Elections 263
Es trays ." 279
Exemptions 284
Fences 280
Forms of Conveyances 273
Forms of Mortgages 274
Garnishment 284
Highways and Bridges 270
Hours of Labor 273
Interest 277
Intoxicating Liquors 271
Judgments 284
Jurisdiction of Courts 277
J'lrors 278
Pagf.
Landlord and Tenant 281
Limitation ul Actions 285
Marks and Brands 281
Married Women 283
Stay Law 284
Surveyors and Surveys 282
Support of Poor 282
Suggestions to Persons Purchasing Books
by Subscription 285
Title of Real Property by Descent 275
Weights and Measures 278
Wills , 276
Wolf Scalps 278
^ Page.
Wisconsin State Constitution 287
U, a. Constitution 297
MISCELliANEOrS.
I Page. I
I Vote of Wisconsin for Governor and Presi-
dent 306-307
Population of the Siate..
Page,
3QS
VI
COKTEXTS.
HISTORY OF THE T^EAD REGIOX.
Page.
Among the Eocks 309
The Mineral District in Detail 331
Death of Moses Strong 331
TheDriftless Area 336
TopoKraphy and Surface Geology 340
The Lead Region Described 347
Mineralogy .' 348
History and Character of the Mines 352
Beetown District 352
Potosi District 354
Fairplay District 357
Hazel Green District 359
Platteville District 364
Buncombe Diggings 364
New Diggings District 366
Diggings on the Leakley Estate 368
ShuUsburg District 369
Benton District 373
Mififlin District 374
Page.
Ceutervill 6 District 375
Highland District 375
Linden District 378
Dodgeville District 383
"Van Mater's Survey 384
Mineral Point District 385
Calamine District 391
Wiota District 391
Copper 392
Settlement 392
Tlie First Explorer 392
The Missouri Diggings 392
The Margry Letters 393
Dubuque Settlement 394
A Missing Island 394
Dubuque's Operations on the East Side 395
Early Navigation and Commerce 396
Davenport at Fever River 396
The Buck Lead 399
Page.
Jessee Shull's Tradership 399
Dr. Samuel 0. Muir ^^^
A. P. VanMatre 400
The First White Woman 501
The First American History 401
The Change in Management 402 '
Moses Meeker's Colony 404
The First Marriage 405
The First Death 405
The First Births 405
Social Development 405
The First Popt Office 406
Government Control of the Mines 408
Charles Bracken's Sketch 420
Names of those who Mined prior to 1830... 423
Political History 423
R. H. Magoon's Memoirs 427
Stillman's Defeat, Kingston's Narrative... 435
CHAPTER I. Pagr.
Indian Occupancy 437
Derivation of th e Name 438
Natural Vegetation 439
Water, Scenery and Soil 440
Coon Bluff; a Romance of the Wis-
conpin 440
Educating Slaves 445
The Mysterious Cave 448
Recovery of the Lost Child 457
CHAPTER II.
The Winebago War. 4fil
Capture of Red Bird 463
First Settlement, Dodgeville 465
Van Matre Survey 466
First White Woman 466
Peddler's Creek and Dallas 466
Mineial Point 467
Early Merchandising 467
First Marriage and Birth 467
First Farming 408
First Mill 468
Blue River 468
Ridgeway 471
First School and Physician 471
Old Helena 471
A Visit to Helena in 1836 472
Furnaces, 1827 and 1828 473
The First Census 474
Territorial Roads 475
First County Schools 475
County School Work since 1843 477
CHAPTER III.
The Black Hawk War 479
Dodge's Letter and the Mineral Point
Messenger 479
First Military Movementand Forts 480
Distributing Supplies 481
Account of Arms Distributed at Mineral
Point 481
Occurrences and Mound Fort 482
Fort Jackson Alarmed 483
Battle of the Pecatonica 485
Battle of Wisconsin Heights and Bad
Axe 486
Grignon's Recollections 490
CRAPTER IV.
Mineral Discoveries and Limitations 492
Indian Treaties and Abuses 493
First Miners and Early Deprivations 494
Life in the Diggings 495
First Land Districts 496
Claim Restrictions and First Entries 497
Projected Railroads and Canals 498
Hard Money Wealth 499
First Roads and Highways 600
Chronicles of the Cholera, 1849 and 1850, 501
The Second Visitation, 1851 503
Land Swindling Schemes 504
CHAPTER V.
OflBcial RecordP 508
LaFayettennd Montgomery Counties... 511
State Grovernment and subsequent Re-
forms 512
HISTORT OF lOU A COUSTTY.
Page, j
Past and Present County Buildings 514
Judicial Districts and First Cases 516
The County Seat War 517
County Poor Houseand Farm 520
CHAPTER VI.— Mineral Point Railroad.
Company Charter and Projected Routes 522
First Contract and Commencement of
the Road 525
Official Returns of the Election 527
Change of Contractors 527
More Funds Raised and Road Completed, -529
The First Train, Company Re-organized 530
CHAPTER VII.— Iowa County Bonds.
Building Contracts 534
County Repudiation of Bond Indebted-
ness.., 535
First Suit 536
The Enemy Storms Mineral Point 538
The Legislature to the Rescue 540
A Compromise Attempted and Opposed.. 541
Settlement Proceedings and Final Report 542
CHAPTER VIII.— War Record.
Introductory 545
First Volunteer Company in the State... 545
The FarmPTs' Guards 547
Geu'iral Events 547
Riotous Veterans 550
The Draft 551
Bounty Difficulties 552
The Camp and Field 553
Roster of Volunteers 563
CHAPTER IX.
Tornado of 1878 567
County Officers 572
Property Valuation 576
Farm Products 579
Iowa County Agricultural Society 579
Early Voting Points 581
Press 582
CHAPTER X. — Pioneer Beminiscknoes.
Memoir, by William R. Smith 589
The Pecatonica, by William Penn Smith, 59u
First Impressions of the Mines 592
By W. P. Ruggles 594
By T. M. Fullerton 600
A Bridal Trip 661
CHAPTER XL— Some of Fayette Coun-
ty's Illustrious Dead.
Henry Dodge 601
Gen. William R. Smith 609
Hon. Moses Meeker 612
Hon. Charles Dunn 612
Hon. Stephen P. Hollenbeck 617
Col. Thomas Stephens 618
Hon. Henry M. Billings 619
Hon. Elihu B. Goodsell 619
Gen. Charles Bracken 620
Gen. John B.Terry 620
John Falls O'Neill 621
Col. D. M. Parkinson 621
Hon. Thomas Jenkins 622
Page.
Hon. Levi Sterling 623
Capt. William Henry 623
John Messersmith 624
Robert S. Block 625
Judge L. M. Strong 625
Judge John Bonner 626
George Mulks 626
Hon. George L. Frost 626
Schuyler Pulford 627
Maj. Charles F. Legate 627
Edward D. Beouchard 628
George W. Burrall 629
CHAPTER XII.— Mineral Point.
Uncle Sam's Donation 652
First Surveys and Entries 653
The Public Square Imbroglio 654
Mineral Point Before 1832 655
Who was the First Settler? ^ 656
The First Notable Events 657
The Black Hawk War..: 659
A Celebrated Tavern 661
The Old Jail, and Other Notes 662
CHAPTER XIII.— Mineral Point as a
Borough.
First Ordinances and Corporation Money, 665
Business Condition in 1837 666
An Englishman's Observations 669
The Bank of Mineral Point 671
The Trial and Hanging of Caffee 673
Border Justice and Vendettas 674
A French Prince's Visit 675
The California Exodus 676
A Mineral Point Craft and her Advent-
ures 677
California Emigrants 678
CHAPTER XIV.— MiNKRAL Point as a
Village.
Charter and Government 680
Early Ordinances 681
Business in 1845 681
A Temperance Move, Old Miners' Guard, 681
Newspaper Extracts 682
Ho, for California! 683
Jail BreaUing 683
Miners' Honor 683
Incendiaries and Cholera 683
The Order of 1001 684
Ladies Cold Water Union 684
Business in 1856 684
Old Banks 687
Education ;. 687
Newspaper Comments 689
Early Telegraphid Communication 692
CHAPTER XV.— Mineral Point as \
City.
First Charter 693
Second Charter 694
Third Charter 695
Statistics and Notes, 1860 to 1863 695
War Occurrences 696
Old Settlers' Re-union Celebration 697
Various Items 698
Old Settlers Still Living '... 699
CONTENTS.
Paoe.
William T. Henry's Geological Collec-
tion 899
Zinc Works 70®
Post Office 701
ManufacturiDg, Banks, etc 702
Industrial Association 705
Secular Societies 707
Religious 714
Cemeteries 724
Official Boster 726
Business Summary and Conclusion 728
City Directory 728
CHAPTER XVI.— DODOEVILLE.
Fir^t Land Entries and Plats 733
Government and Official Roster 734
Early Settlement 736
The First Fort and Dodge's Indian Re-
ception 737
First Claims and Notable Events 738
Items of 1828 and 1829 741
Troubles, 1828 and 1829 742
After the Black Hawk War 742
Trade Resumed 743
The " Suckers " and their Successors 744
Page.
Business, 1850 to 1870 745
Health of the Village 747
War Items 748
Railroad Interests 750
Education 753
Post Office 754
Bands 754
Mineral Point and Dodgeville Telegraph, 755
Fires and Fire Company 756
Hotels 757
Manufactories 758
Secular Societies 759
Religious 761
Cemeteries 764
General Summary 764
Professional Men ; 766
Directory 766
CHAPTER XVII.— Towns and Villases.
Town of Mineral Point 768
Town of Dodgeville 773
Town of Arena 781
Old Arena 781
New Arena 784
Heleua Station 787
Page.
Town of Clyde 790
JTown of Eden 793
IVillageof Eden 794
Town of Highland 796
Centerville 797
Village of Highland 800
CHAPTER XVIII.— Towns AND Villages
— Conlinued.
Town of Linden 807
Village of Linden 812
Town of Mifflin 813
Village of Dallas 819
Village of Mifflin 820
Village of Rewey 821
Town of Moscow 821
Village of Moscow 823
Adamsville 824
Town of Pulaski 824
Village of Avoca 829
Town of Eidgeway 832
West Blue Mounds 839
Town of Wyoming 8J1
Helena 844
Town of Waldwick 845
BIOGRAPHICAL, SKETCHES.
Page.
Arena 930
Clyde 953
Dodgeville 880
Eden 956
Highland 941
Page, i Page.
Linden 906 Ridgeway 960
Mineral Point 863 Wyoming i 938
Mifflin 917 Waldwick 968
Moscow.^ 965
Pulaski 947
Page.
Joseph Bennett 487
William Bainbridge 577
M.J.' Briggs 595
M. M. Cothren 397
George W. Cobb 649
Josph Gundry 505
0. Gillmann 623
William T. Henry 416
PORTKAITS.
Page.
John Barker .343
Thomas Kennedy 659
Owen King 721
J. B. Moffett 685
John J. Ross 613
J. W. Bowey 739
Moses M. Strong 379
Moses Strong 361
Page.
J. Montgomery Smith 451
James Spensley 469
Harker Spensley 309
E. W. Sylvester 067
John Toay 325
John H. Vivian 703
HI8TOEY OF WISCOI^SIN".
BY C. W. BUTTERFIELD.
I— WISCONSIN ANTIQUITIES.
The first explorers of the valleys of the Great Lakes and the Mississippi and its tributaries,
seem not to have noticed, to any considerable extent, the existence within these vast areas of
monuments of an extinct race. Gradually, however, as the tide of emigration broke through the
barriers of the Alleghanies and spread in a widely extended flow over what are now the States of
the Northwest, these prehistoric vestiges attracted more and more the attention of the curious
and the learned, until, at the present time, almost every person is presumed to have some general
knowledge, not only of their existence, but of some of their striking peculiarities. Unfortunately,
these signs of a long since departed people are fast disappearing by the never ceasing operations
of the elements, and the constant encroachments of civilization. The earliest notices of the
animal and vegetable kingdom of this region are to be found in its rocks; but Wisconsin's earli-
est records of men can only be traced in here and there a crumbling earth-work, in the fragment
of a skeleton, or in a few stone and copper implements — dim and shadowy relics of their
handicraft.
The ancient dwellers in these valleys, whose history is lost in the lapse of ages, are desig-
nated, usually, as the Mound-Builders ; not that building mounds was probably their distinctive
employment, but that such artificial elevations of the earth are, to a great extent, the only evi-
dences remaining of their actual occupation of the country. As to the origin of these people,
all knowledge must, possibly, continue to rest upon conjecture alone. Nor were the habitations
of this race confined to the territory of which Wisconsin now forms a part. At one time, they
must have been located in many ulterior regions. The earth-works, tumuli, or "mounds," as they
are generally designated, are usually symmetrically raised and often inclosed in mathematical
figures, such as the square, the octagon, and the circle, with long lines of circumvallation.
Besides these earth-works, there are pits dug in the solid rock ; rubbish heaps formed in the
prosecution of mining operations ; and a variety of implements and utensils, wrought in copper
or stone, or moulded in clay. Whence came the inhabitants who left these evidences to succeed-
ing generations ? In other words, who were the Mound-Builders ? Did they migrate from the
Old World, or is their origin to be sought for elsewhere.? And as to their manners and customs
and civilization — what of these things.? Was the race finally swept from the New World to give
place to Red men, or was it the one from which the latter descended .' These momentous ques-
tions are left for the ethnologist, the archsologist, and the antiquarian of the future to answer —
if they can.
20 HISTORY or WISCONSIN.
Inclosures and mounds of the prehistoric people, it is generally believed, constituted but
parts of one system ; the former being, in the main, intended for purposes of defense or religion ;
the latter, for sacrifice, for temple sites, for burial places, or for observatories. In selecting sites
for many of these earth-works, the Mound-Builders appear to have been influenced by motives
which prompt civilized men to choose localities for their great marts; hence, Cincinnati, St.
Louis, Chicago, Milwaukee and other cities of the West are founded on ruins of pre-existing
structures. River terraces and river bottoms seem to have been the favorite places for these
earth-works. In such localities, the natural advantages of the country could be made available
with much less trouble than in portions of the country lying at a distance from water-courses.
In Wisconsin, therefore, as in other parts, the same general idea of selecting points contiguous
to the principal natural thoroughfares is found to have prevailed with the Mound-Builders ; for
their works are seen in the basin of the Fox river of the Illinois, in that of Rock river and its
branches, in the valley of Fox river of Green bay, in that of the Wisconsin, as well as near
the waters of the Mississippi.
While a few circumvallations and immense mounds, such as are common to certain other
portions of the United States, are discoverable in Wisconsin, yet by far the largest number of
earthworks have one peculiarity not observable, except in a few instances, outside the State.
This characteristic is a very striking one The fact is revealed that they are imitative in form —
resembling beasts, reptiles, birds, fish, man. All these, for convenience, are usually classed
under the general name of "animal mounds," although some are in the similitude of trees, some
of war clubs, others of tobacco pipes. Generally, these figures are in groups, though sometimes
they are seen alone. For what purpose these earth-works were heaped up — they rise above the
surface two, four, and sometimes six feet — or what particular uses they were intended to subserve,,
is unknown. It is, however, safe to affirm that they had some significance. A number resemble
the bear; a few, the bufifalo; others, the raccoon. Lizards, turtles, and even tadpoles, are out-
lined in the forms of some. The war eagle, and the war club has each its representative. All
this, of course, could not have been a mere happening — the work of chance. The sizes of these
mounds are as various as their forms. One near Cassville, in Grant county, very complete in
its representation of an animal, supposed to be of the elephant species, was found, upon measure-
ment, to have a total length of one hundred and thirty-five feet. Another in Sauk county, quite
perfect in its resemblance to the form of a. man, was of equal length — a veritable colossus;
prone, it is true, and soon to disappear, if it has not already been destroyed, by ravages of a
superior civilization.
In portions of Wisconsin, as well as in a few places outside the State, are found earth-works
of another kind, but quite as remarkable as the "animal mounds," which, from their supposed
use, have been styled "garden beds." They are ridges, or beds, about six inches in height and
four feet in width, ranged, with much apparent method, in parallel rows, sometimes rectangular
in shape, sometimes of various but regular and symmetrical curves, and occupying fields of from
ten to a hundred acres.
The Mound-Builders have left many relics, besides their earthworks, to attest their presence
in Wisconsin in ages past. Scattered widely are found stone and copper axes, spear-heads, and
arrow-heads, also various other implements — evidently their handiwork. As these articles are
frequently discovered many feet beneath the surface, it argues a high antiquity for the artificers.
Whether they had the skill to mould their copper implements is doubtful. Such as plainly show
the work of hammering, indicate an art beyond that possessed by the Red men who peopled
America upon its first discovery by Europeans. In a few instances, fragments of human skulls
have been found so well preserved as to enable a comparison to be drawn between the crania of
THE INDIAN TRIBES OF WISCONSIN. 21
this ancient race and tliose of modern ones ; the results, however, of these comparisons throw
little, if any, light upon " the dark backward and abysm " of mound-building times.
The evidences of an extinct people of superior intelligence is very strikingly exhibited in
the ancient copper mines of the Lake Superior region; Here are to be found excavations in the
•solid rock ; heaps of rubble and dirt ; copper utensils fashioned into knives, chisels, and spear
and arrow-heads; stone hammers; wooden bowls and shovels; props and levers for raising and
■supporting the mass copper ; and ladders for ascending and descending the pits. These mines
were probably worked by people not only inhabiting what is now the State of Wisconsin, but
territory farther to the southward. The copper was here obtained, it is believed, which has been
found in many places, even as far away as the northern shore of the Gulf of Mexico, wrought
into various implements and utensils. But there are no traces in Wisconsin of a "' copper age "
succeeding a " stone age," discernible in any prehistoric relics. They all refer alike to one
age — the indefinite past ; to one people — the Mound-Builders.
II.— THE INDIAN TRIBES OF WISCONSIN.
When, as early, it is believed, as 1634, civilized man iirst set foot upon the territory now
included within the boundaries of Wisconsin, he discovered, to his surprise, that upon this wide
area met and mingled clans of two distinct and wide-spread families — the Algonquins and
Sioux. The tribes of the former, moving westward, checked the advance of the latter in their
•excursions eastward. As yet there had been no representatives of the Huron-Iroquois seen west
■of Lake Michigan — the members of this great family, at that date dwelling in safety in the
extensive regions northward and southward of the Erie and Ontario lakes. Already had the
French secured a foot-hold in the extensive valley of the St. Lawrence ; and, naturally enough,
the chain of the Great Lakes led their explorers to the mouth of Green bay, and up that water-
course and its principal tributary. Fox river, to the Wisconsin, an affluent of the Mississippi.
On the right, in ascending this bay, was seen, for the first time, a nation of Indians, lighter in
complexion than neighboring tribes, and remarkably well formed, now well known as the
Menomonees.
This nation is of Algonquin stock, but their dialect differed so much from the surrounding
tribes of the same family, it having strange guttural sounds and accents, as well as peculiar inflec-
tions of verbs and other parts of speech, that, for a long time, they were supposed to have a
distinct language. Their traditions point to an emigration from the East at some remote
period. When first visited by the French missionaries, these Indians subsisted largely upon wild
rice, from which they took their name. The harvest time of this grain was in the month of
September. It grew spontaneously in little streams with slimy bottoms, and in marshy places.
The harvesters went in their canoes across these watery fields, shaking the ears right and left as
they advanced, the grain falling easily, if ripe, into the bark receptacle beneath. To clear it
from chaff and strip it of a pellicle inclosing it, they put it to dry on a wooden lattice above a
small fire, which was kept up for several days. When the rice was well dried, it was placed
in a skin of the form of a bag, which was then forced into a hole, made on purpose, in the
ground. They then tread it out so long and so well, that the grain being freed from the chaff,
was easily winnowed. After this, it was pounded to meal, or left unpounded, and boiled in
water seasoned with grease. It thus became a very palatable diet. It must not be inferred that
this was the only food of the Menomonees ; they were adepts in fishing, and hunted with skill
the game which abounded in the forests.
For many years after their discovery, the Menomonees had their homes and hunting
- -^ HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
grounds upon, or adjacent to, the Menomonee river. Finally, after the lapse of a century and a
quarter, down to 1760, when the French yielded to the English all claims to the country, the
territory of the Menomonees had shifted somewhat to the westward and southward, and their
principal village was found at the head of Green bay, while a smaller one was still in existence
at the mouth of their favorite stream. So slight, however, had been this change, that the country
of no other of the surrounding tribes had been encroached upon by the movement.
In 1634, the Menomonees probably took part in a treaty with a representative of the French^
who had thus early ventured so far into the wilds of the lake regions. More than a score of
years elapsed before the tribe was again visited by white men, — that is to say, there are no
authentic accounts of earlier visitations. In 1660, Father Ren6 Menard had penetrated the Lake
Superior country as far, at least, as Kewenaw, in what is now the northern part of Michigan,
whence some of his French companions probably passed down the Menomonee river to the
waters of Green bay the following year ; but no record of the Indians, through whose territory
they passed, was made by these voyagers. Ten years more — 1670 — brought to the Menomonees
(who doubtless had already been visited by French fur-traders) Father Claudius Allouez, to win
them to Christianity. He had previously founded a mission upon the bay of Chegoimegon, now
Chaquamegon, or Ashland bay, an arm of Lake Superior, within the present State of Wisconsin^
in charge of which, at that date, was Father James Marquette. Proceeding from the " Sault" on
the third of November, Allouez, early in December, 1669, reached the mouth of Green bay, where,
on the third, in an Indian village of Sacs, Pottawattamies, Foxes and Winnebagoes, containing about
six hundred souls, he celebrated the holy mass for the first time upon this new field of his labors,
— eight Frenchmen, traders with the Indians, whom the missionary found there upon his arrival,
taking part in the devotions. His first Christian work with the Menomonees was performed in
May of the next year. Allouez found this tribe a feeble one, almost exterminated by war. He
spent but little time with them, embarking, on the twentieth of that month, after a visit to some
Pottawattamies and Winnebagoes, " with a Frenchman and a savage to go to Sainte Mary of th.e
Sault." His place was filled by Father Louis Andrd, who, not long after, erected a cabin upon
the Menomonee river, which, with one at a village where his predecessor had already'raised the
standard of the cross, was soon burned by the savages ; but the missionary, living almost con-
stantly in his canoe, continued for some time to labor with the Menomonees and surrounding
tribes. The efforts of Andr6 were rewarded with some conversions among the former ; for Mar-
quette, who visited them in 1673, found many good Christians among them.
The record of ninety years of French domination in Wisconsin — beginning in June, 167 1,
and ending in October, 1761 — brings to light but little of interest so far as the Menomonees are
concerned. Gradually they extended their intercourse with the white fur traders. Gradually
and with few interruptions (one in 1728, and one in 1747 of a serious character) they were
drawn under the banner of France, joining with that government in its wars with the Iroquois ;
in its contests, in 1712, 1729, 1730, and 1751, with the Foxes; and, subsequently, in its conflicts
with the English.
The French post, at what is now Green Bay, Brown county, Wisconsin, was, along with the
residue of the western forts, surrendered to the British in 1760, although actual possession of the
former was not taken until the Fall of the next year. The land on which the fort stood was
claimed by the Menomonees. Here, at that date, was their upper and principal village, the
lower one being at the mouth of the Menomonee river. These Indians soon became reconciled
to the English occupation of their territory, notwithstanding the machinations of French traders
who endeavored to prejudice them against the new comers. The Menomonees, at this time„
were very much reduced, having, but a short time previous, lost three hundred of their warriors.
THE INDIAN TRIBES OF WISCONSIN. 23
"by the small pox, and most of their chiefs in the late war in which they had been engaged by the
then French commander there, against the English. They were glad to substitute English for
French traders ; as they could purchase supplies of them at one half the price they had previously
paid. It was not long before the sincerity of the Menomonees was put to the test. Pontiac's
War of 1763 broke out, and the post of Mackinaw was captured. The garrison, however, at Green
bay was not only not attacked by the savages, but, escorted by the Menomonees and other tribes,
■crossed Lake Michigan in safety to the village of L'Arbre Croche ; thence making their way to
Montreal. The Menomonees continued their friendship to the English, joining with them
against the Colonies during the Revolution, and fighting on the same side during the war of
18x2-15.
When, in July, 181 6, an American force arrived at Green bay to take possession of the
country, the Menomonees were found in their village near by, very peaceably inclined. The
■commander of the troops asked permission of their chief to build a fort. " My Brother!" was
the response, " how can we oppose your locating a council-fire among us ? You are too strong
for us. Even if we wanted to oppose you we have scarcely got powder and ball to make the
attempt. One favor we ask is, that our French brothers shall not be disturbed. You can choose
■any place you please for your fort, and we shall not object." No trouble had been anticipated
from the Menomonees, and the expectations of the government of the United States in that
regard were fully realized. What added much to the friendship now springing up between the
Menomonees and the Americans was the fact that the next year — 181 7 — the annual contribution,
which for many years had been made by the British, consisting of a shirt, leggins, breech-clout,
and blanket for each member or the tribe, and for each family a copper kettle, knives, axes, guns
and ammunition, was withheld by them.
It was found by the Americans, upon their occupation of the Menomonee territory, that
some of the women of that tribe were married to traders and boatmen who had settled at f.te
head of the bay, there being no white women in that region. Many of these were Canadians of
French extraction ; hence the anxiety that they should be well treated, which was expressed by
the Menomonees upon the arrival of the American force. At this period there was a consider-
.able trade carried on with these Indians at Prairie du Chien, as many of them frequently win-
tered on the Mississippi. The first regular treaty with this tribe was " made and concluded" on
the thirtieth day of March, 1817, "by and between William Clark, Ninian Edwards, and
Auguste Chouteau, commissioners on the part and behalf of the United States of America, of the
one part," and the chiefs and warriors, deputed by the Menomonees, of the other part. By the
terms of this compact all injuries were to be forgiven and forgotten ; perpetual peace established;
lands, heretofore ceded to other governments, confirmed to the United States ; all prisoners to be
delivered up ; and the tribe placed under the protection of the United States, " and of no other
nation, power, or sovereign, whatsoever." The Menomonees were now fully and fairly, and for
the first time, entitled to be known as " American Indians," in contradistinction to the term
which had been so long used as descriptive of their former allegiance — " British Indians."
The territory of the Menomonees, when the tribe was taken fully under the winfj of the Gen-
•eral Government, had become greatly extended. It was bounded on the north by the dividing
lidge between the waters flowing into Lake Superior and those flowing south into Green bay and
the Mississippi ; on the east, by Lake Michigan ; on the south, by the Milwaukee river, and on
the west by the Mississippi and Black rivers. This was their territory ; though they were prac-
tically restricted to the occupation of the western shore of Lake Michigan, lying between the
mouth of Green bay on the north and the Milwaukee river on the south, and to a somewhat
indefinite area west. Their general claim as late as 1825, was north to the Chippewa country:
24
HISTORY OF wiscoNsnsr.
east to Green bay and Lake Michigan ; south to the Milwaukee river, and west to Black river.
And what is most surprising is that the feeble tribe of 1761 had now, in less than three quarters
of a century, become a powerful nation, numbering between three and four thousand.
The Menomonee territory, as late as 1831, still preserved its large proportions. Its eastern
division was bounded by the Milwaukee river, the shore of Lake Michigan, Green bay. Fox
river, and Winnebago lake ; its western division, by the Wisconsin and Chippewa rivers on the
west ; Fox river on the south ; Green bay on the east, and the high lands whence flow the streams
into Lake Superior, on the north. This year, however, it was shorn of a valuable and large part
by the tribe ceding to the United States all the eastern division, estimated at two and one half
million acres. The following year, the Menomonees aided the General Government in the Black
Hawk war.
That the Menomonees might, as much as possible, be weaned from their wandering habits,
their permanent home was designated to be a large tract lying north of Fox river and east of
Wolf river. Their territory farther west, was reserved for their hunting grounds until such time
as the General Government should desire to purchase it. In 1836, another portion, amounting to
lour million acres, lying between Green bay on the east and Wolf river on the west, was dis-
posed of to the United States, besides a strip three miles in width from near the portage north,,
on each side of the Wisconsin river and forty-eight miles long — still leaving them in peace-
able possession of a country about one hundred and twenty miles long, and about eighty
broad.
Finally, in 1848, the Menomonees sold all their lands in Wisconsin to the General Govern-
ment, preparatory to their movement to a reservation beyond the Mississippi of six hundred
thousand acres ; but the latter tract was afterward re-ceded to the United States ; for, notwith-
standing there were treaty stipulations for the removal of the tribe to that tract, there were
obstacles in the way of their speedy migration, resulting, finally, in their being permitted to remain
in Wisconsin. Lands, to the amount of twelve townships, were granted them for their permanent
homes, on the upper Wolf river, in what is now Shawano and Oconto counties — a portion, but
a very small one, of what was once their extensive possessions. To this reservation they removed
in October, 1852. Thus are the Menomonees, the only one of the original tribes of Wisconsin
who, as a whole, have a local habitation within its limits. This tribe refused to join the Sioux in
their outbreak in 1 86 1, and several of their warriors served as volunteers in the United States
army during the late civil war.
It is now over two centuries since the civilized world began to gain knowledge of the exist-
ence, in the far West, of a tribe of Indians known as the Winnebagoes — that is, men of the sea;
pointing, possibly, to their early migration from the shores of the Mexican gulf, or the Pacific.
The territory now included within the limits of Wisconsin, and so much of the State of Michigan
as lies north of Green bay, Lake Michigan, the Straits of Mackinaw and Lake Huron were, in
early times, inhabited by several tribes of the Algonquin race, forming a barrier to the Dakotas,
or Sioux, who had advanced eastward to the Mississippi. But the Winnebagoes, although one of
the tribes belonging to the family of the latter, had passed the great river, at some unknown
period, and settled upon the head waters of Green bay. Here, this " sea-tribe," as early, it is
believed, as 1634, was visited by an agent of France and a treaty concluded with them. The tribe
afterward called themselves Hochungara, or Ochunkoraw, but were styled by the Sioux, Hotanke,
or Sturgeon. Nothing more is heard of the Ouenibigoutz, or Winnebegouk (as the Winnebagoes
were early called by the Jesuit missionaries, and the Algonquin tribes, meaning men from the
fetid or salt water, translated by the French, Puants) for the next thirty-five years, although
'.here is no doubt that the tribe had been visited meanwhile by adventurous Frenchmen, when on
ihe second of December, 1669, some of that nation were noted at a Sac (Sauk or Saukis) village
on Green bay, by Father AUouez.
THE INDIAN TRIBES OF WISCONSIN. 25
As early at least as 1670, the French were actively engaged among the Winnebagoes trading.
" We found affairs," says one of the Jesuit missionaries, who arrived among them in September of
that year, " we found affairs there in a pretty bad posture, and the minds of the savages much
soured against the French, who were there trading ; ill-treating them in deeds and words, pillag-
ing and carrying away their merchandise in spite of them, and conducting themselves toward
them with insupportable insolences and indignities. The cause of this disorder," adds the mis-
sionary, " is that they had received some bad treatment from the French, to whom they had this
year come to trade, and particularly from the soldiers, from whom they pretended to have received
many wrongs and injuries." It is thus made certain that the arms of France were carried into
the territory of the Winnebagoes over two hundred years ago.
The Fox river of Green bay was found at that date a difficult stream to navigate. Two
Jesuits who ascended the river in 1670, had "three or four leagues of rapids to contend with,"
when they had advanced " one day's journey " from the head of the bay, "more difficult than those
which are common in other rivers, in this, that the flints, over which" they had to walk with
naked feet to drag their canoes, were so " sharp and so cutting, that one has all the trouble in the
world to hold one's self steady against the great rushing of the waters." At the falls they found
an idol that the savages honored ; " never failing, in passing, to make him some sacrifice of
tobacco, or arrows, or paintings, or other things, to thank him that, by his assistance, they had, in
ascending, avoided the dangers of the waterfalls which are in this stream ; or else, if they had to
ascend, to pray him to aid them in this perilous navigation." The devout missionaries caused
the idol " to be lifted up by the strength of arm, and cast into the depths of the river, to appear
no more " to the idolatrous savages.
The mission of St. Francis Xavier, founded in December, 1669, by Allouez, was a roving one
among the tribes inhabiting the shores of Green bay and the interior country watered by the Fox
river and its tributaries, for about two years, when its first mission-house was erected at what is
now Depere, Brown county. This chapel was soon after destroyed by fire, but was rebuilt
in 1676.
The Winnebagoes, by this time, had not only received considerable spiritual instruction from
the Jesuit fathers, but had obtained quite an insight into the mysteries of trading and trafficking
with white men; for, following the footsteps of the missionaries, and sometimes preceding them,
were the ubiquitous French fur traders. It is impossible to determine precisely what territory
was occupied by the Winnebagoes at this early date, farther than that they lived near the head
of Green bay.
A direct trade with the French upon the St. Lawrence was not carried on by the Winne-
bagoes to any great extent until the beginning of the eighteenth century. As early as 1679,
an advance party of La Salle had collected a large store of furs at the mouth of Green bay,
doubtless in a traffic with this tribe and others contiguous to them; generally, however, the
surrounding nations sold their peltries to the Ottawas, who disposed of them, in turn, to the
French. The commencement of the eighteenth century found the Winnebagoes firmly in
alliance with France, and in peace with the dreaded Iroquios. In 17 18, the nation numbered
six hundred. They were afterward found to have moved up Fox river, locating upon Winne-
bago lake, which stream and lake were their ancient seat, and from which they had been driven
either by fear or the prowess of more powerful tribes of the West or Southwest. Their inter-
course with the French was gradually extended and generally peaceful, though not always so,
joining with them, as did the Menomonees, in their wars with the Iroquois, and subsequently in
their conflicts with the English, which finally ended in 1760.
When the British, in October, 1761, took possession of the French post, at the head of
26
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Green bay, the Winnebagoes were found to number one hundred and fifty warriors only ; their
nearest village being at the lower end of Winnebago lake. They had in all not less than three
towns. Their country, at this period, included not only that lake, but all the streams flowing
into it, especially Fox river; afterward extended to the Wisconsin and Rock rivers. They
readily changed their course of trade — asking now of the commandant at the fort for English
traders to be sent among them. In the Indian outbreak under Pontiac in 1763, they joined
with the Menomonees and other tribes to befriend the British garrison at the head of the bay,
assisting in conducting them to a place of safety. They continued their friendship to the English
during the Revolution, by joining with them against the colonies, and were active in the Indian
war of 1790-4, taking part in the attack on Fort Recovery, upon the Maumee, in the present
State of Ohio, in 1793. They fought also on the side of the British in the war of 1812-15,
aiding, in 1814, to reduce Prairie du Chien. They were then estimated at 4,500. When, in
1816, the government of the United States sent troops to take possession of the Green bay
country, by establishing a garrison there, some trouble was anticipated from these Indians, who,
at that date, had the reputation of being a bold and warlike tribe. A deputation from the nation
came down Fox river and remonstrated with the American commandant at what was thought
to be an intrusion. They were desirous of knowing why a fort was to be established so near
them. The reply was that, although the troops were armed for war if necessary; their purpose
was peace. Their response was an old one : " If your object is peace, you have too many men ;
if war, you have too few." However, the display of a number of cannon which had not yet been
mounted, satisfied the Winnebagoes that the Americans were masters of the'situation, and the
deputation gave the garrison no farther trouble. On the 3d of June, 1816, at St. Louis, the tribe
ma;de a treaty of peace and friendship with the General Government; but they continued to levy
tribute: on all white people who passed up Fox river. English annuities also kept up a bad
feeling. At this time, a portion of the tribe was living upon the Wisconsin river, away from the
rest of the nation, which was still seated upon the waters flowing into Green bay. In 1820,
they had five villages on Winnebago lake and fourteen on Rock river. In 1825, the claim of
the Winnebagoes was an extensive one, so far as territory was concerned. Its southeast
boundary stretched away from the source of Rock river to within forty miles of its mouth, in
Illinois, where they had a village. On the west it extended to the heads of the small streams
flowing into the Mississippi. To the northward, it reached Black river and the upper Wis-
consin, in other words, to the Chippewa territory, but did not extend across Fox river, although
they contended for the whole of Winnebago lake. In 1829, a large part of their territory in
southwest Wisconsin, lying between Sugar river and the Mississippi, and extending to the Wis-
consin river, was sold to the General Government ; and, three years later all the residue lying
south and east of the Wisconsin and the Fox river of Green bay ; the Winnebago prophet having
before that date supported the Sacs in their hostility. Finally, in the brief language of the treaty
between this tribe (which had become unsettled and wasteful) and' the United States, of the' first
of November, 1837, " The Winnebago Nation of Indians '' ceded to the General Government
'" all their lands east of the Mississippi." Not an acre was reserved. And the Indians agreed
that, within eight months from that date, they would move west of " the great river." This
'arrangement, however, was not carried out fully. In 1842, there were only 756 at Turkey river,
Iowa, their new home, with as many in Wisconsin, and smaller bands p':evvhere. All had become
lawless, and roving. Some removed in 1848; while a party to the number of over eight hun-
dred left the State as late as 1873. The present home of the tribe is in Nebraska, where they
have a reservation north of and adjacent to the Omahas, containing over one hundred thousand
acres. However, since their first removal beyond the Mississippi, they have several times
THE INDIAN TRIBES OF WISCONSIN. 27
changed their place of abode. Their number, all told, is less than twenty-five hundred.
When the territory, now constituting the northern portion of Wisconsin, became very
generally known to the civilized inhabitants of the eastern part of the United States, it was
found to be occupied by Indians called the Chippewas. Their hunting-grounds extended south
from Lake Superior to the heads of the Menomonee, the Wisconsin and Chippewa rivers ; also
farther eastward and westward. At an early day they were engaged in a war with the Sioux —
a war indeed, which was long continued. The Chippewas, however, persistently maintained
their position — still occupying the same region when the General Government extended its
jurisdiction over the whole country south of the Great Lakes and west to the Mississippi.
By treaties with the Chippewas at different periods, down to the year 1827, the General Gov-
ernment had recognized them as the owners of about one quarter of what is now the entire
State. The same policy was pursued toward this tribe as with neighboring ones, in the purchase
of their lands by the United States. Gradually they parted with their extensive possessions, until,
in 1842, the last acre within what is now Wisconsin was disposed of. It was the intention of the
General Government to remove the several bands of the Chippewas who had thus ceded their
lands to a tract reserved for them beyond the Mississippi ; but this determination was afterward
changed so as to allow them to remain upon certain reservations within the limits of their old-
time hunting grounds. These reservations they continue to occupy. They are located in Bay-
field, Ashland, Chippewa and Lincoln counties. The clans are known, respectively, as the Red
Gliff band, the Bad River band, the Lac Courte Oreille band, and the Lac de Flambeau band.
Of all the tribes inhabiting what is now Wisconsin when its territory was first visited by
white men, the Sacs (Sauks or Saukies) and Foxes (Outagamies) are, in history, the most noted.
They are of the Algonquin family, and are first mentioned in 1665, by Father Allouez, but as
separate tribes. Afterward, however, because of the identity of their language, and their asso-
ciations, they were and still are considered as one nation. In December, 1669, Allouez found
upon the shores of Green bay a village of Sacs, occupied also by members of other tribes; and
■early in 1670 he visited a village of the same Indians located upon the Fox river of Green bay,
at a distance of four leagues from its mouth. Here a device of these Indians for catching fish
arrested the attention of the missionary. "From one side of the river to the other," he writes,
"they made a barricade, planting great stakes, two fathoms from the water, in such a manner
that there is, as it were, a bridge above for the fishes, who by the aid of a little bow-net, easily
■take sturgeons and all other kinds of fish which this pier stops, although the water does not
•cease to flow between the stakes." When the Jesuit father first obtained, five years previous, a
knowledge of this tribe, they were represented as savage above all others, great in numbers, and
without any permanent dwelling place. The Foxes were of two stocks : one calling themselves
Outagamies or Foxes, whence our English name ; the other, Musquakink, or men of red clay,
the name now used by the tribe. They lived in early times with their kindred the Sacs east of
Detroit, and as some say near the St. Lawrence. They were driven west, and settled at Saginaw,
a name derived from the Sacs. Thence they were forced by the Iroquois to Green bay ; but
were compelled to leave that place and settle on Fox river.
Allouez, on the twenty-fourth of April, 1670, arrived at a village of the Foxes, situated on
Wolf river, a northern tributary of the Fox. "The nation," he declares, "is renowned for
being numerous ; they have more than four hundred men bearing arms ; the number of women
and children is greater, on account of polygamy which exists among them — each man having
commonly four wives, some of them six, and others as high as ten." The missionary found that
the Foxes had retreated to those parts to escape the persecutions of the Iroquois. Allouez
■established among these Indians his mission of St. Mark, rejoicing in the fact that in less than
28 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN.
two years he had baptized "sixty children and some adults." The Foxes, at the summons of De
la Barre, in 1684, sent warriors against the Five Nations. They also took part in Denonville's
more serious campaign ; but soon after became hostile to the French. As early as 169.3, they
had plundered several on their way to trade with the Sioux, alleging that they were carrying arms
and ammunition to their ancient enemies — frequently causing them to make portages to the
southward in crossing from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi. Afterward they became recon-
ciled to the French; but the reconciliation was of short duration. In 1712, Fort Detroit, then
defended by only a handful of men, was attacked by them in conjunction with the Mascou-
tens and Kickapoos. However, in the end, by calling in friendly Indians, the garrison not only
protected themselves but were enabled to act on the offensive, destroying the greater part of the
besieging force.
The nation continued their ill will to the French. The consequence was that their territory
in 1 7 16 had been invaded and they were reduced to sue for peace. But their friendship was not
of long continuance. In 17 18, the Foxes numbered five hundred men and "abounded in women
and children." They are spoken of at that date as being very industrious, raising large quantities-
of Indian corn. In 1728, another expedition was sent against them by the French. Meanwhile
the Menomonees had also become hostile; so, too, the Sacs, who were now the allies of the
Foxes. The result of the enterprise was, an attack upon and the defeat of a number of
Menomonees; the burning of the wigwams of the Winnebagos (after passing the deserted village
of the Sacs upon the Fox river), that tribe, also, at this date being hostile ; and the destruction
of the fields of the Foxes. They were again attacked in their own country by the French, in
1730, and defeated. In 1734, both the Sacs and Foxes came in conflict with the same foe; but
this time the French were not as successful as on previous expeditions. In 1736, the Sacs and
Foxes were " connected with the government of Canada ; " but it is certain they were far from
being friendly to the French.
The conflict between France and Great Britain commencing in 1754, found the Sacs and
Foxes allied with the former power, against the English, although not long previous to this time
they were the bitter enemies of the French. At the close of that contest so disastrous to the
interests of France in North America, these tribes readily gave in their adhesion to the con-
querors, asking that English traders might be sent them. The two nations, then about equally
divided, numbered, in 1761, about seven hundred warriors. Neither of the tribes took part in.
Pontiac's war, but they befriended the English. The Sacs had migrated farther to the west-
ward ; but the Foxes — at least a portion of them — still remained upon the waters of the river of
Green bay, which perpetuates their name. A few years later, however, and the former were
occupants of the upper Wisconsin ; also, to a considerable distance below the portage, where
their chief town was located. Further down the same stream was the upper village of the
Foxes, while their lower one was situated near its mouth at the site of the present city of Prairie
du Chien. At this date, 1766, the northern portion of what is now Wisconsin, including all that
part watered by the streams flowing north into Lake Superior, was the home of the Chippewas.
The country around nearly the whole of Green bay was the hunting ground of the Menomonees.
The territory of Winnebago lake and Fox river was the seat of the Winnebagoes. The region
of the Wisconsin river was the dwelling place of the Sacs and Foxes.
During the war of the Revolution, the Sacs and Foxes continued the firm friends of the
English. At the commencement of the nineteenth century, only a small part of their territory
was included in what is now Wisconsin, and that was in the extreme southwest. In 1804, they
ceded this to the United States ; so that they no longer were owners of any lands within this
State. From that date, therefore, these allied tribes can not be considered as belonging to the
PRE-TEEEITOEIAL ANNALS OF WISCONSIN. 29
Indian nations of Wisconsin. A striking episode in their subsequent history — the Black Hawk
War — comes in, notwithstanding, as a part, incidentally, of the annals of the State.
Deserving a place in a notice of the Indian tribes of Wisconsin is the nation known as the
PoTTAWATTAMiEs. As early as 1639, they were the neighbors of the Winnebagoes upon Green
bay. They were still upon its southern shore, in two villages, in 1670 ; and ten years subsequent
to that date they occupied, at least in one village the same region. At the expiration of the
first quarter of the eighteenth century, a part only of the nation were in that vicinity — ■ upon the
islands at the mouth of the bay. These islands were theri known as the Pottawattamie islands,
and considered as the ancient abode of these Indians. Already had a large portion of this tribe
emigrated southward, one band resting on the St. Joseph of Lake Michigan, the other near Detroit.
One peculiarity of this tribe — -at least of such as resided in what is now Wisconsin — was their
intimate association with neighboring bands. When, in i66g, a village of the Pottawattamies,
located upon the southeast shore of Green bay, was visited by Allouez, he found with them Sacs
and Foxes and Winnebagoes. So, also, when, many years subsequent to that date, a band of
these Indians were located at Milwaukee, with ttiem were Ottawas and Chippewas. These
" united tribes" claimed all the lands of their respective tribes and of other nations, giving. the
United States, when possession was taken of the western country by the General Government,,
no little trouble. Finally, by a treaty, held at Chicago in 1833, their claims, such as they were,
to lands along the western shore of Lake Michigan, within the present State of Wisconsin,
extending westward to Rock river, were purchased by the United States, with permission to
retain possession three years longer of their ceded lands, after which time this " united nation
of Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawattamies " began to disappear, and soon were no longer seen in
southeastern Wisconsin or in other portions of the State.
Besides the five tribes — Menomonees, Winnebagoes, Chippewas, Sacs and Foxes, and
Pottawattamies — many others, whole or in part, have, since the territory now constituting the
State was first visited by white men, been occupants of its territory. Of these, some are only
known as having once lived in what is now Wisconsin; others — such as the Hurons, Illinois,,
Kickapoos, Mascoutens, Miamis, Noquets, Ottawas and Sioux, are' recognized as Indians once
dwelling in this region ; yet so transitory has been their occupation, or so little is known of their
history, that they scarcely can be claimed as belonging to the State.
Commencing in 1822, and continuing at intervals through some of the following years, was;
the migration to Wisconsin from the State of New York of the remains or portions of four tribes :
the Oneidas, Stockbridges, Munsees and Brothertowns. The Oneidas finally located west of
Green Bay, where they still reside. Their reservation contains over 60,000 acres, and lies
wholly within the present counties of Brown and Outagamie. The Stockbridges and Munsees,
who first located above Green Bay, on the east side of Fox river, afterward moved to the east
side of Winnebago lake. They now occupy a reservation joining the southwest township of the
Menomenee reservation, in Shawano county, and are fast becoming citizens. The Brothertowns
first located on the east side of Fox river, but subsequently moved to the east side of Winnebago,
lake, where, in 1839, they broke up their tribal relations and becam^e citizens of Wisconsia
territory.
III.— PRE-TERRITORIAL ANNALS OF WISCONSIN.
When, in 1634, the first white man set foot upon any portion of the territory now consti-
tuting the State of Wisconsin, the whole country was, of course, a wildei-ness. Its inhabitants,
the aboriginal Red men, were thinly but widely scattered over all the country. John Nicolet,
a Frenchman, who had been in Canada since 1618, and had spent several years among the
•30
HISTORT OF WISCONSIN.
Indians, was the first of civilized men .to unlock the mystery of its situation and people. French
authorities upon the St. Lawrence sent him as an ambassador to the Winnebagoes, of whom he
had heard strange stories. On his outward voyage he visited the Hurons — allies of the French
— a tribe seated upon the eastern side of the lake which bears their name, and Nicolet was
•empowered to negotiate a peace with them. " When he approached the Winnebago town, he sent
some of his Indian attendants to announce his coming, put on a robe of damask, and advanced
to meet the expectant crowd with a pistol in each hand. The squaws and children fled, scream-
ing that it was a manito, or spirit, armed with thunder and lightning ; but the chiefs and warriors
regaled him with so bountiful a hospitality, that a hundred and twenty beavers were devoured at
a single feast." Such was the advent of the daring Frenchman into what is now the State of
Wisconsin.
" Upon the borders of Green bay," wrote the Jesuit, Paul le Jeune, in 1640, " are the Meno-
'monees; still farther on, the Winnebagoes, a sedentary people, and very numerous. Some
Frenchmen," he continues, " call them the ' Nation of the Stinkards,' because the Algonquin
word Winipeg signifies ' stinking water.' Now they thus call the water of the sea ; therefore,
■these people call themselves ' Winnebagoes,' because they came from the shores of a sea of which
we have no knowledge ; consequently we must not call them the ' Nation of Stinkards,' but the
' Nation of the Sea.' " From these Men of the Sea, Nicolet passed westward, ascended Fox
river of Green Bay, until nigh the portage to the Wisconsin, down which stream he could have
iloated easily to the Mississippi, the "great water" of his guides, which he mistook for the
sea. This adventurous Frenchman, when so near re-discovering the river which has given
immortality to De Soto, turned his face to the eastward ; retraced his steps to Green bay, and
finally returned in safety to Quebec. This was the first exploration of what is now Wisconsin —
■only fourteen years after the landing of the Pilgrims upon the wild shores of New England.
Wisconsin, for twenty-four years after its discovery, was left to its savage inhabitants. At
length, in 1658, two daring fur traders penetrated to Lake Superior, and wintered there. They
probably set foot upon what is now Wisconsin soil, as they made several trips among the sur-
rounding tribes. They saw,- among other things, at six days' journey beyond the lake, toward
the southwest, Indians that the Iroquois had driven from their homes upon the eastern shores of
Lake Huron. These Frenchmen heard of the ferocious Sioux, and of a great river — not the sea,
as Nicolet had supposed — on which they dwelt. This was the Mississippi; and to these traders
is the world indebted for a knowledge of its existence ; as De Soto's discovery was never used,
■and soon became well-nigh, if not entirely, forgotten. From these upper countries, in the Sum-
mer of 1660, the two returned to Quebec, with three hundred Indians in sixty canoes, laden with
peltry. This was, indeed, the dawn — though exceedingly faint — of what is now the commerce of
the great Northwest. Nineteen years after flashed a more brilliant light; for, in 1679, the
" Griffin," laden with furs, left one of the islands at the mouth of Green bay, on its return —
■spreading her sails for Niagara, but never more to be heard of.
Following in the footsteps of the fur traders came the Jesuit missionaries to Lake Superior •
one of them, Father Menard, as early as 1660, reaching its southern shore as far to the westward,
probably, as Kewenaw, in the present State of Michigan. There is no positive evidence, however,
that he or his French companions, visited any portion of what is now Wisconsin ; although the next
year, 1661, some of his associates probably passed down the Menomonee river to Green bay.
Following Menard came Father Claude Allouez, arriving on the first day of October, r665, at
•" Chagowamigong," or "Chegoimegon," now Chequamegon, or Ashland Bay, " at the bottom of
which," wrote the missionary, " is situated the great villages of the savages, who there plant their
fields of Indian corn, and lead a stationary life." Near by he erected a small chapel of bark — the
PRE-TEERITOKIAL ANNALS OF WISCONSIK. 31
first structure erected by civilized man in Wisconsin. At La Pointe, in the present Ashland:
county, he established the mission of the Holy Ghost.
The next Catholic mission in what is now Wisconsin was that of St. Francis Xavier, founded
also by Allouez. Upon the second of December, 1669, he first attended to his priestly devotions-
upon the waters of Green bay. This mission, for the first two years of its existence, was a
migratory one. The surrounding tribes were all visited, including the Pottawattamies, Menom-
onees, Winnebagoes, and Sacs and Foxes. However, in i67i,one hundred and five years before-
the Declaration of Independence, there was erected, at what is now Depere, Brown county, a
chapel for the mission of St. Francis Xavier. Thus early did the Jesuit Fathers, in their plain,
garbs and unarmed, carry the cross to many of the benighted heathen occupying the country
circumscribed by Lakes Michigan, Huron and Superior, and the " great river " — the Mississippi.
French domination in Wisconsin dates from the year 167 1, the very year in which it seems
the indomitable LaSalle, upon his first expedition, passed the mouth of Green bay, but did not
enter it. France then took formal possession of the whole of the country of the upper lakes..
By this time, the commerce with the western tribes had so attached them to her interests that.
she determined to extend her power to the utmost limits — vague and indeterminate as they
were — of Canada. An agent — Daumont de St. Lusson — was dispatched to the distant tribes,
proposing a congress of Indian nations at the Falls of Ste. Mary, between Lake Huron and Lake
Superior. The invitation was extended far and near. The principal chiefs of Wisconsin tribes,,
gathered by Nicolas Perrot in Green bay, were present at the meeting. Then and there, with'
due ceremony, it was announced that the great Northwest was placed under the protection of
the French government. And why not .' She had discovered it — ' had to a certain extent
explored it — had to a limited extent established commerce with it — and her missionaries had>
proclaimed the faith to the wondering savages. But none of her agents — none of the fur-
traders — none of the missionaries — had yet reached the Mississippi, the " great river," concerning,
which so many marvels had been heard, although it is claimed that, in 1669, it had been seen
by the intrepid La Salle. But the time for its discovery, or properly re-discovery, was at hand, if,,
indeed, it can be called, with propriety, a re-discovery, since its existence to the westward was.
already known to every white man particularly interested in matters appertaining to the North-
west. Now, however, for the first time, its upper half was to be, to a certain extent, explored.
For the first time, a white man was to behold its vast tribute, above the Illinois river, rolling
onward toward the Mexican gulf. Who was that man ? His name was Louis Joliet ; with him^
was Father James Marquette.
Born at Quebec, in 1645, educated by the Jesuits, and first resolving to be a priest, then-
turning fur-trader, Joliet had, finally, been sent with an associate to explore the copper mines of
Lake Superior. He was a man of close and intelligent observation, and possessed considerable
mathematical acquirements. At this time, 1673, he was a merchant, courageous, hardy, enter- .
prising. He was appointed by French authorities at Quebec to " discover " the Mississippi. He-
passed up the lakes to Mackinaw, and found at Point St. Ignace, on the north side of the strait,.
Father James Marquette, who readily agreed to accompany him. Their outfit was very simple :
two birch-bark canoes and a supply of smoked meat and Indian corn. They had a company of.
five men with them, beginning their voyage on the seventeenth of May, 1673. Passing the straits,,
they coasted the northern shores of Lake Michigan, moved up Green bay and Fox river to the
portage. They crossed to the Wisconsin, down which they paddled their frail canoes, until, on.
the seventeenth of June, they entered — "discovered" — the Mississippi. So the northern, the
eastern and the western boundary of what is now Wisconsin had been reached at this date ;:
therefore, it maybe said that its territory had been explor,.d sufficiently for the forming of a;
^2 HISTOKY or WISCONSIN.
pretty correct idea of its general features as well as of its savage inhabitants. After dropping
down the Mississippi many miles, Joliet and Marquette returned to Green bay, where the latter
remained to recruit his exhausted strength, while Joliet descended to Quebec, to report his
"discoveries" to his superiors.
Then followed the expedition of LaSalle to the west, from the St. Lawrence, when, in 1679,
he and Father Louis Hennepin coasted along the western shore of Lake Michigan, frequently
landing ; then, the return of Henri de Tonty, one of LaSalle's party down the same coast to Green
bay, in 1680, from the Illinois; the return, also, the same year, of Hennepin, from up the Mis-
sissippi, whither he had made his way from the Illinois, across what is now Wisconsin, by the
Wisconsin and Fox rivers to Green bay, in company with DuLhut, or DuLuth, who, on his way
down the " great river " from Lake Superior, had met the friar ; and then, the voyage, in 1683, from
Lake Michigan to the Mississippi river, by the same route, of LeSueur, and his subsequent
establishment at La Pointe, in what is now Ashland county, Wisconsin, followed several years
after by a trip up the Mississippi. The act of Daumont de St. Lusson, at the Sault Sainte Mary,
in 1671, in taking possession of the country beyond Lake Michigan, not being regarded as suffi-
ciently definite, Nicolas Perrot, in 1689, at Green bay, again took possession of that territory, as
■well as of the valleys of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, and extending the dominion of New
France over the country on the Upper Mississippi, and "to other places more remote." The
voyage of St. Cosme, in 1699, when he and his companions frequently landed on the west coast
of Lake Michigan, upon what is now territory of Wisconsin, completed the explorations in the
west for the seventeenth century.
Following in the footsteps of early explorations, of self sacrificing attempts of the Jesuits to
carry the cross to the wild tribes of the West, of the first visits of the lawless coureurs de bois,
was the military occupation — if such it can be called — of what is now Wisconsin by the French.
The ninety years of domination by France in this region were years of only nominal possession.
The record of this occupation is made up of facts concerning the Indian policy of the French
rulers; their contests with the Sacs and Foxes; their treaties, at various times, with different
tribes ; their interest in, and protection of, the fur trade , and kindred subjects. The Indian
tribes were, at most, only the allies of France. Posts — mere stockades without cannon, more for
protection to fur-traders than for any other purpose — were erected upon the Mississippi at two
points at least, upon what is now territory of Wisconsin. On the west side of Fox river of
Green bay, "half a league from its mouth," was a French post, as early as 1721, where resided,
besides the commandant and an uncouth squad of soldiers, a Jesuit missionary ; and near by
were collected Indians of different tribes. Of course, the omnipresent fur-trader helped to
augment the sum-total of its occupants. This post was, not long after, destroyed, but another
was established there. When, however, France yielded her inchoate rights in the West to Great
Britain — when, in 1761, the latter took possession of the country — there was not a French post
within what is now Wisconsin. The " fort " near the head of Green bay, had been vacated for
some years; it was found "rotten, the stockade ready to fall, and the houses without cover;"
emblematic of the decay — the fast-crumbling and perishing state — of French supremacy, at that
date, in America. Wisconsin, when England's control began, was little better than a howling
wilderness. There was not within the broad limits of what is now the State, a single bona fide
settler, at the time the French Government yielded up its possession to the English ; that is to
say, there were none according to the present acceptation of the term "settler."
The military occupation of Wisconsin by the British, after the Seven Years' War, was a brief
one. La Bay — as the post at what is now the city of Fort Howard, Brown county, was called —
was, on the twelfth of October, 1761, taken possession of by English troops, under Captain
Belfour, of the Eightieth regiment. Two days after, that officer departed, leaving Lieutenant
PEE-TEREITORIAL ANXALS OF WISCONSI^V. 33
James Gorrell, in command, with one sergeant, one corporal and fifteen privates. There also
remained at the post a French interpreter and two English traders. The name of the fortifica>
tion was changed to Fort Edward Augustus. This post was abandoned by the commandant on
the twenty-first of June, 1763, on account of the breaking out of Pontiac's War and the capture
of the fort at Mackinaw by the savages. The cause of this war was this : The Indian tribes
saw the danger which the downfall of the French interests in Canada was sure to bring to them.
They banded together under Pontiac to avert their ruin. The struggle was short but fierce —
full of " scenes of tragic interest, with marvels of suffering and vicissitude, of heroism and endur-
ance;" but the white man conquered. The moving incidents' in this bloody drama were enacted
to the eastward of what is now Wisconsin, coming no nearer than Mackinaw, which, as just
mentioned, the savages captured; but it resulted in the evacuation of its territory by- British
troops, who never after took possession of it, though they continued until 1796 a nominal
military rule over it, after Mackinaw was again occupied by them.
An early French Canadian trading station at the head of Green bay assumed finally the
form of a permanent settlement — the first one in Wisconsin. To claim, however that any
French Canadian is entitled to the honor of being the first permanent white settler is assuming
for him more than the facts seem to warrant. The title of " The Father and Founder of Wis-
consin " belongs to no man.
After Pontiac's War, one of the noted events in this region was the journey of Jonathan
Carver, who, in 1766, passed up Fox viver to the portage, and descended the Wisconsin to the
Mississippi. He noticed the tumbling-down post at what is now Green Bay, Brown county.
He saw a few families living in the fort, and some French settlers, who cultivated the land
opposite, and appeared to live very comfortably. That was the whole extent of improvements
in what is now Wisconsin. The organization of the Northwest Fur Company ; the passage of
an act by the British Parliament by which the whole Northwest was included in the Province of
Quebec ; the joining of the Indians in this region with the British, against the Americans, in the
War of the Revolution; the exploration of the lead region of the Upper Mississippi by Julian
Dubuque; the passage of the ordinance of 1787; the first settlement of the territory northwest
of the River Ohio; and the Indian war which followed, are all incidents, during British occu-
pation, of more or less interest for the student of Wisconsin history. He will find that, by the
treaty of 1783 and of 1795, ^^'^ Great Britain, all the inhabitants residing in this region were to
be protected by the United States in the full and peaceable possession of their property, with the
right to remain in, or to withdraw fron% it, with their effects, within one year. All who did not
leave were to be deemed American citizens, allowed to enjoy all the privileges of citizenship, and
to be under the protection of the General Government. He will also find that less than two
years was the whole time of actual military occupation of what is now AVisconsin by British
soldiers, and that English domination, which should have ended at the close of the Revolu-
tion, was arbitrarily continued until the Summer of 1796, when the western posts, none of which
were upon territory circumscribed by Lakes Michigan and Superior and the Mississippi river,
were delivered into the keeping of the United States. Thus the supremacy of Great Britain over
the Northwest was, after an actual continuance of thirty-five years, at an end.
Although the General Government did not get possession of the region northwest of the Ohio,
throughout its full extent, for thirteen years subsequent to its acquirement by the treaty of peace
of 1783 with Great Britain, nevertheless, steps were taken, very soon, to obtain concessions from
such of the colonies as had declared an ownership in any portion of it. None of the claimants,
seemingly, had better rights than Virginia, who, by virtue of conquests, largely her own, of the
Illinois settlements and posts, extended her jurisdiction over that country, erecting into a county
34
HISTORY OP WISCONSIN.
so much of the region northwest of the Ohio, as had been settled hy Virginians or might after-
ward be settled by them. But as, previous to her yielding all rights to territory beyond that
river, she had not carried her arms into the region north of the Illinois or made settlements upon,
what is now the soil of Wisconsin, nor included any portion of it within the bounds of an organ-
ized county, it follows that her dominion was not actually extended over any part of the area
included within the present boundaries of this State ; nor did she then claim jurisdiction north
of the Illinois river, but on the other hand expressly disclaimed it.
Virginia and all the other claimants finally ceded to the United States their rights, such as
they were, beyond the Ohio, except two reservations of limited extent ; and the General Govern-
ment became the undisputed owner of the "Great West," without any internal claims to posses-
sion save those of the Indians. Meanwhile, the United States took measures to extend its juris-
diction over the whole country by the passage of the famous ordinance of 1787, which established
a government over "the territory of the United States, northwest of the River Ohio." But this
organic law was, of course, nugatory over that portion of the region occupied by the British,
until their yielding possession in 1796, when, for the first time, Anglo-American rule commenced,
though nominally, in what is now Wisconsin. By the ordinance just mentioned, "the United
States, in congress assembled," declared that the territory northwest of the Ohio should, for the
purposes of temporary government, be one district , subject, however, to be divided into districts,
as future circumstances might, in the opinion of Congress, make it expedient. It was ordained
that a governor, secretary and three judges should be appointed for the Territory; a general
assembly was also provided for; and it was declared that religion, morality, and knowledge,
being necessary to good government and the happiness of mankind, schools and the means of
education should forever be encouraged. It was also ordained that there should be neither
slavery nor involuntary servitude in the said Territory, " otherwise than in the punishment of
crimes whereof the party shall have been duly convicted." Thus was established the first Magna
Charta for the five great States since that time formed out of " the territory northwest of the
River Ohio," and the first rules and regulations for their government.
Under this act of Congress, Arthur St. Clair was appointed governor of the Northwestern
Territory, as it was called, and Samuel H. Parsons, James M. Varnum, and John Armstrong,
judges, — the latter not accepting the office, John Cleves Symmes was appointed in his place.
Winthrop Sargeant was appointed secretary. At different periods, counties were erected to
include various portions of the Territory. By the governor's proclamation of the 15th of
August, 1796, one was formed to include the whole of the present area of Northern Ohio, west of
Cleveland ; also, all of what is now the State of Indiana, north of a line drawn from Fort Wayne
" west-northerly to the southern part of Lake Michigan ; " the whole of the present State of
Michigan, except its extreme northwest corner on Lake Superior; a small corner in the north-
east, part of what is now Illinois, including Chicago ; and so much of the present State of Wis-
consin as is watered by the streams flowing into Lake Michigan, which of course included an
extensive portion, taking in many of its eastern and interior counties as now constituted. This
vast county was named Wayne. So the few settlers then at the head of Green bay had their
local habitations, constructively at least, in " Wayne county. Northwestern Territory." It was
"just at that date that Great Britain vacated the western posts, and the United States took quiet
possession of them. But the western portion of what is now Wisconsin, including all its territory
watered by streams flowing northward into Lake Superior, and westward and southwestward into
the Mississippi, was as yet without any county organization ; as the county of St. Clair, including
the Illinois country to the southward, reached no farther north than the mouth of Little Macki-
naw creek, where it empties into the Eiver Illinois, in what is now the State of Illinois. The
PRE-TERRITORIAL ANNALS OF WISCONSIN. 35
"law of Paris," which was in force under French domination in Canada, and which by the
British Parliament in 1774, had been continued in force under English supremacy, was still " the
law of the land " west of Lake Michigan, practically at least.
From and after the fourth day of July, 1800, all that part of the territory of the United
States northwest of the Ohio river, which lay to the westward of a line beginning upon that
stream opposite to the mouth of Kentucky river and running thence to what is now Fort
Recovery in Mercer county, Ohio ; thence north until it intersected the territorial line between
the United States and Canada, was, for the purposes of temporary government, constituted a
separate territory called Indiana. It included not only the whole of the present State of Illinois
and nearly all of what is now Indiana, but more than half of the State of Michigan as now
defined, also a considerable part of the present Minnesota, and the whole of what is now Wis-
consin.
The seat of government was established at "Saint Vincennes on the Wabash," now the city
of Vincennes, Indiana. To this extensive area was added " from and after " the admission of
Ohio into the Union, all the territory west of that State, and east of the eastern boundary line of
the Territory of Indiana as originally established ; so that now all " the territory of the United
States, northwest of the River Ohio," was, excepting the State of Ohio, included in Indiana Ter-
ritory. On the thirtieth day of June, 1805, so much of Indiana Territory as lay to the north of
a Hue drawn east from the southerly bend or extreme of Lake Michigan to Lake Erie, and east
of a line drawn from the same bend through the middle of the first mentioned lake to its north-
ern extremity, and thence due north to the northern boundary of the United States, was, for the
purpose of temporary government, constituted a separate Territory called Michigan. Of course
no part of the present State of Wisconsin was included therein ; but the whole remained in the
Territory of Indiana until the second day of March, 1809, when all that part of the last men-
tioned Territory which lay west of the Wabash river, and a direct line drawn from that stream
and "Post Vincennes," due north to the territorial line between the United States and Canada,
was, by an act approved on the third of February previous, constituted a separate Territory, called
Illinois. Meanwhile jurisdiction had been extended by the authorities of Indiana Territory
over the country lying west of Lake Michigan, to the extent, at least, of appointing a justice of
the peace for each of the settlements of Green Bay and Prairie du Chien. All of what is now
Wisconsin was transferred to the Territory of Illinois, upon the organization of the latter, except
a small portion lying east of the meridian line drawn through Vincennes, which remained a part
of Indiana Territory. This fraction included nearly the whole area between Green bay and
Lake Michigan.
When, in i8i6, Indiana became a State, "the territory of the United States northwest of the
River Ohio," contained, besides Ohio and Indiana, the Territories of Illinois and Michigan, only ;
so the narrow strip, formerly a part of Indiana Territory, lying east of a line drawn due north
from Vincennes, and west of the western boundary line of Michigan Territory, belonged to nei-
ther, and was left without any organization. However, upon the admission of Illinois into the
Union, in 1818, all "the territory of the United States, northwest of the River Ohio," lying west
of Michigan Territory and north of the States of Indiana and Illinois, was attached to and made
a part of Michigan Territory ; by which act the whole of the present State of Wisconsin came
under the jurisdiction of the latter. During the existence of the Territory of Illinois, a kind of
jurisdiction was had over the two settlements in what is now Wisconsin — rather more ideal than
real, however.
In 1834, Congress greatly increased the limits of the Territory of Michigan, by adding to it,
for judicial purposes, a large extent of country west of the Mississippi — reaching south as far as
^^ HISTORY or WISCONSIN.
the present boundary line between the present States of. Iowa and Missouri; north, to the terri-
torial line between the United States and Canada; and west, to the Missouri and White Earth
rivers. It so continued down to the fourth of July, 1836.
A retrospective glance at the history of this region for forty years previous to the last men-
tioned year, including the tim; which elapsed after the surrender of the western posts, in 1796,
by the British, discloses many facts of interest and importance.
The Anglo-Americans, not long after the region of country west of Lake Michigan became
a part of Indiana Territory, began now and then to cast an eye, either through the opening of
the Great Lakes or the Mississippi, upon its rolling rivers, its outspread prairies, and its dense
forests, and to covet the goodly land ; but the settlers at Green Bay and Prairie du Chien were
mostly French Canadians at this date, although a few were Americans. The General Govern-
ment, however, began to take measures preparatory to its occupation, by purchasing, in 1804, a
tract in what is now the southwest portion of the State, of the Indians, and by holding the various
tribes to a strict account for any murders committed by them on American citizens passing
through their territories or trading with them. Comparative peace reigned in the incipient settle-
ments at the head of Green bay and at the mouth of the Wisconsin, which was changed by the
breaking out of the war of 1812, with Great Britain.
The English early succeeded in securing the Wisconsin Indian tribes as their allies in this
war ; and the taking of Mackinaw by the British in July, 1812, virtually put the latter in posses-
sion of what is nov? the eastern portion of the State. Early in 18 14, the government authorities
of the United States caused to be fitted out at St. Louis a large boat, having on board all the
men that could be mustered and spared from the lower country, and sent up the Mississippi to
protect the upper region and the few settlers therein. The troops landed at Prairie du Chien,
and immediately proceeded to fortify. Not long after, Colonel McKay, of the British army,
crossing the country by course of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, with over five hundred British
and Indians, received the surrender of the whole force. The officers and men were paroled and
sent down the river. This was the only battle fought upon Wisconsin soil during the last war
with England. The post at Prairie du Chien was left in command of a captain with two compa-
nies from Mackinaw. He remained there until after the peace of 1815, when the place was
evacuated by the British.
When it became generally known to the Indian tribes in what is now Wisconsin, that the
contest between the United States and Great Britain was at an end, they generally expressed
themselves as ready and willing to make treaties with the General Government — eager, in fact,
to establish friendly relations with the power they had so recently been hostile to. This was,
therefore, a favorable moment for taking actual possession of the country between the Missis-
sippi and Lake Michigan ; and United States troops were soon ordered to occupy the two prom-
inent points between Green Bay and Prairie du Chien. At the former place was erected Fort
Howard ; at the latter Fort Crawford. At Green Bay, half a hundred (or less) French Cana-
dians cultivated the soil ; at Prairie du Chien, there were not more than thirty houses, mostly
occupied by traders, while on the prairie outside the village, a number of farms were cultivated.
Such was Wisconsin when, at the close of the last war with Great Britain, it began in earnest to
be occupied by Americans. The latter were few in number, but in 1818, they b6gan to feel now
that the country was attached to Michigan Territory and the laws of the United States were
extended over them, that they were not altogether beyond the protection of a government of their
own, notwithstanding they were surrounded by savage tribes. Their happiness was increased
upon the erection, by proclamation of Lewis Cass, governor of the Territory of Michigan, of
three Territorial counties: Michilimackinac, Brown and Crawford. Their establishment dates
PEE-TEEKITOEIAL AN"]SrALS OF WISCOXSIN. 37
the twenty-sixth of October, 1818. The county of Michilimackinac not only included all of the
present State of Wisconsin lying north of a line drawn due west from near the head of the Little
Noquet bay, but territory east and west of it, so as to reach from Lake Huron to the Missis-
sippi river. Its county seat was established " at the Borough of Michilimackinac." The whole
area in Michigan Territory south of the county of Michilimackinac and west of Lake Michigan
formed the two counties of Brown and Crawford: the former to include the area east of a line
drawn due north and south through the middle of the portage between the Fox river of Green
bay and the Wisconsin ; the latter to include the whole region west of that line. Prairie du
Chien was designated as the county seat of Crawford; Green Bay, of Brown county. On the
226. of December, 1826, a county named Chippewa was formed from the northern portions of
Michilimackinac, including the southern shores of Lake Superior throughout its entire length,
and extending from the straits leading from that lake into Lake Huron, west to the western
boundary line of Michigan Territory, with the county seat " at such point in the vicinity of the
Sault de Ste. Marie, as a majority of the county commissioners to be appointed shall designate."
Embraced within this county, — its southern boundary being the parallel 46° 31' north latitude, —
was all the territory of the present State of Wisconsin now bordering on Lake Superior.
Immediately upon the erection of Brown and Crawford counties, they were organized, and
their offices filled by appointment of the governor. County courts were established, consisting
of one chief and two associate justices, either of whom formed a quorum. They were required
to hold one term of court annually in their respective counties. These county courts had origi-
nal and exclusive jurisdiction in all civil cases, both in law and equity, where the matter in dis-
pute exceeded the jurisdiction of a justice of the peace, and did not exceed the value of one
thousand dollars. They had, however, no jurisdiction in ejectment. They had exclusive cog-
nizance of all offenses the punishment whereof was not capital, and the same power to issue
remedial and other process, writs of error and mandamus excepted, that the supreme court had
at Detroit. Appeals from justices of the peace were made to the county courts.
The establishing of Indian agencies by the General Government; the holding of treaties
with some of the Indian tribes ; the adjustment of land claims at Green Bay and Prairie du
Chien; the appointment of postmasters at these two points, were all indications of a proper
interest being taken by the United States in the affairs of the country. But a drawback to this
region, was the fact that, in all civil cases of over a thousand dollars, and in criminal cases that
were capital, as well as in actions of ejectment, and in the allowance of writs of error, and man-
damus, recourse must be had to the supreme court at Detroit ; the latter place being the seat of
government of Michigan Territory. However, in January, 1823, an act of congress provided
for a district court, and for the appointment of a judge, for the counties of Brown, Crawford,
and Michilimackinac. This court had concurrent jurisdiction, civil and criminal, with the
supreme court of the Territory, in most cases, subject, however, to have its decisions taken to the
latter tribunal by a writ of error. The law provided for holding one term of court in each year,
in each of the counties named in the act ; so, at last, there was to be an administration of justice
at home, and the people were to be relieved from all military arbitrations, which frequently had
been imposed upon them. James Duane Doty was appointed judge of this court at its organiza-
tion. A May term of the court was held in Prairie du Chien ; a June term in Green Bay ; a
July term in " the Borough of Michilimackinac,'' in each year. In 1824, Henry S. Baird, of
Brown county, was appointed district attorney. Doty held the office of judge until May, 1832,
when he was succeeded by David Irvin. This court continued until 1836, when it was abrogated
by the organization of the Territory of Wisconsin.
For a long time it had been known that there were lead mines in what is now the south-
38
HISTORY OF WISCO^SrSIN.
western portion of the State; but it was not until the year 1825, and the two following years, that
very general attention was attracted to them, which eventuated in the settlement of different
places in that region, by Americans, who came to dig for lead ore. This rapid increase of
settlers awakened the jealousy of the Winnebago Indians, at what they deemed an unauthorized*,
intrusion upon their lands, which, with other causes operating unfavorably upon their minds,,
aroused them in June, 1827, to open acts of hostility. Murders became frequent. Finally, the
militia of Prairie du Chien were called out. On the twenty-ninth of August, Brigadier-Generat
Henry Atkinson, of the United States army, with a strong force of regulars, ascended the Wis-
consin river to put an end to any further spread of Winnebago disturbances. He was joined on.
the first of September, by one hundred and thirty Galena volunteers, mounted, and under com-
mand of General Henry Dodge. The Winnebagoes were awed into submission. Thus ended'
the "Winnebago War." It was followed by the erection at the portage of Fort Winnebago, by
the United States.
After the restoration of tranquillity, the United States proceeded by treaty with the Indians^
to secure the right to occupy the lead regions. This was in 1828. The next year, the General
Government purchased of the Winnebagoes, Southwestern Wisconsin, which put an end to all
trouble on account of mining operations. On the ninth of October, 1829, a county was formed^
by the legislative council of the Territory of Michigan, comprising all that part of Crawford,
county lying south of the Wisconsin river. This new county was called Iowa. The county
seat was temporarily established at Mineral Point. Following this was a treaty in 1831, with the
Menomonees, for all their lands east of Green bay, Winnebago lake, and the Fox and Milwaukee
rivers.
There was now a crisis at hand. The most prominent event to be recorded in the pre-Ter-
ritorial annals of Wisconsin is known as the Black Hawk War. This conflict of arms between
the Sacs and Foxes and the United States arose from a controversy in regard to lands. By ai.
treaty made at Fort Harmar, just across the River Muskingum from Marietta, Ohio, in January,.
1789, the Pottawattamie and Sac tribes of Indians, among others, were received into the friend-
ship of the General Government, and a league of peace and unity established between the con-
tracting parties On the third of November, 1804, a treaty at St. Louis stipulated' that the
united Sac and Fox tribes should be received into the friendship of the United States, and also'
be placed under their protection. These tribes also agreed to consider themselves under the pro-
tection of the General Government and of no other power whatsoever. At this treaty lands were
ceded which were circumscribed by a boundary beginning at a point on the Missouri river
opposite the mouth of the Gasconade, and running thence in a direct course so as to strike the
River Jefferson at the distance of thirty miles from its mouth, and down that stream to the Missis-
s'ppi. It then ran up the latter river to the mouth of the Wisconsin, and up that stream to a.
point thirty- six miles in a direct line from its mouth ; thence by a straight course to a point
where the Fox river of the Illinois leaves the small lake then called Sakaegan, and from that
point down the Fox to the Illinois, and down the latter to the Mississippi. The consideration for
this cession was the payment of goods to the value of two thousand two hundred and thirty-four
dollars and fifty cents, and a yearly annuity of one thousand dollars — six hundred to be paid ta
the Sacs and four hundred to the Foxes — to be liquidated in goods valued at first cost. After-
ward, Fort Madison was erected just above the Des Moines rapids in the Mississippi, on the ter-
ritory ceded at the last mentioned treaty. Then followed the war with Great Britain, and the
Sacs and Foxes agreed to take no part therein. However, a portion afterward joined the
English against the Americans along with other Western tribes. At the restoration of peace the
Sacs and Foxes held treaties with the United States. There was a renewal of the treaty of 1804.
PEE-TERRITOEIAL ANNALS OF WISCONSIN. 39
Such in brief is a general outline of affairs, so far as those two tribes were concerned, down to the
•close of the last war with England. From this time, to the year 1830, several additional treaties
were made with the Sacs and Foxes by the General Government : onein 1822, by which they relin-
quished their right to have the United States establish a trading house or factory at a convenient
point at which the Indians could trade and save themselves from the imposition of traders, for
■which they were paid the sum of one thousand dollars in merchandise. Again, in 1824, they
•sold to the General Government all their lands in Missouri, north of Missouri river, for which
they received one thousand dollars the same year, and an annuity of one thousand dollars for ten
■years. In 1830, they ceded to the United States a strip of land twenty miles wide from the Mis-
sissippi to the Des Moines, on the north side of their territory. The time had now come for the
two tribes to leave the eastern shore of the Mississippi and retire across the " great water. "
Keokuk, the Watchful Fox, erected his wigwam on the west side of the river, and was followed
by a large part of the two tribes. But a band headed by Ma-ka-tai-me-she-kia-kiah, or the
Black Sparrow Hawk, commonly called Black Hawk, refused to leave their village near Rock
Island. They contended that they had not sold their town to the United States ; and, upon
their return early in 1831, from a hunt across the Mississippi, finding their village and fields in
■possession of the whites, they determined to repossess their homes at all hazards. This was
looked upon, or called, an encroachment by the settlers ; so the governor of Illinois took the
"responsibility of declaring the State invaded, and asked the United States to drive the refractory
Indians beyond the Mississippi. The result was, the Indian village was destroyed by Illinois
"volunteers. This and the threatened advance across the river by the United States commander,
brought Black Hawk and his followers to terms. They sued for peace — agreeing to remain
forever on the west side of the Mississippi. But this truce was of short duration.
Early in the Spring of 1832, Black Hawk having assembled his forces on the Mississippi, in
the vicinity of the locality where Fort Madison had stood, crossed that stream and ascended
Rock river. This was the signal for war. The governor of Illinois made a call for volunteers;
■and, in a brief space of time, eighteen hundred had assembled at Beardstown, Cass county.
They marched for the mouth of Rock river, where a council of war was held by their officers
and Brigadier-General Henry Atkinson, of the regular forces. The Indians were sent word by
General Atkinson that they must return and recross the Mississippi, or they would be driven
back by force. "If you wish to fight us, come on," was the laconic but defiant reply of the Sac
chief When the attempt was made to compel these Indians to go back across the "great river,"
a collision occurred between the Illinois militia and Black Hawk's braves, resulting in the dis-
comfiture of the former with the loss of eleven men. Soon afterward the volunteers were dis-
charged, and the first campaign of Black Hawk's War was at an end. This was in May, 1832 .
In June following, a new force had been raised and put under the command of General
Atkinson, who commenced his march up Rock river. Before this, there had been a general
"forting" in the lead region, including the whole country in Southwest Wisconsin, notwithstand-
ing which, a number of settlers had been killed by the savages, mostly in Illinois. Squads of
volunteers, in two or three instances, had encountered the Indians ; and in one with entire suc-
cess— upon the Pecatonica, in what is now Lafayette county, Wisconsin — every savage (and
there were seventeen of them) being killed. The loss of the volunteers was three killed and
■wounded. Atkinson's march up Rock river was attended with some skirmishing; when, being
informed that Black Hawk and his force were at Lake Koshkonong, in the southwest corner of
-what is now Jefferson county, Wisconsin, he immediately moved thither with a portion of his
army, where the whole force was ordered to concentrate. But the Sac chief with his people had
flown. Colonels Henry Dodge and James D. Henry, with the forces under them, discovered the
40
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
trail of the savages, leading in the direction of the Wisconsin river. It was evident that the
retreating force was large, and that it had but recently passed. The pursuing troops hastened
their march. On the twenty-first of July, 1832, they arrived at the hills which skirt the left bank
of that stream, in what is now Roxbury town (township), Dane county. Here was Black
Hawk's whole force, including women and children, the aged and infirm, hastening by every
effort to escape across the river. But that this might now be effected, it became necessary for
that chief to make a firm stand, to cover the retreat. The Indians were in the bottom lands
when the pursuing whites made their appearance upon the heights in their rear. Colonel Dodge
occupied the front and sustained the first attack of the Indians. He was soon joined by Henry
with his force, when they obtained a complete victory. The action commenced about five
o'clock in the afternoon and ended at sunset. The enemy, numbering not less than five hundred,
sustained a loss of about sixty killed and a large number wounded. The loss of the Americans
was one killed and eight wounded. This conflict has since been known as the battle of Wis-
consin Heights.
During the night following the battle. Black Hawk made his escape with his remaining force
and people down the Wisconsin river. The women and children made their way down stream
in canoes, while the warriors marched on foot along the shore. The Indians were pursued in
their flight, and were finally brought to a stand on the Mississippi river, near the mouth of the
Bad Axe, on the west boundary of what is now Vernon county, Wisconsin. About two o'clock
on the morning of the second of August, the line of march began to the scene of the last con-
flict in the Black Hawk War. Dodge's command formed the advance, supported by regular
troops, under Colonel Zachary Taylor, afterward president of the United States. Meanwhile aa
armed steamboat had moved up the Mississippi and lay in front of the savages ; so they were
attacked on all sides by the exasperated Americans. The battle lasted about two hours, and
was a complete victory for the whites. Black Hawk fled, but was soon after captured. This
ended the war.
The survey of public lands by the General Government ; the locating and opening of land
offices at Mineral Point and Green Bay; the erection of Milwaukee county from a part of
Brown, to include all the territory bounded on the east and south by the east and south lines of
the present State, on the north by what is now the north boundary of Washington and Ozaukee
counties and farther westward on the north line of township numbered twelve, and on the west
by the dividing line between ranges eight and nine ; and the changing of the eastern boundary
of Iowa county to correspond with the western one of Milwaukee county; — are some of the
important events following the close of the Black Hawk war. There was an immediate and
rapid increase of immigration, not only in the mining region but in various other parts of what
is now Wisconsin, more especially in that portion bordering on Lake Michigan. The interior
was yet sparsely settled. By the act of June 28, 1834, congress having attached to the Territory
of Michigan, for judicial purposes, all the country "west of the Mississippi river, and north of
the State of Missouri," comprising the whole of what is now the State of Iowa, all of the present
State of Minnesota. west of the Mississippi river, and more than half of what is now the Terri-
tory of Dakota, the legislative council of Michigan Territory extended her laws over the whole
area, dividing it on the 6th of September, 1834, by a line drawn due west from the lower end of
Rock island to the Missouri river into two counties : the country south of that line constituting
the county of Des Moines ; north of the line, to be known as the county of Dubuque. This
whole- region west of the Mississippii was known as the Iowa district. Immediately after the
treaty of 1832 with the Sacs and Foxes, the United States having come into ownership of a large
tract in this district, several families crossed the Mississippi, and settled on the purchase, but as
WISCONSIN TEKEITORY. 41
the time provided for the Indians to give possession was the first of June, 1833, these settlers
were dispossessed by order of the General Government. So soon, however, as the Indians yielded
possession, settlements began, but, from the date just mentioned until September, 1834, after the
district was attached, for judicial purposes, to Michigan Territory, it was without any municipal
law whatever. The organization of the counties of Dubuque and Des Moines on the sixth of
that month, secured, of course a regular administration of justice. Before this time to facili-
tate intercourse between the two remote military posts of Fort Howard at Green Bay, and Fort
Crawford at Prairie du Chien, a military road was commenced to connect the two points; so,
one improvement followed another. On the ist of January, 1836, a session (the first one) of
the seventh legislative council of Michigan Territory — that is, of so much of it as lay to the
westward of Lake Michigan — was held at Green Bay, and a memorial adopted, asking Congress
for the formation of a new Territory west of that lake ; to include all of Michigan Territory not
embraced in the proposed State of Michigan. Congress, as will now be shown, very soon com-
plied with the request of the memorialists.
IV.— WISCONSIN TERRITORY.
The establishing of a separate and distinct Territory west of Lake Michigan, was the result
of the prospective admission of Michigan into the Union (an event which took place not until
the twenty-sixth of January, 1837), as the population, in all the region outside of the boundaries
determined upon by the people for that State, would otherwise be left without a government, or,
at least, it would be necessary to change the capital of the old Michigan Territory farther to the
westward ; so it was thought best to erect a new territory, to be called Wisconsin (an Indian
word signifying wild rushing water, or channel, so called from the principal eastern tributary of
the Mississippi within its borders), which was done by an act of congress, approved April 20,
1836, to take effect from and after the third day of July following. The Territory was made to
include all that is now embraced within the States of Wisconsin, Iowa, Minnesota, and a part of
the Territory of Dakota, more particularly described within boundaries commencing at the north-
east corner of the State of Illinois, running thence through the middle of Lake Michigan to a
point opposite the main channel of Green bay ; thence through that channel and the bay to the
mouth of the Menomonee river ; thence up that stream to its head, which is nearest the lake of the
Desert ; thence to the middle of that lake ; thence down the Montreal river to its mouth ; thence
with a direct line across Lake Superior to where the territorial line of the United States last touches
the lake northwest; thence on the north, with the territorial line, to the White Earth river; on the
west by a line drawn down the middle of the main channel of that stream to the Missouri river,
and down the middle of the main channel of the last mentioned stream to the northwest corner of
the State of Missouri ; and thence with the boundaries of the States of Missouri and Illinois, as
already fixed by act of congress, to the place or point of beginning. Its counties were Brown,
Milwaukee, Iowa, Crawford, Dubuque, and Des Moines, with a portion of Chippewa and Michili-
mackinac left unorganized. Although, at this time, the State of Michigan was only engaged, so
to speak, to the Union, to include the two peninsulas (many of its citizens preferring in lieu
thereof the lower one only, with a small slice off the northern boundary of the State of Ohio as
now constituted), yet the marriage ceremony was performed, as has been stated, a few months
afterward.
The act of congress establishing the Territorial government of Wisconsin was very full and
complete. It first determined its boundaries; then it declared that all authority of the govern-
ment of Michigan over the new Territory should cease 6n the fourth day of July, 1836, with a
42 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIK
proper reservation of rights in favor of the Indians. It provided for subsequently dividing tne
Territory into one or more, should congress deem it wise so to do. It also declared that the
executive power and authority in and over the Territory should be vested in a governor, at the same
time defining his powers. It provided for the appointment of a secretary, stating what his duties
should be. The legislative power was vested in the governor and legislative assembly, the latter
to consist of a council and house of representatives, answering respectively to the senate and
assembly, as states are usually organized. There was a provision for taking the census of the
several counties, and one giving the governor power to name the time, place, and manner of
holding the first election, and to declare the number of members of the council and house of
representatives to which each county should be entitled. He was also to determine where the
first legislative assembly should meet, and a wise provision was that the latter should not be in
session in any one year more than seventy-five days.
One section of the act declared who should be entitled to vote and hold office ; another
defined the extent of the powers of the legislature, and a third provided that all laws should be
submitted to congress for their approval or rejection. There was a section designating what
offices should be elective and what ones should be filled by the governor. There were others
regulating the judiciary for the Territory and declaring what offices should be appointed by the
United States, providing for their taking the proper oaths of office and regulating their salaries.
One, perhaps the most important of all, declared that the Territory should be entitled to and enjoy
all the rights, privileges, and advantages granted by the celebrated ordinance of 1787. There
was also a provision for the election of a delegate to the house of representatives of the United
States ; and a declaration that all suits and indictments pending in the old courts should be con-
tinued in the new ones. Five thousand dollars were appropriated for a library for the accommo-
dation of the legislative assembly of the Territory and of its supreme court.
For the new Territory, Henry Dodge was, on the 30th of April, 1836, by Andrew Jackson,
then President of the United States, commissioned governor. John S. Horner was commissioned
secretary ; Charles Dunn, chief justice ; David Irvin and William C. Frazer, associate judges ;
W. W. Chapman, attorney, and Francis Gehon, marshal. The machinery of a territorial gov-
ernment was thus formed, which was set in motion by these officers taking the prescribed oath of
office. The next important step to be taken was to organize the Territorial ^legislature. The
provisions of the organic act relative to the enumeration of the population of the Territory were
that previously to the first election, the governor should cause the census of the inhabitants of
the several counties to be taken by the several sheriffs, and that the latter should make returns of
the same to the Executive. These figures gave to Des Moines county, 6,257 ; Iowa county,
5,234; Dubuque county, 4,274; Milwaukee county, 2,893; Brown county, 2,706; Crawford
county, 850. The entire population, therefore, of Wisconsin Territory in the summer of 1836,
as given by the first census was, in precise numbers, twenty-two thousand two hundred and four-
teen, of which the two counties west of the Mississippi furnished nearly one half. The apportion-
ment, after the census had been taken, made by the governor, gave to the different counties thir-
teen councilmen and twenty-six representatives. Brown county got two councilmen and three
representatives ; Crawford, two representatives, but no councilmen ; Milwaukee, two councilmen
and three representatives ; Iowa, Dubuque and Des Moines, each three councilmen ; but of repre-
sentatives, Iowa got six ; Dubuque, five, and Des Moines, seven. The election was held on the
tenth of October, 1836, exciting considerable interest, growing out, chiefly, of local considera-
tions. The permanent location of the capital, the division of counties, and the location of county
seats, were the principal questions influencing the voters. There were elected from the county
of Brown, Henry S. Baird and John P. Arndt, members of the council; Ebenezer Childs, Albert
"WISCONSIlSr TERRITORY. 43
G. Ellis and Alexander J. Irwin, members of the house of representatives ; from Milwaukee,
the councilmen were Gilbert Knapp and Alanson Sweet ; representatives, William B. Sheldon,
Madison W. Cornwall and Charles Durkee : from Iowa, councilmen, EbenezerBrigham, John B.
Terry and James R. Vineyard ; representatives, William Boyles, G. F. Smith, D. M. Parkinson,
Thomas McKnight, T. Shanley and J. P. Cox : from Dubuque, councilmen, John Foley, Thomas
McCraney and Thomas McKnight ; representatives, Loring Wheeler, Hardin Nowlin, Hosea T.
Camp, P. H. Engle and Patrick Quigley : from Des Moines, councilmen, Jeremiah Smith, Jr.,
Joseph B. Teas and Arthur B. Inghram ; representatives, Isaac Leffler, Thomas Blair, Warren L.
Jenkins, John Box, George W. Teas, Eli Reynolds and David R. Chance : from Crawford, repre-
sentatives, James H. Lockwood and James B. Dallam.
Belmont, in the present county of LaFayette; then in Iowa county, was, by the governor,
appointed the place for the meeting of the legislature ; he also fixed the time — the twenty-fifth
■of October. A quorum was in attendance in both branches at the time decided upon for their
assembling, and the two houses were speedily organized by the election of Peter Hill Fngle, of
Dubuque, speaker of the house, and Henry S. Baird, of Brown, president of the council. Each
of the separate divisions of the government — the executive, the judicial, and the legislative —
was now in working order, except that it remained for the legislature to divide the Territory into
judicial districts, and make an assignment of the judges ; and for the governor to appoint a Ter-
ritorial treasurer, auditor and attorney general. The act of congress establishing the Terri-
tory required that it should be divided into three judicial districts. The counties of Crawford
and Iowa were constitued by the legislature the first district, to which was assigned Chief Justice
Dunn. The second district was composed of the counties of Des Moines and Dubuque ; to it
■was assigned Associate Judge Irvin. The third district was formed of the counties of Brown
and Milwaukee, to which was assigned Associate Judge Frazer.
Governor Dodge, in his first message to the Territorial legislature, directed attention to the
•necessity for defining the jurisdiction and powers of the several courts, and recommended that
congress should be memorialized to extend the right of pre-emption to actual settlers upon the
public lands and to miners on mineral lands; also, to remove the obstructions in the rapids
of the Upper Mississippi, to' construct harbors and light-houses on Lake Michigan, to improve
the navigation of Fox river and to survey the same from its mouth to Fort Winnebago, to
increase the amount of lands granted to the Territory for school purposes, and to organize and
arm the militia for the protection of the frontier settlements. The first act passed by the legis-
lature was one privileging members from arrest in certain cases and conferring on themselves
power to punish parties for contempt. The second one established the three judicial districts
and assigned the judges thereto. One was passed to borrow money to defray the expenses
•of the session; others protecting aU lands donated to the Territory by the United States in aid
of schools, and creating a common school fund. A memorial to congress was adopted request-
ing authorization to sell the school-section in each township, and appropriate the money arising
therefrom for increasing the fund for schools.
During this session, five counties were "set off" west of the Mississippi river: Lee, Van
Buren, Henry, Louisa, Muscatine, and Cook ; and fifteen east of that stream : Walworth, Racine,
Jefferson, Dane, Portage, Dodge, Washington, Sheboygan, Fond du Lac, Calumet, Manitowoc,
Marquette, Rock, Grant and Green.
The principal question agitating the legislature at its first session was the location of the
capital. Already the people west of the Mississippi were speculating upon the establishment of
a Territory on that side the river, prospects for which would be enhanced evidently, by placing
tthe seat of government somewhat in a central position east of that stream, for Wisconsin
44 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Territory. Now, as Madison was a point answering such requirements she triumphed over all
competitors ; and the latter numbered a dozen or more — including, among others, Fond du Lac,
Milwaukee, Racine, Belmont, Mineral Point, Green Bay, and Cassville. The struggle over this
question was one of the most exciting ever witnessed in the Territorial legislature. Madison
was fixed upon as the seat of government, but it was provided that sessions of the legislature
should be held at Burlington, in Des Moines county, until the fourth of March, 1839, unless the
public buildings in the new capital should be sooner completed. After an enactment that the
legislature should thereafter meet on the first Monday of November of each year, both houses,
on the ninth day of December, 1836, adjourned sine die.
In the act of congress establishing the Territory of Wisconsin it was provided that a delegate
to the house of representatives of the United States, to serve for the term of two years, should
be elected by the voters qualified to elect members of the legislative assembly-, and that the
first election should be held at such time and place or places, and be conducted in such manner
as the governor of the Territory should appoint and direct. In pursuance of this enactment.
Governor Dodge directed that the election for delegate should be at the time and places,
appointed for the election of members of the legislative assembly — the loth of October, 1836.
The successful candidate for that office was George W. Jones, of Sinsinawa Mound, Iowa,
county — in that portion which was afterward "set off" as Grant county. Jones, under the act
of i8ig, had been elected a delegate for Michigan Territory, in October, 1835, and took his.
seat at the ensuing session, in December of that year. By the act of June 15, 1836, the consti-
tution and State government which the people of Michigan had formed for themselves was
accepted, ratified and confirmed, and she was declared to be one of the United States of
America, so that the term of two years for which Jones had been elected was cut short, as, in
the nature of the case, his term could not survive the existence of the Territory he represented.
But, as he was a candidate for election to represent the new Territory of Wisconsin in congress
as a delegate, and was successful, he took his seat at the commencement of the second session of
the twenty-fourth congress — December 12, 1836, notwithstanding he had been elected only a.
little over two months.
The first term of the supreme court of the Territory was held at Belmont on the 8th day of
December. There were present, Charles Dunn, chief justice, and David Irvin, associate judge.
John Catlin was appointed clerk, and Henry S. Baird having previously been commissioned
attorney general for the Territory by Governor Dodge, appeared before the court and took the
oath of office. Causes in which the United States was party or interested were looked after by
the United States attorney, who received his appointment from the president; while all cases
in which the Territory was interested was atte'nded to by the attorney general, whose commission
was signed by the governor. The appointing of a crier and reporter and the admission of
several attorneys to practice, completed the business for the term. The annual term appointed
for the third Monday of July of the following year, at Madison, was not held; as no business for
the action of the court had matured.
At the time of the complete organization of the Territory of Wisconsin, when the whole
machinery had been put fairly in motion ; when its first legislature at its first session had, after
passing forty-two laws and three joint resolutions, in forty-six days, adjourned; — at this time,
the entire portion west of the Mississippi had, in round numbers, a population of only eleven
thousand; while the sparsely settled mineral region, the military establishments — Fort Craw-
ford, Fort Winnebago, and Fort Howard — and the settlements at or near them, with the village-
of Milwaukee, constituted about all there was of the Territory east of that river, aggregating
about twelve thousand inhabitants. There was no land in market, except a narrow strip along;
WISCONSIN TERRITOEY. 45
the shore of Lake Michigan, and in the vicinity of Green bay. The residue of the country
south and east of the Wisconsin and Fox rivers was open only to preemption by actual settlers.
The Indian tribes still claimed a large portion of the lands. On the north and as far west as
the Red river of the north were located the Chippewas. The southern limits of their posses-
sions were defined by a line drawn from a point on that stream in about latitude 46° 30' in a
southeasterly direction to the head of Lake St. Croix ; thence in the same general direction to
what is now Stevens Point, in the present Portage county, Wisconsin ; thence nearly east to
Wolf river; and thence in a direction nearly northeast to the Menomonee river. The whole
country bounded by the Red river and Mississippi on the east ; the parallel of about 43° of
latitude on the south; the Missouri and White Earth river on the west; and the Territorial line
on the north, was occupied by the Sioux. In the southwest part of the Territory, lying mostly
south of latitude 43" — in the country reaching to the Missouri State boundary line south, and
to the Missouri river west — were the homes of the Pottawattamies, the lowas, and the Sacs and
Foxes. Between the Wisconsin river and the Mississippi, and extending north to the south
line of the Chippewas was the territory of the Winnebagoes. East of the Winnebagoes in the
country north of the Fox river of Green bay were located the Menomonees, their lands
extending to Wolf river. Such was the general outline of Indian occupancy in Wisconsin
Territory at its organization. A portion of the country east of Wolf river and north of Green
bay and the Fox river; the whole of the area lying south of Green bay. Fox river and the
Wisconsin ; and a strip of territory immediately west of the Mississippi, about fifty miles in
width, and extending from the Missouri State line as far north as the northern boundary of the
present State of Iowa, constituted the whole extent of country over which the Indians had
no claim.
The second session of the first legislative assembly of the Territory began at Burlington,
now the county seat of Des Moines county, Iowa, on the 6th of November, 1837. The governor,
in his message, recommended a codification of the laws, the organization of the militia, and other
measures of interest to the people. An act was passed providing for taking another census, and
one abolishing imprisonment for debt. By a joint resolution, congress was urged to make an
appropriation of twenty thousand, dollars in money, and two townships of land for a " University
of the Territory of Wisconsin." The money was not appropriated, but the land was granted —
forty-six thousand and eighty acres. This was the fundamental endowment of the present State
university, at Madison. A bill was also passed to regulate the sale of school lands, and to
prepare for organizing, regulating and perfecting schools. Another act, which passed the
legislature at this session, proved an apple of discord to the people of the Territory. The
measure was intended to provide ways and means whereby to connect, by canals and slack-
water, the waters of Lake Michigan with those of the Mississippi, by way of Rock river, the
Catfish, the four lakes and the Wisconsin, by the incorporation of the Milwaukee and Rock
river canal company. This company was given authority to apply to congress for an appro-
priation in money or lands to aid in the construction of the work, which was to have its eastern
outlet in the Milwaukee river, and to unite at its western terminus with Rock river, near the
present village of Jefferson, in Jefferson county. The result was that a grant of land of odd-
numbered sections in a strip of territory five miles on each side of the line of the proposed canal
was secured, and in July, 1839, over forty thousand acres were sold at the minimum price of
two dollars and fifty cents per acre. However, owing mainly to the fact that purchasers were
compelled to pay double the government price for their lands — owing also to the circumstance
of an antagonism growing up between the officers of the canal company and the Territorial
officers intrusted with the disposition of the lands, and to conflicts between'the beneficiaries of
•46 HISTORY or WISCOK'SIN.
the grant and some of the leading politicians of the time — the whole scheme proved a curse
And a blight rather than a blessing, and eventuating, of course, in the total failure of the project.
There had been much Territorial and State legislation concerning the matter; but very little
work, meanwhile, was done on the canal. It is only within the year 1875 that an apparent
•quietus has been given to the subject, and legislative enactments forever put at rest.
Fourteen counties were set off during this session of the legislature at Burlington — all
"west of the Mississippi. They were Benton, Buchanan, Cedar, Clinton, Delaware, Fayette,
Jackson, Johnson, Jones, Keokuk, Linn, Slaughter, Scott and Clayton. One hundred and five
-acts and twenty joint resolutions were passed. On the 20th of January, 1838, both houses
adjourned until the second Monday of June following.
The census of the Territory having been taken in May, the special session of the first legis-
lature commenced on the eleventh of June, 1838, at Burlington, pursuant to adjournment, mainly
for the purpose of making a new apportionment of members of the house. This was effected by
giving twelve members to the counties east of the Mississippi, and fourteen to those west of that
stream, to be contingent, however, upon the division of the Territory, which measure was not
only then before congress, but had been actually passed by that body, though unknown to the
Territorial legislature. The law made it incumbent on the governor, in the event of the Terri-
tory being divided before the next general election, to make an apportionment for the part
remaining, — enacting that the one made by the act of the legislature should, in that case, have
no effect. Having provided that the next session should be held at Madison, the legislative body
adjourned sine die on the twenty-fifth of June, 1838, the public buildings at the new capital
baving been put under contract in April, previous. Up to this time, the officers of the Territory
at large, appointed by the president of the United States at its organization, had remained
unchanged, except that the secretary, John S. Horner, had been removed and his place given to
William B. Slaughter, by appointment, dated February 16, 1837. Now there were two other
changes made. On the nineteenth of June, Edward James was commissioned marshal, and on
the fifth of July, Moses M. Strong was commissioned attorney of the United States for the Ter-
ritory. By an act of congress, approved June 12, 1838, to divide the Territory of Wisconsin,
and to establish a Territorial government west of the Mississippi, it was provided that from and
after the third day of July following, all that part of Wisconsin Territory lying west of that river
and west of a line drawn due north from its headwaters or sources to the Territorial line, for the
purposes of a Territorial government should be set apart and known by the name of Iowa. It
was further enacted that the Territory of Wisconsin should thereafter extend westward only to
the Mississippi. It will be seen therefore that all that portion of the present State of Minnesota,
extending eastward from the Mississippi to the St. Croix and northward to the United States
boundary line, was then a part of Wisconsin Territory, even after the organization of the Terri-
tory of Iowa. The census taken in May, just previous to the passage of this act, gave a total
population to the several counties of the Territory, east of the Mississippi, of 18,149.
On the third Monday of July, 1838, the annual terms of the supreme court — the first one
after the re-organization of the Territory of Wisconsin — was held at Madison. There were
present Chief Justice Dunn and Associate Judge Frazer. After admitting five attorneys to
practice, hearing several motions, and granting several rules, the court adjourned. All the terms
of the Supreme Court thereafter were held at Madison.
At an election held in the Territory on the tenth day of September, 1838, James Duane Doty
received the highest number of votes for the office of delegate to congress, and was declared by
Governor Dodge duly elected, by a certificate of election, issued on the twenty-seventh day of
October following. Upon the commencement of the third session of the twenty-fifth congress
WISCONSIN TERRITORY. 47"
on Monday, December lo, 1838, Isaac E. Crary, member from Michigan, announced to the chair
of the house of representatives that Doty was in attendance as delegate from Wisconsin Terri-
tory, and moved that he be qualified. Jones, the former delegate, then rose and protested
against Doty's right to the seat, claiming that his (Jones') term had not expired. The basis for
his claim was that under the act of 1817, a delegate must be elected only for one congress, and
not for parts of two congressional terms; that his term as a delegate from Wisconsin did not
commence until the fourth of March, 1837, and consequently would not expire until the fourth
of March, 1839. The subject was finally referred to the committee of elections. This com-
mittee, on the fourteenth of January, 1839, reported in favor of Doty's right to his seat as dele-
gate, submitting a resolution to that effect which passed the house by a vote of one hundred and
sixty-five to twenty-five. Whereupon Doty was qualified as delegate from Wisconsin Territory,,
and took his seat at the date last mentioned.
On the 8th of November, Andrew G. Miller was appointed by Martin Van Buren, then,
president of the United States, associate judge of the supreme court, to succeed Judge Frazer,
who died at Milwaukee, on the i8th of October. During this year, Moses M. Strong succeeded.
W. W. Chapman as United States attorney for the Territory.
On the 26th day of November, 1838, the legislature of the re-organized Territory of Wis-
consin— being the first session of the second legislative assembly — met at Madison. Governor"
Dodge, in his message, recommended an investigation of the banks then in operation, memorial-
izing congress for a grant of lands for the improvement of the Fox river of Green bay and the
Wisconsin; the revision of the laws; the division of the Territory into judicial districts; the
justice of granting to all miners who have obtained the ownership of mineral grounds under the
regulations of the superintendent of the United States lead mines, either by discovery or pur-
chase, the right of pre-emption ; and the improvement of the harbors on Lake Michigan.
The attention of this Legislature was directed to the mode in which the commissioners of
public buildings had discharged their duties There was an investigation of the three banks,
then in operation in the Territory — one at Green Bay, one at Mineral Point, and the other at
Milwaukee. A plan, also, for the revision of the laws of the Territory was considered. A new
assignment was made for the holding of district courts. Chief Justice Dunn was assigned to the
first district, composed of the counties of Iowa, Grant and Crawford; Judge Irvin to the second,,
composed of the counties of Dane, Jefferson, Rock, Walworth and Green; while Judge Miller
was assigned to the third district, composed of Milwaukee, Brown and Racine counties — includ-
ing therein the unorganized counties of Washington and Dodge, which, for judicial purposes,,
were, when constituted by name and boundary, attached to Milwaukee county, and had so
remained since that date. The legislature adjourned on the 22d of December, to meet again on
the 21st of the following month. "Although," said the president of the council, upon the occasion
of the adjournment, "but few acts of a general character have been passed, as the discussions and-
action of this body have been chiefly confined to bills of a local nature, and to the passage oil
memorials to the parent government in behalf of the great interests of the Territory; yet it is.
believed that the concurrent resolutions of the two houses authorizing a revision of the laws, is a
measure of infinite importance to the true interests of the people, and to the credit and charac-
ter of the Territory."
Tbe census of the Territory having been taken during the year 1838, showed a population.
of i8,T3o, an increase in two years of 6,447.
The second session of the second legislative assembly commenced on the twenty-first day of
January, 1839, agreeable to adjournment. The most important work was the revision of the laws-
which had been perfected during the recess, by the committee to whom the work was intrusted.
48 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
consisting of three members from each house : from the council, M. L. Martin, Marshall M.
Strong, and James Collins ; from the house ol representatives, Edward V. Whiten, Augustus
Story, and Barlow Shackleford. The act legalizing the revision, took effect on the fourth day of
July following. The laws as revised, composed the principal part of those forming the Revised
Statutes of 1839, a valuable volume for all classes in the' territory — and especially so for the
courts and lawyers — during the next ten years. The sine die adjournment of this legislature took
place on the nth of March, 1839.
On the 8th of March of this year, Henry Dodge, whose term for three years as governor
was about to expire, was again commissioned by the president of the United States, as governor
of the Territory of Wisconsin. At the July term of the supreme court, all the judges were pre-
sent, and several cases were heard and decided. A seal for the court was also adopted. The
attorney general of the I'erritory at this time was H. N. Wells, who had been commissioned by
Governor Dodge, on the 30th of March previous, in place of H. S. Baird, resigned. Wells not
being in attendance at this term of the court, Franklin J. Munger was appointed by the judge
attorney general for that session. The clerk, John Catlin having resigned, Simeon Mills was
selected by the court to fill his place. From this time, the supreme court met annually, as pro-
vided by law, until Wisconsin became a State.
The next legislature assembled at Madison, on the second of December, 1839. This was
the third session of the second legislative assembly of the Territory.- The term for which mem-
bers of the house were elected, would soon expire ; it was therefore desirable that a new appor-
tionment should be made. As the census would be taken the ensuing June, by the United States,
it would be unnecessary for the Territory to make an additional enumeration. A short session
was resolved upon, and then an adjournment until after the completion of the census. One of
the subjects occupying largely the attention of the members, was the condition of the capitol,
and the conduct of the commissioners intrusted with the inoney appropriated by congress to
defray the cost of its construction. The' legislature adjourned on the thirteenth of . January,
1840, to meet again on the third of -the ensuing August. The completion of the census showed
a population for the Territory of thirty thousand seven hundred and forty-four, against eighteen
thousand one hundred and thirty, two years previous. Upon the re-assembling of the legisla-
ture— which is known as the extra session of the second legi"lative assembly^at the time agreed
upon, some changes were made in the apportionment of members to the house of representa-
tives; the session lasted but a few- days, a final adjournment taking place on the fourteenth of
August, 1840. At the July term of the supreme court, Simeon Mills resigned the office of
clerk, and La Fayette Kellogg was appointed in his place. Kellogg continued to hold the posi-
tion until the state judiciary was organized. At the ensuing election, James Duane Doty was
re-elected Territorial delegate, taking his seat .for the first time under his second term, on the
eighth day of December, 1840, at the commencement of the second session of the twenty-sixth
congress.
The first session of the third legislative assembly commence^- on the seventh of December,
1840, with all new members in the house except three. All had recently been elected under the
new apportionment. Most of the session was devoted to the ordinary routine of legislation.
There was, however, a departure, in the passage of two acts granting divorces, from the usual
current of legislative proceedings in the Territory. There was, also, a very interesting contested
election case between two members from Brown county. Such was the backwardness in regard
to the building of the capitol, at this date, that a large majority of the members stood ready to
remove the seat of government to some other place. However, as no particular point could be
agreed upon, it remained at Madison. The legislature adjourned on the nineteenth of February,
WISCONSIN TERRITORY. 49
1841, having continued a term of seventy-five days, the maximum time limited by the organic act.
Francis J. Dunn, appointed by Martin Van Buren, was commissioned in place of William
B. Slaughter, as secretary of the Territory, on the 25th of January, 1841, but was himself super-
ceded by the appointment of A. P. Field, on the 23d day of April following. On the isth of
March, Daniel Hugunin was commissioned as marshal in place of Edward James, and on the
27th of April, Thomas W. Sutherland succeeded Moses M. Strong as United States attorney
for the Territory. On the 26th of June, Governor Dodge commissioned as attorney general of
the Territory, M. M. Jackson. On the 13th of September following. Dodge was removed from
office by John Tyler, then president of the United States, and James Duane Doty appointed in
his place. The appointment of Doty, then the delegate of the Territory in congress, by the
president of the United States as governor, and the consequent resignation of the latter of his
seat in the house of representatives, caused a vacancy which was filled by the election of Henry
Dodge to that office, on the 27th of September, 1841; so that Doty and Dodge changed places.
Dodge took his seat for the first time, at the commencement of the second session of the twenty-
fifth congress— Monday, December 7, 1841.
About this time, the Milwaukee and Rock river canal imbroglio broke out afresh. The
loan agent appointed by the governor to negotiate a loan of one hundred thousand dollars for
the work, reported that he had negotiated fifty-six thousand dollars of bonds, which had been
issued ; but he did not report what kind of money was to be received for them. Now, the canal
commissioners claimed that it was their right and duty not to recognize any loan which was to
be paid in such currency as they disapproved of. This dispute defeated the loan, and stopped
all work on the canal. During the year 1841, Thomas W. Sutherland succeeded Moses M.
Strong as United States attorney. The second session of the third legislative assembly began
at Madison, on the sixth of December, 1841. Governor Doty, in his message to that body,
boldly avowed the doctrine that no law of the Territory was effective, until expressly approved
by congress. " The act," said he, " establishing the government of Wisconsin, in the third sec-
tion, requires the secretary of the Territory to transmit annually, on or before the first Monday
in December, ' two copies of the laws to the speaker of the house of representatives, for the
use of congress.' The sixth section provides that 'all laws of [^the governor and legislative
assembly shall be submitted to, and, if disapproved by the congress of the United States, the
same shall be null and of no effect.' " "These provisions," he added, "it seems to me, require
the laws to be actually submitted to congress before they take effect. They change the law by
which this country was governed while it was a part of Michigan. That law provided that
the laws should be reported to congress, and that they should ' be in force in the .'district until
the organization of the general assembly therein, unless disapproved of by congress.' " The
governor concluded in these words: "The opinion of my predecessor, which "was expressed to
the first legislature assembled after the organization of this government, in his message delivered
at Belmont on the twenty-sixth day of October, 1836, fully sustains this view of the subject which
I have presented. He said: 'We have convened under an act of congress of the United States
establishing the Territorial government of Wisconsin, for the purpose of enacting such laws as
may be required for the government of the* people of this Territory, after their approval by con-
gress.'" This construction of the organic act resulted in a lengthy warfare between the gov-
ernor and the legislative assembly.
At this session, the Milwaukee and Rock river canal again raised a tumult. " Congress
had made a valuable grant of land to the Territory in trust. The Territory was the trustee ;
the canal company the cestui que trust. The trust had been accepted, and a large portion of
the lands had been sold, one tenth of the purchase money received, and ample securities held
^^ HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
for the balance." The Territory now, by its legislature, repealed all the laws authorizing a
loan, and all which contemplated the expenditure of any money on its part in constructing the
canal. The legislature resolved that all connection ought to be dissolved, and the work on
the canal by the Territory abandoned, and that the latter ought not further to execute the
trust. They resolved also that the congress be requested to divert the grant to such other
internal improvements as should be designated by the Territory, subject to the approval of
congress; and that, if the latter should decline to make this diversion, it was requested to take
back the grant, and dispose of the unsold lands. On the eleventh of February, 1842, a tragedy
was enacted in the legislative council, causing great excitement over the whole Territory. On
that day, Charles C. P. Arndt, a member from Brown county, was, while that body was in
session, shot dead by James R. Vineyard, a member from Grant county. The difficulty grew
out of a debate on motion to lay on the table the nomination of Enos S. Baker to the office of
sheriff of Grant county. Immediately before adjournment of the council, the parties who had
come together, after loud and angry words had been spoken, were separated by the by-standers.
When an adjournment had been announced, they met again ; whereupon Arndt struck at Vine-
yard. The latter then drew a pistol and shot Arndt. He died in a few moments. Vineyard
immediately surrendered himself to the sheriff of the county, waived an examination, and was-
committed to jail. After a short confinement, he was brought before the chief justice of the
Territory, on a writ of habeas corpus, and admitted to bail. He was afterward indicted for man-
slaughter, was tried and acquitted. Three days after shooting Arndt, Vineyard sent in his
resignation as member of the council. That body refused to receive it, or to have it read even ;,
but at once expelled him. The second and last session of the third legislative assembly came
to a close on the eighteenth of February, 1842.
The first session of the fourth legislative assembly commenced on the fifth day of Decem-
ber, 1842. The members had been elected under a new apportionment based upon a census
taken in the previous June, which showed a total population for the Territory of forty-six thou-
sand six hundred and seventy-eight — an increase of nearly ten thousand in two years. A politi-
cal count showed a decided democratic majority in each house. Governor Doty's political
proclivities were with the whig party. The contest between him and the legislature now
assumed a serious character. He refused to "hold converse " with it, for the reason that, in his
opinion, no appropriation had been made by congress to defray the expenses of the session, and,,
as a consequence, none could be held. The legislature made a representation to congress, then
in session, of the objections of the governor, and adjourned on the tenth of December, to meet
again on the thirteenth of January, 1843. It was not until the fourth of February following that
a quorum in both houses had assembled, when the legislature, through a joint committee, waited
on the governor, and informed him that they had again met according to adjournment, and were
then ready to proceed to business. Previous to this time, congress had made an appropriation
to cover the expenses of the legislature now in session, which it was supposed would remove all
conflict about its legality. But the governor had, on the thirtieth day of January previous, issued
a proclamation, convening a special session of the l^islature on the sixth of March, and still
refused to recognize the present one as legal. Both houses then adjourned to the day fixed by
the executive. A final adjournment took place on the seventeenth of April following.
The term of two years for which Henry Dodge was elected as delegate, having expired at
the close of the third session of the twenty-seventh congress, he was, on the twenty-fifth of Sep-
tember, 1843, re-elected, taking his seat for the first time on his second term at the commence-
ment of the first session of the twenty-eighth congress, Monday, December 4, 1843. On
the thirtieth of October of this year, George Floyd was commissioned by President Tyler as;
WISCOXSIN TEREITOBY. H
secretary of the Territory, in place of A. P. Field.
The second session of the fourth legislative assembly of the Territory, commencing on the
fourth of December, 1843, and terminating on the thirty-first of January, 1844 — a period of fifty-
nine days — accomplished but little worthy of especial mention, except the submission of the
question of the formation of a State government to a vote of the people, to be taken at the gene-
ral election to be held in September following. The proposition did not succeed at the ballot-
box. The third session of the fourth legislative assembly did not commence until the sixth of
January, 1845, as the time had been changed to the first Monday in that month for annual meet-
ings. Governor Doty having persisted in spelling Wisconsin with a "k" and an "a" — Wis-
/Jonsan — and some of the people having adopted his method, it was thought by this legislature
a matter of sufficient importance to be checked. So, by a joint resolution, the orthography —
Wis^ons/n — employed in the organic act, was adopted as the true one for the Territory, and has
ever since been used. Before the commencement of this session Doty's term of office had
expired. He was superseded as governor of the Territory by N. P. Tallmadge, the latter having;
been appointed on the twenty-first of June, 1844. On the thirty-first of August, Charles M^
Prevost was appointed marshal of the Territory, in place of Daniel Hugunin. There was the:
utmost harmony between Governor Tallmadge and the legislature of the Territory at its session^
in 1845.
His message, which was delivered to the two houses in person, on the seventeenth of January,,
was well received. Among other items of interest to which he called the attention of the legis-
lative assembly, was one concerning the construction of a railroad to connect Lake Michigan with,
the Mississippi. " The interests of the Territory," said he, " seem inperiously to demand the con-
struction of a railroad, or other communication, from some suitable point on Lake Michigan to>
the Mississippi river. Much difference of opinion seems to exist as to what it shall be, and how-
it is to be accomplished. There is a general impression," continued the governor, "that the con-
struction of the Milwaukee and Rock river canal, which was intended to connect those waters, is
abandoned. It remains to be seen what shall be substituted for it." The session terminated on
the twenty-fourth of February, 1845.
James K. Polk having been inaugurated president of the United States on the fourth of
March, 1845, Henry Dodge was again put into the gubernatorial chair of the Territory, receiving
his appointment on the eighth of April, 1845. Other changes were made by the president during
the same year, John B. Rockwell being, on the fourteenth of March, appointed marshal, and W.
P. Lynde, on the fourteenth of July, United States attorney for the Territory, Governor Tall-
madge, on the twenty-second of January of this year, having commissioned the latter also as;
attorney general. On the twenty-second of September, Morgan L. Martin was elected delegate
to the twenty-ninth congress, as the successor of Henry Dodge.
The fourth and last session of the fourth legislative assembly was organized on the fifth of
January, 1846. This session, although a short one, proved very important. Preliminary steps,
were taken for the formation of a State government. The first Tuesday in April next succeeding
was the day fixed upon for the people to vote for or against the proposition. When taken it
resulted in a large majority voting in favor of the measure. An act was passed providing for taking
the census of the Territory, and for the apportionment by the governor of delegates to form a
State constitution, based upon the new enumeration. The delegates were to be elected on the first
Monday in September, and the convention was to assemble on the first Monday in October, 1846.
The constitution when formed was to be submitted to the vote of the people for adoption or
rejection, as, at the close of the session, the terms of members of the_council who had been elected
for four years, and of the house, who had been elected for two years, all ended. The legislature
52' HISTOBY OF WISCONSIN.
re-organized the election districts, and conferred on the governor the power and duty of making
an apportionment, based on the census to be taken, for the next legislative assembly, when, on
the third of February, 1846, both houses adjourned sine die. On the twenty-second of January,
Governor Dodge appointed A. Hyatt Smith attorney general of the Territory. On the twenty-
fourth of February, John Catlin was appointed Territorial secretary by the president.
The census taken in the following June showed a population for the Territory of one hun-
dred and fifty-five thousand two hundred and seventy-seven. Delegates having been elected to
form a constitution for the proposed new State, met at Madison on the fifth day of October.
After completing their labors, they adjourned. This event took place on the sixteenth of
December, 1846. The constitution thus formed was submitted to a popular vote on the first
Tuesday of April, 1847, and rejected. The first session of the fifth legislative assembly com-
menced on the fourth of January of that year. But little was done. Both houses finally
adjourned on the eleventh of February, 1847. John H. Tweedy was elected as the successor
of Morgan L. Martin, delegate to the thirtieth congress, on the sixth of September following. On
the twenty-seventh of that month, Governor Dodge issued a proclamation for a special session
of the legislature, to commence on the eighteenth of the ensuing month, to take action concern-
ing the admission of Wisconsin into the Union. The two houses assembled on the day named
in the proclamation, and a law was passed for the holding of another convention to frame a
constitution ; when, after nine days' labor, they adjourned. Delegates to the new convention
were elected on the last Monday of November, and that body met at Madison on the fifteenth
of December, 1847. A census of the Territory was taken this year, which showed a population
of two hundred and ten thousand five hundred and forty-six. The result of the labors of the
second constitutional convention was the formation of a constitution, which, being submitted
to the people on the second Monday of March, 1848, was duly ratified.
The second and last session of the fifth legislative assembly — the last legislative assembly
of Wisconsin Territory — commenced on the seventh of February, 1848, and adjourned sine die
on the thirteenth of March following. On the twentieth of the same month, J. H. Tweedy,
delegate from Wisconsin, introduced a bill in congress for its admission into the Union. The
till was finally passed; and on the twenty-ninth of May, 1848, Wisconsin became a State.
There had been seventeen sessions of the legislative assembly of the Territory, of an average
duration of forty days each : the longest one lasted seventy-six days ; the shortest, ten days. So
long as the Territory had an existence, the apportionment of thirteen members for the council, and
twenty-six for the house of representatives, was continued, as provided in the organic act.
There had been, besides those previously mentioned, nine additional counties " set off " by the
legislative assembly of the Territory, so that they now numbered in all twenty-eight : Milwaukee,
Waukesha, Jefferson, Racine, Walworth, Rock, Green, Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Calu-
met, Brown, Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Marquette, Sauk, Portage, Columbia, Dodge, Dane, Iowa,
La Fayette, Grant, Richland, Crawford, Chippewa, St. Croix, and La Pointe.
v.— WISCONSIN AS A STATE.
First Administration. — Nelson Dkwey, Governor — 1848, 1849.
The boundaries prescribed in the act of congress, entitled " An Act to enable the people of
Wisconsin Territory to form a Constitution and State Government, and for the admission of such
State into the Union," approved August 6, 1846, were accepted by the convention which formed
the constitution of Wisconsin, and are described in that instrument as " beginning at the north-
east corner of the State of Illinois — that is to say, at a point in the center of Lake Michigan
WTSCONSIX AS A STATE. 53
where the line of forty-two degrees and thirty minutes of north latitude crosses the same ; thence
running with the boundary line of the State of Michigan, through Lake Michigan [and] Green
bay to the mouth of the Menomonee river ; thence up the channel of the said river to the Brule
river; thence up said last mentioned river to Lake Brule; thence along the southern shore of
Lake Brule, in a direct line to the center of the channel between Middle and South islands, in
the Lake of the Desert ; thence in a direct line to the head waters of the Montreal river, as
marked upon the survey made by Captain Cram ; thence down the main channel of the Mon-
treal river to the middle of Lake Superior ; thence through the center of Lake Superior to the
mouth of the St. Louis river ; thence up the main channel of said river to the first rapids in the
same, above the Indian village, according to Nicollett's map ; thence due south to the main
branch of the River St. Croix ; thence down the main channel of said river to the Mississippi ;
thence down the center of the main channel of that river to the northwest corner of the State
of Illinois ; thence due east with the northern boundary of the State of Illinois to the place of
beginning." The territory included within these lines constitutes the State of Wisconsin,
familiarly known as the "Badger State." All that portion of Wisconsin Territory, as formerly
constituted, lying west of so much of the above mentioned boundary as extends from the middle
•of Lake Superior to the mouth of the St. Croix river, not being included in Wisconsin, the limits
of the State are, of course, not identical with those of the Territory as they previously existed.
The State of Wisconsin, thus bounded, is situated between the parallel of forty-two degrees
thirty minutes and that of forty-seven degrees, north latitude, and between the eighty-seventh
and ninety-third degrees west longitude, nearly. For a portion of its northern border it has
Lake Superior, the largest body of fresh water in the world ; for a part of its eastern boundary it
lias Lake Michigan, almost equal in size to Lake Superior ; while the Mississippi, the largest
river in the world but one, forms a large portion of its western boundary. The State of Michi-
gan lies on the east ; Illinois on the south ; Iowa and Minnesota on the west. Wisconsin has an
average length of about two hundred and sixty miles ; an average breadth of two hundred and
fifteen miles.
The constitution of Wisconsin, adopted by the people on the second Monday of March,
1848, provided for the election of a governor, lieutenant governor, secretary of state, treasurer,
attorney general, members of the State legislature, and members of congress, on the second
Monday of the ensuing May. On that day — the 8th of the month — the election was held,
which resulted in the choice of Nelson Dewey, for governor ; John E. Holmes, for lieutenant
governor ; Thomas McHugh, for secretary of state ; Jairus C. Fairchild, for state treasurer ;
and James S. Brown, for attorney general. The State was divided into nineteen senatorial, and
sixty-six assembly districts, in each of which one member was elected ; it was also divided into
two congressional districts, in each of which one member of congress was elected — William
Pitt Lynde in the first district, composed of the counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Jefferson,
Racine, Walworth, Rock, and Green ; Mason C. Darling, in the second district, composed of the
counties of Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Calumet, Brown, Winnebago, Fond du Lac,
Marquette, Sauk, Portage, Columbia, Dodge, Dane, Iowa, La Fayette, Grant, Richland, Craw-
ford, Chippewa, St. Croix, and La Pointe — the counties of Richland, Chippewa and La Pointe
teing unorganized.
The first session of the legislature of Wisconsin commenced at Madison, the seat of govern-
ment for the State, on Monday, the sth day of June, 1848. Ninean E. Whiteside was elected
speaker of the assembly, and Henry Billings president of the senate, /r^ tempore. The democrats
were largely in the majority in both houses. The legislature, in joint convention, on the 7th of
June, canvassed, in accordance with the provisions of the constitution, the votes given on the
Sth of May previous, fi,r the State officers and the two representatives in congress. On the same
S^ - HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
day, the governor, lieutenant governor, secretary ot state, treasurer, and attorney general, were
sworn into office in presence of both houses. All these officers, as well as the representatives in
congress, were democrats. Dewey's majority over John H. Tweedy, whig, was five thousand and
eighty-nine. William P. Lynde's majority in the first district, fiar congress, over Edward V.
Whiton, whig, was two thousand four hundred and forty-seven. Mason C. Darling's majority in
the second district, over Alexander L. Collins, whig, was two thousand eight hundred and forty-
six. As the thirtieth congress, to which Lynde and Darling were elected would expire on the 4th,
of March, 1849, their terms of office would, of course, end on that day. The former took his.
seat on the 5th of June, the latter on the 9th of June, 1848.
The constitution vested the judicial power of the State in a supreme court, circuit courts,,
courts of probate, and in justices of the peace, giving the legislature power to vest such juris-
diction as should be deemed necessary in municipal courts ; also, conferring upon it the power
to establish inferior courts in the several counties, with limited civil and criminal jurisdiction.
The State was divided into five judicial circuits; and judges were to be elected at a time to be
provided for by the legislature at its first session. It was provided that there should be nO'
election for a judge or judges, at any general election for State or county officers, nor within,
thirty days either before or after such election.
On the 8th of June, 1848, Governor Dewey delivered his first message to a joint convention
of the two houses. It was clear, concise, and definite upon such subjects as, in his opinion
demanded immediate attention. His views were generally regarded as sound and statesmanlike
by the people of the State. " You have convened," said he, "under the provisions of the con-
stitution of the State of Wisconsin, to perform as representatives of the people, the important
duties contemplated by that instrument." " The first session of the legislature of a free people,"'
continued the governor, " after assuming the political identity of a sovereign State, is an event of
no ordinary character in its history, and will be fraught with consequences of the highest
importance to its future welfare and prosperity. Wisconsin possesses the natural elements^
fostered by the judicious system of legislation," the governor added, " to become one of the
most populous and prosperous States of the American Union. With a soil unequaled in fertility^
and productive of all the necessary comforts of life, rich in mineral wealth, with commercial
advantages unsurpassed by any inland State, possessing extensive manufacturing facilities, with a
salubrious climate, and peopled with a population enterprising, industrious, and intelligent, the
course of the State of Wisconsin must be onward, until she ranks among the first of the States.
of the Great West. It is," concluded the speaker, " under the most favorable auspices that the
State of Wisconsin has taken her position among the families of States. With a population
numbering nearly one quarter of a million, and rapidly increasing, free from the incubus of a.
State debt, and rich in the return yielded as the reward of labor in all the branches of industrial
pursuits, our State occupies an enviable position abroad, that is highly gratifying to the pride of
our people." Governor Dewey then recommended a number of measures necessary, in his
judgment, to be made upon changing from a Territorial to a State government.
The first important business of the legislature, was the election of two United States
senators. The successful candidates were Henry Dodge and Isaac P. Walker, both democrats.
Their election took place on the 8th of June, 1848, Dodge taking his seat in the senate on the
23d of June, and Walker on the 26th of June, 1848. The latter drew the short term ; so that
his office would expire on the 4th day of March, 1849, at the end of the thirtieth congress :
Dodge drew the long terra, his office to expire on the 4th day of March, 1851, at the end of the
thirty-first congress. The residue of the session was taken up in passing such acts as were-
deemed necessary to put the machinery of the new State government, in all its branches, in fair
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 55
running order. One was passed providing for the annual meeting of the legislature, on the
second Wednesday of January of each year ; another prescribing the duties of State officers ;
one dividing the State into three congressional districts. The first district was composed of the
counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Walworth, and Racine ; the second, of the counties of Rock,
•Green, La Fayette, Grant, Dane, Iowa, Sauk, Richland, Crawford, Adams, Portage, Chippewa, La
Pointe, and St. Croix ; the third, of the counties of Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Brown,
Winnebago, Calumet, Fond 4u Lac, Marquette, Dodge, Jefferson, and Columbia. Another act
provided for the election of judges of the circuit courts, on the first Monday of August, 1848.
By the same act, it was provided that the first term of the supreme court should be held in
Madison on the second Monday of January, 1849, and thereafter at the same place on the same
day, yearly ; afterward changed so as to hold a January and June term in each year. An act
was also passed providing for the election, and defining the duties of State superintendent of
public instruction. That officer was to be elected at the general election to be holden in each
year, his term of office to commence on the first Monday of January succeeding his election.
Another act established a State university ; another exempted a homestead from a forced sale ;
another provided for a revision of the statutes. The legislature, after a session of eighty-five
days, adjourned sim die on the twenty-first of August, 1848.
The State, as previously stated, was divided into five judicial circuits : Edward V. Whiton
being chosen judge at the election on the first Monday in August, 1848, of the first circuit, com-
posed of the counties of Racine, Walworth, Rock, and Green, as then constituted ; Levi Hubbell
of the second, composed of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Jefferson, and Dane ; Charles H. Larrabee,
of the third, composed of Washington, Dodge, Columbia, Marquette, Sauk, and Portage, as then
formed; Alexander W. Stow, of the fourth, composed of Brown, Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Fond
du LaL, Winnebago, and Calumet; and Mortimer M. Jackson, of the fifth circuit, composed of
the counties of Iowa, LaFayette, Grant, Crawford and St. Croix, as then organized ; the county
of Richland being attached to Iowa county ; the county of Chippewa to the county of Craw-
ford; and the county of LaPointe to the county of St. Croix, for judicial purposes.
In the ensuing Fall there was a presidential election. There were then three organized
political parties in the State : whig, democratic, and free-soil — each of which had a ticket in
the field. The democrats were in the majority, and their four electors cast their votes for Lewis
Cass and William O. Butler. At this election, Eleazer Root was the successful candidate for State
superintendent of public instruction. In his election party politics were not considered. There
were also three members for the thirty-first congress chosen: Charles Durkee, to represent the
first district; Orsamus Cole, the second; and James D. Dotv, the third district. Durkee
was a free-soiler; Cole, a whig; Doty, a democrat — -with somewhat decided Doty proclivities.
The act of the legislature, exempting a homestead frorn forced sale of any debt or liability
contracted after January t, 1849, approved the twenty-ninth of July previous, and another act
for a like exemption of certain personal property, approved August 10, 1848, were laws the most
liberal in their nature passed by any State of the Union previous to those dates. It was prophe-
sied that they would work wonderful changes in the business transactions of the new State — for
the worse; but time passed, and their utility were soon evident: it was soon very generally
acknowledged that proper exemption laws were highly beneficial — a real "good to the greatest
number of the citizens of a State.
So much of Wisconsin Territory as lay west of the St. Croix and the State boundary north
of it, was, upon the admission of Wisconsin into the Union, left, for the time being, without a
government — unless it was still "Wisconsin Territory." Henry Dodge, upon being elected to the
United States senate from Wisconsin, vacated, of course, the office of governor of this fraction.
John H. Tweedy, delegate in congress at the time Wisconsin became a State, made a formal
^^ IIISTOEY OF WISCONSIN.
resignation of his office, thus leaving the fractional Territory unrepresented. Thereupon John
Catlin, secretary of the Territory of Wisconsin as a whole, and now claiming, by virtue of that
office, to be acting governor of the fractional part, issued a proclamation as such officer for an
election on the thirtieth of October, 1848, of a delegate in congress. Nearly four hundred votes
were polled in the district, showing " Wisconsin Territory " still to have a population of not less
than two thousand. H. H. Sibley was elected to that office. On the fifteenth of January, 1849,
he was admitted to a seat as "delegate from Wisconsin Territory." This hastened the formation
of the Territory of Minnesota — a bill for that purpose having become a law on the third of
March, when " Wisconsin Territory" ceased finally to exist, being included in the, new Territory.
The year 1848 — the first year of the existence of Wisconsin as a State — was one of general
prosperity to its rapidly increasing population. The National Government effected a treaty with
the Menomoneee Indians, by which their title was extinguished to the country north of the Fox
river of Green bay, embracing all their lands in the State. This was an important acquisition,
as it opened a large tract of country to civilization and settlement, which had been for a consid-
erable time greatly desired by the people. The State government at the close of the year hac'
been in existence long enough to demonstrate its successful operation. The electric telegraph
had already reached the capital ; and Wisconsin entered its second year upon a flood tide of
prosperity.
Under the constitution, the circuit judges were also judges of the supreme court. An act
of the legislature, approved June 29, 1848, providing for the election of judges, and for the
classification and organization of the judiciary of the State, authorized the election, by the judges,
of one of their number as chief justice. Judge Alexander W. Stow was chosen to that office,
and, as chief justice, held, in conjunction with Associate Judges Whiton, Jackson, Larrabee, and
Hubbell, the first session of the supreme court at Madison, commencing on the eighth day of
January, 1849.
The second session of the State legislature commenced, according to law, on the tenth of
January, 1849, Harrison C. Hobart being elected speaker of the assembly. Governor Dewey, in
his message, sent to both houses on the nth, referred to the rapidly increasing population of the
State, and the indomitable energy displayed in the development of its productive capacity. He
recommended the sale of the university lands on a long credit, the erection of a State prison,
and the modification of certain laws. On the seventeenth of January, the two houses met in
joint convention to elect an United States senator in place of Isaac P Walker, who had drawn
the short term. The democrats had a small majority on joint ballot. Walker was re-elected;
this time, for a full term of six years, from the 4th of March, 1849. The legislature at this
session passed many acts of public utility; some relating to the boundaries of counties; others,
to the laying out of roads ; eighteen, to the organization of towns. The courts were cared for ;
school districts were organized; special taxc- were authorized, and an act passed relative to the
sale and superintendence of the school and university lands, prescribing the powers and duties
of the commissioners who were to have charge of the same. These commissioners, consisting
of the secretary of state, treasurer of state, and attorney general, were not only put in charge
of the school and university lands held by the State, but also of funds arising from the sale of
them. This law has been many times amended and portions of it repealed. The lands at
present subject to sale are classified as school lands, university lands, agricultural college lands,
Marathon county lands, normal school lands, and drainage lands, and are subject to sale at
private entry on terms fixed by law. Regulations concerning the apportionment and investment
of trust funds are made by the commissioners in pursuance of law. All lands now the property
of the State subject to sale, or that have beerf State lands and sold, were derived from the Gen-
WISCOKSIK AS A STATE. 57
eral Government. Lands owned by the State amount, at the present time, to about one and one
half million acres.
A joint resolution passed the legislature on the 31st of March, 1849, instructing Isaac P.
Walker to resign his seat as United States senator, for " presenting and voting for an amend-
ment to the general appropriation bill, providing for a government in California and New Mexico,
west of the Rio Grande, which did not contain a provision forever prohibiting the introduction
of slavery or involuntary servitude " in those Territories. The senator refused to regard these
instructions. The legislature adjourned on the second of April, 1849, after a session of eighty-
three days.
In' July, 1848, the legislature of Wisconsin elected M. Frank, Charles C. Jordan, and A. W.
Randall, commissioners to collate and revise all the public acts of the State, of a general and
permanent nature in force at the close of the session. Randall declining to act, Charles M.
Baker was appointed by the governor in his place. The commissioners commenced their labors
in August, 1848, and were engaged in the revision the greater part of the time until the close of
the session of the legislature of 1849. It was found impossible for the revisers to conclude their
labors within the time contemplated by the act authorizing their appointment ; so a joint select
committee of the two houses at their second session v/as appointed to assist in the work. The
laws revised by this committee and by the commissioners, were submitted to, and approved by,
the legislature. These laws, with a few passed by that body, which were introduced by individual
members, formed the Revised Statutes of Wisconsin of 1849 — a volume of over nine hundred
pages.
At the general election held in November of this year, Dewey was re-elected governor.
S. W. Beall was elected lieutenant governor; William A. Barstow, secretary of state; Jairus C.
Fairchild was re-elected treasurer ; S. Park Coon was elected attorney general ; and Eleazer
Root, re-elected superintendent of public instruction. All these officers were chosen as dem-
ocrats, except Root, who ran as an independent candidate, the term of his office having been
changed so as to continue two years from the first day of January next succeeding his election.
By the revised statutes of 1849, all State officers elected for a full term went into office on the
first of January next succeeding their election.
The year 1849 developed in an increased ratio the productive capacity of the State in every
department of labor. The agriculturist, the artisan, the miner, reaped the well-earned reward of
his honest labor. The commercial and manufacturing interests were extended in a manner
highly creditable to the enterprise of the people. The educational interest of the State began to
assume a more systematic organization. The tide of immigration suffered no decrease during
the year. Within the limits of Wisconsin, the oppressed of other climes continued to find
welcome and happy homes.
Second Administration. — Nelson Dewev, Governor (Second Term) — 1850, 1851.
On the first day of January, 1850, Nelson Dewey took the oath of office, and quietly entered
upon his duties as governor, for the second term. The third legislature convened on the ninth.
Moses M. Strong was elected speaker of the assembly. Both houses had democratic majorities.
Most of the business transacted was of a local character. By an act approved the fifth of Feb-
ruary, the " January term " of the supreme court was changed to December. The legislature
adjourned after a session of only thirty-four days. An act was passed organizing a sixth judicial
circuit, from and after the first Monday in July, 1850, consisting of the counties of Crawford,
Chippewa, Bad Axe, St. Croix and La Pointe, an election for judge to be holden on the same
day. Wiram Knowlton was elected judge of that circuit.
^^ PlISTORY or WISCON"SIN.
The first charitable institution in Wisconsin, incorporated by the State, was the " Wisconsin
Institute for the Education of the Blind." A school for that unfortunate class had been opened
in Janesville, in the latter part of 1859, receiving its support from the citizens of that place and
vicinity. By an act of the legislature, approved February 9, 1850, this school was taken under
the care of the Institute, to continue and maintain it, at Janesville, and to qualify, as far as might
be, the blind of the State for the enjoyment of the blessings of a free government ; for obtaining
the means of subsistence ; and for the discharge of those duties, social and political, devolving
upon American citizens. It has since been supported from the treasury of the State. On the
seventh of October, 1850, it was opened for the reception of pupils, under the direction of a
board of trustees, appointed by the governor. The Institute, at the present time, has three
departments : in one is given instruction such as is usually taught in common schools ; in
another, musical training is imparted ; in a third, broom-making is taught to the boys, — sewing,
knitting and various kinds of fancy work to the girls, and seating cane-bottomed chairs to both
boys and girls. On the thirteenth of April, 1874, the building of the Institute was destroyed by
fire. A new building has since been erected.
The taking of the census by the United States, this year, showed a population for Wisconsin
of over three hundred and five thousand — the astonishing increase in two years of nearly ninety-
five thousand! In 1840, the population of Wisconsin Territory was only thirty thousand. This
addition, in ten years, of two hundred and seventy-five thousand transcended all previous
experience in the settlement of any portion of the New World, of the same extent of territory.
It was the result of a steady and persistent flow of men and their families, seeking permanent
homes in the young and rising State. Many were German, Scandinavian and Irish ; but
the larger proportion were, of course, from the Eastern and Middle States of the Union. The
principal attractions of Wisconsin were the excellency and cheapness of its lands, its valuable
mines of lead, its extensive forests of pine, and the unlimited water-power of its numerous
streams.
By the Revised Statutes of 1849, Wisconsin was divided into three congressional districts —
the second congressional apportionment — each of which was entitled to elect one representative
in the congress of the United States. The counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Walworth and
Racine constituted the first district ; the counties of Rock, Green, La Fayette, Grant, Iowa,
Dane, Sauk, Adams, Portage, Richland, Crawford, Chippewa, St. Croix and La Pointe, the second
district ; the counties of Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Brown, Winnebago, Calumet, Fond
du Lac, Marquette, Columbia, Dodge and Jefferson, the third district. At the general election
in the Autumn of this year, Charles Durkee, of the first district ; Benjamin C. Eastman, of the
second ; and John B. Macy, of the third district, were elected to represent the State in the
thirty-second congress of the United States. Durkee, it will be remembered, represented the
same district in the previous congress : he ran the second time as an independent candidate.
Eastman and Macy were elected upon democratic tickets. The General Government this year
donated to the State all the swamp and overflowed lands within its boundaries.
The year 1850 to the agriculturist of Wisconsin was not one of unbounded prosperity,
owing to the partial failure of the wheat crop. In the other branches of agriculture there were
fair returns. The State was visited during the year by cholera ; not, however, to a very alarming
extent.
The fourth session of the legislature of the State commenced on the 8th of January
1851. Frederick W. Horn was elected speaker of the assembly. The majority in the legisla-
ture was democratic. Governor Dewey, in his message, referred to the death of the president of
the United States, Zachary Taylor; said that the treasury and finances of the State were in a
WISCOXSIK AS A STATE. 59
■sound condition ; and then adverted to many topics of interest and importance to the people of
Wisconsin. It was an able document. One of the important measures of the session was the
■election of an United States senator, in the place of Henry Dodge, whose term of office would
■expire on the 4th of March, next ensuing. In joint convention of the legislature held on the
aoth of January, Dodge was re-elected for a full term of six years. On the 2 2d, the governor
approved a joint resolution of the legislature, rescinding not only so much of the joint resolu-
tion of the legislative assembly of Wisconsin, passed March 31, 1849, as censured Isaac J.
Walker, but also the instructions in those resolutions relative to his resigning his seat in the
senate of the United States.
Among the important bills passed at this session of the legislature was one providing for
the location and erection of a State prison. Another one- — the apportionment bill — was vetoed
by the governor, and having been passed on the last day of the session, failed to become a law.
The legislature adjourned on the eighteenth of March, 1851, after a session of seventy days.
On the ist day of January, 185 1, Timothy O. Howe took his seat as one of the associate
judges of the supreme court, he having been elected judge of the fourth circuit in place of Alex-
ander W. Stow. The office of chief justice of the supreme court, which had been filled by Judge
Stow, therefore became vacant, and so remained until the commencement of the next term— June
18, 1851 — when Levi Hubbell, judge of the second circuit, was, by the judges present, pursuant
to the statute, elected to that office.
By an act of the legislature approved March 14, 185 1, the location and erection of a State
prison for Wisconsin was provided .for — the point afterward determined upon as a suitable
place for its establishment being Waupun, Dodge county. By a subsequent act, the prison was
declared to be the general penitentiary and prison of the State for the reformation as well as for
the punishment of offenders, in which were to be confined, employed at hard labor, and governed
as provided for by the legislature, all offenders who might be committed and sentenced accord-
ing to law, to the punishment of solitary imprisonment, or imprisonment therein at hard labor.
The organization and management of this the first reformatory and penal State institution in
Wisconsin, commenced and has been continued in accordance with the demands of an advanced
civilization and an enlightened humanity.
On the 29th of September, 1851, Judge Hubbell was re-elected for the full term of six years
as judge of the second judicial circuit, to commence January i, 1852.
At the general election in November, 185 1, Leonard J. Farwell was chosen governor;
Timothy Burns, lieutenant governor ; Charles D. Robinson, secretary of State ; E. H. Janssen,
State treasurer; E. Estabrook, attorney general; and Azel P. Ladd, superintendent of public
instruction. All these officers were elected as democrats except Farwell, who ran as a whig ;
his majority over D. A. J. Upham, democrat, was a little rising of five hundred.
Third Administration. — L. J. Farwell, Governor — 1852-1853.
Governor Farwell's administration commenced on the fifth day of January, 1852. Previous
to this — on the third day of the month — Edward V. Whiton was chosen by the judges of the
■supreme court, chief justice, to succeed Judge Hubbell. On the fourteenth of that month, the
legislature assembled at Madison. This was the beginning of the fifth annual session. James
McM. Shafter was elected speaker of the assembly. In the senate, the democrats had a
majority ; in the assembly, the whigs. The governor, in his message, recommended the memorial -
izing of congress to cause the agricultural lands within the State to be surveyed and brought
into market; to cause, also, the mineral lands to be surveyed and geologically examined, and
offered for sale; and to make liberal appropriations for the improvement of rivers and harbors.
The question of " bank or no bank " having been submitted to the people in November previous,
60
HISTORY or WISCONSIN.
and decided in favor of banks, under the constitution, the power was thereby given to the legis-
lature then in session to grant bank charters, or to pass a, general banking law. Farwell recom-
mended that necessary measures be taken to carry into effect this constitutional provision. A
larger number of laws was passed at this session than at any previous one. By a provision of
the constitution, the legislature was given power to provide by law, if they should think it expe-
dient and necessary, for the organization of a separate supreme court, to consist of one chief
justice and two associate justices, to be elected by the qualified electors of the State, at such
time and in such manner as the legislature might provide. Under this authority, an act was
passed at this session providing for the election. of a chief justice and two associates, on the last
Monday of the September following, to form a supreme court of the State, to supplant the old
one, provision for the change being inserted in the constitution. There was also an act passed
to apportion and district anew the members of the senate and assembly, by which the number
was increased from eighty-five to one hundred and seven : twenty-five for the senate ; eighty-
two for the assembly. An act authorizing the business of banking passed the legislature and
was approved by the governor, on the 19th of April. By this law, the office of bank-comptroller
was created — the officer to be first appointed by the governor, and to hold his office until the first
Monday in January, 1854. At the general election in the Fall of 1853, and every two years
thereafter, the office was to be filled by vote of the people. Governor Farwell afterward, on the
20th of November, appointed James S. Baker to that office. The legislature adjourned on the
nineteenth of April, 1852.
The second charitable institution incorporated by the State was the " Wisconsin Institute
for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb." It was originally a private school for deaf mutes,
near, and subsequently in, the village of Delavan, AValworth county. By an act of the legislature
approved April 19, 1852, it was made the object and duty of the corporation to establish, con-
tinue and maintain this school for the education of the deaf and dumb, " at or near the village
of Delavan, to qualify, as near as might be, that unfortunate class of persons for the enjoyment
of the blessings of a free government, obtaining the means of subsistence, and the discharge of
those duties, social and political, devolving upon American citizens." It has since been sup-
ported by annual appropriations made by the legislature. A complete organization of the
school was effected in June, 1852, under the direction of a board of trustees appointed by the
governor of the State. The institute has for its design the education of such children of the
State as, on account of deafness, can not be instructed in common schools. Instruction is given
by signs, by the manual alphabet, by written language, and to one class by articulation. Two-
trades are taught: cabinet-making and shoe-making.
During this year, considerable interest was manifested in the projecting of railroads. At
the September election, E. V. Whiton was elected chief justice of the new supreme court and
Samud Crawford and Abram D. Smith associate justices. Under the law, the chief justice was-
to serve a term of four years from the first day of June next ensuing; while the two associates
were to cast lots — one to serve for six years, the other for two years, from June i, 1853. Craw-
ford drew the short term — Smith the long term. At the subsequent general election for mem-
bers to the thirty-third congress, Daniel Wells, Jr., was chosen from the first district , B. C.
Eastman from the second.- and J. B. Macy from the third district. All were democrats. A
democratic electoral ticket was chosen at the same time. The electors cast their votes for Pierce
and Butler.
During 1852, the citizens of Wisconsin enjoyed unusual prosperity in the ample products,
and remuneration of their industry and enterprise. Abundant harvests and high markets ; at
increase in moneyed circulation, and the downward tendency of the rates of interest: a prevail-
ing confidence among business men and in business enterprises; a continual accession to the-
WISCOKSIX AS A STATE. 61
population of the State by immigration ; the energetic prosecution of internal improvements
under the skillful management of companies; the extension of permanent agricultural improve-
ments; and the rapid growth of the various cities and villages; were among the encouraging,
prospects of the year.
The sixth session of the Wisconsin legislature commenced on the twelfth of January, 1853.
On the twenty-sixth of the same month, William K. Wilson, of Milwaukee, preferred charges
in the assembly against Levi Hubbell, judge of the second judicial circuit of the State, of
divers acts of corruption and malfeasance in the discharge of the duties of his office. A resolu-
tion followed appointing a committee to report articles of impeachment, directing the members
thereof tcr go to the senate and impeach Hubbell. Upon the trial of the judge before the
senate, he was acquitted. An act was passed to provide for the election of a State prison commis-
sioner by the legislature at that session — to hold his office until the first day of the ensuing
January. The office was then to be filled by popular vote at the general election in November,
1853 — and afterwards biennially — the term of office to be two years from the first day of Jan-
uary next succeeding the election by the people. On the 28th of March, the legislature, in
joint convention, elected John Taylor to that office. The legislature adjourned on the fourth,
day of April until the sixth of the following June, when it again met, and adjourned sine die on
the thirteenth of July, both sessions aggregating one hundred and thirty-one days.
By an act of the legislature approved February 9, 1853, the "Wisconsin State Agricultural
Society," which had been organized in March, 185 1, was incorporated, its object being to promote
and improve the condition of agriculture, horticulture, and the mechanical, manufacturing and
household arts. It was soon after taken under the fostering care of the State by an appropria-
tion made by the legislature, to be expended by the society in such manner as it might deem,
best calculated to promote the objects of its incorporation; State aid was continued down to the
commencement of the rebellion. No help was extended during the war nor until 1873 ; since
which time there has been realized annually from the State a sum commensurate with its most
pressing needs. The society has printed seventeen volumes of transactions and has held annually
a State fair, except during the civil war. Besides these fairs, its most important work is the
holding annually, at the capital of the State, a convention for the promotion of agriculture gen-
erally. The meetings are largely participated in by men representing the educational and
industrial interests of Wisconsin.
By an act of the legislature approved March 4, 1853, the "State Historical Society of
Wisconsin" was incorporated — having been previously organized — the object being to collect,
embody, arrange and preserve in authentic form, a library of books, pamphlets, maps, charts,
manuscripts, papers, paintings, statuary and other materials illustrative of the history of the
State; to rescue from oblivion the memory of its early pioneers,- and to obtain and preserve
narratives of their exploits, perils, and hardy adventures ; to exhibit faithfully the antiquities,
and the past and present condition, and resources of Wisconsin. The society was also author-
ized to take proper steps to promote the study of history by lectures, and to diffuse and publish
information relating to the description and history of the State. The legislature soon after took
the society under its fostering care by voting a respectable sum for its benefit. Liberal State
aid has been continued to the present time. The society, besides collecting a library of historical
books and pamphlets the largest in the West, has published eight volumes of collections and a.
catalogue of four volumes. Its rooms are in the capitol at Madison, and none of its property
can be alienated without the consent of the State. It has a valuable collection of painted por-
traits and bound newspaper files; and in its cabinet are to be found many prehistoric relics.
On thefirstday of June, 1853, the justices of the new supreme court went into office: Associate
62
HISTORY OP WISCOlirSIN".
Justice Crawford, for two years; Chief Justice Whiton, for four years, Associate Justice Smith
for six years as previously mentioned. The first (June) term was held at Madison. La Fayette
Kellogg was appointed and qualified as clerk. On the 21st of September, Timothy Burns, lieu-
tenant governor of Wisconsin, died at La Crosse. As a testimonial of respect for the deceased
the several State departments, in accordance with a proclamation of the governor, were closed
for one day — October 3, 1853. In the Fall of this year, democrats, whigs and free-soilers, each
called a convention to nominate candidates for the various State offices to be supported by them
at the ensuing election in November. The successful ticket was, for governor, William A. Bars-
tow ; for lieutenant governor, James T. Lewis , for secretary of State, Alexander T. Gray, for
State treasurer, Edward H. Janssen ; for attorney general, George B. Smith ; for superintendent
of public instruction, Hiram A. Wright; for State prison commissioner, A. W. Starks; and
for bank comptroller, William M. Dennis. They were all democrats.
The year 1853 was, to the agriculturists of the State, one of prosperity. Every branch of
industry prospered. The increase of commerce and manufactures more than realized the expec-
tations of the most sanguine.
Fourth Administration. — William A. Barstow, Governor — 1854-1855.
On Monday, the second of January, 1854, William A. Barstow took the oath of office as
governor of Wisconsin.
The legislature commenced its seventh regular session on the eleventh of January. Fred-
erick W. Horn was elected speaker of the assembly. Both houses were democratic. The
legislature adjourned on the 3d of April following, after a session of eighty-three days.
In the early part of March, a fugitive slave case greatly excited the people of Wisconsin.
A slave named Joshua Glover, belonging to B. S. Garland of Missouri, had escaped from his
master and made his way to the vicinity of Racine. Garland, learning the whereabouts of his
personal chattel, came to the State, obtained, on the 9th of March, 1854, from the judges of the
district court of the United States for the district of Wisconsin, a warrant for the apprehension
of Glover, which was put into the hands of the deputy marshal of the United States. Glover
was secured and lodged in jail in Milwaukee. A number of persons afterward assembled and
rescued the fugitive. Among those who took an active part in this proceeding was Sherman M.
Booth, who was arrested therefor and committed by a United States commissioner, but was
released from custody by Abram D. Smith, one of the associate justices of the supreme court
of Wisconsin, upon a writ of habeas corpus. The record of the proceedings was thereupon
taken to that court in full bench by a writ of certiorari to correct any error that might have been
•committed before the associate justice. At the June term, 1854, the justices held that Booth
was entitled to be discharged, because the commitment set forth no cause for detention.
Booth was afterward indicted in the United States district cour-t and a warrant issued for
his arrest. He was again imprisoned; and again he applied to the supreme court — then, in
term time — for a writ of habeas corpus. This was in July, 1854. In his petition to the supreme
court, Booth set forth that he was in confinement upon a warrant issued by the district court of
the United States and that the object of the imprisonment was to compel him to answer an
indictment then pending against him therein. The supreme court of the State held that these
facts showed that the district court of the United States had obtained jurisdiction of the case
and that it was apparent that the indictment was for an offense of which the federal courts had
exclusive jurisdiction. They could not therefore interfere ; and his application for a discharge
was denied.
Upon the indictment, Booth was tried and convicted, fined and imprisoned, for a violation
of th- fugitive slave law. Again the prisoner applied to the supreme court of Wisconsin, — his
WISCONSIN' AS A STATE. 6S
last application bearing date January 26, 1855. He claimed discharge on the ground of the
unconstitutionality of the law under which he had been indicted. The supreme court held that
the indictment upon which he had been tried and convicted contained three counts, the first of
which was to be considered as properly charging an offense within the act of congress of Septem-
ber 18, 1850, known as the "fugitive slave law," while the second and third counts did not set
forth or charge an offense punishable by any statute of the United States ; and as, upon these last-
mentioned counts he was found guilty and not upon the first, he must be discharged.
The action of the supreme court of Wisconsin in a second time discharging Booth, was
afterward reversed by the supreme court of the United States ; and, its decision being respected
by the State court. Booth was re-arrested in i860, and the sentence of the district court of the
United States executed in part upon him, when he was pardoned by the president.
By an act of the legislature, approved March 30, 1854, a " State Lunatic Asylum " was directed
to be built at or in the vicinity of Madison, the capital of the State, upon land to be donated or
purchased for that purpose. By a subsequent act, the name of the asylum was changed to the
" Wisconsin State Hospital for the Insane." This was the third charitable institution established
by the State. The hospital was opened for patients in July, i860, under the direction of a
board of trustees appointed by the governor. All insane persons, residents of Wisconsin, who,
under the law providing for admission of patients into the hospital for treatment, become resi-
dents therein, are maintained at the expense of the State, provided the county in which such
patient resided before being brought to the hospital pays the sum of one dollar and fifty cents a
week for his or her support. Any patient can be supported by relatives, friends or guardians, if
the latter desire to relieve the county and State from the burden, and can have special care and
be provided with a special attendant, if the expense of the same be borne by parties interested.
The hospital is beautifully located on the north shore of Lake Mendota, in Dane county, about
four miles from Madison.
At the general election in the Fall of 1854, for members from Wisconsin to the thirty-fourth
congress, Daniel Wells, Jr. was chosen from the first district ; C. C. Washburn, from the second,
and Charles Billinghurst from the third district. Billinghurst and Washburn were elected as
republicans — that party having been organized in the Summer previous. Wells was a democrat.
The year 1854 was one of prosperity forjWisconsin, to all its industrial occupations. Abund-
ant crops and increased prices were generally realized by the agriculturist. It was a year also of
general health. It was ascertained that the amount of exports during the year, including lumber
and mineral, exceeded thirteen millions of dollars.
The eighth regular session of the State legislature commenced on the loth of January,,
1855. C. C. Sholes was elected speaker of the assembly. The senate was democratic ; the
assembly, republican. On joint ballot, the republicans had but one majority. On the ist of
February, Charles Durkee, a republican, was elected United States senator for a full term of six
years from the 4th of March next ensuing, to fill the place of Isaac P. Walker whose term would
expire on that day. Among the bills passed of a general nature, was one relative to the rights of
married women, providing that any married woman, whose husband, either from drunkenness or
profligacy, should neglect or refuse to provide for her support, should have the right, in her own
name, to transact business, receive and collect her own earnings, and apply the same for her own
support, and education of her children, free from the control and interference of her husband.
The legislature adjourned sine die on the second of April, after a session of eighty-three days.
Orsamus Cole having been elected in this month an associate justice of the supreme court in
place of Judge Samuel Crawford, whose term of office would expire on the thirty-first of May of
that year, went into office on the first day of June following, for a term of six years. His office
would therefore end on the thirty-first of May, 1861.
^4 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN".
On the 27th of May, 1855, Hiram A. Wright, superintendent of public instruction, died at
Prairie du Chien. On the i8th of June following, the governor appointed A. Constantine Barry to
fill his place. On the sth of July, Garland, the owner of the rescued fugitive slave Glover,
having brought suit in the United States district court for the loss of his slave, against Booth,
the trial came on at Madison, resulting in the jury bringing in a verdict under instructions from
the judge, of one thousand dollars, the value of a negro slave as fixed by act of congress of 1850.
The constitution of the State requiring the legislature to provide by law for an enumeration
of the inhabitants in the year 1855, an act was passed by that body, approved March 31, of this
year, for that purpose. The result showed a population for Wisconsin of over five hundred and
fifty-two thousand. In November, at the general election, the democratic ticket for State offi-
cers was declared elected : William A. Barstow, for governor ; Arthur McArthur, for lieutenant
governor ; David W. Jones, for secretary of State ; Charles Kuehn, for State treasurer ; Wil-
liam R. Smith, for attorney general ; A. C. Barry, for superintendent of public instruction ;
William M. Dennis, for bank comptroller; and Edward McGarry for State prison commissioner.
The vote for governor was very close ; but the State canvassers declared Barstow elected by a
small majority. The opposing candidate for that office was Coles Bashford, who ran as a
republican
The year 1855 was a prosperous one to the farmers of Wisconsin as well as to all industrial
occupations. There were abundant crops and unexampled prices were realized.
Fifth Administration. — Coles Bashford, Governor — 1856-1857.
On the seventh day of January, 1856, William A. Barstow took and subscribed an oath of
office as governor of Wisconsin, while Coles Bashford, who had determined to contest the right
of Barstow to the governorship, went, on the same day, to the supreme court room, in Madison,
and had the oath of office administered to him by Chief Justice Whiton. Bashford afterward
called at the executive office and made a formal demand of Barstow that he should vacate the
gubernatorial chair ; but the latter respectfully declined the invitation. These were the initiatory
steps of " Bashford vs. Barstow," for the office of governor of Wisconsin.
The fight now commenced in earnest. On the eleventh, the counsel for Bashford called
upon the attorney general and requested him to file an information in the nature of a quo
warranto against Barstow. On the fifteenth that officer complied with the request. Thereupon
a summons was issued to Barstow to appear and answer. On the twenty-second, Bashford, b}
his attorney, asked the court that the information filed by the attorney general be discontinued
and that he be allowed to file one, which request was denied by the court. While the motion
was being argued, Barstow, by his attorneys, entered his appearance in the case.
On the second of February, Barstow moved to quash all proceedings for the reason that the
court had no jurisdiction in the matter. This motion was denied by the court ; that tribunal at
the same time deciding that the filing of the motion was an admission by Barstow that the alle-
gations contained in the information filed by the attorney general were true.
On the twenty-first of Febiuary, the time appointed for pleading to the information, Bar-
stow, by his attorneys, presented to the court a stipulation signed by all the parties in the case, to
the effect that the board of canvassers had determined Barstow elected governor; that the secre-
tary of State had certified to his election ; and that he had taken the oath of office. They submit-
ted to the court whether it had jurisdiction, beyond the certificates, of those facts and the canvass
so made to inquire as to the number of votes actually given for Barstow, — Bashford offering to
prove that the certificates were made and issued through mistake and fraud, and that he, instead
of Barstow, received the greatest number of votes. This stipulation the court declined to enter-
tain or to pass upon the questions suggested ; as they were not presented in legal form. Barstow
WISCONSIN" AS A STATE. 65
-was thereupon given until the twenty-fifth of February to answer the information that had been
filed against him by the attorney general.
On the day appointed, Barstow filed his plea to the effect that, by the laws of Wisconsin
regulating the conducting of general election for State officers, it was the duty of the board of
canvassers to determine who was elected to the office of governor ; and that the board had found
that he was duly elected to that office. It was a plea to the jurisdiction of the court. A demurrer
was interposed to this plea, setting forth that the matters therein contained were not sufficient in
law to take the case out of court ; asking, also, for a judgment against Barstow, or that he answer
further the information filed against him. The demurrer was sustained ; and Barstow was
required to answer over within four days ; at the expiration of which time the counsel for Barstow
•withdrew from the case, on the ground, as they alleged, that they had appeared at the bar of the
court to object to the jurisdiction of that tribunal in the matter, and the court had determined
to proceed with the case, holding and exercising full and final jurisdiction over it; and that the)
could take no further steps without conceding the right of that tribunal so to hold. Thereupon,
on the eighth of March, Barstow entered a protest, by a communication to the supreme court,
against any further interference with the department under his charge by that tribunal, " either
by attempting to transfer its powers to another or direct the course of executive action." The
■counsel for Bashford then moved for judgment upon the default of Barstow.
A further hearing of the case was postponed until March i8, when the attorney general
filed a motion to dismiss the proceedings ; against which Bashford. by his counsel, protested as
being prejudicial to his rights. It was the opinion of the court that the attorney general could
not dismiss the case, that every thing which was well pleaded for Bashford in his information was
confessed by the default of Barstow. By strict usage, a final judgment ought then to have fol-
lowed ; but the court came to the conclusion to call upon Bashford to bring forward proof, showing
his right to the office. Testimony was then adduced at length, touching the character of the
returns made to the State canvassers; after hearing of which it was the opinion of the court that
Bashford had received a plurality of votes for governor and that there must be a judgment in
his favor and one of ouster against Barstow ; which' were rendered accordingly.
The ninth regular session of the legislature of Wisconsin commenced on the ninth of
January, 1856. William Hull was elected speaker of the assembly. The senate had a repub-
lican majority, but the assembly was democratic. On the eleventh Barstow sent in a message to
a joint convention of the two houses. On the twenty-first of March he tendered to the legisla-
ture his resignation as governor, giving for reasons the action of the supreme court in " Bashford
vs. Barstow," which tribunal was then hearing testimony in the case. On the same day Arthur
McArthur, lieutenant governor, took and subscribed an oath of office as governor of the State,
afterwards sending a message to the legislature, announcing that the resignation of Barstow
made it his duty to take the reins of government. On the twenty-fifth, Bashford called on
McArthur, then occupying the executive office, and demanded possession — at the same time
intimating that he preferred peaceable measures to force, but that the latter would be employed
if necessary. The lieutenant governor thereupon vacated the chair, when the former took the
gubernatorial seat, exercising thereafter the functions of the office until his successor was elected
and qualified. His right to the seat was recognized by the senate on the twenty-fifth, and by the
assembly on the twenty-seventh of March, 1856. This ended the famous case of " Bashford vs.
Barstow," the first and only " war of succession " ever indulged in by Wisconsin.
The legislature, on the thirty-first of March, adjourned over to the third of September, to
dispose of a congressional land grant to the State. Upon re-assembling, an important measure
was taken up — that of a new apportionment for the legislature. It was determined to increase the
66
HISTORY OP WISCONSIN.
number of members from one hundred and seven to one hundred and twenty-seven. The sessiom
closed on the thirteenth of October. The general election for members to the thirty-fifth congress,,
held in November, resulted in the choice of John H. Potter, from the first district ; C. C. Washburn
from the second ; and Charles Billinghurst, from the third district. They were all elected as.
republicans. The presidential canvass of this year was an exciting one in the State. The
republicans were successful. Electors of that party cast their five votes for Fremont and!
Dayton.
The year 1856 was not an unprosperous one, agriculturally speaking, although in some-
respects decidedly unfavorable. In many districts the earlier part of the season was exceedingly
dry, which materially diminished the wheat crop. Other industrial interests were every where;
in a flourishing condition.
The legislature commenced its tenth regular session at Madison, on the fourteenth day of
January, 1857, with a republican majority in both houses. Wyman Spooner was elected speaker
of the assembly. For the first time since the admission of the State into the Union, a majority of
the members of both houses, together with the governor, were opposed to the democratic party.
On the twenty-third the senate and assembly met in joint convention, for the purpose of electing
a United States senator in place of Henry Dodge, whose term of office would expire on the
fourth of March next ensuing. James R. Doolittle, republican, was the successful candidate for
that office, for a full term of six years, from the fourth of March, 1857. The legislature
adjourned on the ninth of March, 1857. At the Spring election. Judge Whiton was re-elected.
chief justice of the supreme court for a term of six years.
The second reformatory State institution established in Wisconsin, was, by an act of the
legislature, approved March 7, 1857, denominated a House of Refuge for Juvenile Delinquents^
afterward called the State Reform School, now known as the Wisconsin Industrial School for
Boys, and is located at Waukesha, the county seat of Waukesha county. The courts and
several magistrates in any county in Wisconsin may, in their discretion, sentence to this schooL
any male child between the ages of ten and sixteen years, convicted of vagrancy, petit larceny^
or any misdemeanor ; also of any offense which would otherwise be punishable by imprisonment
in the State prison ; or, of incorrigible or vicious conduct in certain cases. The term of commitr
ment must be to the age of twenty-one years.
At the State election held in November of this year, the republicans elected A. W. Randall
governor ; S. D. Hastings, State treasurer, and Edward M. McGraw, State prison commis-
sioner. The democrats elected E. D. Campbell, lieutenant governor ; D. W. Jones, secretary
of State ; Gabriel Bouck, attorney general ; L. C. Draper, superintendent of public instruc-
tion, and J. C. Squires, bank comptroller.
The year 1857 was a disastrous one to Wisconsin, as well as to the whole country, in a finan-
cial point of view. Early in the Fall a monetary panic swept over the land. A number of
prominent operators in the leading industrial pursuits were obliged to succumb. Agriculturally
the year was a fair one for the State.
Sixth Administration. — Alexander W. Randall, Governor — 1858-1859.
Randall's administration began on the fourth day of January, 1858, when for the first time
he was inaugurated governor of the State. On the eleventh of January the legislature
commenced its eleventh regular session, with a republican majority in both houses. Frederick
S. Lovell was elected speaker of the assembly. The legislature adjourned sine die on the
seventeenth of March, after an unusually long session of one hundred and twenty-five days. " That
a large majority of the members were men of integrity, and disposed for the public weal, can not
"WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 67
be doubted ; but they were nearly all new members, and without former legislative experience.
They set out to accomplish a great good, by holding up to public scorn and execration the whole-
sale briberies and iniquities of the immediate past ; but they lacked concentration of effort, and,
for want of union and preconcerted action, they failed to achieve the great triumph they sought,
by providing a 'sovereign remedy ' for the evils they exposed."
At the regular session of the legislature of 1856, an act was passed for a general revisi'-n of
the laws of the State. Under this, and a subsequent act of the adjourned session of that year,
three commissioners — David Taylor, Samuel J. Todd, and F. S. Lovell — were appointed " to
collect, compile and digest the general laws " of Wisconsin. Their report was submitted to the
legislature of 1858, and acted upon at a late day of the session. The laws revised, which received
the sanction of the legislature, were published in one volume, and constitute what is know as the
Revised Statutes of 1858.
At the Fall election, John F. Potter from the first district, and C. C. Washburn from the
second district, both republicans, were elected to the thirty-sixth congress ; while C. H.
Larrabee, democrat, was elected to represent the third district.
The twelfth regular session of the Wisconsin legislature commenced on the twelfth of
January, 1859, with a republican majority in both houses. William P. Lyon was elected speaker
of the assembly. The legislature adjourned sine die on the twenty-first of March, 1859, after a
session of sixty-nine days. At the regular spring election, Byron Paine was chosen associate
justice of the supreme court, for a full term of six years, as the successor of Associate Justice
Smith. As it was a question when the term of the latter ended — whether on the 31st day of
May, 1859, or on the first Monday in January, i860 — he went through with the formality of
resigning his office, and the governor of appointing Paine as his successor, on the 20th of June,
1859. On the twelfth of April, 1859, Edward V. Whiton, chief justice of the supreme court,
died at his residence in Janesville. The office was filled by executive appointment on the 19th
of the same month — the successor of Judge Whiton being Luther S. Dixon. Late in the Sum-
mer both political parties put into the field a full state ticket. The republicans were successful
— electing for governor, Alexander W. Randall; for lieutenant governor, B. G. Noble; for
secretary of state, L. P. Harvey; for state treasurer, S. D. Hastings, for attorney general, James
H. Howe ; for bank comptroller, G. Van Steenwyck ; for superintendent of public instruction
J. L. Pickard ; for state prison commissioner, H. C. Heg.
Seventh Administration. — Alexander W. Randall, Governor (second term), 1860-1861.
Alexander W. Randall was inaugurated the second time as governor of Wisconsin on
Monday, January 2, i860. One week subsequent, the thirteenth regular session of the legis-
lature commenced at Madison. For the first time the republicans had control, not only of all
the State offices, but also of both branches of the legislature. William P. Lyon was elected
speaker of the assembly. A new assessment law was among the most important of the acts
passed at this session. The legislature adjourned on the second of April. At the spring elec-
tion, Luther S. Dixon, as an independent candidate, was elected chief justice of the supreme
court for the unexpired term of the late Chief Justice Whiton. In the presidential election which
followed, republican electors were chosen — casting their five votes, in the electoral college, for
Lincoln and Hamlin. At the same election, John F. Potter, from the first district; Luther
Hanchett, from the second, and A. Scott Sloan, from the third district, were elected members of
the thirty-seventh congress. Hanchett died on the twenty-fourth of November, 1862, when,
on the twentieth of December following, W. D. Mclndoe was elected to fill the vacancy. All
these congressional representatives were republicans. Wisconsin, in i860, was a strong repub-
^8 HisTOEY or WISCONSIISr.
lican State. According to the census of this year, it had a population of over seven hundred
and seventy-seven thousand.
On the ninth of January, 1861, the fourteenth regular session of the State legislature com-
menced at Madison. Both branches were republican. Amasa Cobb was elected speaker of the
assembly. On the tenth, both houses met in joint convention to hear the governor read his
annual message. It was a remarkable document. Besides giving an excellent synopsis of the
operations of the State government for i860, the governor entered largely into a discussion of
the question of secession and disunion, as then proposed by some of the southern states of the
Union. These are his closing words :
" The right of a State to secede from the Union can never be admitted. The National
Government can not treat with a State while it is in the Union, and particularly while it stands
in an attitude hostile to the Union. So long as any State assumes a position foreign, inde-
pendent and hostile to the government, there can be no reconciliation. The government of the
United States can not treat with one of its own States as a foreign power. The constitutional
laws extend over every Stat? alike. They are to be enforced in every State alike. A State can
not come into the Union as it pleases, and go out when it pleases. Once in, it must stay until
the Union is destroyed. There is no coercion of a State. But where a faction of a people arrays
itself, not against one act, but against all laws, and against all government, there is but one
answer to be made : ' The Government tnust be sustained j the laws shall be enforced ! ' "
On the twenty-third of January the legislature met in joint convention to elect a United
States senator to fill the place of Charles Durkee, whose term of office would expire on the
fourth of March next ensuing. The successful candidate was Timothy O. Howe, republican,
who was elected for a full term of six years from the 4th of March, 1861. One of the important
acts passed at this session of the legislature apportioned the State into senate and assembly
districts, by which the whole number of members in both houses was increased from one hun-
dred and twenty-seven to one hundred and thirty-three. Another act apportioned the State into
six congressional districts instead of three. By this — the third congressional apportionment —
each district was to elect one representative. The first district was composed of the counties
of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha ; the second, of the counties of Rock,
Jefferson, Dane, and Columbia; the third, of Green, La Fayette, Iowa, Grant, Crawford, Rich-
land, and Sauk; the fourth, of Ozaukee, Washington, Dodge, Fond du Lac, and Sheboygan; the
fifth, Manitowoc, Calumet, Winnebago, Green Lake, Marquette, Waushara, Waupaca, Outa-
gamie, Brown, Kewaunee, Door, Oconto, and Shawano ; and the sixth, of the counties of Bad
Axe, La Crosse, Monroe, Juneau, Adams, Portage, Wood, Jackson, Trempealeau, Buffalo, Pepin,
Pierce, St. Croix, Dunn, Eau Claire, Clark, Marathon, Chippewa, Dallas, Polk, Burnett, Douo-las
LaPointe, and Ashland. The legislature adjourned on the seventeenth of April, 1861.
At the spring elections of this year, Orsamus Cole was re-elected as associate justice of the
supreme court. On the ninth of May following. Governor Randall issued a proclamation convening
the legislature in extra session on the fifteenth of the same month. " The extraordinary condition
of the country,'' said he, " growing out of the rebellion against the government of the United
States, makes it necessary that the legislature of this State be convened in special session to
provide more completely for making the power 'of the State useful to the government and to
other loyal States." The fifteenth or extra session began on the fifteenth of May, as designated
in the governor's proclamation. The message of the governor was devoted entirely to the war.
'' At the close of the last annual session of the legislature," said he, " to meet a sudden emer-
gency, an act was passed authorizing me to respond to the call of the president of the United
States, ' for aid in maintaining the Union and the supremacy of the laws, or to suppress rebellion
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 69
or insurrection, or to repel invasion within the United States,' and I was authorized, and it was
made my duty, to take such measures as, in my judgment, should provide in the speediest and
most efficient manner for responding to such call : and to this end I was authorized to accept
the services of volunteers for active service, to be enrolled in companies of not less than
seventy-five men each, rank and file, and in regiments of ten companies each. I was also
authorized to provide for uniforming and equipping such companies as were not provided with
uniforms and equipments." " The first call of the president for immediate active service," con-
tinued the governor, " was for one regiment of men. My proclamation, issued immediately after the
passage of the act of the legislature, was answered within less than ten days, by companies enough,
€ach containing the requisite number of men, to make up at least five regiments instead of one.
I then issued another proclamation, announcing the offers that had been made, and advising
that thereafter companies might be enrolled to stand as minute men, ready to answer further
calls, as they might be made, but without expense to the State, except as they were mustered
into service. In less than one month from the date of my first proclamation, at least five thou-
sand men, either as individuals or enrolled companies, have offered their services for the war,
and all appear anxious for active service in the field." " The time for deliberation," concludes
the governor, " must give way to the time for action. The constitution of the United States
must be sustained in all its first intent and wholeness. The right of the people of every State
to go into every other State and engage in any lawful pursuit, without unlawful interference or
molestation; the freedom of speech and of the press; the right of trial by jury; security from
unjustifiable seizure of persons or papers, and all constitutionaJ privileges and immunities, must
receive new guarantees of safety."
The extra session of the legislature passed, wtih a single exception, no acts except such as
appertained to the military exigencies of the times. Both houses adjourned sine die on the
twenty-seventh of May, i86i. As the administration of Governor Randall would close with the
year, and as he was not a candidate for re-election, there was much interest felt throughout the
State as to who his successor should be. Three State tickets were put in nomination : union,
republican, and democratic. The republican ticket was successful, electing Louis P. Harvey,
governor; Edward Salomon, lieutenant governor; James T. Lewis, secretary of state; S. D.
Hastings, state treasurer ; James H. Howe, attorney general ; W. H. Ramsey, bank comp-
troller; J. L. Pickard, superintendent of pubhc instruction; and A. P. Hodges, state prison
commissioner.
The War of Secession — Last Year of Randall's Administration.
When Wisconsin was first called upon to aid the General Government in its efforts to
sustain itself against the designs of the secession conspirators, the commercial affairs of the
State were embarrassed to a considerable degree by the depreciation of the currency. The
designs of the secessionists were so far developed at the ending of the year i860 as to show that
resistance to the national authority had been fully determined on. It is not a matter of wonder,
then, that Governor Randall in his message to the legislature, early in January, 1861, should
have set forth the dangers which threatened the Union, or should have denied the right of a
State to secede from it. " Secession," said he, " is revolution ; revolution is war ; war against
the government of the United States is treason." " It is time," he continued, "now, to know
whether we have any government, and if so, whether it has any strength. Is our. written
constitution more than a sheet of parchment 1 The nation must be lost or preserved by its own
strength. Its strength is in the patriotism of the people. It is time now that politicians became
patriots ; that men show their love of country by every sacrifice, but that of principle, and by
'^^ HISTOBY OF WISCONSIK
unwavering devotion to its interests and integrity." "The hopes," added the governor, most,
eloquently, " of civilization and Christianity are suspended now upon the answer to this question
of dissolution. The capacity for, as well as the right of, self-government is to pass its ordeal^
and speculation to become certainty. Other systems have been tried, and have failed ; and all
along, the skeletons of nations have been strewn, as warnings and land-marks, upon the great
highway of historic overnment. Wisconsin is true, and her people steadfast. She will not
destroy the Union, nor consent that it shall be done. Devised by great, and wise, and good
men, in days of sore trial, it must stand. Like some bold mountain, at whose base the great seas
break their angry floods, and around whose summit the thunders of a thousand hurricanes have
rattled — strong, unmoved, immovable — so may our Union be, while treason surges at its base,,
and passions rage around it, unmoved, immovable — here let it stand forever." These are the
words of an exalted and genuine patriotism. But the governor did not content himself with
eloquence alone. He came down to matters of business as well. He urged the .necessity of
legislation that would give more efi&cient organization to the militia of the State. He warned
the legislators to make preparations also for the coming time that should try the souls of men.
"The signs of the times," said he, " indicate that there may arise a contingency in the condition
of the government, when it will become necessary to respond to a call of the National Government
for men and means to maintain the integrity of the Union, and to thwart the designs of men
engaged in organized treason. While no unnecessary expense should be incurred, yet it is the
part of wisdom, both for individuals and States, in revolutionary times, to be prepared to defend
our institutions to the last extremity." It was thus the patriotic governor gave evidence to the
members of both houses that he " scented the battle afar off."
On the i6th of January, a joint resolution of the legislature was passed, declaring that the
people of Wisconsin are ready to co-operate with the friends of the Union every where for its
preservation, to yield a cheerful obedience to its requirements, and to demand a like obedience
from all others ; that the legislature of Wisconsin, profoundly impressed with the value of the
Union, and determined to preserve it unimpaired, hail with joy the recent firm, dignified and
patriotic special message of the president of the United States ; that they tender to him, through
the chief magistrate of their own State, whatever aid, in men and money, may be required to
enable him to enforce the laws and uphold the authority of the Federal Government, and in
defense of the more perfect Union, which has conferred prosperity and happiness on the
American people. " Renewing," said they, " the pledge given and redeemed by our fathers, we
are ready to devote our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honors in upholding the Union and
the constitution."
The legislature, in order to put the State upon a kind of " war footing," passed an act for
its defense, and to aid in enforcing the laws and maintaining the authority of the General
Government. It was under this act that Governor Randall was enabled to organize the earlier
regiments of Wisconsin. By it, in case of a call from the president of the United States to aid
in maintaining the Union and the supremacy of the laws to suppress rebellion or insurrection, or
to repel invasion within the United States, the governor was authorized to provide, in the most
efficient manner, for responding to such call — to accept the services of volunteers for service
in companies of seventy-five men each, rank and file, and in regiments of ten companies each,
and to commission officers for them. The governor was also authorized to contract for
uniforms and equipments necessary for putting such companies into active service. One
hundred thousand dollars were appropriated for war purposes ; and bonds were authorized Xq
be issued for that amount, to be negotiated by the governor, for raising funds. It will be seen,,
therefore, that the exigencies of the times — for Fort Suiiiter had not yet been surrendered —
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 71
-were fully met by the people's representatives, they doing their whole duty, as they then under-
stood it, in aid of the perpetuity of the Union.
Having defended Fort Sumter for thirty-four hours, until the quarters were entirely burned,
the main gates destroyed, the gorge-wall seriously injured, the magazine surrounded by flames,
and its door closed from the effects of the heat, four barrels and three cartridges of powder only
being available, and no provisions but pork remaining, Robert Anderson, major of the first
artillery, United States army, accepted terms of evacuation offered by General Beauregard,
marched out of the fort on Sunday afternoon, the fourteenth of April, 1861, with colors flying
and drums beating, bringing away company and private property, and saluting his flag with fifty guns.
This, in brief, is the story of the fall of Sumter and the opening act of the War of the Rebellion.
" Whereas," said Abraham Lincoln, president, in his proclamation of the next day, " the
laws of the United States have been for some time past, and now are, opposed, and the execution
thereof obstructed, in the States of South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Florida, Mississippi,
Louisiana, and Texas, by combinations too powerful to be suppressed by the ordinary course of
judicial proceedings, or by the powers vested in the marshals by law." Now, in view of that
fact, he called forth the militia of the several States of the Union, to the aggregate number of
seventy-five thousand, in order to suppress those combinations, and to cause the laws to be duly
executed. " A call is made on you by to-night's mail for one regiment of militia for immediate
service," telegraphed the secretary of war to Randall, on the same day.
In Wisconsin, as elsewhere, the public pulse quickened under the excitement of the fall of
Sumter. " The dangers which surrounded the nation awakened the liveliest sentiments of
patriotism and devotion. For the time, party fealty was forgotten in the general desire to save
the nation. The minds of the people soon settled into the conviction that a bloody war was at
hand, and that the glorious fabric of our National Government, and the principles upon which
it is founded, were in jeopardy, and with a determination unparalleled in the history of any
country, they rushed to its defense. On every hand the National flag could be seen displayed,
and the public enthusiasm knew no bounds ; in city, town, and hamlet, the burden on every
tongue was war." "We have never been accustomed," said Governor Randall, " to consider the
military arm as essential to the maintenance of our government, but an exigency has arisen
that demands its employment." "The time has come," he continued, " when parties and plat-
forms must be forgotten, and all good citizens and patriots unite together in putting down rebels
and traitors." "What is money,'' he asked, "what is life, in the presence of such a crisis .'' "
Such utterances and such enthusiasm could but have their effect upon the legislature, which, it
will be remembered, was still in session ; so, although that body had already voted to adjourn,
sine die, on the fifteenth of April, yet, when the moment arrived, and a message from the governor
was received, announcing that, owing to the extraordinary exigencies which had arisen, an amend-
ment of the law of the thirteenth instant was necessary, the resolution to adjourn was at once
rescinded. The two houses thereupon not only increased the amount of bonds to be issued to
two hundred thousand dollars, but they also passed a law exempting from civil process, during
the time of service, all persons enlisting and mustering into the United States army from Wis-
consin. When, on the seventeenth, the legislature did adjourn, the scene was a remarkable one.
Nine cheers were given for the star spangled banner and three for the Governor's Guard, who
had just then tendered their services — the first in the State — under the call for a regiment of-
men for three months' duty.
" For the first time in the history of this federal government,'' are the words of the gover-
nor, in a proclamation issued on the sixteenth of April, " organized treason has manifested itself
within several States of the Union, and armed rebels are making war against it." " The
treasuries of the country," said he, " must no longer be plundered ; the public property must be
72 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
protected from aggressive violence ; that already seized must be retaken, and the laws must
be executed in every State of the Union alike." "A demand," he added, " made upon Wiscon-
sin by the president of the United States, for aid to sustain the federal arm, must meet with a
prompt response." The patriotism of the State was abundantly exhibited in their filling up
a regiment before some of the remote settlements had any knowledge of the call. On the twenty-
second. Governor Randall reported to the secretary of war that the First regiment was ready
to go into rendezvous. The place designated was "Camp Scott," at Milwaukee; the day, the
twenty-seventh of April. Then and there the several companies assembled — the regiment after-
ward completing its organization.
With a wise' foresight. Governor Randall ordered, as a reserve force and in advance of another
call for troops by the president, the formation of two more regiments — the Second and Third,
and, eventually, the Fourth. Camps at Madison, Fond du Lac, and Racine, were formed for
their reception, where suitable buildings were erected for their accommodation. Companies
assigned to the Second regiment were ordered to commence moving into "Camp Randall," at
Madison, on the first day of May. On the seventh, the secretary of war, under call of the presi-
dent of the United States for forty-two thousand additional volunteers — this time for three years,
or during the war — telegraphed Governor Randall that no more three months' volunteers were
wanted; that such companies as were recruited must re-enlist for the new term or be disbanded.
At the extra session of the legislature of Wisconsin, which, as already mentioned, com-
menced on the fifteenth of May, called by Governor Randall immediately upon his being notified
of the second call of the president for troops, on the third of May, the law hurriedly passed at
the close of the regular session, and under which the governor had organized the First regi-
ment, was found inadequate to meet the second call for troops. " A bill was introduced, and became
a law, authorizing the governor to raise six regiments of infantry, inclusive of those he had organ-
ized or placed at quarters. When the six regiments were mustered into the United States service,
he was authorized to raise two additional regiments, and thus to keep two regiments continually
in reserve to meet any future call of the General Government. He was authorized to quarter
and subsist volunteers at rendezvous— to transport, clothe, subsist and quarter them in camp at
the expense of the State. Arms and munitions were to be furnished by the United States.
Recruits were to be mustered info State service, and into United States service, for three years.
Two assistant surgeons to each regiment were to be appointed, and paid by the State. The regi-
ments, as they came into camp, were to be instructed in drill and various camp duties, to secure
efficiency in the field. The troops, so called in, were to be paid monthly by the State, the same
pay and emoluments as the soldiers in the United States army, from the date of enlistment. The
paymaster general was authorized to draw funds from the State treasury for the payment of
the State troops, and the expense incurred in subsisting, transporting and clothing them. The
governor was authorized to purchase military stores, subsistence, clothing, medicine, field and
camp equipage, and the sum of one million dollars was appropriated to enable the governor to
carry out the law."
Other laws were passed relating to military matters. One authorized the governor to pur-
chase two thousand stand of arms ; and- fifty thousand dollars were appropriated to pay tor the
same. Another authorized counties, towns, cities and incorpbrated villages to levy taxes for
the purpose of providing for the support of families of volunteers residing in their respective
limits. The one passed at the previous session, exempting volunteers from civil process vfiile in
the service, was amended so as to include all who might thereafter enlist. One granted five dollars
per month as extra pay to enlisted volunteers having families dependent upon them for support,
payable to their families. Another authorized the governor to employ such aids, clerks and
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. T3
messengers, as he deemed necessary for the public interests. Still another authorized the pay-
ment of those who had enlisted for three months, but had declined to go in for three years.
The expenses of the extra session were ordered to be paid out of the " war fund." One million
dollars in bonds were authorized to be issued for war purposes to form that fund. The governor,
secretary of state and state treasurer were empowered to negotiate them. By a joint resolu-
tion approved the twenty-first of May, the consent of the legislature was given to the governor
to be absent from the State during the war, for as long a time as in his discretion he might think
proper or advisable, in connection with the military forces of the State. For liberality, zeal and
genuine patriotism, the members of the Wisconsin legislature, for the year 1861, deserve a high
commendation. All that was necessary upon their final adjournment at the close of the extra
session to place the State upon a " war footing,'' was the organization by the governor of the
various military departments. These he effected by appointing Brigadier General William L.
Utley, adjutant general; Brigadier General W. W. Tredway, quartermaster general; Colonel
Edwin R. Wadsworth, commissary general ; Brigadier General Simeon Mills, paymaster gen-
eral; Brigadier General E. B. Wolcott, surgeon general; Major E. L. Buttrick, judge advocate;
and Colonel William H. Watson, military secretary.
On the seventeenth of May, the First regiment, at "Camp Scott," was mustered into the
United States service, and the war department informed that it awaited marching orders. The
regimental officers were not all in accordance with the law and mode adopted afterwards. On
the seventh of the month Governor Randall had appointed Rufus King a brigadier general, and
assigned the First, Second, Third and Fourth regiments to his command as the Wisconsin
brigade ; although at that date only the First and Second had been called into camp. This
brigade organization was not recognized by the General Government. The secretary of war
telegraphed the governor of Wisconsin that the quota of the State, under the second call of the
president, was two regiments — so that the whole number under both calls was only three — one
(the First) for three months, two (the Second and Third) for three years. Notwithstanding this.
Governor Randall proceeded to organize the Fourth.
As a number of the companies ordered into " Camp Randall " on the first day of May to
form the Second regiment had only enlisted for three months, the order of the secretary of war
of the seventh of that month making it imperative that all such companies must re-enlist for
three years or during the war, or be disbanded, the question of extending their term of enlist-
ment was submitted to the companies of the regiment, when about five hundred consented to
the change. The quota of the regiment was afterward made up, and the whole mustered into
the service of the United States for three years or during the war, under the president's second
call for troops. This was on the eleventh of June, 1861. The Third regiment having had its
companies assigned early in May, they were ordered in June into " Camp Hamilton '' at Fond
du Lac, where the regiment was organized, and, on the twenty-ninth of June, mustered into the
United States' service as a three years regiment. This filled Wisconsin's quota under the second
call of President Lincoln. By this time war matters in the State began to assume a systematic
course of procedure — thanks to the patriotism of the people, the wisdom of the legislature, and
the untiring energy and exertions of the governor and his subordinates.
The determination of the set^retary of war to accept from Wisconsin only two three-years
regiments under the second call for troops was soon changed, and three more were authorized,
making it necessary to organize the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth. The Fourth was called into " Camp
Utley " at Racine on the sixth of June, and was mustered into the service of the United States
on the ninth of the following month. By the twenty-eighth of June, all the companies of the
Fifth had assembled at " Camp Randall," and on the thirteenth of July were mustered in as
"^■^ HISTORY or WISCONSIN.
United States troops. By the first of July, at the same place, the complement for the Sixth
regiment had been made up, and the companies were mustered for three years into the service
of the General Government, on the sixteenth of the same month. Governor Randall did not
stop the good work when six regiments had been accepted, but assigned the necessary companies
to form two more regiments — the Seventh and Eighth ; however, he wisely concluded not to call
them into camp until after harvest, unless specially required to do so. " If they are needed
sooner," said the governor, in a letter to the president on the first of July, "a call will be imme-
diately responded to, and we shall have their uniforms and equipments ready for them." "By
the authority of our legislature," added the writer, ■' I shall, after the middle of August, keep
two regiments equipped and in camp ready for a call to service, and will have them ready at an
earlier day if needed."
About the latter part of June, W. P. Alexander, of Beloit, a good marksman, was commis-
sioned captain to raise a company of sharpshooters for Berdan's regiment. He at once engaged
in the work. The company was filled to one hundred and three privates and three officers. It
left the State about the middle of September under Captain Alexander, and was mustered into
the service at Wehawken on the twenty-third day of that month, as Company " G " of Berdan's
regiment of sharpshooters. On the twenty-sixth of July, a commission was issued to G. Van
Deutsch, of Milwaukee, to raise a company of cavalry. He succeeded in filling his company to
eighty-four men. He left the State in September, joining Fremont. The company was after-
ward attached to the fifth cavalry regiment of Missouri.
About the 2oth of August, Governor Randall was authorized to organize and equip as rapidly
as possible five regiments of infantry and five batteries of artillery, and procure for them necessary
clothing and equipments according to United States regulations and prices, subject to the inspec-
tion of officers of the General Government. The five regiments were to be additional to the
eight already raised. One regiment was to be German. During the last week of August the
companies of the Seventh regiment were ordered into " Camp Randall," at Madison. They were
mustered into the service soon after arrival. On the 28th of August orders were issued for the
reorganization of the First regiment for three years, its term of three months having expired.
The secretary of war having signified his acceptance of the regiment for the new term, its mus-
tering into the service was completed on the nineteenth of October. This made six infantry regi-
ments in addition to the eight already accepted, or fourteen in all. On the same day orders were
issued assigning companies to the Eighth regiment, — the whole moving to " Camp Randall," at
Madison, the first week in September, where their mustering in was finished on the thirteenth.
The Ninth, a German reginent, was recruited in squads, and sent into camp, where they were
formed into companies, and the whole mustered in on the 26th of October, i86i,at " Camp Sigel,"
Milwaukee. Companies were assigned the Tenth regiment on the i8th of September, and
ordered into camp at Milwaukee, where it was fully organized about the first of October, being
mustered into the service on the fourteenth of that month. The Tenth infantry was enlisted in
September, 1861, and mustered in on the fourteenth of October, 1861, at "Camp Holton," Mil-
waukee. The Eleventh regiment was called by companies into " Camp Randall " the latter part
of September and first of October, 1861, and mustered in on the eighteenth. The Twelfth was
called in to the same camp and mustered in by companies between the twenty-eighth of October
and the fifth of November, 1861. The Thirteenth rendezvoused at "Camp Treadway," Janes-
ville, being mustered into the United States service on the seventeenth of October, 1861. These
thirteen regiments were all that had been accepted and mustered into the United States serv;<-e
while Randall was governor.
From the commencement of the rebellion a great desire had been manifested for the orpan-
■WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 75
ization of artillery companies in Wisconsin, and this desire was finally gratified. Each battery
was to number one hundred and fifty men, and, as has been shown, five had been authorized by
the General Government to be raised in Wisconsin. The First battery was recruited at La
Crosse, under the superintendence of Captain Jacob T. Foster, and was known as the " La Crosse
Artillery.'' It rendezvoused at RacineJ^early in October, 1861, where on the tenth of that month,
it was mustered into the United States service. The Second battery, Captain Ernest Herzberg,
assembled at " Camp Utley," Racine, and was mustered in with the First battery on the tenth.
The Third, known as the " Badger Battery," was organized by Captain L. H. Drury, at Madison
and Berlin, and was mustered into the service on the same day and at the same place as the First
and Second. The Fourth battery, recruited and organized at Beloit, under the supervision of
■Captain John F. Vallee, was mustered in on the first of October, 1861, at Racine. The Fifth
battery was recruited at Monroe, Green county, under the superintendence of Captain Oscar F-
Pinney, moving afterward to " Camp Utley,'' Racine, where, on the first of October, it was mus-
tered in, along with the Fourth. So brisk had been the recruiting, it was ascertained by the
governor that seven companies had been raised instead of five, when the secretary of war was
telegraphed to, and the extra companies — the Sixth and Seventh accepted ; the Sixth, known as
the " Buena Vista Artillery," being recruited at Lone Rock, Richland county, in September,
Captain Henry Dillon, and mustered in on the second of October, 1861, at Racine; the Seventh,
known as the "Badger State Flying Artillery," having organized at Milwaukee, Captain Richard
R. Griffiths, and mustered in on the fourth of the same month, going into camp at Racine on the
eighth. This completed the mustering in of the first seven batteries, during Governor Randall's
administration ; the whole mustered force being thirteen regiments of infantry ; one company of
cavalry ; one of sharpshooters ; and these seven artillery companies. " Wisconsin," said the gov-
ernor, in response to a request as to the number of regiments organized, " sent one regiment
for three months, — officers and men eight hundred and ten. The other regiments f )r the war up
to the Thirteenth (including the First, re-organized), will average one thousand men each; one
company of sharpshooters for Berdan's regiment, one hundred and three men ; and seven
companies of light artillery." Of cavalry from Wisconsin, only Deutsch's company had been
mustered into the United States, although three regiments had been authorized by the General
Government before the close of Randall's administration. The governor, before the expiration
of his office, was empowered to organize more artillery companies — ten in all ; and five additional
regiments of infantry — making the whole number eighteen. On the tenth of December, he
wrote : " Our Fourteenth infantry is full and in camp. * * * Fifteenth has five companies
in camp, and filling up. Sixteenth has eight companies in camp, and will be full by the 25th of
December. Seventeenth has some four hundred men enlisted. Eighteenth will be in camp, full,
by January i. Seven maximum companies of artillery in camp. * * * Three regiments of
cavalry — two full above the maximum ; the third, about eight hundred men in camp." It
will be seen, therefore, that a considerable number of men in the three branches of the service
was then in camp that had not been mustered into the service ; and this number was considerably
increased by the 6th of January, 1862, the day that Randall's official term expired; but no more
men were mustered in, until his successor came into office, than those previously mentioned.
The First regiment — three months' — left " Camp Scott," Milwaukee, on the ninth of June,
1861, for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania — eight hundred and ten in number; John C. Starkweather,
colonel. The regiment returned to Milwaukee- on the seventeenth of August, 1861, and was
mustered out on the twenty-second.
The First regiment re-organized at "Camp Scott," Milwaukee. Its mustering into the
service, as previously mentioned, was completed on the nineteenth of October. On the twenty-
"^6 HISTORY or WISCONSIN.
eighth, it started for Louisville, Kentucky — nine hundred and forty-five strong — under command:
of its former colonel, John C. Starkweather. The Second regiment, with S. Park Coon as-
colonel, left "Camp Randall, Madison, for Washington city, on the eleventh of June, i86r —
numbering, in all, one thousand and fifty-one.' The Third regiment started from " Camp
Hamilton," Fond du Lac, for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, under command of Charles S. Hamilton,,
as colonel, on the twelfth of July, 1861, with a numerical strength of nine hundred and seventy-
nine. The Fourth regiment — Colonel Halbert E. Payne — with a numerical strength of one
thousand and fifty-three, departed on the fifteenth of July, 1861, from "Camp Utley," Racine,
for Baltimore, Maryland. The Fifth regiment left " Camp Randall," Madison, one thousand'
and fifty-eight strong, commanded by Colonel Amasa Cobb, on the twenty-fourth of July, 1861,
for Washington city. On the twenty-eighth of July, 1861, the Sixth regiment, numbering one
thousand and eighty-four, moved from Madison, having been ordered to Washington city. It
was commanded by Colonel Lysander Cutter. The Seventh regiment — Joseph Van Dor, Colonel
— with a numerical strength of one thousand and sixteen men — officers and privates, received
orders, as did the Fifth and Sixth, to move forward to Washington. They started from Madison
on the morning of the twenty-first of September, 1861, for active service. The Eighth infantry,,
nine hundred and seventy-three strong, commanded by Colonel Robert C. Murphy, left Madison,.
en route for St. Louis, Missouri, on the morning of the twelfth of October, i86r. The Ninth, or
German regiment, with Frederick Salomon in command as colonel, did not leave "Camp Sigel,"
for active service, while Randall was governor. The Tenth infantry moved from "Camp^
Holton," Milwaukee, commanded by Colonel Alfred R. Chapin, on the ninth of November, 1861,
destined for Louisville, Kentucky, with a total number of nine hundred and sixteen officers and'
privates. On the twentieth of November, 1861, the Eleventh regiment "broke camp" at
Madison, starting for St. Louis, under command of Charles L. Harris, as colonel. Its whole
number of men was nine hundred and sixteen. The Twelfth regiment, at " Camp Randall,"
Madison — Colonel George E. Bryant, and the Thirteenth, at " Camp Tredway," Janesville —
Colonel Maurice Maloney — were still in camp at the expiration of the administration of Governor
Randall : these, with the Ninth, were all that had not moved out of the State for active service,.
of those mustered in previous to January 6, 1861,— making a grand total of infantry sent from.
Wisconsin, up to that date, by the governor, to answer calls of the General Government, for
three years' service or during the war, of nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-one men, in ten.
regiments, averaging very nearly one thousand to each regiment. Besides these ten regiments.
of infantry for three years' service, Wisconsin had also sent into the field the First regiment, for
three months' service, numbering eight hundred and ten men ; Alexander's company of sharp-
shooters, one hundred and six; and Deutsch's company of cavalry, eighty-four: in all, one
thousand. Adding these to the three years' regiments, and the whole force, in round numbers,,
was eleven thousand men, furnished by the State in 1861.
Eighth Administration. — Louis P. Harvey and Edward Salomon, Governors — 1862-1863..
Louis P. Harvey was inaugurated governor of Wisconsin on the sixth of January, 1862.
The fifteenth regular session of the legislature of the State began on the eighth of the same
month. In the senate, the republicans were in the majority; but in the assembly they had
only a plurality of members, there being a number of " Union " men in that branch — enough,,
indeed, to elect, by outside aid, J. W. Beardsley, who ran for the assembly, upon the "Union"
ticket, as speaker. Governor Harvey, on the tenth, read his message to the legislature in joint
convention. " No previous legislature," are his opening words, " has convened under equal
incentives to a disinterested zeal in the public service The occasion," he adds, " pleads.
WISCONSrN" AS A STATE. 7T
with you in rebuke of all the meaner passions, admonishing to the exercise of a conscientious
patriotism, becoming the representatives of a Christian people, called in God's providence to
pass through the furnace of a great trial of their virtue, and of the strength of the Government."
On the seventh of April following, the legislature adjourned until the third of June next ensuing.
Before it again assembled, an event occurred, casting a gloom over the whole State. The
occasion was the accidental drowning of Governor Harvey.
Soon after the battle of Pittsburgh Landing, on the seventh of April, 1862, the certainty
that some of the Wisconsin regiments had suffered severely, induced the governor to organize
a reli'jf party, to aid the wounded and suffering soldiers from the State. On the tenth, Harvey
and others started on their tour of benevolence. Arriving at Chicago, they found a large num-
ber of boxes had been forwarded there from different points in the State, containing supplies of
various kinds. At Mound City, Paducah, and Savannah, the governor and his party adminis-
tered to the wants of the sick and wounded Wisconsin soldiers. Having completed their mission
of mercy, they repaired to a boat in the harbor of Savannah, to await the arrival of the Mitine-
haha, which was to convey them to Cairo, on their homeward trip. It was late in the evening of
the nineteenth of April, 1862, and very dark when the boat arrived which was to take the
governor and his friends on board ; and as she rounded to, the bow touching the Dunleii/t, on
which was congregated the party ready to depart, Governor Harvey, by a misstep, fell overboard
between the two boats, into the Tennessee river. The current was strong, and the water more
than thirty feet deep. Every thing was done that could be, to save his life, but all to no
purpose. His body was subsequently found and brought to Madison for interment. Edward
Salomon, lieutenant governor, by virtue of a provision of the constitution of the State, upon the
death of Harvey, succeeded to the office of governor of Wisconsin. On the third day of June,,
the legislature re-assembled in accordance with adjournment on the seventh of April previous,
Governor Salomon, in his message of that day, to the senate and assembly, after announcing
the sad event of the death of the late governor, said : " The last among the governors elected
by the people of this State, he is the first who has been removed by death from our midst. The
circumstances leading to and surrounding the tragic ;.nd melancholy end of the honored and
lamented deceased, are well known to the people, and are, with his memory, treasured up in
their hearts." He died," added Salomon, " while in the exercise of the highest duties of philan-
thropy and humanity, that a noble impulse had imposed upon him." The legislature, on the
thirteenth of June, by a joint resolution, declared that in the death of Governor Harvey, the
State had " lost an honest, faithful, and efficient public officer, a high-toned gentleman, a warm-
hearted philanthropist, and a sincere friend." Both houses adjourned sine die, on the seventeiith
of June, 1862.
Business of great public importance, in the judgment of the governor, rendering a special
session of the legislature necessary, he issued, on the twenty-ninth of August, 1862, his proc-
lamation to that effect, convening both housfes on the tenth of September following. On that
day he sent in his message, relating wholly to war matters. He referred to the fact that since
the adjournment of the previous session, six hundred thousand more men had been called for by
the president of the United States, to suppress the rebellion. " It is evident," said he, " that to
meet further calls, it is necessary to rely upon a system of drafting or conscription, in Wisconsin."
The governor then proceeded to recommend such measures as he deemed necessary to meet
the exigencies of the times. The legislature levied a tax to aid volunteering, and passed a law
giving the right of suffrage to soldiers in the military service. They also authorized the raising
of money for payment of bounties to volunteers. The legislature adjourned on the twenty-
sixth of September, 1862, after a session of sixteen days, and the enacting of seventeen laws.
*^^ HISTOEY OP WISCONSIN.
On the 7th of October, James H. Howe, attorney general, resigned his office to enter the
army. On the 14th of that month, Winfield Smith was appointed by the governor to fill the
vacancy.
At the general election in the Fall of this year, six congressmen were elected to the thirty-
eighth congress: James S. Brown from the first district; I. C. Sloan, from the second; Amasa
Cobb, from the third ; Charles A. Eldredge, from the fourth ; Ezra Wheeler, from the fifth ; and
W. D." Mclndoe, from the sixth district. Sloan, Cobb, and Mclndoe, were elected as republi-
cans ; Brown, Eldridge, and Wheeler, as democrats.
The sixteenth regular session of the Wisconsin legislature, commenced on the fourteenth of
January, 1863. J. Allen Barber was elected speaker of the assembly. The majority in both'
houses was republican. Governor Salomon read his message on the fifteenth, to the joint
•convention, referring, at length, to matters connected with the war of the rebellion. A large
number of bills were passed by the legislature for the benefit of soldiers and their families. On
the twenty-second, the legislature re-elected James R. Doolittle, to the United States senate for
six years, from the fourth of March next ensuing. The legislature adjourned sine die on the
second of April following. In the Spring of this year, Luther S. Dixon was re-elected chief
justice of the supreme court, running as an independent candidate.
By a provision of the Revised Statutes of 1858, as amended by an act passed in 1862, and
interpreted by another act passed in 1875, the terms of the justices of the supreme court,
■elected for a full term, commence on the first Monday in January next succeeding their election.
At the Fall election there were two tickets in the field : democratic and union republican.
The latter was successful, electing James T. Lewis, governor; Wyman Spooner, lieutenant
governor; Lucius Fairchild, secretary of state; S. D. Hastings, state treasurer; Winfield
Smith, attorney general ; J. L. Pickard, state superintendent ; W. H. Ramsay, bank comp-
troller ; and Henry Cordier, state prison commissioner.
War of Secession — Harvey and Salomon's Administration.
When Governor Randall turned over to his successor in the gubernatorial chair, the military
matters of Wisconsin, he had remaining in the State, either already organized or in process of
formation, the Ninth infantry, also the Twelfth up to the Nineteenth inclusive ; three regiments
•of cavalry ; and ten batteries — First to Tenth inclusive. Colonel Edward Daniels, in the Summer
-of r86r, was authorized by the war department to recruit and organize one battalion of cavalry
in Wisconsin. He was subsequently authorized to raise two more companies. Governor Ran-
dall, in October, was authorized to complete the regiment — the First cavalry — by the organiza-
tion of six additional companies. The organization of the Second cavalry regiment was author-
ized in the Fall of 1861, as an "independent acceptance," but w£w finally turned over to the
State authorities. Early in November, 1861, the war department issued an order discontinuing
enlistments for the cavalry service, and circulars were sent to the different State executives to
consolidate all incomplete regiments. Ex-Governor Barstow, by authority of General Fremont,
which authority was confirmed by the General Government, had commenced the organization of
a cavalry regiment — the Third Wisconsin — when Governor Randall received information that
the authority of Barstow had been revoked. The latter, however, soon had his authority
restored. In October, Governor Randall was authorized by the war department to raise three
additional companies of artillery — Eighth to Tenth inclusive. These three batteries were all
filled and went into camp by the close of 1861. Governor Randall, therefore, besides sending
out of the State eleven thousand men, had in process of formation, or fully organized, nine
regiments of infantry, three regiments of cavalry, and ten companies of artillery, left behind in
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. ' 79'
various camps in the State, to be turned over to his successor.
The military officers of Wisconsin were the governor, Louis P. Harvey, commander-in-
chief; Brigadier General Augustus Gaylord, adjutant general; Brigadier General W. W. Tred-
way, quartermaster general ; Colonel Edwin R. Wadsworth, commissary general ; Brigadier Gen-
eral Simeon Mills, paymaster general ; Brigadier General E. B. Wolcott, surgeon general ; Major
M. H. Carpenter, judge advocate; and Colonel William H. Watson, military secretary. As the
General Government had taken the recruiting service out of the hands of the executives of the
States, and appointed superintendents in their place, the offices of commissary general and
paymaster general were no longer necessary ; and their time, after the commencement of the
administration in Wisconsin of 1862, was employed, so long as they continued their respective
offices, in settling up the business of each. The office of commissary general was closed about
the first of June, 1862 ; that of paymaster general on the tenth of July following. On the last
of August, 1862, Brigadier General Tredway resigned the position of quartermaster general, and
Nathaniel F. Lund was appointed to fill his place.
Upon the convening of the legislature of the State in its regular January session of this
year — 1862, Governor Harvey gave, in his message to that body, a full statement of what had
been done by Wisconsin in matters appertaining to the war, under the administration of his-
predecessor. He stated that the State furnished to the service of the General Government
under the call for volunteers for three months, one regiment — First Wisconsin ; under the call
for volunteers for three years, or the war, ten regiments, numbering from the First re-organized
to the Eleventh, excluding the Ninth or German regiment. He gave as the whole number of
officers, musicians and privates, in these ten three-year regiments, ten thousand one hundred and
seventeen. He further stated that there were then organized and awaiting orders, the Ninth, in
" Camp Sigel," Milwaukee, numbering nine hundred and forty men, under Colonel Frederick
Salomon ; the Twelfth, in " Camp Randall," one thousand and thirty-nine men, under Colonel
George E. Bryant ; the Thirteenth, in " Camp Tredway," Janesville, having nine hundred and
nineteen men, commanded by Colonel M. Maloney ; and the Fourteenth, at " Camp Wood,"
Fond du Lac, eight hundred and fifty men, under Colonel D. E. Wood.
The Fifteenth or Scandinavian regiment. Colonel H. C. Heg, seven hundred men, and the
Sixteenth, Colonel Benjamin Allen, nine hundred men, were at that time at "Camp Randall," in
near readiness for marching orders. The Seventeenth (Irish) regiment. Colonel J. L. Doran, and
the Eighteenth, Colonel James S. Alban, had their full number of companies in readiness, lacking
one, and had been notified to go into camp — the former at Madison, the latter at Milwaukee.
Seven companies of artillery, numbering together one thousand and fifty men, had remained for
a considerable time in " Camp Utley," Racine, impatient of the delays of the General Govern-
ment in calling them to move forward. Three additional companies of artillery were about
going into camp, numbering three hundred and thirty-four men. Besides these, the State had
furnished, as already mentioned, an independent company of cavalry, then in Missouri,'jaised
by Captain Von Deutsch, of eighty-one men ; a company of one hundred and four men for Ber-
dan's sharpshooters; and an additional company for the Second regiment, of about eighty men.
Three regiments of cavalry — the First, Colonel E. Daniels; the Second, Colonel C. C. Washburn;,
and the Third, Colonel W. A. Barstow ; were being organized. They numbered together, two thou-
sand four hundred and fifty men. The Nineteenth (independent) regiment was rapidly organ-
izing under the direction of the General Government, by Colonel H. T. Sanders, Racine. Not
bringing this last regiment into view, the State had, at the commencement of Governor Harvey's
administration, including the First, three-months' regiment, either in the service of the United
States or organizing for it, a total of twenty-one thousand seven hundred and eighty-three men.
80
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
The legislature at its regular session of 1862, passed a law making it necessary to present
all claims which were made payable out of the war fund, within twelve months from the time they
accrued ; a law was also passed authorizing the investment of the principal of the school fund in
the bonds of the state issued for war purposes ; another, amendatory of the act of the extra session
of 1861, granting exemption to persons enrolled in the military service, so as to except persons
acting as fiduciary agents, either as executors or administrators, or guardians or trustees, or
persons defrauding the State, or any school district of moneys belonging to the same ; also author-
izing a stay of proceedings in foreclosures of mortgages, by advertisements. " The State Aid
Law" was amended so as to apply to all regiments of infantry, cavalry, artillery and sharpshooters,
defining the rights of families, fixing penalties for the issue of false papers, and imposing duties on
military officers in the field to make certain reports. These amendments only included regi-
ments and companies organized up to and including the Twentieth, which was in process of
organization before the close of the session. A law was also passed suspending the sale of lands
mortgaged to the State, or held by volunteers ; another defining the duties of the allotment com-
missioners appointed by the president of the United States, and fixing their compensation. One
authorized the issuing of bonds for two hundred thousand dollars for war purposes ; one author-
ized a temporary loan from the general fund to pay State aid to volunteers ; and one, the appoint-
ment of a joint committee to investigate the sale of war bonds ; while another authorized the
governor to appoint surgeons to batteries, and assistant surgeons to cavalry regiments.
The legislature, it will be remembered, took a recess from the seventh of April to the third
of June, 1862. Upon its re-assembling, ^.. act was passed providing lor the discontinuance of the
active services of the paymaster general, quartermaster general and commissary general.
Another act appropriated twenty thousand dollars to enable the governor to care for the sick
and wounded soldiers of the State. There was also another act passed authorizing the auditing,
by the quartermaster general, of bills for subsistence and transportation of the Wisconsin cavalry
regiments. At the extra session called by Governor Salomon, for the tenth of September, 1862,
an amendment was made to the law granting aid to families of volunteers, by including all regi-
ments of cavalry, infantry, or batteries of artillery before that time raised in the State, or that
migh-t afterward be raised and mustered into the United States service. It also authorized the
levying of a State tax of two hundred and seventy-five thousand dollars to be placed to the credit
of the war fund and used in the payment of warrants for " State Aid" to families of volunteers.
Another law authorized commissioned officers out of the State to administer oaths and take
acknowledgments of deeds and other papers. One act authorized soldiers in the field, although
out of the State, to exercise the right of suffrage ; and another gave towns, cities, incorporated
villages and counties the authority to raise money to pay bounties to volunteers.
On the fifth of August, 1862, Governor Salomon received from the war department a dispatch
stating that orders had been issued for a draft of three hundred thousand men to be immediately
called into the service of the United States, to serve for nine months unless sooner discharged ;
that if the State quota under a call made July 2, of that year, for three hundred thousand vol-
unteers, was not filled by the fifteenth of August, the deficiency would be made up by draft ; and
that the secretary of war would assign the quotas to the States and establish regulations for the
draft. On the eighth of that month, the governor of the State was ordered to immediately cause
an enrollment of all able-bodied citizens between eighteen and forty-five years of age, by counties.
Governor Salomon was authorized to appoint proper officers, and the United States promised to
pay all reasonable expenses. The quota for Wisconsin, under the call for nine months' men, was
eleven thousand nine hundred and four. The draft was made by the governor in obedience to
the order he had received from Washington ; but such had been the volunteering under the stim-
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 81
Tilus caused by a fear of it, that only four thousand five hundred and thirty-seven men were
drafted, This was the first and only draft made in Wisconsin by the State authorities.
Subsequent ones were made under the direction of the provost marshal general at Wash-
ington.
The enlisting, organization and mustering into the United States service during Randall's
administration of thirteen regiments of infantry — the First to the Thirteenth inclusive, and the
marching of ten of them out of the State before the close of 1861, also, of one company of cavalry
under Captain Von Deutsch and one company of sharpshooters under Captain Alexander, con-
stituted the effective aid abroad of Wisconsin during that year to suppress the rebellion. But for
the year 1862, this aid, as to number of organizations, was more than doubled, as will now be
shown.
The Ninth regiment left " Camp Sigel," Milwaukee, under command of Colonel Frederick
Salomon, on the twenty-second of January, 1862, numbering thirty-nine officers and eight hun
dred and eighty-four men, to report at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.
The Twelfth infantry left Wisconsin under command of Colonel George E. Bryant, ten
hundred and forty-five strong, the eleventh of January, 1862, with orders to report at Weston,
Missouri.
The Thirteenth regiment — Colonel Maurice Maloney — left " Camp Tredway," Janesville, on
the eighteenth of January, 1862, nine hundred and seventy strong, under orders to report at
Leavenworth, Kansas, where it arrived on the twenty-third.
The Fourteenth regiment of infantry departed from " Camp Wood," Fond du Lac, under
command of Colonel David E. Wood, for St. Louis, Missouri, on the eighth of March, 1862, it
having been mustered into the United States service on the thirtieth of January previous. Its
total strength was nine hundred and seventy officers and men. It arrived at its destination on
the tenth of March, and went into quarters at " Benton Barracks."
The Fifteenth regiment, mostly recruited from the Scandinavian population of Wisconsin,
was organized at " Camp Randall," Madison — Hans C. Heg as colonel. Its muster into the
United States service was completed on the fourteenth of February, 1862, it leaving the State for
St. Louis, Missouri, on the second of March following, with a total strength of eight hundred and
one officers and men.
The- Sixteenth regiment was organized at "Camp Randall," and was mustered into the
service on the last day of January, 1862, leaving the State, with Benjamin Allen as colonel, for
St. Louis on the thirteenth of March ensuing, having a total strength of one thousand and
sixty-six.
The regimental organization of the Seventeenth infantry (Irish), Colonel John L. Doran
was effected at " Camp Randall," and the mustering in of the men completed on the fifteenth of
March, 1862, the regiment leaving the State on the twenty-third for St. Louis.
The Eighteenth regiment organized at " Camp Trowbridge," Milwaukee — James S. Alban,
•colonel — completed its muster into the United States service on the fifteenth of March, 1862,
and left the State for St. Louis on the thirtieth, reaching their point of destination on the thirty-
first.
The Nineteenth infantry rendezvoused at Racine as an independent regiment, its colonel,
Horace T. Sanders, being commissioned by the war department. The men were mustered into
the service as fast as they were enlisted. Independent organizations being abolished, by an
order from Washington, the Nineteenth was placed on the same footing as other regiments in the
State. On the twentieth of April, 1862, the regiment w^s ordered to " Camp Randall " to guard
rebel prisoners. Here the mustering in was completed, numbering in all nine hundred and
seventy-three. They left the State for Washington on the second of June.
^2 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
The muster into the United States service of the Twentieth regiment — Bertine Pinckney^
colonel — was completed on the twenty-third of August, 1862, at "Camp Randall," the original
strength being nine hundred and ninety. On the thirtieth of August the regiment left the State-
for St. Louis.
The Twenty-first infantry was organized at Oshkosh, being mustered in on the fifth of Sep-
tember, 1862, with a force of one thousand and two, all told — Benjamin J. Sweet, colonel —
leaving the State for Cincinnati on the eleventh.
The Twenty-second regiment — Colonel William L. Utley — was organized at "Camp Utley,"
Racine, and mustered in on the second of September, 1862. Its original strength was one thou-
sand and nine. It left the State for Cincinnati on the sixteenth.
On the thirtieth of August, 1862, the Twenty-third regiment — Colonel Joshua J. Guppey — -
was mustered in at "Camp Randall," leaving Madison for Cincinnati on the fifteenth.
The Twenty-fourth infantry rendezvoused at " Camp Sigel," Milwaukee. Its muster in was
completed on the twenty-first of August, 1862, the regiment leaving the State under Colonel
Charles H. Larrabee, for Kentucky, on the fifth of September, one thousand strong.
On the fourteenth of September, 1862, at " Camp Salomon," LaCrosse, the Twenty-fifth
regiment was mustered into the service — Milton Montgomery, colonel. They left the State on
the nineteenth with orders to report to General Pope, at St. Paul, Minnesota, to aid in suppress-
ing the Indian difficulties in that State. Their entire strength was one thousand and eighteen.
The regiment, after contributing to the preservation of tranquillity among the settlers, and
deterring the Indians from hostilities, returned to Wisconsin, arriving at " Camp Randall " on the
eighteenth of December, 1862.
The Twenty-sixth — almost wholly a German regiment — was mustered into the service at
"Camp Sigel," Milwaukee, on the seventeenth of September, 1862. The regiment, under com-
mand of Colonel William H. Jacobs, left the State for Washington city on the sixth of October,,
one thousand strong.
The Twenty-seventh infantry was ordered to rendezvous at "Camp Sigel," Milwaukee, on
the seventeenth of September, 1862 ; but the discontinuance of recruiting for new regiments in
August left the Twenty-seventh with only seven companies full. An order authorizing the-
recruiting of three more companies was received, and under the supervision of Colonel Conrad
Krez the organization was completed, but the regiment at the close of the year had not been
mustered into the service.
On the twenty-fourth of October, 1862, the Twenty-eighth regiment — James M. Lewis, of
Oconomowoc, colonel— was mustered into the United States service at "Camp Washburn," Mil-
waukee. Its strength was nine hundred and sixty-one. In November, the regiment was
employed in arresting and guarding the draft rioters in Ozaukee county. It left the State for
Columbus, Kentucky, on the twentieth of December, where they arrived on the twenty-second;
remaining there until the fifth of January, 1863.
The Twenty-ninth infantry — Colonel Charles R. Gill — was organized at " Camp Randall,"
where its muster into the United States service was completed on the twenty-seventh of Sep-
tember, 1862, the regiment leaving the State for Cairo, Illinois, on the second of November.
The Thirtieth regiment, organized at "Camp Randall" under the supervision of Colonel
Daniel J. Dill, completed its muster into the United States service on the twenty-first of October,
1862, with a strength of nine hundred and six. On the sixteenth of November, one company of
the Thirtieth was sent to Green Bay to protect the draft commissioner, remaining several weeks.
On the eighteenth, seven companies moved to Milwaukee to assist in enforcing the draft in Mil-
waukee county, while two companies remained in " Camp Randall " to guard Ozaukee rioters..
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 83
On the twenty-second, six companies from Milwaukee went to West Bend, Washington county,
one company returning to "Camp Randall." After the completion of the draft in Washington
county, four companies returned to camp, while two companies were engaged in gathering up
the drafted men.
The final and complete organization of the Thirty-first infantry — Colonel Isaac E. Mess-
more — was not concluded during the year 1862.
The Thirty-second regiment, organized at "Camp Bragg," Oshkosh, with James H. Howe
as colonel, was mustered into the service on the twenty-fifth of September, 1862 ; and, on the
thirtieth of October, leaving the State, it proceeded by way of Chicago and Cairo to Memphis^
Tennessee, going into camp on the third of November. The original strength of the Thirty-
second was nine hundred and ninety-three.
The Thirty-third infantry— Colonel Jonathan B. Moore — mustered in on the eighteenth of
October, 1862, at " Camp Utley," Racine, left the State, eight hundred and ninety-two strong,,
moving by way of Chicago to Cairo.
The Thirty-fourth regiment, drafted men, original strength nine hundred ^^nd sixty-one —
Colonel Fritz Anneke — had its muster into service for nine months completed at "Camp Wash-
burn," Milwaukee, on the last day of the year 1862.
Of the twenty-four infantry regiments, numbered from the Twelfth to the Thirty-fourth
inclusive, and including also the Ninth, three — the Ninth, Twelfth, and Thirteenth — were mus-
tered into the United States service in 1861. The whole of the residue were mustered in during
the year 1862, except the Twenty-seventh and the Thirty-first. All were sent out of the State
during 1862, except the last two mentioned and the Twenty-fifth, Thirtieth, and Thirty-fourth.
The First regiment of cavalry — Colonel Edward Daniels — perfected its organization at
" Camp Harvey," Kenosha. Its muster into the United States service was completed on the
eighth of March, 1862, the regiment leaving the State for St. Louis on the seventeenth, with a
strength of eleven hundred and twenty-four.
■J'he muster of the Second Wisconsin cavalry was completed on the twelfth of March, 1862,
at "Camp Washburn," Milwaukee, the regiment leaving the State for St. Louis on the twenty-
fourth, eleven hundred and twenty-seven strong. It was under the command of Cadwallader C.
Washburn as colonel.
The Third Wisconsin cavalry — Colonel William A. Barstow — was mustered in at " Camp
Barstow," Janesville. The muster was completed on the 31st of January, 1862, the regiment
leaving the State on the 26th of March for St. Louis, with a strength of eleven hundred and
eighty- six.
The original project of forming a regiment of light artillery in Wisconsin was overruled
by the war department, and the several batteries were sent from the State as independent
organizations.
The First battery — Captain Jacob T. Foster — perfected its organization at " Camp Utley,"
where the company was mustered in, it leaving the State with a strength of one hundred and
fifty-five, on the 23d of January, 1862, for Louisville, where the battery went into "Camp
Irvine," near that city. The Second battery — Captain Ernest F. Herzberg — was mustered into
the service at "Camp Utley," October 10, 1861, the company numbering one hundred and fifty-
three. It left the State for Baltimore, on the 21st of January, 1862. The Third battery — Cap-
tain L. H. Drury — completed its organization of one hundred and seventy at " Camp Utley," and
was mustered in October 10, r86i, leaving the State for Louisville, on the 23d of January,
1862. The Fourth battery — Captain' John F. Vallee — rendezvoused at "Camp Utley." Its
muster in was completed on the istof October, i86i, its whole force being one hundred andfifiy
one. The company left the State for Baltimore on the 21st of January, 1862. The Fifth bat-
84
HISTORY OF wisco]srsi]sr.
tery, commanded by Captain Oscar F. Pinney, was mustered in on the ist of October, 1861, at
"Camp Utley," leaving the State for St. Louis, on the 15th of March, 1862, one hundred and
fifty-five strong. The Sixth battery — Captain Henry Dillon — was mustered in on the 2d of
October, 1861, at " Camp Utley," leaving the State for St. Louis, March 15, 1862, with a numer-
ical strength of one hundred and fifty-seven. The Seventh battery — Captain Richard R. Grif-
fiths— was mustered in on the 4th of October, 1861, at " Camp Utley," and proceeded on the 15th
of March, 1862, with the Fifth and Sixth batteries to St. Louis. The Eighth battery, com-
manded by Captain Stephen J. Carpenter, was mustered in on the 8th of January, 1862, at
"Camp Utley," and left the State on the i8th of March following, for St. Louis, one hundred and
sixty-one strong. The Ninth battery, under command of Captain Cyrus H. Johnson, was organ-
ized at Burlington, Racine county. It was mustered in on the 7th of January, 1862, leaving
" Camp Utley " for St. Louis, on the i8th of March. At St. Louis, their complement of men —
one hundred and fifty-five — was made up by the transfer of forty-five from another battery. The
Tenth battery — Captain Yates V. Bebee— after being mustered in at Milwaukee, on the 10th of
February, 1862, left " Camp Utley," Racine, on the i8th of March for St. Louis, one hundred and
seventeen strong. The Eleventh battery — Captain John O'Rourke — was made up of the "Oconto
Irish Guards '' and a detachment of Illinois recruits. The company was organized at " Camp
Douglas," Chicago, in the Spring of 1862. Early in 1862, William A. Pile succeeded in enlisting
ninety-nine men as a company to be known as the Twelfth battery. The men were mustered in
and sent forward in squads to St. Louis. Captain Pile's commission was revoked on the i8th
of July. His place was filled by William Zickrick. These twelve batteries were all that left the
State in 1862. To these are to be added the three regiments of cavalry and the nineteen regi-
ments of infantry, as the effective force sent out during the year by Wisconsin.
The military officers of the State, at the commencement of 1863, were Edward Salomon,
governor and commander-in-chief; Brigadier General Augustus Gaylord, adjutant general;
Colonel S. Nye Gibbs, assistant adjutant general ; Brigadier General Nathaniel F. Lund,
quartermaster general ; Brigadier General E. B. Wolcott, surgeon general ; and Colonel W. H.
Watson, military secretary. The two incomplete regiments of 1862 — the Twenty-seventh and
Thirty-first volunteers — were completed and in the field in March, 1863. The former was
mustered in at " Camp Sigel " — Colonel Conrad Krez — on the 7th of March, and left the State,
eight hundred and sixty-five strong, on the i6th for Columbus, Kentucky ; the latter, under
command of Colonel Isaac E. Messmore, with a strength of eight hundred and seventy-eight,
left Wisconsin on the ist of March, for Cairo, Illinois. The Thirty-fourth (drafted) regiment
.left "Camp Washburn," Milwaukee, on the 31st of January, 1863, for Columbus, Kentucky,
numbering nine hundred and sixty-one, commanded by Colonel Fritz Anneke. On the 17th of
February, 1863, the Twenty-fifth regiment left "Camp Randall" for Cairo, Illinois. The
Thirtieth regiment remained in Wisconsin during the whole of 1863, performing various
duties — the only one of the whole thirty-four that, at the end of that year, had not left the State.
On the 14th of January, 1863, the legislature of Wisconsin, as before stated, convened
at Madison. Governor Salomon, in his message to that body, gave a summary of the transac-
tions of the war fund during the calendar year; also of what was done in 1862, in the recruiting
of military forces, and the manner in which the calls of the president were responded to. There
were a number of military laws passed at this session. A multitude of special acts authorizing
towns to raise bounties for volunteers, were also passed.
No additional regiments of infantry besides those already mentioned were organized in
1863, although recruiting for old regiments continued. On the 3d of March, 1863, the congress
of the United States passed the " Conscription Act." tinder this act, Wisconsin was divided
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 85
into six districts. In the first district, I. M. Bean was appointed provost marshal ; C. M. Baker,
commissioner; and J. B. Dousman, examining surgeon. Headquarters of this district was at
Milwaukee. In the second district, S. J. M. Putnam was appointed provost marshal; L. B.
Caswell, commissioner; and Dr. C. R. Head, examining surgeon. Headquarters of this
district was at Janesville. In the third district, J. G. Clark was appointed provost marshal ; E.
E. Byant, commissioner ; and John H. Vivian, examining surgeon. Headquarters at Prairie
du Chien. In the fourth district, E. L. Phillips was appointed provost marshal ; Charles
Burchard, commissioner; and L. H. Gary, examining surgeon. Headquarters at Fond du
Lac. In the fifth district, C. R. Merrill was appointed provost marshal ; William A. Bugh,
commissioner; and H. O. Crane, examining surgeon. Headquarters at Green Bay. In the
sixth district, B. F. Cooper was appointed provost marshal; L. S. Fisher, commissioner; and
D. D. Cameron examining surgeon. Headquarters at LaCrosse. The task of enrolling the
State was commenced in the month of May, and was proceeded with to its completion. The
Tiine months' term of service of the Thirty-fourth regiment, drafted militia, having expired, the
regiment was mustered out of service on the 8th of September.
The enrollment in Wisconsin of all persons liable to the " Conscription " amounted to
121,202. A draft was ordered to take place in November. Nearly fifteen thousand were
drafted, only six hundred and twenty-eight of whom were mustered in ; the residue either
furnished substitutes, were discharged, failed to report, or paid commutation.
In the Summer of i86r. Company " K," Captain Langworthy, of the Second Wisconsin
infantry, was detached and placed on duty as heavy artillery. His company was designated as
"A," First Regiment Heavy Artillery. This was the only one organized until the Summer of
1863; but its organization was effected outside the State. Three companies were necessary to
add to company "A" to complete the battalion. Batteries "B," "C" and "D " were, therefore,
organized in Wisconsin, all leaving the State in October and November, 1863.
Ninth Administration — James T. Lewis, Governor — 1 864-1 865.
James T. Lewis, of Columbia county, was inaugurated governor of Wisconsin on the fourth
■of January, 1864. In an inaugural address, the incoming governor pledged himself to use no
executive patronage for a re-election ; declared he would administer the government without
prejudice or partiality ; and committed himself to an economical administration of affairs con-
nected with the State. On the thirteenth the legislature met in its seventeenth regular session.
W. W. Field was elected speaker of the assembly. The republican and union men were in
the majority in this legislature. A number of acts were passed relative to military matters.
On the ist day of October, J. L. Pickard having resigned as superintendent of public
instruction, J. G. McMynn was, by the governor, appointed to fill the vacancy. On the fif-
teenth of November, Governor Lewis appointed Jason Downer an associate justice of the
supreme court, to fill a vacancy caused by the resignation of Judge Byron Paine, who had
resigned his position to take effect on that day, in order to accept the position of lieutenant
colonel of one of the regiments of Wisconsin, to which he had been commissioned on the tenth
of August previous. The November elections of this year were entered into with great zeal by
the two parties, owing to the fact that a president and vice president of the United States were
to be chosen. The republicans were victorious. Electors of that party cast their eight votes
for Lincoln and Johnson. The members elected to the thirty - ninth congress from Wisconsin
at this election were : from the first district, H. E. Paine ; from the second, I. C. Sloan ; from
the third, Amasa Cobb; from the fourth, C. A. Eldredge; from the fifth, Philetus Sawyer; and
86
HISTOEY OF WISCONSIjST.
from the sixth district, W. D. Mclndoe. All were republicans except Eldredge, who was
elected as a democrat.
The Eighteenth regular session of the Wisconsin legislature began in Madison on the elev-
enth of January, 1865. W. W. Field was elected speaker of the assembly. The legislature
was, as to its political complexion, "Republican Union." On the tenth of April, the last day of
the session. Governor Lewis informed the legislature that General Lee and his army had sur-
rendered. " Four years ago," said he, " on the day fixed for adjournment, the sad news of the
fall of Fort Sumter was transmitted to the legislature. To-day, thank God ! and next to Him
the brave officers and soldiers of our army and navy, I am permitted to transmit to you the
official intelligence, just received, of the surrender of General Lee and his army, the last prop
of the rebellion. Let us rejoice, and thank the Ruler of the Universe for victory and the pros-
pects of an honorable peace." In February preceding, both houses ratified the constitutional
amendment abolishing slavery in the United States. At the Spring election, Jason Downer was
chosen associate justice of the supreme court for a full term of six years. The twentieth of
April was set apart by the governor as a day of thanksgiving for the overthrow of the rebellion
and restoration of peace. At the Fall election both parties, republican and democratic, had
tickets in the field. The republicans were victorious, electing Lucius Fairchild, governor i
Wyman Spooner, lieutenant governor ; Thomas S. Allen, secretary of state ; William E. Smith,
state treasurer; Charles R. Gill, attorney general; John G. McMynn, superintendent of
public instruction; J. M. Rusk, bank comptroller; and Henry Cordier, state prison commis-
sioner.
War of Secession — Lewis' Administration.
The military officers for 1864 were besides the governor (who was commander-in-chief)
Brigadier General Augustus Gaylord, adjutant general ; Colonel S. Nye Gibbs, assistant adju-
tant general ; Brigadier General Nathaniel F. Lund, quartermaster and commissary general,
and chief of ordnance; Brigadier General E. B. Wolcott, surgeon general ; and Colonel Frank
H. Firrain, military secretary. The legislature met at Madison on the 13th of January, 1864.
" In response to the call of the General Government," said the governor, in his message to that
body, " Wisconsin had sent to the field on the first day of November last, exclusive of three
months' men, thirty - four regiments of infantry, three regiments and one company of cavalry,
twelve batteries of light artillery, three batteries of heavy artillery, and one company of sharp-
shooters, making an aggregate of forty-one thousand seven hundred and seventy-five men."
Quite a number of laws were passed at this session of the legislature relative to military
matters : three were acts to authorize towns, cities and villages to raise money by tax for the
payment of bounties to volunteers; one revised, amended and consolidated all laws relative to
extra pay to Wisconsin soldiers in the service of the United States ; one provided for the proper
reception by the State, of Wisconsin volunteers returning from the field of service; another
repealed the law relative to allotment commissioners. One was passed authorizing the gov-
ernor to purchase flags for regiments or batteries whose flags were lost or destroyed in the
service : another was passed amending the law suspending the sale of lands mortgaged to the
State or held by volunteers, so as to apply to drafted men; another provided for levying a State
tax of $200,000 for the support of families of volunteers. A law was passed authorizing the
governor to take care of the sick and wounded soldiers of Wisconsin, and appropriated ten
thousand dollars for that purpose. Two other acts authorized the borrowing of money for repel-
ling invasion, suppressing insurrection, and defending the State in time of war. One act pro-
hibited the taking of fees for procuring volunteers' extra bounty ; another one defined the resi-
dence of certain soldiers from this St:;te in the service of the United States, who had received
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 87
local bounties from towns other than their proper places of residence.
At the commencement of 1864, there were recruiting in the State the Thirty-fifth regiment
of infantry and the Thirteenth battery. The latter was mustered in on the 29th of December,
1863, and left the State for New Orleans on the 28th of January, 1864. In February, authority
was given by the war department to organize the Thirty-sixth regiment of infantry. On the
:27th of that month, the mustering '.n of the Thirty-fifth was completed at " Camp Washburn "
— Colonel Henry Orff — the regiment, one thousand and sixty-six strong, leaving, the State on the
18th of April, 1864, for Alexandris;, Louisiana. The other regiments, recruited and mustered
into the service of the United States during the year 1864, were: the Thirty-sixth — Colonel
Frank A. Haskell; the Thirty-seventh — Colonel Sam Harriman ; the Thirty-eighth — Colonel
James BintlifF; the Thirty -ninth — Colonel Edwin L. Buttrick ; the Fortieth — Colonel W.
Augustus Ray; the Forty-first — Lieutenant Colonel George B. Goodwin; the Forty-second —
■Colonel Ezra T. Sprague ; the Forty-third — Colonel Amasa Cobb.
The regiments mustered into the service of the United States during the year 1865 were:
the Forty-fourth — Colonel George C. Symes ; the Forty-fifth — Colonel Henry F. Belitz; Forty-
sixth — Colonel Frederick S. Lovell ; Forty-seventh — Colonel George C. Ginty ; Forty-eighth —
Colonel Uri B. Pearsall ; Forty-ninth — Colonel Samuel Fallows; Fiftieth — Colonel John G.
dark ; Fifty-first — Colonel Leonard Martin ; Fifty-second — Lieutenant Colonel Hiram J. Lewis ;
and Fifty-third — Lieutenant Colonel Robert T. Pugh.
All of the fifty-three regiments of infantry raised in Wisconsin during the war, sooner or
later moved to the South and were engaged there in one way or other, in aiding to suppress the
rebellion. Twelve of these regiments were assigned to duty in the eastern division, which con-
stituted the territory on both sides of the Potomac and upon the seaboard from Baltimore to
Savannah. These twelve regiments were: the First (three months), Second, Third, Fourth,
Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Nineteenth, Twenty-sixth, Thirty-sixth, Thirty-seventh, and Thirty-eighth.
Ten regiments were assigned to the central division, including Kentucky, Tennessee, Northern
Alabama, and Georgia. These ten were: the Tenth, Twenty-first, Twenty-second, Twenty-
fourth, Thirtieth, Forty-third, Forty-fourth, Forty-fifth, Forty-sixth, and Forty-seventh. Added
to these was the First (re-organized). Thirty-one regiments were ordered to the western division,
embracing the country west and northwest of the central division. These were : the Eighth,
Ninth, Eleventh, Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seventeenth, Eighteenth,
Twentieth, Twenty-third, Twenty-fifth, Twenty-seventh, Twenty-eighth, Twenty-ninth, Thirty-first,
Thirty-second, Thirty-third, Thirty-fourth, Thirty-fifth, Thirty-ninth, Fortieth, Forty-first, Forty-
•second, Forty-eighth, Forty-ninth, Fiftieth, Fifty-first, Fifty-second, and Fifty-third. During the
war several transfers were made from one district to another. There were taken from the eastern
•division, the Third and Twenty-sixth, and sent to the central division; also the Fourth, which
■was sent to the department of the gulf. The Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fifteenth, Sixteenth, Seven-
teenth, Eighteenth, Twenty-fifth, Thirtieth, Thirty-first and Thirty-second were transferred from
the western to the central department.
The four regiments of cavelry were assigned to the western division — the First regiment
being afterward transferred to the central division. Of the thirteen batteries of light artillery, the
Second, Fourth, and Eleventh, were assigned to the eastern division ; the First and Third, to
the central division ; the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Eighth, Ninth, Tenth, Twelfth, and Thirteenth,
to the western division. During the war, the First was transferred to the western division ; while
the Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, Tenth, and Twelfth, were transferred to the central division. Of the
twelve batteries of the First regiment of heavy artillery — " A," "E," "F," "G," "H," "I,"
"K," "L," and "M," were assigned to duty in the eastern division ; "B" and "C," to the central
^8 HISTOKY OF WISCONSIN.
divisioij; and "D," to fhe western division. Company "G," First regiment Berdan's sharp-
shooters, was assigned to the eastern division.
The military officers of the State for 1865 were the same as the previous year, except that
Brigadier General Lund resigned his position as quartermaster general, James M. Lynch being
appointed in his place. The legislature of this year met in Madison on the nth of January.
" To the calls of the Government for troops," said Governor Lewis, in his message, " no State
has responded with greater alacrity than has Wisconsin. She has sent to the field, since the
commencement of the war, forty-four regiments of infantry, four regiments and one company of
cavalry, one regiment of heavy artillery, thirteen batteries of light artillery, and one company of
sharpshooters, making an aggregate (exclusive of hundred day men) of seventy-five thousand
one hundred and thirty-three men."
Several military laws were passed at this session : one authorizing cities, towns, and villages
to pay bounties to volunteers ; another, incorporating the Wisconsin Soldiers' Home ; two others,
amending the act relative "to the commencement and prosecution of civil actions against persons
in the military service of the country." One was passed authorizing the payment of salaries,
clerk hire, and expenses, of the offices of the adjutant general and quartermaster general from
the war fund ; another, amending the act authorizing commissioned officers to take acknowledg-
ment of deeds, affidavits and depositions; another, amending the act extending the right of
suffi-age to soldiers in the field. One act provides for correcting and completing the records of
the adjutant general's office, relative to the military history of the individual members of the
several military organizations of this State ; another fixes the salary of the adjutant general and
the quartermaster general, and their clerks and assistants ; another prohibits volunteer or sub-
stitute brokerage. One act was passed supplementary and explanatory of a previous one of the
same session, authorizing towns, cities, or villages, to raise money to pay bounties to volunteers;;
another, amending a law of 1864, relating to the relief of soldiers' families; and another, pro-
viding for the establishment of State agencies for the relief and care of sick, wounded, and
disabled Wisconsin soldiers. There was an act also passed, authorizing the borrowing of money
for a period not exceeding seven months, to repel invasion, suppress insurrection, and defend the
State in time of war, — the amount not to exceed $850,000.
On the 13th of April, 1865, orders were received to discontinue recruiting in Wisconsin, and
to discharge all drafted men who had not been mustered in. About the first of May, orders-
were issued for the muster out of all organizations whose term of service would expire on or
before the first of the ensuing October. As a consequence, many Wisconsin soldiers were soon
on their way home. State military officers devoted their time to the reception of returning
regiments, to their payment by the United States, and to settling with those who were entitled tO'
extra pay from the State. Finally, their employment ceased — the last soldier was mustered out
— the War of the Rebellion was at an end. Wisconsin had furnished to the federal army during
the conflict over ninety thousand men, a considerable number more than the several requisitions
of the General Government called for. Nearly eleven thousand of these were killed or died of
wounds received in battle, or fell victims to diseases contracted in the military service, to say
nothing of those who died after their discharge, and whose deaths do not appear upon the mili-
tary records. Nearly twelve million dollars were expended by the State authorities, and the
people of the several counties and towns throughout the State, in their efforts to sustain the
National Government.
Wisconsin feels, as well she may, proud of her record made in defense of national existence.
Shoulder to shoulder with the other loyal States of the Union, she stood — always ranking among;
I he foremost. From her workshops, her farms, her extensive pineries, she poured forth stalwart
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 89
men, to fill up the organizations which she sent to the field. The blood of these brave men
drenched almost every battle-field from Pennsylvania to the Rio Grande, from Missouri to
Georgia. To chronicle the deeds and exploits — the heroic achievements — the noble enthusiasm
— of the various regiments and military organizations sent by her to do battle against the hydra-
headed monster secession — would be a lengthy but pleasant task ; but these stirring annals
belong to the history of our whole country. Therein will be told the story which, to the latest
time in the existence of this republic, will be read with wonder and astonishment. But an out-
line of the action of the State authorities and their labors, and of the origin of the various
military organizations, in Wisconsin, to aid in the suppression of the rebellion, must needs
contain a reference to other helps employed — mostly incidental, in many cases wholly charitable,
but none the less effective: the sanitary operations of the State during the rebellion.
Foremost among the sanitary operations of Wisconsin during the war of the rebellion was
the organization of the surgeon general's department — to the end that the troops sent to the
field from the State should have a complete and adequate supply of medicine and instruments as
well as an efficient medical staff. In 1861, Governor Randall introduced the practice of appoint-
ing agents to travel with the regiments to the field, who were to lake charge of the sick. The
practice was not continued by Governor Harvey. On the 17th of June, 1862, an act of the
legislature became a law authorizing the governor to take care of the sick and wounded soldiers
of Wisconsin, and appropriated twenty thousand dollars for that purpose. Under this law
several expeditions were sent out of the State to look after the unfortunate sons who were
suffering from disease or wounds. Soldiers' aid societies were formed throughout the State soon
after the opening scenes of the rebellion. When temporary sanitary operations were no longer
a necessity in Wisconsin, there followed two military benevolent institutions intended to be of a
permanent character : the Soldiers' Home at Milwaukee, and the Soldiers' Orphans' Home at
Madison. The latter, however, has been discontinued. The former, started as a State institu-
tion, is now wholly under the direction and support of the General Government.
Whether in the promptitude of her responses to the calls made on her by the General Govern-
ment, in the courage or constancy of her soldiery in the field, or in the wisdom and efficiency with
which her civil administration was conducted during the trying period covered by the war of the
rebellion, Wisconsin proved herself the peer of any loyal State.
TABULAR STATEMENT.
We publish on the following pages the report of the Adjutant General at the close of the war,
but before all the Wisconsin organizations had been mustered out. It shows how many brave men
courageously forsook homes, friends and the comforts of peaceful avocations, offering their lives
in defense of their country's honor. Twenty-two out of every hundred either died, were killed or
wounded. Thirteen out of every hundred found a soldier's grave, while only 60 per cent of them
marched home at the end of the war. Monuments may crumble, cities fall into decay, the tooth
of time leave its impress on all the works of man, but the memory of the gallant deeds of the
army of the Union in the great war of the rebellion, in which the sons of Wisconsin bore so
conspicuous a part, will live in the minds of men so long as time and civilized governments endure.
90
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92
HISTORT OF WISCONSIN.
Tenth Administration. — Lucius Fairchild, Governor — 1866-1867.
The inauguration of the newly elected State ofificers took place on Monday, January r,
1866. The legislature, in its nineteenth regular session, convened on the tenth. H. D. Barron
was elected speaker of the assembly. The " Union " and " Republican " members were in a
majority in both branches of the legislature. " Our first duty," said Governor Fairchild in his
message, "is to give thanks to Almighty God for all His mercies during the year that is past."
" The people of no nation on earth," he continued, " have greater cause to be thankful than
have our people. The enemies of the country have been overthrown in battle. The war has
settled finally great questions at issue between ourselves." Among the joint resolutions passed
at this session was one submitting the question of a constitutional convention to frame a new
constitution for the State, to the people. The legislature adjourned on the twelfth of April,
having been in session ninety-three days. At the general election in November of this year,,
there were elected to the Fortieth congress : H. E. Paine, from the first district ; B. F. Hopkins,
from the second ; Amasa Cobb, from the third ; C. A. Eldredge, from the fourth ; Philetus
Sawyer, from the fifth, and C. C. Washburn, from the sixth district. All were republicans
except Eldredge, who was elected as a democrat. The proposition for a constitutional conven-
tion was voted upon by the people at this election, but was defeated.
The twentieth session of the legislature commenced on the ninth of January, 1867.
Angus Cameron was elected speaker of the assembly. The legislature was strongly " Repub-
lican-Union." The message of Governor Fairchild was read by him in person, on the tenth.
On the twenty-third, the two houses, in joint convention, elected Timothy O. Howe United
States senator for the term of six years, commencing on the fourth of March next ensuing.
This legislature p.issed an act submitting to the people at the next Fall election an amendment
to section twenty-one of article four of the constitution of the State, providing for paying a
salary of three hundred and fifty dollars to each member of the legislature, instead of a ^er
diem allowance, as previously given. A sine die adjournment took place on the eleventh of Aprils
after a service of ninety-three days.
To provide for the more efficient collection of license fees due the State, an act, approved
on the day of adjournment, authorized the governor to appoint an agent of the treasury, to
superintend and enforce the collection of fees due for licenses fixed by law. This law is still in
force, the agent holding his office at the pleasure of the executive of the State.
On the 27th of March, Chief Justice Dixon resigned his office, but was immediately
appointed by the governor to the same position. At the election in April following, associate
Justice Cole was re-elected, without opposition, for six years from the first Monday in January-
following. On the i6th of August, Associate Justice Downer having resigned, Byron Paine was
appointed by the governor in his place.
The republican State ticket, in the Fall, was elected over the democratic — resulting in the
choice of Lucius Fairchild for governor ; Wyman Spooner, for lieutenant governor; Thomas.
S. Allen, Jr., secretary of state; William E. Smith, for state treasurer; Charles R. Gill, for
attorney general ; A. J. Craig, for superintendent of public instruction ; Jeremiah M. Rusk,
for bank comptroller, and Henry Cordier, for state prison commissioner. Except Craig, all
these officers, were the former incumbents. The amendment to section 21 of article 4 of the
constitution of the State, giving the members a salary instead of a per diem allowance, was.
adopted at this election. As it now stands, each member of the legislature receives, for
his services, three hundred and fifty dollars per annum, and ten cents for every mile he
travels in going to and returning from the place of the meetings of the legislature, on the most
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 93
usual route. In case of any extra session of the legislature, no additional compensation shall
be allowed to any member thereof, either directly or indirectly.
Eleventh Administration. — Lucius Fairchild, Governor (second term) — 1868-1869.
The Eleventh Administration in Wisconsin commenced at noon on the 6th day of January,,
1868. This was the commencement of Governor Fairchild's second term. On the eighth of
January, 1868, began the twenty-first regular session of the legislature of Wisconsin. A. M.
Thomson was elected speaker of the assembly. Of the laws of a general nature passed by this,
legislature, was one abolishing the office of bank comptroller, transferring his duties to the
state treasurer, and another providing for the establishing of libraries in the various townships
of the State. A visible effect was produced by the constitutional amendment allowing members
a salary, in abreviating this session, though not materially diminishing the amount of bnsiness-
transacted. A sine die adjournment took place on the sixth of March.
At the election in April, 1868, Chief Justice Dixon was chosen for the unexpired balance of
his own term, ending on the first Monday of January, 1870. At the same election, Byron Paine
was chosen associate justice for the unexpired balance of Associate Justice Downer's term,,
ending the ist day of January, 1872.
At the Fall election in this year, republican electors were chosen over those upon the
democratic ticket, for president and vice president ; and, as a consequence. Grant and Colfax
received the vote of Wisconsin. Of the members elected at the same time, to the forty-first
congress, all but one were republicans — Eldredge being a democrat. The successful ticket
was : H. E. Paine, from the first district ; B. F. Hopkins, from the second ; Amasa Cobb, from
the third ; C. A. Eldredge, from the fourth ; Philetus Sawyer, from the fifth, and C. C. Washburn,,
from the sixth district. These were all members, form their respective districts, in the previous,
congress — the only instance since Wisconsin became a State of a re-election of all the incum-
bents.
On the thirteenth of January, 1869, began the twenty-second regular session of the State
legislature. A. M. Thomson was elected speaker of the assembly. A very important duty
imposed upon both houses was the election of a United States senator in the place of James R.
Doolittle. The republicans having a majority in the legislature on joint ballot, the excitement
among the members belonging to that party rose to a high pitch. The candidates for nomina-
tion were Matthew H. Carpenter and C. C. Washburn. The contest was, up to that time,
unparalleled in Wisconsin for the amount of personal interest manifested. Both gentlemen had
a large lobby influence assembled at Madison. Carpenter was successful before the republican
nominating convention, on the sixth ballot. On the twenty-seventh of January, the two houses
proceeded to ratify the nomination by electing him United States senator for six years, from the
fourth of March following. One of the most important transactions entered into by the legis-
lature of 1869 was the ratification of the suffrage amendment to the constitution of the United
States. Both houses adjourned sine die on the eleventh of March — a very short session. At the
spring election, on the 6th of April, Luther S. Dixon was re-elected without opposition, chief
justice of the supreme court, for a term of six years, from the first Monday in January next
ensuing. In the Fall, both democrats and republicans put a State ticket in the field for the
ensuing election : the republicans were successful, electing Lucius Fairchild, governor ; Thad-
deus C. Pound, lieutenant governor; Llywelyn Breese, secretary of state ; Henry Baetz, state
treasurer ; S. S. Barlow, attorney general ; george F. Wheeler, state prison commissioner ;,
and A. L. Craig, superintendent of public instruction. The office of bank comptroller expired
on the 31st day of December, 1869, the duties of the office being transferred to the state
treasurer.
'34 HISTORY or WISCONSIN.
At this election, an amendment to sections 5 and 9 of article five of the constitution of
the State was ratified and adopted by the people. Under this amendment, the governor
receives, during his continuance in office, an annual compensation of five thousand dollars, which
is in full for all traveling or other expenses incident to his duties. The lieutenant governor
ireceives, during his continuance in office, an annual compensation of one thousand dollars.
Twelfth Administration. — Lucius Fairchild, Governor (third term) — 1870-187 1.
On the third of January, 1870, commenced the twelfth administration in Wisconsin, Gov-
•ernor Fairchild thus entering upon his third term as chief executive of the State ; the onlj-
instance since the admission of Wisconsin into the Union, of the same person being twice
Te-elected to that office. It was an emphatic recognition of the value of his services in the
gubernatorial chair. On the twelfth of January, the twenty-third regular session of the legis-
lature of the State commenced at Madison. James M. Bingham was elected speaker of the
assembly. Before the expiration of the month, Governor Fairchild received official information
that over two hundred thousand dollars of the war claim of Wisconsin upon the General Govern-
Tnent had been audited, considerable more than one hundred thousand having the previous year
been allowed. In the month of March, an energetic effort was made in the legislature, by
"members from Milwaukee, to remove the seat of government from Madison to their city; but
the project was defeated by a considerable majority in the assembly voting to postpone the
matter indefinitely. According to section eight of article one of the constitution, as originally
adopted, no person could be held to answer for a criminal offense unless on the presentment or
indictment of a grand jury, except in certain cases therein specified. The legislature of 1869
proposed an amendment against the " grand jury system " of the constitution, and referred it to the
legislature of 1870 for their approval or rejection. The latter took up the proposition and
agreed to it by the proper majority, and submitted it to the people at the next election for their
ratification. The sine die adjournment of both houses took place on the seventeenth of March,
1870. On the first day of January, previous, the member of congress from the second district
■of the State, B. F. Hopkins, died, and David Atwood, republican, was elected to fill the
■vacancy on the fifteenth of February following.
Early in 1870, was organized the "Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, Arts and Letters." By
;an act of the legislature approved March 16, of that year, it was incorporated, having among its
specific objects, researches and investigations in the various departments of the material, meta-
physical, ethical, ethnological and social sciences; a progressive and thorough scientific survey
•of the State, with a view of determining its mineral, agricultural and other resources; the
advancement of the useful arts, through the application of science, and by the encouragement
■of original invention; the encouragement of the fine arts, by means of honors and prizes
awarded to artists for original works of superior merit; the formation of scientific, economical
and art museums ; the encouragement of philological and historical research ; the collection and
preservation of historic records, and the formation of a general library; and the diffusion of
knowledge by the publication of original contributions to science, literature and the arts. The
-academy has already published four volumes of transactions, under authority of the State.
The fourth charitable institution established by Wisconsin was the " Northern Hospital for
the Insane," located at Oshkosh, Winnebago county. It was authorized by an act of the legis-
lature approved March 10, 1870. The law governing the admission of patients to this hospital
is the same as to the Wisconsin State Hospital.
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 95
On the third day of July, 1870, A. J. Craig, superintendent of public instruction, died of
consumption, and Samuel Fallows was, on the 6th of that month, appointed by the governor
to fill the place made vacant by his death. The census taken this year by the General Govern-
ment showed the population of Wisconsin to be over one million sixty-four thousand. At the
Fall election for members to the forty-second congress, Alexander Mitchell was chosen to-
represent the first district; G. W. Hazelton, the second; J. A. Barber, the third; C. A.
Eldredge, the fourth; Philetus Sawyer, the fifth; and J. M. Rusk, the sixth district. Mitchell
and Eldredge were democrats ; the residue were republicans. The amendment to section 8, of
article 7 of the constitution of the State, abolishing the grand jury system was ratified by a
large majority. Under it, no person shall be held to answer for a criminal offense without due
process of law, and no person, for the same offense, shall be put twice in jeopardy of punishment,,
nor shall be compelled in any criminal case to be a witness against himself. All persons shall,,
before conviction, be bailable by sufficient sureties, except for capital offenses when the proof is.
evident and the presumption great ; and the privilege of the writ of habeas corpus shall not be
suspended unless, when in cases of rebellion or invasion, the public safety may require it.
Governor Fairchild, in his last annual message to the legislature, delivered to that body at
its twenty-fourth regular session beginning on the eleventh of January, 187 1, said that Wisconsin
State polity was so wisely adapted to the needs of the people, and so favorable to the growth
and prosperity of the commonwealth, as to require but few changes at the hands of the legisla-
ture, and those rather of detail than of system. At the commencement of this session, William
E. Smith was elected speaker of the assembly. A very carefully-perfected measure of this,
legislature was one providing for the trial of criminal offenses on information, without the inter-
vention of a Grand Jury. A state commissioner of immigration, to be elected by the people, was.
provided for. Both bodies adjourned sine die on the twenty-fifth of March. On the thirteenth
of January preceding. Associate Justice Byron Paine, of the supreme court, died ; whereupon
the governor, on the 20th of the same month, appointed in his place, until the Spring election
should be held, William Penn Lyon. The latter, at the election in April, was chosen by the
people to serve the unexpired time of Associate Justice Paine, ending the first Monday of Jan-
uary, 1872, and for a full term of six years from the same date. On the 3d of April, Ole C.
Johnson was appointed by the governor state commissioner of immigration, to serve until his.
successor at the next general election could be chosen by the people. To the end that the
administration of public charity and correction should thereafter be conducted upon sound
principles of economy, justice and humanity, and that the relations existing between the State
and its dependent and criminal classes might be better understood, there was, by an act of the
legislature, approved March 23, 187 1, a "state board of charities and reform" created — to
consist of five members to be appointed by the governor of the State, the duties of the members
being to investigate and supervise the whole system of charitable and correctional institutions
supported by the State or receiving aid from the State treasury, and on or before the first day of
December in each year to report their proceedings to the executive of the State. This board
was thereafter duly organized and its members have since reported annually to the governor
their proceedings and the amount of their expenses, as required by law.
The "Wisconsin State Horticultural Society," although previously organized, first under the
name of the " Wisconsin Fruit Growers' Association," was not incorporated until the 24th of
March, 1871 — the object of the society being to improve the condition of horticulture, rural
adornment and landscape gardening. By a law of 1868, provision was made for the publication
of the society's transactions in connection with the State agricultural society ; but by the act
'^6 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN.
of 187 1, this law was repealed and an appropriation made for their yearly publication in separate
form; resulting in the issuing, up to the present time, of nine volumes. The society holds
annual meetings at Madison.
At the November election both republicans and democrats had a full ticket for the suffrages
of the people. The republicans were successful, electing for governor, C. C. Washburn; M. H.
Pettitt, for lieutenant governor ; Llywelyn Breese, for secretary of state ; Henry Baetz, for state
treasurer; Samuel Fallows, for superintendent of public instruction ; S. S. Barlow, for attorney
general ; G. F. Wheeler, for state prison commissioner ; and O. C. Johnson, for state commis-
sioner of immigration. At this election an amendment to article four of the constitution of the
State was ratified and adopted by the people. As it now stands, the legislature is prohibited
from enacting any special or private laws in the following cases : 1st. For changing the names of
persons or constituting one person the heir-at-law of another. 2d. For laying out, opening, or
altering highways, except in cases of State roads extending into more than one county, and mili-
tary roads to aid in the construction of which lands may be granted by congress. 3d. For
authorizing persons to keep ferries across streams, at points wholly within this State. 4th. For
authorizing the sale or mortgage of real or personal property of minors or others under disability.
5th. For locating or changing any county seat. 6th. For assessment or collection of taxes or for
extending the time for the collection thereof 7th. For granting corporate powers or privileges,
except to cities. 8th. For authorizing the apportionment of any part of the school fund. 9th.
For incorporating any town or village, or to amend the charter thereof The legislature shall
provide general laws for the transaction of any business that may be prohibited in the foregoing
cases, and all such laws shall be uniform in their operation throughout the State.
Industrially considered, the year 1871 had but little to distinguish it from the average of
previous years in the State, except that the late frosts of Spring and the drouth of Summer dimin-
ished somewhat the yield of certain crops. With the exception of slight showers of only an hour
or two's duration, in the month of September, no rain fell in Wisconsin from the eighth of July to
the ninth of October — a period of three months. The consequence was a most calamitous event
which will render the year 1871 memorable in the history of the State.
The great drouth of the Summer and Fall dried up the streams and swamps in Northern
Wisconsin. In the forests, the fallen leaves and underbrush which covered the ground became
very ignitable. The ground itself, especially in cases of alluvial or bottom lands, was so dry and
parched as to burn readily to the depth of a foot or more. For many days preceding the com-
mencement of the second week in October fires swept through the timbered country, and in some
instances over prairies and " openings." Farmers, saw-mill owners, railroad men and all others
interested in exposed property, labored day and night in contending against the advance of
devouring fires, which were destroying, notwithstanding the ceaseless energies of the people, an
occasional mill or house and sweeping off, here and there, fences, haystacks and barns. Over the
counties lying upon Green bay and a portion of those contiguous thereto on the south, southwest
and west, hung a general gloom. No rain came. All energies were exhausted from " fighting
fire." The atmosphere was every where permeated with smoke. The waters of the bay and
even Lake Michigan, in places, were so enveloped as to render navigation difficult and in some
instances dangerous. It finally became very difficult to travel upon highways and on railroads.
Time drew on — but there came no rain. The ground in very many places was burned over.
Persons sought refuge — some in excavations in the earth, others in wells.
The counties of Oconto, Brown, Kewaunee, Door, Manitowoc, Outagamie and Shawano
were all more or less swept by this besom of destruction ; but in Oconto county, and for some
distance into Menomonee county, Michigan, across the Menomonee river, on the west shore of
WISCONSIN" AS A STATE. 97
the bay and throughout the whole length and breadth of the peninsula, — that is, the territory
lying between the bay and Lake Michigan, — the fires were the most devastating. The first week
in October passed ; then came an actual whirlwind of fire — ten or more miles in width and of
indefinite length. The manner of its progress was extraordinary. It destroyed a vast amount of
property and many lives. It has been described as a tempestuous sea of flame, accompanied by
a most violent hurricane, which multiplied the force of the destructive element. Forests, farm
improvements and entire villages were consumed. Men, women and children perished — awfully
perished. Even those who fled and sought refuge from the fire in cleared fields, in swamps,
lakes and rivers, found, many of them, no safety there, but were burned to death or died of suf-
focation.
This dreadful and consuming fire was heralded by a sound likened to that of a railroad
train — to the roar of a waterfall — to the noise of a battle at a distance. Not human beings
only, but horses, oxen, cows, dogs, swine — every thing that had life — ran to escape the impend-
ing destruction. The smoke was suffocating and blinding ; the roar of the tempest deafening ;
the atmosphere scorching. Children were separated from their parents, and trampled upon by
crazed beasts. Husbands and wives rushed in wild dismay, they knew not where. Death rode
triumphantly upon that devastating, fiery flood. More than one thousand men, women and
children perished. More than three thousand were rendered destitute — utterly beggared.
Mothers were left with fatherless children ; fathers with motherless children. Every where were
homeless orphans. All around lay suffering, helpless humanity, burned and maimed. Such was
the sickening spectacle after the impetuous and irresistible wave of fire swept over that portion
of the State. This appalling calamity happened on the 8th and 9th of October. The loss of
property has been estimated at four million dollars.
At the tidings of this fearful visitation. Governor Fairchild hastened to the burnt district, to
assist, as much as was in his power, the distressed sufferers. He issued, on the 13th of the
month, a stirring appeal to the citizens of Wisconsin, for aid. It was promptly responded to
from all portions of the State outside the devastated region. Liberal con'ributions in money,
clothing and provisions were sent — some from other States, and even from foreign countries.
Northwestern Wisconsin also suffered severely, during these months of drouth, from large fires.
A compilation of the public statutes of Wisconsin was prepared during the year 1871, by
David Taylor, and published in two volumes, generally known as the Revised Statutes of 1871.
It was wholly a private undertaking ; but the legislature authorized the secretary of state to
purchase five hundred copies for the use of the State, at its regular session in 1872.
Thirteenth Administration. — C. C. Washburn, Governor — 1872-1873.
The thirteenth gubernatorial administration in Wisconsin commenced on Monday, January
t, 1872. The only changes made, in the present administration from ^the previous one, were in
the ofiices of governor and lieutenant governor.
The twenty-fifth regular session of the legislature began on the loth of January, with a
republican majority in both houses. Daniel Hall was elected speaker of the assembly. The
next day the governor delivered to a joint convention of the legislature his first annual message
— a lengthy document, setting forth in detail the general condition of State affairs. The recent
great conflagrations were referred to, and relief suggested. The work of this session of the Leg-
islature was peculiarly difficult, owing to the many general laws which the last constitutional
amendment made necessary. The apportionment of the State into new congressional districts
was another perplexing and onerous task. Eight districts were formed instead of six, as at the
commencement of the last decade. By this, the fourth congressional apportionment, each district
98
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
elects one member. The first district consists of the counties of Rock, Racine, Kenosha, Wal-
worth, and Waukesha; the second, of Jefferson, Dane, Sauk, and Columbia; the third* of Grant,
Iowa, LaFayette, Green, Richland, and Crawford ; the fourth, of Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Wash-
ington; the fifth, of Dodge, Fond du Lac, Sheboygan and Manitowoc ; the sixth, of Green Lake,
Waushara, Waupaca, Outagamie, Winnebago, Calumet, Brown, Kewaunee and Door ; the sev-
enth, of Vernon, La Crosse, Monroe, Jackson, Trempealeau, Buffalo, Pepin, Pierce, St. Croix, Eau
Claire, and Clark; the eighth, of Oconto, Shawano, Portage, Wood, Juneau, Adams, Marquette,
Marathon, Dunn, Chippewa, Barron, Polk, Burnett, Bayfield, Douglas, and Ashland. To this
district have since been added the new counties of Lincoln, Taylor, Price, Marinette and New.
After a session of seventy-seven days, the legislature finished its work, adjourning on the
twenty-seventh of March. At the ensuing November election, the republican ticket for presi-
dent and vice president of the United States was successful. The ten electors chosen cast their
votes in the electoral college for Grant and Wilson. In the eight congressional districts, six
republicans and two democrats were elected to the forty-third congress ; the last mentioned
from the fourth and fifth districts. C. G. Williams represented the first district ; G. W. Hazel-
ton the second ; J. Allen Barber the third ; Alexander Mitchell the fourth ; C. A. Eldredge the
fifth ; Philetus Sawyer the sixth ; J. M. Rusk the seventh ; and A. G. McDill the eighth district.
Throughout Wisconsin, as in all portions of the Union outside the State, a singular pesti-
lence prevailed among horses in the months of November and December, 1872, very few escap-
ing. Horses kept in warm, well ventilated stables, avoiding currents of air, with little or no
medicine, and fed upon nutritious and laxative food, soon recovered. Although but few died,
yet the loss to the State was considerable, especially in villages and cities, resulting from the diffi-
culty to substitute other animals in the place of the horse during the continuance of the disease.
The twenty-sixth regular session of the State legislature commenced on the eighth day of
January, 1873, with a republican majority in both houses. Henry D. Barron was elected
speaker of the assembly. On the ninth. Governor Washburn's message — his second annual
one — was delivered to the two houses. It opened with a brief reference to the abundant returns
from agricultural pursuits, to the developments of the industries of the state, to the advance in
manufacturing, to the rapid extension in railways, and to the general and satisfactory progress in
education, throughout Wisconsin. He followed with several recommendations — claiming that
"many vast and overshadowing corporations in the United States are justly a source of alarm,"
and that " the legislature can not scan too closely every measure that should come before it
which proposed to give additional rights and privileges to the railways of the state." He also
recommended that the " granting of passes to the class of state officials who, through their public
office, have power to confer or withhold benefits to a railroad company, be prohibited." The
message was favorably commented upon by the press of the state, of all parties. " If Governor
Washburn," says one of the opposition papers of his administration, " is not a great statesman,,
he is certainly not a small politician." One of the first measures of this legislature was the elec-
tion of United States senator, to fill the place of Timothy O. Howe, whose term of office would
expire on the fourth of March next ensuing On the twenty-second of January the two houses
met in joint convention, when it was announced that by the previous action of the senate and
assembly, Timothy O. Howe was again elected to that office for the term of six years. On the
twentieth of March, the legislature adjourned sine die, after a session of seventy-two days.
Milton H. Pettitt, the lieutenant governor, died on the 23d day of March following the
adjournment. By this sudden and unexpected death, the State lost an upright and conscientious,
public officer.
"WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 99
Among the important acts passed by this legislature was one providing for a geological sur-
vey of the State, to be begun in Ashland and Douglas counties, and completed within four years,
by a chief geologist and four assistants, to be appointed by the governor, appropriating for the
work an annual payment of thirteen thousand dollars. An act providing for a geological survey,
of the State, passed by the legislature, and approved March 25, 1853, authorized the governor to
appoint a state geologist, who was to select a suitable person as assistant geologist. Their
duties were to make a geological and mineralogical survey of the State. Under this law Edward
Daniels, on the first day of April, 1853, was appointed state geologist, superseded on the 12th
day of August, 1854, by James G. Percival, who died in office on the 2d of May, 1856, at Hazel
Green. By an act approved March 3, 1857, James Hall, Ezra Carr and Edward Daniels were
appointed by the legislature geological commissioners. By an act approved April 2, r86o, Hall
was made principal of the commission. The survey was interrupted by a repeal, March 21,1862,,
of previous laws promoting it. However, to complete the survey, the matter was reinstated by
the act of this legislature, approved March 29, the governor, under that act, appointing as chief
geologist Increase A. Lapham, April 10, 1873.
Another act changed the management of the state prison — providing for the appointment
by the governor of three directors; one for two years, one for fotjr years, and one for six years,,
in place of a state prison commissioner, who had been elected by the people every two years-,,
along with other officers of the State.
At the Spring election, Orsamus Cole, who had been eighteen years upon the bench, was
re-elected, without opposition, an associate justice of the supreme court, for a term of six years,
from the first Monday in January following. The two tickets in the field at the Fall election
were the republican and the people's reform. The latter was successful ; the political scepter-
passing out of the hands of the republicans, after a supremacy in the State continuing unbroken
since the beginning of the seventh administration, when A. W. Randall (governor for a second,
term) and the residue of the State officers were elected — all republicans.
The general success among the cultivators of the soil throughout the state during the year,,
notwithstanding "the crisis," was marked and satisfactory; but the financial disturbances during
the latter part of the Fall and the first part of the Winter, resulted in a general depreciation of
prices.
Fourteenth Administration. — William R. Taylor, Governor — 1874-75.
The fourteenth administration of Wisconsin commenced at noon on Monday, the fifth day-
of January, 1874, by the inauguration of William R. Taylor as governor; Charles D. Parker,,
lieutenant governor; Peter Doyle, secretary of state; Ferdinand Kuehn, state treasurer;.
A. Scott Sloan, attorney general; Edward Searing, superintendent of public instruction;,
and Martin J. Argard, state commissioner of immigration. These officers were not
elected by any distinctive political party as such, but as the representatives of a new
political organization, including "all Democrats, Liberal Republicans, and other electors,
of Wisconsin, friendly to genuine reform through equal and impartial legislation, honesty
in office, and rigid economy in the administration of affairs." Among the marked characteristics.
of the platform agreed upon by the convention nominating the above-mentioned ticket was a
declaration by the members that they would " vote for no candidate for office whose nomination
is the fruit of his own importunity, or of a corrupt combination among partisan leaders ;'"
another, " that the sovereignty of the State over corporations of its own creation shall be sacredly
respected, to the full extent of protecting the people against every form of monopoly or extor-
tion," not denying, however, an encouragement to wholesome enterprise on the part of aggre-
^^^ HISTOKY OF WISCONSIN.
gated capital — this "plank" having special reference to a long series of alleged grievances
assumed to have been endured by the people on account of discriminations in railroad charges
and a consequent burdensome taxation upon labor — especially upon the agricultural industry of
the State.
The twenty-seventh regular session of the Wisconsin legislature commenced at Madison on
the fourteenth of January. The two houses were politically antagonistic in their majorities ; the
senate was republican, while the assembly had a " reform " majority. In the latter branch,
Gabriel Bouck was elected speaker. Governor Taylor, on the fifteenth, met the legislature in
joint convention and delivered his message. " An era," said he, "of apparent prosperity without
parallel in the previous history of the nation, has been succeeded by financial reverses affecting
all classes of industry, and largely modifying the standard of values." "Accompanying these
financial disturbances," added the governor, " has come an imperative demand from the people
for a purer political morality, a more equitable apportionment of the burdens and blessings of
government, and a more rigid economy in the administration of public affairs."
Among the important acts passed by this legislature was one generally known as the
" Potter Law," from the circumstance of the bill being introduced by Robert L. D. Potter, sen-
ator, representing the twenty-fifth senatorial district of the state. The railroad companies for
a number of years had, as before intimated, been complained of by the people, who charged them
with unjust discriminations and exorbitantly high rates for the transportation of passengers and
merchandize. All the railroad charters were granted by acts at different times of the State leg-
islature, under the constitution which declares that " corporations may be formed under general
laws, but shall not be created by a special act, except for municipal purposes and in cases
where, in the judgment of the legislature, the objects of the corporations can not be attained
under general laws. All general laws, or special acts, enacted under the provisions of this
section, may be altered or repealed by the legislature at any time after their passage." The
complaints of the people seem to have remained unheeded, resulting in the passage of the
" Potter Law." This law limited the compensation for the transportation of passengers, classi-
fied freight, and regulated prices for its transportation within the State. It also required the
governor on or before the first of May, 1874, by and with the consent of the senate, to appoint
three railroad commissioners ; one for one year, one for two years, and one for three years,
-whose terms of office should commence on the fourteenth day of May, and that the governor,
thereafter, on the first day of May, of each year, should appoint one commissioner for three
years. Under this law, the governor appointed J. H. Osborn, for three years ; George H. Paul,
for two years ; and J. W. Hoyt, for one year. Under executive direction, this commission inau-
gurated its labors by compiling, classifying, and putting into convenient form for public use for
the first time, all the railroad legislation of the State.
At the outset the two chief railroad corporations of the State — the Chicago, Milwaukee and
St. Paul, and the Chicago and Northwestern — served formal notice upon the governor of Wis-
consin that they would not respect the provisions of the new railroad law. Under his oath of
office, to support the constitution of the State, it was the duty of Governor Taylor to expedite
all such measures as should be resolved upon by the legislature, and to take care that the laws
"be faithfully executed. No alternative, therefore, was le*'t the chief executive but to enforce the
law by all the means placed in his hands for that purpose. He promptly responded to the noti-
fication of the railroad companies by a proclamation, dated May i, 1874, in which he enjoined
compliance with the statute, declaring that all the functions of his office would be exercised in
faithfully executing the laws, and invoking the aid of all good citizens thereto. " The law of the
land," said Governor Taylor, "must be respected and obeyed." "While none," continued he,
WISCONSi:^" AS A STATE. 101
"" are so weak as to be without its protection, none are so strong as to be above its restraints. If
provisions of the law be deemed oppressive, resistance to its mandates will not abate, but rather
multiply the anticipated evils." "It is the right," he added, "of all to test its validity through
the constituted channels, but with that right is coupled the duty of yielding a general obedience
to its requirements until it has been pronounced invalid by competent authority."
The railroad companies claimed not merely the unconstitutionality of the law, but that its
enforcement would bankrupt the companies, and suspend the operation of their lines. The
governor, in reply, pleaded the inviolability of his oath of office and his pledged faith to the people.
The result was an appeal to the courts, in which the State, under the direction of its governor,
was compelled to confront an array of the most formidable legal talent of the country. Upon
the result in Wisconsin depended the vitality of much similar legislation in neighboring S'.ates,
and Governor Taylor and his associate representatives of State authority were thus compelled
to bear the brunt of a controversy of national extent and consequence. The contention extended
both to State and United States courts, the main question involved being the constitutional
power of the State over corporations of its own creation. In all respects, the State was fully
sustained in its position, and, ultimately, judgments were rendered against the corporations in
all the State and federal courts, including the supreme court of the United States, and estab-
lishing finally the complete and absolute power of the people, through the legislature, to modify
■or altogether repeal the charters of corporations.
Another act of the session of 1874 abolished the ofSce of State commissioner of immigra-
tion, "on and after " the first Monday of January, T876. The legislature adjourned on the
twelfth of March, 1874, after a session of fifty-eight days.
The office of state prison commissioner having, by operation of law, become vacant on the
fifth day of January, 1874, the governor, on the twenty-third of that month, appointed for State
prison directors, Joel Rich, for two years ; William E. Smith, for four years ; and Nelson Dewey,
for six years : these to take the place of that officer.
On the sixteenth of June, Chief Justice Dixon, whose terra of office would have expired on
the first Monday in January, 1876, resigned his seat upon the bench of the supreme court.
Governor Taylor appointing Edward G. Ryan in his place until his successor should be elected
and qualified. At the November election of this year, the members chosen to the forty-fourth
congress were — Charles G. Williams, from the first district; Lucian B. Caswell, from the
second; Henry S. Magoon, from the third; William Pitt Lynde, from the fourth; Samuel D.
Burchard, from the fifth; A. M. Kimball, from the sixth; Jeremiah M. Rusk, from the seventh,
and George W. Cate, from the eighth district. Lynde, Burchard and Gate were " reform ; " the
residue were republican.
At the same election, an amendment to section 3 of article 11 of the constitution of the
State was duly ratified and adopted by the people. Under this section, as it now stands, it is
the duty of the legislature, and they are by it empowered, to provide for the organization of
cities and incorporated villages, and to restrict their power of taxation, assessment, borrowing
money, contracting debts, and loaning their credit, so as to prevent abuses in assessments and
taxation, and in contracting debts, by such municipal corporations. No county, city, town,
village, school district, or other municips. corporation, shall be allowed to become indebted in
any manner, or for any purpose, to a''-; .,ount, including existing indebtedness in the aggregate,
exceeding five per centum on the vaiuC of the taxable property therein, to be ascertained by the
last assessment for State and county taxes previous to the incurring of such indebtedness. Any
county, city, town, village, school district, or other municipal corporation, incurring any indebt-
edness as aforesaid, shall, before, or at the time of doing so, provide for the collection of a direct
102 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN.
annual tax sufficient to pay the interest on such debt as it falls due, and also to pay and discharge
the principal thereof within twenty years from the time of contracting the same.
In 1872, the first appropriation for fish culture in Wisconsin was made by the legislature,
subject to the direction of the United States commissioner of fislieries. In 1874, a further sum
was appropriated, and the governor of the State authorized to appoint three commissioners,,
whose duties were, upon receiving any spawn or iish, by or through the United States commis-
sioner of fish and fisheries, to immediately place such spawn in the care of responsible pisci-
culturists of the State, to be hatched and distributed in the different waters in and surrounding
Wisconsin. Two more members have since been added by law to the commission ; their labors
have been much extended, and liberal appropriations made to further the object they have in
view — with flattering prospects of their finally being able to stock the streams and lakes of the
State with the best varieties of food fish.
The year 1874, in Wisconsin, was characterized as one of general prosperity among farmers,
excepting the growers of wheat. The crop of that cereal was light, and, in places, entirely
destroyed by the chinch-bug. As a consequence, considerable depression e.xisted in business in
the wheat-growing districts. Trade and commerce continued throughout the year at a low ebb,,
the direct result of the monetary crisis of 1873.
The legislature commenced its twenty-eighth regular session on the thirteenth of January,
1875, with a republican majority in both houses. F. W. Horn was elected speaker of the
assembly. The governor delivered his message in person, on the fourteenth, to the two houses.
"Thanking God for all His mercies," are his opening words, " I congratulate you that order and-
peace reign throughout the length and breadth of our State. Our material prosperity has not
fulfilled our anticipations. But let us remember that we bear no burden of financial depression
not common to all .the States, and that the penalties of folly are the foundation of wisdom." In.
regard to the " Potter Law," the governor said, " It is not my opinion that this law expressed the
best judgment of the legislature which enacted it. While the general principles upon which it
is founded command our unqualified approbation, and can never be surrendered, it must be
conceded that the law is defective in some of its details. . . . The great object sought to be
accomplished by our people," continued the speaker, "is not the management of railroad property
by themselves, but to prevent its mismanagement by others." Concerning the charge that
Wisconsin was warring upon railways within her limits, the governor added, " She has never
proposed such a war. She proposes none now. She asks only honesty, justice and the peace of"
mutual good will. To all men concerned, her people say in sincerity and in truth that every
dollar invested in our State shall be lawfully entitled to its just protection, whencesoever the
danger comes. In demanding justice for all, the State will deny justice to none. In forbidding
mismanagement, the State will impose no restraints upon any management that is lunest and
just. In this, the moral and hereditary instincts of our people furnish a stronger bond of good
faith than the judgments of courts or the obligations of paper constitutions. Honest capital
may be timid and easily frightened; yet it is more certain to seek investment among a people
whose laws are at all times a shield for the weak and a reliance for the strong — where the
wholesome restraints of judicious legislation are felt alike by the exalted and the humlile, the'
rich and the poor."
The first important business to be transacted by this legislature was the election of a United
States senator, as the term for which M. H. Carpenter had been elected would expire on the
fourth of March ensuing. Much interest was manifested in the matter, not only in the two-
houses, but throughout the State. There was an especial reason for this ; for, although the then.
WISCOSrSIN" AS A STATE. 103
incumbent was a candidate for re-election, with a republican majority in the legislature, yet it
"was well known that enough members of that party were pledged, before the commencement of
the session, to vote against him, to secure his defeat, should they stand firm to their pledges.
The republicans met in caucus and nominated Carpenter for re-election; but the recalcitrant
members held themselves aloof. Now, according to usual precedents, a nomination by the domi-
nant party was equivalenc to an election ; not so, however, in this case, notwithstanding the friends
of the nominee felt sanguine of his election in the end. The result of the first ballot, on the
twenty-sixth of January, was, in the senate, thirteen for the republican candidate ; in the
assembly, forty-six votes, an aggregate of only fifty-nine. He lacked four votes in the assembly
and an equal number in the senate, of having a majority i.i each house. On the twenty-seventh,
the two houses, in joint convention, having met to compare the record of the voting the day
previous, and it appearing that no one person had received a majority of the votes in each house
for United States senator, they proceeded to their first joint ballot. The result was, no election.
The balloting was continued each day, until the third of February, when, on the eleventh joint
trial, Angus Cameron, of LaCrosse, having received sitxty-eight votes, to Carpenter's fifty-nine,
"with five scattering, was declared elected.
As in the previous session so in this, — one of the most absorbing subjects before the legisla-
ture was that of railroads; the " Potter Law" receiving a due share of attention in both houses.
The result was an amendment in some important particulars without changing the right of State
control : rates were modified. The law as amended was more favorable to the railroad compa-
nies and was regarded as a compromise. The legislature adjourned sine die on the 6th of March.
This was the shortest session ever held in the State except one of twenty-five years previous.
On the i6th of February, O. W, Wight was appointed by the governor chief geologist of
"Wisconsin, in place of I. A. Lapham, whose appointment had not been acted upon by the Senate.
On the 24th of the same month, J. W. Hoyt was appointed railroad commissioner for three
years from the first day of May Tollowing, on which day his one-year term in the same office would
■expire. At the regular Spring election on the 6th of April following, Edward G. Ryan was
elected, without opposition, chief justice of the supreme court for the unexpired term of Chief
Justice Dixon, ending the first Monday in January, 1876, and for a full term of six years from
the last mentioned date; so that his present term of office will expire on the 1st Monday in Jan-
uary, 1882. An act providing for taking the census of Wisconsin on or before the ist of July,
1875, ^^^ passed by the legislature and approved the 4th of March pievious. It required an
enumeration of all the inhabitants of the State except Indians, who were not entitled to the right
of suffrage. The result of this enumeration gave a total population to Wisconsin of one million
two hundred and thirty-six thousand seven hundred and twenty-nine.
At the November election, republican and " reform " tickets were in the field for State
■officers, resulting in the success of the latter, except as to governor. For this office Harrison
Ludington was chosen by a majority, according to the State board of canvassers, over William
R. Taylor, of eight hundred and forty-one. The_rest of the candidates elected were: Charles
D. Parker, lieutenant governor ; Petei Doyle, secretary of state ; Ferdinand Kuehn, treasurer
of state, A. Scott Sloan, attorney general; and Edward Searing, superintendent of public
instruction. The art abolishing the office of state commissionei of immigration was to take
effect "on and after" the close of this administration; so, 01 course, no person was voted for to
fill that position at the Fall election of 1875.
During this administration the principle involved in a long-pending controversy between the
State and Minnesota relating to valuable harbor privileges at the head of Lake Superior, was suc-
cessfully and finally settled in favor of Wisconsin. The influence of the executive was largely
104 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
instrumental in initiating a movement which resulted in securing congressional appropriations
amounting to $800,000 to the Fox and Wisconsin river improvement. A change was inaugu-
rated in the whole system of timber ageacies over State and railroad lands, by which the duties of
agents were localized, and efficiency was so well established that many important trespasses were
brought to light from which over $60,000 in penalties was collected and paid into the Treasury,
while as much more was subsequently realized from settlements agreed upon and proceedings
instituted. By decisive action on the part of the governor an unsettled printing claim of nearly
a hundred thousand dollars was met and defeated in the courts. During this period also appro-
priations were cut down, and the rate of taxation diminished. Governor Taylor bestowed unre-
mitting personal attention to details of business with a view of promoting the public interests
with strict economy, while his countenance and support was extended to all legitimate enter-
prises. He required the Wisconsin Central railroad company to give substantial assurance that
it would construct a branch line from Stevens Point to Portage City as contemplated by congress,,
before issuing certificates for its land grants.
The closing year of the century of our national existence — 1875, was one somewhat discour-
aging to certain branches of the agricultural interests of Wisconsin. The previous Winter had
been an unusually severe one. A greater breadth of corn was planted than in any previous year
in the State, but the unusually late season, followed by frosts in August and September, entirely
ruined thousands of acres of that staple.
Fifteenth Administration. — Harrison Ludington, Governor — 1876-1877.
The fifteenth administration of Wisconsin commenced at noon on Monday, January 3, 1876,,
by the inauguration of State officers — Harrison Ludington, as previously stated, having been
elected upon the republican ticket, to fill the chief executive office of the State ; the others, to
the residue of the offices, upon the democratic reform ticket : the governor, like three of his
predecessors — Farwell, Bashford, and Randall (first term) — having been chosen by a majority
less than one thofisand ; and, like two of his predecessors — Farwell and Bashford — when all the
other State officers differed with him in politics.
The twenty-ninth regular session of the legislature of Wisconsin began on the 12 th of Janu-
ary, 1876, at Madison. The republicans were in the majority in both houses. Samuel S.
Fifield was elected speaker of the assembly. On the 13th, Governor Ludington delivered in
person, to a joint convention of that body, his message, communicating the condition of affairs of
the State, and recommending such matters for the consideration of the legislators as were thought
expedient : it was brief; its style condensed ; its striking peculiarity, a manly frankness. " It is
not the part of wisdom," said he, in his concluding remarks, "to disguise the fact that the people
of this State, in common with those of all sections of the Union, have suffered some abatement of
the prosperity that they have enjoyed in the past." "We have entered," he continued, "upon
the centennial of our existence as an independent nation. It is fit that we should renew the spirit
in which the Republic had its birth, and our determination that it shall endure to fulfill the great
purposes of its existence, and to justify the noble sacrifices of its founders." The legislature
adjourned sine die on the 14th of March, 1876, after a session of sixty-three days. The chief
measures of the session were ; The amendment of the railroad laws, maintaining salutary restric-
tions while modifying those features which were crippling and crushing an important interest of
the State ; and the apportionment of the State into senate and assembly districts. It is a pro-
vision of the constitution of the State that the number of the members of the assembly shall
never be less than fifty-four, nor more than one hundred ; and that the senate shall consist of a
number not more than one-third nor less than one-fourth of the number of the members of the
"WfSCOKSIN AS A STATE.
105
assembly. Since the year 1862, the aggregate allotted to both houses had been one hundred and
thirty-three, the maximum allowed by the constitution; one hundred in the assembly and thirty-
three in the senate. The number of this representation was not diminished by the apportion-
ment of 1876. One of the railroad laws abolished the board of railroad commissioners, confer-
ring its duties upon a railroad commissioner to be appointed by the governor every two years.
Under this law. DanaC. J.amb was appointed to that office, on the loth of March, 1876. On the
2d day of February, previous, George W. Burchard was by the governor appointed state prison
director for six years, in place of Joel Rich, whose term of office had expired. On the same day
T. C. Chamberlin was appointed chief geologist of Wisconsin in place of O. W. Wight.
The application of Miss Lavinia Goodell, for admission to the bar of Wisconsin, was
rejected by the supreme court of the State, at its January term, 1876. "We can not but think,"
jaid Chief Justice Ryan, in the decree of refusal, " we can not but think the common law wise
in excluding women from the profession of the law." "The profession," he added, "enters
largely into the well-being of society, and, to be honorably filled, and safely to society, exacts
the devotion of life. The law of nature destines and qualifies the female sex for the bearing
and nurture of the children of our race, and for the custody of the homes of the world, and
their maintenance in love and honor. And all life-long callings of women inconsistent with
these radical and social duties of their sex, as is the profession of the law, are departures from
the order of Nature, and, when voluntary, are treason against it." By a law since passed, no
person can be denied admission to any court in the State on account of sex; and Miss Goodell
has been admitted to practice in the Supreme Court.
By an act of the legislature, approved March 13, 1876, a State board of health was estab-
lished, the appointment of a superintendent of vital statistics, was provided for, and certain
duties were assigned to local boards of health. The State board was organized soon after;
the governor having previously appointed seven persons as its members. The object of the
organization, which is supported by the State, is, to educate the people of Wisconsin into a better
knowledge of the nature and causes of disease, and a better knowledge and observance of
hygienic laws.
By a law passed in 1868, as amended in 1870 and 1873, the secretp.ry of state, state
treasurer, and attorney general, were constituted a State board of assessment, to meet in the
city of Madison, on the third Wednesday in May, 1874, and biennally thereafter, to make an
equalized valuation of the property in the State, as a guide to assessment for taxation. In the
tables of equalized valuations compiled by this board in 1876, the whole amount of taxable
property in Wisconsin, is set down at $423,596,290 ; of which sum $337,073,148, represents real
estate and $86,523,142 personal property.
This being the year for the election of president and vice president of the United States,
the two political parties in Wisconsin — republican and democratic — had tickets in the field.
At the election on Tuesday, November 7, the republican presidential electors received a
majority of the votes cast in the State, securing Wisconsin for Hayes and Wheeler. The eight
congressional districts elected the same day their members to the forty-fifth congress, whose
terms of office would expire on the 4th of March, 1879. Charles G. Williams was elected in the
first district; Lucien B. Caswell, in the second; George C. Hazelton, in the third; William P.
Lynde, in the fourth ; Edward S. Bragg, in the fifth ; Gabriel Bouck, in the sixth ; H. L.
Humphrey, in the seventh; and Thad. C. Pound, in the eighth district. A majority of the
delegation was republican, the representatives from the fourth, fifth and sixth districts only, being
democrats.
^^^ HISTORY OF WISCONSIN".
There was a general and spontaneous exhibition of patriotic impulses throughout the length
and breadth of Wisconsin, on the part of both native and foreign-born citizens, at the com-
mencement of the centennial year, and upon the fourth of July. The interest of the people of
the State generally, in the Exposition at Philadelphia, was manifested in a somewhat remarkable
manner from its inception to its clo^e. By an act of congress, approved March 3, 1871, pro-
vision was made for celebrating the one hundredth anniversary of American Independence, by
holding in that city, in 1876, an exhibition of arts, manufactures, and the products of the soil
and mines of the country. A centennial commission, consisting of one commissioner and one
alternate commissioner, from each State and Territory, was authorized to be appointed, to carry
out the provisions of the act. David Atwood, as commissioner, and E. D. Holton, as alternate,
were commissioned by the president of the United States, from Wisconsin. This commission
gradually made progress in preparing for an international exposition. " The commission has
been organized," said Governor Washburn, in his message to the legislature in January, 1873,
*' and has made considerable progress in its work. The occasion will be one to which tTie
American people can not fail to respond in the most enthusiastic manner." The president of
the United States, by proclamation, in July, 1873, announced the exhibition and national celebra-
tion, and commended them to the people of the Union, and of all nations. " It seems fitting,"
said Governor Taylor, in his message to the Wisconsin legislature in 1874, " that such a cele-
bration of this important event, should be held, and it is hoped it will be carried out in a manner
worthy of a great and enlightened nation." By the close of 1874, a large number of foreign
governments had signified their intention to participate in the exhibition.
The legislature of Wisconsin, at its session in 1875, deeming it essential that the State,
with its vast resources in agricultural, mineral, lumbering, manufacturing, and other products
and industries, should be fully represented at Philadelphia, passed an act which was approved
March 3, 1875, to provide for a "Board of State Centennial Managers." Two thousand dollars
were appropriated to pay its necessary expenses. The board was to consist of five members to
be appointed by the governor ; and there were added thereto, as ex-officio members, the United
States centennial commissioner and his alternate. The duties of the members were to dis-
seminate information regarding the Exhibition; to secure the co-operation of mdustrial, scien-
tific, agricultural, and other associations in the State; to appoint co-operative local committees,
representing the different industries of the State ; to stimulate local action on all measures
intended to render the exhibition successful, and a worthy representation of the industries of
the country ; to encourage the production of articles suitable for the Exhibition : to distribute
documents issued by the centennial commission among manufacturers and others in the State ;
to render assistance in furthering the financial and other interests of the exhibition ; to furnish
information to the commission on subjects that might be referred to the board ; to care for the
interests of the State and of its citizens in matters relating to the exhibition ; to receive and
pronounce upon applications for space ; to apportion the space placed at its disposal among the
exhibitors from the State ; and to supervise such other details relating to the representation of
citizens of Wisconsin in the Exhibition, as might from time to time be delegated by the United
States centennial commission.
The board was required to meet on the first Wednesday of April, 1875, at the capitol, in
Madison, to organize and adopt such by-laws and regulations as might be deemed necessary for
the successful prosecution of the work committed to their charge Governor Taylor appointed
Eli Stilson, J. I. Case, J. B. Parkinson, T. C. Pound, and E. A. Calkins, members of the board.
Its organization was perfected, at the appointed time, by the election of J. B. Parkinson as pre-
sident, and W. W. Field, secretary. The ex-officio members of the board, were David Atwood,
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 107
United States commissioner, and E. D. Holton, alternate From this time forward, the board
•was untiring in its efforts to secure a full and proper representation of the varied interests of
Wisconsin in the centennial exhibition of 1876. E. A. Calkins having resigned his position as
member of the board, Adolph Meinecke took his place by appointment of the governor July
24, 1875. Governor Ludington, in his message to the legislature in January, 1876, spoke in
commendation of the coming exhibition. "The occasion," said he, "will afford an excellent
opportunity to display the resources and products of the State, and to attract hither capital anu
immigration."
Soon after the organization of the United States centennial commission, a national organ-
ization of the women of the country was perfected. A lady of Philadelphia was placed at its
head; and ? presiding officer from each State was appointed. Mrs. A. C. Thorp assumed the
duties of chairman for Wisconsin, in March, 1875, appointing assistants in various parts of the
State, when active work was commenced. This organization was efficient in Wisconsin in
arousing an interest in the general purposes and objects of the exhibition.
By an act of the legislature, approved March 3, r876, the sum of twenty thousand dollars
was appropriated to the use of the board of centennial managers, for the purpose of arranging
for, and making a proper exhibition of, the products, resources, and advantages of the State at
the exposition. The treasurer of Wisconsin was, by this act, made an ex-ofiicio member of the
board. By this and previous action of the legislature — by efforts put forth by the board of
managers — by individual enterprise — by the untiring labors of the "Women's Centennial Execu-
tive Committee," to whom, by an act of the legislature, approved the 4th of March, 1875, one
thousand dollars were appropriated — Wisconsin was enabled to take a proud and honorable
position in the Centennial Exposition— a gratification not only to the thousands of her citizens
who visited Philadelphia during its continuance, but to the people generally, throughout the
State.
In Wisconsin, throughout the centennial year, those engaged in the various branches of
agriculture and other useful avocations, were reasonably prosperous. The crop of wheat and
oats was a light yield, and of poor quality ; but the corn crop was the largest ever before raised
in the State, and of superior quality. The dairy and hog product was large, and commanded
remunerative prices. Fruits were unusually plenty. Trade and business enterprises, however,
generally remained depressed.
By section five of article seven of the constitution of Wisconsin, the counties of the State
were apportioned into five judicial circuits : the county of Richland being attached to Iowa,
Chippewa to Crawford, and La Pointe to St. Croix. In 1850, the fifth circuit was divided, and a
sixth circuit formed. In T864, Crawford and Richland were made part of the fifth circuit. By
an act which took effect in 1854, a seventh circuit was formed. On the first day of January,
1855, the sixth circuit was divided, and an eighth and ninth circuit formed, the county of
Columbia being made a part of the last mentioned one. In the same year was also formed a
tenth circuit; and, in 1858, Winnebago county was attached to it; but, in 1870, that county was
attached to the third circuit. In 1858, Kewaunee county was attached to the fourth circuit.
An eleventh circuit was formed in r864, from which, in r865, Dallas county was detached, and
made part of the eighth. By an act which took effect on the first day of January, r87i, the
twelfth circuit was formed. In 1876, a thirteenth circuit was " constituted and re-organized."
At that time, the whole sixty counties of the State stood apportioned in the thirteen Judicial
circuits as follows: First circuit, Walworth, Racine, and Kenosha; second circuit, Milwaukee,
and Waukesha, third circuit, Green Lake, Dodge, Washington, Ozaukee, and Winnebago;
•fourth circuit, Sheboygan, Calumet, Kewaunee, Fond du Lac, and Manitowoc ; fifth circuit,
108
HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN".
Grant, Iowa, La Fayette, Richland, and Crawford; sixth circuit, Clark, Jackson, Monroe, La
Crosse, and Vernon; seventh circuit. Portage, Marathon, Waupaca, Wood, Waushara, Lincoln,
and Taylor; eighth circuit, Dunn, Pepin, Pierce, and St. Croix; ninth circuit, Adams, Columbia,
Dane, Juneau, Sauk and Marquette ; tenth circuit, Outagamie, Oconto, Shawano, Door, and
Brown : eleventh circuit, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield,- Burnett, Chippewa, Douglas, and Polk ;
twelfth circuit, Rock, Green, and Jefferson; and the thirteenth circuit, Buffalo, Eau Claire, and
Trempeleau, Marinette and New are no>v in the tenth ; Price is in the seventh circuit.
The thirtieth regular session of the legislature c-f Wisconsin commenced, pursuant to law,
on the loth of January, 1877. The republicans had working majorities in both houses. J. B.
Cassoday was elected Speaker of the Assembly. Governor Ludington delivered his message to
the joint convention of the legislature the following day. " We should not seek," said he, in
his concluding remarks, " to conceal from ourselves the fact that the prosperity which our people
have enjoyed for a nun'iber of years past, has suffered some interruption. Agriculture has ren-
dered less return; labor in all departments has been less productive, and trade has consequently
been less active, and has realized a reduced percentage of profit." "These adverse circum-
stances," continued the governor, " will not be wholly a misfortune if we heed the lesson that
they convey. This lesson is the necessity of strict economy in public and private affairs. We
have been living upon a false basis ; and the time has now come when we must return to a solid
foundation." The legislature adjourned sine die on the 8th of March, after a session of fifty-
eight days, passing three hundred and one acts — one hundred and thirteen less than at the
session of 1876. The most important of these, as claimed by the dominant party which passed
it, is one for the maintenance of the purity of the ballot box, known as the " Registry Law." On
the 3d day of April, at the regular Spring election, William P. Lyon was re-elected, without
opposition, an associate justice of the supreme court for six years from the first Monday in
January, 1878, his term of office expiring on the first Monday of January, 1884.
Under a law of 1876, to provide for the revision of the statutes of the State, the justices of
the supreme court were authorized to appoint three revisers. The persons receiving the appoint-
ment were David Taylor, William F. Vilas and J. P. C. Cottrill. By an amendatory law of 1877,
for the purpose of having the revision completed for the session of 1878, the justices of the
supreme court were authorized to appoint two additional revisors, and assign them special duties
on the commission. H. S. Orton was appointed t9 revise the criminal law and proceedings, and
J. H. Carpenter to revise the probate laws.
Governor Ludington declined being a candidate for renomination. His administration was
characterized as one of practical efficiency. As the chief executive officer of Wisconsin, he kept
in view the best interests of the State. In matters coming under his control, a rigid system of
economy prevailed.
There were three tickets in the field presented to the electors of Wisconsin for their suffrages
at the general election leld on the sixth of November, 1877 : republican, democratic, and the
"greenback" ticket. The republicans were successful, electing William E. Smith, governor ;
James M. Bingham, lieutenant governor; Hans B. Warner, secretary of state; Richard Guenther,
treasurer ; Alexander Wilson, attorney general ; and William C. Whitford, state superintendent
of public instruction. At the same election two amendments to the constitution of the State
were voted upon and both adopted. The first one amends section four of article seven ; so that,
hereafter, "the supreme court shall consist of one chief justice and four associate justices, to be
elected by the qualified electors of the State. The legislature shall, at its first session after the
adoption of this amendment, provide by law for the election of two associate justices of said
court, to hold their offices respectively for terms ending two and four years, respectively after the
WISCONSIN AS A STATE.
10»
end of the term of the justice of the said court then last to expire. And thereafter the chief
justices and associate justices of said court shall be elected and hold their offices respectively
for the term of ten years." The second one amends section two of article eight; so that, heie-
after, " no money shall be paid out of the treasury except in pursuance of an appropriation by
law. No appropriation shall be made for the payment of any claim against the State, except
claims of the United States, and judgments, unless filed within six years after the claim accrued."
The year 1877, in Wisconsin, was notable for excellent crops. A depression in monetary
matters continued, it is true, but not without a reasonable prospect of a change for the better
within the near future.
Sixteenth Administration. — William E. Smith, Governor — 1878 — 1879.
At noon, on Monday, January 7, 1878, began the sixteenth administration of Wisconsin, by
the inauguration of the State officers elect. On the 9th of the same month, commenced the
thirty-first regular session of the Legislature. A. R. Barrows was elected Speaker of the Assembly.
On the day following, Governor Smith delivered his message — a calm, business-like document — to
the Legislature. Both Houses adjourned sine die on the 2ist of March following. On the ist day
of April, Harlow S. Orton and David Taylor were elected Associate Justices of the Supreme Court;
the term of the first named to expire on the first Monday of January, 1888 ; that of the last men-
tioned, on the first Monday of January, 1886. In obedience to a proclamation of the Governor,.
the Legislature convened on the 4th day of June, A. D. 1878, in extra session, to revise the statutes,
A. R. Barrows was elected Speaker of the Assembly. The Legislature adjourned sine die on the
7th of the same month. In November following, the members chosen to the Forty-sixth Congress
were C. G. Williams, in the First District ; L. B. Caswell, in the Second ; George C. Hazelton, in
the Third ; P. V. Deuster, in the Fourth ; E. S. Bragg, in the Fifth ; Gabriel Bouck, in the Sixth ;
H. L. Humphrey, in the Seventh; and T. C. Pound, in the Eighth. The thirty-second regular
session of the Legislature commenced on the 8th day of January, 1879. ^- ^- Kelly was elected
Speaker of the Assembly ; the next day, the message of the Governor — a brief, but able State
paper — was delivered to both Houses. On the 21st, Matthew H. Carpenter was elected United
States Senator for six years, from the 4th of March thereafter, in place of Timothy O. Howe.
The Legislature adjourned sine die on the 5th of March, 1879. On the ist day of April following,
Orsamus Cole was elected Associate Justice of the Supreme Court, for a term of ten years.
Wisconsin has many attractive features. It is a healthy, fertile, well-watered and well-wooded
State. Every where within its borders the lights of each citizen are held sacred. Intelligence and
education are prominent characteristics of its people. All the necessaries and many of the comforts
and luxuries of life are easily to be obtained. Agriculture, the chief source of wealth to so many
nations, is here conducted with profit and success. Generally speaking, the farmer owns the
land he cultivates. Here, the laboring man, if honest and industrious, is most certain to secure
a competence for himself and family. Few States have made more ample provisions for the
unfortunate — the deaf and dumb, the blind, and the insane — than has Wisconsin. Nor has she
been less interested in her reformatory and penal institutions. In her educational facilities, she
already rivals the most advanced of her sister States. Her markets are easily reached by rail-
ways and water-navigation, so that the products of the country find ready sale. Her commerce
is extensive ; her manufactures remunerative; her natural resources great and manifold. In
morality and religion, her standard is high. Her laws are lenient, but not lax, securing the
greatest good to those who are disposed to live up to their requirements. Wisconsin has, in
fact, all the essential elements of prosperity and good government. Exalted and noble, there-
fore, must be her future career.
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
By T. C. CHAMBERLIN, A. M., State Geologist.
The surface features of Wisconsin are simple and symmetrical in character, and present a con-
figuration intermediate between the mountainous, on the one hand, and a monotonous level, on the
other. The highest summits within the state rise a little more than 1,200 ieet above its lowest sur-
faces. A few exceptional peaks rise from 400 to 600 Ieet above their bases, but abrupt elevations of
more than 200 or 300 feet are not common. Viewed as a whole, the state may be regarded as oc-
cupying a swell of land lying between three notable depressions ; Lake Michigan on the east, about
578 feet above the mean tide of the ocean, Lake Superior on the north, about 600 feet above the
sea, and the valley of the Mississippi river, whose elevation at the Illinois state line is slightly below
that of Lake Michigan. From these depressions the surface slopes upward to the summit altitudes
of the state. But the rate of ascent is unequal. From Lake Michigan the surface rises by a long,
gentle acclivity westward and northward. A similar slope ascends from the Mississippi valley to
meet this, and their junction forms a north and south arch extending nearly the entire length of the
state. From Lake Superior the surface ascends rapidly to the watershed, which it reaches within
about thirty miles of the lake.
If we include the contiguous portion of the upper peninsula of Michigan, the whole elevation
xnay be looked upon as a very low, rude, three-sided pyramid, with rounded angles. The apex is
near the Michigan line, between the headwaters of the Montreal and Brule rivers. The
northern side is short and abrupt. The southeastward and southwestward sides are long, and
decline gently. The base of this pyramid may be considered as, in round numbers, 600 feet
above the sea, and its extreme apex 1,800 feet.
Under the waters of Lake Michigan the surface of the land passes below the sea level
before the limits of the state are reached. Under Lake Superior the land-surface descends to
even greater depths, but probably not within the boundaries of the state. The regularity of the
southward slopes is interrupted in a very interesting way by a remarkable diagonal valley
occupied by Green bay and the Fox and Wisconsin rivers. This is a great groove, traversing
the state obliquely, and cutting down the central elevation half its height. A line passing across
the surface, from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi, at any other point, would arch upward from
about 400 to 1,000 feet, according to the location, while along the trough of this valley it would
reach an elevation barely exceeding 200 feet. On the northwest side of this trough, in general,
the surface rises somewhat gradually, giving at most points much amplitude to the valley, but
on the opposite side, the slope ascends rapidly to a well marked watershed that stretches across
the state parallel to the valley. At Lake Winnebago, this diagonal valley is connected with a
scarcely less notable one, occupied by the Rock river. Geologically, this Green-bay-Rock-
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. " HI
river valley is even more noticeable, since it lies along the trend of the underlying strata, and
was in large measure plowed out of a soft stratum by glacial action. Where it crosses the water-
shed, near Horicon marsh, it presents the same general features that are seen at other points,
and in an almost equally conspicuous degree. Except in the southern part of the state, this
valley is confined on the east by an abrupt ascent, and, at many points, by a precipitous, rocky
acclivity, known as "The Ledge " — which is the projecting edge of the strata of the Niagara
limestone. On the watershed referred to — between the St. Lawrence and Mississippi basins —
this ledge is as conspicuous and continuous as at other points, so that we have here again the
phenomenon of a valley formed by excavation, running up over an elevation of 300 feet, and
connecting two great systems of drainage.
On the east side of this valley, as already indicated, there is a sharp ascent of 200 feet,
on an average, from the crest of which the surface slopes gently down to Lake Michigan. The
uniformity of this slope is broken by an extended line of drift hills, lying obliquely along it and
extending from Kewaunee county southward to the Illinois line and known as the Kettle range.
A less conspicuous range of similar character branches off from this in the northwest corner of
Walworth county and passes across the Rock river valley, where it curves northward, passing
west of Madison, crossing the great bend in the Wisconsin river, and bearing northeastward
into Oconto county, where it swings round to the westward and crosses the northern part of the
state. As a general topographical feature it is not conspicuous and is rather to be conceived as
a peculiar chain of drift hills winding over the surface of the state, merely interrupting in some-
degree the regularity of its slopes There will be occasion to return to this feature in our
discussion of the drift. It will be observed that the southeastward slope is interrupted by
valleys running across it, rudely parallel to Lake Michigan, and directing its drainage northward
and southward, instead of directing it down the slope into the lake.
The Mississippi slope presents several conspicuous ridges and valleys, but their trend is
toward the great river, and they are all due, essentially, to the erosion of the streams that
channel the slope. One of these ridges constitutes the divide south of the Wisconsin river,
already referred to. Another of these, conspicuous by reason of its narrowness and sharpness,
lies between the Kickapoo and the Mississippi, and extends through Crawford, Vernon and
Monroe counties. Still another is formed by the quartzite ranges of Sauk county and others
of less prominence give a highly diversified character to the slope.
Scattered over the surface of the state are prominent hills, some swelling upward into rounded
domes, some rising symmetrically into conical peaks, some ascending precipitously into castel-
lated towers, and some reaching prominence without regard to beauty of form or convenience of
description. A part of these hills were formed by the removal by erosion of the surrounding
strata, and a part by the heaping up of drift material by the glacial forces. In the former case,
they are composed of rock; in the latter, of clay, sand, gravel and bowlders. The two forms
are often combined. The highest peak in the southwestern part of the state is the West
Blue mound, which is 1,151 feet above Lake Michigan; in the eastern part, Lapham's peak, 824
feet, and in the central part, Rib hill, 1263 feet. The crest of Penokee range in the northern
part of the state rises 1,000 feet, and upwards, above Lake Michigan.
The drainage systems correspond in general to these topograpical features, though several
minor eccentricities are to be observed. The streams of the Lake Superior system plunge
rapidly down their steep slopes, forming numerous falls, some of them possessing great beauty,
prominent among which are those of the Montreal river. On the southern slope, the rivers, in the
upper portion of their courses, likewise descend rapidly, though less so, producing a succession
of rapids and cascades, and an occasional cataract. In the lower part of their courses, the:
112 HISTOEY or WISCONSIN.
descent becomes much more gentle and many of them are navigable to a greater or less extent.
The rivers west of the Wisconsin pursue an essentially direct course to the Mississippi,
attended of course with minor flexures. The Wisconsin river lies, for the greater part of its
course, upon the north, and south arch of the state, but on encountering the diagonal valley
above mentioned it turns southwestward to the "Father of Waters." The streams east of the
Wisconsin flow southerly and southeasterly until they likewise encounter this valley when they
turn in the opposite direction and discharge northeasterly into Lake Michigan, through Green
bay. Between the Green-bay-Rock-river valley and Lake Michigan, the drainage is again in
the normal southeasterly direction. In the southern part of the state, the rivers flow in a gen-
eral southerly direction, but, beyond the state, turn westward toward the Mississippi.
If the courses of the streams be studied in detail, many exceedingly interesting and instruc-
tive features will be observed, due chiefly to peculiarities of geological structure, some of which
will be apparent by inspecting the accompanying geological map. Our space, however,
forbids our entering upon the subject here.
The position of the watershed between the great basins of the Mississippi and the St. Law-
rence is somewhat peculiar. On the Illinois line, it lies only three and one half miles from Lake
Michigan and about i6o feet above its surface. As traced northward from this point, it retires
from the lake and ascends in elevation till it approaches the vicinity of Lake Winnebago, when
it recurves upon itself and descends to the portage between the Fox and the Wisconsin rivers,
whence it pursues a northerly course to the heights of Michigan, when it turns westward and
passes in an undulating course across the northern part of the state. It will be observed that
much the greater area of the state is drained by the Mississippi system.
The relationship which the drainage channels have been observed to sustain to the topo-
graphical features is partly that of cause and partly that of effect. The general arching of the
surface, giving rise to the main slopes, is due to deep-seated geological causes that produce an
upward swelling of the center of the state. This determined the general drainage systems. On
the other hand, the streams, acting upon strata of varying hardness, and presenting different atti-
tudes, wore away the surface unequally and cut for themselves anomalous channels, leaving
corresponding divides between, which gave origin to the minor irregularities that diversify the
surface. In addition to this, the glacier — that great ice stream, the father of the drift — planed
and plowed the surface and heaped up its debris upon it, modifying both the surface and drainage
features Looked at from a causal standpoint, we see the results of internal forces elevating, and
externa] agencies cutting down, or, in a word, the face of the state is the growth of geologic ages
furrowed bv the teardrops of the skies.
GEOLOGICAL HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
In harmony with the historical character of this atlas, it may be most stcceptable to weave
our brief sketch of the geological structure of the state into the form of a narrative of its growth.
THE ARCH^AN AGE.
LAURKNTIAN PERIOD.
The physical history of Wisconsin can be traced back with certainty to a state of complete
submergence beneath the waters of the ancient ocean, by which the material of our oldest and
deepest strata were deposited. Let an extensive but shallow sea, covering the whole of the
present territory of the state, be pictured to the mind, and let it be imagined to be depositing
TOPOGEAPHY AND GEOLOGY 113
mud and sand, as at the present day. and we have before us the first authentic stage of the history
under consideration. Back of that, the history is lost in the mists of geologic antiquity. The
thickness of the sediments that accumulated in that early period was immense, being measured
by thousands of feet. These sediments occupied of course an essentially horizontal position, and
were, doubtless, in a large degree hardened into beds of impure sandstone, shale, and other sedi-
mentary rock. But in the progress of time an enormous pressure, attended by heat, was brought
to bear upon them laterally, or edgewise, by which they were folded and crumpled, and forced
up out of the water, giving rise to an island, the nucleus of Wisconsin. The force which pro-
duced this upheaval is believed to have arisen from the cooling and consequent contraction of
the globe. The foldings may be imaged as the wrinkles of a shrinking earth. But the contor-
tion of the beds was a scarcely more wonderful result than the change in the character of the
rock which seems to have taken place simultaneously with the folding, indeed, as the result of the
heat and pressure attending it. The sediments, that seem to have previously taken the form of
impure sandstone and shale for the most part, underwent a change, in which re-arrangement and
crystalization of the ingredients played a conspicuous part. By this metamorphism, granite, gneiss,
mica schist, syenite, hornblende rocks, chloritic schists and other crystalline rocks were formed.
These constitute the Laurentian formation and belong to the most ancient period yet distinctly
recognized in geology, although there were undoubtedly more ancient rocks. They are therefore
very fittingly termed Archaean — ancient — rocks (formerly ,\zoic.) No remains of life have been
found in this formation in Wisconsin, but from the nature of rocks elsewhere, believed to be of the
•same age, it is probable that the lowest forms of life existed at this time. It is not strange that
the great changes through which the rocks have passed should have so nearly obliterated all
traces of them. The original extent of this Laurentian island can not now be accurately ascer-
tained, but it will be sufficiently near the truth for our present purposes to consider the formation
as it is now exposed, and as it is represented on the maps of the geological survey, as showing
approximately the original extent. This will make it include a large area in the north-central
portion of the state and a portion of the Upper Peninsula of ^Michigan. All the rest of the state
was beneath the ocean, and the same may be said of the greater portion of the United States
The height of this island was doubtless considerable, as it has since been very much cut down by
denuding agencies. The strata, as now exposed, mostly stand in highly inclined attitudes and
present their worn edges to view. The tops of the folds, of which they are the remnants, seem
to have been cut away, and we have the nearly vertical sides remaining.
HURONIAN PERIOD.
As soon as the Laurentian island had been elevated, the waves of the almost shoreless
ocean began to beat against it, the elements to disintegrate it, and the rains of the then tropical
climate to wash it; and the sand, clay and other debris, thus formed, were deposited beneath the
waters around its base, giving rise to a new sedimentary formation. There is no evidence that
there was any vegetation on the island : the air and water were, doubtless, heavily charged with
carbonic acid, an efficient agent of disintegration : the climate was warm and doubtless very
moist — circumstances which combined to hasten the erosion of the island and increase the
deposition in the surrounding sea. In addition to these agencies, we judge from the large amount
of carbonaceous matter contained in some of the beds, that there must have been an abundance
of marine vegetation, and, from the limestone beds that accuHiulated, it is probable that there
was marine animal life also, since in later ages that was the chief source of limestone strata.
The joint accumulations from these several sources gave rise to a series of shales, sandstones
and limestones, whose combined thickness was several thousand feet.
114 HISTOKY OF "WISC0:N'SIN.
At length the process of upheaval and metamorphism that closed the Laurentian period
was repeated, and these sandstones became quartzites; the limestones were crystalized, the
shal'es were changed to slates or schists, and intermediate grades of sediments became diorites,
quartz- porphyries and other forms of crystalline rocks. The carbonaceous matter was changed
in part to graphite. There were also associated with these deposits extensive beds of iron ore,.
which we now find chiefly in the form of magnetite, hematite and specular ore. These constitute
the Huronian rocks. From the amount of iron ore they contain, they are also fittingly termed
the iron-bearing series. As in the preceding case, the strata were contorted, flexed and folded,,
and the whole island was further elevated, carrying with it these circumjacent strata, by which
its extent was much enlarged. The area of the island after receiving this increment was con-
siderably greater than the surface represented as Laurentian and Huronian on the accompanying,
map, since it was subsequently covered to a considerable extent by later formations. Penokee
range, in Ashland county, is the most conspicuous development of the Huronian rocks in the
state. The upturned edge of the formation forms a bold rampart, extending across the country
for sixty miles, making the nearest approach to a mountain range to be found within the state.
A belt of magnetic schist may be traced nearly its entire length. In the northern part of
Oconto county , there is also an important development of this formation, being an extension
of the Menomonee iron-bearing series. A third area is found in Barron county, which includes,
deposits of pipestone. In the south central part of the state there are a considerable number
of small areas and isolated outliers of quartzite and quartz-porphyry, that, without much doubt,,
belong to this series. The most conspicuous of these are the Baraboo quartzite ranges, in
Sauk and Columbia counties, and from thence a chain of detached outliers extends northeasterly
through several counties. The most southerly exposure of the formation is near Lake Mills, in
Jefferson county.
THE COPPER-BEARING SERIES.
Previous to the upheaval of the Huronian strata, there occurred in the Lake Superior region
events of peculiar and striking interest. If we may not speak with absolute assurance, we may
at least say with reasonable probability, that the crust of the earth was fissured in that region,
and that there issued from beneath an immense mass of molten rock, that spread itself over an
area of more than three hundred miles in length and one hundred miles in width. The action
was not confined to a single overflow, but eruption followed eruption, sometimes apparently in
quick succession, sometimes evidently at long intervals. Each outpouring, when solidified,
formed a stratum of trap rock, and where these followed each other without any intervening
deposit, a series of trappean beds were formed. In some cases, however, an interval occurred,
during which the waves, acting upon the rock previously formed, produced a bed of sand, gravel
and clay, which afterward solidified into sandstone, conglomerate and shale. The history of
these beds is lithographed on their surface in beautiful ripple-marks and other evidences of wave-
action. After the cessation of the igneous eruptions, there accumulated a vast thickness of
sandstone, shale and conglomerate, so that the whole series is literally miles in thickness.
The eruptive portions have been spoken of as traps, for convenience; but they do not now
possess the usual characteristics of igneous rocks, and appear to have undergone a chemical
metamorphism by which the mineral ingredients have been changed, the leading ones now being
an iron chlorite and a feldspar, with which are associated, as accessory minerals, quartz, epidote,,
prenite, calcite, laumontite, analcite, datolite, magnetite, native copper and silver, and, more
rarely, other minerals. The rock, as a whole, is now known as a melaphyr. The upper portion
of each bed is usually characterized by almond-sized cells filled with the minerals above men-
tioned, giving to the rock an amygdaloidal nature. The native copper was not injected in a.
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 115
molten state, as has very generally been supposed, but was deposited by chemical means aftei
the beds were formed and after a portion of the chemical change of the minerals above mentioned
had been accomplished. The same is true of the silver. The copper occurs in all the different
forms of rock — the melaphyrs, amygdaloids, sandstones, shales and conglomerates, but most
abundantly in the amygdaloids and certain conglomerates.
This series extends across the northern portion of the state, occupying portions of Ashland,
Bayfield, Douglas, Burnett and Polk counties. When the Huronian rocks were elevated, they
carried these up with them, and they partook of the folding in some measure. The copper-
bearing range of Keweenaw Point, Michigan, extends southwestward through Ashland, Burnett
and Polk counties, and throughout this whole extent the beds dip north-northwesterly toward
Lake Superior, at a high angle; but in Douglas and Bayfield counties there is a parallel range
in which the beds incline in the opposite direction, and undoubtedly form the opposite side of a
trough formed by a downward flexure of the strata.
PALEOZOIC TIME — SILURIAN AGE.
Potsdam Sandstone.
After the great Archaean upheaval, there followed a long period, concerning wnich very little
is known — a " lost interval " in geological history. It is only certain that immense erosion of
the Archsan strata took place, and that in time the sea advanced upon the island, eroding its
strata and redepositing the wash and wear beneath its surface. The more resisting beds with-
stood this advance, and formed reefs and rocky islands off the ancient shore, about whose bases
the sands and sediments accumulated, as they did over the bottom of the surrounding ocean.
The breakers, dashing against the rocky cliffs, threw down masses of rock, which imbedded them-
.selves in the sands, or were rolled and rounded on the beach, and at length were buried, in
either case, to tell their own history, when they should be again disclosed by the ceaseless gnaw-
ings of the very elements that had buried them. In addition to the accumulations of wash and
wear that have previously been the main agents of rock-formations, abundant life now swarms in
the ocean, and the sands become the great cemetery of its dead. Though the contribution of each
little being was small, the myriad millions that the waters brought forth, yielded by their remains,
a large contribution to the accumulating sediments. Among plants, there were sea-weeds and
among animals, protozoans, radiates, mollusks and articulates, all the sub-kingdoms except the
vertebrates. Among these, the most remarkable, both in nature and number, were the trilobites,
who have left their casts in countless multitudes in certain localities. The result of the action
of these several agencies was the formation of extensive beds of sandstone, with interstratified
layers of limestone and shale. These surrounded the Archajan nucleus on all sides, and reposed
on its flanks. On the Lake Superior margin, the sea acted mainly upon the copper and iron-
bearing series, which are highly ferruginous, and the result wa ; the red Lake Superior sandstone.
On the opposite side of the island, the wave-action was mainly upon quartzites, porphyries and
granites, and resulted in light-colored sandstones. The former is confined to the immediate
vicmity of Lake Superior; the latter occupies a broad, irregular belt bordering the Archsan
area on the south, and, being widest in the central part of the state, is often likened to a rude
crescent. The form and position of the area will be best apprehended by referring to the
accompanying map. It will be understood from the foregoing description, that the strata of this
formation lie in a nearly horizontal position, and repose unconformably upon the worn surface
of the crystalline rocks. The close of this period was not marked by any great upheaval; there
116
HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN.
was no crumpling or raetamorphism of the strata, and they have remained to the present day
very much as they were originally deposited, save a slight arching upward in the central
portijn of the state. The beds have been somewhat compacted by the pressure of superin-
cumbent strata and solidified by the cementing action of calcareous and ferruginous waters, and
by their own coherence, but the original character of the formation, as a great sand-bed, has not
been obliterated. It still bears the ripple-marks, cross-lamination, worm-burrows, and similar
markings that characterize a sandy beach. Its thickness is very irregular, owing to the uneven-
ness of its Archaean bottom, and may be said to range from i,ooo feet downward. The strata
slope gently away from the Archaean core of the state and underlie all the later formations, and
may be reached at any point in southern Wisconsin by penetrating to a sufficient depth, which
can be calculated with an approximate correctness. As it is a water-bearing formation, and the
source of fine Artesian wells, this is a fact of much importance. The interbedded layers of lime-
stone and shale, by supplying impervious strata, very much enhance its value as a source of
fountains.
Lower Magnesian Limestone.
During the previous period, the accumulation of sandstone gave place for a time to the
formation of limestone, and afterward the deposit of sandstone was resumed. At its close, with-
out any very marked disturbance of existing conditions, the formation of limestone was resumed,
and progressed with little interruption till a thickness ranging from 50 to 250 feet was attained.
This variation is due mainly to irregularities of the upper surface of the formation, which is
undulating, and in some localities, may appropriately be termed billowy, the surface rising and
falling 100 feet, in some cases, within a short distance. This, and the preceding similar deposit,
have been spoken of as limestones simply, but they are really dolomites, or inagnesian limestones,
since they contain a large proportion of carbonate of magnesia. This rock also contains a
notable quantity of silica, which occurs disseminated through the mass of the rock; or, variously,
as nodules or masses of chert ; as crystals of quartz, filling or lining drusy cavities, forming
beautiful miniature grottos; as the nucleus of oolitic concretions, or as sand. Some argillaceous
matter also enters into its composition, and small quantities of the ores of iron, lead and copper,
are sometimes found, but they give little promise of value. The evidences of life are very
scanty. Some sea-weeds, a few moUusks, and an occasional indication of other forms of life
embrace the known list, except at a few favored localities where a somewhat ampler fauna is
found. But it is not, therefore, safe to assume the absence of life in the depositing seas, for it
is certain that most limestone has orignated from the remains of animals and plants that secrete
calcareous material, and it is most consistent to believe that such was the case in the present
instance, and that the distinct traces of life were mostly obliterated. This formation occupies an
irregular belt skirting the Potsdam area. It was, doubtless, originally a somewhat uniform band
swinging around the nucleus of the state already formed, but it has since been eroded by
streams to its present jagged outline.
St. Peter's Sandstone.
«
At the close of this limestone-making period, there appears to have been an interval of which
we have no record, and the next chapter of the history introduces us to another era of sand
accumulation. The work began by the leveling up of the inequalities of the surface of the Lower
Magnesian limestone, and it ceased before that was entirely accomplished in all parts of the
State, for a few prominences were left projecting through the sand deposits. The material laid
down consisted of a silicious sand, of uniform, well-rounded — doubtless well-rolled — grains. This
was evidently deposited horizontally upon the uneven limestone surface, and so rests in a sense
TOPOGEAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 117
unconformably upon it. Where the sandstone abuts against the sides of the limestone promi-
nences, it is mingled with material derived by wave action from them, which tells the story of
its formation. But aside from these and other exceptional impurities, the formation is a very
pure sandstone, and is used for glass manufacture. At most points, the sandstone has never become
firmly cemented and readily crumbles, so that it is used for mortar, the simple handling with pick
and shovel being sufficient to reduce it to a sand. Owing to the unevenness of its bottom, it
varies greatly in thickness, the greatest yet observed being 212 feet, but the average is less than
100 feet. Until recently, no organic remains had ever been found in it, and the traces now col-
lected are very meager indeed, but they are sufficient to show the existence of marine life, and
demonstrate that it is an oceanic deposit. The rarity of fossils is to be attributed to the porous
nature of the rock, which is unfavorable to their preservation. This porosity, however, subserves
a very useful purpose, as it renders this pre-eminently a water-bearing horizon, and supplies some
of the finest Artesian fountains in the state, and is competent to furnish many more. It occupies
but a narrow area at the surface, fringing that of the Lower Magnesian limestone on the south.
Trenton Limestone.
A slight change in the oceanic conditions caused a return to limestone formation, accompa-
nied with the deposit of considerable clayey material, which formed shale. The origin of the
limestone is made evident by a close examination of it, which shows it to be full of fragments of
shells, corals, and other organic remains, or the impressions they have left. Countless numbers
of the lower forms of life flourished in the seas, and" left their remains to be comminuted and
consolidated into limestone. A part of the time, the accumulation of clayey matter predominated,
and so layers of shale alternate with the limestone beds, and shaly leaves and partings occur in
the limestone layers. Unlike the calcareous strata above and below, a portion of these are true
limestone, containing but a very small proportion of magnesia. A sufficient amount of carbon-
aceous matter is present in some layers to cause them to burn readily. This formation is quite
highly metalliferous in certain portions of the lead region, containing zinc especially, and con-
siderable lead, with less quantities of other metals. The formation abounds in fossils, many of
them well preserved, and, from their great antiquity, they possess uncommon interest. All the
animal sub-kingdoms, except vertebrates, are represented. The surface area of this rock borders
the St. Peter's sandstone, but, to avoid too great complexity on the map, it is not distinguished from
the next formation to which it is closely allied. Its thickness reaches 120 feet.
The Galena Limestone.
With scarcely a change of oceanic conditions, limestone deposit continued, so that we find
reposing upon the surface of the Trenton limestone, 250 feet, or less, of a light gray or buff
colored highly magnesian limestone, occurring in heavy beds, and having a sub-crystalline struc-
ture. In the southern portion of the state, it contains but little shaly matter, but in the north-
■ eastern part, it is modified by the addition of argillaceous layers and leaves, and presents a bluish
or greenish-gray aspect. It receives its name from the sulphide of lead, — galena, of which it
contains large quantities, in the southwestern part of the state. Zinc ore is also abundant, and
these minerals give to this and the underlying formation great importance in that region. Else-
where, although these ores are present in small quantities, they have not developed economic
importance. This limestone, though changing its nature, as above stated, occupies a large area in
the southwestern part of the state, and a broad north and south belt in east-central Wisconsin.
It will be seen that our island is growing apace by concentric additions, and that, as the several
formations sweep around the central nucleus of Archaean rocks, they swing off into adjoining
states, whose formation was somewhat more tardv than that of Wisconsin
11^ HISTOEY OF WISC0:N^SIN
Cincinnati Shales.
A change ensued upon the formation of the Galena limestone, by virtue of which there fol-
lowed the deposition of large quantities of clay, accompanied by some calcareous material, the-
whole reaching at some points a thickness of more than 200 feet. The sediment has never
become more than partially indurated, and a portion of it is now only a bed of compact clay.
Other portions hardened to shale or limestone according to the material. The shales are of
various gray, green, blue, purple and other hues, so that where vertical cliffs are exposed, as along'
Green bay, a beautiful appearance is presented. As a whole, this is a very soft formation, and
hence easily eroded. Owing to this fact, along the east side of the Green-bay-Rock-river val-
ley, it has been extensively carried away, leaving the hard overlying Niagara limestone projecting,
in the bold cliffs known as "The Ledge." The prominence of the mounds in the southwestern,
part of the state are due to a like cause. Certain portions of this formation abound in astonish-
ing numbers of well preserved fossils, among which corals, bryozoans, and brachiopods, pre-
dominate, the first named being especially abundant. A little intelligent attention to these might
have saved a considerable waste of time and means in an idle search for coal, to which a slight
resemblance to some of the shales of the coal measures has led. This formation underlies the-
mounds of the lead region, and forms a narrow belt on the eastern margin of the Green-bay-Rock.-
river valley. This was the closing period of the Lower Silurian Age.
Clinton Iron Ore.
On the surface of the shales just described, there were accumulated, here and there,.beds-of pecu-
liar lenticular iron ore. It is probable that it was deposited in detached basins, but the evidence-
of this is not conclusive. In our own state, this is chiefly known as Iron Ridge ore, from the-
remarkable development it attains at that point. It is made up of little concretions, which from,
their size and color are fancied to resemble flax seed, and hence the name " seed, ore," or the
roe of fish, and hence oolitic ore. "Shot ore" is also a common term. This is a soft ore occur-
ring in regular horizontal beds which are quarried with more ease than ordinary limestone. This
deposit attains, at Iron Ridge, the unusual thickness of twenty-five feet, and affords a readily
accessible supply of ore, adequate to all demands for a long time to come. Similar, but much,
less extensive beds, occur at Hartford, and near Depere, besides some feeble deposits elsewhere.-
Large quantities of ore from Iron Ridge have been shipped to various points in this and neigh.-
boring States for reduction, in addition to that smelted in the vicinity of the mines.
Niagara Limestone.
Following the period of iron deposit, there ensued the greatest limestone^forming. era- in the
history of Wisconsin. During its progress a series of beds, summing up, at their points of great-
est thickness, scarcely less than eight hundred feet, were laid down. The process, of formationi
was essentially that already described, the accumulation of the calcareous secretions of marine-
life. Toward the close of the period, reefs appeared, that closely resemble the coral reefs of the-
present seas, and doubtless have a similar history. Corals form a very prominent element in the
life of this period, and with them were associated great numbers of mollusks, one of which.
{Pentamerus oblongus) sometimes occurs in beds not unlike certain bivalves of to-day, and may
be said to have been the oyster of the Silurian seas. At certain points, those wonderful animals,,
the stone lilies {Crinoiiis), grew in remarkable abundance, mounted on stems like a plant, yet
true animals. Those unique crustaceans, the trilobites, were conspicuous in numbers and variety,,,
while the gigantic cephalopods held sway over the life of the seas. In. the. vicinity of the reefs,,
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 119
there seem to have been extensive calcareous sand flats and areas over which fine calcareous mud
•settled, the former resulting in a pure granular dolomite, the latter in a compact close-textured
:stone. The rock of the reefs is of very irregular structure. Of other portions of the formation,
some are coarse heavy beds, some fine, even-bedded, close-grained layers, and some, again, irregu-
lar, impure and cherty. All are highly magnesian, and some are among the purest dolomites
■known. The Niagara limestone occupies a broad belt lying adjacent to Lake Michigan.
Lower Helderberg Limestone.
On Mud creek, near Milwaukee, there is found a thin-bedded slaty limestone, that is
"believed to represent this period. It has neglected, however, to leave us an unequivocal record
of its history, as fossils are extremely rare, and its stratigraphical relations and lithographical
■character are capable of more than one interpretation. Near the village of Waubeka in
Ozaukee county, there is a similar formation, somewhat more fossiliferous, that seems to repre-
sent the same period. The area which these occupy is very small and they play a most insignifi-
•cant part in the geology of the state. They close the record of the Silurian age in Wisconsin.
During its progress the land had been gradually emerging from the ocean and increasing its
amplitude by concentric belts of limestone, sandstone and shale. There had been no general
■disturbance, only those slight oscillations which changed the nature of the forming rock and
facilitated deposition. At its close the waters retired from the borders of the state, and an
interval supervened, during which no additions are known to have been made to its substructure.
DEVONIAN AGK.
Hamilton Cement Rock.
After a lapse of time, during which the uppermost Silurian and the lowest Devonian strata,
as found elsewhere, were formed, the waters again advanced slightly upon the eastern margin of
the state and deposited a magnesian limestone mingled with silicious and almuninous material,
forming a combination of which a portion has recently been shown to possess hydraulic
properties of a high degree of excellence. With this deposition there dawned a new era in the
life-history of Wisconsin. While multitudes of protozoans, radiates, mollusks and articulates
swarmed in the previous seasi no trace of a vertebrate has been found. The Hamilton period
"witnessed the introduction of the highest type of the animal kingdom into the Wisconsin series.
But even then only the lowest class was represented — the fishes. The lower orders of life, as
before, were present, but the species were of the less ancient Devonian type. Precisely how far
the deposit originally extended is not now known, as it has undoubtedly been much reduced by
the eroding agencies that have acted upon it. That portion which remains, occupies a limited
area on the lake shore immediately north of Milwaukee, extending inland half a dozen miles.
The cement rock proper is found on the Milwaukee river just above the city. At the close of
the Hamilton period the oceanic waters retired, and, if they ever subsequently encroached upon
our territory, they have left us no permanent record of their intrusion.
The history of the formation of the substructure of the state was, it will be observed, in an
■unusual degree, simple and progressive. Starting with a firm core of most ancient crystalline
Tocks, leaf upon leaf of stony strata were piled around it, adding belt after belt to the margin of
''he growing island until it extended itself far beyond the limits of our state, and coalesced with
the forming continent. An ideal map of the state would show the Archaean nucleus surrounded
by concentric bands of the later formations in the order of their deposition. But during all the
120
HISTOK^" OF WISCONSIN.
vast lapse of time consumed in their growth, the elements were gnawing, carving and channeling
the surface, and the outcropping edges of the formations were becoming more and more jagged,
and now, after the last stratum had been added, and the whole had been lifted from the waters
that gave it birth, there ensued perhaps a still vaster era, during which the history was simply
that of surface erosion. The face of the state became creased with the wrinkles of age. The
edges of her rocky wrappings became ragged with the wear of time. The remaining Devonian
periods, the great Carboniferous age, the Mesozoic era, and the earlier Tertiary periods passed,
leaving no other record than that of denudation.
THE GLACIAL PERIOD.
With the approach of the great Ice Age, a new chapter was opened. An immense sheet of
ice moved slowly, but irresistibly, down from the north, planing down the prominences, filling up
the valleys, polishing and grooving the strata, and heaping up its rubbish of sand, gravel, clay and
bowlders over the face of the country. It engraved the lines of its progress on the rocks, and, by
reading these, we learn that one prodigious tongue of ice plowed along the bed of Lake Michi-
gan, and a smaller one pushed through the valley of Green bay and Rock river, while another
immense ice-stream flowed southwestward through the trough of Lake Superior and onward
into Minnesota. The diversion of the glacier through these great channels seems to have left
the southwestern portion of the state intact, and over it we find no drift accumulations. With
the approach of a warmer climate, the ice-streams were melted backward, leaving their debris
heaped promiscuously over the surface, giving it a new configuration. In the midst of this
retreat, a series of halts and advances seem to have taken place in close succession, by which the
drift was pushed up into ridges and hills along the foot of the ice, after which a more rapid
retreat ensued. The effect of this action was to produce that remarkable chain of drift hills and
ridges, known as the Kettle range, which we have already described as winding over the
surface of the state in a very peculiar manner. It is a great historic rampart, recording the
position of the edge of the glacier at a certain stage of its retreat, and doubtless at the same time
noting a great climatic or dynamic change.
The melting of the glacier gave rise to large quantities of water, and hence to numerous
torrents, as well as lakes. There occurred about this time a depression of the land to the north-
ward, which was perhaps the cause, in part or in whole, of the retreat of the ice. This gave
origin to the great lakes. The waters advanced somewhat upon the land and deposited the red
clay that borders Lakes Michigan and Superior and occupies the Green bay valley as far up as
the vicinity of. Fond du Lac. After several oscillations, the lakes settled down into their present
positions. Wherever the glacier plowed over the land, it left an irregular sheet of commingled
clay, sand, gravel and bowlders spread unevenly over the surface. The depressions formed by
its irregularities soon filled with water and gave origin to numerous lakelets. Probably not one
of the thousands of Wisconsin lakes had an existence before the glacial period. Wherever the
great lakes advanced upon the land, they leveled its surface and left their record in lacustine
clays and sandy beach lines.
With the retreat of the glacier, vegetation covered the surface, and by its aid and the action
of the elements our fertile drift soils, among the last and best of Wisconsin's formations, were
produced. And the work still goes on-
CLIMATOLOGY OF WISCONSIN.
By Prof. H. H. OLDENHAGE.
The climate of a country, or that peculiar state of the atmosphere in regard to heat and
moisture which prevails in any given place, and which directly affects the growth of plants and
animals, is determined by the following causes : ist. Distance from the equator. 2d. Distance
from the sea. 3d. Height above the sea. 4th. Prevailing winds; and 5th. Local influences,
such as soil, vegetation, and proximity to lakes and mountains.
Of these causes, the first distance from the equator, is by far the most important. The
warmest climates are necessarily those of tropical regions where the sun's rays are vertical. But
in proceeding from the equator toward the poles, less and less heat continues to be received by
the same extent of surface, because the rays fall more and more obliquely, and the same amount
of heat-rays therefore spread over an increasing breadth of surface ; while, however, with the
increase of obliquity, more and more heat is absorbed by the atmosphere, as the amount of air
to be penetrated is greater. If the earth's surface were either wholly land or water, and its
atmosphere motionless, the gradations of climate would run parallel with the latitudes from the
equator to the poles. But owing to the irregular distribution of land and water, and the prevail-
ing winds, such an arrangement is impossible, and the determination of the real climate of a given
region, and its causes, is one of the most difficult problems of science.
On the second of these causes, distance from the sea, depends the difference between oce-
anic and continental climates. Water is more slowly heated and cooled than land ; the climates
of the sea and the adjacent land are therefore much more equable and moist than those of the
interior.
A decrease of temperature is noticeable in ascending high mountains. The rate at which
the temperature falls with the height above the sea is a very variable quantity, and is influenced
by a variety of causes, such as latitude, situation, moisture, or dryness, hour of the day and season
of the year. As a rough approximation, however, the fall of 1° of the thermometer for every
300 feet is usually adopted.
Air in contact with any part of the earth's surface, tends to acquire the temperature of that
surface. Hence, winds from the north are cold ; those from the south are warm. Winds from
the sea are moist, and winds from the land are usually dry. Prevailing winds are the result of
the relative distribution of atmospheric pressure hlowing from places where the pressure is high-
est, toward places where it is lowest. As climate practically depends on the temperature and
moisture of the air, and as these again depend on the prevailing winds which come charged with
the temperature and moisture of the regions they have traversed, it is evident that charts show-
ing the mean pressure of the atmosphere give us the key to the climates of the different regions
of the world. The effect of prevailing winds is seen in the moist and equable climate of West-
ern Europe, especially Great Britain, owing to the warm and moist southwest winds; and in the
extremes of the eastern part of North America, due to the warm and moist winds prevailing in
summer and the Arctic blasts of winter.
122 HISTOKY OF WISCONSIN.
Among local influences which modify climate, the nature of the soil is one of the most
important. As water absorbs much heat, wet, marshy ground usually lowers the mean tempera-
ture. A sandy waste presents the greatest extremes. The extremes of temperature are also modi-
fied by extensive forests, which prevent the soil from being as much warmed and cooled as it
would be if bare. Evaporation goes on more slowly under the trees, since the soil is screened
from the sun. And as the air among the trees is little agitated by the wind, the vapor is left to
accumulate, and hence the humidity of the air is increased. Climate is modified in a similar man-
ner by lakes and other large surfaces of water. During summer the water cools the air and
reduces the temperature of the locality. In winter, on the other hand, the opposite effect is pro-
duced. The surface water which is cooled sinks to lower levels; the warmer water rising to the
surface, radiates heat into the air and thus raises the temperature of iho neighboring region.
This influence is well illustrated, on a great scale, in our own state by Lake Michigan.
It is, lastly, of importance whether a given tract of country is diversified by hills, valleys and
mountains. Winds with their warm vapor strike the sides of mountains and are forced up into
higher levels of the atmosphere, where the vapor is condensed into clouds. Air coming in con-
tact, during the night or in winter, with the cooled declivities of hills and rising grounds becomes
cooled and consequently denser and sinks to the low-lying grounds, displacing the warmer and
lighter air. Hence, frosts often occur at these places, when no trace of them can be found at
higher levels. For the same reason the cold of winter is generally more intense in ravines and
valleys than on hill tops and high grounds, the valleys being a receptacle for the cold-air currents
which descend from all sides. These currents give rise to gusts and blasts of cold wind, which
are simply the out-rush of cold air from such basins. This is a subject of great practical impor-
tance to fruit-growers.
In order to understand the principal features of the climate of Wisconsin, and the conditions
on which these depend, it is necessary to consider the general climatology of the eastern United
States. The chief characteristic of this area as a whole is, that 't is subject to great extremes — to
all those variations of temperature which prevail from the tropical to the Arctic regions. This
is principally due to the topographical conditions of our continent. The Rocky mountains con-
densing the moisture of the warm winds from the Pacific and preventing them from reaching far
inland, separate the climate of the Mississippi valley widely from that of the Pacific slope. Between
the Gulf of Mexico and the Arctic sea there is no elevation to exceed 2,000 feet to arrest the
flow of the hot southerly winds of summer, or the cold northerly wind* of winter. From this
results a variation of temperature hardly equaled in any part of the world.
In determining the climates of the United States, western Europe is usually taken as the
basis of comparison. The contrast between these regions is indeed very great. New York is in
the same latitude with Madrid, Naples and Constantinople. Quebec is not so far north as Paris.
London and Labrador are equi-distant from the equator ; but while England, with her mild, moist
climate, produces an abundance of vegetation, in Labrador all cultivation ceases. In the latitude
of Stockholm and St. Petersburg, at the 60th parallel, we find in eastern North America vast ice-
fields which seldom melt. The moist and equable climate of western Europe in high latitudes
is due to the Gulf Stream and the southwest winds of the Atlantic, which spread their warmth
and moisture over the western coast. Comparison, however, shows that the climate of the Pacific
coast of North America is quite as mild as that of western Europe ; and this is due to the same
kind of influences, namely, to the warm, moist winds and the currents of the Pacific. And to con-
tinue the comparison still further, in proceeding on both continents from west to east, or from
ocean into the interior, we find a general resemblance of climatic conditions, modified greatly, it
is true, by local influences.
CLIMATOLOGY OF WISCONSIN.
123
The extreme summer climate of the eastern United States is owing to the southerly and
southwesterly winds, which blow with great regularity during this season, and, after traversing
great areas of tropical seas, bear the warmth and moisture of these seas far inland, and give this
region the peculiar semi-tropical character of its summers. The average temperature of summer
varies between 80° for the Gulf states, and 60° for the extreme north. While in the Gulf states
the thermometer often rises to 100°, in the latitude of Wisconsin this occurs very seldom. During
winter the prevailing winds are from the northwest. These cold blasts from the Arctic sea are
■deflected by the Rocky mountains, sweep down unopposed into lower latitudes, and produce all
the rigors of an arctic winter. The mean temperature for this season varies between 60" for the
Gulf coast and 15" for the extreme northern part of Wisconsin. In the northern part of the
valley the cold is sometimes so intense that the thermometer sinks to the freezing point of
mercury.
The extreme of heat and cold would give a continental climate if this extreme were not accom-
panied by a profusion of rain. The southerly winds, laden with moisture, distribute this moist-
ure with great regularity over the valley. The amount of rainfall, greater in summer than in
winter, varies, from the Gulf of Mexico to Wisconsin, from 6^ inches to 30 inches. On the At-
lantic coast, where the distribution is more equal throughout the year on account of its proximity
to the ocean, the amount varies, from Florida to Maine, from 63 to 40 inches. The atmospheric
movements on which, to a great extent, the climatic conditions of the eastern United States
depend, may be summed up as follows :
" I. That the northeast trades, deflected in their course to south and southeast winds in
their passage through the Carribean Sea and the Gulf of Mexico, are the warm and moist winds
which communicate to the Mississippi valley and the Atlantic slope their fertility.
" 2. That the prevalence of these winds from May to October communicates to this region
^ sub-tropical climate.
" 3. That in the region bordering on the Gulf of Mexico, the atmospheric disturbances are
propagated from south to north ; but in the northern and middle states, owing to a prevailing
upper current, from west to east.
" 4. That while this upper current is cool and dry, and we have the apparent anomaly of
rain storms traveling from west to east, at the same time the moisture supplying them comes from
the south.
"5. That, in the winter, the south and southeast winds rise into the upper current, while
the west and northwest winds descend and blow as surface winds, accompanied by an extraor-
•dinary depression of temperature, creating, as it were, an almost arctic climate.
" 6. That the propagation of the cold winds from west to east is due to the existence of a
warmer and lighter air to the eastward.
"7. That in summer the westerly currents seldom blow with violence, because, in passing
-over the heated plains, they acquire nearly the same temperature as the southerly currents, but in
winter the conditions are reversed."
The line of conflict of these aerial currents, produced by unequal atmospheric pressure,
•shift so rapidly that the greatest changes of temperature, moisture, and wind, are experienced
within a few hours, these changes usually affecting areas of great extent. In the old world, on
the other hand, the mountain systems, generally running from east to west, offer an impediment,
•especially to the polar currents, and the wtjather is therefore not so changeable.
Wisconsin, situated in the upper and central part of the Mississippi valley, is subject to the
same general climatic conditions which give this whole area its peculiar climate.
The highest mean summer temperature is 72° Fahrenheit in the southwestern part of the
124
HISTORY OF WISCONSDSr.
state, and the lowest 64° at Bayfield, Lake Superior. During the months of June, July and
August, the thermometer often rises as hig!j as 90", seldom to 100°. In 1874 the mercury reached
this high point twice at LaCrosse, and three times at Dubuque, Iowa. There are usually two or
three of these " heated terms " during the summer, terminated by abrupt changes of temperature.
The isotherm of 70" (an isotherm being a line connecting places having the same mean tem-
perature) enters this state from the west, in the northern part of Grant county, touches Madison, takes
a southerly direction through Walworth county, passes through southern Michigan, Cleveland, and
Pittsburg, reaching the Atlantic ocean a little north of New York city. From this it is seen that
southern Wisconsin, southern and central Michigan, northern Ohio, central Pennsylvania, and
southern New York have nearly the same summer temperature. Northwestward this line runs
through southern Minnesota and along the Missouri to the foot of the mountains. Eastern Ore-
gon, at 47" 30' north latitude, has the same average summer temperature; the line then returns
and touches the Pacific coast at San Diego.
The remarkable manner in which so large a body of water as Lake Michigan modifies the
temperature has been carefully determined, so far as it relates to Wisconsin, by the late Dr. Lap-
ham, of Milwaukee. It is seen by the map that the average summer temperature of Racine is
the same as that of St. Paul. The weather map for July, 1875, ™ ^^^ signal service report for
1876, shows that the mean temperature for July was the same in Rock county, in the souihern
part of the state, as that of Breckenridge, Minn., north of St. Paul. The moderating effect of
the lake during hot weather is felt in the adjacent region during both day and night.
Countries in the higher latitudes having an extreme summer temperature are usually charac-
terized by a small amount of rain-fall. The Mississippi valley, however, is directly exposed in
spring and summer to the warm and moist winds from the south, and as these winds condense
their moisture by coming in contact with colder upper currents from the north and west, it has a
profusion of rain which deprives the climate largely of its continental features. As already
stated, the average amount of rain-fall in Wisconsin is about 30 inches annually. Of this amount
about one-eighth is precipitated in winter, three-eighths in summer, and the rest is equally dis-
tributed between spring and autumn — in other words, rain is abundant at the time of the year
when it is most needed. In Wisconsin the rainfall is greatest in the southwestern part of the
state ; the least on and along the shore of Lake Michigan. This shows that the humidity of the
air of a given area can be greater, and the rainfall less, than that of some other.
In comparison with western Europe, even where the mean temperature is higher than in the
Mississippi valley, the most striking fact in the climatic conditions of the United States is the
great range of plants of tropical or sub-tropical origin, such as Indian corn, tobacco, etc. The
conditions on which the character of the vegetation depends are temperature and moisture, and
the mechanical and chemical composition of the soil.
" The basis of this great capacity (the great range of plants) is the high curve of heat and
moisture for the summer, and the fact that the measure of heat and of rain are almost or quite
tropical for a period in duration from one to five months, in the range from Quebec to the coast
of the Gulf." Indian corn attains its full perfection between the summer isotherms 72"^ and 77",
in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas ; but it may be grown up to the line of 65°, which includes
the whole of Wisconsin. The successful cultivation of this important staple is due to the mtense
heat of summer and a virgin soil rich in nitrogen.
While Milwaukee and central Wisconsin have a mean annual temperature of 45°, that of
southern Ireland and central England is 50° ; the line of 72", the average temperature for July,
runs from Walworth county to St. Paul, while during the same month Ireland and England have
a mean temperature of only 60". In Wisconsin the thermometer rises as high as go"* and above,
CLIMATOLOGY OF WISCONSIN. 125.
while the range above the mean in England is very small. It is the tropical element of our sum-
mers, then, that causes the grape, the corn, etc., to ripen, while England, with a higher mean
temperature, is unable to mature them successfully. Ireland, where southern plants may remain
out-doors, unfrosted, the whole winter, can not mature those fruits and grasses which ripen in
Wisconsin. In England a depression of 2° below the mean of 60° will greatly reduce the quan-
tity, or prevent the ripening of wheat altogether, 60" being essential to a good crop. Wheat, re-
quiring a lower temperature than corn, is better adapted to the climate of Wisconsin. This grain
may be grown as far north as Hudson bay.
Autumn, including September, October and November, is of short duration in Wisconsin.
North of the 42d parallel, or the southern boundary line of the state, November belongs properly
to the winter months, its mean temperature being about 32" The decrease of heat from August to
September is generally from 8° to g° ; 11" from September to October, and 1*4'' from October to
November. The average temperature for these three months is about 45"- A beautiful season,
commonly known as Indian summer, frequently occurs in the latter part of October and in No-
vember. This period is characterized by a mild temperature and a hazy, calm atmosphere.
According to Loomis, this appears to be due to " an uncommonly tranquil condition of the atmos-
phere, during which the air becomes filled with dust and smoke arising from numerous fires, by
which its transparency is greatly impaired." This phenomenon extends as far north as Lake
Superior, but it is more conspicuous and protracted in Kansas and Missouri, and is not observed
in the southern states.
Destructive frosts generally occur in September, and sometimes in August. " A. temperature
of 36° to 40° at sunrise is usually attended with frosts destructive to vegetation, the position of
the thermometer being usually such as to represent less than the actual refrigeration at the open
surface.'' In 1875, during October, at Milwaukee, the mercury fell seven times below the freez-
ing point, and twice below zero in November, the lowest being 14".
The winters are generally long and severe, but occasionally mild and almost without snow.
The mean winter temperature varies between 23" in the southeastern part of the state, and 16° at
Ashland, m the northern. For this season the extremes are great. The line of 20° is of im-
portance, as it marks the average temperature which is fatal to the growth of all the tender trees,
such as the pear and the peach. In the winter of 1875 and 1876, the mean temperature for De-
cember, January and February, in the upper lake region, was about 4° above the average mean,
for many years, while during the previous winter the average temperature for January and Feb-
ruary was about 12° below the mean for many years, showing a great difference between cold and
mild winters. In the same winter, i875-'76, at Milwaukee, the thermometer fell only six times
below zero, the lowest being 12", while during the preceding winter the mercury sank thirty-six.
times below zero, the lowest being 23". In the northern and northwestern part of the state the
temperature sometimes falls to the freezing point of mercury. During the exceptionally cold
Winter of 1872-3, at La Crosse, the thermometer sank nearly fifty times below zero; on Decem-
ber 24, it indicated 37" below, and on January 18, 43° below zero, averaging about 12" below
the usual mean for those months. The moderating effect of Lake Michigan can be seen
by observing how the lines indicating the mean winter temperature curve northward as they
approach the lake. Milwaukee, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Two Rivers, and the Grand Traverse
region of Michigan, have the same average wintei temperature. The same is true regarding.
Galena, 111., Beloit, and Kewaunee. A similar influence is noticed in all parts of the state. Dr.
Lapham concludes that this is not wholly due to the presence of Lake Michigan, but that the
mountain range which extends from a little west of Lake Superior to the coast of Labrador (from
1,100 to 2,240 feet high) protects the lake region in no inconsiderable degree from the excessive
cold of winter.
126
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
According to the same authority, the time at which the Milwaukee river was closed wi h ice,
for a period of nine years, varied between November 15 and December i ; the time at which it
became free from ice, between March 3 and April 13. In the lake district, snow and rain are
interspersed through all the winter months, rain being sometimes as profuse as at any other sea-
son. In the northwestern part the winter is more rigid and dry. Northern New York and the
New England states usually have snow lying on the ground the whole winter, but in the southern
lake district it rarely remains so long. In i842-'43, however, sleighing commenced about the
middle of November, and lasted till about the same time in April — five months.
The average temperature for the three months of spring, March, April and May, from Wal-
worth county to St. Paul, is about 45". In central Wisconsin the mean for March is about 27",
which is an increase of nearly 7 '^ from February. The lowest temperature of this montli in
1876 was 40" above zero. April shows an average increase of about 9° over March. In 1876
the line of 45" for this month passed from LaCrosse to Evanston, 111., touching Lake Erie at
Toledo, showing that the interior west of Lake Michigan is warmer than the lake region. The
change from winter to spring is more sudden in the interior than in the vicinity of the lakes.
" In the town of Lisbon, fifteen miles' from Lake Michigan," says Dr. Lapham, " early spring
flowers show themselves about ten days earlier than on the lake. In spring vegetation, in places
remote from the lakes, shoots up in a very short time, and flowers show their petals, while on the
.lake shore the cool air retards them and brings them more gradually into existence." The in-
<;rease from April to May is about is''. In May, 1876, Pembina and Milwaukee had nearly the
same mean temperature, about 55".
The extremes of our climate and the sudden changes of temperature no doubt have a
marked influence, both physically and mentally, on the American people. And though a more
■equable climate may be more conducive to perfect health, the great range of our climate from
arctic to tropical, and the consequent variety and abundance of vegetable products, combine to
make the Mississippi valley perhaps one of the most favorable areas in the world for the develop-
ment of a strong and wealthy nation.
During the months of summer, in the interior of the eastern United States, at least three-
fourths of the rain-fall is in showers usually accompanied by electrical discharges and limited to
small areas. But in autumn, winter, and spring nearly the whole precipitation takes place in
■general storms extending over areas of 300, 500 and sometimes over 1,000 miles in diameter, and
generally lasting two or three days. An area of low atmospheric pressure causes the wind to blow
toward that area from all sides, and when the depression is sudden and great, it is accompanied
'by much rain or snow. On account of the earth's rotation, the wind blowing toward this region
of low pressure is deflected to the right, causing the air to circulate around the center with a
motion spirally inward. In our latitude the storm commences with east winds. When the storm
center, or area of lowest barometer, is to the south of us, the wind gradually veers, as the storm
passes from west to east with the upper current, round to the northwest by the north point.
On the south side, of the storm center, the wind veers from southeast to southwest, by the south
point. The phenomena attending such a storm when we are in or near the part of its center are
usually as follows : After the sky has become overcast with clouds, the wind from the northeast
generally begins to rise and blows in the opposing direction to the march of the storm. The
•clouds which are now moving over us, discharge rain or snow according to circumstances. The
barometer continues to fall, and the rain or snow is brought obliquely down from the northern
■quarter by the prevailing wind. After a while the wind changes slightly in direction and then
■ceases. The thermometer rises and the barometer has reached its lowest point. This is the center
■of the storm. After the calm the wind has changed its direction to northwest or west. The
CLIMATOLOGY OF WISCONSIN. 127"
wind blows again, usually more violently than before, accompanied by rain or snow, which is now
generally of short duration. The sky clears, and the storm is suddenly succeeded by a tempera-
ture lo or 20 degrees below the mean. Most of the rain and snow falls with the east winds, or
before the center passes a given point. The path of these storms is from west to east, or nearly
so, and only seldom in other directions. These autumn, winter, and spring rains are generally
first noticed on the western plains, but may originate at any point along their path, and move
eastward with an average velocity of about 20 miles an hour in summer and 30 miles in winter,
but sometimes attaining a velocity of over 50 miles, doing great damage on the lakes. In pre-
dicting these storms, the signal service of the army is of incalculable practical benefit, as well
as in collecting data for scientific conclusions.
A subject of the greatest importance to every inhabitant of Wisconsin is the influence of
forests on climate and the effects of disrobing a county of its trees. The general influence of
forests in modifying the extremes of temperature, retarding evaporation and the increased
humidity of the air, has already been mentioned. That clearing the land of trees increases the
temperature of the ground in summer, is so readily noticed that it is scarcely necessary to men-
tion it ; while in winter the sensible cold is never so extreme in woods as on an open surface
exposed to the full force of the winds. " The lumbermen in Canada and the northern Unitedi
States labor in the woods without inconvenience; when the mercury stands many degrees below
zero, while in the open grounds, with only a moderate breeze, the same temperature is almost
insupportable.'' " In the state of Michigan it has been found that the winters have greatly
increased in severity within the last forty years, and that this increased severity seems to move
along even-paced with the destruction of the forests. Thirty years ago the peach was one of the
most abundant fruits of that State ; at that time frost, injurious to corn at any time from May to
October, was a thing unknown. Now the peach is an uncertain crop, and frost often injures the-
corn.'' The precise influence of forests on temperature may not at present admit of definite solu-
tion, yet the mechanical screen which they furnish to the soil often far to the leeward of them,.
is sufficiently established, and this alone is enough to encourage extensive planting wherever this
protection is wanting.
With regard to the quantity of rain-fall, " we can not positively affirm that the total annual
quantity of rain is even locally diminished or increased by the destruction of the woods, though
both theoretical considerations and the balance of testimony strongly favor the opinion that more
rain falls in wooded than in open countries. One important conclusion, at least, upon the
meteorological influence of forests is certain and undisputed : the proposition, namely, that,
within their own limits, and near their own borders, they maintain a more uniform degree of
humidity in the atmosphere than is observed in cleared grounds. Scarcely less can it be-
questioned that they tend to promote the frequency of showers, and, if they do not augment the-
amount of precipitation, they probably equalize its distribution through the different seasons."
There is abundant and undoubted evidence that the amount of water existing on the surface
in lakes and rivers, in many parts of the world, is constantly diminishing. In Germany, observa-
tions of the Rhine, Oder, Danube, and the Elbe, in the latter case going back for a period of 142
years, demonstrate beyond doubt, that each of these rivers has much decreased in volume, and
there is reason to fear that they will eventually disappear from the list of navigable rivers.
" The ' Blue-Grass ' region of Kentucky, once the pride of the West, has now districts oT
such barren and arid nature that their stock farmers are moving toward the Cumberland mount-
ains, because the creeks and old springs dried up, and their wells became too low to furnish
water for their cattle." In our own state " such has been the change in the flow of the Milwau--
i28 HISTORY or WISCONSIN.
kee river, even while the area from which it receives its supply is but partially cleared, that the
proprietorp of most of the mills and factories have found it necessary to resort to the use of
^team, at a largely increased yearly cost, to supply the deficiency of water-power in dry seasons
of the year." " What has happened to th* Milwaukee river, has happened to all the other water
•courses in the state from whose banks the forest has been removed ; and many farmers who
selected land uqon which there was a living brook of clear, pure water, now find these brooks
dried up during a considerable portion of the year."
Districts stripped of their forest are said to be more exposed than before to loss of harvests,
to droughts and frost. " Hurricanes, before unknown, sweep unopposed over the regions chus
denuded, carrying terror and devastation in their track." Earts of Asia Minor, North Africa,
and other countries bordering on the Mediterranean, now almost deserts, were once densely
populated and the granaries of the world. And there is good reason to believe " that it is the
destruction of the forests which has produced this devastation." From such facts Wisconsin,
already largely robbed of its forests, should take warning before it is too late.
TREES, SHRUBS AND VINES.
By P. R. HOY, M.D.
It is not the purpose of this article to give a botanical description, but merely brief notes on
the economical value of the woods, and the fitness of the various indigenous trees, shrubs and
vines for the purpose of ornament, to be found in Wisconsin.
White Oak — Quercus Alba. — This noble tree is the largest and most important of the
American oaks. The excellent properties of the wood render it eminently valuable for a great
variety of uses. Wherever strength and durability are required, the white oak stands in the first
rank. It is employed in making wagons, coaches and sleds ; staves and hoops of the best quality
for barrels and casks are obtained from this tree ; it is extensively used in architecture, ship-
building, etc.; vast quantities are used for fencmg ; the bark isemployed in tanning. The domes-
tic consurhption of this tree is so great that it is of the first importance to preserve the young
trees wherever it is practicable, and to make young plantations where the tree is not found. The
white oak is a graceful, ornamental tree, and worthy of particular attention as such ; found abun-
dantly in most of the timbered districts.
Burr Oak — Q. Macrocarpa. — This is perhaps the most ornamental of our oaks. Nothing
can exceed the graceful beauty of these trees, when not crowded or cramped in their growth, but
left free to follow the laws of their development. Who has not admired these trees in our exten-
sive burr oak openings .? The large leaves are a dark green above and a bright silvery white
beneath, which gives the tree a singularly fine appearance when agitated by the wind. The wood
is tough, close-grained, and more durable than the white oak, especially when exposed to frequent
changes of moisture and drying ; did the tree grow to the same size, it would be preferred for
most uses. Abundant, and richly worthy of cultivation, both for utility and ornament.
Swamp White Oak — Q. Bicolor. — Is a valuable and ornamental tree, not quite so large or
as common as the burr oak. The wood is close-grained, durable, splits freely, and is well worthy
of cultivation in wet, swampy grounds, where it will thrive.
Post Oak — Q. Obtusiloba. — Is a scraggy, small tree, found sparingly in this state. The tim-
ber is durable, and makes good fuel. Not worthy of cultivation.
TREES, SHRUBS AND VINES. 129
Swamp Chestnut Oak — Q. Prinus. — This species of chestnut oak is a large, graceful tree,
wood rather open-grained, yet valuable for most purposes to which the oaks are applied ; makes
the best fuel of any of this family. A rare tree, found at Janesville and Brown's lake, near Bur-
lington. Worthy of cultivation.
Red Oak— ^. Rubra. — The red oak is a well-known, common, large tree. The wood is
coarse-grained, and the least durable of the oaks, nearly worthless for fuel, and scarcely worthy
of cultivation, even for ornament.
Pin Oak — Q. Palustris. — This is one of the most common trees in many sections of the
state. The wood is of little value except for fuel. The tree is quite ornamental, and should be
sparingly cultivated for this purpose.
Shingle Oak — Q. Imbricaria. — Is a tree of medium size, found sparingly as far north as
Wisconsin. It is ornamental, and the wood is used for shingles and staves.
Scarlet Oak — Q. Coccinea. — This is an ornamental tree, especially in autumn, when its
leaves turn scarlet, hence the name. Wood of little value ; common.
StJGAR Maple — Acer Saccharium. — This well-known and noble tree is found growing abun-
dantly in many sections of the state. The wood is close-grained and susceptible of a beautiful
polish, which renders it valuable for many kinds of furniture, more especially the varieties known
as bird's-eye and curled maples. The wood lacks the durability of the oak ; consequently is not
valuable for purposes where it will be exposed to the weather. For fuel it ranks next to hickory.
The sugar manufactured from this tree affords no inconsiderable resource for the comfort and
even wealth of many sections of the northern states, especially those newly settled, where it
would be difficult and expensive to procure their supply from a distance. As an ornamental tree
it stands almost at the head of the catalogue. The foliage is beautiful, compact, and free from
the attacks of insects. It puts forth its yellow blossoms early, and in the autumn the leaves
change in color and show the most beautiful tints of red and yellow long before they fall. Worthy
of especial attention for fuel and ornament, and well adapted to street-planting.
Red Maple — A. Rubrum. — Is another fine maple of more rapid growth than the foregoing
species. With wood rather lighter, but quite as valuable for cabinet-work — for fuel not quite so
good. The young trees bear transplanting even better than other maples. Though highly orna-
mental, this tree hardly equals the first-named species. It puts forth, in early spring, its scarlet
blossoms before a leaf has yet appeared. Well adapted to street-planting.
Mountain Maple — A. Spicatum. — Is a small branching tree, or rather shrub, found grow-
ing in clumps. Not worthy of much attention.
Silver Maple — A. Dasycarpum. — This is a common tree growing on the banks of streams,
especially in the western part of the state, grown largely for ornament, yet for the purpose it is
the least valuable of the maples. The branches are long and straggling, and so brittle that they
are liable to be injured by winds.
Box Maple — Negundo Aceroides. — This tree is frequently called box elder. It is of a rapid
growth and quite ornamental. The wood is not much used in the arts, but is good fiiel. Should
be cultivated. It grows on Sugar and Rock rivers.
White Elm — Ulmus Americana. — This large and graceful tree stands confessedly at the
head of the list of ornamental deciduous trees. Its wide-spreading branches and long, pendu-
lous branchlets form a beautiful and conspicuous head. It grows rapidly, is free from disease
and the destructive attacks of insects, will thrive on most soils, and for planting along streets, in
public grounds or lawns, is unsurpassed by any American tree. The wood is but little used in
the arts ; makes good firewood ; should be planted along all the roads and streets, near every
dwelling, and on all public grounds.
^^^ HISTORY or WISCONSIN.
Slippery Elm — K Fulva. — This smaller and less ornamental species is also common. The
wood, however, is much more valuable than the white elm, being durable and splitting readily.
It makes excellent rails, and is much used for the framework of buildings ; valuable for fuel ;
should be cultivated.
Wild Black Cherry — Cerasus Serotina. — This large and beautiful species of cherry is one
of the most valuable of American trees. The wood is compact, fine-grained, and of a brilliant
reddish color, not liable to warp, or shrink and swell with atmospheric changes ; extensively em-
ployed by cabinet-makers for every species of furnishing. It is exceedingly durable, hence is
valuable for fencing, building, etc. Richly deserves a place in the lawn or timber plantation.
Bird Cherry — C. Pennsylvanica. — Is a small northern species, common in the state and
worthy of cultivation for ornament.
Choke Cherry — C. Virginiana. — This diminutive tree is of little value, not worth the trouble
of cultivation.
Wild Plum — Prunus Americana. — The common wild plum when in full bloom is one of the
most ornamental of small flowering trees, and as such should not be neglected. The fruit is
rather agreeable, but not to be compared to fine cultivated varieties, which may be engrafted on
the wild stock to the very best advantage. It is best to select small trees, and work them on the
roots. The grafts should be inserted about the middle of April.
Hackberry — Celtis Occidentalis. — This is an ornamental tree of medium size ; wood hard,
close-grained and elastic ; makes the best of hoops, whip-stalks, and thills for carriages. The
Indians formerly made great use of the hackbeiry wood for their bows. A tree worthy of a lim-
ited share of attention.
American Linden or Basswood — Tilia Americana. — Is one of the finest ornamental trees for
public grounds, parks, etc., but will not thrive where the roots are exposed to bruises ; for this
reason it is not adapted to planting along the streets of populous towns. The wood is light and
tough, susceptible of being bent to almost any curve ; durable if kept from the weather ; takes
paint well, g,nd is considerably used in the arts ; for fuel it is of little value. This tree will
flourish in almost any moderately rich, damp soil; bears transplanting well; can be propagated
readily from layers.
White Thorn — Crataegus Coccinea, and Dotted Thorn — C. Punctata. — These two species
of thorn are found everywhere on.the rich bottom lands. When in bloom they are beautiful, and
should be cultivated for ornament. The wood is remarkably compact and hard, and were it not
for the small size of the tree, would be valuable.
Crab Apple — Pyrus Coronaria. — This common small tree is attractive when covered with
its highly fragrant rose-colored blossoms. Wood b.-^'r!, fine, compact grain, but the tree is too
small for the wood to be of much practical value. Well worthy of a place in extensive grounds.
Mountain Ash — P. Americana. — This popular ornament to our yards is found growing in
the northern part of the state and as far south as 43°. The wood is useless.
White Ash — Fraxinus Acuminata. — Is a large, in'teresting tree, which combines utility with
beauty in an eminent degree. The wood possesses strength, suppleness and elasticity, which
renders it valuable for a great variety of uses. It is extensively employed in carriage manufact-
uring; for various agricultural implements ; is esteemed superior to any other wood for oars;
excellent for fuel. The white ash grows rapidly, and in open ground forms one of the most
lovely trees that is to be found. The foliage is clean and handsome, and in autumn turns from
its bright green to a violet purple hue, which adds materially to the beauty of our autumnal syl-
van scenery. It is richly deserving our especial care and protection, and wiU amply repay all
labor and expense bestowed on its cultivation.
TREES, SHRUBS AISTD VINES. 131
Black Ash — F Sambuci folia. — This is another tall, graceful and well-known species of ash.
The wood is used for making baskets, hoops, etc. ; when thoroughly dry, affords a good article of
fuel. Deserves to be cultivated in low, rich, swampy situations, where more useful trees will not
thrive.
Black Walnut — Juglans Nigra. — This giant of the rich alluvial bottom lands claims
special attention for its valuable timber. It is among the most durable and beautiful of Ameri-
can woods ; susceptible of a fine polish ; not liable to shrink and swell by heat and moisture.
It is extensively employed by the cabinet-makers for every variety of furniture. Walnut forks,
are frequently found which rival in richness aad beauty the far-famed mahogany. This tree,
in favorable situations, grows rapidly ; is highly ornamental, and produces annually an abundant
crop of nuts.
Butternut — J. Cinerea. — This species of walnut is not as valuable as the above, yet for its
beauty, and the durability of its wood, it should claim a small portion of attention. The wood
is rather soft for most purposes to which it otherwise might be applied. When grown near
streams, or on moist side-hills, it produces regularly an ample crop of excellent nuts. It grows
rapidly.
Shell-Bark Hickory — Carya Alba. — This, the largest and finest of American hickories,
grows abundantly throughout the state. Hickory wood possesses probably the greatest strength
and tenacity of any of our indigenous trees, and is used for a variety of purposes, but,
unfortunately, it is liable to be eaten by worms, and lacks durability. For fuel, the shell-bark
hickory stands unrivaled. The tree is ornamental and produces every alternate year an ample
crop of the best of nuts.
Shag-Bark Hickory — C. Inclata. — Is a magnificent tree, the wood of which is nearly as
valuable as the above. The nuts are large, thick-shelled and coarse, not to be compared to the
C. alba. A rare tree in Wisconsin ; abundant further south.
Pignut Hickory — C. Glabra. — This species possesses all the bad and but few of the good
qualities of the shell-bark. The nuts are smaller and not so good. The tree should be pre-
served and cultivated in common with the shell-bark. Not abundant.
Bitternut — C. Amara. — Is an abundant tree, valuable for fuel, but lacking the strength and
elasticity of the preceding species. It is, however, quite as ornamental as any of the hickories.
Red Beech — Fagus Ferruginea. — This is a common tree, with brilliant, shining light-green
leaves, and long, flexible branches. It is highly ornamental, and should be cultivated for this
purpose, as well as for its useful wood, which is tough, close-grained and compact. It is much
used for plane-stocks, tool handles, etc., and as an article of fuel is nearly equal to maple.
Water Beech — Carpinus Americana. — Is a small tree, called hornbeam by many. The
wood is exceedingly hard and compact, but the small size of the tree renders it almost
useless.
Iron Wood — Ostrya Virginica. — This small tree is found disseminated throughout most of
our woodlands. It is, to a considerable degree, ornamental, but of remarkably slow growth. The
wood possesses valuable properties, teing heavy and strong, as the name would indicate ; yet,
from its small size, it is of but little use.
Balsam Poplar — Populus Candicans. — This tree is of medium size, and is known by sev-
eral names : Wild balm of Gilead, cottonwood, etc. It grows in moist, sandy soil, on river bot-
toms. It has broad, heart-shaped leaves, which turn a fine yellow after the autumn frosts. It
grows more rapidly than any other of our trees ; can be transplanted with entire success when
eight or nine inches in diameter, and makes a beatiful shade tree — the most ornamental of pop-
lars. The wood is soft, spongy, and nearly useless.
1^2 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN-
Quaking Aspen — P Tremuloides. — Is a well-known, small tree. It is rather ornamental,
but scarcely worth cultivating.
Large Aspen — P Grandidentata. — Is the largest of our poplars. It frequently grows to
the height of sixty or seventy feet, with a di-ameter of two and one-half feet. The wood is soft,
easily split, and used for frame buildings. It is the most durable of our poplars.
Cotton Wood-^/' Momlifera. — This is the largest of all the poplars ; abundant on the
Mississippi river. Used largely for fuel on the steamboats. The timber is of but little use in
the arts.
Sycamore or Buttonwood — Platanus Occidentalis. — This, the largest and most majestic
of our trees, is found growing only on the rich alluvial river bottoms. The tree is readily
known, even at a considerable distance, by its whitish smooth branches. The foliage is large
and beautiful, and the tree one of the most ornamental known. The wood speedily decays, and
when sawed into lumber warps badly; on these accounts it is but little used, although susceptible
of a fine finish. As an article of fuel it is of inferior merit.
Canoe Birch — Betula Papyracea. — Is a rather elegant and interesting tree. It grows abund-
antly in nearly every part of the state. The wood is of a fine glossy grain, susceptible of a good
finish, but lacks durability and strength, and, therefore, is but little used in the mechanical arts.
For fuel it is justly prized. It bears transplanting without difficulty. The Indians manufacture
their celebrated bark canoes from the bark of this tree.
Cherry Birch — B. Lenta. — This is a rather large, handsome tree, growing along streams.
Leaves and bark fragrant. Wood, fine-grained, rose-colored ; used largely by the cabinet-
makers.
Yellow Birch — B. Lutea. — This beautiful tree occasionally attains a large size. It is
highly ornamental, and is of value for fuel; but is less prized than the preceding species for cab-
inet work.
Kentucky Coffee Tree — Gymnocladus Canadensis. — This singularly beautiful tree is only
found sparingly, and on rich alluvial lands. I met with it growing near the Peccatonica, in
Green county. The wood is fine-grained, and of a rosy hue ; is exceedingly durable, and well
worth cultivating.
June Berry — Amelanchier Canadensis. — Is a small tree which adds materially to the beauty
of our woods in early spring, at which time it is in full bloom. The wood is of no particular
' value, and the tree interesting only when covered with its white blossoms.
White Pine — Pinus Strolus. — This is the largest and most valuable of our indigenous pines.
The wood is soft, free from resin, and works easily. It is extensively employed in the mechan-
ical arts. It is found in great profusion in the northern parts of the state. This species is
readily known by the leaves being in fives. It is highly ornamental, but in common with all
pines, will hardly bear transplanting. Only small plants should be moved.
Norway or Red Pine — P Pesinosa, and Yellow Pine — P. Mitis. — These are two large
trees, but little inferior in size to the white pine. The wood contains more resin, and is conse-
quently more durable. The leaves of both these species are in twos. Vast quantities of lumber
are yearly manufactured from these two varieties and the white pine. The extensive pineries
of the state are rapidly diminishing.
Shrub Pine — P. Bankstana. — Is a small, low tree ; only worthy of notice here for the orna-
mental shade it produces. It is found in the northern sections of the state.
Balsam Fir — Abies Balsamea. — This beautiful evergreen is multiplied to a great extent on
the shores of Lake Superior, where it grows forty or fifty feet in height. The wood is of but
TEEES, SHRUBS AND VINES. 133
little value The balsam of fir, or Canadian balsam, is obtained from this tree.
Double Spruce — A. Nigra. — This grows in the same localities with the balsam fir, and
assumes the same pyramidal form, but is considerably larger. The wood is light and possesses
■considerable strength and elasticity, which renders it one of the best materials for yard's and top-
masts for shippmg. It is extensively cultivated for ornament.
Hemlock — A. Canadensis.— 1\i& hemlock is the largest of the genus. It is gracefully orna-
mental, but the wood is of little value. The baik is extensively employed in tanning.
Tamarack — Larix Americana. — This beautiful tree grows abundantly in swampy situations
throughout the state. It is not quite an evergreen It drops its leaves in winter, but quickly
recovers them in early spring. The wood is remarkably durable and valuable for a variety of
uses. The tree grows rapidly, and can be successfully cultivated in peaty situations, where other
trees would not thrive.
Arbor Vit^e — Thuja Occidentalis. — This tree is called the white or flat cedar. It grows
abundantly in many parts of the state. The wood is durable, furnishing better fence posts than
any other tree, excepting the red cedar. Shingles and staves of a superior quality are obtained
from these trees. A beautiful evergreen hedge is made from the young plants, which bear trans-
planting better than most evergreens. It will grow on most soils if sufficiently damp.
Red Cedar — Juniperus Virginiana. ■ — Is a well known tree that furnishes those celebrated
fence posts that " last forever." The wood is highly fragrant, of a rich red color, and fine
grained ; hence it is valuable for a variety of uses. It should be extensively cultivated.
Dwarf Juniper — /. Sabina. — This is a low trailing shrub. Is considcably prized for
•ornament. Especially worthy of cultivation in large grounds.
Sassafras — Sassafras officinale. — Is a small tree of fine appearance, with fragrant leaves
bark. Grows in Kenosha county. Should be cultivated.
Willows. — There are many species of willows growing in every pa.rt of the state, several of
which are worthy of cultivation near streams and ponds.
White Willow — Salix alba. — Is a fine tree, often reaching sixty feet in height. The wood
is soft, and makes the best charcoal for the manufacture of gun-powder. Grows rapidly.
Black Willow — S. Nigra. — This is also a fine tree, but not quite so large as. the foregoing.
It is used for similar purposes.
There are many shrubs and vines indigenous to the state worthy of note. I shall, however,
call attention to only a few of the best.
Dogwoods. — There are several species found in our forests and thickets. All are ornamen-
tal when covered with a profusion of white blossoms. I would especially recommend : corns
sericea, C. stolonifera, C. paniculaia, and C. alternifolia. All these will repay the labor of trans-
planting to ornamental grounds.
ViiBURNUMS. — These are very beautiful. Weh.a.Yt viburnum leniago, V.prunifolium, V. nudum,
V. dentatum, V. pubescens, V. acerifolium, V. pauciflorum, and V. opulus. The last is known as
the cranberry tree, and is a most beautiful shrub when in bloom, and also when covered with its
red, acid fruit. The common snow-ball tree is a cultivated variety of the V. opulus.
Witch Hazel — Hamamelis Virginica. — Is an interesting, tall shrub that flowers late in
autumn, when the leaves are falling, and matures the fruit the next summer. It deserves more
attention than it receives.
Burning Bush — Euonymus atropurpureus. — This fine shrub is called the American straw-
berry, and is exceedingly beautiful when covered with its load of crimson fruit, which remains
during winter.
134 HISTORY OF WlSCOlS'SIJSr.
Sumach — Rhus typhina. — Is a tall shrub, 11 known, but seldom cultivated. When well
grown it is ornamental and well adapted for planting in clumps.
Hop Tree — Ptdea trifoliata. — This is a showy shrub with shining leaves, which should be
cultivated. Common in rich, alluvial ground.
Bladder Nut — Siaphylea trifolia. — Is a fine, upright, showy shrub, found sparingly all over
the state. Is ornamental, with greenish striped branches and showy leaves.
Vines.
"Virginia CvcsMVS.^—Ampeiopsis quinquefolia. — This is a noble vine, climbing extensively by
disc-bearing tendrils, so well known as to require no eulogy. Especially beautiful in its fall
colors.
Bitter Sweet — Celastrus scandens. — Is a stout twining vine, which would be an ornament to
any grounds. In the fall and early winter it is noticeable for its bright fruit. Common.
Yellow Honeysuckle — Lonicera flava. — Is a fine native vine, which is found climbing over
tall shrubs and trees. Ornamental. There are several other species of honeysuckle ; none, how-'
ever, worthy of special mention.
Frost Grape — VUcb cordifolia. — This tall-growing vine has deliciously sweet blossoms,
which perfume the air for a great distance around. For use as a screen, this, hardy species will
be found highly satisfactory.
FAUNA OF WISCONSIN.
By p. R. hoy, M.D.
FISH AND FISH CULTURE.
Fish are cold blooded aquatic vertebrates, having fins as organs of progression. They have
a two-chambered heart ; their bodies are mostly covered with scales, yet a few are entirely naked,
like catfish and eels ; others again are covered with curious plates, such as the sturgeon. Fish
inhabit both salt and fresh water. It is admitted by all authority that fresh-water fish are more
universally edible than those inhabiting the ocean. Marine fish are said to be more highly
flavored than those inhabiting fresh waters ; an assertion I am by no means prepared to admit.
As a rule, fish are better the colder and purer the water in which they are found, and where caiL
you find those conditions more favorable than in the cold depths of our great lakes 1 We have
tasted, under the most favorable conditions, about every one of the celebrated salt-water fish, and-
ean say that whoever eats a whitefish just taken from the pure, cold water of Lake Michigan will
have no reason to be envious of the dwellers by the sea.
Fish are inconceivably prolific; a single female deposits at one spawn from one thousand to
one million eggs, varying according to species.
Fish afford a valuable article of food for man, being highly nutritious and easy of digestion ;,
they abound in phosphates, hence are valuable as affording nutrition to the osseous and nervous sys-
tem, hence they have been termed, not inappropriately, brain food — certainly a very desirable article
of diet for some people. They are more savory, nutritious and easy of digestion when just taken
from the water ; in fact, the sooner they are cooked after being caught the better. No fish should
be more than a few hours from its watery element before being placed upon the table. For con-
venience, I will group our fish into families as a basis for what I shall offer. Our bony fish»
FAUNA OF WISCONSIN. 135
having spine rays and covered with comb-like scales, belong to the perch family — a valuable
family ; all take the hook, are gamey, and spawn in the summer.
The yellow perch and at least four species of black or striped bass have a wide range, being
found in all the rivers and lakes in the state. There is a large species of fish known as Wall-
eyed pike {Leucoperca americand) belonging to this family, which is found sparingly in most of our
rivers and lakes. The pike is an active and most rapacious animal, devouring fish of consider-
able size. The flesh is firm and of good flavor. It would probably be economical to propagate
it to a moderate extent.
The six-spined bass {Fomoxys hexacanthus, Agas.) is one of the most desirable of the spine-
rayed fish found in the State. The flesh is fine flavored, and as the fish is hardy and takes the
hook with avidity, it should be protected during the spawning season and artificially propagated.
I have examined the stomachs of a large number of these fish and in every instance found small
crawfish, furnishing an additional evidence in its favor. Prof. J. P. Kirtland, the veteran ichthy-
ologist of Ohio, says that this so-callea '' grass bass" is the fish for the million.
The white bass {^Roccus chrysops) is a species rather rare even in the larger bodies of water,
but ought to be introduced into every small lake in the State, where I am certain they would
flourish. It is an excellent fish, possessing many of the good qualities and as few of the bad as
any that belong to the family. There is another branch of this family, the sunfish, Fomotis,
which numbers at least six species found in Wisconsin. They are beautiful fish, and aff"ord
abundant sport for the boys ; none of them, however, are worth domesticating (unless it be in the
aquarium) as there are so many better.
The carp family {Cyprinida) are soft finned fish without maxillary teeth. They include by
far the greater number of fresh-water fish. Some specimens are not more than one inch, while
others are nearly two feet in length. Our chubs, silversides and suckers are the principal mem-
bers of this family. Dace are good pan-fish, yet their small size is objectionable ; they are the
children's game fish. The CyprinidcB all spawn in the spring, and might be profitably propa-
gated as food for the larger and more valuable fish.
There are six or seven species of suckers found in our lakes and rivers. The red horse,
found every where, and at least one species of the buffalo, inhabiting the Mississippi and its trib-
utaries, are the best of the genus Catastomus. Suckers are bony, and apt to taste suspiciously of
mud ; they are only to be tolerated in the absence of better. The carp (Cyprenius carpo) has been
successfully introduced into the Hudsonriver.
The trout family {Salmonidce) are soft-finned fish with an extra dorsal adipose fin without
rays. They inhabit northern cQuntries, spawning in the latter part of fall and winter. Their
flesh is universally esteemed. The trout family embrace by far the most valuable of our fish,
including, as it does, trout and whitefish. The famous speckled trout {Salmo fonlinalis) is a
small and beautiful species which is found in nearly every stream in the northern half of the
State. Wherever there is a spring run or lake, the temperature of which does not rise higher than
sixty-five or seventy in the summer, there trout can be propagated in abundance. The great
salmon trout (^Sal. amethystus) of the great lakes is a magnificent fish weighing from ten to sixty
pounds. The Siscowit salmo siscowit of Lake Superior is about the same size, but not quite so
good a fish, being too fat and oily. They will, no doubt, flourish in the larger of the inland
lakes.
The genus Coregonus includes the true whitefish, or lake shad. In this genus, as now
restricted, the nose is square and the under jaw short, and when first caught they have the
fragrance of fresh cucumbers. There are at least three species found in Lake Michigan. In my
136 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
opinion these fish are more delicately flavored than the celebrated Potomac shad ; but I doubt
whether they will thrive in the small lakes, owing to the absence of the small Crustacea on which
they subsist. The closely allied genus Argyrosemus includes seven known species inhabiting the
larger lakes, and one, the Argyrosomus sisco, which is found in several of the lesser lakes. The
larger species are but little inferior to the true whitefish, with which they are commonly
confounded. The nose is pointed, the under jaw long, and they take the hook at certain seasons
with activity. They eat small fish as well as insects and crustaceans.
Of the pickerel family, we have three or four closely allied species of the genus Esox, armed
with prodigious jaws filled with cruel teeth. They lie motionles eady to dart, swift as an
arrow, upon their prey. They are the sharks of the fresh water. The pickerel are so rapacious
that they spare not their own species. Sometimes they attempt to swallow a fish nearly as large
as themselves, and perish in consequence. Their flesh is moderately good, and as they are game
to the backbone, it might be desirable to propagate them to a moderate extent under peculiar
circumstances.
The catfish {SiluridcB) have soft fins, protected by sharp spines, and curious fleshy barbels
floating from their lips, without scales, covered only with a slimy coat of mucus. The
genus Pimlodus are scavengers among fish, as vultures among birds. They are filthy in habit
and food. There is one interesting trait of the catfish — the vigilant and watchful motherly
care of the young by the male. He defends them with great spirit, and herds them together
when they straggle. Even the mother is driven far off; for he knows full well that she would
not scruple to make a full meal off her little black tadpole-like progeny. There are four species
known to inhabit this State — one peculiar to the great lakes, and two found in the numerous
affluents of the Mississippi. One of these, the great yellow catfish, sometimes weighs over one
hundred pounds. When in good condition, stuffed and well baked, they are a fair table fish.
The small bull-head is universally distributed.
The sturgeons are large sluggish fish, covered with plates instead of scales. There
are at least three species of the genus Acipenser found in the waters of Wisconsin. Being so
large and without bones, they afford a sufficiently cheap article of food ; unfortunately, however,
the quality is decidedly bad. Sturgeons deposit an enormous quantity of eggs ; the roe not
unfrequently weighs one fourth as much as the entire body, and numbers, it is said, many
millions. The principal commercial value of sturgeons is found in the roe and swimming
bladder. The much prized caviare is manufactured from the former, and from the latter the best
of isinglass is obtained.
The gar-pikes {Lepidosteus) are represented by at least three species of this singular fish.
They have long serpentine bodies, with jaws prolonged into a regular bill, which is well provided
with teeth. The scales are composed of bone covered on the outside with enamel, like teeth.
The alligator gar, confined to the depths of the Mississippi, is a large fish, and the more common
species, Lepidosteus bison, attains to a considerable size. The Lepidosteous, now only found in
North America, once had representatives all over the globe. Fossils of the same family of which
the gar-pike is the type, have been found all over Europe, in the oldest fossiliferous beds, in the
strata of the age of coal, in the new red sandstone, in oolitic deposits, and in the chalk and
tertiary formations — being one of the many living evidences that North America was the first
country above the water. For all practical purposes, we should not regret to have the gar-pikes
follow in the footsteps of their aged and illustrious predecessors. They could well be spared.
There is a fish (Lota maculose) which belongs to the cod-fish family, called by the fishermen
the "lawyers," for what reason I am not able to say — at any rate, the fish is worthless. There
are a great number of small fish, interesting only to the naturalist, which I shall omit to men-
tion here.
FAUNA OF WISCONSIN. 137
Fish of the northern countries are the most valuable, for the reason that the water is colder
and purer. Wisconsin, situated between forty-two thirty, and forty-seven degrees of latitude,
bounded on the east and north by the largest lakes in the world, on the west by the "Great river,"
traversed by numerous fine and rapid streams, and sprinkled all over with beautiful and pictu-
resque lakes, has physical conditions certainly the most favorable, perhaps of any State, for an
abundant and never-failing supply of the best fish. Few persons have any idea of the importance
of the fisheries of Lake Michigan. It is difficult to collect adequate data to form a correct
knowledge of the capital invested and the amount of fish taken; enough, however, has been
ascertained to enable me to state that at Milwaukee alone $100,000 are invested, and not less
than two hundred and eighty tons of dressed fish taken annually. At Racine, during the entire
season of nine months, there are, on an average, one thousand pounds of whitefish and trout,
each, caught and sold daily, amounting to not less than f 16,000. It is well known that, since the
adoption of the gill-net system, the fishermen are enabled to pursue their calling ten months of
the year.
When the fish retire to the deep water, they are followed with miles of nets, and the poor
fish are entangled on every side. There is a marked falling off in the number and size of white-
fish and trout taken, when compared with early years. When fish were only captured with seines,
they had abundant chance to escape and multiply so as to keep an even balance in number.
Only by artificial propagation and well enforced laws protecting them during the spawning
season, can we hope now to restore the balance. In order to give some idea of the valuable
labors of the state fish commissioners, I will state briefly that they have purchased for the
state a piece of property, situated three miles from Madison, known as the Nine Springs,
including forty acres of land, on which they have erected a dwelling-house, barn and hatch,ery,
also constructed several ponds, in which can be seen many valuable fish in the enjoyment of
perfect health and vigor. As- equipped, it is, undoubtedly, one of the best, if not the best, hatchery
in the states. In this permanent establishment the commission design to hatch and distribute
to the small lakes and rivers of the interior the most valuable of our indigenous fish, such as
bass, pike, trout, etc., etc., as well as many valuable foreign varieties. During the past season,
many fish have been distributed from this state hatchery. At the Milwaukee Water Works, the
commission have equipped a hatchery on a large scale, using the water as pumped directly from
the lake. During the past season there was a prodigious multitude of young trout and whitefish
distributed from this point. The success of Superintendent Welcher in hatching whitefish at
Milwaukee has been the best yet gained, nearly ninety per cent, of the eggs "laid down"
being hatched. Pisciculturists will appreciate this wonderful success, as they well know how
difficult it is to manage the spawn of the whitefish.
I append the following statistics of the number of fish hatched and distributed from the
Milwaukee hatchery previous to 1878 :
Total number of fish hatched, 8,000,000 — whitefish, 6,300,000; salmon trout, 1,700,000.
They were distributed as follows, in the month of May, 1877 : Whitefish planted in Lake
Michigan, at Racine, 1,000,000; at Milwaukee, 3,260,000; between Manitowoc and Two Rivers
1,000,000; in Green bay, 1,000,000; in Elkhart lake, 40,000.
Salmon trout were turned out as follows : Lake Michigan, near Milwaukee, 600,000 ;
Brown's lake, Racine county, 40,000 ; Delavan lake, Walworth county, 40,000 ; Troy lake, Wal-
worth county, 40,000 ; Pleasant lake, Walworth county, 40,000 ; Lansdale lake, Walworth
county, 40,000; Ella lake, Milwaukee county, 16,000; Cedar lake, Washington county, 40,000;
Elkhart lake, Sheboygan county, 40,000 ; Clear lake. Rock county, 40,000 ; Ripley lake,
138 HISTOBY OF WISCONSIlSr.
Jefferson county, 40,000; Mendota lake, Dane county, 100,000; Fox lake, Dodge county,
40,000 ; Swan and Silver lakes, Columbia county, 40,000 ; Little Green lake, Green Lake
county, 40,000; Big Green lake. Green Lake county, 100,000; Bass lake, St. Croix county,
40,000 ; Twin lakes, St. Croix county, 40,000 ; Long lake, Chippewa county, 40,000 ; Oconomo-
woc lake, Waukesha county, 100,000 ; Pine lake, Waukesha county, 40,000 ; Pewaukee lake,
Waukesha county, 100,000 ; North lake, Waukesha county, 40,000 ; Nagawicka lake, Waukesha
county, 40,000; Okanche lake, Waukesha county, 40,000.
LARGE ANIMALS.— TIME OF THEIR DISAPPEARANCE.
Fifty years ago, the territory now included in the state of Wisconsin, was nearly in a state
of nature, all the large wild animals were then abundant. Now, all has changed. The ax and
plow, gun and dog, railway and telegraph, have metamorphosed the face of nature. Most of
the large quadrupeds have been either exterminated, or have hid themselves away in the wilder-
ness. In a short time, all of these will have disappeared from the state. The date and order
in which animals become extinct within the boundaries of the state, is a subject of great interest.
There was a time when the antelope, the woodland caribou, the buffalo, and the wild turkey,
were abundant, but are now no longer to be found.
The Antelope, Antilocarpa Americana, now confined to the Western plains, did, two hun-
dred years ago, inhabit Wisconsin as far east as Michigan. In October, 1679, Father Hennepin,
with La Salle and party, in four canoes, coasted along the Western shore of Lake Michigan. In
Hennepin's narrative, he says ; " The oldest of them " (the Indians) " came to us the next morn-
■ ing with their calumet of peace, and brought some wild goats." This was somewhere north of
Milwaukee. "Being in sore distress, we saw upon the coast a great many ravens and eagles "
(turkey vultures), " from whence we conjectured there was some prey, and having landed upon
that place, we found above the half of a fat wild goal, which the wolves had strangled. This
provision was very acceptable to us, and the rudest of our men could not but praise the Divine
Providence which took so particular care of us." This must have been somewhere near Racine.
"On the i6th" (October, 1679), " we met with abundance of game. A savage we had with us,
killed several stags (deer) and wild goals, and our men a great many turkeys, very fat and big."
This must have been south of Racine. These goats were undoubtedly antelopes. Schoolcraft
mentions antelopes as occupying the Northwest territory.
When the last buffalo 'crossed the Mississippi is not precisely known. It is certain they
lingered in Wisconsin in 1825. It is said there was a buffalo shot on the St. Croix river as late
as 1832, so Wisconsin claims the last buffalo. The woodland caribou — Rangifer caribou — were
never numerous within the limits of the state. A few were seen not far from La Pointe in to45.
The last wild turkey in the eastern portion of the state, was in 1846. On the Mississippi, one
was killed in 1856. I am told by Dr. Walcott, that turkeys were abundant in Wisconsin previous
to the hard winter of 1842-3, when snow was yet two feet deep in March, with a stout crust, so
that the turkeys could not get to the ground. They became so poor and weak, that they could
not fly, and thus became an easy prey to the wolves, foxes, wild cats, minks, etc., which exter-
minated almost the entire race. The Doctor says he saw but one single individual the next
winter. Elk were on Hay river in 1863, and I have little doubt a few yet remain. Moose are
not numerous, a few yet remain in the northwestern part of the state. I saw moose tracks on
the Montreal river, near Lake Superior, in the summer of 1845. A few panthers may still
inhabit the wilderness of Wisconsin. Benjamin Bones, of Racine, shot one on the headwaters of
FAUNA OF WISCONSUSr. 139
Black river, December, 1863. Badgers are now nearly gone, and in a few years more, the only
badgers found within the state, will be two legged ones. Beavers are yet numerous irj the
small lakes in the northern regions. Wolverines are occasionally met with in the northern
forests. Bears, wolves, and deer, will continue to flourish in the northern and central counties,
■where underbrush, timber, and small lakes abound.
All large animals will soon be driven by civilization out of Wisconsin. The railroad and
improved firearms will do the work, and thus we lose the primitive denizens of the forest and
prairies.
PECULIARITIES OF THE BIRD FAUNA.
The facts recorded in this paper, were obtained by personal observations within fifteen
miles of Racine, Wisconsin, latitude 42° 46' north, longitude 87° 48' west. This city is situated
on the western shore of Lake Michigan, at the extreme southern point of the heavy lumbered
district, the base of which rests on Lake Superior. Racine extends six miles further into the
lake than Milwaukee, and two miles further than Kenosha. At this point the great prairie
approaches near the lake from the west. The extreme rise of the mercury in summer, is from
■90° to 100" Fahrenheit. The isothermal line comes further north in summer, and retires further
■south in winter than it does east of the great lakes, which physical condition will sufficiently
explain the remarkable peculiarities of its animal life, the overlapping, as it were, of two distinct
faunas: More especially is this true of birds, that are enabled to change their locality with the
greatest facility. Within the past thirty years, I have collected and observed over three hundred
species of birds, nearly half of all birds found in North America. Many species, considered
rare in other sections, are found here in the greatest abundance. A striking peculiarity of the
■ornithological fauna of this section, is that southern birds go farther north in summer, while
northern species go farther south in winter than they do east of the lakes. Of summer birds
that visit us, I will ennumerate a few of the many that belong to a more southern latitude in the
Atlantic States. Nearly all nest with us, or, at least, did some years ago.
Yellow-breasted chat, Icteria virdis j mocking bird, Mimus pollyglottus ; great Carolina wren,
Thriothorus ludovicianus ; prothonotary warbler, Protonotaria citreaj summer red bird, Pyrangia
■asiiva; wood ibis, Tantalus loeulator.
Among Arctic birds that visit us in winter are :
Snowy owl, Nyctea nivea; great gray owl, Syrnium cinerus; hawk owl, Surnia ulula; Arctic
three-toed woodpecker, Picoides arcficus; banded three-toed woodpecker, Picoides hirsutus; mag-
pie. Pica hudsontca; Canada jay, Perisorius canadensis ; evening grosbeak, Hesperiphona vesper-
tina; Hudson titmouse, Parus hudsonicus ; king eder, Somaieria speciabilis; black- throated diver,
Colymbus arcticus; glaucus gull, Laurus glaucus.
These examples are sufficient to indicate the rich avi fauna of Wisconsin. It is doubtful if
there is another locality where the Canada jay and its associates visit in winter where the mock-
ing bird nests in summer, or where the hawk owl flies silently over the spot occupied during
the warmer days by the summer red bird and the yellow-breasted chat. But the ax has already
leveled much of the great woods, so that there is now a great falling off in numbers of our old
familiar feathered friends. It is now extremely doubtful if such a collection can ever again be
madf within the boundaries of this state, or indeed, of any other.
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
By Prof. EDWARD SEARING, State SuperIintendent of Public Instruction.
From the time of the earliest advent of the families of French traders into the region now
known as Wisconsin, to the year 1818, when that region became part of Michigan territory,
education was mostly confined to private instruction, or was sought by the children of the
wealthier in the distant cities of Quebec, Montreal, and Detroit. The early Jesuit missionaries,
and — subsequently to 1816, when it came under the military control of the United States —
representatives of various other religious denominations, sought to teach the Indian tribes of
this section. In 1823, Rev. Eleazar Williams, well known for his subsequent claim to be the
Dauphin of France, and who was in the employ of the Episcopal Missionary Society, started a
school of white and half-breed children on the west side of Fox river, opposite " Shanty-Town."
A Catholic mission school for Indians was organized by an Italian priest near Green Bay, in
1830. A clause of the treaty with the Winnebago Indians, in 1832, bound the United States to
maintain a school for their children near Prairie du Chien for a period of twenty-seven years.
The Original School Code.
From 1818 to 1836, Wisconsin formed part of Michigan territory. In the year 1837, Michi-
gan was admitted into the Union as a state, and Wisconsin, embracing what is now Minnesota,
Iowa, and a considerable region still further westward, was, by act of congress approved April
zoth of the year previous, established as a separate territory. The act provided that the existing
laws of the territory of Michigan should be extended over the new territory so far as compatible
with the provisions of the act, subject to alteration or repeal by the new government created.
Thus with the other statutes, the school code of Michigan became the original code of Wiscon-
sin, and it was sofln formally adopted, with almost no change, by the first territorial legislature,
which met at Belmont. Although modified in some of its provisions almost every year, this
imperfect code continued in force until the adoption of the state constitution in 1848. The
first material changes in the code were made by the territorial legislature at its second session,
in 1837, by the passage of a bill " to regulate the sale of school lands, and to provide for organ-
izing, regulating, and perfecting common schools." It was provided in this act that as soon as
twenty electors should reside in a surveyed township, they should elect a board of three com-
missioners, holding office three years, to lay off districts, to apply the proceeds of the leases of
school lands to the payment of teachers' wages, and to call school meetings. It was also pro-
vided that each district should elect a board of three directors, holding office one year, to locate
school-houses, hire teachers for at least three months in the year, and levy taxes for the support
of schools. It was further provided that a third board of five inspectors should be elected
annually in each town to examine and license teachers and inspect the schools. Two years
subsequently (1839) the law was revised and the family, instead of the electors, was made the
basis of the town organization. Every town with not less than ten families was made a school
district and required to provide a competent teacher. More populous towns were divided into
two or more districts. The office of town commissioner was abolished, its duties with certain
others being transferred to the inspectors. The rate-bill system of taxation, previously in
existence, was repealed, and a tax on the whole county for building school-houses and suoport-
EDUCATIOJTAL HISTOEY. 141
ing schools was provided for. One or two years later the office of town commissioners was
restored, and the duties of the inspectors were assigned to the same. Other somewhat important
amendments were made at the same time.
In 1840, a memorial to congress from the legislature represented that the people were
anxious to establish a common-school system, with suitable resources for its support. From
lack of sufficient funds many of the schools were poorly organized. The rate-bill tax or private
subscription was often necessary to supplement the scanty results of county taxation. Until a
state government should be organized, the fund accruing from the sale of school lands could not
be available. Congress had made to Wisconsin, as to other new states, for educational purposes,
a donation of lands. These lands embraced the sixteenth section in every township in the state,
the 500,000 acres to which the state was entitled by the provisions of an act of congress passed
in 1 841, and any grant of lands from the United States, the purposes of wliich were not speci-
fied. To obtain the benefits of this large fund was a leading object in forming the state con-
stitution.
Agitation for Free Schools.
Shortly before the admission of the state the subject of free schools began to be quite
widely discussed. In February, 1845, Col. M. Frank, of Kenosha, a member of the territorial
legislature, introduced a bill, which became a law, authorizing the legal voters of his own town
to vote taxes on all the assessed property ior the full support of its schools. A provision of the
act required its submission to the people of the town before it could take effect. It met with
strenuous opposition, but after many public meetings and lectures held in the interests of public
enlightenment, the act was ratified by a small majority in the fall of 1845, and thus the first free school
in the state was legally organized. Subsequently, in the legislature, m the two constitutional con-
ventions, and in educational assemblies, the question of a free-school system for the new state
soon to be organized provoked much interest and discussion. In the constitution framed by the
convention of 1846, was provided the basis of a free-school system similar to that in our present
constitution. The question of establishing the office of state superintendent, more than any
other feature of the proposed school system, elicited discussion in that body. The necessity of
this office, and the advantages of free schools supported by taxation, were ably presented to the
convention by Hoii. Henry Barnard, of Connecticut, in an evening address. He afterward pre-
pared, by request, a draft of a free-school system, with a state superintendent at its head, which
was accepted and subsequently embodied in the constitution and the school law. In the second
constitutional convention, in 1848, the same questions again received careful attention, and the
article on education previously prepared, was, after a few changes, brought into the shape in
which we now find it. Immediately after the ratification by the people, of the constitution pre-
pared by the second convention, three commissioners were appointed to revise the statutes. To
one of these. Col. Frank, the needed revision of the school laws was assigned. The work was
acceptably performed, and the new school code of 1849, largely the same as the present one,
went into operation May first of that year.
The School System under the State Government.
In the state constitution was laid the broad foundation of our present school system. The
four corner stones were: (i) The guaranteed freedom of the schools; {?.) the school fund
created ; (3) the system of supervision ; (4) a state university for higher instruction. The
school fund has five distinct sources for its creation indicated in the constitution: (i) Proceeds,
from the sale of lands granted to the state by the United States for educational purposes ; (2)
142
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
all moneys accruing from forfeiture or escheat ; (3) all fines collected in the several counties /or
breach of the penal laws ; (4) all moneys paid for exemption from military duty ; (5) five per cent,
•of the sale of government lands within the state. In addition to these constitutional sources of
the school fund, another and sixth source was open from 1856 to 1870. By an act of the state
legislature in the former year, three-fourths of the net proceeds of the sales of the swamp and
overflowed lands, granted to the state by congress, Sept. 28, 1850, were added to the common-
school fund, the other fourth going into a fund for drainage, under certain circumstances ; but if
not paid over to any town for that purpose within two years, to become a part of the school
fund. The following year one of these fourths was converted into the normal-school fund,
leaving one-half for the common-school fund. In 1858, another fourth was given to the drainage
fund, thus providing for the latter one-half the income from the sales, and leaving for the school
fund, until the year 1865, only the remaining one-fourth. In the latter year this was transferred
to the normal-school fund, with the provision, however, that one-fourth of the income of this
fund should be transferred to the common-school fund until the annual income of the latter
fund should reach $200,000. In 1870 this provision was repealed, and the whole income of the
normal fund left applicable to the support of normal schools and teachers' institutes.
At the first session of the state legislature in 1848, several acts were passed which carried
•out in some degree the educational provisions of the constitution. A law was enacted to pro-
vide for the election, and to define the duties, of a state superintendent of public instruction. A
district board was created, consisting of a moderator, director, and treasurer; the office of town
superintendent was established, and provision was made for the creation of town libraries, and
fo-r the distribution of the school fund. The present school code of Wisconsin is substantially
that passed by the legislature of 1848, and which went into operation May i, 1849. The most
important change since made was the abolition of the office of town superintendent, and the
•substitution therefor of vthe county superintendency. This change took eifect January i, 1862.
The School-Fund Income.
The first annual report of the' state superintendent, for the year 1849, gives the income of
the school fund for that year as $588, or eight and three-tenth mills per child. Milwaukee
county received the largest amount, $69.63, and St. Croix county the smallest,' twenty-four cents.
The average in the state was forty-seven cents per district. The following table will show at a
glance the quinquennial increase in the income of the fund; the corresponding increase in the
number of school children, and the apportionment per child, from 1849 to 1875, inclusive; also,
the last published apportionment, that for 1878. It will be seen that since 1855 '^^ increase of
the fund has not kept pace with the increase of school population :
Year.
NO. CHILDREN
OF SCHOOL-AGE.
INCOME OF
SCHOOL FUND
RATE PER
CHILD.
Year.
NO. CHILDREN
OF SCHOOL-AGE.
INCOME OF
SCHOOL FUND
RATE PER
CHILD.
1849--
1850..
1855--
1860..
70,457
92,105
186,085
288,984
$588 00
47,716 00
125,906 02
184,949 76
$0.0083
.518
.67
.64
1865--
1870-.
1875-
1878..
335.582
412,481
450,304
478,692
151,816 34
159.271 38
184,624 64
185,546 01
.46
.40
.41
.39
The amount of productive school fund reported September 30, 1878, was 12,680,703.27.
The portion of the fund not invested at that dute, was ^58,823.70.
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 14^
The State University.
In his message to the first territorial legislature, in 1836, Governor Dodge recommended
asking from congress aid for the establishment of a state educational institution, to be governed
by the legislature. This was the first official action looking to the establishment of a state
university. The same legislature passed an act to establish and locate the Wisconsin univer-
sity at Belmont, in the county of Iowa. At its second session, the following year, the legislature
passed an act, which was approved January 19, 1838, establishing " at or near Madison, the seat
of government, a university for the purpose of educating youth, the naine whereof shall be ' The
University of the Territory of Wisconsin. " A resolution was passed at the same session, direct-
ing the territorial delegate in congress to ask of that body an appropriation of $20,000 for the
erection of the buildings ot said university, and also to appropriate two townships of vacant land
for its endowment. Congress accordingly appropriated, in 1838, seventy-two sections, or two
townships, for the support of a " seminary of learning in the territory of Wisconsin," and this,
was afterward confirmed to the state for the use of the university. No effectual provision, how-
ever, was made for the establishment of the university until ten years later, when the state was
organized. Congress, as has been said, had made a donation of lands to the territory for the
support of such an institution, but these lands could not be made available for that purpose until
the territory should become a state. The state constitution, adopted in 1848, declared that pro-
vision should be made for the establishment of a state university, and that the proceeds of all
lands donated by the United States to the state for the support of a university should remain a
perpetual fund, the interest of which should be appropriated to its support
The state legislature, at its first session, passed an act, approved July 26, 1848, establishing
the University of Wisconsin, defining its location, its government, and its various departments,,
and authorizing the regents to purchase a suitable site for the buildings, and to proceed to the-
erection of the same, after having obtained from the legislature the approval of plans. This act
repealed the previous act of 1838. The regents were soon after appointed, and their first annual,
report was presented to the legislature, January 30, 1849. This report announced the selection
of a site, subject to the approval of the legislature, announced the organization of a preparatory
department, and the election of a chancellor or president. The university was thus organized,,
with John H. Lathrop, president of the University of Missouri, as its first chancellor, and John
W. Sterling as principal of the preparatory department, which was opened February 5, 1849^
Chancellor Lathrop was not formally inaugurated until January 16, 1850.
Owing to the short-sighted policy of the state in locating without due care, and in apprais-
ing and selling so low the lands of the original grant, the fund produced was entirely inadequate
to the support of the institution. Congress, therefore, made, in 1854, an additional grant of
seventy-two sections of land for its use. These, however, were located and sold in the same
inconsiderate and unfortunate manner, for so low a price as to be a means of inducing immigra-
tion, indeed, but not of producing a fund adequate for the support of a successful state univer-
sity. Of the 92,160 acres comprised in the two grants, there had been sold prior to September
30, 1866, 74,178 acres for the sum of $264,570.13, or at an average price of but little more than
fe-S° per acre.* Besides this, the state had allowed the university to anticipate its income to the
extent of over $100,000 for the erection of buildings. By a law of 1862 the sum of $104,339.43
was taken from its fund (already too small) to pay for these buildings. The resulting embar-
rassment made necessary the re-organization of 1866, which added to the slender resources of
the institution the agricultural college fund, arising from the sale of lands donated to the state by
the congressional act of 1862.
♦Compare the price obtained for the lands of the University of Michigan. The first sale of those lands averaged.
>22.85 per acre, and brought in a single year (1837) $150,447.90. Sales were made in succeeding years at $15, $17,
and $iq per acre.
144 HISTORY or JVTSCONSIN'.
The first university building erected was the north dormitory, which was completed in 1851.
This is 110 feet in length by 40 in breadth, and four stories in height. The south dormitory, of
the same size, was completed in 1855. The main central edifice, known as University Hall, was
finished in 1859. The Ladies' College was completed in 1872. This latter was built with an
appropriation of $50,000, made by the legislature in 18^0 — the first actual donation the univer-
sity had ever received from the state. The legislature of 1875 appropriated $80,000 for the
erection of Science Hall, a building to be devoted to instruction in the physical sciences. This
was completed and ready for occupancy at the opening of the fall term of 1877.
The growth of this institution during the past fourteen years, and especially since its re-
organization in 1866, has been rapid and sul^stantial. Its productive fund on the 30th day of
September, 1877, aside from the agricultural college fund, was $223,240 32. The combined uni-
versity and agricultural funds amounted, at the same date, to $464,032 22. An act of the legis-
lature in 1867 appropriated to the university income for that year, and annually for the next ten
years, the sum of $7,303-76, being the interest upon the sum taken from the university fund by
the law of 1862 for the erection of buildings, as before mentioned. Chapter 100 of the general
laws of 1872 also provided for an annual state tax of $ro,ooo to increase the income of the uni-
versity. Chapter 119 of the laws of 1876 provides for an annual state tax of one-tenth of one
mill on the taxable property of the state for the increase of the university fund income, this tax
to be "/« lieu of all other appropriations before provided for the benefit of said fund income,"
and to be " deemed a full compensation for all deficiencies in said income arising from the dis-
position of the lands donated to the state by congress, in trust, for the benefit of said income."
The entire income of the university from all sources, including this tax (which was $42,359.62),
was, for the year ending September 30, 1878, ^81,442.63. The university has a faculty of over
thirty professors and instructors, and during the past year — 1877-8 — it had in its various depart-
ments 388 students. The law department, organized in 1868, has since been in successful opera-
ation. Ladies are admitted into all the departments and classes of the university.
Agricultural College.
The agricultural college fund, granted to the state by the congressional act of 1862, was
by a subsequent legislative enactment (1866) applied to the support, not of a separate agricultural
college, but of a department of agriculture in the existing university, thus rendering it unneces-
sary for the state to erect separate buildings elsewhere. Under the provisions of chapter 114,
laws of 1866, the county of Dane issued to the state, for the purpose of purchasing an experi-
mental farm, bonds to the amount of $40,000. A farm of about 200 acres, adjoining the univer-
sity grounds, was purchased, and a four years' course of study provided, designed to be thorough
and extensive in the branches that relate to agriculture, in connection with its practical application
upon the experimental farm.
The productive agricultural college fund has increased from g8,o6i.86, in 1866, to ;Ji244,263,i8,
in 1878.
Normal Schools.
The propriety of making some special provision for the instruction of teachers was
acknowledged in the very organization of the state, a provision for normal schools having been
embodied in the constitution itself, which ordains that after the support and maintenance of the
EDUCATIONAL HISTOEY. 145
corninon schools is insured, the residue of the school fund shall be appropriated to academies and
normal schools. The state legislature, in its first session in 1848, in the act establishing the Uni-
versity of Wisconsin, declared that one of the four departments thereof should be a department
of the theory and practice of elementary instruction. The first institution ever chartered in
the state as a normal school was incorporated by the legislature at its second session — 1849 —
under the title of the " Jefferson County Normal School." This, however, was never organized.
The regents, when organizing the university, at their meeting in 1849, ordained the estab-
lishment of a normal professorship, and declared that in organizing the normal department it
was their fixed intention " to make the University of Wisconsin subsidiary to the great cause of
popular education, by making it, through its normal department, the nursery of the educators of
the popular mind, and the central point of union and harmony to the educational interests of the
commonwealth." They declared that instruction in the normal department should be free to all
suitable candidates. Little was accomplished, however, in this direction during the next ten
years. In 1857 an act was passed by the legislature appropriating twenty-five per cent, of the
income of the swamp-land fund " to normal institutes and academies under the supervision and
direction of a board of regents of normal schools," who were to be appointed in accordance
with the provisions of the act. Distribution of this income was made to such colleges, acade-
mies, and high schools as maintained a normal class, in proportion to the number of pupils pass-
ing a successful examination conducted by an agent of the board. In 1859, Dr. Henry Barnard,
who had become chancellor of the* university, was made agent of the normal regents. He
inaugurated a system of teachers' institutes, and gave fresh vigor to the normal work throughout
the state. Resigning, however, on account of ill-health, within two years. Professor Chas. H.
Allen, who had been conducting institutes under his direction, succeeded him as agent of the
normal regents, and was elected principal of the normal department of the university, entering
upon his work as the latter in March, 1864. He managed the department with signal ability and
success, but at the end of one or two years resigned. Meantime the educational sentiment of
the state had manifested itself for the establishment of separate normal schools.
In 1865, the legislature passed an act repealing that of two years before, and providing
instead that one-half of the swamp-land fund should be set apart as a normal-school fund, the
income of which should be applied to establishing and supporting normal schools under the
direction and management of the board of normal regents, with a proviso, however, that one-
fourth of such income should be annually transferred to the common-school fund income, until
the latter should amount annually to $200,000. This proviso was repealed by the legislature of
1870, and the entire income of one-half the swamp-land fund has since been devoted to normal-
school purposes. During the same year proposals were invited for aid in the establishment of a
normal school, in money, land, or buildings, and propositions from various places were received
and considered. In 1S66, the board of regents was incorporated by the legislature. In the
same year Platteville was conditionally selected as the site of a school, and as there was already
a productive fund of about $600,000, with an income of over $30,000, and a prospect of a steady
increase as the lands were sold, the board decided upon the policy of establishing several schools,
located in different parts of the state. In pursuance of this policy, there have already been
completed, and are now in very successful operation, the Platteville Normal School, opened
October 9, 1866; the Whitewater Normal School, opened April 21, 1868 ; the Oshkosh Normal
School, opened September 19, 1871, and the River Falls Normal School, opened September
2, 1875. Each assembly district in the state is entitled to eight representatives in the
normal schools. These are nominated by county and city superintendents. Tuition is
free to all normal students. There are in the normal schools two courses of study — an
146
HISTORY DF WISCONSHST.
elementary course of two years, and an advanced course of four years. The student completing
the former, receives a certificate ; the one completing the latter, a diploma. The certificate, when
the holder has successfully taught one year after graduation, may be countersigned by the sup-
erintendent of public instruction, when it becomes equivalent to a five-years' state certificate.
The diploma, when thus countersigned, after a like interval, is equivalent to a permanent state:
certificate.
It is believed that the normal-school system of Wisconsin rests upon a broader and more-
secure basis than the corresponding system of any other state. That basis is an independent
and permanent fund, which has already reached a million dollars. The precise amount of this,
securely invested and productive fund, September 30, 1878, was ^1,004,907.67, and the sum of
^33,290.88 remained uninvested.
Teachers' Institutes.
In addition to the work of the normal schools, the board of regents is authorized to expend
$5,000 annually to defray the expenses of teachers' institutes. A law of 187 1, amended in 1876,,
provides for normal institutes, which shall be held for not less than two consecutive weeks, and.
appropriates from the state treasury a sum not exceeding $2,000 per annum for their support.
There were held in the State, in 1878, sixty-six institutes^ varying in length from one to two
weeks. The total number of persons enrolled as attendants was 4,944
Graded Schools.
Including those in the cities, the graded schools of the State number about four hundred.
The annual report of the State superintendent for 1878 gives the number with two departments
as 207, and the number with three or more as 225.
A law of March, 1872, provided that "all graduates of any graded school of the state, wha
shall have passed an examination at such graded school satisfactory to the faculty of the univer-
sity for admission into the sub-freshman class and college classes of the university, shall be at
once and at all times entitled to free tuition in all the colleges of the university." A consider-
able number of graduates of graded schools entered the university under this law during the
next four years, but it being deemed an unwise discrimination in favor of this class of students,
in 1876, in the same act which provided for the tax of one tenth of one mill, the legislature pro-
vided that from and after the 4th of July of that year no student, except students in law and
those taking extra studies, should be required to pay any fees for tuition. Few graded schools
of the state are able as yet to fully prepare students for entrance into the regular classes of the
classical department of the university. The larger number prepared by them still enter the
scientific department or the sub-freshman class.
The Township System.
In 1869 the legislature passed a law authorizing towns to adopt by vote the " township sys-
tem of school government." Under this system each town becomes one school district, and the
several school districts already existing become sub-districts. Each sub-district elects a clerk,
and these clerks constitute a body corporate under the name of the " board of school directors,'' and
are invested with the title and custody of all school houses, school-house sites, and other prop-
erty belonging to the sub-districts, with power to control them for the best interests of the
schools of the town. The law provides for an executive committee to execute the orders of the
:.A
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 147
board, employ teachers, etc., and for a secretary to record proceedings of the board, have imme-
diate charge and supervision of the schools, and perform other specified duties. But few towns
ha-ve as yet made trial of this system, although it is in successful operation in Pensylvania, Mas-
sachusetts, and some other states, and where fully and fairly tried in our own, has proved entirely
satisfactory. It is the general belief of our enlightened educational men that the plan has such
merits as ought to secure its voluntary adoption by the people of the state.
Free High Schools.
In 1875 the legislature enacted that any town, incorporated village, or city, may establish
and maintain not more than two free high schools, and provided for an annual appropriation of
not to exceed $25,000, to refund one-half of the actual cost of instruction in such schools, but
no school to draw in any one year more than $500. At the session of 1877 the benefits of the
act were extended to such high schools already established as shall show by a proper report that
they have conformed to the requirements of the law. If towns decline to establish such a
school, one or more adjoining districts in the same have the privilege of doing so. The law has
met with much favor. For the school year ending August 31, 1876 (the first year in which it was
in operation), twenty such schools reported, and to these the sum of $7,466.50 was paid, being
an average of ^373.32 per school. For the year ending August 31, 1878, eighty-five schools
reported and received a pro rata division of the maximum appropriation. The high school law
was primarily designed to bring to rural neighborhoods the twofold advantages of (i) a higher
instruction than the common district schools afford, and (2) a better class of teachers for these
schools. It was anticipated, however, from the first that the immediate results of the law would
be chiefly the improvement of existing graded schools in the larger villages and in cities.
School Officers.
The school officers of Wisconsin are, a state superintendent of public instruction, sixty-four
county superintendents, twenty-eight city superintendents, and a school board in each district,
consisting of a director, treasurer, and clerk. The state and county superintendents hold office
two years, the district officers three years. In each independent city there is a board of educa-
tion, and the larger cities have each a city superintendent, who in some cases is also principal of
the high school. He is appointed for one year. The county board of supervisors determine,
within certain limits, the amount of money to be raised annually in each town and ward of their
county for school purposes, levy an additional amount for the salary of the county superintend-
ents, may authorize a special school tax, and may under certain circumstances determine that
there shall be two superintendents for their county. The town board of supervisors have authority
to form and alter school districts, to issue notice for first meeting, to form union districts for high
school purposes, and appoint first boards for the same, to locate and establish school-house sites
under certain circumstances, to extinguish districts that have neglected to maintain school for
two years, and to dispose of the property of the same. The district clerks report annually to the
town clerks, the town clerks to the county superintendents, and the county and city superintend-
ents to the state superintendent, who in turn makes an annual report to the governor.
State Teachers' Certificates.
The state superintendent is authorized by law " to issue state certificates of high grade to
teachers of eminent qualifications." Two grades of these are given, one unlimited, and the
other good for five years. The examination is conducted by a board of three examiners,
appointed annually by the state superintendent, and acting under rules and regulations prescribed
by him.
148 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN".
Teachers' Associations.
Besides the Wisconsin State Teachers' Association, holding its annual session in the summer
and a semi-annual or " executive '' session in the winter, there are, in several parts of the state,
county or district associations, holding stated meetings. The number of such associations is
annually increasing.
Libraries.
The utility of public libraries as a part of the means of popular enlightenment, was early
recognized in this state. The constitution, as set forth in 1848, required that a portion of the
income of the school fund should be applied to the " purchase of suitable libraries and appa-
ratus" for the common schools. The same year the legislature of the state, at its first session,
enacted that as soon as this income should amount to $60,000 a year (afterwards changed to
$30,000), each town superintendent might devote one tenth of the portion of this income received
by his town annually, to town library purposes, the libraries thus formed to be distributed among
the districts, in sections, and in rotation, once in three months. Districts were also empowered
to raise money for library books. The operation of this discretionary and voluntary system was
not successful. In ten years (1858) only about one third of the districts (1,121) had libraries,
embracing in all but 38,755 volumes, and the state superintendent, Hon. Lyman C. Draper, urged
upon the legislature a better system, of " town libraries," and a state tax for their creation and
maintenance. In 1857, the legislature enacted that ten per cent, of the yearly income of the
school fund should be applied to the purchase of town school libraries, and that an annual tax of
one tenth of one mill should be levied for the same purpose. The law was left incomplete, how-
ever, and in 1862, before the system had been perfected, the exigencies of the civil war led to
the repeal of the law, and the library fund wnich had accumulated from the ten per cent, of the
school fund income, and from the library tax, amounting in all to $88,784.78, was transferred to
the general fund. This may be considered a debt to the educational interests of the state that
should be repaid. Meanwhile the single district library system languishes and yearly grows
weaker. The re-enacting of a town library system, in which local effort and expenditure shall
be stimulated and supplemented by State aid, has been recommended by the State Teachers'
Association, and will, it is hoped, be secured, at no distant day, as a part of a complete town
system of schools and of public education.
List of State Superintendents.
The act creating the office was passed at the first session of the state legislature, in 1848.
The incumbents up to the present time have been as follows :
NAME OF INCUMBENT. DURATION OF INCUMBENCY.
Hon. E. Root Three years — 1849-50-51.
Hon. A. P. Ladd : Two years — 1852-53.
Hon. H. A. Wright* One year and five months — 1854-55.
Hon. A. C. Barry _ Two years and seven months — 1855-56-57.
Hon. L. C. Draper Two years — 1858-59.
Hon. J. L. Pickard-j' Three years and nine months — 1860-61-62-63.
Hon. J. G. McMynn — Four years and three months — 1863-64-65-66-67.
Hon. A. J. CraigJ Two years and six months— 1868-69-70.
Hon. Samuel Fallows Three years and six months — 1870-71-72-73.
Hon. Edward Searing ..Four years — 1874-75-76-77.
Hon. W. C. Whitford Two years— 1878-79.
* Died, May 29, 1845. f Resigned, October i, 1863. | Died, July 3, 1870.
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 149
Sketches of Colleges in Wisconsin.*
Beloit College was founded in 1847, at Beloit, under the auspices of the Congregational and
Presbyterian churches of Wisconsin and northern Illinois. In 1848, Rev. Joseph Emerson and
Rev. J. J. Bushnell were appointed professors, and in 1849, Rev. A. L. Chapin was appointed
president, and has continued such until the present time. The institution has had a steady
growth, has maintained a high standard of scholarship and done excellent work, both in its pre-
paratory and college departments. Two hundred and thirty-six young men have graduated.
Its lands and buildings are valued at $78,000, and its endowments and funds amount to about
$122,000.
Lawrence University, at Appleton, under the ■ patronage of the Methodist church, was
organized as a college in 1850, having been an " institute " or academy for three years previous,
under the Rev. W. H. Sampson. The first president was Rev. Edward Cook ; the second, R.
Z. Mason ; the present one is the Rev. George M. Steele, D. D. It is open to both sexes, and
has graduated 130 young men, and 68 young women. It still maintains a preparatory depart-
ment. It has been an institution of great benefit in a new region of country, in the northeastern
part of the state. Receiving a liberal donation at the outset from the Hon. Amos A. Lawrence,
of Boston, it has land and buildings valued at $47,000, at Appleton, and funds and endowments
amounting to $60,000.
Milton College, an institution under the care of the Seventh Day Baptists, was opened as a
college in 1867, having been conducted as an academy since 1844. Rev. W. C. Whitford, the
president, was for many years the principal of the academy The institution has done much
valuable work, particularly in preparing teachers for our public schools. The college has gradu-
ated 38 young men and women, having previously graduated 93 academic students. It has lands,
buildings and endowments to the amount of about $50,000.
Ripon College, which was known till 1864 as Brockway College, was organized in 1853, at
Ripon, and is supported by the Congregational church. Since its re-organization, in 1863, it has
graduated 77 students (of both sexes) in the college courses, and has always maintained a large
and flourishing preparatory department. Under its present efficient head, the Rev, E. H. Mer-
rell, A. M., it is meeting with continued success. Its property amounts to about $125,000.
Racine College was founded by the Episcopal Church, at Racine, in 1852, under the Rev.
Roswell Park, D. D., as its first President. It was for a long time under the efficient administra-
tion of Rev. James De Koven, D. D., now deceased, who was succeeded by Rev. D. Stevens
Parker. It maintains a large boys' school also, and a preparatory department. It was designed,
in part, to train young men for the Nashotah Theological Seminary. It has property, including
five buildings, to the amount of about ;^i8o,ooo, and has graduated ninety-nine young men. Its
principal work, in which it has had great success, is that of a boys' school, modeled somewhat
after the English schools.
The Seminary of St. Francis of Sales, an ecclesiastical school, was established at St. Fran-
cis Station, near Milwaukee, chiefly by the combined efforts of two learned and zealous priests,
the Rev. Michael Heiss, now bishop of La Crosse, and the Rev. Joseph Salzmann. It was
opened in January, 1856, with Rev. M. Heiss as rector, and with 25 students. Rev. Joseph
Salzmann was rector from September, 1868, to the time of his death, January 17, 1874, since
which time Rev, C. Wapelhorst has held the rectorship. The latter is now assisted by twelve
professors, and the students number 267, of whom 105 are theologians, 31 students of philosophy,
and the rest classical students.
Pio Nono College is a Roman Catholic institution, at St. Francis Station, in the immediate
neighborhood of the Seminary of St. Francis. It was founded in 187 1, by Rev. Joseph Salzmann,
* The statistics in this division were obtained in 1877, ^^d ^^ for the previous year.
150 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
who was the first rector. He was succeeded in 1874 by the present rector, Rev. Thomas Brue-
ner, who is assisted by a corps of seven professors.. Besides the college proper, there is a nor-
mal department, in which, in addition to the education that qualifies for teaching in common and
higher schools, particular attention is given to church music. There is also, under the same
management, but in an adjoining building, an institution for the instruction of the deaf and dumb.
The pupils in the latter, both boys and girls, numbering about 30, are taught to speak by sounds,
and it is said with the best success.
An institution was organized in 1865, at Prairie du Chien, under the name of Prairie du
Chien College, and under the care of J. T. Lovewell, as principal. In the course of two or three
years it passed into the hands of the Roman Catholic church, and is now known as St. John's
College. It has so far performed principally preparatory work.
Sinsinawa Mound College, a Roman Catholic institution, was founded in 1848, through the
labors of Father Mazzuchelli, but after doing a successful work, was closed in 1863, and in 1867
the St. Clara academy was opened in the same buildings.
The Northwestern University, whic^ is under the Lutheran church, was organized in 1865,
at Watertown, under Rev. August F. Ernst, as president. It has graduated 21 young men, and
has a preparatory department. Its property is valued at $50,000.
Galesville University was organized in 1859, under the patronage of the Methodist church
at Galesville, in the northwest part of the state. The first president was the Rev. Samuel Fal-
lows, since state superintendent. It has graduated ten young men and eight young women, its
work hitherto having been mostly preparatory. It is now under the patronage of the Presby-
terian denomination, with J. W. McLaury, A. M., as president. It has property valued at
$30,000, and an endowment of about $50,000.
Carroll College was established at Waukesha, by the Presbyterian church, in 1846. Prof. J.
W. Sterling, now of the state university, taught its primary classes that year. Under President
John A. Savage, D.D., with an able corps of professors, it took a high rank and graduated
classes ; but for several years past it has confined its work principally to academic studies.
Under W. L. Rankin, A. M.,the present principal, the school is doing good service.
Wayland University was established as a college, by the Baptists, at Beaver Dam, in 1854,
but never performed much college work. For three years past, it has been working under a new
charter as an academy and preparatory school, and is now known as Wayland Institute.
In 1841, the Protestant Episcopal church established a mission in the wilds of Waukesha
county, and, at an early day, steps were taken to establish in connection therewith an institution
of learning. This was incorporated in 1847, by the name of Nashotah House. In 1852 the
classical school was located at Racine, and Nashotah House became distinctively a theological
seminary. It has an endowment of one professorship, the faculty and students being otherwise
sustained by voluntary contributions. It has a faculty of five protessors, with Rev. A. D.
Cole, D.D., as president, buildings pleasantly situated, and has graduated 185 theological students.
Female Colleges.
Two institutions have been known under this designation. The Milwaukee Female College
was founded in 1852, and ably conducted for several years, under the principalship of Miss Mary
Mortimer, now deceased. It furnished an advanced grade of secondary instruction. The Wis-
consin Female College, located at Fox Lake, was first incorporated in 1855, and re-organized in
1863. It has never reached a collegiate course, is now known as Fox Lake Seminary, and
admits both sexes. Rev. A. O. Wright, A. M., is the present principal.
AGRICULTURE. 151
Academies and Seminaries.
The following institutions of academic grade, are now in operation : Albion Academy;
Benton Academy; Big Foot Academy; Elroy Seminary; Fox Lake Seminary; two German and
English academies in Milwaukee ; Janesville Academy ; Kemper Hall, Kenosha ; Lake Geneva
Seminary, Geneva; Lakeside Seminary, Oconomowoc; Marshall Academy, Marshall; Merrill
Institute, Fond du Lac ; Milwaukee Academy ; Racine Academy ; River Falls Institute ;
Rochester Seminary; St. Catherine's Academy, Racine; St. Clara Academy; Sinsinawa
Mound ; St. Mary's Institute, Milwaukee ; Sharon Academy ; and Wayland Institute, Beaver
Dam. Similar institutions formerly in operation but suspended or merged in other institu-
tions, were : Allen's Grove Academy ; Appleton Collegiate Institute ; Baraboo Collegiate Insti-
tute ; Beloit Female Seminary ; Beloit Seminary ; Brunson Institute, Mount Hope ; Evansville Sem-
inary ; Janesville Academy (merged in the high school) ; Kilbourn Institute ; Lancaster Institute;
Milton Academy ; Platteville Academy ; Southport Academy (Kenosha) ; Waterloo Academy ;
Waukesha Seminary; Wesleyan Seminary, Eau Claire; and Patch Grove Academy. The
most important of these were the Milton and Platteville Academies, the former merged in Mil-
ton College, the latter in the Platteville Normal School. Of the others, several were superseded
by the establishment of public high schools in the same localities.
Commercial Schools.
Schools of this character, aiming to furnish what is called a business education, exist in Mil-
waukee, Janesville, Madison, LaCrosse, Green Bay, Oshkosh and Fond du Lac. The oldest and
largest is in Milwaukee, under the care of Prof. R. C. Spencer, and enrolls from two to three
hundred students annually.
AGRICULTURE.
By W. W. DANIELLS, M.S., Prof, of Chemistry and Agriculture at the University
OF Wisconsin.
The trend of the earliest industries of a country, is the result of the circumstances under
which those industries are developed. The attention of pioneers is confined to supplying the
immediate wants of food, shelter, and clothing. Hence, the firs tsettlers of a country are farm-
ers, miners, trappers, or fishermen, according as they can most readily secure the means of pres-
ent sustenance for themselves and their families. In the early history of Wisconsin this law is
well exemplified. The southern part of the state, consisting of alternations of prairie and tim-
ber, was first settled by farmers. As the country has developed, wealth accumulated, and means
of transportation have been furnished, farming has ceased to be the sole interest. Manufactories
have been built along the rivers, and the mining industry of the southwestern part of the state has
grown to one of considerable importance. The shore of Lake Michigan was first mainly settled
tied by fishermen, but the later growth of agriculture and manufactures has nearly overshadowed
the fishing interest ; as has the production of lumber, in the north half of the state, eclipsed the
trapping and fur interests of the first settlers. That the most important industry of Wisconsin
IS farming, may be seen from the following statistics of the occupation of the people as given by
the United States census. Out of each one hundred inhabitants, of all occupations, 68 were
152
HISTORY QV WISCONSIN.
farmers, in 1840; 52 in 1850; 54 in i860; 55 in 1870. The rapid growth of the agriculture of
the state is illustrated by the increase in the number of acres of improved land in farms, and m
the value of farms and of farm implements and machinery, as shown by the following table, com-
piled from the United States census :
ACRES IMPROVED LAND
IN FARMS.
VALUE OF FARMS,
INCLUDING IMPROV-
ED AND UNIMPROV-
ED LANDS.
VALUE OF FARM
IMPLEMENTS
TOTAL.
TO EACH
INHAB.
AND
MACHINERY.
1850
i860
1870
1,045,499
3.746,167
5.899,343
3-4
4.8
5.6
$ 28,528,563
131,117,164
300,414,064
$ 1,641,568
5,758,847
14,239,364
Farming, at the present time, is almost entirely confined to the south half of the state, the
northern half being still largely covered by forests. A notable exception to this statement is
found in the counties on the western border, which are well settled by farmers much farther north.
The surface of the agricultural portion of the state is for the most part gently undulating, afford-
ing ready drainage, without being so abruptly broken as to render cultivation difiScult. The soil
is varied in character, and mostly very fertile. The southern portion of the state consists of
undulating prairies of variable size — the largest being Rock prairie — alternating with oak openings.
The prairies have the rich alluvial soil so characteristic of the western prairies, and are easily
worked. The soil of the "openings " land is usually a sandy loam, readily tilled, fertile, but not
as " stroftg " as soils having more clay. The proportion of timber to prairie increases passing north
from the southern boundary of the state, and forests of maple, basswood and elm, replace, to
some extent, the oak lands. In these localities, the soil is more clayey, is strong and fertile, not
as easily tilled, and not as quickly exhausted as are the more sandy soils of the oak lands. In
that portion of the state known geologically as the " driftless " region, the soil is invariably good
where the surface rock is limestone. In some of the valleys, however, where the lime-rock has
been removed by erosion, leaving the underlying sandstone as the surface rock, the soil is sandy
and unproductive, except in those localities where a large amount of alluvial matter has been
deposited by the streams. The soils of the pine lands of the north of the state, are generally
sandy and but slightly fertile. However, where pine is replaced by maple, oak, birch, elm and
basswood, the soil is "heavier " and very fertile, even to the shores of Lake Superior.
The same natural conditions that make Wisconsin an agricultural state, determined that
during its earlier years the main interest should be grain-growing. The fertile prairies covering
large portions of the southern part of the state had but to be plowed and sowed with grain to
produce an abundant yield. From the raising of cereals the pioneer farmer could get the
quickest returns for his labor. Hence in 1850, two years after its admission to the Union, Wis-
consin was the ninth state in order in the production of wheat, while in i860 this rank was raised
to third, Illinois and Indiana only raising more. The true rank of the state is not shown by
these figures. Were the number of inhabitants and the number of acres of land in actual culti-
vation taken into account in the comparison, the state would stand still higher in rank than is
here indicated. There is the same struggle for existence, and the same desire for gain the world
over, and hence the various phases of development of the same industry in different civilized
countries is mainly the result of the widely varying economical conditions imposed upon that
industry. Land is thoroughly cultivated in Europe, not because the Europeans have any
inherent love for good cultivation, but because there land is scarce and costly, while labor is
superabundant and cheap. In America, on the other hand, and especially in the newer states,
AGEICULTURE. 153
land is abundant and cheap, while labor is scarce and costly. In its productive industries each
country is alike economical in the use of the costly element in production, and more lavish in
the use of that which is cheaper. Each is alike economically wise in following such a course
when it is not carried to too great extremes. With each the end sought is the greatest return for
the expenditure of a given amount of capital. In accordance with this law of economy, the
early agriculture of Wisconsin was mere land-skimming. Good cultivation of the soil was never
thought of. The same land was planted successively to one crop, as long as it yielded enough
to pay for cultivation. The economical principle above stated was carried to an extreme. Farm-
ing as then practiced was a quick method of land exhaustion. It was always taking out of the
purse, and never putting in. No attention was paid to sustaining the soil's fertility. The only
aim was to secure the largest crop for the smallest outlay of capital, without regard to the future.
Manures were never used, and such as unavoidably accumulated was regarded as a great nuis-
ance, often rendering necessary the removal of stables and outbuildings. Straw-stacks were
invariably burned as the most convenient means of disposing of them. Wheat, the principal
product, brought a low price, often not more than fifty cents a bushel, and had to be marketed
by teams at some point from which it could be carried by water, as this was, at an early day, the
only means of transportation. On account of the sparse settlement of the country, roads were
poor, and the farmer, after raising and threshing his wheat, had to spend, with a team, from two
to five days, marketing the few bushels that a team could draw. So that the farmer had every
obstacle to contend with except cheap and very fertile land, that with the poorest of cultivation
gave a comparatively abundant yield of grain. Better tillage, accompanied with the use of
manures and other fertilizers, would not, upon the virgin soils, have added sufficiently to the
yield to pay the cost of applying them. Hence, to the first farmers of the state, poor farming was
the only profitable farming, and consequently the only good farming, an agriculture-economical
paradox from which there was no escape. Notwithstanding the fact that farmers could economi-
cally follow no other system than that of land-exhaustion, as described, such a course was none
the less injurious to the state, as it was undermining its foundation of future wealth, by destroy-
ing the fertility of the soil, that upon which the permanent wealth and prosperity of every agri-
cultural community is first dependent. Besides this evil, and together with it, came the habit of
loose and slovenly farming acquired by pioneers, which continued after the conditions making
that method a necessity had passed away. With the rapid growth of the northwest came better
home markets and increased facilities for transportation to foreign markets, bringing with them
higher prices for all products of the farm. As a consequence of these better conditions, land in
farms in the state increased rapidly in value, from $9.58 per acre in 1850, to $16.61 in i860, an
increase of 62 per cent., while the total number of acres in farms increased during the
same time from 2,976,658 acres to 7,893,587 acres, or 265 per cent. With this increase in the
value of land, and the higher prices paid for grain, should have come an improved system of hus-
bandry which would prevent the soil from deteriorating in fertility. This could have been
accomplished either by returning to the soil, in manures and fertilizers, those ingredients of which
it was being rapidly drained by continued grain-growing, or by the? adoption of a system of mixed
husbandry, which should include the raising of stock and a judicious rotation of crops. Such a
system is sure to come. Indeed, it is now slowly coming. Great progress upon the earlier
methods of farming have already been made. But so radical and thorough a change in the
habits of any class of people as that from the farming of pioneers to a rational method that will
preserve the soil's fertility and pay for the labor it demands, requires many years for its full
accomplishment. It will not even keep pace with changes in those economical conditions which
154
HISTORY OF WiSCOKSlN.
favor it. In the rapid settlement of the northwestern states this change has come most rapidly
with the replacement of the pioneer farmers by immigrants accustomed to better methods of
culture. In such cases the pioneers usually '' go west '' again, to begin anew their frontier farming
upon virgin soil, as their peculiar method of cultivation fails to give them a livelihood. In Wis-
consin as rapid progress is being made in the system of agriculture as, all things considered,
could reasonably be expected. This change for the better has been quite rapid for the past ten
years, and is gaining in velocity and momentum each year. It is partly the result of increased
intelligence relating to farming, and partly the result of necessity caused by the unprofitableness
of the old method.
The estimated value of all agricultural products of the state, including that of orchards,
market gardens, and betterments, was, in 1870, as given in the census of that year, $79,072,967,
which places Wisconsin twelfth in rank among the agricultural states of the Union. In 1875,
according to the " Report of the Commissioner of Agriculture," the value of the principal farm
crops in this state was $58,957,050. According to this estimation the state ranks ninth in agri-
cultui-al importance. As has been before stated, Wisconsin is essentially a grain-growing state.
This interest has been the principal one, not because the soil is better adapted to grain-growing
than to general, stock, or dairy farming, but rather because this course, which was at an early
day most immediately profitable, has been since persistently followed from force of habit, even
after it had failed to be remunerative.
f he following table shows the bushels of the different grains raised in the state for the years
indicated :
Year.
WHEAT.
RYE.
CORN.
OATS.
BARLEY.
BUCK-
WHEAT.
1850
i860
1870
1875*--
4,286,131
15,657,458
25,606,344
25,200,000
81,253
888,544
1,325,294
1,340,000
1,988,979
7,517,300
15,033,988
15,200,000
3,414,672
11,059,260
20,180,016
26,600,000
209,672
707,307
1,645,019
2,200,000
79,878
38,987
408,897
275,000
From these statistics it will be seen that the increase in the production of grain was very
rapid up to 1870, while since that time it has been very slight. This rapid increase in grain
raising is first attributable to the ease with which this branch of farming was carried on upon the
new and very rich soils of the state, while in the older states this branch of husbandry has been
growing more difficult and expensive, and also to the fact that the war in our own country so
increased the demand for grain from 1861 to 1866 as to make this course the most immediately
profitable. But with the close of the war came a diminished demand. Farmers were slow to
recognize this fact, and change the character of their productions to accord with the wants of
the market, but rather continued to produce the cereals in excess of the demand. The chinch
bug and an occasional poor season seriously injured, the crops, leaving those who relied princi-
pally upon the production of grain little or nothing for their support. Hard times resulted from
these poor crops. More wheat and corn was the farmer's usual remedy for hard times. So that
more wheat and corn were planted. More crop failures with low prices brought harder times,
until gradually the farmers of the state have opened their eyes to the truth that they can succeed
in other branches of agriculture than grain growing, and to the necessity of catering to the
♦Estimated in report of commissioner of agriculture.
AGRICULTimE. 155
demands of the market. The value in 1869 of all farm products and betterments of the state
was $79,072,967. There were raised of wheat the same year 25,606,344 bushels, which at $1.03
per bushel, the mean price reported by the Milwaukee board of trade, for No. 2 wheat (the lead-
ing grade), for the year ending July 31, 1870, amounts to $26,374,524, or one third the value of
all agricultural products and betterments. The average production per acre, as estimated by the
commissioner of agriculture, was 14 bushels. Hence there were 1,829,024 acres of land devoted to
this one crop, nearly one third of all the improved land in the state. Of the wheat crop of 1869
24,375,435 bushels were spring wheat, and 1,230,909 bushels were winter wheat, which is 19.8
bushels of spring to i bushel of winter wheat. The latter is scarcely sown at all on the prairies,
or upon light opening soils. In some of the timbered regions hardy varieties do well, but it is
not a certain crop, as it is not able to withstand the winters, unless covered by snow or litter. It,
is not injured as seriously by the hard freezing, as by the alternate freezing and thawing of Feb-
ruary and March.
The continued cropping of land with grain is a certain means of exhausting the soil of the
phosphates, and of those nitrogenous compounds that are essential to the production of grain, and
yet are present even in the most fertile soils in but small quantities. To the diminished yield,
partly attributable to the overcropping of the land, and partially to poor seasons and chinch bugs,
and to the decline in prices soon after the war, owing to an over production of wheat, may largely
be attributed the hard times experienced by the grain growing farmers of Wisconsin from 1872 to
1877. The continued raising of wheat upon the same land, alternated, if any alternation
occurred, with barley, oats, or corn, has produced its sure results. The lesson has cost the
farmers of the state dearly, but it has not been altogether lost. A better condition of affairs has
already begun. Wheat is gradually losing its prestige as the farmers' sole dependence, while
stock, dairy, and mixed farming are rapidly increasing. The number of bushels of wheat
raised to each inhabitant in the state was in 1850 fourteen, in i860 twenty-three and eight tenths,
in 1870 twenty-four, and in 1875 twenty and four tenths. These.figures do not indicate a dimin-
ished productiveness of the state, but show, with the greatly increased production in other
branches of husbandry, that farmers are changing their system to one more diversified and
rational. Straw stacks are no longer burned, and manure heaps are not looked upon as altogether
useless. Much more attention is now paid to the use of fertilizers. Clover with plaster is looked
upon with constantly increasing favor, and there is a greater seeking for light upon the more
difficult problems of a profitable agriculture
Corn is raised to a large extent, although Wisconsin has never ranked as high in corn, as in
wheat growing. Sixteen states raised more corn in 1870 than this state, and in 1875, seventeen
states raised more. Corn requires a rich, moist soil, with a long extended season of warm sun-
shine. While this crop can be raised with great ease in the larger portion of the state it will
always succeed better farther south, both on account of the longer summers and the greater
amount of rainfall. According to the statistics of the commissioner of agriculture, the average
yield per acre for a period of ten years, is about 30 bushels. Corn is an important crop in the
economy of the farmer, as from it he obtains much food for his stock, and it is his principal
dependence for fattening pork. On these accounts it will, without doubt, retain its place in the
husbandry of the state, even when stock and dairy farming are followed to a much greater extent
than at present. Barley is cultivated largely throughout the state, but five states produced more
in 1870, than Wisconsin. The great quantity of beer brewed here, furnishes a good home market
for this grain. Barley succeeds best in a rather moist climate, having a long growing season.
The dry, short summers of Wisconsin, are not well adapted to its growth. Hence the average
156 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
yield is but a medium one, and the quality of the grain is only fair. According to the returns
furnished the commissioner of agriculture, the average yield for a period of ten years, is 22
bushels per acre.
Next to wheat, more bushels of oats are raised than of any other grain. Wisconsin was, in
i860, fifth in rank among the oat-growing states ; in 1870, sixth. The rich soils of the state
raise an abundant crop of oats with but little labor, and hence their growth in large quantities is
not necessarily an indication of good husbandry. They will bear poor cultivation better than
corn, and are frequently grown upon land too weedy to produce that grain. It is a favorite
grain for feeding, especially to horses. With the best farmers, oats are looked upon with less
favor than corn, because it is apt to leave land well seeded with weeds which are difficult to
exterminate. In the production of rye, Wisconsin ranked seventh in i860, and fourth in 1870.
It is a much surer crop in this state than winter wheat, as it is less easily winter-killed when not
protected by snow, than is that grain. Besides, it ripens so early as not to be seriously injured
by drouth in summer, and succeeds well even upon the poorer soils. The average yield per acre
is about 16 bushels.
But few hops were grown in Wisconsin, up to i860, when owing to an increased demand by
the breweries of the state, there was a gradual but healthful increase in hop culture. A few
years later the advent of the hop louse, and other causes of failure at the east, so raised the price
of hops as to make them a very profitable crop to grow. Many acres were planted in this state
from 1863 to 1865, when the total product was valued at nearly $350,000. The success of those
engaged in this new branch of farming, encouraged others to adopt it. The profits were large.
Wheat growing had not for several years been remunerative, and in 1867 and 1868, the " hop
fever " became an epidemic, almost a plague. The crop of Sauk county alone was estimated at
over 4,000,000 pounds, worth over $2,000,000. The quality of the crop was excellent, the yield
large, and the price unusually high. The secretary of the State .\gricultural society says, in his
report for that year, " Cases are numerous in which the first crop has paid for the land and all
the improvements." To many farmers hop raising appeared to off"er a sure and speedy course to
wealth. But a change came quickly. The hop louse ruined the crop, and low prices caused by
over production, aided in bringing ruin to many farmers. In 1867, the price of hops was from
40 to 55 cents per pound, while in 1869 it was from 10 to 15 cents, some of poor quality selling
as low as 3 cents. Many hop yards were plowed up during i86g and 1870. The area under
cultivation to this crop in 1875, was, according to the " Report of the Secretary of State," 10,932
acres.
The production of tobacco has greatly increased since i860, when there were raised in the
state 87,340 pounds. In 1870, the product was 960,813 pounds. As is well known, the quality
of tobacco grown in the northern states is greatly inferior for chewing and smoking, to that grown
in the south, although varieties having a large, tough leaf, suitable for cigar wrappers, do well
here. The variety principally grown is the Connecticut seed leaf. Tobacco can only be grown
successfully on rich, fertile soils, and it is very exhausting to the land. Of the amount produced
in 1870, there were raised in Rock county 645,408 pounds, and in Dane county, 229,568 pounds;
the entire remaining portion of the state raised but 85,737 pounds. According to the report of
the secretary of state, the whole number of acres planted to tobacco in 1875, was 3,296. Of this
amount Rock county planted 1,676 acres, and Dane county, 1,454 acres, leaving for the remain-
der of the state but 166 acres. While the crop has been fairly productive and profitable, these
statistics show that up to the present time tobacco-raising has been a merely local interest.
The production of flax is another merely local industry, it being confined principally to the
AGEICULTURE. 157
fcounties of Kenosha, Grant, Iowa and LaFayette. Of flax fibre, Kenosha county raised in i86g,
nearly four fifths of the entire amount grown in the state, the total being 497,398 pounds. With
the high price of labor and the low price of cotton now ruling, it is scarcely possible to make the
raising of flax fibre profitable. Flax seed is raised to a small extent in the other counties men-
tioned. The present price of oil makes this a fairly profitable crop. If farmers fully appreciated
that in addition to the oil, the oil cake is of great value as a food for cattle and sheep, and also
that the manure made by the animals eating it, is of three times the value of that made by ani-
mals fed upon corn, doubtless much more' flax seed would be raised than is at present. Ameri-
can oil-cake finds a ready market in England, at prices which pay well for its exportation. If
English farmers can afford to carry food for their stock so far, American farmers may well strive
to ascertain if they can afford to allow the exportation of so valuable food. When greater atten-
tion is paid in our own country to the quality of the manure made by our stock, more oil-cake
will be fed at home, and a much smaller proportion of that made here will be exported.
The amount of maple sugar produced diminishes as the settlement of the state increases,
and is now scarcely sufficient in amount to be an item in the state's productions. The increase
in the price of sugar from 1861 to 1868 caused many farmers to try sorghum raising. But the
present low prices of this staple has caused an abandonment of the enterprise. Two attempts
have been made in Wisconsin to manufacture beet-root sugar, the first at Fond du Lac in 1867
the second at Black Hawk, Sauk county, in 1870. The Fond du Lac company removed their
works to California in 1869, not having been successful in their efforts. The Black Hawk com-
pany made, in 1871, more than 134,000 pounds of sugar, but have since abandoned the business.
Both these failures may be attributed to several causes, first of which was the want of sufficient
capital to build and carry on a factory sufficiently large to enable the work to be done economi-
cally ; secondly, the difficulty of sufficiently interesting farmers in the business to induce them
to raise beets on so large a scale as to warrant the building of such a factory; and, thirdly, the high
price of labor and the low price of sugar. The quality of beets raised was good, the polarization
test showing in many instances as high as sixteen per cent, of sugar. The larger proportion of
hay made in the state is from the natural meadows, the low lands or marshes, where wild grasses
grow in abundance, and hay only costs the cutting and curing. Cultivated grasses do well
throughout the state, and " tame hay " can be made as easily here as elsewhere. The limestone
soils, where timber originally grew, are of the uplands, most natural to grass, and, consequently,
furnish the richest meadows, and yield the best pasturage. Ye e only soils where grasses do
not readily grow, are those which are so sandy and dry as to be nearly barrens. Clover grows
throughout the state in the greatest luxuriance. There is occasionally a season so dry as to make
"seeding down " a failure, and upon light soils clover, when not covered with snow, is apt to win-
ter-kill. Yet it is gaining in favor with farmers, both on account of the valuable pasturage and
hay it affords, and on account of its value as a soil renovator. In wheat-growing regions, clover
is now recognized to be of the greatest value in a " rotation," on account of its ameliorating
influence upon the soil. Throughout the stock and dairy regions, clover is depended upon to a
large extent for pasturage, and to a less extent for hay.
There has been a growing interest in stock raising for the past ten years, although the
increase has not been a rapid one. Many of the herds of pure-blood cattle in the state rank
high for their great excellence. The improvement of horses has been less rapid than that of cattle,
sheep, and swine ; yet this important branch of stock farming is improving each year. The most
attention is given to the improvement of draught and farm horses, while roadsters and fast horses
are not altogether neglected. There are now owned in the state a large number of horses of the
heavier English and French breeds, which are imparting to their progeny their own characteristics
158
HISTOUY OF WISCONSIN.
of excellence, the effects of which are already visible in many of the older regions of the state.
Of the different breeds of cattle, the Short-horns, the Ayrshires, the Devons, and the Jerseys are
well represented. The Short-horns have met with most favor with the general farmer, the grades
of this breed being large, and possessing in a high degree the quiet habits and readiness to fat-
ten, so characteristic of the full-bloods. Without doubt, the grade Short-horns will continue in
the high favor in which they are now held, as stock-raising becomes a more important branch of
the husbandry of the state. Of pure blood Short-horns there are many herds, some of which
are of the very highest excellence. At the public sales of herds from this state, the prices
have ranked high universally, and in a few cases have reached the highest of " fancy " prices,
showing the estimate placed by professional breeders upon the herds of Wisconsin. The Ayr-
shires are increasing in numbers, and are held in high esteem by many dairymen. They are not
yet, however, as generally disseminated over the state, as their great merit as a milking breed
would warrant. The rapid growth of the dairy interest will doubtless increase their numbers
greatly, at least as grades, in the dairying region. Of pure bred Devons and Jerseys, there are
fewer than of the former breeds. The latter are principally kept in towns and cities to furnish
milk for a single family. The following table shows the relative importance of stock raising in
the state for the years mentioned. The figures are an additional proof to those already given,
that the grain industry has held sway in Wisconsin to the detriment of other branches of farming,
as well as to the state's greatest increase in wealth.
YEAR.
WHOLE NUM-
BER OF NEAT
CATTLE.
NO. TO EACH
100 ACRES OF
IMPROVED
LAND.
WHOLE NUM-
BER OF SHEEP.
NUMBER TO
EACH 100
ACRES OF
IMPROVED
LAND.
POUNDS OF
WOOL PRO-
DUCED.
POUNDS
OF WOOL
PER
HEAD.
1850
i860
1870 __.
1875*-
183,433
521,860
693,294
922,900
17
14
12
II
124,896
332,954
1,069,282
1,162,800
12
9
18
14
253,963
1,011,933
4,090,670
(?)
2.03
3.04
3-82
(?)
^ Estimated in report of commissioner of agriculture.
The growth and present condition of sheep husbandry, compare much more favorably with
the general development of the state than does that of cattle raising. In a large degree this
may be accounted for by the impetus given to wool raising during our civil war by the scarcity
of cotton, and the necessary substitution to a great extent, of woolen for cotton goods. This
great demand for wool for manufacturing purposes produced a rapid rise in the price of this
staple, making its production a very profitable branch of farming. With the close of the war
came a lessened demand, and consequently lower prices. Yet at no time has the price of wool
fallen below that at which it could be profitably produced. This is the more notably true when
the value of sheep in keeping up the fertility and productiveness of land, is taken into account.
The foregoing table shows the improvement in this branch of husbandry since 1850
Although many more sheep might profitably be kept in the state, the above figures show that
the wool interest is fairly developed, and the average weight of fleece is an assurance of more
than ordinarily good stock. The fine-wooled sheep and their grades predominate, although
there are in the state some excellent stock of long-wools — mostly Cotswold — and of South-
downs.
Of all the agricultural interests of the state, no other has made as rapid growth during the
last ten years, as has that of dairying. With the failure of hop-growing, began the growth c'
the factory system of butter and cheese making, and the downfall of the one was scarcely more
rapid than has been the upbuilding of the other. The following statistics of the production of
butter and cheese illustrate this rapid progress. It will be remembered that for the years 1850,
AGEICULTUEE.
159
i860, and 1870 the statistics are from the U. S. census, and hence include all the butter and
cheese made in the state, while for the remaining years, only that made by factories and pro-
fessional dairymen as reported to the secretary of the State Dairymen's Association, is included'
It has been found impossible to obtain the statistics of butter, except for the census years.
YEAR.
BUTTER.
CHEESE.
tSso
lbs.
3,633.750
13,611,328
22,473,036
lbs.
400,283
1,104,300
I.59I.798
13,000,000
15,000,000
1 860
1870
l87d
1875
1876
17,000,000
The quality of Wisconsin dairy products is excellent, as may be judged by the fact that, at
the Centennial Exhibition, Wisconsin cheese received twenty awards, a larger number than was
given to any other state except New York, and for butter Wisconsin received five awards. No
state received more, and only New York and Illinois received as many. Wisconsin received one
award for each fourteen cheeses on exhibition. No other state received so large a proportion.
New York received the largest number of awards, viz., twenty-one, but only secured one award
for each thirty cheeses on exhibition. The number of cheese and butter factories is increasing
each year, and there is being made in the better grazing regions of the state, as rapid a transition
from grain to dairy-farming as is consistent with a healthful growth. This interest, which is now
an important one in the state's industrial economy, has before it a promising future, both in its
own development, and in its indirect influence upon the improvement of the agriculture of the
state.
The history of the earlier attempts in fruit raising in Wisconsin would be little more than a
record of failures. The pioneers planted apple, peach, plum, and cherry trees, but they gathered
little or no fruit. As was natural, they planted those varieties that were known to do well in the
older states of the same latitude. Little was known of the climate, and there was no apparent
reason why those varieties should not do well here. The iirst orchards died. The same varie-
ties were replanted, and again the orchards died. Gradually, through the costly school of
experience, it was learned that the climate was different from that of the eastern states, and that
to succeed here varieties of fruit must be such as were adapted to the peculiar climate of this
state. These peculiarities are hot, and for the most part, dry summers, cold and dry winters.
The dryness of the climate has been the greatest obstacle to success, as this is indirectly the cause
of the great extremes of temperature experienced here. The summers are often so dry that the
growth of the trees is not completed, and the wood sufficiently well ripened to enable it to whh-
stand the rigors of winter. And the clear, dry atmosphere of winter allows the sun's rays to
pass through it so unobstructedly as to warm the body of the tree upon the sunny side, above
the freezing point, even though the temperature of the air is much lower. The alternate thawing
and freezing ruptures the tender cells connecting the bark and wood, producing a complete sepa-
ration of these parts, and often besides bursts the bark. The separation of bark and wood
destroys the circulation of the sap upon that side of the tree, thus enfeebling the entire
plant. The tree is not able to form new bark over the ruptured part, and a diseased spot
results. Such a plant makes but a feeble growth of poorly ripened wood, and soon dies
160 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN.
altogether. Besides the above cause, the extreme cold weather occasionally experienced will kill
healthy trees of all varieties not extremely hardy. Notwithstanding these natural obstacles, a
good degree of success has been attained in the raising of apples and grapes. This success has
been the result of persevering effort upon the part of the horticulturists of the state,, who have
sought the causes of failure in order that they might be removed or avoided. It is thus by intel-
ligent observation that the fruit growers have gained the experience which brings with it a
creditable success. The first requisite to success is the planting of varieties sufficiently hardy
to withstand our severe winters. This has been accomplished by selecting the hardiest of the
old varieties, and by raising seedlings, having besides hardiness, qualities sufficiently valuable to
make them worthy of cultivation. The second requisite to success is in the selection of a situa-
tion having suitable soil and exposure, and thirdly, proper care after planting. Among the
hardy varieties of apples regarded with greatest favor are Tetofski, Red Astrachan, and Duchess
of Oldenberg, all Russian varieties, and Fameuse from Canada. Besides these there are a few
American varieties so hardy as to prove reliable in the south half of the state. Among these
are a few seedlings that have originated in Wisconsin. Apple trees are less apt to be injured by
the winter upon a site sloping to the northeast or north, where they are less directly exposed to
the rays of the winter's sun. High ground is much better than low, and a good, strong, not too
rich soil is best. Apples do better upon soils where timber originally grew than on the prairies,
and they are grown more easily along the border of Lake Michigan than in the interior of the
state. Pears are raised to but a slight extent, as only a few of the hardiest varieties will succeed
at all, and these only in favorable situations. Grapes are grown in great abundance, and in
great perfection, although not of the more tender varieties. The Concord, on account of its
hardiness and excellent bearing qualities, is cultivated most generally. Next to this comes the
Delaware, while many other varieties, both excellent and prolific, are raised with great ease. The
season is seldom too short to ripen the fruit well, and the only precaution necessary to protect
the vines during the winter is a covering of earth or litter. Cranberries grow spontaneously
upon many marshes in the interior of the state. Within a' few years considerable attention has
been given to improving these marshes, and to the cultivation of this most excellent fruit.
Doubtless within a few years the cranberry crop will be an important one among the fruit pro-
ductions of the state. All of the small fruits adapted to this latitude are cultivated in abundance,
and very successfully, the yield being often times exceedingly large. Altogether, the horticul-
tural interests of the state are improving, and there is a bright prospect that in the near future
fruit growing will not be looked upon with the disfavor with which it has been regarded here-
tofore.
Of the associations for advancing the agricultural interests of the state, the first organized
was the " State Agricultural Society." The earliest efforts to establish such an organization were
made at Madison in December, 1846, during the session of the first constitutional convention of
the territory. A constitution was adopted, but nothing further was done. In February, 1849,
another meeting was held in Madison, at which it was " Resolved, That in view of the great
importance of agriculture in the west, it is expedient to form a state agricultural society in
Wisconsin." Another constitution was adopted, and officers were elected, but no effectual
organization resulted from this second attempt. The " Wisconsin State Agricultural Society" —
the present organization — had its inception in a meeting held at Madison, March 8, 185 1, at
which a committee was appointed to report a constitution and by-laws, and to nominate persons
to fill the various offices of said society. At its organization, the society was composed of annual
members, who paid one dollar dues each year, and of life members, who, upon the payment of
ten dollars, were exempt from the annual contribution. The annual membership was afterward
AGRICULTUEE. 161
abolished, and in 1869 the fee constituting one a life member was raised to twenty dollars. The
first annual fair of the society was held in Janesville, in October, 1851 Fairs have been held
annually since, except during the years 1861, 1862 and 1863. In 1851 premiums were paid to
the amount of only $140, while at the present time they amount to nearly $10,000. In 1851
there were five life members. At the present time there are over seven hundred, representing all
the various industries of the state. The fairs held under the auspices of this society have been
of excellent character, and have been fruitful of good to all the industries of the state, but more
especially to the farmers. The state has been generous m aid of this society, having furnished
commodious rooms for its use in the capitol building, prmted the annual report of the secretary,
a volume of about 500 pages, and donated annually, for many years, $2,000 toward its support.
Besides its annual fairs, for the past five years there has been held an annual convention, under
the auspices of this society, for the reading and discussing of papers upon topics of interest to
farmers, and for a general interchange of ideas relating to farming. These conventions are held
in high esteem by the better class of farmers, and have added greatly to the usefulness of the
society. The " Wisconsin State Horticultural Society" was originally the "Wisconsin State
Fruit Growers' Association," which was organized in December, 1853, at Whitewater. Its
avowed object was "the collecting, arranging, and disseminating facts interesting to those engaged
in the culture of fruits, and to embody for their use the results of the practice and experiments
of fruit growers in all parts of the state." Exhibitions and conventions of the association were
held annually up to i860, after which the society was disorganized, owing to the breaking out of
the war of the rebellion A volume of " Transactions " was published by the association in
1855. In 1859 its transactions were published with those of the state agricultural society. From
i860 to 1865 no state horticultural association was in existence. In September of the latter
year the " Wisconsin Fruit Growers' Association " was reorganized as the " Wisconsin State Hor-
ticultural Society.'' The legislature had previously provided for the publication of the proceedings
of such a society, in connection with those of the State Agricultural Society. The new society has
held annual exhibitions, usually in connection with those of the State Agricultural Society, and
annual conventions for the reading of papers upon, and the discussion of, horticultural subjects. In
1871 an act was passed by the legislature incorporating the society, and providing for the separate
printing of 2,000 copies annually of its transactions, of which there are now seven volumes. The
most active, mtelligent, and persevering of the horticulturists of the state are members of this
association, and to their careful observation, to their enthusiasm and determined persistence in
seeking means to overcome great natural difficulties, the state is largely indebted for the success
already attained in horticulture. Besides these state associations, there are many local agricul-
tural and horticultural societies, all of which have been useful in aiding the cause for which they
were organized. Farmers' clubs and granges of the " Patrons of Husbandry " have also
done much, both directly and indirectly, to promote the industrial interests of the state. By theiT
frequent meetings, at which discussions are held, views compared, and experiences related, much
valuable intelligence is gained, thought is stimulated, and the profession of farming advanced.
As agriculture, like all kindred professions, depends upon intelligence to direct its advancement,
all means intended to stimulate thought among farmers will, if wisely directed, aid in advancing
this most complex of all industries. To those above named, and to other like associations,
is in a large degree to be attributed the present favorable condition of the agriculture of
the state.
Wisconsin is yet, comparatively, a new State. It was mainly settled by men who had little
moneyed capital. Markets were distant, and means of transportation poor. The early settlers had
consequently to struggle for a livelihood in the face of the greatest difficulties. When these opposing
162 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN.
circumstances are taken into accounf, and the improvement in methods of culture, and changes
from grain to stock and dairy-farming that are now being made, are given their due weight, it
must be acknowledged that the present condition of the agriculture of the state is excellent, and
that the future of this most important industry is rich in promise of a steady, healthful growth,
toward a completer development of all the agricultural resources of the state.
MINERAL resources:
«
By ROLAND D. IRVING, Professor of Geology, etc., at the University of
Wisconsin.
The useful mineral materials that occur within the limits of the state of Wisconsin, .come
under both of the two grand classes of such substances : the metallic ores, from .which the
metals ordinarily used in the arts are extracted ; and the non-metallic substances, which are used in
the arts for the most part without any preliminary treatment, or at least undergo only a* very
partial alteration before being utilized. Of the first class are found in Wisconsin the ores of
lead, zinc, iron and copper, besides minute traces of the precious metals ; of the second class, the
principal substances found are brick-clay, kaolin, cement-rock, limestone for burning into quick-lime,
limestone for flux, glass sand, peat and building stone.
LEAD AND ZINC.
These metals are considered together because they are found occurring together in the same
region and under exactly the same circumstances, being even obtained from the same openings.
Lead has for many years been the most important metallic production of Wisconsin, and, together
with zinc, whose ores have been utilized only since i860, still holds this prominent position,
although the production is not so great as formerly. Small quantities of lead and zinc ores have
been found in the crystalline (Archaean) rocks of the northern part of the state and in the copper-
bearing rocks of the Lake Superior country, but there are no indications at present that these
regions will ever produce in quantity. All of the lead and zinc obtained in Wisconsin comes
then from that portion of the southwestern part of the state which lies west of Sugar river and
south of the nearly east and west ridge that forms the southern side of the valley of the Wis-
consin, from the head of Sugar river westward. This district is commonly known in Wisconsin
as the " Lead Region," and forms the larger part of the " Lead Region of the Upper Missis-
sippi," which includes also smaller portions of Iowa and Illinois.
What European first became acquainted with the deposits of lead in the upper portion of
valley of the Mississippi is a matter of some doubt. Charlevoix (Histoire de la Nouvelle France,
III, 397, 398.) attributes the discovery to Nicolas Perrot, about 1692 ; and states that in ryzi
the deposits still bore Perrot's name. Perrot himself, however, in the only one of his writings
that remains, makes no mention of the matter. The itinerary of Le Sueur's voyage up the
Mississippi, 1700-1701, given in La Harpe's History of Louisiana, which was written early in
the 18th century, shows that the former found lead on the banks of the Mississippi; not far from
MINEEAL EESOITRCES.
163
the present southern boundary of Wisconsin, August 25, 1700. Captain Johathan Carver,
1766, found lead in abundance at the Blue Mounds, and found the Indians in all the country
around in possession of masses of galena, which they had obtained as " float mineral," and
which they were incapable of putting to any use. There is no evidence of any one mining
before Julien Dubuque, who, 1788 to 1809, mined in the vicinity of the flourishing city which
now bears his name. After his death in 1809 nothing more was done until 1821, when the
attention of American citizens was first drawn to the rich lead deposits of this region. By 1827,.
the mining had become quite general and has continued to the 'present time, the maximum
production having been reached, however, between the years 1845 and 1847.
The following table, prepared by the late Moses Strong, shows the mineral production of
southwestern Wisconsin for the years i860 to 1873 in pounds:
i860
i86i
i962
1863
1864
1865
1866
17.037.912
15.105.577
13,014,210
14.337.895
14,029,193
SMITHSONITE.
YE^R.
320,000
1867
266,000
1868
1869
1,120,000
1870
3.173.333
1871
4,198,200
1872
7,373.333
1873
13.820,784
13,869,619
13,426,721
13.754.159
13,484,210
11,622,668
9.919.734
SMITHSONITE.
5.18I.445
4.302,383
4.547.971
4.429-585
16,618,160
27,021,383
18,528,906
841,310-
3,078,435.
6,252,420
7,414,022
9,303.625
16,256,970
15,074,664
Until within the last decade the lead mines of the Mississippi valley, including now both
the "Upper" and the " Lower " regions — the latter one of which lies wholly within the limits of
the state of Missouri — have far eclipsed the rest of the United States in the production of lead,,
the district being in fact one of the most important of the lead districts in the world. Of late
years, however, these mines are far surpassed in production by the " silver-lead " mines of Utah
and other Rocky Mountain regions, which, though worked especially for their silver, produce
incidentally a very large amount of lead. Nevertheless, the mines of the Mississippi valley will
long continue to be a very important source of this metal. The lead ore of the Wisconsin lead
region is of one kind only, the sulphide known a.a ga/ena, ox galenite. This ore, when free from
mechanically mingled impurities, contains 86.6 per cent, of lead, the balance being sulphur.
Small quantities of other lead ores are occasionally found in the uppermost portions of the deposits,
having been produced by the oxidizing influence of the atmosphere. The chief one of these
oxidation products is the earthy carbonate known as cerussite. Galena almost always contains
some silver, commonly enough to pay for its extraction. The Wisconsin galenas, however, are
unusually free from silver, of which they contain only the merest trace.
The zinc ores are of two kinds, the most abundant being the ferruginous sulphide, or the
"black-jack " of the miners. The pure sulphide, sphalerite, contains 67 per cent, of zinc, but the
iron-bearing variety, known minerallogically as marmatite, generally contains 10 per cent, or
more of iron. A ferruginous variety of the carbonate, smtthsonite, also occurs in abundance, and
is known to the miners as "dry-bone," the name being suggested by the peculiar structure of the
ore.
Both lead and zinc ores occur in limited deposits in a series of limestone beds belonging to
the Lower Silurian series. The lead region is underlaid by a nearly horizontal series of strata,
with an aggregate thickness of 2,000 feet, which lie upon an irregular surface of ancient crystal-
line Tocks (gneiss, granite, etc.). The names and order of succession of the several strata are
indicated in the foUowing scheme, the last named being the lowest in the series :
164
HISTORY OF WlSCOISrSIN.
Fortnation, Thickness.
. dolomitic limestone ...... 300 — 300 feet.
Cincinnati shales 6c — 100 "
r Galena dolomitic limestone 250 — 275 "
Lead Horizon ■< Blue limestone 50 — 75 "
( Buff dolomitic limestone 15 — 20 "
Lower Magnesian (doloBiitic) limestone 250 "
Potsdam sandstone series _ 800 — -looo "
The first two of these layers, in the Wisconsin part of the lead region, are met with only in a
few isolated peaks and ridges. The prevailing surface rock is the Galena limestone, through
which, however, the numerous streams cut in deep and narrow valleys which not unfrequently
are carved all the way into the Lower Magnesian.
The lead and zinc ores are entirely confined to the Galena, Blue and Buff limestones, an
aggregate vertical thickness of some 350 to 375 feet. The upper and lower strata of the series
are entirely barren. Zinc and lead ores are found in the same kind of deposits, and often
together; by far the larger part of the zinc ores, however, come from the Blue and Buff limestones,
and the lowest layers of the Galena, whilst the lead ores, though obtained throughout the whole
thickness of the mining ground, are especially abundant in the middle and upper layers of the'
Galena beds.
The ore deposits are of two general kinds, which may be distinguished as vertical crevices
and flat crevices, the former being much the most common. The simplest form of the vertical
crevice is a narrow crack in the rock, having a width of a few inches, an extension laterally from
a few yards to several hundred feet, and a vertical height of 20 to 40 feet, thinning out to noth-
ing in all directions, and filled from side to side with highly crystalline, brilliant, large-surfaced
galena, which has no accompanying metallic mineral, or gangue matter. Occasionally the vertical
extension exceeds a hundred feet, and sometimes a number of these sheets are close together
and can be mined as one. Much more commonly the vertical crevice shows irregular expan-
sions, which are sometimes large caves, or openings in certain layers, the crevice between retain-
ing its normal character, while in other cases the expansion affects the whole crevice, occasion-
ally widening it throughout into one large opening. These openings are rarely entirely filled,
and commonly contain a loose, disintegrated rock, in which the galena lies loose in large masses,
though often adhering to the sides of the cavity in large stalactites, or in cubical crystals. The
vertical crevices show a very distinct arrangement parallel with one another, there being two
systems, which roughly trend east and west, and north and south. The east and west crevices are
far the most abundant and most productive of ore. The vertical crevices are confined nearly
altogether to the upper and middle portions of the Galena, and are not productive of zinc ores.
They are evidently merely the parallel joint cracks which aff"ect every great rock formation, filled
by chemical action with the lead ore. The crevices with openings have evidently been enlarged
by the solvent power of atmospheric water carrying carbonic acid, and from the way in which the
ore occurs loose in the cavities, it is evident that this solving action has often been subsequent
to the first deposition of lead ore in the crevice.
The "flat crevices," " flat sheets," and "flat openings," are analogous to the deposits just
described, but have, as indicated by the names, a horizontal position, being characteristic of
certain layers, which have evidently been more susceptible to chemical action than others, the
dissolving waters having, moreover, been directed along them by less pervious layers above and
below. The flat openings differ from the vertical crevices also, in having associated with the
MIKERAL RESOURCES. 165
galena much of either the black-jack or dry-bone zinc ores, or both, the galena not unfrequently
being entirely wanting. Cleavable calcite also accompanies the ores in these openings in large
quantities, and the same is true of the sulphide of iron, which is the variety known as marcasite.
These materials have sometimes a symmetrical arrangement on the bottom and top of the open-
ing, the central portion being empty. The flat openings characterize the Blue and Buff and
lower Galena beds, and from them nearly all the zinc ore is obtained.
It is not possible, in the limits of this short paper, even to mention the various mining
districts. It may merely be said that the amount of galena raised from single crevices has often
been several hundred thousand, or even over a million pounds, and that one of the principal
mining districts is in the vicinity of Mineral Point, where there are two furnaces constantly
engaged in smelting. Between the years 1862 and 1873, these two establishments have produced
23,903,260 pounds of metallic lead, or an average of 1,991,938 pounds, the maximum being, in
1869, 2,532,710 pounds, the minimum, in 1873, 1,518,888 pounds.
The zinc ores were formerly rejected as useless, and have only been utilized since i860. An
attempt to smelt them at Mineral Point was not successful, because the amount needed of fuel
and clay, both of which have to come from a distance, exceeding even the amount of ore used,
■caused a very heavy expense for transportation. The ores are therefore now taken altogether to
LaSalle, Illinois, where they meet the fuel and clay, and the industry at that place has become
a flourishing one. The amount of zinc ore in the Wisconsin lead region is, beyond doubt, very
great, and will be a source of wealth for a long time to come.
Since the ores of zinc and lead in this region are confined to such a small thickness of strata
■greatly eroded by the atmospheric waters, the entire thickness having frequently been removed,
it becomes a matter of great importance to know how much of the mining ground remains at
every point throughout the district. The very excellent topographico-geological maps of the
region, made by Mr. Moses Strong, and since published by the State in the Report of the
Geological Survey, make this knowledge accessible to all.
IRON.
Iron mining in Wisconsin is yet in its infancy, although some important deposits are
producing a considerable quantity of ore. A number of blast furnaces have sprung up in the
eastern part of the state, but these smelt Michigan ores almost entirely. Much remains yet to
be done in the way of exploration, for the most promising iron fields are in the heavily timbered
and unsettled regions of the north part of the state, and are as yet imperfectly known. It
appears probable, however, that iron ores will, in the near future, be the most important mineral
production of Wisconsin. The several ores will be noted in the order of their present im-
portance.
Red Hematites.
The iron in these ores exists as an anhydrous sesquioxide, which is, however, in an earthy
■condition, and entirely without the brilliant metallic luster that characterizes the specular hema-
tites. Pure hematite contains seventy per cent, of metallic iron, but the red hematites, as mined,
are always so largely mingled with mechanical impurities that they rarely contain more than fifty
per cent. The most important red hematite mined in Wisconsin is that known as the Clinton iron
ore, the name coming from the formation in which the ore occurs. This formation is a member
of the Upper Silurian series, and is named from a locality in Oneida county. New York, where it
was first recognized. Associated with its rocks, which are limestones and shales, is con-
stantly found a peculiar red hematite, which is so persistent in its characters, both physical and
IGG HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
and chemical, that one familiar with it from any one locality can hardly fail to recognize it wherc
coming from others. The iron produced from it is always "cold-short," on account of the large
content of phosphorus ; but, mingled with siUceous ores free from phosphorus, it yields always
a most excellent foundry iron, it is mined at numerous points from New York to Tennessee,
and at some points reaches a very great total thickness. In Wisconsin the Clinton rocks merge
into the great Niagara limestone series of the eastern part of the state, but at the bottom of the
series, in a few places, the Clinton ore is found immediately overlying the Cincinnati shales. The
most important locality is that known as Iron Ridge, on sections tVelve and thirteen in the town
of Hubbard, in Dodge county. Here a north-and-south ledge of Niagara limestone overlooks lower
land to the west. Underneath, at the foot of the ridge, is the ore bed, fifteen to eighteen feet in
thickness, consisting of horizontally bedded ore, in layers three to fourteen inches thick. The
ore has a concretionary structure, being composed of lenticular grains, one twenty-fifth of an inch
in diameter, but the top layer is without this structure, having a dark purplish color, and in places
a slight metallic appearance. Much of the lower ore is somewhat hydrated. Three quarters of
a mile north of Iron Ridge, at Mayville, there is a total thickness of as much as forty feet.
According to Mr. E. T. Sweet, the percentages of the several constituents of the Iron Ridge ore
are as follows: iron peroxide, 66.38; carbonate of lime, 10.42; carbonate of magnesia, 2.79;
silica, 4.72; alumina, 5.54; manganese oxide, 0.44; sulphur, 0.23 ; phosphoric acid, 0.73; water,
8.75 = 100: metallic iron, 46.66.
Two small charcoal furnaces at Mayville and Iron Ridge smelt a considerable quantity of
these ores alone, producing an iron very rich in phosphorus. An analysis of the Mayville pig,
iron, also by Mr. Sweet, shows the following composition: iron, 95.784 per cent; phosphorus,
1.67s • carbon, 0.849; silicon, 0.108 = 100.286. The average furnace yield of the ore is forty-
five per cent. By far the larger part of the ore, however, is sent away to mingle with other ores.
It goes to Chicago, Joliet and Springfield, 111., St. Louis, Mo., Wyandotte and Jackson, Mich.,
and Appleton, Green Bay and Milwaukee, Wis. In 1872, the Iron Ridge mines yielded 82,371
tons. The Clinton ore is found at other places farther north along the outcrop of the base of
the Niagara formation in Wisconsin , but no one of these appears to promise any great quantity
of good ore. Red hematite is found at numerous places in Wisconsin, highly charging certain
layers of the Potsdam sandstone series, the lowest one of the horizontal Wisconsin formations.
In the eastern part of the town of Westfield, Sauk county, the iron ore excludes the sandstone,
forming an excellent ore. No developments have been made in this district, so that the size of
the deposit is not definitely known.
Brown Hematites.
These ores contain their iron as the hydrated, or brown, sesquioxide, which, when pure,
has about sixty per cent, of the metal ; the ordinary brown hematites, however, seldom
contain over forty per cent. Bog iron ore, a, porous brown hematite that forms by deposi-
tion from the water of bogs, occurs somewhat widely scattered underneath the large marshes of
Portage, Wood and Juneau counties. Very excellent bog ore, containing nearly 50 per cent, of
iron, is found near Necedah, Juneau county, and near Grand Rapids, Wood county, but the
amount obtainable is not definitely known. The Necedah ore contains: silica, 8.52 ; alumina,
3.77; iron peroxide, 71.40; manganese oxide, 0.27; lime, 0.58; magnesia, trace; phosphoric
acid, 0.21; sulphur, 0.02; organic matter, 1.62; water, 13.46=99.85; metallic iron, 49.98 —
according to Mr. E. T. Sweet's analysis. An ore from section 34, twp. 23, range 6 east, Wood
county, yielded, to Mr. Oliver Matthews, silica, 4.81 ; alumina, i.oo; iron peroxide, 73.23 ; lime,
o.ri, magnesia, 0.25; sulphuric acid, 0.07 ; phosphoric acid, o. 10 ; organic matter, 5.88; water,.
MINERAL RESOURCES. 167
14.24; =99.69: metallic iron, 51.26.
Brown hematite, mingled with more or less red ore, occurs also in some quantity filling cracks
and irregular cavities in certain portions of the Potsdam series in northwestern Sauk county and
the adjoining portion of Richland. A small charcoal furnace has been in operation on this ore
at Ironton, Sauk county, for a number of years, and recently another one has been erected at
•Cazenovia in the same district.
Magnetic Ores and Specular Hematites.
These are taken together here, because their geological occurrence is the same, the two ores
'Occurring not only in the same group of rocks, but even intimately mingled with one another.
These ores are not now produced in Wisconsin ; but it is quite probable that they may before
many years become its principal mineral production. In magnetic iron ore, the iron is in the
shape of the mineral magnetite, an oxide of iron containing 72 4 per cent of iron when pure, and
this is the highest percentage of iron that any ore can ever have. Specular hematite is the same
as red hematite, but is crystalline, has a bright, metallic luster, and a considerable hardness. As
mined the richest magnetic and specular ores rarely run over 65 per cent., while in most regions
where they are mined they commonly do not reach 50 per cent. The amount of rich ores of this
Tcind in the northern peninsula of Michigan is so great, however, that an ore with less than 50 per
cent, finds no sale; and the same must be true in the adjoining states. So largely does this mat-
ter of richness affect the value of an ore, that an owner of a mine of 45 per cent, "hard " ore in Wis-
consin would find it cheaper to import and smelt Michigan 65 per cent, ore, than to smelt his own,
even if his furnace and mine were side by side.
The specular and magnetic ores of Wisconsin occur in two districts — the Penokee iron dis-
trict, ten to twenty miles south of Lake Superior, in Bayfield, Ashland and Lincoln counties, and
the Menomonee iron district, near the head waters of the Menomonee river, in township 40,
ranges 17 and 18 east, Oconto county. Specular iron in veins and nests is found in small quan-
tities with the quartz rocks of the Baraboo valley, Sauk county, and Necedah, Juneau county;
and very large quantities of a peculiar quartz-schist, charged with more or less of the magnetic
and specular iron oxides, occur in the vicinity of Black River Falls, Jackson county; but in none
of these places is there any promise of the existence of valuable ore.
In the Penokee and Menomonee regions, the iron ores occur in a series of slaty and
■quartzose rocks known to geologists as the Haronlan series. The rocks of these districts are
really the extensions westward of a great rock series, which in the northern Michigan peninsula
contains the rich iron ores that have made that region so famous. In position, this rock series
may be likened to a g^eat elongated parabola, the head of which is in the Marquette iron district
and the two ends in the Penokee and Menomonee regions of Wisconsin. In all of its extent, this
Tock series holds great beds of lean magnetic and specular ores. These contain large quantities
of quartz, which, from its great hardness, renders them very resistant to the action of atmospheric
■erosion. As a result, these lean ores are found forming high and bold ridges. Such ridges of
lean ores have deceived many explorers, and not a few geologists. In the same rock series, for
the most part occupying portions of a higher layer, are found, however, ores of extraordinary
richness and purity, which, from their comparative softness, very rarely outcrop. The existence
in quantity of these very rich ores in the Menomonee region has been definitely proven. One
•deposit, laid open during the Summer of 1877, shows a width of over 150 feet of first class
specular ore; and exceeding in size the greatest of the famous deposits of Michigan. In the
Penokee region, however, though the indications are favorable, the existence of the richer
ores is as yet an inference only. The Penokee range itself is a wonderful development of
IfiS HISTOEYOP WISCOKSIN.
lean ore, which forms a continuous belt several hundred feet in width and over thirty miles in
length. Occasionally portions of this belt are richer than the rest, and become almost merchant-
able ores. The probability is, however, that the rich ores of this region will be found in the
lower country immediately north of the Penokee range, where the rocks are buried beneath
heavy accumulations of drift material.
Copper.
The only copper ore at present raised in Wisconsin is obtained near Mineral Point, in the
lead region of the southwestern part of the state, where small quantities of chalcopyrite, the yellow
sulphide of copper and iron, are obtained from pockets and limited crevices in the Galena lime-
stone. Copper pyrites is known to occur in this way throughout the lead region, but it does not
appear that the quantity at any point is sufficient to warrant exploration.
Copper occurs also in the northernmost portions of Wisconsin, where it is found under alto-
gether different circumstances. The great copper-bearing series of rocks of Keweenaw point and
Isle Royale stretch southwestward into and entirely across the state of Wisconsin, in two parallel
belts. One of these belts enters Wisconsin at the mouth of the Montreal river, and immediately
leaving the shore of Lake Superior, crosses Ashland and Bayfield counties, and then widening
greatly, occupies a large area in Douglas, St. Croix, Barron and Chippewa counties. The other
belt forms the backbone of the Bayfield peninsula, and crosses the northern part of Douglas
county, forming a bold ridge, to the Minnesota line. The rocks of this great series appear to
be for the most part of igneous origin, but they are distinctly bedded, and even interstratified
with sandstone, shales, and coarse boulder-conglomerate, the whole series having generally a
tilted position. In veins crossing the rock-beds, and scattered also promiscuously through the
layers of both conglomerates and igneous rocks, pure metallic copper in fine flakes is often
found. Mining on a small scale has been attempted at numbers of points where the rivers
flowing northward into Lake Superior make gorges across the rock series, but at none of them
has sufficient work been done to prove or disprove the existence of copper in paying quantity.
Gold and Silver.
Small traces of gold have been detected by the writer in quartz from the crystalline rocks;
of Clark county, but there is no probability that any quantity of this metal will ever be found in
the state. Traces of silver have also been found in certain layers of the copper series in Ash-
land county. Judging from the occurrence of silver in the same series not far to the east in
Michigan, it seems not improbable that this metal may be found also in Wisconsin.
Brick Clays.
These constitute a very important resource in Wisconsin. Extending inland for many miles
fiom the shores of Lakes Michigan and Superior are stratified beds of clay of lacustrine origin,,
having been deposited by the lakes when greatly expanded beyond their present sizes. All of
these clays are characterized by the presence of a large amount of carbonate of lime. Along
Lake Superior they have not yet been utilized, but all through the belt of country bordering
Lake Michigan they are dug and burned, fully 50,000,000 bricks being made annually in this,
region. A large proportion of these bricks are white or cream-colored, and these are widely
known under the name of "Milwaukee brick," though by no means altogether made at Mil-
waukee. Others arc ordinary red brick. The difference between the light-colored and red
bricks is ordinarily attributed to the greater amount of iron in the clay from which the latter are
MINERAL RESOURCES.
169
burned, but it has been shown by Mr. E. T. Sweet that the white bricks are burned from clay
which often contains more iron than that from which the red bricks are made, but which also
contains a very large amont of carbonate of lime. The following analyses show (i) the compo-
sition of the clay from which cream-colored brick are burned at Milwaukee, (2) the composition
of a red-brick clay from near Madison, and (3) the composition of the unutilized clay from
Ashland, Lake Superior. Nos. i and 2 are by Mr. E. T. Sweet, No. 3 by Professor W. W.
Daniells :
(3)
Silica.
Alumina
Iron peroxide
Iron protoxide...
Lime
Magnesia
Carbonic acid
(1)
(2)
(3)
38.22
75.80
58.0S
9-75
11.07
25.38
2.84
3-53
444
1.16
0.31 1
16.23
1.84 h
8.30
7-54
.08)
18.50
1.09
_
Potash...
Soda
Water...
Moisture .
Totals
(I)
(2)
2.16
0.65
0.95
1.85
1-74
0.40
1.54
2.16
99-85
99-56
[ 4-09
loo.lg
At Milwaukee 24,000,000 cream-colored brick are made annually ; at Racine, 3,500,000 ; at
Appleton and Menasha, 1,800,000 each; at Neenah, 1,600,000; at Clifton, 1,700,000; at Wat-
erloo, 1,600,000; and in smaller quantities at Jefferson, Ft. Atkinson, Edgerton, Whitewater,
Geneva, Ozaukee, Sheboygan Falls, Manitowoc, Kewaunee, and other places. In most cases the
cream-colored bricks are made from a bright-red clay, although occasionally the clay is light-
colored. At Whitewater and other places tile and pottery are also made from this clay.
Although these lacustrine clays are much the most important in Wisconsin, excellent brick
clays are also found in the interior of the state. In numbers of places along the Yahara valley,
in Dane county, an excellent stratified clay occurs. At Madison this is burned to a red brick ; at
Stoughton and Oregon to a fine cream-colored brick. At Platteville; Lancaster, and other points
in the southwestern part of the state, red bricks are made from clays found in the vicinity.
Kaolin (Porcelain - Clay — Fire - Clay).
The word "kaolin." is applied by geologists to a clay-like material which is used in making
chinaware in this country and in Europe. The word is of Chinese origin, and is applied by the
Chinese to the substance from which the famous porcelain of China is made. Its application to
the European porcelain-^/ay was made under the mistaken idea — one which has prevailed among
scientists until very recently — that the Chinese material is the same as the European. This we
now know to be an error, the Chinese and Japanese wares being both made altogether from a
solid rock.
True kaolin, using the word in its European sense, is unlike other ordinary clays, in being
the result of the disintegration of felspathic crystalline rocks " in place," that is without being
removed from the place of its first formation. The base of kaolin is a mineral known as kaolinite, a,
compound of silica, alumina and water, which results from a change or decay of the felspar of
felspar-bearing rocks. Felspar contains silica, alumina, and soda or potash, or both. By perco-
lation through the rocks of surface water carrying carbonic acid, the potash and soda are
removed and kaolinite results. Mingled with the kaolinite are, however, always the other ingre-
dients of the rock, quartz, mica, etc., and also always some undecomposed, or only partly decom-
posed felspar. These foreign ingredients can all, however, be more or less perfectly removed by
a system of levigation, when a pure white clay results, composed almost wholly of the scales of
170
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN".
the mineral kaolinite. Prepared in this way the kaolin has a high value as a refractory material,
and for forming the base of fine porcelain wares.
The crystalline rocks, which, by decomposition, would produce a kaolin, are widely spread
over the northern part of Wisconsin ; but over the most of the region occupied by them there is no
sign of the existence of kaolin, the softened rock having apparently been removed by glacial
action. In a belt of country, however, which extends from Grand Rapids on the Wisconsin,
westward to Black river, in Jackson county, the drift is insignificant or entirely absent; the glacial
forces have not acted, and the crystalline rocks are, or once were, overlaid by sandstone, along
whose line of junction with the underlying formation numerous water-courses have existed, the
result being an unusual amount of disintegration. Here we find, in the beds of the Wisconsin,
Yellow, and Black rivers, large exposures of crystalline rocks, which between the rivers
are overlaid by sandstone. The crystalline rocks are in distinct layers, tilted at high angles,
and in numerous places decomposed into a soft white kaolin. Inasmuch as these layers
strike across the country m long, straight lines, patches of kaolin are found ranging
themselves into similar lines. The kaolin patches are most abundant on the Wisconsin
in the vicinity of the city of Grand Rapids, in Wood county. They vary greatly in size,
one deposit even varying from a fraction of an inch to a number of feet in thickness.
The kaolin varies, also, greatly in character, some being quite impure and easily fusible
from a large content of iron oxide or from partial decomposition only,^while much of it is very
pure and refractory. There is no doubt, however, that a large amount of kaolin exists in this
region, and that by selection and levigation an excellent material may be obtained, which, by
mingling with powdered quartz, may be made to yield a fire-brick of unusual refractoriness, and
which may even be employed in making fine porcelain ware.
The following table gives the composition of the raw clay, the fine clay obtained from it by
levigation, and the coarse residue from the same operation, the sample having been taken from
the opening on the land of Mr. C. B. Garrison, section 5, town 22, range 6 east, Wood county :
Silica
Alumina ..'
Iron peroxide
Lime
Magnesia
Potash
RAW CLAY.
LEVIGATION
PRODUCTS.
FINE CLAY.
COARSE
RESIDUE.
78.83
13.43
49-94
36.80
q2.86
208
0.74
0.64
0.72
trace
0.74
0.96
0.07
O.IO
0.37
0.51
0.28
Soda
Carbonic Acid
Water
Totals...
RAW CLAY,
0.0.7
OOI
5-45
99.60
LEVIGATION PKODUCTS
FINE CLAY.
0.08
11.62
99.67
COARSE
RESIDUE.
0.05
2.53
99.60
Cement - Rock.
Certain layers of the Lower Magnesian limestone, as at Ripon, and other points in the east-
ern part of the state, are known to produce a lime which has in some degree the hydraulic
property, and the same is true of certain layers of the Blue limestone of the Trenton group, in
the southwestern part of the state ; the most valuable material of this kind, however, that is as yet
known to exist in Wisconsin, is found near Milwaukee, and has become very recently somewhat
widely known as the " Milwaukee " cement-rock. This rock belongs to the Hamilton formation,
and is found near the Washington street bridge, at Brown Deer, on the lake shore at Whitefish
MINERAL RESOURCES.
171
T)ay, and at other points in the immediate vicinity of Milwaukee. The quantity attainable is
large, and a very elaborate series of tests by D. J. Whittemore, chief engineer of the Milwau-
kee and St. Paul railroad, shows that the cement made from it exceeds all native and foreign
cements in strength, except the famous English " Portland " cement. The following are
three analyses of the rock from different points, and they show that it has a very constant
composition :
I.
2.
3-
45-54
32.46
1756
3-03
100.00
48.29
29.19
17-36
1.40
2 24
Carbonate of Magnesia
Silica
34.88
16.99
5-00
1,79
Totals
98.68
100.00
Limestone for Making Quick -lime.
Quick-lime is made from all of the great limestone formations of Wisconsin, but more is
TDiirnt from the Lower Magnesian and Niagara formations, than from the others. The Lower
Magnesian yields a very strong mortar, but the lime burned from it is not very white. It is burned
largely in the region about Madison, one of the largest quarries being on the south line of section
,33 of that town, where some 20,000 bushels are produced annually, in two kilns. The lime from
this place has a considerable local reputation under the name of " Madison lime." The Trenton
limestone is burned at a few points, but yields an inferior lime. The Galena is not very generally
burned, but yields a better lime than the Trenton. In the region about Watertown and White-
water, some 40,000 to 50,000 barrels are made annually from this formation.
The Niagara, however, is the great lime furnisher of the northwest. From its purity it is
adapted to the making of a most admirable lime. It is burned on a large scale at numbers of
points in the eastern part of the state, among which may be mentioned, Pellon's kilns, Pewau-
kee, where 12,000 barrels are made weekly and shipped to Chicago, Grand Haven, Des Moines,
etc.; and Holick & Son's kilns, Racine, which yield 60,000 to 75,000 barrels annually. A total
■of about 400,000 barrels is annually made from the Niagara formation in eastern Wisconsin.
Limestone for Flux in Iron Smelting.
The limestones of Wisconsin are rarely used as a flux, because of their prevalent magnesian
■character. The stone from Schoonmaker's quarry, near Milwaukee, is used at the Bay View
iron works, and is one of the few cases. There are certain layers, however, in the Trenton lime-
stone, widely spread over the southern part of the state, which are non-magnesian, and frequently
■sufficiently free from earthy impurities to be used as a flux. These layers deserve the attention
of the iron masters of the state.
Glass Sand.
Much of the St. Peter's sandstone is a purely siliceous, loose, white sand, well adapted to
the making of glass. It is now being put to this use at points in the eastern part of the state.
172 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Peat.
Peat exists in large quantities and of good quality underneath the numerous marshes of the
eastern and central parts of the state. Whether it can be utilized in the future as a fuel, will
depend altogether upon the cost of its preparation, which will have to be very low in order that
it may compete with superior fuels. As a fertilizer, peat has always a great value, and requires
no "^reliminarY treatment.
Building Stones.
All the rocky formations of Wisconsin are used in building, and even the briefest synopsis
of the subject of the building stones of the state, would exceed the hmits of this paper. A few
of the more prominent kinds only are mentioned.
Granite occurs in protruding masses, and also grading into gneiss, in the northern portions
of the state, at numerous points. In many places on the Wisconsin, Yellow, and Black rivers,
and especially at Big Bull Falls, Yellow river, red granites of extraordinary beauty and value
occur. These are not yet utilized, but will in the future have a high value.
The handsomest and most valuable sandstone found in Wisconsin, is that which extends
along the shore of Lake Superior, from the Michigan to the Minnesota line, and which forms the
basement rock of the Apostle islands. On one of these islands a very large quarry is opened,
from which are taken masses of almost any size, of a very close-grained, uniform, dark brown
stone, which has been shipped largely to Chicago and Milwaukee. At the latter place, the well
known court house is built of this stone. An equally good stone can be obtained from the neigh-
boring islands, and from points on the mainland. A very good white to brown, indurated sand-
stone is obtained from the middle portions of the Potsdam series, at Stevens Point, Portage
county; near,Grand Rapids, Wood county; at Black Ri-ver Falls, Jackson county; at Packwau-
kee, Marquette county ; near Wautoma, Waushara county ; and at several points in the Baraboo
valley, Sauk county. A good buff-colored, calcareous sandstone is quarried and used largely in
the vicinity of Madison, from the uppermost layers of the Potsdam series.
All of the limestone formations of the state are quarried for building stone. A layer known
locally as the "Mendota" limestone, included in the upper layers of the Potsdam series, yields a
very evenly bedded, yellow, fine-grained rock, which is largely quarried along the valley of the
lower Wisconsin, and also in the country about Madison. In the town of Westport, Dane
county, a handsome, fine-grained, cream-colored limestone is obtained from the Lower Magne-
sian. The Trenton limestone yields an evenly bedded, thin stone, which is frequently used for
laying in wall. The Galena and Niagara are also utilized, and the latter is capable, in much of
the eastern part of the state, of furnishing a durable, easily dressed, compact, white stone.
In preparing this paper, I have made use of Professor Whitney's " Metallic Wealth of the
United States," and " Report on the Geology of the Lead Region;" of the advance sheets of
Volume II of the Reports of the State Geological Survey, including Professor T. C. Chamberlin's
Report on the Geology of Eastern Wisconsin, my own Report on the Geology of Central Wisconsin,
and Mr. Strong's Report on the Geology of the Lead Region ; Mr. E. T. Sweet's account of the
mineral exhibit of the state at the Centennial Exposition ; and of my unpublished reports on the
geology of the counties bordering Lake Superior.
WISCONSIN RAILROADS.
By Hon. H. H. GILES.
The territory of Wisconsin offered great advantages to emigrants. Explorers had published
accounts of the wonderful fertility of its soil, the wealth of its broad prairies and forest openings,
and the beauty of its lakes and rivers. Being reached from the older states by way of the lakes
and easily accessible by a long line of lake coast, the hardships incident to weeks of land travel
were avoided. Previous to 1836 but few settlements had been made in that part of the
then territory of Michigan, that year organized into the territory of Wisconsin, except
as mining camps in the southwestern part, and scattered settlers in the vicinity of the
trading posts and military stations. From that time on, with the hope of improving their condi-
tion, thousands of the enterprising yeomanry of New England, New York and Ohio started for
the, land of promise. Germans, Scandinavians and other nationalities, attracted by the glowing
accounts sent abroad, crossed the ocean on their way to the new world; steamers and sail-craft
laden with families and their household goods left Buffalo and other lake ports, all bound for
the new Eldorado. It may be doubted if in the history of the world any country was ever peo-
pled with the rapidity of southern and eastern Wisconsin. Its population in 1840 was 30,749-
in 1850,304,756; in 1860,773,693; in 1870, 1,051,351; in 1875, 1,236,729. With the develop-
ment of the agricultural resources of the new territory, grain raising became the most prominent
interest, and as the settlements extended l^ack from the lake shore the difficulties of transporta-
tion of the products of the soil were seriously felt. The expense incurred in moving a load of
produce seventy or eighty miles to a market town on the lake shore frequently exceeded the gross
sum obtained for the same. All goods, wares and merchandise, and most of the lumber used
must also be hauled by teams from Lake Michigan. Many of our early settlers still retain
vivid recollections of trying experiences in the Milwaukee woods and other sections bordering
on the lake shore, from the south line of the state to Manitowoc and Sheboygan. To meet the
great want — better facilities for transportation — a valuable land grant was obtained from
congress, in 1838, to aid in building a canal from Milwaukee to Rock river The company which
was organized to construct it, built a dam across Milwaukee river and a short section of the canal ;
then the work stopped and the plan was finally abandoned. It was early seen that to satisfy the
requirements of the people, railroads, as the most feasable means of communication within
their reach, were an indispensable necessity.
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway.
Between the years 1838 and 1841, the territorial legislature of Wisconsin chartered several
railroad companies, but with the exception of the " Milwaukee & Waukesha Railroad Company,''
incorporated in 1847, none of the corporations thus created took any particular shape. The
commissioners named in its charter met November 23, 1847, and elected a president, Dr. L. W.
Weeks, and a secretary, A. W. Randall (afterward governor of Wisconsin). On the first Monday
of February, 1848, they opened books of subscription. The charter of the company provided
"1'''4 HISTORY or WISCONSIN.
that $100,000 should be subscribed and five percent, thereof paid in before the company should
fully organize as a corporation. The country was new. There were plenty of active, energetic
men, but money to build railroads was scarce, and not until April 5, 1849, was the necessary
■subscription raised and percentage paid. A board of directors was elected on the loth day of
May, and Byron Kilbourn chosen president. The charter had been previously amended, in 1848,
authorizing the company to build a road to the Mississippi river, in Grant county, and in 1850,
its name was changed to the "Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad Company." After the company
was fully organized, active measures were taken to push the enterprise forward to completion.
The city of Milwaukee loaned its credit, and in 185 1 the pioneer Wisconsin railroad reached
Waukesha, twenty miles out from Milwaukee. In the spring of 1852, Edward H. Broadhead, a
prominent engineer, from from the state of New York, was put in charge of the work as chief
■engineer and superintendent. Under his able and energetic administration the road was pushed
forward in 1852 to Milton, in 1853 to Stoughton, in 1854 to Madison, and in 1856 to the Mis-
sissippi river, at Prairie du Chien. In 1851 John Catlin of Madison, was elected president
in place of Kilbourn.
The proposed length of this article will not admit of any detailed statement of the trials,
struggles and triumphs of the men who projected, and finally carried across the state, from the
lake to the river, this first Wisconsin railroad. Mitchell, Kilbourn, Holton, Tweedy, Catlin,
Walker, Broadhead, Crocker and many others, deserve to be remembered by our people as bene-
factors of the state. In 1859 and i860, the company defaulted in the payment of the interest on
its bonds. A foreclosure was made and a new company, called the " Milwaukee & Prairie du
Chien," took its place, succeeding to all its rights and propertyi
The "Southern Wisconsin Railway Company" was chartered in 1852, and authorized to build
a road from Milton to the Mississippi river. When the Milwaukee and Mississippi road reached
Milton in 1852, it was not authorized by its charter to go to Janesville, but, under the charter of
the Southern Wisconsin, a company was organized that built the eight miles to Janesville in 1853.
Under a subsequent amendment to the charter, the Milwaukee and Mississippi company was
authorized to build from Milton to the Mississippi river. The Janesville branch was then
purchased and extended to Monroe, a distance of about thirty-four miles, or forty-two miles west
of Milton. Surveys were made and a line located west of Monroe to the river. The people of
La Fayette and Grant counties have often been encouraged to expect a direct railroad communi-
cation with the city of Milwaukee. Other and more important interests, at least so considered
by the railroad company, have delayed the execution of the original plan, and the road through
the counties mentioned still remains unbuilt.
The " LaCrosse & Milwaukee Railroad Company" was chartered in 1852, to construct a road
from LaCrosse to Milwaukee. During the year in which the charter was obtained, the company
was organized, and the first meeting of the commissioners held at LaCrosse. Among its pro-
jectors were Byron Kilbourn and Moses M. Strong. Kilbourn was elected its first president.
No work was done upon this line until after its consolidation with the " Milwaukee, Fond du Lac
& Green Bay Railroad Company" in 1854. The latter company was chartered in 1853, to build a
Toad from Milwaukee via West Bend to Fond du Lac and Green Bay. It organized in the spring of
1853, and at once commenced active operations under the supervision of James Kneeland, its
first president. The city of Milwaukee loaned its credit for $206,000, and gave city bonds. The
■company secured depot grounds in Milwaukee, and did considerable grading for the first twenty-
five miles out. Becoming embarrassed in January, 1854, the Milwaukee, Fond du Lac & Green
Bay consolidated with the LaCrosse & Milwaukee company. Work was at once resumed on
■the partially graded line. In 1855 the road was completed to Horicon, fifty miles.
WISCOXSI^N" RAILEOADS. 175
The Milwaukee & Watertown company was chartered in 1851, to build from Milwaukee to
Watertown. It soon organized, and began the construction of its line from Brookfield, fourteen
miles west of Milwaukee, and a point on the Milwaukee & Mississippi road leading through
Oconomowoc to Watertown. The charter contained a provision that the company might extend
its road by way of Portage to La Crosse. It reached Watertown in 1856, and was consolidated
with the LaCrosse & Milwaukee road in the autumn of the same year.
In the spring of 1856 congress made a grant of land to the state of Wisconsin, to aid in the
building of a railroad from Madison, or Columbus, via Portage City, to the St. Croix river or
lake, between townships 25 and 31. and from thence to the west end of Lake Superior, and to
Bayfield. An adjourned session of the Wisconsin legislature met on September 3 of that year,
to dispose of the grant. The disposal of this grant had been generally discussed by the press,
and the public sentiment of the state seemed to tend toward its bestowal upon a new company.
There is little doubt but that this was also the sentiment of a large majority of the members of
both houses when the session commenced. When a new company was proposed a joint com-
mittee of twenty from the senate and assembly was appointed to prepare a bill, conferring the
grant upon a company to be created by the bill itself The work of the committee proceeded
harmoniously until the question of who should be corporators was to be acted upon, when a
difference of opinion was found to exist, and one that proved difficult to harmonize. In the mean-
time the LaCrosse and Watertown companies had consolidated, and a sufficient number of the
members of both houses were "propitiated" by " pecuniary compliments" to induce them tO'
pass the bill, conferring the so called St. Croix grant upon the LaCrosse & Milwaukee railroad
company. The vote in the assembly in the passage of the bill was, ayes 62, noes 7. In the senate-
it stood, ayes 17, noes 7.
At the session of the legislature of 1858 a committee was raised to investigate the matter,,
and their report demonstrated that bonds were set apart for all who voted for the LaCrosse bill ;
to members of assembly $5,000 each, and members of senate f 10,000 each. A few months,
after the close of the legislative sesssion of 1856 the land grant bonds of the LaCrosse roadi
became worthless. Neither the LaCrosse company nor its successors ever received any portion
of the lands granted to the state. During the year 1857 the LaCrosse company completed its.
line of road through Portage City to LaCrosse, and its Watertown line to Columbus.
The "Milwaukee & Horicon Railroad Company" was chartered in 1852. Between the
years 1835 and 1857 it built through Waupun and Ripon to Berlin, a distance of forty-two miles.
It was, in effect, controlled by the LaCrosse & Milwaukee company, although built as a separate'
branch. This line was subsequently merged in the LaCrosse company, and is now a part of the:
northern division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway.
The '' Madison, Fond du Lac & Lake Michigan Railroad Company" was chartered in 1855,
to build a road from Madison wa Fond du Lac to Lake Michigan. In 1857 it bought of the
LaCrosse company that portion of its road acquired by consolidation with the Milwaukee &
Watertown company. Its name was then changed to " Milwaukee & Western Railroad Com-
pany." It owned a line of road from Brookfield to Watertown, and branches from the latter
place to Columbus and Sun Prairie, in all about eighty miles in length.
In 1858 and 1859 the La Crosse & Milwaukee and the Milwaukee & Horicon companies
defaulted in the payment of the interest on their bonded debts. In the same years the bond-
holders of the two companies instituted foreclosure proceedings on the different trust deeds given to^
secure their bonds. Other suits to enforce the payment of their floating debts were also com-
menced. Protracted litigation in both the state and federal courts resulted in a final settlement
in 1868, by a decision of the supreme court of the United States. lathe meantime, in 1862 and
176 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
1863, both roads were sold, and purchased by an association of the bondholders, who organized
the " Milwaukee & St. Paul Railway Company." The new company succeeded to all the rights
of both the La Crosse and Horicon companies, and soon afterward, in 1863, purchased the
property of the Milwaukee & Western company, thus getting control of the roads from Mil-
waukee to La Crosse, from Horicon to Berlin, from Brookfield to Watertown, and the branches
to Columbus and Sun Prairie. In 1864 it built from Columbus to Portage, from Brookfield to
Milwaukee, and subsequently extended the Sun Prairie branch to Madison, in 1869. It also
purchased the Ripon & Wolf River road, which had been built fifteen miles in length, from
Ripon to Omro, on the Fox river, and extended it to Winneconneon the Wolf river, five miles
farther, and twenty miles from Ripon. In 1867 the Milwaukee & St. Paul railway company
obtained control of the Milwaukee & Prairie du Chien railroad. The legislature of 1857 had
passed an act, authorizing all stock-holders in all incorporated companies to vote on shares of
stock owned by them. The directors of the Milwaukee & St. Paul company had secured a
majority of the common stock, and, at the election of 1867, elected themselves a board of
directors for the Prairie du Chien company. All the rights, property and interests of the
latter company came under the ownership and control of the former.
In 1865, Alexander Mitchell, of Milwaukee, was elected president, and S. S. Merrill general
manager of the Milwaukee & St. Paul railway company. They were retained in their respective
positions by the new organization, and still continue to hold these offices, a fact largely owing to
the able and efficient manner that has characterized their management of the company's affairs.
The company operates eight hundred and thirty-four miles of road in Wisconsin, and in all two
thousand two hundred and seven miles. Its lines extend to St. Paul and Minneapolis in
Minnesota, and to Algona in Iowa, and over the Western Union to Savanna and Rock .Island
in the State of Illinois.
The "Oshkosh & Mississippi Railroad Company" was chartered in 1866 to build a road
from the city of Oshkosh to the Mississippi river. Its construction to Ripon in 1872 was a
move on the part of citizens of Oshkosh to connect their town with the Milwaukee & St. Paul
road. It is twenty miles in length and leased to the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul company.
In 1871 and 1872 the "Wisconsin Union Railroad Company," of which John W. Cary was
president, built a road from Milwaukee to the state line between Wisconsin- and IlHnois, to
connect with a road built from Chicago to the state line of Illinois. This new line between
Milwaukee and Chicago was built in the interest of, and in fact by, the Milwaukee & St. Paul
company to afford a connection between its Wisconsin, Iowa and Minnesota system of rdads,
and the eastern trunk lines centering in Chicago. It runs parallel with the shore of Lake
Michigan and from three to six miles from it, and is eighty-five miles in length.
The Chicago & Northwestern Railway.
The territorial legislature of 1848 chartered the " Madison & Beloit Railroad Company ''
with authority to build a railroad from Beloit to Madison only. In 1850, by an act of the
legislature, the company was authorized to extend the road to the Wisconsin river and La Crosse,
and to a point on the Mississippi river near St. Paul, and also from Janesville to Fond du Lac.
Its name was changed, under legislative authority, to the " Rock River Valley Union Railroad
Company." In 1851, the line from Janesville north not being pushed as the people expected,
the legislature of Illinois chartered the " Illinois & Wisconsin Railroad Company " with authority
to consolidate with any road in Wisconsin. In 1855, an act of the Wisconsin legislature consoli-
dated the Illinois and Wisconsin companies with the " Rock River Valley Union Railroad Com-
pany," and the new organization took the name of the " Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac Rail-
WISCONSIN EAILEOADS. 177
road Company." In 1854, and previous to the consolidation, the company had failed and
passed into the hands of the bondholders, who foreclosed and took stock for their bonds. The
old management of A. Hyatt Smith and John B. Macy was superseded, and Wm. B. Ogden was
made president. Chicago was all along deeply interested in reaching the rich grain fields of the
Rock river valley, as well as the inexhaustible timber and mineral wealth of the northern part
of Wisconsin and that part of Michigan bordering on Lake Superior, called the Peninsula. It
also sought a connection with the upper Mississippi region, then being rapidly peopled, by a line
of railroad to run through Madison to St. Paul, in Minnesota. Its favorite road was started from
Chicago on the wide (six feet) gauge, and so constructed seventy miles to Sharon on the Wis-
consin state line. This was changed to the usual (four feet, eight and one-half inches) width,
and the work was vigorously pushed, reaching Janesville in 1855 and Fond du Lac in 1858. The
Rock River Valley Union railroad company had, however, built about thirty miles from Fond
du Lac south toward Minnesota Junction before the consolidation took place. The partially
graded line on a direct route between Janesville and Madison was abandoned. In 1852 a new
charter had been obtained, and the " Beloit & Madison Railroad Company " had been organized
to build a road from Beloit via Janesville to Madison. A subsequent amendment to this charter
had left out Janesville as a point, and the Beloit branch was pushed through to Madison, reach-
ing that city in 1864.
The "Galena and Chicago Union Railroad Company" had built a branch of the Galena
line from Belvedere to Beloit previous to 1854. In that year, it leased the Beloit & Madison
road, and from 1856 operated it in connection with the Milwaukee & Mississippi, reaching Janes-
ville by way of Hanover Junction, a station on its Southern Wisconsin branch, eight miles west
of Janesville. The consolidation of the Galena & Chicago Union and the Chicago, "St. Paul &
Fond du Lac companies was effected and approved by legislative enactment in 1855, and a new
organization called the "Chicago & Northwestern Railwav Company " took their place.
The "Green Bay, Milwaukee & Chicago Railroad Company " was chartered in 185 1 to build
a road from Milwaukee to the state line of Illinois to connect with a road from Chicago, called
the Chicago & Milwaukee railroad. Both roads were completed in 1855, and run in connection
until 1863, when they were consolidated under the name of the "Chicago & Milwaukee Railroad
Company." To prevent its falling into the hands of the Milwaukee & St. Paul, the Chicago &
Northwestern secured it by perpetual lease, May .i, 1866, and it is now operated as its Chicago
division.
The '■ Kenosha & Beloit Railroad Company " was incorporated in 1853 to build a road from
Kenosha to Beloit, and was organized soon after its chartenwas obtained. Its name was after-
ward changed to the " Kenosha, Rockford & Rock Island Railroad Company," and its route
changed to run to Rockford instead of Beloit. The line starts at Kenosha, and runs through the
Eounty of Kenosha and crosses the state line near the village of Genoa in the county of Wal-
worth, a distance of thirty miles in the state of Wisconsin, and there connects with a road in
Illinois running to Rockford, and with which it consolidated. Kenosha and its citizens were the
principal subscribers to its capital stock. The company issued its bonds, secured by the usual
mortgage on its franchises and property. Failing to pay its interest, the mortgage was foreclosed,
and the road was sold to the Chicago & Northwestern company in 1863, and is now operated by
it as the Kenosha division. The line was constructed from Kenosha to Genoa in 1862.
The "Northwestern Union Railway Company " was organized in 1872, under the general rail-
road law of the state, to build a line of road from Milwaukee to Fond du Lac, with a branch to
Lodi. The road was constructed during the years 1872 and 1873 from Milwaukee to Fond du
Lac. The Chicago & Northwestern company were principally interested in its being built, to
178 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN".
shorten its line between Chicago and Green Bay, and now uses it as its main through line between
the two points.
The " Baraboo Air-Line Railroad Company" was incorporated in 1870, to build a road from'
Madison, Columbus, or Waterloo via Baraboo, to La Crosse, or any point on the Mississippi
river. It organized in the interest of the Chicago & Northwestern, with which company it con-
solidated, and the work of building a connecting line between Madison and Winona Junction
was vigorously pushed forward. Lodi was reached in 1870, Baraboo in 1871, and Winona Junc-
tion in 1874. The ridges between Elroy and Sparta were tunneled at great expense and with
much difficulty. In 1874 the company reported an expenditure for its three tunnels of
$476,743.32, and for the 129 i-io miles between Madison and Winona Junction of $5,342,169,96,
and a large expenditure yet required to be made on it. In 1867 the Chicago & Northwestern
company bought of D. N. Barney & Co. their interest in the Winona & St. Peters railway, a line-
being built westerly from Winona in Minnesota, and of which one hundred and five miles had
been built. It also bought of the same parties their interest in the La Crosse, Trempealeau &
Prescott railway, a line being built from Winona Junction, three miles east of La Crosse, to-
Winona, Minn. The latter line was put in operation in 1870, and is twenty-nine miles long.
With the completion of its Madison branch to Winona junction, in 1873, it had in operation a
line from Chicago, via Madison and Winona, to Lake Kampeska, Minn., a distance of six hundred
and twenty-three miles.
In the year 1856 a valuable grant of land was made by congress to the state of Wisconsin
to aid in the construction of railroads. The Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac company claimed
that the grant was obtained through its efforts, and that of right it should have the northeastern
grant, so-called. At the adjourned session of the legislature of 1856, a contest over the dispo-
sition of the grant resulted in conferring it upon the " Wisconsin & Superior Railroad Company,"
a corporation chartered for the express purpose of giving it this grant. It was generally believed
at the time that the new company was organized in the interest of the Chicago, St. Paul &
Fond du Lac company, and at the subsequent session, in the following year, it was authorized to
consolidate with the new company, which it did in the spring of that year, and thus obtained the
grant of 3,840 acres per mile along its entire line, from Fond du Lac northerly to the state line
between Wisconsin and Michigan. It extended its road to Oshkosh in 1859, to Appleton in
1861, and in 1862 to Fort Howard, forming a line two hundred and forty-two miles long. The -
line from Foit Howard to Escanaba, one hundred and fourteen miles long, was opened in Decem-
ber, 1872, and made a connection with the peninsular railroad of Michigan. It now became a part
of the Chicago & Northwestern, extending from Escanaba to the iron mines, and thence to
Lake Superior at Marquette. Albert Keep, of Chicago, is president, and Marvin Hughitt, a.
gentleman of great railroad experience, is general superintendent. The company operates five
hundred and sixty-seven miles of road in Wisconsin, and in all sixteen hundred and sixteen miles.
Its lines extend into five different states. Over these lines its equipment is run in common, or
transferred from place to place, as the changes in business may temporarily require.
Wisconsin Central Railroad.
The " Milwaukee & Northern Railway Company " was incorporated in 1870, to build a road.
from Milwaukee to some point on the Fox river below Winnebago lake, and thence to Lake-
Superior, with branches. It completed its road to Menasha, one hundred and two miles from
Milwaukee, with a branch from Hilbert to Green Bay, twenty-seven miles, in 1873, and in that
vear leased its line to the "Wisconsin Central Railroad Company," which is still operating it. In.
WISCONSIN RAILROADS. 179
1864 congress made a grant of land to the state of Wisconsin to aid in the construction of a rail-
road from Berlin, Doty's Island, Fond du Lac, or Portage, by way of Stevens Point, to Bayfield
or Superior, granting the odd sections within ten miles on each side of the line, with an indem-
nity limit of twenty miles on each side. The legislature of 1865 failed to dispose of this grant,
but that of 1866 provided for the organization of two companies, one to build from Portage City
by way of Berlin to Stevens Point, and the other from Menasha to the same point, and then
jointly to Bayfield and Lake Superior. The former was called the "Winnebago and Lake Superior
Railroad Company,'' and the latter the " Portage & Superior Railroad Company." In 1869 an act
was passed consohdating the two companies, which was done under the name of the " Portage,
Winnebago & Superior Railroad Company." In 187 1 the name of the company was changed to
the " Wisconsin Central Railroad Company." The Winnebago & Lake Superior company was
organized under Hon. George Reed as president, and at once commenced the construction of its
line of road between Menasha and Stevens Point. In 1871 the Wisconsin Central consolidated
with the " Manitowoc & Mississippi Railroad Company." The articles of consolidation provided
that Gardner Colby, a director of the latter company, should be president, and that George Reed,
a director of the former, should be vicepresident of the new organization; with a further provision
that Gardner Colby, George Reed, and Elijah B. Phillips should be and remain its executive
committee.
In r87i, an act was passed incorporating the "Phillips and Colby Construction Company,"
which created E. B. Phillips, C. L. Colby, Henry Pratt, and such others as they might associate
with them, a body corporate, with authority to build railroads and do all manner of things relat-
ing to railroad construction and operation. Under this act the construction company contracted
with the Wisconsin Central railroad company, to build its line of road from Menasha to Lake
Superior. In November, 1873, the Wisconsin Central leased of the Milwaukee & Northern com-
pany its line of road extending from Schwartzburg to Menasha, and the branch to Green Bay, for
the term of nine hundred and ninety-nine years, and also acquired the rights of the latter com-
pany to use the track of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul company between Schwartzburg and
Milwaukee, and to depot facilities in Milwaukee. The construction of the land grant portion
of this important line of road was commenced in 1871, and it was completed to Stevens Point in
November of that year. It was built from Stevens Point north one hundred miles to Worcester
in 1872. During 1872 and 1873, it was built from Ashland south to the Penoka iron ridge, a dis-
tance of thirty miles. The straight line between Portage City and Stevens Point, authorized by
an act of the legislature of 1875, was constructed between October i, 1875, and October, 1876,
seven'.y-one miles in length. The gap of forty-two miles between Worcester and Penoka iron
ridge was closed in June, 1877. E. B. Phillips, of Milwaukee, is president and general manager.
This line of road passes through a section of our state hitherto unsettled. It has been pushed
through with energy, and opened up for settlement an immense region of heavily timbered land,
and thus contributed to the growth and prosperity of the state.
The Western Union Railroad.
The " Racine, Janesville & Mississippi Railroad Company " was chartered in 1852,10 build
a road from Racine to Beloit, and was organized the same year. The city of Racine issued its
bonds for $300,000 in payment for that amount of stock. The towns of Racine, Elkhorn, Dele-
van and Beloit gave $190,000, and issued their bonds, and farmers along the line made liberal
subscriptions and secured the same by mortgages on their farms. The road was built to Burling-
ton in 1855, to Delavan early in 1856, and to Beloit, sixty-eight miles from Racine, during the
same year. Failing to meet the interest on its bonds and its floating indebtedness, it was sur-
180 HISTORY OF "WISCONSIN.
rendered by the company to the bond-holders in 1859, who completed it to Freeport during that
year, and afterward built to the Mississippi river at Savannah, and thence to Rock Island. The
bond-holders purchased and sold the road in 1866, and a new organization was had as the " West-
ern Union Railroad Company," and it has sinee been operated under that name. In 1869, it
bu'ilt a line from Elkhorn to Eagle, seventeen miles, and thus made a connection with Milwau-
kee over the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul line. The latter company owns a controlling
interest it its line. Alexander Mitchell is the president of the company, and D. A. Olin,
general superintendent.
West Wisconsin Railroad.
The lands granted by congress in 1856 to aid in the construction of a railroad in Wisconsin,
from Tomah to Superior and Bayfield, were disposed of as mentioned under the history of the
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul company. The La Crosse company, as we have seen, prevailed in
the legislature of 1856, and secured legislation favorable to its interests; but it failed to build the
line of road provided for, and forfeited its right to lands granted. In 1863, the " Tomah & Lake
St. Croix Railroad Company " was incorporated, with authority to construct a railroad from some
point in the town of Tomah in Monroe county, to such point on Lake St. Croix, between town-
ships 25 and 31 as the directors might determine. To the company, by the act creating it, was
granted all the interest and estate of this state, to so much of the lands granted by the United
States to the state of Wisconsin, known as the St. Croix grant, as lay between Tomah and Lake
St. Croix. A few months after its organization, the company passed substantially into the hands
of D. A. Baldwin and Jacob Humbird, who afterward built a line of road from Tomah, via Black
River Falls, and Eau Claire to Hudson, on Lake St. Croix, one hundred and seventy-eight miles.
Its name was afterward changed to the "West Wisconsin Railroad Company." In 1873, it built
its road from Warren's Mills via Camp Douglass, on the St. Paul road to Elroy, and took up its
track from the first-named place, twelve miles, to Tomah. A law-suit resulted, which went against
the railroad company, and the matter was finally compromised by the payment of a sum of money
by the company to the town of Tomah. The road was built through a new and sparsely settled
country, and its earnings have not been sufficient to enrich its stock-holders. It connects at
Camp Douglass with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road, and at Elroy with the Chicago &
Northwestern railway company's line, which gives the latter a through line to St. Paul. It is
operated in connection with the Chicago & Northwestern railway, and managed in its interest.
It is now in the hands of Wm. H. Ferry, of Chicago, as receiver; H. H. Potter, of Chicago, as
president'; and E. W. Winter, of Hudson, superintendent.
The Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railway.
In 1870, the "Milwaukee, Manitowoc & Green Bay Railroad Company " was chartered to
build a road from Milwaukee to Green Bay by way of Manitowoc. It built its line from Mil-
waukee to Manitowoc in 1873, when its name was changed to " Milwaukee, Lake Shore & West-
ern Railroad Company.'' Under a decree of foreclosure, it was sold Dec. 10, 1875, ^-nd its name
was changed to " Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railway Company," by which name it is
still known.
In 1866, the " Appleton & New London Railroad Company" was incorporated to build a
road from Appleton to New London, and thence to Lake Superior. A subsequent amendment
to its charter authorized it to extend its road to Manitowoc. It built most of the line from
Appleton to that city, and then, under legislative authority, sold this extension to the Milwau-
WISCONSIN BAILROADS. 181
kee, Lake Shore & Western railroad company. The last-named company extended it to New-
London, on the Wolf river, twenty-one miles, in 1876, where it connects with the Green Bay &
Minnesota road. It now operates one hundred and forty-six miles of road, extending from Mil-
waukee to New London, passing through Sheboygan, Manitowoc and Appleton, which includes
a branch line six miles in length from Manitowoc to Two Rivers. F. W. Rhinelander, of New
York, is its president, and H. G. H. Reed, of Milwaukee, superintendent.
The Green Bay & Minnesota Railroad.
The line of road operated by this company extends from Fort Howard to the Mississippi
river, opposite Winona, Minnesota. It is two hundred and sixteen miles in length, and was
built through a sparsely settled and heavily timbered section of the state. It began under most
discouraging circumstances, yet was pushed through by the energy of a few men at Green Bay
and along its line. It was originally chartered in 1866 as the "Green Bay & Lake Pepin Rail-
road Company " to build a road from the mouth of the Fox river near Green Bay to the Missis-
sippi river opposite Winona. But little was done except the making of preliminary surveys in
1870. During 1870 and 1871, forty miles were constructed and put in operation. In 1872, one
hundred and fourteen miles were graded, the track laid, and the river reached, sixty-two miles
farther, in 1873. In 1876, it acquired the right to use the "Winona cut-off " between Winona
and Onalaska, and built a line from the latter point to La Crosse, seven miles, thus connecting its
road with the chief city of Wisconsin on the Mississippi river. The city of La Crosse aided this
extension by subscribing $75,000 and giving its corporation bonds for that amount. Henry
Ketchum, of New London, is president of the company, and D. M. Kelly, of Green Bay, gen-
•eral manager.
Wisconsin Valley Road.
The " Wisconsin Valley Railroad Company " was incorporated in 187 1 to build a road from
a point on or near the line of the Milwaukee & La Crosse railroad, between Kilbourn City and
the tunnel in said road to the village of Wausau, in the county of Marathon, and the road to pass
not more than one mile west of the village of Grand Rapids, in the county of Wood. The road
was commenced at Tomah, and graded to Centralia in 1872, and opened to that village in 1873,
and during 1874 it was completed to Wausau, ninety miles in its whole length. Boston capitalists
furnished the money, and it is controlled in the interest of the Dubuque & Minnesota railroad,
through which the equipment was procured. The lumber regions of the Wisconsin river find an
outlet over it, and its junction with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road at Tomah enables
a connection with the railroads of Iowa and Minnesota. It gives the people of Marathon county
an outlet long needed for a large lumber traffic, and also enables them to receive their goods and
■supplies of various kinds for the lumbering region tributary to Wausau. James F. Joy, of
Detroit, is president, and F. 0. Wyatt, superintendent.
Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railroad.
The "Sheboygan & Mississippi Railroad Company " was incorporated in 1852, to build a
road from Sheboygan to the Mississippi river. It was completed from Sheboygan to Plymouth
in 1858, to Glenbeulah in i860, to Fond du Lac in 1868, and to Princeton in 1872. The extension
from Fond du Lac to Princeton was built under authority of an act passed in 187 1.
Under a foreclosure in 1861 the line from Sheboygan to Fonddu Lac was sold, and the name
of the company changed to " Sheboygan & Fond du Lac Railroad Company." The length of
182 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
the line is seventy-eight miles, and it passes through a fertile agricultural country. The city of
Sheboygan, county, city and town of Fond du Lac, and the towns of Riverdale, Ripon, Brooklyn,
Princeton, and St. Marie, aided in its building to an amount exceeding $250,000. D. L. Wells
is president, and Geo. P. Lee, superindendent.
The Mineral Point Railroad.
The " Mineral Point Railroad Company " was chartered in 1852, to build a road from Mineral
Point, in the county of Iowa, to the state line, in township number one, in either the county of
Green or La Fayette. It was completed to Warren, in the state of Illinois, thirty-two miles, in
1855, making a connection at that point with the Illinois Central, running from Chicago to Galena.
Iowa county loaned its credit and issued its bonds to aid in its construction. It was sold under
foreclosure in 1856. Suits were brought against Iowa county to collect the amount of its bonds,
and judgment obtained in the federal courts. Much litigatidn has been had, and ill feeling
engendered, the supervisors of the county having been arrested for contempt of the decree of
the court. Geo. W. Cobb, of Mineral Point, is the general manager.
The Dubuque, Platteville & Milwaukee railroad was completed in July, 1870, and extends,
from Calamine, a point on the Mineral Point railroad, to the village of Platteville, eighteen miles,
and is operated by the Mineral Point railroad company
Madison & Portage Railroad.
The legislature of 1855 chartered the " Sugar River Valley Railroad Company " to build a road
from a point on the north side of the line of the Southern Wisconsin road, within the limits of
Green county, to Dayton, on the Sugar river. In 1857 it was authorized to build south to the state
line, and make its northern terminus at Madison. In 1861 it was authorized to build from Madi-
son to Portage City, and from Columbus to Portage City, and so much of the land grant act of
1856, as related to the building of the road from Madison, and from Columbus to Portage City,
was annulled and repealed, and the rights and privileges that were conferred upon the LaCrosse
company were given to the Sugar River Valley railroad company, and the portion of the land
grant, applicable to the lines mentioned, was conferred upon the last named company. Under
this legislation about twenty miles of the line between Madison and Portage were graded, and
the right of way secured for about thirty of the thirty-nine miles. The La Crosse company had
done considerable grading before its right was annulled. In 1866 the company was relieved
from constructing the road from Columbus to Portage City. In 1870 the purchasers of that part
of the Sugar River Valley railroad lying between Madison and Portage City were incorporated
as the " Madison & Portage Railroad Company," and to share all the rights, grants, etc., that
were conferred upon the Sugar River railroad company by its charter, and amendments thereto,
so far as related to that portion of the line.
Previous to this time, in 1864 and 1865, judgments had been obtained against the Sugar
River Valley company ; and its right of way, grading and depot grounds sold for a small sum.
James Campbell, who had been a contractor with the Sugar River Valley company, with others,
became the purchasers, and organized under the act of 1870, and, during the year 1871, com-
pleted it between Madison and Portage City, and in March, 1871, leased it to the Milwaukee &
St. Paul company, and it is still operated by that corporation. In 1871 the Madison & Portage
company was authorized to extend its road south to the Illinois state line, and north from
Portage City to Lake Winnebago. The same year it was consoHdated with the " Rockford Central
WISCOKSIN RAILROADS. 183
Railroad Company," of Illinois, and its name changed to the " Chicago & Superior Railroad
Company," but still retains its own organization. The Madison & Portage railroad company
claims a share in the lands granted by acts of congress in 1856, and have commenced .proceed-
ings to assert its claim, which case is still pending in the federal courts.
North Wisconsin Railroad.
The "North Wisconsin Railroad Company" was incorporated in 1869, to build a road from
Lake St. Croix, or river, to Bayfield on Lake Superior. The grant of land by congress in 1856, to
aid in building a road from Lake St. Croix to Bayfield on Lake Superior, under the decision of
the federal court, was yet at the disposal of the state. This company, in 187 1, built a short
section of its line of road, with the expectation of receiving the grant. In 1873, the grant "was
conferred upon the Milwaukee & St. Paul company, but under the terms and restrictions con-
tained in the act, it declined to accept it. The legislature of 1874 gave it to the North Wiscon-
sin company, and it has built forty miles of its road, and received the lands pertaining thereto.
Since 1876, it has not completed any part of its line, but is trying to construct twenty miles
•during the present year. The company is authorized to construct a road both to Superior and
to Bayfield, but the act granting the lands confers that portion from Superior to the intersection
of the line to Bayfield upon the Chicago & North Pacific air-line railroad. This last-named
company have projected a line from Chicago to the west end of Lake Superior, and are the
owners of an old grade made through Walworth and Jefferson counties, by a company chartered
in 1853 as the " Wisconsin Central," to build a road from Portage City to Geneva, in the county
of Walworth. The latter company had also graded its line between Geneva and the state line
of Illinois. This grade was afterward appropriated by the Chicago & Northwestern, and over it
they now operate their line from Chicago to Geneva.
Prairie du Chien & McGregor Railroad.
This is a line two miles in length, connecting Prairie du Chien in Wisconsin, with McGregor
in Iowa. It is owned and operated by John Lawler, of the latter-named place. It extends across
both channels of the Mississippi river, and an intervening island. The railroad bridge consists
of substantial piling, except a pontoon draw across each navigable channel. Each pontoon is four
hundred feet long and thirty feet wide, provided with suitable machinery and operated by steam
power. Mr. Lawler has secured a patent on his invention of the pontoon draw for railroad
bridges. His line was put in operation in April, 1874.
The Chippewa Falls & Western Railroad.
This road was built in 1874, by a company organized under the general law of the state. It
is eleven miles in length, and connects the " Falls " with the West Wisconsin line at Eau Claire.
It was constructed by the energetic business men and capitalists of Chippewa Falls, to afford an
outlet for the great lumber and other interests of that thriving and prosperous city. The road
is substantially built, and the track laid with steel rails.
Narrow Gauge Railroads.
The " Galena & Southern Wisconsin Railroad Company" was incorporated in r857. Under
Us charter, a number of capitalists of the city of Galena, in the state of Illinois, commenced
184 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIJSr.
the construction of a narrow (three feet) gauge road, running from that city to Platteville, thirty-
one miles in length, twenty miles in Wisconsin. It runs through a part of La Fayette county to
Platteville, in Grant county, and was completed to the latter point in 1875. Surveys are being
made for an extension to Wingville, in Grant county.
The " Fond du Lac, Amboy & Peoria Railway Company " was organized under the general
law of the state, in 1874, to build a narrow gauge road from the city of Fond du Lac to the south
line of the state in the county of Walworth or Rock, and it declared its intention to consolidate
with a company in Illinois that had projected a line of railroad from Peoria, in Illinois, to the south
line of the state of Wisconsin. The road is constructed and in operation from Fond du Lac to
Iron Ridge, a point on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway, twenty-nine miles from Foiid
du Lac.
The "Pine River & Steven's Point Railroad Company" was organized by the enterprising
citizens of Richland Center, and has built a narrow gauge road from Lone Rock, a point on the
Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul road, in Richland county, to Richland Center, sixteen miles in
length. Its track is laid with wooden rails, and it is operated successfully.
The " Chicago & Tomah Railroad Company '' organized under the general railroad law of
the state, in 1872, to construct a narrow gauge road from Chicago, in Illinois, to the city of
Tomah, in Wisconsin. Its president and active manager is D. R. Williams, of Clermont, Iowa,
and its secretary is L. M. Culver, of Wauzeka. It has graded about forty-five miles, extending
from Wauzeka up the valley of the Kickapoo river, in Crawford county, Wisconsin. It expects
to have fifty-four miles in operation, to Bloomingdale, in Vernon county, the present year (1877).
The rolling stock is guaranteed, and the president is negotiating for the purchase of the iron.
South of Wauzeka the line is located to Belmont, in Iowa county. At Wauzeka it will connect
with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul line.
The public-spirited citizens of Necedah, in Juneau county, have organized under the general
law of the state, and graded a road-bed from their village to New Lisbon, on the Chicago, Mil-
waukee & St. Paul company's line. The latter company furnish and lay the iron, and will
operate the road. It is thirteen miles in length.
Conclusion.
The railroads of Wisconsin have grown up under the requirements of the several localities
that have planned and commenced their construction, and without regard to any general
system. Frequently the work of construction was begun before adequate means were provided,
and bankruptcy overtook the roads in their early stages. The consolidation of the various
companies, as in the cases of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul, the Chicago & Northwestern,
and others, has been effected to give through lines and the public greater facilities, as well as to
introduce economy in management. At times the people have become apprehensive, and by legisla-
tive action prohibited railroads from consolidating, and have sought to control and break down
the power of these corporations and to harmonize the interests of the companies and the
public. The act of 1874, called the "Potter law," was the assertion, by the legislative power of
the state, of its right to control corporations created by itself, and limit the rates at which freight
and passengers should be carried. After a long and expensive contest, carried through the state
and federal courts, this right has been established, being finally settled by the decision of the
supreme court of the United States.
Quite all the railroads of Wisconsin have been built with foreign capital. The plan pursued
after an organization was effected, was to obtain stock subscriptions from those immediately
LUMBER MANUFACTURE. 185
interested in the enterprise, procure the aid of counties and municipalities, and then allure the
farmers, with the prospect of joint ownership in railroads, to subscribe for stock and mortgage
their farms to secure the payment of their subscriptions. Then the whole line was bonded and
a mortgage executed. The bonds and mortgages thus obtained, were taken to the money-
centers of New York, London, Amsterdam and other places, and sold, or hypothecated to
obtain the money with which to prosecute the work. The bonds and mortgages were made to
draw a high rate of interest, and the earnings of these new roads, through unsettled localities,
were insufficient to pay more than running and incidental expenses, and frequently fell short of
that. Default occurring in the payment of interest, the mortgages were foreclosed and the
property passed into the hands and under the control of foreign capitalists. Such has been the
history of most of the railroads of our state. The total number of farm mortgages given has
been 3,785, amounting to $4,079,433 ; town, county and municipal bonds, amounting to
$6,910,652. The total cost of all the railroads in the state, as given by the railroad commissioner
in his report for 1876, has been $98,343,453.67. This vast sum is, no doubt, greatly in excess of
what the cost should have been, but the roads have proved of immense benefit in the develop-
ment of the material resources of the state.
Other lines are needed through sections not yet traversed by the iron steed, and present
lines should be extended by branch roads. The questions upoa which great issues were raised
between the railway corporations and the people, are now happily settled by securing to the latter
their rights ; and the former, under the wise and conciliatory policy pursued by their managers,
are assured of the safety of their investments. An era of good feeling has succeeded one of
distrust and antagonism. The people must use the railroads, and the railroads depend upon the
people for sustenance and protection. This mutuality of interest, when fully recognized on both
sides, will result in giving to capital a fair return and to labor its just reward.
LUMBER MANUFACTURE.
By W. B. JUDSON.
Foremost among the industries of Wisconsin is that of manufacturing lumber. Very much
of the importance to which the state has attained is due to the development of its forest wealth.
In America, agriculture always has been, and always will be, the primary and most important
interest; but no nation can subsist upon agriculture alone. While the broad prairies of Illinois
and Iowa are rich with a fertile and productive soil, the hills and valleys of northern Wisconsin
are clothed with a wealth of timber that has given birth to a great manufacturing interest, which
employs millions of capital and thousands of men, and has peopled the northern wilds with
energetic, prosperous communities, built up enterprising cities, and crossed the state with a net-
work of railways which furnish outlets for its productions and inlets for the new populations
which are ever seeking for homes and employment nearer to the setting sun.
If a line be drawn upon the state map, from Green Bay westward through Stevens Point,
to where it would naturally strike the Mississippi river, it will be below the southern boundary of
the pine timber regions, with the single exception of the district drained by the Yellow river, a
tributary of the Wisconsin, drawing its timber chiefly from Wood and Juneau counties. The
territory north of this imaginary line covers an area a little greater than one half of the state.
The pine timbered land is found in belts or ridges, interspersed with prairie openings, patches
of hardwood and hemlock, and drained by numerous water-courses. No less than seven large
186 HISTOBY OF WISCONSIN.
rivers traverse this northern section, and, with their numerous tributaries, penetrate every county,
affording facilities for floating the logs to the mills, and, in many instances, the power to cut them
into lumber. This does not include the St. Croix, which forms the greater portion of the
boundary line between Wisconsin and Minnesota, and, by means of its tributaries, draws the most
and best of its pine from the former state. These streams divide the territory, as far as lumbering
is concerned, into six separate and distinct districts : The Green bay shore, which includes the
Wisconsin side of the Menomonee, the Peshtigo and Oconto rivers, with a number of creeks
which flow into the bay between the mouths of the Oconto and Fox rivers ; the Wolf river
district ; the Wisconsin river, including the Yellow, as before mentioned ; the Black river ; the
Chippewa and Red Cedar ; and the Wisconsin side of the St. Croix.
Beginning with the oldest of these, the Green bay shore, a brief description of each will be
attempted. The first saw-mill built in the state, of which there is now any knowledge, was put in
operation in 1809, in Brown county, two or three miles east from Depere, on a little stream which
was known as East river. It was built by Jacob Franks, but probably was a very small affair.
Of its machinery or capacity for sawing, no history has been recorded, and it is not within the
memory of any inhabitant of to-day. In 1829, John P. Arndt, of Green Bay, built a water-
power mill on the Pensaukee river at a point where the town of Big Suamico now stands. In
1834, a mill was built on the Wisconsin side of the Menomonee, and, two years later, one at
Peshtigo. Lumber was first shipped to market from this district in 1834, which must be termed
the beginning of lumbering operations on the bay shore. The lands drained by the streams
which flow into Green bay are located in Shawano and Oconto counties, the latter being the
largest in the state. In 1847, Willard Lamb, of Green Bay, made the first sawed pine shingles in
that district ; they were sold to the Galena railroad company for use on depot buildings, and
were the first of the kind sold in Chicago. Subsequently Green Bay became one of the greatest
points for the manufacture of such shingles in the world. The shores of the bay are low, and
gradually change from marsh to swamp, then to level dry land, and finally become broken and
mountainous to the northward. The pine is in dense groves that crowd closely upon the swamps
skirting the bay, and reach far back among the hills of the interior. The Peshtigo flows into the
bay about ten miles south of the Menomonee, and takes its rise far back in Oconto county, near
to the latter's southern tributaries. It is counted a good logging stream, its annual product
being from 40,000,000 to 60,000,000 feet. The timber is of a rather coarse quality, running but
a small percentage to what the lumbermen term "uppers." About ten per cent, is what is
known as Norway pine. Of the whole amount of timber tributary to the Peshtigo, probably
about one third has been cut off to this date. The remainder will not average of as good quality,
and only a limited portion of the land is of any value for agricultural purposes after being cleared
of the pine. There are only two mills on this stream, both being owned by one company. The
Oconto is one of the most important streams in the district. The first saw-mill was built
on its banks about the year 1840, though the first lumbering operations of any account were
begun in 1845 by David Jones. The business was conducted quite moderately, until 1856,
in which year several mills were built, and from that date Oconto has been known as quite
an extensive lumber manufacturing point. The timber tributary to this stream has been of
the best quality found in the state. Lumber cut from it has been known to yield the
extraordinarily high average of fifty and sixty per cent, uppers. The timber now being cut
will not average more than half that. The proportion of Norway is about five per cent. It is
estimated that from three fourths to four fifths of the timber tributary to the Oconto has been
cut away, but it will require a much longer time to convert the balance into lumber than was
necessary to cut its equivalent in amount, owing to its remote location. The annual production
LUMBER MAITUFACTURE. 187
of pine lumber at Oconto is from 50,000,000 to 65,000,000 feet. The whole production of the
district, exclusive of the timber which is put into the Menomonee from Wisconsin, is about
140,000,000 feet annually.
The Wolf river and its tributaries constitute the next district, proceeding westward. The
first saw logs cut on this stream for commercial purposes were floated to the government mill at
Neenah in 1835. In 1842, Samuel Farnsworth erected the first saw-mill on the upper Wolf
near the location of the present village of Shawano, and in the following spring he sent the first
raft of lumber down the Wolf to Oshkosh. This river also rises in Oconto county, but flows in
a southerly direction, and enters Winnebago lake at Oshkosh. Its pineries have been very exten-
sive, but the drain upon them within the past decade has told with greater effect than upon any
•other district in the state. The quality of the timber is very fine, and the land is considered good
for agricultural purposes, and is being occupied upon the lines of the different railways which
■cross it. The upper waters of the Wolf are rapid, and have a comparatively steady flow, which
renders it a very good stream for driving logs. Upon the upper river, the land is quite rolling,
and about the head-waters is almost mountainous. The pine timber that remains in this dis-
trict is high up on the main river and branches, and will last but a few years longer. A few years>
ago the annual product amounted to upward of 250,000,000 feet; in 1876 it was 138,000,000.
The principal manufacturing points are Oshkosh and Fond du Lac ; the former has 21 mills, and
the latter 10.
Next comes the Wisconsin, the longest and most crooked river in the state. It rises in the
■extreme northern sections, and its general course is southerly until, at Portage City, it makes a
■grand sweep to the westward and unites with the Mississippi at Prairie du Chien. It has numer-
ous tributaries, and, together with these, drains a larger area of country than any other river in
the state. Its waters flow swiftly and over numerous rapids and embryo falls, which renders log-
driving and raft-running very difficult and even hazardous. The timber is generally near the
banks of the main stream and its tributaries, gradually diminishing in extent as it recedes from
them and giving place to the several varieties of hard-woods. The extent to which operations
have been carried on necessitates going further up the stream for available timber, although there
is yet what may be termed an abundant supply. The first cutting of lumber on this stream, of
which there is any record, was by government soldiers, in 1828, at the building of Fort Winne-
bago. In 1831, a mill was built at Whitney's rapids, below Point Bass, in what was then Indian
territory. By 1840, mills were in operation as high up as Big Bull falls, and Wausau had a
population of 350 souls. Up to 1876, the product of the upper Wisconsin was all sent in rafts
to markets on the Mississippi. The river above Point Bass is a series of rapids and eddies ; the
■current flows at the rate of from 10 to 20 miles an hour, and it can well be imagined that the
task of piloting a raft from Wausau to, the dells was no slight one. The cost of that kind of
transportation in the early times was actually equal to the present market price of the lumber.
With a good stage of water, the length of time required to run a raft to St. Louis was 24 days,
though quite frequently, owing to inability to get out of the Wisconsin on one rise of water, sev-
■eral weeks were consumed. The amount of lumber manufactured annually on this river is from
140,000,000 to 200,000,000 feet.
Black river is much shorter and smaller than the Wisconsin, but has long been known as a
very important lumbering stream. It is next to the oldest lumber district in the state. The
first saw-mill west of Green Bay was built at Black River Falls in 1819 by Col. John Shaw.
The Winnebago tribe of Indians, however, in whose territory he was, objected to the innovation
'of such a fine art, and unceremoniously offered up the mill upon the altar of their outraged
188 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
solitude. The owner abruptly quitted that portion of the country. In 1839 another attempt
to establish a mill on Black river was more successfully made. One was erected at the same
point by two brothers by the name of Wood, the millwright being Jacob Spaulding, who
eventually became its possessor. His son, Mr. Dudley J. Spaulding, is now a very extensive
operator upon Black river. La Crosse is the chief manufacturing point, there being ten saw-mills
located there. The annual production of the stream ranges from 150,000,000 to 225,000,000 feet
of logs, less than 100,000,000 feet being manufactured into lumber on its banks. The balance
is sold in the log to mills on the Mississippi. It is a very capricious river to float logs in, which
necessitates the carrying over from year to year of a very large amount, variously estimated at
from 150,000,000 to 200,000,000 feet, about equal to an entire season's product. This makes the
business more hazardous than on iiiany other streams, as the loss from depreciation is very great
after the first year. The quality of the timber is fine, and good prices are realized for-it when
sold within a year after being cut.
The Chippewa district probably contains the largest and finest body of white pine timber
now standing, tributary to any one stream, on the continent. It has been claimed, though with
more extravagance than truth, that the Chippewa pineries hold one-half the timber supply of
the state. The river itself is a large one, and has many tributaries, which penetrate the rich
pine district in all directions. The character of the tributary country is not unlike that through-
which the Wisconsin flows. In 1828 the first mill was built in the Chippewa valley, on Wilson's
creek, near its confluence with the Red Cedar. Its site is now occupied by the village of Meno-
monee. In 1837 another was built on what is the present site of the Union Lumbering Company's
mill at Chippewa Falls. It was not until near 1865 that the Chippewa became very prominent as a
lumber-making stream. Since that date it has been counted as one of the foremost in the north-
west. Upon the river proper there are twenty-two saw-mills, none having a capacity of less than
3,500,000 feet per season, and a number being capable of sawing from 20,000,000 to 25,000,000
The annual production of sawed lumber is from 250,000,000 to 300,000,000 feet; the production
of logs from 400,000,000 to 500,000,000 feet. In 1867 the mill-owners upon the Mississippi,
between Winona and Keokuk, organized a corporation known as the Beef Slough Manufactur-
ing, Log-Driving and Transportation Company. Its object was to facilitate the handling of logs
cut upon the Chippewa and its tributaries, designed for the Mississippi mills. At the confluence-
of the two rivers various improvements were made, constituting the Beef Slough boom, which is
capable of assorting 200,000,000 feet of logs per season. The Chippewa is the most difficult
stream in the northwest upon which to operate. In the spring season it is turbulent and
ungovernable, and in summer, almost destitute of water. About its head are numerous lakes
which easily overflow under the influence of rain, and as their surplus water flows into the-
Chippewa, its rises are sudden and sometimes damaging in their extent. The river in many
places flows between high bluffs, and, under the influence of a freshet, becomes a wild and
unmanageable torrent. Logs have never been floated in rafts, as upon other streams, but are-
turned in loose, and are carried down with each successive rise, in a jumbled and confused mass,
which entails much labor and loss in the work of assorting anJ delivering to the respective
owners. Previous to the organization of the Eagle Rapids Flooding Dam and Boom Company,,
in 1872, the work of securing the stock after putting it into the river was more difficult than to
cut and haul it. At the cities of Eau Claire and Chippewa Falls, where most of the mills are
located, the current, under the influence of high water, is very rapid, and for years the problem^
was, how to stop and retain the logs, as they would go by in great masses and with almost resist-
less velocity. In 1847 is recorded one of the most sudden and disastrous floods in the history
of log-running streams. In the month of June the Chippewa rose twelve feet in a single night,.
LUMBER MANUFACTURE. X89
and, in the disastrous torrent that was created, piers, booms, or " pockets " for holding logs at the
mills, together with a fine new mill, were swept away, and the country below, where Eau Claire
now stands was covered with drift-wood, saw-logs, and other debris. Such occurrences led to
the invention of the since famous sheer boom, which is a device placed in the river opposite
the mill boom into which it is desired to turn the logs. The sheer boom is thrown diagonally
across the river, automatically, the action of the current upon a number of ingeniously arranged
"fins " holding it in position. By this means the logs are sheered into the receptacle until it is
filled, when the sheer boom, by closing up the " fins" with a windlass, falls back and allows the
logs to go on for the next mill to stop and capture its pocket full in like manner. By this
method each mill could obtain a stock, but a great difficulty was experienced from the fact that
the supply was composed of logs cut and owned by everybody operating on the river, and the
process of balancing accounts according to the " marks," at the close of the season, has been
one prolific of trouble and legal entanglements. The building of improvements at Eagle
Rapids by the company above mentioned remedied the difficulty to some extent, but the process
of logging will always be a difficult and hazardous enterprise until adequate means for holding
and assorting the entire log product are provided. Upon the Yellow and Eau Claire rivers, two
important branches of the Chippewa, such difficulties are avoided by suitable improvements.
The entire lumber product of the Chippewa, with the exception of that consumed locally, is
floated in rafts to markets upon the Mississippi, between its mouth and St. Louis. The quality
of the timber is good, and commands the best market price in the sections where it seeks
market.
West of the Chippewa district the streams and timber are tributary to the St. Croix, and in
all statistical calculations the entire product of that river is credited to Minnesota, the same as
that of the Menomonee is given to Michigan, when in fact about one half of each belongs to
Wisconsin. The important branches of the St. Croix belonging in this state are the Apple
Clam, Yellow, Namekogan, Totagatic and Eau Claire. The sections of country through which
they flow contain large bodies of very fine pine timber. The St. Croix has long been noted for
the excellence of its dimension timber. Of this stock a portion is cut into lumber at Stillwater,,
and marketed by rail, and the balance is sold in the log to mills on the Mississippi.
Such is a brief and somewhat crude description of the main lumbering districts of the state.
Aside from these, quite extensive operations are conducted upon various railway lines which
penetrate the forests which are remote from log-running streams. In almost every county in
the state, mills of greater or less capacity may be found cutting up pine or hard-woods into
lumber, shingles, or cooperage stock. Most important, in a lumbering point of view, of all the
railroads, is the Wisconsin Central. It extends from Milwaukee to Ashland, on Lake Superior,
a distance of 351 miles, with a line to Green Bay, 113 miles, and one from Stevens Point to
Portage, 71 miles, making a total length of road, of 449 miles. It has only been completed to
Ashland within the last two years. From ^lihvaukee to Stevens Point it passes around to the
east and north of Lake Winnebago, through an excellent hard-wood section. There are many
stave mills in operation upon and tributary to its line, together with wooden-ware establishments
and various manufactories requiring either hard or soft timber as raw material. From Stevens
Point northward, this road passes through and has tributary to it one of the finest bodies of tim-
ber in the state. It crosses the upper waters of Black river and the Flambeau, one of the main
tributaries of the Chippewa. From 30,000,000 to 50,000,000 feet of lumber is annually manu-
factured on its line, above Stevens Point. The Wisconsin Valley railroad extends from Tomah
to Wausau, and was built to afford an outlet, by rail, for the lumber produced at the latter point.
The extent of the timber supply in this state has been a matter of much speculation, and
190
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN".
is a subject upon which but little can be definitely said. Pine trees can not be counted or
measured until reduced t9 saw-logs or lumber. It is certain that for twenty years the
forests of Wisconsin have yielded large amounts of valuable timber, and no fears are
entertained by holders of pine lands that the present generation of owners will witness
an exhaustion of their supply. In some sections it is estimated that the destruction to
the standing timber by fires, which periodically sweep over large sections, is greater than
by the axes of the loggers. The necessity for a state system of forestry, for the protection of
the forests from fires, has been urged by many, and with excellent reason ; for no natural resource
of the state is of more value and importance than its wealth of timber. According to an esti-
mate recently made by a good authority, and which received the sanction of many interested
parties, there was standing in the state in 1876, an amount of pine timber approximating
35,000,000,000 feet.
The annual production of lumber in the districts herein described, and from logs floated out
of the state to mills on the Mississippi, is about 1,200,000,000 feet. The following table gives
the mill capacity per season, and the lumber and shingles manufactured in 1876 :
Green Bay Shore.
Wolf River
Wisconsin Central Railroad. __
Green Bay & Minnesota Railroad _
Wisconsin River
Black River - -- --
Chippewa River -
Mississippi River — using Wisconsin logs
Total ---
SEASON
CAPACITY.
205,
258
72,
34,
222,
lOI,
509,
,000,000
,500,000
500,000
500,000
000,000
000,000
000,000
000,000
1,714,500,000
LUMBER
MANUFACTURED
IN 1876.
138,250,000
138,645,077
31,530,000
17,700,000
139,700,000
70.852,747
255,866,999
380,067,000
1,172,611,823
SHINGLES
MANUFACTURED
IN 1876.
85,400,000
123,192,000
132,700,000
10,700,000
106,250,000
37,675,000
79,250.000
206,977,000
782,144,000
If to the above is added the production of mills outside of the main districts and lines of rail-
way herein described, the amount of pine lumber annually produced from Wisconsin forests would
reach 1,500,000,000 feet. Of the hard-wood production no authentic information is obtainable
To cut the logs and place them upon the banks of the streams, ready for floating to the mills
requires the labor of about 18,000 men. Allowing that, upon an average, each man has a family
of two persons besides himself, dependent upon his labor for support, it would be apparent that
the first step in the work of manufacturing lumber gives employment and support to 54,000
persons. To convert 1,000,000 feet of logs into lumber, requires the consumption of 1,200
bushels of oats, 9 barrels of pork and beef, 10 tons of hay, 40 barrels of flour, and the use of 2
pairs of horses. Thus the fitting out of the logging companies each fall makes a market for
1,800,000 bushels of oats, 13,500 barrels of pork and beef, 15,000 tons of hay, and 60,000 barrels
of flour. Before the lumber is sent to market, fully $6,000,000 is expended for the labor
employed in producing it. This industry, aside from furnishing the farmer of the west with the
cheapest and best of materials for constructing his buildings, also furnishes a very important
market for the products of his farm.
The question of the exhaustion of the pine timber supply has met with much discussion
during the past few years, and, so far as the forests of Wisconsin are concerned, deserves a brief
notice. The great source of supply of white pine timber in the country is that portion of the
northwest between the shores of Lake Huron and the banks of the Mississippi, comprising the
LUMBEE MANUFACTURE. 191
northern portions of the states of Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. For a quarter of a
century these fields have been worked by lumbermen, the amount of the yearly production
having increased annually until it reached the enormous figure of 4,000,000,000 feet. With all
of this tremendous drain upon the forests, there can be pointed out but one or two sections that
are actually exhausted. There are, however, two or three where the end can be seen and the
date almost foretold. The pineries of' Wisconsin have been drawn upon for a less period and
less amount than those of Michigan, and, it is generally conceded, will outlast them at the present
proportionate rate of cutting. There are many owners of pine timber lands who laugh at the
prospect of exhausting their timber, within their lifetime. As time brings them nearer to the end,,
the labor of procuring the logs, by reason of the distance of the timber from the water-courses,
will increp-se, and the work will progress more slowly.
In the future of this industry there is much promise. Wisconsin is the natural source of
supply for a very large territory. The populous prairies of Illinois and Iowa are near-by and
unfailingmarkets. The broad plains of Kansas and the rich valleys of Nebraska, which are stillin
the cradle of development, will make great drafts upon her forests for the material to construct cities
in which the first corner-stone is yet unlaid. Minnesota, notwithstanding the fact that large
forests exist within her own confines, is even now no mean customer for Wisconsin lumber, and
the ambitious territory of Dakota will soon clamor for material to build up a great and wealthy-
state. In the inevitable progress of development and growth which must characterize the great
west, the demand for pine lumber for building material will be a prominent feature. With the
growth of time, changes will occur in the methods of reducing the forests. With the increasing
demand and enhancing values will come improvements in manipulating the raw material, and a.
stricter economy will be preserved in the handling of a commodity which the passage of time
only makes more valuable. Wisconsin will become the home of manufactories, which will
convert her trees into finished articles of daily consumption, giving employment to thousands of
artisans where it now requires hundreds, and bringing back millions of revenue where is now
realized thousands. Like all other commodities, lumber becomes more valuable as skilled labor
is employed in its manipulation, and the greater the extent to which this is carried, the greater is.
the growth in prosperity, of the state and its people.
BANKING IN WISCONSIN.
By JOHN P. McGregor.
Wisconsin was organized as a territory in 1836, and the same year several acts were passed
by the territorial legislature, incorporating banks of issue. Of these, one at Gfeen Bay and
another at Mineral Point went into operation just in time to play their part in the great panic
of 1837. The bank at Green Bay soon failed and left its bills unredeemed. The bank at
Mineral Point is said to have struggled a little longer, but both these concerns were short lived,
and their issues were but a drop in the great flood of worthless wild-cat bank notes that spread.
over the whole western country in that disastrous time. The sufferings of the people of Wis-
consm, from this cause, left a vivid impression on their minds, which manifested its results in the
legislation of the territory and in the constitution of the state adopted in 1848. So jealous were
the legislatures of the territory, of banks and all their works, that, in every act of incorporation
for any purpose, a clause was inserted to the effect that nothing in the act contained should be
192 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN.
taken to authorize the corporation to assume or exercise any banking powers ; and this proviso
was even added to acts incorporating church societies. For some years there can hardly be said
to have been any banking business done in the territory ; merchants and business men were left
to their own devices to make their exchanges, and every man was his own banker.
In the year 1839 an act was passed incorporating the " Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance
Company," of Milwaukee. This charter conferred on the corporation, in addition to the usual
powers of a fire and marine insurance company, the privilege of receiving deposits, issuing certifi-
caUs of deposit and lending money, — and wound up with the usual prohibition from doing a
banking business. This company commenced business at once under the management of George
Smith as president and Alexander Mitchell as secretary. The receiving deposits, issuing certifi-
cates of deposit and lending money, soon outgrew and overshadowed the insurance branch of the
institution, which accordingly gradually dried up. In fact, the certificates of deposit had all the
appearance of ordinary bank notes, and served the purposes of an excellent currency, being
always promptly redeemed in coin on demand. Gradually these issues attained a great
circulation all through the west, as the people gained more and more confidence in the honesty
and ability of the managers ; and though "runs " were several times made, yet being successfully
met, the public finally settled down into the belief that these bills were good beyond question, so
tjiat the amount in circulation at one time, is said, on good authority, to have been over
$2,000,000.
As the general government required specie to be paid for all lands bought of it, the Wis-
consin Marine and Fire Insurance company, by redemption of its " certificates of deposit,"
furnished a large part of the coin needed for use at the Milwaukee land office, and more or less
for purchases at land offices in other parts of the state, and its issues were of course much in
request for this purpose. For many years this institution furnished the main banking facilities
for the business men of the territory and young state, in the way of discounts and exchanges.
Its right to carry on the operations it was engaged in, under its somewhat dubious and incon-
sistent charter, was often questioned, and, in 1852, under the administration of Governor Farwell,
some steps were taken to test the matter ; but as the general banking law had then been passed
by the legislature, and was about to be submitted to the people, and as it was understood that the
company "ould organize as a bank under the law, if approved, the legal proceedings were not
pressed. While this corporation played so important a part in the financial history and commer-
cial development of Wisconsin, the writer is not aware of any available statistics as to the
amount of business transacted by it before it became merged in the "Wisconsin Marine and
Fire Insurance Company's Bank."
In 1847, the foundation of the present well-known firm of Marshall & Ilsley was laid by
Samuel Marshall, who, in that year, opened a private banking office in Milwaukee, and was joined
in 1849 by Charles F. Ilsley. This concern has always held a prominent position among the
banking institutions of our state. About this time, at Mineral Point, Washburn & Woodman
(C. C. Washburn and Cyrus Woodman) engaged in private banking, as a part of their business.
After some years they were succeeded by Wm. T. Henry, who still continues the banking office.
Among the early private bankers of the state were Mr. Kellogg, of Oshkosh ; Ulmann and Bell, of
Racine ; and T. C. Shove, of Manitowoc. The latter still continues his business, while that of
the other firms has been wound up or merged in organized banks.
In 1848, Wisconsin adopted a state constitution. This constitution prohibited the legislature
from incorporating banks and from conferring banking powers on any corporation ; but provided
the question of " banks or no banks " might be submitted to a vote of the electors, and, if the
decision should be in favor of banks, then the legislature might charter banks or might enact a
BAIirKING m WISCONSIN. 193
general banking law, but no such special charter or general banking law should have any force
until submitted to the electors at a general election, and approved by a majority of votes cast on
that subject. In 185 1, the legislature submitted this question to the people, and a majority of
the votes were cast in favor of " banks." Accordingly the legislature, in 1852, made a general
banking law, which was submitted to the electors in November of that year, and was approved
by them. This law was very similar to the free banking law of the state of New York, which
had then been in force about fifteen years, and was generally approved in that state. Our law
authorized any number of individuals to form a corporate association for banking purposes, and
its main provisions were intended to provide security for the circulating notes, by deposit of state
and United States stocks or bonds with the state treasurer, so that the bill holders should sustain
no loss in case of the failure of the banks. Provision was made for a bank comptroller, whose
main duty it was to see that countersigned circulating notes were issued to banks only in proper
amounts for the securities deposited, and upon compliance with the law, and that the banks kept
these securities good.
The first bank comptroller was James S. Baker, who was appointed by Governor Farwell.
The first banks organized under the new law were the " State Bank," established at Madi-
son by Marshall & Ilsley, and the "Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company's Bank,''
established at Milwaukee under the old management of that company. These banks both went
intooperation early in January, 1853, and, later in that year, the " State Bank of Wisconsin " (now
Milwaukee National Bank of Wisconsin), and the " Farmers' and Millers' Bank " (now First
National Bank of Milwaukee), were established, followed in January, 1854, by the "Bank of Mil-
waukee " (now National Exchange Bank of Milwaukee). From this time forward banks were
rapidly established at different points through the state, until in July, 1857, they numbered sixty
— with aggregate capital, $4,205,000; deposits, $3,920,238; and circulation, $2,231,829. In
October, the great revulsion and panic of 1857 came on, and in its course and effects tried pretty
severely the new banks in Wisconsin. Some of them succumbed to the pressure, but most of
them stood the trial well.
The great source of loss and weakness at that time was found in the rapid decline of the
market value of the securities deposited to protect circulation, which were mostly state bonds,
and largely those of the southern states; so that this security, when it came to be tried, did not
prove entirely sufficient. Another fault of the system, or of the practice under it, was developed
at this time. It -was found that many of the banks had been set up without actual working capi-
tal, merely for the purpose of issuing circulating notes, and were located at distant and inaccessible
pomts in what was then the great northern wilderness of the state ; so that it was expensive and
m fact impracticable to present their issues for redemption. While these evils and their rem-
edies were a good deal discussed among bankers, the losses and inconveniences to the people
were not yet great enough to lead to the adoption of thorough and complete measures of reform.
The effect of these difficulties, however, was to bring the bankers of the state into the habit of
consulting and acting together in cases of emergency, the first bankers' convention having been
held in 1857. This was followed by others from time to time, and it would be difiScult to over-
value the great good that has resulted, at several important crises from the harmonious and con-
servative action of the bankers of our state. Partly, at least, upon their recommendations the
legislature, in 1858, adopted amendments to the banking law, providing that no bank should be
located in a township containing less than two hundred inhabitants ; and that the comptroller
should not issue circulating notes, except to banks doing a regular discount deposit and exchange
busmess in some inhabited town, village, city, or where the ordinary business of inhabited towns,
villages and cities was carried on. These amendments were approved by the people at the fall
194 HISTORY or WISCONSIN.
election of that year.
Banking matters now ran along pretty smoothly until the election in i860, of the republicart
presidential ticket, and the consequent agitation in the southern states threatening civil war, the
effects of which were speedily felt; first, in the great depreciation of the bonds of the southern
states, and then in a less decline in those of the northern states. At this time (taking the state-
ment of July, i860,) the number of banks was 104, with aggregate capital, $6,547,000; circula-
tion, $4,075,918; deposits, $3,230,252.
During the winter following, there was a great deal of uneasiness in regard to our state cur-
rency, and continuous demand upon our banks for the redemption of their circulating notes in
coin. Many banks of the wild-cat sort failed to redeem their notes, which became depreciated
and uncurre'nt ; and, when the rebellion came to a head by the firing on Fort Sumter, thebanking
interests of the state were threatened with destruction by compulsory winding up and enforced
sale at the panic prices then prevailing, of the securities deposited to secure circulation. Under
these circumstances, on the 17th of April, 1861, the legislature passed " an act to protect the
holders of the circulating notes of the authorized banks of the state of Wisconsin." As the
banking law could not be amended except by approval of the electors, by vote at a general
election, a practical suspension of specie payment had to be effected by indirect methods. So-
this act first directed the bank comptroller to suspend all action toward banks for failing to
redeem their circulation. Secondly, it prohibited notaries public from protesting bills of banks
until Dec 1, 1861. Thirdly, it gave banks until that date to answer complaints in any proceed-
ing to compel specie payment of circulating notes. This same legislature also amended the
banking law, to cure defects that had been developed in it. These amendments were intended
to facilitate the pres.entation and protest of circulating notes, and the winding up of banks
failing to redeem them, and provided that the bank comptroller should not issue circulating notes
except to banks having actual cash capital ; on which point he was to take evidence in all cases ;
that after Dec. i, 1861, all banks of the state should redeem their issues either at Madison or
Milwaukee, and no bonds or stocks should be received as security for circulation except those of
the United States and of the state of Wisconsin.
Specie payment of bank bills was then practically suspended, in our state, from April 17 to
December i, 1861, and there was no longer any plain practical test for determining which were
good, and which not. In this condition of things, banlj;ers met in convention, and, after discus-
sion and inquiry as to the condition and resources of the different banks, put forth a list of those
whose issues were to be considered current and bankable. But things grew worse, and it was
evident that the list contained banks that would never be able to redeem their circulation, and
the issues of such were from time to time thrown out and discredited without any concert of
action, so that the uneasiness of people in regard to the financial situation was greatly increased.
The bankers finally met, gave the banks another sifting, and put forth a list of seventy banks,
whose circulating notes they pledged themselves to receive, and pay out as current, until Decem-
ber I. There had been so many changes that this pledge was thought necessary to allay the
apprehensions of the public. But matters still grew worse instead of better. Some of the
banks in the " current " list closed their doors to their depositors, and others were evidently
unsound, and their circulation so insufficiently secured as to make it certain that it would never
be redeemed. There was more or less sorting of the currency, both by banks and business men,
all ovqr the state, in the endeavor to keep the best and pay out the poorest. In this state of
things, some of the Milwaukee banks, without concert of action, and acting under the apprehen-
sion of being loaded up with the very worst of the currency, which, it was feared, the country
banks and merchants were sorting out and sending to Milwaukee, revised the list again, and
BANKING IN WISCONSIN. 195
threw out ten of the seventy banks whose issues it had been agreed should be received as
current. Other banks and bankers were compelled to take the same course to protect them-
selves. The consequence was a great disturbance of the public mind, and violent charges of
bad faith on the part of the banks, which culminated in the bank riots of June 24, i86r. On
that day, a crowd of several hundred disorderly people, starting out most probably only with the
idea of making some sort of demonstration of their dissatisfaction with the action of the banks
and bankers and with the failure to keep faith with the public, marched through the streets with
a, band of music, and brought up at the corner of Michigan and East Water streets.
The banks had just sufficient notice of these proceedings to enable them to lock up their
money and valuables in their vaults, before the storm broke upon them. The mob halted at the
place above mentioned, and for a time contented themselves with hooting, and showed no dispo-
sition to proceed to violence; but, after a little while, a stone was thrown through the windows
of the Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company's Bank, situated at one corner of the
above streets, and volleys of stones soon followed, not only against that bank, but also against
the State Bank of Wisconsin, situated on the opposite corner. The windows of both these
institutions and of the offices in the basements under them were effectually demolished.
The mob then made a rush into these banks and offices, and completely gutteJ them, offering
more or less violence to the inmates, though no person was seriously hurt. The broken furni-
ture of the offices under the State Bank of Wisconsin was piled up, and the torch was applied
by some of the rioters, while others were busy in endeavoring to break into the safes of the offices
and the vaults of the banks. The debris of the furniture in the office of the Wisconsin Marine
and Fire Insurance (Company's Bank, was also set on fire, and it was plain that if the mob was
not immediately checked, the city would be given up to conflagration and pillage — the worst
elements, as is always the case with mobs, having assumed the leadership. Just at that juncture,
the Milwaukee zouaves, a small military company, appeared on the scene, and with the help of
the firemen who had been called out, the mob was put to flight, and the incipient fire was extin-
guished.
The damage so far done was not great in amount, and the danger for the moment was over;
but the situation was still grave, as the city was full of threats, disturbance, and apprehension.
By the prompt action of the authorities, a number of companies of volunteers were brought from
different places in the state, order was preserved, and, after muttering for three or four days, the
storm died away. The eff'ect of that disturbance and alarm was, however, to bring home to the
bankers and business men the conviction that effectual measures must be taken to settle our
state currency matters on a sound and permanent basis, and that the issues of all banks that
could not be put in shape to meet specie payment in December, must be retired from circulation
and be got out of the way. A meeting of the bankers was held ; also of the merchants' association
of Milwaukee, and arrangements were made to raise $100,000, by these two bodies, to be used in
assisting weak and crippled banks in securing or retiring their circulation. The bankers
appointed a committee to take the matter in charge.
It happened that just at this time Governor Randall and State Treasurer Hastings returned
from New York City, where they had been making unsuccessful efforts to dispose of $800,000 of
Wisconsin war bonds, which had been issued to raise funds to fit out Wisconsin volunteers.
Our state had never had any bonds on the eastern market. For other reasons, our
credit was not high in New York, and it had been found impossible to dispose of these bonds for
over sixty cents on the dollar. The state officers conferred with the bankers to see what could
be done at home ; and it was finally arranged that the bankers' committee should undertake to
get the state banks to dispose of their southern and other depreciated state bonds on deposit to
196 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
secure circulation, for what they would bring in coin, in New York, and replace these bonds with
those of our own state,.which were to be taken by our banks nominally at par — seventy percent,
being paid in cash, and the different banks purchasing bonds, giving their individual obligation
for the thirty per cent, balance, to be paid in semi-annual installments, with an agreement that the
state should deduct these installments from the interest so long as these bonds should remain on
deposit with the state. By the terms of the law, sixty per cent, of the proceeds of the bonds had to
be paid in coin. The bankers' committee went to work, and with some labor and difficulty
induced most of the banks to sell their southern securities at the existing low prices in New
York, and thus produce the coin required to pay for our state bonds. From the funds provided
by the merchants and bankers, they assisted many of the weaker banks to make good their
securities with the banking department of the state. By the 19th of July, six of the ten rejected
banks that had been the occasion of the riot, were made good, and restored to the list. The
other four were wound up, and their issues redeemed at par, and, before the last of August, the
value of the securities of all the banks on the current list were brought up to their circulation,
as shown by the comptroller's report.
Wisconsin currency at the time of the bank riot was at a discount of about 15 per cent., as
compared with gold or New York exchange. At the middle of July the discount was 10 to 12
per cent., and early in August it fell to 5 per cent. The bankers' committee continued their
work in preparation for the resumption of specie payment on December i. While the securities
for the bank circulation had been made good, it was, nevertheless, evident that many of the
banks on the current list would not be equal to the continued redemption of their bills in specie,
and that they would have to be wound up and got out of the way in season. Authority was got
from such institutions, as fast as possible, for the bankers' committee to retire their circulation
and sell their securities. The Milwaukee banks and bankers took upon themselves the great
burden of this business, having arranged among themselves to sort out and withhold from cir-
culation the bills of these banks, — distributing the load among themselves in certain defined
proportions. Instead of paying out these doubted bills, the different banks brought to the bank-
ers' committee such amounts as they accumulated from time to time, and received from the
committee certificates of deposit bearing seven per cent, interest, and these bills were locked up
by the committee until the securities for these notes could be sold and the proceeds realized.
Over $400,000 of this sort of paper was locked up by the committee at one time; but ^ it was all
converted into cash, and, when the first of December came, the remaining banks of this state
were ready to redeem their issues in gold or its equivalent, and so continued to redeem until the
issue of the legal-tender notes and the general suspension of specie payment in the United
States.
In July, 1861, the number of our banks was 107, with capital, $4,607,000; circulation,
$2,317,907 ; deposits, $3,265,069.
By the contraction incident to the preparations for redem_ption in specie, the amount of cur-
rent Wisconsin bank notes outstanding December i, 1861, was reduced to about $1,500,000.
When that day came, there was quite a disposition manifested to convert Wisconsin currency
into coin, and a sharp financial pinch was felt for a few days ; but as the public became satisfied
that the banks were prepared to meet the demand, the call for redemption rapidly fell off, and
the banks soon began to expand their circulation, which was now current and in good demand
all through the northwestern states. The amount saved to all the interests of our state, by this
successful effort to save our banking system from destruction, is beyond computation. From
this time our banks ran along quietly until prohibitory taxation by act of congress drove the bills
of state banks out of circulation.
BANKING IN WISCONSIN. 197
The national banking law was passed in 1863, and a few banks were soon organized under
it in different parts of the country. The first in Wisconsin was formed by the re-organization of
the Farmers' and Millers' Bank, in August, 1863, as the First National Bank of Milwaukee,
with Edward D. Holton as president, and H. H. Camp, cashier. The growth of the new system,
however, was not very rapid ; the state banks were slow to avail themselves of the privileges of
the national banking act, and the central authorities concluded to compel them to come in ; so
facilities were offered for their re-organization as national banks, and then a tax of ten per cent,
was laid upon the issues of the state banks. This tax was imposed by act of March, 1865, and
at once caused a commotion in our state. In July, 1864, the number of Wisconsin state banks
was sixty-six, with capital $3,147,000, circulation $2,461,728, deposits $5,483,205, and these
figures were probably not very different in the spring of 1865. The securities for the circulating
notes were in great part the bonds of our own state, which, while known by our oM'n people to
be good bej'ond question, had never been on the general markets of the country so as to be cur-
rently known there ; and it was feared that in the hurried retirement of our circulation these
bonds would be sacrificed, the currency depreciated, and great loss brought upon our banks and
people. There was some excitement, and a general call for the redemption of our state circula-
tion, but the banks mostly met the run well, and our people were disposed to stand by our own
state bonds.
In April, 1861, the legislature passed laws, calling in the mortgage loans of the school fund,
and directing its investment in these securities. The state treasurer was required to receive
Wisconsin bank notes, not only for taxes and debts due the state, but also on deposit, and to
issue certificates for such deposits bearing seven per cent, interest. By these and like means
the threatened panic was stopped ; and in the course of a few months Wisconsin state currency
was nearly all withdrawn from circulation. In July, 1865, the number of state banks was
twenty-six, with capital $1,087,000, circulation $192,323, deposits $2,284,210. Under the
pressure put on by congress, the organization of national banks, and especially the re-organiza-
tion of state banks, under the national system, was proceeding rapidly, and in a short time nearly
every town in our own state of much size or importance was provided with one or more of these
institutions.
In the great panic of 1873, all the Wisconsin banks, both state and national (in common
with those of the whole country), were severely tried; but the failures were few and unimpor-
tant; and Wisconsin went through that ordeal with less loss and disturbance than almost any
other state.
We have seen that the history of banking in Wisconsin covers a stormy period, in which
great disturbances and panics have occurred at intervals of a few years. It is to be hoped that
a more peaceful epoch will succeed, but permanent quiet and prosperity can not rationally be
expected in the present unsettled condition of our currency, nor until we have gone through the
temporary stringency incidental to the resumption of specie payment.
According to the last report of the comptroller of the currency, the number of national
banks in Wisconsin in November, 1876, was forty, with capital $3,400,000, deposits $7,145,360,
circulation $2,072,869.
At this time (July, 1877) the number of state banks is twenty-six, with capital $1,288,231,
deposits $6,662,973. Their circulation is, of course, merely nominal, though there is no legal
obstacle to their issuing circulating notes, except the tax imposed by congress.
COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES.
By Hon. H. H. GILES.
The material philosophy of a people has to do with the practical and useful. It sees in
iron, coal, cotton, wool, grain and the trees of the forest, the elements of personal comfort and
sources of material greatness, and is applied to their development, production and fabrication for
purposes of exchange, interchange and sale. The early immigrants to Wisconsin territory found
a land teeming with unsurpassed natural advantages ; prairies, timber, water and minerals, invit-
ing the farmer, miner and lumberman, to come and build houses, furnaces, mills and factories.
The first settlers were a food-producing people. The prairies and openings were ready for the
plow. The ease with which farms were brought under cultivation, readily enabled the pioneer
to supply the food necessary for himself and family, while a surplus was often produced in a few
months. The hardships so often encountered in the settlement of a new country, where forests
must be felled and stumps removed to prepare the soil for tillage, were scarcely known, or greatly
mitigated.
During the decade from 1835 to 1845, so great were, the demands for the products of the
soil, created by the tide of emigration, that the settlers found a home market for all their surplus
products, and so easily were crops grown that, within a very brief time after the first emigration,
but little was required from abroad. The commerce of the country was carried on by the
exchange of products. The settlers (they could scarcely be called farmers) would exchange
their wheat, corn, oats and pork for the goods, wares and fabrics of the village merchant. It
was an age of barter ; but they looked at the capabilities of the land they had come to possess,
and, with firm faith, saw bright promises of better days in the building up of a great state.
It is not designed to trace with minuteness the history of Wisconsin through the growth of
its commercial and manufacturing interests. To do it justice would require a volume. The
aim of this article will be to present a concise view of its present status. Allusion will only be
incidentally made to stages of growth and progress by which it has been reached.
Few states in the Union possess within their borders so many, and in such abundance,
elements that contribute to the material prosperity of a ^people. Its soil of unsurpassed
fertility ; its inexhaustible mines of lead, copper, zinc and iron ; its almost boundless forests ;
its water-powers, sufficient to drive the machinery of the world ; its long lines of lake shore on
two sides, and the " Father of waters '' on another, — need but enterprise, energy and capital to
utilize them in building an empire of wealth, where the hum of variedjndustries shall be heard
in the music of the sickle, the loom and the anvil.
The growth of manufacturing industries was slow during the first twenty-five years of our
history. The early settlers were poor. Frequently the land they tilled was pledged to obtain
means to pay for it. Capitalists obtained from twenty to thirty per cent, per annum for the use
of their money. Indeed, it was the rule, under the free-trade ideas of the money-lenders for
them to play the Shy lock. While investments in bonds and mortgages were so profitable, few
were ready to improve the natural advantages the country presented for building factories and
work-shops.
COMMERCE A^T> MX^VFACTV'R'ES. 199
For many years, quite all the implements used in farming were brought from outside the
state. While this is the case at present to some extent with the more cumbersome farm
machinery, quite a proportion of that and most of the simpler and lighter implements are made
at home, while much farm machinery is now manufactured for export to other states.
Furs.
The northwest was visited and explored by French voyageurs and missionaries from Canada
at an early day. The object of the former was trading and gain. The Jesuits, ever zealous in
the propagation of their religion, went forth into the unknown wilderness to convert the natives
to their faith. As early as 1624, they were operating about Lake Huron and Mackinaw. Father
Menard, it is related, was with the Indians on Lake Superior as early as 1661. The early
explorers were of two classes, and were stimulated by two widely different motives — the voyag-
eurs, by the love of gain, and the missionaries, by their zeal in the propagation of their faith.
Previous to 1679, a considerable trade in furs had sprung up with Indian tribes in the vicinity of
Mackinaw and the northern part of " Ouisconsin." In that year more than two hundred canoes,
laden with furs, passed Mackinaw, bound for Montreal. The whole commerce of this vast region
then traversed, was carried on with birch-bark canoes. The French used them in traversing
wilds — otherwise inaccessible by reason of floods of water at one season, and ice and snow at
another — also lakes and morasses which interrupted land journeys, and rapids and cataracts
that cut off communication by water. This little vessel enabled them to overcome all difficulties.
Being buoyant, it rode the waves, although heavily freighted, and, of light draft, it permitted the
traversing of small streams. Its weight was so light that it could be easily carried from one
stream to another, and around rapids and other obstructions. With this little vessel, the fur
trade of the northwest was carried on, as well as the interior of a vast continent explored.
Under the stimulus of commercial enterprise, the French traders penetrated the recesses ot the
immense forests whose streams were the home of the beaver, the otter and the mink, and in
whose depths were found the martin, sable, ermine, and other fur-bearing animals. A vast trade
in furs sprung up, and was carried on by different agents, under authority of the French
government.
When the military possession of the northwestern domain passed from the government of
France to that of Great Britain in 1760, the relationship of the fur trade to the government
changed. The government of France had controlled the traffic, and made it a means of strength-
ening its hold upon the country it possessed. The policy of Great Britain was, to charter
companies, and grant them exclusive privileges. The Hudson bay company had grown rich and
powerful between 1670 and 1760. Its success had excited the cupidity of capitalists, and rival
organizations were formed. The business of the company had been done at their trading-stations
— the natives bringing in their furs for exchange and barter. Other companies sent their
voyageurs into every nook and corner to traffic with the trappers, and even to catch the fur-bear-
ing animals themselves. In the progress of time, private parties engaged in trapping and dealing
in furs, and, under the competition created, the business became less profitable. In 1815,
congress passed an act prohibiting foreigners from dealing in furs in the United States, or any
of its territories. This action was obtained through the influence of John Jacob Astor. Mr.
Astor organized the American fur company in 1809, and afterward, in connection with the North-
west company, bought out the Mackinaw company, and the two were merged in the Southwest
company. The association was suspended by the war of 181 2. The American re-entered the
field in i8i6. The fur trade isstill an important branch of traffic in the northern part of the
state, and, during eight months of the year, employs a large number of men.
200
HISTORY OP WISCONSIN.
Lead and Zinc.
In 1824, the lead ore in the southwestern part of Wisconsin began to attract attention.
From 1826 to 1830, there was a great rush of miners to this region, somewhat like the Pike's
Peak excitement at a later date. The lead-producing region of Wisconsin covers an area of
about 2,200 square miles, and embraces parts of Grant, Iowa and La Fayette counties. Between
1829 and 1839, the production of lead increased from 5,000 to 10,000 tons. After the latter
year it rose rapidly, and attained its maximum in 1845, when it reached nearly 25,000 tons.
Since that time the production has decreased, although still carried on to a considerable extent.
The sulphate and carbonate of zinc abound in great quantities with the lead of southwest
Wisconsin. Owing to the difficulty of working this class of ores, it was formerly allowed to
accumulate about the mouths of the mines. Within a few years past, metallurgic processes
have been so greatly improved, that the zinc ores have been largely utilized. At La Salle, in the
state of Illinois, there are three establishments for smelting zinc ores. There is also one at Peru,
111. To smelt zinc ores economically, they are taken where cheap fuel is available. Hence, the
location of these works in the vicinity of coal mines. The works mentioned made in #875,
from ores mostly taken from Wisconsin, 7,510 tons of zinc. These metals are, therefore, impor-
tant elements in the commerce of Wisconsin.
Iron.
The iron ores of Wisconsin occur in immense beds in several localities, and are destined to
prove of great value. From their product in 1863, there were 3,735 tons of pig iron received at
Milwaukee; in 1865, 4,785 tons; in 1868, 10,890 tons. Of the latter amount, 4,648 tons were
from the iron mines at Mayville. There were shipped from Milwaukee, in 1868, 6,361 tons of
pig iron. There were also received 2,500 tons of ore from the Dodge county ore beds. During
1869, the ore beds at Iron Ridge were developed to a considerable extent, and two large blast
furnaces constructed in Milwaukee, at which place there were 4,695 tons of ore received, and
2,059 tons were shipped to Chicago and Wyandotte. In 1870, 112,060 tons of iron ore were
received at Milwaukee, 95,000 tons of which were from Iron Ridge, and 17,060 tons from Esca-
naba and Marquette, in Michigan.^ The total product of the mines at Iron Ridge in 1871 was
82,284 tons. The Milwaukee iron company received by lake, in the same year, 28,094 tons of
Marquette iron ore to mix with the former in making railroad iron. In 1872, there were receivea
from Iron Ridge 85,245 tons of ore, and 5,620 tons of pig iron. Much of the metal made by the
Wisconsin iron company in 1872 was shipped to St. Louis, to mix with the iron made from
Missouri ore.
The following table shows the production of pig iron in Wisconsin, for 1872, 1873 and 1874,
in tons :
Furnaces.
1872.
1873.
1874.
Milwaukee Iron Company Milwaukee
21,818
3,350
5.033
4,888
6,910
3,420
5,600
1,780
29,326
5,822
4,155
4,137
8,044
6,141
7.999
6,832
1,528
33,000
Wisconsin Iron Company, Iron Ridge. -
3.306
3,000
6,500
6 000
Northwestern Iron Company, Mayville
Green Bay Iron Company, Green Bay
6,500
7,000
1,300
Fox River Iron Company, W. Depere
Ironton Furnace, Sauk county
52,797
73,980
66,5oo
COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES. 201
The Milwaukee iron company, during the year 1872, entered into the manufacture of mer-
chant iron — it having been demonstrated that the raw material could be reduced there cheaper
than elsewhere. The Minerva furnace company built also during the same year one of the
most compact and complete iron furnaces to be found any where in the country. During the
year 1873, the iron, with most other material interests, became seriously prostrated, so that the
total receipts of ore in Milwaukee in 1874 amounted to only 31,993 tons, against 69,418 in 1873,
and 85,245 tons in 1872. There were made in Milwaukee in 1874, 29,680 tons of railroad iron.
In 1875, 58,868 tons of ore were received at Milwaukee, showing a revival of the trade in an
increase of 19,786 tons over the previous year. The operation of the works at Bay View having
suspended, the receipts of ore in 1876, at Milwaukee, were less than during any year since 1869,
being only 31,119 tons, of which amount only 5,488 tons were from Iron Ridge, and the total
shipments were only 498 tons.
Lumber.
The business of lumbering holds an important rank in the commerce of the state. For
many years the ceaseless hum of the saw and the stroke of the ax have been heard in all our
great forests. The northern portion of the state is characterized by evergreen trees, principally
pine; the southern, by hard-woods. There are exceptional localities, but this is a correct state-
ment of the general distribution. I think that, geologically speaking, the evergreens belong to
the primitive and sandstone regions, and the hard wood to the limestone and clay formations.
Northern Wisconsin, so called, embraces that portion of the state north of forty-five degrees,
and possesses nearly all the valuable pine forests. The most thoroughly developed portion of
this region is that lying along the streams entering into G-reen bay and Lake Michigan, and border-
ing on the Wisconsin river and other streams entering into the Mississippi. Most of the pine in
the immediate vicinity of these streams has been cut off well toward their sources ; still, there
are vast tracts covered with dense forests, not accessible from streams suitable for log-driving
purposes. The building of railroads into these forests will alone give a market value to a large
portion of the pine timber there growing. It is well, perhaps, that this is so, for at the present
rate of consumption, but a few years will elapse before these noble forests will be totally destroyed.
Most of the lumber manufactured on the rivers was formerly taken to a market by being floated
down the streams in rafts. Now, the railroads are transporting large quantities, taking it directly
from the mills and unloading it at interior points in Iowa, Illinois and Wisconsin, and some of it
in eastern cities. From five to eight thousand men are employed in the pineries in felling the
trees, sawing them into logs of suitable length, and hauling them to the mills and streams during
every winter in times of fair prices and favorable seasons. The amount of lumber sawed in
i86o, as carefully estimated, was 355,055,155 feet. The amountof shingles made was 2,272,061,
and no account was made of the immense number of logs floated out of the state, for manufac-
ture into lumber elsewhere. The amount of logs cut in the winter of 1873 and 1874 was
987,000,000 feet. In 1876 and 1877 the Black river furnished 188,344,464 feet. The Chippewa,
90,000,000; the Red Cedar, 57,000,000. There passed through Beef Slough 129,384,000 feet of
logs. Hon. A. H. Eaton, for fourteen years receiver of the United States land office at Stevens
Point, estimated the acreage of pine lands in his district at 2,000,000, and, taking his own district
as the basis, he estimated the whole state at 8,000,000 acres. Reckoning this at 5,000 feet to the
acre, the aggregate pine timber of the state would be 40,000,000,000 feet. The log product
annually amounts to an immense sum. In 1876, 1,172,611,823 feet were cut. This is about the
average annual draft that is made on the pine lands. There seems to be no remedy for the
202
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
wholesale destruction of our pine forests, except the one alluded to, the difficulty of transporta-
tion, and this will probably save a portion of them for a long time in the future. At the rate of
consumption for twenty years past, we can estimate that fifty years would see northern Wiscon-
sin denuded of its pine forests ; but our lumber product has reached its maximum, and will
probably decrease in the coming years as the distance to be hauled to navigable streams
increases. In the mean time lumber, shingles and lath will form an important factor in our
commerce, both state and inter-state, and will contribute millions to the wealth of our citizens.
Grain.
Up to 1841, no grain was exported from Wisconsin to be used as food; but, from the time
of its first settlement in 1836 to 1840, the supply of bread stuffs from abroad, upon which the
people depended, was gradually diminished by the substitution of home products. In the winter
of 1840 and 1841, E. D. Holton, of Milwaukee, purchased a small cargo of wheat (about 4,000
bushels), and in the spring of 1841, shipped it to Buffalo. This was the beginning of a traffic
that has grown to immense proportions, and, since that time, wheat has formed the basis of the
commerce and prosperity of the state, until the city of Milwaukee has become the greatest
primary wheat mart of the world.
The following table gives the exports of flour and grain from Milwaukee for thirty-two years,
commencing in 1845 :
FLOUR,
bbls.
WHEAT,
bus.
CORN,
bus.
OATS,
bus.
BARLEY,
bus.
RYE,
bus.
1845
1846
1847
1848
1849
1850
1851
1852,
1853
1854
1855
1856,
1857
1858
1859
i860
I861
1862
1863.
1864
1865.
1866.
1867
1868.
i86g.
1870.
1871.
1872.
1873,
1874
1875
1876.
7,550
15.756
34.840
92,732
136,657
100,017
51.889
92.995
104,055
145.032
181,568
i8B,455
228.442
298,668
282,956
457.343
674.474
711.405
603,525
414.833
567,576
720,365
921,663
1,017,598
1,220,058
1,225,941
i,2ir,427
1,232,036
1,805,200
2,217,579
2,163,346
2,654,028
95,510
213.448
598,411
602,474
1,136,023
297,570
317,285
564,404
956,703
1,809,452
2,641,746
2,761,976
2,581,311
3.994.213
4.732.957
7,568,608
13,300,495
14,915,680
12,837,620
8,992,479
10,479,777
11,634,749
9,598,452
9,867,029
14,272,799
16,127,838
13,409,467
11.570,565
24,994,266
22,255,380
22,681,020
16,804,394
2,500
5,000
13,828
2,220
270
164,908
112,132
218
472
43.958
41.364
37.204
1.485
9,489
88,989
140,786
71.203
480,408
266,249
342,717
93,806
103,173
419.133
1,557,953
197,920
556,563
226,895
96,908
4,000
2,100
7,892
363,841
131,716
404,999
13,833
5,433
2,775
562,067
299,002
64,682
1,200
79,094
831,600
811,634
326,472
1,636,595
622,469
536,539
351,768
210,187
772,929
1,323,234
990,525
726,035
1,160,450
1,377,560
15,000
15,270
103,840
322,261
291,890
339.338
63,379
10,398
800
63,178
53,216
28,056
5,220
44,800
133.449
23.479
29,597
18,988
30,822
95,036
120,662
469,325
576,453
931,725
688.455
464,837
867,970
1,235.481
54,692
80,365
113.443
20,030
5.378
11,577
9,735
29,810
126,301
84,047
18,210
51.444
255.329
106,795
91.443
78.035
62,494
208,896
209,751
255,923
79,879
98,923
220,964
COMMEECE AND MANUFACTURES.
203
Up to 1856, the shipments were almost wholly of Wisconsin products ; but with the comple-
tion of Hues of railroad from Milwaukee to the Mississippi river, the commerce of Wisconsin
became so interwoven with that of Iowa and Minnesota, that the data furnished by the transpor-
tation companies, give us no definite figures relating to the products of our own state.
Dairy Products.
Wisconsin is becoming largely interested in the dairy business. Its numerous springs,
streams, and natural adaptability to grass, make it a fine grazing country, and stock thrives
remarkably well. Within a few years, cheese-factories have become numerous, and their owners
are meeting with excellent success. Wisconsin cheese is bringing the highest price in the markets,
and much of it is shipped to England. Butter is also made of a superior quality, and is exten-
sively exported. At the rate of progress made during the last few years, Wisconsin will soon
take rank with the leading cheese and butter producing states. The counties most largely inter-
ested in dairying, are Kenosha, Walworth, Racine, Rock, Green, Waukesha, Winnebago, Sheboy-
gan, Jefferson and Dodge. According to estimates by experienced dairymen, the manufacture
of butter was 22,473,000 pounds in 1870; 50,130,000 in 1876; of cheese, 1,591,000 pounds in
1870, as against 17,000,000 in 1876, which will convey a fair idea of the increase of dairy produc-
tion. The receipts of cheese in Chicago during 1876, were 23,7 80,000 pounds, against 12,000,000
in 1875 ; and the receipts of butter were 35,384,184, against 30,248,247 pounds in 1875. It is esti-
mated that fully one-half of these receipts were from Wisconsin. The receipts of butter in
Milwaukee were, in 1870, 3,779,114 pounds; in 1875, 6,625,863; in 1876,8,938,137 pounds; ot
cheese, 5,721,279 pounds in 1875, and 7,055,573 in 1876. Cheese is not mentioned in the trade
and commerce reports of Milwaukee until 1873, when it is spoken of as a new and rapidly
increasing commodity in the productions of the state.
Pork and Beef.
Improved breeds, both of swine and cattle, have been introduced into the state during a
few years past. The grade of stock has been rapidly bettered, and stock raisers generally are
striving with commendable zeal to rival each other in raising the finest of animals for use and
the market.
The following table shows the receipts of live hogs and beef cattle at Milwaukee for thir-
teen years :
YEARS.
LIVE HOGS.
BEEF CATTLE.
YEARS.
LIVE HOGS.
BEEF CATTLE.
1876
1875 --
1874
1873
1872
1871
1870
254,317
144.961
242,326
241,099
138,106
126,164
66,138
36,802
46,717
22,748
17,262
14,172
9,220
12,972
1869-
1868
1867
1866
1865
1864
1863
52,296
48,717
76,758
31,881
7,546
42,250
56,826
12,521
13,200
15,527
12,955
14,230
18,345
14,655
204
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
The following table shows the movement of hog products and beef from Milwaukee since
1862 ■
Shipments by Rail
PORK, HAMS, MIDDLES AND SHOULDERS.
LARD.
BEEF.
and Lake.
Barrels.
Tierces.
Boxes.
Bulk, lbs.
Barrels.
Tierces.
Barrels.
Tierces.
Totals 1876
62,461
56,778
53,702
80,010
90,038
88,940
77,655
69,805
73,526
88,888
74,726
34,013
67,933
90.387
56,432
15,439
15,292
17,124
24,954
20,115
20,192
15.819
9.546
13.146
11,614
7,805
2,713
5.927
15,811
12,685
42,678
28,374
39.572
62,211
39,209
14.938
5.875
5,298
' 3.239
4,522
34.164
5.000
11,634
5,123,818
2,736,778
1,494,112
1,915,610
4.557,950
5,161,941
4,717,630
2,325,150
1,768,190
454,786
863,746
3,301
60 1
9,110
4,065
6,276
3,932
2,535
1,180
3,637
2,523
3,287
1,929
5,677
10,987
13.538
21,356
18,950
18,509
24.399
27,765
19,746
10,950
8,568
5,055
8,820
6,292
2,487
7,207
10, 546
6,761
7,333
4,734
5,015
5,365
4,757
3,892
4,427
7,538
10,150
18,984
11,852
10,427
36866
42,987
33,174
3,439
421
707
462
1,500
1,606
" 1875 - -
" 1874
" 187^
i872_.. ... _
1871
1870
925
2,185
" i86q..
" i86S
" 1867
6,804
4.584
5,528
5,871
6,377
3,217
" 1866...
" 1865.
1864
" 1863
" 1862
Hops.
The culture of hops, as an article af commerce, received but little attention prior to i860.
In 1865, 2,864 bales only were shipped from Milwaukee. In addition, a large amount was used
by the brewers throughout the state. In 1866, the amount exported was increased, and 5,774
bales were shipped to eastern markets. The price, from forty-five to fifty-five cents per pound,
stimulated production, and the article became one of the staple products of the counties of Sauk,
Columbia, Adams and Juneau, besides being largely cultivated in parts of some other counties.
In 1867, 26,562 bales were received at Milwaukee, and the prices ranged from fifty to seventy cents
per pound. The estimated crop of the state for 1867 was 35,000 bales, and brought over
$4,2oo,'ooo. In 1868, not less than 60,000 bales were grown in the state. The crop everywhere
was a large one, and in Wisconsin so very large that an over-supply was anticipated. But few,
however, were prepared for the decline in prices, that far exceeded the worst apprehensions of
those interested. The first sales were made at twenty-five to thirty-five cents per pound, and the
prices were reluctantly accepted by the growers. The price continued to decline until the article
was unsalable and unavailable in the market. Probably the average price did not exceed ten
cents per pound. Notwithstanding the severe check which hop-growing received in 1868, by the
unprofitable result, growers were not discouraged, and the crop of 1869 was a large one. So
much of the crop of 1868 remained in the hands of the growers, that it is impossible to estimate
that of 1869. The new crop sold for from ten to fifteen cents, and the old for from three to five cents
per pound. Hop-cultivation received a check from over-production in 1868, from which it did not
soon recover. A large proportion of the yards were plowed under in 1870. The crop of 1869
was much of it marketed during 1870, at a price of about two and one-half to three and one-
half cents per pound, while that of 1870 brought ten to twelve and a half cents. During
the year 187 1, a great advance in the price, caused by the partial failure of the crop
in some of the eastern states, and the decrease in price causing a decrease in production,
what was left over of the crop of 1870 more than doubled Jn value before the new reached the
market. The latter opened at thirty cents, and steadily rose to fifty and fifty-five for prime
/
COMMERCE AND MAKUFACTUEES.
205
qualities. The crop of 1872 was of good quality, and the market opened at forty to fifly-five
cents as the selling price, and fell fifteen to twenty cents before the close of the year. A much
larger -quantity was raised than the year previous. In 1873 and 1874, the crop was fair and
prices ruled from thirty-three to forty-five cents, with increased production. About 18,000 bales
were reported as being shipped from the different railway stations of the state. Prices were
extremely irregular during 1875, and, after the new crop reached market, fell to a point that
would not pay the cost of production. In 1876, prices ruled low at the opening of the year, and
advanced from five to ten cents in January to twenty-eight to thirty in November. Over 17,000
bales were received at Milwaukee, over 10,000 bales being of the crop of the previous year.
Over 13,000 bales were shipped out of the state.
Tobacco.
Tobacco raising is comparatively a new industry in Wisconsin, but is rapidly growing in
importance and magnitude. It sells readily for from four to ten cents per pound, and the plant
is easily raised. It is not regarded as of superior quality. It first appears as a commodity of
transportation in the railway reports for the year 187 1, when the Prairie du Chien division
of the St. Paul road moved eastward 1,373,650 pounds. During the four years ending with
1876, there were shipped from Milwaukee an average of 5,118,530 pounds annually, the n. axi-
mum being in 1874, 6,982,175 pounds; the minimum in 1875, 2,743,854 'pounds. The crop of
1876 escaped the early frosts, and netted the producer from five to seven cents per pound. The
greater part of it was shipped to Baltimore and Philadelphia. Comparatively little of the leaf
raised in the state is used here or by western manufacturers. The crop of the present year,
1877, is a large one, and has been secured in good order. It is being contracted for at from four to
six cents per pound.
Cranberries.
The cranberry trade is yet in its infancy. But little, comparatively, has been done in devel-
oping the capabilities of the extensive bodies of marsh and swamp lands interspersed throughout
the northern part of the state. Increased attention is being paid to the culture of the fruit ; yet,
the demand will probably keep ahead of the supply for many years to come. In 1851, less than
1,500 barrels were sent out of the state. In 1872, the year of greatest production, over 37,000
barrels were exported, and, in 1876, about 17,000 barrels. The price has varied in different
years, and taken a range from eight to fifteen dollars a barrel.
Spirituous and Malt Liquors.
The production of liquors, both spirituous and malt, has kept pace with the growth of
population and with the other industries of the state. There were in Wisconsin, in 1872, two
hundred and ninety-two breweries and ten distilleries. In 1876, there were two hundred and
ninety- three of the former and ten of the latter, and most of them were kept running to their
full capacity. Milwaukee alone produced, in 1876, 321,611 barrels of lager beer and 43,175
barrels of high wines. In 1865, it furnished 65,666 barrels of beer, and in 1870, 108,845 barrels.
In 1865, it furnished 3,046 barrels of high wines; in 1870, 22,867 barrels; and in 1875, 39,005.
A large quantity of the beer made was shipped to eastern and southern cities. The beer made
m 1876 sold at the rate of ten dollars per barrel, the wholesale price of the brewers bringing the
sum of f3, 216,110. The fame of Milwaukee lager beer is widely extended. This city has
furnished since 1870, 1,520,308 barrels which, at the wholesale price, brought $15,203,170. The
total production of beer by all the two hundred and ninety-three breweries of the state for 1876,
was 450,508 barrels.
206 HISTORY OF WISCOXSIN.
In 1876, Milwaukee produced 43,175 barrels of high wines, or distilled spirits, and the
state of Wisconsin 51,959 barrels. In 1870, the former produced 108,845 barrels of beer and
22,867 barrels of distilled spirits, and in the same year the state of Wisconsin produced 189,664
barrels of beer and 36,145 barrels of distilled spirits.
Miscellaneous.
Porcelain clay, or kaolin, is found in numerous places in Wood and Marathon counties. The
mineral is found in but few places in the United States in quantities sufficient to justify the
investment of capital necessary to manufacture it. In the counties mentioned, the deposits are
found in extensive beds, and only capital and enterprise are needed to make their development
profitable. Clay of superior quality for making brick and of fair quality for pottery, is
found in numerous localities. The famous " Milwaukee brick," remarkable for their beautiful
cream color, is made from a fine clay which is abundant near Milwaukee, and is found in exten-
sive beds at Watertown, Whitewater, Edgerton, Stoughton, and several places on the lake shore
' north of Milwaukee. At Whitewater and some other places the clay is used with success for the
making of pottery ware. Water-lime, or hydraulic cement, occurs in numerous places throughout
the state. An extensive bed covering between one and two hundred acres, and of an indefinite
depth, exists on the banks of the Milwaukee river, and not over one and a half miles from the city
limits of Milwaukee. The cement made from the rock of this deposit is first-class in quality, and
between twenty and thirty thousand barrels were made and sold last year. The capacity of the
works for reducing the rock to cement has been increased to 500 barrels per day. Stones suita-
ble for building purposes are widely distributed throughout the state, and nearly every town has
its available quarry. Many of these quarries furnish stone of fine quality for substantial and
permanent edifices. The quarry at Prairie du Chien furnished the stone for the capital building
at Madison, which equals in beauty that of any state in the Union. At Milwaukee, Waukesha,
Madison, La Crosse, and many other places are found quarries of superior building stone.
Granite is found in extensive beds in Marathon and Wood counties, and dressed specimens
exhibited at the " Centennial '' last year, attracted attention for their fine polish. Marbles of
various kinds are likewise found in the state. Some of them are beginning to attract attention
and are likely to prove valuable. The report of Messrs. Foster & Whitney, United States geol-
ogists, speaks of quarries on the Menomonee and Michigamig rivers as affording beautiful varie-
ties and susceptible of a high polish. Richland county contains marble, but its quality is gen-
erally considered inferior.
Water Powers.
Wisconsin is fast becoming a manufacturing state. Its forests of pine, oak, walnut, maple,
ash, and other valuable woods used for lumber, are well-nigh inexhaustible. Its water-power for
driving the wheels of machinery is not equaled by that of any state in the northwest. The Lower
Fox river between Lake Winnebago and Green Bay, a distance of thirty-five miles, furnishes
some of the best facilities for manufacturing enterprise in the whole country. Lake Winnebago
as a reservoir gives it a great and special advantage, in freedom from liability to freshets and
droughts. The stream never varies but a few feet from its highest to its lowest stage, yet gives
a steady flow. The Green Bay and Mississippi canal company has, during the last twenty-five
years, constructed numerous dams, canals and locks, constituting very valuable improvements.
All the property of that company has been transferred to the United States government, which
has entered upon a system to render the Fox and Wisconsin rivers navigable to the Mississippi.
The fall between the lake and Depere is one hundred and fifty feet, and the water can be utilized
COMMERCE AXD MANUFACTURES. 207
in propelling machinery at Neenah, Menasha, Appleton, Cedar, Little Chute, Kaukauna, Rapid
Croche, Little Kaukauna and Depere. The water-power at Appleton in its natural advantages
is pronounced by Hon. Hiram Barney, of New York, superior to those at Lowell, Paterson
and Rochester, combined. The water-power of the Fox has been improved to a considerable
extent, but its full capacity has hardly been touched. Attention has been drawn to it, how-
ever, and no doubt is entertained that in a few years the hum of machinery to be propelled
by it, will be heard the entire length of the thirty-five miles. The facilities presented by its
nearness to timber, iron, and a rich and productive agricultural region, give it an advantage over
any of the eastern manufacturing points.
The Wisconsin river rises in the extreme northern part of the state, and has its source in a
great number of small lakes. The upper portion abounds in valuable water privileges, only a
few of which are improved. There are a large number of saw-mills running upon the power of
this river. Other machinery, to a limited extent, is in operation.
The " Big Bull " falls, at Wausau, are improved, and a power of twenty-two feet fall is obtained.
At Little Bull falls, below Wausau, there is a fall of eighteen feet, partially improved. There are
many other water-powers in Marathon county, some of which are used in propelling flouring-
mills and saw-mills. At Grand Rapids, there is a descent of thirty feet to the mile, and the
water can be used many times. Each time, 5,000 horse-power is obtained. At Kilbourn City
a large amount of power can be obtained for manufacturing purposes.
Chippew^a river has its origin in small streams in the north part of the state. Explorers
tell us that there are a large number of water powers on all the upper branches, but as the
country is yet unsettled, none of them have been improved, and very few even located on our maps.
Brunette falls and Ameger falls, above Chippewa Falls city, must furnish considerable water-
power, but its extent is not known, At Chippewa Falls is an excellent water-power, only partially
improved. The river descends twenty-six feet in three-fourths of a mile. At Duncan creek at the
same place, there is a good fall, improved to run a large flouring mill. At Eagle Rapids, five
miles above Chippewa Falls, $120,000 has been expended in improving the fall of the Chippewa
river. The city of Eau Claire is situated at the confluence of the Chippewa and Eau Claire
rivers, and possesses in its immediate vicinity water-powers almost unrivaled. Some of them
are improved. The citizens of Eau Claire have, for several years, striven to obtain legislative
authority to dam the Chippewa river, so as to improve the water-power of the Dells, and a lively
contest, known as the " Dells fight," has been carried on with the capitalists along the river above
that town. There are immense water-powers in Dunn county, on the Red Cedar, Chippewa
and Eau Galle rivers, on which there are many lumbering establishments. In Pepin county also
there are good powers. The Black river and its branches, the La Crosse, Buffalo, Trempealeau,
Beaver, and Tamaso, furnish many valuable powers. The St. Croix river is not excelled in the value
of its water privileges by any stream in the state, except the Lower Fox river. At St. Croix Falls,
the water of the river makes a descent of eighty-five feet in a distance of five miles, and the vol-
ume of water is sufficient to move the machinery for an immense manufacturing business, and the
banks present good facilities for building dams, and the river is not subject to freshets. The
Kmnekinnick has a large number of falls, some of them partially improved. Within twenty-five
miles of its entrance into Lake St. Croix, it has a fall of two hundred feet, and the volume of
water averages about three thousand cubic feet per minute. Rock river affords valuable water-
privileges at Watertown (with twenty-four feet fall), and largely improved; at Jefferson, Indian
Ford and Janesville, all of which are improved. Beloit also has an excellent water-power, and
It is largely improved. Scattered throughout the state are many other water-powers, not alluded
208 Hl.STOBY OF WISCON.SIX.
to in the foregoing. There are several in Manitowoc county ; in Marquette county, also. In
Washington county, at West Bend, Berlin, and Cedar Creek, there are good water-powers, partly
utilized. At Whitewater, in Walworth county, is a good power. In Dane county, there is a
water-power at Madison, at the outlet of Lake Mendota ; also, a good one at Stoughton, below
the first, or Lake Kegonsa ; also at Paoli, Bellville, Albany and Brodhead, on the Sugar river.
In Grant county there are not less than twenty good powers, most of them well-developed. In
Racine county, three powers of fine capacity at Waterford, Rochester and Burlington, all of
which are improved. The Oconto, Peshtigo and Menomonee rivers furnish a large number of
splendid water- powers of large capacity. The Upper Wolf river has scores of water-powers on
its main stream and numerous branches ; but most of the country is still a wilderness, though
containing resources which, when developed, will make it rich and prosperous. There are
numerous other streams of less consequence than those named, but of great importance to the
localities they severally drain, that have had their powers improved, and their waterfalls are
singing the songs of commerce. On the rivers emptying into Lake Superior, there are numerous
and valuable water-powers. The Montreal river falls one thousand feet in a distance of thirty
miles.
Manufactures.
The mechanical and manufacturing industries of Wisconsin demonstrate that the people do
not rely wholly upon agricultural pursuits, or lumbering, for subsistence, but aim to diversify
their labors as much as possible, and to give encouragement to the skill and ingenuity of their
mechanics and artisans. All our cities, and most of our villages, support establishments that
furnish wares and implements in common use among the people. We gather from the census
report for 1870 a few facts that will give us an adequate idea of what was done in a single year,
remembering that the data furnished is six years old, and that great advancement has been made
since the statistics were gathered. In 1870, there were eighty-two establishments engaged in
making agricultural implements, employing 1,387 hands, and turning out products valued at
$2,393,400. There were one hundred and eighty-eight furniture establishments, employing 1,844
men, and making $1,542,300 worth of goods. For making carriages and wagons there were four
hundred and eighty-five establishments, employing 2,184 men, and their product was valued at
$2,596,534; for clothing, two hundred and sixty-three establishments, and value of product
$2,340,400 ; sash, doors and blinds, eighty-one shops, and value of product $1,852,370 ; leather,
eighty-five tanneries, employing 577 men, and value of products $2,013,000; malt liquors, one
hundred and seventy-six breweries, 835 men, and their products valued at $1,790,273.
At many points the business of manufacturing is carried on more or less extensively ;
indeed, there is hardly a village in the state where capital is not invested in some kind
of mechanical industry or manufacturing enterprise, and making satisfactory returns ; but for
details in this respect, the reader is referred to the department of local history.
The principal commodities only, which Wisconsin contributes to trade and commerce, have
been c6nsidered. There remains quite a number of minor articles from which the citizens of the
state derive some revenue, such as flax and maple sugar, which can not be separately considered
in this paper.
Concluding Remarks.
Statistics are usually dry reading, but, to one desiring to change his location and seeking
information regarding a new country and its capabilities, they become intensely interesting and
of great value. The farmer wishes to know about the lands, their value and the productiveness
of the soil ; the mechanic about the workshops, the price of labor, and the demand for such wares
COMMERCE AND MANUFACTUKES. 20P
as he is accustomed to make ; the capitalist, concerning all matters that pertain to resources,
advantages, and the opportunities for investing his money. Our own people want all the infor-
mation that can be gained by the collection of all obtainable facts. The sources of such infor-
mation are now various, and the knowledge they impart fragmentary in its character.
Provision should be made by law, for the collection and publication of reliable statistics
relating to our farming, manufacturing, mining, lumbering, commercial and educational interests.
Several of the states of the Union have established a " Bureau of Statistics," and no more valua-
ble reports emanate from any of their state departments than those that exhibit a condensed
view of the material results accomplished each year. Most of the European states foster these
agencies with as much solicitude as any department of their government. Indeed, they have
become a social as well as a material necessity, for social science extends its inquiries to the
physical laws of man as a social being; to the resources of the country; its productions ; the
growth of society, and to a// those facts or conditions which may increaseor diminish the strength,
growth or happiness of a people. Statistics are the foundation and corner-stone of social science,
which is the highest and noblest of all the sciences.
A writer has said that, " If God had designed Wisconsin to be chiefly a manufacturing state,
instead of agricultural, which she claims to be, and is, it is difficult to see more than one partic-
ular in which He could have endowed her more richly for that purpose." She has all the mate-
rial for the construction of articles of use and luxury, the means of motive power to propel the
machinery, to turn and fashion, weave, forge, and grind the natural elements that abound in such
rich profusion. She has also the men whose enterprise and skill have accomplished most sur-
prising results, in not only building up a name for themselves, but in placing the state in a proud
position of independence.
It is impossible to predict what will be the future growth and development of Wisconsin.
From its commercial and manufacturing advantages, we may reasonably anticipate that she will
in a few years lead in the front rank of the states of the Union in all that constitutes real great-
ness. Her educational system is one of the best. With her richly endowed State University, her
colleges and high schools, and the people's colleges, the common schools, she has laid a broad
and deep foundation for a great and noble commonwealth. It was early seen what were the
capabilities of this their newly explored domain. The northwestern explorer, Jonathan Carver,
in 1766, one hundred and thirteen years ago, after traversing Wisconsin and viewing its lakes of
crystal purity, its rivers of matchless utility, its forests of exhaustless wealth, its prairies of won-
derful fertility, its mines of buried treasure, recorded this remarkable prediction of which we see
the fulfillment: "To what power or authority this new world will become dependent after it has
arisen from its present uncultivated state, time alone can discover. But as the seat of empire from
time immemorial has been gradually progressive toward the west, there is no doubt but that at
some future period mighty kingdoms will emerge from these wildernesses, and stately palaces
and solemn temples with gilded spires reaching to the skies supplant the Indian huts, whose
only decorations are the barbarous trophies of'their vanquished enemies."
" Westward the course of empire takes its way ;
The four first acts already passed,
A fifth shall close the drama with the day ;
Time's noblest offspring is the last."
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN.
By D. S. DURRIE.
In the early part of the seventeenth century, all the territory north of the Ohio river,
including the present state of Wisconsin, was an undiscovered region. As far as now known, it
was never visited by white men until the year 1634, when Jean Nicolet came to the Green bay
country as an ambassador from the French to the Winnebagoes. The Jesuit fathers in 1660
visited the south shore of Lake Superior; and, soon after, missions were established at various
points in the northwest.
The French government appreciating the importance of possessing dominion over this sec-
tion, M. Talon, intendant of Canada, took steps to carry out this purpose, and availed himself
of the good feelings entertained toward the French by a number of the Indian tribes, to establish
the authority of the French crown over this remote quarter. A small party of men led by
Daumont de St. Lusson, with Nicolas Perrot as interpreter, set out from Quebec on this mission,
in 1670, and St. Lusson sent to the tribes occupying a circuit of a hundred leagues, inviting the
nations, among them the Wisconsin tribes inhabiting the Green bay country, by their chiefs and
ambassadors, to meet him at the Sault Sainte Marie the following spring.
In the month of May, 167 1, fourteen tribes, by their representatives, including the Miamis,
Sacs, Winnebagoes, Menomonees, and Pottawattamies, arrived at the place designated. On the
morning of the fourteenth of June, " St. Lusson led his followers to the top of the hill, all fully
equipped and under arms. Here, too, in the vestments of their priestly office were four Jesuits :
Claude Dablon, superior of the mission on the lakes, Gabriel Druillettes, Claude Allouez, and
Andr6. All around, the great throng of Indians stood, or crouched, or reclined at length with
eyes and ears intent. A large cross of wood had been made ready. Dablon, in solemn form,
pronounced his blessing on it ; and then it was reared and planted in the ground, while the
Frenchmen, uncovered, sang the Vexilla Regis. Then a post of cedar was planted beside it,
with a metal plate attached, engraven with the royal arms ; while St. Lusson's followers sang the
exaudiat, and one of the priests uttered a prayer for the king. St. Lusson now advanced, and,
holding his sword in one hand, and raising with the other a sod of earth, proclaimed in a loud
voice " that he took possession of all the country occupied by the tribes, and placed them under
the king's protection.
This act, however, was not regarded as sufficiently definite, and on the eighth of May, 1689,
Perrot, who was then commanding for the king at the post of Nadouesioux, near Lake Pepin on
the west side of the Mississippi, commissioned by the Marquis de Denonville to manage the
interests of commerce west of Green bay took possession, in the name of the king, with
appropriate ceremonies, of the countries west of Lake Michigan as far as the river St. Peter.
The papers were signed by Perrot and others.
By these solemn acts, the present limits of Wisconsin with much contiguous territory, came
under the dominion of the French government, the possession of which continued until October,
1 761 — -a period of ninety years from the gathering of the chiefs at the Sault Ste. Marie in 1671.
From the commencement of French occupancy up to the time when the British took posses-
sion, the district of country embraced within the present limits of this state had but few white
inhabitants besides the roaming Indian traders; and of these few, the locations were separated by
a distance of more than two hundred miles in a direct line, and nearly double that distance by
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 211
the usual water courses. There was no settlement of agriculturists; there were no missionary
establishments ; no fortified posts at other points, except at Depere and Green bay on Fox -iver,
and perhaps at Prairie du Chien, near the junction of the Wisconsin and the Mississippi.
The French government made no grant of lands; gave no attention to settlers or agrica.-
turists, and the occupation of the country was strictly military. There were, indeed, a few grants
of laftds made by the French governors and commanders, previous to 1750, to favored indi-
viduals, six of which were afterward confirmed by the king of France. There were also others-
which did not require confirmation, being made by Cardillac, commanding at Detroit, under
special authority of the king; of this latter kind, one for a small piece of thirty acres bears with
it, says a writer, " so many conditions, reservations, prohibitions of sale, and a whole cavalcade
of feudal duties to be performed by the grantee, that in itself, it would be a host in opposition to
the agricultural settlement of any country."
The grants just referred to, relate to that part of the French possessions outside the limits,
of the present state of Wisconsin. Within its limits there was a grant of an extensive territory
including the fort at the head of Green bay, with the exclusive right to trade, and other valuable:
privileges, from the Marquis de Vaudreuil, in October, 1759, to M. Rigaud. It was sold by the
latter to William Gould and Madame Vaudreuil, to whom it was confirmed by the king of
France in January, 1760, at a very critical period, when Quebec had been taken by the British,
and Montreal was only wanting to complete the conquest of Canada. This grant was evidently
intended as a perquisite to entrap some unwary persons to give a valuable consideration for it,
as it would be highly impolitic for the government to make such a grant, if they continued mas-
ters of the country, since it would surely alienate the affections of the Indians. The whole
country had already been virtually conquered by Great Britain, and the grant of course was not
confirmed by the English government.
Of the war between the French and English governments in America, known as the French
and Indian war, it is not necessary to speak, except in general terms. The English made a.
determined effort to obtain the possessions claimed by the French. The capture of Quebec in,
1759, and the subsequent capitulation of Montreal in 1760, extinguished the domination of
France in the basin of the St. Lawrence ; and by the terms of the treaty of Paris, concluded
February 10, 1763, all the possessions in, and all the claims of the French nation to, the vast
country watered by the Ohio and the Mississippi were ceded to Great Britain.
Among the first acts of the new masters of the country was the protection of the eminent
domain of the government, and the restriction of all attempts on the part of individuals to acquire
Indian titles to lands. By the King of England's proclamation of 1763, no more grants of land
within certain prescribed limits could be issued, and all private persons were interdicted the
liberty of purchasing lands from the Indians, or of making settlements within those prescribed
limits. The indulgence of such a privilege as that of making private purchases of the natives,
conduced to the most serious difficulties, and made way for the practice of the most reprehensible
frauds. The policy pursued by the English government has been adopted and acted upon by the
government of the United States in the extinguishment of the Indian title to lands in every part
of the country.
In face of the proclamation of 1763, and within three years after its promulgation, under
a pretended purchase from, or voluntary grant of the natives, a tract of country nearly one hundred
miles square, including large portions of what is now northern Wisconsin and Minnesota, was.
claimed by Jonathan Carver, and a ratification of his title solicited from the king and council.
This was not conceded ; and the representatives of Carver, after the change of government had
212 HISTORY OP WISCOKSIN.
brought the lands under the jurisdiction of the United States, for a series of years presented the
same claims before congress, and asked for their confirmation. Such a demand under all the
circumstances, could not justify an expectation of success; and, of course, has often been refused.
But notwithstanding the abundant means which the public have had of informing themselves of
the true nature and condition of Carver's claim, bargains and sales of portions of this tract have
been made among visionary speculators for more than half a century past. It is now only a
short period since the maps of the United States ceased to be defaced by a deHneation of
Ihe " Carver Grant."
The mere transfer of the dominion over the country from the French to the English govern-
ment, and the consequent occupation of the English posts by the new masters, did not in any
great degree affect the social condition of the inhabitants. By the terms of capitulation, the
French subjects were permitted to remain in the country, in the full enjoyment of their civil and
religious privileges.
The English, however, did not hold peaceable possession of the territory acquired. The war
inaugurated by Pontiac and his Indian allies on the military posts occupied by the English soon
followed, and in the month of May, 1763, nine posts were captured with much loss of life. In
the spring of 1764, twenty-two tribes who were more or less identified in the outbreak, concluded
a treaty of peace with General Bradstreet at Niagara.
The expedition of Colonel George Rogers Clark to the Illinois country, and the conquest
of the British posts in 1778 and 1779, had the effect to open the way for the emigration of {he
Anglo-American population to the Mississippi valley; and at the close of the revolutionary
war, Great Britain renounced all claim to the whole territory lying east of the Mississippi river.
The dominion of the English in the Illinois and Wabash countries, ceased with the loss of the
military posts which commanded the Northwestern territory of the United States. As a result of
the enterprise and success of Clark, Virginia obtained possession of the Illinois country ; his
expedition having been undertaken and carried forward under the auspices of that state.
Several of the eastern states under their colonial charters, laid claim to portions of the land
comprised in the territory northwest of the Ohio river. The claim of Massachusetts was derived
from a grant from King James of November 3, 1620 ; and included from lat. 42° 2' to about lat.
450, extending to the south sea; Connecticut claimed from lat. 410 north to 420 2''. The claims of
Virginia were from grants from. King James, bearing date, respectively, April 10, 1606, May 23,
1609, and March 12, 1611, and an additional claim for the territory conquered by Clark in the
Illinois country ; but they extended no farther north than the southern end of Lake Michigan.
It is a popular impression that the territory of the present state of Wisconsin was compre-
hended in the lands northwest of the river Ohio, over which Virginia exercised jurisdiction, and,
consequently, was included in her deed of cession of lands to the United States. This opinion so
generally entertained by writers on American history, is a statement which does not appear to
have any solid foundation in fact. Virginia never made any conquests or settlements in Wiscon-
sin, and at no time prior to the proffer of her claims to the general government had she ever
exercised jurisdiction over it. In fact, there were no settlements in Wisconsin except at Green
Bay and Prairie du Chien before that time, and these were made by French settlers who were in
no -yvise interfered with while the revolution continued. In Illinois it was otherwise; and the
possession of its territory by Virginia was an undisputed fact. During the revolution the title of
the sovereignty in Wisconsin was actually in Great Britain, and so remained until the definite
treaty of peace in 1783; at which date England yielding her right constructively to the United
States, retaining possession, however, until 1796 ; at which time the western posts were transferred
to the United States.
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 213
All the claiming states finally ceded their interests to the general government, giving the
latter a perfect title, subject only to the rights of the Indians. The deed of cession from Virginia
was dated March i, 1784. The other states ceded their claims, some before this date, others
subsequent thereto.
Virginia made a number of stipulations in her deed of cession; among others, that the
French and Canadian inhabitants and the neighboring villages who had professed themselves
citizens of Virginia, should have their possessions and title confirmed to them, and be protected in
the enjoyment of their rights and liberties; thr.t 150,000 acres of land near the rapids of the Ohio,
should be reserved for that portion of her state troops which had reduced the country; and about
3,500,000 acres between the rivers Scioto and Little Miami be reserved for bounties to her troops
on the continental establishment.
In consequence of certain objectionable stipulations made by Virginia as to the division of
the territory into states, the deed of cession was referred back to that state with a recommenda-
tion from congress that these stipulations should be altered. On the 30th of December, 1788,
Virginia assented to the wish of congress, and formally ratified and confirmed the fifth article of
compact which related to that subject, and tacitly gave her consent to the whole ordinance of 1787.
The provisions of this ordinance have since been apfjlied to all the territories of the United
States lying north of the 360 40'. After the adoption of the constitution of the United States the
the new congress, among its earliest acts, passed one, recognizing the binding force of the ordi-
nance of 1787.
Of this ordinance it has been said ; " It was based on the principles of civil liberty, maintained
in the magna charta of England, re-enacted in the bill of rights, and incorporated in our differ-
ent state constitutions. It was the fundamental law of the constitution, so to speak, of the great
northwest, upon which were based, and with which harmonized all our territorial enactments, as
well as our subsequent state legislation, and, moreover, it is to that wise, statesman-like document
that we are indebted for much of our prosperity and greatness."
After the close of the revolutionary war, enterprising individuals traversed the whole country
which had been ceded to the government, and companies were formed to explore and settle the
fertile and beautiful lands beyond the Ohio ; but the determination of the British cabinet not to
evacuate the western posts, was well known, and had its effect on the people who were disposed
to make settlements.
The western tribes were also dissatisfied and threatened war, and efforts were made by the
government to settle the difficulties. A grand council was held at the mouth of Detroit river
in December, 1787, which did not result favorably, and two treaties were subsequently held,
which were not respected by the savages who were parties to them. Soon an Indian war ensued,
/liich resulted at first disastrously to the American troops under Generals Harmar and St. Clair,
but finally with success to the American arms under General Wayne. The treaty of Greenville
followed. It was concluded August 3, 1795. At this treaty there were present eleven hundred
and thirty chiefs and warriors. It was signed by eighty-four chiefs and General Anthony Wayne,
sole commissioner of the United States. One of the provisions of the treaty was that in consid-
eration of the peace then established, and the cessions and relinquishments of lands made by the
tribes of Indians, and to manifest the liberality of the United States as the great means of render-
ing this peace strong and perpetual, the United States relinquished their claims to all other
Indian lands northward of the river Ohio, eastward of the Mississippi, and westward and south-
ward of the great lakes and the waters united by them, except certain reservations and portions
before purchased of the Indians, none of which were within the present limits of this state. The
Indian title to the whole of what is now Wisconsin, subject only to certain restrictions, became
214 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN',
absolute in the various tribes inhabiting it. By this treaty it was stipulated that, of the lands relin-
quished by the United Stated, the Indian tribes who have a right to those lands, were quietly to-
enjoy them ; hunting, planting, and dwelling thereon so long as they pleased ; but, when those
tribes or any of them should be disposed to sell them, or any part of them, they were to be sold!
only to the United States, and until such sale, the United States would protect all of the tribes
in the quiet enjoyment of their lands against all citizens of the United States, and' all other white
persons who might intrude on the same. At the same time all the tribes acknowledged them-
selves to be under the protection of the United States, and no other person or power what-
soever.
The treaty also prohibited any citizen of the United States, or any other white man, settling
upon the lands relinquished by the general government ; and such person was to be considered
as out of the protection of the United States; and the Indian tribe on whose land the settlement
might be made, could drive off the settler, or punish him in such manner as it might see fit.
It will be seen that the Indians were acknowledged to have an unquestionable title to the
lands they occupied until that right should be extinguished by a voluntary cession to the general:
government ; and the constitution of the United States, by declaring treaties already made, as
well as those to be made, to be the supreme law of the land, adopted and sanctioned previous,
treaties with the Indian nations, and consequently admitted their rank among those powers who^
are capable of making treaties.
The several treaties which had been made between commissioners on the part of the United
States and various nations of Indians, previous to the treaty of Greenville, were generally-
restricted to declarations of amity and friendship, the establishment and confirming of bounda-
ries, and the protection of settlements on Indian lands ; those that followed were generally for a.
cession of lands and provisions made for their payment. It is proposed to notice the several
treaties that took place after that held at Greenville, showing in what way the territory of the
present state, came into possession of the government. As will be seen hereafter, it required trea-
ties with numerous tribes of Indians to obtain a clear, undisputed title, as well as many years,
before it was fully accomplished.
1. A treaty was held at St. Louis, November 3, 1804, between the Sacs and Foxes and the
United States. William Henry Harrison was acting commissioner on the part of the govern-
ment. By the provisions of the treaty, the chiefs and head men of the united tribes ceded to-
the United States a large tract on both sides of the Mississippi, extending on the east from the
mouth of the Illinois to the head of that river, and thence to the Wisconsin ; and including on
the west considerable portions of Iowa and Missouri, from the mouth of the Gasconade north-
ward. In what is now the state of Wisconsin, this grant embraced the whole of the present
counties of Grant and La Fayette and a large portion of Iowa and Green counties. The lead
region was included in this purchase. In consideration of this cession, the general government
agreed to protect the tribes in the quiet enjoyment of their land, against its own citizens and
all others who should intrude on them. The tribes permitted a fort to be built on the upper
side of the Wisconsin river, near its mouth, and granted a tract of land two miles square, adjoin-
ing the same. The government agreed to give them an annuity of one thousand dollars per
annum. The validity of this treaty was denied by one band of the Sac Indians, and this cession
of land became, twenty-eight years after, the alleged cause of the Black Hawk war.
2. Another treaty was held at Portage des Sioux, now a village in St. Charles county, Mis-
souri, on the Mississippi river, September 13, 1815, with certain chiefs of that portion of the
Sac nation then residing in Missouri, who, they said, were compelled since the commencement of
THE PUBLIC DOMAIlSr. 215
•the late war, to separate themselves from the rest of their nation. They gave their assent to the
treaty made at St. Louis in 1804, and promised to remain separate from the Sacs of Rock river,
and to give them no aid or assistance, until peace should be concluded between the United
States and the Foxes of Rock river.
3. On the 14th of September, a treaty was made with the chiefs of the Fox tribe at the
same place. They agreed that all prisoners in their hands should be delivered up to the govern-
ment. They assented to, recognized, re-established and confirmed the treaty of 1804, to the full
extent of their interest in the same.
4. A treaty was held at St. Louis, May 13, 1816, with the Sacs of Rock river, who affirmed
the treaty of r8o4, and agreed to deliver up all the property stolen or plundered, and in failure
to do so, to forfeit all title to their annuities. To this treaty. Black Hawk's name appears with
others. That chief afterward affirmed that though he himself had " touched the quill " to
this treaty, he knew not what he was signing, and that he was therein deceived by the agent and
others, who did not correctly explain the nature of the grant; and in reference to the treaty of
St. Louis in 1804, and at Portage des Sioux in 1815, he said that he did not consider the same
valid or binding on him or his tribe, inasmuch as by the terms of those treaties, territory was
■described which the Indians never intended to sell, and the treaty of 1804, particularly, was
made by parties who had neither authority in the nation, nor power to dispose of its lands.
Whether this was a true statement of the case, or otherwise, it is quite certain that the grant of
lands referred to was often confirmed by his nation, and was deemed conclusive and binding by
the government. The latter acted in good faith to the tribes, as well as to the settlers, in the
•disposition of the lands.
5. A treaty of peace and friendship was made at St. Louis, June 3, i8r6, between the chiefs
and warriors of that part of the Winnebagoes residing on the Wisconsin river. In this treaty the
tribe state that they have separated themselves from the rest of their nation ; that they, for
themselves and those they represent, confirm to the United States all and every cession of land
heretofore made by their nation, and every contract and agreement, as far as their interest
extended.
6. On the 30th of March, 1817, the Menomonee tribe concluded a treaty of peace ana
friendship at St. Louis with the United States, and confirmed all and every cession of land
before made by them within the limits of the United States.
7. On the 19th of August, 1825, at Prairie du Chien, a treaty was made with the Sioux,
Chippewas, Sacs and Foxes, Winnebagoes, Ottawas and Pottawattamies, by which the boundary
between the two first nations was agreed upon ; also between the Chippewas, Winnebagoes and
other tribes.
8. Another treaty was held August 5, T826, at Fond du Lac of Lake Superior, a small
settlement on the St. Louis river, in Itaska county, Minn., with the same tribes, by which the
previous treaty was confirmed in respect to boundaries, and those of the Chippewas were defined,
as a portion of the same was not completed at the former treaty.
9. A treaty was made and concluded August 1, 1827, at Butte des Morts, between the United
States and the Chippewa, Menomonee and Winnebago tribes, in which the boundaries of their
tribes were defined ; no cession of lands was made.
10. A treaty was made at Green Bay, August 25, 1828, with the Winnebagoes, Pottawat-
tamies and other tribes. This treaty was made to remove the difficulties which had arisen in
consequence of the occupation by white men of that portion of the mining country in rhe south-
western part of Wisconsin which had not been ceded to the United States. A provisional
216 HISTOKY or WISCONSIN.
boundary was provided, and privileges accorded the government to freely occupy their territory
until a treaty should be made for the cession of the same. This treaty was simply to define the
rights of the Indians, and to give the United States the right of occupation.
ir. Two treaties were made at Prairie du Chien, on the 29th of July, 1829, and August i,
1829 : at the first date, with the Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawattamies, by which these nations
ceded all their lands which they claimed in the northwestern part of Illinois ; and at the latter
date with the Winnebagoes, by which that nation ceded and relinquished all their right, title and
claim to all their lands south of the Wisconsin river, thus confirming the purchase of the lead-
mine region. Certain grants were made to individuals, which grants were not to be leased or
sold by the grantees.
By this important treaty, about eight millions of acres of land were added to the public
domain. The three tracts ceded, and forming one whole, extended from the upper end of Rock,
river to the mouth of the Wisconsin, from latitude 41" 30' to latitude 43° 15', on the Mississippi.
Following the meanderings of the river, it was about two hundred and forty miles from west to-
east, extending along the Wisconsin and Fox rivers, affording a passage across the country from
the Mississippi to Lake Michigan. The south part of the purchase extended from Rock Island
to Lake Michigan.
12. Another important treaty was made at Green Bay, February 8, 1831, between the Meno-
monee Indians and the United States. That nation possessed an immense territory. Its eastern
division was bounded by the Milwaukee river, the shore of Lake Michigan, Green bay. Fox river,
and Lake Winnebago ; its western division, by the Wisconsin and Chippewa rivers on the west.
Fox river on the south. Green bay on the east, and the high lands which flow the streams into
Lake Superior on the north. By this treaty all the eastern division, estimated at two and a half
millions of acres, was ceded to the government. By certain other provisions, the tribe was to
occupy a large tract lying north of Fox river and east of Wolf river. Their territory farther west
was reserved for their hunting-grounds until such time as the general government should desire
to purchase it. Another portion, amounting to four millions of acres, lying between Green bay
on the east and Wolf river on the west, was also ceded to the United States, besides a strip of
country, three miles in width, from near the portage of the Wisconsin and Fox rivers north, on
each side of the Wisconsin river, and forty-eight miles long — still leaving the tribe in peaceable
possession of a country about one hundred and twenty miles long, and about eighty broad. By
supplementary articles to the treaty, provision was made for the occupancy of certain lands by
the New York Indians — two townships on the east side of Lake Winnebago.
13. At the conclusion of the Black Hawk war, in 1832, for the purpose of clearing up the
Indian title of the Winnebago nation in the country, a treaty was made and concluded at Fort
Armstrong, September 15, 1832. All the territory claimed by this nation lying south and east of
the Wisconsin and Fox river of Green bay, was ceded to the United States, and no band or party
of Winnebagoes was allowed to reside, plant, fish or hunt on these grounds, after June i, 1833,
or on any part of the country therein ceded.
14. On the 27th of October, 1832, articles of agreement were made and concluded at Green
Bay between the United States and the Menomonee Indians, by the terms of which that nation
ceded to the New York Indians certain lands on Fox river.
15. An important treaty was made at Chicago, September 26, 1833, between the United
States and the Chippewas, Ottawas ani Pottawattamies. Those nations ceded to the government
all tlieir lands along the western shore of Lake Michigan, and between that lake and the land
ceded to the United States by the Winnebago nation at the treaty at Fort Armstrong, September
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 217
jc 1832, bounded on the north by the country lately ceded by the Menomonees, and on the
south by the country ceded at the treaty at Prairie da Chien, July 19, 1829 — containing about
five millions of acres.
16. On the 3d of September, 1836, a tieaty was made at Cedar Point with the Menomonees,
by which lands lying west of Green bay, and a strip on the upper Wisconsin, were ceded to the
United States — the quantity of land ceded being estimated at four millions of acres in the Green
bay portion; on the Wisconsin rivei, a strip three miles wide on each side of the river, running
forty-eight miles north in a direct line, equivalent to 184,320 acres.
17. On the 29th of July, 1837, a treaty was made with the Chippewas of the Mississippi, at
Fort Snelling, and the United States, the nation ceding to the government all their lands in
Wisconsin lying south of the divide between the waters of Lake Superior and those of the
Mississippi.
18. Certain chiefs and braves of the Sioux nation of the Mississippi, while visiting Washing-
ton, September 29, 1837, ceded to the United States all their lands east of the Mississippi, and all
their islands in said river.
19. The Winnebago nation, by the chiefs and delegates, held a treaty with the government
at Washington, November i, 1837. That nation ceded all their lands east of the Mississippi,
and obligated themselves to remove, within eight months after the ratification of the treaty, to
certain lands west of the river Mississippi which were conveyed to them by the treaty of Sep-
tember 21, 1832.
20. The Oneida or New York Indians, residing near Green Bay, by their chief and repre-
sentative, on the 3d of February, 1838, at Washington City, ceded to the United States their title
and interest in the land set apart by the treaty made with the Menomonees, May 8, 1831, and the
treaty made with the same tribe, October 7. 1832, reserving about 62,000 acres.
21. Another treaty was made at Stockbridge on the 3d of September, 1839, by which the
Stockbridge and Munsee tribes (New York Indians) ceded and relinquished to the United States
the east half of the tract of 46,080 acres which was laid off for their use on the east side of Lake
Winnebago by treaty of October 7, 1832
22. On the 4th of October, 1842, a treaty was made at La Pointe, on Lake Superior, with the
Chippewas. All their lands in the northern and northwestern parts of Wisconsin were ceded to
the United States.
23. The Menomonee nation, on the i8th of October, 1848, at Pow-aw-hay-kon-nay, ceded
and relinquished to the United States all their lands in the state, wherever situated — the gov-
ernment to furnish the nation as a home, to be held as Indian lands are held, all the country ceded
to the United States by the Chippewa nation August 2, 1847, the consideration being the sum of
1350,000, to be paid according to the stipulations of the treaty. A supplementary treaty was
made on the 24th of November, 1848, with the Stockbridges — the tribe to sell and relinquish to
the United States the township of land on the east side of Lake Winnebago, secured to said tribe
by treaty of February 8, 1831.
24. A treaty was made with the Menomonee nation, at the falls of Wolf river. May 12, 1854,
being a supplementary treaty to one made October 18, 1848. All the lands ceded to that nation
under the treaty last named was ceded to the United States — the Menomonees to receive from
the United States a tract of country lying on Wolf river, being townships 28, 29 and 30, of ranges
13, 14. 15. 16.
25. A treaty was made with the Chippewas of Lake Superior, at La Pointe, on the 30th of
September, 1854. That nation ceded to the United States all lands before owned by them in
common with the Chippewas of the Mississippi — lying in the vicinity of Lake Superior in Wis-
218 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
consin and Minnesota.
26. On the 5th of February, 1856, a treaty was held with the Stockbridge and Munsee tribes,
at Stockbridge. All the remaining right and title to lands in the town of Stockbridge, possessed
by them, was ceded to the United States ; and the said tribes were to receive in exchange a tract
of land near the southern boundary of the Menomonee reservation, and by treaty made at
Keshena, February 11, 1856, the Menomonees ceded two townships to locate the said tribes.
With this last treaty, the Indian title to all the lands of the present state of Wisconsin was
ceded to the United States government, except a few small reservations to certain tribes, and a
perfect, indefeasible title obtained to all the territory within its borders.
In the region of country which is now the state of Wisconsin, the settlements in early times
were, as before stated, near Green Bay and at Prairie du Chien. Soon after the organization of
the Northwest territory, the subject of claims to private property therein received much attention.
By an act of congress approved March 3, 1805, lands lying in the districts of Vincennes, Kas-
kaskia and Detroit, which were claimed by virtue of French or British grants, legally and fully
executed, or by virtue of grants issued under the authority of any former act of congress by
either of the governors of the Northwest or Indiana territory, which had already been surveyed,
were, if necessary, to be re-surveyed; and persons claiming lands under these grants were to have
until November i, 1805, to give notice of the same. Commissioners were to be appointed to
examine, and report at the next session of congress. An act was also passed, approved April 25, '
1806, to authorize the granting of patents for lands, according to government surveys that had
been made, and to grant donation rights to certain claimants of land in the district of Detroit,
and for other purposes Another act was approved May 11, 1820, reviving the powers of the
commissioners for ascertaining and deciding on claims in the district of Detroit, and for settling the
claims to land at Green Bay and Prairie du Chien, in the territory of Michigan ; the commis-
sioners to have power to examine and decide on claims filed with the register of the land office,
and not before acted on, in accordance with the laws respecting the same. The commissioners
discharged the duties imposed on them, and in their report to congress in reference to the claims
at Green Bay, they said that the antiquity of this settlement being, in their view, sufficiently
established, and that they, being also satisfied that the Indian title must be considered to have
been extinguished, decide favorably on the claims presented. About seventy-five titles were- con-
firmed, and patents for the same were sent to the proper parties by the government. In relation
to the Prairie du Chien titles, they reported " that they had met few difficulties in their investi-
gations ; that, notwithstanding the high antiquity which may be claimed for the settlement of that
place, no one perfect title founded on French or British grant, legally authenticated, had been
successfully made out; and that but few deeds of any sort have been exhibited.'' This they
attribute to the carelessness of the Canadians in respect to whatever concerned their land titles, and
accords with whatever is known in this regard, of the French population throughout the country.
They therefore came to the conclusion that whatever claim the people of the place possessed,
and might have for a confirmation of their land titles, they must be founded upon proof of con
tinned possession since the year r7g6 The commissioners further say, that " since the ancestors
of these settlers were cut off, by the treaty which gave the Canadas to the English, from all inter-
course with their parent country, the people both of Prairie du' Chien and Green Bay have been
eft, until within a few years, quite isolated, almost without any government but their own; and,
although the present population of these settlements are natives of the countries which they
inhabit, and, consequently, are by birth citizens of the northwest, yet, until a few years, they have
had as little political connection with its government as their ancestors had with the British.
Ignorant of their civil rights, careless of their land titles, docility, habitual hospitality, cheerful
THE PUBLIC DOMAIX 219
■submission to the requisitions of any government which may be set over them, are their universal
characteristics."
In reference to grants by the French and English governments, the commissioners say, they
"have not had access to any public archives by which to ascertain with positive certainly, whether
•either the French or English ever effected a formal extinguishment of the Indian title at the
mouth of the Wisconsin, which also may be said of the land now covered by the city of Detroit ,
that the French government was not accustomed to hold formal treaties for such purposes with
the Indians, and when the lands have been actually procured from them, either by virtue of the
•assumed right of conquest, or by purchase, evidence of such acquisition is rather to be sought in
the traditionary history of the country, or in the casual or scanty relations of travelers, than
-among collections of state papers. Tradition does recognize the fact of the extinguishment of
the Indian title at Prairie du Chien by the old French government, before its surrender to the
English; and by the same species of testimony, more positive because more recent, it is estab-
lished also, that, in the year 1781, Patrick Sinclair, lieutenant governor of the province of Upper
Canada, while the English government had jurisdiction over this country, made a formal purchase
■from the Indians of the lands comprehending the settlement of Prairie du Chien."
The territories and states formed from the section known as the Northwest territory,
were :
I The Northwest territory proper (i 787-1 800) having jurisdiction over all the lands referred
to in the ordinance of 1787. In 1802, Ohio was organized as a state with its present boun-
daries.
1. Indiana terrritory was formed July 4, 1800, with the seat of government at Vincennes
That territory was made to include all of the northwest, except what afterward became the state
■of Ohio.
3. Michigan territory was formed June 30, 1805. It was bounded on the south by a line
•drawn east from the south bend of Lake Michigan, on the west by the center of Lake Michigan.
It did not include what is now Wisconsin. The upper peninsula was annexed in r836. The
state of Michigan was formed January 26, 1837, with its present boundaries.
4. Illinois territory was formed March 2, 1810. It included all of the Indiana territory west
■of the Wabash river and Vincennes, and a line running due north to the territorial line. All of
Wisconsin was included therein, except what lay east of the line drawn north from Vincennes.
5. Indiana was admitted as a state April 19, 1816, including all the territory of Indiana
territory, except a narrow strip east of the line of Vincennes, and west of Michigan territory, her
western boundary.
6. Illinois was admitted as a state April 11, 1818. It included all of Illinois territory south
■of latitude 42" 30'. All of Wisconsin was added to Michigan territory. In the month of Octo-
ber of that year, the counties of Michilimackinac, Brown and Crawford were formed, comprising
besides other territory, the whole of the present state of Wisconsin.
7. Iowa district was attached to Michigan for judicial purposes, June 30, 1834, out of which
■Des Moines and Dubuque counties were formed.
8. Wisconsin territory was formed April 20, 1S36. The state was formed May 29, 1848.
The territory of Wisconsin being a part of the Northwest territory claimed, and congress Ly
■direct action confirmed to her, all the rights and privileges secured by the ordinance of 1787,
one of which was that congress should have authority to form one or two states in that part of
the territory lying north of an east and west line, drawn through the southerly bend or extreme
■of Lake Michigan. Notwithstanding this plain provision of the ordinance, which is declared to
220 HISTOEY OF WISCO^iTSI^^.
be articles of compact between the original states and the people and states in the said territory,
and forever to remain unalterable unless by consent ; yet congress, in establishing the boundaries
of the state of Illinois, extended that state about sixty miles north of the line established by the
ordinance. This action was claimed to be unjust and contrary to the spirit and letter of the
compact with the original states. The legislative assembly of Wisconsin passed resolutions
which were approved January 13, 1840, that it was inexpedient for the people of the territory to
form a constitution and state government until the southern boundary to which they are so justly
entitled by the ordinance of 1787 shall be fully recognized by the parties of the original com-
pact. Owing to various complications over which the territory had no control, her people never
succeeded in obtaining from congress what they considered their just rights.
It was also contended by many, that the portion of country set off to Michigan on Lake
Superior given as a compensation in part for the strip of land awarded to Ohio from her south-
ern border, should also have constituted a portion of Wisconsin, especially as Michigan never
made the least claim to it by her delegate in congress, who was decidedly opposed to the exten-
sion of Michigan beyond the limits of the lower peninsula.
The first survey of the public lands northwest of the Ohio river, was made pursuant to an
act of congress approved May 20, 1785 The geographer of the confederation was diected tO'
commence the survey of the government lands on the north side of the river Ohio — the first line
running north and south, to begin on said river at a point that should be found to be due north
from the western termination of a line which had been run as the southern boundary of the state
of Pennsylvania ; the first line running east and west, to begin at the same point, and to extend
through the whole territory. The survey comprised seven ranges, composing ten counties of
the present state of Ohio. Other surveys followed when the Indian title was extinguished.
Thomas Hutchins, who held the office of geographer, is believed to be the inventor of the
mode of laying out land which was then introduced by him, and is still in general use by the
government.
Soon after the government had acquired title to the Indian lands south of the Wisconsin
river, the public authorities commenced a systematic survey of the lands, for the purpose of
bringing the same into market at the earliest possible period.
The public lands in Wisconsin are, as elsewhere in the west, surveyed in uniform rec-
tangular tracts; each six miles square, by lines running north and south, intersecting others-
running east and west. These townships are numbered from two lines called the principal
meridian and the base line. The principal meridian by which the Wisconsin surveys are gov-
erned is that known as the fourth, and extends from the Illinois boundary line to Lake Superior,
at the mouth of Montreal river, about two hundred and eighty-two miles. It divides Grant
from LaFayette county, and passes through the eastern parts of Vernon, Monroe, Jackson, Clark,
Chippewa, and Ashland counties. The base line separates Wisconsin from Illinois in north
latitude forty-two degrees, thirty minutes. There are nearly seventeen hundred townships in
the state. Each township is subdivided into thirty-six sections by lines running parallel to the
sides of the township, one mile apart. A section is, therefore, one mile square, and contains six
hundred and forty acres. In fractional townships, each section is numbered the same as the
corresponding section in whole townships. Each section is subdivided into half-mile squares,
called quarter-sections, each containing one hundred and sixty acres, and the subdivision is
carried still further into half-quarter or quarter-quarter sections. It is found necessary to estab-
lish at stated intervals standard parallels, commonly called correction lines, to obviate the effect
of the curvature of the earth's surface. The convergence in a single township is small, though
quite perceptible, the actual excess in length of its south over its north line being in the state
THE PUBLIC DOMAIX. 221
about three rods. The townships north of the base line, therefore, become narrower toward the
north and if continued for too great a distance, this narrowing would cause serious inconvenience.
In the state of Wisconsin there are four of these correction lines. The first is sixty miles
north of the base line, and accordingly runs between townships ten and eleven. The second is
between townships twenty and twenty-one, and so on. They are usually sixty miles apart. On
these parallels, which form new base lines, fresh measurements are made from the principal
meridian, and the corners of new townships are fixed six miles apart as on the original base line.
This method of procedure not only takes up the error due to convergency of meridians, but
arrests that caused by want of precision in the surveys already made.
The northern or western sections of townships, which contain more or less than six hun-
dred and forty acres, are called fractional sections, for the reason that the surplusage or
deficiency arising from errors in surveying, and from other causes, is by law added to or
deducted from the western or northern ranges of sections according as the error may be in run-
ning the lines from east to west, or from north to south.
As soon as the surveys were completed in southern Wisconsin and the Green Bay section,
and a knowledge of the superior qualities of the land for agricultural purposes were known to
the people, the emigration became large. In fact much land was taken possession of by settlers
in advance of being surveyed and brought into market. As soon as the land offices at Green
Bay, Mineral Point, and Milwaukee were located, public announcement was made by the govern-
ment, of the time of the sale, when the lands were put up to the highest bidder, and such as were
unsold were afterward subject to private entry. The first sales were held at Green Bay and
Mineral Point in the year 1835. The sale at Milwaukee was in 1839. From the reports of the
general land of&ce, it appears that from 1835 to 1845 inclusive, there were sold at the three land
offices from public sale, 2,958,592^-1;^ acres, amounting to $3,768,106.51.
Fort Howard military reservation was set apart by order of the president March 2, 1829,
and comprised all the lands lying upon Fox river and Green bay, in township 24 north, range 20
east, 4th principal meridian, being about four thousand acres. The lands were abandoned for
military purposes, by the war department, December 4, 1850. By an act of congress approved
March 3, 1863, the commissioner of the general land office was authorized and directed to cause
the reservation, including the site of the fort, containing three and four-hundredths acres, situated
in the county of Brown, between Fox river and Beaver Dam run, and which is not included in
the confirmations to T. C. Dousman and Daniel Whitney, nor in the grant to the state of Wis-
consin, under resolutions of congress approved April 25, 1862, granting lands to Wisconsin to
aid in the construction of railroads, to be surveyed and subdivided into lots not less than one-
fourth of an acre, and not more than forty acres, deducting such portions of the same as the
public interest and convenience may require ; and when so surveyed and platted, to be sold sep-
arately at auction. On the loth of November, 1864, under directions of the commissioner, the
lands were offered for sale at auction at the fort. About one-half of the lands were sold, and
purchased by actual settlers, and but few for speculation. The fort and the lands contiguous
were sold for six thousand four hundred dollars. The other lands sold brought about the sum
of nineteen thousand dollars.
That portion of the reservation unsold was to be subject to private entry at the appraised
value, and that portion lying between Duck creek and Beaver Dam creek, was subject to entry
as other public lands were offered.
On the 20th of May, 1868, a joint resolution of congress was approved, by which the com-
missioner of the general land office was authorized and directed to cause a patent to be issued
to the Chicago & Northwestern railroad company in pursuance of a resolution passed by con-
222 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
■gress, granting the same to the state of Wisconsin, approved April 25,1862, and by act of the
legislature approved June 16, 1862, granting the same to that company for eighty acres of land,
as was .surveyed and approved by said commissioner June 11, 1864. The lands thus donated
are now used by the railroad company for their depot grounds
The Fort Crawford military reservation was purchased from J. H. Lockwood and James D.
Doty by the government in the year 1829, and covered the front and main portions of farm lots
numbered thirty -three and thirty-four, of the private land claims at Prairie du Chien, and com-
prised about one hundred and sixty acres. Fort Crawford was built on this tract in 1829, 1830
and 1831. There was also a reservation of section eighteen, township seven, north of range
four west, known as the Cattle Yard. This land was at the mouth of the Kickapoo river, and
is now known as the village of Wauzeka. In addition to these lands which were located in Wis-
consin, there was a reservation of lands lying on the west side of the Mississippi river, in Iowa.
The lands m Wisconsin were relinquished by the secretary of war, January 10, 185 1, and were
■originally set apart by the president of the United States, February 17, 1843.
In the month of April, 1857, the secretary of war authorized Hon. H. M. Rice, of Minne-
sota, to sell that part of the reservation not impioved, in tracts not exceeding forty acres each;
and, in the month of June of that year, he sold at auction five hundred and seven acres of the
reserve opposite Fort Crawford, none of which was claimed by actual settlers ; and in the month
of December, 1857, he sold the remainder to claimants of lands, also on the west side, and the
section in Wisconsin known as the Cattle Yard, amounting to i77xVir acres. A portion of this
reservation was subdivided into town lots, 80 by 140 feet, with streets 66 feet and alleys 20 feet
wide November 17, 1864, the acting commissioner of the general land office, by order
■of the war department, offered for sale at public auction at La Crosse the reservation at Fort
Crawford, which had been surveyed and subdivided into town lots, eighty by one hundred and
forty feet, with streets sixty-five feet and alleys twenty feet wide, conforming to the plat of the
village of Prairie du Chien. The lands unsold were subsequently opened to private entry and
■disposed of
The lands of the Fort Winnebago reservation were set apart by order of the president,
February 9, 1835, and consisted of the following teriitory: sections two, three, and that part of
four lying east of Fox river, and fractional section nine, all in township twelve, north of range
nine east , also fractional section thirty-three, in township thirteen, north of range nine east,
lying west of Fox river, and the fraction of section four, township twelve north, of range nine
■east, lying west of claim numbered twenty-one of A. Grignon, and adjacent to Fort Winnebago,
reserved by order of the president, July 29, 1851. the whole amounting to about four thousand
acres. September the first, 1853, these lands were by order of the president offered for sale
at public auction at the fort, by F. H. Masten, assistant quartermaster United States army,
having previously been surveyed into forty acre lots, and were purchased by J. B. Martin, G. C.
Tallman, W. H. Wells, Wm. Wier, N. H. Wood, M. R. Keegan, and others.
The first land offices in Wisconsin were established under an act of congress approved
June 26, 1834, creating additional land districts in the states of Illinois and Missouri, and in the
territory north of the state of Illinois. The first section provides " that all that tract lying north
■of the state of Illinois, west of Lake Michigan, south and southeast of the Wisconsin and Fox
rivers, included in the present territory of Michigan, shall be divided by a north and south line,
■drawn from the northern boundary of Illinois along the range of township line west of Fort
Winnebago to the Wisconsin river, and to be called — the one on the west side, the Wisconsin
land district, and that on the east side the Green Bay land district of the territory of Michigan,
which two districts shall embrace the country north of said rivers when the Indian title shall be
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 223
extinguished, and the Green Bay district may be divided so as to form two districts, when>
the president shall deem it proper;" and by section three of said act, the president was author-
ized to appoint a register and receiver for such office, as soon as a sufficient number of townships
are surveyed.
An act of congress, approved June 15, 1836, divided the Green Bay land district, as estab-
lished in 1834, " by a line commencing' on the western boundary of said district, and running
thence east between townships ten and eleven north, to the line between ranges seventeen and
eighteen east, thence north between said ranges of townships to the line between townships
twelve and thirteen north, thence east between said townships twelve and thirteen to Lake
Michigan ; and all the country bounded north by the division line here described, south by the
base line, east by Lake Michigan, and west by the division line between ranges eight and nine-
east," to be constituted a separate district and known as the " Milwaukee land district." It
included the present counties of Racine, Kenosha, Rock, Jefferson, Waukesha, Walworth and
Milwaukee, and parts of Green, Dane, Washington, Ozaukee, Dodge and Columbia.
An act was approved March 3, 1847, creating an additional land district in the territory.
All that portion of the public lands lying north and west of the following boundaries, formed a^
district to be known as the Chippewa land district : commencing at the Mississippi river on the
line between townships twenty-two and twenty-three north, running thence east along said line-
to the fourth principal meridian, thence north along said meridian line to the line dividing town-
ships twenty-nine and thirty, thence east along such township line to the Wisconsin river, thence up
the main channel of said river to the boundary line between the state of Michigan and the territory
of Wisconsin. The counties now included in this district are Pepin, Clark, Eau Claire, Dunn,.
Pierce, St. Croix, Polk, Barron, Burnett, Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, Taylor, Chippewa, and parts,
of Buffalo, Trempeleau and Jackson ; also, the new county of Price.
An act of congress, approved March 2, 1849, changed the location of the land office in the-
Chippewa district from the falls of St. Croix to Stillwater, in the county of St. Croix, in the
proposed territory of Minnesota; and, by section two of the act, an additional land office and
district was created, comprising all the lands in Wisconsin not included in the districts of land
subject to sale at Green Bay, Milwaukee, or Mineral Point, which was to be known as the Western
land district, and the president was authorized to designate the site where the office should be-
bcated. Willow River, now Hudson, was selected. The district was usually known as the St.
Croix and Chippewa district, and included St. Croix, La Pointe, and parts of Chippewa and
Marathon counties. By an act of congress, approved July 30, 1852, so much of the public lands
in Wisconsin as lay within a boundary line commencing at the southwest comer of township
fifteen, north of range two east of the fourth principal meridian, thence running due east to the-
southeast corner of township fifteen, north of range eleven, east of the fourth principal meridian,
thence north along such range line to the north line of the state of Wisconsin, thence westwardly
along said north line to the line between ranges one and two east of fourth principal meridian,
thence south to the place of beginning, were formed into a new district, and known as the
Stevens Point land district, and a land office located at that place.
The boundaries enclosed the present counties of Juneau, Adams, Marquette, Green Lake,
Waushara, Waupaca, Portage, Wood, Marathon, Lincoln, Shawano, New and Marinette. The
La Crosse land district was formed of the following territory : " Commencing at a point where-
the line between townships ten and eleven north touches the Mississippi river, thence due east to
the fourth principal meridian, thence north to the line between townships fourteen and fifteen
north, thence east to the southeast corner of township fifteen north, of range- one east of the
224 HlSTOEr OF AVISCONSIN
fourth principal meridian, thence north on the range line to the south line of township number
thirty-one nor.h, thence west on the line between townships number thirty and thirty-one to the
Chippewa river, thence down said river to its junction with the Mississippi river, thence down
said river to the place of beginning." The present counties of Vernon, La Crosse, Monroe, Buf-
falo, Trempealeau, Eau Claire, Clark, and parts of Juneau and Chippewa were included in
its limits.
By act of congress, approved February 24, 1855, an additional district was formed of all that
portion of the Willow river land district lying north of the line dividing townships forty and
forty-one, to be called the Fond du Lac district — the office to be located by the president as he
might from time to time direct. The present counties of Douglas, Bayfield, Ashland, and part
of Burnett were included within its boundaries.
By an act of congress, approved March 3, 1857, so much of the districts of land subject to
sale at La Crosse and Hudson, in the state of Wisconsin, contained in the following boundaries,
were constituted a new district, to be known as the Chippewa land district : North of the line
dividing townships twenty-four and twenty-five north ; south of the line dividing townships forty
and forty-one north; west of the line dividing ranges one and two east; and east of the line
dividing ranges eleven and twelve west. The location of the office was to be designated by the
president as the public interest might require. The present counties of Chippewa, Taylor, Eau
Claire and Clark were in this district.
There are at the present time six land offices in the state. They are located at Menasha,
Falls of St. Croix, Wausau, La Crosse, Bayfield and Eau Claire. By the provisions of law, when
the number of acres of land in any one district is reduced to one hundred thousand acres, sub-
ject to private entry, the secretary of the interior is required to discontinue the office, and the
lands remaining unsold are transferred to the nearest land office, to be there subject to sale. The
power of locating these offices rests with the president (unless otherwise directed by law), who is
also authorized to change and re-establish the boundaries of land districts whenever, in his
opinion, the public service will be subserved thereby.
The pre-emption law of 1830 was intended for the benefit of actual settlers against compe-
tition in open market with non-resident purchasers. It gave every person who cultivated any
part of a quarter section the previous year, and occupied the tract at the date mentioned, the
privilege of securing it by payment of the minimum price at any time before the day fixed for
the commencement of the public sale. To avail himself of this provision he was to file proof
of cultivation and occupancy. As men frequently located claims in advance of the survey, it
occasionally happened that two or more would find themselves upon the same quarter section^
in which case the pre-emption law permitted two joint occupants to divide the quarter section
equally between them, whereupon each party received a certificate from the land office, author-
izing him to locate an additional eighty acres, elsewhere in the same land district, not interfering
with other settlers having the right of preference. This was called a floating right. This pro-
vision of the law was ingeniously perverted from its plain purpose in various ways.
As fast as these evasions came to the notice of the department, all certificates given to
occupants of the same quarter section in excess of the two first, or to more than one member of
the same family, to employees, to any person who had not paid for eighty acres originally
occupied, as well as those which were not located at the time of such payment, and the additional
tract paid for before the public sale, were held to be worthless or fraudulent ; but a large number
of these certificates had been issued, and passed into the hands of speculators and designing
men and were a source of almost endless vexation and annoyance to settlers. The law of 1830
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 225
expired by limitation in one year from its passage, but was revived by the law of 1834 for two
vears. In the interim no settler could obtain his land by pre-emption. The law of 1834 extended
only to those who had made cultivation in 1833, consequently the settlers of later date were
excluded from its benefits. Meanwhile the fraudulent floats were freely used to dispossess actual
settlers as late as 1835.
The pre-emption law of congress, approved September 4, 1841, provided that every person
who should make a settlement in person on public land, and erect a dwelling, should be author-
ized to enter a quarter section (one hundred and sixty acres), at the minimum price (one dollar
and twenty-five cents per acre), and thus secure the same against competition ; and if any person
should settle upon and improve land subject to private entry, he might within thirty days give
notice to the register of the land office of his intention to claim the land settled upon, and might
within one year upon making proof of his right, enter the land at the minimum price.
At the public land sales at Mineral Point, held in 1835, all those tracts on which lead was
found, or on which it was supposed to exist, were reserved to the United States, and were leased
under certain regulations by the government for a rent of ten per centum of all the lead raised.
The quantity of land thus reserved was estimated at one million acres. Considerable difficulty
was found in collecting these rents, and subsequently it was abandoned, as the amount
expended in collecting exceeded the value of the lead collected. In the period of four years
the government suffered a loss of over nineteen thousand dollars.
The act of congress, approved July 11, 1846, authorized the sale of the reserved mineral
lands in Illinois, Wisconsin and Iowa, and provided that, after six months' public notice, the lands
should not be subject to the rights of pre-emption until after the same had been offered at public
sale, when they should be subject to private entry. The law also provided, that, upon satisfac-
tory proof being made to the register and receiver of the proper land office, any tract or tracts
of land containing a mine or mines of lead ore actually discovered and being worked, would be
sold in such legal subdivisions as would include lead mines, and no bid should be received
therefor at less than the sum of two dollars and fifty cents per acre, and if such tract or tracts
should not be sold at such public sale, at such price, nor should be entered at private sale within
twelve months thereafter, the same should be subject to sale as other lands. This act was
changed by an act approved March 3, 1847, providing that any one being in possession by
actual occupancy of a mine discovered prior to the passage of this act, who should pay the same
rents as those who held leases from the secretary of war, should be entitled to purchase the lands
prior to the day of sale at five dollars per acre. Mineral lands were to be offered for sale in forty
acre pieces, and no bids were to be received less than five dollars per acre, and if not sold they
were then to be subject to private entry at the same price. In 1847 or 1848 the reserved mineral
lands were sold at public sale at Mineral Point at two dollars and fifty cents per acre, and' they
were all disposed of at that price.
Soon after the formation of Wisconsin territory, an act was passed by its legislature,
approved January 5, 1838, incorporating the Milwaukee and Rock river canal company, and by
an act of congress approved June 18 of the same year, a grant of land was made to aid in the
construction of the canal. The grant consisted of the odd-numbered sections on a belt of ten
miles in width from Lake Michigan to Rock river, amounting to 139,190 acres. Of those lands
43447 acres were sold at public sale in July, 1839, at the minimum price of two dollars and fifty
cents per acre. Work was commenced on the canal at Milwaukee, and the Milwaukee river for
a short distance from its outlet was improved by the construction of a dam across the river,
which was made available for manufacturing and other purposes. A canal was also built about
a mile in length and forty feet wide, leading from it down on the west bank of the river. Much
226 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
dissatisfaction subsequently arose ; the purchasers at this sale, and others occupying these canaj
and reserved lands felt the injustice of being compelled to pay double price for their lands, and
efforts were made to repeal all laws authorizing further sales, and to ask congress to repeal the
act making the grant. The legislation on the subject of this grant is voluminous. In 1862 the-
legislature of the state passed an act to ascertain and settle the liabilities, if any, of Wisconsin
and the company, and a board of commissioners was appointed for that purpose. At the session
of the legislature in 1863, the committee made a report with a lengthy opinion of the attorney-gen-
eral of the state. The views of that officer were, that the company had no valid claims for damages,
against the state. In this opinion the commissioners concurred. On the 23d of March, 1875,.
an act was approved by the governor, giving authority to the attorney-general to discharge and
release of record any mortgage before executed to the late territory of Wisconsin, given to secure-
the purchase money or any part thereof of any lands granted by congress to aid in the construc-
tion of this canal. The quantity of lands unsold was subsequently made a part of the 500,000
acre tract granted by congress for school purposes. It is believed the whole matter is now closed
against further legislative enactments.
The next grant of lands made by congress lor internal improvements in Wisconsin, was one
approved August 8, 1846, entitled " an act to grant a certain quantity of land to aid in the-
improvement of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers, and to connect the same by canal." By this act
there was granted to Wisconsin on her becoming a state, for improving the navigation of the
above-named streams, and constructing the canal to unite the same, a quantity of land equal to
' one-half of three sections in width on each side of Fox river, and the lakes through which it
passes from its mouth to the point where the portage canal should enter the same, and each side
of the canal from one stream to the other, reserving the alternate sections to the United States,
with certain provisions in relation thereto. On the 3d of August, 1854, an act of congress was
approved, authorizing the governor of Wisconsin to select the balance of lands to which the state
was entitled to under the provisions of the act of 1846, out of any unsold government lands sub-
ject to private entry in the state, the quantity to be ascertained upon the principles which gov-
erned the final adjustment of the grant to the state of Indiana, for the Wabash and Erie canal,,
approved May 9, 1848. In the years 1854 and 1855, acts of congress were passed, defining and
enlarging the grant. Under the grants of 1846, 1854 and 1855, the number of acres donated for
this purpose and certified to the state, was 674,100.
After the admission of Wisconsin into the Union, by an act of its legislature, approved
August 8, 1848, a board of public works was created, through which the work of improving the
said rivers, by the application thereto of the proceeds of the sale of the lands granted by con-
gress, was undertaken by the state.
It soon became apparent that the moneys realized from the sale of lands were insufficient to-
meet the obligations of the state issued by its board of public works as they became due ; and
in 1853 the work was turned over to the Fox and Wisconsin Improvement company, a corpora-
tion created under an act of the legislature of Wisconsin approved July 6, 1853. In 1856, by an
act of the legislature of Wisconsin, approved October 3, 1856, the lands granted by congress
then unsold were granted by the state, through the said company, to trustees, with power to
sell, and to hold the proceeds in trust for the payment of state indebtedness, the completion
of the work, thereafter for the payment of bonds issued by the said company, and the balance, if
any, for the company itself.
In February, 1866, the trustees, in execution of the powers contained in the deed of trust
made to them, and pursuant to a judgment of the circuit court of Fond du Lac county, sold at
public sale at Appleton, Wisconsin, the works of improvement and the balance of lands granted
THE PUBI.1C JJOMAIX. 227
by congress then unsold, and applied the proceeds to the purposes expressed in the deed of trust.
The proceeds were sufficient to pay in full the expenses of the trust, the then outstanding
state indebtedness, and to provide a fund sufficient to complete the work according to the plan
specified in the act approved October 3, 1856.
Under an act of the legislature of Wisconsin approved April 13, 1861, and the acts amend-
atory thereof, the purchasers at said sale, on the isth day of August, 1866, filed their certificate
in the office of the secretary of state, and thereby became incorporated as the Green Bay and
Mississippi canal company, holding, as such company, the said works of improvement.
At a subsequent date, under instructions from the engineer department of the United States,
the surveys of the Fox and Wisconsin rivers were placed in the charge of General G. K. War-
ren, and by act of congress approved July 7, 1870, the secretary of war was authorized to
appoint a board of arbitrators to ascertain how much the government should pay to the suc-
cessors of the Improvement company, the Green Bay and Mississippi canal company, for the
transfer of all its property and rights; and by a subsequent act, approved June 10, 1872, an
appropriation was made therefor.
The legislation on matters connected with the Fox and Wisconsm river improvement would
make a chapter of itself The work is now in charge of the government, and will be prosecuted
to completion in a satis;factory manner.
On the 29th of May, 1848, an act was approved by the president "to enable the people of
Wisconsin territory to form a constitution and state government, and for the admission of such
state into the Union," by which certain propositions were to be submitted to the convention
which were to be acted upon, and subsequently submitted to the people for their approval. The
first constitutional convention was held in October, 1846, and, having framed a constitution, it
was submitted to a vote of the people at the election in 1847, and it was rejected. The second
convention met December 15, 1847, and, having formed a constitution, it was adopted by the
people at the election in 1848. The following are the propositions proposed by congress :
1. That section sixteen numbered in every township of the public lands of said state, and
where such section has been sold or otherwise disposed of, other lands equivalent thereto, and
as contiguous as may be, shall be granted to the said state for the use of schools.
2. That seventy-two sections, or two entire townships, of land set apart and reserved for
the use and support of a university by act of congress approved June 12, 1838, are hereby granted
and conveyed to the state, to be appropriated solely to the use and support of such university in
such manner as the legislature may prescribe.
3. That ten entire sections of land to be selected and located under the direction of the
legislature, in legal subdivisions of not less than one quarter of a section from any of the unap-
propriated lands belonging to the United States within the state are granted to the state for
completing the public buildings, or for the erection of others at the seat of government, under
the direction of the legislature.
4. That all salt-springs within the state, not exceeding twelve in number, shall be granted to
the state, to be selected by the legislature, and when selected, to be used or disposed of on such
terms, conditions, and regulations as the legislature shall direct.
The title to all lands and other property which accrued to the territory of Wisconsin by
grant, gift, purchase, forfeiture, escheat, or otherwise, were, by the provisions of the constitution
of the state, vested in the state ; and the people of the state, in their right of sovereignty, were
■declared to possess the ultimate property in and to all lands within its jurisdiction ; and all
(ands, the title of which shall fail from a defect of heirs, shall revert or escheat to the people.
The act of congress for the admission of the state into the Union gave formal assent to the
228 HlSTOliY OV M'lSCOJ^sm.
grant relative to the Fox and Wisconsin river improvement, and the lands reserved to the United
States by said grant, and also the grant to the territory of Wisconsin, for the purpose of aiding
in opening a canal to connect the waters of Lake li'lichigan with those of Rock river, were to be
offered for sale at the same minimum price, and subject to the same rights of pre-emption as
other public lands of the United States.
By the provisions of the state constitution, the secretary of state, the state treasurer and
attorney-general, were constituted a board of commissioners for the sale of the school and
university lands, and for the investment of the funds arising therefrom. In the year 1850 the
commissioners put into market, for the first time, the school lands which had been donated to the
state. The total quantity of lands offered was 148,021, 44-100 acres, which sold for the sum of
$444,265.19.
By an act of congress, approved September 4, 1841, there were granted to the state 500,000
acres of land, which were, by act of the territorial legislature of 1849, appropriated to the school
fund, and the unsold lands of the Milwaukee and Rock river canal company, amounting to about
140,000 acres, were to be included as a part of the above grant. These lands, and the sixteenth
section of each township, make up the whole of the school lands of the state. The whole
number of acres sold up to the year 1877 is 1,243,984 acres, and there remain unsold, subject
to fentry, 216,016 acres.
The state university land grant was made in 1838, and seventy-two sections set apart and
reserved. The lands were selected in 184.5 ^^^ 1846. On the 15th of December, 1854, an act
of congress was approved, relinquishing to the state the lands reserved for the salt-springs, and
seventy-two sections were granted in lieu thereof, in aid of the university of the state The
number of acres amounts to 92,160, all of which have been sold except 4,407 acres, which are
subject to entry. Under the re-organization and enlargement of the university, under provisions
of chapter 114, of general laws of 1866, section thirteen provides, among other things, that the
income of a fund to be derived from the sales of the two hundred and forty thousand actes,
granted by congress by act approved July 2, 1862, entitled : "An act donating lands to the
, several states and territories which may provide colleges for the benefit of agriculture and
mechanic arts," be devoted to the state university, and the funds arising therefrom to be known
as the " agricultural college fund." All of the grant of lands have been sold except 51,635 acres.
The quantity of lands donated by act of congress August 6, 1846, for the purpose of completing or
erecting public buildings at the seat of government, known as " Capitol Lands," amounted to
ten entire sections, or six thousand four hundred acres. A grant of lands was made to the state
by act of congress, approved September 28, 1850, of all the swarnp and overflowed lands within
its limits. The total number of acres of this grant, as certified to the state from the government,
to the year 1877, is 1,869,677.
A grant of land was made by congress, approved March 3, 1863, for the construction of a
military road from Fort Wilkins, Michigan, to Fort Howard, Wisconsin, of every alternate
section of public lands, designated by even numbers for three sections in width on each side of
said road, and subject to the disposal of the legislature. In 1865 sales of land were made to
the number of 85,961.89 acres, which realized the sum of $114,856.54.
An act of congress was approved June 25, 1864, granting lands to the state to build a military
road from Wausau, Wisconsin, to Ontonagon, on Lake Superior, of every alternate section of
land designated as odd sections, for three sections in width on each side of the road. The grant
was accepted by the state by law, approved April 10, 1865.
An act was also passed by congress, approved April 10, 1866, granting to the state of Wis-
consin a donation of public lands to aid in the construclion of a breakwater and harbor and ship
THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. 229
canal at the head of Sturgeon bay, Wis., to connect the waters of Green bay with Lake Michigan.
The grant was for 200,000 acres of land. The grant was accepted by the legislature of 1868.
In 1874, the samebody by resolution transferred to the Sturgeon bayandLake Michigan ship canal
and harbor company 32,342 acres, and the remaining portion was authorized to be sold for agri-
cultural purposes by said company.
The first railroad grant in Wisconsin was by act of congress, approved June 3, 1856, by the
first section of which there was granted to the state, for the purpose of aiding in the construction
of a railroad from Madison or Columbus, by the way of Portage City, to the St. Croix river or
lake, between townships twenty-five and thirty-one, and from thence to the west end of Lake
Superior and to Bayfield ; and from Fond du Lac, on Lake Winnebago, northerly to the state line,
every alternate section of land designated by odd numbers, for six sections in width on each side
of said roads, respectively; the land to be applied exclusively in the construction of said roads,
and to no other purpose whatever, and subject to the disposal of the legislature, and the same
shall remain public highways for the use of the government, free from toll and other charges
upon the transportation of property or troops of the United States, with other conditions as to
the disposal of said lands.
The grant was accepted by the legislature by an act approved October 8, 1856, and on the
nth of the same month an act was approved granting a portion of the lands to the La Crosse &
Mississippi railroad company, who were to carry out all the requirements of the original grant.
A supplementary act was approved the same session, October 13, incorporating the Wisconsin &
Superior railroad, which company was required to commence the construction of their road on
or before January 1, 1857, and to complete the same to Oshkosh before August i, 1858. Of this
land grant John W. Gary says : " That portion of the grant given to aid in the construction of
a railroad northerly to the state line was conferred on the Wisconsin & Superior railroad company.
This company was organized in the interest of the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac railroad
company, and that part of the grant was transferred to it. The road was, in 1859, extended to
Oshkosh, and thence to Menasha, and finally to Green Bay. In the panic of 1857, the company
failed to meet its obligations, but was afterward enabled to go on, and continued in possession
until June 2, 1859, when its road was sold on the foreclosures of the mortgages given thereon !
and on the sixth of the same month the present Chicago & Northwestern railroad company was
organized under the statute, by purchasers at said sale, and took possession."
A large portion of the original grant was given for the construction of a road from Madison
or Columbus to the St. Croix river, as before stated. The La Crosse company, during the years
1857 and 1858, completed its main line to La Crosse; the Watertown line, from Watertown to
Columbus, and partially graded the line from Madison to Portage City. Neither it nor its suc-
cessors ever received any part of the lands of the land grant.
In 1856 and 1857, the La Crosse & Milwaukee railroad graded most of the line from Madi-
son to Portage. After the failure of the company, this line was abandoned, and so remained
until 1870, when a new company was organized, under the name of the Madison & Portage City
railroad company. In 1873, an act was passed chartering the Tomah & Lake St. Croix railroad
company, and repealing and annulling that portion of the land grant which bestowed the lands
from Tomah to Lake St. Croix upon the La Crosse company, and bestowing the same upon the
company chartered by this act. This road is known as the West Wisconsin railroad.
An act of congress was approved May 5, 1864, granting lands to aid in the construction of
certain roads in the state. This was a re-enactment of the law of 1856, and divided the grant
m three sections, one of which was for a road from a point on the St. Croix river or lake, between
230 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
townships twenty-five and thirty-one, to the west end of Lake Superior, and from some point on
the line of said road, to be selected by the state, to Bayfield — every alternate section designated
by odd numbers, for ten sections in width on each side of said road, with an indemnity extending
twenty miles on each side, was granted, under certain regulations ; another, for aiding in building
a road from Tomah to the St. Croix river, between townships twenty-five and thirty-one — every
alternate section by odd numbers, for ten sections in width on each side of the road ; another
for aiding and constructing a railroad from Portage City, Berlin, Doty's Island, or Fond du Lac,
as the legislature may determine, in a northwestern direction, to Bayfield, on Lake Superior, and
a grant of every alternate section designated by odd numbers, for ten sections in width on each
side of said road, was donated.
The legislature of 1865 failed to agree upon a disposition of the grant. The succeeding
legislature conferred the grant partly upon the " Winnebago & Lake Superior Railroad Company,"
and partly upon the " Portage & Superior Railroad Company," the former April 6, 1866, and the
latter April 9, 1866. The two companies were consolidated, under the name of the "Portage,
Winnebago & Superior Railroad," by act of the legislature, March 6, 1869, and by act of legis-
lature approved February 4, 1871, the name was changed to the "Wisconsin Central Railroad."
HEALTH OF WISCONSIN.
By JOSEPH HOBBINS, M.D.
An article on state health, necessarily embracing the etiology, or causes of disease, involves
the discussion of the geographical position of the state ; its area, physical features ; its elevations,
depressions; water supply; drainage; its mean level above the sea; its geology; climatology;
the nationality of its people ; their occupations, habits, food, education ; and, indeed, of all the
physical, moral and mental influences which affect the public health.
Geographical Position.
The geographical position of Wisconsin, considered in relation to health, conveys an imme-
diate and favorable impression, which is at once confirmed by a reference to the statistical atlas
of the United States. On its north it is bounded by Lake Superior, Minnesota, and the northern
peninsula of Michigan; on the south by Illinois; on the east by Lake Michigan, and on the
west by the Mississippi. It lies between 42° 30' and 46° 55' N. latitude, and between 87° and
92° 50' W. long.; is 285 miles long from north to south, and 255 in breadth from east to west,
giving it an area of some 53,924 square miles, or 34,511,360 acres. Its natural surface divisions,
or proportions, are 16 per cent, of prairie, 50 of timber, 19 of openings, 15 of marsh, mineral
undefined. North of 45" the surface is nearly covered with vast forests of pine. The proportion
of the state cultivated is nearly one-sixth.
Physical Features.
Among these, its lacustrine character is most conspicuous, so much so that it may not inaptly
be called the state of a thousand lakes, its smaller ones being almost universal and innumerable.
HEALTH OF WISCONSIN. 231
It has an almost artificially perfect arrangement of its larger rivers, both for supply and drainage,
is rolling in its surface, having several dividing ridges or water sheds, and varies from 600 to 1,600
feet above the level of the sea, Blue Mounds being 1,729 feet above sea level. Its pine and
thickly wooded lands are being rapidly denuded, and to some extent converted to agricultural
purposes ; its marshes in the north are being reclaimed for cranberry cultivation, and in the more
thickly settled parts of the state for hay purposes. The surface of the state is beautifully diver-
sified with stream, waterfall and rapids ; richly wooded bluffs several hundred feet in height,
assuming the most romantic and pleasing forms, and composed of sandstone, magnesian
limestone, granite, trap, etc. The health and summer resorts of Wisconsin are illustrative of its
beauty, and its numerous mineral springs have long since formed an important feature of its
character for salubrity.
Geology.
The geology of Wisconsin does not require from us but a very general notice, as it is only
from its relation to disease that we have to consider it. This relation is in a measure apparent
in the fact that everywhere the topographical features are governed by the strata below them.
The relationship will be seen still further in the chemical or sanitary influence of the geological
structures. Through the greater part of the south half of the state limestone is found, the cliff
prevailing in the mineral region, and the blue in the other parts ; while in the north part of the
state the primitive rocks, granite, slate, and sandstone prevail. South of the Wisconsin river
sandstone in layers of limestone, forming the most picturesque bluffs, abounds. While west of
Lake Michigan extends up to these rocks the limestone formation, being rich in timber or prairie
land. Sandstone is found underneath the blue limestone. The general dip of the stratified
rocks of the state is toward the south, about 8 feet to the mile.
Medical geology treats of geology so far only as it affects health. Thus, some diluvial soils
and sands are known to be productive of malarial fevers ; others, of a clayey character, retaining
water, are productive of cold damp, and give rise to pulmonary and inflammatory diseases ;
while others still, being very porous, are promotive of a dry and equable atmosphere. In
the Potsdam rocks arise our purest waters and best supply, while our magnesian limestone rocks
(a good quality of this kind of rock being composed of nearly equal parts of carbonate of lime
and carbonate of magnesia) affect the water to the extent of producing simple diarrhoea in those
unaccustomed to drinking it, as is observed in southern visitors, and was especially noticeable
in the rebel prisoners at Camp Randall, though singularly enough do not seem to produce
stone and grave}, as is alleged of the same kind of water in the north of England. Why this is
so — if so — is a question of some interest. Goitre and cretinism are both attributed to the use
of the same magnesian limestone water. Goitre is by no means an uncommon affection here,
but not common enough, perhaps, to warrant us in thinking its special cause is in the water.
. Boiling the water is a preventive of all inj urious effects. There is still another objection — partic-
ularly applicable to cities- — to this kind of water, the carbonates of lime and magnesia which
it contains, not simply making it hard, but giving it the power to promote the decomposition of
organic matters, and thus where the soil is sandy or porous, endangering the purity of our well-
water. Geology in general affects all our soils and their products; all our drainage; even our
architecture, the material with which we build. Our building stone for half of the state is a
magnesian limestone, a rather soft or poor quality of which will absorb one-third of its bulk of
water, or two and a half gallons to the cubic foot, while most kinds of sandstone are nearly as
porous as loose sand, and in some of them the penetrability for air and water is the same. (A
smgle brick of poor quality will absorb a pint of water). Such materials used in the construction
232
HISTOEY or WISCONSIN.
of our dwellings, without precautionary measures, give rise to rheumatism, other grave diseases,
and loss of strength. Besides, this character of stone absorbs readily all kinds of liquid and
gaseous impurities, and though hardening in dry air, decays soon when exposed to underground
moisture. The material of which our roads are made, as well as the kind of fuel we use in our
homes, have the same unquestionable relationship to geology and disease.
Drainage.
The natural drainage of the state, bearing in mind that the mean elevation of its hydro-
graphical axis is about i,ooo feet above the sea level, is as excellent as it is obvious. (A line
running from Lake Michigan across the state to the Mississippi, shows an elevation of about 500
feet). North its drainage is by a few rapid but insignificant streams into Lake Superior, while
east it increases greatly and enters Lake Michigan by way of Green bay. The principal part of
the supply and drainage, however, is from the extreme north to the southwest through the center
of the state, by five large rivers, which empty themselves into the Mississippi at almost equal
distances from each other.
Climatology.
The climatology of Wisconsin will be exhibited in the observations taken at different times,
for longer or shorter periods, and at different points of the state. But it must be borne in mind
that climate depends quite as much and very frequently more upon the physical surroundings,
upon the presence of large bodies of water, like our lakes, upon large forests, like our pineries,
like our heavy hard-woods, and of land elevations and depressions, upon isothermal lines, etc., as
it does upon latitude. Our historic period is of a character too brief for us to assume to speak
of our climate, or of all the changing causes which influence it — in a positive manner, our
horticultural writers, to make the difficulty still greater, affirming that it has several climates within
itself; still, sufficient data have been gathered from sufficiently reliable sources to enable us to
form a tolerably accurate idea of the subject.
The great modifiers of our climate are our lakes. These, bounding as they do, the one.
Lake Superior (600 feet above the level of the sea, 420 miles long and 160 broad), on the north
side of the state, and the other, Lake Michigan (578 feet above the sea level, 320 miles long and
84 broad), on the east side of the state, serve to govern the range of the thermometer and the
mean temperature of the seasons, as much as they are governed in New England by the ocean.
Our climate is consequently very much like that of the New England sea-board. They both
exhibit the same extremes and great extremes, have the same broadly marked continental features
at some seasons, and decided tropical features at others. It is of special interest in this con-
nection to know that the climate between the eastern coast and the lakes increases in rigor as
one advances west until the lakes are reached, and again becomes still more rigorous as one
advances into the interior west of the lakes, thus affording proof, if proof were wanting, of the
modifying and agreeable influences of large bodies of water
During the winter the mean temperature of the east on the New England coast is 8.38
higher than the west (beyond the lakes) ; during the spring 3.53 lower ; during the summer 6.99
lower; and during the autumn 1.54 higher. In the mean temperature for the year there is but a
fractional difference. That the winters are less rigorous and the summers more temperate on
the Great Lakes is demonstrated to be owing not to elevation, but, as on the ocean, to the equal-
izing agency of an expanse of water.
On the lakes the annual ratio of fair days is 117, and on the New England coast 215; the
HEALTH OF WISCONSIN. 233
cloudy days are as 127 to 73; the rainy as 63 to 46 , and the snowy as 45 to 29 In the former
the prevailing weather is cloudy, and in the latter it is fair. The immense forests on the upper
lake shores of course exercise a considerable influence in the modification of our temperature, as
well as in the adding to our rain-fall and cloudy days. A climate of this character, with its
attendant rains, gives us that with which we are so abundantly supplied, great variety of food,
both for man and beast, the choicest kinds of fruits and vegetables m the greatest profusion, and
of the best quality, streams alive with fish, woods and prairies with game, the noblest trees, the
most exquisite flowers, and the best breeds of domestic animals the world can boast of.
The semi-tropical character of our summer, and its resemblance to that of New England, is
shown by the mean temperature — 70" — for three months at Salem, Massachusetts, at Albany,
New York, at southern Wisconsin, Fort Snelling and Fort Benton on the Upper Missouri, being
the same ; while at Baltimore, Cincinnati and St. Louis, it is 75°, and around the gulf of Mexico
it is 80°. Another feature of our climate is worthy the notice of invalids and of those who make
the thermometer their guide for comfort. It is a well-ascertained fact that during the colder
seasons the lake country is not only relatively, but positively, warmer than places far south of it.
The thermometer, during the severe cold of January, 1856, did not fall so low at the coldest, by
10'' to 15" at Lake Superior as at Chicago at the same time. This remark holds true of the
changes of all periods of duration, even if continued over a month. The mean temperature at
Fort Howard, Green Bay, Wisconsin, 600 feet above the level of the Atlantic, latitude 44° 40',
longitude 87°, observations for nine years, is 44.93 ; and at Fort Crawford, Prairie du Chien,
Wisconsin, 580 feet above the level of the Atlantic, latitude 43^ 3', longitude 90" 53', observa-
tions for four years, is 45.65, giving a just idea of our mean temperature for the state. Under
the head of distribution of heat in winter, it is found that the maximum winter range at Fort
Winnebago, Wisconsin, for sixteen years, is 9.4.
I Hyetal or Rain Character.
Wisconsin is situated within what is termed the area of constant precipitation, neither affected
by a rainy season, nor by a partial dry season. The annual quantity of rain on an average for
three years at Fort Crawford, was 29.54 inches, and at Fort Howard the mean annual on an
average of four years, was 38.83 inches. The annual quantity of rain, on an average of three
years was 31.88 inches at Fort Winnebago, situate (opposite the portage between the Fox and
Wisconsin rivers) 80 miles west of Lake Michigan and 112 miles southwest of Green Bay. The
rain-fall is less in the lake district than in the valley of the Mississippi in the same latitudes.
One of the peculiarities of our winters is the almost periodical rain-fall of a few days in the
middle of the winter (usually in the middle of January), which extends to the Atlantic coast,
while north and northwest of us the dry cold continues without a break, winter being uniform and
severe, characterized by aridity and steady low temperature. Another peculiarity of our climate
IS, the number of snowy and rainy days is increased disproportionately to the actual quantity — •
the large bodies of water on the boundaries of the state, contrary to the popular opinion, reduc-
ing the annual quantity of rain in their immediate vicinity instead of adding to it, the heavier
precipitation being carried further away. One of the most pleasing features of our climate is its
irequent succession of showers in summer, tempering as it does our semi-tropical heat, increasing
the fertility of the soil, and carpeting our prairies with a green as grateful to the eye as that of
England.
The hygrometric condition of Wisconsin may be judged of with proximate accuracy by that
given of Poultney, Iowa :
234
HISTORY or WISCONSIN
Day.
Temperature
of Air.
Temperature
of Evaporat'n
Humidity,
per cent.
Day.
Temperature
of Air.
Temperature
of Evaporat'n
Humidity,
per cent.
loth _
II
92°
87
92
96
93
78°
75
77
81
78
51
55
48
50
44
19th
20
21.
94°
97
96
81
84
81°
Bl
80
72
71
55
48
47
12
13 ... .
29 -
30
63
50
14
The average depth of snow for three years, at Beloit, Wisconsin, was twenty-five inches,
while at Oxford county, Maine, the average" for twelve years was ninety inches. The isohyetal
lines of the mean precipitation of rain and melted snow, for the year 1872, show that of Wiscon-
sin to be thirty-two.
Isotherms.
The mean temperature of spring is represented by the isotherm of 45" F. which enters Wis-
consin from the west about forty miles south of Hudson, passing in a nearly southeast direction,
and crosses the south line of the state near the west line of Walworth county. It then passes nearly
around the head of Lake Michigan, then northeast until it reaches the latitude of Milwaukee;
whence it passes in a somewhat irregular course east through Ontario, New York, and Massa-
chusetts, entering the ocean in the vicinity of Boston. The summer mean isotherm of 70" F.
enters Wisconsin from the west but little farther north than the spring isotherm, and passes
through the state nearly parallel with the course of that line, crossing the southern boundary
near the east line of Walworth county ; passing through Chicago it goes in a direction a Httle
south of east, and enters the Atlantic at New Haven. The mean isotherm of 47° F. for autumn,
enters the state about twenty miles north of Prairie du Chien, passing in a direction a little north
of east through Portage, and enters Lake Michigan near Manitowoc. The isotherm of 20° F.
representing the mean temperature of winter, enters the state near Prairie du Chien, passes east
and north and enters Lake Michigan at Sturgeon bay. The annual mean temperature is repre-
sented by the isotherm of 45° F. which enters the state near Prairie du Chien, passes across the.
state in a direction a little south of east, and enters Lake Michigan a little south of Milwaukee.
What influence these isotherms have upon our belts of disease there are no data to show.
But from their influence upon vegetable life, one can not but infer a similar good influence on
the animal economy. This is a question for the future.
Yearly mean of barometer at 32^
1,088 feet above the sea :
Barometrical.
F. as observed at the University of Wisconsin, altitude
1869. 28.932 inches.
1870 28.867 "
I87I.- 28.986 "
1872 28.898 "
1873 28.892 inches.
1874 28.867 "
1875 28.750 "
1876 28.920 "
Atmospheric pressure, as indicated by the barometer, is an important element in the causation
of disease, far more so than is generally thought. The barometer indicates not only the coming
of the storm, but that state of the atmosphere which gives rise to health at one time, and to
disease at another. When the barometer is high, both the body and mind have a feeling of
elasticity, of vigor and activity, and when the barometer ranges low, the feelings of both are just
the reverse ; and both of these states, commonly attributed to temperature, are mostly the result
of change in the barometric pressure. Many inflammations, as of the lungs, etc., commonly
HEALTH OF WISCONSIN. 235
attributed to change in the temperature, have their origin in barometrical vicissitudes.
Winds.
Generally speaking, the atmospheric movement is from the west. It is of little purpose
what the surface wind may be, as this does not affect the fact of the constancy of the westerly
winds in the middle latitudes. The showers and cumulus clouds of the summer always have this
movement. The belt of westerly winds is the belt of constant and equally distributed rains, the
feature of our winds upon which so much of our health and comfort depends.
Climatological Changes from Settling the State.
There are many theories afloat concerning the effects of reclaiming the soil and the destruc-
tion of its forests. To us, a new people and a new state, the question is one of great moment,
the more so that it is still in our power not only to watch the effects of such changes, but still
more so to control them in a measure for our good. As to the effects upon animal and vegetable
life, it would appear that so far as relates to the clearing away of forests, the whole change of
conditions is limited to the surface, and dependent for the most part on the retention and slow
evaporation in the forest, in contrast with the rapid drainage and evaporation in the open space.
The springs, diminishing in number and volume in our more settled parts of the state, do not
indicate a lessening rain-fall. It is a well ascertained fact that in other places so denuded, which
have been allowed to cover themselves again with forests, the springs reappear, and the streams
are as full as before such denudation. With us, happily, while the destruction of forests is going
on in various parts of the state, their second growth is also going on, both in the pineries, where
new varieties of hard-wood take the place of the pine, and in the more cultivated parts of the
state, cultivation forbidding, as it does, the practice so much in vogue some years ago, of running
fires through the undergrowth. Thus, though the renewal of forests may not be keeping pace
with their destruction, it would seem clear that as time advances, the springs and streams in the
more cultivated sections of the state will fill and flow again, increasing in proportion as the second
growth increases and expands.
The change, however, from denudation, though strictly limited to the surface, affects the
surface in other ways than simply in the retention and evaporation of rain. When the winter
winds are blowing, the want of the sheltering protection of belts of trees is bitterly felt, both by
man and beast. And so, too, in the almost tropical heats of the summer ; both languish and suifel
from the want of shade. Nor is the effect of denudation less sensibly felt by vegetable life. The
growing of our more delicate fruits, like the peach, the plum, the pear, the better varieties of the
cherry and gooseberry, with the beautiful half-hardy flowering shrubs, all of which flourished se
well in a number of our older counties some twenty years ago, are as a rule no longer to be found
in those localities, having died out, as is believed, from exposure to the cold winds, to the south
west winds in particular, and for want of the protecting influence of the woods. In fruits, how
ever, we have this compensation, that, while the more tender varieties have been disappearing,
the hardier and equally good varieties, especially of apples, have been increasing, while the
grape (than which nothing speaks better for climatology), of which we grow some 150 varieties,
the strawberry, the raspberry, blackberry and currant, etc., hold their ground. Nor are the cattle
suffering as much as formerly, or as much as is perhaps popularly believed, from this want of
forests or tree shelter. With the better breeds which our farmers have been able of late years to
purchase, with better blood and better food, and better care, our stock instead of dwindling in
condition, or in number, from the effect of cold, has progressed in quality and quantity, and
competes with the best in the Chicago and the New York markets.
236 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
There can, however, be no doubt that the planting of groves and belts of trees in exposed
localities, would be serviceable in many ways ; in tempering the air and imparting to it an
agreeable moisture in the summer ; in modifying the severity of the cold in winter ; in moderating
the extreme changes to which our climate is subject ; and thus in a measure preventing those
discomforts and diseases which occur from sudden changes of temperature. Besides, these
plantings, when made between our homes or villages and malarial marshes southwest of us, serve
(by the aid of our prevailing southwest winds) to break up, to send over and above and beyond
us the malarial substratum of air to which we are otherwise injuriously exposed.
The effects of reclaiming the soil, or "breaking " as it is called in the west, have, years ago,
when the state first began to be settled, been disastrous to health and to life. The moist sod
being turned over in hot weather, and left to undergo through the summer a putrifying fomen-
tative process, gave rise to the worst kind of malarial, typhoid (bilious) and dysenteric disease.
Not, however, that the virulence or mortality altogether depended upon the soil emanations.
These were undoubtedly aggravated by the absolute poverty of the early settlers, who were
wanting in everything, in proper homes, proper food and proper medical attendance, medicines
and nursing. These fevers have swept the state years ago, particularly in the autumns of 1844
and 1845, but are now only observed from time to time in limited localities, following in the
autumn the summer's " breaking." But it is pleasing to be able to add that through the advancing
prosperity of the state, the greater abundance of the necessaries and comforts of life, and the
facilities for obtaining medical care, the diseases incident to " settling " are much less common
and much less fatal than formerly.
Relations of Climatology to Sanitary Status.
One of the principal reasons for gathering climatological observations, is to obtain sanitary
information, which serves to show us where man may live with the greatest safety to his health.
Every country, we might perhaps correctly say every state, has, if not its peculiar diseases, at
least its peculiar type of diseases. And by nothing is either this type or variety of disease so
much influenced as by climate. Hence the great importance of the study of climatology to
health and disease, nay, even to the kind of medicine and to the regulating of the dose to be
given. It is, however, best to caution the reader that these meteorological observations are not
always made at points where they would most accurately show the salubrity of a geographical
district, by reason of the fact that the positions were chosen not for this special purpose, but
for purely military purposes. We allude to the forts of Wisconsin, from which our statistics for
the most part come. Another caution it is also well to bear in mind in looking over the class of
diseases reported at these stations in connection with their observations. The diseases are those
of the military of the period, a class from which no very favorable health reports could be
expected, considering their habits, exposure, and the influences incidental to frontier life.
The geography of disease and climate is of special interest to the public, and a knowledge
especially necessary to the state authorities, as it is only by such a knowledge that state legis-
lation can possibly restrain or root out the endemic diseases of the state. In connection with
the gathering of vital statistics must go the collection of meteorological and topographical
statistics, as without these two latter the former is comparatively useless for sanitary purposes.
More particularly does this apply to the malarial diseases of the state.
Acclimation is very rarely discussed or even alluded to by our people in relation to Wisconsin,
for the reason that, come from whatever part of Europe men may, or from the eastern states,
acclimation is acquired for the most part unconsciously, rarely attended by any malarial affection,
unless by exposure in such low, moist localities, where even the natives of the state could not
HEALTH OF WlSCONSIlsr. 237
live with impunity. It seems to be well enough established that where malaria exists, whether
in London, New York, or Wisconsin ; where the causes of malarial disease are permanent, the
effects are permanent, and that there is no positive acclimation to malaria. Hence it should
follow that since life and malaria are irreconcilable, we should root out the enemy, as we readily
can by drainage and cultivation, or, where drainage is impossible, by the planting of those shrubs
or trees which are found to thrive best, and thereby prove the best evaporators in such localities.
Our climate, approximating as it does the 45th degree (being equi-distant from the equator and
pole), would a priori be a common ground of compromise and safety, and from this geographical
position is not liable to objections existing either north or south of us.
Influence of Nationalities.
Our population is of such a confessedly heterogeneous character that naturally enough it
suggests the question : Has this intermingling of different nationalities sensibly affected our
health conditions .' Certainly not, so far as intermarriages between the nations of the Caucasian
race are concerned. This opinion is given first upon the fact that our classes of diseases have
neither changed nor increased in their intensity by reason of such admixture, so far as can be
learned by the statistics or the history of disease in the northwest. Imported cases of disease are
of course excepted. Second, because all that we can gather from statistics and history concern-
ing such intermingling of blood goes to prove that it is beneficial in every respect, physically,
mentally and morally.
England, of all nations, is said to be the best illustration of the good attending an
intermingling of the blood of different nations, for the reason that the English character is
supposed to be, comparatively speaking, good, and that of all countries she has been perhaps
more frequently invaded, and to a greater or less part settled by foreign peoples than any other.
From a residence of nearly a quarter of a century in the center of Wisconsin, and from an
adequate knowledge of its people, whose nationalities are so various and whose intermarriages
are so common, it is at least presumable that we should have heard of or noted any peculiar or
injurious results, had any such occurred. None such, however, have been observed. Some fears
have been expressed concerning the influence of Celtic blood upon the American temperament,
already too nervous, as is alleged. It is scarcely necessary to say that these fears are unsupported
by figures or facts. Reasoning from analogy, it would seem safe to affirm that the general inter-
mingling by intermarriage now going on in our population, confined to the Caucasian nationali-
ties, will tend to preserve the good old Anglo-Saxon character, rather than to create any new char-
acter for our people. If this view needed support or confirmation, it is to be found in some very
interesting truths in relation to it. Mr. Edwin Seguin, in his work on Idiocy, lays special stress
on the influences of races in regard to idiocy and other infirmities, like deafness. He says that
the crossing of races, which contributed to the elimination of some vices of the blood (as may be
the case in the United States, where there are proportionally less deaf and dumb than in Europe),
produces a favorable effect on the health of the population, and cites as an example, Belgium, which
has fewer deaf and dumb than any country in Europe, owing to the influence of the crossing of
races in past ages from the crowds of northern tribes passing, mingling and partly settling there
on the way to England.
We are aware that it has been predicted that our future will give us a new type, distinct from
all other peoples, and that with this type must come not only new diseases but modifications or
aggravations of the present diseases, in particular, consumption and insanity. But so long
as we are in a formative state as a nation, and that this state seems likely to continue so long as
the country has lands to be occupied and there are people in Europe to occupy them, such spec-
ulations can be but of little value.
238 HISTORY ov wiscoKsm.
Occupations, Food, Education, etc., as affecting Public Health.
The two chief factors of the social and sanitary well-being of a people are a proper educa-
tion of the man and a proper cultivation of the soil. Our two principal occupations in Wisconsin
are education and agriculture, the learners in the schools being in excess of the laborers on the
soil. A happier combination could scarcely be desired, to form an intelligent and a healthy
people. How this will affect our habits in the future it is easy to conceive, but for the present it
may be said (of so many different nationalities are we composed), that we have no habits which
serve to distinguish us from the people of other northwestern states. A well-fed and a well-taught
people, no matter how mixed its origin, must sooner or later become homogeneous and a maker
of customs. In the mean time we can only speak of our habits as those of a people in general
having an abundance of food, though it is to be wished the workers ate more beef and mutton,
and less salt-pork, and that whisky was less plentiful in the land. The clothing is sufficient,
fuel is cheap, and the dwellings comfortable. Upon the whole, the habits of the people are
conducive to health. It is thought unnecessary to refer to the influence upon health in general
of other occupations, for the reason that manufacturers, traders and transporters are for the most
part localized, and perhaps not sufficiently numerous to exercise any marked influence on the
state health.
History of Disease.
In searching for historical data of disease in Wisconsin, we are able to go back to the year
1766, commencing with the aborigines. The Indians, says Carver, in his chapter on their diseases,
in general are healthy and subject to few diseases. Consumption from fatigue and exposure he
notices, but adds that the disorder to which they are most subject is l^pleurisy. They are like-
wise afflicted with dropsy and paralytic complaints. It is to be presumed that while Carver is
speaking generally, he means his remarks to apply, perhaps, more particularly to those Indians
with whom he lived so long, the Sioux of this state. That they were subject to fevers is gathered
from the use of their remedies for fever, the " fever bush " being an ancient Indian remedy, and
equally valued by the inhabitants of the interior parts of the colonies. Besides this, they had
their remedies for complaints of the bowels, and for all inflammatory complaints. These notices
sufficiently indicate the class of diseases which have certainly followed in the wake of the Indi-
ans, and are still occurring to his white brother, making it plain enough that lung diseases, bowel
complaints, and fevers are in fact native to the state. The fact must not be ignored that the
Indian is subject to the same diseases as the human race in general.
After Carver, we may quote Major Long's expedition in 1824. The principal disease of the
Sacs appears to be a mortification of the intestinal canal, more common amongmen than women,
the disease proving fatal in four days if not relieved. It is unaccompanied with pain, and is neither
hernia, dysentery, nor hemorrhoids. Intermittents were prevalent, and the small-pox visited
them at different periods. As the Chippewas have a common Algonquin origin with the Sacs,
and as their home and customs were the same, it may be expected that their diseases were simi-
lar. The principal disease to which the Chippewas are liable is consumption of the lungs,
generally affecting them between the ages of 30 and 40 ; they linger along for a year or two, but
always fall victims to it. Many of them die of a bowel complaint which prevails every year.
This disease does not partake, however, of the nature of dysentery. They are frequently affected
with sore eyes. Blindness is not common. Many of them become deaf at an early age.
Referring to the report of the commissioner of Indian affairs for 1854, we find that the
decrease in the number of the Menomonees is accounted for by the ravages of small-pox, in 1838,
HEALTH or WISCONSIN.
239
of the cholera, in 1847 (which latter was superinduced by misery and starvation), and by the
fever, which from time to time, commonly in the winter, has been raging among them, being
clearly the consequence of want of provisions and other necessaries. The report for 1850 says,
there has been considerable sickness among the Winnebagoes for several months past ; dysentery
has been the prevalent disease, confined mostly to children. For 1857 : the Winnebagoes have
suffered considerably from chronic diseases, scrofula and consumption. For 1859: the chief
malady among the Winnebagoes is phthisis pulmonalis and its analogous diseases, having its
source in hereditary origin. Some of the malignant diseases are occasionally met with among
them, and intermittent and remittent fevers. In 1863 : of the Menomonees, there is a large
mortality list of the tribes under my charge. Measles and some of the more common eruptive
diseases are the causes. But the most common and most fatal disease which affects the Indians
at this agency is pneumonia, generally of an acute character. There is but little tubercular
disease to be found in any of these tribes, Menomonees, Stockbridges, Oneidas, etc. In the
report for 1865, one cannot but notice with some regret the absence of all allusion, except to
small-pox, to the diseases of the Indians. Regret, because reliable information of such diseases
serves a variety of valuable purposes, for comparison, confirmation, etc., of those of the white
population. For these reasons, if for none other, it is to be hoped that the attention of the
proper authorities will be called to this feature of such reports.
The first reliable report on the diseases of the people (as distinguished from the Indians) of
Wisconsin to which we have had access, is Lawson's Army Report of Registered Diseases, for to
years, commencing 1829, and ending 1838 (ten years before the admission of Wisconsin into the
Union as a state).
FORT HOWARD, GREEN BAY.
This abstract exhibits the second quar-
terg only, the mean strength being
1,702.
AH other diseases 1 14, excepting vene-
real diseases, abcesses, wounds, ul-
cers, injuries, and ebriety cases.
Intermittent fever 30
Remittent do II
Synochal do 4
Typhus do
Diseases of respiratory organs loi
Diseases of digestive organs 1S4
Diseases of brain and nervous system g
Dropsies i
Rheumatic affections 61
Under the class of diseases of the respiratory organs, are comprised 384 catarrh, 6 pneu-
monia, 60 pleuritis, and 28 phthisis pulmonalis; under the class of digestive organs, 376 diar-
rhoea and dysentery, 184 colic and cholera, and 10 hepatitis; under the class of diseases of
the brain and nervous system, 15 epilepsy, etc. The deaths from all causes, according to the
post returns, are 25, being ii^ per cent, per annum. The annual rate of intermittent cases is 6,
and that of remittent is 3, per 100 of mean strength.
Table of Ratio ok Sickness at Fort Howard.
Seasons.
mean strength.
NUMBER
TREATED.
RATE PER 1,000 OF
MEAN STRENGTH
TREATED QUARTERLY.
10 first quarters .
1,764
1,702
1,526
1.594
715
726
1,073
636
405
425
703
399
JO second " _ _
9 third "
10 fourth "...
Annual rate
1,647
3.150
1.913
240
HISTORr OF WISCONSIN.
Every man has consequently, on an average, been reported sick about once in every six
months, showing this region to be extraordinarily salubrious. The annual ratio of mortality,
according to the medical reports, is y'V per cent. ; and of the adjutant-general's returns, i^j-
per cent.
FORT WINNEBAGO.
Intermittent fever 21
Remittent fever 10
Synochal fever i
Typhus fever —
Diseases of the respiratory organs 141
Diseases of digestive organs. _ go
Diseases of brain and nervous system.. 2
Rheumatic affections 26
This abstract exhibits the fourth quarters
only, the mean strength being 1,571.
All other diseases, 80, with the exceptions as
above.
Under the class of diseases of the respiratory organs are comprised 448 catarrh, 11 pneu-
monia, 29 pleuritis and 10 phthisis pulmonalis ; under the head of digestive organs, 193 diarrhoea
and dysentery, 149 colic and cholera, and 17 hepatitis ; under the class of brain and nervous
system, i epilepsy. The total number of deaths, according to the post returns, is 20. Of these,
3 are from phthisis pulmonalis, i pleuritis, 2 chronic hepatitis, i gastric enteritis, i splenitis, etc.
TABLE OF RATIO OF SICKNESS AT FORT WINNEBAGO.
Seasons.
MEAN STRENGTH.
NUMBER
TREATED.
RATE PER 1,000 OF
MEAN STRENGTH
TREATED QUARTERLY.
lo lirst quarters. .. .
1.535
1.505
1,527
I.57I
552
517
581
495
360
343
380
315
10 second " ...
10 third " ....
Annual ratio.
1.534
2,145
1.398
Every man on an average is consequently reported sick once in eight months and a half.
FORT CRAWFORD.
Intermittent fever .262
Remittent fever 61
Synochal fever —
Typhus fever _ —
Diseases of respiratory organs 177
Diseases of digestive organs 722
Diseases of brain and nervous system 16
Rheumatic affections 58
This abstract exhibits the third quarters
only, the mean strength being 1,885.
All other diseases, 309, with the same list of
exceptions as above.
Under the class of diseases of the respiratory organs are included 1,048 of catarrh, 28 pneu-
monia, 75 pleuritis and 13 phthisis pulmonalis; under the head of digestive organs, 933 diarrhoea
and dysentery, and 195 colic and cholera; under the head of brain and nervous diseases, 7
epilepsy, etc. The total of deaths, according to the post returns, is 94, the annual ratio being
^tV P^"^ cent. The causes of death are : 6 phthisis pulmonalis, 6 epidemic cholera, i common
cholera, 4 remittent fever, 3 dysentery, etc. In the third quarter of 1830 there were 154 cases of
fever, while the same quarter of 1836, with a greater strength, affords but one case, the difference
seeming to depend upon the temperature.
HEALTH OF WISCONSIN,
241
The relative agency of the seasons in the production of disease in general is shown in the
annexed table :
TABLE EXHIBITING THE RATIO OF SICKNESS.
Seasons.
MEAN STRENGTH.
NUMBER
TREATED.
RATIO PER 1,000 OF
MEAN STRENGTH
TREATED QUARTERLY.
i,66o
1.749
1,885
1,878
987
1,267
1,948
1,270
595
724
1,033
676
10 fourth "
Annual ratio
1,793
5,472
3,052
Consequently every man on an average has been reported sick once in nearly every four
months. But high as this ratio of sickness is, at this fort, and, indeed, at the others, it is low
considering the topographical surroundings of the posts. But besides these injurious topograph-
ical and other influences already alluded to, there were still other elements of mischief among
the men at these stations, such as " bad bread and bad whisky," and salt meat, a dietary table
giving rise, if not to "land-scurvy," as was the case at the posts lower down in the Mississippi
valley (more fatal than either small-pox or cholera), at least to its concomitant diseases.
The reason for using these early data of the United States Army medical reports in pref-
erence to later ones is, that even though the later ones may be somewhat more correct in certain
particulars, the former serve to establish, as it were, a connecting link (though a long one) between
the historical sketch of the diseases of the Indian and those of the white settler; and again —
these posts being no longer occupied — no further data are obtainable.
To continue this historical account of the diseases of Wisconsin, we must now nave recourse
to the state institutions.
The Institution for the Education of the Blind.
The first charitable institution established by the state was formally opened in 1850, at
Janesville. The census of 1875 showed that there were 493 blind persons in the state, those
of school age — that is — under 20 years of age, probably amounting to 125. The number of
pupils in the institution that year, 82 ; the average for the past ten years being 68. If the health
report of the institution is any indication of the salubrity of its location, then, indeed, is Janes-
ville in this respect an enviable city. Its report for 1876 gives one death from consumption, and
a number of cases of whooping-cough, all recovered. In 1875, ten cases of mild scarlet fever,
recovered. One severe and two mild cases of typhoid fever, recovered. For 1873, no sick list.
For 1872, the mumps went through the school. For 1871, health of the school reasonably good ;
few cases of severe illness have occurred.
The Institute for the Deaf and Dumb.
This was organized in June, 1852, at Delavan. The whole number of deaf and dumb per-
sons in the state, as shown by the census of 1875, was 720. The report for 1866 gives the
number of pupils as 156.
Little sickness, a few cases of sore throat, and slight bowel affections comprise nearly all the
ailments ; and the physician's report adds : " The sanitary reports of the institution from its
earhest history to the present date has been a guarantee of the healthiness of the location.
Having gone carefully over the most reliable tabulated statements of deaf-mutism, its parent-
242 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
age, its home, its causes, and its origin, we would most earnestly call the attention of the public
to the fact that the chief cause comes under the head of congenital, 75 of the 150 pupils in this
institution having this origin. Such a fearful proportion as this must of necessity have its origin
in a cause or causes proportionately fearful. Nor, fortunately, is the causation a mystery, since
most careful examination leaves not a shadow of doubt that consanguineous marriages are the
sources of this great evil. Without occupying further space by illustrative tables and arguments,
we would simply direct the attention of our legislators and thoughtful men to the law of this dis-
ease— which is, that the number of deaf and dumb, imbeciles, and idiots is in direct keeping with the
degree of consanguinity . With such a law and exhibit before us, would not a legislative inquiry
into the subject, with the view of adopting preventive means, be a wise step.' The evil is fear-
ful ; the cause is plain; so, too, is the remedy."
Industrial School for Boys.
This institution is situated on the banks of the Fox river, at Waukesha, and was organized
in i860. The whole number of the inmates since it was opened in July, i860, to October 10.
1876, was 1,291. The whole number of inmates for 1876 was 415. Of these, since the period
of opening up to date, October, 1876, 25 have died : 8, of typhoid fever; i, of typhoid erysipelas;
I, of gastric fever; 3, of brain fever; i, nervous fever; 2, congestion of the lungs; 2, congestive
chills; 5, of consumption; i of dropsy; and i of inflammatory rheumatism.
The State Prison.
This was located at Waupun in July, 1857. On September 30, 1876, there were 266 inmates.
But one death from natural causes occurred during the year. The health of the prisoners has
been unusually good, the prevalent affections attendant upon the seasons, of a mild and
manageable character.
State Hospital for the Insane.
This institution, located near Madison, was opened for patients in July, i860. The total
number of admissions down to the year 1877, was 1,227 males, 1,122 females, total 2,349. Over
one half of these have been improved ; nearly one third recovered j while less than one quarter
have been discharged unimproved. Total number of deaths, 288. At the commencement of the
year, October i, 1875, there were in the hospital 376 patients. In the report for the year ending
September 30, 1876, we find the past year has been one of unusual health in the hospital. No
serious epidemic has prevailed, although 20 deaths have been reported, 7 fatally ill before admis-
sion, 4 worn-out cases, etc. Insanity, coming as it does, under this head of an article on State
Health, is of the highest interest from a state point of view, not only because so much may be
done to remedy it, but that still more can and ought to be done by the state to prevent it. Our
insane amount to i in 700 of the whole population, the total number in hospitals, poor-houses and
prisons being iri round numbers 1,400. It is a striking fact, calling for our earnest consideration,
that the Germans, Irish and Scandinavians import and transmit more insanity- — three to one —
than the American-born population produce. The causes assigned for this disparity, are, as
affecting importation, that those in whom there is an hereditary tendency to disease constitute the
migratory class, for the reason that those who are sound and in the full possession of their powers
are most apt to contend successfully in the struggle to live and maintain their position at home ;
while those who are most unsound and unequal to life's contests are unable to migrate. In other
words, the strongest will not leave, the weakest can not leave. By this, the character of the
migratory is defined. As affects transmission, poverty is a most fruitful parent of insanity, so too is
poor land. Says Dr. Boughton, superintendent of the Wisconsin State Hospital for the Insane;
HEALTH OF WISCONSIN. 24a
Wisconsin is characterized by a large poor class, especially in the northern part of the state,
where people without means have settled on new and poorly paying farms, where their life is
made up of hard work, exposure to a severe climate, bad and insufficient diet, cheerless homes,
etc., etc. These causes are prolific in the production of insanity. It is easy, therefore, to trace
the causes that give us so large a per cent, of insane in many of the counties of the state. Nor is
it of less interest to know, as Dr. B. adds : We draw our patients from those families where
phthisis pulmonalis, rheumatism and insanity prevail. Insanity and rheumatism are interchange-
able in hereditary cases, so too are insanity and phithisis. What may be accomplished by intel-
hgent efforts to stem the increase of insanity in our state ? Much. Early treatment is one means,
this is of course curative in its character. And its necessity and advantage are well illustrated
in table No. lo of the annual report of Dr. Boughton, for 1876, where it is seen that 45.33 of
males, and 44.59 of the females who had been sent to the State Hospital having been insane but
three months before admission, were cured, the proportion of cures becoming less in proportion
to the longer duration of insanity before admission. As a preventive means, the dissemination
of the kind of knowledge that shows indisputably that insanity is largely hereditary, and conse-
quently that intermarriage with families so tainted should on the one hand be avoided by the
citizen, and on the other hand, perhaps, prevented by the state, (congress at the same time
restraining or preventing as far as possible persons so tainted from settling in this country.)
By the state, inasmuch as the great burthen of caring for the insane falls upon the state. Still
other preventive means are found in the improved cultivation of our lands and in our improved
education ; in fact, in whatever lessens the trials of the poor and lifts them out of ignorance and
pauperism. It is only by culture, says Hufeland, that man acquires perfection, morally, mentally
and physically. His whole organization is so ordered that he may either become nothing or
anything, hyperculture and the want of cultivation being alike destructive.
The Northern Hospital for the Insane.
This hospital was opened at Oshkosh, May, 1873. The total number under treatment
September 30, 1876 was — males 246, females 257, total 503. No ailment of an epidemic charac-
ter has affected the health of the household, which has been generally good. The report of Dr.
Kempster is full of suggestive matter for the legislator and sociologist.
City of Milwaukee.
Still adhering to the plan, in writing the sanitary history of the state, of gathering up all
the health statistics which properly belong to us, we now take up those of Milwaukee, the only
city in Wisconsin, so far as we know, that has kept up a system of statistics of its diseases.
The city is built on each side of the mouth of Milwaukee river, on the west shore of Lake Michi-
Ran inlat. 43" 3' 45" N., long. 87^ 57' W., and is considered remarkable for its healthy climate.
The board of health has furnished us with its report for 1870 and downward. The character of
Its mortality from June 19, 1869, to March 31, 1870, is thus summarized : In children under five
years of age, 758 out of 1,249 deaths, consumption, 93; convulsions, 128; cholera infantum,
59; diarrhoea, 128; scarlet fever, 132; typhoid fever, 52 ; inflammation of the lungs, 41 ; still-
born, 79. This disproportionate number of still-born children is attributed in part to a laxity of
morals. The deaths from consumption in Milwaukee are 7 J^ out of every 100, one third less out
of a hke number of deaths than in San Francisco, in which city, in 4,000 deaths, 441 died of con-
sumption, being 11 out of every 100 deaths for the year ending July, 1869. The deaths for 1870
numbered 1,655, the population being at the last census report, 71,636.
244
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Table of Principal Causes.
Consumption 143
Inflammation of lungs 56
Convulsions 259
Diarrhoea 131
Diptheria 74
Scarlet fever 52
Typhoid fever 49
Old age _ . _ 28
Still-born _ 123
The Milwaukee population being about
72,000, the death rate per annum for
every 1,000 inhabitants would be 21,
after proper deductions of deaths from
other causes than from disease, showing
very favorably as compared with other
cities.
Glasgow has 39 to every 1,000; Liverpool, 36; London, 25 ; New Orleans, 54; New York,
32 ; San Francisco, 24; Milwaukee, 21. Among seventeen of the principal cities of the Union,
Milwaukee ranks the ninth in rate of mortality. An impression has prevailed that Milwaukee is
subject to a large and disproportionate amount of lung and allied diseases. Statistics disprove
this, its deaths from consumption being only 6 per cent., while those of Chicago are 7.75 ; of
St. Louis, 9.68; of Cincinnati, 11.95; ^nd of Boston, 19.31. But few cases of malarial disease
occur in Milwaukee, and fewer cases of intestinal fever than in the interior of the state. The
mortality among children is explained by its occurring chiefly among the poor foreign-born
population, where all that can incite and aggravate disease is always to be found.
This, (the historical part of the health article), will doubtless call forth from the profession
much additional and desirable matter, but excepting what will further appear under the head of
Madison it is proper to say that we have exhausted the sources of information on the subject
within our reach.
Health Resorts.
Next in order would seem to come some notice of the summer and health resorts of Wiscon-
sin, which, significant of the salubrity of the state, are not only becoming more numerous, but
ilso more frequented from year to year.
Madison, the capital of the state, with a population of 11,000, is built on an isthmus between
two considerable lakes, from 70 to 125 feet above their level; 80 miles west of Milwaukee, in
latitude 43° 5' north, and longitude 89° 20' west, in the northern temperate region. The lake
basins, and also the neck of land between them, have a linear arrangement, trending northeast and
southwest. The same linear topography characterises the whole adjacent country and the boun-
dary lines of its various geological formations, this striking feature being due to the former move-
ment of glacier ice over the face of the country. At two points, one mile apart, the Capitol and
University hills, respectively 348 and 370 feet above the level of Lake Michigan, rise prominently
above the rest of the isthmus. Both of these hills are heaps of drift material from 100 to 126 feet
thickness, according to the record of the artesian well. The neck of land on which Madison stands
is of the same material. The same boring discloses to us the underlying rock structure, pene-
trating 614 feet of friable quartzose sandstone belonging to the Potsdam series, io}4 feet of red
shale belonging to the same series, and 209 J^ feet of crystalline rocks belonging to the Archaean.
In the country immediately around Madison, the altitude is generally considerably greater, and
the higher grounds are occupied by various strata, nearly horizontal, of sandstone and limestone.
The Potsdam sandstone rises about 30 feet above the level of Lake Mendota, on its northern
shore, where at McBride's Point it may be seen overlaid by the next and hitherto unrecognized
layer, one of more or less impure, dark-colored, magnesian limestone, to which the name of Men-
dota is assigned, and which furnishes a good building stone. The descent of these strata is about
HEALTH or WISCONSIN. 245
0 feet to the mile in a due southerly direction. Overlying the Mendota beds are again sandstone
layers the uppermost portions of which are occasionally charged with lo to 20 per cent, of calca-
reous and dolomitic matter, and then furnish a cream-colored building stone of considerable
value. Most of this stratum which has been designated as the Madison sandstone, is, however,
quite non-calcareous, being either a ferruginous brown stone, or a quite pure, white, nearly loose
sand. In the latter phase it is of value for the manufacture of glass. In a number of quarries,
cuttings and exposed places around the city, the Madison beds are seen to be overlaid by a gray-
ish, magnesian limestone, the lower magnesian, varying very considerably in its character, but
largely composed of a flinty-textured, heavy-bedded, quite pure dolomite, which is burnt into a
good quality of lime. Its thickness exceeds 80 feet. Madison, with the conveniences and com-
forts of a capital city, from its easy access by railroads, from not only in itself being beautiful,
but from its beautiful surroundings, from its good society, charming climate, and artesian
mineral water, is naturally a great summer resort.
Though there are no vital statistics of the city to refer to, a residence of nearly a quarter of
a century has made us sufificiently acquainted with its sanitary history, which is more or less the
sanitary history of this part of the state, and in a measure of the state itself. In 1844 and 1845,
it was visited by an epidemic malarial fever of a bilious type, and not unfrequently fatal, which
passed very generally through the state, and was attributed to the turning up of the soil. It was
most virulent in the autumns. Again in 1854 it was visited by a light choleraic epidemic, which
also swept the state, assuming very generally a particularly mild type. Again in 1857 it suffered
lightly from the epidemic dysentery, which passed through the state. In 1865, it suffered from
a visitation of diptheria, the disease prevailing generally over the state at that time. It has also
had two visitations of the epidemic grip {g?'ippe), or influenza. The last invasion, some five
years since, commencing in a manner perhaps worthy of noting, by first affecting the horses very
generally, and again, by beginning on the east side of the city, while the other epidemics for the
past twenty-five years (unless the choleraic visitation was an exception) came in on the south-
west side of the city, as has been the case, so far as we have been able to observe with the light
epidemics to which children are subject. But little typhoid fever is found here, and the aguish
fevers when they occur are light and easy of control. There is but little diarrhoea or dysen-
tery. Pneumonia and its allied affections are more common, so is rheumatism, and so neuralgia.
Inflammatory croup, however, is very rare, sporadic diptheria seeming to be taking its place.
All the ordinary eruptive fevers of children are and always have been of a peculiarly mild
type.
Prairie du Chien, situated immediately at the junction of the Wisconsin with the Mississippi,
's built about 70 feet above low water, and 642 feet above the level of the sea. The cliffs on
both sides of the river present on their summits the lower strata of the blue Silurian limestone
of Cincinnati, beneath which are found sandstone and magnesian limestone down to the water's
edge. We give this notice of Prairie du Chien for the purpose of bringing to the knowledge of
the public that it possesses one of the most superb artesian wells in the state, which is attracting
many persons by its remedial mineral properties.
Green Bay sanitarily may be considered as sufficiently indicated under the head of Fort
Howard. It is, however, proper to add that from its geographical position and beautiful situa-
tion at the head of the bay, its easy access both by railroad and steamboat, its pleasant days and
cool summer nights, it has naturally become quite a popular summer resort, particularly for
southern people.
Racine, some 25 miles south by east by rail from Milwaukee and 62 by rail from Chicago, is
built upon the banks and some 40 feet above the level of the lake. Its soil is a sandy loam and
246 HISTORY or WISCONSIN.
gravel, consequently it has a dry, healthy surface, and is much frequented in the summer for its
coolness and salubrity.
Waukesha, i8 miles west of Milwaukee by railroad, is a healthy, pleasant place of resort at
all times on account of its mineral water, so well known and so highly appreciated throughout
the country.
Oconomowoc, 32 miles by railroad west by north of Milwaukee, is a healthy and de-
lightfully located resort for the summer. Its many lakes and drives form its chief attractions,
and though its accommodations were considered ample, during the past summer they were found
totally inadequate to meet the demands of its numerous visitors.
The Dalles, at Kilbourn City, by rail 16 miles from Portage, is unsurpassed in the northwest
for the novelty, romantic character, and striking beauty of its rock and river scenery. It is
high and dry; has pure water and fine air, and every-day boat and drive views enough to fill
up a month pleasantly.
Lake Geneva, 70 miles by rail from Chicago, is built on the north side of the lake, is justly
celebrated for its beauty, and its reputation as a summer resort is growing.
Green Lake, six miles west of Ripon, and 89 northwest from Milwaukee, is some 15 miles
long and three broad, surrounded by beautiful groves and prairies; and is claimed to be one of
the healthiest little places on the continent.
Devil's Lake is 36 miles by rail north of Madison. Of all the romantic little spots in Wis-
consin, and they are innumerable, there is none more romantic or worthy of a summer visitor's
admiration than this. It is, though shut in from the rude world by bluffs 500 feet high, a very
favorite resort, and should be especially so for those who seek quiet, and rest, and health.
Sparta, 246 miles by rail from Chicago, is pleasantly and healthily situated, and its artesian
mineral water strongly impregnated with carbonate of iron, having, it is said, over 14 grains in
solution to the imperial gallon, an unusually large proportion, attracts its annual summer
crowd.
Sheboygan, 62 miles by rail north of Milwaukee, from its handsome position on a bluff over-
looking the lake, and from the beauty of its surroundings as well as from the character of its
mineral waters, is an attractive summer resort.
Elkhart Lake, 57 miles by rail north of Milwaukee, is rapidly acquiring a good name from
those seeking health or pleasure.
Change in Diseases.
In order to ascertain whether the classes of diseases in the state at the date of Carver's
travels are the same which prevail to-day, we have compared his description of them with those
tabulated in the army medical reports of Forts Howard, Crawford and Winnebago, and again
with those given in the U. S. Census for 1870, and with the medical statistics of the city of
Milwaukee. The three distinct and prominent classes prevailing from Carver's to the present
time, are, in the order of prevalence, diseases of the respiratory organs, consumption, pneumonia,
bronchitis, etc.; diseases of the digestive organs, enteritis, dysentery, diarrhoea, etc.; and the
malarial fevers. At Fort Howard alone do the diseases of the digestive organs seem to have
outnumbered those of the respiratory organs. So far as it is possible to gather from the reports
of the commissioners of Indian affairs, these features of the relative prevalence of the three
classes of disease are not disturbed.
There are, however, some disturbing or qualifying agencies operating and affecting the
amount or distribution of these classes in different areas or belts. For instance, there are two
HEALTH or WISCONSIN. 247
irregular areas in the state; the one extending from the Mississippi east and north, and the other
starting almost as low down as Madison, and running up as far as Green Bay, which are more
subject to malarial diseases than are the other parts of the state. While it is found that those
parts of the state least subject to diseases of the digestive organs are, a belt along the western
shore of Lake Michigan, and a belt running from near Prairie du Chien north into the pineries.
Again, it is found that the part of the state most subjec' to enteric, cerebro-spinal and typhus
fevers, is quite a narrow belt running north from the southern border line into the center of the
state, or about two-thirds of the distance toward the pineries. All along the western shore of
Lake Michigan, and stretching across the country by way of Fond du Lac to the Mississippi, is
a belt much less subject to these disorders. It is equally beyond question that the western shore
of Lake Michigan, and the southern shore of Lake Superior, as well as the western half of the
southern boundary line of the pineries, are less affected with consumption than the interior parts
of the state.
The tendency of these diseases is certainly to amelioration. The sanitary history of Wiscon-
sin does not differ from that of any other state east of us, in this striking particular ; the farther
you trace back the history of disease, the worse its type is found to be. It follows, then, that
the improvement in public health must progress with the general improvement of the state, as
has been the case with the eastern states, and that the consequent amelioration of our malarial
diseases especially will tend to mitigate infectious diseases. The ameliorating influences, how-
ever, that sanitary science has brought to bear upon disease, of which England is so happy an
illustration, has scarcely as yet begun to be known to us. But the time has come at last when
this science is moving both the hearts and minds of thinking and humane men in the state, and
its voice has been heard in our legislative halls, evoking a law by which we are, as a people, to be
governed, as by any other enactment. The organization of a state board of health is a new era
in our humanity. In this board is invested all legal power over the state health. To it is com-
mitted all the sanitary responsibility of the state, and the greatest good to the people at large
must follow the efforts it is making.
There are many other points of sanitary interest to which it is desirable to call the attention
of those interested in Wisconsin. It is a popular truth that a dry climate, all other things being
equal, is a healthy climate. Our hygrometrical records show Wisconsin to have one of the driest
climates in the United States. Choleraic diseases rarely prevail unless in a comparatively
stagnant state of the atmosphere, where they are most fatal. Where high winds prevail such
diseases are rare. The winds in Wisconsin, while proverbially high and frequent (carrying away
and dissipating malarial emanations), are not destructive to life or property, as is the case, by
their violence, in some of the adjoining states. A moist, warm atmosphere is always provocative
of disease. Such a state of atmosphere is rare with us, and still more rarely continuous beyond
a day or two. Moist air is the medium of malarial poisoning, holding as it does in solution
gases and poisonous exhalations. Its character is readily illustrated by the peculiar smell of
some marsh lands on autumnal evenings. Such a state of moisture is seen only in our lowest
shut-in marshes (where there is but little or no air-current), and then only for a very limited
period, in very hot weather.
But too much importance is attached by the public to a simply dry atmosphere for respira-
tory diseases. The same mistake is made with regard to the good effects in such disorders of
simply high elevations. Dry air in itself or a high elevation in itself, or both combined, are
not necessarily favorable to health, or curative of disease. In the light and rare atmosphere of
Pike s Peak, an elevation of 6,000 feet, the pulse is accelerated, the amount of sleep is dimin-
ished, and the human machine is put under a high-pressure rate of living, conducive only to its
248
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
injury. The average rate of the pulse in healthy visitors is from 115 to 120 per minute (the
normal rate, in moderate elevations, being about 75). And where there is any organic affection
of the heart, or tendency to bleeding from the lungs, it is just this very dry atmosphere and high
elevation that make these remedies (?) destructive. Hence it is that Wisconsin, for the generality
of lung diseases, especially when accompanied with hemorrhage, or with heart disease, is prefer-
able to Colorado. It may be objected, that the diseases of the respiratory organs are in excess
of other diseases in Wisconsin. This feature, however, is not confined to the cold belt of our
temperate latitudes — our proportion of respiratory diseases, be it noted, comparing most favor-
ably with that of other states, as may be seen in the following table :
Climatological Distribution of Pulmonary Diseases.
STATES.
Deaths
by
Phthisis.
Per cent,
of entire
Mortality.
Deaths by all
diseases of Res-
piratory Organs.
Per cent,
of entire
Mortality.
Massachusetts, 1850, U. S. Census
3.426
2,558
657
866
290
17.65
8.83
" 14-55
7-36
9.99
4,418
3,988
1,084
1,799
535
22.27
13-77
24.00
15.00
Wisconsin, 1849-50, U. S. Census
18.43
Now, while the mortuary statistics of the United States census for 1850 are acknowledged
to be imperfect, they are, nevertheless, undoubtedly correct as to the causes of mortality. But
besides this statistical evidence of the cHmatological causes of disease, there are certain relative
general, if not special, truths which serve to guide us in our estimate. Respiratory diseases of
all kinds increase in proportion as the temperature decreases, the humidity of the air being the
same. Another equally certain element in the production of this class of diseases is variableness
of climate. Still, this feature of our climate is only an element in causation, and affects us, as
we shall see in the table below, very little as compared with other states. Indeed, it is still
disputed whether there is not more consumption in tropical climates than in temperate climates.
This much is admitted, however, that consumption is rare in the arctic regions. Dr. Terry says
the annual ratio of pulmonary diseases is lower in the northern than in the southern regions of
the United States, and Dr. Drake, an equally eminent authority, recommends those suffering
from or threatened with pulmonary affections, to retreat to the colder districts of the country,
citing among others localities near Lake Superior — a recommendation which our experience of
nearly half a century endorses.
Proportion of Pneumonia to Consumption in the Different States.
STATES.
CONS.
PNEUM.
states.
CONS.
PNEUM.
Massachusetts
Ohio
3,424
2,558
866
549
895
647
North Carolina
Kentucky _ _ .
Wisconsin
562
1,288
290
664
429
194
When we compare the general death-rate of Wisconsin with that of the other states of the
Union, we find that it compares most favorably with that of Vermont, the healthiest of the New
England states. The United States census of 1850, i860 and 1870, gives Wisconsin 94 deaths
to 10,000 of the population, while it gives Vermont loi to every 10,000 of her inhabitants. The
STATISTICS OF WISCONSIlSr.
249
census of 1870 shows that the death-rate from consumption in Minnesota, Iowa, California and Wis-
consin are alike. These four states show the lowest death-rate among the states from consumption,
the mortality being 13 to 14 per cent, of the whole death-rate.
Climatologically considered, then, there is not a more healthy state in the Union than the
state of Wisconsin. But for health purposes something more is requisite than climate. Climate
and soil must be equally good. Men should shun the soil, no matter how rich it be, if the climate
is inimical to health, and rather choose the climate that is salubrious, even if the soil is not so
rich. In Wisconsin, generally speaking, the soil and climate are equally conducive to health,
and alike good for agricultural purposes.
STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN.
1875.
ADAMS COUNTY.
population.
Towns, Cities and
Villages.
White.
Colored
'3
1
1
<
Adams
200
2II
164
261
117
204
240
in
lU
121
199
189
501
187
198
163
200
100
193
329
137
403
62
118
li?
182
433
115
'2'
■4'
398
465
317
461
217
397
469
IS?
136
244
220
330
371
934
242
Big Flats
Dell Prairie
Leoia.. .;:;;:;::::
Monroe
New Haven
Preston
Richfield
Rome
Sprlnjfvllle
White Creek
Total
3,451
3,045
2
4
6,602
ASHLAND COUNTY.
Ashland
268
141
180
141
448
282
La Polnte
Total
409
321
730
BAYFIELD COUNTY.
Bayfield..
538 493 1
1,032
BARRON COUNTY.
POPULATION.
Towns, Cities and
White.
Colored
1
Si
z
I
to
343
459
364
826
214
122
240
235
397
319
216
182
84
106
39B
426
Chetac
Stanford...
Dallas
Total
2,068
1,669
3,737
BROWN COUNTY.
210
143
371
410
943
291
1,889
591
3,966
581
784
687
519
499
765
616
384
838
434
774
477
982
1,222
175
136
337
858
956
208
1.721
482
4,017
543
705
579
467
408
633
529
335
792
372
696
453
941
1,058
"8"
"7"
379
768
Depere village
1,911
, 499
Port Howard city
3,610
1,073
Green Bay citj'
8,037
1,123
Holland .".
1,489
1,266
986
909
1,898
New Denmark
Pittsfleld
1,145
719
Preble
1,642
806
Scott
1,470
Suamico
West Depere village
929
1,928
2,296
Total
18,376
16,899
53
45
35.373
250
HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN.
BURNETT COUNTY.
POPULATION.
TOWNS, Cities and
White.
Colored
«
Villages.
1
a;
a
a5
6
1
433
831
87
379
191
83
11
la
4
7
14
827
Trade Lake
434
Wood Lake
195
Total
751
653
38
35
1,456
BUFFAIiO COUNTY.
Alma
Belvidere
Buffalo
Buffalo Citj'
Canton
Cross
Door
Gilmanton
Glencoe
Lincoln
Manville
I Iton
Modena
Montana
Naples
Nelson
Waumandee
Alma village
Fountain City village
Total
307
138
376
869
392
377
413
339
275
315
403
341
717
899
553
465
500
7,517
254 2
293
379
137
336
321
383
337
372
309
240
212
383
306
671
664
501
431
494
6,703
CALUMET COUNTY.
CliARK COUNTY.
Beaver
Colby
Eaton
Fremont —
Grant
Hewet
Hixon
Loyal
Lynn
Levis
Mentor
Mayville....
Fine Valley
Perkins
Sherman ...
Unity
Warner ....
Weston
Washburn .
York
Total..
106
91
1
303
310
183
142
67
47
353
310
58
43
305
133
363
337
84
71
151
113
347
307
137
123
789
736
....
36
87
132
130
133
107
186
121
236
153
70
68
171
135
3,988
3,394
550
687
S86
375
»13
690
574
504
785
648
515
437
785
647
1,388
1,663
1,063
886
994
14,219
Brothertown
864
666
1,061
668
1,008
1,016
837
910
690
809
507
1,000
592
875
949
758
865
639
12
16
3
1
161
7
'iti'
4
156
1,693
1,173
3,093
1,267
1,884
1,966
1,590
^■S§?
Woodvllle
1,329
7,720
6,989
193
183
15,085
197
513
335
104
663
101
328
499
155
264
654
360
1,525
73
352
389
307
379
138
306
CBUPPEWA COUNTY.
FOPULATIOM.
Towns, Cities and
White.
Colored
£
Villages.
■s
a
.2
<
361
488
3,386
329
1,360
1,046
346
443
369
420
606
1,755
1,074
638
352
368
"e"
"i'
630
908
1,260
Chippewa Falls city
6,050
617
2,434
1.688
598
Wneaton
810
8,313
5,670
B
1
13,995
COLUMBIA COUNTY.
513
639
481
912
662
662
376
Hi
Elf
705
449
444
863
759
130
2,164
630
409
423
486
580
33
497
584
400
991
647
618
351
712
497
506
BO 5
743
437
409
862
737
119
3,161
556
874
347
442
540
34
"i'
3
"i"
3
1,009
1,233
881
1,903
1,309
1,380
727
1,461
1,013
1,103
1.046
1,448
886
Marcellon
868
1,731
1,496
■7"
"i'
349
4,337
1,186
783
770
West Point
938
1,130
West -w. Vll. of Eandolph. .
67
14,710
14,069
15
9
38,803
CRAWFORD COUNTY.
177
851
813
498
394
411
439
404
184
773
688
186
336
352
535
434
f&
687
697
511
"4
"2'
12
"i'
"i'
368
1,616
1,443
Freeman
1,564
571
Marietta
902
Prairie du c'hien town
Prairie du Clilen city—
720
763
964
828
, Fourth -ward . .
393
963
1,391
Utica
1,470
1 094
Total
7,759
7,276
18
11
15,036
DOUGLAS COUNTY.
7,282
Superior .
386 346 3
741
STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN.
251
DOOB COUNTY.
POPULATION.
Towns, Cities AND
Wlilte.
Colored
S
Is
i
s
g
<
Bailey's Harbor.
210
359
344
244
III
394
2S6
268
290
220
186
316
279
fs^
S06
325
107
278
192
211
214
181
396
Brussels
675
623
Egg Harbor
454
Forestville
Gardner
802
414
702
273
672
418
Sevastopol . .
479
649
Sturgeon Ba'y village
632
530
401
Total
4,343
3,677
8,020
DUNN COUNTY.
Colfax
178
578
577
261
490
239
1,959
130
130
349
327
156
379
628
271
400
128
212
170
458
490
231
463
190
1,467
124
115
313
203
146
308
548
229
263
117
188
348
1,036
1,067
Eau Galle
Granc
'5'
r
l'
1
"z
"2"
954
8,433
Pew
245
663
302
1,176
503
663
Stanton
Tiffany
245
Weston
400
7,394
6,021
13 427
DODGE COUNTY.
Ashippun
743
794
1,656
567
593
451
694
701
F7!
451
985
1,143
591
907
156
833
832
1,014
1,318
532
1,006
668
956
149
569
1,072
956
686
615
'ill
700
707
1,795
624
519
403
636
701
632
381
508
911
1,097
599
841
154
804
759
929
1,245
537
951
653
912
168
606
1,026
806
568
618
1,520
441
28
1,442
1,501
3,465
1,091
1,112
854
1,330
1,402
1,356
863
1,012
1.896
2,240
1,190
1,748
Beaver Dam town
Beaver Dam city
"4"
23
■■■■
"3'
Calamus
Clyman
Elba
Fox Lake village
Uoricon villuge
Hustlsforcl
1,637
1,697
1,943
2,563
1,069
1,958
1,321
1,868
318
1,065
2,098
1,762
1,145
1,233
2,955
1.070
he Roy
OakGrovu
Portland
Randolph village, E. ward
Shields
1
T
"i"
Theresa
Williumstown
Watertown city, 5 & 6 w'ds
■\Vaupun village, 1st ward,.
Total
24,785
23,541
'JK 1 QO
48,394
i>a:ne county.
Towns, Cities amd
Villages.
POPULATION.
W'hlte.
Colored
a;
aj
rt
s
5
fa
Albion
Berry
Black Earth
Blooming Gi'ove...
Blue Mounds
Bristol
Burke
Christiana
Cottage Grove
Cross Plains
Dane ,
Deerfield ,
Dunkirk
Dunn ,
Fitchburg ,
Madison town
Madison city
Mazomanie
Medina
Middleton
Montrose
Oregon
Perry
Primrose
Pleasant Springs. . .
Roxbury
Rutland
Springdale
Springfield
Stougnton village..
SnnPj'airle
Sun Prairie village,
Vienna
Verona
Vermont
Westport
Windsor
York
Total
679
682
592
543
451
446
555
474
1
659
531
579
558
575
546
863
740
680
549
1
703
727
697
571
493
413
677
575
1
586
687
576
575
419
361
4
4
4,858
5,174
41
20
813
818
3
1
726
691
866
850
2
540
638
1
655
704
580
444
470
448
1
669
C87
1
592
559
653
504
522
495
728
664
685
622
515
467
283
306
547
479
546
491
2,
662
556
1
813
808
629
558
3
1
618
484
1
26,894
25,814
60
30
PON DU liAC COUNTY.
Ashford
Auburn
Alto
Byron
Calumet
Eden
Kmpire
Eldorado
FondduLac
Forest
Friendship
Fond du Lac city-
First ward
Second ward
Third ward
Fourth ward
Fifth ward
Sixth ward
Seventh ward
Eiglitli ward
Lamartine
Mecomeii
Marshtield
Oaklield
Osceola
ilipon
Rosendale
Ripon city-
First ward
Second ward.
SprinRvale
Taycheedah
Waupun
Waupun village, N. ward
Total
1,064
877
725
685
723
763
527
840
768
793
1,109
1,166
1,085
1,374
594
739
655
726
780
918
1,055
748
684
630
611
872
777
642
783
666
498
799
686
661
649
713
490
747
676
686
524
1,175
1,248
1,204
1.398
663
727
659
753
731
919
891
673
667
581
584
981
862
580
717
644
478
1,261
1,136
897
1,030
1.090
1,137
1,121
1,593
1,130
1,430
1,168
906
1,263
1,173
1,051
788 ■
10,093
1,635
1,417
1.718
1,079
1,369
974
919
1,067
1,161
1,067
1,018
1,392
1,207
972
58»
1,026
1,039
1,118
1,621
1,191
1,003
52,798
2,006
1,676
1,411
1,346
1,372
1,476
1,029
1.587
1,445
1,479
1,107
2,300
2,409
2,295
2,774
1.157
1,481
1,869
1,523
1,513
1,838
1,952
1,421
1,351
1,211
1,200
1,854
1,647
1,228
1,500
1,311
979
24,604 98 80 50,241
252
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY.
POPULATION.
Towns, Cities akd
White.
Colored
<o
s
fa
CO
to
<
Augusta village
549
461
419
4,646
281
158
701
496
260
93
327
893
607
383
387
3,777
179
163
563
ill
2^e
327
1.3
1,056
844
706
8,440
400
321
1,264
959
603
171
?I2
Eau Claire city.
Faircliild
Lant
Total
8,724
7,250
13
4
15,991
GREEN COUNTY,
Adams
476
565
695
759
348
450
867
B40
463
1,525
560
530
639
446
477
520
437
585
664
V50
654
751
350
433
847
486
441
1,693
658
445
597
530
893
496
i"
■a"
2
913
1,150
1 138
Brodhead, ■village
1,428
1,849
1,510
701
Exeter
883
1,714
903
3,227
1,110
975
1
1,238
876
870
York...... ..:::::::::::::::::
1.016
11,102
10,900
14
11
22,027
GRANT COUNTY.
865
413
974
607
487
709
425
935
611
446
1,047
658
636
639
468
1,376
369
671
369
109
400
600
2,000
1,373
429
716
486
330
536
380
293
805
413
996
599
512
677
384
835
531
397
1,074
491
557
481
483
1,368
349
604
357
97
381
440
2,054
1,868
401
613
469
274
481
354
869
27
"5"
8
"2"
20
....
3
1,717
Blue KI ver
836
Boscobel
1.978
1,206
Clifton
999
Cassville
1,386
809
1,770
Glen Haven
1,144
843
2,131
"l"
1,049
1,194
1,020
1
6
"%
888
3,742
Little Grant
708
"3"
2
16
1
"i'
1
9
1,275
726
206
781
Paris
Plattviile...;.
940
4,060
2,644
856
1,330
955
Watterstown
604
1,017
734
662
Ti.::il
20.037
18,944
B5
40
39,086
GREEN LAKE COUNTY.
population.
Towns, Cities and
Wliite.
Colored
Villages.
1
^
1
Berlin...
648
1,586
707
789
452
630
737
537
1,076
390
232
554
1,755
691
759
442
654
682
581
1,015
336
325
1,103
3,341
"1"
6
1
"e"
1,399
1,500
Kingston
895
1,285
Macltford
1,419
1,058
3,091
726
458
Total
7,632
7,642
9
6
15,274
IOWA COUNTY.
1,004
390
1,854
1,565
1,078
818
806
1,458
484
785
1,299
480
362
924
367
1,870
1,459
972
705
715
1,681
443
712
1,174
434
358
2
"1
■5
3
4
11
"3"
"i'
4
1,930
Clyde
757
3,725
3,024
2,059
1,526
1,527
3,054
927
1.497
Eidgeway
2,473
914
720
Total
18,384
11,714
26
9
24,133
JACKSON COUNTY.
Albion
Alma
Garden Valley,
Hixton
Irvinff
Manchester...,
Melrose
Millston
Northfieia .. .
Springfield
Total
1,428
1,334
6
1
699
620
549
477
714
554
669
588
836
197
613
546
128
82
448
429
566
467
6,039
6,294
5
1
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
669
770
376
1,215
666
920
2,081
1,744
746
799
571
798
757
348
626
418
1,115
3,386
635
747
350
1,198
608
857
1,968
1,810
730
752
515
778
72 b
255
489
897
1,066
3,283
4
2
6
3
■2
1
21
4
3
3
5
■'i'
13
1 312
1,582
734
2,415
1 273
1,777
4,041
3,556
1,499
1,651
1,086
1 576
Sullivan
1,483
1,016
815
Watertown town
Watertowu city, 1st, 3d, 3d,
4tli, aud 7tli wards
3,180
6,669
Total
17,702
17,187
40
29
34,908
STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN.
253
JUNEAU COUNTY.
POPULATION.
Towns, CITIES and
■White.
Colored
V
'^
g
rt
fe
6
6
£
117
135
897
390
309
553
656
274
259
178
548
1,001
558
267
748
419
510
774
119
115
3J3
332
849
519
510
240
234
160
569
864
573
248
690
377
460
719
"l"
'ai'
i'
i'
1
236
250
740
712
558
1,072
1,066
5!4
483
338
1,118
1,865
1,133
516
1,438
796
970
1,495
Clearfield
Lisbon
Marion
Necedah... .
New Lisbon village
Orange
Seven Mile Creek
Wonewoc
Total
7,993
7,301
3
3
15,300
KENOSHA COUNTY.
Brighton
Bristol
Kenosha city —
Paris ,
Pleasant Prairie,
Randall
Somers
Salem
Wheatland
Total
661
505
685
552
«
«
2,436
3,533
7
7
539
479
734
723
5
5
29V
252
793
657
5
5
697
669
434
433
7,066
6,803
19
19
1,066
1,137
4,959
1,018
1,467
549
1,450
1,366
867
13,907
ItETVAUNEE COUNTY.
Ahnapee town
Ahuapee village
Carlton
Casco
Franklin
Kewaunee town & village
Lincoln
Montpelier
Pierce
Ked River
Total
687
632
632
606
706
706
742
657
747
726
1,337
1,233
497
440
633
634
917
780
718
685
7,506
6,899
1,319
1,038
1,412
1,399
1,473
2,570
937
1,157
1,697
1,403
14,406
LA CROSSE COUNTY.
Barre
366
667
516
538
919
426
863
461
1,131
725
1,784
596
1,195
712
393
482
499
348
604
485
ii
402
1,205
640
1,916
753
982
666
287
355
433
"2
3
"i'
33
6
5
3
3
"l
1
23
6
2
2
714
Bangor
Burns
1,271
991
Farmington
1,863
Hamilton
1 703
Holland
La Crosse city-
2,392
1,373
3,711
1,354
2,182
1,37S
680
Second ward
Third ward
Fourth ward
Fifth ward
Onalaska town
Onalaska village
Washington. .
Totol
13,263
11,590
55
37
23,945
LA FAYETTE COUNTY.
Towns. Cities and
Villages.
Argyle
Belmont
Benton
Blanchard
Darlington
Elk Grove
Fayette
Gratiot.
Kendall
Monticello
New Diggings
Seymour
ShuUsburg
"Wayne .....
"White Oak Springs
"Willow Springs. ...
"Wiota 7.
Total
POPULATION.
"White.
Colored
a;
d
^
<n
^
660
886
273
1,330
610
602
866
468
238
922
622
1,253
654
231
555
935
11,388
671
591
1
795
256
1.341
3
423
595
855
420
....
231
1
883
416
1,287
1
637
215
609
886
1
10,781
2
4
1,154
1,251
1,681
529
2,671
933
1,197
1,731
888
469
1,805
988
2,540
1,081
446
1,064
1,801
22,169
LINCOLN COUNTY.
Jenny .
633 373
MARQUETTE COUNTYs
362
384
381
260
469
366
219
331
277
274
843
343
163
338
370
830
338
271
436
352
179
338
263
268
326
807
146
304
1
732
714
719
531
I'ot
398
66!)
530
542
669
650
309
642
Crystal Lake
Harris
Oxford
Shield
Springfield
4,490
4,207
•■
8,697
MAKATHON COUNTY.
Bergen
Berrin
Brighton
Hull
Knowlton...,
Maine
Maratbon....
Mosinee ,
Stettin
Texas ,
Wausau
Wausau city,
Weill
Weston
Total. . . ,
109
50
58S
639
369
223
873
• 298
136
139
361
232
235
307
238
479
430
169
119
439
386
1,560
1,260
110
114
363
215
1
5,524
4,586
1
169
1,134
583
671
364
766
467
646
909
378
834
2,830
334
479
10,111
254
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
MANITOWOC COUNTY.
MIJLWAUKEE COUNTY.
MONROE COUNTY.
Adrian
Angela
Byron
Clifton
Glenclale
Greenfield , .
Jetf arson.
L,a Fayette..
La Grange...
Leon
Little Falls..
Lincoln
New Lyme..
Oal^Dale....
PortlaiKl
Rlrteeville..
Sheldon
Sparta
Tomah
Wellington..
Wilton
Wells
POPULATION.
Towns, Citie.=! anu
White.
Colored
^
S
to
to
Cato
951
824
881
773
935
934
1,176
728
3,226
606
885
901
1,060
779
1,057
694
1,005
1,019
858
343
955
780
883
791
887
875
1,084
692
3,498
638
767
853
1,014
644
1,016
549
963
932
857
313
1,906
1,604
1,714
1,564
1,822
1,809
2,260
1,420
6,724
1,234
1,662
1,754
2,074
1,423
8.073
1,143
1,958
1,951
1,715
666
Eaton
...
Kossuth
Liberty
Mishlcott
Meeine
Newton
Kockland
Two Rivers town
Two Creeks
Total
19,535
18,921
38,466
JVlilwauliee City-
4,427
6,874
3.693
5.025
4,316
3.929
3,289
3.3.32
4,330
3,584
3.897
2,026
1,768
945
1,343
2,416
1,232
1,155
2,876
1,812
5,101
6,617
3,483
5,491
3,978
3,995
3,774
3,336
2,328
3,577
3,250
1,988
1,694
1,299
1,815
1,199
1,051
2,870
1,755
1
"8
70
7
V
3
"6'
70
10
"2"
9,632
13 491
Second ward
7,190
10 6,^6
Fifth ward
8,310
7,924
7,072
6.668
8,668
7,161
6,647
4,014
3,452
1,823
2,646
4,233
2,431
2,206
5,246
3,667
.Seventh wai'd.
Eiglithward
Eleventh ward
Twelfth ward
■■2"
1
"2"
1
Thirteenth ward
Greenfield
Wan watosa
Oak Creek
Lake
Total
61,758
60,979
96
94
122,927
373
308
....
274
856
193
138
408
381
706
591
387
328
....
507
459
234
206
422
896
83
35
404
338
383
277
2
1
462
881
81
74
370
328
6
11
478
408
630
516
■ 400
342
1,814
1,923
6
7
1,154
1,077
460
397
....
575
612
336
294
11,000
9,925
47
5-1
681
580
331
789
1,297
716
966
440
886
742
613
843
165
710
886
1,146
742
3,760
8,231
867
1,087
629
21,026
OCONTO COUNTY.
i'OP[;latiox.
Towns, Cities and
White.
Colored
Villages.
0
ri
g
Is
S
^
S
g
196
561
162
1,446
563
2,871
1,495
744
268
179
361
108
1,086
463
2,086
1,022
637
185
375
912
"3'
1
J.
260
2,537
1,017
4,467
2
1
2,520
1,881
453
B
3
7,786
6,017
13,812
OUTAGAMIE COUNTY.
3,307
546
886
238
536
170
689
850
842 ■
719
562
980
263
408
HI
100
290
759
3,403
492
429
463
718
179
616
140
655
731
811
669
533
937
11
100
247
624
11
■4'
"4"
"2"
9
"a
"1
"i'
6,730
981
974
Black Creek
1,009
Center
1,559
417
Dale
1,052
310
1,353
1,581
1,653
1,388
1 095
1,917
499
746
803
New London, 3d ward
200
537
1
1,384
Total
13,283
12,313
22
20
85,568
OZAUKEE COUNTY.
Cedai'burg
Belgium
Fredonia
Grafton
Mequon
Port Washington,
Saukville
Total
1,376
1,048
992
910
1,617
1,497
1,081
1.268
1,009
924
844
1,622
1,481
979
1
...
1
8,516
8,029
1
1
PIERCE COUNTY.
2,644
2,052
1,916
1,756
3,139
8,978
2.060
16,545
Clifton
Diamond 3iiuff
388
307
li
628
124
656
544
484
535
963
430
403
618
297
326
324
250
654
248
343
542
101
514
480
415
544
984
ni
327
454
262
253
"i
29
10
■■4
....
:;;;
24
9
"s
712
657
Ellsworth
1,200
723
Hartland
1 170
Isabella
'825
1,070
1,024
899
Maiden Rock
1.132
River Falls
1,916
799
Rock Elm
308
730
Trlmbelle
973
Trenton
549
Union
579
Total
7,977
7,045
44
36
15,101
STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN.
255
POLK COUNTY.
POPULATION
Towns. Cities and
White.
Colored
£
6
a
510
376
266
209
425
399
209
61
160
105
486
208
134
447
318
268
174
352
3-^8
141
45
157
85
428
'12
56
■■9
47
957
Itlacic Brook
694
777
721
453
10
"9
317
209
Osceola
914
406
Sterling. . . . , .
244
Total
3.548
3,045
78
65
6,736
POKTAGE COUNTY.
Amherst
650
376
248
894
277
126
522
309
244
641
571
141
651
783
234
719
741
315
575
345
230
332
232
120
497
295
199
496
514
1.30
616
711
134
612
687
289
1
1,225
721
478
726
Eau Flelue
509
Grant
24 b
Hull
1,019
604
443
1 037
Plover..:.
PlneGrove
271
1,267
1,494
368
Stevens Point city-
1 331
1,488
604
Total
7,842
7,0-
1
14,856
PEPIN COUNTY.
194
497
271
311
759
315
598
120
181
478
233
274
644
288
535
IIT
"2
375
975
585
1,406
.Stockholm
606
1,128
VVaubeek
237
Total
3,060
2,750
2
5,816
ROCK COUNTY.
Avon
neluiCtowii
JJeloit city
BraUford
Center
Clinton
Fulton
Harmouy
.lanesvilletown,
Janesviileclty..
Johnstown
La Prairie
Lima
M.agnolla
Miltou
Newark
Plymouth
Porter
Rock
Spring Valley...
Turtle
445
433
377
344
«
2,162
2,371
39
33
506
473
2
542
498
1
966
952
2
«
1,060
980
1
613
523
463
400
5,040
5,015
34
26
611
576
4
4.34
387
1
598
533
662
615
1
1
945
930
1
1
483
471
639
603
609
646
522
497
580
658
Koa
"
878
723
4,605
981
1.041
1,922
2,011
1.136
853
10.115
1,191
822
1,131
1,079
i,8V7
9c 4
1,342
1,155
1,019
1,138
I.Ul
2:125
39,039
KACINE COUNTY.
Towns. Cities and
Villages.
POPULATION.
White.
Colored
<u
U)
-=
t^
'^
<
Burlington .,
Caledonia
Dover
Mt. Pleasant,
Norway
Racine city..
Raymond
Rochester.,.
Waterford...
Yorkville,...
Total . . ,
1,403
1,424
1
1,502
1,345
588
455
1
1,237
1,104
506
457
4
«
6,571
6,590
62
51
436
408
1
789
725
810
755
14,616
13,973
69
53
KICHLAND COUNTY.
ST. CROIX COUNTY.
Baldwin
Baldwin village,
Cady
Cylon
Erin Prairie
Emerald
Eau Galle
Hammond
Hudson
Hudson city
Kinnikinnick...
Pleasant Valley
Rush River
Richmond
Someiset
Springfield
Stanton
Star Prairie
St. Joseph
Troy ,
Warren
Total
160
119
355
247
184
145
235
209
636
667
173
128
277
250
648
57'i
341;
297
979
993
4
1
394
331
361
260
329
B16
604
535
1
277
261
372
308
259
223
358
314
164
166
620
896
378
304
1
8,009
6,941
6
1
SAUK COUNTY.
Barahoo
Bear Creek
I^elton
Dollona
Excelsior ..
Fairfield...,
Franklin ...
Freedom...
2,026
1,931
11
8
406
402
416
413
311
281
567
485
1
382
342
483
449
660
497
2,827
2,847
993
2,341
963
13.274
1-634
844
l.ei4
1,585
28,702
361
685
660
578
598
490
463
622
463
8.33
902
749
588
627
627
435
381
614
526
625
687
422
448
697
440
334
965
690
544
483
477
403
742
l,. ■
1,299
liueua Vistii
1,086
1,098
1,186
912
911
1,219
903
b'
1
'io
"2"
"i'
687
1,874
1,440
1,132
1,010
w estf ord
1 004
851
8,896
8,436
16
5
17,353
279
602
331
447
-:,2'j3
3v..ii
52!:'
1,220
643
1,977
725
621
645
1,140
538
680
482
672
330
916
683
14,966
3.37f)
il)H
'29
■Mi
1 (.5 1
724
932
1,057
256
HISTOEY or WISCONSIN.
SAUK COUNTY.— Cont'd.
POPULATION.
Towns, Citiks and
White.
Colored
6
S
rt
^
6
6
s
Hi
Greenfield
Honey Creek.,
Ironton
LaValle
Merrimack
Prairie dii Sac
Reedsbnrg
Spring Creek.,
Sumpter
Troy
Washington...
Westfleld
Winfield
Woodland
Total
391
.■i74
1
766
648
632
1,270
678
6i8
1,311
604
549
1,153
456
430
954
1,045
1 999
1,114
1,126
2
2;242
533
516
1,049
392
381
773
551
501
1,052
567
636
1,093
683
632
3
1,320
439
378
827
645
575
1,220
13,816
13,088
17
11
26,932
SHAWANO COUNTY.
Almund
Angellco
Belle Plaine...
Grant
Green Valley. .
Hartland
Herman
Maple Grove. .
Navareno
Palla
Richmond
Sessor..
Seneca
Shawano towu,
Shawano city..
Washincrton ...
■Waukeclian...
Total
53
30
83
206
130
236
363
345
708
272
198
470
150
124
•14
•3
291
477
441
918
147
135
282
243
196
439
80
68
....
148
238
238
466
164
136
300
90
89
179
72
60
133
131
93
224
405
362
•13
•Ml
789
239
216
455
218
197
415
3,548
3,048
26
13
6,635
*Stockbridge Indians.
SHEBOYGAN COUNTY.
Greenbush
Herman...-
Holland
Lima
Lyndon
Mitchell
Mosel
Plymouth
Rhine
Russell
Scott
Sheboygan town
Sheboygan city—
Firstward
Second ward
Third ward
Fourth ward
Sheboygan Falls
Sheboygan Falls village ...
Sherman
Wilson
Total 17.368
1,004
969
1,152
1.085
1,535
1,402
1,167
1,149
864
793
637
544
553
541
1,369
1,306
793
776
283
367
754
750
796
710
565
631
1,160
1,192
736
683
918
953
993
917
612
563
873
815
616
606
1,973
2,237
3,937
2,316
1,658
1,181
1,093
2,675
1,569
550
1,504
1,506
1,196
2,342
1,419
1,871
1,910
1,175
1,687
1,222
34,021
TREMPEALEAU COUNTY.
POPULATION.
White.
Colored
Towns, Cities and
91
ViLLAGBR.
a
c
o
u
"
1^
1
Arcadia
Albion
Burnside
Caledonia....
Dodge
Ettrick
Gale
Hale
Lincoln
Preston
Pigeon
Sumner
Trempealeau
Total....
1,464
1.368
2,833
201
169
370
547
493
1,040
510
293
213
285
291
576
774
741
1,515
889
856
1,745
557
463
1,020
410
335
746
755
706
3
1,464
316
303
619
406
412
878
882
795
1
1,678
7,844
7,144
4
14,992
TAYLOR COUNTY.
I
542 I
297 1 7! I 3 1
VERNON COUNTY.
Bergen
Christiana
Clinton
Coon
Forest
Franklin
Genoa
Greenwood...
Hamburg
Harmony
Hillsborough.
Jefferson
Kickapoo
Liberty
Stark
Sterling
Union
Viroqua
Webster
Wheatland....
Whitestown...
476
458
1
1
734
640
483
456
506
451
361
343
S5
53
703
638
358
359
451
434
650
569
519
487
684
642
524
552
554
661
254
223
464
435
659
621
355
266
1
1
1,046
970
522
473
1
442
403
441
344
58
55
11,166
10,245
936
1,374
939
957
812
1,341
717
885
1,219
1,006
1,108
1,194
1,115
447
899
1,280
633
2,016
996
883
747
21,524
W^ALV^^ORTH COUNTY.
Bloomfield
Darien
Delavan village
Delavan town..
East Troy
Elkhorn
Geneva village.
Geneva town...
La Fayette
La Grange
Linn
Lyons
Eichmond
.Sharon
Spring Prairie..
Sugar CreeK —
Troy
Walworth
Whitewater
Total
591
713
836
3S5
704
510
836
541
514
506
443
736
490
1,001
596
502
530
655
2,060
13,149
516
739
933
379
685
589
844
468
495
449
437
664
435
973
584
476
481
616
2,335
13,067 18 26
1,107
1,442
1,785
764
1,389
1,099
1,680
1,010
1.009
965
870
1,400
926
1,989
1,180
978
1,011
1,270
4,895
26,259
STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN.
257
WASHINGTON COUNTY,
POPULATION.
Towns, Cities and
White.
Colored
1
6
B
1;
1
9
<*
Addison ,
Barton
Erin
Farmington
Germantowu
Hartford
Jackson
Kewaskum
Polk
Richfield
Schleisingerville. . .
Trenton
Wayne
West Bend town.. . ,
West Bend village,
Total
951
- 660
612
878
1,030
1,403
1,038
731
936
921
220
1,005
855
451
601
857
689
571
839
955
1,321
1,014
703
820
819
160
907
855
444
624
l'
1,808
1,350
1 183
"3'
1,717
1,985
2.727
2,042
1 756
1,740
380
1,91a
1,710
893
1,225
12,282
11,576
4
23,862
WAUKESHA COUNTY.
1,128
792
617
746
761
1,205
778
562
766
887
464
769
996
1,064
619
667
1,031
1,318
1,095
716
605
629
658
1,143
736
673
684
820
419
710
1,116
1,016
540
588
700
1,449
::::
"i'
2,228
1,609
1,224
Genesee
1,376
1,421
2,348
1.522
1,135
1,450
"i
4
■4
21
"4
5
16
1,707
893
1,474
2,121
2,080
1,159
1,247
1,736
Waukesha village
3,807
Total
16,140
14,196
33
26
29,425
WAUPACA COUNTY.
393
478
426
131
411
456
111
478
388
4U8
534
688
192
510
875
511
566
448
205
938
413
261
427
384
451
390
119
363
402
112
439
376
363
303
632
182
426
801
495
512
397
184
1,038
369
237
388
1"
"2'
777
929
817
350
774
Fremont
Helvetia
lola
858
223
917
Larrabee
764
771
1,037
1,120
372
966
1,682
Royalton
Scandinavia
1,006
1,078
845
389
2
1,976
782
Weyauwega
498
815
Total
10,146
9,451
5
4 1 19,646
WAUSHARA COUNTY.
POPULATION.
Towns, Cities and
White.
Colored
S
6
a
6
1
g,
11
Aurora
537
692
187
256
122
223
443
309
300
331
459
473
193
180
384
245
322
347
473
666
147
244
114
266
399
279
369
377
397
437
185
186
319
226
325
361
4
6
1,020
1,358
Coloma
DaKota
284
500
236
479
842
588
669
608
866
Rose
378
366
SaxviUe
703
Sprlntfwater
471
708
Total
5,963
6,660
4
6
11,523
WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
Algoina
Black Wolf..
ClavtoTi
Meiiasha
Menaslia city
Neeiiali
Nekimi
Nepeuskin ...
Neeiiali cUy..
Oslikoiii
Omro
Oslikosh ciiy.
Poygaii
Riisnrord
Utica
Vinlancl
Winchester,..
Winneconne.
Wolf River...
Total....
393
39C
469
438
691
609
389
331
1,579
1,961
276
252
3
3
697
578
673
550
2,062
1,961
610
510
1
3
1.622
1,690
8,672
8,263
31
41
463
405
1,055
1,018
3
3
679
499
588
553
596
636
1,342
1.230
4
1
460
417
23,106
21.825
61
61
WOOD COUNTY.
Aburtidale
Ceiitralia city
Dexter
Grand Rapids city
Grand Rapids
Lincoln
Port Edwards
Rudolph
Reniiiifiton
Saratoga
Sigel
Seneca
Wood
Total
102
74
1
429
371
1 1 ..
191
113
1
737
680
i ....
376
297
■i 1
231
194
193
117
. .. 1
255
217
.
79
73
159
144
231
201
1 1 ...
183
166
125
104
3,291
2,750
6 1
789
897
1,300
720
3,170
534
1,275
1,123
4,023
1,124
3,312
17,015
868
2,079
1,078
1,141
1,131
2,577
877
46,033
176
800
304
1,418
677
426
310
472
152
303
433
349
229
6,048
258
HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN.
POPULATION BY COUNTIES.
SUMMARY FROM STATE AND FEDERAL CENSUS.
Counties.
1840.
1850.
1865.
1860.
1865.
1870.
1875.
187
6,868
6.492
615
13
363
11,795
3,864
18
7,895
1,895
789
34,441
8,068
43,983
48,818
3,948
818
3,704
3,168
34,164
31,189
19,808
12,663
18,967
4,170
30,438
8,770
13.900
5,530
12,186
18,134
5,698
266
■■269
15,882
6,776
171
8,638
3,378
1,011
86,113
11,011
50,198
46,841
3,998
533
5,170
5,381
43.029
33,618
20,646
12,696
20,657
6,631
30,697
10,013
13,676
7,039
14,834
30,358
6,601
221
538
344
25,168
11,123
706
12,335
8,811
3,450
fi:e?i
53,096
47,035
4,919
1,122
9,488
10,769
46,373
37,979
23,611
18,195
24,544
7,687
84,050
12,396
13,177
10,281
80,295
82,667
6,603
760
3,737
1,033
8,107
6,215
6,699
833
35,373
14,319
1,456
Calumet
275
1,743
B16
■■■'gises
3,498
16,639
19,138
3,631
838
832
17.965
3,.323
37.714
34,540
739
385
1,796
16,066
13,995
Clark
7,282
28,803
1,508
314
67
15,086
52,798
48„394
8,020
741
13,427
15,991
139
926
933
14,510
16,198
8,566
34,784
33.170
14,837
■ 'ii'.iioi
1,098
26,869
50,241
39,086
22,027
15,274
3,978
914
9,623
'"is.m
24,133
11,839
84,908
15,300
i6,734
12,397
1,109
3,904
16,064
18,907
14,405
23,945
11,531
28,169
235
895
3,703
489
608
31,077
13,048
447
1,437
46.365
2,407
1,501
4,914
12,973
33,416
2,892
8,233
62,518
8,410
3,593
9.587
15,683
2,392
4,673
1,400
7,507
31,360
9,733
36,690
5,893
18,968
829
26,875
26,768
.3.678
7,337
73,320
11,653
4,858
11,853
14,882
3,003
6,324
1,677
8,145
32,884
13,186
26,033
7.255
30,154
1,389
27,671
83,369
6,885
8,057
89,936
16,568
8,338
18,440
15,579
4,659
10,003
3,433
10,640
36,743
15,736
39,030
11,089
23,868
3,165
31,773
88,456
10,111
18
6,605
8,597
183.927
21,086
13,812
25,558
16,545
5,816
1,730
547
5,151
30,673
5,584,
31,364
2,040
13,614
3.64
30,391
15,101
6,736
1,623
3,475
■■■'i',70'i
809
108
1,350
14,973
963
20,750
634
4,371
14,856
28,702
17,353
39,039
14.956
26.932
6,635
133
8,370
34,021
849
493
4,883
33,662
18,897
24,012
4.487
6.541
17,439
2,660
11,007
36,496
83,632
26,831
8,851
8,770
23,770
2,435
, 5,199
13.644
35,773
34,019
87,029
11.208
9.002
39,767
3,966
10,728
18,673
36,992
33,905
38,268
15,533
11,379
37,335
3,911
14,992
■■■i7!862
19,485
19,253
21.524
2,611
343
26.259
23,862
19.646
11,533
135
10,167
45,033
6.048
30,945
305.391
553,109
775,881
868.335
1,054,670
1.336,739
In a note to tlie territory of Indiana returns appears the following:
sippi, liad 65, and Green Bay 50 inhabitants.
'Onthe 1st of August, 1800, Prairie du Chien, on the Missis-
STATISTICS OF WISCONSII^.
259
NATIVITY BY COUNTIES.
CENSUS OF 18/0.
Native.
FOEIKI'lN
BORJN-.
COUMTIBS.
P
c
U
0
0
a
2,649
148
132
175
11,098
4,433
100
,5,658
2,764
1,196
12,233
5,808
22,738
30,934
1,90.1
340
3 177
3.336
20 112
19,390
10,643
4.535
13.563
2,966
15.407
5.359
5.939
4.208
6.779
11,3-16
15,109
3.333
3.342
37,183
6,732
3.677
8,060
8,314
1.613
3,618
931
4,337
11.836
6,547
15,209
9,795
1,133
14.957
4,158
3,700
7.232
11,214
13.504
13,304
6,325
14;5l7
1,58?
3
i
X
.1
5 0
«1
s
.d
0
'£
CO
—
0
a
6
947
4
■92
29
"44
1?
77
3
3
1
627
71
3
3
18
1
19
1
44
48
94
3
51
"4
864
25
79
785
84
"li
1
5
49
4
6
34
1,682
38
6
3
15
58
48
3
1
33
i
a
S
0
5,351
174
246
288
14,738
6.854
144
7,661
4,725
2,751
19.652
9.612
33.456
28.708
2,806
712
6,268
7,394
31.477
28.565
18.532
9.098
15.366
5,764
31,747
9,361
9,066
4,642
11,695
15.935
16 868
3,139
5,128
47,697
12,512
4,591
11,741
8,728
3,351
7.460
2,249
7,218
15,949
13.954
30.712
17.308
1,688
19,192
7,451
6,339
13.605
20.823
13.868
18.368
11.011
8.702
25.209
3,538
1,250
47
393
56
10,440
4,269
563
4.674
8,386
699
9,150
3.463
19,640
18,327
2,113
410
3 220
3,375
14,796
9,414
5.079
4.U97
9.178
1,923
12,293
3,011
. 4,081
,5.486
8.603
6 734
16,496
2,746
2.938
42 333
4,038
3,730
6,689
6,836
1,308
3.498
1.173
3.421
10,791
1.777
8,318
6,552
1,478
12.557
3.584
4,393
.5,040
5.150
10.051
9,906
4,528
2.577
13.070
1,374
127
12
127
23
>■??!
4
165
1,437
336
511
397
684
565
290
133
437
767
1,754
3K6
272
390
346
391
369
336
138
159
580
186
518
216
151
884
356
1,645
796
110
208
310
191
401
370
168
755
386
111
333
816
309
184
391
97
832
508
264
1,558
636
142
4
2
2
273
56
4
167
130
81
2,046
186
1,631
1,236
89
41
147
242
1,391
2,531
598
597
3,897
151
934
395
650
47
670
3,281
323
49
252
1,973
510
111
171
48
91
102
46
217
1,878
223
1,382
765
27
303
150
185
189
921
110
3,065
360
608
1,531
42
225
18
7
4
1,442
342
1
500
417
45
1,333
906
2,955
2.301
227
487
2,573
1,281
942
412
1,289
137
1,067
1,104
813
313
488
2,345
1,133
103
537
4,604
641
422
792
475
118
422
108
369
1,039
4.31
"'946
24
943
1,202
286
306
1,729
882
1,593
517
307
1,899
171
26
1
1
23
112
135
1
13
39
18
629
48
465
256
23
6
51
54
317
189
50
63
86
92
183
81
100
16
109
111
52
26
198
502
87
38
85
18
29
34
19
99
289
46
490
103
5
38
66
141
87
148
35
397
60
43
146
84
133
8
41
3
2,733
1.971
3,367
958
235
2,774
640
6,276
12,666
426
60
842
835
7,373
3,585
892
2,634
1,447
250
8 445
518
2.083
1.611
2.831
729
9.335
2.239
1,661
29 019
1,601
797
3,262
4,422
300
449
172
1,223
3,859
481
1,142
3.433
1.096
8,497
294
776
661
1.173
8.213
4,335
1,243
816
5,261
299
6
39
■51
84
4
30
35
160
187
27
4
17
34
125
83
39
3?
29
41
11
89
23
53
17
93
19
1
288
38
23
61
92
27
16
27
39
82
25
78
65
4
119
6
22
30
81
134
37
39
11
53
3
537
3
98
1
451
556
551
3
439
79
1.515
764
6,601
383
344
93
1,336
871
156
543
1.017
27
1,647
944
384
379
29
97
3,646
993
1.420
73
81
636
573
331
i^
484
1,053
488
795
1,088
237
1,428
93
146
234
940
2.633
3.138
579
40
486
1,225
230
762
106
4
ibs
67
168
34
1
34
!i
"2
7
547
4
343
12
309
3
11
2.011
489
3.366
3
1,524
40
72
7
11
"i
11
703
124
6
8
■38
"41
281
1
296
54
8
"36
9
'14
"si
941
"82
35
1
67
46
216
97
16
2
44
39
193
118
1,247
1
81
6
144
11
30
27
271
31
153
3
1
447
43
8
64
20
7
76
6?
11
50
601
12
99
3
16
35
40
79
96
65
3
800
28
3a
jjayfield
871
Buffalo
22
30
49
11
131
37
«i
61
21
Crawford
Dane
Eau Claire
98
13
Grant
15
3
15
Kenosha
71
55
3
38
5
180
3
60
66
16
19
106
47
1.294
3
52
9
'I
71
9
8
278
557
Polk
Rock .
Vernon
Washington
Waupaca
723
51
Wood
260
HISTORY or WISCONSIN.
VALUATION OF PROPERTY
IN THE STATE OF WISCONSIN.
ASSESSED Valuation of Taxable Property eor the
YEAK 1876.
COUWTIES.
Value of per-
sonal property.
Value of
real estate.
Total,.
$ 179,771
42.666
146,374
21,705
442,287
438,601
32.419
378.946
966.624
281,813
1,875,049
527,043
4,610,768
2,446.793
135.107
19,434
1,052,300
1,384,142
2,489,759
2,502,795
1,966,599
789,736
1,233,676
472,124
1,753,985
660,125
1.320,967
546,678
1,336,271
1,196,502
13.664
1,141,320
336,078
326,668
15,345,281
668,191
455,741
623,744
381,784
738;082
237,567
564,079
2,418,248
612,171
4,462,048
816,768
1,364,772
121,267
1,903,861
58,812
840,378
924.835
3.187,722
1,062,347
3,166,504
480,837
343,509
3,081,308
851,669
$ 624,168
889,523
1,043,964
533,167
2,195,053
890,028
448,765
2.107,811
4,359,245
2,356,972
7,088,892
1,457,686
14,882,179
11,014,318
659,650
410,227
1,876,148
4,204,233
11,649,769
7,039,201
6,290,829
3,485,819
4,348,452
1,040,417
7,896,833
1,607,245
4,488,186
2,560,641
4,015.568
4,776,417
1,532,542
6,290,599
1,744,901
1,038,967
46.477,283
1,994,911
3,411,657
3.348,267
2,803,688
595,316
2,435,319
1,121.599
1,692,018
8,071,811
1,908,886
13,931,410
3,110,445
4,036,813
685,917
7,096,170
816,421
1,904,988
2,388,420
10,559,619
4,927,634
11,892,119
1,826,908
1,343,029
9,810,290
698,920
S 803.939
Ashland
932,189
1,190,338
Bayfield
lirown
554,872
2,637,840
Buffalo
1,328,629
ISurnett
Calumet
Chippewa
Clark
Columbia
Crawford
Dane
475,184
2,481,157
5,324,869
2,637,785
8,958,941
1,984,639
19,492,947
13,461,111
,794,757
Douglas
429,661
2,927,448
Eau Claire
Fond du Lac...
Grant
5,568,375
14,139,528
9,541,996
Green
8,357,428
Green Lake
4,375,555
6,583,128
Jackson..:
Jefferson
1,513,541
9,650.818
2,367,370
Kenosha
Kewaunee
La Crosse
La Fayette
Lincoln
Manitowoc
Marathon
Marquette
Milwaukee ....
Monroe
5,809.143
3,107,319
5,351,839
5,971,919
1,546,196
6,431,923
2,079,979
1,360,635
61,832,564
2,6.53,102
3,867,298
Outagamie
Ozaukee
Pepin
3,972,011
3,185,472
8.30.699
3.173.401
Polk
1,369,166
Portage
2,156,097
10,490,069
Richland
2,520,557
18,393,458
St. Croix
Sauk
3,927,213
5,401,685
Shewano
.Sheboygan
Taylor
'807:184
9,000,031
870,233
Trempealeau..
Vernon
Walworth
Washington...
Waukesha
Waupaca
Waushara
Winnebago
Wood
2,746,366
3,313,855
13,747,241
5,989,981
15,057,623
2,307.745
1,686.538
12,89!, 598
860,689
Total
5274,417,873
J351,780,354
Valuation of Untaxed Property, prom Assessors'
Returns for 1875 and 1876.
Co., town,
city and
village
property.
* 6,147
2,340
""eisoo
48,325
15,300
""iiibo
""asso
29,785
■■"7! 300
45,800
■"171163
"73,136
49,830
52,605
26,660
"'151280
600
12,600
"l9,s66
10,760
31,000
28,310
15,700
5,680
1,318,506
5,368
" ia4od
5,380
25
13,950
""aooo
22,700
526
28,000
11,400
9.000
8,000
10,725
356
1,500
70,200
7,500
700
250
21,350
6,380
1,600
82 ,063,6.36
School, col-
lege and
academy
properly.
9.900
4,925
1,400
102.636
27,787
1,600
""5,160
8,000
115,606
11,000
" 8a 630
""3,lii
3,200
16,933
60,500
197,405
66,875
" 361774
"66,206
"46! 365
17,730
3,500
55,930
9,640
21,348
27,202
8,735
771,265
13,200
96i396
18,415
8,347
73,675
10,940
26,916
24,625
" soiooo
7,211
4,125
2,800
2,000
"150,266
500
34,940
21,080
29,495
3,735,817
Church and
cemetery
property.
If 4,713
1,000
125
8,685
83,369
39,760
3,000
13,320
65,014
1,300
91,142
4,100
359,890
121,075
7,039
2,351
3.200
56.930
259.900
109,405
78,995
23,840
55,026
16.076
173,300
19,380
46,860
18,531
110,643
71,610
"'64i874
16,835
12,080
1,212,390
33,158
38,100
73,875
32,930
4,180
35,115
5,273
42,470
236,000
37,915
843,650
41,370
87,670
5,714
133,895
"26,366
2,335
129,310
120,670
818,760
84,410
33,524
36,860
87,000
4,774,838
Railroad
property.
Jl,330,000
94,035
150
73
175,885
04,095
110,000
89,800
24,400
421,604
637,156
95,450
2,000
" eilbbo
75,000
287,915
120,000
51,800
800
"1 62! 606
146,901
50,653
i,87i;666
17,585
76,720
347,515
136,000
22,026
70,400
250,975
"75i',956
68,780
22,500
"55! 830
336,400
8,300
"186,000
3,300
84,780
2,720
7,487,637
U. S.. state
and all
other
property.
400
2,780
900
1,340
10,421
100
262,987
14,400
300
60,000
16,780
33,245
500
2,730
600
si' 266
6,276
10.500
2,526
15,300
74,800
400
3,595
682,800
3,340
"sioo'o
3,470
9,835
1,000
5,735
900
120,950
'34'.i)'5'6
5,850
1,150
41,600
775
1,300
140,000
60,033
200
2,325
1,200
1,550
7,740
? 21,158
1,228,365
125
10,385
386,638
73,897
4,500
34,393
60,174
184,875
312,028
125,200
699,3.57
396 306
7 229
22 638
428 004
833 153
478.9-50
884.620
170.020
88,070
183,680
253,599
402.300
77,355
133,825
49,516
364.043
202.340
10,040
254,828
110,380
26.495
5,267,.555
71 651
114,820
524,580
196.090
44,263
114.740
28,047
147,686
845,250
38,440
1,107,230
217,.340
11.3.130
14.925
194.775
380.800
35,725
36,060
670.710
188,313
220,150
74,335
67.954
159,065
38,960
1,662,388 i 18,524,196
STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN.
261
ACREAGE OF PRINCIPAL CROPS
GROWN IN 1876.
COUUTIEB.
KnjIBEK
>P ACRES.
Wheat.
Corn.
Oats.
Barley.
Eye.
Hops.
Tobacco.
Flax-seed.
Adams
6,146
4,070^
"u'Mi
48,507K
33;860K
10,442
2,467
64,472
19,054
89,258
138.708
4,771
11,466
26
639)4
20
13,923
9.213)i
216)4
4,683
2,734
1,596
40,374
19,173
84,072
29,40IX'
352
5
9,671
11,765
18.208)4
98,709
58,168
15.608
46,980
8,071)4
28,379
11,848)4
16,M-.
I,lo0
10,581
61,549
5,353
84
3ATIH
16
6.732
12.573)4
637
9,858
9,032
2,408
24,071
10,584
67,120
26,593)4
3,391
50
13.833
7,183
20,763
02,054
34.191
8.013
84,433
12,189M
16,846
14,272)4
14,174
10.633
: 249
1^,194
712
21,437)4
6,020
4,873
10,213)4
12,864
3,412
2,447)4
9,473
4,47,i
8,338
1,842
9,086)4
15,241)4
11,606)4
60,103
17,541
24.4693^
4.408)4
16.704
54)<;
15.034
23.(165
28 225
14.1114
18.980
7.448
8.847
13.813
1.029
83
8,488
660
6)4
1)4
Ashland
759)4
282ai-
37
Bayfield
Brown
5,012
2,751
58
4,0485f
1,368
208
7.694
3.913
23,499
11,463
696
5,254
870
364
231)4
^ii
7.648
1.588
7.410
17)4
9)4
Buffalo
Burnett
■Calumet
39
10)4
59354
18
317)4
136
9
(Jtiippewa
Claric
Columbia
2X
45
153)4
15
2,459)4
8
Door
Douglas
Dunn
2-. "08
; _.86
; ,,612
29,643
4,409
37,064
21,676
19,953
33,560
11,598)4
4,782
17,702
38,' 1
4,,^o
262
4,538)4
4,648
9,517
11,774
31,634
2,490
P''76
r !5><;
; -.-JO><J
41,187
9,293
15,701)4
7,884)i
13,228M
12,384)4
77,810
27,701
6,485
46,959
60X
53,666
42,277
30,588
53,691
34,140
13,516
12.673
49,999
637
1,560
1,243
8 564
3,839
666)4
1,170
2,609)4
1,739
8,773
445
1,649
2,164
3,046
1,273
20
4,299
670
93
6,063
1,769
357
940M
4,116)4
613Sf
3.851
440
6893C
19.424
2.022
2.197)4
205
7.519
2
2.381)f
6.542
8.934)4
6.614
8,527
1,060
636^
1,427
29)4
1,156
933
754)4
3,396
3,793)4
3,456
1,892
613
7,611
3,137
611
3,620
3,177
1,736
68
11
44
IMH
28
212
179)4
71)4
840
1,169
8
2
249)4
1)4
Eau Claire
H
Fond du Lac
29
44
25,217
Green
Oreen Lake
Iowa
1
10,145
Jetferson
100
Kenoslia
3,434
7
2^
La Fayette
16.670
Li ncoln
Manitowoc
864X
366
1.6.121
7.104)4
].!.608
734
4 761
I 084)4
6.924
8.904
4.104
11.076
■ «04)(
' 460X
t.-. 041)4
.5.390
33,816)4
1,904
8.244
32
12.106
22.499
45.456
11.613
26.318
9.524
18.726)4
15.404
958
5,233
116
10,503
3,074^
1,277
724
514
2,430)4
663
268
326
7,665)4
2,212
1,7705^-
16,038)4
173
6,164)i
1.160)4
4,332
550
633
4.876)4
6,002
7.669
4,363
15,416
982
372)4
3
1
1
2
fllarquette
139
65
390
3
V/'
35)4
7
22
Monroe
Oconto
H
Outatjamie
11)^
Pepin
Pierce
10
3
4,285)4
Pollt
2.
584S1-
31)4
499)4
41)4
4)4
2)4
2,105)«
Roclc
282
Saulc
3,118)4
K
49
42*^
187
239
296
340
110
14
14
IIX
5
3
9
1,169
113
0
Wood
2
1,445,660)4
1,025,801X
854.861)4
183.0305^
175,314)4
11,184)4
4,842
62,008>^
262
HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN.
ACREAGE OF PRINCIPAL CROPS
GROWN IN 1876.
Adams
Ashland
Barron
Hayfleld
Brown
Buffalo
JJuruett
(Calumet
Chippewa ...
Clark
Columbia
Crawford
Dane
Dodge
Door
Douglas
Dunn
Eau Claire...
Fond du Lac.
(-Jrant
Green
Green Lake.
Iowa
Jackson
Jefferson
Juneau
Kenosha
Kewaunee...
Lacrosse
La Fayette...
Lincoln
Manitowoc...
Marathon
Marquette
Milwaukee...
Monroe
OrrintO
Outagamie...
Ozaukee
I'ertjii
Fierce
Folk
Portage
Racine
Richland
Rock
St. Croix
Rank
Shawano
She!)oygan. .,
Taylor
Trempealeau.
Vernon
Walworth
Washington..
Waukesha
Waupaca
Waushara
Winnebago..
Wood
Total. . . .
NUMBER OF ACRES.
Cultivated
Grasses.
3,161
241
1,843M
100
6,769>i
39
13,361
9.348
38,326
4,925
53.219
29.552
28,7
100
10,033
41.609
37,792
28,833
13,920
15,566
5,316
17,407
8,705
29,856
5,665
11.390
22,719
316
32,256M
5,453
3..'i87
30,557
14,217
6,170
11,681
8,638
12,974
2,643
10.142}<
21,5I5M
18,924)^
57,I32)!i
14,293
25,22:; ?C
4,111
40,123
173
18,738
20,197
45,093
6.513
38 629
13,540
9,770
23,433
3.15
),018X
771
366
30
150
909JC
120K
1,017
425
2,493
3,585
3,780M
20
1110
989
%'tttm
3,038
1,169
931
1,6.50M
510
3,209
1,738
1,060
1,487
781
1,633
106
2,251
667
926
1,530
836
61
1,566JC
724
591
2,016Jir
1,548%'
l,153Jf
3,930
1,176
3,209^
548
2,723
99
878K
1,241
3,183>S
46,831
3.982
1,695
1,343
1,630
169
133,420X
6
75
55*'
35}^
17K
37
104
618
80
'89
10
219
61K
16
5
46
41
94
62K
185^-
10
99
36
108
138
50
137Ji
99
71
13
100
41
178
1283i'
46^
10«
122)^
10
104jr
MH
133
34
41H
140
55><
),430
383
98
45
13,634?S
Apples.
319
"biiYi
78
1.533M
3,460
4,830^
16,354
2
61M
3,935^
2,766
!5,980J<
1,4B7
1,987K
100
2,233
339
2,170
44
239
994
46
1,856
1,934^
406
1,
77
11
60)f
16,004
479
3,676
457
1,054%'
nx
1,730
3
279JI
749
4.066>^
50,095
4,952
305
836Ji
1,561
139,891K
(Jiillivated
CrciiiliHiries.
454
4,000
45
■■■■630
"2,75'7K
151
1
4,413
20
2
1^
137
30
185
1,053
194
400
17,664%
25,040
1,153,000
34,175
57,463
"Hmoo
51,879
■■iii',46:i
■s'doio^do
5,414
■■'44, 986
126,116
20,313)^
22,393
51.036
53,880
33,774
Clover Seed,
Bushels.
19.896
37,573
29.763
34.037
257,341
30.635
16.211
33,756
19.433
32,077
182,671
53,150
28.718>i
6.5.394
57,687M
3,606
88,068J^
80,633
68,057
13.149
91,194
60.221
60 080
43,690
82,985
66,510
25,737
93,343
4,090 32B>4
553
1,733
1,689
50
3,969«
z.iana;
1,600
3.848
1.037
566
1,515
107
5,269
781
1,324
1,174
30
1,007
'"Tim
1,073
113
1,666
97
1,349
121
3
343
840
3,160)4
5,416
80
1,248K
16
10,738
370
1,134
2,798
16,080
1,529
610
117
730
76,945X:
ABSTRACT OF LAWS.
WISCONSIN.
ELECTORS AND GENERAL ELECTIONS.
Sec. 12. Every male person of the age of twenty-one years or upward, belonging to
-either of the following classes, who shall have resided in the State for one year next preceding
.any election, shall be deemed a qualified elector at such election:
1. Citizens of the United States.
2. Persons of foreign birth who shall have declared their intention to become citizens con-
formably to the laws of the United States on the subject of naturalization.
3. Persons of Indian blood who have once been declared by law of Congress to be citizens
of the United States, any subsequent law of Coniiress to the contrary notwithstanding.
4. Civilized | 'isons of Indian descent not members of any tribe. Every person convicted
of bribery shall be excluded from the right of suffrage unless restored to civil rights ;
and no person who shall have made or become directly or indirectly interested in any
bet or wager depending upon the result of any election at which he shall offer to vote,
shall be permitted to vote at such election.
Sec. 13. No elector shall vote except in the town, ward, village or election district in which
lie actually resides.
Sec. 14. The general election prescribed in the Constitution shall be held in the several
towns, wards, villages and election districts on the Tuesday next succeeding the first Monday in
November in each year, at which time there shall be chosen such Representatives in Congress,
Electors of President and Vice President, State officers, and county officers as are by law to be ;
elected in such year.
• Sec. 15. All elections shall be held in each town at the place where the last town-meeting
was held, or at such other place as shall have been ordered at such last meeting, or as shall have
been ordered by the Supervisors when they establish more than one election poll, except that the
first election after the organization of a new town shall be held at the place directed in the act
or proceeding by which it was organized; and all elections in villages constituting separate elec-
tion districts and in the wards of cities, shall be held at the place to be ordered by the Trustees
of such village, or the Common Council of such city, at least ten days before such election, un-
less a different provision is made in the act incorporating such village or city.
Sec. 16. Whenever it shall be(;ome impossible or inconvenient to hold an election at the
place designated therefor, the Board of Inspectors, after having assembled at or as near as prac-
ticable to such place, and before receiving any votes may adjourn to the nearest convenient place
for holding the election, and at such adjourned place shall forthwith proceed with the election.
Upon adjourning any election as hereinbefore provided, the Board of Inspectors shall cause proc-
lamation thereof to be made, and shall station a Constable or some other proper person at the
place where the adjournment was made, to notify all electors arriving at such place of adjourn-
ment, and the place to which it was made.
264 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Sec. 20. A registry of electors shall annually be made :
1. In each ward or election district of every city which, at the last previous census, had
a population of three thousand or more.
2. In each ward or election district of every incorporated village in which, by law, sep-
arate elections are held ; which village at the last preceding census, had a popula-
tion of fifteen hundred or more.
3. In every town containing a village which, at said census, had a population of fifteen
hundred or more, in which village separate general elections are not by law required tO'
be held.
4. In all towns any part of which shall have been embraced in any part of any city or
village in which a registration by this chapter is required.
Such registration shall be made in the manner provided by this chapter. The persons
authorized by law to act as Inspectors of Election in each of such towns, wards or election dis-
tricts shall constitute the Board of Registry therefor.
Sec. 21. The said Inspectors shall have their first meeting on Tuesday, four weeks pre-
ceding each general election, at the place where said election is to be held ; and in election
districts at which there were polled at the previous general election three hundred votes or
less, they shall sit for one day, and in districts at which there were more than three hundred
votes polled, they shall have power to sit two days if necessary, for the purpose of making such
list. They shall meet at 9 o'clock in the forenoon and hold their meetings open until 8
o'clock in the evening of each day during which they shall so sit. The Clerks appointed by law
to act as Clerks of Election shall act as Clerks of the Board of Registry on the day of election
only. The proceedings shall be open, and all electors of the district shall be entitled to be
heard in relation to corrections or additions to said registry. They shall have the same powers
to preserve order which Inspectors of Election have on election days, and in towns vacancies in
the Board shall be filled in the same manner that vacancies are filled at elections.
Sec. 22. The said Inspectors at their first meeting, and before doing any business, shall
severally take and subscribe the oath of Inspectors at a general election, and said Inspectors shall
at their first meeting make a registry of all the electors of their respective districts, placing
thereon the full names, alphabetically arranged according to surnames, in one column, and in
another the residence by number and name of street or other location, if known. If any elector's
residence is at any hotel or public boarding-house the name of the hotel or boarding-house shall
be stated in the registry. They shall put thereon the names of all persons residing in their elec-
tion district appearing on the poll-list kept at the last preceding general election, and are author-
ized to take therefor such poll-list from the ofiice where kept, omitting such as have died or
removed from the district, and adding the names of all other persons known to them to be elect-
ors in such district. In case of the formation of a new election district since the last preceding
general election, the said Board therein may make such registry from the best means at their
command, and may, if necessary, procure therefor certified copies of the last poll-list. They shall
complete said registry as far as practicable at their first meeting, and shall make four copies
thereof, and certify the original and each copy to be a true list of the electors in their district so far
as the same are known to them. One of said copies shall be immediately posted in a conspicuous
place in the room in which their meeting was held, and be accessible to any elector for examina-
tion or making copies thereof, and one copy shall be retained by each Inspector for revision and
correction at the second meeting. They shall within two days after said first meeting file the original
registry made by them, and said poll-list in the ofiice of the proper town, city or village clerk,
and may, in their discretion, cause ten printed copies of said registry to be made and posted in
ten of the most public places of said election district, or may publish the same in a newspaper at
an expense not exceeding one cent for each name.
S^^^n 9,.^. TViA Tnartpp.tnra shall linlrl f.bpir fippnnd mpptincr at thp sn.Tnp -nlnna rlAnitrnn.tArl fav
ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 265
preliminary registry, the Board shall complete the registry on the same day ; but if there are more
than that number of voters, they shall sit two days. They shall remain in session until 8 o'clock in
the evening. They shall revise and correct the registry first by erasing the name of any person
who shall be proved to their satisfaction by the oatns of two electors of the district to be not
entitled to vote therein at the next ensuing election, unless such person shall appear and if chal-
lenged, shall answer the questions and take the oath hereinafter provided ; secondly, by entering
thereon the names of every elector entitled to vote in the district at the next election who shall
appear before the Board and require it, and state his place of residence, giving street and num-
ber, if numbered, or location, as hereinbefore provided, if challenged answer the questions, and
take the oaths provided in case of challenge at an election ; but if any person shall refuse to
answer all such questions or to take such oath, his name shall not be registered. Any person
who is not twenty-one years of age before the date when the registry is required to be corrected, but
will be if he lives until the day of election, shall have his name put on the registry if he be other-
wise qualified to be an elector. Any elector who did not vote at the previous general election
shall be entitled to be registered either at the preliminary or the final registration of electors by
appearing before the Board of Registration of his election district and establishing his right to
be registered, or, instead of a personal appearance, he may make his application to be registered
to the Board in writing. Such application shall state the name and period of continuous resi-
dence in the election district and place of residence therein, giving the number and street of the
applicant, and, in case the person making the application is of foreign birth, he shall state when
he came to the United States and to the State of Wisconsin, and the time and place of declaring
his intention of becoming a citizen of the United States, and that he is entitled to vote at the
election. Upon receiving such application, the Board of Registration shall register the name of
such applicant, if it appears to the Board that the applicant is, by his statement, entitled to
vote. Such statement shall be made under oath, and shall be preserved by the Board and be
filed in the office of the village or city clerk, as the case may be. All city and village clerks
shall keep blanks for making the application for registration, as provided by this section. The
form shall be prescribed by the Secretary of State. Every person named in this section shall be
subject to the same punishment for any false statement or other offense in respect thereto as
is provided in case of such false statement or other offense by an elector offering to vote at an
election. After such registry shall have been fully completed on the days above mentioned,
no name shall be added thereto by any person or upon any pretext. Within three days after the
second meeting the said Board shall cause four copies of the registry to be made, each of which
shall be certified by them to be a correct registry of the electors of their district, one of which
shall be kept by each Inspector for use on election day, and one shall forthwith be filed in the
ofiice of the proper town, city or village clerk. All registries shall at all times be open to pub-
lic inspection at the ofiice where deposited without charge.
Sec. 24. On election day the Inspectors shall designate two of their number at the opening
of the polls, who shall check the names of every elector voting in such district whose name is on
the registry. No vote shall be received at any general election in any ward or election district
defined in Section 20, if the name of the person offering to vote be not on said registry made at
the second meeting as aforesaid, except as hereinafter provided ; but in case any one shall, after
the last day for completing such registry, and before such election, become a qualified voter of
the district, he shall have the same right to vote therein at such election as if his name had been
duly registered, provided h.e shall, at the time he offers to vote, deliver to the Inspectors his afii-
davit, in which he shall state the facts, showing that he has, since the completion of such regis-
try, become a qualified elector of such district, and the facts showing that he was not such
elector on the day such registry was completed, and shall also deliver to such Inspectors the aflS-
davits of two freeholders, electors in such election district, corroborating all the material state-
ments in his affidavit. In case any person who was a voter at the last previous general election
shall not be registered, such person shall be entitled to vote on making affidavit that he was enti-
tled to vote at the previous election, and that he has not become disqualified by reason of removal
2G6 HISTORY OP WISCONSIN.
from the election district or otherwise, since that election, which affidavit shall also be corrobo-
rated by the affidavits of two freeholders, as is provided for other non -registered voters. No one
freeholder shall be competent to make at any one election corroborating affidavits for more than
three voters. All of said afijdavits shall be sworn to before some officer authorized by the laws
of this State to take depositions. The Inspectors shall keep a list of the names and residence
of the electors voting whose names are not on said completed registry, and attach said list to the
registry and return it, together with all such affidavits, to the proper town, city or village clerk.
No compensation shall be paid or received for taking or certifying any such affidavits. On the day
following the election, one of said poll-lists and one copy of the registry so kept and checked shall be
attached together and filed in the office of the proper town, city or village clerk, and the other of
said poll-lists and copy of the registry so kept and checked shall be returned to the County
Clerk with the returns of the election. Such Inspectors shall give notice by advertisement in a
newspaper printed in the city, village or town where such registration was made, of the registry,
and shall include in such notice all additions to and omissions from the preliminary list, and
shall also state where the election is to be held. In case there be no newspaper printed in such
city, village or town, such notice shall be given by posting copies thereof in three or more public
places in each Avard or election district in such city, village or town. For publication of such
notice in any such newspaper the publisher thereof shall be entitled to the same compensation
per folio as is prescribed for publishing other legal notices.
COMMON SCHOOLS.
Sec. 413. The formation of any school district shall be by written order of the Town
Board, describing the territory embraced in the same, to be filed with the Town Clerk within
twenty days after the making thereof. The Supervisors shall deliver to a taxable inhabitant of
the district their notice thereof in writing, describing its boundaries, and appointing a time and
place for the first district meeting, and shall therein direct such inhabitant to notify every quali-
fied voter of the district, either personally or by leaving a written notice at his place of resi-
dence, of the time and place of such meeting, at least five days before the time appointed
'■.herefor, and said inhabitant shall notify the voters of such district accordingly, and indorse
thereon a return containing the names of all persons thus notified, and said notice and return
shall be recorded as a part of the record of the first meeting in such district.
Sec. 414. In case such notice shall not be given, or the inhabitants of a district shall neg-
lect or refuse. to assemble and form a district meeting when so notified, or in case any school dis-
trict having been formed or organized shall afterward be disorganized, so that no competent
authority shall exist therein to call a special district meeting, in the manner hereinafter pro-
vided, notice shall be given by the Town Board, and served in the manner prescribed in the pre-
ceding section. Whenever a district meeting shall be called as prescribed in this and the
preceding section, it shall be the duty of the electors of the district to assemble at the time
and place so directed.
Sec. 415. Whenever it shall be necessary to form a district from two or more adjoining
towns, the Town Boards of such towns shall meet together and form such districts by their writ-
ten order, describing the territory embraced in such district, signed by at least two of the Super-
visors of each town; and shall file one such order with the Town Clerk of each town, and
deliver the notice of formation to a taxable inhabitant of such district, and cause the same to be
served and returned in the time and manner hereinbefore prescribed ; and any such district may
be altered only by the joint action of the Town Boards of such towns in the same manner that
other districts are altered.
Sun. 41 fi. VjVp.rv schnnl distririt shnll hp ApprnpA dnlv nrtrnniypd whfin nn-57 twn nf t.liA nffi-
\ ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 267
:as duly organized after it shall have exercised the franchises and privileges of a district for the
term of two years.
Sec. 425. The annual meeting of all school districts in which graded schools of two or
more departments are taught, shall be held on the second Monday of July, and of all other
school districts on the last Monday of September, in each year. The hour of such meeting shall
be seven o'clock in the afternoon, unless otherwise provided by a vote of the district, duly
Tccorded at the last previous annual meeting ; but at any annual meeting a majority of the
electors present may determine that the annual meeting of such district shall be held on the last
Monday of August instead of the last Monday of September. Said determination to take effect
when a copy of the proceedings of said annual meeting in reference to such change shall have
been filed with the Town Clerk in which the schoolhouse of such district is situated, and to
remain in force until rescinded by a like vote of the electors of such district.
Sec. 426. The Clerk shall give at least six days' previous notice of every annual district
meeting, by posting notices thereof in four or more public places in the district, one of whicli
shall be affixed to the outer door of the schoolhouse, if there be one in the district, and he shall
give like notices for every adjourned district meeting when such meeting shall have been
adjourned for more than one month ; but no annual meeting shall be deemed illegal for want of due
notice, unless it shall appear that the omission to give such notice was willful and fraudulent.
Sec. 427. Special district meetings may be called by the Clerk, or, in his absence, by the
Directors or Treasurer, on written request of five legal voters of the district, in the manner
prescribed for calling an annual meeting ; and the electors, when lawfully assembled at a special
niLcting, shall have power to transact the same business as at the first and each annual meeting,
except the election of officers. The business to be transacted at any special meeting shall be
particularly specified in the notices Calling the same, and said notices shall be posted six full
days prior to the meeting. No tax or loan or debt shall be voted at a special meeting, unless
three-fourths of the legal voters shall have been notified, either personally or by a written notice
left at their places of residence, stating the time and place and objects of the meeting, and
specifying the amount proposed to be voted, at least six days before the time appointed therefor.
Sec. 428. Every person shall be entitled to vote in any school district meeting who is
qualified to vote at a general election for State and county officers, and who is a resident of such
school district.
ASSESSMENT AND COLLECTION OF DISTRICT TAXES.
Sec. 469. All school district taxes, unless otherwise specially provided by law, shall be
assessed on the same kinds of property as taxes for town and county purposes ; and all personal
property which, on account of its location or the residence of its owner, is taxable in the town,
shall, if such locality or residence be in the school district, be likewise taxable for school district
purposes.
BORROWING MONEY.
Sec. 474. Whenever, upon any unusual exigency, any school district shall, before the annual
meeting, vote a special tax to be collected with the next levy, the district may, by vote, author-
ize the District Board to borrow for a period not exceeding one year a sum not exceeding the
amount of such tax, and by such vote set apart such tax when collected to repay such loan, and
thereupon the District Board may borrow such money of any person and on such terms and exe-
cute and deliver to the lender such obligation therefor, and such security for the repayment,
including a mortgage or pledge of any real or personal property of the district, subject to the
-directions contained in the vote of the district as may be agreed upon and not prohibited by
law.
Sec. 498. Every District Clerk who shall willfully neglect to make the annual report for
iis district as required by law shall be liable to pay the whole amount of money lost by such
268 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
district in consequence of his neglect, which shall be recovered in an action in the name of and
for the use of the district.
Sec. 499. Every Town Clerk who shall neglect or refuse to make and deliver to the County ,
Superintendent his annual report, as required in this chapter within the time limited therefor,
shall be liable on his official bond to pay the town the amount which such town or any school
district therein, shall lose by such neglect or refusal, with interest thereon ; and every County
Superintendent who shall neglect or refuse to make the report required of him by this chapter
to the State Superintendent shall be liable to pay to each town the amount which such town or
any school district therein shall lose by such neglect or refusal, with interest thereon, to be
recovered in either case in an action prosecuted by the Town Treasurer in the name of the
town.
Sec. 503. Every member of a district board in any school district in this State in which
a list of text-books has been adopted according to law, who shall, within three years from the
date of such adoption, or thereafter, without the consent of the State Superintendent, order a,
change of text-books in such district, shall forfeit the sum of fifty dollars.
Sec. 513. Every woman of twenty-one years of age and upward may be elected or
appointed as director, treasurer or clerk of a school district, director or secretary of a town board
under the township system ; member of a board of education in cities, or county superintendent.
Sec. 560. In reckoning school months, twenty days shall constitute a month and one hun-
dred days five months.
ASSESSMENT OF TAXES.
Sec. 1035. The terms "real property," "real estate" and "land," when used in this,
title, shall include not only the land itself, but all buildings, fixtures, improvements, rights and
privileges appertaining thereto.
Sec. 1036. The term " personal property," as used in this title, shall be construed to mean
and include toll-bridges, saw-logs, timber and lumber, either upon land or afloat, steamboats,
ships and other vessels, whether at home or abroad ; buildings upon leased lands, if such build-
ings have not been included in the assessment of the land on which they are erected ;
ferry-boats, including the franchise for running the same ; all debts due from solvent debtors,
whether on account, note, contract, bond, mortgage or other security, or whether such debts are
due or to become due ; and all goods, wares, merchandise, chattels, moneys and effects of any
nature or description having any real or marketable value and not included in the term " real
property," as above defined.
Sec. 1037. The improvements on all lands situated in this State, which shall have been,
entered under the provisions of the act of Congress entitled " An act to secure homesteads to act-
ual settlers on the public domain," approved May twentieth, one thousand eight hundred and
sixty-two, and which shall be actually occupied and improved by the person so entering the same,
or his heirs, shall be subject to taxation, and such improvements shall be assessed as personal
property. All taxes levied thereon shall be collected out of the personal property of the occu-
pant of such lands, and in no other manner.
Sec. 1038. The property in this section described is exempt from taxation, to wit:
1. That owned exclusively by the United States or by this State, but no lands contracted tO'
be sold by the State shall be exempt.
2. That owned exclusively by any county, city, village, town or school district ; but lands
purchased by counties at tax sales shall be exempt only in the cases provided in Sec-
tion Eleven Hundred and Ninety-one.
3. Personal property owned by any religious, scientific, literary or benevolent association,
used exclusively for the purposes of such association, and the real property, if not
leased, or not otherwise used for pecuniary profit, necessary for the location and con-
venience of the buildings of such association, and embracing the same not exceeding;
ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 269
ft
ten acres ; and the lands reserved for grounds of a chartered college or university,
not exceeding forty acres ; and parsonages, whether of local churches or districts, and
whether occupied by the pastor permanently or rented for his benefit. The occasional
leasing of such buildings for schools, public lectures or concerts, or the leasing of such
parsonages, shall not render them liable to taxation.
4. Personal property owned and used exclusively by the State or any county agricultural
society, and the lands owned and used by any such society exclusively for fair grounds.
5. Fire engines and other implements used for extinguishing fires, owned or used by any
organized fire company, and the buildings and necessary grounds connected therewith,
owned by such company, and used exclusively for its proper purposes.
6. The property of Indians who are not citizens, except lands held by them by purchase.
7. Lands used exclusively as public burial-grounds, and tombs and monuments to the dead
tlierein.
8. Pensions receivable from the United States.
9. Stock in any corporation in this State which is required to pay taxes upon its property
in the same manner as individuals.
10. So much of the debts due or to become due to any person as shall equal the amount of
bona-fide and unconditional debts by him owing.
11. Wearing apparel, family portraits and libraries, kitchen furniture and growing crops.
12. Provisions and fuel provided by the head of a family to sustain its members for six
months ; but no person paying board shall be deemed a member of a family.
13. All the personal property of all insurance companies that now are or shall be organized
or doing business in this State.
14. The track, right of way, depot grounds, buildings, machine-shops, rolling-stock and
other property necessarily used in operating any railroad in this State belonging to any
railroad company, including pontoon, pile and pontoon railroads, and shall henceforth
remain exempt from taxation for any purpose, except that the same shall be subject to
special assessments for local improvements in cities and villages and all lands owned or
claimed by such railroad company not adjoining the track of such company, shall be
subject to all taxes. The provision of this subdivision shall not apply to any railroad
that now is or shall be operated by horse-power, whether now or hereafter constructed
in any village or city.
15. The property, except real estate, of all companies which are or shall be engaged in the
business of telegraphing in this State.
16. The real estate of the Home of the Friendless in the city of Milwaukee, not exceeding
one lot in amount, is exempted, so long as the same shall continue to be used as such home.
17. All property of any corporation or association formed under the laws of this State for
the encouragement of industry by agricultural and industrial fairs and exhibitions,
which shall be necessary for fair grounds, while used exclusively for such fairs and
exhibitions, provided the quantity of land so exempt shall not exceed forty acres.
18. Such tree-belts as are or may be planted and maintained in compliance with chapter
sixty-six of one of these statutes.
Sec. 1191. Real property, upon which the county holds any certificates of tax sale, shall
continue liable to taxation and to sale for unpaid taxes, and the county shall be the exclusive
purchaser at the sale ; but when a tax deed shall be issued to the county, and it shall hold tax
certificates of sale unredeemed on the same property for two successive years subsequent to the
date of the sale on which such deed shall issue, including certificates of sale made prior to the
passage of these statutes, such property shall thereafter be exempt from taxation until the same
is sold by the county. The County Clerk shall annually, before the first day of June, furnish
to the Assessors of each town a list of the lands in such town exempt under this section. Noth-
ing in this section shall be so construed as to apply to lands owned by minors, married women,
widowed women, idiots or insane persons.
'^TO • HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
COLLECTION OF TAXES.
Sec. 1089. The Town Treasurer of each town, on the receipt of the tax-roll for the cur-
rent year, shall forthwith post notices in three or four public places in such towns, that the tax-
roll for such town is in his hands for collection, and that the taxes charged therein are subject
to payment at his office at any time prior to the first day of January in such year ; and after
the said first day of January he shall proceed to collect the taxes charged in such roll and
remaining unpaid, and for that purpose shall call at least once on the person taxed, or at any
place of his usual residence, if within the town, and demand payment of the taxes charged to
him on such r:A\.
Sec. 1090. On all taxes paid or tendered at the office of such Treasurer prior to said first
day of January, he shall remit all of the 5-per-cent collection fees, except so much thereof as
he is authorized by law to have for his fees upon taxes so paid.
Sec. 1091. Town orders shall be receivable for taxes in the town where issued, and shall
be allowed the Town Treasurer on si-ttlement of town taxes; and county orders and jurors' cer-
tificates shall be receivable for taxes in the county where issued, and shall be allowed such Treas-
urer on settlement of county taxes with the County Treasurer, but no Town Treasurer shall
receive town orders in payment for taxes to a larger amount than the town taxes included in his
assessment-roll exclusive of all taxes for school purposes, nor county orders and jurors' certifi-
cates to a greater amount than the county tax included therein.
Sec. 1097. In case any person shall refuse or neglect to pay the tax imposed upon him,
the Town Treasurer shall levy the same by distress and sale of any goods and chattels belong-
ing to such person, wherever the same may be found within his town ; and if a sufficient amount
of such property cannot be found in such town, the Town Treasurer may levy the same by dis-
tress and sale of the goods and chattels belonging to such person, wherever the same may be
found in the county or in any adjoining counties.
Sec. 1098. The Town Treasurer shall give public notice of the time and place of such
sale, at least six days previous thereto, by advertisement, containing a description of the prop-
erty to be sold, to be posted up in three public places in the town where the sale is to be made.
The sale shall be at public auction, in the daytime, and the property sold shall be present ;
such property may be released by the payment of the taxes and charges for which the same is
liable, to be sold ; if the purchase-money on such sale shall not be paid at such time as the
Treasurer may require, he may again, in his discretion, expose such property for sale, or sue, in
his name of office, the purchaser for the purchase-money, and recover the same with costs and
10-per-centum damages.
Sec. 1099. If the property so levied upon shall be sold for more than the amount of tax
and costs, the surplus shall be returned to the owner thereof; and if it cannot be sold for want
of bidders, the Treasurer shall return a statement of the fact, and return the property to the
person from whose possession he took the same ; and the tax, if unsatisfied, shall be collected in
the same manner as if no levy had been made.
HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES.
Sec. 1223. The Supervisors of the several towns shall have the care and supervision of
-the highways and bridges therein, and it shall be their duty :
1. To give directions for repairing the highways and bridges within their respective towns,
and cause to be removed all obstructions therefrom.
2. To cause such of the roads used as highways as have been laid out but not sufficiently
described, and such as have been lawfully laid out and used as such up to the then
present time, but not fully and sufficiently recorded, to be ascertained, described and
entered of record in the Town Clerk's office.
ABSTEACT OF LAWS. -271
3. To cause bridges which are or may be erected over streams intersecting highways to be
kept in repair.
4. To divide their respective towns into so many road districts as they shall judge conven-
ient, and specify every such division in writing under their hands, to be recorded in
the office of the Town Clerk ; but no such division shall be made within ten days next
preceding the annual town meeting.
5. To assign to each of the said road districts such of the inhabitants liable to pay taxes
on highways as they think proper, having regard to the nearness of residence as much
as practicable.
6. To require the Overseers of Highways from time to time, and as often as they shall
deem necessary, to perform any of the duties required of them by law.
7. To assess the highway taxes in their respective towns in each year, as provided by law.
8. To lay out and establish upon actual surveys, as hereinafter provided, such new roads in
their respective towns as they may deem necessary and proper ; to discontinue such
roads as shall appear to them to have become unnecessary, and to widen or alter such
roads when they shall deem necessary for public convenience, and perform all other
duties respecting highways and bridges directed by this chapter.
INTOXICATING LIQUORS.
Sec. 1548. The Town Boards, Village Boards and Common Councils of the respective
towns, villages and cities may grant license to such persons as they may deem proper, to keep
groceries, saloons or other places, within their respective towns, villages or cities, for the sale in
quantities less than one gallon of strong, spirituous, malt, ardent or" intoxicating liquors, to be
drank on the premises ; and in like manner may grant licenses for the sale in any quantity of
such liquors not to be drank on the premises. The sum to be paid for such license for the sale
of such liquor to be drank on the premises shall not be less than twenty-five nor more than one
hundred and fifty dollars ; and for the sale of such liquors not to be drank on the premises shall
be not less than ten nor more than forty dollars.
Sec. 1549. Every applicant for such license shall, before delivery thereof, file with such
town, village or city clerk a bond to the State in the sum of five hundred dollars, with at
least two sureties, to be' approved by the authorities granting the license, who shall each justify
in double its amount over and above their debts and liabilities and exemptions, and be freehold-
ers and residents of the county, conditioned that the applicant, during the continuance of his
license will keep and maintain an orderly and well-regulated house ; that he will permit no
gambling with cards, dice or any device or implement for that purpose, within his premises or
any out-house, yard or shed appertaining thereto ; that he will not sell or give away any intoxi-
cating liquor to any minor, having good reason to believe him to be such, unless upon the writ-
ten order of the parents or guardian of such minor, or to persons intoxicated or bordering upon
intoxication, or to habitual di'unkards ; and that he will pay all damages that may be recovered
by any person, and that he will observe and obey all orders of such Supervisors, Trustees or
Aldermen, or any of them, made pursuant to law. In case of the breach of the condition of
any such bond, an action may be brought thereon in the name of the State of Wisconsin, and
judgment shall be entered against the principals and sureties therein named for the full penalty
thereof; and execution may issue thereupon by order of the court therefor, to satisfy ;iny
judgment that may have been recovered against the principal named in said bond, by reason of
any breach in the conditions thereof, or for any penalties of forfeitures incurred under this chap-
ter. If more than one judgment shall have been recovered, the court, in its discretion, may
apply the proceeds of said bond toward the satisfaction of said several judgments, in whole or
in part, in such manner as it may see fit.
Sec. 1550. If any person shall vend, sell, deal or traffic in or for the purpose of evading;
this chapter, give away, any spirituous, malt, ardent or intoxicating liquors or drinks in any
272 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
quantity whatever without first having obtained license therefor, according to the provisions of
this chapter, he shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and, on conviction thereof shall be
punished by fine of not less than ten nor more than forty dollars, besides the costs of suit, or,
in lieu of such fine, by imprisonment in the county jail of the proper county not to exceed sixty
days nor less than twenty days ; and, in case of punishment by fine as above provided, such per-
son shall, unless the fine and costs be paid forthwith, be committed to the county jail of the proper
county until such fine and costs are paid, or until discharged by due course of law ; and, in case
of a second or any subsequent conviction of the same person during any one year, the punish-
ment may be by both fine and imprisonment, in the discretion of the court.
Sec. 1551. Upon complaint made to any Justice of the Peace by any person that he
knows or has good reason to believe that an ofiense against this chapter, or any violation thereof,
has been committed, he shall examine the complainant on oath, and he shall reduce such com-
plaint to writing and cause the same to be subscribed by the person complaining. And if it
shall appear to such Justice that there is reasonable cause to believe that such offense has been
committed, he shall immediately issue his warrant, reciting therein the substance of such com-
plaint and requiring the officer to whom such warrant shall be directed forthwith to arrest the
accused and bring him before such Justice, to be dealt with according to law ; and the same war-
rant may require the ofiicer to Summon such persons as shall be therein named to appear at the
trial to give evidence.
Sec. 1552. The District Attorney of the proper county shall, on notice given to him by
the Justice of the Peace before whom any such complaint shall be made, attend the trial before
such Justice and conduct the same on behalf of the State.
Sec. 1553. Every supervisor, trustee, alderman and justice of the peace, police officer)
marshal, deputy marshal and constable of any town, village or city who shall know or be credi-
bly informed that any offense has been committed against the provisions of this chapter shall
make complaint against the person so offending within their respective towns, villages or cities
to a proper Justice of the Peace therein, and for every neglect or refusal so to do every such
officer shall forfeit twenty-five dollars, and the Treasurer of such town, village or city shall pros-
ecute therefor.
Sec. 1557. Any keepsr of any saloon, shop or place of any name whatsoever for the sale
of strong, spirituous or malt liquors to be drank on the premises in any quantity less than one
gallon, who shall sell, vend or in any way deal or traffic in or for the purpose of evading this
chapter, give away any spirituous, ardent or malt liquors or drinks in any quantity whatsoever
to or with a minor, having good reason to believe him to be such, or to a person intoxicated or
bordering on a state of intoxication, or to any other prohibited person before mentioned, shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor ; nor shall any person sell or in any way deal or traffic in, or,
for the purpose of evading this chapter, give away, any spirituous, ardent, intoxicating or malt
liquors or (Irinks in any quantity whatsoever within one mile of either of the hospitals for the
insane ; and any person who shall so sell or give away any such liquors or drinks shall be
deemed guilty of a misdemeanor.
BILLS OF EXCHANGE AND PROMISSORY NOTES.
Sec. 1675. All notes in writing made and signed by any person or for any corporation,
and all certificates of the deposit of money issued by any person or corporation, whereby he or
it shall promise to pay to any person or order, or unto the bearer, any sum of money, as therein
mentioned, shall be due and payable as therein expressed, and shall have the same effect and
shall be negotiable in like manner as inland bills of exchange, according to the custom of mer-
chants. But no order drawn upon or accepted by the Treasurer of any county, town, city, village
or school district, whether drawn by any officer thereof or any other person, and no obligation nor
instrument made by such corporation or any officer thereof, unless expressly authorized by law
ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 273
to be made negotiable, shall be, or shall be deemed to be, negotiable according to the customs of
merchants, in whatever form they may be drawn or made.
Sec. 1680. On all bills of exchange payable at sio;ht, or at future day certain, within
this State, and all negotiable promissory notes, orders and drafts payable at a future day cer-
tain, within this State, in which there is not an express stipulation to the contrary, grace should
be allowed in like manner as it is allowed by the custom of merchants on foreign bills of exchange
payable at the expiration of a certain period after date or sight. The provisions of this section
shall not extend to any bill of exchange, note or draft payable on demand.
Sec. 1684. All notes, drafts, bills of exchange or other negotiable paper maturing on
Sunday or upon any legal holiday shall be due and payable on the next preceding secular day.
HOURS OF LABOE.
Sec. 1728. In all manufactories, work-shops and other places used for mechanical or
manufacturing purposes, the time of labor of children under eighteen years of age and of women
employed therein, shall not exceed eight hours in one day ; and any employer, stockholder,
director, oflficer, overseer, clerk or foreman who shall compel any woman or any child to labor
exceeding eight hours in any one day, or who shall permit any child under fourteen years of age
to labor more than ten hours in any one day in any such place, if he shall have control over
such child sufficient to prevent it, or who shall employ at manual labor any child under twelve
years of age in any factory or work-shop where more than three persons are employed, or who
shall employ any child of twelve and under fourteen years of age in any such factory or work-
shop for more than seven months in any one year, shall forfeit not less than five nor more than
fifty dollars for each such offense.
Sec. 1729. In all engagements to labor in any manufacturing or mechanical business,
where there is no express contract to the contrary, a day's work shall consist of eight hours, and
all engagements or contracts for labor in such cases shall be so construed ; but this shall no/
apply to any contract for labor by the week, month or year.
FORM OF CONVEYANCES.
Sec. 2207. A deed of quitclaim and release of the form in common use or of the form
hereinafter provided, shall be sufficient to pass all the estate which the grantor could lawfully
convey by deed of bargain and sale.
Sec. 2208. Conveyances of land may be in substantially the following form:
WARRANTY DEED.
A B, grantor of County, Wisconsin, hereby conveys and warrants to C D, grantee,
of County, Wisconsin, for the sum of dollars, the following tract of land in
County.
[Here describe the premises.)
Witness the hand and seal of said grantor this day of , 18 — .
In the presence of]
I [SEAL.J
J QUITCLAIM DEED. [SEAL.]
A B, grantor, of County, Wisconsin, hereby quitclaims to C D, grantee, of
County, Wisconsin, for the sum of dollars, the following tract of land in County,
(ITere describe the premises.)
Witness the hand and seal of said grantor this day of , 18 — .
In presence of ~|
I [SEAL.J
j — ^^ [seal.]
274 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Such deeds, when executed and acknowledged as required by law, shall, when of the first
of the above forms, have the effect of a conveyance in fee simple to the grantee, his heirs and
assigns of the premises therein named, together with all the appurtenances, rights and privileges,
thereto belonging, with a covenant from the grantor, his heirs and personal representatives, that
he is lawfully seized of the premises ; has good right to convey the same ; that he guaran-
tees the grantee, his heirs and assigns in the quiet possession thereof ; that the same are free from
all incumbrances, and that the grantor, his heirs and personal representatives will forever war-
rant and defend the title and possession thereof in the grantee, his heirs and assigns against alL
lawful claims whatsoever. Any exceptions to such covenants may be briefly inserted in such
deed, following the description of the land ; and when in the second of the above forms, shall
have the effect of a conveyance in fee simple to the grantee, his heirs and assigns, of all the right,
title, interest and estate of the grantor, either in possession or expectancy, in and to the prem-
ises therein described, and all rights, privileges and appurtenances thereto belonging.
MORTGAGES.
Sec. 2209. A mortgage may be substantially in the following form :
A B, mortgagor, of — County, Wisconsin, hereby mortgages to C D, mortgagee, of
County, Wisconsin, for the sum of dollars, the following tract of land in
County.
[Here describe the premises.)
This mortgage is given to secure the following indebtedness :
'Here slate amount or amounts and form of indebtedness, whether on note, bond or otherwise, time or times when due, rate
of interest, by and to whom payable, etc.)
The mortgagor agrees to pay all taxes and assessments on said premises, and the sum of
dollars attorney's fees in case of foreclosure thereof.
Witness the hand and seal of said mortgagor this day of , 18 — .
In presence of ~|
> [SEAL.j
; j [seal.]
when executed and acknowledged according to law shall have the effect of a conveyance of
the land therein described, together with all the rights, privileges and appurtenances thereunto
belonging in pledge to the mortgagee, his heirs, assigns and legal representatives for the payment
of the indebtedness therein set forth, with covenant from the mortgagor that all taxes and assess-
ments levied and assessed upon the land described during the continuance of the mortgage shall
be paid previous to the day appointed by law for the sale of lands for taxes, as fully as the forms
of mortgage now and heretofore in common use in this State, and may be foreclosed in the same
manner and with the same effect, upon any default being made in any of the conditions thereof
as to payment of either principal, interest or taxes.
ASSIGNMENT OF MORTGAGE.
Sec. 2210. An assignment of a mortgage substantially in the following form :
For value received I, A B, of -, Wisconsin, hereby assign to C D, of , Wis-
consin, the within mortgage (or a certain mortgage executed to by E F and wife, of
County, Wisconsin, the day of , 18 — , and recorded in the office of the Register of
Deeds of County, Wisconsin, in Vol. of mortgages, on page ), together with
the and indebtedness therein mentioned.
Witness my hand and seal this day of , 18 — .
In presence of j
J
A B. [seal. J;
ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 275
shall be sufficient to vest in the assignee for all purposes all the rights of the mortgagee
under the mortgage, and the amount of the indebtedness due thereon at the date of assignment.
Such assignment, when indorsed upon the original mortgage, shall not require an acknowledg-
ment in order to entitle the same to be recorded.
TITLE TO REAL PROPERTY BY DESCENT.
Sec. 2270. When any person shall die, seized of any lands, tenements or hereditaments, or
any right thereto, or entitled to any interest therein in fee simple, or for the life of another, not
having lawfully devised the same, they shall descend subject to his debts, except as provided in
the next section, in the manner following :
1. In equal shares to his children, and to the lawful issue of any deceased child, by right
of representation; and if there be no child of the intestate living at his death, his
estate shall descend to all his other lineal descendants ; and if all the said descendants
are in the same degree of kindred to the intestate, they shall share the estate equally,
otherwise they shall take according to the right of representation.
2. If he shall leave no lawful issue, to his widow ; if he shall leave no such issue or widow,
to his parents, if living ; and if either shall not be living, the survivor shall inherit
his said estate. If a woman shall die, leaving no issue, her estate shall descend to
her husband, if she shall have one at the time of her decease, and if she shall leave,
surviving her, neither issue nor husband, to her parents, if living ; and if either shall
not be living, the survivor shall inherit her said estate.
3. If he shall leave no lawful issue, nor widow, nor father, nor mother, his estate shall
descend in equal shares to his brothers and sisters, and to the children of any deceased
brother or sister, by right of representation.
4. If the intestate shall leave no lawful issue, widow, father, mother, brother nor sister,
his estate shall descend to his next of kin in equal degree, except that when there are
two or more collateral kindred in equal degree, but claiming through different ances-
tors, those who claim through the nearest ancestor shall be preferred to those claiming
through an ancestor more remote ; provided, however,
5. If any person die leaving several children, or leaving one child, and the issue of one or
more other children, and any such surviving child shall die under age, and not having
been married, all the estate that came to the deceased child, by inheritance from such
deceased parent, shall descend in equal shares to the other children of the same parent,
and to the issue of any such other children who shall have died, by right of representation.
6. If, at the death of such child, who shall die under age, and not having been married, all
the other children of his said parent shall also be dead, and any of them shall have left
issue, the estate that came to said child by inheritance from his said parent, shall
descend to all the issue of the other children of the same parent ; and if all the said
issue are in the same degree of kindred to said child, they shall share the said estate
equally ; otherwise they shall take according to the right of representation.
7. If the intestate shall have no widow nor kindred, his estate shall escheat to the State,
and be added to the capital of the school fund.
Sec. 2271. When the owner of any homestead shall die, not having lawfully devised the
same, such homestead shall descend free of all judgments and claims against such deceased
owner or his estate, except mortgages lawfully executed thereon, and laborers' and mechanics'
liens, in the manner following :
1. If he shall have no lawful issue, to his widow.
2. If he shall leave a widow and issue, to his widow during her widowhood, and, upon her
marriage or death, to his heirs, according to the next preceding section.
3. If he shall leave issue and no widow, to such issue, according to the preceding section.
4. If he shall leave no issue or widow, such homestead shall descend under the next pre-
ceding section, subject to lawful liens thereon.
276 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN.
OF WILLS.
Sec. 2277. Every person of full age, and any married woman of the age of eighteen years
and upward, being of sound mind, seized in his or her own right of any lands, or of any right
thereto, or entitled to any interest therein, descendible to his or her heirs, may devise and dis-
pose of the same by last will and testament in writing ; and all such estate not disposed of by
will, shall descend as the estate of an intestate, being chargeable, in both cases, with the pay-
ment of all his debts or her debts, except as provided in the next preceding chapter, and in sec-
tion twenty-two hundred and eighty.
Sec. 2278. Every devise of land in any will shall be construed to convey all the estate
of the devisor therein, which he could lawfully devise, unless it shall clearly appear by the will
that the devisor intended to convey a less estate.
Sec. 2279. Any estate, right or interest in lands acquired by the testator, after the making
of his will, shall pass thereby in like manner as if possessed at the time of making the will, if
such shall manifestly appear, by the will, to have been the intention of the testator.
Sec. 2280. When any homestead shall have been disposed of by the last will and testa-
ment of the owner thereof, the devisee shall take the same, free of all judgments and claims
against the testator or his estate, except mortgages lawfully executed thereon, and laborers' and
mechanics' liens.
Sec. 2281. Every person of full age, and every married woman of the age of eighteen
years and upward, being of sound mind, may, by last will and testament in writing, bequeath
and dispose of all his or her personal estate remaining at his or her decease, and all his or her
rights thereto and interest therein, subject to the payment of debts ; and all such estate not dis-
posed of by the will shall be administered as intestate estate.
Sec. 2284. All beneficial devises, legacies and gifts whatsoever, made or given in any will
to a subscribing witness thereto, shall be wholly void, unless there be two other competent sub-
scribing witnesses to the same ; but a mere charge on the lands of the devisor for the payment
of debts, shall not prevent his creditors from being competent witnesses to his will.
Sec. 2285. But if such witness, to whom any beneficial devise may have been made or
given, would have been entitled to any share of the estate of the testator, in case the will was
not established, then so much of the share that would have descended or been distributed to
such witness as will not exceed the devise or bequest made to him in the will, shall be saved to
him, and he may recover the same of the devisees or legatees named in the will, in proportion
to and out of the parts devised or bequeathed to them.
Sec. 2286. When any child shall be born, after the making of his parent's will, and no
provision shall be made therein for him, such child shall have the same share in the estate of the
testator as if he had died intestate ; and the share of such child shall be assigned to him, as pro-
vided by law, in case of intestate estates, unless it shall be apparent from the will that it was
the intention of the testator that no provision should be made for such child.
Sec. 2290. No will, or any part thereof, shall be revoked, unless by burning, tearing, can-
celing or obliterating the same, with the intention of revoking it, by the testator, or by some
person in his presence, and by his direction, or by some other will or codicil in writing, executed
as prescribed in this chapter, or by some other writing, signed, attested and subscribed in the
manner provided in this chapter, for the execution of a will ; excepting, only, that nothing con-
tained in this section shall prevent the revocation implied by law, from subsequent changes in
the condition or circumstances of the testator. The power to make a will implies the power to
revoke the same.
OF THE ADOPTION OF CHILDREN.
Sec. 4021. Any inhabitant of this State may petition the County Court, in the county of
his residence, for leave to adopt a child not his own by birth ; but no such petition made by a
married person shall be granted, unless the husband or wife of the petitioner shall join therein ;
ABSTBACT OF LAWS. 277
nor shall any such petition be granted, unless the child, if of the age of fourteen years, or more,
shall consent thereto in writing, in the presence of the court.
Sec. 4022. No such adoption shall be made, without the written consent of the living
parents of such child, unless the court shall find that one of the parents has abandoned the child,
or gone to parts unknown, when such consent may be given by the parent, if any, having the
care of the child. In case where neither of the parents is living, or if living, have abandoned
the child, such consent may be given by the guardian of such child, if any ; if such child has no
guardian, such consent may be given by any of the next of kin of such child, residing in this State,
or, in the discretion of the court, by some suitable person to be appointed iDy the court.
2. In case of a child not born in lawful wedlock, such consent may be given by the mother,
if she is living, and has not abandoned such child.
Sec. 4023. If upon such petition and consent, as herein provided, the County Court shall
be satisfied of the identity and the relations of the persons, and that the petitioners are of sutli-
cient ability to bring up, and furnish suitable nurture and education for the child, having refer-
ence to the degree and condition of its parents, and that it is proper that such adoption shall
take efiect, such court shall make an order, reciting said facts that, from and after the date
thereof, such child shall be deemed, to all legal intents and purposes, the child of the petitioners ;
and by such order the name of such child may be changed to that of the parents by adoption.
Sec. 4024. A child so adopted, shall be deemed for the purposes of inheritance and succes-
sion by such child, custody of the person and right of obedience by such parents by adoption,
and all other legal consequences and incidents of the natural relation of parents and children,
the same to all intents and purposes as if such child had been born in lawful wedlock of such
parents by adoption, excepting that such child shall not be capable of taking property
expressly limited to the heirs of the body of such parents.
The natural parents of such child shall be deprived, by such order of adoption, of all legal
rights whatsoever, respecting such child, and such child shall be freed from all legal obligations of
maintenance and obedience to such natural parents.
INTEREST.
The legal rate of interest is 7 per cent. A higher rate of interest, not exceeding 10 per
cent, may be contracted for, but the same must be clearly expressed in writing. If a higher
rate than 10 per cent is collected or paid, the party so paying may, by himself or his legal rep-
resentative, recover treble the amount so paid above the 10 per cent, if the action is brought
within one year, and all bills, notes, or other contracts whatsoever, whereby a higher rate than 10
per cent is secured, shall be liable for the principal sum, but no interest shall be recovered.
JUEISDICTION OF COURTS.
The Circuit Courts have general jurisdiction over all civil and criminal actions within their
respective circuits, subject to a re-examination by the Supreme Court.
The County Courts shall have jurisdiction over the probate matters in their respective
counties, and shall have exclusive appellate jurisdiction in the counties of Brown, Dodge, Fond
du Lac, Milwaukee and Winnebago in all cases of appeals from Justices of the Peace in civil
actions, and all cases commenced in Justices' Courts therein, there shall be an answer put in,
showing that the title of lands will come in question.
And such Courts shall have concurrent and equal jurisdiction in all civil actions and pro-
ceedings with the Circuit Courts of said counties to the following extent respectively :
The County Court of Brown, when the value of the property in controversy, after deduct-
ing all payments and set-ofis, shall not exceed five thousand dollars.
The County Court of Dodge County, when such value shall not exceed twenty-five thousand
dollars.
278 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
The County Court of Fond du Lac, when such value shall not exceed twenty thousand
dollars.
The County Court of Milwaukee, when such value does not exceed five million dollars.
The County of Winnebago, when such value does not exceed twenty thousand dollars.
They shall have jurisdiction of all actions for foreclosure where the value does not exceed
the above amounts, and of all actions for divorce or for affirmation or annullment of marriage
contract.
Justices of the Peace have jurisdiction in civil matters where two hundred dollars or less-
are involved.
The criminal jurisdiction of Justices extends to all cases where the fine is one hundred dol-
lars, or the imprisonment six months.
JURORS.
All persons who are citizens of the United States, and qualified electors of the State shall
be liable to be drawn as jurors, except as provided as follows :
The following persons shall be exempt from serving as jurors :
All officers of the United States, the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Secretary of State,
Attorney General, State Superintendent and Treasurer ; all Judges, Clerks of Courts of Record ;
all county officers, Constables, attorneys and counselors at law, ministers of the Gospel of any
religious society, practicing physicians, surgeons, dentists, and the President, professors and
instructors of the University and their assistants, and of the several colleges and incorporated
iicademies ; all teachers of the State Normal Schools, one teacher in each common school, the
officers and employes of the several State institutions, one miller in each grist-mill, one ferry-
man at each licensed ferry, one dispensing druggist in each prescription drug-store, all telegraph
operators and superintendents, conductors, engineers, firemen, collectors and station-agents of
any railroad or canal, while in actual employment as such ; all officers of fire departments, and
all active members of fire companies organized according to law ; all persons more than sixty
years of age, and all persons of unsound mind or subject to any bodily infirmity amounting to-
disability ; all persons who have been convicted of any infamous crime, and all persons who have
served at any regular term of the Circuit Court as a grand or petit juror within one year, except
he shall be summoned on a special venire or as a talesman.
CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.
Capital punishment has been abolished in this State.
WOLF SCALPS.
A bounty of five dollars is paid for each wolf scalp.
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
Whenever either of the articles, as commodities hereafter mentioned, shall be sold by the
bushel, and no special agreement as to measure or weight thereof shall be made by the parties^,
the measure shall be ascertained by weight, and shall be computed as follows:
Sixty pounds for a bushel of wheat, clover seed, potatoes or beans.
Fifty pounds for a bushel of green apples ; fifty-six pounds for a bushel of rutabagas, flax-
seed, rye or Indian corn shelled, and seventy pounds of Indian corn unshelled; fifty pounds for
a bushel of rape seed, buckwheat, beets, carrots or onions ; forty-eight pounds for a bushel of
barley ; forty-five pounds for a bushel of timothy seed ; forty-four pounds for a bushel of pars-
nips ; forty-two pounds for a bushel of common flat turnips ; thirty-two pounds for a bushel of
oats ; and twenty-eight pounds for a bushel of dried apples or dried peaches.
ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 279
No person shall sell, buy or receive in store any grain at any -weight or measure per bushel
other than the standard weight or measure per bushel fixed by law ; and, for any violation, the
offender shall forfeit not less than five nor more than fifty dollars.
DAMAGES FOR TRESPASS.
Any person who shall willfully, maliciously or wantonly destroy, remove, throw down or
injure any fence, hedge or wall inclosing any orchard, pasture, meadow, garden, or any field
whatever on land belonging to or lawfully occupied by another, or open and leave open, throw
down, injure, remove or destroy any gate or bars in such fence, hedge or wall, or cut down, root
up, sever, injure, destroy or carry away when severed, any fruit, shade, ornamental or other tree,
or any shrub, root, plant, fruit, fiower, grain or other vegetable production, or dig up, sever or
carry away any mineral, earth or stone, or tear down, mutilate, deface or injure any building,
sign-board, fence or railing, or sever and carry away any part thereof, standing or being upon the
land of another or held in trust, or who shall willfully, maliciously or wantonly cut down, root
up, injure, destroy or remove or carry away any fruit, ornamental or other tree, or any shrub,
fruit, flower, vase or statue, arbor, or any ornamental structure, standing or being in any street
or public ground in any city or village, in any private inclosure or highway, or destroy, remove,
mutilate or injure any milestone or board, or any guide-post or board erected in any highway or
public way, or on any turnpike, plank-road or railroad, or deface or obliterate any device or inscrip-
tion thereon, or cut down, break down, remove, mutilate or injure any monument erected or tree
marked for the purpose of designating the boundaries of any town or tract of land or subdivision
thereof, or deface or obliterate any figures, letters, device or inscription thereon, made for such
purpose, or break, remove, destroy or injure any post, guard, railing or lamp-post or lamp
thereon, erected or being on any bridge, street, sidewalk, alley, court, passage, park, public
ground, highway, turnpike, plank or rail road, or extinguish or break any lamp on any such
lamp-post, or tear, deface, mutilate or injure any book, map, pamphlet, chart, picture or other
property belonging to any public library, or take and carry awajr the same with intent to con-
vert to his own use, or shall injure or destroy any personal property of another, shall be pun-
ished by imprisonment in the county jail not more than six months, or by fine not exceeding
one hundred dollars.
Any person who shall willfully, maliciously or wantonly kill, maim, mutilate, disfigure or
injure any horse, mule, cattle, sheep or other domestic animal of another, or administer poison
to such animal, or expose any poison, with intent that the same may be taken or swallowed by
such animal; and any person who shall overdrive, overwork, overload, maim, wound, torture,
torment, crudly beat or kill any such animal belonging to himself or another, or being the owner
or having the care or charge thereof, shall fail to provide necessary food, water or shelter for any
such animal, or who shall turn out and abandon, without proper care and protection, or cruelly
work any such animal when old, diseased, disabled or unfit for work, or shall carry or confine
any live animal, fowl or bird, in a cruel or inhuman manner, or who shall cause, procure or abet
any cruelty above mentioned, or the fighting or baiting of bulls, dogs or cocks, shall be punished
by imprisonment in the county jail not more than six months or by fine not exceeding one hun-
dred dollars.
ESTRAYS.
No stray, except horses and mules, shall be taken up by any person not a resident of the
town in which it is found ; nor unless it is found upon land owned or occupied by him. Every
finder for a stray must notify the owner, if he is known, within seven days, and request him to
pay all reasonable charges and take the stray away. If the owner is not known, he must file a
notice with the Town Clerk within ten days, who shall transmit a copy thereof to the County
Clerk.
If the stray is not worth five dollars, the finder shall post a copy of such notice in two pub-
lic places in such town ; if it exceed five dollars in value, he shall publish such notice four
280 HISTORY or WISCONSIN.
successive weeks either in some newspaper published in the county or in an adjoining county, if one
be published nearer his residence than any published in his county ; but if no newspaper is pub-
lished within twenty miles of his residence, then he must post such notice in three public places
in his county. Such notice shall describe the stray by giving its marks, natural or artificial, as
near as possible, the name and residence of the finder, specifying the section and town, and the
time when such stray was taken up. For neglect to post up or publish as required, the finder
shall be liable to double the amount of damages sustained by the owner. For neglect to post or
publish for one year, the finder shall be liable for its full value, to be recovered in the name of
the town, and the amount recovered to be added to the school fund of such town.
The finder shall, within one month, cause the stray to be appraised by a Justice of the Peace
and a certificate of such appraisal signed by such Justice filed in the Town Clerk's ofiSce. The
finder shall pay the Justice fifty cents for such certificate, and ten cents per mile for each mile
necessarily traveled to make the same.
The owner may have the same restored to him any time within one year after such notice
is filed in the town Clerk's ofiice, by proving that the stray belongs to him, and paying all lawful
charges incurred in relation to the same. If the owner and finder cannot agree as to the charges,
either party, on notice to the other, may apply to a Justice of such town to settle the same, who,
for that purpose, may examine witnesses upon oath, and the amount found due, with the
costs, shall be a lien upon such stray. If no owner applies for the return of such stray, as pro-
vided, and the same is not worth more than ten dollars, it shall become the absolute property of
such finder ; but if the appraisal shall exceed ten dollars, it shall be sold at public auction by
the Sherifi" or any Constable of the county, on the request of the finder, and he shall be entitled
to one-half the proceeds, and the other half shall be paid to the Treasurer of the town within
ten days. If the finder shall neglect or refuse to cause such sale, he shall pay to the town the
value of such stray, to be recovered by the town.
If any person, without the consent of the owner, shall take away such stray, without first
paying the lawful charges, he shall be liable to the finder for the value of such stray. If the finder
shall neglect to do any act prescribed above, he shall be precluded from acquiring any right in
such stray, and from jeceiving any charges or expenses relative thereto.
FENCES.
The Overseers of Highways in their respective towns, the Aldermen of cities in their
respective wards, and the Trustees of villages in their respective villages, shall be Fence Viewers,
and in towns having less than three road districts, the Supervisors shall be Fence Viewers.
All fences four and a half feet high, and in good repair, consisting of rails, timber, boards
or stone walls, or any combination thereof, and all brooks, rivers, ponds, creeks, ditches and
hedges or other things which shall be considered equivalent thereto, in the judgment of the
Fence Viewers, within whose jurisdiction the same may be, shall be deemed legal and sufiicient
fences. Every partition of a fence, or line upon which a fence is to be built, made by the owners
of the adjoining lands, in writing, sealed and witnessed by two witnesses, or by Fence Viewers
in writing, under their hands, after being recorded in the Town Clerk's ofiice, shall oblige such
owners and their heirs, as long as they remain owners, and after parting with the ownership,
until a new partition is made. A division of a partition fence, or line upon which a partition
fence between adjoining lands shall be built, may be made by Fence Viewers in the following
cases :
1. When any owner of uninclosed lands shall desire to inclose the same, he may have the
line between his land and the adjoining land of any other person divided, and the portion upon
which the respective owners shall erect their share of the partition fence assigned, whether such
adjoining land be inclosed or not.
2. When any lands belonging to difi'erent persons in severalty, shall have been occupied
in common, or without a partition fence between them, and one of the occupants shall be desirous
ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 281
to occupy his part in severalty, and the others shall refuse or neglect, on demand, to divide
with him the line where the fence ought to be built, or to build a sufficient fence on his part of
the line, when divided, the occupant desiring it may have the same divided, and the share of
each assigned.
3. When any controversy shall arise about the right of the respective occupants in parti-
tion fences, or their obligations to maintain the same, either party may have the line divided, and
the share of each assigned.
In either case, application may be made to two or more Fence Viewers of the town where
the lands lie, who shall give reasonable notice in writing to each party, and they shall in writing
under their hands, divide the partition fence or line, and assign to each owner or occupant his
share thereof, and in the second and third cases direct within what time each party shall build
or repair his share of the fence, having regard to the season of the year, and shall file such deci-
sion in the Town Clerk's office. If either party shall neglect or refuse to build or repair within
the time so assigned, his part of the fence, the other may, after having completed his own part,
build or repair such part, and recover double the expense thereof
Where the whole or a greater share than belongs to him has been built by one of the occu-
pants, before complaint to the Fence Viewers, the other shall be obliged to pay for his share of
such fence.
Where Tininclosed land is afterward inclosed, the owner shall pay for one-half the partition
fence upon the line between him and any other owner or occupant.
If any person shall determine not to keep inclosed any part of his land adjoining any par-
tition fence, and shall give six months' notice of such determination to all adjoining occupants,
he sliall not be required to maintain any part of such fence during the time his lands shall lie
open.
LANDLORD AND TENANT.
The common law right to destrain for rent is abolished.
The atonement of a tenant to a stranger shall be absolutely void, and shall not in anywise
effect the possession of his landlord, unless it be made
1. With the consent of the landlord; or
2. Pursuant to, or in consequence of, a judgment or order of a court of competent juris-
diction; or
3. To a purchaser upon a judicial sale, who shall have acquired title to the lands by a
conveyance thereof, after the period for redemption, if any, has expired. A tenancy, a will or
sufferance may be determined by the landlord, giving one month's notice to quit, or the tenant
giving one month's notice of his intention to quit, or if the terms of payment are for less than a
month, notice equal to the time between payments, or for non-payment of rent, fourteen days'
notice to quit. Such notice shall be served by delivering the same to such tenant, or to some
person of proper age residing on the premises, or if no such person can be found, by affixing the
same in a conspicuous part of the premises, where it may be conveniently read, and, at the expi-
ration of the time required after the service of such notice, the landlord may re-enter, or main-
tain an action for the recovery of the possession thereof, or proceed in the manner prescribed by
law to remove such tenant without further or other notice to quit. If, after giving notice of deter-
mination to quit, the tenant neglects or refuses to deliver up the premises, he shall be liable to
double the rent agreed upon, to be collected the same as single rent.
MARKS AND BRANDS.
Every Town Clerk shall, on application of any person residing in his town, record a
description of the marks or brands with which such person may be desirous of marking his
horses, cattle, sheep or hogs ; but the same description shall not be recorded or used by more
than one resident of the same town. If any person shall mark any of his horses, cattle, sheep
282 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN.
or hogs, -with the same mark or brand previously recorded by any resident of the same town,
and while the same mark or brand shall be used by such resident, he shall forfeit for every such
offense $5 ; if any person shall willfully mark or brand any of the horses, cattle, sheep or hogs,
of any other person with his mark or brand, he shall forfeit for every such offense $10 ; and, if
any person shall willfully destroy or alter any mark or brand upon any of the horses, cattle, sheep
or hogs of another, he shall forfeit $10, and pay to the party injured double damages.
SURVEYORS AND SURVEYS,
A County Surveyor is elected every two years.
The surveyor may appoint and remove deputies at will, on filing a certificate thereof with
the County Clerk. He shall be responsible on his bond for the faithful performance by every
deputy of his duties.
It shall be the duty of the County Surveyor :
(1.) To execute, himself or by his deputy, any survey which may be required of him by
order of court, or upon application of any individual or corporation.
(2.) To make a record of the plat and field notes of each survey made by him or his
deputies, in record books kept therefor, and to so arrange or index the same as to be easy of
reference, and to file and preserve in his office the original field notes and calculations thereof.
(3.) To safely keep all books, records, plats, files, papers and property belonging to his
office ; afford opportunity to examine the same to any person desiring, and deliver the same to
his successor in office.
(4.) To furnish a copy of any record, plat or paper in his office, to any person on demand
and payment of his legal fees therefor.
(5.) To administer to every chainman and marker assisting in any survey, before com-
mencing their duties as such, an oath or affirmation faithfully and impartially to discharge the
duties of chainman or marker, as the case may be ; and the surveyor and his deputies are
empowered to administer the same.
(6.) To perform such other duties as may be required by law.
The surveyor and his deputies may demand and receive the following fees, except it be other-
wise agreed upon with the parties employing them, to wit :
For each day's service, $3.
For each mile traveled in going from his office to the place of rendering service and return-
ing, 10 cents.
For plat and certificate, except town plats, 50 cents.
For recording a survey, 50 cents.
For each chainman and marker necessarily employed, $1.50 per day, unless they be fur-
nished by the person for whom the survey is made.
For making a copy, 10 cents a folio, and 25 cents for his certificate.
SUPPORT OF THE POOR.
Every town shall relieve and support all poor and indigent persons lawfully settled therein,
•whenever they shall stand in need thereof, excepting as follows:
The father, mother and children, being of sufficient ability, of any pooi? person, who is blind,
old, lame, impotent or decrepit, so as to be unable to maintain himself, shall, at their own
charge, relieve and maintain such poor person in such manner as shall be approved by the Super-
visors of the town where such person may be, and, upon the failure of any such relative so to do,
the Supervisors shall apply to the County Judge for an order to compel such relief.
Legal settlement may be acquired by one year's residence in a town of this State.
ABSTEACT~'OF LAWS. 283
MARRIED WOMEN.
, In Wisconsin, the marriage of a femme sole, executrix or administratrix, extinguishes her
authority ; and of a female ward, terminates the guardianship as to custody of person, but not
as to estate. The husband holds his deceased wife's lands for life, unless she left, by a former
husband, issue to whom the estate might descend. Provisions exist by which powers may be
given to married women, and regulating their execution of them. If husband and wife are
impleaded, and the husband neglects to defend the rights of the wife, she applying before judg-
ment, may defend without him ; and, if he lose her land, by default, she may bring an action
for ejectment after his death. The real estate of females married before, and the real and per-
sonal property of those after February 21, 1850, remain their separate property. And any
married woman may receive, but not from her husband, and hold any property as if unmarried.
She may insure the life of her husband, son, or any other person, for her own exclusive benefit.
The property of the wife remains to her separate use, not liable for her husband's debts, and
not subject to his disposal. She may convey her separate property. If her husband desert
her, or neglect her, she may become a sole trader; and she may insure his life for her benefit.
Her husband is not liable for her debts contracted before marriage ; the individual earnings of
the wife are her separate property, and she may sue, and be sued alone, in regard to the same.
She may make and hold deposits in savings-banks. She may, by a separate conveyance, release
her dower in any lands which her husband has conveyed.
If a woman has authority, she can transact all her husband's business for him ; and while
they live together, the wife can buy all family things necessary for the support of the family,
and for which he is liable.
The husband is responsible for necessaries supplied to his wife, if he does not supply them
himself; and he continues so liable, if he turns her out of his house, or otherwise separates him-
self from her without good cause. But he is not so liable, if she deserts him (unless on extreme
provocation), or if he turns her away for good cause. If she leaves him, because he treats her
so ill, that she has good right to go from him, this is the same thing as turning her away, and
she carries with her his credit for all necessaries supplied to her ; but what the misconduct must
be, to give this right, is uncertain. In America the law must be, and undoubtedly is, that the
wife is not obliged to stay and endure cruelty and indecency.
If a man lives with a woman as his wife, and represents her to be so, he is responsible, the
same as if she were his wife, even if it is known that she is not his wife.
ACTIONS.
All distinctions have been abolished, and there is now but one form, which must be prose-
cuted in the name of the real party in interest, except in case of executors, administrators and
trustees, and which is begun by the service of a summons on the defendant, to be answered
within twenty days.
ARREST.
Defendant may be arrested : 1. In an action to recover damages not on contract, where
the defendant is a non-resident, or is about to remove from the State, or where the action is for
injury to the person or character, or for injury to, or wrong taking, detaining or converting
property, or in an action to recover damages for property taken under false pretenses.
2. In an action for a fine or penalty or for money received or property embezzled or
fraudulently misapplied by a public officer or attorney, solicitor, or counsel or officer of a corpora-
tion as such, or factor agent or broker, or for misconduct or neglect in official or professional
employment.
3. In an action to recover property unjustly detained where it is so concealed that the
.Sheriff cannot find the same.
284 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
4. Where the defendant was guilty of fraud in contracting the debt, or in concealing or
disposing of the property for the taking, detaining or disposing of which the action is brought.
An affidavit must be made on the part of the plaintiff, stating the cause of action and one
of the above causes.
ATTACHMENT
is allowed on an affidavit that the defendant is indebted to plaintiff, and stating the amount and
that it is due on contract ; and,
1. That defendant has absconded, or is about to abscond, or is concealed to the injury of
his creditors.
2. That defendant has assigned, disposed or concealed his property or is about to do so
with intent to defraud creditors.
3. That the defendant has removed, or is about to remove, his property from the State
with intent to defraud creditors.
4. That the debt was fraudulently contracted.
5. That he is a non-resident.
6. Or a foreign corporation.
7. That he has fraudulently conveyed or disposed of his property with intent to defraud
creditors.
The amount sued for must exceed
GARNISHMENT
is allowed on an affidavit on behalf of the creditor, that he believes that any third person (naming
him) has property effects, or credits of defendant, or is indebted to him, also in execution, on a
similar affidavit.
JUDGMENT
is a lien on real estate in the county where rendered from the date of docketing, and in other
counties from the time of filing a transcript, and the lien continues for ten years. It bears
interest at 7 per cent, or as high as 10 per cent if stipulated for in the contract.
STAY LAWS.
In Justices' Courts, on giving bond with surety within five days after judgment was ren-
dered, stay of execution is allowed, as follows :
On sums not exceeding f 10, exclusive of costs, one month ; between $10 and f 30, two
months ; between $30 and $50, three months ; over $50, four months.
EXEMPTIONS.
A homestead not exceeding forty acres, used for agriculture and a residence, and not
included in a town plat or a city or village ; or, instead, one-quarter of an acre in a recorded
town plat, city or village. Also, 1, Family Bible ; 2, Family pictures and school-books ; 3,
Private library ; 4, Seat or pew in church ; 5, Right of burial ; 6, Wearing-apparel, beds, bed-
steads and bedding, kept and used in the family, stoves and appurtenances, put up and used,
cooking utensils and household furniture to the value of $200, one gun, rifle or fire-arm to the
value of $50 ; 7, Two cows, ten swine, one yoke of oxen and one horse or mule, or, in lieu
thereof, a span of horses or mules, ten sheep and the wool therefrom, necessary food for exempt
stock for one year, provided or growing or both, one wagon, cart or dray, one sleigh, one plow,
one drag and other farm utensils, including tackle for the teams to the value of $50 ; 8, Provis-
ions and fuel for the family for one year ; 9, Tools and implements or stock-in-trade of a.
ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 28&
mechanic or miner, used and kept, not exceeding $200 in value, library and implements of a
professional man to the value of $200 ; 10, Money arising from insurance of exempt property
destroyed by fire; 11, Inventions for debts against the inventor; 12, Sewing-machines; 13.
Sword, plate, books or articles presented by Congress or Legislature of a State ; 14, Printing-
material and presses to the value of $1,500; 15, Earnings of a married person necessary for
family support for sixty days previous to issuing process.
LIMITATIONS OF ACTIONS.
Real actions, twenty years ; persons under disabilities, five years after removal of the same.
Judgments of Courts of Record of the State of Wisconsin and sealed instruments when the
cause accrues within the State, twenty years. Judgments of other Courts of Record and sealed
instruments accruing without the State, ten years. Other contracts, statute liabilities
other than penalties and forfeitures, trespass on real property, trover detinue and replevin,
six years. Actions against Sheriffs, Coroners and Constables, for acts done in their cfiicial
capacity, except for escapes, three years. Statutory penalties and forfeitures, libel, slander,
assault, battery and false imprisonment, two years. Actions against Sheriffs, etc., for escapes,
one year. Persons under disabilities, except infants, may bring action after the disability ceases,
provided the period is not extended more tha,n five years, and infants one year after coming of
age. Actions by representatives of deceased persons, one year from death ; against the same,
one year from granting letters testamentary or of administration. New promise must be in
writing.
COMMERCIAL TERMS.
$ — Means dollars, being a contraction of U. S., which was formerly placed before any
denomination of money, and meant, as it means now. United States currency.
£ — Means pounds, English money.
@ — Stands for at or to ; lb for pounds, and bbl. for barrels ; '^ for per, or hy the. Thus :
Butter sells at 20@30c f ft), and Flour at $8@12 '^ bbl. % for per cent., and # for numbers.
May 1. Wheat sells at $1.20@|1.25, " seller June." Seller June means that the person
who sells the wheat has the privilege of delivering it at any time during the month of June.
Selling short is contracting to deliver a certain amount of grain or stock at a fixed price,
within a certain length of time, when the seller has not the stock on hand. It is for the interest
of the person selling short to depress the market as much as possible, in order that he may buy
and fill his contract at a profit. Hence the " shorts " are termed " bears."
Buying long is to contrive to purchase a certain amount of grain or shares of stock at a
fixed price, deliverable within a stipulated time, expecting to make a profit by the rise in prices.
The "longs" are termed " bulls," as it is for their interest to "operate " so as to " toss " the
prices upward as much as possible.
SUGGESTIONS TO THOSE PURCHASING BOOKS BY SUBSCRIPTION.
The business of publishing books by subscription having so often been brought into disre-
pute by agents making representations and declarations not authorized by the publisher, in
order to prevent that as much as possible, and that there may be more general knowledge of
the relation such agents bear to their principal, and the law governing such cases, the following
statement is made:
A subscription is in the nature of a contract of mutual promises, by which the subscriber
agrees to pay a certain sum for the work described ; the consideration is concurrent that the
publisher shall publish the book named, and deliver the same, for which the subscriber is to
pay the price named. The nature and character of the work is described by the prospectus
and sample shown. These should be carefully examined before subscribing, as they are the
■286 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
iDasis and consideration of the promise to pay, and not the too often exaggerated statements of
the agent, who is merely employed to solicit subscriptions, for which he is usually paid a com-
mission for each subscriber, and has no authority to change or alter the conditions upon which
the subscriptions are authorized to be made by the publisher. Should the agent assume to
agree to make the subscription conditional or modify or change the agreement of the publisher,
as set out by the prospectus and sample, in order to bind the principal, the subscriber should
see that such condition or changes are stated over or in connection with his signature, so that
the publisher may have notice of the same.
All persons making contracts in reference to matters of this kind, or any other business,
should remember that the law as written is, that they cannot be altered, varied or rescinded
verbally, but, if done at all, must be done in writing. It is therefore important that all persons
contemplating subscribing should distinctly understand that all talk before or after the sub-
scription is made, is not admissible as evidence, and is no part of the contract.
Persons employed to solicit subscriptions are known to the trade as canvassers. They are
agents appointed to do a particular business in a prescribed mode, and have no authority to do
it in any other way to the prejudice of their principal, nor can they bind their principal in any
other matter. They cannot collect money, or agree that payment may be made in anything
else but money. They cannot extend the time of payment beyond the time of delivery, nor
bind their principal for the payment of expenses incurred in their business.
It would save a great deal of trouble, and often serious loss, if persons, before signing
their names to any subscription book, or any written instrument, would examine carefully what
it is ; if they cannot read themselves call on some one disinterested who can.
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN.
CONUETiTSEr).
PREAMBLE.
TFe, the People of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty Grod for our freedom; in order to secure
its blessings, form a more perfect government, insure domestic tranquillity, and promote the
general welfare, do establish this Constitution.
Article I.
DECLARATION OF RIGHTS.
Section 1. All men are born free and independent, and have, among other rights, those
of life, liberty and pursuit of happiness. Governments are instituted to secure these rights.
Sec. 2. There shall be neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except for the punish-
ment of crimes.
Sec. 3. Liberty of speech and of the press shall not be abridged.
Sec. 4. The right of the people to peaceably assemble to consult for the common good
shall never be abridged.
Sec. 5. The right of trial by jury shall remain inviolate.
Sec. 6. Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel pun-
ishments inflicted.
Sec. 7. In criminal prosecutions, the rights of the accused shall be protected.
Sec. 8. Criminal offenses shall be prosecuted on presentment of a grand jury. No one
shall be twice put in jeopardy for the same offense, nor be compelled to be a witness against
himself. Every one shall have the right of giving bail except in capital offenses ; and the writ of
habeas corpus shall not be suspended, except in case of rebellion or invasion.
Sec. 9. Every person is entitled to a certain remedy for all injuries or wrongs.
Sec. 10. Treason consists in levying war against the State, or giving aid and comfort to
its enemies. Two witnesses are necessary to convict a person of the crime.
Sec. 11. The people are to be secure against unreasonable searches and seizures.
Sec. 12. Bills of attainder, ex post facto laws, or laws impairing obligation of contracts,
shall never be passed.
Sec. 13. No property shall be taken for public use without compensation.
Sec. 14. All laws in the State are allodial. Feudal tenures are prohibited.
Sec. 15. The rights of property are the same in resident aliens and citizens.
Sec. 16. No person shall be imprisoned for debt.
Sec. 17. Wholesome exemption laws shall be passed.
Sec. 18. Liberty of conscience and rights of worship shall never be abridged. The
public money shall never be applied to sectarian uses.
Sec. 19. No religious test shall ever be required as a qualification for any ofiSce.
287
288 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Sec. 20. The military shall be in strict subordination to the civil power.
Sec. 21. Writs of error shall never be prohibited by law.
Sec. 22. A free government can only be maintained by adhering to justice, moderation,
temperance, frugality and virtue.
Article II.
BOUNDARIES.
Section 1. The boundary of the State, beginning at the northeast corner of the State of
Illinois, runs with the boundary line of Michigan, through Lake Michigan and Green Bay, to
the mouth of the Menominie River ; up that stream and the Brule River to Lake Brule ; along
the southern shore of that lake to the Lake of the Desert ; thence in a direct line to the head
of Montreal River ; down the main channel of that stream to the middle of Lake Superior ;
thence through the center of said lake to the mouth of St. Louis River ; up the channel of that
stream to the first rapids ; thence due south to the main branch of the St. Croix ; down that
river and the Mississippi to the northwest corner of Illinois ; thence due east with the northern
boundary of that State to the place of beginning.
Sec. 2. The propositions in the enabling act of Congress are accepted and confirmed.
Article III.
SUFFRAGE.
Section 1. The qualified electors are all male persons twenty-one years of age or upward,
who are (1.) white citizens of the United States ; (2.) who are white persons of foreign birth that
have declared their intentions, according to law, to become citizens ; (3) who are persons of
Indian blood and citizens of the United States ; and (4.) civilized Indians not members of any
tribe.
Sec. 2. Persons under guardianship, such as are non compus mentis or insane, and those
convicted of treason and felony and not pardoned, are not qualified electors.
Sec. 3. All votes shall be by ballot, except for township ofiicers when otherwise directed
by law.
Sec. 4. No person shall "be deemed to have lost his residence by reason of his absence on
business for the State or United States.
Sec. 5. No person in the army or navy shall become a resident of the State in conse-
quence of being stationed therein.
Sec. 6. Persons convicted of bribery, larceny or any infamous crime, or those who bet
on elections, may be excluded by law from the right of sufirage.
Article IV.
LEGISLATIVE.
Section 1. The Legislative power is vested in a Senate and Assembly.
Sec. 2. Members of the Assembly shall never number less than fifty-four, nor more than
one hundred ; of the Senate, not more than one-third, nor less than one-fourth of the mem-
bers of the Assembly.
Sec. S. Census shall be taken, every ten years, of the inhabitants of the State, beginning
with 1855, when a new apportionment of members of the Senate and Assembly shall be made ;
also, after each United States census.
Sec. 4. Members of the Assembly shall be chosen on the Tuesday succeeding the first
Monday of November of each year.
Sec. 5. Members of the Senate shall be elected for two years, at the same time and in
the same manner as members of the Assembly.
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. 289
Sec. 6. No person shall be eligible to the Legislature, unless a resident of the State one
year, and a qualified elector.
Sec. 7. Each House shall be the judge of the qualifications of its members. A majority
shall be necessary to form a quorum.
Sec. 8. Each House shall make its own rules.
Sec. 9. Each House shall choose its own officers.
Sec. 10. Each House shall keep a journal of its proceedings.
Sec. 11. The Legislature shall meet at the seat of government once a year.
Sec. 12. No member shall be eligible to any other civil office in the State, during the
term for which he was elected.
Sec. 13. No member shall be eligible to any office of the United States, during the term
for which he was elected.
Sec. 14. Writs of election, to fill vacancies in either House, shall be issued by the Gov-
ernor.
Sec. 15. Except treason, felony and breach of the peace, members are privileged from
arrest in all cases ; nor subject to any civil process during a session.
Sec. 16. Members are not liable for words spoken in debate.
Sec. 17. The style of all laws shall be, " The people of the State of Wisconsin rep-
resented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows : "
Sec. 18. Private or local bills shall not embrace more than one subject.
Sec. 19. Bills may originate in either House, and a bill passed by one House may be
amended by the other.
Sec. 20. Yeas and nays, at the request of one-sixth of the members present, shall be
entered on the journal.
Sec. 21. [Each member shall receive, as an annual compensation, three hundred and
fifty dollars and ten cents for each mile traveled in going to and returning from the seat of gov-
ernment]. As amended in 1867.
Sec. 22. Boards of Supervisors may be vested with powers of a local, legislative and
administrative character, such as shall be conferred by the Legislature.
Sec. 23. One system only, of town and county government, shall be established by the
Legislature.
Sec. 24. The Legislature shall never authorize any lottery, or grant any divorce.
Sec. 25. Stationery, for State use and State printing, shall be let by contract to the low-
est bidder.
Sec. 26. Extra compensation to any public officer shall not be granted after service is
rendered, nor shall his compensation be increased or diminished during his term of office.
Sec. 27. The Legislature shall direct, by law, in what manner and in what Courts suits
against the State may be brought.
Sec. 28. Public officers shall all take an oath of office.
Sec. 29. The Legislature shall determine what persons shall constitute the militia, and
may provide for organizing the same.
Sec. 30. Members of the Legislature shall vote viva voce in all elections made by
them.
Sec. 31. [Special legislation is prohibited (1) for changing the names of persons, or con-
stituting one person the heir-at-law of another ; (2) for laying out, opening or altering high-
ways, except in certain cases ; (8) for authorizing persons to keep ferries ; (4) for authorizing
the sale of the property of minors ; (5) for locating a county seat ; (6) for assessment of taxes ;
(7) for granting corporate powers, except to cities ; (8) for apportioning any part of the school
fund ; and (9) for incorporating any town or village, or to award the charter thereof]. Added
by amendment, in 1871.
Sec. 32. [General laws shall be passed for the transaction of any business prohibited by
Section 21 of this Article.] Added by amendment, in 1871.
290 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN.
Article V.
Section 1. The executive power shall be vested in a Governor, who shall hold Jiis oflSce
two years. A Lieutenant Governor shall be elected at the same time and for the same Viarra.
Sec. 2. Governor and Lieutenant Governor must be citizens of the United States, and
qualified electors of the State.
Sec. 3. Governor and Lieutenant Governor are elected at the times and places of choosing
members of the Legislature.
Sec. 4. The Governor shall be (1) commander-in-chief of the military and naval forces of
the State ; (2) he has power to convene the Legislature in extra session ; (3) he shall communi-
cate to the Legislature all necessary information; (4) he shall transact all necessary business
with the officers of the State ; and (5) shall expedite all legislative measures, and see that th?
laws are faithfully executed.
Sec. 5. [The Governor's salary shall be five thousand dollars per annum.] As amended
in 1869.
Sec. 6. The Governor shall have power to grant reprieves and pardons.
Sec. 7. The executive duties shall devolve upon the Lieutenant Governor when, from any
cause, the executive oflSce is vacated by the Governor.
Sec, 8. The Lieutenant Governor shall be President of the Senate. The Secretary of
State shall act as Governor when both the Governor and Lieutenant Governor are incapacitated"
from any causes to fill the executive office.
Sec. 9. [The Lieutenant Governor shall receive a salary of one thousand dollars per
annum.] As amended in 1869.
Sec. 10. All legislative bills shall be presented to the Governor for his signature before
they become laws. Bills returned by the Governor without his signature may become laws by
agreement of two-thirds of the members present in each house.
Article VI.
ADMINISTRATION.
Section 1. A Secretary of State, Treasurer and Attorney General shall be elected at the
times and places of choosing members of the Legislature, who shall severally hold their ofiBces
for two years.
Sec. 2. The Secretary of State shall keep a record of the official acts of the Legislature-
and Executive Department. He shall be ex officio Auditor.
Sec. 3. The powers, duties and compensation of the Treasurer and Attorney General
shall be prescribed by law.
Sec. 4. Sheriffs, Coroners, Registers of Deeds and District Attorneys shall be elected
every two years.
Article VII.
judiciary.
Section 1. The Senate shall form the Court of Impeachment. Judgment shall not
extend further than removal from office ; but the person impeached shall be liable to indictment,
trial and punishment, according to law.
Sec. 2. The judicial power of the State is vested in a Supreme Court, Circuit Courts,
Courts of Probate, and in Justices of the Peace. Municipal courts, also, may be authorized.
Sec. 3. The Supreme Court shall have appellate jurisdiction only. Trial by jury is not
allowed in any case. The Court shall have a general superintending control over inferior courts,
and power to issue writs of habeas corpus, mandamus, injunction, quo warranto, certiorari, and
other original and remedial writs.
Missing Page
Missing Page
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. 293
Sec. 4. [The Supreme Court shall consist of one Chief Justice, and four Associate
Justices, each for the term of ten years.] As amended in 1877.
Sec. 5. The State shall be divided into five Judicial Circuits.
Sec. 6. The Legislature may alter the limits or increase the number of the circuits.
Sec. 7. There shall be a Judge chosen for each Circuit, who shall reside therein ; his
term of office shall be six years.
Sec. 8- The Circuit Courts shall have original jurisdiction in all matters civil and crim-
inal, not excepted in this Constitution, and not prohibited hereafter by law, and appellate juris-
diction from all inferior courts. They shall have power to issue writs of habeas corpus, man-
damus, injunction, quo warranto, certiorari, and all other writs necessary to carry their orders
and judgments into eflect.
Sec. 9. Vacancies in the oflfice of Supreme or Circuit Judge shall be filled by the Gover-
nor. Election for Judges shall not be at any general election, nor within thirty days before or
after said election.
Sec. 10. Judges of the Supreme and Circuit Courts shall receive a salary of not less than
one thousand five hundred dollars, and shall hold no other office, except a judicial one, during
the term for which they are respectively elected. Each Judge shall be a citizen of the United
States, and have attained the age of twenty-five years. He shall also be a qualified elector within
the jurisdiction for which he may be chosen.
Sec. 11. The Supreme Court shall hold at least one term annually. A Circuit Court
shall be held at least twice in each year, in each county of this State organized for judicial pur-
poses.
Sec. 12. There shall be a Clerk of the Circuit Court chosen in each county, whose term
of office shall be two years. The Supreme Court shall appoint its own Clerk.
Sec. 13. Any Judge of the Supreme or Circuit Court may be removed from office by vote
of two-thirds of all the members elected to both Senate and Assembly.
Sec. 14. A Judge of Probate shall be elected in each county, who shall hold his office for
two years.
Sec. 15. Justices of the Peace shall be elected in the several towns, villages and cities of
the State, in such manner as the Legislature may direct, whose term of office shall be two years.
Their civil and criminal jurisdiction shall be prescribed by law.
Sec. 16. Laws shall be passed for the regulation of tribunals of conciliation. These may
be established in and for any township.
Sec. 17. The style of all writs and process shall be " The State of Wisconsin." Criminal
prosecutions shall be carried on in the name and by authority of the State ; and all indictments
shall conclude against the peace and dignity of the same.
Sec. 18. A tax shall be imposed by the Legislature on all civil suits, which shall consti-
tute a fund, to be applied toward the payment of the salary of Judges.
Sec. 19. Testimony in equity causes shall be taken the same as in cases at law. The
office of Master in Chancery is prohibited.
Sec. 20. Any suitor may prosecute or defend his case in his own proper person, or by
attorney or agent.
Sec. 21. Statute laws and such judicial decisions as are deemed expedient, shall be pub-
lished. No general law shall be in force until published.
Sec. 22. The Legislature at its first session shall provide for the appointment of three
Commissioners to revise the rules of practice in the several Courts of Record in the State.
Sec. 23. The Legislature may confer judicial powers on one or more persons in each
organized county of the State. Powers granted to such Commissioners shall not exceed that of
a Judge of a Circuit Court at chambers.
294: HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Aeticle "VIII.
FINANCE.
Section 1. Taxation shall be uniform, and taxes shall be levied upon such property as the
Legislature may prescribe.
Sec. 2. [No money shall be paid out of the treasury except in pursuance of an appro-
priation by law. Claims made against the State must be filed within six years after having
accrued.] As amended in 1877.
Sec. 3. The credit of the State shall never be given or loaned in aid of any individual,
association or corporation.
Sec. 4. The State shall never contract any public debt, except in the cases and manner
provided in this Constitution.
Sec. 5. A tax shall be levied each year sufiicient to defray estimated expenses.
Sec. 6. Debts not to exceed one hundred thousand dollars may be contracted by the State,
which shall be paid within five years thereafter.
Sec. 7. The Legislature may borrow money to repel invasion, suppress insurrection or
defend the State in time of war.
Sec. 8. All fiscal laws in the Legislature shall be voted on by yeas and nays.
Sec. 9. State scrip shall not be issued except for such debts as are authorized by the sixth
and seventh sections of this article.
Sec. 10. No debt for internal improvements shall be contracted by the State.
Article IX.
EMINENT DOMAIN AND PROPERTY OP THE STATE.
Section 1. The State shall have concurrent jurisdiction on all rivers and lakes border-
ing on Wisconsin.
Sec. 2. The title to all property which has accrued to the Territory of Wisconsin shall
vest in the State of Wisconsin.
Sec. 3. The ultimate property in and to all lands of the State is possessed by the
people.
Article X.
EDUCATION.
Section 1. The supervision of public instruction shall be vested in a State Superintend-
ent and such other officers as the Legislature shall direct. The annual compensation of the
State Superintendent shall not exceed twelve hundred dollars.
Sec. 2. The school fund to support and maintain common schools, academies and nor-
mal schools, and to purchase apparatus and libraries therefor-, shall be created out of (1) the
proceeds of lands from the United States; (2) out of forfeitures and escheats; (3) out of
moneys paid as exemptions from military duty ; (4) out of fines collected for bi'each of penal
laws; (5) outof any grant to the State where the purposes of such grant are not specified; (6)
out of the proceeds of the sale of five hundred thousand acres of land granted by Congress Sep-
tember 14, 1841 ; and (7) out of rhe five per centum of the net proceeds of the public lands to
which the State shall become entitled on her admission into the Union (if Congress shall con-
sent to such appropriation of the two grants last mentioned.)
Sec. 3. District schools shall be established by law which shall be free to all children be-
tween the ages of four and twenty years. No sectarian instruction shall be allowed therein.
Sec. 4. Each town and city shall raise for common schools therein by taxation a sum equal
to one-half the amount received from the school fund of the State.
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF WISCONSIN. 295
Sec. 5. Provisions shall be made by law for the distribution of the income of the school
fund among the several towns and cities for the support of common schools therein ; but no
appropriation shall be made when there is a failure to raise the proper tax, or when a school
shall not have been maintained at least three months of the year.
Sec. 6. Provision shall be made by law for the establishment of a State University. The
proceeds of all lands granted for the support of a university by the United States shall consti-
tute "the University fund," the interest of which shall be appropriated to the support of the
State University. No sectarian instruction shall be allowed in such university.
Sec. 7. The Secretary of State, Treasurer and Attorney General shall constitute a Board
of Commissioners to sell school and university lands and for the investments of the proceeds
thereof.
Sec. 8. School and university lands shall be appraised and sold according to law. The
Commissioners shall execute deeds to purchasers, and shall invest the proceeds of the sales of
such lands in such manner as the Legislature shall provide.
Article XL
CORPORATIONS.
Section 1. Corporations without banking powers may be formed under general laws, but
shall not be created by special act, except for municipal purposes, and in cases -where, in the
judgment of the Legislature, the objects of the corporation cannot be attained under general laws.
Sec. 2. No municipal corporation shall take private property for public use, against the
consent of the owner, except by jury trial.
Sec. 3. Cities and incorporated villages shall be organized, and their powers restricted by
law so as to prevent abuses. [No county, city, town, village, school district, or other municipal
corporation, shall become indebted to exceed five per centum on the value of the taxable property
therein.] As amended in 1874.
Sec. 4. Banks shall not be created except as provided in this article.
Sec. 5. The question of " bank " or ''no bank " may be submitted to the voters of the
State; and if a majority of all the votes cast shall be in favor of banks, the Legislature shall
have power to grant bank charters, or pass a general banking law.
Article XII.
Section 1. Amendments to the Constitution may be proposed in either house of the Legis-
lature, and referred to the next Legislature and published for three months previous. If agreed
to by a majority of all the members elected to each house, then the amendment or amendments
shall submit them to the vote of the people ; and if the people shall approve and ratify such
amendment or amendments, they shall become a part of the Constitution.
Sec. 2. If a convention to revise or change the Constitution shall be deemed necessary by
the Legislature, they shall recommeiid to the electors of the State to vote at the next general
election for or against the same. If the vote shall be for the calling of such convention, then
the Legislature, at its next session, shall provide for the same.
Article XIII.
miscellaneous provisions.
Section 1. The political year for Wisconsin shall commence on the first Monday in Jan-
uary in each year. General elections shall be holden on the Tuesday succeeding the first Monday
in November.
Sec. 2. A duelist shall not be qualified as an elector in this State.
Sec. 3. United States officers (except Postmasters), public defaulters, or persons convicted
of infamous crimes, shall not be eligible to office in this State.
296 IlISTOKY OP WISCONSIN.
Sec. 4. A great seal for the State shall be provided, and all official acts of the Governor
(except his approbation of the laws), shall be authenticated thereby.
Sec. 5. Residents on Indian lands may vote, if duly qualified, at the polls nearest their
residence.
Sec. 6. Elective officers of the Legislature, other than the presiding officers, shall be a
Chief Clerk, and a Sergeant-at-Arms, to be elected by each House.
Sec. 7. No county with an area of nine hundred square miles or less, shall be divided,
without submitting the question to the vote of the people of the county.
Sec. 8. [The Legislature is prohibited from enacting any special or private laws, for locating
or changing any county seat.] See amendment adopted in 1871, as Sec. 31 (Subdivision 5) of
Art. IV.
Sec. 9. Officers not provided for by this Constitution shall be elected as the Legislature
shall direct.
Sec. 10. The Legislature may declare the cases in which any office shall be deemed
vacant, and also the manner of filling the vacancy, where no provision is made for that purpose
in this Constitution.
Article XIV.
schedule.
Section 1. All rights under the Territorial government are continued under the State
government. Territorial processes are valid after the State is admitted into the Union.
Sec. 2. Existing laws of the Territory of Wisconsin not repugnant to this Constitution
shall remain in force until they expire by limitation or are altered or repealed.
Sec. 3. All fines, penalties or forfeitures accruing to the Territory of Wisconsin shall
inure to the use of the State.
Sec. 4. Territorial recognizances, bonds and public property shall pass to and be vested
in the State. Criminal prosecutions, offenses committed against the laws, and all actions at law
and suits in equity in the Territory of Wisconsin shall be contained in and prosecuted by the
State.
Sec. 5. Officers holding under authority of the United States or of the Territory of Wis-
consin shall continue in office until superseded by State authority.
Sec. 6. The first session of the State Legislature shall commence on the first Monday in
June next, and shall be held at the village of Madison, which shall be and remain the seat of
government until otherwise provided by law.
Sec. 7. Existing county and town officers shall hold their offices until the Legislature of
the State shall provide for the holding of elections to fill such offices.
Sec. 8. A copy of this Constitution shall be transmitted to the President of the United
States to be laid before Congress at its present session.
Sec. 9. This Constitution shall be submitted to the vote of the people for ratification or
rejection on the second Monday in March next. If ratified, an election shall be held for
Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Treasurer, Attorney General, members of the State Legisla-
ture and members of Congress, on the second Monday of May next.
Sec. 10. [Omitted. See Section 1, Chapter 3, Acts of Extra Session of 1878.]
Sec. 11. The several elections provided for in this Article shall be conducted according
to the existing laws of the Territory of Wisconsin.
Sec. 12. [Omitted. See Section 1, Chapter 3, Acts of Extra Session of 1878.]
Sec. 13. The common law in force in the Territory of Wisconsin shall continue in force
in the State until altered or suspended by the Legislature.
Sec. 14. The Senators first elected in the even-numbered Senate districts, the Governor,
Lieutenant Governor and other State officers first elected under this Constitution, shall enter
upon their duties on the first Monday of June next, and hold their offices for one year from the
first Monday of January next. The Senators first elected in the odd-numbered districts and the
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 297
members of the Assembly first elected shall enter upon their duties on the first Monday of June
next, and continue in office until the first Monday in January next.
Sec. 15. The oath of office may be administered by any Judge or Justice of the Peace,
until the Legislature shall otherwise direct.
We, the undersigned, members of the Convention to form a Constitution for the State of
Wisconsin, to be submitted to the people thereof for their ratification or rejection, do hereby
certify that the foregoing is the Constitution adopted by the Convention.
In testimony whereof, we have hereunto set our hands, at Madison, the 1st day of Feb-
ruary, A. D. 1848.
Morgan L. Martin,
President of the Convention and Delegate from Brown County.
Thomas McHugh,
Secretary.
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
COTirUENSEIi.
PREAMBLE.
We, the jjeople of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice,
insure domestic tranquillity, provide for the co?nmon defense, promote the general ivelfare,
and secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity, do ordain and establish
this Constitution for the United States of America.
ARTICLE I.
Section 1. All legislative powers herein granted shall be vested in a Congress, which shall
consist of a Senate and House of Representatives.
Sec. 2. The House of Representatives shall be composed of members chosen every second
year by the people of the States, and electors shall have qualifications for electors of the most
numerous branch of the State Legislature.
Representatives must be twenty-five years of age, and must have been seven years citizens
of the United States, and inhabitants of the State in which they shall be chosen.
Representatives and direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several States according to
population, which shall be determined by adding to the whole number of free persons, including
apprentices and excluding Indians not taxed, three-fifths of all other persons. The enumeration
shall be made within three years after the first meeting of Congress, and every ten years there-
after in such manner as Congress shall by law direct. States shall have one Representative only
for each thirty thousand, but each State shall have at least one Representative ; and until such
enumeration shall be made. New Hampshire shall choose three ; Massachusetts, eight ; Rhode
Island, one; Connecticut, five; New York, six; New Jersey, four; Pennsylvania, eight; Del-
aware, one ; Maryland, six ; Virginia, ten ; North Carolina, five ; South Carolina, five, and
Georgia, three.
Vacancies in the representation from any State shall be filled by elections, ordered by the
executive authority of the State.
298 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN.
The House of Representatives shall choose their Speaker and other officers, and shall have
the sole power of impeachment.
Sec. 3. The Senate shall be composed of two Senators from each State, chosen by the
Legislature thereof for six years ; and each Senator shall have one vote.
Senators shall be divided as equally as may be into three classes immediately after assem-
bling, in consequence of the first election. The first class shall vacate their seats at the expira-
tion of. the second year ; the second class, at the expiration of the fourth year, and the third
class, at the expiration of the sixth year, so that one-third may be chosen every second year;
and vacancies happening by resignation or otherwise during the recess of the Legislature of any
State may be filled by temporary appointments of the Executive until the next meeting of the
Legislature.
All Senators shall have attained the age of thirty years, and shall have been nine years
citizens of the United States, and shall be inhabitants of the State for which they shall be
chosen.
The Vice President of the United States shall be President of the Senate, but shall have
no vote, unless they be equally divided.
The Senate shall choose their other officers, and also a President pro tempore, in the
absence of the Vice President, or when he shall exercise the office of President,
The Senate shall have the sole power to try impeachments. When sitting for that purpose,
they shall be on oath or affirmation. When the President is tried, the Chief Justice shall pre-
side, and concurrence of two-thirds of the members present shall be necessary to conviction.
Judgment in cases of impeachment shall be limited to removal from office and disqualifica-
tion to hold any office under the United States ; but the party convicted shall be liable to trial
and punishment according to law.
Sec. 4. The Legislature of each State shall prescribe the times, places and manner of
holding elections for Senators and Representatives, but Congress may make or alter such regu-
lations, except as to the place of choosing Senators.
Congress shall assemble annually, on the first Monday in December, unless a diiferent day
be appointed.
Sec. 5. Each House shall be the judge of the elections, returns and qualifications of its
own members, and a majority of each shall constitute a quorum to do business ; but a smaller
number may adjourn from day to day, and may compel attendance of absent members, under
penalties.
Each House may determine its own rules of proceeding, punish its members, and, by a two-
thirds vote, expel a member.
Each House shall keep a journal, which shall be published at their discretion, and one-fifth
of those present may require the yeas and nays to be entered on the journal.
Neither House shall adjourn for more than three days without the consent of the other,
nor to any other place than that in which they are sitting.
Sec. 6. The compensation of Senators and Representatives shall be fixed by law, and
paid out of the Treasury of the United States. They shall be privileged from arrest during
attendance at the session of their respective Houses, except for treason, felony and breach of
the peace, and shall not be questioned in any other place for any speech or debate in either
House.
No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which he was elected, be appointed
to any civil office under the United States which shall have been created or the emoluments
whereof shall have been increased during such time; and no person holding office under the
United States shall be a member of either House during his continuance in office.
Sec. 7. All bills for raising revenue shall originate in the House of Representatives, but
may be amended by the Senate.
Every bill passed by the House of Representatives and the Senate shall, before it becomes
a law, be presented to the President ; if he approve, he shall sign it ; but if not, he shall return
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 299
it, with his objections, to that House in which it originated, who shall enter the objections on
their journal and proceed to reconsider it. If, after reconsideration, two-thirds shall agree to
pass the bill, it shall be sent, with the objections, to the other House, and, if approved by two-
thirds of that House, it shall become a law. But in all such cases, the yeas and nays shall be
taken, and entered upon the journal of each House, respectively. Any bill not returned by
the President within ten days (Sundays excepted) after it shall have been presented to him, shall
be a law, as if he had signed it, unless Congress, by adjournment, shall prevent its return, in
which case it shall not be a law.
Every order, resolution or vote requiring the concurrence of the Senate and House of Rep-
resentatives (except a question of adjournment), shall be approved by the President before tak-
ing effect ; or, being disapproved by him, shall be repassed by a two-thirds vote of each House,
as in the case of a bill.
Sec. 8. Congress shall have power :
To lay and collect taxes, duties, imposts and excises, to pay the debts and provide for the
common defense and general welfare of the United States ; but all duties, imposts and excises
shall be uniform throughout the United States ;
. To borrow money on the public credit ;
To regulate commerce with foreign nations, and among the several States and with the
Indian tribes ;
To establish a uniform rule of naturalization, and uniform laws on the subject of bank-
ruptcies ;
To coin money, regulate the value thereof and foreign coin, and fix the standard of weights
and measures ;
To provide for the punishment of counterfeiting the securities and current coin of the United
States ;
To establish post oflSces and post roads ;
To promote the progress of science and useful arts, by securing for limited times to authors
and inventors the exclusive right to their respective writings and discoveries ;
To constitute tribunals inferior to the Supreme Court ;
To define and punish piracies and felonies committed on the high seas, and offenses against
the laws of nations ;
To declare war, grant letters of marque and reprisal, and make rules concerning captures on
land and water ;
To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer
term than two years ;
To provide and maintain a navy ;
To make rules for the government and regulation of the land and naval forces ;
To provide for calling forth the militia to execute the laws of the Union, suppress insur-
rection and repel invasions ;
To provide for organizing, arming and disciplining the militia, and for governing such parts
of them as may be employed in the service of the United States — the several States to appoint
the oflScers and to train the militia according to the discipline prescribed by Congress ;
To exercise exclusive legislation, in all cases, over the seat of Government, and over all
forts, magazines, arsenals, dock -yards and other needful buildings ; and
To make all laws necessary and proper for carrying into execution all powers vested by this
Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any department or officer thereof
Sec. 9. Foreign immigration or the importation of slaves into the States shall not be pro-
hibited by Congress prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight, but a tax or duty
may be imposed not exceeding ten dollars for each person so imported.
The writ of habeas corpus shall not be suspended, unless required by the public safety in
cases of rebellion or invasion.
No bill of attainder or ex post facto law shall be passed.
300 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
No capitation or other direct tax shall be laid, unless in proportion to the census or enu-
meration hereinbefore directed to be made.
No tax or duty shall be laid on articles exported from any State.
In regulating commerce or revenue, no preference shall be given to the ports of one State
over those of another ; nor shall vessels bound to or from one State be obliged to enter, clear or
pay duties in another.
No money shall be drawn from the Treasury unless appropriated by law ; and accounts of
the receipts and expenditures of all public money shall be published from time to time.
No title of nobility shall be granted by the United States ; and no person holding any
office under them shall accept any present, emolument, office or title from any foreign State,
without the consent of Congress.
Sec. 10. No State shall enter into any treaty, alliance or confederation ; grant letters of
marque and reprisal; coin money; emit bills of credit; make anything but gold and silver coin
a tender in payment of debts ; pass bills of attainder, ex post facto laws, or law impairing the
obligation of contracts, or grant any title of nobility.
No State shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any imposts or duties on imports or
exports, except for the execution of its inspection laws; and all such duties shall be for the use
of the United States; and all such laws shall be subject to the revision and control of Congress.
No State shall, without the consent of Congress, lay any duty of tonnage, keep troops or
ships of war in time of peace, enter into any agreement or compact with another State or with a
foreign power, or engage in war unless actually invaded or in imminent and immediate danger.
Article II.
Section 1. The executive power shall be vested in a President. He shall hold office for
four years, and, together with the Vice President chosen for the same term, shall be elected as
follows :
Each State shall appoint in the manner directed by the Legislature, a number of electors
equal to the whole number of its Senators and Representatives in Congress; but no Senator or
Representative or person holding any office under the United States shall be appointed an
elector.
[ The third clause of this section has been superseded and amended by the I'Bth Amendment^
Congress may determine the time of choosing the electors, and the day on which they shall
give their votes, which day shall be the same throughout the United States.
A natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States at the time of the adoption of this
Constitution, only shall be eligible to the office of President; and he must have attained the age
of thirty-five years, and been fourteen years a resident within the United States.
If the President be removed from office, die, resign, or become unable to discharge the duties
of his office, the same shall devolve upon the Vice President, and Congress may provide by law
for the case of removal, death, resignation or inability of both the President and Vice President,
declaring what officer shall then act as President, and such officer shall act accordingly, until the
disability be removed or a President elected.*
The President shall receive a compensation for his services, which shall be neither increased
nor diminished during the period for which he shall have been electedf and within that period
he shall not receive any other emolument from the United States or from any of them.
Before entering upon office he shall take the following oath or affirmation : "I do solemnly
swear (or affirm) that I will faithfully execute the office of President of the United States, and
will, to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United
States."
* By act of March 1, 1792, Congress provided for this contingency, designating the President of the Senate "pro (einpore. or if there be none
the Speaker of the House of Representatives, to succeed to the chief Executive office in the event of a vacancy in the offices of both President
and Vice President.
■f- The President's salary waa fixed February 18, 1793, at S25,0U0, and was increased March 3, 1873, to $50,000.
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 301
Sec. 2. The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of the army and navy of the
United States, and of the militia of the several States, when in actual service of the United
States; he may require the written opinion of the principal officers of the several executive
departments upon subjects relating to the duties of their respective offices, and shall have power to
grant reprieves and pardons for offenses against the United States, except in cases of impeachment.
He shall have power, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate, to make treaties,
provided two-thirds of the Senators present concur, and shall nominate to the Senate ambassa-
dors, other public ministers and consuls, Judges of the Supreme Court, and all other officers of
the United States whose appointment is not otherwise provided for ; but Congress may vest the
appointment of inferior officers in the President alone, in the courts of law, or in the heads of
departments.
The President may fill all vacancies that may happen during the recess of the Senate, by
granting commissions which shall expire at the end of their next session.
He shall, from time to time, give Congress information of the state of the Union, and
recommend measures to their consideration ; he may, on extraordinary occasions, convene both
Houses or either of them, and, in case of disagreement between them as to the time of adjourn-
ment, he may adjourn them to such time as he shall think proper ; he shall receive ambassadors
and other public ministers ; he shall take care that the laws be faithfully executed, and shall com-
mission all the officers of the United States.
Sec. 4. The President, Vice President and all civil officers of the United States, shall be
removed from office on impeachment for and conviction of treason, bribery, or other high crimes
and misdemeanors.
Article III.
Section 1. The judicial power of the United States shall be vested in one Supreme
Court, and in such inferior courts as Congress may establish. The Judges, both of the Supreme
and inferior Courts, shall hold their offices during good behavior, and shall receive a compensa-
tion which shall not be diminished during their continuance in office.
Sec. 2. The judicial power shall extend to all cases, in law and equity, arising under this
Constitution, the laws of the United States, treaties, cases affecting ambassadors, other public
ministers and consuls, all cases of admiralty and maritime jurisdiction ; to controversies to which
the United States shall be a party ; controversies between two or more States ; between a State
and citizens of another State ; between citizens of different States ; between citizens of the same
State claiming lands under grants of different States, and between a State or the citizens thereof
and foreign States, citizens or subjects.
In all cases affecting Ministers and Consuls, and those in which a State is a party, the
Supreme Court shall have original jurisdiction. In all other cases mentioned, the Supreme
Court shall have appellate jurisdiction, both as to law and fact, subject to exceptions and regu-
lations made by Congress.
All crimes, except in cases of impeachment, shall be tried by jury, and in the State where
the crime was committed ; but Congress shall fix the place of trial for crimes not committed
within any State.
Sec. 3. Treason against the United States shall consist only in levying war against them,
or in adhering to their enemies, giving them aid and comfort. No person shall be convicted of
treason unless on the testimony of two witnesses to the same overt act, or on confession in open
court.
Congress shall have power to declare the punishment of treason, but no attainder of treason
shall work corruption of blood or forfeiture, except during the life of the person attainted.
Article IV.
Section 1. Each State shall give full faith and credit to the public acts, records and judi-
cial proceedings of every other State, and Congress may prescribe the manner in which such
acts, records and proceedings shall be proved, and the effect thereof.
302 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIK.
Sec. 2. The citizens of each State shall be entitled to all privileges and immunities of
citizens in the several States.
Fugitives from justice in any State found in another State, shall, on demand of the Execu-
tive, be delivered up and removed to the State having jurisdiction of the crime.
No person held to service or labor in one State under the laws thereof, escaping into another,
shall, in consequence of any law or regulation therein, be discharged from such service or labor,
but shall be delivered up on claim of the party to whom such service or labor may be due.
Sec. 3. New States may be admitted to the Union, but no new State shall be formed
within the jurisdiction of any other State; nor by the junction of two or more States, or parts
of States, without the consent of the Legislatures of the States concerned, as well as of Congress.
Congress shall have power to dispose of and to regulate and govern the territory or other
property belonging to the United States ; and nothing in this Constitution shall be construed to
prejudice any claims of the United States, or any particular State.
Every State shall be guaranteed a republican form of government, and shall be protected
against invasion ; and on an application of the Legislature, or of the executive (when the Legis-
lature cannot be convened), against domestic violence.
Article V.
Congress, whenever two-thirds of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall propose amend-
ments to this Constitution, or, on application of two-thirds of the Legislatures of the several
States, shall call a convention foi* proposing amendments, which, in either case, shall be valid to all
intents and purposes, as part of this Constitution when ratified by the Legislatures of three-fourths
of the several States, or by conventions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or the other mode of
ratification may be proposed by the Congress ; provided that no amendment which may be made
prior to the year one thousand eight hundred and eight shall in any manner affect the first and
fourth clauses in the ninth section of the first article ; and that no State, without its consent,
shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate.
Article VI.
All existing debts and engagements shall be valid against the United States under this
Constitution.
This Constitution and the laws of the United States made in pursuance thereof, and all
treaties made under the authority of the United States, shall be the supreme law of the land,
and the Judges in every State shall be bound thereby ; anything in the Constitution or laws of
any State to the contrary notwithstanding.
Senators and Representatives, members of the several State Legislatures, and all executive
and judicial officers, both of the United States and of the several States, shall be bound by oath
or affirmation, to support this Constitution ; but no religious test shall ever be required as a
qualification to any office or public trust under the United States.
Article VII.
The ratification of the Convention of nine States shall be sufficient for the establishment of
this Constitution between the States so ratifying the same.
Done in convention by the unanimous consent of the States present, the seventeenth day
of September, in the year of our Lord one thousand seven hundred and eighty-seven, and of the
independence of the United States of America the twelfth.
In avitness avhereof we have hereunto subscribed our names.
GEORGE WASHINGTON,
President and Deputy from Virginia.
[Other signatures omitted.]
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 303
Amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America.
Proposed by Congress and ratified by the Legislatures of the several States, pursuant to
the Fifth Article of the original Constitution.
Article I.
Congress shall make no law respecting religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof;
or abridging the freedom of speech or of the press ; or of the right of the people peaceably to
assemble and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.
Article II.
A well-regulated militia being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the
people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed.
Article III.
No soldier shall, in time of peace, be quartered in any house without the consent of the
owner, nor in time of war, but in a manner to be prescribed by law.
Article IV.
The right of the people to be secure in their persons and property against unreasonable
searches and seizures shall not be violated, and no warrants shall issue but upon probable cause,
supported by oath or affirmation, and particularly describing the place to be searched and the
persons or things to be seized.
Article V.
No person shall be held to answer for any infamous crime unless on an indictment of a
grand jury, except in cases arising in the land or naval forces, or in the militia, when in actual
service in time of war or public danger ; nor shall any person be twice put in jeopardy of life
or limb for the same oifense ; nor shall he be compelled, in any criminal case, to be a witness
against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law ; nor
shall private property be taken for public use without just compensation.
Article VI.
In all criminal prosecutions, the accused shall enjoy the right to speedy and public trial,
by an impartial jury of the State and district wherein the crime shall have been committed, and
to be informed of the nature and cause of the accusation ; to be confronted with the witnesses
against him ; to have compulsory process for obtaining witnesses in his favor, and to have the
assistance of counsel for his defense.
Article VII.
In suits at common law, when the value in controversy shall exceed twenty dollars, the
right of trial by jury shall be preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise
re-examined in any court of the United States than according to the rules of the common law.
Article VIII.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual pun-
ishments inflicted.
304 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN.
Akticle IX.
The enumeration in the Constitution of certain rights shall not be construed to deny or dis-
parage others retained by the people.
Article X.
The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to
the States, are reserved to the States respectively or, to the people.
Article XI.
The judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law
or equity commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by citizens of another
State, or by citizens or subjects of any foreign State.
Article XII.
The electors shall meet in their respective States, and vote by ballot for President and Vice
President, one of whom, at least, shall not be an inhabitant of the same State with themselves ;
distinct ballots shall be made for President and Vice President, and distinct lists made of such
ballots and of the number of votes for each, which lists they shall sign and certify and transmit
sealed to the seat of government, addressed to the President of the Senate ; the President of the
Senate shall, in presence of the Senate and House of Representatives, open all the certificates,
and the votes shall then be counted ; the person having the greatest number of votes for Presi-
dent shall be President, if such number be a majority of the whole number of electors appointed ;
if no person have such majority, then from those having the highest numbers, not exceeding
three on the list of those voted for as President, the House of Representatives shall choose imme-
diately by ballot the President. But, in choosing the President, the vote shall be taken by
States, each State having one vote ; a quorum for this purpose shall consist of a member or mem-
bers from two-thirds of the States, and a majority of all the States shall be necessary to a choice.
If, whenever the right of choice shall devolve upon them, the House of Representatives shall not
choose a President before the fourth day of March next following, then the Vice President shall
act as President, as in the case of death or disability of the President. The person having the
greatest number of votes as Vice President shall be the Vice President, if such number be a
majority of the whole number of electors appointed, and if no person have a majority, then from
the two highest numbers on the list, the Senate shall choose the Vice President ; a quorum for
the purpose shall consist of two-thirds of the whole number of Senators, and a majority of the
whole number shall be necessary to a choice. But no person ineligible to the oiEce of President
shall be eligible to that of Vice President of the United States.
Article XIII.
Section 1. Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime
whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any
place subject to their jurisdiction.
Sec. 3. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
Article XIV.
Section 1. All persons born or naturalized in the United States, or subject to the juris-
diction thereof, are citizens of the United States, and of the State wherein they reside. No
State shall make or enforce any law which shall abridge the privileges or immunities of citizens
of the United States ; nor shall any State deprive any person of life, liberty or property without
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
305
due process of law, nor deny to any person within its jurisdiction the equal protection of the
law.
Sec. 2. Representatives shall be apportioned among the States according to population,
counting the whole number of persons in each State, including Indians not taxed. But when
the right to vote is denied to any of the male inhabitants of a State, being twenty-one years of
age and citizens of the United States, or in any way abridged, except for participation in
rebellion or other crime, the basis of representation therein shall be reduced in the proportion
which the number of such male citizens shall bear to the whole number of male citizens twenty-
one years of age in such State.
Sec. 3. No person shall hold any oiEce under the United States or under any State, who
having previously, as an officer of the United States of any State, taken an oath to support the
Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the
same, or given aid and comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may, by a vote of two-
thirds of each. House, remove such disability.
Sec. 4. The validity of the public debt of the United States, including pensions and
bounties, shall not be questioned. But neither the United States nor any State shall assume
or pay any debt or obligation incurred in aid of insurrection or rebellion against the United
States, or any claim for the loss or emancipation of any slave ; but all such debts, obligations
and claims shall be held illegal and void.
Sec. 5. Congress shall have power to enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions
of this article.
Aeticle XV.
Section 1. The right of citizens to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United
States, or by any State, on account of race, color, or previous condition of servitude.
Sec. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
306
ALPHABETICAL LIST OP COUNTIES AND CITIES
WITH GUBERNATORIAL AND PRESIDENTIAL VOTES.
Note. — The Republican or Democratic majority in each county is given as between Smith and Mallory. Green-
back majority is only given when the vote for AUis exceeds the others, and is taken from the highest vote.
Adams
Ashland
Barron
Bayfield ,
Brown
Buffalo
Burnett
Calumet
Chippewa
Clark
Columbia
Crawford
Dane ;
Dodge
Door
Douglas
Dunn
Eau Claire
Fond du Lac .
Grant
Green
Green Lake....
Iowa
Jackson
Jefferson
Juneau
Kenosha
Kewaunee
La Crosse
La Fayette
Lincoln
Manitowoc
Marathon
Marquette ,
Milwaukee
Monroe
Oconto
Outagamie
Ozaukee
Pepin
Pierce
Polk
Portage
Racine
COUNTIES.
GOVERNOR.
1S77.
Smith. Mallory. Allis.
580
86
459
40
1387
1075
336
450
685
449
2048
806
3613
2333
477
21
1174
1208
3086
2620
1823
879
1461
802
1917
1045
938
247
1968
1409
27
1365
301
447
5843
1102
1059
777
437
521
1523
916
1080
2304|
233
163
203
34
1740
810
24
1130
693
153
1597
1008
3903
4267
126
28
407
805
3414
1938
1175
391
241
883
907
558
1115
1300
15
1951
755
730
6388
1096
764
2005
1579
171
545
363
917
1906
116
53
2
1015
76
389
589
816
118
146
614
381
283
412
597
1249
1037
580
215
1021
521
296
463
51
20
524
269
169
98
746
76
1228
1019
157
992
17
123
408
60
728
112
Maj.
347
77
256
6
353
265
312
680
18
367
451
202
290
1934
351
7
767
403
328
682
974
17
286
411
201
162
31
311
853
109
142
586
454
283
545
6
295
1228
1142
350
978
553
163
PEESIDENT.
1876.
Hayes. Tilden.
981
109
644
86
2755
1186
285
1012
1596
1255
3532
1365
5435
3236
1095
42
2033
2266
4845
4723
2601
1739
2651
1507
2874
1714
1610
561
2644
2424
71
2700
668
697
9981
2558
1813
1859
583
836
2135
1019
1855
3560
442
189
257
74
3647
1162
28
2145
1774
660
2493
1604
5726
6361
596
894
1785
5660
3198
1735
1514
2348
718: R.
4134' D.
Maj.
1458
1432
1654
2481
2299
174
3908
1796
1112
12026
2030
1174
3608
5480
394
985
362
1794
2880
539
80
387
12
892
24
257
1133
178
595
1039
249
291
3125
499
25
1139
481
815
1525
866
225
303
789
1260
256
178
1093
163
125
103
1208
1128
415
2045
528
639
1749
1897
447
1152
650
61
680
307
GUBEENATOBIAL AND PRESIDENTIAL VOTES— 1877-1876— CowiMWted.
COUNTIES— Cbnitnuei.
GOVEENOK.
1877.
PRESIDENT.
1876.
Smith.
Mallory.
Allis.
Maj.
Hayes.
Tilden.
Maj.
1201
3375
1558
1826
269
1598
195
2483
1678
2904
994
2484
1473
1282
2068
247
231
320
377
219
25
16
31
229
210
620
862
150
50
432
226
771
281
712
740
349
146
4816
260
115
84
172
270
724
69
245
156
87
1062
270
55
248
252
232
210
76
729
1620
1489
922
605
1737
254
731
416
1374
2187
2388
990
257
2238
196
622
361
109
197
17
5
128
294
123
459
884
85
42
333
207
605
314
671
1057
284
311
5027
249
146
125
167
811
954
127
405
267
61
921
239
73
440
270
687
49
170
706
781
93
574
92
750
53
176
846
160
187
276
772
377
1887
601
201
6
240
36
R. 472
R. 1755
R. 70
R. 904
D. 336
D. 139
D. 59
R. 1452
B. 1262
R. 1530
D. 1993
R. 96
R. 483
R. 1025
D. 170
G 354
D. 291
D. 41
R. 268
R. 22
R. 8
G. 81
D. 97
B. 65
R. 87
R. 161
D. 22
G. 45
G. 60
R. 99
K. 19
R. 166
D. 33
R. 41
I). 317
E. 61
D. 165
U. 211
R. 11
G. 230
D. 41
R. 5
U. 41
D. 230
1). 58
D. 160
1). 112
R. 26
R. 131
R. 31
D 18
1). 192
D. 18
I). 445
R. 161
G. 130
2038
5755
1775
3396
582
3224
240
2360
2764
4212
1321
3129
2642
2080
6092
658
549
357
745
456
14
64
1691
2814
1736
2201
873
3633
246
790
1117
1970
3047
3335
1592
548
4426
745
911
466
627
312
31
93
R. 447
Rock
R. 2893
R. 39
gauk ■
R. 1194
D. 291
D. 409
D. 6
R. 1570
R. 1647
Walworth ;
R, 2242
D. 1726
D. 206
R. 1050
R. 1532
R. 666
Wood
D. 87
CITIES.
D. 362
D. 108
R. 118
R. 144
D. 17
97
33
143
3
250
520
195
110
181
3
31
42
351
13
17
• 67
1050
21
376
118
24
6
375
28
7
3
10
82
33
13
68
145
164
20
300
D. 29
475
254
1205
1382
669
121
696
250
1036
514
1085
834
660
291
8218
348
511
206
222
399
1496
572
212
1013
1542
288
191
647
224
848
644
1649
1252
512
344
9625
324
385
208
238
606
1910
D. 97
R. 42
R. 189
Fond du Lac
D. 160
R. 81
D. 70
Green Bay
R. 49
R. 26
R. 188
D. 30
D. 464
D. 418
R. 148
D. 53
D. 1407
R. 24
Neenah
R. 126
D. 2
D. 16
D. 107
D. 414
Portage
366
215
143
1672
397
87
575
423
372
280
210
532
377
108
1324
333
83
873
563
1296
52
595
D. 166
D. 162
R. 35
R. 348
R. 64
R. 4
D. 298
D. 14(1
D, 923
R. 228
Wausau
D. 385
POPULATION OF THE ENITED STATES.
States amd
TERRlTOEtlKS.
states.
Alabama
Arkansas
California
Connecticut
Delaware
Florida
Georgia
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa
Kansas
Kentucky
Louisiana
Maine
Maryland
Massachusetts...
Michigan*
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
Nebraska
Nevada
New Hampshire.
New Jersey
New York
North Carolina. .
Ohio ..
Oregon ' 95,
* Last Census of
Area in population.
sguare
Miles. 187U. 1875.
996,
484.
560,
537,
125,
187,
1.184,
2,539.
1,680,
1,191,
364,
1,321,
726,
626,
780,
1.457,
1,184,
439,
827,
1,721,
123,
42.
318,
906,
4,382,
1,071,
2,665,
90,
1,350, 6<f4
528,349
857,039
1,651,912
1,334,031
598,429
246,280
"52,540
1,026,502
4,705,208
Miles
R. R.
1872.
1,671
25
1,013
820
227
466
2,108
5,904
3,539
3,160
1,760
1,123
539
871
820
1,606
2,335
1,613
990
2,580
828
593
790
1,265
4,470
1,190
3,740
lo9
Michigan taken in 1874.
States and
Territories.
States.
Pennsylvania
Rhode Island. ..
South Carolina...
Tennessee
Texas
Vermont '.
Virginia
West Virginia ,
Wisconsin
Total States
Territories.
Arizona
Colorado
Dakota
Dist. of Columbia.
Idaho
Montana
New Mexico
Utah
Washington
Wyoming
Total Territories.
Area in
square
Miles.
46,000
1,306
39,385
45,600
237,504
10,312
40,904
33,000
53,924
1,950,171
113,916
104,500
147,490
60
90,932
143,776
121,201
80,056
69,944
93,107
965,03:
POPULATION.
3,531,791
217,353
705,606
1,358,520
818,679
330,561
1,236,163
443,014
1,054,670
38,113,253
9,
39,
14,
131,
14,
30.
91.
8o,
23,
9,
258,339
935,146
1,236,729
Miles'
R. E.
1873.
5,113
136
1,301
1,530
866
675
1,490
485
1,735
59,587
375
■498
Aggregate of U. S.. 2,915,303 38,565,983 I 60,85'!
* Included in the Railroad Mileage of Marylard.
PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD;
I'OPULATION' AND AeEA.
China
British Empire
Russia
United States with Alaska,
France
Austria and Hungary
.Japan
Great Britain and Ireland
German Empire
Italy
Spain
Brazil
Turkey
Mexico
Sweden and Norway
Persia
Belgium
Bavaria
Portugal
Holland
> ew Grenada
Chili
Switzerland
Peru
Bolivia
Argentine Republic
Wurtemburg
Denmark
Venezuela
Baden
Greece
Guatemala
Ecuador
Paraguay
Hesse
Liberia
San Salvador
Hayti
Nicaragua
Uruguay
Honduras
San Domingo
('osta Rica
Hawaii
Population.
446,
226,
81,
38,
36,
35,
34,
31
29,
27,
16,
10,
16,
9,
5,
5,
5,
4,
600,000
817,108
925,410
935,600
469.800
904,400
786,300
817,100
906,092
439,921
642,000
000,000
163,000
173,000
921,500
000,000
031,300
861,400
995,200
688,-300
000,000
000,000
669,100
500,000
000,000
812,000
818,500
784, 700
500,000
461,400
467,900
180,000
300,000
000,000
823,138
718,000
600,000
572,000
350,000
300,000
350,000
136,000
165.000
62.950
Date of
Census.
1871
1871
1871
1870
1866
1869
1871
1871
1871
1871
1867
1869
1870
1870
1869
1871
1868
1870
1870
1869
1870
1871
1869
1871
1870
'isVi
1870
1871
1871
1871
'isVi
1871
1871
'1870
Area in
Square
Miles.
.1,741,846
4,677,433
8,003,778
2,603,884
304,091
340,348
149,399
121,316
160,207
118,847
196 775
3,253,029
672,631
761,526
392,871
635,964
11,373
29,292
34,494
12,680
357,157
132,616
15,903
471,838
497,321
871,848
7,633
14,763
368,238
5,912
19,353
40,879
318,928
63,787
3,969
9,576
7,335
10,205
58,171
66,722
47.092
17,827
21,505
7.633
Inhabitants
10 Square
Mile.
119.3
48.6
10.2
7.78
178.7
149.4
233.8
263.3
187.
330.9
85.
3.07
24.4
20.
7.8
441.5
166.9
115.8
290.9
8.4
15.1
166.9
5.3
4.
2.1
241.4
120.9
4.3
247.
75.3
38.9
5.9
15.6
377.
74.9
81.8
56.
6.
6.5
7.4
7.6
7.7
80.
Pekin
London
St. Petor.obur[:.
Washington
Paris
Vienna
Yeddo
London
Berlin
Rome
Madrid
Rio Janeiro
Constaiitiiioplo
Mexico
Stockholm
Teheran
Brussels
Munich
Lisbon
Hague
Bogota
Santiago
Berne
Lima
Chuquibaca
Buenos Ayres. .
Stuttgart
Copenhagen
Caraccas
Carlsruhe
Athens
Guatemala
Quito
Asuncion
Darmstadt
Monrovia
Sal Salvador...
Port au Prince
Managua
Monte Video...
Comayagua
San Domingo. . .
San Jose
Honolulu
I'opulation,
,648,800
,251,800
667,000
109,199
,825,300
833,900
,.554,900
,251,800
825,400
244,484
332,000
420,000
,075,000
310.300
136,900
120,000
314,100
169,500
324,063
90,100
45,000
115,400
36,000
160,100
36,000
177,800
91,600
162,042
47,000
36,600
43,400
40,000
70,000
48,000
30,0011
3,01)0
l.5,on:i
211,0110
I'),OC I
44.5(!0
Pl.COO
1: ),0(K1
2 003
7,633
■-%
^(£*^*^^
,^"«*«*Vi
y/^^^i^
(dec eased.)
M I NEF^AL POINT.
HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION.
GEOLOGY, MINERALOGY AND SETTLEMENT OF THE LEAD REGION, WITH A
GENERAL INTRODUCTION AND MENTION OF THE DRIFTLESS AREA.
AMONG THE ROCKS.
The narration, for which we are indebted to Plato, of part of the experiences of Solon the
Athenian law-giver in Egypt, was for many centuries considered fabulous in its relation of the dis-
appearance of the vast Island of Atlantis beneath the ocean. We respect the noble character
of the Athenian sage too much to suspect him of misrepresentation, but the Egyptian hierarch,
with whom we are less acquainted, might be supposed capable of disseminating travelers' stories,
in regard to which, moreover, the priesthood were possibly themselves deceived. Modern think-
ers are inclined to believe that the supposed fable carries with it some elements of truth. It is
not easy to follow the almost shadowy story of a lost land with such precision as to establish its
identity with this continent, but the position assigned to Atlantis by the Egyptians favors the
idea, to which modern investigation is inclined, that our own America must have been known to
the ancients way back in remote antiquity, and that its submersion beneath the waves had been
recorded in curiously preserved traditions ; but we cannot pretend to determine what era in the
upbuilding of this continent may have been indicated by that semi-apocryphal story.
Geology tells us of upheavals from the depths of the sea, to which we are able to trace an
island now known to science as the Island of Wisconsin, which appeared at about the same time
with several other islands, comprising parts of the Appallachian Ranges, and of New York, as well
as probably other parts of the land now being covered with a population of millions, governed
and to be governed by the United States of America.
The cooling and contraction of the globe is credited with having diminished its diameter by
about 180 miles, and a diminution so great might easily account for the fatal depression of
Atlantis ; but that shrinkage occurred at a time when human life was not possible. The popular
reader will not so readily perceive how the inevitable continuance of the same process would
account at a later date for the resurrection of the land which we now inhabit. The chief
geologist of Wisconsin, Mr. T. C. Chamberlin, tells with a simple eloquence, which science
advanced as his cannot always command, the story of the rocks upon which the greatness of this
nation is securely builded ; and, in trying to embody the main facts of the earth's revelation in
this history, we shall endeavor to follow in the footsteps of the eminent Professor, though with
the modesty and diffidence of a learner, venturing to deal with presentations which have tasked
the powers of masters whose dictum is accepted by the world of learning.
The first cooling, whose catastrophe may have been attended by the submergence of Atlantis,
if we may imagine a race of Salamanders rejoicing in extremes of temperature, was a comparatively
general reduction of warmth and bulk, in which the earth's surface was sufficiently ductile or
clastic to participate without fracture ; but later, when the superficial coating of our molten
globe had become more rigid, nature was constrained to work by other methods ; the granite
rocks, incapable of contraction, otherwise, in such a degree as would meet the changing conditions
of the body which they enfolded, and subjected to pressures, compared with which, the vastest
310 HISTOEY OF THE LEAD EEGIOK
applications of mechanic force by human agency, sink into insignificance, bent under the ocean
until the outer shell touched the shrunken kernel ; and then the semi-rigid envelope, heated in
every particle by the compression, changed and wrinkled its mighty form, projecting its peaks
above the surface of the ocean as a series of granitic islands, ■whose shores sloped more or less
declivitously toward the depths of the sea. There are folds in the strata, observable to-day,
which indicate the long-continued application of a power capable of creasing and bending
adamant just as irresistibly as the hand of man may crumple paper.
Could we suppose an Alexander Selkirk possible on our inhospitable Island of Wisconsin,
he would look abroad upon a limitless but comparatively shallow sea, in which, possibly, was yet
no sign of lite, vegetal or animal, and his island home would necessarily present to him a bleak
and desolate rock, without shrub, grass, soil or insect, if we may assume that the uplifted crystal-
line mass had not commenced its process of disintegration.
The phenomena of building anew the Western Hemisphere can be studied in Wisconsin as
advantageously as on any part of this continent, and the writing on the wall of rock is so clear
and precise that the wayfarer, even though a fool, may not err if he will patiently unravel the
legend which the globe offers for our acceptance. Strong winds, dashing waves, evaporation and
precipitation, with some chemical conditions of the atmosphere that helped to disintegrate the
exposed surface of rock more rapidly than would be possible now, acting upon stone similarly
compacted, gave back to the ocean a vast aggregate of detritus worn from peak and precipice by
those unceasing forces, to form the vast deposit of sandstone now known as the Potsdam, which
ranges according to the convolutions of the sub-oceanic surface upon which it lodged, in thickness
from a few feet to more than one thousand feet. The superimposed layers have each their own
revelation to make clear; some of them in fossils which the human eye can readily decipher;
others in forms so minute that the microscope is needed to unlock its mysterious message from
a world possibly pre-Adamite.
Suppose the State cut through to the level of Lake Michigan, east from the Mississippi
River in Grant County, we find the formations which prevail throughout Wisconsin, and tar be-
yond its borders, always attesting the regularity with which Dame Nature prosecutes her designs.
The Lower Magnesian limestone gives us the first record of life found in this region, hitherto,
after the disintegrated gneiss or granite had in some degree solidified beneath the waters as sand-
stone, and the thickness of that stratum is remarkably even throughout our imagined cutting ;
the limestone following the form of the underlying rock, and having suifcred but littk from
abrasion, protected as it must have been by its coverlet and base of supplies, the sea. Elsewhere
this formation is much less regular in depth, as it follows the contour line preceding its deposit,
and lies irregularly. Grant River has cut down into this bed of limestone at about 350 feet
above the level of Lake Michigan, but the banks of the Father of Waters reveal the same form-
ation at an elevation of about 200 feet. Our supposititious section runs east and west through the
county of Grant about seven miles north of Lancaster, crossing the head-waters of Platte River.
Next above the Lower Magnesian limestone, wo find St. Peters sandstone, so called from
one of its best exposures, which has evidently suffered from abrasion in many parts of its sur-
face, and is found cropping out on the Mississippi banks as well as on the sides of Grant River,
though still far below the Platte. Trenton limestone, moderately rich in fossils, attests an era in
which life had risen to more various formations, beautiful as though some cunning and skilled
artist, with an unbounded wealth of resource, had fashioned and imbedded them to minister in
after ages to the aesthetic sense in man. The head-waters of the Platte cut through and into this
formation, which reaches an elevation little more than 300 feet on the Mississippi at our imagined
line, 'but is found at an altitude of nearly 500 feet on Grant River, our base line being always
the level of Lake Michigan. Galena limestone follows next in order, and the name is significant
at once as to its place of first identification, and as to the valued mineral with which it was
charged. The stratum has been abraded in many localities until it fails even to put in an ap-
pearance ; as for instance, at our imagined line bisecting the bank of the Mississippi, but east
of that point the stratum asserts itself, cut through with greater or less pertinacity by streams
HISTOKY OF THE LEAD EEGION. 311
that have long since found a grander eliannel. That deposit caps the ranges in the vicinity of
Grant River, and further east along the head-waters of the Platte, rising east of that point to an
elevation of about 700 feet on the eastern boundary line of the county.
The fact that this region did not suffer from glacial denudation and was not enriched by
morainic drift, gives to our line of bisection special value in ascertaining readily the sunace con-
tour of the land before that era of refrigeration, allowing always for erosion by the atmosphere
and rains and rivers. For that reason, we will follow another imagined bisection of the county
due north and south, near the eastern boundary. North of the center of the line, the Potsdam
sandstone rises above the level of Michigan Lake, and gradually ascends to an elevation of about
four hundred feet, not far from the northern limit of the county, descending thence by denuda-
tion to about three hundred feet at the boundary. Although this sandstone is not rich in fos-
sils, it would be folly to assume that life was not plentiful on this planet while this vase fct;'atum
was being deposited ; the more sensible conclusion is that the stratum was not well adapted to
the preservation of the forms of life which passed into its keeping. The Laurentian rocks,
upper and lower, which constituted the first Island of Wisconsin, were sedimentary, and their
formation must have preceded the sandstone mentioned by a term which human investigation has
never yet defined; yet the Laurentian rocks hold within their embrace many evidences which
are satisfactory to men of scientific attainments, that vitality of a low order preceded their deposi-
tion, and some fossils have been found in America and in Europe, which, it is claimed, set that
question forever at rest. Some careful investigators doubt the organic character of the alleged
fossils, and we are not prepared to decide, where doctors disagree ; but, inasmuch as our supposed
section of Grant County does not reveal the systems of rocks named from their great develop-
ments in the valley of the St. Lawrence, we will proceed with our brief disquisition on the strata
actually found in that region, which we endeavor to describe. Wisconsin River has cut its
course through the Potsdam sandstone, and numerous streams of less dimensions have left their
marks in unmistakable characters, hewn out of the same body, which is entirely denuded of all
such overlying strata as may elsewhere be found. The same order of succession as has been
noted in the line east and west — Lower Magnesian limestone, St. Peters sandstone, Trenton
limestone and Galena limestone in the same relative position — is still observable, but superim-
posed upon these we find preserved in the Platte Mounds, at an elevation not.less than seven
hundred feet above the level of Lake Michigan, the formation known as Cincinnati or Hudson
River shale, capped by a remnant of Niagara limestone. Blue River has its course bottomed on
St. Peters sandstone, while Trenton and Galena limestones form the superincumbent layers, and
this regularity in the movements of natural forces enables the student to apply himself, with
much economy of resource, to unfold the wealth of mineral possessions, which, in our own time
and in the near future, will become the heritage of the human family.
From the writings and tracings of Prof Chamberlin, we are permitted to supplement our
scanty delineation of the State, as represented in the geological features of this region, bv adding
a general though brief description of the State as a whole, and of the upheaval and formations
that have contributed the material bases of our national wealth.
We have delineated the shallow sea that ebbed and flowed, obeying the impulses of the
moon, where the State of Wisconsin now reposes in beauty and excellence, the loved home of a
thrifty and prosperous people, but we will return to that point in our narrative, the better to
present the picture of that upheaval to the popular mind. The sediment to which we are indebted
for the Laurentian rock, is estimated to have been much more rapid in deposition than
similar processes to-day, and a thickness of 30,000 feet is claimed by scientists as only a small
remainder of a more vast formation, cdntributing its quota to the crust of the earth. Beneath the
sea, this sediment accumulated in horizontal strata under circumstances that favored metamorphic
action, the results of which are still visible. The time came when heat and lateral pressure,
such as we have already mentioned, re-arranged the folds of the earth's mantle and began to pre-
pare a dwelling-place for man. That nucleus of a nation may be called, for our own conven-
ience, the Island of Wisconsin. The character as well as the position and form of that rock,
312 HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION
was probably changed in the act of upheaval, so mighty were the forces therein engaged. The
sediment had been changed into crystalline rocks, widely dissimilar from the later sandstone,
although compacted of the same elements. Thus we stand, as it were, in the presence of the
Archaean or ancient rocks, otherwise known as the Azoic. The wonderous changes through which
this metamorphic rock passed in attaining the eminence of an island in those seas, might well be
supposed capable of obliterating all signs of vital organization, but, in other rocks which seem
to be identified with this formation, it is asserted, with some authority, that fossils have certainly
been found, and our investigations have hitherto been too narrow and restricted to entitle us to
say with authority that there are no fossils in the Laurentian formation here. It is not possible
to define accurately the extent of that island won from the domain of Neptune, but it is assumed
to have filled a large area in the northern central part of our State, stretching beyond into the
Upper Peninsula of Michigan. This was the primeval base upon which was to be erected an
empire of the people, sacred to liberty and right. Other islands, at remote distances, were per-
haps upheaved at the same instant with our own, to be banded together in one vast continent,
for the noblest ends possible on earth, when the Laurentian era should have taken its place away
back in the remotest antiquity with which life has been identified. We have no data whereby
we can determine the altitude of these islands, upon which the rain descended and the floods came,
beating with tempestuous violence ; but, apart from the strata forced into positions almost
approaching the perpendicular, and from which the cap or connecting fold has been abraded, we
have the deep and wide-spread deposits of the Huronian period to tell us of the mountainous
elevations from which that sandy detritus must have been torn away by wind-storms, rain, the
beat of countless waves, and the never-ceasing disintegrating power of the chemic constituents
of the atmosphere. We have, thus, our island lifting its head toward heaven, and the elements
tearing down the inaccessible mountain peaks, to bridge the chasms and convert that island, with
ochers widely scattered, into the broad expanse of prairie, mountain, valley, cataract, lake and
river, which is to-day the world's wonder. Science may yet enable us to read this exquisite
story of the earth as the home prepared for man, with fuller appreciation. It is not easy to imagine
that, on an island thus builded, there could have been any form of vegetable life at the outset ;
but, in the sea around its base, if we may judge from the carbonaceous matter incorporated with
the deposits, there must have been an abundant marine flora, and, in the limestone accretions
we find evidence of higher organizations. Life was in the waters surrounding our island, and
the Great Artificer of the Universe was, through His laws, compelling the least of His animate
creatures to prepare the way for their superiors in the army of being. Perhaps this statement
of the case may savor of dogmatism, but we argue the presence of life in the waters from the
limestone deposits left in testimony, as well as from the fact that the Laurentian rocks, which
antedated this era by unnumbered centuries, are not certainly and entirely barren of fossils. The
shales, sandstones and limestones of this period of deposition, aggregated many thousand feet in
depth ; and, in due time, these also were upheaved and metamorphosed in that process, as the
Laurentian had been, into crystalline and semi-crystalline rocks, known to us by various names
and innumerable uses in the civilization by which we are surrounded. The Huronian rocks are
compacted of quartzites, crystalline limestones, slates, schists, diorites, quartz-porphyries and
other forms of metamorphic sediment. Graphite is the resultant from carbonaceous deposits,
and magnetite, hematite and specular ores tell of the forms of life by which such means of wealth
are brought within our ken ; the last-named deposits are so great as to give the name of the iron-
bearing series to this upheaval. These several strata, contorted and folded by pressure and
heat, added largely to the circumference of the island, from whose shores and heights they had
been gathered, and the ceaseless activities of nature paused not one instant in preparing new
formations. The nearest approach to a mountain in our State, is the upturned edge of the
Huronian upheaval, which stretches for sixty miles, crossing Ashland County, bearing within
its rampart a belt of magnetic schist through nearly the whole length of Penokee Range. The
Menominee iron-bearing series, which extends into the northern part of Oconto County, is
another important topographical and mineralogical feature in the Huronian formation, Barron
HISTOKY OF THE LEAD REGIO:Nr. 313
County owes its deposits of pipestone to the same source, and they cover a large area. The
Baraboo quartzite ranges in. Sauk and Columbia, with detached outliers northeasterly through
other counties, are conspicuous contributions from that formation, which has its most southerly
exposure near Lake Mills, in the county of Jefferson.
Before the Huronian strata were upraised, it is assumed that the crust of the earth was
fissured in the Lake Superior region, and that a vast outflow of molten rock spread itself by
successive eruptions at various intervals over an area more than 300 miles long by 100 miles
wide, forming a series of trappean beds. Sometimes there were intervals between these molten
streams, during which the ocean ransacked from the superimposed rock, the materials for beds
of sand, gravel and clay, which are now present as sandstone, conglomerate and shale ; and, as
though tenacious of the credit that belonged to its handiwork, the waves of the perturbed sea
liave left their ripple-marks in the stone to tell us that the forces of the central fire were not
[dlowed to assert themselves unchallenged by the ocean. When eruptions ceased entirely in that
i-egion, the sedimentary process went on accumulating until the series achieved a thickness which
is stated in miles. The rocks which have been named as thrown up from within the earth's
crust have undergone changes so great that their igneous character is almost obliterated ; the
mineral ingredients have been metamorphosed by chemical action, so that we find iron chlorite
and feldspar associated with quartz, prenite, calcite, laumontite, analcite, datolite, magnetite,
native copper, silver, and occasionally other minerals, the rock being known as a melaphyr.
Usually we find the upper portion of each bed composed of cells about the size of an almond
Riled with the minerals that have been indicated, so that the rock is amygdaloidal. After the
beds were deposited, the native copper was placed in the receptacles, where it is found to-day, by
chemical action after changes in the rook had been initiated by similar means, and the silver
Found in that series is due to the same agency. Ashland, Bayfield, Burnett, Douglas and Polk
Counties, in the northern section of the State, are remarkable for the presence of copper and
silver bearing rocks, the metals being most plentiful in the amygdaloids and some conglomerates,
but being found in the melaphyrs, sandstones and shales also. The Huronian rocks carried the
copper-bearing series with them in their upheaval, and they are found with the same folds and
Hexures. The Keweenaw Point range extends from the part of Michigan to which its name is
ilue southwesterly through Ashland, Burnett and Polk Counties, in this State, the beds dipping
toward Lake Superior northwesterly; but, in a parallel range, which is found in Bayfield and
Douglas Counties, the beds dip at a less angle in the opposite direction. There was a "lost
interval " after the upheaval of the Archrean rocks, the Laurentide hills of the early French
explorers, the Laurentian of our time, which even now, after ages of erosion, can be traced on
the north side of the St. Lawrence, from Labrador to Lake Superior, and still to the north a
distance yet undetermined. The hills of this formation are seen 4,000 feet in height, and where
ihe Saguenay makes its course toward the St. Lawrence there are cliffs that lift their heads fully
1,500 feet sheer from the water's edge. South of the range through which the Saguenay runs,
the Adirondack Hills stand an isolated mass 6,000 feet in altitude, a sentinel rock of the Lau-
rentian system, rivaled by the newer formation — the White Mountains. The Lower Laurentian
has no exposure in our State, but it is found in Newfoundland, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia,
and, rarely, in Massachusetts and Maryland. Beyond the Atlantic the same rocks are identified
in Norway, Sweden, the Hebrides and Bohemia, bearing with slight differences the same alleged
but debatable fossils, the Eozoon Canadense, Bavaricum, etc., of a type still said to be extant.
The Lougroynd groups of rocks in Shropshire and in Wales, with their equivalents in the Wick-
low Mountains in Ireland, are probably Huronian rather than Laurentian. The exact equiva-
lency of our Laurentian system with that of Canada and the provinces is not determined, but
strong likelihoods point in that direction with increasing force. The "lost interval" indicates
no idleness in nature, but a failure on the part of the geologist to follow her operations. We
have elsewhere glanced at the wondrous activities that laid down the vast beds now known as
Potsdam sandstone, and then upheaved them to their present and to still greater elevations. We
can trace the formation here lying on the foot of an eminence which is gradually succumbing to
314 HISTOKY OF THE LEAD EEGIOIT.
"the tooth and razure of oblivion," except as its remains are preserved as particles of quartz in
the new stratum. Again we see some harder projection of the old rock detached from the main
island, which yet lifted its head in solemn self assertion, and breasted the angry billows, impa-
tient of their endeavor to reduce its elevations to the common level ; and yet again we meet
some great bowlders, typical of the empire foretold in Scripture, compacted of brass and of clay ;
there the harder components remain, dismounted from their eminences by the erosion of feet of
clay in the softer material upon which they depended, and the sands of the sea shore reverently
surrounded them with their legions of defenders, to retain them where they are found in our
era, still distinguishable as mementoes of the age of giant rocks, which built for man a temple
not made with hands.
Life was an ever-present element in this formation, but the earlier sandstones are not rich
in well-defined fossils, although they give us lithographic illustrations and actual casts of the
shells in which living beings built themselves in from the elements. Limestones and shales,
interstratifying the sandstone, mark where some sheltered spot temporarily favored the establish-
ment of a cemetery, upon which the sands once more advanced, burying the dead out of the sight
of generations that had never dreamed of the mysteries of existence. The red sandstone of
Lake Superior is due to the action of the sea upon the iron and copper-bearing series of rocks
of whose qualities we have spoken ; away from that region we find a broad, irregular belt reach-
ing almost around the Archsean island, a rude crescent of light-colored sandstone, won by the
waves and winds and rains from porphyries, quartzites and granite, either of which would, in
our more conservative age, be able to hold its own against oxygen for centuries unless frost came
in to help the demolition.
There was no great upheaval after the Potsdam sandstone had been deposited, hence it lies
horizontally upon the abraded bed of the underlying crystalline stratum, neither crumpled nor
metamorphosed by heat and pressure, only slightly arched toward the center of the State. The
weight of superincumbent beds, and the cementing action of waters carrying lime and iron in
solution, which have percolated through this formation, have largely increased its density; but
the ripple marks, cross-laminations, worm burrows, and other indications of action and life on a
sandy beach are clearly traceable, and its thickness varies from the fine line which defined its
limit on the shore of the island down into the depths where it formed an aggregate of perhaps a
thousand feet. All the later formations take their place above the Potsdam sandstone, which
may be reached by boring in any part of the State, beyond the bounds of the Archsean core.
This is a fact of vital importance, because a water-bearing rock can be calculated upon with
absolute certainty, and the layers of limestone and shale which interstratify the mass are of
great value in arresting the flow of water and turning it surfaceward. The formation of lime-
stone, never arrested while life endures, comes now once more within our region of observation,
and the deposit ranges from fifty to two hundred and fifty feet in thickness. The horizontality
of the sandstone was not perfect, and the irregularities of the foundation were filled by the
limestone as it settled down and solidified under oceanic pressure. There were places where the
substratum showed a rise and fall of nearly one hundred feet within quite a limited area, but the
limestone itself is remarkable for an appearance aptly described as follows : The lime-
stone and the interstratified beds mentioned earlier were magnesian or dolomitic, containing
carbonate of magnesia in great quantity. There were quantities of silica in the deposit which
sometimes are found as nodules of chert, and in other instances as quartz crystals ; this beautiful
form of matter lines cavities which never saw the light until man quarried in the rock, and yet
the exquisite loveliness of each crystal is perfected according to its law, as though the handi-
work therein concealed had been one of the most costly adornments of a palace. Some metals
appear in the mass, but they are of little value, and evidences of life herein are very scanty.
Sea weeds, moUusks and a few other forms of being are scattered sparsely, save at intervals,
where circumstances favored a more liberal contribution to our knowledge of the organisms that
obtained in the earlier seas. Erosion has removed a large proportion of this rock, so that it is
now jagged and irregular in the last degree, but, originally, it must have been a broad and regular
band, contributing its quota toward increasing the island to the dimensions of a continent.
HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION. 315
We cannot tell why the deposit of magnesian limestone ceased, but the sandstone known
as St. Peters comes next in order of succession, probably after an interval. This is a fine sili-
cious sand, much desiderated in the manufacture of glass ; but it is deposited in small quanti-
ties, sometimes not enough to cover the inequalities of the limestone. The greatest thickness
of St. Peters sandstone yet discovered does not exceed two hundred and twelve feet, and the
average is less than one hundred. It is not a firm stone, having been imperfectly cemented, so
that it disintegrates readily. Some organic remains have recently been found in this deposit,
but they are few and far between, just sufiicient to attest the presence of marine life and the
agency of the ocean in triturating these fine grains of quartz. This belt, probably much
reduced from its original dimensions, fringes the lower magnesian bed on the south, and covers
but a small area. The absence of fossils may be accounted for in two ways : First, in the cut-
ting and crushing action of the sandy particles, and next in their porosity — a quality to which
we are indebted for the supply of many of our finest artesian wells, and from which numberless
other such living fountains may be procured, as the flow of water is practically inexhaustible.
Trenton limestone deposits follow, indicating some changes in oceanic conditions, local or
general, and, at the same time, a great deal of clay-like matter was being placed in position
to be converted into shale, shells, corals and other organic debris, or their signs manual in the
rock give positive evidence as to the origin of this limestone in the myriad lives that were capa-
ble of converting the particles held in solution by the seas into the osseous environments of
their own being. The limestone now deposited was very pure, not largely magnesian ; but,
when the clay predominated, a bed of shale, greater or less in extent, resulted. Sometimes
these beds were so highly charged with carbonaceous matter that they burn readily, and no
small portion of our petroleum comes from such formations. In the lead region, this deposit
has sometimes been found rich in metals, but of course that condition is the outcome of chemi-
cal action and infiltration — not a characteristic found in the pure limestone stratum. The fos-
sils in the Trenton limestone are abundant, and the stone, being susceptible of a very high pol-
ish, is valuable in an economic sense, as well as deeply interesting to the scientist on account of
its archaeological revelations, as all the animal sub-kingdoms, except the vertebrates, are therein
represented. This rock borders the St. Peters sandstone, and its greatest thickness hitherto
observed is about one hundred and twenty feet.
The next formation is the highly magnesian Galena limestone, buif or light gray in color,
attaining a maximum thickness of about two hundred and fifty feet, and having a sub-crystalline
structure. In the northeastern part of the State, the presence of shaly matter changes the
color to a bluish or greenish gray ; but, in the southerly deposits, the bed is not aifected in
that way. The presence of galena, or sulphide of lead, in this layer, in the southwestern part
of the State more especially, has given its name and commercial value to this limestone. Zinc
ore is abundant, as well as lead, in the region indicated, and in other districts the same metals
can be traced, but not in paying quantities. In other sections of the country, the production
of lead is a necessary part of the process of mining for the precious metals, and, for that rea-
son, pure lead mining is comparatively at a discount for a time ; but, whenever the best product
of lead is demanded, the mines in our State and in Illinois will not fail to be largely called
upon. Our Island of Wisconsin, growing from its Archaean core by concentric additions, is
already much larger than the area of the State within which it took its rise, and still the aggre-
gation continues.
Cincinnati or Hudson River shale followed the deposition of Galena limestone, a thickness
of 200 feet having resulted ; but the clayey bed has not become hardened to such an extent as
to resist weathering wherever an exposure has occurred, and, in consequence, that layer is, in
many localities, conspicuous by its absence. Some parts of the sediment have hardened well,
becoming shale or limestone, according to the preponderance of the elements deposited. Many
of the vertical clifls of Green Bay are beautifully colored shales of this foundation, their hues
being almost; as varied, though less brilliant than those of the rainbow. The eastern side of
the Green Bay — Rock River A''alley — shows how easily and completely this formation can be
316 HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION.
eroded, the less yielding Niagara limestone, which overlies the shale, being left as a kind of
pent-house roof over the rapidly receding bed beneath. This phenomenon has procured for the
principal feature in the cliff the name of the Ledge. The mounds in Southwestern Wisconsin
owe their prominence to the rapid erosion of the shale, by which, at one time, they were sur-
rounded. Corals and other fossils are numerous in this composite formation, and a little intel-
ligent attention to the conditions of life under which they were deposited might have saved much
time, labor and capital, uselessly expended in the search for coal. This formation, which marks
the close of the Lower Silurian age, underlies the mounds in the lead region, forming only a
narrow belt on the eastern margin of the valley above mentioned. Other conditions of life
were now to write their history on the rocks.
Clinton iron ore, sometimes known as "seed ore," elsewhere known as "shot ore," is
found deposited on the beds of shale at detached spots, probably at points that were once pro-
tected basins. It is a peculiar lenticular deposit, which might well give rise to all the variations
of nomenclature which invite our attention. In this State, the prominence of this mineral
aggregation at one point has led to its being denominated "Iron llidge ore." The beds are
quarried as easily as limestone, the soft ore being arranged in horizontal layers, which, at the
point just indicated, have a thickness of twenty-five feet. Like deposits, in much smaller quan-
tities, are found at Depere, and at Hartford and at Depere smelting works are in operation,
besides which, this ore is shipped to markets more and less remote, to be sold for reduction.
The greatest era of limestone formation in the history of our island followed this deposit of iron
ore, and we may well devote some attention to the vast aggregate of about eight hundred feet,
which was deposited in the beds of Niagara limestone. The old processes were repeated in all
essentials, but the operation was long continued, and the conditions were favorable to marine
life in that shallow sea, dotted with large islands, having a temperature almost, if not entirely,
tropical. The Rocky Mountains and the Alleghanies protected this plateau from the intrusion
of cold currents, if there were any such, which might have been fatal, prematurely, to the tiny
artificers which were giving their lives and substance to build up this continent, as other and
greater beings have since given their lives and substance — a more intelligent and volitional sac-
rifice— to build up and maintain its inestimable liberties. Reefs, not unlike the coral forma-
tions that prevail in the Pacific Ocean, appeared toward the close of this era of deposition, and
there is no reason to doubt that the same agencies that are now at work in the Polynesian group,
converting islands into continents, were then employed in the more than fairy transformation to
which we are beholden for a home on this favored spot of earth — the haven for the afflicted peo-
ples of all lands — which, ere this century comes to an end, will probably carry a Caucasian
population of 300,000,000 souls.
Among the animal life of the time, we find unquestionable records of corals ; mollusks,
that have been called the oyster of those seas ; stone lilies, or crinoids, having the appearance
of a plant converted into stone, and still animal ; trilobitee, in great number and never-ending
variety ; and gigantic cephalopods, which seem to have been monarchs in that domain. The
reef rocks were very irregular, and near them were extensive beds of sandstone, largely cal-
careous, beyond which is found a pure, compact dolonaite, formed from a deposition of fine cal-
careous mud. The Niagara limestone lies in a broad belt, adjacent to Lake Michigan. It is
all more or less magnesian, contains much pure dolomite, but is varied in composition, some
beds being coarse and heavy, other layers being even-bedded and close-grained, while yet others
are impure, cherty and irregular. There is a thin-bedded, sla.ty limestone on Mud Creek, near
Milwaukee, which is commonly, and perhaps rightly, attributed to this fo;:mation ; but the fos-
sils found therein are few and equivocal, as, indeed, are all the evidences that might be expected
to determine its period of deposit. A similar formation, somewhat more rich in fossils, is
found near Waubeka, in Ozaukee County, and the greater weight of evidence thus procured
favors the era of the great limestone deposit ; but the area covered is small, and the two beds
are of little practical value. The Silurian age "in Wisconsin was now ended. The island was
large, almost continental in proportions. Sandstone, limestone and shale contributed each their
HISTOKY OF THE LEAD REGION. 317
concentric belt, and the sea retired, save when, at rare intervals, it was stirred to its depths with
a vain desire to reassert its old dominion.
The Devonian age marked one of those oscillations when there was an invasion of the east-
ern margin of the island by the sea, and the Hamilton cement rock was the chief result of that
advance, its hydraulic properties being due to a happy admixture of magnesian limestone with
silicious and aluminous materials. There was now a new dawn of life, the vertebrate animals
appeared by their lowest type, the fish, but even that was a great ascension in the scale of being
from protozoans, radiates, mollusks and articulates. The early types of life did not disappear
but the process which Darwin has named " the survival of the fittest " was affording its advan-
tages to the better forms of the lower orders. We cannot estimate the extent to which erosion
operated on the deposit, but beyond doubt it was considerable. An area, not large, on the lake
shore, north of Milwaukee, with a landward stretch of about six miles, marks the size of the bed
which has been found, and the cement rock which is highest in repute is found on Milwaukee
River, near the city. Thus endeth the record of the ocean on our island, although there may
have been subsequent visits, too brief for Neptune to leave his monograph.
The imagination of the reader may conjure up the progressive changes of our island from
the crystalline heart as leaf after leaf was added to the structure by the myriads of lives that
built themselves into the simple yet wonderful development, until the insular state was lost, and
many islands had become a mighty continent, inviting other and better forms of life than those
that we have seen in the limestone and other deposits ; but, while the several belts are being
called to their position, we must not lose sight of that unceasing erosion which bears so large a part
in the phenomena of deposit. The continent was lifted to its place, and aerial denudation began,
or rather continued, the work long since initiated, of bringing the softer formations from their sev-
eral altitudes to clothe the valleys with a mantle soon to become vernal under some law of pro-
gression which it is not permitted to us to comprehend. The Carboniferous age, marked else-
where by carboniferous phenomena, the Mesozoic era and the earlier Tertiary period is beyond
the point indicated a blank in Wisconsin. The time for the deposition of vegetal matter, which
has .given us rich coal measures elsewhere, was not so improved in Wisconsin.
The Glacial period has not left its record in all parts of Wisconsin, but the story is widely
told by the drift and by many other signs just as certain. The country was invaded by masses
of ice in broad sheets that acted like a mighty planing instrument upon the surface, over which
it glided with a slow motion, which even to this day is a puzzle to the scientist. Men eminent
as Tyndall and Forbes have bent their mighty intellects to solve the mystery in the Alps, where the
glacier is perpetually advancing, by niglit as well as by day, in winter as surely though more slowly
than in summer, and still we cannot determine certainly how the frozen, semi-elastic mass moves in
its course, accommodating itself to all the sinuosities in the channel, varying its momentum in
different parts of the stream, with a regularity that admits of accurate forecast, and still progres-
sing even on great declivities with a speed hardly exceeding twenty inches in twenty-four
hours.
Our ice-stream came down from the north, having but small declivities to favor its progres-
sion, sometimes even forcing its way over heights that might have been supposed effectual barriers,
bringing in its lower surface, and sometimes — perhaps though rarely — on its upper face also,
masses of rock and gravel to us from their normal resting-places as the inexorable force moved
on, and ultimately scattered or deposited en masse miles away from the points of departure. The
polished and grooved strata upon which the ice-plane has plowed its stria may be found by careful
search in all parts of the globe that have been subjected to glaciation, and, consulting such marks,
we find that one prodigious tongue of ice scooped its way through the bed of Lake Michigan, a
smaller tongue meanwhile traversing the valley of Green Bay and Rock River, and through what
is now the region of Lake Superior another mass of ice moved to the southwest upon Minnesota.
These channels, affording outlets for the ice, appear to have diverted the invading force from the
southwestern portion of Wisconsin, where a considerable region is found quite free from rnorainic
drift and from the strice that attend the movements of glaciers.
B18 HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION.
When a time of greater warmtli asserted its power, the extremities of the glaciers were
melted, sometimes more rapidly than the mass moved forward, and thus the drift remained wher-
ever the process of liquefaction dropped it, unless some later march of the ice stream, under the
favoring winds of winter, once more pushed its vanguard to the point from which it had been
driven, heaping up the drift that had been scattered through its channel in a great moraine at
its terminus. The retreats and advances of this stream of ice have, in many parts of this con-
tinent, quite changed its normal aspect, and nowhere can we find more striking manifestations
of the power that was thus exerted than in Wisconsin. The remarkable chain of hills known
as the Kettle Range is entirely a drift formation, and the curious winding line thus presented to
eyes in search of novel scenery suggests a battlement defending the furthest line marked by the
glacier. At a secondary stage of advancement, when the temperature permanently changed
and the frozen mass must needs return to its former condition of fluidity, there was a torrent in
some regions, and there were lakes in others according to the configuration of the surface, and
a depression of the land toward the north ascribed to this era is considered as one of the deter-
mining causes of the former extension of the great lakes where the ice-plow had found grooves
best suited to its operations. The red clay that borders Lakes Michigan and Superior, and that
may be found as far up as Fond du Lac, in the Green Bay Valley, marks a time when these
waters covered a much wider area than they now fill, but whether the diminution still continues
this deponent saith not. The wealth of lakes and tiny lakelets, for which Wisconsin is famous,
is probably due to the waters of the glaciers filling the strange undulations which the morainic
drift had caused, sometimes damming a narrow valley, as at Devil's Lake, at others presenting
only shallow depressions.
The Kettle Range has been made the subject of a special disquisition by Prof. Chamberlin,
the brochure being published in Paris during his attendance at the Geological Convention in
that city in 1878, which the Exposition Universelle was the great event in the scientific as well
as in the fashionable world. The conclusions reached by the chief geologist embody the main
facts known as to the Kettle moraine so completely and, withal, so skillfully woven into his nar-
rative, that we feel bound to summarize that production. The moraine known as the Potash
Kettle Range, since abbreviated in name, resembles the Kames, Eskers, Asar and Raer, of Scot-
land, Ireland, Sweden and Norway, respectively, and is also similar in formation to more recent
deposits in Switzerland. It is an extensive belt of drift hills and ridges, peculiar and distinctive,
traversing the quaternai-y deposits, and disposed in vast loops about the great lakes, challeng-
ing the attention of mankind to the mode of their deposit. The belt is certainly not less, and
is presumably much more, than two thousand miles in length, with a breadth varying from one
mile to thirty miles in different parts of its extent. Seldom more than three hundred feet in
height, it occasionally may be found exceeding four hundred feet above its base, but is generally
much less ; so that it is the continuity of the formation, rather than any other feature, as a rule,
that commands attention ; still, there are points where the range is conspicuous for its abrupt-
ness and irregularity.
Dr. Lapham, in his ''Antiquities of Wisconsin," briefiy described the belt as seen by him
in the eastern part of the State, prior to 1855, calling attention to the peculiar depressions
which first suggested the name of the Potash Kettle, as descriptive; and attributed the feature
in question to the solvent, erosive action of under-drainage, forming "sinks." Col. Whittlesey,
several years later, published through the same medium, the Smithsonian Institution, his obser-
vations on "Moraine Cavities" in Wisconsin, Ohio and Minnesota, attributing their presence
to the building-in of ice-masses with the debris when the range was formed, the ice naturally
leaving a depression when subsequently thawed. There were other suggestions not material to
this issue in the same paper, which need not be further noticed. Dr. Andrews described the
Kettle Range, in Eastern Wisconsin, with which he associated contiguous gravel deposits, claim-
ing for the formation a length of two hundred miles, and a breadth of twenty miles, terminating
in the bowlder clay of Illinois, but he ascribed its formation to a vast and violent current of
water sweeping down from the north. Other and minor observations and speculations on this
HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION. 310
interesting subject left the matter practically at the point indicatcil until 1873, when the geo-
logical survey, since completed, was commenced by order of the Legislature of Wisconsin. The
gentlemen surveying in Ohio under circumstances similar to our own, gave attention to the range
in that State, but they were much divided in opinion as to its origin, some inclining to the view
that it was a moraine, while others favored ideas of grounding ice and the escaping waters of
the great lake passing over the water-shed where the range is located.
Dr. Lapham, chief of the geological corps in this State in 1873, returning to the ques-
tion with interest unabated, and with much better facilities for investigation, assigned the Kettle
Range as a subject for study to Prof. Chamberlin, suggesting that the ridge might have marked
an ancient shore line. The line of investigation pursued by Mr. Chamberlin, now Chief
Geologist, soon convinced him that the shore-line theory was as untenable as the Andrews idea
of violent currents of water from the north. The investigation was not entirely confined to this
State, although, of course, this was the main field of observation. Forked tongues of ice had
left their limits so clearly marked by drift deposits, about twenty miles north of the State line,
that our friend was placed at once on the track, which he has since pursued and verified. In
the year 1875, at the session of the Wisconsin Academy of Science, Arts and Letters, the main
results arrived at in this inquiry were presented with maps and drawings, showing the determin-
ation of general drift movements, and that the range is a moraine formed by glaciers occupying
the troughs of Lake Michigan and Green Bay, skirted on the west by a like deposit. The sug-
gestion then thrown out has been verified by Prof. Irving, together with later conjectures as to
the extension in Northern Wisconsin. The conclusions reached in this way threw light upon
two questions: determining how the range had been deposited, and, also, why a certain large
area in this State, and in Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois, is driftless. Profs. Winchell, Irving
and Chamberlin are agreed that the area in question is driftless, because the ice streams were
deflected by the easier exit offered through the valleys of the great lakes and through Green Bay.
The several eminent authorities quoted, arrived at the same conclusion on the facts observed,
without previous concert, prior to publication ; consequently, we may well consider the solution
as a demonstration.
Outwardly, the formation presents an irregular, intricate series of hills and ridges, rapidly
but often gracefully undulating, having well-rounded domes, conical peaks, winding ridges, some-
times geniculated, short, sharp spurs, mounds, knolls and hummocks in a variety of combina-
tions, and corresponding with depressions just as remarkable, or even still more striking. These
depressions have given their name to the range ; many are circular in outline, hence the title
" potash kettles ;" but the major part are not nearly so symmetrical. Some of the cavities
resemble a bell inverted ; others are shallow saucers ; and others are rudely trough-like, oblong,
oval, elliptical, or even winding ; but to describe their various configurations would demand a
volume. Their depths vary from mere indentations to sixty feet, or even more in the symmet-
rical forms, while the irregular sinks show a depth often exceeding one hundred feet. Occa-
sionally the sides of the kettles are about as steep as the material will lie, an angle of from thirty
to thirty-five degrees with the horizon, but usually the slope is much less declivitous. The
kettles seldom exceed five hundred feet in diameter, but it is not easy to define their limits.
Numerous small lakes dot the course of the range, having neither inlet nor outlet, and suggest-
ing the process by which, under favoring circumstances as to drainage, the depressions may have
been formed. In the base of some kettles there are yet ponds of water, arrested in their escape,
and waiting the slow process of evaporation ; and some of the lakes range from two to three
miles in diameter, the increase proceeding by degrees hardly perceptible. Many of the hills
in what is called the "Knobby Drift," resemble inverted kettles ; and trough-like, winding hol-
lows are offset by sharp serpentine ridges, giving to this range a distinctive character, notwith-
standing its lack of altitude ; but the features indicated are subordinate to the characteristics of
the main range, being most abundant on its more abrupt face, though to be found on every side,
and in all varieties of situation, sometimes even on areas level by comparison, adjacent to the
main range, and again in the valleys, the ridges being free; or on the ridges, the valleys show-
ing no trace of like action; or distributed indifferently over each.
320 HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION.
The range is composite, being made up of rudely parallel ridges, that unite at some points,
interlock at others, and appear to have advanced and retreated in the mazes of their morainic
dance, until suddenly stricken with fixity in their most eccentric combinations. The ridge
within the ridgo is sometimes clearly traceable between component ridges, and the depressions
resultant from such divergences, are often the areas filled by the larger lakes on the range.
Some ridges cross the trend of the main range, and transverse spurs may be called common.
The component ridges are frequently broken and irregular in height and breadth as in all else,
just as wo might have predicted would be the case, could we have seen the terminal moraines of
certain Alpine glaciers understandingly, and then have been called upon to forecast the operation
of similar forces, on a scale immensely greater, in this country, with variations for the widely dif-
fering contour. Most of the Swiss glaciers of our time terminate in narrow valleys with steep,
sloping sides, hence their debris takes the form of lateral ridges, like a torrent-washed valley
deposit. Some of them, in their recently advanced State, are found in more open valleys, with a
gentle inclination, and, in such cases, terminal moraines have been formed from the ground
moraines of the glacier, differing only from our Quaternary formations, in the presence of medial
and lateral morainic matter, which, in the very nature of things, cannot be found in our more
open country. The Rhone glacier has left three ridges, which, except that they are diminutive,
might be studied as models of the topographical eccentricities which we have endeavored to
describe. The tveo outer ridges are now covered with grass and shrubs, but the inner and later
ridge is still bare, graduating into the ground moraine of the retreating glacier, which by some
new advance may yet heap all their scattered material to magnify the last ridge of the trio, or to
establish a quartette. The glaciers of the Grindelwald have left similar moraines in part, pre-
senting a perfect analogy with our range; such as may also be found near the Glacier du Bois, the
Argentine, and the Findelen ; though less strikingly in the case last named. Terminal moraines
alone must be relied on for analogies with our ranges. The formations have been pretty thor-
oughly interrogated as to their materials, as well as for their arrangement, to assist in determining
their origin. The Kettle Range, in its typical development, consists mainly of clay, sand,
grave) and bowlders, gravel being most conspicuously exposed. The belt at many points exhib-
its two formations, perfectly distinguishable ; that which is uppermost, but not constituting the
heights of the range, being sand or gravel, which covers the lower stratum like a sheet, over
large and diverse areas, and, in many cases, suggests a much greater quantity in the superficial
coating than is actually present. The coating of gravel tends to level and mask the irregulari-
ties of the main formation, but the aspects presented by the mass are still billowy and undulatory,
a margin often being found on the flank of a ridge stretching away into a sand-flat, or gravel
plain. Gravel is a large constituent in the Kettle Range, and wherever the forms are most
symmetrical, the presence of gravel in increasing proportions may be assumed. Some minor knolls
and hills are almost entirely composed of sand and gravel, including bowlders occasionally. The
core of the range is, however, a confused commingling of clay, sand, gravel and bowlders, the
latter sometimes many feet in diameter, and grading down to the very finest rock flour; some-
times without an angle abraded, and again thoroughly rounded by the rolling and planing proc-
ess they have undergone. The cobble-stones are found spherically rounded, unlike beach gravel,
which has been subjected to a sliding motion, and is thereby flattened.
There is no stratification in the heart of the range, but immediately thereupon stratification
commences, partly simultaneous with the first deposition, and the rest by subsequent modifica-
tion. The local overlying beds are stratified, but often inclined, rather than horizontal, and
frequently discordiint, undulatory or irregular, but the main point of the glacier theory is to
establish non-stratification at the heart. The source ^vlleuce the material was obtained to form
the range in this State, cannot be doubted. Coarse roi-k is present in large quantities, so that
idenlification is easy, and the distances that have been traversed can be estimated with measur-
able certainty, from the marks of abrasion. Many details establish the main proposition, but a
single case must be relied on for illuctvatiun, premiiiiig merely that the instance cited is in per-
fect accord with the mass from which it is selccled. The rock formations below the range, in
HISTOKY OF THE LEAD REGION. 321
many of its windings, offers material aid in determining the limits of the superimposed mass.
The Green Bay loop of the range, itself morainic, surrounds on all sides except the north, several
scattered masses or knobs of granite, porphyry and quartzite, which protrude through the lime-
stone and sandstone that prevail in that region, and the significance of these knobs will not fail
to be perceived by the reader. The adjacent formations gave their several contributions to the
range, but only to a limited section, invariably in the line of glacial striation. Take any seg-
ment of the range, and you find a noteworthy quota derived from adjacent rocks in the line of
striation ; and generally a less proportion from the successive formations backward for throe
hundred miles ot more, along the line of glacial movement. The agency that produced the
range, gathered material along its line of march for at least three hundred miles, freezing to the
recruited matter of all kinds, but finding its great accumulations near the terminal moraine.
The range changes its components in diil'erent parts of its course, in obedience to the law indi-
cated, showing physical and lithological characteristics exactly corresponding with the forma-
tions less and more distant whence they were thus derived. The moraines of Switzerland
exhibit parallel facts. The margins of the great moraine on the flanks of the Juras, are in a
great degree bowlder-clay from the limestone in that vicinity, the proportion derived from the
more distant Alps being small by comparison. The more recently formed moraines derived
from the Bois, Vierch, Rhone, Aar, and other such glaciers, which pass over granite, are com-
posed mainly of sand, gravel and bowlders, with little clay ; while the glaciers of the Zermatt
region, which traverse schistose rocks, and those of the Grindelwald, that move over limestone in
n,!l their later course, are rich in clay. The Professor found some moraines that were almost
exact reproductions of the phenomena observable in the Kettle Range, unstratified, commingled
debris in the main ; but stratified and assorted material was also found ; as for instance, in the
inner moraine of the Upper Grindelwald glacier there was much fine assorted gravel and
coarse sand heaped together in curious peaks and ridges strangely placed on the sides and sum-
mit of the moraine.
To prove the relation of the range to the movements of the drift is, of course, vital to our
purpose — to show that the ridge was located by glacial action. The grooving of the rook, sur-
face is one method of determining the course of the ice current; the direction from whence the
materials must have been conveyed, the abrasions of rock prominences, the trend of elongated
domes of polished rock, and the arrangement of the deposits topographically — are all means that
mav assist us in the demonstration, and they concur in placing beyond question the work of the
glacier in the Kettle Range wherever opportunities have been found to test them exhaustively.
The erratics from the protruding knobs of archiuan rocks, which have been alluded to, were
traced along their line of travel, as marked by striations, to the glacier-plowed parent rock, from
which lines of erratics have been deposited along the ice march as they fell. Observations in
Eastern Wisconsin have determined that, betweei Lake Michigan and the Kettle Range adja-
cent, the direction was obliquely up the slope southwestward toward the range. Between the
Green Bay Valley and the range, after surmounting the cliff that borders the valley, the direc-
tion was obliquely down the slope southeastward. In the Green Bay trough, the glacier moved
up the valley to its water-shed, and then descended Rock River Valley. Between Green Bay
\^illey and the range on the west, the course was up the slope southwesterly or westerly, as the
position was more, or less favorable. These movements have been carefully ascertained after
collecting an immense mass of data, and they exhibit a marked divergence from the main chan-
nel toward the margin of the striated area, of which the Kettle Range is the ultima thule.
i>eyond our own State, a great deal of valuable matter tending in this direction has been accu-
mulated, showing that the main channels of the ice streams were the troughs of Lake Superior,
Lake Michigan, and of the two lakes, Erie and Ontario, besides which there were lesser glaciers,
but still great ones, planing and plowing their several courses along the basins of the bays of
Saginaw, Green and Keweenaw. The wasting and disappearance of each glacier on every mar-
gin and its advance, grinding under its ponderous weight the less elastic materials which it held
imprisoned, will, when properly considered, fully account for the striations which mark its course,
ol'A HISTORY OF THE LEAD EEGIOK
and for their divergence from the main channel ; but for some time the plowed lines now so easily
explained by the aid of science were sore stumbling-blocks to the inquiring minds which have
solved the problem. The topon;raphy of the range may be best described by an imaginary jour-
ney along its course. Starting from the northern extreme of the range in Wisconsin, midway
between the southern point of Grreen Bay and Lake Michigan, we mount an eastward-sloping
rocky incline, the base of the range being only about two hundred feet above the level of Lake
Michigan. Our course lies southwest, up the rocky slope to its crest. Twenty miles north of
the Illinois line, there is a division, one portion stretching toward the south, while the other
curves westward, crossing Rock River Valley, descending therein at least three hundred feet
lower than the rocky crest wliich the glacier just as certainly traversed. Curving now gradually
to the north after passing Rock River, the range crosses the water-shed between the rivers
Rock and Wisconsin, and the great bend of the latter, sweeping directly over quartzite ranges
with a vertical undulation of more than seven hundred feet, then ascending the water-shed
between the IMississippi and the St. Lawrence drainage areas, estimated at from seven hundred
to eight hundred feet above Lake Michigan. Crossing the head-waters of Wisconsin River within
about fifty miles from the State's northern boundary, we descend obliquely the east slope of the
Chippewa Valley, and, having crossed that part of our course, curve rapidly to the north and
along its western margin to the water-shed of Lake Superior. Returning along this line to com-
plete our tour of investigation, we find the range branching near the northern limit of Barron
County. We travel with the western line southwestward to Lake St. Croix, on the boundary of
Wisconsin, and move onward into Minnesota. Taking the State Geologist of Minnesota for our
guide in that region, we find an extensive deposit of drift-hills on the water-shed between the
Mississippi and Minnesota Rivers, and a line of similar accumulations, less definite and continu-
ous, stretching southward from the neighborhood of St. Paul into Iowa; between which we are
somewhat at a loss to imagine which is the true moraine, or whether each may fairly lay claim
to that distinction. Probably the line re-curves north of the center of Iowa, so we continue our
journey northwesterly until we strike the Coteau de Prairie of Dakota, where, uncertain as to
the possible limits of the tour, we reluctantly abandon the gigantic monograph of the glacier,
still to be followed by inquirers and questioned as to the time and conditions under which the
ice-king defined his bounds and set up this rampart to mark the decline of his empire. Return-
ing now to the bifurcation in Southeast Wisconsin, we follow the range as it strikes south into
Illinois after an interesting flexure near our State line; but the range loses its more pronounced
features in the Sucker State, broadening its base and lowering its crest, until, as it rounds Lake
Michigan, it is well nigh lost. Bast of the Lake, trending northward in Michigan, the range
resumes its old-time characteristics and is aggressive enough to develop two belts, one bearing
northerly between the Great Lake and the Saginaw Valley, and the other northeasterly between
that valley and the basin of the Erie. The first-named belt is hypothetical rather than actual,
though not altogether hypothetical, and beyond the points already indicated there is abundant
room for speculation, but little clearly defined knowledge. There is a line of drift-hills in Ohio
with a surface analogous to our moraines, occupying the water-shed between Lake Erie and the
Ohio River, stretching across that State and extending westward into Indiana, probably very
near to, if not actually joining, the belt already described. Ohio and Indiana geologists claim
that parts of those States have sustained a degree of erosion altogether exceptional in the Mau-
mee-Wabash Valley, and it might hardly be expected that the moraine would come out of such
an ordeal in any other than a fragmentary condition ; so we may have to content ourselves with
a partly speculative range in the regions named, but some remains will certainly be found when
adequate and critical search shall be made to connect the Ohio belt with the western range. A
similar formation is described in New York report? as extending along the southern part of Long
Island, and the same range is traced across New Jersey by Prof. Cook, who is satisfied that it
is a terminal moraine.
Sufficient investigation may yet establish the oneness of our morainic belt, and prove a
vet vaster extension, but history records only what is known.
HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION'. 323
We come now to consider the mineral resources of the State — metallic ores from which
metals are extracted, and non-metallic minerals which are applied in numerous ways, with but
slight preliminary treatment, in the mechanic and economic arts, to increase the comfort of man-
kind. Wisconsin possesses, in large degree, the ores of lead, zinc, iron and copper, and in
degrees almost infinitesimal, even the more precious metals. The non-metallic siibstunces prin-
cipally found are building stone, brick clay, cement rock, kaolin, glass sand, peat and limestone
for lime and flux. Lead and zinc are found in the same region, under like conditions and often
together. Lead has long been the most important metalliferous product of the State, but the
demand for our lead is not so great as formerly, and the labor employed suffers a corresponding
reduction. Lead and zinc ores have been discovered in limited quantities in the archaBun rocks
in the northern part of this State, which we have described elsewhere as the core about which
the concentric bands of other formations aggregated in transforming the Island of Wisconsin into
part of this continent. The economic value of the deposits named is wisely doubted. The chief
supply of those metals in this State comes from that section of the southwest west of Sugar
River and south of the valley of the Wisconsin River, from the head- waters of the first-named
stream westward. That is the lead region, and, with small additions of territory included in
Iowa and Illinois, the lead regions of the Upper Mississippi can be accurately delineated.
France became impressed with the belief that the valley of the Mississippi was rich in met-
als, during the seventeenth century, and in the next century the fearful climax of speculation
known as the " Mississippi Bubble " was largely due to the assumption that the valley was
auriferous. Nicholas Pcrrot is said to have discovered lead here about the year 1692, but the
supposed discoverer does not mention the fact in the only work of his pen that has been pre-
served. Le Sueur, famous for his voyage up the Mississippi in the first year of the eighteenth
century, found lead on the banks of that river near what is now the southern limit of our State.
Capt. Carver found lead in the Blue Mounds in 1766, the Indians being unaware of its value as
an ore, although conversant with its appearance. The first raining for lead in this country with
which we are conversant was undertaken in 1788 by Julicn Dubuque, who continued his opera-
tions near the site of the city named for him until 1810, the time of his death. For twelve years
from that time, lead mining was a lost art among the American people, but after 1821 that
industry was resumed with great profit, and has been prosecuted ever since, attaining its maxi-
mum of production between the two years 1845 and 1847, until the silver-lead Bines of Utah
rose into prominence, with other such mines in the Rocky Mountains. The lead mines of the
Mississippi Valley eclipsed all the other mines in the United States in the production of lead, and
the production of that metal is still large in the region with which we are most concerned. Wis-
consin gives but one form of lead ore in quantity, sulphide of lead or galena, which, when free
from foreign admixtures, shows over 86 per cent of pure lead mixed mechanically with sulphur.
Ordinarily, galena contains silver, but the ore in Wisconsin has only the slightest trace of the
more precious metal.
There are two varieties of zinc ores produced in our mines — sphalerite, sometimes marma-
tite, and smithsonite — the first a sulphide containing about 10 per cent of iron, known to the
miners as "blackjack;" the pure sulphide of zinc contains about 67 per cent of the metal.
Smithsonite, popularly known as "dry bone," is an iron-bearing carbonate, which is produced
abundantly. Both the ores, lead and zinc, in the several varieties named, and some others, are
limited practically to the beds of Galena and Trenton limestone, which have already been
described in their order, underlaid by almost horizontal strata, deposited upon the archfcan
rocks the crystalline metamorphic sedimentary upheaval, to which we are under so many obliga-
tions. The order of their coming has been already given, and the facts of their partial erosion :
but the strata attain a depth in all of nearly two thousand feet in the lead region. Galena buft'
fl,nd blue limestones are, in all, about three hundred and seventy-five feet thick, the upper and
lower strata of the deposits being, in a metallic sense, barren. The blue and buff layers are the
main depositaries of zinc, and lead is the chief product of the Galena limestone ; but the layers
all produce both metals in greater and less proportion. The deposits of ore are found in crevices
324 HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION.
sometimes vertical and sometimes lateral, the simplest and commonest form being a crack in the
rock, probably a few inches wide, having a flat extension beneath, worn by the water as it per-
colated through the stratum, leaving the chemical residue to be found by enterprising men.
Some of these extensions are several hundred feet in length and breadth, vast chambers forty
feet in height, lessening to nothing on every side, and brilliant with incrustations that might
enrich a palace. The imagination of the reader may riot at will in conjuring up the wondrous
forms of beauty assumed by these subterranean cavities, without danger that his most extrava-
gant creation will surpass the reality in favored instances ; but many of the chambers contain
masses of loose rock disintegrated, but not carried away, containing large quantities of Galena;
and the ore in numberless instances is found in cubes and stalactites, crystalline embodiments of
the wealth that rewards patient labor. The limestone has been creviced in two directions,
rudely indicating the points of the compass, the lines treading east and west being the most pro-
ductive of metal. Vertical crevices are seldom found in the lower stratum or bufi" limestone;
hence the ores of zinc are not found in the vertical openings to any extent. Sometimes many
of the chambers or "flat openings," sheets, or crevices, are worked together with manifest
advantage to the miners. Occasionally the flat openings contain little or no galena, but are well
supplied with "black jack " and " dry bone " ores and cleavable calcite, as well as marcasite or
sulphide of iron on roof and floor, the area between being clear. Vertical crevices characterize
the galena proper, as a rule, and the flat openings are looked for generally in the blue and buff
limestones, so that zinc is principally obtained in such chambers.
Until the year 1860, the zinc ores, being more refractory than galena, were not considered
capable of being worked with profit, the clay and fuel for smelting having to be brought from
great distances, so that freights were enormous; but about the time named the plan of sending
ore to La Salle, 111., was initiated, and has since been prosecuted with much advantage, as it is
cheaper to send the ore for reduction to the fuel and clay than to bring the other substances to
the mining district in suiBcient quantity for the work. The innumerable purposes to which zinc
is increasingly applied in daily life render it certain that the large deposits of the ore obtainable
in this State will long continue to be a source of wealth. The geological survey of the State
has been of immense advantage in determining the localities in which the deposits of galena and
buff and blue limestone have been more or less extensively eroded by atmospheric influences,
and the economic value of such inquiries will be found in the saving of money and labor from
being invested, where, even though the ores may be discovered, they do not exist in sufficient
quantities to justify large outlay for permanent works. The practical miner knows the worth of
accurate scientiflc investigation.
Iron is not yet one of the great products of Wisconsin, but those who have read the former
pages of this chapter cannot fail to know that there are great possibilities in the future in this
respect. Many blast furnaces are now employed in the eastern section of the State, reducing
ores brought from Michigan, but there are other furnaces dealing with ores from our own mines,
and their number and profits will very largely increase. Our best iron fields are, beyond doubt,
in the north, where the country is heavily wooded, and where much patient exploration and
many tentative experiments should prepare the way for large investments, such as will afford
remunerative employment to skilled miners and workmen for centuries in developing this branch
of our great mineral resources. In describing the several ores from which iron is obtained, we
shall try to avoid technical phraseology except in those instances in which the teehnique has
become a popular possession. Red hematite ores contain iron in an earthy condition, as anhy-
drous sesquioxide, without luster, although when pure fully 70 per cent of metallic iron is
present. The mined ore is seldom pure, and the mechanical combination of foreign substances
reduces its value generally to about 50 per cent, or even less. Clinton iron ore is our most
important find in this State of red hematite, at present being exploited, the name being derived
from the locality in Oneida County, N. Y., where it was first obtained. Its rocks are limestones
and shales in the Silurian formation, and its characteristics are marked so unvaryingly that any
person once familiar with the ore cannot fail to recognize its presence in new positions. This
(deceased)
MINEF^AL POINT.
HISTOKY OF THE LEAD REGION. 327
ore contains much phosphorus, and the iron is known as "coldshort," but, when blended with
other ores, silicious and free from phosphorus, the product is very valuable for foundry purposes.
The deposit ii found in rocks of great thickness which are already being mined at many points
from the locality of first recognition to Tennessee. Clinton ore is found in Wisconsin sometimes
immediately overlying the iiadson River or Cincinnati shales ; but, more generally, the Clinton
rocks merge into the Niagara limestone rocks in the eastern part of the State. Iron Ridge, in
Dodge County, is an important deposit. A ledge of Niagara limestone running north and south,
looking down upon lower land to the west, covers an ore bed from fifteen to eighteen feet thick,
with horizontal layers ranging from three inches to 'fifteen, of concretionary structure, having
lenticular grains one-twenty-fifth of an inch in diameter. The topmost layer is a dark purple,
slightly metallic to the eye, but not resembling the other layers in structure. At Mayville, Mr.
Sweet examined a thickness of forty feet three-fourths of a mile from the ridge, and the same
authority gives the results of his analysis of the ridge ore in the following formula : Iron peroxide,
66.38; carbonate of lime, 10.42; carbonate of magnesia, 2.79; silica, 4.72; alumina, 5.54 ;
manganese oxide, 0.44; sulphur, 0.23; phosphoric acid, 0.78; water, 8.75-100; metallic iron,
46.66. The average furnace yield of the ore at Mayville is about 45 per cent. Two small fur-
naces operating at Mayville and Iron Ridge, and using charcoal, smelt from these ores an iron
sometimes rich in phosphorus. The ore is not usually smelted at the local furnaces, being
mainly shipped to the extensive iron works in Chicago, Joliet and Springfield, 111., St. Louis,
Mo., Appleton, Green Bay, Depere and Milwaukee, Wis., and Wyandotte and Jackson, Mich.,
to mix with other ores. The yield of the ridge eight years ago exceeded 80,000 tons per
annum. The base of the Niagara limestone is marked by similar deposits at other points further
north in this State, but the commercial value of the ore in the instances noted is yet uncertain.
The Potsdam sandstone, lowest of our horizontal formations, is highly charged with red hema-
tite in many places ; and, in Westfield, Sauk County, an excellent iron ore has displaced the
sandstone, but the extent of the deposit is unknown.
Hydrated or brown sesquioxide, commonly known as brown hematite, contains 60 per
cent of iron when pure ; but the average yield comes nearer 40 per cent. Bog-iron ore is one
of the varieties of brown hematite, a porous deposit from the water of bogs and marshes found
in Portage, Wood and Juneau Counties. Near Necedah, in Juneau County, and near Grand
Rapids, Wood County, are excellent bog ores containing nearly 50 per cent of iron, but the quan-
tity available is uncertain. Brown hematite mixed with red ore is found in Sauk County and
in Richland County adjoining, filling fractures and cavities in the Potsdam sandstone; and two
furnaces are now in operation on this ore at Ironton and Cazenovia, the first named having been
established many years, and having proved the value and quantity of the deposit.
Magnetic ores and specular hematites are found intimately mingled in the same group of
rocks in Wisconsin, and, although not yet included among the industrial products of the State,
there are many indications that they will rank high in its mineral sources of wealth. Magnetite
is an oxide of iron, containing, when pure, about 72 per cent of iron, the highest per-
centage indeed possible to an ore. Specular hematite is of the same nature as red hematite, but
the ore is crystalline and hard, with a metallic luster. These ores combined seldom give more
than 50 per cent of metal, and the richest ores hardly ever yield more than 65 per cent.
There are two iron districts in this State in which specular and magnetic ores abound ; the Me-
nomonee, near the head-waters of the river of that name, in Township 40, Ranges 17 and 18 east,
Marinette County, and the Penokee in Bayfield, Ashland and Lincoln Counties, ten to twenty
miles south of Lake Superior. Veins and nets of specular iron are found with the quartz rocks
of Baraboo Valley, Sauk County, and in Necedah, Juneau County ; and in the vicinity of the
Black River Falls, Jackson County, in a peculiar quartz-schist, magnetic and specular iron
oxides are found, but so far it does not appear that the ore would pay for reduction. The ores
are found in the Menomonee and Penokee districts in slaty and quartzose rocks, extensions of
the series which in the Northern Peninsula of Michigan have contributed so largely to the fame
and wealth of that State as a producer of iron. Lean magnetic and specular ores are found in
B
328 HISTOEY OF THE LEAD REGION.
this rock series, in great beds, combined with large quantities of quartz, forming bold ridges,
almost defying the power of the air to erode them ; but of little or no value for reduction. Other
layers in the same series, very soft and seldom outcropping, for that reason are extremely rich,
and the Menomonee region possesses the last-named layers in a marked proportion. One of these
deposits shows a breadth of more than 150 feet of first-class specular ore. The existence of sim-
ilar beds in the Penokee district, may be reasonably inferred, as the rocks form part of the same
series, but the discovery has yet to be made, and should probably be sought north of the main
range, under heavy deposits of drift which cover large areas of iron-bearing rock. There are
lean ores in the Penokee range which are almost rich enough to pay for reduction, and which by
and by will be reduced.
Copper is not raised in Wisconsin, except at Mineral Point, where chalcopyrite, the yellow
sulphide of copper and iron, are found in the crevices of Galena limestone. Copper in small
quantities in pyrites, can be found all through the lead region, but the return would not pay for
exhaustive exploration. In Northern Wisconsin, also, copper is found, but under different con-
ditions ; and it remains to be seen whether the newer developments will pay for mining, as many
hope and believe. The Keweenaw Point, and Isle Royale copper-bearing rocks stretch across
this State in two belts, southwesterly and parallel. One belt commences the journey at Mon-
treal River, crossing Ashland and Bayfield Counties, and then expanding, fills a large area in the
counties of Douglas, Saint Croix, Barron and Chippewa. The back-bone of the Bayfield pen-
insula is found by the other belt which continues its bold ridge across Douglas County to
Minnesota. The rocks appear to be igneous, as we have elsewhere explained, but they are dis-
tinctly bedded and partly interstratified with sandstone, shales, and bowlder conglomerates. Veins
cross the rock beds, in which pure metallic copper can be found in fine flakes, and like deposits
are found scattered all through the several layers. There have been attempts at mining on small
scales in these belts where nature favors experiment, but the commercial value of the deposit
must be determined by larger and more scientific endeavors.
Gold may be found in infinitesimal quantities in almost any part of the earth, but there are
few even of the great diggings where it actually pays to mine for the precious metal. A few
men become suddenly rich, but the great mass remain poor to the end, until they mingle their
dust with that of the placer in which their lives have been spent to so little purpose. Traces of
both the precious metals have been found in Wisconsin, but happily not in any such quantities
as may ever disturb the normal and more profitable industries of mankind. Clark County and
Ashland County are the two localities said to be auriferous and argentiferous in the trivial
degrees mentioned. Thus ends our record of the metals found in Wisconsin.
The non-metallic minerals may now pass under brief review. Brick clays are of great value
to Wisconsin, and they are found extending inland from the great lakes for many miles, tellmg
of a time, probably long after the glacial period, when these immense bodies of water covered a
still greater area. The beds of clay are stratified and of lake formation, containing large amounts
of carbonate of lime. In this State that stratum of wealth gives employment to thousands who
make and burn bricks to the extent of more than 50,000,000 annually. Some of the bricks are
red and others cream color, and it has been claimed that the red color indicated the presence of
more iron in the constituents of the clay ; but a series of experiments and analyses carried out
by Mr. Sweet, formerly of Madison in this State, and now of Colorado, and supplemented by
analyses by Prof Daniells, of Madison University, show that the quantities of iron in the clay
at Milwaukee, the clay in Madison, fi-om which red bricks are made, and the clay from Lake
Superior, in Ashland County, only vary in fractional parts, the difference showing a slight excess
of iron in the cream-colored Milwaukee clay over the clay used in the red bricks in Madison.
Carbonate of lime seems to be the ingredient in respect to which the bricks of Milwaukee differ
from some of the bricks made elsewhere. The clay from which light-colored bricks are made is
often a bright red at the outset of its career, as raw material for the manufacturer. Tiles and
pottery of excellent quality are made from this clay in many places, and the number of men
employed in such industries will steadily increase. The lake clays already named are not the
HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION. 329
anly deposits of the kind in the State available for such uses. The Yahara Valley in Dane
County has an excellent stratified clay which is burned into red brick at Madison, and to cream-
colored brick at Oregon and Stoughton. Platteville, Lancaster and other noteworthy points in
the southwestern parts of Wisconsin are favored with fine beds of clay, from which excellent
red brick is made, and the enterprise of the people will develop other and still more valuable
methods to convert these deposits into sources of wealth and happiness.
Kaolin is a contribution to our language from the Chinese, being used by the Celestials to
denote the rock from which they make their porcelain. We use the word to indicate a very fine
clay, although it differs widely from the material employed by the Chinese and Japanese in the
fabrication of their exquisite wares. Our kaolin is the result of a disintegration of felspathic
crystalline rocks, the base of supply not being removed from its place of deposit. Silica,
alumina and water combine to form the mineral kaolinite which is the base of our porcelain
clay. Foreign ingredients, which are as a rule present in the rock when the process of disinte-
gration is advancing, are removed more or less completely by manipulative skill, and a pure
white clay of exceptional fineness is the result. Wisconsin is rich in the crystalline rocks from
which kaolin may be formed, but the disintegrated material is rarely found, probably in consequence
of glacial action having denuded the softened parts of the rocks. From Grand Rapids, on the Wis-
consin River, westward to Black River, in Jackson County, is a belt where the crystalline rocks
were once overlaid by sandstone, and at the point of junction many water courses lent their aid
to the work of disintegration. Over the area named, drift action has been trivial or is entirely
wanting, so that all the conditions have favored the deposition of porcelain clay or kaolin. The
beds of the Wisconsin, Yellow and Black Rivers have large exposures of the desiderated rock over-
laid by sandstone on either side, and just where the deposits of disintegration might be expected,
kaolin is comparatively abundant, stretching across the country in the lines of the layers of the
tilted crystalline rocks, waiting only the manipulative skill of competent workmen and artists
for conversion into forms of beauty that will charm wealth into the surrender of its hoards. On
the Wisconsin, near Grand Rapids, these patches are very numerous, varying in dimensions
from less than an inch to many feet in depth. The quality is also variant ; some pure and re-
fractory, and other parts fusible and impure.
Milwaukee cement rock has been already referred to in our geological summary, but in this
relation that material must be again mentioned to assist the classification of our minerals. Cer-
tain layers of Lower Magnesian limestone produce a lime which has in a large degree the
hydraulic property. Some parts of the blue limestone, in the Trenton group, which may be
found in Southwestern Wisconsin has that quality ; but the best yet discovered in this State is
the Milwaukee cement rock. The location of the deposit has been already given. The cement
is obtained in almost any quantity, and the product manufactured from it exceeds in value and
strength every other material of the kind, except the famous Portland cement, made in Great
Britain. The rock exhibits great evenness in the distribution of its ingredients throughout the
mass, and will prove of great value. Ripon has a cement rock which belongs to the Lower Mag-
nesian limestone, but it cannot compare in excellence and durability with the great deposit of
cement rock near Milwaukee.
Niagara limestone furnishes an excellent quick-lime, white and pure, far in advance of the
other formations ; Lower Magnesian ranking next, as when burned it makes a strong mortar, but
it is " off color," to use the language sometimes applied to precious stones. Madison lime is burned
from the Lower Magnesian. Trenton limestone does not yield good lime, and the Galena lime-
stone is little better in that respect, but much lime is made therefrom. Nearly half a million
barrels of lime annually is now being made in this State from Niagara limestone alone. There
is a limestone quarry near Milwaukee ; the stone from which is used very successfully as a flux,
at the rolling-mills at Bay View, in that city ; but Shoemaker's quarry is one of very few, as
our limestones are mostly Magnesian. Some layers of Trenton limestone in many parts of Wis-
consin, especially in the southern section, are non-magnesian, and will reward investigation
when the demand increases.
330
HISTOEY OF THE LEAD KEGION.
Our readers will remember the reference made elsewhere to St. Peter's sandstoae, as a
pure white, siliceous sand, suitable in glass making, and it is gratifying to note that this excel-
lent material is being applied to the use named at many places in Eastern Wisconsin with
advantage.
Peat will hardly ever be depended on as a fuel in this country, where coal is within easy
reach ; but as a fertilizer it is of great value, and it is therefore a matter for congratulation that
it can be obtained in great quantity, and of good quality, from the marshes in the eastern and
central parts of the State. We have now nearly completed our presentation of the geological
resources of Wisconsin, as nothing remains but to note the varieties of building stone available,
and before proceeding to their enumeration it is our duty to acknowledge our obligations to
Prof Chamberlin, Prof Irving, Prof Whitney, Mr. Strong, Mr. Sweet and to many other
gentlemen, whose storehouses of fact have been ransacked without scruple to render these
pages interesting and complete. More especially we are under deep obligations to the gentle-
man first named, our chief geologist, for kindnesses innumerable, the value of which will, we
hope, appear in the enhanced worth of this volume.
The story of the rocks has been a sketch, necessarily hasty and incomplete, of the various
layers of sedimentary stone and trap from the Archaean upheaval to the drift formation, all more
or less adapted to building purposes ; we shall name only a few kinds, representative of the great
series. Granite and gneissic rock, the core of our State, are found in protruding masses at many
points in Northern Wisconsin. Red granites, of great value and beauty, which have not yet
been worked, but which will some day in the near future reward enterprise with rich returns, are
exposed on the Wisconsin River and on Yellow and Black Rivers, more especially at Black Bull
Falls, near which there may yet be quarries opened to supply the demands of neighboring
States as well as our own for a building material seldom surpassed in loveliness and durability.
Along the shore line of Lake Superior, from Michigan to the Minnesota boundary, a valu-
able sandstone, handsome and enduring, is found in Wisconsin. This rock forms the base of the
Apostle Islands, and is largely quarried in one of them to supply Milwaukee and Chicago with
a dark-brown, uniform and very fine-grained stone, upon which fashion and good taste have set
their seal of approbation. The stone can be worked with comparative ease, in blocks of almost
any dimensions that can be transported, and many public and private buildings in the great cities
named are constructed of this excellent material. The neighboring islands and contiguous
points on the mainland, offer abundant opportunities to quarry stone of the same kind, in every
respect as good, so that the much-admired brown-stone front, in which opulence finds delight,
will some day, soon, offer attractions to be embraced by a much larger class in our commu-
nity. There is a hardened, well-compacted sandstone, ranging from white to brown in color, and
of even grain, obtained from the Potsdam series, at Stevens' Point, Grand Rapids, Packwaukee,
Wautoma, Black River Falls, and at several points in the Baraboo Valley, so that this valued
stone is known to be easily accessible in Portage County and in the counties of Wood, Marquette,
Waushara, Jackson and Sauk. Besides the treasures thus unfolded, the uppermost layers of the
same series furnish a very sightly buff colored, calcareous sandstone, which is quarried near
Madison, in Dane County, and largely used in building the ornate residences for which the capi-
tal of the State is justly famous.
The limestone formations of this State furnish many varieties of building stone of less and
greater value, and mostly durable as well as handsome. The stratum known as " Mendota,"
from its outcropping near the lake of that name, near Madison, is a part of the Potsdam series,
very evenly bedded, finely-grained and yellow, well appreciated throughout the region in which
it is found, and worked extensively all around Madison, as well as throughout the Lower Wis-
consin Valley. A cream colored limestone, from the Lower Magnesianjseries, is quarried in West-
port, Dane County, and very handsome fine-grained stone is supplied from a base that is prac-
tically inexhaustible. It is, however, fruitless to attempt a complete summary of our resources
in building-stone, as the work might crowd a volu'.no and still fail to do justice to the wealth of
detail by which we are surrounded; hence we must content ourselves with but a brief reference
HISTOKY 01* THE LEAD REGIOlsr. 831
to the remaining series of limestones — the Trenton, Galena and Niagara — in this respect, and so
close our necessarily imperfect resume. The Trenton layer is usually thin but evenly bedded,
not highly valued by builders, but sometimes utilized for laying in wall. Galena and Niagara
limestones permit of a much larger variety of uses, and, in Eastern Wisconsin, the last-named
layer supplies a white stone, very compact and enduring, easily worked and capable of a high
finish. It is not easy to estimate the millions of men who will find homes in this State within
the next century, as the reward of enterprise and well-applied labor in the development of its
mineral resources.
Having dealt somewhat exhaustively, though not completely, with the rock formations, we
come now to consider the general contour of the country embraced by our history, the surface,
streams and hills. A detailed description of the geological formation of this immediate locality
might be written without reference to the surrounding counties, since Iowa, La Fayette and Grant
Counties are entirely within the limits of a distinctive division, but, for the purpose of giving a
more comprehensive report, it is deemed advisable to ignore political boundaries, and treat of
those lines which nature created ages untold before the presence of man upon the scene.
THE MINERAL DISTRICT IN DETAIL.
The Mineral District of Wisconsin, Illinois and Iowa is recognized by geologists as an area
peculiar to itself, and is written about as such. The geographical scope of this article extends, how-
ever, for obvious reasons, from the easternmost line of the mineral-bearing formation in Wiscon-
sin to the Mississippi River on the west, and from the northernmost limit of the district, the
Wisconsin River, to the dividing line between Wisconsin and Illinois, so far as local or detailed
description is intended.
It is given on the authority of James G. Percival, State Geologist from August 12, 1854,
to the time of his death, May 2, 1856, that the mineral district reaches no further eastward than
Sugar River, which runs in a general southeasterly course, rising in Township 7 north. Range
7 east, Dane County, and traversing the eastern range of Green County. Occasionally small
quantities of lead ore are found further east, but no especial mention of such deposits is required here.
In 1834, Mr. G. W. Featherstonhaugh began the first survey of the district lying between
the Missouri River and Red River of the North, and the upper part of the valley of the Missis-
sippi and the mining districts adjacent to that river. The survey was completed in 1835, under
tiie patronage of the General Government. Another survey was made by the Government in
1889. Dr. D. D. Owen was the geologist in charge of the latter exploration, but the magnitude
of the task prohibited a minute examination of this region. In 1853, Prof B. Daniels pub-
lished a pamphlet concerning the geology of the lead region, under the auspices of the State of
Wisconsin. Dr. J. G. Percival was the next scientist to prepare a report, but his labors were
cut short by death, May 2, 1856. Upon the death of Dr. Percival, Profs. James Hall, E. S.
Carr and E. Daniels were appointed, and, in 1858, Prof Daniels issued a report on the iron
ores of the State. In 186S, Profs. Hall and Whitney published the largest report that had up
to that date been presented, about three-quarters of the work being given to the lead region.
Rev. John Murrish issued a smaller report in 1872. In 1873, the late Moses Strong, Assistant
State Geologist, was instructed to prepare a report covering points not touched on by previous
surveyors, and, during that and the succeeding year, responded to the request. From these
voiumes, but mainly from the report of Mr. Strong, the following facts are compiled.
DEATH OF MOSES STRONG.
Because of the grand work performed by Mr. Strong in this locality, as well as because of
his residence in Mineral Point, it is deemed proper to interrupt the geological record for a time,
and here insert the following account of his melancholy death :
The following notice is taken from the Wisconsin State Journal of February 4, 1878 :
"In his annual report of the Wisconsin Geological Survey, just issued from the press of
the State Printer, Prof T. C. Chamberlin, Chief Geologist, has taken occasion to commemorate,
332 HISTORY 01* THE LEAD REGION.
in most fit and appreciative terms, the virtues and qualities of one of his associates in the
survey, the late Moses Strong, who lost his life in the service of the State, and for his devotion
to the cause of scientific discovery and research. The faculty to win at once the respect of
those who became associated with him was one of the marked, peculiar and shining qualities of
Mr. Strong's character; and the more intimate became the association, the higher the admira-
tion for his genius, and the more enduring the impression of the sterling attributes of his mind
and heart. Those who knew him best will be the most ready to second, and the most sincerely
to indorse the high and deserved panegyric which his associate, in such apt and felicitous words,
has pronounced upon him. In the opening of the report, a circumstantial account of the
mournful accident by which Mr. Strong lost his life is given, which we republish."
The following letter was the last received by Prof. Chamberlin from Mr. Strong, on the
eve of his departure for that which proved to be his last earthly exploration :
Stevens Point, August 15, 1877.
Deak Chamberlin : I leave here to-morrow morning, and, on account of very low water, I find it necessary
to make the trip up the North Fork of the Flambeau first, and thence down the South Fork to Fifield.
Tou may send letters to me to Fifield Station, W. C. R. R., care of the Station Agent, via Stevens Point.
Very truly yours, MOSES STRONG.
The subsequent events are clothed with inexpressible sadness. The following account viaa
prepared immediately after the melancholy event, by one whose facilities for obtaining the exact
facts exceed our own, and whose painful feelings caused every incident to impress itself with
unwonted force and vividness upon his feelings and memory :
" Mr. Strong left Stevens Point on Thursday, the 16th, accompanied by "William P.
Gundry, of Mineral Point, and John Hawn, of Stevens Point, a guide whom he had hired, who
was familiarly known as ' Sailor Jack,' and who was an experienced woodsman, and an expert
in canoe navigation. The party went by railroad to the crossing of the Flambeau River, where
they arrived about 6 o'clock P. M. The next day, Friday, was spent in procuring boats and
other preparations for ascending the river. Mr. Strong obtained a light skiff, made of liven
white cedar, which he thought well adapted for the purposes for which he wished to use it. He
also obtained a birch-bark canoe, in which were to be transported the supplies and camp equip-
age for the party of three.
" They commenced the ascent of the Flambeau on Saturday morning, and continued it for
nine or ten miles without any remarkable incident, until nearly 3 o'clock P. M., when they came
to some rapids, supposed to be in Section 28, Township 41, Range 1 east. The rapids were about
one hundred and fifty feet from the foot to the head. The bed of the river was fi^^ed with numerous
rocks, over and about which the water rushed rapidly. ' Sailor Jack ' took the lead, in the
bark canoe and its freight, followed by Mr. Strong and young Gundry, in the cedar skiff. Jack
had reached the head of the rapids, or nearly so, as the others were entering upon the ascent.
Mr. Strong was standing in the bow of the skiff, using a long, light pole for propelling it, while
Gundry was sitting in the stern, using the oars for the same purpose. Near the foot of the
rapids was a rock, past which they pushed the skiff far enough so that the current struck its
bow and turned it around the rock in such a manner that the whole force of the current, strik-
ing it broadside, tnrned it over. As it was going over, Mr. Strong jumped from it into the
water, and stood upon a rock in the bed of the river, over which the water was three and a halt
feet deep, and came up to his waist. Immediately below the rock where he was standing and
holding on to the skiff, the water was twelve feet deep, into which Mr. Gundry went as the
'. ff upset. At that instant he hollowed to Mr. Strong, 'I can't swim,' who replied, 'Hold to
the boat.' Gundry held on at first, but, in attempting to get a better hold, or in someway, lost
his hold of the boat and was carried into the water, into which he was sinking. Simultane-
ously, the skiff went down the stream, and Mr. Strong left his position of comparative safety,
and was immediately in the deep water, and sunk to the bottom of it, to rise no more.
" Why he left the place where he was standing, and let the boat go, is a matter of con-
jecture. One theory is, that he slipped and could stand there no longer ; but this is not as
HISTORY OF THE LEAD EEGIOST. 333
probable as ia tbe theory of the men who were engaged in searching for his body, which is, that
as soon as he saw that his friend Gundry had lost his hold of the boat and was sinking, he
threw himself into the water, in the vain (as it proved) effort to save his companion from drown-
ing. He was a good swimmer, very self-confident and self-reliant, and would not have been
likely to apprehend any disaster to himself in the efforts to save his friend, and if he had, the
apprehension would not have deterred him.
" The reason why he did not reach Gundry is very satisfactorily explained by Gundry
himself, who says that, while he was under the water, he distinctly saw Mr. Strong with his
legs drawn up, as in a sitting position, with his arms bent in front of his breast, in which posi-
tion he sank, and his body was in this position when found. It, therefore, would seem quite
certain that, in his effort to save Gundry, Mr. Strong was seized with cramps, which deprived
him of the power of swimming, and resulted in his own drowning, and the certainty is increased
by the fact that his body was found on the bottom of the river, not more than thirty or forty
feet from where he had been standing.
"That Mr. Gundry escaped drowning is almost miraculous. He drifted down the river
until his feet struck a sand-bar, which enabled him barely to get his head above the surface of
the water. Here he stood in water up to his neck, until he was rescued by Jack Hawn. As
soon as Jack heard the cries, he left his canoe at the head of the rapids and ran to the foot of
them, whei:e he saw Gundry's head above the water, and the skiff floating down the stream.
He immediately rushed into the water and secured the skiff, and with it rescued Gundry from
his peril.
" The time of the accident was 2:55, as indicated by the watches of both the young men,
which were stopped at the time of being submerged. The body of Mr. Strong was found at 6
o'clock on Sunday evening, in eight and one-half feet of water. It might probably have been
found sooner, but for the erroneous supposition of those engaged in the search that it had
drifted further than proved to be the fact."
At the timo the crushing news was received, his father, the Hon. Moses M. Strong, was at
Stevens' Point, and, through a generosity and courtesy that commands our warmest admiration,
a special train was placed at his disposal by General Manager E. B. Phillips, of the Wiscon-
sin Central Railroad, whereby he was enabled to reach at an early hour the scene of the
disaster:
The remains were conveyed to Mineral Point, where they were laid to rest, amid profound
sorrow, not alone of kindred and friends, nor of the community by which he was so highly
esteemed, but of the entire commonwealth in whose service he had fallen.
The loss to the survey, though immeasurably less than the unspeakable affliction to the
smitten family, is very great. Mr. Strong's careful notes, even up to the very lour of his
death, were all recovered in a legible condition ; yet, though they were taken with ihat pains-
taking care that so prominently characterized his work, they can never receive at tl e hands of
another that fullness and completeness of elaboration which they would have received from theii
author.
As an appropriate, yet most sad and mournful appendix to the report, Prof. Chamberlin
has added the following :
In Memoriam — Moses Strong — (June 17, 1846 — August 18, 1877). — The lapse oi a geo-
logic age is little to us save in the record it has left us. The infinitude of its days are of little
moment if they form a " Lost Interval." The record is little to us save in its character. An
eon of ages may have heaped up an immensity of sands, but if they have buried neither life
nor treasure, it is hut a barren interval. The years that formed the coal, the ore and the life
beds, however brief among the eras of the earth's history, are more to us than all lost or barren
intervals, however vast their cycles. So the eon of life. June 17, 1846 — August 18, 1877.
These are the limiting signs of human age. What is the record?
The earlier period of Mr. Strong's life, the period of fundamental intellectual deposit and
moral accretion, were spent where the basal strata of character are best laid, at home.
334 HISTOKY 01* THE LEAD REGION.
His early training and instruction were largely received at the hands of an intellectual
father and a pious mother, the combination which best matures thought and develops morals.
To this was added something of the cosm^opolitan culture of the public schools. In his thir-
teenth year he entered the French and English school then located at Sauk City, where he
acquired some knowledge of the rudiments of the versatile language of the French. A collegi-
ate course had, however, been selected as an important feature of his education, and in his four-
teenth year his studies were turned specifically in that direction under the tuition of the Rev.
Mr. Skinner, then Rector of the Episcopal Church at Mineral Point. The last few months of
these preparatory studies were passed at Delavan, in this State, whither Mr. Skinner had
removed, and some of the citizens of that place will recall the quiet manner of the young
student. Let it be noted that thus far, more than half the span of his life, he had been chiefly
under the quiet but potent molding power of paternal and pastoral influence. Under these
auspices the predominant traits of his character were formed, and the most important part of
his education accomplished, the education that looks toward manhood.
But, though the home is wide enough for the boy, the world is none too broad for the man,
and Mr. Strong now entered upon that wider culture which was to fit him for the still bi'oader
school of life. In September, 1863, he was admitted to Yale College, in whose classic atmos-
phere he passed the succeeding four years. It was in our judgment a fortunate circumstance,
in view of the fact that he subsequently turned his attention so largely to engineering and scien-
tific studies, that so considerable an element of literary study entered into his course at this
period. In the junior year of his college course, he selected the profession of mining engineer
as his life pursuit, and during the remainder of his course his reading, outside of his class
studies, was mainly such as was germane to his chosen profession. Immediately after his grad-
uation, he was offered an opportunity to engage in practical civil engineering in connection with
the survey of a railroad line along the Mississippi, between La Crosse and Winona. This work,
however, was cut short by sickness.
In the fall of the same year he returned to New Haven, and spent the year in the Sheffield
Scientific School in the study of natural science, higher mathematics, drawing and kindred
studies. In the pursuance of these studies he was much indebted to Prof Blush, of the chair
of mineralogy and metallurgy, who had completed his education in Germany, and by whom Mr.
Strong's desire to complete his own education in that country was stimulated to its consummation.
Mr. Strong sailed for Germany in July, 1868, and returned in the same month of the year
1870. His first year was spent in the mining school at Clausthal, in the Hartz Mountains, and
the second at the celebrated school at Freyberg, in Saxony. These two years afforded excellent
facilities for the pursuit of his professional studies, both in the extensive mines aud the ample
laboratories.
Soon after his retorn from Germany, Mr. Strong engaged in the practice of his profession
— the survey of the extensive lead mines of Crawford, Mills & Co., at Hazel Green, being his
first engagcuient. Upon the completion of this, he was entrusted by the firm with a financial
mission to New York.
It was always the intention of Mr. Strong to pursue the work which he had planned for
his life in the mines of the West, but his devotion to his parents, and his attachment to the home
of his infancy and youth, and its domestic associations, were so great that he was reluctant to
remove to so distant a field of labor, so long as he could be profitably engaged without perma-
nently distuibing the ties and affections which bound him with such devotion to the scenes that
had given so much pleasure to his earlier years.
Deeming a practical acquaintance with civil engineering, especially so far as relates to the
location and construction of railroads, a valuable accessory to his profession as mining engineer,
he became associated for varying periods, and in different capacities, in the location of the
Northern Pacific, the Wisconsin Central, and several preliminary lines in the lead region.
On the inauguration of the geological survey, in 187-3, Gov. Washburn, upon the recom-
mendation of the late Dr. I. A. Lapham, then chief geologist, commissioned Mr. Strong as
HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION. 335
Assistant State Geologist. During the years 1873 and 1874, he was engaged chiefly in the
examination of the lead region. In 1875, he extended his work, adjacent to the Mississippi, as
far north as Trempealeau County.
The year 1876 was chiefly devoted to the copper-bearing series in the northwestern part of
the State.
The history of Mr. Strong's work during the past year, and of its calamitous close, has
already been given on a previous page. He fell in the midst of his work, in its active prosecu-
tion. His last notes were recorded but a few moments before they were submerged with him
beneath the fatal rapids. The life passed away, but its latest record remained. These last
recordings are marked by blanks. The formation has been described, but spaces were left for
the location, which was not then determined. These blanks may be filled, but he has left other
blanks we may not fill. He fell pushing up the stream — in fact and in symbol — not floating
down it. He stood at the prow, pressing onward and upward, with duty for his motive and
truth for his aim.
Of his investigations in connection with the survey, I need not speak. " Let his works
praise him."
In character, he was modest and unassuming, and commanded respect rather by the merits
he could not conceal than by any that were assumed. His quiet manner never revealed the real
executive strength which he possessed. He accomplished more than he seemed to be attempt-
ing. His quiet self-possession gave steady and effective direction to his activities, and stood as
a bar alike to the aberrations of mental confusion, the effervescence of merely emotional enthu-
■ siasm, and the turbulence of illusive energy. Judiciousness in the application, rather than the
absolute amount of energy displayed, characterized his eiforts.
His retiring disposition excluded aggressive personal ambition, and his self-assertion was
limited to that called forth in the discharge of his duties. His personal advancement was due
to inherent merit or the efforts of others, rather to self-zeal and assurance on his part.
Candor and sincerity were eminent traits in his character, and honesty of expression
marked alike his life and his language. His integrity was absolutely above question. No bond
but his honor was requisite for the security of whatever trust was reposed in him. In attesta-
tion of his attractive personal traits, he enjoyed the warm friendship of his associates, and, in
an unusual degree, the esteem of the community in which he was so well known.
In harmony with his whole nature, Mr. Strong's religious convictions were of the practical
rather than the emotional type. Conscientiousness in the fulfillment of every relationship of
life was the fundamental stratum upon which was erected the temple of his faith. In outward
recognition of his persuasions, he became a member and regular communicant of the Protestant
Episcopal Church.
If he could have chosen the form of his departure, and could have so molded it to best
portray at once the soul of his ethical and religious views, he could perhaps have chosen nothing
more fitting than that which the hand of destiny selected for him, to die from the perils that
encompass duty, to die for his friend.
His domestic relations were most felicitous. Love given and received made his dwelling
place a genial home. A kind father, a happy wife, and two lovely children, formed the hearth
circle. The household penates always seemed to smile. That they are now broken and veiled,
is the saddest thought of this sad story.
Obituary Notice of Knights Templar. — The following is a brief extract from the report of
the Committee on Obituaries, to the Grand Commandery of Knights Templar of the State of
Wisconsin, at the Nineteenth Annual Conclave held at Madison, October 2 and 3, 1877.
After giving a statement of the events connected with his earlier life and education, the
report concludes as follows :
" The unusual fine advantages that he had enjoyed ia youth and early manhood had been
faithfully used, and he had fairly entered on a career that, had his life been spared, would have
secured him honorable distinction.
336 HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION.
" His character was one upon which his friends can look from any point of view with
pride, with satisfaction and with love. To a mind trained by years of study and filled with
valuable learning, he added a character of great moral excellence and of unsullied honor.
" Sir Knight Strong was initiated, passed and raised to the Sublime Degree of Master
Mason in Mineral Point Lodge, No. 1 ; became a Royal Arch Mason in Iowa Chapter, No. 6,
in Mineral Point, and was received and constituted a Knight Templar in Mineral Point Com-
mandery, No. 12; receiving all his degrees in the place of his birth, and the home of his life-
time, and at the hands of those who knew full well that the honors he received were most worthily
bestowed. His brethren mourn his loss with grieving and heartfelt sorrow. Such men as he
it is who honor Masonry in their lives, and dying leave upon it the luster of a pure life and
unspotted character."
THE DPaFTLESS AREA.
Again resuming the narrative of geologic fact, it is observed that the most interesting fact
presented for the consideration of the general geologist, is the entire absence of " drift," or dilu-
vium, throughout the southwestern quarter of the State, and, while extending far to the north,
still including the region referred to heroin. The lead district is driftless. About twelve thou-
sand square miles are embraced in these boundaries. The investigations by Mr. Roland D.
Irving and Mr. Moses Strong have resulted in much interesting information. From the official
reports is quoted the following :
" In the driftless region, which occupies nearly one-fourth of the entire area of the State,
the drift is not merely insignificant, but absolutely wanting. Except in the valleys of the largest
streams, like the Wisconsin and Mississippi, not a single erratic bowlder, nor even a rounded
stone, is to be seen throughout the district ; whilst the exception named is not really an excep-
tion, the small gravel deposits that occur on these streams having evidently been brought by the
rivers themselves, during their former greatly expanded condition, from those portions of their
courses that lie within the drift-bearing regions."
Those readers of this work who have not easy access to the oflBcial reports, may be inter-
ested to know the boundaries of the driftless region, and it is, therefore, here stated. The out-
line is, for the most part, sharply defined, both by a more or less sudden cessation of the drift
materials, and by a change in the topography, as the line is crossed, from one side to the other.
This is more especially true of the eastern boundary, in which the reader is naturally most inter-
ested. On this line are often seen heavy morainic heaps — that is, deposits of such bowlders and
gravel as scientists have decided are carried under, or attached to the sides of glaciers, or to the
center of glaciers which are formed by the union of two separate bodies of that nature. The
effects of purely subaerial (or open air) erosion without drift, and the effects of glacial erosion
with drift, are plainly distinguishable along these lines. The northern boundary of the region
is mainly level country, the drift materials gradually diminishing to the south.
Mr. Strong defines the eastern line through Green County as beginning at the southwest
corner, and waving irregularly northeast, until it crosses the county line on the north, about
fifteen miles from the east line of Iowa County. Thence the line curves to the west, and crosses
the Wisconsin about three miles east of the northeast corner of Iowa County ; thence, due north
to Baraboo, curving as it crosses the Sauk County north line to touch Range 5 ; thence,
with a gradual curve, it includes nearly all of Adams County, and swings to the northwest,
touching Grand Rapids as its northeastern point ; thence, mainly west to the Mississippi River.
This is now the accepted area, although Mr. Whitney differs somewhat from the definition as
to the line through Adams and Juneau Counties. The report of 1877, by Mr. Irving, is
referred to, for the benefit of those who desire a more detailed and argumentative description.
Mr. Irving says: "The nature of the topography of the driftless area, everywhere most
patently the result of subaerial erosion exclusively, is even more striking proof that it has never
been invaded by the glacial forces than is the ab.^ence of drift material. Except in the level
country of Adams, Juneau, and the eastern part of Jackson County, it is everywhere a region
of narrow, ramifying valleys and narrow, steep-sided dividing ridges, whose direction are toward
HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGIOK. 337
every point of the compass, and whose perfectly coinciding horizontal strata prove conclusively
their erosive action. * * * * Each one of the numerous streams has its own
ravine, and the ravines are all in direct proportion to the relative sizes of the streams in them."
[Reference is made to the contour maps drawn by Mr. Strong, displaying, with instructive plain-
ness, the topographic phenomena of the region.]
"The altitude of the driftless area, as corapnred with the drift-bearing regions, becomes a
matter of some importa,nce in any attempt to explain the absence of the drift phenomena. It
has been stated by some writers that the driftless area is higher than the drift-bearing, and was,
consequently, not subjected to glacial invasion. It is true that in general the eastern half of
the State is lower than the western, but from what follows it will be seen that farther than this
the statement is inaccurate. From the south line of the State, as far north as the head of
Sugar River, in Cross Plains, the county west of the drift limit rises rapidly from 200 to 400 feet.
Just north of the head of Sugar River the limit crosses high ground — the western extension of
the high limestone and prairie belt of northern Dane and southern Columbia Counties — and the
altitudes east of the limit are as great as those to the west ; whilst in passing from the head of
the Catfish River westward, a glacier must have made an abrupt ascent of fully 300 feet.
North of Black Earth River the limit has the higher ground, by 200 feet, on the east. Sauk
Prairie is crossed on a level, and though higher ground occurs west of the prairie, its topogra-
phy and the absence of drift show that the glacier never reached so far. Where the quartzite
range north of Sauk Prairie is crossed by the limit, it is higher (850 feet above Lake Michigan)
than any part of the driftless area except the Blue Mounds, whilst only a few miles east a great
development of bowlders and gravel is found on one of the highest portions of the range (900
to 950 feet altitude). From the Baraboo north to the Sauk County line, there appears to be in
relation between the position of the limit and the altitude of the country. From the north line
of Sauk County, in curving to the eastward and northward around Adams County, the limit is
on the very crest of the divide. From its position near the middle of the east line of Adams
County, the country, for forty miles to the west, is from 100 to 200 feet lower. From the
northwest part of Adams County to the Wisconsin River the limit is in a level country; whilst
from the Wisconsin westward, the country north of it is everywhere much higher than that to
the south, the rise northward continuinp; to within thirty miles of Lake Superior."
In his discussion of the glacial drift, Mr. Irving reaches certain conclusions, which are
here reproduced only so far as they relate positively to the area devoid of drift. The negative
arguments, or those that go to prove the absence of drift, because the region is not like the vast
majority of the country, and of the Northern Hemisphere of the globe, are recited in brief:
"1. The drift of Central Wisconsin is true glacier drift. [See Report 1877, p. 630.]
"2. The Kettle Range of Central Wisconsin is a continuous terminal and lateral moraine.
The mere fact of the existence of such a distinct and continuous belt of unstratified and mo-
raine-like drift, which, in much of its course, lies along the edge of the driftless area, or, in
other words, along the line on which the western foot of a glacier must long have stood, would
go far toward proving the truth of the proposition [that this is true glacial drift], of which,
however, a complete demonstration is at hand. In all the country just inside the Kettle Range,
we find that glacial strise — channels— -lines of glacial erosion, and lines of travel of erratics —
bowlders, or minerals foreign to the locality where found — preserve a position at right angles
to the course of the range, although that course veers in the southern part of the district from
west to north. East of the Central Wisconsin district, the Kettle Range extends eastward and
northeastward to the dividing ridge between the valley of Lake Michigan and the valley in
which lie Green Bay, Lake Winnebago, and the head-waters of Rock River, and along this
ridge northward, into Green Bay Peninsula. All along this part of its course. Prof. Chamber-
lin has found the glacial strise pointing east of south, and toward the Kettle Range, whilst
along the middle of the Green Bay Valley he finds the strise directions parallel to the main axis
of the valley, or a little west of south. On the west side of this great valley, and along the
eastern border of the Central Wisconsin district, the strife trend about southwest, whilst still
338 HISTOKY OF THE LEAD REGIOK.
further west, they gradually trend further to the west, becoming at last nearly due west, or a1
right angles to the western Kettle Kange.
" We have then a most beautiful proof that at one time the Green Bay Valley was occupied
by a glacier, which was not merely a part of a universal ice sheet, but a distinctly separate tongue
from the great northern mass. The end of this glacier was long in northern Rock County, its
eastern foot on the East Wisconsin divide, and its western on the summit of the divide between
the Fox and Wisconsin River systems, as far south as southern Adams County, after which it
crossed into the valley of the Wisconsin, and from that into the head-waters of the Catfish branch of
Rock River, in the Dane County region. Whilst the main movement of the glacier coincides
in direction with the valley which it followed, it spread out on both sides in fan shape, creating
immense lateral moraines. Peculiar circumstances caused the restriction of the eastern moraine
or narrow area, whilst that on the west, having no such restriction, spread out over a considera-
ble width of country, the breadth of the moraine reaching in Waushara County as far as twenty-
five miles. This width of moraine must have been due to the alternate advance and retreat of
the glacier foot. Such an advance and retreat appears, moreover, to be recorded in the long
lines of narrow sinuous ridges, each marking, perhaps, the position of the glacier foot, or a por-
tion of it, during a certain length of time. The intersecting of these winding ridges, which have no
parallelism at all with one another, appears to me to have been the main cause of the formation of
the kettle depressions. Col. Whittlesey [Smithsonian Contributions to Knowledge], ha.s supposed
that these owe their origin to the melting of ice masses included within the moraine materials,
and this may possibly be true with regard to more regularly circular kettles. The thickness of
the great glacier we can only conjecture. It is easy to see, however, that it was at least a thou-
sand feet, for it was able to accommodate itself to variations in altitude of many hundred feet.
Morainic drift occurs on the summit of the Baraboo ranges over 900 feet above Lake Michigan,
and on the immediately adjacent low ground, 700 below.
" 3. The driftless region of Wisconsin owes its existence, not to superior altitude, but to
the fact the glaciers were deflected from it by the influence of the valleys of Green Bay and
Lake Superior. Some writers have thrown out the idea that the driftless area is one of present
great altitude compared with the regions around it, and that, by virtue of this altitude during
the Glacial period, it caused a splitting of the general ice sheet, itself escaping glaciation. This
idea may have arisen from the fact that, in the southern part of the area, the district known as
the ' lead region,' has a considerable elevation ; but the facts hitherto given have shown that, in
reality, the driftless area is for the most part lower than the drift-covered country immediately
around ; the greatest development, for instance, of the western lateral moraine of the glacier of
the Green Bay Valley, having been on the very crown of the water-shed between the Lake Mich-
gan and Mississippi River slopes, whilst the driftless region is altogether on the last-named slope.
Moreover, to the north, toward Lake Superior, and in Minnesota, the whole country covered
with drift materials lies at a much greater altitude. J. D. Whitney, in his report on the lead
region of Wisconsin, favors the idea that the driftless district stood, during the glacial times, at
a much greater relative altitude than now, and so escaped glaciation. But it is evident that, in
order that this could have been the case, either (1) a break or bend in the strata must have taken
place along the line of junction between driftless or drift-bearing regions, or else (2) the drift-
less region has since received relatively a much greater amount of denudation than the drift-
bearing.
" That no break or bend ever took place along the line indicated, is abundantly proven by
the present perfect continuity of the strata on both sides of the line, the whole region in Central
Wisconsin being in fact one in which faults of any kind are things absolutely unknown. That
no sensible denudation has taken place in Wisconsin since the glacial times, in either drift-bear-
ing or driftless areas, is well proven by the intimate connection with one another of the systems
of erosion of the two regions. The valley of Sugar River, for instance, with its branches, is
throughout its course worn deeply into the underlying rocks ; on its east side it contains
moraine drift, proving that it was worn out before the Glacial period, whilst on the west it
HISTOKY OF THE LEAD EEGION. 339
extends into the driftless regions. We are thus compelled to believe that, during the Glacial
period, the region destitute of drift had the same altitude relatively to the surrounding country
as at present. Before the Glacial period, portions of the drift-bearing region may indeed have
been somewhat higher, for in it a considerable amount of material must have been removed from
one place to another by the glacial forces. The only satisfactory explanation remaining, then,
for the existence of the driftless region, is the one I have proposed. We have already seen
that the extent of this region to the eastward was marked out by the western foot of the glacier
which followed the valley of Green Bay. That it was not invaded from the north, is evidently
due to the fact that the glacier or glaciers of that region were deflected to the westward by the
influence of the valley of Lake Superior. The details of the movement for this northern coun-
try have not been worked out, but it is well known that what is probably the most remarkable
and best-preserved development of morainic drift in the United States, exists on the water-shed
south of Lake Superior. Here the drift attains a very great thickness, and the kettle depres-
sions and small lakes without outlet are even more numerous and characteristic than in other
pares of the State. The water-shed proper lies some thirty or forty miles south of the lake, and
800 to 1,200 feet above it, but the morainic drift extends twenty-five to fifty miles further south-
ward. On the east side of the State, the drift of Lake Superior merges with that of Central
and Eastern Wisconsin, while west of the western moraine of the Green Bay glacier, it dies out
somewhat gradually, until 125 to 150 miles south of the lake the drift limit is reached. Much
of the country twenty-five to seventy-five miles north of the driftless region, though showing
numerous erratics, is quite without any marked signs of glaciation, as, for instance, along the
valley of the Wisconsin, from Grand Rapids north to Wausau. Further west, the drift extends
more to the southward. The course of the Lake Superior glaciers conveyed them further and
further southward as they moved westward.
" Future investigations will undoubtedly bring out a close connection between tlie structure
of the Lake Superior Valley and the glacial movements south of it. Even the facts now at
hand seem to point toward some interesting conclusions. Projecting from the south shore of
Lake Superior, we find two great promontories, Keweenaw Point and the Bayfield Peninsula.
Both of the projections have a course somewhat transverse to the general trend of the lake, bear-
ing some thirty degrees south of west. Both have high central ridges or backbones, which rise
1,000 to 1,500 feet above the adjacent lake, and are made up of bedded igneous rocks, sand-
stones, and conglomerates of the copper series. Both of these ridges continue far westward on
the mainland, having between them a valley, partly occupied by the lake, which is a true syn-
clinal trough ; the rocks of the two ridges dipping toward one another. North of the Bayfield
Peninsula, and again south of Keweenaw Point, we find two other valleys running in from the
lake shore in the same direction. In all probability each one of these valleys has given direc-
tion to a glacier tongue. An inspection of a good map of the northern part of Wisconsin, Min-
nesota and Michigan, will serve to show that the almost innumerable small lakes (which are far
more numerous than are shown in the best maps) of these regions, are concentrated into three
main groups, each group corresponding to a great development of morainic drift, and lying in
the line of one of the three valleys just indicated. I suppose that each of the lake groups is a
moraine of the glacier which occupied the valley in whose line it lies. The main ice-sheet com-
ing from the north met, in the great trough of Lake Superior, over 2,000 feet in depth, an obstacle
which it was never able to entirely overcome, and so reached southward in small tongues composed
perhaps of only the upper portions of the ice. These tongues being deflected westward by the
rock structure of the country, and having their force mainly spent on climbing over the water-
shed, left the region further south untouched. The eastern part of the Lake Superior trough is
not nearly so deep as the western, and the divide between Lake Superior and the two lakes
south of it, never attains any great altitude, so that here the ice mass, having at the same time
perhaps a greater force on account of its nearness to the head of the ice movement on the Lau-
rentian highlands of Canada, was able to extend southward on a large scale, producing the
glaciers of the Green Bay Valley, and of Lake Michigan.
340 HISTORY or THE LEAD EEGIOK
" Although quite crude in its details, I am convinced that the main points of the explana-
tion thus offered for the existence of the driftless region in the northwest will prove to be cor-
rect. To obtain a full elucidation of the subject, much must be done in the way of investigation,
not only in Wisconsin, but over all of Minnesota and the States south, in order that the details
of the ice-movement for the whole northwest may be fully understood.
"4. The stratified drift of the valleys (in the drift-covered regions) owes its structure and
distribution to the water of the swollen streams and lakes that marked the time of melting of the
glaciers.
" 5. The depth below the present surface of the rock valleys appears to indicate a greater
altitude of this part of the continent during the Glacial period than at the present time."
TOPOGEAPHY AND SURFACE GEOLOGY OF THE LEAD REGION.
Mr. Moses Strong, in his report of 1877, says : " Unlike most regions which nature has
selected for the reception of metallic ores and useful minerals, the lead region bears no evidence
of any sudden disturbances or violent action of physical forces. The effects produced by igneous
and eruptive agencies are wanting. Faults and dislocations of strata are nowhere found. The
only irregularities are slight upheavals or bending of the strata (and these never of great extent),
producing changes of but a few feet from the normal dip. Between the geological condition and
the general surface contour of the country, there is no direct correlation. The existence of a
hill or a valley on the surface is not due to a subterranean elevation or depression of surface, as
is by many supposed, and whatever irregularities exist must be chiefly attributed to the milder
natural agencies now constantly at work, such as running water, frost, winds, etc., acting through
an immensely long period of time.
"Drainage. — The most marked and persistent feature of the lead region is the long divid-
ing ridge, or water-shed, which, commencing near Madison, continues almost directly west to
the Blue Mounds, a distance of about twenty miles. Here it takes a slight bend to the south-
west for fifteen miles until it reaches Dodgeville, where it resumes its westerly course until it
terminates in the bluffs at the confluence of the Wisconsin -and Mississippi Rivers. Its total
length is about eighty-five miles. Two points are noticeable — one is its general uniform direct-
ness of outline (it being subject to but few and unimportant flexures), and the other is its paral-
lelism with Wisconsin River so long as the latter holds an approximately westerly course, the
summit of the ridge being always about fifteen miles from the river. The divide maintains an
average elevation of about six hundred feet above Lake Michigan, and is seldom less than five
hundred or more than seven hundred, except at the Blue Mounds, where it gradually rises east
and west for several miles until it attains an elevation' at the west mound of one thousand one
hundred and fifty-one feet. This, however, is an extreme case, and, in fact, the only marked
exception to the general level. In the town of Mount Hope, a slight decrease of elevation is
about four hundred and thirty feet at a point within a mile of both the Mississippi and Wiscon-
sin Rivers. There are also two main branches or subdivisions of the water-shed. Of these, the
western is the ridge which separates the waters that flow into the Platte and Fever Rivers from
those which fiow into the Pecatonica. It leaves the main divide in the town of Wingville, and,
passing through the townships of Bellmont and ShuUsburg in a southeasterly direction, passes
out of the State in the town of Monticello. The ridge is not so conspicuous as the main water-
shed, either for the directness of its course or the uniformity of its elevation. The most con-
spicuous points on it are the Platte Mounds, which appear from a distance to be very high, but
their height is only relative, their actual elevation being about seven hundred feet above Lake
Michigan. The ridge appears to slope somewhat in its approach to Illinois, its average eleva-
tion there being about five hundred feet.
" The easterly subdivision is that which separates the waters of the Pecatonica and Sugar
Rivers. It may be said to begin at the Blue Mounds or a couple of miles east of them, and,
pursuing quite & devious coui-se through the townships of Primrose, Washington and Monroe, it
crosses the State line in the town of Jeft'erson. This ridge is characterized by a much greater
HISTORY or THE LEAD KEGION. 341
want of uniformity in its general course and its very irregular elevation. It is much narrower
than either of the others, more abrupt in its slopes, and contains quite a number of hills and low
places. These are the principal elevations of the country affecting the drainage. There are, of
course, many minor ones.
" Streams. — The present situation of the streams was probably never modified nor influenced
by drift or glacial agencies. Premising this, it follows that the location of the streams must
have depended upon the natural configuration of the country and the superior advantages of cer-
tain strata in certain positions predisposing them to become the beds of streams. Other things
being equal, surface waters would naturally form a channel first in the more soft and easily eros-
ible strata lying along the line of strike of some soft formation, and would cause a river to con-
form its first channel to its outcropping edge. Simultaneously, its tributaries would shape their
channels approximately at right angles to the river, under the following conditions : When the gen-
eral slope or drainage of the country is not contrary to the geological dip of the formations, which,
in the lead region, does not appear to have been the case, the tributaries on one side of the
river thus formed would conform themselves to the natural dip of the underlying strata, sloping
toward the main river, and would be found wherever there were depressions or irregularities in
the surface suitable to their formation. These would, at their inception, approximate to their
final length and course, and future changes in them would be confined to the deeper erosion of
their beds and widening of their valleys, the formation of lateral branches, the division of the
head of the stream into several smaller sources, and, finally, the gradual recession of all the sub-
ordinate parts.
" With the tributaries on the other side of the principal river, a different order would pre-
vail as regards their position and growth. They would at first be the merest rivulets, and
increase only from erosion, and their beds would lie across the edges of the strata. There would
be only a very limited extent of country tributary to the river on this side, the great volume of
its water being derived from the tributaries of the other side. The dividing ridge would thus
be very near the river, and a second set of long streams tributary to some other river would here
take their rise and flow away.
"In the process of time the main river would slowly cut its way through the soft formation,
in which it had its original bed, into and through those which underlaiil it. This might, at first,
be accompanied by a slight recession parallel to the line of strike. Such a movement, however,
could not be of long duration, but would become less as the valley became deeper, because any
such recession would necessitate the removal of all the overlying formations. Finally, the small
streams flowing across the strata would cut their valley back from the river, the dividing ridge
would recede, and their sources would, from the position of the strata, be in steep and pre-
cipitous ravines. Such, in brief, is the theory of the formation of the streams in the lead
region.
" The Wisconsin River, from the eastern limit of Iowa County to its mouth, is a conspicu-
ous example and illustration of the foregoing theory.
"Although the surface of the country, in its present condition, does not permit the accurate
delineation of tlie former lines of outcrop of the paleozoic formations, yet a sufficient number
of others remain to show that they must once have covered the country far north of where they
are at present found. The existence of Niagara limestone in a thickness of about one hundred
and forty feet at the Platte Mounds, and probably the full thickness of the formation at the
Blue Mounds, warrants us in supposing that the former outcrop of the underlying Cincinnati
group was at least as far north as the present bed of the Wisconsin River.
"The valley now occupied by the river, from Mazomanie to Blue River, is very nearly that
of the present line of strike of the Lower Silurian formation, and, although from there the
strike of the lower members (of which outliers still remain) appears to bear rather more to the
northward, yet observations on the dip of the Cincinnati group, in such occasional outliers as
remain, lead us to believe that its original strike was approximately in a southwesterly direction,
from Blue River to the Mississippi.
342 HISTOEY OF THE LEAD EEGION.
"Assuming, then, that the Cincinnati group once had its northern outcrop where the river
now runs, or in a line parallel to it in that vicinity, the surface waters would easily erode a
channel in the soft and friable shales which, to a great extent, compose this formation.
"In fine, the whole process of formation previously described would take place. On the
north side it had, as now its principal tributary streams, the Kickapoo, Knapp, Eagle, Pine and
Bear, in their present localities, and approximately their present length. On the south side of
the river, however, the principal water-shed already referred to was probably quite near the river,
from which position it has receded to the place it now occupies. The Green and Blue Rivers
and Otter, Mill and Blue Mound Creeks were small and insignificant streams, which, by the
gradual process of erosion, have increased to their present size and length ; but even now are
small when compared to the northern tributaries.
"A further effect was to shorten the Grant, Platte and Pecatonica Rivers by the gradual
southwesterly recession of the water-shed and the lowering of the latter by the denudation of
the Niagara limestone and Cincinnati groups ; except in such localities as were protected by a
superior hardness of some part of the formation, as in the case of the Blue Mounds.
"The result of the denudation has been to divide the country into two parts, each differing
widely from the other in its topographical features. The streams flowing southward from the
water-shed have eroded the country into gently undulating slopes. This is probably due to the
direction of the streams conforming in a measure to the dip of the strata. Abrupt cliffs and
steep ravines are the exception, and not the rule, never being found in the immediate neighbor-
hood of the water-shed, but rather confined to the small lateral branches. On the other band,
to the north of the water-shed the panorama of bluffs and precipitous ravines is almost moun-
tainous in its aspect. In fact, nothing can be more striking than the contrast which presents
itself from certain points on the divide in looking from north to south. In nearly all of the
ravines leading northward the fall of the first quarter of a mile is not less than one hundred
feet; and, in general, it is true of the streams running northward that three-quarters of the fall
takes place in the first quarter of the distance from their sources to their mouths.
" It seems not improbable that these sudden declivities are due to the streams flowing over
the edges of the strata, rather than lengthwise, along their dip. Again, the streams flowing to
the southward become comparatively sluggish in their course as soon as they cease to be brooks.
They have usually a soft, muddy bottom, while those tributary to the Wisconsin are clear, rapid
streams, flowing over a sandy or gravelly bottom, their valleys being narrow and their sides very
steep.
" The streams tributary to the Platte, Grant and Pecatonica Rivers do not exhibit any
marked characteristics on one side that are not shared equally by the other. It may be re-
marked, however, that the short streams which flow into the Mississippi River present very
much the same topographical characteristics as are seen in the southern tributaries of the Wis-
consin, narrow and deep ravines and valleys being apparently the rule in Grant County.
" It is remarked that there has been a gradual diminution of water in the lead region
since the early mining days. The larger streams contain much less water than hereto-
fore, within the memory of living men. It is probable that cultivation of the land is the chief
cause of this decrease, as a much greater amount of surface is thus exposed, and evaporation
takes place more rapidly and in larger quantities. Removal of the timber is, without doubt,
another cause of this decrease. The soil of the timbered land contains more moisture than that
of the prairie ; and in all countries the removal of the timber has always been followed by a
marked decrease of the water supply.
^^ Springs and Wells. — The Lead Region is one of the best watered tracts of cour in
the State. Springs are very numerous about the sources of streams, and frequently ii .^^eir
banks. They are found in all the geological formations, but with the greatest frequency and
of the largest size between the bottom of the Galena limestone and the top of the St. Peters
sandstone. Such springs are usually found flowing along the surfece of some layer of clay,
and finding a vent in the outcrop of an ' opening.' The clay openings most favorable to
'a\^£^^
(dec EASED,)
MIFFLIN
HISTOBY or THE LEAD REGION. 345
their formation are the 'upper pipe-clay openings,' situated on the top of the blue or Trenton
limestone, and separating it from the Galena limestone ; the 'glass-rock opening,' separating
the blue and underlying buff limestone, and the 'lower pipe-clay opening,' situated in the
lower part of the buif limestone; the latter, however, does not seem to be so persistent a bed
as the other two. Springs are by no means confined to these three openings, but occur in many
of the beds of the Galena limestone, as well as in the lower formations ; usually, however, flow-
ing over an impervious bed of clay, or some layer of rock, too compact to admit of the passage
of water through it."
The springs which flow from the Blue Mounds are clearly not of igneous origin, as they
are not hot, but are logically accounted for by the excess of rainfall over the amount of water
carried off by the streams or by evaporation.
Water is easily obtained where springs do not burst out, by digging or drilling not to
exceed sixty feet.
" Nearly all the water in the region holds in solution a small portion of lime and magne-
sia, and a still smaller quantity of sodium, iron, alumina and silica. The presence of these
salts usually gives the water what is called a hard taste, which is more noticeable in the lime-
stone than in the sandstone springs, and not infrequently induces persons to believe them pos-
sessed of medical properties.
" Prairie and Forest. — The prairie area of the lead region is comparatively small, and seems
to be chiefly a continuation of the great prairies of Illinois. The most extensive prairie is that
found in the southern part of Grant and La Fayette Counties, comprising the townships of
Jamestown, Hazel Green, Benton, New Diggings, Shullsburg, Seymour, Monticello and Gratiot.
From this there is a branch extending in a northwestern direction (corresponding to the eastern
subdivision of the water-shed previously alluded to), until it unites with the main water-shed ; here
it branches to the east and west. The western extension forms a prairie in the towns of Glen
Haven, Patch Grove, Little Grant, and some parts of Fennimore and Wingville. The eastern
prairie follows the main divide already described, the prairie being from six to ten miles in
width. Between the east and west branches of the Pecatonica there is a prairie, including most
of the towns of Fayette, Waldwick and Wiota. Small patches of prairie are to be found in other
localities. The original timber of the woodland has been mostly cut off, and is replaced by
second-growth black, white and burr oak, maple, hickory, poplar and elm, the trees being gen-
erally of small size, nol exceeding one foot in diameter.
" Mounds. — The elevations in the lead region most worthy of note are : The Platte Mounds,
in La Fayette County ; the Blue Mounds, in Dane and Iowa Counties, and the Sinsinawa
Mound, in Grant County. The former are three in number, about a mile apart, the middle one
being very small in comparison to the other two. The east and west mounds are about the same
elevation, and are capped with a very hard Niagara limestone, to which they doubtless owe their
preservation, in the general denudation of the country. The ground slopes away from them so
gently, and blends so gradually with the surrounding high land, that it is impossible to define
exactly where the mound proper begins. The Blue Mounds are two in number, one being in
Iowa County and the other in Dane. The top of the west mound (which is the higher of the two)
consist of over a hundred feet of very hard flinty rock, somewhat resembling quartzite, or gran-
ular quartz ; below this is the Niagara limestone. This cap of quartz rock seems to have been
removed from the east mound, the top of which is a flat table-land under cultivation. These
mounds are very conspicuous, and can be seen from any moderately high land in the region.
The Sinsinawa Mound is also a very conspicuous object, in the southern part of Grant County,
near the village of Fairplay. It is composed, for the most part, of the Cincinnati group, capped
with a small amount of Niagara limestone.
"Sinks. — Very remarkable features in the vicinity of Blue Mounds are the numerous sink-
holes found near their base, and frequently quite high up on their sides. The sinks are usuallv
in groups of three or four, and invariably in nearly an east and west line, in both Dane and
Iowa Counties. On the center line of Section 1, Township 6, Range 5 east, is a well-defined line of
346 HISTORY OF THE LEAD EEGION.
them, extending for about a quarter of a mile on each side of the center of the section. There
is another range of them near the center of the southwest quarter of Section 1, and a third line
near the quarter-posts of Sections 1 and 12. The largest of these sinks is an isolated one near
the center of the southeast quarter of Section 1, which is as much as fifty feet in diameter and
twenty feet deep. In this one the wall rock of the fissure could be very planly seen on the south
side. The difference is that these sinks mark the line of large open crevices in the rock beneath
them. No prospecting for ore has been done in them, although the suggestion has been reason-
ably made that the indications are favorable. The sinks are not confined to the Galena lime-
stone, and an exceptional one in the St. Peters sandstone is noted on the southeast quarter of
Section 14, Township 5, Range 2 west, although less notable ones occur in the Niagara limestone.
"Soil and Subsoil. — The quality of the soil of the lead region is chiefly dependent on the
character of the subjacent formation. The subsoil appears to be derived directly from the decay
and disintegration of the strata, of which it is the residuum. South of the principal water-shed,
the subsoil is clay, almost without exception, having a thickness of from three to six feet,
depending on the configuration of the underlying rock formation. This is the average thick-
ness, on comparatively level land ; on side hills it is usually much thinner, the greater part hav-
ing been washed down in the valley below. The clay soils and subsoils appear to consist chiefly
of those portions of the overlying Galena limestone, and earthy Cincinnati shales, which being
insoluble in water were not removed by the gradual process of denudation.
" The amount of lime, magnesia and alkaline earths in the subsoil and soil, together with the
vegetable mold in the latter, constitute a soil, which, in its virgin state, is unsurpassed for rich ■
ness and fertility. The number of successive wheat crops which have been raised, without regard
to rotation, on some of our prairie Rirms, attest its native strength ; as, also, the marked decline
in fertility of the soil when this has been done, shows the inevitable retribution which follows
the practice. Exceptions to the clay soil, usually found in the country covered by the Galena
limestone, are found in the eastern part of La Fayette and frequently in Green County, where
the soil is quite sandy, owing to the disintegration of calcareous sand layers frequently found
there in that formation. A few localities are cited below, where the sand was so abundant that
the formation might have been considered a sandstone, were it not for the occasional outcrops of
Galena limestone in place.
" The agencies of the glacial period do not appear to have had anything to do with transport-
ing the component meterials of the soil, and although a slight transportation has taken place, it
is always merely local. For instance, in the valleys of the creeks which lie in the St. Peters
sandstone, the soil is usually a rich clay loam, richer in fact than that of the adjacent ridges,
because the best parts of the upland soils have been washed down and distributed over the sur-
face of the valley.
" A similar transportation may be observed in passing up any long and moderately steep hill,
which includes several formations, such hills being very common north of the principal water-
shed. Let us suppose one, whose summit is composed of Galena limestone, and whose base lies
in the Lower Magnesian. Scattered about the base will be seen many loose pieces of Lower Mag-
nesian limestone, mixed with less numerous bowlders of St. Peters sandstone; still less numer-
ous and smaller pieces of the buff and blue (Trenton) limestone, while fragments of the Galena
limestone will be comparatively rare. On ascending the hill and arriving at the St. Peters,
fragments of Lower Magnesian will no longer be seen, while those of the upper formation will
become larger and more numerous. On arriving at the buff limestone, the fragments of St.
Peters sandstone will also have disappeared ; fragments of blue limestone will be very numer-
ous and easily recognized by their white color and their general rounded and worn appearance.
On reaching the summit of the hill, no fragments of stone will be found, except such as are
derived from the subjacent Galena limestone. One prominent feature of the soil will be the
prevalence of flints, which are nearly indestructible, and often form a large component part.
From the arrangement of the surface soil and fragmentary rock, it is evident that the rock of
iny formation is never found above the level from which it was detached.
HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION. 347
^^ Brick Clay. — Clay suitable for making brick is found in many parts of the lead region,
Mineral Point being one of the important localities. The clay sought is usually of a grayish
yellow color which becomes red on burning. It appears to have been formed in the same man-
ner as other portions of the soil, as already described. The origin of the clay of which the
brick are made is a matter of some doubt. It has not exactly the appearance of a drift clay,
and if not, its situation indicates that it must have undergone some subsequent re-arrangement."
THE LEAD REGION DESCRIBED.
FEOJf MOSES STRONG'S EEPOKT.
Boundaries and Area. — In Wisconsin, the lead region may be said to be bounded on the
north by the northern outcrop of the Galena limestone, running parallel to the main water-shed
from the Mississippi to the Blue Mounds, as already described ; on the west by the Mississippi
River ; on the south by the State line ; on the east by Sugar River. These limits include all of
the lead region which has ever been productive, as well as much that has never as yet proved so.
The area thus included, which has been, or may hereafter become, productive, is necessarily that
of the Galena limestone, which is about 1,776 square miles.
Explanation of Mining Terms. — For the enlightenment of the readers who are. unfamiliar
with mining terms, the following short explanation of expressions, most frequently used in the
lead region, is offered.
Range. — This is probably the most indefinite term in use, and, at the same time, one which
is universally applied. First. A range denotes a single, or several, parallel crevices, containing
useful ores or minerals ; vertical, or approximately so ; seldom more than a few yards apart ;
sometimes, but not necessarily, connected by quartering crevices. Its length may vary from a
few hundred feet to a quarter of a mile or more ; in short, so far as the crevice or crevices have
been connectedly traced, or there is a reasonable probability of such connection. Thus, different
parts of the same range often have different names given them before the connection between
them is proved. This is a fruitful soui-ce of confusion. Second. The term range is also applied
to horizontal bodies of ore, of which there may be one, or several, superimposed upon one
another ; sometimes, but not necessarily, separated by unproductive layers of rock, limited in
length in the same way as a vertical range.
Orevice. — This term denotes a fissure in the rock, vertical or nearly so, but a few inches in
width, of indefinite length, which may or may not be filled with ores or minerals. When a
crevice becomes very small, less than an inch in width, it is called a seam.
Vein is a term little used ; it denotes the filling of ore and accompanying minerals, or
either found in a crevice.
Lode or Lead are words usually substituted for vein ; they are, however, generally applied
to ore deposits found either in crevices or openings.
Swither. — A metalliferous crevice, making an angle with the principal vein or lode ; some-
times called a quartering crevice.
8 o'clock, 10 o'clock, etc. — Ranges whose course bears toward the sun at those hours of the
day.
Openings. — They are of two kinds, vertical and horizontal. First. Vertical openings are
known as crevice openings, which are mere enlargements of the crevice in certain parts, these
being sometimes co-extensive with the vein in length, and sometimes mere local enlargements.
There are in the same crevice frequently several openings, situated one above the other, separat-
ed by beds of unproductive rock. Crevices vary in width from one to several feet. When
very wide and high, they are sometimes called tumbling openings. Second. Horizontal open-
ings are large, irregular spaces between the strata which contain the lode. Such openings are
usually from one to four feet high, and are frequently superimposed upon one another, separated
by an unproductive rock, called a "cap." The "cap" of one opening being frequently the
" floor " of the one above it.
Pockets are small irregular cavities in the strata, in which ore is frequently obtained.
348
HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION.
Chimneys are irregularly shaped vertical holes found in crevices ; sometimes connecting
openings, and at others extending from the surface of the ground to some particular stratum of
rock.
Sheet. — This is a term usually employed to designate a solid body of ore, exclusive of other
minerals, which may fill a crevice or opening. A sheet is said to "pitch " when it inclines con-
siderably from the perpendicular.
Gouge. — This is the soft rock or clay frequently found between the sheet and adjacent
wall-rock.
Bar. — The term denotes a band or belt, of very hard and unproductive rock, crossing the
crevices and sheets. In crossing a bar, all sheets become less productive, and are sometimes
entirely lost, the crevices usually dwindling to mere seams. Their width varies from a few feet
to many yards.
Wash dirt is the name given to the small ore, as it first comes from the mine, mixed with
small pieces of rock and clay.
Pipe Clay. — A light-colored plastic clay, frequently found in the openings and crevices.
Drift. — An underground gallery or roadway.
MINERALOGY.
There does not appear to have been any absolute and unvarying order in which the
minerals of the lead region were deposited in the mines. The following conclusions are derived
from the inspection of the ore as it occurs in place in the numerous mines visited, and from the
examination of a great number of specimens ; and it is assumed that when crystals of one
mineral are coated or covered with another, the overlying one is the more recent. The minerals
appear to have been deposited in the following general order:
GALENITE.
1
SPHALERITE.
1
DOLOMITE.
CALCITE.
1
PYRITE.
MARCASITB.
CHALCOPYaiTE.
1
BARITE.
1
CALCITE.
1
1 CERUSSTTE.
SMITHSONITE.
MALACHITE.
AZURITE.
The order above given, however, is subject to very numerous and important exceptions,
and is more particularly applicable to crystallized specimens than to heavy ore deposits. Large
bodies of ore frequently consist of galentine, sphalerite and pyrite, so mingled together that no
order of deposition can be ascertained.
In general, it appears that the sulphurets of the metals were deposited first, and that the
carbonates have been generally, if not invariably derived from them. Carbonate of lead
(cerussite), when found crystallized, always occurs in connection with galenite ; and carbonate of
zinc (Smithsonite) is so frequently found graduating into the sulphuret (sphalerite) as to leave
but little doubt of its origin from that mineral.
HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION.. 349
, It seems not improbable that the formation of the carbonate of zinc may even now be
taking place in the ground to quite a large extent, especially in such deposits as are not below
the water-level, or are only periodically submerged.
It is a well-known fact that the drybone diggings are usually comparatively free from water,
and that the zinc ore below the water-level is usually blende (sphalerite) with but little admix-
ture of the carbonate. As the level of the water in the ground becomes gradually lower,
and it is a well known fact that it does, the atmosphere, together with surface water charged
with carbonic acid, is permitted to act upon the blende, and a transformation from the sulphuret
to the carbonate is the result.
The association of calcite with other minerals is such as to indicate that it must have been
formed in crystals during at least two diiferent periods. Stalactites of recent origin are
found in the mines, which on being fractured show a distinct crystalline structure, and large
planes of cleavage.
The following is a list of the minerals known to occur in the lead region, arranged accord-
ing to the system adopted by Prof. Dana, in his " Mineralogy : "
Sulphur. — Native sulphur is found, but seldom in the lead region ; its presence is usually
due to the decomposition of iron pyrites. It is usually found in a pulverulent form. Some
pieces weighing as much as an ounce were seen in a cabinet at Hazel Green, which are said to
have been obtained from a small sheet in some of the Buncome mines. It is said to be not
uncommon in this vicinity. Other localities where it is found are Mineral Point and the Crow
Branch diggings.
Bornite. — Variegated or purple copper ore. Composition — Copper, 62.5; iron, 13.8;
sulphur, 23.7. This is quite a rare mineral. A few pieces have been found in the copper
diggings near Mineral Point ; it has never been found here crystallized, but always massive
and in small pieces.
Q-alenite. — Composition — Lead, 86.6 ; sulphur, 13.4. This is the only ore of lead found
in sufficient quantities to be of economic value. It is universally known in the lead region as
" mineral." It frequently occurs in distinct crystals, either as a cube or some modification of
it. Octahedral crystals are quite rare, but are occasionally found, especially in the carbona-
ceous shale of the southern part of the region. Usually, however, galenite occurs massive,
with a very distinct cleavage. Freshly broken surfaces have always a bright steel color, which
speedily tarnishes on exposure to the air.
Sphalerite. — Blende or black-jack. Composition — Zinc, 67 ; sulphur, 33. This is one
of the most abundant minerals in the lead region, besides being of great economic value as an
ore of zinc. It is almost invariably found as an associate vein-mineral in the horizontal deposits
of lead ore. It is usually found massive and compact, of a dark-brown or black color, due to a
small portion of iron contained in it, and more or less mixed with gelanite. The lead region
has never afforded a perfect crystal of blende, although many specimens are found with small
and imperfect crystalline faces. The fractured surfaces of such specimens usually have a
resinous luster.
Pyrite. — Composition — Iron, 46.7; sulphur, 53.3. This is the most common vein-mineral
found in the mines. It is universally met with in veins, lodes or other deposits of ore, and in
many cases impregnates the rock when all other minerals are absent. In crevices it frequently
appears to have been the first mineral deposited. It is usually found massive, although hand-
some crystallized specimens are frequently obtained from the mines. In crystals it usually as-
sumes some modification of the cube, the octahedron being quite frequent. It also occurs in
radiated and reniform masses. It has never yet been considered of any economic value in the
lead region, and as it is so much mixed with rock it is doubtful if it could be profita:bly sepa-
rated, except by the natural process of disintegration, to which some varieties are liable when
exposed to the air. The Crow Branch diggings and the Linden mines afford large quantities
and good specimens of this mineral.
350 HISTOKY OF THE LEAD REGION.
Marcasite. — Composition — Iron, 46.7 ; sulphur 53.3, or same as pyrite. The difference
between this and the preceding is but slight, and chiefly due to crystalline structure; the former
belonging to the mono-metric and the latter to the trimetric system. It is somewhat lighter colored
than pyrite, and decomposes more readily in the air. It is quite a common vein mineral, and
occurs in globular and cockcomb shapes. It is abundant in the New Diggings district. It is
difficult to preserve specimens of this mineral, longer than a few months.
Ohalcopyrite. — Composition — Copper. 34.6 ; iron, 30.5 ; sulphur, 34.9. This is the princi-
pal ore of copper in the lead regions, and is most abundantly found in the vicinity of Mineral
Point. It usually occurs massive, frequently mixed with pyrite ; small and indistinct crystals
are occasionally found.
Hematite. — Composition — Iron, 70; oxygen 30. Impure arenaceous varieties of this
mineral frequently occur, nowhere, however, sufficiently rich or abundant to be of any economic
value. It seems to be chiefly due to the decomposition of pyrite, and is most common as the
ferruginous sandstone concretions in the upper beds of the St. Peters. It is also frequently
found as ocher, with other vein-minerals, especially in the flat openings.
Oxide of Manganese. — A. substance consisting of manganese with a little oxide of iron, zinc,
and traces of magnesia, according to an analysis of Dr. Bode, of Milwaukee, is found in crevices
in the Trenton limestone, in some diggings situated on Section 11, Town 4, Range 1 east.
The mineral is as light as cork ; color brownish-black, sub-metallic luster and streaks ; soils
readily, and is infusable. It is very soft, and does not occur crystallized. It has a structure in
thin parallel layers, resembling wood.
Calamine. — Composition — Silica, 25.0; oxide of zinc, 67.5; water, 7.5. This mineral is
of very rare occurrence in the lead region. It is found in small, drusy crystals ; coating, Smith-
sonite. The crystals are very brittle, colorless, and have a vitrious luster. It is found near
Mineral Point.
Barite. — Composition — Sulphuric acid, 34.33 ; baryta, 65.67. It occurs usually white and
massive, but sometimes in lamellar and crested forms. The only place where it was found in
distinct crystals, was in the railroad cut at Scales Mound, where it occurs in small cavities, as
small but very perfect transparent crystals, associated with dolomite and pyrite. It is not a very
abundant mineral, but is found in several of the mining districts, especially Dodgeville and Min-
eral Point.
The following is an analysis by Mr. E. T. Sweet,-of a specimen from the southwest quarter
of Section 6, Township 5, Range 3 east, in Van Matre's survey :
Silica 2.24
Alumina .83 •
Sesquioxide of iron .77
Water Trace
Barite, sulphate 95.27
Lime, sulphate 1.30
100.41
Anglesite. — Composition — Sulphuric acid, 26.4; oxide of lead, 73.6. Traces of this min-
eral are reported as occurring in some of the mining districts, but no specimens have as yet been
obtained. It probably originates from the decomposition of galenite.
Oalcite. — Composition — Carbonic acid, 44 ; lime, 56. This is a vein-mineral, common to all
the deposits of ore, whether in crevices or openings. It occurs crystallized in modified rhombo-
hedrons and scalinohedrons. The variety known as Dog-tooth-spar is a very frequent form,
especially in the Shullsburg and Linden districts, which affords very handsome cabinet specimens.
The Mineral Point district affords handsome rhombohedrons, and the Linden mine affords hand-
some twin crystals of calcite set in sphalerite (blende). It also occurs there, rarely, as a pseu-
domorph, after marcasite, and has then a radiate or divergent form.
HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION. 351
Dolomite. — Bitter spar or brown spar. Composition — Carbonate of lime and carbonate of
magnesia, in slightly varying, but nearly equal, proportions. It occurs occasionally in small
rhombohedral crystals in cavities of the Galena limestone. The best locality for obtaining cabi-
net specimens is in the railroad cut at Scales Mound.
Smithsonite. — Often improperly called calimine. Composition — Carbonic acid, 35.18 ; oxide
of zinc, '64.81. This mineral, commonly known as drybone, is one of the two ores of zinc found
in the lead region. It is found most extensively in the central and northern parts, and
usually in connection with blende. It crystallizes in rhombohedral forms ; such specimens are,
however, rare. It usually occurs massive, having a structure similar to partially decayed bone,
from which it derives its common name.
Pseudomorphs, of Smithsonite, after calcite, are sometimes formed. They occur as rhom-
bohedrons, and in the various irregular shapes in which calcite occurs in the lead region. Per-
fect crystals, in which the transformation from calcite to Smithsonite is complete, are very rare.
It IS much more common to find skeleton crystals, or those which have been formed by tile depo-
sition of a smooth, light-colored shell of Smithsonite, about a sixteenth of an inch thick, over all
the exposed surface of the calcite, followed by a gradual removal of the crystal contained within
the shell. The space within the shell is sometimes partially filled with Smithsonite, and fre-
quently planes of the original crystal. Pseudomorphs are also found in which the imperfect
crystallization of sphalerite is very evident. Smithsonite is also found covering crystals of gal-
enite, which are undecomposed.
Cerugsite. — Composition — Carbonic acid, 16.5 ; oxide of lead, 83.5. Cerussite is occa-
sionally found in small pieces, but never in sufficient quantities to form an object of mining. It
occurs in irregular rounded pieces of a yellowish color, exhibiting no crystalline structure. It
has been found near Mineral Point, and in former years quite frequently at the diggings near
Blue Mounds. Cerussite is found in small irregular translucent crystals of a white or light yel-
low color, in the mine of Messrs. Poad, Barrack & Tredinnick, near Linden. The specimens
were large, cubic crystals of galenite, coated with pyrite, the crystals of cerussite being formed
in both of these minerals. The specimens indicate that the crystals of pyrite had been formed,
and many of them broken before the formation of the cerussite.
Hydrozincite. — Composition — Carbonic acid, 13.6; oxide of zinc, 75.3 ; water, 11.1. This
is a mineral of rare occurrence in the lead region. It is found at Linden and Mineral Point as
a white, finely crystalline, fibrous incrustation on Smithsonite.
Malachite. — Composition — Carbonic acid, 19.9 ; protoxide of copper, 71.9 ; water, 8.2. It
is occasionally found in small seams, mixed with other ores of copper in the Mineral Point cop-
per mines. Crystals or good cabinet specimens do not occur.
Azurite. — Composition — Carbonic acid, 25.6; protoxide of copper, 69.2; water, 5.2. It
occurs similar to malachite, massive and in seams, associated with chalcopyrite. The Mineral
Point mines afford very beautiful cabinet specimens of small rhombohedral crystals of dark-blue
color.
Visitors in the lead region will constantly hear the terms "brown rock," "glass rock,"
"pipe-clay opening," etc., used by the miners to designate the different strata in which they
work. This would be an advantageous system were it not that the several names are applied
to widely different strata by persons in the several districts. The terra "glass rock," for
instance, is indiscriminately applied to all the strata in the buff, blue and Galena limestones.
The following section is given as a general guide in understanding the relative position and
thickness of the strata and openings, to which reference will occasionally be made in the subse-
quent pages. The section, however, will not be found of universal application, but merely
shows the strata as their position is now understood by the most intelligent and systematic
miners.
In practice, the most reliable plan for determining the geological position of an ore bed
or mine, is to find the out-crop of some well-defined horizon in the vicinity, and ascertain the
distance of the bed or mine above or below it, after making due allowance for the dip.
352 HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION.
There are numerous openings occurring in all upper and middle beds of the Galena lime-
stone, none of which appear to be found regularly in all the districts. The section is, therefore,
confined to the more persistent openings of the lower beds :
QAI.ENA LIMESTONE.
Green rock 4 feet.
Green rock opening 3 feet.
Green rock 12 feet.
Brown rock 12 feet.
Brown rock opening 5 feet.
Brown rock 8 feet.
BUFF AND BLUE LIMESTONE.
Upper pipe-clay opening 5 feet.
Glasa rook (blue limestone) 25 feet.
Glass rock opening 6 feet.
Buff limestone 12 feet.
Lower pipp-clay opening '. 3 feet.
Buff limestone 10 feet.
St. Peters sandstone feet.
HISTORY AND CHARACTEE OF THE MINES.
The history of the mining interest of this region is essentially a hi.story of the region
itself. The following reliable and detailed report of mines was made by Mr. Strong in 1877.
Such new mines as have since then been opened are named further on in this work :
BEETOWN DISTRICT.
This is the most westerly district in which any productive mines have been worked. In
former years they were very productive, but have gradually become less so. There are several
sub-districts, of which the principal ones are Beetown, Nip-and-Tuck, Muscalunge and Hack-
ett's. The diggings in the immediate vicinity of Beetown are situated north and east of the
village, chiefly in Sections 20 and 29, of Township 4, Range 4 west. There are here, on the
ridge, about a dozen principal old ranges, all nearly parallel, and bearing a few degrees north
of west. They vary from half a mile to a mile and a half in length, some of them extending
easterly to the Grant Diggings. There are no large organized companies at work in them, the
principal product being by individual parties in small lots.
Lead ore is usually found in this district in two principal openings, known as the " Twelve-
foot Opening " and the " Sixty-five-foot Opening." The first is named from the height of the
opening, which usually averages about twelve feet. The second derives its name from sixty-
five feet of unproductive rock which separates it from the first. The following parties are now,
or have recently been, mining near Beetown :
Brown Bros. ^ Birch. — These diggings are situated in the Hull Hollow, about three-
quarters of a mile south of the village. They were discovered in 18G0, by Walters and Rob-
erts, and were first worked in the twelve-foot opening. There are three parallel east-and-
west ranges, situated about nine feet apart. TLey produced lead ore, which is found in flat
openings, four and one-half feet high and four and one-half feet wide, lying about seventy feet
above the sixty-five-foot opening. The ore has been traced by a level three hundred feet west
from the discovery shaft. The depth at the working-shaft is sixty feet ; the greatest depth in
the ridge will be one hundred and sixty feet. Work was commenced in the winter of 1875-76,
since which time the product has been 35,000 pounds. The prospects are considered good.
Wilcox Diggings. — North half of the southeast quarter of Section 32, Township 4, Range
4 west. This ground has been recently bought by Messrs. Henry, Ross, Gundry and Toay, of
Mineral Point, by whom it is now operated, under the name of the Beetown Mine. Work was
commenced here by Mr. Wilco'x in 1868. A level has been run in the ground 500 feet, under-
lying a flat sheet of blende or Smithsonite, which is, in places, 86 inches thick. The sheet
HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION". 353
has been found to extend eighty feet north and south, and one hundred and thirty feet
east and west; its extreme limits are not yet known. On its south side, some cop-
per ore has been found. The sheet lies in the upper pipe-clay opening. About twenty-two
feet above the sheet of zinc ores, is one of Smithsonite and lead ore, one hundred and fifty
feet wide, whose length is unknown. It lies in flat and pitching sbeets, in the green-rock
opening. The ground has produced lead ore to the value of $3,500 ; also, forty-five tons of
Smithsonite and one hundred and seventy-five tons of blende.
Josiah Orossley ^ Go. produced about eight thousand pounds of lead ore in the operations
of one month.
Crossly ^ Bass. — Situated south of the preceding. Work was carried on for six months,
and stopped by the owner of the land. Twenty thousand pounds of lead ore were produced.
Wileox ^ Sons. — These parties have been working about a month in a new east-and-west
range. The prospect is considered good.
Pigeon Diggings. — They are situated in the north half of Section 20, Township 4, Range
3 west, and consist of several east-and-west ranges, in which the ore is found in flat openings in
the " Brown Rock " division of the Galena limestone. The ground is owned by Messrs. Bar-
ber, Dewey & Cox. There are about fifty men employed here, mining chiefly in the old work-
ings at a depth of from thirty to fifty feet below the surface. The annual product of the Pigeon
Diggings is about two hundred and fifty thousand pounds of lead ore. Mining is chiefly con-
fined to the winter season. During the last year a sheet of Smithsonite was discovered on the
southeast quarter of Section 19, which has produced sixty tons.
Hackett's Diggings. — These mines are situated on Section 17, Township 4, Range 4 west.
They have been idle for several years. Work has recently been resumed on them by the follow-
ing parties : Hutchcroft & Pigg, and Whitehead & Co. They have now good paying mines in
the sixty-five-foot opening. The annual product is about thirty thousand pounds.
Nip-and-Tuck Diggings. — Situated on the south half of Section 25, Township 4, Range
5 west. They consist of several east-and-west ranges crossed by north-and-south ranges. Very
little mining is now done here. The parties are Sillick & Co. and Roberts & Co. The annual
product is about twenty thousand pounds.
Muscalunge Diggings. — Situated on Section 26, Township 4, Range 5 west. There are
here numerous east-and-west ranges, from a quarter to a half a mile in length, lying near Rat-
tlesnake Creek. More activity is displayed here in mining operations than anywhere else in the
district, about half of the ore smelted in the Beetown furnace being obtained here. In addition
to the east-and-west ranges already mentioned, there are a great number of small parallel crev-
ices running nearly east and west, and crossed by various quartering ores, forming a perfect net-
work of veins and crevices. The following parties are operating in this vicinity :
Graham Mining Company. — This is a Milwaukee mining company who own and work a
large tract of ground comprising the west half of Section 26. The workings are all in the
sixty- five-foot opening. The following section of the Dewey & Maiden shaft is given, which
shows the position of strata from the top of the ridge downward :
Soil and clay 15 feet.
Galena limestone 38 feet.
Tough light rook, hard and flinty 2 feet.
Openings from five to twelve feet high, 12 feet.
Hard rock with layers of flint 66 feet.
Opening (workings) 13 feet.
Galena limestone to top of Trenton 35 feet.
Total thickness 180 feet.
The two openings are seen here to be separated by sixty-five feet of intervening barren
rock. The ground is drained by a level about three-quarters of a mile long, run on the random
of the lower opening at an expense of $20,000. It empties into one of the adjacent branches
of Rattlesnake Creek. It could easily be drained to the top of the blue limestone by a level in
354 HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION.
the horizon of the pipe-clay opening. A convenience in hoisting was noticed here which might
profitably be adopted in other portions of the lead region. A six-inch hole had been drilled
from the surface to one of the drifts for purposes of ventilation. An artesian well-bucket was
then put on, and all small stuff and wash dirt was removed through the hole, thus saving a long
and unnecessary transportation underground to the main shaft. The company has worked con-
tinuously here for many years. The ground has been very productive ; it produced in one year
1,300,000 pounds. Its average annual production for the last nine years is estimated at 300,000
pounds of lead ore.
James Thomas ^ Co. — This company has been working here for the last fifteen years. The
ore is found on the east-and-west range in the sixty-five-foot opening. The diggings are dry,
and from 150 to 160 feet deep. The average production is 150,000 pounds of lead ore per
annum. The ground is owned by Mr. Dewey.
Hutchcroft ^ Thom,as. — Situated four hundred and fifty feet south of the preceding, and
connected with them underground. They are in the same opening as the preceding, and have
been worked continuously for many years. During the last year, they have been idle, having
been sold by the parties who operated them. When worked, their annual product was 150,000
pounds.
Hutchinson, Dewey ^ Co. — Situated on the southeast quarter of Section 26, east of James
Thomas & Co., and in the same range and opening. This party has been working here siace
1869, and has now a very good prospect. The average depth below the surface is one hundred
and sixty feet. In some cases, it is one hundred and eighty feet. They are connected with the
Adkinson Diggings by a quartering range. They have produced about 30,000 pounds in the
last three years.
Adkinson Diggings. — Situated a short distance east of the preceding, and connected with
it. Access is gained to these diggings through a level about a quarter of a mile long, emptying
into the valley of Rattlesnake Creek. The level was run on a northeast crevice, which con-
tained a large amount of ore, and was frequently intercepted with east-and-west crevices. These
diggings have been worked continuously during the last twenty years. During the last fifteen
years, the annual product has been 150,000 pounds of lead ore.
Showalter ^ Payten. — Situated a quarter of a mile southeast of the preceding, and near
the south line of the Dewey land. These parties commenced two years since, and are now work-
ing an east-and-west range in the sixty-five-foot opening. During the last two years, the prod-
uct has been 70,000 pounds.
Arthur ^ Co. — Situated two hundred feet south of the preceding, on Mr. Arthur's land.
This is a new east-and-west range discovered in the spring of 1876. A shaft has been sunk
ninety feet to the sixty-five-foot opening, and a small amount of ore produced. The appearances
in this new range are quite encouraging.
Hitter ^ Bock. — Northeast quarter of Section 85, Township 4, Range 5 west ; situated on
land owned by Mr. Ritter. This is a new east-and-west range, discovered in the summer of
1875. It is worked in the sixty-five-foot level. It is regarded as a good prospect, and has
already produced 20,000 pounds.
Loomis ^ Go. — Situated on the land of the Graham Mining Company, in the southern part.
This is also a new east-and-west range, discovered in August, 1876. It has produced about
12,000 pounds. The mine is now in a condition to yield 1,000 pounds per day. The lead ore
in the Muscalunge mines occurs in direct contact with the wall rock, usually in vertical sheets,
and without any of the associate vein minerals which are usually found in the other mining
districts.
POTOSI DISTRICT.
Mining operations here are chiefly confined to the winter season. The old ranges of the
Potosi Diggings are included in Sections 33 and 34, Township 3, Range 3 west. Their general
course is about north, 70° west, although some bear a few degrees more to the west, and some a
few more to the north. They numbered about thirty in all, which were considered as separate
HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION. 355
and distinct ranges ; and, in addition, there were many smaller crevices, not sufficiently impor-
tant to constitute ranges by themselves. Among the more important were the Long, Wooley,
Gillet, Gilmore, Smith, Polkinghorn and Barbara, some of which were over a mile in length.
The productive portion of these ranges is confined to the middle and lower portions of the Galena
limestone, none of the crevices having as yet proved as low as the brown rock ; the ore is usu-
ally found in sheets of varying thickness.
Considerable irregularity exists in the formation of many of the crevices in the Potosi dis-
trict, by which they seem to split up in the lower beds of the limestone, forming key rocks and
divergent crevices. An instance in point was seen in the diggings of Mr. Meredith, in the north-
east quarter of Section 33, about three hundred feet south of the old Wooley range, on the sum-
mit of the ridge. A shaft was sunk in the main crevice, which continued without change for
sixty feet from the surface. At this point a hard key rock, as it is called, was encountered, on
which the crevice and ore sheets divided, one part continuing vertical and the other slanting
downward at an angle of about forty-five degrees, for a distance of thirty feet. Here a very
hard and smooth floor was found, on which the sheet was followed out by drifting for a distance
of 130 feet, without reaching the end. No appearance of openings was observed. These dig-
gings were struck about six years ago (1870), and have produced since then about four hundred
and twenty thousand pounds.
Rockville Diggings. — There are here a number of east-and-west ranges with flat openings,
which have been worked with but little interruption since 1840, and now furnish employment
to about twenty miners. Mining is chiefly confined to the winter season. The following par-
ties are now operating here :
Phillips ^ Walker. — Southwest quarter of southwest quarter of Section 13, Township 3,
Range 3 west. These parties are working a new east-and-west range, discovered by them in the
summer of 1874. The ore is found at a depth of about one hundred feet below the surface, in flat
openings from fifty to sixty feet wide, whose length has not yet been ascertained. They have,
however, been worked to a distance of 300 feet. The lead ore is found in what is known here
as the second opening, which lies about thirty feet above the upper surface of the blue limestone.
Their annual product is 30,000 pounds.
Dilger Mines. — Northwest quarter of northwest quarter of Section 24. This is a new range,
discovered in January, 1876. The works are as yet confined to the first opening, which is here
thirty feet above the second. It has produced, during the past year, 40,000 pounds.
Hayward Range. — Southwest quarter of Section 13. This range has been worked continu-
ously every winter since its discovery in 1841, and has yielded in all between four and five mill-
ion pounds. It is now worked by Messrs. Jackson & Calloway, in the second opening, which
is here from thirty to forty feet wide. It produces about one hundred thousand pounds per
annum.
Warfield Range. — Southwest quarter of Section 13. This range has been worked every
winter during the last thirty years, and has produced about two million pounds. It is now
worked by Messrs. White & Dunn, in the second opening, which is here from thirty to forty
feet wide. Its annual product is about one hundred thousand pounds.
Ournow and Pillow Range. — Southwest quarter of Section 13. This range has not been
idle during the last thirty years, and is still productive. During the last fifteen years the
range tas produced over 100,000 pounds per annum. Messrs. Nichols & Stevens are now min-
ing in it, and producing 20,000 pounds per annum.
Emery ^ Davis Level. — Northwest quarter of northwest quarter of Section 24. The level
was commenced in 1852, and is now 600 feet long, and drains the ground in its vicinity nearly
as low as the second opening. Its cost was about |20,000. The excavations here were of the
nature of a quarry, several flat sheets of lead ore being found inter-stratified with the Galena
limestone. While the level was in operation, the annual product was about 100,000 pounds.
The level drains the Langstaff and Willey ranges, which were discovered about thirtv years ago,
and have been worked continuously ever since. Most of the lead ore is obtained from the first
356 HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION.
opening. The annual product is 50,000 pounds. These ranges have been worked to the present
water level, leaving sheets of ore from twelve to eighteen inches thick, going down. The level
should be run a few rods further to connect with a north-and-south crevice ; it would then
probably drain all the ranges much deeper.
Stone ^ Bryhon. — Situated near the northwest corner of Section 1, Town 3, Range 3 west,
on land owned by Mr. Stone, about three miles north of the village of Rockville. The works
are in the first opening, which is from eight to ten feet wide. They have been worked in the
winter season during the last four years, producing annually between -30,000 and 40,000 pounds.
They were formerly worked by Mr. Grushara, and were more productive. The mines are dry.
Crristvold Diggings. — Situated about a quarter of a mile south of the preceding. These are
dry diggings, worked in the first opening, which is here about six feet high and from ten to
thirty feet wide. They have been worked continuously during the last seven years, producing
about 65,000 pounds per annum.
Henry Gillilan's Diggings. — These diggings are situated about three miles southeast of
Rockville, on the Platte River. They are dry diggings, and have been worked during the last
four years in the first opening, which is here thirty feet wide and about six feet high. The
annual product is 25,000 pounds.
British Hollow Diggings. — But little mining is now done in these mines. The following
parties are now mining here :
J. Alderson's Diggings. — Northwest quarter of Section 26, Town 3, Range 3 west. They
are situated on the Craig range, in the village of British Holland. This range was worked by
a Cincinnati company for three years ; they abandoned it two years ago. This company pro-
duced about 3,000,000 pounds during the time of their operation. Mr. Alderson commenced
mining here again in July, 1876, with a steam pump, and has sunk four shafts. The workings
are about 120 feet deep in the second opening, and in the third, which is about twenty-five feet
below the second. The mine has not produced much yet, as the time has been mostly consumed
in preliminary operations.
Peak ^- Blair. — Northwest quarter of Section 26. These parties have also been working
in the Craig range during the past summer (1876). They have a flat sheet of lead ore about five
inches thick in the first opening, which here averages twenty feet in width. This range has
been worked during the last forty years. The product of the present parties has been about
20,000 pounds.
Butch Hollow Diggings. — They are situated on the north half of Section 36, Township 3,
Range 3 west, about two and a half miles east of Potosi. The following parties are now opera-
ting here:
Dutch Hollow Level Company. — Mining operations have been carried on here continuously
for the last six years, excavating a level on or near the upper surface of the blue limestone.
The level is now about a half a mile long, and it is expected to reach the main shaft in about a
month. When completed, the level will unwater all the Galena limestone above it, which is
here about one hundred feet thick. It is expected to unwater the Kendall, and many other old
ranges in the vicinity, as deep as the third opening. The level is not producing much now.
During the year 1872, it produced 60,000 pounds.
Mup ^ Son. — Northeast quarter of Section 35. This party has been working during the
last six months in a part of the Zug range. The ore is found in the first opening, which is here
about fifteen feet wide. The production has been 1-50,000 pounds.
Zug Diggings. — An east-and-west range, being same range and opening as preceding.
Mined, at depth of 75 feet, 150,000 pounds.
Langstaff ^ Grillan. — Situated three-quarters of a mile northeast of the preceding, in the
creek in Section 25. The lead ore is found here in a flat sheet in the first opening, near the
water level and about thirty feet below the surface. Three men have been working here twelve
months, and have produced 60,000 pounds. The production of the Potosi district, including
Rockville, British Hollow and Dutch Hollow, could not be definitely ascertained, as very little
HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION. 357
record has been kept of it. It is estimated at 80,000 pounds per annum. Mining in this dis-
trict is generally abandoned in summer for farming, and resumed again in the winter, in the
lack of other employment. In this way a large number of men are at work in the winter, each
rasing a small amount by prospecting, which forms in the aggregate the total product of the
district.
EAIRPLAT DISTRICT.
The only mines in this vicinity, which have recently produced anything, are those of
Black & Co., on the northeast quarter of Section 24, Township 1, Range 2 west, and those of
Williams & Co., near the center of Section 19, Township 1, Range 1 west.
Black ^ Co. — This property, which comprises in all about two hundred and forty acres, is
owned by Messrs. Joseph and Thomas Sparks. It has been known to be rich ground for many
years, and to contain, besides the ore, an immense amount of water, which was the chief obsta-
cle to be overcome. Previous to the operations of Mr. Black, it had been attempted by three
separate parties, at as many different times, but always with more or less loss. Mr. Black
commenced work oh it, in 1871, by means of pumping, and continued to add pumps, engines and
pumping machinery at intervals. At the time the mine was visited (June, 1874), there were in
operation two steam pumps, and two large lift pumps, together with three boilers and two
engines, one of them about thirty-hcrse power. The company then contemplated adding a-
large engine and machinery. It was estimated that about a thousand gallons of water per
minute were being pumped from the mine, and, when the lower opening is reached, which is
thought to be about fifteen feet deeper, it will become necessary to pump about fifteen hundred
gallons per minute.
The mine is in the upper beds of the Galena limestone, which is here present in its full
thickness, and, indeed, the first few feet of the shafts are sunk through the lowest bed of the
Cincinnati group, as may be seen from the yellow clay with the characteristic shells, in any of
the shallow prospecting holes in the vicinity.
The following section of the strata penetrated in sinking the pump-shaft, will give a cor-
rect idea of the formations here represented :
CINCINNATI OKOUP. Feet. Inches.
Soil and clay bed 20
Pipe-clay • 10
Bed of black clay 4
Shaly layers 10
GALENA LIMESTONE.
Galena limestone, in thin layers 4
Galena limestone cap, in layers four feet thick, gradually increasing in thickness
to the bottom 30
Opening, containing ore 30
Total depth of shaft 86
The course of the vein is nearly east and west, and five shafts have been sunk upon it, the
deepest of which has reached a point one hundred and five feet below the surface. The openin"
now presents the appearance of a series of large rooms or caves, from fifteen to twenty feet wide,
and about fifteen feet high, for a distance of six hundred feet. The vein was crossed in several
places by bars of hard rock, one of which wa? sixty-five feet in thickness. The bars alwiys
caused a decrease in the size of the opening, and sometimes nearly cut off the vein. In other
places, the opening contracted in width, in which case the ore usually occurred in a solid sheet,
sometimes as much as seven feet thick by seven and a half feet high. In the caves or larger
parts of the opening, the ore was found in large masses, weighing sometimes several thousand
pounds. Two large masses were found which weighed respectively fifty thousand and twenty-
seven thousand pounds. With the ore large masses of rock were found mixed with loose dirt
and a fine, dark clay.
358 HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION.
The sides of the opening were much washed and worn by water, shtwiig a very regular
stratification, with no appearance whatever of faults or dislocations. Each of the caves in the
opening had a chimney going down, apparently to a second opening, which has never yet been
proved or worked.
The upper part of the opening was sometimes filled with a large key-rock,having a crev-
ice in each side of it. Sometimes, however, the key-rock was replaced by a flat cap-rock con-
taining crevices.
The appearance of these caverns, as we passed through them, was a sight not soon to be
forgotten. On the floo • lay great misses of rock which had fallen from above, wish clay, con-
tinually moistened from the dripping walls and arching roo', and, here and there, the feeble
light revealed rich masses of glittering ore.
Williams ^ Go. — This mining property is situated about three-quarters of a mile north-
east of Black's Mine, and was operated by the proprietors, Messrs. Thomas and Jeremiah
Williams and Mr. O'Connor. The water in this ground is not nearly so abundant as in other
mines. It is easily removed with a common lift-pump, worked with a ten-horse-power engine ;
the amount seldom exceeds 250 gallons per minute. Mining has been confined to the
upper half of the Galena limestone. The lower clay beds of the Cincinnati group are
also found here, but there is not so great a thickness of them as at Black's Mine. The pump-
shaft commences at the top of the Galena limestone, and is sunk to a depth of 106 feet, at
which point the top of the second opening is found, after passing through the first opening,
which is situated at a depth of forty-seven feet from the surface, and is probably identical with
the first opening at Black's Mine, which it much resembles in its general appearance. The
first opening here consists of a series of large caves or enlargements of the crevice, with chim-
neys going down to the second opening.
The ore was found in masses, mixed with clay and large pieces of stone, which had appar-
ently fallen from the roof or cap. The lead ore, from its greater specific gravity, usually occu-
pies the lower part or floor of the opening. The course of the range is very nearly east and
west, but bears a little north on its western end.
The length of drifts in the top opening amounts to about nine hundred feet. It is about
worked out at the western end, but still continues good at the east. Several masses of lead ore
were found in this opening weighing from fourteen to fifteen thousand pounds. A singular
formation of ore was found in the top opening. The mine was discovered and opened in Febru-
ary, 1872, and since then has probably been the most productive and remunerative mine in the
district, on account of the comparatively small amount of water to contend with and the large
amount of lead ores obtained, which has been estimated at two and a half million pounds. Work
was suspended on this mine in the fall of 1876, and has not since been resumed.
Fairplay Level Co. — A company consisting of Messrs. Merry, dinger, Rewell, Pier and
Natte, having formed a stock company, with a capital of $50,000, have been engaged during
the last eight years in running a level on land owned by George Siddell & Co. This level is
commenced on the east half of the southwest quarter of Section 26, Township 1, Range 2 west,
about three-quarters of a mile below the village of Fairplay. It has been run eastward a dis-
tance of 2,200 feet, and thence south 70 feet, and has cost about $30,000.
One "shift" of three men is the usual number employed, and it is not expected that the
level will be completed for many years. Its greatest depth below the surface is 140 feet, and
forty-eight feet below the natural water level ; one mile farther east it will drain about sixty
feet below the present water level.
This level will unwater the whole of Section 25, and will cut the following ranges in the
third opening : The Crabtree, Thompson, Engine, Carus, Bruce, Lost range, Franklin, Sew-
ard and Cave range. The openings in these ranges are vertical ; they were formerly worked
and abandoned with lead ore in them going below the water. When these ranges are unwatered
they will undoubtedly be very productive.
HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION. 359
In the vicinity of Fairplay, about fifty men find employment in mining during the winter ;
in summer the mines are idle. The greater part of the lead ore raised in this district comes
from the mines south of the village, and, exclusive of the two large mines previously described,
has not exceeded 50,000 pounds per annum for the last six years.
HAZEL GREEN DISTRICT.
The Hazel Green District exhibits considerable activity at present in mining operations,
and the reports of smelters in this vicinity show that a large amount of ore is raised here. Dur-
ing the years 1872 and 1873, miners were attracted to other localities by the prospect of higher
wages, which caused a temporary decrease in the production of lead ore; the mines, however,
remained unimpaired. The miners have now returned, and the mines have regained their nor-
mal productive condition.
The most remunerative and continuously productive portion of the district is the property
of the Hazel Green Mining Company, otherwise known as Crawford, Mills & Co. It is situ-
ated on the northwest quarter of Section 30, part of the southwest quarter of Section 30, part
of the northeast quarter of Section 30, part of the southeast quarter of Section 19, the south-
west quarter of Section 19, the northwest quarter of Section 19, the west half of the southwest
quarter of Section 18, all in Township 1, Range 1 east ; also, the northeast quarter of Section
24, and the east half of the east half of Section 25, Township 1, Range 1 west, comprising in
all 1,106 acres, on which over four hundred and fifty distinct mineral veins have been discovered
and worked.
During the early days of mining these grounds were worked from the surface as deep as
was then possible, which was only about thirty-five feet, when they had to be abandoned.
Pumping was tried on some of the larger bodies of ore, but as a general thing was found to be
too expensive to be very remunerative, on account of the vast amount of water which the ground
contained. In the year 1862, Crawford, Mills & Co. commenced their level from a point on
the Hard-Scrabble Branch, and have been working it continuously ever since. Its total com-
pleted length is now about four thousand feet.
It is a feature of this ground that it is traversed by several bars or belts of ground which
are very hard and impervious to water. As soon as the level is driven through one of them, it
unwaters the ground in all directions to the next bar.
Some time in the year 1871, one of those bars was reached which was so hard that blasting
with powder made but little impression on it. As an experiment, nitroglycerine was tried and
gave the greatest satisfaction, so much, indeed, that a factory has been established here, and it is
gradually being introduced into the mines. It is at present used in Dubuque, Galena, New
diggings and several other places. It was at first regarded with some dislike and distrust by
the miners, but this prejudice is fast being overcome, and nitro-glycerine, or some of its com-
))ounds, will probably supplant gunpowder in the mines at no distant day. The factory at
Hazel Green produced, during the first three years, about 3,000 pounds of nitro-glycerine, and
the demand is steadily increasing.
On account of the position of the bars, it was found necessary to make three branches to the
level, one of which is now completed and is gradually draining the western part of the ground.
The northern branch, when completed, will undoubtedly unwater the rest of the ground.
This level is an evidence of what can be done by scientific mining, when carried on per-
.sistently and systematically, with sufficient capital, applied with foresight and sagacity. It has
cost the company twelve years of time, and about $100,000. Its results are, that it has already
repaid the outlay of capital by the ore raised from the ground unwatered by it, which would
otherwise have been inaccessible. When completed, it will unwater the ground 135 feet below
the natural water level on the ridge. It furnishes employment to about eighty miners during the
mining season.
Quite a large and clear stream of water is discharged from the mouth of the level, and is at
present used to operate a furnace and three wash-places. The ore in the Hazel Green mines is
360 HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION.
usually found in sheets ; this is its characteristic mode of occurrence. The ranges are approxi-
mately east and west, or north and south, the former being the most productive. Ore is also some-
times found in large bunches or pockets, containing sometimes several thousand pounds, and
occasionally in openings. The pockets are often lined with large and very regular cubes, afford-
ing handsome cabinet specimens. The total production since the discovery of these mines, has
been carefully computed from the smelter's accounts at about 126,000,000 pounds. Their pres-
ent product "is about 800,000 pounds per annum.
Mining in this vicinity is confined to the upper half of the Galena limestone, which is here
present in its entire thickness, the clay of the lower beds of the Cincinnati group being found
near the village, on the road to Galena. A section of the strata from the top of the ridge to the
level would present approximately the following features :
Soil and flints 15 feet.
Galena limestone 90 feet.
* Shales or thin layers of limestone 10 feet.
First clay opening 10 feet.
Second clay opening 20 feet.
Flint opening to floor of level 20 feet.
Total thickness 165 feet.
The following are the parties who are now engaged in mining on the company's land, or have
been during the course of the present survey :
Richard Mistice ^ Co. — These parties were working in a new locality, and had, at the
time they were visited, one of the handsomest displays of ore ever seen in the grounds. The
bottom of the shaft had penetrated an opening filled with soft earth. The sides of the opening
were lined with a body of ore which presented an unbroken mass of cubic crystals of various
sizes, some of them being as much as six inches on a side, and of very perfect shape, affording
very handsome cabinet specimens. There were not less than 10,000 pounds of lead ore in sight,
in a place about ten feet long. This body of ore is known to continue several feet deeper to the
drift below. These diggings were worked until the fall of 1875, and produced 120,000 pounds.
Rowe ^ Rowe. — This is a new range, and was discovered in March, 1874. It is [an east-
and-west sheet, in which the ore occurs in a crevice three or four inches wide, at a depth of about
sixty feet below the surface, and about thirty-five feet above the flint opening. Work was sus-
pended here in September, 1876. The total amount produced to that time was 50,000 pounds.
Richard Justice's Diggings — Are situated on the Phelps range ; shafts are ninety feet deep,
down to the clay openings. Length of drifts about 150 feet. The ore here occurs in a sheet
about an inch thick. The diggings were worked from June, 1872, to June, 1875, and produced
about 40,000 pounds. Near these diggings, and about ten feet deeper, is an east-and-west sheet
dipping tothe north, carrying bunches of blende, which affords quite handsome crystals.
Manwaring and Madison Range. — This is an east-and-west range, and is sometimes known
as the Hinch Range, from the name of a party who formerly worked it, and by whom it was
abandoned in 1858. Since the level has been run, the water has fallen about fifty feet in this
ground, and in December, 1873, work was resumed on it by Crawford, Mills & Co., since which
time it has produced 40,000 pounds of lead ore. The shaft is down about fifty-five feet, or
within six feet of the flint opening. Work was suspended on it in June, 1875.
John Edwards' Diggings. — Situated a short distance further west on the same range, a
flat sheet of blende is found here in the second opening, at a depth of eighty feet below the sur-
face. The order of deposition here is : 1st, pyrite; 2d, galenite; 3d, blende. During the win-
ter of 1875-76, the product was blende, ten tons; lead ore, 1,400 pounds.
Bull Pump Range. — This range was worked by Jackson & Co. during the years 1873-
74-75, producing 90,000 pounds. Work was suspended here in the fall of 1875.
Bininger Range. — This range has been worked at intervals since May, 1874. It is now
worked by Stephens, Mankivel & Rowe; four men are employed, working with a horse pump
in the second opening. During the present year the product has been 30,000 pounds.
^^C-Ccf'-^uio /<^^^:^j;:^
(deceas cd^
MINERAL POINT.
HISTOKT OF THE LEAD KEGIOX. 3i3
Big Pump Range. — This range has been worked since October 1, 1876, by Richard Eus-
tice & Co. A small amount of ore has been produced from the first opening".
McCoy Water-wheel Range. — Work was re-commenced here about August 1, 1876, by
Rowe & Son, in the first opening.
Oates ^ Eustiae. — This party has been working during the last year and a half on a range
two hundred feet north of the west branch of the level. The lead ore is found in a flat sheet in
the second opening. The opening is seven feet high, and averages seven feet in width. The
sheet is about one foot thick. The product to the present time has been 150,000 pounds.
Clark's Diggings. — Two men have been working during the last year in the range next
north of the McCoy Water-wheel Range. The ore is found as " chunk mineral" in the second
opening, which is here six feet wide. The product has been 30,000 pounds.
Tregenza ^ Son. — Work was commenced by this party, in the fall of 1874, on the Dry-
bone range, south of the Badger lot. The works are in the second opening, which is here
from ten to twelve feet wide, and contains a flat sheet about five inches thick, of which the
upper part consists of lead ore, and the lower of zinc ores. The product has been— zinc ores,
twenty tons ; lead ore, 20,000 pounds. Very handsome specimens of galenite, coated with
cerusite, are obtained here.
W. H. Justice Sf Bro. — This party commenced work in the fall of 1875 at Crawford's
little pump shaft. They worked in the second opening during the winter of 1875-76, and sus-
pended in the summer on account of water. The prospect is good, and they expect to resume
work this winter (1876). Product, 10,000 pounds.
Edwards Estate.— Qn this land, there are several old ranges, now drained by the level of
Crawford, Mills & Co., in which the following mining has been done :
Peter Skinner, in the winters of 1874-75 and 1875-76, produced 100,000 pounds.
Moffat ^ Co., in the same seasons, produced 80,000 pounds.
Pierce ^ Trewather, in the same seasons, produced 70,000. Other parties in the same
time, in small amounts, 100,000.
In addition to the parties already mentioned, there are, in the winter season, usually about
sixty miners at work on the lands of the Hazel Green Mining Company.
The following diggings are in the village of Hazel Green, but not on the lands of the Hazel
Green Mining Company : McBreen ^ Co. This is an east-and-west sheet, connected with a
quartering one averaging about an inch thick, situated on the land of Dr. McBreen, on the
northwest quarter of Section 25, Township 1, Range 1 west. The range was worked in 1844,
and the ore taken out to the water level. The water having become much reduced by the Hazel
Green Company's level, work was recommenced in 1871, since which time about fifty-five thou-
sand pounds of lead ore have been taken out. The diggings are in the upper beds of the
Galena limestone, and not down to any opening.
TorneaVs Diggings. — A short distance southwest of the preceding is a range consisting of
twenty parallel crevices about twenty-five feet apart, and bearing north 15° east. Work was
abandoned on them in 1850, and was recommenced by Mr. Torneal about eight years a^o, since
which time they have produced 42,000 pounds. Considerable time and labor have been
expended in running a cross drift to prove the ground and ascertain the number and position of
the crevices. The distance here to water is eighty feet, and the diggings are in the upper beds
of the Galena limestone.
Roive tf- Vivian. — This was formerly known as the Chizzem range, and is situated on
Edward Williams' land, in the southwest quarter of Section 25, Township 1, Range 1 west, in
the southern part of the village of Hazel Green. It is a north-and-south range, and was
worked and abandoned in 1854. Work on it was recommenced by the present parties in
November, 187-3. Since then it has produced 24,000 pounds. The full thickness of Galena
limestone is here present, overlaid by a few feet of clay of the Cincinnati group. The deepest
shaft is 106 feet, and the total length of drifts is about 190 feet. Work was suspended here in
the spring of 1875.
36i
HISTOEY OP THE LEAD EEGION.
Williams ^ Brother. — Oa Edward Williams' land. This party commenced in the fall of
1875, and are now mining in a range a short distance west of the diggings of Eustice & Co., in
the village of Hazel Green. They are working on a vertical sheet, and have produced to the
present time 20,000 pounds.
Qhandler's Diggings. — These diggings are situated on Mr. We'Jierbee's land, and on the
Sulphur Lot Range. Work was commenced two years ago, and continued to the present time.
The works are in the second opening, which is from six to eight feet wide, and contain a sheet
of lead ore from one to two inches thick, and also large, irregular masses which afford handsome
specimens. The mine has produced 500,000 pounds, and is now very good.
PLATTEVILLE DISTRICT.
This district embraces the diggings in the immediate vicinity of the village and the Whig and
Big Patch Diggings. The geological position is about the middle of the Galena limestone. The
mining has been carried on principally by small parties. The annual production aggregates
395,000.
Gillis Mange. — This is the longest and largest range in the Whig Diggings, being half a
mile in length. A crevice opening was found from thirty to fifty feet below the surface, and
is from three to five feet high. Some seven parallel crevices were discovered in 1839. About
5,000,000 pounds have been secured since that time.
The Robbing Range is a short distance north of the Gillis. It was struck in 1840, and
produced 500,000 pounds. In 1866, Cronin & Stevens resumed work which had long been
suspended, and raised about 300,000 pounds.
Duncan Range, a little way south of the Gillis, has given forth 1,500,000 pounds.
Messersmith Range produces only Smithsonite.
Missouri Range has produced 650,000 pounds, and has an annual product of 5,000.
Dutch Range was discovered in 1840. Some 200,000 pounds have been raised, and the
products^is about 5,000 annually.
Wilkinson and Cronin Ranges have given 300,000 pounds.
Smith Rarige produced 200,000 pounds, but is exhausted.
Big Patch Diggings put out 500,000 annually, divided among several parties, of whom
Dixon & Coats represent four-fifths of the raise.
Hawkins, Thomas ^ Go. own the discovery on the southwest quarter of Section 31, Town
3, Range 1 west, made in 1872. The ore is blende, somewhat mixed with rock, and occurs in a
flat sheet on the upper surface of the blue limestone. The sheet has in some places a thickness
of five feet. It lies partially in the bed of a small stream.
BUNCOME DIGGINGS.
The Buncome Diggings form a subdistrict belonging to Hazel Green. They are situated
on the Galena River, near ihe mouth of Bull Branch. They were formerly very productive
diggings, and a few parties are still working in them. They are situated in the brown rock,
which is the lowest bed of the Galena limestone, and is here from twenty to thirty feet thick,
and extends down to the creek-bed at the State line, where the top of the blue limestone may be
seen. At the mouth of the Bull Branch the top of the blue limestone is found to be twenty feet
above the bed of the stream. Mining is generally carried on here by drifting into the side of
the hill. An example of this is seen on the land of Mr. Gabriel Mills, on the northwest quarter
of Section 32, Township 1, Range 1 east, where a flat sheet of ore was found on the top of the
brown rock, on which a number of short levels were run. Mr. Mills is now engaged in running
a level on the top of the blue limestone from Section 32, westward, to prove the ground for
blende, of which ore in small quantities has been occasionally found. The Buncome ground is
also remarkable as being the only locality in which native sulphur appears in sheet form.
Carpenter ^ Bennett. — These jwrtaes are mining on Mr. Mills' land, on the northeast
quarter of Section 32, Township 1, Range 1 east, on the east side of the Galena River. The
HISTOKY OF THE LEAD KEGIOX. 365
workings are as usual in the brown rock, and produce some lead ore and large amounts of car-
bonate of zinc and blende. Exactly how much could not be ascertained. They have worked
continuously since 1872.
Hicks, Fiddiclc ^ Co. — Situated on the land of the Edwards estate, on the southwest
quarter of Section 29, Township 1, Range 1 east. The diggings are about half a mile above
the mouth of the Bull Branch, and are also carried on in the brown rock. They are drained by
a level a quarter of a mile long, discharging one hundred gallons per minute, which was com-
menced in 1868. The ore is found in flat and pitching sheets, and sometimes contains a little
blende mixed with it. Twelve men are now employed here, and are producing a large amount
of Sraithsonite. Since the commencement of operations, about four hundred thousand pounds
of lead ore have been produced.
Gabriel Mills Diggings. — This ground is on the northwest quarter of Section 29, Town-
ship 1, Range 1 east, on the ridge dividing Bull and Hardscrabble Branches, and contained the
large lode mentioned in Prof. Whitney's report of 1862, on pages 285 and 286. The ore was
discovered here in 1854, and has been worked uninterruptedly ever since, which is somewhat
remarkable, as a single range seldom continues uniformly productive through so many years.
The property is owned by Mr. Mills and R. Pierce. The deepest shaft is 130 feet down to the
brown rock, in which the ore is found in flat and pitching sheets. The ore from these diggings is
always coated with pyrites, and some Smithsonite is found associated with it.
The ground has produced about eight million pounds of lead ore ; their present annual
average production is about fifty thousand pounds, with no sign of diminution.
tiimons ^ Sons. — Northeast quarter of northwest quarter of Section 32, Township 1, Range
1 east. A very fine prospect has recently been discovered by this party on Mr. G. Mill's land.
They commenced work about the 1st of September, 1876, with a horse-pump. After sinking
a shaft fourteen feet deep, a fiat sheet six inches thick was discovered in the upper pipe clay
opening. The sheet consists of lead ore, blende and pyrites, about half of the thickness being
lead ore.
There are also several isolated ranges lying between Hazel Green and Benton, and not
properly belonrring to either district. They are as follows :
Johns ^ Harvey. — On the northeast quarter of Section 6, Township 1, Range 1 east.
The range was struck in 1858, and was worked for some time with an engine and pump, and
then abandoned. Work was recommenced by Messrs. Johns & Harvey, in 1869, and they are
now working on the water-level at a depth of one hundred and ten feet below the surface, in
the middle portion of the Galena limestone. The range bears slightly north of west, and makes
ore in tumbling openings, mixed with clay and detached masses of stone. The opening is in some
places twenty feet wide, but does not correspond in geological positien with any of the Hazel
Green openings, as it is rather above them. Work was suspended here in the fall of 1874.
Their production to that time was 900,000 pounds of lead ore.
Dawson's Diggings are situated on the southeast quarter of Section 32, Township 2, Range
1 east. The general course of the range is east and west, but it is found to pitch in various
directions. They are worked about thirty feet below the surface, in the upper measures of the
Galena limestone. They were discovered in 1872. Since then, they have been worked contin-
uously, and have produced 80,000 pounds.
Dryhone Diggings. — Southwest quarter of Section 28, Township 2, Range 1 east. Mining
for drybone has now been carried on here by George Hoppenjohn for the last ten years. The
diirginr^s are known as the " Bone Patch," and are very shallow, not exceeding twelve or fifteen
feet in depth. The Smithsonite occurs in bunches as float, and does not make any regular
sheet or opening. The amount produced is about fifty tons per annum.
Barney Kesson's Diggings are situated about a quarter of a mile southwest of the preced-
ing, on the same quarter-section. Work is suspsailed in them during the summer seasons. They
are quite productive diggings, and have yielded 50,000 pounds of lead ore per annum for sev-
eral years.
366 HISTORY OF THE LEAD EEGION.
Anthony Sf Dixon's Diggings — Southeast quarter of Section 21, Township 2, Range 1 east.
These diggings are about a quarter of a mile south of the village of Jenkinsville, and are worked
altogether for blende, although the ore contains a little drybone and lead ore. They are on the
top of the blue limestone, in which a level is now being run, and is completed a distance of two
hundred feet. The ore is very close grained, shows no regular cleavage, and somewhat resembles
an ore of iron. It is remarkable by being intersected with thin parallel plates or laminae of
galenite lying very close together, presenting reflecting edges and being a constituent part of the
ore. The deposit was discovered in 1872, and has been worked continuously since. The pro-
duction has been 180 tons of blende and 10,000 pounds of lead ore per annum.
Kesting, Sines and others. — A short distance southeast of the preceding, on the same
quarter-section, are three parties at work on some drybone diggings. There are here several
quartering ranges having a southwest course. The Smithsonite lies from fifteen to sixty-five feet
below the surface, and in the lower measures of the Galena limestone. It " makes " in flats,
sheets, and pitches without much regularity. The ground has been worked about ten years for
drybone. The average annual production has been about 225 tons.
Spensley, Winn ^ Co. — Situated about a quarter of a mile southwest of Meeker Grove
post office. The above parties have been working here about five years. The ore is found in
an irregular flat sheet in the upper pipe clay opening. This ground has been worked at intervals
during the last twenty years. The water is removed by a horse-pump. The production of the
last two years is as follows : 1875, blende, 300 tons, lead ore, 20,000 pounds ; 1876 to October
1, blende, 400 tons, lead ore, 20,000 pounds.
Qreenwood ^ it/i'Zfer.— Southeast quarter of Section 7, Town 1, Range 1 east. This is an
east-and-west range, discovered by Cook twenty-five years since. The present parties became in-
terested in it in 1871. Five shafts, from seventy to ninety feet deep, have now been sunk, and two
drifts, of 300 feet each, have been run. The ore is found here in a crevice opening, sometimes
twelve feet high. The width of the opening is quite variable, as it is crossed by numerous north-
and-south crevices, which usually cause it to expand in width. Bunches of ore are found at the
crossings, but no regular sheets. The water is removed from the ground by two horse-pumps of
twelve-inch bore, six-feet stroke, which pump about ninety gallons per minute. It is estimated
that the ground has produced 1,000,000 pounds of ore, and its present annual product is
about 300,000 pounds.
NEW DIGGINGS DISTRICT.
Considerable lead ore is now being raised in the vicinity of new Diggings, being mostly in
the ridge immediately south of the village. The following section taken from the mines south of
the village will give a correct idea of the relative position of the several beds and openings :
Feet. Inches.
Soil and clay 14
Galena limestone 60
Flint bed 1 2
Shale 2
First opening (sometimes called crevice opening) 5
Limestone cap 2
Second opening (sometimes called flat opening) .5
Fliuty rock 9
Tbird opening (this is the principal fiat opening) 4
Galena limestone 4
"Putty bed" 3
Galena limestone 1 8
Fourth opening 6
Galena limestone 50
Flint opening 3
Brown rock to top of Blue limestone 13
Total / 178 3
Champion Diggings. — Northeast quarter of Section 26, Town 1, Range 1 east, on the New
Diggings ridge. There are several ranges here having a general east-and-west course, one of
HISTOEY OP THE LEAD REGION. 367
which, known as Champion's old lode, has probably yielded more than any single range in the
lead region. This and the other ranges owned by Mr. Champion are drained by a level a half
a mile long. This was completed in the year 1865, at an expense of about $70,000. It then
drained the ground, and in four years, with the labor of eight men, 5,000,000 pounds of ore
were taken out, which sold for about $500,000. This ore was contained in an immense open-
ing ; in some places forty feet wide by twenty-five feet high. This principal opening is now
worked out, but the range still continues productive, and has been worked uninterruptedly for
the last ten years. Average product per year, 85,000 pounds. "Work is now being carried on
south of the old ranges. At the western end, in the Meyers lot, a shaft has been sunk seventy-
three feet to the first opening, which is here about ten feet high and from twenty to thirty feet
wide. There are here three parallel crevices, one of which is about eight feet wide. Seven-
teen men are now employed in the Champion Diggings. Mining is carried on continuously,
and the annual product is about 200,000 pounds.
Qraig Diggings are situated in the New Diggings ridge, on the northeast quarter of Sec-
tion 26 and northwest quarter of Section 25, Township 1, Range 1 east. There are here three
principal east-and-west ranges, a few feet apart. The ore which is now worked is known as the
Simpson pump range. These ranges were discovered in 1834. In the spring of 1874, a shaft
was sunk on one of them, and they are now worked in the second opening. They produce only
lead ore, found in a flat opening which is one hundred feet wide, and has been worked to a length
of one hundred and fifty feet. They are worked only in the winter, and produce 40,000 pounds
per annum.
Craig, Sanders ^ Oamphell. — Work was commenced by this party in the fall of 1874, on
the east end of the Simpson pump range. The mining is carried on in the first opening. The
product has been 258,000 pounds, the greater part of which was produced in the year 1876.
The extreme west end of this range has been worked by Craig, Stephens & White during the
past year, but has not yet produced anything.
Craig Level Company. — A company consisting of several persons residing in New Diggings
and the adjacent towns, and representing an extensive capital, have been engaged for several
years in running a level on the south side of the New Diggings ridge, for the purpose of un-
watering the e.xtensive east-and-west ranges on and near the summit of the ridge. It is already
so far advanced that it has lowered the water in the mine several feet, sufficient to admit of the
production of enough lead ore to more than defray its expenses. Mining is now carried on in
pump range, the Mitchell range and several others; the company are making several ''cross-
cut drifts" for the purpose of prospecting their ground. The mining operations of the Craig
Level Company have been very productive of lead ore. The amounts produced previous to 1874,
could not be ascertained. During the y?ar 1873, it was 70,000 pounds, and from March, 1874,
to October ], 1876, the product was 2,075,470 pounds.
Brown, Dodge Jf- Co. — This party, consisting of four men, have been working in the west
end of the Mitchell Range, on land owned by Col. S. Scales. The product has been 10,400
pounds, all raised within the last year.
Harper, liird J' Co. — Situated in the New Diggings ridge, a short distance west of the
Craig Diggings, on two east-and-west ranges, known respectively as the Wiley and Engine, on
which the water has been reduced about four feet by the Craig level. They were quite large
ranges, and were extensively worked many years since. Work was resumed on them by the
above parties in February, 1873. Since then the product has been 303,000 pounds. The
crevice of the Engine Range is here about three feet wide, and the ore makes in the first opening ;
while on the Wiley Range the crevice is ten feet wide, and the ore makes in the crevice and not
in the opening. The ground is owned by Col. Sam Scales.
The existence of lead and zinc ore in the upper pipe clay opening (upper surface of the
blue limestone) is also known at New Diggings. A mining company, known as the Occidental,
was in operation in 1873, by who:n a level had been run on this opening, which resulted in the
discovery of a flat sheet of blende or lead ore.
368 HISTORY OF THE LEAD EEGION.
Catchall Diggings. — Northwest quarter of Section 30, Township 1, Range 2 east. These
diggings have in former years produced large quantities of ore; exactly how much, could not be
ascertained. After lying idle for some years, work was resumed on them in 1870 by S. and C.
Vickers, J. and T. Peacock and John Henry. They were worked for a year with a horse
pump, and after that with a steam pump, the former having been insufficient to remove the
water. There are here two north-and-south ranges crossed by several east-and-west ranges,
which produced blende and lead ore. The pump shaft is located in one of these crossings, and
is forty-eight feet deep. A series of levels was run from here to the New Diggings Ridge, by
which it was ascertained that the top of the ridge was on a level with the bottom of the shaft,
which shows that the openings existing at this place are above those at New Diggings, and
probably near the middle of the Galena limestone. The Catchall Diggings ceased being worked
in January, 1873. The pump and engine still remain on the ground. The product during the
three years of working is said to have been 2,000,000 pounds.
Howe ^ Alderson. — Southeast quarter of Section 15, Township 1, Range 1 east. This
ground is situated a short distance north of the Democrat furnace, and belongs to the Leakley
estate. The range was discovered and worked about 1847, and work was resumed on it by the
present parties about fourteen years since (1862). The general course of the range is east and
west ; the extent of the drifts is from three hundred to four hundred feet, in the course of which
five flat openings and one crevice opening have been found. The flat openings are not far above
the blue limestone. There are eight shafts going down to the openings from thirty to eighty
feet deep. The ore is generally small, with wash dirt ; but little large or " chunk mineral " is
found. The diggings are entirely free from water. During the past fourteen years they have
produced about one million pounds. Work was suspended here about January 1, 1876.
John Rain ^ Co. — Southeast quarter of Section 31, Township 1, Range 1 east. The land
is owned by Messrs. Hodge & Scales and the Field estate. The course of the range is north 5°
east. It is known as the Raspberry range from the name of the man who discovered it in
1849, and sometimes as the Dinsell range. The workings are all in the first of the New Dig-
gings opening, although the second has also been reached. There are five shafts down to the
opening, and about five hundred feet of drift. The opening is quite variable in size, and is
sometimes as much as thirty feet wide. The ore occurs as wash dirt, although large pieces are
occasionally found. The diggings have been worked for lead ore during the last seven years,
since which time Messrs. Rain & Co. have taken out as follows: 1871, 50,000 pounds; 1872,
100,000 ; 1873, 75,000 ; 1874, 75,000. The product for 1875-76 was not learned, butthe
mine is now productive.
DIGGINGS ON THE LEAKLEY ESTATE.
Rollins ^ Bros. — Four men have been employed here during the last year, working an
east-and-west range with a horse pump. The amount raised is not known, but it is understood
that the ground yields enough ore to pay good wages.
SaU ^ Rain. — Southeast quarter of Section 23, Township 1, Range 1 east. This is a
new east-and-west range on the Leakley estate, discovered in 1873. The ore occurs m a crevice
opening from forty to forty-five feet below the surface. Four shafts have been sunk in it, and
one drift ran a distance of 400 feet. About one hundred and nineteen thousand pounds have
been produced since they were discovered. Work was suspended in 1876.
H. Ashworth Diggings — Southeast quarter of Section 24, Township 1, Range 1 east. This
is an east-and-west range in the Leakley estate, discovered in the fall of 1873. The workings
at this place are confined by water to the first opening, which is here crossed by numerous quar-
tering swithers from four to six feet apart. The crossings are the most productive parts of the
opening, and the ore frequently comes up to the surface clay. At the time they were visited
(June, 1874), five shafts had been sunk about thirty-five feet deep. One of the drifts was about
one hundred feet long, and there were several of fifty feet each. The product to that time was
4,000 pounds of lead ore and fifteen tons of drybone. They have been working continuously
since, producing small amounts.
HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION. 369
Phcenix Lead Mining and Smelting Qompany. — Section 13, Township 1, Range 1 east.
A great deal of mining has been carried on here since a very early day. and the ground lias
been very productive of ore. The principal vein, which is known as the Ellis sheet, was discov-
ered by a miner of that name about thirty-five years since. Its course is north twenty degrees
east, and it has been worked for a distance of about half a mile. The workings so far have been
confined to the Galena limestone, ©f which there is a thickness of one hundred and fifty feet at
the pump-shaft at the summit ridge. This shaft has been sunk to a depth of one hundred
and fifteen feet, leaving thirty-five feet of the formation unexplored, exclusive of the underlying
Trenton limestones, which have here a thickness of about fifty feet. The sheet of ore is nearly
perpendicular, and varies from two to eighteen inches in thickness as deep as the shafts were
sunk. The same system of surface mining obtained here as at other places, by means of which
the ore was extracted down to the natural water level but a short distance below the surface,
leaving the main body of the ore untouched. In this manner, more than 2,500,000 pounds of
lead ore were obtained. In the year 1865, a level was commenced with a view to drain the
ground, and was prosecuted with slight intermission until 1872. Its present length is one thou-
sand seven hundred feet, and when completed it will drain the ground to a depth of one hundred
and thirty-five feet. Several other large east-and-west ranges traverse this ground, among which
are the Bobineau and the Dowd and McGinnis, on the west half of the southeast quarter of Sec-
tion 14, Township 1, Range 1 east, which have yielded heretofore not less than 3,000,000
pounds.
SHULLSBUKG DISTEICT.
Stapling Diggings. — The property is situated on the northwest quarter of Section 28,
northeast quarter of Section 29 and southeast quarter of Section 20, all in Township
1, Range 3 east. Although the mine is not in operation, it is in a condition to be worked
on very short notice. The following information in regard to it was obtained from the owner,
Mr. Edward Meloy, and personal inspection of the ground : Nearly, if not quite, the entire
thickness of Galena limestone is present at this locality. The northern outcrop of the Cincin-
nati group is about a mile to the southwest. The pump-shaft has been sunk in a natural chim-
ney to a depth of one hundred and twelve feet below the surface, and has now reached what is
known as the green bed or cap of the Shullsburg opening. The water was removed by an engine
and lifting-pump discharging five hundred gallons per minute. All the water came up in the
shaft through the chimney. While the pump was in operation, two springs, situated respect-
ively one-half mile east and northwest of the shaft, ceased to flow. There are two principal
ranges here — one bearing north thirty degrees east from the pump-shaft, and worked for a dis-
tance of eight hundred feet northeast of the shaft, and the other bearing north ten degrees east,
about one hundred and forty feet west of the shaft, worked about fi.ve hundred feet, connected by
a quartering range running north of east.
These ranges were struck in 3863 and worked until 1869, and are thought to be a contin-
uation of the Shullsburg elevator ranges. Two shafts sunk on the range, bearing north thirty
degrees east, have turned out one thousand pounds to the foot without any drifting, and the
whole' tract, within an area which would be embraced within three acres of ground, has produced
about 600,000 pounds. In every shaft from which ore has been raised, the indications of large
bodies below are very strong.
A very peculiar formation was found in sinking on the north thirty degrees east range.
Commencing at a depth of thirty-five feet from the surfice, a hard, brecciated limestone sets in,
filled with pyrites, and, in some cases, with galenite. This formation continues as deep as the
shafts were sunk. This was not found on other ranges in this locality, and is a mode of occur-
rence peculiar to one range.
The breccia consists of small, angular limestone, similar to the adjacent rock of the forma-
tion. It appears to have been caused by the undermining and falling-in of a portion of the
formation, by a previous subterranean drainage. The rubbing and grinding of the sides of the
370 HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION.
fissure against each other in the course of the movement broke off pieces of various sizes, and
the interstices and cavities were subsequently filled veith pyrites.
McNulty 3fine. — In June, 1873, work was recommenced in these old ranges, and consid-
erable capital expended in erecting new machinery and buildings, the old ones having been
burned. It is now owned and operated by Messrs. J. M. Ryan, of Galena, and M. A. Fox, of
Shullsburg. The mine is situated on the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section
15, Township 1, Range 2 east, a short distance south of the village of Shullsburg. There is
here a thickness of about two hundred feet of Galena limestone, or four-fifths of the entire
formation. The ore is obtained in the usual opening common to all the mines of the Shullsburg
district, between what are known as the green and clay beds, of which the green bed is re-
garded as the top and the clay bed as the bottom of the opening. In this mine the following strat-
tigraphical information was obtained : Five feet below the clay bed and one hundred and fifty
feet below the surface is an opening and a bed of white rock two feet thick, then a layer of
hard, gray rock, three feet thick. Below this was found a flat sheet of galenite, mixed with
pyrites, and indications of openings below. It is a peculiarity of the mining ground in this
ridge that all crevices south of the Shullsburg branch pitch or dip to the south, about six inches
in ten feet, until the summit of the ridge is reached. Here, as in the south shaft of the
McNulty, the crevices are vertical. In this shaft the crevice penetrates through the clay floor
and continues on going down, being the only crevice which has done so. Proceeding further
south, over the crest of the ridge, the crevices all pitch or dip to the north. Taken together,
this system of crevices seems to present a fan-like shape, approaching one another as they
descend.
In the spring of 1876, a new east-and-west range was discovered in this mine, south of and
parallel to the one already worked. It promises to be very productive of lead ore.
The production of this mine from June 1, 1873, to March 1, 1876, is as follows : 1873,
200,000 pounds; 1874, 150,000 pounds; 1875, 75,000 pounds ; 1876, 210,000 pounds.
Silverthorn Mine — Northwest quarter Section 32, northeast quarter Section 31, Township
2, Range 2 east. The greatest thickness of Galena limestone found on the ridge was about one
hundred feet. The ground is drained by a level run in the carbonaceous shale, on the top of
the blue limestone, which has here a very great thickness, being nowhere less than two feet, and,
in some places, seven and a half feet thick. It seems in this mine to replace the pipe-clay open-
ing. It is very easy to work, and consequently this level has been comparatively inexpensive.
This shale, when dried, burns with a bright yellow flame and much smoke until the carbon is
exhausted, but owing to the amount of calcareous matter it contains, it is not much reduced in
bulk. These diggings produced, in 1871, 200,000 pounds, and in 1872, about 100,000 pounds.
Their product in previous years could not be ascertained. Work was suspended in them in
1875. An analysis of lead ore from the Silverthorn mine gave the following results : Lead sul-
phide, 97.06; metallic lead, 84.07; insoluble silicious residuum, 1.76.
Rickert, Stevens ^ Co. — These diggings are situated on the northwest quarter of the nortli-
west quarter of Section 14, about five hundred feet east of the McNulty mine, and connected
with it. Their geological positions, in respect to strata and openings, are almost the same.
The ore is found in the usual Shullsburg opening; but, in a few instances, it runs above it for a
short distance, and then drops down again, presenting a saddle-shaped appearance. At the
south shaft the rock is very much disturbed and broken, apparently in an area about two hun-
dred feet in diameter. It is in loose masses, of all sizes and shapes, containing more or less
ore scattered through it, and the fine, earthy material known among the miners as sand. The
strata pitch in every conceivable direction and degree from horizontal to vertical. Crevices
and veins cannot be followed through it with any degree of certainty ; but at the borders of this
disturbed area, as well as above and below it, the strata have their normal position, which is
nearly horizontal. This is merely a local disturbance, and is probably due to the unequal hard-
ness and solubility of the formation. Considerable of the limestone seems to have been removed
by currents of water running through the opening, thus permitting large and small irregular
HISTOKY OF THE LEAD EEGIOX. 371
masses to fall from above, and filling the interstices with the fine, insoluble residuum
of sand.
In connection with this irregularity was noticed a remarkable "chimney," about thirty-six
feet long by twenty feet b.'"jad, and extending upward further than has yet been followed. It
was originally filled with loose masses of galenite, rock and sand. In the ground on this ridge
the sft-ata dip on both aides toward the north-and-south line between Sections 14 and 15, on the
west side, about four feet in a quarter of a mile, and on the east side, one foot in thirty rods.
The ground is drained by a horse-pump, into a level a short distance below the surface. The
mine produces very handsome cabinet specimens of galenite and calcite, in the form of dog-
tooth spar.
The following section will serve to convey a general idea of the arrangement of the strata
on this ridge :
Soil and clay 6 to 10 feet.
Galena limestone 100 feet.
Flintbed 4 to 8 feet.
Green bed to clay bed, including the opening 14 to 18 feet.
Galena limestone to top of blue limestone 65 feet.
Total average thickness 195 feet.
Reckoning upward from the top of the blue limestone to the top of the green bed or cap
of the Shullsburg opening, the distance is found to be about eighty feet, and in the New Dig-
gings section, from the top of the blue limestone section to the top of the flinty rock, which is
the cap of the third or main opening, the distance is eighty-two feet.
This establishes an identity of geological position of these two points. Measuring down-
ward from the cap in the Shullsburg opening, its average distance is found to be sixteen feet to
the bottom of the opening. In the New Diggings section the same distance includes all that
lies between the top of the third and bottom of the fourth opening, and finally, each is under-
laid by about the same thickness of unproductive rock. The correspondence between these open-
ings is thus very distinctly marked. The unproductive beds in the New Diggings openings
seem to disappear in going eastward, and finally the openings unite on reaching Shullsburg. In
regard to the production of these diggings, it is estimated that the south half of Section 10 and
the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 14, being an area of one mile long
on a course south seventy degrees east, and three-quarters of a mile wide, including the McNulty
an^ Rici.erts Diggings, have produced since the commencement of mining operations not less
than one hundred million pounds.
The bearing of the crevice on which Rickert, Stephens & Co. are now working, is due east
and west. The mineral is found about twelve feet below the green bed or cap, and is mixed with,
sulphur (pyrites). The rock is difierent from any before taken out of the mines in this section.
It is a dark blue, and mixed with sulphur and flint, and is very hard. In the opening, there is
copper rust or verdigris mixed with large balls of sulphur. Dog-tooth spar, or tifi', is also found
in large quantities, most of which is attached to the mineral. The company commenced work
in 1849, and on the present range in May, 1874. They are now operating a steam pump in
what is supposed to be a continuation of the South Diggings range. The product from June 1,
1873, to March 1, 1876, is as follows: 1873, 377,120 pounds; 1874, 201,966 pounds; 1875,
318,690 pounds; 1876, 158,720 pounds.
Dryhone Diggings. — Situated on the southwest quarter of the east quarter and the south-
east quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 4, Township 1, Range 2 east. The ranges here
run in nearly an east-and-west direction. The diggings are situated in the lower strata of the
Galena limestone ; the top of the blue limestone is found a short distance down the stream.
Although shallow, these diggings have been very productive of zinc ore, and are still successfully
worked.
Irish Diggings. — Section 2, Township 1, Range 2 east. These diggings have not been
worked for many years, on account of the water, but were formerly very productive, and were
372 HISTORY 01? THE LEAD REGION.
abandoned with ore going down in the crevices. The greatest thickness of Galena limestone in
this ground is about one hundred and fifty feet. They could be readily unwatered by means of
a level from some point on the Shullsburg branch.
Meloy ^ Fox. — In the early part of the year 1875, that part of the Irish Diggings known
as the Findley Cave range, was leased by Messrs. E. Meloy and M. A. Fox, of Shullsburg. It
is situated in the northeast quarter of Section 2, Township 1, Range 2 east, and comprises
ninety-nine acres of land lying about a mile northeast of the village. The range was worked
during the months of April, May and June, 1875, and in November of that year a steam engine
and pump were erected, and it has been worked continuously to the present time (November,
1876). The pump shaft is now about eighty feet deep; water is discharged into an adit con-
necting with the shaft at twenty feet below the surface, at the rate of 150 gallons per minute.
The course of the vein is north seven degrees east, having a dip to the eastward of four feet in
one hundred. The distance between the walls of the vein or crevice varies from two and a half
to seven feet, the space between them being filled with the vein matrix common to the neighbor-
hood. The bottom of the pump shaft is six feet below the top of the flint beds. The vein
appears to continue downward, the filling of the crevice being loose and allowing the water to
pass readily through it. After sinking the pump shaft, the vein was drifted in a distance of
sixty feet to the northward ; in the course of running this drift, 100,000 pounds of ore were
extracted.
The foregoing remarks show the condition of the mine in 1876. The production since
then we have not learned. The range was worked more than thirty years since, with a two-
horse pump, as deep as water would permit, and large quantities of lead ore were obtained.
These diggings could be unwatered to a much greater depth by means of a level from some point
on the Shullsburg branch.
Bull Pump Range. — Work is still carried on on this range, which is situated on the Hemp-
stead estate. It is operated by Messrs. Beebe, of Galena, and Wetherbee, of Shullsburg.
The amounts produced could not be ascertained.
Oakland Mining Gomfpamj. — The lands of this company are situated in the southeast
quarter of Section 6, the northeast quarter of Section 5, the northwest quarter of Section 4,
and the southeast quarter of Section 4, all in Township 1, Range 2 east, comprising in all about
565 acres.
This ground includes the old French range, which was discovered as early as 1839, and
produced not less than 1,000,000 pounds. It is connected northward by some quartering
crevices and is known as the Ernest and Townsend range. The thickness of Galena limestone
here is about one hundred and seventy feet. There are six shafts in the range, averaging about
fifty feet each. The lead ore is abundant, but dips rapidly to the northwest beneath the water.
The range has produced about four hundred thousand pounds. The ground is susceptible of
drainage from the Shullsburg branch. It is not worked at present. The company a^so bas a
level nearly completed in the southwest quarter of Section 4, which is run on the stratum of
carbonaceous shale, or the top of the blue limestone. At the working shaft, there is a thick-
ness of ninety feet of Galena limestone, of which the following section is given :
Clay and soil 18 feet.
Yellow, flinty limestone 16 "
Galena limestone containing calcite 20 **
Blue, sandy limestoiip cap 6 "
Red ochery clay, with lead ore in flat sljeets at top and bottom, also diffused through the
mass, forming a wash dirt 12 "
Unexplored beds 18 "
Total thickness 90 feet.
Considerable mining has been done in former years in the blue sandy limestone member of
the section, but the main opening appears to be in the red-ocliery clay which underlies it,
which, so far as explored, has been found to have a thickness of about twelve feet, and to con-
HISTOBY OF THE LEAD REGION. 373
tain aflat sheet of galenite nearly continuous, and of variable thickness, sometimes furnishing
pieces of five hundred pounds' weight. The bearing of the sheet, so far as has been determined,
is west of north and east of south, with a slight dip to the southwest. Its area has not been
determined, but, so far as has been worked, there are no indications of the opening, contracting
or closing up.
BENTOtf DISTRICT.
In the immediate vicinity of the village of Benton, there are several parties permanently
engaged in mining, besides others who mine only in the winter. The diggings are in the lower
beds of the Galena limestone, yot not so low as the brown rock.
Bainhridge and Vipord — Southeast quarter of Secton 8, Township 1, Range 1 east. This
is an east-and-west range somewhat near a mile long, which was worked about twenty-two years
since and abandoned. Prior to 1854, it produced about one and a half million pounds. About
seven years since, some work was done on it, and one million pounds were produced. Work
was recommenced on the eastern end by the present parties in February, 1874, and has con-
tinued to the present time (November, 1876). The annual product is about twenty thousand
pounds. During the last year and a half, they have been worked with a horse-pump.
Bainhridge, Mundy and Maighn. — This is a quartering southwest-and-northeast range,
about one hundred yards north of the preceding. This range was never worked previous to
March, 1874. It is now worked only in the winter seasons. It has produced in all about fifty
thousand pounds. The ore in these diggings and the preceding is found in openings detached
from the main crevice.
Metcalf, Harker and Alexander — Northwest quarter of Section 9, Township 1, Range 1
east. This ground is situated on wli;it is known as the Swindler ridge. It derived its name
from the custom which formerly existed among the'miners of cutting through and breaking into
each other's ground to steal the ore, which the complicated nature of the openings enabled them
to do. This range was struck in 1871, and has been worked continuously ever since. The depth
to the top of the first opening is fifty feet at the shaft, and on the ridge generally, although the
opening is said to dip slightly to tlie west. Some water is encountered on the ridge, and the
present parties have found it necessary to work a two-horse pump. The production to Novem-
ber 1, 1876, has been 600,000 pounds.
Bainhridge Diggings — Situated on the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 4, Town-
ship 1, Range 1 east. Work was commenced here by Mr. Thomas Bainhridge, of Benton, in
the winter of 1874. In May. 1875, an irregular deposit of lead and zinc ore was discovered
about fifty feet below the surface, having a course a little west of south. Its production has
been twenty-five tons of Smithsonite and twenty-five thousand pounds of lead ore.
Harvey i Diggings — Situated on the same ground and about 250 yards northwest of the
preceding work, was begun here in the winter of 1875-76, and a large flat sheet of Smithson-
ite was discovered, which has been worked over 200 feet in diameter without reaching unpro-
ductive ground. It is found about fifty feet below the surface, in the random or horizon of the
flat flint openings. The ore is found in flat sheets, interstratified with the formation. One hun-
dred tons have been produced.
McElroy Bros. — Situated half a mile south of the village of Benton. This is a new dis-
covery, made in the winter of 1875-76 : an irregular flat sheet of Smithsonite was found at a
depth of -fifty feet below the surface, from which in two months fifteen tons of ore were produced.
M. J. Williams ^ Co. — Situated on the southwest quarter of the southwest quarter of
Section 3, Township 1, Range 1, cast. A large flat sheet of lead ore and blende, about one foot
thick, was discovered in July, 1876, in the bed of Fever River, soon after a heavy flood which
took place at that time. It lies in the upper surface of the blue limestone, and, on account of
its situation in the river, but litilo has been done with it. It is an excellent prospect, and will
doubtless be remunerative us soon a.s the water can be removed.
McOaffery, Smith cj- Cu. — In the middle of October. 1876, these parties commenced
work sinking a shaft on the west line of the forty of M. J. Williams & Co. They found the
374 HISTORY OF THE LEAD EEGIOK.
same sheet of ore as there described ; in the space of two weeks they had developed a fine pros-
pect, and had produced about one ton of ore.
Level Company. — On the northwest quarter of Section 29, Township 1, Range 1 east, a
level is now being run by Messrs. Stevens, Mason, Miller, Robbins, Broderick, Hoover, Thomp-
son, Coltman and Farley, who own and have leased 135 acres in Sections 20, 21, 28 and 29.
The level was commenced in the spring of 1870, and has now reached a length of 1,000 feet;
it is being driven on a flint opening near the top of the brown rock, which is here about fourteen
feet above the blue limestone. The object of driving the level is to un water the Drummond
range, which runs east and west, and is supposed to be a continuation of the Crow range of
Hazel Green, and the Nagle range of New Diggings. It is believed that when the level is com-
pleted it will unwater the Drummond range to a depth of forty feet below the present water
level. The level now gives access to two openings in working it, and had, when visited, an inch
sheet of lead ore in the working forehead. It may be remarked that these openings are lower
than any of the Benton openings, and seem to be identical with those of the Buncome district.
The product has been, up to the present time, 60,000 pounds.
MIFFLIN DISTRICT.
Mining operations here are now chiefly confined to several parallel ranges, having a general
northeasterly course, and situated about half a mile south of the village, including the Peniten-
tiary, Dunbar and Owen ranges. The ore is found in fiat sheets on the surface of the blue
limestone, in the pipe-clay opening.
Some mining is also done in Section 10, Township 4, Range 1 east, in the vicinity of the
Welsh settlement.
Penitentiary Mine. — Southwest quarter of northeast quarter of Section 34, Township 5,
Range 1 east. This property is owned by Messrs. James, John and Calvert Spensley, William
Bainbridge, J. J. Ross, Mrs. Mitchell and N. W. Dean. The mine was opened in 1842, and
since then it has been very productive, and has been worked continuously to the present time.
The mine is drained by a level containing a tramway, on which the rock and ore are carried out
of the mine. SufBcient water is removed to operate a large wash place. The distance from
the entrance of the mine to the forehead is about seventeen hundred feet. The average width
of the range is about three hundred feet, and the thickness of the deposit from six inches to
two feet. Previous to 1864, the mine was worked chiefly for lead ore, producing in some years
as much as 170,000 pounds. It is estimated by Mr. Ross that it produced, from 1862 to 1875,
3,000,000 pounds of lead ore and 11,000 tons of blende. The production for 1875 was,
blende, 375 tons; lead ore, 85,000 pounds. The production for 1876 was, blende, 600 tons;
lead ore, 40,000 pounds.
JenJcins, Miller ^ Go. — These parties have been working during the last two and a half
years in the Dunbar range, which is parallel to the Penitentiary, and a short distance north of
it. The land is owned by Messrs. Ross & Dean. This range has been worked during the last
thirty years, and is drained bv the Penitentiary level; the present workings .are about fifty
feet below the surface. The company produced during the year 1876, to October 1, blende,
80 tons; lead ore, 8,000 pounds. Their annual average is, blende, 80 tons; lead ore, 12,000
pounds.
Rain, Young ^ Jenkins. — These parties are now working on the Blackjack range, which
is adjacent to the Dunbar, and sometimes connects with it. The present works are fifty feet
below the surface. The ore is found in flat sheets, sometimes seventy feet in width, in the pipe-
clay opening, the height of the opening averaging five feet. The annual production is from
one hundred and fifty to two hundred tons of blende, and from ten thousand to fifteen thousand
pounds of lead ore. A short distance northeast of the Blackjack is the Owens range. It has
not been worked during the last two years, but is considered good mining ground.
HLbTOKY OF THE LEAD KEUION. 375
CBNTERVILLE DISTRICT.
These diggings are like those in the village of Highland, in that they are all situated quite
close together, on Section 7, Township 6, Range 1 east, on the hill about a quarter of a mile
east of the village. The land is all owned by Messrs. Top, Nordorf and Kroll. The miners
are nearly all Germans. The diggings were first worked in 1836, and have been worked con-
tinuously ever since, chiefly for lead ore, until within the last ten years, since which time they
have been worked for zinc ores. The workings are in the brown rock opening, and lie from five to
fifty feet below the surface, depending on the amount of denudation. Very little trouble is
experienced from water, and during the past two years the ground has been especially dry. The
principal parties working here are as follows :
Heller §■ Parish. — These parties are working a southeast-and-northwest range, twelve hun-
dred feet long and six hundred feet wide. Their annual product is lead ore, 100,000 pounds ;
blende, 500 tons; Smithsonite, 400 tons.
John Carter and Richard Samuels. — On the same range as the preceding. They have
worked here two years, and are producing two hundred tons of Smithsonite and five thousand
pounds of lead ore per annum. Other parties and their annual products are as follows :
Schook ^ Flemmer. — Blende, 200 tons per annum.
Stepper tf* Mensing. — Blende, 100 tons per annum.
George Wieble. — Blende, 200 tons ; lead ore, 15,000 pounds.
Blue River Paint Works, situated on the southwest quarter of Section 7, Township 6,
Range 1 east. At the time this establishment was visited, work had been suspended, and
consequently it did not appear in as flattering a light as its merits would probably justify. The
building and machinery were still standing, in a condition to resume work without delay. Accord-
ing to the best information obtained, the paint was made from the ocher which is quite abundant
in the Centerville Diggings, and which furnishes quite a number of shades of yellow in its raw
state, and an additional number on being burned. The red paint, however, was derived from
the upper bed of the St. Peter's sandstone, which was crushed and washed ; the red coloring
matter being readily dissolved out by the water, from which it afterward settled on being
allowed to stand. The colors, after being burned and ground, were ready for the market. As
many as fifteen difierent shades of red and yellow ocher were manufactured. Several tons of paint
were placed in market, and it was claimed to be a good and durable article. It is unfortunate
that the manufacture could not have continued longer, and its qualities have been more definitely
ascertained and generally known.
HIGHLAND DISTRICT.
The diggings of the Highland District are all situated within a short distance of each other,
and about a quarter of a mile north of the village. They are all in the brown rock, the lower
openings never have been proved. Most of the diggings are in what is known as the Drybone
Hollow range. The names of the parties mining, and the present condition of their diggings
are as follows :
Samuel Hinderleiter ^ Son — On the southwest quarter of Section 28, Township 7, Range 1
east, in the Drybone Hollow range. This is an east-and-west range, from one-quarter to one-
half mile long, and from two to three hundred feet wide. It was discovered in 1846, and worked
entirely for lead ore. It is now divided into small lots, of which Mr. Hinderleiter's is one. The
work is chiefly confined to going through the old diggings and taking out the Smithsonite left
by former miners, no blende being found. The shafts are about twenty-five feet deep, which
brings them to the top opening, three feet in height. The ore is found in a flat sheet, about a
foot thick, with ocher and clay above and below it. But little water is found here. The annual
product of this lot is about thirty tons of Smithsonite.
Mulligan ^ Francis. — These parties have diggings in all respects similar to those already
described, in a lot about one hundred and fifty feet northwest of the preceding.
376 HISTOEY OF THE LEAD EEGION.
Maguire, Kennedy ^ Co. — Southeast quarter of Sections 28, Township 7, Range 1 east.
This is also in the Drybone Hollow range. The shafts here are from sixty to seventy feet
deep, according to the surface of the ground. The workings are in the brown-rock opening,
Avhich is here about eight feet high. The lead ore is found in a flat sheet in the bottom of the
opening, underlaid by pipe clay. The blende was discovered in the spring of 1874, and is much
mixed with rock. The ore has to be crushed, washed and separated. Water is removed from
the diggings by means of a windmill and small pump, and is afterward utilized to wash ore. The
annual product is as follows: Lead ore, 200 pounds; blende, 100 tons; drybone, 50 tons
Blackney, Donahue ^ Qo. — This ground is owned by Dr. Stanley, of Highland, and is a
part of the same range as the preceding, and situated but a short distance northeast of them.
The range here makes two well-defined openings, separated by a cap rock. It is irregular in
shape, and about sixty or seventy feet wide, with little water. The following is a section of their
principal shaft:
TEET.
Galena limestone 60
First opening 9
Cap rock 2
Second opening 4
The ore is found in flat sheets, and is Smithsonite, blende and lead, the former being rather
impure. The present parties have been working here for the last seven years. The annual
product has been as follows : Lead ore, 11,000 pounds ; Smithsonite, 35 tons ; blende, 35 tons.
The ground here seems to be pretty much worked out, the product being chiefly derived from
the old workings.
Spensley ^ Co. — This is also on the land of Dr. Stanley, and is a short distance east of the
preceding. It is an east-and-west range, situated a bttle north of the Drybone Hollow range.
The range is one hundred and thirty feet wide so far as has been worked, and may prove to be
two hundred feet in width each way from the center. The ore makes in pitches, and the sheet
varies in size according to the number of feeders coming in from above. The lead ore occurs
much mixed with rock, which necessitates crushing and jigging the entire product. The lot
worked by these parties consists of about six acres, of which only about one-sixth has been
explored. The ore is blende and lead ore. SDme Smithsonite is said to be found in the south-
ern part. The amount of water here is small, and is all removed by bailing and hoisting in a
barrel containing about fifty gallons. There shafts have been sunk, one of which is down to the
blue limestone, and is one hundred feet deep. The company have operated here for six years,
with the following product :
Tear. Blende, tons. Lead ore, lbs.
1871 70 60,000
1872 150 120,000
1878 350 150,000
1874 260 160,000
1875 300 257,000
1876 325 300,000
Siddel Sf Co. — They are situated on the same range, worked in the same opening as Spens-
ley and Co., and are located about one hundred and fifty feet east of them. They are the most
easterly of all the diggings in this vicinity. One shaft has been sunk, and the ore has been
found to make in the same manner as the preceding, except that this ground already furnishes
some Smithsonite from the north side. These parties have been working here for the last five
years, during which time the average annual product has been as follows : Lead ore, 70,000
pounds; Smithsonite, 85 tons; blende, 70 tons.
Flynn, Lynch <f Co. — On Dr. Stanley's ground, and about three hundred feet southeast of
Spensley & Co. Their ground is a lot 250x350 feet. One shaft has been sunk here eighty feet
to the top of the opening, which is here six feet high and one hundred feet wide. The ground
produces lead ore and blende, occurring in a flat sheet, mixed with the top layer of the blue
limestone and some pipe-clay. The company has been working about five years, since which
HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION. 377
time to October, 1874, they have produced 250,000 pounds of lead ore and seven hundred tons
of blende.
Rohinson's Diggings. — Situated about three hundred feet southeast of the preceding, on the
ground of Mr. Barnard. These diggings are not being worked at present. They were com-
menced in the winter of 1871-72, and produced 4,500 pounds of lead ore and about nine tons
of blende in the first two years.
Williams ^ Edwards. — Situated on the land of Mr. Lampe, and about 500 feet west of
the diggings of Blackney & Co., previously described. They are part of the Spensley and
Lynch range. The works are in the brown rock, which here appears to divide into three sub-
ordinate openings. A section of their working shaft is as follows, all in the Galena limestone:
Galena limestone 40 feet.
First opening 3 feet.
Soft, unproductive ground 8 feet.
Second opening 3 feet.
Soft, unproductive ground 8 feef.
Third opening to top of blue limestone 3 feet.
These diggings consist partly of old and partly of new openings. Cross-cut drifts are run
through the old works in search of new ground, lead ore being usually found in the lowest open-
ing. These parties have been working since 1870, and their product is as follows :
Lead ore, Smithsonite,
Tear. lbs. tons.
1870 70,000 70
1871 70,000 70
1872 80,000 80
1873 90,000 90
1874 , : 90,000 90
The production of the years 1875 and 1876 was not ascertained.
Harris tf Stanley. — Situated on the ground of Dr. Stanley, about .300 feet north of the
windmill on Kennedy & Co.'s ground, previously described. These diggings are quite dry, being
drained by the windmill pump. The range appears to be a branch of the Drybone Hollow range,
about 500 feet long, running in a north-and-south direction. There are two principal openings
exhibited in the following section of their working shaft :
Galena limestone 30 feet.
First opening 3 feet.
Cap rock (limestone) 7 feet.
Second opening 6 feet.
The ore occurs, as usual in this district, in flat sheets. These parties have been working
here since September, 1871, since which time to October, 1874, the total product was as follows :
Lead ore, 40,000 pounds ; blende, 35 tons ; Smithsonite, 75 tons.
Rome ^ Co. — Situated on the northeast quarter Section 28, Township 7, Range 1 east,
comprising 160 acres. This is an east-and-west range, known as the Dunstan, discovered in
1846, and worked continuously since. It is about half a mile long, and 200 feet wide. The
range is worked in the brown rock opening, chiefly for Smithsonite and lead ore. There are three
working shafts from 50 to 75 feet deep. The opening is from 5 to 20 feet high. The annual
product is stated at, lead ore, 50,000 pounds, and Smithsonite, 50 tons.
The foregoing comprises all the diggings in the immediate vicinity of Highland, and, with
tlie exception of the last (Rowu & Co.), they are all embraced in a tract of land not exceeding
forty acres in extent. The same general geological characteristics prevail in all, and they are
nearly all connected together in the workings. The ore in most of them has to be crushed and
jigged, and all except Kennedy and Maguire, have to haul their wash dirt about a mile and a
quarter to water.
In these diggings the openings below the top of the blue limestone have never been worked
or even prospected. If the several land-owners would take some concerted action, a level rairrht
be run up the Drybone Hollow, which would drain them to any depth required. Such a work.
f"0 HISTOEY OF THE LEAD REGION.
however, should be preceded by boring, to ascertain the presence of flat sheets in the lower open-
ings, the existence of which is not improbable. Mr. Solomon Spensley, who is well informed on
the subject, says that the annual average product of the mines is approximately as follows :
Lead ore, 1,000,000 pounds ; drybone, 1,350 tons; blende, 1,200 tons. In addition to the
preceding, there are some diggings situated south of the village of Highland.
Davis ^ Co. — Situated near the southeast corner of Section 5, Township 6, Range 1 east.
This is a northwest-and-southeast range, discovered by a Mr. Styles in 1862. It has been
proved to a distance of 450 feet, with an average width of forty feet. The opening is the brown
rock, and from four to six feet high. There are two shafts, each about forty feet deep. The ore
occurs in flat sheets, and is mostly Smithsonite and blende in about equal quantities, containing
little lead ore. The ground was formerly worked chiefly for blende. The ground is estimated
to have produced 2,400 tons of blende, and 1,100 tons of Smithsonite since 1862. Their present
annual product is, blende, 200 tons, and Smithsonite, 150 tons.
Manning ^ Delaney. — Situated about 600 feet west of the preceding. It is an east-and-
west range, which was discovered twenty years since, and has been worked by several difierent
parties, who have proved the ground in the brown rock opening for a distance of 600 feet. The
present parties have worked it for the past four years, principally for Smithsonite, no blende
being found until the spring of 1874. The deepest shaft is only 40 feet; sunk to the top of the
blue limestone, which is here estimated at twenty-five feet. The St. Peter's sandstone is plainly
seen in the valley a short distance below. The ground produced 600 tons of Smithsonite during
the years 1873 and 1874. The diggings are quite dry.
Hornsnoggle Ridge. — Situated in the northeast quarter of Section 5, Township 6, Range 1
east. This is an east-and-west range, about half a mile in length, which was discovered about
twenty-five years since, and worked for lead ore in the brown rock opening ; but is now pretty
much worked out. The only ore found on the ridge is drybone. The present annual produc-
tion is about 1,500 tons.
Beginning at the eastern end and going west, the following parties are working :
Joseph Call worked here since 1871, amount produced unknown.
Borey ^ Neivmeyer worked since 1872, produced 1,500 tons.
Brinnen ^ Kelley worked on a lot here twenty years, and produced 1,000 tons.
LINDEN DISTRICT.
The principal diggings in this district are those of the Linden Mining Co., owned by
Messrs. J. J. Ross and William Henry, of Mineral Point. The property consists of the east
half of the east half of Section 6, the west half of Section 5, the northeast quarter of the
southwest quarter of Section 7, the northeast quarter of the southeast quarter of Section 7, the
south half of the southwest quarter of Section 8, southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of
Section 8, the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 17, the south half of the
northeast quarter of Section 1 7, all in Township 5, Range 2 east, and is situated a short dis-
tance west of the village of Linden. They were first opened in 1838, and worked by various
parties up to 1853, altogether for lead ore, and in the middle beds of the Galena limestone.
Prior to 1853, they are said to have produced 40,000,000 pounds of lead ore.
In 1853, they were bought by. a Pittsburgh company, and operated with a water-wheel in
the upper and lower pipe-clay openings, also for lead ore. The amount of lead ore produced
by them was about 500,000 pounds per annum. The works finally became unprofitable, and
were suspended by them in 1866. In this condition they remained until the spring of 1874,
when they were bought by Messrs. Ross & Henry, by whom work was resumed in April. They
are now operated for blende or blackjack, Smithsonite and such lead ore as incidentally occurs
with it.
On resuming work, the principal operations of the first six months were cleaning out the
old shafts and drifts, erecting a new engine of thirty-horse power, with a lift-pump, together
with the necessary buildings and other machinery. The sheets worked here have a singular
cyf^ai^!Cf>^ ^y^Y
MINEF(AL POINT,
HISTOKY OF THE LEAD REGION. 381
complication of "flats and pitches," both in their connection with each other and in respect to
their general course.
Although the blende usually occurs in a large sheet, yet it is frequently connected with
two or three parallel smaller ones by veins or " pitches." The sheet often contains detached
pieces of the wall or cap-rock, of various sizes, completely surrounded by ore. Large pockets
occur in the bed, lined with very handsome crystals of calcite, one of which, recently removed
from the mine, measures five feet by two.
Another peculiarity noticed was the finding of several pieces weighing from one to five
pounds, composed of wall-rock and ore, which were rounded and worn smooth, resembling
small drift bowlders. They were found in the lower pipe-clay opening, and had probably been
detached from the wall at its junction with the ore. They must have undergone considerable
erosion and transportation, or movement, by subterranean currents of water.
The workings in the vicinity of the engine-shaft were first examined. They extend in a
westerly direction a distance of 1,300 feet, and have been worked to a width of 45 feet, leaving
a sheet of blende on the northern side from one to three feet thick. It has been proved by a
cross-cut to connect through to the north pitch, a distance of 180 feet. The same sheet has
been worked in a southerly direction nearly to the well-shaft, a distance of 600 feet, leaving a
large sheet of blende on its eastern side. These workings are on the glass-rock opening, and
about twenty feet above the St. Peters sandstone. The following section of the engine-shaft
will explain their situation :
Feet. Inches.
Dump-rock, clay and aoil 15
Galena limestone 72 6
Blue limestone 6 6
Pipe-clay 1
Glass-rock 5
Glass-rock opening (workings) 4
Buff limestone, to bottom of shaft 8
Buff limestone, to St. Peters sandstone 16
Total 128 00
The workings at the well-shaft were next examined. They are in the brown rock division
of the Galena limestone, and about twenty-six feet above the lower workings. The ground is
worked in an irregular shape, about three hundred feet long by one hundred and fifty feet wide.
It is estimated that $200,000 worth of ore has been taken, in the course of all operations, from
this small, irregular piece of ground. It was full of large, flat sheets and pitches, and was
worked in some places to a height of twenty feet. It now produces thirty tons of zinc ore per
week, and considerable lead ore. This is exclusive of the ore raised by numerous miners work-
ing here on tribute.
It is estimated by the owners that, during the first six months of their operation, the
mines produced ten tons of zinc ore per day ; and from that time to the present, it has produced
twenty-two tons of zinc per day, and more than 300,000 of lead ore per annum. The value of
all ores for the last two years is estimated at $500 per day.
The owners have lately introduced the Ingersoll Pneumatic Drill, with air compressor, and
use rend rock exclusively, the explosions being eff'ected by an electric battery.
Poad, Barrett tf Tredinniclc Bros. — Southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Sec-
tion 8, Township 5, Range 2 east. This is a very old mine, the property of Mr. John Heath-
cock, known as the Robarts mine, on which work had been discontinued for several years, until
1869, when it was again resumed. The present party have been working about four years, and
have sunk ten shafts, from forty to seventy feet deep. The water is removed by two horse-
pumps.
To the west of the above parties, and on the same range, are Kisselbury Brothers, Ham-
merson & Trewatha. Also on the east end of the same range are the Poad Brothers, Tredin-
nick, Vial and Geach.
382 HISTOEY OF THE LEAD REGION.
The Robarts range has been traced for a distance of a quarter of a mile, the ore being found
in flat sheets twenty-five feet above the glass-rock. The manner in which the ore is deposited
is very remarkable, the order of deposition being as follows : Pyrites, blende, galenite. This
is one of the few localities in the lead region from which cerussite is obtained. The three
mines in the Robarts range are estimated to produce annually 200,000 pounds of lead ore and
100 tons of blende.
Treglown ^ Sons and Oapt. Wicks. — Southwest quarter of northwest quarter of Section
8, in the west side of the Heathcock branch. Waring and Goldsworthy, owners. This range
was discovered about forty jears ago, and has been worked continuously ever since. The
present company have been working it during the last two years in the glass-rock opening.
The ore is found about fifteen feet below the surface; the width of the range is forty-five feet,
drained by a level forty rods long. In former years it was worked for Smithsonite at higher
levels, and was quite productive. Its present annual production is, lead ore, 5,000 pounds ;
blende, 100 tons.
Adams ^ Son ^ Bowden. — These parties are situated about a quarter of a mile southwest
of Treglown & Wicks. They have been working during the last seven years on the Morrison
range, producing annually about fifty tons of Smithsonite and seven thousand pounds of lead
ore. Water was removed from these diggings by drilling a hole down to the glass-rock
opening.
David Morrison Diggings. — West half of southwest quarter of Section 8. The range is
about seven hundred yards long, forty feet wide, and has a general north and south course.
The range was discovered in 1846, and worked at various times for lead ore to 1874. Mr.
Morrison then opened the main sheet of the blende, since which time the production has been
as follows : In 1874, 90 tons ; in 1875, 106 tons. During the present year the mine has not
been worked, although it is still good. The range is drained by a level three hundred and fifty
feet long. The ore is found in flat sheets, from seven to ten inches thick, on top of the glass-
rock.
Richards ^- Faul Bros. — These diggings are situated in the village of Linden, near the
southeast corner of Section 8, on land owned by William George. The ore is found under the
glass-rock in a flat sheet, from ten to twelve inches thick, from fifteen to twenty-five feet in
width, and from thirteen to thirty feet below the surface. The water is removed by a drain
about one hundred and fifty feet long. This mine was discovered in May, 1875. From that
time to May, 1876, they produced 80,000 pounds of lead ore, and 150 tons of blende.
During July, August and September, 1876, they have produced 35,000 pounds of lead ore
and 40 tons of blende.
Thomas Tamblin. — Zinc ores were discovered on the northwest quarter of the northwest quar-
ter of Section 10, Township 5, Range 2 east, on the 20th of December, 1875, on the land of Mrs.
Thomas Shore. The general course of the range is nearly east and west, and is now worked at an
average depth of ten feet below the surface, and has been proved to a distance of forty feet. The ore
was found as a flat sheet of drybone, cropping out at the foot of a hill. On working into the hill,
the amount of Smithsonite was found to diminish, and the blende to increase, which seems to
be an indication that the Smithsonite is a secondary product, derived from blende. It is
estimated that two mines can produce here one hundred tons of zinc ore per annum.
R. S. ^ W. J. Jacobs. — Southeast quarter of southwest quarter, and southwest quarter
of southeast quarter of Section 7, Township 5, Range 2 east. This mine was discovered in
March, 1875. There are here four east-and-west sheets from four to six feet wide, and
from four to six inches thick in the upper pipe-clay opening, separated from each other by six
or eight feet of unproductive rock. They are worked about twenty feet below the surface.
There is but a small amount of water, which is bailed out. Some very large isolated masses of
lead ore have been found here, one of which, weighing 1,527 pounds, was sent to the Centennial
Exhibition. Small quantities of zinc ores are also found. The mine produced, during the
year 1875, of lead ore, 70,000 pounds, and in 1876, 40,000 pounds. The mine has not
been worked much during this summer, as the owners are engaged in farming.
HISTOEY OF THE LEAD REGION. 383
DODGEVILLB DISTEICT.
The mines of this district comprise those in the immediate vicinity of the village. The
zinc ore diggings situated about two miles east of the village, and those in Van Meter's Survey
about four miles west of the town. The most productive and profitable are those situated east
of the village, worked for drybone blende and lead ore.
Uvan Williams' Mines. — Southwest quarter of southwest quarter of Section 25, Township
6, Range 3 east. These mines were discovered in 1844, and were worked at intervals until
1853. Since then Mr. Williams has worked them continuously to date. The ore is found in
flat sheets, about one hundred feet wide, in the lower beds of the Galena limestone, and the
ground is drained by a level a quarter of a mile long.
Mr. Williams estimates that this range has averaged fifty thousand pounds of lead ore per
annum during the last twenty years. Previous to 1863, they were worked exclusively for
lead ore. Since then they have averaged one hundred tons per annum of blende, the produc-
tion rising in some years to two hundred tons. During the present year (1876) thirty
thousand pounds of lead ore have been produced here, and one hundred and twenty-five tons
of blende. In November, 1875, Mr. Williams commenced working about seven hundred feet
south of the preceding location. A flat sheet was found here at a depth of ninety feet, and
has been proved horizontally a distance of sixty feet. This mine in the past year has produced,
lead ore, 15,000 pounds ; blende, 50 tons. In July, 1876, Mr. Williams sunk a shaft twenty-
five feet deep, about quarter of a mile west of the center of Section 25, and discovered a flat
sheet of blende about five inches thick, from which he has obtained about three tons of blende.
Owens ^ Powell. — On the southwest quarter of southeast quarter of Section 25 are some
small drybone digging, on Mr. Williams' land. Five tons of ore are produced here each year.
This is known as Rounds' range.
Jones, Farrager ^ Owens. — Southwest quarter of southwest quarter of Section 25, near
the west line of the Section on Evan Williams' land. This is an old range, which has been
worked since its discovery in 1849. The range is drained by a level three hundred yards long.
The ore is found in flat sheets, from forty-five to eighty feet below the surface. Five shafts are
now open. These diggings produce only lead ore. The annual product is valued at from
$3,000 to $5,000.
Mrddth Evans. — Northeast quarter of northwest quarter of Section 25, in John Williams'
land. These diggings are on Morgan Jones' old range, and have been worked during the last
four years for Smithsonite. During the present year (1876), lead ore and blende have been dis-
covered, and 65,000 pounds of lead ore have been produced, and considerable blende.
Sugh Jones. — Northeast quarter of northwest quarter of Section 25. These diggings are
on the eastern portion of the Watkins range. They were discovered in 1848. The present
party commenced work in 1864. The ore is found in an irregular, flat sheet, from one hundred
to two hundred feet wide, in the lower part of the Galena limestone. The annual product of
this mine is : Lead ore, 25,000 pounds ; blende, 150 tons.
Mendy, Davey, Levey ^ Co. — Northwest quarter of northwest quarter of Section 36, Town-
ship 6, Range 3 east. These diggings comprise the southern and western portions of the Wat-
kins range. The ore is blende and lead ore, found in a flat sheet, in the same opening and
position as in the Hugh Jones diggings. The works extend eastward, and will ultimately
connect with them, the intervening space being about one hundred feet. The mine has been
and is now quite productive — the exact amount cannot be ascertained.
Samuel Qlegg. — Northeast quarter of southeast quarter of Section 26, Township 6, Range 3
cast. The land is owned by Mr. A. P. Thompson, of BuflFalo. The ore is found in a flat
sheet, in the glass-rock opening, and is obtained from three shafts, each 100 feet deep. Lead
ore only is produced. It was discovered in 1870, and produced in that year 20,000 pounds.
Since that time to October 1, 1876, the total product has been 600,000 pounds.
Joseph Pearce Diggings. — This mine is situated in the village of Dodgeville, a short dis-
tance northwest of the court house. It is known as the Lowry range, and was discovered in
384 HISTORY OE THE LEAD REGION.
1836. It was not worked from 1850 to 1870, when Mr. Pearce commenced work on it, and
has worked it continuously ever since. It is worked exclusively for lead ore, which is found in
tumbling openings and in flat sheets, from fifty to seventy feet wide. The range is drained by
a level 800 feet long to a depth of 30 feet below the surface. The deepest shaft is eighty feet.
There is considerable water in the mines, but much less than there was twenty-five years since.
The water is removed by a horse-pump, worked during the daytime. The length of the range,
so far as it has been worked, is 1,000 feet. During the last two years, this mine has produced
200,000 pounds of lead ore ; previous to this it only paid expenses.
William Garter ^ Owens. — West half of the southeast quarter of Section 26. Owner of
land, A. P. Thompson, of Bufi'alo. This is known as Edward Edwards' range, and was dis-
covered in 1853. The range has a general north-and-south course, but with some irregulari-
ties. It was worked north 500 feet, then west 600 feet, then north — the north-and-south por-
tions being the most productive of lead ore. The mine is quite wet, but is drained by a level
about two thousand feet long. The number of shafts is nine, the greatest depth below the sur-
face being seventy feet. The length of the drift is 1,250 feet. Mr. Carter has been working
this mine for six years. During that time, the product of the east-and-west portion has been
65,000 pounds of lead ore annually, and in the north-and-south portions, 150,000 pounds per
annum, with the same expense. Other parties working in this vicinity are Nicholas Bailey &
Co. and John Bosanco & Co.
Lamhly Range. — Northeast quarter of Section 28, Township 6, Range 3 east. This range
has been worked continuously for a great many years. It produces lead ore to the amount of
about thirty thousand pounds per annum. Four years ago, its annual product was 200,000
pounds.
Porter's Grove Diggings. — These mines are situated in Town 6, Range 4 east. At pres-
ent the following mines are in operation :
Union Mine, William Rendy ^ Co. — Situated on the northeast quarter of the northeast
quarter of Section 28. The ore produced is lead, and in tumbling openings, at a depth of
seventy feet, and in the upper surface of the rock. The mine is drained by a level one-quarter
of a mile long.
Ridgeway Mine, William Hendy ^ Oo. — Situated on the southeast quarter of the south-
east quarter of Section 21. This mine is owned and operated by the same parties as the pre-
ceding, and is in the same range, which is known as the North-and-South Branch Lot. It is
drained by a level a quarter of a mile long. The present owners commenced operating them
in 1872. Since then the product of lead ore has been as follows :
Union Mine. Bidgeway Mine.
Lbs. Lbs,
1872 300,000 44,000
1873 85,000 44,000
1874 16,000 63,000
1875 38,000 44,000
1876, to October 1 22,000 17,000
Frank Farwell ^ Co. — Southeast quarter of northeast quarter of Section 28. These parties
commenced working on the Wakefielu range in October, 1875. Previous to that time it had not
been worked for twenty years. Most of the workings are at a depth of thirty-five feet below the
surface, although some" are as deep as sixty feet. The work is chiefly removing pillars of lead
ore, which have been left from former operations. The product from October, 1875, to October,
1876, has been 14,000 lbs. Other parties mining in this vicinity are John and Thomas Paull,
of Ridgeway, producing lead ore.
VAN metbe's survey.
On the north half of the northeast quarter of Section 18, Township 5, Range 3 east, are three
very large ranges which have not, to our knowledge, been reported. Their general course is
northwest and southeast, and they are crossed by numerous north-and-south crevices. It is at
these crossings that the largest bodies of ore are found. The ore is galenite, and is entirely free
HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION. 385
from any mixture of zinc ores. It is found in the green rock opening. The northernmost of the
three ranges known as the Duke Smith, contained an opening in places fifty feet wide, some-
what intersected with bars. It was worked over a quarter of a mile in length, and produced
about half a million pounds of lead ore. It has not been worked since 1853. A short distance
south of this is a parallel range, which produced over 20,000 pounds in a distance of about 100 feet.
The opening was about thirty feet wide.
The third parallel range, 300 feet south ctf the Duke Smith range, has been worked since
the winter of 1873-74, by Mr. John Hutchinson, of Mineral Point. The lead ore occurs in large
pockets, containing crystalline pieces of from one to 500 pounds' weight. The opening is in the
green rock, and is from ten to twelve feet high. This range has been the least worked of all,
but formerly produced about 100,000 pounds. It now yields ore of the value of $5 per day when
worked. None of the ranges have been worked to any great depth, and all were abandoned with
ore going down in the crevices. The gradual diminution of water in the country has now made
it possible to resume work.
Powell ^ Co. — This party is working on what is known as the Nic Schillen range. Work
was commenced in the spring of 1876, and continued for three months. The work was in the
glass-rock opening, and about twenty feet below the surface. The amount produced was 3,000
pounds.
Richards ^ Burns. — This party is situated south of the preceding, and in land of the
Sterling estate. They have been working there during the present year, in the green-rock
opening, producing about 2,000 pounds per month.
Powell Diggings. — They are situated about a quarter of a mile north gf Mr. Hutchinson's
diggings. This is a new discovery, and has been in operation about a year. The product has
been 35,000 pounds.
MINERAL POINT DISTRICT.
These mines comprise those in the immediate vicinity of the city and those of Tiost Grove
and Diamond Grove. Considerable mining is being carried on at these localities, which are
among the oldest and most productive of the lead region. They are all comprised in Towns 4
and 6, Ranges 2 and 3 east. In addition to the lead ore, a great deal of zinc ore has been pro-
duced within the past ten years, and they now supply a large portion of the zinc ore of the lead
region.
Terrill Range and Badger Range. — These ranges are situated on Lots 128, 129, 130, 131,
132 and 134, of Harrison's survey of the city of Mineral Point. They are old and well-known
ranges, which have been worked continuously for many years, and are now productive of Smith-
sonite and galenite. The mines are situated in a high ridge, from which the water drains natu-
rally into the adjacent ravines, leaving the diggings constantly dry. The ore is found in flat
sheets and "pitches" (inclined sheets). The ranges are from one hundred and fifty to two
hundred feet wide, more than a quarter of a mile long, and contain ore at depths varying from
ten to sixty feet below the surface. There are three principal openings in the lower beds of
the Galena limestone. The parties now working on the Terrill range are as follows :
Malt Shields and John Linden. — They have been working for three years, at an average
depth of forty feet, producing chiefly Smithsonitefrom the second opening. The sheet averages
about ten inches in thickness.
Pascoe ^ Collins. — They have been working their present mine during the last eight years,
producing Smithsonite, blende and galenite from the green rock and green-rock opening. The
Smithsonite is the most abundant, and the lead ore the least so. The workings are from twenty
to sixty feet deep, and the ore is found in sheets from one to four inches thick. The blende is
found at the greatest depth, and averages about four inches in thickness.
Jacka ^ Waggoner. — These parties have been working here eight years, at a depth of
about fifty feet below the surface, but never having reached the lower opening. They estimate
their annual production at 15,000 pounds of galenite and 25 tons of Smithsonite. The range
at this point is two hundred feet wide.
386 HISTOET OF THE LEAD EEGION.
HitcJiins ^ Terrill. — They have been working at various times during the last ten years in
the northwest end of the Terrill range, known as the Brush Lot, producing lead ore and zinc
ore. This was formerly very rich ground. The work at present is confined to prospecting.
Suxtahle ^ Son. — These parties are working near the center of the range, and from twenty
to fifty feet deep, producing large amounts of lead and zinc ore. This is believed to be one of
the best mines in the range.
Parties working on the Badger range are as follows :
Thomas Qox ^ Sons. — These parties are working near the center of the range, and have
been mining here during the last ten years. The ore is found in three flat opeaings. The first
is from ten to twenty feet below the surface, and contains chiefly Smithsoaite, in sheets of three
inches in thickness. The second opening is ten feet deeper, containing the same ore, mixed
with galenite, in sheets of three inches. The third opening is ten feet below the second, and
contains chiefly blende, in sheets averaging foar inches. The description in these openings
applies to all other mines in the range. Other parties working in this range are :
Uox ^ Co., James Hitchins ^ Holman and Harris and Partner. — The mining ground on
this ridge is owned in small lots by several parties, among whom are Messrs. Ross, Priestly,
Tyck and Prideaux. It was found impossible to obtain any information of the amounts of ore
produced on this ridge, but it is safe to estimate ore to the amount of $600 per annum for each
man, and this is probably much beneath the actual amount.
William Prideaux Mines. — Southeast quarter of northwest quarter of Section 30, Town-
ship 5, Range 3 east. This is a part of the Ashbank range, so called from the decomposed
appearance of much of the surface lead ore. It was discovered more than thirty years since,
and worked extensively for lead ore. The course of the range is nearly northwest, and its aver-
age width about twenty-five feet. The principal product of the mine is Smithsonite, with some
lead ore. The workings are chiefly in the green-rock opening, where tlie ores are found in flat
and pitching sheets, from two to eighteen inches thirsk. The ground is dry, and the workings
rather shallow, seldom being more than fifty feet below the surface. In on® place, where the
water was troublesome, it was removed by drilling a hole fifty-four feet deep, draining it ofi'
through a lower opening. During the present year (1876), about 61,000 pounds of lead ore
and some blende were obtained in the brown-rock opening. Mr. Prideaux commenced work in
April, 1873. He estimates that from January 1 to October 1, 1876, the value of ores produced
is $6,500, and about the same amount from April, 1873, to January 1, 1876. A short distance
southwest of the preceding is a parallel range not workedat present, but regarded as valuable
mining ground.
J. Jackson ^ Co. — These diggings are also on the Ashbank range, and a short distance east
ot William Prideaux. The ores produced are Smithsonite and galenite, in nearly equal amounts,
found in flat sheets in the green rock and its openings, from fifteen to forty feet below the sur-
face. The range is about forty rods long and 350 feet wide ; ten shafts have been sunk upon
it. Work was commenced here in 1868, since which time it has been continuous, the mines
proving very productive. No exact amounts could be ascertained, but the owners estimate the
value of ores produced since 1868 at $18,000, the present year being the most remunerative.
Mitchell ^ Pollard. — Northwest quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 30, Town-
ship 5, Range 3 east. This range is situated about sixty rods southwesterly from the Prideaux
mines. These parties have been working about four years, producing Smithsonite and lead ore.
The workings are shallow and dry, similar to the Ashbank range, but not so productive.
Sinapee Diggings. — These mines are situated on the northeast quarter of the southeast
quarter of Section 30. They were discovered in 1854 ; have been worked continuously since
then; and now furnish employment to several parties, among whom are
Samuel Prish and William Paynter. — These parties commenced work in the fall of 1875,
and have produced during the last year about fifty tons of Smithsonite and some lead ore. The
diggings are quite dry, and average about fifteen feet in depth. The ore is found in flat sheets,
the principal workings being in the glass-rock openings. The mine furnishes fine cabinet speci-
HISTOKY OF THE LEAD EEGION. 387
mens of galenite. The range is about five hundred feet long, and from one hundred to
one hundred and fifty feet wide, and has a general east-and-west course. The ore sheet is from
two to four inches thick.
PrisTc ^ Goad. — This is a parallel range, situated about three hundred feet south of the
preceding, and having about the same length, width and thickness. The above parties com-
menced work in the fall of 1875, and are now working in the upper pipe-clay opening. This
mine is from fifty to sixty feet deep, and formerly produced over a million pounds. The pro-
duction during the past year was 7,000 pounds of lead ore.
Samuel and William Richards. — These parties are working a short distance east of Prisk
& Paynter. They have been engaged here about a year and a half, producing chiefly blende
and lead ore.
Bennett ^ Brady. — Situated near the center of Section 29. A large amount of work has
been done here, including a level to unwater the ground. They are quite productive of the ores
of zinc and lead.
Short ^ Co. — Situated on the northwest quarter of Section 29. Considerable mining has
been done by these parties in this vicinity during the last few years. There are several very
profitable mines in the northwestern part of Strong's Addition to the city of Mineral Point, all
on land owned by Mr. J. J. Ross. They are as follows :
Bohan ^ Co. — Smithsonite and lead ore are produced here. The range is from seventy to
eighty feet wide, has a general east-and-west course, and is worked to a depth of seventy feet
below the surface. There are two openings, separated by about twenty feet of unproductve
rock, the lower ore being the glass-rock opening.
Cennaughton ^ Casserly. — These parties are working on an east-and-west range, about
three hundred feet north of the preceding. They have been working here during the last two
years, having sunk two principal shafts to a depth of sixty feet to the glass-rock opening. This
is an east-and-west range, about sixty feet wide, and has been drifted on to a distance of 100 feet.
It produces chiefly blende, estimated by the owners at $800 per year.
John Wcegler ^ Co. — Situated about three hundred feet northwest of the preceding.
These parties are working in the same openings, and producing chiefly zinc ores. Until very
recently, two other parties were employed in this vicinity, this ridge having for many years been
very good mining ground.
Bennett ^ Co. — This party is engaged in mining and prospecting about a quarter of a mile
east of the preceding diggings. Near the corner of Towns 4 and 5, Ranges 2 and 3 east, are
a number of ranges which have been worked for many years. Those situated on Section 1 are
the property of the Mineral Point Mining Company ; those on the adjacent sections are the
property of Mr. John J. Ross. There are six principal crevices, running nearly parallel, on
Sections 33 and 1. Their general course is south 70° east, and on entering Section 6, they
run nearly east and west. The crevices lead down to the opening between the buif and blue
limestones, known as the glass-rock opening. The ore here is found in a flat sheet, about a foot
thick and from seventy to one hundred and forty feet wide, which has been worked for a dis-
tance of half a mile. The ores are galenite and blende, and occur associated with baryte, and
have to be separated before reduction. The mode of drainage in Mr. Ross' mine is somewhat
peculiar ; shafts were sunk at intervals to a distance of eight feet below the opening, into the
bufl" limestone, where a bed is reached through which the water readily passes away. This
mode of drainage was accidentally discovered in prospecting for the sheet. No ore of any con-
sequence is found in the upper pipe-clay opening ; occasional bunches have been found, prob-
ably not over 20,000 pounds in all. These ranges have been worked at intervals for the last
forty years by various parties. Active operations were commenced by Mr. Ross about ten
years ago, since which time his ground has produced about 2,500,000 pounds of lead ore, and
about 3,500 tons of zinc ores. During the whole time in which these mines have been worked,
it is safe to say they have produced not less than 8,000,000 pounds of lead ore, and twice as
much zinc ores. During the winter of 1874-75, ore to the value of $1,600 was produced.
388 HISTOKY OF THE LEAD REGION.
During the winter of 1875-76, $1,000 worth of ore was produced. On the lands of the Min-
eral Point Mining Company, several parties are working on tribute. The amount this ground is
producing could not be ascertained.
Goldsworthy ^ Brother. — These diggings are situated on Lots 279 and 280 of Harrison's
survey, about a quarter of a mile east of the preceding, and on the northwest quarter of Sec-
tion 6, Town 4, Range 3 east. This is known as the Barber range, and has been worked in
the winter seasons during the last six years. The ore is Smithsonite, much mixed with pyrites ;
it is found in the upper pipe-clay opening, in a flat sheet from eight to thirty feet wide, and
from eighteen to twenty-four inches thick, being most productive in crossing crevices. About
twenty tons per year is produced here.
T. Lutey ^ Oo. — This party is working a short distance east of the preceding, on land
owned by M. M. Cothren. They have been working in a continuation of the Barber range for
about two months (October and November, 1876), and have now a very good prospect. Most
of the lead ore from the Barber Range is obtained from the glass-rock opening, but it never has
been worked for zinc ore.
Suthers ^ Co. — Situated on the southeast part of Harrison's survey. This is a nearly east-
and-west range, known as the " Walla Walla," and has been worked by the present party since
1865. The range is about 120 feet wide, and has been worked in the glass-rock opening to a
length of about 1,000 feet, and at a depth of seventy-three below the surface. The mine pro-
duces lead ore and both kinds of zinc ore. The average annual product of lead ore is about
44,000 pounds. The products from January to April, 1876, of all kinds of ore were valued at
$900.
J. Arthur ^ (Jo. — Situated on the southwest quarter Section 6, Township 4, Range 3 east.
This is an east-and-west range, discovered about two years since, and worked continuously to the
present. The ores are Smithsonite and lead ore found in a flat sheets, from six inches to one foot
thick, in the glass-rock opening, at a depth of sixty feet from the surface. The range is about
one hundred feet wide. It is situated on land owned by Mr. J. J Ross. The ground is com-
paratively dry.
Scare Bros. — Situated about fifty yards east of the preceding, and on the same range, in
land owned by Mr. J. Hoare. This party has been working here about two years, producing
lead ore and Smithsonite from the glass-rock opening. The diggings are now very good.
Nichols ^ Holmes. — Situated on northeast quarter Section 7, Township 4, Range 3 east, a
short distance east of the old zinc works. There are some irregular flat sheets of zinc ore in the
glass-rock opening, about twenty feet deep. They have been worked during the last two years,
and have produced considerable zinc ore.
Sarris ^ Lang. — These diggings are situated about half a mile south of the preceding.
This is an east-and-west range, situated in the glass-rock opening, about twenty-five feet deep. It
has been worked about a year, producing considerable zinc ore. In the vicinity of the Mineral
Point Town Hall, on the northwest quarter of Section 5, Township 4, Range 3 east, are the fol-
lowing diggings :
Prideaux ^ Henry. — This is a north-and-south range, about 200 yards south of the Town
Hall, which has been worked by the present party since 1866. The ores are lead and zinc,
found in flat and pitching sheets, from eight to ten inches thick, in the upper pipe-clay opening,
at a depth of from one to sivty feet below the surface. The range is from sixty to seventy feet
wide, and has been worked to a distance of 350 feet.
Jeffrey Sj- Bro. — Situated about one hundred yards south of the preceding, and probably
on the same range. The range is here one hundred feet wide, and produces lead ore and both
kinds of zinc ore in about equal quantities, and considerable iron pyrites. The work has been
chiefly done in the winter season during the last two years.
Mankey ^ Son. — Situated about 150 yards southeast of Jefi"rey & Bro. They have been
working during the last twelve years in a north-and-south range. The product is lead ore, found
in vertical crevice?, andinflat sheets in the green-rock opening, at a depth of forty feet from the
HISTORY OF THE LE>^D KEGION. 389
surface. All the diggings in this hill are dry, and most of them are remunerative, but the
amounts of ore produced could not be ascertained. The mining land is owned by Messrs. Henry
Coad, Prideaux & Woodman. About a quarter of a mile north of this ridge is the Mineral
Point Hill, lying directly east of the city. The following parties are mining there :
Short S; Foster. — Situated about 200 yards west of Jeffrey & Bro., on an old north-and-
south range, sixty feet in width. They have been working during the last two years in the win-
ter season, producing lead and zinc ores from the pipe-clay opening. The diggings are about
forty feet deep.
Vivian ^ Sleep. — This party is working a nearly east-and-west range, the most southerly
of several parallel ranges which cross the hill. The range is about fifty feet wide, and produces
zinc ores, chiefly Smithsonite, from the upper pipe-clay opening, which is here about twenty-five
feet below the surface. They have been working here during the last thirteen years, operating
during the entire year.
Brown ^ Oluthers. — They have been mining about a year on a parallel range 150 feet north
of the one last mentioned. The range is about fifty feet wide, and produces zinc ores, chiefly
blende. The ore is found in flat and pitching sheets in the pipe-clay opening.
James Dunn ^ Son. — This party has been working about three years on a range 150 feet
north of the preceding. Both kinds of zinc ores are produced from the upper pipe-clay opening,
which lies here about forty feet deep;
Trewilla ^ Strong. — This party has worked about eight years in this vicinity and one and
a half on their present range, producing zinc ores.
Groldsworthy ^ Hocks. — Situated about one-fourth of a mile east of Vivian & Sleep.
They have been mining about a year, producing blende. The mining land in this hill is owned
by Messrs. Hutchinson, Henry, Curry, Gundry and Washburn. The ranges all bear a little
north of west and south of east, and have never been worked below the upper pipe-clay opening.
The earliest mining in this vicinity was done in the Mineral Point Hill. The ranges were
formerly very productive, and have been worked continuously for many years to the present
time. There are a few other parties mining with in a few miles of Mineral Point. They are as
follows :
Rogers ^ Mankey. — Situated on the northeast quarter of Section 8, Township 4, Range 3
east, on land owned by Mr. Suthers, near Rock Branch. This is a new discovery, made in
October, 1876, being a flat sheet of Smithsonite in the brown-rock opening.
Jeffrey ^ May. — Situated a short distance north of the preceding. This is also a new dis-
covery, made about the same time as the preceding, being a flat sheet of zinc ores in the glass-
rock opening. The prospect is very good.
Badcroft Diggings. — Section 15, Township 4, Range 3 east. Work was begun here in
1872, and has been continued at intervals since. A small amount of lead ore has been pro-
duced. The ore is found in flat and pitching sheets in the pipe-clay opening, about twenty feet
below the surface.
Shepard ^ Qo. — Situated on the northeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 22,
Township 4, Range 2 east. Work was commenced here in August, 1876, on the old Maloney
range. This range has a general east-and-west course, and yields lead ore and blende from the
pipe-clay opening, which is here about twenty-five feet deep. The ore occurs in flat sheets from
four to five inches thick, the blende forming the top and bottom of the sheet, and lead ore the
central part. The product has been, to December, 1876, lead ore, 1,500 pounds ; blende, three
tons. The ground is dry, and the prospect considered good.
Clebenstein Diggings. — They are situated on the same ridge, and a short distance east of
the preceding. They are now operated by August Cain, who has been mining about a year.
They were operated from 1865 to 1875 by Mrs. Clebenstein, and produced large amounts of
lead and zinc ores. The ore was found in flat sheets, in the pipe-clay and glass-rock openings.
S. Joseph's Diggings. — Situated on the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 5,
Township 4, Range 3 east. Mining was commenced here in 1871, and continued until the fall
390 HISTOKY OF THE LEAD REGION.
of 1874, when it was discontinued on account of water. The ore found here was exclusively
blende, which occurred in a flat sheet in the green-rock opening. The width of the sheet was
about eighty feet, its greatest thickness three feet, and it was worked for a distance of 800 feet.
The greatest depth below the surface is seventy feet. During the years 1873-74, this ground
produced about one thousand tons of blende.
Diamond Grrove Diggings. — These diggings are situated on Sections 25 and 26, Township
5, Range 2 east. They produce chiefly zinc ores, found in flat sheets in the pipe clay and glass-
rock openings. The following parties are now mining here.
Cain ^ Read. — Situated on the northwest quarter of Section 25. This party has been
working on the Rodersdorf range during the winters of 1873-74, 1874-75. The ore, which is
Smithsonite, is found in the glass-rock opening, in a range from sixteen to twenty feet wide,
and two hundred feet long. The production during the first season was seventeen and one-half
tons ; in the second season, twenty tons.
Robert Qonley ^ Sons. — Situated on the southwest quarter of Section 25. Mining has
been carried on here by the above party during the last ten years, on an east-and-west range.
Both kinds of zinc ore and lead ore are found here, in the pipe-clay and glass-rock openings,
but chiefly in the latter. The range is from forty to sixty feet wide, and has been worked a
distance of one hundred and fifty yards. During the last year and a half, the product of lead
ore has been 60,000 pounds, and 60 tons of zinc ore during the last two years.
BiddicJc Diggings. — A valuable deposit of lead ore has lately been discovered on the south-
west quarter of Section 24, Township 5, Range 2 east. Four flat sheets, from one to four inches
thick, are found here, situated above one another in the upper pipe-clay opening. It has not
yet been sufiiciently worked to determine its actual extent.
Martin Bros. ^ Cramer. — Situated on the southwest quarter of Section 25. This and the
preceding one are on land owned by Mr. James Spensley. They have been mining here on
an east-and-west range, which was discovered two years since. The ore is Smithsonite, and is
found in the glass-rock opening, which is here from ten to thirty feet deep.
Spensley ^ Brown. — situated on the northeast quarter of Section 26, Township 5, Range
2 east. Men have been employed since July, 1876, driving an adit in the glass-rock opening.
The adit is 200 feet long, and drains an east-and-west range. The product has been : Lead ore,
36,000 pounds ; blende, 6 tons.
Opir ^ Lancaster. — Situated on the northwest quarter of Section 26. This party is work-
ing the same range, 450 yards west of the preceding. It is here known as the Lancaster
range, and has been worked by the present party about a year. The product has been 150 tons
of blende. It is worked by an adit.
McDermott ^ Co. — Mining has been carried on here by Mr. McDermott for about twenty-
six years, in the McShane & Gray range. The ore is found in flat and pitching sheets, in
crevices and crevice-openings in the Galena limestone, above the flat openings. The dig-
gings now produce lead and zinc ore. The average annual product is about thirty thousand
pounds.
Schlosser tf- Co. — This party has been working four or five years on the east end of the
same range as the preceding. The ground is- dry, and the lead ore is found about forty feet
below the surface. The average annual product is about ten thousand pounds.
William ^ Thomas Thrasher. — This party has been working in this vicinity about fifteen
years, on a parallel range, situated about a quarter of a mile southeast of Schlosser & Co. The
product is chiefly lead ore.
Lost G-rove Diggings. — These diggings are situated on land owned by Mr. J. J. Ross, on
Section 33, Township 5, Range 2 east. Mining is confined here to the winter season. The
ground is dry, and the ore is found in flat sheets in the glass-rock opening. The following par-
ties are mining here :
Rigger ^ Arthur. — This party has been working two years in an east-and-west range,
producing lead ore and Smithsonite. The range varies from twenty-five to fifty feet in width.
HISTORY or THE LEAD REGION. 391
and lies from thirty to forty feet below the surface. The product is valued at $12,000 per
annum.
Clayton ^ Co. — Situated about a quarter of a mile northwest of the preceding. Have
been working during the last twelve years on the Jim Brown range. This is an east-and-west
range, from fifty to sixty feet wide, and lying about seventy feet below the surface, producing
exclusively lead ore. The product has been about twenty thousand pounds per annum.
G-arden ^ Son. — Situated about one-fourth of a mile south of the preceding. They have
been working about two years, and have produced about $400 worth of ore.
Robert Brown ^ Co. — Situated about half a mile east of Clayton & Co., and on the same
range. The diggings here are from twenty-five to fifty feet deep. They have been working
about three years, and have produced about thirty thousand pounds per annum.
Surfer ^ Co. — They have been working on a range near Brown & Co. during the last
eight years, producing lead and zinc ore.
CALAMINE DISTRICT.
There are several tracts of land situated in Sections 18 and 19, Township 3, Range 3 east,
which were formerly quite productive, but little work is now done on them. They are situated
on the left side of the Pecatonica River, on the ridge which separates the Wood and Bonner
Branches. The ridge slopes abruptly on all sides, but one toward the various streams which
nearly inclose it. On the summit of the ridge there is a thickness of about one hundred feet
of Galena limestone, underlaid by about fifty feet of the blue and buff limestones, below which
is the sandstone. All these formations may be distinctly seen in passing from the summit of
the ridge to the valley of the Pecatonica. During the winter of 1876-77, some mining was
done here by Mr, Charles Mappes, of Belmont, on an east-and-west range, lying from thirty to
forty feet below the surface. Four men were employed, working on a flat sheet of blende and
galenite. The amount produced could not be ascertained. Some Smithsonite is also produced
in this vicinity.
Yellowstone Diggings, Pierce ^ Son. — Some work has been done here during the winter
seasons of the last three years, in a range a quarter of a mile north of the New Kirk range,
situated on the southwest quarter of Section 14, Towtiship 4, Range 4 east. The lead ore is
found in a vertical sheet in a crevice opening about fourteen feet below the surface.
In the winter of 1874-75 the product was 18,000 pounds, and in the following winter
about one thousand eight hundred pounds. No mining is done here in the summer.
WIOTA DISTRICT.
This is a small group of east-and-west ranges, crossed by north-and-south crevices, situated
on the northwest quarter of Section 19, Township 2, Range 5 east. But very little mining is
done here; the annual production of the whole district does not exceed 40,000 pounds. The
ore is lead, occurring in the middle portion of the Galena limestone, and there does not seem
to be any regular opening. There are several parties here, among whom the principal ones are
as follows :
Purcell ^ Harden. — They are at work in the old Hamilton Diggings, removing the pillars
from the old workings, which were abandoned many years since. They are unable to go any
deeper, or make any new discoveries, on account of the water, which is here quite plentiful. The
ground is owned by the Ridgeway Mining Company, of Madison. Messrs. Purcell & Harder
have worked here two years, and during that time have produced 20,000 pounds of lead ore.
Smith ^ Anderson. — Situated a short distance north of the preceding, and from the north-
ern part of the Hamilton Diggings. This does not appear to form any regular range. The
ore occurs in east-and-west sheets, in very hard rock, and seldom in openings. The diggings
have now been worked since January, 1873, and have produced 80,000 pounds.
392 HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION.
COPPER IN THE LEAD REGION.
The last mining for copper in this region was done at Mineral Point from 1873 to 1876.
Mr. James Toay is authority for the following sketch of the work in past years: " Sometime in
1837-38, copper was discovered on the southeast quarter of Section 32, Township 5 north,
Range 3 east, one mile northeast of the Mineral Point Court House. The crevice had a course
south 85° east, and was traced for over one-third of a mile. The locality has not been worked
since 1842. A great amount of copper was obtained. Some of the ore was smelted by William
Kendall & Co. Sometime in 1844, S. P. Preston came to the region and went into partnership
with Kendall & Co. Two other furnaces have been worked ; one by Charles Bracken and one
by Curtiss Beach."
From 1873 to 1875, Mr. Toay produced about two hundred tons of copper ore from the
mines near Mineral Point.
For a detailed statement of the statistics of the amount and kinds of ore raised prior to
1877, reference is made to the State Geological Report of 1877.
SETTLEMENT OF THE LEAD REGION.
A brief narrative of the settlement of the lead region is necessary to a complete under-
standing of the growth which eventuated in the formation of Iowa, La Fayette and Grant
Counties.
In the general history of the State, which precedes these pages, can be found a sketch of
the several explorations of the Wisconsin River, or rather the fact that they were used as ave-
nues for the still further exploration of the Mississippi Valley during the seventeenth century.
Those rapid journeys cannot be considered as bearing upon the subsequent selection of this
region by white men, save in so far as they made known the existence of a habitable section, and
one which contained valuable mineral deposits as well as fertile agricultural lands.
THE FIRST EXPLORER.
Nicholas Perrot is said to have discovered lead in this region daring his visit here in 1692,
but this assertion is not proved by his wi^itten statements concerning his trip.
Probably the first explorer of what is called the lead district, including Dubuque County,
Iowa, and Jo Daviess County, 111., was Le Sueur, a French trader, who, on the 25th of August,
1700, while on an expedition to the Sioux on St. Peter's River, now in Minnesota, discovered a
small river entering the Mississippi on the east side, which he named " The River of the Mines."
He describes it as a small river running from the north, but turning to the east, and he further
says that " a few miles up this river is a lead mine." Le Sueur was unquestionably the first
white man who trod the banks of Fever (Galena) River. He visited lead mines which were then
known to and probably operated in a crude manner by the Indians.
Whatever may have been done in the way of mining by the natives during the unrecorded
years of their occupancy, it is clear that the primitive methods of work have left no traces visible
to-day.
A natural sequence of the ownership of the territory now known as the Mississippi Valley
was the exploration of the river by French adventurers. Le Sueur pointed the way for other
brave men, who were inspired both by a love of wild life and that universal hope of pecuniary
gain. When reports of discoveries of rich mineral deposits in the hills of the section defined
by the Ouisconsin and Mississippi Rivers reached the lower settlements, numerous parties
undoubtedly attempted to speedily profit by the knowledge thus gained.
THE MISSOURI DIGGINGS.
Some twenty years after the voyage of Le Sueur (who unquestionably did find lead at sev-
eral difi"erent points an the Upper Mississippi, besides obtaining specimens in the Fever River
HISTORY OF THE LEAD KEGION. 393
country), mining was actually begun in what are known as the Missouri Diggings, although it
was not until 1798 that it became a regular business or was systematically carried on.
The sparse settlement of the Lower Mississippi Valley at the beginning of the century did
not conduce to a rapid invasion of the Indian country, as in the present days the discovery of val-
uable minerals in forbidden regions would do.
THE MARGRY LETTERS.
A most valuable contribution to historic information was recently made through the medium -
ship of Hon. E. B. Washburne, late United States Minister to France, and formerly a resident
of Galena. Mr. Washburne dates his interest in the lead region from 1840, and because of
those years of prosperity there he gladly improved opportunities presented while he was in
France to gain further knowledge of its early history. The subjoined extract explains itself, and
is most timely in its appearance.
Chicago, December 13, 1880.
Mr. a. D. Hagen, Librarian of the Chicago Historical Society.
Ueab Sir : From the great interest you have taken in the early discoveries and explorations in Canada (or New
France) and Louisiana, you are aware that Pierre Margry is one of the most thoroughly studied men of the present
day in all those matters, as he is also'one of the best-known men in historical circles, both in Europe and in this country.
The Chicago Historical Society honored itself, some time since, by making him an honorary member. In view of his
extended and accurate researches, he has been decorated by the French Government as a Chevalier of the Legion of
Honor. It may be said that he has spent most of his life in the archives of the Ministry of the Marine of France. It
is a mine of historic wealth of unsurpassed richness. Under the patronage of our Congress he has brought out a vast
mass of material, hitherto unpublished, in relation to the discovery and explorations of the French on the North
American Continent. This material is in the course of publication at Washington, and will be looked for with great
interest by all students of history.
I had the pleasure, during my residence in Paris, of knowing Mr. Margry quite well, and talked with him often
in- regard to the early history of New France and Louisiana. In the course of our conversation, I took the opportunity
to talk with him touching the early discoveries of lead mines in what is now Illinois and Missouri, and received a letter
in reply, which I inclose herewith. He was kind enough to send me a transcript of certain documents which are to be
published by Congress, and which I have not yet seen. By these documents I am more convinced than ever that the
Galena and Dubuque lead mines were the earliest ever discovered by the French explorers, either in Illinois, Iowa or
Missouri. The accounts of the discovery, about the year 1719, of the mine of M. de la Motte and the Maramek mines
of Missouri, are very interesting, but I cannot here refer to them particularly. What interested me very much is an
extract from a letter, written from Fort de Chartres, on the 21st day of .July, 1722, by one Le Gardeur de Lisle, which
I copy herewith, and which is in relation to the discovery of minerals on the Illinois River:
" I have thehonor to inform you, gentlemen, that I havebeen sent in command of a detachment of twelve soldiers,
to accompany Mens. Renaud to the Illinois River, where the Indians have found some lumps of copper, which they
brought to Mons. de Boisbriant, and more particularly to a coal mine, said to be very rich.
" When we reached the place of our destination, M. Renaud commenced the search for the copper mine, but
without success, no sign of that metal being visible anywhere. However, in looking for the coal mine, which we had
been told was near the spot we had examined before, we discovered a silver and copper mine, of which Mons. 'Renaud
made an assay, and which upon the surface of the ground is much richer than M. de la Motte's.
" I have kept a little diary of that journey ; 1 take the liberty of sending it to you. It will enable you to locate
the spot where this mine is situated. It is a most beautiful site ; the mine is easy to work, and close to a magnificent
country for settlers. I am delighted with my trip and with the success which has attended it, for the assay made by
Mons. Renaud was upon ore found on the surface, and it has proved to be much better than that of M. de la Motto's
mine," etc.
The alleged discovery of silver and copper mines on the Illinois River has never been verified to any extent. As
to the coal mine said to be " very rich," a question which now arises is. Where was it located ? All of the expeditions
for the discovery of mines were fitted out at Fort Chartres, which was then evidently the commercial as well as the
military headquarters of all the country.
The letters, reports, etc., made in regard to these early mines, are very interesting. In one of the reports made
by one Le Guis, in 1743, he speaks of the miners of that day, and his description of them would apply, in many
respects, to the miners in the Fever River, or Galena, lead mines half a century ago. He says :
" Most of these ihiners, numbering eighteen or twenty when I left Illinois, have been driven there by fast living,
unable to satisfy their passions any longer. Then, everybody here works for himself, and only gives his attention to
a few veins or branches, not being able to dig far enough to reach the heart of the mine. In their search they use an
aua;er four or five feet lone, which they sink into the ground in different places until they find one of these veins.
When they do strike one, tbey make a big hole and dig all the mineral they can out of it. If they meet with any
obstacle, in the way of stones or water, they give up that vein and try elsewhere. As soon as one man has gathered
enough mineral to live the rest of the year, he quits work and begius to smelt it."
Further along in this report, M. Le Guis gives an account of the manner in which these miners smelted their ore
in 1743, and it is almost precisely the same method which was followed in the Galena up to within three or four years
394 HISTOEY OP THE LEAD REaiON.
before I located there in 1840. There were then the remains of many old log furnaces throughout the mines. It was
about in 1836, 1 think, that the log furnaces were supplanted by the Drummond blast furnace. The amount of waste
or scoria by the old log method of smelting was very great. This waste was in a great measure avoided by the blast
farnaoe, of which the inventor was Robert A. Drummond, of Jo Daviess County, the uncle of the Hon. Willis Drum-
mond, of Iowa, late Commissioner of the General Land Office at Washington.
The following is the description of the log furnace one hundred and thirty-seven years ago :
" They cut down two or three big trees and divide them in logs five feet long ; then they dig a small basin in the
ground and pile three or four of these logs on top of each other over this basin ; then they cover it with the same
wood, and put three more logs, shorter than the first, on top, and one at each end, crosswise. This makes a kind of
box, in which they put the mineral ; then they pile as much wood as they can on top and around it. When this
is done, they set fire to it from under, the logs burn up, and partly rielt the mineral. They are sometimes obliged to
repeat the same operation three times in order to extract all the matter. This matter, falling into the basin, forms a
lump, which they afterward melt over again into bars, weighing from sixty to eighty pounds, in order to facilitate the
transportation to Kaskaskia. This is done with horses, who are quite vigorous. in this country. One horse carries
generally four or five of these bars. It is worthy of remark, gentlemen, that in spite of the bad system these men
have to work, there have been taken out of the La Motte mine 2,500 of these bars in 1741 ; 2,228 in 1742 ; and these
men work only four or five months in the year at most."
Mr. Margry also observes that he is unable to throw direct light upon the occupation of the
Fever River section by the French, in the eighteenth century. A history of Louisiana, written by
Lepage Dupratz in 1758, forty-five years before the ownership of the colony was transferred, con-
tains the statement that " the region is not frequented." This is but natural, since the French
Governors held quasi court in Canada and the Lower Mississippi region, leaving the western
tract of the present Illinois out of the range of more frequent mention.
Dubuque's settlement.
In 1788, Julien Dubuque, a French trader with the Indians, who had heard of the region
in the course of his business, located on the site of the city bearing his name. He was accom-
panied by a party of miners. Dubuque obtained a grant of a large tract of land from the chiefs
of the Sacs and Foxes, and was, fortunately, able to secure the confirmation of his claim from
Carondelet, then Governor of Louisiana. The grant was confined to the western bank of the
Mississippi. Dubuque remained in occupation of these lands, engaged in mining, until the
time of his death, which occurred in 1810.
Julien Dubuque's grave is on the summit of a high bluff overlooking the Mississippi
River, about two miles below the city of Dubuque, and above the mouth of Catfish Creek.
When Dubuque located on the west shore, it is said that a man named D'Bois also located
on the east bank, nearly opposite the Frenchman's trading and mining post, probably a short
distance below the Dunleith of to-day. But so little is known of this man that his residence is
traditionary. The period between 1788 and 1811 is one of vague and uncertain historic charac-
ter in this region. It is said that traces of white occupants at a very early period were discov-
ered on the Sinsinawa by the "first " settlers of Jo Daviess County, who were miners. It would
be strange, indeed, with tbe knowledge of the immense deposits of lead and the abundance of
game in this region, as well as the mining operations of Dubuque, so near at hand, if no adven-
turers or traders ever visited the Riviere au Feve, or ventured among the Sacs and Foxes east of
the Mississippi ; especially since the success of Dubuque in gaining a grant could not be kept a
matter of absolute secrecy. Roving traders and agents of the American Fur Company — that
corporation which has left its tracks everywhere throughout the Northwest — must surely have
been cognizant of the rich stores of peltry annually obtained along the Wisconsin and its many
tributaries, and engaged in competition with the - miner and trader on the west side. But
thus far no record of occupation or irregular traffic has been discovered. The first evidence of
occupation of Jo Daviess County after D'Bois, and prior to 1819-20, is the testimony of Oapt.
D. S. Harris, of Galena, an old steamboat Captain who ran upon the Mississippi at a very early
day, and who furnished the information hereinafter given, as late as 1878.
A MISSING ISLAND.
Capt. Harris says that, in 1811, George E. Jackson, a Missouri miner, had a rude log
furnace and smelted lead on an island then existing in the Mississippi, but which has since dis.
HISTOBY OF THE LEAD REGION. 395
appeared. The island was on the east side of the main channel, a short distance below Dunleith,
nearly opposite the mouth of the Catfish Creek. Jackson floated his lead to St. Louis by flat-
boat, and experienced much trouble with the Indians. He was joined in 1812-13 by John S.
Miller, but soon after the island was abandoned. Jackson went to Missouri, and Miller went
down the river and built the first cabin and blacksmith-shop on the site of Hannibal, Mo. It is
said that in 1818, Miller, in company with George W. Ash and another man, ascended the Mis-
sissippi with a boatload of merchandise as far as Dubuque's mines, trading with the Indians.
It is believed he penetrated to the site of Galena, and spent some time on Fever River, in this
region.
The first permanent settlement by white men on the east shore, within the lead district,
of which any reliable knowledge remains, dates from 1820, on what is now Galena River. In
1823, Miller and Jackson again visited this spot.
In 1803, when the United States purchased the province of Louisiana from Napoleon, of
France, the existence of lead mines in this region was well known. In 1807, Congress enacted
that these mines should be reserved from sale and held in fee simple, under the exclusive control
of the Government. Leases of three to five years were issued to various individuals to work
them as tenants of the United States, but, until about 1823, most of the work was done in Mis-
souri, and the operations appear to have been carried on without much system. Miners through-
out all the lead-mining districts paid but slight attention to Congressional enactments. Lessees
were not properly supported in their rights, and, of course, became constantly involved in dis-
putes with claimants and trespassers, which often proved ruinous to their undertakings.
Dubuque's operations on the east side.
The veteran Capt. Harris says that, unquestionably, Julien Dubuque operated on both sides
of the Mississippi, and mined on Apple River, near the present village of Elizabeth, worked the
old Buck and Hog leads, near Fever River, the Cave Diggings, in what is now Vinegar Hill
Township, and others, as early as 1805, and very probably at a still earlier date. The Indians
were on very friendly terms with Dubuque, and, when they reported a discovery to him, he sent
his assistants, Canadian Frenchmen and half-breeds, to prove them, and, in some cases, to work
them. All over this region, when Capt. Harris came to Fever River, a lad of fifteen, in 1823,
traces of old mining operations existed, which were evidently not the work of the Indians. At
what was called the Allenwrath Diggings, at Ottawa, about two miles from the present city of
Galena, a heavy sledge-hammer was found under the ashes of one of those primitive furnaces,
in 1826. This furnace had been worked long before the date generally assigned to the first white
settlement in this region. This ancient hammer, weighing from fifteen to twenty pounds, was —
and probably still is — preserved by Mr. Houghton, a well-known editor of the Northwest. The
Indians never used such an implement, and it was unquestionably left by some of Dubuque's
miners where it was found in 1826.
All these important considerations, in connection with the fact that the Mississippi River
was the great highway of the pioneers of that day ; that Prairie du Chien was a thriving French
village, and had been a French military post as early as 1755, long before Dubuque located
above the mouth of Catfish Creek; that a military and trading post existed at Fort Armstrong
(Rock Island) previous to the later " first settlements " on the east side of the Mississippi, now
Jo Daviess County, lead almost irresistibly to the conclusion that " La Pointe " was well known
to the earlier Indian traders, and that the lead-mining region around Riviere au Feve had been
visited and occupied, temporarily at least, by white men, for many years prior to 1819-20. But
by whom ? History is silent, and those hardy pioneers have left no footprints on the shifting
sands of time.
It must be considered as reasonably certain, as previously stated, that the lead-mining dis-
trict, now lying in Jo Daviess County, [II., and in Grant, Iowa and La Fayette Counties, Wis.,
was more or less occupied by Dubuque's men before any permanent settlements were made in
the territory. Dubuque, by his wonderful magnetic power, had obtained great influence among
396
HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION.
the Indians, then occupying this entire region. They believed him to be almost eqaal to the
Great Spirit, and they feared him nearly as much. They implicitly obeyed him, and it is not a
mere chimera to presume that they reported to him the existence of leads on the east as well
as on the west side of the Father of Waters ; and it is reasonable to suppose, when such reports
were made to him, that he verified them by actual observations made by himself or his men.
From the remembrances of the oldest residents of this region, now surviving, and the traces of
mining done by whites long before any permanent, settlements were made, it seems more than
probable that Dubuque and his men were the first whites who occupied the Fever River lead-
mining district, in common with the aboriginal inhabitants.
It must also be considered certain that " LaPointe" was familiar to them as a trading-post,
long previous to actual white settlement. The total absence of records leaves the subject
enshrouded in a darkness that is relieved only by tradition. The locality here designated as
" La Pointe " is that also known as " The Portage," near the present city of Galena.
In February, 1810, Nicholas Boilvin, then agent for the Winnebagoes at Prairie du Chien,
passed through this region on foot from Rock Island, with Indians for guides, and by them was
shown a lead mine, which, from his memoranda, written in the French language, was near Fever
River, and was probably what was afterward known to the early settlers as the Old Buck Lead.
EARLY NAVIGATION AND COMMERCE.
In 1810, Henry Shreeve is said to have worked his way up to Fever River, and there
obtained a small cargo of lead, which he floated back to the towns on the Lower Mississippi.
The following extract from Moses iSI. Strong's forthcoming " History of Wisponsin," con-
firms the fact of early-time navigation and intercourse between the lead region and St. Louis :
"In the period between 1816 and 1820, Capt. John Shaw made eight trips, in a trading-
boat, from St. Louis to Prairie du Chien, and visited the lead mines where the city of Galena
now is, and where the Indians smelted the lead in rude furnaces of their own construction ; and
at one time Mr. Shaw carried away seventy tons, which they had produced from the ores obtained
by themselves, in their primitive modes.
" Capt. Shaw afterward lived in Green Lake County, in this State, where he died a few
years since."
In 1816, by a treaty made at St. Louis with various tribes to settle the disputes that had
arisen under the treaty of 1804, by which the Sacs and Foxes had ceded to the United States
all the lands lying between the Illinois and Wisconsin Rivers, east of the Mississippi, all the
lands north of a line running west from the southern extremity of Lake Michigan to the Missis-
sippi, were relinquished to the Indians, except a tract five leagues square on the Mississippi
River, to be designated by the President of the United States. These reservations were intended
to be suflBcient to embrace the lead mines known to be worked by the squaws and presumed to
be valuable, although their location was not known to the Government, and probably the unde-
fined character of the reservation is thus accounted for.
DAVENPORT AT FEVER RIVER.
In 1816, the late Col. George Davenport, agent of the American Fur Company, trading
with the Sacs and Foxes, occupied the trading-post at the Portage, on Fever River, and lived
there, but how long is not now known. He soon after left that point and went to Rock Island.
The post was afterward occupied by Amos Farrar, of the firm of Davenport, Farrar & Farnham,
acents of the American Fur Company. This important fact in the early history of this district
is given on the authority of William H. Snyder, of Galena, who had the statement direct from
Col. Davenport in 1835.
Previous to 1819, the Sacs and Foxes, both noted as warlike and dangerous tribes, had killed
several traders who had attempted to traffic amnng them. It was currently reported that a trader
met his death at their hands, at Sinsinawa, in 1813.
MINEF^AL POINT,
HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION. 399
THE BUCK LEAD.
In 1819, the historic diggings known for more than half a century as the "Buck Lead," were
heing worked by the Indians, the labor being mainly performed by squaws. It was the largest
body of mineral then ever discovered on Fever River, and an immense amount of galena ore was
taken out by the natives and sold to traders, before the lead was worked out by Johnson, as
hereinafter referred to. Mr. Farrar estimated that several million pounds had been taken from
this lead by the Indians ; more, in fact, than was taken from it by white miners afterward.
This lead took its name from " The Buck," a Sac or Fox chief, who was encamped with his
band on Fever River in 1819, and worked it. Its existence had been known to the Indians
for many years, and unquestionably by Dubuque, previous to its working by Buck and his band.
Close by it and parallel with it, was a smaller lead, which may be called the " Doe " lead, in
honor of Buck's favorite squaw. Before the arrival of Johnson, in 1820-21, the Indians took
from this lead the largest nugget of mineral ever raised in the region. It took all the force they
could muster to raise it, and, when they had succeeded in getting it out, the Indian miners urged
that it be sent to Washington as a gift to the Great Father, but, since no record of its hav-
ing been so disposed of is extant, it is reasonable to believe that the traders outweighed their
inclinations by ofiering a slight advance on the customary price, which was a peck of corn for a
peck of mineral.
JESSE SHULL'S TRADERSHIP.
In 1819, when the Buck Lead was being worked by the Indians, Jesse W. Shull was trad-
ing at Dubuque's mines, for a company at Prairie du Chien. That company desired him to go
to Fever River and trade with the Indians ; but he declared that it was unsafe, that the Sacs
and Foxes had already murdered several traders, and declined to go unless he could have the
protection of the United States troops. Col. Johnson, of the United States Army, subsequently
was induced to summon a council of the Sac and Fox nations at Prairie du Chien, and when
the chiefs had assembled, he informed them that the goods which Mr. Shull was about to bring
among them were sent out by their Father, the President of the United States (it was not con-
sidered a sin to lie to the Indians even as long ago as then), and told them that they must not
molest Shull in his business.
Having received from the Government oflScers and from the Indians assurances of protec-
tion, Shull came to Fever River late in the summer of 1819, and erected a trading-house on the
bottoms at the river, probably near the foot of the present Perry street. Mr. Seymour, in his
" History of Galena," published in 1848, fixes the location as the "site of the American
House; " but, as that landmark has long since disappeared, the location is indefinite. During
1848, Mr. Seymour had a personal interview with Mr. Shull, then residing in Green County,
and gathered from his lips the information given herein. Mr. Shull stated that he and Dr.
Samuel C. Muir were the first white settlers on Fever River at that point. Dr. Muir began
trading, with goods furnished by Col. Davenport, at that place, the same year. Mr. Shull also
said that Francois Bouthiilier, a French trader known about Prairie du Chien as early as 1812,
"occupied " a rude hut at the bend, on the east side of Fever River, in 1819 ; but whether he
built the same, or merely occupied a shanty already constructed by some earlier trader, is unde-
termined. Tins leaves the subject in a vague state ; but the inference is that Bouthiilier not
only lived in but also built the hut.
Mr. Shull does not appear to have been a permanent fixture at Fever River, for he soon
moved to other places, and changed his base as the Indians shifted their hunting and trapping
grounds. He subsequently removed to what is now La Fayette County, as is shown in the his-
tory of that county proper.
DR. SAMUEL C. MUIR.
Dr. Samuel C. Muir, mentioned by Mr. Shull as trading in the district in 1819, may have
been the companion of that pioneer, but no evidence goes to prove the fact. Just when he first
came and how long he remained is unknown. Dr. Muir was an educated physician, a graduate of
400 HISTOEY OF THE LEAD REGION.
Edinburg, and a man of strict integrity. He was Surgeon in the United States Army previ-
ous to his settlement at La Pointe. He married an Indian woman of the Fox Nation. In
1819-20, Dr. Muir was stationed at Fort Edwards, now Warsaw. He resigned in the latter
year, and built the first house on the site of Keokuk, but leased his claim to parties in St. Louis,
and again came to La Pointe in 1820, to practice his profession. He was the first regular phy-
sician in the district. He remained ten years. Subsequently, he returned to Keokuk, where
he suddenly died, leaving an estate badly involved. His widow and her two surviving children
(two had previously died) disappeared, some say to resume her old relations with her tribe, on
the Upper Missouri.
A. P. VAN MATRB.
In the summer of 1819, A. P. Van Matre located on the east side of the river, at La
Pointe, where he engaged in smelting. From an article on the early settlement of this district
published in the Galena Sentinel in 1843, the following is taken relative to this man :
"In the fall of the year 1819, our old friend, Capt. D. G. Bates, started from St. Louis,
with a French crew, for Fever River, Upper Mississippi, lead mines. His vessel was a ' keel,'
the only means of conveyance then of heavy burthens on the Upper Mississippi ; and the boat-
men in those days were, some of them, 'half-horse and half-alligator.' But the merry French,
after arriving off Pilot Knob, commenced hunting for Fever River. After a search of three
days they found the mouth, and, on the 13th of November, after pushing through the high
grass and rice lakes, they arrived safely at where Galena now stands, where they were greeted
by some of the natives, from the tall grass, as well as by our old acquaintances, J. W. Shull
and A. P. Van Matre, who had taken to themselves wives from the daughters of the land, and
were traders for their brethren. [A portion of the scrap is here gone. Others are evidently
mentioned ; Dr. Muir, for one.] Capt. Bates, after disposing of or leaving his cargo in
exchange for lead, etc., returned to St. Louis for another cargo."
Future generations will be glad to learn what the primitive "keel-boat " was. The novel
craft was built to fill the peculiar demand of the locality. It was something like a modern
" scow-barge," only its hull was lower. These boats were from fifty to eighty feet long and from
ten to fifteen feet beam, with two to three feet depth of hold. On the deck was built the " cargo-
box," which generally extended to within about ten feet of the ends of the boat, with about two
feet space between gunwales and box. This space was called a " walking-board." Sometimes
there was no room for this runway, and it was projected over the hull. The rudder was a
gigantic sweep. The boat was propelled by oars, sails, poles, or any other contrivance which
ingenuity or necessity suggested. When the water was high and the boat near shore, the crew
would seize the bushes and "bushwhack " along. The character of many men who engaged in
this life was such as to render " bushwhacking " a term of severest reproach even to this day.
Frequently, a long rope was attached to the boat, and the crew organized into a towing-club.
This style of navigation was called " cordelling." Sometimes a rope was made fast to a tree or
an anchor and hauled upon, the crew walking from stem to stern until the craft was alongside
of the anchorage, when another " hitch " was made. This laborious work was the only method
of securing navigation in the Upper Mississippi at the time mentioned.
Francois Bouthillier, the other and later occupant of the Fever River trading-post in 1819,
was a roving trader, who followed the nomadic habits of his dusky customers. Whether he
remained in his shanty, calling it home, from that time on, is unknown. The second mention
of him is made in the statement of J. G. Soulard, who, while on his way to Fort Snelling, in
1821, found Bouthillier at Fever River, still acting as trader. Mr. Shull, in the interview with
Mr. Seymour, already mentioned, said : " Mr. Bouthillier, after he occupied a shanty at the
' Bend,' in 1819, purchased a cabin then known as the cabin of Bagwell & Co., supposed to be
near the lower ferry. In 1824, and previous to Bouthillier's purchase, the house and lot had
been sold for $80." Here Mr. Bouthillier engaged in trade and established a ferry, which is the
first permanent settlement made by him of 'which authentic account is given. Capt. Harris is
authority for saying that such a ferry and trading-house were built near that point.
HISTOKY OF THE LEAD REGION. 401
In this connection, it is well to add that Mr. George Ferguson and Mr. Allan Tomlin, early
settlers and reliable men, both express the opinion that there was a trading-post at the Portage,
three and a-half miles below La Pointe, before either of those whose names have been mentioned
were at the place. However this may be, in the absence of further evidence, it must be admit-
ted that there were a large number of Indians encamped or living in the region referred to at
that time, whose women and old men were engaged in raising lead from the Buck lead, and the
fame of their rude though, for them, extensive mining operations, must have naturally attracted
the attention of traders, who probably came to traffic with them. The inference, if not the proof,
sustains the statements of Messrs. Ferguson and Tomlin. The Portage was a narrow neck of
land between Fever River and the Mississippi, so named because the Indians and traders were
accustomed to transport their canoes and goods across to save the journey down to the mouth,
some two and a half miles, the neck being only a few rods in width. A furrow was plowed
across the neck in 1834, by Lieut. Ilobart, and now there is a deep channel, called the " cut-
off." This was certainly a good location for a trading-post.
In November, 1821, when the charge of the lead mines was transferred from the General
Land Office to the War Department, no mines were known to be worked in any of the mining
districts under leases or legal authority, although many were known to be worked without
authority, especially in Missouri. This statement is made in the sense of United States author-
ity, for it was only by obtaining the authority and friendship of the Indians, either by marriage
with squaws or by presents, that operations could be carried on with impunity by white men.
THE FIRST WHITE WOMAN.
In 1821, Thomas H. January located on "La Pointe." He brought his wife and one
child — a son. This must be accepted as the first known presence of a white woman in the lead
region. Mrs. January died in a short time after her arrival, and her remains were taken back
to Kentucky, her former homo, in 1826. Mr. January was a former resident of Maysville,
Ky., where he lost his fortune. He moved to the new country for the purpose of retrieving his
financial condition. He died November 29, 1828, and was buried with Masonic honors, accord-
ing to the Miner's Journal, a paper he doubtless helped to establish.
THE FIRST AMERICAN HISTORY.
in 1822, this extreme western frontier settlement had become sufficiently well known to have
a place in the literature of the day. A book called The Gazetteer of Illinois and Missouri
was published that year. The Galena River, called frequently "Fever River," was also known
as "Bean River," because the French traders had styled it "Riviere au Feve," meaning bean.
The Gazetteer contained the following :
"Bean River (Riviere au Feve, Fr.), a navigable stream of Pike County, emptying into the
Mississippi three miles below Catfish Creek, twenty miles below Dubuque's mines, and about
seventy above Rock River. Nine miles up this stream a small creek empties into it from the
west. The banks of this creek and the hills, which abound in alluvium, are filled with lead ore
of the best quality. Three miles below this, on the banks of Bean River, is the trader's village,
consisting of ten or twelve houses or cabins. At this place the ore is obtained from the Indians
is smelted, and then sent in boats either to Canada [by way of the Wisconsin to the Portage,
then down the Fox River to Green Bay] or New Orleans. The mines are at present exten-
sively worked by Colonel Johnson, of Kentucky, who, during the last session of Congress (winter
of 1821-22), obtained the exclusive right of working them for three years. The lands on this
river are poor, and are only valuable on account of the immense quantities of mineral which
they contain."
In the same work," Chicago is simply mentioned as a "village of Pike County, containing
twelve or fifteen houses, and about sixty or seventy inhabitants." It is very evident that there
was a "traders' village" on or near the present site of Galena in 1822, and that it was a point
of more importance, commercially, than Chicago at that time. The statement is confirmed by
402
mSTOEY OF THE LEAD REGION.
a letter from Capt. M. Marston, then commander at Fort Edwards, to Amos Farrar, Fever
River, dated April 12, 1822, in which appears the following: "The Johnsons, of Kentucky,
have leased the Fever River lead mines, and are about sending up a large number of men. It
is also said that some soldiers will be stationed there. If this is all true, the Foxes, and all the
trading establishments now there, must remove."
An explanation of the foregoing, and a confirmation of historic assertion, is found in official
documents. If the lead mines attracted traders, they naturally attracted miners also. Espe-
cially so since the Missouri mines were known to be fields wherein depredations could be, and
were, carried on. It followed in logical sequence that the Fever River district should not be left
in exemption to the rule. Possibilities soon become probabilities and actualities.
Leaving the Indian's and unlawful white man's attempts out of further mention, it is found
that the first regular operations of which records speak were those carried on by James Johnson,
of Kentucky, who is named in the foregoing extracts from the G-azetteer and letter. Mr. John-
son is spoken of as a brother of the historic Col. R, M. Johnson, famous as the accredited
slayer of Tecumseh — a disputed point in more recent history, however, but one foreign to this
chapter. The date of Johnson's arrival at La Pointe must remain forever in obscurity, unless
some records not now discovered are hereafter brought to light. Capt. Marston's letter, quoted
above, is supplemented by a letter written by Dr. H. Newhall, dated " Fever River, March 1,
1828," in which the Doctor speaks of the Buck lead as having been " worked out by Col. John-
son while he was at these mines in 1820-21." J. G, Soulard, who passed up the Mississippi in
1821, as already mentioned, also speaks of Johnson. He says the latter's boats were seen float-
ing down the river loaded with lead. He did not see Johnson, however. It is believed that
Johnson first came to the district in 1819-20 as a trader. In 1820-21, it appears probable that
he mined without Government authority, but under purchased permission from the Indians. At
that time the Land Office, and not the War Department, had control of the matter, and a very
vigorous exercise of authority was neither possible nor attempted. It is barely supposable that
Johnson was there engaged merely in smelting, and did not mine at all until legally empowered
to do so.
In August or September, 1821, Amos Farrar was managing a trading-post on Fever
River, as agent for the American Fur Company, and was living there with his Fox wife. This
fact is established by the existence of a letter addressed to him at the " Lead Mines, Fever
River," from Major S. Burbank, commander at Fort Armstrong, dated October 14, 1821. The
letter was sent " by favor of Mr. Music," and tendered Mr. Farrar " my old black horse, if it
will be of any service to you." A letter dated at Fort Armstrong, November 21, 1821, signed
"J. R. Stubbs," a blacksmith, was addressed to "Amos Farrar, Fever River, and introduced
the bearer of the letter, Mr. Symmes, who is accompanied by Mr. Connor and Mr. Bates."
These were, probably, B. Symmes and James Connor ; but whether it was David G or Nehe-
miah Bates, is uncertain. The documents preserved show that Mr. Farrar was, for at least two
years before and up to July 22, 1821, in the service of Louis Devotion, as a trader on the
Mis.sissippi, located at Fort Armstrong, and receiving his goods, via Green Bay, from Canada.
About the date referred to, he left Devotion's service and located at Portage, on Fever River.
In 1823, he had a trading-house on the bank of the river near the center of what is now Water
street, Galena. On the first of June, 1825, Mr. Farrar received a permit, signed Charles
Smith, acting Sub-agent of the United States Lead Mines, permitting him to occupy five acres
of United Slates land for cultivation, and to build a cabin thereon, situated near the Portage.
He was compelled to comply with all the timber regulations. Mr. Farrar had three children
by his Fox wife, but who are now dead. About two years before his death, he married Miss
Sophia Gear, sister of Capt. H. H. Gear. He died of consumption July 24, 1832, at his
house within the stockade then existing.
THE CHANGE IN MANAGEMENT.
In November, 1821, the jurisdiction of the lead mines was transferred from the General Land
OfiSce to the War Department, and January 4, 1822, leases were granted to T. D. Oarniel and
HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION. 403
Benjamin Johnson, and to Messrs. Suggett & Payne, all of Kentucky, for one hundred and
sixiy iicres of land to each of the two parties to be selected by them, in the northern part of
Illinoisorthesouthernpartof the then, Michigan Territory, now Wisconsin. Lieut. C. Burdine, of
the United States Army, was ordered to meet them in the spring at the Great Crossings of the
Kentucky, proceed with them in exploring the country, assist them in the selection of their
lands, protect them with an armed force, and mal 3 surveys of the ground for the information of
the Government. Subsequently, leases were granted to other parties. The absence of records
in the West — though probably such reports as were made can be found in the archives of the
War Department, if one is desirous of gaininar positive knowledge — leaves the precise movements of
Lieut. Burdine in obscurity. It is presumable that he obeyed the orders of his superiors, how-
ever, and made a more or less careful survey. April 12, 1822, Capt. Marston, at Fort Edwards
(Warsaw), wrote to Amos Farrar, at Fever River, that " the Johnsons, of Kentucky, have
leased the Fever Lead Mines, and are about sending up a large number of men." It is prob-
able that under their lease they selected land to include the Buck lead; and a little later, in the
same year, James Johnson and a Mr. Ward (probably D. L. Ward) came from Kentucky, bring-
ing with them a number of negro slaves. It was thus that human slavery was introduced into
the lead district. The statement is authoritatively made that the leaders were accompanied by
several young white men, whose names are not now remembered. Johnson had his furnace on
the site of McClosky's store, on the levee. He worked the Buck lead, and raised a large
amount of ore. David G. Bates and A. P. Van Matre worked a vein of mineral on Apple
River, near Elizabeth (Georgetown), but smelted their ore at Fever River. The number of
miners at work at this period (1822) is not known.
During 1822, Dr. Moses Meeker visited the lead region on a tour of observation. Un-
questionably others visited Fever River the same year for the same purpose, as the extraordinary
deposit of mineral had become knewn in the old settlements south and east.
Maj. John Anderson, of the United States Topographical Engineers, was stationed as
Government Agent at Fever River in 1822, probably, although the exact date is not shown. He
occupied a shanty on what was known as "Anderson's Slough" (now Harris' Slough), about
two and a half miles from Galena.
William Adney and wife were also in the place, Adney had been a soldier, and arrived here
that spring. Mrs. Adney was the only white woman at Fever River when the Ohio colony
arrived, which caused the statement to be made that she was the first white woman to settle in
in the district. The facts already mentioned concerning Mrs. Thomas H. January's arrival in
1821, and her death a short time later, show that Mrs. Adney must have been the second white
female settler. Mrs. Adney 's remains were disinterred and taken to her former home in Ken-
tucky in 1826.
Mr. Shull removed to what is now La Fayette County, as is fully shown in the history
of that county proper.
These few cabins and smelting-furnaces constituted the abodes of the white population in
the entire region, but the bottoms, ravines and hill-sides were thickly dotted with the wigwams
of the Sacs and Foxes. They were peaceable and treated the whites kindly. The greater portion
of the meats consumed by the settlers was furnished by the Indians. The squaws and old men,
who were too weak to hunt, were made to raise the mineral from the mines. The Winnebngoes
and Menomonees, although living in what is now Wisconsin, used to trade with the whites on Fever
River.
In 1823, large and important accessions were made to the population of the then remote
pioneer settlements on Fever River, and the history of the mining region begins to emerge from
the obscurity and uncertainty theretofore surrounding it. The testimony of reliable, living wit-
nesses was obtained in 1878, by the Western Historical Company. Capt. D. S. Harris and
Hiram B. Hunt, then surviving, and, indeed, the only survivors of the emigration of that year,
and a few persons who came in 1824, contributed to the interest and value of the history of the
region published in 1878.
404 HISTOEY OP THE LEAD EEGIOH.
MOSES Meeker's colony.
In 1823, there transpired an important event. Dr. Moses Meeker, who had prospected on
Fever River during the previous year, organized a colony and embarked on the 20th day of
April on the keel-boat " Col. Bomford," at Cincinnati, Ohio, for " the mines." There were
thirty men, besides the women and children, in the party, and seventy-five tons of freight, con-
sisting of a complete mining outfit merchandise and provisions, sufficient to subsist the party a
year after their arrival. Among the passengers, and all whose names can now be recorded,
were : Dr. Moses Meeker, James Harris, his son, Daniel Smith Harris, then fifteen years old ;
Benson Hunt and his wife, Elizabeth Harris Hunt ; his two daughters, Dorlesca and Dorcina,
and his son,. Hiram Benson — aged respectively, six, four and two years ; John Doyle, wife and
child ; Maria Bunce and her brothers, John and Hiram ; Maria Rutherford ; Thomas Boyce ;
Israel Garretson; John Whittington, the steersman; William Howlett, and a man named
House.
At St. Louis, James Harris left the boat and purchased a herd of cattle, which he drove
overland, ariiving two or three weeks later than the main party.
he "Col. Bomford" reached Fever River June 20, after a safe passage of sixty days,
whiv- was considered remarkably quick. The Mississippi was very high, and bushwhacking
had to be resorted to frequently. Just below St. Louis, the steamer " Virginia," bound for Fort
Snelling with supplies for the troops, passed the pioneers. This was the first steamer to make
the trip of the Upper Mississippi, above the mouth of the Illinois River. The " Virginia "
touched at Fever River, being the " first arrival " at that " port," landing in June, 1823. Her
speed was but little superior to a well-manned keel-boat. The " Col. Bomford " reached haven
on Sunday, June 20, and ran up the small creek known as Meeker's Branch, where a landing
was effected on the south bank, not far from the main stream.
The arrival of Dr. Meeker marked a new era in the history of the mining district, and gave
an impetus to the growth of the little outpost, which was then scarcely more than an Indian vil-
lage, almost unknown except to traders. It required enthusiasm, energy, bravery, perseverance
and patient endurance of toil and privations, not experienced in later years, to venture into the
Indian country and there make permanent settlement. Dr. Meeker possessed all those charac-
teristics in a remarkable degree, as did also James Harris, his foreman, confidential counselor and
friend. The two men became the head and soul, so to speak, of the new settlement, and to
them, perhaps more than to any others, it owes its rapid development, until, six years after their
arrival, a town was laid off by the United States authorities. Mrs. Meeker died December, 1829,
aged thirty-nine years. Dr. Meeker removed to Iowa County in 1833, and his history will be
found in the chapters devoted specifically to that locality. Mr. Harris lived but a few years to
witness the results of his labors, as he, too, died in 1829, suddenly. He sleeps beside his former
companion, in the cemetery at Galena. His children and descendants are among the respected
residents of Galena and the mineral district at the present time.
Returning to the year 1823, it is seen that Dr. Meeker built a cabin on what was called
Meeker's Branch, now on the east side of Main street, Galena. Hunt built a cabin a little
north. Directly across the road from Meeker's cabin a well was sunk. This well still remains,
although unused, to prove the identity of these pioneer cabins. Fifteen or twenty feet north of
the well, Benson Hunt built a blacksmith-shop, and there did the first regular work of the kind
done in the district. Harris and his son also put up cabins not far from Meeker's.
During the early years of settlement, Fever River was really an arm of the Mississippi, and
the first settlers attempted to make a harbor there, with considerable success, as is shown by the
early legislative proceedings.
When Dr. Meeker arrived, in June, 1828, he found less than one hundred white men in the
entire region. Prominent among them were Dr. Samuel C. Muir, who was practicing medicine
and was highly esteemed by all ; Thomas H. January, Amos Farrar, Jesse W. Shull, Frangois
Bouthillier, A. P. Vanmatre, D. G. Bates, John Conley, John Ray, James Johnson, Nehemiah
sistobY of the Lead eegion. 405
Bates, James Connor, B. Symmes, E. Rutter, John Burrell, Joseph Hardy, Robert Burton (not
the smelter), Montgomery Wilson, Stephen P. Howard, Martin Smith, Israel Mitchell (a sur-
veyor), John Armstrong, Cuyler Armstrong, William Thorn and others.
The War Department's Report for 1823 shows that the only persons engaged legitimately
in mining and smelting in this district under Government lease were James Johnson, James
Connor, B. Symmes and E. Rutter. This was in September. Dr. Meeker put up a furnace that
year, but his name was not returned in the reports until 1824. During the latter year he culti-
vated land, and planted the first orchard in the district.
THE FIRST MARRIAGE.
In the fall of 1823, Israel Garretson and Maria Bunce were married in the Meeker cabin,
by an army officer whose name is not preserved. Probably it was Maj. John Anderson, then
stationed at Fever River as Government Agent. There was neither minister nor magistrate
in the district at that date. Miss Rutherford and William Hines were married at the same time.
These, so. far as is known, were the first marriages of white people solemnized in the district.
THE FIRST DEATH.
About this time, a General Schimerman, whose name does not appear in other records
obtainable now at this point, was taken sick and died at the village, which was the first death
after the arrival of the Ohio colony.
John S. Miller and family came to the mines in 1823, and opened the first public house,
in a double log-cabin, on the present northwest corner of Branch and Dodjie streets. Galena.
In 1824, James Harris began the cultivation of land at Anderson's Slough, which was the
second farm — Meeker's being the first — in the district. It was believed until as late as 1830,
that crops could not be successfully grown so far north.
Dr. Meeker's keel-boat returned in 1824, with another load of immigrants.
August 18, 1824, Lieut. Martin Thomas was appointed superintendent of the lead mines
of the Upper Mississippi, and authorized to grant leases and permits to smelters and miners,
and to farmers, provided they did not interfere with the mining interests.
THE FIRST BIRTHS.
In October, 1824, a son was born to Benson Hunt and wife. The old family Bible con-
tains the following entry, which is almost illegible : " James Smith Hunt, born at fifteen
minutes past 1 o'clock P. M. on the 9th day of October, 1824." Soon after this event, Mary
S. Miller, daughter of John S. Miller, was born. These were the first white children born in
the district. Both were born within the present city limits of Galena.
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT.
Following the history of settlement, and reserving the narrative of the mining operations
until later, it is recorded that 1825 witnessed a large arrival of white settlers. John Foley,
who became the first Sherifi" of Jo Daviess County, came that year. Among the more prominent
men were Capt. William Henry ; Capt. James Craig, whose wife was a grand-daughter of
Daniel Boone; Col. Henry Gratiot and his brother, John P. B. Gratiot, and others. The
Gratiots came in a light wagon, accompanied by three hired men, with a complete outfit. They
struck mineral and made their first settlement in the valley between Hinckley's and Waddell's
Mounds. Subsequently, the Indians made large discoveries fifteen miles from Fever River, in
what is now La Fayette County, and the Gratiots located there, as is fully shown in the history
of La Fayette County.
In 1826, Charles Gear came to the district, with his family and many other persons. He
was an enthusiastic Freemason, and his influence can be seen in the organization of Strangers'
Union Lodge, No. 14, the first Masonic society instituted in the mining district. It was char-
tered by the Grand Lodge of the State of Missouri.
406 HISTOBY OF THE LEAD EEGIOK.
Sophia Gear, sister of Charles, taught the first school presided over by a vroman in the
district, in 1827. She afterward married Amos Farrar.
Capt. Allenwrath, the discover of the Allenwrath lead, came to the mines in 1826, and
soon after made his fortunate discovery.
Lemon Parker, William P. Tilton, D. B. Morehouse and Robert P. Guyard organized the
Galena Mining Company at an early date, and are remembered as having made Ottawa, now
Barton's, a place of considerable importance, where boats landed. The company smelted on an
extensive scale. They had several "log-furnaces," and dealt largely in miner's supplies.
THE FIRST POST OFFICE.
June 4, 1826, the first post office was established in the mining region. It was called
" Fever River," and designated as in Crawford County, 111. As the tract south of the Michi-
gan Territorial line (Wisconsin State line), was in Peoria County, the Post Office Department
evidently labored under the impression that Crawford County, Michigan Territory, was in Illi-
nois. Ezekiel Lockwood was appointed Postmaster. The service prior to 1828 was semi-
monthly, and irregular at that.
The name Galena first appeared December 27, 1826, in official papers.
In 1826, a large number of Swiss arrived and settled at Fever River. These people emi-
grated to the Red River of the North in 1821, under the patronage of Lord Selkirk. They
became dissatisfied with their location, and went back to St. Louis in 1823. Three years later,
Louis Chetlain and several of his friends came to the mining district, and, during the summer,
nearly all the original colony made their homes here.
Better than any history compiled from the fragmentary statements of after years — better
even than unaided memory, striving often in vain to recall the events of fifty years ago, are the
letters and memoranda written at that time by intelligent men, who lived here, and knew whereof
they wrote. Dr. E. G. Newhall has permitted the following copy of a letter, written by his
honored father. Dr. Horatio Newhall, to his brother Isaac Newhall, Esq., of Salem, Mass., to be
taken expressly for this work. It will be valuable to the people of this section, both on account
of the information it conveys, and because the writer, now passed away, is tenderly enshrined in
their memories.
Galena, Fever Eitbr Lead Mines, '\
Upper Mississippi, supposed in Illinois, >
Dear Brother: November 20, 1827. J
I received, by the last mail brought here by steamboat " Josephine," a newspaper from you, on the margin of
which were endorsed the following words : " Write a full account." I was rejoiced to see once more a Massachusetts
paper, and presume you meant by the endorsement, a full account of " Fever River." This would puzzle me or any
other person on the river. It is a nondescript. It is such a place as no one could conceive of without seeing it.
Strangers hate it, and residents like it. The appearance of the country would convince any one it must be healthy ;
yet, last season, it was more sickly than Havana or New Orleans. There is no civil law here, nor has the Gospel been
yet introduced ; or, to ma&« use of a common phrase here, " Neither law nor Gospel can pass the rapids of the Mis-
sissippi." The country is one immense prairie, from the Rock Eiver on the south to the Ouisconsin on the north, and
from the Mississippi on the west, to Lake Michigan on the east. It is a hilly country, and abounding with lead ore of
that species called by mineralogists " galena," whence is derived the name of our town. The lead mines of the Upper
Mississippi, as well as those of Missouri, are under the control of the Secretary of War. Lieut. Thomas is Superin-
tendent. He resides at Saint Louis ; a sub-agent resides at this place. Any person wishing to dig, gets a permit of
the agent to do so, by signing certain regulations, the principal of which is that he will sell his mineral to no one but
a regularly licensed smelter. He has all the mineral he can raise, and sells it at $17.50 per thousand (pounds), deliv-
ered at the furnaces. Any person who gets a permit, stakes off two hundred yards square. This is his lot so long
as he works it, and no one can interfere with his discoveries. Any perso« who will give bond to Governmeni for
$5,000, can have half a mile square, on condition that he employs twenty laborers, and pays Goverumcut 10 percent
of lead made from mineral raised on his survey, or sells his mineral to a public smelter. The public smelters, of
which I am one, give bond for $20,000, to pay Government one-tenth of all lead manufactured. They buy mineral of
any person who has a permit to dig, manufacture it into lead, pay Government one-tenth, monthly, and are the great
men of the country. The mineral, lead, and cash all go into their hands. H. Newhall & Co. got their furnace in oper-
ation 1st of September, 1827. I made, by the 16th, twenty tons of lead. My men became sick, and I made but
14,000 pounds until 1st of November, since which time I have manufactured about 17,000 pounds every week. I have
a store of goods, in Galena, for the supply of those with whom I have dealings, and never sell anything for less than
50 per cent advance. My furnace is on the Sinsinawa River, three miles from Galena, a stream navigable for boats to
HISTOBY OF THE LEAD REGIOK. 40 7
my furnace. * * * The privilege of working these mines, you know, was first given by the Government to Col.
Johnson, of Kentucky, five years ago (in 1822). He did but little and sunk money. Not much lead was made here
till last year. There were then four log buildings in Galena. Now there are 115 houses and stores in the place. It
is the place of deposit for lead and provisions, etc., for all the mining country. There is no spot in America, of the
same size, where there is one-fourth of the capital, or where so much business is done. There was manufactured here,
in the year ending September last, 5,0U0,740 pounds of lead. The population consists mainly of Americans, Irish and
French (that is, in the diggings). There are but comparatively few females. Hence, every female, unmarried, who
lands on these shores, is immeiiitely married. Little girls, fourteen and thirteen years old, are often married here.
Three young ladies, who came, fellow passengers with me, in June, and the only ones on board, are all married
months since. Du'Buque's Mines, on the opposite side of the Mississippi, are worked by the Fox Indians. They,
however, merely skim the surface. The windlass and bucket are not known among them. Du'Buque's Mines is a
delightful spot, particularly the Fox Village, on the bank of the Mississippi. But, of all the places in the United
States, which I have seen, Rock Island, at the lower rapids of the Mississippi, called the Bapids of the Des Moines, is
by far the most beautiful. Fort Armstrong is on this island. At the mouth of Fever River is a trading-house of the
American Fur Company. Their trading-houses are scattered up and down the Mississippi, on the river Des Moines,-
St. Peters, etc. Their capital is so large, and they gave such extensive credit to the Indians, that no private estab-
lishment can compete with them. An Indian debt is outlawed, by their own custom, in one year. The fur company
credits each Indian hunter a certain amount, from $100 to $500, according' to his industry and skill in hunting and
trapping. If, when they return in the spring, they have not furs and peltry enough to pay the debt, the trader loses
it. But, on the goods sold to the Indians, there is a profit of 200 or 300 per cent made, and a profit on the furs
received in payment.
December 7, 1827.
Fever River was closed with ice on the 2Ist of November, and, of course, navigation is ended, and I have
not sent my letter. I now have an opportunity to forward it by private conveyance to Vandalia. We are now shut
out from all intercourse with the world until the river opens again in the spring. We have no mail as yet, but shall
have a mail once in two weeks, to commence the 1st of January next. I have not received a letter from one of my
friends since I have been in Fever River. I hope you will write me before 1st of January, or as soon as you receive
this letter. Sincerely yours,
H. Newhall.
This letter was mailed at Vandalia December 25, and by it is establisbed the fact, that,
although Fever River Post Office was established in 1826, it was not regularly supplied, even
once a fortnight, until the spring of 1828. Mails were brought by steamboat in the summer,
and in the winter the people had none.
In the fall of 1827, Strader & Thompson brought a keel-boat load of general merchandise,
including a quantity of flour and pork, from St. Louis. Mr. Bouthillier, whose trading-house
was on the east side of the river, near the present site of the railroad station, purchased the
entire cargo to secure the flour, as that was scarce, even then. Winter set in without a sufficient
supply of provisions to supply the wants of the miners. Nearly all the flour obtainable was held
by Bouthillier. It was sour and hard. He chopped it out of the barrels with hatchets, pounded
it, sifted it loosely into other barrels, filling two with the original contents of one, and then sold
it for $30 per barrel. Even then, the settlers saw with alarm, that there was not enough to last
until spring. The winter of 1827-28 was mild and open until January 6 ; the streets had been
muddy, and "not freezing in the least, even at night " — but the river froze over then. Word
had reached St. Louis that the people in the mines were destitute of provisions. The steamboat
"Josephine," Capt. Clark, was loaded with flour and started off to take her chances of getting
as near as possible to the mines. Slowly she made her way up the Mississippi, and when she
reached the mouth of Fever River, the warm weather had weakened the ice, and she made her
way, unheralded, to Galena. The date of her arrival is fixed by the following entry in a mem-
orandum book, kept by Dr. H. Newhall : " February 25, 1828, arrived steamboat " Josephine ;"
broke the ice to get up Fever River." Farther corroborated by a letter from Dr. Newhall to his
brother, dated March 1, 1828, in which he says : " To our astonishment, on Monday last, a
steamboat arrived from St. Louis." The people rushed to the bank, rejoiced and amazed to see
a steamboat loaded with flour, except Bouthillier. The day before, Mr. Gratiot had offered him
$25 a barrel for all the flour he had, and the offer was refused. Mr. Gratiot now asked him
what he would take for his flour, and Bouthillier, with a shrug, replied : " Dam ! hell ! sup-
pose, by gar ! what man tinks one steamboat come up Fever River in mid de wint? " February
27, the river froze over, and March 5 the boat was still detained by ice, but arrived at St. Louis
about March 14,
408 HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION.
The following extracts from a letter from Dr. H. Newhall to his brother, dated March 1,
1828, will give some idea of social life in the mines fifty years ago :
We have had but two mails this winter. It has been pleasantly warm here during winter, and the heavy rains
caused the ice in the river to breat. * * It has been extremely cold for four days ; the river is closed with ice,
and the boat (the " Josephine," which arrived on the 25th) consequently detained. We have been almost completely
isolated from the rest of the world this winter. We have received the President's Message and proceedings of Con-
gress up to the 26th of December, since that time we have had nothing. We, in Galena, enjoyed ourselves well dur-
ing the winter. There have been ten or twelve balls, the last on the 22d of February. At noon a salute was fired
from the cannon received during the Winnebago war. In the evening a ball was pfiven at the Cottage Hotel (the name
applied by Dr. N. to the log tavern on the west side of Main street, corner of Green), in a hall (building) sixty feet
in length, ornamented with evergreens. * * There were sixty ladies and ninety gentlemen present. The ladies
were elegantly dressed, and many of them were handscme. The ball was managed with a degree of propriety and
decorum scarcely to he expected in this wild country. Had I been suddenly transported into the ball-room, I should
have imagined myself in some Eastern city, rather than in the wilds of the Upper Mississippi. Little should I have
dreamed that within iive miles was the home of the savaye, and that only twelve miles off is a large Fox village, where
I have witnessed the Indian dance around a fresh-taken scalp. March 5. — The steamboat ("Josephine ") is still
detained by ice. * * The Miners' Journal, a newspaper, will be commenced at Galena by 1st of May next. The
proprietor, in his prospectus, calls it the Northern Herald. He altered the name at my suggestion. * * n old
Buck," the Fox chief, who discovered (?) the famous " Buck Lead," has been encamped all winter within a mile of my
furnace (on the Sinsinawa, three miles from town). Himself and sons often visit me in town.
In 1829, David G. Bates built a small steamboat at Cincinnati, and called her the "Galena,"
to run between St. Louis and Galena. Robert S. Harris ran her up the river that summer, but
the little boat was short lived.
October 10, 1829, the cholera carried off James Harris, the second victim of that terrible
scourge in the mines. Mr. Harris was one of the leaders in the little colony, and his death pro-
duced a profound impression.
In the winter of 1832-33, Captain D. S. Harris and his brother R. S. Harris built the
first steamboat constructed in this region. It was named "Jo Daviess," and was built at
Portage. Subsequently these men became known on the Mississippi as masters of their trade
in practical steamboating.
Negro slavery existed in the mines for several years. It was not abolished altogether until
1840, In 1828, Capt. Harris says there were nearly one hundred and fifty negro slaves in the
mines. Under the ordinance of 1787 slavery was prohibited in this Territory, but Illinois sought
to evade this organic law by the enactment of statutes by which these slaves could be held as
"indentured," or " registered servants," and these statutes are known as the "Black Laws."
As late as March 10, 1829, the Commissioners of Jo Daviess County ordered a tax of one-half
of one per cent to be levied and collected on "town lots, slaves, indentured or registered serv-
ants," etc.
GOVERNMENT CONTROL OE THE MINES.
It is necessary to take a retrospective view of the history of the mines, at this point, to take
up the threads of the narrative of settlement.
Prior to the appoiijtment of Lieut. Martin Thomas as Superintendent of United States Lead
Mines, in August, 1824, there does not appear to have been an agent of the Government here
authorized to grant leases and permits to operate on United States lands. Leases of large tracts
were obtained from the Government, and on these lands small miners were permitted to enter
and dig under the lessees. But their numbers were few.
In 1823, the principal leads worked were all old Indian and French mines struck anew.
There were diggings on January's Point, about six hundred yards above January's warehouse.
On the school section just above were two leads. Next, north, was the " Hog" lead, beyond
which were the "Doe" and "Buck" leads, the latter of which had been worked by French miners
under Dubuque. Then, there were the " Old Cave Diggings," on Cave Branch, in what is now
Vinegar Hill Township, that had also been worked by Dubuque, and the old " Indian Lead,"
west of the Buck lead. On the east side of the river was the " Backbone Lead," about half a
mile east of January's Point, and " Van Matre's lead, on the east side of Apple River, near the
present village of Elizabeth. On the west, near Anderson's (now Harris') Slough, were two
mSTOKY OP THE LEAB REGION. 409
old French leads, one of whicli was worked by — McLanahan, and the old " Indian Diggings,"
two miles west of Galena.
In 1824, John and Cuyler Armstrong struck a lead on the Middle Fork of Miller's Branch
(now Meeker's), above the old Indian leads. North of this, another lead was struck, near where
the Comstock lead was afterward discovered. Mr. Vanderslice had made a discovery about two
miles northwest of the settlement, and two new leads east of Vinegar Hill were worked by J.
Bruner, Michael Byrne and John Furlong. On Cave Branch, one and one quarter miles south-
east of " Cave Diggings," John Armstrong had found a good lead, and "the only one," says
Capt, Harris, " where I ever saw native lead sticking to mineral." These were all the princi-
pal diggings known in what is now Jo DaviSss County when Lieut. Thomas arrived, and they
had all, or nearly all, been previously worked by the Indians and French.
Up to that time it is probable that the local agent, Maj. Anderson, had not been author-
ized to grant leases and permits. Johnson and others had obtained their leases at Washington,
but the Fever River lead deposits were found to be richer than those of Missouri, and the greater
facility with which the mines or "leads" were worked, attracted a large number of miners from
Missouri. The Government of the United States had, by advertisements in the leading papers
of the Union, called the attention of the people to these lead mines, and invited miners and set-
tlers to the region. They were flocking hither, and it became indispensable to station a resident
superintendent here, clothed with authority to grant permits and leases, issue regulations, settle
disputes, etc. There was no other law at that time, and, as a rule, the inhabitants were quite as
orderly and quite as mindful of each other's rights as they have been in later days. Property
was safe and doors needed no locks.
Lieut. Thomas arrived at Fever River in October (probably), 1824, and established his
headquarters in a double log cabin which then stood on the bank of the river, in the middle of
what is now Main street, about sixty feet south of Gear street. On the north side of Gear
street, close by the agency, was a little pond fed by a large spring, and a little creek connected
the pond with the river. Immediately after his arrival, Lieut. Thomas issued an order to all
miners to suspe-nd operations the next day (the absence of records renders it impossible now to
fix the precise date). William Adney, D. G. Bates, John Burrell and John Furlong were work-
ing the " Old Cave Diggings," and had just uncovered a sheet of mineral when the order came
to stop next day. They worked all night, and the next morning had raised 100,000 pounds.
All mining operations stopped, but only for a short time. Within a week they were at work
again under direction to sell the mineral only to licensed smelters, so that the Government could
collect the rent-lead. In explanation of this, it may be observed that miners could sell mineral
only to licensed smelters, for which the Governmont collected one-tenth for rent, and paid them
for smelting it. Miners were paid for only nine-tenths of the mineral they delivered. It is said
that in later years the smelters have received from the Government the value of the lead thus
paid, but it belonged to the miners, not to the smelters, and the money should have been
expended in public improvements in the Territory, in the absence of the rightful claimants.
No records can be found of Maj. Anderson's transactions, and two old volumes marked
"A" and "B," containing some of the transactions of Lieut. Thomas' agency during 1825-
27, which are preserved in the archives of the county, are all of these records available for this
work. Mr. Charles Smith was the sub-agent residing here, and came with Lieut. Thomas, who
lived at St. Louis and visited Fever River occasionally.
The first established regulations of which record remains, and probably the first code pro-
mulgated by Superintendent Thomas, bears date "1825," but were undoubtedly issued very
early in the spring, and are as follows :
REODLATIONS FOE M[NEE.S AT THE nNITED STATES MINES ON THE UPPER MISSISSIPPI.
First. — A.11 miners shall forthwith report themselves to the agent, who will enter their names on a register and
give them a written permit to mine on ground which is not leased.
Second. — Without such written perinil, no miner shall dig or mine ; he shall forfeit his discovery and all min-
eral he digs, and be prosecuted as a trespasser.
^10 HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION.
_ Third. — Any miner who gWes false testimony in any dispute or arbitration, or before any magistrate, or wbo i"
convicted of stealing ore or any other thing, setting fire to the prairie or woods, cutting timber where it is prohib-
ited, shall forfeit his permit to mine or dig, and no smelter shall purchase his ore or give him any employment.
Fourth. — When going to dig, two or more miners must work in company. They are permitted to stake off three
hundred yards square, lines to be north and south and east and west.
Fifth. — A permanent post or stake shall be placed near every digging, with marks designating ownership.
Sixth. — A discontinuance of work for eight days in succession shall cause a forfeiture of ground.
Seventh. — When a dispute shall arise respecting the right to ground, the matier shall be arbitrated among miners
or smelters. On their failing to settle it, a reference shall be made to the agent, whose decision shall be final.
Eighth. — No person is permitted to build a cabin, cultivate land, cut timber or settle in any manner without
written permission of the agent.
Ninth. — Whenever surveys of discovery are required, they will be surveyed twenty rods by forty, running to
cardinal points, the length to correspond with the course of the lead, and the discoverer will be entitled to a certifi-
cate of survey.
Tenth. — -No miner shall hold two discoveries at the same time, nor shall any miner be permitted to go on other
ground until his lead is dug out or sold, nor until he abandons it and renders up his certificate of survey.
Fleventh. — All miners must report tothe agent the name of the smelter to whom they deliver their mineral, and
the amount they deliver in each quarter.
Twelfth. — No certificate of survey shall be sold or transferred to any other than a miner who has a written per-
mit, or to a smelter who has a license; and no survey or other diggings shall remain unwrought for more than eight
days in succession, on penalty of forfeiture.
Thirteenth. — All mineral raised when, searching for discoveries or leads must be delivered to a licensed smelter,
and to no other person.
Fourteenth. — Any miner who shall disobey or go contrary to any of these regulations shall forfeit his permit to
dig or mine ; and should he attempt to out timber, mine, farm, cultivate land or build cabins without written per-
mission from the agent, he will be prosecuted as a trespasser on United States land.
(Signed), M. Thomas,
Lieutenant U. S. A. and Superintendent of Lead Mines.
FORM OP PERMIT TO MINERS.
is hereby permitted to dig or mine on United States land which Is not leased or otherwise
rightfully occupied. He is not to set fire to the prairie grass or woods, and must deliver his mineral to a licensed
smelter, and comply with all regulations.
Fever River, , 1826.
GENERAL REGULATIONS.
Smelters and lessees will have their ground on Fever River off two hundred yards in front on the river, and
four hundred in depth, running in right lines prepeudioular to the river.
No timber to be cut within one hundred yards of Fever Elver bank, from one mile above its mouth to and one
mile above fbc point where January's cabins are situated. M. Thomas,
Lieutenant U. S. Army and Superintendent of Lead Mines.
Persons desirous of taking a lease are notified that bonds in the penalty $5,000, with two sureties, are required,
when a lease for three hundred and twenty acres, as usual, will be granted, provided the ground is not occupied.
Blank bonds may be had of the agent, who will make the survey when the bonds are given.
REGULATIONS EOR SMELTERS.
This agreement, made and entered Into this day of , 1825, between Lieut. M. Thomas, Super-
intendent of the United States Lead Mines, and , lead smelter,
Wltnesseth : That the said is hereby permitted to purchase lead ore at the United States
lead mines on the Upper Mississippi for one year from the date hereof, on the following conditions :
First. — No purchases of ore to be made from the location of any person without his consent in writing.
Third. — (The record was so made). To smelt with a Ifig furnace or furnaces at all times, when one hundred
thousand pounds of ore (or more) are on hand at any one furnace.
First. — No ore, ashes or zane to be purchased or otherwise acquired from any other person than an authorized
miner or lessee.
Fourth. — To haul mineral to furnaces when fifty thousand pounds (or more) are dug at any one place of three
hundred and twenty acres.
Fifth. — To run an ash furnace when four hundred (or more) thousand pounds of ore have been smelted at any
one set of furnaces.
Sixth. — To comply with all general regulations for cutting timber.
Seventh. — ^To keep books which shall contain an accurate and true account of all lead ore, ashes or zane purchased
or dug, of all smelted, and of the amount of lead manufactured or purchased, from whom purchases were made, and
from whence the ore was dug ; said books to be open for inspection by the United States Agent of Mines, and a
monthly transcript of the contents to be furnished to him, to be verified on oath if required.
Eighth. — To clean, or cause to be cleaned, all lead ore previous to smelting it, and to weigh a charge of the log
furnace when required, and the lead made from such charges.
Ninth. — To pay to the United States a tax of one-tenth of all lead manufactured from ore, ashes or zane, to be
paid monthly, in clean, pure lead, to be delivered at the United States warehouse (near the mines), free of expense.
HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION. 411
Tenth. — To build a strong log warehouse, twenty by sixteen feet, one story high, the logs to be squared so as not to
admit of a bar of lead being passed between them ; to have a strong door, with a good and sufficient lock ; to have a
log ceiling in the usual manner ; said warehouse to be located at such place as the agent for mines shall direct, to be
built free of expense to the United States.
Eleventh. — Not to employ in any manner whatever any miner, lessee or smelter who has forfeited hia permit to dig,
his lease or license, on written notice to that effect being given by the agent.
Twelfth. — A non-compliance or neglect of performance of any one of the foregoing articles to constitute a
forfeiture of this license, and of the bond given for the faithful performance thereof; and on proof being oifered to
the agent of the United States that such forfeiture has been incurred, his written notice to the smelter shall be sufficient
to suspend the stipulations aforesaid.
Tairteenth. — No sale, transfer or shipment of lead is to be made by said smelter, until all arrears or tax which are
due are paid, nor any removal of lead from the place of manufacture, without the consent of the agent of the United
States. The said to be allowed wood and stone for smelling and furnaces, and to cultivate enough land to
furnish his teams, etc., with provender and his people with vegetables.
It is distinctly understood that the bond given for the performance of the stipulation in this license, is to be in
full force and virtue until all arrearages of rent or tax are paid to the agent of the United States, and a written settle-
ment is made with him, on which a certificate that no such arrearages exist shall be given, when the bond shall be
null and void.
The earliest permit recorded is as follows :
'•John S. Miller, a blacksmith, has permission to occupy and cultivate United States land'. He will comply
with all regulations for the cutting of timber, etc. Twenty acres. Bated May 16, 1825.
" (Signed) M. Thomas," etc., etc.
The first recorded survey of mineral land was of five acres of mineral land (a discovery
lot), two acres in length by one-quarter of an acre in breadth, lying and being on what is known
as "January Patch Diggings," founded by "beginning at a stake on the north side of a rocky
bluff," running to stakes in mounds to the place of beginning. This was a survey for Patrick
Dugan and Barney Handley, dated Fever River, May 28, 1825, and signed Charles Smith,
Acting Sub-Agent U. S. Lead Mines.
There is also recorded, June 21, 1825, a survey of 320 acres of mineral land on Apple
River, for David G. Bates, the original field notes being taken July 2, 1823, signed John
Anderson, Major U. S. Topographical Engineers, on Ordnance duty.
A copy of a bill of lading of May, 1825, shows that lead was transported from the Fever
River to St. Louis for forty cents per hundred pounds.
According to the regulations, all disputes between the miners were settled by the U. S.
Agent. The earliest account of these of which record now exists, is a " Record of Proceedings
in the case of Dugan & Welsh and David Mitchell." Joseph Miller and Ebenezer Orne were
witnesses for Dugan & Welsh ; and Joseph Hardy, Stephen Thrasher and William H. Smith
for Mr. Mitchell. There were no lawyers to complicate matters. The witnesses stated what
they knew in few words, and the case was summed up and adjudicated by Lieut. Thomas, who
gave one-half the mineral dug on the disputed claim to Mitchell, " and it is considered that the
other half is an ample compensation to Dugan & Welsh for the labor they bestowed on digging
it. Their conduct was violent and quarrelsome, which will be utterly discountenanced at these
mines. Mr. Charles Smith, Acting Sub-agent, will see this settlement carried into effect."
Signed, M. Thomas, Lieutenant U. S. Army, Superintendent of Lead Mines, and dated May
21, 1825.
In the record of the proceedings in the case of Joseph Hardy vs. Ray, Orne & Smith, on
the same day, Israel Mitchell testified that Col. Anderson stated that " Mr. Hardy was the oldest
applicant for survey on the river."
The following extract from reports made by Charles Smith to his superior oflScers, are valu-
able as showing the exact state of affairs at that time :
June 11, 1825. — Hardy and Jackson are running an ash furnace ; Meeker is smelting in
his log furnace ; Van Matre's ash furnace will be in operation to-day. Perfect harmony exists
among the diggers. The regulations appear to give universal satisfaction. Every man appre-
ciates the protection which they afford, and the security they give to their operations presents a
stimulus to enterprise, and prevents encroachments upon the rights of others. The difficulty of
borrowing or hiring a horse when wanted, has rendered necessary the purchase of one. I have
412 HISTORY or THE LEAD REGIOX.
accordingly bought one, old, to be sure, but serviceable — the price, $20. He will be worth as
much, probably, a year hence.
June 11, 1825. — I havejust visited a discovery made by C. Armstrong and I. Thorn, about
three-quarters of a mile south of the Cave Diggings. They dug twenty or thirty feet before
they struck mineral. Two thousand pounds were taken out in three hours — six thousand pounds,
at least, are in view on the west side of the diggings, and I struck mineral over one-half of the
bottom. The hole is about five feet in diameter.
Lead was low, and Smith already begins to find that the miners appreckte the situation.
The following extracts are significant, and indicate that the miners were not quite satisfied with
the reign of Thomas, and were expecting a change. They were not delivering mineral to the
licensed smelters with much alacrity :
July 4, 1825. — The diggers generally are keeping back their mineral, some with the
expectation of raising the price, and others in the belief that licenses will be obtained by smelters
from below. I understand that Meeker offers $18, an increase of 50 cents on the former price.
July 22, 1825. — Smith reported that in his opinion some regulation is necessary to enable
the smelters to keep their furnaces in operation. The diggers are deluded with an expectation
that mineral will rise, and, as they are generally able to hold on, they refuse to make deliveries.
July 22, 1825. — Lieut. Low is here with twenty -five men, arrived on the 11th instant ; he is
encamped near the agency's establishment for a few days, and occupies the finished cabin, with
my permission, until he can select a suitable site for building barracks.
Lieut. Low came here with his men to build barracks and remain to enforce the regulations
and the collection of the lead rent, as well as to compel the miners to deliver their mineral to the
licensed smelters, whether they desired to do so or not. Lieut. Low selected as a suitable site
for barracks a point on the west side of Fever River, at about one and one-half miles below the
agency establishment, cleared the ground, erected a flagstaff, but before the barracks were com-
menced the order was countermanded, and Low left with his command. The point is still known
as "Low's Point." Tholozan & Detandabaratz afterward had their smelting establishment on the
east side of the river, about half a mile below Low's Point, or half way down the "Long Reach."
It is to be inferred that the orders of Lieut. Thomas were not always obeyed with the
promptness desired by military oflicers. The following is selected from a large number of
similar orders on record at that time, because Mr. Meeker was one of the prominent men at the
mines, as well as to show that then, 'as in later days, such men sometimes took their own time :
To Mk. Moses Meeker, Smelter : ^''^^^ ^'^^^' ^""^^ ^^' ^^25.
Sir — By an order of Lieut. Thomas, of the 18th of May, 1825, you were required to erect the warehouse stipu-
lated in your license as a smelter (at the place on Fever River where it will be designated to you), without delay, as
it was required immediately. You have since, by consent, commenced the erection of a cabin in lieu of the store-
house, and made considerable progress in that building. You are now required to erect a storeliouse (agreeably to
the stipulation in your license), from the foundation, on such ground as will be designated to you, or to complete the
cabin, at your election. Should the order not be complied with within a reasonable time, the fact will be reported
to the Principal Agent, and such measures adopted in the meantime as will be justified by the Twelfth Article of
your license. By order, Chakles Smith, U. S. A.
The following orders indicate diflBculty in securing obedience to established regulations :
Notice is hereby given to all the diggers of lead ore upon the public land in the vicinity of Fever River, Small-
Pox and Apple Creeks, that they must forthwith deliver to the licensed smelters all the mineral they have dug; and
in future, the smelters, when guaranteeing the tax to the United States, will take measures to have the ore delivered
at such times as may be convenient — -at lenst once every month. A refusal on the part of any digger to comply with
this order (which is in accordance with the true intent and meaning of the regulations) will cause his permit to dig
to be forfeited, and the ore already obtained will be taken possession of by the agent, for the use of the United
States. (Signed) M. Thomas, Lieutenant JJ. S. Army, Superintendent of Lead Mines.
September 5, 1825.
M. Meekek, Esq.: ^^^^^ ^^^''' ^"^"^^"^ ^^' ^825.
Sir — Unless immediate provision be made for the hauling and smelting of mineral at the diggings, as well as for
a satisfactory settlement thereof, notice will be given to diggers to deliver their mineral to licensed smelters, with,
out regard to existing guarantees. It is necessary that the order of the 5th of September should be immediately
complied with. I am, sir, Charles Smith, U. S. Lead Mines, Feoer River,
HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION. 413
The first recorded return of lead mineral received and on hand at the furnaces of M.
Meeker and Bates & Van Matre, the only licensed smelters at that date, from April 3 to May
31, 1825, shows that Meeker received from sundry persons 80,342 pounds, and Bates & Van
Matre, 25,601 pounds. Total number of diggers who have permits, 69. June 30, the number
of diggers had increased to 89 ; July 81, 96. In August, the number of diggers permitted was
105. Five smelters reported in August, viz.; Meeker, Bates & Van Matre, Hardy, Jackson
and N. Bates. At the end of September, there were 127 diggers, and the five smelters had
manufactured during the month 154,328 pounds of lead.
The name of Gratiot first appears in these monthly reports in December, 1825, but he
.nade no return until June following.
The number of diggers at the end of December is reported at 151, but the aggregate
amount of lead manufactured was only 2,792 pounds. January 31, 1826, the name of Gibson
appears in the list of smelters ; diggers number 163 ; 29,185 pounds of lead manufactured, but
the amount of mineral at the diggings was estimated at 425,000 pounds.
In April, 1826, the number of diggers was 287 ; amount of mineral at the diggings, 900,-
000 pounds ; lead manufactured, 78,528 pounds. May shows a rapid increase of the number
of diggers — 350. Mineral at the diggings accumulates, but only 6,927 pounds of lead are
reported as manufactured by licensed smelters. In June, the first return of Gratiot appears —
406 diggers ; 173,479 pounds of lead. In July, 1826, Comstock's name appears among the
licensed smelters — 441 diggers; 140,781 pounds of lead, and 1,400,000 pounds of mineral at
the diggings. October, 1826— Diggers, 548 ; smelters, 7 ; 269,405 pounds of lead ; 1,500,-
000 pounds of mineral at the diggings. This is the last report to be found.
Although this region was then heavily timbered, it seems that lessees and smelters were
favored by the Government, and farmers and villagers had to go to the islands for their wood,
as is shown by the following :
NOTICE.
Those persons who have received permission to occupy land in the vicinity of Fever River are hereby informed
that all timber for fuel, fencing or building, must be obtained from the islands in the Mississippi, and from no other
place in this vicinity, as the timber elsewhere is reserved for the purposes of smelters and lessees.
(Signed) M. Thomas, Superintendent of Lead Mines.
Fever Kiver, June 5, 1826.
The following document will be interesting now, when people can own their land. Then,
and for a long time afterward, the only title to land was by permit. All the people were ten-
ants-at-will of the United States, liable to be ejected from their homes at any time, at the
caprice of one man. It is proper to add that, in 1826, the people of the mines petitioned Con-
gress for more permanent titles, but no attention was paid to their request :
It having been requested from the United States Agent for Lead Mines to grant ua permission to build
and inclose in a small quantity of ground for our convenience, it has been granted upon the following condi-
tions, viz.:
That we will not claim any right, title or interest in the said lands (other than as tenants, at the will of said
agent, or i^uch other agent as may be appointed for the superintendence of the mines) ; and we hereby bind and
obligate ourselves to quit said premises upon one month's notice to that effect being given by said agent — it being
understood that those persons who have licenses or leases are not included in this arrangement, but are to occupy
agreeably to their contracts. No transfer of said ground or improvement will be made without the consent of the
agent, and will be subject to the aforesaid regulations.
Fever River, June 6, 1826.
A large number of names are attached to this register, among whom are many of the lead-
ing settlers. The first name is R. W. Chandler. James Harris and Jonathan Browder, first
Commissioners of Jo Daviess County, are among the first signatures. James Foley, Samuel
Lawrence, George W. Britton, T. H January, Thomas Ray, William H. Johnson, N. Bates,
Thomas Hymer, J. P. B. Gratiot, Samuel C. Muir, A. P. Vanmeter, Amos Farrar, J. W.
Shull, F. Dent, B. Gibson, James Jones, Elijah Ferguson, Isaac Swan, David M. Robinson, E.
F. Townsend, H. H. Gear and R. H. Champion are among the signers of this unique document.
A report from Charles Smith, dated July 25, 1826, says : " I have surveyed the upper
street in the town, and staked off the lots fifty feet, forty-one in number. There is a great itch-
414 HISTORY OF THE LEAD EEGION.
ing for privileges, and a superabundant measure of independence. Complaints about right
ground, and this, that and the other right, are accumulating every day, both from diggers anu
settlers, and God knows what and when will be the end of all things. The dead and the living
both conspire to cause me a great deal of trouble. I am no prophet, but I will be mad enough
to predict that not many months will elapse without the necessity of the intervention of military
force (the only force that can be recognized in this county) to protect the interest of the mines,
and to encourage their development. Every day adds proof of their immense importance, and
justifies the employment of every possible means for their protection and support. The compe-
tition among smelters may, I dare say will, have a tendency eventually to injure the mines by
producing a reaction upon themselves, and exciting a rebellious spirit among the miners."
Mr. Smith's allusion to the dead and living is explained by the fact that in earlier days the
people buried their dead in various places along the bench where Bench street, Galena, is now.
These remains had to be removed, of course, when the town was laid out, and caused the good-
natured Smith a deal of trouble. His gloomy predictions, happily, were not fulfilled.
Thomas McKnight succeeded Charles Smith as resident sub-agent, and remained until
Lieut. Thomas was succeeded by Capt. Legate in 1829. Charles Smith died at Galena March
3, 1829.
Mr. McKnight arrived at Fever River as sub-agent November 15, 1826. His first report
is dated November 28, 1826, in which he says: "I arrived here on the 15th inst., but did not
receive the Government papers until the 20th, in consequence of having a little house to repair
for an office. Mr. Dent, the bearer, leaves here to-morrow morning. I am told that there is a
great quantity of mineral lying, and will lie all winter, unsmelted. There is a great scarcity of
corn for feeding teams. A great many of the teamsters are sending their teams down to the
settlements to winter."
The " little house " referred to by Mr. McKnight is still standing on the west side of Main
street. Galena, about one hundred and fifty feet north of the corner of Spring street, on Lot 3.
The stone " Government house," built for a warehouse in which to store lead in 1829, by Harvey
Mann and others, is still standing a little farther north, on Lot 6.
Here occurs a list of persons in whose favor the Superintendent has notified his acceptance
of bonds for leases. The list was evidently made and entered of record in November or December,
1826, and entries of dates of surveys made subsequently : John P. B. Gratiot, survey made ;
John Cottle, survey made ; Ira Cottle, survey made; George Collier, survey made; Jesse W.
Shull, survey made; M. C. Oomstock, survey made January 22, 1827; John Barrel, survey
made January 22, 1827 ; William Henry, survey made January 22, 1827 ; P. Hogan, survey
not made; — Bouthillier, survey not made; — Tholozan, survey not made; Charles St. Vrain,
survey made April 5, 1827 ; David G. Bates (Cave), survey not made ; John P. B. Gratiot
(section timber land), survey made.
The first mention of the " town of Galena " occurs December 27, 1826, in a permit to
Patrick Gray and Thomas Drum to occupy Lot No. 25, in the town of Galena, fifty feet fronting
on Hill or Second street, running back to the bluff; but this permit is dated " Fever River."
January 23, 1827, a permit was granted to Gray and Drum to enclose fifty feet on First
(or Front) street, north of Davis, for the purpose of building a bake-shop thereon. There may
have been, probably were, other permits to persons desiring to occupy '' town lots " prior to the
above, but these are the first that appear of record. The future city of Galena was laid off and
evidently named in 1826, as these records show, but permits of the Superintendent were the only
titles the people could have to their lots, improvements and homes, and these they must vacate
and abandon on thirty days' notice. The United States still retained ownership.
May 12 to 15, 1827, various permits were signed by " Wash Wheelwright, Light Artil-
lery," probably acting in Mr. McKnight's absence. Historians have given, although with
questionable authority, as one of the causes of the "Winnebago war," which occurred in 1827,
the fact that the Indians were dissatisfied because the miners were encroaching on their territory
and digging mineral on the north side of the "ridge," which they considered the boundary of
ljLfM^^.^drj^(.
M I N E F^AL POINT.
HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION. 417
the "Five Leagues Square." In this connection, the following letter and orders will be of
interest, whatever may have been the primary cause of the Indians' ill-will :
United States Lead Mining Office, Fever Kiver, June 30, 1827.
To Me. Elijah Fkeguson, now mining on the Pecalotea :
Sir — It is doubtful whether you are withiu the limits of the country which the United States, by treaty with
the Pottawatomies, etc., have a right to explore for mining purposes. Under this circumstance, you will not remove
further toward Rock River. Should you prefer to retnaia \vU;re you now are, you are at present at liberty to do so,
with the express understanding, however, that should that part of the country be eventually decided to belong to
the Winnebagoes, you remove when duly notified of the fact from this office.
I am, sir, your obedient servant,
(Signed) M. Thomas, Lieut. U. S. A., Superintendent V. S. Lead Mines.
CIRCULAR TO SMELTERS.
U. S. Lead Mining Office, Galena, October I, 1827.
Sirs — You are hereby directed to desist from working over the Kidge, and to employ no force whatever, eithei
in hauling or sme'ting any material that may have been, or in the future may be, raised there. Also to make nc
purchases of said mineral from any digger. Charles Smith.
By order of Lieut. Thomas, Superintendent of Lead Mines.
On the same data miners were notified that they had no right to go beyond said ridge for
the purpose of raining, and were ordered to suspend all further operations until further orders
from the Superintendent.
On the 8th of October, 1827, an order was issued directing all discoveries of lead to be
reported to the Lead Mining Office, Galena. On the 15th of November, 1827, the following
persons, having struck leads prior to the 3d of July, 1827, beyond the ridge, were licensed to
dig or work them out without interruption, but no others were to be allowed to mine beyond the
ridge under any circumstances whatever : Oabanal, for Ewing & Co.; Stevens, for Kirker &
Ray; Riche, for Winkle; Elijah Ferguson, Hawthorn & Deviese ; Carroll, for Dickson;
Stevenson, transferred to Blanchard ; Gillespie & Hymer; Stevens & Co. ; George Ames' sur-
vey, Moore & Watson, sold to Blanchard ; Foster & Hogan.
July 2, 1847, Lieut. Thomas granted a permit to M. C. White to " burn one lime of kiln
[kiln of lime] above the mouth of Small-Pox [creek]." On the same day, Mr. Comstock had
permission to cut fifty large trees for building logs, near the large mound south of Mr. Gratiot's
survey. Arbitrations were ordered between McKnight and Ewen Boyer & Co., on Mackey's
survey, and between Jacob Himer and Will Baker, to take place on the 7th.
NOTICE.
There will not, for the present, be any town laid off at the Old Turkey Village, commonly caTIeS Grant River
■^own. All persons are hereby forewarned from building cabins or houses there, except such licensed smelters who
may locate in that vicinity, and such smelters will first obtain a special permission.
JI. Thomas, Lieut. U. S. Army, Supt. U.^S. Lead Mines.
Fever River, July 13, 1827.
August 14, 1827, a permit was granted to Messrs. D. G. Bates, V. Jefferson and Hemp-
sted to make a wharf, or landing, in front of their houses and" lots, provided such landing is at
all times free to public use ; no building to be placed upon it.
On the 8th of August, 1827, Michael Dee was convicted by arbitration of having stolen
certain articles, the property of Thomas Williams, and all smelters and miners on Fever River
forbidden to harbor said Dee or give him any employment.
This is the first conviction for theft of which record remains.
McKnight left no records, except a few recorded permits ; and, except the two volumes from
which the above extracts have been made, there are no records of the transactions of the Lead
Mines Agency accessible, unless they are preserved in the War Department at Washington, and
a letter to that department, asking for information, has failed to elicit a reply.
The only entries to be found of date later than 1827, are a code of regulations for miners,
dated April, 1833, and signed Thomas C. Legate, Captain Second Infantry, Superintendenl
U. S. Mines, and another and shorter code, dated October, 1840, signed by H. King.
Special Agent U. S. Lead Mines, in which miners were required to pay not to exceed 6 pei
cent of the ore, or its equivalent in metal, to the United States.
a
418 HISTORY or THE LEAD EEGION.
Under Lieut. Thomas' administration, Charles Smith and Thomas McKnight were Resi-
dent Sub-Agents at Galena. About 1828, the agency was removed to a log building there
recently erected under permit, by Barney Dignan, on the southwest corner of Main and Wash-
ington streets.
In 1829, the office was in the first building above Mr. Barnes' boarding-house, on the
upper (Bench) street, and in later time, and until discontinued, the office of the Superintendent
was in Newhall's building, southwest corner of Hill and Main streets.
In 1829, Lieut. Thomas was succeeded by Capt. Thomas 0. Legate, Second Infantry,
under, whom Capt. John H. Weber was Assistant Superintendent. Maj. William Campbell,
Col. A. G. S. Wight and R. H. Bell were also connected with the office. In November, 1836,
Capt. Weber's signature as Superintendent appears of record, and it is probable that he was
appointed about that time.
As previously shown, under the old system, which generally prevailed until 1836, diggers
were permitted to sell their mineral only to licensed smelters, and the Government collected the
rents (10 per cent until 1830, and 6 per cent subsequently, delivered at the United States
warehouse, in Galena) of the smelters. The prices paid to miners were made with that fact in
view. In 1827, as clearly indicated by the letter from Lieut. Thomas to E. Ferguson, and sub-
sequent orders, the diggers and some of the smelters were operating on lands not owned or con-
trolled by the United States, in some instances, having the permission of the Indians and paying
them for the privilege, and in more cases, probably, trespassing on their domain. It had begun
to dawn upon the people that five leagues square comprised only a very small portion of the
lands rich in mineral wealth, and it was not possible for the Government agents to prevent dig-
ging for mineral outside the limits of the reservation, over which, only, could the United States
exercise control. The Superintendent of the United States Mines had no authority to grant
permits on Indian territory. He could forbid such tresspass, but it would require a military
force to prevent mining beyond the limits of the reservation, provided the diggers obtained the
consent of the native owners. It was plain that the Government could rightfully collect rent
only of those who obtained their mineral within the recognized limits of the " five league square."
The agent could not fully demand any of the lead obtained beyond the limits of the reservation, and
this led to difficulty. It was unjust to pay rent to the Indians and to pay it again to the United
States, nor could the agent collect rent even if it had been surreptitiously obtained. Some of the
smelters, and especially those operating on Indian lands, either with or without the permission of the
natives, or buying mineral from diggers operating beyond the jurisdiction of the agent, began to
refuse to pay rent, alleging that, as they obtained lead from Indian lands and were not protected by
the Government, they were under no obligation to pay. The agent was placed in an embarrassing
position. They were obtaining mineral on the public lands, but they were also obtaining it on
lands over which the United States exercise no control, he had no means of determining the
amount actually due the Government, and therefore could not enforce payment of any. This
refusal became more general until the unauthorized sale of the mineral lands in Wisconsin, in
1884, and subsequently by the Register of the Land Office at Mineral Point (called " Shake-rag "
in early mining days), who, in violation of his express instructions, permitted a large number of the
diggings actually worked to be entered. Many miners were thus outrageously defrauded, and
their rights were disregarded. From that time they declined taking leases, and the lead office
gradually fell into practical disuse. Capt. Weber remained as agent until about 1840, but his
agency was purely nominal. The regulations were not enforced, smelters paid no rent, and
there was a season of freedom from Governmental supervision. In 1840, however, an at-
tempt was made to revive the office. H. King, special agent, was sent to the mines, probably
to investigate Weber's loose manner of doing business, or rather his neglect of business.
"With Mr. King," says Mr Houghton, "or very nearly the same time, came John Flanagan."
A letter from Capt. W. B. Green, who was familiar with the events of that period, contains
the following information : " The Lead Mine Agency was suspended for several years prior to 1841.
After the inauguration of President Harrison, in 1841, the agency was revived and Flanagan
HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION. 419
appointed Superintendent — revived, probably, to give Flanagan the appointment. Previous to
the suspension of the agency, the royalty to the Government was paid by the miners through
the smelters. After the revival of the agency under Flanagan, the attempt was made to collect
the royalty directly from the miners. The attempt was only a partial success, as the miners
generally refused or evaded the payment. During the suspension of the agency, through
affidavits gotten up (as affidavits can be to prove anything when taken ex-parte), a bill was
lobbied through Congress, giving one of the early smelters a large sum of money for royalty paid
by him on mineral reported to have been taken from Indian lands outside the original purchase.
This established a precedent, of which most of the other smelters availed themselves, and in a
similar manner had large sums voted them — in the aggregate, it may be, amounting to more
than all the royalty received by the Government from the mines. The truth is, there was but
a very inconsiderable amount taken from the Indian lands prior to the purchase of the lands
south of the Wisconsin River, in the winter of 1827-28. What little there was, should, of right,
have been paid to the Indians, or, ignoring their right, it should have been paid to the miners
who actually paid it, as the smelters took the royalty into account when they purchased the
mineral and deducted it from the value thereof."
Mr. King remained but a short time, Weber was removed or superseded, and Flanagan left
in charge with instructions to enforce the regulations established by Mr. King.
About the same time Walter Cunningham, Avho, says Mr. Houghton, had been appointed
to investigate the Superior copper mines, returned from a tbur through that region and estab-
lished himself here with Flanagan. From this time, the regulations required the miners to pay
the rent '-not to exceed 6 per cent of the ore or its equivalent in metal," but in practice, it is
said, the rent that was collected was generally paid through the smelters, as formerly.
Flanagan, his associate, Cunningham, and a clerk named Couroddy, by their associations
and habits rendered themselves exceedingly odious to the people. Flanagan commenced a lai'ge
number of suits against individuals for arrears of rent, and compromised them for what he could
get in cash, but, it is said, made no returns to the Government of his collections — defrauding the
people and the Government at the same time. He was accustomed to say to the people that the
■■ Government must be paid first," and his arrogant declaration to smelters and others that " I
;i,m the Government," sufficiently indicates his character and the disposition he made of his col-
lections. If he was "the Government," there was no necessity of making returns to anybody,
and none were known to be made by him. Complaints of his high-handed proceedings reached
Washington, and in 1843, Mr. Wann states, Capt. Bell, stationed at St. Louis, was ordered
by the Secretary of War to Galena, to investigate Flanagan's administration. He came, but re-
mained but a few days, dismissed Flanagan and placed Maj. Thomas Mellville, of Galena, in
charge of the office, temporarily, until reports could be made to the War Department, and a
Superintendent should be appointed. The next year, 1844, according to the best information to
be obtained, John G. Floyd, of Virginia, was appointed to the ofEce. Mr. Floyd made an effort
to enforce the collection of rent, and in some measure succeeded, but was removed in 1845, at
the instance of Hon. Joseph P. Hoge, then member of Congress for this (then Sixth) District,
and James A. Mitchel was appointed as his successor, who remained until the office was finally
discontinued, about 1847, when the lands were thrown into the market. Practically,, however,
the office was little more than nominal after the resignation of Capt. Legate, in 1836. Under
the pre-emption law, a large amount of mineral lands had been entered. Settlers were required
to make oath that no mineral was being dug on the lands they desired to enter, and this re-
quirement was easily evaded.
The people generally considered the agency as an imposition, and it was impossible to
secure the implicit obedience to the rule of the superintendent that obtained in the days of
Thomas and Legate. The experiment of reviving the office was not a success. The Govern-
ment found upon trial that, instead of being a source of revenue, the management of the lead
mines produced constant drafts upon the Treasury, and at last, after the settlers had petitioned
in vain for years, early in the session of 1840-17, Congress authorized the sale of the lands. A
420 HISTORY OF THE LEAD EEGION.
receiver was appointed, and by the 5th day of April, 1847, says Seymour, "land to the amount
of $127,700 had been sold at minimum prices, $1.25 per acre for farming, and $2.50 per acre
for mineral lands, and the days of governmental supervision or ownership of the lead mines
ended.
The amount of lead shipped from various ports on the Mississippi, principally from Galena,
for nine years prior to the discovery of gold in 1849, and the estimated value thereof, is as
follows :
1841—31,696,980 pounds, valued at $3 per hundred $950,909 40
Small bars and shot valued at 31,433 50
Total $082,342 90
1842—31,407,530 pounds at ?2.75@$3 per hundred $ 746,296 46
1843—39,461,171 pounds at $2.37J per hundred 937,202 00
1844—43,722,070 pounds at $2.82| per hundred l;2:io,U*i 47
1845— 54,492,200 pounds at S3.00 per hundred 1,634,766 00
1846— 51,268,200 pounds at S2.90 per hundred 1,486,778 09
1847— 54,085,920 pounds at 3>3.0O per hundred 1,622,577 60
1848— 47,737,830 pounds at $3.50 per hundred 1,670,824 95
1849—44,025,380 pounds at $3.62J per hundred 1,595,920 02
In 1849, the gold discoveries in California disturbed " the even balance of ordinary busi-
ness operations" in the lead-mining district. The tide of immigration that had been directed
to this region, was diverted to the Pacific Coast, and a large number of miners and business
men, dazzled by the glitter of California gold, left to seek their fortunes on the slopes of the
Sierra Nevada. Large amounts of real estate, covered by valuable improvements, were forced
into market and sold at nominal prices, to obtain the means wherewith to remove to California.
Enormous rates were paid for money, and a large amount of capital was withdrawn from the
usual channels of trade ; improvements commenced or contemplated, were suspended or delayed,
and the heavy emigration from the lead to the gold mining region was seriously felt. A large
number of men usually engaged in prospecting, and by whom new and important discoveries
had been constantlv made, were no longer here, and operations were principally confined for a
time to old " leads." But in compensation for this, the price of mineral advanced to $28 per
thousand (it had at some periods been as low as $8 or $9, and was seldom higher than $22), and
this advance caused operations to be renewed in diggings that had been abandoned as too unpro-
ductive to be remunerative. Writing in 1850, in discussing the effect of the " gold fever,"
Mr. Seymour says : " Although lead is one of the baser metals, and does not strike the imagi-
nation like pure gold dug from the bowels of the earth, yet it immediately becomes gold in the
pockets of the miner, for nothing but gold is given in exchange for it by the smelter, and it is
always in great demand at the market price. If enterprising men were willing to undergo here
half the privations and sufferings which they endure by a journey to California and hard labor
in the gold mining, their happiness and prosperity would probably be as well promoted by their
pecuniary success, saying nothing of the extreme perils thereby avoided, and the painful disrup-
tion of domestic ties, so common to this class of emigrants."
CHARLES bracken's SKETCH.
In 1859, Hon. Charles Bracken prepared an historic statement of the early times in the lead
region for the purpose of influencing a Congressional grant of lands for railroad purposes. So
far as these annals are concerned, the value of the document lies in the expression of facts, and
also in the report thereto appended, giving a list of those who mined prior to 1830, and paid
rent to the Government as well as tribute to the Indians, Mr. Bracken wrote :
" At a treaty held by Gen. William H. Harrison with the Sac and Fox Indians, at St.
Louis, on the 3d day of November, 1804, those Indians sold to the United States all the land
east of the Mississippi River, extending from the mouth of the Illinois River to the mouth of the
Wisconsin River, including the lead mines east of the Mississippi. Another treaty was held on
HISTOEY OF THE LEAD EEGION. 421
the 24th of August, 1816, at Fort Crawford (St. Louis), between the United States representa-
tives, Gov. Edwards, Gen. Clark and Mr. Choteau, and the Ottawa, Chippewa and Pottawatomie
Indians. The Indians then proved, to the satisfaction of the Commissioners, that the country-
sold to Gen. William H. Harrison did not belong to the Sacs and Foxes alone, but was
jointly the country of the Ottawas, Chippewas, Pottawatomies, Winnebagoes and Pottawatomies
of the Illinois. The Winnebagoes were not parties to this treaty, and, as a result, the Govern-
ment ceded to them all the country lying north of a line running west from the southerly bend
of Lake Michigan to the Mississippi, reserving, however, a quantity of land north of that line
equal to five leagues square, to be laid in such tract or tracts as the President of the United
States might deem proper. Some six years after the ratification of that treaty, the President,
acting under authority vested in him by the act of March 3, 1807, which authorized him to lease
the salt springs and lead mines belonging to the Government, directed the Secretary of War to
lease the lead mines. Acting under this order, Col. Bomford, of the Ordnance Bureau, on the
15th day of June, 1822, advertised in the principal newspapers throughout the United States
that proposals would be received for leasing any land of the Government containing lead mines.
Col. James Johnson, of Kentucky, responded to the notice, and became a lessee of the Govern-
ment for the lead mines of the Upper Mississippi, and was the first person to come into the
country for the purpose of mining under Government auspices. He proceeded with keel-boats
to Fever River, where, although accompanied by Maj. Forsythe, the Indian agent at Rock
Island, his landing was resisted by the Winnebago Indians (who had assembled in arms to resist
the landing of any white men, saying that the Sacs, Foxes, Ottawas, Chippewas and Pottawat-
omies had received presents and payments for lands which belonged to them, and that they never
sold to the United States). After Mr. Johnson had counseled with the Indians for several days,
and made them presents of merchandise and provisions, they consented to his landing and rain-
ing and smelting in their country. Others received similar leases and followed him, and the
result was that, at the time of the treaty of Prairie du Chien, in 1829, when the Indian title to
the country was extinguished, the miners had dispossessed the Indians of every foot of land
where there were indications of lead ore. In thus taking possession of the rich mineral lands
belonging to the Winnebago Indians, they carried out the object of the Government, as evinced
by the clause of the treaty at Fort Edwards, in 1816, which authorized the President to reserve
a quantity of land equal to two hundred and twenty-five sections in their country. As the
quantity of land covered by a smelting lease was limited to three hundred and twenty acres, or
cne-haif section, the entire quantity reserved would authorize four hundred and fifty leases, and
the Government well knew that, when that number of her citizens were dotted over those lands,
the country was virtually lost to the Indians forever, and the result proved the correctness of
this Conclusion.
"It cannot be shown by any record, that a tract of land five leagues square, or any less in
quantity, was ever officially located or reserved, as provided for in the treaty at Fort Howard, in
1816; but, under the orders of the Superintendent of the Lead-Mine District of the Upper Mis-
sissippi, survey.s were made for licensed smelters, covering a half-section of timbered land each.
It appears that no record was kept of such surveys ; yet, in every instance where a lease was
granted a survey was made, and, as timber was necessary for smelting purposes, these surveys
were always made in groves where plenty of wood could be obtained. It may be assumed, that,
iilthough there was no record kept, as the surveys were made under the direction of the Presi-
dent, and had metes and bounds regularly established, they must necessarily be considered as a
part of the reserve under the treaty; yet, that position would not affect the miners' claims
seriously, for in r^o instance was the mineral smelted taken from the timbered surveys ; it was
taken from the adjoiniir? prairie lands, which were undoubtedly the property of the Indians. So
n'ell was this understood by the miners and smelters that, at a very early day, they refused to
pay rent for the lead dug and smelted from the Indian lands. The consequence was, in the spring
of 1825, iroops were ordered from Fort Armstrong (Rock Island) to force the payment of the
rent. Against this military exaction the smelters strongly protested.
422 HISTORY OP THE LEAD REGION.
" Up to the year 1825, the country east of the Mississippi, lying between the Rock and Wis-
consin Rivers, and extending north to Lake Winnebago, was claimed conjointly by the Ottawas,
Chippewas, Winnebagoes and Pottawatomies of the Illinois. The Winnebagoes, it will be remem-
bered," were not parties to the treaty of 1816, at Fort Howard, and they were the actual occupants
of the land around Fever River, and who resisted the landing of Col. Johnson. Previous to his
arrival. Van Matre, ShuU and others, who were licensed as Indian traders, also mined and
smelted in the country. They were tolerated in this because they were married to Indian women,
not because they had any recognized right to do so, conferred by the Government. But, after
the arrival of Johnson, all who were smelting in the country were compelled to take out licenses
and pay rent to the Government.
" At the treaty concluded at Prairie du Chien, on the 19th day of August, 1825, known
as the ' Treaty of Limits,' the seventh and ninth articles divided the mining country on the
east of the Mississippi between the Chippewas, Winnebagoes, Ottawas, and the Chippewas and
Pottawatomies of the Illinois, and, by the tenth article of the treaty, the United States solemnly
establishes and recognizes the boundaries.
" In the summer of 1827, the Winnebago chief. Red Bird, attacked some keel-boats on the
Mississippi, above Prairie du Chien, and killed some of the hands.*
" Previous to that time no attempt had been made by the miners to cross the boundary line
established in 1825,* but then a military expedition was sent against the Winnebagoes to capture
Red Bird. The miners who accompanied the expedition discovered numerous indications of
mineral, and in the fall of 1827 a number of them prospected in the country, and a valuable
discovery of mineral deposit was found near Dodgeville (in Iowa County). During the following
year other mines were discovered.
" The miners purchased the right to mine here from the Indians, and, therefore, when
called upon by the Superintendent of the lead mines, refused to pay rent to the Government.
The consequence was, troops were ordered out from Fort Crawford (Prairie du Chien), to remove
the miners from the Winnebago country. To avoid this issue, the miners finally consented to
take out leases and pay rent to the Government, and did, therefore, actually pay two duties for
the privilege of mining — one to the Indians to keep them quiet, and one to the Government to
prevent expulsion.
" The Winnebagoes never consented to the reservation with the other tribes who made the
treaties of 1804 and 1816, although they were, as shown, part owners of the country ; neither
can any evidence be adduced showing that the reservation provided for in the treaty of 1816,
was ever located, except in the matter of timber surveys'before mentioned. * * *
" When the first leases were granted, in 1822, the Fever River mines were fully 300 miles
beyond the border settlements, and the Mississippi was the only thoroughfare into the country,
and keel boats the only means of transportation. The consequence was that the necessary
implements for mining purposes, as well as the necessaries of life, were taken to the mines at an
enormous expense. For years the prosperity of the mines was retarded because the Government
discountenanced any attempts at agriculture ; the agents assuming that the fencing of farms
would consume timber needed for smelting purposes. At first the ore was smelted in log
furnaces, and thereby a heavy loss was sustained. For two seasons the mining and smelting
operations were suspended, and great sacrifices were made by the miners in defending the country
against the Indians. The miners, at a great loss in the expenditure of time and labor and money,
and though suifering the worst dangers and deprivations that are to be met with on the frontier,
opened this portion of the country to a permanent settlement. The expenditures of Col.
Johnson alone amounted to $10,000."
•See "Winnebago War," In County History. — ^Bd.
■•Ibis 1b clearly a misstatement, since oTidencea of white occupation north of the present minols boundary are abundant. — "Ed,
HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGIOK.
423
THOSE WHO MINED PRIOR TO 1830.
The list referred to, as showing the names of miners and the amount of lead raised by them
prior to January 1, 1830, is here given :
Name of Miners.
Amount of
Lead Mined.
G. W. Anderson 10,551
Gabriel Bailey 10,900
John Bowles 57,240
D. G.Bates 111,993
37,809
36,706
31,214
11,680
52,303
13,415
262,476
31,661
91,966
4,760
15,333
4,530
40,687
1,302
607,320
15,843
4,189
38,252
6,274
2,066
27,032
38,690
35,628
Joseph Hardy 107,492
Bates & Van Matre.
Nehemiah Bates
Oliver Cottle
Ira Cottle
L.Collier
Robert Collet
M. C. Comstock
Henry Dodge
M. Detandbaritz
James B. Estes
James Frazier
Abner Flack ,
B. Firmen
Thomas W. Floyd
J. P. B. & H. Gratiot..
Gratiot & Tury
J. Gale
Richard Gentry
B. P. Guyard
Allen Hill
Robert A. Heath
A. E. Hough ,
William Hempstead.
William S. Hamilton.
A. R. How
Isaac Hamilton...
George Haoket....
Hardy & Catron..
Thomas Jenkins..
George W.Jones.,
A. D. Johnson....
25,601
10,032
33,786
4,163
9,543
19,897
85,981
2,525
Name of Miners,
Amount of
Lead Mined
George E. Jackson 6,560
Richard H. Kirkpafrick 42,809
J.J. Kirkpatrick 2,339
P. A. Lorimer 102,596
P. H. Lebranm 45,392
E. Lockwood 133,576
John McDonald 31,852
James Murphy 101,788
William Maldrow.,
L. R. JI. Jloran
.Tames Morrison
Moses Meeker
J. Messersmith
Abel Moran
W. J. Madden
R. H. Magoon
H. Newhall
John Phelps
Alexis Phelps
W. A. Phelps
J. Perry
J. H. Rountree
J. B. Skinner
F. D. Slayton
William H. Smith.,
Washington Smith.,
William Tate
John Tompkins
J. E. Tholozan
A. P. V;in :\Iatre...
Robert Waller
W. Wayman
J. Yountz
32,618
22,132
17,885
144,591
2,018
64,693
13,638
57,207
14,552
22,226
24,426
95
9,121
11,270
12,941
14,491
51,539
8,038
11,002
2,821
50,712
12,869
6,487
3,016
5,027
Total mineral taxed 2,983,107
POLITICAL HISTORY OF THE DISTRICT.
The legislative actions by which the mining district has been geographically changed, may
be briefly and appropriately stated here, at tie risk of repeating certain statements given in the
general history which opens this volume.
The ordinance of 1787 provided that not less than three, nor more than five, States were
to be erected out of the territory northwest of the Ohio River. Three States were to include
the whole territory, and these States were to be bounded on the north by the British Possessions ;
but Congress reserved the right, if it should be found expedient, to form two more States of that
part of the territory which lies north of an east-and-west line drawn through the southern
extremity of Lake Michigan.
It is not necessary to trace the various changes of territorial jurisdiction to which Illinois,
and especially its northwestern portion, was subjected, until the admission of the State into the
Union in 1818. During all that time this section of the country was inhabited only by Indi-
ans, and this whole region was claimed by them. In 1804, the Sacs and Foxes, then a power-
ful tribe, by a treaty made at St. Louis with Gen. Harrison, then Governor of the Territory of
Indiana, ceded to the United States all their lands lying east of the Mississippi ; but Black
Hawk and other chiefs who were not present at St. Louis, refused to be bound by it. All the
territory north of the line drawn west from the southern extremity of Lake Michigan to the
424 HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION.
Mississippi wa^ in the undisputed possession of the native tribes, when the State of Illinois was
erected, in 1818, except a tract about five leagues square on the Mississippi, of which Fever
Eiver was about the center, which, by treaty with various tribes in 1816, the United States Gov-
ernment had reserved, ostensibly for a military post, but really to control the lead mines. The
Government had had knowledge for many years of the existence of lead mines here, but their
location was not known, and it was thought that all would be included within the limits of the
reservation. The Government designed to own and hold exclusive control of these mines.
In January, 1818, the Territorial Legislature of Illinois, assembled at Kaskaskia, peti-
tioned Congress for the admission of the Territory as a sovereign State, with a population of
40,000. J' =. > l-l^
The petition was sent to Nathaniel Pope, the Territorial Delegate, by whom it was promptly
presented, and it was referred to the proper committee, which instructed Mr. Pope to prepare
and report a bill in accordance with its prayer. The bill, as drawn in accordance with these
instructions, did not embrace the present area of Illinois, and, when it was reported to Congress,
certain amendments proposed by Mr. Pope were reported with it. It was generally supposed
that the line established by the ordinance of 1787, namely, the line drawn through the southern
part of Lake Michigan, west to the Mississippi, was to be the northern boundary of the new
State. But this, if adopted, would have left the port of Chicago in the Territory of Michigan,
as well as all the territory now embraced within the limits of fourteen rich and populous counties
in Northern Illinois. A critical examination of the ordinance, however, convinced Mr. Pope
that Congress had the power, and could rightfully extend the northern boundary of the State as
far beyond the line provided in 1787 as it pleased. The principal amendments proposed by Mr.
Pope, therefore, were, first, that the northern boundary of the new State should be extended to
the parallel of 42 deg. 30 min. north latitude — this would give a good harbor on Lake Michi-
gan; and secondly, more important than the boundary line, to apply the 3 per cent fund arising
from the sale of public lands to educational purposes, instead of making roads, as had been the
case in Ohio and Indiana. These amendments were adopted without serious opposition, and
Illinois was declared an independent State.
These important changes in the original bill, says Mr. Ford in his History of Illinois,
" were proposed and carried through both houses of Congress by Mr. Pope on his own respon-
sibility. The Territorial 'Legislature had not petitioned for them — no one had suggested them,
but they met the general approval of the people." The change of the boundary line, however,
suggested to Mr. Pope — from the fact that the boundary as defined by the ordinance of 1787,
would have left Illinois without a harbor on Lake Michigan— did not meet the unqualified
approval of the people in the northwestern part of the new State. For many years the northern
boundary of the State was not definitely known, and the settlers in the northern tier of counties
did not know whether they were in Illinois or Michigan Territory. Under the provisions of
the ordinance of 1787, Wisconsin at one time laid claim to a portion of Northern Illinois, " in-
cluding," says Mr. Ford, writing in 1847, "fourteen counties embracing the richest and most
populous part of the State." October 27, 1827, nine years after the admission of the State,
Br. Horatio Newhall, who had then recently arrived at the Fever River Settlement, wrote to
his brother as follows : " It is uncertain whether I am in the boundary of Illinois or Michigan,
but direct your letters to Fever River, 111., and they will come safely." In October, 1828, a
petition was sent to Congress from the people of that part of Illinois lying north of the line
established by the ordinance of 1787, and that part of the Territory of Michigan west of Lal<e
Michigan, and comprehending the mining district known as the Fever River Lead Mines, piiiy-
ing for the formation of a new Territory. A bill had been introduced at the previous session
of Congress for the establishment of a new Territory north of the State of Illinois, to be called
"Huron Territory," upon which report had been made, in part, favorable to the wishes of the
petitioners, but they asked for the re establishinent of the line as ordained by Congress in 1787.
They declared " that the people inhabiting the territory northwest of the Ohio had a right to
expect that the country lying north of an east-and-west line passing through the southernmost
HISTOEY OF THE LEAD EEGTOX. 425
end of Lake Michigan, to the Mississippi River, and between said lake, the Mississippi and
the Canada line, would remain together " as a Territory and State. They claimed that this
was a part of the compact, unchangeably granted by the people of the original States to the
people who should inhabit the "territory northwest of the Ohio." They declared that the
change of the chartered limits, when Illinois was made a State, was open invasion of their
rights in a body when they were unrepresented in either territory ; that " an unrepresented
people, without their knowledge or consent, have been transferred from one sovereignty to
another." They urged that the present " division of the miners by an ideal line, separating
into different governments individuals intimately connected in similar pursuits, is embarrassing."
They asked for "even-handed justice," and the restoration of their "chartered limits." The
Miners Journal, of October 2.5, 1828, which contains the full text of the petition, says :
"We do not fully agree with the memorialists in petitioning Congress again to dispose of that
tract of country which has once been granted to Illinois ; but we think that it would be for the
interest of the miners to be erected, together with the adjoining county above, into a separate
Territory. And we firmly believe, too, that Congress departed from the clear and express
terms of their own ordinance passed in the year 1787, when they granted to the State of Illinois
nearly a degree and a half of latitude of the chartered limits of this country. Whether
Congress will annex this tract to the new Territory, we much doubt, but we believe the ultimate
decision of the United States Court will be, that the northern boundary line of the State of Illi-
nois shall commence at the southernmost end of Lake Michigan." The petition was unavailing,
and the northern line of Illinois remains unchanged, but the agitation of the subject by the people
of this region continued. In 1840, the people of the counties north of the ordinance line sent
delegates to a convention held at Rockford to take action in relation to the annexation of the
tract north of that line to Wisconsin Territory, and it is said the scheme then discussed embraced
an effort to make Galena the capital of the Territory. Resolutions were adopted requesting the
Senators and Representatives in Congress for Illinois to exert their influence in favor of the
project. The labors of the convention produced no results ; but, until the admission of Wiscon-
sin as a State, there was a strong feeling among the people of Northwestern Illinois that they
rightfully belonged to Wisconsin, and there was a strong desire to be restored to their chartered
limits. Perhaps the heavy debt with which Illinois was burdened at that time may have had
some influence in causing the feeling.
St. Clair County, organized April 28, 1809, included the whole territory of Illinois and
Wisconsin, to the line of Upper Canada, north of Randolph County, these two being the only
counties in the territory.
Madison County was erected from the St. Clair, September 14, 1812, and comprised all
the territory north of the second township line south, to the line of Upper Canada. County
seat, Edwardsville.
Bond County was organized out of part of Madison, January 4, 1817, and extended in a
strip aboui. thirty miles wide on each side of the Third Principal Meridian to the northern
boundary of the territory.
Pike County was erected January 31, 1821, from Madison, Bond and other counties,
and embraced all the territory north of the Illinois River and its South Fork, now Kanka-
kee River. This was the first county erected by the State of Illinois, which embraced the
present territory of the lead region. A Gazetteer of Illinois and Wisconsin, published
about 1822, says that the county " included a part of the lands appropriated by Congress for
the payment of military bounties. The lands constituting that tract, are included within the
peninsula of the Illinois and Mississippi, and extend on the meridian line passing through the
mouth cf the Illinois, 162 miles north. Pike County will no doubt be divided into several
counties; some of which will become very wealthy and important. It is probable that the
section about Fort Clark (now Peoria), will be most thickly settled. On the Mississippi River,
above Rock River, lead ore is found in abundance. Pike County contains between 700 and
800 inhabitants. It is attached to the first judicial circuit, sends one member to the House of
426
HISTOBY OV THE LEAD EEGIOK.
Representatives, and, with Greene, one to the Senate. The county seat is Colesgrove, a post
town. It was laid out in 1821, and is situated in Township 11 south, in Range 2 west of the
Fourth Principal Meridian. Very little improvement has yet been made in this place or the
vicinity. The situation is high and healthy, and it bids fair to become a place of some impor-
tance." This is all that is known of the town of Colesgrove, the county seat of all this region
in 1821.
Fulton County was formed from Pike, January 28, 182-3, and included all the territory
north of the base line, and west of the Fourth Principal Meridian, which had been in Pike.
Peoria County was created from Fulton, January 13, 1825, and, with some exceptions,
included the same territory that comprised Fulton. The county seat was Fort Clark, now
Peoria, and the first election of which recoi'd exists, within the mining district, was in Fever
River precinct of Peoria County, August 7, 1826. The election was held at the house of James
Smith. This was the trading-post then recently located by Amos Farrar and occupied by Smith
as a tavern ; a double log-cabin that stood on the west bank of the river about half way between
the foot of Perry and the foot of Franklin streets. Galena. Water street now passes over its site.
The following is a copy of a document found among the archives of Peoria County, at
Peoria.
I hereby certify that Nehemiah Bates, T. W. Shall and Andrew Clamo, judges, and B. Gibson and Joseph
Hardy, clerks of the election, were severally sworn before me as the law directs, previous to entering upon the
duties of their respective offices.
Dated at Fever River, this 7th of August, 1826. John L. Bogardcs,
Justice of the Peace of Peoria County.
[Poll Book — Continued.]
Samuel C. Mure,
Thomas Nicholdson,
Smith Moore,
John Richardson,
Martin Porter,
James M. Hayle,
Atlas Moore,
.James Taylor,
William Bridger,
Jeremiah Smith,
Martin Duke,
Samuel Gouch,
John Armstrong,
George Evans,
Daniel Fowless,
James Read,
Thomas Drum,
Ely Chaffin,
Harbet Flewisland,
Harrison H. .Jordon,
William Riley,
James Williams,
Andrew Arnett,
Peter White,
John M. Curtis.s,
George A. Reynolds,
Levi McCormac,
David Kirker,
Henry Gratiot,
George Scott,
Caleb Downey,
Richard W. Chandler,
.Jacob M. Hunter,
John Philley,
Stephen Thracher,
John Wood,
James Trimble,
Thomas Gray,
Samuel Atchison,
Moses M. Twist,
Thomas Thornton,
William Hitt,
John Welmaker,
Elias Addams,
T. R. Lurton,
Solomon Perkins,
■William l^ickols,
Thomas Connor,
Thomas Bennett,
Patrick Hogan,
John R. Steith,
James Beck,
George E. Jackson,
Warren Town,
Andrew Mowery,
John S. Miller,
Thomas Reynolds, Jr.,
Robert McGoldrick,
Isaac Hustow,
John R. Nickerson,
Charles Shargout,
Seth Catlin,
Josiah Little,
John Hosley,
John Boyle,
John O'Neil,
Mathew .Fawcett,
David Soiley,
Charles Gear,
Thomas McKnight,
Thomas J. Webb,
James C. Work,
Alexis Phelps,
John Knight,
John B. Dophant,
John 0. Haiidcock,
Samuel S. Lawrence,
James Harris,
John Marfield,
James H. Kirkpatrick,
Thaddeus Hitt,
Felix Scott,
John Ellis,
Stephen Howard,
Charles St. Vrain,
Thomas Davis,
Andrew Clarmo,
Joseph Hardy,
J. W. ShuU,
Nehemiah Bates,
Barney Handley,
John Furlong,
Patrick Gorman,,
John Handley,
William Hansley,
Patrick Lawler,
Charley GuilegaUj
B. Gibson,
John L. Bogardus,
James Foley,
Thomas Fitzpatrick,
John Gibbin,
William Barton,
Isaac Martin,
Little Walker,
John McDonald,
Richard Palmer,
Thompson Homes,
Johnathan Browder,
Alexander Mitchell,
Crawford Fandle,
Stephen Sweet,
Hillary Paden,
Samuel Adams,
Henery M. Willison,
Francis Webster,
Thomas Ray,
Thomas Briggs,
John J. Chandler,
Enoch Long,
Thomas Alven,
Josiah Fulton,
Charles Love,
William Mitchell,
Isaac Hamilton,
Levi Gilbert,
A. P. Vanmeter,
Thomas Bado,
James Duncan,
Hugh Walker,
Samuel Scott,
Robert D. Duke,
Benjamin Bird,
Nathan Smith,
Adams Hymer,
James Parmer,
Abraham Kinney,
John Brown,
Thomas Hymers,
John Finneley,
Jacob Glass,
George M. Britton,
William D.' Adams,
Daniel Snider,
Peter Dumont,
Ebenezer Owen,
William St. John,
Daniel Moore,
William D. Johnston,
Cyrus Hibbert,
Thomas Lumley,
Benjamin Skillimus,
Burt Curtis,
Edward Foster,
Benson Calvert,
William Kelley,
HISTOEY OF THE LEAD I^EGIOIST.-
427
Israel Mitchell,
Richard Hrkpatrick,
William Kirkpatrick,
William Harvell,
George Middleton,
John Ames,
George Weddling,
Elisha Kellogg,
Bensan Hunt^
John Love,
John Kay,
John Clewes,
James Moefett,
John Moefett,
William Dalton,
John Williams,
James Colligan,
Thomas McCrauy,
Robert Clayton,
Abner Eads,
Joseph Clagg,
Mathew Johnston,
Isaac Wiseheart,
William Troy,
Owen Callahan,
Francis Martin,
"William Timmerahon,
Foeasson M. Donald,
Aaron Crandall,
Jeremiah Goder,
John Barrett,
Chandler Armstrong,
Joseph Winett,
Gotham Straiter,
Michael Byrnes,
David Clark,
Thomas Harris,
John Conley,
Michael Finley,
James Browner,
Daniel McCaig,
James Smith,
William McCloskey,
John Coray,
Patrick Doyle,
Charles Larook.
There is a tax-list of 1826 on file at Peoria, containing two hundred and four names of men
in the Fever River settlement, but the Deputy Collector who undertook to collect the taxes
reported that the settlers openly defied him, and refused to pay a cent. This recalcitrant con-
dition grew out of the uncertainty of to whom allegiance was due, as described in the foregoing
pages. The people of the region from the first days to the present have been noted for their
law-abiding character, with this exceptional exhibition of feeling.
The narrative of the political creation of the counties of Grant, Iowa and La Fayette, is pur-
sued in the works devoted to those several counties by the Western Historical Company, and
need not be detailed at this point.
E. H. MAGOON'S memoirs.
His first visit to the lead mines was in August, 1828. He settled in Monticello, in the
vicinity of the Galena lead mines in the following month. Capt. Benj. Funk, Thos. Wiley and R.
H. Magoon band a band-mill at what is now Wiley's Grove, then called Funk's Grove, in Monti-
cello. After seeing the mill in successful operation, Mr. Magoon went to the Blue Mounds,
and, after a brief sojourn, entered into co-partnership with Esau Johnson and Henry Starr for
the purpose of smelting. The enterprise proved a success. About December, 1829, he dis-
posed of his interest in the business and returned to the Grove, now part of La Fayette County,
but then erroneously accredited to Jo Daviess County, 111. He re-engaged in the smelting busi-
ness, having erected a furnace, which was completed about May 1, 1830. He subsequently
made the discovery that he was nearly one mile within the boundaries of Michigan Territory.
The United States Surveyors denominated his place of residence " Magoon's Grove," in defer-
ence to the proprietor. This likewise proving a successful year of smelting, he broke up twen-
ty-five acres of prairie land, which he seeded down with forage supplies. In the early part of
1831, all the mineral in view was smelted, as Mr. Magoon, in anticipation of increased prices,
was paying a higher rate per ton than others believed they could afford. This anticipation
proved faithful, for, on the arrival of steamboats, lead advanced in figure. With the profit thus
realized by his shrewdness, he invested in a stock of general merchandise, such as always finds
ready sale in a miner's camp. In 1831, he fenced in a hundred acres of arable land, and ex-
tended his operations in ore to the absorption of his whole capital and $8,000 borrowed from
Robert Graham, of Galena.
The winter of 1831-32 was marked by Indian inroads, which, coupled with authenticated
reports, presaged a bloody influx of the Sao and Fox tribes in the ensuing spring. These
rumors were still further corroborated in May, 1832, by information that the British bands of
Sao and Fox Indians had crossed the Upper Mississippi River, ascending R.ock River, with
the intention of effecting a union with the Pottawatomies, and inaugurating warfare against the
whole race of whites. Fully aroused by the threatening aspect of affairs, every settlement of
miners and farmers began to erect forts for their mutual protection. Every other business was
abandoned, as of secondary consideration, until these improvements were fully achieved. When
Funk's Fort was completed, R. H. Magoon was elected Captain, a position which he resigned
in a few days, for the express purpose of joining a mounted corps, a branch of the service wliich
he considered more effective in waging war with a fleet-footed foe. Benjamin Funk was
elected to fill the vacancy. Moving in such hazardous times, aud at no moment confident of
428 HISTOKY OF THE LEAD REGIOlsr.
liis own safety, he called upon Mr. Robert Graham and deeded to that gentleman his entire
estate as coll.iteral for the loan of $8,000. The transfer was reluctantly accepted by the cap-
italist, who vainly essayed to dissuade R. H. Magoon from his purpose.
This business satisfactorily accomplished, he removed his wife and three-months-old son to
a place of safety in Galena. Then, arming himself, he joined an expedition under command Oi
Col. Dodge that was setting out to reclaim and inter the bodies of St. Vrain and others, who
had fallen in an encounter at Plum River. Parts of four companies composed the force, with a
few independent volunteers who were starting forth to war on their own account. The first
halt was made at Fetter's, a point nine miles from Gratiot. Before alighting. Col. Dodge
strongly impressed on the rugged yeomen the necessity that existed for unanimity of action,
and urged them to study discipline. The troop was then formed into a hollow square, and, on
receiving orders to " Dismount," each man removed his saddle and laid it on the ground where
he, dismounted, and turned his horse out to graze. The orders were, that if an alarm was
sounded during the night, each man should spring up in his place, and thus be formed in hol-
low square, to repel an attack.
The line of march was resumed in the morning, and, later in the day, the bodies of St.
Vrain and three companions were found and properly buried. One of St. Train's number, a
Mr. Hawley, was not found. The march was continued on to Dixon's Ferry, on Rock River,
where Mr. Magoon was assigned as Second Lieutenant of Capt. Clark's company of mounted
volunteers, and in that capacity assisted, with an escort of twenty-five men, to conduct Gen.
Brady to Ottawa. Col. Dodge was in command. The journey and return trip was accom-
plished in immunity.
The camping-place selected was the very spot where St. Vrain and his men encamped the
night before they met their fate. At Kellogg's Grove they encountered Capt. A. W. Snyder
and his company, from St. Clair, 111. Capt. Snyder reported that they had a brush with
the Indians several hours previous, and, despite the assistance afforded by Gen. Samuel White-
side, a portion of his command was sadly demoralized at a sight of the Indians. At the close
of the conflict, it was found that several of the Illinois men were killed, whereas their foes
escaped almost unscathed.
Before arriving at Gratiot's Grove, a halt was made to graze the horses. No provisions
were visible for the bodily support of the soldiers. They were placed in a quandary for a time,
not knowing how to remedy the omission. In the vicinity was Fetter's deserted house, and,
while wandering around the premises, one of the men descried a huge, rusty iron kettle.
Summoning assistance, the kettle was cleaned out and filled with mustard greens, from which
they expected to sup sumptuously. Alas for the hopes of men ! When the mess was boiled, it
proved unpalatable and nauseating. Arriving at Gratiot's Grove, Col. Dodge informed the volun-
teers that they had covered two hundred miles in five days, thus averaging forty miles a day.
May, 1832, was occupied in general skirmishing and guerrilla warfare, which permitted the
utilization of Col. Dodge's 200 mounted men. The united strength of the Sacs, Foxes. Win
nebagoes and Pottawatomies, was 600 warriors, a force that could have annihilated the gallant
miners had they met in a pitched battle. When the mounted men were dispatched to Ottawa,
Black Hawk, who had been reconnoitering the white men's position, realized the serious error
committed, and instructed Little Priest to make a descent on Fort Hamilton.
Little Priest and his war party invaded Spuflford's farm and killed four out of six men en-
trenched in an open corn-field. One of the men, named Spencer, eifected his escape by concealing
himself during the fight. The other furtunatc was a Mr. Million, whose fleetness enabled him
to outstrip his pursuers, and bring the awful tidings to Fort Hamilton. The information was
thence disseminated by couriers among the different forts. On the 15th of June, Apple, a
resident of the fort, was found dead within half a mile of the fort, bearing unmistakable signs
of a murderous attack by the Indians. The exigency of the occasion demanded immediate
and energetic action. A pursuing pnrtv was organized. Little Priest attempted evasive tactics,
but, being hotly pressed, was compelled to ambush himself where the ground inequalities gave
HISTJltY or THE LEAD KEGIOX.
429
him the vantage. The whites charged valiantly in a sweeping fire, that inspired each man to
greater action. The position was captured, and every Indian ruthlessly slain, with the same
decree of mercy that they had meted out to their white victims. Not a soul escaped to narrate
ill the wigwam the desperate struggle. About June 20, word was received by Capt. Clark that
the fort at Blue Mounds (vas besieged. To "boot and saddle" was quickly sounded, and all
nvailable mounted men were marched to the threatened locality. A halt was made at Porter's
Grove, six miles west of Blue Mounds, and on consultation the march wa? continued throucrh the
iii"lit. Nearing the objective point, the mutilated body of Lieut. George Force was found, the
remains were carefully collected, and, T^ith a blanket for a shroud, laid in a grave on the open
prairie. A parade was held on the ridge, and, in the unanimous opinion of the people of the fort,
the Sacs were far the more numerous. The march south was continued to Willow Springs,
\vhere they camped were driven for the night. During the night the startling intelligence was
received that a large party had appeared from the direction of Peeatonica, and were marching
toward Apple River Fort, on the site of the present town of Elizabeth. Capt. Clark instantly
ordered the company to saddle, a feat that involved nearly an hour's time, owing to the dense
darkness prevailing. They set out upon a forced march, and had proceeded seven miles beyond
AVhite Oak Springs, when overtaken by an express messenger, who related the capture of
Apple River Fort. He alleged that when approaching the fort that morning, and when within
l)l;iin sight, he -had seen two hundred red demons charging on the fort. The fire was active and
incessant for a time, and then ceased altogether. Despairing of the fate of the garrison, he
Iiad hastened to convey the information to Capt. Clark, whom he had expected to meet at White
Oak Springs. Capt. Clark and Lieut. Magoon, after a hasty consultation, concluded to re-en-
force White Oak Springs, and to notify the commanders of Fort Gratiot and Fort Funk to
maintain a vigilant guard, and forward any fresh intelligence of the aborigines' movements.
The mounted company clamored loudly to be brought face to face with Black Hawk and his
braves, so as to wreak on them a terrible and sanguinary vengeance. Capt. Clark departed to
idarm the habitues of Fort Gratiot of their danger, leaving Lieut. Magoon in charge. That
oiliccr caused every man to test his rifle, wipe it out and reload for fresh service. These move-
ments were only completed when two men, attached to Funk's Fort, arrived, saying that the
Indians were marching on that place, and when last observed were within three miles and still
approaching. Supported by eleven volunteers, Lieut. Magoon made all haste toward the Fort,
which he reached without adventure. No Indians were in sight, and, on prosecuting inquiry, it
was rendered obvious that a foe only existed in the excited imaginations of the Orderly Ser-
geant, who, mistaking a scouting party from a neighboring post for Indians, sounded a prema-
ture alarm. In the morning, great relief was experienced on learning that Apple River Fort
was intact, Capt. Stone having effectually scattered the enemy, who beat a precipitate retreat
toward the east. An order was received from Col. Dodge, in the afternoon, directing that a
messenger should be dispatched to Kellogg's Grove to inform them there that the trail of a large
war party was visible two miles north of his station, and warning them to maintain a strict
guard in the absence of volunteers. Capt. Funk and Jacob Duval bore the dispatch to its
destination. Maj. Dement, of Kellogg's Grove, sent out scouts in the morning. They quickly
returned with a cry of " Indians." General excitement prevailed ; every one in the camp was
astir. All semblance of order was lost, and Maj. Dement vainly strove to organize his battalion
out of this disturbed rabble. They all sallied forth regardless of order, some on horseback,
nd others, too eager for the fray to catch their horses, on foot. Unopposed they advanced
until Black Hawk and his sterling warriors emerged from cover, uttered their war whoop, and
charged on the disorderly mob. The whites retreated in overwhelming disorder, in many
instances the infantry being trod under foot by their own cavalry. Maj. Dement exerted him-
self to the utmost of his ability to restore a semblance of order, but his praiseworthy eiforts
were unavailing. The troops fell back on the houses, wherein they sought shelter from the
well-directed missiles of Black Hawk's sharpshooters. Maj. Dement, irritated at defeat,
remained outside the protecting walls, and angrily strode up and down the path. Not until a well-
a
430 HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION.
directed bullet from the enemy passed through his hat was Maj. Dement induced to seek shelter
at the importunities of his friends. The Indians continued firing on the house until finally,
tired of this amusement, they crossed the prairie to the east, and disappeared in the Yellow Creek
timber. The damage inflicted by this visitation was the loss of fifty horses, shot dead or crippled.
The following evening, Capt. Clark was handed a dispatch from Col. Dodge, ordering him
to proceed to Fort Hamilton, and, after drawing ten days' rations, join the regiment then pre-
paring to march on Black Hawk. No rations were visible at Fort Hamilton, and, weary and
hungry, the mining regiment had to make the best of its way to headquarters, where no remedy
existed for their complaints. A brace of tough plow oxen were killed for their benefit, but this
" bull beef" could not be masticated by the strongest man. Capt. James A. Stephenson was
elected Lieutenant Colonel, and, the plans of the campaign having been matured, the route of
march was taken up. Progress was extremely slow, owing to the numerous marshes which
intersected their path having to be bridged to enable the passage of artillery. So tardy was the
march that Black Hawk defiantly boasted that " he could go before the white beard (Gen. Atkin-
son) and raise corn." Half famished, and driven to the verge of desperation by hunger, the
miners petitioned Lieut. Col. Stephenson to permit them to advance to Fort Winnebago to obtain
supplies. The request was complied with, under the express stipulation that the mounted com-
pany should return by the same route. Alexander and Henry's brigade and Col. Dodge's regi-
ment were included in this order. Arriving at the fort, Clark's company enjoyed their first
meal for ten days. On proposing to return to the main body, much rebellious discussion was
aroused, as the men, one and all, were opposed to the snaiUike progress of the regular army,
preferring to march to the head- waters of Rock River, in hopes of overtaking and chastising the
Indian chief. Col. Dodge, although expressing doubts of their ability to master Black Hawk,
freely promised to accompany them. After reflection. Gen. Henry promised to cast his lot with
the mining regiment in pursuit of Black Hawk.
An incident of the campaign will serve to illustrate some of the difl5culties the miners had
to submit to. Prior to marching up the Rock River country, two barrels of flour were served
out to each company. By design or oversight the two barrels served to Clark's corps were
musty and sour. Col. Dodge refused to replace them with flour of palatable quality. On being
acquainted with the refusal, Lieut. Magoon selected a file of his best men, and, marching to the
stafi' quarters, deliberately bore off the precious goods. This peremptory course, becoming
known to the ofiicers of the staff, caused some comment, but, beyond a feeble demur, no action
was taken. Having thus secured rations, the line of march was taken up. On the second day,
about 4 o'clock in the afternoon, it began to rain, and maintained a constant downpour until
midnight. Tents were unknown luxuries to these hardy pioneers, who camped down in the
grass with saddles for pillows and the weeping heavens for covering. As might have been
expected, in the morning the men arose, dripping wet, and resumed their ordinary duties. In
course of time, the miners arrived at the rapids near Whitewater, below Horicon Lake, and,
after crossing to the east side, a halt was called. During that halt, Lieut. Magoon became
acquainted with Abraham Lincoln. The place where the troops halted was in an open grove of
sugar-trees, with a thick undergrowth of red raspberry bushes. In riding along the border of
this patch, the Lieutenant came to an opening, where he could see a dwarfish Indian slowly
walking around a very tall, lean white man. As the Lieutenant halted to observe the ludicrous
appearance of the pair, the white man noticed the actions of the Indian, and remarked to his
visitor, "I wonder what the little Indian wants?" Lieut. Magoon replied, "I suppose he is
taking your altitude ; see how he cocks up his eye as he goes round." Further conversation led
to an exchange of names, the future President of the United States giving his cognomen as
" Abraham Lincoln, of Springfield, 111." Referring to this informal introduction, Lieut. Magoon
says: "They met frequently after the war, and often spoke of our first acquaintance, and of the
little Indian cocking up one eye at him."
From this grove they marched up Rock River a few miles, then recrossed and bivouacked
for the night. Shortly after, an express arrived in camp from Gen. Atkinson, reporting that
HISTOKY OF THE LEAD REGION. 431
Black Hawk's trail had been discovered below where we first crossed Rock River. The track
was retraced, and the pursuit became exciting. On all sides in the vicinity of the trail, the
Indians had dug spikenard, which vouched for their being famine stricken. Subsequent devel-
opments rendered safe the conjecture that no white army could have been kept banded together
under a similar train of adverse circumstances. After several days of close pursuit, the scouts
reported, at about 6 o'clock in the evening, that the enemy's rear was in view, a short distance
in front. The soldiers were in a timber thicket on the north side of Second Lake, northeast of
Madison, on the margin of a creek, the banks of which were thick set with brush. It was
resolved to camp for the night and devote the whole of the ensuing day to routing and demoral-
izing Black Hawk's forces. The camp was early astir, breakfast was gulped hurriedly, and
accouterments donned so as to be prepared at a moment's notice. The morning wore away with-
out any command being issued, and the impatience of the men manifested itself in murmuring
at the protracted delay. At 9 o'clock, orders were issued to mount. The order of march was
Ewing's battalion in the lead, the mounted miners, and then Gren. Henry's regiment. They
crossed the creek, and were marching over the present site of Madison, when a gunshot was
heard on the banks of the lake, to the left. In a few minutes the shot was explained by the
appearance of the regimental surgeon bearing in his hand a trophy in the shape of afresh Indian
sculp, reeking with blood. He had surprised the Indian trying to draw a bead on some ducks,
and had popped him on the spot. Seeing the Indian fall, he rushed from cover, and, gaining pos-
session of his tomahawk and scalping-knife, began to rend the scalp from the head. The pain
partially revived the victim, who muttered some words in his native guttural, which elicited from
the surgeon the following : " If you don't like being scalped with a dull knife, why didn't you
keep a better one ? " He then dispatched the Indian and returned to camp.
The army continued the march on the trail which followed around the south side of the
upper lake. They had camped on the southwest side of the lake, and their cold camp-fires
showed they had several hours' move of the soldiers. Hitherto the march had been conducted
at a walking pace, and now it was altered to a quick trot. After passing over a distance of
four miles, a solitary Indian was discovered ahead on the trail. Col. Dodge ordered ten men
from Capt. Clark's detachment to advance and kill him. With cocked rifles, the detail
advanced. Learning of their presence and his prospective fate, the Indian stoically retreated
to a tree, where he steadied his rifle, and, after taking deliberate aim. fired. Clark's men
replied with a volley, which they followed up with a bayonet charge. The Indian seized the
nearest bayonet in his naked hands and attempted to wrest it from the soldier, who, by a pow-
erful effort threw the Indian, face down, on the ground. With great agility he recovered his
position, and again seizing the bayonet. He was forced to release his grasp, and the weapon
descended with such force as to penetrate through the body and pin it to the ground. The
hapless Indian struggled to release himself, but the brutal volunteer sprang on the body, and,
with merciless ferocity, extracted the bayonet and inflicted seven additional thrusts through the
body. A parcel enveloped in the folds of an antiquated blanket composed a portion of the
Indian's equipment, but no man had the temerity to investigate the contents, fearing contagion
or vermin. In the next fall, a hunter jamed Rowan visited the scene, and, prompted by curi-
osity, opened the package, which displayed to his astonished gaze the gold watch owned by
Lieut. Force at the time of his death at Blue Mounds. The Indian's rifle had been charged
with six rifle-balls, the entire number lodging in the thigh of a soldier named Isam Hardin.
Two hours subsequently a view was had of thirty mounted Indians, about eighty rods to the
left. One of Henry's regiments was detached to follow them, while the main body continued
on the trail. This troop of mounted Indians were making in a southerly direction, while the
others were continuing due west. Fearing a decoy, Henry's regiment was re-called, and the
whole army descended into a valley opening toward the Wisconsin River. The march was con-
tinued cautiously, the scouts maintaining a lead of thirty rods. As the army defiled down the
valley, the width increased and the bank on the right dwindled in proportions until equalized
with the surrounding surface. At this natural outlet, the alarm was communicated from the
scouts, who shouted, "Here they come, thick as bees."
432 HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGIUX.
Col. Dodge, in a cool tone, ordered his forces to "dismount and form line." The order
was executed in a trice. The next command was, " Advance to the top of that eminence."
From the elevated range a good view could be obtained. Here the scouts were retreating down
the valley, vigorously applying whip and spurs, to escape a score of Indians in pursuit. Capt.
Clark opened column to admit the passage of the scouts, and then, forming line, presented a
solid front to the foe, which had approached within six rods. A volley was fired, and one
Indian bit the dust. The Galena company, with a well-directed fire, demoralized the enemy,
who fled in dismay to a safe position behind a ridge forty rods distant. Col. Dodge ordered
his men not to expose themselves or to expend a single shot without a sure target. The only
wounded was Capt. Parkinson, Second Lieutenant, who received a bullet in the thigh. An in-
spection of arms followed, when the rifles were cleaned and priming renewed. Col. Dodge then
ordered the charge, and the force advanced with eager rapidity, without encountering any obsta-
cles. On arriving at the brow of the bluff, they were saluted by a volley, which passed over
their heads. On the return fire six Indians fell, and the remainder retreated at the top of their
speed. In the meantime, another party of Indians had outflanked Capt. Clark, who, by a well-
directed charge, coupled with ths skillful maneuvering of his company, averted a disaster and
routed his opponents. They fled for a swamp of tall grass cane, which afforded them suitable
shelter and covered their retreat to the opposite bank, where they emergod and disappeared in
the woods. Owing to the late hour, it was deemed advisable to postpone the chase and recuper-
ate for the night in camp. When another day was heralded in, the enemy had disappeared,
having, during the night, beat a hasty retreat across the Wisconsin River, without removing
their lodges. A short journey brought into sight Black Hawk's camp on the west side of the
Wisconsin River, about half a mile off. His camp was much larger than the camp of the mili-
tary, and in the struggle of the preceding day the whites must have been greatly outnumbered.
It was then decided to return to Blue Mounds. To facilitate the transportation of the three
wounded soldiers — Isam Hardin, Robert McGee and Enoch Nevill — litters were prepared from
the materials of a tent presented by Maj. W. L. D. Bwing to Capt. Clark's company. The
loss was one killed and eight wounded. The return journey to Blue Mounds was tedious, owing
to general ignorance of the topography of the country. To gain a rest rendered necessary by a
month of incessant toil, day and night, the miners removed to White Oak Springs. Here the
first information of the battle of Bad Axe, which occurred August 22, was received. This
pleasant news was rapidly succeeded by an invitation for an Indian treaty at Rock Island, where
a general peace was concluded. The war being terminated, the different military divisions were
discharged, with the exception of Capt. Clark's and Capt. Gentry's companies, which were held
in reserve. When the treaty of Rook Island was concluded, the miners were notified of their dis-
charge from the Federal service, the Government having no further need for their services. By an
infamous arrangement of the commanding officer of the forces. Col. Dodge, the two mining compa-
nies known respectively as Capt. Clark's and Capt. Gentry's men, were forced to assume the
expenses of their own corps during the campaign. The sum of over $4,000 was accordingly
deducted from the pay of the men by the Paymaster, acting under orders from Col. Dodge.
Having been involved in war for five months, ending in the Fall of 1832, Lieut. Magoon re-
turned to commercial life, as, during his absence, his financial affairs had suffered. To add to
his misfortunes, Robert Graham, his heaviest creditor, succumbed to the cholera, and the estate
reverted to an administrator, who was inflexible in his demands. The years 1833, 1834 and
1835 were highly profitable, and successful to such a degree that he speedily regained his inde-
pendent rank in finance.
In 1836, Lieut. Magoon opened a large store of dry goods and groceries in the village of
White Oak Springs. One mile east of the village, he long operated an ash furnace for smelting
slag as well as mineral. His store in Monticello and his furnaces there he also operated at a
remunerative profit. He sold out his store in White Oak Springs in 1837, closed his ash fur-
nace, near by, in 1840, and closed his store and furnaces in Monticello in 1842. Continued
to reside on his large farm in Monticello, which he adorned with extensive improvements till
HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION. 435
1853, when he removed to Scales' Mound Township, Jo Daviess County, 111., where he resided
till his death, July 28, 1875, aged seventy-six.
Lieut. Richard H. Magoon, we here state, was a man of greatest energy and integrity in busi-
ness ; repeatedly, from 1829 to 1836, rode on horseback from his furnaces in Wisconsin, four hun-
dred miles, to St. Louis, through storm and cold, swimming rivers, the saddle at night his pil-
low, and nfttm thpi slrv his nnW nnvArinor. TTia orrn.vfi is in thp flprtifitprv at T)ar\incttnr\ Vta
ERRATA.
On page 433, the table showing list of names of those who operated in the lead region
prior to 1830, should be headed "Those who S7nelted prior to 1830," not mined. The first
line should read : " * * amount of rent-lead collected," etc., not lead rmsei. The
table shows only rent-lead collected by the Federal officers, which was but one-tenth of total
output According to these figures, over 30,000,000 pounds of lead was produced; but those
figures are probably not more than one-half of the ore product up to that date. The table was
designed to preserve names only, and this error arose from' a misunderstanding of the old docu-
ment which furnished the names of smelters, not "miners," as given. On page 417 '' Juld ^,
1847," should read "July 2, 1827. Lieut. Thomas granted a permit to M. C. White, etc.
ADDITIONAL TO PAGE 419.
In 1845 or 1846, the Government sent an agent to this lead region, who investigated the
conditioh of the mineral lands and reported to Congress, which body authorized the sale ot the
lands. Meetings of miners and settlers were held throughout the mineral country and the
rights of miner! were adjusted by arbitrators appointed at such meetings. Public bidders were
appointed, also, who were empowered to bid off the mineral lands at the sale June 1 1847, and
who after;ard deeded the tracts to each party who had been designated by the arbitrators as
the rightful claimant. No opposition was permitted to the bidders, who offered only regular
Government price.
ana numerous reports ot sudden attacks and massacres, some true and others false, came in from
various surrounding points.
The evening of the day previous to the arrival of Stillman and his men at Ottawa, the
Indian massacre occurred on Indian Creek, about fourteen miles distant from that place. It
has been stated that all the whites present at the time of the massacre, except the two Misses
Hall, taken prisoners, were killed. This statement is not correct. The first intelligence
received at Ottawa of that event was brought in by a young man, a brother of the Misses Hall,
who was present at the commencement of the attack, and who arrived at Ottawa about midnight ;
but his mind was so much confused by the fright that he was unable to give any connected
statement of the facts until the next day. From his statement, it appears that the wagons con-
taining the furniture and effects of the families were not yet unladen when the Indians made
the attack. In the morning of the same day on which the occurrence transpired, the three
432 HISTORY OP THE LEAD EEGIOX.
Col. Dodge, in a cool tone, ordered his forces to "dismount and form line." The order
was executed in a trice. The next command was, " Advance to the top of that eminence."
From the elevated range a good view could be obtained. Here the scouts were retreating down
the valley, vigorously applying whip and spurs, to escape a score of Indians in pursuit. Capt.
Clark opened column to admit the passage of the scouts, and then, forming line, presented a
solid front to the foe, which had approached within six rods. A volley was fired, and one
Having oeen mvoivea m war lor nve moutiis, eiiumg in me jcau oi xoo^, ijicuu. irjiagouu n^-
turned to commercial life, as, during his absence, his financial aifairs had suffered. To add to
his misfortunes, Robert Graham, his heaviest creditor, succumbed to the cholera, and the estate
reverted to an administrator, who was inflexible in his demands. The years 1833, 1834 and
1835 were highly profitable, and successful to such a degree that he speedily regained his iade-
pendent rank in finance.
In 1836, Lieut. Magoon opened a large store of dry goods and groceries in the village of
White Oak Springs. One mile east of the village, he long operated an ash furnace for smelting
slag as well as mineral. His store in Monticello and his furnaces there he also operated at a
remunerative profit. He sold out his store in White Oak Springs in 1837, closed his ash fur-
nace, near by, in 1840, and closed his store and furnaces in Monticello in 1842. Continued
to reside on his large farm in Monticello, which he adorned with extensive improvements till
HISTORY OF THE LEAD EEGION. 435
1853, when he removed to Scales' Mound Township, Jo Daviess County, 111., where he resided
till his death, July 28, 1875, aged seventy-six.
Lieut. Richard H. Magoon, we here state, was a man of greatest energy and integrity in busi-
ness ; repeatedly, from 1829 to 1836, rode on horseback from his furnaces in Wisconsin, four hun-
dred miles, to St. Louis, through storm and cold, swimming rivers, the saddle at night his pil-
low, and often the sky his only covering. His grave is in the cemetery at Darlington. He
had his faults, but, looking back upon his forty-seven years all crowded with business in the
mines, he could have made the honest boast, that, although cast amid the license of a new country,
he never visited a gaming-table, never deserted a needy friend, never liked a negro, intensely
despised the lazy, invincibly kept his word of honor-bright, and his contracts to others always at
par with gold.
stillman's defeat — Kingston's narrative.
Soon after the appearance of Gov. Reynolds' order calling for troops, a force of nearly two
thousand men had been assembled near the mouth of Rock River. Included in this force was a
regiment of about four hundred men under Col. Stillman. Between Stillman's force and the
band of Black Hawk was fought the first battle of the Sauk war, which affair resulted most
disastrously to the whites. Three or four days after the battle, Stillman and his men came into
Ottawa, 111., and a more sorry looking set could not have been found. From the various, and,
in some instances, conflicting accounts, gathered from the men, it appears the following are
about the facts with regard to the battle of the " Sycamores."
About the middle of the afternoon, on the day of the battle, the regiment had halted for
the purpose of encamping for the night. Nearly all the horses had been picketed out, turned
loose or otherwise disposed of. The men were lazily engaged about camp, some gathering wood,
pitching tents, etc., and others drinking whisky, of which they had an abundance in camp, and
to save time they knocked in the heads of the barrels containing it. But, suddenly, a great
commotion arose ! Three Indians had made their appearance on the open prairie a short distance
in advance. The cry was now raised, " Every man draw his rations of Sauks." Then the rush
commenced ; the first man to mount his horse and give chase was the best fellow ; pell-mell was
the order of march. This order, or rather disorder, continued for some distance, probably two
or three miles. Two of the Indians were overtaken on the prairie and killed. At length, the
rear of the army reached the Sycamore, a small stream on the outskirts of a grove of timber.
Here they met the van in the same disgraceful order, in full retreat, and the whole body of
Indians in hot pursuit. The whole direction of things had suddenly changed ; these men, who a
few moments before were so anxious to pursue an enemy, were now more anxious to escape.
Amid this confusion, Capt. Adams, with a company from Peoria, succeeded in crossing the
creek, and took a position between the fugitives and the Indians. This position they held for
some time against the whole force of the enemy, and no doubt saved the lives of many. This,
however, was not accomplished without severe loss. Capt. Adams and about one-fourth of his
men were left dead on the field.
There was no longer any uncertainty. The Indians separated their force into small bands,
and numerous reports of sudden attacks and massacres, some true and others false, came in from
various surrounding points.
The evening of the day previous to the arrival of Stillman and his men at Ottawa, the
Indian massacre occurred on Indian Creek, about fourteen miles distant from that place. It
has been stated that all the whites present at the time of the massacre, except the two Misses
Hall, taken prisoners, were killed. This statement is not correct. The first intelligence
received at Ottawa of that event was brought in by a young man, a brother of the Misses Hall,
who was present at the commencement of the attack, and who arrived at Ottawa about midnight ;
but his mind was so much confused by the fright that he was unable to give any connected
statement of the facts until the next day. From his statement, it appears that the wagons con-
taining the furniture and effects of the families were not yet unladen when the Indians made
the attack. In the morning of the same day on which the occurrence transpired, the three
436 HISTORY OF THE LEAD REGION.
families of Hall, Pettigrew and Davis, had, upon warning received from Shabbona, a Pottawotamie
chief, that " The Sauks were coming," fled to Ottawa, the nearest settlement. Davis was not
at home at the time; but when he reached there a short time after the families had left, he
followed them to Ottawa, where he arrived about the same time they reached that place. He at
once declared his determination to take his family back home ; and most unfortunately, and
against the unanimous admonition of all the inhabitants, prevailed upon Hall and Pettigrew to
accompany him with their families ; and they had only just arrived at Davis' house late in the
afternoon, when the Indians came upon them. At the moment of attack, Davis and young
Hall were in the blacksmith shop. Davis was fixing his gun, and. at the same time, had the
barrel of the gun separate from the stock. When the alarm was given, he rushed out of the
shop with the gun-barrel in his hands, and was immediately surrounded by the Indians. Young
Hall ran to the creek, a few yards distant, jumped down the bank, and, taking the downward
course of the stream, reached Ottawa the same night. The Misses Hall afterward said that
Davis killed six Indians before he was finally overcome.
In the afternoon of the day following this massacre, a company of men from Ottawa,
accompanied by some of Stillman's command, went to the scene of the murder, and the accounts
they gave on their return of the appearance in and around the house was horrible in the extreme.
Even little infants were literally cut to pieces ; and this, too, was done in the immediate presence,
and, doubtless, with the sanction of Black Hawk himself.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
CHAPTER 1,
Indian OcruPANCY— Derivation of the Xame— JSTatueal "\"egetation— "Wateii, Sceneby and
Soil — Coon Bluff— A Romance of the Wisconsin — Educating Slaves — The Mysteeigus
Cave— Recovery of the Lost Child.
INDIAN OCCUPANCY.
Iowa County is one of the brightest jewels that sparkle in the State coronet, with a luster
undimmed by the searching struggles of threescore years. Conceived in the barren bleakness
of a primeval mining country, and nurtured in the associations of nomadic savages, the primitive
era lacked the advantages of more accessible centers ; but ever-changing time has overridden all
obstacles and wrought a revolutionary scene in the condition of " Old Iowa." Wealthy in
normal mineral riches, and with developed agricultural resources, a copious channel has been
created for the ingress of commerce and the reflux of produce. Through the misty vista of
sixty years, the progress of civilization has advanced with such rapid and unparalleled strides
that the imagination is taxed to comprehend the remarkable transition. Familiar with the horo-
scope of events, the early and still vigorous pioneer views, with retrospective glance, the invasion
of metropolitan usages, and soliloquizes on the alteration that has been accomplished. Seventy
years ago the Indian tepee, the handiwork of crude mechanism, and the curling vapor
ascending from the isolated camp-fire, were the only signs indicating the presence of a transient
and roving humanity. The soil was overrun with a rank growth of vegetation, and the rich, suc-
culent grasses of the prairie flourished, and decayed and enriched the earth, whence thrived, in
later years, luxuriant hoards of golden-sheafed grain. The howl of the coyote and prairie wolf,
commingling with the curdling war-whoop of the aborigines, echoed throughout the land, and
awoke the deathly silence of the wilderness.
The unrelenting, throbbing energy of the pioneer, seeking for fresh conquests, instigated
him to subjugate the territory, and reclaim for his children a heritage tending to comfort, if
not afiluence. Commensurate language is lacking to describe, in adequate terms, the alternating
influences that were invoked to achieve triumph and victory.
Environed by naturally treacherous and distrusted hordes of Indians, the original settlers
went forth in pursuit of mineral with the rifle, an ever-faithful ally. While at work in the field,
or plying the pick and gad in the mines, the glinting barrel of the flint-lock asserted itself in con-
venient proximity, carefully primed, ready to send forth its leaden messengers of death on the
manifestation of any hostility by their dreaded native foes.
But who were those men ? Where did they come from and just what did they do ? These
are the principal questions to be solved, or, rather, discussed. It is not enough that we know
what first brought the pioneer scions of civilization here, or that wj see in the present grand
development of the country the natural product, by successive stages of growth, of their first
adventurous steps and efforts in the wilderness.
438 HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY.
There is a certain deep charm, inseparable from age, in the vivid remembrance of the days
of individual youth and ardor, that clings to each person ; this being the case, what wonder is it
that around those who paved the way, in the past, for the steps of infant commerce and agricult-
ure in this portion of the State, there should linger such kindly admiration and affection as
finds its chief delight in a desire to perpetuate their names and deeds ?
More than fifty years have rolled along since any permanent settlement was made here,
from which to derive accurate data ; and when a half-century more shall have added its impene-
trable obscurity to the present darkness, nothing will exist to convey a conception of what
the beginning was, except the few lines traced by the pen of the faithful historian ; and then,
and not till then, will this work be fairly estimated or appreciated.
DERIVATION OF THE NAME.
The county derives its name from the powerful, and, at one time, invincible tribe of Iowa
Indians, whose hunting-grounds engrossed the territory which has since proved the foundation
of several States. On the invasion of the whites, these lands were usurped by the bellig-
erent Sacs and Foxes, who, in turn, were displaced by the Winnebagoes, and, they, subse-
quently, by the white settlers, who gradually progressed westward, enticed by the hope of gain,
until they held the soil in presumptuous mastery, to the total exclusion of the " noble red man."
When organized as a county, under the Territorial Government of Michigan, in 1829, Iowa
County aggregated within its jurisdiction, the present counties of Dane, Green, Grant, La
Fayette, and a part of Rock, thus embracing almost one-half of that part of Wisconsin, which lies
south of the Wisconsin River. As the country grew in population, the demand for more complete
centralization induced the Legislature at various sessions to divide Iowa by setting ofi" at differ-
ent times the adjoining counties, until finally, on the secession of La Fayette, Iowa County was
reduced to its present proportions. It is bounded on the north by the Wisconsin River and
Sauk and Richland Counties ; on the south by La Fayette ; on the west by Grant ; and on the
east by Dane County. In conformation, Iowa County is nearly square, being in length
and breadth thirty by about twenty-five miles, comprising Towns 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 north, and
Ranges 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 east, of the Fourth Principal Meridian, equal in area to twenty-one
Government townships of thirty-six sections each, with a surplus of ten sections.
In general contour, Iowa County is highly diversified, varying in character from pre-
cipitous bluff and desolate sandy barrens, to rich rolling prairies. The land is divided by
numerous ridges and valleys, which intersect at all angles, producing an ever-varying
landscape that enchants the traveler and breaks the tiresome monotony of a prairie scene.
In the northern part, within a distance of two or three miles from the Wisconsin River, the land is
level and sandy. Further on, high rocky blufis present themselves, through which numerous
streams flow to the north. North of the main ridge, the limestone is succeeded by the underlying
sandstone, which, owing to the abrading force of streams, is broken into clifis of a grand and pictur-
esque appearance. The dividing ridge is a remarkable feature of this country. Commencing at
Madison, this ridge enters the county at Blue Mounds in a direct line, then trends to the
southwest for fifteen miles, until it reaches Dodgeville, the county seat, where it resumes its
westerly course passing on through Grant County in a wavering line, and finally terminating at
the bluffs on the Mississippi. This divide maintains an elevation of 600 feet above Lake Michigan,
and is seldom more than 700 feet high, except at the Blue Mounds, where it gradually rises east and
west for several miles, until it attains an altitude at the West Mound of 1,151 feet. The south
sideof the dividing ridge is a gently undulating slope, well watered by the numerous tributaries of
the Pecatonica. The superficial formation is singularly level, abrupt clifis or steep ravines
being exceptional; never being found in the immediate neighborhood of the water-shed, but
rather confined to the small lateral branches.
The southerly portion of the country is very irregular, and presents numerous ravines and
ridges which sometimes rise above the level of the surrounding prairie. This section is interspersed
with second-growth timber, which relieves the view, and promises an abundant supply of fuel for
HISTOKY or IOWA COUNTY. 439
smelting and other purposes for years to come. This is a rich mineral range, from which is mined
three-fourths of the ore shipped from the county. Smelting furnaces are located at accessible
points, principally Linden, Highland, Mineral Point and Dodgeville; but, -when compared
with the earlier resources of the territory, the mining industry presents a sadly decayed appear-
ance. The recent increase of railroad freights has further augmented the depression, which bids
fair to continue until the operations of an opposition line create rivalry and stimulate the man-
agers to reduce freights to a basis which will recompense them, and at the same time enable
the producers to realize a compensation for their outlay.
Extending across the county, from east to west, is an arable belt of beautiful prairie land.
The outline is varied, being narrow at the northeast limit, and gradually increasing in width
toward the opposite extreme, where the prairie expands and covers nearly two-thirds of the
county. Groves and refreshing springs of cool water are plentiful, and tend to enhance the
otherwise naturally picturesque scenery.
NATURAL VEGETATION.
An early traveler, speaking of the verdure of the Wisconsin prairies, describes the flowering
plants that decorated the surface, as follows : " The flowers of the prairies are various and
beautiful. The blue, yellow, white and purple chrysanthemum are common ; a yellow flower,
waving and drooping like an ostrich feather, is also generally found. Some varieties resembling
the prince's feather are common ; delicate snow-drops, violets and diamond sparks that ' love
the ground,' form the carpet, whence springs the plumed stem of many colors, intermingled
with the ' masonic ' or mineral plant, and the compass or resin plant, or the prairie sunflower.
The mineral plant bears a bluish-purple flower, and is remarkable for the qualities attributed to
its growth by the miners. It is said to indicate the presence of mineral. It sometimes spreads
in spots over a large surface of ground, obscuring all but the grass beneath it ; here the miners will
dig with almost a certainty of striking on a lead mine. Sometimes the range of a flower's growth
is in the shape of a straight or curved or an irregular line, indicating the range of the crevice
mineral in the strata beneath; these indications are believed in, and relied upon by many of tbe
miners. If this be true, and the plant actually points out the location of the mineral (galena),
then, as I have observed, no one can say where mineral cannot be found, for this flowering plant
is the most common in the country, and yet, as its growth on diflFerent parts of the prairie is so
irregular in quantity and in direction, there may be something in the peculiarity of soil cover-
ing mineral which produces this plant; it is called by the miners ' masonic,' perhaps, in derision,
for it discloses the secret of the mine.
" The rosin or turpentine weed, or compass plant, deserves some notice. I have called it the
prairie sunflower, from the mere resemblance to the flower, so called, with us, except that the
flowers and seeds are much smaller ; the largest one I saw was about four inches in diameter,
exclusive of the surrounding yellow leaves. The stem of this plant rises to the height of five or
six feet, and, when broken in any part, it exudes a white resinous fluid, which, on being exposed
to the atmosphere, acquires a gummy consistency, and tastes and smells of resin. But the
strange peculiarity of the plant is that its leaves invariably point north and south. In the writ-
mgs of Dr. Atwater, who has visited some parts of this country, I remember that he has noticed
this flower, remarked its peculiarities and has given its botanical name as belonging to the hei-
anthus tribe. The leaves are very large and firm and stifi", those nearest the root are largest,
some of them about eighteen inches long and about one foot wide, palmated and deeply indented.
From the root, the leaves^start out from the stem, on two sides only, at irregular distances, yet
generally opposite each other, and these leaves invariably have a north-and-south direction. It
IS called the compass plant, for the Indians, in absence of trees on the vast prairies, could at all
times find a guide in the leaves of the prairie sunflower ; and its resinous qualities might render
it a good substitute for pine knots in giving light. Horses and cattle eat this plant with avidity,
bite at it in traveling over the prairie and seek it out from amidst the hay in the stable. It is
remarkable that the wild indigo always accompanies this plant.
440 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
" A remarkable and beautiful feature in the decorations of the prairies, is, that the summer
flowers, after having for a season displayed their gorgeous variety, and turned up their faces to
receive the glowing beams of the sun, as soon as autumn puts on her sober brown, and the airs
of heaven breathe more mildly, droop, die, and instantly give place to a new galaxy of fine
and beautiful flowers; particularly all the varieties of the chrysanthemum, and a splendid droop-
ing bush of flowers that looks as if it was. covered with snow-flakes. The autumn flowers are more
delicate and less flaring than those of summer."
WATER, SCENERY AND SOIL.
In the early history of the county, flowing streams were more numerous, as shown by the
maps of early surveys, and the streams now extant exhibit a marked diminution in volume,
when comparatively treated. Many springs, which formerly furnished an apparently inexhaust-
ible supply of water, are now dry, and are replaced by wells, sunk to a lower stratum. The
sight of deserted mills, in some districts of the county, is quite common, owing to a former
abundance of water receding, or going out, compelling the involuntary abandonment of an im-
poverished mill privilege. In many instances, this circumstance has led to the re-opening and
profitable working of mines, which were relinquished on account of the surrounding water in-
sinuating itself into the crevices. This absorption is chiefly attributable to the broader expanse
of country now under cultivation, which conduces to more rapid evaporation. The action of
settlers in denuding the land of wood and forests has contributed toward the depletion of the
rivers and minor branches.
The principal stream is the Wisconsin River, which forms the northern boundary line. That
section of the county is irrigated by numerous brooks and rivulets, which, rising on the northern
side of the dividing ridge, drain more than half the county. They derive their origin from springs,
and, after threading a sinuous course, unite and discharge their volume into the Wisconsin River.
The principal streams on the north are Blue Mounds, Mill Mudenwood, Bean's Marsh, James'
Branch and Otter Creeks. South of the divide, the county is well drained and watered by count-
less branches of the Pecatonica, which spring forth on the fruitful southern plateau, and, descend-
ing into La Fayette County, unite in the waters of the main stream. These rivulets are known
as West and East Pecatonica, Sylvester's Creek, Zimmer's Creek, Spensley's Branch, Peddler's
Creek, Bird's Branch, Rock Creek, Dodge's Branch, and the East and West Branches.
Along the banks of the Wisconsin, the scene is strikingly bold and panoramic in appear-
ance, and, from any standpoint, a splendid prospect of prairie, forest and blufl", is opened to the
gaze. The soft, friable sandstone, in many places, has been indented into cavernous recesses
by the action of the waves and weather ; these openings at times assume multiform shapes, as
the crumbling rocks decay with the ravages of time, and, in several instances, legends of
romantic interest have been woven around the most interesting spots. One of these local
sketches, of unusual interest, is given in a separate chapter. The tale in question is written
under the caption of " Coon Bluff's," and relates to scenes and incidents that transpired in the
vicinity of Arena, at a period when that country was only sparsely settled. A few miles below
Helena, on the Wisconsin, is a place called the Fallen Rocks, where the river has undermined
the strata, and dislodged from the bluff" a mass of sandstone thirty feet high and two hundred
feet long, which now obstructs the river.
The soil is a rich, black loam, with good subsoil of clay, and agricultural operations are con-
ducted successfully, under very desirable circumstances, except in the bottom lands of the Wis-
consin, where the soil is sandy and unfit for cultivation. The rocky prominences are well
wooded with white oak, quaking ash, maple, walnut, and a variety of timber, which furnishes,
almost at the door of the farmer, a cheap fuel, unequaled for quality, and unlimited in quantity.
COON BLUFF* A ROMANCE OF THE WISCONSIN.
There is something extremely bewitching about the black eyes of a pretty little girl, spark-
ling under a coronal of raven ringlets ; and how beautiful is a clear morning in July, as the
*Abridged from the original, by Dr. W. H. Brisbane.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 441
bright sky plays upon the crystal waters of the fast-flowing Wisconsin ! The roses and dande-
lions that ornately glitter along the banks of the noble stream tempt those black eyes from the
playful little flock by the low, white schoolhouse.
The school bell rings, and Mrs. Barrister's little pupils rush to their places, ready to answer
the roll-call.
But Wizena's name meets no response. And at dinner time her place was vacant at the
table.
Wizena was an amiable child — eight years old — the pride of her parents, and the favorite
of the village. Everything was in commotion when the neighbors understood that she had dis-
appeared. All night, all the men and boys of the neighborhood were going in all directions with
torches, in search of the lost one ; but all they could find was a beautiful bouquet, tied very
neatly with a blue ribbon, that Wizena had about her person the morning before. This was
found on the bank of the river, opposite the foot of Cedar Island, near the remains of a recent
Indian camp. It was at once concluded that the Indians had captured her, and great was the
indignation that burst forth against the whole Indian race at this discovery. Measures were
immediately taken to follow in pursuit. Four men, with loaded guns and other arms, took a
skiff, and pulled rapidly down the river, searching carefully all the islands. Four others crossed
the river, and examined diligently all along the bank on that side, while four more kept down
on the south bank. George Ashmore and John Adams, who both had recently been going to
the same school with Wizena, took horses and rode down to Helena, Wyoming, English
Prairie and as far as Muscoda. But no tidings could be obtained of the lost one, nor had any
Indians been seen passing down the river at any of these points. The only thing that had been
seen going down was a skiff, with two white men in it, who appeared to be hunters. The river
being very low at that time, no rafts were passing. "May not these hunters have seen the In-
dians, if not the girl ? " was asked. Mr. Jones, a man of generous spirit, very readily undertook
to try and find these hunters. Mr. Belezer, the father of Wizena, supplied him with ready money
to procure fresh horses, and in twenty hours he had overhauled the men at Prairie du Chien.
They told him they had met some Indians about Arena, with a little girl with her face painted
in Indian style, who wore a bonnet and frock.
It was on Tuesday morning that Wizena had disappeared; but not until Saturday evening
did Mr. Jones return, and in that time it had not been suspected that the Indians had gone
up the river, as they were known to be of a tribe living chiefly near the St. Croix. Messengers
had been dispatched across the country at the same time Mr. Jones left for Prairie du Chien,
with the hope that they would reach the tribe in advance of Wizena's supposed captors. These,
of course, could not be expected back for several days. It was a source of deep chagrin to Mr.
Belezer, who now blamed himself for neglect ; but Mrs. Belezer, having now become calm,
and restored to her accustomed Christian resignation, and news having come that the Indians
had their camp only two or three miles up the river, he determined to go himself and search for
his beloved child at every risk.
Having crossed Brisbane's ferry at Arena, he proceeded on foot with his double-barreled gun
and a dog, as though his object was simply to hunt game. This he did to prevent any suspicion
on the part of the Indians, as he hoped thereby to watch their movements until he could ascer-
tam the true situation of his daughter. He had previously advised his neighbors to keep quiet
and not attempt any movement up the river, and had also taken the precaution to fasten a skiff by
chain and lock on the north bank of the river, to serve in case of his return in the night.
It was between sunset and dark when Mr. Belezer took his lonely way up the river.
Ihe ferry road, being seldom traveled, and never kept in order, was by no means comfortable for
a pedestrian at night. He therefore hastened on rapidly while he had light enough to see his
way. Night, however, overtook him before he cleared the last open marsh, and there, missing
ms direction, he suddenly found himself sinking in a deep bog. All effort to extricate himself
proved unavailing ; he sank to his waist before he found solid footing. His faithful dog barked
loudly, and thus brought out Mr. Bell, whose house, in the daytime, might have been seen through
442 HISTORY OJF IOWA COUNTY.
the oak shrubbery. In a few moments, which appeared more like hours to the afflicted traveler,
Mr. Bell drew near the spot with his rifle and a lantern, expecting to get a shot at a wolf or
deer. At this moment they were startled with the sharp sound of a rifle, and Mr. Belezer felt
the ball graze his scalp. It was evidently from the direction from which Mr. Bell had approached,
and Mr. Belezer, not being able to distinguish any one in the rear of Mr. Bell, and supposing
him to be an Indian, concluded that he had been shot at by him. He immediately raised his rifle
and was taking aim at the breast of his neighbor, when, with another crack of a rifle, the ball
struck the weapon out of his hand. Another report quickly succeeding, shattered Mr. Bell's
lantern. In a moment, Banquo, the faithful dog, had throttled one of the aggressive party, who
cried out in agony for assistance. It was the coarse voice and enunciation of some illiterate
Jonathan, and was responded to by two others with the terrible Indian yell. All this transpired in
less than two minutes ; then everything was quiet, and Mr. Belezer again found himself appar-
ently with none but Banquo near him.
Mr. Bell had fled the moment his lantern was shattered, and in great alarm re-entered his
house. His frightened family hastened with him to their neighbor Bentley, who resided near the
river, about a half-mile off.
Two hours had passed, and Mr. Belezer was still unextricated from his unhappy confine-
ment— even his dog had left him. No sound had reached him except the rapid notes of the
whip-poor-will, and occasionally the somber whoop of the night-owl. But now he thought he
heard a long-drawn breath. It may have been the echo of his own. He had carefully avoided
crying out for help, from the apprehension that it might be the means of directing the hostile
party to his position. Again he thought he heard a long, deep breath — then a groan. It was
evidently from a human being not far from him. Deeming it prudent to continue his silence, he
allowed no sound to escape him, but carefully noticed the breathings of the man near
him, whom he then concluded must be the one whom the dog had attacked, and who must have
been deserted by his Indian comrades. He very naturally conjectured that these were the two
Indians who had been seen with the girl, supposed to be his daughter in disguise. It seemed to
him that this must have been the man who had the lantern, for Mr. Bell had had no time to
speak before the attack was made, and Mr. Belezer had therefore heard but three voices. He now
carefully listened to discover if possible the true condition of the wounded man near him.
Presently the man began to mutter something about being left alone, and soon he seemed to
be so far recovered that he could speak in low but distinct tones. The first sentence Mr. Bele-
zer could distinctly make out was : " Darn them Injins, they haint got no feelin' for a white man ;
blast me ef I goes huntin' vensin with the darned yaller varmints agin." This gave to Mr.
Belezer the key to explain the attack made upon him. This man and the Indians had evidently,
in the darkness, supposed him to be a deer, and the lantern held by Mr. Bell, whom he supposed
to be that of one of the party left wounded on the ground, was broken probably in the rencon-
tre with Banquo. The wounded man was evidently acquainted with these Indians, and possibly
he might disclose something that would lead to the discovery of his daughter.
Recovering more strength, again the wounded man articulated : " Bell was orful scared ;
barn his lantern, ef it hadn't a been in the way I wouldn't a shot at it, and then that darned dog of
his'n wouldn't a jumped on me. Har I be a sweltering in my own blood. Consarn them Injins,
to leave a fellow a-sweltering in his own blood, jistlike a bruit beast — them Injins ain't humans.
•' Consarn it all, I wish I hadn't a undertook that job about that gal ; here I is mongst Injins
who ain't humans, when I mout a been in better business. Ef ever lean get up here agin, dog
my skin ef I don't keep clear of these all-fired mean works."
Mr. Belezer had now heard enough to satisfy him that this man was an accomplice with the
Indians in getting off his daughter. The object he supposed to be to get a large reward by pre-
tending that he had delivered her from their captivity.
While he was meditating whether to speak to the man or not, he heard a light tread, and
the low gutteral tones of the Indian speech. The wounded man also observed their approach,
and spoke as audibly as he could to them :
HISTOKY or IOWA COUNTY. 443
" Darn your souls, yo've come at last. Har I be, oncapable of moving ary leg, and with
my arm and neck all mangled up by the darned dog, and been good as dead ; and [you all-fired
cowards runs off and leaves me here to perish." The Indians made no reply but quietly raised
him up and bore him away. Mr. Belezer could only observe the outline of their fingers, and was
all the time quaking lest they might discover him again as an object for their rifles.
In the meantime, Mr. Bell and Mr. Bentley, having concealed their families in a safe place,
had gone round silently to the neighbors, and roused as many as the sparse population would
admit. Arming themselves as best they could, they organized themselves into a company, and,
appointing a captain, they proceeded to the Indian camp, which was in the oak openings between
Bentley's and where Mr. Belezer was so unhappily confined. The Indians were the same who
had been encamped recently on the south side of the river, below Arena. Hearing the bay of a
dog, two of them with the white man who was encamped with them, supposed it was after a deer,
and hurried to the spot, reaching there directly after Bell got upon the edge of the bog. The
lantern, not yielding a very good light, only served to bewilder the hunters, and the two
Indians fired at the supposed deer, while the white man, vexed at Bell for having a light, and,
supposing that he was also engaged in the sport, shattered the lantern. Bell, however, thinking
that they had made the attack upon him, and without having yet ascertained the position of Mr.
Belezer, or, indeed, knowing that any one was in the bog, fled as rapidly as he could, fearing the
Indians might murder him. This was the conclusion arrived at.
On reaching the Indian camp, the party found it just broken up, and the fires not yet ex-
tinguished. They traced them to the river bank, and from appearances judged that they had pro-
ceeded down the river in their canoes. It was now about 2 o'clock in the morning, and thinking
they might possibly overtake the Indians by a rapid march, the company hastened down the river
road. The moon was risen and threw a broad light over the marsh as they reached the edge of
it. Bell was about to point out the spot where the supposed attack upon him was made, when
Mr. Belezer recognized his voice, and, seeing that it was a company of white men, called loudly
to them to stop and help him.
All were startled and panic stricken, and scattered in every direction, except an old man
named Plum, who had the fame of neither fearing God nor the devil, or, rather, believing in neither ;
but was a man, nevertheless, of somewhat philanthropic disposition, and sensibly concluded that none
but a human being would be likely to call for help ; and, as the form was a very low one, concluded
it might possibly be a man sunk in the bog. Approaching as near as he dare, he soon saw who
was there, and without waiting for explanations, or saying a word, rapidly started off, but soon
returned with a long log taken from the opening near by, and, throwing it out to Mr. Belezer, bid
him take hold ; but the unfortunate man was by this time so exhausted, and his lower limbs were
so benumbed, that he could only lean forward upon the log, and entreat the old man to get more
help to drag him out. By this time, the company had taken second thought, and one after
another again came to the spot. Taking their handkerchiefs. Plum tied them together, then
walked out on the log, fastened them under the shoulders of Mr. Belezer, and had him carefully
hauled out. By rubbing and covering him up warmly with coats that were readily taken off for
the purpose, he was soon sufficiently restored to communicate the circumstances of his daughter's
disappearance and the subsequent events.
The delay had caused the loss of half an hour, but they now determined to continue the
pursuit with vigor, on the north side of the river, while Mr. Belezer was to recross at the ferry
and get his neighbors to hasten down on the south side with horses.
Banquo had run down to the ferry when he left his master, and, swimming the river, had
reached home about the time the family were retiring to bed. He kept howling at the door until
he was let in. His return without his master, and the blood on him, excited considerable un-
easiness, but his continued whining and running out of the door and barking, satisfied all that
there had been some foul play. But it so happened that all the able men of the village had gone
that night to a public meeting at Dover, four miles off, called to take into consideration the ques-
tion whether the Indians ought to be suffered about the neighborhood.
444 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
Mr. B.'s son Julius — a high-spirited little fellow — ran over to Dr. Brace's, and, begging
the loan of a horse, galloped to Dover, and he returned with all the men who were at the meeting.
On arriving at Arena, Banquo met them, and, howling piteously, ran to the river, where,
standing on the bank by the schoolhouse, and looking up the stream, he howled long and piteously.
As the company were all on foot, much time had passed since the dog had reached home ; and
it was now a question what they were to do. Cooper, the carpenter of the village, advised that
all the guns in the place should be obtained and loaded by those who could use them best,
while others might take axes, hatchets, and even clubs, and with these weapons cross the ferry,
by which time the moon would be risen, and go up to the Indian camp. Having made these
preparations, there was a general shout for Cooper to take the lead. He promptly took his
place at the head of the company, but Banquo led off, and, when they reached the ferry
landing, to cross over to Cedar Island, which intervenes between the north and the south
shores of the river, he plunged into the water and swam across to the island. Cooper, deter-
mined not to be less zealous than the dog, made no halt for the ferry-boat, but waded across, fol-
lowed by the whole company. Arriving at the other side of the island to take the ferry-boat
over the deeper channel, they met there the Indians, just about the time that the company with
Mr Belezer had commenced their march. This was an unexpected encounter to the Indians,
and for which they were entirely unprepared. The now clear light of the moon revealed the
condition of both parties, the whites had twenty men, armed in every sort of way, while the
Indians numbered but eight men, with their squaws and children, and had only three rifles among
them — the others had bows. The white man who had been wounded by the dog was carried on
a litter. Banquo whined a moment when he came up to them, and then plunged into the water
and swam across. Cooper was at a loss what to do ; the Indians appeared greatly alarmed, and
the movements of the dog seemed to imply that he had better hasten on to relieve Mr. Belezer.
But the alarm of the Indians subsided as the white men hesitated.
The two bearing the litter suddenly turned about and rolled the wounded man into a canoe.
That movement satisfied Cooper that no time was to be lost. He ordered his men who had guns,
and whom he had kept in the front rank, being only four thus armed, to be ready to fire, and
then immediately as they fired to retire and reload, while those armed with axes, hatchets and
clubs should rush on, and, after a short assault, give place for the guns again. The wounded
man in the canoe cried out: " You gal, out of the way, or they will shoot you !" This appeared
to be interpreted by one of the Indians, and two squaws, springing to a canoe, caught between
them a young girl, whose face was covered with red paint ; but her clothing was readily recog-
nized as the dress of Wizena. Cooper was about giving the word to fire, when the fear of killing
the girl arrested the command. The men suddenly threw down their guns, and rushed forward
to seize the child — the guns went off as they fell — but without effect. With a most wonderful
agility, the girl, freeing herself from the squaws, rushed into the canoe, and, seizing the pad-
dle, rowed rapidly down the stream. The Indians with rifles ran immediately, and stood right
between the squaws and Cooper's company, presenting their arms ready to fire. This covered the
flight of the squaws, while five arrows sped their way at the same time against the feet of the white
men in the front rank. At this moment, Mr. Belezer and old Plum struck their skiff against
the canoe in which the wounded man was laid. They both sprang from the skiff upon the canoe,
and thence upon the landing. The frail craft was then up set, and the miserable man rolled over
into the river, and was seen no more. Instantly, the Indians without rifles, sprang into the
skiff, which had been detained by the twig of an overhanging tree, and made good their escape.
Mr. Belezer rushed to the aid of Cooper, who had suddenly grappled the rifle of one of the Indi-
ans, and with the butt of his rifle, which on account of its dampness could be used in no other
way, leveled the Indian to the ground. The other men, who had been waiting for a word of
command, now rushed forward, and, seizing the two Indians whose rifles had already been fired,
without other effect than flesh wounds on two of the white men, held them firmly until they could
be tightly bound. The company then hurried with them to the village, where they arrived about
sunrise. But great was the disappointment of the exhausted father and the whole company at
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 4^5
not finding Wizena at home ; they had calculated certainly that she had guided the canoe around
the island to the main land, and had made good her escape from the Indians. But now they
felt assured she had again fallen into savage hands, and the pursuit must again be renewed.
Still, Mr. Belezer hoped that the company on the other side of the river had hailed and saved
her from being retaken.
Without thought of the Indians they had captured, they all rushed instantly down the
river. On reaching what is called the " Old Fort," a mile below the village, where the stream
runs very rapidly in a deep channel along the shore, they saw the canoe upset, where, pressing
ao;ainst the trunk of a tree which had fallen over into the river, it was held by the roots.
Turning it over, the dress of the little girl floated up, and immediately the body was rushed
under the log, and seen no more ; and, with heavy hearts, they returned to the village.
In the meantime, the Indians had made good their escape. In the sadness of his heart,
Mr. Belezer refused to take any further measure to recapture them ; but simply begged the
neighbors to drag the river for the body of his daughter. Finding, however, that all efforts
proved ineifectual, the bereaved parents, taking their only remaining child, Julius, with them,
returned sad and sorrowing to South Carolina, whence they had come only the year before, to
make thgir home in Wisconsin. They were but a short time in Arena, occupying one of Mr.
Mohr's houses. That one ever since has worn the gloom of the grave, and no tenant has occu-
pied it.
Mr. Belezer had left Carolina in consequence of a long-standing quarrel with one of his
neighbors, a rich planter in St. Peter's Parish. The falling-out had taken place ostensibly
about a line fence ; but, really because Mr. Belezer had been the successful rival of Andrew
Smith for the hand of Mary Garvin. On account of which. Smith swore he would have
revenge. Although more than twelve years had elapsed, Smith, who was still a bachelor,
had never ceased to do everything he could do to annoy Belezer, who, wearied out, deter-
mined to remove to the Northwest, to get so far from his enemy that he might be sure of escap-
ing further annoyances. But, having learned that Smith had sold out everything and removed
to California, he saw no reason why he might not return to his old home ; and, having repur-
chased his own homestead, he also paid a good price for the lands that Smith had formerly
owned, to make sure, if he should return, of his not again having an opportunity to repossess
himself of the same residence he had left.
Mr. Belezer had never sold his negroes (he owned about forty) ; but, on going North, had
hired them out. His purpose, in going to Arena, was not to make that point his home,
Madison being the place he had selected for his residence ; but to spend some time in the asso-
ciation of Dr. Bruce, formerly of South Carolina, and who, on account of slavery, had left the
South, and, having emancipated his slaves, had finally settled down in Arena.
EDUCATING SLAVES.
Mr. Belezer had so frequently defended the Fugitive Slave Act, the Kansas-Nebraska Act,
and the political measures of the Pro-slavery party, against the attacks of Northern disputants,
and had inveighed so much against the ultraism of Abolitionists, that he overlooked what he
had previously confessed to be the evils of slavery, and had finally settled down in the conclu-
sion, that, after all, the South had been grievously wronged. Through the loss of his precious
little daughter adding grief to indignation, he returned to his old home with embittered feelings
against the Free States, and with the resolution to assist in maintaining what he and his slave-
holding compeers are pleased to call the " rights of the South," at all hazards.
The case, however, was very different with Mrs. Belezer and her little Julius. Frequently
would Julius amuse the negroes with the adventures of runaways who succeeded in getting to
Canada in safety. He told them various things about the underground railroad, and took his
map and pointed out the difi"erent directions from Southern to Northern points.
Among the negroes on his father's plantation was a muscular, stalwart fellow, black as
ebony, yet with a high forehead and remarkably intelligent countenance. He was quite an
446 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
orator in the religious meetings of the negroes, and, having an unusually high moral character, he
showed that the Christianity was not assumed for sinister purposes. He was respected by both
white and black. This man, seeing Julius alone one day, asked him to teach him how to read
and write.
Julius, although then only twelve years old, was unusually advanced in his studies, and
could compose well and write a fair hand. Under his instructions, Ben made rapid progress,
and in two years became not only a fluent but a well-informed reader, and wrote a good hand,
and composed with accurate diction.
Ben loved a comely plantation wench named Sue, and all his educational efforts were planned
toward effecting an early escape with Sue, who had promised to be his wife.
Spurred to rebellion by constant threats of whipping, Ben, one bright day in May, 1857,
interfered to save Sue from the slave driver's lash. He sprang forward, seized the girl in his arms,
threw her upon his shoulder, and ran with her rapidly toward the road at its nearest point, through
a thick growth of oaks, which was within a few rods of the rows that they had been hoeing. They
eluded their pursuers, and, after swimming several streams to throw the bloodhounds off the
scent, gained the depths of the Coosawhatchie Swamp. Ben had long premeditated an escape,
and had, therefore, at various times, taken opportunities to examine all the ground foy many
miles around. He had also given Sue to understand his intentions, but the occasion was
unexpected, and found them unprepared with change of clothing. He had stowed away in
the trunk of a tree a quantity of cornmeal and salt, flint and steel for striking a fire, and a good
bow with cane arrows, pointed with sharpened nails, and had also a six-barreled revolver, with
a good supply of powder and balls.
The next day, Ben spent several hours meditating what course to take. At length he
remembered that he had seen, at Dr. Malcolm's house, where he had been a few days before on an
errand, several trunks and large boxes of goods directed to Arena, for which place the Doctor
and his family had already started. He knew that these were to be sent to Savannah, to be
shipped via Philadelphia for their destination.
That night, taking their stores with them, he and Sue made their way to Lawtonville,
arriving at Dr. Malcolm's house about midnight. As no one was in the house, Ben knew
he could safely get into it by means of a pole through the upper window, which had no shutter..
Having reached the front parlor, he satisfied himself that the boxes had not yet been sent off,
whereupon, turning the key, which had been left on the inside of one of the doors, he admitted
Sue.
"Now, Sue," said Ben, "you must not be timid. You sit here quietly while I am gone
about two hours to find out when these boxes are to be sent away. To-morrow, I remember, is
the day for the steamboat to pass Parachuccola, on its way down, and I think it likely they will
be off with them very early in the morning."
Sue said she would quietly wait, but hoped he would hasten as fast as he could.
The plantation of Mr. Belezer was about a mile from Lawtonville. Thither Ben briskly
walked, and, cautiously entering his father's cabin, went to the bed and, gently waking the old
man, whispered in his ear that he wished him to get up and come out. His mother, too, heard
the words, and, recognizing Ben's speech, for he spoke in the negro dialect they were accus-
tomed too, she followed Ben and the old man quietly out into a pine, barren near by. Ben,
in a short time, explained what had happened, and what were his plans for escaping to the-
North, and how he should communicate with them after he reached the land of freedom, and lay
a safe scheme for them and all the children to escape from bondage.
Procuring a hatchet, some gimlet-screws, a gimlet, some provisions and a change of
clothing, Ben returned to his trembling wife, on his way securing a little buckskin bag of silver,
which he had carefully treasured under the clapboards of his former cabin . Tearing himself
from them, he was again with Sue before the two hours had expired. She had not been
disturbed by any noise or movement save that of her own throbbing heart. Ben brought in a
large empty box from the yard, which he had observed while at the house a few days before, very"
HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY. 447
similar to one of those in the parlor. He then pried open the lid of the largest of the packed
hoxes, and, with Sue's aid, transferred the contents to the other, after which, to avoid making
a noise, he screwed down the lid, taking care to break off the lower ends of the nails in the lid of
the box, which was already directed, so that it might appear to be nailed down. By means of
screws he fixed two or three pickets, which he had ripped off the fence, in such a way on the
inside of the lid, that by getting into the box he could fasten it down tightly, and yet readily
open it when necessary. He bored several gimlet holes in different parts of the box in a slanting
direction, so as to admit air and some light without giving opportunity to those outside to see
within ; and he bored one directly through on each side, in such position that he could catch an
occasional view of what might be passing. These he filled up with the stubs of nails, to be
removed as he might have occasion. Having put in their bundle, and bags of implements and
provisions, and having fastened them so as to prevent their rolling about, they put out the light-
wood torch they had in the chimney, and carefully (it being now near dawn) adjusting them-
selves in the box, and drawing the slide, made all fast and snug.
In about a half-hour they heard the wagon wheels rattling in the yard ; the front door
opened, and the voice of Mr. Belezer made their hearts beat heavily.
" Here, boys, take this box right out and lay it down by the wagon — be in a hurry!"
In a moment they found themselves lifted and soon set down in the yard. The otker box
was next brought out and laid beside it ; then several other packages.
"All out, sir."
" Put these large boxes into the wagon first."
" Massa, dis one ain't got no writin' on it, sar !"
" Careless dogs, I reckon you have turned it upside down. Turn it up and let me see."
The negro tilted the box for his master to look under. Seeing no direction there, he said :
" Perhaps this is not to go, bring the wagon-hammer here and raise the lid."
" 'Tis screw down, sir !"
" Then run over to Rhode's and ask him to lend me a screw-driver."
In a few minutes the negro returned with the tool, and the lid was unscrewed. The
examination of the contents being satisfactory, the lid was again replaced and a few nails driven
n beside the screwing to make it all safe ; the proper direction was marked on it with some
soot and water, and all were quickly placed in the wagon. As the negro started off, Mr. Belezer
charged him to be sure and get a bill of lading, and our fugitives were fairly on their way.
George, as was common in Carolina, rode on the near horse instead of in the wagon, and, from
the time he had answered "yes, sir," to his master, until they had reached the ford of Boggy
Branch, some miles from Lawtonville, he had not ceased to sing a loud hymn tune he had
learned at the Methodist camp-meeting. Ben and Sue, taking advantage of this, occasionally
addressed each other in a whisper. As the wagon neared the ford, George suddenly checked up
his song ready to stop his horses for watering. At that moment the sound of a rather loud
whisper reached his ear.
" My sakes ! Worradat?" said George. Stopping his horses, he dismounted and exam-
ined circumspectly all around and within the wagon.
With a word or two muttered so low as not to be articulate, he let down the check lines,
and, mounting again, drove into the middle of the ford, and there let the horses stop and drink.
While the horses were drinking, Ben took the opportunity to remove his revolver from the
position in which he had placed it, so as to have it handy and yet without endangering their
own lives by an accidental discharge. Unfortunately, however, he had probably left it cocked,
and just as he thought he had located it safely, by some unaccountable means, a barrel was dis-
charged, and a ball passed through the bottom of the box and wagon. The horses took fright
and ran, and George himself was much frightened, but succeeded in keeping the wagon in the road.
After running about a quarter of a mile, he got them soothed and finally stopped.
In the meantime, the fugitives in the box kept perfectly still, Ben from policy and Sue
from fright.
448 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
"I wonder," said George to himself, "who shoot dat gun. Eh soun' same's if it was in
de wagon."
Raising himself on his horse, he looked back for some time toward the branch, and finally
said :
" I no see nobody, but wouldn't be s'prized if some ob dem who is out huntin' for Ben jis
been tryin' to scare me."
With that he put whip to his horses, and Ben and Sue breathed freely again.
Ben and Sue had been consulting about some plan to have their box so placed on the boat
and ship as to prevent it from being pressed down by other freight; and it was also desirable to
have it so placed that Ben could occasionally raise the lid. He felt assured that he might safely
make George acquainted with the state of things, and perhaps secure his aid. The box they were
in was in the hinder part of the wagon, and the trunks and smaller boxes were piled up on the
forward large box.
After leaving Pomp, there was a long reach of pine forest, through which their road passed.
Ben carefully raised the lid of the box, and slipped out of the back of the wagon ; then, watching
his opportunity, he slipped into a thicket on the side of the road, concealed by the brush, got
ahead of the horses and issued into the road from the thicket. George immediately recognized
him, and called out to him :
" Ben, you better take care, dey is huntin you not fur back."
" Nebber mine," said Ben, " 1 must talk wid you awhile."
He then quickly explained to him the condition of things, and told George what assistance
he wished from him.
" When you put de box in de steamboat, you see to it to hab it put way dere wid nuffin on
de top ob it. An dere is a black man on de steamboat what is de porter, you gib him dis dollar,
and tell him Belezer's Ben axes him to see specially to dat box, and go wid it wen it is to go on
de Philadelphia steamship, and see heself dat it isn't kivered up wid udder tings. Tell him dere
is someting in it ob mine, and he must see to its bein' all right."
George pledged himself to do all he could to carry out his plan of escape, and Ben promised
when he got safely in the North he would do what he could to inform him how to make his way
also out of bondage.
The steamboat arrived in Savannah in due time, and, the next morning, the baggage with
our fugitives was safely deposited on board the steamship. A little before the ship loosed from
the wharf, the porter of the steamboat gently tapped on the box, and said in a low tone, " All
is right."
Some months or so previous to this time, Ben had been with his master to Savannah, and,
on the way, he had become acquainted with the porter, and ascertained that he was a regular
agent for the underground railroad, and from him got the idea of fugitives escaping as freight.
After meeting with various vicissitudes, the fugitives won the kindness of a railroad con-
ductor, who supplied them with a free ticket from Cleveland to Detroit, and instructed them how
to reach that place. The next evening the fugitives were safely on the steamboat, and the morn-
ing after in Detroit ; whence, without delay, they passed over into Canada, where, for the
present, we shall leave them.
THE MYSTERIOUS CAVE.
The reader must now go back to the year 1855. A few days after the encounter with the
Indians at Arena, Dr. Bruce was sitting up, after his family had all retired to bed. He had been
absent from home during the eventful scenes of the few past days, and he had just been listen-
ing to the detailed account of them. While meditating upon what he had heard, he saw the
figure of a man approaching very slowly. As he drew near, he observed that he had the gait,
mien and general appearance of a Carolina field negro.
" I believe you is Mass William Bruce," said the negro in a low tone.
Receiving an affirmative answer, the black, in a confidential tone, related his story ; that
he was called Sam, a slave of Planter Smith's, of South Carolina, a former neighbor of Dr.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 449
Bruce. How he had been sold to a Texas trader, and made his escape on a steamboat. Seeing
a bale of goods addressed to- Prairie du Chien, he had thought of Dr. Bruce. He had brought
his sister's little boy, Joe, along with him, whom he had concealed in the cave of Coon Bluff. In
answer to a query regarding the lad's age, the negro replied, by asking,
" Aint you know Miss Wizena Belezer ? "
" I did know her, but she is dead now. She was drowned in the river the other day."
" Why, Mass William, land a massy, you no say so ? "
"It is a fact, and Mr. Belezer left here just yesterday with his family to go back to Carolina."
" An Mr. Belezer bin a libbin yer, I berry dat he was in Wisconsin, but I taut he was gwine
to a town wa da call Madison."
" He intended to live in Madison, but had not moved there yet, and when he lost his
daughter he concluded he would not stay in this country any longer. But what made you ask
nae if I knew Wizena ? "
" Caze you see, Mass William, Joe was born bout de same time dat Miss Wizena was, and
you know Joe is Mr. Belezer's brudder's chile, at leas day say he is. When dey was babies, Joe
an Miss Wizena look bery much alike, only Joe was a little darker. Well, you see, my Massa
hate everyting look like Belezer, an he use to treat dat boy shameful, so when I was cummin
off, I tink bess to bring him long. My sister was dead dese six munts, an dere was nobody to
look after de chile, an I fraid Massa would buse um too much."
The Doctor finally told him that he would collect a few dollars for him, enough to pay his
and the boy's passage to Milwaukee, and friends there would help them to get to Canada in a
vessel. Sam thanked him, and then asked him numerous questions about the Northern country
and Canada, and then about the Belezers, and how Wizena got drowned.
The Doctor then went into the house and brought out a basket containing a quantity of
provisions, cooked and uncooked, which he handed to him. The negro took the basket with a
"tank you, sir," and walked briskly back the way he had come, which led round the corner of
a barn. As the Doctor turned to go into the house, he was arrested by a shrill child's voice
crying: " Father, father, oh father !" It was in the direction of the barn. He ran immediately
to the corner of the barn, and, looking round, he saw the negro fifty yards ahead holding what
appeared to be rather a small boy. The child was crying plaintively and begging not to go
back to the cave.
About a week after he had seen Sam, he was visiting a patient in the neighborhood of Coon
Bluff, and, taking the opportunity, he ascended the bluff to the mouth of the cave. The cave
was one excavated by human hands, avowedly for the purpose of hunting a golden treasure,
which a tradition among the Indians had led a company of white men to dig into the bluff in
pursuit of; but it was the general impression in the neighborhood, that it was really a hiding-
place for counterfeiters and their implements. The Doctor looking in, and seeing only a long,
dark, narrow passage, stopped near the entrance to listen for some sound within. He could
barely catch the accented words of the negro, apparently speaking to some one whose answers
were not at all audible at that distance. He then proceeded slowly through the dark passage,
which he found too low for an upright position, and at length reached the place where he could
hear much that was said.
" If I knowed," said Sam, " wat to do wid de chile, I would go right way to dis Canada dat
Massa William Bruce tole me bout."
" Why not take the child with you ?"
" Don't you see dis chile nebber could walk dar ?"
" But you might go from here to Madison on the stage, and then to Milwaukee on the rail-
road, and when you get to Milwaukee, there are plenty of chances to Canada in the steamers
and lake vessels."
" Warra use a talk ? De chile would only be de means to fine me out, so I git kotched."
" Well, that's true. If your ma3ter hadn't put dat advertisement in the papers, you might
get along better."
450 HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY.
" Jis so. But you see dat was de berry ting dat help Massa to track me right yer. An
da was de boy, like a little fool stannin right at de mout ob de cave.- I yerre him say, wayou,
Uncle Sam ? jis as I was guine to call de chile in. My Laud, says I, dat's Massa's voice sar-
ten. I yer um scratch a match gin the rock. I knowed dat was my time if ebber. I run hard
as I could, I kotch de chile up in my arms, and de way I run down de hill, I tell you nebber
was de like ob it in dese parts befo'. Mass shoot he gun at me. I know no more arter dat ;
when I awake I see I was in de cave. Massa stayed wid me seberal days — him au anoder white
man. At las he say, dis will nebber do, my time wut more dan dis mulatto rascal is wut; I'll
take Joe along, and I'll leab you to bring dis fellaw when he gets well nuff. After he gone, he
come back next day, he say, Sam how you do now ? I say I no feel so well, Massa. You see I no
want um to fine out I was gittin' well, so I tell um I no feel so well. So he say as he feel my
wris — why, Sam, you hab no fever now, you'll soon be well. I say, maybe I'll be well in heb-
ben. He say, oh, pooh. Arter awhile he say, Sam, you run way to git you freedom, well,
now, don't you want your freedom so it can nebber be taken from you ? Now you see I can
ketch you, nebber mind wa you go. But if you will be a good fellow and do just as I tell you,
I'll gib you free papers as soon as I git back from Californy. I hate so to go into slavery I
'grees to it, I sorry I 'grees to it, but I's in fur it, and now I must wait my time."
" What did he want you to do, Sam ?"
" He make me swar I nebber tell what it is."
" I tell you, Sam, I am afraid it is about this counterfeiting business."
" Wa you call dat ?"
" Well, I have heard since I came into this neighborhood yesterday, that this cave is used
by some who make what they call bogus money."
" I dunno what you call bogus money."
" It is bad money that people make to pass off for good money."
" Oh ! taint nuttin bout no such ting. But it is sumffin dat'll gib de heart sickness."
" What did he say about Joe ?"
" 'Bout Joe? Well, he promise me he gib Joe he freedom, too."
"And are you to stay here in the cave until he comes back from California ?"
" Yes, he bring a man yer named Gineral, an' he say, Sam, de old Gineral yer, will settle
a place close by de creek down da, and when he gits a house he will be near to tend to you and
de chile. He say I let de Gineral hab some money to help pay fur settle he place ; but you
mustn't leave the cave till de old Gineral tell you. Den he charge me nebber to go anywhere
dat folks can see me, for ef you does, says he, you will surely git into trouble. He ticklar
charge me to keep from Dr. Bruce. He say ef de Gineral eber lam dat I go to Dr. Bruce, he
will send me right away and hab me taken to de court, and de court will send me to Texas. I
says to myself, I knows frum dat who's my bes fren. But I say wuffa I got fur to do wid Dr.
Bruce ? But de long and de short ob it is. he gib me some money, an' he say, good-bye Sam ;
and him and de udder white man gone way, left de ole Gineral in yer wid me. I b'live de ole
Gineral keeps a watch on me all de time — I spect he gits mighty well paid fur it."
Here Sam ceased, and the other observed that he had stayed as long as he could, and now
he must start back for Prairie du Chien. On hearing this, the Doctor passed rapidly out of the
cave, and waited behind a projecting portion of rock until the visitor came out. He then fol-
lowed and overtook him in the road leading toward Helena, and, saluting him, inquired who
he was. The man, a very light mulatto, after giving his own name and place of residence, said :
" I helped to get a colored man and a little boy off from New Orleans to Prairie du Chien,
and, when I saw an advertisement offering a reward for him and the child, knowing something
about this place, I put him in the way of finding it; and I told him that when he could get a
chance to see you, you would advise him what to do. But his master soon came after him, and
some person along the way told him the man was inquiring for a place called Coon Bluff, and, by
that means, he found him up there in the cave. I was anxious to get here to put him on his
guard, but I was too late."
jif'<'W-««^
^XVUv^^^
MINER,AL POINT.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 453
The Doctor's time did not allow him to protract the conversation, but, saying, " I must in-
vestigate that matter," he returned to see his patient at the log cabin near by, while the negro
went on toward Helena.
In the course of a few days, the Doctor paid another visit to the cave, this time taking a
•dark-lantern with him. He proceeded, stooping low, until he arrived at the end of a long
passage. It terminated abruptly, and he was evidently beyond the place where the conversation
took place which he had overheard on his first visit. He used his lantern to examine the walls ;
but could not discover the slightest indication of any passage or door. Returning carefully and
■examining all the way, he came to within two hundred feet of the entrance, where, on the
north side of the passage, he found a small aperture, about large enough for a man's head,
through which the sound of human voices reached his ear. He recognized the voice of the old
■General. Now, the reader must understand that this was the sobriquet of an old bachelor who
had no particular home, except that he lived about Arena, and made himself quite at home in
whatsoever house he happened to be ; not only because he felt quite easy himself, but because, in
a good-natured way, he made every one feel pleasant about him. He gave much of the neigh-
borhood gossip, and much of his own invention, but generally in a very harmless way. He
prided himself on being a Democrat, and, therefore, always was prepared to defend the party,
whether of the Northern or Southern wing ; but, although he defended the Democracy without
•exception, yet it would never have been an easy matter to get the General to run down a fugi-
tive slave. His heart was too good for this ; and yet the same amiability would make him prom-
ise the slaveholder to do all he could for him.
The (Sreneral finally bid Sam " good-day, " and soon the Doctor, having closed his lantern,
found the light from the entrance of the cave also closed out, and for a moment got a glimpse of the
General's form, and discovered at the same time a narrow stream of light which passed from the
aperture to the opposite side of the passage. The Doctor, then looking in, could distinctly see that
there was a narrow fissure opposite the hole into which he now pushed his entire head, but, not
getting it far enough he withdrew it, and, running his whip-handle through, he discovered that he
was separated from another vacant space about two feet wide by a wall of rock not more than a
foot thick. He determined then to make another search for the place where the General had
come out, for he had certainly seen him pass out of the mouth of the cave. He then proceeded
all the way to the entrance of the cave, examinins: the wall carefully on that side of the passage,
but no discovery whatever could he make ; he also looked on the outside, hoping to find some other
entrance into the cave. As he sat resting himself on the top of the bluff behind and above the
•entrance he had just left, Sam emerged from that same entrance and ran rapidly down the bluff
into the openings with an empty bucket in his hand. He was probably going to the creek for
water. The Doctor re-entered, and, opening his lantern, threw the full gla,re of light upon the
walls before him. About three rods from the entrance, at a very low place, near which he sup-
posed the old General had seemed to shut out the light by filling up the passage, the Doctor
discovered a slight curve toward the south, somewhat descending, and presently another toward
the north, and then somewhat ascending and curving to the west again, which soon led him into
an apartment where hung a lantern. This was an irregular room about seven feet high, and from
fifteen to twenty feet wide, and about twenty-five feet long. In one corner was a rough bedstead
and two or three comforts and blankets, and in another was a smaller bedstead, upon which were
sheets, blankets and a coverlet. There were also a table and some chairs. The Doctor was won-
dering how he got there; after searching in vain for a trap door in the apartment, as he had
supposed there was, judging from Sam's movements and remarks, he returned to search the pas-
sage more carefully, but finally came out at the entrance without any new discovery. He only
saw the rough walls, sometimes of clay and sand, sometimes a jagged rock, sometimes a stone pre-
senting its flat surface ; but nowhere an indication of any other passage.
"It is the strangest thing," said he to himself, as he took his seat out of the way of Sam's
discovering him on his return. Sam entered the cave with the bucket of water. The Doctor
let him get so far as not to interrupt him by his own movements, and then followed him without
454 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
taking time to light his lantern. Having proceeded some distance, he heard Sam's voice to his
right, saying: " Yer darlin', come up now, I got a cool drink a water fur you." At the same
time the streak of light was seen on the left wall of the passage. He listened and heard a child's
voice say : " I wish you would let me go with you to get the water." The tone was rather del-
icate for a boy, and the Doctor thought remarkably refined for a mulatto child from a Southern
plantation. He concluded he must have been accustomed to living in his master's house, who,
although a bachelor, had nephews and nieces almost always with him. But it rather excited his
curiosity to see the boy. Again he lighted his lantern and up and down the passage he passed
and repassed, but no way could he find again into the chamber. He now determined to call
out for Sam.
"A, a; who dat dar? "
" I am Doctor Bruce."
" Bress de Lord, you come. Mass William."
" How can I get to you, Sam ? "
" War is you 1 "
" In the passage way."
" Keep right long de passage, den and you will come war I is."
The Doctor thought to himself he had tried that enough, nevertheless he followed the direction
of the negro, and going, without obstruction several hundred feet, he found himself in the same
chamber he had been in before.
" Well," said the Doctor, on getting into the light of the hanging lantern, " this is a very
mysterious cave."
" So it ar, Mass William," replied Sam, " I don't understand it all meself; you see when
I pulls dis rope I lets you in, and when I pulls dat one I shuts you out."
The Doctor examined the ropes, but he could see nothing, but that each rope passed through
its hole in the wall of the cave.
" But, Sam, when you first came, how did you find this room ? "
"I jis walk right trou de passage, and come to um so, sir. Den dere was nuffin' in it."
"Well, Sam, are there two ways to get in and out here? "
" I dunno, sir ; sometimes I think dere is, and sometimes I tink dere aint. One time I
bin gone out, when I come back I couldn't git in. I strike my light, but I couldn't see no way
fur git in year, and den I gone out agin an come back an I walk along wid my lantern and keep
a walking right ahead an (you believe it) I come right out de cave same place zactly I came in.
Well, dat's funny, says I. Well, I come back, an as I come long de passage, I keep call Joe,
Joe, Joe ! An I walk on same as I did befo, an yer I is in dis room same as ebber."
" And was anybody here ? " asked the Doctor.
" I didn't see nobody, but Joe he say somebody was jis gone out who was a talkin to him
a long time axin him heaps of questions."
" Did you find out who it was ? "
"No, I nebber find out who dat was. Joe say he was a man wid a big black beard, an he
say he lib about tirty miles off at a place, I furgit what he call um."
" Was it Mineral Point ? "
"Dat is de name. He gib Joe some candy out he pocket an a quarter dollar, an tell um
he must be good boy."
" Well, Sam, that might have been the Marshal hunting you to take you back to your master."
" I tink it likely from what Massa arterwards tole me."
" What, your master told you ? "
" Oh, I furgit ; you no bin know my Massa, Mr. Smith, was yer. But, Mass William, I
not want you to say nuttin about it to nobody. I know you is a fren to de colored man, and
you wouldn't want to do me harm, so I'll tell you."
He then went over the same the Doctor had already overheard, and concluded by saying r
" Well, Mass William, yer I is, an I is boun by an oat. I nebber swear I wouldn't lef yer ; but
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 455
I can't lef widout de chile; an de chile will sure be de means ob kotchin me, caze, you see, I is
advertise. Now, can't you tell me wa I kin do ? Massa promise me freedom and wat is mo' he
promise Joe him freedom ef I do wa he tell me. I would radder git my freedom some udder
way, pervided I could afterwards git hold a Joe, which I hab my doubts about.
At this moment the child, which the Doctor had observed on the little bed, and which he
thought to be sleeping, began to sob. The Doctor rose from his seat and went toward the bed.
But Sam said : " Nebber mine the chile, Doctor ; you come wid me ; I want to tell you sumfin."
The Doctor then turned and followed Sam out of the cave. When out, Sam said : " Mass Will-
iam, in my oat I sware I would not only no tell myself wat it is, but I wouldn't let anybody
get a chance for the chile to tell. So you see. Doctor, ef you ebber get a chance at de chile it
hab to be without me know um. Eben de Gineral had to promise he would nebber talk to de
chile fore Massa would gib him de money ; an when de Gineral does come yer I fus put de chile
in anodder room."
"What, is there another room in this cave? "
"Yes, Sir; but I not lowed to show wa tis."
The Doctor took his departure feeling greatly perplexed. He did not wish to jeopardize
the interest of Sam and Joe, and he felt greatly impressed with the idea that there was some-
thing wrong about the doings of Smith. He finally concluded to wait for further development,
and to watch as closely as he could the movements about the cave. Matters passed on with-
out any new developments for a year. The Doctor occasionally called to see Sam, but never
got an opportunity to talk with the child. The old General, in about a year, got into very bad
health, and necessarily neglected them, and, in the fall of 1856, called upon the Doctor and told
him there were a brace of blackbirds that might need his attention. " I am," said he, "soon
to leave this world, and it is a poor business to be engaged in trying to keep darkies caged up
for their master. I never intended to let them go back into slavery if I could help it, but I
thought I wouldn't do anything until I saw that he wasn't a-going to give them their freedom ;
then I would just step in and say that I could testify the niggers stayed here with his own per-
mission, and then the law wouldn't give them to him. But I may die soon, and so I now tell
you about it."
The old General said, that, knowing the Doctor to be a sincere friend to the colored people,
and not knowing any one else who would be so likely to see to their interests, he had determined
to satisfy his conscience by informing him that a mulatto man and his little white-skinned nephew
were living in Coon Bluff; that their master was a Carolinian named Smith, who had first taken
the boy from his uncle and had apparently gone to return no more, having left another white
man with Sam to take him on when he got well ; that Smith called on him the next day with the
boy, a very delicate little fellow, who cried a great deal, and trembled, but said not a word, and
made generous offers to him to look after them, which he accepted, and, while his health lasted,
he had fulfilled his trust.
From those interviews he had come to the conclusion that Smith was engaged in some-
thing criminal, and he was a little afraid that the negroes themselves knew all about it, and that
Smith and Sam were both afraid the little boy would let it out, and that was the reason he was
never allowed to speak with the boy. " If," said the General, "he hadn't promised to give the
boy his freedom, I should suspect that Smith had kidnaped him ; but, then, there was the adver-
tisement in the New Orleans paper, describing both the man and the boy; so it couldn't be that.
So I have come to the conclusion that Smith is working somehow with a gang of counterfeiters,
and that the niggers have to play some part in their game. But all things look so curious that
I want to wash my hands of it. I am in very poor health, and, God knows, I hain't got the
best preparation for it, and I don't want any heavier load to carry."
The Doctor now determined to keep a more vigilant eye than ever upon the cave. There
being no testimony whereby any legal proceedings could be had, he felt assured if he under-
took any open action at that time, it would only serve to put the parties on their guard, and
prevent their detection. Sam himself always seemed to the Doctor to be very sincere and very
456 HISTORY OF IOWA. COUNTY.
anxious to get out of the difficulty he was in, and, from all that could be judged of his manner,
he kept nothing back, except what he said he had bound himself to do and to keep the child from
doing. He often expressed the wish that the matter could leak out without his having anything
to do with it, or that somebody could talk to the child without his knowledge.
" Suppose," said the Doctor to him one day, " I should get out a wri^ of what is called
habeas corpus, and bring an officer here to take you and the child before the court, and require
you to show cause why you keep the child in confinement."
"Well, I see, Mass William, wid all you larnin, you make mistake some time. If you bin
guine to do dat, what fur you no do urn widout tell me ? Now you tell me, when I is under oat,
I hab fur to hinder you from do it. But even if you did do um, how you gwine git at me wid
de officer so you kin git de chile. Did you ebber see de chile ? ''
"Yes, T saw it once, lying on that bed in the corner — or rather, I heard him crying in the
bed, and you drew me away to prevent my talking to him."
" How you know, den, dat I got de chile now ? "
" You have me there, Sam. I don't know any more than you have often told me about
him, as though he were in the cave."
" Sam, you puzzle me ! You are so conscientious about your oath, and yet it is to do
something, or be aiding something you think is bad. It is a strange and mysterious matter ! "
" Well, Mass William, I tell you de chile hab to be taken care ob. Ef anybody was to get
hold of de chile widout my knowledge, and widout my helpin um to do it, and could git um to
him house, and so keep de child and take care ob um heself, and gib me a chance fur to git to
Can'da, I tank de Lord from de bottom ob my heart. But I no see no way fur all dis to happen.
I tinks about it mightily ; and I is hopin dat Massa will come befo' long and set de matter all
straight. But I hab my fears bote ways. I don't like dese men what comes about de cave and
stays here sometimes more'n a week. How dey gits in I nebber kin tell, and when dey goes
out I dunno. Dey treats me well, but I fears all ain't right."
The Doctor now saw that the only thing he could do must be either by some stratagem to
get away the child, or wait until Smith returned from California, and then keep a sharp lookout
upon his movements. The former plan he frequently tried, but the negro would find him at it,
and express his regrets at the failure.
In the summer of 1857, one beautiful morning when the prairie was radiant with sunshine
and flowers, and the tall bluffs, with their green oaks interspersing the open pasturage, and here
and there jutting rocks seeming to rival each other in attracting an admiring gaze, the Doc-
tor, assisted by his sons, and a German named Christian Hottman, were on their way to survey
some islands in the Wisconsin River. They had to pass near a bluff, called the Sugar Loaf, on
account of its height and shape, which stands a mile or more below Coon Bluff, and is a con-
tinuation of the same range of hills. On the top of the Sugar Loaf lies a rock about six feet
high, and nearly a cube in its shape. No one travels the prairie below without fixing the eye
frequently upon the apex of the Sugar Loaf The attention of the party was called to a white
spot surmounting the rock. On approaching nearer, it appeared about the height of a child ten
or twelve years old. A white sheet was closely drawn around the slender form. The short,
dark hair made an impressive contrast with the white robe and the pale face, and ever and anon
there came a shrill cry, " father, father, father! " The party hastened around the bluff to as-
cend it, and in doing so lost sight of the object. On reaching the summit, it had vanished.
There were the footprints of a man on a sandy spot by the rock, but the party could make no
further discovery. Nor did any one else in the neighborhood know of any child who could
have been there at that time.
The Doctor the next day visited the cave, expecting to call at the hole for Sam, but instead
of this he found himself as he had only once before, directly in the chamber. Sam was not there,
but there was his Prairie du Chien friend. An explanation was soon made. He had been on a
visit to some of his old friends in the vicinity, and had called upon Sam. He had found him the
day before in great trouble of mind. When Sam went for water, he had as usual put the child
HISTOKY OF IOWA COUNTY. 457
down into an apartment which was closed by a stone at its entrance. Upon taking up the stone
and calling for the child on his return, he received no response. Supposing the child was sleep-
ing on the bed he kept there for him, he went down himself, but could not find him. Researched
all about, but could see no place where he could get out, unless he had raised the stone and come
out that way, and that seemed an impossibility. He then searched about among the bluifs and
ravines, and at last found him, with only his shirt and a sheet round him, on the top of the Sugar
Loaf. He found out from the boy that he had discovered a place where he got out of his room,
and by keeping on through a very long passage, he finally came out by a flight of steps on the
top of the Sugar Loaf, the trap-door of which opened of itself when the child came to it, and, as
he stepped out, slammed down again. Sam ran back here with the child as fast as he could,
and tried to get him to show the place where he got but, but he said he could not persuade the
child to tell him. " I think it likely he could not find it again. But Sam became so alarmed
that he said he would risk it to take the child along and try to get to Canada. I got them on
the railroad last night, and if they met with good luck they are on the lake now. He begged
me to take these thipgs out here that belonged to you, and leave them at the mouth of the cave,
and then to call on you and thank you for your kindness to him."
" Did you," asked the Doctor, " did you speak to the boy ?"
" Ah ! the boy had agreed that, if Sam would take him out of the cave, he would not speak
to anybody until he gave him permission."
" Well ! well ! It is all a mystery," said the Doctor.
RECOVERY OF THE LOST CHILD.
Immediately after their arrival in Canada, Ben and Sue united in holy wedlock. Sue then
obtained a situation as a house girl, while Ben was tempted with the offer of high wages to go
on a voyage in a sailing vessel to Milwaukee. It was a singular coincidence that his vessel was
lying in the river at Milwaukee at the same time that Sam was making his way there.
To prevent as much as possible the gaze of curiosity, and make detection the more difficult,
Sam had taken the precaution to apply thejuice of a plant he had found on Coon Bluff, to the
face and hands of the child, so as to give the complexion a nearer approximation to his own
color. The deeper tinge was the more necessary after so long a confinement in the cave. He
had, indeed, frequently taken the child with him to the mouth of the cave and allowed some sun-
shine and air, but it was not enough to keep up a tanned complexion. Indeed, Joe, when most
under the influence of a Southern sun, was so white and beautiful a boy that no Northern man
would have suspected he had any African blood.
Sam had observed soon after he got into the car, that a man passed his seat whom he rec-
ognized as one of the company he had frequently seen in the cave. The man did not appear to
notice him, and he took care afterward to prevent his being observed, by keeping his face in the
shade and by sitting remote from the lamp. But Sam was mistaken ; he was, however, not ques-
tioned during the journey. On arriving in Milwaukee, as the day was dawning, he inquired of
the first colored man he met, where he could find a vessel going to Canada. The man very
readily accompanied him in search of one. There was but one in the river, and that was not to
leave until the next day. Sam engaged passage for himself in the steerage, and, having done so,
got the child into a berth and sat down qliietly on a bale of goods near by. The hands were
very busy unloading the vessel. Among them was Ben, who, in a few moments, Sam saw and
recognized.
" Why, Ben, dat you ? How you get yer ? "
Ben looked around for the speaker, and startled at his own recognition of Sam ; but, with
his characteristic prudence, immediately recovered himself on observing a suspicious- looking white
man leaning against a pile of goods, evidently watching Sam. Instead of replying to Sam, Ben
pretended not to notice his question as directed to himself, and, lifting a bale of goods, imme-
diately passed out of the vessel. He had on a working dress, and, as he had been handling some
dirty articles of freight, he was by no means neat in his dress ; in a word, he answered just the
458 HISTOKY OP IOWA COUNTY.
description of the advertisement, so far as his outward appearance indicated ; and, as Sara had
called him by name, this was additional ground for supposition. The suspicious-looking white
man was none other than a Deputy Marshal who had the authority of Mr. Belezer to apprehend
him. He had been employed, by the man whom Sam had seen the night before, to look after Sam
himself, while measures were being taken to bring him and the child before Judge Miller, of the
United States District Court. Immediately calling for assistance to watch Sam, he himself
awaited a favorable opportunity for seizing Ben. He saw his powerful frame, and he had learned
the history of his escape. Taking out of his pocket a set of irons, and with two Deputies to
aid him, he sprang suddenly upon Ben, while he was stooping to take up a bale of goods, and in
a moment had him beyond the power of resistance. The movement was so expeditious, that,
before the hands at work on the vessel had time to make inquiry as to the matter, Ben was hur-
ried off directly to Judge Miller's residence, and the functionary, with his usual alacrity in such
cases, granted a hearing at once, although he had not yet taken his breakfast.
In a hali-hour they were at the court house, prepared for the examination ; and by that
time were collected a crowd to witness the proceedings. Ben, as soon as he saw that he had no
power of resistance, had determined to keep perfectly quiet, so, without saying a word, he had
walked calmly and quietly with the officers, and was now sitting in the court house, manifesting
not the least anxiety about his own case, but occasionally looking sternly at the Judge. The
Deputy showed his authority for making the claim, and the Judge read the description of his
person. It represented the fugitive as named Ben, and there was a witness to prove that he had
been saluted by that name, although he had entered himself on the vessel's books by another
name. His size, his slovenly appearance, his very black complexion, the loss of a front tooth,
all corresponded with the paper. One more thing was alone wanted to complete the testimony.
He was represented as having the distinctive speech, very marked, of a Carolina slave, and the
advertisement went on to say that, as the slaves could not read or write for themselves, the prob-
ability was, that, if they were found with free papers, they would be from the hand of some Abo-
litionist.
The Judge then, more for the purpose of applying the test than to place Ben on his defense,
" Ben, have you anything to say why you should not be delivered up as the slave of
Mr. Belezer?"
But Ben, who was looking down at the time, did not seem to notice that the Judge was
addressing him. The Judge repeated the question, but still no answer. Again the Judge said:
"Ben, have you nothing to say ?''
This time Ben looked up, but, instead of answering, he cast his eyes about, as though he
were looking to see to whom the Judge was speaking. A gentleman leaned forward and told
him he had better answer the Judge.
"Was your Honor speaking to me? I thought you were addressing some one named Ben."
The Judge looked perplexed ; the Deputies looked at one another.
" Has the prisoner anything to say in his own behalf?" asked the Judge of a lawyer who
had stepped up to Ben at that moment to offer his services.
" He says, sir," said the lawyer, " that if your Honor will have his irons taken off, he will
speak for himself, and I, sir, will be his security, if your Honor pleases, that he shall not escape
before the examination closes."
" Take off the irons," ordered the Judge.
The irons were taken off. Ben rose and made a polite bow to the lawyer who had befriended
him, and again sat down.
" Will the defendant say what he calls himself, since he is unwilling to answer to the name
of Ben ?" said the Judge.
" I will write it, may it please your Honor." And Ben, reaching to the table, wrote on a
sheet the name James Ward, in a clear, bold hand, and, handing it to the Judge, returned to
his place.
HISTOBY OF IOWA COUNTY. 459
" May it please your Honor," said Ben, " I shall occupy a very short time in my own
defense. It is hard, very hard, that in a country boasting itself to be the land of the free and
home of the brave, a man without crime may at any time, by the laws of a far-off State,
be seized, ironed, hurried through an ex parte form of trial, and rushed, as fast as steam
can lend velocity to cupidity, to the cotton and rice plantations of the South. What defense can
I make, sir ; nay, what defense could your honored self make, against one who may claim you,
even white as you are, under the Fugitive Slave Act ? Had the man who sought to recover his
slave simply limited himself within the requisitions of that act, which your courts, in violation of
all true and correct principles, from Cicero to Blackstone, have been pleased to recognize as
law, he would, sir, have indited his affidavit and advertisement in terms so general that, ere this
moment, your Honor may have handed me over, a shackled victim of ofScial insolence, to be,
not a slave on a Carolina plantation, for that I should never submit to, but tempted to shed
human blood to secure my liberty."
At this point, the crowd could no longer be restrained, and the court house shook with the
uproarious applause of the then gathered multitude. The noise having subsided, the Judge,
with unusual blandness of manner, said :
"Mr. Ward, it is quite unnecessary to proceed; there has evidently been a mistake, and the
agent of the claimant may withdraw his application, for I certainly cannot grant it in this case."
Here the United States District Attorney sprang up and asked, " Is your Honor prepared
to attend to the other case ? "
" Yes," said the Judge, " I may as well now."
While Ben's case had been proceeding, Sam and his charge had been brought in, in this
•case without the irons, and had been seated opposite to Ben and where he could see them distinctly.
Addressing himself to the lawyer who had volunteered his services in his own case, ho asked
him whether he was an Abolitionist or not. On being answered in the affirmative, he whispered
him to get for him from the vessel his coat that was in his berth, and to bring it carefully, as
there was something in the pocket which he might need. He did not wish to leave now, as one
of his downtrodden class was to be placed upon trial. The lawyer soon returned with the coat,
and, it being a very good one, it gave Ben quite a changed appearance for the better.
The examination proceeded, and, when the description of Joe was given, Ben, for the first
time, noticed the child with Sam. The description in this case was not so specific as in
the other, and the parties came fully within the letter of the advertisement and affidavit. Sam,
from policy, that he might have a claim upon his master to fulfill his promise, determined, as
soon as he was taken, to make no effort at defense. And so frightened was the child that noth-
ing could be got by any one from that quarter.
Although it had been only a little more than two years since the separation in South Car-
olina, Ben's speech was so different that it was not recognized by the child, whose eyes were
fixed all the time upon the floor.
The case had proceeded to that point when, if any defense was to be set up, it was now
high time that it should be offered. The same lawyer as in the other case stepped over to Sam
and asked him if he should defend him. He shook his head. The Judge then said :
" Mr. Black, I do not see that I have now anything else to do than to grant your certifi-
cate as the agent of Mr. Smith. This man does not attempt to deny the claim ; and, although
on account of that poor little boy, whose interesting countenance touches my sympathy, I could
wish he were free, yet the law is plain, and I must do my duty."
Here Ben, who had been gazing fixedly upon the child for some time, rose from his seat,
and, addressing the Judge, said :
" Would it be proper for me to testify in this case, sir ? For, may it please your Honor,
I can demonstrate to your satisfaction that what I say is true."
" It is a little out of order," said the Judge, " but, if there be any good reason why I
should not grant the certificate, I wish to know it. This little boy is nearly white; to dis-
courage kidnaping white children, I will give him all the chance the occasion allows."
460 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
" If your Honor please, in order to establish firmly what I testify to, I will recall your
mind to the fact that I said too much specification, in my case, defeated the purpose of
the claimant. Strangely enough, your Honor is equally deceived in this case. What is the
name of the child ? It is said in the paper to be Joseph or Joe. For your own satisfaction,
inquire for yourself of the child."
The Judge here put the question :
" Little boy, will you tell me what your name is?" But the child kept gazing on the
floor without reply, either from fear or from the promise to Sam.
" Well, may it please your Honor, I will give the name," said Ben. Sam looked at him
attentively, but without exhibiting any strong emotion. " The name I give is Wizena.
Belezer."
The child looked up, screamed, sprang from her seat and clung around him, saying, " Oh,
Ben, Ben ! Where's father? Where's my mother? Are they dead? Ben, are they dead?"
The whole assembly, including even Judge Miller, wept over the scene.
" This is the child," said Ben, " the only daughter of him who has claimed me as his slave.
She was supposed to be dead; how she came into this position, I know not." He then raised
Wizena in his arms, and said : " Your father and mother are living in Carolina."
As he attempted to put her down on the platform by the Judge, " Oh, Ben, Ben ! Don't
leave me, for pity's sake, don't leave me," she pleaded.
" You are in safe hands," said Ben, as he succeeded in extricating himself from her. Then,
drawing his revolver out of his pocket, he exclaimed : " The man who attempts to stop me, does
it at his own peril." Walking by Sam, he touched him on his shoulder and said, " Follow me."
No one attempted to stop them, for all were either taken up with Wizena, or stupefied with
amazement. They reached Canada by the underground railroad in safety.
The agent for Smith had pushed out at the moment that Ben uttered the name of Wizena.
After succeeding in pacifying the child, she told her story in a simple way. She had been
seized by a man near the river, whom she knew to be Mr. Smith. He had with him little Joe.
He took out of Joe's bundle a suit of clothing, and made her wear them. A man that was with
him, took Joe and carried him to a skiff down the river, while Smith, after cutting her hair
short, took her to the cave near Arena. As the reader knows the rest of the history better than
Wizena did, it is unnecessary to tell all that she had to say.
Measures were immediately taken to restore her to her parents, and great was the joy when
they clasped her in their arms.
Mr. Belezer not only immediately sent free papers to Ben and his wife, in token of their
appreciation of his noble conduct, but again returned to the North to reside, and this time
brought with him all his slaves, and emancipated them.
Coon Bluff Cave has been entirely deserted ever since, and Smith has not yet been heard of.
It was ascertained, some time after these events, that the Indians had simply exchanged
with some man, a saddle of venison for Wizena's dress, which they then gave to a little squaw,
about the same size. When they were attacked at the ferry, they were bringing the wounded
man to the Doctor at Arena. This man had formed an attachment for an Indian squaw, and it
was about her he spoke on the night of Mr. Belezer's disaster in the marsh.
Little Joe had been left by his master in charge of a man in Dubuque. It was ascertained
by the hotel register, that he there had a little boy with him, but who was not with him in
Galena, where he next registered his name. The Abolitionists then hunted Joe up, and,
under a writ of habeas corpus, proved that Smith had voluntarily left him there. He was
accordingly set free, and was sent to his Uncle Sam in Canada, Wizena, having testified that
Sam had been uniformly kind to her, and had often told her that he stayed by her only to keep
her from getting into worse hands.
OHAPTEE II.
The Winnebago Wak— Capture of Red Bird— Piest Settlement, Dodgevtlle— Van Matee
Survey— First White Women— Peddlee's Ceeek and Dallas— Mineral Point— Early
Mekchandising- First Marriage and Birth— First Farming— First Mill— Blue River
—Ridgetvay— First School and Physicians— Old Helena— A Visit to Helena in '36—
Furnaces of '27 and '28— The First Census- Territorial Roads— Fiest County Schools
—County School Work Since 1843.
the winnebago war.
The outbreak known as the Winnebago war has been ascribed by historians to two causes-
One reason assigned was the brutal treatment received by a party of squaws at the hands of
river boarders. On sifting this report to the foundation, it was found entirely baseless, and
made from whole cloth by the sensational narrator. The true incentive to revolt is found in
the summary fate of four VVinnebagoes, who, charged with the murder of eight Chippewas, were
adjudged guilty, and were condemned to run the gauntlet at the hands of the injured tribe.
The action of the commandant of Fort Snelling in thus delivering prisoners into the remorse-
less grasp of a hereditary enemy was deprecated, but this did not alter his line of action. As a
result, the Winnebago prisoners met with a summary fate, and their scalp locks soon dangled from
tent-pole of the Chippewa avengers.
Highly incensed at this deed. Red Bird, a Winnebago chief, led a war party against the
Chippewas, at whose hands he suffered defeat, being repulsed with severe loss. Looking
around for a new enemy, he found cause for resenting the encroachments of the whites in search
of lead on the Indian Reservation, between Galena and the Wisconsin River ; then all his
belligerent rancor was aroused, and selected war parties of young chosen braves were sent
forth to scour the country. Previously, in March, a peaceful sugar-maker from Prairie du
Chien, named Methode, together with his wife and five children, had been murdered on Yellow
Creek, twelve miles from Prairie du Chien. This deed of cruelty, having been related at the
settlements, revived all the tales of horror connected with border warfare, and incited the men
to unite for mutual protection. The old feeling of enmity, smoldering since the struggle of 1812,
was fairly aroused, and a war of extermination was freely canvassed among the whites.
On the 28th of June, 1827, Red Bird, and two savage accomplices, We-kaw, Chic-hon-ic
visited the house of Registre Gagtiier, three miles from Prairie du Chien. There were
in the house at the time, Madame Gagnier, her husband, a boy thre'e years old, a daughter aged
eleven months, and an old discharged soldier named Solomon Lipcap. Accustomed to their
visits, the Indians were received with the usual display of friendliness, and were asked to eat.
They assented, and signified a desire for some fish and milk. While Madame Gagnier was
preparing the meal, she heard the click of Red Bird's rifle, followed instantly by the discharge,
and the body of her murdered husband fell at her feet. At the same moment Chic-hon-ic shot
and killed old Lipcap. Seeing We-kaw lingering about the threshold, Madame Gagnier seized
his rifle, which she wrested from him ; but, from trepidation, she could not use it. Accom-
panied by her oldest boy, and carrying the rifle, she ran to the village and spread the alarm, and
a party of armed men returned with her, and recovered the bodies of the two murdered men.
The infant, which had been left covered up in the bed, was found, on the floor underneath it,
terribly mangled. The helpless child had been scalped by We-kaw, who had inflicted upon its
neck a severe cut to the bone just below the occiput, made in wrenching off the scalp. Extraor-
dinary as it may seem, she eventually recovered, and at latest accounts was still living, and
the mother of a large family.
462 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
Red Bird and his companions hastened from the scene of this butchery to the appointed ren-
dezvous near the mouth of the Bad Axe River, where, during their absence, thirty-seven warriors,
acknowledging Red Bird's authority, had gathered together, and received the red-handed mur-
derers, with loud-voiced demonstrations of joy. A keg of liquor was broached, and, as the
spirits decreased, in like proportion did their own volatile spirits ascend, until they were weak-
ened and infuriated by the protracted orgie. On the third day, the last drop of liquor was con-
sumed. About 4 o'clock in the afternoon, they were indulging in the excitable scalp-dance,
when they descried a keel-boat in charge of Mr. Lindsay returning from Fort Snelling. Forth-
with, it was resolved to effect her capture, and put the crew to the knife.
There were two boats, Mr. Lindsay's being a short distance in advance of the second. The
boats had descended the river as far as the village of Wabasha, where an attack was expected.
The Winnebagos were on shore, in full-view, performing the war-dance, and they saluted the crews
of the boats with a chorus of derisive cheers ; but did not attempt to molest them. By this
conduct, the boatmen were thrown off their guard, and tempted to relax the stringent vigils they
had adopted. Owing to a fierce head wind, requiring the full use of the oars to make any
headway apparent, the boats parted company, and hugged the shore, to gain the protection of
the land. Several French Canadian voyageurs, disliking the appearances of things on shore,
cautioned the crews to keep in the middle of the stream ; but their words were not heeded. The
boatmen professed a profound contempt for the Indians, and boldly plied their oars with
renewed energy, so as to effect a landing at the encampment at the mouth of the Bad Axe. The
boats, in model and size, were similar to ordinary canal-boats, and the rising gunwales furnished
protection to those on board from the use of small arms. As the leading boat, the Oliver H.
Perry, approached the shore, the air suddenly resounded with the blood -chilling and penetrating
cries of the war-whoop, and a volley of bullets poured upon the deck. Happily, the Winneba-
goes had not recovered from the effects of their debauch, which told in the unsteadiness of the
fire. Of sixteen men on deck, only one man suffered at the first fire. He was a negro named
Peter. His leg was dreadfully shattered, and he afterward expired from the wounds. The
whites, convinced of their peril, concealed themselves behind the low bulwarks, and suffered the
boat to drift at the mercy of the wind and waves. A second volley was delivered instantly,
killing an American named Stewart, who had risen to return the first fire. The protruding
musket indicated his position, and he died with a Winnebago bullet through his heart, with his
finger on the trigger of his undischarged gun. The boat now grounded on a sand-bar, and the
Indians, encouraged by the inertness of the crew, sprang into their canoes to complete the mas-
sacre. A daring sailor, named Mandeville, and recognized by the pseudonym of Saucy Jack,
assumed command of the crew, consisting of ten effective men. He sprang into the water, his
daring example being followed by four resolute fellows, who, by united exertion, released the
boat from the sand-bar, and pushed it into deep water. The balls rained around with the den-
sity of hail ; but, by persistent effort, the boat was rapidly propelled on its course down stream
and arrived next day at Prairie du Chien. The casualties of this engagement — were two of the
crew killed, two mortally and two slightly wounded. Thirty-seven Indians were engaged, of
whom seven were killed and fourteen were wounded. An examination revealed the presence of
693 bullets in various parts of the boat. The other keel boat, commanded by Capt. Lindsay,
passed the Bad Axe about midnight. The Winnebagoes opened fire, which was promptly
returned. In the darkness, no one was injured, and the boat passed down in safety.
On learning the news, the inhabitants of Prairie du Chien were greatly alarmed. They
abandoned their houses and farms and crowded into the dilapidated fort. A military company
was organized, with Thomas McNair, Captain ; Joseph Brisbois, Lieutenant, and John Brunei,
as Ensign. Express messengers were dispatched to Galena and Fort Snelling for assistance,
and the equipments were put in a good state of repair. The swivels and wall pieces were found
and mounted, and blacksmiths were employed to repair the condemned muskets. The effects
of the startling news are discussed by D. M. Parkinson, in the following words : " The reports being
spread over the country, a scene of the most alarming and disorderly confusion prevailed;
HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY. 463
alarm and consternation were depicted in every countenance ; thousands flocking to Galena for
safety, when, in fact, it was the most exposed and unsafe place in the country. All were with-
out arms, order, or control. The roads, in all directions, were lined with frantic, fleeing men,
women and children, expecting every moment to be overtaken, tomahawked and scalped by the
Indians. It was said, and I presume with truth, that the encampment of fugitives at the head
of Apple River, on the first night of the alarm, was four miles in extent, and numbered three
thousand persons."
An old and almost obsolete edition of a " History of the Indian Wars in Wisconsin," fur-
nishes the following corroborative testimony. The author is unknown : " The people of the
mines took the alarm, so that in two days there were not less than three thousand men, women
and children who fled to this place (Galena) for safety. These Indians had made many threats
against the miners, and had at different times ordered them off, and told them to quit the dig-
gings, saying the ground they were digging on was theirs. This news (Lindsay's engagement)
coming at this time, when they were apprehensive of mischief, gave them an alarm and caused
them to fly to Galena for safety. They forsook their rude habitations and assembled at that
place in order to assist in defending each other. There were a few forts built in the more thickly
settled parts of the mines, and some of the most fearless citizens occupied them. There was a com-
mittee of safety appointed in Galena, who corresponded with all parts of the mines and adopted
measures for the safety and protection of all, and, in the meantime, had some strong block-
houses built at Galena. The people, likewise, who were able and willing to bear arms, volun-
teered, and formed themselves into companies and chose their own officers, ranged the country
and kept a good lookout, for fear the Indians would steal a march upon them and take them by
surprise."
Through the active exertions of Col. Henry Dodge, the workers in the lead mines organ-
ized a company of mounted volunteers, numbering nearly one hundred men, well armed and
mounted.
CAPTURE OF RED BIRD.
Maj. Whistler, of Fort Howard, arrived on the 1st of September, 1827, at Fort Winne-
bago, now the site of Portage City. His force consisted of Government troops and a com-
pany of Oneida and Stockbridge Indians, sixty-two in number, mustered in by Ebenezer
Childs and Joseph Dickinson. On the other hand. Col. Snelling was in command at Fort
Crawford, whence he directed the movements of the troops and the miners under Col. Dodge,
who scoured the country on both sides of the Wisconsin, driving every Indian before them. Soon
after Maj. Whistler's arrival, he was informed that the Winnebagoes were encamped, within a
short distance, on the Wisconsin, where Portage City is now located. A few days later, a body
of warriors were descried, with the aid of a field glass, to be approaching the military camp.
The Indian party bore three flags. The two in front and rear were the American flag, while the
center was a flag of truce, borne by Red Bird in person. As they approached the Fox River,
a loud, monotonous chant was heard. Those familiar with Indian habits proclaimed it to be
"Red Bird singing his death song." Arriving on the banks of the river, a halt was made, and
a barge was sent across to receive the delegation, and an escort of soldiers was provided to con-
vey them within the lines.
Ascending the bluff, Kar-ray-mau-nee, a distinguished chief, was in the van. On arrival at
the camp, order was called and, Kar-ray-mau-nee, acting as spokesman, said : " They are here.
Like braves they have come in: treat them as braves; do not put them in irons." The military
had previously drawn out in line, the Oneida and Menomonee Indians in groups on the left, the
band on the right. A little in advance of the center, stood Red Bird, and the miserable
We-kaw, while those who had accompanied them formed a semi-circle on the right and left
All eyes were riveted on the noble form of Red Bird. In height, he was about six feet,
straight as an arrow and faultless as a model. His form was symmetrical, and as graceful as an
Apollo Belvidere. His face wore an easy expression, combining dignity and grace, associated
with a majestic mien. His face was parti-colored, being painted on one side red and on
464 HISTOKY OF IOWA COUNTY.
the other with an intermixture of pale green. He was clothed in a Yankton suit of dressed
elk-skins of immaculate white, and as soft and pliable as the finest kid. It consisted of a jacket
ornamented with fringe of the same material, the sleeves being cut to fit his finely molded
arm, and leggings, also of dressed elk-skin, the fringe of which was varied and enriched with
blue beads. On his feet, he wore moccasins, and, on each shoulder, in place of an epaulet,
was fastened a preserved bird. Around his neck he wore a collar of blue wampum, beautifully
mixed with white, which was sewed on to a piece of cloth, while the claws of a panther or wild-
cat, with their points inward, formed the rim of the collar. Around his neck were also hanging
sti-ands of wampum of various lengths, the circles enlarging as they descended. In one hand,
he held the white flag, and in the other the calumet of peace.
As he stood in princely grandeur before the military tribunal, with features as immobile as
stone, his direst enemies could not conceal the admiration they secretly felt for him. According
to the Indian law, of a scalp for a scalp, as immutable as the ancient Jewish penalty, of " an
eye for an eye," Red Bird had committed no crime against his own crude laws of justice, and,
consequently, his conscience was at rest. Innocent, in his own simple soul, of murder, he was
ready to meet death, and accepted the fate that was to transport him to the happy hunting-grounds
of the Great Father without a tremor.
When Red Bird and We-kaw were told to sit down, the band struck up Pleyel's Hymn.
All was hushed in silence. At the conclusion of the melody. Red Bird extracted from his pouch
kinnikinick and tobacco, cut the latter in the palm of his hand, struck a fire on a bit of punk
with his flint and steel, lighted it, and smoked in serene silence.
Kar-ray-mau-nee then spoke substantially as follows : They were required to bring in the
murderers. They had no power over any except two ; the third had gone away, and these had
voluntarily agreed to come in and give themselves up. They interceded for kind treatment,
and besought that they might not be put in irons. He concluded by offering twenty horses in
in atonement for the loss of human life at the hands of their tribe. The Indians were cautioned
regarding their future conduct, and recommended to appeal their quarrels to the Great Father
for settlement, and were promised that the felons should not be ironed.
Having heard this, Red Bird stood up, and, advancing two paces toward Maj. Whistler,
said: "I am ready." After a pause he added: "I do not wish to be put in irons; let me be
free. I have given away my life; it is gone." Bending and taking a pinch of dust between
his fingers, he blew it away, repeating as he eyed the vanishing dust — "Like that; I would not
take it back; it is gone." Having thus spoken, he threw his hands behind his back, and
marched directly up to Maj. Whistler. A platoon was wheeled back from the center of the
line, when, the officer stepping aside, Red Bird and We-Kaw marched through the line, in
charge of a file of men, to a tent provided for them in the rear, where a guard was set over
thera. They were afterward committed for safe keeping to the post at Prairie du Chien, there
to await their trial for murder in the regular court of justice.
Very soon after the surrender of these prisoners, Gen. Atkinson's troops, and the volun-
teers under Col. Dodge, arrived at Fort Winnebago. Gen. Atkinson, on receiving assurance of
the friendly feeling of the Winnebagoes, discharged the volunteers, assigned two companies of
regulars to the occupation of Fort Crawford, and ordered the other regulars to their respective
stations, while he returned to Jefferson Barracks.
In the following spring. Red Bird, We-Kaw and Chic-hon-ic were tried at Prairie du
Chien, before Judge J. D. Doty. They were convicted and sentenced to pay the extreme pen-
alty of the law on the 28th of December. Red Bird died in prison, and his two accomplices
were liberated on a reprieve from President Adams, who granted it on the express stipulation
that the tribe would cede the land then in possession of the miners. For the loss of her hus-
band, and the life-long mutilation of her child, Madame Gagnier was granted two sections
of land for herself and children. The Government furthermore agreed to pay her the sum of
$50 per annum, for fifteen years, to be deducted from the annuity of the Winnebago Indians.
Thus ended the outbreak which threatened to become a war of extermination to the miners then
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 465
in the country. At the conclusion of peace, the miners returned to their deserted claims, and
sought for mineral in the uninterrupted enjoyment of security to life and property.
FIRST SETTLEMENT — D0D6EVILLB.
Concerning the arrival of the first white man in this county, reports are conflicting
and liable to mislead a superficial observer. Undoubtedly the country was unsettled before the
year 1827, or only populated by roving bauds of Indians and trappers who, in pursuit of the
chase, were led throughout the broad West. One good result of the Winnebago war was to
demonstrate the mineral wealth of this region and open up the land for the pioneers who began
to come in in hordes soon after. The first persons to improve the discovery were Gen. Henry
Dodge, Jesse W. Shull (the founder of Shullsburg), John Ray, who afterward settled at Willow
Springs, and James M. Strode, of Galena, 111., all of whom arrived at the present site of Dodge-
ville on the 3d day of October, 1827.
However, it is generally acknowledged that Ezra Laramie and a man by the name of Put-
nam were the discoverers of the lead mines, with a few other pioneer miners, and that prior to
the arrival of Gen. Dodge and those mentioned, they were located here just below the spring,
and had thrown up two small log cabins, where they lived in a crude state of civilization.
At that time, there were a considerable number of Winnebago Indians on the ground. They
greatly preponderated, and outnumbered the whites by ten to one. Through the medium
of Martin Van Sickle, a transient trader and dealer in pelts, the Indians were informed
that Gen. Dodge was a chief of some rank among the white men, and they accorded him
a salute in keeping with his supposed exalted station. As Dodge approached them, they
ran and immediately seized their guns, formed in line, and fired a salute over the heads of the
new-comers. The General was accompanied by four negro slaves, who chose to accompany
him under a promise that they should equally share their master's fare and be liberated some
years thereafter. The second day after their arrival, lots were staked off, and every individual
of the party engaged in the construction of a double log cabin for common use. The modus
operandi followed was to excavate a hollow in the hillside, and then to erect on the outside a
wall of logs, and roof in the inclosed space by roughly hewn logs, resting one end on the outer
wall and the other end buried in the hill. Warned by the treachery of the Winnebagoes in the
late war, the new-comers warily proceeded to insure their own safety by constructing a block-
house on the hill above the hut. Inclosing both buildinss and an area not exceeding seventy-
five feet square, was a stockade composed of palisades set in the ground to a depth of two feet,
and standing eight or ten feet above the surrounding surface. This afforded a shelter and
protection and was at least a warm if not comfortable domicile. The only other improvement
was to build a few miners' cabins at this point.
The following day, Gen. Dodge held a council with the Indians, who at that time were
encamped on the Jenkins Branch, and engaged in smelting lead and making bullets for their
winter hunts. He told the chiefs and braves that the whites had come there with peaceable
mtentions, for the purpose of mining and smelting, and that if they behaved themselves they
should be treated with amity and would also be presented with various articles of utility. If,
however, they declined to accept friendly overtures and wanted war, they could have it upon
cheap terms. If they killed or wounded any of the whites, they were threatened with a severe
retaliation. To these propositions, a ready assent was given, and ever after the Indians, with
one or two notorious exceptions, were steadfast friends.
Dodge's party was fortunate in finding mineral during 1827, which turned out to be an
extensive body, afterward known as the " Patch Diggings." A rude log furnace was immedi-
ately constructed, and, before the 1st of JSIarch, Gen. Dodge had manufactured and hauled to
Galena some $3,000 or $4,000 worth of lead. The price ruling the market at that time was $5
per hundred pounds.
In the same fall, James McRaney, Jacob Hunter, Charles Galloway, Daniel Moore and
James Sayles, acting in co-operation, made a claim. All these claims were for " patch "
'i^^ HISTORY or IOWA COUNTY.
diggings. During the same season (1827) the firm, Putnam & Lamb, entered a claim nearly half
a mile northwest of the court house. These diggings were sheet lead, and have since been owned
by various miners, who have worked them intermittently, and usually with profit. Charles
Gaines and James Wooley opened a mine nearly a quarter of a mile north of the court house
plot, near what has since been called "dirty hollow." They also built a furnace, a little east of
Dodge's furnace, the same year.
The next pre-emption claim was made by John Turney, George Madery and Charles Whist-
ler, in 1827, nearly northwest of the court house.
VAN MATRE SURVEY.
Late in the fall of 1827, the Van Matre brothers, Jef and Louis, discovered, on Section 5,
Town 5, Range 3, a rich-paying lode. Afterward, Abe and John became associated with
them, when they made what to this day is recognized as the Van Matre survey, which was one
mile square, comprising half of Section 5 and one-half of Section 6. According to the old
Government mining rule, two men could hold and work, under the supervision of the United
States Agent, two hundred yards square, and, on a survey, the law required the presence of at
least twenty men to hold it. They worked the land until 1829, when evidences of a failing sup-
ply induced them to forsake it. During the two years the survey was mined, the yield, which
was very heavy, was sold to Gen. Dodge for smelting. The land now is used for farming, and
only very feeble attempts are made to raise mineral. Other diggings, limited in extent, were
at that time scattered over the country near the present site of Dodgeville, but none of these indi-
vidual mines held out long. The Indians retained possession of a valuable mine on the Sugar
River, which they operated in their primitive way, principally to supply lead for their own
uses. Information of the lead found here being bruited abroad, attracted many miners thither, who
remained for a time, but finally drifted elsewhere without effecting any permanent settlement.
FIRST WHITE WOMAN.
The first woman in the little settlement, and the first woman to grace the county with her
presence and exert the mollifying influence of her sex, was Miss Eliza Van Sickle, sister of the
Indian trader of the same name and of a miner known as Jake Van Sickle, an early settler.
The next woman was Mrs. John G. Parrish, a Kentucky lady, who immigrated to the lead mines
in the vicinity of the town of Mifflin, in the fall of 1827. Mrs. Thomas McRaney appeared
early in the spring of 1828, at the Dodgeville diggings, and thenceforward the gentler sex were
numerously represented in the current population that set in that year.
The first death occurred in 1827, among Henry Dodge's household, the victim being one of
the negro slaves who voluntarily accompanied his master from Galena, 111. The next death, and
the first white man to die here, was James Journey, who expired in the spring of 1828. He was
buried in the old cemetery, near Dodgeville.
PEDDLERS CREEK AND DALLAS.
Mineral was likewise discovered at Linden, in the fall of 1827, by Patrick O'Meara, famil-
iarly known as the " Dodgeville peddler." He circulated all through the mining country be-
tween Galena and Dodgeville, retailing his wares to all who stood in need of such trifles as pins,
needles, cloths and general small wares. By a fortuitous mishap, if such an anomaly could
exist, O'Meara was overtaken one night by darkness and compelled to camp on the banks of
what has since been called Peddler's Creek, a short distance west of the present village. While
collecting fuel for his camp-fire, he accidentally stumbled across a piece of lead ore, displaced by
the burrowing of a badger. He pursued his journey to Galena, where he confided his secret to
a bosom friend, Morgan Keogh. Together they returned to the location and prosecuted mining
on the oreek, near its intersection with the Galena and Dodgeville. This has since been known
as " Peddler's Creek," in deference to the peddler whose discovery rendered that section famous.
They erected cabins, and continued to exhume mineral for several years ; then, owing to un-
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 467
propitious fortune, they removed elsewhere. Keogh erected his cabin in a grove of timber,
which has since been known as Keogh's Grove. John G. Parrish, from the blue-grass region of
Kentucky, settled in Mifflin, on Section 16, late in 1827. He built a hut for himself and family,
and engaged in mining and teaming. He only remained here for five years, when he returned
to Galena, where he was stricken with the cholera and died. In the summer of 1828, Abel
Clapp, a Missourian, and Joseph B. Hunter and Thomas Simpson made their debut and located
claims on the old Indian camping ground, subsequently the platted site of the village of Dallas.
There the first furnace in the town of Mifflin was erected by Joseph B. Huater, who continued
mining and smelting until the death of his partner in 1832.
MINERAL POINT.
The vicinity of Mineral Point was settled in the fall of 1827, but, owing to the number of
contending statements, no accurate idea can be gained of the first actual settler. The honor
has been claimed for William Roberts, R. C. Hoard and others. None, however, supply cor-
roborative testimony of the justice of those claims, and therefore public opinion relegates the honor
to John Hood and wife, who are generally accredited with the distinction of having made the first
permanent location. They removed to Iowa County from Missouri, and settled in Mineral Point
in the spring or early summer of 1828. This first place of abode was a hastily constructed hut,
made by extending two poles from an overhanging bank, and covering them with bark to shed
the rain. A sod house, measuring ten by twelve feet, was afterward erected. The first lead in
the hill, whence the town derives its significant name, was struck by Nat Morris and Messrs.
Tucker and Warfield. They struck it rich, to use a localism, and the news was quickly bruited
abroad among the miners then engaged in the Illinois fields. R. C. Hoard and John Long^,
who rank among the first arrivals, built the first furnace two miles east of the "Point." Several
others were added during this season. About two and a half miles from Mineral Point, in a
northwesterly direction, a mining camp was established in 1828, under the dignified appellation
of Mosquito Grove. The prime movers in this cluster were Duke Smith, Maston,
Lucius Langworthy and brothers and James Brady. The camp was located in a hollow at the
confluence of two creeks, flanked on both sides with a scrubby growth of wood, which formed a
regular jungle for the busy mosquito. Barreltown, another diggings a little south, was estab-
lished in the same year. Abner Nichols was one of the first in this section.
EARLY MERCHANDISING.
The first store and stock of goods were opened in Dodgeville in the spring of 1828. This
place at that time must have ranked high as a commercial standpoint or distributing center for
the miners, as we find that three fairly stocked "stores " were in full blast in Dodge's mining
camp, whereas, for fifty miles north or south, not a single article, barring mineral, was offered for
sale until the growing importance of Mineral Point induced a merchant to select it as an eligible
location. Quail & Armstrong were the pioneers of trade. Early in the spring of 1828, they
brought in from Galena a general stock of provisions, groceries, clothing and mining implements,
and opened a shop within the present boundaries of Dodgeville. In the summer or early
autumn, Erastus Wright, accompanied by an assistant or associate trader named Guiard,
rented a log house in Mineral Point, wherein they made the first sale of goods witnessed in that
section.
To Dodgeville again is bequeathed the honor of having had the first mechanical industry in
the county, in the form of a blacksmith-shop, which stood about the center of Iowa street, in front
of Stratman's present paint-shop. There were two blacksmiths working together named Chatsy
and Manlove.
FIRST MARRIAGES AND BIRTHS.
In 1829, Miss Lovey Roberts, the daughter of Elder Roberts, the first preacher in the
county, and one of the very first settlers at Mineral Point, was married to Joshua Brown. These^
468 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
it is asserted, were the first nuptials celebrated in the county, but a doubt has arisen regarding
priority, owing to the claim of America Parish, who, it is alleged, was married as early as 1828,
to Daniel Moore, in the town of Mifflin, or what is now called Eden.
An equally interesting event, and one that in the estimation of many overtops all other
social occurrences in importance, was the birth of the first child in what is now the town of Min-
eral Point. This natal curiosity was the ofispring of Mrs. Gr. D. Ferris, who gave birth to a
promising girl baby in 1828. The child was baptized with the euphonious title of Hannah.
A quaint document, the first marriage license issued in the county after organization, is
found among the county archives. Herewith we give transcript :
East Mounds, February 12, 1830.
Mr. John L. Chastirn, please to let D. Ferris, Esq., have license to marry Mary Ann NJcCoimick and Thomas
Walsh, both of Michigan Territory and Iowa County. Thomas Walsh,
Attest., Makt Ann MoCobmick.
Thomas R. Bracken,
FIRST FARMING.
Prohibited by the fallacious policy of the government from forming or developing the agri-
cultural resources of the country, husbandry languished and was not pursued by the early settlers,
who were forced to devote their whole time and attention to mining. In 1828, paltry patches
of land adjoining the miners' diggings were broken, or, rather, dug up and planted with garden
truck, in hopes of realizing a variety to the monotonous diet of pork and beans. The first
attempt to follow farming as an industry was made in 1829 by Capt. J. B. Estes, who broke
forty acres in the town of Linden. James Jenkins broke land on Section 21, Town 6, Range 3,
Dodgeville, in 1829. William Kirkpatrick performed the work. John Messersmith settled on
a farm in Dodgeville, Section 24, Town 6, Range 3, in 1829, and established an extensive farm.
In 1830, Bennett, Honey and Jerry Lycan broke 100 additional acres for Capt. J. B. Estes.
A greater portion of this was never fenced in until other men entered it. This land was famed
for its luscious strawberries, and people flocked thither from all around to partake of the rich
fruit. The first crop of wheat and oats was garnered by Capt. J. B. Estes on his hundred-acre
farm, in 1831, in Town 6, Range 2 (Linden). The seed was obtained from Illinois, by John
Lindsay, who is yet living, a settler of 1828.
The following paragraph from the Miner's Journal of 1837, goes to show the redundant
fertility of the soil when even only rudely cultivated. Our prairieand hazel lands have produced this
season an unusual quantity of this delicious fruit (strawberries), and, in some places which were
favorable to their growth, they have equaled in size the production of the best cultivated gardens.
The following is the size of five berries taken from the top of a pailful which were gathered in a
field in the vicinity of Willow Springs : One, two and a half inches in circumference, three two
and five-eighth inches, and one three inches. The cultivation of strawberries should be attended
to in our territory, which in soil and latitude is so favorable to their growth.
FIRST MILL.
In 1830, a man by the name of Walker built a small mill two miles northeast of Mineral
Point, on the old Dowd place, for a Mr. Miller, who conducted it for two or three years, grind-
ing grain into feed for animals, and making corn-meal. He not having adequate facilities to
supply bolted flour, the inhabitants of the county were supplied from Galena.
BLUE RIVER.
The western section of the county was first visited as far back as 1826 ; one F. X. Bris-
bois, a French Canadian half-breed, arrived from the portage on a prospecting tour. It is un-
known what measure of success was meted out to him, neither are there any living persons now in
the county who can conjure up more than a passing recollection of this individual. Capt. Silas
Jones was the succeeding adventurer, to whose skill and enterprise the present town of High-
land is indebted for much of its prosperity. Capt. Jones arrived in the Blue River Precinct, on
Ml^sIEF(AL POINT.
HISTORY or IOWA COUNTY. 471
the ground now occupied by Centerville, in the latter part of 1827. Capt. Jones built the first
smelting furnace here in 1828. His title was gained during the Black Hawk war when he was
commander of the Blue River Fort. After him, during 1827, a large number of miners came
in and started what have since been known as the " Centerville Diggings."
RIDGEWAT.
Following the belts of mineral deposits, the miners swarmed into the mineral regions of the
eastern quarter of the county in the spring of 1828.
J. B. Skinner settled in this town in 1828, and within a short time started a furnace,
with Jacob Pate, who entered the town at the same time. In honor of the erection of the first
furnace in the vicinity, the locality was dubbed Patesville.
Hugh R. Porter came to the town in the same year, and entered a smelting claim on the
land which, to this day, has preserved the name of Porter's Grove. In the fall, James and
William Morrisson built a " double-eye " furnace. About the same time, Thomas McRaney
erected a " single-eye " furnace southwest from the Little Blue Mound, at the junction of Mound
Creeks. The Rankin brothers also came in 1828, and, in 1829, sold their diggings to William
Garrison and Patrick Horine ; hence the name Garrison's Grove.
J. D. Ansley smelted the first copper in Iowa County as early as 1835, and the ruins of
his works are still visible about three miles south of Mineral Point, on the line of the railroad
adjacent to the Mineral Point Branch. Another furnace was erected on the East Fork of the
Mineral Point Branch, two miles from the depot, by Kendall, Preston & Co.
In 1851, the first agricultural society was established in Iowa County, with H. L. LeflBng-
well. President; Henry M. Billings, Levi Sterling, P. O'Dowd, John Hand, F. J. Dunn and
G. Goldthorp, Vice Presidents ; Samuel Crawford, Treasurer, and William K. Smith. The
society held its first meeting and fair October 1, 1851. This society is now supplemented by
the Southwestern Agricultural Society, with headquarters at Mineral Point.
Various social organizations were perfected between the years 1850 and 1860. The most
prominent association was the Miners' Co-operative and Protective Union, composed of miners
from Green, Dane, La Fayette, Iowa and Grant Counties. The workings of the society were
purely beneficial, being intended to benefit wives and families of deceased miners, to assist them
in illness, and generally to protect individual mining interests. An art association existed
here about 1857, but, owing to the more absorbing cares of business, it did not survive the sec-
ond year.
FIRST SCHOOL AND PHYSICIANS.
The first school in the county was taught at Mineral Point in 1829 by Mrs. Harker and
Beulah Lamb. The attendance numbered eight pupils, whose facilities for mastering the simple
rudiments of the English language were plain beyond description. The schoolhouse was a
wretched log cabin, with rough-hewn timber walls. The seats were made by inserting four wooden
pegs in slabs of timber. The floor was composed of rough, puncheons, and pens and ink
were novelties beyond the flightiest imagination. With the institution of a school, the highway
was paved for the reception of the arts and sciences. In 1828, Dr. E. Loof borrow appeared in
Mineral Point from Gratiot's Grove, but did not tarry long in the budding town. He was suc-
ceeded by Dr. Mannegan, of Missouri, who permanently located at Mineral Point. Dr. Mor-
rison made his appearance about the same time at Helena. On the north side of the county,
Dr. Justine settled at Dodgeville during 1828, also.
OLD HELENA.
The settlement of the northern section is almost parallel with the earliest claims in the
south or central portion of the county. Advantage was taken of the Wisconsin River to trans-
port merchandise and convey the raw products to market. The brightest prospects were freely
canvassed, and, in the temporary location of the county seat at Helena, we witness the presumptuous
472 HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY.
overreaching of an aspiring community. As early as 1828, a village was laid out, surveyed
and staked, in what is now known as McHutchins' place. This was laid out by Gen. Dodge,
Col. Moore, McRaney and others, and is conspicuous only as having been the first village
platted in the county. Several cabins were erected that fall by miners from Dodgeville, Mineral
Point and surrounding locality. Here were built, in 1829, the first boats launched from the
shores of Iowa County. The crafts were of the flat-boat type, the only kind for which the shal-
low waters of the river were navigable. The lumber was sawed by John Lindsay and Mr. Morrison,
the work being done with a pit or whip saw, where one man stood in a pit and the other on top of
the log. The first boat was built by McCaul and Judd. Later in the same year, CoUyer, Lay,
Dunn and the Morrison brothers built a flat-boat. The logs, from which the lumber was sawed,
were obtained from the opposite banks of the river.
The first attempt to inaugurate a manufacture suitable to this region was made here in 1833,.
when Daniel Whitney, Platte & Co. undertook the manufacture of various grades of shot. A
tower was erected at the mouth of Mill Creek, and for many years it afforded a home market for
quantities of lead. Owing to the instability of the lessees and the frequent transfer of the pro-
prietorship, the manufacture gradually weakened, and finally ceased. The United States Gov-
ernment located officers here in 1829 for the collection of lead rents. Frank Guion was sub-
agent, representing Col. Wight, of Galena. A building was subsequently erected in which were
kept military supplies until 1838, when the premises were abandoned and the supplies disposed
of to the miners.
A VISIT TO HELENA IN 1886.
G. W. Featherstonhaugh, who voyaged down the Wisconsin in 1836, thus sums up his
Helena experience : " At 9 o'clock, A. M., we reached a shot-tower belonging to Mr. Whitney,
on the left bank of the river, and landed there to breakfast. As soon as the canoe was fastened
to the shore, we trudged to the agent's house, to which the name Helena had been given. Mr.
Whitney's nephew and wife received me civilly, and insisted upon entertaining me with breakfast^
which, when I had dispatched, I went to see what they called the shot-tower, where lead, brought
from the lead districts of Wisconsin, not many miles ofi", is cast into shot of various sizes. This
shot-tower was not one of the ordinary columns that rise to a great height from the surface, but
was a cylindrical excavation, ingeniously made in an escarpment of the incoherent sandstone,
200 feet in height. The lead was melted at the top, and afterward poured down to a chamber
below. The whole contrivance did great credit to the proprietor. From the top of the escarp-
ment, I had an extensive view of the Wisconsin, with the broad bottoms of fertile soil on each side
of it, forming, altogether, a rich valley about two miles in breadth, once occupied entirely by this
flood, in the ancient state of the river, and which had contracted itself into its present channel,
either upon that last retreat of the waters of the country, or from its diminution by the gradual
drainage of the country. * * * Jq treating, however, of these physical phenomena
analytically, a distinction is to be observed. Some of the valleys may have been formed on the
general retreat of the ocean from a continent, on its first appearance, and some on the retreat of
an inland sea of fresh water, such as that which has produced the valley of the Wisconsin, with
its coves and dells coming into at right angles, all abounding in natural and beautiful plantations
of trees and shrubs. But, whether these fine vales are owing to one cause or the other, it is evi-
dent that they have both been instruments, in the hand of Providence, to embellish that surface
of the earth which was to be inhabited by the human family.
Mr. Whitney's agent informed me that galena was found within twenty miles of the shot-
tower ; and, in examining some of the highest parts of the escarpment, I found a sparry, cal-
careous rock, resembling that in which the galena is found in the State of Missouri — a fact which
led to the inference that the galena of this district might also be inclosed in equivalent strata.
I left Helena at 11 A. M. The morning was beautiful, and, having made a good breakfast, I
went gliding on and enjoying the scenery. Near 1 P. M., we came up with a mass of sand-
stone, which had fallen ofi^ from an escarpment about thirty feet in height, for about two hun-
dred feet in length ; the water had underworn it, and, being loose and incoherent, it had peeled
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 473
off, leaving a smooth face. About 2 P. M., we stopped at a little cove to let the men dine, at
a place where I found what I had not met with before — an industrious family in a clean wigwam.
About 2:30 P. M., we were afloat again, and soon passed a fine stream coming in from the right bank
(Pine River). The country here was remarkably beautiful, the slopes of the banks gracefully
wooded, and occasionally interrupted by coves. For a distance of about three miles, the escarp-
ments were about two hundred and fifty feet high, the rock every now and then jutting out and
taking a castellated appearance. It was evident, from the manner in which the sections pre-
sented themselves on the banks, that the surface of the country in the interior must be very un-
dulating. I observed, too, that the incoherent structure of the sandstone had been favorable to
Indian talent; the figures of deer, men and horses, sometimes well executed, being cut in it, and,
sometimes, painted with a red bole. The swallows had availed themselves of the softness of the
rock by picking holes and building their nests there in innumerable quantities. This loose texture
of the rock is to be detected also in the tops of the hills, which are gracefully rounded off, the inco-
herent rock having yielded to the action of the atmosphere. In these parts of North America,
the arenaceous beds are of immense extent, and it goes beyond the power of man's imagina-
tion to form even a proximate idea of the ancient state of things which existed before the piir-
ticles of sand, now so loosely combined, formed an integral portion of the hard, quartzose rock
from which they seem to have been derived. How remote that period must have been from the
present! About 6 P. M., we stopped for the night at a bold bank, up which the men had to
carry the butin to a commodious encampment.
Subsequently, in 1837, the same author wrote: " On reaching the shot-tower on the bank
of the Wisconsin, I found everything much improved since my visit there in 1835. Although
called a tower, it was, in fact, a perpendicular cylinder cut from the top of the escarpment
through the incoherent sandstone to a depth of one hundred and eighty feet, and the adit below
from the surface of the escarpment to the water-tub was ninety feet long. Their method in the
manufacturing of shot was to put ten pounds of arsenic to every one thousand pounds of galena,
to make the lead brittle and disposed to separate ; three-fourths of this arsenic evaporates whilst
melting, and does not combine with the lead. The lead, when melted a second time, is poured
through a perforated ladle, and falls from the top of the tower into the water below in all sorts
of sizes and shapes. When taken out and dried, it is poured over a, series of inclined planes,
separated by small troughs. Those globules which are quite orbicular, run over all the planes,
while the imperfect ones waddle along, and, being sometimes double and having no spring in
their movements, drop into the troughs and are melted over again. The perfect shot are finally
sifted in a machine containing various drawers with their bottoms perforated in holes of all
sizes, from buckshot to mustard-seed. This machine is moved by the hand. The shot, when
separated into sorts, is glazed and put into bags.
■' But a very short time ago, the whole country was a wilderness, containing only a few roam-
ing Winnebagoes, and already the white men have established a well-conducted and prosperous
manufactory. Having got something to eat at the house, we lay down to sleep on the floor and
surrcniiered ourselves to myriads of pitiless mosquitoes.
'■ VVhat with the mosquitoes and the heavy thunder and rain that were performing almost
the whole night, I rose at the dawn sleepless and feverish. The Wisconsin River, which inter-
ested tne so much when I came down it in my canoe in 1835, was as beautiful as ever. Having
got a cup of coffee, we left its banks about 9 A. M., and returned to our guides, where, taking
leavt' of our hospitable friends, we proceeded on our return to Mineral Point, which we reached
about 4 in the afternoon."
FURNACES OF '27 AND '28.
Previous to the incursions of Black Hawk, the following furnaces were in successful opera-
tion in Iowa County :
Jaiiies Estes had a log furnace four miles northwest of Dodgeville, in 1828.
J.unes and William Morrison's furnace, at Porter's Grove, in Ridgeway.
474 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
John Messersmith's furnace, on Section 13, where Joseph Michael's farm was located, con-
structed in 1828.
The firm of Tay, Collier & Dunn had a furnace about one and one-half miles west of Messer-
smith's furnace, in the town of Dodgeville ; built in 1828.
Maj. Thomas Jenkins' furnace, half a mile southwest of the above furnace 1828.
Bush's furnace, built either in the towns of Linden or Eden, in 1828.
Gaines & Wooley's furnace, near Dodgeville ; built in 1827.
William Phelps' furnace, on Furnace Ridge, two miles southeast of Dodgeville ; built in
1829.
Kirkpatrick's furnace, Diamond Grove; built in 1828.
J. B. Terry's furnace, at Diamond Grove ; built in 1828.
Gratiot & Laramie's furnace, at Diamond Grove ; built in 1828.
McKnight & Thrasher's furnace, at Diamond Grove ; built in 1828.
A log furnace, on Blue River, now Highland, started by Capt. Jones in 1828.
James H. Gentry's furnace, three miles west of Mineral Point; built in 1828.
Gov. Dodge's furnace, in Dodgeville ; built in 1827.
R. C. Hoard's furnace, on the O'Dowd farm, three miles east of Mineral Point ; built in
1828.
Millsap & Hunter, had furnace in Linden, in 1828.
Capt. John F. O'Neill's furnace, two and a half miles south of Mineral Point, was in oper-
ation a short time previous to the Black Hawk war.
THE FIRST CENSUS.
The first census enumeration was made in 1834 by Levi Sterling. Then there were 5,400
white persons residing in what is now the State of Wisconsin ; 2,638 of whom were living in the
County of Iowa.
Aside from the above, it is impossible to arrive at accurate deductions in the absence of
the census books, but herewith are appended the names enumerated in four districts by P. F.
Dillon, and returned to the County Clerk May 16, 1838. This census was taken according to
an act approved December 30, 1837 :
Peckatonika. — John Smith, 5 ; Michael Cook, 4 ; Isaac Bailey, 5 ; Thomas J. Higgin-
botham, 2 ; George W. Rollins, 2 ; Joseph Bailey, 11 ; George Evans, 3 ; Abner Adkins, 6
James Robb, 4 ; Mrs. Hall, 5 ; P. F. Dillon, 5 ; J. B. Sheldon, 14 ; Joshua Bailey, 12
Edmund Dellahey, 2 ; Christopher Blackgrove, 7 ; Lewis Sanderford, 11 ; John Johnson, 1
Benjamin Martin, 2.
Fever River. — David Southwick, 9 ; Fortunatus Berry, 10 ; J. W. Blackstone, 10 ; Bev-
erly Blackstone, 4 ; John Cairns, 1 ; Roland Eweberry, 7 ; Rawly McMillan, 6 ; John Rob-
erts, 6 ; John White, 2 ; Benjamin Funk, 9 ; Francis Cliney, 10 ; Humphrey Taylor, 9 ;
Alexander Moore, 9 ; Judah Hall, 6 ; Joseph Camp, 6 ; Thomas Beano, 5 ; John Slaughter,
7 ; William Fearman, 6 ; Anthony Millen, 3 ; James Woods, 5 ; John Woods, 5 ; Susanna
Helm, 5 ; Green Watson, 4 ; Robert Anderson, 6 ; George Helms, 6 ; Jonathan Helms, 4
Isaac Robertson, 7 ; James George, 7 ; John Eneas, 2 ; Peter Tranquille, 6 ; Charles Gre
goire, 11 ; Ezra Lamb, 8 ; Frederic Hunnel, 9 ; George Carroll, 14 : Alexander Simpson, 5
Peter Corish, 11 ; John B. Shultze, 5 ; Aaron V. Hastings, 12 ; John M. W. Lace, 3 ; Zeria
Beebe, 10 ; Frederick Rodolph, 3 ; Thomas Shelton, 7 ; Sarah Hale, 5 ; Isaac Wall, 6 ; Russel
Baldwin, 10 ; John Ray, 9 ; James Tolley, 7 ; Jameson Hamilton, 13 ; R. H. Scott, 8 ;
Samuel George, 9 ; John Dougherty, 7 ; William Oliver, 1 ; Ezra Heldreth, 5 ; John
Conroy, 7.
Blue Mounds. — Matthew G. Fitch, 6 ; Thoma.s Webster, 2 ; John Hook, 2 ; John J.
Van Metre, 8 ; Peter Parkinson, Jr., 3 ; Peter Parkinson, Sr., 6 ; William Parkinson, 7 ;
John E. Berneger, 1 ; Elizabeth Stevenson, 5 ; Jonas Shook, 7 ; Elias Shook, 7 ; Robert
Campbell, 7 ; Leonard Ross, 5 ; George Skellenger, 12 ; William Burrette, 9 ; John Trotter,
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 475
7 ; Adam Collins, 9 ; S. L. Taft, 6 ; Jesse Miller, 8 ; John Campbell, 5 ; Crawford Million,
3 ; Robert Threadgold, 3 ; Robert Oliver, 4 ; Jacob Caegle, 7 ; William Dobbs, 8 ; Thomas
Davies, 11 ; John Helms, 11.
Lost Township. — Alexander Higginbotham, 7 ; William King, 6 ; James McMurtry, 7 ;
Bethel Williams, 5 ; James McKnight, 5 ; Joseph McKnight, 6 ; Miles McKnight, 7 ;
Anthony McKnight, 4 ; Henry Johnson, 4; John Armstrong, 8 ; John W. Osborn, 7 ; Henry
Compos, 5 ; John Lane, 2 ; Benjamin Million, 7 ; James Riggs, 5.
TERRITORIAL ROADS.
By act approved December 9, 1836, Draper Ruggles, Joseph Payne, Noah Davis, Joseph
Kelly and Andrew Kline were authorized as Commissioners to lay out a Territorial road com-
mencing at James' Ferry, in Rock County ; from there to Rockford, passing through Center-
ville. New Mexico, White Oak Springs, in La Fayette County, and thence to the Mississippi.
The road was simply marked by blazing trees. The road was to be platted and a plat filed in
the office of the Clerk of each county.
The first Territorial road of 1837 was laid out under an act approved December 30, 1837.
John Moore, John Van Matre, Andrew Kline, Thomas Chilton and Robert C. Hoard, were
appointed Commissioners to lay out a road commencing at the north boundary line of the State of
Illinois, in Town 1, of Range east, and running thence on the nearest route to New Mexico, in
Green County, and by way of Wiota, in La Fayette County, Mineral Point, in Iowa County,
and Belmont, to the Mississippi. They were to begin the work on the first Monday in May,
1836, at Mineral Point, and complete it as soon as possible. This road was to be kept in order
by the counties through which it passed.
By an act of January 3, 1838, Territorial roads were to be laid out under a general law.
By act of January 11, 1838, John Dowling and James Sproule were authorized to build a
toll bridge over the West Pecatonica, at a point near their furnace, providing that said parties
made good macadamized roads over the flats at that place.
Under a Legislative enactment, approved June 23, 1838, William Baldwin, Dennis C.
Neal and James Kendall were appointed to lay out a 'territorial road between Mineral Point
and White Oak Springs, now in La Fayette County, where it united with the old Territorial
road laid out in 1836. The road ran by the way of Kendall's Mills and New Diggings. Work
was to be begun on the second Monday of August, 1838.
On June 23, 1838, Lewis Curtis, W. J. Martin and G. W. Hickox were appointed Com-
missioners to locate two roads ; one from Mineral Point, through Elk Grove to Galena, and
another, from Mineral Point easterly, to intersect the military road near Blue Mounds, running
from Prairie du Chien to Green Bay.
By the same act, R. C. Hoard, John Messersmith, Sr., and H. L. Dodge were appointed
Commissioners to establish a road from Mineral Point, through Dodgeville, to Helena, on the
Wisconsin River.
Charles F. Legate, Henry M. Billings and C. Moore were appointed to lay out a road
from Mineral Point, through Diamond Grove, to the Wisconsin River.
George H. Williston, H. F. James and James Briggs were appointed to lay out a rnad
from Janesville to Mineral Point.
FIRST COUNTY SCHOOLS.
Education is the invisible monitor that controls our existence, and teaches us to discrimi-
nate between moral obligations and the insidious advances of evil. Without knowledge, mim
would be a helpless barbarian, deprived of all aesthetic sense, to appreciate the beautiful that
meets the range of our vision, and equally powerless to encompass the dominating beauties of
creation. The groveling savage, content with the fleeting pleasures of a day, and reckless of
what the morrow will bring forth, is but a type of besotted ignorance. Environed, as we are,
with educational facilities ; with schoolhouses multiplying in geometrical proportion, the senses
fail to grasp the incalculable advantages gained in the possession of even rudimentary instruction.
476 HISTOKY OF IOWA COUNTY.
That knowledge alone, circumscribed as it may be, is sufficient to teacb us how to approxi-
mate the value of earthly and ethereal entities. Wisconsin is predominant in the character
of her scholastic institutions, and annually their importance is augmented by the perfection
of details governing the discipline and management of rural schools, supervised by the County
Superintendent of Education.
According to an act adopted by the Legislature at an extra legislative session convened in
August, 1839, the county was divided into sixteen school districts, in conformity with the pro-
visions of the enactment. At a subsequent meeting of the Board of Supervisors, the number
was increased to twenty-one. The limits of the various school districts, and the first inspectors
elected, appear below.
School District No. 1. — To comprise Town No. 1, and south half of Town 2, Range 2
east. Inspectors — James Howe, James Murphy, Abraham Looney, R. H. Champion and
Charles Gear.
District No. '2. — The north half of Town 2, and the south half of Town 3, Range 1 east.
Inspectors — Charles Dann, John Messersmith, Sr., D. J. Seeley, Alexander Willard and Justus
DeSeelhorst.
District No. 3. — North half of Town 3, and Towns 4 and 5, of Range 1 east. Inspectors
— John Moore, F. C. Kirkpatrick, James Wiswell, John Newman and C. DeLong.
District No. 4- — Towns 6, 7 and 8, of Range 1 east. Inspectors — Thomas D. Potts, D. E.
Parrish, Moses Darnell, Moses Meeker and Lemuel Gillam.
District No. 5. — Towns 1 and 2, north of Range 2 east. Inspectors — John W. Black-
stone, Samuel H. Scales, Henry Smith, Fortunatus Berry and Charles Gratiot.
District No. 6. — Towns 3 and 4, of Range 2 east. Inspectors — Francis Vivian, R. W.
Carson, Benjamin Denson, Abner Westrope and Joseph Hatch.
District No. 7. — Towns 5, 6, 7 and 8, of Range 2 east. Inspectors — John B. Terry,
Stephen B. Thrasher, Paschal Bequette, Charles F. Legate and Alex Blair.
District No. 8. — Towns 1 and 2, of Range 3 east. Inspectors — R. H. McGoon, Benjamin
Funk, Francis Clyma, Alexander Moore and Peter Corrish.
District No. 9. — Town 3, Range 3 east. Inspectors — John Ray, Elihu Hall, Joseph
Bailey, Elias Pilling and John P. Sheldon.
District No. 10. — Town 4 of Range 3 east. Inspectors — Charles Bracken, John Loof-
borrow, Robert W. Gray, James Hitchkins and John Smith.
District No. 11. — Town 5, of Range 3 east. Inspectors — Levi Sterling, Curtis Beech,
Stephen Taylor, George Beatty and Henry B. Welsh.
District No. 12. — Towns 6, 7 and 8, Range 3 east. Inspectors — Henry L. Dodge, John
Jenkins, John Lindsey, Robert S. Black and Thomas Jenkins.
District No. IS. — Towns 1 and 2, of Range 4 east. On the petition of A. Carrington
and others, this district was set off April 9, 1840, as follows, and named the Big Springs Dis-
trict : Sections 25, 26, 35 and 36, in Town 3, Range 4 oast, and Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 9,
10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34 and 35, in
Town 2, Range 4 east. Inspectors — Ezra Lamb, George Carroll, Col. Shultz, Anthony Mil-
ler and Russel Baldwin.
District No. 14- — Towns 3 and 4, Range 4 east. Inspectors — Jesse Miller, William Park-
inson, John Van Metre, William Burrett and M. G. Fitch.
District No. 15. — Towns 5, 6, 7 and 8, of Range 4 east. Inspectors — George W.
Hickox, James Morrison, John B. Skinner, John Metcalf and William Garrison.
District No. 16. — Towns 1 and 2, Range 5 east. Inspectors — James McKnight, James
McMurtry, Benjamin Million, Thomas Chelton and Henry Johnson.
District No. 17, or Willow Springs District, — Comprising Sections 25, 26, 27, 28, 29,
30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, of Town 4, Range 3 east.
Otterhein School District, No. 18. — Town 2, Range 3 east, south half of Town 3,
Range 3 east, and Section 6, in Town 2, Range 4 east.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 477
Wiota District, No. 19. — Sections 1, 12, 13, 24, 25 and 36, in Town 2, Range 4 east,
and Sections 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21 and 30, in Town 2, Range 5 east.
Platte District, No. W. — Town 5, Range 1 east, north half of Town 4, and Sections 19,
20, 21, 22, 23 and 24, in Town 4, Range 1 east.
Apple River District, No. 21. — Town 1, Range 3 east.
The first organized movement to foster education is noted in 1841. A tax of $2,967.50
•was levied by the County Board of Supervisors, for the support of schools and erection of
Bchoolhouses. This year the first school return furnished proof of the existence of seventeen
school districts, comprising 763 children of school age. Divided into districts the school popu-
lation was as follows: District No. 1, 100 scholars; No. 2, 40; No. 3, 76; No. 17, 41; No.
7, 53; Apple River, 14; Union District No. 9, 77; No. 11, 143; No. 12, 42; No. 13, 42;
No. 14, 51; No. 16, 32; No. 17, out of 13 and 16, 62.
The apportionment of the school fund was at the rate of $2.25 for each scholar reported
in attendance.
COUNTY SCHOOL WORK SINCE 1843.
The County Board of School Commissioners was organized April 23, 1844, when the first
meeting was held. Only two Commissioners, James I. Bawden and William Baldwin were
present. The subject of re-organizing the existing school districts, and establishing them on a
recognized basis of operation occupied the meeting. The question of collecting rents on min-
eral mined in school lands, and issuing licenses to miners was determined, and a notice was
issued requesting the Trustees of the several organized school districts to meet the Commission-
ers at Mineral Point in May, 1844. All persons interested, where the country was not dis-
tricted into school sections, were asked to be present at the same time and place, furnished with
a plat of their district as organized, or a plat of any district that was to be set off into a sepa-
rate district. Also to recommend to the Commissioners such persons as would be reliable to
collect rents on mineral, where mineral was raised in any such section, and to guard against
trespass. Teachers who had not submitted to an examination and received certificates, were
also notified to attend.
Districts that had not chosen Trustees were ordered to hold an election on Monday, May
13, 1844, and elect one Clerk, three Trustees and one Collector. All free white male inhabit-
ants, over twenty years of age, were qualified to vote.
This notice was published in the Miners' Free Press, and fifty extra copies were struck off
for circulation.
At the ensuing meeting, twenty school districts were organized. Teachers' certificates
were granted to Edward Sullivan and Croyten Sargent. A number of petitions for leasing school
lands were received, and, pending the issuance of leases, mining permits were granted to Israel
Woodward & Co., Andrew Roberts, Broke & Simpson, David & J. F. Roberts, James L. Clark,
G. F. Rock, John Ryan and A. A. Townsend & Co. At another meeting, all School Trustees
were appointed legal agents to collect this rental, and they were ordered to report to the Com-
missioners, at their next session, the disposition made of all mineral in their district ; that they
take charge of the 16th Range nearest them, and to report trespassers and the amount of dam-
age committed, and to report any person then settled on the 16th Section, " as it is impossible
for the Commissioners to personally superintend all the forty 16th Sections in the county."
In September of the same year, the following school districts were laid off: Coon Branch
District No. 4 ; Benton District No. 3 ; New Diggings Precinct No. 1 ; Mill Seat Bend Dis-
trict No. 2 ; White Oak Springs, Corrish District, Barreltown, Upper Diggings, Union, Hunt-
er's, Whiteside Branch, Fever River, District No. 1, Town 18, and Prairie District.
The receipts from lead rents in 1844 amounted to $383.65, which was distributed amongst
the several school districts at the rate of 18 cents per scholar. After allowing for 1,921 scholars,
the balance, $37.40, was passed to the credit of school accounts for 1845. On petition. Blue River
District, in Town 6, Range 1 east, was attached to Towns 6 and 7, Range 1 west, in Grant
County, for school purposes.
478 HISTORY OP IOWA COUNTY.
During, the past year, three new schoolhouses were built, and two of them furnished with
the latest style of patent seats. There are, however, several schoolhouses in the county totally
unsuited for school purposes. Some of these are in wealthy districts, that, according to the
County School Superintendent's report, can present no excuse for not building new schools, ex-
cept a mistaken idea of economy. On the whole, the buildings and surroundings will compare
favorably with any in the State. Those in the western and northern parts of the county were
highly eulogized, on their neat and comfortable appearance, by the State Superintendent in his
address before the Institute of Dodgeville, in August, 1879. One hundred and seventy-eight
applicants attended the annual spring and fall examinations.
The compulsory system has been a dead letter, so far as this county is concerned, not a sin-
gle instance of enforced attendance having occurred. This is not due to the fact that the par-
ents not all law abiding in this respect, but it must be attributed entirely to the indifference or
lack of inclination to enforce it on the part of school officers.
The Institute at Dodgeville was, in many respects, the most successful ever held in the
county. The work was principally primary, and was just what a large majority of the county
teachers needed. The attendance was 125, with an average attendance of 102. Nearly all the
districts have adopted series of text books, and present appearances indicate that their in-
troduction will soon become general. From observation and comparison, it is believed that the
schools are in a fairly progressive state, and will compare favorably with those of surrounding
counties. Much remains to be done by teachers, school officers and friends of the public school
system, to elevate the schools to the highest standard to which they can attain.
The county is now divided into 102 school districts, all of which have conformed to the State
laws by furnishing an annual report. From these reports, it is found that the number of chil-
dren of school age in Iowa County aggregates 8,211, of whom 4,205 are boys, and the remainder
(4,006) are girls. Of 1,718 children in the district, between the ages of 4 and 7 years, 1,197
attended school. Between the ages of 7 and 15, there were 3,886 pupils, of whom 3,449 were
reported in attendance at school. The number of teachers engaged to marshal the foregoing,
aggregates 201, inclusive of males and females. Situated in the different districts of the county
are 135 schoolhouses, with the most commodious located in the village of Dodgeville, with a
reputed capacity of 1,450 pupils ; Clyde claims the smallest, with accommodations for 200 schol-
ars. The value of school property is estimated at $44,580, with apparatus valued at $1,902.
The average salary disbursed to male teachers monthly, is $29.83 ; to females, $21.36. There
is a high school at Avoca, operating under a curriculum, having one male Principal, and two
female teachers. This school was established in 1876, and, during the past, averaged an attend-
ance of 39 pupils.
A teachers' institute was held at Dodgeville August 28, 1880, under the conductorship of
D. McGregor and Abbie White. The session was continued for nine days, during which time
125 teachers attended.
The amount of school dues and State school fund received during the year amounted to
$34,546.25, apportioned as follows : Arena, $2,974.49 ; Clyde, $952.64 ; Dodgeville, $7,694.16 ;
Eden, $1,686.28; Highland, $3,056.41; Linden, $2,660.01; Mifflin, $2,616.41; Mineral
Point, $2,877.69 ; Moscow, $1,671.85 ; Pulaski, $3,071.10 ; Ridgeway, $12,989.74 ; Waldwick,
$1,255.96 ; Wyoming, $1,489.51. The amount received from the State school fund was
$3,803.20.
OHAPTEE 111.
The Black Hawk War— Dodge's Letter and the Mineral Point Messenger— First Mili-
tary Movement and Forts— Distributing Supplies— Account op Arms Distributed at
Mineral Point — Occurrences at Mound Fort — Fort Jackson Alarmed — Battle of the
Peoatonica— Battle of Wisconsin Heights and Bad Axe— Grignon's Eecollections.
black hawk war.
Dissatisfied with the embodiments of the Rock River treaty of 1831, Black Hawk, and the
Indian tribes paying him allegiance as their chief, proceeded, in the spring of 1832, to assert
their misconceived right to the disputed land at the mouth of the Rock River. In April,
1882, he crossed the Mississippi with his braves, squaws, tepees, and the general litter of an
aboriginal encampment, intending to ascend the Rock River and unite his forces with the allied
strength of the Winnebago and Pottawatomie tribes. Gen. Atkinson, with a body of United
States troops, had ascended the Mississippi in steamboats, and, learning of Black Hawk's infrac-
tion of the treaty, dispatched several express messengers to the renowned chief, ordering hira,
peremptorily, to return within the prescribed reserve. Black Hawk replied with a resolution
expressing his adamantine determination to pursue his course in peace, if not molested. The infor-
mation of the Indian transmigration struck terror into the heart of the mineral regions and par-
alyzed trade ; the pick and gad were forsaken for the more deadly musket and bayonet, and,
throughout this widespread district, the news was conveyed with remarkable speed, by special
couriers or express messengers, as they were designated.
The warlike rumors reached Mineral Point in the first week of May, 1832, accompanied by
the intelligence that Black Hawk had crossed the Mississippi and taken possessioa of his
ancient village at Rock Island ; also that Gen. Atkinson was ascending the river from St. Louis
with troops. It was likewise reported that Gov. Reynolds was to join him at Dixon's Ferry, on
Rock River, with the Illinois militia, for the purpose of protecting the country and compelling
Black Hawk to evacuate the Territory. In this predicament, fears were justly entertained by
the miners, that, in the event of defeat, the scene of war would be transferred to their own
vicinity.
dodge's letter and the mineral point messenger.
In anticipation of such an untoward circumstance. Col. Henry Dodge addressed the fol-
lowing letter to Gov. Reynolds, requesting a resume of his plans of operations.
Mineral Point, May 8, 1832.
His Excellency, John Reynolds :
Dear Sir — The exposed situation of the settlements of the mining district, to the attacks of the Indian enemy,
makes it a matter of deep and vital interest to us that we should be apprised of the movements of the mounted men
under your Excellency's immediate command. Black Hawk and his band, it is stated by the latest advices we have
had on this subject, was to locate himself above Dixon's Ferry, on Rock River. Should the mounted men under your
command make an attack on that party, we would be in great danger here ; for, should you defeat Black Hawk, the
retreat would be on our settlements. There are now collected, within twenty miles above our settlements, about two
hundred Winnebagoes, and, should the Sauks be forced into the Winnebago country, many of the wavering of that
nation would unite with the hostile Sauks. I have no doubt it is part of the policy of this banditti to unite them-
selves as well with the Potlawatomies and Winnebagoes. It is absolutely important to the safety of this country,
that the people here should be apprised of the intended movements of your army. Could you detach a part of your
command across the Rock River, you would afford our settlement immediate protection, and we would promptly
unite with you with such a mounted force as we could bring into the field. Judge Gentry, Col. Moore and James P,
Cox, Esq., will wait on your Excellency, and receive your answer.
I am, sir, with respect and esteem, your obedient servant,
Henry Dodge,
Comrntrndiiig^ Michigan Militia,
480 HISTORY or IOWA cou:n'ty.
Soon after, Daniel M. Parkinson was dispatched from Mineral Point as a messenger to John
Dixon, of Dixon, 111., who was a particular friend of the Sacs and Foxes, and to Henry Gratiot,
the Winnebago Indian Agent, to ascertain the true state of aifairs. Mr. Parkinson was gone
three days ; the result of the mission being to confirm the above reports. This created no little
alarm among the inhabitants, and caused them to at once begin to prepare for 'defense.
FIRST MILITARY MOVEMENT AND FORTS.
After the battle of Stillman's Run, Gov. Reynolds vouchsafed to dispatch an express messen-
ger with a reply to Col. Dodge, informing him of the facts of Stillman's stampede, and that Iowa
County was in imminent danger from attacks of the Indians.
In the meantime. Col. Dodge, despairing of an immediate reply, collected together a few
trusty and stout settlers and miners from the vicinities of Mineral Point and Dodgeville, among
whom was the Colonel's second son, Augustus C. Dodge, now of Burlington, Iowa. This organized
corps of volunteers departed from Mineral Point about the 8th day of May, for a reconnoitering
expedition to the supposed location of Black Hawk's warriors. They proceeded by way of
Apple River to Buffalo Grove, at which place an Indian trail was discovered, leading to Rock
River, at a point nearly opposite the Kishwakuee, and within a few miles of the ground on
which Maj. Stillman and his entire command were so disastrously routed. On receiving the
Governor's communication. Col. Dodge instantly returned home, alarmed the inhabitants of the
mining country, and advised them to fortify and unite for mutual protection and defense.
Unanimous in aim, and animated by the vital impulse of self-preservation, the respective settle-
ments organized and erected forts and stockades, whereby the insinuating redskin could be
repelled with the minimum of danger to those protected by the stout oaken timbers. Fifteen
block-houses were built. They were named and located at the following exposed points : Fort
Jackson, at Mineral Point; Fort Union, at Dodge's private residence, south of Dodgeville;
Fort Napoleon, at Diamond Grove, in the town of Linden ; Fort Jones, in the Blue River Dis-
trict (town of Highland), and a block-house at Helena, in Iowa County; Fort Hamilton, (in
town of Wiota) ; Fort Defiance, in the town of Willow Springs ; Fort Gratiot, at Gratiot's
Grove ; fort at Shullsburg ; Fort de Seelhorst, in Elk Grove and White Oak Springs ; fort
in La Fayette County ; Parish's Fort, at Wingville ; fort at Cassville, and fort at Platteville, in
Grant County ; Mound Fort, near the Little Blue Mound, in Dane County.
Fort Jackson was situated on the land now occupied by a livery stable, on Commerce street,
in the vicinity of the Mineral Point depot, and faced in an easterly direction. The east front
extended from the south corner of James James' harness shop to what was then Jerusalem
street, since changed to Fountain street. From that point, the outer walls extended sufficiently
far north and west to form a perfect square. Since 1832, seven or eight feet of land have been
excavated from the side of the hill, completely changing the conformation of the surface and
destroying all relics of the old stockades. Work was commenced by digging a deep trench, or
ditch, around the outlined area ; then the men were dispatched into the surrounding woods to
cut down and prepare appropriate timber for the outer defenses. Logs were taken from contig-
uous cabins, and, being sharpened on one end, were planted in the ditch ; the soil was then filled
in, firmly imbedding the posts three feet deep. Inside the walls, slabs or puncheons were spiked
over spots wherever an opening or aperture presented itself. In the southeast angle, was a block-
house and sentry box, projecting above the tops of the palisades, and a similar structure occupied
the northwest corner. Two openings furnished means of exit and entrance ; one, a gateway in the
southeast corner, was composed of massive timbers ; a smaller entrance smilarly constructed was
located in the northwest angle. Centrally situated, were several cabins to shelter the garrison
and their families. Col. Moore was the commandant. Indolence was not an attribute of those
early times, and the long summer days swiftly glided by in the manufacture of bullets to supply
the volunteers then afield. The process was simple. A hearth or fire-place of stone would be
built, whereon a huge cauldron would be placed, then a pig of lead would be inserted, and, when
it was reduced to a fluid state by the brisk blaze, the women of the fort would collect and ladle
HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY. 481
out the metal into bullet molds with iron spoons ; a second person, armed with a knife, would
receive the bullet and render it spherical by detaching the small tongues of lead adhering from
the mold.
About this time were organized numerous militia companies, forming the Iowa County
Regiment of Michigan Volunteers. Below are given the names of the Captains and the diifer-
ent terms of service: Capt. Clark's company, from May 16 to October 11, 1832; Capt.
Dixon's, from June 17 to July 17, 1832 ; Capt. Gentry's, from May 11 to October 9, 1832 ;
Capt. Parkison's, from June 17 to August 20, 1832 ; Capt. Price's, from May 20 to August
20, 1832 ; Capt. Roundtree's, from May 17 to June 17, 1832 ; Capt. Berry's, May 19
-to August 20, 1832 ; Capt. Delong's, from May 24 to August 20, 1832 ; Capt. Funk's, from
May 19 to August 20, 1832 ; Capt. Gehan's, from May 19 to August 20, 1832 ; Capt. W. S.
Hamilton's, from May 2 to August 20, 1832 ; Capt. J. Hamilton's, from May 19 to August
20, 1832 ; Capt. Jones', from May 20 to August 20, 1832 ; Capt. Mone's, from May 19 to
August 20, 1832; Capt. O'Hara's, from July 4 to August 20, 1832; Capt. Sherman's, from
May 20 to August 20, 1832 ; Capt. Terry's, from May 18 to August 20, 1832 ; Capt.
Thomas', from June 1 to August 20, 1832 ; "Capt. R. C. Hoard's, from May 21 to August 20,
1832.
DISTRIBUTING SUPPLIES.
Mineral Point, or Fort Jackson, was virtually the seat of war, and actual headquarters,
^iuring the campaign. Here all the miners concentrated for their own safety, and hither came
the commanders of the county forts to recruit their supplies. The Point was the distributing
center whence all supplies were doled out under the supervision of United States Quartermaster
George B. Cole. At the first intimation of war, the United States Government ordered a lib-
eral supply of war munitions to be dispatched to Fort Jackson, from Prairie du Chien. They
were received by Capt. Estes, and, as by him entered in the Quartermaster's book, were as
follows : 195 stand of arms, muskets, bayonets, wipers and screw-drivers, except cartridge-boxes ;
9 smallswords and belts. June 9, from G. W. & John Atchison, Galena, 111., 3 kegs gunpowder,
150 stands of arms (muskets), 2 swivel guns, 1,000 ball cartridges, 150 boxes belts, very much
worn ; 150 flints, 20 lbs of cannon balls, 2 fts of slow matches, 1 old saddle, 3 kegs powder, sun-
dries for mounted miners. From G. W. & John Atchison, 12 blankets, 7 bridles and 2 old saddles.
On the 12th inst. were received, 10 saddles of good quality, 23 good blankets and 24 grass
lines. From P. A. Lorimer, Diamond Grove, 2 bridles, 3 blankets, 2 cotton saddle blankets, 6
saddles, 12 bridles, 18 surcingles and girths were added to the stores on the 15th.
The contractors for furnishing Sutlers' supplies and munitions of war, during the war, were
G. W. & John Atchison, of Galena, 111., and James Morrison and P. A. De Lorimier, of Dia-
mond Grove. George B. Cole was Regimental Quartermaster, and from his journal the follow-
ing entries are taken as they appear in that book :
ACCOUNT OF ARMS DISTRIBUTED AT MINERAL POINT.
May 30, 1832. — To John Moore, Captain at. Fort Jackson, thirty-six Caited States muaketa and aoooutermeuts.
Robert C. Hoard, Captain at Fori Defiance, seventeen United States muskets and accouterments.
Col. Dodge's order for his Fort at home, two boxes, forty stands and accouterments; also four
hundred cartridges.
Capt. Delong, at Fort Deselhorat, thirty United States muskets and accouterments.
Capt. Rountree, at Platteville, twenty United States muskets and accouterments, got by Mc-
Cormack.
John Lindsay, Orderly Sergeant of mounted men, six United States muskets and accouter-
ments ; also eighty cartridges.
Richard Kirkpatrick, of the mounted men, to Col. Dodge's order, four muskets.
Capt. Gentry and Lieut. Dayidson's Mounted Miners, six United States muskets and accouter-
ments, and forty cartridges.
-June 1, 18S2.— To John B. Terry, Captain at Fort Bonaparte, twelve United States muskets.
June 6, 1832. — To Capt, Moore, at Fort Jackson, twenty guns.
The order of the Adj utant, six muskets to several persons, their receipts being taken.
June 2, 1832.— To William Kendle, one musket for to join Col. Dodge at Fort Gratiot.
482 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
June 10, 1832.— To D. M. Parkinson, at" Fort Defiance, twelve United States muskets and aocouterments, for the
mounted men ordered to the Blue Mounds. No Captain elected yet for the company.
The mounted men detached for the Blue Mounds, seven United States muskets and accouterments.
June 11, 1832.— To Warren Lewis, Commissary, one United States musket.
Henry Messersmith, one United States swivel, for the Fort at Blue Mounds.
June 12, 1832. — To Capt John Moore, at Fort Jackson, sixteen United States muskets.
May 28, 1832. — To Thomas J. Parrish and Capt. James Jones, two muskets, taken out of the wagon on the road
from Prairie du Chien to Mineral Point.
James Gentry, James P. Cox, P. Bequette, Capt. Belong, Thomas Hynes, George Robinson, James
Jones and Thomas Parrish, each one public sword.
June 13, 1832. — To 6. B. Cole, Quartermaster, one United States musket.
Bought in Galena, five dozen flints, and issued the same to the horse company.
John R. Ewing and Adam Coon, one gun each.
May 29, 1832. — To John Lindsay, one musket, per William Woodbridge's order.
June 15, 1832. — To Col. Dodge's order, one box containing twenty muskets, one swivel and twenty pounds of mus-
ket balls.
June 21, 1832. — To Fort Jones, on Blue River, five United States muskets, twelve pounds of powder and twenty
pounds of musket balls, issued to Lieut. Armstrong.
June 24, 1832. — -To Capt. Hami'ton, Shullsburg, fifteen muskets on Colonel's order.
John Porter, one United States musket.
June 29, 1832. — To Henry Blaney, one United States musket.
July 1, 1832. — To John Fenemore, one United States musket.
Johnson, one United States musket.
John B. Terry, twenty muskets on Colonel's order.
Capt Jones, twenty muskets on Colonel's order.
Two boxes, 40 muskets, sent to Fort Union headquarters.
On June 10, equestrian equipments, consisting of blankets, bridles, saddles and surcingles,,
were delivered to John Hood, Samuel Patrick, John Woods, Horace Auchiens, Austin Palmer,^
Philip Gates, W. W. Standerford, Mason Wooton, William Sublette, William B. Dean, Lawson
Hood, John Dougherty, Willis St. John, James Beddict, William Brown, Thomas Webster, and
six outfits to D. M. Parkinson for the rangers at Fort Defiance. On June 15, by orders of
Adjt. Woodbridge, five new saddles, three bridles and blankets, were delivered to the rangers.
To D. M. Parkinson, five saddles and bridles, and seventeen halters. Portions of equipments
were supplied to Col. Dodge, Edward Davis, Charles Lewis, John R. Ewing, J. B. Hunter,
Thomas Denson, George Willard, R. H. Kirkpatrick and A. C. Dodge.
The horses attached to Fort Jackson were procured by Capt. James Jones, from Prairie
du Chien, and were distributed as follows by the Quartermaster : Eleven horses were sent to
Fort Defiance, and twenty mounted volunteers, under command of John F. O'Neill, were detached
from the Mineral Point garrison to do duty at Blue Mounds. Subsequently, single allotments
were made to Pleasant Ewing, Capt. Gentry, Bennet Hany, John R. Ewing and a man named
Morrison.
Late in May, Col. Dodge was seized with a secret distrust of the Winnebago Indians, fear-
ing that their treacherous nature might assert itself in favor of the rebellious warriors. Nourish-
ing the overt suspicion, Col. Dodge called upon Capt. Gentry's company of mountecj miners to
escort him to the head of the Four Lakes, where, in the assumed capacity of a Peace Commis-
sioner, he proposed to hold a powwow with the suspected tribe, and to obtain a renewal of their
fealty to the American Government. The interview resulted in a reiteration of the treaty obli-
gations and a peace declaration.
OCCURRENCES AT MOUND FORT.
The Blue Mounds at this early date constituted one of the outposts of Western civilization,,
and, from their sequestered situation, offered many advantages to a prowling enemy. The prox-
imity of the settlement to Indian Territory only enhanced its precariousness, and instigated the-
inhabitants, at the first outbreak, to resort to defensive measures. The Mound Fort was com-
menced on May 10, 1832, and completed in two weeks from that time, the labor being chiefly of a
desultory character. The buildings consisted of two block-houses, each about twenty feet square,
and a log building in the center, about thirty feet by twenty feet, for a storehouse and barracks.
The whole was inclosed by a picket fence, about one hundred and fifty feet on each of the four
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNT'S. 483
sides. The pickets were of stout oak, about sixteen or seventeen feet high, planted about three
feet in the ground. The fort was situated on a commanding site, about a mile south of the
Eastern Mound. Capt. James Aubrey was the authority in command until the date of his death,
June 6. Edward Bouchard was promoted from First Lieutenant. The charge, subsequently,
devolved on Capt. John Sherman. The garrison was composed of fifty men, who were enrolled
May 20, 1832. Their names were Ebenezer Brigham, John C. Kellogg, John Daniels, George
Force, Thomas McRaney, John Messersmith, William Collins, Jacob Keith, John Sherman,
Robert Collins, Jonathan Ferrill, Moses Collins, Moses Foreman, A. G-. Aubrey, Esau Johnston,
A. G. Houton, Jeremiah Lycan, Jason Putnam, Alpha Stevens, Hugh Bowen, John Steward,
John Dolbey, Daniel Evans, James Hanlon, William H. Houghton, Ed Bouchard, James Hayes,
Thomas Hillson, James Smith, Jefferson Smith, R. S. Lewis, Solomon Watson, Harvey Brock,
Samuel Davis, Fernando McRaney, Milton McRaney, Allen Rand, Henry Starr, Anson Frazier,
J. B. Deshon, Samuel Woodworth, Emerson Green, John Messersmith, Jr., Henry and George
Messersmith, Robert Crayton, Albert Hunt, French Lake and Henry Powell. The ladies who
shared in their husbands' fortunes were Mrs. Aubrey, Mrs. Johnson, Mrs. Green, Mrs. Kellogg,
Mrs. Farrell, Mrs. McCraney and Mrs. Woodworth, together with several young children.
On the 6th day of June, James Aubrey, a member of Col. Ebenezer Brigham 's family,
was killed at the spring, about a mile and a half from the Mound Fort, whither he had gone for
water. This treacherous deed was the handiwork of Sac Indians, who had been piloted to the
place by a Winnebago guide. On the 20th of June, a small party of Indians were perceived
hovering around the Mound Fort, with the object of discovering their intentions. Lieut. Force
and Private Green mounted their horses, and rode forth on the prairie toward the enemy. The
officer advanced cautiously ; but, despite this guard, he was inveigled into an ambush, and
instantly killed. Green, who was retracing his way, was pursued, overtaken and massacred.
A heavy gold chronometer, owned by Lieut. Force, was taken by the savages, who ruthlessly
mutilated the lifeless corpse. Preceding the battle of the Wisconsin Heights, in the vicinity of
the Third Lake, a straggling Indian, in the rear of Black Hawk's band, was shot down, and
the body permitted to lie in his tracks, as the men, fearing vermin or infection, refused to
approach it. In the following spring, a prairie fire swept that territory. Subsequently, Wal-
lace Rowan happened along, and, in the crumbling skeleton form, discovered a gold watch bear-
ing Lieut. Force's inscription. Rowan retained the watch for some time ; but finally restored
it to the family of the murdered man. This attack occurred in full view of the stockade, yet
the garrison were powerless to assist their comrades. Col. Dodge, who was then at Union Fort,
on being informed of the attack, hastily summoned his men, and set out on the war-path at
night. On the 24th inst., he passed Blue Mounds, and followed the Indian trail to Sugar River,
where the footprints diverged in every direction, denoting the disbandment and separation of
the Indian body. To advance further would prove futile exertion, so they returned to Dodge-
ville, on the way interring the bodies of Force and Green.
On his route south. Col. Dodge sent a messenger, with instructions to Fort Defiance and
Mineral Point, to raise what force could be mounted, and proceed to the scene of the Aubrey
murder. Just before that time, a number of French ponies had been brought down from Prairie
du Chien, for the use of the inhabitants of the mining district, and which were already mounted
by a company of about thirty men, of whom Daniel M. Parkinson was one. When this troop
arrived at Blue Mounds, they found that the body of William Aubrey had been decently interred.
After remaining there one day, and reconnoitering the country, the company, which was com-
manded by Capt. John F. O'Neill, returned by way of Fretwell's Diggings to Mineral Point.
FORT JACKSON ALARMED.
D. M. Parkinson, in his reminiscences of pioneer life in Wisconsin, relates the following :
"About this time, the people of Fort Defiance and Mineral Point became very much alarmed, in
consequence of Capt. James B. Estes coming, under whip and spur, at the best speed of his
horse, announcing successively at Fort Defiance and Mineral Point, that he had seen a large
484 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
body of Indians about seven miles below Fort Defiance, making their way toward tlie Fort,
adding, at Mineral Point, that he had no doubt but that Fort Defiance at that moment was in
possession of the Indians. Immediately upon Capt. Bstes announcing this intelligence, Capt.
Hoard, who commanded at Fort Defiance, ordered me, with three others — Lieut. M. G. Fitch,
John Ray and Reasin Hall — to make a reconnoissance, and ascertain the facts. We did so ; but
could find no Indians, nor discover signs of any in this vicinity." These false alarms were not
uncommon in those critical times. Many men seemed to possess eyes of a powerfully magnifying
character, that tortured everything seen into an Indian ; thus many a well-run race has been
made when there were no Indians, probably within miles, and nothing to justify the flight more
than a tree, stump, or clump of weeds. But, notwithstanding there were a few of these flighty
gentlemen, the most of the men then in the country were bold and resolute in character, and
could readily distinguish between trees or bushes and Indians, as their conduct upon all occa-
sions well testified. During this miniature " Reign of Terror," E. Brigham, of the Mounds,
faithfully recorded passing events in a daily diary. A few extracts pertaining to the locality,
will not prove uninteresting.
Blue Mound Fort, June 2, 1832. — Extract of a letter sent to Gen. Dodge : Wakanka says
there are two young prisoners with the Sauks. By the authority vested in E. Bouchard, two
Indians, White Ox and another, were sent on express to the Four Lake Indians."
(Same date.) A letter was brought by two Frenchmen, St. Paul and , on public service,
supposed to be from Gen. Atkinson. Gratiot having left, I opened it and found there were two
women prisoners with the Sauks.
June 5, 1832. — White Ox, brother and Wakanka returned. The two first named had been
to Lake Koshkonong, and informed me that the Winnebagoes had bought the two girls at Kosh-
konong and then left their captors. The Sauks then followed them and surrounded them. Our
army was at Koshkonong Lake, not far behind, and they were afraid they would be killed by the
Sauks. The Sauks were in two columns, marching direct for this country, 400 in number.
June 5, 1832. — Gen. Dodge promised us at this time to communicate with us every four
days by express, any and every particular relating to the state of the country in general ; to
assist us with a mounted force ; promised us arms, ammunition and provisions without delay.
June 6. — W. G. Aubrey killed.
June 16. — Notwithstanding all promises, our teams returned from Mineral Point without
arms or ammunition, for want of Gen. Dodge's order.
June 21. — Emerson Green and George Force both killed and scalped. Force horribly man-
gled, his head cut off, a gold watch taken, a sum of money and two horses.
June 21. — Force is lying on the prairie unburied. It is dangerous to go out of sight of
the fort.
The General (Dodge) has not performed agreeable to promise ; seems to neglect us ; appears
to bear malice against us for no cause ; our situation is a delicate one. I expect an attack from
the Indians ; we cannot stand a siege. (My near relatives live in Angelica, AUegany Co., N.
Y. To be given to Bradley Sherman or J. W. Sherman.)
For a month after the murder of Force and Green, nothing worthy of especial mention
occurred at the Mound Fort. The arrival of a contingent from Gen. Posey's brigade, disarmed
all further fears on the score of safety.
The murder of SpafiFord and others in the early part of the outbreak, occurred about six
miles southeast of Fort Hamilton, now Wiota, on the bank of a small stream which, in commem-
oration of the foul deed, was named Spafibrd's Creek.
On June 14, 1832, Messrs. Spafford Spencer, Bennett Million, Mcllvaine and Searls, an En-
glishman answering to the patronymic of John Bull, were surprised by the Indians while working
in a corn-field owned by SpafiFord and Spencer. Seizing his rifle, Spafl'ord, the brave pioneer,
faced the foe, to whose overpowering numbers he fell a victim. The others fled under shelter of a
ravine to the river. On reaching shore, Mcllvaine and the Englishman attempted to swim the
river, and both were shot in the water. Million and Spencer, on reaching the shore, hugged the
HISTORY or IOWA COUNTY. 485
bank for 300 yards, before they were perceived by the Indians. The war-whoop pealed forth
from a score of lusty lungs, and the pursuit commenced. Spencer continued down the river
bank, being followed by two Indians, one of whom was mounted on one of Spafford's plow-
horses, and who, by reason of his mount, was far in advance of the other. Spencer still retained
the gun he had snatched up at the first alarm, so, awaiting his opportunity, he shot the approaching
horseman, and eluded further pursuit by secreting himself in a dense thicket. At the sound of the
war-whoop. Million plunged into the stream, which was about fifty yards wide at this point, and
never appeared at the surface until he struck the opposite shore, where at a single bound he
scaled the bluff and disappeared from view, amid a shower of bullets. On the day of the Peca-
tonica battle, Spencer emerged from concealment, and bent his footsteps toward the fort. At a
distance he saw it surrounded by friendly Sioux and Menomonee Indians, who were executing a
war-dance over the spoils collected from the day's battle. Unacquainted with this fact, and sup-
posing them to be re-enforcements, and that the Sauks had captured the fort and butchered the
inmates, he fled in dismay, and toward evening concealed himself under a hog pen, where he was
found ten days afterward. Within a year, he became deranged and wandered off no one knows
whither.
BATTLE OF THE PBCATONICA.
On June 11, 1832, Col. Dodge and his command visited Gen. Atkinson's headquarters in
Illinois. A general plan of the campaign was matured, and Col. Dodge returned to Gratiot's
Grove, where his whole command were dismissed to their posts. The news of the Spafford oc-
currence, was received by express at Fort Union on the evening of the same day. Instructing
Capt. Gentry to muster all his men and march to Fort Hamilton, Col. Dodge, accompanied by
Maj. Thomas Jenkins and John Messersmith, Jr., proceeded by way of Blue Mounds to that
post, camping the ensuing night at Fretwell's Diggings. The next morning, when they were within
a half a mile of Fort Hamilton, they were met by a German, on horseback, named Apple, who
announced his intention of connecting his fortune with Capt. Gentry's company. He then
moved off toward his cabin, to procure his blanket and outfit. A few minutes after, the sharp rattle
of musketry was heard, and the German's horse soon appeared, galloping riderless and bloody,
toward the fort. Re-enforcements having arrived from Fort Defiance, with Gentry's company, the
garrison was augmented to a respectable number. Col. Dodge was received with loud cheers by
the men who demanded to be led forth against the enemy. Animated by an instinctive impulse,
they all mounted and sallied forth in quest of revenge. The scalpless body of Apple was found
in a hazel thicket skirting the road, where the Indians lay in ambush. The short and sanguinary
engagement known as the Battle of the Pecatonica, is best recited in the official report, made by
Col. Dodge to Gen. Atkinson, dated June 18, 18-32 :
" They (the Indians) retreated through a thicket of undergrowth, almost impassable for
horsemen, and scattered, to prevent our trailing them. Finding we had an open prairie around
the thicket, I dispatched part of my men to look for the trail of the Indians, in the open ground,
while I formed as large a front as possible, to strike the trail, which we soon found in the open
ground. After running our horses about two miles, we saw them about a half a mile ahead,
trotting along at their ease. They were making for the low ground, where it would be difficult
for us to pursue them on horseback. Two of the small streams we had to cross had such steep
banks as to oblige us to dismount and jump our horses down them, and force our way over the
best way we could. This delay again gave the Indians the start, but, the men being eager in
the pursuit, I gained on them rapidly. They were directing their course to a bend of the Peca-
tonica, covered with a deep swamp, which they reached before I could cross that stream, owing
to the steepness of the banks and the depth of the water. After crossing the Pecatonica to the
open ground, I dismounted my command, linked my horses and left four men in charge of them,
and sent four men in different directions, to watch the movements of the Indians, if they should
attempt to swim the Pecatonica. They were placed on high points, that would give them a
complete view of the enemy, should they attempt to retreat. I formed my men on foot, at open
order, and at trailed arms we proceeded through the swamp to some timber and undergrowth,
486 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
where I expected to find the enemy. When I found the trail, I knew they were close at hand.
They had got close to the edge of the lake, where the bank was about six feet high, which was a
complete breastwork for them. They commenced to fire, when three of my men fell, two dan-
gerously wounded, one severely, but not dangerously. I instantly ordered a charge on them,
made by eighteen men, which was promptly obeyed. The Indians being under the bank, our
guns were brought within ten or fifteen feet of them, before we could fire on them. Their party
consisted of thirteen men ; eleven men were killed on the spot, and the remaining two were killed
in crossing the lake, so they were left without one, to carry the news to their friends.* The vol-
unteers under my command behaved with great gallantry; it would be impossible for me to dis-
criminate among them. At the word ' charge ! ' the men rushed forward, and literally shot the
Indians to pieces. We were Indians and whites, on a piece of ground not to exceed sixty feet
square."
Those who participated in the battle are as follows : Gen. Dodge, Thomas Jenkins, John
Messersmith, Jr., Daniel M. Parkinson, Peter Parkinson, Jr., Matthew G. Fitch, Dominick
McGraw, Samuel Black, Thomas H. Price, Benjamin Lawhead, Samuel Bunts, Levin Leach, Mc-
Connell, Charles Bracken, Pascal Bequette, Dr. Allen Hill, Alexander Higginbotham, R. H.
Kirkpatrick, Asa Duncan, William Cams, John Hood, Samuel Patrick, W. W. Woodbridge
and Messrs. Porter, Davies, Van Wagner, Morris, Wells and Rankin.
The wounded were four — Samuel Black, Wells and Morris mortally, and Thomas Jenkins
severely wounded.
BATTLES OF WISCONSIN HEIGHTS AND BAB AXE.
About the first of July, 1832, the army commanded by Gen. Atkinson, operating against
Black Hawk and his warriors, moved up the valley of the Rock River. The right wing com-
posed of the United States regular soldiers, and Henry's brigade of Illinois volunteers, com-
manded by Gen. Atkinson in person, marched on the east side of the river. Gen. Alexander's
brigade formed the center ; the left wing, consisting of Posey's brigade and the miners under
Gen. Henry Dodge, rendezvoused at Wiota, and marched from that place about the same time
for Koshkonong Lake. Gen. Dodge's command consisted of five companies of mounted men, com-
manded by Capts. Clark, Gentry, Dixon, Parkison and Jones, and about twenty Menomonee In-
dians and eight or ten white men, under command of Col. W. S. Hamilton. Near Sugar River,
he was joined by Capt. Stephenson's company of about eighty men from Galena, which aug-
mented his force to about three hundred men. Dissatisfied with Gen. Posey's command, the
Volunteers on arriving at Koshkonong, procured an exchange with Alexander's brigade. The
toext day the forces moved up Rock River, and, on the second day, joined Gen. Atkinson at what
was know as the burnt village on Bark River. To replenish their commissary supplies. Dodge's
command with Henry's and Alexander's brigades, were ordered to Fort Winnebago, about fifty
miles distant, where were ample stores. Gen. Dodge very imprudently proceeded toward the
fort in advance of the supporting brigade, and through the heart of a country infested with a
savage foe, estimated to number from eight hundred to twelve hundred braves. Fortunately the
journey was accomplished in safety, and the welcome portals of Winnebago reached on the even-
ing of the second day. Through the medium of Pierre Pauquette, a half-breed, and several Win-
nebago Indians, who happened to be at the fort, it was learned that Black Hawk had pitched
his camp in the vicinity of Hustis' Rapids on the Rock River. This information induced Dodge
and Henry to forego a direct return to camp, according to Gen. Atkinson's orders ; they con-
sidering it wiser to deviate from a direct path ; for by striking Rock River above the enemy,
they could place them between Atkinson's brigade and their united forces, and by this strategical
move, the possibility of flight would be precluded, and the Indians forced to an encounter.
*Col. Dodge appears to have miscalculated the strength of the enemy, as subsequent research shows beyond a doubt that the war party
numbered seventeen In the memoirs of Edward Beouchard, we find the following: "After the battle, eleven Indians were found dead
on the ground, two more, who were wounded, got up the river bank, and were tracked and finally scalped by the Winnebagoes. Col. Hamilton,
some time after, found the body of another, alter the prairie fire had passed over him; and later in the succeeding winter, a French trapper,
found in a swamp, three more, beneath brushwood, under which they had crawled when wounded. The whole number thus accounted for, of
the Sauks who fell in this flglit. was seventeen. At a subsequent period, when at Bock Island, after the termination of the war, Beouchard
understood from some of the Sauks, that Black Hawk had often spoken of a band of seventeen of his braves, of whom he had never received
any intelligence, and he knew not what had become of them.
^^^^^^-cceJt
D O D G E V I L L E .
HISTOET OF IOWA COUNTY. 489
Alexander and the officers of his brigade issued a peremptory refusal to change the original
plans. The brigade as re-organized comprised Col. James W. Stephenson and his Galena com-
pany, and Gen. Henry's brigade. They were subsequently joined by Capt. Craig and a com-
pany of Galena miners. With Pauquette and a contingent of Indian guides, the expedition
numbered 700 men. The line of march was taken up on July 15, in the direction of the enemy.
On the third day, they arrived at a deserted Indian village, designated as the resting-place of
the enemy. Silence reigned supreme, and an investigation showed that the former occupants
had departed several days previously. An express messenger was dispatched to notify Gen.
Atkinson of the discovery. Proceeding down the river for a few miles, the express struck a
fresh trail leading toward the Wisconsin River, when he immediately returned and reported.
With a tangible trail to pursue, the chase^ was resumed in the morning and continued until
evening, when the troops arrived at a narrow strip of land beyond the Third Lake. The tongue
or apit of land was covered with a dense growth of brush, which rendered a passage inadvisable
without preliminary exploration ; accordingly the company of scouts under Capt. Joe Dixon,
were instructed to advance and reconnoiter. At the conclusion of the examination, it was
deemed too late to effect a crossing, and the expedition bivouacked on the shores of the lake.
Tlie march was resumed on the ensuing morning. A solitary Indian, ill and infirm with disease,
was overtaken near Third Lake, and, his condition being unknown to the pursuers, was
instantly shot and killed by Capt. Fred Dickson, of Capt. Joseph Dixon's company. An-
other disabled Indian was shot by Dr. Phillis. In falling, I he dying Indian took aim
and discharged his gun, wounding a member of Capt. Clark's company. The column from
the time of departure from Rock River, was led hj Col. W. L. D. Ewing's battalion of
Henry's brigade, preceded by Dixon's scouts. Dodge's command chafed and fumed at the
tardy advance, as they feared that the foe would be enabled to gain the protecting shades
of the islands on the Wisconsin River, if not overtaken by forced marches. With a determina-
tion to close on the enemy, Gen. Dodge was unanimously importuned to lead the van. To ac-
complish this movement, the company defiled t(; the right and left of Ewing's battalions. Stimu-
lated by the eagerness of the miners, the forward corps increased their pace and maintained a
central position. In this order they advanced rapidly, halting on one or two occasions to form
in line of battle when the enemy appeared in front, until, arriving at the Wisconsin bottom ;
the horse guard was told off and the men dismounted. Scarcely had this movement been effected,
before Capt. Dixon and his scouts appeared galloping over a ridge in full flight from a vastly
preponderating body of Indians. The columns immediately advanced, Ewing's battalion forming
the center, to the top of the ridge, where they formed into line by wheeling to the right. A
single discharge demoralized the Indians, who retreated precipitately to an adjacent hill or ridge.
This position they occupied until the appearance of Gen. Henry with Collins', Jones' and Fry's
regiments. During this delay, which was about an hour, the enemy were engaged in concen-
trating their forces and sustaining a continual fire. When the line of battle was formed. Dodge's
command, including Ewing's battalion, formed the right wing. Fry's regiment was ordered to
oc upy a position on the right, to prevent the Indians from performing a successful flank move-
ment. Obviously surmising that this was a movement designed to cut off his women and
papooses, the Indian chief from his elevated post of observation, issued orders to beat a retreat.
The whites meanwhile advanced across on open country unmolested, and captured the deserted
camp, suffering only the loss of one man wounded.
It having been ascertained that the supply of provisions was not sufficient to enable the
men to continue the pursuit across the Wisconsin, and being incumbered with a number of
wounded, it was thought circumspect to remove to the Blue Mounds, which could plainly be seen
from an eminence near the battle-ground. On arriving there. Dodge's command, including Stephen-
son's company, were ordered to their respective posts, with orders to rendezvous at Helena, on
the Wisconsin River, as soon as Gen. Atkinson should arrive there with the regular forces.
On re-assembling at Helena, the miners were joined by Gen. Atkinson, who ordered the
march to be resumed. Together they followed the trail of the retreating Sacs and Foxes, which
490 HISTORY OP IOWA COUNTY.
was discovered under the bluffs south of the Wisconsin River, until they arrived at the Mississippi,
near the mouth of the Bad Axe. On the route, a number of dead bodies were found, many in a
state of putrefaction ; these had doubtless died of wounds received at the battle of Wisconsin
Heights, and from debility produced by sickness and starvation. The march was therefore
rendered distressingly offensive, both to the senses of smelling and of sight.
On the evening of the 1st of August, signs of the enemy were discovered, and some strag-
glers killed. At 2 o'clock on the morning of the 2d, the line of march was taken up ; Col.
Dodge's miners forming the advance, supported by the regular troops under Col. Zachary Taylor.
The battle of the Bad Axe was inaugurated about sunrise by a skirmish between Capt. Dixon's
spies and a band of warriors, in which one of his men was severely wounded. Later in the
day, after the troops had formed in line of battle, and had advanced to the top of the bluff over-
looking the Mississippi, Dixon again engaged the enemy in the river bottom. Guided by the
sound of his guns, the regulars and Dodge's volunteers marched directly down the bluff to his
support. When they arrived on the ground, they found Dixon seriously wounded. Gen.
Henry, who had followed the Indian trail down the ravine, was on the ground, supporting the
company of spies. From the point at which Dixon was wounded, the enemy were followed
down the river some distance, when the entire military strength attacked them. The encounter
was a brave and noble stand on the part of the Indians to withstand the combined forces ; and, as the
result shows, they did some effectual execution in the ranks of their pale-face foes ere their over-
whelming numbers and superior skill caused them to retreat. In the regular army, there were
seventeen killed, whose names are unknown. Among the miners, who sank to a last rest in de-
fense of their hearths, were Capt. Joseph Dixon, Sergt. George Willard, Privates Smith, Hood,
Lowry, Skinner and Payson. In Henry's brigade, there were but iive men killed and wounded.
In the pursuit from the Wisconsin River, it was evident that the Indians were suffering terrible
tortures from the pangs of famine and illness. Their principal means of subsistence were roots,
bark of trees and horse-flesh. When the heat of the pursuit temporarily relaxed, the vanquished
braves would avail themselves of the momentary respite to slaughter and dismember one of their
scrawny ponies. The flesh, hide and entrails were devoured with a voracity begotten of deadly
hunger, and the only relic left to mark the feast was the hair of the tail and mane. While flee-
ing from the pursuers in their rear, they sought escape across the Mississippi. They were en-
countered by the steamboat Warrior, having on board Lieut. Kingsbury and a detachment of
United States troops, with two pieces of artillery. On the succeeding day. Gen. Atkinson, his
staff, and nearly all the regular troops, embarked for transportation to Fort Crawford. Prior
to the departure of the troops, Wabasha, the renowned Indian chieftain, with a number of
Sioux warriors, reported himself to Gen. Atkinson. He was accorded permission to pursue the
enemy into their own country. Thus, the little remnant of Black Hawk's bloodthirsty band
who escaped the shot and shell of the soldiers, lived only to be extirpated with the scalping-
knife and tomahawk, in the remorseless grasp of their hereditary foe.
grignon's kecollections.
" I will close my reminiscences of olden times by giving an account of Col. Samuel C. Stam-
baugh's expedition against the Sacs and Foxes. Col. Stambaugh had previously been the Me-
nomonee Indian Agent, but had been superseded by Col. Boyd, who had been directed to raise a
party of the Menomonees to serve against the hostile Indians. Col. Boyd gave the command of
the expedition to Stambaugh. The Menomonees rendezvoused at Green Bay, early in July,
1832. There were over three hundred, all Indians, except the officers, about nine in number.
Osh-kosh, Souligny, lom-e-tah. Grizzly Bear, old Po-e-go-nah, Wau-nau-ko, Pe-mau-te-not,
Osh-ka-he-na-nieu, La Mott, Carau, and, indeed, all the principal men of the Menomonees, were of
the party. Alexander Irwin was Commissary and Quartermaster. The Indians were arranged
into two companies ; I commanded one, having my son, Charles A. Grignon, and my nephew, Rob-
ert Grignon, for Lieutenants. George Johnson, of Green Bay, was chosen to the command of the
other company, with William Powell and James Boyd for Lieutenants. With a few pack-horses.
HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY. 491
and each man a supply of provisions, we started from Green Bay. We proceeded to the Great
Butte des Morts, and there crossed over. Went to Portage, and, the next day, renewed our march,
and the first night camped on Sugar Creek, some half-dozen miles from Blue Mounds ; tlie sec-
ond night at Fort Dodge; then to English Prairie; thence, with one other camping, we reached
Prairie du Chien, before reaching which. Grizzly Bear, his son and three others, descending
the Wisconsin in a canoe, discovered a Sauk girl on an island alone. The Grizzly Bear s &jn
went and took her, and found her half-starved. She was about ten years old, and, on the
return of the party. Col. Stambaugh took her to Green Bay and placed her in the Indian Mis-
sion School ; and the next year, when Black Hawk reached Green Bay on his way hi,me, he
took her with him.
"From Col. William S. Hamilton, we learned at Prairie du Chien, that a trail of Sauks
had been discovered down the river. Fully one-half of our party, with George Grignon and
William Powell, remained at Prairie du Chien, while Oshkosh, lometah, Souligny, Carau and
Pemautenot, with their warriors, proceeded by land, accompanied by Col. Hamilton. We
stopped at Bennett's Ferry, on the Wisconsin River, and started early the next morning, and,
about noon, struck the Sauk trail. We pursued it until the sun was about an hour and a half
high, when we discovered the smoke of the Indians, encamped in a low spot beside a small
stream, on the prairie. There were only two men and a youth about twelve years old, three or
four women, and as many children. We at once surrounded them and rushed upon them, with
orders to take them prisoners; but the Menomonees were fierce for a fight, and killed the two
men, and took the others prisoners. They fired a volley at the two Sauks, and, when they fell,
they were riddled with bullets by those coming up, who wished to share in the honor (?) of having
participated in the fight. In the melee, one of the children was wounded, and died the next
day. Lieut. Robert Grignon was badly wounded in the side with buckshot, which, coursing
around the back, lodged. He thought he was shot by the Indian lad, but I think it quite
as likely to have been by some of our own party, firing, as they were, in every direction. This
little affair occurred not far back from the Mississippi, and some ten or twelve miles north of
Cassville. Col. Hamilton participated in it.
" We camped on the battle ground that night, and the next day went to Cassville, carrying
Robert Grignon on a litter, and thence to Prairie du Chien he was conveyed in a canoe, while
we returned by land. We delivered the prisoners at Prairie du Chien ; we had to leave Robert
Grignon there, as the shot could not be extracted, and he was not able to return until the
autumn. We commenced our return home in three days, and nothing happened on our march
worthy of note. All our surviving party have received bounty land warrants, which the Me-
nomonees have generally sold ; and Robert Grignon, in consequence of his wound, receives a
pension."
"-QJo(i3?,^l^S9j> ga,^'- — ^
a
OHAPTEE IT.
Mineral Discoveries and. Limitations— Indian Treaties and Abuses— First Miners and
Early Beprivations— Life in the Diggings— First Land Districts— Claim Eestrictions
AND FjRST Entries— Projected Eailroads and Canals— Hard Money Wealth— First
Roads and Highways— Chronicles oe the Cholera, '49 and '50— The Second Visitation,
'51— Land Swindling Schemes.
MINERAL DISCOVERIES AND LIMITATIONS.
The discovery of lead mines in this county date back to the earliest settlement of the South-
west. Early voyagers, who explored the Territory in the eighteenth century, found the decayed
remnants of rude log furnaces, which it is surmised were constructed and operated by the Win-
nebago Indians. Where the first actual mining was done is buried in oblivion, but the history
of the old Irish diggings demonstrates, beyond cavil, that mineral was there raised long before
the first pale-face mustered sufficient temerity to cross the dividing ridge, the rubicon
that outlined the reserves of the Winnebago Indians. The dividing ridge is a prominent
elevation of the prairie land, extending from east to west, and passing within a range of two and
one-half miles from the village of ShuUsburg. This natural line of demarkation was generally
known by the miners to be the limit of territory where they could mine ; that further to the
north being reserved exclusively to the Indians. An infraction of this rule was seldom at-
tempted, as there was danger of its resulting in death.
In 1827, the hitherto sacred soil was invaded by a host of adventurers, who concluded
terms whereby the Winnebagoes, in consideration of a certain sum of money, granted them the
coveted privilege of mining. These private treaties were not respected by the United States
Government, which resented the intrusion of the whites and, unsolicited, interfered between the
Indians to eject the settlers. This action was precipitated by information of rich lodes which
were affording a magnificent yield of ore. In May, 1828, the miners were visited by Thomas
McKnight, Assistant Superintendent of Lead Mines, with directions from his superior offi-
cer, Lieut. Martin Thomas, of the United States Army, stationed at St. JJouis, ordering all miners
to retire west of the ridge which separates the waters flowing into the Mississippi from those of the
Pecatonica or Rock River. A few days thereafter, Mr. Marsh, sub-Indian Agent, arrived in
the mines, from Prairie du Chien, with orders from Gen. Street, agent of the Winnebagoes,
directing the miners to retire to the lands ceded to the Government. They were offered the
option of paying a percentage on the mineral raised, which, if acceded to, the miners were to
have their claims ratified. The injustice of this was so palpable that a great outcry was raised
by the miners ; they claimed, with an assumption of equity, that the United States was not
empowered to interfere with the Indians, or to exact any lead rent other than that to be paid to
the Winnebagoes. Despite the manifest want of principle, the Government enforced the demand
with a contingent of soldiers, who threatened to dispossess the miners should they not concede
the rents. Indignant at this ruthless and high-handed proceeding, numbers of the settlers packed
their " kits " and voluntarily abandoned their diggings, sooner than submit to any unjust enact-
tions. The Indian Agents were entertained by Henry Dodge, in the best manner the country
afforded. On being apprised of their mission, he informed them, in a determined tone, that,
having negotiated a treaty with the Indians, by which they allowed him to remain, on condition
that he paid a rent equivalent to that demanded by the Government, he would not leave the ter-
ritory unless driven off by a superior physical force. He also agreed to exert his influence,
which was known to be great, to preserve peace along the frontier. Mr. Marsh readily admitted
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 493
the justice of the claim, and reposing an unlimited confidence in the good faith of Gen. Dodge,
who predicted the early purchase of the disputed country, they withdrew. The threat that
a body of regular soldiers would be marched against the miners was never carried into execu-
tion.
INDIAN TREATIES AND ABUSES.
By the treaty of 1829, executed at Prairie du Chien, the Indian title was extinguished to
all land south and east of the Wisconsin River. By the treaty of 1837, with the Winnebagoes,
ratified by Congress the following year, the Indians sold all their lands east of the Missis-
sippi. This treaty was conducted at Washington by Yellow Thunder and two other junior
chiefs. Satterlee Clark accompanied them as interpreter. It is asserted that these chiefs were
inveigled into signing a treaty which stipulated that they should remain in possession of the
ceded land for eight months, whereas the Indians were informed and led to believe that they were
treating for an occupation of eight years. Even when afSSxing their marks to the treaty, they
firmly protested against the act, and asseverated their want of authority to cede the lands of
their tribe. When the terms of the treaty were subsequently expounded, the Indians were
moved with righteous indignation, and refused to leave their homes and the graves of their
ancestors. Yellow Thunder declared he would never go, and on a plea of insubordination was
confined in Fort Winnebago. He soon after recovered his liberty, and visiting the Land OiBce
at Mineral Point, entered forty acres of land in his own behalf on the west side of the Wiscon-
sin, about eight miles above Portage. At the Land Office, he inquired if Indians were debarred
from entering land. The reply was to the contrary, so Yellow Thunder, the head chief of the
Winnebagoes, secured a homestead, declaring that he was going to be a white man.
In 1840, troops were sent to Portage to remove the Winnebago Indians. The detachment
consisted of a squad of the Eighth Regiment of infantry, under the command of Gen. Worth,
and a part of the Fifth Regiment of infantry, commanded by Gen. Brooke, with Gen. Atkinson
as commander-in chief. There were three interpreters employed — John T. De la Ronde,
Antoine Grignon and Pierre Meneg. The latter was sent in quest of Yellow Thunder and
Black Wolf's son, inviting them to the rendezvous to get provisions. As soon as they arrived,
they were seized and incarcerated in the guard-house with ball and chain attached to their legs.
This measure was adopted on a false understanding that the prisoners were inciting their com-
panions to revolt, but as soon as Gov. Dodge came they were released. Two hundred and fifty
families were thus removed. The scene of the final parting of these simple children from the
sod of their forefathers is thus pathetically described by an eye witness : " Two old women, sis-
ters of Black Wolf, and another one came up, throwing themselves on their knees, crying and
beseeching Capt. Sumner to kill them ; that they were old and would rather die and be buried
with their fathers, mothers and children than be taken away, and they were ready to receive
their death-blows. Capt. Sumner had pity on them, and permitted them to stay where they
were, and left three young Indians to hunt for them. A little further on, we came to the camp
of Ke ji-que-we-ka and others, when they were told to break up their camp, put their things in
the wagon and come along. After they had thus deposited their little property, they started
south from where we were. The Captain bade me ask them where they were going. They said
they were going to bid good-bye to their fathers, mothers and children. The Captain directed
me to go with them and watch them. We found them on their knees on the ground, kissing the
ground where their relatives were buried and crying very loud. This touched the Captain's
feelings, and he exclaimed, "Good God! what harm could these poor Indians do among the
rocks !"
In 1844, Capt. Sumner came again with his dragoons to hunt the woods for Dandy, a
delinquent Winnebago chief, who had evaded the officers heretofore. He was found at the
head of the Baraboo, and the Captain made him ride on horseback, and fastened his legs
together with ox-chains. Resenting this latter indignity. Dandy asked to be brought before
Gov. Dodge, at Mineral Point. The request was granted, and, on obtaining the interview.
Dandy desired a private council, which was likewise given. Then Dandy took from his bosona
494 HISTORY OP IOWA COUNTY.
a Bible, and asked the Governor, through the medium of an interpreter, if that was a good
book. Gov. Dodge, astonished at the presence of the Bible in such hands, inquired regarding
the ownership, but the old chief dogmatically reiterated his question, with the reservation that
after that was answered, he would satisfy all suspicions.
The Governor then told him he could not have had a better book than the one in his hand.
"Well," said Dandy, "look that book all through, and if you find that Dandy ought to be
removed by the Government to Turkey River, then I will go right off; but if you do not find
it, I will never go there to stay. The Governor was not to be entrapped by the wily Indian,
whose trick was barren of result. He was then chained up and taken to Prairie du Chien.
His legs and feet were all swollen, and lacerated with the action of the chains, and he could
not walk or tread the ground for two or three weeks. When he had recovered sufficiently to
move around, his removal to Turkey River was ordered. In the temporary absence of his
escort. Dandy escaped into the woods, where he was allowed to roam at liberty.
FIRST MINERS AND EARLY DEPRIVATIONS.
After the cession of the Indian Territory, the country was rapidly settled by miners
attracted thither from all parts of the world. Never before had such a fever of emigration
seized the people, who flocked here in unremitting numbers. The leading pioneers were of
American birth, a large majority of whom came here from Missouri, Kentucky and Indiana.
Sturdy Irishmen and miners from the Great Consols, Carn Bray, Batallack, East Whealrose, Dal-
creath and other Cornish mines, as soon as news of the great discoveries of lead and cop-
per reached their ears, started in hordes to try their fortunes amid the wilds of the New World.
Representatives from almost every rank of life could be found here, from the lofty representa-
tive of European capital to the poor white trash of the distant South ; from the collegian and
religious recluse to the habitues of the worst social infernales known to civilized life. Men of
genius, education and lofty ambition were not few, as evinced by the character of many of the
representative men of the State in after years, a majority of whom belonged to the lead regions.
They worked, suffered and fought beside the stalwart Englishman, the shrewd Yankee, the
chivalrous Southern fire-eater, the impetuous Frenchman, the hardy Scotchman, the humorous
Irishman and sober Teuton ; a band of determined adventurers united by their common peril,
and the one pervading impulse and pursuit. The price of lead in 1828, reigned at $5 per
hundred pounds, but a year later the rate declined to a little less than half of that sum, disap-
pointing and ruining the hopes and expectations of some eight or ten thousand explorers who
had flocked to the mining regions. The effect of this stampede was especially detrimental
to the interests of Dodgeville, as nearly all the miners in that locality shouldered their
tools, and, before 1830, the once thriving settlement of twelve to fifteen cabins was reduced to
one store. The huts were torn down for fuel, and the prospectors drifted away to more pros-
perous centers. Consequent on the diminished price of lead, the population of Iowa County,
then embracing what has since constituted four or five counties, dwindled down to only a few
hundred inhabitants.
By a mistaken policy of the War Department, nobody was allowed to cultivate more than an
acre and a half of ground. This region was only looked upon as valuable for the mineral product
of lead and copper. The fallacious idea prevailed, that, if the country was plowed, and the ordi-
nary crops grown upon it, no leads could thereafter be discovered ; the idea being that a certain
wild growth of grass and shrubs, particularly the "masonic weed," indicated the existence of
crevices of lodes and patches of mineral. This restriction upon agriculture was afterward
repealed ; but, before farming became general, the prices paid for all sorts of produce and bread,
stuffs were exceptionally high ; |1 per bushel for oats, potatoes, corn, turnips, and beets was
frequently demanded and freely paid, as the supply was exceedingly limited, if not poor in
quality. Flour was scarce, and cracked corn was more generally used. When the staple of
life could be procured, the cost ranged from two to ten hundred pounds of mineral. The win-
ter of 1828 was exceptionally severe, and great privation and suffering were engendered by the
HISTOBY OF IOWA COUNTY. 495
sudden "low dip" that locked the rivers in ice, and cut off the winter supplies, at the time en
route, on Mississippi steamboats, to the mines. A French trader at Galena happened to have a
fair supply of flour in store, and, taking advantage of the temporary embarrassment, he raised his
prices until flour attained the enormous figure of $20 to $30 a barrel. The consumers were
forced to make the best of the unsatisfactory arrangement ; and as, in the depressed condition of
the country, following the depreciated price of mineral, few could afford to indulge in the luxury
of bolted flour. Various substitutes were employed until relief was obtained in early spring.
An unfailing supply of good fresh fish was one of the bounties of a beneficent Creator, bestowed
upon the hardy miners. The Pecatonica River and the larger tributaries abounded almost with
a surfeit of fish ; and, in those days, the piscatorial artist was not satisfied with complacently
holding a pole in a horizontal position over the turbid waters for hours without procuring a
^'bite." Fine kingly trout, perch, bass, catfish, eels, buffalo, muskallonge and other excellent
kinds were found in all the streams coursing through the county. Bufl^alo, muskallonge and cat-
fish of enormous size were brought to Mineral Point daily, and peddled on the streets at purely
nominal figures. Many of these fish weighed from twenty and thirty pounds upward.
LIFE IN THE DIGGINGS.
When, in 1832, Black Hawk invaded Illinois, spreading death and desolation in his trail,
he took a position on the Rock River, some miles east from Madison. The settlers were con-
vulsed in a tumult of alarm, and fire-arms were eagerly sought after. (For particulars, see in
third chapter.)
The inhabitants lost the entire spring and summer in defending and building the stockades
and block-houses erected throughout the country. On the restoration of peace, adventurers and
explorers swarmed in threefold numbers, and mining was prosecuted with an energy unknown
since the years of 1827 and 1828. Freed from all care on the score of Indians, the miners
scattered their claims all over the surface of the land. In every direction within scope of the
eye, heaps of mineral refuse blackened and disfigured the verdant hillsides, and the clank of the
windlass made merry music to the accompanying sounds of the crowbar, pick and drill. The
price of mineral was more favorable to the miners. An undoubted era of prosperity had com-
menced; money was plentiful, and it was dispensed with all the lavish prodigality for which
miners have become famous. Groceries, gambling hells, poker dens and faro banks marked the
progress of civilization. The discovery of a good lead invariably led to a sudden rush of settlers,
who, after intermittent toil, would as speedily relinquish their claims and remove elsewhere.
Riotous carousing, gambling and other bacchanalian revels marked the nights and served to dis-
tinguish them from day. Sleep or rest was a superabundant luxury that few deserved, and no
one indulged in until the exhausted system, robbed of strength by the assimilation of vile " forty-
rod " and " fusel oil," would sink down and recuperate in the arms of '' nature's sweet restorer."
Knifing affrays and shooting matches were of daily occurrence, as, with a superfluity of animal
spirits, the air was impregnated with the germs of strife. The wild, reckless dare-devils courted
danger for danger's sake, and woe be to the man who intentionally or otherwise proffered an
insult to an associate miner. In all probability, he would die " with his boots on " in a brief
space of time, unless, perhaps, he was an adept in handling a rifle or revolver. In this cheerful
state of affairs, graveyards and cemeteries would suggest themselves to the Yankee speculator
as affording a good investment. On the contrary, public cemeteries were sparingly patronized,
as private graveyards were located all over the country. Usually, the unfortunate duelist was
buried in his tracks, without even an apology for a coffin to screen the lifeless remains from con-
tact with the cold earth. Yet, withal, the miner was a whole-souled, expansive-hearted individ-
ual, inclined to be generous to a fault. He would share his last crust with a stranger, and the
circumscribed interior of his cabin was always hospitably placed at the disposal of a new arrival.
He gave of his last without a murmur, and expected the same token in return. In such a com-
munity, the free and easy relations of life would have shocked the innate delicacy of one of the
cloth, but, as preachers did not prove indigenous to this uncongenial soil, the passions of the
'l^lj HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
mining community flamed unrestrainedly for many years. In the giddy maelstrom of existence,
each man rushed blindly forward in search of mythical wealth. Delusive dreams of abundant
mineral was the ignis fatuus that spurred them on and supported the artificial life of super-excite-
ment. A computation of the number of adventurers who achieved success and wealth would
form only an infinitesimal proportion of the glaring aggregate whom riches eluded.
In 1833 and 1834, the irregular mode of living furnished numerous victims to the inroads
of cholera, nearly every case of which proved fatal. The bloody flux, in an epidemic form,
swept the mining region and scored a host of conquests. The diminution in the population by
these contagions was more than counterbalanced by the heavy influx of settlers. The rich agricult-
ural lands were offering remunerative returns for the labor and capital invested. The false theory
that a rugged mining country was incompatible with the growth of luxuriant crops, had, by this
time, been exploded, and many persons were induced to forsake the precarious livelihood of a
miner for the contented and fruitful labors of a pastoral life. Agriculture and mining together
received an impetus from the incoming tide, and the effect was mutually profitable. About this
time, the Territory was districted into three land districts.
FIRST LAND DISTRICTS.
By an act of Congress, approved June 26, 1834, two new Land Districts were established
in Northern Illinois, called the Northwest and the Northeast Districts, and two in Wisconsin,
called respectively the Wisconsin and the Green Bay Districts.
The Northwest District embraced all the territory in Illinois north of the dividing line, be-
tween Townships 12 and 13, north of the base line, and west of the dividing line between
Ranges 8 and 4, east of the Third Principal Meridian.
The Wisconsin Land District enabraced all the territory in the then Territory of Michigan
south of the Wisconsin River, and west of the north-and-south line " along the range of line
next west of Fort Winnebago." (This was the line between Ranges 8 and 9 east.)
The fourth section of this act reads as follows: "The President shall be authorized, as
soon as the survey shall have been completed, to cause to be offered for sale, in the manner pre-
scribed by law, all the lands lying in the said land districts, at the land offices in the respective
districts, in which the land so ofiered is embraced, reserving only Section Sixteen in each town-
ship; the tract reserved for the village of Galena; such other tracts as have been granted to in-
dividuals and the State of Illinois; and such reservations as the President may deem necessary
to retain for military posts, any law of Congress heretofore existing to the contrary notwith-
standing."
The Land Office for the Wisconsin Land District was established at Mineral Point, by
the same act, and John P. Sheldon was appointed Register, and Joseph Eneix, Receiver.
The survey having been completed, the President, on the 7th of July, 1834, issued his
proclamation for the public sale, on the second Monday of November, 1834, of all the lands
west of the Fourth Principal Meridian (which now constitute Grant County). Appended to the
proclamation was a notice, in the following words : " The lands reserved by law for schools or
other purposes, are to be excluded from sale. All tracts of land on which lead mines or dig-
gings are indicated to exist by the official plats of survey, together with such other tracts as,
from satisfactory evidence, to be adduced to the Register of the land office, prior to the date of
sale, shall be shown to contain lead mines, shall be excluded from sale."
A few months later, another proclamation was issued by the President, for the public sale of
all the lands in the district, east of the Fourth Principal Meridian, at the land office in Mineral
Point, in the year 1835. A notice similar to the foregoing was appended to this proclamation.
The "official plats of survey" only indicated the existence of such "lead mines or dig-
gings " as were observable from the surveyed section lines at the time of the survey — two years
or more before the public sale — consequently, the mineral discoveries made after the surveys, and
many of those in the interior portions of the sections, made previous to the surveys, were not
" indicated to exist by the official plats of survey."
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 497
Very few " other tracts " were " shown to contain lead mines " by " satisfactory evidence,
adduced to the Register of the Land Office prior to the date of sale."
The result was that all the lands in the district were offered at public sale ; but the land
officers refused to receive bids upon the few tracts upon which lead mines or diggings were indi-
cated to exist by the official plats, or by " satisfactory evidence."
Immediately after the public sale, a regulation was adopted by the land office, and acted
upon by them, that private entries might be made of what were denominated the " reserved
lands," whenever the application was accompanied by the affidavits of two persons, stating that
there were no discoveries of lead ore on the tract applied for, and that the same was not occupied
by any smelter of lead ore.
The practical eflfect of the course adopted in reference to the sale of the public lands in the
Wisconsin Land District — by the Government officers, as well those at Washington as the
local officers at Mineral Point, nnd, as well, at the public sale, as by the mode adopted of per-
mitting private entries — was, that so large a proportion of the lands containing lead mines passed
into private hands, that the occupants under leases from the Government, of the remaining tracts,
upon which mines existed, refused longer to comply with the conditions of their leases.
CLAIM RESTEICTIONS AND FIRST ENTRIES.
Doubts existed of the right of the Government to enforce the terms of the leases ; and, as
there was, at least, no disposition manifested to do so, by common consent, the payment of
rents, either by miners or smelters, went into immediate disuse, and no rents were paid after the
first public land sales.
The whole amount of land reserved by the Government from sale was estimated at one
million acres. Owing to the difficulty of collecting this rent, it was for several years aban-
doned. EfiForts were ultimately made by the Government to collect lead rents, which resulted,
according to the message of President Polk, as follows : Amount expended in collection, $26,-
001.11 ; value of lead collected, $6,354.74 ; loss to the Government in four years, $19,756.37.
Many veins or mines of lead having been discovered after the sales, on lands of private indi-
viduals, the value of public or reserved lands was depreciated, and the miners thereon subjected
to the imposition of an unjust tax. To remedy this evil, it was suggested to Congress to dispose
of these reserved lands on the same principle that other lands were disposed of.
The Register of the Land Office at Mineral Point, in a letter to the Commissioner of the
General Land Office, dated March 23, 1838, says that among the regulations for the govern-
ment of the mining country, there was one which required that a mining lot should be two
hundred and twenty yards square (ten acres), and bounded by lines running due east, west,
north and south. The usual course adopted by persons wishing to try their fortunes in the
business of mining, was to seek out an unoccupied spot where they supposed they would find lead,
and commence digging. If they found ore in sufficient quantities to warrant a continuance of
labor, they would measure off their ground and fix corner stakes, and thus continue their work
until they traced their discovery to a valuable vein or sheet, or found it to be delusive. " In a
large majority of cases, the labor expended in these attempts to discover lead entirely lost ;
and there are instances where men have expended years of labor and large sums of money,
and have never had the good fortune to discover a valuable vein or sheet of ore ; consequently,
the property of a miner in a valuable vein or discovery of lead ore, is held inviolable by most of
the residents of the county. Its sacredness is recognized by the courts and juries of the
county; and he clings to it with a tenacdty that will admit of no relaxation. The lots claimed
would probably embrace about five thousand acres, and are the sole dependence of numer-
ous families. Their value has been discovered by the labor and perseverance of the miners ; and,
were they dispossessed of them by Government, their families would be reduced to want. It is
thought the miners have a just and equitable claim on the Government for aid and protection.
They accepted its invitation to labor upon its territory and to develop its wealth ; they have
staked off and labored for years upon some five or six hundred ten-acre lots, and have paid
498 HISTORY or IOWA COUNTY.
the Government about $230,000 for the privilege." The odious enactment was subsequently
repealed.
The first entry of land was made in the county by Peter Alphonse Lorimier and Paschal
Bequette, who entered eighty acres on the west half of the southeast quarter of Section 22,
Township 5. During this month, thirty entries of land were recorded. In 1836, there were
nearly three times as many entries made. In 1837 and 1888, the entries were diminished fully
fifty per cent, and, in 1839, they fell off rapidly, owing to the stringency that affected the
money market. The number of entries in 1840, was reduced to sixteen by the general depres-
sion in all circles of trade. In 1841 and 1842 , nine and two entries, respectively, were
recorded, thus reaching the lowest stage. After this an improvement was manifest, and the
entries increased to five in 1843, about fifty in 1844, until the maximum was attained in 1847.
The ofiice was moved to Muscoda in 1841." Eventually, when the lands of Northern Wisconsin
came into the market, another oflBce for that district was opened in Mineral Point. The first land
entries, in their order of precedence, were made by the following : P. A. Lorimier, Paschal
Bequette, Benjamin Seguin, Francis C. Kirkpatrick, James Kirkpatrick, Joseph Hawkes, George
Sparkes, William Bennett, William Prideaux, . Mark Terrill, James Fiddick, Edward James,
James Prideaux, Andrew Hughes, Jesse W. Kirkpatrick, Richard H. Kirkpatrick, Stephen B.
Thrasher and Thomas McKnight,
At the first session of the Territorial Legislature, commenced at Belmont, October 25,
1836, the capital seat was located at the city of Madison, then platted in the Four Lake region
by an act of the Council and House of Representatives. As soon as Gov. Dodge had affixed
his signature to the bill, there was a tremendous rush made for the Land Office at Mineral
Point, to enter eligible corner lots, and invest loose capital in land in the newly located capital.
The town plat of Madison was divided into twenty shares, one of which was offered for $200 in
cash.
In February, 1887, Judge Doty, of Green Bay, came to Mineral Point, and engaged a
surveying party to proceed to Madison and survey the adjoining territory, with a view of platting
the western addition to Madison. The party consisted of Moses M. Strong, Civil Engineer,
with John Catlin and George Messersmith as assistants. They started out with a sleigh and
team of .horses, furnished by Messersmith, and arrived at Madison the second day after leaving
Mineral Point.
PROJECTED EAILKOADS AND CANALS.
The spirit of enterprise was rampant in 1885 and ensuing years, when many bold engineer-
ing schemes were projected. Some of these were Utopian in their conception and utterly inade-
quate to the wants of a rising country, and were so burdened with estimated costs that the people)
for an instant, never, soberly considered them, while others certainly merited and received con-
sideration. But, in a few instances only, was anything done of a tangible or permanent char-
acter, as those who usually originated the schemes desired to realize rather than to invest capi-
tal. Gov. Dodge, in his message of 1836, makes mention of constructing a canal through
from Madison to Arena by way of Middleton and Black Earth Creek. There might have been
a memorial presented to Congress in furtherance of the scheme ; at any rate, several speculators,
including Moses M. Strong, purchased considerable tracts of land at the supposed outlet on
the Wisconsin.
The Belmont & Dubuque Railroad Company was chartered in the same year to construct a
line of railroad from Belmont to the nearest and most eligible point on the Mississippi, with
power to extend it to Mineral Point and Dodgeville. After enjoying a series of vicissitudes, vy-
ing in perplexity with the career of the Mineral Point Railroad, this line was built to the present
station of Calamine, in 1868, where it unites with the latter railroad, under the management of
the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company.
The Pecatonica & Mississippi Railroad Company was chartered in 1839 to build a railroad
from Mineral Point to the nearest and most accessible point on the Mississippi. The line never
appeared, save in the heated imagination of the projectors.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 499
The costliness and magnitude of an enterprise necessary to the survey and construction of
a competent line of railroad discouraged all further attempts in that direction, and turned the
attention of the engineering fraternity to the improvement of the principal water-courses. It
was calculated, that, at a nominal outlay, the Pecatonica River, by several cuts and a system of
locks, could be transformed into a profitable channel for slack water navigation. A company,
called the Pecatonica Navigation Company, was incorporated in 1839 by the Territorial Legis-
lature to improve the navigation of the Pecatonica from Mineral Point to the Illinois State line.
After the charter was procured, a survey was made, which demonstrated the unfeasibility of the
project, and the scheme was abandoned, as were many others insufficient in importance to
deserve mention.
HARD-MONEY WEALTH.
The currency in circulation in Iowa County has always been above reproach, barring the
stigma of the Mineral Point Bank failure, which resulted disastrously to a number of those who
had intrusted their savings to the care of that institution. One reason generally assigned for
the unusual stability of Iowa County, in currency questions is, that gold and silver was the
chief circulating medium in early times. Wildcat, or paper money, subject to repudiation, was
scorned by the people, who held aloof and refused to couutenance the innovation upon their
ancient usages. Sovereigos and five-franc pieces were the principal medium of exchange, and
the people, gifted with deeply rooted ideas of the value of bullion, clung tenaciously to the gold
piece?. These coins were introduced into the county through real estate proprietors, who secured
British gold by depositing land certificates in pledge.
Receipts from the sale of mineral shipped abroad were also instrumental in sustaining a solid
gold currency. The inflation system of banking was instituted in 1836, and the country was
flooded with an illimitable amount of promissory notes which, supported by no valid securi-
ties, possessed no greater value than that represented in avoirdupois at the paper-makers. This
hemorrhage of paper notes suS"used the entire country, with the solitary exception of the min-
eral district where the miners, true to the conservative instincts of their British lineage, refused
point blank to accept it. The exceptional freedom enjoyed in this respect elicited the following
notice from the Territorial G-azette, in 1837 :
'• We have before remarked substantially, and we now repeat, that there is no other portion
of the United States that has suffered so little from the pressure of the times as Wisconsin Ter-
ritory ; we mean Western Wisconsin particularly ; of the eastern part, we cannot speak with cer-
tainty, but of the west side we can, from close observation and personal knowledge. The truth
is, that we have scarcely felt the pressure. We have, it is true, heard much of it ; it has been
rung in our ears from abroad; but our suff'erings (if they deserve the name) have been most in
apprehension, or sympathetic in their character. The wild spirit of speculation which reigned
ihere a year or more ago, has, it is true, been checked (and so much the better for that), but
the ordinary and regular routine of business has been conducted pretty much as usual. There
have been no mercantile failures which could properly be attributed to the times ; no stoppages
of payment ; no curtailment of business ; no relaxation of industry ; no pretermitting of enter-
prise, and, in a word, very little of anything real to interrupt, in a degree worthy of notice, our
steady onward march to prosperity and greatness. We have not, too, as many have, been
cursed with that bastard trash, the pretended representative of money commonly denominated
* shinplasters.' Bank notes, for ihe most part of good and solvent banks, have not been want-
ing for the ordinary transactions of business, while silver change — dollars and half-dollars — have
been abundant enough for all purposes. A Benton mint-drop, too, has been occasionally circulated
among us. Thus, while the old, rich and populous States have been organizing, under the
pressure of the times, we have been so far from it as to forbid a murmur of complaint. While a
silver dollar cannot be seen at the East in the interval of a month, and then only exhibited as ' a
oure for sore eyes,' as the saying has it, here its jingle may constantly be heard upon the count-
ers of our merchants and in the purses and pockets of our citizens. Our crops, which were
abundant and of the best quality, awarded fair cash prices, and, indeed, so far as we are
500 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
concerned ourselves, were it not for the murmurings of complaints from abroad, which will always-
meet with a sympathetic response from generous bosoms, we should hardly know there was
any distress existing in the land."
In 1841, a contraction in the currency led to a financial panic throughout the West. In
1843, recovery was speedy, and, with an unwonted elasticity, affairs resumed their wonted chan-
nel. The final crisis, in 1857, was borne with the same ease that distinguished the county in
previous financial convulsions, and the citizens emerged from the panic with unshaken confidence
in home monetary institutions.
FIRST ROADS AND HIGHWAYS.
The advancement of the mineral interests of the lead region, were the almost insu"
perable obstacles encountered in the transportation of ore to shipping-points, and receiv-
ing, in return, merchandise. The highways were merely blazed tracks through the wilder-
ness, which were at times rendered impassable by storms of rain and snow. The shortest exist-
ing route from Milwaukee to Helena and Mineral Point, was by way of Green Bay, and thence up-
the Fox River and down the Wisconsin River. No attempt, be it ever so feeble, was made to
ameliorate the passage by reducing grades or macadamizing the boggy sections of the road. Old
corduroy roads were constructed in the more densely settled regions, but, in the trunk roads run-
ning to Galena and Milwaukee, the freighter was obliged to feel his way with every precaution
in his power. The streams were unbridged, necessitating circuitous voyages to reach fording
places. In the springtime, when the streams and water-courses were swollen with the dissolved
snows of a winter's accumulation, and filled with running ice-cakes, the teamster's life was in
imminent peril. The clumsy ox-team and cumbersome wagon of antique mold, were the only
means of carriage, and for weeks these vehicles, with their patient tractive power, toiled and
labored through a desolate region, untenanted by man, and through an impenetrable depth of
" forest primeval."
A story, aptly illustrating the difficulties that environed early traveling, is related by Hon.
Henry Merrell, who started from Mineral Point on March 21, 1837, for a trip to Chicago,
where he arrived on the 26th inst. " One season," he says, " I arrived at Mineral Point on my
way to New York, and found Messrs. M. M. Strong and John Catlin were going to Chicago, and
they proposed we should all go together and strike a straight line for that place. We started
and went to the East Branch of the Pecatonica, and found it full of running ice. So we con-
cluded to encamp there, as we always went prepared with our blankets, etc., for it ; and, the
next morning, we could build a raft and float our baggage over. In the morning, we cut down
a small pine-tree and made two stringers of it, and picked up some dry limbs, putting them
across ; but we found it would not hold up our saddles. ' Well,' said Mr. Strong, ' we can swim
our horses across twice, and so get our baggage across,' and he prepared himself, putting his
papers in his hat, and swam his horse across. Leaving his hat on the opposite shore, he
returned. By this time he shook like an aspen leaf. We rolled him up in blankets, and he
lay down by the fire, trying to get us to try it, but we declined. I told him I could swim my
horse across once, but I would not try it twice, and the only way for us was to go by the West
Branch and around by Rockford. After urging us until he found it no use, and getting warmed
up, he mounted his horse and went over and got his hat and papers. Returning, we mounted
and rode over to the West Branch. There we got a canoe, and, putting our baggage in, swam
our horses over by passing several times ; thence we went to Rockford. One night we came to
what we supposed was a ravine full of water running from the prairie. Strong was on the lead.
I, watching his horse closely, thought he stepped as though there was a causeway he was going-
over. Catlin said to me, ' Here is a narrow place, I believe I will try it.' I answered, ' I see-
Strong has got over very well, I will follow him,' which I did, and Catlin followed me. But a
little further on we came to a house we were to stay at overnight. When we rode up, a man.
asked us which way we came, and how we got over the bridge ; we told him we; had not crossed
any ; when he said if we had gone ten feet either side, we would have plunged into thirty feet
of water. Strong tells the story that our horses crossed the stringers, the bridge being carried
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 501
oflF. We had a great deal of sport on the way, and I don't think either of us will ever forget the
journey."
As early as 1840, I. A. Lapham, State Surveyor, alluding to the inconveniences attendant
on the transportation of mineral from the mining districts, writes : " The great object which it
is most desirable to attain, by works of internal improvement in Wisconsin, is the transportation
of the 55,000,000 pounds of lead, copper and shot produced in the mines in the western part of
the Territory, and adjacent portions of Iowa and Illinois, to the shores of Lake Michigan, and
the supply of that ' mineral district ' with merchandise by way of the great lakes. This, and
the transportation of the surplus agricultural products of the intermediate country to market,
and the supply of goods to the interior population, it is believed, can be best accomplished by
means of a railroad from Milwaukee to the Mississippi River, a work entirely practicable.
For want of this improvement, the products of the mineral country have been transported
to the Mississippi River, and, thence by way of New Orleans and New York, back to Mil-
waukee, 150 miles from where it was produced. It is calculated that, in this way, the citizens
of the mineral country have actually lost in useless transportation of their products, a sum which
would be sufficient to construct this road.
The cost of transporting lead by wagons from Mineral Point to Milwaukee in the summer,
when the drivers can sleep in their wagons, and their cattle can find an abundance of feed on
the open prairie, is about 50 cents per 100 pounds. At other seasons, it varies from 50 cents
to $1 per 100 pounds. At this lowest rate, the fifty-five millions of pounds, if carried on a rail-
road, would yield an income of $275,000 per annum, which would be sufficient to pay the whole
cost of the railroad in a few years. But, if we take into account the increase of business conse-
quent upon this improvement, the merchandise that would be carried in return, the agricultural
and other products that would be transported on the road, and the toll derived from passengers,
we cannot resist the belief that this prospect is one that must soon attract the attention of capi-
talists, even if the people of Wisconsin should not exert themselves much to accomplish so desir-
able an improvement."
The above and subsequent treatises on the normal wealth of this country, induced
capitalists to visit the much-lauded Golconda of riches. Their visits bore fruit in after
years, when various lines of railroad were projected and carried through to completion. The
principal lines are those of the Chicago & Tomah Railroad, the Chicago & Galena Narrow-
Gauge line, the Belmont & Dubuque Railroad, and the main arteries that enter the mineral dis-
trict— the Mineral Point Railroad, and the Milwaukee & Madison line which traverses this
county from northeast to southwest. Now the swiftly gliding locomotive has revolutionized the
commerce of the land, and the once solemn and impressive forests reverberate with the whistle
and whirl of the express train as it rapidly speeds on toward the metropolitan cities, bearing
its burdens of life and death, hopes, joys and multifarious passions. The slowly throbbing
freight train has displaced the patient oxen, and now bears to the markets of the world the val-
uable ores fresh from their clayey or rocky beds.
CHRONICLES OF THE CHOLERA, '49 AND '50.
The Asiatic cholera fiirst visited the Southwest in 1849 and 1850, and ravaged the country
with a violence unequaled in medical history. All the horrors of the celebrated London plague,
were reproduced with manifold suflFerings. The populace was panic-stricken, and people fled in
every direction, with but a single thought — escape — controlling their fugitive footsteps. Parents
forsook their offspring, and children abandoned their suffisring parents. All order was set at
defiance, and an inchoate justice dictating self-preservation, governed the-actions and feelings of
the survivors. Every man for himself, and Dieu pour tous was the egotistical voice of selfish
utterances. Hamlets and the smaller burgs were depopulated in the panic. The smiling fields
offered au inviting asylum to the refugees, who swarmed into the more healthful sections, and
camped on the open prairie, free from the deadly miasma, the inevitable forerunner of the disease.
In the cities and villages, the air was odorous of a thousand disinfectants, and a pall of gloom
502 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
and mourning enshrouded the inhabitants in a reserve that bespoke sore bereavement. The fetid
atmosphere of the hollows and ravines breathed the mephitic organism of the charnel house, and
permeated the system with a penetration that sank into the vitals. Synonymous almost with the
gold fever, the dual effect was palpable in the attenuated ranks that flocked the busy marts of
trade. Between the two fires, all business was at a standstill, and the disheartened people, relaxing
courage, offered unrestricted freedom for the inroads of insidious disease.
The Asiatic cholera first appeared in New York City in the spring of 1849, having been
communicated by some emigrants, whose condition escaped the glance of the quarantine officers.
From the metropolitan city, the disease overran the Southern States, and, following the course of
the Mississippi, was imparted to that fertile and hygienic region called the valley of the Missis-
sippi. There, the fell destroyer insinuated itself through the low-lying districts in ravines and
hollows, to the lead region. Man's influence, combined with the most powerful agencies of
science, were thwarted in every opposing move. Unchecked, the plague swept forward, to the
dismay and consternation of physicians. From Galena, the germs of contagion were spread to
White Oak Springs, thence to Highland. In the latter place, the havoc was terrible, and the
citizens were mowed down by the unsparing scythe of death, with a rapidity that opened many a
gaping swath in the community. In less than three weeks, sixty-nine deaths were recorded, when the
malady disappeared, in the same unaccountable manner as it appeared.
In Mineral Point, the advent of the dread messenger was heralded by the sudden sickness
and appalling demise of Mrs. Phillip Bennet, who lived on Hoard street, and John Prideaux, Sr.
These deaths occurred June 29, 1849. Both cases were superinduced by imprudence in over-
heating the system, and sudden strictures occasioned by imbibing ice-cold drinks. Mrs. Bennet
manifested symptoms of cholera at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Medical assistance was summoned,
and the usual antidotes administered. They were powerless to avert death, which carried off its
first victim within twelve hours. Mrs. Bennet left five children in destitution. The second case,
that of Prideaux, Sr., developed under the following circumstances : Prideaux had been mining,
working in a close sultry atmosphere all day, until every muscle and fiber in the body was debili-
tated. In this super-heated condition, he returned home, and retired to a cool underground spring
house, where he drank a glass of ice-cold buttermilk, and almost instantly complained of intense pain
in the abdomen. This attack was followed by acute diarrhoea, and before four hours had elapsed
a second victim was enumerated among the fatal cases of cholera. To attempt to trace the con-
tagion, would be futile. A commensurate understanding of the dreadful epidemic can only be
entertained by those who manfully withstood the storm, and waited in chastened patience for
the silver lining to the cloud of their discontent.
The first case that disturbed the halcyon repose of the residents of Dodgeville, occurred in
Norway Hollow, three miles east of the village. Mrs. Eaton first succumbed, and her fate was
onlv the first of a powerful host, who followed her to an untimely grave.
The majority of incipient cases were relieved when medical precautions were wisely fol-
lowed ; but, when the physical powers had collapsed, and the case was attended with corru-
gated surface, the patient's fate was sealed. He or she was doomed to die. The first premoni-
tory symptom was acute diarrhoea, which, in those days of plague, was considered an infallible
indication of the germs of contagion in the system. The favorite specific administered was a
compound of laudanum, tincture of camphor, and pepper, or a very little opiate. Brandy was
sparingly doled out by the physicians, but copiously assimilated by the majority of citizens, who
considered this liquor the best antiseptic.
It is a noteworthy fact that the greatest tippler in Mineral Point — a certain peripatetic
whiksy-barrel, facetiously termed the "Commodore" — escaped unscathed. His filthy habits
were, notoriously, town gossip ; yet, notwithstanding his constant exposure, day and night, to the
fury of the elements, his fondness for an oozy couch in the gutter, and general disregard for
sanitary rules, he emarged from the plague unshorn of his physical powers. In contradistinc-
tion are numerous cases where men of strong temperance proclivities, refusing to stimulate their
sluggish blood with the proffered cordial, sank to the grave.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 503
THE SECOND VISITATION, '51.
In 1851, the cholera returned with redoubled vigor, and decimated households and communi-
ties. Those who, on the first visitation, had braved an attack, now fled, terror-stricken ; but the
country homes and farmers' residences offered no protection, as the doors were resolutely closed
to all intruders.
Wingville, in Grant County, was first assailed. Cholera appeared there in a rambling
rookery, originally intended for a miners' boarding-house. When the mines were exhausted,
the miners removed, and the building was converted into a tenement-house. Under the house
was a large excavation, or cellar, used by the tenants in common to bestow the refuse and gar-
bage of the various households. One day, after a furious summer shower, the cellar was inun-
dated, and the decomposed vegetable matter floated around on the surface. Under the indirect
heat of the sun's rays, the fetid mass emitted an overpowering odor, that assailed olfactory or-
gans at a considerable distance. The miasma was perceived on Saturday afternoon, and, on that
night, several of the inmates were attacked with cholera. A special messenger was dispatched
for medical help, to Dodgeville. Dr. Sibley responded, in hot haste, to the urgent call, but,
before he arrived, six patients had paid the debt of nature.
Dr. Sibley, irrelevant of his personal safety, remained in the tenement, eating and
sleeping there, and constantly breathing the vitiated air. His compassionate soul was stirred
with the heart-rending scene, and he exerted himself strenuously to mitigate the suSering and
alleviate the dying pangs. Under this incessant mental and bodily strain, his constitution weak-
ened, and afforded a foothold for the insidious disease, and he finally resolved to return home
with a lady companion, Mrs. Storms. In passing through Montfort, Wis., he was accosted
from Beemer's tavern, and, on solicitation, parted with his last quantity of medicine — a very
eflScacious remedy, of which he alone possessed the secret. On nearing Dodgeville, when within
three miles of the village. Dr. Sibley began to feel faint. Mrs. Storms called to some men em-
ployed shingling an adjacent house, to succor the Doctor. They lifted him tenderly out of his
buggy and carried him into the house, where he expired in a few minutes, a martyr to his pro-
fession. The date of his death was August 23, 1851.
The malady extended from Grant County to Highland, where it did terrible execution,
killing sixty-nine persons within a month, and driving nearly all of the citizens and both doctors
out of the place. A sanitary committee was organized, under the management of Amasa Cobb,
Bonfires were kept burning, cannons fired off regularly, and disinfectants used in profusion ;
but to no avail ; nothing could stay the ravages of the fearful messenger of death.
The first case at Mineral Point, in the second year, was that of a man and his wife from
Dodgeville, who had come to pay a friendly visit to some relatives living on the high hill near
the mill. They arrived on Saturday night, and were buried on the next day.
Among those who labored earnestly in their profession and maintained a vigilant watch
while their professional brethren were fleeing the doomed country, were Drs. Van Dusen and J,
H. Vivian, of Mineral Point, and Dr. Burrell, of Dodgeville.
On May 8, 1851, Eber Polk, Samuel Thomas and P. W. Thomas, J. P., organized under
Chapter 26, of the Revised Statutes of Wisconsin, as a Board of Health of Mineral Point.
The effect of this organization was soon apparent in the purified alleys and cleansed sewers, and
the removal of nuisances which no longer saluted the eye with an offensive display, or greeted
the nostrils with a redundant rancidity.
Following is a diary kept during the cholera, which, although not professing to mention
one-fourth of the fatalities, covers the progress of the contagion in Mineral Point and locality :
June 29, 1849 — Two fatal cases of cholera. Mrs> Phillip Bennet, on Hoard street, was
taken with cholera at 3 A. M., Wednesday, which terminated fatally in twelve hours.
John Prideaux, Sr., aged thirty, attacked at 1 P. M., Wednesday — fatal in eleven hours.
Medical assistance not obtained until the evening.
June 4 — Richard Burnett died at Diamond Grove, after returning from St. Louis.
604 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
August 10 — Twelve have died of cholera ; 20th — Death of Mrs. Laurancy, wife of Gardner
Lamps, and of Arran J. Minor, a brother-in-law of Mrs. Lamps ; 27th — death of Joseph James ;
28th — Mrs. Joseph James. Mrs. Catherine Wasley; 30th — Richard Crocker, Sr., Mrs. Eliza
Mcllhon, Johnson Smith, Mrs. William Lancaster, James Richardson, Mrs. Mary Gunderson,
Luke Swayne and wife, Nicholas Curry and three children.
June 25, 1859 — Josiah Marks, from Dodgeville ; 30th — A woman and child from Dodgeville,
name not given.
August 5 — Mrs. Elizabeth Meadows, Dr. David Ross, John Thomas, Amelia Nebeldine ;
6th — Mrs. Thompson, Mr. Hamilton; 17th — An unknown child; 10th — Mr. Allen; 13th—
Rachel Meadows ; 14th — Elizabeth Smith ; 15th — J. Ramsay, J. Oleson ; 16th — A child of
Phillip Eaton; 19th— A child of Mr. Troy, a Galena teamster ; 20th — Mrs. Dr. Ross, Mrs.
Hoskins ; 21st — An unknown Charley, confectioner ; 22d — Frank Healey, Luke Avery, Joseph,
a colored man ; 23d — Thomas Stuzaker, a child of Mr. Oats ; 24th — Two children of Mr. Tomp-
kins; 25th — An unknown German; 27th — William Thomas; 28th — James L. Vance, Mrs.
Hornbrook, Mr. Jacka ; 29th^An unknown German, J. Garreta Pulford; 30th — Mr. Schen-
oneh, Elizabeth Tompkins and two children; 31st — Mrs. Murrish, an unknown miner.
September 1 — Mrs.E. Harris; 2d — Thomas Terrill, Sr.; 3d — A son of William Thomas; 5th
— Mr. E. Phillips, Mr. Harris; 8th — Cromwell Lloyd; 10th — A child of Joseph Lampshire, a
child of Ed Prideaux; 11th — Mrs. John Champion; 16th — Richard Gundry; 17th — A son of
R. Gundry, Thomas Riddell ; 21st — Mrs. Ann Pryor ; 27th — Three children of Abraham Golds-
worthy ; 28th — A child of Edward Cornish, Charles Nauveldon, William Edwards, a child of
Thomas Vincent, Thomas Hambley.
LAND SWINDLING SCHEMES.
During the Territorial days, and even for many years after, land speculation and swindling
of all kinds ran rampant. Various devices for entrapping the unwary into purchasing valueless
lands, were the most common as well as profitable methods of fleecing the uninitiated. The lands
were graded according to their relative value for farming or mining purposes, at prices ranging
from 50 cents up to $1.25 per acre. Some rogue would come along and enter the very cheap-
est that he could get, which was always at the best very poor, then, with his patent in his pocket,
he would repair to some Eastern city professing to be a business man, desirous of making a pur-
chase of goods for the Western trade or to take into the mineral regions, where he owned large
quantities of very valuable land, which, as a matter of course, he desired to exchange or to use
as security in part, at least, for his purchases. This ruse was very often successful ; but the
Worst feature of these affairs was that those who ordinarily made such exchanges, were people
who wanted to obtain lands "out West" to live upon, and who were thus, in some instances,
stripped of everything they had, for, in ninety-nine cases out of a hundred, the lands were utterly
untillable, or, if they were tillable, they would not even raise beans.
Another trick very often attempted and sometimes successful, was in this wise : A stranger
would come into the country and announce his intention to purchase land. No sooner did it
become known what his object was, than he received numerous attentions both from rogues and
honest men, who were anxious to show him around and assist him to make a desirable selection.
If he was so unfortunate as to fall into the hands of a "professional," his fate was very likely
sealed. He would be " dined and wined " and marched around to his heart's content, and would
be shown the very best land in the country, nearly all of which was sure to belong to his guide,
or to have been placed in his hands for sale. But, as said guide was very desirous of having the
country settled up by men of enterprise and intelligence, he would sacrifice personal interest
and let the land go at the nominal price of fl.25 per acre, or what Uncle Sam charged. Ac-
cordingly, where a sale was effected, a deed would be drawn or contract entered into, for certain
lands which were, of course, numbered to suit the man of intrigue, and represented 50-cent
land. Then our artful swindler would have a few preliminaries to settle before the business was
concluded, which would cause some delay, but the purchaser could, if he desired to do so, find a
MlNEF(AL POINT.
HISTORY or IOWA COUNTY. 507
safe place of deposit for his money until the business was concluded, so that a perfect title to the
land could be given. The titles were usually all right, but alas for the lands, when the buyer
" looked where they was they was not there."
Of land speculators there were very many, who, beginning with a little money, realized be-
fore the harvest was over handsome fortunes. Their business was done on an eminently safe
plan ; but, in the majority of cases, it was no less a swindle than any other robbery. A poor
man would come into the country and look around until he found a desirable location. Then he
would make a pre-emption claim, and " trust to luck " to pull through and pay for it. Often
this would commence the struggle for bread and for a home, which generally found him at the
end of his year just where he began. The next thing to be done was to obtain aid. Having
made some improvements, this was an easy matter ; all that he had to do was to go to the capi-
talist, let him enter the land, he giving a bond for a deed when the purchase money and a liberal
interest was paid, according to the conditions of the contract. The programme being settled,
the next thing to be done by the capitalist was to make the entry, which, in nearly every case,
was done with soldiers' land- warrants purchased at one-fourth or less than that of their value.
In doing this, the speculator ran no risk, nor indeed did he feel it at all necessary to go and
look at the land, for in no case would a person be willing to improve and run in debt for worth-
less land. In the event, if the land was redeemed, well and good, the land merchant would make
at the least 400 or 500 per cent on his investment. Otherwise, equally well and good, for he
would have the land which was certain to be as good as any to be obtained. Many other schemes
for making money out of the ignorant or unsuspicious were in vogue at that time, but those
spoken of were the most notorious and generally successful. So it is that villainy fattens on the
labors of honorable industry.
CHAPTER T.
Official Records— La Fayette and Montgomert Counties — State Government and Sub.
SEQUENT Reforms— Past and Present County Buildings— Judicial Districts and First
Cases— The County Seat War— County Poor House and Farm.
official records.
Iowa County, one of the original sections of Wisconsin Territory, was organized by an act
of the Legislative Council of the Territory of Michigan, approved October 29, 1829, to go
into operation on the ensuing January. The area embraced all of the present State of Wiscon-
sin south of the Wisconsin River and west of a line drawn due north from the northern bound-
ary of Illinois through the middle of the portage between the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers. Samuel
W. Beale and Louis Grignon, of Brown County, and Joseph M. Street, of Crawford County, were
nominated, in the same act. Commissioners to select the county seat of the new county. They
were required to perform the duty on or before January 1, 1830, and file their written decision
with the County Clerk, and the place designated by them was to become the county seat. A
stipulation in the act provided that, in the event of the Commissioners not making any return,
then the county seat was to be temporarily established at Mineral Point. The county was
divided into five precincts, for voting purposes, which were known as Pecatonica, Blue Mound,
Fever River, Platte and Wisconsin.
The report of the Commissioners is not on file ; consequently, it is not generally known that
the town of their choice was old Helena, a settlement, which, at one time, gave promise of
speedy development. The first session of the County Court was held here, but, owing to the
paucity of the population, it was impossible to procure a full panel of jurors.
The Judge was James Duane Doty ; Warner Lewis acted as Clerk. The court was convened
by J. P. Cox, as Sheriff", and, in the absence of jurors, was immediately adjourned. The case
recorded for trial was a breach of martial law. The county seat was then transferred to Min-
eral Point, the center of the mining district, which teemed with life and industry.
The first meeting of the Board of Supervisors was held in May, 1830. Owing to the absence
of the official records, the nature of the business transacted by them becomes a mere matter of con-
jecture. They evidently appointed, as Clerk, John L. Chasten, whose name figures subsequently
in a discharge for dereliction of duty, in not attending the sessions of the board. M. G. Fitch
was appointed in his stead. The sum of $11 was voted James Scantlin for the use of his house
during the October term of the Circuit Court. At the October session, a log cabin was pur-
chased of G. B. Cole, of Mineral Point, wherein to incarcerate all malevolent individuals whose
conduct rendered them amenable to the Territorial laws. The munificent sum of $50 was paid
for this, the first county jail. The calaboose, which was nothing but a rude hut, was in an
advanced stage of dilapidation, requiring immediate repairs, which were executed at a cost of
$50 — equal to the purchase money. Jonas Meirs was awarded the contract, and W. W. Wood-
bridge was allowed $1 for a plan of the repairs. Thomas McCraney presented his bill for $50,
for services in transporting the laws of the Territory from Green Bay to Mineral Point. Payment
was refused, and a resolution was adopted characterizing the charge as excessive and exorbitant.
Among the very earliest appointments was a Sheriff", James P. Cox having first discharged the
obligations of that office in consideration for certain perquisites.
At the session of the board that occurred in April, 1831, the representatives in attendance
were Robert C. Hoard, of Pecatonica Township, Isaac Martin, of Wisconsin, and James Mur-
phey, of Fever River. Blue Mounds District did not elect a Supervisor. A majority being
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 509
present, they resolved themselves into a court and proceeded to business. This was the first
session of the board that made any pretensions to regularity in the method of procedure, and we
are to presume the county affairs were conducted with a gravity and deliberative ceremony com-
mensurate with the onerous duties devolving on the three. The County Treasurer's report was
received, audited and adopted, but, as to what was the source of revenue, how much or how little,
no clew is afforded. It was resolved that licenses be issued to applicants to enable them to law-
fully retail spirituous liquors, or to retail merchandise. The license was to be signed by the
Supervisors and attested by the Clerk, who was instructed to make out forty copies forthwith.
Rigid economy must have prevailed in those early times, which is rendered all the more glar-
ing when contrasted with the lawless extravagance of our degenerate days. All bills were pro-
tested in a manner that must have sorely tested the amiability of the creditors. A Sheriff's bill
for Jailer's expenses at $15 dollars a month, was denounced as exorbitant. Samuel W. Beale,
who was appointed by the Legislature as one of the Commissioners to locate the county seat,
presented a bill for $100 compensation for forty days' services. The amount was reduced to
$65, and paid. For transcribing the original county records from loose sheets of paper and fur-
nishing a book for the same, M. G. Fitch was rewarded with $4. With a modesty worthy of
imitation, the Supervisors only allowed themselves remuneration at 75 cents a day. In 1831,
they awarded the contract for constructing a new jail to John Brown, for the sum of $538,
George B. Cole going security. The jail was to be located on the north side of a lot of land
occupied by James Scantlin, in Mineral Point.
In August of the same year, the precinct of Grant was attached to Platte for electoral
purposes.
The first legal services were rendered to the board by John Turney, who received $10 for
representing the county in a disputed tax case in the Circuit Court.
The administration of the civil laws was attended with measures that would now be stigma-
tized as barbarous, but which, in the early era of a new country, were essential to the safety of
life and limb. Among the artful devices for suppressing rebellious instincts in unruly prisoners
were the stocks, an inseparable adjunct of every well-regulated jail. On inspecting the new
house of detention, the Supervisors noted the absence of iron stocks, and therefore refused to
accept the building from the contractor. The want was supplied in two weeks, when the work
was approved.
The assessment roll for 1831 aggregated $58,777, and it was ordered that a tax of 1 per
cent be levied in addition to a poll tax of $1 per head, to which 480 persons were liable. A
penurious feeling governed all the actions of the board, which permeated all branches of the
administration, and secured to the tax-payers at least a reduction of assessments. Costly jus-
tice, with its many channels for extravagance, was mastered and rendered subservient to the pre-
vailing rule, as shown by a resolution allowi'ig Robert Dougherty 98|- cents for trying and com-
mitting William Dolby and Michael Bushey. During the excitement attendant on the
Black Hawk war, the jail at Mineral Point was razed to supply timber for constructing Fort
Jackson. For this act of its officers, the Federal Government compensated the county by paying
$18.80.
By an act of the Sixth Legislative Council of the Territory of Michigan, approved Sep-
tember 6, 1834, the eastern boundary of Iowa County was changed to the principal meridian
dividing the Green Bay and Wisconsin Districts. This gave Iowa County a strip of territory
three miles wide and on its eastern side, and constituted what is now the range line between
Ranges 9 and 10, the boundary line on the east.
The first census was taken in 1 835, when the following officers canvassed the accompany-
ing districts : Levi Sterling, Pecatonica ; Stephen GofF and Henry Messersmith, Wisconsin ;
Joseph R. Vineyard, Platte; M. G. Fitch, Idue Mounds, and Orris McCartney for Grant.
The illicit sale of whisky (at twenty cents a gallon) proving a fruitful source of annoyance
to all law-abiding citizens, the Supervisors at their April session undertook to repress its sale, or,
at least, to confine it to licensed vendors. As they could not abolish the sale of liquors, they
510 HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY.
made a virtue out of a necessity, and proscribed grocers, or merchants other than saloon-keep-
ers, from vending the ardent. The proscription was completely ignored, if the following pre-
amble and resolution, adopted December 29, 1835, is to be credited :
Whereas, The resolution of the Board of Supervisors adopted April, 1835, has failed to produce the intended
effect of suppressing the sale of ardent spirits by persons other than licensed tavern-keepers, be it therefore
Resolved, That from and after the 1st day of January, 1836, licenses be granted for the keepers of groceries
for one year at the rate of $32 in addition to a trader's license, when goods or merchandise other than spirits are
sold, anything in the resolution referred to, to the contrary notwithstanding.
The generous and benevolent spirit in which the evil was accepted as one of the necessities
of life must have won for the promoters of the resolution the heartfelt respect of the community,
as ever after, the spirit, if not the letter of the law was observed. The first Coroner's allowance
appears in favor of J. H. Gentry, who was rewarded with the sum of $15 for holding inquisi-
tions on the bodies of Edward J, Chaney and a Menomonee Indian, whose complex cognomen
must have defied the efforts of early scribes to engross, as the name does not appear in the
vouchers. This year, the township of Grant, now Fever River, made default in not organizing
by the election of ofiicers, and consequently they were annexed respectively to the townships of
Wisconsin and Pecatonica.
The act establishing ihe. Territorial Government of Wisconsin, approved by Congress
April 20, 1836, divided the Territory into three counties — Brown, Iowa and Crawford. These
were the original counties embraced within its borders.
Brown County included all the country east of a line drawn due north and south through
the portage, between the Wisconsin and Neenah Rivers.
Iowa embraced all west of that line, and south of the Wisconsin River.
Crawford occupied all the remainder, or all west of that line, and north of the Wisconsin
River.
These boundaries are given to allow the reader to more correctly realize the radical changes
that have re-organized the original Territory, and established over a score of counties. Under
the Territorial law, the County Treasurer was obliged to give bonds of $4,000, as security for
the faithful discharge of the duties of his office. At the first election for county officers under
the new law, the following precincts were represented. Mineral Point, Diamond Grove, Dodge-
ville, Helena, Willow Springs, Wiota, Madison, Blue Mounds, Belmont, Blue River, Fever
River, Buncomb, White Oak Springs, Gratiot's Grove, Elk Grove and Skinners.
By an act of the first Territorial Legislature of Wisconsin, approved Dec. 8, 1836, Iowa
County, was divided and re-organized. That portion lying west of the Fourth Principal Meridian
was set off as Grant County. All that part lying east of the range line between Ranges 5 and
6 east, was attached to Green and Dane Counties. The balance of the old county of Iowa was
constituted a new county, still retaining the same name. By the same act, the county seat was
located at Mineral Point. After the organization of Wisconsin Territory and the rehabilitation
of Iowa County, the first meeting of the Board of Commissioners was held at Mineral Point
April 2, 1838. William A. Deering, Robert C. Hoard and Francis C. Kirkpatrick were
present and were administered the oath of office. Oliver P. Williams was elected clerk. At
this meeting, Abner Nichols was appointed to examine the court house and determine what
repairs were necessary to render the building suitable for habitation. The repairs were of a
very comprehensive nature, and their demand reflected but little credit on the builder. They
were described in a report as given herewith : " Lath and plaster all around and overhead. Be-
low to be weather-boarded with one-inch furrow lines, put on with strong spikes. Buttoned
shutters to be hung on the upper windows. Ceiled overhead ; ceiling to be matched. Walls to
be lathed and plastered, and lined with chair boards. The lower room to be supplied with a neat
bar and jury benches and boxes."
The County Clerk and District Court Clerk were ordered to secure suitable apartments at
Mineral Point. An application to lease the court house for school purposes was made. On
Septeraber 10, 1838, the first recorded election was held. The number of votes cast was 832.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 511
William Sublette was elected Treasurer, John Bracken, Collector, and J. D. G. Fenelon, Clerk of
the board. The Court of Record was the Territorial District Court, and Charles Dunn was the
Presiding Judge.
The old Territorial road was the first, and, for a long time, remained the only highway
through the county until in 1838 roads were surveyed and laid out between Mineral Point and
Willow Springs ; from Mineral Point to the Territorial road, connecting Blue Mounds and
White Oak Springs, intersecting it later at Bedford. From 1838, the country was invaded
by an army of settlers and miners, for whose wants roads were ramified through every section
of the county.
The first toll bridge was built by Jamieson Hamilton over the Pecatonica, in the vicinity of
his house, where the Blue Mounds Territorial road crossed the stream in Section 3, Town 2, Range
8 east. He was accorded the privilege, on paying to the County Board the cost of the bridge,
plus 10 per cent. Mr. Hamilton controlled the traffic at this point until 1846, when he disposed
of all his rights and transferred the bridge to the county for $150.
By an enactment of the Territorial Legislature, approved February 18, 1842, Richland
County was erected and temporarily attached to the county of Iowa, for all county and judicial
purposes. The same act authorized the Commissioners of Iowa County, to assess all the real
and personal property of its protege which had been assessed in Crawford County, and collect
the same as provided by law. Abner Nichols, James Murphy and John Ray were appointed
Commissioners to locate the county seat. The second section of the act authorizing the Assessors
of Iowa County to assess personal property, was repealed in 1845.
In 1848, three additional polling-places were set off, namely. Porter's Grove, Gratiot and
Richland. The precinct of Fretwell's Diggings was set oif in 1844. In accordance with the
statutes of Wisconsin, the county was divided into three assessing districts, as follows : District
1, Ranges 1 and 2, Moses Whiteside, Assessor ; District 2 to comprise Range 8 and the west
half of Range 5 and west half of Range 4, assigned to Samuel Davis ; District 3 to comprise the
east half of Ranges 4 and 5, assigned to Joel 0. Landrum to assess. This year, the first map
of Iowa County was drafted by Leander Judson, County Surveyor. He disposed of it to the
County Board for $50. By an act of the Fourth Territorial Legislature, the fall term of the
District Court was fixed for the fourth Monday in October, and the spring term for the first
Monday in March.
LA FAYETTE AND MONTSOMERY COUNTIES.
By an act of the Legislature, entitled "An Act to Divide the County of Iowa and Estab-
lish the Counties of La Fayette and Montgomery," approved January 31, 1846, the county was
divided. The enactment reads as follows :
Section 1. That Towns I, 2 and 3, of Ranges 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, east of the Fourth Principal Meridian, and
Sections 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35 and 3B, in Town 4, of Ranges 1, 2, 3, 4 and
5 east, shall constitute and form a county to be called La Fayeite.
That all that tract of country lying south of the Wisconsin River, in Towns 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9, in Ranges 1, 2, 3,
4 and 5 east, of the Fourth Principal Meridian, and in Sections 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15. 16, 17
and 18, in Town 4, of Ranges 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 east, shall constitute and form a county to be called Montgomery.
Seo. 3. The County Commissioners of the county of Iowa are hereby authorized and empowered to borrow, at
a rate of interest not exceeding 10 per cent per annum, the sum of $200, and with the money so borrowed the said
County Commissioners shall, by the 1st day of May next, select and enter or purchase one quarter-section of Ian I in
Section 9 or Section 10, or in the south half of Sections 3 or 4, or in the north half of Section 15, in Town 2 of Range
3 east, and the quarter-section thus selected a id entered or purchased shall be the county seat of La Fayette, and, if
this act shall be adopted by the people, as hereinafter provided, then the said quarter-section shall be and remain the
property of said county of La Fayette, and, in consideration thereof, the said county of La Fayette shall be and become
liable to pay said loan according to the tenor, terms and considerations on which the same shall be made, and, if this
act shall not be adopted by the people in the manner hereinafter provided, then said quarter-section shall be and
remain the property of the present county of Iowa, and the said county of Iowa shall be and become liable to pay said
loan according to the tenor, terms and conditions on which the some shall be made.
Seo. 4. The County Commissioners of the county of Iowa are hereby authorized to borrow, at a rate of interest
not exceeding 10 per centum per annum, an additional sum of $200, with which they shall, by the first day of May
next, select and enter, or purchase, a quarter-section of land in Sections 21, 22 or 15, in Town 6 of Range 3 east, and
the quarter-section thus selected and entered, or purchased, shall be the county seat of Montgomery County, and, if
this act shall be adopted by the people in the manner hereinafter provided, the said quarter-section in Town 6, of Range
512 HISTORY or IOWA COUNTY.
3 east, shall be and remain the property of said county of Montgomery, and in consideration thereof the said county
of M mtgomery shall be and become liable to pay last aforesaid loan, according to the tenor, terms and conditions on
which the same shall be made, and if this act shall not be adopted by the people in the manner hereinafter provided,
then said quarter-section shall be and remain the property of the present county of Iowa, and the said county of
Iowa shall be and become liable to pay said loan, according to the tenor, terms and conditions on which the same
shall he made.
Sec. 5. The County Commissioners, so soon as they shall have made such selections and entries, shall give
public notice, in some newspaper of general circulation in the said county, of the two quarter-sections aforesaid,
which they shall have selected and entered or purchased.
Sec. 6. At the general annual election, to be held in September next, all the voters in said county of Iowa
authorized by law to vote for delegates to Congress shall vote for or against this act by depositing a ballot with the
Judges of Election, on which shall be written or printed the words " For the county division law " or " Against the
county division law," which ballots shall be canvassed and returned in the manner provided by law for canvassing
and returning the votes for county ofScers, and the result of said election shall be published by the Clerk of the
Board of County Commissioners of Iowa County in some newspaper of general circulation in said county.
Sec. 7. If a majority of said voters shull approve of this act as aforesaid, then the Legislature of Wiseon-
si ', at its next session, shall provide by law for the full organization of said counties, and this act shall go into effect
from and after said organization.
Sec. 8. In case this act shall be approved by the people as aforesaid, the debts and liabilities of the county of
Iowa >^hall be divided between said counties, and each of said counties shall pay such a proportion of said debts and
liabilities as their population respectively, to be ascertained by the next census to be taken, shall bear to the whole
population of Iowa County, and the property and effects of said county shall be divided between said counties in the
same proportion.
In compliance with the foregoing law, William Barrett, Thomas K. Gibson and Madison
Brooke were appointed Commissioners to locate the county seat for the new county of La Fay-
ette. The quarter-section of land was acquired from Jamieson Hamilton, by purchase and
exchange. The funds were supplied by Martial Cottle, who received a bond for $150, bearing
interest at 10 per cent, and William Fields a similar bond for $50. A.t the election, a majority
of the voters declared in favor of a division. Accordingly, at the next session of the Legislature,
pursuant to enactment. La Fayette County was set off. At this session the remainder of the
county was permitted to retain the old name of Iowa, in preference to the innovation of Mont-
gomery. At the July session of the Iowa County Commissioners, it was ordered that, as the
Board of Supervisors of La Fayette County had refused to receive the old Iowa County orders
for its revenue for the year 1847, in the view of the board, it would be impolitic and inexpedient
for the present Iowa County to receive old Iowa County orders for the revenue of 1847. until
after the first Monday in December next, when the indebtedness of the respective counties of
La Fayette and Iowa would be ascertained according to the requirements of law. On the speci-
fied day the Commissioners of La Fayette County made default, in not attending the arbitra-
tion meeting for the settlement of their indebtedness. This action provoked some bitterness,
and the relations between the parent and child were assuming a hostile tone, when the finances
were satisfactorily adjusted at a meeting held December 23, 1847. By this agreement, Iowa
County assumed the responsibility to pay all debts that were to accrue or had accrued, excepting
the costs and expenses arising from a suit pending against La Fayette County, by which Henry
Corwith, Matthew Newkirk and others were the plaintiffs. On the other hand, the county of
La Fayette relinquished and transferred all her rights to a part of Lot 53, in Mineral Point,
wherein was erected the court house and public offices, and was to pay $750 to Iowa County ;
also, the latter county was to receive all dues and land papers that belonged to the old county of
Iowa. This agreement was consummated at a joint meeting of the two boards, whereat the fol-
lowing representatives were present: John Mullanphy, A. A. Camp and F. C. Kirkpatrick, of
Iowa, and John Griffin and John Van Matre, of La Fayette County.
STATE GOVERNMENT AND SUBSEQUENT REFORMS.
In January, 1846, a bill passed Congress, submitting the question of a State Constitution
to the electors of Wisconsin, and the Territory was divided into election districts. The law was
ratified by a majority of the electors, and, at a subsequent election, delegates were chosen to
represent Iowa County at the Convention for forming a State Constitution. Moses M. Strong,
HISTORY or IOWA COUNTY. 513
William R. Smith, Miriam E. Whiteside, Thomas I. James, Moses Meeker, Andrew Burnside,
D. M. Parkison, William J. Madden, Blihu B. Goodsell and Joshua L. White were elected.
This Convention met at Madison October 5, 1846, and, after a protracted session, adopted
a Constitution, which was submitted to the voters at the spring election. At the same time, the
people voted on granting suffrage to colored persons. The Constitution was accepted by the county
by a vote of 1,444 to 1,417, but was rejected by the State at large. The question of suffrage
was answered by a vote of sixty-nine in favor to an overwhelming opposition of 2,500. A second
convention convened in 1847, when Iowa County was represented by Stephen P. Hollenbeck,
Charles Bishop and Joseph Ward. To this Convention, the State is indebted for the Constitution,
which, after having been approved by a popular vote, formed the basis of the present State law.
By an act, approved February 10, 1847, the location of the county seat was submitted to
the voters in April, 1847. Mineral Point proved the favorite choice of the votors, who, by a
majority of 219, selected that city for the county seat.
The first Board of Supervisors in the county, after the admission of Wisconsin to the Union
as a State, was elected, April 3, 1849, and consisted of ten members. At a general election
the same year, all necessary county ofiBcers were elected. Parley Eaton being chosen the first
County Judge.
Under the State provisions, the fiscal affairs of the county were conducted with wisdom and
caution, such as became a fully organized county. At a meeting of the board, convened in June,
1849, the following resolutions were recorded, deprecating the laxity that prevailed under pre-
vious administrations.
Resolved, That the Board of Supervisors of Iowa County, before closing the labors of the present session, fee_
it their bounden duty that the public be apprised of some of the difficulties by which they are surrounded in adjust
ing the financial affairs of the county.
The reckless improvidence of the former Board of Commissioners for the support of paupers, and the allow-
ance made to officers of the county, and even to themselves in shape of extra services, allowing bills of costs to
officers of the courts, in some instances, at more than twice the sums given by the statutes ; receiving from the Collect-
ors delinquent taxes year after year without holding them to a strict responsibility, are among the principal causes
of the great depreciation of county property at this time.
The books in the Clerk's office have been so carelessly and negliently kept, without system or arrangement,
and not having even been posted, that it is impossible at this time for the board to ascertain either the liabilities or
the funds belonging to the county ; and the Treasurer's office also needs reform and arrangement, the accounts in
that office being confused.
And also the Judge of the Circuit Court, failing to hold the April term of said court according to law. and the
District Attorney not being at his post at that time, has further increased the liability of the county at least |1,000
in the pay of the different officers of the court, jury fees, and for the support of prisoners confined in jail, that
were ready and ought to have been tried at that term of court.
The Chairman was instructed to procure the services of some competent persons to audit
the county records, examine the books, and compare the town files with the returns in the
County Clerk's oflSce. The different ofiicers were cited before the board, and subjected to
a rigid examination. The besom of reform was new, and a clean sweep was made in every
department. To facilitate the investigation, $400 were appropriated to defray expenses. After
this purifying and wholesome disinfection, an epoch of serenity and contentment dawned upon
the community, and, for over a decade, county legislation was effected only by the ordinary
experiences inseparable from the transaction of county business.
From this blissful slumber, the citizens were aroused by an agitation having for its object
the removal of the county seat to Dodgeville, which eventuated in the caustic internecine war-
fare known as the "county seat war." On petition of the tax-payers of Waldwick for a divi-
sion of the town, an election was held in April, 1860, and, a majority vote having been polled in
favor of the division. Towns 4 and 5 north, of Range 5 east, were set off and organized as the
town of Moscow. According to the provisions of the Revised Statutes of Wisconsin, in 1861,
the county was divided into three Supervisors' districts. District 1 consisted of the towns of
Mifflin, Linden, Mineral Point, Waldwick, Moscow and the city of Mineral Point. District
No. 2 comprised the towns of Ridgeway, Dodgeville, Highland and the village of Dodgeville.
District No. 3 included the remainder of towns of Wyoming, Clyde, Arena and Pulaski.
•^14 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
The ominous calm that ensued during the succeeding ten years can easily, iix the light of
subsequent events, be characterized as the forerunner of the terrible storm then brewing, which
culminated in the bitter litigation on the validity of certain railroad bonds granted as a loan to
the Mineral Point Railroad. A separate chapter is devoted to this topic in all its ramified
details.
In March, 1871, in deference to a minority of the electors of the town of Ridgeway, an
election was held to vote on the question of dividing the town in the center on the north-and-
south line and erecting two new towns. The proposition was defeated at the polls. Dur-
ing this year, the Treasurer's books, on examination, failed to correspond with the sworn
returns of George H. Otis, the late Treasurer. A deficit was evident, and criminal proceed-
ings were instituted against the offender. Armed with a State warrant, the Sheriff proceeded
to arrest the defaulter, who, getting wind of his approach, fled from the country. A true bill
was returned against him by the grand jury at the next session of the County Court, but Otis
has since managed to evade the "lynx-eyed law " and retain his personal liberty. Another
case of embezzlement cropped up in 1872, when Francis Vivian, a venerable and trusted ofiicer
of the county, was accused of not returning to the Board of Supervisors various sums of money
received and entered in his books. The accused strenuously asseverated his complete innocence
of the grave charge, and volunteered to submit his books to be audited by a special committee.
The examination revealed a deficiency of about $15,000, and also demonstrated that the ex-
Sheriff had been victimized to that extent by the machinations of his deputies, in whom he
had confided implicitly. Mr. Vivian was so deeply affected and sorely grieved by the incul-
pating testimony that he was totally prostrated mentally and physically. To erase the stain
occasioned by the betrayal of his subordinates, he disposed of his property, and by other meana
raised the amount of $5,300, with which a compromise was effected.
PAST AND PRESENT COUNTY BUILDINGS.
In 1835, the people of Mineral Point subscribed $575 toward building a court house, and
the Sheriff, Levi Sterling, was directed to contract for the erection of a suitable edifice. The
specifications provided for a building 24 feet square, of hewn logs, and two stories in height.
The lower floor was to be 8 feet in the clear, and the upper story was to measure 7 feet.
Both stories to have strong oaken joists and sleepers, with oaken flooring of one-and-one-fourth-
inch plank. The upper story was to be divided into four rooms with plank partitions, and the
roof was to be covered with shingles in a workmanlike manner. Winding stairs, encased from
the level of the windows, were to communicate with the upper floor. Three rooms were to have
one window each, and the doors were to be hung with good butt hinges and screws. The
Judges' bench was to be elevated two feet from the level of the floor, with proper steps. A
table seven feet long was to be provided for the bar and Clerk of the Court. Both rooms on
the upper and lower floor were to be supplied with seats for the jury. The upper rooms were
to be ceiled with half-inch plank having the under side dressed. The building was to be well
stocked and pointed with lime mortar ; furnished with good and suflBcient sash for the windows,
with good glass put in with putty. The Sheriff was allowed the option of using stone or wood
for the floor of the lower story.
During the year 1842, the necessity of a county building for the centralization of the county
business, was rendered obviously manifest by the incessant inconvenience occasioned by the loca-
tion of the courts and Sheriff's ofiices in one part of the town, while the other officers were quar-
tered elsewhere. The loss of time and delays inseparable from such a wretched condition^
prompted the Board of Supervisors to advertise for proposals, for the erection of a commodious-
building, containing accommodations for the dispatch of all county business. The tenders were
opened July 28, 1842, when the contract was awarded to Eleazar Smith and Michael Carson,
whose joint bid for $6,150 was declared the lowest. The contractors accepted the Supervisor's
terms, and furnished bonds guaranteeing the completion of the building, ready for the reception
of the ofiicers, in June, 1843. To vacate the site of the new building, the ancient court house-
HISTORY OP IOWA COUNTY. 515
was sold at public auction July 31, 184:2, with a stipulation that the purchaser should remove
the structure back forty feet, and leave it in good condition, to be delivered when vacated by the
county in 1843.
At a meeting of the County Board April 25, 1843, the Presbyterian Church of Mineral
Point, through their agent, Mr. John Bracken, proposed to loan the county of Iowa the sum of
$500, and $100 additional if the funds of the society admitted it, conditional that the county was
to give that denomination the exclusive use of the court-room for religious services, when not
occupied for other purposes. They were not to receive any interest on the loan, and, if funds
were available, they were to add a bell to the court house. At any time when the board desired
to refund the money, the society's privileges were to cease. This liberal offer was instantly ac-
cepted, and John Bracken was ordered to pay the money to the court house contractors as the
work advanced. This resolution was subsequently rescinded, when it was learned that the so-
ciety refused to indorse the action of their agent, who, they claimed, was not empowered to act
for them. From this date, the work progressed at a snail-like pace, owing to the want of money
which crippled the contractors. A subscription list was opened at Francis J. Dunn's oflSce, by
some public-spirited citizens of Mineral Point, and the sum of $600 was quickly realized.
About this time, the specifications were altered in such a manner as to revolutionize the
original plan, and work a decided improvement in the external appearance of the building. The
roof was changed from a conical shape, to a straight pitch with a pediment. The dome was
removed from the center of the building to the front, and re-constructed according to a plan
drawn by E. Penoga, for a court house at Rockford, 111. Four columns twenty-eight feet in
height were erected, to make a portico ten feet in width. For these extras, the builders were
allowed $1,818.50.
In 1872, increased duties of the county offices, incidental to a growing business, rendered
imperative the demand for more commodious quarters. The jail and Sheriff's residence still re-
tained their original location, occupying the south half of the court house, to the exclusion of more
important offices. With a thought to the future demands of an extensive population, the erec-
tion of an independent building for a jail was deemed advisable. The lower iloor of the court
house was remodeled into offices at an expense of $2,400. A substantial stone jail and Sheriffs
residence were erected at the same time, involving an expenditure of $12,500. The design of
the jail is the embodiment of the best points contained in draughts of the Milwaukee and Lan-
caster prisons. The jail measures on the ground, 32x34 feet, and is seventeen feet high above
the water-table. The walls are of stone, lined on the inside with one-quarter-inch boiler-iron
plate. The interior is divided into eight compartments or cells, arranged in two tiers, the upper
two being reached by an iron stairway and balcony. The SheriiFs domicile is a comfortable stone
residence, measuring 22x40 feet in area, and twenty feet high.
The town of Eden was platted and set oif January 4, 1877, when the first election was held
in the schoolhouse of District No. 9. Eden was erected by taking twenty-six sections from Town
6, Range 1, of Highland, and eight sections in Town 6, Range 2 east.
In 1877, a petition signed by several hundred voters was presented to the Board of Super-
visors, asking that the town of Dodgeville be separated from the village of the same title, for
assessment purposes. The committee to whom the bill was referred, reported, that, upon careful
examination of the law, they found that such separation would deprive the villagers of a govern-
ment, as their charter conferred no power, and made no provision for the assessment and collec-
tion of taxes, or for holding elections other than for the election of village officers. The result,
therefore, of granting the petition, would be to disfranchise the inhabitants of the village of
Dodgeville until such time as an amendment to their charter could be procured from the Legis-
lature. In accordance with the report, the petition was placed on file.
Heretofore, the sessions of the board had been guided by the dictates of prudence, and log-
ical discussion was always admitted without regard to the irrelevancy of th^ subject. To termi-
nate all idle wrangling, and to conduct deliberations with a dignity commensurate with their
importance, a code of rules was adopted October 26, 1877. The rules of parliamentary practice
516 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
as comprised in Jefferson's code, were constituted the standard authority. The following standing
committees were struck off: On General Claims, Tax Claims, Equalization and Assessment,
Finances and Taxation, Public Property, Treasurer's Accounts and Clerk's Accounts. All bus-
iness coming under notice of the board must await a report of the respective committees prior
to being ultimately disposed of.
JUDICIAL DISTRICTS AND FIRST CASES.
Before the organization of the county of Iowa, the inhabitants of the territory now
embraced by Grant, La Fayette and Iowa Counties, were wont to adjust their grievances in a
legal manner before the United States District Court, then represented by Judge Duane Doty at
Prairie du Chien, the county seat of Crawford County. Subsequent to 1829, the civil and
criminal calendar was governed by the county Justices of the Peace, who, in the event of a
grievous misdemeanor, after a hearing, would commit the offender for trial at Prairie du Chien.
The counties of Iowa and Crawford, by an act approved November 15, 1836, were consti-
tuted the First Judicial District. Charles Dunn, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Wisconsin,
was appointed first Judge of the First District. The first annual court should be convened for
Iowa County on the third Monday of May and the first Monday of October, being twice a year.
The first divorces in Iowa County were effected by acts of December 8 and 9, 1837, whereby
bills of separation were granted to John and Mary McArthur, and A. W. Flovd and Eleanor
Floyd.
The first term of the United States District Court for this county was convened at the
Court House in Mineral Point on the third Monday of May, 1837, by Hon. Charles Dunn,
Chief Justice of the Territory and sole Judge of the said court. The court was opened by
Justice De Seelhorst, Sheriff, who returned into court a panel of grand jurors, consisting of the
following persons :
James Connor, Francis Kirkpatrick, Paschal Bequette, Franklin Washburne, Richard H.
McGoon, John Van Metre, James C. Wright, Charles Galloway, John Metcalf, Robert C.
Hoard, Augustus C. Dodge, John R. Coons, John Moore, John Messersmith, Jr., Milton
Bevans, Olvin P. Williams, Colby Frost, Thomas S. Denson, Andrew Dunn, Joshua McShain,
John Loof borrow, Armstead W. Floyd and John Milton.
The court having appointed Edward McSherry Clerk of the Court, he appeared and quali-
fied by taking the requisite oath of office. Robert Dougherty was chosen Deputy Clerk.
William T. Chapman was appointed County Attorney.
On motion of the Attorney General, an order was granted by the court for a grand jury,
the order being made "returnable instanter." On calling the panel of jurors, fifteen responded
to their names, and the remaining nine were adjudged guilty of contempt and a fine entered
against their names. On the delinquent jurors appearing next day and advancing apologies for
their remissness, the fines were remitted by order of the court.
Moses M. Strong and Charles S. Hempstead, on motion of Thomas P. Burnett were
admitted to the practice of their profession as advocates at the bar of Iowa County. Cyrus S.
Jacobs presented his license, and was accorded the same privilege.
The first case heard by the court was that of Ira and Milton Bevans vs. Joseph Morrison,
on a question of law. Parley Eaton moved before the court for a rule upon the Justice before
whom the proceedings were heard in this suit, to make a return for reasons filed. The motion
was taken under advisement.
The next two cases were those of James Petty vs. Phillip Jackson for trespass, and Will-
iam B. Heather vs. Ralph Goldsworthy, in appeal.
The two first judgments recorded were entered against two prominent pioneers for the
simple offense of assault and battery. The date of entry was May 11, 1837.
In the suit of the United States vs. Jamieson Hamilton, the defendant was mulcted in a
fine of $10, regardless of his plea of "not guilty." The second case was against Henry L.
Dodge, who was condemned to pay $3 and costs, amounting to $11.18f.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 517
THE COUNTY SEAT WAR.
Dod<'eville provoked the embittered struggle, and always acted on the offensive. By the
astute generalship and liberality of her citizens, the superior natural advantages of Mineral
Point were developed into insignificance, and its officers were reluctantly forced to imbrue
themselves in the conflict. With nothing to gain, and everything to lose, the combat was un-
'equal, and, solely for the purpose of preserving her institutions against hostile invasion, the
people of Mineral Point took up the defensive.
The first presentment of the impending trouble, loomed up on the political horizon in 1855,
when two petitions were presented to the Legislature, praying for the removal of the county
seat. One memorial, comprising 1,300 signatures, favored the selection of Dodgeville, and the
other document, representing the views of 600 voters, urged the eligibility of Linden. The
latter bill was thrown into the shade by the preponderance of opinion in favor of the former
village. The Dodgeville bill was referred to a select committee of the Senate.
The Select Committee to whom was referred the Senate Bill No. 139, "A Bill to provide for the removal of the
county seat of Iowa County from Mineral Point to Dodgeville," reported as follows : Upon the merits of the ques-
tion involved in said bill, your committee are not of the opinion that it would be for the welfare of the people of the
whole county of Iowa, or of the majority, to remove the county seat from Mineral Point to Dodgeville at the present
time.
The majority of your committee are well acquainted with all sections and portions of the county of Iowa, and,
while they readily admit the fact, that, in ordinary cases, the county seat should be as near as practicable to the
geographical center of the county, yet there may be, and often are, instances where it is equally or more convenient
and desirable to the whole people of a county, as a community, that the seat of justice should be located at a point
<}uite remote from the geographical center. Such an instance, in the opinion of your committee, is presented by
the county of Iowa, as at present exhibited and settled. This is chiefly owing to the peculiar relative positions of
the mining and farming settlements, and towns in said county, and the greater density of the former over the latter.
The county seat of Iowa County as at present bounded and organized, was located at Mineral Point by a vote
■of the people, after a spirited contest in 1847, since which time the inhabitants of the county have with great una-
nimity acquiesced in its permanent location there. At that point, the county has all the necessary buildings for
county purposes.
The county of Iowa has been peculiarly and unfortunately situated. Once embracing nearly three-fourths of
the territory constituting our State, in the erection of public buildings and other sources of expenditure incident to
a large, though sparsely settled country, she, at an early day, became deeply involved in debt, but a small portion
of which has been paid or assumed by either of the flourishing and vigorous counties which have, from time to time,
been organized from the borders of "old Iowa;" hence, she has for years been struggling along, crippled in her
resources, her paper scarcely worth 50 cents, and her taxes most grievous to be borne. But now, thanks to the
flourishing times, abundant crops, and low taxes of the last two or three years, but more particularly to the prudent
manner in which affairs of said county have been managed since the adoption of the town system of government
therein, her " oldest inhabitant" now for the first time sees his county out of debt, and her paper as good as cash at
•one hundred cents on the dollar. Under the above circumstances, your committee do not believe that a majority of
the citizens of said county are desirous of moving their county seat eight miles to the village of Dodgeville, and
enacting over the struggle of embarrassment and indebtedness necessarily incident to the erection of new county
buildings, etc., from which she has just emerged.
Your committee are of opinion that questions which give rise to so much excitement of a personal and sectional
character, and which are so frequently followed by expensive and vexatious litigation as county seat questions often
are, should be submitted to a vote of the people at the polls, except in cases of urgent public necessity, or at the
dem md of at least a large minority of those interested. We are of opinion that no such necessity or demand exists
in the present instance.
I he chairman of your committee who introduced the bill under consideration, did so at the request of some
three or four citizens of Dodgeville, who demanded its introduction as a matter of right, your chairman hopes in
good faith. If, however, their main object or that of others operating through them, was to get the opinion on this
auhject of a legislative committee in general, or the chairman of your committee in particular, we trust they will not
consider themselves disappointed.
Believing that no good object would be obtained by the passage of said bill, your committee recommend that
it be indefinitely postponed.
Signed, Amasa Cobb, Chairman,
Charles Ddnn,
D. Taylor.
The question of removal was mooted again in 1858, and a bill introduced into the Legisla-
ture, submitting the question to the vote of the electors at the general elections in the following
November. This bill passed a final reading and was approved April 28, 1858. When the bill
was before the House, Levi Sterling, a member of the Assembly from Iowa County, took a
518 HISTOKY or IOWA COUNTY.
determined stand, opposing its passage. He objected to the proposed removal, on the ground
of increased taxation, consequent on an augmented debt, which, in the prevalent financial strin-
gency, was unadvisable. He likewise advanced a cogent argument in the title of the land,
whereon the court house was erected, being vested in the city of Mineral Point, and that, on
vacating the premises, the building would advert to that city, as the title was only valid so long
as the county retained possession.
In the interregnum pending the election, Dodgeville citizens proposed to indemnify the
county for any possible damages arising from a change of location. By act of the Legislature,
bonds amounting to $8,000 were issued and deposited with the County Treasurer in trust, for
a building fund. This amount was afterward increased by voluntary contributions.
At the November elections, the electors, by a majority of 350, declared in favor of removal.
At the announcement of the result, the county was convulsed to its very center, and, in the
southern portions, the utterances were dire and deep, strongly denunciatory of the canvass as
fraudulent. The northern section was satisfied with the gain, and took no pains to conceal their
manifestations of triumph over their late antagonists. The existence of the two elements so
diametrically opposed in their views, bred a hostility that threatened to embroil the partisans in
a bitter enmity.
At the January session of the Board of Supervisors, in accordance with a resolution pre-
sented by L. W. Joiner, Francis Little, Gardiner C. Meiggs and Mr. Joiner, were constituted a
building committee, with power to prepare plans and specifications for a building of sufficient
capacity and suitable construction for a court house and jail, with proper juror's rooms and
jailor's residence, not to exceed in cost $10,000. The Dodgeville bonds for $8,000 were accepted
at par toward defraying the cost of the building. The committee was to select a site, and, after
receiving a warranty deed for it, they were to advertise for proposals and lease the contract to
the lowest tender. To facilitate the business of the board, the use of the town hall was offered
free of rental. The county offices were then removed to Dodgeville, where the ensuing meeting
of the board convened on July 11, 1859.
Before the election, the residents of Mineral Point were prone to regard the agitation as the
vaporing of a few malcontents, with an ephemeral influence that could never materially affect
their interests. Aroused to a full appreciation of the situation, a few of the leading men coun-
seled together and discussed the best measures to reverse the popular decision. A loophole of
escape was presented by the defective law under which the election was conducted. Immediate
steps were adopted to annul the election, and to this effect a formal demand was made upon the Reg-
ister of Deeds, Joseph Lean, to remove his office and papers back to Mineral Point. The demand
was not entertained. The illegality of the election was finally determined in the Supreme Court on
an application for a writ of mandamus to compel Joseph Lean, Register of Deeds, to remove his office
to Mineral Point. Judge Cothren appeared as counsel for Mineral Point, while Judge Orton
represented Dodgeville. The former place contested the removal on the ground that the law did
not take effect, because it was not published in accordance with the requirements of the statutes.
It was also alleged that certain residents of Dodgeville executed bonds and trust deeds for the
purpose of securing the erection of county buildings there in case of removal, and issued hand-
bills informing the people of that fact ; and that this had a corrupting infiuence on the electors,
in inducing more to vote for the removal than the actual majority in favor of it.
The court announced its decision by Associate Payne, holding the objections valid, and
giving Dodgeville twenty days to establish its proofs of legal publication, in default of which
judgment would go in favor of Mineral Point. An ultimate decision was arrived at on July 11,
1859, whereby the election was annulled. The judgment was delivered by Judge Payne, Justice
Cole dissenting. T. J. Otis was the courier who conveyed the welcome intelligence to the
well nigh frantic residents of Mineral Point. Although the messenger arrived at 3 o'clock
in the morning, within a very few minutes the entire population was aroused by the clangor of
church bells, the boom of cannon and the rattle of musketry. Bewildered, the citizens sprang
from their beds, and, in disheveled attire, rushed into the streets, where they were speedily
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 519
apprised of the turn in the tide of local events. About 7 o'clock, the youthful and aspiring " Young
America" organized a procession, which, headed by a tin trumpet band, paraded the different
streets, venting their superabundant enthusiasm in commingled noises. The city cannons not
being considered equal to the occasion, a messenger was dispatched to Warren, 111., on the morn-
ing train, with instructions to charter a twelve pounder, regardless of expense. The artillery
arrived in the afternoon, when a squad of amateur gunners were deputed to advance on Dodge-
ville, in sufficient proximity to carry the sounds of rejoicing into " the enemy's " camp.
The animosity was so fervent that it permeated the mercantile community, and, according
to their views, the merchants and traders were patronized by the adherents of their own party.
At that time only two papers existed in the county, and, as both of those were in Mineral Point,
Dodgeville was without an organ to expound the particular political tenets of its people. To
remedy the deficiency, and to comply with the law relating to the publication of local laws, the
Iowa Oounty Advocate was founded in 1858, and, subsequently, the Herald^ published also in
the interests of Dodgeville, made its appearance. The Herald, having been instituted to admit
of the publication of the law in two county papers, was only short lived, and lapsed into oblivion
on fulfilling its functions. Partisan doctrines of the most radical character were freely promul-
gated, and the salient weaknesses of the two towns were enlarged upon and distorted in an effort
to win votes. Personalities were also freely indulged in. Obloquy and contumely were inter-
changed with a liberality, that, in the present day of libel suits, would be fruitful of financial ruin.
In 1861, application was renewed to the Legislature, and a bill was sanctioned whereby the
voters were authorized to record their decision, and determine the vexed question on April 2,
1861. At that election, a majority of the voters declared in favor of removal. The event was
signalized in an appropriate manner by the residents of Dodgeville, who received the information
with manifestations of profuse joy, and heralded the advent of the county officers into their
midst, with a procession of fire-works and other demonstrations of delight. Pursuant to this
declaration, the county records were removed to the new Dodgeville Court House in July of the
same year. The first session of the Board of Supervisors in the new county building, convened
on April 23, 1861. The court house had been designed only to accommodate the judiciary of
the county, and the lower portion was furnished as a jail, with Sheriff's quarters. The County
Clerk and Register of Deeds were temporarily lodged, according to the facilities afforded by the
building. A separate fire-proof building was deemed a necessary adjunct, and, to indemnify the
county for the cost of its construction, a committee composed of Joseph Lean, Samuel Hoskins,
B. F. Thomas, Ben Thomas, Thomas Stephens, William Hendy, Richard Arundell, John R.
Roberts, Charles Hope, George W. Burrall, Henry Madden and Messrs. Wheeler & Co.,
pledged themselves to erect the building, and also to pay into the county treasury the sum of
$3,000, conditional that they should receive a quit-claim deed to all the county property in
Mineral Point. This proposition was not entertained.
The title to a plot of land in Mineral Point, commonly known as "the public square," on
which the county buildings were situated, had proved a source of many misgivings to the County
Board, who were now brought face to face with a problem even more difficult of solution than
that of the county seat. A committee was appointed in July, 1861, to consult with the City
Council of Mineral Point and arrange a settlement. All their peace offerings were indignantly
scouted by the irritated citizens, who denied the county's title to the court house, as it was erected
on the public domain, vested in the city of Mineral Point in trust for the people of that city.
To avoid litigation, however, they were willing to pay $1,600 in four annual installments. This
offer was not accepted by the committee, who offered, as a retroactive compromise, to divide the
property, by running a line, northerly, at right angles with High street, along the easterly line
of the court house to the jail alley ; the county to take the easterly half and Mineral Point the
western half with all the buildings thereon. Objection was raised, and the Common Council
refused to accede to the proposition. Then the county engaged the services of Hon. James H.
Knowlton, of Chicago, to bring suit against the captious citizens for the full amount of the prop-
erty. M. M. Cothren appeared for the city of Mineral Point, and Judge Dunn, by power of
»^20 HISTORY OF JOWA COUNTY.
attorney, conducted the prosecution. The arguments were heard in the United States District
Court, and, after a final hearing, a judgment was recorded adverse to the county. Defeated at
all points, the County Board was fain to submit as gracefully as circumstances permitted, and
repair their many egregious errors by accepting, on May 25, 1868, a proposal from Mineral
Point to pay $1,500, with $500 interest, payable in three annual payments, as settlement in full
for the disputed title. This was the last act of antagonism and closing scene in the memorable
county-seat feud.
COUNTY POOR HOUSE AND FARM.
Anterior to 1853, the system of hiring paupers and aged indigents to contractors prevailed
to a great extent in Iowa County, which had not yet attained sufficient independence to provide
directly for the maintenance and support of the non-productive class. Each town was responsi-
ble for the welfare of all paupers within its prescribed limits. Secret transfers of the insane and
poverty-stricken from the limits of one town to the more liberal precincts of another, provided a
constant and endless source of recrimination.
In January, 1853, at the annual session of the Board of Supervisors, a committee was ap-
pointed to examine into the respective merits of the town system, and the otherwise prevalent
scheme of mobilization at the expense of the county. This committee, while admitting the pro-
priety of a change, opposed the county assuming charge of the poor within its confines, owing
to the great addition that would be necessitated in the annual assessment. Nothing further was
accomplished toward ameliorating the pauper system until after the lapse of six years, when a
resolution, presented by M. M. Strong, was referred to a special committee, who reported favor-
ably. On this recommendation, the resolution was adopted, November 20, 1859, and is given
herewith :
Resolved, That from and after the first day of June, 1860, all dislinclions between county and town poor shall
be abolished, and the poor, from and after that time, shall be maintained by the county, and, for the purpose of car-
rying into effect the spirit of this resolution, there shall be elected, at the present session of the Board of Supervisors,
three County Poor Superintendents, who shall hold office for the respective terms of one, two and three years, and who
shall proceed to qualify in the requirements of the statute in such cases made and provided. Their duty shall be to
ascertain, as nearly as possible, the number of paupers in the county ; the condition of each ; how many require full
support, and the number requiring partial support, and such other information as would be necessary for them to
form an estimate of the probable expense of supporting the poor upon the poor house and farm system; and, on the
first day of June, 1860, to take charge of the poor of the county. To make such arrangements for their maintenance
and support as they shall deem best for the interests of the county ; and also that the County Treasurer be requested
to pay over to the County Superintendents all moneys that are or shall come into his hands, which are or shall be by law
appropriated for the support of the poor. The said Superintendents are hereby instructed and directed to purchase an
improved farm, not to exceed 160 acres, a portion of wliich shall be timbered land, and situated as near the center of the
county as practicable, the price of which shall not exceed §4,000, to be paid in two annual installments, on June 1,
1861, and June 1, 1862.
The Superintendents elected at this meeting were Francis Little, H. Plowman and B. F.
Thomas, who furnished bonds for $5,000.
The first appropriation was for $8,600, to meet the annual expenses. The Superintendents
in June purchased the farm of Peter Temby. The farm comprised 120 acres under cultivation,
with a dense growth of timber covering 60 acres, as it now remains. Stock and agricultural
implements, valued at $1,200, were also purchased with the farm. Peter Temby was appointed
the first Overseer of the Poor of Iowa County, and, in that capacity, continued in charge for
some time.
On July 8, 1861, the following rules were adopted for the government of the County Poor
House :
Every person becoming an inmate of this house is required to use respectful language to
the superior and to each other ; to use no vulgar, profane, or disrespectful language, and, in all
things, to be governed by the subjoined rules :
Each person must do such work as the Overseer finds them capable of doing. All lights
to be extinguished by 9 o'clock. Each female must keep her own room clean and in proper or-
der. No person shall absent himself or herself from the farm without the consent of the Over-
seer. For the first violation of the last rule, the delinquent shall be punished; on a repetition
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
621
of the offense, he or she shall be expelled and shall not be re-admitted to the poor house for the
space of three months, except upon an express order of the Superintendents. Any violation of
these rules shall be punished by a bread-and-water diet, at the discretion of the Overseer.
Soon after the purchase of the farm, an addition was built to the large two-story stone house
erected by Mr. Temby, and a separate building was constructed for the reception of insane paupers.
The substantial 30x45 barn was built in 1863, at a cost of $1,000, and the quarters of the
insane were further enlarged in 1872. Finding the accommodation for the lunatic class inade-
quate to the demand, and incompatible with modern ideas of reform, a two-story building,
wholly devoted to this class of unfortunates, was erected in 1878. The farm and almshouse
presents every indication of thrift and comfort, and during its existence not a single complaint
of neglect or mismanagement has been lodged against the Superintendent or Overseer, who
personally supervise the affairs of the institution. There are now lodged and supported at the
expense of the county thirty-eight paupers, seven of whom are classed as insane.
In 1867, Overseer Peter Temby was succeeded by Thomas Thomas, who. three years sub-
sequently, was displaced by M. F. Rewey. At the annual session of the Board of Supervisors,
held January, 1881, the resignation of M. F. Rewey was accepted, and the present Overseer,
Edward Perkins, was appointed.
CHAPTER VI.
MINERAL POINT RAILROAD.
Company Chaeter, Projected Routes— First Contract and Commencement of the Road-
Election Returns— Change of Contractors- More Funds Raised and Road Completed
—The First Train Company Re-organized.
company charter, projected routes.
The Mineral Point Railroad Company was incorporated April 17, 1852, under the general
laws of the State of Wisconsin, Chapter 415 The incorporators were Francis Vivian, Parley
Eaton, Francis J. Dunn, Cyrus Woodman, John Bracken, A. W. Comfort Henry Koop and
John Milton, of Iowa County. Samuel Cole, Charles H. Lamar, John W. Blackstone, H. P.
Ladd, Edward H. Gratiot, Charles Dunn, James H. Knowlton and Joseph W. Brewster, of La
Fayette County.
The charter authorized the issue of capital stock to the amount of $500,000, divided into
5,000 shares of $100 each. The route of the projected railroad was optional, subject to a decis-
ion of the shareholders, but was specifically to run from Mineral Point in either of the Towns
No. 1 north, of the base line and east of the Fourth Principal Meridian in La Fayette or
Green Counties. On June 5, 1852, a meeting was held in Mineral Point to decide on the most
feasible route for the railroad. Parley Eaton was nominated Chairman, and G. D. Wilber,
Secretary. A committee, consisting of the following names, was appointed to consider the question :
John Bracken, I. S. Allen, James Noble, Cyrus Woodman, George W. Bliss, Theodore Rodolf,
Patrick O'Dowd, Francis Vivian, Samuel Jenkins, Jr., H. Van Dusen, Thomas S. Ansley, Peter
Toay, James Hutchinson, John H. Vivian, Edward Coade, Levi Sterling, H. M. Billings, Amasa
Cobb and George Goldthorp. The meeting then adjourned without taking any further action.
The railroad was projected under a ravishing prospectus, which, in figures of indubitable
accuracy, outlined a brilliant future for the road. As a means of inter-communication with
Interior Wisconsin and the mining regions, the line would, in all probability at no very distant
day, assume the dignity and profits of a trunk line, which, after a period of incubation, was to
extend from Wisconsin's metropolis — Milwaukee — to the turbid waters of the Mississippi. With
a positive El Dorado of wealth opening before them, few citizens of Iowa County heeded the be-
hests of sober consideration, but plunged wildly into the scheme ; not in a rash, speculative
frenzy, but in a spirit of honest investment. In two weeks, $40,000 in stock were subscribed,
and, in conformity with the charter, the first ofiicers were elected. They were John B. Terry,
President ; David Morrison and John Loof borrow. Vice Presidents ; Josiah B. Chaney, Secre-
tary ; and John H. Vivian, Assistant Secretary.
In a letter to this temporary board, Moses M. Strong, a strong adherent of the project, as-
sumed the privilege of advancing a few suggestions affecting the future well-being of the enter-
prise. He submitted estimates illustrating the feasibility of building and equipping the road for
$15,000 per mile, exclusive of stations and depots. The line was necessarily to start at Mineral
Point, thence by the Rock Branch of the Pecatonica River, to the mouth of Little Otter Creek,
down the Pecatonica to the mouth of Wolf's Creek, to the State line.
Another route by Ames' Branch would carry the road on to the division ridge, six or seven
miles north of the State line. By any route that would be adopted, it was agreed that so long
as the road was in the valley8.of the water-courses, a cheaper route with regard to embankment and
'C'^^'C^^'C,^€t<.^i^2^'T^ .
MINEF^AL POINT,
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 525
excavation could not be found in the State, and it was considered probable that by a judicious
suryey, many bridges and culverts could be avoided.
Allowing for a heavy trail of fifty-eight pounds to the yard, it was estimated that the cost
of construction would not exceed $12,000 per mile ; $3,000 was allowed for equipment, comput-
ing the distance from Mineral Point to the State line at thirty-two miles ; the cost on the
original estimate would equal $480,000, exclusive of the cost of a preliminary survey, calculated
at $1,000. In payment for construction, it was proposed to grant the contractor $4,000 per
mile in cash, $8,000 first-lien bonds, and $3,000 in stock.
The receipts from freight, passengers, etc., were estimated at $58,675, based on the theory
that the net cost of transporting freight was one cent a ton per mile, and passengers at three-
fourths of a cent for the same distance.
Taking 22,000 tons of freight annually, at a net profit of $6.60 per ton $35,200
Fifty passengers per day, for thirty-one days, @ 75 cents each 23,475
Annual net income $58,675
Deduct interest of bonds for $250,000 20,480
Total $38,195
This would leave an income of 16.6 per cent, based on a paid-up stock of $128,000, and
$96,000 in the hands of contractors. The payment of a 7 per cent dividend would leave $22,-
095 as a sinking fund, and this sum applied to the bonds annually, would liquidate the entire
amount in eight years. After expunging the bonded indebtedness, the whole income of $58,675
would be available for a dividend of 26|^ per cent. As a proof of the sincerity of his convic-
tions, the subscriber to the foregoing flattering prospectus, authorized the temporary Board of
Directors to enter his name for forty shares of the railroad company.
Such was the plausible statement presented to the inhabitants of the county, who, untu-
tored in elements essential to a successful railroad, were influenced into accepting unquestioned,
the face of the circular. They likewise supposed that the road would be inevitably extended
from its northern terminus to Arena, where it would intersect the Milwaukee & Mississippi
Railroad, thus placing the isolated Mineral Point line in direct communication with Milwaukee,
and securing for it the transit of all business between Galena and Milwaukee.
On July 1, 1852, 760 shares of $100 each had been subscribed by the inhabitants of
Mineral Point, who, at that time, hardly exceeded twenty-five hundred strong. The first install-
ment, as required by law, was paid up, and on August 28, 1852, the following officers were
elected: President, Cyrus Woodman; Francis Vivian, Treasurer, and Thomas S. Allen, Sec-
retary. Owing to the subsequent resignation of Cyrus Woodman, another election was held
October 22, 1852, to fill the vacant ofiice. Moses M. Strong was elected President, and Col.
R. B. Mason, of the Illinois Central Railroad, was appointed Chief Engineer. At this election,
1,048 shares were represented by a truly representative body of citizens, whose average appor-
tionment was five shares. A census of the vote disclosed the fact that there were present
twenty-eight persons of one share each; sixty-one of five shares; one of six shares; one of
seven shares ; twenty-four of ten shares ; one of twelve shares ; fifty of two shares ; twenty of
three shares ; five of four shares ; three of fifteen shares ; five of twenty shares ; two of twenty-
five shares ; one of thirty-five shares, and one of forty shares.
FIRST CONTRACT AND COMMENCEMENT OF THE ROAD.
After the preliminary survey, the Engineer's estimate was produced for $189,000, and pro-
posals for the construction of the road were invited thiough the public press. The tenders for
the work were opened on February 15, 1853, when twenty-seven bids, including some from
New York, and one from Connecticut, were opened. After comparing the diiferent bids, and
their respective stipulations, the Board of Directors awarded the contract to Messrs. Chamber-
lain & Cook, who had just completed the Milwaukee & Mississippi Railroad to Janesville.
526 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
Three months subsequently, the first sod on the line of the Mineral Point Railroad was
disturbed by the invading hand of enterprise. The day, May 30, 1853, was a gala day and a
festive occasion for the residents of the dominating country, who flocked to Mineral Point to
participate in the honor and glory inseparable from such an historic event. It is estimated that
there were 800 strangers from the rural districts in the city. Early in the day, the male
population of Mineral Point and the country contingents convened at the court house, where a
procession was formed under the direction of Charles N. Mumford as Marshall, assisted by T.
J. Otis and P. W. Thomas. Headed by the Mineral Point Brass Band, the populace proceeded
to Section 2, one mile south of the village, where the time-honored ceremony of breaking ground
was observed. Col. Abner Nichols, one of the oldest settlers in Iowa County, who assisted in
raising some of the first log cabins in Mineral Point, turned the first soil. While accomplishing
this feat, the assembled multitude rent the air with cheers and felicitations. Congratulatory
speeches were made by N. B. Bayden, G. L. Frost, J. B. Gray, J. G. Messmore and Cyrus Wood-
man. The oratorical efibrts were " interspersed with soul-stirring music by the band." The
ranks were re-formed, and the processionists returned to town, inflated with the importance of the
new venture.
In the absence of additional shareholders to absorb the balance of the stock, the company
became pressed for money to carry out their plans. In this perplexity, a bill was drafted, suit-
able to the desires of the Board of Directors, who submitted it to the Legislature for approval.
The bill was entitled, " An Act to authorize the counties and towns through which the Mineral
Point Railroad passes to aid in its construction." Through the exertions of H. H. Gray,
of Darlington, a clause was inserted exempting the county of La Fayette from any application
of the act. The bill was submitted to the Legislature by Levi Sterling, P. W. Thomas and
W. H. Madden, and was eventually approved.
On the strength of this enactment, the railroad company proposed to exchange bonds with
the county to the amount of $150,000, the principal and interest of which the company guaran-
teed to pay, and as security issued to the county their bonds, convertible into stock secured by a
mortgage on the road and all its equipments. This scheme was distasteful to the popular palate,
and the cool reception accorded the proposition foreshadowed the defeat of the appropriation
measure, if exertions were not directed to assuage the public feeling. The press was employed
in disseminating friendly views ; eloquent orators and fluent speakers were engaged to address
mass meetings of the voters. It was only at this critical juncture that the terms of the contract
were divulged by a newspaper communication from the President of the railroad. The con-i
tractors were to receive $693,000 to put the road in first-class running condition. The pay-
ments were apportioned as follows :
Stock of Company $ 83 000
, Railroad bonds secured by mortgage 310 000
Cash $150 000
Iowa County bonds 150 000
Total $693 000
Payments were to be made in ten equal installments on proportionate amounts of each security.
By this contract, the Directors had, without the faintest vestige of authority, assumed the
prerogative of bartering the county's credit, and relying on the support of the people to abide
by their contract. At this election, every nerve was strained to carry the appropriation ;
the tax-payers were conjured in the name of public spirit and enterprise to aid the railroad
by voting for the subsidy. The question was submitted to the voters as one of vital interest,
and it was even asserted that as the election went so would the continuance of the railroad be
decided.
The momentous day eventually arrived, and the railroad was nobly supported by the com-
munity, which, by a majority of 157, granted the concession demanded by the company.
HISTORY or IOWA COUNTY. 527
OFFICIAL RETURNS OF THE ELECTION.
FOB. AOAIKST.
Mineral Point 1,007
Linden 156 53
Waldwick 62 4
DodgeTille 6 640
Highland 45 148
Arena 20 29
Ridgeway 5 102
Clyde 1 50
Mifflin 37 68
Pulaski 6 34
Wyoming 60
Total 1,345 1,188
Majority in favor of the railroad, 157.
By many the legality of the election was doubted, nevertheless, in consonance with the
proceeding, 150 bonds of $1,000 each were issued by the county, dated July 26, 1853.
Soon after the contracts for construction were entered into, the President went to New York
for the purpose of making sale of the county bonds. Failing to dispose of them at a satisfactory
price, he obtained temporary loans from the banks at Hartford, Conn., pledging the bonds as
collateral security, by means of which payment was made for work under these contracts during
the year 1853.
About the 10th of October, 1853, the President succeeded in making a contract with the
Illinois Central Railroad Company and Galena & Chicago Union Railroad Company (now a
part of the Chicago & North- Western Company), by which those two companies jointly agreed
with the Mineral Point Railroad Company, that if the latter company would complete its road
from Mineral point to Warren, and connect at that point with the Illinois Central, and would
give its business, so far as was within its power, to the two Illinois companies, they would pay
to the Mineral Point company annually, for twenty years after its completion, such sum (if any)
as should be requisite to secure to it a net annual income of |56,000 over and above all expenses-
for operating and maintaining its road.
This was a valuable contract to both parties. The inducement to the Illinois companies was
by aiding incidentally the credit of the Wisconsin company, to secure the construction of an im-
portant feeder to their roads, and thereby to greatly increase their business. To effect this object,
they could well afford, if the exigencies of the contract should require it, to rebate a portion of
their net earnings and pay it to the Mineral Point Railroad Company, on business for which
they were indebted to that company.
To the Mineral Point Company the contract was of inestimable value, as it was equivalent
to a guarantee for twenty years of an income of 7 per cent net on |800,000, which was more
than the estimated cost of the road and equipments, and placed the company in such a financial
position, that its securities were entitled to command as high a price as any others of the same
class.
The validity of town and county bonds issued in aid of railroads, although since frequently
sustained by the Supreme Court of the United States, was then an open question, in consequence
of which it was found impossible to make sale of the Iowa County bonds at a satisfactory price,
and the railroad company consequently retained them, except so far as they were hypothecated
as security for loans.
CHANGE OF CONTRACTORS.
In June, 1853, Chamberlain & Cook surrendered their contract, and arrangements were en-
tered into with other parties at what was announced to be a reduced figure in cash, by which the
company effected a saving of $40,000. The new contractors were A. Gates & Co. for the
southern half of the road, and John M. Keep for the northern division. The former contract-
ors had just completed some extensive improvements on the Illinois Central Road, and, being
528 HISTORY or IOWA COUNTY.
experienced engineers, they won the confidence and reliance of the county. Mr. Keep could
not advance any salient claims for distinction, save the possession of wealth and influence, he be-
ing ostensibly a man of considerable capital.
At the annual meeting, the accompanying Board of Directors was elected : Moses M.
Strong, Parley Eaton, Francis Chalvin, John M. Keep, Anthony Nancolas, John Bracken,
John Milton, Robert 0. Dyer and John Ross.
On December 16, 1853, the dual contract was abrogated, and a new agreement was filed
with R. & G. L. Schuyler, of New York. This firm agreed to assume all the liabilities of the
company, carry out all existing contracts, and complete and equip the road by January 1,1855,
in consideration of the sum of $1,000,000. One-half of the amount was to be paid in first mort-
gage bonds, and one-half in the stock of the company, with this modification that all persons who
had subscribed for stock, might be at liberty to pay the same at $60 per share of $100. All
payments so made should be received in lieu of so many shares in stock. It was also stipulated
that the company should loan to the Messrs. Schuyler $150,000 of Iowa County Bonds, which
they were at liberty to hypothecate, but not to sell. These bonds were to be returned
at the expiration of the contract. The method provided by the contract for raising money to
carry on the work, was by drafts drawn by the President of the company, at four months, on R.
& G. L. Schuyler, accepted by them, and subsequently discounted at New England or East-
ern banks, the proceeds being applied to the construction of the railroad. The work was ener-
getically advanced under the terms of this the fourth contract, and the citizens generally were
prepossessed with the idea of a completed line, and lent their voluntary aid to further the efi'orts
of the contractors. On January 19, 1854, I. S. Allen resigned the office of Secretary, and was
replaced by R. S. Schuyler, son of one of the contractors. When the expectations of the peo-
ple were at the zenith, their hopes were doomed to a disheartening relapse occasioned by the
financial failure of R. & G. L. Schuyler, Messrs. Schuyler having made an assignment of all
their effects for the benefit of their creditors. The company, by negotiating with the assignee,
secured an abrogation of this contract. The whole amount of drafts accepted, and upon which
the company realized, was $137,000, of which there had been paid by Messrs. Schuyler $67,000,
and $10,000 secured by an attachment of their property to be paid by them. Deducting the
cash and collateral securities, the company was trammeled with an unpaid debt of $60,000.
The company surrendered to the assignee $80,000 of bonds, which the contractors had already
appropriated to their own use, namely $30,000 in Iowa County Bonds, and $50,000 in first-
mortgage bonds.
The amount of expenditures by the company to this time aggregated $175,000, including
engineering, right of way, bridging, grading, masonry, ties and timber, salaries and incidental
expenses. Funds to meet these expenditures were provided as follows :
Stock aubscriptions, about $ 23 000
Schuyler's acceptance 137 000
Unliquidated floating debt 15 000
Total $175 000
The indebtedness of the company at that time was estimated at $75,000, consisting of
Schuyler's unpaid acceptances of $60,000, and the balance of domestic debts.
MORE FUNDS RAISED AND ROAD COMPLETED.
As it was contemplated that $80,000 would finish the road ready for the superstructure,
the Directors adopted the plan of offering 2,000 shares of preferred stock at $60 per share,
giving the existing shareholders the privilege of absorbing them at the designated value, thus
realizing a fund of $120,000. Up to this date, there had been subscribed 1,101 shares, for
which payments, varying from $5 to $60 per share, had been paid, forming a capital of only
$23,275. The issue of preferred stock was an advisable measure, and, as a stroke of financial
genius, was commendable. To assist in placing this stock, mass meetings were held in the
HISTOKY OF IOWA COUNTY. 529
various towns, and, in recognition* of a popular demand, a committee, consisting of Cyrus Wood-
man, N. B. Boyden and I. S. Allen, were appointed to examine the books and vouchers of the
Railroad Company, and report at a subsequent meeting. In pursuance to a call issued by
several citizens of Mineral Point, a meeting was held at the railroad office, on Thursday, Decem-
ber 14, 1854, for the purpose of taking some preliminary steps to place the company on such a
basis as would restore its credit and secure the completion of the road. Hon. M. M. Cothren
was appointed Chairman, and N. B. Boyden was deputed to act as Secretary. The following
resolutions, adopted at a meeting of the Railroad Directors, were presented :
Resolved, That for the purpose of increasing the stock subscriptions of the Mineral Point Kailroad Company
to fifteen hundred shares, of full-paid stock, the individual members of the Board of Directors pledge themselves to
subscribe and pay for in the aggregate two hundred and fifty shares, inclusive of the amounts already subscribed and
paid for by them ; such subscriptions not to be binding, unless the amount of one thousand shares shall be subscribed
and paid in.
Resolved. That all moneys paid on subscriptions to stock in the Mineral Point Railroad Company shall be
deposited with the Wisconsin Bank, drawing interest at the rate of six per cent per annum, to the credit of the
Treasurer, until ten dollars per share on one thousand shares shall so be deposited, including such shares as said
sum has heretofore been paid in ; and that no money so deposited shall be drawn out until the aforesaid amount shall
be paid and deposited as aforesaid, by the first day of February next, the sum so paid, with the accrued interest
thereon, shall be paid over to the several persons who shall have paid the same.
Resolved, That as soon as one thousand shares of stock in the Mineral Point Railroad Company shall be sub-
scribed for, and ten per cent on each share paid in, that a meeting of the stockholders shall be called to agree upon a
Board of Directors, and the present board individually pledge themselves that they, or so many of them as shall not
be selected at such meeting, will resign one by one and fill the vacancies thus created, with such persons as shall be
agreed upon at such meeting of stockholders.
A form of subscription list was prescribed and adopted, and, on motion of C. Woodman,
a committee, consisting of M. M. Cothren, John Bracken, Cyrus Woodman, Thomas Davey,
John H. Vivian, Henry Koop, Moses M. Strong and Whitney Smith, was appointed to appeal
to the residents of the county for financial support. The requisite 1,000 shares, inclusive of
former subscriptions, were subscribed February 7, 1855, and a notice was issued by the Treas-
urer, calling in the first installment of 10 per cent, payable on the 15th inst., preparatory to the
election of a new Board of Directors. In issuing the call, the President stated in a circular
that •' responsible parties are willing to enter into contracts to finish and equip the road in all
respects, and have it in operation in one year, taking their pay exclusively in stocks and bonds of
the company, provided the company will furnish the cash means to pay the outstanding liabili-
ties and finish the grading of the road,"
The 10 per cent call, although readily responded to, failed to meet the anticipations of the
financiers, who, instead of realizing $150,000, only secured $78,850. The void remained as
glaring as ever, and again the people were appealed to subscribe for 760 shares of railroad stock,
in hope thereby of eventually acquiring sufficient capital to proceed with the enterprise. At
the election of 1855, a renewed mark of confidence was placed in the Directors, by their almost
unanimous re-election. The new board was composed of Moses M. Strong, Parley Eaton,
John M. Keep, James Noble, R. S. Schuyler, Francis Vivian, C. C. Washburn, Henry Koop
and M. M. Cothren. On April 25, 1855, a contract was satisfactorily concluded with the Illi-
nois Central and Chicago & Galena Railroads, whereby an extension of time was gained for one
year, so that a guarantee of 8 per cent income would not be forfeited. Bewildered and per-
plexed how to raise money, the Directors' ability was sorely strained to concoct schemes, or to
mature plans for the purpose, and only when every other resource had failed, they applied to
the towns adjoining their line for substantial encouragement in the form of town bonds. In
reply to repeated solicitations, several towns acquiesced in the proposal, and pledged their local-
ities respectively as follows: Town of Mineral Point, $60,000; Waldwick, $10,000, and city
of Mineral Point, $90,000. In August, 1855, a contract was made tending to the completion
of the road, with Messrs. Keep, Fisher and Talcott. This was afterward transferred to Alvin
Wilkins, of New York, who used all his influence and persuasive powers to procure the county's
and company's bonds, intending to float them on Wall street. He represented himself as an
affluent capitalist, but, despite constant pressing, he adroitly managed to evade the terms of his
530 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
contract, requiring him to begin work immediately. A deadlock ensued, which was only dis-
solved by Wilkins investing his brother-in-law, Luther Beecher, with the contract. The change
was gladly accepted, as Beecher was a recognized railroad constructor of Detroit, and had gained
many encomiums from improvemeats in Michigan. The specifications of the contract guaran-
teed Beecher f 1,000, 000 in cash, bonds and stock of the company, including all the town and
county bonds in possession of the company. Under the direction of Luther Beecher, the
deserted road-bed soon teemed with myriads of laborers, and the country again re-echoed the
welcome bustle of industry. The grading, fencing and track-laying' were accomplished with all
expedition compatible with an embarrassing want of the golden lever of creation — money. With
fluctuating success, the line was ultimately completed from Warren to Mineral Point, and both
sections of the country were thus united by the iron band that follows the advance of commerce
in its progress over the civilized sphere.
THE FIRST TRAIN COMPANY RE-ORfiANIZED.
The first train arrived in Mineral Point June 17, 1857. At the depot, an enthusiastic
throng had congregated to signalize the event in the manner usual on such occasions. The
depot at Mineral Point, a substantial stone building, with some pretensions to architectural
beauty, was erected by Messrs. Toay & Allan, who did the mason-work, and Mr. Full, who
executed the carpentry and joiner's work. The building measures 30x50 feet, and now, after
the lapse of a quarter-century, stands as firm as ever, a monument to the builder's skill. Con-
veniently situated is a stone locomotive-house, 33x55 feet, and 22 feet in height. This struct-
ure is supplemented by a machine-shop, likewise of stone, one story high, and covering an area
of 2,400 square feet.
The troublesome litigation attendant on the bonding of the road, as delineated in another
chapter, arrived at a focal point in 1861, when, by a decree of the United States Court, in the
Martin and Coman suit, the railroad equipment and plant were advertised and sold at Marshal's
sale, on November 6, 1861, to James C. Carter, of New York, for the sum of $75,000. George
W. Cobb was appointed receiver. The railroad was afterward re-organized as a corporation
under the name of the Mineral Point Railroad (omitting the company). The Directors were
Asahel Finch, Luther Beecher, Samuel P. Holmes, James C. Carter and George W. Cobb.
The first meeting of the newly organized company was held July 7, 1862, when a report was
presented covering the business of the road from November 13, 1861, to date. A cash balance of
$5,818.17 was exhibited, without deducting anything for interest. The following Board of
Directors was elected: Henry Koop and George W. Cobb, Mineral Point; Luther Beecher,
Detroit ; S. P. Holmes and H. W. Peck, New York. President, Luther Beecher ; Secretary
and Superintendent, George W. Cobb A preamble and resolution adopted on that occasion,
stated that as the local traffic was insufficient to meet the expenses of the road, and as it was
required to be ballasted and refitted with cars and locomotives, that it was necessary to hypothe-
cate, or sell all bonds, claims, contracts or property of the company, to raise money for
operating expenses, repairs and improvements.
The Directors were authorized to extend the road to the north line of Iowa County, a*
some point on the Milwaukee & Prairie Du Chien Railroad. In accordance with the " articles
of association of the re-organized company," the capital stock was increased to $1,200,000
in shares of $100 each, of which $500,000 was to be issued as preferred stock, first entitled
to receive a dividend of 12 per cent, per annum out of the net earnings of the road, payable in
August and February of each year, the balance to apply on the other $700,000. Each holder
of original stock could, on surrendering his certificate, and by paying $50 per share, be enti-
tled to a preferred share. After October 1, 1862, the President and Directors were empowered
to dispose of or hypothecate unsold stock in payment of expenses.
HISTOKT Of IOWA COUNTY. S31
In ratio the stock was offered to the following corporations and persons :
Mineral Point, 600 shares $ 60,000
Waldwick, 100 shares 10,000
Iowa County, 1,500 shares 150,000
Old stockholders, 300 shares 30,000
Total $250,000
Such was another visionary scheme to involve the public credit in the quagmire of financial
distress. This proposition to a people burdened with an onerous taxation, the direct outcome of
subsidizing this railroad, could not be contemplated otherwise than with the most pungent sarcasm.
The disingenuous proposal was not even entertained by the respective towns or the county, so
that the increase of capital stock was only evident in the accumulation of unsalable bonds in the
possession of the railroad corporation. The new directorate conducted the road with varying
success, to July 1, 1880, when the line was transferred or leased on private terms, to the Chi-
cago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Company, which now controls and operates the road. They are
now engaged in building the Monroe branch to Gratiot, La Fayette County. Early in 1881, it
is believed, through trains will be running to Milwaukee by this route.
The gross earnings of the Mineral Point Eailroad, for 1880, were $106,167.77, with
operating expenses aggregating $72,530.65. The average rate per passenger per mile was 4
cents ; the average freight rate per ton per mile was equivalent to $3.50 per hundred pounds.
OHAPTEE VII.
IOWA COUNTY BONDS.
Building- Conteacts— County Repudiation of Bond Indebtedness— Fiest Suit— The
Enemy Stoems Mineeal Point— The Legislatuee to the Rescue— A Compeomisb At-
tempted AND Opposed— Settlement, Peoceedings and Final Repoet.
The history of the Iowa County Bonds is so intimately allied with the inception of the
Mineral Point Railroad, the financial ramifications of which are illustrated in another division,
that it is with difficulty it can be narrated in a single chapter. Realizing that the subject has
been fecund of acrimonious discussion and bitter feeling, the historian has carefully culled his
information from a variety of sources, the result being given herewith, from an unbiased stand-
point, and with the aim of ingenuously recording the truth.
Before launching forth on the question, it is necessary to a faithful understanding that the
specific deeds should be premised by a pithy review of the railroad, from the time it was pro-
jected. The Mineral Point Railroad was incorporated by an act of Legislature, approved April
17, 1852. Stock subscription books were opened in Mineral Point in June, 1852, and after
many weeks of strenuous exertion, the amount of stock essential to organizing was subscribed
and the first installment of 10 per cent was paid. A Board of Directors was then elected by
the shareholders, and the initiative steps toward constructing the road were inaugurated. During
the year 1852, the preliminary surveys and estimates were completed, and additional stock
amounting to $130,000 subscribed. By order of the Directors, an act authorizing the county to
issue bonds in aid of the railroad was submitted to the Legislature by Levi Sterling, P. W.
Thomas and H. Madder, and eventually approved. The title of the act was " To authorize the
counties and towns through which the Mineral Point Railroad passes to aid in its construction."
Through the agency of H. H. Gray, of Darlington, a proviso was inserted exempting La Fayette
County and the towns and villages therein, from participating in any proposed subsidy.
On the passage of this law, a resolution was adopted directing the President to submit a
proposition to the County Board of Supervisors for the exchange by the county of $150,000 of
county bonds for a corresponding amount of convertible railroad bonds in conformity with the
provision of the act. The proposition of the railroad company specified that in return for bonds
of the county aggregating $150,000, the principal and interest would be guaranteed, and as
security for such payment, the company offered to issue an equitable amount of railroad bonds,
convertible into stock, and secured by a mortgage on the road and all its equipments. The
County Clerk, on receiving the proposition, as required by law, convened a meeting of the Board
of Supervisors, to take into consideration the offer. The meeting occurred May 25, 1853.
John Messersmith was elected Chairman, and the board adjourned to the following day, when
every member was present. As anticipated, the expediency of holding an election was fruitful
of warm debate.
After an excited and earnest discussion, the voice of the meeting was registered in the-
affirmative by a vote of ayes 8, nays 3. An analysis of the vote shows the following as having
cast their vote in the affirmative : Gr. M. Ashmore, Arena ; John Messersmith, Dodgeville ;.
John Covin, Linden ; R. D. Pulford, Mineral Point ; Francis C. Kirkpatrick, Mifflin ; John
B. Skinner, Ridgeway ; Samuel Zollinger, Waldwick, and E. L. Geddings, Wyoming — 8.
Nays — Nathaniel Butterfield, Clyde; David McFarland, Highland, and F. E. A. Hal-
stead, Pulaski — 3.
HISTOBY OF IOWA COUNTY. 53a
The date of election was fixed for June 20, 1853, and a printed notice of the election and
implicated interests was distributed broadcast in every section of the county. Appended is a
true copy of the election notice :
ELECTION NOTICE.
Whereas, The Mineral Point Railroad Company has, in pursuance of an act of the Legislature, approved the
23d day of March, A. D., 1853, submitted to the Board of Supervisors of the county of Iowa, a proposition in writing
for the exchange of $150,000 of second mortgage bonds, of said railroad company, bearing 8 per cent interest, paya-
ble semi-annually in the city of New York, for One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Dollars of Iowa County Bonds,
bearing 8 per cent interest, payable semi-annually in the city of New York, both of said issues of bonds redeemable
in the year A. D. 1868, the said railroad company binding themselves to meet the interest upon the said county
bonds, as the same shall fall due and payable from time to time.
In pursuance of said law, the Board of Supervisors for the county of Iowa, hereby give notice to the voters of
said county, that an election will be held at the several places of holding elections on Monday, the 20th of June next,
when the voters are required to deposit a ballot upon which shall be written or printed the words " For the railroad
proposition," or "Against the railroad proposition," which said election shall be held in the same manner and form
and under the same laws which govern State and general elections.
By order of the board, John Messebsmith, Chairman.
Attest : James B. Geat, Clerh.
Mineral Point, May 26, 1853.
The appearance of this election notice created much animosity in the northern districts,
which at that time, animated by the county seat removal, were allied against all legislation tend-
ing to improve Mineral Point. The election was held, and the following returned as the oflScial
statement of the canvass :
towns. for. against.
Arena 20 29
Clyde 1 50
Dodgeville 6 640
Highland 45 148
Linden 156 52
Mifflin 37 68
Mineral Point 1,007
Pulaski 6 34
Ridgeway 5 102
Waldwick 62 4
Wyoming 60
Total 1,345 1,187
Majority for railroad proposition, 158.
Captious critics impugned the legality of the election on the ground that the vote had been
obtained by fraudulent practices, and by the exercise of deception. However this may be, the
county bonds were issued.
One hundred and fifty bonds for $1,000 each, dated July 26, 1853, payable to Francis
Vivian,Treasurer of the railroad company, on July, 1868, with 8 per cent interest, payable the
1st day of January and July of each year, at the bank of the Manhattan Company, in the city
of New York, with coupons for the interest attached.
In exchange for these bonds, the county received from the railroad company, 150 bonds of
the railroad, for $1,000 each, bearing the same date and interest as those issued by the county,
due at the same time, and payable to Edward H. Janssen, State Treasurer, but without interest
coupons being attached.
To secure the county for the payment of its bonds, the railroad company gave a mortgage,
dated July 27, 1853, to Edward H. Janssen, then Treasurer of the State, as Trustee, on all its
railroad and property ; the same mortgage being intended to also secure $170,000 of other bonds
to be afterward issued as the company might need them. This Janssen mortgage was in point
of time the first mortgage ever given by the railroad company, but it was specially agreed and
provided that it was to be deemed as a second mortgage, subsidiary to another mortgage after-
ward to be executed, and to be called a first mortgage. The bonds were floated in New York.
Following the appearance on Wall street of the county bonds, two advertisements, purporting
634 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
to emanate from the Board of Supervisors of Iowa County, appeared, respectively advocating
and denouncing the issue of the county bonds.
BUILDING CONTRACTS.
On December 16, 1853, the railroad contracted with Robert & G. L. Schuyler, of New
Tork City, in which the Messrs. Schuyler agreed to build, equip and put the railroad in running
order for $1,000,000, all payable in the bonds and stock of the company. The contract pro-
vided that $150,000 of Iowa County bonds should be loaned to the Messrs. Schuyler as collat-
erals to borrow money on. After the completion of the road, they were to be returned and
given up to Iowa County to be canceled.
The contemplated first mortgage was executed January 2, 1854. This mortgage was on al'
the railroad and property of the company, and was given to G. L. Schuyler to secure the pay-
ment of 1,000 of the bonds of the company for $500 each, due January 1, 1874, with interest
at 7 per cent, payable on the 1st days of January and July of each year, and having interest
coupons attached.
In the spring of 1854, Messrs. Schuyler proceeded vigorously to fulfill their contract.
About March 1, 1854, $500,000 of the Schuyler railroad bonds, and $150,000 of county bonds
were deposited in New York, the money used being obtained by the ofiicers of the company
drawing on Messrs. Schuyler, in New York, payable four months after date. These drafts would
be accepted, and the company discounted them, and procured the money from various banks.
As stated elsewhere, Messrs. Schuyler failed to meet their monetary obligations on July 3,
1854. Up to this date, the company had drawn at four months for $137,000. About $77,000
had become due, and was paid by Messrs. Schuyler, thus leaving $tiO,000 for which the railroad
company was responsible to the banks.
On settling with the assignee of the bankrupt contractors, it was found that they had used
^30,000 of the county bonds, and $20,000 of the Schuyler first mortgage bonds. The company
obtained the release of the remaining $120,000 of the county bonds, and $45,000 of the Schuy-
ler bonds. By this transaction the railroad was saddled with a debt of $60,000 for the unpaid
acceptances of the Messrs. Schuyler, and a home debt of $15,000 for grading, etc.
The debt of the company, about $75,000, was carried with great difficulty, by putting up
the Iowa County Bonds, and by using the first mortgage bonds as collateral.
Eventually a contract was signed with Alvin Wilkins, of New York, for the payment of
the company's debt and the completion of the road. That gentleman was dissatisfied with the
form of the Schuyler bonds, and, at his instigation, a third mortgage, or an alleged new first
mortgage, was prepared and executed by the company. This issue was for the sum of $320,000,
in $500 bonds, each dated January 1, 1856, due January 1, 1881, with 8 per cent interest, pay-
able semi-annually. The new mortgage given to secure these bonds was dated January 1, 1856,
and was to D. R. Martin and L. D. Coman as Trustees.
By the cancellation of $50,000, the balance of the Schuyler First Mortgage Bonds, the
Janssen Mortgage, by priority, became the first mortgage with the Martin and Coman deed sub-
sidiary to it.
On June 4, 1856, Alvin Wilkins made an assignment of his contract to Luther Beecher,
a brother-in-law, residing in Detroit. By the terms of his contract, Mr. Beecher was to receive
$1,000,000 in cash bonds and stock of the company, including $150,000 in Iowa County Bonds;
$60,000 in Town of Mineral Point Bonds, and $10,000 of Town of Waldwick Bonds, for which
Mr. Beecher was to complete and equip the road, and pay and deliver up to the company to be
canceled all the interest coupons due on the Iowa County Bonds, including those of July 1,
1857. It is idle to recount the financial operations of this contractor, through whose shrewd-
ness and business capacity the road was ultimately completed, and under whose auspices the
inaugural train was run in the spring of 1857.
To justify a repudiation of the bonds, it was asserted that a second mortgage, subordinate
to a first of $10,000 per mile, was no security at all ; that even the first mortgage was valueless.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 535
as the road would never pay operating expenses, or even earn enough money " to lubricate the
axles."
On the other side it was insisted, and detailed statistics were presented in proof, that the
net earnings of the road would pay oif both mortgages and leave a surplus for dividends to stock-
holders ; and the convertible feature, which the bonds of the county were to contain, was a val-
uable one of which the county would at some future time avail itself.
The more brilliant prospectus was generally accepted by a confident and enterprising people
as a correct view of the merits of the undertaking, and, in support of their opinions, the citi-
zens cast their vote, and accepted the proposition. Reviewing the canvass now, in the light
of subsequent experience, it is contended that the action was justified by the prospective profits,
which, despite delusive statements, were not wholly chimerical. In this plight it becomes inter-
esting to contemplate the course which eventually canceled the guarantee, and left the tax-pay-
ers in the relentless grasp of financiers, whose only aim was to eke out payment to the last
stiver. Anterior to the popular indorsement of the county loan, the railroad was subject to a
bonded indebtedness of $10,000 per mile, or, in the aggregate, $320,000. But in reality the
only mortgage that had been issued, paramount to the security of the county, was the Schuyler
mortgage, a lien to the amount of $50,000.
On April 8, 1856, the Railroad Company, by Parley Eaton, its President, executed a
mortgage for $320,000 to D. R. Martin and L. D. Coman. These parties claimed for the deed
all privileges pertaining to first mortgage bonds, although there was nothing on its face to indi-
cate that it was a first mortgage. In fact it was actually a third mortgage, and the bonds issued
were subordinate to the mortgage issued to secure the county.
Owing to the recalcitrancy of the railroad, in failing to provide payment for interest ma-
turing on county bonds on July 1, 1858, a suit was instituted in the United States Court, upon
forty-three of those bonds.
COUNTY REPUDIATION OF BOND INDEBTEDNESS.
At the annual meeting of the County Board of Supervisors, on November 11, 1858, the
members were called upon to adopt a definite plan of action regarding the present and prospect-
ive litigation arising from the railroad company's inaction, and it was
Resolved, That the Iowa County railroad bonds were obtained by fraud, issued against the wish of the people,
first offered in market, against the published protest of a majority of the County Supervisors, and that the peo-
ple never will consent to the payment of one dollar of them.
Resolved, That in view of a suit now to commence, or about to commence, against Iowa County, for some por-
tion of said bonds, it is ordered that a defense be made to such and all suits for any of said bonds, to the utmost
extent of law.
Resolved, That the Chairman of the board be associated with the District Attorney, and that they be directed to
employ the best legal talent of the State, at a, cost, if necessary, of any amount not exceeding $5,000 per year, to
assist in conducting the defense. »
Resolved, That $1,000 be appropriated out of any money in the treasury, for present use, and the Chairman of
the board be instructed to draw orders for the sum as needed, to carry out the objects of the foregoing resolutions.
Notwithstanding this repudiation, the United States District Court has always, and in all
cases, rendered judgment against the county, the first decree having been entered on September
3, 1860.
The allegations of misrepresentation and fraud specifically defined are : That it was repre-
sented by those who advocated the issue of the county bonds, and especially by the Directors of
the railroad company, that if the bonds were issued, the railroad should be extended northerly
through the county. The Railroad Company would pay the bonds, principal and interest, and
that the people of the county would never be called upon to pay one cent. Finally, that the
•election itself was fraudulent, and the apparent majority was obtained by illegal and fraudulent
voting.
It is admitted by the most ardent supporters of the railroad, that it was represented that
the road should be extended northerly through the county. These representations were, however.
536 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
more the act of individuals, who, laboring to render the issue of county bonds more palat-
able to the popular taste, did not always hesitate to qualify their promises, but unconditionally
stipulated verbally that such extension would be completed. As a corporate body, no official
emanation sanctioned the projected northerly branch. However, arrangements had been made
with R. & G. L. Schuyler to extend the road to the Wisconsin River, whenever they had com-
pleted their main line to Mineral Point. Injustice to the contractors, it is only equity to pre-
sume that they would have done it, had not their disastrous failure of 1854 intervened, to cause
a suspension of operations on the main line for nearly two years, and defeated all hopes of the
extension for an indefinite period. The only grounds existing for the charge of misrepresenta-
tion were the acts and utterances of the Directors, some of whom, in an ebullition of excitement
and transported by super-zeal, addressed mass meetings of citizens on the topic uppermost in
their minds. Extravagant expectancies were incubated, and the golden prospects of the rail-
road depicted in roseate tints of the most vivid character. So impressed were the Directors of
the ultimate success of their project that, prior to the election, a circular, entitled "An Appeal,"
was printed and industriously distributed among the voters. In this " appeal " the income of
the road was estimated at $72,000 per annum, and this amount the Directors expressed their
confidence would be found "far below the truth." On behalf of the railroad, it is claimed that
this prospectus deceived no one, as the figures of estimated profits were submitted to each tax-
payer to either verify or disprove.
FIRST SUIT.
Notwithstanding the secondary nature of the Martin & Coman mortgage, a suit for the
purpose of foreclosure was brought in April, 1859, in the United States Coui't, in which it was
charged that the Janssen mortgage "was subject and subsidiary to the Martin & Coman mort-
gage, and that the latter had precedence to and priority over the former and all other liens and
incumbrances."
In this suit, the county was not made a party defendant, but the Trustee, the State Treas-
urer, was. While this suit was pending, before decree or sale of the road, two citizens of Min-
eral Point made strenuous efibrts to induce the Chairman of the board to instruct the attorney
of the county to answer in this suit, asserting that the Janssen mortgage, held for the security
of the county, was the first and paramount lien on the railroad. Every argument that could be
adduced was used with the Chairman, and he was furnished with the written opinion of an emi-
nent law firm in Milwaukee, stating that if the county did not assert its rights in this suit, it
would, by a decree, be forever debarred from so doing.
The records of the Board of Supervisors do not show that any action was ever taken by
the board upon the question of entering the appearance of the State Treasurer as trustee of
the Janssen mortgage in the foreclosure suit of the Martin & Coman mortgage ; but it does
appear on the other foreclosure suit of the county, that Samuel D. Hastings, State Treasurer,
was served with a subpoena, and that he transmitted the same to the Chairman of the Board of
Supervisors of Iowa County, and gave the officers of this county authority by letter, "to use
his name in any way in defending said suit."
On reception of this authority, L. W. Joiner, the Chairman, met in consultation with the-
District Attorney, and was by him advised not to defend the Martin & Coman suit, as such
action, by asserting a claim to the .Janssen mortgage, would compromise the suit wherein the-
county contested the legality of the railroad bond issue.
The Janssen mortgage provided that $320,000 might be issued under it. Of this, $15,000-
was issued to Iowa County in 1853, and the balance to other parties in 1856. The State Treas-
urer was the trustee under the mortgage for the several mortgagees, as well for the other parties-
as for the county. Under the circumstances, it is strange that a legal counsel with the un-
doubted ability of Chief Justice Ryan, should have considered the county litigation compromised
by an appearance in the Martin & Coman suit by the State Treasurer as trustee.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 537
[Publisher's Note. — After this chapter was printed, several errors were discovered. To correct them, the
greater part of the defective pages were re-printed. The construction of the book necessitates the following errata :
Page 532, fourteenth line from bottom, for " equitable," read "equal;" line below, for a "mortgage," read "a
second mortgage," " Jansen," wherever it appears, for "Janssen." Page 536, thirteenth line from bottom, read
"summons" for " subpcena." Transpose the second paragraph from bottom to follow " debarred from doing," and
make it read : " On reception of this opinion, L. W. Joiner, the Chairman, met in consultation with the late Chief
Justice B^ran, employed by the county, and was by him advised not to defend the Martin & Coman suit, as such
action by asserting a claim to the Janssen mortgage would compromise the suits on the county bonds wherein the
county contested the legality of the county bonds issued to the railroad company." Also, sixth line from bottom,
read |l 50,000. From this point to the end, the chapter is reprinted].
638 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
In pursuance of a decree granted by the United States Court in the Martin & Goman
suit, the railroad, equipments, etc., were advertised aud sold at Marshal's sale on November 6,
1861, to James C. Carter, a New York attorney, for the sum of $75,000.
In the spring of 1866, Moses M. Strong and William T. Henry were employed by the county
to foreclose the Jansen mortgage, and to assert it as being a first lien on the railroad and all
its property for the benefit of the county, and as a just offset to the claims made against the
county. And at this time, Henry and Smith were employed by the county to defend it in all
the other suits by the bond-holders, and they had been before so employed from 1860 by the city
and town of Mineral Point, and a short time after by the towns of Waldwick and Moscow. The
attorneys, Strong and Henry, agreed with the County Board to prosecute the Jansen foreclosure
suit for a fee which should be satisfactory to the board, and contingent upon success, and if they
were not successful they would only receive from the county their actual expenses. According
to this agreement, the suit was commenced in the Circuit Court of Iowa County in September,
1866. Messrs. Reese & Mulks were employed by the county to assist in the suit. The case
was brought to trial October 28, 1868, and the court adjudged that the Jansen mortgage was the
first and paramount lien upon the railroad and all its property. Luther Beecher, President of
the Mineral Point Railroad corporation, through his attorneys, appealed the decision to the
Supreme Court of the State. The Supreme Court reversed the decree of the Circuit Court,
and ordered that the case be dismissed, holding that the county had lost its privilege by not
appearing in the Martin & Coman foreclosure suit ; that the county was by that decree forever
barred and prohibited from setting up any claim by virtue of the Jansen mortgage.
By authority of the act " to authorize the counties and towns through which the railroad
passes, to aid in its construction," the town of Mineral Point issued $60,000 and the town of
Waldwick $10,000 of their bonds, accepting stock of the railroad in return for the subsidy.
Waldwick subsequently liquidated about one-fifth of their bonds.
In 1870, this outstanding liability against the tax-payers had assumed threatening pro-
proportions, which speedily promised to seriously impair the finances of the county.
Subjoined is a statement of the bonded indebtedness of the rate-payers of Iowa County,
together with accumulated interest, as compiled by William T. Henry in 1870 :
Iowa County Bonds $413,000
City of Mineral Point 98,505
Town of Mineral Point 66,495
Town of Waldwick 13,833
Town of Moscow 8,162
Total $599,995
The claims against the county were thus augmented to $16.82 for each person, or $84.10
for a family of five persons, and 6y^^ per cent on the high valuation of 1870. In the cities and
towns that granted subventions, the claims of local bonds were to be added. In the city of Min-
eral Point, the citizens were burdened with an oppressive debt of quadruple proportions, embrac-
ing a tax respectively for the county, town, city and railroad stock assessments. Accepting the
county and city debt in the aggregate, the assessment levied would be equivalent to 17^^ per
cent. Including the town debt, the rate was increased to the startling figures of 20^ per cent.
In the town of Waldwick, a tax to cover the indebtedness would subject the inhabitants to
an assessment of 10y\ per cent. In the town of Moscow the rate of taxation would be 9^ per
cent.
THE ENEMY STORMS MINERAL POINT.
The first judgment against the county was September 3, 1860, and the first one against the
city and town of Mineral Point was September 26, 1864, these being rapidly followed by other
suits and other judgments.
One curious circumstance, connected with the first judgment against the county, which was
in favor of Clark, Dodge & Co., of New York City, was that at the trial of said case in the
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 539
United States Court at Milwaukee, the original 150 bonds for $1,000 each, issued by the rail-
road company to the county, were produced in court by the plaintiflTs attorney (George B. Eley),
and although afterward the most exhaustive search and investigation was had, every possible
trace or clew being followed to its very end, parties being examined under oath, and every possi-
ble means taken and used to find said bonds, it has never been found how they got out of the
possession of the county, or where they went out of said court.
From the time of the first judgments, the bond-holders continued to bring suits and to obtain
other judgments for different parties, and of course by different attorneys, and at the same time
was trying in every known way, from 1860, to compel actual payment, and for years the county,
city and town boards of Mineral Point could scarcely hold a meeting to transact the public bus-
iness without having the Marshal appear and serve them with mandamus writs and other com-
pulsory processes. In all these were seventy-five to one hundred suits in different stages of
progress, giving the county attorneys plenty of occupation in attending to them. All processes
were avoided or evaded, but, as practice makes perfect, the attorneys for the bond-holders, the
principal and most active being the late Hon. Matt H. Carpenter, succeeded in so perfecting their
processes that the usual taxes could not be collected, without also paying the bond judgment
taxes; so for 1870 no taxes whatever were collected in Iowa County. For 1871, they managed
to collect the usual taxes, but for 1872, thebondholders had the people in the same situation as
for 1870 ; so for 1872 no taxes whatever were collected in Iowa County, and the people having
their revenues stopped, were deprived of means with which to continue the public schools, to
pay their State tax, or to carry on their local governments. While all this was going on, the
attorneys of the county, city and town, as opportunities offered and funds could be had, settled
a good many thousand of dollars of county, city and town bonds, at prices varying from 25 cents
to 50 cents on the dollar not at any time having any trouble to settle for 50 cents when they could
get money.
At this time, the only active parties being the attorneys engaged in supporting the legal
warfare and parrying offensive thrusts delivered against their respective clients. Tired of fruit-
less skirmishing, in August, 1870, Matthew H. Carpenter, representing Luther Beecher and the
majority of the claimants, indited a letter demanding an immediate settlement in full, under
penalty of Marshal's execution. The County Attorney replied in a tone of firm moderation,
advising a compromise. An answer was vouchsafed rejecting the offer, and ordering " an advance
all along the line." The County Attorneys were aided by the legal firms of Emmons & Van
Dyke on the part of the towns, and Palmer, Hooker & Pitkins, of Milwaukee, on the part of the
county.
In the fall of 1872, at the instigation of Mr. Beecher, all the Town Clerks, Town Treas-
urers and the Mayor and Aldermen of the city of Mineral Point, thirty-seven persons in all,
were suddenly arrested by United States Marshal Hamilton, and taken to Milwaukee on at-
tachments issued without any notice, for pretended contempt of court in not obeying the man-
damus writs issued in 1870. The offenders were taken before the United States Court in
Milwaukee on November 13, 1872, and after being granted a hearing as to the officers of the
city of Mineral Point, they were each fined $100 and costs, exceeding in the aggregate $1,000.
The fines were paid and the gentlemen released. Their names were William T. Henry, Mayor ;
David Jacka, S. E. Shepherd, James Argall, Albert Sprattler, William J. Healy and Peter
Frieden, Aldermen. The other cases were adjourned to the next term of court. The captive
city and town ofiicers were permitted to return home as prisoners on parole, with a most em-
phatic direction from Judge Drummond to collect money and pay the judgments, as the next
time they came before him in this way, the fines would probably be the full amount of the debts
and costs.
The cause of this action shows that the tax was levied in compliance with the orders, but
the Treasurers, who are required under the laws of the State to give bonds for twice the amount
of tax to be collected, found it thus impossible to obtain securities, and on being ordered by the
court to appoint others who could give bonds, no person could be found who would accept the
540 HISTOBY OF IOWA COUNTY.
office. As the clerks could not lawfully deliver the tax lists until the Treasurers had complied
with the statutes, the tax was not collected, hence the decree of the court was contemned. The
Judges in this case were Justices Drummond and Miller.
At a meeting of the Common Council of the city of Mineral Point, held November 20,
1872, the appended resolutions, which speak for themselves, were adopted :
Resolved, That in obedience to the orders and decrees of the Circuit Court, in and for the United States of Amer-
ica, far the District of Wisconsin, made January 4, 1870, in the nine cases of John C. Havemeyer, Charles 0. Webb,
J. C. Carter, Henry Havemeyer, William F. Havemeyer, James Brace, William F. Havemeyer, James Lee and Joshua
F. Lamson, against the town and city of Mineral Point, and in compliance with the notice of Matt H. Carpenter,
solicitor and counselor for said parties, there be and is hereby levied upon all the taxable property of Mineral
Point, the sum of thirty-three thousand one hundred and one dollars and thirty-six cents, as a tax for the year A. D.
1872, to pay and satisfy the share of the said city of Mineral Point, of the said judgments, costs and interests thereon,
as is fixed and adjudged by the said court.
Resolved, That the City Clerk be, and he is hereby requested and directed to put the taxes so levied in the tax
roll for the year A. D. 1872, with the other taxes according to law, and the City Treasurer is also hereby requested
and directed to proceed and collect said tax, with the other regular taxes according to law, and when so collected,
pay the same over to said parties or their solicitors, to satisfy said respective amounts due them as aforesaid.
Resolved, That with all respect for said Circuit Court and the Judges thereof, the Common Council of said city
deem it right to say that said judgments are not by said decrees properly equitably, justly or correctly apportioned
or divided between said defendants — the town and city of Mineral Point, and the said Common Council levies said
tax to comply with the order and decree of said court, but in no way acknowledging said amounts to be correct, and
reserving the right to adjust and settle such sum or debt with the town of Mineral Point, upon the share and terms
heretofore settled and agreed upon between them.
On motion, Mayor Cooper, with Aldermen Argall and Sprattler, were appointed a com-
mittee to confer with the town authorities and the attorney for the town and the city, on the
offer of T. A. Keep, on town bonds and on the fines and costs in the late cases of contempt
before the United States Circuit Court at Milwaukee. When the city was organized out of the
territory of the town, they had a settlement by which they divided all assets, and agreed to pay
all liabilities on the basis of 59^^ for the city, and 40^\ for the town, and said fine and costs
were settled on that basis as have been all settlements of railroad bond debts.
THE LEGISLATURE TO THE RESCUE.
At the Legislative session in January, 1873, William. T. Henry visited Madison, and by
interesting the members of the Legislature, procured the passage and approval of various bills,
embodying every conceivable clause capable of protecting the city from paying assessments for
the payment of railroad bonds. Following are the bills that were introduced into the Legisla-
ture :
By Senator Little : No. 109 — A bill to authorize the town of Mineral Point to settle and
compromise its railroad indebtedness.
By Senator Little : No. 110 — A bill to amend an act to incorporate the city of Mineral
Point, approved March 16, 1861, and also all acts amendatory thereof.
By Seijator Little : No. 131 — A bill to repeal Chapter 143, general laws of 1871, entitled
" An Act to Provide for the Collection of Taxes."
By Senator Little: No. 132 — A bill to provide for investing a portion of the State school
funds in bonds of the county of Iowa, and city and town of Mineral Point, which may be issued
to settle and compromise their railroad indebtedness.
Judge M. M. Cothren appeared before the Judiciary Committee of the House, representing
the Mineral Point Railroad. He was opposed by William T. Henry for the consolidated county
claim. The four bills were all passed and approved at that session, together with a law authoriz-
ing the Governor to appoint a commission to investigate and examine the affairs and manage-
ment of the Mineral Point Railroad from the time of its inception, with a view of repealing the
charter if certain charges of misconduct and abuse of the people through their charter privileges
were sustained. This act was approved March 19, 1873, and was published on April 1 of the
same year.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 541
This attack on the franchise of a railroad was the first recorded, and, in the boldness of its
design, was startling. When introduced into the Legislature, its provisions were laughed at,
and the bill was at once characterized as Utopian in conception, never destined for practical
application. Subsequent events dispelled the fallacy of this idea, and, when approved, Iowa
County possessed q,n instrument that enforced a recognition of her rights. The commission was
never appointed, but the bill precipitated a settlement by the bond-holders. Negotiations for
an amicable understanding were re-opened with Luther Beecher and others, and on June 12,
1873, and a short time after, an agreement was concluded whereby the bond-holders, representing
all the county, city and town bond debts, except that in the control of one Mariner, an attorney in
Milwaukee, who, like old Shylock, insisted on every drop of blood, bound themselves to deliver
up the bonds and coupons in their possession, in consideration of 65 cents on the dollar, payable
in six annual payments, with 8 per cent annual interest thereon, payable at the Detroit Savings
Bank, the first payment to be made on April 15, 1874. The proposition was submitted at the
July meeting of the Board of Supervisors, in a communication from William T. Henry and J.
M. Smith, attorneys for the county.
A COMPROMISE ATTEMPTED AND OPPOSED.
Accompanying is an extract from the preamble and resolutions adopted on that occasion :
Whereas, It is believed that the above proposals, and others substantially similar promised soon to be made'
cover and include more than three-quarters of said indebtedness, and that it is to the advantage and benefit of said
county to accept and approve said proposals, therefore, be it
Rfsolved, That said proposals so made and to be made as above stated be, and hereby are, approved, in accord-
ance with said compromise laws, and the faith of Iowa County is irrevocably pledged for the faithful and prompt
fulfillment of the terms thereof, etc.
The ayes and noes on the resolutions were as follows :
Ayes — Bainbridge, Barnard, Coates, Dimock, Humbert, James, Knight, Robinson, Spens-
ley, Van Dusen and Zimmer — 11.
Noes — Bennet, Davies, Jones, Meigs and PauU — 5.
On motion, G. C. Meiggs, of Arena, was appointed a Commissioner to supervise the issue
of compromise bonds. " To see that said compromise bonds are properly made, signed, issued
in proper amounts, recorded and delivered only upon settlement, on the terms aforesaid, of at
least three-fourths of said debt ; and that the proper lawful stipulations are filed in the courts
where said judgments are in each case, so that on payment of the compromise bonds the judg-
ments will be surely released and satisfied, and to report fully their acts and doings in regard
thereto to the board at its next meeting."
The publication of these resolutions aroused a feeling of resentment from center to circum-
ference of the county, and an acrimonious newspaper discussion was instituted by men who
fancied their interests endangered, and consequently felt themselves aggrieved. More litigation
was engendered by this puerile opposition.
The same proposition was made to the Common Council of Mineral Point, and unani-
mously approved at a meeting of the Railroad Bond Committee held July 14, 1873.
In the early part of August, 1873, Joseph Blake, President of the Ridgeway Farmers'
Grange, obtained an order from Judge Wilson restraining the Board of Supervisors from con-
summating the compromise. In the demand for an injunction, it was alleged that the County
Board was about to issue $300,000 of new bonds which were to be delivered to Messrs. Luther
Beecher, Dodge, Carpenter and others. It was also asseverated that, by the terras of the con-
tract, in the event of a single non-payment, the county would be rendered liable for the full
amount of the assigned judgments and the new redemption bonds. The plaintiff was repre-
sented by M. J. Briggs as legal counsel, with whom were associated in this case Messrs. Strong
& Weber, Reese & Carter and the Hon. Alexander Wilson.
In support of the injunction, a public meeting was held at Dodgeville August 12, 1873.
Joseph Blake was chosen Chairman, and E. T. Wrigglesworth was elected Secretary. A series
542 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
of resolutions were adopted, and a committee of three was appointed to present them to the
County Board for their consideration. The committee consisted of James Stephens, of Ridge-
way ; Samuel Hoskins, of Dodgeville, and Alex Wilson, of Mineral Point. At the meeting of
the County Board, the following resolutions of the meeting were read :
R'solved, That we are in fayor of a settlemeut of our county indebtedness at fifty per cent on the dollar, on the
amount due.
Resolved, That as fast as said fifty per cent upon one dollar of said indebtedness is paid, the owner or owners
of said indebtedness shall release and discharge one dollar of said debt, and so on until the whole amount of said
indebtedness is liquidated and discharged.
Resolved, That we are opposed to the issue of new bonds, unless double the amount of the old debt is sur-
rendered therefor ; that we are opposed to the recent settlement of a large amount of said indebtedness by the Boird
of Supervisors of this county for the following reasons: That we thereby incur new obligations without canceling
or discharging any of the old "y the issuing of new unnegotiable bonds, and delivering the same to the judgment
creditors. That in case of the failure of the county to pay any and all of its installments, at the time and maaoer
agreed upon, the payments made are only to be credited dollar for dollar on the judgments, and no provisions for
the return of the new bonds. That in case of failure, the old judgments are to be held good and binding with no
deductions or offsets except payments actually paid.
This session of the board, in character, was one of the most turbulent and noisy that ever
occurred in the precincts of Iowa County. The board met at 2 o'clock in the afternoon, and
adjourned at 10 P. M., only to meet next day. Messrs. Wilson, Weber and Strong all deliv-
ered cogent arguments against the ratification of the compromise. They were followed by
Messrs. Henry and Smith in justification of the agreement sanctioned by the board at its previ-
ous meeting. During the second day's session, a variety of resolutions and declarations were
presented for adoption. The introduction of these measures served only to prolong the argu-
ments pro and con, and intensify the excitement, which soon ascended to fever heat. Finally,
a committee, composed of G C. Meiggs, Joseph Bennett, H. Van Dusen and W. T. Henry,
was appointed to visit Detroit and New York, and confer with the bond-holders for a modifica-
tion of their terms, and $500 was appropriated to defray the expenses of such negotiation. A
report was presented at a special meeting of the Board of Supervisors, convened September 16,
1873. In their report, the committee set forth that they had, in pursuing their instructions,
visited Detroit and New York, where they had interviewed the principal bond-holders on the
question of settlement. The New York claimants had referred them to Luther Beecher, and,
on application to that gentleman, he and his attorneys refused to make any concessions. As to
the second modification, they insisted that they must have new negotiable bonds, but entirely
repudiated any idea or intention of having them so issued that the county would, in any event,
be liable to pay anything twice ; expressed great astonishment that any one should hold such
an idea, and said that the proposal and agreement fully provided for the entire safety of the
county in that respect. Mr. Henry, one of the attorneys, then and there drew up a form for
the stipulation provided for in the proposed agreement, and the same was ratified and agreed to
by both Mr. Beecher and his attorney, Mr. Miller. As to paying all in one payment next April,
Mr. Beecher, having evidently formed the idea that the county would prefer to and was likely
to do so any way, would only agree to discount the difierence between 8 and 10 per cent inter-
est for any payments made before due.
The foregoing stipulations, consisting of four closely written pages, were submitted to the
meeting, and, on motion of Mr. Robinson, were adopted. On application of Mr. Meiggs, the
resolution passed at the July session, appointing him to act in conjunction with W. T. Henry,
was amended by the insertion of the name of Joseph Bennett instead of that of the applicant.
On a motion to dissolve the Blake injunction. Judge Mills rendered judgment adverse to the
county, and re-affirmed the powers of the writ which enjoined the Supervisors from issuing
any so-called compromise bonds.
SETTLEMENT, PEOCEEDINGiS AND FINAL REPORT.
Being restrained from canceling the railroad bonds by the issue of redemption bonds, the
Board of Supervisors, at a meeting held November 21, 1873, resolved to levy a tax of $150,000
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 543
on all the taxable property as shown by the assessment rolls for that year, it was levied, and
nearly all of it promptly paid by the people, paid over to the Fund Commissioners of the
county, by the County Treasurer, as the fiinds came into his hands from time to time, and
used in making the first payments on the bond debts previously contracted to be settled. The
payments were based on the settlement of 65 cents on the dollar, in six payments, with 8 per
cent interest, each payment to cancel one-sixth part of the interest and debt.
According to the provisions of Chapter 207 of the Private and Local Laws of Wisconsin
for 1869, entitled " An Act to provide for a Board of Fund Commissioners," Joseph Gundry,
Samuel Hoskins and David McFarland were appointed Fund Commissioners, to hold office for
the respective terms of three, two and one years, according to the above order of mention.
Joseph Gundry returned his commission and respectfully declined to act. John J. Ross was
then appointed to fill the vacancy.
The Committee on Bond Settlement reported, March 19, 1872, that to meet the bonds
held by Charles H. Tweed, of New York, the sum of $21,000 was borrowed for sixty days at
10 per cent interest. The proceeds were paid to C. H. Tweed, in New York, to meet nineteen
bonds of $1,000 each, with accumulated interest from 1857, at the rate of 8 per cent. The
total of these bonds, including interest, was $41,166.66, for which the sum of $20,583.33 was
paid. County notes, bearing 10 per cent interest, and redeemable in one year, were issued at
William T. Henry's banking office, for $8,865. The County Clerk issued similar paper cover-
ing $2,135.
In November, 1876, the Fund Commissioners submitted a report, showing the extent of
their operations since the date of their appointment. It was shown that a loan of $50,000 had
been received, from the State Treasurer, which, together with a balance of $11,441.05, had been
invested in United States bonds, leaving a net cash balance of $2,678.25.
On June 12, 1878, the Bond Fund Commissioners submitted their final report to the Board
of Supervisors. The report was duly audited, and, the accuracy of the statements having been
verified the Commissioners were relieved from further labor. As the report contains a succinct
review of the bond redemption, it is deemed worthy of publication in full :
DoDQEViLLE, June 12, 1878.
To THE Board of Supbkvisoks or Iowa County :
Qentlrmen — The Fund Commissioners beg leave to report that since the date of their last report, they have settled
the Curtiss and Bradley judgments, and have paid in part the only other outstanding judgment, and have made
arrangements for its entire extinguishment, as will be seen by the stipulation submiited herewith for your approval.
They were the following judgments docketed September 19, 1878 ^?), in the U. S. Court for the Western District of
Wisconsin, as will be seen by the copy of the release hereby submitted, viz., Daniel Ogden Bradley and Charles
Curtiss vs. the Board of Supervisors of Iowa County ; judgment and costs, $17,168.14. Charles Curtiss vs. The Board
of Supervisors of Iowa County; judgment and costs, $19,358.83. On computing the original judgments, of which
this was a result, the Commissioners discovered an error of $1,760, by which sum this judgment was reduced. These
judgments, with interest computed from date of judgment to dateof payment, April 16, 1878, amounted to $38,622.83.
This was paid at 95 cents on the dollar, amounting to $36 691.69.
The only other judgment is the H. E. Bowen judgment, commonly known as " The Mariner Claim," and which
has been so fruitful of mandamuses and arrests for contempt. This judgment was recovered April 20, 1870, for
$50,284.35. To this is to he added eight years' interest, at 7 per cent, and $973.37 costs on mandamiirsp, etc., in all
amounts to $79,400. On this judgment, the Commissioners paidall extraneous amounts with interest, and issued new
bonds dated May 1, 1878, for the balance of $65 030. These bonds were to bear interestat 7 per cent, and to become
due ; $10,000 in 1886, $20,000 in 1887, $20,000 iu 1888, and $15,000 in 1889, thus deferring the payment of any
part of the principal until the moneys borrowed from the State shall have been paid. It will be seen by the stipula-
tion with Mr. Mariner that to remove any doubts as to the legality of the new bonds, the county is required to pro-
cure the passage of a special act, legalizing the issue of the new bonds before the judgment can be fully satisfied.
Under ordinary circumstances, this would have delayed the final settlement until after the session of the next
Legislature. Being anxious to finally release themselves and the county from any further trouble in the matter, the
Commissioners thought it best to endeavor and get such law passed at the late special session of the Legislature.
For this purpose, Mr. Mariner was requested to draw up such an act as would best fatisfy himself, and Com-
missioners Vivian and Bennett visited Madison to secure, if possible, its passage at the special session. In this they
were successful, although both Houses had resolved to do no business except the special business for which they were
convened. A certified copy of said law is herewith submitted, with copies of the State paper in which it is puMished.
The thanks of the Commissioners are due to Senator Archiba'd Campbell for its passage through the Senate, and to
Hon. William Carter, who championed it in the Assembly. From the best information they can get, there are out-
standing yet in unknown hands one bond and some coupons. If presented before the regular session, tlie Conimis-
541
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
sioners will have enough funds to settle them. Mr. Mariner also claims that some errors have crept into his compu-
tation, which will alter, possibly, the figures of the final settlement. For these reasons the Commissioners propose
to delay their financial statement until your regular session, when, having finished the business intrusted to them, they
will be prepared to submit their accounts and pay over any balance.
The settlement will leave the county indebted to the State $150 000, to Mariner $65,000, in all $215,000, a frac-
tion over 3 per cent on the county assessment as equalized by the County Board. By this settlement, the county will
have to levy $20,000 of the principal, and the interest on the whole debt each year until 1889, when there will remain
only $15,000 to be paid. The annual tax for this purpose will be little more than it has been for the last two years,
as the interest is larger, but the interest charge will decrease each year as the principal is reduced. The payments
for the coming year will be in round numbers $35,000, which is a fraction over the half of 1 per cent on the county
assessment, as equalized by the board. This will be the largest payment, as the interest will be steadily reduced
each year. Respectfully submitted. John H. Vivian,
Joseph Bennett,
L. W. Joiner.
The last recorded event in the bond history is found in an entry on the records under date
of November 13, 1878, which satisfactorily disposes of the nefarious business.
Betolved, That a hearty vote of thanks be and the same is hereby tendered to said Fund Commissioners, for the
able and satisfactory manner in which the most vexed matter that ever Iowa County has been engaged in, has been
finally and forever settled.
CHAPTER Till.
WAE KECOED.
Intkoductory— First Volunteer Company in the State— The Tarmees' Guards— General
Events— Riotous Veterans— The Draft— Bounty Difficulties- The Camp and Eield-
Roster of Volunteers.
introductory.
When the wild wave of secession overrun the country, disrupting all social and political
ties with the upas influence of its baneful presence, the enlightened people of the North sprang
to arms and clamored loudly to be led against the presumptuous foe.
The spontaneity of the rally in the South, the perfected details attendant on a seemingly
hurried organization, were all too palpable to be accepted as other than indications of a long-brew-
ing conspiracy, subtile in the magnitude of its ramifications. The boasted anticipation of the
rebels to decimate the Union and erect on its smoldering ruins the foundation of a Confederacy
based on perpetual slavery, was speedily dissolved into a truly Utopian scheme of illusive com-
prehension. Striking the first blow on an unsuspecting fraternity, the enemy was soon placed
in command of the vantage points of the South. The coast defenses and naval stations invit-
ingly awaited their approach, with dismantled battlements and impoverished equipments. Fol-
lowing up their initial successes, the elated adherents of the confederacy of Jeff Davis boldly
advanced on the capital with the preconceived intention of seizing the seat of Government and
subverting it to their own aims ; but in this they happily failed. Quickly recovering from the
shock of assault, the North rallied to arms, and volunteers for three months' service eagerly
poured in from all sections of the Union. The disastrous battle of Bull Run, fought on July
21, 1861, developed the true nature of the struggle. A patriotic Congress, roused by the zeal
of its loyal President Lincoln, and the shadow of impending destruction, appropriated $500,-
000 for war purposes, and a call was issued for half a million volunteers by the President.
With bated breath, all Europe watched the internecine combat then culminating, and con-
jectured the probable results. England, ever jealous of her scion's advancement, could not
repress a native instinct of revenge, and insidiously sought to undermine the Federal Govern-
ment by treacherously aiding the enemy. The prestige of the Union was darkly clouded, and a
positive vindication of its majesty was essential to a maintenance of its power among nations.
Public enthusiasm was most intense and spontaneous in its generation. With Revolutionary
blood coursing in their veins, the men imitating the example of their grandsires, actually aban-
doned the implements of their calling, and flocked to Mineral Point for enrollment. These in-
cidents have not had their origin in the active brain of some story teller of the people, as they
are fully vouched for by substantial testimony. This feature was more particularly illustrated
in Linden, where many men abandoned their plows in the field and volunteered for military
duty. The adopted citizens of America's free soil were also numbered among the first to stem
the tide of rebellion.
THE FIRST VOLUNTEER COMPANY IN THE STATE.
At the outset, when the first news from Fort Sumter had been received and canvassed,
"old Iowa " with her war-worn Indian laurels, proffered the services of the first body of men
from Wisconsin. The Miners' Guard, an organized militia corps, volunteered for " the front."
Their services were accepted without demur, and, having perfected preparations, they were en-
rolled under the national flag as Company I, of the Second Wisconsin Regiment. At the close
of their three months' service, Company I re-enlisted as a veteran corps, and served throughout
546 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
the rebellion with credit to their country and distinction to themselves. On the day announc-
ing the capitulation of Fort Sumter, intelligence of the event was received in Mineral Point
and disseminated over the county with electric rapidity; recruits flocked in from the adjacent
regions, and speculation was rife regarding the outlook. The Miner's Guard mustered in the
morning, and, without any concerted action, the depleted ranks were filled within an hour to
overflowing, being swelled from a petty force of sixty men to a strong corps of 130 soldiers.
As the State militia laws limited the strength of a single company to seventy-eight men, a
new difficulty presented itself to the officer in command. His ranks were filled to repletion, and
how to reduce the strength baffled his ingenuity. Not a single volunteer offered to relinquish
his post, until eventually the problem was solved by the appointment of a committee of three,
deputized to select sixty men for home duty. The committee men were Amasa Cobb,
now Judge in Nebraska, John Bracken and Joseph Smith. They were faithful in the execution
of their delicate duty, selecting so far as possible men of families, whom they peremptorily ex-
empted from service in the Miner's Guard. Although peace was restored by this harmonious
arrangement, yet the city still continued in a ferment of excitement, owing to the receipt of a
rumor that the rebels were advancing on Cincinnati. Patriotism was fully aroused, and pro-
visions were hastily packed into improvised haversacks, that Capt. Allen with the company might
depart on the noon train, should the information be confirmed. Before noonday the rumor was
exploded, and local matters were restored to a comparative quiet.
A brief history of the new Miner's Guard will not seem here inappropriate. This com-
pany was organized in May, 1860, under the laws governing the State militia, by Maj. Clowney.
The first officers were Captain, Ed Devlin ; First Lieutenant, Ed M. Bliss ; Second Lieuten-
ant, Thomas W. Bishop ; Sergeants, Eugene Early, William W. La Fleiche, Joseph J. Davey
and William H. Wren ; Corporals, Cornelius James, George Harris, John Lanyon and Edwin
Andrews. In the first year of its existence, the Miner's Guard was occupied in organizing and
mastering the details of infantry drill. The members soon exhibited such remarkable profi-
ciency on the occasions of public parades, that they rapidly acquired the title of a crack corps,
not excelled by any similar body of men in Wisconsin. They were first equipped with worth-
less muskets of the fiint-lock pattern, which did very well for drill purposes, but which were en-
tirely inadequate to a hostile intent. These muskets were returned to Madison at the declara-
tion of war, and modern rifles supplied in their stead. The Miner's Guard received orders to
report at Camp Randall in May, 1861. Pending the time of their departure, the ladies of
Mineral Point industriously employed themselves in various ways, and, on the day of parting,
each man received a liberal supply of provisions to carry him on his journey. Company I, as
we will now call them, rendezvoused at the court house, where, falling into line, they marched
to the public square where wagons were in attendance waiting to convey them to Madison by
way of Arena. They arrived at the capital in May, 1861, and were assigned to quarters
in Camp Randall.
The following list of the officers and privates of the Miners' Guard (Company I) of the
Second Regiment, is taken from the Madison Journal :
Captain, T. S. Allen ; First Lieutenant, William W. LaFleiche Second Lieutenant,
Thomas W. Bishop; First Sergeant, Ed. Devlin; Second Sergeant, Alonzo Bell ; Third Ser-
geant, James Gregory ; Fourth Sergeant, Oliver W. Sanford ; Fifth Sergeant, William Noble ;
First Corporal, J. Jacobs ; Second Corporal, F. Frank Wheeler ; Third Corporal, Thomas Maloney ;
Fourth Corporal, George B. Otis ; Fifth Corporal, Richard L. Gidley ; Sixth Corporal, William
Muesser ; Seventh Corporal, George H. Legate ; Eighth Corporal, Samuel W. Smith ; Drum -
mer, Charles H. Holden ; Fifer, Frederick Peuschel.
Privates. — Luke Avery, John Anderson, A. T. Budlong, Delos P. Beach, Henry Burg-
hardt, Seth H. Bohall, Henry Balke, W. F. Benny, Daniel Bice, Frederick Breme, Francis
Casey, R. Chesterfield, Samuel Coker, Henry H. Coats, H. P. Curry, George W. Dilley, Silas
Edgar, John M. Furz, Richard Gundry, William Grant, Nicholas Geib, J. Goldthorp, Jacob
Gundrum, George Gilbert, George Harris, William E. Hease, Fred Holtze, J. F. Johnson, B.
HISTORY or IOWA COUNTY. 547
F. Knowlton, Isaac Kay, G. Mauger, C. Keline, 0. Kessler, Philip Lawrence, George B.
Lathrop, Charles F. Lathrop, Peter Labonde, W. Loofborrow, D. W. Maffit, A. Miller, John
McCormick, James McCormick, Charles Milch, W. A. Nelson, W. Owens, A. C. Perry, E.
Peterson, J. Perine, Thomas Pascoe, William Pollard, James Prideaux, Charles Rowland, T.
H. Rowland, W. Richards, William Raske, Henry Riddle, Michael Rantner, W. P. Smith, C.
Schlosser, B. F. Satterlee, S. W. Sampson, A. M. Seymore, John M. Tennis, John Tregea,
Leonard Tregea, Mark W. Terrill, W. Virgin, Cornelius Wheeler, J. 0. Williams, George W.
Williams, Michael Welch, Joseph Weber, George Wilkinson, Samuel Whitehead, George Yeuck.
THE farmers' guards.
Actuated by the patriotic ardor of the Miners' Guards, a new company was soon after or-
ganized under the agricultural patronymic of the Farmers' Guards. L. H. Whittlesey was
elected Captain. On enlistment, the company was enrolled as Company E, of the Eleventh
Regiment, and served in various parts of the South with distinction, as will be seen by consult-
ing the record of the Eleventh Regiment.
September, 1861. — The following is a complete roster of Company E : Captain, Whittle-
sey ; Lieutenant, Powell Shepard ; Sergeants, Priestley, Jones, Trevillian, Olmstead and Phelps ;
Corporals, Kirkpatrick, Melvin, Weisea, Bracken, Prisk, Budlong, Moore and Shead ; Privates,
Alfred Allan, Joseph Arthur, Grant Anderson, Calvin P. Ailing, Phillip Bennett, John Duaz-
zell, George Beaumont, William H. Bennett, Michael Barnes, John Brennan, James Bothnes,
Abram Barrett, Jones Bryan, Matthew G. Curry, T. W. Curry, J. D. Carpenter, Andrew Carr,
John Crabb, Ezekiel Chaney, B. A. Callahan, James M. Dain, Thomas T. Davis, Reese T. Davis,
F. McEnloe, J. T. Evans, William Evans, George Hartley, Moses Hulen, John Hunter, T. J.
Jones, James Kilpatrick, Edward King, John Logue, Alexander Ludlenn, L. D. Libby, M.
Latch, John Latch, D. W. Murphy, Andrew Marr, B. W. Moulton, H. McLenahan, Charles
Mason, James Martin, Daniel McWhaen, Isaac Newton, Edward Newton, W. H. Ottiker, Will-
iam Odgers, Nelson O'Connor, John Ohle, Thomas Powell, Tyler S. Prentice, T. W. Prisk, 0.
W. Phelps, Jer Phelps, J. G. Parry, Henry Rule, John Reeves, P. M. Palmer, Patrick Ruddy,
Mat Richardson, Robert Sherritt, John Shea, P. P. Stoner, J. Stoner, Thomas Smith, John
Stevens, Thomas M. Satterlee, James H. Evans, T. Scraggin, Henry Fuller, John Scott, C.
W. French, Robert Scott, D. A. Gray, Alexander Shannon, M. D. Gibson, Henry A. Gardner,
Steve Hoskins, Abram Hendrickson, William Trude, Daniel Thomas, John Thrasher and James
White.
The services of the citizens soldiering in the cause of freedom and liberty are imbued
with a deep, undying interest, which gather additional prestige by the waning years. Following
are synoptical sketches of the war records of each full company, contributed by Iowa County.
GENERAL EVENTS.
Numerous events that transpired during those years of anguish and anxiety could be woven
into voluminous narratives, but, in the absence of the necessary space, we present herewith, in
chronological order, a brief account of the principal events of that dark era :
Miners' Guard, the first to volunteer for service, assigned to the Second Regiment as Com-
pany I. Left for Camp Randall, liberally supplied with commissariat stores by the ladies of
Mineral Point. Linden raising and drilling a company of volunteers. Report that Secesh flag
had been raised in Highland. Dodgeville commenced recruiting. Fifth Wisconsin Regiment
organized, with Col. A. Cobb and Surgeon George D. Wilber, of Mineral Point, on the list of
ofScers.
Extract from a local paper :
" The call for volunteers to fill the ranks of the Miners' Guard was so promptly answered
by the patriotic young men of this vicinity that the number was increased to 100 in a very
short time. The inquiry ' who will go ?' was soon changed to ' who will stay ?' for word came
that but seventy-eight would be received in a company. To decide this matter with regard to
'"^48 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
the Miners' Guard, a committee outside the company was chosen to select. The task was a very
unpleasant one for the committee, as all the volunteers were good men, and anxious to be coiinted
in. The committee had no criterion by which to be governed, except to select out such to
remain behind as had families or business that most required the attention of those who offered
to go. Considerable disappointment was felt by some on being left behind, but we feel that the
committee acted from pure motives, and, however much many desired to be in the first company
from this place, they will rally for a new company, the ranks of which are being rapidly
filled."
At the battle of Bull Run, Thomas Maloney, of the Miners' Guard, was reported among
the missing. When exchanged, he related the following story to account for his absence, which
on investigation proved literally true : After Col. O'Connor had been mortally wounded, he
aided in removing him from the field of battle. He then returned and assisted Sergt. James
Gregory to the hospital of an Indiana regiment. Learning that his brother-in-law, John Tregea,
was yet in the field, he returned in search of him. In the darkness of the night, he approached
a body of soldiers, whom he mistook for Union troops, and was there taken prisoner. He was
soon after paroled and sent to Annapolis for exchange.
September, 1861. — Capt. L. H. Whittlesey, forming a company, received thirty-five appli-
cations the first day. Capt. Ashmore, of Arena, and Capt. Loeber, of Dodgeville, organizing
companies. Lieut. Cornelius Koutz enlisting men for German regiment of Milwaukee. Capt.
Whittlesey, with Farmers' Guards, ordered to Camp Randall.
October. — Letter from Miners' Guard from Camp Advance, Va., asking for thirteen men
to fill vacancies in company. Capt. Laudworthy, of Company K, and Lieut. Meredith, of Com-
pany H, arrived in quest of recruits. Gen. Thomas Stephens commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of
Second Wisconsin Cavalry, opened a recruiting oflice in Dodgeville. Constitutional Guards, of
Arena, numbering sixty, fearing to be omitted from the Eleventh Regiment, went to Madison
and united with Randall Zouaves, assuming, latter name. Capt. W. E. Patton, First Lieut. E.
D. Partridge, Second Lieut. Henry Blake. H. Downs, formerly Captain, was elected Orderly
Sergeant. John Bracken commissioned Lieutenant Colonel of the Sixteenth Regiment. Twenty-
five young men enlisted with Col. Bracken, for service in the Miners' Guard, then at Washing-
ton, D. C.
Dodgeville Guards mustered into Twelfth Regiment as Company C at Camp Randall. Levi
Sterling obtained a Captain's commission, with authority to raise a company for Second Wis-
consin Cavalry ; opened a recruiting oSice in H. P. George's store. Mineral Point.
At this, the Tribune says : " We are gratified to be able to say that Levi Sterling has
already commenced raising a company in this place and vicinity, and will no doubt succeed in
filling its ranks in a very short time with first-class volunteers. Quite a number have long been
waiting for an opportunity to join a cavalry company, who will now, we presume, come forward
and unite with Capt. Sterling's company. With ofiicers who dare to lead where brave men
dare to follow, we anticipate a bright future for the Second Wisconsin Cavalry Regiment."
December. — Meeting held at Camp Curtis, Md., to thank ladies of Mineral Point for
appropriate gift of 102 pairs of mittens. Nine volunteers from Iowa County enter Second Cav-
alry, under Capt. Palmer, at Camp Washburn. W. A. Owens, James Gregory, G. W. Dill6y,
F. Bremer and Walter P. Smith, of Miners' Guard, capjiured at Bull Run, and exchanged.
Mineral Point Soldiers' Relief Circle instituted, Amelia A. Knibbs, President ; Kate Tyack,
Secretary. Memorial presented to Capt. Devlin on resigning command of Miners' Guard.
January, 1862. — Shipment of underclothing to soldiers from ladies of Mineral Point.
Sergt. James Gregory, of Miners' Guard, presented with a beautiful silk banner by a Union lady,
resident in Richmond, Va. Capt. Loeber, of Dodgeville Guards, detained at home by illness,
rejoins his regiment at Fort Leavenworth, Kan. Private Budlong, home on leave of absence,
opens a recruiting oflSce at the Wisconsin House, Mineral Point.
April. — George H. Otis elected Captain of Miners' Guard, vice W. W. La Fleiche,
resigned.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 549
May. — Sergt. William Nelson, formerly a printer in the oflBce of the Mineral Point Tribune,
«ulogized for following feat of bravery : In May, an attack was made upon Point Rock Bridge,
near Huntsville, Ala., by a band of irregular cavalrymen, numbering from 200 to 300, as
afterward ascertained. Sergt. William Nelson was on guard, with fifteen men. The assault
began at midnight, by the enemy advancing upon both sides of the railroad, and pouring volley
after volley into the little band, from rifles, guns, revolvers, and every species of arms that
bushwhackers could get together. The noble Union band replied with decision, and, in reply to each
repeated demand to surrender, the brave Sergeant would reply with warmth, consigning the
rebel crew to a base region, and accompanying the condemnation with a charge to his men to
"Give it to 'em, boys!" Sergt. McKinnon, of Company H, same regiment, hearing firing,
came to the rescue with ten men. After a fight of three hours' duration, the enemy were driven
off. This defense is unparalleled in modern warfare.
July. — Lieut. Col. Guppy tendered the command of the Twenty-third Regiment, to be
raised in the Third Congressional District. Capt. Devlin appointed to the command of new
company called Stanton Guards.
August. — Enthusiastic war meeting at Dodgeville. Col. Amasa Cobb, of the Fifth Wis-
consin ; Col. Thomas Stephens, of the Second Cavalry, were present, and delivered stirring
addresses. Hon. L. W. Joiner, of Wyoming, was Chairman ; Revs. Thomson and Mathir spoke
in favor of the county granting a bounty. Resolutions were adopted recommending the County
Board to pay $5 per month to families of enlisted soldiers. L. S. Burton commissioned to raise
a company ; Joel C. Squires and Fred Moeller, commenced recruiting.
Large war meeting in Mineral Point. A committee appointed to collect subscriptions in
aid of the families of volunteers. Maj. T. S. Allen, for distinguished bravery at Bull Run, pro-
moted to the colonelcy of Twenty-third Regiment. Busy at Mineral Point recruiting office.
In one day, thirty-five men were enlisted from Mifflin, and twenty-five from Linden. Mineral
Point citizens subscribed $40 to each man who volunteered without being drafted. Death of
Lieut. Col. L. H. D. Crane, of Third Wisconsin Regiment, who fell in battle. at Culpeper, Va.,
pierced by two bullets. While a citizen of Iowa County, he had held the office of Prosecuting
Attorney, and was subsequently chosen Clerk of the Assembly.
September. — Call for 638 men from Iowa County. Meetings of Soldiers Aid Society, pre-
sided over by Mrs. George W. Bliss, for preparing lint bandages and hospital supplies. Burton
Guards elected following officers : Captain, L. S. Burton ; First Lieutenant, William H. Gill ;
Second Lieutenant, Frank Carver. Successful Soldiers Aid Picnic, attended by Dodgeville and
Highland companies, just organized. Addressed by Gen. William R. Smith. Rev. J. Lawson
presented each man with a Bible on behalf of Iowa County Bible Society. The ladies donated
each man a needle-case. Receipts, $115. J. F. Suddeth, appointed Adjutant of the new
Thirty-first Regiment, to which the Dodgeville company was assigned. Capt. Wigham's
Highland company, assigned to the Twenty-seventh Regiment. Lieut. Col. Sterling opens a
recruiting ofiBce at Dodgeville for Second Cavalry.
October — Capt. Devlin's new company, the Stanton Guards, and the Burton Guards
received marching orders for Camp Randall. Non-commissioned officers of the Burton Guards,
were Sergeants, F. J. Rowe, Thomas O'Kent, John Suffcool, William E. Keeney, Joseph Chey-
noweth; Corporals, Thomas W. Carter, Thomas Leysen, Arthur Gleason, William Wallace,
Daniel Kober, John R. Bainbridge, Le Roy Humbert, William L. Williams ; Commissioner
Beacken appointed Draft Commissioner.
January, 1863. — Capt. Otis in camp, was presented with an elegant sword and belt, by
the Miners Guard. Damascus blade, beautifully mounted, with hilt set in pearls and covered
with an embossed sheath. The whole was encased in a neat walnut box, with an address to the
recipient. Cost, $65. Sergt. Legate made the presentation in name of his comrades.
March — Union League established, George W. Bliss, F. Vivian and A. Wilson, officers.
At a subsequent meeting, a gavel, formed from the timbers of the Merrimack, was received from
Col. Whipples of the Nineteenth Regiment.
'^50 HISTOKY or IOWA COUNTY.
August — Company formed at the City Hall, Mineral Point, in pursuance of a petition for
organization : Captain, Harvey S. Keys ; First Lieutenant, H. F. Thayer ; Second Lieutenant,
H. H. Walters ; Orderly, John Bracken ; Sergeants, R. R. Davis, John Stansmore, Henry
Dunstan, Delos P. Beech. Members, James Roberts, George Goldthorp, John T. Owens, Joseph
Phillips, William H. Prideaux, J. S. Beardsley, A. McAllister, Phillip Lawrence, J. J. Davey,
J. V. Mayhew, N. Olmstead, P. M. Hanscom, R. Robinson, Alex Wilson, J. Grey, J. Shep-
herd, R. Lanyon, H. Schellenger, George Harris, Amasa Cobb, G. W. Bliss, William Smith,
J. Francis, J. HoUingshead, N. Lathrop, F. Wheeler, P. Lawrence, A. K. Ladd, William H.
Chenoweth, B. Curnow, C. C. Neal, C. Schlbsser, B. Stevens, J. Spensley, Joseph Phillips, B.
Fairchild, W. J. Jackson, Zeton Storen, J. C. Goldthorp, D. Mcllhatton, J. Harris, William
Coade, S. B. Dixon, Thomas Luchsinger, James Dunner, James Lee, R. V. Smith, C. H. Cox,
G. S. Mosher, T. J. Otis, Max Adler, J. T. Spencer, W. Trewartha, William Lanyon, Sr.,
John Prideaux, J. D. Ansley, 0. Paddock, J. Ivey, Jr., W. Jacka, J. L. Beardsley, E. Wiesen,
S. W. Reese, J. Bonner, H. Dunstan, J. Whitman, A. J. Slye, William Elliot, H. H. Walters, Jo-
seph Rogers, G. W. Lewis, F. J. Cowan, J. T. Owens, William H. Jones, Duane Wheeler, J.
C. Wilcox, John Mitchell, P. J. Morris, I. Stuart, H. F. Thayer, J. W. Vandmyre, W. W.
Williams, Thomas Thomas, R. R. Davis, B. S. Morris, Samuel Erskine, William H. Prideaux,
R. Cline, Samuel Clandon, G. Thomas, Thomas Rowe, George Sanden, A. McAllister, J. T.
Pryor, Jr., S. Henderson, George Sims, Jr., J. Leddicoat, John Rogers, J. R.Roberts, J. Johns,
W. R. Owens, J. P. Davis, John W. Williams, William J. Thomas, Evan E. Evans, William H.
Hughes, J. Lawson, B. Hoskins, William Sonden, James Roberts, D. M. Jones, William Jacka,
Jr., John Javel, Joseph Craig, George C. Ettershanks, Josiah Lanyon and John Wearn.
1864-65 — John Green, of Moscow, commissioned to raise a company for the Thirty-seventh
Regiment. Return of Farmers' Guards, Company E, Eleventh Regiment on furlough. Banquet
with Second Cavalry veterans, at City Hall, on Wednesday, April 20, 1864. On July 13, 1864,
Maj. George H. Otis took charge of the Tribune and returned colors of the Second Regiment
to Gov.. J. T. Lewis. April 11, 1865, Dr. J. H. Vivian, Surgeon of the Fiftieth Reginent, pre-
sented by the Clerks of the Provost Marshal's office, with a beautiful sword and belt. Septem-
ber 6, 1865, dinner given by the ladies of Avoca, to returned soldiers from that district.
EIOTOUS VETEEANS.
The events in the county during the feverish struggle at the front partook of none of the
prevailing excitement, and local affairs were administered in the quiet tenor of every-day har-
mony. The only incident worthy of mention occurred in the summer of 1864, on the occasion
of the arrival home of a company of the Thirtieth Regiment on furlough. Inflated with the
pleasures attendant on relief from arduous camp service, and rejoiced with the attention of friends,
the gallant "boys " imbibed too freely of stimulants, and, in their exhilarated condition, threatened
to burn up several putative "copperheads" and sack their houses. The threats were principally
directed againt Dr. Van Dusen, an outspoken Democrat. Anticipating an attack, some of his
friends, namely, Reuben Libby, William J. Healey and Edwin Prideaux, mounted guard on the
premises until after the departure of the ultra-loyalists.
During the furlough, an imminent riot on Commerce street was averted by the cool and
intrepid conduct of John P. Tramel, who was at the time Ma,yor. A squad of the Thirtieth,
while passing down Commerce street, encountered a piece of timber obstructing the sidewalk in
front of Joseph Lanyon's shop. One of the leaders kicked it into the street, and, on being
ordered to replace it, the squad turned upon the offending carpenter and drove him into his shop,
which they proceeded to despoil. They had already broken the windows with their rifles when
interrupted by the Mayor who appeared on the scene, and, accosting the leader personally, dis-
armed him. This attack had a salutary effect on the other rioters, who submitted to the civil
authority and quietly resigned their "arms. Such collisions between the military and civil
powers were only of rare occurrence, and were the natural outcome of a troop of active spirits
released from the fettering restraints of a rigid camp life.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 551
THE DRAFT.
The conscriptive summons of the President was generally responded to with enthusiastic
celerity; and in the instance of the first draft, in 1862, many districts were found to have fur-
nished volunteers greatly in excess of the quota required by law. Arena, Mifflin, Pulaski and
Wyoming were enumerated among the towns of Wisconsin that gained exemption by so valiant
an evasion of the draft. In no section of the county were compulsory or arbitrary measures
resorted to to enforce conscription. Citizens with families dependent on their individual efforts
for maintenance justifiably manifested an indisposition to be forcibly ostracised from their wives
and babes, but not in a single instance was this dissatisfaction expressed save in murmuring at
the immutable decrees of a hard fate. Unlike contiguous counties in Southwestern Wisconsin,
Iowa harbored no rank rebels, as her patriotic citizens resented such an unnatural union.
Southern sympathizers were taught to repress their disloyal feelings by force of reasoning, and,
when the power of moral suasion was futile, then the secessionist was moved by physical pun-
ishment to abjure his pernicious doctrines.
As stated elsewhere, volunteering was lively at the outset of the war, which, in a measure,
ameliorated the subsequent draft. The first draft of 1862 called for the services of six hundred
and thirty-eight men from Iowa County. This quota, as reduced by volunteering to two hun-
dred and twenty-three men, was distributed among the towns as follows: Clyde, 23; Dodge-
ville, 30 ; Highland, 11 ; Linden, 15 ; Mineral Point, 42 ; city of Mineral Point, First Ward,
14, Second Ward, 20 ; Moscow, 10 ; Ridgeway, 51, and Waldwick, 7.
Men drafted in November, 1862, in Iowa County, by Commissioner Bracken :
Olyde. — John Shelton, Edgar Harkins, Owen McWeeney, Lewis Jackson, Patrick Ben-
nett, Charles Mix, Mark Delaney, Abram F. Hall, Theodore Harris, James Farregan, James
0. Anderson, Abel Thurber, Michael Murphy, Knudt Anneson, Welcome Hoxe, Charles Front,
Henry W. Calvin, Ranson Bennett, George Martin, Alexander Razy, Gilbert Helson, Leonard
A. Phillips and Thomas Hoxey.
Dodgeville. — Thomas Owens, Ross Forbes, F. Higgins, George W. French, Peter Spang,
K. Oleson, Matthias Koss, John Collingwood, Chris Johansen, John Prideaux, James Smith,
Andrew Anderson, Samuel W. Davey, Ed Rowen, Thomas Williams, Ole Ferguson, James
George, Thomas Holland, William Sellers, Gude Halversen, Francis R. Walters, Thomas Kar-
keek, Sr., Frank Munger, Ole Andersen, Samuel Crowley, Joseph Curnah, Ole Navvison, Jack
Ludavick, Peter A. Griffith and Mathew Launder.
Highland. — Henry Smith, John Lampkins, Neis Knueson, Joseph Nagle, Francis Lord,
John Wichberg, Hans Jacobs, Henry Edwards, Dennis McGrath, John Toskelson and Peter
Christianson.
Linden. — Richard Richards, William Notman, Mathew Holman, John Hazwell, George
Wearne, John Mitchell, George Warren, Henry K. Hughes, William Temby, Fred Jewell,
John Rundell, George Wearne, Joseph Bowden, Jr., Thomas Adams, Henry Baker and John
Hancock.
Moscow. — Ole Gilbertsen and Jesse Moorman.
Mineral Point Town. — Richard Bickell, William Wallis, Jr., William Malkaha, Joseph
Brock, Thomas James, Matthias Smith, Samuel Fitzsimmons, Jr., Edward Phillips, Thomas
Gundry, John Ash, Joseph Phillips, Edward Evans, Robert Quick, John Bartle, Richard Jack-
son, Jr., John Thomas, Jonathan Matthews, John Hale, Michael Shiff, Samuel Jole, Robert
George, Martin O'Dowd, Henry Spittspot, Samuel Frisk, Mark Gilbank, Moses Stevenson,
William Parkinson and Charles Curry.
Ridgeway. — William Cook, Jonathan Paull, John B. Williams, Timothy Hamilton, Peter
Petersen, Joseph Leysen, David Evans, William Rudessdorf, Evan Thomas, Nick Seversen,
William H. Williams, Miles Wilcox, Joseph Crossen, 0. C. Thompson, James Hyde, Thomas
Powell, Robert Lloyd, Andrew Pierce, William Truehall, James Priestley, William McDermaid,
Benjamin Williams, Michael McDermaid, William Curtis, Charles Adams, John Carey, J.
552 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
Raymond, D. Lewis, William H. Baker, William Miller, John Conway, K. Simpson, Ole Nichol-
son, Ole Andersen, Hugh Lewis, Benjamin Evans, Charles H. Buley, Edwin Holley, Isaac
Harnis, David Williams, Jacob Laird, Thomas Reese and Seever Oleson.
Waldwick. — George F. Humbert, John Pile, Ed McDermott, Jonathan White, Samuel
Zollinger, Daniel Kernin and John Wilcox.
Under the draft of 1863, the Draft Commissioners issued a call for 195 recruits. The
quotas of the respective towns were : Clyde, 7 ; Pulaski, 10 ; Wyoming, 5 ; Arena, 16 ; Ridge-
way, 22 ; Dodgeville, 34 ; Highland, 24 ; Mifflin, 14 ; Linden, 15 ; Mineral Point, 1st Ward, 10 ;
Mineral Point, 2d Ward, 10; Town of Mineral Point, 12; Waldwick, 9, and Moscow, 7.
On equalizing the President's call of 1864, it was found that the quota of Iowa County was
585 men, as follows : Pulaski, 18 ; Clyde, 19 ; Linden, 35 ; Mifflin, 26 ; Wyoming, 7 ; Arena,
33 ; Ridgeway, 65 ; Dodgeville, 108 ; Highland, 90 ; Linden, 35 ; Mifflin, 26 ; Mineral Point
town, 25 ; City of Mineral Point, Ist Ward, 26 ; City of Mineral Point, 2d Ward, 26 ; Wald-
wick, 24, and Moscow, 22.
BOUNTY DIFFICULTIES.
Among the few counties of the State that refused to encourage enlistment by the appropri-
ation of money for the support of deserted families, Iowa ranked foremost, for, with the excep-
tion of a paltry sum of $6 mpnthly to the penniless families of soldiers, no other appropriation
was made. Even this trifling sum doled with niggardly exactitude was considered extravagant by
members of the Board of Supervisors, who at the annual meeting in February, 1862, adopted
the following self-explanatory resolution :
Resolved, That the benefits of the resolution of 1861, granting relief to the soldiers' families, be extended to
all the soldiers' families of Iowa County (except substitutes), whether volunteers or drafted men.
'And, whereas, a general impression seems to prevail that the aforesaid resolutions were intended to offer a
monthly pay to the families of soldiers, and, unfortunately, it would seem, by the action of some of the town boards,
that they have fallen into the same error, we therefore wish it to be distinctly understood that it was never intended
to be considered or offered as a regular monthly pay, but only as a fund to be drawn upon when all other resources
had failed, and only in such case is it to be considered a legal charge against the county.
Corporately the County Board did nothing until their cool demeanor provoked the citizens
of Dodgeville to present a unanimous petition praying the board to levy a tax sufficient to
guarantee a bounty of $25 to each volunteer from the county. By referring to Section 1, Chap-
ter 13, of the General Laws of 1862, it was found that the board was not invested with the
authority required to levy a tax for that purpose. A proposition of the petitioners that the
county assume the extra State pay of $5 per month to volunteers until February, 1863, was
adopted, on condition that the same papers required by the Secretary of State be presented to
the Clerk of the board and assigned to the county.
In April, 1862, the care and support of volunteers' families was turned over to the several
towns in which they resided. The apathetic attitude of the Supervisors was a marked contrast
to the individual exertions of citizens who, in all parts of the agitated county, raised by subscrip-
tion money sufficient to bounteously subsidize their local recruits.
On December 19, 1863, a meeting of citizens was held at Mineral Point to devise means
for raising the quota without enforcing the draft. Hon. John Toay was Chairman. Resolutions
were adopted requesting the Common Council to levy a tax of $5,000, for the purpose of offer-
ing a bounty of $200 to all volunteers ; any surplus on hand after securing the number of men,
was to be paid to the families of soldiers already in the army. At this meeting, C. H. Cox pre-
sented a subscription list for a fund to purchase wood for families of soldiers in war. Following
are the amounts subscribed on the spot, although a considerable fund was afterward accumulated :
C. H. Cox, $5 ; Alexander Wilson, $5 ; R. Lanyon, $5 ; Toay & Allen, $5 ; T. S. Ans-
ley, $5 ; Richard Argall, $1 ; John James, $1 ; N. Olds, $1 ; Samuel Cole, $2 ; E. Jeffrey, 75
cents ; T. Mitchell, J. Prideaux, R. Penrose, R. White, H. S. Keys, George Bottomly and
Abram Hole, $1 each ; R. Jeffrey, $2 ; John Francis, $2 ; George W. Bliss, $5, and John B.
Terry, five loads of wood.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 553
As an inducement to volunteers, the City Council of Mineral Point, on the 22d day of
April, 1861, passed a resolution to appropriate $6 per month to the families of the first twelve
married men who enlisted here. The first families to avail themselves of this act were those of
Messrs. Rule, Sleep and White.
At the annual election of 1863, a vote was taken to raise money to defray the expenses of
the war, by tax, which was defeated. Again in December, a special meeting to raise f 3,000
was held and the project carried. This was followed by another meeting early in February of
the following year, which resulted in raising $5,000 more to prevent a draft ; and by the 19th
of the same month, William T. Henry, who was City Clerk, reports |10,367 on hand, which had
been obtained partially by subscription. Aside from this, various parties bought substitutes,
sometimes paying very high figures, so that in reality no accurate estimate of the amount of
funds paid out for the war can be made ; suffice it to say it was large.
Enrolling went vigorously forward in 1863, under the stimulus of $300 State bounty, and
$200 town bounty. All defections were quickly remedied, and the ranks were rapidly filled.
The final draft of 1864, as an invocation to the loyalty of the people, taxed their depleted home-
steads to supply. The flower and chivalry of the land had gone forth already, and, to meet the
two preceding drafts, every nerve had been strained. This, it was conjectured, would lead to a
orisis in the county necessitating the intervention of. the Provost Marshal to assert the dignity
of the law. The law was not invoked, as the citizens, by a master efibrt, eventually answered
the draft, and enrolled themselves, irrelevant of coercive measures.
The first to return to their homes were the Miners' Guards, who appeared in the city of
Mineral Point July 2, 1864. Only a few hours' notice of their approach had been received, yet
the citizens turned out en masse, and, headed by the Mineral Point Brass Band, marched out a
mile from town and accorded the war-worn veterans a hearty greeting. They were then con-
ducted to the United States Hotel, where they arrived at 5 o'clock in the afternoon. They
were officially welcomed on the part of the citizens in an address by Alexander Wilson. After
a general exchange of compliments and congratulations, the Guards sat down to a bounteous
supper, being welcomed to the table by a choir of young ladies, who sang an appropriate song.
Of course the members of this pet corps were lionized, and for the hour were the reigning attrac-
tion at all social assemblies.
THE CAMP AND FIELD.
We have seen how the first intelligence of the opening struggle was received here, and have
viewed retrospectively the principal local events which occurred from the time the first volun-
teer company was organized until the end of the war. But those incidents convey scarcely an
idea of what the soldiers of this county, in common with all others throughout the State, were
actually called upon to endure in the camp, field and prison, in the cause of liberty and justice.
Nor, indeed, is it possible to adequately portray what then transpired, which now seems almost
like the marvelous events of some fitful dream. Who can limn the picture of that past, or
properly measure the grandeur and malignity of the mighty conflict which raged for nearly five
years ? Two great and valorous forces were arraigned against each other; one for the vindication
ofthemightof right, and the other for the maintenance of opinions and priviliges alien to the inter-
ests of the nation and humanity. The life of our glorious Union was at stake, and, still greater,
the happiness of four millions of human souls, chattels by the right of common consent alone
and the despicable and cowardly selfishness of a power delegated by no natural right, and main-
tained at the expense of the noblest sentiments that can animate a human heart, a love of
liberty. The events of the preceding years had at last reached a crisis ; the time for a change
had arrived, and the mighty and invincible hand of destiny was again arrayed in the cause of
the down-trodden.
In contemplation of the magnitude of the strife ushered in, and the paramount interests
which centered in the issue, we almost lose sight of the instruments or individuals who were
involved. Our souls and hearts again respond to the call to arms, and leaping out beyond the
restraints of time and place, we seem again to be preparing for the oncoming fray. Impelled by
554 HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY.
the grand impulses that animated our forefathers and made us a free people, we press forward
with the mighty throng of freemen who rush from the workshop, the counting-house and the
field to the preservation of their country and her laws.
Tens of thousands of loyal hearts are again marching to the front, animated by the sublime
invocation of " Give me liberty or give me death." The solemn and soul-inspiring strains of
" John Brown's body " are borne to our ears, swelled to inconceivable grandeur by the mingled
voices of many gallant and brave men, while the endearing smiles and tears of mothers, sisters
and lovers cheer and stimulate the courage of the faint-hearted, to emulate the deeds of the
founders of their country in maintaining her ascendency and prestige, if need be with their
hearts' best blood. By suffering the indescribable agonies of starvation and abuse in prison pens;
by marches under burning Southern suns, over scorching sands by day and dreary wastes by
night, or midst raging storms and through dismal swamps where death by the wayside may await
the boldest; for such was the life of our soldiers. A life of adventure, perils and often death was
theirs, such only as those who have participated can fully comprehend.
Once more we hear the thrilling bugle and cheering drum, and each patriot pulse is stirred
with the pseans of liberty. The wild shouts of martial throngs are singing in our ears, while
the booming cannon and muskets' rattle invite us on where glory awaits — or perchance a grave.
Again we hear the fearful din of battle, valiant hosts advance with frenzied enthusiasm to the
uncertain contest. Foe meets foe in the awful vindictiveness of deadly strife. Shrieking mis-
siles of destruction mow down hordes of brave men ; with irresistible might, and terrible fierce-
ness, squadron charges squadron, while riderless horses rush madly to and fro midst the smoke
of the confiict. At last the strife culminates, and the glorious shout of victory is heard ; then
we realize the awful sublimity of war, the glory of noble conquest or ignoble defeat, and, alas,
the terrible solemnity of death in tKe fight and at the front. Let us now bid silence to the wild
and eager longings of our hearts for the loved and lost, and think of them only as they fell, "the
brave, the strong, the true," battling for the inalienable rights of humanity, for their homes and
country's honor. Theirs was the glory on earth, the brightness of whose achievements is fitly
commemorated in the acquisition of freedom for all who may find a refuge in our fair land — a
glory which shall grow lustrous by time, and rendered forever memorable to men and blessed of
heaven.
As will be seen by the appended table, the Second, Eleventh, Twelfth, Twenty-seventh,
Thirtieth and Thirty-first Infantry Regiments, and the Sixth Battery received a majority of all
the men who left here. Although twenty-nine difierent organizations received recruits from this
county, some of them are credited with but one man, and but few have over twenty. In this
record only synoptical or brief sketches of the regiments above mentioned will be given.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
555
The following table, compiled from the State roster, exhibits the number of men enlisted in
each town, the number in each regiment and the total enlistment in the county :
REGIMENTS.
c3
1
6
■a
a
1
3
bJO
s
■3
I
a
a
o
m
o
1
■a
S
■i
0
1
o
EH
3
1
2
3
4
2
1
11
10
2
1
1
1
9
49
1
2
1
...„.
7
84
Third Infantry
1
19
1
Fifth Infantry
...„.
1
1
14
2
3
...„.
2
18
4
Ninth Infantry
1
1
Tenth Infantry
3
13
6
3
34
3
1
12
7
28
1
4
3
10
18
5
1
18
1
1
105
Twelfth Infantry
27
83
10
Fifteenth Infantry ..,
4
11
16
Sixteenth Infantry
2
2
2
2
3
8
Nineteenth Infantry
1
1
4
11
6
12
Twentieth Infantry
1
12
Twenty-third Infantry
17
1
18
Twenty-fifth Infantry
3
3
71
2
1
4
4
"ii"
16
1
12
76
Thirtieth Infantry
45
1
29
99
Thirty.first Infantry
3
9
96
117
Thirty-third Infantry
5
26
12
56
1
1
First Cavalry
2
2
5
2
1
11
4
7
Second Cavalry
1
1
4
3
...„.
11
3
1
7
2
1
1
4
1
1
22
Third Cavalry
5
3
4
...„.
3
25
Unknown regiment
3
1
1
1
32
Totals
78
15
152
104
80
89
94
32
73
63
23
28
Grand Total
841
Miners' G-uards, Company I, Second Infantry. — The old Second, in which Company I
figured conspicuously, was one of the regiments enrolled under the President's call for 75,000
three-months men, at Camp Randall, Madison, in the spring of 1861, under the management
of Col. Park Coon, of Milwaukee. Without having seen active service, the men were called
upon to re-enlist, on the 16th of May of that year, for three years or during the war, to which
call they made an enthusiastic response by re-enlisting almost to a man, with the exception of
one company, which was disbanded, its place being supplied by the Wisconsin Rifles. On the
11th of June following, the regiment was mustered into service, being the first of the Wisconsin
regiments so mustered.
Without entering into the details of their equipment and movements by way of Chicago and
Pittsburgh to Washington, where they appeared as the first regiment of three-years men, and
thence, by the Georgetown aqueduct, to camp, on the Fairfax road near Fort Corcoran, we come
to the 16th of July, 1861, when with three other regiments, under the command of Col. W. T.
Sherman (now Lieutenant General), as a part of Gen. Tyler's division, they moved on to Man-
assas. About noon of the 18th inst., the regiment participated in the attack on the enemy at
Blackburn's Ford, on Bull Run. Here they made a double quick of three miles, under heavy
556 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
artillery fire, in the second line of battle. In the evening, after the engagement was over, they
bivouacked near Centerville. Again, on the 21st, their division moved on the enemy, who
retreated, they pursuing across Bull Run toward Manassas. Near Warrentown Pike, a very
advantageous stand was made by the rebels, on a ridge, where their batteries and soldiery were
protected by timber. Here the Second was ordered to assault one of the batteries, and moved
forward boldly under a terrific enfilading fire of shell and canister. Forming in line at the foot
of the ridge, they charged up, driving the enemy's infantry before them. Just at this critical
moment, they were thrown into confusion by the absence of two field officers, and the two wings
became separated. Yet, the men continued to fight in squads and companies for an hour under
cross fire, until the enemy, becoming recruited by the arrival of fresh troops, attacked them on
the right flank and drove them from the field, with a loss of thirty killed, one hundred and five
wounded and sixty-five missing, many of whom were taken prisoners. Here the regiment won
its first laurels, but not the last, for soon after it was consolidated with the Fifth and Sixth Wis-
consin and Nineteenth Indiana, under Gen. Rufus King, and afterward became celebrated in the
annals of the rebellion as a part of the "Iron Brigade," one of the most notable and effective
military organizations ever made. In the above engagement, Company I sufi'ered scarcely at all,
and not until the battle of Gainesville, on August 28, 1862, were there any killed; then Corp.
H. P. Curry and private Isaac Kay were slain.
To enter into the general details of the various engagements in which the regiment with
Company I participated, would be to prepare a separate volume; sufiice it to say, they were
engaged in the following work and actions (particularly described in the Adjutant General's
report of 1865). The erection of Fort Marcy in August and September, 1861. An attempt
to cut off Gen. Jackson's retreat 2d May, 1862, making a march of 104 miles. A picket skir-
mish at Chancellorsville July 26 ; destruction of warehouse, railroad, etc., at Frederick Hall ;
and engagement with Stuart's Cavalry at Thorbury, on August 5 and 6 ; seventeen men of the
Second taken prisoners. A skirmish at Waverly Ford, on the Rappahannock, August 19. A
skirmish on the 26th, while on the road to White Sulphur Springs. The Second sustained a
heavy engagement on the 28th, from Stonewall Jackson's division, for twenty minutes, while
waiting for the balance of the brigade to come up ; also other engagements in the vicinity, all
known as the battle of Gainesville, under Gen. G. B. McClellan. The storming of Turner's
Pass at South Mountain September 14 ; enemy defeated and pursued on the 15th. At the bat-
tle of Antietam ; two days distinguished bravery of the brigade and Second. At the battle of
Fredericksburg on the 13th of December, the Second occupied a very exposed position ; the
14th and 15th they were constantly under arms. On a foraging expedition to Heathville, Va.,
February 12 ; large confiscations made. A successful foraging expedition in Westmoreland
County, Va., March 28, 1863. At Fitz Hughes' Crossing, Rappahannock, crossing on pontons
under a galling fire ; storming enemys pits and capturing large number of prisoners, routing them,
April 28.
At Brandy Station, on the Orange & Alexander Railroad, Companies A and I of the Sec-
ond participating in the cavalry battle which occurred June 7.
In the vicinity of Gettysburg on the 1st of July, a terrible engagement, the Second
received the brunt of the fight and charged ; lost 30 per cent of the rank and file, the enemy
completely routed. At the battle of the Wilderness on May 7, 1864. By the 11th of this
month, the Second was reduced to 100 men fit for service, and, having lost their field oflScers,
were detailed for guard duty and embarked for home. They arrived at Madison on the 18th of
June, only a handful of the noble men who had gone out three years before. The last were
mustered out on the 2d of July, 1864. Those who were left who chose to re-enlist were re-
organized into two companies, known as the independent battalion of the Second, and afterward
participated in the battles of Petersburg, Hatcher's Run and other minor engagements. The
battalion subsequently became Companies G and H of the Sixth Infantry. It is not pretended
that the above is a complete record of every engagement in which the Second or Company
I was engaged. It is but a synopsis of the chief events, as are all of the descriptions.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 567
Farmers' G-uards, Company E, Eleventh Infantry. — The Eleventh Regiment was assem-
bled at Camp Randall in the fall of 1861, and, by the 18th of October, the men were mustered
into service. Of the 105 men, representing nine towns, who went from this section, nearly
three-fourths belonged to Company E, which was composed entirely of Iowa County men.
The remainder of the 105 men were known as a part of the Constitutional Guards of Arena. The
regiment first went to St. Louis, and into camp near Iron Mountain. There, guard duty was
performed until the spring of 1862. Then, in March, the regiment was assembled, and began
a southward march. Skipping the various stages of their journey, we first find them actively
engaged on the 30th of June, defending a wagon train near White River, Mo. From that time
until the 3d of July, they were more or less actively engaged in skirmishing while en route for
Augusta, Mo. On the 7th of July, a severe engagement at the junction of Bayou Cache and
Des Arc roads, where a large force of the enemy was completely routed by a comparatively
small number of the Eleventh. Here they met with their first loss — A killed and 20 wounded.
At this point, their rations fell short, and they were compelled to make a march of 100 miles
over burning sands and through morasses to Helena, Ark., before they could get anything.
From there they marched to Oldtown, Ark., during the last of the month, and engaged in for-
aging expeditions in the vicinity, capturing large quantities of cotton, with but little loss.
During the fall and winter of 1862, they were engaged principally in foraging expeditions in
Missouri, and in guarding trains. In the spring of 1863, the regiment moved south, stopping
at various points, until they reached Bruinsburg, Miss., on the 3d of April. From this point,
they began a night march for Port Gibson. On the road, they were attacked by the rebels, and
made a stand. After lying on their arms during the latter part of the night, in the morning,
what is known as the battle of Anderson's Hill, was fought, the Eleventh leading. The enemy
was routed. Soon after this, they were engaged at the battles of Champion Hills and Black
River. At the latter place, the Eleventh stormed the enemy's works, putting him to fiight and
capturing 1,000 men and a regimental stand of colors. On the 19th of May, they took stand
at Vicksburg, and were largely serviceable in that siege, and suffered very severely. After
Vicksburg surrendered, they went to Jackson, where they were actively engaged, from the 10th
to the 21st of July, in fighting and tearing up railroad tracks. Eventually, they participated
in a raid into the interior of Louisiana, known as the Teche campaign, and participated in the
various scrimmages which occurred, and marched over two hundred miles of terrible roads dur-
ing the month of October. On the 17th of November, they moved to Berwick City, and
thence proceeded, via the Gulf of Mexico, for Texas. On the route, the regiment was divided,
four companies, of which E was one, being left at Point Isabel. They were afterward re-united
at Fort Esperanza, December 7, a portion of them having made a very fatiguing march. From
this time until January of 1864, they were employed in guard and picket duty at various
places. During the winter, nearly three-fourths of the regiment re-enlisted. On the 13th of
February, 1864, they were re-mustered, and, on the following day, embarked at Indianola for
home on a furlough. The veteran Eleventh arrived at Madison on the 2l8t of the month, and
were accorded a formal reception by the State authorities, and received a stand of colors. On
the 23d oi April following, they rendezvoused at Camp Washburn, and, on the 27th, embarked
for Tennessee, and thence went to Louisiana, where they were employed in scouting, foraging,
building fortifications and doing guard duty, until February of 1875. They were during that
time often engaged in expeditions of great importance. From Louisiana, the regiment went to
Blakely, Ala., where they were engaged from the 3d until the 9th of April, and signally dis-
tinguished themselves. This was the last service performed by the regiment, where there was
any fighting of consequence. On the 4th of September, 1865, the men were mustered out at
Mobile, and the next day left for home, and on the 28th of September received their final dis-
charge and pay at Madison, having served four years and two days.
Bodgeville Ghiards, Company C, Twelfth Infantry. — All but a very few men who went out
in the Twelfth Regiment belonged to Company C, recruited in seven towns of the county. The
companies first assembled at Camp Randall, in October, 1861, where the regiment was organized
558 HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY.
under the supervision of Col. G. E. Bryant. There they remained drilling until the 11th of Jan-
uary, 1862, when they embarked for Missouri. At Quincy, 111., they were unable to cross the
river, and in order to get over, had to march down opposite to Hannibal, Mo., a distance of twenty-
two miles, which they accomplished in heavy marching order, at the rate of four miles per hour.
There they remained overnight with the thermometer at 20° below zero. The next morning
they crossed, and continued the journey ; but had to leave along the route over forty men who
were disabled by their exposure. They were obliged to go without food during the most of the
time until the 15th, thus early being initiated into the vicissitudes of a soldier's life. At the
last-mentioned date, they went into camp at Fort Leavenworth, Kan., where they remained
until March ; then they went to Fort Scott, marching 160 miles in six daiys. From there
the regiment went to Junction City, at the Smoky Hill and Republican Forks of the Arkan-
sas, to join an expedition for New Mexico. Journeying via Lawrence, Camp Halleck, St.
Mary's Mission, Manhattan and Fort Riley, they arrived on the 25th of February. The expe-
dition being abandoned, they were soon after called upon to retrace their steps, and went on
from Leavenworth, via St. Louis, to Columbus, Ky., where they arrived June 2. They were
actively engaged in repairing bridges, railroads, and making raids on guerrillas here and in
the vicinity of Corinth, until the 1st of October, when they were removed to Bolivar, Tenn.
From this time until the 10th of December, they were engaged in reconnoitering in the vicinity
of Hatchie, Pocahontas, Bolivar, La Grange, Holly Springs, Cold Water and Lumpkins Mills,
near Waterford, where they were in camp a few days. On the 12th of December, they arrived
in Mississippi, where they remained but a short time, going back to Lumpkins Mills. On the 8th
of June, 1863, the regiment marched via Cold Water, Moscow, La Fayette, CoUiersville, to
Camp Butler, going through great fatigue. There they served as guards until the 14th of
March, when they moved to Memphis, Tenn. On the 18th of April, they joined an expedition
for the purpose of giving battle to the rebels under Gen. Chalmers. They overtook the enemy
at Hernando, and engaged in some pretty sharp skirmishing, and captured a number of prison-
ers. At this point, the first man was killed in action. In this expedition. Company C figured
conspicuously as one of the advance companies. On the 24th, they returned to Memphis, and,
on the 11th of May, they embarked and proceeded to Louisiana, where they were employed in
fatigue duty, and guarding the immense stores at Grand Gulf until the 9th of June, when they
removed to Vicksburg and participated in the fight. From this point, after the surrender, they
went to Jackson, and were engaged in the action of the 12th of July. The enemy abscond-
ing, they were removed, via Vicksburg, to Natchez, Miss., where they went into camp on
the 15th of August. They remained in camp until the 22d of November, when they were
again employed at different points in the vicinity of Vicksburg and Natchez as guards, and in
pursuit of guerrillas, until the 25th of July, 1864. Large numbers re-enlisted during January,
as veterans, at Hebron, Tenn. On the 3d of February, they started on the celebrated Meridian
expedition under Sherman, and marched 416 miles in thirty-one days, being engaged in fighting
and destroying property most of the time.
The veterans left Hebron on the 13th of March for home, and arrived at Madison on the
21st, where they received a public reception from the Legislature ; and, on the 31st, were paid
ofi" and discharged. Subsequently, the veteran Twelfth were in the battles of Kenesaw Mountain,
with Sherman, from the 2d to the 15th of July, and at Atlanta with the army of the Cumber-
land, engagements justly celebrated as among the greatest of the war, and where the Twelfth
did as gallant and constant service as any regiment engaged, having several times sustained the
brunt of the heaviest fighting. During the spring of 1865, they served at different points in
both North and South Carolina, being the greater part of the time in active service. On the
1st of May, the march home was commenced, where they finally arrived on the 21st of July,
having been mustered out at Louisville. They were finally paid off and disbanded on the 9th
of August, 1865.
While the regiment was at Humboldt in 1862, some of the men, being disciples of Faust,
■captured a printing office, and issued a few numbers of a spicy sheet known as the Soldier s
^-^ '^02 -"-^^^^^^Zje^:^
dodgeville:
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 561
Budget. This was a part of the camp diversion, and served happily to beguile many a weary
hour.
Highland Gruards, Qompany Gr, Twenty-seventh Infantry. — The Twenty-seventh Regiment
was ordered to rendezvous at Camp Sigel, Milwaukee, where the men were mustered into service
■on the 17th of September, 1862, under Col. Conrad Krez, Company G being made up of men from
the town of Highland. The regiment left the State on the 16th of March, and proceeded to Colum-
bus, Ky., from which point, in May, they moved to Snyder's Bluff, Miss., where they were during
the siege of Vickaburg. From this place, they moved via Helena, Ark., and Duval's Bluff, to
Little Rock, where they were stationed until the 23d of March, 1864. Then they were ordered
to join the Red River expedition, under Gen. Banks. After a seven days' march, they reached
Arkadelphia ; thence moved to Spoonville and Okolona, a distance of thirty-seven miles, where,
on the 3d of April, they had their first engagement, sustaining the loss of a few men. Having
repulsed the enemy, they marched to Elkins' Ferry, crossed the Little Missouri, and, resuming
the march with the army corps, participated in the action at Prairie de Arc. From this point
they started for Little Rock, marching via Moscow and Camden, to Jenkins' Ferry, where they
were again engaged, sustaining considerable loss. Having elFected the crossing, they continued
the march, reaching their destination without further interruption on the 1st of May, On the
5d of October following, they broke camp, and, embarking, left Little Rock for Pine Bluff, Ark.,
where they joined Clayton's command. On the 22d of the month they returned to Little Rock,
having done some heavy marching, but without an engagement. Soon after, four of the compa-
nies were assigned to guard duty in the vicinity. On the 7th of February, 1875, the regiment
started for New Orleans, to join Canby's command, and finally, after a good deal of heavy
marching, they pulled up before Spanish Fort on the 27th of March, where they were stationed
•during the continuance of the siege, and lost a few men. The enemy evacuated the fort on the
8th of April, and were pursued by the Twenty-seventh, which witnessed the capture of the forces
by Gen. Steele.
They then moved to Stark's Landing, thence to Blakely, on through Mobile to Whistler
Station, thence by Nannahubbah Bluff to Macintosh Bluff, where they arrived on the 25th of
April, and where they were employed in erecting fortifications until after the surrender of Gen.
Taylor. From there they went to Mobile, and, soon after, to Brazos, Tex., where they arrived
the 6th of June. On the 13th, they marched to Clarksville, where they were engaged in picket
duty until the 2d of August, when they moved to Brownsdale, where, on the 29th of the month,
they were mustered out. They then embarked for home; arriving in Madison on the 17th of
September, 1865, and were soon after paid ofi" and disbanded.
Stanton and Burton Gruards, Oompanies B and 0, Thirtieth Infantry. — The recruits for the
Thirtieth Regiment rendezvoused at Camp Randall, in October, 1862, where they were mustered in
on the 21st of the month, under Col. D. J. Dill, the Iowa County men being the nucleus of Compan-
ies B and C. Regimental headquarters were at Madison for some time after. Eventually, the
regiment was divided into four companies, going up the Missouri River to Fort Sully ; neither
of these, however, were Companies B or C. On the 26th of May, Company C was sent to Bay-
field, in this State, remaining but a short time, then returned and the regiment went to Mil-
waukee.
In October, 1864, Companies B and C, with two other companies, were sent to Fort Wads-
worth, in Dakota Territory, under Maj. Clowney. Leaving Fort Wadsworth on the 29th of
September, 1865, they removed to Fort Snelling, Minn., where they arrived on the 12th of
October, after a 300-mile march. On the 20th of October they embarked on the Mississippi and
went to Benton Barracks, Missouri, and thence to Paducah, Ky., where they were engaged
in guard duty until the 6th of December, when they were removed to Louisville, Ky., and
all but one of the companies were called in. Thence the regiment moved to Bowling Green,
Ky., where it remained but a short time, going thence to Louisville, where it arrived on
the 12th of January, 1865, and was assigned to guard the military prison. On the 8th of Feb-
ruary, Companies B, C and G, under Maj. Clowny, moved to Frankfort, Ky., where they
562 HISTOBY OF IOWA COUNTY.
were stationed as city garrison. Company B soon after moved to Georgetown, where it acted
as garrison under Lieut. Gill. This company rejoined the command on the 27th of May, and
with it returned to Louisville. Oq the 20th of September, the regiment was mustered out,
and on the 25th arrived at Madison, and was disbanded and paid off.
Bodgeville Bangers, Oom'pany 0, Thirty-first Infantry. — The Thirty-first Eegiment was
principally recruited in the summer of 1862. The first rendezvous was held in September at
Prairie du Chien, where, on the 9th of October, the recruits were mustered in under Col. I. E.
Messmore. One of the six companies mustered, C, or Dodgeville Rangers, was recruited in the
town of Dodgeville. After lying in camp until the 14th of November, the regiment was
divided, three companies going to Madison to take charge of the camps for drafted men. From
there they were moved to Camp Mitchell, where the other companies had gone, and where, on
the 13th of January, the remaining four companies were mustered in. On the 1st of March,
1863, the regiment was moved via Cairo, 111., to Columbus, Ky., where it was assigned to the
Sixteenth Army Corps at Camp Halleck. While here, they were engaged in raiding, recon-
noitering and guarding at different adjacent points. From Columbus, they proceeded via Cairo
and Louisville to Nashville, Tenn., in September, and remained there until October, when they
moved to La Vergne, and thence to Murfreesboro. Soon after, Company B was detached and
stationed at Stone River Crossing, where it remained until April, 1864, doing guard duty ; then
joined the regiment at Murfreesboro. Soon after, the regiment was assigned to the Second
Army Corps, and was divided into detachments, and placed on guard duty along the line of the
railroad from Tullahoma to Murfreesboro. A mounted detachment under Lieut. Beattie did
excellent service in Middle Tennessee from March to June. In June, the entire regiment was
transferred to Nashville, Tenn., and placed on provost duty. On the 16th of July, 1864, they
were ordered to Atlanta, where they arrived on the 21st of July, and took a position in thfr
trenches, and where they were constantly under fire and engaged in fatigue duty until the evac-
uation by the enemy. Subsequently, they were engaged in foraging and garrison duty, until
the 15th of November, when, with the Second Corps, they started and went through to the sea
with Sherman. When within nine miles of Savannah, the regiment had to struggle through a
terrible swamp, under heavy fire. However, it, in compaty with an Ohio regiment, captured
the rebel camp and equipments, for which exploit they received the encomiums of the entire
command. Eventually, the Thirty-first participated in the engagements at Chesterfield, S. C,
March 1, 1865. At Averysboro, S. C, on the 16th of March. At Bentonville March 19,
where the regiment did distinguished service, helping to sustain five heavy charges, and losing
sixty men. Thence they marched to Goldsboro and Raleigh, where they encamped. On the
3d of April, they started for home, stopping at Alexandria, Va., to engage in a grand review.
May 20. Arriving at Louisville, Companies B and C were mustered out, June 20 ; reached
Madison the 23d, and, on the 8th of July, were paid off and disbanded.
The Sixth Battery. — The Sixth Battery, Buena Vista Artillery, Capt. Henry Dillon, hav-
ing twenty-five men from Iowa County, was organized at Camp Utley, Racine, on the 2d of
October, 1861. They were first placed in charge of a siege battery at New Madrid, Island No.
10, where they remained until May 17, 1863, when they removed to Corinth, and were, on th&
3d and 4th of June, engaged in the battle at that point, sustaining a loss of four killed and
twenty-one wounded. Having been to Boonville, Rienzi, Grand Junction, Moscow, Lumpkin's
Mills, Memphis, Holly Springs and La Fayette, Tenn., they were finally moved to Helena,
Ark., thence to Milliken's Bend, La., and on to the siege of Vicksburg, after the battle of
Thompson Hill. When the enemy retreated, the battery was in the pursuit, and, overtaking .
him, engaged at Jones' Cross Roads. They were at the battle of Raymond on the 12th of May y
thence went to Jackson, where they were engaged ; then on to Vicksburg, where they took posi-
tion on the 19th, remaining during the siege. Eventually, on the 27th of September, the entire
battery moved to Memphis, Tenn., having been divided a short time before. From this point,
with the First Brigade, Third Division, Fifteenth Army Corps, the battery moved via Glendale,
Miss., Dickson, Ala., Tuscumbia, Chickasaw, Florence, Rogerville, Fayetteville, through Win-
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
563
Chester and over the Cumberland Mountains to Chattanooga, where they arrived on the 2d of
November. They soon after participated in the celebrated movement against Mission Ridge on
the 24th. Their guns were soon after condemned, and they went into camp until fresh equip-
ments could be supplied. They were at Bridgeport, Larkinsville, and finally at Huntsville,
Ala., on the 9th of August, 1864, where the new trappings and recruits were forwarded soon
after. A number of the men re-enlisted at this time as veterans. During March and April,
one section of the battery was stationed on the Tennessee River, twelve miles from Huntsville.
Here they had occasional engagements with the enemy, who were stationed on the opposite side.
On the 12th of May, they started in pursuit of a rebel force which had captured and burned
Madison Station, twelve miles distant. The pursuit was abandoned at the Tennessee River, and
they returned to camp. June 22, they left Huntsville, and proceeded via Stevenson; thence by
rail to Kingston, Ga., where they arrived on the 30th, and remained in camp until July 12.
They then moved forward thirteen miles to Fort Etowah, commanding the bridge across Etowah
River, near Cartersville, Ga. Lieut. Simpson then took command of the battery, which com-
prised two officers and ninety-six enlisted men, forty of whom were veterans. The Sixth Bat-
tery exchanged guns on the 9th of November, receiving Rodman rifles instead of Napoleon
guns. They broke camp at Fort Etowah on the 10th of November, and moved via Cartersville
and Chattanooga, to Nashville, Tenn., and joined the reserve artillery on the 17th, at Camp
Barry, where Capt. Hood resumed command of the battery. On the 29th, anticipating an
attack, Camp Barry was broken. The same day, the artillery was assigned to the defenses of
Nashville, the Sixth Battery occupying Fort Gillem. December 29, they returned to Camp
Barry, and, on the 7th of January, 1865, were transferred to the Reserve Garrison Artillery of
the department of the Cumberland. In accordance with orders, the men, on the 16th of Janu-
ary, were armed with muskets, and subsequently furnished details for duty as provost guard in
the city. They left Nashville by rail on the l7th of February, arriving next day at Chatta-
nooga. They remained at Chattanooga until ordered to proceed to Wisconsin for discharge
from service. They arrived on the 3d of July, 1865, at Madison, Wis. The battery was mus-
tered out on the 18th, to take effect from the date of their arrival in the State.
EOSTER OF VOLUNTEERS.
AS TAKEN I'KOM THE ADJUTANT GENERAL'S KBPOKT OF WISCONSIN.
TOWN OF ARENA.
Second Infantry — Co. K — John Hootman.
Eleventh Infantry — Co. A — Robert Lloyd, Harvey Wool-
worth, James Boardman, John Austin, Edward Lamp-
man, Edward Barwell. Co. G — Warren Hathaw.ay, Kolj-
ert MoGann, Jacob Dodge, Manly Dodge, Jeremiah Shay,
Michael Murkhey, Leander Parks, Frederick Mouback,
Thomas Terneing. John Welsh, William Masterman, Sam-
uel Portlow, David Wingad, Charles Bywater, John By-
water, Patrick Nary, John llikewait, George Appleby,
Jerome Calkins, Stephen Calkins, Anson Calkins, Evan
Gilbertson, Edward Mabbitt, Thomas Bishop, Daniel Hol-
comb, James Law, Andrew Wynn, George M. Dodge.
Twelfth Infantrij — Company unknown — Frank Wilson,
James Wilson, William Rine.
Seventeenth Infantry — Company unknown — Patrick Ter-
nen, John C. Hogan.
Twenty-third Infantry — Co.E— Orville Tyler, Robert Ad-
dison, Samuel Colwell, Thomas Melville, John P. Calkins,
William T. Howry, Romanzo A. Coats, Michael Leahey,
William C. Raynor, William Hutchinson, Worcester Hol-
comb, E. A. Freeman, John F. Appleby, John G. Tyler,
William May, Francis Wilson, Joseph Barwell.
Thirty-first Infantry — Company unknown — Fi ank Ville-
mont, John T. Mabbott, William Porter.
Thirty-third Infantry — Co. A — John Wingad, Bannister
Davis. Job Wilkinson, William Mabbott, Edward Lahen,
Paul Velmout, John Freeman, John Hill, John M.Wilson.
Second Cavalry — William L. Dawson.
Third Cavalry — Henry Sanderson.
Regiment unknown — Patrick Farrell, George Ashmore,
Benjamin Parkins.
Sixth Battery — Robert L. Lloyd, Marcus Reemers, John
McCann, James Woolen.
TOWN OF CLYDE.
Nineteenth Infantry — Co I — William Hoben.
Sixth Battery — Augustus Tronkill, Louis Tronkill, Fer-
dinand Daggit.
Regiment unknown — William I. Likely, William H.
Holmes, John Post, Benjamin Searles, Warren I. Collins,
John Leece, Henry Razy, James Carroll, William Nolen,
Edward Nolen, Antoine Tassell.
TOWN OF DODGEVILLB.
Second Infantry — Co. I — George Williams, Peter Peter-
son, William Owens, Joseph Williams, John Furze,
George Gilbert, John Granville, Cornelius Wheeler, Will-
iam S. Renney, James Perrine, Parry.
564
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY".
Third Infantry — William Maffit, Samuel Blodgett, Henry
Watts, William Thomas, John Owens, John Jones, Thomas
Persons, Richard Chappell, John B. Jones.
Eleventh Infantry — Company unknown— Charles Reeves.
Twelfth Infantry— Co. C — Alfred Blodgett, Daniel Rice,
James Granville, Cornelius James, John Rowe, Henry
Jones, John Pitts, Peter Peterson Tally, William H. Lane,
Thomas Roberts, Thomas Bailey, Charles 0. Leober, Will-
iam Williamson David E. Jones, John Crook, Thomas
Dunstan, Thomas R. Eddy, Samuel Hocking, Henry
Jones, Evan Mattison, Ole Ohisen, Silas Robbinson,
Oliver Stephens, James Slater. James Trelvar, David
Williams, Howell Williams.
Fifteenth Infantry — IJo. G — Henry Thompson, Hans
Larsen, Eric Larsen. Co. I — Oliver Ohove.
Thirty-first Infantry — Co. C — -Joseph La Route, John
Leece, Philip Perkins, William Hunter, George W. Rand,
Casper Breman, Christopher Peterson, Louis La Barre,
1. Ellis Owens, Orville Strong, John A. Williams, John
A. Thomas, William Dale, Alfred Dale, Dennis A. Cowan,
Paul Jevadoe, Walter J. Wrigglesworth, John L. Stewart,
James Granville, William N. Lanyon, William B. Nelson,
James Magrane, John Weeist, Lyman Miner, Robert
Jones, Thomas Stephens, Samuel Williams, Joshua Elam,
Elisha Tyra, John W. Jones, Morgan Enoch, Ephraim D.
Evans, David Wiokum, David Woodard, John D. Griffith,
Thomas B. Davis, Hugh Richards, William Stopford, Ole
Anderson, William CoUingwood, Simon Magrane, Peter
Crook, Evan D. Jones, William H. Griffith, Edward Davis,
David Edwards, Robert Tyrer, John Ryall, Henry Car-
ter, Joel M. Dewitt, John Holdsworth, Thomas M.
Jones, Frank Villemont, James Leville, Mathew West,
William Porter, John L. Mabbott, John R. Mabbott,
Thornton U. Sheppard, Michael Teal, Henry Collins,
William C. Dean, John Perkins, William Green, John
Orouse, William Loudan, Benjamin S. Prideaux, James
Rowe, William H. Penbuthy, Oliver H. Stewart, Samuel
B. Williams, Benjamin Thomas, Benjamin Lewis, Archurd
Prideaux, William George, Samuel Dunstan, David Frost,
Thomas S. Perkins, David D. Jones, Henry Parry, David
H. Feathers, James McMahon, David Edwards, John
Leece, Edward Davis, Philip Perkins, William Hunter,
Robert R. Jones, George W. Rand, James I. Jones, Will-
iam F. James, Robert W. Koberts, Thomas Stewart, Dan-
iel Wickum, Kasper Brammer, Christopher Peterson.
Second Cavalry — ^William Bartle, Edward Jenkins,
Thomas Stephens.
Third Cavalry — Napoleon Sterling.
TOWN OF HIGHLAND.
Second Infantry — Co. I — Henry Coats, Frank Knowl-
ton.
Third Infantry — Co. F — Samuel Bartholomew.
Fourth Infantry — Co. D — Sylvester Lament.
Fifth Infantry — Co. H — William Lamb (Minn).
Ninth Infantry — Co. A — Homer Michael.
Eleventh Infantry — Co. E — Ezekiel Chany.
Fourteenth Infantry — Co. K — Henry Folze, John Pettit,
Edmond Pettit, Irvin Underwood, Christian Bach, Thomas
Benvy.
Nineteenth Infantry — Co. G — Michael Radsky.
Twenti/-Third Infantry — Co. A — Francis Lamott.
Twenty-seventh Infantry — Co. G — John Bonzel, Thomas
Brennan, John Cosgrove, Texas Duscham, Henry Egan,
Edward Frederick, Lewis Guyon, John Guyon, Ernest
Gottschall, John Hintz, John Holman, Charles Kasabum,
Christian Lesohaska, Stillman Moulton, Joseph Mere,
George H. Potts, John Schevilbin, Alfred Sumner,
Schmisky Stantilaus, Amanzer Strong, John Whalin,
Charles Wiela, Anderson Wood, William Adams, Richard
Ade, Andrew Andrewson, William Anding, Charles Ave-
noies, Joseph Batzmer, John Broker, W. M. Clark,
Thomas Croft, John Conkley, Edward 0. Donald, Charles
W. Dennis, John Downey, John Edwards, James Gunn,
Frederick Helmig, Henry Helguson, John Krauser,
Henry Kurtz, William Krauser, Frederick Kelso, Patrick
Knox, Adam Kurtz, Gustavus F. Kloor, Richard Ken-
nedy, John Martin, Alexander McDougal, Patrick Mc-
Govern, Michael McCormick, Thomas McGuin, William
Morgan, Martin Phelan, Paul Paulson, Ignatz Richter,
Frank Ruther, Frank Sabich, Ernest Sohmitt, Henry C.
Spicer, John W. Spicer, Thomas Spioer, Henry Steel,
Stams Swisky, Anton Tasel, Nicholas Udlehofen, John
Ward, William Wigham, Thomas Wallace, George Williams.
Thirtieth Infantry — Co. B — John Holman, Wm. Dowling.
Thirty-first Infantry — Co. C — Chester Randolph.
Thirty-third Infantry — Co. A — Richard Meeks, Irvin
BuUis, William Bean, Marion Bean.
First Cavalry — Co. K — Stephen Cosgrove, Andrew Cos-
grove.
Second Cavalry — Thomas Weeds, John Dickinson.
Sixth Battery — Ole Larson, Michael Larson, Michael
Murphy.
Regiment unknown — James Harden, August Kaum,
Peter Norris. James Wall.
TOWN OF LINDEN.
Second Infantry — Co. I — John Goldthorpe, Robert Ja-
cobs, Isaac Riggs, William Noble, Jacob Gundrum, Will-
iam Pollard, Luke Avery, Benjamin F. Satterlee, Chris-
tian Sohlosser.
Seventh Infantry — Company H — Joseph Heathcock,
Mark Smith, Jr.
Eleventh Infantry — Co. E — John Stoner, Parley P.
Stoner, John Scott, Robert Scott, Matthew Curry, Thomas
Curry, James Bottoms, John Thrasher, Alexander Shan-
non, Rees Davis, .lohn Perry, Thomas I. Jones.
Twelfth Infantry—Vo. C — Charles Baxter, Gilbert Ba-
ker, John Pitts, Thomas Goldworthy, William Lane.
Twelfth Infantry — Co. K — Joseph R. Hoar, Joseph R.
Heart.
Thirtieth Infantry — Co. E — Oscar H. Comfort, Nathan I.
Jacobs, Joseph Vickerman, John Vickerman, Edward
Vickerman, Samuel Bucket, John Dolphin, Thomas Gard-
ner, Jr., John E. Davis, Evan Davis. Co. B — Peter
Ryan, John Hoar, William H. Gill, William Sands, John
Treloar, William Treloar, William J. Wallace, John Suf-
ficool, John Webster, Joseph Thomas, Thomas Manuel,
Henry Sampson (Michaelson), Thomas Gardner, Peter
Hansen^ William H. Baker, John Bennett, Jr., Francis
Carver, Joseph Temby, Richard Temby, Richard Barratt,
John Harris, Philip Baxter, James T. Smith Joseph Pol-
lard, Thomas Penrose, Thomas Kent, John Arthur Jr.,
Charles Goldthorpe, Joseph Chynoweth, William Kinney,
Luke Dixon, William Brewer, Thomas Thrasher, John
Hoar, Henry Dewey.
Thirty-first Infantry— Go. C— Joel M. De Witt.
Regiment unknown — Peter Ryan, William Webb, Sam-
uel Hocking, Robert Griffen.
TOWN OF MIFFLIN.
Second Infantry — Co. E— Isaac Kay. Co. I — George
Wilkison.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
565
Third Infantry — Co. F — Leroy Ellis.
Fifth Infantry — Co. I — Joseph Barker.
Seventh Infantry — Co. C — Henry Innman, Wallace En-
lor, Harvey Edwards, John Stout, David Stout John Cav-
enough, John Enlor, Abner Stout, Henry Brewer, Will-
iam Hodges. Co. I — Stephen Wilkins, Columbus Day,
Abram Adkins, Thomas Adkins.
Eighth Infantry — Co. K — Albert M'Clerd, Michael Man-
sion.
Tenth Infantry— Go. I— William Liddall, G. W. Han-
cock, Seth Steel. Co. E — Alexander Ludlam, John Ste-
phens, Frank Enlor, William Phelps, Oliver Phelps,
John Erazzle, Daniel B. Moore, Kickapoo, Jeremiah
Phillips, Thomas Davis, Reese Davis, John Parry. Co. I —
John H. Hughes.
Twelfth Infantry — Co. K — Albert Sampson, Gastavus
A. Stephens, Adelbert Stephens, Joshua Stephens, Jo-
seph Hoar, Henry Randall.
Nineteenth Infantry — Co. E — Joseph Parish, Albert Mil-
lard. Co. I — James Smith, John A. Jones.
Twentieth Infantry — Co. C — G. W. Isreal, Charles Les-
lie, G.W. Smith, Andrew Shelburn, Ransom Smith, Albert
Stockton, John Culbertson, Silas Lightner, James Light-
ner, Christian Bonese, Luther David.
Twenty-fflh Infantry — Co. unknown — John Kinney,
Capt. Scott, Solomon Eastman.
Thirtieth Infantry — Co. B — John Bows, Anson M. Dur-
and, John Babcock, David Stephens, John Bainbridge,
Joseph David, C. C. David, John D. Hoare, Philo Ste-
phens, Ira Stephens. Co. E — Harrison Cushman, Har-
vey Cushman, William Blondell, David Williams, Horace
Streeter, Henry Deitzman, C. M. Reynolds, Thomas I.
Morrell, Sylvester K. Galligher, Isaac Day, John M.
Sparks, George Nicholson, Edward E. Williams, Peter
Jones, John T. Jones, John Owen, Reese Davis, Joseph
Day, David Deitzman.
Thirty-seventh Infantry — Co. E — Lycurgus Packard (111.)
Second Cavalry — Edward Bebee.
Second Artillery — Augustus Buokwalt.
Regiment unknown — Nathaniel Galligher (111.), Luke
McCabe.
TOWN OF MINEKAL POINT.
Second Infantry — Co. I — James Gregory, William Loof-
borrow, William Noble, Thomas H. Rowland, Thomas S.
Allen, Oliver W. Sanford, Thomas Maloney, Alpheus
Budlong, Henry Burgharett, Samuel Coker, William
Grant, Moritza Hess, Frederick Holtz, Christian Klein,
Gottleib Moucher, William Menser, Mark W. Terrill, Da-
vid W. Maffit, Christopher Schlosher, George Yiench,
Richard Gimdry, Philip Laurance, George K. Lathrop,
Charles F. Lathrop, Delos Beach, George Harris, Thomas
Bishop, Frank Wheeler, Alonzo Bell, Richard Gidley,
George H. Otis, George H. Legale, Samuel Smith, Luke
Avery, Richard Chesterfield, Henry P. Curry, John F.
MaoCormao, James MacCormac, Frederick Peulchel,
Thomas Pascoe, James B. Prideaux, Henry Biddle, Walter
P. Smith, Benjamin T. Satterlee, John F. Tregeary,
Nicholas Gieb, Christian Kissler, Leonard Treagea, Ed-
ward Devlin.
Third Infantry — Co. H^Stephen Lawrence and Phin-
eas Hanscome.
Mfth Infantry — Company unknown — Amasa Cobb.
Eleventh Infantry — Co. E — Abner Powell, William Tre-
villian, Samuel Prisk, John Crabb, George Hartley, Will-
iam Odgers, Dan'l McWhaten, Thomas Powell, John
Trasher, James H. Evans, Charles W. French, Ernest
Wiesen, \l[illiam H. Bennett, Charles Mason, John Bren-
nau, Nathan Richards, Delos Budlong, Luther H. Whit-
tlesey, Sidney Shepard, Thomas Prestly, Joseph Ar-
thur, Zac S. Prentice, Thomas W. Prisk, Henry Rule,
Thomas M. Satterlee, James White, Glasgan M. Curry,
Daniel Thomas.
Second Cavalry — William Bartle, Charles Cox, Henry
P. George, A. P. Dyer, Samuel Sleep, James Hosking,
James Kinney.
Third Cavalry — William Baker, George Preissinger.
Sixth Battery — Samuel Jones.
TOWN OF MOSCOW.
Third Infantry — Company unknown — Lee McMurty.
Eighth Infantry — Co. H — Earl Spears, George Van Or-
man.
Eleventh Infantry — Co. E — Gilbert Anderson.
Twelfth Infantry — Co. C — Knudt Johnson, James Sla-
ter, Benjamin Powers, George W. Fuller.
Fifteenth Infantry — Co. H — Kettle Olesen, John Hal-
guson. Co. E — Louis Thomasett, Henry Knutsen, Ole
Everson, Ole Steensland, William Tjentland, Hans Han-
sen, Gilbert Anderson Dale, Odney Sandimark, Thomas
Tobiason.
Eighteenth Infantry — Co. B — Peter Van Orman, Michael
Cunningham, Thomas Batman.
Thirty-third Infantry — Co. C — Jacob Gager, Christo-
pher Louison, John Densen, Martin Anderson, .lames
Johnston.
Regiment unknown — Dexter Spears.
Second Cavalry — Michael McDonald, Alexander Mc-
Donald, .lames Kinney, Patrick Solon.
TOWN OF PULASKI.
First Infantry — Co. K — Lewis A. Little, James H.
Little.
Second Infantry — Co. C — Francis Pettigrove. Co. F —
R. C. McCalester. Co. I— Walter P. Smith.
Third Infantry — Company unknown — John Burt, Will-
iam Pride, Henry Meissener, A. I. Spoouer.
Seventh Infantry — Co. H — John M. Steers, James
Hodges.
Fourteenth Infantry — Co. K — S.B.Drake, Ernst Thiede,
A. L. Countryman.
Nineteenth Infantry — Co. I — John McFeaders, William
Taylor, Alonzo Taylor, Jonathan Richardson, C. A. Hol-
ley, George Warren, Byron Ashley.
Twenty-seventh Infantry — Co. G — William Travis, John
Brooks, Alex A. Stuart, James R. Stuart.
Thirty-third Infantry — Co. A — Daniel Lynch, John Wa-
fer, Henry Countryman, Frank Hartsock, William Crook,
William H. Jeffries, David Persons, Calvin Randall, John
P. Diebner, Doane H. Purdy, Jackson Williams, James
Patten, Benjamin Bean, John Forry, Richard Flora, R. M.
Ray, Joseph Moore, Romanzo Ashley, George W. Gar-
vey, John Milladge, Turner Bennett, J. William Mc-
Dougal, J. M. McDougal, John Taylor, William I. Pulis,
W. Countryman.
First Cavalry — John Hamilton, Thomas Ray, I. Ingram,
G. D. Coyl, D. Coyl.
Second Cavalry — R. C. McCalester, Henry Theide.
Third Cavalry — Co. H — Luther Pettygrove.
Sixth Battery — Hugh Flanery, Ferdinand Daggett,
Eyman Leach, James Doyle, George Fisher, John Agee,
M. Dzienuanowski, Robert L. Booth, W. H. Booth, C.
Campbell, John Agee.
Regiment unknown — John Barton, I. C. Moore, Harrisoa
Bennett, Edward Haskins.
566
HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY.
TOWN or RIDGEWAT.
Second Infantry — Co. I — Samuel Sampson, Francis Ca-
sey, William M. Virgin, Silas Edgar, William Richards,
Alexander Miller, George Hill.
Eleventh Infantry — -Co. A^Nelson Johnson. Co. B —
Theophilas Cross. Co. E — Edward King, Nelson O'Con-
ner, Patrick McHaney. Co. G — George Farwell, Otis
Reed, Banford Dodge, Elias Billington, John Smith.
Twelfth Infantry — Co. C — Herman Vangorder, Daniel
.Jones, William Pine, Benjamin Power, Howell Williams,
Fred Aberline, Knudt Johnson, James Davidson, Thomas
Dunstan, Jonas Level, Hans Olson, Martin Olson, Lever
Chestleson, Larger Chestleson, Alslack Chestleson, Jacob
Laird, Ole Knudtson, Hector Evans.
Thirtieth Infantry — -Co. B — Michael Ryan, Stein Bur-
gess, Christ. Torgersen, Cornelius Earight, Lewis Kind-
sten, John Davis, James Lewis, Fred Schasler, Francis
Farewell, James Theobald, Levi Miller.
Thirty-first Infantry — -Co. C — Andy Hand, William H,
Davis, Thomas Buckingham, William Buckingham, Richard
Buckingham George Cutler, James Levell, William H.
Smith, James J. Jones, George H. Beaumont, Andrew
Peterson, John Latham, Ephraim B. Evans, Peter Hub.
bard, David Frost, Casper Bloomer.
Reyiment unknown — James Crossen.
TOWN OP WALDWICK.
Third Infantry — Company unknown — Eugene Orton.
Eleventh Infantry — Co. E — John Reeves, Daniel Thomas,
John Shay, Murthy Shay, Thomas Smith.
Sixteenth Infantry — .Co. I — Christopher Chin, James
Thompson.
Twenty-seventh Infantry — Company unknown — George
Godart.
Thirtieth Infantry — Co. E— John H. Noble, William
Martin, George P. Smith, William Wood, Oliver Sargeant,
Isaac Duke, Simon Beebe, Edward James, Thomas Has-
kins, Miles Munson, William I. Webber, Samuel Martin.
Second Cavalry — George Cox.
Reyiment unknown — Samuel Givens.
TOWN OF WTOMINQ.
Eleventh Infantry — Co. G— T. L Smith.
Twelfth Infantry— Go. C— William E. Morris, Selah
Anthony, Henry Jones, Washington Jones, William Jones,
B. S. Butterfield, Dewitt C. Wood, Enoch P. Wood, John
M. Lavoke, William C. Reed, Richard Higgins, Ellmore
Gear, Plympton Rawden, Miner Rawden, Andrus Swan-
sen, Edward Paul, Jr., Lewis Paul, Edward Paul.
Fourteenth Infantry — Co. D — Donald Brauder.
Fifteenth Infantry — Co. G — ^Ole Anderson.
Twentieth Infantry — -Company unknown — Wm. Miller.
Thirty-third Infantry — Co. A — John Morris, Charles
Reed, George Rollins, John Ferry, Frank S. Joiner, Ben-
jamin Franklin, Alexander Cameron, William B. Culver,
H. T. Love, David King, Safford Hewitt, George Wanni-
maker.
Second Cavalry — James Allen.
Sixth Battery — H. T. Shultz, Billings Brown, George
D. Brown.
CHAPTER IX.
The Tornado of 1878— County Officees— Property Valuation— Farm Products— Iowa
■County Agricultural Society— Early Voting Points— Press.
the tobnado of 1878,
The storm of May 23, 1878, will long be remembered by the inhabitants of Central Iowa,
Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois, as the most destructive that ravaged their districts
from time immemorial. The tornado was occasioned by a conflict of various elements in an up-
per-air stratum, where, becoming surcharged with vapor, the cloud-center was depressed to a lower
level. It first struck the ground on the farm of J. W. Rewey, two miles south of Mifflin Village,
in the northwest quarter of Section 8, in the town of Miiflin. The storm pursued a northeast-
erly course through Iowa County, sweeping along the northern boundary of the city of Mineral
Point, thence into Dane and Jefferson Counties. When the storm encroached on Iowa County,
it signalized its advent by a destructive passage through the farm of J. W. Rewey, two miles
south of Mifflin Village, and fifteen miles southwest of Mineral Point.
Leaving the Rewey farm, the storm struck the house of Edward Williams, inflicting dam-
age to the extent of several hundred dollars. The residence of Mrs. Hannah Jones, mother of
Judge J. I. Jones, next attracted a share of attention, the house being carried away in mid-air.
Among the various places visited were the following houses, which received damage of a more
or less serious nature : The residences of John M. and Frank Owens, P. D. Thomas, J. Evans,
Stephen Thomas, John Lewis, Mrs. Phillips, M. Hughes and David R. Davis. Mrs. Frank
Owens was seriously injured, but recovered. Mrs. Phillips, whose injuries were anticipated to
be fatal, likewise recovered.
From the Welsh settlement, the storm swept across the country to Lost Grove, leaving a
trail of devastated homesteads in its rear to define its progress. At Lost Grove, James Howe's
domicile was demolished. The family, consisting of husband, wife and children, occupied the
house at the time, and, being unprepared, Mrs. Howe was transported over a distance of several
rods, and deposited on the ground with such violence that she succumbed to her injuries. At the
first alarm, Joseph Howe caught his infant child in his arms, and both were dashed about furiously
in different directions, but, happily, escaped unscathed, and the child was uplifted and gently
borne to an adjacent slough, where it was comfortably buried in the accommodating mire. To
this circumstance is to be attributed the child's escape from death. It also crossed the farms of
Mrs. McCormick, John L. Miller and James F. Brown, doing considerable damage on each place.
A house occupied by Mr. Doney was swept away, in company with a valuable line of fencing.
The loss here was estimated at $2,000. Thomas Kealey's new house, which had just assumed
a look of substantial comfort, winged its flight, in minute sections, to another portion of the
county. Mr. Kaley's old house, occupied by himself and family, was damaged, the family sin-
gularly escaping by retreating to the cellar. Bearing around the bluff, the tornado was diverted
from its direct course for seventy or eighty rods, and, coming in contact with a new barn erected
on Hugh Phillips' farm, shattered it into minute fragments, and damaged other property in the
vicinity to the sum of $1,500. This appeared to have changed its course, for, reversing, the
storm careened down the valley in its former easterly direction.
Castle Rock, a massive projection of sandstone, corresponding somewhat to the ruins of an
ancient castle, was the providential means of saving Mineral Point from being laid in ruins.
Striking this natural barrier, further progress was temporarily arrested by the unmovable obstruc-
tion. The scene at this point was grandly sublime beyond the power of expression. The in-
S68 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
flated storm-cloud swayed and surged around the rock, as if determined to compass the destruc-
tion of a foe with sufficient temerity to bar its triumphal march. The wild conflict of the
elements lasted for the space of several minutes, when the tornado was perceived to have again
altered its course, and was then proceeding in a northeasterly direction. Departing on a tan-
gent from its previous course, the storm overwhelmed James Spensley's furnace, involving a loss
of $1,000.
J. Coleman's house was bodily lifted into the air, injuring all the occupants. Mr. Coleman,
wife and daughter, and John Allen, were in the house. The first mentioned was dangerously
injured, and his recovery was at first regarded as doubtful.
The large frame house of John Spensley was uplifted and crushed in the remorseless ma-y
of the aerial monster, the remains being distributed over a wide range of country. At the time,
there were twelve persons in the house, including William Coates, a visitor from Dubuque.
Seeing the portentous black clouds approaching, with their Cimmerian darkness illuminated with
intermittent flashes of forked lightning, the family and their guests hastened into the cellar, running
down a stairway leading from the dining-room. All succeeded in gaining the basement, except Mrs.
T. C. Roberts and Mrs. Maria Waller. The latter occupied a position on the stairs, urging the
foi'mer lady to follow her down, but suddenly it occurred to Mrs. Roberts that one of her four
children remained up-stairs. The two ladies started together to recover the child. Simulta-
neously the storm struck the house, which oscillated and cracked violently, while the stairs on which
Mrs. Roberts stood, swayed to and fro in an ominous manner. The ladies then retreated to the
cellar stairs. The windows of the house were blown in, and the glass was showered around the
females like hail. The following instant, the house was torn into two sections, and the whirl-
wind, penetrating, seized Mrs. Waller, and bearing that hapless female through the air for 400
yards, dashed her lifeless body to the earth, in a terribly bruised condition. Her feet were de-
nuded of shoes and stockings, which were carried away. The house was forcibly removed from
its foundation, leaving the terrified women and children unharmed in the basement. A part of
the house was on the ensuing day found one mile away, and a rafter was discovered over a
mile distant, driven five feet into the soil. A commodious barn and carriage house, situated about
three hundred feet northeast of the house, together with its contents, proved a total loss. One
horse alone escaped. One of the hubs of Mr. Waller's buggy, was cut out of the wheel, with all
the apparent precision of work accomplished with the aid of mechanical ingenuity. The ruins
of the barn were elevated into the air, where, seized by a cross current, they were borne toward
the southwest.
The farmhouse of John and Calvert Spensley, occupied by George Leonard, was also car-
ried off, and Mrs. Leonard almost instantly killed. Her body was recovered in a ravine, about
100 yards from the house, in a terribly mangled condition. Another house, the property of
Mr. Addington, was swept away, and the stone residence of John Francis, situated adjacent, was
unroofed. One of the inmates of the latter house was slightly injured. Benjamin C. Rennet's
house suffered the fate of its numerous predecessors, and was blotted from the surface of the
earth. Mrs. Rennet was the sole occupant when the dreadful blast involved her in its folds.
8he was carried across an open area, and dashed with violence against a wood pile, escaping
with trifling wounds. William Jacka's abode was shifted from its foundation several feet, the
terrified dwellers escaping uninjured. James Prince's house suffered the loss of the roof. A
barn belonging to John Lanyon was utterly demolished. The predatory mood of the winds,
directed the course of the storm through the German Catholic Cemetery, where havoc and deso-
lation, marked by numerous decapitated monuments and broken tombstones, illustrated the fury
of the incursion. C. Gillmann's brewery was laid in ruins. Twelve persons were in Mr. Gill-
mann's house when warned by the roar of the approaching hurricane, they sought a timely
refuge in the cellar. They all escaped save Miss Alice Zimmer, of Eden, who sustained injuries
which ultimately resulted in her death. The brewery was completely prostrated. At the first
touch, the roof was borne away, and shattered to pieces in the air ; the stone walls were over-
thrown, and two adjoining barns were leveled to the ground. Mr. Gillmann's residence was-
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 569
obliterated, and his thriving orchard denuded of foliage and bark. A number of persons,
including all the employes, who had taken refuge in the brewery, miraculously escaped without
a blemish. Among the refugees was the driver of the Arena stage, who, confiding in the
stability of the brewery, had hurried thither with his vehicle in search of shelter. Overtaken
by the storm, the driver jumped down from his elevated perch, and, seizing the spokes of the
rear wheel, tenaciously clung to them with a vise-like grip. The stage was whirled around
several times without relaxing the driver's grasp, or perpetrating any material injury. The
mail bag was preserved uninjured, but a package was picked up out of the coach and carried
into Waldwick, a distance of twelve miles, where it was discovered the next day. Frank
Bowen's homestead was lifted from the ground, and carried backward for several rods, where,
by the violence of the wind, it was crushed, and fell to the earth a chaotic mass of splintered
timber. By this visitation, Mrs. Bohan was deprived of life. Miss Annis Bohan, Frank Bohan
and his son Peter, were severely lacerated about the head and face. At John Jeuck's summer
garden, Mrs. Myers was fatally injured. John Beardsley's house, situated on the brow of a
hill east of the brewery, was also carried away. A neighboring schoolhouse was wrecked.
Miss Mcllhon and fifteen scholars were inside the building, but, through some fortuitous circum-
stance, the majority of the pupils were rescued from the ruins unharmed. The only fatalities
were the cases of Oliver and Eliza Beardsley. The latter, enfolded in the teacher's arms, was
carried for several rods, and met her death by being forcibly dashed to the ground. Miss
Mcllhon was but slightly hurt. William Cooking's house, barn and farm appurtenances were
all destroyed, and the proprietor and his wife both badly wounded. Cocking was found in an
apple-tree unconscious.
The following is a carefully compiled statement of the individual losses and casualties,
several of which are recapitulated to complete the table of disasters: The house owned by
Edward Williams, in the Welsh settlement, was first struck, and completely destroyed ; loss
^300. Three houses in a row, owned by Mrs. Phillips, Frank Owens and Mrs. Jones, mother
of John I. Jones, Judge of Iowa County Court, were then struck and leveled, and a house
across the road was unroofed ; loss to the four, $1,500. John Davis' house was also blown
down; loss, $350 ; Steven Thomas' house and outhouses were blown down; loss, $250. The
next was John Lewis' outhouses and part of his dwelling ; loss, $300. Hugh Hughes' dwell-
ing and outhouses were also wrecked ; loss, $450. David R. Davis' house, cultivator,
buggy, wagon and reaper, blown away ; loss, $1,000. The next was David Thomas' stone
house, which was unroofed ; damage, $100. Stephen Thomas' house blown down ; loss, $800.
No one was killed, and only two seriously injured — Mrs. Phillips and Mrs. Owens — at this
place. Mrs. McCormick's place, two miles west of here, was next struck by the storm, which
carried off part of the house and outbuildings ; loss, $250. A bridge, situated about a quarter
of a mile from this place, was carried one mile. John J. Ross sufiered damages on his farm to
the extent of $1,500. Thomas Keeley, adjoining, had his house, stable and wagon demolished;
loss, $1,300, Mrs. Howe's place, in Lost Grove, was demolished, killing Mrs. Howe ; loss,
$200. James Spensley's furnace was destroyed. Hugh Phillips' place was struck, demolishing
a new barn and killing five head of cattle, besides destroying two miles of fence; loss, $1,500.
John Coleman's house was next wrecked, seriously injuring Coleman and his daughter ; loss,
$300. John Spensley's residence and barn, and a house occupied by George Leonard, were
razed, Mrs. Waller and Mrs. Leonard being killed ; loss, $12,000. John Francis' stone house
was damaged to the extent of $200. John Addington had $50 in money and $150 in property
destroyed. Benjamin Bennett's house and barn were both swept away ; loss, $1,200. J. Lan-
yon's barn was blown down, two men being in it at the time, one of them — John Oates — receiv-
ing injuries about the hips ; loss, $75. A. Jenkins' house was unroofed ; bss, $75. S. Webb's
house, occupied by James Prince, was blown over ; loss, $500. William -Tacka's house, barn and
woodshed, partially carried away ; loss, $700. Judge Cothren's and John Hutchinson's fences
blown away ; loss, $300. S. Adam's house unroofed ; loss, $400. 0. Gillman's house, stables
and brewery, damaged to the extent of- $20,000. About a quarter of a mile from this place.
570 HISTOEY OF IOWA C0U:N^TY.
P. Bohan's new house was carried away, killing his wife and fatally injuring his daughter :
loss, $1,000. John Jeuck's summer garden and Solomon Myers' residence were blown away,
killing Mrs. Myers; loss, $1,200. About half a mile east of this place, John Beardsley's hop
house, barn and orchard were razed to the ground ; loss, $1,500. William Cooking's place was
next struck and damaged to the amount of $1,000. The schoolhouse was carried away com-
pletely. Out of fifteen scholars in the building when it was struck, Oliver and Eliza Beardsley,
brother and sister, were killed, and one boy was badly injured by being deprived of his scalp ;
loss, $700. M. O'Dowd's house, barn and outhouses were totally demolished ; loss, $1,200.
William Salmon had his house, orchard and farm destroyed ; loss, $1,000. Stephen Terrill's
barn, blacksmith-shop, a new buggy, threshing machine and outhouses were destroyed ; loss,
$800. At William Terrill's, 500 cords of wood were scattered, but no damage inflicted to
dwellings. John Kreamer's house, at a distance of six miles, was blown over, killing William
Ooley ; loss, $1,500. William Targuson's house and outhouses were leveled to the ground.
Miss Libbie Campbell, daughter of Senator Campbell, received injuries from which she died on
the following day. Mrs. Targuson and three daughters were terribly bruised. Loss to the
property, $1,300. Mrs. Marcy had her house blown down ; loss, $800. John Powers' house
was carried away, and outhouses blown down ; loss, $700. David Powers' house, barn, reaper
and granary were destroyed and himself and wife seriously wounded. Crossing Blue Mound
Branch, the tornado struck Peter Petersen's farm, unroofing the house and otherwise injuring
the building ; loss, $400.
Ole Swansen's residence was completely demolished, and $100 in money blown away.
'Mr. Swansen was found with a rail driven through his body, and his head frightfully bruised.
Mrs. Swansen was found dead about six rods from the house, with her baby, uninjured, clasped
in her arms. George Swansen had his leg broken. Loss to property, $3,000. Kettle
Paulson's house was blown over ; loss, $450. George Paulson, Chairman of the town
of Moscow, had his house blown away; loss, $1,500. Louis Hovred had part of his house
unroofed, and barn and outhouses demolished ; loss, $800. Holver Hailey's house blown
over ; loss, $400. John Wild had his house unroofed, and barn, outhouses and two miles
of fencing destroyed ; loss, $500. Rev. A. Jacobson, Pastor of the Norwegian Church
at Perry, had part of his house carried away, and outhouses destroyed. Haly Waring, a friend
stopping at the house, was killed, and Mrs. Jacobson received slight injuries. The church
adjoining was unroofed; loss, $1,000. Dr. McFarland's house was destroyed, killing one man
and injuring another.
The appearance of the storm-cloud, while moving along the earth's surface, varied with the
account of each individual. The most reliable testimony is the statement of William T. Henry,
of Mineral Point, and Prof. Chamberlain. On the day in question, both gentlemen had
ascended a high bluff, and, while there, were favored with an unobstructed view of the cloud
as it appeared several miles distant. He describes it as being much narrower at the base than
at the summit, otherwise presenting a funnel-shaped appearance, composed of dark, heavy clouds,
united by centrifugal action. S. Terrell, of Mineral Point, who observed the cloud approach-
ing his place, depicts it as a column of black clouds, reaching to the ground, and filled with
trees, leaves, shrubs, timber, etc., which were hurled about in indescribable confusion.
The appearance of the cloud was very unusual, as indicated by the large number of per-
sons who saw it, and, fearing danger, sought safety for themselves. It has been a matter of
surprise that so few of those who saw the storm could give an adequate description of its appear-
ance. Lightning and thunder seem to have begun about an hour before the advent of the tor-
nado, and to have grown more frequent and violent until its approach, when they were almost
continuous. Many saw clouds from the north come in contact with clouds from the south, pro-
ducing the tornado. This phenomenon was witnessed by observers along the entire line of the
storm. Very little rain fell with the tornado, but after it had passed, variously estimated from
five to thirty minutes, rain fell in torrents, and continued to do so for an hour. The amount of
rain which fell directly in the line of the storm was recorded nowhere except at Milwaukee,
HISTORY or IOWA COUNTY. 571
where it was 1.13 inches. But, as the winds were much less violent for forty miles before reach-
ing Milwaukee, the storm, as a whole, was doubtlessly being dissipated throughout that distance,
and the rainfall was consequently less than further west. At Madison, nine miles north of the
path of the storm, 1.48 inches of rain fell from 4:10 to 5:45 P. M.
This tornado was a whirlwind of unusual proportions, its motion being revolutionary, and in a
■direction opposite to that of the sun, or from the east to the north, west, south, to the east again.
This fact was very evident to one following its path for any distance, and it is believed that the
following observations will substantiate the point beyond question :
The opportunities for ascertaining the motion of the wind, by the direction in which the
trees were prostrated, was not relied upon to a great extent, on account of the peculiar nature of
the timber which, with one exception, to be mentioned later, was oak, much of it of second
growth and consequently small, very tough, and the trees so close together that the wind could
neither turn them over nor twist them off. However, in many places, there were clumps of oaks in-
terspersed with popular. In such places, frequently nothing would be left standing, and the wind's
motion could be easily studied. No observations with a compass, of the direction in which trees had
fallen, and of the angles at which they had crossed each other, were taken. All the trees southward
of the axis of the tornado, fell eastward. Most of them "fell north of east, and the angle to the north
gradually increased from the southern limit of the storm northward, somewhat beyond the axis
where they lay north or nearly north. A few trees in the southern course of the storm fell with their
tops pointing south of east. These trees, when crossing those pointing northeast, were invariably
uppermost, showing that they were last in falling. On the north side of the track, extending two-
fifths of its width inward from the northern limit, there was much less uniformity in the direction
in which these trees were prostrated, than upon the south. Quite a large number of trees fell to
the northwest, others directly west, a few to the southwest and a still greater number to the
southeast. The bodies of trees very frequently lay across each other in this portion of the
storm's track. The order in which they crossed each other is well illustrated by a group of three
black oaks which fell on the land of J. S. Frary, near the east line of Section 3, town of Oregon,
Dane County. The angles are as nearly correct as could be estimated by reference to a north-
and-south fence near by. The tree at the bottom pointed north, 45° west ; the middle tree
south, 50° west ; the upper tree, south, 40° east, the latter two lying at right angles with each
other. These trees were seventy paces south of the north boundary of the tornado.
Another proof that the storm was a whirlwind, is found in the directions in which fences
were blown down. North-and-south fences in the south two-thirds of the path were always
thrown east ; in the north one-third they were generally thrown east, but frequently were
thrown west. East-and-west fences south of the storm's center, were carried north ; near
the north limit of the storm they were, perhaps, most frequently thrown north, but were very
often prostrated to the south.
It has often been noticed that the severity and destructive violence of tornadoes were much
greater in some portions of their path than in others. This peculiarity was frequently observed
in the present storm. Very often there were trees left standing, while all timber in their vicin-
ity was leveled. Such a phenomenon was witnessed where the tornado climbed the bluflF south-
east of James Spensley's furnace, near Mineral Point. The same peculiarity was noticed with
regard to buildings. In the town of Mineral Point, Stephen Terrill's house, contiguous to the
center of the storm's track, was uninjured, although his barn, fifteen rods west, was reduced to
fragments.
In the adjoining counties, this feature was more strongly accentuated. In the town of Ore-
gon the residence of H. Palmer was not injured, while his stables and granary, ten rods north-
east of the house, were swept away, and a house across the road south entirely demolished. In
many places where there was continuous timber there would be strips from ten to thirty rods
long, in a direction parallel to the axis of the storm, where nearly every tree was prostrated,
then an interval where little damage was done, and again another piece where all were down.
Very frequently, these plats so completely prostrated were on ground descending to the east, or
572 HISTOKY OF IOWA COUNTY.
just at the bottom of such a slope. Tracts of interrupted violence frequently reached entirely
across the track of the tornado, but they usually extended only partially across.
The damage occasioned by this visitation was as follows :
Mineral Point $39,045 00
Rest of Iowa County 24,945 00
Dane County 43,455 00
Jefferson County 23,535 00
Totalloss ?130,980 00
The largest individual losses are accredited to Mr. Gillman and John Spensley, respectively,
$20,000 and $11,000, both of Mineral Point City.
The number of fatalities, divided among the respective counties were, in Iowa County,,
thirteen ; Dane County, six ; Jefferson County, one. To these are to be added the deaths from
injuries and wounds received during the storm. The number is incalculable, as in many
instances the sufferers survived in agony for months subsequent to the date of infliction.
The broad and liberal maxims of benevolence, which teach men to bury local enmities and
assist each other in the moment of common danger, were observed in the darkest hours of the-
disaster. The news of the terrible misfortune had hardly been promulgated, when, with mag-
netic influence and unsparing speed, the citizens set about repairing their shattered fortunes. A
central collection committee was organized in Mineral Point on May 24, 1878, under the name
of the Tornado Fund Committee. The following gentlemen compose the committee: Mayor
Calvert Spensley, William T. Henry, Treasurer; Joseph Gundry, R. D. Pulford, J. M. Had-
field, Cyrus Lanyon and John Hoard.
Those who lost all and were represented to be in a state of positive need, were as follows,
the amount accompanying each name representing the extent of their possessions at that time :
John Coleman, $800 ; George Leonard, $800 ; George Addington, $350 ; John Menger, $200 ;
Ben C. Bennett, $900 ; Patrick Bohan, $800 ; William Cocking, $500 ; Martin O'Dowd, $800 ;
Clark, $150 ; Mrs. Thomas Cox, $50 ; William Donney, $1,000 ; Mrs. Adams, $300 ;
William Jacka, $500 ; John Meyer, $400 ; Thomas Keeley, $800 ; Margaret Waters, $100 ;
Mary Coleman, $100 ; Howe, $350 ; Joseph Nichols, $75 ; J. M. Larsh, $275 ; Ed Jeffrey,
$300 ; Thomas Keeley, $1,800 ; William Salmon, $2,000 ; total, $12,850. Amounts subscribed to
the relief fund : Mineral Point, city, $1,353.50; Mineral Point, town, $1,400; Platteville,$151.50;
Dodgeville, $247.25 ; Darlington, $162.25 ; Chicago, $722.10 ; New York, $20 ; concert pro-
ceeds, $22.65. Aggregate receipts, $2,693.25.
On April 12, 1879, the Tornado Fund Committee submitted a final report of moneys-
received and disbursed from funds under their control. The receipts were $2,921.25, and
vouchers for that amount were presented and duly audited. The committee was then discharged.
COUNTY OFFICERS.
1850 — Parley Baton, Judge ; R. S. Vivian, Sheriff; Amasa Cobb, District Attorney ;
Jonas Hutchinson, Clerk of Court ; Henry Lenahan, Treasurer ; William Henry, Register ;.
Cyrus Cornell, County Clerk; A. W. Comfort, Surveyor; R. D. Pulford, Coroner.
1851 — M. M. Cothren, Judge: John McNair, Treasurer; N. B. Boyden, County Clerk.
1852 — C. N. Mumford, Sheriff; Amasa Cobb, District Attorney; James Hutchinson,
Clerk of Court; J. I. Uren, Treasurer; N. B. Boyden, Register; J. B. Gray, County Clerk;
A. W. Comfort, Surveyor ; Ricl ard Pratt, Coroner.
1853 — P. W. Thomas, JudgL>. This year, at the general election, out of 810 votes cast,.
517 were for prohibition.
1854 — Levi Sterling, Sheriff; L. H. D. Crane, District Attorney ; James Hutchinson,
Clerk of Court ; J. I. Uren, Treasurer ; Joseph Lean, Register ; Arthur Brittan, County Clerk ;
J. B. Whitelaw, Surveyor ; G. W. Henry, Coroner.
1855 — L. M. Strong, Judge. Owing to irregularity, either in elections or through the
neglect of the County Clerk, there is no further record of officers until
HISTOBY OF IGWA COUNTY. 573
1858 — T. McFarland, Sherifif; J. H. Clary, iJistrict Attorney ; John Cummins, Clerk of
'Court; Francis Vivian, Treasurer; Joseph Lean, Register; W. H. Curry, County Clerk; Rob-
ert Wilson, Surveyor ; Matthew Goldsworthy, Coroner.
1859— L. M. Strong, Judge.
1860 — George Messersmith, Sherifif; J. W. Clary, District Attorney ; Joel Whitman, Clerk
of Court ; Francis Vivian, Treasurer ; Isaac Ocheltree, Register ; Henry Dunston, County Clerk ;
B. W. Werrick, Surveyor ; Burke Fairchild, Coroner.
1861 — Stephen B. Ansley, Judge.
1862— G. C. Meiggs, Sheriff; J. H. Clary, District Attorney ; Joel Whitman, Clerk of
■Court ; Francis Vivian, Treasurer ; James Ryan, Register ; John Heron, County Clerk ; Robert
Wilson, Surveyor; David Morrison, -Coroner ; Alvin J. Sly, School Superintendent; W. S. Rich-
ardson, Henry Plowman and George Sims, County Supervisors (first record of School Super-
intendent andl War Supervisors).
1863 — John Bonner, Judge; John James, Geo. Sims and W. S. Richardson, Supervisors.
1864 — Thomas Thomas, Sherifif; Alexander Wilson, District Attorney; Joel Whitman,
■Clerk of Court ; Francis Vivian, Treasurer; James Jones, Register; George H. Otis, County
Olerk ; James D. Adams, Surveyor ; Mathew Goldsworthy, Coroner.
1865 — L. M. Strong, Judge ; Samuel Parks, School Superintendent ; James Troy, Joseph
Roberts and Oscar F. Levake, Supervisors.
1866 — William Wigham, Sherifif; Alexander Wilson, District Attorney; 0. P.Ashley,
Clerk of Court; Francis Vivian, Treasurer; Kearton Coates, Register; G. H. Otis, County
Clerk ; J. D. Adams, Surveyor ; Thomas Thomas, Coroner ; J. W. Rewey and L. W. Joiner,
Supervisors of First and Third Districts.
1867 — Samuel Parks, School Superintendent ; John Bonner and 0. F. Levake, Super-
visors of the Second and Third Districts.
1868 — William Sands, Sherifif; 0. P. Ashley, Register of Deeds; Francis Vivian,
County Treasurer ; S. W. Reese, District Attorney ; Orville Strong, Clerk of Board ; Chris.
Kessler, Clerk Circuit Court ; W. J. Wrigglesworth, Surveyor.
1869 — Robert Wilson, Judge ; Samuel Parks, School Superintendent ; Archie Campbell,
Supervisor Second District.
1870 — James Ryan, Sherifif; J. M. Smith, District Attorney ; Christian Kersler, Clerk
of Court; Francis Vivian, Treasurer; Richard Dunston, Register of Deeds ; Orville Strong,
County Clerk ; Henry Moddin, Surveyor ; Charles Hope, Coroner.
1871 — Thomas Patifield, Superintendent of Schools.
1872 — W. Sands, Sherifif; R. L. Read, District Attorney; Christian Kessler, Clerk of
Court; Charles Gillmann, Treasurer ; Ben Evans, Register ; Orville Strong, County Clerk ; A.
W. Comfort, Surveyor ; Matt Bishop, Coroner.
1873 — Robert Wilson, Judge; W. H. Peck, School Superintendent.
1874 — James Ryan, Sheriff; M. J. Briggs, District Attorney; William Sands, Clerk of
Court; Christian Kessler, Treasurer; Richard Dunston, Register; John Hoare, County Clerk ;
Thomas Brown, Surveyor ; Charles Hope, Coroner.
1875 — Albert Walkins, Superintendent of Schools.
1876 — Thomas Kennedy, Sheriff; J. W. Reese, District Attorney; William Sands, Clerk
of Court; Christian Kessler, Treasurer; James Clemenson, Register; J. T. Pry or. County
Clerk ; A. W. Comfort, Surveyor ; Charles Hope, Coroner.
1877 — John T. Jones, County Judge ; William A. Jones, School Superintendent.
1878— Thomas Blackney, Sheriff; T. S. Ansley, District Attorney ; J. M. Dale, Clerk of
Court; Charles Gillmann, Treasurer; D. G. Jones, Register; J. T. Pryor, Jr., County Clerk ;
P. T. Stevens, Surveyor; Charles Hope, Coroner.
1879 — William A. Jones, Superintendent of Schools.
1880— Thomas Kennedy, Sheriff; J. W. Taylor, District Attorney; J. M. Dale, Clerk of
Court ; James Clemenson, Treasurer ; D. G. Jones, Register ; Thomas M. Goldsworthy, County
Clerk ; R. L. Jones, Surveyor ; William P. Russles, Coroner.
574 HISTOKY OF IOWA COUNTY.
The first Legislative Assembly convened at Belmont, Iowa County (now Lafayette), Octo-
ber 25, 1836 , adjourned December 9, 1836.
Council — Edward McSherry, Secretary; William Henry, Sergeant at Arms; Ebenezer
Brigham, John B. Terry, James R. Vineyard, Councilman ; William Boyles, George F. Smith,
Daniel M. Parkinson, Thomas McKnight, Thomas Schanley, James P. Cox, Representatives.
Second session convened at Burlington, Iowa, November 6, 1887; adjourned January
20, 1838. Levi Sterling, Sergeant at Arms; other representatives remained the same.
Special session coavened at Burlington, Iowa, June 11, 1838 ; adjourned June 25, following.
First session of the second Legislative Assembly convened at Madison, November 26,
1838, and adjourned December 22, 1888. All subsequent sessions convened at this point.
James Collins and Levi Sterling, Councilmen ; Russell Baldwin, John W. Blackstone, Henry
M. Billings and Thomas Jenkins, Representatives.
1839 — Second session. James Collins, President; Councilmen the same as above ; Charles
Bracken, addidonal Representative.
Third session, 1839-40. Councilmen and Representatives the same as above.
1840 — Fourth session the same.
Third Legislative Assembly — Levi Sterling, James Collins, Councilmen ; Francis J.
Dunn, Bphraim.T. Ogden, Daniel M. Parkinson and David Newland, Representatives; David
Newland, Speaker.
Second session, 1841-42 — James Collins, President ; Moses M. Strong, Councilman ;
Representatives same as above.
Fourth Legislative Assembly, 1842-43 — Moses M. Strong, President and Councilman ;
Robert M. Long, Moses Meeker and William S. Hamilton, Representatives.
Second session, 1843-44 — Moses M. Strong, Councilman ; George Messersmith, Moses
Meeker and Robert Long, Representatives.
Third session, 1845 — Moses M. Strong, President and Councilman; James Collins, Robert
C. Hoard and Solomon Oliver, Representatives.
Fourth session, 1846 — Moses M. Strong, Councilman ; Henry M. Billings, R. C. Hoard,
Charles Pole, Representatives.
Fifth Legislative Assembly, 1847 — John Bevins, Sergeant at Arms ; William Singer,
Councilman ; Timothy Burns, J. D. Jenkins and Thomas Chilton, Representatives.
Special session, 1847 — Ninian E. Whitesides, Councilman; Timothy Burns, M. M.
Cothern and Charles Pole, Representatives.
Second session, 1848 — Councilman and Representatives the same as above. Timothy
Burns, Speaker.
The first Constitutional Convention assembled at Madison on the 5th day of October,
1846, and adjourned on the 16th day of December, 1846, having framed a constitution which
was submitted to the people, and rejected on the first Tuesday in April, 1847.
Representatives from Iowa County, William R. Smith, Moses M. Strong. Daniel M. Park-
inson, Thomas Jenkins, William J. Madden, Ninian B. Whitesides, Joshua L. White, Thomas,
James, Andrew Burnside, Moses Meeker and Elihu B. Goodsell.
Second convention assembled at Madison on the 15th day of December, 1847, and
adjourned on the 1st day of February, 1848, having framed a constitution which was submit-
ted to a vote of the people and adopted on the second Monday in March, following.
Representatives from Iowa County, Stephen P. Hollenbeck, Chas. Bishop and Joseph Ward.
First session of the State Legislature convened at Madison June 5, 1848, adjourned Aug-
ust 1, 1848. H. M. Billings, of Highland, Senator; Thomas Jenkins and Abner Nichols,
Assemblymen; John Mullanphy, Speaker.
Second session, 1849 — M. M. Cdthren, of Mineral Point, Senator; Jabez Pierce and Tim-
othy Burns, Assemblymen; William R. Smith, Clerk of Senate.
Third session, 1850— William R. Smith, Clerk of Senate; M. M. Cothren, of Mineral
Point, Senator ; Moses M. Strong and T. Fullerton, Assemblymen ; Moses M. Strong, Speaker.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. ?75
Fourth session, 1851 — Levi Sterling, Senator; Charles G. Rodolf and Richard Tregas-
kis. Assemblymen.
Fifth session, 1852 — Timothy Burn, Lieutenant Governor, President; Levi Sterling,
Senator; John Toay and Luman M. Strong, Assemblymen.
Sixth session, 1853 — Timothy Burns, President ; Levi Sterling, Senator ; Henry Mad-
den and Phillip W. Thomas, Assemblymen.
Seventh session, 1854 — Levi Sterling, Senator; L. W. Joiner and John Toay, Assem-
blymen.
Eighth session, 1855 — Amasa Cobb, Senator ; John Love and S. P. Hollenbeck, Assem-.
blymen.
Ninth session, 1856 — Amasa Cobb, Senator ; Richard M. Smith and Ephraim Knowlton,
Assemblymen.
Tenth ses.sion, 1857 — L. W. Joiner, Senator ; Ephraim Knowlton and Thomas S. Allen,
Assemblymen.
Eleventh session, 1858 — L. W. Joiner, Senator; H. M. Billings and Levi Sterling,
Assemblymen.
Twelfth session, 1859 — Charles G. Rodolph, Senator ; Gardner C. Meiggs and John Toay,
Assemblymen .
Thirteenth session, 1860 — Charles G. Rodolph, Senator ; Gardner C. Meiggs and Amasa
Cobb, Assemblymen.
Fourteenth session, 1861 — L. W. Joiner, Senator; Franklin Z. Hicks and Amasa Cobb,
Assemblymen.
Fifteenth session, 1862 — L. W. Joiner, Senator; Robert Wilson and John H. Vivian,
Assemblymen.
Sixteenth session, 1863 — George L. Frost, Senator; David McFarland and John
H. Vivian. Assemblymen.
Seventeenth session, 1864 — George L. Frost,- Senator; Wyman L. Lincoln and Francis
Little, Assemblymen.
Eighteenth session, 1865 — Wyman L. Lincoln, Senator; Blihu B. Goodsell and Francis
Little, Assemblymen.
Nineteenth session, 1866 — Wyman L. Lincoln, Senator; Elihu B. Goodsell and James
Spensley, Assemblymen.
Twentieth session, 1867 — Joel Whitman, Senator; Joseph Frost and John Green,
Assemblymen.
Twenty-first session, 1868 — Joel Whitman, Senator; Goodwin Lowrey and J. W. Rewey,
Assemblymen.
Twenty-second session, 1869 — T. S. Allen, Secretary; L. W. Joiner, Senator; Ebner
Powell and William E. Rowe, Assemblymen.
Twenty-third session, 1870 — L. W. Joiner, Senator; Henry C. Barnard and George W.
Bliss, Assemblymen.
Twenty-fourth session, 1871 — Francis Little, Senator; Henry C. Barnard and John J.
Davis, Assemblymen.
Twenty-fifth session, 1872 — Francis Little, Senator; William E. Rowe and John Strahn,
Assemblymen.
Twenty-sixth session, 1873 — Francis Little, Senator; William E. Rowe and William
Robinson, Assemblymen.
Twenty-seventh session, 1874 — Francis Little, Senator ; William E. Rowe and William
Robinson, Assemblymen.
Twenty-eighth session, 1875 — David McFarland, Senator; Owen King and Kearton
Coates, Assemblymen.
Twenty-ninth session, 1876 — David McFarland, Senator; Kearton Coates and Joseph
Bennett, Assemblymen.
576
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
Thirtieth session, 1877 — John Gray and Robert Kenzie, Assemblymen.
Thirty-first session, 1878 — Archibald Campbell, Senator; Owen King and John Gray,
Assemblymen.
Thirty-second session, 1879 — Archibald Campbell, Senator; George L. Frost and George
G. Cox, Assemblymen.
Thirty-third session, 1881 — Richard Kennedy and George G. Cox, Assemblymen.
United States Senators, Henry Dodge, 1848 to 1851 ; Amasa Cobb, 1865 to 1869.
TJnited States District Attorney, Moses M. Strong, appointed 1838. Governor of State,
Henry Dodge, 1836 to 1841. Secretary of State, Francis J. Dunn, 1841; D. W. Jones,
1856 to 1860; T. S. Allen, 1866 to 1870. Attorney General of State, M. M. Jackson, 1842 ;
William R. Smith, 1856 to 1858; Alexander Wilson, 1877, still in office. State Bank Comp-
troller, Joel C. Squires. President of Territorial Council, Moses M. Strong, 1842 to 1845.
Clerk of the Senate, William R. Smith, 1849 and 1850. Speaker of the House, Timothy
Barns, 1848; Moses M. Strong, 1850; Amasa Cobb, 1861. Sergeant-at-Arms, Levi Ster-
ling, 1837 and 1838. Associate Justice .of Supreme Court, M. M. Justice, 1848 to 1853;
Samuel Crawford, 1853 to 1855. Delegates to Congress, George W. Jones, 1836 to 1838;
Henry Dodge, 1843 to 1845. Presidential Elector, M. M. Cothren, 1852.
EQUALIZED VALUATION OF THE ASSESSED PROPEBTT IN IOWA COUNTY FOR A PEBIOD COVERING THE PAST DECADE.
TOWNS.
1871
1872
1873
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
Arena
$510900
100884
910232
776512
$450545
112635
841518
723458
$457448
128265
910786
850080
$482019
130584
85936U
833946
$432035
127316
907747
853243
$434484
127230
912034
$425555
127280
924443
468541
349590
675924
546688
490538
700400
211401
336203
707050
345827
211561
$430438
131888
1162113
452973
368551
713012
570084
493171
662565
214120
334473
732640
3tl726
228439
$418348
131128
930899
492478
348121
713646
581512
481596
680968
194210
319382
720085
336527
203043
$399814
134233
Clyde
Dodgeville
910888
Highland
477051
Eden
350975
587610
504040
467689
860000
218730
393380
686500
320309
228285
518447
464470
444023
635578
201942
352945
636667
291052
203501
532654
491206
437934
944558
229988
344310
728471
332903
239219
630901
549986
493671
750058
210850
328639
719565
349354
189293
668942
529198
487105
7UO0OO
209927
335717
706600
344080
165704
665833
545225
486880
700000
210273
332442
70-i280
339990
211775
710532
Mifflin
. 580394
Mineral Point
Mineral Point City...
474620
650000
190450
Pulaski. 1*,
310954
Ridgewag."!
726324
Waldwick
334962
Wyoming
198266
Totals
|656o071
$5876781
$6617822
$f526226
$6463614
$6521737
$6521001
$6836194
$6556944
$6454463
TOWNS.
HOESBS.
Neat Cattle.
Mtjles AND Asses.
Swine.
Wagons, Cae-
eiages
anb Sleighs.
No.
Average
Value.
No.
Value.
No.
Value.
No.
Value.
No.
Value.
Arena
751
354
1045
587
819
787
911
755
270
524
578
1208
513
347
$33 00
26 34
24 42
32 00
27 00
46 45
41 00
44 50
39 64
43 94
30 00
34 15
44 00
61 20
2665
884
4417
1713
2242
4380
3093
3008
402
2198
1535
4413
2099
1401
$11 00
6 67
7 75
10 00
7 73
11 15
14 00
12 37
22 07
10 85
9 00
11 75
10 41
15 08
5
8
6
18
23
14
19
14
11
7
13
2
4
11
$31 00
31 25
23 33
43 00
25 21
43 57
63 00
87 50
46 33
44 28
27 00
50 00
55 00
60 00
2771
1055
3869
2227
3292
3392
3309
3014
117
1421
869
4019
2062
1859
$1 48
1 34
1 12
2 50
1 24
1 95
3 70
2 88
4 12
3 12
1 86
2 25
3 82
3 16
379
171
429
2.59
416
479
396
364
258
220
252
339
260
136
$16 43
Clyde
8 94
11 89
Eden
14 00
Hiffhland
8 73
15 0-2
Mifflin
21 00
19 00
29 17
Moscow .
13 70
1.1 00
17 09
Waldwich
20 60
27 00
Total
9449
$36 70
34450
$10 73
155
$45 75
33276
$2 35
4358
$16 63
;. ' ' ' ''f J
^ ^^m/a ^Le^^i^_
MIFFLIN.
HISTOBT OF IOWA COUNTY.
679
CERTIFIED STATEMENT OF THE PRINCIPAL FARM PRODUCTS GROWN IN THE COUNTY OF IOWA, FOR
THE YEAR 1879, AS COMPILED BY THE COUNTY CLERK, AUGUST, 1880
NUMBER OF BUSHELS.
Hartested
FOE Seed.
Pounds.
Tons.
Pounds.
TOWNS.
1
d
a
1
1
2
o
i
1:
<
i
3
a
>
0
Q
0
a
i
5
0
1
1
34030
16337
58141
27143
52629
24270
14370
22728
700
15312
43320
63342
12480
21802
84625
35060
114100
104905
86850
177500
150670
123310
450
63510
91620
151330
104440
62729
79590
33548
135052
79105
74430
127120
128355
85650
200
62214
61860
152740
75810
39852
640
86
2867
5360
3610
1320
7266
2938
h2T20
336
1508
1115
524
140
459
752
3480
6145
11160
5710
11838
8120
8468
15169
200
6485
6176
4415
5500
3790
600
4828
398
840
2270
1281
2275
150
79
1231
2756
6144
2201
110
41
■"21
80
60540
8000
60504
24040
41700
103000
66670
65385
'2600
Clyde
540
211816
867496
172340
608710
1112120
1002618
518
1458
2240
3750
2235
2126
300
1721
947
4381
"i'ui
Eden
86
603
675
1262
125
855
38
43
80
101
128
420
137
654
65
93
35
11
20
16
Highland
Linden
600
MineralPoint
5600
Mineral Point City..
1313
1117
3825
950
60
643
2382
1510
85
978
200
1780
437
232
284
3
815
186
90
12
169
1
860136
91000
266760
621040
12152
51270
19320
118980
48690
32565
369
50
63
46
45
4
220U
Waldwick
Total
396104
1351099
1135526
31352
63152
96656
25053
SSS'i
P4'l
2085
271
5355908
20817
695664
10200
IOWA COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
In June, 1851, a number of citizens, resident in Mineral Point and surrounding districts,
organized the pioneer agricultural society of this county. The officers were H. L. Leffingwell,
President; Henry M. Billings, Levi Sterling, P. O'Dowd, John Hand, F. J. Dunn and George
Goldthorp, Vice Presidents ; William R. Smith, Secretary ; Samuel Crawford, Treasurer. The
new association held its inaugural fair in October of the same year. 0. C. Washburn and Francis
J. Dunn delivered addresses on that occasion, and the exhibition was characterized as an un-
qualified success. However that may be, the October meeting was the first and last gathering
under the above auspices. Individual exertion revived the defunct society in June, 1856, when,
at a "mass convention" in Dodgeville, re-organization was effected. H. M. Billings, John
EUwood and Joseph Mortell were appointed to report and draft a constitution. In the interim
the following oflficers were elected: Hon. H. M. Billings, President; Samuel Hendy, Levi
Sterling and L. W. Joiner, Vice Presidents; George Messersmith, Recording Secretary; L. H.
D. Crane, Corresponding Secretary ; Phillip Eddy, Treasurer. The committee on a constitution
reported, and, in accordance with their report, the appended names of Representatives were
added to the Executive Committee ; John James, Waldwick ; John Baker, Linden ; Caleb Syl-
vester, Mifflin ; David McFarland, Highland ; Watkin Watkins, Dodgeville ; Joseph Roberts,
Ridgeway ; W. A. Brisbane, Arena ; 0. F. Savage, Wyoming ; David Bigelow, Clyde ; Asa
Patterson, Pulaski, Thomas Berry, Mineral Point.
An inclosure of five acres contiguous to the town hall, was prepared for the reception of live
stock, and the adjoining town hall was utilized for a display of treasures selected from the king-
doms of art, manufactures and agriculture. The premium list aggregated $138.75. President
Billings delivered the opening oration. The fair was held on October 1, 1856. In the ensuing
year, none but members were allowed to exhibit, but as each exhibitor could qualify on payment
of $1, the objection provided a profitable income to the society. The dates of this exhibit were
September 16 and 17, 1857. The rate of admission was limited to one dime. The fairs of
1858 and 1859 occupied the original location. The latter exhibition was painfully marked by
a regrettable accident, which resulted in the death of a Miss Wells, who, by the collapse of a
revolving swing, sustained fatal injuries. During 1859, the society purchased twenty acres
of land of Col. Tiiomas Stephens for a fair ground. Four acres were sold, and the money thus
p
580 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
provided was expended in the construction of fences and suitable buildings. Here the fair has
been held up to date. Hon. H. M. Billings held the oflSce of President up to 1862, when he
was succeeded by L. W. Joiner.
1856 — H. M. Billings, President; Vice Presidents, Samuel Hendy, Levi Sterling, L. W.
Joiner; Secretary, George Messersmith ; Treasurer, Phillip Eddy. Fair held October 1 and 2.
Annual address by H. M. Billings. Receipts, ; disbursements, $195.66.
1857 — President, H. M. Billings ; Vice Presidents, S. Hendy, Levi Sterling, Caleb Syl-
vester ; Secretary, L. H. D. Crane ; Treasurer ; Richard Arundell. Fair held September 16
and 17.
1858 — President, H. M. Billings ; Vice Presidents, S. Hendy, Levi Sterling ; Secretary^
L. H. D. Crane ; Treasurer, Richard Arundell. Fair held October 1 and 2.
1859 — President, H. M. Billings ; Vice Presidents, L. W. Joiner, John U. Baker, John
Ellwood; Secretary, C. G. Blessing; Treasurer, Richard Arundell. Fair held October 6 and
7 ; receipts, $476.80 ; disbursements, $542.25.
1860 — President, H. M. Billings ; Vice Presidents, Thomas Stephens, L. W. Joiner, Joseph
Roberts; Secretary, L. M. Strong; Treasurer, R. Arundell. Fair held October 3, 4 and 5;
receipts, $913.75 ; disbursements, $982.75.
1861 — President, H. M. Billings; Vice Presidents, D. McFarland, William P. Ruggles^
L. M. Strong; Secretary, S. W. Reese; Treasurer, Samuel Hoskins. Receipts, $580.70;
disbursements, $495.27.
1862 — President, L. W. Joiner; Vice Presidents, John Ellwood, John B. Terry, G. 0.
Meigs ; Secretary, S. W. Reese ; Treasurer, S. Hoskins. Fair held September 17, 18 and 19.
186-3 — President, L. W. Joiner; Vice Presidents, John Ellwood, J. McFarland, Francis
Little ; Secretary, R. Arundell ; Treasurer, Samuel Hoskins. Fair held September 23, 24 and
25 ; receipts, $511.50 ; disbursements, $394.88.
1864 — President, James Toay ; Vice Presidents, John Ellwood, James McFarland, John
Adams ; Secretary, J. A. Slye ; Treasurer, Samuel Hoskins. Fair held October 13, 14 and
15 ; receipts, $834.62 ; disbursements, $617.64.
1865 — President, James Toay ; Vice Presidents, L. M. Strong, William P. Ruggles, John
Ellwood ; Secretary, R. Arundell ; Treasurer, Samuel Hoskins. Fair held September 29 and
30 ; receipts, $984.53 ; disbursements, $716.74
1866 — President, George W. Standardt; Vice Presidents, W. J. Bennett, L. M. Strong,
John Ellwood ; Secretary, Henry Dunstan ; Treasurer, Samuel Hoskins. Fair held October
2 and 3; receipts, $757.39; disbursements, $543.47.
1867 — President, John Ellwood ; Vice Presidents, Robert Wilson, A. J. Slye, R. Arun-
dell ; Secretary, Henry Dunstan ; Treasurer, Samuel Hoskins. Fair held October 2 and 3 ;
receipts, $1,518.05; disbursements, $1,518.05.
1868 — President, John Ellwood ; Vice Presidents, Robert Wilson, Charles Hope, Richard
Arundell ; Secretary, Orville Strong ; Treasurer, Samuel Hoskins. Fair held September 22,
23 and 24; receipts, $1,104.23; disbursements, $869.13.
1869 — President, John Ellwood ; Vice Presidents, S. W. Joiner, H. W. Jones, Chris
Nelson ; Secretary, -Orville Strong ; Treasurer, Samuel Hoskins. Fair held September 22, 23
and 24 ; receipts, $1.104.23 ; disbursements, $869.13.
1870 — President, John Ellwood; Vice Presidents, James Toay, William E. Rowe, Harker
Spensley ; Secretary, W. L. Abbott ; Treasurer, Samuel Hoskins. Fair held October 5, 6
and 7 ; receipts, $3,123.60 ; disbursements, $3,123.60.
1871 — President, John Ellwood ; Vice Presidents, James Toay, L. W. Joiner, William E.
Rowe ; Secretary, John T. Pryor ; Treasurer, Samuel Hoskins. Fair held September, 20, 21
and 22; receipts, $1,499.68 ; disbursements, $1,314.87.
1872 — President, S. W. Reese ; Vice Presidents, James Toay, W. E. Rowe, John Lees ;
Secretary, John T. Pryor; Treasurer, Samuel Hoskins. Fair held September 17, 18 and 19;
receipts, $1,066.81 ; disbursements, $1,069.64.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 581
1873 — President, Joel Whitman ; Vice Presidents, William E. Rowe, J. Hallum, Clark
Hickcox ; Secretary, John Ralph; Treasurer, Richard Carter. Fair held September 10, 11
and 12 ; receipts, #1,366 ; disbursements, $1,321.95.
1874 — President, Joel Whitman ; Vice Presidents, William E. Rowe, J. Hallum, Clark
Hickcox ; Secretary, John Ralph ; Treasurer, Richland Carter. Fair held September 23, 24
and 25.
1875 — President, John Bllwood ; Vice Presidents, Richard Wade, Clark Hickcox, Joseph
Hallum ; Secretary, J. T. Prior ; Treasurer, Samuel Hoskins. Fair held September 29, 30
and October 1.
1876 — President, John Ellwood ; Vice President, C. C. Watkins ; Secretary, J. T. Pryor,
Jr.; Treasurer, Samuel Hoskins. Fair held September 26, 27 and 28; receipts, $2,115.76;
disbursements, $1,625.65.
1877 — President, John Ellwood ; Vice Presidents, James Toay, Clark Hickcox, T. M.
Jones ; Secretary, J. T. Pryor, Jr.; Treasurer, Samuel Hoskins. Fair held September 25, 26
and 27.
1878 — President, John Ellwood ; Vice Presidents, James Toay, Clark Hickcox, T. M.
Jones ; Secretary, J. J. Hoskins ; Treasurer, Samuel Hoskins. Fair held September 25, 26
and 27 ; receipts, $2,267.06 ; disbursements, $1,567.26.
1879 — President, M. J. Briggs ; Vice Presidents, T. M. Jones, I. C. Comfort, Clark Hick-
cox ; Secretary, William H. Prideaux ; Treasurer, Samuel Hoskins. Fair held September,
24, 25 and 26 ; receipts, $2,517.08 ; disbursements, $2,210.17.
1880 — President, Joel Whitman ; Vice Presidents, F. Theobald, I. C. Comfort, Clark
Hickcox ; Secretary, William H. Predeaux ; Treasurer, Samuel Hoskins. Fair held Septem-
ber 22, 23 and 24; receipts, $2,347.39; disbursements, $1,743.16.
EARLY VOTING POINTS.
The following is a synopsis of the voting precincts established in the county of Iowa, pre-
vious to the erection of the various towns, according to the act of the Wisconsin Legislature
approved :
The first precincts or elective districts were Mineral Point, Dodgeville, Diamond Grove,
Blue River, now the town of Highland, Porter's Grove, now the town of Ridgeway, and Old
Helena.
To define just how much territory was included separately in those districts, is not neces-
sary, and is scarcely possible. Suffice to say, the people of the north part of the county voted
either at Helena or at Porter's Grove; those of the west and southwest parts either at Blue River
or Diamond Grove, in what is now the town of Linden ; those of the south and southeast parts,
at Mineral Point ; those of the east part, at Porter's Grove, and those of the center at Dodge-
ville. The first recorded election was held at the above points on the 7th day of May, 18-^8,
when 500 votes were cast, all told. Subsequently the Helena precinct was discontinued, Por-
ter's Grove, Dodgeville and Blue River then becoming the only polling places available for the
voters of the north part of the county. However, from 1838 until 1846, there were but few
voters in that section of the county to require a voting point.
In 1844, Diamond Grove, which included what are now the towns of Linden and Mifflin,
was changed to Peddler's Creek Precinct. During the same year, the territory now known as
Waldwick and Moscow Towns, was also constituted a precinct called Yellow Stone. In 1845,
the precinct of Peddler's Creek was divided, that part which is now Mifflin being erected into
a precinct entitled Dallas. In 1846, a precinct called Reevesville was set off" in the northeast
part of the county, the present town of Arena, and one called Percussion, now the town of
Wyoming. That section of the county now known as Pulaski, was constituted a precinct called
Wisconsin, in 1848, and at the same time the precinct of Otter Creek was erected, what is now
known as the town of Clyde. The precinct of Mineral Point was erected in 1836, and was first
called Pecatonica, and then constituted the chief polling place in the county.
582 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
Diamond Grove, well known as an early smelting point, still retains the name, probably
given on account of the shape of the clump of timber. Peddler's Creek was the original name
of the village of Linden, and received the appellation from a peddler having first discovered
mineral there. Dallas was the name of a small hamlet in the town of Mifflin, now extinct.
Blue River, the name of a stream in the west part of the county. Dodgeville, so called after
Gov. Dodge, who was one of the very first to locate in that section. Porter's Grove, so desig-
nated from a grove named after the first settler at that point. Helena, the name given in honor
of some lady, by one of the early founders, to the first laid-out village in the county. Percus-
sion, so styled, owing to the appearance of a rock which stands in the town of Wyoming, and
which resembles a percussion furnace. Otter Creek, after the principal stream that traverses
the town of Clyde. Yellow Stone, the name of a hamlet in the north part of what is now La
Fayette County. Reevesville and Arena, the former after the name of the manager of the
British Emigration Society, Charles Reeves, the latter meaning a sandy place.
THE PRESS.
The Miners Free Press.— Early in the spring of 1838, Henry B. Welsh and Henry Plow-
man, having made up their minds to come West and establish a newspaper somewhere, met and
consulted friends from Wisconsin, and were induced, from their representation of the then very
sparsely settled Territory of Wisconsin, to wend their way to the "lead mines," of which Min-
eral Point was the emporium, and leading town in the Territory. On their way West, these
pioneer printers stopped at Cincinnati, Ohio, and, having purchased type and press, loaded them
on a steamboat bound for Galena, 111., the distributing center for all freight, and the receiving
point for all mineral. From Galena, the press and type were hauled to Mineral Point by ox
teams. After surmounting many difiiculties, an " ofiice " was leased, wherein the printing es-
tablishment was erected, with a corner table set ofi" for an editorial sanctum. With frontier en-
ergy, the proprietors manfully discarded their coats, and, in shirt sleeves, exerted themselves
toward reducing the inchoate group of machinery to working order. This was ultimately ac-
complished, and, on July 24, 1838, the first number of the Miners' Free Press startled the
mining regions by discussing, in a terse, masterly style, the local topics of paramount impor-
tance. In the absence of files to guide us, it is fair to presume that the subject of Government
lands was not overlooked. This paper met with mediocre support from the constituents whose
cause it championed. Messrs. Welsh and Plowman continued the publication for upward of
two years, with wavering success, when they disposed of the business to John Delaney. De-
laney, after an ephemeral existence of two months, relinquished the control and recommitted
the establishment and the paper to its original owners. On this transfer, the name was changed
to the Mineral Point Free Press, and the paper was regularly issued under the auspices of
Messrs. Welsh and Plowman. Two years subsequently, C. C. Brett purchased the printing
office, and, disliking the lengthy nomenclature of the journal, altered the head-line to read
Mineral Point Democrat. He continued the publication during the summer of 1845, and then
sold out to Beriah Brown, who removed the outfit to Madison, where it became part of the Mad-
ison Democrat establishment. Such is the history of the first newspaper founded in the Wis-
consin mineral district. The tribulations and vicissitudes of the editor were multifarious and of
a character common to frontier settlements. When grievances were to be redressed, or a fan-
cied insult avenged, the editor's finer feelings were appealed to through the significant agency
of a horse pistol or a murderous-looking rifle. The editor was not always to be intimidated by
this display of persuasive force, and frequently he would dispute the dictate, and, with a celerity
acquired by experience, bring his shooting-irons on a range with the head of his adversary. An
incident illustrating the bellicose disposition of such persons is recounted in the general history
of Mineral Point. The encounter in question occurred between Henry B. Welsh and Charles
Bracken, editor of a cotemporary journal.
The Wisconsin {now Mineral Point) Tribune. — A weekly quarto, of Whig antecedents,
but Republican at present, of the stalwart type ; issued on Thursdays at Mineral Point City, and
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 583
enjoying a reputable prestige as also a generous support. The Tribune owes its birth and sub-
sequent education and experience, so to speak, for many years, to the enterprise and public
spirit of George W. Bliss, a pioneer typo at Mineral Point, whose ambition seems to have been
to establish an organ and contribute to the development of the Territory. This was undertaken,
and the sequel of its inquisition proves that the judgment of Mr. Bliss was predicated upon sub-
stantial premises. The first number was issued on Friday, September 4, 1847, and, with a few
exceptional suspensions caused by the occurrence of events that could not be avoided, its publi-
cation has been continuous and uninterrupted. Quoting from the salutatory : The name chosen
for the paper was sufficiently indicative of its editor's purpose to support the cause of the people
and of the enlarged and comprehensive views which should obtain in the discussion of the various
topics and questions of public concernment which legitimately engross the columns of a free
and independent press. The aim would be to advance the best interests of society, to aid the
prosperity of all classes by laboring to disseminate sound principles, to uphold wise measures ;
promote the cause of popular education, and encourage the useful arts. The interests of the
miner, the farmer, the mechanic and the laborer, would be faithfully protected and encouraged.
" The greatest good to the greatest number" would be, in short, the polar star that would guide
and govern the editor in his labors. The endeavor would be made to render the Tribune
worthy of support, and to make this portion of the State the seat of a dense as well as a thrifty
population. In politics, the paper would support the principles of the Whig party, illustrated
by Washington, Jefferson and Madison, as they lie at the foundation of public prosperity,
believing this, it would faithfully labor to diifuse them, seeking alone the good of those who differ
from the editor, and cherishing for them only feelings of respect and good will. Reason and
argument alone would be employed to make proselytes, and opponents would be treated with
courtesy and candor, and victories sought to be achieved by the dissemination of light and
knowledge.
With this brief but forcible exposition of news and principles, the journalistic bark was
committed to the sea, with the pleasing hope that its sails would "belly" with propitious
breezes, and -be speedily wafted to the haven of a liberal constituency. Mr. Bliss surely com-
prehended the duty of an editor and the objects of a newspaper — to enunciate and promulgate
thoughts as immortal as love, pure as the morning's dew ; thoughts that should cheer human
endeavor, console human sorrow, exalt human life, and cause the heart of a people to beat with
patriotic exultation. He seems to have been alive to the elevating influence of the press. He
realized its power as deep, strong, abiding. The soldier fights for his native land, but the editor
touches that land with the charm that makes it worth fighting for, and fires the warrior's heart
with the fierce energy that makes his blow invincible. The statesman enlarges and orders liberty
in the State, but the editor fosters the love of liberty in the citizen's heart ; the inventor multi-
plies the facilities of life, but the editor makes life better worth living for. Conscious of these
advantages and obligations, Mr. Bliss began the venture in a field as yet comparatively unculti-
vated ; and among the trees and flowers where birds caroled, children played, lovers whispered,
and the various streams of human life flowed by, he laid the pedestal to what has proven his
monument, lo ! these many years. The paper was, in those days, a folio of twenty-four columns,
printed in brevier and nonpareil. The first page was devoted to an article on river and harbor
improvements, poetry and story-telling. The second page contained foreign news from various
sources, editorials, selections, and the Whig ticket, which is here reproduced, as follows : For
Delegate to Congress, John Tweedy; 0. C. Lockhart, for the Council; Charles Pole, C. C.
Rynerson and L. C. McKenney, for Representatives ; Francis C. Kirkpatrick, Albert A. Camp ■
and John H. Suddith, for County Commissioners ; Charles L. Stephenson, for County Treas-
urer ; S. Forrest Seabury, for Commissioners' Clerk ; Edwin B. Carson, Register of Deeds ;
William B. Foster, Collector ; F. A. Hill, Surveyor ; Ezra A. Hall, Thomas Riddle and John
Wasley, School Commissioners ; Edward Combe, Nicholas Code and James J. Bayse, Assessors,
and William Thomas, Coroner. The third page contained additional selections, a limited num-
ber of "ads," and the "hotch-potch" usual to similar enterprises, while the fourth page was
684 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
utilized to the appropriation of more poetry and storj-telling. The paper was issued to sub-
scribers at $2.50 per annum, and in appearance commended itseif to the encouragement sought.
Its office was located on High street, in a two-story frame building, still standing, and now
owned by J. F. Miller, at present occupied as a photograph gallery, a shoe-store and other
branches of business. The succeeding numbers equaled reasonable expectations, and met the
promises of the editor,, so that, when the yellow leaves of autumn began to fall thickly, the
youthful charge had put off its swaddling clothes, freed itself from the care of a nurse, and was
able to walk alone, and thenceforward this treasure, laid up in Mineral Point, has never been
corrupted by the moth and rust of failure. In its labors, the paper aimed to conserve public
morality, further the causes of education, temperance and religion ; agitate improvements, not
alone in the village and county, but also in the State and nation, and, by the efforts made, to
urge the adoption of -all means necessary to the attainment of such ends, contributed very largely
to the success which followed many undertakings. At this time, the Mexican war was in prog-
ress, and the Tribune supported its prosecution in emphatic utterances. The hope was
expressed that it might be brought to a speedy close, but not by a refusal of the Whig
majority in Congress to vote men and money for its continuance. With regard to the
education of the people, the paper insisted that adequate means for that purpose must be raised.
The Territory of Wisconsin, with a population of 200,000, was about to seek admission into the
confederacy ; her inexhaustible mines were yielding abundant returns ; religious and benevolent
institutions were supported, without the aid of compulsory laws, and the education of the youth,
into whose hands the affairs of this vast republic would shortly be intrusted, must be instructed
in such branches as would qualify them to discharge the important duties thereto attaching.
The building of railroads, to afford easier access to the ambitious world, only waiting for the
means of conveyance to become residents of the county and Territory, were also elaborated in
the Tribune. It was a subject that should call forth united action, and the necessity for a com-
munication of this kind between the mining region and the lakes was imperative. Adopting
this view of the situation, the building of a road from Mineral Point eastwardly was agitated
and advocated until the work became an accomplished fact. Upon the subject of temperance,
Mr. Bliss defined the status of the Tribune in terms utterly devoid of ambiguity. The trust
was indulged that the effort in progress to dethrone King Alcohol might be attended with suc-
cess, and that not only those who used ardent spirits to excess, but those who profess to use it
in moderation, might be induced to abandon the practice, and further, that those who dealt in
the article for the sake of profit, might be constrained to forsake the business and resort to a
more honorable means of obtaining a livelihood. The friends of temperance were continually
admonished to make united efforts in advancing the cause and urging all classes to shun the
dramshop as a viper that stingeth unto death. The first volume was closed with a balance to
the credit side of the establishment. Success had been the weekly accompaniment of the
Tribune, and this, too, notwithstanding that its editor had opposed the political opinions of
many of the citizens of the county. These manifestations of friendship served to encourage the
editor in his daily walks, and inspire him to renewed exertions in behalf of the trust committed
to his care. New type was purchased with which to print the initial and succeeding numbers
of Volume II, improved machinery procured, and the equipments of the composing room so
increased as to make the office one of the most complete in the State.
The following volume, which practically began the renewed lease of life made to the paper
on October 12, 1849, gave evidence that its success during the previous year had been even
more pronounced than the most enthusiastic friend could have hoped for. The paper was
enlarged in dimensions, one column was added to each page, and the remunerative "ad,"
which has been quoted as " limited," was materially increased by large additions. This was
continued during the ensuing years, though Mr. Bliss doubtless experienced more than a pil-
grim's trials in his endeavor to edit and publish a weekly chronicle of current events, such as
was put forth in that day, without assistance. This labor became onerous in time, and, in spite
of his attention to business, observes one familiar with the situation, began to evidence its effect
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 585
to the public. During the latter half of 1851, the editor, realizing the necessities of the occa-
sion, decided to secure the services of an assistant, and succeeded in obtaining Josiah B. Chaney
for that position. He became a partner January 1, 1852, and did the mechanical work on the
paper while such partnership existed. The effects of this association became apparent in the
improved appearance of the paper as a medium for advertising, as also in its columns devoted
to the acquisition of news. A new dress was awarded the " sheet," and leaded nonpareil was
required aad substituted for brevier, so valuable had "space " become. The partnership indi-
cated remained in esse until September 30, 1854, when it was dissolved, Mr. Chaney surrender-
ing his title to Mr. Bliss and retiring from the assistant management of the concern. As early
as 1853, the editor began to exhibit evidences of a change in his political faith in the support of
principles which have since crystallized into those of the Republican party. In the canvass of
1854, the issue presented by Mr. Bliss was the extension of slavery into the Territories. To
the candidates of the Democracy as men, the paper made no opposition, but " principles before
friendship " should be the watchword of every friend of freedom, and, as such, the paper could
not approve the Nebraska measures of Pierce and Douglas. When the result was announced,
the JRepublicans were congratulated upon a triumph of the principles for which they had con-
tended. With the close of 1854, the price of the paper was reduced 20 per cent, and on Decem-
ber 6, 1854, the oflBce was removed to the third story of Milton's stone building, corner of High
and Chestnut streets, in connection with which Mr. Bliss established a reading-room that was
supplied with papers, magazines, etc., from all parts of the country, to which the public was
afforded access and cordially welcomed to the perusal. During 1855, a temporary suspension
of the weekly issue occurred, but, as the number containing the causes which compelled this
hiatus is missing, the same are reserved to the opinions of readers. On Tuesday morning,
December 18, of that year, however, the publication was resumed in a new dress and appearance,
metaphorically speaking, decidedly chic. The editor embraced the occasion to assure the pub-
lic that the Tribune was no joint concern, nor the offspring of any political organization. Yet
its continuance was dependent upon such support as would be extended by the Republican party.
If sustained, the paper would be regularly issued ; if not, some more favorable opening would be
sought, and the Republicans of Iowa County would have to look to some other source for an
organ. Mr. Bliss assured the subscribers and his political aids that, while he was willing to be
economical, he was unable to live and labor on wind, and it remained for them to decide as to
whether or not the "Tribune should be sustained." The "subscribers and political aids"
heeded this suggestion, and evidenced their disinclination to look elsewhere for " an organ " by
yielding a support to that provided by Mr. Bliss, who was thereby spared the calamity of fail-
ure. In the campaign of 1856, the Republican platform was accepted by the Tribune because
it was broad as the Declaration of Independence, yet suflBciently definite to be understood by
all. Though sustaining defeat, the editor was by no means discouraged, but, buckling on the
armor of faith, contemplated future successes. In December, 1857, the office was once more
removed, this time to the third floor of Thomas' Block, on High street, where the Tribune was
■conducted until its base of operations was changed, two years later, to premises opposite Whit-
tlesey's Bank. In January, 1858, Edward U. Bliss became a partner in the publication of the
paper. He was a son of the proprietor, a practical printer, and, by his labors and experience,
<!ontributed materially to rendering the sheet an acceptable family paper. In the discharge of
their duties, they furnished a paper worthy of patronage ; not professing to be perfect, they
nevertheless so disposed of their ability in a professional sense as to merit encouragement, and,
when weighed in the balance of public opinion, if not in all degrees equaling the standard of
human perfection, they were ever regarded as men who would cheerfully yield when convinced
that they were on the wrong road or in the wrong pew. During their administration, which
extended into Volume XXII, the Tribune was made the faithful and vigilant exponent of the
best interests of the people, morally, educationally and commercially, and also as the dissemina-
tor of news. Through its columns, the public was made familiar with the happenings at home
and with the affairs of other lands. Politically, the paper was Republican of the most radical
•''86 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
and aggressive school, regarding the leading exponents of that party as " supporters of a cause
worthy the alliance of angels and the Christian world." In short, to express it euphoniously,
they "had it bad." On January 6, 1869, the paper attained its twenty-first birthday and was
presented to its patrons in an enlarged form and with satisfactory improvements. The enlarge-
ment increased the amount of reading matter seven columns, or one full page of the old size, and,
in its general appearance and make-up, all things seemed to combine to render the Tribune a
cheerful and acceptable companion. The firm was known as Bliss & Son until June 2, 1869,
when it ceased, and was succeeded by that of Bennett & Teasdale. On that day, the senior
editor issued his valedictory, and retired from the duties of his oflSce after a service of nearly
twenty-two years. The new managers, William H. Bennett and John B. Teasdale, assumed
charge at once, fully conscious of the responsibilities they had laden themselves with, but hop-
ing, by a consistent course in all things, courtesy to all parties, untiring industry and proper
management, to secure the confidence and support of the community. During 1869, the " folio "
was abandoned and the "quarto make-up" adopted. Having done thus much toward giving
their subscribers a first-class local organ, the publishers sought from the former an indication
that their efforts had not been vain. This was accomplished through repeated reminders in that
behalf, by a thorough canvass of the county, and by other means the journalist, ambitious of sub-
stantial recognition, knows so well how to employ. In October, 1869, the ofiice was again
removed to its present location, and in March, 1871, Mr. Bennett became sole owner of the
enterprise, remaining as such, until January 1, 1881, when his brother, B. J. Bennett, entered
as partner. The Tribune is now in the thirty-fifth year of its experience. It has not grown
rapidly, but steadily, and, by faithful endeavor to fill the station allotted it and merit public
indorsement, has conquered a success where similar undertakings have failed. William H.
Bennett, the leading spirit of the paper, through his editorial career, has rendered the Tribune,
politically speaking, one of the most influential periodicals in Southern Wisconsin. Being an
enthusiastic Republican politician, he has held various positions in the State, offices not the least
of which was that of Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue, to which he was appointed
in 1873, and held it four years. In 1878, he was appointed to a lucrative position
in the State Land Office, where he is still occupied. Gr. W. Bliss, the founder, subsequent
to his abandonment of the editorial tripod, became a member of the Legislature of Wisconsin
from Mineral Point, in which capacity he served his constituency satisfactorily. In November,
1870, he removed to Neosho, Mo., where he died a few years since. The old Washington press
on which the Tribune was first printed is said to be among the articles of interest in the rooms
of the Historical Society at Madison. The paper to-day enjoys a circulation of eight hundred,
and represents a valuation estimated at $3,500.
The Iowa County Democrat (then National Democrat) was established in August, 1866,
with John Herron and William H. Peck editors and proprietors. The paper was afterward
owned and published by T. Scott Ansley for one year, and by W. H. Peck for a number of
years. In November, 1874, the office was purchased from Mr. Peck by Albert Watkins and
George Crawford. In May, 1877, Mr. Watkins sold his half-interest in the office to Robert M.
Crawford, and George and Robert M. Crawford became proprietors, since which time the office
has been owned and the paper published by them. The Democrat has a large and increasing
circulation in Iowa County. It is independent in politics, neutral in religion, and its primary
object is to furnish its readers with all the local news possible. The enterprise is valued at
14,000.
The Dodgeville Ohroniole — Now and heretofore the only newspaper in the village is an
outgrowth of the county-seat war. The people of Dodgeville, realizing that Mineral Point had
the advantage of them in possessing organs to advocate their claims, commenced to agitate the
matter. It came to pass that about this time, one Hoxie, a speculative genius, left Baraboo,
Wis., with a printing press, type, etc., for Iowa. An unusual amount of rain had fallen that
season, and the clayey roads of Iowa County were perfect quagmires. Proceeding as far as the
farm of W. P. Ruggles, in Ridgeway, Hoxie became "stalled." Leaving his press in the lat-
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 587
ter gentleman's barn, he proceeded to Dodgeville to negotiate. Among others, Messrs. Samuel
Hoskins, S. W. Reese, N. Arthur, Jacob Miller, Henry Madden and B. F. Thomas interested
themselves. John T. Jones, the present County Judge, then a practical printer in Mineral
Point, happened to visit Dodgeville, and was commissioned by them to call at the Ruggles farm,
examine the press, and give an estimate of its value. This he did, and the result was the form-
ation of a stock company, and the purchase of the press for the sum of $1,200 ; $50 shares
were first issued, the shares afterward being divided into $25 each. Thirty or more of the wealthy
men of the village subscribed ; the press was set up in the second story of the Farmers' and
Miners' store building, and Francis J. Rowe, then on the Mineral Point Tribune, was employed
as editor and business manager. Half the capital stock was donated to him, and the Iowa
County Advocate, thus founded, made its appearance on August 19, 1858.
In March, 1861, it was found necessary to establish another friendly paper here, in order
to comply with the law requiring the publication of the local law — the notice to voters — in two
papers of the county. The Iowa County Herald was then founded, and enough editions pub-
lished to fulfill the requirements of the law. A number of copies are still in preservation on
which a map of the county is rudely drafted. The map gives Dodgeville a location in closer
proximity to the center of the county, while Mineral Point occupies a position on the extreme
county confines. The paper was edited by Henry Madden and P. D. Wigginton. In September,
1862, Dr. Cowan took charge of the Advocate, and changed the name to the Dodgeville
Chronicle. Dr. Cowan was a local preacher and the publisher of a monthly pamphlet in the interest
of Primitive Methodism. Cowan owned at least half the stock, and, thinking himself master of
the situation, decided to remove the paper to Mineral Point, and actually loaded part of the
press on a wagon for that purpose, when a number of the stockholders, headed by Dr. Bishop
and Nicholas Arthur, convinced him that it was wiser to return the press to the room where it
was first set up. E. W. Corns, of Mazomanie, Wis., was the next editor, and he published the
paper in the Casserly building, now a part of the Northey building, on Iowa street. In 1860,
W. J. Wrigglesworth bought the paper, and published it until 1870, in the town hall. He then
set up the press in what is now the telegraph office, over Reese's bank. At one time, W. L.
Abbott was associated with Wrigglesworth. His interest was purchased by E. T. Wriggles-
worth, the brothers continuing the publication for some time. In 1870, they compiled and pub-
lished the first sectional map of Iowa County, and, later, dissolved partnership. On the 2d of Jan-
uary, 1874, A. S. Hearn, of Cadiz, Ohio, reached Dodgeville, and, after carefully scrutinizing the
business, purchased the establishment and took possession of the office as editor and proprietor,
March 1, 1874. On the 1st of December following, he removed the office to the B. F. Thomas
hall, where it was published until June 1, 1877, when the forms and material were removed to
the present Chronicle office in the Jones & Owens block. On the 15th of June, Mr. Hearn
published the first edition ever printed in Iowa County with a cylinder press. This is now in
use in his office, while the press, rescued from the mud by Judge Jones twenty-two years ago, is
now in an office in Niobrara, Neb. The Chronicle is a four-page eight-column weekly. Repub-
lican in politics, and is devoted to the interests of the entire county.
The Arena Star. — Unheralded by any flourish of trumpets, the Arena Star burst forth on
the horizon of county politics on June 26, 1874. It came as a feeler of the popular mind, and
at once met with a happy reception. W. H. Goodlad and Dr. Flower stood at the helm, both
men of energy and business ability. A good advertising patronage was secured, and it
became a quickly recognized fact that the Star was not destined for an ephemeral existence.
The business cares of the two managers dictated the advisability of a change which occurred
five months later. Then the stock and good will were surrendered to others, who after a month's
experience, invoked the aid of greater capital by organizing the Star Company under the stock
name of MefiFert & Peavy. This step demonstrated beyond a doubt its expediency, as during
the following six months, the advertising and subscription patronage expanded greatly. With
the initial number of Volume II, Burnett & Son associated with the company as publishers
with Messrs. Meffert & Peavy, editors. This organization remained unchanged until the con-
588
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
elusion of the third volume, when a vacancy was created by the withdrawal of W. C. MefiFert.
W. H. Jones replaced him on the editorial staff. At the close of Volume IV, Jones & Peavy
bade adieu to their patrons and friends, and confided the interests of the Star and a constantly
increasing patronage to J. T. Shumwav, at that time traveling agent of the Dodgeville Ohroni-
cle. The Star, which had hitherto maintained an aggressively independent stand in politics,
was thenceforward to be a partisan organ of the National Greenback party, and was at once
indorsed by the party as its county organ. After eighteen months of prosperous work, Mr.
Shumway was borne to his final resting-place, and by the intervention of death the Star was
deprived of its operative ability. At this critical juncture, D. H. Williams and E. J. Edwards
constituted themselves foster guides, consequently no issue was lost. Eventually, the charge
was intrusted to D. H. Williams, who made his bow to the people and assumed the duties of
editor. Under his supervision, the Star has attained its largest circulation, and is now paying
a regular dividend over and above all expenses. The paper has been returned to its former
stand of political independence, and is the only free and untrammeled organ in the county.
CHAPTER X.
PIO]SrEER REMINISCENCES.
Memoir, By William R. Smith— The Pecatonica, Bt William Penn Smith— Fiest Impees-
siON or THE Mines— By W. P. RtraGLES— By T. M. Eulleeton— A Bridal Trip.
MEMOIR — BY WILLIAM K. SMITH.
The country, after passing over a natural meadow through which the head waters of Pipe
€reek Run, is hilly, with some remarkable rocky eminences, woody dells and deep ravines,
altogether a romantic country, with abundance of rich land, natural meadow and fine timber.
Four or five miles from Helena, the road descends abruptly from the high wooded hills, and one
of the most splendid views in the country opens on the traveler. An amphitheater of meadow
or low prairie, encircled at a point where he enters it with high and bold hills and jutting rocks,
surmounted with oak openings, lies in broad expanse before him. This meadow is about half a
mile wide, and about four miles long to the base of the amphitheater, along which flows the Wis-
■consin River. On each side, as the road winds through the level plain of verdure, there are
deep indentures in the surrounding hills, forming numerous small meadows, or little green coves,
interspersed with groups of forest trees, and exhibiting the dwarf willow, the well-known com-
panion of the limpid spring. Several small streams unite in the center of the meadow and
form a considerable water-course, emptying into the Wisconsin at the base of the plain. In
looking around on the face of the encircling rocky hills, the fact that this great body of low-
land was once the bottom of the lake, or an expansion of the Wisconsin River, appears evident.
The action of the water has woven a distinct line on the face of the perpendicular rocks and
the exposed stony face of the hills, and the semblance of a corded line can be traced all
around this expanded low prairie ; also around the various extentions and indentations of the
little coves amongst the protruding hills and eminences. The meadow land is of the richest
alluvial quality. The traveler, after leaving behind him for many miles immense tracts of wood
and uncultivated prairie, feels as if he was transported at once into some happy valley, and sur-
rounded by the residences of a rich population.
Some small inclosed fields near the Wisconsin River give good promise of plentiful crops
of corn and potatoes. Not far from the bank of the river is erected a house, for a store, near
which I observed some Indian graves lately made. Immediately on the bank, a large building
was put up by the United States Agent superintending the lead mines, and was intended as an
office and storehouse for the deposit of Government lead received from the miners and smelters.
From this place it could readily be shipped down the Wisconsin to St. Louis or up the river to
Fort Winnebago. This building is going to decay, and I am informed that all the land in this
beautiful valley is entered, or located, including the Government buildings. From this point,
the road bends abruptly to the east along the bank of the river, and a ride of two miles or there-
abouts through the site of the town of Helena brings you to the shot-tower and buildings belong-
ing to the Wisconsin Shot Company. Here is a large lumber-yard, the lumber being chiefly of
pine and brought down the Wisconsin River. Several machanics' shops are erected and workmen
«mployed. The Shot Company have a very large assortment of goods and merchandise in their
store which is here kept. On the river bank there is now being built a storehouse of about
50x70 feet, the basement story is of stone from the river beach to the top of the bank, and the
upper story of frame.
The shot-tower is worthy of a description. It is built on the summit of a rocky hill on
the bank of Pipe Creek, near its entrance into the "Wisconsin. The hill has a perpendicular
590 HISTORY OF IOWA COLTNTTY.
face next the creek, and a gentle descent southward and westward by which wagons may reach
the summit. One hundred feet from the base of the rock there is a ledge or landing-place ; on
this ledge rises the shot-tower, of frame, eighty feet to the roof, giving to the base of the cliif a
fall of one hundred and eighty feet. A well or shaft has been sunk through the sandstone rock
for one hundred and twenty-nine feet, and a lateral drift or entrance, ninety feet in length, seven
feet high and six feet wide, has been cut from the bank of the creek to the perpendicular shaft.
A basin, seven feet in depth, is sunk below the surface of the entrance shaft, and, being supplied
with water, forms a well for the reception of the hot shot as it drops from the furnace.
A small railway is erected within the lateral drift communicating with the well, and extend-
ing to the finishing house, which is built on the bank of the creek, immediately opposite the
entrance to the shaft. On this railway, the shot is carried in small boxes or cars, from the well,
by a horse-power, into the finishing house. The shot was then carried into a rotary cylindrical
oven, where it was dried and transmitted into the polishing barrel, whence it was passed to the
separating sieves, after which the several sizes were weighed, bagged, and packed in kegs for
shipment. The steamboats embarked the commodity direct from the door of the finishing house.
This establishment would do honor to any old settlement in the East, and the public spirit of the
proprietors deserves remuneration in the profits of their business. I am informed that five thou-
sand weight of shot is the usual quantity made per diem by one set, that is, six hands. This
company is the owner of a large body of mineral and timber land. One of the partners, Ben-
jamin L. Webb, resides here, and superintends the concern. From the shot-tower hill, the view
down the Wisconsin River, for thirty or forty miles, cannot be surpassed in beauty ; the wind-
ing of the broad stream through and amongst the numerous wooded islands which cover its sur-
face, until the bright sparklings of the waters, seen at intervals in the almost interminable chain
of islands, is totally lost in the distant horizon. The high and bold outline of the hills in the
Indian country, north of the river and extending westward to the Mississippi, all present a de-
lightful subject for a painter.
THE PECATONICA BY WILLIAM PBNN SMITH.
From " Observations on the Wisconsin Territory, chiefly on that part called the ' Wiscon-
sin Land District,' " in the summer of 1837 : " A small branch of the Peketonica runs through
a ravine or narrow meadow at Mineral Point, in a southern course, receiving in its way many
fine springs, until it unites, about five miles below the town, with the main branch of the same
river, about two miles above the furnace and establishment of Richard McKim, Esq., to
which he has given the name of New Baltimore. His smelting furnace, saw-mill, workmen's
house and his mansion, are situated on the western banks of the Peketonica, which is here a
considerable stream ; a mile west of the New Baltimore flows another large branch, on which is
built Kindle's grist-mill. The natural meadow at New Baltimore, and for several miles above,
is unrivaled for fertility of soil and beauty of scenery, not only in its own features, but in the
general character of the hills and bluifs bounding the lowland. The broad, deep and clear
Peketonica winds its way through the wide expanse of low and level prairie and meadow, covered
with high grass, and composed of a soil which is complained of as being too rich for any small
grain, but which is unrivaled for the production of corn, potatoes, pumpkins, and all esculents.
This meadow extends from the borders of Diamond Grove, near Col. Bequette's, widening in
its course southward, and bearing the several branches of the Peketonica on its bosom as
low down as the junction of the Eastern Branch, near the old Indian town of Wiota, in the
neighborhood of the diggings of William S. Hamilton, formerly of New York, but for some
years a Wisconsin pioneer. From Wiota, I am informed, the river is navigable, and, indeed,
boats have been laden with lead and sent from New Baltimore and the Cedar Blufi"s, about a mile
below, by Charles Bracken. This is the most extensive range of fine meadow which I have vis-
ited ; it is about thirty-five miles from Diamood Grove to the forks at Wiota, and a more
delightfully beautiful and rich body of land is not to be desired than the country through which
the Peketonica flows.
HISTOBT OF IOWA COUNTY. 691
" In the immediate neighborhood of Cedar Bluffs, about three miles from New Baltimore, is
a small village called Willow Springs. Here are three or four dwellings, and the store of Mr.
Dillon ; an old smelting furnace is also here, now disused, as it was built on the first plan,
called the ' log and ash ' furnace. This crude manner of smelting lead by the earliest settlers
has given away to the improved cupola and oven furnace, and the blast furnace.
" A great public road from Mineral Point to Gratiot's Grove passes by the Willow Springs,
and this will always be a main road through this part of the Territory, in its principal direction,
with perhaps a few changes in parts, where experience will correct early adoptions of convenience.
" Leaving Willow Springs and passing in a northern direction over a high prairie with oak
openings, about three miles, the country becomes highly interesting. Here are to be found many
farms in the best and most profitable state of cultivation. Farmhouses and barns and stables
with other outhouses announce a good settlement, and that the farmer not only knows how to
live, but does live well. The kindness and hospitality which I experienced during several days'
residence and excursions in this delightful section of country, will be held by me in heart-felt
recollection. Not only in their domestic circles, intelligent conversation, good collection of books,
and weekly receipt of news from the far East did we find (Dr. Smith and myself), intellectual
luxuries which were the more grateful because unexpected, but the readiness with which we were
accompanied in our excursions through the country by these gentlemen gave us not only the means
and the comforts of traveling, but the information without which, as strangers, we should have
been greatly deficient.
" On the subject of attentions and hospitalities received by my son and myself during our
stay in the country, and in very many excursions through it, I should be wanting not only in
correct feelings of recognition of, but also in respect to, the many friends and acquaintances which
we formed. Delicacy alone forbids me to speak publicly of the kindnesses we have at all times
and in all places experienced. Messer Grove, Parish's, Helena, Dodge's Grove, Mineral Point
and New Baltimore live as bright spots on memory. The inhabitants and the inmates of those
places named, will duly appreciate the motives by which I am actuated, when I forbear to say
more.
" It is worthy of remark that in all places where I have been in Wisconsin — in the com-
fortable dwelling-house, in the town, in the snug and neat farm house or in the log cabin — I
have always found books and newspapers ; of books, many standard and historical works, together
with the new novels ; of newspapers, those of New York, Baltimore, Washington and Philadel-
phia were common, and generally the State papers of the former home of the Wisconsin emi-
grant. Amongst the literary papers, I often found the excellent publications of our friends
Godey and Alexander, of Philadelphia ; the Saturday News is much liked.
" From the farm of Charles Bracken, the road passes over a part of the extensive prairie
which reaches to the Blue Mounds, and, on this road and near it, there are numerous valuable dig-
gmgs, particularly those of Messrs. Bracken. South of Bracken's, the main road to Dixon's
Ferry, in Illinois, passes several excellent and well-improved farms, particularly that of Maj.
Sheldon. A mile or two south of Sheldon's, we enter a fine body of woodland, called the In-
dian Reservation, surveyed for the half-breeds, but not, as is said, in conformity with the treaty,
and, consequently, the surveys will be lifted and re-located.* These tracts are in number, in
this neighborhood, forty, of a mile square each. Of course here is, in one body, 25,600 acres
of the finest timber-land and arable soil in the Wisconsin Land District. This land will, no
doubt, be in market shortly, and the farmer's attention deserves to be turned to this part of the
country. Claimants, by improvements, are already making their locations in these reservations,
but the land having been reserved and never offered for sale by the Government, I think the ex-
isting pre-emption laws will not reach the cases of settlements on them made at this day, and
such locations may be of no avail.
" Passing through this well-timbered country for about seven miles, the union of two
branches of the Pecatonica, at a point of land high and covered with wood, overlooking the
* This was done by order of the Indian Department in 183S.
592 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
beautiful natural meadow before described, is located the village of Otterbourne. This location
is excellent ; the advantages of wood, water, public roads, most excellent land and delightful
scenery, give promise that, in time, Otterbourne will prosper ; at any rate, it deserves to become
a town. Independent of the localities named, there is an excellent saw-mill and all convenient
buildings within a few hundred yards of the newly laid-out town. This saw-mill has fine water-
power, with abundance of timber in the neighborhood. Water-power for a grist-mill can easily
be obtained here, and, as far as my judgment goes, Nature has done as much for this mill seat
as for any I have seen in this district. With such advantages, if a few good mechanics, black-
smiths, shoemakers, tailors, carpenters, stone-masons and laborers would seek their good, they
may obtain town lots here at a very low rate, and the village of Otterbourne might thus imme-
diately spring into life.* About seven miles below Otterbourne, on the Pecatonica Kiver, a
beautiful and advantageous site has been selected for a town ; it has been laid off in lots and is
called ' Gratiot.' At this point, a saw-mill and small grist-mill, designated as Sheldon's Mills,
although the grist-mill was built by the late Col. Henry Gratiot. This location possesses many
advantages, there being a large body of good prairie land near it yet unsold, and a considerable
tract of timber land is also adjacent. This spot, by a great bend in the Pecatonica River, is
rendered the nearest point on the river to Galena, to which place there is already an excellent
road ; the whole distance, to within three or four miles of Galena, being on a prairie ridge. The
proprietors of the mills contemplate erecting, during the next year, a stone grist-mill in addi-
tion to the one now in operation. The water-power for the works is furnished by the Wolf
Creek, which enters into the Pecatonica at this place.
" The Pecatonica country is one of the best-watered sections I have overseen ; the various
branches traverse delightful prairies and rich bottom lands over a wide extent of country. Pine
water-powers are numerous on these branches, and on the union of the East and West Branches,
a few miles below ' Hamilton,' at Wiota, the old Indian town of Win-n-shek, a chief of the
Winnebagoes, a noble river is formed. This stream, after receiving Sugar River, empties into
Rock River, a few miles below the Territorial line, in Winnebago County, 111. The improve-
ments of the rapids of the Rock River will go far to render this river perfectly safe for steam-
boat navigation. The General Government owes this section of country efficient aid as a matter
of general importance more than of local appropriation.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS OF THE MINES.
In an old publication, of which there are now but few in existence, written by the English
traveler and geologist, G. W. Featherstonhaugh, F. R. S., F. G. S., ciUed " A Canoe Voyage
up the Minnay Sotar," he gives a very vivid description of his visit to the lead mines of Wiscon-
sin in 1837, and, without reserve, gives his impressions and observations regarding the country
and inhabitants as they appeared at that time. Some of the remarks are doubtless as much the
result of prejudice as they are of the actual condition of things; yet there is but little doubt
that the mining country and the miners then presented a picture which those of to-day can
scarcely comprehend. In speaking of the country which he passed through while en route for
Mineral Point, he says : " Regions of this character, whilst possessed by the Indians, have much
interest attached to them, the traveler's movements are not without a touch of interest, and at
night when his camp is properly fixed, there is cleanliness and comfort to be obtained. But
the advancing tide of white population, amongst which we had now got, had destroyed every
chance of these ; the miserable low taverns were kept by greedy, vulgar adventurers who had
come into the country to torment it with what they call diggings, a name they give to the rude
shallow shafts, a few feet deep, which they sink in search of metal. Nothing could exceed the
ignorance and filthy habits of the working miners, the greater number of whom being without
skill, and becoming finally disappointed in their expectations, had fallen into the lowest state of
poverty." Of the driver and the stage at that time he says : '' The driver of our vehicle was a
droll Cockney Englishman, about five feet high and near sixty years old, born in London, who,
•otterbourne, so bounteously supplied with all tlie essentials of a village site, never enjoyed an animate existence. — Ed.
HISTOBT OF IOWA COUNTY. 593
by his own account had never had either father or mother that he knew, and who had picked up
his living in the streets there from his fifth year." After knocking about here and there he
had " at length reached what may be called the pathos of all human desires for an Englishman,
the situation of driver of this most wretched stage, as he called it, which was dragged by two
lame, miserable horses through a country without the vestige of anything like comfort.
" At the top of his strange physiognomy was stuck the filthy remnant of what had once been
a fur cap ; about his neck was a disgusting handkerchief that had never been washed ; an old,
ragged, red blanket coat, thrice too large for him, covered his person, and beneath its ample
skirts appeared two odd boots that had been patched and repaired so often that, as he said, they
had been made nowhere. One of them, he remarked, was so plaguy large that he had cut a
hole in the foot to let the water out, and the other was such a blessed sight to small, that he had
cut a hole in that to let his toes out. Everybody we met seemed to know him except one per-
son who said, ' Gineral, I guess its a toss up whether your horses or your stage break down
first.'"
Mr. F. was enabled to attend at a trial for murder while he was at Mineral Point,
and gives his impressions of the proceedings, describing the appearance and condition of the
"court" and attendants without reserve or apology. Being an Englishman almost fresh from
his native land, and used to the austerity and pomp of its court of justice, he could, in all prob-
ability, only regard the one he describes with feelings of repugnance, and which doubtless gave
tone and color to all he says ; yet, beyond a question of doubt, as is now illustrated by the courts
in the Western mining camps, the entire proceedings were anything but what they now are, or
even what we can fully recognize them to have been. But virtue and the supremacy of the law
in accordance with the mandates of reason and the needs of humanity, is a natural result which
time, through the changes from barbarism to civilization, compels and fosters ; and though in an
early day the methods of administering justice in this locality may have been crude in effect,
and inadequate at times to the magnitude of the offenses committed, yet at present the country
stands redeemed from those errors as much through the efforts of the very men who committed
them, in some instances, as by any other means. And then as now the people's opinions and
the local customs were always, to a great extent, the laws which influenced the pioneers, who
were standing almost outside of the pale of civilization.
Says Mr. F.: " I had heard much of a trial for murder that was to take place in the even-
ing, and, as amusement and characteristic manners are usually to be found on such occasions,
especially in the Western country, I went to the court house which was a log building made of
squared timber. It was but a sorry exhibition of a court of justice, dark, and filled with filthy-
looking men spitting about in every direction. The prisoner was an impudent ill-looking fellow
of the name of McComber, and, it appeared on the trial, that in a revengeful spirit, for some sup-
posed injury, he had stealthily followed up one Willard A. W., nephew of Gen. Dodge, the Gov-
ernor of the Territory, and, seizing his opportunity, had shot him. The court was my old friend
with his breeches on ; but sorry I am to say he was ill-dressed, excessively dirty, unshaven, and
had his jaws tied up in an old silk handkerchief, having, as he told the jury, ' got the mumps.'
"The Prosecuting Attorney who summed up exceeded all the pleaders I ever listened to for
absurdity of language and bad grammar, and had evidently come from the very lowest class, the
following was one of his grave passages intended to be very impressive :
"'Yes, gentlemen of the jury, he is proved to have been maliciously and aforethought con-
triving this here business. He was seen walking up and down, backwards and forwards with
solemnity, and, to make the act more solemn, he did the solemnest thing a man can do when he
is coming to a solemn thought, and determines on it by the smoking of his pipe. Yes, he con-
cluded by the smoking of the pipe, and, if that beent as you may say, putting the cap atop, why
then I don't know what is.'
"The twang, the appearance, and gestures of the orator are wanting to do justice to this elo-
quent passage. At the conclusion of this speech the court adjourned.
594 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
" The next day or evening, when the court convened, a sealed verdict was sent in, finding
the prisoner guilty, but," as Mr. P. states, "the Judge was in such a state of intoxication as
to be unable either to address the jury or to deliver sentence; therefore, at the suggestion of
Prosecuting Attorney, the court was dismissed. The most of those present were greatly dissat-
isfied, and even the prisoner appeared to feel oppressed by the turn of affairs."
The next day, after breakfast, he says : " I returned to the court house to witness the con-
clusion of this disgraceful affair. The Judge arrived and took his seat, with that wretched and
haggered appearance that individuals bear who are far advanced in mania apotu, and after a few
absurd phrases, sentenced the murderer to pay a fine of $300, and to be imprisoned until the
fine was paid. The disgusting farce being over, the convict was conducted to the log hut which
was appointed to be the jail, and as soon as they opened the door to let him in, I saw him make
a couple of grand somersets, the last of which carried him into his lodgings. These consisted
of a solitary log house, with one room on the ground, and a window with some bars ; no sooner
had they locked him in than he began to crow with all his might. His numerous friends now
-went to talk to him at the window, and during the day, brought him food and whisky. In the
course of the night he evaporated, and so ended the affair ; for as to apprehending him a second
time, few persons would be found willing to attempt that, it being universally known that when
frontier bloods of his caliber once imbrue their hands in blood, they entertain no scruples about
taking the lives of those who come with hostile intentions against them."
BY W. p. EUG&LES.
I am what the "Pukes," " Suckers," " Hoosiers " and " Wolverines" used to call in early
days a d — d yankee. My infancy, childhood and early manhood were passed in the town of
Barre, county of Worcester, State of Massachusetts, near the historic town of Rutland, where the
captured soldiers of Burgoyne were imprisoned, together with the Hessian hirelings, during the
later days of the Revolution. I have often seen the old barracks where they were kept.
Within ten miles of my home towered up famous old Wauchesett, which is to that country what
the Blue Mounds are to this, and which has been celebrated in the annals of old Massachusetts
from days immemorial. From this elevation, the bonfires of Bunker Hill could be seen during
the days from 1775 to 1781, when a few daring aspirants for liberty were fighting the mighty
struggle which made the nation and secured us of to-day the privileges of a free and united people.
I will be pardoned, in view of the present grandeur and extent of the United States, for entertain-
ing a feeling of pride at the thought that my grandfathers were both engaged in the Revolution,
one on land and one on sea. I now have in my possession the powder-horn which Daniel Rug-
gles carried at Ticonderoga, Crown Point, and at other places. The other, Zenas Phinney, an
old sea captain, served with distinction during the struggle. While I was yet a small boy, the
the war of 1812 broke out, and during that time my father was one of the minute men. I
remember on one occasion, how a neighbor and my father were talking about war matters in
front of the house, when the roar of artillery came to our ears very distinctly from the direction
of Boston Harbor, 110 miles away. It was a beautiful and clear day in September, but we
could not believe that it was the sound of cannonading until the arrival of the weekly mail in
the neighborhood informed us that a British man-of-war had at that time been in pursuit of an
American privateer.
I lived on my father's farm until I was twenty-one, going to school winters (when it
stormed), so I did not enjoy the advantages of Yale or Harvard, but nevertheless, I managed to
pick up enough information to enable me to hold my own against the world in after years. My
father was of the Puritanical stock, and, as a matter of course, was very largely imbued with
strong notions as to the value of time, etc., and consequently I was required to work early and
late, from year's end to end, during week days, and go to church on Sundays. Thus were
passed my boyhood years, tilling the rocky and sterile lands of the old Bay State ; and we had to
work, or the alternative, in any case, would not have been agreeable ; yet I was not unhappy.
Jf we worked hard, we also played hard when we had the chance (which was not often). How
OmS'Z
DODGE VI LLE.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 597
•well I remember the happy evenings the young folks often had when gathered around the huge
old-fashioned fire-place, telling stories and cracking jokes while we cracked hickory nuts, wal-
nuts and butternuts and roasted chestnuts and drank cider. Sometimes we would send to the
nearest town and get a fiddler and have a dance. Nearly every house had a big dining room, so
we had ample room to cut a pigeon- wing and what-not. Such a thing as your waltzes, polkas,
schottische and the like were utterly unknown in those days. I can well imagine the look of
horror that would overspread the countenances of our grandmothers if they were to see their
■descendants go whirling around the room, frisking and gliding with scarcely a beginning or end.
When I reached my majority, I, like a large part of the youth of New England, hired out by
the month to make my fortune (board and clothes, washing thrown in). I first worked for a
Presbyterian Deacon, where I very soon learned the orthodox facts of that faith as well as the
caliber of the man. I remember once of cracking some butternuts on Sunday, and receiving a
lecture for the same. One day I was out plowing corn, when the old gentleman came into the
field, and, after looking about awhile, he came up to me complaining because there was one row
of corn less in the field that year than there was the year before. When I was a young chap,
the great occasions of the year were training days, when all hands, both great and small, turned
out to do duty for Uncle Sam. Many a sham fight have I participated in, but never had an
opportunity to smell powder in a genuine engagement. At that time, I was a popular aspirant
for fame, and enjoyed the distinction of being Captain of a company, and with the other officers
had to set up for the boys, which cost me all told each year about $50, nearly half of what I
earned. So much for glory. At last, when I was about twenty-eight, I was elected Major of
my regiment, but I had by that time become infiamed with a different ambition. The heyday
of youth is soon over, and I determined before mine was done to strike out for a new country,
where there was not so many competitive Yankees to strive against. A younger brother, Daniel
Ruggles, an officer in the United States Army, and who afterward, greatly to his discredit,
became a Major General in the Confederate service, was then stationed at Fort Winnebago, now
Portage City. While on a visit home, he gave me a most glowing description of that country,
which decided me as to the course I should take. After bidding farewell to many of whom I
never again saw, in the spring of 1836, I embarked on the stage which passed my grandfather's
door, and started, as I told them, to see the Mississippi River. The old gentleman rather dis-
couraged my ardent expectations by shaking his head and telling me that in all probability I
would not live long enough to make the trip, so very far did it then seem to be to the distant
West.
At Albany, I left the stage and took the cars, on the first track laid in the State of New
York, which were to transport me to Schenectady. Here we had to descend a hill, being bal-
lasted by a car-load of stones on a side track, like a stone in the end of a bag of meal, which
equalized the weight while we were descending, and which afterward drew our car back to the
top of the hill. That was one of the old-fashioned contrivances which are now almost forgotten
in the history of railroading. From Schenectady, I went to Buffalo on a canal-boat, then took
the old steamer Monroe, which went thrashing and groaning along with a walking-beam, and
came through to Detroit. The vessel was loaded with Eastern people, who, like myself, were
going out West. This trip of 1,000 miles was a very prosperous one, as nothing of moment
occurred to mar the course of the journey, unless it was the sea-sickness which kept two-thirds
of the passengers stretched out from morning until night " casting up their accounts." At
Detroit, I shipped aboard the brig Indiana for Chicago, where I arrived in the month of June.
I thought when I got there that I was about at the end of the world for me, and would not
have given a dollar for the whole town, but then was when I missed a fortune. There were six
or eight lonesome looking log cabins, some Government buildings, and a little old tavern, which
Was standing the last I knew five years ago, and nearly the entire country for ten miles around
was covered with water from three inches to two feet deep. In fact, it was a regular marsh. At
this time, a stage was running through to Galena, which had only made thus far three or four
trips, so that you could hardly discern the wagon tracks in the long prairie grass. On the stage
Q
698 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY;
with me were several passengers, among whom was (reorge W. Jones, Territorial Representative-
at that time. We had to stop overnight twice on the way, and here we first began to experi-
ence the real vicissitudes of a frontier life. The meals were generally bread, bacon and coffee,
our couch a sack of hay, and similar pillow if we had any, with a blanket for a covering. At
Galena, all was then bustle, the place being full of miners. I stopped there a day or so with
Aaron Adams, the only tavern-keeper ; then started with Gr. W. Jones for Dubuque and to see
the Mississippi. The last-named place was then only a small village, with a mining and trading
population. At this time, the strangeness of my situation struck me very forcibly. The people
and their ways of doing and speaking were very different from what I had been accustomed to.
The idea of calling a shilling a long bit, and a ten-cent piece a short bit, and a five-cent piece a
picayune, was to me odd enough. I remained in the vicinity of Dubuque and Galena for the next
two years, working for Mr. Jones, and, during that time, did not see more than two or three
Yankees. Nearly every body and thing was Southern. Although I got along with the Southern-
ers, yet we couldn't mix, especially at that time, when sectional politics ran very high ; but, aa
I was mightily in the minority, I usually managed not to obtrude my opinions to too great an
extent.
In March of 1838, I first set foot in Iowa County, and came into the town of Ridgeway,
bringing with me $100, a horse and an old stub-and-twist shot-gun. These articles constituted
my all of worldly wealth. However, as for the future, so long as I had my health I did not
care, for I was sure of pulling through all right in the end. I then went to work for Mr. Mor-
rison, who was one of the very first comers into the county or town, at $20 per month, but that
was not so much for a young man as was $10 per month in old Massachusetts, for everything
that we bought here then was very expensive. I worked for Morrison that summer, and, dur-
ing the same time, met with my first serious miBfortune. One day, while we were working in
the hay-field, a party of Indians came along and stole my horse and one belonging to Mr. Mor-
rison. While we were returning from the field, we met the rascals riding them off; but, as soon
as they saw us, they put whip to them and away they went. As quick as we could, we gath-
ered a party of miners together and started in pursuit, and traced them as far as Madison, but
did not find them. Eventually, I proved up on my nag, and, through the help of Mr. Jones,
Gov. Dodge and others, I received from the Government the amount paid for the animal, which
was deducted from the annuity of the tribe to whom the thieves were known to belong. In the
winter of 1838, 1 worked for my board at another of the old pioneer's, George W. Hickcox (a New
York State man), who has been under the sod for many years. He was one of the best men we
had in the county at that time or that have since come forward.
In the spring of 1839, I went to work on the old Hickcox saw-mill. As soon as that was
done, lumber was sawed, and, in 1840, the old grist-mill, well remembered by nearly every pio-
neer within fifty miles or more, was built. During the greater part of the time I was with him,
I had to drive team, and such a team T never saw. Mr. Hickcox had previously hired five differ-
ent Southerners to drive his cattle, but, after a day or two, the fire-eater, on tiring of useless oaths,
would be exhausted to no effect, and then they would abandon the post of driving " them ar
cussed steers" to some other poor fellow. So, finally, I came in for a share, and managed, from
having been used to driving cattle when a boy, to get along with them, but, as the millwright said,
they never would stand nor were safe unless chained at both ends. I stayed with Mr. Hickcox
until the fall of 1841, then quit. But, when I came to figuring-up my worldly goods, I found
that, after having worked hard in the lead regions for five years, I had but a precious little more
in hand than when I started to come here. After looking the situation over, I must say I felt
blue no home and but little money. For the first time, I became rather despondent and had a
mind to strike out for the flesh-pots of old Egypt. But better thoughts finally prevailed. I decided
that the thing for me to do was to strike out and get a wife and start in on a new plan for myself.
Accordingly, I donned my sweetmeats, a pair of skin-tight blue broadcloth pants and swallow-
tailed coat of the same style and color, with huge velvet collar and brass buttons, tied up a
change of garments in a handkerchief, clapped on my old bell-crowned stove-pipe hat, and my
HISTORY or IOWA COUNTY. 599
preparations for the journey were completed. From Mr. Hickcox's I went to Madison on the
stage and thence took foot and walker's express to Milwaukee, which took several days. On the
route, an inquisitive traveler, noticing my apparel, asked me where I was going, to which I re-
plied, " I am in search of an old maid that I have never seen." In fact, I was going after a wife
whom I had never seen, but, through the introduction of mutual friends, had corresponded with
a young lady and had decided to have her, provided she would have me.
I took the steamer Bunker Hill and reached my destination, Huron, Ohio, on the 26th of
October. That very evening I called on the lady, being introduced by a friend, paid my devo-
tions, proposed on the spot, and, to make a long story short, was accepted. The following Sun-
day, October 31, we were married by Father Grurly, the celebrated Methodist pioneer circuit
rider. This was the last marriage ceremony performed by the old veteran. A few friends of
the bride were present, but there were no cards nor wedding gifts. The whole affair was done on
the Western plan of promptitude, without much love-making and less time to break the engage-
ment ; but, one thing is certain, neither of us regret the step then taken, for we have lived as
happy a life together as often falls to the lot of men and women. Within a week or two after
the marriage, we returned by steamer and team to our future home. The following winter I
worked out, and, in the spring of 1S42, 1 went to Illinois and bought four yoke of cattle, the first
I ever had the pleasure of owning. Within a few months after,-a wagon came on from Ohio for
me, and I was ready to go to work for myself. For the next four or five years I broke land,
hauled lead to market, and did whatever I could to get on, which, considering the times, was very
fair. In June, 1843, the first forty acres of my present farm was entered, and, the same year.
I built the first frame house in the town and the one that I now occupy, and where I expect to
end my days. In the days that I teamed it, I went through enough, it seemed to me, to kill
any one. Day and night I was going, rain or shine, heat or cold — nothing stopped me ; but that
was the way every one had to do if they made more than a living at that time. Many are the
nights that I have laid out, and sometimes been lost in a storm when I never expected to get
out alive. When I first located on my farm, my neighbors in the country round would laugh at
me, and ask if I ever expected to see a road running through this part of the country. I was
then wont to tell them to wait, for we might yet live to see the travel going this way through to
Madison. And sure enough, when the railroad came through to Mazomanie, the stages were
taken off the old route, and were put on a new route which passed my door, and for several
years my place was one of the principal stations on the way. The rush of travel at that time
was tremendous ; four-horse post coaches came through each day, some of the time loaded down
with men, women and children going on to the new country.
When the lands in the northern part of the State came into market, in 1852, purchasers
had to go to Mineral Point to make their entries, and many a night at that time every available
spot in my house was occupied, as many as forty having stopped overnight. I might go on
and tell volumes of interesting anecdotes and episodes, but it would be a twice-told tale. At
last, after more than forty-three years of toil in the home and land of my choice, I find myself
an old man. Nearly all of those who were then about me in the heat of the strife, have either
moved away, or have paid the debt of nature, which I, erelong, will be called upon to pay. I
have been an interested witness of the grand improvement made in Iowa County not only, but
have lived to see a wonderful change effected throughout the entire country. In my youth, the
idea that nearly all of this grand country would be threaded by railroads some time, was thought
to be absurd, and such a thing as the telegraph had not been heard of I remember, as an
illustration, the first pair of shoes made with pegs which I saw ; how people laughed at the
notion of sticking leather together with wood, but that was nothing compared with hundreds of
changes and improvements that have been wrought within the last sixty or seventy years. I
sometimes find myself wondering if the next half-century or more will be productive of so many
new and useful inventions as have come into use during my life. I think not. It does not
seem probable, yet it may be possible. But, whatever may transpire, I have learned to think
that it will be as it should be, and with that, all ought to be contented.
600 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
BY T. M. FULLERTON.
My first sight of Iowa County was March 19, 1841. It then included all the territory now
in La Fayette County. I shall confine this paper chiefiy to matters pertaining to the Methodist
Episcopal Church. At that time, Mineral Point charge or circuit embraced Dodgeville and
Peddler's Creek, now Linden ; but for want of preachers, Hamilton's Grove Circuit was added
that year, all under the care of Rev. James G. Whitford, whom I came to assist on the added
part. Mr. Whitford lived in a small house, rented for the purpose, next north of the old brew-
ery in Mineral Point. My preaching places were chiefly in that part of the county now
called La Fayette. They were Parkinson's Settlement (Fayette), Hamilton's Grove (Wiota),
Father King's, Wolf Creek (Gratiot), James' Woods, Kentucky Grove (one and one-half miles
northeast of where Darlington now stands), Willow Springs, and Garrison's (four miles east of
Dodgeville). On this circuit Mr. Whitford preached occasionally, and I, sometimes, at his
appointments.
On my first visit to Dodgeville, I was directed to call at the bachelor's cabin of John and
Sam Hoskins, with whom lived Thomas Webster and another young man. There was no chapel.
They conducted me over the ridge to the west, to the house of Squire James, where our meet-
ings were held that year. The Hoskinses lived in the " Hollow," as the north part of Dodgeville
was called for years. After meeting, a friend conducted me by a bridle path across the brushy
prairie to Peddler's Creek Chapel, nearly half a mile east of the present village of Linden. It
was a log house, with no ceiling, the roof inside serving for that purpose. There was an English
pulpit, reached by a step-ladder, and when in it, the speaker had his feet on a level with the
heads of a standing audience, and had barely room to stand in his box, for it was about three
feet wide and as many deep. His words were the " droppings of the sanctuary " if they reached
the people. But there were praying hearts beneath him, and he seldom found an easier place
to preach. At Mineral Point, the old log-church still served for a place of worship, but soon
gave place to a stone chapel, which was half of the present work-shop near the new church. It
then, when first built, faced the town. Afterward it was enlarged to its present size, and the
roof turned north and south.
In 1843-44, I was the Pastor at Mineral Point, including Dodgeville and Peddlers' Creek.
There was no parsonage. Rooms were hired for the preacher of N. Goad. The first part of
the chapel above described was then finished, and was considered a very fine thing. In it,
on my first Sunday, I heard for the first time instrumental music in a church, and it converted
me from doubts of its propriety. It was within the altar railing, and consisted of a bass viol,
by George Priestly, a clarionet and two flutes.
For several years succeeding this, my home was in Dodgeville. By this time the chapel,
now used as a parsonage, had been built in the Hollow. The schoolhouse in Dodgeville, north
of the old burying-ground, a small frame was used by Presbyterians and others, and sometimes
by us for occasional religious services.
At this time, also, 1 845, Mineral Point had assumed the importance of a station, and Dodge-
ville and Linden constituted the Dodgeville Circuit. The Bennett Chapel was built about this
time, and we had also occasional meetings at the Baker settlement, north of Linden, and at
Garrison's.
Mining interests increased during these years, and many emigrants came from Cornwall,
England, from Wales and Norway, and the material welfare of the country advanced rapidly.
A serious drawback occurred in 1849, in the California fever, which carried away many
good citizens and members of the church. And one bad feature of this excitement was the great
sacrifices many made. Property was sold for almost nothing to raise means to get away with,
and many died on the plains.
But the worst blow Dodgeville ever received was the cholera of 1850. Early in the season,
it broke out at Wingville, and our Dr. David Sibley, a good physician and a local preacher in
the Methodist Church, was sent for to attend the first attacked, a Mr. Storms, formerly of Dodge-
HISTOBY OF IOWA COUNTY. 601
ville. When he arrived there on Friday, he found a panic, and many other cases. By Mon-
day morning his medicines were exhausted, and he was taken himself. His fleet horse brought
him home by 10 o'clock, but in collapse. He died by 3 o'clock P. M. The citizens came in
the rain at 10 o'clock and put that body, which had been coffined, in the grave, in the absence of
and against the remonstrances of his wife. A few weeks after, a man in the Hollow went into
the mine at 8 A. M., was brought home about 10, put in a rough box and buried at 4 P. M.
The panic began. They died with cholera and fright so fast that there were sometimes five
bodies at the burying-ground at once. " Jack " Knight and a few other fearless souls remained
all day long at the old cemetery, interring them as they were carted hither, few of them in coffins,
and most just rolled up as they died and hurried away warm with animal heat. About five
hundred fled to the high prairie northeast of Linden, but a terrible storm of wind and rain in
the night blew away their tents and coverings, and they were saturated with water. Some fled
to Highland and died there ; others returned to die at home. A well man or woman could be
found nowhere. In six weeks, 136 out of about nine hundred of population were buried, most of
them in very shallow graves. This closed the old graveyard, and came very near closing Dodge-
ville. During nearly all that fearful time, I was abed, for I was among the first victims. Within
a year after, and ever since, I have been fully convinced that panic killed more than the cholera,
and that hasty burials killed many. My own experience was that to overhear the word pro-
nounced by one at a little distance partially paralyzed me. And such was the general fear that
it brought on the bowel symptoms, and the paralysis following brought the cramps and collapse.
A BRIDAL TRIP.
The following sketch is from the pen of Mrs. Daniel Ruggles, who dates her frontier expe-
riences in Wisconsin from the fall of 1841. Mrs. Ruggles then came to the town of Ridgeway
a young bride, where she has since lived, having been one of the very first women in the town,
and, up to date, one of the last, with the prospect before her of many more years of usefulness in
the enjoyment of the fruits of the past years of labor and deprivation : " My coming to Wis-
consin," she says, " was in itself quite an episode in my life, as I not only left the home of my
youth and severed the warmest ties of friendship, but I also was going on my bridal tour, after
the marriage experiences which my husband speaks of in his reminiscence. I remember, as it
it were but yesterday, our embarkation on the Great Western on the 7th of November, 1841.
Every nook and cranny of the huge vessel was seemingly crowded with emigrants, who were,
with the exception of one young lady, all men. The weather was so intensely cold that the
decks had to be covered with salt to keep off the ice ; and, what with the cold weather and a
pork-and-potato diet, my voyage, although a ' bridal tour,' of necessity, was not very agreeable.
Having visited Fort Detroit, and taken a look at Mackinaw on our way, we finally, on the
1st of December, landed at a sloughy place with a few shanties and one hotel stuck up, known
as Milwaukie. Here my husband found a man with a team, who was going to Hazel Green, in
Green County, whom he hired for $10 to take us out to Ridgeway. The next morning, we
embarked on a new but not more agreeable conveyance, and started for our future home.
" The details of that journey, if fully given, would almost fill a small volume, so I will men-
tion only a few incidents. 'Every old settler knows full well how agreeable the journey must have
been forty years ago to one utterly unused to roughing it. On the way, we stopped at the little
hamlet of Prairieville, which has since become a famous watering-place, known as Waukesha ;
also at old Fort Atkinson and Troy, where we found an Eastern family, and, as much or more
to our liking, a comfortable bed.
" We stopped over one night near Madison, sleeping in one corner of a room thirty feet long,
that had twelve beds set up in it, with the heads all to the north ; it is to be presumed for con-
venience sake, rather than to have them toward the North Star. I did not sleep much that
night ; the variety of snores was too much for my nerves, and efiectually banished Morpheus
from behind the curtain that separated my bed from the others. At Madison, we were enter-
tained by James Morrison, a genial landlord, who, it is said, was one of the very first settlers in
602 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
this country. That same evening, we stopped at the ' Campbell House,' in the town of Cross
Plains, Dane County, where seventeen others also stopped the same night. They were mem-
bers of the Legislature, and among them was Maj. Roundtree, of Platteville. I presume, if any
of them should see this, that they vill remember the occasion, and how the landlady had to
walk out on a plank to the fire in order to keep out of the water in the kitchen. At Blue
Mounds, or Brigham's Place, we were kindly cared for by Mr. and Mrs. Parks, who have since
lived in Iowa County, and have been reckoned among the best of my friends.
" During the winter of 1842, well remembered among the old settlers on account of the early
fall of snow which did not leave until the last of the following April, I lived with the family of
George W. Hickcox, well known as one of the noblest men of the early days. That year, the
Governor of the Territory issued a proclamation for Thanksgiving. Mr. and Mrs. Hickcox being
Eastern people, were only too glad to continue the favorite customs of their native New England,
and at once invited in a few friends, and thus was celebrated the first Thanksgiving in this
section of the country. Among those present were John Messersmith and wife, and Mr. and
Mrs. Parks. On Christmas Day, we all went to Mr. Messersmiths', where were assembled a
goodly representation of the pioneers of the surrounding country. Those who were there that
are now living will well remember the affair as one of the pleasantest of ' Lang Syne.'
"In the spring of 1843, my husband bought four yokes of cattle, at $50 per yoke, and began
work for himself, teaming, breaking, etc. On one of his trips to Milwaukee, he purchased
articles for housekeeping ; then we moved into a cabin formerly owned by James Morrison and
began living under our own vine and fig-tree, so to speak. During this season, the house where
we now live was built by Judge Wilson, and on Christmas Day we moved in, and have lived
here happily ever since. At that time, our nearest neighbors were five miles distant, and all
of our friends commiserated us that we were so foolish as to settle in such an out-of-the-way
place.
" In January, 1844, Judge Wilson was married to Amanda Wigginton, and boarded with
us the next summer. I remember at one time during that season how we got out of candles.
The prospect of sitting in the dark to look at each other not being pleasant, I thought I
would see what I could do to provide a light; so taking a trumpet-weed, I drew in a tape, then
poured in tallow, and thus succeeded in getting as good a light as we were wont to have before
such a thing as kerosene oil was known.
" The first years that we lived in this valley, deer were very plenty, and hunters from Min-
eral Point, Madison and Janesville used to come out here and stay weeks at a time. Among
those who came quite often, who were very successful, were the Messrs. Lathrop, O'Neill,
Sublitt, Toay, Fields, the Kelleys and Van Meters. They generally came to have a big time ;
telling yarns and playing seven-up were the amusements of the evenings. At one time, there
were seventeen dressed deer hanging in the trees near the house, the victims of those fun-loving
Nimrods. The first women besides myself in the valley, which might then have been termed the
vale of lonesomeness, were Mrs. Bassett, Mrs. Dodge and Mrs. Martell.
"The cholera of 1850 was the most terrible afiliction that has ever visited the county since
I have resided here. It raged in Mineral Point, Dodgeville and Highland, creating fearful
havoc among the people. At that time, our house became a sort of rendezvous for a good many
families. I have always thought it a judgment of God visited upon the people for their wicked-
ness and uncleanliness. However, the good suffered alike with the bad, as is always the case.
"In 1860, 1 took a trip East, and, for the first time, rode on the cars, at that time a some
what novel experience. Who could have predicted forty or even thirty years ago that this
country, then almost perfectly wild, would be at this time so completely settled and cultivated,
and supplied with almost every necessity of the highest civilization. I never think of it that I
do not wonder what our successors of forty years will witness."
CHAPTER XL
SOME OF LA FAYETTE COUNTY'S ILLUSTRIOUS DEAD.
Henky Dodge— Gen. William R. Smith— Hon. Moses Meekee— Hon. Chaeles Dunn— Hon.
Stephen P. Hollenbeck— Col. Thomas Stephens— Hon. Henet M. Billings— Hon. Elihu
B. GooDSELL— Gen. Charles Bkackbn— Gen. John B. Teeet— John Falls O'Neill— Col.
D. M. Paekinson— Hon. Thomas Jenkins— Hon. Levi Steeling— Capt. William Henet—
John Messeesmith— Robeet S. Black— Judge L. M. Steonq— Judge John Bonnee— Geoegb
Mulks— Hon. Geoege L. Feost— Schuylee Pulfoed, M. D.— Maj. Chaeles F. Lagate—
Edwaed D. Beouchaed— Geoege W. Bueeall.
henky dodge.
BY PETER PARKINSON, JB.
Henry Dodge, the subject of the present sketch, was born at Vincennes, Ind., October 12,
1781. At the time of his birth his parents were emigrating to that portion of the Spanish
Province of Louisiana which now constitutes the State of Missouri, his father, Israel Dodge,
being attracted thither by the large grants of land offered by the Spanish Government to all
persons who would settle west of the Mississippi River. In this State, in Ste. Genevieve
County, he grew to manhood amid the turmoils and strifes of Indian border warfare and the
strifes and diflSculties incident to the discovery and working of lead mines.
Upon the change of Government from France to that of the United States, he was (when
barely of age) appointed Sheriff of Ste. Genevieve County, a place which he filled until Mis-
souri became a State, some twelve or fifteen years. At the commencement of the war between
the United States and Great Britain, he raised a company of mounted volunteers to protect the
frontiers from the merciless Indian hatchet and scalping-knife, in which arduous and dangerous
duty he was peculiarly successful, so much so that during that war he rapidly rose from the rank
■of Captain (filling all the intermediate positions) to the rank of Brigadier General, to which he
was appointed by President Madison. In these various positions, he laid the foundation for that
remarkable reputation as an Indian fighter, which became almost "world wide." He was also
appointed by Mr. Madison Marshal of the State of Missouri, and continued in the same office
until he left the State, of whose militia he was elected the first Major General. He was also
chosen a member of the State Convention of 1820 from Ste. Genevieve County, and aided in
forming a constitution and State Government for that State. In this State he was extensively
engaged in mining and smelting, and in the manufacture of salt.
In 1827, he emigrated to Wisconsin, then Michigan Territory, and arrived in the mines a
few days prior to the commencement of what is known as the Winnebago war of 1827. He
found the people of the lead mines few in numbers, and almost destitute of arms, congregated
at and about Galena, between which place and Peoria (then called Fort Clark), on the Illinois
Kriver, there were no inhabitants. Although he was not a resident of the State of Illinois, he
was at once chosen commander-in-chief of the lead-mine forces (so called at the time). He
immediately put the country in a state of defense as best he could by causing block-houses to be
built on the heights surrounding Galena, also at Gratiot's Grove, New Diggings, etc. But
choosing rather to be on the aggressive than the defensive, with thirty mounted men he crossed
the "ridge," the "Rubicon," and going in the direction of the present village of Mineral
Point, and when between the two Pecatonicas he encountered Winneshiek and his band moving
from the Wisconsin River into the mining region. The Indians fled at the first onset and made
their escape through brush. Gen. Dodge, however, captured the son of the chief (young Win-
neshiek who afterward became at the death of his father the head chief of the Winnebago
t
604 HISTOEY OE IOWA COUNTY.
nation), after a hot pursuit of many miles. Gen. Dodge a few days afterward conducted another
expedition from Gratiot's Grove, using his young Indian prisoner as a guide to conduct him and
his volunteers to his father's village, which occupied then the present site of Freeport, 111., but
the Indians eluded pursuit. He afterward led another expedition, consisting of nearly four
hundred men from Gratiot's Grove, the then point of rendezvous to co-operate with Gen. Atkin-
son between the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers. On this expedition, Gen. Dodge and his men swam
the Wisconsin River four times. They captured Decorrie's village, and were present at the
treaty of peace concluded by Gen. Atkinson with the chiefs and braves of the Winnebago
nation. They surrendered the six men who had murdered the French family at Prairie du
Chien, and led the attack on the keel-boat at La Crosse in July, 1827. With this treaty the
war closed, and we were permitted to resume the business of exploring the country in pursuit of
lead ore.
In October, 1827, Gen. Dodge located at what is now Dodgeville (named for him), Ezra
Lamb and — Putnam having first discovered the Indian lodes worked by the savages and their
friends (the French or English) perhaps for ages before.
Gen. Dodge built the first rude log furnace east of the Ridge, so called, upon the waters of
the Rock River, without law, and in the exercise of squatter sovereignty, until he was elected
Superintendent of the lead mines.
During this time, he had concluded several treaties of peace with the different bands of the
Winnebagoes, making them extensive presents, and conciliating their good will in every way
that he could. At the same time, however, he was making preparations to fight them in case of
emergency or necessity, and for this purpose had procured 150 Yangee guns from Galena. Had
also built a palisade fort just below the present town of Dodgeville. Here he was visited by
Thomas McKnight, the lawful Assistant Superintendent of the lead mines, and by Mr. Marshy
Indian Agent from Prairie du Chien, and formally ordered him to leave the country, or the dig-
gings, as was the common parlance of the country at that time, alleging that the country
belonged to the Winnebagoes ; all of which he respectfully declined to do, afiSrming on his side
that while the Indians and the people both were in favor of his remaining and occupying the
country, he should do so, and the ofiBcers had no right to interfere.
It was then threatened by the officers that the regular troops would be marched to remove
him, upon which he remarked (perhaps with some severity) "Let them march sir; with my
miners I can whip all the sore-shinned regulars stationed at Prairie du Chien." The regulars,
however, were not marched against him, and he continued in peaceable possession until in March,
1828, when on foot, and in a canoe he went to St. Louis to visit ex-Governor William Clark
(of Lewis and Clark's expedition). General Superintendent of Indian affairs, and succeeded in con-
vincing Gov. Clark (who was his early and faithful friend), that it was expedient to allow the
people to remain in the Indians' country until it was purchased, an event which all knew must
soon occur.
In after years, the writer of this sketch has heard the old General relate these circumstances,
and notwithstanding the better equanimity of his mind, that age, and the contemplation of grown
subjects, had produced, when he came to the driving-off part of it, by the regular soldiers, his •
eyes could not avoid emitting some of the fire that was no doubt kindled in his mind at the time
the threat was made.
In 1829, at an election held at Mineral Point, Gen. Dodge was at one and the same time
elected by ballot Colonel of Militia and Chief Justice of the County Court. This was the first
movement toward the civil organization of Iowa County. All the other officers of the county were
then chosen, and John C. Chastine was appointed an agent to visit Detroit to induce the Legis-
lature to pass a bill confirming what the people at this mass-meeting had done, and the Legisla-
ture accordingly did so, with the approval of the Governor (Lewis Cass.)
In the years of 1830 and 1831, Gen. Dodge with his associates, John H. Rpuntree (now of
Platteville, Grant County), and James P. Cox (now dead), held courts at Mineral Point and
Helena, on the Wisconsin River.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 605
In 1831, Gen. Dodge was elected to the Legislature of Michigan, this then being a part of
that Territory ; but, owing to the threatening difficulties connected with the Black Hawk war, he
was prevented from attending.
In the month of May, 1832, this war broke out, when Gen. Dodge was, in virtue of his
Colonel's commission of militia — still more in virtue of his great fitness for the position — placed
at the head of all forces and movements for the defense of the country, and, in this capacity, he
conducted all the movements of troops and families in the country. The families were secured
in forts at the prominent points, and all the men that could be armed and mounted were put into
the field, as rangerc? and reconnoiterers. With this force, which did not at any time exceed one
hundred men. Gen. Dodge was constantly in the field, scouring the country from the Four Lakes to
the Rock River on the south, and from the Mississippi to Rock River on the east. He made one ex-
pedition to Dixon, on Rock River, and one to Ottawa, on the Illinois River. Both of these expe-
ditions were made for the purpose of securing some assistance from the Illinois forces to protect the
vast frontier of the mining region, but without availing anything; no assistance could be had,
and this entire country was dependent on Gen. Dodge and his handful of miners for protection,
not only from the Sacs and Foxes, but also from the treachery of the Winnebagoes, of whom
we stood in much more dread than we did of the Sacs and Foxes.
But such were the active, prompt and judicious movements of Gen. Dodge that no serious
damage was done to the frontiers until the massacre on the Spafford farm, near Wiota. But, for
their temerity in this matter, they paid doubly dear. In two days afterward, the same party, as was
supposed, were overtaken by Gen Dodge and twenty-one of his volunteers, in the memorable
battle of the Pecatonica, on the 16th of June, and every one of them killed — seventeen in num-
ber. This battle was memorable for its fierceness and destructiveness. No war party of equal
size was ever before so completely annihilated in so short a time, and with so small a loss on the
part of the whites — three only of their number being slain.
This battle was also memorable as being the turning-point of the war, being the first re-
pulse that the Indians had received, they having been victorious in all the engagements previous
to this battle. Previous to this, they had been upon the aggressive ; but, from this time forward,
they were upon the defensive.
Soon after this battle, re-enforcements were received in this country, and Gen. Dodge was
permitted to dictate the movements of the army, and, from this time to the close of the war, the
Indians were hotly and vigorously pursued, and overtaken at the Wisconsin Heights on the 21st
of July, where they were badly beaten, sixty-eight of their number being killed on the ground,
and many wounded so that they died of their wounds on the march. On the 3d day of August,
they were again overtaken at the Bad Ax, on the Mississippi River, and almost entirely de-
stroyed. This battle terminated the war with Black Hawk, and its happy termination in so
short a time and with so small a loss to the whites is most certainly attributable mainly to the
prompt and judicious movements of Gen. Dodge, after he acquired control of the army. It is
said that old Black Hawk should have said, after the war was over, that, if it had not been for
Gen. Dodge and his " Badgers," that he could have whipped Gen. Atkinson and his " Pork-
eaters," and raised corn to boot.
During the war with Black Hawk, Gen. Dodge did many things in this country for which
he never received public credit.
On his own personal responsibility, he secured all the arms and munitions of war that were
had for the defense of the country, both in the forts and in the field. He also procured, on the
same responsibility, all the provisions that were used for the men and their families, in the forts
as well as in the field. Mr. John Atchison (merchant), of Galena, who furnished these provis-
ions, said : " Gen. Dodge, I am afraid to trust the General Government, but if you will give me
your word that I shall have my pay, you shall have the provisions." The General gave his
word, and the provisions were provided accordingly.
Gen. Dodge was not a wealthy man by any means, but his word was good for almost any
amount. He also had the men in the forts mustered into service, and drew pay for the same
606 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
through his influence in Congress. Had it not been for this policy of his, the country would
most undoubtedly have been abandoned, for the inhabitants could not otherwise have remained
here, having no means of subsistence.
Immediately after the close of the war, Gen. Dodge was appointed by President Jackson to
the command of the two regiments of dragoons, for the purpose of exploring the Rocky Moun-
tain country, visiting and holding treaties of peace and conciliation with the various tribes of In-
dians inhabiting that country — a very delicate and important trust, as well as hazardous ; but so
well did he discharge this important trust, that, at its close, the Congress of the United States
voted him a unanimous resolution of thanks, for the faithful, judicious and prompt manner in
which he had discharged the important trust confided to him.
He was three years in this . service, and at its close he was appointed, by the same Presi-
dent, Governor of the Territory of Wisconsin, which took on its Territorial form July 4, 1836.
He continued its Executive (except two years he was Delegate to Congress), during its Territo-
rial existence. Upon its becoming a State, he was elected one of its first Senators, Isaac P.
Walker, of Milwaukee, being his colleague.
He remained in the Senate twelve years, and during that time he was regarded as one of
its most useful and influential members. As Governor of Wisconsin, his administrations were
the most satisfactory to all parties, perhaps, of any of the Executives that the Territory or
State has ever had.
As a man, in all the various relations of life that he has occupied, perhaps no better idea
of him could be given than what was said of him by Hon. Peter Parkinson, Jr., of Fayette, at
the Old Settlers' Meeting held in Darlington in 1876, in response to a toast off'ered upon that
occasion, and we here insert it. It was as follows :
Toast — "Gen. Henry Dodge, the Citizen, Hero and Statesman." Mr. Parkinson re-
sponded as follows :
My Friends and Fellow-Citizens: Nothing would afford me more pleasure than to respond to the toast just
read in your hearing, complimentary to Gen. Dodge, were I competent to do so in a proper and befitting manner;
but I am not. It would require a tongue more gifted and a voice more eloquent than mine to do him justice.
Gen. Dodge was no ordinary man; he was justly and fully entitled to all that is embraced in the sentiment —
"The Citizen, the Hero and the Statesman." But few men, in ancient or modern times, possessed these three prom-
inent characteristics of the great man more fully than did Gen. Dodge.
As a citizen, he was just, liind and obliging, discharging, with promptness and fidelity all the obligations im-
posed upon him, either by the customs of society or the laws of his country. He lawed not nor wrangled with his
neighbors, but lived in cordiality and friendship with all. In his disposition, he was kind-hearted and generous ; in
these respects, he was not unlike the old " Hero of the Hermitage." Althongh he had a bold and daring head, he
had a kind and generous heart, In these respects he was, perhaps, not always understood. Some supposed, be-
cause he was a bold and daring man, he was necessarily harsh and cruel ; but such was not the case. I knew him well
and in times of great excitement, and never knew anything like cruelty or harshness in his nature ; but, on the con-
trary, knew many things which showed hiis kind and generous nature, one of which I will relate. It was at an early
time in this country, when he was living with his family in a small cabin, near the present village of Dodgevllle,
when, on a cold November evening, just at night, a small boy, with a heavily loaded ox-team, was overtaken by a
storm near his cabin. In the boy's own language, " he could hardly make up his mind, whether to go in and ask
Gen. Dodge if he could stay all night, or go on and run the risk of freezing." He, however, chose the former, and
went in and asked if he could stay all night. He said Gen Dodge replied and said, in a kind tone, " My son, you
see that we can scarcely take care of ourselves, but such as we have, you shall be welcome to."
He immediately sent a man to assist him in taking care of his team. When he came in, the General conversed
with him kindly and familiarly, making him, as the boy said, "feel quite at home." In the morning when he was
ready to start, he asked what his bill was, when the General replied in the same kind tone, " not anything, my sou ;
we do not keep people here for money." I have a remarkable instance of his kind and considerate nature in my
own case. When I joined his squadron at the commencement of the Black Hawk war, I was a mere boy and quite a
stranger to all that were in it. He took me into his own mess and cared for me and looked after me with the kind-
ness of a father.
Heroism, however, I always regarded as his most prominent trail of character. This was universally accorded
to him by all. I never heard any one question it in the least. Most any man can be a good citizen, and many men
can be wise statesmen, but few men can be "heroes."
Heroism is a rare qualification, and but few men ever possessed it. The world's history does not furnish us
with an account of many heroes. His entire military career partakes largely of the heroic character. There is a
heroic tinge about all his military achievements. His taking into custody the five Winnebago chiefs at the Blue
Mounds during the Black Hawk war, under the circumstances, was a bold, daring act, and required the nerve of a
hero to have undertaken and accomplish it. There were about as many Indians on the ground as there were of Gen.
HISTOEY OF IOWA COUKTY. 607
Dodge's men, and their main army of warriors ware close at hand, and just ready and greatly inclined to seize upon
any pretext to join Black Hawk.
The batile of the Pecatonica was also a bold, and heroic act, when we take into consideration the disastrous and
terrible effects which all the other commanders hai suffered in their conflicts with the Indians under precisely the
same circumstances.
His military expedition to and through the Rocky Mountains for three years among the numerous and hostile
tribes of Indians in those regions was characterized by the same bold and heroic achievements that all his military
movements were ; so much so that, upon his return to Washington after its completion, both Houses of Congress
unanimously passed the most complimentary resolutions expressive of their high admiration of the heroic and satis-
factory manner in which he had discharged the high and delicate trust confided to him. These are only a few of
the heroic acts of Gen. Dodge which so justly stamp him with the appellation of hero.
As a statesman, the occasion will not allow me to go into a very extended review of his course. He was honest,
frank and sincere, and expressed his views on all matters in a clear and convincing style when addressing the
Senate of the United States, in which august body he served twelve years, and ranked as one of its most honored
and influential members.
As Executive of the Territory of Wisconsin, he was deservedly popular, and his messages and other State
papers taking high rank with similar documents for their sound, judicious and statejmanlike views. From the
Executive office of the Territory, he was chosen one of the first Senators of the State, a convincing proof of the high
estimate which his fellow-citizens placed upon his abilities as a statesman.
In the year 1800, a few miles west of St. Louis, Mo., in the Bon Homme (good man's)
settlement, Henry Dodge married Christiana McDonald, with whom he lived sixty-five yearS)
and unto them were born thirteen children, nine of whom, seven daughters and two sons, grew
to maturity.
Those who thus lived were named respectively, Nancy (Mrs. Ward), Louisiana (Mrs. Mad-
den), Henry L., Augustus C, Elizabeth (Mrs. Bequette), Mary (Mrs. Dement), Sabina (Mrs.
Truitt), Christiana (Mrs. Clark) and Virginia (Mrs. Hayden). This marriage took place
between these parties at the respective ages of 19 and 15, four years before the tri-colored
flag of Napoleon was replaced by the Star Spangled Banner of the United States, in what was
then known as the Louisiana purchase. These daughters were all first-class ladies, with liberal
«ducation. and married first-class men. Henry L. was killed in Santa Fe, New Mexico, by
the Comanche Indians, while acting as their agent. Augustus C. now resides in the city of
Burlington, Iowa, and, for high ability and sterling worth, ranks among the first men of the
nation.
Besides raising and liberally educating this large family. Gen. Dodge raised and educated
Dr. Lewis Lynn, his half-brother, who served as Senator from the State of Missouri, in the
Senate of the United States eighteen years, and was a compeer of Thomas H. Benton, and
. was not less than second to that great statesman.
During the Black Hawk war, while Gen. Dodge was leading his forces against that great
war chief, he was commissioned by President Jackson as Major of the United States Army. In
the following year, 1833, he was appointed by the same Old Hickory Jackson (as has already
been stated) Colonel of the Thirteenth Regiment of Dragoons.
He led this regiment to Texas, New Mexico, the Rocky Mountains, a terra incognita
except to a few Indian traders and trappers, reclaimed prisoners held by the Indians, and made
treaties of peace and conciliation with forty difi'erent tribes of Indians.
This expedition, however, has been adverted to in the response of Mr. Parkinson, perhaps
to a sufficient extent for the purposes of this sketch, as we are necessarily compelled to be
brief.
Gen. Dodge, no doubt, had the widest spread fame as an Indian fighter of any man in
America. The writer of this sketch once visited him in company with an officer of the United
otates Navy, who had been in that service fifteen years, and, during that time, had been in nearly
all the kingdoms and countries in the world; was with Commodore Perry in his expedition. around
the world; was in China, Japan, Mediterranean Sea, South American Provinces, etc., etc., but he
was m no country, he said, where no inquiries were made about the old Indian fighter Gen.
I>odge, of Wisconsin. This officer went into the navy quite young, and, though a Wisconsin
coy, he had never seen Gen. Dodge. After our visit was over,"l asked him what he thought of
the old Indian fighter. He replied that he was very much disappointed in him, indeed ; that he
608 HISTOKY OF IOWA C0U:NTY.
was very much more of a man, in every respect, than he expected to see ; that he was quite
astonished at the extent of his knowledge of foreign countries and their principal men ; that he
had never met a man who was so conversant with the leading men of the world as he was. It
may be justly said of Gen. Dodge that he was a great reader of men. Man was his chief study
and but few men knew them better. It was once said of him (by a very prominent man), in
speaking of his prominent traits of character, that Gren. Dodge's most prominent trait of char-
acter was his great knowledge of men. That he never knew him to be deceived in but one man
during his long and intimate acquaintance with him. But, of all the great men with whom he
was familiar (by biography), B"apoleon the Great was his ideal man, in.all matters of war and
in handling an army ; was familiar with both his civil and military codes, and often quoted them.
Had a great admiration for Gen. Washington, La Fayette, and all the Revolutionary sires, but
no patience or sympathy with fanatics or demagogues.
When Gen. Dodge came to Wisconsin, he owned three families of negroes, numbering, per-
haps, in all, fifteen persons. Upon his return from his Rocky Mountain expedition, or soon
thereafter, he gave all these negroes their freedom, together with forty acres of good land, com-
fortably improved, with log cabin and small fruits, good team, wagon, and some farming imple-
ments and some stock, and a year's provisions to each family. But, alas ! land, families, stock
and all, are now gone, exeept a few straggling children.
Gen. Dodge died June 19, 1865, in Burlington, Iowa, at the house of his son Augustus
C. His wife was born in Nelson County, Ky., the 2d of February, 1785, and died at Burling-
ton, Iowa, March 30, 1865, also at the house of her son Augustus C.
Upon the death of Gen. Dodge, Lucius Fairchild, then Governor of the State of Wis-
consin, caused the following Executive Order to be issued :
Madison, June 29, 1865.
Executive Order No. 4.
It is with deep regret thit I have to announce to the people of this State the death, at Burlington, Iowa, on the
19th inat., of Hon. Henry Dodge, one of Wisconsin's most honored public men.
From an early day. Gen. Dodge was actively and intimately connected with the affairs of Wisconsin, in the
several capacities of Governor, Delegate in Congress and United States Senator.
At the close of his Senatorial career, he retired from public life, and to the enjoyment of a dignified and
happy seclusion, which he had so well earned, by long and faithful services as a brave and accomplished soldier, an
enlightened and incomparable statesman.
Gen. Dodge was for many years recognized as one of the most distingaiahed leaders in the nation. Too brave
to be other than he seemed, too honest to be a demagogue, his course was characterized by a manly independence in
doing the right, which won for him the confidence of the whole people.
After a long life of rare usefulness, he has gone from our midst; and truly may it be said of him, that to few,
indeed, has it been given to leave a fame at once so widespread and so spotless.
As a testimony of respect, the usual badge of mourning will be displayed at the several State Departments for
the period of thirty days. Lttcius Fairchild,
Governor of Wisconsin.
In commemoration of his public services, the Legislature of Wisconsin has directed that
a marble bust of the late Gov. Henry Dodge be placed within the State capitol.
The subjoined is a copy of the law :
An Act to Perpetuate the Memory of the late Gov. Henry Dodqb :
Whereas, It has ever been an honored custom of all civilized and enlightened governments to perpetuate the
memory of their eminent statesmen, generals and philanthropists, by means of paintings and statuary, as well a
through the annals of history ; and
Whereas, The State of Wisconsin has reason to be proud of the ability, the sterling integrity and the eminent
services of the late Gov. Henry Dodge, and is called upon to recognize these qualities and services in some perma-
nent and enduring way, that shall be alike creditable and honorable to the State ; and
Whereas, We believe Mr. E. P. Knowles to possess genius and talent as a sculptor of the highest order, and
that he is-capable of executing a statue that shall reflect credit, both upon himself as an artist, and upon the s^tate
of which he is a citizen ; therefore.
The people of the State of Wisconsin, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows, etc.
The act then goes on to authorize Mr. Knowles to execute the bust, of the finest marble,
at a cost of $2,000 ; and when done to be placed in some conspicuous place in the capitol,
under the direction of the Governor, the Secretary and Chief Justice of the State.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 609
Thus it will be seen that the highest honors of the State, as well as of the people, have
been conferred upon him ; and perhaps no man ever more justly deserved such honors.
GEN. WILLIAM R. SMITH.
William Rudolph Smith, the eldest son of William Moore Smith, was born at LaTrappe,
in Montgomery County, Penn., on the 31st day of August, A. D. 1787. The family renjoving
to Philadelphia in 1792, he was placed at school under the tuition of Mr. James Little and his
ushers, this being at that time the largest and best preparatory school in the city. In 1799, he
was placed in the Latin school of the Rev. James McCrea, but soon afterward the whole care of
his education was assumed by his grandfather, the Rev. William Smith, D. D., who received him
into the old family residence at the Falls of Schuykill, where he remained under a rigid course
of instruction until April, 1803, when, as private secretary, he accompanied his father to En-
gland, the latter being one of the Commissioners under the sixth article of the Jay treaty, to
adjust and settle the demands of the British claimants. During their protracted residence in
England, the father and son traveled much together at various times, journeying along the south
coast from Dover to Falmouth, visiting all points of interest in the interior of the South and
West, and making frequent and extended journeys into other parts of the Kingdom. In Lon-
don their time was happily spent at the houses of many friends, and particularly at the house of
Charles Dilly, Queens Square, so often mentioned by Boswell in his " Life of Johnson." Mr.
Dilly took a great satisfaction in showing to his guests the arm-chair in which Dr. Johnson sat
at his table, and where he enjoyed himself perhaps more than at any other house in London. It
was at this hospitable table that Dr. Johnson met with and learned to tolerate the great radical
leader John Wilkes. In Mr. Dilly 's house the young Secretary had the gratification to meet
with the venerable Pascal Paoli, with Richard Cumberland, with a brother of James Boswell and
with many of the literary celebrities and other notorieties of the day. Benjamin West, the Presi-
dent of the Royal Society, in his friendly attentions to the father and son, did much to repay the
obligations which in early life he owed to his friend and patron Dr. William Smith.
In the house of Mr. West, in Great Newman street and in the picture gallery, young Will-
iam R. Smith met and formed friendships with many of the great painters and artists of En-
gland as well as of the continent, for, in those stirring times, London was the " City of Refuge "
of all classes of " Emigres " and refugees seeking safety from the whirlwind of strife, then sweep-
ing over every country in Europe. George Cadondal, the great Vendean Chief, and Gen. Piche-
grou, both afterward concerned in the attempt to assassinate Napoleon, were among the acquaint-
ances thus formed.
These London days, teeming with recollections of Sarah Siddons, John and Stephen Kem-
ble, of George III, the crazy old King, to whom he had been presented at court, of the Prince
of Wales and Beau Brummel, and of the soldiers and statesmen who were then shaping the des-
tiny of the civilized world, formed the solace of many an hour in after years, and incidents of
this period remembered and related in his inimitable manner were the delight of three successive
generations of listening friends. His father intending him for the bar, young William R. Smith,
during his residence in England, commenced a preparatory course of study under the direction
of Thomas Kearsley, Esq., of the middle temple, and from this period until the autumn of
1808, he was a diligent student of the law, for the first two years after his return to. America,
under the direction of his father and afterward in the ofiice of James Milnor, in Philadelphia. In
after years, Mr. Milnor removed to New York, and, having taken orders, became a distinguished
minister of the Episcopal Church.
In 1808, Mr. Smith was admitted to the bar in Philadelphia, his examiners being Richard
Rush, Thomas Ross and Peter A. Browne ; the Judge was Jacob Rush. The following year he
removed to Huntingdon, Penn., a town laid out by his grandfather and named in honor of his
friend Selina, Countess of Huntingdon.
Having entered into the practice of his profession and feeling therefore settled in life, Mr.
Smith was, on the 17th of March, 1809, married to Eliza Anthony, of Philadelphia, who was
610 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
descended on the father's side from the Rhode Island family of that name, and on the mother's
side from Michael Hillegas, the Treasurer of the United States during the Revolution. For the
ensuing eleven years, Mr. Smith led a busy life, assuming at once a leadership in his profession,
and becoming extensively known as one of the profoundest lawyers in the State. In 1811, he
was appointed under Walter Franklin, Deputy Attorney General for Cambria County; was re-
appointed to the same oflBce by Richard Rush, and, in 1812, was again re-appointed by Jared
Ingersol, the Attorney General. A boy's preference for a military career had impelled Mr. Smith
in early life to connect himself with the Third Troop of Philadelphia Light Horse, and, whilst
a member of that troop, had the satisfaction of riding the same horse which had carried his father,
when a member of this same company, in the expedition to suppress the celebrated whisky in-
surrection. This taste for military affairs strengthened with advancing years, and caused Mr.
Smith to make a careful study of the national defenses, and the organization of the State militia
forces. He devoted a large portion of his time to the study of field tactics, and was energetic
and active in the organization and drilling of the Pennsylvania Militia, in which he served in
various grades up to the rank of Major General. In the war of 1812-15 with England, he was
Colonel of the Sixty- second Regiment of the Pennsylvania Reserves, and commanded that
regiment when it was ordered to Erie to support Gen. Scott in the movement on Canada, which
resulted in the victory at Lundy's Lane.
Gen. Smith was in Baltimore during the siege of that city ; he witnessed the disaster at
Bladensburg, and the burning of Washington by the British. In civil life. Gen. Smith filled
with distinguished ability the various offices to which he was at intervals either elected or ap-
pointed. He served in both branches of the Legislature of Pennsylvania, held many offices of
civil trust and honor, and, in Januaryr^ 1836, was admitted Counselor of the Supreme Court of
the United States at Washington.
In January, 1820, Gen. Smith lost his wife, her death occurring suddenly, after a brief
illness of a few hours only. Three years afterward he married again, his second wife being Mary
Hamilton Van Dyke, whose family, originally from Delaware, had removed to and settled in the
State of Tennessee. In 1828, Gen. Smith removed from Huntingdon to Bedford County, where
he resided until the year 1837, when he was appointed Commissioner of the United States in
conjunction with Gov. Henry Dodge, to treat with the Chippewa Indians for the purc'nase of
their pineries on the Mississippi River and its tributaries. The journey into the Northwest, in
the fulfillment of this trust, forms an important epoch in the life of Gen. Smith. The wonder-
ful resources of the country in everything that serves to make a nation happy, rich and great,
impressed him profoundly. He saw, with the prophetic vision of a statesman, that the scepter
of empire must surely pass from the East to be seized upon with firmness and permanently held
by the mighty West. Instantly, almost, he resolved to be one of that earnest band of pioneers,
who, turning heroically from the ease and comforts of their Eastern homes, willingly encoun-
tered all the hardships of a frontier life in order to contribute the treasures of their learning
and experience to the great work of formulating the legislation and shaping the destiny of these
new States of such glorious promise. His letters to his brother, Richard Penn Smith, afterward
published in Philadelphia under the title of " Observations on Wisconsin Territory," are filled
with glowing descriptions of this paradise for farmers. That the magic beauty of the scenery
deeply touched his poetic nature, may be witnessed by the following lines, dashed off in a mo-
ment of tender recollection :
" All hail Wisconsin ! prairie land,
In summer decked with flowers.
As scattered by some fairy hand
Mid sylvan shades and bowers.
" Thy soil abundant harvests yields.
Thy rocks give mineral wealth ;
And every breeze that sweeps thy fields
Comes redolent of health.
HISTOMY OF IOWA COUNTY. 611
' ' Perennial springs and inland seas
Give other beauties zest ;
Long may thy dwellers live in ease,
Gem of the fertile West !"
Returning to Pennsylvania, Gen. Smith, in 1838, removed his family to Wisconsin and set-
tled in Iowa County, at Mineral Point. In 1839, he was appointed Adjutant General of the
Territory of Wisconsin, by Gov. Dodge, which oiBce he held under successive administrations
for about twelve years. He also received from Gov. Dodge the civil appointment of District
Attorney of Iowa County, retaining this office also for many years. In 1840, he presided over
the first Democratic Convention that assembled at the seat of government of Wisconsin Terri-
tory, and he drafted the address sent forth by that body to the people. He was elected Sec-
retary to the Legislative Council of Wisconsin, and, in 1846, was elected delegate to the con-
vention to form a constitution for the State of Wisconsin. The journals of that convention
show that Gen. Smith either originated or gave most earnest support to many of the legislative
reforms that have since become law in Wisconsin, and have been widely adopted in other States
of the Union, notably the " Homestead Exemption Law " andthe " Rights of Married Women."
In 1849, Gen. Smith was elected Chief Clerk of the Senate, and again in 1850, receiving the
compliment of a unanimous vote. In 1849, Gen. Smith, together with a few other citizens in-
terested, like himself, in collecting and preserving all matters of historical interest, formed the
" State Historical Society of Wisconsin." The immediate success of the society in collecting
valuable material induced the Legislature to place the institution under State patronage. A
room in the capitol was assigned for the use of the society, and thereafter annual appropriations
were regularly made to carry out and enlarge the work and usefulness of the institution. By a
special act of the Legislature, in 1852, Gen. Smith was authorized to compile a " Documentary
History of Wisconsin, from its Earliest Settlement to the Present Time." To this work he de-
voted several years of his life, and two volumes of the history were published by the State in
1854. In 1856, Gen. Smith was elected Attorney General of the State of Wisconsin, and for
two years he filled that office with marked ability ; then, having reached the ripe age of seventy-
one years, he deemed it best to retire from active professional and political life, and, for the re-
mainder of his days, to enjoy the well-earned quiet of his home, his library, and the society of
his family and intimate friends. Here, for eleven years more, he was the delight of all who
approached him ; his ripe scholarship and varied information, his sparkling wit and kindly dis-
position, gave a charm to his conversation that will never be obliterated from the memories of
those who knew him. His reminiscences of Washington and the statesmen of his day, with many
incidents and anecdotes of historical interest, were related with dramatic effect. The hands of
Washington had rested upon his head ; he had listened to the reading of the farewell address.
He was present in the German Lutheran Church in Philadelphia, when Maj. Gen. Lee, by the
appointment of Congress, pronounced the funeral oration of Washington ; he was in the theater
on the night when the (now) national anthem of " Hail Columbia " was first sung, and was wit-
ness to the enthusiasm with which the song was greeted ; he had seen every President of the
United States, from Washington to Lincoln, and was thus in himself, almost, a history of the
Republic. These, and similar recollections, endeared him to a generation that regarded many
of the events in which he had been an actor as almost belonging to antiquity. In 1868, Gen.
Smith, still active and in good health, made the tour of Wisconsin, visiting many of his old
friends in the Northern and Eastern parts of the State. Then he proceeded to Quincy, in the
State of Illinois, to visit his youngest daughter, Mrs. Robert H. Deaderick, residing in that city,
and there, in the fullness of years, this long and brilliant life came to a quiet and peaceful close.
Gen. Smith, during all his life, was an active and prominent Freemason, passing through all
the degrees of that Order from the Blue Lodge to the Royal Arch Chapter. He had been Grand
Master of the State of Pennsylvania, and was several times made Grand Master of the Grand
Lodge of Wisconsin. He had a singular love and veneration for the Order whilst he lived, and
he was buried with Masonic honors in Mineral Point, Wis., on the 26th day of August, A. D.
1868. A stately Masonic monument now marks his resting-place.
612 HISTOKY OF IOWA COUJiTTY.
HON. MOSES MEEKER.
Moses Meeker was born in New Jersey in 1790. His education was received in his native
State, and in 1817 he removed to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he engaged in the manufacture of
white lead. While on a visit to St. Louis in 1822, he was informed of an expedition to the lead-
mining region, the Fever River. Imbibing of the spirit of adventure, he disposed of his busi-
ness in Cincinnati and joined fortunes with Col. Cole. At that time the journey from Cincin-
nati to the present site of Galena was dangerous, from the natural contour of the country and
the presence of the insatiable Indian who not having ceded the mining territory, guarded it most
jealously from encroachment. The journey led through a tangled wilderness, without roads or
bridges, and only after a perilous voyage did the adventurers ultimately reach their destination
on the 12th of November, 1822. An exploration of the region satisfied him of the mineral
wealth, and Mr. Meeker determined to embark in mining operations. He then returned to Cin-
cinnati on horseback, and entered into a correspondence with John C. Calhoun, Secretary of
War, soliciting information regarding the method of mining. This correspondence having been
submitted to President Monroe, resulted in the issuance of an order, permitting Mr. Meeker to
build furnaces, operate the mines and make other improvements. On receiving this order in
Cincinnati, Mr. Meeker purchased a substantial keel-boat, enlisted several families, numbering
forty -three persons in all, and on the 5th day of April, 1823, started for the lead regions byway
of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers, and arrived at Galena in June of the same year. He at
once commenced the building of furnaces, and in August of that year a census was taken, show-
ing the population of Galena to be seventy-four whites and 500 Indians. The. furnaces were
completed in the spring of 1824, and during the first year 425 pounds of smelted ore was pro-
duced.
The disruption of business, occasioned by the Black Hawk war, caused a temporary suspen-
sion of work. During the interregnum, Mr. Meeker took a prominent part in the war, acting
under a Captain's commission. After the Indian troubles had been effectually quelled, he
removed to Iowa County and commenced the erection of a blast fumade on the Blue River. The
accumulation of business absorbed his entire attention until 1842, he was elected to the Terri-
torial Legislature, and at the expiration of his term of office was re-eleeted in 1843.
In 1846, he represented Iowa County in the First Constitutional Convention, and served
in the responsible capacity of Chairman of the Committee on Internal Improvements. To his
innate sense and sound wisdom, the country is indebted for the embodiments of the article gov-
erning public improvements, which alone has often prevented the Legislature from plunging the
State into irretrievable debt.
He resided in Iowa County until 1854, when he removed from Mineral Point to his farm at
Meeker's Grove, in La Fayette County, and withdrew from active life. In 1865, he removed to
Shullsburg, where he died very suddenly of paralysis, on the 7th day of July. Dr. Meeker was
a man of high moral and religious character ; he was patriotic, courageous, honest, hospitable,
and his house was ever the welcome asyluni of the stranger and homeless.
Dr. Meeker was twice married, first in 1818 to Miss Mary R. Henry, who died in 1829,
and again in 1837 in Cincinnati, to Miss Eliza P. Shackleton, who still survives. He had a
large family of children, who occupy prominent social stations in the walks of life.
HON. CHARLES DUNN.
Among Wisconsin's distinguished men, both at a very early day and during the subsequent
career of the State, for many years Judge Dunn, as he was generally known, occupied a prom-
inent and leading position. He was born December 28, 1779, in Bullitt County, Ky., his father
being a native of Dublin, Ireland, and his mother. Amy Burks, being an American, and a
daughter of " Old Virginny." In his youth. Judge Dunn received only an ordinary education
— his way to distinction being unheralded, either by the honors of Yale or some less pretentious
college. After passing his majority, he began the study of law in the oflBce of Worden Pope,
MINEF^AL POINT.
HISTOEY or IOWA COUNTY. 615
of Louisville, in his native State, with whom he ];emained for a brief time, then continued with
John Pope, of Frankfort, the capital of Kentucky. In 1819, he removed to Illinois, then the
" Land of Lead " for large numbers of the ambitious youth of the South. Here he finished his
legal studies under the tutelage of Nathaniel Pope, then one of the leading advocates of the
Northwest, and United States District Judge of Illinois.
Judge Dunn was admitted to the bar in 1820, and immediately commenced the practice of
his profession in Jonesboro, 111. Very soon after, he was appointed Clerk of the House of Rep-
resentatives of that State, a position which he retained five years. From this time forward, al-
most to the end of his life, he filled a variety of eminent public stations in a worthy and service-
able manner.
In 1829, Mr. Dunn received the appointment of Acting Commissioner of the. Illinois and
Michigan Canal enterprise, from Gov. Edwards, and, during this year, he, in connection with
several others — official associates and interested parties — laid out and surveyed the first plat
of Chicago. The Commissioners commenced the sale of lots immediately after, and, during the
«nsuing two years, the sales were continued. The entire amount received for lots during that
time would not pay for one business lot to-day in the Garden City.
When the Black Hawk war broke out, in May, 1832, Mr. Dunn entered the militia service,
and, being commissioned as Captain, raised a company in Pope County, 111., which he com-
manded during the campaign, through which he passed honorably, but not fortunately. His
misfortune consisted in being shot and severely wounded by a timid sentinel, in what is now
known as the town of Dunn, Pope County. While Capt. Dunn, who was ofiScer of the day,
was approaching, in company with the Sergeant and relief guard, the sentinel on post, becoming
alarmed, instead of giving the usual challenge, drew up and fired at the party, striking Capt.
Dunn in the groin and inflicting a wound which confined him at Fort Dixon until the close of
the war.
In 1835, Mr. Dunn was elected a member of the Illinois House of Representatives, and,
during the session, served acceptably as Chairman of the Judiciary Committee.
When the Territory of Wisconsin was organized, in 1836, Mr. Dunn received the appoint-
ment of Chief Justice of the Territory, a position which he filled with credit until May, 1848,
when Wisconsin was admitted into the Union of States, and the bench was changed. His asso-
ciates during that time were Judge Miller and Judge Irvin, both of whom were appointed with
Mr. Dunn.
Judge Dunn was elected a member of the Convention that formed the State Constitution,
and served as President pro tem. at the organization of the Convention. He also acted in the
capacity of Chairman of the Judiciary Committee during the proceedings, and wielded an influ-
ence at once potent and salutary in shaping many of the organic provisions of the State law.
He spoke frequently, readily, and with good judgment during the action of the Convention ; but
his speeches were never long ; they were rather, brief, and to the point, and were always listened
to with respect.
After the organization and admission of the State, Judge Dunn turned his attention to the
practice of his profession as a lawyer, taking up his residence at Belmont, in La Fayette County,
the first seat of government. Subsequently, in 1853-54, 1855—56, he represented La Fayette
County in the State Senate, and again occupied the responsible position of Chairman of the
Judiciary Committee. In 1856, he ran for Congress against C. C. Washburn, and, in 1870, he
was a candidate for the State Senatorship against H. S. Magoon ; but was in both instances
defeated.
On the 7th day of April, 1872, at the advanced age of seventy-two years and nearly four
months, and after a life of great prominence and usefulness. Judge Dunn died at the residence
of his sister, Mrs. David W. Jones, in the city of Mineral Point. The bar of the Supreme
Court held a meeting, and paid that respect which was due to his great worth and eminent
position. The proceedings were placed on record, and may be fouud in the thirtieth volume of
the Wisconsin Supreme Court Reports.
616 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
In politics, Judge Dunn was an ardent and outspoken Democrat ; and, being a Kentuckian^
he clung instinctively to the Southern sentiment regarding slavery and State rights. When the
organization of the Republican party was effected, he opposed the measures with all the ardor of
his strong nature and political faith. It is said, though he was so enthusiastic in his convictions,
that he was not unfair or rancorous toward his opponents ; and, as a member of the bar, was
generally acceptable to the people. During the time he was on the bench, his duties were quitfr
onerous, as the district over which he presided was the most populous and important in the
Territory, and also produced the greatest amount of litigation at that time.
Socially, Judge Dunn was highly respected and -well liked. He was courteous and dignified
in his manners, and possessed of qualities that made him very popular with his acquaintances,
and agreeable as well as instructive in conversation. At the lime of his death, he was the oldest
member of the legal profession in the State, and one of the most esteemed.
The following extracts, from the report of the Supreme Court proceedings, from the resolu-
tions adopted by the bar of the State, and from an address to the bench of the Supreme Court,
by Moses M. Strong and others, will fully illustrate the character of this illustrious pioneer, and
the high appreciation in which he was held by his compeers.
From the Supreme Court Reports :
Resolved, That in the death of our brother, Hon. Charles Dunn, the bar has lost one of its most distinguished
members, the profession one of its truest friends, the public one of its ablest defenders, the State one of its most
esteemed citizens, and society one of its brightest ornaments.
Resolved, That Charles Dunn will be remembered as a learned jurist, an able advocate, a sound exponent of
constitutional principles, and a true American citizen.
Resolved, That in remembering his amenity of manners, his kindly forbearance and uniform courtesy, both on
the bench and at the bar, we will endeavor to emulate his virtues and strive to cultivate the friendly relations and
courteousness of professional character, both before the courts and toward each other, of which he gave such good:
example, and that is always praiseworthy in every member of the profession.
From the resolutions of the State bar, presented by E. G. Ryan, Chief Justice, since
deceased :
"It was Judge Dunn's lot in life to fill many stations, professionally and lay, executive,
legislative and judicial. So far as I know or have been able to learn, these rather sought him
than he them. There was a modesty in the man that was rare in his generation. I think his.
■ own estimate of his own powers was below, not above the estimate of all who knew him well^
and he was a thoroughly earnest man. He filled all his offices with singular fidelity and zeal,
as if each in its turn were the chief end of his life. To say that he filled them with ability
would be faint praise. He did not achieve success in them by just escaping failure. He was a
faithful officer ; his officers were never below him, but he was always above them. None of
them gave opportunity of showing all that he was, of calling out the strength that was in him.
They were all respectable, some of them were high; but his intellect, his culture, his general
capacity, towered far above every station he ever occupied. We mourn for the untried powers-
that die out of the world with the young. Let us mourn for the world when it suffers great
powers to die, unused in its service, with the old. * * * jjg ^^^ truly a great
man in a private station ; while his intellect was calm, it was solid ; while it was not brilliant,
it was comprehensive and far-reaching. It was deliberate, discriminating, clear, wise, just. I
doubt if he has left among us his intellectual equal. His character was solid, strong and reso-
lute, but not stern or harsh. His stronger qualities were softened by great sense of humor and
great kindness of heart. * * * He was generous and trustful to a fault. * * *
It is little to say that he was the soul of honor. He could not be false or mean. He did not
know what treason was ; that which he believed, that which he loved, that to which he gave his
faith, were part of himself. He could not desert faith, or friend, or duty, without betraying
his own life. Dishonor in him would have been moral suicide."
From the remarks of Moses M. Strong : " While Judge Dunn, always as an essential part
of his nature, displayed upon the bench the suavite in modo, it was invariably accompanied
with the fortiter in re. Numerous illustrations might be given, but one most remarkable, and.
bordering on the tragic, must suffice :
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 617
" In 1838, an atrocious murder had been perpetrated in Grant County, and a person charged
with the crime was committed to jail to await the action of the grand jury. He was brought
before the Judge upon a writ of habeas corpus, who, after a full investigation, admitted the
prisoner to bail, which he obtained and was set at liberty. The inhabitants in the vicinity of
the murder were very much incensed, and assembled in large numbers, with the avowed inten-
tion of lynching the accused, who only saved his life by flight. His sureties were also com-
pelled to leave the Territory, at the hazard of their lives. The mob, in which were some very
respectable citizens, also passed a resolution, of which they notified the Judge that if he at-
tempted to hold another court in that county it would be at the risk of his life.
" On the day appointed by law for holding court, the Judge appeared, as usual, without
guard or escort, as calm and undisturbed as though he was entirely ignorant of the menaces of
the mob, many of whom, as he knew, were in attendance. Without having spoken to any mem-
ber of the court or to the SheriflF of the danger with which he was threatened, he took his seat
upon the bench, with his accustomed quiet dignity, and ordered the Sheriff to open court. It
was observed that he took with him, to his seat, his saddle-bags, and placed them immediately
by his side. This was his arsenal. The firm, determined and resolute purpose of the Judge to
hold that court at that time and at that place, in despite of all threats of personal violence, was
so unmistakably developed in every lineament of his unblanched features, that all appearance
of mob violence was effectually subdued. The Sheriff opened court, and its business was pro-
ceeded with in its usual orderly manner. * * * gut it was neither on the bench, at the bar,
in office, or in political contests, that those traits of character were developed which endeared
Judge Dunn most to those who knew him best. In social life, and in every-day intercourse
with his friends and neighbors who knew him so well and who prized him so highly, he lived
and moved, the object of the highest esteem and warmest friendship all of with whom he came
in contact."
George B. Smith, since deceased, and Justice Cole, also spoke in extended and eulogistic
terms similar to the above.
HON. STEPHEN P. HOLLENBECK.
One of the early settlers in Iowa County was S. P. Hollenbeck, who came to Mineral Point
in 1834, and was, from that time until 1863, considered one of the representative men of this
portion of the State. The subject of this sketch was a native of Vermont, his parents, Abram
and Abigail, having been residents of Richmond, Chittenden County, of that State. He was
born on the 28th day of March, 1801, and after reaching manhood, having received a common-
gchool education, he embraced the honorable vocation of millwright. After arriving in Wiscon
gin, he remained single until 1841, when he married Harriet Blair.
One peculiar and somewhat remarkable pioneer experience, in which he was engaged as the
most prominent actor, is especially worthy of note, as it illustrates very fairly some of the traits
for which he was most remarkable. It appears that, in 1840, the Winnebago Indians, who were
then on the north side of the Wisconsin River, became somewhat restive, as ever becomes the
Indian nature, and, contrary to treaty, made with them previous to 1840, by which their lands
on this side of the river were ceded to the Government, they returned to their old tramping
grounds, thus violating the conditions of the treaty; and if they did not make any very hostile
demonstrations, greatly alarmed the settlers.
Orders were immediately despatched by Gov. Dodge to Mr. Hollenbeck, instructing him to
take men and go into Richland County and arrest the Indians. Without delay or ceremony,
Mr. Hollenbeck at once started, taking but three men to assist him in the arduous undertaking.
Pushing boldly forward, they arrived at the Indian camp, in the wilds of Richland County, about
10 o'clock at night, and then and there Mr. H. proceeded to arrest the whole band of one hun-
dred. They quietly submitted to betaken, and were soon after turned over to the tender mer-
cies of a United States Army Captain. This officer pronounced this act of these three or four
men rash and foolhardy in the extreme, and one that might have resulted very disastrously.
618 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
However, the courage and nerve displayed on this occasion by the men speaks volumes in their
favor.
When the State Constitutional Convention convened in 1847, Mr. HoUenbeck was se-
lected as one of the representatives from this section of the State. Although he took no very
prominent part in the proceediags, yet the record of his votes on the various propositions sub-
mitted for consideration displayed a keenness of apprehension, accuracy of information, and
depth of judgment, as well as honesty of purpose, at once creditable to himself and useful to
the interests of his constituents.
Subsequent to the time of the State organization, he took no prominently active part in
politics, until 1855, when he was chosen a member of the Assembly. Aside from this, he held
numerous important local offices, until 1863, when he removed to Green County. Eventually,
Mr. HoUenbeck removed to Minnesota and out of the political and public arena of Wisconsin,
but not beyond the reach of the remembrance of appreciative and admiring friends — friends to
whom he is endeared by many useful and worthy acts, and that no time or distance can alienate.
COL. THOMAS STEPHENS.
Col. Thomas Stephens, by birth and lineage an Englishman, but American by adoption,
was born in Tavistock, Devonshire, May 3, 1815. He was, at an early age, inured to the hard-
ships inseparable from a miner's life, but as his magnificent frame [slowly developed by time,
his fine figure attracted the notice of certain court officials, who interested themselves in his
behalf, and procured for him a commission in the Royal Life Guards. At Windsor Castle, his
preparatory studies included the arts of fencing, broad-sword exercise, and the manly art of
self-defense. He evinced a remarkable aptitude in handling the sword, and, on graduating in
May, 1887, he vanquished his instructor, and was thence accorded first rank in the class. Dur-
ing his three years' service with the Guards, he won many emoluments and encomiums, and, at
the expiration of that period, his pre-eminent ability as a swordsman was acknowledged through-
out the United Kingdom. Aspiring to greater deeds, he removed to the United States in 1840,
and settled in the iron regions surrounding Pottsville, Penn. Here his wondrous skill was
turned to profitable account, by imparting instructions to tyros, and his exhibitions elicited the
warm approbation of Gen. Winfield Scott and other military authorities. Removing to Phila-
delphia, he taught swordmanship for two years, during which time he gain-ed the mastery of
such professionals as Prof Newton, of Norwich University ; Prof. H. V. Morris, of the Penn-
sylvania Military Institute ; and N. H. Davis, Sword Master and Military Instructor of Vir-
ginia. French, German and Polish experts were alike disarmed by him. His " New Method,"
as taught in his Sword Manual, waS the subject of approbatory testimony from hundreds of
military heads, and professional and amateur fencers. Among the number. Gen. Scott and
Prof. Wayne, of West Point, recommended it for the use of the United States Army. Col.
Stephens was a man of noble stature, six feet two inches in height, of muscular and well knit
frame, and could wield his weapons with equal facility either with the right or left hand, changing
from right to left and viae versa with a movement that defied detection. He taught fencing
at West Point and New York, although his first classes were organized at Williamsport, Penn.,
where he also met his future wife, Miss Jane W., daughter of Isaiah Hagerman. In 1845, Col.
Stephens was attracted to the lead fields around Galena, 111., whence he visited the Lake Supe-
rior iron mines. On his return East, his marriage with Miss Hagerman was consummated, on
August 5, 1847, and two days subsequently they departed on a bridal tour, extending toward
their new home in Dodgeville. Soon after his arrival here. Col. Stephens built the Western
Hotel, which was burned and re-built. In 1851, he visited California, and returned to Dodge-
ville for permanent settlement. In 1857, he was appointed Inspector General of the Wisconsin
State Militia, and afterward he embarked in the real estate and loan business. At the announce-
ment of the secession, he volunteered his services in defense of his adopted country, and went
forth to the field of carnage in 1861, as Lieutenant Colonel of the Second Wisconsin Cavalry.
After a brief experience of the glory of war, he returned home on sick leave. On conval-
HISTOKY OF IOWA COUNTY. 619
eacing, he resumed command of his regiment, and, by distinguished bravery, augmented his
hitherto renowned achievements, receiving, as marks of personal esteem, autographic acknowl-
edgments from the leaders of the campaign. At the close of the war. Col. Stephens was pre-
sented by the Second Wisconsin Cavalry with a handsomely chased and richly mounted sword,
a brace of costly revolvers, a belt, sash, spurs and other equipments, together with an oil
painting of himself. His first commission as Colonel, signed by Gov. Porter, of Pennsylvania,
in 1841, was granted as testimony of services rendered in suppressing riots.
Together with a brother, the subject of this sketch visited Great Britain in 1869, and
while there was received with universal honors at Windsor Castle, Buckingham Palace and the
Houses of Parliament. The seeds of disease sown while battling for the honor and unity of his
adopted home were surely germinating. In spite of the sea voyage, the delightful sojourn in
his boyhood's home, and the most skillful medical care, he gradually failed, and went to his long
rest July 22, 1871.
Few men enjoyed a more extended acquaintance than Col. Stephens, and his friendship
once acquired bloomed with the never-fading vigor of a perennial plant. As a gentleman of
liberality, wealth and honor, he was the self- constituted protector of the poor and friendless, and
an orphan's appeal to him was never made in vain. As an instance of his generosity to a
fallen foe, the following incident of his relations with an adversary is a powerful illustration :
While in New York City, he was challenged to mortal combat by a French preceptor. The
challenge was accepted, the spot was designated, and swords selected as the weapons. At the
third round, the Frenchman's sword was wrenched from his grasp, and, after describing a para-
bola in the air, fell to the ground at some distance. The vivacious Gaul, crestfallen, with the
last trace of mirth departed from his countenance, threw himself back on his horse and
appealed loudly for mercy.. Afterward, to testify his appreciation of his foeman's magnanimity,
he gave a dinner, at which Col. Stephens presided, and carved the fowls with his host's sword, then
fashioned into a carving-knife.
HON. HENRY M. BILLINGS.
Henry M. Billings was born at Chaghticoke, N. Y., on the 18th day of May, 1806, and
passed the earlier years of his life amid home influences and home surroundings. Notwith-
standing the difficulties attending the procuration of an ordinary education in those days, he
succeeded in securing a partial collegiate and military experience. The fever of Western emi-
gration, as is well known, became almost epidemic half a century ago, and Mr. Billings, joining
in the tide that flowed hitherward in 1828, came to Galena and established his home in that
flourishing settlement. He remained here but two years, however, when he went to Centerville,
Wis., where he remained nearly twenty years, actively engaged in the discharge of his duties
as a man and a citizen, and receiving numerous evidences of the appreciation in which he was
held by his neighbors and friends. In 1838, he was elected a member of the Territorial Legis-
lature of Wisconsin, which convened that year at Madison, and the discharge of bis trust so
commended him to his constituency that he was re-elected to the same position in 1839, 1840
and 1846. In the latter year, he was commis.sioned Colonel of Militia by Governor Dodge, and
on March 5, of the same annual, he was united in marriage to Ann Broy. In 1848, he was
elected State Senator from the Fifth Senatorial District, and, during the year following, became
a resident of the town of Highland (now Eden) in Iowa County. In 1858, he was again
elected to the General Assembly, and, in 1861, received the nomination of Lieutenant Governor
on the Democratic ticket, but was defeated by Edward Salomon. He was the first President of
the State Agricultural Society, a prominent member of the Masonic order, and identified with
reforms and the correction of abuses without regard to the source whence the same originated.
He was killed by a runaway team February 6, 1862.
HON. ELIHU B. QOODSBLL.
Mr. Goodsell is of Irish descent and was born in Sheldon, Franklin Co.,Vt. His grandfather,
who was a soldier in the war of the Revolution, fell at the battle of Bennington. The maiden name
620 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
of his mother was Ann Atherton, and though born at Greenfield, Mass., removed to Vermont
at an early day. The subject of this sketch was born May 11, 1806 ; received an academic
education and removed to Quincy, 111., in April, 1832, subsequently visiting Dubuque, accom-
panying La Claire, the French interpreter, thither, also a Government agent, for the purpose of
effecting a removal of the Indians from that locality. When the party arrived, there was neither
a habitation nor a white person on the site of the present city. From there he journeyed to
Mineral Point and attended the first court which ever sat in that vicinity, finally removing to
the town of Highland, and settling among the Winnebago Indians, whom he always found hos-
pitable, kind and well-disposed. On May 4, 1846, he was married to Miss Isabella Oakes, and
the same year was elected a member of the convention from the county of Iowa, serving in that
body as a member on eminent domain and property of the State, taking a thoughtful, conserva-
tive and sagacious part in the deliberations of that body. Subsequent to this period, he filled
the position of Postmaster and numerous town ofiices, and, in 1865, was elected a member of
the Legislature. In 1845, he laid out the village of Highland for the convenience of lead
miners, since when it has become the thriving center of a flourishing farming country.
GEN. CHARLES BRACKEN.
One of the distinguished dead of this portion of the State was the subject of this sketch)
Gen. Charles Bracken, who was born at Pittsburgh, Penn., April 6, 1797. and died at Walnut
Grove, La Fayette Co., on the 16th of April, 1861, after a long and painful illness. Exposed
from his earliest infancy to the toils and privations of a frontier life, the General was the embodi-
ment of the stern and unflinching virtues born of such an age and experience. A surveyor by
profession, he removed to Cynthiana, Ky., in 1816, when he became engaged in teaching, and
also upon the survey of the boundary lines between the States of Kentucky, Tennessee, Louisiana
and Arkansas. In 1814, he volunteered as a member of the Pittsburgh Blues, of which he was
elected Orderly Sergeant, and marched to Baltimore, expecting to participate in the defense of
that city, arriving, however, after the engagement. In March, 1820, he was united in marriage
to Miss Ann Jones, a resident of Harrison County, Ky., and eight years later removed to
Galena, where he entered the service of Clopton & Van Matre. He established what has since
been known as the "Van Matre survey." In September, 1830, he was joined by his family,
consisting of a wife and three children, and settled in Wisconsin near the county line, between
La Fayette and Iowa, where he resided up to the day of his death. During the Black Hawk
war, he was an officer stationed at Fort Defiance and participated in the leading battles of that
memorable contest, resuming mining and smelting in Rock Branch, in Willow Springs Town-
ship, La Fayette County, at its close, which he continued until 1835, when he became a specu-
lator. In 1840, he began the manufacture of copper on Otter Creek, Willow Springs Township,
and carried on extensive operations, hauling his product to Milwaukee by teams. In 1888, he
became a member of the Legislature, serving in his capacity of Representative with distinguished
success, and was re-elected in 1856 or 1857. In 1848, his wife died at the family homestead,
located on a farm about half a mile south of the place first occupied by the family after their
settlement in Wisconsin. During the latter portion of his life. Gen. Bracken was engaged in
farming, and so remained up to the time of his death. He was a prominent member of the
community in which he resided, and a leading spirit in all works of public improvement, and in
his several capacities of pioneer, soldier, surveyor and legislator he was brave, self-sacrificing and
capable, esteemed as a friend and citizen not more than for his many noble qualities as a man
GEN. JOHN B. TERRY,
one of the most highly esteemed citizens of Iowa County and a man universally respected for his
unswerving integrity, died at his residence in the city of Mineral Point on Sunday morning,
January 11, 1874. He was born at Coxsackie, N. Y., January 18, 1796, and was consequent-
ly within one week of his 78th birthday. In his youth he was apprenticed to the hardware bus-
iness, at Troy, N. Y., in which he subsequently engaged at St. Charles, Mo., whence he moved
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 621
to Sangamon, 111., and thence to the lead mines in 1829, where he became a merchant and
smelter. He early identified himself with Territorial interests, and was a member of the first
Legislature which convened at Belmont. During the war with Black Hawk, he revived his rec-
ollections of active service experienced in the war of 1812, receiving a Captain's commission for
meritorious services in former contest, and later appointed Brigadier General of the State Militia
by Gov. Dodge. His subsequent career was amid the bustle of trade and business, and in every
■department of life with which he was identified he honored and sustained. His home, from its
first establishment in the wilderness, was a haven of rest for the foot-sore and weary ; no one
-ever left his door needy, and no good work lacked for his sympathy and assistance. As an up-
right, generous-hearted man, he was was known the State over, and in his death Wisconsin, of
which he may be justly regarded as prominent among the early defenders and law-givers, sus-
tained a loss not easily repaired.
JOHN BALLS o'nEILL.
Capt. O'Neill was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, coming to America when only sixteen
years of age. He located at Baltimore, Md., for a short time, where he had some relatives; but
possessed of an adventurous spirit, the chances in the Far West induced him to try his fortune
there, and he moved to St. Louis, Mo., where he entered one of the merchandising establishments
as a clerk. He went from St. Louis to Santa Fe with one of the first overland trains that crossed
the plains, probably in the year 1826, and on coming back moved to Galena, 111., where he en-
gaged largely in lead mining and smelting. He was married at that place on the 16th of Sep-
tember, 1827, to Miss Mary A. Sublette, and the result of the union was thirteen children, seven
•of whom are dead. Mr. O'Neill was in many of the Indian wars of the time of the first settle-
ment of Illinois and Wisconsin, took an active part in the Black Hawk war, in 1832, and there
gained his title of Captain, by which he has since been known. He had a host of interesting
recollections of the life among the pioneers. He was among the first who located the land-on
which the beautiful capital city of Wisconsin, Madison, now stands, and at one time had valuable
interests there. His name will be found frequently mentioned among those who organized the
territorial government of Wisconsin, and during those stirring times he occupied many promi-
nent positions and acquired considerable wealth. In 1849, when the gold fever broke out in Cali-
fornia, he joined the tide across the plains, his eldest son accompanying him. He tried his fortunes
in the southern mines, and for awhile resided at Stockton. Returning to the East in 1851) he
started across the plains in the spring of 1852, with his family, arriving in American Valley, Cali-
fornia, in the fall, where he engaged quite extensively in merchandising and packing, at one
time owning a pack-train of 100 mules. He removed his family to M^rysville in 1856, but
returned to American Valley in 1859, and made his permanent home there until the date of his
death, which occurred on May 9, 1880.
Capt. O'Neill was one of the school of old-time gentlemen, now rapidly passing away. His
cordial greeting, the polite military salute which was invariably tendered to his friends on meet-
ing them, will long be remembered. His life proved to be a striving, active one, and but few
men have had more thrilling and varied experiences.
COL. DANIEL M. PARKINSON.
This distinguished Western pioneer was the sixth son of Peter Parkinson, an enterprising
Scotchman who emigrated to America at a date unknown to his family, and settled in East
Tennessee. His mother was Mary Morgan, the sister of Gen. Daniel Morgan, of Revolutionary
fame. Col. Parkinson was born in Carter County, East Tennessee, October 20, 1790, and his
father dying when the subje'3t of this sketch was but two years old, he grew to manhood in a
wilderness inhabited by roving bands of hostile and friendly Indians. In 1822, he settled in
Sangamon County, 111., having previously resided a brief period in Madison County the same
State, and White County, Tenn., where he engaged in farming, and was in all respects a pru-
dent husbandman. In October, 1827, he removed to New Diggings, La Fayette Co., Wis.,
where he remained two years, when he again removed to Mineral Point, where he built the
622
HISTORY OF JOWA COUNTY.
third house erected in that place and conducted a tavern and billiard-room. Previous to his
settlement in the Territory, he won and married Miss Elizabeth Hyder, a native of Tennessee,
and one of the most accomplished ladies of her time (in whose veins flowed the blood of the
Hampton family, she being first cousin to Gen. Wade Hampton, during the war commander of
" Hampton's Legion " in the Confederate service, and at present United States Senator from
the State of South Carolina), who bore him all his children, but two of whom survive Peter
Parkinson, Jr., a prominent and universally esteemed resident of La Fayette, and William
Parkinson, of Iowa.
Col. Parkinson was Captain, Major and Colonel successively of Territorial militia and
Lieutenant in the Winnebago war, also commanding the fifth volunteer company under Gen.^
Dodge in the Black Hawk war. Under the Territorial form of government, he was a Repre-
sentative from the district embracing what is now Iowa, La Fayette, Grant and Richland
Counties in the Legislature convened at Belmont in October, 1886 ; of that which convened at
Burlington in 1838, and was also a member of the first and second sessions of the third Legis-
lative House of Representatives of 1840, 1841 and 1842, in addition having often served as a
member of the Board of Supervisors. In 1846, he was elected to represent the county of Iowa
in the Constitutional Convention, in which body he served on the Committee on Militia, and
was a member of the State Legislature of 1849.
Mr. Parkinson passed through all phases of pioneer life in Tennessee, Illinois and Wiscon-
sin. When he settled in Illinois in 1822, the country was still new, houses were built, corn
picked and husked, quiltings, harvestings and threshings, etc., all done at meetings of settlers.
These meetings were interspersed with rude music, dancing, wrestling, horse-racing, and it may
be supposed without offense to the imagination that they had their bowls of whisky punch as welU
though Mr. Parkinson was a temperance man, and taught temperance in his family with such
success that his three sons never knew the taste of liquors. Limited in education, but possessed
of a mind disciplined by reflection and keen observation, he quoted no authorities to sustain his
position in debate, relying upon his own convictions for correctness. Physically, he was a per-
fect Hercules, over six feet six inches in height, and built in proportion. As friend, neighbor
and citizen, none could be better ; his kindness and hospitality were proverbial and bounded
only by his ability to extend them. He lived to see the fruition of success attending the under-
takings commenced wben the West was a wilderness, and on the 1st day of October, 1868, at
his residence in La Fayette County where he was attended by his son Peter Parkinson, Jr., he
joined his comrades who had preceded him to their final rest across the Beautiful River. H&
lived in the companionship of such men as Gen. Henry Dodge, Col. John Moore, Col. Ebenezer
Brigham, Col. William S. Hamilton, Gen. Charles Bracken, Judge J. W. Blackstone, Col.
Abner Nichols, Col. James Morrison, Col. Levi Sterling, Maj. James P. Cox and Maj. J. B.
Terry, all now deceased, but who in their lifetime laid the foundation of Empire in South-
western Wisconsin. In infiuence, weight of character and sincerity of purpose, Daniel M.
Parkinson was the peer of any man, and unborn generations will rise up in coming years to
bless the memory and do honor to the name of him who is the subject of this brief sketch.
HON. THOMAS JENKINS.
Thomas Jenkins was born in South Carolina in March, 1801, where he secured an educa-
tion in the elementary branches obtained when not providing for the cultivation of his planta-
tion. After residing for some years in the States of South Carolina, Alabama and Missouri,
he removed to Wisconsin, in 1827, and settled at Dodgeville. During the Black Hawk war,
he served under Gen. Dodge, and was wounded at the battle of the Pecatonica. In 1833, he was
married to Minerva Young; and, as a member of the Committee on Powers, Duties and Restric-
tions of the Legislature in the Constitutional Convention, he exerted a marked influence, and
honored the position he was appointed to fill. In 1849, he removed to California, accompanied
by his family, where his wife died the following year, and whence he removed to New Mexico^
in 1864, with his two sons. He died in 1866.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 623
HON. LEVI STEELING.
Hon. Levi Sterling was born in Woodford County, Ky., January 2, 1804. He came to
Galena in March, 1828, and in May following located in the neighborhood of Mineral Point.
He was, in 1830, appointed Deputy Clerk of the United States District Court, and County
Court of Iowa County ; and during the Indian war of 1832, served as a Lieutenant in Capt.
Francis Gehon's company, under Col. Dodge. In 1833, he was appointed by Gov. Porter, of
Michigan Territory, Sheriff of Iowa County, and at the same time discharged the duties of
Marshal of the United States District Court for the counties of Crawford and Iowa, a district of
country then embracing the whole of the present limits of Wisconsin, excepting the old county
of Brown.
In 1834, he enumerated the inhabitants of his district, which then contained 3,443, Craw-
ford County having 810, and Iowa 2,633, while Brown contained 1,957, making but 5,400
white inhabitants in that part of Michigan Territory now comprising Wisconsin.
In 1836, Mr. Sterling resigned the Shrievalty, and was the same year elected Sergeant at
Arms of the Legislative Council of Michigan Territory, which met at Green Bay in January ;
and when, the same year, Wisconsin Territory was organized, he was appointed Auctioneer of
Iowa County. He was elected Transcribing Clerk of the Wisconsin Territorial Legislature, at
the session held at Burlington in June, 1838, and was the same year appointed one of the
Commissioners to relocate the half-breed Indian lands, reserved by the Winnebagoes under the
treaty of 1829. He was also, in 1838, chosen a member of the Legislative Council from the
county of Iowa for the term of four years. He took his seat at the first session held in Madi-
son in November of that year. He served in the Council five sessions, including two extra
sessions, and resigned in 1841. He was in that year appointed by the President Receiver of
Public Moneys of the Mineral Point Land District.
He was elected Sheriff of Iowa County in 1846, and re-elected to the same office in 1848.
In 1850-51, he served a term in the State Senate ; in 1851, he was appointed a Deputy Sur-
veyor of the United States Lands by the Surveyor General of Iowa and Wisconsin ; and in
1852, he was again chosen for a term of two years in the State Senate. He was again elected
Sheriff of Iowa County in 1854 ; and, in 1857, he was appointed by Gov. Bashford a Com-
missioner, in conjunction with ex-Gov. L. J. Farwell and Hon. John P. McGregor, for the
location and erection of the Wisconsin State Hospital for the Insane.
Col. Sterling served creditably in the late war. This long list of public services attest the
worth and popularity of the man, whose ambition, with his natural modesty, probity and indus-
try, seems to have been directed to serving faithfully those who confided important trusts to
him ; and to have done this for so long a series of years, is in itself high praise, and must carry
with it ample satisfaction. Col. Sterling died October 16, 1868, leaving three daughters and
one son.
CAPT. WILLIAM HENRY.
Mr. Henry was born in Colchester, Conn., April 10, 1784. He was a son of John
Henry, a native of Ireland, and Nancy Gordon, a native of Connecticut. He received a com-
mon-school education in the State of New York, and when quite young began life as a clerk in
a mercantile establishment. Upon the breaking-out of the war of 1812, he enlisted, and, on the
12th of March of that year, received his commission as Second Lieutenant of Artillery in the
army of the United States. At the close of the war he resigned his commission, and shortly
after started for the West. He left Cherry Valley, N. Y., in October, 1817, and located at
Vincennes, Ind., where he remained about two years, engaging in the mercantile business. In
1819, he left Vincennes and went to St. Genevieve, Mo., where he remained until early in 1821,
when he removed to St. Louis, and, in February of that year, purchased a steam saw-mill.
Here he did a good business until the mill was burned in the winter of 1823. In 1822, Mr.
Henry returned to New York and married Miss Rachiel McQuigg, at Oswego, in that State,
bringing his bride to St. Louis. In the spring of 1824, he, with his wife and son, William T.
624 HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY.
Henry, then one year old, started for the lead region, arriving in Galena, 111., early in May.
Here he engaged in the mercantile and lead-smelting business with M. C. Comstock, then a
prominent citizen of Galena. After retiring from this business a short time after, he was
employed as clerk in the oflSce of Thomas C. Legate, Superintendent of the United States Lead
Mines, and was subsequently under Lieut. Martin Thomas in the same capacity. At the
breaking-out of the Winnebago war in 1827, there being no courts of justice, nor military
forces, it became necessary for the people to organize for personal protection. Forthwith a
meeting of the citizens of Galena was held and a committee of safety appointed, of whieh Capt.
Henry was chosen Chairman. He gave his whole time gratuitously from the 4th of July, 1827,
until October 30, often making trips to Prairie du Chien and Fort Winnebago, now Portage
City. In 1832, at the beginning of the Black Hawk war, he was appointed Sutler to the forces
under Gen. Scott, continuing in this capacity through the war, and afterward with the rangers,
who patroled the Indian country until 1833. In the fall of this year, he located at Dodgeville
and opened a small store; and August 27, 1834, he was appointed the first Postmaster of the
village. In the fall of 1833, he fitted out Isaac Tower with a stock of goods, and sent him
from Galena to Lake Koshkonong with four four-horse teams to trade with the Indians. This
proved a most successful venture, as in the spring the expedition returned laden with valuable
furs which, being sold in New York City, brought the magnificent sum of $10,000. In Octo-
ber, 1834, Mr. Henry removed to Mineral Point and opened a large stock of goods in a building
located near Jerusalem Spring, and August 9, 1836, he was appointed Postmaster of Mineral
Point, serving in this capacity until 1841, when he was succeeded by I. T. Lathrop. He
retired from the mercantile business in 1837, and for many years served his numerous friends as
Justice of the Peace, Notary Public, Register of Deeds, etc. He died at Mineral Point Feb-
ruary 12, 1853. He left four sons — William T. Henry (lawyer and banker, Mineral Point),
Francis Henry (now Judge of Probate, Olympia, W. T.), Rufus W. (died at Olympia in May,
1870, aged forty years), George Henry (now at Oakwood, D. T.). Capt. Henry was person-
ally known to almost every one in Iowa County, and it may be safely said no man had more
friends or fewer enemies than he. There was something in his nature that attracted men and
women to him with an irresistible force, and bound them to him in friendship as with bands of
steel. He was a man of great perseverance,* genial, whole-souled, hospitable, generous to a
fault and kind to the last degree.
JOHN MESSERSMITH.
of Messer Grove, Iowa County, died at his residence on the 1st day of October, 1855, in the
sixty-seventh year of his age. He was born in Franklin County, Penn., one of the frontier
counties of that State, in the year 1788. Mr. Smith may thus be said to have been a pioneer
from his very birth. He eventually married and removed to Ohio, where he remained until he
came to Wisconsin in 1827, and located at Mineral Point. Here he built himself a house, and
for several years was engaged in mining, then the principal pursuit of the inhabitants of the
Territory. He was not intended for a miner, however, and as soon as circumstances would
permit, being bred a farmer, he selected a beautiful farm in one of the rich valleys of Iowa
County, and from that time busied himself principally in the cultivation of the fertile soil. But
Messersmith, as well as all the settlers on the frontier at that early period, suffered much from the
Indian wars, until the defeat and capture of Black Hawk in the year 1832. Much improve-
ment, therefore, in the cultivation of the soil or the raising of farm-stock was rendered almost
impossible, nevertheless the Messersmith farm steadily improved, and is to-day one of the
finest homesteads in Iowa County. During the Black Hawk war, he and his sons fought with
bravery. He was a practical farmer, and having a good English education, and being possessed
of sound judgment, he became a most useful citizen, and for many years was called upon to
serve his fellow-citizens in the various capacities of civil magistrate and dispenser of justice,
as well as the oflicial superintendent of the financal affairs of the county. The death of so
popular a citizen was deeply mourned by his many friends and relatives. He raised a large
family of children, and had the pleasure of seeing his sons fill responsible positions among his
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 625
fellow-men. In every position, public or private, his career has been without stain or reproach ;
his honesty and integrity ever being far above either calumny or suspicion, his record in all
senses having been honorable, useful, and worthy of commemoration as an example to the future.
ROBERT S. BLACK.
One of the noted pioneers of Iowa County was Robert S. Black, who was born in the city
of Londonderry, Ireland, and died at his home in Dodgeville on the 28d of October, 1872, aged
ninety-three years. He came to America when quite young, the .first years of his life in this
country being spent in Philadelphia and Charlestown. He came to Mineral Point, Wis., more
than fifty years ago, when the Territory was a vast wilderness containing but few settlements.
He rendered valuable service in the Black Hawk war, being noted for his nerve and bravery,
and more than once he was the only man willing to risk his life in carrying important dis-
patches through a country infested by savage Indians and wild beasts, with no other path or
guide than his faithful compass. ' He participated in the battle of the Bad Ax, when the celebrated
chief, Black Hawk, was taken prisoner, and his followers routed. After the termination of the
Indian war, Mr. Black was engaged in commercial pursuits at Mineral Point, where, owing to
his genial disposition and business talent, he met with flattering success. He eventually mar-
ried a Mrs. McArthur, a half-sister of Gov. Henry Dodge, and is remembered as being the
hostess of the first hotel at old Belmont, the first capital of Wisconsin. Mr. Black subsequently
removed to Dodgeville, where he engaged in merchandising until his death. He is universally
remembered as a fine humorist and great story-teller. It is said he could keep an audience
convulsed with laughter for hours, with his well-told anecdotes and reminiscences of his early
frontier life. Mr. Black was known through life as a warm-hearted, whole-souled, honest man.
He may be truly regarded as an example of bravery and generosity, always ready *to sacrifice
not only his own interests, but even his life for the preservation of his friends. In early times,
he carried messages through an uninhabited and wild region filled with innumerable dangers and
privations, and let it be said in his favor that he has accomplished as many brave deeds as
almost any other man in Wisconsin. On a beautiful day in October, of 1872, as the autumn
leaves were falling thick and fast, the spirit of Robert S. Black shook oif its mortal coil and
winged its flight to eternity. Thus passed away from earthly cares a man who was ever a val-
ued member of society, honored and respected by all who knew him.
JUDGE L. M. STRONG.
Louman Masten Strong was born in Orange County, Vermont, October 24, 1803. He was
left an orphan in infancy, and taken in charge by a childless old couple in the neighborhood,
with whom he lived until his marriage to Miss Nancy Griswold, on the 7th day of March, 1824.
By this marriage he had seven children, five of whom are still living — one daughter residing in
Quincy, 111., and one daughter and three sons in the State of Iowa. Mr. Strong removed to
Ohio shortly after his marriage, where most of his children were born, and where he lost his wife,
who died on the 25th day of March, 1835. Mr. Strong subsequently removed to Iowa, and was
one of the pioneers of Linn County, erecting the first house where the present beautiful village
of Marion now stands. He was married to Miss Mary Gabbert on the 30th day of October,
1837, by whom he had three children, two of whom died in infancy, and the third, Mr. Orville
Strong, is now engaged in banking business at Dodgeville. Mr. Strong was for many years a
Justice of the Peace and County Commissioner of Linn County. In 1848, he became attracted
to the lead-mine region and located at Highland, this county, settling near the old Corwith fur-
nace. For several years, he engaged in farming and teaming between Highland and Galena.
He filled the positions of Justice of the Peace, Town Clerk and Postmaster of Highland for
several years, and represented the Northern District of the county in the Legislature of 1852.
About this time, he was admitted to the bar, and continued in the practice of the law during the
remainder of his life. In 1854, he was elected County Judge, and re-elected in 1857, holding
the ofiice eight years. He was again chosen County Judge in 1865, which oflSce he held at the
626 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY".
time of his death, which occurred on the 4th of December, 1867, in the sixty-fifth year of
his age.
Judge Strong was pre-eminently a self-made man, arriving at such a measure of success as
he achieved in life tlirough his own energy and worth of character. A good type of the early
pioneer of the West, a warm-hearted friend, a liberal citizen and a thoroughly honest man.
Was a Democrat, and leading politician.
JUDGE JOHN BONNEE
was born at Plattsburg, N. Y., in 1826. He received his college education, and left home and
came West in 1848. He mined in the lead mines of Wisconsin until 1861, when, in partner-
ship with John Adams, he engaged in the mercantile business at West Blue Mounds and Dodge-
ville. During this partnership, he built the Adamsville Mill, and continued the milling busi-
ness until 1858, when he dissolved partnership and retired from business. Upon the death of
Stephen Ansley — then County Judge — in the spring of 1864, John Bonner was appointed by
the Governor as his successor. He was elected by the people for the ensuing term at the April
election in 1864. This office he held until his death, which occurred in the fall of 1867. He
died and was buried at Dodgeville. He was a charter member of the Dodgeville Masonic
Lodge. He was a very competent business man, and possessed traits of character that rendered
him universally admired.
GEORGE MULKS.
At one time, among the shining lights of the Iowa County bar, prominently appeared the
name of George Mulks. He was born in New York State ; came West before 1850, and settled
at Shullsburg, La Fayette County. Here he studied law with J. H. Knowlton ; was admitted
to the bar and for some years practiced his chosen profession here, and, later, with Mr. Knowl-
ton, at Janesville. In 1861, he was employed by Hon. Amasa Cobb to attend his law business
during his absence in the war. Here he remained until 1864, when he took his departure for
the gold riines of Idaho, and was one of the first white men at Helena City, in that Territory.
He returned to Wisconsin in the fall of 1868, and entered into partnership with S. W. Reese,
Esq., at Dodgeville, where he remained until his death. He perished in a severe snow-storm,
in the town of Linden, while laboring under a fit of temporary insanity, in March, 1871. His
body was found in April of 1871, and buried in the Dodgeville Cemetery. He was a man of
fine address, clear intellect, and one of the brightest lawyers in Southern Wisconsin. He was
strictly honest, and loved his profession more than money. He was forty-five years of age when
he died.
HON. GEORGE L. FROST.
George L. Frost, who was for many years one of the representative men of Iowa County,
was born at Springfield, Mass., March 18, 18-30, and died very suddenly, February 15, 1879,
at Madison, where he was then performing the duties of Assemblyman for the county. He first
attended school at Wilson's Academy, Easthampton, Mass., where he took a rudimentary and col-
lege preparatory course ; then, in 1846, he entered Yale College, from which institution he
graduated with honors in 1850. Eventually, he entered the Harvard Law School, where he ac-
quired his legal training and completed his education. From the foregoing, it will be seen that
he was a thoroughly accomplished scholar and lawyer.
In 1853, Mr. Frost came West, and finally located at Mineral Point, where, in connection
with Dodgeville, he made his home until his death. The various public offices filled by him
with integrity and, it may be added, great ability, may thus be summed up: He was elected
District Attorney in 1854 ; Superintendent of Mineral Point Public Schools in 1862 ; State
Senator in 1863^ and Assemblyman in 1879. He was a candidate for Circuit Judge in 1864,
but was defeated. Mr. Frost, it is generally acknowledged, was a man of sound judgment, and
unusually fine legal attainments. He was also a brilliant and graceful orator. Like the speak-
ers of old Sparta, he could say much in a few words. He never spoke long, but to the point,
and what he uttered was couched in such terms as to be easily understood by any audience.
HISTOBY OF IOWA COUNTY. 627
During Mr. Frost's last term of ofiBce, he was a member of the Judiciary Committee, in which
capacity he served with considerable distinction. His last public speech was made in opposition
to the bill for the establishment of the whipping-post, that relic of barbarism, for the punish-
ment of tramps. He claimed that the use of the lash was against the better sentipients and
common usages of civilized man, and said in eloquent and impressive terms : " If we establish
this law, we shall go back to the line of civilization and restore barbarism." It is said that " Mr.
Frost was too thoroughly honest to establish an enviable law reputation," the natural inference
being, that to succeed in the legal profession, a person must be more " wise than nice." His
funeral obsequies, both in Madison and at home in Dodgeville, where he was taken to be buried,
were performed with distinguished honor to his memory and worth. Mr. Frost was twice mar-
ried. His first wife, by whom he had five sons, has been dead over twelve years. His second
wife and a little son are now residents of Dodgeville. He thus leaves a widow and six sons to
mourn his loss.
SCHUYLER PULFORD, M. D.,
entered into rest October, 1848. He was born in Stratford, Conn., July 4, 1796. Removed
to Madison County, N. Y., where he studied medicine and practiced his profession fifteen years
a,t Fayetteville. He removed to Michigan City, Ind., in 1836, and to Mineral Point in 1843.
From the first, he took front rank in the profession, having graduated with high honors,
and, being possessed of very fine natural abilities, and being of an earnest, social and genial
nature, it eminently fitted him for the bedside, so much so that it was a common saying among
his patrons that " his genial face was worth more than his remedies."
He occupied a prominent position as a public man, and his early death was a great loss.
His good lady is still living, hale and hearty, aged eighty-three. Two sons and two daugh-
ters survive him. R. D., the old-time druggist ; Rev. Samuel D., a church clergyman of no
mean rank ; Laura A., wife of George W. Cobb, Superintendent of the railroad ; and Esther
M., wife of Hon. M. M. Cothren, now Circuit Judge.
MAJ. CHARLES F. LEGATE
was of American parentage and was born on the family estate at Legate's Hill, near Leo-
minster, Worcester Co., Mass., October 13, 1804. He received his education at the Worcester
Academy, devoting much of his time to civil engineering, which proved of inestimable value to
him in his after life. After completing his academic course, he went to Boston and there learned
the gilder's trade, which business he carried on in Boston, and Providence, R. I., until early in
1836, when he came West, arriving in Galena, 111., in the spring of this year. Here he re-
mained until the spring of 1837, when he settled at Mineral Point, and, being a man of con-
siderable ability and intelligence, soon became extensively known among the early settlers, and
especially so throughout the lead region. In 1837, he built the smelt-furnace now run by James
Spensley, and continued in the smelting business until 1848, when he sold out and removed to
the village. He was then appointed District Surveyor and Government Land Agent , being for
some time engaged in the sale of land warrants. In 1853, he was appointed Inspector of Sur-
veys and Assistant Deputy United States Surveyor, which position he held until 1864, when he
was employed as mapping clerk in the Secretary of State's office at Madison. Here he was en-
gaged until January, 1874, arriving home the 8th of this month, and, after a brief illness, died
January 14, 1874. While in Mineral Point, the Major held various city offices, being its first
Mayor. He was a man of rare worth, of a naturally quiet disposition, hospitable, kind and gen-
erous to the deserving.
He was married in 1824, in Hartford, Conn., to Emaline M. Shepard, who is now livinc'
with her daughter in Mineral Point. The result of this union was a large family of children,
only four of whom survive — Charles T., now in Virginia City, Nev. ; Elizabeth, now Mrs. Craft,
at Woodland, Cal. ; Charlotta, now Mrs. Prideaux, at Mineral Point: and Francis A., now
Mrs. Van Buren, at Montfort, Grant Co., Wis.
628 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
EDWARD D. BEOUCHARD.
Edward D. Beouchard was born in Montreal, Canada, October 4, 1804, and died in Mineral
Point, Wis., on March 22, 1881. In the spring of 1816, when scarcely twelve years of age, he
" moved West," going' to the Selkirk Settlement on Red River, and from there to the Pacific
coast ; while there, he was employed by the Hudson Bay Fur Company, and, on their business
he traveled through the since celebrated auriferous Caribou Mountains. After enduring the
hardships of that then almost unknown country, he made his way East again by way of the
Selkirk Settlement, and, in the fall of 1819, he arrived at Prairie du Chien. He there engaged
as a boatman, in the employ of Jean Brunei and one Dishrow ; and, in the fall of 1822, Col.
Richard M. Johnson, of Kentucky, having hired a boat of Brunet and Disbrow for the purpose,
the boat commanded by Beouchard was sent with Col. Johnson, his men, tools and supplies to
Galena, where the Colonel purchased the celebrated " Buck Lead" from the Fox Indian of that
name. By direction of his employers, Beouchard sent the boat back to Prairie du Chien, remain-
ing with Col. Johnson's party. They erected three log cabins near the mine, and worked there
the succeeding winter. Then Beouchard was employed by A. P. Van Matre and David G. Bates
about their smelting works, near Galena, until the spring of 1826. That spring, in company
with eight others, he went on a prospecting tour, and they discovered the." New Diggings,"
where Beouchard had very good success. In the fall of 1828, after having discovered diggings
in Grant County, with others, he went to the Sugar River Diggings in Green County, where he
had very good diggings, and established a store or trading-post. This place he left in the spring
of 1832, so soon as he heard of the breaking-out of the Black Hawk war. After the war was
over, he returned to his trading-post at Exeter, in May, 1833, and found that during the war
the Indians had burned the buildings and destroyed all the property left there.
In his roving and trading life with the Indians, he had become familiar with their character,
habits and disposition ; partly knew several of their languages, and spoke the Winnebago language
like a native. Early in the war, he was actively serving his country as interpreter, express rider
and soldier under Gen. Dodge. When the militia was first organized at the Blue Mounds, he
was elected First Lieutenant of the company in " Mound Fort," at that place. Under the
authority of Gen. Dodge and Col. Gratiot, then Indian Agent, he recruited and commanded
fifty or sixty friendly Winnebagoes, who did good service during the war ; and it was Beouchard
who sent out the Winnebago chief, Wa-kon-kah, with others, to rescue the Hall girls from the
Sacs ; an,d it was he, who, on 3d of June, 1832, bravely rode out to the Indians, and brought
into the " Mound Fort " the captured Hall girls, who, on May 22, 1832, at Indian Creek, near
Ottawa, 111., witnessed the cruel butchery of ther parents, brothers and sisters and others (fifteen
in all), and had been carried into captivity by the Sacs. If a fearless rider was wanted, who
would faithfully carry express, orders or news, through a foe-ambushed country, from one fort to
another, or to undertake any dangerous mission, the writer has heard Gen. Dodge say that he
could always rely on Beouchard.
On June 6, 1832, the Indians killed James Aubrey, who was the Captain at Mound Fort ;
at Mrs. Aubrey's request, Beouchard started by himself to get the body of Aubrey ; before
going, he requested Lieut. Force to accompany him, but the Lieutenant refused, and Beouchard
said to him, " that if he were killed and his body were only six feet off, he wouldn't get it."
After B. had gone a half mile on the way, two others from the fort joined him, and they
brought in the mutilated body of Aubrey. On June 20 after, Lieut. Force and one Green
were killed, Beouchard went out by himself and brought to his wife the horribly mutilated
remains of Green ; others in the Fort wanted him to bring in the body of Lieut. Force, saying
he ought not to hold spite against a dead man. He replied " that he would keep his word
whether a man was dead or alive," and Lieut. Force's body lay where it fell for four days, when
Gen. Dodge came to the Fort with some troops raised about Platteville, and buried it. The act
and remark were characteristic of the bravery and chivalrous honor of the man. After the war,
he mined at Dubuque until 1834, then at Mineral Point, New Diggings and Centerville, until
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 629
in 1847, when he joined Col. Collins' regiment of Illinois volunteers, and honorably served as a
soldier during the Mexican war. Since then he has resided in Mineral Point, except a few
years in Diamond Grove, most of the time being engaged in some business, until the last ten or
twelve years, during which time his health was so poor that he was obliged to retire from an
active life and rely for support upon the pension he had earned in the service of his country,
he, like nearly all the pioneers, being so possessed of generosity, hospitality, and all their accom-
panying virtues, that it was not possible for them to accumulate much of this world's goods.
He was married in 1852, and leaves surviving him a widow and five sons.
DR. SEORGE W. BURRALL.
Dr. Burrall was born at Stockbridge, Mass., October 18, 1824. His early education was
received in the common schools of his native place, and when twenty years of age he graduated
from Williams College. He then began the study of medicine with Dr. H. H. Child, an emi-
nent physician of Pittsfield, Mass., and graduated as an M. D. from the Berkshire Medical Col-
lege in 1847. After one year's successful practice in the famous Bellevue Hospital in New York,
he came West, locating at Perry, 111. Here his skill as a physician and admirable qualifications
as a man were soon recognized, and a brilliant future appeared before him. He remained here
but a year, however, when he came to Wisconsin in 1849, and settled at Dodgeville, and here
began the battle of life. His energetic character and practical ability soon secured to him
numerous friends and an extensive and lucrative practice.
His intellectual parts were more solid than showy, more useful than ornamental. His aim
was success, and he sought it in the slow but sure and solid pathways of industry and persever-
ance. He knew the race was not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong. He saw the prize
of victory in the far distance waiting for all who would labor to achieve it ; and he entered upon
the pursuit, not with the impulsive flights of genius, but with the steady gait of practical common
sense. He valued and appreciated learning in all its branches, and for all its legitimate purposes,
and strove patiently and laboriously to acquire an extensive knowledge of sound literature.
Dr. Burrall was gentle, courteous and truthful. There was no malignity in his nature. All
who knew him loved him. He was a gentleman, too, with graceful manners and refined tastes.
He was dignified without being pretentious, cheerful and sunny in his disposition, generous and
obliging, with a vein of quiet humor that made him a pleasant and welcome companion. In his
home he was hospitable to the last degree, and was never happier than when entertaining his
friends. He attracted friends to him and won their attachment by his magnetic influences, and
forever held them by his faithfulness to them under all circumstances.
In the death of Dr. Burrall, Dodgeville lost an enterprising and influential citizen — one
who was ever alive in advancing the interests of the village in which his Western home was
located. His zeal in promoting every village improvement never flagged, and his labors have been
effective in the procurement of many things that have resulted in the advancement of Dodge-
ville.
He was married on the 22d day of May, 1861, to Miss Hester Nelson, of Dodgeville.
The fruits of this union were two children — Lucy H. and George W., both of whom sur-
vive him.
For some time before his death the Doctor had been feeling unwell, but he was confident that
he would be able to answer a portion of his numerous professional calls, and while attending a
sick child in the village, on the evening of March 8, 1881, was suddenly stricken with an apo-
plectic fit. After being removed to his home, there was a slight rallying from this prostration,
but only suflScient to kindle a hope inthe minds of his anxious friends to be immediately blasted.
The best of medical skill and the kindest attention that friends could bestow were of no avail.
Death had marked him as an early victim, and no human power could save him. He died March
9, 1881.
The funeral ceremonies were imposing. People came from all parts of the county to pay
their last tribute of affection to their deceased friend, attesting the deep re«pect in which he was
630
HISTOEY or IOWA COUNTY.
held while living. There was hardly a town in the county that was not represented at the fu-
neral, and the Doctor's spacious residence afforded room for but a small portion of those present.
Thus passed away from earth and friends a kind and affectionate husband, a considerate
and indulgent father, a generous and obliging citizen.
On a sunny slope in Dodgeville Cemetery, in that " windowless palace of rest," lies all that
was mortal of Dr. George W. Burrall. The hands of affection will plant shrubs around it,
" And the prairie's sweet wild flowers
In their odorous beauty around it wave,
Through all the sunny hours —
The still, bright sunny hours ;
And the birds shall sing in the tufted grass,
And the neotar-laden bee,
With his dreamy hum, on his gauze wings pass.''
3^ c/Thl^^tf^
\A I N E [\ A L POINT.
OHAPTEE XII.
MINERAL POINT.
Uncle Sam's Donation— First Subvkys and Entries— The Public Square Imbroglio— Min-
eral Point Before '32— Who was the First Settler V-The First Notable Events—
The Black Hawk War— A Celebrated Tavern— The Old Jail and Other Notes.
Mineral Point of to-day necessarily enjoys a place in the annals of Wisconsin as distinctive
as it is prominent, with relation to the first settlement of the State not only, but in consideration
of the various mineral resources of this locality, from which the name was derived, and which
were the primary forces that attracted the first white men hither, and that still constitute a
large part .of the wealth of this community.
The city lies nearly midway between Galena and the Wisconsin River, it being thirty-five
miles north from the former, and about thirty miles south from the latter. It is also fifty-five
miles southwest from Madison, the capital of the State, and 180 miles northwest from Chicago,
the inland metropolis of the United States, with which it is connected by direct railroad commu-
nication. The city, which is built on the summits and in the intervening valleys of several hills
and ridges, is situated in the very heart of the lead, copper and zinc mining district of Wiscon-
sin, of which it has been the acknowledged center for the last forty or fifty years.
The ground where the city stands, and for miles adjacent, is the depository of rich and
extensive lodes of precious mineral deposits, from which, more especially in years gone by, have
been derived large revenues. In reality, until within a comparatively short period, the source
of income to the inhabitants was pre-eminently that obtained from the mines. But at the pres-
ent time agricultural pursuits obtain principally throughout the county, although there is some
prospecting and mining being done, but not on an extensive scale.
In point of beauty of location, very few places in the State can boast of more attractive and
picturesque surroundings than environ Mineral Point of to-day. The chief elevation in the city
is sufficiently high to afford an extended view in nearly every direction, and from which may be
scanned at will stretches of scenery of unusual loveliness and variety. The place exhibits the
effects of age, and, in the irregularity of its streets and alleys, shows the nature of its first set-
tlement, which was evidently without plan or forethought. Very few of the squatters who were
the first comers thought of or cared for the future of the place or country, and, therefore, built
their cabins and commenced digging on the grounds hap-hazard, or on whatever spot suited
them best. Eventually, when the lands came into market, the surveys were made in accordance
with this state of affairs and the lay of the country ; and, as a consequence, the city is cut up
by streets and narrow alleys into all sorts of shapes. To the eye of an admirer of the old and
unique, this very want of uniformity is highly pleasing, as the novelty of appearance that invests
nearly everything here is radically diff"erent from that of the ordinary modsrn village or city, and
consequently possesses a charm peculiarly its own.
On High and Commerce streets, the business thoroughfares, there are a large number of
as handsome and substantial stone and brick blocks as can be found anywhere in the West, and,
in the retired parts of the town, may be seen very many elegant residences, surrounded by beau-
tifully shaded grounds, the abodes of wealth, and emblematic, in their general aspect, of the cul-
tivated and refined tastes of their owners.
The inhabitants embrace several nationalities, among which the English and Germans pre-
dominate. It is very apparent that they are divided into various social and religious cliques, to
a remarkable extent, as might be expected in a place over half a century old ; but, as is usually
the case, not in such a manner as to promote the general interests of the community to the full-
652 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
est extent. However, the general tone of society is exceedingly good ; in fact, in the moral
attributes, far above the average. Their churches are numerous and well patronized, and the
schools are as good and well sustained as any in the State.
In manufactures and commerce, more especially the latter, a very extensive business is
being done for an inland town, which, according to general statistics, has been very uniform
for the past ten or fifteen years, and generally profitable.
UNCLE SAM'S donation.
Mineral Point, in connection with a few other places in the Northwest that sprang into-
existence at a very early date, was in its infancy, an especial favorite or protege of " Uncle
Sam," and received such attentions or bequests as would make the hearts of any people glad.
That this place became the object of such consideration, in the shape of a large gift of land, or
the proceeds of the sale of a large tract of land, seems singular ; particularly in consideration
of the fact that the country was found to be so rich in mineral products as to attract large
numbers of adventurers hither, long before anything like a village had sprung up, and who, it
may be added, were very often substantially rewarded for attempting fickle fortune by indulging
in a miner's sanguine hopes, and opening mineral claims in the wilderness.
But, as is often said, "one cannot have too much of a good thing," and that Mineral Point
was so lucky as to come into possession of a small part of the public domain without price is
only a matter for congratulation. Likewise, if that august representative of the people before
mentioned, should take as beneficent an interest in towns generally, as was manifested here, or
is exerted for the benefit of "poor and needy " railroad corporations (never too little, often too
much), there would doubtless be many a happier community than can be often found in this
State or elsewhere.
It appears that the early miners had claims scattered here and there about the " Point,"
staked out to suit their fancy, on an area of about eighty acres, now within the corporate limits
of the city. This portion of country was surveyed by Charles Bracken as early as 1835, for the
settlers or miners, without reference to Government authority, for the purpose of placing limits
or boundaries for future claimants to be guided by. At that time, this land was not in the mar-
ket, having been reserved by the Government oflScials as mining lands. Therefore, those who
were here then were simply tenants at will, commonly called squatters, and not until 1837 was
a foot of land entered in the village. But, previous to that time, an act was passed by the Senate
and House of Representatives of the United States, published July 2, 1836, making especial
provisions for the survey and sale of the lands at Fort Madison, Burlington, Bellevue, Dubuque,
Peru and Mineral Point.
The bill provided that the land where these places stand should be laid ofi", under the direc-
tion of the Surveyor General, into lots, streets and avenues, in comformity with the lay of the
claims generally, and according to the just rights of the settlers. Not more than 640 acres could
be thus appropriated for any place, and the inner town lots could not exceed one-half acre in size,
and the outer lots were limited to four acres. A plat of the survey was to be returned to the
Secretary of the Treasury, and, within six months, the lots were to be sold a.t auction to the
highest bidder, under the direction of the President, as he should think fit ; provided, " that no
lot shall be sold for less than $5."
The lots were to be set off into three classes, according to their relative value on account of
situation and eligibility for business purposes, without regard to improvements that had been
made thereon.
Those who were occupants of or claimants to the lots, previous to the act, could, for them-
selves or through their representatives, make purchase of their claims at the rate of $10, $20 and
$40 per forty acres, according to the relative value of the land, but none of the persons aforesaid
could enter more than an acre. An appropriation of $3,000 was made to defray the expenses of
the survey. In connection with the above, an especial provision was made in the act, donating
a piece of land to the town, to be held forever as a nublic square.
HISTORr OF IOWA COUNTY. 653
An amendment to the act of July 2, 1836, was passed and approved March 3, 1837, by
which a Board of three Commissioners, two of whom constituted a quorum, were to be appointed
by the President, at a salary of $6 per day for service, to attend to or perform the duties for-
merly assigned to the Surveyor of the Territory, as they could not interfere with what had
already been done. They were required to take oaths for the faithful and impartial perform-
ance of their duties, and were authorized to hear and reduce to writing the evidence given in
support of claims, and to administer oaths and determine as to the validity of said claims. They
were to place on file all certificates of pre-emptors and pay for them to the Receiver of Public
Moneys, from whom they received a receipt, entitling the purchaser to a patent from the Gov-
ernment, as in the case of the sale of other public lands. After the Board of Commissioners
had determined upon all cases of pre-emption, the lots not taken were to be sold as at first pro-
vided, after advertising the same for three months in three public newspapers. After all contin-
gent expenses incident to the survey and sale of the land had been paid, the balance remaining
was to be remitted to the Receiver, who, in turn, was to pay the same to the Trustees of the
different interested towns, to be expended by them in the erection of public buildings, and mak-
ing street improvements, etc.
FIRST SURVEYS AND ENTRIES.
The first Government survey of the land was made by Garrett F. Vliet, in 1836, as appears
in a note on a certified copy of a plat or map of the survey, which dates back to September 5,
1837 — whether of the original survey alone, or of that and the one made in 1837, in connection,
does not appear. Subsequent to this, in the spring and summer of 1839, another survey of land
was made for the Mineral Point District, as the survey of Garrett F. Vliet covered but a small
portion of the tract allotted to the village by the United States Government. The last survey,
which was made by C. C. Harrison, covered all of the remaining territory allowed to the village,
and this, including the Vliet survey, is described as follows : " The south half of the northeast
quarter of Section 31 ; the southeast quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 31 ; and the
southeast quarter of Section 31, of Town 5, Range 3 ; and the west half of the northwest
quarter of Section 5, Town 4, Range 3 ; and the east half of the northeast quarter of Section
6 ; the east half of the northwest quarter of Section 6 ; and the northwest quarter of the north-
west quarter of Section 6, Town 4, Range 3." The Commissioners appointed by the Presi-
dent to attend to the sale of the land, were Geo. Cubbage, Wm. W. Carrell and M. M. McCarber.
The first entry of land pursuant to the above, was made by J. F. O'Niell, on the 5th day of
September, 1837 — on the day that the transcript or copy of the Vliet survey was received here.
The lots entered were 97, 98 and 110, on one of which O'Niel had already built a house. This
house is yet standing, a memento of the past, and is one of the oldest houses in the city. The
settlers were so anxious and alert to prove up on their claims, that, by the 30th of September,
after the first lots had been entered, eighty-two persons had made their claims good. No other
entries were made of lots in the village subsequent to this, until after C. C. Harrison's survey
had been made.
The names of the different parties who made entries on the first survey previous to September
30, 1837, were consecutively as follows : J. F. O'Neill, Milton Bevans, Abner Nichols, John
Bevans, B. L. Webb, Alexander Turner, J. L. Crocker, R. C. Hoard, William Sublitt, Jr., R. G.
Ridgeley, M. M. Strong, J. Catlin, John Milton, Nicholas Uren, Nicholas Curry, Thomas Cock-
ing, Edward Code, James Pascoe, J. D. Ansley, C. P. Burrows, George Hardy, David Kendall,
Richard Griddle, I. T. Lathrop, A. Garrison, James Wasley, Stephen Lean, Mark Terrill,
James Hitchins, Richard Martin, Joshua Bailey, Robert Gray, James Pascoe, Charles Etter-
shanks, H. R. Hunter, R. Goldsworthy, William Sublitt, M. M. Bishop, S. Thomas, W. Thomas,
J. Gordan, J. R. James, J. Milton, John Rich, W. Predieux, James Eneix, J. Brunette, W.
Ball, P. Hughs, M. V. B. Burriss, 0. P. Williams, B. Salter, William Henry, Edward Bivans,
J. Jenkins, S. and B. Thrasher, Thomas McKnight, Mark Terrill, Joseph Bailey, Francis
Vivien, Jo Tregaskis, William Sherman, M. Harris, R. W. Gray, F. Carter,. J. Huiiill, IJ.
Stephens, W. May, J. Caperly, W. Olney, J. Bennett, Abel Moore, William Moore, Enoch Long,
654 HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY.
William F. Managan, E. S. Baker, J. S. Bawden, G. B. Cole, Charles Louis, Robert Dougherty,
J. Hood, J. Tyac and H. Rablin.
The first entry was made on the Harrison survey on the 19th of July, 1839, by Andrew
Crowgay, who purchased Lot 130. The only other entries during this year were made before
the 30th of August, and were, with but few exceptions, in favor of assigns who had secured the
interests of different claimants. The legal provision made for assignees in the Government
grant afforded an excellent opportunity for speculators to make investments in claim assignments,
and then prove upon them, paying at the regular Government rates already described. This
would probably have been rendered impossible, had it not been for the interim between September
30, 1837, and July 19, 1839, during which time alarge number of persons who were justly enti-
tled to receive patents at the nominal prices provided for regular claimants, left the country.
Subsequent to 1839, entries made by assigns were made gradually less frequent, until they almost
entirely disappeared from the entry book. In 1839, forty-three individuals made entries, repre-
senting the claims of eighty four persons. Ten entries were made during 1840 ; then occurs an
interval of five years before any more were made. After this time, the entries of land in the
city were very frequent until the entire number of surplus lots left from the sales of 1837 and
1839 had been disposed of.
PUBLIC SQUARE IMBROGLIO.
In September, 1837, July, 1840, and December, 1844, the officers of the Land Office,
either through ignorance or intention, granted patents to Robert Dougherty, D. W. Jones and
the county of Iowa for the Mineral Point public square, contrary to the express stipulations of
the first land grant act. The square was divided into three parcels, that part upon which the
old court house stands being assigned to the county of Iowa, and the remainder being divided
between Dougherty and Jones, who at once proceeded to dispose of the property. The error
of this proceeding was doubtless known to many, and also the means by which it was brought
about in favor of the parties mentioned; but, as they had patents from the Government,
granted in due form, it was generally thought that nothing could be done to rectify the diffi-
culty ; and, furthermore, as the land was being disposed of for town scrip or almost anything
available, and, as it was especially desirous for building purposes, there were more who stood
ready to purchase than to condemn the public square gobble.
Nothing came of this matter until many years after, when the right of a public square
had not only ceased to be mooted, but a majority of the people had forgotten (if they
ever knew) that there had been such a thing reserved to the place. But they were doomed at
last to be rudely shaken from their repose and contentment, for, when the county seat was
removed from Mineral Point to Dodgeville, in July, 1860, the county claimed an indemnity for
their interest in the court house and the ground where it stands. This claim was repudiated by
the authorities of the village almost immediately after it was made, upon the ground that they
had contributed $1,500 toward the erection of the court house, and, besides that, the land
belonged to them beyond peradventure. The county authorities then brought suit for eject-
ment, and the war began in earnest. The case was finally tried in April, 1867, at the county
seat of La Fayette County, in order to secure an unbiased and equitable decision in the prem-
ises. The attorneys employed for the defense were M. M. Cothran, W. T. Henry and Judge
Dunn ; P. A. Osborne being employed by the county. The result was in favor of Mineral
Point, as it was shown by the defense in the evidence adduced, that the county, nor any individ-
ual had no right whatever to the public square, as it was the exclusive property of the village,
separate and independent of a patent, which could not take precedence of a special act
that went into effect before the patent was granted ; and said patent might have been secured
through an oversight at the land office or through the collusion of the district land office and
other parties.
The village and county eventually compromised such difference as it was conceded existed
between them in the possession of the court house, by the payment of $1,500 by the village.
And thus the matter was fully and finally settled, and the city left in the undisputed possession
HISTOBY or IOWA COUKTY. 655
of its ancient domain. The square, which is numbered as Block 53, is at present occupied by
the public buildings, and a large number of the best business houses in the city and a few pri-
vate dwellings.
MINERAL POINT BEFORE 1882.
Very many events of deep interest connected with the early settlement and growth of this
locality, must necessarily be irretrievably lost to history and the knowledge of men, owing to
time's all-pervading and omnipotent sway, against which, unhappily for civilization, there is no
perfect safeguard. Yet, fortunately for this place, there still remains enough of accurate and
positive information, embraced in the memories of early residents and visitors (scanty though
they be), together with the reminiscences of "ye ancient pioneer " who still haunts the scenes
of his youthful efforts, to give a faithful reflex of the past.
But, when viewed by the vision of to-day, which can only feebly scan its lineaments, that
past appears almost unreal, so great are the changes that have been wrought during the half-
century. However, it can be no exaggeration to say, in the words of the Roman slave, applied
here, that '• anything that belongs to humanity is not foreign " to Mineral Point.
As early as 1827, certainly, it was known among the miners of Galena that there was lead
ore to be found in abundance in Iowa County ; but that they then discovered mineral at the "Point"
does not seem so certain, although it is an established fact that large numbers of explorers
were wandering over the country during that year, in search of the mystic Masonic weed,
and must have dug here as well as elsewhere. Besides, the trail through Gratiot's Grove,
ShuUsburg and New Diggings to Sugar River, led directly through this part of the country,
and, according to the majority of accounts, directly over the site of the city. That route was the
most desirable, on account of Jerusalem Spring (as subsequently called) being one of the best
points for obtaining good water. Whether this was first an Indian trail or not, is immaterial to
the narrative, but in all probability it was, as it is a well-known fact that the Indians (as after-
ward ascertained), had been smelting lead near here, no one knows for how long a time before
the discoveries by white men in 1827. The principal point where the Indians smelted in this
vicinity was on the northeast corner of Section 31, at a place now known as the old Irish Dig-
gings, where there are yet relics of their primitive furnace.
As to whom, by right, belongs the distinction of having settled here first, according to the
data already mentioned, it is not easy to decide, as several conflicting statements have been made
by reliable parties, some of whom were on the ground at the time, and who are now living, and
can have had no possible motive for deception. In like measure, there are conflicting views as
to who first discovered mineral at the "Point." These differences of opinion can only be
accounted for on the hypothesis that some have remembered imperfectly, or, if not defective in
memory, they were not very observing of the movements of those who surrounded them — which
was especially necessary, in order to be able to speak accurately of matters at a time when
nearly all of those who came here were living in a transitory state, coming and going constantly.
It appears, from the general statements made, that mineral was not discovered here, or,
at least, was not known to have been discovered, until after several parties had built cabins.
That this could have been the case, seems hardly probable, as at that time mining was the chief obj ect
with those who came here and located, and, if there had been no degree of certainty, they would
hardly have been tempted to remain. Furthermore, many of those who were engaged in ex-
ploring, employed help, and invested considerable money, owing to the positive knowledge,
which was extant, that mineral had been found here, or in the vicinity, in paying quantities.
With regard to this matter, some say that the first explorations were made here entirely on the
strength of the stories current among the traders, and did not result in a discovery being made
at this place until 1828, while others aver that mineral was known to abound here, among the
regular miners, for some time previous, although no professed discovery had been made. How-
ever, in conclusion, it can only be said, that, so far as certain knowledge extends, the latter
opinion can scarcely be maintained, although it be the true one.
656 HISTORY OF IOWA COLTJSTTY.
WHO WAS THE FIRST SETTLER ?
The following representations concerning the early settlement, we present without comment,
as they are sufficiently explicit: Says Peter Parkinson, Jr., of La Fayette County : "Myfather,
D. M. Parkinson, and myself, removed to Mineral Point early in the spring of 1829, for the
purpose of starting a hotel at that place. When we arrived there, we found two cabins already
built and occupied. The first was erected in the summer or fall of 1827, by a Calvinistic
Baptist minister named William Roberts, and an associate, one Solomon Francis. The other
cabin or hut was owned by a German by the name of Christopher Law, and stood on land now
the property of Mr. Coade. My father then erected a comfortable log house, where James
James' harness-shop now stands. This dwelling, to the best of my recollection, was the
third building there, and the first public house, either at the 'Point' or in the county."
The first dwelling spoken of stood in the sequestered vale of Jerusalem, near the spring of the
same name, which bursts forth here, and which for many years was the village watering-place,
or fountain. The spring received its name through the devotional lays of Elder Roberts, who
used to make the hills and valleys resound with the song of "Jerusalem, my happy home."
One of the first streets, or, rather, paths, in the village, which have since become streets, trav-
ersed the valley of Jerusalem. The old spring, that perhaps witnessed the meeting of many a
modern Jacob and Rebecca, has fallen a victim to Time's inevitable changes, and has been super-
seded by a pump, that common contrivance of to-day. Thus is invaded "the grace of a day
that is dead," the type of the past.
In a memorandum made by Francis Henry, now in the possession of William T. Henry, he
says : " Squire Hoard came to Mineral Point on the 12th day of June, 1828, and built the first
cabin on the ground where Abner Nichols' tavern stood," which is now occupied by a livery
stable. " The next house," Mr. Henry continues, " was built by a man by the name of Tucker,
and stood where Lanyon's tin-shop now stands." "These and other notes were obtained,"
William T. Henry observes, "several years ago, for the purpose of preparing an historical lecture
or discourse," and, being derived from good authorities, at a time when a large number of the old
settlers were living, are undoubtedly entitled to due consideration.
"In July, 1828," says Edward Bouchard, who still lives here, "I camped at Mineral
Point one night while on my way to Sugar River, where I afterward took up my abode. At
that time, I saw no one at the Point, except three men, who were erecting a log cabin. I
remember only the names of two of them, Messrs. Blackstorie and McMurrish. I am quite cer-
tain that there were no other persons living at the Point then, for, so far as I am aware, min-
eral had not then been discovered here, and consequently nearly all of the miners, like myself,
were inclined to go where they were well assured lead had been found, rather than to spend their
time in prospecting. But, after all, the most of the people were coming and going from place
to place constantly, trying to find better diggings or locations, so you could hardly tell how long
your next-door neighbors were going to stop, and, in fact, it might be said that sometimes you
hardly knew who they were."
An opinion, which, at the present time prevails largely among the old residents of Min-
eral Point, perhaps more generally than any other, is that John Hood and wife were the first
permanent settlers here. Mrs. Hood lived until 1879, and always maintained that they were
the first permanent residents. They came here in the spring or summer of 1828, according to
the best accounts, from Missouri. Their first shelter was a hut made of poles and covered with
bark, in which they lived until a sod house could be erected that would afford them better pro-
tection. This cabin was 10x12 feet on the ground, and afforded them a dwelling-place for some
time. Although others may have been here and erected cabins previous to this, as stated, never-
theless it does not appear, from the evidence given, that there was what might be termed a per-
manent home made here before they came, simply because the " better-half" of a home had not
made her appearance in the wilderness up to that date. However, Mrs. Hood was not long the
onlv woman in the town, for Elder Roberts' family and others not known came during the
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 657
season, some of whom remained permanently. One evidence particularly in favor of Mrs. Hood
as the first woman here that deserves mention, is that she was acknowledged to have been entitled
to the grant of land from the Government for the first woman in this portion of the country.
Whether she ever received this or not, is not known. Mr. Hood labored at mining for others
for a time, together with prospecting for himself, until finally he struck a rich lead, which he
worked until his death, in 1844. During the Black Hawk war, he was a Lieutenant under
Gen. Dodge. At that time, Mrs. Hood is said to have been as valuable as a man in connection
with the garrison at this place, as she was a dead shot with a rifle, and did not hesitate to expose
herself outside of the fort whenever it was necessary. After the war, she established a board-
ing-liouse — the first of the kind ever presided over by a woman in this section.
THE FIEST NOTABLE EVENTS.
Early in the summer of 1828, Nat Morris came to the Point, and, soon after, he and two
other brother adventurers, Messrs. Tucker and Warfield, it is said, discovered the first lead on
Mineral Point hill, directly east of the city. The news spread like wild-fire, and, consequently,
during the following season, the influx of miners and settlers was quite numerous, and several
cabins were erected on either side of what is now Commerce street, and around Jerusalem
Spring. Of those who came some time in August of that year, R. 0. Hoard and John Long,
who was also one of the first arrivals, erected a furnace about two miles east of the Point. This
was the first furnace erected by white men in this vicinity, although within the season one or
two others were built. In this connection, perhaps it will not come amiss to make special
mention of Mr. Hoard, better known as Col. Hoard, as he was one of the best-known and most
influential of the first comers. He is described as having been a man of strong mind and ster-
ling qualities, true to his friends, and brave to defend the interests of the Commonwealth, as well
as his own. He participated in the Black Hawk war, as did nearly every one of the pioneers,
and served with distinction.
In the summer and fall of 1828, the first stock of merchandise was brought into the place
by Erastus Wright, and a man by the name of Guiard, whether as assistant or part owner, is
not known. The store building was a common log house. This was no ordinary enterprise for
those early days, taking a lot of goods out into a comparatively unknown country, for the accom-
modation of miners. After the opening of a store, Mineral Point began to assume a local dig-
nity and importance as a sort of commercial center for the surrounding country.
By some, it is thought that during this year (1828), the first Fourth of July was celebrated
here, but this is an error, as at that time there certainly were but few persons located here, and
those were doubtless composed as largely of foreigners as of Americans, or those who would
care to celebrate. The first and real patriotic demonstration occurred in 1829, when there were
quite a large number of people here to enter into such a fete with national spirit and zest.
In 1828, a physician located here in the person of Dr. Mannegan, and the following year Dr.
Justine came. Although these were undoubtedly the first physicians to locate, they were
not the first to come here, a Dr. Loofborrow, from Gratiot's Grove, being the first. What may
have been the practice especially followed by those sons of Esculapius is not known ; in all
probability, it was either " corn or calomel" — in other words, botanic corn-sweats and allopathic
calomel drenchings ; but in those days the man who depended solely on his saddle-bags for
bread and butter was apt to go lightly fed, no matter how good his practice or how great his skill.
In 1829, John D. Ansley, one of the noted first-comers, located at the Point and opened a
supply store, the second in the place, and, during the same year, the Dragoon Captain, John F.
0 Neil, began business here, He afterward became famous upon all occasions where local mili-
tary demonstrations, were indulged in. J. B. Terry, one of the exceptionally noted men of early
days, was another of the very first persons at the Point.
During that year, several events occurred, always notable in the annals of any community.
On November 29, 1829, John Tl eophilus Lawson Hood, son of John Hood and wife, was born
in the sod cabin already mentioned, he being the first white child born at Mineral Point.
658 HISTOBY OF IOWA COUNTY.
Some time during this year, Elder Roberts, who was a religious enthusiast, resolved to pro-
mote the moral interests of the place by erecting a building for the purpose of holding religious
services, and in which a school might be kept. It stood at the head of Jerusalem Valley,
probably near the present residence of M. M. Strong, and is described as having been quite
commodious for those times. The seats were puncheon benches after the usual fashion of stools,
holes being bored in each end of the stick, and pegs driven in for legs. As for the upper sur-
face of these seats, freedom from splinters would very likely have met with a frown, and a
cushion or other covering would have been deemed a frightful innovation. From that time on,
for several years, this rude structure was the general meeting-house and schoolhouse of the little
settlement, and doubtless served as useful a purpose at that time as would a more pretentious
edifice. The first religious service was probably held before this time, by Elder Roberts, in his
cabin or in the open air, where full liberty could be enjoyed. During this year, as elsewhere
stated, the first school was taught by Mrs. Harker.
In 1829, the first important social event was consummated at the "Point," in the marriage
of Miss Lovey Roberts, a daughter of Elder Roberts, to a stalwart young pioneer by the name
of Joshua Brown. Whether they received and delighted their guests by passing around
nutritious corn-bread and such other delicacies as the time, country and season afforded, or
whether they were interrupted in the enjoyment of hymeneal bliss. by the music of the festive
pan and horn, remains a mystery; suffice it to say, they were the first joined in wedlock.
While speaking of the general and marked events, the advent of the first lawyer must not
be forgotten. When a country gets to such a stage of development that a full-fledged and pro-
fessional son of law and order is required to oflSciate between the good and the bad in business
life, then there is prosperity abounding in the land beyond peradventure. The first of the
legal fraternity to open an office here was Mr. Burnett, who came in 1829. During the above
year the first Justice of the Peace was appointed, Robert Dougherty receiving the honor.
Thus we find the means for justice established in conjunction with the coming of the first
expounder of the law.
The first mechanics here were two blacksmiths named Duncan & Parker, who had a black-
smith-shop, certainly as early as 1830, and very likely as early as 1829. Previous to the com-
ing of these blacksmiths, the miners were either obliged to trudge off or send away to get their
tools sharpened, or they had to manage for themselves as best they could. James James, who
still lives here, bought out the above firm in 1832, and was for many years the leading
mechanic. The first good carpenter or house-builder, was a man by the name of Anderson, who
came here in 1834.
Says D. N. Parkinson, in a memoir of 1829: "Mineral Point was then the great center of
attraction to all miners. Some of the largest leads were then struck and extensively worked,
and quite a number of mining and smelting establishments were erected there and in that vicin-
ity. * * * Business was of the most animated character; the town grew up
with great rapidity, and every thing wore the most pleasing and encouraging aspect."
However, this prosperity, it appears from general accounts, was of but short duration, for,
in the fall and winter of that year the inhabitants experienced, in common with the entire lead-
mining region, very rigorous times. So hard were they that at one time the prospect was fair for
a general migration to lands where more and better food could be obtained. Provisions were so
high, and lead so low (see general history) that all, without distinction, were compelled to sub-
sist upon the most meager fare. The growth of the place during the two ensuing years, owing
to the depression in the lead market, was very slow, there being no real stimulant to immigration.
Of those who certainly came in previous to 1832, who have not been named, and who sub-
sequently remained, we are enabled to mention J. H. Gentry, R. H. Kirkpatrick, Abner
Nichols, the noted boniface; William Sublitt, R. S. Black, Levi Sterling, A. W. Comfort,
John McNair, Dr. Ed McSherry, Ben Salter, John Milton, M. G. Fitch, H. R. Hunter^
Edward James, Lord Blaney (the poet), William S. Hamilton, Thomas McKnight, R. W. Gray^
S. B. Thrasher, Mark and Stephen Terrill.
HISTOKY OF IOWA COUNTY. 659
As is generally known, the seat of justice of Iowa County was established first at Mineral
Point, by a convention held here in 1829. In 1830, the first steps were taken by the public author-
ities to subserve the ends of justice, by providing what was eventually known as the magisterial
"coop," a small building, which was purchased from a man by the name of J. B. Cole, for $50.
The name was probably given on account of a humorous episode in connection with the official
duties of Robert Daugherty, which at that time were extremely onerous, and were doubtless some-
what irregularly performed. Papers were issued for the arrest of some one for stealing, or a
similar misdemeanor. These were deposited in a barrel in the coop or jail, and left to be used
the next day; but lo! in the morning, when the jail was unlocked, the needed deposit was gone,
some one having run an arm through a crack between the logs and taken it out of its receptacle.
As a matter of course, there was a stay in the proceedings, enabling the criminal to escape, as
the prosecuting party was not promptly on hand. Such incidents in early times were not rare,
as nearly all legal business was conducted sans souci.
THE BLACK HAWK WAR.
In 1832, the little settlement was startled from its equanimity, and forced to turn attention
to providing means for defense, by the Indian war of 1832, familiarly known as the Black Hawk
war. During the three months of hostilities, nothing occurred here especially worthy of note,
aside from what is mentioned in the general history of the events of that period, in which Iowa
County figured extensively, this section of the State being the seat of the difficulty. The ground
occupied by the old fort and stockade, on the corner of Fountain and Commerce streets, near where
the principal part of the cabins then stood, has since been leveled down to a considerable extent,
and utilized for various building purposes. The old block-house, or one of the block-houses,
stood for many years, a reminder of the perils of a frontier life, but at this time scarcely a stick
or stone remains to suggest a thought of the past and its rough and bitter experiences. So
rapidly does the current of passing events carry us on and away from the old to the new and
ever-present occurrences, that yesterday soon becomes obsolete.
Immediately after the close of the war, the miners again resumed the pick and gad, and
went on with their work as though nothing of great moment had occurred to disturb their
serenity or abate their cheerfulness ; and scarcely had the sound of the rifle and war-whoop
ceased before fresh arrivals of miners came pouring in from England and the South and East in
unprecedented numbers ; and, before the season was over, in almost every direction on the hills
might be seen heaps of earth, marking the spots where sturdy adventurers were despoiling
mother earth of her mineral resources or sinking their own. At this time. High street was cov-
ered with brush and miner's pits, there being scarcely a cabin in sight.
The principal business houses at this time were those already mentioned, besides two addi-
tional establishments operated by Ben Salter and John Milton. There was also one good tavern
kept by Abner Nichols and one or two other small affairs of similar pretensions, together with
groceries and "tiger dens," those very necessary adjuncts to the perfection and good fellowship
of a mining camp.
From 1832 to 1839 or 1840, the progress of the locality toward the ne plus ultra of excel-
lence in the social and moral attributes inseparable from a community made up of miners, was
as marked as was the constant influx of inhabitants. During the day, it was hard work, and
during the night and Sundays, revelry marked the hours — revelry of such a character as can
only be understood by those who have witnessed what is familiarly known in mining regions as
"bucking the tiger." All was activity and excitement; money was plenty, and of care,
apparently, there was none. All sorts and kinds of demonstrations were indulged in, and such
wild and harum-scarum amusements as would make " each individual hair " of an ordinary civilian
stand on end. To illustrate the style of celebrating on some occasions, a brief description is
presented of one given in 1834 in honor of the battle of Bad-ax.
Probably there had not been any demonstration of a public character previous to this time
of much magnitude, so it was determined by the entire community that they would indulge in a
660 HISTORY or IOWA COUNTY.
grand barbecue, with roast ox and everything on a magnificent scale. Uncle Ab Nichols was
the presiding genius at the feast, than whom none better could have been found in the State, and
Capt. John O'Neill was Marshal of the Day, and general master of ceremonies. At the proper
hour, he, in company with a noble band of "dragoons" arrayed in fan-tailed jackets of blue,
with peaked hats on their heads, from which fluttered red feathers, and armed and accoutered
with a nondescript collection of muskets, shot-guns, horse-pistols, old army sabers and the like ;
mounted on " slim, slick and slender," long-eared and short-tailed nags, rode forth to meet
Gen. Dodge, the principal figure of the occasion, and escorted him to the scene of opera-
tions. But who can adequately portray the scenes of the day ; there was speech-making by
Gen. Dodge, D. M. Parkinson and many others ; then, feasting in the open air under a protec-
tion of boughs, erected on the banks of Mineral Point Branch, just opposite the end of High
street, which concluded with a dance that was begun as soon as dinner was over and continued
until the following day, when the fiddler was exhausted and they had to stop. During the day,
the cannon which was being fired ceaselessly in honor and commemoration of almost everything
to be thought of, was finally loaded nearly to the muzzle, and the grand explode of the occasion
took place, the engine of destruction being blown into pieces.
The crowd was immense for that time; yet that was nothing strange, for nearly everybody
was present from within twenty-five to forty miles around. Those who were there, will never
forget the occurrences of that day, for they probably never experienced the like before or
since.
The first copper ore was discovered here as early as 1833, by William Kendall and James
Nicarow, about a mile northeast of the city. During that or the following year, J. D. Ansley
erected a copper or smelting furnace about three miles south of the city, near the line of the
railroad, relics of which are yet to be seen. Within a few years after this time, the copper min-
ing and smelting industry reached a considerable magnitude, but by 1855 it had almost ceased,
and has never since been resurrected ; yet, in all probability, within a few years, the work will
be resumed to a large extent, for, beyond a peradventure, there is plenty of copper here still.
In 1834, the people were afflicted with the cholera which raged here for a considerable
time, but not to such a fearful extent as on subsequent occasions.
The first stone house was erected this year for Mr. Wasley. The next one was built in
1886, and was the beginning of the old Washington Hotel.
In 1835, the first manufacturing enterprise was begun in the place by John Phillips, who
started a small brewery near Mineral Point mill, east of the end of High street. This estab-
lishment was continued for a good many years without a rival. As to the merit of the beer
manufactured or the method employed, tradition is silent, but probably it was brewed in com-
mon kettles, and was an indescribable tonic. There are now two brewing establishments in the
city doing an extensive business.
The people of Mineral Point during the winter of 1835 determined to have a sleigh ride,
or rather, as it turned out it should be denominated, a snow ride. A thoroughly ripe and well-
dried bullock's hide was procured, and one of the few available nags of the place brought round
and geared to it with ropes, the hair side being laid next to the ground. When everything was
ready, a half-dozen or more of men and women embarked on the novel conveyance, and, accord-
ing to all accounts, enjoyed a most delightful as well as novel time.
Says Stephen Taylor, who came here in 1835, the nucleus of the town was formed by the
erection of a few small log cabins and huts built with square-cut sod, covered with poles, prairie
grass and earth. These comfortable though temporary shelters were located in the vicinity of the
intersections of what are now called Commerce and High streets, at the margin of the westerly
ravine, and in view from the diggings on the " Point."
Females, in consequence of the dangers and privations of those primitive times, were as
rare as snakes upon the Emerald Isle ; therefore the bachelor miner, from necessity, often per-
formed the domestic duties of cook and washerwoman. The preparation of meals was indicated
by appending a rag to an upright pole, which, fluttering in the breeze, telegraphically conveyed
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 661
the glad tidings to the men at work on the hill. Hence, this circumstance, at a very early
date, gave the provincial sobriquet of " shake-rag," or " shake-rag under the hill."
It is stated that this appellation was conjured up in the fertile brain of " Uncle Ab
Nichols," who was ever alive to any occurrence that furnished food for diversion. At that time,
the best society of the place amused itself by inventing choice nicknames and perpetrating
practical jokes, many of which the old settlers recount with the utmost gusto, thus living over
and enjoying the experiences of the pioneer days.
The same writer goes on : " The continued prosperity of the mines, in a comparatively
brief period increased the population of the village to several hundred, comprised, as usual in
mineral regions, of representatives from every clime and country, and in such conglomeration,
it is fair to suppose, of every stripe of character. This increase of population, including many
of those expert in the ' profession,' warranted the establishment of numerous gambling saloons,
or groceries, a refined name for groggeries and other similar place of dissipation and amusement,
where the unwary and those flushed with success in digging could be ' taken in and done for,
or avail themselves of opportunities to voluntarily dispose of their accumulated means, either
in drowning their sorrows in the bowl or ' fighting the tiger.' "
These congenial customs, peculiarly Western, were as firmly based as the laws of the Medes
and Persians, and woe to those, from lands of steadier habits, who would endeavor to introduce
innovations adverse to the established policy of those days.
A CELEBRATED TAVERN.
The place in early times around which centered the greatest interest was Uncle Ab Nich-
ols' tavern, called the "Mansion House." This hostelry was known far and wide as the best
place in the lead-mining district to pass the night or to obtain a meal, and, as for the landlord,
he was the embodiment of a perfect host ; one who always served his guests with the best he
could get ; who never overcharged, and who never refused lodging or food to any one, whether
they had money or not. No man ever lived in Mineral Point who was more universally
liked.
The following selections from an article by S. M. Palmer, who visited the Point in 1836,
will convey additional information regarding the place about that time :
" Mineral Point, or, as it was more generally called, ' Shake-Rag,' at the time of which I
write, was indeed a most humble and unpretending village in appearance, and was rendered
peculiarly so by the fact that its few scattered log huts or shanties were principally ranged
along a deep gorge or ravine, at the foot of an elevated and most desirable town site, through
which the principal street wound its sinuous way. At the evening hour, when the miners and
workmen returned from their daily labor, there was in the street a throng of hale, hearty men,
their faces, it is true, begrimed with dirt, but with cheerful, laughing countenances, imparting
an air of general prosperity and happiness, which a further acquaintance with the place and its
inhabitants fully confirmed." Speaking of Uncle Ab Nichols' tavern, which was then about
the only good one in the place, he says :
" The principal features of the house were a spacious dining-room, where all met on
an equality at meal time around a bountifully filled table ; and, on the same floor, an equally
capacious saloon, filled with beds, and alike free to all. Here the gentleman who first retired
for the night could do so under the grateful delusion that he was to enjoy the comforts
of a good bed alone. Yet, before morning, he would most likely find himself sharing his com-
forts with as many bed-fellows as could possibly crowd themselves alongside of him, some of
them, probably, in a condition to render them entirely oblivious to the fact that they had
'turned in' without the usual formality of divesting themselves of hat, coat, pants or boots."
The liquor taken in by the patrons of this hotel was usually kept in "groceries" conven-
iently near, and presumably at times there was some to be had without going to the groceries.
One of those institutions is described as having been connected with the hotel, where all sorts
of amusements were indulged in. The following spicy sketch of a night spent here in 1837 is
662 HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY.
from the pen of A. F. Pratt, of Waukesha, in this State, which was published some years ago
in the Waukesha Plaindealer. It is doubtless overdrawn, but not without truth :
We arrived at the Point a little after dark on Sunday evening, and were conducted into a
room at the principal hotel, kept by Mr. Nichols, where were all kinds of fun, sports and music
going on. Such a sight as presented itself to our view we never saw before or since. It seemed
that the miners were in the habit of assembling there on Saturday nights to drink, gamble and
frolic until Monday morning. The house was composed of three or four log cabins put together,
with passage-ways cut from one to the other. The bar-room in which we were sitting contained
a large bar well supplied with liquors. In one corner of the room was a faro-bank, discounting
to a crowd around it ; in another corner a roulette, and in still another sat a party engaged in
playing cards. One man sat back in a corner playing a fiddle, to whose music two others were
dancing in the middle of the room. Hundreds of dollars were lying on the tables, and among
the crowd were the principal men of the Territory — men who held high and responsible oflSces
(then and afterward). Being pretty much worn out by our journey, we expressed a wish to
retire ; the landlord then showed us through a dark room and opened a door of another, in
which two men were also playing at cards, while a third lay drunk on the floor. The landlord
sat down his light, seized the drunken man by his collar and dragged him into the next room,
then returned and informed us we could choose between the beds, there being two in the room,
and bid us good night. We sat down upon the side of the bed and began to figure in our mind
upon the chances. We had several hundred dollars in our pockets which we had brought with
us for the purpose of entering land, and we imagined that in case they should get " short " they
might " call" for our pile.
After studying awhile we threw down the outside blankets and quietly crawled into bed
with our clothes on, except cap and boots. We had a good bowie-knife in our belt, and a pistol
in each pocket, so we clasped a pistol in each hand, and in this way we lay until daylight, and
a longer night we never wish to see. When daylight made its appearance, we got up and found
our room-mates were still playing cards. On going out to the bar-room, we found that the
crowd had mostly disappeared ; there were here and there one or two asleep around the room,
and all was still. The next day * * * we entered our lands and returned to the Blue
Mounds, where we laid in a store of provisions and left for home, which we reached in four days,
having learned the way, the fare, the manners and customs of the miners, and having seen
enough in a new country to last us from that time to the present."
THE OLD JAIL AND OTHEE NOTES.
Says Mr. Palmer, in his interesting reminiscence :
"Among the other evidences of the rude and primitive condition of the town was the
almost unceasing howling and barking of wolves during the night, around and within its very
borders, sounding, at times, as though the town was invested by scores of the brutes, much to
the alarm and annoyance of timid strangers. The municipal arrangements of the town and
county were by no means so systematic and perfect as in some older and more experienced com-
munities, nor were the court house and jail particularly adapted to the uses for which they were
intended. The jail (or, rather, pen) was constructed of rough, unhewn logs, some ten or twelve
feet square, with a roof, as I now remember it, of flattened logs, the interior of a height barely
sufficient to admit of a man standing upright in it, and a door made of boards about an inch
thick, which was hung with wooden hinges, and fastened on the outside with a chain and ordi-
nary padlock.
" On one occasion, during my residence in that region, the strength of the bastile was ludi-
crously tested, and from that time declared an unsafe depository for experienced and daring
criminals. It was after this wise : A long, lank ' Yankee,' as he was called, being arrested on
a charge of horse-stealing, was committed to prison to await a hearing on the following morning,
but, miraculous as it would seem, when morning came, one corner of the prison was found raised
up and secured by a stake or stone, some twelve or fifteen inches above the surface of the earth.
HISTOBY OF IOWA COUNTY.
663
and lo! the bird had flown. The fugitive was pursued by Sheriff Gentry, I think, and his oflS-
cers, in different directions, but, so far as I was informed, made good his escape."
One of the amusing, yet sad, occurrences of the early days here, and which exhibits both
the improvidence of the miners as well as the scarcity of lumber, is illustrated by the following :
In the fall of 1836, a man died in the place, who had no interested friends to attend to his
burial. As a consequence, the matter was referred to the public, and a man by the name of
Ben Martin employed to make the coflSn ; but alas ! when it came to that, there was no lumber.
As certain ends justify almost any means, it was decided by the parties in authority that the
lumber must be filched from the county court house ; but, when it came to getting it, lo ! there
were only two or three small planks. These were taken, and, with such pieces as could be
obtained from broken boxes, were pieced together, and thus the burial-casket was made. How-
ever, it is fair to presume the one who rested therein slept as serenely as though he had laid on
velvet and lace.
Of the sturdy men who came here before 1836, who are remembered for their ster-
ling qualities of heart and head, there were a noble host, the most of whom have long since
paid the debt of nature. To give the names of all of those known and endeared to the
men and women of to-day, would be a pleasant task could it be performed, but to attempt such a
feat would be folly ; therefore, such as have enjoyed exceptional prominence, and were best
known, are mentioned : Peter Hartmann, James Hitchins, Nicholas Uren, John Philips, Will-
iam Henry, John Caserly, J. S. Bawden, E. B. Corson, Richard Martin, Josiah Tyack, J. F.
Dunn, Milton Bevans, Samuel Thomas, Henry Fake, M. V. Burris, George Cubbage, James
Hugo, Stephen' Taylor, Henry Plowman, H. B. Welch, Curtis Beech, Ed Coade, P. W.
Thomas, D. W. Jones, Stephen Prideaux, Joseph Tregaskis, John Phillips and Maj. Legate.
CHAPTER XIII.
MINERAL POINT AS A BOROUaH.
FiBST Ordinances and Coeporation Money— Business Condition in 1837— An Englishman's
Observations— The Bank of Mineral Point— The Trial and Hanging of CAFFf:E—
Border Justice and Vendettas— A French Prince Visits the Borough— The Califor-
nia Exodus— A Mineral Point Craft and Her Adventures— California Emigrants.
While the amendment bill to the first act of Congress, approved July 2, 1836, which passed
March 3, 1887, was yet pending, the representative men of Mineral Point, in anticipation of
the passage of the bill, discussed the best means to be adopted for the proper and judicious man-
agement of their pecuniary affairs. They finally called a meeting, to be held at the house of
Abner Nichols on the 18th day of March, 1837, for the purpose of taking into consideration the
exigencies of their situation, and the propriety of organizing a village or borough government.
It may be well to describe briefly, at this point, the chief desideratum involved. The town
would, in the event of the passage of the amendment pending, be able to command the money
to accrue from the sale of the land donated, after sales and returns were made, and would neces-
sarily need an eflicient village board to manage its disbursement. Not only that, but it, would
require a system based upon the public needs, which could only be decided to the satisfaction of
the general public by deliberation and experience.
After the meeting had been called to order, and a short preliminary discussion of the vari-
ous points deemed important, it was resolved by acclamation that the inhabitants should incor-
porate as a borough, under the provisions of an act of the Council and Representatives of the
Territory of Wisconsin, approved Dec. 6, 1886, entitled "An act to incorporate the inhabitants
of such towns as wish to be incorporated."
This bill provided that the white male population, over 21 years of age and exceeding 300
in number, having been residents of a place for six months, could assemble in some public place,
after ten days' notice of the meeting had been given, and decide viva voce whether they would
be incorporated or not. A chairman and clerk of the meeting was to be then elected, and the
latter was required to give five days' notice of the election (by ballot) of the ofiicers. Five
Trustees were to be elected, who were required to select one from among their number as Chair-
man, and the village or borough was thereafter to be known under the corporate head of the
President and Trustees. The ofiicers were empowered to manage the fiscal, municipal and pru-
dential afiairs of the place, and make such ordinances as might be deemed necessary for the
improvement and protection of the borough that were not inconsistent with the constitution of
the United States and the Territorial laws of Wisconsin. The Trustees could define the bound-
aries of the place within two miles, and could collect a tax from residents for the public use not
to exceed 50 cents on $100, assessed valuation, or 25 cents on $100 of personal property. The
streets were to be kept clean, and each adult male citizen was to work on them two days during
each year. Sidewalks could be built by the owner of walks paying half. Fines for breach of
ordinances could be made by the Justice of the Peace, and could not be under $10, nor more
than $20. The Trustees, who were elected each year, appointed a Clerk and Treasurer and
other ofiicers, who were required to give bonds for the faithful performance of their duties.
The corporation could be dissolved at any time by a two-thirds vote of the qualified electors
of a borough, after thirty days' notice had been given in three newspapers advertising the inten-
tion, time and place of meeting.
The first Trustees elected were Thomas McKnight, President ; Abner Nichols, 0. P. Will-
iams, Francis Vivian and John D. Ansley, Trustees. A meeting of the board was held on
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 665
the 21st of March following the election, when they were sworn to the duties of their office. At
that meeting, D. G. Fenton was elected Clerk of the board.
On the 22d of March, 1837, the first official meeting of the board was held. At this time,
Parley Eaton and Joseph Galbraith were appointed Assessors ; Thomas Denson, Collector, and
D. W. .Jones, Treasurer. The two latter were required to give bonds in $3,000 each.
At a meeting of the Trustees held at the house of Francis Vivian on March 25, 1837,
surities were presented by Thomas Denson and D. W. Jones, as follows :
Know all men by these Presents, That we, Thomas Denson, D. M. Parkison and William Manncgan, are held and
firmly bound, to the President and Trustees of the town of Mineral Point, in the just and full sum of $3,000 lawful
money of the United States, for the true and faithful payment of which we do bind ourselves, our heirs, executors,
administrators or assigns. In witness whereof, we have hereunto set our hands and seals, this 25th day of March,
A. D., 1837.
The condition of the above obligation is such that if the above Thomas Denson shall, with fidelity, perform the
duties of Collector, to the said President and Trustees of Mineral Point for one year from this date, and shall pay
over all moneys as soon as by him collected to the Treasurer of said board, and do all'things justly and faithfully,
which shall and do appertain to his said office of Collector, then this obligation to be void ; otherwise to be and re-
main in full force and virtue.
Signed in presence of David D. Jones, D. G. Fenton. [Signatures],
Thomas Denson,
D. M. Parkison,
Approved by the board this 25th of March, 1837, H. F. Monaoan.
D. G. Fenton, Clerk.
The bond of D. W. Jones is almost a literal copy of the foregoing, with the names of D.
W. Jones, M. V. Burris and Stephen Taylor as bondsmen. It was resolved by the board at
this time, that D. W. Jones should receive 2 per cent on all the treasury notes indorsed or kept
by him ; it was also resolved that the Treasurer should receive 1 J per cent on all disbursements
made by him, as compensation for his services.
A. W. Mills was appointed Constable at the above meeting, being required to give bonds
for the privilege of attending to the peace of the community.
FIRST ORDINANCES AND CORPORATION MONEY.
Subsequent to the appointment of the Clerk, Treasurer, Collector, Assessors and Constables,
on the 20th of May, 1837, such ordinances were passed as determined the various duties of
those officers, and, on the 9th of May following, ordinances for the preservation of peace and
good order were adopted. From the ordinance for suppressing noises and disturbances, we make
a few selections that will illustrate how thorough the provisions were, as well as their oddities :
People restrained within the corporation boundaries from blowing horns, trumpets or other
instruments or engines ; from the rattling of drums, kettles, pans, tubs or other sounding ves-
sels ; from bellowing, bawling, howling, swearing, or using tumultuous or obscene language ; and
from quarreling, scolding, fighting, etc.
By a special ordinance, passed in September, 1837, the treasury department was author-
ized to issue corporation money, or notes. These notes were issued to obtain needed funds for
public uses previous to the receipt of money from the sale of the corporation land, through which
the issue was justified and payment guaranteed to the holders. Just how much scrip was issued
is not known, but, from October 1, to December 9, 1837, the Treasurer's report shows that
$17,043 of corporation money was out. According to a note made in the entry book by D. W.
Jones, on the 4th day of August, 1838, we are informed that C. Loyd and D. G. Fenton told
him to issue more of the corporation bills, and date them the same as the last that were issued.
Thus we are left to infer that there might have been as much more issued as had already been
authorized. One thing is certain, there was nothing small or mean about the issue ; it was big.
A generous quantity of circulating medium was demanded, and, being rich in expectations of
large land sales, the corporation boldly launched forth on the inflation system, and erelong
every man in the borough and around it had his pockets well lined with corporation pledges of
diflFerent denominations.
666 HISTORY OF IOWA COUKTY.
There is no more certainty as to the number of these notes redeemed, than there is as to
the amount issued. But of one thing there is not a shadow of doubt, that is, that many more
were paid out to the public than the public were ever paid for ; and even at this day there is a
considerable quantity of the stuff awaiting collection in the hands of one of the city bankers.
On the 6th day of April, 1839, the board met, and pursuant to the act under which the
village incorporated, established the first boundaries of the place, as follows: " Commencing at
a point situated one-quarter of a mile west from the southeast corner of Section 5, Township
4, Range 3, east; running thence west two miles, to a station situated one-quarter of a
mile from the south corner of Section 1, Township 4, Range 5, east; thence north two miles
to a station ; thence east along the section line to a station ; thence south to the place of com-
mencing." Including in all, two miles square.
The various ordinances for the punishment of crime and riotousness, for preventing drunk-
enness, and maintaining good order, for keeping the streets and alleys open and clear from rub-
bish and filth, and the providing of officers to attend to such matters — considering the time and-
the character of a majority of the inhabitants — were generally very good, and all that could
have been expected.
An ordinance, passed in 1839, is worthy of note, as it prohibits the sale of liquor, or
merchandise of any kind on Sunday, showing that the people of forty years ago were not
behind their successors of to-day in such matters. In those days, the too frequent and turbu-
lent canine was thoroughly restrained or banished from the borough by an ordinance that admit-
ted of no amenities, except by a license of $1 or $2 per head. In this connection we note that
there were nine licensed dogs in the town at that time.
After 1839, the borough corporation was dissolved, either in accordance with the provision
of the act of 1836, under which the incorporation was effected, or owing to the neglect or irreg-
ularity of the Trustees and public. The territory embraced by the borough limits, as estab-
lished in 1839, then became, as before, a part of the Mineral Point Precinct, and was governed
by the general law appertaining to the same. The place remained in that condition until 1844,
when it was regularly incorporated by a special act of the Council and House of Representatives
of Wisconsin Territory as a village.
BUSINESS CONDITION IN 1837.
The increase of business and size of the place, up to 1837, is very graphically portrayed by
William R. Smith, the historian, who journeyed hither during that ^ear, and who, during his
atop, made copious notes, from which the following items were extracted :
" The roads leading into the Point were then in excellent condition ; there were seven dry-
goods stores, four public houses, four groceries and liquor stores, two tailors, two smithies, two
carpenter shops, one cabinet-maker and one brewery ; there were 250 houses, with a population
of from twelve to fifteen hundred, four hundred of whom were miners. Wages were very high ;
carpenters and mechanics were receiving from $3 to $4 per day, and laborers $2 per day. Rents
for all kinds of buildings were high, and the price of town lots varied from |100 to |10,000.
" The town is laid oif into streets, one of which runs up a ravine to a delightful spring."
In the vicinity of the place were several furnaces doing a thriving business. He says : " The
hills about the town are perfectly covered by the explorations of miners, and, indeed, it is dan-
gerous for the benighted traveler to wind his devious path amongst the excavations ; for he may
without notice be instantaneously engulfed in a mine hole. These lands have been excluded
from private entry in the Land Office, and are worked at will by the miners, with an under-
standing, by common consent among themselves, as to the extent around each lead or prospect,
which the discoverer may claim as his exclusive right of digging and exploring. The galena
mineral here found yields in smelting from 70 to 75 per cent of pure lead, and, consequently, is
equally profitable to the miner and the smelter. The course of trade is that the miner raises the
mineral from the bowels of the earth, and the smelter sends his teams to the mine whence he
draws the crude material to his furnace by return teams." He delivers to the order of the miner
&.k^^
-^tiA^^
Le-t/
Ml F F LI N .
HISTOBY OF IOWA COUNTY. 669
50 per cent on what he receives of ore in pig lead ; thus the smelter receives 35 per cent of lead
as his profit by his smelting furnace. From this profit is to be deducted his daily expense of
fuel, payment of hands, keeping of stock, wear and tear of materials, implements and live stock,
and also the interest of the capital employed. A smelting furnace that will yield from five to
seven thousand pounds of lead daily, and many are calculated to produce this result, must cer-
tainly be profitable."
"About one and a half miles northeast of the town, on the hills which rise into the great
prairie extending to the Blue Mounds, are found the copper mines. Here have been raised im-
mense quantities of copper ore which is said to have yielded from 20 to 30 per cent." This was
an enormous product when it is considered that the best mines of Europe do not yield above 12
per cent, and the profit must have been proportionately large, considering that the European
mines are worked at a profit. In 1836, 58,000 pounds of copper ore were shipped from the
'Point' to England, which yielded 33 per cent of pure material. This copper brought in Boston
22 cents per pound, while other ore brought but 18 cents per pound.
AN englishman's obsbevations.
The following remarks are selected from "A Canoe Voyage up the Minnay Sotor,"
written by G. W. Featherstonhaugh, who came here in 1837 for the purpose of making a geo-
logical survey of the lead and copper mines. After a hard ride, he finally reached Mineral
Point, or, rather, its suburbs, where were various small wooden houses stuck up. * * *
" With difficulty, we procured a room to sleep in at the Postmaster's, and, it being evening, had
scarce got our trunks out of the vehicle when we were marched to his brother's, who was an
apothecary, to supper. The supper consisted of fried ham, coffee, bread and butter and treacle,
served up in a cleanly way, and, being hungry with our drive, we made a very hearty meal."
Subsequently, he speaks of the never-failing repasts of cofiee, rice, bread and butter and
treacle.
" The village is built on the edge of a coulee. * * * j^. ^g^g g^jj exceedingly
miserable place, built there apparently on account of a small rivulet which is a branch of the
Pecatonica River. * * * It contained two taverns, into which I ventured to enter
for a moment, both of which seemed to be very full. A court of justice, being held at the time,
had collected a great many parties and witnesses. We had been referred to those taverns for
lodgings, as the Postmaster had told me it was not possible for him to give us quarters for more
than one night ; but I was not sorry to learn that none were to be had, being thoroughly dis-
gusted with the appearance of everything; and. then such a set of 'ginnerals, colonels, judges
and doctors ' as were assembled there, was anything but inviting, and most of these dignitaries,
as I was informed, were obliged to sleep on the floor. This was exactly what I had to do at
the Postmaster's, whose house at any rate was clean.
" On awakening the next morning, I found it exceedingly cold, and asked permission to
have a fire lighted." Just as he was about to get up, he says : " An unshaven but confiding-
looking fellow walked into the room with nothing but his nether garments on, and, immediately
turning his back to the fire, engrossed it all to himself. His free and easy way was not at all
to my taste, and threatened to interfere very much with my comfort. Under other circum-
stances, I should not have hesitated to have turned him out ; but, situated as I was, it was far
from a safe proceeding, or, indeed, a justifiable one. It was certainly very cold, and I should
have been glad to have had the fire to myself, but I had been treated hospitably, and the least
I could do, was to be hospitable to others ; besides, my barefooted friend had an air about him
that imparted something beyond the low swaggerer, something that smacked of authority — for
authority is a thing that, from habit or from the dignity inherent in it, has a peculiar, inexpli-
cable way of revealing itself. This might be the Governor, or some great man, en deshabille ;
so I thought it best to meet him in his own manner, by slipping a pair of pantaloons on, and
then addressing him in a friendly way. It was most fortunate that I acted just as became
me to do ; for he soon let me know who he was. He was no less a personage than ' the Court,'
670 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
for so they generally called the Presiding Judge in the United States, and was beyond all ques-
tion the greatest man in the place. He was, in fact, the personage of the locality for the mo-
ment, and it turned out that the Postmaster had given him up his only good bedroom, and that
he had good-naturedly given it up to me for one night, and had taken the majesty of the law
to sleep behind the counter, in a little shop where the post office was kept, with blankets, crock-
ery, cheese, and all sorts of things around him, and had very naturally come to warm himself
in his own quarters. (Judge Dunn.)
" ' The Court ' and myself now got along very well together. He had been bred to the law
in the Western country, did not want for shrewdness, was good-natured, * * * but was
evidently a man of low habits and manners. He was very much amused with my apparatus for
dressing, which was simple enough ; a nail-brush was quite new to him, and he remarked that
'it was a considerably better invention than a fork,' which he said he had seen people use when
they had too much dirt in their nails. He once carried one, but it was troublesome, though the
handle was convenient to stir brandy-sling with."
After dressing and eating, our testy Englishman goes out with a "scientific friend," to
make a " regular survey, and ascertain the real geological structure and nidus of the metallic
contents of the rocks." They first went to the copper mines, and found that very little work
had been done, and that altogether superficial. " Very extravagant accounts of these copper
mines had been circulated by interested persons, and we saw at once that they would require a
great deal of gullibility on the part of purchasers to be got rid of"
" After wandering about the whole day," they finally got back in the evening to the cus-
tomary " ham and treacle." They were then informed that the " good-natured Court " declined
to repose behind the counter a second night, that not being according to the ideas of the
"majesty of the law," and therefore Mr. F. and his friend had to come down to the realities of
their situation, and take lodgings on the floor of the eating-room with the "ginnerals, colonels,
etc.," for company. He says, " Everything was makeshift at Mineral Point," and he also
adds, "but certainly we found everybody very obliging." Thus it appears, at the last, that the
kindness of the people had penetrated the cuticle of his sensibilities and extracted an acknowl-
edgment.
His berth proved "both cold and hard," and he longed for morning. At 5 o'clock, he was
roused by the woman of the house, who wanted the room to lay the breakfast, so he arose, and,
to keep himself warm until the repast was ready, took a walk about town, of which he says r
" Not a leaf was to be seen on the few stunted trees here and there, and the chilly, comfortless
state of the weather was in perfect keeping with the dismal aspect of the place. * * * i
found that the inhabitants produced nothing of any kind whatever for their subsistence — not
even a cabbage, for there was not a garden in the place, and that they were as dependent upon
others as if they were on board ship. Everything they ate and drank was brought from a dis-
tance by wagons, at a great expense. Flour, the price of which in the Atlantic States was $5
and $6 per barrel, was as high as $14 here. * * * * Everybody lived from hand to
mouth, without once dreaming of personal comfort. The sole topic which engrossed the general
mind was the production of galena and copper, especially the first, upon which they relied to
pay for everything they consumed, no one possessing capital beyond that which a transient suc-
cess might furnish him.
" It was, in fact, a complete nest of speculators, with workmen following in their train ;
traders again upon their traces, to sell goods and provisions ; doctors to give physic and keep
boarding-houses, and lawyers to get a living out of this motley and needy population.
"With but few exceptions, the diggings for metal were quite superficial. Such a thing as
a steam engine, to drain a shaft or hoist out the " mineral," as it was called, was unknown here ;
so that, as soon as the superficial diggings were exhausted, the population was always prepared
to flock to another quarter. But change of place is not often accompanied with wounded feel-
ings in the United States. Men do not always seem to select situations in that country with a
view to living tranquilly and happily, but to try to find ready money by digging for it, or to
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 671
live upon others ; the moment they find there is no likelihood of success, they go to another
place."
After collecting a quantity of fossils of minerals, Mr. F. departed, but not without a part-
ing anathema :
" A more melancholy and dreary place," he says, " than this Mineral Point, I never expect
to see again. We had not tasted a morsel of fresh meat, or fish, or vegetables, since we had
been here. There was not a vestige of a garden in the place, and the population seemed quietly
to have resigned itself to an everlasting and unvarying diet of coffee, rice, treacle and bread and
salt butter, morning, noon and night, without any other variety than that of occasionally getting
a diiFerent cup and saucer."
Mr. Featherstonhaugh was evidently an irascible personage, and imbued with vasty notions
of his own merits and ability; but, in making the geological survey while here, he committed so
great an error, either willfully or ignorantly, that nearly every geologist who has been over the
ground since has spoken of it. There were some peculiar circumstances and results con-
nected with Mr. Featherstonhaugh's visit that are especially worthy of mention.
Some time before the survey was made, John D. Ansley, who was then the principal busi-
ness man of this locality, went to Philadelphia and made arrangements with a stock company,
on the ground of his representations, for the sale of a large part of his copper mining lands. A
large amount of money was secured as an advance purchase, and everything went well until the
advent of Mr. Featherstonhaugh, who was deputized to report as to the correctness of Mr. Ans-
ley's statements regarding the value of the land. At that time, Mr. Ansley kept a carriage and
horses, which Mr. F., who desired to ride about the country, sent for; but owing to a previous
engagement made with Mrs. Alexander Hamilton, who was here at that time visiting her son,
Mr. Ansley was obliged to refuse. Mr. F. then sent demanding the team, and was again
refused; a third time Mr. F. sent, peremptorily ordering Mr. Ansley to comply with his wishes
under pain of his displeasure as a representative of the mining company, but with the same
result. Subsequently, Mr. Ansley was sent for by the company and went East, where he was
thrown in prison under charge of obtaining money under false pretenses. From this dilemma,
he was rescued by William R. Smith, but his mining company scheme was exploded. He then
went to England, and very soon succeeded in interesting a company of English capitalists ; but
one day, while Mr. Ansley was sitting in his hotel, waiting to complete final arrangements, who
should walk up to him but Mr. F., saying ; " Ansley, I am after you," or words to that effect.
And in all probability he was, for the next day Mr. Ansley was informed by the capitalists tliat,
notwithstanding they had already advanced a few hundred pounds, they should drop the matter.
Thus Mineral Point mining interests began to suff'er, and were retarded through the operations
of a designing party, a circumstance which has been repeated, in effect, in diiferent ways, by
others, with far more disastrous results.
THE BANK OF MINERAL POINT.
This bank was the second opened in the State, and in its day was one of the noted institu-
tions of the country. Like many similar establishments of an early day, it started out with
bright prospects, but within a few years became the tool of swindlers, and exploded as a grand
fiasco, leaving those who had invested poorer, but not much wiser respecting the crookedness of
public victimizers, as illustrated by some of the principal events which have transpired here
within the last twenty-five years.
By an act of the Territorial Council, approved December 2, 1836, a charter was granted
to two commissioners to establish a bank at Mineral Point, in the town of Pecatonica. The
capital stock was limited to $200,000, and, during the following May, after thirty days' notice
had been given, the stock was to be opened for subscription. The superintendents and commis-
sioners appointed were William S. Hamilton, J. F. O'Neill, M. M. Strong, James Morrison,
John Atchison, Richard McKinn and G. V. Dennison. who were to control the bank interests
until the stock was sold and an election could be held. The subscription books were to be kept;
open six days, and any one was at liberty to subscribe to five shares.
672 HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY.
The charter was granted to contiHue until 1857, under the management of seven directors.
The hank was not to incur an indebtedness which would at any time exceed three times the amount
of capital stock actually paid in. If at any time bills became due and they could not be settled on
demand, the corporation was dissolved. Votes were to be issued according to the number of
shares. A less denomination than a five-dollar bank note could not be issued, and then not
until $40,000 had been paid in. Whether enough stock was taken in 1837 to allow of the
opening of the bank or not, is immaterial to the narrative, as it appears that the bank was not
then put in operation. The heaviest buyers of stock were a Mr. Webb, who represented the
Erie Transportation Company, that was then operating in Helena and vicinity, and James D.
Doty. Each of these parties entered into a strife to gain a controlling interest, which resulted
in favor of Mr. Doty, who finally became the bank (so to speak), he having gradually bought
up nearly all of the stock, at the nominal rate of 20 per cent on each share.
In the fall of 1838, or spring of 1839, S. B. Knapp and Porter Brace put in an appear-
ance, and, either as purchasers or representatives for Mr. Doty, took charge of the bank. Mr.
Knapp was the financier of the establishment, and Porter Brace was his assistant. It is sup-
posed, from subsequent circumstances, that the young men came here, having but little cash in
store, with the intention of absorbing the bank, and making what, in common parlance, would
be called " a stake." Although, in the event, the design was frustrated, yet, as will be seen,
the institution was swamped by them.
In connection with receiving deposits, the principal business of the bank was transacted
•with the smelters, who, upon the purchase of lead from the miners, drew orders upon the bank,
to be taken in exchange for drafts on the Eastern banks, where the lead was sold. In accord-
ance with this condition of affairs, about the first thing done by the new firm, on commencing
business, was to issue what were called "post bills," which were indorsed across the face with
red ink, to be paid in two or three months after date. Although this was an innovation upon
the plan of banking contemplated by the charter, yet it was not expressly forbidden ; so the
business men and miners, with a little grumbling, accepted the situation, and contented them-
selves by dubbing the bills " red dogs." The " red dogs " had not been in use over a year
before Mr. Knapp, according to his plan of operations, concluded to make an advance on the
enemy, and issue "post bills " for six months. These notes were indorsed with blue ink, to be
paid in six months after date. No sooner did the public get hold of them, than a perfect storm
of indignation was launched at the wily banker by his proposed dupes, who saw through the
fraud at a glance, and refused to accept them, in most instances. These bills were familiarly
called the " blue bellies."
Public meetings were held, and the bank proceedings denounced by the speakers in the
strong language of those days. At one of the meetings, M. M. Strong made a bitter speech
against Mr. Knapp, and, in the evening, after his return home, he was waited upon by that gen-
tleman, who informed him that he had called to demand satisfaction (at the same time drawing
a couple of pistols), and that they could then and there settle the difficulty, according to "the
code," in the dark. To this Mr. Strong demurred, stating that he did not care to kill him, and
much less did he care to be shot himself; but if, after mature deliberation, he should decide
that they must fight a duel, why, well and good, providing suitable and gentlemanly prepara-
tions could be made. To this Mr. Knapp agreed and withdrew, and that was the last of the duel.
The bank continued to operate until the general dissatisfaction became so great that an
oflicial examination into the afiairs of the institution began to be mooted. When Messrs. Knapp
^nd Brace heard of this, they quietly "folded their tents," locked up the bank " and stole
away." The following day, when it was discovered that the birds had flown, a party of
eight, led by I. P. Tramel, Deputy Sherifi", started for Galena in pursuit of the fugitives, whom
they captured at that point. Mr. Knapp had nothing when taken, except his traveling-bag and
two volumes of Dickens' novels ; the latter he presented to Mr. Welch, who was then editing a
paper at Galena. Something about the circumstance attracted the attention of some of Knapp's
•captors, and they demanded the books, when lo ! what should they discover, pasted within the
HISTOKY or IOWA COUNTY. 673
fly-leaves of the books, but the notes and bills of exchange which represented the assets of the
bank — a sum not less than $50,000. Delighted with the success of their expedition, the party-
returned to the Point, having the absconding parties in charge.
Soon after their arrival, a public meeting was held, and Pascal Beckett, J. F. Dunn and
W. H. Banks were appointed Bank Receivers. A short time subsequent to this, after the affairs
of the institution had been overhauled, Mr. Banks was deputized to go East and collect on the
sureties. In the end. Banks turned out to be the greatest rogue, and, by his conduct, very
aptly illustrated the aphorism of " There's many a slip 'twixt the cup and the lip," for he never
returned, nor was he heard from, and, up to date, the "red dogs " and " blue bellies," if there
are any in existence, remain unredeemed. The eifect of the bank failure and eventual loss of
the funds proved a serious set-back to the community at large, for a time, and afflicted a good
many very severely. However, within a brief time, business was restored to its wonted vigor,
and the matter of the loss of $50,000 or $75,000 was soon forgotten. The bank was opened in
a log building on the public square, and, in 1889, was transferred to a stone structure erected
for the purpose, which stood where the Episcopal schoolhouse now stands.
From 1838 to 1844, there was rather a diminution of business than an increase, owing to
the many bank failures through the country at that time. However, no particularly marked
depression in the general activity could be noted, as the place fairly held its own against the
financial adversity of the times. Immigrant arrivals were not large, neither were the departures
for other fields very great, therefore it can be said that Mineral Point had at last settled down
to a more temperate and judicious pace, the result of which could scarcely be unfavorable under
any circumstances. The following are the names of several of the more prominent men who
came here and settled permanently between 1836 and 1844, who have left or are dead : W.
Tregay, Ed Cornish. J. J. Miner, Dr. David Ross, D. Richard Ridgley, Henry Lanehan, O.
P. Williams, Parley Eaton, A. W. Parish. Gr. B. and Phil Morrison, C. C. Washburn, Cyrus
Woodman, Jabez Pierce, Judge M. M. Jackson, Edwin Whitmore. S. Pulford, M. D., Henry
Koop, Whitney Smith, Crane Floyd, Samuel Baker, Thomas Davey, George Hardy, Henry
Tollier and William Bennett.
THE TRIAL AND HANGING OF CAFFEB.
Probably the most thrilling episode that ever occurred in Mineral Point was the trial and
hanging of William Caffee for murder in 1842. The crime was one of revolting brutality,
committed with slight provocation, and therefore with scarcely an extenuating circumstance.
A man by the name of Berry had erected a new house in the town of White Oak Springs, now in
La Fayette County, and, as is customary in rural districts, invited his neighbors in to " a house-
warming," among whom was the man Cafi"ee. The manager of the amusements, a man by the
name of Southwick, had the dancers numbered off upon a piece of paper, from which the
names were called in turn. Professing to be ofiended at some trivial circumstance, Cafi"ee seized
the paper and ran out doors with it. Southwick, it is said, grasped a stick of wood and pur-
sued Cafiee, threatening to knock him down if he did not return the list. At this, Caifee drew
a pistol and shot him dead. In the prosecution, it was proved that Caffee had made a boast that
he would kill his man that night; consequently, although he was ably defended by M. M.
Strong, he was found guilty of murder in the first degree, and was sentenced by Judge Jackson
(now a foreign Consul) to be hanged by the neck until dead. As usually happens, the friends
of the criminal attempted to get the sentence revoked, or commuted to imprisonment for life,
but without avail, and in November, 1842, William Caffee suffered the extreme penalty of the
law and paid blood for blood. During the first part of his incarceration, he was lodged in the
old jail, and watched day and night by four armed men, and sometimes more, as it was rumored
that an attempt was to be made to set him free. At that time, they did not have the conven-
iences now in vogue for shackling criminals, so irons were riveted on his legs by James James,
the blacksmith. Each week the process of unriveting and riveting had to be gone through with,
and at those times Caffee would say to James, '' You had better be careful how you put the
074 HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY.
irons on, for, if I should get loose, you might be sorry." Just before the wretch was taken to
the gallows, he expressed a wish to have a raw slice off from the heart of Judge Jackson, to eat.
The gallows was erected on the old Russell lot, near the depot, and it is said that one of the
largest crowds that ever assembled here was present and witnessed the finale. After the horrid
affair was over, the body was taken by the friends of the deceased, and an attempt made to
restore life, but, fortunately for society, without success.
The verdict returned by the jury is a voluminous document, the quaint phraseology of which
is sufficiently explicit and conclusive to render the finding a cast-iron and unequivocal judg-
ment. For the benefit of modern Solons who return sententious verdicts, we reproduce the
paper :
"In the District Court of Iowa County, Wiskonsin Territory, of April term, 1842:
"The grand inquest of the United States of America, inquiring for the county of Iowa, in
the Territory of Wiskonsin, on their oaths do present that William CafiFee, late of the county
aforesaid, yeoman, not having the fear of God before his eyes, but being moved and seduced by
the instigation of the devil, on the twenty-third of February, in the year of our Lord one thou-
sand eight hundred and forty-two, at Gratiot's Grove, in the county of Iowa aforesaid, and within
the jurisdiction of this court, in and upon one Samuel South wick, in the peace of God and of
the said Territory, then and there being feloniously, willfully and of his malice aforethought, an
assault did make, and that the said William Caffee, a certain pistol of the value of one dollar,
then and there loaded and charged with gunpowder and one leaden bullet, which pistol the said
William Cafiee, in his right hand then and there had and held to and against and upon the said
Samuel Southwick, then and there willfully, feloniously and of his malice aforethought did shoot
and discharge ; and that the said William Caifee, with the leaden bullet aforesaid, out of the
pistol aforesaid, then and there by force of the gunpowder and shot sent forth as aforesaid, the
said Samuel Southwick, in and upon the left breast of him, the said Samuel Southwick, then and
there feloniously, willfully and of his malice aforethought, did strike, penetrate and wound, giv-
ing to the said Samuel Southwick, then and there with the leaden bullet aforesaid so as afore-
said shot, discharged and sent forth from the pistol aforesaid by the said William Caffee in and
upon the said left breast of the said Samuel Southwick, near the region of the heart of him. the
said Samuel Southwick, one mortal wound of the depth of six inches and of the breadth of one
inch, of which said mortal wound, the said Samuel Southwick, on the said twenty-third day of
February, in the year aforesaid, at Gratiot's Grove, in the county of Iowa aforesaid, instantly
died, and so the jurors aforesaid, upon their oaths aforesaid, do say that the said William Caffee,
the said Samuel Southwick, in manner and form aforesaid, feloniously, willfully and of his malice
aforethought, did kill and murder against the form of the statute in such case made and provided,
and against the peace and dignity of the United States of America.
" William R. Smith, District Attorney of Iowa County.
Witnesses : John W. Blackstone, William S. Daring, Fortunatus Berry, David T. Luf kin,
Charles H. Lamar, Joseph H. Scales and Charles H. Qratiot.
BORDER JUSTICE AND VENDETTAS.
One of the methods of punishment prevailing here forty years ago was whipping. When-
ever the people were particularly incensed, they seldom waited for the slow processes of the law
if they could avoid it, but took the ofiTender to some convenient spot and gave him fifty or a hun-
dred lashes. Such diversions as fist fighting, an occasional knifing or shooting fray could be
tolerated, but petty trickery or stealing was exceptionally odious to the average miner. The
actual state of society at that time will be best illustrated by giving a few incidents. One day
a man from Galena came into town in search of a couple of men who had hired four yoke of
cattle from him to come here after loads of mineral ; they not having returned in due time, he had
started on foot in search of them. A little inquiry revealed the fact that they had sold the oxen
to Francis Vivian and Thomas Jenkins. As soon as it became known what the men had done,
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 675
a lot of sturdy fellows got together and hunted around until they found the thieves. Then they
took them out a short distance from town and gave them such a thrashing as they had never
received before, in all probability. More dead than alive, they were then set at liberty and
allowed to depart, with the warning that they must never show themselves here again.
At one time a professional gambler and blackleg by the name of Bunco came to the Point,
and began to hoodwink and fleece the boys unmercifully. They stood the game for awhile, but
at length, finding that they could not match his knavery in any way, they determined that he
should emigrate. When told that he must leave the village, ''Will you, nillyou?" he swore
roundly that he would not, and no one could make him. Upon that, a stalwart fellow by the
name of Mills took a cowhide and told him he must either go at once or he would whip him out
•of the place. The fellow again declared that he would not, and Mills went at him and literally
whipped him step by step out of the village.
One day, in 1839, a cracking of fire-arms was heard on High street, at the old Burris
grocery. When the crowd came to the spot, whom should they find but good-natured Uncle
Ab stoning the worthy Burris for dear life, while the latter was returning the fire with pistol-
shots. When Uncle Ab was fairly aroused, he was a terror, and, before he could be stopped,
Burris was put to ignominious flight, fire-arms to the contrary notwithstanding.
The terrible and sanguinary fierceness of some of those early encounters is hardly describa-
ble ; neither can the coolness and determination which was characteristic of most of those men
■be fully comprehended. At one time, while H. B. Welch was editing the Miners' Free Press,
and Charles Bracken, the stern old pioneer, was conducting the G-alena Commonwealth, Welch
published an article peculiarly odious to the opposing journalist. As a result, the first time
they met, Bracken deliberately cowhided Welch. One day, not long after, Mr. Bracken was
walking leisurely down High street, leading a horse, when Welch came out of his log building,
which stood on the Coade lot. No. 41, armed with shot-gun and pistols, and started in pursuit of
Bracken, firing at him as he went. Within a minute the male residents of High and Commerce
streets were out looking on in great excitement, but nothing was done except that different par-
ties stepped forward with pistols for the belligerents. Mr. Bracken turned neither to the right
nor the left, but walked along until he reached Commerce street, Welch having in the meantime
«hot at him six times ; then he turned, coolly drew a pistol, and, taking deliberate aim, fired at
his antagonist, laying him out, but not killing him. Bracken then, without more ado, pursued
■his way. This was one way that early differences were settled quite often, and sometimes in a
still more terrible manner, as in the case of Ben Salter and Phil Thomas, who fought with
knives and stones one day on High street to satisfy an old feud. But, for some reason, these
encounters seldom ended in death.
The Sunday amusements of that time may be characterized as having been free from all
restraint. Gambling, foot-racing, horse-racing and what-not were the standard sports. One old
miner, called Kentuck, came here on Saturday night, on one occasion, and stopped over Sunday,
but went away dissatisfied on Monday morning, saying that he had not had any fun because he
•did not have but fifteen fights.
A FRENCH PRINCE VISITS THE BOROUGH.
In 1840, Mineral Point enjoyed a visit from one of the imperial family of France, the
Prince de Joinville, who came to this country at that time in search of the lost Prince or French
Dauphin. He stopped with his suite overnight at Uncle Ab's while en route from Fort Craw-
ford to Green Bay. The newspapers of the time, in commenting on the treatment extended to
the illustrious foreigner, stated that at Galena the landlords, conceiving that he was a legitimate
prey, charged him enormously, and ridiculously as well, for everything that the party received,
•and, it may be added, did, for they were required to pay $5 for using a piano during an evening.
But " Uncle Ab " never thought of such a piece of unwarrantable extortion, and did not
■charge any more than would have been demanded from any first-class guest; thus every
tavern in the country suff'ered in comparing the quality of the entertainment.
t>76 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
The individual who created the greatest interest in the minds of the French people subse-
quently was Eleazer Williams, a half-breed Iroquois, son of Thomas Williams, one of the famous,
old Williams stock of preachers and missionaries. Eleazar, or rather Lazare Williams, was bred
among the Indians, and became a missionary or preacher and teacher among the Oneida Indians,
large numbers of whom, during the early part of his career, ho converted to Christianity. Being
ambitious of establishing a grand Indian empire, west of and between the great lakes and the
Mississippi, he succeeded in getting the six nations to entertain the scheme, which was agree-
able to the Government. But a treaty, known as the Schermerhorn, was made in 1836,
which effectually ruined Mr. Williams' empire scheme, as it limited the possessions of those
tribes to a small area. He was with the Indians a good many years, a portion of which were
passed at Green Bay. But, at last, the Indians rose en masse, and made such bitter complaints
against the Rev. Eleazer, accusing him of malfeasance, that he was dismissed from his post. For
some time after this, nothing was heard of the gentleman until finally, one day, who should turn
up but the " lost prince " in the person of our quondam preacher. However, his second scheme
for the acquisition of greatness also miscarried, for he was unable to sustain the identity. It may
be said of him that he is regarded as having been the prince of knaves and charlatans.
THE CALIFORNIA EXODUS.
The discovery of gold in California, and the subsequent exaggerated reports from that
region, fired the hearts of many and carried dismay to the landholders in the county. The
effect was magical ; the large floating population, attracted by the glittering ore, forsook their
lead diggings and disposed of all their available assets to defray the expenses of a trans-conti-
nental trip. A hegira of unparalleled proportions set in, and all business was paralyzed. The
few growing industries fostered by the mineral operations were effectually crippled, and the land
was irretrievably depleted of a frugal and thrifty class of citizens. Every branch of trade was
prostrated, and the mechanic and merchant, the miner and smelter, suffered alike in the general
ruin. The fever of emigration, once fairly inoculated upon the people, developed into an irre-
mediable contagion. Panic-stricken, all classes fled toward the West, deluded by the mirage of
wealth that beckoned them on to the golden fields.
Merchants, on awakening from the hallucination, found themselves surrounded by heavy
stocks of merchandise, with vacant stores filled with the stillness of the grave. No busy tide of
customers lined the counters, and the voice of traffic was hushed in perpetual gloom. Promis-
sory notes matured and were presented for payment, only to be met by a liberal display of book
debts. To avert financial disaster and total ruin, stocks were literally thrown on the market
and sacrificed for what they would bring in ready cash.
The proceeds were usually small, as at that time merchandise was cumulative, and failed to
realize anything. In this dilemma, stores were closed, and the capitalists joined the eager throng
pressing on toward the Pacific coast. The army of enterprising native American prospectors,
whose shrewdness and energy founded the cities of Mineral Point and Dodgeville, abandoned
their remunerative claims. Animated by that restless spirit of adventure that first drew them to
the Mississippi lead fields, they, with little reluctance, " pulled stakes," and shifted the scene of
their operations from Wisconsin to California.
The first adventurers to cut adrift from Iowa County were three from Mineral Point,
consisting of John J. Ross, Alexander Turner and William J. Tilley. ^hey proceeded by
water via Galena, thence down the Mississippi to New Orleans, whence they embarked
for the Isthmus of Panama. In the spring of the same year numerous contingents from every
nook and corner in the county cast their fate with the generality of their fellow-citizens. That
season was marked with remarkable activity, the streets and shops resounded with the bustle and
traflic incidental to the preparation of mining outfits. The roads were crowded with prairie
schooners, whose balloon tops obscured the view, and impressed the spectator with a faint idea
of the extensive emigration. During the summer of 1849, a lull occurred in business circles,
and the torrent of outpouring humanity was temporarily stemmed, awaiting tidings from the
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 67 T
advance guard of the army preparing to follow. John J. Ross was the first man to return, and
the flattering reports circulated by him accelerated the tardy ones and stimulated the unbelievers
to renewed action.
A MINERAL POINT CRAFT AND HER ADVENTURES.
One of the peculiar features of 1849 was the construction of a sea-going schooner at Min-
eral Point. Work was commenced in the fall of 1848 by several tradesmen, who with unusual
prescience foresaw the wave of emigration that was to set in in the following year, and prepared
themselves accordingly. The boat was built according to the plans, and under the immediata
superintendence of Henry Butler, a carpenter. Oscar Paddock was the capitalist who supplied
the pecuniary means to further the construction. Another person who lent his assistance was a
sailor named Vance, who with the roving habits peculiar to his class, had become stranded in
the mines far away from his native element. The keel was laid opposite the present site of the
depot, and there the three shipbuilders employed their time during the long winter. When
completed and ready for launching, the little craft measured thirty feet keel by seven feet beam.
In the spring of 1849, all was in readiness for the auspicious event of removal. Amid much
excitement, the boat was loaded on to a large mineral wagon and propelled on wheels by two
teams to Galena. Here it was launched under most propitious circumstances, which augured
well for the venture. The services of Vance were now impressed to step the masts and rig the
vessel in schooner fashion. Having accomplished this necessary work, a cargo of provisions was
stowed away in the hold, and one bright day in May the lines binding the boat to its native
shores were unloosened, and on the turbid waters of the Mississippi she was rapidly borne toward
the ocean. Tradition does not preserve the title of the boat, nor does it relate whether the hardy
crew condescended to the frivolity of christening it by the time-honored custom of breaking a
bottle of wine on the prow. If, however, we are allowed to infer from a knowledge of the habits
and customs of the mining community, we would surmise that the conventional practice was fore-
gone, the precious liquor being assimilated by the crew in honor of the success of their enter,
prise.
The port of New Orleans was attained without any catastrophe occurring to detract from
the enjoyment of the trip. Here, the midge of a craft attracted much observation from the
assembled mariners of all nations, whose admiration for the pluck and hardihood of the crew was
unstinted. Eecruiting the stock of provisions and renewing the water supply, Vance, who was
elected Captain, boldly put to sea, eschewing the customary formality of visiting the Custom
House and procuring certain papers prescribed for such cases by the omnipresent Uncle Sam.
Whether this step was taken advisedly, does not appear, but, from subsequent experience, the
embryo mariners must have repented the indiscretion which induced them to violate the inter-
national code of laws. Verily, the way of the transgressor is hard, and, in this instance, their
path was paved with troubles dire and deep. While cruising off the coast of Cuba, keeping a
sharp lookout for a bayou that promised safe landing and a copious supply of fresh water, they
were espied by a Spanish gunboat. With magnified visions of filibustering expeditions in aid of
the latent rebellion, the Captain of the cruiser bore down on the miners, and, by a significant
grape-shot, ordered them to heave to. In the face of such a formidable disp'ay, the summons
could not be disregarded ; so, with reluctance, the peak halyards were dropped, and the schooner
swung around into the wind. A swaggering Spaniard, fiercely mustached, with "fight" traced
distinctly on every lineament of his countenance, sprang aboard, and, in the absence of all
documentary testimony to the contrary, confiscated the vessel and contents as contraband. A
prize crew was placed on board with instructions to make for , which was reached toward
sundown. Disarmed of their suspicions by the apparent contentment of the Americans, the
officer took no measures to insure the detention of his captives, but allowed them the freedom
of the deck. At dusk, a majority of the Spanish sailors went ashore to carouse, leaving a
guard of three armed marines to protect the prisoners. The hours wore slowly away, and the
sleepy sentinels relaxed their vigilance. By a concerted movement, they were all seized, firmly
bound hand and foot, and gagged to obviate an alarm. Sail was made, and, noiselessly, the-
678 HISTOEY or IOWA COUNTY.
little craft cleared her way through the surging waters until an offing was attained, when, spread-
ing her wings to the increasing breeze, she rapidly put distance to flight. When within sight of
the Cuban shore, the marines were bundled into the ship's boat and cut adrift. Profiting by
this experience, the voyagers were satisfied to abide at a respectful distance from the Cuban isle.
A similar fate befell them on the Mexican coast. Hovering around, and uncertain how to
make the port, their action arrested the attention of the coast guard, and, for the second time,
they were involved in the toils of captivity. The authorities were willing to hazard the safety of
their prize by simply tying it up alongside a national gunboat. With the instinct of freedom
irrepressibly active in their hearts, the bold sailors, at the instigation of Paddock, slipped
their cables and put to sea. Owing chiefly to the insignificance of the capture, no attempt was
made to retake them.
These hair-breadth escapes instilled a little caution into Capt. Vance, who, thereafter, con-
ducted his voyage with circumspection, prudently avoiding war-like craft, and only venturing
ashore for supplies after dusk. The Nicaragua River was eventually reached, and up the
unknown channel of this stream Capt. Vance boldly pushed, using sweeps or long oars when the
wind was light or unfavorable. At one of their anchorages, Don Ramirez d'Escobeda, a local
trader, was so captivated by the adaptability of the boat for his trade, that he entered into nego-
tiations and, finally, purchased the boat for an amount equivalent to $1,000. Satisfied with the
barter, the crew relinquished their respective claims and pursued their course across the Isthmus
to Aspinwall, where they secured passage through to the Golden Gate.'
In 1850, the exodus evinced no signs of abatement, as, in point of fact, more emigrants
took their departure this year than in the preceding season of 1849. In the height of the ebb,
sixty teams and two hundred persons left Mineral Point in one day. This is only a fair criterion
of the progress in other sections of the county. When it is considered that each person or head
of family took with him sums of money ranging from $200 to $500, an idea may be gained of the
impoverished condition of a territory deprived of two thousand lusty laborers and a proportionate
amount of wealth. Business was restored to equanimity in 1851 and 1852, when a reflux set
in, and money was received from the gold fields to cheer the desolate ones at home.
It would be an utter impossibility to approximate the number of persons who visited Cali-
fornia during the reign of the gold fever, but herewith is presented a list of the principal men
who staked their fortunes :
CALIFORNIA EMIGRANTS.
From Mineral Point and Dodgeville — William J. Tilly, John J. Ross, Alexander T. Tur-
ner, Samuel Ettershanks, William Chesterfield, John Coade, John Martin, Richard Martin, Will-
iam T. Henry, Elias Wiley, Samuel Rich, George T. Rich, Mrs. Rich, Joseph Roadhouse, wife
and two children, James Wasly and wife, Joseph Hatch, I. N. Turner, wife and child, John
Roberts, Morris Smith, George Myers, John Oliver, Thomas Sublette, Bennet Dumars, George
Tilley, Polk Delaney, R. C. Kelly, Andrew Kelly, Nelson Angel, James Hitchins, Robert
Turner, Edward James, Elias Jacka, Hy Howe, Carey Eliff, John Reed, Robert Hood, John
Jenkins, Walter Richards, John Richards, William Richards, James Toay, Stephen Chenaugh,
Matthew Goldsworthy, Ralph Goldsworthy, Thomas and John Tregaskis, Robert Quinn, Cyrus
Woodman, Henry Nancolas, John P. Tramel, Hy B.Welsh, Hy Plowman, S. F. Rodolf and son,
James, James Polk McAllister, Robert W. Gray, Robert Whitney, Edward B. Carson, Morris
Lloyd, I. T. Lathrop, William A. Pierce, Jabez Pierce, Richard Pierce, John Clawney, Will-
iam Sublette, Thomas Trimble, George Hardy, Joseph Langdon, Nelson Lathrop, Edward Cor-
nish, Nicholas Meren, John Tangye, Henry Gray, Levi F. Craft, Charles Legate, Silas Page,
Lewis Page, William Coade, William Cummins, John Hutchison, John Phillips, son and daughter,
John Rich, wife and two children, William Phillips, wife and two children, William McLane
and wife, Peter Toay, Edward Prideaux, John F. O'Neill, John O'Neill, Thomas McKnight,
Edwin Buck, Daniel Hatten, Harvey Elifi", Richard Thomas, Tom Phillips, Charles Ettershanks,
Lewis Mason, Rufus Henry, Andrew Park, H. Anderson, Ed Treguskis, Hugh McDougall,
John Jenkins, Robert Henwood and wife, John Goodchild, E. Sperry, Thomas Prisk, Paul and
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 679
Samuel Prisk, James Sproul, Daniel Jenkins, Andrew Elder, Steve Lean, Matthew Lean,
Charles Bradley, John Lane, William Thomas, Richard White, George Whitelaw, Henry R.
Martin, William Wren, Phillip Eden, George Phillips, Sampson Rodgers, William, John,
Richard and George Odgers. John Gundry, James Carbis, John Wilkison, William Paul, Joseph
Schuyder, Henry Bishop, John Waters, John Hales, Amos Parsons, Robert Thomas, Sam White,
William Bennett, John Bennett, Gilbert Bennett, John Grover, Edward Lloyd, C. Martin,
James Berryman, Sam Osborne, Hy Palkinghann. Sam Terrill, Charles McCabe, Henry Hed-
rick, Sam Oats. William Thomas, William Jacka, Joseph Stephens, Samuel Richards, William
Opey, Samuel Waters, John Gray, James Thomas, John Tregen, Joseph Maxwell, Joseph Pri-
deaux, Daniel McMullen, John Prideaux, James Mack, Robert Riddell, Richard Osborne, Daniel
Telly, Samuel Harris, Ole Torson, James Hitchins, Mrs. Wasle^ and child, Mrs. EmmaWasley,
John McFadden, Squires, McCabe, Mrs. Crocker, Joseph Murrish, Chris Bawden,
Henry Martin, George Kislenbury, Thomas Martin, M. J. Levison, John Martin, William J.
Tilley, wife and child, John Bascoe, Samuel Code, Thomas Lyons, Adam Gilts. Fifty from
Willow Springs. Up to 1852, 700 had left.
From Linden — George Caldwell, Charles Harkins, William Goldworthy, Jr. and Sr.,
John Rule, Jr., James Goldsworth, Henry Trigloan, John Crase, Jr., James Burnes, John
Wonn, David Dickson, James Prince, Henry Stephens, John Batten, Mark Smith, William
Webster, John Pearce.
Waldwick — Derile J. Difley, Jonathan White, E. Bennet, John White, B. Gove, A.
Bennet, Sara Bennet, George Bennet, Martha and Mellissa Benret, Pleasant Fields, B. Smith,
Dan Minor, A. Graham, Charles Stewart, G. Stewart, John Bennett, Hardy Elf, Andy Elf,
A. Munson, George A. Martin, M. Heath, Z. Van Norman, R. Gribel, William Ball, James
Kitchen, John Phillips, William Welles, Abe Boyd, Milton Matthews, Franklin Cox, A. White
and Thomas Flint.
From Mifflin — Joel Clayton, William Hope, James Clayton, Levi Welden, John Melburn,
Jacob Melburn, Moses Beaman, Robert Winslerz, Ambrose Thomas, Henry Owens, William
Hopper, Robert Johns, John Phillips, John Flucco, Francis Burett, Louis Helman, William
Brown, T. J. Strong, G. P. Vaughn, Leburn Wells, George Hudson, William Whitcher,
Lane, Edward Eathcant, Hugh Leviston, Robert Moorehead, A. Moorehead, D. Greenwald,
Thomas Bell, B. Stoddard, Woolsy Mayse, Nicholas Thomas, John Wrisley, Jesse Young, Will-
iam Kylls, Thomas Pruestreal, James Kirkpatrick, W. Kirkpatrick, Joel Kay, Thomas Linkin,
J. Crowden, Sr. and Jr., C. Louis, Mark Allison, William Kirkpatrick, William Hill, C. C.
Monney, Thomas Horriban, James Pettyjohn, Chester Messenger, P. B. Selhemer, John
Spears, Palmer, Simon Tyre, James Oarrico, A. Martinau, Alexis Sanville, William Fos-
ter, J. Bartholomew, John Upton, Amons Young, D. Sylvester, Alberst Stephens, Ebin Syl-
vester, Scott Kirkpatrick, Kirkpatrick.
On January 30, 1851, the California fever broke out anew in this district, and from pri-
mary indications, promised to surpass the exodus of the preceding spring. Among the number
were the following person who took steamer, via New Orleans, in February : Joseph Stephens,
Henry Martin, Chris Boden, Samuel Waters, Mrs. Nancy Crocker, Mrs. Caroline Wasley, Miss
Emma Wasley, John Prideaux, Samuel Richards, James Thomas, John Martin, William Opie,
John O'Neill, John Tregal, Joseph Murrish, Robert Riddell, Daniel Tilley, John Grey, Joseph
Prideaux, Ole Torson, Jonathan Meeker, Thomas Martin.
From Dodgeville — George Tregaskis, William Wallace, Henry Dunstone, Jonathan Car-
penter, George Rule, Mrs. J. M. Todd and child, Mrs. G. W. Phillips, John Reed, James
Stephens, John Knight, James Smitherann, Henry C. James, William Webster.
CHAPTER XIV.
MINEEAL POINT AS A VILLAGE.
Charter and Government— Early Ordinances— Business in 1845— A Temperance Move— Old
Miners' Guard Newspaper Extracts— Ho for California !— Jail Breaking — Miners'
Honor— Incendiaries and Cholera— The Order of 1001— Ladies' Cold "Water Union-
Business in 1856— Old Banks— Education— Newspaper Comments— Early Telegraphic
Communication.
charter and government.
The gradual improvements made in the tone of society, as well as in the size and needs of
the village, up to 1844, necessitated a change in the local management of affairs. It became
apparent by this time to every sensible resident, that the "slipshod" habit of gliding along
must be abandoned or the general interests of the community would be damaged very materially.
The old borough had done its duty in its day, but at this epoch something foreign either to-
borough or town government was needed. Without entering into unnecessary details of the
preliminary proceedings, it may here be stated that the village was formally incorporated
by an act of the Legislature of Wisconsin Territory, approved Feb. 11, 1844, entitled "An
Act to Incorporate the Trustees of the Village of Mineral Point," which included all of the
country in Section 31, the west half of Section 32, in Town 5 north, of Range 3 east, and the
north half of Section 6, in Town 4 north, of Range 3 east, in Iowa County. The same wa?
to be known and distinguished as the village of Mineral Point, and the inhabitants were to be
incorporated under the name of the "President and Trustees of the Village of Mineral Point."
The legal voters were required to meet at the court house, to decide by ballot whether they
would accept the charter or not. The election was held on the 4th of March, 1844, and Will-
iam Henry, William Prideaux and Samuel Rich were chosen Judges. There were 157 votes
polled, 80 of which were in favor of the charter, and 77 votes against it.
The first regular election was authorized to be held on the third Monday of March, when one
President, ex officio Trustee, and four Trustees, one Clerk, one Treasurer, one Assessor and three
Constables were to be chosen by ballot. Any other ofiicers needed by the corporation were tO'
be appointed by the Trustees. No one was eligible to ofiice unless a voter of the village, and
could not be elected except by a plurality of votes. The polls were only to be opened from 10
o'clock A. M. until 4 o'clock P. M. Vacancies in the ofiices of President and Trustees were
to be filled by special election, while those occurring in the other offices could be filled by
appointment.
The duties of the various officers were similar to those performed by the officers of any
village corporation, and the Treasurer, in addition to the usual duties, had control of all the
money accruing from the sale of town lots. The Constables were to receive the same amount
of pay in the village as those in the county precincts. Numerous provisions of a valuable and
necessary character were embodied in the charter, appertaining to the fiscal, prudential and
municipal management, as vested in the President and Trustees, besides the provision allowing
the making of special ordinances.
On January 22 of the same session (1844), an amendment was made to the charter con-
cerning the duties of the Collector.
Notwithstanding the incorporation of the village, it was yet connected with the Mineral
Point Precinct, except in the matters indicated by the charter, which did not materially alter
the general relations sustained ; but, as nearly all of the precinct voters lived in the village at
that time, it to all intents and purposes constituted the precinct and town, and thereby the rela-
tions maintained were not very unhappy for several years.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 681
EABLY ORDINANCES.
Some of the ordinances of 1844 and a few years later are rather peculiar when compared
with those of to-day. We note one permitting persons to kill and appropriate anything of the
swine order that might injure or annoy them; also one preventing the erection of awnings to
extend into the street. One of the first things done by the Village Board of 1844 was to order,
for the use of the citizens of the place in case of a fire, two ladders eighteen feet long, two six-
teen feet long, two twelve feet long, with spikes at the bottom, and two ten feet long, with hooks
at the ends. Leather buckets were also supplied at a later date. As chimneys were the excep-
tion and stove-pipes the rule for many years, one of the officers appointed by the Village Trustees
in September, 1844, was a " Stove-pipe Supervisor," whose duty it was to perambulate the
streets and see that the pipes stuck out of the buildings far enough, and that they were properly
prevented from coming in contact with the wood. Another of the chief causes of trouble was
powder. The people, being afraid that an explosion would occur, sent in petitions until an
ordinance was passed restricting its use, and the manner of keeping it. On one occasion, a
report was brought to the Village Board that a horse was lying sick with the glanders. A meet-
ing of the fathers was immediately convened and resolutions passed, and, to make sure that the
horse was removed, all of those who were present adjourned in a body to attend to the matter,
as it was thought the presence of an animal sick with that disease might cause an epidemic in
the place. Petitions of all sorts and kinds were being sent in constantly, and, taking the con-
dition of afiairs throughout into consideration, the holding of office at that time, even, was cer-
tainly no sinecure.
BUSINESS CONDITION IN 1845.
In 1845, there were a large number of business firms, the most notable of which were Cur-
tis Beech and W. Tilley ; John Milton, T. Foster and Charles Stevenson ; 0. J. Minor and Francis
Vivian, and I. T. Lathrop. The three principal hotels were the Mansion House, the Franklin
House and the Central.
There were a large number of smelters also operating in the vicinity, and hundreds of
miners were laboring among the surrounding hills, extracting the precious ores from their clay-
lined or rocky beds.
High street by this time had become the principal street, and during a great part of the
day was the scene of remarkable business activity. A throng of hardy miners were coming and
going constantly. The prices for labor were good, and the cost of goods correspondingly high,
and money was plenty, and that in the main, of a thoroughly substantial character. Each day
witnessed the arrival of stage loads of tourists, capitalists and miners, who had come either to
make, break, or to see the sights in the mining El Dorado of Wisconsin. Speculation of all kinds
was rife, and, in a word. Mineral Point was at the height of its mining prosperity, a prosperity
which was the real foundation for the present substantial wealth of the city. For, strange as it
may seem, the greater part of the money derived from the mining resources was spent here
among the merchants and business men, theirs being the real or permanent gain which accrued
from the general labor.
A TEMPERANCE MOVE — OLD MINERS' GUARD.
From about this time comes the rumor of a temperance agitation that had taken possession
of nearly all circles of society. Meetings were held, and as much of a crusade as the nature of
the times and people would admit of, was inaugurated. This eventually resulted in the organi-
zation of a lodge of that justly popular and useful order, the Sons of Temperance, the member-
ship of which, at one time, embraced a large number of the prominent citizens of the place.
About this time also, a petition was sent into the town authorities, denouncing the groceries
as a nuisance, and requesting the suspension of a number of them. However, the " groceries "
still continued to operate with little restraint, except such as was imposed by ordinances, which
were seldom fully carried out, and by the licenses, which were put as high as $75 for groceries,
$50 for taverns, and $40 for merchants.
682 HISTOK'i: OF IOWA COUNTY.
About 1844 or 1845, the old Mineral Point Miners' Guard was organized, with Theodore
Rodolf, as Captain ; A. W. Paris, as First Lieutenant ; and William T. Henry, as Second Lieu-
tenant. At first there were about one hundred men, but, eventually, owing to the expensive
uniform which was adopted, the number of braves dwindled down to less than fifty. The com-
pany was supplied with full sets of accouterments and arms by the Governor of the State, and
was, during its time, the crack institution of the place. No public gathering was perfect with-
out the Guards, and if any young man of that day could afford it, he must needs be a member,
and wear a cocked hat and brass buttons, and carry an old long-John Enfield, and enjoy all the
glory of military splendor. About the time of the California gold-mines rage, the company was
disbanded, the muskets stored away, and until the irruption of the rebellion nothing more was
done in a military way. Then the " Miners' Guard " was re-organized with sixty men, the nucleus
of whom were the old company. The "Miners' Guards" made their first appearance, armed
and equipped, on the 9th day of June, 1860, and were the first to ofier their services to the
country, and eventually did distinguished service (see war history). In 1846, while the Mexi-
can war was rag.ng, for some inexplicable reason the price of lead ran discouragingly low. and
many of the miners, for the sake of change and adventure, went ofi' and joined the army. Dur-
ing the summer of that year, Lieut.* Francis Henry came to the village from the seat of war.
His reception on the occasion was a perfect ovation ; a banquet was served, and toasts and
speeches in honor of the heroes of the campaign were the order of the day. None then conjec-
tured how much more terrible an ordeal than that, almost over, the country would be called
upon to pass in a few years ; yet, when the time came, those here who had formerly celebrated the
national achievements, were found ready with heart and hand to perpetuate the institutions sealed
to them by their forefathers.
During 1845, in honor of the election of James K. Polk, one of the grandest celebrations
ever witnessed here was indulged in by the people to which nearly all parties contributed
regardless of political diff"erences. G. W. Jones was the leading spirit of the enterprise, and
being ably seconded by thirteen of the handsomest girls in town, on horse back, together with the
never-to-be-forgotten Dragoons and Miners' Guards, and in a word, every one that could get out
or make a noise. No elaborate description will be necessary to convince any one that the afiair
was one never to be forgotten by those who participated.
NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS.
The Tribune of 1847, in one of the issues, gives a glowing account of the thrift, enterprise
and growth of the place. The " Point" stirred with the hum of busy industry of such magni-
tude as to push to the front in advance of all the surrounding inland towns. The streets were
thronged with a busy multitude. The stores and shops were filled to repletion with fresh sup-
plies, and the miners, smelters and merchants were doing a prosperous business. Fifty new
buildings were erected, the most of them of the most substantial materials, as brick and stone,
and the greater part of these were scarcely completed before they were occupied ; in truth, the
supply was, if anything, less than the demand. There were several commodious mechanic
shops in operation, but the amount of work to be done was so far in advance of that of ordinary
years that more were needed. Says the Tribune : " The arrivals and departures of prairie
schooners are as numerous as that of vessels and steamers at the largest sea-port town. There
are now in the vicinity of Mineral Point five lead furnaces in successful operation, each produc-
ing about 120 pigs of lead per day, which, averaged at 73 pounds, will make for each furnace
18,760 pounds, or an aggregate of 43,800 pounds of lead. We understand that one gentleman
has paid for lead during the past season $-30,000. The copper furnace of Beech & Co., which
has been put in operation within the past two weeks, is now producing from 10,000 to 15,000
pounds of copper per week." But, amid all the prosperity, the editor of the paper was left in
straitened circumstances, or paper-rags were scarce, for his sheet appears, coupled with an
apology for the same, printed on ordinary wrapping paper. Such are the vicissitudes to which
a journalist is exposed while trying to earn his bread in doing public service.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 683
If the building done in 1847 was large, what must we say of 1848, when twice the number
of houses were erected, some of them the best of the present day. Certainly, Mineral Point was
then growing very rapidly, but a year had not gone by when the whole business aspect of the
place was changed.
HO FOR CALIFORNIA !
Ho for the glorious climate of California ! was the cry. Gold ! Gold to be obtained as
easily as lead. Hundreds of men of all ages and pursuits started for the land of bright dreams,
and the business of Mineral Point came to a stand-still (see general sketch). Hardly had the
emigration to El Dorado fairly begun, when a greater enemy to the happiness of the village made
its appearance in the shape of Asiatic cholera. If anything was needed to " cap the climax "
of unfortunate change, this was it ; but now, as during preceding calamities, there was no alter-
native for the people who remained, only to make the best of the situation and await the dawn of
a better day.
JAIL BREAKING.
One of the exciting episodes of 1848, was the breaking of the jail by Patrick Walch, Henry
Brown and Francis McLary, three desperadoes who were accused of various heinous crimes. A
general effort was made to recapture them, but the birds took flight to regions remote, and were
never heard from again about the fastnesses of Mineral Point.
miners' HONOR.
Although the country all through the early years was over-run with the very roughest of
characters, many of whom would not hesitate at any crime, yet. in one respect, they were
exceptionally honorable, almost to a man. If a miner bought anything and promised to pay,
the promise was almost sure to be fulfilled, sooner or later, as the following will illustrate : A
rough-and-ready fellow stepped into Curtis Beech's store one day and asked to be trusted to the
amount of $40 or $50, saying that he would pay when he came to town again. He was given
the goods, and left, and nothing more was seen of him for two or three years; then, all
unexpectedly, one day, he stepped into the store and informed the clerk of whom he bought the
goods that he had come to pay his bill, as he said he would the first time that he came to town
again. It appears that, when he made the purchase, he intended leaving the country and made
an equivocal promise, very likely thinking he could pass his word to pay on his return and
neither break his word or do so ; but, as it suited his convenience to come back, he was bound,
according to the miner's code of honor, to stick to the letter of his word, and he did so.
A canvass of the business interests of Mineral Point, made in May, 1851, revealed the fact
that business activity had not been greatly retarded by the California fever, but very little build-
ing was going on. This was, probably, partially because those miners who had left families here,
were already sending back large sums of money for their support, which, as a matter of course,
was spent at the counters of the merchants. There were then ten dry goods stores, selling, on
an average, $13,000 worth of merchandise each month; four groceries, disposing of $3,500 per
month of common edibles, and two drug stores that were selling about $800 worth of materials.
The postage on letters received per quarter amounted to $481.81 ; the postage on outgoing let-
ters, during the same time, was $454.81 ; while the amount on papers sent and received was
$73.42. The Hotchkiss telegraph, which was then in operation, paid at the rate of $100 per
month. The lead production was on an average 14,000 pigs per month, which weighed seventy
pounds to the pig.
INCENDIARIES AND CHOLERA.
In October of 1851, the people were electrified, one night between 12 and 1 o'clock, by the
cry of fire. Within a short time after the alarm was given, the streets were thronged with eager
men, and, in less time, almost, than it takes to relate, the incipient conflagration was put out.
During the time this was being done, two or three men were running about industriously burg-
larizing private houses, showing that the fire was the work of thieves. The citizens were unused
■684 HISTOKY OF IOWA COUNTY.
to this sort of thing, never having had such an experience before, and were up in arms almost
to a man, striving to catch the rascals ; but, fortunately for them, they escaped ; otherwise,
beyond a doubt, it would have been the privilege of the historian to describe a first-class lynch-
ing sensation. The village, then being without any fire apparatus, was in no better condition
to fight a severe fire than the city is to-day, and, consequently, many might have fallen an easy
prey to the intentions of the knaves, had the fire once gotten fairly under way.
In 1852, the village experienced another severe attack of the cholera, which, fortunately,
was the last visitation of that dreadful contagion.
Skipping an unimportant period, we come to 1856, the year from which dates one of the
most prominent events in the history of the village, viz.: the arrival of the Mineral Point Rail-
road. But, before mentioning that particularly, we will notice, in a general way, what imme-
diately preceded it. One of the most important occurrences was the printers' ball and banquet,
in commemoration of the one hundred and fiftieth anniversary of Benjamin Franklin's death.
The affair was gotten up in a style to do honor to the memory of the great statesman, philosopher
and printer, and is spoken of as having been, without exception, one of the grandest social
demonstrations ever made here.
THE ORDER OF 1,001
One of the celebrated institutions of " Auld Lang Syne " that deserves mention was the
famous order of 1,001, founded by the joker brigade of the village, for the purpose of victimiz-
ing the nincompoops or any one unsuspicious enough to be taken in. The thousand of the title
was supposed to be expressive of the number of tricks that could be played, while the one rep-
resented the candidate for initiatory honors.
The order is said to have been first started here by the three jocund Kelly brothers, Fran-
cis Henry and Andrew Hewitt. Within a short time after its incipiency, it had acquired a
remarkable fame, both far and near. Every one who was a member became a great advocate of
the benefits to be derived by belonging to the order. It was anything and everything to be
desired. As a secret organization, nothing equaled it, and nothing approached it (the last clause
being strictly true).
To describe the various ceremonies gone through, as riding the goat, blistering the moon,
killing time, heaving on the billows (of a bed blanket), etc., would require as much ingenuity as
was expended in inventing them. Suffice it to say, the order did not last very long, as, owing to
its very nature, it must needs die when its true character became known, and there were no more
aspirants for its honors.
At about the time the 1,001 were flourishing, a sort of sub rosa, " night hawk " paper made
its appearance occasionally, called the Q-olden Grown, which was devoted to the social affairs,
which were generally unknown, or that those who were personally interested hoped would
remain unknown. This sheet, like all such productions, lived a brief time then quietly subsided
to give place to some fresh scheme for diversion.
ladies' cold water union.
On the 2d of May, 1856, a large number of the prominent ladies of the village met and
organized a lodge of the Cold Water Union, No. 9, D. of T. (daughters of temperance). The
officers elected were : Mrs. A. W. Bliss, P. S. ; Mrs. A. A. Pierce, A. S. ; Mrs. F. Smith, A.
R. S.; Mrs. Mary H. Wright, F. S. ; Mrs. AmeUa Cotterell, F. ; Mrs. Deborah Brake, C. ;
Mrs. Ellen W. Priestly, A. C. ; Mrs. Catharine C. Robb, G. This order was instituted for the
purpose of promoting temperance principles in the home and social circles, but, like nearly all
such institutions, eventually died out for want of support.
BUSINESS IN 1856.
Up to 1856, there were still ten dry goods houses, four groceries and two drug stores, selling
ubout the same amount of goods per month that they were during 1851, and, besides, there
were several other establishments, selling a proportionate amount of merchandise.
.^^'^v
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M IN EF^AL POI NT^ WIS-
HISTOBY OF IOWA COUNTY. 687
The most prominent buildings in the village at this date were those of Messrs. Thomas &
Co., John Milton's store on High street, and the store and warehouse of G. W. Cobb, on Com-
merce street — these being three-story buildings, and of stone. Among the dwellings were those
of M. M. Cotheran, William Lanyon, Henry Plowman, N. B. Boydon and George Priestly.
Those structures and about sixty others had been erected during the past year, exhibiting the
fact that the village had taken a new start. These valuable improvements were caused by the
expected advent of the railroad, which arrived in the fall of 1856, and to obtain which the city and
town of Mineral Point had made unprecedented sacrifices, anticipating that by this means the place
could be made to hold its own in the rapid march of improvement then going on through the
State. That the road has proved largely beneficial in some respects cannot be denied, but these
benefits have nearly if not wholly been outweighed, in the estimation of a majority of the inhab-
itants, by the eifects of the bonded debt that was incurred by them in favor of the railroad, and
which eventuated in a course of litigation and general strife that has proved a source of great
expense both to the city and town. However, there is one consolation to be derived from the
cup of bitterness, and that is, the road is here, and will not be moved away soon : and though
the sacrifices made were great, matters might have been infinitely worse. Not to have had a
railroad for many years after this one was built would have retarded the commerce and
improvement of the entire country very materially, for it must not be forgotten, before this time
every article had to be hauled in and out of the county with teams ; visitors were obliged to be
satisfied with the necessarily slow movement incident to stage travel, no matter how great the
hurry, and, taken all in all, the general inconvenience resulting from such a state of affairs was
unquestionably very disadvantageoiis.
OLD BANKS.
After the old Mineral Point Bank failed, there was no banking institution until 1846, when
C. C. Washburn and Cyrus Woodman established a private bank. They continued to operate
until 1855, when, by mutual consent, the bank was closed and the firm dissolved, all bills against
the institution being paid. After the withdrawal of Washburn and Woodman from business, an
employe named L. H. Whittlesey continued the bank, and, in 1857, took in Joel C. Squires as
partner, who was at that time Bank Comptroller of the State. The institution then became
the Iowa County Bank, operating under State laws, with currency based on bonds. In January,
1860, the bank passed under the management of a company, with Joel C. Squires as President.
In 1861, it became a victim to the depreciation of values on Southern lands and the all-prevail-
ing "wild-cat " money, and failed. There were no dividends declared, after 1859, by this estab-
lishment. Subsequent to the failure of the Iowa County Bank, B. F. Thomas did a banking
business for three years or more ; then, after paying all demands in full, he closed the institution.
EDUCATION.
There is no surer index of the character and enterprise of a community than the public and
private schools. They in reality reflect the sentiment and aspirations of a people, their hopes
for the future and their condition in the past. They are the mile-posts on the road to moral and
mental improvement ; the signs that mark the eras in the passage of time, from the intellectual
infancy of a country to its maturity, in the various developments of civilization.
When viewed retrospectively, the change that has come over the educational systems of the
country, as especially exemplified here, is something remarkable, as well as peculiarly suggestive
with regard to the future. " What has been done, can be done again," and often with numer-
ous improvements. Thus for the fifty or one hundred ensuing years, who can predict what may
not be achieved ? As all energies for good are cumulative, it may be hoped that then every
individual here and everywhere throughout the country will be the recipients of a liberal edu-
cation and its refining influences, and that ignorance and its concomitants, bigotry, cruelty and
superstition, will scarcely find lodgment in a single heart or brain.
First School. — One of the very first schools in the State, and the first in Iowa County^
was taught at Mineral Point in 1829. This temple of learning was a small cabin made of poles
V
688 HISTOEY or IOWA COUNTY.
or sods, built to accommodate some one for a few weeks or months, as the case might be, then ta
be left for some needy successor, or to be torn down for fuel, and to give place for some more
pretentious structure. The first teacher was a Mrs. Harker, who began to train the ideas of
some seven or eight youngsters in the course which they should rightfully pursue, quite early in
the spring of the year. What the text-books used were, remains a mystery, but if she was a
New Englander, it would not be hard to determine (providing, of course, that there were any
books at all). The children were principally from a family by the name of Nolton, with a little
four-year-old by the name of White. Mrs. Harker after having continued this institution of
learning for a short time, turned her charge over to a Miss Beulah Lamb, now Mrs. John
Schillinger, of Wiota, La Fayette County, who conducted the school to its close, in the summer
of 1829.
Boyer School. — In 1830, Robert Boyer opened a subscription for select school here,
which is generally, though erroneously supposed to have been the first one taught in this section
of the country. At that time the number of resident families had so largely augmented, that
they could furnish about twenty pupils, thus making a very respectable number for so young a
colony. The schoolhouse was a good sized log cabin, built in the usual style, with puncheons
for a floor, but in all probability without desks, except such as were provided by resting the chin
in the palms of the hands.
Boyer's school closed before the Black Hawk war, and from that time until 1834, there
appears to have been no regular school, so far as can be ascertained ; then a school was started
in a log building, which stood near Mrs. May's spring, by George Cubbage, who taught here
for several years. The structure used was, according to tradition, built both for a meeting and
schoolhouse, but at what time does not especially signify ; it may possibly have been the cabin
erected by the Rev. Roberts (spoken of elsewhere), or it may have been the work of the entire
community. One of the scholars of 1885, in speaking of this school and the means of instruc-
tion employed, says: "Nearly everything about the building was of wood; the seats were
puncheon benches, and the desks, if there were any, were certainly nothing more at the best
than puncheons fixed up in front of us. I remember that the seats were so high that several
years of growth was required upon the part of the little fellows before they could hope to
touch their toes to the floor. From those elevated perches we were constantly dropping all
sorts of articles down through the yawning cracks, and receiving the benefits of lively drafts
of air that found entrance where our playthings went out, but, notwithstanding those discom-
forts, we were happy." Their time was employed then principally by blackboard exercises, or
what would now be termed such. The blackboards were supplied by other but not less ingen-
ious contrivances. Along two sides of the room were placed troughs, coming about up to the
chin of a small boy, which were about eighteen inches wide, and filled with dry sand. This
contrivance constituted the blackboard, and here, dr.y after day, detachments of the Mineral
Point youth used to marshal their forces and wrestle mightily with the difiicult task of drawing
A B in the sand, or limning the first elements of Cocker. One of the digits was the pencil
used, and the erasers were ready at hand., being the fat palms of each lusty little scribe.
When the borough was incorporated in 1837, the school became, to a considerable extent,
the protege of the village government, such appropriations being made from time to time as the
finances of the place would guarantee. These funds, in connection with what was subscribed
by the people independently, were generally sufficient to keep the school in operation the greater
part of the time during the existence of the first corporation.
For some time previous to 1840, the propriety of building a comfortable schoolhouse was
discussed by the town authorities, and finally in that year, after nearly half the people of the
locality had begun clamoring for something to be done in the way of making improvements in
the school facilities, it was decided to erect a new schoolhouse. The building, which was 26x30
feet in area, and 12 feet high, was constructed of stone and brick. It was erected and finished,
all but plastering, in the fall of 1840, at a cost of about f500, Joseph Turner and James
Hugo being the builders. This edifice may be properly denominated as the first building thus
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 689
far used, that was a really fit place to confine children during several hours of each day. The
first school was taught here during the winter of 1840, by J. E. Heaton. The old schoolhouse
was subsequently sold for the small sum of $15. In 1844, the brick schoolhouse was
enlarged and improved to a considerable extent to provide room for the rapidly increasing num-
ber of children, but the extra expenditure so exhausted the exchequer of the district or town,
that in the spring of 1845, the school had to be suspended. The schoolhouse was rented very
soon after at the nominal sum of $6 per month, and for a year or more following, the only
schools in the place were strictly private, the town extending no support to them.
Previous to 1840, the old court house was utilized by different parties for school purposes,
and even after, according to the exigencies of the times.
One of the teachers who taught here before 1840, was Dr. Losey, who held forth
in the court house, having a large patronage. Another of the early schools was taught
by C. C. Rynerson, in an old part log and part frame building, which stood on Lot 38, of Vliet's
Survey. School was kept here for several years before 1850. The above schools, in connection
with the school taught in the old brick schoolhouse, were, previous to the adoption of the State
system of schools, the leading educational institutions of the place. There were also other
schools at difierent times to suit the convenience of those who could find no other employment,
and seized this method of occupation for a brief time. One school, of considerable importance,
not mentioned, was taught by a Mr. Hollow, a preacher, in a small church erected about 1845,
as described in the church history. The majority of the schools up to this date were compara-
tively wretched afiairs, especially in the accommodations afforded the little ones. Buildings that
would hardly be considered fit to live in, in many cases were used for schoolrooms, and these
were but poorly seated, ventilated, warmed and cleaned, the chief object being, seemingly, to
get as much money out of the scholars as possible, and give as little in return as possible.
NEWSPAPER COMMENTS.
The Tribune of 1849, remarks that there were five schools in Mineral Point, two of them
being spoken of as very good. One, taught by Mr. Moore, in the basement of the Methodist
Episcopal Church, and the other, by Percival T. Millette. From the above, it will be seen
that there was no dearth of schools, although less and better may have been desirable.
After the introduction of the State law respecting public schools, which became effective
after the 1st of May, 1849, the subject of making general and extensive improvements in the
schools here were publicly discussed, as appears from an article of June 10, 1849, in a local
newspaper, and which is presented without comment :
" It is desirable that immediate steps be taken to arouse the people to a sense of their own
interests, in relation to the education of youths under the present school system. The law Iws
been in operation since the 1st day of May ; and, hitherto, there has been an apparent apathy
on the part of our citizens on this subject, which is anything but desirable. The attempts of
the Town Superintendents to discharge their duties are not seconded by the energies of the
people themselves — the parents and heads of families. This is much to be regretted, and, as a
remedy, and to foster the good work of education, the Town Superintendents of Dodgeville and
Mineral Point propose to their fellow-citizens that a county convention of the reverend clergy,
Town Superintendents and citizens generally, and all who take an interest in the education of
youth, and in the system of public schools as established by law, to be held on Thursday, 19th
of July, at the court house."
The result of this meeting was favorable.
The First Public School. — On the 1st of May, 1850, the first public school under the
improved State law was opened, the attendance was quite large, there being about 200 pupils,
and the accommodations provided are spoken of as having been very good. The funds raised
by taxation not proving sufficient to meet the expenses of the schools, in 1851, the scholars were
required to pay 25 cents per month, to be appropriated toward their teachers' salary. This new
departure, so soon after the establishment of the new school system, although it might have been
690 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
anticipated under preceding circumstances, did not meet with general approval, or, if it did,
many of the people did not have the money to pay. At any rate, the school's attendance rapidly
diminished, and. within the year, the schools were closed for want of funds to continue them.
This method of aiding the schools was pursued with varying success for several years, and again,
in 1854, the schools were closed for want of funds ; but, probably, for no great length of time.
One of the schoolhouses of 1855, is spoken of as having no chairs, while " the seats were rickety,
and the floors interspersed with yawning gaps."
School Nuisances. — The Tribune, in an article of March 11, 1856, speaks of a movement
on foot to start a people's union school, or college, and also says that there is a considerable talk
about opening a denominational school under the management of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
In this connection, it may be mentioned that a school was then running under the management
of the Methodist Episcopal society. A correspondent of that date, in writing to the Tribune,
having been connected with a teachers' institute here, and having examined the schools, describes
a school kept in what is denominated " Carter's Shop," as " a nuisance," it being " a low, damp
place, where ninety-five boys, from the ages of four to eighteen years, were huddled together."
Another place is spoken of as a " dismal den," " with a cold, damp, poisonous atmosphere,"
which was under the Presbyterian Church, where nearly as many children were congregated.
From the general tenor of reports concerning educational facilities at that time, they could not
have been up to the average.
The Old Seminary. — The project for the starting of a denominational Methodist school,
already mentioned, was properly, the work of John Nolan, which finally resulted in interesting
the General Methodist Conference, and the organizing of a Seminary Association, which became
incorporated by an act approved March 20, 1856, with the following board of Trustees : Cyrus
Woodman, J. E. Messmore, James Hutchinson, W. Wilcox, John Murrish, John Toay, William
H. Curry, William Langdon, Samuel Thompson, M. M. Cotheran, Samuel Wheeler, Alfred
Brunson, John Bracken, Robert Frazier, James Davenport, E. C. Jones, Albert McWright,
James Wallis, T. S. Allen, William Humber and Matthew Dinsdale.
The purpose of the organization is stated in the charter to have been " the establishing,
maintaining and conducting an institution of learning."
The first regular meeting of the Trustees was convened three months after the act of incor-
poration. A subscription was obtained, amounting to over $2,000, in aid of the enterprise.
On the 19th of February, 1857, Lots 1, 2, 7 and 8, of Block 93, Strong's Addition to the
city, were purchased as a building site, and general arrangements were made soon after for
■ erecting a substantial and commodious school building. In order to obtain sufficient funds to
conduct the scheme to a successful issue, before the building arrangements had progressed to any
great extent, the city authorities were induced to lend their credit to obtain $5,000, the same to
be secured by a mortgage on the building. This was accomplished under a provision of the city
charter, obtained in the spring of 1857. After this, the house was rapidly pushed to completion.
Mr. Nolan opened the school when the edifice was ready, and continued the school until 1861.
Previous to this, in 1860, the Trustees of the seminary, finding the institution not really
profitable, and knowing that the city needed a good public school building, made a proposition
to sell the property to the city. Accordingly a citizens' meeting was held on August 20, 1860,
and $2,500 were voted to pay off the outstanding expense incurred by the seminary authorities
in erecting the buildiug, over and above the $5,000 spoken of. Nothing further of moment was
done until the 28th of January, 1861, when a bargain was finally consummated by the city pur-
chasing the property. The Trustees in the meantime had secured an act, approved February 9,
1861, by which they were authorized to dispose of the property as they saw fit, and thus enabling
the city to buy.
The building as intimated, was not yet finished, so the first thing to be done was to com-
plete the work before the institution would be fit throughout for occupancy. The first teacher
employed by the city as Principal in the new school building was I. E. Pillsbury, one of his
daughters being the first assistant.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 691
The following extracts made from an article published in March, 1859, exhibits the condi-
tion of the common schools of the town at that time.
" Warren's School on Fountain street accommodated about forty-five scholars, which were
progressing rapidly, but the building in which the school was taught was entirely unfit for the
purpose. It was so situated that whenever a rain-storm came, large quantities of mud were
washed in under the door, onto the floor, where it would have collected had it not found ready
egress through the gaping cracks. It is spoken of as a disgrace to allow a school to be kept in
a building not fit for human habitation."
In June of that year, the City Council purchased a brick building of Chas. Bracken, known
as the Westminster (or Old School) Presbyterian Church, and fitted it up for a school-house.
A local paper at this time quaintly remarked : " Under the circumstances, this may be a
wise movement, it being understood that the old schoolroom on Fountain street will be con-
verted into a stable, for which it has been remarkably well adapted for a number of years."
In 1860, from general reports, it appears that the schools were never better or in a more
prosperous condition. At this time it will be remembered the city was one school district, con-
trolled by the city authorities, in accordance with the charter of 1857. Such portions of the
town as belonged to the old district, that were not within the city limits, were set oflf and united
with other districts ; satisfactory arrangements were eflFected with regard to the division of, and
pay for, the joint property. In accordance with a charter, a City School Superintendent was
appointed, and after the purchase of the seminary property and the Presbyterian Church, a reg-
ular system was adopted, the schools being divided into seven departments ; one high school ;
three intermediate and three primary. This condition of things did not last long, for in an arti-
cle published by the City Board, of March 12, 1862, they announce that the high school depart-
ment will be conducted for a few months by Mr. Pillsbury, as a private school, the parents having
agreed to supply any deficiency that might arise in the payment of the tuition fees. Eventually
the public school system was resumed, and has been continued successfully to the present time.
On the 5th of November, 1861, the City Council, upon a petition of the School Board,
submitted the question to the people as to whether a tax of $4,000 should be levied or not to build
a new schoolhouae. This project was defeated by a vote of 125 against 103. The exigencies
of the war arising at that time made such a demand upon the resources of the community that
the idea of erecting a new school building was abandoned for the time. Nothing further was
done in the matter until 1867 ; then, in response to a petition, the City Council announced a
special vote to be made on the 2d of April of that year, for the purpose of authorizing a $5,000
tax and loan to erect a new school building. The ballot resulted' in a three-fourths majority in
favor of the tax, so this was finally decided. Very soon after, the contract for erecting what is
known as the Second Ward School Building was let, and within a year the structure was com-
pleted and a school under full tide of operation. During this year, the brick schoolhouse and
the Lots 11 and part of 12, in Block 23, of M. M. Strong's Addition, connected therewith, were
sold to the Methodist Episcopal society for $1,000. This brought the building actually in use,
to accommodate the school, down to the present number, for the old brick schoolhouse was then
being rented, and subsequently was sold, with the lot on which it stood, at auction, for $200.
In September, 1875, a meeting of the people was called, in accordance with an act of the
Legislature, approved that spring (Chapter 233), to decide upon having a free high school,
under the law. The vote being favorable, the board immediately instituted this department
where the former high school had been conducted. W. W. Ray was the first teacher here at
$1,200 per annum.
Since the establishment of the city schools, the reports of general progress have been uni-
formly excellent, the standing having been kept up to the best known throughout the State.
The number of pupils, in average attendance in the high school department was, during 1880,
thirty-two, all of whom are on the free list, or residents of the town. In the city, during last
year, there was an attendance of 542 children between the ages of four and fifteen years,
who find ample accommodation in the various departments, which are provided with three
692 HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY.
male and female teachers. There are also three private schools in the city that are
attended by six female teachers. The school buildings now in use are creditable to the charac-
ter and intelligence of the people, being commodious and neatly furnished, as well as being well
heated and ventilated, no means having been spared to make them all that can be desired.
EARLY TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION.
Up to 1849, the only means of communication with the outside world afforded to the citizens
of Mineral Point, was through the mails or by special messengers. In view of the nature of
commercial life and transactions, this condition of things often subjected the business men here
to a great inconvenience and ofttimes absolute losses, which could have been avoided by quick
communication with the large trade centers. Thus it will be readily surmised, that when a prop-
osition was made to erect a telegraph line, by the operatives of the old Hotchkiss Telegraph
Company, the people were not only interested, but a liberal pecuniary support was extended by
the representative business men of the place.
During the summer of 1849, the company being satisfied with the encouragement given,
began the work of erecting the line, and by the 1st of December of that year had it completed
ready for transmitting messages. . The office was situated in the old Miller building on Lot 40.
The Tribune was then located in that building, and its editor, G. W. Bliss, was appointed tele-
graphic operator. The line which extended to Dodgeville was in operation several days before
the main line was open.
At 9 o'clock P. M., December 1, the circuit was opened, and the signal I. I., 0. K. & D.
I., was received at Mineral Point. The first message transmitted was one complimentary to the
Madison editors from G. W. Bliss, of the Tribune, to which H. A. Tenney, of the Argus, an-
swered with exchange of greetings. The company failed, and the line was abandoned after about
four years, and thus ended the first telegraphic enterprise with the exception of the Dodgeville
end, which is still in operation.
The old company was known as the " Hotchkiss Line, Milwaukee, Galena & Chicago
Telegraph." The proprietors were Messrs. Hotchkiss & Powers. In communication with Mil-
waukee, Waukesha, Whitewater, Fort Atkinson, Janesville, Jefferson, Lake Mills, Madison,
Dodgeville, Mineral Point, Shullsburg, Hazel Green, Galena, Beloit, Eockton, Rockford, Bel-
videre, Racine, Southport, Waukegan, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Buffalo, New York, Boston,
Washington, St. Louis, Port Washington, Sheboygan, Sheboygan Falls, Fond du Lac.
From this time until 1868, although the railroad had been in operation for over ten years,
there was no outside telegraph connection. Perhaps the town would have remained without it
much longer, had not the Mississippi Valley Company sent their special agent here, J. W.
Crouse, to confer with the inhabitants about establishing a line. The matter was at once taken
in hand by the business men, and such substantial encouragement was extended by them that
within a few hours after Mr. Crouse's arrival, the establishment of another telegraph was an
assured thing. A subscription paper was circulated by William T. Henry, and in one forenoon
thirty-three subscribers were secured who took fifty-five shares, at $50 per share. They were as
follows : William T. Henry, James Spensely, John Strachan, William Langon, Brewer and
Penhallegon, A. B. Ferris, D. M. Piatt, A. K. Johnson, John Spensely, Gumbert and Hughes,
J. Graber, P. Lanahan, R. D. Pulford, J. Gundry, P. Allen & Co., J. M. Hadfield, T. J.
Clancey & Co., G. W. Cobb, Langan, Kinsman & Co., Josiah Langon, Gillman Brothers,
Samuel Code, E. J. Cooper, A. Wilson, Powell & Lawrence, Amasa Cobb, J. J. Ross, John
James, James Hutchison, J. Speilman, Argall & Walker, David Jacka and Gundry & Gray.
The line was duly constructed according to agreement, but had only gotten fairly under opera-
tion, when it passed into the hands of and was continued by another company. The stock-
holders lost all they had invested, and would have lost more, as the original price of the shares
was f 100, had not Mr. Henry inserted a written proviso that they were to be but $50 each.
The line is at present being operated by the Western Union Company. Thus, after a consider-
able pecuniary loss upon the part of the people, a permanent line was secured.
CHAPTER XT.
MINERAL POINT AS A CITY.
First Chabter— Second Charter — Third Charter — Statistics and Notes, 1860 to 1863 — War
OcoTTRRENCEs— Old Settlers' Re-union Celebration — YARiors Items— Old Settlers
Still Living — William T. Henry's Geological Collection— Zinc Works— Post Office-
Manufacturing and Banks— Agricultural Society- Secular Societies— Religions-
Cemeteries— Official Roster — Business Summary and Conclusion— City Directory.
FIEST CHAETEE.
In a majority of instances, the union of a village with a town, after a few years becomes
burdensome to the former, inasmuch as certain restrictions are usually imposed, and have to be
tolerated, that tend to retard the growth of a place that has an ambitious or enterprising class
of people. To this common feeling the village of Mineral Point was no exception when the pop-
ulation had increased sufficiently to produce a marked change.
Early in 1856, the subject of altering the charter began to be generally agitated, and
accordingly a meeting of the citizens of Mineral Point was convened, on the 26th of July, 1856,
at the court house, for the purpose of considering the propriety of revising, the village charter,
or drafting a city charter. Parley Eaton was elected Chairman, and L. W. Whittlesy, Secre-
tary. Judge Crawford and Messrs. Clary, Allen, VanDusen, Boyden, Messmore, Wilbur and
Bracken addressed the people, recommending them to secure a city charter ; this being the best
method by which they could effect a thorough change and remedy the defects of the village char-
ter, which in its provisions had been proven entirely inadequate to the needs and growth of the
place. The streets needed extensive improvements, the license measures were not sufficiently
stringent, and the provisions for the punishment of misdemeanors were totally insufficient ; in
fact, they were almost useless ; the village being virtually only a portion of the town of Mineral
Point. Therefore, on motion of Judge Crawford, a committee, consisting of Messrs. Crawford,
Clary, Messmore, Allen and Squires, was appointed by the chair, to draft a city charter, to be sub-
mitted at an adjourned meeting.
In due course of time the city charter was drafted and submitted to a popular vote as pre-
viously indicated, and was accepted, and by an act of the Legislature, approved March 2, 1857,
entitled, " An act to incorporate the city of Mineral Point," the bill became a law.
This charter materially enlarged the boundaries of the place, the following amount of ter-
ritory being added to that embraced by the village limits, viz.: The northeast quarter of Sec-
tion 1, Town 4 north, of Range 2 east, and the east half of Section 36, of Town 5 north, in
Range 2 east.
The city was divided into two wards. The land lying on the west side of Chestnut street,
and that lying west of the west line of Bracken & Irving's Addition, constituted the First
Ward, and tha't which lay on the east side of Chestnut street constituted the Second Ward.
The corporate authority of the city was vested in a Mayor and Board of Aldermen con-
sisting of six members, three from each ward, who, with the Mayor, were denominated
the Common Council.
The officers elected at large by ballot were the Mayor, a School Superintendent, a Treas-
urer, a Police Justice and Marshal ; while three Aldermen, a Justice of the Peace, a Constable
and Assessor were to be elected in each ward. The remaining officers required to transact the
public business, as a Clerk, City Attorney and Street Commissioner, were to be appointed by
694 HISTORY or IOWA COUNTY.
the Common Council. The elections were to be held in the wards on the first Monday of May
of each year. A vacancy in the Common Council was to be filled by a special election, other
vacancies to be filled by appointment.
Oaths and bonds for the faithful discharge of duty were exacted from the officers, as in
former cases, and their duties designated. The fiscal, prudential and municipal afiairs of the
city, being vested in the Common Council, were subject to such changes as might be deemed
expedient by the institution of various ordinances. However, the various articles of the chap-
ter providing for schools, for the administration of justice and the maintenance of good Order,
for the prevention of fires, for the collecting of taxes, for improving the streets, etc., etc., were
deemed sufficient to meet nearly all emergencies. From provisions made we note :
A jury of twelve freeholders was to be convened in case of laying out streets to assess and
agree upon the value of the property taken.
The city was to constitute a separate school district, and, among the other provisions con-
nected therewith, was an unusual one allowing the district to borrow $10,000, to be employed
in erecting school buildings, etc. All property belonging to the district was vested in the city.
Very stringent fire limits could be established under this chapter, and a fire company organized
at any time.
After a year's experience, it was discovered that there were serious defects in the charter
and improvements needed, and, by an act, approved March 28, 1858, chapter of 1856 was vari-
ously amended. The Police Justice was dropped, and the Mayor was empowered to perform
the duties or to appoint a substitute, while an Assessor was to be elected at large, and an Alder-
man each year from the two wards. Other . changes, not necessary to be detailed, were
effected.
By acts of the Legislature, approved March 17, 1859, and March 9, 1860, the charter
was further amended in a few particulars, embodied in the subsequent acts.
In October, 1856, while the Mineral Point Railroad bond furor was yet raging among the
citizens of Iowa County, the citizens of Mineral Point Village and town, in response to an ap-
plication for assistance, made to the different municipalities, by the Mineral Point Railroadi
Company, issued $60,000 of interest-bearing bonds in favor of the company, pledging the pub-
lic faith in payment. Subsequently, those bonds became an elephant on the hands of the people,,
and proved a very effective element of disturbance between town and city, as well as a general
bone of contention between the railroad management and the public authorities. Eventually,,
the city and town bond indebtedness was divided, and a final settlement was effected in 1870,
when $33,101, the city's portion, was to be included in the assessment of taxes, this share of the
debt being collected in ten annual installments.
THE SECOND CHARTER.
In the fall and spring of 1860-61. a move was made for an improvement on the old char-
ter and its amendments, which finally resulted in the remodeling and revising of the preceding
acts,, by a draft for a new charter, compiled by G. L. Frost.
This bill was submitted to the Legislature in due form, in the spring of 1861, and, with-
out opposition, by act of March 2, became a law. The boundaries of the town were left as be-
fore. The city officials remained nearly the same, only there were a few slight changes made in
the time and manner of electing the officers, also in the time of holding elections. A municipal
Court was created, the Mayor being styled Municipal Judge. Some minor changes were made
in the granting of ordinances, allowing the people to vote on the acceptance of some of them.
With a few other exceptions, the text of the new charter corresponded with the previous enact-
ments. '
The last charter had not been published a year before the restless genius of the place sug-
gested a change, if not an improvement, which was effected by an act approved March 22, 1862,
and again, by an act approved April 16, of the ensuing year, an amendment was made, particu-
larly affecting the school system.
HISTORY or IOWA COUNTY. 695
In accordance with the demand for bounty money which arose about 1863, an act was
passed February 18, 1864, authorizing the assessment of a tax on the public property, the
amount to be indicated by & special election, but not to exceed $200 for each volunteer, or for
the family of such person. An amendment appertaining to the foregoing was made in February
of the ensuing year.
THIRD CHARTER.
After securing' the last amendment to the second charter, for eight years no changes or
additions were made ; the affairs of the city being managed without dissension ; yet it must not
be supposed that the people were entirely satisfied. A gradually increasing demand had been
made for something different, which culminated, in the spring of 1873, in the present city charter.
This chapter is a re-draft of the original schemes of government, enlarged and improved to
suit the exigencies of the times, by W. T. Henry, in response to the request of the city author-
ities. The general provisions are very elaborate in detail, and cover nearly every desirable point
to be embodied in a city charter.
The errors existing in the preceding forms were corrected, as nearly as possible, and several
valuable additions were made, the most notable being a clause exempting the lands of tax-payers
from assessment for any bonded indebtedness. By the institution of this wily proviso, the out-
standing railroad bond judgments were effectually held in abeyance.
For further information, the reader will consult the act approved March 22, 1873, Chap-
ter 237.
The chapter was amended by an act approved February 5, 1873, pertaining to the collec-
tion of taxes, relating to Sections 5, 6 and 14.
An act approved March 2, 1875 (Chapter 128), authorizes the Commissioners of School
and University lands, and trust funds, to loan a sum, not exceeding $50,000, to the City of
Mineral Point, at 7 per cent interest, the same to be paid annually, with 10 per cent of the prin-
cipal, by a regular assessment and collection of taxes, the same as other taxes are collected.
It is said that change is the handmaid of improvement and prosperity in local matters as
well as in national development. Such being the case, it may be safely said that Mineral Point
is constantly expanding, as indicated by the numerous alterations wrought during the last forty-
three years in the system of government. In all probability, no place of equal pretensions or
importance in the Northwest has so thoroughly run the gamut of perpetual change in charters
and amendments, and, doubtless, ere the lapse of many years, at the present rate of growth,
another charter will be instituted.
STATISTICS AND NOTES OF 1860.
The increase in general business, if not in population, must have been very rapid after the
advent of the railroad for several years, as shown by the statistics of 1860. There were, at that
time, one bank, eight hotels, seventeen dry goods and grocery stores, nine boot and shoe stores,
three harness and leather stores, three hardware stores, three drug stores, two jewelry stores,
one book store, two furniture stores, seven blacksmith-shops and plow factories, five wagon-shops,
two brass and iron foundries, two breweries, one grist-mill and three warehouses. In the imme-
diate vicinity of the city were five lead smelting furnaces, one zinc furnace and a copper-mining
company in active operation.
The amount of money involved in the various transactions embraced by the above firms and
establishments was, in round numbers, above $1,000,000 — a sum not largely excelled by that
involved at the present day. The population of the place was about 3,500, all told. There
were then five churches and good schools. Thus it will be seen that the place at that time was,
in most respects, equal to Mineral Point of to-day, and, with regard to the work of mining,
largely in advance of the present condition.
On June 23 of that year, the Good Templars started a lodge here with twelve members,
probably the first one ever established in the city, but as to how long it existed or how great the
influence or benefit arising therefrom, we have no knowledge.
696 HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY.
In November, 1860, a hook and ladder company was organized and recognized by the City
Council in accordance with the charter provisions. The officers were L. S. Burnett, Engineer ;
M. B. McSherry and John Heron, Assistants. This company pro\ted to be but a spasmodic
effort in the right direction, for, after the organization was effected, nothing further was heard
of it.
The only means of defense from fire now in the possession of the town, aside from the fire
limits, are the hooks, ladders and buckets provided by the city fathers in 1866, at an expense of
$23.5, and the four Babcock extinguishers which were purchased in 1870, at a cost of $200.
The hooks and ladders lie stored in a shed back of the city hall, while the extinguishers have
been extinguished or are scattered about town for convenience. Perhaps at some future time a
fire of sufficient magnitude may come upon the town to arouse the inhabitants to the necessity of
having suitable protection. Already enough valuable property has been consumed to have pur-
chased several engines.
Of the numerous fires that have occurred here, we particularly mention but two, one of
which occurred in November, 1860, and one on the 12th of March, 1862, both of them having
been terrible conflagrations, and having destroyed a large amount of property. The fire of
1860 consumed some eight buildings before it could be extinguished, involving a loss of $8,400
above insurance. The fire of 1862 was nearly as bad, causing a loss of about $7,000. Thus,
at either of those fires, an actual loss was sustained of nearly enough to have purchased a first-
class fire engine, and to have built an engine house and tanks, with other necessary expenses.
The fire that destroyed the old Franklin House, which occurred on Sunday, Noveml)er 26, 1854,
was also a very destructive conflagration and did a considerable damage, and therefore may be
properly mentioned in this connection.
Not until 1860 had such a thing as a fully grown Christmas tree been seen here. But that
year Mr. Prideaux determined, when the great fete day of Christendom came, he would attempt
an innovation upon the ordinary customs of the place. Accordingly, a large-sized tree was
prepared, and, when Christmas Eve arrived, it was illuminated as gorgeously as possible, and
decorated in a very attractive manner, with such trinkets and bric-a-brac as could be obtained.
Then the windows of the room on High street, where it was placed, were thrown open, to wit-
ness the effect on the passers-by. The result was what might have been anticipated. Within
fifteen minutes, a large crowd had gathered to see the show, and, for the next hour or so, the
street was thronged with sight-seers.
WAE OCCURKENCES.
The year 1860, in the annals of this locality, stands peculiarly noted on account of the
political excitement and stirring times which preceded the war. Four clubs were organized,
known, respectively, as the Wide Awakes, the Douglas Club, the Breckinridge and Lane Club,
and the Young Hickories. The contest was a strong one, but in the event at the Presidential
election, the Republicans won not only, but for the first time in the history of the place, that
party had obtained, at the annual election, a controlling voice in the City Council, a position
which has since been maintained in nearly all political relations.
In February, 1860, the first shipment was made to the South — eighteen carloads of oats
sent to New Orleans, while the war was raging at its highest. The trains on the Mineral Point
Railroad were so generally employed by the Federal Government that the produce of the coun-
try which came to this market could not all be shipped, and, as the crops were plentiful and
prices high, farmers brought in their grain and sold, until nearly every available building was
stored full. In fact, almost before the dealers were aware of it, the place was literally full to
overflowing, a condition that maintained for a long time, and yet at that time we hear that the
people were crying "Hard times!"
It is one of the natural inconsistencies of human nature to be forever finding fault with their
pecuniary condition (if they have anything). But no greater fact stands out in connection with
the years of the war in this section than this, that the city enjoyed a period of unusual pros-
perity, a prosperity which largely benefited the greater part of the merchants, manufacturers,
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 697
mechanics and laborers, and such as will not be experienced soon again, here or elsewhere. Yet,
as it was bought at such a terrible price, it is no matter for congratulation, or to be desired again.
To Arms I 1861. — In 1861, the ominous cry of " To arms ! to arms ! " was wafted over
the land, and came, with its forbidding clangor, to arouse the energies and activities of the citi-
zens of Mineral Point. Although there were many here, as elsewhere, who shrank with dread
from the orJeal of war, and, discouraged, by word and deed, the eflForts of brave and true men,
and spared no opportunity to heap derision upon the cause of the North and the patriotic dem-
onstrations of their associates — yet a majority of the people were up and doing betimes, and to
the honor of Mineral Point it can be said that one of the first companies to offer its services was
enrolled here. For the next five years, the episodes and occurrences of greatest interest were
connected with the great struggle; and how could it be otherwise? At the front were the flower
of the land, bearing with them the hopes and aspirations of a nation, as well as the love and de-
votion of home and friends. Many would never return, and no one knew whose turn it would
be next to lose a father, brother, husband, son or lover. Oh, the bitterness of those days ! but,
thanks to the all-wise Arbiter of the destinies of nations, although the sacrifices made on every
hand were great beyond all computation, yet the cause of justice and freedom triumphed. The
country was cleansed from the degradation of slavery, and a brighter, happier day was ushered
in, for four million souls, than they had ever known, or could ever hope to know, while they were
enthralled. The names of the men and women of Mineral Point, during those dark and trying
times, who, by word and deed, were ever ready to sustain the exigencies of each campaign,
either at home or in the field, can only grow brighter, each year, in the galaxy of noble souls
who fought, died, and unselfishly sacrificed, to preserve and to perpetuate the Union.
Woman s Aid. — During the war times, it must not be supposed that the women of the
"Point" were idle; not so. In all times of public peril, as has been demonstrated thousands
of times, women have ever proved noble helpers, and, by their smiles, prayers and tears, as well
as more substantial efforts, have made men fairly invincible.
Early in the struggle, a ladies' aid society was formed here that embraced and cemented to-
gether in the ties of love and devotion a majority of the women of all classes; and such an
amount of useful work was done in providing home comforts for the soldiers as cannot be fully
estimated. Only those who were benefited thereby can fairly appreciate and praise their noble
■efforts.
One of the notable events connected with the aid society was a grand picnic given on the
2d of September, 1862. The people poured in from the country in all directions to present
their offerings of edibles and clothing, and a general good time prevailed. William R. Smith
addressed the meeting, after which two companies of soldiers were dined in a most sumptuous
manner. Many other occurrences of a similar nature transpired, but this will sufficiently illus-
trate the character and usefulness of the aid society, as well as the enthusiasm which actuated
the women of this locality.
OLD settlers' re-union CELEBRATION.
On July 4, 1861, one of the most noteworthy and long-to-be-remembered celebrations ever
given in the State was gotten up here in honor of the veterans of 1832. Arrangements were
made on a magnificent scale by the managers of the fete, to provide agreeable entertainment for
any or all of the pioneers of the lead mines region of Southwestern Wisconsin that might choose
to come. A preliminary meeting was held on the 8th of June of that year at the court house,
and a committee of thirteen, with M. M. Strong, as Chairman, was selected to decide upon a
plan of operations ; then the meeting adjourned until a report could be made by the committee.
The meeting re-assembled at 7J o'clock. Hon. M. M. Strong, from the committee of
thirteen, submitted the following report, which was accepted, and the committee discharged :
That Hon. John H. Rountree be appointed President of the Day.
That thirty-four Vice Presidents be appointed as follows, viz.:
Charles Dunn, John W. Blackstone, L. M. Strong, Henry M. Billings, John Lindsey, Joseph White, John B.
Terry, John Z. Saxton, F. C. Kirkpatriok, Allen Worden, Nelson Dewey, L. W. Joiner, George Schellinger, Dennis
698 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
Murphy, Ebenezer Brigham, James Noble, John Vanmeter, J. H. Earnest, P. B. Simpson, F. McKenna, B. F.
Thomas, Merideth Evans, Stephen 0. Paine, J. Allen Barber, William K.. Smith, James Chenoweth, F. Z. Hicks, G.
M. Ashmore, W. E. Rowe, Patrick O'Doud, William March, Jefferson Crawford, John Clayton, Elliott C. Hugins.
That John Bracken be appointed Chief Marshal, with power to appoint such assistants as he may think
necessary.
That the following-named committees be appointed, of three persons on each committee, the chairman of each
of which acting together shall constitute a committee of arrangements, with full power to conduct all the details or
the celebration ; to which each of the committees shall report, viz.:
1. Committee on ground and arrangement thereof — John Clowney, John Milton and Edward Prideaux.
2. Invitation and printing — William T. Henry, George Measersmith and George W. Bliss.
3. Orator, Reader and Chaplain — M. M. Cothren, John Herron and Samuel Hoskins.
4. Music and Artillery — L. S. Burton, Samuel Jenkins and G. D. Wilber.
5. Dinner — John H. Vivian, Henry P. George and C. H. Cox.
6. Toasts — J. H. Clary, James A. Slye and A. R. Bushnell.
7. Finance — L. H. Whittlesey, Henry Koop and Joseph Lean.
And that the chairman of each committee be authorized to act in the absence of his colleagues.
That the committee on invitation, etc., extend a special invitation to all the officers and soldiers of the Sauk
war, to unite in a body in the celebration of the day, and to join in the procession on horseback, and that all proper
facilities be provided for a re-union of the remnant of those frontier defenders of our State.
That M. M. Strong, M. M. Cothren, Joel C. Squires and Nathan Olmstead be appointed a committee to visit
the citizens of Platteville, and request them to relinquish their contemplated celebration and to unite with us in a
general celebration by the citizens of the lead mines, of the approaching national anniversary, and that the same
committee be authorized to request the citizens of any other locality in the mining district, which may contemplate
a similar celebration, to unite with us in one common patriotic and joyous exhibition of devotion to the flag and
cause of our country.
That the committee on dinner be instructed to make arrangements for the entertainment of 4,000 people.
John H. Vivian having declined to act as chairman of the committee on dinner, his place was supplied by the
appointment of Richard L. Read.
On motion, two names were added to the committee on dinner as follows : Joseph Prideaux and Christopher-
Wagner.
M. M. Strong offered the following resolution, which was unanimously adopted :
Remlved, That the committee of arrangements have full power to perform all duties which are not specifically
delegated to other persons.
On motioo of Luther H. fl^hittlesey, the report of the committee was adopted.
On motion, the meeting adjourned sine die.
John Bracken, Chairman.
Geoeqe W. Bliss, 1 „ , .
John Herron, \ Secretaries.
The following is the more important portion of the note of invitation sent to hundreds of
the pioneers and representative men throughout the State in accordance with the foregoing res-
olutions :
The undersigned now have the pleasure of inviting you to unite with the other pioneers of Wisconsin, who
are expected to be present on the occasion referred to. Although nothing could be more appropriate to such an oc-
casion, than a meeting of the survivors of those who defended the Wisconsin frontier against Indian invasion and
hostile savage warfare, to unite with those who are enjoying the blessings of the liberty and peace acquired by those
pioneers ; yet this feature of our celebration is designed more expressly to furnish a fitting and convenient occasion
for those early settlers who still survive, to gratify a wish, which many of them have often expressed, of meeting
each other once more, and interchanging congratulations, sentiments and reminiscences, as well as to give them an
opportunity if they tliink proper of forming aa efficient orgmization, by which a re-union of their members may
hereafter be held at such times and places as they shall think proper.
For these purposes you are expressly invited to be present.
William T. Henry, i
Geoboe W. Bliss, V Commitlee.
George Messeksmith, I
The celebration proved to be a most memorable affair. Bat large numbers of those who-
participated in the festivities of the occasion, are now no more, and, within a few years, the old
veterans now remaining who were there, to whom these lines will revive the occurrences and
scenes of the day, will soon join their comrades.
VARIOUS ITEMS.
During the early part of the war times, owing to some inexplicable reason, the people were-
every little while disturbed by the advent of mad dogs, but fortunately no one was ever bitten.
HISTOBY OF IOWA COUNTY. 699
The newspapers of that time frequently speak of the bad condition of the streets, and one
party says : " If any poor person wants to get a small capital to commence business, he can do
«o by taking a walk daily on High street, for he will be in danger of breaking his limbs con-
•stantly by loose boards or slipping dovvn, and can make the place pay him damages therefor."
In subsequent years, this prediction was realized by the city having, in the case of Mrs. Pri-
deaux, to pay large damages for a fractured limb.
Shinplaster Currency. — One of the prominent features of the times during the early part
of the war, was the local scrip, or pasteboard shinplaster currency, which was for a time about
the only small circulating medium to be had. Every business man drew upon himself to his
own order, and issued ad libitum, until finally the shinplaster material became too thick to
thrive, or, in other words, a perfect nuisance, and accordingly the District Attorney was obliged
to issue a notice that, after the 15th of January, 1863, he would indict any one found using
them, except to collect from those who issued the stuff. Thus perished the shinplasters.
When the locating of the Hospital for the Insane was before the public, in 1870, the City
Council authorized Dr. George Wilson to go to Madison and oflfer one hundred and sixty acres
■of land to the Commissioners as a location for the asylum, the same to be situated conveniently
near to Mineral Point. Thus it will be seen that the inhabitants are not wanting in public
spirit or benevolence. Although the asylum was not located here, principally because this was
an isolated point, yet the generosity of the donation was none the less creditable to the people.
The tide of events since 1865 has been very uniform in flow, being neither sensational in charac-
ter or apathetic and tending to decline. The financial condition of affairs has been good, while
the various improvements in all directions have been substantial rather than showy and super-
ficial. From general estimates, ic appears that the best building period was during the ten
years from 1865 to 1875, during which time the finest, most elegant and costly business blocks
and residences were erected. Many of these, in style and character, will compare well with
those of more favored localities.
OLD SETTLERS STILL LIVING.
There are still living here a large number of those whose faces have been familiar on the
streets of Mineral Point for forty years or more, and some who have been here for nearly a half-
century. The most of them have been active participants in the every-day scenes of the past,
and to them the city is to-day largely indebted for its solid wealth and prosperity. They have
lived to see the " Point " realize nearly all that they could have anticipated for it in general
growth. Everything has changed since they were young men ; the ancient insignia, which once
fluttered bravely to the tune of " bread and beans " has lost its prestige, only to give place to
the emblems of a higher civilization and the ameliorating influences of modern labor and enter-
prise. In brief, they have lived to see Mineral Point, developed and redeemed from its
early and wanton condition, stand forth the peer of any place of equal size in the State,
and where they can live happily and contentedly during the remainder of their lives, realiz-
ing the fullest compensation which time can afford to well-directed and conscientious effort.
Of those who came here and located in 1832, but one remain — James James. Of those who
were here in 1834, there are William T. Henry, Joseph Jones and William Rablin. In 1836
and 1837 : Thomas Prish, James Smith, Mrs. Thomas, Mr. Charles F. Legate and Moses M.
Strong. From 1838 to 1840 : M. M. Smith, John Clowney, J. Trevillion, Joseph Reed,
Thomas Davey, George Priestly, John J. Ross, Dr. R. D. Pulford, John Tramell, James Hutch-
inson, Robert Whitney, P. O'Dowd and William A. Pierce. From 1840 to 1842 : William
Lanyon, James Toay, James James, George Wilkinson, Chris Strike, Millen, Phillip
Allen, James and Henry Martin. By 1846 there were Ed and Joseph Prideaux, G. W. Cobb,
John Hales, J. Gundry, J. Gray, John Hoard, Dr. J. H. Vivien and T. S. and A. C. Ansley.
WILLIAM T. henry's GEOLOGICAL COLLECTION.
A sketch of Mineral Point, in connection with the history of the county, could hardly be
considered as fair and impartial, in taking into consideration what has been done here, if men-
TOO HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
tion was not made of the geological collection of W. T. Henry. This collection, the work of
years of labor, skill and study, is beyond a doubt, one of the most remarkable, as well as inter-
esting, to be found either in this State or in the Union.
To give a detailed account of the work done, or a description of the thousands of rare and
beautiful specimens garnered here, would be impossible to any one but the owner. There are
treasures of the earth, obtained from all quarters of the globe, as well as a wonderful variety of
specimens of rocks and ores indigenous to this locality, arranged either in charming contrast or
in classes, according to the taste of the owner. Rare bits of metal and rock from Europe, Great
Britain, South America, Asia and Africa, may be seen lying side by side in beautiful natural
rivalry with the most valuable and curious productions of this continent.
One can scarcely form a sufficiently generous estimate of the time, means and patience re-
quired to accomplish such magnificent results. Only a very superior degree of intelligence,
coupled with ample means and an all-absorbing love of Nature's works, could enable any one to
achieve so much in a few short years, as Mr. Henry can show for his labors ; and. withal, this
work has been done by a business man, at odd times, during the pursuit of his regular vocation
as a lawyer and banker.
In conclusion, we can only suggest to any one who has the time and opportunity, to go and
visit his treasure-room ; to see is to appreciate ; no words that we can use will do justice to the
subject, or sufficiently praise the merit of this truly superb collection, and the unpretentious
ability of the man who has the pleasure of owning it, as well as knowing that he is indebted to
himself alone for obtaining it.
ZINC WORKS.
A scheme for utilizing the immense quantities of dry-bone and black-jack to be found
hei'e was first conceived by Robert George, of Mineral Point, before 1860. He, in com-
pany with T. J. Campbell, erected a small dry-bone furnace in 1860, rather as an experiment
than with any certainty of ultimate success. Contrary to the predictions and expectations of
many, the attempt demonstrated to perfection that zinc ore could be handled here to advantage,
but as the parties were not large capitalists, nothing of marked importance toward the promotion
of this industry was done until 1863 or 1864, when the firm of Phelps, Dodge & Co. purchased
the interest of Messrs. George & Campbell, retaining the former as Superintendent. This com-
pany, being possessed of ample quantities of the needful, at once proceeded to erect furnaces and
the various requisite apparatus for manufacturing zine upon a very extensive scale. A large
number of buildings were constructed, including the Superintendent's house, and, within a year,
the works were operating under full headway, and doing an immense business. These works not
only did smelting, but they eventually embraced the making of oxide, which proved very profit-
able. The company operated here for about five years, and employed, during the greater part
of the time, 150 hands per diem, doing a mammoth business. They constructed a side-track
from the works, which were about one-half mile south of the city, to the main track, and, in
various ways, made large improvements ; but finally, after the expenditure of the enormous sum
of $300,000, they were compelled to abandon the business, owing to the cost of transporting
coal from Illinois, and in consequence of various difficulties with the Mineral Point Railroad
Company, from whom they were unable to obtain the necessary accommodations. The cessation
of this industry proved a sad blow to the interests of this locality, as it not only furnished em-
ployment to large numbers of people, but the mineral resources, in black-jack and dry-bone, are
so comparatively inexhaustible that the work could have gone on with profit, both to em-
ployers and the employed, for an unlimited period. Even at the time the works were closed
they were making f 100 per day above expenses, but a spirit of resentment took possession of
the company, which induced them to sacrifice personal interests rather than to submit to what
by them was deemed injustice on the part of the railroad.
Since the departure of Messrs. Phelps. Dodge & Co., there has been no zinc smelting done
here. The machinery of value was disposed of for a very trifling sum, compared to the cost.
To illustrate, the lots, buildings and some of the machinery were sold to William Lanyon for
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. TO!
$2,300. Nothing is now left of this extensive establishment but the Superintendent's dwelling.
Previous to the starting of the furnaces, dry-bone was used to pave the streets with, being con-
sidered of no particular value; and, for some time after, that and black-jack could be obtained
for hauling it away from the lead and copper smelting furnaces. But eventually, while the zinc
furnaces were running, it came up to $5 a ton. While that price was ruling for the raw ma-
terial, the manufactured article sold for $270 per ton. Now the raw material sells at $20 per
ton, and the manufactured at $80 per ton, showing how enormous the first profits were, and
how unfavorable must have been the conditions which caused the cessation of zinc-smelting at
this point.
While the Phelps, Dodge & Co. works were in operation, one F. E. Matheson was work-
ing in this locality as a common miner, but after they stopped, he, knowing that there was a
great deal of money in the business, if properly conducted, determined to make a strike. Soon
after he, in company with a Mr. Hageler, succeeded in interesting the Baring Brothers,
English bankers, who furnished the necessary funds to establish the business on a safe footing.
The place selected for operations was La Salle, 111., it being far less expensive to transport the
zinc to the coal than the coal to the zinc. This company now has a monopoly of the entire bus-
iness of the country, and is the most extensive manufacturing concern of the kind in the world ,
and the largest part of the material used, it is estimated, is obtained from the mines in Iowa
County.
POST OFFICE.
The first mails were brought here and distributed by difierent parties, but, doubtless, during
the first years of the settlement, the arrival of letters were few and far between. The nearest
ofiice was at Galena until about 1834, when an oflice was established here, and John D. Ans-
ley was appointed Postmaster. It is said, that previous to his appointment, his store was a
sort of a mail carrier's headquarters, so it naturally followed that he would be the first
appointed in the place. The ofiice was then kept at the foot of Fountain street, on Com.,
merce street.
On the 9th of August, 1836, Mr. Ansley was deposed, and William Henry was appointed
in his place, by Postmaster General Amos Kendall. During the time that Mr. Henry held the
office, it was kept in a log house which stood on Lot 43 of Vliet's Survey, near Jerusalem
Spring.
After the inauguration of William Henry Harrison as President, in 1840, Mr. Henry was
removed in favor of J. T. Lathrop, the landlord of the old Franklin House, which stood just
west of the United States Hotel, and where the post office was then kept.
Mr. Lathrop was succeeded, in 1845, after the inauguration of James K. Polk, by Henry
Plowman, now of Chicago, then editor of the Miners' Free Press. The post office was then
kept in a wing of his private dwelling, on the corner of Chestnut street and the Jail alley.
With the election of President Taylor, another change was effected, Joseph Smith being
appointed. The office was kept in Mr. Smith's book and confectionery store, in a building
since burned, which stood on Lot 49 of Vliet's Survey.
Again, upon the election and installation of Franklin Pierce, the post office was transferred
to another party, Stephen Thomas, now of La Crosse, Wis., being the happy recipient of the Presi-
dential favor. Mr. Thomas held the office until the Republican administration was ushered in
in 1861. During his time, the office was kept in the Miller building, on High street, Lot 47,
Vliet's Survey.
The next Postmaster was John Hollingshead, who kept the office in the east half of the
old "Root House," formerly used for county offices, now occupied by the law and banking firm
of Henry & Smith, and which stands on the public square. He was succeeded by Phillip Law-
rence, who continued the office in the bank building until he removed to the present post office
quarters.
Lawrence held office for five years, then, in 1873, Phillip Allen, who still holds the office,
was appointed.
702 HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY.
In 1849, through the voluntary action of the Postmaster for a short time, the first daily
mails were received at the "Point," but the Government not sustaining the action, they were dis-
continued, to be resumed later.
MANUEACTTJRING, BANKS, ETC.
The manufacturing pursued in the place has been, during the passage of the years since
1850, quite varied, but many of the establishments that once flourished finely have ceased to
operate. About the first manufacturing business of any considerable magnitude was a foundry
and machine shop, started by William Lanyon in 1849. This establishment was operated until
1867.
In 1853, Thomas Jenkins and William Lanyon began the old water mill, which is located
south of the railroad buildings, on the Mineral Point Branch. Before it was finished, William
Langon sold out to John Roberts, who, with Mr. Jenkins, completed it. This mill is still doing
a fair business. There is but one run of stone, yet the water-power is so poor that it has been
necessary to introduce an engine of moderate power.
In 1856, the plow works of Lanyon & Win were started, but after operating two years,
the business was discontinued.
In 1859, a tannery was established here by the firm of Smith & Dumford, near the depot.
This business was not continued very long.
In 1860, William Lanyon, Sr., & Co. erected the large three-story building now used by
William Lanyon, Jr., for a warehouse. This was put up expressly for a mill, and was fitted up in a
very elaborate manner. A forty -horse-power engine was set up, and other machinery to match, so
that 100 barrels of flour could be manufactured per diem. The mill was kept in operation for
about two years ; then, owing to the influence which the war exerted upon the business, it was
closed and the machinery sold.
A sash, door and blind factory was opened here in 1866, by Cobb & Pierce as owners.
This establishment was kept in operation until about 1872, since which time work has been
suspended.
Prominent among the manufacturing interests of Mineral Point, is the foundry and machine
shop of J. Lanyon & Brother. This business was established in 1849, by J. Lanyon, Sr., and
first located on Commerce street, near the present depot. In this location, Mr. Lanyon, Sr.,
continued the foundry business until 1867, when he erected the present shop on the corner of
Fountain and Vine streets. During the latter year, he was succeeded in business by his two
sons, John and Josiah, under the firm name of J. Lanyon & Brother. This firm has been
engaged principally in the manufacture and repairing of mining and milling machinery. But
in 1877, Messrs. Lanyon Brothers invented their valuable ore-crushers and stone-breakers,
receiving patents therefor November 27, 1877, and since then their shops have been devoted to
the manufacture of these machines exclusively. Soon after the issue of the patents, the merits
of the ore-crushers and stone-breakers became known, and now numbers of these machines are
in use in diflierent parts of Nebraska, Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Dakota and other States and
Territories.
The large stone-breaker is used for breaking stone for railroad ballast ; will receive a stone
16x22 inches, and reduce it to two inches in one operation. This machine will run at full
capacity of eight-horse-power, and crush 200 tons per day ; weight, 14,000 pounds. The smaller
size stone-breaker weighs 4,000 pounds, and will crush 100 tons in ten hours. The large-size
ore crusher will receive a stone 7x14 inches, and reduce it to the fineness of sand in one oper-
ation. This can be run with four-horse-power, and has a capacity for crushing 70 tons in ten
hours ; weight, 11,000 pounds. The ore crusher number two weighs 8,000 pounds, and is suit-
able for all kinds of mining and smelting works where fine crushing is required. It will crush
70 tons to the fineness of sand and fine gravel, and, by returning, it can be reduced to an even
fineness. All parts of these machines that come in contact with the ore are made of chilled iron
and steel; and the machines are pronounced by competent judges, who have subjected them to
severe tests, to be for the purposes intended, " the best in the world." Messrs. Lanyon &
i i"^^3i
MINERAL POINT.
IIISTOKY OF IOWA COUNTY. 705
Brother have added new and improved machinery to their foundry and machine shop, for the
purpose of carrying on more extensively the manufacture of their crushers and stone breakers,
the demand for which is increasing constantly, and gives promise of developing into one of the
leading industries of Wisconsin.
The foundry and machine-shop of John Wearne & Sons, located on the Dodgeville road, a
short distance from the business portion of the city, was established in 1868. Messrs. Wearne
& Sons, since the establishment of their shop, have been engaged in the manufacture and repair-
ing of sugar mills and different kinds of farming and mining machinery. When in full force,
four men are constantly employed.
Tornado Brewery. — This institution is located on the Dodgeville road, one mile from the
business portion of the city, and is one of the important industries of the place. In 1850, the
first building was erected by William Tyrrell, at a cost of $4,000. This was a stone structure,
24x100 feet, and two stories high. Mr. Tyrrell continued in the brewing business but a short
time, and was succeeded by Jacob Roggy. In 18.54, Charles and Frederick Gillmann pur-
chased the property, and, in 1855, Jacob Spielmann was admitted as a partner. The business
was then carried on under the firm name of Gillmann Bros. & Co., until 1857, when Charles
Oillmann sold his interest to his partners, who continued together until 1868. This firm made
■valuable improvements, erected substantial and commodious buildings, and increased the capacity
of the establishment. In 1868, Mr. Spielmann disposed of his interest to Charles Gillmann,
who, with his brother, did a successful business together until 1872. Charles was then elected
County Treasurer, and rented his share to William Muser. In 1874, Charles Gillmann pur-
chased the entire property, and has since been sole proprietor. The memorable tornado of May
23, 1878, entirely destroyed the brewery with five other buildings in the immediate vicinity,
entailing a loss to Mr. Gillmann of $20,000. During the summer and fall of the same year, the
present rock building was erected and fitted with all the modern inventions in machinery, etc.,
at a total cost of |12,000. Prior to 1878, the beer was manufactured by hand, and the fullest
■capacity was 2,500 barrels per annum. The Tornado Brewery now has a capacity of 6,000
barrels per annum, and is regarded as one of the leading brewing establishments in Southwestern
Wisconsin. Its sales are confined principally to Iowa, La Fayette and Grant Counties. Six
men are employed, and its rapidly increasing business requires the constant operation of the
brewery.
Garden Oity Brewery. — This brewery was established by James Argall, the present pro-
prietor, in 1854. At that time, the large stone building, 62x80 feet, now in use, was erected.
It is divided into malt and brewing apartments, and has a capacity of seventy-five barrels a week.
For a number of years, Mr. Argall paid considerable attention to bottling beer ; but of late years,
has abandoned this branch of the business. The sale of beer manufactured at this establishment,
is confined to Mineral Point and vicinity.
Henry's Bank. — A private banking institution established in the fall of 1861, by William
T. Henry, who has since acted as President. The first cashier was George Henry, who resigned
April 1, 1878, and was succeeded by Thomas T. Parmele. This bank does a general banking
business, foreign and domestic exchange : also agency for the Guion-Morris Express and Rotter-
dam Steamship Companies, located in city building on High street.
City Bank — Was established as a private banking institution December 22, 1874, by Alex-
ander Wilson and Edward Harris, who have since carried on a general banking business with
foreign and domestic exchange ; agency for the National and White Star steamship lines.
Alexander Wilson, President ; William Harris, Cashier ; located in Toay's Block.
Southwestern Wisconsin Industrial Association. — A preliminary meeting of the citizens
t)f Mineral Point and vicinity was held at the city hall in the afternoon of May 8, 1871, to
discuss the propriety of organizing a society for the encouragement of agriculture and mechanical
pursuits. The meeting was called to order by Dr. George D. Wilber, and, upon motion of John
■J. Ross, James Toay was appointed Chairman, and William H. Peck, Secretary. After an
•exchange of views, a committee, consisting of Dr. G. D. Wilber, James H. Spensley and John
706 HISTOKY or IOWA COUNTY.
J. Ross, was appointed to draft a constitution and by-laws, which was reported and adopted at
the next meeting of the society May 22, 1871.
The organization being effected, the society then procured a lease of seventeen acres of land
from John J. Ross, which they fitted up for, and held the first fair early in September of 1871.
The excellent management of the officers and executive committee rendered this first effort 'a
flattering success. A half-mile track for horse-racing was made, and succeeding fairs were held
in 1872-73. Early in 1874, the members of this society, desiring to conform to the State laws,
and thereby receive State aid, adopted March 5, articles of association, signed by John H.
Vivian, Thomas Priestley, R. D. Pulford, John Clowney, John J. Ross, H. M. Oliver, T. S.
Ansley and John Hoare. The first section of those articles declared, " This society shall be
known and designated as ' The Southwestern Wisconsin Industrial Association,' and shall be
located at the city of Mineral Point, Iowa County, Wis., where all its meetings, fairs and exhi-
bitions shall be held. The purposes of this association are hereby declared to be the encourage-
ment of the agricultural and mineral resources of Southwestern Wisconsin."
The membership of this society is limited to the territory embracing Iowa, La Fayette and
Grant Counties. Successful fairs have been held annually, the society never yet failing to pay
premiums and legitimate expenses in full. The association have just completed negotiations
for the purchase of new ground, consisting of thirty acres, west of and adjoining Graceland
Cemetery. This excellent location, when fitted with race course, flora) hall, stalls, etc., will
cost the society $3,500. The present floral hall was erected in 1875, at a cost of $1,200.
The following is a complete list of the officers of the society from its organization :
1871 — President, James Toay ; Vice Presidents, William Bainbridge, Isaac Comfort,
Charles Dunn, John J. Van Metre ; Secretary, S. D. Gaylord ; Treasurer, George Henry.
1872 — President, James Toay ; Vice Presidents, William Buckingham, J. B. Johnson, I.
C. Comfort, S. Harker; Secretary, T. S. Ansley; Treasurer, Thomas Priestley.
1873 — President, James Toay ; Vice Presidents, I. C. Comfort, J. B. Johnson, N. K. Van
Metre, Cornelius De Long, J. McWilliams; Secretary, T. S. Ansley; Treasurer, Thomas-
Priestley.
1874 — President, John H. Vivian; Vice Presidents, I. C. Comfort, John Clowney, C. De
Long, N. K. Van Metre, William Buckingham ; Secretary, T. S. Ansley ; Treasurer, Thomas
Priestley.
1875 — President, R. D. Pulford ; Vice Presidents, I. C. Comfort, J. C. Kirkpatrick, John
Clowney, J. H. Earnest, J. J. Davis ; Secretary, T. S. Ansley ; Treasurer, Thomas Priestley.
1876 — President, J. H. Vivian ; Vice Presidents, William Lanyon, G. C. Weathersby, J.
J. Davis, I. C. Comfort, J. C. Kirkpatrick ; Secretary, T. S. Ansley ; Treasurer, Thomas
Priestley.
1877 — President, J. H. Vivian ; Vice Presidents, I. C. Comfort, W. Lanyon, Jr., J. C.
Kirkpatrick, W. Buckingham ; Secretary, T. S. Ansley ; Treasurer, Thomas Priestley.
1878— President, William T. Henry ; Vice Presidents, I. C. Comfort ; Owen Wright, J,
Elwood, N. K. Van Metre, R. D. Pulford ; Secretary, T. S. Ansley ; Treasurer, Thomas
Priestley.
1879 — President, J. H. Vivian ; Vice Presidents, J. W. Rewey, N. K. Van Metre, Francis
Little, Edwin Johnson, R. D. Pulford ; Secretary, Delos P. Beech ; Treasurer, Thomas Priestley.
1880— President, R. D. Pulford ; Vice Presidents, J. W. Rewey, N. K. Van Metre, J.
Tregoning, G. G. Cox, James Toay ; Secretary. Delos P. Beech ; Treasurer, Thomas Priestley.
1881— President, R. D. Pulford ; Vice Presidents, J. W. Rewey, N. K. Van Metre, George
G. Cox, J. Tregoning, J. H. Vivian.
The total receipts of the society for 1880 was $3,317.64 ; disbursements, $3,185.58, leaving
a balance in the treasury of $132.11.
The uniform success and general satisfaction attending the fairs of this association reflect
great credit on the managing officers, and furnish ample evidence that it has accomplished the
ends for which it was established.
HISTOBY OF IOWA COUNTY. TOT
SECULAR SOCIETIES.
Freemasons. — The history of Freemasonry in Wisconsin is so intimately associated
with the early history of Iowa County, that we may say they are blended and interwoven
together in such a manner that the mention of either one subject conjures up a host of sister
thoughts. The oldest lodge now extant in the State is located at Mineral Point, where the-
second lodge was erected through the exertions of Most Worshipful Grand Master W. R.
Smith, in 1840. The Menomonee Lodge, of Green Bay, antedates this by nearly tweaty
years. As this was a transient lodge, without local prestige, it can hardly be counted amongs-t
the State institutions.
In the year A. D. 1824, the Grand Lodge, of New York, granted a dispensation for the-
formation if a Military Lodge, under the name of " Menomonee Lodge," which worked for many-
years at Green Bay, in this State. This, it is believed, was the first Masonic organization within-
the Territory of Wisconsin.
The next in order of precedence, was Mineral Point Lodge No. 1, of Free and Accepted
Masons. It commenced work under a dispensation issued by the Grand Lodge of Missouri,
bearing date of October 8, 1840. The dispensation was granted to W. R. Smith, W. M.,
Moses Meeker, S. W., Charles Dunn, J. W., and their associates, to open and work Mineral
Point Lodge, and the lodge was first duly established at Mineral Point, Wis., July 26, ]841.
A permanent organization was effected under a charter dated October 11, 1842, under the name
and number of Mineral Point Lodge No. 49. The officers mentioned therein were William R.
Smith, W. M.; Charles Dunn, S. W., and Moses Meeker, J. W. The charter members were-
Thomas P. Bennett, Ebenezer Brigham, Daniel Moore, John D. Ansley, Ormond H. Paddock
and Stephen Taylor, all of whom have passed away except 0. H. Paddock, who resides at Dar-
lington Wis. The lodge was properly constituted by Charles Gear (commonly known as Father
Gear), assisted by Ephraim F. Ogden, H. H. Gear and others. The first initiate was Thomas^
I. Parish, following whom were A. W. Parris, David W. Jones and George W. Cobb.
In June, 1843, the Grand Lodge of Missouri granted a dispensation for the formation of
Melody Lodge, now No. 2, at Platteville, Wis., and issued a charter for its permanent organiza-
tion October 12, 1842.
During June of the same year, the Grand Lodge of Illinois granted a dispensation to opert
a lodge at Milwaukee; and issued a charter October 3, 1843, to Milwaukee Lodge, now Kil-
bourn Lodge, No. 3, for its permanent organization.
The legal representatives of these three Lodges met at Madison, Wis., December 18, 184;^
organized and constituted the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin, framed and adopted a constitution^
and elected Bro. Benjamin T. Kavanaugh, of Melody Lodge, the first Grand Master. January-
17, 1844, a called communication of the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin was holden at Madison,
" for the purpose of granting charters to the subordinate lodges within the Territory desiring to»
come under the jurisdiction of said Grand Lodge, and for other purposes ; " at which time, the-
charter under which Mineral Point Lodge, No. 1, is now acting, was granted.
Following is a list of past incumbents of the three principal offices of the lodge since its.
organization, arranged in order of their rank by seniority, namely :
Past Masters — William R. Smith, Thomas P. Burnett, A. W. Parris, Whitney Smithy
Elihu Springer, M. M. Cothren, R. Delos Pulford, C. F. Legate, I. E. Messmore, E. Healey,.
J. P. Tramel, Amasa Cobb, J. C. Squires, George H. Pierce, George D. Wilber, W. I. Cox,.
Calvert Spensley, S. E. Shepard and I. A. Spratler.
Past Senior Wardens — Moses Meeker, Charles Dunn, G. W. Jones, 0. H. Paddock, G.
W. Cobb, E. Williams, 0. J. Minor, G. W. Bliss, W. Humbert, Joseph Deller, W. Hopper, D-
N. Gates, W. J. Cox, J. N. Bradley, C. Spensley, S. E. Shepard and I. A. Spratler.
Past Junior Wardens— D. W. Jones, H. M. Billings, J. B. H. Perkel, E. B. Carson, T.
Rodolf, Samuel Crawford, Joseph Smith, T. S. Allen, James Spensley, Ed U. Bliss, W. W.
Likens, James Griffith, D. M. Piatt, Calvert Spensley, S. E. Shepard, I. A. Spratler, James.
A. Brown and Richard Wearn.
708 HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY.
At different intervals, the following lodges sprang into existence, being recruited principally
from Mineral Point No. 1 : Highland, No. 16 ; Dodgeville, Mifflin and Linden Lodges. The
old lodge has maintained its organization without any breaks. It has numbered in its ranks
some of the most distinguished men of the State. William R. Smith, the first Grand Master,
is so generally known that any eulogy of his memory would be superfluous. Thomas Pendleton
Burnett, the second Master, was one of the most promising lawyers in the Territory. Hon.
<I!harles Dunn, who was Chief Justice of the Territory, manifested unbounded interest in the
working of the lodge. His brother, F. J. Dunn, also took an active part in the early organiza-
tion ; also Gen. George W. Jones, who subsequently represented Iowa in the United States
Senate. Schuyler Pulford, a prominent physician of his day, and a resident of Mineral Point,
Tvas equally famous. In the regular succession of Masters, we find enrolled Hon. Montgomery
M. Cothren, Judge of the Circuit Court of Iowa County ; Hon. Amasa Cobb, Judge of the
Supreme Court of Nebraska, and others.
"Old No. 1" has been honored with three Grand Masters, namely: William R. Smith,
Henry M. Billings, and R. D. Pulford. Numerous deputies and minor officials have been
selected from the present lodge.
Brother Pulford from the first was a very enthusiastic member and a great workman in the
cause, and has stood at the head of the fraternity in Southwest Wisconsin for years, and has
received all the honors at their disposal. He has preformed a highly active and prominent part
during all his connection with the Grand Lodge and Grand Chapter of Wisconsin, and to him
much is due for the present status of the lodge in this section of the State.
Of its old members, but few remain, the majority having been called to the eternal home of
the Great Architect. Those still living are George W. Cobb, who affiliated in 1844 ; M. M.
Cothren and R. D. Pulford, of 1846 ; John P. Tramel and John Clowney, of 1847. The
remainder have all passed into rest. The oldest Mason in the lodge is Dr. H. Van Dusen, who
was made a Mason prior to the " Morgan excitement " in 1826. Brothers Tramel and Pulford
are the only active survivors of the original roster. The present officers are Samuel Wright,
W. M. ; Thomas Priestly, S. W. ; William A. Jones, J. W.
Iowa Chapter, No. 6, was instituted February 22, 1851 ; George W. Cobb, High Priest ;
A. W. Parris, King, and L. M. Strong, Scribe. Present officers : James T. Pryor, Jr., High
Priest ; Albert Spratter, King, and Benjamin T. Prideaux, Scribe.
Mineral Point Gommandery of Knights Templars was instituted May 5, 1874 ; R. D.
Pulford, B. C. ; J. H. Evans, Generalissimo, and Calvert Spensley, Captain General. Present
officers: James T. Pryor, Sr., E. C. ; George S. Anthony, Generalissimo, and Thomas Priestly
Captain General.
Odd Fellows. — The history of Odd Fellowship in Iowa County dates from the earlier set-
tlement of the county and of the Territory of Wisconsin.
The first Lodge of Odd Fellows founded in the State of Wisconsin, and, in fact, the first
lodge in the Northwest, was Iowa Lodge, No. 1, of Mineral Point, Iowa County, which was
chartered while what is now the State of Wisconsin was a part of the then Territory of' Michi-
gan. In 1835, some miners who had formerly resided in Pottsville, Penn., and had been mem-
bers of the order there, conceived the idea that it would be possible to establish a lodge among
the miners congregated around what was then known as " Shake-Rag." The following persons
petitioned the Grand Lodge of the United States for a charter, which petition they transmitted
to Stephen Taylor, of Pottsville, Penn., viz. : Edward Coad, William Ball, Andrew Renfrew,
William Polkenhorne, John Cole, Richard Johns, Joseph R. James, John Cock, George Mitch-
ell, John Casserly, John Rich and Edmund Paul. Their petition was granted, and a commis-
sion was issued to Stephen Taylor, constituting him a Special Deputy Grand Sire, and author-
izing him to institute a lodge in Mineral Point, Iowa County, to be hailed as Iowa Lodge, No.
1, I. 0. 0. F.
In these days of rapid railroad traveling, it is difficult to appreciate the difficulties attend-
ing the journey of this Deputy Grand Sire from Pottsville beyond the AUeghanies, traveling
HISTOKY OF IOWA COUNTY. 709
across the mountains as best he could, then down the Ohio to Cairo, and up the Mississippi to
Galena, and so out to Mineral Point, and all to institute a lodge of Odd Fellows. It is true that
the new lodge paid him $400 to compensate him for his trouble, and in that day it seemed a
huge sum of money, yet few men in these days would take such trouble and encounter so many
unpleasant experiences for such a purpose.
This lodge so organized flourished but too well at first. It would seem from its history that
a furor to join it was started among the mining population, until nearly every man in and
around its location had joined or had sought to join it. Atone time, its membership was consider-
ably over two hundred, and its coffers were plethoric with money. The large sum paid the
instituting officer is one evidence ; another is the fact that, in 1836, it paid the Grand Lodge of
the United States the sum of $112.40 as the per centage on dues, besides giving $25 toward %
service of plate for Grand Sire Thomas Wildey. In 1838, the lodge was visited by P. G. Sire
Thomas Wildey, the founder of the order in the United States. From his report, we copy tlie
following relating to Iowa County :
" From Galena, I embarked for Mineral Point, in Iowa. In this Territory, I found Oddl
Fellowship progressing with equal pace with all the institutions of a new and flourishing coun-
try. The brethren appeared generally well informed in the work, and, although somewhat
neglectful in their fiscal aff"airs, were in a much better condition than I expected to find them.
Your agent here opened an encampment and an additional subordinate lodge upon proper appli-
cation, and I have no doubt that the order will steadily advance in Iowa. I had the pleasure,
during my sojournment among them, to participate in the ceremony of laying the corner-stone
of a spacious hall, which they are now erecting, and I feel great delight in reporting to the
Grand Lodge of the United States the fact that the occasion was celebrated in a manner which
would have done credit to the most experienced lodge in the States. An oration, distinguished
alike for its eloquence and chasteness, was pronounced by one of the brethren, and one common
generous glow seemed to pervade the whole family, auguring the brightest prospects for Odd
Fellowship in that region. In view of the zeal manifested in the work, and the certainty of a
very rapid increase in the order in this section of the West, I deemed it proper to commit the
superintendence of the interests of the order here to competent hands, and accordingly appointed
P. G. M. Potts as District Deputy Grand Master for this interesting district of Odd Fellow-
ship."
It will be seen by the foregoing extract that the brethren were somewhat neglectful in their
fiscal affairs. This was the downfall of the lodge eventually. Its treasury was overflowing with
money, and it was loaned to " Tom, Dick and Harry," without adequate security, and. as a conse-
quence, when it sought to pay the obligations incurred in the building of the hall spoken of by
Father Wildey, its officers found that moneys so loaned were not collectible. Many of the bor-
rowers had left the county, and others were impecunious. In this emergency, the lodge ap-
plied to the Grand Lodge of the United States for relief, which was refused. Meantime the
membership had, partly from dissatisfaction at the fiscal management, and more from the uncertain
and floating character of a mining population in its earlier days, dwindled from over twO'
hundred in 1836, down to twenty-seven in 1848, at which latter date the membership became
tired of the burden they were trying to bear, relinquished their building to the lien-holders, and
surrendered the charter to the Grand Lodge of the United States.
From this time, the lodge was almost forgotten, until some members of the order thinking that
so old a landmark of the order ought not to be lost, took steps under the newer laws of the Grand
Lodge of the United States to revive the old lodge. In this they were successful, and in April,
1873, under the auspices of Grand Master H. E. Willis, the lodge was revived, and, at this
writing, it is in a flourishing condition, owning the largest and handsomest lodge-room in the
West, erected at a cost of $3,500. The charter members of the renewed lodge were Edward
Coad, Samuel Thomas, John H. Vivian, James James, Thomas Prisk. The lodge now numbers
seventy-eight members with the following officers : H. Huxtable, N. G.; William Treloar, V.
G.; John Nancolas, R. S.; Josiah Jacka, P. S.; S. Francis, Treas.; S. C. Thomas, R. S. N.
710 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
G.; William Smith, L. S. N. G.; William Short, Warden; Isaac Penrose, Cond.; George
Ivlasten, 0. G.; John Roberts, I. G.; Samuel Toay and James Dabb, R. and L. S. S.
La Fayette Lodge, No. 2, was instituted by Grand Sire Wildey, in 1838.
When he visited lovya Lodge, No. 1, at that date, he found its membership so large that he
advised its division into two lodges, and accordingly instituted La Fayette Lodge, No. 2.
This lodge had but a short existence, for as the membership of Iowa Lodge fell off, its
members urged the impolicy of trying to sustain two feeble lodges, and so induced the members
of La Fayette Lodge lo surrender their charter and rejoin the parent lodge.
In January, 1845, some of the former members of Iowa Lodge, No. 1, petitioned the
Grand Lodge of the United States for a charter for a new lodge, and the result of the petition
was the organization of Miner's Lodge, No. 4, I. 0. 0. F., at Mineral Point in that year. In
1847, the lodge built a lodge-room on the site now occupied by the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The lodge had a large membership, composed very largely of miners, who are notoriously un-
-certain in their habitats. The exodus to the gold mines of California during 1848 to 1851, drew
from the lodge nearly its entire membership, until in 1853, the membership was so reduced that
the remaining members became disheartened and surrendered their charter.
This lodge remained among the defunct lodges until 1858, when John H. Vivian, John
James, Thomas Prisk, James James, Sr., Samuel Thomas, Edward Coad and John Milton ap-
plied to the Grand Lodge of Wisconsin for a restoration of the charter. The old charter having
been lost, a new one was granted with the names above as charter members. The lodge was
revived in August of that year, and prospered well until April, 1873, when it was removed to
Adamsville to make room for Iowa Lodge, No. 1, then revived, at which place, Adamsville, it
still remains in existence.
The sudden rise and decay of these earlier lodges may be largely attributed to the fact that
they seem to have been organized and conducted as benefit societies, simply ignoring the higher
moral plane on which modern Odd Fellowship seeks to place itself
Wilde,)/ Uncampment, No. 1. — In his report of his visit to Mineral Point, Father Wildey
says: ''Your agent here opened an Encampment. The fact of the former existence of this
Encampment seems to have been forgotten by the officers of Grand Lodge of the United States,
as evidenced by the fact that they allowed the number to be transferred to one Milwaukee
Encampment, and allowed its name to be adopted by another Encampment at ShuUsburg, in
La Fayette County."
This Encampment is thus spoken of by Past Grand I. Lang worthy, in his history of Odd
Fellowship in Wisconsin :
'' Hearing ihat an Encampment at an early day was established at Mineral Point, which fact
was positively denied by several of the oldest Odd Fellows in the State, I applied to P. G. John
H. Vivian, for such information as he could collect, and am indebted to him for the following
interesting statistics, the yellow paper and faded ink bearing testimony to their genuineness,
besides the testimony of the Scribe.
" It will be observed that mention is made of an Encampment in the report made by P. G.
S. Wildey, which was established by him at the same time. Like La Fayette, No. 2, it had a short
life, and herewith is appended what purports to be a record of all the meetings held by " Wildey
Encampment, No. 1." They were obtained from the Scribe, and I am indebted to P. G. John
H. Vivian, for the interest he has taken and assistance in hunting up the old work. It was duly
established out of doors, in a grove, as stated, guards being thrown out for protection :
Belmont, January 6, 1871.
Friend Vivian : I have just received a few lines from you in relation to the minutes of Wildey Encampment.
Enclosed you will find all the proceedings of said lodge. Yours truly,
M. V. BUEKIS.
ENCAMPMENT OF WILDEY ENCAMPMENT NO. 1, OF WISCONSIN.
Mineral Point, August 4, 1838.
Pursuant to previous arrangement, the petitioners for an Encampment of the Independent Order of Odd Fel-
lows, to be called Wildey Encampment, No. 1, of Wisconsin, met at the Odd Fellows Hall on this evening. Present,
HISTOBY or IOWA COUNTY. 711
T. G. Sire Wildey, and petitioners James S. Bawden, Levi Sterling, Martin V. Burris, Francis Vivian, William Pol-
Tiinhorn, John Rich, Charles Harris, Edward Code and J. T. Lathrop.
After an explanation had been given of the principles of an Encampment by P. G. S. Wildey, the petitioners
received the several degrees belonging to this branch of the order. The following Brothers were next elected to serve
in the several offices belonging to the order : James S. Bawden, Chief Patriarch ; Levi Sterling, High Priest ; Mar-
tin V. Burris, Scribe; Francis Vivian, Treasurer; William Polkenhorn, Senior Warden ; .Tohn Rich, Junior Warden,
and Charles Harris, Guardian.
The whole of the officers elected were regularly installed, the warrant delivered, and the Encampment regularly
opened and established by P. G. S. Wildey. On motion,
Resolved, That the Encampment adjourn to Sunday morning next, at 10 A. M.
Sunday Morning, 10 o'clock, A. M.
The Encampment met according to previous arrangement at the hall, the following applicants being in waiting
for an election, which resulted in their election : Robert W. Gray, Andrew Leonard and Joseph Bailey.
The Encampment then moved to Brother Sterling's grove and regularly initiated the applicants to the degrees
of the Encampment. The dues collected were as follows: Brothers Sterling, Burris, Rich, Harris, Polkinhorn, Code
and Vivian, each ^5, making $35.
Nothing more being before the Encampment, it was closed in usual form.
Attest: M. V. Burkis, Scribe.
Agreeable to previous arrangement, the Encampment met and was opened in usual form, with C. P. Bawden in
the chair. James M. Kane, being an applicant for the Encampment, was duly elected, and being in waiting, was reg-
ularly iiitiated into the degrees of the Encampment. Dues collected— J. T. Lathrop, R. W, Gray, J. Bawden, J. S,
Bailey, A. Leonard and J. M. Kane, each $5, making in all $30.
August 10, 1838,
The Encampment met pursuant to previous arrangement. Peter Hartman and John Casserly being applicants
for the Encampment, were duly elected to the several degrees belonging thereto, John Casserly being in waiting, was
regularly initiated into all the degrees belonging to the Encampment. On motion,
Resolved, That the Encampment meet on the first and third Monday of every month.
On motion,
Reso'ved, That $10 be the price of initiation into this Encampment, and $6 for every subsequent degree.
On motion the Encampment closed, to meet on the first stated meeting, which was the 20th of August,
Attest: M. V. Burris, Scnhf.
Mineral Point, July 12, 1839.
First stated meeting of Wildey Encampment, No. 1, met at their hall. The Encampment was opened in (he
nsual form, with C, P. Bawden in the first chair ; H. P. Sterling in the second chair, William Campbell being an
applicant for the Encampment, was balloted for, and duly elected a member of the Encampment, and received the
Encampment, Patriarchal, Golden Rule and Royal Purple Degrees, by dispensation of the Deputy, G. Sire Potls,
On motion adjourned, to meet on the first Monday in August, 1839,
Attest ; II, V. Burris, Scrihe.
" Comments : Why did they adjourn to Sunday ? There seems to have been a meeting
' agreeable to arrangement,' between Sunday and August 10. In a resolution offered on
August 10, it would seem there was an initiation beside the degrees. Meeting 12th July, 1839,
corroborates by mentioning four degrees.
" ' Why the hiatus from August 10, 1838, to July, 1839 ? '
' In reply to Brother Langworthy's query, ' Why did they adjourn to Sunday ? ' We would
reply that in that early day the Sabbath had not extended as far as Mineral Point. And to the
other question, ' Why the hiatus from August 10, 1838, to July, 1839 ? ' We would say that
the records furnished him were fragments only. The probabilities are that other meetings were
held between those dates."
_ Hudson Encampment, I. 0. 0. F., No. 33 — Was chartered January 19, 1870, with the fol-
lowing charter members : J. H. Vivian, George Kislingbury, John Knight, John Dawe, Ed
Coad, Jr., H. S. Clauer, Uriah James. The encampment has now twenty members in good
standing, with the following officers : George H. Maston, C. P. ; J. H. Vivian, H. P. ; W. M.
Cox, S. W. ; M. Treweck, J. W. ; S. C. Thomas, Scribe ; Josiah Jacka, Treasurer.
Daughters of Bebekah. — Amelia Lodge, No. 27, was chartered December 7, 1872, with
these charter members : J. H. Vivian, H. Joseph, Isaac Penrose, John P. Prisk, J. Knight;
Sisters Jennie Clauer, Elizabeth Penrose, Amelia Vivian, Mrs. H. Joseph, Laura Pierce, Anna
M. Prisk. This lodge now numbers forty in good standing. The following are the present
officers: Mrs. E. Maston, N. G.; Mrs. E. Short, V. G.; S. C. Thomas, Secretary; Mrs. M.
Huxtable, Treasurer.
'?12 HISTORY or IOWA COUNTY.
Good Templars. — Emery Lodge, No. 311, was organized November 5, 1865, by Miss Mary
Emery, of Wisconsin. The chatter members numbered seventy-five. At the first meeting of
this lodge, November 5, 1865, the following ofiicers were chosen : Thomas Carkeek, W. C. T. ;
Mrs. S. Coad, W. V. T. ; R. R. Clark, W. R. S. ; Ph. Lawrence, W. F. S. ; William Payn-
ter, W. 0. ; P. Allen, Jr., W. M. ; Mrs. John Harris, W. I. G. ; S. H. Webb, P. W. C. T.
The first meetings of this lodge were held in the vestry of the Primitive Methodist Church.
They afterward removed to R. L. Reed's Block in the First Ward ; remained here until the
room becoming too small to accommodate their fast.increasing numbers, they moved to the City
Hall, where their meetings were held until the dedication of their new hall in Hadfield'a Block
in the Second Ward, which ceremony took place July 4, 1877. This room, which was fitted
especially for the use of the Good Templars, is one of the most elegant, as well as one of the
best adapted lodge-rooms in the State, the lodge property including fixtures, banners, regalia,
etc., being valued at $600. At one time this society was the " banner lodge " of the State, with
a membership aggregating 250 in good standing. It now numbers 150, with the following
ofiicers : J. B. Teasdale, W. C. T. ; Miss Nellie Fink, W. V. T. ; James Goldworthy, W. R. S. ;
Samuel Goldworthy, W. F. S. ; Miss Jennie Gates, W. T. ; William Smith, W. C. ; William
Harris, W. M.; Miss Maggie Connoly, W. I. G. ; John Coad, Jr., W. 0. G.; Dr. J. H.
Wingender, P. W. C. T. Ph. Allen, Jr., of this lodge, was for two years G. W. C. T., and is
now G. W. Counselor of the State; Mrs. Sadie Likens has held the office of G. W. Treasurer
of the State Lodge. The following is a list of the P. W. C. T.'s : T. T. Carkeek, John Toay, Sr.,
P. Allen, Jr., S. E. Shepard, John Charles, N. T. Martin, James Brown, W. J. C. Bond, J. B,
Teasdale, J. P. Hankin, Alfred Charles, R. J. Pennhallegon, G. W. Field, J. H. Cartwright,
J. H. Wingender. While through the efforts of this lodge many moderate drinkers have become
total abstainers, a number of habitual drinkers have been reclaimed, whose reformation is be-
lieved to be complete, and who are now good citizens and respected members of the church.
Under the auspices of the Good Templars' Lodge, the Band of Hope No. 11, Juvenile Temple^
was organized August 7, 1868, with ninety-five charter members. It now has 150 members in
good standing, with the following officers : Thomas Jacka, W. C. T. ; Frank Ivey, R. S. ; W.
Huxtable, F. S. ; Mrs. J. B. Teasdale, T. ; Bertha Kuhneman, Chap. ; S. Goodworthy, P. W.
C. T. ; Alma Cox, W. V. T. ; James Coad, W. M. ; Miss Lu Hutchison, W. A. M. ; William
Smith, Jr., W. S. ; Miss Sally Gray, W. G. Lodge meets Fridays, and Temple on Tuesdays.
Emmet Oircle. — This branch of the Fenian brotherhood was organized in Mineral Point in
1870, during the incipient agitation for the liberation of Ireland by filibustering expeditions
through Canada. This was the only " circle " or branch in the State of Wisconsin, hence it
was a representative institution. During its vigorous existence, a large amount of money was
subscribed and forwarded to the " head center " in New York for the good of the cause. Alto-
gether, about $400 was subscribed and collected, and, at the time of the Allen execution in
Manchester, England, a poll tax of $5 was levied on the members. The sum of $120 was thus
raised. The organization continued to enjoy a healthy existence for two years, when, after the
lamentable and disastrous raid on Canuckia, the Emmet Circle disbanded in unison with a general
decay of the movement. The officers were John Commins, Center ; Alex HefTerman, Vice
Center ; W. T. Healey, Secretary ; James O'Neill and Thomas J. Clancy, Treasurers.
Protection Lodge, No. 7, A. 0. U. W. — Was organized by J. M. Cissinger, D. V. M. W.,
April 23, 1877. The Ancient Order of United Workmen is cosmopolitan in character, embrac-
ing among its members all classes, forming a mutual life insurance. By paying an initiation
fee and stated amounts at regular intervals, the members secure all the benefits to be derived
from the principles upon which the life insurance system is based, and assures to the mem-
bers weekly benefits, with a positive guarantee of $2,000 to the heirs and assigns of the deceased
member. The Mineral Point lodge was organized by the election of the following officers : M,
Benson, P. M. W. ; Sible E. Shepard, M. W. ; W. H. Curry, R. ; Fred Phillips, 0. ; William
Eastman, Medical Examiner; P. Allen, Jr., G. F. ; William Perry, 0. W. ; James Kitto, I.
W. ; William H. Osborne, G. ; George Crawford, F- ; William H. Bennett, R. The charter
HISTORY or IOWA COUNTY. 713.
members were J. R. Toay, Francis Ensenroth, S. T. Osborne, C. E. Gale, W. H. Curry, M.
Benson, S. B. Shepard, Fred Phillips, William Eastman, P. Allen, Jr., William Perry, James
Kitto, William H. Osborne, William H. Bennett and George Crawford. This society now num-
bers forty-six, and is constantly increasing. Its meetings are held in the Good Templars' Hall,
in Hadfield's Block, each alternate week. Officers are elected annually. The present officers-
are Joseph Hawkins, M. V. ; W. J. Cox, G. F. ; R. Julian, 0. ; Charles Neal, G. ; F. Ensen-
roth, R. ; A. Berg, F. ; William Perry, R. ; H. Wies, 0. W. ; N. Kessler, E. W.
Tlie Mineral Point Temple of Honor, No. 185 — Was instituted March 21, 1878, by Special
Deputy C. F. Osborne, of Darlington. The following were the charter members : William
Smith, J. P. Davies, H. S. Claner, James V. Dabb, N. T. Martin, Thomas H. Harrison, Josiah.
Jacka, N. T. Holman, Simon Toay, Nicholas Uren, J. T. Prideaux, F. E. Hanscom, John P.
Hambly, E. Y. Hutchison, John Coad, Samuel Toay, Will J. Penhallegon, John W. Richards,
J. P. Hawkins. J. A. Huxtable, Harry Hawkins, John W. Bennett, John Dawe, W. H. Slaw-
son, Richard Fredinick, William Thomas, James W. Hutchison, John Waters, Thomas Ivey,
James Skinner, John N. Waters, James Penhallegon, Joseph Vivian, W. E. Mayhew, Rev. M.
Benson, George Crawford, William Richards, R. G. Thomas, James Crawford, John Hadfield,
W. A. Jones, Richard Jackson, Jr., Samuel J. Richards. John M. Richards, John M. Harris,
J. H. L. Scheel, James Suthers, Charles Cox, John B. Wallis and Thomas S. Teague. The
first election was held March 21, 1878, and the following officers chosen : John P. Davies, W.
C. T. ; Samuel M. Toay, W. V. T. ; C. Y. Hutchison, P. W. C. T. ; W. J. Penhallegon, W.
R. ; Simon Toay, W. A. R. ; N. T. Martin, W. T. ; F. E. Hanscom, W. F. R. ; John W.
Bennett, W. U. ; Richard Fredinick, W. D. U. ; John Coad, W. G. ; Nicholas Uren, W. S. ;
William Thomas, W. R. H. S. ; Thomas Harrison, W. L. H. S. ; W. A. Jones, L. D. The
P. W. C. T.'s are, S. M. Toay, E. Y. Hutchison, Josiah Jacka and W. J. Penhallegen. The
present officers are William Smith, W. C. T. ; R. S. Lanyon, W. V. T. ; J. J. Toms, W. R. ;
Josiah Jacka, W. A. S. ; J. B. Reynolds, W. F. R. ; Joseph Vivian, W. T. ; William Thomas,
W. U. ; Edwin Woolrich, W. D. U. ; John Foster, W. G. ; John Evans, W. S. The greatest
number belonging to this lodge at any one time was one hundred and ten. The lodge now num-
bers seventy-five. Meetings are held weekly in the Odd Fellows' Hall.
American Legion of Honor. — Hope Council, No. 344, was instituted November 23, 1880,.
by David Neil, of Milwaukee. The object of this organization is to unite fraternally all persons
of good moral character, who are socially acceptable, to give all moral and material aid to its
members, and those dependent upon them ; to educate its members socially, morally and intel-
lectually ; to establish a fund for the relief of sick and distressed beneficial members ; to establish
a benefit fund, from which, on the death of a beneficiary member of the order, a sum not exceed-
ing $5,000 shall be paid to the family, orphans or dependents, as the member may direct. This
society was organized with a charter membership of nine, who were also the first officers. They
were William Strauss, Commander ; John Daniels, Vice Commander ; H. S. Weil, Past Com-
mander ; Anton Berg, Secretary and Collector ; Alfred Bishop, Treasurer ; William Eastman,,
Medical Examiner ; N. Kessler, Guide ; F. Guggenheim, Chaplain ; George S. Keeler, Orator.
The society now numbers twenty members, with the following officers : William Strauss,
Commander ; John Daniels, Vice Commander ; H. S. Weil, Past Commander ; George S.
Keeler, Orator; Anton Berg, Secretary and Collector; Alfred Bishop, Treasurer; Williaia
Eastman, Medical Examiner ; N. Kessler, Chaplain ; Henry Bennett, Guide. Trustees — Anton
Berg, H. S. Weil and John Daniels.
M. E. Lyceum. — This society was organized in March, 1878, with the following charter
members : John Eden, Ivah Benson, David Jacka, John Knight, James Benson, M. Benson,
F. A. Spensley, Shirley Spensley. James Goldsworthy, Mary Downs, Mrs. J. Knight, Susie
Benson, Susie Miller, Lena M. White, Eugenia Sherwood, Amelia B. Coad, Jennie Spensley,
Maggie Spitzborth, Jennie Jacka, Lizzie Necollins, Stansmon Vivian, Colen Goldsworthy. The
object of this organization is the mutual advancement, morally, intellectually and socially, of its
members. The society frequently hold " dime entertainments," and meetings for debate on
714 HISTORY OF IOWA COUXTY.
various subjects. It is composed of persons from the different churches in the city, and at pres-
ent numbers forty. The oflScers now are Lofotus Wright, President ; Frank Hanscom, Vice
President ; Miss Lena M. White, Secretary ; Miss Jennie Clark, Treasurer.
RELIGIOUS.
As appears in the sketch of the early settlement, the first religious services were held here
as early as 1828, or 1829, by Elder Roberts, who preached baptism or damnation, both for
infants and adults. Services were held in his cabin, or a building prepared for such purposes.
It is said of the Elder, that he was exceedingly zealous in striving to convert sinners to Christ,
and that he wielded a powerful influence for good among the miners. His headquarters were
characterized by his associates as Jerusalem, and the Elder as the High Priest ; but, notwith-
standing the levity indulged in by the miners, the Elder was generally respected and fairly
treated by them. As one old settler remarks, "the very fact of having preaching, and a place
to go to where something could be heard besides mineral talk, for a short time, proved not only
a novelty, but was certainly beneficial to those rough and hardened men. No matter if they
did leave the services to go to a horse race, or to play cards, and to have a rollicking time during
the remainder of the day, there was yet a little good derived from the religious leaven that had
been dropped into their souls."
The First Protestant Qhuroh in Wisconsin. — Mineral Point enjoys the distinction of having
had the first Protestant church built in the State. This may be regarded by many as an event
of no particular significance in connection with the present ; but, insignificant as it may seem,
it was nevertheless the first, and withal, exhibits the fact that, although a majority of the early
comers were rough and desperate characters, yet there were enough of God-fearing and humanity-
loving people here to take an early start in the right direction.
In trying to measure the development which has been made since that time, not only here,
but throughout the State and the great Northwest generally, the mind is completely bewildered.
In nearly every town of this vast area, may now be found churches of various denominations,
among which the least is not the Methodist, or that section to which belonged the first church
started ; and but forty-seven years have elapsed since that time. How wonderful, indeed, is
the progress of civilization ; how grand and all prevailing the power of Deity. '' In Him was
life, and the life was the light of men," must be acknowledged by every person in contemplation
o} the change.
The following communication gives a graphic description of the first church, and the first
work done there by the pioneer preacher. Rev. A. Bronson.
Dear Sib : The first Methodist Episcopal Church, and the first Protestant church built in Wisoonsia, was
erected at Mineral Point in 1834. It was of logs entirely. 1 think there was not a sawed board in it, except what
was worked into window-sash and doors. The logs were notched together at the corners, chinked inside, and daubed
or plastered outside with clay mortar. The floor was of puncheons split out of logs, and smoothed with a broad-ax on
the flat side, the round side being spotted to fit the sleepers. Thereof was made of clapboards, split out of large oak
trees, and the ceiling and pulpit were made from the same material. The seats were made of split logs smoothed on
the flat side, with wooden pegs driven into auger holes for legs. I do not remember whether the door hinges were
made of wood or iron. I think it was about 24x30 feet in area. It stood on the first spur or point of land that
comes in from the northwest, some fifteen or twenty rods from Abner Nichols' old hotel, near the foot of Commerce
street.
I held the first quarterly meeting ; gave the first love feast, and administered the first sacrament in it, in the
fall of 1 835. How long it was used I do not know. I think a school was taught in it for some time, until a sehoolhouse
was built. I have a cane made out of one of the logs of that church, which was presented to me in 1871, in the
present Methodist Episcopal Church. ' Respectfully,
Alfreu Bronson.
The Hollowites. — In 1842, a man by the name of John Hollow came to Mineral Point from
England. He was what would be termed a dissenter from the established church, and something
of an enthusiast as well. After his arrival, he began holding services here and there among
those who sympathized with his views, and finally, about 1845, succeeded, by dint of hard work,
in enlisting a good many in his favor, and in getting together sufficient means to build a church.
The organization that worshiped here for the next few years were known as the Hollowites.
HI8T0BY OF IOWA COUNTY. 715
Eventually the interest died out, and with it the society; the building was used for a school also
during a great part of the time. About 1849, it was taken by the Primitive Methodist or seced-
ers from the Methodist Episcopal Church here, with whom were identified the Hollowites.
Methodist Episcopal Church. — Among the early churches of Wisconsin that have con-
tributed so much to the progress, civilization and refinement of the citizens of the Badger State,
should be classed the Methodist Episcopal Church. As early as 1834, an organization of this
denomination was effected in Mineral Point, and being since cherished and fostered, is now recog-
nized as foremost among the leading church societies of Southwestern Wisconsin.
The first class of thi.s organization consisted of William Kendall and wife, John Wallace
and wife, William Phillips and wife, Andrew Remfrey, William Ball, Mr. Miller and wife,
Mrs. S. Thomas and James Nancarow. For some time these few persons congregated at their
dwellings, and had regular prayer-meetings and instructions by the laymen of the fold. Early
in September of this year, Rev. Thomas Haney, a noted pioneer " circuit rider," was sent here
by an Illinois conference and frequently held religious meetings, which were attended by large
numbers of the miners in the vicinity at the time, though, it is surmised, more out of curiosity to
see the man who dared to venture in their very midst, and assail them for their laxity of morals,
than to partake of the religious blessings there ofFered. The society continued to increase
until, in 1837, it aggregated thirty members. During the fall of this year, a small rock church
was built on the corner opposite the present elegant structure. Early in the year 1838, this
edifice was dedicated and services instituted. The society having a church, now desired a resi-
dent Pastor, but as the congregation was small and unable to support a minister alone, the idea
for the time being was abandoned. Soon, however, an opening for a day-school was found, and
is was resolved by the congregation to procure a preacher who might administer to their spiritual
wants on the Sabbath, and, during the week, teach school, and thus receive suflScient additional
salary to support him at this point. Forthwith the Illinois Conference was petitioned for a young
man of the requisite qualifications, and Rev. John Mitchell, then stationed at Galena, was sent
here and took charge of the combined duties of minister and pedagogue. Rev. Mitchell remained
two years, and proved himself a most satisfactory selection. The congregation consisted princi-
pally of English and some Americans. For several years the Presbyterian element in the com-
munity attended services at the Methodist Episcopal Church.
The conveniences of this small church were necessarily of the most primitive character, and
lacked to a remarkable degree the church ornaments and luxuries of the present day. The seats
were composed of two short poles crossed and placed at each end of a rough plank for support.
Here in this rude structure petitions and prayers were offered up by the devout and sincere pio-
neers, who would frown upon the luxuriant upholstery and seemingly extravagance in the church
fixtures of to-day.
In 1840, the rude plank seats were replaced with more comfortable and attractive benches-
The congregation increased in numbers so rapidly, that, in 1845, more commodious apartments
were required, and under the supervision of P. Allen, Sr., an addition was made to original
building, and the church now assumed gratifying proportions.
The Mineral Point Circuit at this time embraced the territory of Mineral Point, Dodgeville
•and Peddlers' Creek, now Linden. The first quarterly conference was held at Mineral Point
December 24, 1837, when were present Rev. R. Haney, Circuit Preacher, William Ball, Will-
iam Thomas, William Kendall, William Webster and Andrew Remfrey, Stewards. Subsequent
meetings were held at Peddlers' Creek, Dodgeville and again at Mineral Point. The congrega-
tion was administered to after the departure of Rev. John Mitchell, by the circuit preachers.
Rev. R. Haney, in 1837 ; H. W. Reed, 1838 ; T. C. Lopaz, 1839 ; John Crummer and J.
Hodges, 1840 ; T. M. Fullerton, 1841. In October of 1841, Rev. J. G. Whitford became sta-
tion preacher. He was succeeded in 1842 by Washington Wilcox, who was followed in 1843
by T. M. Fullerton. December 1, 1843, the Mineral Point Sabbath School had fifty-six scholars,
twelve teachers, two superintendents and a library containing 184 volumes. In August, 1844,
716 HISTORY OP IOWA COUNTY. '
H. I. Brunson took charge of the Methodist Episcopal Congregation, and was succeeded in 1845-
by Elihu Springer, stationed preacher.
The first recorded meeting of the Trustees was held June 21, 1846, when the members were
William Kendall, Joseph Hatch, George Goldthorp, Samuel Rich, William T. Phillips, N. Coad,
William Lanyon, John Pearce and Phillip Allen, Sr. Of this number the following officers were
elected : William Kendall, President ; Samuel Rich, Vice President ; William T. Phillips,
Secretary ; Nicholas Coad, Treasurer ; John Pearce, Collector. During this year the basement
of the church was fitted up for school purposes, and was also rented as meeting room for the
Odd Fellows and Sons of Temperance.
In the fall of 1846, Rev. J. M. Leihy took charge of the Mineral Point Station, and con-
tinued two years, when in 1848, he was succeeded by Rev. J. G. Whitford. During the pas-
torate of Rev. Whitford, a revolution occurred in the congregation, upward of fifty members
seceding, and who subsequently organized the Primitive Methodist Society. The cause of this
movement is attributed to dissatisfaction concerning the rules and regulations of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. Notwithstanding this severe check, however, the congregation continued
its rapid progress, and, within a few years, fully recovered.
In September, 1849, Rev. R. P. Lawton became the preacher in charge. During this
year, what is known as the " old " parsonage was built in the rear of the present church edifice.
Rev. Lawton was followed by J. M. Snow, in 1850, and he was succeeded in 1851 by Rev.
A. Brunson. Rev. John Nolan took charge in 1853, and remained until October of 1854,
when he was succeeded by Rev. Washington Wilcox. He was followed in 1856 by Rev.
Henry Wood ; in 1858, by Rev. James Lawson ; in 1859, by P. S. Mather ; in 1860, by
Rev. Nelson Green; in 1861, by Rev. J. Knibbs. In the fall of 1863, Rev. W. B. Hazelton
relieved Rev. Knibbs, and, in turn, was relieved by Enoch Tasker, in the fall of 1865. He
remained but one year, and was followed by Rev. James Lawson, in September, 1866. During
the pastorate of Rev. Lawson, this society made rapid strides toward its present admirable
condition. Early in the year 1866, the subject of a new church was first agitated, but nothing
was accomplished until April 15, 1867, when the committee appointed for the purpose^
announced that they had purchased from the Common Council of the city, what was known aa
the " brick schoolhouse lot," the consideration being $1,000. This much being accomplished,
the congregation awoke to the necessities of the hour, and subscription papers were circulated,
large amounts were freely given, and all bid fair for a splendid success. A committee consist-
ing of Edward Hosking, James Spensley and Rev. J. M. Lawson was appointed to superintend
the erection of the edifice according to the plans submitted by a Chicago architect employed for
the purpose. Forthwith the foundation was built, and corner-stone laid and the work pro-
gressed rather slowly until it was finally completed and dedicated in 1871, the total cost being
f 32,000. This church is built of durable and attractive white sandstone, and with its elegant;
style and interior finish renders it the handsomest, most commodious and expensive church
building in Iowa County.
In 1868, Rev. D. W. Couch relieved Rev. Lawson, and remained until October, 1871,
when he was succeeded by Rev. I. E. Springer. Rev. J. B. Reynolds took charge in 1873,
and was relieved in 1874 by Rev. C. Bushby. He remained as preacher in charge until
1876, when Rev. Mr. Benson became Pastor. He was relieved in 1878 by Rev. M. B. Balch,
who was succeeded in the fall of 1880 by the present efficient Pastor, Rev. J. S. Thompson.
The church property on the corner opposite the present structure, was sold to John Spens-
ley, and the old rock church was converted into a carpenter-shop, and was burned down in March,
1880. During the fall of 1880, the old parsonage was sold, and the present parsonage
located opposite the public square, purchased.
The Sabbath school of this society is now in a flourishing condition, having a membership
of over two hundred, with twenty two classes and a good corps of teachers.
The church society is in a healthy and prosperous condition, its members aggregating twa
hundred and fifty in good standing. When the large indebtedness of the past, and the present
HISTORY OF IOWA COUKTY. 717
financial condition of the Methodist Episcopal Church are considered, our admiration of the suc-
cessful efforts of its energetic members is excited, and we cannot but wish them the brilliant
success in this moral vineyard which they so richly deserve.
Trinity Ohurch. — This society and church, of the Episcopal denomination, is one of the
first organized in the State. The first service was held here about 1836, by Bishop Kemper,
the year after his consecration in that capacity. In a letter written July 3, 1837, by Rev. R.
F. Cadle to the General Board of Supervisors at New York, he says : " I spent several days
at Mineral Point ; this place is said to contain 600 or 800 inhabitants, and there is a consider-
able population in the adjoining country. Several persons expressed their wishes to me for the
appointment of a missionary. There are several Episcopalians in the village, and the number
■of persons disposed to attend public worship is large." From this statement, it will be seen
that there was then no society here, nor,,indeed, were they in the habit of having services at all.
Under date of September 28, 1838, Mr. Cadle again writes : "On Thursday, July 26, Bishop
Kemper preached, after the reading of prayers by the Rev. Mr. Gear," then familiarly known
through this section of the State as Father Gear; the present Governor of Iowa is his son.
Mr. Cadle adds : " Sunday, September 2, I preached in the court house."
In the summer of 1839, the preliminary steps were taken toward erecting a church, as
appears from the following notice, taken from the Miners' Journal of June 11, 1839 :
" The Rev. Mr. Weed will preach at the court house Sunday next, at 10 o'clock A. M. and
at 3 o'clock P. M., on the corner-stone of the new church."
In this connection, it may be well to state that this structure progressed no farther toward
oompletion than the construction of the foundation, owing to the fact that the party who held
the building fund appropriated it to other and baser uses.
In the fall of 1839, the Rev. Benjamin Eaton was appointed resident missionary at Mineral
Point. On Sunday, December 8 of the above year, immediately after morning service, a meet-
ing of the congregation was held for the purpose of effecting a regular church organization and
■electing parish officers. William H. Banks was called to the chair, and J. S. Bawden was
appointed Secretary. The object of the meeting was then stated by M. M. Strong. On motion,
Messrs. M. M. Strong, William R. Smith and Henry Hamilton were appointed a committee to
draft a constitution and by-laws for the future guidance of the church. On motion, John Milton,
J. S. Bawden and Rev. Benjamin Eaton were appointed a committee to collect funds with which
to erect a church. The vestry elected were as follows: William R. Smith, M. M. Strong,
Henry Dodge, John Milton, William H. Banks, J. S. Bawden, William Henry, Charles Bracken,
Oharles F. Legate, Robert W. Carson, Henry Hamilton and Nicholas Uren.
At an adjourned meeting, held Wednesday, December 11, 1839, the Committee on Consti-
tution reported a set of rules which were accepted, and the following special officers were
•elected : Henry Hamilton and Wm. R. Smith, Church Wardens ; Charles F. Legate and M. M.
Strong, Trustees; John Milton, Treasurer; and James S. Bawden, Clerk. At this meeting, a
motion of thanks to Bishop Kemper for his zeal in establishing the church was adopted. Very
■soon after that, the church was incorporated, and, in order to promote the interests of the society,
M. M. Strong donated the whole of Block No. 22 of his addition to the city of Mineral Point,
to be used for church grounds, as it now remains. A number of lots adjacent were also given,
which were afterward sold for parish uses. At that time, the parishioners went vigorously to
work, making arrangements to erect a church, but, before they began, Rev. Eaton resigned and
went to Galveston, Texas. This had the effect to discourage the people, and, for the time
being, the project was abandoned. It is said of Mr. Eaton that he was a man of fine attain-
ments, and so exceptionally eloquent as a pulpit orator, that the entire community flocked to his
services.
After Mr. Eaton's departure, the organization relapsed, and, although occasional services
were held by different parties, there is no record of any resident minister until September 15,
1845, when the Rev. Ebenezer Williams became Rector and the church was revived. Schuyler
Pulford, M. D., and Thomas Riddell were elected Church Wardens, and M. M. Strong, R. W.
718 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
Lansing, A. W. Parris, John Milton, Richard Bawden, G. W. Cobb, William R. Smith and
John Odgers were chosen Vestrymen.
At this time, it was resolved by the vestry to erect a church costing about $5,000, and a
committee was appointed to circulate a subscription list and solicit funds. The first day $860
were subscribed. A building committee was also appointed, and, suitable plans having been ob-
tained, the present building was commenced, and the work continued until its completion.
The church is 35x45 feet in area ; basement walls, five feet in height, one of stone, and the su-
perstructure walls, about sixteen feet in height, are of brick. It is neatly finished and furnished,
but shows the marks of age.
The Rev. E. Williams continued with the parish until November 17, 1849, when he re-
signed. On the 10th of December following, the Rev. James De Pui was invited by the Vestry
to take charge of the church, and accepted. He remained Rector until January 3, 1851, when
he resigned, and, on the 21st of April of the above year, the Rev. Josiah Phelps, of Delphi,
Ind., was called to the charge.
During the rectorship of Mr. Phelps, the church was fully completed, and, in August of
1855, it was consecrated by Bishop Kemper, assisted by the clergy of the Diocese of Wis-
consin.
The Rev. Mr. Phelps resigned on the 4th of April, 1859, and on the 23d of June follow-
ing, the Rev. Gardner M. Skinner was elected Rector. He remained until September 13, 1862,
and then resigned. After this there was no regular minister until July 27, 1863, when the
Rev. Louis P. Tschiffely was chosen Rector. Mr. Tschiffely officiated until July 19, 1864.
Subsequent to his departure, several ministers were called, but no one was secured until March
14, 1865, when the Rev. Lyman Phelps was called, and, responding, was installed Rector.
During Mr. Phelps' rectorate, the rectory was built, and the parish school organized, and
schoolhouse erected. The rectory, which is an elegant and substantial structure, Gothic in
style, was completed at a cost of $8,000. The material used in the construction of the walls,
being the brown sandstone of this country. The school-building was erected in 1869, at a cost
of $3,000. This is a plain but commodious one-story frame building ; is well lighted and ven-
tilated, and capable of seating 150 pupils. Mrs. Phelps, the minister's wife, was the first teacher
here, and continued in charge until her death, which occurred in 1872. Mrs. Phelps is remem-
bered as one of earth's loveliest daughters, a woman who, by her Christian spirit and assiduous
labors, endeared herself to all classes of people. Her death proved so great a blow to her hus-
band that he never recovered from the shock, but gradually failed until his health compelled him
to resign on April 10, 1874.
Mr. Phelps was succeeded by the Rev. A. F. Samuels, who remained with the church un-
til the 1st of May, 1875. He was followed by the present able and eloquent Rector, the Rev.
A. W. Seabrase, who, in response to a unanimous call of the Vestry, took charge of the parish
August 29, 1875, a position which he has thus far held agreeably to himself and acceptably and
beneficially to his people.
Of the original Vestrymen, M. M. Strong is the only survivor. Of the church Wardens,
Dr. R. D. Pulford has served the longest, he having officiated in that capacity since 1846. In
reading the list of early Vestrymen, one finds the names of some of the leading men m the State
twenty-five to fifty years ago. Thus it may be said that this is not only one of the oldest
churches established in the State, but it was started by the pioneer Bishop of the West, and in-
cluded some of the ablest men in the Northwest.
At present, the church is in a flourishing condition, the regular attendance being large, the
Sunday school being well supported, and the church property being unincumbered. That this
condition of things may long maintain is to be devotedly desired.
St. Paul's Catholic Church. — To properly trace the history of this denomination, the his-
torian must necessarily go back to the pioneer days of Iowa County, when the excitement of
the lead region was at its zenith, and when the morals of the people were notorious for their
laxity. About the years 1836 to 1840, the village of Mineral Point was a fine picture of a
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 719
Western mining town. The community was composed of all classes, creeds and nationalities,
and, from possessing all the concomitants of the Western frontier, it afforded a rich field for mis-
sionary labor.
Among the settlers were Catholics of nearly every nationality, but principally Irishmen,
who, being accustomed to mining either in Ireland or England, sought fortune and a congenial
pursuit in the mines of Wisconsin. Although, during the earliest phase of development of the
diggings, there were Catholics in this village or its vicinity, yet several years elapsed from the
opening of the mines before they were organized into a congregation.
Wisconsin, in the early days, belonged to the diocese of Detroit, but the southwestern part
of the State was generally attended by priests belonging to the diocese of Dubuque, for the
reason that it was in close proximity to the latter place. Dubuque was erected into a diocese in
1837, seven years prior to the appointment of a Bishop to Milwaukee ; consequently it naturally
followed that this section of Wisconsin fell ad interim to the spiritual charge of the Bishop of the
diocese and his clergy.
The first Catholic Priest to visit Mineral Point was Rev. Father Mazzuchelli, an Italian
clergyman of the Dubuque Diocese, who visited most of the Catholic settlements between this
place and the Mississippi River. He subsequently became Pastor of Benton, La Fayette County,
where he built a church and eventually founded the Third Order of St. Dominic, whose sisters
are at present located at Sinsinawa Mound, Grant County. This order is now in a flourishing
condition, having over one hundred and fifty sisters, a large young ladies' academy, besides hav-
ing charge of many and important schools in Wisconsin. Illinois and Minnesota.
The first time the holy sacrifice of the mass was celebrated in Mineral Point dates back to
the year 1839, the officiator being Rev. Father Mazzuchelli. This service was held in an old
log shanty situated near the present German Catholic Church, at that time owned by an English-
woman, Mrs. Uren, but occupied by an Irish Catholic, James Smith. Mass was afterward cele-
brated in the residence of the same Mr. Smith, located in the rear of the present city hall. Shortlv
after, a new house of larger dimensions, erected on the hill near the present Second Ward
Schoolhouse by Mr. Crawford, was rented by the Catholics for church purposes. This building
they occupied about a year, when the Rev. Father Mazzuchelli built a church. Owing to his
numerous missions in this part of the State, the pious Mazzuchelli visited his newly organized
congregation in Mineral Point very irregularly, thus giving the Catholics of this vicinity but few
opportunities of hearing mass and approaching the holy sacraments of the church. On these
visits, he was the guest of George W. Jones, a Protestant, but whose wife was a practical Cath-
olic. Here he was most hospitably and respectfully entertained.
The Catholics were thus attended at intervals until 1841, when Rev. Mazzuchelli ceased
visiting them, and Mineral Point fell to the charge of Rev. James Causse, a French priest, sta-
tioned then at Potosi, Wis. He said mass in James Smith's house, and new house of Mr,
Crawford. This was the first time this congregation received regular attendance and was recog-
nized as a mission, having mass once a month. The Catholics were thus administered to for
one or two years previous to the erection of any building by the society for church purposes.
In 1842, four lots for a church site were donated — John F. O'Neil two lots, Thomas P,
Burnet one, and Frank J. Dunne one lot. This and another lot bought recently is the present
amount of church property immediately adjoining the church, upon which is located the church,
priest's residence and sisters' school.
The first Catholic Church in Mineral Point was built in 1842, under the charge of Rev,
James Causse. This was 40x20 feet, constructed of limestone and sand rock, then the most
convenient and substantial material at hand. It is said that to this church numbers of the old
settlers drove twenty-five and thirty miles with ox-teams, coming the day before and remaining
two nights in town, and returning the third day. Those were the Christian spirits that laid the
foundation of Catholicity in this section.
On September 24, 1846, J. M. Henni, then Bishop of Milwaukee, relieved Rev. Cousse,
and placed Rev. Victor Jouanneault, a French priest, in charge of the Mineral Point mission.
'720 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
The prospects of this new Pastor were far from encouraging ; the mission then included the ter-
'ritory now embraced by the counties of Iowa, Grant, La Fayette and Green. His first effort was
to secure a residence; the one he erected during the first year of his pastorate is now occupied by
the sisters. He was succeeded in August, 1849, by Rev. Michael McFaul, who continued until
April, 1850. Rev. James Causse was then appointed his successor, and officiated as Pastor
until 1855. The Catholic school was established under the pastorate of Rev. Jounanneault and
taught by himself, and continued under Rev. Causse's administration. In 1851, Rev. V>'illiam
B. Dougherty was appointed to assist Rev. Causse in his duties, and remained until 1852. (He
died in Kenosha in 1876.) He was succeeded as assistant by Rev. Arthur O'Connor in 1853
to 1854.
It is a remarkable fact that, during the cholera epidemic of 1849-50, not a single death
occurred from this scourge among the Catholic congregation. This remarkable preservation is
attributed to the intercession of the Blessed Virgin, under whose protection they had placed
themselves.
The sacrament of confirmation was first administered to this congregation July 26, 1851,
by Rev. J. M. Henni, Bishop of Milwaukee. January 21, 1851, the Hibernian Temperance
Association was organized, and flourished for a few years only. During the year 1855, the first
choir was established. In May, 1855, the corner-stone for a new church was laid, which was not
completed, however, until in 1860. It was dedicated in June of that year. This church
building is 40x80 feet, and is still occupied for church purposes. In January, 1856, Rev.
James Cousse was succeeded by Rev. M. Kundig, who continued until March of the same year,
when he was succeeded by Rev. M. P. Kenney. He was followed in May by Rev. James Mc-
Gowan, who was succeeded in September by Rev. F. G. Bonduel, a French priest. He con-
tinued until May, 1857, when Rev. Francis McGann took charge of the mission and continued'
here until his death, Sept. 18, 1870. During his administration, in the year 1868, the Do-
minican Sisters of Sinsinawa Mound were procured and placed in charge of the Catholic school,
which has since been carried on with flattering success by them. During the early part of the
year 1870, the German element of the congregation withdrew and organized a society and
erected their present church building.
After the death of Rev. James McGann, Rev. James O'Keefe, the present Pastor, was
appointed his successor, and took charge October 1, 1870. During Father O'Keefe's pastorate,
this congregation, guided by his superior judgment, extended experience and liberal education,
have made many and valuable improvements in connection with the church, sisters' school,
priest's residence and church property, and has long been one of the leading congregations of
the county.
First Preshyterian ChurcJi. — This church was organized June 13, 1839, at Mineral Point,
*by the Rev. James E. Quaw, A. M., Bishop of the Reformed Dutch Church, and pioneer
preacher of considerable note. The following were the constituent members : Curtis Beech,
Sophia Beech, Elihu Hall, Sarah Hall, Calvin Frink, Lydia Frink, Mary E. Frink, Eliza A.
Frink, George Hickcox, Catherine Kellogg, Joshua Kellogg. The first officers of the church
were Curtis Beech, George W. Hickcox, Judah Hall, Elders ; Calvin Frink and Judah Hall,
Deacons. The sacrament of the Lord's Supper was administered to the constituent members June
13, 1839. The Rev. James E. Quaw continued to preach for the newly established church until
October, 1839, when he left for the East. The first sermons of this congregation were con-
ducted at the residences of the members until the fall of 1839, when devotions were held in the
court house, now city hall. From October, 1839, to July, 1840, the congregation was without
a Pastor, though meetings were regularly held, the sermons being read by the different members
of the church. During this interval, a regularly appointed Sabbath school was established, and
weekly prayer meetings held. On July 15, 1840, a meeting of the congregation extended an
invitation to the Rev. Solomon Chafiee, who accepted the call and commenced his labors
on the third Sabbath of July, 1840. During the pastorate of Mr. Chaffee, the church which
-now adorns High street was erected and dedicated November, 1844. December 30, 1844,
WYOMING.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 723
Rev. Solomon Chaffee was succeeded by Rev. Zachariah Eddy, who was in turn replaced
in 1856 by the Rev. D. C. Lyon. Mr. Lyon resigned the pastorate August 5, 1851, and was
followed by Rev. David T. Noyes, who served one year, and was succeeded by the Rev. Charles
Boynton. The resignation of Rev. Boynton was accepted January 30, 1860, and April 1, 1860,
Rev. H. H. Benson took charge of the church. September 20, 1863, Mr. Benson resigned,
and February 18, 1864, Rev. Goodnow was employed for three months. July 25, 1864, Rev.
E. B. Miner, of Baraboo, assumed his labors among the flock, and January 11, 1867, he was
succeeded by Rev. W. H. Bernard, who served as Pastor until April, 1869. Rev. A. S. Yale
accepted a call to this charge July 5, 1869, and served until October, 1871, when Rev. G. W.
Evans entered upon the duties as Pastor. December 10, 1874, was the date of the acceptance
■of the call by Rev. A. S. Reed who resigned April 1, 1877, and was succeeded in February,
1878, by Rev. J. Emery Fisher. In September, 1878, Mr. Fisher resigned, and November 9,
1878, Rev. Louis H. Jenkins, the present Pastor, entered upon his duties. In 1878, the church
«difice was raised, and a stone basement constructed with room 33 feet square. The church
proper is 36x56 feet, and has long since taken its place among the principal church edifices in
Mineral Point. The Elders of the church are T. J. Campbell, John Clowney and Neil Mc-
Vicker ; Trustees, T. J. Campbell, John Clowney, Neil McVicker, George Keuheuan, Robert
Hughes, John Ghundman ; Clerk, T. J. Campbell ; Treasurer, Neil McVicker. In 1847, a
•united conference of the Presbyterian and Congregational denominations was held at the Pres-
byterian Church in Mineral Point, the Revs. D. Clary, of Beloit, and J. J. White, of Milwau-
kee, preached. The conference was convened October 11, 1847, by selecting Rev. A. L. Cha-
pin, of Milwaukee, Moderator, and Rev. C. Warner, of Elk Horn, Clerk. Various subjects
were discussed during the conference, which lasted a week, and some interesting statistics
relating to the mission in Wisconsin Territory were presented by Rev. Stephen Peet. Revs. A.
L. Chapin and J. J. Miter, of Milwaukee, spoke on the same subject ; Rev. L. H. Loss, of
Beloit, and Mr. George F. McGoun, formerly Principal of Platteville Academy spoke on educa-
tion. The proceedings of the convention created kindly and harmonious feeling, and the differ-
ent delegates departed for their homes with pleasant recollections of their generous reception at
Mineral Point.
St. Mary's Grerman Catholic Society. — This parish was originally a part of what is termed
the " Irish congregation," but the church edifice becoming too small, and the German element
desiring a pastor of their own nationality, in 1870, organized the St. Mary's congregation.
During the same year, the church property, consisting of three acres, was purchased of John
Bracken, the consideration being $2,000. The society immediately proceeded to the erection of
a church and presbytery. Both buildings were completed and taken possession of August 1,
1870. The church and residence were erected at a cost of |10,000. In the fall of 1871, the
parish school, a large two-story edifice, with accommodation for one hundred and fifty scholars,
was erected at a cost of $2,000. There are engaged here as teachers, three Sisters of the
Dominican order, of Racine, Wis. The first Pastor of this congregation was Rev. Franz X.
Weinhard, who served from 1870 to 1878. In October, 1878, Rev. George Weidlich took
•charge of the parish, and continued until April, 1879. Rev. Joseph Huber, the present incum-
bent, became pastor May 1, 1879. Connected with this congregation is the parish cemetery,
•consisting of four acres of land, located one mile from the city, on the Dodgeville road. This
cemetery was established in 1873. The first person buried here was Sister Seraphine. The
total number buried here since its establishment, aggregates ninety. St. Joseph's Benevolent
Society, composed of members of St. Mary's German Catholic congregation, was organized
March 19, 1871. The first officers were, Peter Frelden, President; Joseph EUingen, Vice
President ; Matt Schmitt, Secretary ; Edward Ellingen, Treasurer. The society now numbers
fifty-three members, with the following officers : John Jeuck, President ; John Amberg, Vice
President ; Phillip Wiedenfeller, Secretary ; Peter Freiden, Treasurer.
724 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
CEMETERIES.
One of the chief acts performed by any civilized community, is the providing of a suitable
and permanent place for the interment of its dead ; but, ■when a country is new and sparsely
settled, and deaths few, very little attention is given to the subject, almost any sightly burial-
place being considered good enough. In the early history of Mineral Point, about the year
1830(?), one of the many miners here at that time was wont to remark that when he died, he
desired to be buried beneath the "big tree" on the hill. This land-mark was on the grounds
now fenced in. and known as the City burying-ground.
According to the request of the miner, he was buried beneath the "big tree," and thus was
established the first burying-ground in Mineral Point. This being a sightly place for a cemetery,
others were buried here, and so close to the big tree were the graves located that it soon died
from injuries received while digging the graves.
This ground is in what is known as " Irvin and others' " addition to Mineral Point, and
not being a legalized burying-ground, was, in the first place, surveyed and platted into village
lots, streets and alleys.
After the village had negotiated for years, in 1856, William T. Henry, then Clerk, pur-
chased the land for the city, which has since controlled it. This cemetery is located in the heart
of the city, on an elevated ground overlooking the business portion of the village, and in the
summer time, the graves, walks and avenues are tastefully ornamented with flowers and
shrubbery, forming a very attractive and picturesque sight.
St. Paul's Qatholic Qemetery. — Up to 1850, the Catholic congregation had no graveyard
proper. The dead were buried in the church lot adjoining the Priest's liouse. When the church
property was donated, it was located some distance from the villfige ; but, in 1851, the growth of
the village having been rapid, residences were being built in close proximity to the church, con-
sequently it became necessary to procure other burial-grounds. With a view to the accomplish-
ment of this idea. Father Cousse called a meeting of the congregation July 6, 1851. Eventually,
Father Causse was enabled to purchase a piece of land, about one acre, formerly owned by Rev.
Jouannault, a short distance south, on the Galena road. The first burials here were the
remains of those disinterred and removed from the old burial ground at the church.
In September, 1852, the new cemetery was fenced in, and has since been carefully guarded.
This cemetery, conveniently located on the Galena road, in the limits of the city, is still used for
burial purposes, and the numerous mounds and tombstones give evidence that the hand of death
has not been still.
Graceland Cemetery. — Not quite a mile from the business center of the city is located a
handsome plat of ground, consisting of 10 acres, laid and surveyed by Moses Strong, Jr., in 1875,
for a burial-ground. The Graceland Cemetery, as it is called, is beautifully and conveniently
located, and there are few spots in the city that could be so readily adorned and beautified by the
hand of man. The little groves of evergreens strewn about in elegant profusion, combined with
the symmetrical walks, avenues and drives, form a picture equaled by but few such places in
this community, and one which in the near future will compare favorably with the finest cemeteries
in Southwestern Wisconsin.
The burial-ground was purchased and is owned by the " Graceland Cemetery Association,"
which was organized March 17, 1874, with forty charter members ; consisting of persons from
the diiferent Protestant congregations in the city. The organization was effected by the election
of the following officers and Trustees : Moses M. Strong, President ; J. H. Vivian, Treasurer ;
T. S. Ansley, Secretary. Trustees — James Hutchison, Joseph Gundry, Methodist Episcopal
Church; T. J. Campbell, John Clowney, Presbyterian Church; P. Allen, Sr., James Toay,
Primitive Methodist Church ; J. H. Vivian, Moses M. Strong, R. D. Pulford, Episcopal Church.
The ground was purchased by the association May 24, 1875, from Mr. Cooper, the consideration
being $1,500. The cemetery is located on the northwest quarter of northeast quarter of Section
1, Town 4, Range 2 east.
HISTOKY or IOWA COUNTY. 725
The association was organized under the laws of the State, governing " cemetery associa-
tions," and any person becoming a lot owner is entitled to membership in the society. Lots are
sold for $25 each, and a deed given to each purchaser, subject to the rules of the association. A
small portion of the grounds is laid out and known as the free burial-place, intended for paupers.
Of the 708 lots contained in the cemetery, ninety have been sold. The first person buried here
was Robert Robinson. Among the prominent men buried here maybe mentioned Moses Strong,
Jr., who in 1877, at the age of thirty-one years, was drowned in the Flambeau River, while
pursuing his avocation as Assistant State Geologist. The present ofScers of the association are
Moses M. Strong, President ; J. H. Vivian, Treasurer ; T. S. Ansley, Secretary. Trustees—
P. Allen, Sr., M. Strong, R. D. Pulford, James Toay, J. H. Vivian, John Spensley, James
Hutchinson, John Clowney, Joseph Gundry.
OFFICIAL KOSTER.
1838-39.— Thomas McKnight, President; Abner Nichols, Cromwell Lloyd, Charles V. B.
Burris and William Prideaux, Trustees ; D. W. Jones, Treasurer ; D. G. Fenlon, Clerk ; J. B.
Latham and William Henry, Assessors, Collectors and Constables; Edward McSheoey, Jus-
tice. Subsequently, John Phillips and William Henry were elected in place of Thomas
McKnight and William Prideaux.
1839 — Cromwell Lloyd, President; William Henry, Abner Nichols, M. V. Burris and
John Phillips. Trustees ; D. W. Jones, Treasurer ; James L. Bawden, Clerk ; Baker,
Assessor, Collector and Constable ; H. B. Welch, Justice.
184 1-45 — F. J. Dunn, Esq., President ; Francis Vivian, William Bennett, G. B. Morrison
and John Carter, Trustees ; J. B. Bowden, Clerk ; William Prideaux, Treasurer ; William
Henry, Sr., Justice of the Peace.
1845-46 — F. J. Dunn, President; A. Nichols, Jabez Pierce, James James and Samuel
Rich, Trustees ; J. S. Bowden, Clerk ; William Prideaux, Treasurer ; and subsequently John
Bracken, Clerk.
1846-47 — Parley Eaton, President ; Thomas Riddell, Cyrus Woodman, William Sublitt
and David Ross, Trustees ; John Bracken, Clerk ; P. W. Thomas, Treasurer ; A. W. Comfort,
Assessor.
1847-48 — Parley Eaton, President; Thomas Riddle, Jabez Pierce, William J. Tilley and
William Sublitt, Trustees ; John Bracken, Clerk ; Richard Thomas, Treasurer.
1848-49 — Samuel Crawford, President; William Langon, A. Nancolas, S. Thomas and
William J. Tilley, Trustees ; James Hutchman, Clerk ; Richard Thomas, Treasurer ; A. W.
Comfort, Assessor.
1849-50— E. G. Reidel, President ; William Bennett, Bernard Doyle, William Kendall
and Cromwell Lloyd, Trustees; James Ryan, Clerk; Richard Thomas, Treasurer; N. W.
Comfort, Assessor.
1850-51 — Theodore Rodolf, President; Cyrus Woodman, Stephen Prideaux, Josiah
Langon and Samuel Thomas, Trustees ; N. B. Boyden, Clerk ; Ed Coad, Treasurer ; William
Curry, Assessor.
1853-54— Theodore Rodolf, President; M. M. Strong, William Langon, A. W. Comfort
and T. S. Allen, Trustees ; N. B. Boyden, Clerk ; Ed Coad, Treasurer ; William Carry,
Assessor.
1854-55 — Parley Eaton, President; George Priestly, William Lanyon, Walter Rosevan
and G. W. Bliss, Trustees ; N. B. Boyden, Clerk; Ed Coad, Treasurer; J. B. Whitelaw,
Assessor.
1855-56 — Charles Temple, President ; Joseph Smith, Samuel Wheeler, John Bracken and
Ed Prideaux, Trustees ; Joseph Clary, Clerk ; Ed Coad. Treasurer ; J. A. Piatt, Assessor.
On June 12, of this year, a special election was held to fill the vacancy of President; Dr. Har-
mon Van Dusen was elected.
726 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
1857-58 — Charles F. Legate, Mayor ; John Bracken, William A. Pierce, Caspar Ehat,
Joseph Munster, Barney Mcllhon and Alfred Jenkin, Aldermen ; Harmon Van Dusen, Super-
intendent of Schools ; John Jenkins, Treasurer ; W. T. Henry and Samuel Jenkins, Assessors ;
William T. Henry, Clerk ; Emory Healy, Marshal ; R. L. Reed and Earnest Weiser, Justices ;
Theodore Inglis and Daniel Kober, Constables.
1858-59 — John Clawny, Mayor ; Francis Vivian, Caspar Ehat, William A. Pierce, Joseph
Munster, Bernard Mcllhon and Edward Corrish, Aldermen; Herman Van Dusen, Superintend-
ent of Schools ; John Jenkins, Treasurer ; William T. Henry, Assessor and Clerk ; E. S.
Sprague and John Issey, Constables.
1859-60 — Henry Plowman, Mayor ; William A. Pierce, Edward Corrish, Francis Vivian,
J. W. Dickerson, Caspar Ehat and Bernard Mcllhon, Aldermen ; R. D. Pulford, Superintend-
ent of Schools ; John Jenkins, Treasurer ; William Lanyon, Assessor ; William T. Henry,
Clerk; Ed Blanchard and Phillip Weidenfeller, Police Justices; I. P. Trammel and Earnest
Weiser, Justices ; Phillip Weidenfeller and John Ivey, Constables.
1860-61 — J. H. Vivian, Mayor; Edward Corrish, George Priestly, William Lanyon, J.
W. Dickerson, Francis Vivian and James Argall, Aldermen ; Alexander Wilson, Superintend-
ent of Schools ; Francis Sanford, Treasurer ; Thomas Davey, Assessor ; William T. Henry,
Clerk ; Charles F. Legate, Street Commissioner ; Phillip Weidenfeller and John Ivey, Con-
stables.
1861-62 — John Bracken, Municipal Judge ; William Lanyon, J. W. Dickerson, G.
Priestly, Thomas Jenkins, Patrick Lanehan and James Argall, Aldermen ; George W. Bliss,
Superintendent of Schools ; Francis Sanford, Treasurer ; R. S. Vivian, Assessor ; William H.
Curry, Clerk ; Charles F. Legate, Street Commissioner ; James Hutchison and Earnest Weiser,
Justices ; Phillip Weidenfeller and John Ivey, Constables.
1862-63 — J. B. Terry, Municipal Judge ; Thomas Jenkins, James Argale, Patrick Lan-
-ehan, Joseph Gundry, Jacob Spielmanand L. S. Burton, Aldermen ; G. L. Frost, Superintend-
ent of Schools; Christian Kepler, Treasurer; R. S. Vivian, Assessor; William Curry, Clerk ;
Charles F. Legate. Street Commissioner ; Edward Prideaux and John Ivey, Constables.
1863—64 — William T. Henry, Municipal Judge ; Patrick Lenehan, Joseph Gundry, Jacob
Spielman, R. D. Pulford, Thomas Jenkins and Samuel Jenkins, Aldermen ; R. M. Smith,
Superintendent of Schools ; Christian Kepler, Treasurer ; R. S. Vivian, Assessor ; William H.
Curry, Clerk ; James Griffith, Street Commissioner ; R. L. Read and Edward Dunn, Justices ;
John Horn and John Ivey, Constables.
1864-65 — J. P. Tramel, Municipal Judge; Jacob Spielman, Joseph Gundry, George
Priestly, Thomas Jenkins, Henry Lanehan and R. D. Pulford, Aldermen ; J. M. Smith,
Superintendent of Schools ; Christian Kepler, Treasurer ; Phillip Weidenfeller, Assessor ; W.
W. Curry, Clerk ; James Griffith, Street Commissioner ; John Horn and John Ivey, Constables.
1865-66 — W. T. Henry, Municipal Judge ; R. D. Pulford, Joseph Ellinger, Henry Lane-
han, George Priestly, Samuel Jenkins and Joseph Deller, Aldermen ; Henry Plowman, Super-
intendent of Schools ; Christian Kepler, Treasurer ; William H. Curry, Assessor ; William H.
Curry, Clerk; James Griffith, Street Commissioner; R. L. Reed and Samuel Thomas, Jus-
tices ; Edward Prideaux and Hugh Connoughton, Constables.
1866-67 — William T. Henry, Municipal Judge ; Joseph Deller, J. C. Squires, Frederick
Gillman, Edward Ellinger, Henry Lanehan and George Priestly, Aldermen ; Henry Plowman,
Superintendent of Schools ; Christian Kepler, Treasurer ; W. H. Curry, Assessor ; William H.
Curry, Clerk; Daniel Kober, Street Commissioner; Edward Prideaux and Hugh Connoughton,
Constables.
1867-68 — William T. Henry, Municipal Judge ; Joseph Deller, Edward Ellinger, J. J.
Ross, Richard Goldsworthy, Frederick Gillman and Joel C. Squires, Aldermen ; John Commins,
Superintendent of Schools ; Christian Kepler, Treasurer ; William H. Curry, Assessor ; Will-
iam H. Curry, Clerk, Arthur Monahan, Street Commissioner; J. M. Smith and John Ivey,
Justices ; Joseph Jones and Hugh Connoughton, Constables.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 727
1868-69 — David W. Jones, Municipal Judge; J. J. Ross, Frederick Gillman, Richard
Goldsworthy, William Pearce, William J. Healy and Peter Frieden, Aldermen ; John Commins,
Superintendent of Schools ; Christian Kepler, Treasurer ; Anton Berg, Assessor ; William H.
Curry, Clerk ; Arthur Monahan, Street Commissioner ; Samuel Hitchins and Hugh Connough-
ton, Constables.
1869—70 — James Hitchins, Municipal Judge ; J. J. Ross, William J. Healey, Peter
Frieden, S. E. Sheppard, David Jacka and Richard Goldsworthy, Aldermen ; Joshua Hanscom,
Superintendent of Schools ; Charles Holmes, Treasurer ; G. W. Bliss, Assessor ; William H.
Curry, Clerk; Alexander McGuigan, Street Commissioner ; T. S. Ansley and Samuel Thomas,
Justices ; Samuel Hitchins and Hugh Connoughton, Constables.
1870-71 — William T. Henry, Municipal Judge ; David Jacka, James Argall, S. E. Shep-
pard, Peter Frieden, Albert Spratten and William J. Healy, Aldermen; William H. Peck,
Superintendent of Schools ; Charles Holmes, Treasurer ; George Wilkinson, Assessor ; William
H. Curry, Clerk, Alexander McGuigan, Street Commissioner ; Earnest Weiser and Hugh Con-
noughton, Constables ; H. Van Dusen and Samuel Jenkins, Supervisors.
1871-72 — David W. Jones, Municipal Judge ; James Argall, David Jacka, Albert Sprattler,
Charles Gillman, James Brewer and S. E. Sheppard, Aldermen ; William H. Peck, Superin-
tendent of Public Schools; Thomas Jenkins, Treasurer; George Wilkinson, Assessor; W. H.
Curry, Clerk ; Alexander Guigon, Street Commissioner ; R. L. Reed and Samuel Thomas , Jus-
tices ; Samuel Hitchins and Hugh Connoughton, Constables ; H. Van Dusen and Samuel Jen-
kins, Supervisors.
1872-73 — E. J. Cooper, Municipal Judge; S. E. Sheppard, James Argall, Albert Sprattler,
Charles Gillman, Charles Rau and James Brewer, Aldermen ; Charles H. M. Curry, Superin-
tendent of Schools ; Philip Eden, Treasurer ; George Wilkinson, Assessor ; W. H. Curry,
Clerk; Samuel Hitchins, Street Commissioner; H. Van Dusen and Samuel Jenkins, Super-
visors.
1873-74 — William T. Henry, Municipal Judge ; James Brewer, Charles Rau, S. E. Shep-
pard, Charles Gillman, George Jenck and John Spensley, Aldermen ; William H. Curry,
Superintendent of Schools ; Phillip Eden, Treasurer; George Wilkinson, Assessor; William fl.
Curry, Clerk ; Samuel Hitchins, Street Commissioner ; J. P. Tramel and Samuel Thomas, Jus-
tices ; Edward Prideaux and Hugh Connoughton, Constables ; H. Van Deusen and John James,
Supervisors.
1874-75 — E. J. Cooper, Municipal Judge ; Charles Rau, John Spensley, S. E. Sheppard,
George Jenck, James V. Mayhew and William H. Curry, Alderman ; Thomas Priestly, Super-
intendent of Schools ; Thomas Mankey, Treasurer ; W. J. Healy, Assessor ; William H. Pri-
deaux, Clerk; Phillip Weidenfeller, Street Commissioner; James Dann and Hugh Connough-
ton, Constables ; John Clowney and John H. Vivian, Supervisors.
1875-76 — James Hutchison, Municipal Judge ; William Langon, James V. Mayhew,
John Spensley, William H. Curry, George Jenck and M. W. Prater, Aldermen ; Thomas
Priestly, Superintendent of Schools ; Thomas Hankey, Treasurer ; William J. Healey,
Assessor; J. B. Teasdale, Clerk; James Taag, Street Commissioner; J. P. Tramel and Sam-
uel Thomas, Justices ; Thomas Dunn and Hugh Connoughton, Constables ; Calvert Spensley
and John H. Vivian, Supervisors.
1876-77 — Herman Van Dusen, Municipal Judge ; T. S. Ansley, George Jenck, William^
Langon, James V. Mayhew, William N. Curry, M. W. Prater, Aldermen ; Thomas Priestly,
Superintendent of Schools ; John M. Dale, Treasurer ; Amos Hays, Assessor ; J. P. Tramel,.
Clerk ; Phillip Weidenfeller, Street Commissioner ; James Dunn and Hugh Connoughton, Con-
stables ; Calvert Spensley and James D. James, Supervisors.
1877-78— Calvert Spensley, Municipal Judge; Alfred Jenkins, Charles Gillman, T. S.
Ansley, George Jenck, William Langon and M. W. Prater, Aldermen ; Thomas Priestly,
Superintendent of Schools ; John M. Dale, Treasurer ; George Priestly, Assessor ; J. P.
Tramel, Clerk; Phillip Weidenfeller, Street Commissioner; J. P. Tramel and Samuel Thomas,
728
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
Justices; James Dunn and John Stephens, Constables; S. B. Sheppard and William N.
Curry, Supervisors.
1878-79 — Calvert Spensley, Municipal Judge ; A. B. Ferris, James D. Jimes, Alfred Jen-
kins, Charles Gillman, T. S. Ansley and George Jenck, Aldermen ; James B. Moffit, Superin-
tendent of Public Schools; Nicholas Schmidt, Treasurer; George Priestly, Assessor; J. P.
Tramel, Clerk ; Edward Brown, Street Commissioner ; Samuel Jacka and Hugh Conaoughton,
Constables; S. E. Sheppard and William N. Curry, Supervisors.
1879-80 — J. M. Smith, Municipal Judge; Hymen Joseph, Samuel Jenkins, A. B. Fer-
ris, James D. James, Alfred Jenkins and Charles Gillman, Aldermen ; Herman Van Dusen,
Superintendent of Schools ; Nicholas Smith, Treasurer ; George Priestly, Assessor ; J. P.
Tramel, Clerk; Edward Brown, Street Commissioner; J. P. Tramel and Samuel Thomas, Jus-
tices ; William J. Healy and A. C. Ansley, Constables ; Joseph Ganary and John H. Vivian,
Supervisors.
1880 — J. M. Smith, Municipal Judge ; Joseph Prideaux, Charles Gillman, Hymen Joseph,
Samuel Jenkins, A. B. Ferris and James D. James, Aldermen; Herman Van Dusen, Superin-
tendent of Schools; Nicholas Smith, Treasurer; Michael Crawford, Assessor; J. P. Tramel,
Clerk ; Edward Brawn, Street Commissioner; John Daniels and A. C. Ansley, Constables ; J.
J. Ross and George Jenck, Supervisors.
BUSINESS SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION.
We hear of no serious pecuniary diflBculties existing while the panic of 1873 was convul-
sing the Eastern cities, so it may be safely inferred that the commercial atmosphere has been
uniformly clear and prosperous. Business transactions of exceptional magnitude seldom, if
ever, occur here to set the people agog with envy, and to cause useless and unprofitable agitation
in commercial, manufacturing and mining circles ; yet, those of every-day occurrence are suflS-
ciently large and remunerative to provide a constant and observable gain. As a consequence, the
city has come to be regarded as one of the most solidly wealthy in this county or in the State ;
and had it not been for the railroad bond incubus, under which the place has labored and writhed
for so many years, it is but fair to suppose that the community would to-day be in a still more
prosperous condition. We have slowly traced the picture of the growing (jomraunity from the
first faint lines of civilization, up through the various gradations of color and shape, until at last
the scene becomes comparatively complete in a large and happy family, enjoying the amenities
and comforts of modern home life in completeness. The elements of disorder and inharmony
characteristic of fifty years ago, have given place to law and order, and a serenity and peaceful-
ness has long existed, which it is to be hoped, is but an earnest of the future success and develop-
ment of this locality and people.
In conclusion, we have to say that many points of interest have necessarily been omitted
foi want of space, and to make room for those of greater importance, and that would clearly
indicate the condition of the community. However, it has been our aim from the first to last
to take a fair and impartial survey of everything, and to omit nothing of real and permanent
value.
CITY DIRECTORY.
Attorneys. — Lanyon & Spensley, Wilson & McIIhon, T. Scott Ansley, Moses M. Strong,
Henry & Smith.
Physicians. — J. H. Vivian, William Eastman, James Coolidge, H. L. Stevens, H. W.
Osborn.
Dentists. — J. H. Wingender, J. W. Wassail, J. W. Odgers.
Insurance. — T. T. Parmele, J. V. Mayhew, John Jeuck, Wilson & McDhon, Thomas S.
Ansley.
Gfeneral Stores. — John Lanyon.
Dry Goods and Clothing. — Gundry & Gray, J. Deller, B. Osborne & Son, S. T. Osborn.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 729
Grroeers. — Joseph Prideaux, J. Bennett, Thomas Rawlings, I. Penrose, J. Dawe, John
Horn, J. A. Spratler, E. Kinne, P. Allen & Son, Toay Bros., M. W. Prater, S. T. Osborne,
Teasdale & Brewer, Jeuck & Mullen, William Perry.
Drugs, etc. — J. H. Vivian, Moflfett Bros., R. D. Pulford.
Jewelry. — E. Osborn, C. H. James.
Book Stores. — P. Allen, Jr., J. J. Hanscom & Co.
Banks. — William T. Henry, Wilson & Harris.
Newspapers. — Iowa County Democrat, Tribune, Wisconsin Temperance Journal, Our
Messenger.
jffbte?«.^United States Hotel, Globe Hotel, City Hotel, Wisconsin House, Mineral Point
Hotel.
Grain Dealers. — Samuel White, Samuel Coad, A. B. Ferris, W. Lanyon & Bro., Penhal-
legon & Son, Davie Jacko.
Hardware. — Martin & Toay, S. Hocking & Co., Blewett & Eden, Devlin & Prideaux.
Boots and Shoes — J. Schneberger, J. & J. Penhallegon, J. Schillen & Bro., C. Day, John
Smith, Griffiths & Son.
Dressmaking. — Misses Holmes & Crowley, Misses M. & H. Crowley, Miss Jackson, Miss
Lancaster, Miss Tink, Mrs. Jenkins, Mrs. R. James.
Milliners. — Mrs. Collins, Mrs. Bastian, Mrs. James.
Pianos and Organs. — Hoare Bros., Law & Osborn.
Photography. — James Dabb, H. Jenkins, Mrs. Bird.
Music Teachers. — Joseph Hoare, Miss A. F. Strong, Miss A. Hutchison, F. E. Hoare, S.
T. Osborn, M. M. Hoare.
Millers. — Samuel Wright, Charles Sherman, M. Schaff.
Saddlery and Harness. — T. Priestly, J. C. James, W. N. Curry.
Picture Frames and Wall Paper. — P. Allen, Jr., and J. J. Hanscom & Co.
Flour and Feed. — William Lanyon, R. J. Penhallegon & Son.
Agricultural Implements. — Martin & Toay, S. Hocking & Co., A. B. Ferris.
Foundry. — R. Wearne & Son, J. Lanyon & Bro.
Wagons and Carriage Factories. — Curnow k Hosking, William Tregilgus, R. Whitney,
W. H. Bluett.
Stock Dealers. — N. Graber, Jr., John Graber, James Harris.
Tailors. — George Kuhnihan, Thrasen & Co., Grimm & Bro.
Breeder* of Full Blood Poultry. — Stephen Thomas, James Hoare & Bro., J. Allen, F. E.
Hanscom.
Butchers. — Joseph Prideaux, Charles Neil, William Penrose, J. R. Roberts, Bowden &
Ivey, Jones & Lanyon.
Painting. — Cottrell Bros., Weidenfeller & Sons, J. P. Hankin, Stephen Thomas.
Barbers. — A. Appel, Harrison & Co., Bennett Winn.
Cigar Factories. — James Mulhearn, Charles Springer.
Contractors and Builders. — Penberthy & Tucker, W. A. Pierce, James Penhallegon & Co.,
H. Smith, Wasley & Charles.
Coopers. — J. Stamm.
Stone Masons and Plasterers. — James Hoare, R. W. Cox, J. Pemberthy, William Rothe,
William Tink, Dan Cober, R. H. Goldsworthy, Abraham Goldsworthy.
Mining. — James Spensley & Co., Perry, Spensley & Bohan.
Ice Dealers. — John Horn & Co., J. F. Boynton.
Coal Dealers. — R. James.
Teaming. — R. Julian, T. Grange, B. Blewett.
Machinists. — J. Lanyon & Bros., Richard Wearne.
Blacksmiths. — J. H. Wilkinson, William Treweek, George Day & Bro., N. Treweek,
George Marston, E. Lanyon, William Smith, Winn & Wearne, W. 0. Hoskings.
730 HISTOBY OP IOWA COUNTY.
JBakery. — City Bakery, by Charles Hornung.
Furniture Dealers. — John Kinn, Bishop & NancoUas, Samuel Francis.
Ore Buyer. — Fred Gillman.
Smelting Furnace. — James Spensley, John Spensley.
Lumber. — Samuel White, James Hutchison.
Lime. — John P. Harris.
Livery. — Priestly & Bohan, John F. Boynton, Shepard & Keeler.
Peltries. — John Hadfield.
Brewers. — Charles Gillman, James Argall.
Draymen. — R. James, J. P. Harris, J. Linden.
Saloons. — William Pascoe & Co., John Jenck, S. Duppler, M. Thies, J. P. Kiefer, N.
Shillen, M. Terrill, J. Thies, Jenck & Mullen, John Dorsey, J. Booth, C. Qtter, John Gorgan>
James McCarville, George Chamley, John Grass.
OHAPTEE XVI.
DODGEVILLE.
First Land Bntbies and Plats— Government andOfficialEoster— Early Settlement— The
First Fort and Dodge's Indian Becbption— First Claims and Notable Events— Items
OF 1828 AND 1829— Troubles of 1828 and 1829— After the Black Hawk War- Trade Re-
sumed— The Suckers and Their Successors— Business from 1850 to 1870 — Health of the
Village— War Items— Railroad Interests- Education— Post Office- Bands— Mineral
Point and Dodgeville Telegraph— Fires and Fire Company— Hotels— Manufactures —
Secular Societies — Religious — Cemeteries — General Summary — Professional Men —
Directory.
This thriving village, now the county seat of Iowa County, is, in some respects, the most
notable point in the county, and, indeed, in the entire lead-mining region of Wisconsin. , Not
because of its having preceded all others, but rather on account of its prominence in 1827 and
1828, as the principal mining point on the extreme frontier, and as having been the especial
protege of Gov. Henry Dodge, after whom it was named. The annals of the early days are
filled with the exploits of this noted man, around whom and Dodgeville the chief events and ex-
periences connected with the miners who first came to this county, were centered. He was pre-
eminently the prophet, law-giver and founder of this place not only, but was one of the figure-
heads in the history of the State that the sons and daughters of modern life love to contemplate.
The reckless bravado of the early miners, and the no less unrestrained ruthlessness of the ab-
original inhabitants, which operated disastrously in the extreme for them in many instances,
were doubtless the anterior means which opened the way to the present fruitful development.
The all-pervading greed for gold and love of adventure stimulated the hardy miners of almost
every clime on earth to wend their difficult way into the interior districts of the State, long before
the busiest brain could have anticipated, or, perhaps, even have prophesied, what has been real-
ized. And, as they pressed forward, willing to sacrifice every civilized enjoyment, and life and
limb as well, if need be, in pursuit of Fortune's favors, so were they ever constantly opposed by
the native and only natural owners of the soil, if, indeed, such a thing as a natural owner can
exist. The result of this opposition was only to furnish an added stimulant to future exertion,
while it may have proved a temporary restraint.
Thus we early learn of the gradual and constant encroachments of the whites, which, every
now and again, resulted in some bloody fray, caused by the red men resenting what, to them,
was an unwarrantable intrusion, and which, in many instances, was totally unjustifiable upon
the part of the whites, except upon the hypothesis that might is right, and that nature, in a
primitive condition, is the proper spoil for any one.
Whatever may be the conclusions of the reader respecting the question of early proprietor-
ship, the outcome remains the same. The trouble of 1827, as seen in the sketch of the Winne-
bago war, furnished an opportunity for the miners to rush into a country hitherto untouched,
although coveted by them. How eagerly the chance was seized, it is easy to understand, in con-
templation of that past ; but the mighty metamorphosis which has since been wrought is a spec-
tacle much more difficult to fully appreciate or comprehend. The reality of the growth of fifty
years is almost as wonderful as Eutopia, when compared with the past and its barbaric con-
dition.
Lead mining being during many years the only productive industry engaged in, those
who first came to Dodgeville were solely attracted hither by that powerful magnet to a njiuer'a
732 HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY.
will, mineral, which was found here and in the vicinity in great quantities. Fortunately, the
location was well adapted for a village site, a condition which Gov. Dodge was not slow to im-
prove. The situation is altogether admirable in most respects, and well adapted to a large and
permanent growth, and to which, to a great extent, maybe attributed the final or present admira-
ble reality.
The situation is altogether very desirable, unquestionably one of the very best in the county,
and especially well adapted to a large and permanent business growth. These qualities probably
did not receive any particular attention in the early days, when it was generally thought there
never would be anything else done here other than mining, but, at this era, when every available
piece of surrounding land is being tilled, and when the entire country is teeming with the fruits
of husbandry, the aspect of things assumes an entirely different phase. The question of sta-
bility, or that which promotes stability, is chiefly to be considered, and that is where Dodgeville
takes the lead to-day. Being located, as she is, only about two miles from the geographical
center of the county, and in the very heart of one of the most productive agricultural districts
in the State, a constant and ever-increasing tribute in the way of trade and consequent wealth
and prosperity, most naturally rolls in upon her from every direction as long as the land continues
to produce.
It cannot be denied that in the emulation of past years, and owing to certain irresistible
influences combined with a want of interest in her early development upon the part of many of
those who flrst came here, Dodgeville was left far behind by her only rival. Mineral Point : yet,
though this be the case, there is a satisfaction in the thought that time, the balm that soothes,
the power tbat destroys or upbuilds, has come to the succor of the place through the many
changes that have been gradually wrought during a series of years, and is now rapidly pushing
her to the front rank of local precedence in all things. Furthermore, if Dodgeville had in the
early career of the place received a bequest similar to that donated by the Government to
Mineral Point, it might have made far more rapid progress in all that pertains to general develop-
ment, as then there would have been a fund of no small magnitude accruing for several years,
that could have been employed in making all needful improvements, but this not being the case,
every improvement made here has been at the general expense of the citizens.
In 1827, 1828 and 1829, the place was the metropolis of the mining region ; stores,
taverns, " groceries " and shops were in the full tide of operation ; miners were digging around
in almost every direction, and their rude cabins, almost the only signs of their presence, might
be seen dotting the landscape here and there in close proximity. The prospects were then bright
indeed, but in one season (1829), the price of lead declined very rapidly from $5 per 100 pounds
to less than one-fourth of that sum, causing nearly as lively an emigration of the miners to other
scenes as there had been an immigration one or two years before. That condition, coupled with
the lead rents exacted by the Government, very soon drove nearly every one away, so that by the
fall of 1829, there was nothing going on worthy of more than a passing notice.
At that time, Mineral Point, although in a terribly sickly condition, succeeded in main-
taining an existence, and from that on, for nearly forty years, managed to keep the lead in
business and general prominence. This distinction, however, though long accredited, in 1860
met with a severe check in the removal of the court house to this point, and last but not least,
now that the Milwaukee and Madison Division of the Chicago & North-Western Railroad is to
pass through the place, another auxiliary to the growth of the county-seat will have been estab-
lished that places the village in an entirely different relation to externals, and materially
improves the future outlook.
Having given a brief glance at the salient points connected with the progress of the town
from its'incipiency, we will now attempt an examination in detail of the general growth and
local interests of the place, not, however, assuming that the account is entirely free from errors,
as the memory of man is somewhat uncertain.
HISTOBY OF IOWA COUNTY. 733
FIRST LAND ENTRIES AND PLATS.
The first claimants here, as in nearly all new places, had, in the beginning, their little dif"
ferences, and sometimes had a great deal of trouble concerning them. That which is remem-
bered here as having been the most prominent was a hotly-contested matter between James
Jenkins and Henry Dodge, about a ten-acre lot lying south of Iowa street, where the court
house and many other valuable buildings now stand, which both of them claimed. This was,
doubtless, a regular mining claim, which would be, according to the claim laws, a piece of land
equal to ten acres. As to whom this piece of land by right belonged is not known, nor, indeed,
is it especially necessary to the interest of our narrative to know ; suffice it to say of this afikir,
almost before the memory of the oldest inhabitant here, there was a dispute concerning the own-
ership of this part of the village property, and which afterward fell into the hands of James
Jenkins, who made the first entry of land here.
The following are the names of those who first owned the land upon which the village
stands, together with the times at which the entries were made:
Section 33 Entries. — The east half of northeast quarter, by James Jenkins, September 4,
1835 ; the west half of the northeast quarter, by H. L. Dodge and John Lindsay, April 12,
1837 ; the southeast quarter, by James B. McDonald, June 30, 1838.
Section SJf, Mntrien. — Southwest quarter and northwest quarter of northwest quarter, by W.
C. Young, January 5, 1836, and April 29, 1836 ; east half of northwest quarter, by A. C.
Dodge, April 27, 1836 ; southwest quarter and west half of southeast quarter, by De Garmo
Jones, April 1, 1836 ; east half of southeast quarter, by Henry Dodge and H. L. Dodge, March
24, 1837 ; west half of northeast quarter, by William I. Madden, April 29, 1836 ; east half of
northeast quarter, by Arthur Branson, September 3, 1836.
Section 27 Entries. — Southwest quarter, by William I. Madden, October 26 and 27, 1835 ;
the remainder of the section by De Garmo Jones, April 1, 1836.
Section 28 Entries. — East half of northeast quarter and east half of southeast quarter, by
William I. Madden, October 27, 1835 ; the west half of northeast quarter, by D. W. Jones,
Esau Johnson and Stephen Taylor, March 8, 1837 ; the west half of southeast quarter, by Esau
Johnson and William L. Sterling, March 4, 1837 ; east half of northwest quarter and east half
of southwest quarter, by Moses Whitesides, September 16, 1835, and March 7, 1837 ;"the west
half of northwest quarter, by Asa Tyrer, July 27, 1836, and north half of southwest quarter,
by Samuel Hambly, June 24, 1847.
The above is a correct list of the entries, and may be of use to our readers as accurate ref-
erence, in connection with the dates of the various recorded plattings which have been made
as follows, from the first to last :
The original plat of Dodgeville was made by S. Judson, and recorded December, 1844.
Minersville was platted by James Fassitt ; recorded May 27, 1846.
Jenkins' First Addition was platted by James D. Jenkins, and includes the original plat ;
recorded August 27, 1846.
Black's Addition, platted by R. L. Black, was recorded April 27, 1847.
Jenkins' Second Addition, recorded October 2, 1847 ; platted by James Doran Jenkins.
Parry's Addition, platted by Parry ; recorded January 21, 1848.
Wilson's Addition, platted by Jabez Wilson ; recorded February 10, 1848.
Martin's Addition, platted by E. T. Martin; recorded August 15, 1854.
Hoskin & Company's Addition, platted by Samuel Hoskins, B. Thomas, Henry Dunston
and Thomas Liddecoat. It was recorded August 31, 1855, and included Wilson's Addition.
Burrall's Addition, platted by Dr. George W. Burrall ; not recorded.
Eddy's Addition, platted by Philip Eddy ; recorded January 25, 1862.
Dodge's Addition, platted by Henry Dodge ; recorded June 26, 1862.
Hoskin & Company's Second Addition, in connection with Dodge's Addition, platted by
Samuel Hoskins, H. Dunston and Thomas Liddecoat, October 7, 1862.
734 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
Madden's Addition, platted by Henry Madden ; recorded March 26, 1864.
Lean's Addition, platted by Joseph Lean ; recorded April 15, 1868.
Thomas' Addition, platted by the executors of Edward Thomas, deceased ; recorded June
1, 1877.
GOVERNMENT AND OFFICIAL ROSTER.
Not anything was done in Dodgeville, of consequence, toward establishing municipality
independent of the town government until the spring of 1858, and even then it is quite proba-
ble that nothing would have been accomplished in that direction had it not been for the individ-
ual effort of L. H. D. Crane, who was at that time Clerk of the Assembly. After having con-
ferred briefly with the principal business men, who were almost unanimously in favor of a change,
he drafted a charter and submitted it in person to the Legislature. By an act approved March
31, 1858, the bill became a law, incorporating "the President and Trustees of the village of
Dodgeville" (known as Chapter 132), and embracing the following-described territory: The
southwest quarter ; the south half of the northwest quarter, and southwest quarter of the south-
east quarter of Section 27 ; the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter, and the east half of
the southeast quarter of Section 28 ; the east half of the northeast quarter of Section 33 ; and
the northwest quarter of the northeast quarter, and the northwest quarter of Section 34, of Town
6, Range 3.
The elective oflBcers were to be a President, six Trustees, one Treasurer, one Assessor and a
Marshal, in whom were vested the municipal, fiscal and prudential affairs of the village. AH
other officers required in the transaction of business pertaining to the village, were appointed by
the President and Trustees. Vacancies which might occur in the offices of any of the elected
officers, were to be filled by calling a special election.
For the purpose of administering justice, the President was constituted a judicial officer,
ranking with Justices of the Peace throughout the county. Ample provisions were also made for
establishing such ordinances as might be deemed necessary for the preservation of good order,
and for the protection of the general village interest in all particulars.
The charter was submitted for acceptance to a public vote of the citizens of the place, on
the 4th of May, 1858; the result was favorable to the charter by a vote of eighty-four for it to
fifty-seven against.
The'recognized points of greatest interest to the citizens, or objects considered in the char-
ter, were the provisions made for the improvement of the streets and sidewalks ; for the proper
management of excise matters, and for the establishing of such police regulations as would pro-
mote the best interests of the growing community. The fact prominently noticeable here, as
elsewhere, with villages operating under the town form of government, was that no special bene-
fit could be derived either from taxes or license ; and the only remedy that could be applied was
that judiciously resorted to by the majority. Some of course objected, on the grounds that they
could not let their hogs and cattle run ; but, according to tradition, they were allowed to run to
a considerable extent, under the first charter, law to the contrary notwithstanding, as not every
one stood ready to pound them.
By act of the Village Board July 12, 1858, the village was divided into two wards, the
boundary line between them being a continuation, east and west, of the south line of Lot No. 10,
of Jabez Wilson's Addition. That part lying south of the line was constituted the First Ward,
and that north of the line the Second Ward.
The village operated and elected officers, under the charter of 1858, until 1861, then quietly
relapsed to its pristine condition, or more properly speaking, the citizens neglected to elect
officers, either through mutual consent, or mutual indifference, which amounts to about the same
thing, and therefore, nothing was done, except to slide along on the old-fashioned plan.
This stagnation continued until the spring of 1864, when the people roused themselves, and
a general desire was expressed that the village government should be revived. This could have
been done under the old charter, but it was deemed desirable to increase the corporate limits and
remodel the old form. Accordingly, an amendment was drafted by S. W., Reese, and, being sub-
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 735
mitted to the Legislature, became a law by an act approved March 25, 1864 (Chapter 201), P.
and L.
The only change made in the boundaries was to include the whole of the south quarter of Sec-
tion 27, whereas before, the limits only included the southwest quarter of the southeast quarter
of Section 27. By adding the above 120 acres, the territory embraced became regular in form,
being two miles long from north to south, by a mile and one-half wide from east to west. Soon
after the passage of the amendment, it was presented for the approval of the people, and was
accepted by a large majority.
This charter was a thorough revision of the first charter, embracing all of its salient points,
besides introducing various other advantageous provisions. According to Section 4, the elective
oiEcers were only the President and Trustees, all other officers, as Clerk, Treasurer or Marshal
and Street Commissioner, were to be appointed by the Village Board. A municipal court was
established, the President being constituted Police Justice.
To enumerate the various provisions made for the creating of ordinances is unnecessary >
suffice it to say, the ground covered was broad enough to provide for nearly every exigency that
might arise. Two amendments were made to this chapter of a similar character — one by act
approved March 10, 1866 (Chapter 102), and one by act approved March 26, 1867 (Chapter 194).
The village affairs continued to be conducted under the above charter until the spring of
1878, when the Village Board submitted a proposition to the people to amend the old charter,
or re-incorporate under the general law of 1872 (Chapter 188). The subject came before the people
■on the 19th day of May, 1878, when it was voted to amend the old charter by including all of
the articles of Chapter 188, after Section 18, consecutively, with amendments that might be
made to the same at subsequent sessions of the Legislature.
Soon after the amendment had been effected, a large number of the people expressed dis-
satisfaction at some of the conditions or provisions imposed by the change, of which they were
not thoroughly cognizant at the time of voting, especially regarding the paying of the poll and
road tax in money ; whereas, previously, they had paid the same in money, labor or materials.
In accordance with this state of feeling, a petition was circulated to annul the charter, for the
purpose of re-incorporating under a private charter ; but when it came to a vote of the people,
the movement was defeated by a large majority, thus leaving the charter as it now stands.
Since the depot has been located, just outside of the village limits, the dissolution of the
corporation has been contemplated, for the purpose of including within the corporate limits the
land extending about a mile north of the present limits, which would take in the depot and
grounds, and a considerable territory beyond. However, nothing has as yet been done in that
direction.
Amendments to Chapter 188 are respectively : Chapter 123, general laws of 1873 ; Chapter
309, laws of 1874 ; Chapter 240, laws of 1876 ; Chapter 135, laws of 1877, and Chapter 341,
laws of 1876.
1858 — L. H. D. Crane, President ; George Sims, Matthew Bishop, John Ellwood, Nicholas
Arthur, John Williams and B. F. Thomas were elected Trustees ; Jacob Miller, Marshal ;
Richard Arundel, Treasurer ; J. R. Roberts, Assessor. Mr. Ellwood, residing outside of the
corporation, was ineligible, and, at a special meeting called for the purpose, Charles Madden was
elected in his place. At a special election, held October 19, 1858, Thomas Stephens was elected
President of the village, in place of L. H. D. Crane, resigned. The village officers, from 1859
to 1880, inclusive, have been :
1859 — L. M. Strong, President ; George Sims, Treasurer ; Matthew Bishop, Assessor ;
William Wheeler, Marshal.
I860 — L. M. Strong, President ; Richard Arundell, Treasurer ; Matthew Bishop, Assessor ;
Thomas Stephens, Marshal.
1861 — L. M. Strong, President ; Benjamin Thomas, Treasurer ; Henry Madden, Assessor ;
J. M. Miller, Marshal.
733 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
1862 — The original records were lost during this year, and, though found again, the records
of this year are not to be found.
1864 — Samuel W. Reese, President; James Rowe, Treasurer (refused to qualify, B.
Thomas, Sr., appointed) ; Assessor, Thomas Lewis, Marshal (by appointment).
1865 — This year, the President, William Hendy, and six Trustees, were elected ; they
appointing the following officers : W. J. Wrigglesworth, Clerk ; salary, $50 ; B. Thomas, Sr.,
Treasurer ; Thomas Lewis, Marshal and Street Commissioner.
1866 — Joseph Lean, President and Police Justice ; W. J. Wrigglesworth, Clerk ; Henry
Sims, Treasurer ; Thomas W. Lewis, Marshal.
1867 — Joel Whitman, President; W. J. Wrigglesworth, Clerk; W. H. Hocking, Treas-
urer ; Josiah Paull, Marshal and Street Commissioner.
1868 — S. W. Reese, President; Orville Strong, Clerk; J. E. Bartle, Treasurer; David R.
Davis, Marshal and Street Commissioner ex officio. The salaries of the Clerk and Marshal
were fixed at $100 per annum.
1869 — S. W. Reese, President ; Orville Strong, Clerk ; John E. Bartle, Treasurer ; David
R. Davies, Marshal and Constable.
1870 — S. W. Reese, President, Police Justice and a member of the County Board of
Supervisors ; Orville Strong, Clerk ; J. E. Bartle, Treasurer ; D. R. Davies, Marshal and Street
Commissioner ex-officio. From 1870 to the present time, the President of the village has been a
member of the County Board.
1871— S. W. Reese, President; Orville Strong, Clerk; J. E. Bartle, Treasurer; D. R.
Davies, Marshal and Street Commissioner.
1872 — S. W. Reese, President ; Orville Strong, Clerk ; J. E. Bartle, Treasurer ; Henry
Prideaux, Marshal and Street Commissioner.
1873 — Joseph Bennett, President ; Orville Strong, Clerk ; J. E. Bartle, Treasurer ; Henry
Prideaux, Marshal and Street Commissioner.
1874 — Joseph Bennett, President; Orville Strong, Clerk ; J. E. Bartle, Treasurer; Henry
Prideaux, Street Commissioner ; J. W. Van Duyne, Constable and ex-officio Marshal.
1875 — Joseph Bennett, President ; Orville Strong, Clerk ; J. E. Bartle, Treasurer ; Henry
Prideaux, Street Commissioner.
1876 — Joseph Bennett, President ; Orville Strong, Clerk ; J. E. Bartle, Treasurer ; Henry
Prideaux, Street Commissioner ; H. H. Walters, Marshal.
1877 — John Ellwood, President; Orville Strong, Clerk; J. E. Bartle, Treasurer; Henry
Prideaux, Street Commissioner ; H. H. Walters, Marshal.
1878 — John Ellwood, President; Orville Strong, Clerk; J. E. Bartle, Treasurer; Henry
Prideaux, Street Commissioner.
1879 — Joseph Bennett, President; W. H. Thomas, Clerk ; Nicholas Sherman, Treasurer;
H. Prideaux, Street Commissioner; Thomas Bailey, Marshal (resigned), and Mark Wheeler,
appointed.
1880 — Charles Bishop, President ; W. H. Thomas, Clerk ; N. Sherman, Treasurer ; H.
Prideaux, Street Commissioner ; Mark Wheeler, Marshal.
EARLY SETTLEMENT.
According to the most authentic evidence, both of memoirs and the corroborative testimony
of men now living, the very first settlement made in what is now the county of Iowa, was at
this point, in the summer or fall of 1827. The first immigrants came in at the time of the raid
on the Red Bird faction of the tribe of Winnebago Indians, and, in all probability, by prospect-
ing, or, through information derived from a band of Indians, who had diggings on the Jenkins
Branch, since known as Cox Hollow, were led to the discovery of the rich "patches" of ore
abounding here. We speak of their being "patches," because nearly all of the early miners
were shallow diggers, and because the surface diggings have always been known by that
name.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUKTY. 737
The first parties that we have any record of were Ezra Lamb and two others — one by the
name of Putnam, and the other named Morehead, a tinker. They were here certainly before
October of 1827. There were some others here at that time also, but rather as stragglers than
permanent workers, and whose names are not known either to history or to fame.
The first notable arrivals on the scene were Henry Dodge and his associates, servants, and
probably a portion of the command who had been with him in pursuit of the Indians. They
put in an appearance on the 3d day of October, 1827, and thenceforth, for three years, the
incipient town was the theater of unceasing activity.
The principal characters, aside from Gen. Dodge and those mentioned, who came here in
1827, were Jesse W. Shull, Daniel Moore, John Ray, James Tagles, Geo. Medary, Jef and Louis
Van Metre, brothers, who made the Van Metre survey, James L. Strode, James MpRaney,
Charles Galloway, John Turney, Charles Whistler, Milton B. Parsons, George Medary, James
Wooley, Jacob Hunter, Charles Gaines and Martin Van Sickle. In the immediate vicinity of
the place, during this year and the following, many settled, some of whom were residents for
many years in the county. Nearly all of the above parties were acquaintances and friends of
Gen. Dodge, and were men of the greatest resolution, and in many instances, of unusual ability ;
in fact, men of such qualities of character as would naturally make them agreeable associates for
the "Old Roman," as Gen. Dodge has been familiarly called, on account of his inflexible will
and invincible bravery.
James M. Strode was distinguished as an able Indian fighter and enterprising man. He
was a Colonel in the militia forces of Illinois, his home being at Galena.
Col. Daniel Moore is almost too well known, by nearly all of the residents of Iowa County,
to need special mention ; suffice it to say that he was one of the leading men in the very start,
and for many years after, having been associated as a representative man with the principal
men and events of importance connected with the early settlement of the county.
John Ray is best known as one of the first settlers in Willow Springs, La Fayette County,
where he located in 1828, and opened one of the first farms in that section. His wife is remem-
bered as the live Methodist Extorter, who did more, perhaps, to advance the cause of Chris,
tianity, in that locality than any one or a dozen persons besides.
The name of Jesse W. Shull is especially commemorated by the village which he founded
in La Fayette County, which was named for him. He was also one of the leading spirits of
the early days throughout this section, and figures extensively in the early history of the lead
region. The others mentioned are remembered principally as having been the leading men in
this section of the country up to 1830. There were many other miners, but none who wielded
so wide an influence.
One of the settlers mentioned, Milton B. Parsons, is still living on the Van Matre survey,
the last man of the first hardy adventurers, who came here — then a boy, now a hale old man,
the oldest settler in the county. Having resided here permanently for more than fifty-three
years, he has witnessed the gradual growth and expansion of the country from a wilderness to
its present high state of development ; and, being gifted with a remarkably accurate memory,
he speaks of "ye olden time " and describes the men and occurrences with a realistic vividness
at once highly entertaining and instructive.
THE FIRST FORT AND DODGE'S INDIAN RECEPTION.
Almost immediately after the advent of Gen. Dodge and the others of his party, the work
of erecting a somewhat comfortable abode was begun, the work being shared in common by all,
from the servants of the General — four negro slaves — to the best in the camp. The dwelling
erected is described as having been part dug-out and part log, an afiair built in the most prim-
itive manner — next to the Indian tepee. It stood on what is now known as Lot — , and, in con-
nection with a block-house constructed soon after, was surrounded by a stockade, which inclosed
a plat of ground seventy-five or eighty feet square. This may properly be denominated a fort,
and was undoubtedly the first one erected in this part of Wisconsin. There is nothing left now
T38 HISTOKi: OF IOWA COUNTY.
on the spot where this first fortification stood, to even suggest the fact of its farmer existence,
and, withal, there are not now a dozen men living who have a personal remembrance of the
affair or its situation, for, by 1832, it had been destroyed.
It is narrated that soon after the arrival of Gen. Dodge, the band of Indians alluded to,
learning who he was, assembled with their fire-arms, and, at his first approach, fired a salute.
The General proceeded to lay down the law, in a very deliberate and firm manner, informing
the reds that, if they conducted themselves properly, they would receive kind treatment at his
hands and from the remainder of the whites, otherwise they should have all the trouble and
fight that they might invite. By pursuing this discreet and humane policy, tempered by the
determination not to sufier any abuse, very satisfactory results were secured, as, subsequent to
that time, the whites and Indians in this vicinity lived on very amicable terms, with but few
unimportant exceptions. It is said of the General that, although an ardent Indian fighter and
hater, he nevertheless would always share his last morsel with them when they were on friendly
terms, thus securing their admiration, and very many times submission- to what the Indians were
wont to deem an infraction of their rights.
FIRST CLAIMS AND OTHER NOTABLE EVENTS.
The first claim was made by Ezra Lamb and Mr. Plum, near the spring in the north part
of the village. This mining claim, or, more properly, according to the mining term, " dig-
gings," proved highly productive at the first, being sheet lead, and, indeed, this field has not
been exhausted yet, as illustrated by the fact that mining has been pursued here profitably by
various parties, at difierent intervals, almost up to date.
The first log cabins, or rather huts, in the place, were erected in close proximity to those
" diggings " by the first claimants.
As soon as Gen. Dodge came, he made as extensive a claim as the mining rules would allow,
directly on the site of the business portion of the village. The right of the claim was disputed
by the man Morehead, already mentioned, who professed to have discovered mineral here before
the General came, and, therefore, claimed priority of rights. However just Morehead's claim
may have been, the General was not the man to relinquish what he considered was his by right,
and therefore the upshot of the matter will be readily surmised that, in spite of all protestations
upon the part of the tinker, he was summarily ejected.
During the fall of 1827, several other mining claims were made in this section. The
more prominent were one made by Daniel Moore, James McRaney, James Sayles, Charles Gal-
loway and Jacob Hunter, in company ; one by George Medary, John Turney and Charles
Whistler, in company, and one by Charles Gaines and James Wooley, in company. It is not
pretended that there were not others here at that time, but those mentioned were especially
noticeable. The Medary, Turney and Whistler mine lay a short distance to the northwest of
the court house, within what are now the village limits. The location is now occupied by
tuilding and residence lots.
The mine owned by Gaines & Wooley was located about one-fourth of a mile north of the
present court house site, in a region which has since reveled in the non-euphonious title of
Dirty Hollow, as distinguished from localities making greater pretensions to natural charms, and,
probably, cleanliness. But, as cannot be denied (the name to the contrary notwithstanding), the
regions of Dirty Hollow have from time almost immemorial been peopled with an industrious,
intelligent and thriving class of citizens.
Two furnaces were built during the fall of 1827, one by Gen. Dodge, which stood a little
northeast of the old fort, across the ravine, and one by the enterprising firm of Lamb & Plum,
directly east of that again. Trusting to the veracity of cotemporary parties, a large amount of
smelting was done during that season, thus indicating that the mining operations being carried
on there must have been quite extensive.
Two Notable Events. — Two events of considerable prominence occurred during 1827.
■which deserve special mention. We revert to the advent of the first white woman probably in
. /^^ /ce^c^u^e^
F^ E NA^ E Y.
HISTOBY OF IOWA COUNTY. 741
the county, and the first death which occurred here. Tradition speaks of this woman as having
been the only one here up to 1828; her name was Eliza Van Sickle, sister to the Martin Van
Sickle mentioned, who was an Indian trader, and the first one known to have brought any mer-
■chandise to the place. Whether Miss Eliza was particularly distinguished, as having been the
■cynosure of all the male eyes, and the arbiter of the chivalric emotions of the sturdy miners, as
manifested by personal encounters for the ascendency in her esteem and good graces, does not
■appear; suiBce it to say she was the first woman, and must have enjoyed a degree of distinction,
in harmony with what is generally known of miners and their tendencies, as expressed in their
•devotion to the acquisition of money to be squandered in extravagant indulgence.
The first death was that of one of the General's colored servants, who thus at last secured
his liberty beyond the perad venture of human restraint. Mention is made of his obtaining bis
liberty, in this connection, because the black men were slaves who had followed the fortunes of
their master into the wilderness, under the promise of being granted their liberty at an early
date, and besides, from their attachment to the General, whom, it is said, they served with an
absolute and almost unvarying pleasure.
ITEMS OF 1828 AND 1829.
In 1828, the influx of settlers was very large, and what had, during 1827, been but a col-
lection of miserable log huts, commonly denominated a mining camp, rapidly assumed the pro-
portions of a village. In its character as a growing hamlet, the place had been, by general
acclamation, dubbed Dodgeville, in honor of the General who was the prime mover in all local
enterprises. The location had already been laid ofi^ into convenient lots by Gen. Dodge and his
•coajutors, and was the scene of general activity in the way of building, mining and trade.
If, in subsequent years, the development of the place had been as rapid as it then was, propor-
tionally, we should now have to record the growth of a place much larger than any inland city
•of the United States. It was then the principal business center for the entire surrounding coun-
try, within an area of forty or fifty miles, and bade fair to maintain this advance above all
other competitors. However, as seen, fortune soon ceased to shower her favors, and to the ut-
ter discomfiture of the thriving little burg.
The First Stores. — In the spring of 1828, among the many others who came here, was
the firm known as Quail & Armstrong, who opened the first store in the county, an establish-
ment stocked with the various articles necessary to the existence and well being of a mining
camp. The prices of merchandise, including red-eye, was exorbitant in the extreme. Flour,
groceries, and in fact everything, cost almost fabulous prices, owing to the distance that had to
be traversed with teams before the goods could be obtained.
Soon after the arrival, or, rather, opening, of the above firm, three other stores were estab-
lished here, in adjoining shanties. One by William Henry (he who did business in this place
and Mineral Point during the remainder of his life), and others by William Phelps and James
Coates & Co. These were rival institutions, and, undoubtedly, were as earnest in their opposi-
tion and struggle for patronage as our most ambitious modern institutions ; but we do not hear
that they failed through advertising, or in the effort to excel in attractive business style, which
now often occurs throughout the country. Two of the above firms kept stimulating beverages,
and, very likely, did a profitable business in that direction, for the fatigues of the day were
usually supplemented in the evening by the revelry, and indulgence, incident to all mining
camps, and, of course, the principal ingredient necessary to a "royally good time " was the
" enthusing ardent."
First Taverns and Mechanics. — In 1828, two taverns, or boarding-houses, were opened
here as a matter of public necessity as much as for private gain. The proprietors were, re-
spectively, Mr. Wentworth aud Mr. Chapman, both of whom had families ; the former a wife
and three grown-up girls, and the latter a wife and one girl. These, including Mrs. McRaney,
were a majority of the female population of 1828.
742 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
During this year, a blacksmith shop was started here, this being the first one in the county.
The shop was owned by a man by the name of Chatsey, who was assisted by one Manlove, who,
it is said, would bruise a piece of iron or the best man in camp with almost equal readiness and
celerity.
Dr. Justine, the first dispenser of pills and powders, blisters and hot bricks, came here in
1828, not, however, to apply the principles of Esculapius and Galen, but rather to try his luck
where the inviting herb called Masonic weed, led to something beside medical research.
Two Noted Oharacters. — In early times, the two characters most sought after and admired
for their special qualities and attainments, were a quack doctor and frontier fiddler, named Pre-
vat, and a stray concert singer denominated Ben Higby. The names of these worthies, devotees
at the shrine of Apollo, have survived the oblivion which time provides for all ordinary mortals,
and they are still remembered in virtue of the pleasure afforded by them to the hard-worked
miners, who knew but little of, and perhaps cared less about, aesthetic enjoyments.
First Mail Carrier. — The first mail was brought here in 1828 or 1829, by the Government
mail carrier, Joseph Cleary, a half-breed, who occasionally passed thrpugh the place on his way
from Green Bay to Prairie du Chien ; but at that time there was no post ofiice, nor, indeed, for
several years after. In 1830, the snow fell to an unusual depth, and Cleary, in order to make
his regular trip, was obliged to resort to snow-shoes, on which, during the dead of winter, he
marched over the snow-clad wastes and through the trackless forests, thus performing his duty
with the utmost faithfulness, at the imminent risk of losing his life.
TROUBLES OF 1828-29.
The year 1828 is reverted to by many of the old miners as being the time when every one
seemed to be making money, and as the year when the Government sent in its ofiicials demand-
ing lead rents from the miners. This demand was repudiated by Gov. Dodge, who refused to
pay, on account of the authorities having no legal right to make such exactions, the right to
mine having been purchased by the Indians. Many of the miners submitted to the imposition,
while others packed up their tools and left for parts unknown, determined not to be coerced into
submitting to such an unjust proceeding. From that time on, the population began to decrease,
and, where one went away grumbling, two more were almost sure to follow.
During the summer of 1828, the bloody flux prevailed among the miners almost to the
extent of an epidemic. The cause was the poor quality of food generally used and the excessive
heat. This may have contributed largely to driving the miners away, for there was no special
abatement of the disorder until the cold weather set in, after which, in a comparatively brief
time, the camp was restored to its wonted health and accustomed cheerfulness.
The winter of 1828 was severe, and, at the last, a terrible scarcity of provisions prevailed.
Flour sold readily at from $14 to $20 per barrel, and all other articles of consumption at similar
rates.
During the season of 1829, the emigration continued, and, as fast as the miners left, their
cabins were torn down, so that by 1830, there were only two or three families left in the place,
and scarcely any houses save those occupied by them. Gen. Dodge moved south three or four
miles to a point since known as Dodge's place or grove, and where Fort Union was built in
1832. The rest of the inhabitants scattered, going here and there, thus dissolving the place even
more rapidly than it had been formed. The families living here at this time, were a man by
the name of McBride, who had succeeded one of the first merchants, and who also kept a sort
of stopping-place for travelers. A man by the name of Jenkins who kept "grocery," and a
family by the name of Nichols. At the time of the Black Hawk war the last persons left, and
thus ended the first era or mushroom age of Dodgeville.
AFTER THE BLACK HAWK WAR.
For many years after the Indian war of 1832, Dodgeville failed to recover her former
activity, and then gave little promise of its present flattering condition. The attractions of ita
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 743
productive mines and its healthful and beautiful location were not sufficient inducements to turn
the tide of immigration from other promising portions of the county. The towns of Linden,
Mifflin, Mineral Point and Highland were then the objective points, and in those districts the popu-
lation increased rapidly for several years. Dodgeville, however, was not destined to remain in
this comatose condition long, for soon its mines were again opened up, and its valuable agricult-
ural surroundings were being developed by the hardy pioneers, with their wealth of bone and
sinew, who had directed their footsteps to the village of destiny, and the future which so short a
time before seemed to be wrapped in utter darkness again revived under the sun of pros-
perity.
In the months of July and August of 1833, the population did not exceed fifty persons, and
the rude log cabins, the gauge of pioneer civilization, numbered not more than a half a dozen.
There were then in this locality not more than four women to exert their refining influence
over the uncouth and uncultivated stalwarts of the frontier. Two of these ladies were the wives of
Thomas Jenkins and James Campbell, subsequently prominently known in this Territory as men
of ability, strict integrity and high moral qualities.
Improvements were naturally in a state of incipiency, as the embellishments of the home
surroundings were lost sight of in the pursuit of the hidden treasures of the earth. The poorly
constructed log cabins which were but a grade higher than the primitive sod hut and " dug out,"
each formed the abode of six, seven and sometimes ten of the miners, who cared for little but a
shelter and a place where they might prepare a bed of straw and indulge in dreams of " strikes,"
" leads " and " rich diggings " of the morrow. Mechanics in those days were almost unknown,
and the cabins were built regardless of symmetry or even comfort ; they were, in the language of
an early settler, " thrown together." In relation to the cabins of early times, a pioneer of 1833
says : " I have often lain awake nights, and through the roof counted the stars above, and it was no
unusual occurrence after a snow-storm to get up in the morning and find two inches of the
' beautiful ' upon the floor of the cabin." These cabins possessed the old-fashioned fire-place
with huge chimney, and the modern cord-wood and buck-saw were frowned upon with contempt.
Huge logs of oaks, with which the country then abounded, of proper length, were placed on the
fire-place and left to burn at will. But notwithstanding the many inconveniences with which
the inhabitants had to contend, they were happy, contented and neighborly, and their generous
hospitality would put to blush the hypocrasy of modern times.
In 1833, the settlement of Dodgeville was located in the immediate vicinity of Strattman's
shop on Iowa street, though at that time, streets were unknown. Settlers would locate a chiim
and build a cabin wherever it best suited them, but generally near some flowing spring of cold
water. The population then consisted principally of English and Americans, the Welsh not
having made their appearance in this locality until some years later.
TRADE RESUMED.
It was during 1833 that the real foundation was laid for the present large and prosperous
mercantile business of Dodgeville. Early in the spring, a man by the name of Geon opened a
small store in the log building erected for this purpose on the site now occupied by Strattman's
old shop, a short distance from the main thoroughfare now known as Iowa street. Here he kept
a small stock of goods — sugar, calico, whisky, etc. For several months he continued a success-
ful business, and then retired to other fields early in 1884.
The stock of a merchant in pioneer days was not, of course, more than large enough to
supply the immediate demands of his patrons ; consequently, the greater portion of the miners'
supplies were brought from Galena, then the principal trading-point in the lead region. A rep-
resentative of each of two or three families in the neighborhood would procure ox teams in the
fall of the year, and proceed to Galena for the winter's supplies ; and again, in the spring, the
trips would be repeated. These trips usually required a week, and what, with flour often at $20
per barrfel, and other supplies as high in proportion, the necessary expenses, going and return-
ing, rendered a handsome sum of money desirable and even necessary.
744 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
The Indians, though quiet and peaceable, were numerous in the vicinity, and the whites
benefited by their presence, receiving from them venison, game and fish in exchange for flour
and provisions. In this manner, the old feud existing between the Indians and white settlers
gradually disappeared, until mutual courtesies were the order of the day.
The year 1833 brought but few to the future village, among the number being William
Bartle and son, J. E. Bartle — the latter being still alive. Early in 1834, William James and
family arrived in Dodgeville. Mr. James, subsequently familiarly known as "Squire," engaged
in mining. Capt. Henry came here in the spring of this year and started a store in the build-
ing then lately vacated by Mr. Geon. The first post office in Dodgeville was then established,
and Capt. Henry appointed first Postmaster, the mails being received and distributed at his store.
Shortly after, Capt. Henry retired from merchandising here, and was succeeded by Henry Dodge,
son of the Governor. Eventually, Mr. Dodge, imbued with the ambitious spirit of the age, erected a
hewed-log building, then considered the height of civilized improvement, on the site of Stratt-
man's shop, a little nearer to the street than the buildings erected a few years previous.
From this time on, the population and business interests increased steadily, but not rapidly ;
during the years 1835, 1836 and 1837, a number of emigrants found their way to the future
village, and staked their claims, either in the present limits, or in the immediate vicinity.
Among those who came during that and the two following years, we are enabled to mention Ed-
ward Thomas, Benjamin Thomas, Samuel Hoskins, John Hoskins, William Jewell, Mr. Crocker,
Crawford Young, "Bully" Carnes, John Casserly, Robert Black, John Eddy, Edward Jewell,
William Fine, John Roberts, William Treloar, James Smitheran, Charles Bilkey, Richard Ham-
mel, John Rogers, Mrs. Bishop, Mrs. Peters and James Bilkey. It is not claimed that this list
is complete ; far from it ; there were others who braved the hardships of a frontier life in
Dodgeville during the period mentioned, but many soon after left for other and, seemingly,
more promising parts, and are now almost forgotten by their associates of over forty years ago,
while others have become lost in the rush of matter, the wreck of worlds and the crowds of hu-
manity that have passed a brief existence on the stage of life, and long since caossed the mystic
river.
THE " suckers' " AND THEIR SUCCESSORS.
For many years after the early settlement, Dodgeville was frequented by those transitory
beings familiarly known as "Suckers." They were miners from Illinois and Missouri who
operated here during the summer and returned to their homes in the winter, thus acquiring the
title. Their diggings were called "sucker holes." Subsequent to 1835, these "suckers," to a
great extent, abandoned mining, and began teaming, hauling lead from the diggings to market
in Galena, and returning with provisions and miners' supplies.
It was not until the first rays of light kissed the the eastern horizon, ushering in the year
1840, that settlers came here in other than small parties. During the succeeding five years,
emigrants, principally from Cornwall, England, poured in in large numbers ; a new impetus
was then given the small village, and it began to assume flattering proportions. The locality
was platted into alleys, streets and avenues, and the log huts of the early miners began to give
place to commodious and substantial frame buildings. Merchants, mechanics and professional
men took up their abode in Dodgeville, thus making substantial additions to the place and pav-
ing the way for the generation that is now reaping the reward of their predecessors of nearly
forty years ago.
The first frame building in the village was erected in 1886, on the site now occupied by B.
Thomas & Co. The next one was built by Hoskins, Thomas & Co., in 1842 ; this was located
in " Dirty Hollow," near the present Dodgeville Hotel, and has been lately occupied as a
cooper's shop. During the succeeding years, numerous frame buildings and stores were erected
in different parts of the town.
In 1845, the population of the village was estimated at three hundred ; and up to 1850 it
had more than doubled.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 745
Among the first mechanics in the village were " Squire" and John Wilson, carpenters,
who made their appearance here as early as 1834, and for many years did all the work in their
line in the village. About this time, the old tavern was established in the neighborhood of
Strattman's shop. Among the numerous proprietors of this frontier hotel were John Rablin,
B. Ogburn and John Treloar.
In 1835, a Dr. Frost strayed to Dodgeville, but, as appears from the records of that early
day, the people were too perverse to get sick for the purpose of affording employment to a
doctor, however great his skill. With hope deferred, he waited till his heart grew sick, then
left for more unhealthy parts. The care of the weak then devolved principally upon the medi-
cal fraternity of Mineral Point, until the year 1848 brought the veteran and skillful physician,
Dr. Burrall, who continued to practice here until his death, on the 9th of March, 1881.
In 1840, Oliver Wise and brother started a blacksmith-shop in " Dirty Hollow," on the
site now occupied by Peter Spang's shop. They were succeeded by William Cornish, who sold
to Jonathan Dickerson. Other blacksmith-shops were started by Jewell & Harris, in the lower
part of the town ; Virgin & Jerdeau, near the site of the court house ; Mr. Oleson, near Or-
ville Strong & Co.'s bank. John Lee and a man named Weeks, in company, started a shoe-
shop very early, and for several years were without competition. They were followed by
William Row, who opened a shop near Hocking's Hotel, and James Jones, who started a small
shop near the present post office.
In 1842, Hoskins, Thomas & Co., opened a stock of general merchandise in a small frame
structure, erected for the purpose, in the lower part of the village, then known as Minersville.
They were followed shortly afterward by Fullerton & Rynerson, with a general stock. They
were located in a store near Strattman's shop. Jenkins Brothers started a store near the
present post office; and William Todd had a good-sized stock of goods in the building which
still bears his name, on the corner opposite Strattman's shop. Opposite Mr. Todd, in the
brick building, was located Frank Thomas, engaged in general merchandising ; and Richard
Arndale had a hardware store on the site of the present Masonic Hall.
William Marr, the pioneer cabinet-maker of Dodgeville, established himself in business in
1844, near Hocking's Hotel. Here he did a successful business until 1850, when he suc-
cumbed to the cholera epidemic of that year. Since then the business has been carried on
successfully by his son, James Marr.
Jonathan Carpenter & Son had a wheelright establishment near Rogers' Hotel. Samuel
Rohr also had a wheelright establishment in the vicinity of Strattman's shop, very early.
BUSINESS FEQM 1850 TO 1870.
Among the business men who established themselves here between 1850 and 1855, were
Britton & Son, who located where James Hocking's store now is ; Staples Brothers, opposite
the present post office; John Bonner, near B. Thomas & Co.'s brick building; James Hocking
and Henry Dunston, on the site of Penberthy's dry goods store ; Henry Prideaux, opposite
Rogers' Hotel ; and William Wheeler, near the post office, on the same side of the street. A
Mr. Perry opened a store nearly opposite the post office ; Mr. McCrackin also had a general
store on Iowa street. Between 1850 and 1860, the saloons in the village numbered fourteen.
During this period, Dodgeville is represented as being one of the liveliest villages in Southwest-
ern Wisconsin, with plenty of money in circulation, principally English gold and French silver.
Miners then received $1.25 per day; mechanics $1.50 to $2. Provisions were low ; flour sold
for $1.50 per hundred, and beef 3 cents and pork 2 cents per pound.
The gold fever of 1849 had its due effect upon the miners of Dodgeville as elsewhere, and
in 1850 a party of twenty took their departure for the city of the Golden Gate. They tried
mining in the new El Dorado, but. within a year after their departure, had all returned to
Dodgeville, satisfied that "all that glitters is not gold."
The panic of 1857 retarded the growth of the village somewhat; however, it was not so
sensibly affected as other portions of the country ; but not until the business boom growing out
740 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
of the war reached the town, increasing business, raising the value of mineral to $50, $75 and,
in some instances, even to $100 per 1,000 pounds, and creating an enlarged demand for various
commodities, did Dodgeville overcome the apathy consequent to the panic, and renew its pristine
vigor to any appreciable extent.
During the war, the village exceeded the most sanguine expectations in responding to the
call to arms for the preservation of the Union. While ' others were slow in preparing their
quotas, Dodgeville came bravely to the front with men, money and supplies, all of which were
furnished most liberally. Since the close of the rebellion, the village has increased steadily in
population, and, as a business point, it is generally conceded to be one of the leading mercantile
municipalities in Southwestern Wisconsin.
From its earliest days, Dodgeville has been, in common parlance, termed a " very busy
place." Miners and merchants made money rapidly, but the accumulation of wealth was
reserved to the more thrifty and to those whose inclinations did not tend in the direction of
sub rosa enjoyments, such as were to be found in the village in the early day in a condition of
injurious perfection. Gambling and horse-racing were then amusements largely indulged in,
but the " groceries " and houses of resort, remembered by the pioneers of fifty years ago, wherein
games of chance were represented, and "soldiers of fortune " most did congregate, were factors
in the civilization of the place that have long since been eliminated, and the places in the village
which knew them once know them now no more. So thoroughly stringent, indeed, are the
present rules, that card-playing for amusement is an oifense, and prohibited by a suitable ordi-
nance. Thus do communities and nations grow from the rough, crude states, into the pursuit
of and enjoyment of the highest attributes of civilization. This restriction upon the part of the
Dodgeville people, speaks volumes for the real moral attributes of the people, and must necessa-
rily be as beneficial as it is creditable.
The following is a complete list of the business interests of Dodgeville January 1, 1869 :
Dry Goods and G-roceries. — Hendy, Thomas & Co., Wheeler & Co., James R. Jones, N.
Whitman, J. & H. Rowe, James C Hocking, Narveson & Nelson, Prideaux & Hooper, Joseph
Hocking, John H. Penberthy.
Dry Goods and Millinery. — Nicholas Arthur.
Groceries. — Joseph V. Rogers, Mrs. S. Phillips, Lars Moe, Miss Emily Sims, John 0.
Jones, Mrs. H. Williams, A. B. Robinson, Mrs. Thomas.
Boots and Shoes. — Thrall & Son, Alex Anderson, Roberts & Selzer, Thomas Lee.
Hardware. — Thomas Perkins, W. S. Bowne, R. Arundell.
Drugs and Medicines. — Smith & Roberts, W. A. Bishop.
Wagons, Sleighs, Etc. — Spang & Strattman, Roberts & Ralph, Sampson Bice, Bennetts &
Harris, Samuel Rohr, Letcher G. Clark.
Carpenter Shops. — Davis & Prideaux, Andrew Anderson, James Peters, N. Sherman.
Cabinet Shops. — James Marr (two shops), Joseph C. Davey, Ben Midboe.
Blacksmith Shops. — James Cane. Spang & Strattman, Morris & Co., Stephen Pillow, Will-
iam Harris, Johns & Bro., S. Rohr.
Millinery. — Mrs. N. Arthur, Mrs. E. Northey.
Harness Shops. — E. H. Schofield, Henry E. Jones, Thomas Bosanko, F. J. Prideaux.
Tailor Shops. — Hendy, Thomas & Co., N. Whitman, Frank Walters.
Hotels. — Commercial House, James Jones ; United States Hotel, Richard Jones ; Western
Hotel, John R. Roberts ; City Hotel, Peter Opie ; Dodgeville Hotel, Richard Rogers ; Wis-
consin House, Joseph Hocking.
Saloons. — Adam Eulberg, John Ruderdorf, David Rogers, Charles Harris, Stephen Ben-
nett.
Physicians. — Burrall & Cutler, A. E. Smith.
Veterinary Surgeon. — Ed M. Davies.
La^v Firms. — Reese & Mulks.
Jewelry. — Sam Henderson, Smith & Roberts.
HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY. 747
Butchers. — Mylroie & Tregilgus, John Williams, Bilkey & Bartle, John Treloar.
Agricultural Implements. — Clayton & Triplett, P. J. Morris.
Livery Stables. — A. B. Robinson, W. N. Bishop.
Lead Furnaces. — Bennett, George & Co., Cholvin & Co.
Barber Shop. — John Buckingham.
Secret Societies. — There are lodges of Masons, Odd Fellows, Good Templars, and a Cold
Water Temple.
Churches — Methodist Episcopal, Rev. William Sturges ; Primitive Methodist, Rev. J.
Alderson ; Congregational, no Resident Pastor; Welsh Congregational, Rev. J. D. Davis;
Welsh Methodist, Rev. David J. Lewis.
Real Estate Agents. — E. T. & W. J. Wrigglesworth, Orville Strong, S. W. Reese, Francis
Vivian.
Insurance Agents. — Samuel W. Reese, E. T. Wrigglesworth, Orville Strong, 0. P. Ashley.
Among the pioneers who came to Dodgeville before 1840, and still living here, are J. E.
Bartle, William Treloar, Charles Bilkey, John Bilkey, Samuel Hoskins, Ben Thomas, John
Rogers and James Smitheran. Of the old settlers who located here later are Joseph Ranyer,
W. Watkins, John Hughes, Dr. G. W. Burrall, William Harris, James Roberts, Joseph George,
R. N. Williams, Matthew Rogers, Joseph Pierce, Charles, W. N. and N. A. Bishop, William
Cooper, Francis Prideaux, Thomas Clayton, Ben Hoskins, William Wilcox, T. T. James, J, R.
Davis, Joseph Davis, Samuel Cornelious, Thomas Sencock, Samuel Rohr, John Penberthy,
Joseph Bennett, James Perkins, James Marr and Nicholas Arthur. The names of many of the
oldest settlers will appear in the history of the town of Dodgeville.
HEALTH OF THE VILLAGE.
Generally speaking, Dodgeville occupies a leading position in the annals pertaining to the
health of the State. The beauty of its location, situated as it is on the slope of the dividing
ridge and separated from the sluggish streams in the vicinity of which the germs of disease are
generated, together with the thorough cleanliness of its streets and alleys, purity of its water,
and commodious and well-ventilated residences, all factors in its make-up, render it almost im-
pervious to infectious epidemics. Dodgeville, however, under other than its present condition,
has been visited by that terrible scourge Asiatic cholera, and by those dire enemies to the health
of children, diphtheria and scarlet fever, each of which, with unerring malignity, has selected
many victims who have answered the call with their lives.
In 1850, the Asiatic cholera ran wild through some portions of the county, and scores in
the apparent enjoyment of buoyant health suddenly took on the pale seal of the Master of Im-
mortality and were laid to rest in the village churchyard. To attempt to trace the ravages of the
epidemic would be futile indeed. Mineral Point and Dodgeville then presented flattering induce-
ments to the invasion of the dreadful malady. It was located here principally in " Dirty Hol-
low," where the marshy bottoms and stagnant waters, under the direct heat of the summer sun,
produced the deadly miasma, the warp and woof of which was woven into the mystery of death.
Here the contagion made its appearance in the middle of July, and lasted until the latter part
of August. During this period, one hundred victims paid the debt of nature. Stalwart miners,
the ideal of health and physical manhood, started to their toil in the morning, in the full posses-
sion of their physical powers, and, before night, they would, perhaps, be carried home ghastly
corpses.
The citizens were at once alarmed, disinfectants were strewn about with a lavish hand, the
streets being covered with lime ; but the eiforts of the people, combined with the most powerful
preventives of medical science that could be operated against the fell destroyer, were of no avail.
Panic stricken, large numbers of the population deserted the unfortunate village and took refuge
in the surrounding country, sometimes camping in the open fields. The mortality was so great
that it sorely tried the energies of the survivors to bury the victims, five deaths being enumer-
ated in a single day.
748 HISTOEY or IOWA COUNTY.
Among the physicians who remained and braved the epidemic were Dr. Sibley and Dr.
Burrall. A man named Tyre, a farmer in the vicinity, was very successful in treating the dis-
ease ; he had a method of steaming which proved very efficacious. The first symptoms of the
disease was an acute diarrhoea, followed by cramps and vomiting, the patient dying with great
suffering in a few hours after the first attack. As mentioned, the plague left the latter part of
August, and the terrified inhabitants reluctantly returned to their desolated homes. The village
was wrapt in mourning for households were diminished by the loss of some loved one, and in many
instances whole families were swept away, leaving none to mourn the loss of kindred. Bearing
their trials and sufferings patiently, the citizens set out with the endeavor to regain their normal
condition, confidently hoping they had experienced that which would never occur again, but in
this they were doomed to disappointment, for, in the following summer of 1851, their hearts were
almost stilled by the announcement that the much admired and skillful physician. Dr. Sibley,
had succumbed to the cholera in their very midst. He had been called to the aid of cholera
victims in Wingville, Grant County. Braving the danger, and regardless of his own welfare,
the heroic physician remained with his patients until he contracted the germs of the contagion,
and became a martyr to his profession, having died August 23, 1851. Though the death rate
here was not so great as during the year previous, yet those who were here at that time and wit-
nessed its visitations say it was bad enough. Its effects were visible for years, and those who
survive the calamity recur to it to-day with feelings of terror.
Subsequently other diseases invaded the little village and played sad havoc among the chil-
dren. During the month of August, 1854, twelve children succumbed to the summer com-
plaint. In 1857 and 1858, diphtheria made its appearance and carried away seventy-five chil-
dren under fifteen years of age. During the years 1860, 1861 and 1862, scarlet fever raged
among the little ones, and, despite the precautions of the citizens and noble efforts of the physi-
cians, thirty children were enumerated among the fatal cases in the village alone.
During the past fifteen years the average number of deaths has not exceeded a dozen
annually. It is a noteworthy fact that from September, 1878, until July of 1879, not a single
death occurred among the children of the village. Occasion is here availed of to commend as
an example to future Esculapians, the faithfulness, temperance and unremitting perseverance of
Dr. G. W. Burrall, which has won for him the respect and encomiums of an entire community.
■WAR ITEMS.
During the rebellion, the people of Dodgeville took a very active interest in the great struggle>
and did as much if not more to promote the cause of the North than any other town in the county-
The first war meeting was held here in the month of May, 1861, at the court house which
was then a new building.
This meeting, which was only a precursor of the many that followed, was a grand and en-
thusiastic rally, for, with regard to war matters as in other things, there was no half-way work
done here ; it was but according to the bent of the people to go it strong. The most prominent
person in connection with the speeches and resolutions made was John Bracken, of Mineral
Point.
Very soon after this, recruiting was commenced here by Charles Luver, and in a short time
a company called the Dodgeville Rangers was organized, which eventually mustered into service
as Company C, of the Twelfth Infantry, of whom general mention is made in the war history.
They went out under Wilson as Captain, Luver having resigned on account of being unpopular
among the men.
A good deal of recruiting was done here at different times, but the only other company
which was entirely enlisted at this place was the Dodgeville Guard, or Company C, of the
Thirty-first. This was the largest company that every left the county, nearly if not quite all of
whom belonged to the town of Dodgeville. (See general history.)
A union league was organized in 1862, for the purpose of drilling and perfecting methods
of rendering assistance, and about the same time a ladies' aid society was also formed. Mrs.
HISTOBY OF IOWA COUNTY.
749
Caroline Wheeler, now dead, was the leading spirit in connection with the aid society. The feel-
ing which actuated these organizations will be best understood by the following : In the
spring of 1863, report came that Company C, of the Thirty-first, then stationed at Columbus,
Ky., was suffering with the scurvy. Immediately upon the reception of the news a public meet-
ing was held, and it was resolved to send them a quantity of vegetables. The basement of the
Methodist Episcopal Church was thrown open for the purpose, and contributions of potatoes,
cabbage, and, in fact, almost everything edible, came in with a rush and in large quantities..
Within a few days enough stuff was shipped to the boys to make them think of home for a month
at every meal, but unfortunately for the generous intentions of the people and for the company,
the articles were appropriated in toto before they ever reached the front, and were never heard from
only in connection with the sanitary pirates who were determined to have vegetables for the
hospitals if they were to be obtained in any way. Probably they were justified in doing as they
did. At any rate company C came out all right in the end while others were benefited, so the
labor was not lost.
It must not be supposed by the casual reader that all of the people here were patriotic, or
that everything ran smoothly, for such was not the case. There were both outspoken and secret
sympathizers, who rejoiced when disaster came upon our forces, and who, it is said, held secret
meetings. During the last of the rebellion, a number of the veterans of Company C, of the
Twelfth, came home on furlough, and, learning how matters stood, they determined to teach the
Copperheads a lesson. Having determined upon who were the most to blame and deserving of
punishment, they went in force to their places of business, and marshaling out the foes to the
national credit and honor, made them hurrah lustily for the Union under the penalty of being
disported on a rail or in some equally ingenious manner. It is said that after that the politics of
the Southern sympathizers either took a turn, or were kept to themselves. In the light of
modern developments, doubtless, a real change has been eifected in their sentiments with regard
to Southern sympathizers.
When the veteran Company C came home, they received a public reception and dinner at
the court house. In fact, whenever any of the soldiers came home, they were treated to the best
the land afforded, and really more than they needed.
A brief description of the public demonstration made here at the fall of Vicksburg will not
come amiss. The news was brought at midnight by parties from Mineral Point, who came into
the village driving their horses with a rush and yelling at the tops of their voices. Mr. Reese was
one of the first who heard the cry, and springing up and donning his clothes as quickly as possi-
ble, he ran down to " Dirty Hollow " and roused Ben Thomas and Samuel Hoskins. Very soon
after, they got out the whole town was up, men, women and children, and then began the most
tremendous jollification ever witnessed here. Bonfires were built at different points on the street,
and were kept burning regardless of cost, by the use of fences and outhouses, even the women
carrying rails and wood to keep them going. The band turned out with their instruments, and
everybody fell into line and away they went perambulating the streets after the music and
singing and shouting like all jtossessed. John Sagers threw open his saloon, and spiritual refresh-
ments were dispensed regardless. Probably the old bummers will remember that occasion as be-
ing the time when they could have more than enough for the mere taking.
At 4 o'clock in the morning the stage arrived here, and then occurred one of the most
ludicrous incidents of the night. A soldier by the name of Wm. George was on board, having
come home on a sick furlough. Seeing the stage surrounded by a crowd of his acquaintances,
George could not account for such a demonstration, except upon the ground that they had turned
out to receive him. So, after looking in utter astonishment at the enthusing crowd for a few
moments, he finally ejaculated, "My God, how did you know that I was a-coming." The cor-
responding astonishment of his listeners, at this, can be better imagined than described.
Next morning, every available rig in town was taken, as might be said, from every dog-cart
to every ancient and venerable carryall, and away the people went to Mineral Point, where were
re-enacted the scenes of the preceding night.
750 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
Early in the rebellion, an appropriation of |5 was ;nade by the town to be paid each week
to the family of every married man, and besides, large bounties were paid to those who enlisted.
So, it may be fairly recorded that in all particulars the people of this section did their duty to
their country to the best of their ability.
RAILROAD INTERESTS.
For the last twenty-five years, that which has been most devoutly desired by the citizens of
Dodgeville has been a railroad. We often hear the cry, " My kingdom for a horse ! " but here
the monotony of that abjurgation has been relieved by the expression, " My substance for a rail-
road ! " And no wonder, for that has always been wanting to place the village and her aspiring
citizens in a fair and thoroughly advanced business position. Since the time a railroad reached
Mineral Point, in 1857, there has been a more or less constant agitation of the topic, how to get
a railroad through to this point, no matter from what direction. At first the village was not
strong enough to ofi"er very large inducements ; for, it must be remembered, Dodgeville has been
a place of slow growth ; therefore, nothing could be or was done, of any significance, until 1868,
when the town and village, combined, offered the Mineral Point Railroad Company $60,000 if
they would extend their road to this place. This was made as a standing ofier ; but, for some
reason, nothing was done by the company. Whether it was because they wanted more money,
or on account of some ulterior cause, wherein a local finger may have been concerned, does not
appear ; suflBce it to say : the managers of said road have since offered to build an extension
for much less than $60,000.
Passing over various unimportant events connected with the efforts made at different times,
■we come to the organization of a railroad company in Dodgeville. One day in the spring of
1876, a civil engineer, E. Baldwin, who had been connected with the Illinois Central Railroad,
and who was, withal, an ambitious and energetic fellow, bethought him that it would be an ex-
cellent investment of time to work up a railroad scheme, for the purpose of connecting Lone
Rock, Dodgeville and Freeport, 111., with minor places along the route, by a narrow-gauge rail-
road. Therefore, as soon as the weather would permit in the spring, he started out and trav-
eled over the country from Freeport to Dodgeville, and thence to Lone Rock. Having examined
the ground carefully and satisfied himself that the scheme could be made to work, as the coun-
try was good, the route not very hard to work and a railroad very necessary to all parties, he
came to Dodgeville and broached the subject to come of the leading men. It is not expressing
it strongly to say that he was a welcome embassador, and that he was met more than half-way
by the best business men in the place. A railroad was what they wanted, and they were willing
to do anything reasonable to obtain one ; yes, more than that — they were willing to make lib-
eral sacrifices, both of money and time. During April of that year, several meetings were held
among the business men, and the subject thoroughly canvassed, and, finally, a number of them
clubbed together and subscribed for enough stock to secure a Government patent. This was
granted under the general law, April 20, 1876, to the following gentlemen, who were incorpo-
rated as Directors of the Lone Rock, Dodgeville & Freeport Railrofed Company : Orville Strong,
J. W. Reese, M. J. Briggs, P. J. Morris, C. C. Watkins, H. C. Cutler, James Roberts, J. R.
Davis, Charles Pishop, A. S. Hearn, Joel Whitmen, Joseph Bennett, of Dodgeville, and George
Krauskop, a banker of Richland Center.
On the 25th of April following, a meeting of the Directors was held at the ofiice of M. J.
Briggs, the leading spirit of the enterprise, and the company was effectually organized, and the
following oflScers elected : Joseph Bennett, President ; Joel Whitman, Vice President ; J. W.
Reese, Treasurer, and Orville Strong, Secretary. A committee, consisting of M. J. Briggs,
Joel Whitman and C. C. Watkins, was appointed to solicit funds to defray the expense of pre-
liminary investigations, surveys, etc. ; and a committee, consisting of Messrs. Cutler, Reese,
Briggs and Hern, was appointed to draft by-laws. During the month of May, a company was
formed in Illinois to co-operate with the Dodgeville organization, called the Freeport, Pecatonica
■k State Line Company. Also various meetings were held in this place, and a preliminary sur-
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 751
vey was made by M. J. Briggs and E. Baldwin over the entire route contemplated, the villages
and towns being agitated as to giving aid to the enterprise. Having decided the project was
entirely feasible, and that liberal aid would be extended, the committee returned and reported
favorably.
On the 30th of May, a meeting of the board was held, and the subject of starting the work
discussed ; a division of opinion arose respecting whether the work should be commenced on the
north or south end of the line, which resulted In favor of beginning at Freeport. According to
the evidence of succeeding events, that decision appears to have been injudicious, as in all proba-
bility, the short part of the line, that is, from Dodgeville to Lone Rock, would have been com-
pleted and opened. At the above meeting, it was decided that a committee of competent per-
sons should immediately set to work and canvass the towns and villages thoroughly and solicit aid.
On the 7th of June, 1876, a meeting of the Directors was held at the Secretary's office, and
the subscription books were opened. The subscription list began by those who were present,
eight in number taking five shares of stock each, at $100 per share. M. J. Briggs and Mr.
Baldwin were employed to canvass the country and obtain aid, and were authorized to negotiate
for town and village bonds, to be given in exchange for railroad mortgages, to be paid or can-
<:eled in fifty years, without interest, thus beating the law, which provides that no municipality
shall vote aid without a consideration.
From that time on until the spring of 1877, the committee, better than whom it would have
been hard to find, prosecuted their work with vigor ; and, in the event, secured from the difierent
towns along the route appropriations amounting to $133,000.
In September, 1876, at a legally appointed meeting, the village and town of Dodgeville
voted the handsome sum of $57,500 aid, $14,000 of which was to come from the town. This
voting 5 per cent of the taxable property of the town for a railroad was highly disagreeable to a
great many, and an attempt was made by the town to become separated from the village, but
•not successfully. The condition on which the bonds were given was that the money was not to
be paid over until the work was completed, or near enough done to insure a completion.
In the fall of 1877, the interest manifested and encouragement given along the route being
80 great, it was deemed judicious by the directors to contract for the building of the road, and to
fltart the work as soon as possible. A proposition was submitted by E. Baldwin and W. H.
Whitman, of Illinois, at that time to build the road, which taken up by the company and dis-
cussed at various meetings, and finally, on the 15th day of December, 1877, the contract was let
to them authorizing the building of the road within three years from January 1, 1878. The
salient points of the contract, a very voluminous document, were that after the road was com-
pleted, the contractors were to have the aid and own the "lion's share" of the road; in other
words, the road would virtually have belonged to them.
The work was begun, and about eight miles of grading done near Freeport, and nearly the
same amount at Blanchardville. Much of this was done in payment of individual subscriptions,
which were quite large in some cases, and very general. In fact, the whole country was thor-
oughly alive and interested in promoting the work by every means, but the work of grading did
not continue long, the contractors not having " long purses," and failing to get aid, were obliged
to stop. In this connection, it may not come amiss to say that nothing has been done since in the
way of actual work.
The contract was so drawn that the contractors could hold the company and trustees with
whom the town and village bonds were consigned until the expiration of the contract, or until
they chose to release them ; consequently, when they stopped work, everything stopped.
Eventually, another company was formed, of which we will speak later, to take the contract off
the hands of the contractors, but this not being done as anticipated, on the 8th of September,
1880, Whitman & Baldwin proposed to release the company and the town and village bonds on
•condition that an extension of the contract be granted under the patent to continue until De-
cember 31, 1881, and which should be considered as fulfilled by building the road no further
than Blanchardville. This proposition was gladly assented to by the directors, and soon after
''•'i2 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
a public meeting was held by the directors and a number of citizens, and the subscriptions were-
canceled. Then a bonfire was built on Iowa street, near the post office, and a funeral march
taken to the spot where the bonds were solemnly cremated, and the people once more made-
happy.
Previous to the canceling of the railroad contract and subscriptions and burning of bonds,
in the spring of 1879, Mr. Baldwin, as mentioned in connection with Mr. Briggs, to whom-
Whitman had made a contingent transfer of his rights, informed the citizens that for the want
of funds, they could not go on with the work ; and that as the preliminaries were all attended to,
and the work fairly begun, all that was now needed was capital to carry to a successful issue
what had been started under such favorable auspices. In accordance with that state of affairs,
they submitted a proposition that, for a certain amount of paid-up stock in the completed road,
they would transfer their contract to any party or parties who would bind themselves to com-
plete the road. The matter was at once taken up by a number of the capitalists of the place,
who were anxious that the work should not be dropped at such a " stage in the game." Several
meetings were held which finally resulted in the organization of a construction company, to be
known as the Freeport & Dodgeville Railroad Company. A patent was secured, by consent of
the old company, on the 14th day of May, 1879, with capital stock limited to $50,000. The
incorporators and directors were S. W. Reese, Joseph Bennett, James Roberts, G. W. Burrall
and Joel Whitman.
The first meeting of the company was held on the 24th of May following, when S. W.
Reese was elected President ; Joseph Bennett, Vice President ; Joel Whitman, Treasurer, and
James Roberts, Secretary. By-laws were also adopted at this meeting.
By order of the board, stock subscription books were opened at the Secretary's office on
Monday, the 26th day of May, which were not to be closed until 250 shares of stock, at $100-
per share, had been subscribed for. At a subsequent meeting, the shares were increased to 300'
in number, 271 of which were eventually taken, under the condition that nothing should be paid
in until the road contract had been assigned to the company. Thirty shares were taken by W.
0. Wright, of Freeport, conditionally upon his being a member of the boavd.
Very soon after this, on the 8th of July, 1879, the Directors deputized Mr. Wright to go to-
New York to negotiate for money on the company's bonds, and for the purpose of contracting
for building material, as rails, spikes, etc. While Mr. Wright was gone, the company decided
to discontinue operations, owing to certain conditions not being complied with by the contract-
holders and Mr. Wright. Thus ended the operations of the second railroad company formed in
Dodgeville.
In the spring of 1880, Mr. Cobb, the Superintendent of the Mineral Point road, came here,
and a meeting of the citizens was convened to take into consideration the voting of aid to assist
in constructing an extension from Mineral Point to Dodgeville. At this time nothing decisive-
was done, although it was stipulated that $30,000 Would be voted by the town and village. Sub-
sequently, three Commissioners from the town and two from the village were authorized by the
public to confer with Mr. Cobb, and to make terms, if possible, to get the road through; At
this meeting, the Commissioners agreed to furnish $35,000 toward the enterprise, and, accord-
ingly, an understanding was entered into that the road would be built. But from week to week
the matter lingered along, and at last nothing came of the movement.
At this juncture the Chicago & North- Western road came forward and stipulated that if the
Dodgeville people would furnish $25,000, they would construct a broad-guage from Madison to
unite at this point with the narrow-guage road running through Grant County. They also stip-
ulated to build a depot on the fair-grounds and to make that the place of transfer. Again the
Dodgeville people came to the front ; and almost within twenty-four hours the required aid was
pledged to be forthcoming, in case the funds voted in support of the Dodgeville & Freeport line
were not demanded. About that time the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company purchase(J
the Mineral Point road. This naturally had the effect to change the tactics of the Chicago &
North- Western Company, who th-en decided to constfUct a broad-guage road over their entire
HISTOKY OF IOWA COUNTY. 753
line, and to build the depot one mile north of the town, preferring to do that and sacrifice the
town and village aid rather than build the road according to their first proposition.
During that season (1880), S. S. Merrill, Superintendent of the Millwaukee & St. Paul
Railroad, came here and looked over the ground and country ; then offered to extend the road
from Mineral Point for $10,000, evidently considering that it would be a profitable thing to do,
now that there was a competing line coming here. This offer, however, was not taken up, the
people prudently thinking that, after having run the gamut of railroad fiasco experience, it was
just as well to let well enough alone, and to take such favors as fortune had at last brought to
their doors, without money or price.
EDUCATION.
The first school in this section of the country was taught as early as 1833 or 1834, by
Robert Boyer, who figures extensively in the early history of this part of the State as one of
the first teachers in several localities. His school, and the schools for several years after his
time, were taught outside of the village, and therefore are especially mentioned in connection
with the town history. The first school in the village proper was taught by Mrs. Mary J. Ran-
ger, who is still living here. Thirty-five years ago there stood where Peter Spang's residence
now stands a small one-story frame building in which she (then Miss Carrier) taught her first
quarter's school. This, like many others, was supported by the parents, who paid pro rata,
Miss Carrier making her own terms. This old building is now in use as a dwelling-house. After
her marriage, Mrs. R. taught in a room buiH by John Jenkins as a store, on Union street, which
is now the Soden & Jones tailor-shop. Like other " school-rooms " in Dodgeville, it was rented,
as the district did not build or own a schoolhouse until 1853. Mrs. Ranger also at one time
trained the youthful idea in what is now the residence of E. H. McElhose. Her school-room
was warmed by an old cook stove, and, as the winter was a bitterly cold one, much discomfort
was the inevitable result. "I used to warm my feet one at a time by pushing them through the
■circle of shivering scholars," she says. This lady taught in the village almost constantly until
1878, and is now succeeded in that capacity by a daughter. In 1846, the people raised money
by subscription and built the old town hall, which afterward became the Wesleyan Chapel and
then the Primitive Methodist Church. This building did service up to 1850 or later as a school-
house. H. E. Foster, Emma A. Comfort and others taught here.
In the spring of 1849, the town of Dodgeville having been organized, Rev. A. S. Allen,
the first Town Superintendent of Schools, organized District No. 1, which then extended to the
Mineral Point line, three miles north, and being in width one and a half miles. This was after-
ward extended west so as to include the whole or a part of the Van Metre survey. The first
officers were Thomas Stephens, Director ; D. C. Evans, Treasurer, and J. D. Jenkins, Clerk.
Various meetings were held during 1849 and 1850, on the question of building a schoolhouse,
and at one time a tax of |1,700 was voted. This was afterward rescinded, and the district con-
tinued to hire various buildings for school purposes up to 1833. That year. District No. 10
was set apart and organized with Chapel street as its south line, and the " Grove " and " Rock "
Schoolhouses were both built, the one taking its name from the small timber surrounding it and
the other from the material of which it was built. In 1850, the number of persons in the dis-
trict, from four to twenty years of age, was 226. Text books — Goodrich's Readers, Colburn's
and Adams' Arithmetics, Bullion's Grammar, Smith's Geography, Webster's Spelling-book,
Fulton and Eastman's Penmanship.
The two districts existed independently of each other up to the fall of 1864, when J. Thomas
Pryor, Jr., then Principal of the Grove School, succeeded in influencing the leading men of both
districts to consent to a union. This was accomplished by action of the Town Board, which
appointed a board made up of members of the former boards. The town hall was then hired
and Merrill Fellows installed as Principal, while the two schoolhouses were used as primary and
intermediate departments. This plan is still pursued, but with the high school department con-
ducted under a curriculum of a very advanced and comprehensive character, and entirely su-
perior to what at first existed. Since 1865, the Principals have been J. Thomas Pryor, Jr.,
754 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
1866 ; M. T. Curry, 1867 ; Philip Eden, 1868 ; J. Thomas Pryor, Jr., 1869-74 ; Frawley,
1875 ; J. H. Pike, 1876-77. In the fall of 1878, J. W. Livingston, a graduate of the Platte-
ville State Normal School, was employed, and has since been retained as Principal. In the fall
of 1879, he formulated the present course of studies, which course was approved and accepted by the
district board. There are now seventy-three pupils in the high-school department and one assistant
teacher. Miss Josephine Ranger. The grammar department is in charge of Miss Lizzie Sin-
cox, who has fifty-four pupils. Frank M. Dyer and Miss Millie Robinson have charge of re-
spectively,the intermediate and primary departments of the Grove School. The " Rock " School
is in charge of Charles Marks, in intermediate, and Miss Lela Mitchell, primary. There are
now 560 children in the district that are old enough to attend school. The standing of the
scholars in the different departments is considered very good, and the characters and attainments
of the several teachers are recognized as being exceptionally excellent. When the new school-
house shall have been completed, the general standard will doubtless be greatly improved by the
improved facilities for good work that will then be afforded both to teachers and scholars.
POST OFFICE.
A post office was first established at Dodgeville by Postmaster General William Barry
August 27, 1834, William Henry being appointed its first Postmaster. Mr. Henry kept
the office in what was known as the " Dodgeville Store," from the fact that Henry L.
Dodge occupied it at a later date and for several years. In October of 1834, Mr. Henry
resigned, and was succeeded by Thomas Jenkins, who kept the office in his dwelling house, which
stood a few yards to the west of Mr. Jones' bakery. Mr. Jenkins was followed by Henry L.
Dodge as Postmaster ; while he held the office, it was again kept in the old store. Mr. Dodge
resigned eventually, and T. M. Fullerton, a clerk in the firm of Beach & Rynerson, was appointed
to the place, and kept the office in the store of his employers about 1844. After Mr. Fullerton,
John Adams kept the " post offis " in the store of floskins, Thomas & Company. According
to statements, Mr. Adams' ideas of civil service and conducting a post office were exceedingly
crude, it being his custom to throw the mail into a heap in the middle of the floor, and let the
people paw the matter over to their satisfaction in search of their mail. This method of business
was finally stopped by a postal detective coming to the place, who, seeing how matters were
going, asked the worthy Postmaster if that was the way he delivered the mail. In reply, Hos-
kins informed him that it was none of his d — d business. As a result, there was a vacancy in
the office soon after, which was filled by the appointment of Silas Wiles. Mr. Wiles did not
hold the office a great while ; but, owing to- the inaccuracy of his accounts, was replaced by
Bryce Henry, who kept the office in the William M. Todd store. During the summer of 1850,
the office was kept, by Doran Jenkins in his book store, one door north of the present office.
Whether Mr. Jenkins acted as appointee or deputy, is not known.
At the time of the inaugural of Franklin Pierce in 1853, Louis T. Wheeler was appointed
Postmaster, having the office in the building now occupied by Mr. Hocking. The office eventually
passed into the hands of Dr. Burvall, who officiated as Postmaster until 1861. When S. W^.
Reese was appointed according to the political change of the times. Mr. Reese held the office
until 1877, employing Thomas Hughes, G. W. Louis and Thomas Rogers as deputies, who kept
the office in various places. After him, Joel Whitman became the Postmaster, holding the office
until 1878, when Thomas Rogers, the incumbent, was appointed.
BANDS.
Dodgeville has ever been more attentive to mining than music. The first band was
organized in 1855 ; the town board had charge of the instruments, which were bought by
subscription. Josiah Paull was the leader of this band, which held together until about 1859.
In 1860, during the excitement of the Lincoln-Douglas campaign, Thomas Bosanko formed a
band, composed as follows : Thomas Bosanko, leader, E flat ; James Rowe, B flat ; James
Letcher, B flat alto ; F. Nankibell, post horn ; William H. Letcher, E flat bass ; Henry Nanki-
HISTORY or IOWA COUNTY. 755
bell, E flat alto, and Glenfill, drummer. Within eighteen months a second band, led
by William Clark, was formed; and, during the most memorable years of the civil war, Dodge-
ville was alive with martial music. "The boys" of both bands went to the Lake Superior
mines in the fall of 1863, taking their instruments with them. Several returned at the close of
the war, however, and Mr. Clark was again made leader of a re-organized band. He was suc-
ceeded in 1874 by James Letcher, who has since led the few who cling to the sounding cymbals.
The present Dodgeville band needs recruits, and it is hoped that the recent formation of the
hook and ladder company may create a new interest, and supply the needed help.
MINERAL POINT AND DODGEVILLE TELEGRAPH.
In January, 1879, the first steps were taken toward establishing telegraphic connection
between this place and Mineral Point and the East, at the suggestion of A. S. Hearn, editor of
the Ohronicle, and Fred Phillips, manager of the justly popular United States Hotel, of Min-
eral Point. These gentlemen circulated a subscription paper, and received such encoul-agement
in the way of liberal subscriptions and a generally-manifested interest upon the part of many
of the leading business men of both places, that what was first an unperfected scheme soon
took shape to eventually result in the present line. The first subscribers to stock were F. W.
Phillips, eleven shares; W. A. Jones, two; William T. Henry, one; J. M. Smith, one;
Lanyon & Spensly, one; Gr. W. Cobb, one; W. H. Bennett, one; Wilson & Mcllhon, one; P,
Allen, Jr., one; A. S. Hearn, one; M. J. Briggs, one; S. W. Reese, three; Bennett, George
& Co., three, and Thomas Blackney, one.
Articles of incorporation were drawn and filed on the 28th day of January, 1879, by
Messrs. Phillips, Hearn and Briggs. According to these articles, prepared under the pro-
visions of Chapter 8H of the Revised Statutes, the name shall be " Mineral Point and Dodge-
ville Telegraph Company," with a capital stock fixed at |500. The oflBcers to be a President,
Treasurer, Secretary and Board of three Directors, to be elected annually. by the stockholders,
who shall perform the labors usually required of such officers. Each subscriber to stock
becomes a member of the company, and retains his interest as long as he holds the same.
The first meeting for the election of officers and transacting general business was held on
the 11th day of March, 1879, but there not being a sufficient number of shares of stock repre-
sented, the meeting was adjourned until the 17th of the month, when Thomas Blackney took
the chair, and business was opened by the election of the following officers: Fred Phillips,
President; M. J. Briggs, Treasurer; J. M. Smith, Secretary, and Joseph Bennett, G. W.
Cobb and S. W. Reese, Directors. Messrs Phillips, Briggs and Hearn were appointed a
committee to draft by-laws, and the President was authorized to purchase the necessary mate-
rials to construct and fit up the line, and to employ laborers and proceed at once to the con-
struction of the same. Fifty per cent of the shares were required to be paid by the 1st of
April following the meeting, and the remainder on or before the 15th of the same month.
The work of erecting the line was begun soon after, and continued without interruption
until May 22, when it was completed ready for operating. The total cost of materials and con-
struction and operators' instruments was $449. The first message was transmitted to the
grocers of Dodgeville by W. H. Boyd, of Milwaukee, on the 30th of April, 1879. There are
three local offices connected with the line — one at the depot and one at the United States
Hotel, in Mineral Point, and one at Dodgeville. The President of the company is Fred Phil-
lips, operator at Mineral Point, W. H. Thomas being the operator at the Dodgeville end of the
line. Rates are fixed at 25 cents per ten words, with 2 cents each for extras. The number
of messages transmitted the first year aggregated nine hundred and thirty two, amounting to
$250.64. No dividends have ever been declared to the stockholders, as barely enough is real-
ized to pay the salaries of the operators. However, the business men would probably employ
operators and pay them more than the income received, were it not possible to keep the line in
operation otherwise, as it has proved of great utility in various business matters.
756 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
FIRES AND FIRE COMPANY.
Dodgeville has suffered but little in the course of its development from fires. That most
terrible of enemies und warmest of friends has, with but few exceptions, through the judicious
management of the Village Board and commendable prudence of the people, been restricted to
the point of utility, and made to subserve the wants of the people rather than to create needs
hy its remorseless energy and fury.
There has been but one what might be termed conflagration. That occurred on the 5th of
March, 1856, and proved very destructive. At noon, a fire broke out in the garret of a frame
building used for a saloon by the firm of Hope & Lidicoat, on the west side of Iowa street,
north of Division. There being no fire apparatus, the flames progressed very rapidly despite
the efforts of the citizens, and within a few minutes this building was not only doomed to per-
ish, but a large brick store standing next to it on the north, which was heavily stocked with
general merchandise, was also ignited and shared the same fate. Adjoining this was a frame
building owned by McCracken and Dr. Goodlad, and occupied as a drug store and dwelling.
This also caught on fire, and was destroyed with the others. In order to stop the destruction,
a house on the north of these, owned by John Parris, was torn down, while on the south, fortu-
nately, there was a vacant lot covered with water, which stayed its progress in that direction, so
that no further damage was done. The loss was almost total, as there was no insurance on the
buildings and but little of the merchandise was saved. Mr. McCracken was a very heavy
loser to the extent of $10,000, according to general estimates.
The burning of the Primitive Methodist Church, described in the church sketch, was
another quite serious fire, and one that made a clean sweep, thus paving the way for the present
handsome edifice.
The Dodgeville Hook and Ladder Compnny No. 1 is certainly one of the creditable insti-
tutions of the village, and in its organization at a time when there was no apparent danger
presents a fair index, to the character of the business men who prefer " an ounce of preven-
tion to a pound of cure," and propose to be prepared for emergencies and to be just a step in
advance of any of their neighbors. The following is a sketch of the organization taken from
their "By-Laws," and briefly describes just what has been done:
" Soon after the destructive fire at Highland, and pursuant to a published call for a mass-
meeting at the court house, on Wednesday evening, December 1, 1880, a large number of bus-
iness men and representative citizens met to devise some means for the better protection of our
village in case a fire should happen to break out.
" The meeting was called to order by Mr. R. G. Owens. S. W. Reese, Esq., was then
elected Chairman, who, in a few brief remarks, stated the object of the meeting.
" J. J. Hoskins was chosen Secretary.
" After some talk as to the best means of accomplishing the desired end, Mr. A. S. Hearn
offered the following resolution, which prevailed :
Resolved, That we proceed to enroll and organize a hook and ladder company, and that the Village Board
be requested to purchase the necessary apparatus for its equipment.
" Messrs. J. T. Pryor, Jr., R. G. Owens and A. S. Hearn were appointed a committee to
present the proceedings of the meeting to the Village Board.
" A meeting of the Village Board was held on the evening of December 2, when the
request for aid to equip the said company was assented to, and the necessary steps immediately
taken to purchase the equipments.
" Pursuant to the call of the temporary Chairman, those who had signified their willing-
ness to become members of the company held a meeting at the court house December 9, and
adopted a code of laws for the government of the company, whereupon the meeting adjourned
to December 15, 1880, which was fixed as the date of the first annual meeting of the company.
At that meeting, the company was duly organized under the name of the Dodgeville Hook and
Ladder Company No. 1, and elected officers for the ensuing year.
HISTORY or IOWA COUNTY. 757
" The truck was built in January, 1881, by E. B. Preston, 160 State street, Chicago, 111.,
and cost, everything included, $400. It has all the modern improvements, and combines
beauty, strength and lightness, so that it can be easily and rapidly handled. The wagon,
including the tongue, is about 27 feet long. The width between the wheels from center to
center is about 4 feet 4 inches ; the diameter of front wheels 3 feet 6 inches, that of the hind
wheels 4 feet 6 inches ; the width of frame is 2 feet 10 inches, depth 3 feet 4 inches, and has
one windlass attached, one large head-lamp and two side lamps, leathern buckets, hooks, lad-
ders, axes, chains and ropes, necessary for any emergency."
Officers — Foreman, Benson J. Davey ; First Assistant Foreman, Edwin A. Elliott ; Sec-
ond Assistant Foreman, R. W. Evans ; Secretary, J. J. Hoskins ; Treasurer, A. L. Bobbins ;
Trustees, Thomas Kennedy, Thomas H. Arthur.
Members — W. J. Arthur, Charles Bilkey, Jr., George Bartle, Richard Clark, William
Dunstan, Charles Davies, John W. Davey, Christ. Ellingen, A. S. Hearn, Frank Hocking,
William Jones, William C. Jones, Evan Jones, George Jeffrey, Joshua T. Elliott, Fred C. Elli-
ott, Owen Williams, John Kelley, Lemuel Morris, John W. Pengelly, Henry Pengelly, Eddie
Reese, Christ. Rohr, James Rickard, William Rickard, C. S. Ralph, Frank Ralph, Lewis
Swartz, Paul Swartz, Henry Skewis, Eddie Strattman, John H. Sampson, Charles J. Thomas.
HOTELS.
The first public stopping-place (mentioned elsewhere) was a boarding-house opened during
1828, by one Wentworth. It was a double log cabin, with a narrow passage, or hall-way, be-
tween the two structures, each of which was 16x16. The next year, one McBryde kept boarders
here. Col. Blythe, a noted character in primitive Dodgeville, was the first to open what may
properly be called a hotel, in what was the old H. L. Dodge store. To the original log struct-
ure, one Ward, who had succeeded Dodge in business, had built a frame addition. Here the
Colonel, who was a reckless gambler, kept a very good hotel for several years. He was suc-
ceeded, in order, by William Rablin, Watkin Watkins and Frank Beckett. From 1838 to 1840,
H. L. Dodge also kept a sort of stopping-place in some long, low log buildings near his store.
Maj. Thomas Jenkins also kept boarders as early as 1834 and 1835.
In 1845, James D. Jenkins built the large frame house now occupied as a bakery and con-
fectionery store, in which he kept hotel for a year or more, then rented it to Aaron Adams.
Marks' Motel. — This is the most popular hotel in the village, among traveling men, and
Reuben Marks, the present owner and " mine host " has made it so. In 1849, a German, best
known as " Dutch " Walter, erected the building, and soon after sold it to Herman Tick, also a
German, but neither kept hotel here or elsewhere. The house was first opened as a hotel in
1852, by the brothers Thomas and Moses M. Howell. The latter gentleman named it the
Dodgeville House, and kept it three or four years ; then Berry Ogburn rented it of the Howells
and kept it six months. It was then purchased by Richard Jones, who changed the name
to the United States Hotel, which name it bore until a recent date. Jones kept it a num-
ber of years, then rented it for several years to Watkin Watkins. James Van Dyne and
Thomas Thomas have also managed the house at different times. Mr. Marks bought it October
25, 1875, and has since thoroughly rebuilt the original structure and erected an addition, which
makes it more than double its former size. It is the only temperance hotel in Dodgeville that
is doing a large business, and has borne its present name since November, 1880.
The Wisconsin Mouse — Was built as the Rough and Ready House in 1847, by Benjamin
Thomas, Sr., and was so named to perpetuate the admiration of the builder for the hero of
Buena Vista. The name, the house and the owner were immensely popular, and, in many of
the old-time stories told by the founders and pioneers of the village, this old hostelry figures most
conspicuously. "Uncle Ben" sold the property to John E. Bartle in 1852 or 1853. He, in
turn, sold it to the present proprietor, Joseph Hocking, November 6, 1854. The transfer hav-
ing been made on election day, Mr. Hocking opened a free house, and for a number of days the
jollification was kept up. "Why should we not enjoy ourselves in those days?" says Mr.
758 HISTORY OF OF IOWA COUNTY.
Hocking. " ' Mineral ' was easy to get, money plenty, flour worth $3 per barrel, beef 3 cents
per pound, pork 2 J cents, potatoes 2 bits per bushel, and whisky proportionately cheap." The
earnings of months were often spent in a day by the reckless miners, yet dishonesty, theft or
meanness were not as fashionable as now. Houses were left unlocked while the owners were
absent for days at a time, and all felt safe and confident. In 1860, Mr. Hocking built his store,
and, in 1869, connected the old stone Rough and Ready House with it, this giving him a roomy
hotel, which is deservedly well patronized, and has been called by its present name since his pur-
chase. Mr. Hocking is doubtless the veteran hotel-keeper of Iowa County.
The Western Hotel. — The name of this house recalls those of at least three of the early
settlers and prominent men of Dodgeville who have passed over the dark river. Joseph Vincent
had laid the foundations and partially completed a hotel, when, in 1847, Col. Thomas Stephens
bought him out. Col. Stephens completed the building, opened it as the Western Hotel, and
managed it most successfully until it burned down, in November, 1848. He then built the
present Western Hotel, which is located a few rods to the south of where the old one stood.
From 1850 to 1852, he rented it to William Rowe, Esq., now of Arena, and, on his return
from California, again took charge of the house, managing it until 1854, when John R. Roberta
bought it. Mr. Roberts caused the house to be raised from its foundations, and under it built
the cellar, bar-room, etc. In early times, this was the leading hotel in Dodgeville, but the
removal of the business houses to other streets caused a fatal depression in its prosperity. Since
the death of Mr. Roberts, in August, 1879, the house has been managed on the temperance plan
by his widow.
The Oommeroial House. — Benjamin Midbow laid the foundations and partially built the
original structure in 1864. He then made an exchange, by which Samuel Henderson came
into possession of the property. He completed the building, and for a time occupied it with his
family, opening up a stock of jewelry in the second story. Capt. Nelson Whitman was for a
time in business here. In 1867, Henderson sold it to James Roberts, who first rented it to
James Jones. Mr. Jones, finally becoming the owner, made extensive additions to and improve-
ments upon the building, which made it what it is to-day, giving it its present name and open-
ing it as a hotel. Mr. Jones died in 1877, his widow keeping the house until September 1,
1878, when Adam Eulberg rented it. The central location of the house, combined with the
popularity of the host, have given the Commercial a large and well-deserved run of business.
The' Dodgeville Hotel — Was originally built as a private house by one Wise, a blacksmith.
In 1867, the present owner, Richard Rogers, bought the lot and building, then erecting the
main part of the hotel, which, with the Wise residence and the old " Red House," well
remembered by "the boys" of early times, affords him a large and commodious hotel, and no
one knows better than does "Uncle Dick" how to manage such a house in a country town.
His house does its full share of business, and the patrons stick by it.
MANUFACTURES.
Strattman ^ Go.'s Factory. — The first wagons made in Dodgeville were by Ranger & Detch-
mendy, two Frenchmen from St. Genevieve, Mo. They came in 1840, and their ghop was what
is now Mr. Ranger's residence, he having raised and enlarged it. Mr. R. was the wagon-maker,
and Detchmendy the blacksmith ; the latter was also something of a gun and locksmith. " Dock "
Wise was probably the next blacksmith, and Matthew Kelly the next ; he founded the present
Stratman shops in 1845 or 1846, building a small one-story shop of stone or " rock." After
Kelly, one Olson A. Norse, blacksmith, rented the shop and worked here. In 1853, Peter Spang
bought the shop of Col. Thomas Stephens, enlarged it, making it two stories high, and really
established the present large concern. F. W. Strattman became a partner in 1860, and the owner
in 1872. In May, 1872, he associated Richard Lane as a partner, constituting the present firm.
A thriving business is done, five goodly buildings being occupied. Thirty hands are kept in con-
stant employ, turning out wagons, sleighs and plows. Carriages, cutters, harrows, rollers, cul-
tivators, etc., are also manufactured here. The firm now propose to add a large engine and blast
HISTORY or IOWA COUNTY. 759
furnace. It 13 worthy of note that a wagon made by this firm was awarded the first prize over
120 competitors at the Wisconsin State Fair of 1880.
Peter Spang carries on the same business on a lesser scale, employing six or eight men. lie
also has the only power cider-mill in the place, with which he does a large business each year for
the farmers of the surrounding country.
William Harris is the veteran wagon-maker of Dodgeville, and the manufacturer of the
premium wagon in Iowa County, according to the Judges of the Agricultural Society, ISSO.
He began in 1846 near his present large shop, and has kept at it ever since.
The Brewery. — In June, 1867, J. G. Trentzsch and J. F. Bichel came from Mineral Point
and laid the foundation for a brewery. It was completed and in active operation for about thir-
teen years. It was burned with its entire contents in the spring of 1880. Mr. Trentzsch was
then the owner, he having bought out the partners, who at diflFerent times associated with him,
viz., John Rudersdorf and H. Zirfass. Additions had been made to the building, it being at the
time of its destruction 21x86 feet ; the basement was of stone, and was surmounted by two
stories of wood. The average annual production was about 400 barrels, the beer being stored in
an arched cellar, dug under the hill to the south of the brewery. The loss by the fire is fixed
by Mr. T. at $8,000, exclusive of the $2,000 insurance.
SECULAR SOCIETIES.
Dodgeville Lodge, No. 119, A., F. ^ A. M. — The first regular communication was opened
in the village on Saturday evening, August 27, 1859, in pursuance of a dispensation from the
Grand Lodge of the State. There were present, L. W. Strong. W. M. ; George W. Burrall,
S. W. ; S. W. Reese, J. W. ; Samuel Harris, Acting Tiler, and Thomas Thomas. The charter
was granted June 13, 1860, and bears the names of George W. Burrall, W. M. ; S. W. Reese,
S. W., and John Bonner, J. W. There were ten charter members : George W. Burrall, S.
W. Reese, Thomas Thomas, John Bonner, Samuel Harris, David Lewis, Joseph Lean, J. L.
Roberts, L. M. Strong and Levi Sterling. The officers installed December 28, 1860, were John
Bonner, W. M. ; S. W. Reese, S. W. ; Thomas Thomas, J. W. : Bronson Spensley, Treasurer ;
Samuel Harris, Secretary ; Peter Griffith, S. D. ; J. 0. Williams, J. D., and Thomas Howells,
Tiler. There were then thirteen Master Masons. The lodge now has a membership of seventy,
with the following-named officers : John Temby, W. M. ; Richard Carter, S. W. ; James
Cleminson, J. W. ; William Sands, Treasurer; J. J. Hoskins, Secretary; Aldro Jenks, S. D. ;
T. R. Mundy, J. D. ; E. M. Davis, Tiler ; Thomas Carkeek and Joseph Blake, Stewards. The
first lodge met in the hall then known as the Charles Harris building. In October, 1860, the
removal was made to the B. F. Thomas hall, thence in December, 1864, the lodge removed to
the Jeardoe building, and from there to their present commodious quarters in the summer of 1867.
The hall is about 20x50 feet, well lighted and furnished. The walls are hung with portraits of
prominent members and other suitable pictures. The lodge also preserves the sword that was
used by the Tiler of the old Mineral Point Lodge.
Iowa Encampment, I. 0. 0. F., No. '27 — Instituted September 25, 1868, by C. P. Hud-
son, Special Deputy. First Officers : W. S. Bowen, C. P.; Richard Francis, H. P.; J. J.
Cornish, S. W.; H. E. Jones, J. W.; 0. P. Ashley, Scribe; J. Sobey, Treasurer. There are
now twenty-two members. Officers : E. J. Perkins, C. P.; E. H. McElhose, John Ralph,
Scribe ; J. Sobey, A. L. Robbins, S. W.; W. N. Bishop, J. W. The I. 0. 0. F. Lodge and
the Encampment have always shared the same hall.
Dodgeville Lodge, No. 14-7, I- 0. 0. F. — Instituted in April, 1868, by dispensation of the
State G. M. The following were the officers then elected : Josephus Sobey, N. G.; Richard
Francis, V. G.; W. B. Bowen, Secretary ; Francis Vivian, Treasurer. The charter w;is granted
January 21, 1869, with Matthew Bishop, Francis Vivian, John Davey, Richard Francis, W. S.
Bowen and A. B. Robinson as charter members. Officers: Richard Francis, N. G.; W. S.
Bowen, V. G.; 0. P. Ashley, Secretary, and Matthew Bishop, Treasurer. The lodge lias now
eighty-three members in good standing, with the following-named as officers: Edmund Edy-
760 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
vean, N. G ; Henry Lane, V. G.; John Kalph, Secretary ; E. H. McElhose, Treasurer, and
Tliomas Bosanko, P. S. The first meeting was held in Good Templars' Hall, opposite the
court house. In October, 1879, the members held their first lodge in the hall which they now
rent, over the store of W. H. Rogers. The brethren have displayed much taste in fitting up
and furnishing their quarters. Appropriate pictures adorn the walls, and the room is well lighted
and pleasant.
Annicitia Lodge, No. JfS, I. 0. Q-. T. — Instituted February 14, 1860, in the town hall,
by G. W. C. T. Bush, of Richland Center. Officers : J. M. Wegand, W. 0. T.; Mrs. J. M.
Wegand, W. V. T.; P. D. Wigginton, First P. W. C. T.; J. A. Bates, W. R. S.; J. Thomas
Pryor, W. M.; Miss Jane Wickham, W. D. M. There were fifty charter members. The lodge
met in the B. F. Thomas hall, and flourished for a number of years ; then dissensions arose,
resulting in the decline and fall of the society. The charter was surrendered in 1874. A num-
ber of the leading members had previously withdrawn and founded
Mureka Lodge, No. 103, I. 0. Gr. T. — Instituted July 19, 1871, by Lodge Deputy John
Ralph, of Annicitia Lodge. Officers installed : Edmund Edyvean,W. C. T.; Mrs. Thomas Bosanko,
W. V. T.; William Hooper, R. S.; Thomas Bosanko, F. S.; Mrs. Elizabeth Prideaux, W. T.;
John H. Penberthy, W. C; J. 0. Kelly, W. M.; John Corin, W. G.; John Pearce, W. S.;
Jacob Van Doozer, Lodge Deputy. The charter members were Martin Cornelius, Joshua Elam,
William Hooper, Joseph Perkins, Elizabeth Prideaux, Elizabeth Bosanko, J. C. Kelly, Thomas
Bosanko, John Pearce, J. H. Penberthy, John Corin, Edmund Edyvean, William flendy, W.
W. Williams, J. Van Doozer, J. C. Trezona, Elizabeth Arthur, Susie Hoskins, Joseph Penber-
thy and William Reed. The present officers, installed in November. 1880, by Lodge Deputy
J. C. Kelly, are: T. R. Mundy, W. C. T.; Miss Annie Rogers, W. V. T.; Miss Julia Thomas,
W. R. S.; Finley Hocking, W. A. S.; James Cornelius, W. F. S.; Mrs. Sophia Cornelius, W.
T.; John Rogers, W. C; Abram Hahn, W. M.; Miss Annie Mundy, W. D. M.; Miss Annie
Stanlev. W. R. H. S.; Mrs. Clara Mundy, W. L. H. S.; Miss Ehza Davey, W. G.; William
H. Thomas, W. S.; G. F. Davey, P. W. C. T.; Trustees, J. H. Penberthy, J. C. Kelly and G.
F. Davey. There are now sixty members in good standing. The lodge meets in the H. & J.
Rowe Hall.
The Reform Olub. — No temperance movement is or will be better remembered by the
citizens of the county seat than that instituted August 29, 1877, by Col. H. W. Rowell and J.
H. Hooflfstitler. Both gentlemen were from Illinois, and were at the time creating a temperance
" boom " throughout Southwest Wisconsin. The Reform Club, a direct outcome of their labors,
was a secret society, males alone being eligible. Dr. H. C. Cutler was the first President;
William Harris, Vice President; B. Thomas, Jr., Secretary; William Henry, Treasurer, and
Josephus Sobey, Chaplain. An Executive Committee and a Grievance Committee of three mem-
bers each were elected, as were the officers, every three months. The latter committee investi-
gated all alleged violations of the pledge and constitution, and it then required a two-thirds' vote
of all members present at a meeting to expel the culprit. Almost every business man in the
place joined the club, and in fourteen months it was 200 strong. George L. Frost was the last
President, and B. Thomas, Jr., the last and only Secretary. The club disbanded November 21,
1878.
The A. 0. V. TT.— Instituted July 15, 1879, by A. H. Taisey, Deputy G. M. W. There
were sixteen charter members, who chose the following-named as officers : J. Thomas Pryor,
Jr., M. W. ; A. S. Hearn, Foreman; C. A. Tesche, Overseer; Orville Strong, Rec. ;
John Ralph, Rdr. ; D. G. Jones. Financier ; William Hewitt, Guide ; F. W. Stratman, I. W. ;
Thomas Blackney, 0. W. The present officers are : J. Thomas Pryor, Jr., P. M. W. ; Orville
Strong, M. W. ; A. S. Bobbins, Foreman ; B. Thomas, Jr., Overseer ; F. W. Stratman, Rec. ;
John Ralph, Rdr. ; D. G. Jones, Financier ; John Mylroie, Guide ; William Mylroie, I. W. ;
A. S. Hearn, 0. W. Dr. Richard Cozens has been Medical Examiner since the organization.
Dodgeville Temple of Honor, No. 2W. — On the 14th of February, 1879, about fifty Templars
came from Mineral Point, and, after enjoying a dinner at Marks' Hotel, formed a torchlight
HISTOKY OP IOWA COUNTY. Ttjl
procession, which was led by the Mineral Point Band, and which presented a fine appearance.
After parading the principal streets, the Templars and those interested repaired to Eureka Hall,
where the above-named temple was instituted, with the following officers; J. Thomas Pry or,
W. C. T. ; W. A. Thompson, W. V. T. ; B. Thomas, Jr., R. ; William J. Pearce, U. R. ; J.
M. Dale, F. R. ; J. J. Herbert, Treasurer ; E. J. Perkins, U. ; W. J. Hocking, D. U. ; R.
Evans, W. G. ; James Hocking, S. ; A. S. Hearn, T. D. The charter was granted by the
Grand Temple of Wisconsin, February 21, 1879, there being twenty-five charter members.
Since the spring of 1880, the temple has met in Odd Fellows Hall. The present membership
is about sixty, officered as follows: Frank M. Dyer, W. C. T. ; Joseph Davie, W. V. T. ;
William J. Hocking, W. R. ; W. C. Matthews, W. A. R. ; William Quine, W. F. R. ; E. F.
Thomas, W. T. ; James Marr, Jr., W. U. ; W. R. Elliott, W. D. U. ; Frank Bartle, W. G.,
and Joseph Pearce, W. S.
Pride of the West Cold Water Temple, No. 7— Was instituted May 13, 1868. Charter
members: R. G. Owens, Miss Sarah Webster, Miss Lizzie Carkeek and Miss Emily Webster.
Under the foregoing name the temple did good work, until the Grand Lodge adopted new laws
which necessitated the granting of a new charter, December 5, 1875, by which the name was
changed to Juvenile Temple, No. 4, with the following officers : G. F. Davey, C. T. ; Miss
Mamie Davis, V. T. ; William Williams, R. S. ; Ellis Owens, F. S. ; Miss Annie Roberts, T. ;
J. H. Prideaux, P. C. T., and W. E. Owens, Supt. The present officers are : J. 0. Kelly, C. T. ;
Miss Delia Letcher, V. T. ; Miss Annie Thomas, R. H. S. ; Miss Deborah Mundy, L. H. S. ; Miss
Annie Glanville, R. S. ; Reuben Marks, A. S. ; David Owens,|F. S. ; Miss Allie Marr, T. ; Lin-
coln Prideaux, C. ; Edward Owens, M. ; Miss Sarah Corin, D. M.; Miss Laura Elam, 1. G. ;
Joseph Simmons, 0. G. ; G. F. Davey, Supt. ; Executive Committee — J. C. Kelly, William H.
Thomas, Lincoln Prideaux. There are one hundred and twenty members.
RELIGIOUS.
The Methodist Episcopal Church. — The earliest meetings of this society were held at Min-
eral Point and in the ''Peddler's Creek" (Linden) settlement at a very early da'e. As early as
1837, the Rev. — Simpson preached a sermon in the log house of William James, Esq., one
mile west of Dodgeville. John Hoskins, John Rogers, and a few others attended. Mr. Rogers
soon after removed to Linden, where the meetings were continued. The year 1840 witnessed
the regular organization of the Dodgeville M. E. Church, by the Rev. Thomas Whitford, of the
Mineral Point Circuit, with the following-named members : John Hoskins, William Webster
and wife, John Rogers and wife, Mrs. Edward Thomas, Thomas Webster and William Bennett.
The latter was the first Class-leader.
During the next two years, the meetings were held in the log houses of the settlers. The
old " Rock " church was built in 1842, under direction of the following Board of Trustees :
George Sims, John Rogers, William Thomas Webster, William and Joseph Vincent and John
Hoskins. John Rogers, the only living member, has been one of the board ever since that
year. The corner-stone was laid with suitable ceremonies, and to this day contains the
curious stones, metals, coins, etc., and the scroll on which the date, and also the names of the
Bishop and Trustees are recorded.
As the membership did not exceed fifteen families, the building of even that small, plain
structure was a matter of much difficulty ; the miners were very migratory, and as those inter-
ested moved away to seek better "diggings," their places were filled in many cases by those
who took not the slightest intereft in the matter. Still the church was built, and for a number
of years the Rev. Mr. Whitford preached here. At a later day, services were frequently held
by the Revs. John Lumbey and T. M. FuUerton, though neither lived here at the time.
On the 24th of July, 1860, the corner stone of the present church edifice was laid by the
Rev. H. C. Tilton, of Janesville. As in the building of the old church, delays were more
numerous and lengthy than pleasant, and not until September, 1861, was the church inclosed.
While on his way to Platteville, in August, 1861, Bishop Simpson stopped here one Sabbath,
762 HISTORY OP IOWA COUNTY.
and made the rough walls ring with one of those eloquent sermons for which he is so famous,
wliich was from the text : " While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things
which are not seen ; for the things that are seen are temporal, but the things that are not seen
are eternal." Bishop E. S. Janes, of revered memory, preached the dedication sermon, on
Wednesday morning, September 3, 1862. His text was, " In the beginning was the Word, and
the Word was with God and the Word was God." The corner-stone, which was laid with
appropriate ceremonies, contains papers, relics, etc. The contractors for the carpenter work
were Thayre & Anderson ; for the masonry, Cornelius & Elliott ; plastering, Paull & Carkeek :
painting, Hetherington & Dale. The inside work (pews, etc.) was executed by E. Hocking.
The basement was found to be too small for the use of the Sabbath school, and the society con-
sequently extended the length of the entire edifice twenty-one feet, a few years since. The
church is now 42x86 feet, only the basement part of the addition being now used. The society
now numbers two hundred and seventy souls. Rev. W. S. Wright, Pastor. Trustees — Joseph
Bennett, James Roberts, John Rogers, W. W. Williams, J. H. Penberthy, George Davey,
William Hooper, William Rogers and William Harris. The Sabbath school was organized in
1843, by William Vincent, who became the first Superintendent. John Jane was the next
Superintendent, followed by James Hockings. James Roberts superintended in 1862 and
1863. Joseph Bennett has since held the office, with the exception of the year 1872, when Mr.
Roberts officiated.
The Primitive Methodist — The one-story frame building erected in 1846, as a town hall,
was used as a schoolhouse and a place of non-sectarian worship, was also used by the True Wes-
leyan organization, which flourished here for a time under the ministry of the Revs. Robert De-
Lap and Thomas Orbison. This society dissolved in 1849, and many of the members united with
the Mineral Point Conference of the Primitive Methodist Church. In the fall of the same year,
the Dodgeville Primitive Methodist Church was formally organized in the town hall, which
became the property of the church by the payment of the $200 debt then outstanding against
it. The original Trustees were James Hendy, Samuel Hendy, Johnson Glanville, William M.
Rowe, Joseph Vincent, Henry Vincent, James Rowe, Edward Thomas and W. D. Rowe. In
those days, the church was in the Mineral Point Circuit, and the preachers were the Revs. John
Sharp, James Alderson and Charles Dawson. It is related that the former preached his first
sermon in Dodgeville from the top of a whisky barrel, during the summer of 1847. In 1865,
in addition was built on the west end of the hall, and eight years later, what was then called
the church, was built about twenty feet to the east of the old town hall building, with which it
was connected in 1878. During a severe wind storm in 1867, the tower of the church was
torn from its foundation and toppled into the street.
The fire of Monday morning, December 22, 1879, destroyed not only the church, but all its
contents. Then the situation of the society was most deplorable, as it was at least $150 in
debt and no church. Before the ashes were cold, a meeting was held in the town hall to
arrange for the reconstruction. The new church was begun soon after, and completed in
November, 1880, and on the 28th of the month the dedication services were celebrated.
The new church is a frame building, 88x66 feet in size, and 30 feet high at the eaves, with
a well-proportioned tower and steeple attached to the southeast corner. The basement, the floor
of which is on a level with the ground, is 12 feet high, and comprises, besides the main entrance
to the building, a Sunday school room 35x37 feet, and t\yo class-rooms, each 14x17 feet, con-
nected by folding doors, so that they can be thrown into one for prayer meetings, etc.
The main audience-room is 37x50 feet, and 18 feet high in the studding, with raised ceiling,
and has a permanent seating capacity to comfortably accommodate about three hundred and fifty
people. The walls and ceiling are beautifully frescoed, and the windows, which are of Gothic
pattern, are filled with embossed glass with stained borders. The seats are of pine finished in
oil, with walnut trimmings, and the pulpit desk, railings, etc., are of walnut and handsomely
desiged. The building cost about $6,500, of which amount $4,500 was paid in cash, leaving
a debt of $2,000. The present Pastor is Rev. J. W. Fox, and the Board of Trustees is as
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 763
follows : Johnson Glanville, James Perkins, Thomas Arthur, William Mylroie, J. C. Kelly,
Henry Prideaux, R. Penallach, William Sampson and William Davies. The Dodgeville Cen-
tral Sunday School was organized by Joseph Vincent and Samuel Hendy, respectively, the first
and second Superintendents. For two years thereafter, the school was managed by two Super-
intendents, having equal authority. Among these were Johnson Glanville, W. H. Hocking,
Henry Vincent and James Rogers. In 1870, while William Hendy and William Wigham were
serving, the school was re-organized as the Primitive Methodist Sabbath School, William Hendy
being elected Superintendent. He was succeeded by Johnson Glanville, the incumbent. About
two hundred and fifty teachers and scholars are enrolled.
The Welsh Congregational. — Of the different nationalities that have settled in Iowa County,
none have taken a more universal and earnest stand on the side of Christianity and morality
than the Welsh. In Dodgeville, this spirit was evinced at very early day, as we find that a
Sabbath school and prayer meeting was organized during 1841 by Thomas Williams, Henry
Williams and David Jenkins. The two former were Welshmen. Mr. Jenkins was a blacksmith,
and his shop was wont to ring with the blows of the hammer during the week, and with the
prayers and hymns of the devout on the Sabbath. In 1842-43, meetings were held in a log
building in Welsh Hollow, east of the village. On the 24th of December, 1845, the present
Welsh Congregational society was organized, the Rev. David D. Jones being the first Pastor.
He was succeeded by the Revs. William Parry, who served from 1848 to 1855 ; Evan Owens,
1855-68 ; John D. Davis, 1868-71 ; Benjamin Jones, 1871, and then Rev. Sem Phillips, the
present Pastor, who has been with his people since 1872. The first church, built in 1853,
stands near the Grove Schoolhouse, and is now used as a dwelling, the society having sold it and
devoted the proceeds to the rehabilitation of the Division Street Congregational Church, which
has been their property since 1876. The preeent Trustees are D. W. Reese, Robert N. Will-
iams, T. D. Griffith, Robert Williams, Williams B. Williams, Edward Parry and David D.
Jones. The Sabbath school is one of the branches of the work of this church, which has ever
received the utmost care and been most successfully managed.
The Welsh Qalvinistia Methodist Charoh — Was organized in the spring of 1848, the moving
spirits being Isaac Owens and wife, William Owens and wife, Griffith Jones and wife, James
Morris, William Jones, J. W. Jones and wife, William Jones and wife, Hugh Davis and wife,
Mrs. Watkin Watkins, Thomas Jones, Mrs. Hannah Williams and Evan Jones and wife. Of
these, Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Owens and Mrs. Watkins are now the only residents of Dodgeville.
In 1852, the following parties were elected Trustees : Hugh Davis, Isaac Owens, William Jones,
and William Owens. The present church was then built, to which an addition was subsequently
made. Among the best remembered Pastors may be mentioned the Revs. Griffith Roberts,
Griffith Jones, John Evans, John Davis (Pecatonica), Edward George, Thomas Davis, John
Davis and David Lewis. The latter was the first resident Pastor. Rev. William Charles is the
present Pastor, and the following-named are the Trustees : Hugh W. Jones, Isaac Owens and
William Hughes. The membership is now about fifty souls. The Sabbath school was organ-
ized in conjunction with the Baptists, and probably antedates ihe church. The earliest meet-
ings were held in the log cabins of the settlers, and the efforts of the pioneer Christians in estab-
lishing and maintaining the church met with many obstacles.
The Congregational Church. — Rev. S. A. Allen, of Cuba, N. Y., was the founder of this
■church, assisted by Paul Jeardoe and Lewis Wheeler, each of whom officiated as Elders. In
1847, and later, an old store building on what is now Division street was used as a meeting
house. The society was very weak in numbers at first, and was partially supported by the
Home Mission Society. The building of the Division Street Church was begun in 1848, but
such was the paucity and poverty of the membership that it was not completed until 1851. The
ladies of the society, largely outnumbering the men, determined to secure a bell for the new
<;hurch, and to that end formed a sewing circle, Mrs. Wheeler, Mrs. Dr. Cassells, Mrs. Col.
Stephens, Mrs. John Faragher, Mrs. Paul Jeardoe, Mrs. Stebbins, Mrs. Ranger and others
interesting themselves. The result was the purchase and use of the first church bell in Dodge-
"i"^* HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY.
ville in 1863. The Rev. Mr. Allen continued to officiate until 1856, then removed to Iowa,,
where he died. During 1857, while the Rev. Mr. Warner was the regular Pastor, the Rev.
Mr. Atwater, of Galena, 111., came here, and by his earnest work created a revival of interest
in the church. The society was, however, too small and too poor to support a regular Pastor,
the Rev. Mr. Williamson being the last in the year 1858. Occasional meetings were held
during the next few years, the society gradually disintegrating. The church is now in posses-
sion of the Welsh Congregationalists.
THE CEMETERIES.
The pleasant and healthful location, the pure water and air, nor yet the vitality inherited
by the people of Bodgeville can stay the sickle of death's reaper. As early as 1827-28, when
" Wiskonsan" was a wilderness, and when the present seat of this populous county was only
a mining camp, the reaper found it. James Journey, a white miner, and one of Gov. Dodge's
n€gro slaves, died and were buried somewhere within the inclosure now known as the old bury-
ing-ground. In 1828, there were a number of deaths and a corresponding number of inter-
ments here. Ground was ceded gratuitously for the purpose.
This was the state of affairs in October, 1850, when the Town Board passed the following
recommendation :
We, the members of the Board of Health of the town of Dodgeville, at a meeting held on the twenty-eighth
(■28th) inst., for the purpose of examining into the situation of the burying-ground in said town, find the ground
principally filled up ; and it is reported that there has been several graves dug into by digging other graves ; and it
Is further reported by a number of citizens of the place, that there is a very bad smell arising from the ground in
the evening, and we consider, for the benefit of the citizens of the place, it would be advisable to close up the ground
on or before the first of December next. * * * We further recommend to the Honorable Board, that they should
select a piece of ground convenient to the town for the purpose of a new burial-place as soon as it can conveniently
be done, so that the old one can be closed up before winter sets in, as there is a great number of persons who have
been buried there who died of cholera ; and if such graves should be interrupted, it might be the cause of a great
deal of sickness.
By order of the Board. William James, Chairman.
A true copy. Phillip Thom, iecretffr.!/.
Michael Bennett, Deputy Town Clerk.
In consequence of the adoption of the foregoing, the Town Clerk, T. M. FuUerton, called a
special town meeting at his office, November 2, 1850, at which meeting Dr. G. W. Burrall
moved that the Supervisors be authorized to buy a lot for a new burying-ground. This was so
modified as to read, " Said lot not to be less than five nor more than ten acres, nor to be
nearer the center of the village of Dodgeville than one-fourth of a mile," and agreed to, as was
a motion authorizing the board to draw an order on the Treasurer to meet the expenses of the
purchase. The board were also instructed as to the surveying, platting and sale of the lots.
The board, comprising Samuel Handy, Thomas Menkey and S. T. Ferrel, bought six acres of
Gov. Henry Dodge, for $60. The deed is dated July 10, 1851. At a meeting of the Town
Board, February 22, 1855, Rev. A. S. Allen was requested to draw up a code of by-laws, which
code was adopted by the people of the town in April, 1855. The original by-laws were lost.
The first name on the records as the purchaser of a lot — Lot 1, Block 1 — is that of J. T. Mes-
sersmith ; he failed to pay, and Isaac Whitney became the owner of the lot.
This home of the dead is pleasantly situated, and has been sufiBciently ornamented in vari-
ous ways to render it pleasing to the eye rather than cold and repellant, or apparently only a fit
abode for ghouls and spooks to inhabit.
GENERAL SUMMARY.
In gradually tracing the growth of Dodgeville from its incipiency through the various
marked stages of its career, since 1827, we have only attempted to dwell upon those points in
connection with its development which are of historical value in a general way, rather as per-
tains to the entire community than to a few individuals, although we have particularly alluded
to a few of the early characters and settlers who were the founders of the place, and sustain
thereby exceptionally marked relations to its history.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 765
There are many things connected with the history of the various individuals who have
sojourned here for a brief time that, if described, would be very interesting to friends, and, per-
chance, to the casual reader; but it is not within the province or scope of this work to dilate
upon other incidents that those of permanent value to the public ; and not only that, but many
things, exceedingly simple in themselves, through the medium of tradition, are made to wear
"coats of many colors," or, chamelion-like, are ever- varying in their hues, so that he who would
avoid error must needs eschew them entirely. Viewing the village from the present standpoint,
in connection with its past fluctuating fortunes, and the various retarding influences that have
been arrayed against it, an observing and reflective person must naturally be deeply impressed
with the stanch and enterprising character of a majority of the business men who have figured
here within the last thirty years. The changes that have been wrought are very marked, while
the various natural resources have been, until within the last fifteen or twenty years, exceedingly
meager. Nothing but the sturdy Anglo-Saxon spirit could or would have achieved so much
against such odds, and not one community in fifty of even that sturdy race would have done so
much.
Twenty years ago, nearly all of the lots north of Division street, toward the court house,
were lying unoccupied, there not being more than five or six buildings, all told, and they were
very small affairs, as evidenced by those that are left; and as for business, nearly all that was
being transacted was in "Dirty Hollow," or south of Division street, in the vicinity of the old fort,
and where the first merchants who came here held forth. Of those who were operating here
then or before, but few remain to carry the impress of that past into the business of to-day.
The oldest of these firms are Messrs. Thomas & Hoskins, J. E. Bartle, Charles Rogers.
It is only about twenty-three years since the principal men of the little community banded
together, and by their constant and united efibrts against a most discouraging opposition and an
absolute possession, which is but justly regarded as nine points in a case, discounted the efforts
of their opponents and secured the county seat, and erected a court house that is a credit to the
county. Whatever may be generally said of that struggle, known as the county seat war (fully
described elsewhere), and one thing is very apparent throughout, that the moving spirits of
Dodgeville achieved a triumph as creditable to their enterprise as it is advantageous to the north
part of the county. As a partial result of that change, Dodgeville has since picked up very
rapidly, and, withal, in a thoroughly substantial manner; for her business men in commercial
circles far and wide throughout the East are recognized as being solid, a term which implies
first-class beyond peradventure.
The moral, intellectual and social status of the place is far above the average. The people,
while being conservative in many respects, the result of self-reliance, are, nevertheless, generous
and warm-hearted to an extent seldom seen elsewhere. The young and old alike take an evi-
dent delight in contributing to the pleasure and happiness of strangers as well as to personal
friends. Strangers will find a majority of the people kind, civil and obliging, as those who have
been called upon to sojourn there for a time can testify ; and what greater evidence of the true
spirit of civilization can be adduced than this ? 'Tis the warmth of human kindness that reveals
the heart's true emotions and aspirations.
The churches here are sufficiently numerous and represent enough of different creeds to
accommodate a much larger population, while the schools are undoubtedly of the very highest
order, although the buildings used are rather indifferent with reference to suitableness. How-
ever, this difficulty will soon be obviated, as the united districts have already entered upon the
erection of a school building of such proportions as will furnish ample accommodations of a very
superior character for the pupils of the town. It is anticipated that from $20,000 to $30,000
will be expended in this way, as, now that the work is begun, it is the expressed determination
of the people to erect a. building that will meet all demands and be considerably in advance of
anything heretofore erected in the county.
Of the amount of business transacted here annually, it is scarcely necessary to make men-
tion, as it is generally understood that immense quantities of goods are sold, even outrivaling
766 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
cotemporary towns possessing better general facilities for trade than are enjoyed here. One
of the special industries of the place, which surpasses anything of the kind in this part of the
State, is the culture of grapes and manufacture of wine by the Elwood brothers. Something
like fifteen acres are devoted to the business, and thousands of tons of luscious grapes are raised
annually, being sold or converted into the best of wine, thereby furnishing a large amount of
work annually to difierent parties, both to men and women, and also securing a handsome reve-
nue. The general business pursued here, and men engaged in the same, will be seen by con-
sulting the directory. In conclusion, it may be said that, if in the future the youth of to-day
develop the business qualities of the men now on the stage of action, Dodgeville will never lack
for prosperity, and will wield an influence strong and beneficial to the entire county.
PROFESSIONAL MEN.
Physicians. — As will be remembered, it is noted that the first disciples of Esculapius who
came here had not enough to do to procure bread, the people being too few and perversely
healthy to allow or require the use of medicines. However, in later years, with the increase of
population and the injurious habits indulged in by the masses, there has been more than enough
of sickness, and, consequently, a demaand for doctors. The following are the names of all
those who can be obtained who have operated here : Drs. Justine, Frost, Phillips, Sibley,
Bishop, Williams, Burrall, Buch, Jenkins, Garney, Cutler, Williams, Perkins, Esterly, Gosens,
Edwards and Pierce. Dr. Burrall was located here the greatest length of time, having been in
active practice for about thirty-two years. After him. Dr. Cutler has been here the longest, and
is now active in the field.
Lawyers. — The first expounder of Solon and Blackstone to locate here permanently is
said to have been Charles Bishop, who came at a very early day. After him came N. B. Boy-
den, L. H. D. Crane, L. W. Reese, L. P. Rober, George Blessing, A. S. Sly, P. D. Wiggin-
ton, Orville Strong, M. J. Briggs, 0. C. Smith, J. J. Hoskins, J. T. Jones and Archie McAr-
thur. Mr. Reese has longest represented the bar at this place, having been here since 1852.
The lawyers who have been engaged here have usually proved to be men of superior attainments
and abilities, and have contributed in large part to the success of the village in the various pub-
lic enterprises in which the people have been engaged.
DIEECTOKY.
Newspaper. — Dodgeville Chronicle (A. S. Hearn.)
Attorneys. — Resse & Carter, J. J. Hoskins, 0. C. Smith, Briggs & Jenks, Archibald Mc-
Arthur.
Physicians. — H. C. Cutler, G. W. Burall, William Edwards, R. Cogens, Mrs. R. Cosens.
Dentistry.— J). W. Clark, F. C. Elliot.
Insurance. — A. L. Robbins.
Banks. — S. W. Reese, Orville Strong & Co.
Greneral Stores. — Jones & Owens, H. & J. Rowe, W. H. Rogers, Charles Bishop, J. H.
Penberthy & Bro., B. Thomas & Co., Prideaux & Hooper, Bilkey, Kennedy & Co., John A.
Hahn, J. C. Hocking.
Grocers. — J. V. Rogers, J. C. Tre^ona, John Corin, John R. Davies.
Books and Notions. — Thomas Rogeirs.
Drugs, etc. — James Roberts, W. A. Bishop.
Jewelry. — J. J. Herbert, J. H. Cartwright.
Hardware. — Thomas Perkins, James Perkins, J. H. Penberthy & Bro.
Boots and Shoes. — Daniel McMullen.
Harness. — R. W. Evans, E. H. Scholfield, Thomas Bosanko.
Hotels. — Commercial, Marks', Dodgeville, Western Wisconsin, Howells'.
Dressmaking. — Jennie A. Owens, Sarah Sincox, Mrs. Elizabeth Davies, Mrs. Mattie Sims,
Miss Precilla Williams.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
767
Milliners. — Jennie A. Owens, Mrs. E. Northy, Nicholas Arthur, Mrs. R. Robinson.
Photography. — E. H. McElhose.
Flour and Feed. — John Corin.
Shoemakers. — D. McMullen, John H. Lewis, Thomas Lee.
Painting. — 0. S. Ralph, B. J. Davey, W. J. Davey.
Tailors. — Souden & Jones.
Butchers. — John Tregilgua, James Cahill, Kessler & Cimanski, Charles Bilky, George
Michael, Pratt & Scourick.
Cigar Factory. — August Muhlhauser.
Coopers. — R. A Draper.
Blacksmiths. — F. W. Strattman & Co., Kelly, Prideaux k Co., James Hoskings & Son,
William Harris, Peter Spang, William Johns & Bro., Francis Hocking.
Barbers. — Charles A. Hahn, John A. Hahn, R. H. Arthur.
Bakeries. — Mrs. Jane H. Jones.
Furniture. — B. T. Davey, John E. Bartle, James Marr.
Ore Buyers. — Bennett, Hoskins & Co., Mundy, Pearce & Co.
Lime. — Davies Bros.
Livery. — A. B. Robinson, Pengelley Bros., William N. Bishop, George Michael.
Smelt Furnace. — Bennett, Hoskins & Co., Mundy, Pearce & Co.
Saloons. — Oscar Carlson, John Rudersdorf, John Trentzch, Michael Olson, John Evans,
Adam Eulburg, H. H. Walters, Richard Rogers, Joseph Hocking.
CHAPTER XYII.
TOWNS AND VILLAGES.
Town of Mineral Point— Town of Dod&eville— Town of Arena— Old Arena— New Arena —
Helena Station— Town of Clyde— Town of Eden— Eden Village— Town of Highland
Cbntrbville— Village of Highland.
town of mineral point,
one of the southern tier of towns, is bounded on the north by Dodgeville Town ; on the east
by Walwick ; on the south by La Fayette County, and on the west by town of Linden. It
is irregularly surveyed, and laid out in sixty-two 'sections, and contains a total of 39,680
acres, 8,220 of which are prairie. The town is well watered by the Pecatonica River, which
enters at the northwest corner, and, coursing south along the west town line, crosses into La
Fayette County, through Section 14 ; by the Mineral Point Branch, Rock Creek, Spensley's
Branch and other tributaries. The country, which in early days is represented to have been
almost mountainous, has been toned down, as it were, by the advance of civilization. In times
when the pioneer first made his advent into the present town, jagged peaks and high ridges
greeted his admiring gaze. Their bases were covered with forest trees and low underbrush,
aifording retreats for wild animals still infesting the country, while their tops, usually bare of
vegetation, were crowned with rocks, presenting to some unmistakable evidence that this section
was once the scene of some convulsion of nature, to which was probably due the existence of
rich mines of ore and other minerals which abounded in apparently inexhaustible quantities.
Prior to the settlement of the lead mines, miners were persuaded to explore and occupy the
mineral lands, and were ready at all times to repel invasion or retreat from attack. When
peace was concluded at the Portage between the whites and Winnebagoes, however, a number
of the more daring and enterprising of these soldiers of fortune, prompted by the desire to par-
ticipate in rich "finds" alleged as existing throughout the lead region, began prospecting and
doubtless included the present town of Mineral Point in their canvass. But they have left no
guide-board on the highway of time by which their names, their heroism and their success could
be perpetuated, hence they must be passed over with brief reference. The early settlement of
the town was made at the point now known as Mineral Point City, which has been elaborately
treated in another portion of this work. They came hither eloquent with hope and happiness.
Few of them remain, but many a time, doubtless, has the spirit form of the pioneer risen be-
fore the eyes of bustling generations in all the beauty of that far-ofi" land they see so dimly, but
will, if hopes and prayers are ans.wered, be revealed unto them when that thing called life is
merged into immortality. In this connection the reader will pardon what may seem vain repe-
tition in the statement that the first permanent settlement in the town, it is said, was made by
John Hood. In the spring of 1828, that enterprising explorer left his Missouri home, accom-
panied by his wife and child, and ventured into the almost undiscovered territory of the present
Iowa County, to make a new beginning, build a new home in the wilderness and lay the founda-
tion for a future, against which sorrow and bitterness should not prevail. His first habitation
was a cabin made of poles, in which with his family he resided until more luxurious accommo-
dations could be prepared. While thus occupied, on an afternoon in May, the most delightful
of seasons, when nature and humanity seem to grow mellow in the sunlight, Mr. Hood was
interrupted in his work by the arrival of Nathaniel Morris, who came into the country and
handed his name down to posterity as the builder of the first log cabin and discoverer of the first
vein of ore in the present town. There were many others who came into the town about
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 769
this date, but settled in the village, and are mentioned in the chapter devoted to that subject.
At this time no attention was paid to agriculture, and settlements were eonfined to the localities
where mining was carried on. The population, made up largely of the foreign element, and,
by the way the most peaceable, was also made up of individuals from nearly every State in the
Union. Some had come hither to escape the penalties imposed for some violation of the laws
at home, others came in search of adventure, while a majority was attracted by the facility with
which wealth was acquired, the excitement or enchantment surrounding all new discoveries, and
a desire to escape from the restraints of civilized society. In all portions of the town where
mines had been opened, the appearances of civilization were illusive if not deceitful. The men
preponderated, of course, and lived in hastily constructed cabins, half under ground, to be aban-
doned when a more promising location was found. The rapidity with which these running set-
tlements sprang up was duplicated in California twenty years later. Here they lived and
toiled and triumphed, without taking thought for the morrow or the hereafter, the mystery of
which has been solved by so many of them since. What cared they for the future, or the
flowers that are said to bloom in the fields called the sweet fields of Eden ? Whether stirrup,
songs and stirrup-cups would be found in the summer lands beyond the Jordan, or whether
harps would be put in the hands that had carried cups to lips oftener than plaints to priests or
prayers to virgins ? Did any inquire, or care, whether there was aught that would avail to do
away the curse, or pay to the uttermost farthing the debt called Nemesis ? Who can tell ?
The year 1828 rolled away into the past, leaving the impress of but very few events wor-
thy of reference beyond the fact that emigration tended hitherward without interruption, and
before the " melancholy days " had come, the future city, though populous with life and anima-
tion, bore no resemblance to the immediate vicinity in that respect. In 1829, in addition to those
who made the mining settlements their abiding-places, there were a limited number who took up
lands and made the primary attempts at farming undertaken in the town. It might be here ob-
served that the first hotel opened in the county was established in March of this year at the
present city. It stood on the corner now occupied by Ivey's meat market and James' harness-
shop; Col. Daniel M. Parkinson was the boniface, and, by his efforts and enterprise, contributed
largely to the building-up of both Iowa and La Fayette Counties. Among those who are re-
ported to have come into the town in 1829 was Gen. Henry Dodge, who settled on Section 15
and made the first attempts at farming undertaken in the town ; he also became a smelter
there, building the third furnace erected in the county. This year also came Garrett D. Pharris,
who established himself on Section 9. A Mr. Miller settled east of the village, on the place
now occupied by James Aid. Mr. Miller erected the first mill in the county and did a thriv-
ing business until facilities and improvements in that behalf were increased with succeeding
years. John F. O'Neil came in and occupied land two miles south of the village. Capt. John
B. Terry located at Diamond Grove, where he subsequently built a furnace and engaged exten-
sively in mining and smelting. During this year, large accessions were made to the population
of the mining settlements, but few of those who came ventured beyond the charm wrought by
mines, leads, levels, drifts and minerals. As a result, while the town, before Winter and his
aged locks appeared, contained fully three thousand inhabitants, nearly all of these being res-
idents of Mineral Point Village and the territory immediately contiguous. Indeed, as one of
those who came about that time remarked to the writer, it was impossible to state who came into
the town that year. There were settlements of insignificant numbers and importance compared
with Mineral Point at Dodge's Grove, in the northeast corner of the town ; on the Miller place
«ast of the present city, and Paschal Bequette may have begun the building-up of a colony in
the northwest corner of the town ; but beyond these there were no settlements save those at the
mines. Excepting an occasional miner's cabin, there is reported to have been no settlement be-
tween La Fayette County and the city, except Graysville, adjoining the present city, established,
it is believed, in 1828 or 1829, by R. W. Gray.
The year 1829 had been one of unexampled prosperity, relates a gentleman who participated
in these benefits, but the following year was experienced hardships of the most exacting charac-
770 HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY.
ter. Business declined. Lead and mineral diminished in value from a remunerative price to
almost nothing. Flour was held at very exorbitant rates, as also was pork, coffee, sugar, and
all the necessaries of life. These ruinous prices required desperate efforts on the part of all to
sustain themselves. In consequence of this monetary stringency, many persons became discour-
aged and left the country; many gave up business. In brief, the country at that period, and
continuing up to the close of the Black Hawk war, presented a gloomy and unpromising ap-
pearance that was anything but flattering to inhabitants or strangers.
In 1832, as all are familiar with, the Black Hawk war commenced and was concluded
through the efforts of pioneers from the wildernesses of the Northwest, in which representatives
from town of Mineral bore an active, onerous and valiant part. Some fell beneath the burthens
assumed, but they live in the memory of grateful generations, and their names and prowess adorn
the brightest pages of the history of those times. As has already been stated. Fort Jackson was
erected within the present city limits. But there were two other forts built in the town — Fort
Union at Dodge's Grove, and a stockade at Diamond Grove. Gen. Dodge, John Hood, John
F. O'Neil (who served as Captain), Paschal Bequette, Dr. Allen Hill, John McNair and many
others went from the town and city, and enjoyed the dignities and emoluments appertaining to
" grim-visaged war" with the savages. The war closed without material damage being inflicted
upon the town or any part thereof, though the inhabitants were subjected to frequent alarms,
that, in the light of subsequent revelations, occasioned no inconsiderable mirth. During the con-
tinuance of hostilities, word was carried to the town settlers by Oapt. Estes that a force of In-
dians was making its way toward their homes eager fore gore, and threatening to massacre every
white man, woman or child they could overtake. A force was sent out from Fort Defiance and
ascertained that this report was a false alarm. Upon this information being communicated to the
anxious, expectant victims, apprehension yielded place to confidence in their security, and cheer-
fulness usurped the place of gloom. After the war, immigration became more numerous, and was
made up chiefly of miners, who settled in the lead regions. Among those who came about
this time was a colony of hale, hearty, strong muscled and stronger hearted Cornish pick and
gad artists, composed in part of John Curthew, William Kendel, William Bennett, Stephen Hos-
kins, Mark Terrell, Stephen Terrell and some others, who landed at the village of Mineral Point,
whence they radiated to various parts of the town and county, and have since been identified
with the growth and development of the sections at which they established their several homes.
In these parts they wrought and sufiered amid the conditions of earth for years, during which
period many of them laid up treasures on earth, and many of them passed on, leaving no shin-
ing train whereby we can conjecture whither. As already stated, agriculture, up to and includ-
ing this period, and for some years subsequent, was rarely attempted. The cultivation of the
soil yielded precedence to the search for wealth beneath its surface ; mining Avas the chief occu-
pation carried on; and nothing that would even remotely interfere with labors in that direction
was thought worthy of consideration. The cause of education and religion remained compara-
tively uncultivated, though schools had been opened, and ''Uncle Billy Roberts " sought to point
the way to salvation. From this time to 1835, the country was thickly inhabited by miners
and the miscellaneous order of people attracted by the inducements held out for wealth by the
mines. In the latter year, the land office was opened at Mineral Point, and, in 1836, Territorial
government was established. In 1835, the land sales brought large numbers to the town, and
many purchases of property within its present limits were made. Dr. John Loofborough settled
on Rock Branch, three miles from the city in a southeasterly direction ; Washington Oni, east
of Mineral Point, on Section 2. and a few others, probably, at points of vantage, who have left
no record of their comings and goings to guide one in the search for facts bearing thereon.
The year 1836 is remembered as a season of land speculation, which has never been equaled
since. Capitalists and agents came hither from all parts of the East, and lands were purchased
indiscriminately wherever they could be obtained. A man named Bronson, from New York,
Col. Boyington, from Florida, a Mr. Halsted, from New Jersey, and the thousand and one others,
with money in their respective purses and speculation in their individual eyes, made up the com-
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 771
plement of visitors who flock to newly discovered and reputedly wealthy regions in the hope of
amassing fortunes without the exchanges of labor and diligence.
From 1835 to 1840, the emigration was gradual, those who came following the practice
of those who had already arrived, and settling near the mining villages. In September, 1838,
the population of Mineral Point Precinct was quite large, as appears from the polling-list made
up at that date, which included the names of the following voters : Esau Johnson, A. W.
Comfort, Henry Johnson, Richard Martin, John Van Matre, Pierce Compton, Joseph Green,
Samuel Parks, Albert S. Crocker, William Devine, Robert C. Hoard, Peter Hartman, Antoine
Barlow, Augustus C. Dodge, Emory Humphrey, D. G. Fenton, John King, Sylvanus Hast-
ings, Curtis Beech, William Strong, Oliver Reynolds, Samuel H. Hinman, H. L. Dodge,
Lyman Smith, William Brown, A. Mitts, John Kennedy, Michael Clink, Humphrey Beckett,
John B. Terry, Oran Paddock, John Foss, James Bradshaw, John F. O'Neil. 0. G. Ridgely,
James Morrison, Silas F. Brown, Andrew Pierce, Jonathan Meeker, Harrison Lloyd, William
G. Soeads, William Gilmartin, William McCutchins, Jacob Van Orman, Burke Fairchild, Alexis
Van Orman, Henry Messersmith, Henry J. Handy, Hugh McKnight, 0. P. Williams, E.
Pierrepont, S. B. Trasher, William H. Rossiter, Robert Dougherty, Samuel Warren, Josiah
P. Plummer, W. W. Adkins, A. N. Mills, George Messersmith, Alexander Mills, James Phipp,
James Potwell, William H. Banks, John Walcott, David M. Jones, G. McKinney, John Mc-
Dowell, Jabez Wilson, James McDonald, Jonathan Cole, William Sublett, John Bracken,
Robert Wilson, Joseph Caldwell, Edward James, John Enix, F. J. Dunn, Nathaniel Hatch,
David Tryon, James Scantling, Thomas Webster, Sylvester B. Palmer, Nelson Lathrop, Francis
Vivian, Orsemus Jewell, John McNair, Edward Whitmore, Manoah Griffin, Nicholas Curry,
William Sampson, William Brown 2d, Zenas Chander, John Phillips, Andrew Pierce 2d, An-
drew Hodget, Joseph Shaw, William Campbell, Joshua McLain, Jefferson Stuzman, Washing-
ton Evans, William Nible, Philip D Round. "William B. Carnes, James F. Carnes, David M.
McConnell, Samuel W. Davis, Robert P. Wilson, John Gilbert, Milton P. Persons, J. T. La-
throp, John Rowland, John Likens, William W. Kane, Jason Lothrop, George Cubbage, Albert
Jemison, Sylvester Race, Henry Richardson, Obediah Rittenhouse, James Purcell, Charles F.
Legate, Edward McSherry, George Beattey, Richard McKim, John Avery, John A. Brinager,
Alexander Blair, William Taylor, John Ritch, Richard Saword. G. D. Farris, Jeremiah McKay,
John Jones, Alfred Soword, Nathaniel Parkinson, Henry Blaney, John Lufborough, John
Wansley, Patrick McGuigan, T. Wright, Nelson Moore, Zenas Harrington, Joseph R. James,
George Hardy, Thomas Conner, Frederick Hardy, George W. Heacock, Lewis Wilson, Samuel
R. Campbell, Humphrey Taylor, William Mason, Luther A. Cole, Martin V. Burns, Andrew
M. F. Scott, Thomas B. Shanner, Samuel Crocker, John James, Parley Eaton, Colley Frost,
James Woossey, Washington Richardson, Alfred Browning, Samuel Anderson, Edward Tyre,
John Russell, John B. Jenkins, Washington Olney, Thomas Turner, D. J. Dilley, Thomas
Holmes, John Etheridge, John Milton, John Hood, Joseph McMartry, John R. Crawford, Lan-
son Culver, Peter Parkinson, Sr., Thomas McKnight, James Robb, William Prideaux, Reuben
Bishop, Andrew Baird, Jacob George, Benjamin White, John Smith, Jacob S. Rowe, Andrew
Leonard, William Donnard, D. W. Dickson, Joseph Frigarkis, Anthony G. Street, Mathew G.
Fitch, Ephraim Hemming, C. Scott, Henry Crow, Joseph Jones, William Turner, Henry Polk-
ingborn, Ralph Goldsworthy, Robert W. Gray, Abner Nichols, William Henry, Levi Harness,
William Hobson, Joseph Penwell, Thomas Jenkins, Israel Moor, Francis Shaw, Abijah Dewitt,
John Logue, S. B. Vinton, Peter DeCourcey, Cromwell Lloyd, Edward Cook, William Tregay,
Peter Beer, Samuel Torquvan, Charles Seaton, William Staunton, Charles F. Griswell, Adam
Plank, Ambrose Comstock and Bennett Haney, nearly all of whom resided in the city and
town of Mineral Point.
The panic of 1837 seemed to have spent its force before this section of the West had been
reached, and, from all accounts, the town was but remotely affected by its visitation. The en-
suing ten years were replete with accidents, incidents, failures and successes in the town, but
confined, as a rule, to the vicinity of what is now the city of Mineral Point, and are detailed at
772 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
length under that head. Then, if chroniclers are correct in their reminiscences, the place was
a humble, unpretentious village, as compared with what it has since become, the log huts and
shanties of residents being ranged along the ravines, but their inhabitants a race of energetic,
pushing men, whose actions and appearance imparted an air of prosperity and happiness to the
place, which was fully confirmed upon acquaintance. Indeed, the claim was advanced that the
township anticipated its neighbors in the number and character of improvements made within
its limits, and, in January, 1849, when the county was divided into towns, the arrivals of
" prairie schooners " into the town of Mineral Point, laden with settlers and supplies, were as
numerous and welcome as vessels at the largest seaports. Farms had by this time been opened.
They were limited in number, 'tis true, but carefully cultivated and attended to. Leads had
been " struck " at the surface diggings in Graysville and elsewhere in the town, and a total of
five lead furnaces were in successful operation at accessible points within its limits. Mills had
also been distributed in convenient localities, and were generously supported by the growing
population, and interests in nearly every department of life were consulted and conserved.
Schools had '• taken hold " upon the communities, and the growing generations were afforded
adequate means for obtaining an elementary and practical education. Churches, too, were pat-
ronized and sustained where once they were disregarded, and the teachings of the divine Naza-
rene were discoursed upon and elaborated where, but a few years previous, they had scarcely
been thought of Such, briefly, was the condition of affairs in the town twenty years after its
settlement had been commenced. Thriving merchants, with their ledger-like look, had suc-
ceeded to the traders of years before. " Very wise men," with sculptured courtesy in every
feature, had familiarized themselves with the political preferences of residents, and were on hand
to avail themselves. Educators and moralists were being substituted for the presence of men
whose restless eyes, overdress and abundance of jewelry indicated their acquaintance with
"short cards," and the advantages to be derived from " four aces." In a word, a higher plane
had been reached, and consequent felicity attained. During the progress of the Mexican war,
which was at this time (1849) prevailing, Gen. Charles Bracken and John Clowney endeavored
to inspire more than a passing patriotism and raise a company of troops for active service. But
they failed to arouse enthusiasm or excite ambition for achievements on the field of battle,
though there were quite a number, it is claimed, however, who visited the historic coast of Mex-
ico from the town of Mineral Point, and, landing 'neath the shadow of " Orizaba of the clouds,"
which pierces the blue vault of heaven 16,000 feet from the level of the sea, participated in the
struggles for the possession, and finally gained an occupation, of the halls of the Montezumas.
But not nearly so many, it would be safe to say, wandered off into that wondrous land of ro-
mance, where delicious visions of tropic magnificence, which pass over humanity in the dim
consciousness of dreams, are realized, as struggled through storm and sunshine, through light
and darkness, to search for gold by the side of that tide which rolls onward through the Golden
Gate to the Pacific, and found — a grave. Nor yet so many as those upon whom, during that
same summer, life's door-way was closed at the beck of the Asiatic cholera, and who were taken
into a new life, where the sunshine would ever be undimmed by remembered cares and disap-
pointments. Not less than 250 traveled to California from this town during the excitement con-
sequent upon the discovery of gold in that land of promise. A limited number returned ; a
still more limited number succeeded ; and a precious few — how precious no tongue can tell —
who went forth exuberant with hopes and joys, were laid to sleep on the banks of the Chagres,
to be waked no more.
In 1855, it is stated that the lands within the town were generally owned and occupied.
Mining had, in a great measure, become the work of corporations, and very many of the features
of life of an early day lived only in memory. Farming was becoming an art, the excellence in
which was annually demonstrated in the increased productions of the soil. A railroad had been
commenced, and was pushing its way through the town unimpeded, and nature and art seemed
to combine for a fruition of the most perfect civilization. During the war against secession,
the town provided men and means for its maintenance and support, and lent its best endeavors
HISTOKY OF IOWA COUNTY. 773
to the attainment of an honorable conclusion. Since those troublous times, the history of the
town has been as the life of an individual. Sorrow and joy have mingled with the experiences
•of its inhabitants ; death has left its damps upon the brow of him who rejoiced in the flush of
health and strength when the country was new, has touched the lines of beauty with its bony
finger, and an end has come to all perfection and wandering at will among the survivors of a
former age, as also among their descendants, has devoted to vacancy what once was filled with
■eloquent rejoicings. But improvements and advancements have kept pace with the times in
which men have lived. Villages and hamlets dot the landscape of this prosperous town.
Schools are to be found at every cross-road ; churches raise their steeples and domes to heaven ;
fields of waving grain are to be seen, and the voice of the reapers to be heard, as they were
when nature, aided by man, in Mineral Point Town was educated and cared for until it became
the patron in place of the dependent. And so it always will be. Man will die, but nature will
keep on. The seasons come back at their appointed time ; day returns with its golden splendor
and night with its eloquent mystery, all speaking to man of the glory, the beauty and omnipo-
tence of God, not more than of His goodness to the children of men in this favored land.
TOWN 01' DODGEVILLB.
This town, located in the center' of the county and its metropolis, the village of Dodge-
ville being the county seat, is regarded as one of the leading towns in the county. It is bounded
■on the north by Clyde and Wyoming, on the east by Ridgeway, on the south by Waldwick and
Mineral Point ; on the west by Eden and Highland. It is irregularly set apart, and contains
ninety-four sections of Ranges 2, 3 and 4, and Towns 5 and 6. The surface of the town is
quite diversified, being divided into high, rolling prairie, level lowlands, sharp, rocky bluffs, and
Jong ridges and ravines. Along the numerous streams which course the town are narrow valleys
of fertile land, smiling among the somber hills upon which they fatten by the aid of nature's
perpetual washings. On the tops of the ridges the land is less fertile than in the valleys, but
becomes more productive as it approaches the prairie. Some of them are several miles in width,
and furnish excellent opportunities for the husbandman. South of the dividing ridge is a belt
of rolling prairie reaching entirely across the town from east to west, and including forty
sections, comprising a very productive agricultural district. This prairie abounds in groves
of small timber and springs, and owing to its extreme rolling formation, is very pictur-
esque and desirable. All the ridges and untillable land in the town are covered with timber,
so that fuel is abundant and cheap, and easy of access to all. The soil is a rich loam, favored
everywhere with a clay subsoil, giving security against waste of fertilization.
The town is well watered by numerous springs rising in the prairie, from which several
streams are formed, all of which flow northward to the Wisconsin River. These streams vary
in size from the rivulet to the large creek, and- furnish abundant water-power, much of
which has been utilized. The soil is very productive, well wooded and watered ; and, consider-
ing all things, the town of Dodgeville offers great inducements to the agriculturist, whether he
may prefer grain-growing, stock-raising or dairying as his employment.
But a brief period has elapsed since Wisconsin was peopled by a new and daring race ; a
race who sought refuge from the restraints of civilized society, among savage beasts, and
among savage men, liable at any moment to meet death in its most appalling forms ; they yet
shrunk not from the burdens they had assumed until their efibrts were crowned by a glorious
and final triumph. And now from the old world and new, a vast tide of emigration swept in
upon the immense prairies and mining lands of the West, and the fertile fields of the South, the
enterprising and virtuous seeking to improve their condition, the vicious of all grades desiring
to escape from the terrors and trammels of the law. Between such opposing interests and pas-
sions, collisions were inevitable, and tearful have been some of the deeds that stain the history
of these localities.
In every new country there is an era of strife, turbulence and general combat ; a state of
nature which is always a state of war ; when sanguinary crimes provoke still more sanguinary
774 HISTORY or IOWA COUNTY.
punishments. It is peculiar t j no geographical section, but applies with more force to the West and
Southwest in the mining regions than elsewhere. Petty villains and criminals have here sought
a comparatively secure retreat ; but, happily, in all instances, the phenomenon is of brief dura-
tion ; the evil soon runs its course, and the beautiful spirit of order and progress emerges from
the chaos of confusion and blood. While, therefore, we can never sufficiently admire our noble-
ancestors, who were always ready to sacrifice all for their country's good, we yet dwell with an
intense and living interest upon the bold and daring men of a later day who have made " the
wilderness to blossom as .the rose."
The history of Dodgeville is interesting not only on account of its local importance, but m
its relations to the early settlement of the State ; for here was a numerous population before
many of the thriving villages and cities of the Badger State were even projected in the mind of
man. When this locality was first visited by the whites, it was apparently a derelict region. In
the middle of the eighteenth century, however, the Sacs and Foxes had taken possession of it,
but they in time gave way to the Winnebagoes, who occupied this territory when pioneer settlers
began to invade this region, and it was recognized by the Government as their land in subsequent
treaties. By a treaty concluded at Prairie du Chien August 1, 1829, the Winnebagoes ceded to
the General Government a tract of land south of the Wisconsin River, which included the
present county of Iowa, and opened the way to permanent settlements. Prior to this time, a few
of the more adventurous pioneers had located in the town of Dodgeville, attracted hither by the
exaggerated reports of rich finds among the incipient lead diggings.
The early settlement of the town was made at the site of the present village of Dodgeville,
which has been elaborately treated in another portion of this work. The rich deposits of min-
eral in the vicinity was the loadstone which proved the attraction and incentive to .the hardy
pioneers to take up their abode in regions remote from civilization, and there to pave the way
for future prosperity. For many years mining was the only pursuit, as in those early days it
was erroneously supposed that land abounding in such lead deposits would be of no avail for
agricultural purposes. Prior to the Black Hawk war there were but few farms.
The first farm in the town was started in the summer of 1828. The enterprising husband-
man was James Jenkins. He broke about ten acres on Sections 16 and 21, the plows used
being the old fashioned bar and shield, which followed the four wheels of a wagon. Mr. Jen-
kins put in a crop of corn and potatoes the first year, and, in 1829, he raised the first wheat in
the town. Early in the year 1831, he erected an 18x20-foot log cabin, and during the summer
he was joined in the then far-away wilderness by his wife and family from Alabama. He con-
tinued to increase his farm year by year, which, with his fostering care, developed into a valua-
ble piece of property, and for many years was the leading farm in the town. Mr. Jenkins was
a native of North Carolina, and was about seventy years of age when he first came to Dodge-
ville. He is said to have been a man of great perseverance, and of a generally very mild dis-
position. He died in Dodgeville in 1848, and in the following year, as the summer sunshine
and the bright budding fiowers announced the advent of the month of May, he was joined by
his wife in that far-off land we see so dimly, where the troublous vicissitudes and hardships of
the pioneer are unknown.
The year 1828 is remembered as being one of general prosperity, but the following year
mineral declined in value, and provisions increased in price. Flour could be obtained only at
Galena, and $20 and $25 per barrel was the selling price; potatoes were $1 per bushel, and
pork $30 to $35 per barrel. This condition of affairs tended to check the tide of immigration,
and it was not until the first streaks of light kissed the eastern horizon, announcing the dawn of
the year 1830, that the town of Dodgeville renewed its former prosperity. This year was char-
acterized by the arrival into the present limits of the town of large numbers of " Suckers " from
Illinois and Missouri, nearly all of whom engaged in mining. Early in 1832, Armsted Floyd
opened a small farm of ten acres on Section 20, but, owing to the outbreak of the Black Hawk
war in May of that year, he raised no crop until 1883. Floyd came to Shullsburg, La Fayette
County in 1828, and to Iowa County in 1829. He first located a small garden patch on the
HISTORY or IOWA COUNTY. 775
Van Metre survey, and raised an acre of potatoes in 1829. In 1830, he removed to the town
of Linden and broke the farm now owned by Mr. Toay ; here he raised a crop of corn in 1830.
In 1831, he located a farm on Section 17, where was located the old Phelps Furnace ; and, in
1832, opened his farm in Section 20. He subsequently sold this place and engaged in mining
on the old Fortner Diggings. In the spring of 1840, he purchased an improvement made by
Washington Richardson in the northern part of the town, and since known as the Floyd settle-
ment. Here he died several years ago. Among the first to locate in this " settlement " were
W. C. Scott, who cultivated a small farm on Section 20, in 1835 ; Wiiliam Smead and G. W.
Richardson located on Section 20 in 1838 ; G. W. Standardt and Robfert Shields settled west
of Floyd in 1841. The first Scotch families to locate here were James Sillers, who came in
1844, George and William Duncan, Peter Smith, Joseph Turston, William Mcintosh, Robert
Kinnear and David Shand. •
In 1882, John Messersmith broke and cultivated a farm of forty acres with horses belong-
ing to the Government, which he was then keeping, in the eastern part of the town.
The breaking-out of the Indian war under Black Hawk's leadership suspended all operations,
and the scattering settlers enlisted in the defense of their families and their possessions. For
three long months the future of Dodgeville seemed hid behind clouds which bore no silvery
lining, and anxiously indeed did the pioneers await the golden dawning of a brighter day, when
the treaty of peace was declared and the information received that all might return to their
deserted claims. Inspired with the confident feeling of safety, the work of developing this now
valuable territory was resumed.
The Murder of F. S. Clopton. — In the early mining days, when the "lead mines " were
overrun with a desperate and devil-may-care class of adventurers, life was a source of much
anxiety to the more peaceable and well-behaved miners. Crime was rampant, as, owing to the
cumbersome nature of the laws, criminals could easily flee the country before the intricate machin-
ery of justice could be brought into action.
The proximity of claims and diggings were, in many instances, fraught with peril, as the
turbulent classes never hesitated for a moment to forsake a barren lead, and, by force of intimida-
tion, dispossess the claimants of more profitable land. In 1829, a case of this nature occurred,
resulting in the murder of a miner and the subsequent conviction of his assassin. Two brothers,
named James and Robert Duncan, were working a lead on the road running from Galena to Min-
eral Point, near the State line. Their labors did not prove prosperous, in strong contradistinction
with the efforts of a neighbor, F. S. Clopton, whose contiguous claim afforded a reasonable
return for the toil expended. He daily waxed more indignant at his own impoverishment, and
he began to covet the adjacent lead. This covetous spirit led to the exchange of angry words
and the creation of a bitter enmity between the rival miners. James Duncan called in the aid
of two fellow spirits, called Wells and Richardson, who agreed to provoke a quarrel. Their plan
of action was not divulged, nor was any one apprised of the brewing storm until the morning
of April 6, 1829. Then Wells and Richardson, accompanied by James Duncan and J. Scott,
appeared in the vicinity where Clopton and J. Van Matre were industriously plying the pick
and spade. Wells and Richardson were armed with rifles, and, approaching the laborers, entered
into conversation.
Van Matre inquired what was the unusual circumstance that caused them to be armed.
" To defend our property and our lives," was the lightning response, and suiting their
actions they both drew a bead and fired. At the first discharge. Van Matre exclaimed, " I am
shot ! " and on the second fire Clopton fell to the ground. Robert Larance and James Duncan
carried the wounded man into his humble cabin, and placed him on his rough bed of boughs and
straw. He expired in a few minutes, his last words, addressed to a cluster of sympathizing
miners, being, " I forgive Wells for killipg me ; he was instigated to it ; I blame James
Duncan and McKnight for my death." With these words of fortitude, his soul took its flight.
In the meantime, the murderers hastened home, and, mounting two trusty horses, fled toward the
river. Prior to their departure, they hastily concluded a sale of their cliim to Jaines Duncan,
776 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
for $200. Getting wind of their precipitous flight, J. B. Bstes followed in pursuit, but did not
succeed in capturing the desperadoes.
James Duncan was arraigned before John Marsh, Justice of Peace of Crawford County,
charged with being an accessory to the murder. He was indicted for the crime, and, on furnish-
ing bonds of $2,000 to appear at the ensuing term of the District Court, at Prairie du Chien,
he was admitted to bail. His subsequent career is unknown.
Prominent among the number who engaged in farming in 1834 was William James, who
arrived in the precinct iij the spring, and settled on southwest quarter of Section 20. Here
he broke seven or eight acres of land in the fall of this year, and raised his first crop.
Not the least among the pioneer's tribulations, during the first few years of the settlement,
was the going to mill. The slow mode of travel by ox teams was made still slower by the
almost total absence of roads and bridges, while such a thing as a ferry was hardly even dreamed
of The distance to be traversed was often as far as sixty or seventy-five miles. In dry weather,
common sloughs and creeks offered little impediment to the teamsters ; but during floods and
the breaking-up of winter, they proved exceedingly troublesome and dangerous. To get stuck
in a slough and thus be delayed many hours was no uncommon occurrence, and that, too, when
time was an item of grave import to the comfort and sometimes even to the lives of settlers'
families. Often a swollen stream would blockade the way, seeming to threaten destruction to
whoever would attempt to ford it.
These milling trips often occupied several weeks, and were attended with an expense that
rendered the cost of breadstuffs extremely high ; and for a large family it was almost impossible
to avoid making three or four trips during the year."
The trials of the pioneer were innumerable, and the cases of actual sufiiering might fill a
volume of no ordinary size. Timid women became brave through combats with real dangers,
and patient mothers grew sick at heart with sight of beloved children failing in health from lack
of the commonest necessaries of life. The struggle was not for ease or luxury, but was a con-
stant effort for the sustaining means of life itself.
Owing in part to the difficulties cited, the progress of agriculture was slow until after the
advent of the year 1840. In August, 1839, however, the population of Dodgeville Precinct
was quite large, taking for a criterion the polling list made up at that date, which included
the names of the following voters: W. Garrison, S. H. Campbell, James Jenkins, 0. G.
Ewing, S. H. Biggs, W. C. Scott, W. W. Kane, J. Van Orman, G. W. Standart, Adam Plank,
S. Deitchmandy, N. B. Barker, James Cafnes, C. Scott, W. B. Carnes, A. S. Crocker, P. D.
Round, C. W. Bagley, James Likens, R. S. Black, John G. Jenkins, William Tyrer, B. Hendy,
W. F. Jenkins, William McCutchin, R. P. Wilson, Silas Wildes, J. B. Parkel, Robert Wilson,
James D. Jenkins, T. B. Shaunce, Richard Soward, Nathan Fortner, William Wilren, George
W. Richardson, Augustus C. Dodge, Lewis Wilson, John Lindsey, Phillip Round, Samuel
Cracker, B. F. Cooper, Alfred Soward, Samuel Anderson, Joseph McMurty, nearly all of
whom resided in the village and town of Dodgeville. Prominent among the numbei- who
engaged in farming in the town of Dodgeville during the next ten years were Thomas Thomas,
located on Section 26, in 1841 ; Halvor Halvorson, Section 32, 1842 ; Edward R. Jones, Section
18, 1845 ; John Roach, Section 33, 1847 ; Robert R. Williams, Section 12, 1849 ; Thomas Buck-
ingham, Section 14, 1848. The following years, the improvements kept pace with the times,
and immigration to the town was large, nearly all arriving in the later history of the town,
engaging in agricultural pursuits.
Smelt Furnaces. — Aside from the smelting works in the village of Dodgeville, which are
treated of in another chapter, there were a number of furnaces in different parts of the town,
operated at diff'erent intervals. Collier & Leigh started a smelt furnace in Cox HoUow on Sec-
tion 22, in 1828, and, in the fall of 1829, the venture proving unsuccessful, they put their lead
in flat-boats on the Wisconsin River, and embarked Tor the St Louis market. Thomas Jenkins
also had a furnace in Cox Hollow in 1828, and continued to smelt until 1831. Henry Dodge^
son of the Governor, built a log furnace here in 1836, but remained only one year. He wag
HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY. 777
followed by a Mr. Hendy, the height of whose ambition was to place in operation a blast fur-
nace. He succeeded in erecting a wheel and part of the necessary machinery, but for lack of
sufficient water-power the enterprise was abandoned. William James and Henry Eva operated
a smelt furnace near the farm of John Lindsey, in 1834, and continued smelting in connection
with farming until 1836. Henry Dodge for many years operated a smelt furnace south of the
village, and a Mr. Phelps did smelting business a few miles north.
Bennett ^ Hoskins' Furnace. — The year 1843 witnessed, among other events, the dis-
covery, by Thomas Jenkins, of the rich mineral lead that subsequently took his name. It was
located on the northwest quarter of Section 35, Township 6 north. Range 3 east. These dig-
gings proved remunerative and were worked by Jenkins & Blanchard until 1846, when William
M. Todd bought them out. Mr. Todd worked the mine for a time, then leased it to the com-
pany which bought it in 1850. Messrs. John Rogers, James Cocking, Joseph George and
James Perkins constituted this company ; later, John Oorvin purchased Mr. Cocking's interest.
In June, 1852, Mr. Rogers sold out to Joseph Bennett, and Mr. Corvin to N. Arthur. The
mines were worked by Perkins, Bennett, George and Arthur, in company, until 1860. Prior
to this date, in the year 1858, a furnace was built and continued in operation till 1860, when,
Mr. Arthur having disposed of his interest to James Roberts, the present smelt furnace was
built by Perkins, Bennett, George and Roberts. Mr. Roberts retired in 1864, and Mr. Per-
kins .in 1868. In March, 1869, the firm of Bennett & George consolidated with C. Cholvin
& Co., or Cholvin & Hoskins ; the retirement of Mr. Cholvin in 1874, and that of Mr. George
in 1879, left the firm as now constituted, Bennett & Hoskins. The Dodgeville furnace only is
now in operation, and connected with it is the "slag" furnace, operated by the same com-
pany.
C. Cholvin ^ Oo. — This smelting firm was organized in 1858, by C. Cholvin and Augustus
Pine, both Frenchmen, and Samuel Hoskins. In 1865, Pine sold out to Samuel Hoskins, and
the firm was since known as C. Cholvin & Co. Soon after the retirement of Mr. Pine, John
Nordorf was made a partner, but he .subsequently disposed of his interest to Samuel Hoskins.
The furnace originally built by this company was located about one hundred rods east of the
present Bennett & Hoskins' furnace, and was demolished soon after the union of the two firms
in 1869. This company also, for a number of years, operated a furnace at Highland Village,
but discontinued it in the spring of 1880.
Mundy, Pierce ^ Oo. — This firm of smelters was originally organized as Hendy, Mundy
& Pierce. The present furnace, near the village of Dodgeville, was built in 1867. The same
year the Mylroie Bros, became a part of the firm, but both retired soon after. Joseph Pierce,
Sr., united with Hendy & Mundy in 1876. Eventually Mr. Hendy retired, leaving the firm
as at present, Mundy & Pierce.
Mills. — The first attempt at building a mill in the town was made in 1833, by William Jenkins
and George W. Standart. This mill was a saw-mill, located on Section 2, on James' Branch,
operated by water, and subsequently was converted into the grist-mill, now known as the Union
Mills, in the same locality. Mr. Jenkins retired from the firm after eighteen months, and was suc-
ceeded by John Lindsey, who continued a year and a half in partnership with Standart. During the
summer of 1838, the dam was washed away by a June freshet, and rebuilt the following fall. Late
in the season of this year, Messrs. Standart and Lindsey disposed of the mill property to Will-
iam Jenkins. He run the mill alone for some time, and traded the property to Samuel K.
Campbell for eighty acres of land. In 1850, Mr. Campbell sold it to Squire James, who con-
verted it into a grist-mill in 1854. The mill was run by the James family until 1877, when
the present proprietor, John Dawe, purchased it. The mill has two run of stone, and manu-
factures a superior article of flour.
The Blatz Mill. — This flouring-mill was built in 1864, by Peter Theno. He continued
three years, when, in 1867. he sold the property to the present proprietor, John Blatz. Mr.
Blatz has remodeled the building and fitted it up with new machinery throughout. It has two
runs of stone, and does principally custom grinding.
778 " HISTOKY OF IOWA COUNTY.
Sehooh and Churches. — Owing to the excitement over the mineral wealth of this section
of the country, but little zeal was manifested for many years in the cause of Christianity or edu-
cation ; and it is difficult to ascertain the time when schools and churches commenced to pros-
per. Whatever apathy might have existed has been happily overcome, however, and both
Christianity and education are now in a flourishing condition.
The first schoolhouse in Dodgeville was built near a spring on the farm of James Hoskins-
It was a small frame building erected in a very plain manner. Instead of lath, the carpenters
of those days rived out strips from small saplings growing near, and nailed them as lath usually
arc to the studding. It was a house of prayer as well as of study, and it was nothing uncom-
mon of a Sunday for the rough miners to congregate there, stack their rifles in a corner, throw
off" their accouterments, and after services go out hunting. This first temple of early education
was removed at a later day to the Janesville neighborhood, where it burned down.
The first school in the town was taught by the pioneer teacher, Robert Bpyer, in the sum-
mer of 1833, in a small log building which stood near the Hendy furnace, one and one-half
miles north of the village. James Jenkins, best known by his pupils as " Papa " Jenkins, taught
in the old Hoskins Schoolhouse in 1838, and later. Ira Hazeltine taught here in 1839-40 ; Robert
Wilson in 1841, and later, George Sims and Hopestill Foster disciplined with birch rods and
Webster's Elementary. Eyentually, schools were established in different parts of the town,
which, being cherished and fostered, have culminated in the adoption of a school system surpassed
by few towns in the county.
There are now in the town nineteen schoolhouses, with accomodations for 1,450 children. The
school property is valued at $10,570.50, but, at the completion of the projected high school
building in the village, the school property will be valued at $35,000. During the year ending
August 31, 1880, there wns received for school purposes $7,644.16, and paid out $5,879.25 ;
of this amount, $4,401 was for teachers' salaries. There are in the town 1,410 children of school
age ; 704 males, and 706 females. These require the constant employment of twenty-three
teachers.
The Standart Grove Post Office — Was established on Section 19, Township 7, Range 3, in
October, 1875, and was named in honor of George W. Standart, the first Postmaster. He
continued in office until March, 1878, when he was succeeded by Robert Kinnear, the present
incumbent. Mr. Kinnear came from Burlington, Vt., to Dodgeville, in 1845, and has resided
in his present location since 1846.
The Dodgeville Fire Insurance Company — Was organized March 22, 1879, in the village of
Dodgeville, under the Revised Statutes of Wisconsin, providing for the organization of such institu-
tions. The Board of Directors elected for one year, or until successors are chosen and qualified,
consisted of John Rowe, Sr., James Bennett, William T. Williams, Peter Reckenthaler, William
Berryman, B. Schoeneman, T. M. Jones, H. Halgrimson and Joseph Perkins. Twenty-seven
names were subscribed, repressnting $25,000 of insured property. John Rowe, Sr., was
elected President ; Joseph Perkins, Secretary, and James Bennett, Treasurer. The first annual
meeting was held January 6, 1880. The Treasurer's report showed that $168.55 had been
received as premiums on policies, and $34 received for issuing policies now outstanding. The
total expenditures up to ihe date of the meeting were $59.15, and the available cash aggre-
gated $143.40. The same officers were re-elected for the ensuing year.
The first town meeting of the town of Dodgeville was held in pursuance of law, on Tues-
day, April 3, 1849. The Wesleyan Church was the place, and the records show that 180
votes were registered. The meeting was organized by the election of James D. Jenkins as
Chairman and Sylvanus Race and Philip Thom as Inspectors ; Henry Messersmith and Gyrus
Connell as Clerks. The Inspectors and Clerks were sworn by Philip Thom, a Justice of the
Peace, and he by J. D. Jenkins, Chairman. John Messersmith was elected Chairman of the
Town Board by receiving 137 votes, against 80 for John Lindsay. Asahel Blanchard and
George Sims were elected Supervisors over Henry Dunstan and Milton B. Persons. Thomas
M. Fullerton received a majority of 118 votes over David C. Evans, for Town Clerk. A. S.
HISTORY OV IOWA COUKTY. 779
Allen had 159 votes for Town Superintendent of Schools — no opposition. Jacob M. Miller
Tras elected Town Treasurer over Samuel Hosking. John G. Jenkins as Town Assessor over
Michael Bennett.
Justices of the Peace — Robert Wilson, Stephen S. Ferrill, William James, Robert Shields,
Philip Thorn and Armstead W. Floyd.
Constables — William Rowe, Jr., William Garrison, William M. Chilton, Henry Eva, Ed-
"ward James and William C. Scott.
On the 7th of April, 1849, a special town meeting was called for the 7th of May follow-
ing, at the hall of the Sons of Temperance. The special town meeting was held in accordance
with the above call, and, besides the transaction of other business, subdivided the four road dis-
tricts already established and formed two additional districts. It was
lieaolv'.d. That a tax of $300 be levied for the support of the poor ; that a tax of $200 be levied for the sup-
port of the common achools, and $500 be levied for town purposes and f 100 for bridges.
The Town Hall. — At the Seventh. Annual Town Meeting, held in the Town Clerk's oflSce,
April 3, 1855, the committee to whom was referred the recommendation contained in the report of
the Board of Supervisors submitted the following :
The undersigned committee, considering a toVn hall actually necessary, would recommend the building of a
house for town purposes, 26x40 feet, two stories high. The basement, divided into four offices, could be either used
or leased to advantage by the town. The cost of building not to exceed $1,500. William Jame.s,
Robert Wilson,
Thomas Stephens.
On motion, it was voted that a town tax of $1,500 be raised and it, with the surplus of
moneys remaining in the Poor Fund at any time during the ensuing year, after the pauper ex-
penses are estimated or paid, shall be devoted to the building of a town hall, under the direction
of the Board of Supervisors, and to defraying the town expenses. The contractor for the car-
penter work was S. B. McLaughlin, and the mason work let to Paul Davey & Co. and the
building completed during the summer.
The following is a list of the town officers from 1850 to 1880, inclusive :
1850 — Asahel Blanchard, Chairman ; Cyrus Cornell and John Lindsay, Supervisors ; T.
M. Fullerton, Clerk ; William Marr, Treasurer ; Samuel Hendy, Assessor ; John Lumley, Su-
perintendent of Schools.
1851 — Samuel Hendy, Chairman ; Thomas Menkay and S. S. Ferrill, Supervisors ; B. M.
Henry, Clerk; Samuel M. Derry, Treasurer; James D. Jenkins, Assessor; Rev. A. S. Allen,
■Superintendent of Schools.
1852 — John Messersmith, Chairman ; Meredith Evans and A. W. Floyd, Supervisors ;
Henry Madden, Clerk; Martin Knudsen, Assessor; Benjamin Thomas, Sr., Assessor; A. S.
Allen, Superintendent of Schools.
1853 — John Messersmith, Chairman ; John Read and Henry Dunstan, Supervisors ;
Michael Bennet, Clerk ; Benjamin Thomas, Treasurer ; Andrew Lulickson, Assessor ; Rev. A.
S. Allen, Superintendent of Schools.
1854 — John Parris, Chairman ; A. W. Floyd ann Meredith Evans, Supervisors ; Nathan
H. Thomas, Clerk ; Benjamin Thomas, Treasurer ; Matthew Bishop, Assessor ; Samuel Hendy,
Superintendent of Schools.
1855 — Benjamin Thomas, Sr., Chairman ; Henry Sims and R. C. Owens, Supervisors ;
L. H. D. Crane, Clerk; Matthew Bishop, Treasurer; Stephen H. Wilson, Assessor; A. S. Al-
len, Superintendent of Schools.
1856 — Benjamin Thomas, Sr., Chairman ; John Lindsay and Richard Jones, Supervisors ;
R. C. Owens, Clerk; Henry Sims, Treasurer; Robert Wilson, Assessor; B. C. Jones, Super-
intendent of Schools.
1857 — John Lindsay, Chairman ; John Reed and S. W. Reese, Supervisors ; William F,
iPhillips, Clerk ; Charles S. Nurse, Treasurer ; Richard Jones, Assessor ; L. H. D. Crane, Su-
iperintendent of Schools.
T80 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
1858 — S. W. Reese, Chairman ; Richard Arundell and William Farager, Supervisors ; D,
B. Staples, Clerk; John D. Roberts, Treasurer; Meredith Evans, Assessor; George Sims, Su-
perintendent of Schools.
1859 — B. F. Thomas, Chairman; John Reed and Hans Olson, Supervisors; P. D. Wig-
ginton. Clerk ; Henry Dunstan, Treasurer ; Matthew Bishop and A. W. Floyd, Assessors ;
George Sims, Superintendent of Schools.
I860 — George Messersmith, Chairman; John Reed and Hans Olson, Supervisors; P. D.
Wigginton, Clerk ; Henry Vincent, Treasurer ; A. W. Floyd and Matthew Bishop, Assessors ;
B. F. Thomas, Superintendent of Schools.
1861 — George Sims, Chairman; John Reed and Brick Halvorson, Supervisors; P. D.
Wigginton, Clerk ; S. B. McLaughlin, Treasurer ; J. A. Slye, Superintendent of Schools.
Mr. Sims resigned January 20, 1862, and B. F. Thomas was appointed.
1862 — Samuel Hendy, Chairman ; William Owens and Robert Shields, Supervisors ;
George W. Dodge, Clerk ; William Rogers, Treasurer ; R. D. Davis and Hans Olson, Assessors.
1863 — Samuel Hendy, Chairman; William Owens and John Rowe, Supervisors; Henry
Dunstan, Clerk ; Thomas Thomas, Treasurer ; R. D. Davis and John Lindsay, Assessors.
1864 — Samuel Hendy, Chairman ; Charles Dickinson and H. D. Griffith, Supervisors ;
W. J. Wrigglesworth, Clerk ; Thomas Davey, Treasurer ; William Smith and R. D. Davis^
Assessors.
1865 — Robert Wilson, Chairman ; Joseph Pearce and H. D. Griffith, Supervisors ; W. J.
Wrigglesworth, Clerk; John W. Thomas, Treasurer; R. D. Davis and Hans Olson, Assessors.
1866 — Robert Wilson, Chairman ; Joseph Pearse and H. D. Griffith, Supervisors ; Henry
Dunstan, Clerk ; J. W. Thomas, Treasurer ; Henry SchuU and Lars Moe, Assessors.
1867 — Robert Wilson, Chairman ; J. H. Penberthy and T. M. Jones, Supervisors ; Henry
Dunstan, Clerk. The latter removed in December, 1867, and W. H. Prideaux was appointed.
1868 — Robert Wilson, Chairman ; Joseph Bennett and Evan Williams, Supervisors ; Or-
ville Strong, Clerk ; John Rowe and Richard T. Parry, Assessors. In January, 1869, J.
Thomas Pryor, Jr., was appointed Clerk, upon the resignation of Mr. Strong.
1869 — Joseph Bennett, Chairman ; B. E. James and T. M. Jones, Supervisors ; J. Thomas
Pryor, Jr., Clerk; B. H. Noyes, Treasurer; Matthew Bishop, Assessor.
1870 — Thomas M. Jones, Chairman ; J. R. Davis and E. E. James, Supervisors ; Joseph
E. Higgins, Clerk ; John S. Richards, Treasurer ; John Rowe, Assessor.
1871 — Thomas M. Jones, Chairman ; Richard D. Davis and Charles PauU, Supervisors ;:
Joseph E. Higgins, Clerk ; John S. Richards, Treasurer; John Rowe, Assessor.
1872 — Charles Paull, Chairman; R. D. Davis and Duncan Sillers, Supervisors; Joseph.
E. Higgins, Clerk ; John S. Richards, Treasurer ; John Rowe, Assessor.
1873 — Charles Paull, Chairman ; R. D. Davis and Duncan Sillers, Supervisors ; Joseph
E. Higgins, Clerk ; J. S. Richards, Treasurer ; Thomas Larsen, Assessor.^
1874 — Benjamin Elam, Chairman ; R. D. Davis and E. E. James, Supervisors ; J. E..
Higgins, Clerk ; Henry Madden, Treasurer ; John Rowe, Assessor.
1876 — Benjamin Elan, Chairman ; R. D. Davis and William H. Hocking, Supervisors ;
J. E. Higgins, Clerk ; William Owens, Treasurer ; John Rowe, Assessor. Owing to the death
of Mr. Higgins, J. Thomas Pryor, Jr., was appointed Clerk in March, 1876.
1876 — Charles Paull, Chairman ; James Bennett and R. D. Davis, Supervisors ; J..
Thomas Pryor, Jr., Clerk ; Robert C. Owens, Treasurer; William B. Williams, Assessor. Mr.
Pryor resigned January 1, 1877, Henry Sims succeeding him.
1877 — Charles Paull, Chairman; Duncan Sillers and Evan W. Williams, Supervisors ;
Henry Sims, Clerk ; Robert C. Owens, Treasurer ; William B. Williams, Assessor.
1878 — Charles Paull, Chairman ; Duncan Sillers and E. W. Williams, Supervisors ; Rich-
ard Arundell, Clerk ; R. C. Owens, Treasurer ; William B. Williams, Assessor. ,
1879 — Robert Wilson, Chairman ; Thomas B. Davis and James W. Smith, Supervisors ;
Richard Arundell, Clerk ; Robert C. Owens, Treasurer ; Richard D. Davis, Assessor. To fill
HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY. 781
Vacancy caused by the death of Richard Arundell, W. H. Thomas was appointed Clerk May 31,
1879.
1880 — Robert Wilson, Chairman ; Thomas B. Davis and James W. Smith, Supervisors ;
W. H. Thomas, Clerk ; William Mitchell, Treasurer ; Edward H. Edwards, Assessor.
TOWN OF ARENA.
There were no white residents in this section until more than twenty years after the first
permanent settlements had been made in the county. To some, this may seem strange ; but when
we consider that the pioneers of Iowa County were miners, attracted hither by the valuable dis-
coveries of mineral, and who were intent only on developing the mines, regardless of all other
pursuits, it is not surprising that they should have settled in mining regions, and ignored the
valuable agricultural territory embraced by the town lines of Arena.
While the excitement of the lead region was at its zenith, and Dodgeville, Mineral Point,
Linden, Mifflin, Highland and Ridgeway were inhabited by a cosmopolitan population, repre-
senting all the concomitants of the mining frontier, Arena was peacefully slumbering on the
banks of the Wisconsin in virgin beauty. Her hills and dales were then inhabited only by wild
animals and their no less savage foes, who roved at will amid the primitive groves of oak, walnut
and poplar, over the lands which were then awaiting the skill and industry of the husbandman
to cultivate the waste places, and develop valuable and productive farms. That this has been
accomplished, a view of the well-improved acres, ornamented with their commodious residences,
which stand as monuments to the integrity and energetic perseverance of their inhabitants, is
sufiScieiit evidence.
Arena now stands among the leading towns in the diversity of products and character of
her people, who are as enlightened, liberal and enterprising as any in this section of the country.
Through the public spirit and vim of the leading citizens, numerous valuable public benefits have
been secured, of which may be mentioned, as most conspicuous and beneficial to the general
community, the stations — Helena and Arena — on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail-
road.
First Settlers. — The first settlers in the town of Arena came during 1840-41-42, and remained
but a short time only. The names of these, though once remembered, are now forgotten by their
associates of forty years ago. In 1843, John T. Jones made his appearance in the town, and
located a farm on parts of Sections 14 and 23. He also erected the first cabin in the town, and
pursued farming with varying success for many years. During the same year, Mr. Jones was
followed by Barrett Williams, who cultivated a few acres of land on parts of Sections 15 and
22, Township 8, Range 5. He also erected a small cabin, and continued farming there for
several years. Immigration to this town during the next year was slow and uncertain ; but by
the year 1845, a number of pioneers, noted for their uprightness, courage and perseverance,
had located here. Among the number were William Persell, William F. Jenkins, Peter Lloyd,
Samuel Titus, William Wallace, John Shaw and Isaac Farwell. These all made claims in
difierent pai'ts of the town, principally in the vicinity of the present village of Arena. The
initiatory steps were now taken toward the development of agriculture in the town, and following
in the wake of the first permanent settlers there came many others, who engaged in agricultural
pursuits. About this time, came William Bywater, Charles W. Sutcliffe, Frederick Gutsloe,
William Guthrie and John May. During the spring of 1846, John Shaw, Robert Leach, Allen
Leach, Isaac Farwell and William E. Shimmons became part and parcel of the territory since
dignified by the historic apellation of Arena. Among the influx of settlers following those men-
tioned were Lanson and Alvin Culver, Lyman and Henry Lindsey, John Hand, John Calkins,
Thomas Harrison, Goodladd, Luke Farwell, Nelson Daniels, Robert Emery, William Dawson,
Dr. Goss, J. S. Walker, Mcintosh, Higby, John Stewart, Joshua Rhodes, S. Norton, Watkins,
Thomas Rockwell, John Hand, William Tylef, A. B. Anderson, Aaron Edwards and Dr. Addi-
son. These located farms in different portions of the town. It is not assumed that the list ia
complete ; there were perhaps others who immigrated to this town during the years mentioned j
'^^'^ HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
but their locations or names could not be ascertained by the searcher after facts in that con-
nection.
British Emigration Society. — The history of the early settlement of Arena would be in-
complete without mention of the efforts of the "British Temperance Emigration Society," of
which a number of those already mentioned, who came in 1846, were members. This was a
benevolent society, organized in Liverpool by Robert Gost and Charles Wilson, for the purpose
of assisting the British mechanics and laboring men to procure homes in America. The asso-
ciation being organized, Lawrence Hayworth, a benevolent gentleman of wealth and leisure,
was chosen President. The plan of the society was to allow all mechanics and laborers desiring
homes in this country to become members by paying into the common fund a certain amount,
which was to be applied toward the purchase of eighty-acre shares of land. These shares were
drawn by ballot, and each eighty-acre share was to have a five-acre lot fenced and broken and a
house erected thereon. The society elected two commissioners, Charles Reeves and Charles
Wilson, estate and deputy estate stewards, whose duty it was to pay off all indebtedness incurred
by the purchase of lands, improvements, etc. The first lot of emigrants was sent by this
society in the spring of 1844, all of whom located in Dane County. Emigrants representing
this association got no farther at first than the eastern part of the town, though their agents
went further west and laid out what was afterward known as
Hayworth. — In 1846, Charles Reeves and Charles Wilson, principal members of the " Emi-
gration Society" spoken of, were deputized, in company with five or six others, to choose a site
on the banks of the Wisconsin, in this county, suitable for a village. Accordingly, a piece of
land was selected on Sections 11 and 12, Town 8, Range 4, and staked out into town lots of
one acre each in size. Any member of the society was privileged to purchase ten lots, if they
desired so many, at the Government price. And a good many did buy, but none of them set-
tled on their purchase. The situation was named Hayworth, in honor of the President of the
society. Not long after the place was platted, John Barnard came here and erected a store and
tavern, and started a good ferry, and within a few years a steam saw-mill was built here by Cole
& Everett. The store, tavern, mill, and various kinds of business did not flourish to any extent,
and eventually everything was abandoned to the inevitable Norwegian. There is at present a
cemetery at this point which is used largely by the commonwealth, and which is the oldest in
the town.
Although the intentions embodied in this organization were very commendable, yet it fell
far short of success, and what once promised so much is now known only in a remembrance of the
past. The cause of its failure might be attributed to the fact that the emigrants could procure
lands from the Government at merely a nominal sum, and much less than the amount required
by the association ; aside from this, a great many of the number were practical mechanics, and
engaged, each at his particular trade, and abandoned their farms. Many of those that continued
in their agricultural pursuits have become influential and wealthy citizens of their town.
During the years succeeding 1846, the population increased rapidly, and Arena began to
grow in influence and importance, until now it is one of the most populous as well as being one
of the most important towns in the county.
In 1845, the enterprising citizens of Arena, desiring a market as well as a metropolis for
their town, forthwith laid out the village of Dover, on Section 13, Town 8, Range 5. Here,
soon after, a tavern and store were started by Messrs. Higby & Walker, who did a good business
for several years ; and William Guthrie established himself in the blacksmithing business, and
for many years was the only blacksmith in the town. As the surrounding country became set-
tled, the business of the little village increased constantly, and finally attracted other store-keep-
ers and men of various business propensities.
The first post office in the town of Arena was established here certainly as early as 1847,
and was kept here until 1876, when it was discontinued. David Hukum was the last Post-
master. The old Dover House is still standing as a relic of what might have been.
HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY. 783
In 1856, a grist-mill was erected in the village by Joshua Rhodes and Henry Lindsey,
who put in two run of stone, and for a number of years did a successful milling business.
This mill is now operated by N. Kirch. The quality of flour here has always been of a uni-
form standard, and is equal to any manufactured in Southwestern Wisconsin. This village did
a flourishing business until 1856, when the railroad favored its new rival of Arena by locating
a station at the latter point. From this time dates the decadence of this once prosperous place,
and the flouring-mill still in operation is the only evidence that an extended business was ever
transacted in this now defunct village.
To continue the list of settlers who located in the town of Arena before 1850, there were
Richard Hodgson, Mr. Gleason, Mr. Porter, Richard Mabett, G. M. Ashmore, Mr. Emery.
Among others who came about this time were G. C. Meigs, James Manville, John Mabett,
William Dawson, John Hobbs, Samuel Norton, Jacob Dodge, Henry and Jonathan Ingraham,
Reuben James, John Porter, Mr. Caldwell, D. Lattimore and William T. Ansdale. Of the
old settlers and pioneers of Arena still living are Christopher Mabett, Peter Lloyd, William,
John, Richard, Frank, David and Jonathan Hodgson, William Aaron, William B. Roe, James
Aliek, Andrew and Robert McCutchin, James Allison, William Bishop, John Hagman, Charles
Stubley, Thomas Wilson, John Renyard, Charles Trainor, J. M. Wilson, George McFarland,
Henry and William Caldwell, W. T. Boardman, John Goodladd and David Lloyd.
The cause of education has always received the closest attention from the citizens of Arena,
having been fostered and promoted until their schools now rank along with the best in the county.
In about 1846 a schoolhouse was erected on Section 16, Town 8, Range 5, now distinguished
by District No. 6. Here the few children in the town attended school, some walking four
and five miles daily. This school was continued from that time, and as the increase of popu-
lation demanded, other schools were established in different parts of the town and schoolhouses
erected. There are now in the town sixteen separate and joint school districts and ten school-
houses.
Shortly after the settlement of the town, the "circuit rider" made his appearance among
the pioneers, and preached the Gospel and laid the foundation for the guidance of the spiritual
destinies of the citizens. For a number of years, religious services were held in the dwellings
of the difiierent settlers by circuit preachers. Those early efibrts have at last culminated in the
organization of four congregations and the erection of as many church buildings. These are
the Congregationalists, Adventists, German Methodists and St. John's Catholic, the last being
located on Section 36, Town 8, Range 5.
The first grist-mill was erected in 1852, and is located on Section 23, Town 8, Range 5.
It was erected by Henry Rowel and G. C. Meigs, on or near the site of a saw-mill, which was
erected by Joshua Rhodes as early'as 1847, and which was the first and only saw-mill in this
part of the county for many years. The mill is familiarly known as the " model mill," and has
three run of stone, and is now owned and operated by William E. Rowe. This mill has always
been over-crowded with custom work, its trade extending for many miles around.
On Section 14, Town 7, Range 4, is located the grist-mill owned by Michael Lucy,
operated by the Blue Mounds Creek water-power. At this mill a superior article of flour is
manufactured, being the equal of any work in the county. A mill was built by Henry Folks
on Section 13, Town 7, Range 5, in 1860, but did not run many years. Eventually it was
sold and the machinery removed to Sauk County.
One of the commendable early enterprises was a nursery of choice fruits, started here by
John Hand, one of the English emigrants, in 1846 or 1847. This nursery, which was con-
tinued for several years, was known as the Barnum place, and was the first one in the county.
Since that early effort, fruits, both large and small, have been cultivated quite extensively in the
town by some of the farmers, rather to provide for home necessities than for the purpose of
selling. Although some is sold each year in the villages, many of the upland districts furnish
very good locations for orchards, as the soil is well adapted to their growth, and the advantages
of protecting hills, to intercept the winter blasts, can be obtained.
781 HISTCyRY OF IOWA COUNTY.
In 1873, the south part of Arena was visited by a hail and rain storm, so terrible in its
power and eifects that none who were on the scene, where the elements raged their worst, will
ever forget the circumstance. The very flood-gates of the surcharged clouds seemed to have
been suddenly opened, and torrents of rain, with chunks of ice as large as a man's fist, were
precipitated to the ground, for a time creating a minature deluge and destroying all sorts of
pi-oduce, and killing pigs, sheep and fowls, and doing an amount of damage scarcely credible
during the short time that the storm continued. The damage done in Arena Village mentioned,
did not compare with that in the country adjacent, where the storm was the most furious ; those
who were eye-witnesses say that nothing to compare with it has ever been experienced here be-
fore or since.
OLD AEBNA.
This place, which was at one time the leading village in the town, and which was expected
to continue such, began to decline after the coming of the railroad, when the other village of the
same name started, and within a few years it was a village only in name.
The land where it was situated. Section 8, Town 8, Range 5, was first purchased from the
Government by Ebenezer Brigham, the pioneer of Dane County, and a man by the name of
Arthur Bronson. In 1848, G. M. Ashmore bought Bronson's interest, then he and Mr. Brig-
ham, in the following year, laid out a village plat. According to the statement of Mr. Brigham,
this point had been a sort of trading rendezvous for the Indians for a good many years before,
and had been called Arena, probably on account of the sandy situation. The same year that the
village was platted, Mr. Ashmore erected two frame buildings — one to live in and one for a store.
Within two or three years after, there were two or three, stores in operation and a tavern and
various mechanic shops. The principal merchants were Frank Andrews and William Brodie ;
the tavern-keeper, Mr. Caldwell. At that time, a large amount of business was done here, espe-
cially in selling lumber. In 1849, a road was laid out from Dodgeville via Arena to Baraboo,
and Mr. Ashmore accordingly chartered a ferry. The conveyance was a flat-boat, which was
worked over the "river with poles. In 1853 or 1854, Dr. Brisbane, the first physician and
preacher, came here from the South, and, believing that he saw a chance for a paying business,
purchased the ferry privilege from Mr. Ashmore and spent several hundred dollars in putting
in a horse boat and making other improvements, but the investment proved nearly a dead loss,
for the business fell ofi" so greatly within a short time that he abandoned the ferry. Mr. Bris-
bane also kept tavern here.
In 1854, Albert and Fred Curtis erected a steam-mill here, which was operated for several
years, and about the same time Mr. Andrews erected a warehouse about where it was supposed
the railroad would pass, but, contrary to the expectations of all parties, the village was left to
oneside.
A postoffice was established here in 1850, with William Ferris as Postmaster. Eventuiilly
William Brodie was appointed and held the oflSce until it was moved to New Arena. There is no
business done here now, and the only residents are a few Norwegians. Within the past two
years, a little above where the old ferry used to run, a good ferry, owned by the people on both
sides of the river, was put in operation.
NEW ARENA.
Throughout the West, within the last thirty years, the chief motors toward the upbuilding
of villages and cities, audit may be added with equal consistency, toward the destruction of
others, have been the railroads. Wherever these mighty representatives of commercial growth
and general development, as well as moneyed power, become established, there are found rapidly
growing business centers, while those places which are but short distances removed from those
arbiters of the destinies of small communities, begin to fall into decay, and eventually become
known only to the memory of man as " what have been.'
New Arena is located on the bottom lands bordering the south bank of the Wisconsin, on
Section 16, or what was formerly called School Section. The land was first claimed from the
State by G. M. Ashmore, who, in 1856, after the Milwaukee & Prairie du Chien Railroad had
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 785
been surveyed through this part of Wisconsin, sold to Peter Louis Moore, making a general
«ale of property to the amount of several thousand dollars. At that time, everything was in a
natural condition. The sandy flats overgrown, for the most part, with weeds and brush, it may
be conjectured, presented anything but an inviting or encouraging appearance to the adventurous
merchant or settler. But the course of time improves and subdues, mellows and re-shapes,
until the rudest forms and conditions, under the hands of enterprising men, assume entirely dif-
ferent aspects, both attractive and agreeable. Thus it may be seen in this locality ; but a few
short years have winged their flight into the deeps of oblivion, and the entire scene has under-
gone a marvelous change. One of the liveliest villages on this branch of the Milwaukee & St.
Paul Railroad has sprung into existence, with most of the various elements of social, civil and
commercial life in full and promising activity. Large numbers of stores and mechanics' shops
are busily engaged from day to day in dispensing their commodities to the farmers, taking their
cash and produce in exchange, while the hotels are daily thronged with travelers and those who
come here to trade from long distances or to ship their products. Several churches and a good
school provide for the moral and intellectual needs of the inhabitants, and, in a word, we have
before us the wilderness converted to the uses of civilization in its highest type. Arena, as a
business point, is acknowledged to be one of the best in the county, and one of the best on the
line of the road — more especially with regard to the sale and shipment of live stock, very large
quantities of which are sent to market through this channel. Considering the size of the
place, there is doubtless as much trading doae here as at any other village in the State, and per-
haps more.
The original village plat Was made for Mr. Mohr, in October, 1856, and another plat, or
rather addition, was laid by H. Zinkeisen September 4, 1866.
The first buildings erected here were the depot and the old warehouse of Curtis & Brothers,
one of whom was the first depot agent. These were built in the fall of 1856, and are standing
yet.
The next building in the village was the old Carter House, which was erected here for a
hotel in the spring of 1857. This building is standing yet, but is a rather superannuated look-
ing structure. A portion of this building was moved up from Old Arena.
Before the house was entirely finished, the first grand ball or house-warming was given,
which is remembered as having been a most happy occasion and favorable send-off" for the place
in amusements. People came from far and wide to the jollification, and thus was celebrated the
first party ever given in Arena. Mr. Carter's wife, now Mrs. Reeves, still lives in the place,
and is recognized as having been the first woman in the village.
In 1857 or 1858, the old stage house, familiarly known as the Farmers' Hotel, was built by
William Broady. This was at first erected for a store, but the first intention was subsequently
changed, and the building enlarged to accommodate the large stage travel which was then going
through the country from this point to Mineral Point and other interior places. The building,
which is a large, rambling affair, is now used for a private dwelling.
The stage company at that time was Davis & Mohr, of Milwaukee. The travel, during the
first year after the railroad came, was so great that several four-horse Concord coaches left each
day, loaded down with emigrants and prospectors, and, indeed, for several years a thriving busi-
ness was done in this direction. But the glory of staging days has passed away, and never
again will be seen the splendid teams that used to go dashing through the country — the pride of
the Jehus and envy of all the teamsters far and near.
A store was first opened here in 1858, by F. T. S. Ansdale, in the unoccupied building
which stands near the Wisconsin House. This establishment was not continued a great many
years. The next store was opened by Barnard & Son in 1859, in the building now occupied by
Edwards & Hughes. A German by the name of John Hattman was the first blacksmith to
begin business here ; his shop stood a little off" from the village plat.
The first death occurred in 1858, when a little child, belonging to a man by the name of
Freeman, died.
786 HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY.
The first marriage which occurred in the village before 1840 was a rather novel affair. A
miller by the name of Walker, having imbibed pretty freely one day, called at the Carter
Hotel to see the servant girl, Mary J. Haythorn. When he arrived, Mary was up to her elbows,
in a large washing, but, nothing daunted, Walker proceeded to make love, or rather carry out
his former love-making, by proposing that they should get married. To this the girl promptly
assented. D. M. Jones, the minister, was sent for, and, without further ceremony, the knot was
tied and the twain made one.
The above-mentioned minister was the first one to hold forth in the village, and during his
time was the acknowledged life of the Christian cause in this vicinity. He was probably chiefly
influential in establishing more societies and building more churches than any other man, or five
men, in the county. As a worker in the cause of Christ, he was a credit to the village and
county.
A schoolhouse was built here in 1839, and a school begun the same year by a Miss Hollister.
The school had not been in operation long when a prairie fire came rushing down on to the little
hamlet, driven by a wind so fierce and sDrong that the flames were carried from twelve to fifteen
feet into the air. The schoolhouse and blacksmith-shop were the first reached, and immediately
caught on fire and were burned down, as was a stable containing a couple of cows. For a time
there was imminent danger that the entire place would be burned, as almost before the people
were aware of what was to pay, the barn connected with the Carter House was on fire. How-
ever, by making great exertions, the inhabitants succeeded in extinguishing it and saving the
place. The possibility of such a fire as that is described as having been starting up indicates in
what an uncultivated state the country must have been.
At the present time, there is a commodious schoolhouse, which has two departments,
erected several years ago at an aggregate expense of $1,200. The inhabitants have also been
ambitious enough to purchase a fine bell, an unusual addition to an ordinary schoolhouse.
The only exceptional manufacturing ever attempted here was by D. M. Jones, who about
twelve years ago erected the steam grist and saw mill, which has lain idle since his death.
After John Barnard came here, in 1858, the post office was moved from Old Arena to New
Arena, and he was appointed Postmaster. He did not hold the office long before F. T. S. Ans-
dale was appointed in his place. He kept the office in his store during the time he held it.
From him it was transferred to William Everett, who still kept the office in Ansdale's store.
About 1865, by circulating a petition as being a Republican, E. R. Bovee obtained the office.
Mr. Bovee was then railroad agent, and kept the office in the depot. In 1868, the incumbent,
W. H. Jones, was appointed, and has retained the office constantly since that time.
During the war, the inhabitants of Arena were unusually active in sending assistance to the
cause of the North, and after the three months' service was ended, two of the soldiers of that
time, George Ashmore and William H. Brisbane, enlisted Company G, of the Eleventh Wis-
consin Volunteers, at this point. While the enlistment was going on, the men were boarded at
the old Farmers' Hotel, which was then managed by Jared Adams, who is still living in the vil-
lage, one of the pioneers of Iowa County, who came to Mineral Point in 1837. In February
of 1869, the village was devastated by a very serious conflagration. The fire started in a small
building on Lot 1, occupied by John Wilkinson, a tailor, and thence it spread to the tavern
of Patrick Smith to the east of it, and another building to the west of it, owned by N. Hodgson,
both of which were destroyed. For a time the destruction of the business part of the village
seemed almost inevitable, but after a time it was subdued with no other loss than above men-
tioned.
There are now three churches in the village — a Congregationalist, a German Methodist
and an Advent Church.
The Congregational Society was organized in 1855, and the church was erected principally
through the efforts of David M. Jones, in 1864, and is the oldest church in the place. The
present membership is one hundred and twenty-five, and the church is in a healthy state.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 787
The German Methodist Church was built about nine years ago, under the management of
the Primitive Methodist Society, organized in 1871, by the Germans and Americans, to be used
by both nationalities. Subsequently, tliat society became disorganized, and the edifice passed
into the hands of the Germans, who use it now exclusively.
The Adventist Society was organized in 1872, by Elder G. P. Thompson, as Pastor, with
sixty-two members. The church was built within the two following years. This society is in a
flourishing condition.
Occasion is taken here to commend to future generations the devout and self-sacrificing
labors of the Rev. D. M. Jones, who was Pastor here for fifteen years, and did more for the
cause of Christ and toward the upbuilding of churches than any other three ministers who have
ever been stationed in the county.
There are two secret societies in the place — a lodge of Good Templars, which has been in
active operation for several years, and a juvenile cold water temple, which is also in a thriving
condition.
The great hail-storm which visited the town of Arena, in 1877, punished the village pretty
severely, by breaking out a large number of window lights all over the place, and by doing
other damage of a serious character. But aside from the few occurrences mentioned, Arena has
suffered little injury since it began its existence, from fire or other causes, which certainly is a
matter for congratulation ; and at the present time it is in a healthy and thriving condition.
The business of the place is now represented by three general stores, Smith & Murphy,
Z. Barnard and William Jones ; two drug and general merchandise, Edwards & Hughes and
William H. Jones ; one hardware store, D. J. Davis, ; one furniture store, J. D. Hildebrand ;
two harness-shops, W. C. Meffert and Patrick Smith ; three shoe-shops, Thomas Hamilton,
Thomas Knipe and L. D. Billington ; one watchmaker, Charles Reeve ; one tailor, Hugh Cork ;
three blacksmiths, Benoy & Caspar, Billington & Son, and Shinnaman & Rothenberger ; one
wagon-shop, Williams & Edwards; one milliner, Mrs. M. A. Reeves; two lumber yards, S,
J. Jooske and D. H. Williams ; three hotels and saloons — Farmer's Hotel, Andrew McCut-
chen ; Commercial Hotel and Saloon, Patrick Smith ; Wisconsin House and Saloon, Lewis
Enoc.
There is also a firm of stock and grain buyers, W. J. Roberts, R. Lloyd and J. Harris,
that are doing a very extensive business. Their average shipments are one car load per diem
the year round. This firm now uses three warehouses, but at one time there were five in use
here.
The physicians are Dr. Wilcox and D. L. Pinkerton. William Brisbane, Jr., lawyer, and
H. B. Parker, depot agent. ^
HELENA STATION.
This Station of the C, M. & St. P. R. R., is located near the Wisconsin River, Section 16,
Township 8, Range 4, Town of Arena. It was founded in 1861, by William Bartlett, who
circulated a subscription among the surrounding farmers, and raised an amount which proved
suflScient inducement to the railroad company to establish a station at this point. Here Mr,
Bartlett erected a depot, and was the first to ofier proposals for the patronage of the public,
Josiah Ward came here soon after, and commenced purchasing grain. He was followed, in
1863, by John Barnard, who erected a warehouse. Mr. Barnard is recognized by the historian
in his researches as one of the pioneer business men of the villages of Highland, Old Arena,
New Arena, and also at the embryo village of Hayworth.
In 1862, Alvah Culver moved his large hotel up from "old town," and is recorded as the
first tavern-keeper at the Station. This subsequently passed into the hands of William Bart-
lett, who has since removed to Iowa. The hotel building was taken down, placed on flat cars,
and removed to the future home of Mr. Bartlett in Iowa. At the founding of the Station,
William Burdell located here and followed his trade as a mechanic.
In 1872, the Helena Hotel was built by John R. Mabbett, and is recognized by the public
as being one of the best hotels located along the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rnilrnad.
788 . HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
At the laying out of the village the post oflSce was removed from the "old town," and es-
tablished here, with William Bartlett as first Postmaster. The office is still continued, the fol-
lowing persons having served as Postmasters : G. R. Nicke, T. J. Hungerford and A. J. Lock-
man the incumbent.
The present schoolhouse was built in 1867, and will accommodate fifty scholars.
Religious services were held here occasionally by ministers from difierent points in the
vicinity from the very first.
This village is now on the high road to success, and gives promise of a bright future. It
is estimated that $75,000 is paid out here during the winter season for stock aod grain alone,
which is ample evidence of a large trade as well as sales. '
The business interests of Helena are now represented in general merchandise, by W. M.
Austin and A. J. Lockman ; Helena Hotel, J. R. Mabbett; boot and shoe maker, Charles Villi-
mant; blacksmiths, James Evanson, A. McKinzie ; wagon and carriage maker, Henry Mabbett ;
stock and grain buyers, W. A. McKinzie, P. King, Sr.
Official Record. — The town organization of Arena was effected April 3, 1849, at tKe house
of D. L. Mcintosh. An appropriation of $25 was made at this meeting by the voters to defray
current expenses, and 2^ mills on the dollar was levied on taxable property to defray school ex-
penses. For the derivation of the name, etc., consult the "early polling places."
The officers elected in the town from 1849 to 1880, have been as follows :
1849 — J. S. Walker, Chairman ; John Stuart, Clerk.
1850 — Robert Emery, Chairman ; Robert Grorst, Clerk.
1851 — Robert Emery, Chairman ; Charles W. Sutcliff, Clerk.
1852 — G. M. Ashmore, Chairman ; Charles W. Sutcliff, Clerk.
1853 — G. M. Ashmore, Chairman; H. W. Tincham, Clerk.
1854 — G. M. Ashmore, Chairman; H. W. Tincham, Clerk.
1855 — G. M. Ashmore, Chairman ; Stephen B. Dilley, Clerk.
1856 — G. M. Ashmore, Chairman ; John T. Jones, Clerk.
1857-^G. M. Ashmore, Chairman ; William A. Brodie, Clerk.
1858 — G. M. Ashmore, Chairman; William A. Brodie, Clerk.
1859— G. C. Meigs, Chairman ; William A. Brodie, Clerk.
I860 — G. C. Meigs, Chairman ; C. 0. Ashmore, Clerk. .
1861 — William E. Rowe, Chairman ; William A. McKinzie, Clerk.
1862— G. C. Meigs, Chairman ; C. 0. Ashmore, Clerk.
1863 — John Hodgson, Chairman ; C. 0. Ashmore, Clerk.
1864 — John Hodgson, Chairman ; John Hagman, Clerk.
1865 — G. C. Meigs, Chairman ; S. J. Yorker, C erk.
1866 — G. M. Ashmore, Chairman ; B. B. Meigs, Clerk.
1867— G. M. Ashmore, Chairman ; B. E. Meigs, Clerk.
1868^G. M. Ashmore, Chairman ; B. E. Meigs, Clerk.
1869 — G. M. Ashmore, Chairman; John W. Edwards, Clerk.
1870 — G. M. Ashmore, Chairman ; John W. Edwards, Clerk.
1871 — John W. Edwards, Chairman ; William H. Jones, Clerk.
1872— G. C. Meigs, Chairman ; D. W. Inman, Clerk.
1873— G. C. Meigs, Chairman ; D. W. Inman, Clerk.
1874 — G. C. Meigs, Chairman ; D. W. Inman, Clerk.
1875 — William E. Rowe, Chairman ; D. W. Inman, Clerk.
1876— John W. Edwards, Chairman ; P. W. Perry, Clerk.
1877— E. Wyman, Chairman ; G. C. Meigs, Clerk.
1878 — E. Wyman, Chairman ; R. S. Peavy, Clerk.
1879 — William E. Rowe, Chairman ; D. W. Inman, Clerk.
1880— William E. Rowe, Chairman ; G. C. Meigs, Clerk.
1849 — David Mcintosh, John Hand, Supervisors ; William E. Shimons, Treasurer ; Robert
Emery, Assessor.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. T89
1850 — William Wallace, Samuel Titus, Superrisors ; Peter Lloyd, Treasurer ; Thomas
Harrison, Assessor.
1851 — R. S. Whyte, Samuel F. Steele, Supervisors ; Richard Mabbott, Treasurer ; Thomas
Harrison, Assessor.
1852 — William L. Dawson, John Culver, Supervisors ; John Hodgson, Treasurer ; John
T. Jones, Assessor.
1853 — John Culver, Nathaniel Hatch, Supervisors ; Henry Powell, Treasurer ; Thomas
Harrison, Assessor.
1854 — John Barnard, Nathaniel Hatch, Supervisors; Richard Mabbott, Treasurer.; Thomas
Harrison, Assessor.
1856 — John Barnard, Nathaniel Hatch, Supervisors ; John Wilkinson, Treasurer; Samuel
F. Steele, Assessor.
1856 — Richard Hodgson, Thomas Harrison, Supervisors ; Francis Hodgson, Treasurer ;
William Raynor, Assessor.
1857 — Thomas Harrison, John Hodgson, Supervisors ; J. G. Slieter, Treasurer ; William
H. Brisbane, Assessor.
1858 — Thomas Harrison, John Hodgson, Supervisors ; G. C. Meigs, Treasurer ; John
Calkins, Assessor.
1859 — Thomas Harrison, Alexander McCutchin, Supervisors ; John Cowen, Treasurer ;
J. S. Huggins, Assessor.
1860 — Thomas Harrison, William L. Dawson, Supervisors ; Alexander McCutchin, Treas-
urer ; J. S. Huggins, Assessor.
1861 — Robert McCutchin, Thomas Harrison, Supervisors ; C. F. Parks, Treasurer ; Will-
iam A. Ward, Assessor.
1862 — C. F. Parks, Christopher Mabbott, Supervisors; John Dowling, Treasurer; John
Hodgson, Assessor.
1863 — Richard Huston, Robert Hamilton, Supervisors ; Alexander McCutchin, Treas-
urer ; Isaac Farwell, Assessor.
1864 — William A. Ward, C. F. Parks, Supervisors ; Alexander McCutchin, Treasurer ;
Thomas Harrison^ Assessor.
1865 — Josiah Ward, John Anderson, Supervisors ; G. C. Meigs, Treasurer ; Isaac Far-
well, Assessor.
1866 — Robert Hamilton, John Anderson, Supervisors ; G. C. Meigs, Treasurer; John Wil-
kinson, Assessor.
1867 — Robert Hamilton, John Anderson, Supervisors ; Alexander McCutchin, Treasurer ;
John Hogan, Assessor.
1868 — John Wilson, John Anderson, Supervisors; John Hogan, Treasurer; John S.
Williams, Assessor.
1869 — John R. Mabbott, John Wilson, Supervisors; D. G. Jones, Treasurer; J. S. Hug-
gins, Assessor.
1870 — John G. Tyler, John Wilkinson, Supervisors; John Hogan, Treasurer; Isaac Far-
well, Assessor.
1871 — William Ellsworth, A. Culver, Supervisors; S. W. Dawson, Treasurer; Johnathan
Hodgson, Assessor.
1872 — John R. Mabbott, James J.Davis, Supervisors; John Hogan, Treasurer ; Johnathan
Hodgson, Assessor.
1873 — John R. Mabbott, James J. Davis, Supervisors; John Hogan, Treasurer; H. H.
Ray, Assessor.
1874 — John G. Tyler, John Hodgson, Supervisors; John W. Edwards, Treasurer ; H. H.
Ray, Assessor.
1875 — Hans Knudson, Michael Powers, Supervisors ; John W. Edwards, Treasurer ; John
Hogan, Assessor.
BB
790 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
1876 — Robert McCutchin, Henry Lindley, Supervisors; S. W. Dawson, Treasurer; John
Hodgson, Assessor.
1877 — Robert McCutchin, Christian Hottman, Supervisors; Stephen Dawson, Treasurer;
John Hogan, Assessor.
1878 — Robert McCutchin, Christian Hottman, Supervisors; Walter Yorker, Treasurer j
John Hogan, Assessor.
1879 — Henry P. Lynch, William C. Whitt, Supervisors; Walter Yorker, Treasurer; E.
R. Bovee, Assessor.
1880 — Henry P. Lynch, Hans Knudson, Supervisors; Clements Morbach, Treasurer;
John Wilkinson, Assessor.
In June 20, 1853, a special election was held in the town of Arena, for and against a prop-
osition to raise money to aid the railroad. There were 49 votes cast, of which 29 were against
the proposition, and 20 in favor of the proposition.
In 1862, the town raised $1,500 for soldier's bounty ; 1863, $4,476.89 ; 1864, $7,837.53 ;
1865, $6,150; 1866, $1,500.
TOWN OF CLYDE.
This town organization was effected in 1849. The first town meeting was held at the
house of Bphraim Norton, on the 3d day of April, 1849. William See was chosen Moderator,
and the following officers were elected : William See, Chairman ; Lucius Mears and F.
Frost, Supervisors ; George W. See, Treasurer ; Hiram Heath, Assessor ; Ephriam Norton,
Clerk and Justice of the Peace ; Hiram Heath, Constable ; Charles D. Smith, Superintendent
of Schools. At this meeting, it was voted to raise, by taxation, one-half of one per cent on
assessed values for school purposes, and $30 for contingent expenses. The ensuing annual town
meeting was to be held at the same place. In November following, at the election for County
Judge, there were but eleven votes polled.
For information concerning precinct, see general history.
Comparatively speaking, this town is of modern development, its first permanent settlers
having located within its limits nearly twenty years after the first settlement of the county.
While in the majority of the towns of the county the mines were being operated, the forests
being felled, and the incipient farms of the husbandmen being cultivated with energy, Clyde was
reposing in peace and almost total solitude undisturbed by woodman's ax or cow boy's whistle.
But eventually, during the year 1845, the inevitable pioneer in search of fortune and a
quiet and pleasant home, the blessings of which he desired to win for the support of old age,
strayed into the territory now embraced by the town lines, and located a small farm, thus paving
the way for those who followed in his footprints that have since, by their various efforts, rendered
this one of the leading agricultural as well as stock-growing districts in the county.
To the Irish belongs the honor of having made the first permanent settlement in the town.
John Burns with his wife and family, left the State of Michigan and emigrated to Wisconsin in
the spring of 1845, and located on Section 15. Here he built a small log cabin and cultivated
a few acres of ground, which small beginning has culminated in a large and valuable farm. He
was followed by Michael Murphy, who located a small farm in the vicinity of Burns' claim, and
continued improving and adding thereto until the original tract has been developed into a well-
tilled and attractive farm. The winter of this year, which is remembered by the pioneers of the
county as having set in early, and as having been one of unusual severity, debarred others from
locating here this season ; for rather than brave the inclement weather and inconveniences of a
frontier settlement during a cold winter, many were content to stay in a more pleasant if not
warmer locality.
Anthony Bonert, a native of Germany found his way to the future Clyde in the spring of
1846, he being the first of the thrifty and intelligent class of Germans now inhabiting this town.
There came during the years 1847 and 1848, Judge Butterfield, B. S. Butterfield, Nat
Butterfield, David Bigelow, James Kinzie, Ephriam Norton, Dr. Aaron Frost, Nelson Frost,
Benjamin Frost, James Dunbar and Smith Burris, the Carroll family and William See. Nearly
HISTOKY OF IOWA COUNTY. 791
all of these are remembered as having been men of ability and enterprise of such a character as
to give the town an impetus on the road of improvement, that has very materially aided in plac-
ing it in its present advanced position. Their claims were located in diiferent parts of the town,
some along Otter Creek and others near the Wisconsin River. The few succeeding years set-
tlers did not come in so rapidly.
In 1846, George Lee made his appearance, also William Ward and Reuben Cameron.
Among the arrivals in 1850 and 1851 were Michael and James Melody, John Enos, the old
Indian who lived and died on Section 21, John Doherty, Mr. Hoover and sons John, Thomas
and William, Thomas Gorman and Asa and Darius Knight. There probably were others who
came here during the years mentioned, but many of them remained only a few years, some
returning whence they came, while others have been lost amid the varying scenes of this event-
ful existence, and are now known only in connection with the past.
The advent of the years 1852 and 1853 brought to the town, A. C. Thurber, Stephen Gile,
Asa Gile, Patrick Mynn, Samuel Reams, Ransom Miller and sons George and James, Michael
Flynn, Barney Donnely, and Asel and Reuben Razey. About this time, agriculture became
developed to quite an extent, the size and number of the farms were being increased from year
to ^ear and a corresponding amount of produce was being raised. This state of affairs attracted
numerous settlers, so that during the year 1853 and 1854 the population increased rapidly.
Prominent among the number who came about this time were, Frank Martell, Michael Mears,
Arnold Hoxey, Patrick, Thomas and Cornelius Sheldon, Dennis Shannon, Barney Eagan,
Arnold Clarke and Joseph Limmix.
A post ofiBce was established in Clyde at an early day as soon after the settlement of the
town as the increase of the population required. Ephriam Norton was appointed first Postmas-
ter, and kept the office at his dwelling on Section 26. He was succeeded by James Kenzie.
Eventually this office was discontinued. In 1875, another was established, and Abel Thurber
appointed Postmaster. On January 10, 1880, Mr. Thurber transmitted the office paraphernalia
to Washington, and resigned his position as Postmaster, thus ending this one. The entire re-
ceipts of the office were but $4 per year, which was not one-fourth euough to compensate him for
the labor required to manage it.
The cause of education has not been disregarded in this town, but has been fostered to a com-
mendable degree. The first school in townwas taught by George Parr, in Mr. Norton's cooper-shop,
in 1850, and as early as 1851 the school was transferred to a small schoolhouse erected for that
purpose on Section 24. A man named Anderson was the first teacher. From this small be-
ginning schools sprung up rapidly in different parts of the town, and have been continued with
flattering success ever since. There are now in the town five school buildings with excellent
accommodations, which require the services of five teachers. The salaries paid here are such
as to enable the school board to procure teachers from among the best in the country.
The first religious services were held as early as 1851, by William See, who acted as leader
or preacher, and held meetings in the dwellings of the settlers. The first regular minister was
Rev. Arthur Laughlin, a Congregationalist, who was located in the town of Wyoming. Father
McDonald was the first Catholic priest who visited the town. He came here in 1852, and cele-
brated mass at Thomas Dunbar's, and afterward, occasionally, at the residence of Michael Mur-
phy. The Catholic Church, which is located on Section 10, was built about 1865 ; the congre-
gation is attended by the priest from Highland. The Norwegian Lutheran Church, in the
southern part of the town, was dedicated in 1878. This church is nicely located, well finished,
and has a good-sized congregation.
Milh. — In 1848 or 1849, the first grist-mill in the town was built by William See and
James Kinzie, Sr., on Otter Creek. A year or two later Mr. Kinzie erected, near the grist-
mill, a saw-mill, which he continued to run with success, in connection with the grist-mill, until
1868, when a freshet came and the creek overflowed its banks and played havoc with the coun-
try along- its course. The mills were swept from their foundations and completely destroyed
and carried away with the rush of water. The grist-mill was rebuilt two or three years there-
792 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
after, by Charles Frost and Robert Kinzie. Shortly after this, they also rebuilt the saw-mill,
which, with the grist-mill, is now owned by Peter Bourgeault. These mills are crowded to their
utmost capacity, their trade being very extensive. On Section 10, in the southern part of the
town, is located the grist-mill now owned by Mr. Pearcy. This mil! has some excellent run of
stone, and the quality of the flour is the equal of any in the county.
About twenty-five years ago, a charter for a ferry between this town and Lone Rock, on the
opposite shore of the Wisconsin River, was granted to Reuben Razey. This ferry is still con-
tinued, and is of great convenience to the citizens of each town.
The first marriage in the town was culminated in 1850, John Messersmith performing the
ceremony. The contracting parties were James Dunbar and Catherine Murphy.' The two first
births in the town were children of Mrs. Norton and Mrs. Dunbar.
The first deaths in the town occurred in 1850, they being Mr. and Mrs. Butterfield, who
succumbed to the cholera epidemic of that year. They were interred in the old burying-
ground on Mr. Norton's farm.
First Ghioago Poll List. — In this connection is presented an exact copy of the contents of
a rare old document, the record of the first election held in the precinct, now city of Chicago,
which is now in the possession of Robert Kinzie, of Avoca, son of James Kinzie, who was "for
many years a resident of Clyde. This transcript will doubtless prove of interest to very many
of our readers, besides being a valuable contribution to the historical records of the great North-
west, and particularly that greatest city of this wide area, Chicago ; therefore we take a pleasure
in printing it :
At an election held at the hone of Jamea Kinzie, in the Chicago Precinct, Peoria Connty, State of Illinois, on
Monday, the 2d day of August, A. D. 1830, the undernamed electors appeared and voted as follows (viz.):
NAMES OF VOTERS. FOB QOVERNOR. FOR LIEDTENANT GOVERNOR.
Stephen Scott John Reynolds Rigdon B. Slocumb.
John B. Beaubien John Reynolds James Adams.
Leon Bawerassa John Reynolds Rigdon B. Slocumb.
B. Haughton John Reynolds Rigdon B. Slocumb.
Jesse Walker John Reynolds Rigdon B. Slocumb.
Madore B. Beaubien William Kinney Rigdon B. Slocumb.
John B. Chevellaier William Kinney Jamea Adams.
James Kinzie John Reynolds Rigdon B. Slocumb.
Russell E. Hecock John Reynolds Rigdon B. Slocumb.
James Brown John Reynolds Jamea Adams.
Joseph La Fromboiae William Kinney Rigdon B. Slocumb.
John L. Davue , William Kinney Zadock Casey.
William See ...John Reynolds Rigdon B. Slocumb.
John Vanhorn William Kinney Jamea Adams.
John Man ...John Reynolds James Adams.
David Van Eaton William Kinney Rigdon B. Slocumb.
Stephen Mack William Kinney James Adams.
Jonathan A. Bailey John Reynolds Rigdon B. Slocumb.
Alexander McDonald John Reynolds Rigdon B. Slocumb.
John C. Hogan John Reynolds James Adams.
David McKee John Reynolds Rigdon B. Slocumb.
Bill Caldwell , John Reynolds James Adams.
Joseph Thebault William Kinney James Adams.
Peter Froueck William Kinney James Adams.
Mark Beaubien William Kinney James Adams.
Laurent Martin John Reynolds Rigdon B. Slocumb.
Jone Leccerd John Reynolds Zadock Casey.
Joseph Buskey John Reynolds James Adams.
Muhoes Welch John Reynolds Rigdon B. Slocumb.
Francia La Duier John Reynolda Rigdon B. Slocumb.
Lewis Goudy John Reynolda Rigdon B. Slocumb.
Pevish Laclare John Reynolds James Adams.
At an election at the house of James Kinzie, in the Chicago Precinct, County of Peoria, Slate of Illinois, on Mon-
day the 2d day of August, A. D. 1830, the following-named persons received the number of votes annfexed to their
respective names for the following-described office (viz.):
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTi'. 793
John Reynolds had twenty-two votes for Grovernor. William Kinney had ten votes for Governor. Rigdon B.
Slocumb had seventeen votes for Lieutenant Governor. James Adams had twelve votes for Lieutenant Governor.
Zadock Casey had two voles for Lieutenant Governor. Certified by us,
Attest : RnssEL E. Heaoock,
Jesse Walker, John B. Beaubien,
M\DoaE B. Beadbien, James Kinzie,
Gierke of the E eclion. Judges of Election.
One of the judges failing to attend, the two present appointed Russel E. Heacock to fill his place, there being
no Justice of the Peace present at the election. John B. Beaubien.
James Kinzie.
TOWN OF EDEN.
This small town, erected only some three years ago, is really the garden spot of the county.
As its name fully designates, it is almost a farmer's Eden, being naturally well adapted in
almost every way to the production, in great perfection, of all the agricultural products, either
indigenous or acclimated.
The inhabitants are, as in contiguous localities, a combination of various nationalities, and
almost uniformly represent a high standard of character. The churches, of which- there are
three, are well supported; and the schools, of which there are five, are studiously maintained
at a high standard.
There are deposits of mineral in the town, but to how great an extent is not known, as but
little has been done in the way of mining for many years. The first discovery was made acci-
dentally by a merchant of Mineral Point, while passing over the road to Centerville. By him,
it was reported to N. P. Underwood, now of Pulaski, but for some reason the discovery was
neglected, so that nothing was done toward developing mines here until about 1840 to 1845,
and long after the location of the first discovery was forgotten. It is altogether probable that
there are beds of mineral here — galena, black jack and drybone — that, if developed, would
yield a handsome revenue.
The history of Eden is necessarily, to a large extent, identified with Highland, to which
the territory now embraced by its boundaries belonged, until it was set off, and, therefore, the
names of very many of those who have, in former years, figured quite prominently in this sec-
tion, will be found in the sketch of that town.
As to who the very first settler may have been, or was, is not accurately known. This was
a sort of neutral ground, despised and neglected by the first comers of Mifflin, Centerville and
Highland. On account of its possessing no recognized value, except for agricultural purposes ;
therefore, for several years after those points were supporting quite a large population, these
beautiful prairies were left lying dormant in the lap of Mother Nature.
So far as general accounts go, the first settler in what is now the town of Eden was
Daniel Thorpe, who is remembered as having been locaied here as early as 1842, on the farm
now owned by Daniel Zimmer, Section 25. He, it appears, fixed himself at that point for the
purpose of accommodating the travelers who were passing to and fro on the old military road,
and also for the purpose of mining ; as it is known beyond a doubt that he was engaged in
developing "diggings," to a considerable extent at one time, but to how great a profit, or for
how long a time, is not known. However, it is certain that a good deal of mineral was raised
and taken to the old David Seely furnace, which stood about a mile east of Centerville, near
what is now the town line between Highland and Eden, and which was erected about 1836 by
Moses Meeker, the pioneer smelter of Galena, and one of the first in this county. The old fur-
nace long since went to decay, and the old Daniel Thorpe " diggings " became filled with water,
so that the mine is not now available to any appreciable extent.
Another of the old settlers of this town was H. M. Billings, who was really the first comer
into this country who made a permanent home here, but the first years of his residence in the
county were spent in what is now the town of Highland. Mr. Billings came to the county as
early as 1834, and into this town about 1847. He was one of the stanchest of the old pioneers,
and a man so well known and thoroughly identified with the history of the county and State
development, that it is only necessary for us to mention his name to recall the man to his asso-
794 HISTORY OP IOWA COUNTY.
ciates who still survive him. His career and death are noted in another chapter. He leaves a
widow and highly respectable family, all of whom, with the exception of Mrs. Billings, who is
now the last of the very first women, are natives of this town.
Of other old settlers of this town, we are enabled to mention Thomas Manning, Edward
and Jacob Hayes, Andrew McKeady, Henry Pugh, E. P. Pritchard, Daniel Darnell, J. N.
Lemon, Kund Holverson, Daniel Zimmer, S. N. Tregonning, James Thomas, Mr. Armfield,
Thomas Comfort, Jacob Culber, John Holman, James Fox and John Coker, all of whom have
contributed liberally toward the development of the country by their constant and assiduous
efforts.
There are also many others who have been located in this section of the county for a good
many years, many of them now being the representative men of the town in wealth and enter-
prise, of whom it would be highly gratifying to speak in general terms, but the limits of this
work preclude all but a brief survey of the chief incidents in the growth of the country and a men-
tion of those who were here first, so far as can be ascertained from local sources of information.
Of those who were here early, that have been here the longest, may be mentioned Messrs.
McKeady, Pritchard, Lemon and Zimmer, all of whom, with many others not spoken of, are
living in the enjoyment of a happy and prosperous old age.
One of the institutions of Lang Syne, well remembered by the oldest, was the old Cross
Plains House, erected about 1848 by George Shepard and a man by the name of Popejoy. The
house derived its name from its isolated position on the open plain traversed by the first stage
road, and at that time, besides being the first hotel and only desirable stopping-place in this
part of the country, it was almost the only house for miles around, for it must not be forgotten
that as late as 1850, and almost up to war times, the country, now converted into fine farms,
was very much of it lying untilled.
In connection with the old tavern occurs a remembrance of the old race-track and the sports
of thirty years ago. The track, which was straight and as level as a house floor, lay near the
tavern, and here, from miles around, on Sundays and holidays, would congregate the miners
and sporting characters to have a bit of fun. Horse-racing was the chief amusement, but tar-
get-shooting and foot-racing were not at all uncommon, and an occasional fisticuff may also have
been introduced in vindication of various political opinions and otherwise, or to test the validity
of some one's claim to being the best man in "seventeen counties."
A post office was established in town as early as 1850, Daniel Thorpe being Postmaster
and keeping the office at the old tavern already mentioned. After continuing a few years it
was abandoned, and no other office was established until the arrival of Martin Ash at what is
now the village of Eden.
About the first ministers to visit this section of the country were Rev. T. M. FuUerton
and Rev. Whitford, the latter at one time being a resident of the town. After them (in 1850)
came "Parson " Williams, familiarly so called, who was chiefly instrumental in erecting the Epis-
copal Church, which was the first religious edifice in the town or in this part of the county.
The church, which stands on Section 31, is a commodious edifice, having cost about $5,000
when it was built; the money, it is said, was obtained by Mr. Williams from abroad, as a con-
tribution for the purpose. The other two religious edifices — Mount Hope Baptist Church and
the Methodist Episcopal Church — were both built about five years ago.
VILLAGE OF EDEN.
This place, known under the various titles of Danville, Cross Plains, Cobb Post Office and
Eden, is the only village in the township. It is a smart little town, one of the best for business
in this portion of the county, and bids fair, now that a railroad is to pass through or near it, to
outstrip many of the adjacent and older and more pretentious places.
The first settler here was Martin Ash, who came about 1850. At the time his log cabin
was being rolled up, he ventured the prediction, which has since been fulfilled, that there would
eventually be a village at this point. He subsequently, in 1859, erected the first hotel, known
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 795
U3 the Bailey House, which was kept after him by M. Van Buren, David Dudgeon and William
Rappson.
The first business of the place was blacksmithing, by Thomas Comfort, and saloon-keeping,
by John Tige and James McDonald. These were followed by Michael Schutte, in 1872, who
opened the first store in the place in connection with a saloon.
The first regular mercantile establishment was started by John Fillback and H. Cunning-
ham, in the fall of 1873, and is*8till in operation. The general business development made
within the last few years, is best represented by the directory appended in conclusion.
The present post office (known as Cobb) has been in operation about fifteen or twenty
years. It has been kept respectively by Martin Ash, J. W. Sherwood, Jacob Culver, William
Rappson, Michael Schuette and the incumbent, John Fillback.
A depot is to be built here during the summer of 1881, on grounds located thirty-eight
rods north of the village, on Sections 26 and 26. The grade of the road has already reached
the place, and, within a few months, the snort of the iron horse will wake the echoes in the place.
The reader of the future, when he adjusts his spectacles and glances over the record of the
past, will here find the names of the business men of 1880, and, perhaps, of a later date : Charles
Fox, hardware ; W. J. Rappson & Son, hardware and drugs ; F. A. Cuninghan, groceries ;
Joseph Bailey, hotel ; Gordan Andrews, Doctor ; John Fillback, general store, Postmaster and
Town Clerk ; Patric Manning, shoemaker ; James Goldthorp, wagon-maker and blacksmith ;
Daniel Zimmer, carpenter ; Richard Manning, hotel and saloon ; Peter Schutte, groceries ;
Thomas & Davie, furniture ; George Yickelson, butcher ; David Smith, blacksmith ; Michael
Schutte, hotel ; L. E. Cooley, general store ; John Prideaux, wagon-maker and blacksmith ;
Jacob Hayes, carpenter; Daniel Zimmer, Sr., Justice.
The town of Eden was set off" from the town of Highland in the spring of 1877, according
to the general desire of the inhabitants of the first-named town, and, on the 3d of April of that
year, the first town meeting was held in the schoolhouse of District No. 9, and a regular organi-
zation effected. The following persons were chosen inspectors of the election : J. B. Johnson,
C. D. Alexander and Andrew McReady. The town officers elected were as follows : Andrew
McCready, Chairman ; John Jacobson and C. D. Alexander, Supervisors; John Fillback, Clerk ;
Richard Manning, Treasurer, and John Billings, Assessor.
1878 — John Billings, Chairman ; John Jacobson and Anton Willhelm, Supervisors ; John
Fillback, Clerk, Richard Manning, Treasurer.
1879 — J. B. Johnson, Chairman ; John Jacobson and Anton Willhelm, Supervisors ; John
Fillback, Clerk ; Richard Manning, Treasurer.
1880 — John Billings, Chairman ; John Jacobson and Anton Willhelm, Supervisors ; John
Fillback, Clerk ; Richard Manning, Treasurer.
TOWN OF HIGHLAND.
As is well known, the only industry that was considered of importance in an early day
was mining; and as early as 1828, certainly large amounts of lead were raised here. The
importance of this industry continued to increase for a good many years, and at one time this
part of the country ranked very high among the best sections of the lead-producing regions of
Iowa County. In after years, as agricultural pursuits came into vogue, the mining interests
began to wane, and continued to fall ofi" largely for a good many years, but at the present time
this work is being pursued, apparently, with renewed vigor, and large quantities of lead, blende
and calamine are being shipped out of the town daily from the vicinity of Highland and Cen-
terville, or what is now known as Dry Bone Post Office.
The most extensive mining was once done in the vicinity of Highland, and the Maguire
lead is usually considered as having been the best ever discovered. This was being worked to
the greatest profit from 1850 to 1860. The mining is now being done chiefly near Dry Bone.
To attempt to state accurately the amount of ore that has been sent from this section, would be
futile; therefore, no figures are given; suffice it to say, the yield of black jack and drybone.
796 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
friim the mine of KreuU & Co., near Centerville, has been for many years enormous. Hun-
dreds of thousands of pounds are shipped away annually, and during some portions of the year
a perfect retinue of teams is required to convey the product to the railroad at Avoca, from
which point the most of it is shipped to La Salle, 111. When it is understood that drybone has
been at times as high as $75 to $80 per ton, or even higher, something of an estimate of the
immense revenues realized from this industry may be realized. At the present time the price
is much lower, but high enough to insure a handsome profit to the owners.
The general social status of the people is good. The schools and the churches receive a
hearty and free support from a majority of the inhabitants. This indicates their true character.
There are very many fine farms here — some that will (sompare favorably with any in the county
— and throughout the town an evident pleasure and pride is taken in making substantial and
useful improvements — those that will last and reflect credit upon the energies of the farmers
and laboring classes.
Highland is the oldest village of consequence in the town and ranks in importance next
to Mineral Point and Dodgeville, for, although removed from railroad communication,' a large
and remunerative business is done here. With the exception of milling, there is no manufact-
uring done in this locality. The oldest inhabitant is Mr. Blabaum, aged ninety-two years. The
oldest settler now living is William Manning, who has been here since 1838. The present pop-
ulation of the town is 2,436. For census lists, see general history.
Who may have been the first white comer or comers into this town it is very difiicult to de-
termine, as none of those who first pitched their tents here are left to tell the story. But, with-
out doubt, the first white man was a Frenchman, an Indian trader, by the name of Brisbois (as
appears in the general history). The first " diggings," as they are familiarly called, were named
after him, and, from being near the surface, could be easily worked, and therefore were sought
by the Indians, who -were really the first miners. This mine was situated about one mile north
and west of the site of Highland, but was never worked very extensively, on account of the
rocky nature of the land.
In 1827 and 1828, when the grand influx of miners rushed into the county, a large num-
ber came here, prominent among whom were Capt. James Jones, Levi Gilbert and Daniel
Moore. Many others came here about that time, the names of some of them appearing in the
following list, which represents the number of voters in the town in 1838, carefully compiled
from authentic official documents. Some of these will be remembered, by many of the oldest
inhabitants now living, as having been men prominently connected with the early settlement of
this portion of the county, while many of the names will stand unrecognized, they having been
obliterated from memory by the oblivion which time and change bring, and from which there is
no salvation except through tradition and history :
Richard Pratt, Louis M. Samuel, John G. Larowe, Peter W. Foot, Moses Meeker, P. Hoi-
lenbeck, Jordon Underwood, John Young, S. Brunier, J. T. Landrum, E. B. Goodsell, J. G,
Parish, Peter Clarey, James Conners, John Gilbert, H. Mesmore, Daniel Moore, John Hughes,
H. M. Billings, J. C. McKenna, R. Smith, Levi Gilbert, Alonzo D. Mills, Henry Ludnum, E.
G. Clay, D. E. Parish, A. Short, Henry Boyer, John Ripperton, Thomas Waters, B. F. Len-
ord, James B. Jameson, J. O'Neill, S. Wilkinson, T. Popejoy, Bernard McDermott, John
Lyons, C. W. Banely, P. C. Underwood, W. A. Pollock, F. C. Kirkpatrick, Samuel Taylor^
Silas Jones, James Orchard, Thomas D. Potts, Wilson Wright.
Levi Gilbert and Capt. Jones, it is generally conceded, opened the second mine, called the
Walter Diggings. To enumerate all the various diggings, as Dry Bone, Blue River, etc., that
were soon after being operated, is neither possible nor necessary to the interest of the narrative.
Suffice it to say, within a few years the country in various directions was largely honeycombed
by miners' pits, that went by any name the facetiousness of the owner might suggest.
While the war of 1832 was raging, the people were posted on the east half of the
southwest quarter of Section 34, Town 7, Range 1, under the command of Capt. James
Jones ; but during those three months of Indian troubles, the little garrison remained quiet, as.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 797
the chief seat of the diflSculty was in the eastern part of this county and in what is now LaFayette
County. In fact, it is said that the miners were not deterred from prosecuting their labors to
any great extent by the unpleasantness, excepting those who chose to go out with the volunteers
in quest of adventure and scalps. After the war, the increase of population must have been
quite rapid, but so many were coming and going that a large part of those who were there in
the first place had removed to other points.
The first lead lode of unusual value was discovered about 1834, by Thomas G. Lucas and
a man by the name of Powers. This mine is described as having been the most productive and
easiest worked of any ever opened up to that date, or indeed for many years after. It was
located not far from Centerville. Not long after this, Vosburg Jennings, H. M. Billings and
P. 0. Underwood, Elihu B. Goodsell, Stephen P. Hollenbeck, Moses Meeker and many others
opened mines here, some of which were worked with profit for a good many years.
John G. Parish brought a wife and family of seven children into the county, two of whom
were daughters. One of these girls married Daniel Moore, and the other Levi Sterling, who
was the' first Sheriff" of the county. These were the first marriages in the Blue Eiver district, and
among the very first in the county.
The first farm in the town was opened about 1836 or 1837, by Mr. Potts, in the south part,
near the line of the town of Eden. A good many years before any other person had made any
improvements of particular note, there was a large piece of land under cultivation here, and
almost before any other person had begun farming in this section of the county, he had a thrifty
young orchard, which was producing largely. This orchard was one of the very first in the
county, and practically demonstrated that fruit could be raised successfully, when nearly every
one supposed it would not grow in this country.
CENTERVILLE.
The first mercentile business was started in the town in 1836, by William Atchison,
at the mining hamlet of Centerville, which should be mentioned as the chiefest place
in the west part of the county at that time ; the metropolis of the Blue River district, as this
part of the county was called for many years, and after which an incorporated company was
subsequently named, which was organized to mine in this part of the county. Centerville
received its name from being located directly on the line between Iowa and Grant Counties ; sub-
sequently it was called Dry Bone, on account of the chief mineral product of the region. A
post oflBce Was established here about 1840, with Hui;h McCracken, one of the early comers
and second merchant in the town, as Postmaster. He was succeeded by Charles N. Mumford,
in 1845, who held it until 1852 or 1853, when it was discontinued ; the present office was estab-
lished in 1878, with Anthony Kruel as Postmaster.
A Mrs. Townseiid kept boarding-house at Centerville at a very early day, and, with two
amiable daughters, dispensed the comforts of life to the bachelors of that region. These girls
were among the first married in the town, a man by the name of Mills and another by the
name of Samuels being the favored parties. A person by the name of Hyde also kept a board-
ing-house here at one time.
In the winter of 1874, an enterprising party named Thomas Allen erected a building and
set up a large and complete mineral-washing apparatus, near Dry Bone; but, unfortunately, tho
investment of time, energy and money brought no reward, and last year the affairs of the estab-
lishment had to be closed out. The expense incurred in this attempt to improve the mining
interests of the country cost something like $20,000. Probably no one else will be so rash as to
make a similar endeavor, although it would seem that such a business ought to prove successful
and remunerative.
Before 1850, the business of Centerville changed its course and went to its more prosperous
rival, Highland, and since that time the little hamlet has almost ceased to be a place. There is
yet a store here where the post office is kept, and a blacksmith-shop and saloon. This is the
only business, aside from mining and farming, done in the locality.
"^98 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
In early days the lead raised in the vicinity of Centerville was smelted, principally at Dr.
Meeker's furnace. The value of blende and calamine was then unknown, and millions of this
valuable mineral was lost.
Another of the early settlements was Simonsville, which received its nom de plume from a
miner of "ye olden time," who first made this valley his place of abode, and who, it is said, dis-
pensed the ardent almost before the recollection of any of the modern settlers. The location of
the place is about all there is to it, as it never reached the dignity of a hamlet, although the early
residents may have had hopes that some time there would be a village. The only business which
has been done here for years in the way of trade has been by R. 0. Lee, who keeps a grocery
and meat market. At this point is the farm of Antony Emback, one of the very oldest living
settlers.
Of the men who were in the town before 1850, not mentioned els 2where, and many of
whom have either gone over the river or moved to other places, we mention David McFarland,
Patrick Manning, W. H. Hook, John Howard, Pat Smith, David Leman, Alfred Parmer, Pat Fitz-
patrick, William Otterson, Russell Leech, Andrew and James McFarland, Ahab Bean, Timothy
Burns, James Andrews, John Booth, Judge Strong, Theodore and R. L. Vance, Gilbert Corley,
J. J. Jones, E. Watson, John Pettigrove, E. Dyer, W. W. Jennings, J. Mullamphy, J. D.
Meeker, C. N. Mumford, J. B. Darnell, F. A. Hill, Dr. L. C. McKenna, John McDermott, Frank-
lin Ward, P. J. Toll, W. S., John and Daniel Dudgeon, John Fultz, Mr. Gottschalk, Dr. J. P.
Hamilton, John and Louis Suddeth, James, Pat and Edward Manning, J. Donahue, Joseph Daley
and A. Galloway. Many of these are well remembered as representative men, and some of them
have occupied the most distinguished or public positions in the gift of the people, as T. Burns,
David McFarland. The oldest of the first settlers now living are Messrs. McFarland, Jones,
Einhofi", Carley, Darnell and Manning. Nearly all of those enumerated in this connection
were residents of the town before 1850, and some were here as early as 1840.
Furnaces. — As early as 1828, Capt. Jones had a furnace, and within a few years there
was another started by Moses Meeker, one of the most noted of the first settlers. This fur-
nace stood east of the village of Highland, and was subsequently operated by David Seely for
many years. From this, it will be readily understood that there must have been a large amount
of mining done in Highland before 1850.
At a very early day, it was known among the miners that there was a magnificent spring
west of the site of Highland, about a mile, and a good many were ambitious to start a furnace
at that point, as there was also an abundance of wood convenient. Nothing was done, however,
until 1836. Then, simultaneously, P. 0. Underwood and J. B. Terry started out to find it, with
the avowed intention of building the mooted furnace. As a result of the search, J. B. Terry
found the spring, made a claim, and a furnace was erected soon after, called the Blue River Fur-
nace, in which J. B. Terry, William S. Hamilton and Dr. Moses Meeker were chiefly interested.
This furnace operated for a few years only and was abandoned. At one time there was talk of
building a mill here, as the spring, which bursts from a hill some distance above the level, is
one of great volume.
In 1847, a furnace was erected by Theodore Vance, Henry Corwith, of Galena, furnishing
the necessary funds for the prosecution of the work, and being the most interested party. In
1850, the furnace became the property of Joseph Clemenson, who had previously operated it,
and who continued to run it until about 1858, when he relinquished the business of smelting
and abandoned the furnace to decay. It was located on Section 35, and is now a mass of
ruins.
About the time this furnace was discarded, the firm of Bennett & Hoskins built another
about a mile east of Highland, at what is known as Simonsville, which is still standing, and is
operated each season.
Milhs. — The first mill was built by David Dudgeon about 1850, on the Hollenbeck Branch
of Otter Creek, Section 13. This mill, which was but a small affair, containing one run of
stone, was continued in active operation until 1870, when the building was removed to Rich-
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 799
land County. At the present time there is talk of erecting a creamery on the old mill site, as
the location and general surroundings are especially well adapted to that purpose.
Another and better mill was built by Roger Jones in 1860, on Section 33, Town 7, on
Baker's Branch of Otter Creek. This mill, which contains two runs of stone, is still in opera-
tion.
One of the noticeable enterprises engaged in about ten years ago, was the building of a
wind-mil! by Thomas Bering. The intention was good, but, unfortunately, the business could not
be made to pay ; some grinding was done, but the institution was rather too primitive in char-
acter and the wind too uncertain a motor to enable the proprietor to compete successfully with
water-power, so the mill quickly passed into disuse.
The first school was taught in the town by a Mrs. H. Clarke, in 1846. The schoolhouse,
a small frame building which is yet standing on the east side of Main street, in the south part
of the town of Highland, and used for a private residence, was erected in 1845, the money for
the purpose being raised by subscription. This served as meeting-house, town-house and school-
house.
An amusing episode connected with the first teacher is worthy of mention. It appears that
Mrs. Clarke did not give the best of satisfaction to some of her patrons, while others were well
pleased and gave her a willing support. However, it was decided by the special management,
that, after Mrs. Clarke's first school term was over, another teacher should be employed.
Accordingly G. F. Meigs, now of Arena, was engaged. When the time arrived for opening his
school, he came on only to find Mrs. Clarke holding the fort. S. P. Hollenbeck, one of the
prominent early comers, was especially interested and went and requested Mrs. Clarke to retire,
but she firmly refused to do so, maintaining her position by the right of possession, or the nine
points in the premises. The night following this, after Mrs. Clarke was gone, Mr. Hollenback
and others nailed up the windows and fastened the door securely, intending to come on in the
morning with Mr. Meigs and take possession. But in the morning when they arrived on the
scene, they found the redoubtable, and, by this time, highly irate Mrs. Clarke in possession
and prepared for war. No argument or persuasion was of avail, and finally an attempt was
made to eject her; then she proceeded to belabor whoever approached. As a result, the storm-
ing party beat a retreat, leaving her in undisputed possession.
S. P. Hollenbeck, in speaking of the affair afterward, said that he received a blow that
would have distinguished an Amazon. At any rate Mrs. Clarke carried the day, and it may be
added, taught the school until the end, or as long as there were any scholars to teach. There
are now six school districts with schoolhouses in the town, all being in a flourishing condition.
Churches. — Rev. T. M. Fullerton, now of Shullsburg, who preached in the county before
1840, was probably the first person who held regular religious services in this town, although
previous to his time. Dr. Moses Meeker and others held meetings in their cabins. From the
very beginning, in connection with the general development, religious and moral training became
more general, constant and of a higher character, until at present there are four churches and
church organizations which furnish every privilege that can be asked for religious enjoyment.
There is at present but one church in the town out of the village of Highland — a Norwe-
gian Lutheran built in 1872 — which stands of Section 29, Town 1-, Range 2. This is a hand-
some stone structure, one of the finest church edifices in the town, and is supported by a large
and intelligent congregation. There is a cemetery connected with this church.
There is one commonwealth cemetery just south of the village of Highland, on Section 33,
and three church cemeteries.
Post Offices. — The first post ofiice established in what is now the town of Highland, aside from
Centerville, was at the village of the same name, in 1846. The next office was at what is known
as Pine Knob, established in 1870, at the point of that name and which is sufficiently described
thereby. The first and only Postmaster is Andrew Gulickson, who also keeps store here. The
Union Mills Post Office, which was at first established in the town of Dodgeville, is now just
over the line in the town of Highland. Mr. James is the Postmaster.
800 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
VILLAGE OF HIGHLAND.
This village, which is one of the four incorporated towns in the county, is now the principal
business place in the west part of the county, and has been for the last twenty-five years.
Although at different times the inhabitants have suffered very severely through epidemics and ■
fire, which have greatly deterred the growth of the village, yet it has managed, through the
energetic character of the people, to keep pace with the times, and has been slowly but surely
increasing in size and importance, from the time the first miner's cabin was erected until the
present.
The first settlers here were principally Americans, with a few Irish and Germans ; but
during subsequent years, a gradual change was wrought in this respect, until now there are but
few Americans, the German and Irish elements constituting nearly the entire community. The
situation is one of the best in the county in some respects, more especially on account of its
high altitude, which renders the church steeples visible for many miles throughout the surround-
ing country, and on account of the extensive mineral deposits, and valuable farming lands which
lie in the immediate vicinity. Considering the size of Highland, and the mixture of nationali-
ties, there is no place in this part of the country that can boast of a better social condition, as
evidenced by the four thriving churches and one of the best schools in Iowa County.
What the future may hold in store for the place can hardly be predicted, but if a short road
is extended to Highland, from the Milwaukee and Madison Branch of the Northwestern Rail-
road, which passes through the county a few miles south, there can be no doubt of its future
prosperity. Therefore, it is to be hoped that they may have a railroad.
Tip to 1844, there was nothing done here or in the vicinity but mining, and previous to that
time such a thing as a village was scarcely contemplated, the miners only caring for their pres-
ent or daily success, and entertaining few thoughts and less hopes of anything in the future ap-
proximating what has since been realized.
First Settlers. — The first person to locate here was Elihu B. Goodsell, who built a log cabin
probably as early as 1840, a little west of what is Main street, and began keeping house and en-
tertaining travelers, having at the outset a male housekeeper, who was cook, table-waiter and
chambermaid.
At this time, a drift of considerable magnitude was opened by Mr. Goodsell, at this point,
in conjunction with William Suddeth, who was at that time his business partner, and who also
worked for a time with him at Goodsell's Range, in Booth Hollow, so called after William S.
Booth, who worked there as early as 1834. As to the productiveness of the first Highland
drift there are only uncertain accounts, but it is said to have been very rich and quite easy to
work.
Mrs. W. S. Booth, in spea,king of the times at " Goodsell's Range," says : " The custom-
ary winter pastime was sliding down hill," when she, as the only woman there, in company with
two or three children, would go out with the men and coast for hours, Mr. Goodsell being the
life of the party.
The principal part of the land where the village is located, was entered by E. B. Goodsell
and John Barnard, who was the second interested settler here, in 1844-45.
Nothing was done of special importance toward making a permanent plat until 1846, al-
though previous to that time the village had been partially laid out and named Franklin, in
honor of a broker of Mr. Goodsell's, named Franklin, and in honor of a favorite boy, belong-
ing to Mrs. William Suddeth, the wife of one of the early miners, who was the first woman in
the village, and who subsequently became the wife of Amasa Cobb.
The village was regularly surveyed, platted, and the plat registered in July, 1846, by E. B-
Goodsell and John Barnard, and in October, 1860, a subdivision was platted by Joseph Lean.
The first house, already mentioned, was occupied as early as 1845 by John Barnard, who
kept the first tavern. This building is standing yet, " a relic of by-gone days."
HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY. 801
During 1845, several families and persons moved into Highland, the most noticeable of whom
were, aside from those mentioned, William and John Suddeth and wives, Harvey Hall and family,
William Smith and wife, John Harriman and wife, Andrew McCready and wife, and George
Moore.
In the spring of the above year, the first child was born, a son of Andrew McReady, which
soon after died, this also being the first death in the place. The second birth was a girl, Eliza-
beth, the daughter of Mr. Harriman, born during the same year, and who lived until the cholera
trouble of 1850.
In 1845, the first frame building was erected by Mr. Goodsell, and rented to Henry Moore,
who opened a store during the fall of that year or the ensuing spring. The establishment of
a store, where the various necessities can be obtained, and where the ambitious descanters upon
private and public topics can congregate, to exchange views and hear the news, is a matter of no
small importance to a small or new community, although in itself it may be a signally insignifi-
cant affair. However, according to the general opinions, this store was quite a superior estab-
lishment.
The first mechanic came here in 1845, in the person of John Bratton, and started a black-
smith-shop. We say the first, but probably there were carpenters here previous to that time,
and perhaps masons, but none of these had any fixed place of business. ' The first carpenters
were William Withrow, Anthoney Eimhoff and William A. Coons. The first known mason was
Mr. James Finnel, who came here quite early, and in 1846 erected the first stone building in
the place for Mr. Goodsell, and which is now occupied by Mrs. Goodsell.
In 1845, the marriage nuptials of Nicholas Murphy and Maria Ferrill were celebrated.
Some of the circumstances connected with this occasion, which was the first of its kind, were
quite amusing, and will be well remembered by many of the oldest inhabitants. It appears
that Mr. Goodsell had often in a bantering way said that he would present the first couple with
a lot, and finally laid a wager with Miss Ferrill, just at the time he was about to start East to
get a wife, that no couple would get married before his return. The wager was accepted by
Miss Ferrill, and sure enough when he returned in 1846 he found that her marriage had been
consummated during his absence, and he was out a lot, which was the stake. True to his word,
he gave the couple the lot, and on it the first frame dwelling-house in the village was erected.
The influx of settlers in 1846 was very rapid. In fact, there were not enough cabins to
hold them, and during the entire summer large numbers had to live in tents, while on every
hand the sound of the workman's hammer proclaimed the fact that the village was growing in a
very substantial as well as rapid manner. A large majority of the people who were here then
were New England people and Southerners, and among them were some of the best families of
those sections, so that the society was unquestionably very good. Owing to the newness of the
situation, all were striving to co-operate in a friendly manner, thus making the time pass pleas-
antly and harmoniously for each and every one.
1847 is remembered in Highland as the year of the first celebration, when people came here
from far and near. Among other attractions on that occasion was a brass band from Platteville,
and a military company, and Dragoons from Mineral Point. It is said that Judge Cothren then
made his maiden speech, standing on a dry goods box, under a clump of trees on Main street.
Old settlers say that this was a very grand affair, with noise and glorification enough to make
the day one to be long if not favorably remembered.
Of the very first merchants after Moore, who established themselves here before 1850, we
are enabled to mention Mr. HoUob, Isaac Ocheltree, J. B. Wijley, W. Gray, Wesley Johnson,
and Phelps, Mr. Miller, J. Gunlac, Charles Gillman and Hugh McCracken; there were also
some others, but their names are unknown.
The second hotel was the old American House, built in 1847 by Anthoney Eimhoff for a
Mr. Chandler. This hotel, which has grown old in the service of travelers and various land-
lords, is now styled the Highland House and kept by Mrs. Fitzpatrick.
802 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
Not long after the opening of the American House, Andrew Bolster erected a tavern on
the site of Dr. Eagan's house. This hotel was burned and rebuilt a few years after, the second'
house being a large structure. Eventually that was burned also, so that now nothing remains,
only the remembrance of the generous and hospitable fare that could always be obtained there.
The Blackney House, which is now the principal hotel in the place, was built in 1868 or
1869 by Mr. Pothold, a native of Poland. It is at present the property of Thomas Blackney,
the ex-County Sheriff.
The first brewery, a log building, was erected by Jacob Gunlach in 1846. In 1847, Phillip
Grillman put in the necessary feeding apparatus, and during the same year the first beer was
made. Eventually the building was converted to other .uses, until it was burned in 1880. The
present brewery was built by Peter Seigut & Bros, in 1855. In 1862, it burned, and in 1863,
on the old foundation, the building now in use was erected by the Lampe Brothers, Anthone
Eimhoff and John Topp. Since that time it has been in constant operation, although changing
hands occasionally, and has the name of producing very good beer.
Of the present old settlers living in the village, we are enabled to mention George Lampe,
B. H. Lampe, Patrick McGum, S. H. Fitch, John Biehn, Jacob Dannerhausen, Mrs. Goodsell,
Mrs. George Strongs Michael Muldoon, Charles Ohlerking, Richard Kennedy, Thomas McGuire,
J. Newmeyer and Robert Grace. Nearly all of these were here before 1850, and a few almost
from the very first, and nearly all of them, have been largely identified with the general growth
of the place ; there are doubtless others here who came before 1850, but their names were not
known. The names of many that were once residents of the village, will be found in the town
history.
JEpidemics. — In July, 1850, the village was terribly ravaged by the cholera, some sixty-
nine individuals having died from its effects. That, together with the exodus to California, may
be said to have nearly depopulated the place. Isaac Darnell, a school-teacher, was the first vic-
tim, by catching it from a family named Shepard, that was passing through Highland while
leaving Wingville, which was then afflicted with the same epidemic. Within ten days after
Darnell was taken, the disease was raging to a terrible extent. Many who were able to get
away left ; among them both of the physicians, Drs. Hamilton and Moffett, to save their lives.
It seemed for a time that none would escape that remained.
During this terrible ordeal, brave men and women were not wanting to perform the offices of
humanity for the dead and dying. A general attendance committee was formed, consisting of
Amasa Cobb, Henry Moore, Frank Ward, Benjamin Ringold, Joseph Daley, William Hook, James
Hook, Chester Olds, James Calloway, J. Figgins and a man by the name of Morris, who did all
that men could do to alleviate the sufferings of the afflicted. Bon-fires were kept burning and
cannons were fired to purify the atmosphere, but all to no avail ; the fell destroyer was upon them
and the harvest of death must be and was satisfied. This was, doubtless the greatest calamity
that ever befell the place, the scenes and misery of which will never be forgotten by those who
were there, and that pen or tongue can not adequately describe.
In the winter of 1877, the place was visited by the small-pox in the form of an epidemic,
and which was so generally prevalent that almost one-half of the houses had the sanguineus
signal displayed. The village was quarantined, and, for a time, all sorts of business came nearly
to a stand-still. At this period there were about ten deaths, and a very large number who were
sick recovered.
Murders. — During the early mining days. Highland was usually considered a pretty rough
place, where a man could be accommodated with almost any kind of treatment, from good to
bad. But this is all changed now, as, with few exceptions, the villagers are very quiet and or-
derly, and, since the charter was obtained, the various ordinances and efficient officers effectually
prevent disorder to any considerable extent. The worst crimes ever perpetrated here were two
murders. The killing of an old man, Francis Moran, by splitting his head open with an ax,
was the most aggravated and brutal. The crime was perpetrated apparently to obtain money,
and the murderers were never discovered. The other was the shooting of a Frenchman by the
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 803
name of LaMott, by a tavern-keeper named Zar. LaMott, it appears, in a fit of intoxication
attempted to force his way into Zar's house, causing the disaster. Eventually Zar was tried and
acquitted on the plea of self defease.
Fires. — In the course of the career of Highland, as mentioned, it has suffered severely from
fires, some of which, for a place of this size, have been of considerable magnitude. The first one
of special note occurred in 1848, when a building started by a Mr. Leider, the first tailor, for a
hotel, was burned before it was entirely completed. Of the many fires that occurred afterward,
we mention only the worst. The burning of the brewery in 1862, and within a few years the
destruction of Dr. Hamilton's drug store and a cooper-shop standing near ; also the burning of
the old Wisconsin House, and the drug store of David & Muldoon and P. S. Sheldon's tin-shop ;
and again in 1877, the new Wisconsin House and Dr. Stanley's property. The last and worst
of all was the terrible conflagration of November 20, 1880. This fire swept off several of the
best business houses in the village, and left a large bare spot on the northwest corner of Main
and Mineral Point streets, that will not, in all probability, be re-covered with buildings for some
time to come.
The principal sufferers were Charles Ohlerking, Richard Kennedy, Thomas McGuire,
Patrick Grant and H. B. Lampe. All of the buildings were insured, but not heavily — in all
about $5,600 — which was paid. The estimated loss was f 7,500. The men, women and children
worked like heroes, and saved a large amount of goods ; but in spite of everything that could
be done, and owing to a high wind, the fire could not be extinguished, and only stopped for want
of more fuel. One young man, Bernard Goodsell, received a very severe injury in trying-to save
one of the buildings.
Schools. — As stated in the town sketch, the first schoolhouse was built in the south part
of the village, and is now occupied for a private dwelling. This building was the only school-
house until 1865 or 1856, when by the general wishes of the voters the district (18) was divided,
the line of separation between the two sections being principally Main street. After the divis-
ion was effected, those in the east portion built a good-sized frame schoolhouse, and those in the
west section erected a stone schoolhouse. No change was effected from this time on, save to im-
prove the standing of the schools, until 1875. Then, at the time of the annual school meeting, the
property owners of the two sections met and voted to again unite, and by consolidating their
forces, to establish a graded school and erect a high-school building. The structure was begun
and finished to such an extent during the same year that a winter school could be taught ; but,
the small-pox coming on, the school was not opened, although a teacher had been employed, to
whom regular wages were paid. The schoolhouse is a large two-story frame building, well fin-
ished, lighted and furnished throughout, and is an ornament to the place and credit to the ambi-
tion of the inhabitants. The total cost was about $5,000. There are three departments, and
the general standing is very good throughout. The citizens of Highland have just cause to be
proud of their present school, for certainly it is one of the best in the county.
Post Office. — For a career of change begetting change, of Postmaster after Postmaster, ad
libitum, and offices the same, during the last thirty-five years, nothing on record can show a
wider range of experience and, perhaps, vicissitude in a public way, than this official institution.
The office was established in May, 1846, with E. B. Goodsell as Postmaster, the office being
kept in the store of George Moore. In 1849, Amasa Cobb, who was then in the prime of young
manhood, and just returned from the Mexican war, where he had won distinction, was appointed,
partially at the desire of the people, who wished to show their appreciation of him in so far as
possible, by giving an office. He first kept the post office in his law office, then moved it to Dr. J.
B. Moffett's store, in the meantitne, while the cholera was raging in 1850, having left the village,
office and all, for two or three weeks. Cobb was elected District Attorney in 1852, and then
Dr. Moffett was appointed. In 1853, another change was effected, and L. M. Strong, afterward
Judge, became Postmaster. He kept the office in a small building that stood near where Dr.
Eagan's house now stands. This appointment lasted until 1856 ; then Mark Corrin appears in
the wheel of change, and held forth in the Town Clerk's office. This building since burned,
804 HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY.
Corrin was a strong Republican, and on account of his politics was soon ousted. Applicants
for the position of Postmaster at that juncture were exceedingly few ; in fact it is said no one
could be found to take it but a tinker named Morehead, who transported the office to his tin
shop. The spring following (1857), Morehead left the village, and Squire Fitch was then
appointed, and removed the office to the Town Clerk's room again, where he kept it until 1860,
when he resigned in favor of Charles Gillman, who took the office to his store on the corner of
Main and Mineral Point streets. This appointment only lasted until 1861, then B. H. Her-
rick was installed Postmaster, and again the office was moved, being kept by him in the old
American House, and subsequently in another building. • The next year the inevitable change '
came, and Dr. A. C. Byers, a new-comer, was appointed. He first kept the office in his dwell-
ing in the north part of town. Then moved it down town ; and at last settled it in the house
now owned by Richard Kennedy, in the south part of the village. In 1865, Charles Gillman
was again appointed and removed the office to the store where the Louis Brothers now keep ; two
years after, H. G. Ellsworth became Postmaster, he having, with C. C. David, purchased Mr.
Gillman's establishment. Mr. Ellsworth's partner, David, next toolc the office in 1868. In
1873, Mr. David resigned, and the office was kept by Richard Kennedy, for about a month at
his store. This change not being agreeable to the people, James Olemenson either became dep-
uty or received the appointment, and again the office was moved to Mr. David's store, where
Clemenson was then a partner. The next appointment, probably, after Mr. David, was J. P.
Smelker. Under him the post office was kept in William Kenear's store building, now
owned Jay T. Wall, and from that it was moved to James Ramsden's place across the street. When
the small-pox was raging in 1877, the office was taken to Mr. Smelker's law office, and thence
to B. H. Kreal's store. In the fall of 1877, Mr. Ramsden was appointed Postmaster, and the
office was then kept in Lampe's stone building. After him, in the spring of 1879, James Per-
kins became Postmaster, keeping the office in his store until October of 1880, when the incum-
bent, James George, was appointed, and thus ends the list. Who comes next ?
Secular Societies. — The first secret society organized here was the Franklin Lodge,
No. 16, A., F. & A. M. The dispensation was extended August 3, 1847, and, on the
15th of January, 1848, the charter was granted to Adolphus Hollobs, W. M. ; J, C. Bratton,
S. W. ; H. M. Billings, J. W. Among the prominent early members were R. L. Vance, A.
Palmer, Charles Harvey, J. B. Dobson, A. Sylvester, Moses Meeker, Andrew Bolster and J.
C. Chandler. The lodge flourished here until 1857, when, the membership having become
small, the charter was taken to Avoca, in the town of Pulaski, where the lodge now is.
In 1848, the benevolent order of Odd Fellows established a lodge here, the twenty-second
in the State. This organization flourished until 1861, when the war broke out ; then it rapidly
ran down, and, in effect, soon ceased to exist. Among the prominent early members were L.
M. Wells, W. H. Hook, Joseph Daley, R. L. Vance and J. Galloway.
Before 1850, a Sons of Temperance Society was organized here, and flourished for a few
years. Nothing further was done toward promoting temperance principles until 1878, when the
red ribbon movement was set afoot here, and within a short time a large number of converts had
been made. Father Stephen Trent was largely influential in advancing this work, and ihrough
his influence, and owing to the fact that the organization was not secret in its character, a large
number of Catholics took the pledge. The club held meetings and flourished for two years,
doing a great deal of permanent good by efiecting the reform of several inebriates.
In 1873, a German benevolent society was founded by Father Syler, which is now flour-
ishing. According to the code of this order, in the case of sickness a member is paid $2 per
week and care of members. In case of death, an appropriation of $25 is made to defray funeral
expenses. In this connection, it may be said such an organization as this is a credit to any
community. The first officers were George Lampe, President ; B. H. Lampe, Secretary ; John
Tapp, Treasurer. Father Syler was evidently a man of social proclivities, and quite public-
spirited (as may be said of Father Stephen Trent, whose memory is held dear by nearly all
classej), for under his instigation, about five years ago, the Highland Brass Band was started.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. i:J05
The organization now numbers fourteen members, and is one of the two which are at present in
existence in the county. The band is said to be in a very flourishing condition, and is acknowl-
edged to play exceedingly well.
Ohurehes. — Religious services were held in the village very soon after the first schoolhouse
was built in 1845, by Elder Penman, a Methodist, and during the season a class was organized,
consisting of John Luddeth and wife, Mr. and Mrs. Harriman, Mr. and Mrs. Edgington, Jona-
than Meeker and wife, Mrs. Greenash, Mrs. Hall and Mrs. Smith. Mr. Penman was the min-
ister for some time ; then his place was taken by a circuit rider named Close. Another of the
early ministers was Elder Whitford.
In 1847, the community had largely increased, and a society of the Church of the Disciples,
of considerable size, was formed ; this society alternated with the Methodists and the Catholics,
who were also here by that time in large numbers ; the first Catholic Priest who oflBciated here
was Father Johannes, a Frenchman. The Campbellites sometimes held their services in a little
grove south of the village ; this society was prosperous until the California exodus and cholera
broke them up.
A Presbyterian Church society was also formed with the Rev. Allen as minister, he offi-
ciated for several years, but by 1850, the organization began to wane, and, eventually, became
extinct, or was merged into the German Presbyterian Church. The first Sabbath school was
started in July or August of 1846, with S. H. Fitch as Superintendent.
An Irish Catholic Church was built in 1848, a small frame building which was the first in
the place ; this was first built for a schoolhouse, but there not being many scholars it was used
as a church. In 1852, another building was erected, and the small building united with it.
This continued to be their only church until 1871, when, under the management of Father
Stephen Trent, the large stone church was erected; this edifice, which is unquestionably one of
the very best in the county, cost not less than $15,000, and is not only an ornament to High-
land, but it is also a credit to the enterprise and liberality of the congregation. The Priests
have been Father Johannes, Father Smith (who was the first resident Priest), Father MacDonald,
Father Flannery, Father Dolan, Father Ryan, Father Trent and Father Dempsey.
The German Presbyterian Church society was organized in 1856, by E. Kudobe, with some
seven or eight members, and the church was built not long after. Mr. Kudobe was the Pastor
for several years ; then came the Rev. Cobb, who was again replaced by Rev. Kudobe, who
eventually resigned and Rev. Schwab took the charge ; there are now about fifty-five mem-
bers in good standing, and the church is entirely out of debt.
About the time that the Presbyterian Church was built, the Methodist denomination also
•erected their church ; this church has always been provided with a minister from some other
locality ; the society was, at first, quite strong, and for many years maintained a good standing
and had regular services, but at the present time there are but a few of the church here, and
preaching is held very irregularly. It is scarcely probable that the church will ever be revived,
unless it be by the German Methodists, large numbers of whom live in this section.
The German Catholic society was. formed some time before the war and held their services
until 1863 in the Irish Catholic Church. A fine stone building begun in 1861, was completed
and dedicated by Archbishop Henni, of Milwaukee. This church is second in size and
expense only to the Irish Catholic, and though it cost only $7,000, or less than half the price
of the latter, yet it is nearly as commodious, and is altogether a very handsome building. The
Priests of this church have been Fathers Foisen, Weinhart, Lang, Seiler and Radermacher.
Both of the Catholic Churches have cemeteries, that of the German Catholic being in connection
with the church, and that of the Irish Catholic being in Section 33, south of the village and
near the public cemetery ; this is the oldest burying-ground now in use in the town.
Grovernment. — Previous to the time the village was incorporated, in 1874, Highland,
as in the case of all unincorporated places, was entirely under the control of the town
authorities, and necessarily subjected to numerous inconveniences, if not abuses, thereby. The
most important, or, rather, most disagreeable of these, was the want of suitable sidewalks, and,
CO
806 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
more particular still, a license system that would amply protect the village from tha abuses aris-
ing from insufficient restraints, and also secure to the place whatever pecuniary benefits might
arise from licensing.
Officers. — The first election for village officers was held on the 13th day of January, 1874.
The whole number of votes polled was 131. and the following persons were elected :
1874 — B. H. Lampe, President; William Sengpiel, S. Arpenback, D. Zimmer, John Raw,^
Patrick Grant and S. Niedemeyer, Trustees ; Matt Burns, Clerk ; George Lampe, Treasurer ;
E. B. Goodsell, Assessor; S. H. Fitch, Police Justice; Regnold Koch, Justice ; R. Flynn, Su-
pervisor ; C. C. Greehalgh, Marshal ; P. S. Smith, Road Commissioner.
On the 5th of May following, a special election was held, and a vote taken to raise money
for building sidewalks, but there was no money raised. The officers then elected were : B. H.
Lampe, President ; Richard Flynn, S. Niedemeyer, B. H. Kreull, R. Woodward, Thomas Man-
ning and J. P. Smelker, Trustees ; Matt Burns, Clerk ; George Lampe, Treasurer ; E. B.
Goodsell, Assessor; S. A. Fitch, Police Justice; C. C. David, Supervisor.
1875 — J. P. Smelker, President ; B. H. Lampe, B. H. Kreal, F. J. Ficht, James Clemen-
son, Richard Flynn, S. Niedemeyer, Trustees; F. J. La Malle, Clerk; George Lampe, Treas-
urer ; R. Cook, Police Justice ; Robert McCormick, Marshal ; C. C. Greenhalgh, Road Com-
missioner.
1876 — Dr. Charles Eagan, President ; William Sengpiel, Stephen Erpenbach, P. S. Smith,
John Lynch, Stephen Cosgrove and Thomas Renoy, Trustees ; J. P. Sholvin, Clerk ; George
Lampe, Treasurer; S. H. Fitch, Police Justice; Matt Burns, Supervisor: P. S. Smith, Mar-
shal and Street Commissioner.
1877— B. H. Kreul, President; F. J. Fecht, P. Grant. G. Davis, Thomas Manning, R. R.
David, Michael Flynn, Trustees ; Daniel Ford, Clerk : Mathias Cahab, Treasurer ; S. H. Fitch,
Police Justice ; A. Jinks, Supervisor ; Mathias Cahab, Marshal ; R. McCormick, Road Com-
missioner.
1878 — B. H. Kreul, President; F. J. Fecht, James Dolan, James Perkins, J. P. Smelker,
Joseph Kaiser and Thomas Blackney, Trustees ; Patrick Delaney, Clerk ; Mathias Chab, Treas-
urer; S. H. Fitch, Police Justice ; J. P. Smelker, Supervisor; Mathias Cahab, Marshal; A.
Raw, Road Commissioner.
1879 — J. P. Smelker, President ; B. H. Lampe, Thomas Penoy, John Nondorf, Mathiaa
Cahab, James Dolan and Jacob Fecht, Trustees; J. W. Gunn, Clerk ; Mathias Cahab, Treasurer ;
Thomas Hand, Police Justice ; Joseph Dolan, Supervisor ; E. La Motte, Marshal ; R. Nicholson,
Road Commissioner.
^ 1880 — J. P. Smelker, President; James Perkins, B. H. Lampe, William Kenair, H.
Nussbaum, Jacob Fecht and Thomas Penoy, Trustees ; J. W. Gunn, Clerk ; Mathias Cahab,
Treasurer; Thomas Hand, Police Justice; J. P. Sholvin, Justice; B. Ternes, Supervisor; E.
La Motte, Marshal ; N. Fecht, Road Commissioner.
Directory. — Hotels — Blackney House, Jacob Fecht ; Highland House, Mrs. B. Fitzpat-
rick. Lawyers — J. P. Smelker, B. Ternes. Physicians — Charles Eagan, H. P. Mix. Ore
Buyer — Charles Harvey, General Stores — Louis Bros., Harris & Solomon, Nondorf & Kreul,
R. Kennedy, B. H. Lampe, Charles Ohlerking. Drug Stores — R. -Kennedy, J. Dolan.
Hardware — J. Perkins, George Evans, M. A. Cholvin. Furniture — M. Klingele & Son. Har-
ness Shops — W. Wauek, T. Wall. Jeweler — M. Dodd. Butchers — R. C. Lee, Joseph Golds-
worthy. Wagon Shops — M. Cahab, J. Shiefelbein, William Sengkiel. Blacksmiths — Fech &
Linchild, J. B. Nye, J. Sullivan, J. Winters. Carpenters — Joseph Kaiser, J; Klingele, John
Gunn. Shoemakers — S. Neidemeyer, Henry Nussbaum, F. Washa. Millinery — Mrs. Dol-
phin & Gregon, Julia Overstreet. Barbers — F. Langdorf, C. Clarks. Brewery — J. SchafiFra.
Saloons — P. Grant, J. Kotte, M. Casper, P. Casser, J. Williams, Kliest & Kamm, Klingele
& Son.
OHAPTEE XYDL
TOWNS AND villages-Continued.
Town of Linden— Village of Linden— Town of Mifflin- Village of Dallas— Village
OF Mifflin— Village of Bewey— Town of Moscow— Village of Moscow— Adamsville —
Town of Pulaski— Village of Avoca— Town of Eidgeway— West Blue Mounds— Town
Wyoming— Helena— Town of Waldwick.
town of linden.
The town of Linden — now, in point of valuation, the leading agricultural and mining sec-
tion in the county — was among the first to attract immigration. The different elevations of its
varied surface suggested to the early fortune-hunters an abundance of rich and accessible mineral
deposits ; and, indeed, the entire country seemed to be only awaiting the labors of the hardy
pioneer to enable it to produce bounteously. As the good fortune of one in any branch of in-
,dustry proves an incentive for others to engage in the same, so the success attending the dis-
covery of mineral in Linden was followed by a population as numerous as it was cosmopolitan.
The town is located in the southwestern part of the county, and comprises fifty-six sections
in Townships 4 and 5, Range 2 east of the Fourth Principal Meridian. It is bounded on the
north by Dodgeville, on the east by Mineral Point, on the south by La Fayette County, and on
the west by Mifflin.
The general surface of the town is varied ; parts of the northern, eastern and western por-
tions are rolling prairie, and well adapted for grain-raising, being the better portion of the town
for farming purposes. The southern part is much broken, though there is but little land that
cannot be made available, either for grain or stock raising. This portion of the town is well
calculated for the latter branch of industry, and much attention is being paid there to the rais-
ing of cattle and hogs. There are in Linden many large and nicely improved farms, ornamented
with attractive and commodious residences. The town is well watered by Spensley's Branch,
Peddler's Creek and the East Pecatonica River. It is populated by Welsh, Germans, Norwegians
and English — the latter predominating. The Welsh settlement is located in the southern part
of the town, and extends into Mifflin on the west, and La Fayette County on the south.
First Miners and Smelters. — The mining district embraces that portion of territory
which is in the immediate vicinity of the village of Linden. To the Irish is due the honor of
the first settlement of this now prosperous town, though in the race for supremacy they have
been eclipsed by the English and Welsh. As the pioneers of Southwestern Wisconsin were
miners and seekers of wealth among the hidden treasures of the earth, they naturally sought
only the mining districts.
In the month of October, when the autumn leaves were falling, proclaiming to the world
the near approach of the winter of 1827, then it was that Patrick O'Meara, while on his way
to Galena from Dodgeville, was overtaken by night on the creek, east of the present village,
and where, after preparing a brush couch, he lay down to enjoy "tired nature's sweet restorer."
He was an Irishman by birth and a peddler by occupation, hence the name Peddler's Creek.
While gathering material for his camp-fire, he accidentally stumbled upon the first lead ever dis-
covered in this town. He pursued his journey to Galena the next day, and, as soon thereafter
as possible, returned with his bosom friend, Morgan Keogh, to whom he had confided the secret
of his find. These enterprising Celts erected a rude sod cabin in the grove, since dignified by
the appellation of "Keogh's Grove," and, ere the first snows came to announce the arrival of
the month of November, they had commenced their diggings, determined to wrest from nature's
808 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
grasp her buried treasures. These diggings were prosecuted with energy, on the west side of
the creek, near the place where the road leading from Dodgeville to Galena crossed it. During
the winter of 1827, which was noted for its severity, these pioneers continued their mining ope-
rations with flattering success.
Early in 1828, one Browning strayed into the future Linden, and went into partnership
with Keogh and O'Meara. In March of this year, they struck what was subsequently termed
the "Browning Diggings," which were worked with considerable success before the mines were
exhausted. Some time later, in 1828, two Indian traders made their appearance in this new
El Dorado, one of whoin was named Halliday. They began working on the east side of the
cresk, and eventually developed the "Big Range," which was operated for several years with
abundant success. During that year, a Mr. Young and R. Carver became part and parcel of
the present Linden, and discovered lead ore and "drybone" (calamine) on the west side of the
creek.
The year 1828 is especially interesting in the annals pertaining to the development of the
mineral resources of Linden, as, among many others of minor importance, what has since been
known as the Heathcock Range was discovered. This valuable lead was struck in the fall of
this year by Bird Millsap and Frederick Dixon, of Missouri. Millsap had been a drover, en-
gaged in driving cattle from Lower Missouri to the Selkirk settlement, in the British Possessions.
His path was through the county, along what is termed the "dividing ridge." These diggings
were operated with rather discouraging results, until 1832, when the first practical miners found
their way to Linden, and successfully opened up the valuable treasures of this since distin-
guished mine. So abundant was the yield of this mine, that, at one time, a million of mineral
stood on the location, and was disposed of at one sale, to Goldthorpe & Comstock, who had a
smelting furnace on the Mifflin road, five miles from Mineral Point, in the town of Linden.
Subsequent to the Black Hawk war, in 1832, Millsap & Dixon disposed of the range to
James Huse and James Andrews, who continued to operate the diggings with success until 1835.
At that date, Tom Parish, a smelter, at Wingville, purchased the lead and worked it one year.
He then sold one-third interest to William and John Heathcock and Michael Poad, the con-
sideration being $700. When the Government land came into market, the Heathcock brothers
and Mr. Poad entered the whole 120 acres of the range, and became the sole owners. Event-
ually, the entire range was disposed of to the Pittsburgh Mining Company for a consideration
of $18,000. This firm, after working the mine to pecuniary advantage for a number of years,
finally disposed of it to William T. Henry and John J. Ross, of Mineral Point, who are now
operating this extensive range.
The "Old Sam Charles Diggings" were struck in 1838, and proved very valuable, and
were worked with little expense. The lead was located on land owned by Paschal Bequette,
son-in-law of Gov. Dodge, two and one-half miles west of the village of Mifflin. Subsequent to
1833, Andrew Huse worked these diggings with varying success ; 600,000 pounds of mineral was
taken out of this mine before it was exhausted.
During the succeeding years, lodes and ranges were discovered in different parts of the
town ; in fact, in nearly every section of land diggings could be found, some of which proved
profitable, while others were unproductive.
The persons who first worked the " diggings " of Linden were men of little knowledge of
the science of mining, consequently their ventures in that direction often proved unsuccessful.
The population was composed principally of miners from Illinois and Missouri, who came here
and operated during the summer season, returning to their homes in the winter, and thus
acquiring the title of "suckers," and their diggings were known as "sucker holes," from being
near the surface. Everything connected with their operations was of the most primitive
character. As exemplification of this, their idea of blasting was to burrow a hole in the ground
and place therein a quantity of powder, "and last, though not least," to effect an explosion.
To accomplish this difficult operation, the bravest of the party would approach with a shovel
filled with burning coals, and emptying them into the receptacle containing the loose powder.
HISTORY OF 10~WA COUNTY. H09
would make tracks for a convenient shelter to escape the flying missiles. But this was all
changed by the year 1832, which brought to the town the practical miners who have since
developed these valuable mines, and enriched themselves and the country.
The leading smelters in the vicinity in early times, were Thomas Parish, at Wingville,
Grant County ; Capt. J. B. Terry and Henry Gratiot, who, prior to the Black Hawk war, had
a furnace in Diamond Grove, on the Linden road, five miles from Mineral Point; and Mr.
Larramie, who had a furnace in Diamond Grove, on the Mifflin road. There were also other
smelting works in Dodgeville, Ridgeway and Highland.
Early Settlement. — In 1830, Morgan Keogh broke the first land for farming purposes. This
was done on his claim in Keogh's Grove. It consisted of three acres of ground, which was
devoted to the raising of corn and potatoes. Prior to this date, little attention was paid to this
industry, everybody concentrating their efforts toward the development of the mines. Aside
from this, it was supposed by the inhabitants that soil containing so much lead as was found to
exist in Linden, would be unproductive, and that labor employed in farming would therefore be
in vain. But the high prices of produce, which had to be brought from Galena by ox teams,
and the success rewarding the efforts of Morgan Keogh, induced some of the succeeding settlers
to engage in the industry of agriculture, without which nations would decline, cities decay and
mankind perish.
To continue ; among the settlers who came here about this time (1830) was a widow lady
named Andrews, with a family of four sons, who, in company with James Huse, worked for a
time on the Heathcock Range. In 1830, William Young and brother came also, and com-
menced digging on the eastern portion of the Heathcock Range. An Irishman named Mc-
Mahon, with his wife and family, built a cabin on the East Creek, and mined on the upper end
of Peddler's Creek. A Frenchman, named Gaines, who had married a squaw, settled here,
and engaged in mining ; and Joseph Wooley, Joseph Reno, the Meyer brothers, and Mr. Hig-
gings also found their way to the future town at that time, and commenced mining operations
near the village, some on Peddler's Creek and others on the Heathcock Range.
The years 1831 and 1832 brought a number of miners from Illinois and Missouri, who
were the first to take the initiatory steps toward the proper development of the mineral dis-
coveries. Among the number were Andrew Huse, Daniel Webb and Capt. J. B. Terry. The
last mentioned erected smelting works (mentioned), in company with Henry Gratiot. At that
time there were but three women in the town, the wives of Mr. McMahon and Andrew Huse,
and the Widow Andrews.
The claim is not presented that the list of those who settled here during the years men-
tioned is complete ; far from it. There were others who strayed to the wilderness now embraced
by the town lines of Linden, and after fretting a brief existence on the stage of life, long ago
crossed the mystic river of death, leaving their deeds and the hardships and trials they endured
for future generations to enfold and elaborate.
The population of Linden, continued to increase during the early part of 1832, up to the
date of the outbreak of the Black Hawk war in May of that year. This brought on a re-action,
and for a time the town was deserted. The pick and gad were left idle by the miners, and the
plow was abandoned in the furrow by the husbandmen ; and, for some months, the prospects of
this section looked gloomy indeed. The future seemed hid behind clouds which bore no " silvery
lining," and the hardy pioneers were filled with hopes and fears regarding the dawning of a
brighter day. They were not long held in suspense, however ; for as Old Father Time recorded
the advent of the month of August of the same year, it was announced that the war was over,
and that the settlers might return in peace and safety to their deserted homes. But Linden did
not, as might be supposed, immediately recover from the severe check received ; but was some
time in regaining the prosperity of 1831, and the early part of 1832.
During the spring of 1833 (as mentioned), John and William Heathcock, Michael Poad
and John Price, immigrated to this town, and engaged in mining near the village. About this
time, another influence, which worked disastrously to the rapid settlement of the town, was the
SIO HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
opening of the Dubuque mines. This proved irresistibly attractive to the miners in this vicinity,
and the consequence was the emigration of the entire mining population, with the exception of
perhaps a half a dozen, who were content with the success already achieved. During this year,
but few settlers located in the town.
The year 1834 was rendered memorable, however, by a great influx of miners, prospectors,
fortune-hunters and visitors. Among the number were David Morrison, Mr. Prior, R. Golds-
worthy, James and Johnson Grlanville, William and James Rablin, William Goldsworthy, Mark
Smith and N. Stevens.
After the Black Hawk war, Andrew Huse and Daniel Webb opened farms, the latter culti-
vating forty acres of the land now owned by George Varcoe. At that time, Mark and John
Smith located farms a mile north of the village. A Mr. Powell also made a claim during this
year, and cultivated a part of the farm now owned and occupied by Robert and Nathan Jacobs.
Robert Vial also became a resident of Linden in 1834. Among the number who settled here in
1835, were Samuel Treloar, John and Richard Cox, Thomas Thomas and family, William Thomas
and wife and William Barrett and family.
In 1836, Linden being then a comparatively old and well-settled town, a generous immi-
gration was attracted hither. Many of those who came during that year are still residents of
the town. Much attention was then being paid to agriculture, owing, perhaps, to the high prices
of produce. Corn was fl a bushel; flour, $12 per barrel, and teams $5 a day with board. At
the same time, mineral was sold for $12 a thousand. John and William Heathcock broke a
farm of 160 acres on Section 20, in 1836, and shortly after, the Rule family were cultivating a
farm on Section 6. From these small beginnings in agriculture, and from the possession of
some of the most valuable farming lands in the county, which necessarily render this industry
prosperous, the town of Linden has gradually, through the growth of years, obtained a most
desirable and enviable position.
In 1870, the town assessments amounted to $562,866 ; and, by 1880, it had augmented to
$721,785.
In 1834, the first store in the town was established by Capt. J. B. Terry, at his smelting
works in " Diamond Grove." His merchandise, in the language of a pioneer, consisted of "a
little of everything and not much of anything." In the same year Paschal Bequette started a
store about a mile south of Terry, at Diamond Grove, where he had a furnace and a blacksmith-
shop. This blacksmith-shop was the only one for many miles around, and was therefore over-
crowded with work, principally the mending and sharpening of miners' tools. The site of his
furnace and shop is now a part of the farm owned by Francis Little.
The first school in the town was established in 1837, in a log cabin that stood near the
village, on Section 16, which was erected the year previous by the Methodist Episcopal Congre-
gation for a church. A Mr. Seebury was the teacher, and was paid by subscription or pro rata.
His scholars numbered twenty. Eventually this log cabin was removed to the vicinity of the
present rock building, and a school was taught here for some years after. A few years subsequent
to the establishment of the first school, others were started in different parts of the town, as the
increase of the population demanded. There are now in the town eleven schoolhouses, with
accommodations for 550 children. The school property is valued at $4r,130.49. The children of
school age in the town aggregate 830 — ^403 males and 427 females. These require the services
of twelve teachers, who are paid an average salary of $31.83 to males, and $19.63 to females.
During the year ending August 31, 1880, there was received for school purposes $2,660.01;
paid out, $2,417.51.
In September of 1834, the first marriage in the town was solemnized. The contracting
parties were William Heathcock and Mary Thomas, who were married by Thomas Parish, of
Wingville, Grant County, he being then a Justice of the Peace.
Official Record. — The town of Linden was organized in 1849. The town adopted the
name Peddler's Creek, and was known as such until 1855, when the Government refused to
accept the name for a post-office, so, during that year, at the suggestion of John Wasley, the town
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 811
received the title of Linden. The first meeting of the town was held in April, 1849, at the old
Jog schoolhouse in the lower part of the village. At that meeting the following officers were
elected : David Morrison, Chairman ; Col. Austin Hamilton and Mr. Smith, Supervisors ;
Clerk, John Weston ; Treasurer, John Heathcock ; Assessor, Armand Paddock.
The following is a complete list of the town officers from 1858, the records prior to this
date having been accidentally destroyed by fire :
1858 — Francis Little, Chairman ; Samuel Treloar and John Batton, Supervisors ; Clerk,
J. H. Weston ; Treasurer, James Glanville.
1859 — Francis Little, Chairman ; James Toay, Samuel Treloar, Supervisors ; Clerk,
Robert Jacobs ; Treasurer, James Glanville ; Assessor, C. S. Weston.
1860 — Francis Little, Chairman ; James Toay, Samuel Treloar, Supervisors ; Clerk, J. H.
Weston ; Treasurer, James Glanville ; Assessor, C. S. Weston.
1861 — Francis Little, Chairman ; James Toay, J. J. Davis, Supervisors ; Clerk, J. W.
Weston ; Treasurer, James Glanville ; Assessor, C. S. Weston.
1862 — William Goldsworthy, Chairman ; James Toay, Francis Baker, Supervisors ; Clerk,
J. H. Weston ; Treasurer, James Glanville ; Assessor, Kerton Coates.
1868 — James Toay, Chairman ; F. Baker. James Brewer, Supervisors ; Clerk, J. H. Wes-
ton ; Treasurer, James Glanville ; Assessor, Kerton Coates.
1864 — James Toay, Chairman ; James Brewer, F. Baker, Supervisors ; Clerk, J. H. Wes-
ton ; Treasurer, James Glanville ; Assessor, Kerton Coates. During this year the town paid
$26.25 for war bounties.
1865 — David Morrison, Chairman ; John Cowling, Michael Sampson, Supervisors ; Clerk,
John W. Heathcock ; Treasurer, James Glanville ; Assessor, Kerton Coates.
1866 — John Lee, Chairman ; B. Williams, M. Sampson, Supervisors ; Clerk, T. 0. Kent ;
Treasurer, James Glanville ; Assessor, Kerton Coates.
1867 — M. Sampson, Chairman; Francis Baker, B. Williams, Supervisors; Clerk, T. 0.
Kent ; Treasurer, James Glanville ; Assessor, C. S. Weston.
1868 — F. Baker, Chairman ; B. Williams John Tregoning, Supervisors ; Clerk, T. 0,
Kent ; Treasurer, James Glanville ; Assessor, James R. Rule.
1869 — Michael Sampson, Chairman ; A. Jewell, Job Vickerman, Supervisors ; Clerk, T.
0. Kent; Treasurer, James Glanville; Assessor, C. S. Weston.
1870 — Kerton Coates, Chairman ; Edward Harris, A. Jewell, Supervisors ; Clerk, T. 0.
Kent ; Treasurer, James Glanville ; Assessor, C. S. Weston.
1871 — Kerton Coates, Chairman ; A. Jewell, William Goldsworthy, Supervisors ; Clerk, T.
0. Kent ; Treasurer, James Glanville; Assessor, C. S. Weston.
1872 — Kerton Coates, Chairman ; A. Jewell, W. Clayton, Supervisor ; Clerk, T. 0. Kent ;
Treasurer, James Glanville ; Assessor, C. S. Weston.
1873 — Kerton Coates, Chairman ; A. Jewell, I. C. Comfort, Supervisors ; Clerk, T. 0.
Kent ; Treasurer, James Glanville ; Assessor, C. S. Weston.
1874 — Kerton Coates, Chairman ; John Cowley, Eben Davis, Supervisors ; Clerk, William
Hopper; Treasurer, James Glanville; Assessor, C. S. Weston.
1875 — Kerton Coates, Chairman ; John Cowley, I. C. Comfort, Supervisors ; Clerk, Will-
iam Hopper; Treasurer, James Glanville; Assessor, Robert Osborne.
1876 — Kerton Coates, Chairman ; W. Clayton, Isaac Comfort, Supervisors ; Clerk, Will-
iam Hopper ; Treasurer, James Glanville ; Assessor, Robert Osborne.
1877 — I. C. Comfort, Chairman ; F. Baker, T. 0. Kent, Supervisors ; Clerk, John Tay-
lor ; Treasurer, James Glanville ; Assessor, C. S. Weston.
1878 — R. Smith, Chairman ; F. Baker, W. Clayton, Supervisors ; Clerk, John Hopper ;
Treasurer, James Glanville ; Assessor, C. S. Weston.
1879 — R. S. Smith, Chairman ; F. Baker, W. Clayton, Supervisors ; Clerk, John Hopper ;
Treasurer, James Glanville ; Assessor, Charles S. Weston.
1880 — Francis Baker, Chairman.; John Lee, Wright Clayton, Supervisors; Clerk, John
Hopper ; Treasurer, James Glanville ; Assessor, Charles Weston.
812 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
VILLAGE OF LINDEN.
Pleasantly situated six miles from Mineral Point, and twelve from Dodgeville, on an elevated
ridge, commanding a magnificent view of the surrounding country, is the village of Linden,
ornamented with beautiful residences, cultivated gardens and shaded streets. True to the pro-
gressive spirit of the age, the people of this locality have devoted their efforts to the decoration
of their homes, thereby rendering them very attractive and agreeable.
This village originally consisted of eighty acres of land, laid out by John Wasley, assisted
by A. W. Comfort, Surveyor, on July 11, 1855, and recorded February 7, 1856. It was sur-
veyed into rather irregular blocks, streets and alleys. Subsequently, other additions were made
to the original plat, termed " Battons " and " Dinsdales " Additions to the village of Linden. At
first, lots were sold at prices ranging from $5 to $25 each.
The first building erected within the precincts of the village of Linden, was a log structure
built in 1855. This building was erected by Michael Poad, and by him used for a store, he being
thus recorded as the first to offer proposals for the patronage of the citizens of Linden. This
building, which was located in the lower part of the town, on the site now occupied by the resi-
dence of Elijah Poad, was burned in the spring of 1856.
Mr. Poad was succeeded in merchandising by James Webber, who managed a successful bus-
iness for several years.
In 1855, Michael Poad erected a log dwelling-house, the first for that purpose in the limits
of the village. Shortly after, in the summer of this year, Simon Lanyon erected near the creek,
two frame buildings ; one for a dwelling-house, and the other for a blacksmith-shop, which indus-
try he first founded here, and followed for a number of years.
During the year 1856, John Wasley and Curtis Beecb established a store in the building
erected by Mr. Lanyon, a dwelling, and did a flourishing business. Mr. Lanyon next built a
frame dwelling up town, now occupied by Thomas Wicks.
In 1856, James Granville opened a tavern and grocery in the lower part of town, near
where he now resides.
Subsequent to 1856, the mines being worked vigorously. Linden attracted a number of bus-
iness men, representing all classes of trade, and the population also gradually increased as its
importance became more determined, until now it is a thriving little village of 275 souls.
The business interests of Linden are now represented in general merchandise by Hopper
& Hicks, R. S. Smith & Brc, Lewis Bros., Mrs. Grace Richards & Son ; groceries, T. M.
Goldsworthy ; hardware and drugs, William Treloar ; bank, Taylor & Osborne ; attorney at
law, J. W. Taylor ; furniture and carpenter, John Vivian ; wagon-maker, John Harris ;
blacksmiths, Bartle, Evans and George Tonkin ; butchers, Jacob Rolling and Thomas James ;
tailor, John Callow ; painter, Abe Vial ; harness-maker, Thomas Batton, Jr. ; shoe-maker,
F. Shaffer; physician, R. D. Gill; photographer, John Wearne; mason, William Hammel ;
hotels, William Pollard, Mrs. E. G. Ingraham ; milliners and dress-makers. Miss Dalia Viv-
ian, Miss Mary Cox, Misses Ching, Edith Wasley, Misses Baker & Coats.
Post Office. — The first post office in the town was established here in 1855, John Wasley
being appointed Postmaster. He was succeeded by Thomas Ansley, now of Mineral Point,
then a merchant in the village of Linden. The others who have been the recipients of Ex-
ecutive favor, and acted as Postmasters here, are Messrs. Tonkin, Weston, John W. Heathcock,
Thomas Goldsworthy, and Richard Smith, the incumbent.
Secret Societies. — Linden Lodge, No. 206, A., F. A. M., was organized under dispensation
February 13, 1877, and received its charter June 13, 1877. The following are the charter-
members: J. F. Heathcock, who was elected W. M.; Fred Shaffer, S. W.; Alfred Treglown,
J. W.; R. S. Smith, Treasurer; J. W. Heathcock, Secretary; R. H. Wearing, S. D.; William
Rolling, 'J. D.; George Weaver and H. J. Hicks, Stewards; James James, Tiler; John
Patterson, John Wicks, R. F. Richards, Thomas Wicks, David Morrison, William Varcoe^
James Rule and John Cowling. This lodge now numbers thirty-five members in good standing,.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
813
with the following officers: R. S. Smith, W. M.; James Hicks, S. W.; John Patterson, J. W.;
J. J. Heathcock, Secretary; Gabriel Mills, Treasurer. The lodge meets weekly in a neat and
commodious room ; the membership has been continually increasing from year to year since
the beginning.
Highland Lodge, No. 22, I. 0. 0. F., was originally organized in Highland in 1848, but
a few years after the lodge run down and the charter was removed to Linden, and a new society
organized here November 16, 1875. The charter members in Linden were J. S. Comfort, J.
Hopper, L. H. Fredricks, William Harris and John Kislingbury. The first officers were L. A.
Fredricks, N. G.; John Hopper, V. G.; J. S. Comfort, Secretary; William Harris, Treasurer.
The society meet weekly in the Masonic Hall, and have now a membership of twenty-four.
The present officers are John Hopper, P. G.; R. S. Jacobs, N. G.; J. Kislingbury, V. G.; J.
Kitto, R. S.; G. Tonkin, P. S.; S. Poad, Treasurer.
Churches. — The Methodist Episcopal congregation was organized in 1834. The class
consisted of John Prior, R. Vial, William Webster, Samuel Treloar, John Heathcock and Will-
iam Barrett. Prayer meetings were first held in the dwellings of the different members of the
flock for two years. In 1836, this small but enterprising congregation erected, on Section 16,
near the village, the log cabin subsequently used for a schoolhouse. In 1840, the society num-
bered fifty members, and, requiring more commodious quarters, they that year erected the rock
building now used for school purposes. In 1851, the congregation numbered one hundred and
fifty members in good standing, and during that year the present new rock church, 50x40 feet,
was erected at a cost of $2,000. T. M. Fullerton was the first circuit rider. The first pastor
of the present church was Rev. W. L. Williams. Since then the following ministers have
guided the spiritual destinies of the Methodist Episcopal congregation: Revs. Enoch Tasker,
James Lawson, Thomas Lawson, Rev. Searles, John Murrish, William Thomas, Rev. Irish, and
the incumbent. Rev. John Harris. The society now numbers one hundred and twenty-five
members.
TOWN OF MIFFLIN.
Prior to permanent settlements, temporary residences had been established in difierent
parts of the town by lead prospectors and fortune-hunters. These were composed mostly of
miners from Illinois and Missouri, who worked in the mines during the summer, returning to
their home? in the winter, thus acquiring the title of " suckers."
The beginning made at Dodgeville, Mineral Point and thereabouts, attracted a generous
immigration to Iowa County and the towns belonging to it. These included the pioneers who
built up Mifflin and rendered the same famous, as also the settlers who wended their way to
other pastures, since dignified by the historic appellations of Linden, Highland, Ridgeway, etc.
Small ranges and lodes of mineral have been worked on nearly every section of the town, but no
large bodies, except the " Black Jack Range," have been operated to any great extent. These
" diggings" are located in the immediate vicinity of the present village. They were discovered
in 1831 by Thomas Simpson and " Little General" Atkinson, so called from his diminutive size,
and in honor of the Black Hawk War General of the same name. Tliis mine was formerly im-
mensely productive, and is now worked with flattering success, hundreds of tons of " black
jack" being taken out annually, and shipped over the narrow-gauge railroad from Rewey Sta-
tion to the La Salle, 111., Smelting Works. The land of this mine is now owned by John J.
Ross, of Mineral Point, and Mrs. Mitchell, of Galena. The range is worked by Bainbridge,
Spensley & Co., Robert Young & Co., Jenkins, Miller & Co., and Peter Moore & Co., employ-
ing altogether thirty men.
First Settlers. — The first settlers who joined their destinies with the savage inhabitants of
the town of Mifflin, gravitated here from Kentucky, Missouri and Illinois as early as 1827. The
earliest known white man who located in the present territory of Mifflin, according to authentic
sources of information, accessible to the seeker after facts in that connection, was a man named
John G. Parish, a Kentuckian. In the fall of 1827 he, with his wife and family, settled on
Section 16. Here he erected a log cabin, the first in the town, and engaged in mining and
814 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
teaming. He continued his mining and teaming operations here until five years later, then he
moved to Galena, where he finally succumbed to the cholera epidemic of 1834.
In the summer of 1828, Abel Clapp, a miner from Missouri, came to Mifflin, attracted
thither by the discoveries of Mr. Parish, and engaged in mining, which he followed until " big-
ger" leads were heard from in different parts of the county, when he shouldered his pick, and,
with a heart filled with sanguine expectations, went forth to fresher fields.
In the month of October, 1828, Joseph B. Hunter and Thomas Simpson, with their fami-
lies, immigrated to this section of the county, from Missouri, and located claims near the old
Indian camping-ground, subsequently the site of the village of Dallas, now decayed. At this
point these pioneers erected sod cabins and began mining. Mr. Hunter for some years operated
the first smelting furnace in the town ; his associate, Mr. Simpson, died in the spring of 1832,
and he himself, after experiencing many of the ups and downs of a miner's life, passed quietly
away from this world of trouble in April, 1863. His wife, Mrs. Rebecca Hunter, died in Mif-
flin January 7, 1880.
The next persons to locate permanently in the town of Mifiiin were " Little General" At-
kinson and Francis 0. Kirkpatrick, who settled here in the fall of 1829.
During the year 1830, the first land was broken for farming purposes. The enterprising
husbandmen were Mr. Parish, who cultivated a few acres on the " 16th Section," Joseph Hun-
ter, who broke four acres on his claim, and Bird Millsap and Fredrick Dixon, who cultivated
ten acres on Section 25. These latter gentlemen followed farming in connection with their
mining operations until 1883, when their incipient farm was disposed of to James Andrews.
In ] 834, Andrew Huse purchased this claim and continued to improve and add thereto until
the original property has developed into a beautiful farm of 246 acres.
The pioneers of Mifflin being miners, and inexperienced in the pursuits of agriculture,
erroneously supposed the valuable prairie lands were unproductive, and they therefore cut down
the trees of the forests to find suitable territory for the cultivation of the first farms. R. Terry
and Col. DeLong came in 1830, the latter locating on the land now occupied by the Welsh set-
tlement in the southern part of the town. Here he dug for mineral, and his boys, with four ox
teams, engaged in hauling for the miners in the vicinity.
The advent of the years 1831 and 1832 brought to this town a number of settlers subse-
quently distinguished for their courage, integrity and pioneer perseverance. Among this num-
ber may be mentioned John Newman, Enoch Enloe, H. Mundane and Mr. Luddman. There
undoubtedly were others who came here during the period mentioned, but they have either
■crossed the dark river or gone to parts unknown, leaving no "footprints on the sands of time "
to guide the historian in search of their names and deeds.
In 1833, the inducements attending the opening of the Dubuque mines, prevented many
from coming to Mifflin, and taking advantage of the attractions of its then numerous and valua-
ble diggings. During this year, however, William and John Kennedy and James Sprinston
became part and parcel of the territory afterward laid out into Mifflin town proper.
It was not until the year 1834 dawned upon the world that settlers came to Mifflin in other
than small parties. Prior to this year agriculture had been in its incipiency, there being but
about forty acres of cultivated land in the entire town ; but at that time, Andrew Huse, now the
oldest living pioneer in the town, crossed what is now the town line from Linden, where he had
located in the spring of 1832, and settled on Section 25, engaging in agriculture and mining.
From this time dates the rise and progress of the farming population of Mifflin ; before this date,
this great industry, which has enriched its promoters and rendered the town property valuable,
was but a secondary consideration. Then the abundant yields of corn and small cereals obtained
from the first farms began to attract the attention of later comers, and acted as an incentive
to engage in this profitable enterprise. This year was characterized by the return of nearly all
who left in the previous year for the Dubuque discoveries ; they left with self-congratulations
and sanguine expectations, but on arriving at the new El Dorado they found their hopes were
raised only to be crushed to the ground. Many of these have either lived life's brief span and
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 815
passed away, or have emigrated to other fields of labor, and are now forgotten by their associates
of nearly fifty years ago.
1835 and 1836 are especially historic in the annals pertaining to the settlement of the
town. These were distinguished by the influx of numerous settlers who came to stay. Caleb
Sylvester, Sr., Richard Pratt, Simon Tyer, Joseph Whaley and William H. Griffith, Sr., who was
afterward frozen to death, were among the number. The first representative of Wales settled
here during this period and laid the foundation of the present influential and prosperous Welsh
settlement. Among the latter number were William Owens, John W. Jones, Mr. Williams,
Thomas Thomas, John Hughes, Edward Folks and William Thomas. Some of these engaged
in mining, while others commenced farming. After the year 1836, settlers flocked into Mifflin
in large numbers, attracted hither by the beautiful country, healthful climate, valuable farming
lands, and rich mineral deposits. Prominent among the number who came here late in the
thirties or early in 1840, were the Davis brothers, Lorenzo Stevens, John Clayton, Col. Henry,
C. S. Millard, Mark Finnicum. M. Stevens, Joseph Anderson, Mr. Estabrook, Alonzo Cush-
man and John Sparks. In the Welsh settlement there located John J. Davis, Thomas R. Jones,
Edward Williams, Robert J. Hughes, Robert W. Hughes. William H. Jones and Daniel Davis.
Succeeding 1840, the population of Mifflin continued to increase rapidly for several years,
but it was destined to receive a check, when its mining population caught the California fever
in 1849, and departed for the Golden Gate. The mines at this time were temporarily sus-
pended, as nearly the entire mining population left the town. The year 1850, however, brought
back many of those who so suddenly departed the year before. The mines were again. opened,
agriculture was pursued with increased energy, and business in this territory was once more
prosperous. Since the organization of the town, the population has increased steadily, until
now it is one of the most populous towns in the county, aggregating 1,253 persons, inclusive of
the village census, embracing 275 souls.
The first marriage in the limits of the present town of Mifflin was consummated in 1829,
the contracting parties being Daniel Moore and America Parish. Mrs. Moore (nee Parish), is
now living in the village of Mifflin, and is known as Mrs. Goodrich.
As the first rays of light streaked the horizon, announcing the arrival of the month of Feb-
ruary, 1831, the first child born in the town of Mifflin was ushered into the world. He has
since been known as Levi Mobre, and lived in Mifflin for some years after, or until he caught
the Oregon fever, and with a few others took his departure for that land of promise, and has not
since returned.
la 1848, the Mifflin Mill was established in the present village of Mifflin by Joel Clayton.
This mill is located on the water-power of the West Pecatonica River, and was constructed at a
cost of $6,000. At that time two runs of stone were put in, and have been operated ever since.
In 1849, William Bainbridge became a partner in the firm. Joel Clayton mortgaged his share
of the mill to Francis Cholvin in 1850, and left for California. In the interregnum between
1850 and 1854, John Clayton rented the mill, and continued to run the same until the latter
date, then Messrs. Cholvin and Bainbridge took charge. Mr. Cholvin went to Dubuque in
1857, and sold his share to William Bainbridge, who has continued the mill alone since. When
the mill was first established, grists were brought from a distance of twenty-five miles around.
This mill has always born an excellent reputation, the quality of flour manufactured being
excellent in every respect.
The Star Mill, located two miles south of the village, was originally built for a woolen-mill
in 1865, by Oldhan Jones, and was operated as a woolen-mill until 1875, when, that industry
proving a failure, the building was refitted and two runs of stone put in. It has been continued
as a flouring-mill under the management of George Gruber. This mill has usually been crowded
to its utmost capacity with custom work, its trade extending for many miles around.
The mines of this town, although at one time a prominent factor in the interests of Mifflin,
are now worked with but comparatively little energy. The "Dry Bone Diggings," struck in
1843 by a Mr. Amsden, and subsequently by R. and William Wilson, have been worked with
816 HISTORY OF IOWA COUlSfTY.
varying success up to the present time. This mine is now owned by John J. Ross, of Mineral
Point, and the heirs of Mr. Dean, of Madison. The " Cocer and Jeffrey Diggings," located
three miles northwest of the village of Mifflin, was discovered a number of years ago, but were
never worked until 1877. At that time, a pump with an engine for propelling power, was
established here, and has since been worked with a force of ten men, with some success. " Black
jack " and zinc ore are the principal mineral products of this mine.
What the future of this town may be, can scarcely be suggested, but it would seem, consid-
ering the character of the people, and the various natural advantages inherent in soil und
climate, that nothing but prosperity can follow in the train of unknown events which time will
usher in. To say the least, the prospect is highly gratifying, and if only a part of what may be
properly anticipated be realized, the inhabitants will have no cause for anything but rejoicing.
Schools. — The cause of education has always been uppermost in the minds of the citizens of
Mifflin, who seem to have determined, from an early day, to give to succeeding generations such ed-
ucational privileges and advantages as are denied to many. To this end, during the summer
and fall of 1842, a schoolhouse was erected in the southwest corner of the town, and, during
the winter of the same year, the first school was taught. H. L. Liscom was the teacher, he
being paid by subscription or pro rata. Owing to the prevalence of small-pox in Platteville and
vicinity, this school was suspended for several weeks in the latter part of 1842 and early in
1843. The school was attended by about twenty scholars, many of whom were obliged to walk
five and six miles daily. The following summer, Mr. Liscom taught the first school in the vil-
lage of Dallas, now defunct. During the winter of 1843-44, Miss Sarah Jacobs, subsequently
Mrs. H. L. Liscom, taught the school in the village with very flattering success. Antedating
the establishment of the school on Section 18, in the southwest corner of the town, the children
of Mifflin were taught at the schools along the line, in Grant County. Those crude educational
beginnings have finally culminated in the adoption of a system of education which, from being
kindly fostered by the inhabitants, renders Mifflin, in educational matters, one of the leading
towns in the county.
There are now in the town 600 children of school age — 308 male and 292 female ; nine
schoolhouses, with accommodations for 500 children, and requiring the services of ten teachers.
The average wages per month of male teachers is $30.90 ; female, $24.66. During the year
ending August 31, 1880, there was received for school purposes in the town, $2,616.41 ; paid
out for school purposes, $2,412. 81 — $1,944.50 being for teachers' wages. The school property
in the town, as taken from the Town Clerk's report, is valued at $9,765.
In this connection, the occasion is availed of to record the achievements of two of Mifflin's
brightest scholars — David B. and Thomas D. Jones. These brothers were born in the Welsh
settlement, in town of Mifflin, where they spent their childhood and attended the public schools
of the town. At the ages of sixteen and fourteen respectively, they entered the Platteville
Normal School, being recorded as members of the same class. From this seat of learning they
graduated with honors in 1870. The subsequent two years they spent in teaching — David at
Viroqua, Wis., and Thomas at Fort Howard, Wis. In 1872, they entered Princeton College,
New Jersey, and from this famous institution graduated, with the highest honors of their class, in
the summer of 1876, being equal in percentage. During the fall of this year, Thomas was
chosen to represent Princeton College at the Inter-Collegiate Contest held in New York City.
There he entered into competition with representatives of the best colleges in the East, and was
the honored recipient of the first prize in mental science. Immediately after his achievements
in New York City, Thomas, with his brother David, sailed for Germany and entered the Leipsic
University. They received diplomas from this institution in 1877, then returned to the United
States, and are now practicing law in Chicago, where, by their fine accomplishments and strict
integrity, they are winning laurels for themselves and reflecting credit on their friends and na-
tive town.
Churches. — It would be difficult indeed to state, with any degree of accuracy, the exact
date of the first religious services held in the town of Mifflin. As was customary in nearly all
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 817
pioneer settlements of Southwestern Wisconsin, the " circuit rider " was the first divine to make
his appearance among the hardy miners and husbandmen. Here, at an early day, services were
held at the settlement in the western part of the town, in the dwellings of the residents, and for
some years, or until congregations were organized and churches established in the Welsh settle-
ment and in the village, did the " circuit rider " continue to supply the spiritual requirements of
the pioneers.
The town now has within its confines five congregations, each of which owns a church
building ; two are in the village of Mifflin, and three in the Welsh settlement. Of the latter is
the Penial Church (Welsh Calvinistic Methodist). This congregation was organized by the Rev.
John Davis, in 1847 ; there were at that date but seven families in the Welsh settlement, all of
whom joined faith in the new church. The services of this congregation were held at private
residences until late in 1847 or early in 1848, when, the society's number aggregating fifty
members, they erected a small chapel on Section 11. This was a frame structure, and was built
at a cost of f 300. In 1869, it was removed to the vicinity of the new church, and has since
been used for hall purposes. In 1868, this congregation numbered seventy-five members, and,
requiring more commodious quarters for their religious meetings, they erected, at a cost of
$5,000, the fine frame structure which now adorns Section 11. The Penial congregation now
numbers 129 in good standing, all of whom are of Welsh nationality or descent. Rev. John
Davis, the first, and for thirty years the Pastor of this congregation, was born in September,
1814, in North Wales, where he passed his boyhood and received a common-school education.
In 1839, he came to America and settled in Pennsylvania, where he lived until 1846 ; then he
immigrated to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Mifflin. In 1847, he organized his Penial
congregation, and continued as Pastor until he died, April 23, 1877. At an early age, he
evinced the desire to join the ministry of his people, and, though his early educational advan-
tages were limited, he, being a close student, eventually acquired an excellent education, which
he put to the most commendable of uses. He was a man of more than ordinary intelligence
and morality, and to him is due the credit for laying the foundation of the high moral standing
of his people in this town. As a token of esteem and veneration, his numerous friends and fa-
vorite congregation have erected to his memory in the churchyard a beautiful Scotch-granite
monument, at a cost of $1,100.
He was succeeded to the pastorate by John T. Morris, in 1877, who continued two years.
There is now no regular Pastor.
The Rock Church congregation (Welsh Calvinistic Methodist) was organized in 1855, when
the rock building now used by ihem was erected. This society was formed by the withdrawal of
twenty-five members from the Penial congregation, who seceded on account of the distance of
the new church from a portion of the congregation who were located in different parts of the
town. Rev. John Davis, of the Penial church, officiated as the first Pastor. He was succeeded
by the present Pastor, John T. Morris. The congregation now numbers thirty-five ; the church
and cemetery are located on Section 15.
The Welsh Congregationalist Church was built in 1871, and is located on Section 10.
This society was organized in 1870, and for some time meetings were held in the schoolhouse of
District No. 3. It originally consisted of about ten or twelve members, and now numbers thirty
in good standing. The first preacher was John Davis, of Dodgeville, who was followed by
Revs. Breese, Powell and Benjamin Hughes.
Official Record. — The town of Mifflin was organized April 3, 1849, the first town meeting
being held at the house of John T. Phillips, on Section 12, Town 4, Range 1. At this meet-
ing, the following officers were chosen : William Tate, Oliver W. Phelps and John Newman,
Judges of Election ; R. M. Miller and Joshua King, Clerks of Election. Having organized
the meeting, the following town officers were elected : Joel Clayton, Chairman ; Caleb Sylves-
ter, Francis Kirkpatrick, Supervisors ; Clerk, R. M. Miller ; Treasurer, Levi Welden ;
Assessor, W. J. Hammonds ; Town School Superintendent, George W. Strong ; Justices, John
Newman, John Davis, Richard Pratt, R. M. Miller ; Constables, Levi Welden, John Holland,
O. W. Phelps ; Overseers of Highways, Samuel Carr, O. W. Phelps.
818 HISTORY OP IOWA COUNTY.
At a special meeting held May 26, 1849, a tax of flOO was levied on all taxable property of
the town to defray the expenses of the fiscal year. The first taxes of the town were levied in
1849 as follows: State tax four mills on $68,487.82, the assessed valuation of the town during
this year amounting to $273.95 ; county tax, 1 per cent, $684.87 ; school tax, 2J per cent,
$171.11 ; total, '$1,129.93. For town purposes: Road tax, three mills, $205.46 ; expense tax,
$136.97, making a total of $342.53. The assessed valuation of the town for 1880 was $812,-
931. April 5, 1870, the town purchased the stone building in the village previously used as a
schoolhouse, for a town hall, from William Bainbridge, the consideration being $400. The
following is a complete roster of the town officers from its organization :
1850 — Caleb Sylvester, Chairman ; John Newman, Andrew Huse, Supervisors ; Clerk,
W. G. Spencer ; Treasurer, John Clayton ; Assessor, Richard Pratt ; School Superintendent,
W. Gr. Spencer.
1851 — John Newman, Chairman ; Joseph B. Hunter, Caleb Sylvester, Supervisors ; Clerk,
Joseph B. Wells ; Treasurer, Enoch Enloe ; Assessor, Richard Pratt ; Superintendent, Joseph
W. Wells.
1852 — Francis C. Kirkpatrick, Chairman ; John Clayton, William Owens, Supervisors ;
Clerk, William Wilson ; Treasurer, Enoch Enloe ; Assessor, Richard Pratt ; Scliool Super-
intendent, G. W. Strong.
1853 — Francis C. Kirkpatrick, Chairman ; John Clayton, John W. Jones, Supervisors ;
Clerk, William Wilson ; Treasurer, Enoch Enloe ; Assessor, G. D. Pettyjohn ; School Super-
intendent, Mark Finnicum.
1854— F. C. Kirkpatrick, Chairman ; C. S. Millard, G. W. Strong, Supervisors ; Clerk,
William Wilson ; Treasurer, John Estabrook ; Assessor, Mark Finnicum ; School Superin-
tendent, Mark Finnicum.
1855 — F. C. Kirkpatrick, Chairman ; Michael Flood, C. S. Millard, Supervisors ; Clerk,
George W. Strong ; Treasurer, John Clayton ; Assessor, Mark Finnicum ; School Superin-
tendent, Mark Finnicum.
1856 — Caleb Sylvester, Chairman ; John W. Jones, Herman Grunow, Supervisors ; Clerk,
William Patefield ; Treasurer, John Clayton ; Assessor, Mark Finnicum ; School Superin-
tendent, Mark Finnicum.
1857 — Caleb Sylvester, Chairman ; John W. Jones, Enoch Enloe, Supervisors ; Clerk,
William Patefield ; Treasurer, John Clayton ; A.ssessor, G. D. Pettyjohn ; School Superin-
tendent, E. W. Sylvester.
1858 — Or. D. Pettyjohn, Chairman ; William Holmes, William Owens, Supervisors ;
Clerk, William Burton ; Treasurer, Joseph B. Hunter ; Assessor, E. W. Sylvester ; School
Superintendent, E. W. Sylvester.
1859 — Andrew Huse, Chairman ; James Hird, John W. Jones, Supervisors ; Clerk,
William Patefield; Treasurer, William Hopper; Assessor, E. W. Sylvester.
1860 — Andrew Huse, Chairman ; James Hird, William Bainbridge, Supervisors ; Clerk,
William Patefield ; Treasurer, William Hopper ; Assessor, Robert Packard ; School Superin-
tendent, E. W. Sylvester.
1861 — Charles S. Millard, Chairman ; F. C. Kirkpatrick, William Bainbridge, Supervi-
sors ; Clerk, Fred Eck ; Treasurer, William Hopper ; Assessor, James Hird ; School Superin-
tendent, E. W. Sylvester.
1862 — William Bainbridge, Chairman ; John Kennedy, William Holmes, Supervisors ;
Clerk, William Patefield ; Treasurer, William Hopper ; Assessor, James Hird.
1863 — Andrew Huse, Chairman ; Robert J. Hughes, Joseph Anderson, Supervisors ;
Clerk, William Patefield ; Treasurer, William Hopper ; Assessor, James Hird.
1864 — William Bainbridge, Chairman ; Richard Humphreys, John Carpenter, Supervi-
sors; Clerk, William Patefield; Treasurer, William Hopper; Assessor, Samuel Clayton.
1865 — J. B. Sylvester, Chairman ; John Estabrook, Joseph Parmerly, Supervisors ; Clerk,
J. W. Rewey ; Treasurer, C. S. Millard ; Assessor, James D. Adams.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 819
1866 — William Holmes, Chairman; John Carpenter, Thomas Thomas, Supervisors ; Clerk,
J. W. Rewey ; Treasurer, John T. Jones.
1867 — James Hird, Chairman ; William Oliver, John Carpenter, Supervisors ; Clerk, J.
W. Rewey ; Treasurer, John T. Jones ; Assessor, John T. Jones.
1868 — John B. Sylvester, Chairman ; Richard Humphreys, Horace H. Streeter, Super-
visors ; Clerk, J. W. Rewey, Treasurer, John T. Jones ; Assessor, Joseph Parmerly.
1869 — William Holmes, Chairman ; Richard Humphreys, H. H. Streeter, Supervisors ;
Clerk, J. W. Rewey ; Treasurer, N. N. Jones ; Assessor, Joseph Parmerly.
1870 — William Bainbridge, Chairman ; John B. Sylvester, John W. Jones, Supervisors ;
Clerk, J. W. Rewey; Treasurer, N. N. Jones; Assessor, J. H. Matthews.
1871 — William Bainbridge, Chairman ; Richard Humphreys, John B. Sylvester, Supervi-
sors ; Clerk, J. W. Rewey ; Treasurer, N. N. Jones ; Assessor, H. H. Streeter.
1872 — William Bainbridge, Chairman; E. E. Williams, John B. Sylvester; Clerk, J. W.
Rewey ; Treasurer, N. N. Jones ; Assessor, James Hird.
1873 — William Bainbridge, Chairman ; William Holmes, Richard Humphreys, Supervi-
sors; Clerk, J. W. Rewey; Treasurer, E. E. Williams; Assessor, James Hird.
1874 — William Bainbridge, Chairman ; G. Barries, Peter Jones, Supervisors ; Clerk,
George W. Strong ; Treasurer, H. Cushman ; Assessor, James Hird.
1875 — J. W. Rewey, Chairman ; Richard Humphreys, William Holmes, Supervisors ;
Clerk, Charles Bainbridge ; Treasurer, William Gibbon ; Assessor, James Hird.
1876 — William Bainbridge, Chairman ; Herman Grunow, E. Davis, Supervisors ; Clerk,
C. C. Bainbridge ; Treasurer, J. B. Huse ; Assessor, J. W. Jones.
1877 — J. W. Rewey, Chairman ; E. Davis, Samuel Stevens, Supervisors ; Clerk, William
Gibbon ; Treasurer, J. B. Huse ; Assessor, E. E. Williams.
1878 — J. W. Rewey, Chairman ; Samuel Stevens, E. Stevens, Supervisors ; Clerk,
Thomas Patefield ; Treasurer, J. B. Huse ; Assessor, James Hird.
1879— J. W. Rewey, Chairman; P. T. Stevens, E. E. Williams, Supervisors; Clerk, T.
Patefield ; Treasurer, J. B. Huse ; Assessor, James Hird.
1880 — J. W. Rewey, Chairman ; E. E. Williams, P. T. Stevens, Supervisors ; Clerk,
William Gibbon; Treasurer, J. B. Huse; Assessor, James Hird.
VILLAGE OF DALLAS.
As early as 1845, the citizens of Mifflin conceived the idea of forming a town center, and
forthwith William Waddell and James Morrison purchased ten acres of land and proceeded to
survey and lay out the village subsequently known as Dallas. This village was so called in
honor of ex-Vice President of the United States, George Mifflin Dallas. The site of Dallas is
located about half a mile to the southwest of the present village of Mifflin. This was consid-
ered a desirable location, being in close proximity to the smelting furnace operated by Francis
Cholvin, and contiguous to the "Black Jack " Range.
There were no streets in those days, and improvements then projected or completed were
of the most primitive character ; the main thoroughfare was the present highway leading out of
the village of Mifflin to Belmont and Rewey Station. This village is said to have been at one
time a thriving municipality with a comparatively numerous and industrious population.
Prior to or about the time of laying out the village, Joel Clayton established himself in
business here, being recorded as the first merchant to solicit the patronage of the inhabitants of
the village and vicinity. Here he continued to dispose of his wares until 1848. In the year
1846, Charles Cox started a store in the village with a stock of merchandise distinguished for
its variety. In subsequent years, the growing population of the town became so numerous that
additional stores and the various mechanic shops necessary to a prosperous village were estab-
lished, and succeeded beyond the expectations of their promoters.
James Sprinston started the first blacksmith-shop and continued to thrive for some years. Dr.
Ripley, one of the leading physicians of the county, located here in 1846 and remained until 1850,
820 HISTORY or IOWA COUNTY.
when he took his departure for other fields of labor. Joel Clayton was the first to establish a
tavern and cater to the public taste ; he erected a comfortable frame structure and conducted
the hotel business in connection with his store. Joshua King was among the first school-teach-
ers. John Lee, the "famous shoemaker of Dallas," established himself here, and, for a num-
ber of years, did a successful business caring for the soles of the mining population of the thriv-
ing town.
The population of the village of Dallas, as suggested, was composed principally of miners,
whose permanency was defeated by the decadence of the mines, consequently, when the gold
fever of 1849 struck the village, it swept the population, like an avalanche, from the attractive
vicinity of Dallas to the more promising shores of the Pacific. It must not be inferred that the
village ceased to exist at that time, for such was not the case. It lived a number of years
longer, and proved a formidable rival to its successful competitor, the village of Mifilin. Its bus-
iness, however, could not withstand the severe check received, and finally succumbed to the
dull times necessarily succeeding the departure of its inhabitants.
VILLAGE OF MIFFLIN.
On Section 34, near the central part of the town, in the valley between the hills over-
looking the waters of the Pecatonica Rirer, is located the attractive village of Mifflin. After
the completion of the Mifflin Mills, erected in 1848, Joel Clayton purchased thirteen acres of
land from James Waddel, and proceeded to plat and survey the present village of Mifflin. This
having been accomplished he erected a comfortable log cabin, a story and a half high, which
was occupied by his parents for a dwelling a number of years, and subsequently, in 1865, was
razed by Mr. Bainbridge. The first store-keepers in Mifflin came principally from Dallas,
previously the leading village in the town. Among this number were Messrs. Miller, Ham-
mond, Vance, Benjamin Ferris, and Waller, a Hebrew, who kept a store in the building now oc-
cupied by John Slack as a dwelling. The honor of being the first store-keeper in the village
is generally conceded to John Miller, who established himself here early in 1850 ; during the
same year, Thomas Iverson started the first blacksmith-shop. Early in the fifties, a hotel was
opened by Thomas Richardson. Benjamin Ferris built the brick store on the corner opposite
the Mifflin House, and now owned by John Kennedy. During the years 1851, 1852, 1853 and
1854, the village prospered and, in spite of the contending influence of its rival, Dallas in-
creased in population, influence and importance more rapidly than its competitor, and, within
the decade in which it was projected, it entirely outstripped its rival and made for itself a
place among the leading villages of the county.
The first schoolhouse built in the village was a stone building erected in 1855. This was
a one-story house with one room, which was used for school purposes until 1867, when the pres-
ent frame schoolhouse was built. This stone building was subsequently purchased by the town,
the consideration being $400, and is now used for a town hall. The present school building
was constructed at a cost of $2,500, by District No. 2, which includes the village and parts of
Section 27, 28 and 34. This structure has accommodations for 200 children, requiring the serv-
ices of three teachers.
The Mifflin Post Office was established in the village in 1849, Mr. Vance being appointed
Postmaster. The mail was received and distributed at his store, he being then a merchant in
the village. This office was subsequently removed to Lower Town, or Dallas, and Charley Cox
appointed Postmaster. The office continued there awhile, then was removed to Mifflin, where it
has since remained. The following persons have been recipients of Executive favor and acted
as Postmasters : Joel Clayton, John T. Jones, John Kennedy, William Welden, J. W. Rewey
and Joseph Harker, the present official.
The first church in the village was the Primitive Methodist, which society was organized in
1854, Thomas Jarvis being the first preacher. Immediately after the organization of the con-
gregation, the church was erected and services have been held regularly therein up to the pres-
ent time. This society has flourished with gratifying success, although for the past two years the
HISTOKY OF IOWA COUNTY. 821
attendance has not been quite so large as in former times. In the fall of 1880, the congregation
commenced the erection of a new church, which will be completed early in the spring of 1881.
In the summer of 1878, the Advent Revivalists wended their way to the village and erected
a canvas tent, wherein numerous and protracted revival meetings were held, until sufficient
converts were made to organize a society, which was accomplished in the fall of the same year.
This denomination has erected a church, and have now a resident Pastor, Rev. Philo Hitchcock,
and a congregation aggregating thirty families.
A., F. & A. M., Mifflin Lodge, No. 153, was organized June 13, 1866, with J. W. Rewey as
Master; William Hopper, Senior Warden, and Charles S. Millard, Junior Warden. The Lodge
now numbers fifty-two with the following officers : J. W. Rewey, Master ; J. Harker, Senior
Warden; J. D. Huse, Junior Warden.
The business interests of Mifflin are now represented in general merchandise by Harker,
Bainbridge & Son, and Thomas Alton, Jr.; wagon-makers, Robert Graham and Cyrus Ren-
yolds ; blacksmiths, John Blackney and James Stacey & Bro.; physician, H. R. Bird ; lawyer,
Thomas Patefield ; shoemaker, Joseph Gillis ; hotels, Cyrus Renyolds and Thomas Warne ;
photographer, Cyrus Renyolds ; Mifflin Mills, William Bainbridge.
YILLAGB OF EEWEY.
The village of Rewey is situated on the line of the Chicago and Tomah Division of the
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad, on the beautiful prairie' ridge dividing the waters of the
Pecatonica from those of the Platte River. It is located about equidistant from the village of
Mifflin, in Iowa County, and the village of Washburn in Grant County, on the southeast quar-
ter of Section 5, Township 4, Range 1 east of the Fourth Meridian. It was platted in
August, 1880, by J. W. Rewey, the present proprietor, from whom it derives its name.
The first settler was Hiram A. Rundell and wife, and their daughter, Mabel S., was the
first child born in the hamlet. Jefferson Smith located the pioneer blacksmith-shop, in a corn-
field, on July 28, 1880. E. J. Bennett is entitled to the credit of the initial mercantile trans-
action, which consisted of the purchase of one hundred bushels of oats from Warren C. Cush-
man, on September 17, 1880. In November of the above year, J. B. Huse, of Mifflin, came
here and opened a branch department of his business. Thus far he has not had occasion to
regret the step, as the undertaking, being established on a satisfactory financial basis, has
proved a profitable investment of time and means. A second store, containing general mer-
chandise, is conducted by H. W. McRejnolds. A fine hotel, 18x28 feet, flanked by a wing of
the same proportions, is progressing toward completion under the supervision of the proprietor,
M. F. Rewey. When finished, the hotel will afford a convenience long needed by the travelers
who frequent this section of the country. The railroad company has also signified its intention
to make the modest station of Rewey into a dining point, where passenger trains will stop
twenty minutes for dinner.
The Chicago & Tomah Railroad opened their office for business at this point on October 5,
1880, by appointing J. W. Rewey agent ; and on the same day the first shipment, embracing
thirty-six tons of zinc-ore, was transported to Galena, and consigned to William Bainbridge.
Messrs. Barrows, Taylor & Co., have established a lumber-yard at this point, and arrangements
are already being consummated for the erection of church and school buildings next season. A
telegraph operator, B. D. Tuttle, is stationed here ; and, surmising from present indications,
the village is destined eventually to eclipse many of the older and more pretentious settlements.
TOWN OF MOSCOW.
This town was originally settled by Americans, Irish and English, though now the Norwe-
gian element is largely predominant. The first settlement within the present limits of Moscow
Was made by Asa Bennett, a professional hunter, who, with his family, located on Section 28,
«nd there erected a log cabin, the first in the town. Here he and his family lived in peace and
DD
822 HISTORY OF OP IOWA COUNTY.
quietude, disturbed only by the howling of wolves and the frequent quarreling of other predatory
animals, until the gold fever of 1849, beguiled him and his family to California.
In 1846, Francis McKenna settled in the town, and built a cabin on Section 3, Township.
4, Range 3. He emigrated to America from Ireland in 1841, and located in Mineral Point,
where he remained until he removed to Moscow. Pleasant Fields settled here early in the year
1847, a little northeast of Moscow Village. Here Mr. Fields remained for several years, and
cultivated a small farm. In the year 1843, previous to locating in the town of Moscow, he dis-
covered the mineral at the " Young Diggings " in the town of Waldwick.
During the summer of 1847, Chauncy Smith, Messrs. Kline and Cole entered land in thi&
town, erected comfortable log cabins, and began the cultivation of small farms. Richard Ivey
came in 1848, as did Isaac Meinke and Milo and Charles Smith. During the years 1849-50,.
and for several years following, the town was settled very rapidly.
The first roads in Moscow were cut by Bennett, McKenna and Ivey, on their way in from
Mineral Point. These roads were the first legalized, and are now public highways through the
town.
As in its neighboring towns, the people of Moscow were sensible to the benefits conferred
by education upon the rising generation, for almost as soon as there was a settlement in the
town, a school was established, and a teacher engaged to train the crude ideas of the few children
then in the town. The first schoolhouse erected in the town was built of logs, and was located
near the site of the present frame structure, in District No. 1, better known as the " Leonard
District." There were about ten scholars from the families of Asa Bennett, Richard Freeman,
Benjamin Stip and some others. There are now seven schoolhouses in the town, requiring the
services of seven teachers. The " Mc Williams District" Schoolhouse has been used for town
meetings, etc., since its erection in 1863.
Official Record. — The territory now constituting the town of Moscow was first brought
under town government, as a part of the town of Waldwick, in 1848. By vote of the people,
in 1860, forty-two sections of the eastern part of Waldwick were organized into a separate town,
and, after the ancient capital of Muscovy, was named Moscow. The first town meeting was
called at the house of Francis McKenna, April 10, 1860, and adjourned to the Moscow School-
house, where the next two town meetings were held. At the first election, the following town
ofiicers were elected.
1860 — Francis McKenna, Chairman ; Cyrus Clark, John Green, Supervisors ; J. H. Moor-
man, Clerk ; Robert McWilliams, Treasurer ; David Powers, Assessor ; E. B. Crowell, School
Superintendent ; William Skinaer, H. Moorman and John Green, Constables. Since 1863, the
town meetings have been held at the McWilliams Schoolhouse, on Section 34. The following
js a complete list of the town officers, dating from the organization of the town :
1861 — John Bonner, Chairman ; Knudt Olson, William Spears, Supervisors ; Robert Mc-
Williams, Treasurer ; J. H. Moorman, Clerk ; Andrew Shanley, Superintendent of Schools ;
Cyrus Clark, Assessor.
1862 — Francis McKenna, Chairman ; Knudt Olson, D. Spears, Supervisors ; William
Skinner, Clerk ; Robert McWilliams, Treasurer ; William Batman, Assessor.
1863 — William C. Batman, Chairman; C.Norton, Knudt Olson, Supervisors; Samuel Mc-
Williams, Clerk ; Patrick McDonald, Treasurer ; Richard Ivey, Assessor.
1864 — William Robinson, Chairman ; C. Norton, K. Olson, Supervisors; L. 0. Sanderson,
Clerk ; Cyrus Clark, Treasurer ; Richard Ivey, Assessor.
1865 — Francis McKenna, Chairman ; Andrew Shanley, I. D. Spears, Supervisors ; L. 0.
Sanderson, Clerk ; Michael Cleary, Treasurer ; Richard Ivey, Assessor.
1866 — Francis McKenna, Chairman ; K. Paulson, Andrew Shanley, Supervisors ; L. 0.
Sanderson, Clerk ; Samuel McWilliams, Treasurer ; Richard Ivey, Assessor.
1867 — William Robinson, Chairman ; K. Paulson, A. B. Steensland, Supervisors ; B.
Holland, Clerk ; .John Price, Treasurer ; .J. Van Norman, Assessor.
HISTORY or IOWA COUNTY. 823
1868 — William Robinson, Chairman ; George Paulson, E. B. Crowel, Supervisors ; L. 0.
Sanderson, Clerk ; M. F. Van Norman, Treasurer ; A. E. Steensland, Assessor.
1869 — William Robinson, Chairman ; Chris Monson, George Paulson, Supervisors ; L. 0.
Sanderson, Clerk; M. P. Van Norman, Treasurer; Kittle Paulson, Assessor.
1870 — William Robinson, Chairman ; Ole Steensland, John Hanson, Supervisors ; L. 0.
Sanderson, Clerk ; George Paulson, Treasurer ; Jacob Van Norman, Assessor.
1871 — William Robinson, Chairman ; John Hanson, Ole Steensland, Supervisors ; A. E.
Steensland, Clerk ; George Paulson, Treasurer ; L. 0. Sanderson, Assessor.
1872 — William Robinson, Chairman; Ole Steensland, Owen Nervig, Supervisors; L. 0.
Sanderson, Clerk ; George Paulson, Treasurer ; Richard Ivey, Assessor.
1873 — William Robinson, Chairman ; Ole Steensland, John Hanson, Supervisors ; L. 0.
Sanderson, Clerk ; George Paulson, Treasurer; Ole Steensland, Assessor.
1874 — Ole Steensland, Chairman ; John McKenna, John Hanson, Supervisors ; Robert
Mc Williams, Clerk ; at his death during August, 1874, John Leonard was appointed Town
Clerk ; A. E. Steensland, Treasurer ; Richard Ivey, Assessor.
1875 — Ole Steensland, Chairman ; John McKenna, John Hanson, Supervisors ; John
Leonard, Clerk ; A. E. Steensland, Treasurer ; Richard Ivey, Assessor.
1876 — Ole Steensland, Chairman ; P. K. Demuth, C. Peterson, Supervisors ; Stephen
Shanley, Clerk ; A. E. Steensland, Treasurer ; Richard Ivey, Assessor.
1877 — George Paulson, Chairman ; P. K. Demuth, H. Johnson, Supervisors ; A. E.
Steensland, Treasurer ; John Leonard, Clerk ; Richard Ivey, Assessor.
1878 — George Paulson, Chairman ; P. K. Demuth, K. Knudson, Supervisors ; John
Leonard, Clerk ; A. E. Steensland, Treasurer ; Richard Ivey, Assessor.
1879 — George Paulson, Chairman ; P. K. Demuth, K. Knudson, Supervisors ; John
Leonard, Clerk ; Richard Ivey, Assessor ; A. E. Steensland, Treasurer.
1880 — George Paulson, Chairman ; P. K. Demuth, K. Knudson, Supervisors ; John
Leonard, Clerk ; Ole Steensland, Assessor ; A. E. Steensland, Treasurer.
VILLAGE OF MOSCOW.
This thriving village is nicely located in the southeastern part of the town on Section 11,
and was named after the town in which it is located. Early in 1847, Chauncey Smith located
on the site of the present village and built a log hut, and here his family lived while the East
Branch of the Pecatonica was being dammed and a grist-mill erected. Early in 1850, Mr.
Smith surveyed and platted the village. This plat was recorded July 26, 1850. It appears
that Smith was a man of more than the average ambition and enterprise, for he caused the old
log schoolhouse to be moved from where it formerly stood, in the grove half a mile west of the
village, and placed on the site of the present edifice, which was erected in 1860.
In 1848, Smith was joined by several permanent settlers, among them his brothers Charles
and Milo. Charles Smith started the first store in the village in 1850, and his brother Milo
erected a large carding-mill in the same year. In 1858, both brothers sold out their in-
terests to William Speers, who moved the carding-mill to where the store stood, and re-arranged
both buildings into a hotel. This was burned down in 1875. In February, 1855, a shade of
gloom and sorrow was cast over the little hamlet, occasioned by the death of its founder, Chauncy
Smith. At that date passed away an excellent and kind-hearted man, generous to a fault, and
charitable to the last degree.
Charles Smith was the builder of the stone store, now the only one in the town. The old
flouring-mill, after the death of Chauncy Smith, was sold to Munson & Evenson, who continued
the business for several years. They disposed of the property to Holland Bros., who now own
and manage both the milling and mercantile business of Moscow.
In 1849 and 1850, there was quite an influx of immigrants, but most of them proved to
be only transient settlers. Jesse Bryant is well remembered, however, as the first blacksmith.
824 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
About 1851, the first post office in the town was established at the village. Myron Burnett
was the first Postmaster. He served in this capacity until 1858, when he was succeeded by John
Green. In 1862, Mr. Green was dispossessed of his office by the present holder, J. H. Dudley.
Drs. Fayette, Stetson, Smith, Chase and Johnson have practiced here at different times
for short periods. In early times the people were in almost as great danger of incurring acci-
dental death on the rough, hilly roads hereabouts as they were of meeting a natural death, but
in no case did death occur very often.
ADAMSVILLE.
This village is h ca ed in the extreme northern part of the town, bordering on the town
line between Ridgeway and Moscow, on the West Pecatonica Rirer. It was named in honor of
John Adams, who, with David Hollister, erected the large gristmill here in 1854 and 1855.
William Renshaw was originally a partner, but withdrew before the dam for the mill was com-
pleted. The firm subsequently became heavily involved in debt, and Mr. Hollister retired in
1857. The property then reverted through mortgage to John Bonner, who continued to run
the mill with varying success until 1865. He then sold the mill to A. Spensley, who disposed
of it to George Orr, who failed of success, and the property reverted to Mr. Spensley, who dis-
posed of it January 1, 1875, to R. I. Wade, the present owner. This mill has always borne
an excellent reputation, the flour manufactured being equal in quality to any in the county.
The first store in the village was built by John Adams in 1855, who opened with a general
stock of goods. In the summer of the same year, William Skinner built a hotel, the only one
in the village. About this time a post office was established in Adamsville, and William Skin-
ner appointed Postmaster. He was succeeded by David Powers. At the inception of the re-
bellion, this office was discontinued, and for several years during and after the war, the Adams-
ville people received their mail from the Middlebury Post Office. Several years after the war,
the post office here was re-established, with R. Marks as Postmaster. His successors were Alex-
ander McKinzie, R. P. Jones and Mrs. Mary A. Skinner, who retains charge of the office.
Prior to the erection of the present schoolhouse in the village, a small number of scholars
were taught the rudiments of education in the house of William Skinner, by Miss Emma Mc-
Donald. The schoolhouse, which was built in 1855, is also used for prayer-meetings.
There are here two religious societies, the Primitive Methodist and Congregational, and
two secret organizations. Harmony Lodge, Good Templars, No. 102, was instituted March 10,
1869. Miner's Lodge, No. 4, I. 0. 0. F., was organized January 21, 1869, in Mineral Point,
with the following charter members : John Millen, Edward Coad, J. H. Vivian, Samuel Thomas,
James James, -Tohn James and Thomas Prisk. By a dispensation of the Grand Lodge, Miners'
No. 4, was removed to Adamsville, where the first regular communication was held April 17,
1873. The present officers are R. J. Pierce, N. G. ; 0. F. Grimstredt, R. S. : A. Pierce,
Treasurer ; G. F. Pierce, R. S. The lodge meets Thursday evenings, in their hall over the
village store.
TOVTN OF PULASKI.
The town of Pulaski is well watered by the Wisconsin River and its numerous tributaries,
the principal of which are the Underwood and Marsh Creeks. The Underwood, into which
flow Leech, Harris, and Booth Branches, runs for some distance parallel with the Wisconsin
River, and finally empties into it. Owing to its sluggish current, this stream is by some called
the " lake." Booth's Creek formerly occasionally disappeared, or was absorbed by the sand at its
mouth, before reaching the lake. As a result of this condition, during the winter, when the
ground was frozen and refused to swallow the water, it would spread over the entire surrounding
country. One season it was so bad that the railroad track, and even the streets and cellars in
Avoca, were partially inundated. Therefore, in order to obviate this unpleasant state of affairs,
a ditch was dug to the lake, which has since been the channel of the creek, and now only in
the case of heavy spring freshets is there any indications of an overflow.
The Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad was built through the town in 1856.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUKTY. ^'■^^
Early Settlement. — The first settlement in this town was effected by John Booth, a native
of Kentucky, who immigrated here from Illinois in 1835, and located on Section 23, the district
which has since been known as Booth's Hollow. Here Mr. Booth erected a log cabin with a
shake roof, and cultivated a small strip of land and raised some cactle, but not with flattering
success. For the next few years Mr. Booth might truthfully have said, " I am monarch of all
I survey," as he was alone in this wilderness of Pulaski until 1838 or 1839, when Vincent
Dziewanouski, an exiled army officer from Poland, made his appearance in the town. On ar-
riving at Booth's Hollow, he purchased Mr. Booth's claim and began the work of improving the
wilderness, in the pursuit of what was henceforth to be his life vocation. This farm he has contin-
ued to improve and cultivate ever since, and he is now living and operating where he first worked
forty years ago. He was followed, in 1841, by William S. Booth, son of John Booth. He was
familiarly known as Capt. Booth, in consideration of his participancy in the Black Hawk
War, of 1832, and' the Indian troubles of 1846. His father had previously left this locality,
probably at the time he sold his claim, having been somewhat discouraged, owing to the loss he
sustained by his cattle dying during the severe winter of 1838-39.
William S. Booth first came to this part of the country in the spring of 1834, and located
at Muscoda with his wife and family at the time that William S. Hamilton and others were en-
gaged in erecting the first cupola furnace in Grant County. Mrs. Booth was the first female
resident in that place, and is still living with her son-in-law, Samuel Swinehart, of Pulaski, who
is one of the pioneer lumbermen of this section and very first settlers in Richland County as
well as Pulaski. Mr. Booth and P. N. Underwood are now the oldest settlers of this section of
the country.
Isaac Alexander and family, who were natives of Pennsylvania, came here from Muscoda,
Grant County, in 1840, and settled on Section 23, and lived with the Polander Dziewanouski.
Here he opened up a small farm, and for several years pursued farming with varying success,
until he died in 1843, making the first death in the town. He \^as buried in the old burial-
ground located on a side-hill in Booth Hollow.
In 1841, Mrs. Vedder and sons settled in Pulaski, and proceeded to develop the agricult-
ural resources of their location. During this year Mrs. Vedder was probably the only settler,
but the lands in the town were now bringing forth abundant yields, proving the territory of
Pulaski to be a mine of agricultural wealth that attracted the attention of the pioneers. Nehe-
miah, Daniel, and Oliver Leech arrived here in 1842.
The years 1843 and 1844 recorded the advent of Charles and Solon Walbridge, James
Carver, and Richard Gage and family, the latter locating on the land now occupied by Samuel
Swinehart. These broke small farms in different parts of the town, and were rewarded with prof-
itable yields.
The years 1845, 1846 and 1847 are distinguished in the annals of this town as being the
dates of a large influx of settlers, who afterward became noted for their agricultural skill, in-
dustry and perseverance. Among the number were Thomas Morey, Howard Harris, Asa
Patton, Robert Ricke, Hiram Heth, Dr. John Heth, Miner Bennett, Henry Husk, W. Mellon,
J. Hagan, Amos Kendall, Henry Mears, Henry Atkinson, Rufus Bennett, and 0. P. and P. N.
Underwood. There undoubtedly were others who came here during the years mentioned, but
it is impossible to procure the names of all.
Among those who came here very early (the dates of their arrival not being exactly known)
were Thomas Moore, James McDuff, 0. E. Barber, Richard Bennett, Elijah Bennett, W. Gar-
land, J. Beard, Hiram Parmer, T. Churchill, H. B. Carver, William Asbury, Richard Asbury,
J. Brewester and Frank Marks. These located claims and entered land on almost every section
of the town, along the Wisconsin River and Marsh and Booth Creeks. Pulaski then gave
promise of a prosperous future. To say that it has fully met the expectations of the most
sanguine can scarcely be considered an exaggeration. The woods and hills are now interspersed
with nicely improved and well-tilled farms, possessing all the necessary appointments to make
the husbandmen and their families happy and contented. Broad fields, teeming with abund-
826 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
ance, and bright gardens, ornamented with attractive and commodious residences, greet the eye
on every side. These, together with the call of domestic animals, the plow-boy's whistle and the
hum of varying industry, proclaim the fact of prosperity and a high degree of pastoral civiliza-
tion as the present condition of the people of this region.
Very many of those mentioned are still living here in the enjoyment of a peaceful old age.
Having ripened with the maturity of the country, they can fully realize the great and bene-
ficial changes which have been wrought since they reared their first cabins and roused the vir-
gin soil from its slumbers of centuries. Since that time, forty years ago, the great West, for
hundreds, nay thousands, of miles beyond what were then the extreme limits of civilization,
has been invaded and subdued by the adventurous and hardy pioneers ; and still the great work
goes on, and thus may it ever go on until civilization shall reach from pole to pole through
every zone Among the first of those who came here before 1846, who are now living, not
especially noted, are Charles and Solon Walbridge, Mr. Morey and wife, and some of the Leech
family; however, these are not all by any means. The first mill in the town was erected by
H. Mears and H. Atkins, in 1847, on Booth's Creek. They first proceeded to construct a dam
on Government land, near the claim of Vincent Dziewanouski. This dam caused the water of
the creek to rise and overflow a portion of the land owned by this Polander, to the in-
jury of a valuable spring. Not being able to settle the consequent trouble amicably, Dziewan-
ouski entered the land selected for the mill site. This proceeding upon the part of Mr. Dzie-
wanouski caused a great deal of feeling among the early claimants, as according to claim usages
this was considered a violation of their rights. As a consequence, a meeting of the County
Claim League was held for the purpose of abrogating, if possible, the purchase made. But Mr.
Dziewanouski being satisfied that he was justified in doing as he had, persisted, in spite of all
the threats of his opponents, in maintaining his position, and went armed for the purpose. As
in most cases of the kind, the owner of the land, or the one who had entered it, carried the day,
so the projectors of the mill enterprise were dislodged. Nothing daunted, they at once pur-
chased a small piece of land and soon after built a dam on the same stream, at its present loca-
tion on Section 14, and erected a mill. They continued the milling business here with consid-
erable success for ten or twelve years. The mill has since passed through different hands, and
is now the property of Abraham Yacka. A standard article of flour was always manufactured
here, comparing favorably with other mills in the county.
The first public highway was laid out through the town in 1845 through the efforts of
William S. Booth. This road ran from the Wisconsin river on the line between Sections 2 and
3, through Booth Hollow to Highland and thence to Mineral Point.
In 1848, the laying-out a road, to begin at the north bank of the Wisconsin and run to Ash
Creek, in Richland County, as a continuation of the Booth Hollow road, was projected, as it
was suggested that it would cut off" the roundabout way by Muscoda, and would, therefore, be
of inestimable value to travelers in this section. Major Charles F. Legate, Samuel Swinehart
and others, carried the project to a successful issue, the road being laid out as desired, by them.
After the road was laid out, the next thing to be done was to establish a ferry. This took the
form of a flat-boat, which was operated at first with poles by the proprietor. This ferry was
continued ten or fifteen years, during which time it proved itself a profitable enterprise and well
adapted to the object for which it was intended. Eventually a road was laid out to Richland
City and the old ferry was abandoned, and a new one was established near the northeast corner
of Section 1. This institution was chartered by a man named Wallace, of Richland City, and
denominated the " Richland City Ferry." The flat-boat of the old ferry was used here for some
time. Richland City, on the opposite shore of the Wisconsin River, was at that time one of
the leading municipalities in Southern Wisconsin, and gave promise of a brilliant and success-
ful future. But its career was as short lived as it was bright. For since the railroad passed
through the country, it has waned, year after year, until it is now but a relic of its former self.
in 1845, Samuel Swinehart started a lumber-yard on the Wisconsin River, near the road
mentioned, from which a great portion of the lumber used in Mineral Point was obtained. This
HISTOBY OF IOWA COUNTY. 827
lumber was received from Rockbridge, on the Pine River, in Richland County. Subsequently,
it was run down the Wisconsin River. At that time, Mr. Swinehart was also engaged in mak-
ing extensive improvements in Richland County.
Pulaski, by 1850 (as seen), was settled by agriculturists in diiFerent parts of the town, who
were eagerly engaged in opening up the hidden treasures of this fertile soil. The mechanic,
the tradesman, the physician, the professor, the minister, the lawyer, also came at that time,
and cast their destinies among the inhabitants of the promising town.
C. C. Jenkins was the first carpenter in the town. He was followed by A. H. Hampton.
These two tradesmen did all the work in their line in the town for a number of years.
In 1836, Charles Coyle started the first blacksmith-shop in Pulaski. It was located on Sec-
tion 10, on the road running from Richland City to Mineral Point. In 1856, he removed to
the village of Avoca and continued a successful blacksmithing business in the village.
The first physician in the town was Dr. John Heth, who located here in 1846, and who
also was a sort of local preacher.
The first post office in the town was established in 1846, with Charles Walbridge as Post-
master. The office was named Wallis, and was kept at the house of Mr. Walbridge, on Section
14. It was discontinued in 1852.
Religious services were held in the town at a very early day. The inevitable ''circuit
rider " was the first to administer to the spiritual wants of the people of this section. The first
Tegular services were held at the residence of Vincent Dziewanouski. It is an historical fact
that the first local preacher here was a horse-thief in disguise. He so worked upon the feel-
ings of the people, by his apparent earnestness of purpose, that they reposed the utmost confi-
dence in "his reverence." Eventually, however, he selected the best specimen of horse-flesh
in the neighborhood, and between two days, left his longing congregation for parts unknown.
There are now three churches of different denominations in the town — Catholics, German Pres-
'byterian and Lutheran. Each of these have large and respectable congregations and resident
Pastors.
The important subject of education has been fostered to a commendable degree by the
citizens of Pulaski. The first school from which the settlers here derived any benefit was
■established in the house of Thomas Morey, in 1846, with Miss Susan Leech as teacher. There
was but one room in the house, and this was used by the family, as well as for school purposes.
Mrs. Morey continued her household duties, while the children were engaged in studying or
reciting, and, occasionally, afforded diversion for the children by her remarks on different sub-
jects. The number attending this school aggregated ten scholars. This school was kept for
the purpose of securing State school money, with which to help erect a schoolhouse. During
the following year, the first schoolhouse was erected on six acres of land bought from Mr.
Morey, located on the northwest quarter of Section 14. This building was a log structure, and
was the scene of many varying events, doing duty as a town hall and church. Political
harangues and religious exhortations nearly as often found voice within its walls as the utter-
ances of sages and philosophers. It saw much of festivity and mourning, and has itself long
since come to grief The first teacher in the new schoolhouse was Permelia Brewster. After
her came 0. P. Underwood, the intelligent and popular veteran teacher of this locality. That
small beginning has finally culminated in the adoption of facilities for, and a system of, educa-
tion of inestimable value, and surpassed by few towns in the county. There are now in the
town six whole and one joint district, with seven substantial and Well-equipped schoolhouses,
requiring the services of seven teachers.
The first child born in Pulaski was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander. He died in infancy.
The next birth was that of R. Logan Booth, who was born August 11, 1842, and still lives.
In November, 1844, occurred the double wedding of William Brown and Nancy Booth
and Amaziah Parish and Amanda Key. The affair took place at the residence of William S.
Booth, H. M. Billings, of Highland, performing the ceremony. In the language of one of the
quests, "they had a big wedding, and a charivari of grand proportions."
828 HISTORY OF IOWA C0U:NTY.
Official Town Record. — The territory now known by the historic appellation of Pulaski^
originally the voting precinct of " Wisconsin," was erected into a town government by the
Board of County Commissioners, March 7, 1849. Pursuant to notice the first town meeting
was held at the schoolhouse, April 3, 1849, and the following officers were elected for the ensu-
ing year : Henry Atkinson, Chairman ; Solon R. Walbridge, Isaac Alexander, Supervisors ;
Clerk, Richard V. Alexander ; Treasurer, Asa Patten ; Assessor, Henry V. Carver. At a
special town meeting held June 9, 1849, it was voted to raise $85.50 for the support of the
common schools in the town ; and $75 was voted to defray the town expenses for the
fiscal year. The first election for State officers was held November 6, 1844, with the follow-
ing result: Governor, Nelson Dewey, six votes, Alexander Collins, twelve ; Lieut. Governor,
Samuel W. Beale, six votes, T. 0. Howe, twelve; Secretary of State, William A.Barstow, five
votes, Levi Alden, thirteen ; Attorney General, S. Park Coon, six votes, Moses Butterfield,
twelve ; State Treasurer, J. C. Fairchild, six votes, John B. Terry, twelve ; State Superinten-
dent, A. Constantino Berry, sixteen votes, E. Root, one ; Assemblyman, T. M. Fullerton,
seven votes, John S. Walker, eleven ; County Treasurer, William Terrill, one vote, Stephen
Thomas, fifteen, Richard S. Vivian, one ; County Surveyor, Francis A. Hill, seventeen ; Clerk
County Board Supervisors, Thomas Allen, fourteen votes. October 15, 1849, Oliver P. Un-
derwood became Town Clerk in lieu of Richard V. Alexander. The following is a complete
list of the officers from the organization of the town :
1850 — Henry Atkinson, Chairman ; Richard Asbury, Asa Patten, Supervisors ; Clerk»
0. P. Underwood ; Treasurer, Minor Bennett ; Assessor, Hiram Palmer.
1851 — Henry Atkinson, Chairman ; Asa Patten, Richard Asbury, Supervisors ; Clerk,
0. P. Underwood ; Treasurer, H. T. Husk ; Assessor, Israel Woodard.
1852 — Solon R. Walbridge, Chairman ; Asa Patten, Samuel Swinehart, Supervisors j
Clerk, 0. P. Underwood; Treasurer, Hiram Palmer; Assessor, Harvey Brooks.
1853 — F. E. A. Halstead, Chairman ; H. T. Husk, V. Dziewanouski, Supervisors ; Clerk,
James N. Babcock; Treasurer, Minor Bennett; Assessor, 0. E. Barber.
1854 — 0. B. Barber, Chairman ; N. Randall, H. T. Husk, Supervisors ; Clerk, James H»
Babcock ; Treasurer, D. C. Burdick ; Assessor, 0. E. Bauben.
1855 — Solon R. Walbridge, Chairman ; Asa Patten, Minor Bennett, Supervisors ; Clerk,
R. V. Alexander ; Treasurer, D. C. Burdick ; Assessor, V. Dziewanouski. /
1856 — 0. E. Barber, Chairman ; C. Shafer, Minor Bennett, Supervisors ; Clerk, N.
McPettigrow ; Treasurer, Martin R. Walbridge ; Assessor, V. Dziewanouski.
1857 — Ralph Flint, Chairman ; C. Shafer, W. S. Dimock, Supervisors ; Clerk, J. H,
Galer : Treasurer, M. R. Walbridge ; Assessor, V. Dziewanouski.
1858. — 0. P. Underwood, Chairman ; H. T. Husk, Joseph Meyer, Supervisors ; Clerk, R.
V. Alexander ; Treasurer, M. R. Walbridge ; Assessor, V. Dziewanouski.
1859 — S. Dimock, Chairman ; (i. E. Franklin, L. Hendall, Supervisors ; Clerk, R. V.
Alexander ; Treasurer, F. Z. Hicks ; Assessor, George Schull.
I860 — S. Dimock, Chairman ; C. Foltz, H. T. Husk, Supervisors ; Clerk, W. L. Lincoln ;
Treasurer, F. Z. Hicks ; Assessor, S. Dimock.
1861 — W. L. Lincoln, Chairman ; Asa Patten, Samuel Swinehart, Supervisors ; Clerk, B.
F. Underwood ; Treasurer, F. Z. Hicks ; Assessor, R. V. Alexander. F. Z. Hicks, resigned
December 21, 1861, and R. V. Alexander was appointed to fill the vacancy.
1862 — J. C. Moore, Chairman ; S. Swinehart, N. Neese, Supervisors ; Clerk, 0. P. Ash-
ley ; Treasurer, B. F. Underwood ; Assessor, R. V. Alexander.
1863 — H. C. Snow, Chairman ; John Gallagher, S. Aldrich, Supervisors ; Clerk, R. M.
McFarland ; Treasurer, B. F. Underwood ; Assessor, Warren Dimock.
1864 — J. B. Underwood, Chairman ; Peter Kramer, M. R. Walbridge, Supervisors ; Clerks
G. D. Coyle ; Treasurer, B. F. Underwood ; Assessor, Samuel Swinehart. In August 29,
1864, G. D. Coyle resigned, and Samuel Parks was appointed to fill the vacancy. October 11»
1864, George Parr was appointed to succeed Samuel Parks, who. had removed from the town.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUKTY. 829
1865 — At a special meeting of the Electors of the town, held January 7, 1865, four thou-
sand dollars was voted for war purposes. H. C. Snow, Chairman; Peter Kramer, Louis Tren-
ner, Supervisors ; Clerk, Joseph Smith ; Treasurer, Samuel Aldrich ; Assessor, W. S. Dimock.
1866 — W. W. Allen, Chairman ; M. R. Walbridge, William Likely, Supervisors ; Clerk,
George Parr ; Treasurer, Joseph Frost ; Assessor, W. S. Dimock.
1867 — A. Grote, Chairman ; A. E. Briggs, V. Dziewanouski, Supervisors ; Clerk, George
Parr; Treasurer, Ira 0. Ingraham; Assessor, W. S. Dimock.
1868 — William R. Spencer, Chairman ; Peter Kramer, D. W. Dudgeon, Supervisors ;
Clerk, Samuel Parks ; Treasurer, Ira 0. Ingraham ; Assessor, W. S. Dimock.
1869 — A. Grote, Chairman; Peter Kramer. John Gallagher, Supervisors; Clerk, W. M.
Richardson ; Treasurer, H. McFarland ; Assessor, W. S- Dimock.
1870 — W. L. Lincoln, Chairman ; Peter Kramer, S. S. Welch, Supervisors ; Clerk, George
Parr; Treasurer, Robert Kinzie ; Assessor, W. S. Dimock.
1871 — W. Dimock, Chairman; Minor Bennett, Peter Kramer, Supervisors; Clerk, G.
F. Mason ; Treasurer, B. Gabler ; Assessor, R. H. Kinzie.
1872 — W. S. Dimock, Chairman ; Minor Bennett, Peter Kramer, Supervisors ; Clerk, G.
F. Mason ; Treasurer, B. Gabler ; Assessor, R. H. Kinzie.
1873 — W. S. Dimock, Chairman ; Minor Bennett, Peter Kramer, Supervisors ; Clerk, G.
F. Mason ; Treasurer, B. Gabler ; Assessor, R. H. Kinzie.
1874 — W. S. Dimock, Chairman ; Minor Bennett, Peter Kramer, Supervisors ; Clerk, H.
E. Lindsey ; Treasurer, B. Gabler; Assessor, R. H. Kinzie.
1875 — W. S. Dimock, Chairman ; Minor Bennett, Adam Kurtz, Supervisors ; Clerk, T.
H. Dimock ; Treasurer, Ole Shager ; Assessor, R. H. Kinzie.
1876 — R. H. Kinzie, Chairman ; Minor Bennett, John Gallagher, Supervisors ; Clerk, P.
F. Quinn ; Treasurer, Ole Shayer ; Assessor, B. Gabler.
1877 — W. S. Dimock, Chairman ; Minor Bennett, Adam Kurtz, Supervisors ; Clerk, F.
H, Dimock ; Treasurer, Ole Shayer ; Assessor, R. H. Kinzie.
1878 — W. S. Dimock, Chairman; Minor Bennett, Adam Kurtz, Supervisors; Clerk, H.
P. Deitrich ; Treasurer, Josiah Ward; Assessor, R. H. Kinzie.
1879 — George F. Mason, Chairman ; William Meyers, Adam Kurtz, Supervisors ; Clerk,
H. P. Deitrich ; Treasurer, Josiah Ward ; Assessor, Joseph Frost.
1880 — G. F. Mason, Chairman ; Clerk, H. P. Deitrich ; Treasurer, H. H. Snow ; Assessor,
Joseph Frost.
VILLAGE OF AVOCA.
One of the very promising and flourishing villages of Iowa County is located on parts of
Sections 11, 12 and 14, of the town of Pulaski, twenty-six miles from Dodgeville, thirty-two
miles from Mineral Point and fifty- five miles from Madison. This place is situated on the
Prairie du Chien Branch of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, and is built on a
beautiful plateau, nearly surrounded on three sides by hills, and is two miles from the Wisconsin
River. The town is handsomely built, particularly the residence portion, and is the business
point for farmers for many miles around. March's Creek, a comparatively sluggish stream,
courses through the northern part of the village, and empties into the Wisconsin River.
It was not until about 1857, that this village began to make' itself known, though cabins'
had been in existence near its site for several years. Richland City, on the opposite side of the
Wisconsin River, commanded public patronage, and, with Muscoda, five miles west, and High-
land ten miles south, contended for the public patronage. The completion of the railroad through
the town of Pulaski, and the location of the station, attracted the first settlers hither, and laid
the foundation for the present village.
The site of the village of Avoca was originally the property of Mr. Broadhead, who sold it
to Mr. Chapman. He platted it for F. C. HickS and J. W. Vial. The site was surveyed into
blocks, alleys, streets and avenues, which intersect each other in regular method, making one of
the handsomest laid out villages in the county.
830 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
To Messrs. Cole & Gaylor is due the honor of being the first business men in the town.
They arrived early in 1857, and erected a small frame building on the north side of the track,
placed therein a stock of merchandise of various kinds, and were the first to offer proposals for
the public patronage. Here they did a fiourishing business for a number of years, when they
retired. The building having been moved to the south side of the track, is now used for the
post ofiBce.
In the spring of 1857, the brick hotel, since known as the Avoca House, was erected by
F. C. Hicks.. J. B. Clark opened a store in the hotel building the same season. Eventually,
the hotel passed into the hands of Snow & Billings, who subsequently sold it to Mr. Sanford.
Early in 1857, David Dudgeon opened a general store on the north side of the track, in the
building now occupied as a drug store, by B. F. Underwood, M. D. Later in the season,
Walter and John Garland and Mr. Davenport built the stone warehouse.
The old Schnee House was erected also in 1857, by George Schnee, who was for many
years its popular proprietor. It eventually passed into the hands of George Zimmerman, and
was known as the American House, until it burned down in 1879.
The precedents having become established, other improvements followed in the wake of
each other, and settlers came in quite rapidly. Among the latter, were C. C. Jenkins, B. F.
Underwood, Ralph Flint, William R. Spencer, Charles Coyle, J. F. Williams and J. Bartlett.
These engaged in different kinds of business, erected dwelling-houses, and paved the way for
those who followed \n their footprints. So rapid was the growth of the place, that the popula-
tion between 1860-65, increased, it is said, to not less than 300.
The first birth in the village was a child of Ralph Flint, which was born in 1857. The
death of this child was the first to cast a gloom of sorrow over the quiet little village.
During the war, the village, as the metropolis of the town, equaled expectations in the
quotas, both of men and money contributed to the "maintenance of the constitution," and lefc
no demand in that behalf without responding. Troops yreve raised in the vicinity, and money,
supplies, and other auxiliaries to the support of the Government and comfort of the soldiers
were furnished most liberally.
Post Office. — The Avoca Post OflBce was established in the spring of 1857, Mr. Gaylord
being appointed Postmaster. The oiEce was first kept in the shop of Mr. Gaylord. He was
succeeded in turn by W. L. Lincoln, David . Dudgeon, Mr. Billings and W. L. Lincoln. In
1878, Samuel Parks, the present ofiicial, was appointed.
Mills. — Joseph Smith and C. C. Jenkins built a large steam mill in 1860, and put in three
runs of stone, They did a very extensive business for several years. The mill was eventually
blown up, again rebuilt, and finally burned down about 1870.
In 1867, John Post and William Richardson built a planing mill, which they continued
with varied success until 1879. The machinery was then removed to Barron, in the northern
part of the State. The building here is now unoccupied.
Schools. — The educational privileges of the village of Avoca are not excelled by any other
town in the county. School District No. 1 includes the village and a part of the country in
the immediate vicinity. The first school was taught here in the winter of 1857, in a small
board schoolhouse erected for the purpose. During 1858, the south wing part of the present
building was erected. In 1877, an addition of equal size to the original structure was built,
which completed the school building. Each wing is 28x50 feet, and two stories high. The cost
of the entire structure is estimated at $5,000.
The most important feature of the school history of Avoca is that embracing the free high
school system. On the 5th of March, 1875, the Legislature enacted a general law authorizing the
establishment of free high schools. The village availed itself of the privileges by adopting the
free high school system, and established a curriculum, in addition to furnishing a thorough
English education, which is designed as a preparatory course to the State institution. Gradu-
ates of this high school are entitled at any and all times to admission to any of the colleges of
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
831
the State University. The Avoca High School now has three departments, with an attendance
of one hundred and fifty scholars. The salaries of teachers aggregate $115 per month.
Ohurches.-^Religioua services were first held in the depot shortly after its completion.
Rev. Blackhurst was the first preacher, a Methodist. Elder Overton, a Congregationalist, and
David Jones were also among the first ministers in the village. Through the efforts of James
W. Vial and others, the Congregational Society built the little brown church on the corner of
Fourth and Wisconsin streets, in 1858.
The Methodist congregation, who had been holding meetings in the depot, schoolhouse,
Wisconsin House and Congregational Church, erected their present church building in 1864.
This edifice stands on the corner of Third and Wisconsin streets, is 28x40 feet, with a well-fin-
ished interior, and cost $1,000.
The Ciitholic Church, an attractive and commodious stone building, was completed in
1879, though its construction had been begun several years before. There is now no resident
priest.
Societies. — In the fall of 1857, a Good Templar's Lodge was instituted, with a very credit-
able membership. Meetings were held regularly in a room in the upper story of the Avoca
House. W. R. Spencer was the first Worthy Chief. The lodge flourished but a few years,
when it was abandoned. Other lodges were organized at different times subsequently, but tbey
all followed in the footsteps of their predece.ssors.
Franklin Lodge, No. 16, A. F. & A. M., was organized in Highland under dispensation
granted August 3, 1847 ; charter dated January 15, 1848. The charter members were Adol-
phus Hollob, W. M. ; Isaac C. Bratton, S. W. ; H. M. Billings, J. W. This charter was
transferred to Avoca in 1867. Officers now are : 0. P. Underwood as W. M. ; Samuel Parks,
S. W. ; R. H. Kinzie, J. W. ; W. R. Spencer, Treasurer; H. A. Hampton, Secretary; B. F.
Underwood, S. D. ; 0. Roberg, J. D. ; N. H. Snow, C. F. Hinman, Stewards ; A. D. Garfield,
Tiler. This society has now a membership of thirty-four, and a well-fitted lodge-room where
thpy meet regularly once a week.
Buena Vista Lodge, No. 83, I. 0. 0. F., was instituted at Richland City, Richland Co.,
Wis., November 1, 1855, by D. D. G. M. Vance, assisted by M. G. Wills, P. G., of Highland
Lodge, No. 22. The first officers were C. G. Hoyt, N. G.; William Knapp, V. G.; E. R.
Nichols, R. S.; D. P. Nichols, Treas. The lodge at one time numbered forty members, and
was in a flourishing condition until 1861, when it ceased working. In the year 1878 it was
revived under dispensation of the M. W. Grand Master, John G. Clark, and on June 14, 1878,
was transferred to Avoca, and the following officers installed: 0. P. Ashley, N. G.; J. F. Coe,
V G.; H. P. Dietrich, R. S.; William R. Spencer, Treas. This lodge now numbers seven-
teen members with the following officers: H. H. Hampton, N. G.; C. Schmelzer, V. G.; H.
P. Dietrich, R. S.; W. R. Spencer, Treasurer. Meetings are held weekly on Monday evenings.
G-overnment. — By act of Legislature approved February 10, 1870, the portions of Sec-
tions 11, 12 and 14 in which were comprehended the limits of Avoca, were incorporated as a
village, with general powers and perpetual succession; since then, the body politic has been gov-
erned as a municipal corporation. The following officers have served the corporation :
1870 — H. C. Snow, President; C. C. Jenkins, Ira Ingraham, George Carver and J. B.
McCallister, Trustees ; Clerk, D. J. Mulhall (resigned), B. H. McElhose (resigned), George
Parr; Treasurer, R. C. McCallister; Marshal, S. S. Welch.
1871— H. C. Brainard, President ; A. C. Hampton, R. H. Kinzie, C. C. Jenkins, G. F.
Mason, Trustees ; Clerk, George Parr ; Treasarer, R. C. McCallister ; Marshal, J. M. Dewitt.
1872 — George F. Mason, President ; R. H. Kinzie, I. 0. Ingraham, A. P. Hampton, J.
P. McCallister, Trustees ; Clerk, George Parr ; Treasurer, R. C. McCallister ; Marshal, F.
Renter.
1878 — W. L. Lincoln, President; Joseph B. Underwood, R. H. Kinzie, Ole Shager, H.
E. Lindsey, Trustees ; Clerk, A. McArthur ; Treasurer, Ira 0. Ingraham ; Marshal, J. P.
Butterfield.
832 HISTORY OP IOWA COUNTY.
1874 — A. Grote, President ; A. P. Hampton, Ole Shager, John Post, George Williams,
Trustees ; Clerk, H. P. Dietrich ; Treasurer, Ira Ingraham ; Marshal, Ira 0. Ingraham.
1875 — W. L. Lincoln, President ; Josiah Ward, A. P. Hampton, N. H. Snow, George
Williams, Trustees; Clerk, H. P. Dietrich; Treasurer. Ira Ingraham; Marshal, M. Hubrick.
1876— Josiah Ward, President ; F. H. Diraock, N. H. Snow, Ole Shager, John Post,
Trustees ; Clerk, H. P. Dietrich ; Treasurer, R. H. Kinzie ; Marshal, W. H. Pride.
1877 — Josiah Ward, President; B. F. Underwood, Ole Roburg, N. H. Snow, John Post,
Trustees ; Clerk, H. P. Deitrich ; Treasurer, Dewitt Post ; Marshal, Thomas Thorsen.
1878— R. C. McCallister, President ; George Parr, Ole Roburg, A. M. McCallister, H.
A. Hampton, Trustees ; Clerk, H. P. Deitrich ; Treasurer, J. B. Underwood, Marshal, S. L.
Wood.
1879 — George Parr, President ; S. Aldrid, John Barnard, John Gallagher, J. F. Rich-
ardson, Trustees ; Clerk, H. P. Dietrich ; Treasurer, B. F. Underwood ; Marshal, Nelson
Jacobson.
1880— Josiah Ward, President ; Ole Roburg, J. P. McCallister, R. H. Kinzie, C. H.
Frost, Trustees ; Clerk, L. P. Dietrich ; Treasurer, Samuel Parks ; Marshal, D. Post.
Directors. — During the past twenty years, the village has grown not rapidly but steadily.
At present it contains a population estimated at $1,000, composed of an intelligent and enterpris-
ing class of citizens, who represent a proportion of the wealth and character, for the possession
of which the county occupies a prominent position in public estimation. Educationally and
morally, the village occupies an enviable degree of repute, and in all the departments of life,
Avoca is creditably represented. Among the old settlers of Avoca now living here are S. F.
Mason, B. F. Underwood, W. R. Spencer, A. D. Garfield, H. A. Hampton, Jo Underwood,
J. J. Adams, J. H. Franklin, Samuel Parks and N. H. Snow. Physicians^ Dr. Brewly, Dr.
Underwood ; Lawyer, P. F. Quinn ; Hotel and Saloon, Joseph Rudersdorf ; Lumber Yard,
Weston, Miner & Co.; General Merchandise, S. F. Mason & Son, R. H. Kinzie, Frost Bros.,
J. P. McCallister; Drugs, B. F. Underwood, G. P. Cotheran ; Confectioner, S. Parks; Hard-
ware, A. Grote ; Furniture, Samuel Aldred ; Harness Shops, Conrad Schmelzer, Hans Simon-
son ; Shoe Shops, James Harvey, Solomon Bennett, J. H. Franklin ; Blacksmith, Wagon-
makers and Carpenters, Philip Swingle, W. R. Spencer, H. A. Hampton, Fred Renter, J. J.
Adams ; Milliners, Mrs. L. P. Deitrich, Mrs. L. Andrews ; Stock and Grain Buyers, J. Ward,
Frost Bros.; Ore Buyer and Depot Agent, N. H. Snow ; Saloon, H. Flannery.
TOWN OF KIDGEWAY.
Ridgeway as a town has two distinctive features that render it especially noticeable : It is
the largest town in the county, and the populous portion of Wisconsin. And within its bound-
aries, near the eastern line, is located the highest point of land in the valley of the Mississippi,
the West Blue Mound. This point, and its lesser congener of Dane County, are especially
associated with the more prominent and important of the historic events connected with the early
settlement of this portion of the State, and are frequently alluded to in our general history.
In dimensions, the town is ten miles wide from east to west, and eleven long from north
to south, and includes within its limits 110 sections, or nearly the combined areas of three
Government townships. It is really mammoth in size, and is correspondingly inconvenient in
some respects, while being more advantageously conditioned in many things than smaller towns.
In the matters of expenditures for local or town government, its size is especially advantageous ;
but on the other hand, considering the interests of various sections, and the distance that very
many of the people must go to cast their votes, it is certainly inconvenient. However, thus far,
the people of the town have manifested but little disposition to alter this condition, thereby
evidencing that they are satisfied and prefer to continue on in the old way without effecting any
divisions or special alterations.
Perhaps the most striking feature in the surface contour of this part of the county is the
dividing ridge, or ridge of the military road, as it is more familiarly called, which traverses the
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 883
town from east to west, and which, from the time the United States sent the first troops into the
territory, has been known as the great thoroughfare through this section of the country, between
Fort Winnebago and Fort Crawford, now Prairie du Chien and Portage City.
Before the Black Hawk war, and even for some years after, a large amount of mining was
•done here, both by permanent residents and by transient "diggers;" the smelting furnaces
were in operation, and, in point of fact, no productive industry was pursued other than
delving for galena. As in other localities, the fruitfulness of the soil was entirely a matter of
secondary consideration at that time ; but now, since the lapse of a few decades, everything has
been metamorphosed; instead of the desultory employment of mining, agriculture, that pursuit
which is the life and stay of nations as well as small communities, is followed almost exclusively.
Twenty years ago, wheat-raising was chiefly followed, but this drain upon the soil caused, or
required, a modification, and therefore a varied system of farming had necessarily to be adopted.
There is now a large amount of small grain being raised, but the attention of the husbandmen
appears to be turned principally toward stock-raising, for the Eastern markets, and to dairy-
ing. In the latter respect Ridgeway takes the lead in the county, as there are now three
first-class cheese and butter factories in the town. Sheep-raising, for wool, is one of the profit-
able industries, that the most enterprising farmers are going into more extensively each year,
as from experience this section appears to be quite well adapted to that purpose.
The inhabitants are as varied in nationality as they well can be, for representatives of
nearly every people, who are wont to come to this country from the civilized realms of Europe
and Great Britain, may be found here. The west and southwest parts of the town are settled
principally by the ingenious, fun-loving and hospitable descendants of the Emerald Isle. In
the northeast part of the town may be found the sober, industrious Teuton, together with large
numbers of the hardy and intelligent Welsh, who also occupy the largest part of the center of
the town. The southeast quarter of the town is settled principally by the descendants of Odin,
the enterprising Norwegian. Other parts of the town are occupied by a more mixed popula-
tion, as English, Americans, Scotch and who constitute a large portion of the most ener-
getic, intelligent and prosperous of the population. Their farms are usually very good, while
many of them are exceptional in the essentials of superior location, fertility, and, in point of
fact, all that pertains to the make-up of a complete farm.
The social, moral and intellectual qualities of the people of this section of the country are
generally acknowledged to be of such a character to-day as to place them far above the average
of excellence usually attained by the inhabitants of rural districts. This is pre-eminently the
•church town of the county ; and what is more remarkable and admirable still, is, that all of
these numerous and varied religious societies, from the conservative Catholics to the ultra
Methodists, appear to blend together harmoniously, and to act in a kindly and fraternally sym-
pathetic manner, one toward the other. This one particular feature indicates, more especially
than any other, the true caliber of the people. Their numerous schools are well attended and
well supported, and the standing of the pupils is excellent. The accommodations provided are
very good. One of the schoolhouses in this town, which is located on the farm of T. B. Wat-
kins, is said to be the best of its kind in the county, while nearly all of the buildings are supe-
rior to those commonly in use.
The first settlement in this portion of the county was made cotemporary with the coming
of Ebenezer Brigham into Dane County in 1828. Those azure elevations, the Blue Mounds,
were probably the particular features of the landscape which attracted the first comers hither,
for it was conjectured that lead would more than likely be found near them in abundance.
This surmise proved correct, in the main, for one of the most extensive and best-paying lodes
ever discovered in the State was struck by Mr. Brigham within a year after his coming here,
from which in subsequent years, immense quantities of mineral were taken. A short distance
from Mr. Brigham's diggings, to the west, J. B. Skinner who was for many years one of the
leading men in the affairs of this section, in company with a man by the name of Jacob Pate,
built the first furnace in the town and opened the first diggings. This was in 1828. This
834 HISTOK^i: OF IOWA COUJ^TY.
place was then called Patesville. During the same year, Hugh R. Porter established a smelt-
ing claim at what has since been known as Porter's Grove, and in the fall James and William
Morrison came on, and in the spring following built a double-eye furnace here.
The Morrison furnace is well remembered by the oldest of the pioneers. It was located on
Section 1 of Town 3. A sort of cavern was dug into the hillside, the front of the hole being
rudely walled in, an opening being left in the wall for the ingress and egress of the workmen.
This furnace was in full blast up to 1835, and perhaps later, at which time Mr. Morrison aban-
doned the business. Vestiges of this old institution for the manipulation of mineral, forty-five
and fifty years ago, are still to be seen. The other furnaces spoken of have long since entirely
disappeared.
Tom McRaney, Stephen Armstrong and Caleb Downing, with some others, also erected a
furnace in the town about 1829, which stood near the junction of the Mound Creeks. The two
Rankin brothers came into the town in 1828, but sold their claim in the spring of 1829 to
William Garrison and Patrick Horine, who continued to operate here for several years. This
place was afterward called Garrison's Grove. Samuel Charles and Jonathan Ferrill were other
two of the early comers, they having commenced digging as early, certainly, as 1829. Ferrill
was subsequently murdered by a man by the name of Crane, whom he was trying to drive
off of his "diggings." This was the first death in the town.
There were many other miners working in the town before 1832, but they are not now
remembered by the oldest settlers, and it is a wonder, indeed, that they have not all been for-
gotten through the shadows of oblivion, with which time is surely but slowly surrounding nearly
all of those who now frequent the same scenes. Those old pioneers are now gone forever from
the places which once knew them so well, and where their struggles and aspirations were ex-
pended, but what they have achieved is not lost, although to them may not have occurred a
thought or a care for their successor. The effort of each individual in the varied changes of
human progress is fraught with something of value or injury for those who follow, and happily
for humanity all honest labor, no matter where or in what direction exerted, is sure to exert a
beneficial influence, therefore, small as it may have been, a degree of good was realized from
the work of the first white men who came here in paving the way for those of to-day by first
bringing to the wilderness a faint type of the civilization which has followed.
During the Indian troubles of 1832, the miners of the town were garrisoned at Mound
Fort, on Brigham's place, a little east of the Dane County line, on Section 7, and were par-
ticipants in the exciting events that transpired at that locality, especially mentioned in the
general sketch of the Black Hawk war. After the war, the mining interest waned very rapidly,
until by 1840 not anything of moment was being done in that direction or in smelting.
In 1835, the first marriage was consummated between William Garrison and a sister of
Jonathan Ferrill, known under the patronymic of " Big Sis Ferrill."
The first farm in the town was opened by James Morison as early as 1832 certainly, for
by 1837 he had about thirty-five acres improved and a frame house built, which was doubtless
the first of its kind in the town. There was a large grove of timber here, and also a splendid
spring, which is yet active. This place is now known as the Moon farm.
Of the various permanent settlers who came into the town subsequent to 1832 (not men-
tioned) that were here in 1838, there were John Metcalf, Samuel Woodruff, Mr. Rasdell, Ed
Riley, William and Harmon Renshaw, G. W. Hickcox, Samuel Lowry, and William P. Ruggles,
the oldest settler in the town, and the last one left of those who came here before 1840. Mr.
Rasdell married a squaw, and about 1837 moved to Madison, where he erected the Rasdell
House, afterward known as the Jefierson House. John Metcalf was for years identified with
the shot-tower in Old Helena, in the town of Wyoming, where Mr. Lowry, the only other
remaining survivor besides Mr. Ruggles, is now living.
Among the settlers who located in the town from 1840 to 1845, were Mahlon Blicker, Aza-
riah Mills, Sidney Cosmen, James Kelly, A. V. Moore, Ed Rodgers, Anthony Quigley, Austin
Willard, G. W. Stating, John Bailey, Zebulum Baxter, Hugh Daliett, Leonard Phillips, Manley
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 835
Luther, A. H. Vosburg, James Lamar, Luke Camp, Henry Patchey, William Finout, J. W.
Baldwin, E. T. Lee, Francis Bong, F. Bequette, Adam Cassner, J. Smither, S. W. Lamar,
Henry Wiggs, John McClusky, Daniel Wiggs, Henry Faaley, Peter Sanford, S. S. Hall, John
Messersmith, Andrew Meyers, D. Gardner, Joseph Smith, J. R. Snyder, Daniel Tabor, Ben 0.
Simpson, James and Thomas Lowry, C. F. Parks, A. D. Bassett, C. H. Dibble, Nelson Smith,
Franklin Prentice, Alanso Culver.
Very few of those enumerated above are now living here or elsewhere, but nearly all of
them will be remembered. Of those who came into the town subsequent to 1844 and before
1850, we are enabled to mention D. H. Jones, Frank Ord, Thomas Jones, Dennis Doyle, Ed
Ryan. Owen Kelley, John Riley, Archie McCormack, Frank and Joseph Martelle, Albert Camp,
Ed Williams, John Adams, Thomas Champion, W. H. Virgin, Walter Reese, B. J. Davis, C.
W. Rockwell, James Roberts, F. Watkins, Rev. T. B. Watkins, Richard Williams, Archibald
Campbell, Richard Williams, John Kendrick, Robert, William and Evan Jones, Ben Davis, Ben
Evans, John Powell, William Williams, Evan Lloyd, Henry Foulk, Richard Jones, J. L. Jones,
Theobald, James Brunkert, James Smith.
The first settlement was made by the Americans, with perhaps a few Irish ; subsequently
Irish, English, Welsh, Norwegians and Germans came. The nucleus of the present large
and influential Irish section came in before 1850. Probably the oldest of these living settlers
is James Kelley, of '' Pokerville."
Large numbers of the Welsh came in before 1850, and located, principally near the center
of the town. Of these the oldest living are David H. Jones and Rev. T. B. Watkins. There
are also many others of the early Welsh settlers living, who came into the town soon after.
Undoubtedly the Welsh have contributed as largely toward the prosperity and general develop-
ment of the town to its present high standard, as any other nationality represented here.
About the oldest English families in town are the Sampsons, Thomas Street, Samuel Yapp
and Thomas Hamley. Near Middlebury Post Office are some ten or twelve families of English
and Scotch people from Prince Edward Island.
Mr. Campbell, of the historic Scotch clan, is one of the very oldest of the sturdy Scotts, of
whom there are but few in the town, and who, in public matters, is the prominent representative
man of this section of the county, and it may be added, State as well.
The Norwegians and Germans did not immigrate into the town, to any considerable extent,
previous to 1855, but since that time they have rapidly augmented, until now they constitute a
very large part of the population. Holver Holverson was probably the first of the Norwegian
settlers.
The first regular town road was laid out at a very early time, from the military road to the old
Hickcox mills, and thence to the old shot-tower at Helena. Near the junction of the two roads,
about 1840, the old Sampson House was built, which, being on the direct line of travel, soon
superseded the Hicox stand. This tavern was a famous stage rendezvous for a great many years,
in fact almost until it rotted down. During the palmy days of staging, the old Frink & Walker
Stage Company used to send a Concord coach-and-four rattling over the road both ways each
day, but these eventually gave place to innovations in the shape of modern covered vehicle with
few claims to stage perfection or the comforts of " ye olden time." As one event but treads on
the heels of another in natural sequence through the course of civilization, so, at last, both an-
cient and modern stage appliances will be superseded by the railway coaches, and Jehu will have
lost his occupation ; and, last but not least, on or near the old Sampson stand, will be located a
station for the accommodation of wayfarers. Thus the wheel of change revolutionizes every-
thing, from year to year, with irresistible power, and, often, benefit.
The first frame house in town was erected in Town 7, Range 4, for William P. Ruggles, in
184'2, by Robert Wilson, since County Judge. This quaint old building is standing yet, with
its huge fire-place and chimneys, reminding one of forty years ago. It is still the home of this
veteran settler and his wife and family, and is an abode from which hospitality is extended
with open hand and where comfort prevails.
836 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
A sketch of this town would be very imperfect if special mention was not made of the cheese
and butter making interests. The first factory was built by Evan Jones, about eight years ago,
on Section 34, about one mile north of the Middlebury church. There are two more near here,
belonging, respectively, to Thomas Leason and Mrs. Jane Jones, both of which were built
within the last seven years. The two first mentioned are double-vat factories, the last having a
single vat. The cheese manufactured here is acknowledged to be as good in quality as can be
produced anywhere, and brings the highest prices paid in the New York market.
Now that Ridgeway is to be traversed by a railroad, there will undoubtedly be both an in-
crease in population and prosperity, and a corresponding improvement in the general condition
of the people. Previous to the commencement of the grading, the town was solicited by the
company to vote aid to the enterprise. This request was responded to by the people voting
$15,000, but finally, to the great satisfaction of the inhabitants, the company, on account of
certain stipulations which they had made that they chose to abrogate, released the town from
its obligation. For this unexpected action on the part of the company, a vote of thanks of the
•commonwealth was returned, and, unquestionably, in the future, a mnre substantial expression
of gratitude will be made in the general and hearty patronage that will be extended to the road.
Mills. — The Hickcox mill was one of the very first built in this part of the State, is still stand-
ing. Joseph Roulette, a noted French scout, guide and fur trader, was the original owner, fur-
nishing the means with which George W. Hickcox built it. The saw-mill was built during the
summer of 1839, and the grist-mill in January, 1840. As Hickcox had the entire charge of the build-
ing and running of the mill, it, by common consent, received his name. William P. Ruggles,
who has spent forty-two years in the vicinity, first cut away the brush on the site of the mill. With
three others, all young men like himself, he spent about ten days in an open wagon while they
were engaged in putting up a shanty for more comfortable and permanent shelter. This shanty,
built in April, 1839, was the first one erected on (northwest corner) Section 34. The Hickcox mill,
when completed, drew custom from a range of country extending from twenty to forty miles in
every direction. Grists were drawn here with ox-teams, and here was the rendezvous for set-
tlers from Stoner's Prairie (near Madison), Elk Grove, Sugar River, etc. The hardy woodsmen
of Baraboo and the equally hardy miners from Gratiot's Grove often met here. The only road
to it for a long time was one leading from the old military road, which ran east and west along
the ridge, three and one-half miles south of the mill. Francis Martelle ground the first grist,
and is best remembered as the first miller. One bushel of corn only was ground during the
week following the completion of the mill, yet, for years after, the roar of its machinery was to
be heard day and night. For the past thirty years, the property has been in litigation, and not
a wheel has moved in the old building since the nation's centennial.
In this connection, a few words concerning Mr. Hickcox, the builder of the above mill, will
not come amiss. G. W. Hickcox came to Ridgeway from Utica, N. Y., in 1836, and located on
Section 14, Town 6, Range 4. Here he built a log house, which was for several years the prin-
cipal stopping-place for travelers who were passing through the county over the old military road,
near which it stood. This old house is standing yet, " a relic of by-gone days." Of Mr. Hickcox,
personally, it can be said that those who knew him bear testimony to the excellence of his char-
acter. He was the founder of one of the first churches in the town, and a leader in all good
works.
Since the construction of the Hickcox mill, there have been four flour-mills built and one or
two saw-mills. The second mill was built in 1856, by William Hyde, on Section 23, Town 7.
This was burned in 187-8 ; subsequently it was rebuilt by Thomas Reese ; this mill is known as
Hyde's Mill. There is a grist-mill owned by P. Theobald and the estate of Dr. Burrall, of
Dodgeville, situated on Section 5, near Middlebury Post Office ; one on Section 34, Town 7,
and one in the extreme northwest corner of the town, on Section 9, besides a saw-mill which is
located on Section 19, Town 7, near Hyde's mills.
Post Offices. — The first post-officejin town, known as the Ridgeway oflSce, was established
about 1840, with G. W. Hickcox, the distributing point for the mail being at his old log tavern
HISTORY OH' IOWA COUNTY. 837
■called the Hickcox place, now owned by Russell Farwell. This office has since been kept by W.
H. Virgin, Thomas and J. F. Strutt and George Farwell, who is the present Postmaster.
Middlebury Post Office was established about 1860, with Alexander Campbell as Postmaster.
The subsequent Postmasters have been Archie and James Camel, Harrison Lowe, and Ed Theo-
bald, the present incumbent.
Jennietown — The first settler here was David Williams, who did not long survive. He was
a blacksmith, as was his successor, Owen Jenkins. The little hamlet was first called Jenkinsville ;
but eventually, the name of the office was changed to Jennieton, at the suggestion of Judge Craw-
ford, in honor of his wife (Jennie Sweet), now the wife of J. M. Smith, of Mineral Point. The
first Postmaster here was David Simpson ; Carl Evers, who keeps a hotel at this point, is now
Postmaster. A station on the Milwaukee & Madison line has been located here.
Hyde's Mills office was first kept at the house of William P. Ruggles, being called Ruggles-
•dale office. But when it was removed to the present place, which is near Hyde's Mills, the
name was changed. John Hughes, who keeps a store at this point, is the present official.
The only other office in the town, aside from "Paperville," as already described, is Barber,
which has not been established very long. Anton 0. Ronsti is the Postmaster at this place.
Churches. — The Revs. T. M. Fullerton and Seymour S. Stover are remembered as being
the first ministers who visited this section of the country. Mr. Fullerton, who is still engaged
in ministerial labors, came into the county about 1837-38, he being then a young man. Mr.
Stover came after 1840. These were both Methodists, as were nearly all of the pioneer minis-
ters. But the minister who is the best remembered was David Jones, a Welshman. He was
one of the most indefatigable workers that ever labored in this county, and did more by far to
build churches and advance the Christian cause than any single person who has succeeded him.
Mr. Jones was not only a devoted Christian worker, but he was also a temperance man to the
heart's core, and circulated the first temperance pledge in the town. He came here as early as
1846, and during that year the first organized effort was made by founding a Sabbath school.
In this work. Rev. T. B. Watkins, who has preached here for many years, was largely influen-
tial. The first schools were held in the log cabin of Richard Williams, which stood near the
present White Church.
The first churches built were what is known as the White Church, erected in 1849, on Sec-
tion 3, Town 6, Range 5, and a church built as early as 1845, on Section 14, Town 6, Range
4. The latter church was erected in connection with a Presbyterian Society, founded by &.
W. Hickcox, in a very early day, but wbich did not last only a few years.
The White Church, so called on account of its color, was erected by the Welsh Congrega-
tionalists. Several different denominations aided, however, in the work. This church is used
occasionally by the Norwegians.
There are now in all ten churches in the town, representing several different denominations,
as Methodists, Baptists, Congregationalists, Calvinists, Catholics, etc.
The Catholic Church is the largest church. It is located on Section 15, Township 6,
Range 4, and has the largest society. The first church was built in 1850. In 1877, this had
become so small, that the present fine structure was erected to accommodate the society.
The other churches are located as follows : One on Section 6, Township 6, Range 5, Bap-
tist; one on Section 11, Township 6, Range 4 ; one on Section 22, Township 6, Range 5 ; one
on Section 2, Township 6, Range 5 ; one on Section 27, Township 7, Range 5 ; one
on Section 24, Township 7, Range 4, Congregational ; one on Section 7, Township 6,
Range 5.
There are several cenneteries in the town, the oldest of these being located on land pre-
sented by Mr. Hickcox to the town in 1844. This cemetery was at first connected with the old
Presbyterian Church already mentioned.
Official Town Record. — The first meeting for the organization under town government, was
held at the house of J. B. Skinner, on the 3d of April, 1849 ; there were seventy votes cast.
J. B. Skinner was elected Chairman ; Mahlon Blecker and C. W. Rockwell, Supervisors •
838 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
Joseph Roberts, Clerk ; D. H. Jones, Assessor; John Culver, Treasurer; G. W. Hickcox, School'
Superintendent, and Edward Riley, W. R. Sampson, Walter Reese and B. J. Davis, Justices ;
three mills on a dollar were voted for roads, two for schools, and an appropriation of $100 was
made for incidental expenses. During the war about $10,000 was raised to pay bounties. The-
following is a list of the officers from 1850 to 1880 :
1850 — John B. Skinner, Chairman ; W. A. Ward and H. Renshaw, Supervisors ; Walter
Rees, Town Clerk ; C. F. Parks, Collector and Treasurer ; David H. Jones, Assessor ; School
Superintendent, G. W. Hickcox.
1851 — J. B. Skinner, Chairman ; W. A. Ward and H. Renshaw, Supervisors ; Walter
Rees, Town Clerk ; Benjamin Evans, Assessor ; David H. Jones, Treasurer ; T. E. Wells,.
School Superintendent.
1852 — J. B. Skinner, Chairman ; W. A. Ward, David Roach, Supervisors ; Joseph Rob-
erts, Town Clerk ; Mahlon Hasbrook, Assessor ; Benjamin Evans, Treasurer ; H. Renshaw^
School Superintendent.
1853 — J. B. Skinner, Chairman ; Z. Watkins, B. J. Davis, Supervisors ; Joseph Roberts^
Town Clerk; James Evans, Assessor; William Renshaw, Treasurer; C, F. Parks, Superin-
tendent of schools.
Up to 1854, the elections were held at the house of J. B. Skinner, in 1854, at the house
of Andrew Pearce.
1854 — G. W. Hickcox, Chairman ; B. J. Davis, Hugh Dellet, Supervisors ; Joseph Rob-
erts, Town Clerk; Thomas Watkins, Assessor; William A. Ward, Treasurer; Harmon Ren-
shaw, School Superintendent.
1855 — Alexander Campbell, Chairman ; Hugh Dillet, J. L. Jones, Supervisors; Joseph
Roberts, Town Clerk; Benjamin Evans, Assessor; William Renshaw, Treasurer; H. Ren-
shaw, Town Superintendent of schools.
1856 — Alexander Campbell, Chairman ; Hugh Dillet, Thomas Hambly, Supervisors ;
Benjamin Evans, Town Clerk ; Joseph Roberts, Assessor ; Andrew Markey, Treasurer ; David
Simpson, School Superintendent.
The elections in 1855 and 1856 were held at the house of Andrew Pearce. Then up to-
1869 at the house of Thomas Ferry.
1857 — Alexander Campbell, Chairman ; Thomas Humbley, Edmund Holly, Supervisors ;
Benjamin Evans, Town Clerk ; Andrew Mairkey, Treasurer ; D. H. Jones, Assessor ; David
Simpson, School Superintendent.
1858 — Alexander Campbell, Chairman ; Edmund Holly, Samuel Ward, Supervisors ; Ben-
jamin Evans, Town Clerk ; D. H. Jones, Assessor ; Andrew Markey, Treasurer ; James Ryan,,
School Superintendent.
1859 — Joseph Roberts, Chairman ; Hugh Dillet, James Smith, Supervisors ; John Ed-
wards, Town Clerk; V. M. Fairbanks, Assessor; Andrew Markey, Treasurer; James Ryan^
School Superintendent.
1860 — Alexander Campbell, Chairman ; Hugh Dillet, W. P. Ruggles, Supervisors ; Joel
Whitman, Town Clerk ; V. M. Fairbanks, Assessor ; Andrew Markey, Treasurer ; James
Ryan, School Superintendent.
Whole number of votes cast, 298.
1861 — Alexander Campbell, Chairman ; Hugh Dillet, William H. Virgin, Supervisors ;
Joseph Roberts, Town Clerk ; Alexander Cassoday, Assessor ; James Ryan, Treasurer ; David
Lewis, School Superintendent.
The entire vote on the question of the removal of the county seat was 456, 432 for and 24
against.
1862 — John Adams, Chairman ; J. L. Jones, W. H. Virgin, Supervisors ; Joseph Roberts^
Town Clerk.
1863 — John A. Dodge, Chairman; Thomas Jones; F. Theobald, Supervisors; Joseph
Roberts, Town Clerk.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 839
1864 — John Adams, Chairman; F. Theobald, Thomas Bunbury, Supervisors; H. W.
Xewis, Town Clerk.
^^1865 — V. M. Fairbanks, Chairman ; J. T. Campbell, Daniel Thomas, Supervisors ; Hugh
W. Lewis, Town Clerk ; Robert Jones, Treasurer ; Joseph Roberts, Assessor.
1866 — Benjamin Evans, Chairman, A. Campbell, Thomas Strutt, Supervisors ; H. W.
Lewis, Town Clerk ; D. H. Jones, Assessor ; Robert Lloyd, Treasurer.
1867 — Archibald Campbell, Chairman ; Thomas Strutt, Robert Jones, Supervisors ; Ben-
jamin Evans, Town Clerk.
1868 — Archibald Campbell, Chairman ; Joseph PauU, Robert Lloyd, Supervisors ; Benja-
min Evans, Town Clerk ; J. A. Dodge, Andrew Arneson, Assessors ; H. W. Lewis, Treas-
urer.
1869 — Archibald Campbell, Chairman ; F. Theobald, Thomas Bunbury, Supervisors ; Ben-
jamin Evans, Town Clerk ; D. H. Jones, Assessor ; Daniel Thomas, Treasurer.
1870 — A. Campbell, Chairman ; Robert Lloyd, F. Theobald, Supervisors ; Benjamin
Evans, Town Clerk; D. H. Jones, Assessor; John Hamilton, Treasurer.
1871 — Robert Jones, Chairman; Robert Lloyd, Joseph Blake, Supervisors; Benjamin
Evans, Town Clerk ; D. H. Jones, Assessor ; John Hamilton, Treasurer.
1872 — Robert J. Jones, Chairman; Joseph Blake, D. B. Lawler, Supervisors; Benjamin
Evans, Town Clerk ; D. H. Jones, Assessor ; Robert Lloyd, Treasurer.
From 1873 to the present time the elections have been held at the house of Mrs. Morgan,
near Jennieton.
1873 — R. J. Jones, Chairman ; D. B. Lawler, Joseph Blake, Supervisors ; B. J. Davis,
Jr., Town Clerk ; D. H. Jones, Assessor ; Robert Lloyd, Treasurer.
1874 — Archibald Campbell, Chairman ; Henry Conley, A. E. Arneson, Supervisors ; David
Lloyd, Jr., Town Clerk ; D. H. Jones Assessor ; Owen O'Neal, Treasurer.
1875 — Archibald Campbell, Chairman ; Henry Conley, A. E. Arneson, Supervisors ; David
Lloyd, Jr., Town Clerk ; D. H. Jones, Assessor ; S. D. Roach, Treasurer.
1876 — Archibald Campbell, Chairman ; James Short, H. E. Brunker, Supervisors ; D.
Lloyd, Jr., Town Clerk ; D. H. Jones, Assessor ; D. R. Jones, Treasurer.
1877 — A. Campbell, Chairman ; James Short, Charles Braconier, Supervisors ; Thomas K.
Ryan, Town Clerk ; W. J. Evans, Assessor ; Thomas Brunker, Treasurer.
1878 — A. E. Arneson, Chairman ; J. F. Strutt, Henry Boley, Supervisors ; T. K. Ryan,
Town Clerk ; D. H. Jones, Assessor ; J. J. Morris, Treasurer.
1879 — A. E. Arneson, Chairman ; Bernhard Stagner, J. F. Strutt, Supervisors ; T. K,
Ryan, Town Clerk ; T. W. Short, Treasurer ; D. H. Jones, Assessor.
1880 — Thomas K. Ryan, Chairman ; Henry Boley, B. J. Davis, Supervisors ; M. Torphy,
Jr., Town Clerk; David Lloyd, Treasurer; D. H. Jones, Assessor.
WEST BLUE MOUNDS.
West Blue Mounds, best known as " Pokerville," has at least two peculiarities, — its
name and location. The first settler here was Thomas Champion, an English bachelor, who
built a cabin in 1845. In 1846, he sold two and a half acres to Hiram Carter and one Giblett.
They erected a frame hotel, then began playing poker. Giblett was a professional gambler, and
X^arter soon learned. One Wilson built a saloon here, and about that time Ira Isham, a Dane
County farmer, dubbed the place "Pokerville." During the palmy days of lead mining, and
up to war times, the game of poker was the leading '' industry" of the village. John Adams
was the first merchant here. He was a Kentuckian, and was one of the early settlers of Dodge-
Tille. The firm of Wilson, Isaacson & Green succeeded him. C. B. Arnold came in July,
1854, and bought the Carter-Giblett hotel. It burned in 1857, and on the site, within ten
weeks, he erected his present hotel. Joseph Eising was the first and only cabinet-maker. Mah-
lon Blecker, who settled two miles west, in 1840, came here and opened the first blacksmith-
shop. In 1848, Squire John Helmenstine came, and is the veteran shoemaker. His father
840 HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY.
came with him, and is now living here. Grant Barnes, Matthews Leeuy (first tailor), M. Hus-^
hrook, and G. W. (Wash) Miller were well remembered settlers here.
When the site of Pokerville was a bushy waste, the old Blue Mounds Post Office was estab-
lished, with Col. Ebenezer Brigham as Postmaster. During James iJuchanan's administration,
C. B. Arnold was appointed, and, with the removal, the name of the office was changed to West
Blue Mounds, which name it has since retained. In 1861, Edward Dale was appointed, it being
kept by his daughter Sarah for a time after her father's enlistment in the Union service. The
office was then half a mile east from the village, in Dane County.
John Helmenstine, Jr., was the next appointee, then C. B. Arnold, who was succeeded by
the incumbent, W. H. Jones. The mound itself is owned by C. B. Arnold, who bought it in
1862, of Louis Lewis, Lewis having purchased it of the Government.
There are now in Pokerville three stores, two hotels, with a number of shops. Religious
services are held in the schoolhouse, built in 1854 ; Miss Caroline Thomas was the first teacher
here. The M. D.'s have been Messrs. Cutler, Coon, Stair, Hanson, Flower and R. W. Jones.
The latter is now the only resident practitioner. Henry Stellsman was the first and for years
the only butcher. The completion of the Milwaukee & Madison Railroad has raised the hopes
of the " Pokervillians," and the sound of the saw and hammer are now ringing against the
wooded sides of the mound.
Among the early settlers here were David H. Jones, Edward Riley, William R. Sampson,
Harmon Renshaw, Ole Narveson and Thomas Borthwick. The latter was also the first stone-
mason, and assisted in the erection of old Fort Crawford at Prairie du Chien.
In connection with the various interesting features of this locality, must not be forgotten
the West Blue Mound Springs. These springs, which are the property of Mrs. Arnold, are said
to possess chalybeate virtues of a very high order, and, in connection with the remarkably
beautiful scenery of the locality and healthful altitude of the Mounds, will undoubtedly in the
near future secure a fair share of the public watering-place patronage. The larger of these
springs is quite remarkable on account of its situation, size and the character of its water ; taken
altogether, this is probably the most naturally beautiful and interesting spot in this portion of
the State.
Causes Celehre. — One early frontier experience or incident of an unusual order deserves
mention, as it exhibits the manner in which any violation of individual rights was very apt to
be treated in the early days. It appears that a testy old gentleman, an Englishman or German,
had rented his farm to a brother Welshman or vice versa. But before the renter's time was
out, the owner of the place concluded that he wanted it vacated, and would have it vacated. In
order to accomplish this, a not very commendable stratagem was resorted to by shooting through
a window or something of the sort, in very close proximity to the tenant's head. The result of
this was that the tenant becoming frightened for his life, left the place, whereupon the pro-
prietor moved in. At this time, the crops which had been harvested, were standing in the field ;
but a large number of the abused laborer's friends and neighbors determined that they should not
remain there, or at least what belonged to him, so they proceeded in quite a body to make a division
of them, and hauled ofi" his share. This proceeding of course aroused the ire of our landlord, and
he at once began suit against them for damages. The suit was tried before John Messersmith, who
decided against the defense, sentencing them either to return the amount of produce removed or
to pay for the same. In turn, the parties, or a number of men in town (unknown), disguised,
themselves, and proceeded to the house of the prosecutor, took him from his bed all en negligee,
and also took a son from the garret, who tried to defend himself with a shot-gun, dragged them
out doors, and taking a lot of stout sprouts gave them a sharp flagellation. An attempt was also
made to dope them with tar, but the weather being cold, the tar refused, fortunately for the-
victims, to act. After having received a summary castigation, they were released with a warn-
ing that in the future they must have a care, or they would be helped out of the country in a
very unceremonious manner. The effect of this method of treating them, although rough, proved,
very salutary, as they were more consistent citizens thenceforth.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY. 841
TOWN OF WYOMING.
Socially, educationally and morally, the town of Wyoming may be truthfully said to be
superior to the majority of the towns in the county. It is practically a temperance town. A
license for the sale of liquor has never been granted in the town, nor has a saloon been tolerated
for any length of time. Several attempts at saloon keeping have been made, but have always
resulted in complete failure.
Wyoming, though not settled permanently until fifteen years after the discovery of mineral
at Dodgeville, and the founding of old Helena, is now one of the leading towns in the county.
The art of agriculture had been pursued in other sections of the county for twelve years with
considerable success, while the fertile valleys of Wyoming were yet lying lonely among its unat-
tractive ridges, and gave no evidence of the mine of agricultural wealth contained within its
borders. And it was not until the advent of the year 1843, when William Jenkins and J. M.
Jones found their way to the Wyoming Valley, that the stillness was dispelled by the husband-
man's voice and the soil disturbed in its lethargic repose. These pioneers located on Section 3,
Town 7, Range 3, and together erected a small log house. Mrs. Jenkins was the first white
woman to venture into the wilderness and take up an abode among the savage inhabitants of the
forest. Here Mr. Jenkins and Mr. Jones, in partnership, broke land and raised the first crop of
wheat in the town. These were followed by B. S. Rollins, a native of Maine, who located here
in I he spring of 1844, and built a small log cabin and began the cultivation of a few acres of
land. He remained here for several years, being rewarded for his labors with a fair share of
success.
In the spring of 1845, several very desirable additions were made to the population of the
town, in the persons of L. W. Joiner, 0. F. Levake, Gilberth Franklin and Mr. Noyes, who made
their appearance in the town and began opening up farms in different parts of the valley.
Messrs. Joiner and Levake were the first New Englanders in the town, being natives of Ver-
mont. The settlers who were here then soon developed considerable tracts of land, and the re-
sults, productively, being very favorable, Wyoming was brought before the public in such a light
as to attract numerous emigrants who were- seeking homes in the most valuable agricultural
districts in Iowa County. Among those who found their way into this territory during the fall
of 1845, were William S. Richardson, a native of Tennessee, and G. W. Richardson, of Mis-
souri, who also settled in the Wyoming Valley where they have developed fine farms. They
were followed, in the spring of 1846, by George Franklin, Alexander and Samuel Darrow,
James, Isaac, G. W. and J. Fann. At an early day, a man named Snead, with Messrs. Hunter
ami Miner, located claims at the head of the creek since distinguished by the historic appellation
of Snead Creek, and opened up the first farms in that section. In the fall of 1846, Thomas
McClure settled on a claim at the head of Snead Creek.
During the succeeding years from 1847 to 1860, the population of the town increased very
rapidly ; the enterprising people laid out and developed the numerous well-tilled and valuable
farms now spread out before us in the differents parts of its broken surface.
To the citizens of this now prosperous town, great credit is due for the strict maintenance
of the principles of industry and morality presented in the every-day life of the early pioneers.
Many of those who were among the first in the town are still living here, and to them, more
than to any of the later settlers, is due the honor of instituting such measures as have placed
their Wyoming in its present prominent position in the estimation of the public.
Among the number of early settlers still living in the town are Samuel Spencer, Robert
Bruce, L. W. Joiner, Thomas Parr, J. H. Parr, C. B. Higgings, J. M. Levake, S. C. Oleson,
H. Duntan, R. L. Joiner, 0. F. Levake, H. M. Levake, James Carter, Thomas Carter, J. T.
Morris, Ole Paul, F. Newton, James Hand, Mrs. L. Richardson, Mrs. E. Darrow, James Dar-
row, Samuel Claybaugh, William Claybaugh, Cosset Riley, Anson Wood, George Adams,
David Poterton, Robert Squire, James Smith, Jerry Ryan, Patrick Ryan, J. T. Barnard, E.
M. Geer, Henry Richardson, J. B. Richardson, D. Rodman, John Graham, Patrick King, Owen
842 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
King, Alvah Culver, David Culver, D. C. Culver, "William Lockman, J. S. Davis, Robert Lloyd,
John King and John Barnard.
Messrs. Gear, Joiner, Lavake, Richardson, Parks and Lowry are now the oldest settlers of
the town who came after 1840. Messrs. Joiner, Sr. and Jr., are the leading men in public
affairs in this section of the county.
Schools. — The citizens of Wyoming enjoy school privileges excelled by few towns in the
county; and these educational advantages were not attained all at once nor without much
effort. In the fall of 1845, the settlers of Wyoming Valley banded themselves together and
erected a small log schoolhouse on Section 34. That rough temple of learning, which many
distinguished men recall in the glamour that memory throws around their youth, as their only
alma mater, was for several years the only seat of learning in the town. The first teacher here
was Miss Mary Ann Noyes, who trained the minds of sixteen pupils, the total number of school
age in the district at that time. Eventually, as the settlement increased, schoolhouses were
erected in different parts of the town, and improvements in that respect kept pace with the general
development, until now the educational advantages of Wyoming have reached a standard of
superiority that might well be emulated by others more favored in some respects.
Churches. — Religious services were first held in the old log schoolhouse on Section 34,
during the year 1846, and a Methodist class formed by twelve local preachers of Dodgeville
and vicinity, with T. M. Fullerton, the pioneer "circuit rider," at their head. The people
here were attended during the two following years, alternately, by the local preachers who came
out from Dodgeville regularly, without price but for the love of their Master.
In 1848, a Congregational class was formed, and Rev. A. D. Vaughn, then a young man,
was employed and continued to preach here for fourteen years. The members of this class
were Grilbert T. Franklin and wife, 0. F. Levake and wife, William Jenkins and wife., Mrs.
Fann, Mr. and Mrs. Shields, of Dodgeville ; Henry Pasche, Mrs. L. W. Joiner, Mr. and Mrs.
Smith, of Helena. This society still exists and is in a flourishing condition.
At the time the Congregational society was organized, it assumed the name of the Wyo-
ming Church, after which the valley, and eventually the town, received the same name.
About the year 1851 a Reformed Presbyterian society was organized by the families of
Messrs. Bernard, Darrows, Graham and Franklin, most of whom were natives of Prince
Edward Island. Soon after the organization, they erected a substantial church building on
Section 35, at a cost of $800. This congregation held services here regularly for about ten years,
then, a majority of the members having moved to other parts, the society was disbanded and the
church sold to the Congregationalists for a consideration of $400. This church is now occu-
pied by the Congregationalists and Methodists in common. The Catholics of the town are mem-
bers of the Ridgeway Congregation, where they attend services.
Manufacturing. — The first mill in the town was built in 1848, by Anson Grandison,
Enoch and Samuel Wood, and W. Shepard, and was located on Section 11, near the head of
Rush Creek. It has changed proprietors repeatedly, and is now the property of John Richard-
son, but has not been operated for several years.
In 1879, Jones Brothers erected a grist-mill at the mouth of Dodge Valley, on Section 25,
and put in one run of stone and feed-grinder. The dam of this mill has a head of fourteen
feet.
In 1850, George Squires built a furniture factory on Section 3, Township 7, which he con-
tinued with varying success until 1880, when the business was abandoned.
D. Hathaway also established a fanning-mill factory and sorghum evaporator on Section
27. This business he continued until 1880.
As early as 1846, W. J. Allen and a Mr. Fisk started a lumber-yard on the Wisconsin
River, near the mouth of Dodge's Creek. This subsequently passed into the hands of Hugh
McCutchin and P. King, who for many years did a very extensive business. This establish-
ment is now owned by Owen King, and is recognized as being one of the best lumber-yards on
the Wisconsin River.
HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
843
In 1846, a blacksmith-shop was started on Section 21, by Samuel Claybaugh, who for
many years was the only blacksmith in the town.
FirBt Death, Birth, Marriage. — The first adult death in the town was Mrs. Wakely, who
died in 1848.
The first birth was a daughter of William Jenkins. The second was the child since known
as George Rollins.
The earliest marriages in the town were those of Rev. A. D. Loughlin to Elizabeth Frank-
lin, and Hugh Franklin to Mary Richardson, which culminated in 1848.
Jonesdale — Town Organization. — In 1852, one enterprising citizen of the town, named
John M. Jones, located on Section 21, and, with the assistance of Barrett Williams, there laid
out the village subsequently named, to commemorate his eiforts, Jonesdale. Barrett Williams
started a store here the same year, and laid the foundation for a saw-mill. Soon after, Thomas
Lane, of Dodgeville, opened a store in the village, and, in company with Barrett Williams,
erected a grist-mill on the foundation built for the saw-mill. They put in two runs of stone,
and subsequently a carding-machine was attached. The mill changed hands several times, and
finally was carried away by the spring freshet.
The business interests of this promising burg were at one time represented by merchants,
mechanics, blacksmiths, shoemakers, carpenters and a tavern. For a few years the population
of the village increased rapidly, and its future looked bright, indeed. But the enchanting
hopes of its sanguine inhabitants were speedily dissolved when the Chicago, Milwaukee & St.
Paul Railroad passed on the opposite side of the river. Eventually the village of Jonesdale was
abandoned, the merchants, shop-keepers and mechanics left for more promising parts, and this
once flourishing municipality is now placed with the annals of the past, and its pretending streets
and thoroughfares have long since been converted into more profitable corn and potato fields.
The site of this decayed village is now the property of S. C. Oleson.
Post Offices. — The Wyoming Post OflSce, located on Section 35, was established in 1848.
William S. Richardson was appointed first Postmaster. He was succeeded by Robert Rule,
who established a stand in Wyoming Valley in 1852. Four years later, Mr. Rule disposed of
his store to Warren Perciville, who also took charge of the post oiSce. Subsequently, 0. Hop-
kins started a shop and became Postmaster. About the beginning of the war, W; J. Allen
opened a store in the town and was appointed Postmaster, which position he held until 1870,
when William Roberts took the store and ofiice. In 1878, J. C. Eagan, the incumbent, took
charge of the office. The mails have been received' here constantly for thirty-three years,
sometimes daily, but generally twice a week.
At the point where the office is now kept on Section — , there is quite a little hamlet, con-
taining Mr. Eagan's store, the blacksmith and wagon-shop of C. Riley, the Congregational
Church, and a neat town hall, besides dwelling-houses. The town hall here is certainly a
credit to the enterprise and public spirit of the citizens, as it is one of the very best if not the
best in the county.
Societies. — Helena Valley Patrons of Husbandry, No. 491, was organized several years
ago, and, at one time, was so strong as to represent one-half the farm property in the town.
The organization has, however, dwindled to its present status of thirty members, and represents
not more than one-fifth of the property in the town.
Wyoming Lodge, No. 314, Good Templars, was organized in 1865 with fifty charter mem-
bers. This commendable society has steadily increased from year to year, until at present it is
the fourth largest lodge in the State, numbering 125 members. Meeting room is furnished by
the town free of rent.
Wyoming Indian War. — In early times, when the white population was small, compara-
tively speaking, and the native aborigines were numerous, Indian " scares " were of frequent
occurrence. Though many of these were without foundation, yet they had a dire effect upon
the early pioneers. In 1846, Mrs. McClure, wife of Thomas McClure, was met by a Winne-
bago Indian, who with his peculiar gestures and menacing attitudes was understood to be un-
844 HISTORY or IOWA COUNTY.
friendly and threatening hostility. Mrs. McClure was naturally frightened, and, as soon as
practicable, reported her experiences to the few settlers in the neighborhood. Easily excited in
those days, they formed a small body, and with L. W. Joiner as Captain, they started in pur-
suit of the savages. While crossing the ridge, the Indians were espied camped on an island in
the Wisconsin River. Forthwith the little band of whites took to boats, and crossing the river
selected the object of their search and proceeded to gratify their revenge. The Indian was
found to be sick with the measles, and his squaw, to prevent the punishment about to be in-
flicted, threw herself between the enraged whites and the victim. Touched by this exhibition
of devotion on the part of the untutored squaw, the whites withdrew from the camp and
departed for their several homes. The Indians, however, left the country^ and in future years
the scattering settlers were not disturbed by the hostile savage. "^
Town Organization. — On Section 9, Town 7, Range 3, is located Percussion Rock, so
■called by a party of miners from its peculiar shape. It is 180 feet high, perpendicular on one
side and shaped like an old tower or furnace. Its top is inaccessible. At first this section
was called Percussion Precinct, in honor of the rock, but in 1849, when the town government
was organized, the name was changed to Wyoming, after Wyoming Church. Unfortunately,
we are unable to make an oflScial record, owing to a fire having destroyed the early town
books. During the war of the rebellion, this town responded nobly to the call to arms, and
furnished men and money liberally for the support of the Government founded by our fore-
fathers. Ten thousand dollars was promptly subscribed for war purposes.
HELENA.
The point of greatest interest in the north part of the county, from 1828 until 1840,
was what is usually termed Old Helena, which was located on Section 29, in what is now the
town of Wyoming. As will be seen in the general history, the first village in the county was
planted here in 1828, the intention then being to build a place at that point which would
rival Galena, as by that means the great water thoroughfare of Wisconsin could be utilized
advantageously for the shipping of lead, and also for transporting all needful supplies into the
country. In 1828, there were a few huts, but the principal objects to be seen were the stakes
that marked out the town lots. In 1829, a large hewed-log house was erected by three Morison
brothers, who also broke a few acres of land. In 1830, this house was purchased by George
Medary, who moved there with his family and opened a sort of hotel, and also did, or rather
attempted to do, legal business. Soon 'after him, William Green, who was afterward killed by
the Indians, came here with his wife and erected a comfortable log, house and pre-empted the
land where the shot-tower was afterward built. The first white child born in the north part
of the county was a son of Mr. Green's. The Government erected a small building for storing
lead and supplies, in 1829, and stationed an agent here. In 1830, Frank Guyon opened a
store here, and for a short time the prospects for building up a smart little town were good,
but alas for human hopes, the Black Hawk war came on, the place was abandoned and that
was the last of it.
After the war, in 1833, Daniel Whitney, Platte & Co., heavy capitalists for that time,
came here and made arrangements for erecting the shot-tower, and platted a piece of land,
one and a half miles east of where the first settlement was made, near where Owen King's
lumber-yard is now located, at the mouth of Mill Creek. Thomas B. Chaunce, of whom many
funny anecdotes are related, was engaged by them to sink the shaft. The side of the bluff
was cut down vertically until a large horizontal surface could be obtained upon which to build
the tower; then a hole was blasted down through the solid rock to the depth of 100 feet,
after which a drift was run in at the base of the bluff, to intercept it, which was large enough
for a man to enter. These are still to be seen. It is related, that while the shaft was being
sunk, a large party of Indians came up in their canoes, just as a blast went off; hearing the
noise and seeing the smoke come out of the side of the bluff, with no apparent cause, as no one
was in sight, so frightened them that they all rushed pell-mell into their canoes and beat a
HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY. 845
hasty retreat, thinking probably that the Old Nick was after them. A horse belonging to Peter
Lloyd once jumped from Cap Bluff, near this place, into Mill Creek, without sustaining any
injury — an almost incredible feat, as the distance is very great.
A shot-tower was erected over the shaft, after its completion, of suflBcient height to give a
fall of 180 feet, then John Metcalf was employed to begin the work of casting shot, which may
be said to have continued, almost uninterruptedly, from 1835 until 1841. The shot kegs were
made by a Scotchman, John Wilson, well remembered among the pioneers as one of the very
accomplished men who came to this country in an early day. He was a fine artist and good
scholar, as well as cooper; he afterward died on the Sauk side.
A trading establishment was started here by John Dougherty in 1833, he who afterward
married a squaw, daughter or niece of the old Winnebago Chief, Whistling Thunder, and has
left a number of descendants in this and La Fayette County. After Whitney & Co., a man
by the name of Kingston came here and platted an additional tract of land.
In 1836, the " Wisconsin Shot Tower Company " was formed, and in 1837 a village was
regularly platted and recorded by the following interested parties : R. McPherson, Daniel
Whitney, De Garned Jones, J. R. Door, N. M. Standart, D. Griffith, S. Thompson, C. Town-
send, J. S. Kimberly, George Coit, John Williams, F. C. Mills, G. P. Griffith, John Griffith,
Jr., W. N. Griffith, F. L. Morgan, James Platte, W. H. Demming, Evan Griffith, John Grif-
fith, Sr., and B. S. Webb, the last named being the agent of the company. The plat is a fine
specimen of drawing, one to make a lot-holder's eyes water with delight.
In the fall of 1836, seven mechanics were employed by the company's agent, and sent to
the dells of the Wisconsin River, where they got out a lot of timber, which was floated down for
the purpose of building a warehouse. This was a very large structure for those times, being,
when completed, 40x60 feet in area and five stories high, including the basements. The com-
pany also started a store here at that time.
Alvah Culver, who is now one of the last of the first settlers in the town, and who was en-
gaged in the construction of the company warehouse, soon after its completion erected a tavern
here, which was for many years the only hostelry in this part of the county.
In 18S6, a post office was established here, and B. L. Webb appointed Postmaster, and Mr.
Culver, Deputy. John Lindsay, now the second oldest settler in the county, was the first mail-
carrier through the north part of the county.
The company eventually sold out to John Metcalf and Capt. J. B. Terry, who run the tower
for awhile, after which it passed into the hands of Washburn & Woodman, who constructed a
tramway. The last use that it had was by Knapp, the Mineral Point bank defaulter. The tower
eventually went to ruin, and with the finishing-house was sold to Tracy Lockman, who built a
barn and hog-pens out of them. The old Culver tavern is still standing, but the warehouse was
moved to New Arena, some twenty years ago, by Mr. Jones.
There was at one time a fort standing near here, which has long since gone to ruin. It may
be said that all that now remains of Old Helena and its once prosperous business, worth men-
tioning, is the name, which has been transferred to Helena Station, in the town of Arena, and
which survives the wreck of years and is perpetuated to man.
TOWN OF WALDWICK.
It is supposed, and justly, too, that Waldwick was inhabited shortly after the discovery of
the mines at Mineral Point, for the earliest known pioneer and settler in the town, James Fitch,
who came here in 1833, found the relics of an old smelting furnace on the farm now owned and
occupied by Joseph Griddle. The owners of this furnace, or the names of the men connected
with it, Mr. Fitch could never ascertain, neither could he learn where, or from what mines, the
mineral so smelted was obtained. These facts prove conclusively that the town was inhabited at
least as early as 1830, or before the Black Hawk war.
James Fitch located a farm in 1833, in the extreme southwestern corner of the town, on
Section 18. This farm is now owned and occupied by James Gordon. Here he erected a log
846 HISTOEY OF IOWA COUNTY.
cabin, the first, and for several years the sole one in the town. Until 1837, Mr. Fitch was the
only white settler in the present limits of Waldwick. In the spring of 1837, the brothers
William and Benjamin White, of Indiana, immigrated to Waldwick, and broke ground on the
farm now owned and occupied by Richard James. At that time, the two White brothers built
a cabin, and broke twenty acres of prairie land.
In 1887, Elijah Hayden also built a cabin on his claim on Section 38, the farm now occu-
pied by James Jackson, but left the country in the same year, and absented himself for three
years. In 1840, he returned and commenced to improve his farm. William Ball came to
Waldwick in the spring of 1839, and located on Section 30, Township 5, Eange 4. In ttie fall
of the same year, Richard Gribble located on the same section and made a small farm. Ezra
and George Hall settled on what is now known as the Cox farm in 1841.
About the year 1836, a William Burr, of Dover, N. H., was sent to Wisconsin by a Free:
Will Baptist Colonization Company, for the purpose of securing farming lands for a colony of that
religious sect. He found his way to Waldwick, where, on beholding the boundless tract of prairie
lands, he fell to contemplating the scenery, thinking, as his eye swept to the south and west,
that it was the finest panorama he had ever witnessed. Such a wealth of verdure, fertility and
beauty in its pristine glory, he had never before seen. Straight and lofty oaks, clothed with
their autumnal tints, on the one hand, and the pleasant prairie, with its rank vegetation, on the
other, presaged the march of civilization and future wealth. Here he entered 3,000 acres of the
best lands, and returned to New Hampshire. His sanguine hopes were blighted, however, as
but two persons of the contemplated colony immigrated here. These were Anson Hall and I.
W. Sargent. For his own claim. Burr selected the farm now owned and occupied by John
and Alexander McNeal. This farm has since been known as Burr's " Grove."
Between the years 1840 and 1845, a number of settlers located in Waldwick,, among them
being Michael Hughes, Daniel Dornan, James McKee, Thomas Reilly, John Little, J. Green,
James Gordon, W. Graham, H. Noyes, Asa Munson, Hubbard Stephens, Chandler Heath,
George A. Martin, John Parkinson, Alexander and William Bitbcock, William Bateraan, J. W.
Dickinson, William Young, Dr. John Rowe, G. L. Matthews, and William Miller. Among the
old settlers now living in the town, who came here before 1850, are, Thomas Reilly, Joseph
Gribble, Thomas Gribble, John McKee, John Laverty, Daniel Dorman, Timothy Follen, James
Ryan, John Welsh, James Kitchen, James Beeoher, and Mrs. William Young.
The education of the youth of Waldwick was not neglected in the pioneer era of the town,
notwithstanding the many obstacles and inconveniences experienced in a newly and sparsely set-
tled country, for so early as 1841, a school of twenty-five urchins was taught at the residence of
Benjamin White, on the farm now occupied by James Kitchen. Charles Grizzle was the first
instructor. He boarded with the scholars and i-eceived a salary of $11 per month. This school
was continued but three months. During the summer of 1842, a log schoolhouse was built on
Section 16, and, in the winter of 1842-43, Silas Pleese was engaged as teacher. There are
now in the town.six schoolhouses, with a capacity of 305 children. The number of children
of school age in the town aggregates 357 — 197 males, and 160 females. The services of six
teachers are required, who receive an average salary of $21 per month. During the year ending
August 31, 1880, there has been received for school purposes $1,255.96. Amount paid out dur-
ing the year for school purposes, $1,209.66.
Post Offices. — The first post oflice was established in the town December, 1849, on Sectio'^
3, Town 4, Range 4. Ezra A. Hall was appointed Postmaster. In 1851, the gold craz®
attracted Mr. Hall to California, and the post oSice was then discontinued. In the interval, E-
M. Kirby carried the mail from Mineral Point. On May 2, 1872, a post ofBce was established
at the farm of J. C. McKee, on Section 34, and Mr. McKee was appointed Postmaster. The
mail was received here from Mineral Point by carrier, who was paid a salary of $95. The fol-
lowing have acted as carriers successively : E. M. Kirby, Charles Holmes, John Laverty and
John Spellman. This oflice was discontinued February 2, 1876.
HISTORY or IOWA COUNTY.
847
Qhurohes. — The first church erected in the town was St. Patrick's (Catholic) Church, which
was built in 1868. This church is located on Section 36, and has the largest congregation in
the town. Rev. James O'Keefe, of Mineral Point, is Pastor.
In the fall of 1866, the Methodist Episcopal Church, in the southern part of the town, was
built, and dedicated February, 1867. The Primitive Methodist Church, located on Section -32,
was erected in 1880.
Mills. — There are two flouring-mills, both located in the northern part of the town and
run by water-power. The "Waldwick Mill" was built on Dodge's Branch of the Pecatonica
River in 1871, by Griffith Jones, the present proprietor. The "Golden Meadow Mill " was
built on the same stream, by Allen & Co., but is owned and managed by William Uren & Co.
Allen Lodge, No. 207, Good Templars, was organized in Waldwick, by Ph. Allen, Jr., of
Mineral Point April 18, 1874. This society had thirty charter members, and has now a mem-
bership of thirty-eight. Their meetings are held at the Bethel School, in District No. 5.
Mining. — Prominent among the "diggings" of southern Waldwick was the "Dyer
Diggings." Rich ore was discovered here by Ephraim White in 1845. The property at that
time belonged to Amos Young and Uriah Gruschau, a Frenchman, who subsequently sold it to
the Dyer Brothers for $400. For many years the Dyers worked these diggings with the most
gratifying success. The "Young Diggings" has been recognized as an important mine in this
town. Mineral was discovered here by Pleasant Fields, in 184-3. He continued to work the
" diggings " for several years, when William Young purchased the property and operated the
mine up to a recent date. The principal minerals found here were lead ore and " Drybone."
In the southern part of the town, a company, known as the "Waldwick Mining Company,"
operated several mines, which extended mostly into La Fayette County, with varying success.
On the farm of William Pierce, in the southern part of the town. Section 14, there was an old
log furnace, owned and operated by Mr. Fretwell, proprietor of the " Fretwell Diggings."
Official Town iZecorc?.— The town of Waldwick originally contained eighty-four sections,
and belonged to the Yellow Stone voting precinct. Voting was often held at Asa Bennett's, on
Dodge's Branch. The town was organized in 1849. The first town election being held April
3, 1849, at the house of J. W. Dickenson. The following officers were chosen : E. A. Hall,
Chairman; Francis McKenna and H. Moorman, Supervisors; Clerk,!. N. Sargent; Treas-
urer, Samuel Zollinger; Assessor, Geo. L. Hall; Superintendent of Schools, J. W. Dickenson.
In 1861, by vote of the people, forty-two sections off the eastern part of Waldwick was
organized into a separate town and named Moscow. Waldwick has now forty-two sections,
and is six miles wide by seven miles long.
The following is a list of the oflicers from the organization of the town to the present
time :
1850 — E. A. Hall, Chairman, Francis McKinna, John Parkinson, Supervisors ; I. N. Sar-
gent, Clerk ; J. S. Wall, Assessor ; Samuel Zollinger, Treasurer ; .lames Bennett, Superin-
tendent of Schools.
1851 — F. McKinna, Chairman ; William Young, Hiram Moorman, Supervisors ; Richard
Freeman, Assessor; I. N. Sargent, Clerk; J. S. Wall, Treasurer; J. M. Bennett, Superin-
tendent of Schools.
1852 — S. Zollinger, Chairman, J. B. Walker, Richard Freeman, Supervisors ; E. Leam-
ing, Clerk ; R. Freeman, Assessor ; George Matthews, School Superintendent ; John S. Wall,
Treasurer.
1853 — Samuel Zollinger, Chairman ; William White, Michael Statser, Supervisors ; Har-
vey White, Treasurer ; H. Moorman, Town Clerk ; G. L. Matthews, School Superintendent.
1854 — Samuel Zollinger, Chairman ; M. Statser, William White, Supervisors ; H. Moor-
man, Clerk.
1855 — R. C. Dyer, Chairman ; Charles Smith, Jonathan White, Supervisors ; M. C. Bur-
nett, Clerk ; George L. Matthews, Assessor ; Harvey White, Treasurer ; G. L. Matthews,
School Superintendent.
848 HISTORY OF IOWA COUNTY.
18fl6 — George L. Matthews, Chairman ; Daniel Dornan, Joseph Dickenson, Supervisors ;
J. T. Reeves, Clerk ; Joseph Beecher, Treasurer ; John James, Assessor ; M. C. Parkinson,
School Superintendent.
1857 — George L. Matthews, Chairman, Daniel Dornan, M. C. Burnett, Supervisors ; J.
T. Reeves, Clerk ; Joseph Beecher, Treasurer ; John James, Assessor ; George Rogers, School
Superintendent.
1858 — Hiram Moorman, Chairman ; John McKee, Joseph Gribble, Supervisors ; J. T.
Reeves, Clerk ; Joseph Beecher, Treasurer ; G. L. Matthews, Assessor ; E. B. Crowel, School
Superintendent.
1859 — Charles Nobles, Chairman ; E. B. Crowel, John McKee, Supervisors ; J. T. Reeves,
Clerk ; Robert Mc Williams, Treasurer ; E. Cole, Assessor ; John Green, School Superintendent.
1860 — John James, Chairman ; John Green, William Young, Supervisors. I. N. Sar-
gent, Clerk ; A. B. Ferris, Treasurer ; J. Beecher, School Superintendent ; J. White, Assessor.
1861 — John James, Chairman ; John Green, John McKee, Supervisors ; Joseph Beecher,
Clerk; P. A. Orton, Assessor; A. B. Ferris, Treasurer; Wm. Wallace, School Superintendent.
1862 — John James, Chairman, John McKee, Wm. Babcock, Supervisors ; Joseph Beecher,
Clerk ; A. B. Ferris, Treasurer ; John McKee, Assessor.
1863 — John James, Chairman; William Babcock, James Ryan, Supervisors; A. B. Fer-
ris, Treasurer; William Young, Assessor; William Reeves, Clerk.
1864 — William Young, Chairman; William Babcock, John Little, Supervisors; B. P.
Leaming, Clerk; A. B. Ferris, Treasurer; Thomas Teague, Assessor.
1865 — John James, Chairman ; William Babcock, John Little, Supervisors ; J. C. McKee,
Clerk; David Humbert, Assessor; A. B. Ferris, Treasurer.
1866 — John James, Chairman; John Little, Joseph Ryan, Supervisors; David Humbert,
Treasurer; N. Uren, Assessor; J. C. McKee, Clerk.
1867 — David Humbert, Chairman ; James Jackson, James Ryan, Supervisors ; William
Reeves, Clerk; J. C. McKee, Treasurer; Peter Kirth, Assessor.
1868 — David Humbert, Chairman; James Ryan, Joseph Gribble, Supervisors; John
Walsh, Treasurer; William Reeves, Clerk; Peter Kirth, Assessor.
1869 — David Humbert, Chairman; James Ryan. Joseph Gribble, Supervisors; William
Reeves, Clerk; J. C. McKee, Assessor; John Walsh, Treasurer.
1870 — David Humbert, Chairman; B. Spellman, John Holmes, Supervisors; William
Reeves, Clerk; John Walsh, Treasurer; Thomas Burke, Assessor.
1871 — David Humbert, Chairman; B. Spellman, James Heath, Supervisors; William
Reeves, Clerk; S. McWilliams, Assessor; John Walsh, Treasurer.
1872 — David Humbert, Chairman; B. Spellman, John Jackson, Supervisors; J. C. Mar-
tin, Assessor; J. 0. McKee, Clerk; John Ruckes, Treasurer.
1873 — David Humbert, Chairman; B. Spellman, John Jackson, Supervisors; John
Ruckes, Treasurer; John Pile, Assessor; J. C. McKee, Town Clerk.
1874 — James Heath, Chairman; John Little, Joseph Gribble, Supervisors; Joseph
Beecher, Clerk; John Ruckes, Treasurer; M. Stephenson, Assessor.
1875 — James Heath, Chairman; James Ryan, Joseph Gribble, Supervisors; Joseph
Beecher, Town Clerk; J. Ruckes, Treasurer; R. Patterson, Assessor.
1876 — G. G. Cox, Chairman ; Mathias Lye, William McNeil, Supervisors ; D. Humbert,
Treasurer; R. Patterson, Clerk; J. Beecher, Assessor.
1877 — G. G. Cox, Chairman; William McNeil, Matthew Lye, Supervisors; William
Reeves, Town Clerk; A. McIUhatton, Treasurer; R. Patterson, Assessor.
1878 — G. G. Cox, Chairman ; B. Spellman, M. Lye, Supervisors ; William Reeves, Town
Clerk; A. McIUhatton, Treasurer; R. Patterson, Assessor.
1879 — G. G. Cox, Chairman; Alexander McNeil, James Jackson, Supervisors; William
Reeves, Clerk; David Humbert, Treasurer; Joseph Beecher, Assessor.
1880 — G. G. Cox, Chairman; James Jackson, Alexander McNeil, Supervisors; William
Reeves, Town Clerk; David Humbert, Treasurer; Joseph Beecher, Assessor.
BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES.
...Company or county I W.V.I
D Volunteer Artillery P.O
W. V. C Wisconsia Volunteer Cavalry | at street
tlo Company or county I W.V.I "Wisconain Volunteer Infantry
W. V. A Wisconsin Volunteer Artillery P.O Post Offloa
TOWN OF MINERAL POINT.
PHIL/IP AliLiEBf , of the firm of P. Allen & Son, dealers in groceries and boots and shoes ;
is a native of Cornwall, England, and was born in August, 1816; he came to the United States in 1842,
and came to Wisconsin in June of the same year, and located at Mineral Point and began working at his
trade of stone-mason and plasterer; he continued in that busioess until 1861. In 1860, he established
his present business, in company with Jno. Toay, and has successfully carried it on for the past twenty
jrears, and has a large trade. Four years after coming to Mineral Point, Mr. Allen returned to England,
and, in 1846, was united in marriage to Miss Eliza James, a native of Cornwall, England; they have
three children — Philip, Jr., Postmaster of this city ; Eliza, now Mrs. John Tucker, living here ; John,
engaged in business with his father; they have lost two children — John and Eliza; there have been five
in the family, and they have only used three names. Mr. Allen is a leading member of the Primitive
Methodist Church, and has been a local preacher in that denomination for the past thirty-eight years.
PHIIjIP AIjLiElV, Jr., Postmaster; is the son of Philip and Eliza James Allen, and is a
native of Iowa County, and was born in Mineral Point Aug. 29, 1847 ; here is where he received his edu-
cation; after reaching manhood, he engaged in the mercantile business. In 1873, at the solicitation
of the leading citizens and business men, he was appointed Postmaster, and, since then, he has held that
office. Mr. Allen is prominently identified with the temperance work in this State ; he is a member of
the Independent Order of Good Templars, and was chosen Grand Worthy Chief of the order in this State
for two years. Mr. Allen was united in marriage to Miss Mary A. Gray, of this city, and daughter of
Hon. John Gray, May 27, 1869.
J. Li. BE ARDISIiE Y, Sec. 33 ; P. 0. Mineral Point ; owns 275 acres of land, valued at $30
per acre; born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., in 1825 ; came to Wisconsin in 1852, and located in this county;
settled on his present farm in 1868. He married Ann Baxter in 1854, a native of England ; they have
four children — Sarah A., Orrin F., Mary L. and James C.
DE LjOS p. beech, in the general office of the Mineral Point Railroad ; is a son of Curtis
and Sophia Beech; was born in Mineral Point Oct. 22, 1840 ; he attended school here; after reaching
manhood, was connected with the zinc company. In 1876, he entered the office of the Mineral Point
Railroad, and, since then, has been connected with that company. In 1865, he was united in marriage to
Miss Elizabeth H. George, of Mineral Point ; they have three children — Curtis, George and Algernon.
CURTIS BEECH, deceased; was a native of Chenango Co., N. Y. ; in 1835, he started
West by wagon ; when he reached Chicago, he was oiFered 40 acres of land now in that city for his team ;
he refused, and said he would not trade his team for the whole town ; came to Geneseo, 111., and the fol-
lowing year came to Mineral Point, and was one of the early settlers there ; engaged in the mercantile
business. Married Miss Sophia Crocker, a native of New York State. He was one of the earliest mer-
chants in Mineral Point, and carried on the business for many years ; he died in 1862, leaving four chil-
dren— Cornelia (now Mrs. Wheeler), De Los P., Thomas and Eddie L. Mrs. Beech is still living.
CHARIiES BENSON, farmer. Sec. 15 ; P. 0. Mineral Point; owns 140 acres land, valued
at 140 per acre ; born in England Feb. 11, 1831 ; came to America in 1849, and located in Mineral
FF
854 BIOGRi^PHICAL SKETCHES:
Point, and for several years followed mining, and, in 1862, settled on his present farm. March 10, 1870^
he married Sarah Avery, a native of England ; they have six children — Elizabeth Annie, Joseph, Martha
Frances, Prudence, William Charles and James. Are members of the Primitive Methodist Church.
JAMES BENSOX, farmer. Sec. 3 ; P. 0. Mineral Point ; owns 200 acres land, valued at $40
per acre; born in England in 1836 ; came to America in 1853; settled in the State in 1854. Married
Emma Johnson in 1868, and settled on his present farm soon after ; she is a native of New York ; they
have three children — Mary E., John P. and Amy Gertrude. Are members of the Primitive Methodist
Church.
B. J. BENMETT, local editor Mineral Point Tribune ; is a native of Iowa Co., and was born
March 6, 1854 ; he attended school here, and entered the office of the Tribune, where he learned the
printing business ; since 1878, he has held his present position as local editor of the Tribune. In
December, 1877, he was united in marriage to Miss Hattie Hosking, a native of this city; they have one
daughter — Veta.
JOSEPH BEWNETT, farmer, Sec 5 ; P. 0. Mineral Point ; owns 130 acres land, valued
at $35 per acre; born in England in 1827 ; came to America in 1836, and settled with his parents in
Mineral Point. Married Elizabeth Trevarow in 1856 ; she was born in England ; have three children —
William, Mary E. and Grace 0. Mr. B. has held different town offices— member of Town Board, Jus-
tice of the Peace, etc., etc. They are members of the Primitive Methodist Church. In politics, he is a
Kepublican.
HENRY BEBTJUETT, farmer. Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Mineral Point ; owns 120 acres land, valued at
$30 per acre ; born in this county, on the farm on which he now lives, in 1840. Married Emma Cork, a
native of England, in 1868 ; they have five children — Lillie, John, Jane, Ethelbert and Merthine. Repub-
lican in politics.
WILLIAM H. BESflVETT, editor and publisher of the Mineral Point Tribune, washon in
Platteville, Grant Co., Wis., Dec. 27, 1839 ; he attended school here, and, when 16 years of age, entered
the office of the Mineral Point Tribune, where he learned the printing business, and worked at this trade
here and at Madison ; also served as messenger boy in the State Legislature. During the war, he enlisted
and served for three years in the 11th W. V. I., and participated in all the battles of the regiment; after
the war, in 1867, he established the Boscobel Appeal and conducted that paper two years; and, in May,
1869, bought the Tribune and since then has been its editor and proprietor. He held the office of As-
sistant Collector of Internal Revenue four years, and now holds position of Clerk in the land office at
Madison. In 1867, Mr. Bennett was united in marriage to Miss L. C. Andrews, of Mineral Point ; they
have had six children, three of whom survive — Edgar, George, William.
ALFRED F. BISHOP, of the firm of Bishop & Nancolas, builders, and dealers in furniture \
is a native of Iowa Co., and was born in Mineral Point July 9, 1849 ; he attended school here and
learned the trade of carpenter and joiner; after reaching manhood, he engaged in building for some
years, and, in January, 1878, the firm of Bishop & Nancolas established their present furniture business,
and they are building up a large and leading trade. In September, 1875, Mr. Bishop was united in mar-
riage to Miss Katie Kinne, from this city ; they have one daughter — Nannie K.
CLARENCE A. BLANCHARD, Mineral Point. The family date back to Col. Blanoh-
ard of Connecticut, who was engaged in the Revolution, and, after the war, he located at Truxton, N. Y.\
at the death of the Colonel, the ferm passed into the hands of William, who was the father of seven sons,
one of them Asheal, was born at Truxton, N. Y., Aug. 31, 1801 ; married Sept. 15, 1825 ; he died at
Dodgeville, Wis., July 19, 1852. Elizabeth Brown, his wife, was born at Lenox, Mass., Dec. 4, 1799,
died at Blanohardville, Wis., Aug. 26, 1872. The family moved to Wisconsin in 1840 ; located in Iowa
Co. in 1844; by this union there were two children — Alvin, who was born at Truxton, N. Y., Jan. 12,
1830; Hannah Eliza, born at Truxton, N. Y., Jan. 19, 1832; married to John Adams, of Black Earth,
Dane Co., Wis., who was born in Pulaski Co., Ky., Dec. 10, 1819. Alvin was married to Mary A., youngest
daughter of John B. Skinner, who emigrated from Columbus, Ohio, to Wiota, La Payette Co., Wis.,
about 1830, and from there moved to Greene Co., near the source of what is now called the Skinner Branch.
It was on this farm the first barley was raised in the State of Wisconsin ; at the close of the Black Hawk
war, he located on what is now known as the old Skinner farm, in Iowa Co., where the younger members
of the family were born ; by this marriage, there were three children — William, born Nov. 14, 1856 ; Kate,
born Nov. 12, 1854; and Clarence A., who was born in town of Ridgeway, Iowa Co., Sept. 22, 1852. In
1855, he moved to Blanohardville, La Fayette Co., with his parents, where his childhood days were passed
TOWN OF MINERAL POINT. 855
in the winter of 1866-67, he attended school at Eayette ; winter of 1867-68, at Albion Academy, in Dane
Co., and, in the spring of 1869, Bvansville Seminary; at school in the wioter of 1871 ; the summer of
1872 with H. Isaacson & Co., at Black Earth; in the winter at school at Blanchardville; in 1873-74, at
Albion at school; he then went to Minnesota with stock aod remained in the employ of the Swift County
Bank, located at Benson, but he was at Willmar selling bonds of the St. Paul & Pacific Railroad ; 1876
returned home, and was in the employ of H. Michaelson & Co. until July ; he again went with stock to Min-
nesota; October, 1876, to the Centennial; at home during the winter; in the spring of 1877, came to
Mineral Point in the employ of the McCormick Reaper Company until fall of 1878 ; then with the
Singer Sewing Machine Company; continued until March, 1879, when he went West through Missouri,
Nebraska and Kansas ; returned in May to Chicago ; engaged as traveling salesman for John A. Tolman,
wholesale grocery house. Is a member of I. 0. 0. P. Lodge, at Edgerton, Dane Co. ; the A., F. & A. M.,
at Argyle ; Chapter, No. 6, at Mineral Point; Commandery, No. 12.
JOHIV BOH A]V, of the firm of Priestley & Bohan ; livery, sale and boarding stable ; is a native
of Ireland, and was born Oct. 16, 1846. He came to the United States in 1865, and came to Mineral
Point the following year; in 1868, he engaged in the livery business, and has continued in it since then.
He is also interested in mining. In 1871, he married Miss Mary Ann Noonan, from this city ; they have
two children — Ellen and Mary.
JOHN F. BOY5irT<>]V, livery and boarding stable; is a native of New Hampshire; was
raised in Michigan ; came to Mineral Point in 1850, and engaged in the livery business ; has carried on
the business over thirty years, and has the oldest livery in this section of the State. In 1859, he married
Miss Lucy Banfill, from Grant Co., Wis. ; they have two children — Mary and Eugene.
JAMES BREWER, retired; is a native of Cc rnwall, England, and was born June 13, 1820-
He came to the United States in 1850, and came to Wisconsin the same year, and located at Mineral
Point, and engaged in farming. In 1852, he went to California ; remained there three years, and returned
in July, 1855. He again engaged in farming until 1865, when he sold his farm and came to the city;
built a warehouse, and engaged in buying and shipping grain and stock. He carried on the business suc-
cessfully until two years ago, and since then has not been engaged in active business. When Mr. Brewer
came here, he had very little, and his success in life is owing to his own efforts. He was elected a member
of the Board of County Supervisors from the town of Linden, and he has also served three years as a
member of the City Council. Mr. Brewer was united in marriage to Miss Grace Hoare, a native ot
England, Oct. 11, 1840 ; they had one son — John, who died during childhood.
JAMES BREWER, Jr., of the firm of Teasdale & Brewer, grocers ; born in Cornwall,
England, in 1854; came to America in 1867, and seitled in Mineral Point; engaged in his present busi-
ness in 1879. In the same year he married Minnie Kemp, a native of Illinois; they have one child —
Bertha Grace. He is a Republican.
GEORGE W. CHAMLEY, proprietor Wisconsin House; is a native of Westmoreland Co.>
England, and was born June 23, 1841. He came to the United States in 1859, and the same year came
to Hazel Green, Grant Co.; went to Idaho, and engaged in mining; returned in 1864, and came to
Mineral Point, and since then has been successfully engaged in the hotel business here ; had nothing when
he began life, and has acquired considerable property. He married Miss Elizabeth Watson, a native of
Yorkshire, England, Dec. 15, 1865 ; they have five children — Mary, Agnes, John, William and an infant
daughter.
JOHN CHARLES, of the firm of Charles & Wasley, carpenters and builders ; is a native of
Cornwall, England, and was born March 6, 1853; he came to the United States in 1869, and came to
Wisconsin the same year, and learned the trade of carpenter and joiner; in 1875, he engaged in business
for himself; he associated with Mr. Wasley, and they have built up a good business. Mr. Charles married
Miss Fannie Goldsworthy, a native of this city, Jan. 20, 1876 ; they have one son — Robbie Leroy. Mr.
Charles is a member of Mineral Point Lodge, No. 1, A., P. & A. M., and also of the I. 0. G. T.
JOHN CLiOWNEY, builder ; is a native of New Jersey, and was born in the city of Trenton,
on the old battle-ground. March 14, 1816 ; he was raised in the city of Philadelphia, and learned the
trade of carpenter and joiner. He came West to Galena, arriving there April 15, 1838, and came to
Mineral Point in February, 1839, and was one of the early settlers here, and began working at his trade.
In 1850, he went to Calif)rnia, remained four years, and returned in 1854. After the war broke out, he
went into the service, and was commissioned Major of the 30th W. V. I.; he served three years, and
returned in October, 1865 ; since then, he has been engaged in business her.\ In September, 1848, Major
856 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Clowney was united in marriage to Miss Jane Johnson, of Chautauqua Co., N. Y.; they have one daugh-
ter— Catharine — now Mrs. Shepard ; they have lost two sods and one daughter — Frederick, Edward and
Jennie. Maj. Clowney is a member of Mineral Point Lodge, No. 1, A., F. & A. M., and has been con-
nected with the Presbyterian Church since 1845.
GEN. AM ASA COBB, formerly a resident of Iowa Co. ; born in the State of Indiana about
1826. Military record — ^Was a soldier in the war with Mexico; Adjutant General of the State of Wis-
consin ; subsequently Colonel of the 5th W. V. I., in the war of the rebellion ; and was in the peninsular
campaign with Gen. McClellan ; was in the battle of Antietam and other severe battles ; resigned, and
afterward raised the 50th W. V. I., and served until the end of the war. Civil record — Lawyer by pro-
fession ; District Attorney of Iowa Co. ; State Senator ; was member of Congress for four terms from the
Third Congressional District of this State; moved to Lincoln, Neb., in 1870, and is now on the Supreme
bench i'l that State.
Extra Clyde town
GEORtirE W. COBB, General Manager of the Mineral Point R. R.; is a native of Cazenovia,
Madison Co., N. Y., and is a son of Whitman and Eunice Cobb ; his parents came West to Indiana in
1833 and located near La Porte ; when 13 years of age, George entered a store in La Porte, and remained
there until 1840, when he was offered a position in Chicago, in the store of Paine & Norton, then prominent
merchants in that city ; in 1842, he brought a large stock of goods to Galena, and, in the fall of 1843, he was
induced to come to Mioerat Point, and located here and engaged in mercantile business; he afterward was
engaged in the grocery and provision trade, and, for many years, transacted a large and extensive business ;
he was familiar with almost every one in this and adjoining counties, and traded in everything ; he used
to ship wheat to Galena by wagons, before the railroads were built. In 1855, he was induced to become con-
nected with the management of the Mineral Point R. R., which was then building, but was not completed ;
for over a quarter of a century he has had the management of this road ; there are very few men in this Slate
or in the Northwest, who are so familiar with the railroad and commercial interests of this Western country
as Mr. Cobb ; he has been engaged in active business life over forty-five years ; when he began life he had
nothing, and his success is owing to his own individuality and attention to business. Mr. Cobb is promi-
nently identified with the Masonic fraternity, and has been connected with the order since boyhood ; is a
member of the Chapter, Royal Arch Masons and Commandery. Mr. Cobb was united in marriage, March
18, 1845, to Miss Laura A. Pulford, a native of Onondaga Co., N. Y., and daughter of Dr. Schuyler
■ Pulford ; they have six children — Clara (now Mrs. C. Spensley), Hattie (now Mrs. Wilcox), Albert W.
(connected with the railroad), Eunice, John P. and Guy P.
CAPT. CHARIiBiS H. COX, deceased; was a native of New York State, and was born
in 1825 ; he grew to manhood in that State. In 1845, he was united in marriage to Miss Mary J.
Halleck, a native of Long Island. They came West to Wisconsin, in 1847, and located at Mineral Point ;
he engaged in the mercantile business ; when the war broke out, he entered the army as Quartermaster
of the 24 W. V. C. ; he resigned and was appointed District Provost Marshal, and held that office until
he again entered active service ; he raised a company, and was commissioned Captain of Co. H, 50th W.
V. I. ; he was killed while in the service, in July, 1865 ; he left five children — Sarah E., now Mrs. C. E.
Gale, living in this city ; Thomas H., living in Oregon; Stephen I., living in La Crosse ; Frank M., living
in Moline ; George G., living in New York. Mrs. Cox resides with her daughter in this city.
JUDGE MONTGOMERY M. COTHREN, Judge of the Circuit Court of the Fifth
Judicial District; is a native of New York State, and was born in Yates Co., Sept. 18, 1819 ; when 10
years of age, his father, in 1829, removed to Detroit, Mich., and, two years later, removed to Kalamazoo,
where Montgomery completed his education and began reading law ; in the spring of 1838, he started
West ; after reaching Chicago, he came on horseback to Rock River, near Rockford, and swam every river
and stream till he reached there; in 1843, he came to Wisconsin and located at Mineral Point; he was
admitted to the bar in the United States Court the same year, and engaged in the practice of law ; in the
early days of the profession here, attorneys were called all over the territory, and Judge Cothren has ridden
sixty miles on horseback, with the thermometer thirty degrees below zero, and he thought nothing of it.
In 1846, he was appointed Clerk of the Board of Supervisors of Iowa and La Fayette Cos., and he also
discharged the duties of Treasurer of those counties : in 1847, he was elected to the Territorial Legisla-
ture, and, in 1848, he was elected State Senator, and served in the State Senate two years, and served as
Chairman of the Judiciary Committee of that body ; he had charge of the revision and compilation of
the laws ; in 1852, he was one of the Pierce Electors for the State at large ; in the same year, he was elected
Judo'e, and remained on the bench until 1865 ; he then retired and resumed the practice of his profession
TOWN OF MINEKAL POINT. ^57
with signal success until 1876, when he was again elected Judge, and, since then, has been on the bench ;
he was the unanimous choice of the Democracy of this Congressional District for candidate for Congress
at their recent convention ; Judge Cothren is not an ofiBoe-seeker, and, in all his long connection with
public life, "the ofiBce has always sought the man." Judge Cothren was united in marriage Aug. 24,
1848, to Miss Esther Maria Pulford, daughter of Dr. Schuyler Pulford, of Onondaga Co., N. Y.; she was
born July 16, 1830; Judge and Mrs. Cothren have five children — George P., Clarina W., Maria A.,
Mary Louise and Montgomery M., Jr.; they have lost one daughter — Cordelia M. — who died March 5.
1853.
GEORCirE AND ROBERT M. CRA WFORB, publishers of the lona County Dem-
ocrat; George Crawford is a native of Ireland, and was born April 29, 1849 ; his parents came to Wis-
consin in 1850 ; he entered the ofiSoo of the Democrat, where he learned the trade of printer ; he afterward
became its editor, and with his brother has conducted the paper since 1874. In 1873, Mr. Crawford was
united in marriage to Miss Mary White, of Darlington, Wis. ; they have three children — Moffett B.,
George W. and Henry Tubman.
ROBERT M. CRAWFORD, of Crawford Brothers, publishers of the Iowa County Dem-
ocrat; is a native of Wisconsin, and was born in La Fayette Co., June 7, 1854; he entered the office
of the Democrat, and learned his trade there, and afterward, in 1874, associated with bis brother, and
since then they have conducted the paper. In 1880, Mr. Crawford was united in marriage to Miss Mar-
tha Goldsworthy, a native of this city.
JOHBI CUMMINS, Justice of the Peace; is a native of Ireland, and was born in the county
of Roscommon, Feb. 14, 1819 ; he grew up and attended school there, and prepared himself for teaching,
and completed his education at the Normal School in the city of Dublin ; he engaged in teaching for seven
years ; he came to America in 1849, and taught one year in Albany ; he came to Wiscon.sin in 1850 and
engaged in teaching, and has pursued his profession here over a quarter of a century ; he has had a large
experience in teaching. He has held the offices of Town Clerk, Clerk of the Circuit Court, Superintend-
ent of City Schools and Justice of the Peace, which latter oflfice he now holds. In 1856, he was united
in marriage to Miss Mary Corcoran, a native of Ireland ; they have five children — Martha (engaged in
teaching), John B. (living in Kansas), Mary (engaged in teaching i, Pearle O. and Edward P. (in a rail-
road office in Chicago).
JAMES V. DABB, photograph artist ; is a native of Prince Edward Island, and was born
March 10, 1856; went to England with his mother, who was a native of that country, when he was 9
years of age, and attended school there; he returned to this country in 1873, and camn to Mineral Point
in 1874; studied his profession here ; in 1876, he established his present business, and has conducted it
successfully since then. He is a member of Iowa Lodge I. O. 0. F., and of the Temple of Honor.
JOHN DA WE, dealer in groceries and provisions; is a native of England, and was born Oct-
12, 1833 ; he came to the United States in 1853, and came here the same year, and engaged in mining ;
since 1870, he has been engaged in mercantile business; he belongs to the ordor of I. 0. 0. F., and to
Hudson Encampment, No. 33. In February, 1860, he married Jane K. Phillips, from this city; her
father, William Phillips, was one of the early settlers here.
DANIEL, DAVISSON, farmer. Sec. 10; P. 0. Mineral Point; owns 160 acres of land
valued at $40 per acre ; born in Harrison Co., Va., in 1829; came to Wisconsin in 18()0, and located on
his present farm. Married Ann Eliza Vanwinkle in 1854 ; she was born in Clinton Co., Ohio, in 18.'.3 ;
they have seven children — Edgar H., Frank Elvin, AUie, William W., John Hercbel, Lenore and Lillie ;
are members of the M. E. Church. In politics Mr. D. is a Republican.
JOSEPH DELIVER, dealer in dry goods, clothing, boots and shoes ; is a native of Germany,
and was born Jan. 12, 1829 ; he came to New York in 1846, and came West, to Wisconsin, and located
at Mineral Point in the fall of 1851 ; he engaged in general mercantile business, and continued until
1865, and since then he has dealt exclusively in dr'/ goods and clothing ; he has also carried on the busi-
ness of merchant tailoring since coming here ; he has been engaged in business here for twenty-nine years,
and has a large trade, and is one of the most successful merchants in this section of the State ; when he
JDegan life, he had nothing, and did not have enough money to bring him to this country, and his success
is owing to his industry and close attention to business ; he has never embarked in any outside speculation,
and has always paid one hundred cents on the dollar. Ho was united in marriage, Jan. 1 , 1856, to Miss
Regine Gundelfinger, a native of Germany, they have eisjht children — Fannie, married, lives in Minnesota :
Emma, married, lives here ; Abraham lives here ; Lillie, Minnie, Nettie, Clara and Isaac.
858
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
MARTIN O. DO WD, farmer, See. 17 ; P. 0. Mineral Point; owns 320 acres of land, valued
at 120 per acre ; was born in Cook Co., 111., in 1844 ; came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1846, and
settled on his present farm. Married Annie Parish, in 1866 ; she is a native of this county ; they have
six children — Percy, Louis, David, Jona, Mary, Henry. Mr. D. is a Democrat.
CHARLElS DUNN, farmer. Sec. 3 ; P. 0. Mineral Point; owns 180 acres of land, valued at
$30 per aero; bom in Cornwall, England, in 1830 ; came to America in 1845, and located in Mineral
Point. In 1852, Mr. Dunn went to California, and, in 1854, sailedfrom San Francisco to Australia, where
he married Miss Jane Hawkins; in 1862, he returned to this county, and settled on his present farm,
where his wife died in 1876. He was again united to Jane Martin, a native of England ; they have two
children — Frank and Lula M.
W. EASTMAN, M. D., physician and surgeon ; is a native of Ohio, and was born in Ash'a-
bula Co., April 14, 1833; when 12 years of age, his parents came to Wisconsin, and located in La Payette
Co. ; he grew up and attended school there, and completed his education at Hillsdale College. Mich. ; he
stuilied medicine, and graduated at Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1870 ; he engaged in practice of
medicine in Blanchardville ; he came to Mineral Point in April, 1875, and since then he has practiced his
profession here. In 1861, Dr. Eastman was united in marriage to Miss Alma A. Warren, a native of
New York State; she died March 23, 1879, leaving three children — Erwin, Nellie and Inez; they lost
one son, Amos.
EDMUND EDYVEAN, Superintendent of Spensley's Smelting Furnaces; is a native of
Cornwall, England, and was born June 24, 1831 ; when 2 years of age, his parents removed to France, and
there he received his education in Paris; he emigrated to the United States in October, 1854, and
in the spring of 1855, came to Iowa Co. ; located at Dodgeville ; engaged in teaching school for some
years, then became interested in mining and smelting, and has since then been connected with that busi-
ness. In October, 1862, he married Miss Mary Ann Penberthy, a native of Cornwall, England. His
father, Edmund Edyvean, was a native of Cornwall, England, and came to Iowa Co. in 1855. He was a
local preacher, and followed the ministry until his death, which occurred in 1863 ; his wife was Bridget A.
Wallace; she is still living at Dodgeville; they have three sons — -Edmund, John and Marmaduke M.
JOSEPH ENGEIiS, Mineral Point ; born in Mineral Point March 19, 1853; is the son of
T. Engels, a native of Germany, who was born in the year 1819, came to America in 1845, and settled
in Mineral Point in 1847. His father married Barbara Blotz, a native of the same place, and they had eight
children living — Lena, Joseph, Fred, Kate, Annie, Edward, Josephine and Gertrude. ,
WALTER EVANS, Sec. 3; P. 0. Mineral Point; owns 251 J acres of land, valued at $30
per acre; born in Shelby Co., Ohio, in 1829; came to Wisconsin in 1855, and located in La Fayette Co.
In 1862, he enlisted in Co. B, 30t,h W. V. I., and served three years and was discharged in 1865. In
the same year he was married to Annie McMaster, a native of Canada ; they have five children — Walter
C, Mary, Annie, William Harvey, Eva J. and Liela L. In politics is a Republican.
A. B. FERRIS, dealer in agricultural implements and farm machinery ; is a native of Ireland,
and was born Aug. 20, 1827 ; he emigrated to America in 1849 ; he came to Wisconsin in 1852, and
engaged in stock-raising and stock-shipping ; he carried on the business successfully for many years, and
has been connected with the business more or less since then ; he engaged in his present business in 1875,
and has established a good trade; he held the oflBce of Town Treasurer of the town of Waldwick, and is
now a member of the City Council from the First Ward. In 1851, Mr. Ferris was married to Miss
Elizabeth Fitzsimons, a native of Ireland ; they have four children — Mary Jane, Richard V., Thomas H.
and Edward W.
EDWARD" FITZSIMONS, Sec. 14; P. 0. Mineral Point ; owns 325 acres of land valued
at $20 per acre ; was born in Ireland in 1834 ; came to America in 1851 with his parents, and located in
this town ; settled on his present farm in 1862 ; married Elizabeth Murrish in 1862 ; she was born in
England ; they have seven children — Sarah Ellen, Annetta, William, Richard, Evalena, Lora May and
Agnes ; all are members of the Episcopal Church. Mr. P. is a Republican.
RICHARD FITZSIMONS, farmer, Sec. 24; P. 0. Mineral Point; owns 210 acres of
lind, valued at $20 per acre ; was born in Ireland in 1840 ; came to America in 1852, and located with
his parents in Mineral Point. In 1864, he went to Idaho, where he was engaged in various businesses
until 1869, when he returned to Wisconsin and settled on his present farm. In 1877, he was married to
Mary A. Spang ; she was born in England ; they have one child — Emma. Mr. F. is a Republican.
TOWN OF MINERAL POINT. 859
SAMUEIi FR AXCIS, manufacturer and dealer in furniture ; is a native of Cornwall, England,
and was born July 14, 1841 ; he learned his business there, serving an apprenticeship of seven years ;
he came to the United States in 1868, and came to Mineral Point the same year ; in 1872, he engaged in
the furniture business, and he has. by industry and close attention to business, built up a good trade ;
he belongs to the order of I. 0. 0. F., and in England was a member of the Forresters. In February,
1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Hall, a native of Cornwall, England ; they have
four children — Agnes, Richard, Bessie and Annie.
J. PETER ERIBDEIV, manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes ; was born in Luxem-
burg, Germany, Dec. 21, 1830 ; he emigrated to America and came to Mineral Point in 1854, and began
working at his trade, and has been engaged in the boot and shoe business for the past twenty-six years.
In 1856, he married Miss Martha Baum, a native of Hessing, Germany; they have eight children, four
sons and four daughters — John, Henry, Joseph, Edward, Mary, Eliza, Sophia and Lucy.
CHARLE^^ E. GrAEE, freight and ticket agent of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Rail
road ; is a native of Norwich, Conn.; he grew up and attended school there, and came West to Chicago in
1857, and was engaged in the grain and commission business ; he afterward came to Warren and engaged
in mercantile business ; he was also engaged in mercantile business at Darlington, and transacted a
large trade; in 1868, he came to Mineral Point, and was appointed freight and ticket agent of the
Mineral Point Railroad, and has since then held that position ; he is connected with the Masonic Frater-
nity, and is a member of the Blue Lodge Chapter and Commandery. Mr. Gale was united in marriage
Sept. 14, 1870, to Miss Sarah E. Cox, a native of this city, and daughter of the late Capt. Charles H.
Cox ; Mr. and Mrs. Gale have three children — Harry C, Charles A. and Annie H.
ROBERT GEORGE, metallurgist ; is a native of Germany, and was born in Prussia Nov.
11, 1820; he received his education, taking a scientific course in metallurgy and mining; he then
emigrated to this country in 1857 for the purpose of working ores at the lead mines and extracting the
silver; in. 1858, he came to Mineral Point; he rented a furnace, and engaged in treating the ores and
•extracting zinc ; he was the first to manufacture metallic zinc in the United States; he afterward went to
Colorado and engaged in treating ores, and invented methods to work the ores to make them valuable. In
1860, he married Mrs. Ida Hannis, a native of Germany ; she has three children, two sons and one daughter.
CHARLES GIIiliJlANN, proprietor of the Tornado Brewery, and Treasurer of Iowa
County; is a native of Germany, and was born Nov. 12, 1833 ; he grew up and received his education
there, and came to the United States in 1852, and came to Wisconsin the same year and located at Min-
eral Point ; in 1855, he engaged in the brewing business ; the firm of Gillmann & Spehlmann ran the
Wijconsiu Brewery; in 1874, Mr. Gillmann became the sole owner and carried on the business until May
23, 1878, when the destructive tornado which passed over this section of the State destroyed his brewery
and six buildings, including Ms dwelling-house and furniture, involving a loss of $20,000, and his own
family having a very narrow escape from death. Mr. Gillmann rebuilt the brewery the same year with a
greater capacity and with the latest improvements, and he has a large trade. Mr. Gillmann holds the
■office of County Treasurer of Iowa County, and has held the office of City Alderman ; he had nothing
when he began, and his success in life is owing to his own efforts. In 1857, Mr. Gillmann was united in
marriage to Miss Josephine Neumeyer, a native of Mineral Point ; they have nine children — Clara,
•Charles, Henry, Fred, Eddie and Willie (twins), Amelia, Lena and Alice. Mr. Gillmann is a member of
Mineral Point Lodge, No. 1, A., F. & A. M., and also of Iowa Chapter, No. 6.
ERED GILilillANlV, buyer of zinc ores for Mathison & Hegler; is a native of Meisenheim,
Oermany, and was born April 20, 1829; after reaching manhood he emigrated to the United States in 1 851 ;
he came to Wisconsin the same year and located at Mineral Point, and engaged in mercantile business for five
years, then engaged in the brewing business, and carried on that business for seventeen years ; since 1873,
has been engaged in buying zinc ore for the extensive Zinc Manufacturing Works of Mathison & Hegler,
La Salle, 111. ; he has held the office of City Alderman, in 1854, Mr. Gillmann was united in marriage
to Miss Ida Moeller, a native of Germany ; they have seven children — Fred (is an accomplished musician ;
he studied music and taught music here two years, then went to Europe and studied in the KuUock Con-
servatory of Music at Berlin, four years, and is engaged in teaching music in Chicago), Albert, Clara, Fan-
nie, Charlie, Amelia, Willie.
RICHARD GOLDS WORTHY, stone mason and contractor; is a native of Cornwall,
Eng., and was born Aug. 12, 1825 ; he learned his trade in his native place. He then emigrated to Amer-
ica in 1845, and came to Mineral Point the same year, and began working at his trade ; he has been en-
S60 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
fiaged in the business here for thirty-five years, and has erected more buildings than any other builder ir>
Mineral Point ; when he began, he had nothing, and has earned what he has. He has held the office of
City Alderman. In March 1845, he married Miss Elizabeth Carbus, a native of Cornwall, England ; they
have eight children — Mary A., John, Kichard H., Fannie, William J., CoUeir, Eobert, Alphonso.
JOHX G^RABEjR, stock-dealer, buying and shipping stock ; is a native of Germany and was
born in Prussia, Dec. 19, 1819 ; he grew to manhood there, and served in the Prussian army.
He emigrated to America in 1852, and came to Wisconsin the same year, and located in La Fayette Co.
He engaged in farming for two years, then engaged in dealing in stock ; he shipped and delivered six car-
loads of stock, the first ever received in the stock yards at Cottage Grove, Chicago ; he also delivered
the first stock in the Union Stock Yards, Chicago ; he has carried on the stock business extensively and
successfully for over a quarter of a century, and is the oldest shipper in this section of the State; he had
nothing when he came to Wisconsin, and his success in life is owing to his own efforts ; he owns a farm of
400 acres, well improved. He held office as member of the Town Board for six years ; he has been solic-
ited to accept the nomination for office, but has always refused. In 1845, he was united in marriage to
Kathrina Hied, a native of Pennsylvania ; they have had ten children, four of whom survive — George,
commission business, in Chicago ; Annie, William, Frank, at home.
JOHIV GRACE, farmer ; Sec. 10 ; P. 0. Dodgeville ; owns 180 acres of land, valued at $18
per acre. Was born in Eandolph Co., 111., in 1842 ; came to Wisconsin in 1842, with his 'parents, and
settled on his present farm in 1872. Married Catharine Phillips, in 1869 ; she was born in this county ;
they have seven children — Michael Francis, Edward, Henry, Margaret Alice, William, Agnes, John
Thomas. Members of Roman Catholic Church. Mr. G. is a Democrat.
JOHX GRAY, of the firm of Gundry & Gray, dealers in dry goods, carpets and clothing. Is a
native of Cornwall, England, and was born April 10, 1817. After reaching manhood, he came to the
United States in 1844, and came to Wisconsin in June of same year, and located at Mineral Point ;
engaged in mining ; in 1848, he engaged in general mercantile business ; in 1850, he associated with Mr,
Gundry ; the firm of Gundry & Gray have for many years transacted a large and very successful business,
and are leading merchants, not only in this county, but in this section of the State. In 1876, Mr. Gray
was elected Representative to the State Legislature, and in 1877, was reelected to the same office. In
April 1843, Mr. Gray united in marriage Ito Miss Susan Thomas, a native of Cornwall, England. They
have eight children — Susan (now Mrs. Andrews), Mary A. (now Mrs. Phil. Allen), Maria (now Mrs,
John R. Toay), Jane (now Mrs. Penhallegon), Grace, John, Ella and Sallie.
GRIFFITH GRIFFITHS, manufacturer and dealer in boots and shoes ; is a native of
Montgomeryshire, Wales, and was born in November, 1830 ; emigrated to the United States in the spring
of 1850, and came to Wisconsin the same year, and arrived in Mineral Point on election day ; began
working at his trade, and has worked successfully at the business over thirty years, a greater length of
time than any one else in the trade. In May, 1858, Mr. Griffith married Miss Ellen Jones, a native of
this county ; they have one son — Morrice R.
J. H. GUNDRY, of the firm of Gundry & Gray ; dealers in dry goods and clothing; is a son
of Joseph and Sarah Perry Gundry, and is a native of Mineral Point; he attended school here, and com-
pleted his education in this State and Illinois. In 1864, he became a member of the firm of Gundry
& Gray, and since then has been connected with the active management of the business.
JOSEPH GUNDRY, merchant; he is a native of Cornwall, England, and was born'May
11, 1822. After reaching manhood, he came to the United States in 1845, and came to Mineral
Point in June of the same year, and engaged in mining. In the fall of 1847, he returned to
England, and was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Perry, a native of Cornwall. The following year they
came to Mineral Point and settled permanently, and he entered a store as clerk, and, in the summer of
1850, he engaged in mercantile business, and has been successfully engaged in trade here over thirty
years, and is one of the most successful business men in this section of the State ; has been elected a mem-
ber of the County Board, and has held various city offices. Mr. and Mrs. Gundry have seven children —
four sons and three daughters.
JOHN HADFIEIjD, dealer in buying and shipping hides, wool, tallow and fiax-seod ; is a
native of Derbyshire, England, and was born Aug. 7, 1828. After reaching manhood, in 1850 he emi-
grated to the United States, and came the same year to Wisconsin, and located in Waukesha Co. In
1855, he came to Mineral Point, and the same year began buying hides ; has continued in the business,
since then for a period of twenty-five years, and has transacted a large and successful business. He is th&
TOWN OF MINERAL POINT. 861
largest dealer aod shipper of hides in this section of the State ; also deals extensively in wool, tallow and
flax-seed. He has built up an enviable reputation for honesty, integrity and fair dealing, and " his word
is his bond." Mr. Hadfield married Mary H. Collins irom Devonshire, England ; she died June 29, 1873,
leaving three children— Frank W., John A. and Mary E. On the 5th of August, 1874, Mr. Hadfield
was united in marriage to Mary Kogers, a native of Cornwall, England ; they have three children — Sallie
R., Emily G. and an infant son.
J. J. HASfSCOM, Mineral Point, dealer in books, newspapers, stationery, wall paper, window
shades, etc ; was born in Mineral Point in 1858 ; is the son of Joshua Hanscom.
THOMAS HARFORD, farmer. Sec. 8 ; P. 0. Mineral Point; owns 170 acres land, valued
at 830 per acre ; born in England in 1817 ; came to America in 1840, and located in Mineral Point; set-
tled on present farm in 1842. Married Rebecca Jacko in 1848 ; she, too, was born in England; have
seven children — John, Sarah, Mary, William, Jane, Thomas and Ann. Mr. H. has held the office of Jus-
tice several times.
EDWARD HARRIS, of the firm of Wilson & Harris, bankers, is a native of England, and
was born in the city of London Dec. 9, 1841 ; his parents came to the United States in 1845, and came
the same year to Wisconsin and located at Mineral Point ; he attended the common school at this place,
and completed his course at the Platteville Academy ; he afterward took a commercial course at
Bryant & Stratton's Commercial College. Chicago ; in December, 1874, he associated with Gen. Wilson,
engaged in the banking business, and established the City Bank. Mr. Harris was united in marriage to
Miss Mary Hughes July 21, 1866 ; she died Sept. 5, 1866. On the 26th of June, 1880, he was united
in marriage to Dora Owens, from Cambria. Wis. Mr. Harris has held the office of Justice of the Peace
of the town of Linden ; has served as member of the Linden Town Board ; his parents, Rees Harris and
Elizabeth (Jones) Harris, natives of Wales ; his father died Nov. 24, 1872 ; his mother is still living
here, and is 79 years of age.
THOHAS H. HASKINS, farmer. Sec. 10 ; P. 0. Dodgeville ; owns 200 acres land, valued
at 120 per acre ; was born in Dodgeville in 185J ; settled on his present farm in 1876. Married Mary I.
Goodsell in 1880.
RORfjRT H AIT, master mechanic of the Warren & Mineral Point Railroad ; is a native of
Scotland ; was born June 27, 1825 ; he learned the trade of machinist in the city of Glasgow ; he then
emigrated to America in 1856; came to Wisconsin in 1864, and since then has been connected with the
Warren & Mineral Point Railroad, and, since 1867, he has held the position of master mechanic of this
road In 1859, was united in marriage to Catharine Lang, a native of Heidelberg, Germany ; they have
five children — Lizette E., Robert P., Agnes, William K. and Henry P.
WILLIAM T. HENRY, lawyer and banker. Mineral Point; was born in St. Louis, Mo..
May 9, 1823 ; he came to Galena, 111., with his parents, in 1824, arriving there in May of that year ;
remained in Galena until the spring of 1833, when, with his parents, he took up his abode with Capt.
De Seelhorst, of Elk Grove, now in La Fayette County ; in October of 1833, he removed to Dodgeville,
where his father engaged in merchandising and was also appointed the first Postmaster ; in October, 1834,
his father located in Mineral Point, where William T. has since resided, with the exception of a brief
period spent in the gold mines of California. He attended the common schools of his locality until 1837
and 1838, when he went to Springfield and took a two-years course in the high school of that city ; return-
ing home in 1839, he entered the store of Curtis Beech, one of the pioneer merchants of the city, serv-
ing in the capacity of clerk ; was subsequently appointed Deputy Clerk of the United States Court, and
served under Dr. Edward McSherry, George W. Jones and Henry L. Dodge, and, in May, 1846, Mr.
Henry was appointed by Judge Dunn Clerk of the United States Court, which office he held until Jau,
1, 1849 ; in the interregnum between his appointments to office, Mr. Henry was engaged in mining. He
was married, Aug. 2, 1848, to Miss Nellie, daughter of Gen. William R. and Mary Smith at Mineral
Point ; had one child — William Francis, who died June 15, 1850, aged 1 year. Oct 8, 1849, Mr. Henry
started for California, via Panama, and returned to Mineral Point, via Nicaragua, Oct. 12,1851 ; he again
left for California Nov. 11, 1851, accompanied by his wife, who was then suffering with consumption. Mrs.
Henry did not live to return, having died in Sacramento City Dec. 17, 1852. William T. returned to
Mineral Point May 6, 1855, and was appointed Secretary of the Mineral Point Railroad Company, and
continued in this capacity until the road was successfully completed to this point. While acting as Secre-
tary of the Mineral Point Railroad Company, he commenced an abstract of the county and established
his law business, and, in the fall of 1861 adding thereto the banking business, all of which he still con-
862
BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES:
tinues ; aside from this, Mr. Henry is extensively engaged in mining, and, with his partner, John J. Ross,
owns perhaps the most valuable mineral range in Southwestern Wisconsin. He married Mrs. Emma
Parmele, daughter of Rev. Stephen McHugh, Sept. 18, 1856 ; she had two sons by her former marriage —
Thomas and Charles Parmele, now in Mr. Henry's bank. By this union Mr. Henry had five children,
all of whom are living — Nettie E., William T., Cora M., Emma N., Francis G. Emma N. is attending
school at Kenosha and William T., Jr., at Racine. Mr. Henry has always been a Democrat; has been
frequently elected Mayor of the city, although he is not a politician nor office-seeker, and has always pos-
sessed, in a marked degree, the confidence of the business men in the community, no matter which polit-
ical party they belonged to. He is remarkably energetic and industrious, liberal and charitable, and, amidst
his great and varied business cares, he has found time to become a learned and accomplished mineralogist.
His cabinet of minerals is one of the largest and best selected in the United States, and no man in the
State is so thoroughly acquainted with the geology of the lead region.
THOMAS HEWETT, farmer, Sec. 4; P. 0. Mineral Point ; owns 440 acres of land, valued
at $30 per acre; born in Cornwall, England, in 1816 ; came to America in 1846 and located on his pres-
ent farm. He married Mary Ann Webster in 1846 ; she was also born in England ; they have five chil-
dren— Thomas, William, Henry P., Lucy P. and Celia; are members of the Primitive Methodist Church.
In politics, Mr. Hewett is a Republican.
HOARE BROS., dealers in musical instruments of every description, also teachers of vocal
and instrumental music. Mineral Point. The above firm are Jo.seph, Martin M. and Frank E., who were
all born in the city of Mineral Point ; they are sons of John Hoare, who was born in Cornwall, England ;
they have all attended musical colleges in Chicago ; Frank and Martin were attendants of Hershey's School
of Musical Art, and Joseph of Chicago Musical College.
JOHIV A. HOARE, farmer and miner; is a native of Cornwall, England; was born Nov. 7,
1812 ; he emigrated to America in 1843; came to Wiconsin and settled at Mineral Point the same year,
and engaged in mining ; has lived there thirty-seven years ; began to work in the mines when 10 years
of age, and has worked at mining for fifty-eight years ; is one of the oldest miners there ; is also engaged
in farming, and owns 260 acres of land adjoining the city limits. In 1836, Mr. Hoare was united in mar-
riage to Miss Sallie Murrish, a native of Cornwall, England; they have seven children — William, Mary,
James, Richard, Joseph, Martin and Frank.
SAMUELi HOCKINtir, of the firm of S. Hocking & Co., dealers in hardware and house fur-
nishing goods ; is a son of John and Elizabeth Hocking, and was born in England April 15, 1845 ; his parents
came to Mineral Point, and arrived here in June of the same year ; when the war broke out in 1861, he
enlisted in Co. C, 12th W. V. I.; the regiment was called " Harvey's Pets ; " after his term of enlistment
expired, he enlisted as a veteran. In November, 1867, he was united in marriage to Miss Kate Lanyon,
a native of this county; they have four children — Rufus D., Enoch P., Jes.sie E. and an infant; have
lost two children — Archie T. and Oscar C.
JOHBf HORIV, dealer in dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes; is a native of Germany, and
was born May 1, 1829; he came to the United States in 1854, and came to Wisconsin the same year and
located at Mineral Point, and has lived here twenty-five years ; in 1864, he engaged in the mercantile
business, and, since then, for sixteen years, he has been engaged in business here. In 1858, he married
Miss Mary Geib, from Luxemburg, Germany; she came here in 1856 ; they have seven children — John,
Mary, Katie, William, Albert, George and Cecelia.
CHARJLES HORNUNCr, bakery, groceries and restaurant ; is a native of Galena, 111., and
was born Sept. 19, 1855 ; he learned the bakery business there ; he came to Mineral Point in the fall of
1879 and established his present business, and has the only bakery here. In May, 1880, he married Miss
Lizzie Engelken, from Bellevue, Jackson Co., Iowa. Mr. Hornung's father is an old settler of Galena.
REV. JOSEPH HUBER, Pastor of the German Catholic Church; is a native of Baden,
Garin.iQy, and was born Au^. 30, 1842 ; his parents emigrated to this country in 1846, and carae tj Cin-
cinnati; he received his education at the St. Francis Seminary, in Milwaukee. He was ordained March
25,1874; he officiated at Waterloo, and afterward went to Europe; upon his return, he officiated at
Golden Lake ; he came to Mineral Point in May, 1879, and, since then, has successfully officiated here.
JAAIES HUTCHIIVSOIV, Mineral Point. The subject of this sketch, a native of Newton
Stewart, County Tyrone, Ireland, was born on the 1st of March, 1819 ; is the son of Christopher Hutch-
inson and Sarah, u&e Hill ; James received a common-school education, and, after closing his studies,
worked ou his father's farm until he attained his majority. Leaving his native country about 1840, he
TOW:S' OF MINERAL POINT.
863
emigrated to the United States, and settled at Mineral Point, Iowa Co., Wis., and engaged iu mining for
six years ; upon the discovery of the Lake Superior copper mines, in 1846, lie removed thither, and was
there engaged in mining for one year, and, while thus employed, lost his light arm and right eye by an
accidental discharge of a blast from a copper mine at Lac La Belle ; as soon as he had recovered suflficiently,
he returned to Mineral Point and began to learn to write with his left hand ; the town having just been
incorporated, he, in 1847, was elected Clerk of the corporation, and held that office for one year; in the
autumn of the following year, he was elected Clerk of the Circ;uit Court, on an independent ticket, and held
that office during eight successive years ; close confinement, however, seriously impaired his health, and,
in 1857, with a view of regaining his strength, he removed to a farm of 500 acres, which he owned, five
miles from the village ; renting his farm in 1862, he engaged in the grain and stock trade ; not liking this
business, he abandoned it at the end of two years, and, in 1864, turned his attention to the lumber trade,
which he has successfully carried on since then. In 1869, Mr. Hutchinson was elected Mayor of the city,
and again elected in the spring of 1875. In political sentiment, he was formerly a Whig, but, since the
organization of the Republican party, he has been identified wit;h that body, though he is not a politician.
His reliaious training was under Episcopal influences, his parents being members of that church ; upon
settling at Mineral Point, he found no Episcopal Church in the place, and, his religious views having ma-
terially changed, he, in 1843, united with the Methodist Episcopal Church, and has continued a zealous
and consistent member ; he has held various offices in the church, and lends hearty sympathy and co-op-
eration to every benevolent and worthy enterprise. Mr. Hutchinson was married on the 17th of Novem-
ber, 1849, to Miss Phillippa J. Cox, of Mineral Point, a daughter of James and Phillippa Cox, of Corn-
wall, Bnyiland. They have had twelve children, of whom nine are now living; three sons — James W.,
Elmore Y. and Miller; and six daughters — Mary, Amy, Ena, Mattie, Lula and Bes.sie.
REV. WILLIAM JACKA, Jr., Pastor of the Primitive Methodist Church; is a native
of England, and was burn May 3, 1841 ; his parents came to the United States in 1844; they came to
Wisconsin and arrived at Mineral Point July 4, of the same year ; he received his education in this State
and prepared for the ministry; he began preaching as a local preacher, in 1863, and in 1870 he entered
the regular ministry. He has preached six years in Illinois, and four years in this State. He became
Pastor of the Primitive Methodist Church in May, 1879. In August, 1863, Mr. Jacka was united in mar-
riage to Miss Elizabeth A. Prideaux, a native of Grant Co. ; they have five children.
SAMIJEL JACKO, farmer. Sec. 8 ; P. 0. Mineral Point; owns 128i acres of land, valued
at $25 per acre ; born in England in 1838, came to America in 1846, and located in Mineral Point;
married Sarah Olney in 1858, and thpy have three children — Sarah L., Samuel H. and Eliza M. Mrs.
Jacko died in 1871. In 1876, Mr. Jacko married again, to Maria Priestly; he has two children by his
second marriage — Nellie F. and Elias J.
C H. JAMKS, jeweler ; dealer in clocks, watches and silverware ; he learned his business
here and in Chicago. After reaching manhood he established his present business in 1869, and has carried
it on since then. In May, 1879, Mr. James was united in marriage to Miss L. A. Argall, a native of
this city ; they have one son.
JAMES JAMES, retired farmer ; he is a native of Cornwall, England, and was born Feb-
uary 10, 1815; he emigrated to the United States; arriving in the city of New York April 2, 1840;
he came direct to Wisconsin, and arrived in this State April 16, 1840 ; he engaged in mining at
Wiota ; the first winter he lived in a cabin near Shullsburg, and he could see the stars through the roof ;
continued mining until 1848, then engaged in farming in the town of Waldwick. In April, 1852, he
started to California, and returned in September, 1855, and engaged in farming and carried on that business
successfully until four years ago, when he came to the city. In 1836, Mr. James married Lovina Eoe,
a native of Cornwall, fclngland ; she died Nov. 29, 1851. Mr. James married Mrs. Mary Reese, Aug. 23,
1856 ; she is a native of South Wales ; she married James Reese, from the same place, Dec. 7, 1850 ; he
died Sep. 4, 1854, leaving one son, William J., living in La Fayette Co. Mr. James has had eleven
children, four of whom survive — Susannah, married and living in Nebraska ; Richard, living on the home
farm; James D., engaged in business in this city; Joseph H., engaged in business in Sac City, Iowa.
When Mr. James arrived in Galena he only had 2 cents in his pocket ; his success in life is owing to his
own efforts ; he owns two good farms, besides other property.
J. D. JAMES, manufacturer and dealer in harness and saddlery hardware ; is a native of
Iowa, and was born in Mineral Point Dec. 29, 1847 ; he attended school and learned his trade here.
He established his present business Jan. 25, 1871, and since then he has successfully carried on the
business, and has built up a large trade here ; he has also established a branch of his business at
864
BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Wingyille, in Grant Co. When he commenced business he only had $63, but, by his industry and close
attention to the demands of his trade, he has taken a leading position in the business ; he has held the
ofiBce of Supervisor of the county, and has also served as City Alderman. The first building erected in
Mineral Point vras built on the corner now occupied by Mr. James. Mr. James VFas united in marriage
Nov. 17, 1874, to Miss Nellie Jones, a native of this city, and daughter of Joseph Jones, one of the oldest
settlers of this county.
GrliORGrEi JEjUCK, of the firm of Jeuck & Mullen, dry goods, groceries, boots, shoes, liats
and caps; is a native of Germany, and was born Sept. 13, 1840 ; he came to the United States in 1856,
and came to Wisconsin the same year; after the war broke out, he enlisted in the 'Id W. V. I., Co. I ;
he served three years, and was in all the battles of the regiment. In 1869, he engaged in the mercantile
business, and has carried it on since then ; he has served as City Alderman for six years ; he holds the
office of Supervisor ; was elected in the spring of 1880. lo 1866, he married Miss Eliza Penhallegon, a
native of England ; they have four children — ^Clara, Willie, George and Frank.
JOHN JEUCK, dealer in wines and liquors ; is a native of Germany, and was born May 2r
1829 ; he emigrated to thiscountry in 1854, and came to Mineral Point the following year, and, since 1862,
he has been engaged in business here. In 1855, he married Miss Mary Stile, a native of Highland, Iowa
Co. ; they have eight children — Mary, Barbara, Millie, John, Katie, Lizzie, Eddie, Urbe.
SAMUEL JENKINS, of the firm of S. Hocking & Co., dealers in hardware and house-fur-
nishing goods ; is a native of Cornwall, England, and was born Oct. 28, 1824 ; he came to the United
States in 1841, and arrived at Mineral Point in July of the same year, and engaged in mining; in 1850,
he went to California and returned in 1851; the following year, he engaged in mercantile business, and
carried it on for some years ; and, in 1866, engaged in his present business. He has held the office of
Supervisor, and now holds the office of City Alderman. In 1852, Mr. Jenkins was united in marriage to
Miss Elizabeth Ann Waters, from the city of New York ; they have ten children — Jeannette, now Mrs.
Weibers, Agnes, Samuel, Sarah, John, Edward, Martha (deceased), Gertrude, Annie and Amy.
JOSEPH JONES, dealer in fresh and salted meats; is a native of Bedford Co., Penn., and
was born March 6, 1818 ; he came to Wisconsin in 1834 ; arrived here March 15 of that year ; after
reaching manhood, he engaged in mining; he continued mining until 1871, when he established his pres-
ent business. Mr. Jones is one of the oldest settlers now living in this early settled section of the State ;.
during the early Territorial Legislature he was appointed Messenger by Gov. James Duane Doty, and
served in that capacity; he has also held town offices. In 1845, Mr. Jones was united in marriage to Miss
Ann Sanguin, from Pennsylvania ; they have eight children — Caroline, npw Mrs. Robert James, living
here ; George, living in New Mexico ; Lewis, living in New Mexico ; Ellen, now Mrs. James James, liv-
ing here ; Ida, now Mrs. Ensenroth, living here ; Clara ; Minta, at home ; Frank.
W. A. JONES, Superintendent of Schools of Iowa Co., Mineral Point ; is a native of South
Wales, and was born in Pembrokeshire ; his parents emigrated to the United States and came to Wiscon-
sin in 1851, and located in Iowa Co. ; he attended school here, and completed his education at the
State Normal School at Platteville ; he afterward engaged in teaching for two years ; held the position
of Principal of the schools of this city ; in the fall of 1877, he was elected Superintendent of Schools of
Iowa Co., and, in the fall of 1879, was re-elected to same position.
GEORGE S. KEEIiER, of the firm of Shepard & Keeler, livery and boarding stable; is a
native of Union Co., Penn., and was born Aug. 10, 1845 ; his parents came West to Illinois in 1848, and
located in Stephenson Co. ; he came to Iowa Co. in 1863; he engaged in his present business in Febru-
ary, 1878, and has built up a good trade. In December, 1868, Mr. Keeler was united in marriage to Mis»
Elizabeth Harris, a native of Prince Edward island ; they have two children — Almeda and Volara W.
EDWARD KINNE, dealer in groceries and provisions ; is a native of Germany and was born
Deo. 13, 1821 ; he came to the United States in 1838, and came to Iowa Co., and located at Mineral
Point in June, 1846, and engaged in cabinet-making, and continued in that business until 1858, when he
engaged in the mercantile business ; in 1860, he associated with Mr. Spratler, and the firm of Kinne &
Spratler carried on the business for twenty years ; Mr. Kinne is one of the oldest business men here. Itt
1849, he was united in marriage to Miss Kate Fick, a native of Germany ; she died in December, 1879,
leaving seven children — Emma, Millie, Edward, Willie, Kate, Bertha and Gertie.
MRS. HANNAH KISSELL, proprietor of Hotel de Kissell; a native of Yorkshire,
England, and came to America with her parents; at present engaged in the grocery and restaurant busi-
ness, keeping one of the finest places of entertainment for the weary traveler at the Point.
TOWK OF MINERAL POINT. 865
JOHN liANYOSf, dealer in dry goods, groceries, boots and shoes ; is a native of Cornwall,
England, and was born Sept. 11, 1831 ; he came to the United States in 1858, and came to Mineral
Poino the same year and engaged in mercantile business, and has established a good trade. In 1866, he
married Annie Plummer, a native of England; she died in November, 1867. In August, 1868, he
married Amelia Osborne, of Shullsburg, Wis.; they have three children — John E., Nettie B. and
Arlington 0.
JOH.9f liANirOBT, of the firm J. Lanyon & Bros., proprietors of Lanyon Foundry and Machine
Shop; is a native of Iowa Co., and was born in Mineral Point Dec. 12, 1845; he is the fourth son of
William and Mary (Bennett) Lanyon, who came to this city in 1840 ; he grew up to manhood here ;
entered the maohine-shop of his father, where he learned his trade. The firm of J. Lanyon & Bro. suc-
ceeded to the business of their father, which was established in 1849, and described in another part of
this work. In 1867, Mr. Lanyon was united in marriage to Miss Prances Jones, a native of Dodgeville;
they have two children — Vernie and Arthur.
JOSIAH IjANYON, of the firm of J. Lanyon & Bro.; is the third son of William and Mary
Bennett Lanyon, and was born in Mineral Point Aug. 25, 1841 ; he learned his trade in his father's
shops ; he and his brother succeeded to the business established by their father, in 1849 ; they have a
good trade. In 1862, Mr. Lanyon married Miss Jane Trevorrow, a native of England ; they have five
children — DeLos, Edwin, Willie, Cyrus and Mary.
R. S. liANlfON, buyer of ores for Robert Lanyon & Co., La Salle ; is a native of Iowa Co.,
and was born March 2, 1853; he grew to manhood here; he is engaged in buying zinc ore for the
smelting firm of Robert Lanyon & Co., of La Salle, III., and has charge of the business here. Mr. Lanyon
was united in marriage, Jan. 1, 1880, to Miss Martha J., daughter of Joseph Bennett, Esq., of Dodgeville,
this county.
SIMON liANYON, retired, Mineral Point; was born in St. Allan Parish, Cornwall, England,
July 3, 1815^ he grew to manhood there, and emigrated to the United States in 1838; he came to
Wisconsin the following year, and arrived at Mineral Point June 15, 1839; he engaged in blacksmithing
and mining at Linden, and was one of the early settlers there. Just before coming to this country, in
June, 1838, Mr. Lanyon was united in marriage to Miss Mary Batten ; she was born in St. Allan's
Parish, Cornwall, England, Jan. 24, 1818 ; she came here in 1840, her husband having come and pre-
pared a place for her to live ; the first house in Linden was built for her, and it was built of black walnut,
lined with white pine. In 1846, Mr. Lanyon made a farm and improved it, and, in 1860, he engaged in
farming. He has held the office of Secretary and Treasurer of Schools. When he began life, he had
nothing, and their success is owing to their own eflForts ; they own two good farms, besides other property.
Mr. and Mrs. Lanyon have had nine children, six of whom survive— Simon H. (engaged in zinc smelting
at New Pittsburg, Kan.), Mary Ann (now Mrs. George Carter, of Lemars, Iowa), William J. (farming
in Nebraska), Caroline (now Mrs. Webber), Reuben S. (engaged in business here), Franklin W. S. V.
(merchant in Kansas) ; they lost three children — Josiah, Sophia E. and Robert J. Mr. Lanyon is the
first of the Lanyon family that settled in this country, and their daughter (Mrs. George Carter) is the
first child born in the Lanyon family in America. Mr. Lanyon's uncle, Henry Lanyon, piloted the
British fleet up the Potomac River to take Washington, in 1812 ; he was afterward Captain of a man-of-
war, and was known as " Capt. Cork," on account of having a cork leg. Mr. and Mrs. Lanyon have been
consistent members of the M. E. Church over thirty-six years ; they were both converted the same day,
March 29, 1843.
WIIililAJI liANYON, Sr. ; is a native of Cornwall, England, and was born Nov. 8,
1810; he grew to manhood and was engaged in business there for ten years, and transacted a large
trade ; he emigrated to the United States in April, 1840, and the following month he came to Wisconsin,
and located in Mineral Point, and began working at the blacksmith and machinist's trade ; he afterward
engaged in the hardware, stove and tinware business, and carried on the business for some years, and
established a very large trade. In 1849, he established his foundry and machine-shops, and carried on
the business until 1875, when he gave up the active management of the business to his sons. Mr. Lanyon
has lived here over forty years, and for thirty-five years has been successfully engaged in business life. He
has held the offices of City Alderman and City Assessor. When he began life he had nothing, and his
success is owing to his own efforts and industry. Mr. Lanyon was united in marriage, April 21, 1833, to
Miss Mary Ann Bennett, a native of Cornwall, England ; they have had fourteen children, nine of whom
survive — William, Cyrus, Josiah, John, Simon S., Albert, Samuel, Robert H. and Edwin V.
8t)6 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
URANVILLiE 31. LAW, dealer in pianos, organs and musical merchandise, Mineral Point-
was born in Whiteside Co., 111., Oct. 4, 1854; resided there until 13 years of age, when his parents
removed to Mount Vernon, Linn Co., Iowa, for the purpose of educating the children at Cornell College,
where they resided until 1871, when they removed to Aledo, Mercer Co., 111., where his parents now
reside. Dec. 21, 1872, he was married to Miss Emma Bitts, a native of Mercer Co., 111., who was born
Sept. 11, 1856, and by this union there was one daughter — Mable Lois, born Sept. 24, 1873 ; they were
divorced in 1874. He engaged in business in 1874 at Sterling, 111., and remained until 1876, when he
engaged with the music house of W. W. Kimball, of Chicago, as traveling salesman, and continued until
June 3, 1880, when he engaged in business at Mineral Point. Is a stalwart Kepublican and a liberal
believer in religion.
PATRICK LEAHY, yardmaster of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul K. K at Mineral
Point; is a native of Charleston, N. H., and was born Feb. 25, 1850; his parents came to Wisconsin and
settled at Darlington ; Mr. Leahy entered the employ of the Warren & Mineral Point R. E. in 1865, and
has been connected with the company for the past fifteen years, and has held the position of yardmaster
since 1874. In 1870, Mr. Leahy was united in marriage to Miss Rose Smith, a native of this city, and
daughter of Gen. James Smith, one of the earliest settlers of the State of Wisconsin. Mr. and Mrs.
Leahy have two sons — Thomas W. and Edward J.
C W. McILHON, of the firm of Wilson & Mcllhon, attorneys and counselors at law, is a native
of Iowa Co., and was born in the city of Mineral Point Nov. 25, 1856 ; he received his education
here ; he entered the law office of Hon. Alexander Wilson, Attorney General of the State, and
studied his profession with him, and was admitted to the bar in 1877 ; on the 1st of January, 1878, he
associated with Mr. Wilson, and since then has successfully practiced his profession here.
JAMEIS McMULLAM", farmer, Sec. 23 ; P. 0. Mineral Point ; owns 260 acres land, valued
at $25 per acre; born in Ireland in 1826; came to America in 1848, and located in New Orleans; in
1852, went to California ; returned in 1854, and settled on his present farm. Married Ann O'Neal in
1854, who was born in Ireland ; they have eight children — Ann Jane, Mary E., Michael, James, Ter-
ressa, Archibald, Vincent and John. Mr. M. was elected last spring Justice of the Peace. He is a Dem-
ocrat. Are members of the Roman Catholic Church.
BER]VAR1> McMlJRROI]GH,farmer, Sec. 18; P.O. Mineral Point; owns 120 acres land,
valued at $15 per acre ; was born in Ireland in 1827 ; came to America in 1868, and settled on his pres-
ent farm. Married Mary MoCarraghan in 1856 ; she was born in Ireland ; have nine children — -Henry,
Edward, Mary E., Barnard, Margaret, John, Catharine, Patrick & Owen. AH are members of the Roman
Catholic Church.
IV. T. M ARTIST, of the firm of Martin & Toay, dealers in hardware and house-furnishing goods,
is a native of Iowa Co., and was born at Mineral Point Sept. 16, 1843 ; he attended school here, and
also attended school in Chicago ; he entered the office of the State Treasurer at Madison, and re-
mained one year; then entered the office of the Secretary of State, where he remained four years; in
1870, he engaged in his present business, and the firm of Martin & Toay have established a large and suc-
cessful trade. Mr. Martin was united in marriage to Miss Jane Mankey, a native of this city, in Septem-
ber, 1878. Mr. Martin belongs to Iowa Lodge, I. O. 0. F., also to the Temple of Honor and the Independ-
ent Order Good Templars.
JOSEPH P. MILLER, carpenter and builder, is a native of Union Co., Penn., and was born
Feb. 22, 1819 ; he grew to manhood in that State, and learned the trade of carpenter and joiner; he
afterward came West to Freeport, III., in June, 1840 ; he came to Mineral Point June 9, 1843, and
engaged in working at his trade and mining. Eight years after coming here, Mr, Miller was united in
marriage Nov. 27, 1851, to Miss Mary Ann Harrison ; she is a native of England, but was raised in Penn-
sylvania. Mr. Miller has been engaged in building for a great many years, and is one of the oldest build-
ers here ; he has also been interested in mining since 1843. He is a man of excellent memory, and very
few persons have as clear a recollection of the incidents and events of Mineral Point .since 1843 ; his grand-
father served in the Revolutionary war. Mr. and Mrs. Miller have six children, three sons and three
daughters — -Susannah B , George L., Joseph L., Mary F., Thomas H. and Hannah T.
WILLIAM J. MITCHELL, farmer, Sec 20 ; P. 0. Mineral Point; owns 517 acres land,
valued at $20 per acre; was born in Cornwall, England, in 1818 ; came to America in 1842, and settled
in this town ; has been in this county since, with the exception of four years spent in California. Married
Mary Mitchell in 1839 ; she, too, was born in England ; they have eight children — James, John,
TOWN OF MINER .VL POINT. 867
Thomas, William Henry, Edward, Elizabeth, Jane and Richard. Are members of the Primitive Meth-
odist Church. Mr. M. is a Republican.
DR. JAMES B. MOFFETT, physician and surgeon ; is a native of Bath Co., Ky., and
was born Dec. 4, 1820. He received his education in that S'ate; he then studied medicine in Ken-
tucky, and attended lectures in Washington and Philadelphia, and, after coming West, attended lec-
tures in Chicago, and graduated at Rush Medical College. He came to Wisconsin and settled in Iowa
Co. July 1, 1846, and engaged in the practice of medicine; he has successfully practiced his profession
here for a period of thirty-four years, a greater length of time than any other physician in this county.
In the early days of his practice here, he has ridden fifty miles to see a patient. In 1860, he built the
store he now occupies, and established the present drug business ; he has given little personal
attention to the business, devoting his time to the interests of his profession. In 1857, Dr.
Moffett was united in marriage to Harriet Larned, from Watertown, Jeiferson Co., N. Y. Dr,
Moffett attended the first Whig Convention ever held in this State, in 1848 ; he has held the
ofiice of Superintendent of Schools ; he is a member of the American Medical Association, and also of
the Southwestern Wisconsin Medical Association, and is now Treasurer of that body. Dr. Moffett is not
only one of the most successful physicians, but one of the most successful men in this section of the State ;
he is a large property-owner in this city and county. Dr. and Mrs. Moflfett have five children — Frank L.,
William Z., Robert Leslie, Charles T. and James B.
JOHN IVANCOIiAS, of the firm of Bishop & Nancolas, builders and dealers in furniture,
is a native of St. Austel, Cornwall, England, and was born Sept. 6, 1843. His parents came to Wiscon-
sin and settled at Mineral Point in 1848, and he grew up and learned the trade of carpenter and joiner
here, and afterward associated with Mr. Bishop and engaged in building; in January, 1877, they estab-
lished their present furniture business and have built up a good trade. He is a member of Iowa Lodge,
No. 1, I. 0. 0. P., and belongs to the Temple of Honor. He married Miss Amelia W. Terrill Aug. 22,
1865. She was born in Crown, Cornwall, England, May 11, 1844; they have one son, John T., born
Jan. 16, 1872; they have lost two daughters — Amelia, born June 7, 1868, and died Aug. 24, 1870;
Edith May, born June 26, 1876, and died March 13, 1880.
MARTIN NE COLLINS, retired; is a native of Cornwall, England, and was born May 12,
1812; grew to manhood there, and emigrated to America in 1848; came to Wisconsin and settled in
Grant Co. and began farming; was successfully engaged in farming until 1868. He sold his farm and
came to Mineral Point in May, 1870. In 1874, he built a fine house and has it nicely furnished. Was
united in marriage, June 28, 1851, to Miss Elizabeth White, a native of Cornwall, England. Their suc-
cess in life is owing to their own industry and good management. Their niece, Lizzie W., lives with
them.
J. W. ODGERS, dental surgeon; is a native of Iowa Co., and was born near this city Oct.
26, 1854. He attended school here ; studied dentistry in Central Iowa. After he completed his
studies, he returned to Mineral Point, and since then has practiced his profession here. Dr. Odgers
was united in marriage, Sept. 5, 1878, to Miss Clara, daughter of the late Elihu Hall, one of the oldest
and most honored residents of Southern Wisconsin.
REV. JAMES O'KEEFE, Pastor of St. Paul's Catholic Church, was born in the city of
New York on July 29, 1845. He removed with his parents to Milwaukee, Wis., in 1848, and, in 1852,
to Portage City, Wis., at which place he attended the public schools. In October, 1857, he entered the
Seminary of St. Francis at Milwaukee, where he remained until he completed the classical course of that
institution, together with philosophy and metaphysics. He then went to Europe and pursued his studies
at the University of Louvain, Belgium, a few miles from the city of Brussels, one of the greatest institu-
tions of learning in Europe. There he perfected himself in Latin, Greek, French and German, and com-
pleted his studies of canon law and theology, being in the same class with Bishop Spaulding, of Peoria,
111., and Archbishop Seghers, of Portland, Oregon. During his vacations while in Europe, he visited
Paris, Cologne, Frankfort and other European cities. He sailed up the Rhine and visited many places of
note, thereby acquiring a knowledge of European life and customs, that can only be obtained by years of
observation. While in Louvain, he received minor orders at the Cathedral of St. Rhombauld, in the city
of Malines, from Cardinal Stercks, Primate of Belgium, on June 9, 1865. In the year 1866, he was re-
called to St. Mary's University, Chicago, at which place he took a position as Professor of Latin until the
fall of 1867, when he returned to St. Francis Seminary at Milwaukee and accepted a professorship, which
he retained until Jan. 29, 1868, when he was ordained Priest and assigned to the pastorate of Elba, Wis.
Shortly afterward, that mis4on was divided, and he was removed to that portion of it including the city
868 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
■of Columbus, where he took up his residence and became its first Pastor. Here he really began his mis-
sionary labors; the church was in debt and there was no parsonage. Although he remained but two years,
yet during that time he succeeded in paying off the church debt, and in purchasing for the church a fine
brick house and several lots. Having displayed marked ability as a financier, he was removed to the city
■of Madison and took charge of that important mission. While there, he erected one of the finest Catholic
school buildings in the State. Here the duties and labors were so great he was compelled to apply to
Archbishop Henni for an assistant, but, failing to secure one, and Mineral Point having become vacant by
the death of Rev. F. McGann, he applied for removal to Mineral Point, which application was granted,
and, in 1870, he removed there and took charge of that mission, including Waldwick and Ridgeway. He
successfully conducted these three churches until 1875, when he built a residence at Ridgeway, and ap-
plied to the Archbishop that Ridgeway be separated from his mission and a priest sent there. This was done,
which left him in charge of Mineral Point and Waldwick, and up to the present time he has conducted
the mission in a most successful manner, the same being entirely out of debt. In 1872, he established a
free Catholic school in Mineral Point, one of the first of that kind in the State, and has also made many
valuable and permanent improvements to the church property in Mineral Point and Waldwick. Although
a consistent and indefatigable worker in his chosen field for the advancement of the Catholic religion, his
liberal ideas and genial manner, together with the many charitable acts he has done in his mission, have
endeared him not only to his own people, but to those of other denominations.
EDWJX OSBORIVE, Jr., jeweler and dealer in clocks, watches and silverware; is a native
■of La Fayette Co., Wis., and was born at ShuUsburg, Sept. 3, 1851 ; when 15 years of age his parents
removed to Galena, and, in 1868, came to Mineral Point; learned his business here ; went to Minnesota,
and lived there, and in Illinois and Michigan. In 1873, he established his present business, and has built
up a good trade. In October, 1876, he married Miss Jane Lancaster, from this city ; they have two
children — Myrtle Beulah and Jessie.
H. W. OSOORXE, homeopathic physician and surgeon ; is a native of Ashtabula Co., Ohio,
and was born Feb. 27, 1843 ; is a son of Capt. S. W. Osborne and Julia M. Osborne, who came to Wis-
consin and settled in La Fayette Co., at Darlington, in 1851 ; grew up and attended school there. When
the war broke out he enlisted in the 3d W. V. I., Co. H; participated in the battles of Gettysburg,
Antietam, Chancellorsville and others ; was wounded near Rome, Ga. ; served three years. After the war
he went South, and afterward went West, and engaged in surveying on the Burlington & Missouri K. R. ;
returned to Darlington, and began reading medicine ; then went to Cleveland, where he completed his
studies, and graduated at the Cleveland Homeopathic Hospital College in 1870. After graduating, he
practiced medicine in Kansas one year ; then returned to Cleveland, where he continued the practice of
his profession until 1876, when he came to Mineral Point, and since then has successfully practiced his
profession here. In 1872, Dr. Osborne was united in marriage to Miss Mary King, from Cleveland, Ohio.
H. T. OSBORNE, dealer in dry goods and groceries ; is a native of Cornwall, England, and
was born May 28, 1824; came to Wisconsin in 1846, and located at ShuUsburg; engaged in mining, and
afterward engaged in mercantile business there ; came to Mineral Point in 1856, and engaged in mercan-
tile business, and since then for over twenty-four years he has carried on the business here. In 1850, Mr.
Osborne was united in marriage to Miss Nanny Skewis, a native of Cornwall, England ; they have five
children — S. T., Professor of music here, William H., Annie S., Mary S. and Lewellyn.
S. T. OSBORNE, Professor of vocal and instrumental music ; is a native of Wisconsin, and
was born at ShuUsburg, La Fayette Co.. June 22, 1851 ; when 12 years of age he went to England, and
attended school there about one year, and then returned home ; after a year or more he again went to
England, and pursued his studies there ; having a great taste and talent for music, early commenced its
study ; completed his musical education at the Boston Conservatory of Music ; has been successfully
engaged in teaching music for many years, and enjoys an enviable reputation as a musician. Prof. Osborne
was united in marriage to Miss Harriet J. Stephens, daughter of the late Col. Stephens, of Dodgeville,
this county ; they have one daushter — Nina Stephens Osborne.
WILEIAM B. PA RKISON, farmer. Sec. 10; P. 0. Mineral Point; owns 270 acres of
land, valued at $40 per acre ; born in Sangamon Co., III., in 1820 ; came to Wisconsin in 1835, and settled
in La Fayette Co. in 1854 ; settled on his present farm ; married Nancy Padon in 1847 ; she was born in
St. Clair Co., 111. ; they have five children — James, Addie, Charles, Verginia and William. He has been
a member of the County Board of Supervisors for eight years. In politics, is a Democrat.
THOMAS T. PARHEIiE, Cashier of the bank of W. T. Henry ; is a native of Racine,
Wis., and came to Mineral Point in 1856; he grew up and received his education in this State; he
TOWN OF MINERAL POINT. 869
•entered the bank in 1865; in 1878, he was appointed Cashier, and since then has occupied that
position.
RICHARD J. PENHALLEGON, Jr., of the firm of E. J. Penhallegon & Son,
dealers in grain, seeds and wool; is a son of Richard J. and Emma Brewer Penhallegon, and was born in
Mineral Point Oct. 14, 1855; he grew up and attended school here, and completed his education in Chi-
cago, and since then has been engaged in business here. Mr. Penhallegon was united in marriage Nov.
-!1, 1878, to Miss Jennie, daughter of Hon. John Gray, an old settler and leading merchant. Mr. Pen-
hallegon belongs to the I. 0. G. T., and to the Temple of Honor.
JOHBf K. PERJECll^, with the Kinsman Zinc Company ; is a native of England, and was born
Aug. 27, 1836 ; he grew to manhood there, and came to the United States in 1862 ; he went to Cali-
fornia, and, for some years, was engaged in mining on the Pacific Coast; he was also Superintendenf of
Mines in Colorado ; he has had a large experience in mining and in handling ores for manufacturing zinc.
WIIililAlI PERRY, dealer in groceries and provisions; is a native of Cornwall, Eng., and
was born in 1828; he came to the United States in 1847, and came to Wisconsin the same year and
•engaged in mining; he has continued in that business over thirty years; in October, 1873, he engaged in
the mercantile business, and since then has carried on that business. lu September, 1846, he married
Miss Genifer N. Cornelious, a native of Cornwall, Eng. Mr. Perry is a member of the Masonic Frater-
nity, and also belongs to the Order of Workmen.
AliONZO W. PHIL.LIPS, farmer; Sec. 16; P. O. Mineral Point; owns 80 acres of land,
valued at S30 per acre ; was born in this town ; settled on his present farm in 1877. Married Ellen
Murrish, a native of Mineral Point; they have one child — -William.
FRED PHIIililPIS, telegraph operator and President of the Mineral Point & Dodgeville
Telegraph Company ; was born in Mineral Point March 4, 1856 ; is the son of Hugh and Priscilla
(Ladner) Phillips, who are natives of Cornwall, England. Hugh Phillips (deceased) was born Nov.
30, 1812, in Ulogan, Cornwall, England. He was united in marriage to Miss Elizabeth Donathorn, of
Redruth, same county, in 1839. In 1841, he came to America, and in 1842 to this county. His wife died
of cholera in August, 1850, leaving a family of five children, only two of whom are now living, viz., Mary
E. (wife of Capt. John P. Moore, of Port Worth, Tex.), and Edith E. (wife of Mr. Robert Burns, of New
York); On Sept. 14, 1851, he married Miss Priscilla E. Ladner, daughter of Edward Ladner, of St.
Levan's, Cornwall, England, who came with his family to this county in 1848. In September, 1855, Mr.
Phillips built and opened the United States Hotel at Mineral Point, which he ran successfiiUy till May, 1864,
when he leased his house to Nathan Pratt, of Milwaukee, for a term of seven years ; during this period, Mr.
Phillips resided on his fine stock-farm one mile west of Mineral Point, returning to his hotel in 1871. In
October, 1876, while superintending the erection of a larg:e addition to his hotel, he was injured by a fall,
from the efiects of which he never fully recovered. Mr. Phillips, accompanied by his wife, spent the win-
ter of 1879 and 1880 in the South, in the hope of regaining his health, but returned in April, 1880, but
little improved, and failed rapidly till the time of his death, which occurred May 29, 1880. His family by
his second marriage consists of six children, viz., Hugh B., employed as Bill Clerk and Express Agent by
the T. & P. R. R. Co., at Minneola, Tex. ; Edward A., engaged in farming ; William Frederic, telegraph
operator and President of the Mineral Point & Dodgeville Telegraph Company, managing the United States
Hotel ; S. Genevieve, Annie S. and Robert W.
B. PRATT, General Agent for McCormick's reapers and mowers ; is a native of Michigan, and
was born March 26, 1838 ; he grew to manhood in Indiana, and attended school there ; he came to
Mineral Point in 1875 ; he holds the position of General Agent of McCormick's reapers and mowers for
the territory of Iowa, La Fayette, Grant, Richland, the south half of Crawford, and Green Cos., Wis.,
and the south half of Jo Daviess Co., 111. ; he transacts a very large trade. In 1868, Mr. Pratt was
united in marriage to Miss Sarah H. Dewey, a native of Rutland, Vt. ; they have two children — May and
Freddie.
PAULi PRATT was born in Addison Co., Vt., March 10, 1815; he emigrated to the
State of Wisconsin in 1850, and located at Mineral Point; here he engaged in teaming; he used to
haul lead to Milwaukee and to Galena. He married Miss A. 0. Wiley, a native of St. Lawrence Co., N. Y.,
Oct. 30, 1837 ; she was born Aug. 9, 1818 ; they have three children — Hattie C, now Mrs. Flanagin,
Marion, Iowa ; Jennie, now Mrs. NefiF, lives in Texas ; Charles R. lives at Sabula.
M . W. PRATER, dealer in groceries, boots, shoes, hats and caps ; is a native of Allegany
Co., New York, and was born Sept. 12, 1840 ; when 3 years of age, his parents came to Wisconsin and
GG
870 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
located at Mineral Point in 1843 ; he grew up and learned the tinning business here; he has been engaged
in mercantile business here for twenty-three years ; he was in the hardware trade until 1867, and since then,
has been engaged in his present business. He was Messenger for two years in the State Legislature. He
is a member of the order of I. 0. 0. F. In 1858, Mr. Prater married Miss Elizabeth Curnow, a native
of England ; they have two children — William and Charles; they have lost four children — Edith, Mary,
Robbie and John.
BENJAMIN T. PBIDEA.IJX, of the firm of Devlin & Prideaux, dealers in hardware,
stoves and house-furnishing goods ; is a native of Iowa Co., and was born in Dodgeville Sept. 4, 1843 ; h&
grew up and learned his trade here. When the war broke out, he enlisted in Co. C, 31st W. V. I. ; he
served three years, and participated in all the battles of the regiment ; after his return he worked at his
trade, and in 1875, he engaged in business with Mr. Devlin, and they have built up a good trade. He
belongs to Mineral Point Lodge, No. 1, A., F. & A. M., and to Iowa Chapter, No. 6. Was united in
marriage, July 2, 1872, to Miss Louise Martin, a native of this city ; they have two children — Guy S. and
jnfant daughter.
THOMAS PRIESTIiE Y, manufacturer and dealer in harness ; is a son of George and Ellen
W. Priestley, and was born in Leeds, England, Jan. 29, 1836 ; his parents came to Wisconsin and settled
in Mineral Point in 1838, and were among the earliest settlers here; Thomas grew up to manhood and
learned his business here ; in 1860, he went to the mountains and returned the following year. After the
war broke out, he enlisted in Co. E, 11th W. V. I.; he was promoted and commissioned Captain of Co.
B, 30th W. V. I. ; he remained in the service until Sept. 20, 1865. Since the war he has been engaged
in his present business. Mr. Priestley was elected Superintendent of Schools of the city, and held that
ofiSce six years ; he held the office of Assistant Assessor of Internal Revenue for Iowa Co. In 1868, he
received the nomination for the State Legislature on the Democratic ticket, and came within forty-seven
votes of being elected in his district which has a Republican majority of five hundred. He is a mem-
ber of the Masonic fraternity, and is a member of the Blue Lodge, Chapter and Commandery ; he
is also a member of the I. 0. 0. P. Mr. Priestley was united in marriage to Miss Catharine Jane Tyack,
a native of Mineral Point, Jan. 30, 1867 ; they have three children — ^Mamie W., Harry T. and
Thomas M.
THOMAS PRISK, retired , is a native of Cornwall, England, and was born Sept. 1, 1805 ; he-
grew to manhood there, and emigrated to the United States in 1833, and came to the Territory of Wis-
consin, and arrived at Mineral Point April 1, 1834; he was one of the earliest settlers who came here ;
he engaged in mining, and after a short time bought land, and began making a farm ; in the spring of
1850, he went to California, and returned in the spring of 1853, and again engaged in mining. Mr. Pri.sk
has been twice married ; his first wife was Hannah Provice, a native of Cornwall, England ; she died in
February, 1862, leaving seven children, only two of whom survive, one daughter, Kate, now married and
living in St. Louis, and one son, John, living in Colorado ; two sons were in the army during the war ;
they enlisted and served in Co. E, 11th Iowa V. I. ; after serving their term of enlistment, they re-enlisted
as veterans ; they were in thirteen general engagements ; after the war they died of disease contracted in-
the army; Mr. Prisk married his present wife, Anna Maria Cox, June 27, 1863 ; she is a native of Corn-
wall, England , she came here in 1848 ; she married Oliver Honey Church, a native of Corn wall, England ;
he died in March 1850, leaving three daughters, Anna Maria, now Mrs. Warein ; Elizabeth Ann, now
Mrs. Cox ; Mary Jane, now Mrs. Treweek. When Mr. Prisk came here, he built a cabin by Jerusalem
Spring, and hewed the logs on the inside, and they said he was making it very stylish ; he had nothing
when he came, and earned what he has, by his own industry.
JOHN H. PROCTOR, farmer. Sec. 3 ; P. 0. Mineral Point ; owns 200 acres of land,,
valued at $30 per acre. Born in England, in 1840 ; came to America in 1850, and located with his
parents in La Fayette Co. Was married to Elizabeth Mathews, in 1860, a native of Ohio; they have
four children — William M., Morris, Annis and Jennie.
R. DE LiOS PUIiFORD, druggist; is a native of Onondaga Co., N. Y., and was born Dec.
13, 1822. In 1839, he came West with his parents, locating at Michigan City, Ind. ; during the same
year, R. De Los immigrated to Mineral Point for his health, and remained here until the fall of 1 840,
when he returned to Michigan City. In 1843, he came West again with his parents, and took up his
permanent abode in Mineral Point. He opened a drug store opposite his present place of business, and
has continued in the drug business since then, a period of thirty-seven years, and is the oldest merchant
without change of firm name in the State. Mr. Pulford's father was a practicing physician, and was
recognized as the most eminent in the Northwest. In 1852, De Los was united in marriage to Emerilla.
TOWN OF MINERAL POINT. ^"1
Hobart, of Onondaga Co., N. Y. Mr. Pulford is a member of the ilasonic fraternity, and is one of the
most prominent as well as the oldest living member of the Grand Body of the State. He was initiated in
Mineral Point Lodge, No. 1, and has been an exalted member of the Grand Body since 1848. He was
initiated in 1846; was exalted Dec. 17, 1848, Milwaukee Chapter, No. 1, and was knighted June 27,
1851, Wisconsin Encampment, No. 1 ; in June, 1873, he was elected Grand Master of the State; he was
Deputy Grand Master at an early day, and held various other offices io the Grand Lodge. Mr. Pulford
is now a consistent, conscientious and enthusiastic member of the fraternity.
WILililAM RAItlilN, retired farmer ; is a native of Cornwall, England, and was born iu the
Parish of Camborne, Deo. 11, 1809. After reaching manhood, he was united in marriage on the 4th of
March, 1835, to Miss Lavinia Prince ; she was born in the Parish of Camborne, April 19, 1813 ; soon after
being married, they came to the United States, and came direct to the Territory of Wisconsin, acd arrived
at Mineral Point on Saturday evening, June 27, 1835; the next day, Sunday, the first day .spent in
their new home, there were seven fights; it was a new experience to them, and it did not create a very
favorable impression. He engaged in mining at Linden, with his brother ; they had a cabin or sod house, built
in the side-hill ; his wife came out from the Point to visit him, and, notwithstanding his protests that the place
was unfit for her to live in — like the true wife that she was, and has always been — she insisted, that, if it
was good enough for him, it was good enough for her, and she would share it with him, and she did so ;
they afterward built a log house ; on Sunday, when there was preaching at some cabin, they were obliged
to cross a swampy place, and he would take his wife in his arms and carry her, jumping from one bog to
another in doing so. Mr. Rablin continued mining about seven years. In February, 1843, he went
to Dodgeville, and opened the first tavern ever kept in that place; in the spring of 1844, he
moved on his farm, four miles south of Mineral Point, and engaged in farming; in 1846, he bought the
lots where he now lives, and built a small house twelve feet square ; his wife was not strong, and the place
was built and partially furnished, so that they could always have a place to stop and rest, when they came
in town to trade, or attend church, without disturbing their friends ; the place was familiarly known as
" Castle Montgomery; " it was a place of rest and refreshment for them, for many years. Mr. Rablin was
successfully engaged in farming and stock-raising for many years. In 1867, he removed to the city and built
the house where he now lives, and since then has resided here ; he has recently sold his farm of 600 acres ;
when he came here, he had very little, but by his industry and good management he has accumulated a
competency. Mr. and Mrs. Rablin have lived here over forty-five years, and are now among the oldest
living settlers of Iowa Co.
E. «-. REYNOLDS, farmer. Sec. 22; P. 0. Mineral Pointy owns 118 acres of land, valued
at $25 per acre ; was born in New York in 1841 ; came to Wisconsin, in 1850, and located in Green Co.,
in 1865; settled on his present farm. Married Mary A. Thomas, in 1865; they have two children —
Clarence D., born in 1866, and Jessie W., in 1876. Mr. R. enlisted in the 10th Light Artillery, in
1861, and was discharged in 1865 ; was in thirty-three different engagements and eight general battles.
Religion, Methodist. Is a Republican in politics.
JOHN J. ROSS, capitalist ; is a native of Ireland, and was born in the county of Tyrone,
Nov. 29, 1819 ; he emigrated to the United States, and came to Wisconsin in July, 1839, and located at
Mineral Point, and was one of the early settlers here ; he engaged in mining ; in 1849, he went to Califor-
nia ; started January 13, in company with five others ; he returned at the close of the same year ; he
brought to Galena the first $20 gold piece made from California gold ; he resumed his mining operations,
and has successfully carried on the business of mining and smelting over forty years ; he has carried on
the business more extensively than any other person in this State; he has sold mineral as high as $102
per thousand; in June, 1865, he sold 500,000 pounds of mineral at $70.50 per thousand, the largest sum
ever realized at a single sale of mineral in this mining region ; he, with William T. Henry, owns at Linden
the largest, best and most extensively worked zinc mine in this State, and from which they are producing
a large amount of mineral ; for some years, Mr. Ross has been engaged in raising fine blooded stock —
horses, cattle, sheep, hogs — and he has some of the finest stock in the State ; when he came here, he only
had thirteen sovereigns, and by his own energy he has become one of the most successful business men in
this State ; he owns, besides his large mineral and mining interests, over 3,000 acres of land ; also city
property ; he is a member of the County Board of Supervisors from this city, and also a Director in the
Warren and Mineral Point Railroad; he was one of the Commissioners to settle the Iowa Countv Bond
Debt, and has held town offices. In 1854, he was united in marriage to Miss Sarah Sproule, in this city ;
they have three sons-^ William S., Samuel and Charles.
872 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
HEWRY SCHELLEXGER, deceased; is a native of Erie Co. Penn., and was born in
1815; his parents came West to Kaskaskia, 111., in 1819 ; he learned the trade of blacksmith in St. Louis;
in 1835, came to Wisconsin and settled at Wiota, La Fayette Co., and in 1840, came to this county ; began
mining and engaged in farmiug. In 1840, he married Miss Mariha Bigelow, a native of New York
State ; Mr. Sohellenger died Aug. 29, 1872, leaviog three sons and six daughters ; Mrs. Schellenger is
still living in Platteville.
SILiAS H. SCHELiIiEN€rER, teacher. Mineral Point ; is a native of Iowa Co. ; was born
April 8, 1846 ; he attended school here, and afterward graduated at the State Normal School, at Platte-
ville ; since then has been engaged in teaching and farming. He married Miss Clara M. Keene, from
Grant Co., Wis., Dec. 28, 1875; they have two children — Edna May and Stella Corione.
NICHOLAS SCmiiljEN, proprietor of the Globe Hotel ; is a native of Germany, and was
born in Prussia June 10, 1833 ; he emigrated to the United States in 1857, and came to Wisconsin the
same year, and located at Mineral Point, and has lived here twenty-three years; in 1873, he opened the
Globe Hotel, and siace then has carried on that business. In 1860, he married Miss Anne Stiles, a native
of Highland, this county ; they have seven children — Katie, Mary, Nicholas, Barbara, Henry, Annie aod
Clara.
F. W. SHEPARD, of the firm of Shepard & Ellis, dealers in foreign and American marble
monuments and headstones ; is a native of Iowa Co., and was born in Mineral Point Dec. 27, 1857 ; he
learned his trade here ; in 1877, he engaged in his present business, and the firm of Shepard & Ellis have
built up a good trade in this section of the State. In April, 1879, he married LMisa Lucy Pierce, a native
of this city.
CHARLES SHERMAIV, proprietor of Peoatonica Mills, Mineral Point (owns 22 acres of
land, valued at $75 per acre) ; born in Connecticut in 1811 ; came to Wiscon,sin in 1845, and settled on
his present farm. Married Mary J. Seeley, she, too, is a native of Connecticut; they were married in
1833, and have seven children — Sarah J., Theodore, George Clinton, Emeline, Antinette, Frederick and
Augusta. In politics, is a Republican.
GEN. JAMES SMITH ; is a native of Ireland, and was born in 1801 ; when only 16 years
of age, in 1817, he emigrated to the United States; he attended Pittsfield Academy, in Massachusetts,
John Van Buren being a schoolmate at the same time. In 1831, he, with Lieut. Knowlton, brought
750 men to Green Bay, Wis, ; they were distributed among the several forts ; he returned to Philadelphia
and New York several times for recruits ; he served in the Black Hawk war ; he served under Gen. Scott
and Gen. Taylor, with Jeff Davis, Stonewall Jackson and many other officers of the late rebellion ; he
saved the life of Gen. Scott at one time on their way from Portage to Green Bay ; he came to Mineral
Point in 1836 ; after coming here he was visited at his own house by Gen. Zach Taylor, who wanted him
to go with him and serve in the Florida war ; after coming here he was in the land office until its removal ;
he has lived here forty-four years, and his house is one of the oldest in the State. In 1817, Gen. Smith
was united in marriage to Miss Ann McSherry, a native of Ireland; they have been married sixty-three
years, and have had a large family of children.
ISAAC SlITHERS, dealer in iron and rags, is a native of Iowa Co., and was born Jan. 21,
1846 ; he has made this his home for thirty-five years. After reaching manhood, he married Miss
Harriet Woolrich, a native of Cheshire, England, Sept. 12, 1868. He is engaged in the iron and rag
business, and is also interested in mining. They have three children — James, Prank and an infant
daughter. William and Harriet Luthers, the parents of Mr. Luthers, were natives of Yorkshire, England,
and were early settlers here ; he was engaged in farming until a few years before his death ; he died in
September, 1877, and his wife, Harriet Luthers, died Aug. 13, 1878 ; they left five children, three sons
and two daughters, all living in this county.
J. MONTGOMERY SMITH. Searching the streets of Athens with a lantern, Diogenes
illumined a truth of his own discovering, namely, that honest men are a nations rarest as well as most
precious jewels, and we have discovered that of those who shine in the crown of the Republic, none have
a higher worth than the faithful administrators of the law. Prominent on the roll of true and good men,
we find the name of J. Montgomery Smith, a native of Pennsylvania ; he was born at Big Spring, Bedford
Co., Feb. 26, 1834 ; came to Wisconsin with his father, the late Gen. William R. Smith, in January, 1838,
and settled at Mineral Point. He received a common-school education, but depended principally on his
father for instruction and aid in prosecuting his studies ; commenced a regular course of reading, prepara-
tory to studying law, under the guidance of his father, in 1848, and applied himself diligently to reading
TOWN OF MINERAL POINT. 873
history and elementary law books until 1852 ; he then made an overland trip to California ; returned to
Wisconsin in 1855 and resumed his legal studies at Madison, where he spent two years in the Attorney
General's office while his father held that position; returned to Mineral Point in 1859, and soon after
entered the law office of Hon. J. H. Clarey, where he remained until the fall of 1862, when he applied to
the Iowa County Circuit Court for admission to the bar, the late Judges Dunn and Crawford, having been
appointed n committee with Hon. J. H. Clarey, to whom the matter was referred, after a thorough exarai-
tion in open court ; having reported favorably, he was admitted, and has since that time practiced his chosen
profession, and by diligence and industry has succeeded in establishing a large and lucrative law business.
In politics, Mr. Smith is a Democrat, and has twice been elected District Attorney for Iowa County,
although at both elections the county gave a large Republican majority ; was also elected Superintendent
of Schools, and is now serving his second term as Mayor of the city of Mineral Point ; the Democrntic
Convention in 1879 nominated him by acclamation fir Attorney General, and the Third Congressional Dis-
trict in 1880 selected him as one of the delegates to Cincinnati, where he warmly supported Gen. Hancock.
Mr. Smith is very quiet and reserved in his manners and domestic in his habits and tastes. He has been
twice married, the first time in 1862 to Antonia Hildebrand, who died in 1868. In November, 1S70, he
was married to Mrs. Jennie M. Crawford; his family consists of a son by his first wife, and a dau<ihter
the fruit of his second marriage. During business hours, Mr. Smith can always be found at his office, but
his evenings are spent at home in the bosom of his family. He possesses one of the largest and best-
selected libraries in the State. In public office he worked for the good of his constituents, and was economical,
systematic and prompt in all his departments of duty. As a man and public officer, Mr. Smith pos-
sessed the unlimited confidence of the people, and through his varied career has maintained a character
above suspicion or reproach. He has been a liberal contributor to churches and benevolent enterprises of
various kinds, and in all that pertains to the welfare of this city or the good of his fellow-men, he is ready
at all times to lend a cheerful support.
WIIiliJAM SMITH, blacksmith ; is a native of Lancashire, England, and was born Jan.
26, 1832 ; he emigrated to America in 1851, and came to Mineral Point the following year and learned
his trade here; in 1862, he engaged in business for himself, and has carried it on since then ; he is the
oldest blacksmith now in business here ; he is a member of Iowa Lodge, No. 1,1. O. 0. P. ; also of I. O.
G. T., and the Temple of Honor. In April, 1858, he was united in marriage to Miss Phillipi Gates, a
native of Cornwall, England ; they have three children — -Mary, Annie, Willie ; they have lost one daugh-
ter— Annie.
HAfCKl^R SPENSIiElT (deceased) ; was a native of Yorkshire, England, and was born in
1813 ; he emigrated to America in 1848 ; came to Dubuque the following jear ; then to Wisconsin, and
located at ShuUsburg, La Payette Co., and engaged in mining and smelting ; in 1856, he came to Mineral
Point, where he carried on the smelting business until a few years before his death, when he gave the en-
tire management of his business to his son, who still continues the business. He married Mrs. Kuth
Spensley, born in Yorkshire, England ; she died in 18:7; Mr. Spensley died in 1876; leaving two
sons — John and Calvert.
JOHIV SPESTSfjEY, proprietor of Spensley's Smelting Furnaces ; is a native of Yorkshire,
England ; was born May 22, 1841 ; his parents came to the United States in 1848 ; they came to Wis-
consin the following year and located in La Fayette Co., at ShuUsburg, and, in 1856, they came to Mineral
Point ; he grew up and received his education in this State ; in 1872, he succeeded his father in the
smelting business, and since then has been engaged in mining and smelting ; has a large farm of 40(J acres
adjoining the city ; has held the office of City Alderman. Was united in marriage, Oct. 8, 1 872, to Miss
Mary J. Waller, of Dubuque, daughter of the late Robert Waller, one of the oldest and most honored resi-
dents of that city ; they have three children — -Harker B., Robert \V. and Maria.
JAMES SPENSLEY, farmer and smelter, Sec. 36 ; P. 0. Mineral Point ; the subject of
our sketch was born in Yorkshire, England, on the 17th of April, 1833, and is the son of Richard and
Alice Spensley ; when he was 6 years old his parents emigrated to America and settled in Dubuque
Co., Iowa, where he passed his early life, receiving a comujon English education, and assisting in his father's
work; being of an adventurous turn of mind, he left home at the age of 16, and, with an ox-team, started
across the plains for California ; owing to the large emigration of that year (1850). the feed of every
kind on the way was consumed, and, when within 600 miles of Placerviile, his point of destination, he was
obliged to abandon his team and walk the remainder of the way ; having only about four pounds of flour
and one and one-half pounds of bacon to subsist upon, he endured the severest perils, but with a stout
heart ; finally, at 10 o'clock on Thursday, the 24th of August, he reached the end of his long journey ;
874 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
he worked for his board until Saturday night, and, during the next week, engaged in mining, having met
with some friends who supplied him with an outfit of tools ; continuing this employment for nearly three
years, with varied success, he, in April, 1853, left the mines and went to San Francisco, intending to era-
bark for Australia; he, h.iwever, changed his purpose, and took passage for New York, via Panama, and
arrived at his home in July ; about this time his father moved to Galena, 111., and engaged in the smelting
business at that place ; his health having become greatly impaired by exposure, he was unable to attend to
any regular business during the following three years, more than to assist in keeping his father's accounts ;
at the expiration of this time, having recovered his health, he removed to Mineral Point, Wis., and, form-
ing a copartnership with his father and brother, established himself in the smelting business, under the
firm name of James Spensley & Co. ; in 1861, the partnership was dissolved by mutual consent, and, from
that time until the present (1880), he has conducted the business in his own name, and, by careful and
judicious managen^ent, and close application to business, has made it a financial success; he is, besides,
lar/ely engaged in farming interests. His political sentiments are Republican, and, although he has no am-
bition tor political emoluments, he was elected to the State Legislature in 1866, and there rendered good
servire ; all worthy matters of public interest readily enlist his sympathies, and he heartily supports any
enterprise tending to the welfare of the town or State. He is a leading member of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, and has always lent a willing hand in furthering the cause of religion in his community.
Mr. Spensley was first married, on the 24th of September, 1856, to Miss Elizabeth Ann Todd, daughter
of George and Elizabeth Todd, of Jo Daviess Co., 111. ; Mrs. Spensley died on the 11th of June, 1873,
leaving a family of eight children. Visiting England in 1874, he married his second wife, Elizabeth Ann
Spensley, daughter of Thomas and Elizabeth Spensley, of Reeth, Yorkshire, on the 12th of May ; she
died March 15, 1877. and on Dec. 29, 1879, he was married to Miss Annie S. Osborne, daughter of H.
T. and Annie Osborne, of Mineral Point. Mr. Spensley's excellent personal qualities have secured him
many warm friends, and he lives in the enjoyment of an ample competence, commanding, by his
upright life, the highest respect of all with whom he has to do.
liAWREWCE SPITZBARTH, farmer; Sec. 24; P. 0. Mineral Point ; owns 40 acres
of land, valued at $30 per acre; was born in Germany in 1841 ; came to America in 1849 with his
parents and settled on their present farm, containing 270 acres. His father, August Spitzbarth, was born
in Germany, and married Margaret Pritch, a native of Germany ; they have five children — Lawrence (the
subject of the above sketch), Hannah, Benhart, John, Maggie.
J. A. SPRATIjER, dealer in groceries, provisions and crockery ; is a native of Germany,
and was born in Bavaria July 9, 1836 ; he came to the United States in 1852, and lived in Freeport, and
attended school there; he came to Mineral Point in 1856; he formed a partnership with E. Kiane in
18G0, and the firm of Kinne & Spratler was one of the oldest firms in the city ; they carried on the mer-
cantile business together for twenty years in the same location they now occupy. Mr. Spratler is a mem-
ber of the Masonic Order, and is Master of Mineral Point Lodge, No. 1, the oldest lodge in the State;
he is also King of Iowa Chapter, No. 6. In 1859, Mr. Spratler was united in marriage to Miss Emma
E. Fick ; they have nine children — Albert, Millie M., Lawrence E., Laura E., Rudolph H., Bertha E.,
Fred W., Louis H. and Walter H.
HON. MOSES M. STRONG.* Moses McCure Strong is of Puritan stock. His paternal
ancestor. Elder John Strong, emigrated to America in 1629, and settled at Dorchester, Mass. He died at
the age of 94 years at Northampton. The father of Mr. Strong was educated as a lawyer and became
distinguished at the bar. In 1825, he was called to the bench, whence he retired to private life. Moses
McCure Strong was born at Rutland, Vt., May 20, 1810. He derived his earliest educational instruction
from his mother. He was five years at the village school, thence went to the grammar school at Castleton,
Vt. In 1825, he entered the Freshman Class of Middlebury College, Vt. Three years after, he joined
the Senior Class of Dartmouth College, where he graduated in 1829. Having graduated, he entered the
law office of Rodney C. Royce, and, at the expiration of one year, he entered the law school at Litchfield,
Conn., where he remained one year, when, after a thorough examination in open court by the judges and
members of the bar, he was admitted to practice in all the courts of Connecticut. In 1836, he removed
to Wisconsin. In July, 1832, Mr. Strong was married to Miss Caroline Frances Green, daughter of Dr.
Isaac Green, of Windsor, Vt. In 1833, he received the appointment of Deputy Surveyor General of the
State of Vermont. In 1835, when the Democratic and Whig parties were being organized for the
approaching Presidential election, although Mr. Strong's father, and numerous relatives, were all Whigs,
yet the leading measures of Jackson's administration met his approval, and he cut loose from his political
*Prepared by Col. W. B. Slaiigliter.
TOWN OF MINERAL POINT. 875
associations, and supported Mr. Van Buren for the Presidency. In 1836, while at Washington City, he
was engaged by Gov. Hubbard and others to invest large sums of money in Government lands, and under
their directions, he went directly to Mineral Point, in Wisconsin, and invested the funds intrusted to him.
Upon his arrival he opened a law and land agency office, and has made that place his home ever since. In
1837, Mr. Strong received an appointment from Gen. Lytle for surveying Government lands on the west
side of the Mississippi River, in what are now Jackson and Dubuque Counties. In 1838, he was
appointed United States Attorney for the Territory of Wisconsin, which office he held three years, dis-
charging its duties with punctuality and ability, and acquiring high professional distinction. In 1841,
Mr. Strong was elected a member of the Legislative Council to fill a vacancy, and, in 1842, was re-elected
for the full term of four years, in which he took a prominent and active part in all questions brought
before it, and was twice elected as its President. He was elected as one of the delegates to the conven-
tion which assembled in Madison in 1846, and took a leading part in framing the first constitution. This
constitution was submitted to the people for adoption, and, after very exciting discussions throughout the
State, was rejected. Another constitution was adopted in February, 1848, and ratified by the people in
March of that year. In November, 1849, Mr. Strong was elected to the Assembly, and, at the meeting
of the Legislature in 1850, was chosen Speaker. The session lasted thirty-four days, being the shortest
ever held in the State, mainly due to the promptness and ability of the Speaker.
In 185ii, he devoted much of his time in aiding the construction of the La Crosse & Milwaukee
Railroad, and, afterward, in constructing the Mineral Point Railroad. He drew up the charter of the
La Crosse Railroad, and its adoption was due chiefly to his elForts. He was elected its first President, and
•continued in its management until the financial disaster of 1857. He was also President of the Mineral
Point Railroad, which he materially benefited by successful arrangements with the Illinois Central &
■Galena and Chicago Railroads. Mr. Strong spent six years in promoting the success of these enter-
prises, which withdrew him from his profession of the law, and it required years of laborious eiFort to
regain what he had lost. Mr. Strong, from early education and habit of thought, is a firm believer in the
Christian religion, and, being attracted by the beautiful and classic liturgy of the Episcopal Church, he
took an active part in organizing a church in Vermont, and was a member of the Vestry. On removing
to Mineral Point, he, with a few other churchmen, organized Trinity Church in that parish, of which he
has ever since been a Vestryman, and in which he received the rite of confirmation at the hands of
Bishop Kemper. Since then he has been a regular communicant, and frequently a delegate to the Diocesan
Uonvention. His religious character has nothing of asceticism in it. He has always indulged in the
innocent amusements of life. Since 1858, he has avoided public life, and confined himsi-lf chiefly to his
professional duties in the practice of the law. His chief care for the last few years has been to provide
for the education of his son and daughter. In 1863, the two children went with their mother to New
Haven, Conn., she remaining with them four years, when his son completed his collegiate course at Yale
College, graduating in 1867, at the age of 21. His daughter during the same time was educated at the
ladies' school, in charge of the Misses Edwards. Mr. Strong's sou remained one year longer in the Shef-
field Scientific School, connected with Yale, with the view of qualifying himself for the profession of a
mining engineer. He was then sent to Germany, where he spent two years in the best mining schools of
the country. Since his return to America, in 1870, he has been engaged in railroad engineering, until in
1873 he was appointed Assistant State Geologist. Mr. Strong is gratified with the success of his efi'orts
in the education of his children. Nature has endowed Mr.- Strong with some rare gifts, among them a
vigorous physical constitution, an intellectual ability of a high order, logical, discriminating and compre-
hensive. He is an able debater, a close reasoner, an impressive, and occasionally an eloquent, speaker.
He has acquired an enviable reputation at the bar and in the legislative councils, in which bodies, as a
Parliamentarian and presiding officer, he has had no superior in the State. But his knowledge of the
principles of law, his calm deliberation, his logical power and his analytical acumen, belter fit him for the
bench than the bar. If elevated to that position, his ability, learning and experience will enable him to
reflect as much honor on that exalted station as its sanctity and dignity would reflect upon him.
E. W. SYLVESTER, retired farmer. Mineral Point ; is a native of Franklin Co., Me., and
was born Aug. 25, 1820 ; after reaching manhood, he came West ro Wisconsin in the spring of 1843, and
taught school near Platteville; in the spring of 1846, entered land from Government in this county and
made a farm ; in 1850, went to California, and returned in 1852 ; was successfully engaged in farming fur
thirty years, and still owns a good farm of 500 acres finely improved ; when he came to Wisconsin, he only
'had a few dollars, and his success is owing to his own efforts and good management ; has held the office of
"Town Superintendent of Schools, and was Assessor for many years. He was united in marriage April 23,
876 BIOGBAPHICAL SKETCHES:
1856, to Miss Nancy Howard, a native of Indiana; she came to this State in 1850 ; they have two chil-
dren— one daughter, Nettie, and one son. Homer ; they lost two children in infancy.
II ARK W. TERRIIili, proprietor of the City Hotel ; is a native of Iowa Co., and was born
Jan. 26, 1840 ; he grew to manhood here, and during the war enlisted in Co. I, 2d W. V. I., and
served over three years ; since the war, he has been engaged in the hotel business. In 1858, ho married
Miss Elizabeth Ann Kablin, a native of Corowall, Eng. ; she died in November, 1878, leaving three chil-
dren— Mark W., William and James R. In 18*79, he married Miss Laura Andrews, daughter of the late
Robert Andrews, who was one of the earliest settlers of this county and served in the Black Hawk war.
Mr. and Mrs. Terrill have one daughter — Nettie.
WIIjLiIAM TEjRRILL (deceased) was a native of Cornwall, Eng., and was born in 1813 I
he emigrated to the United States in 1835, and came to Mineral Point the same year and engaged in min-
ing ; for many years he kept the " Stag Inn Hotel," well known to all the early settlers in this section of
the State. In March, 1838, he married Miss Eliza Crowgey, a native of Cornwall, Eng. ; she was
born in April, 1819. Mr. Terrill died Feb. 9, 1864, leaving one son, Mark W., and one daughter,
Lizzie.
JOHN TEMBY, farmer. Sec. 4 ; P. 0. Mineral Point ; owns 133 acres land, valued at $35 per
acre ; born in Cornwall, Eng., in 1835; came to America in 1854, and located in this county. Married
Grace Bennett in 1857 ; she, too, was born in England; have six children — Joseph J., Eliza J., Annie
Edith, William Henry, Elizabeth and Alvin.
JOHX THIBS, dealer in groceries and provisions, is a native of Germany, and was born in the
Grand Duchy of Luxemburg Aug. 6, 1846 ; his parents emigrated to America in 1857, and came to Wis-
consin the same year, and located at Mineral Point; he grew up and attended school here ; engaged in his
present business in 1874, and has carried it on since then. In 1874, he married Miss Mary Ketter, a
native of the Grand Duchy of Luxemburg, Germany ; they have four children — Annie, Henry, John P..
and Mary.
JAMES TOA Y, retired, is a native of Cornwall, Eng., and was born Nov. 29, 1823 ; he grew
to manhood there, and came to the United States in 1842, and came to Wisconsin and arrived at Min-
eral Point June 21, 1842 ; he engaged in copper mining, and continued in that business until 1850, when
he went to California, and remained there for eighteen months, and then returned and engaged in farming
in the town of Linden, and carried on that business for eighteen years, when he moved in the city, and
since then has not been engaged in active business. Five years after coming to Mineral Point, Mr. Toay
was united in marriage Nov. 13, 1847, to Miss Ann Vivian, daughter of Francis Vivian, one of the oldest
settlers now living in this section of the State ; he came here in 1832. Mr. Toay has held various county
offices ; he was elected a member of the Board of County Supervisors ; he was Chairman of the Town
Board of the town of Linden for five years ; he was elected President of the Iowa County Agricultural
Society, and for four successive years he was elected President of the Southwestern Wisconsin Industrial
Association ; when he came here, he had very little ; he owns some of the most desirably located property
in the city ; he has been actively identified with the interests of the county, and his success in life is owing
to his own efforts. He is a consistent member of the Primitive Methodist Church.
JOHIV TOAY, deceased; was a native of Cornwall, England, and was born in ]820; after
reaching manhood, he emigrated to America with his brother James Toay, and Philip Allen ; he came to
Mineral Point the same year and began working at his trade of stone-mason and plasterer, and carried on
that business for twenty years ; he was a partner of Mr. Allen's in mercantile business for many years. In
the fall of 1846, he married Miss Louise Richards, a native of Cornwall, England. Mr. Toay represented
the Southern Assembly District of Iowa Co. in the State Legislature ; he was prominently identified with
the interests of his church, after coming to this country; was a local preacher until his death, which oc-
curred in the spring of 1867 ; he left seven children — John R., James M., Simon, Samuel M. Mary L.^
Hattie and Lizzie. Mrs. Toay still resides in the place where they were married.
JAMES M. TOAY, of the firm of Martin & Toay, dealers in hardware, stoves and house fur-
nishing goods ; he is a native of Iowa Co., and was born in Mineral Point Sept. 24, 1854 ; he attended
school, and learned his trade here ; soon after reaching his majority, in the spring of 1877, he associated
with Mr. Martin and engaged in his present business, and they have built up a large and leading trade.
Mr. Toay was united in marriage to Miss Louise Jacka, a native of this city, Oct. 10, 1878 ; they have
one son — John Spencer Toay. Mr. Toay is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and belongs to Mineral
Point Lodge, No. 1.
TOWN OF MINEEAL POINT. 87T
JOHX R. TOAY, of the firm of Toay Bros., dealers in groceries, provisions, boots and
shoes ; is the eldest son of John and Louise Richards Toay, and is a native of Iowa Co.; he was born in
Mineral Point Jan. 27, 1850 ; he attended school here, and afterward entered his father's store as
clerk ; he established their present business in 1877, and the firm of Toay Bros, have built up a large,
successful trade. In December, 1873, Mr. Toay was united in marriage to Miss Maria Gray, daughter of
Hon. John Gray, an old settler and a leading merchant of this city. Mr. Toay is a member of Iowa
Lodge, No. ] , I. 0. 0. P.; also belongs to the A. 0. U. W., and to the I. 0. G. T.
PETER TOA.Y, decea.sed ; was a native of Cornwall, England, and was born in 1818 ; he em-
igrated to the United States and came to Mineral Point in 1840, and engaged in mining ; in 1849, he
went to California, and returned in 1851. Mr. Toay married Jane Martin, a native of Cornwall, England;
she was one of the early settlers here. Mr. Toay died in 1858, leaving three children — Peter, Martha J.
(now Mrs. Noble) and Annie (now Mrs. Rogers). Mrs. Toay still resides here, and is now Mrs. Jane
Hills.
JOHIV P. TRAMEIi, City Clerk and Justice of the Peace ; is a native of Kentucky, and
was born in Clark Co. Deo. 24, 1820; he lived in that State until 16 years of age, when he came to
Mineral Point, arriving here March 19, 1840 ; he entered the law ofiBce of Frank Dunn, brother of Judge
Dunn. Mr. Tramel was Deputy Clerk of the Courts of this county under Gen. George W. Jones, now of
Dubuque. In 1844, Mr. Tramel was united in marriage to Miss Martha D. Nichols, a daughter of Col.
Abner Nichols, who came to Wisconsin Territory in 1827. Mr. Tramel was appointed and served as Dep-
uty Sheriff under James H. Gentry, who was appointed Sheriff by Gov. Dodge. Mr. Tramel was en-
gaged in the hotel business; he kept the Franklin House, which was burned in November, 1844, and
was afterward engaged in the hardware business here ; he holds the oflSce of Justice of the Peace ; he
was first elected to that oflBce in 1858 ; he has held the office of City Clerk for the past four years ; he is
a member of the Masonic order, and has served as Master of Mineral Point Lodge, No. 1, the oldest lodge
in the State ; he is also Secretary of the Blue Lodge and the Chapter. Mr. and Mrs. Tramel have six
children — Charles, now engaged in the hardware business in Chicago ; Frank, now engaged in the hard-
ware business in Englewood ; Laura, Mary, Florence and George.
SAMlJEIi TREIiOAR, farmer, Sec. 33 ; P. 0. Mineral Point ; owns 85 acres of land, valued
at $40 per acre ; was born in England in 1832 ; came to America in 1834 with his parents, and located
in this county; in 1852, he went to California, where he was married to Elizabeth Lee, a native of Wis-
consin ; they have six children — Lizzie J., F. Benjamin, Albert Lee, William E., Carrie J. and Forest H.
He returned to Wisconsin in 1879, and settled on his present farm. In politics, he is a Republican.
WILiLIAM TREWEEK, blacksmith; is a native of England; his parents came to Wis-
consin during his early childhood, and grew to manhood and learned his trade here ; he established his
present business in 1868, and has since then successfully carried on the business here, and has built up a
good trade. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and also a member of the order of Odd Fellows.
In 1869, Mr. Treweek was united in marriage to Miss Jane Honeychurch, a native of this city; they
have three children — Anna M., Charles and Amelia.
HARHON VAX DUSEN, M. D. Among the older class of medical practitioners in Iowa
Co. Wis., is Harmon Van Dusen, who is well known among the profession, he having been twice at the
head of the Wisconsin Medical Society ; though 70 years of age, his mind is very active, and, when not
otherwise engaged, he always has a book in hand in the evening ; his usual custom has been to study till
midnight ; a lifetime of such mental industry must necessarily result in the accumulation of a great fund
of knowledge outside of medical science — a fund easily discernible by conversing with the Doctor, but of
which he makes no ostentatious display ; he is as modest and unassuming as he is studious, and reads for
his own benefit and pleasure rather than for show. Dr. Van Dusen is the son of Henry Van Dusen, a
farmer, and Sally Stoddard, and dates his birth at Salisbury, Conn., July 23, 1807 ; he farmed until his
18th year, supplementing a common-school education with one year's attendance at the Middlebury Acad-
emy, Wyoming Co., N. Y.; he read medicine at Bethany and Delphi, N. Y.; attended one course of lect-
ures at Castleton, Vt.; was admitted to practice under a county license in 1828; practiced at TuUy, Onon-
daga Co., until 1834, when he attended a course of lectures at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia,
receiving his diploma from the tame ; returning to TuUy, he continued practice there until 1847, when he
came as far West as Milwaukee ; in December of the following year, he removed to Mineral Point, and
here made a permanent settlement ; he has been in general practice, and had from the start, and has care-
fully maintained, a good standing in the profession ; he has been President of the Iowa County Medical
Society since its origin ; is also a member of the State Medical Society, and was its President in 1868 and
878 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
1872. While residing in the State of New York, during the administration of Mr. Van Buren, from
1837 to 1841, Dr. Van Dusen was Commissioner of the United States Deposit Fund, a trustworthy posi-
tion ; he was Mayor of the city of Mineral Point in 1876, and had previously held one or two minor
municipal offices ; he has always acted with the Democratic party. Dr. Van Dusen has been a member of
the Masonic fraternity over fifty years; he joined the order in July, 1827; he attends the Episcopal
Church. He has had three wives; the first was Miss Aurora Hobart, of Delphi, N. Y., they being united
in 1829 ; she died at Tully, N. Y., March 1, 1842, leaving; five children ; the second wife was Mrs. Mar-
garet Ann Maun, of Syracuse, N. Y., they being married in 1843 ; she died March 22, 1852, leaving one
son — Wilson H. — now practicing medicine at Montford, Grant Co., twenty miles from Mineral Point ; his
present wife was Mrs. Jane E. Ackley, a cousin of his second wife, the maiden name of both being Wil-
son ; Mrs. Van Dusen has a daughter (Mrs. Caroline E. Smith) by her first husband, but no children by
her present union ; she is a Christian woman, and she and her daughter are communicants in the Episco-
pal Church. Dr. Van Dusen has partially retired from busiQCSS, his rides being limited to the city and to
the day-time ; a few of his old neighbors, when sick, will not call anybody else, but he is working out of
the practice as rapidly as he can conveniently ; he is held in high esteem by the older citizens of the city
and county, and, by some of those out of town, his retirement from practice is much regretted.
WIljIilAM VARCOE, general agent for McCormick's reapers and mowers ; is a son
of George and Elizabeth Pollard Varcoe ; is a native of Iowa Co.; was born in the town of Linden, June
14, 1848 ; he attended school there, and afterward took a commercial course at Bryant & Stratton's
Commercial College, in Chicago ; has been engaged in present business since 1875 ; is general agent
for the Counties of E,iohland, Crawford, Grant, Iowa, La Payette, south half of Sauk, west half of
Green and Jo Daviess, from Warren west to the river ; has a large experience in the business, and has
built up an extensive trade ; belongs to the Masonic fraternity, and is a member of the Chapter and Com-
mandery.
JOHIV H. VIVIAN, M. D.. physician and surgeon ; is a native of Cornwall, England,
and was born July 27, 1825 ; he received his education there and studied medicine ; after reach-
ing manhood, he came to the United States, in 1847, and came to Wisconsin and located the same year at
Mineral Point, and engaged in the practice of medicine. He has practiced his profession in Mineral Point
for a period of one-third of a century — a greater length of time than any other physician here. During
the war, Dr._ Vivian was appointed surgeon of the board of enrollment of the Third Congressional District,
and was afterward commissioned surgeon of the 50th W. V. I; he has held the office of Mayor of
the city, and has served several times as a member of the County Board ; he was twice elected a member
of the State Legislature, and is now a member of the State Board of Charities ; he is a member of Iowa
Lodge No. 1, I. 0. 0. P., the oldest lodge in the northwest. Dr. Vivian has been twice married;, his
first wife was Miss Elizabeth Stansmore, a native of England, whom he married in 1849. His present
wife was Miss Amelia Stansmore, a native of England ; they have five children — Amy, Stansmore, Fred,
Alfred and Ellen.
WIIjIiIAM WALiKER, proprietor of Walker's hotel; was born in Ireland, Jan. 1, 1814;
he emigrated to the United States in 1839; lived two years at Joliet, 111., and came to Wisconsin and
settled at Mineral point in 1841 ; he engaged in teaming, and used to haul lead to Galena ; has carted lead
to Milwaukee, and would bring a load of merchandise back with him, taking eight days to make the trip;
he afterward engaged in manufacturing lime, and carried on that business for some years. He built his
hotel in 1860, and opened it for business the following year ; the property has cost him, altogether, over
$10,000. Mr. Walker married Miss Letitia Gibson, a native of Ireland ; they had one son —William, who
is not living.
JOHIV B. W ALIilS, farmer ; Sec. 8, P. 0. Mineral Point (owns 290 acres of land, val-
ued at $30 per acre) ; born in Cornwall, England, in 1846 ; came to America with parents in 1848 ; mar-
ried Miss Sarah Remfry, June, 1870 ; have two children — Millicent A. and John B.; are members of the
Primitive Methodist Church ; politics, Republican.
JOHIV WASliEY, carpenter and builder; is a native of Cornwall, England, and was born
Ausust 26, 1844; his parents emigrated to the United States in 1849, and settled at Bruce Mines, Can-
ada; here they remained for three years, and then came to Mineral Point in 1852 ; he learned the trade
of carpenter and joiner ; he has been engaged in building here for many years ; he is a member of the
Masonic fraternity, Mineral Point Lodge No. 1 ; also belongs to the Chapter and Commandery, and belongs
to the A. 0. U. W. He was united in marriage Aug. 15, 1866, to Miss Louise J. Wight, a native of
Cornwall, England. They have three children — Ulysses, Annie and Martin M.
TOWN OF MINERAL POINT. 879
RICHARD WEARBf E, of the firm of Wearno & Son, foundry and maehine-shop ; is a na-
tive of Cornwall, England, and was born May 31, 1842 ; his parents emigrated to the United States, and
came to Mineral Point in 1848; when he was only 11 years of age he began learning his trade in
his father's shop. In 1859, when only 17 years of age, he and William Jacka started with one yoke of
oxeu for California; he only had three sovereigns when they reached Omaha; Jaoka wanted to return,
and did so — Mr. Wearne went on to California, and was there three years and in British Columbia four
years, engaged in mining ; since his return he has been engaged in business here with his father. He
belongs to Mineral Point Lodge No. 1, A., F. & A. M. In November, 1869, he married Miss Mary A.,
<laut;hter of Samuel Treloar, one of the old settlers of Linden. They have three children — Lulu, Charles
and Fred.
PATRICK WHALEN, engineer on ihe Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Kailroad ; is a
native of Ireland, and was born in 1849 ; the family came to America in 1858; they came to Wisconsin
and settled in La Fayette County. Mr. Whalen entered the employ of the Mineral Point Railroad Com-
pany in June, 1868, and has run an engine since 1873. In 1873 he married Miss Catharine Dailey, from
this city ; she died October 27, 1875, leaving one sou, John. He married Miss Mary L. Grerarden, a
native of St. Louis, March 4, 1878. They have one daughter — Amelia.
JOHN H. WIIiKIXSON, blacksmith; is a native of Iowa County, and was born in Min-
eral Point Jan. 29, 1849; he learned his trade here; in 1870 he engaged in his present business, and
has built up a good trade. He married Miss Celia Williams, from Hazel Green, Grant Co., Dec. 24, 1869.
They have five children — Charlie, Henry, Frank, Willie and Leda M.
CHARLEIS WILLIAMS, farmer, Sec. 19; P. 0. Mineral Point; owns 90 acres of land,
valued at $25 per acre; was born in Cornwall, England, Oct. 26, 1817, and Oct. 26, 1854, he landed in
America; his first location was on his present farm. He married Susanna Brook Feb. 14, 1839; she
was born in Devonshire, England ; they have four children — Charles Wdliam Henry, Albert, Arnold
Thomas and John S. They are members of the Primitive Methodist Church. Mr. W. is a Republican.
ALEXANDER WILSON", Attorney General of Wisconsin ; is a native of New York State ;
is a .son of John and Catharine Wilson, and was born in Westfield, Chautauqua Co., Aug. 16, 1833;
he attended the academy there, and, after completing the course, entered Union College, at Schenec-
tady, and graduated in the class of 1854. • Daring the fall of the same year, he came West to Dubuque,
where he studied law, and was admitted to the bar. In the fall of 1855, he came to Mineral Point, and
■engaged in teaching until 1859, when he engaged in the practice of law, and was associated with Judge
Amasa Cobb, now on the bench in Nebraska. In the fall of 1860, he was elected District Attorney, and
in the spring of 1861, he was elected City Superintendent of Schools. In 1862, and again in 1866, he
was elected District Attorney; was appointed County Superintendent of Schools in 1863, and in 1867, he
was appointed County Judge, and held that ofiice two years. In 1877, he was elected Attorney General
of the State, and was, in 1879, re-elected to t,he same office, which position he now holds. Mr. Wilson is
also engaged in the banking business here. In April, 1859, he was united in marriage to Miss Harriet
Frances Sudduth, a native of Kentucky ; they have four children — Armista C., now Mrs. Muir, of Lincoln,
Neb. ; Anna L., Amasa C. and Susie.
DR. J. H. WINCirENDER, Jr., dental surgeon ; is a native of Pennsylvania, and was
born in the city of Philadelphia ; he received his education in that State, and studied his profession there ;
came to Wisconsin, and located in Mineral Point in June, 1878, and since then he has successfully
practiced his profession here.
SAMUEL J. WRICjtHT, druggist. Mineral Point; is a native of Wisconsin, and was born in the
town of Argyle, La Fayette Co., July 4, 1851 ; he received his education in this State; came to Mineral
Point in 1870, and since then has been connected with the drug business. He is a member of the Masonic
order. In 1877, he was united in marriage to Miss Kate Tregaskis, a native of this city; they have one
•daughter — Edna.
880 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
TOWN OF DODCEVILLE.
ALEXANDER ALiLIiliOX, Sec. 29, P. 0. Dodgeville; was born March 27, 1812, in
Fifeshire, Scotland ; is a son of David and Margaret (Webster) Allison; came to America in 183:^, and,
after a short stay in Montreal, settled in Newbury, Vt., where he followed the trade of shoemakei, which
he learned in Scotland. He came to Mineral Point in 1845, and soon after to the Floyd settlement, buy-
ing 40 acres of his present farm of the Grovernment ; built a small log house and settled here ; the log
house stands fifteen rods to the north of the pleasantly located frame residence which supplanted it in 1S68.
Mr. Allison has 116 acres in the homestead, and 40 of timber in Wyoming, and is well to do in the world.
He married in Newbury, Vt., Elsie Barker, of his native shire ; they h'ave three daughters — Elsie, Janet
and Ellen. The eldest was born in Newbury, and the others on the Dodgeville farm. Mr. Allison is a
Democrat, and, with his wife, a member of the Protestant Methodist Church.
JOHBT E. BARTLiE, the veteran settler of Dodgeville, was born in Cornwall, England. April
16, 1822. He came, with an uncle, to America in 1833, reaching Dodgeville June 29, 1833; three log
huts stood near the present Stratman Wagon Factory, and a few others were scattered about to the north.
Most of the travel was on the ridge, half a mile or more west of the village. His uncle, Henry Eva, began
mining, but afterward bought a farm, two miles northwest of the settlement ; still later, he opened the
first butcher-shop in the village, and for many years Mr. Bartle was associated with him. In 1850, he
went to California, and less than two years later returned and bought the old Rough and Ready House
(Wisconsin House). In 1855, he again went to California and spent three years in the gold mines, and
since 1858 has lived in Dodgeville ; since 1878 he has been in the furniture business. He married Nan-
nie T. Grenfell, a native of Cornwall; they have sis children, all born in Dodgeville — Mary A., James
H., William P., Prank C, Augusta and Frederick C; have lost four children. Mr. Bartle, doubtless,
came to this village earlier than any person now a resident of it, and has furnished many interesting facts
relating to its early history.
DAIVIEL BECKERIiEG, Sec. 14; P.O. Dodgeville; was born in Brayne, Cornwall,
England, Jan. 2, 1823. His early life was spent in mining. In 1846, he came to America, locating at
White Oak Springs, near the Wisconsin and Illinois State line ; spent two winters in the Hazel Green
mines ; went to California in the fall of 1851 ; was in the gold mines until the spring of 1854, when he
returned, and, in the fall of 1854, settled on his present farm. Of the 160 acres, 37 only were broken,
and a log shanty was the only building ; he now has 400 acres, with good buildings and improvements.
He married, in the spring of 1850, Miss Laomia Paul, who was born in Camborne, Cornwall ; she died in
February, 1864, leaving five children — William, John, Elizabeth, Sarah J. and an infant daughter, who
soon after died. He married again, Mary A., widow of Thomas Vincent, who, at his death, left four chil-
dren— Henry B., John B., Joseph and Elizabeth A. (Mrs. Willis). Mr. Beckerleg is a Republican.
HON. JOSEPH BENNETT, of Dodgeville, was born in Camborne, Cornwall, England,
July 6, 1822. His father, a miner, died in England. The son followed mining up to his coming to the
United States, in 1845, locating in Dodgeville; he remained here until 1851; then spent a year in the
mines of Lake Superior. In 1852, he bought an interest with Messrs. George, Perkins & Arthur, and
in 1858 they began smelting, as well as mining. Mr. Arthur was succeeded, in 1861, by James Roberts,
who retired in 1864, Mr. Bennett thereafter taking sole charge of the smelting. Mr. Perkins reired in
1869, during which year the old firm of Hoskins, Cholvin & Co. consolidated with them, thus founding
the firm of Bennett, George & Co. Messrs. Cholvin and George have since retired, and the present firm
is Bennett & Hoskins, operating the old Highland furnace as well as that in Dodgeville. From 1860 to
1870, a very heavy business was done, about $100,000 worth per annum being the average during the
war. The firm owns considerable mining land, and most of their lead is now sent from Chicago to the
East and South. Mr. Bennett married Miss Mary Berryman, a native of Crowan, Cornwall ; they hav&
four children — Martha J., Edith, Joseph and Flora, all born in Dodgeville. The son is now a student at
the Wisconsin State University, and the second daughter at the Platteville State Normal School. Th&
family are members of the Dodgeville Methodist Episcopal Church, Mr. Bennett having been Sabbath-
school Superintendent since 1864, with only a year's exception. A Republican in politics ; he was Chair-
man of the town in 1860 ; President of the village five years ; County Superintendent of the Poor five
TOWN OF DODGEVILLE. 881
years, and, with Dr. Vivian and Hon. W. L. Jones, was a Fund Commissioner, to settle the railroad debt
of Iowa Co. The commission was specially appointed by the County Board. Mr. Bennett also represented
his district in the Wisconsin Legislature in 1876. Pew of the self-made men of the county or State enjoy
a more pleasant home than does Mr. Bennett.
JAllES BENIVETT, Sec. 23; P. 0. Dodgeville; was born in Cornwall, England, Jan. 25,
1826 ; his early life was spent in the mines. He came with his wife to America, to Dodgeville ; engaged
in mining until 1854, when he went, via New York and the isthmus, to California; returned in 1859,
and, in February, 1860, bought 160 acres of his present farm; it was then as the hand of nature left it,
not a tree cut nor a furrow turned ; began improving here, and, in 1865, went to Colorado ; thence to
Salt Lake City, where he visited the Mormon Temple, saw Brigham Young, etc. ; he then went to the
Montana gold hills, and, in the fall of 1866, left the head-waters of the Yellowstone on a "Mackinaw "
boat, and coursed down that and the Missouri River to Sioux City, a distance of 1,-100 miles ; has since
resided on his farm of 280 acres, on which he has built a substantial house, barns, etc. ; as he began in
the State 15 in debt, he certainly has now no reason for regrets. Mr. Bennett is a member, with his wife, of
the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he has been Steward, etc. Is a Republican in politics, and
has been Supervisor, etc. His wife was Jane Roberts, of the same county ; they have seven children —
James, Mariana (Mrs. J. Pearce), Jeret J. (Mrs. Joseph Hendy), George, Thomas H., Alfred and Will-
iam J., all born in Dodgeville; the two eldest sons are now in Colorado.
MICHAEL. BENNETT, Sec. 33; P. 0. Dodgeville; was born Oct. 11, 1811, in North-
amptonshire, England ; He spent part of 1831 and 1832, in Albany, N. Y., then returned to Albany ;
thence he went to New Orleans, La., and spent the winter of 1833-34; in the spring he e^me up the
river, and arrived at Mineral Point in June, 1834 ; was in the vicinity for a year or more ; then, his skill
as a penman and book-keeper having attracted the notice of H. L. Dodge, he was employed by him in the
Dodgeville store for about six year^ ; was then employed for a year by J. S. Ward, of Milwaukee, who
succeeded Dodge ; Mr. Bennett then began and has since continued mining. In 1849, he went, by the
Panama route, to California; returned in two years, and, a year later, went again to the El Dorado ; was
there five or six years, then returned and has since lived on the farm. Mr. Bennett married Sarah Tyres,
of Erie Co., N. Y. ; they have two living children — -William E., born Oct. 15, 1860, and Mary A., wife
of Benjamin Thomas, born July 1, 1852 ; they also lost a son, WiUiam M., and a daughter, S. Alice, who
married Edwin Pettit, of Chicago, and left, at her death, a daughter, Mary L. Mr. Bennett has 60 acres
of land and the comforts of a good home. The stirring events of "ye olden time" have left a deep im-
press upon his memory, and he has furnished much useful information bearing on the early history of the
county.
WIIililAM BEBRYMAN, Sec. 6; P. 0. Dodgeville ; was born in the parish of Crowan,
Cornwall, England, Jan., 20, 1832 ; fifteen or sixteen years later, his father, Richard Berryman, brought
Ids family to America, and settled in Hazel Green, Wis. William Berryman tried the Superior mines,
and, in 1852, went, via New York and Panama, to California; returned in 1855, and, in the spring of
1864, went to Montana and spent twenty months. In May, 1856, he began on 40 acres of his present
farm ; his means were limited, and the 40 acres new and wild ; but twenty-four years of work and good
management have secured to him a farm of 295 acres, on which he has erected a large and pleasant farm-
house, and a basement barn 30x72 feet, built in 1872. He married, Oct. 4. 1855, Miss Mary Jenkins, of
Key ]?arish, Cornwall ; she was brought to America in 1845, by her father, John Jenkins, who is still
living. Mr. and Mrs. Berryman have five children — Mary, Charles H., Martha J., William J. and Lillie
A., all born on the Dodgeville homestead.
CHARIiES AND HENRY BILKE Y, Dodgeville. Charles Bilkey, the veteran butcher
of Dodgeville, was born in 1819, in Cornwall, England; came to America in 1837, and located at Mineral
Point, then comprising the few houses of a miners' settlement ; soon after his arrival came a band of In-
dians, led by old Worley-Thunder ; John Dorothy was interpreter, and the Chief soon made overtures of
friendship to the whites, who responded by furnishing plenty of fire-water, when a grand orgie began ;
bucks and squaws, " big Injun " and lesser ones, all got gloriously full, and, as they were at least half na-
ked, and wholly helpless, the sight was a most disgusting one. Mr. Bilkey afterward went to Wiota,
where he mined three years; then, in 1842, he came to Dodgeville, and in 1844, formed a partnership
with Henry Eva, as drovers and butchers ; they visited Illinois, and even Mbsouri, in quest of cattle,
being absent sometimes from three to five weeks ; Mr. B. has never gone out of the business, and still
supplies his townsmen with the juicy stSak and tender sirloin. He married Catharine Paul, who died in
the fall of 1866, leaving five children — Jane, Charles, Henry, Ella and Frederick J. Henry Bilkey was
882 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
born in Dodgeville May lY, 1856; attended the village schools, clerked nine years in the village stores,
and has been at the head of the firm of Bilkey, Kennedy & Co. since.
JOHN BILKEY, Sec. 30 ; P. 0. Dodgeville ; was born in Camborne, Cornwall, England, on
March 15, 1810; his early life was spent in the copper and tin mines of Cornwall, and, in 1834, he came
to America and settled at Mineral Point ; among those who came with him to the Point were William
Fine, Joseph Stephens, William Kendall and wife, S. Lane, William Nickells and Andrew Crowgey ; the
party came with teams from Detroit, Mich., via the then village of Chicago, arriving at Mineral Point in
May ; the country was a howling wilderness, the isolated settlers not having " built up the waste places "
left by the Indian war. Mr. Bilkey hired out to one Stephen Terrell as a miner, at $40 per month ; later,
he began mining " on shares," Terrell having one-fourth of the ore (see article on Mineral Point). In
1839 or 1840, Mr. Bilkey settled at Dodgeville, and, Nov. 25, 1841, married Harriet Bartle, who was
born May 26, 1820, in Camborne, and who came to America in July, 1841 ; they began housekeeping in
a small log shanty near the present Bennett & Hoskins furnace ; in 1848, they settled where they now
live; in 1852, Mr. Bilkey went to California, spent nineteen months there, and, returning, lived three years
in Dodgeville, and has since resided on his 155-acre farm ; he also owns 40 acres to the north of Dodgeville.
Mr. and Mrs. Bilkey have three children — James, John and Sarah A. (Mrs. James Glanville . James
Bilkey is now in California, and the youngest son is on the homestead.
CHARIiES BISHOP, a son of Matthew Bishop, who was born July 24, 1810, in St. Al-
lyn, Cornwall, England; he came to America in 1833, and, in company with a brother, worked about a
year in the Pottsville, Penn., glass-works; in 1834, he came to Mineral Point, engaging in mining here.
In 1838, he married Mary Bilkey, born Dec. 31, 1819, in Camborne, Cornwall ; she came from there to
Mineral Point in 1837 ; in 1840, they removed to Centreville, Wis., where Charles Bishop was born Sept.
26, 1841 ; three years later, the family came to Dodgeville, where he received his schooling and has since
lived ; began the mercantile business in 1868, in the present bank of S. W. Reese, and, a year later, re-
moved to his present location, on the corner of Iowa and Division streets. He married Miss Nannie M.
Martin, a native of Cornwall, who came to the United States in 1850 ; they have four children — Ella B.,
Edward M., Roscoe C. and Jennie May, all born in Dodgeville. Mr. Bishop is a member of Dodgeville
Lodge, No. 119, A., P. & A. M., a Democrat, and was elected President of the village in the spring of
1880.
WILIilAM IV. BISHOP, Dodgeville, is a son of Matthew Bishop, of Cornwall, Eng.; he emi*'
grated to the United States in 1833, and, in 1834, came from Pottsville, Penn., to Mineral Point, where
he married, in 1838, Mary Bilkey, who came from Cornwall in 1837. W. N. Bishop was born June 17,
1839, and about a year later the family moved to Centreville, Grant Co., and came from there to Dodge-
ville in 1844 ; the father engaged in mining up to about 1850, when he and William N. began the saloon
and livery business ; the saloon business was given up in 1866 ; Matthew Bishop died Dec. 29, 1872, and
the mother still lives, aged 61. Their son, our subject, married Miss Eliza, daughter of John and Eliza
(Rogers) Oxman ; she was born Nov. 7, 1850, in Dodgeville; they have four children — Ida B., Mary,
William N. and an infant daughter. Mr. Bishop is now the veteran liveryman of Dodgeville ; has sixteen
horses, and keeps them going. He is, as was his pioneer father, a Democrat in politics ; is also an Odd
Fellow.
THOMAS BLACKNEY, Jr., Dodgeville, ex-Sheriff of Iowa Co., was born April 15,
1849, in Mineral Point, Wis. ; his father, Thomas Blackney, a Cornishman, married Maria Tredennick, and
came to America in 1833, and removed from Pottsville, Penn., to Mineral Point in 1841 or 1842; his
wife died there in 1851 ; in 1853, ^e went to Linden, thence to the copper mines of Lake Superior, thence
to Mifflin, and, in the spring of 1860, to Highland, where he still owns property. His son, whose name
heads this sketch, married, April 12, 1870, Miss Annie S., daughter of G. W. Bruce, who settled in Grant
Co., Wis., in 1836 ; she was born in Sinsinawa Mound, and is the mother of three children — Mary L.,
Thomas C. and Orville Le Roy ; a daughter named Eldora died when 8 months old. Mr. Blackney is a
Republican, and was elected Sheriff in 1878. Has been the owner of the Blackney House, Highland,
since February, 1871. Is a member of Vivian Lodge, No. 275, I. 0. 0. F., and of Dodgeville Lodge,
A. 0. U. W.
JOHN BIjOTZ, Dodgeville^ was born in Nassau, Germany, Aug. 29, 1826 ; came to America
in June, 1846, after a voyage of sixty-five days' duration, arriving at Milwaukee, Wis., July 3, 1846 ; he
spent a year in that vicinity ; reached Mineral Point July 3, 1§47, then, hiring out, worked two years
near Dodgeville ; went overland to California in 1849, and thirteen months later returned by the Nicar-
TOWN OF DODGE VILLE.
883
agua route; he next bought a farm near Garrison's Grove, where he lived until the fall of 1867, when
he bought the grist-mill of Peter Theno, who had built it three years previously ; Mr. Blotz has remodeled
the building, and fitted it up with new machinery throughout ; has two run of stone, and does principally
custom grinding ; his farm adjacent contains 473 acres ; his house, a substantial stone structure, was built
in 1873, and his 40x60-foot basement barn in 1877. Mr. B. is a Democrat and a Catholic. He married
Nov. 27, 1851, in Dodgeville, Magdalena Berg, born Oct. 20, 1832, in Nassau; they have seven children
— Joseph, John, Elizabeth, Kate, Leonard, Theresa and Frederick, all born in Dodgeville; the second son
is now his father's miller. The family of Mrs. Blotz settled, in 1846, in the dense timber in the north
part of Dodgeville Town, and she now has brothers there.
THOMAS BOSAXKO, harness-maker, Dodgeville; born in Camborne, Cornwall, Bng.,
April 5, 1335 ; came to America with his parents in 1849, and, after a year spent in Hazel Green, Wis.,
came to Dodgeville ; partially learned his trade with E. H. Scholfield, and finally mastered it by his own
efforts; his first shop, opened in 1857 on North Main street, is now used as the bar-room of the Dodge-
ville Hotel ; in 1859, he began business where he now lives and works ; Mr. Bosanko was, for eighteen
months, in Boscobel, Wis., and has twice been to Lake Superior for short periods of time. He married
Miss Elizabeth, daughter of William Temby ; she was born Oct. 11, 1839, in Platteville, and her parents
were among the early settlers of Dodgeville, where she married Mr. B. Aug. 7, 1858 ; they have an only
daughter — Sophia, now the wife of James Cornelius. Mr. B. united with Dodgeville Lodge, No. 147, I,
O. O. F., in 1871, and is now Permanent Secretary.
M. J. BRTCjtCJS, attorney at law, Dodgeville ; was born March 31, 1846, in Kalamazoo Co.,
Mich. ; his father, Dr. L. N. Briggs, a Vermonter, came from Michigan to Wisconsin in 1847 ; located
at Prairie du Sac ; and, in 1853, removed to Mazomanie, Dane Co., W^is. ; here M. J. Briggs attained his
early education, [n December, 1861, he enlisted in Co. H, 17th W. V. I. (the Irish Brigade) ; his regi-
ment served in all the battles, marches, sieges, etc., of the grand old army of the Tennessee, an army often
hungry and ragged, seldom defeated, and always brave ; after the collapse of the secession hosts, this
regiment was sent to the Western plains, and, while there, Mr. Briggs was commissioned 2d Lieutenant,
and honorably discharged in January, 1866 ; he had served five years and two months, two years as Color
Sergeant. In the fall of 1867, he began the study of law with Eastland & Eastland, Richland Cente'-,
Wis.; was admitted to the Richland Co. bar in October, 1868; came to Dodgeville in June, 1869, and
has since resided and practiced here ; is local attorney for the C. & N. W. R. R. Co. In politics, Mr.
Briggs is a stanch Democrat. In 1874, he was elected District Attorney ; was President of the County
Agricultural Society in 1879 ; and is now the nominee of his party for Assemblyman from his district.
Mr. B. is a pleasing often eloquent speaker, and has done much effective work for his party. He mar-
ried in her native village of Dodgeville, Wis., Miss Sarah Edwards : they have three sons — Oscar 6.,
Stanley J. and Carroll C.
THOMAS BUCKINGHAM, Sec. 14; P. 0. Dodgeville; was born Aug. 17,1813, in
Cornwall, England ; is of Welsh descent on his father's side ; when he was a lad, his parents removed to
Wales, where he grew to manhood as a miner; he came to the United States and Iowa Co. in 1842;
mined a few years, then began farming ; settled on his present 280-acre farm in 1848, buying it with a
Mexican war warrant ; on this he has erected a good house, a'35x55 barn, and made other improvements.
He married, in Wales, Elizabeth Williams, who died in 1845, leaving two children — James and Elizabeth,
He married again Anne Kendrick, who was a native of Wales ; they have seven children — Thomas,
Richard, William, John, Mary, Anne and Martha ; having lost two — Anne and Martha. Mr. and Mrs.
Buckingham are members of the Welsh Congregational Church. Politics, Liberal ; had four children by
the first wife, who are deceased.
GEORGES W. BUKRALiIi, M. D., deceased ; was born in Stockbridge, Mass., Oct. 18,
1824 ; graduated at Williams College in 1844 ; began medical studies with Dr. H. H. Childs, of Pitts-
field, Mass. ; entered the Berkshire Medical College, and graduated as M. D. in 1847; his first year's
practice was in the famous Bellevue Hospital Medical College, New York City. In 1848, he came West
to Perry, III. ; and. in 1849, to Dodgeville. Dr. Burrall is now, with one exception, the longest con-
tinued practitioner in Iowa Co. ; he was a charter member and first Master of Dodgeville Lodge, No. 1 19,
A., F. & A. M. ; and was for nine years Postmaster of Dodgeville. Married Hester Nelson, a native of
Norway, by whom he has two children — George E.and Lucy H. Dr. Burrall died March 9, 1881.
THOMAS CARKEEK, Dodgeville ; was born in Redruth Parish, Cornwall, England, Oct-
10, 1819; was educated and learned the trade of stone-mason in England; came to America in 1849
with a wife and two children, arriving in Dodgeville Sept. II ; began at his trade on the 13th. and .'inca
884 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
that time has worked on the old " Rock " Sehoolhome, and nearly every other considerable building in the
place ; himself and three others built the Iowa County Court House in 1859, and he was also one of threeto
build the County Jail and fire-proof vaults, these three pieces of work being done by contract. Mr. Car-
keek united with the M. E. Church in 1854; was soon after ordained local preacher; ordained local Dea-
con by Bishop Scott in 1866 ; was for six and a half years in charge of a Congregation in Eidgeway ; was
released for two years, then resumed the charge ; on the 26th of September, 1880, was ordained local
Elder by Bishop Harris. A stanch Republican ; has served as Justice of the Peace since 1862, with the
exception of one year; was also a Village Trustee in 1864, 1865, 1877 and 1878. He married, in Feb-
ruary, 1843, in his and her native parish, Miss Elizabeth Bishop, born Jan. 1, 1822 ; they have five chil-
dren— Thomas T., Elizabeth J., Minnie A., Nellie E. and Hattie A.
RICHARD CARTER, attorney at law, Dodgeville ; born May 31, 1836, in Sussex, England ;
came to America in 1850 ; settled in Grant Co., Wis.; here he worked as a farm hand, attending the Lan-
caster school in the winter; beginning at 18, he taught a number of terms; graduated at the Platteville
Academy in 1859, and, while serving as Deputy Clerk of Grant Co., took a clerkship in the Legislature.
The early morning of the 15th of April, 1861, found him at the oflEce of Gov. Randall, and he then and
there enlisted in the 2d W. V. I., it being one of the first if not the first enlistment in the State ; Gov.
Randall sent him to Grant Co. to raise a company, and, assisted by C. K. Dean, David McKee, George
Hyde and G. B. Carter, he raised two full companies in five days ; he went out as Orderly of Co. C, though
his services entitled him to a rank that he thought himself incompetent to fill ; he participated in the Bull
Run battle, and disaster, as one of the regimental band, and of course fell under the order by which all such
bands were discharged ; after wintering at home, he, in March, 1862, joined the 5th W. V. I., as Quarter-
master Sergeant of the regiment; in October, 1862, he was commissioned 2d Lieutenant; 1st Lieutenant,
May 22, 1863, and about a year later was promoted to Captain and Assistant Quartermaster of the Volun-
teers Army ; his commission bears the signature of the immortal Lincoln ; up to May, 1865, he was on the
staff of Gen. George H. Thomas ; was then transferred to Gen. Wilson's staff, military division of the Mis-
sissippi, as acting Chief Quartermaster of the cavalry corps ; his honorable discharge bears date Nov. 27,
1865 ; in the spring of 1866, he was admitted to the bar of Grant Co. (Circuit Court); the firm of Reese
-& Carter was formed Aug. 18, 1871. Capt. Carter has been an Odd Fellow since 1859 ; he belongs to
Lancaster Encampment, also Washington Encampment, No. 2, R. A. M. of Platteville, and is Master of
Dodgeville Lodge, No. 119, A., F. & A. M. He is one of the stalwart Republicans, and has made many
^n effective speech in advocacy of his party principles. He married, Jan. 25, 1865, Miss Lizzie M.,
daughter of Judge S. 0. Paine, of Platteville; she died in September, 1874, leaving a daughter, Emma
L., born Nov. 16, 1865, in Platteville. On the 22d of October, 1875, he married Miss Mary E. Ford, of
Dodgeville, by whom he has a son, William Ford, born in Dodgeville Jan. 28, 1879.
D. W. CliARK, dentist, Dodgeville ; was born in Castile, Wyoming Co., N. Y., May 17,
1844 ; his parents, Daniel and Jane A. (Cooley) Clark, came to Racine, Wis., in 1845, three or four
years later removing to Delavan, V/is., where D. W. received his schooling; he served 100 days with Co.
F, 40th W. V. I., and after the war began the study of dentistry with Dr. H. 0. Larabee, of Delavan ;
has since practiced in Hartland, Waukesha and Mazomanie ; he came to Dodgeville in 1874 ; his father
died in 1873 ; his mother now lives with him. Dr. Clark married in Hampton, Iowa, on New Year's eve,
1874, Miss Hattie A. Campbell, a native of Ohio ; they have two children — -Winnefred and Hattie, both
born in Dodgeville. Dr. Clark is a member of the Wisconsin State Dental Society, and belongs to Crescent
Lodge, No. 97, A., F. & A. M., Mazomanie.
JOSEPH CLEJfUNSON, deceased ; was born April 5, 1806, in Yorkshire England ; mar-
ried Betsy Sunter, who died in England leaving three children — George and James (twins) and Henry F.
M., of whom James is the only one living. Mr. C. married again. Miss Jane Bell, and came to America
and Wisconsin in 1846 ; spent two years on Jefferson Prairie, then two at Galena, 111., and in 1850, set-
tled at Highland, Iowa Co., Wis., where he engaged in smelting up to 1864; he died Dec. 12, 1867, and
the widow is still a resident of Highland ; his oldest living son, James Cleminson, was born July 18, 1837,
in Yorkshire ; was educated in Wisconsin ; went to Colorado in 1860 ; returned, and in 1862, went to
Idaho, where he spent five years in the gold mines, returning in 1867; he, in 1870, began mercantile
business in Highland ; was elected Register of Deeds in 1876 ; was appointed Under Sheriff in 1878, and,
while holding that office, is the Republican nominee for County Treasurer. He married Miss Betsy A.
Green, a native of New York ; five children were born to them, and all were torn from them by that grim
destroyer death during the winter of 1880, the three eldest, Celia E., Adelaide. M. and Marvia J. falling
victims to diphtheria within seven days of each other ; George R., Jessie, an infant of 7 days, also died
dming the winter; the eldest was Celia E., aged 8 years.
TOWN OF DODGEVILLE 885
SAMUJEIj J. CORJfELIIJS, mason, Dodgeville; was bom in Eedruth, Cornwall, England,
March 24, 1818 ; in early life he served an apprenticeship of six years as a stone-mason, and he has made
the trade a life-long occupation ; in 1846, he embarked for America, reaching the then small mining settle-
ment of Dodgeville, June 11, 1846 ; worked at his trade until 1851, when he went by the New York and
Panama route to California, pursuing Dame Fortune in the gold mines until April, 1855, when he returned
to Dodgeville; his father, returning from a voyage to the Brazils in 1859, died in his native Cornwall, in
1862; his son, our subject, in 1863, brought his widowed mother to his Dodgeville home. He married
Miss Mary Penberthy, of his native parish; she came to America in 1847, and they were married in
Dodgeville ; have seven children — Mary, Kate, James, Willie, Ella, Charles and Bert, or J. Penberthy ;
all were born in Dodgeville, and no deaths have occurred. Mr. and Mrs. Cornelius are honored members
of the M. E. Church, Mr. C. having served several years as Steward ; he is a Republican in politics, and is
the pioneer mason of the village; was one of the three contractors in building the county jail, and has
worked on various public buildings.
THOMAS CUTIiER, of Dodgeville, one of the leading agriculturists of his county, has re-
sided here nearly thirty years ; he was born in England, but has resided during most of his life in the
United States ; his fine farm of 240 acres, three and one-half miles east of Dodgeville Village, where he
secured his foothold as one of the substantial men of his town. This farm he improved and placed in a
high state of cultivation, then turned it over to his sons who are now managing it, Mr. Cutler himself
having recently purchased a splendid 160-acre farm adjoining the village on the north. This was, at the
time of his purchase, an almost unbroken prairie, and, like most of the land about the Iowa Co. seat, some
what rolling, yet very fertile. Here he has erected a tasteful frame farmhouse and other buildings in keep-
ing with the requirements of the progressive farmer of to-day, including well-built and painted basement
tarns. As Mr. Cutler came to Iowa Co. with scarcely a dollar, and has by labor and good management
secured this property, he certainly can have few regrets in looking over the past.
JOHN M. DAIiE, Clerk of the Court of Iowa Co., Dodgeville; was born in Toronto, Canada
West, June 6, 1842; is of English parentage; the family came to Mineral Point in 1848; here he was
educated, growing to manhood on his father's farm ; at a later day, the parents removed to Madison, in
order to facilitate the education of their children; in 1863, John M. completed a commercial course at
the State University, and taught school five years. He was elected City Treasurer of Mineral Point in
1876, and served until 1878, when he was elected to his present office, for which office he is the Repub-
lican nominee of 1880. He married Eliza W. Edwards, in Cherry Valley, 111.; she was born in England,
«nd they have four children — Edgerton M., William H., John and James B. Mr. Dale is now P. W. C. T.
of Dodgeville Temple of Honor, of which he was a charter member. He is a partial cripple, owing to a
rheumatic affection, but is a gentleman whose cheerful and courteous demeanor renders him a most pleas-
ant companion.
H. B. DAVIS, Dodgeville ; was born Nov. 28, 1833, in Carmarthenshire, South Wales ; came
to America with his parents in 1856, and lived here until 1862, when he went overland to Oregon, mined
two years, then went to Idaho and mined until 1868, then returned to Dodgeville via the isthmus and
l^ew York ; in 1869, he made a second visit to Idaho, remaining about eighteen months, and, since 1871,
has been a partner with his brother, T. B. Davis, in the lime business ; theirs is the only patent kiln in
Iowa Co., and is located one and a half miles southeast of the village of Dodgeville. Mr. Davis visited
California several times while in the West. He married Miss Annie, daughter of Reese Williams, who
settled in Dodgeville, her native village, in 1852 ; Mr. Williams died April 28, 1869, and his wife, for-
merly Margaret Lewis, died Dec, 2, 1877. Mr. and Mrs. Davis have an only son — Thomas, born Aug.
22, 1879, in Dodgeville. Mr. Davis is a Republican, and his wife is a member of the Welsh Congrega-
tional Church.
< JOSEPH DAVIES, retired miner; was born Oct. 7, 1822, in Camborne, Cornwall, England,
where he spent his early life in the lead and tin mines ; he came to America and the then small mining
settlement of Dodgeville, in the spring of 1845 ; he mined one year on the Van Meter Survey, returned
to England, and married, in his and her native parish, Mary Jane Rule; returned, in 1847, to Dodge-
ville, and began life in the house in which they have lived ever since. Mr. Davies went to California,
by the Nicaragua route, in 1852, and spent two years and nine months; was then four months in
Dodgeville ; then he went again to the Golden State, and, ten months later, returned to Dodgeville,
where he lived until he made his third visit, of one year's duration, to California ; in 1864, he went to
Montana, and remained until the fall of 1866, when he made one of a party of about 500 people who floated
from the headwaters of the Yellowstone, in the peculiar flatboats of that region ; returning to Dodgeville,
HH
886
BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
he bought his farm of 178 acres, now occupied by his sons ; in 1878, he went again to the Far West, visiting
the Mormon capital, thence going to Nevada, where he remained until June, 1880; during his trip t&
Montana, he, with a party of others, spent eighteen nights exposed to the snows and blasts of the Eocky
Mountains, and his last trip enabled him to witness the marvelous growth and development of the Pacific
slope during the time which elapsed after his first Western trip twenty-eight years previously. Mr. and
Mrs. Davies have three children — Mary (Mrs. Thomas James), Joseph and Thomas H. — and have lost
four children ; the sons belong to the T. of H. Joseph married Miss Katie, daughter of James Cock ;
they have a son, Oscar. The father and sons are Republicans.
RICHARD D. DAVIS, carpenter, Dodgeville ; was born in Cardiganshire, South Wales,
July 27, 1831 ; spent his early life at farming ; came to America in 1852, spent a year in a Cincinnati,
Ohio, foundry, and came to Dodgeville in 1853 ; engaged for a few years in mining, and then took up the
carpenter's trade ; the firm of Davis & James was founded in 1868, and their planing-mill built in
1873 ; the small engine then procured was replaced in 1878, by the fine twenty-horse power motor now
used ; the firm also operated a feed-mill here in 1878, and, in 1879, they prepared to do planing, re-sawing,
matching, molding, and to manufacture sash, doors, blinds, etc.; they built the residence of R. Growens.
Mr. Davis married Mary Griffith, born in 1833, in Wales ; at the age of 3 years, her parents brought her
to the United States ; her father died in St. Louis, Mo., and herself and mother came to Dodgeville in
1850 ; Mr. and Mrs. Davis have seven children — Llewellyn, David, Lillie, John, Orville, Betsey and Nellie
— all born in Dodgeville ; they lost two children, deceased. Mr. Davis is a Republican, and served a
number of years each as Supervisor and Assessor ; is also a member of Dodgeville Lodge of Masons.
T. B. DAVIS, Dodgeville ; was born June 12, 1836, in Carmarthenshire, South Wales ; his
father, David Davis, died there in 1842, and, in 1856, his widow and six children came to America; T.
B. worked as a laborer until 1862, when he enlisted in Co. C, 31st W. V. I.; served in Kentucky and
Tennessee ; fought at Peach Tree Creek and at Atlanta, and, after its capture, marched with Sherman to
the sea and through the Carolinas, fighting at Averysboro and Bentonville ; was mustered out in July, 1865,
returned to Dodgeville, andj in March, 1866, went to California; thence to Idaho; came back to Dodge-
ville in 1871, and has since, with his brother, been in the lime business here; the brother owns the only
patent kiln in Iowa Co., and burns about 12,000 bushels of lime per annum. Mr. Davis married Miss
Sarah, daughter of Richard and Mary Roberts ; she was born in St. Louis, Mo., and they were wedded July
13, 1871, in Dodgeville. Mr. Davis is a Republican, and has for several years been a member of both
the Village and Township Boards.
R. A. DRAPEiR, cooper, Dodgeville ; was born Dec. 12, 1857, in Platteville, Wis, where ha
received his education and learned his trade ; in September, 1879, he came to Dodgeville, and now has the
only cooper-shop in the place ; he is prepared to do any and every thing in his line. He married Miss
Susie, daughter of Thomas and Susan Paul, of Dodgeville, where they were early settlers. Mr. Draper is.
a Methodist, with his wife, and, in politics, is a Republican.
EDMUIVD EDIIIJNDS, Sec. 36; P. 0. Dodgeville; was born in Bergen Stift, Norway, in
October, 1809 ;. married Helen Edmunds, and, in 1852, came with her and three sons to America; spent
two years in Primrose, Dane Co., and settled on their present farm of 160 acres in 1854. The vicinity
was then best known as " Norwegian Hollow," four of the original fourteen cabins of the Norse miners
being then in existence. Mr. B. began mining, and followed it until 1866, when he bought the farm ; has
since brought over 100 acres into improvement, and erected good buildings. There are now four sons in
this family ; three born in Bergen, Norway, and the youngest in Primrose ; Edmund lives near Dodgeville ;
Sigburn is farming in Nebraska, while Ole, born Dec. 15, 1846, and Tobias, born in September, 1852, are
on the homestead. The father and sons are Democrats.
ELiIiWOOD BROTHERS, Dodgeville. John, Thomas, Isaac and Joseph are all natives
of Cumberland, England. They came to the United States in 1852, and worked as carpenters in
Oswego Co., N. Y. The next removal was to Stephenson Co., 111., where they planted a nursery, from
which they made selections for the establishment of the Iowa County Nursery. This was founded in 1855,
at which time the four brothers settled on the 40 acres which they own in the south part of the village.
Theirs is the only nursery in Iowa Co., and their stock of clean-looking and thrifty young apple trees is
large and complete, embracing those varieties which twenty-five years of careful culture have proven adapted
to our Wisconsin climate. Shade and ornamental trees are also grown. They have 600 bearing apple
trees ; their crop for 1880 was about 1,200 bushels, and 2,000 gallons of cider was made here, which the
brothers will convert into vinegar. The vineyard and wine house, however, are a more interesting feature
of the Ellwood plantation. The first grape roots were planted in 1865, and now about 15 acres are devoted
TOWN OF DODGEVILLE. 887
to the culture of the Concord grape, although the Delaware, Hartford Prolific, Rogers' Hybrid No. 15,
and others are grown to some extent. Ten tons of grapes was the crop for 1880, 1,200 gallons of wine
having been made. The wine house, 18x60 feet, is provided with a cellar under its entire length, where
the rows of huge casks bring to mind the stories told of the wine-cellars of feudal England and France.
Thomas Ellwood is the wine-maker, and his books and apparatus are most expensive. He is an enihusiast
on the subject, and his success is in proportion with his earnestness. About 5,000 gallons of old and new
wine is now on hand. John Ellwood was for eight or ten years President of the Iowa County Agricultural
Society, and was twice a member of the County Board.
ADAM EUIiltliRCir, of the Commercial House, Dodgeville ; was born in the Province of
Nassau, Prussia, July 11, 1835 ; attended school until he was 14, then became the apprentice of his father
as a tailor. His parents, Jacob and Elizabeth (Klein) Bulberg, came to America with their seven children,
a son, Jacob, remaining in Germany. The father and sons, all tailors, settled in Sheboygan, Wis., and
three months later went to Milwaukee; a year later, tempted by the cheap lands of Iowa Co., the father
b ught 320 acres in Dodgeville, at 50 cents per acre, and settled upon it. The neighborhood was I hen
known as Pancake Hills, now known as Pleasant Hills. The son, our subject, spent most of his time on
this farm until he was 25, when he was married, went to Mineral Point, and worked four years at his
trade. In July, 1865, he opened a saloon in Dodgeville, and continued the business up to August, 1878,
when he leased, and has since kept, the Commercial House. His personal supervi.sion of affairs renders it
a most pleasant stopping-place, and " Adam's " is a popular resort. Mr. E. is a Democrat. His wile was
formerly Margaret May, born Sept. 22, 1842, in Luxembourg, Germany. They were married on Christ-
mas Day, 1859, and have eight children — Jacob, Mattie and Peter, born in Mineral Point, while William,
Katie, Julius, Josephine and Gertrude were born in Dodgeville.
REV. MEREDITH EVAIVS, Sec. 20; P. 0. Dodgeville; born Dec. 22, 1812, in Mont-
gomeryshire, North Wales ; is a son of Thomas and Sarah (Davis) Evans. He followed farming in his
native land until June, 1836, the date of his emigration to America ; he Srst settled at Coldport, Ohio, and
engaged as a laborer in the coal mines. His father preceded him to this country, leaving his mother, who
accompanied him to Portage Co., Ohio, where his father had located ; in March, 1844, Mr. Evans came to
Dodgeville, and began prospecting for mineral. He married Mary B. Wat kins, Oct. 27, 1846; has seven
children living — Thomas, Barbara, David, George, Sarah, Meredith and Theresa — all born in the town of
Dodgeville. Mr. Evans is an elder in the Welsh Baptist Church, of which he has been a prominent mem-
ber for many years. He is a Republican in politics. He began with 160 acres and a log house ; he now
has 320 acres and a recently erected comfortable frame farm-house.
R. W. EVANS, harness maker, Dodgeville ; born Feb. 15, 1852, in Mifflin, Iowa Co., Wis.
His father, William Evans, died in 1857 ; the widow has since lived in Dodgeville. From 1870 to 1876,
R. W. Evans was in Chicago; was then for a few months with W. N. Currie, of Mineral Point, loca'ed
at Dodgeville ; returning to Chicago for a short time, then came to Dodgeville, and took an interest wiih
Mr. Currie, in his shop here ; bought him out in January, 1877, and now employs three or four hands, in
place of one, as formerly; Mr. Evans has a good business, and deals in harness, saddles, robe^, blanket-*,
whips, trunks, valises, etc., making a specialty of the Concord light harness; a light double harness of his
manufacture was awarded the first prize, at the Southwestern Wisconsin Industrial and the Iowa Co. fairs
in 1878 ; he learned his trade in Chicago, and now manufacturers the finest harness in Southwestern Wis-
consin. He married on Christmas Day, 1875, Miss Julia Welch; born Oct. 4, 1854, in Chicago, 111., on
the site of Marshall Field & Co.'s wholesale house ; they have two children — Sadie, born in Chicago, and
Frances, born in Dodgeville.
HENRY D. GRIFFITH, Sec. 8 ; P. 0. Dodgeville ; born Oct. 17, 1814, in Carmarthen-
shire, South Wales; he spent his early life as a farmer. In 1839, he came to America with his family,
and located in Pittsburgh, Penn. ; here he worked at anythingto which he could honorably turn his hand.
Arriving with his family in Dodgeville, May 2, 1849, he soon made a claim to 160 acres of his present
farm, afterward buying it at $1.25 per acre ; building a small log house sixty yards from his present resi-
dence, he began work in the lead mines ; the second year he raised wheat, corn, potatoes, etc., and by farm-
ing, mining and wood-cutting, has added to his farm, now owning 240 acres, on which ho has erected good
buildings ; the dense growth of small timber clothing the picturesque bluffs around him, has sprung up
since his settlement there. He married in his and her native shire, Margaret Howells ; she di'd in 1851,
leaving six children — Morris, William r deceased), Henry, Daniel, John, and an infant, deceased; he mar-
ried again, Mary Davis, of the same shire; they have had ten children — David, Elizabeth, Mary, Sarah,
Diana (deceased), Hannah J., Jemima and Keziah (twins, both deceased), Thomas (deceased), and Evan.
888 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
William Griffith enlisted in Co. C, 31st, W.V.I. ; participated in Sherman's march, served till the war
closed, and went to Denver, Colo., where he died in April, 1871 ; Henry enlisted from Sauk Co., Wis., in the
49th, and served in Missouri ; Morris served as a volunteer in the Nevada Home Guards. Mr. Griffith
is a Republican ; was Town Supervisor three years, and is, with his wife, a member of the Bethel W. C.
Church, of which he is trustee and deacon.
HALGRIlfl HALGRIMSON, Sec. II ; P. 0. DodgeviUe; was born Aug. 12, 1839, in
Christiania, Norway. His parents, Ole and Lynora Halgrimson, came to America in 1848 ; spent the
winter in Lebanon, Dodge Co., Wis., then removed to their present home, in the adjoining town of Aship-
pun. Their son, our subject, lived with them until 1868, when he settled on his present farm of 430 acres.
He married Anna Swenson, also a native of Christiania ; they have four children — Amelia, Charlotte,
Henry and Edward, all born on the homestead. Mr. Halgrimson is a Lutheran in religion, and a Republican.
ERICK HALVORSON, Sec. 32; P. 0. DodgeviUe; was born in Vegle, Numedahl, Nor-
way, Jan. 6, 1824 ; came to A^raerica, and Iowa Co., in 1841, reaching DodgeviUe Sept. 11, and began
work for a Mr. Ferris; the winter was spent about five miles to the west, and the next spring he went to
New Diggings, La Fayette Co., and spent a year. In 1842, his parents, Halvor and Mary, came to
America, and they, with their children — -Ole, Halstine, Brick, ToUef and Leiv — settled on the old ocott
farm, renting it. [n 1845 they made claim to 160 acres, which Erick H. now owns, and on it built a
small log house, which was their home till 1850 ; then Erick built a similar log house, near his present
residence, and, on the original 40 acres claimed and entered by the family, his parents lived with him up
to their death. He married, Sept. 5, 1851, Ingeborg Larsdatter, who was born Feb. 18, 1831, in Valebo,
Holden, Norway ; she came to Iowa Co., from Norway, in 1849. Mr. Halvorson has been for many
years a trustee of the Evangelical Lutheran Church, of which his family are members. He now has 220
acres, and good buildings. Mr. and Mr. Halvorson have reared a family of ten children, viz : Oliver,
Louis, Mary, Ole, Christie, Annie, Elizabeth, Rovina, Henry and E. Charles — four young children de-
ceased.
WILLIAM HARRIS, blacksmith, DodgeviUe ; was born in Cornwall, England, March 29,
1815 ; learned his trade in England, and in 1846, came with his family to America ; located at Dodge-
viUe, and began blaoksmithing, where he had no rival except one " Dock " Wise. Mr. Harris is now the
veteran blacksmith and wagon-maker, and employs several hands. A wagon made by him in Sept., 1880,
was awarded the first prize at the Iowa Co. Fair ; it is now in his shop, a model of strength and finish.
He married, in Cornwall, Miss Mary Anne Bennett. They lost a son, William H., aged 2 years; their
only daughter, Mary J., is the wife of J. T. Pryor, Jr., of DodgeviUe. Mr. Harris and wife are members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church, in which he has been class-leader many years. He is a Republican,
and has served four terms on the Village Board.
A. S. HEARST, editor and proprietor of the DodgeviUe Ghrowde; born Oct. 8, 1846, in
Smithfield, Jefferson Co., Ohio ; his early life was spent and his schooling attained in Cadiz, Ohio. En-
tering the office of the Cadiz Republican, at 14, he has since devoted his life to "journalism," with
the exception of fifteen months' military service. He first enlisted in Co. B, 88th 0. V. I., and later in
Co. B, 180th 0. V. I. From 1869 to 1874, he was in partnership with a brother, then and now editor
of the Cadiz Republican. During the winter of 1873-74, he came to DodgeviUe and bought the Chronicle,
which he has since published in the interests of Iowa Co., and the Republican party. He married, June
20, 1872, Miss Anna B. Carson, of Cadiz ; she was born in Smithfield, Jefferson Co., Ohio. They have
two daughters — Alice, born in Cadiz, and Clara B., born in DodgeviUe. Mr. and Mrs. Hearn are members
of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
FRANK P. HOCKIIVG, blacksmith, DodgeviUe ; is a son of William H. Hocking, who
came from his native Cornwall to America, in 1847 ; settled in DodgeviUe, where he married Sarah Pri-
deaux, a native of Cornwall, England. She died in 1860, leaving six children — Elizabeth J., Benjamin
H. (deceased), Araminta, Frank P., Joseph (deceased), and an infant, which soon followed the mother.
The father followed mining up to 1868. Frank P. Hocking, who was educated in the village, spent four
years as a farmer, and in 1874 began learning his trade of Wm. Harris ; he afterward worked for Hos-
kins & Sampson, and opened his present shop in February, 1879 ; does general blaoksmithing, and with
John Ralph, carries on the manufacture of wagons and sleighs. He married, April 18, 1879, Miss Ro-
sanna Woodward, a native of Highland, Iowa Co.
J. C. HOCKI1VG-, merchant, DodgeviUe ; was born Feb. 4, 1830, in Cornwall, England, where
his young manhood was passed in the mines. He came to America in 1851, joining his brothers Joseph
TOWN OF DODGEVILLE.
889"
and Wm. H., and a cousin, Joseph Hocking, in the Lake Superior mines; from May until September,
1852, himself and his brother W. H. were in Dodgeville ; in September, 1852, they joined a party of
twenty-one and went by the New York and Nicaragua route to California ; after two years of gold mining,
Mr. H. returned Nov. 6, 1854. Nov. 15 of the same year, he married Mary Treloar, who was born IS
months before her parents left Cornwall for America, they being among the settlers of 1836, in Min-
eral Point. Mr. Hooking went into partnership with his brother Joseph in the old Eough-and-Ready
Hotel, followed it a few months and saloon-keeping a few months, and began his present business in June,
1856. Part of 1864 and 1865 he spent in the Montana gold fields. At his store, corner of Iowa and!
Division streeis, may be found a large stock of general merchandise, for the country trade. Mr. and Mrs. ■
Hocking have seven children — Wm. J., Joseph F., Llewellyn, Benjamin H., Amelia A., Bertha May and
Mabel Jane, all born in Dodgeville. Mr. Hocking is a member of the Dodgeville M. B. Church, and wa&
a charter member of the Dodgeville T. of H.
JOSEPH HOCKINt^, proprietor of the Wisconsin Hotel, Dodgeville; was born Feb. 22.
1823, in Cornwall, England. He came to America in 1844 and settled in Jo Daviess Co., 111.; a year
later, he went to the mines near Pottsville, Penn., and for over a year, was overseer of a mine ; returning
to England, he spent one winter, and in March, 1848, married Mary A. Mitchell, of his native parish
(Camborne); in April, 1848, they left England, arriving at Dodgeville, June 10; it was an English
and Welsh mining hamlet, containing two hotels, the Rough-and-Ready house, and the hotel of C.
Stephens ; in 1852, he went to California, returned in 1854, and bought the Rough-and-Ready house, to
which he gave its present more appropriate name ; Mr. H. has also built all, excepting that part of the
building composed of stone, having in connection a store, where he carries a general stock of goods; his
commencement, on Nov. 10, 1854, and continuing to this day, gives him the place of pioneer among the
Dodgeville hotel men, and probably among those of Iowa Co. Mr. and Mrs. Hocking have four ehildrcQ
— Elizabeth A,, Ellen, Joseph A. W. and Abbie, and have lost six children, of whom the eldest, Sophia,
was aged 16. Mr. H. is a Democrat, and has been twice on the village Board of Supervisors.
J. J. HOSKINS, attorney at law ; is a son of John Hoskins, who was a son of James Hoskinss
and one of a family of thirteen; of these, seven sons have been residents of Dodgeville, viz.: James, John,
Samuel, Peter, Thomas, Josiah and William ; the second, John Hoskins, born in Cornwall, England,
married Elizabeth Hoskins, of Cornwall, and at his death, in 1851, left an only son, the subject of this
sketch, born June 15, 1849, in Dodgeville ; he attended the village schools, graduated in 1874 from
Lawrence University, Appleton, Wis., entered the Albany, N. Y. Law School, graduated in the spring of
1875, and has since practiced in his native village. He is an ardent Republican, and Chairman of the
Republican County Committee, and now represents the village in the County Board ; is a Freemason ;
up to 1869, he was one of the firrn of Hoskins, Thomas & Co., and, since the union of the two old min-
ing and smelting firms of Hoskins, Thomas & Co., and Bennett, Greorge & Co., has retained his interest.
THOMAS HOW^Elilj, retired miner, Dodgeville ; was born in Glamorganshire, South Wales,
June 16, 1814; his early life was spent in Monmouthshire; came to America in 1833, spent a few
months in Pennsylvania, thence to the coal and iron mines of Kentucky, returned again to his relatives in
Pittsburgh ; in 1843, he came to Dodgeville, having spent a few months at New Diggings ; up to 1850,
he worked in the mines here, boarding and keeping " bach's hall ; " in 1850, he went overland to Cali-
fornia, spent two years, and returned by water ; his second visit to the Grolden State was in 1853, he re-
maining until 1856, then returning to Dodgeville ; he married, Aug. 13, 1861, Miss Anne Howell, she
was born in Wales, and came to the United States with her parents when 12 years of age, or in 1831 ;
in 1862, with his wife, Mr. H. again crossed the plains to Oregon, thence went to Idaho, and in 1865
returned ; all his time while on the Pacific slope, was spent in the gold mines ; he bought his present
home in 1866, has improved it by re-habilitating the house, planting shade and fruit trees, laying out
walks, etc. Himself and wife are members of the Welsh Baptist Church. He is, in politics, a Republican.
THOMAS E. JAMES, carpenter, Dodgeville ; is a, son of Joseph James, a Cornish miner,
who settled in Dodgeville in 1830, and was stationed in the fort at Mineral Point during the Black Hawk
war; his wife was formerly Maria Eva, and they had six children ; of these, T. E. was born Sept. 26,
1838, on his father's farm, one and a half miles west of Dodgeville ; here the father died of cholera Aug.
20, 1850. His son, our subject, began learning his trade at 14 ; was in California from 1863 until 1866,
and, two years later, went into partnership with R. D. Davis (whose sketch see). Mr. James is a Free-
mason. He married. May 26, 1869, Miss Mary, daughter of Joseph Davis, a pioneer of 1847, in Dodge-
ville; she was born here in 1849, and is the mother of three children — Joseph H., Annie, and an infant
son, as yet unnamed; all were born, as were the parents, in Dodgeville.
890 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
ALiDRO JENKS, attorney at law, Dodgeville ; was born Jan. 18, 1855, in Watertown, N. Y.;
in 1857, his parents, Alonzo and Matilda Jenks, came West, settled, and still reside, in Darlington. Wis.
Aldro worked on the farm and attended school up to his 18th year, then began teaching ; worked on the
fdnu in summer and taught winters, and, at the end of four years, held a first-grade certificate ; while
teaching, he read law with Cothren & Lanyon, Mineral Point, and was admitted the bar at the March term
of the Iowa County Court, 1876, and, that summer, began practice in Highland, where he continued up
to Aiiirust, 1878, when the firm of Briggs & Jenks was established. Mr. Jenks is a Democrat, and is
somewhat noted as a political orator, or " stump speaker ; " he represented the village of Highland on the
County B )ard in 1877. He married Miss Laura, daughter of Hon. E. B. Goodsell (deceased), the first
settler and founder of Highland; he was a Vermonter; came to Wisconsin prior to the Black Hawk war,
and hold many positions ; was a member of the Constitutional Convention of 1846, etc.
WILIilAM JOHNS, Sec. 23 : P. 0. Dodgeville ; was born in Tavistock, Devonshire, En-
gland, May 18, 1812. He married, in Exeter, England, Miss Anne Jones, who was born Feb. 7, 1817,
in Blaok Torrington, Devonshire. They came to the United States in 1853, with five children, and. in
August, 1853, settled in Dodgeville; Mr. Johns worked at his trade of blacksmith here until 1867, when
he settled upon his present farm of 80 acres ; he served seven years as a blacksmith's apprentice, and fol-
lowed the business forty years; his farm was, thirteen years ago, open prairie, and his labor and money
have made all the improvements. Mr. and Mrs. Johns have seven children — Elizabeth (Mrs. James
Rodgers), William, Thomas, Samuel, Henry, John P. and Ellen ; one of their children died while cross-
ing the sea ; J. F. and Ellen were born in Dodgeville ; Samuel and Henry are now in Iowa.
D. Cr. JOIVES, Register of Deeds of Iowa Co.. Dodgeville; was born Nov. 16, 1831, in Car-
marthenshire, North Wales ; his parents, John and Mary (GrriflBths) Jones, came to America in 1842 and
settled in Tioga Co., Penn., where both died. The son came West in the fall of 1855 ; lived in Nicollet
Co., Minn., until 1858, when he came to Ridgeway, Iowa Co.; worked among the farmers of that town
until September, 1861, when he enlisted as a private in Co. C, 12th W. V. I.; when the regiment left
Madison in 1862, he was 5th Sergeant; later, he was made 2d and 1st Sergeant, and, after the full of
Vicksburg, 2d Lieutenant. The regiment joined Sherman at Big Shanty, and, at Bald Hill, Capt. Wilson
was wounded, which placed Lieut. Jones in command of Co. C ; while on the march in South Carolina,
he was commissioned Captain, whiuh office he held at his honorable discharge in August, 1865. Return-
ing North, he settled in Arena ; was elected Register in 1878, and is now the Republican candidate for re-
election. Capt. Jones married Rosanna Morris, who was born near his birthplace ; they have a son —
Adalbert D., born March 4, 1867, in Arena. Capt. and Mrs. Jones belong to the Congregational Church
of Arena ; ho is also one of the A. 0. U. W. of Dodgeville.
D. J. JONES, miner, Dodgeville; was born in Wales Aug. 15, 1845 ; came with his parents
to America when about 15 years of age, anl resided in Dodgeville up to August, 1862, when he enlisted
in ('o. C, 31st W. V. I., serving through with his regiment to the close of the war ; returning, he Hved
in Dodgeville until 1868, when he went to Colorado, and has since spent his time in the mines of that
State and Nevada, where he now is. He, however, did return to this pleasant Wisconsin village and
remain long enough to marry, on the 17th of March, 1872, Miss Maggie Wickham, she accompanied him
to the West, and remained there until April, 1879, when she settled in the elegant home where she and
the three children await the coming of the husband and father; two of the children — Charles W. and
James A., were born in Gold Hill, Nevada, while the youngest, Leonard A., was born in Milwaukee, Wis.
The Wickham family, parents and ten children, came to America in 1840, from Wales; of the four sons,
David and Daniel served in the Union army during secession times, and Daniel was killed in action near
Gettysburg ; David is farming in Ridgeway, and William is now in the employ of Penberthy, Pearce
& Co. He married Mary Griffiths, and has two children — Anna M. and Daniel W. Messrs. Jones
and Wickham are Republicans.
EDWARD R. JOIVES, Sees. 18, 7 and 13; P. 0. Dodgeville; was born Sept. 6, 1812, in
Merionethshire, North Wales. Married, in May, 1840, Margaret Edwards, and started the next day for
America; resided, until 1845, in Oneida Co., N. Y., then came to Dodgeville; in the spring of 1846,
Mr. Jones claimed 160 acres of his present farm, and afterward bought it of the Government; the logs
for his house he cut himself; during the next few years he worked on his own land, and some for John
Messersmith. Mrs. Jones died May 21, 1858, leaving five children — Robert, Mary, David, Elizabeth and
John ; the two eldest were born in Oueida Co., N. Y., and the others in Dodgeville ; by the present Mrs.
Jones (formerly Mary Jones), born July 17, 1823, he has five children— Theophilus, William, Margaret,
llddie, Sarah, :ill born on the old farm. Mr. Jones now has 200 acres, and good buildings; himself and
TOWN OF DODGEVILLE. 891
■wife are members of the Bethel Church (Welsh Presbyterian), of which he has been Trustee, etc. He
is a Republican, and has held local offices ; is a genuine old-time pioneer, and need have no regrets in
looking over the record of his long and useful life.
HUG-BL W. JOXES, merchant, DodgeviUe ; was born in Anglesea, North Wales, Feb. 26 ,
1838 ; his early life was spent on a farm and at school ; io 1853, he came to America and settled at
Waterville, N. Y. ; hired out at $6 per month as a farm hand, and also worked one summer in a saw-mill
near Trenton Falls, N. Y., where he also attended a winter school ; in the fall of 1855, he came West and
began in Oshkosh, Wis., as a carpenter, then as a clerk and employe in the saw-mills until his coming to
DodgeviUe in 1857 ; here he clerked for Hoskins, Thomas & Co. until the firm of Jones & Owens was
•established in 1863; up to May, 1871, they dealt in produce only, then went into the Morris building
with a stock of merchandise; the United States Centennial was celebrated by them in the building of the
han dsome brick block which bears their name ; they occupy both the lower and part of the upper floors
with the largest stock of goods in the village. He cast his first vote for Abraham Lincoln, in 1860; has
for several years served as member of the Village Board. Mr. Jones married, Oct. 25, 1871, in Dodge-
viUe, Miss Mary E. Owens, of Llandudno, North Wales ; they have eight children — Willie C, Winnie
May, Jennie, Mary Ellen, Maria, Bobbie, Arthur R. and an infant unnamed, all born in DodgeviUe.
JOHN T. JONES, County Judge of Iowa County, was born May 21, 1836, in Anglesea,
North Wales ; he attended school in Carnarvon, then entered a printing oiEce and learned the printer's trade ;
when about 16, he came to America ; entering the office of the Utica (N. Y.) Herald, he worked for a time,
then began study in the Whitestown Seminary in order to fit himself as a teacher; in 1856, he came to
Wisconsin and alternately taught, and attended the Platteville Academy until the outbreak of the rebell-
ion; enlisting Aug. 6, 1862, in Co. E, 30ib W. V. I., under Co,. D. J. Dill, he served on the plains
until 1864; the predatory Indian warfare there fitted the regiment to cope with the guerrillas of Ken-
tucky, where the boys served out the remainder of their time ; for three years following his discharge in
September, 1865, acted as agent for the Northwestern Life Insurance Company, meanwhile studying law; in
January, 1870, he entered the office of LI. Breese, then Secretary of State, and devoted his spare time for
four years to the exclusive study of law; in 1871, he graduated with the University Law Class ; at the
expiration of Gov. Taylor's term, he went to Mineral Point, where he practiced law until his election to
his present position, in the spring of 1877. The Judge is a Republican. He married, while on a fur-
lough in 1864, Miss Anne Oldham, a native of Cheshire, Eng. ; they have five children — Thomas W.,
William W., M. Charles, Arthur L. and John T., Jr. ; all were born in Wisconsin, as were Llewellyn
Breese and George Lloyd, both of whom died in DodgeviUe.
WILIilAM T. JONES, Sec. 6; P. 0. DodgeviUe; was born Dec. 24, 1836, in Denbigh-
shire, North Wales; came to America, and to DodgeviUe, in 1857 ; engaged in mining a year; worked
two years for Capt. William Jones, then went to Pike's Peak ; thence to Montana ; spent five profitable
years in the gold mines ; returned, and bought his present farm of 156 acres. It was then a brushy,
grubby prairie, he having cleared, broken and fenced it. His large farmhouse was built in 1873, and his
barn in 1 879. Mr. Jones helped to build and attends the Salem Church ; is a Republican. Married
Annie Harris, who was born in Ohio; they have six children — William, Elizabeth, Ellen, Mary A.. Sarah
and Marion, all born in DodgeviUe.
THOMAS KENNEDY, merchant, DodgeviUe ; is a son of James and Catherine (Ryan)
Kennedy ; a great grandfather of his was one of the Revolutionary patriots ; he returned, however, to
Ireland, where the next two generations were born. James Kennedy came to America when a younsr man,
and at different times resided in Maryland, Virginia and Pennsylvania, where he married, and where two
children — Richard and Margaret — were born. In 1844, the family settled in the town of New Diggings,
La Fayette Co. (then Iowa Co.), where our subject was born, Oct. 3, 1845. The father died Aug. 24,
1878, leaving seven sons and four daughters. Thomas Kennedy was educated in Highland, Iowa Co.;
came to DodgeviUe in January, 1874 ; was appointed Deputy Sheriff in 1875 ; elected Sheriif in the fall of
1876, by the Democrats, and was re-elected in 1880. The firm of Bilkey, Kennedy & Co. was founded
in 1878 ; carries a general stock, and is regarded as among the soundest. Mr. Kennedy married Mar-
garet Dufiy, in Highland; they have two children — Maria E. and Margaret J., and lost a son, Richard M.
CHRISTIAN KESSLER, DodgeviUe; was born in Kuhr Hessen, Germany, Nov. 12,
1832. He came to America in 1857 ; first settled at St. Louis ; thence, came to Blue Mounds, Wis.;
thence, to Madison, and again to Blue Mounds and St. Louis, finally settling at Mineral Point. He
enlisted as a private in Company I, 2d W. V. I., in 1861, and received a buUet through the left shoulder
at the battle of Bull Run ; was captured, and, while a rebel prisoner in Richmond, had one of the bones
892 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
taken from the upper part of the arm, rendering it almost useless ; was paroled, exchanged and discharged,
aud is now a pensioner. Returning to Mineral Point, he attended school for a time; was City Treasurer
from 1862 to 1868 ; was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court, Iowa Co., in 1868, and served three terms ;
was then elected County Treasurer, and served two terms. Mr. Kessler is a Republican. He married
Matilda Hoffman ; they have four children — Henry, Elizabeth, Freddy and Archibald. Mr. Kessler
belongs to the A. 0. U. W. of Dodgeville, where he now resides, having recently opened a meat market,
RICHARD LANE, of P. W. Stratman & Co , Dodgeville ; was born in Queen's Co., Ireland,
Dec. 26, 1842 ; is of English descent on the paternal side, while his mother was of the Champ family, of
France. While he was yet in his boyhood, his parents settled in Canada, where he remained up to May,^
1865, when, after spending some time in the Lake Superior mines, in Warren Co., Ohio, and in Dubuque,
Iowa ; he came to Dodgeville in the spring of 1868 ; hired with Spang & Stratman, and, after the disso-
lution of that firm, joined Mr. Stratman as a partner, in May, 1872. The firm occupied five buildings, and
have made their wagon factory one of the large industries of Dodgeville. The main factory is 30x80 feet,
and thirty men are employed in turning out wagons, carriages, sleighs, cutters, harrows, plows, cultivators,
etc. Mr. Lane married Adele, daughter of Joseph Ranger, one of Dodgeville's pioneer settlers ; they
have five children — George W., Henry H., Lottie, Howard and an infant. The eldest was born in Spring-
field, D. T., where the parents lived for a time, and where Mr. Lane now owns a tract of land.
LiOUIS liAUX, Sees. 21 and 22; P. 0. Dodgeville; was bora in the Kingdom of Saxony,
Germany, Oct. 9, 1840. His parents, Henry B. and Sophia (Schwartzman) Laun, came, with six chil-
dren, to America in 1855, landing, in June, at New York City; they came to Milwaukee. Louis spent
about ten years on his father's farm, near that city, and was in a Chicago distillery three years ; settled on
his present farm of 256 J acres in June, 186Y, 200 acres of this is of the old Jenkins farm, and the gray
old barn, built by the pioneer Jenkins, was one of the first of its size erected in Iowa Co. Mr. Laun mar-
ried, in Mequon, Ozaukee Co., Wis., Miss Lucy A. Shunk, born Oct. 4, 1843, in Germantown, Wis. ;
they have five children — Amelia (born in Germantown), Jessie A., Laura J., Mary and Jennie, all bora
on the Dodgeville farm. Mr. Laun is independent in politics, and a Lutheran in religion.
JOHN H. JLEWIS, shoemaker, Dodgeville ; was born Dec. 17, 1837, in Bergen, Norway ;
came to America in 1857; located at Stoughton, Wis., and began working at his trade, which he had
learned in Norway ; had served five or six years in the Norwegian navy and merchant service. At the
outbreak of the rebellion, in 1861, he was in Arkansas ; came north and worked successively at Wheeler's
Prairie, Wis., Janesville and Monroe ; went to Dodgeville in 1870, and has since followed his trade there.
Married, April 24, 1870, in Dodgeville, Caroline Tangleson, born in Palmyra, Wis. They have five chil-
dren— Clara L., Luman B., Mary A., John H. and an infant, all born in Dodgeville. Mr. Lewis is liberal
in politics, and, with his wife, a member of the Lutheran Church. He is a Freemason of twenty-three
years' standing, having united with a Janesville Lodge in 1857.
WILLIAM B. LEWIS, Sees. 5 and 6 ; P. 0. Dodgeville ; was born March 23, 1824, in
Carmarthenshire, South Wales ; is a son of James and Margaret Lewis ; came to America in 1852 ; located
at Philadelphia, and worked about two years as a roof-slater, he having served a three years' apprentice-
ship as mason in Wales. He came to Dodgeville in 1854, and, eighteen months later, to his present farm
of 280 acres. He began with 160 acres and a log house, which stands as a reminder of old times, near
the handsome modern farmhouse, which supplanted it in 1859. Mr. Lewis has made good progress as a
farmer, and is one of the respected citizens of his town. He is a member, with his family, of the Bethel
Church (Welsh), and has been Clerk for many years. Is a Republican in politics. He married, in hia
and her native shire, Elizabeth Evans. They have six children — Charles H., James and Mary, born in
Carmarthenshire ; Samuel, born in Philadelphia, and William and John, born in Dodgeville.
E. H. HcELHOSE, photographer, Dodgeville ; was born June 12, 1840, in Paterson, N. J.
His father, a machinist by trade, removed in 1841 to Mexico, where he spent a number of years, and is.
now living in Chicago, 111. His son, our subject, began life at 15 as a carpenter's apprentice. In 1860,
he took his first lessons in photography, in Paduoah, Ky. The outbreak of the war found him in Trenton,
Tenn. During the war, he was at various points in Illinois and Missouri, coming to Avoca, Wis., in 1866,
and from there to Dodgeville in 1869. Twenty years of constant experience enables him to do excellent
work in sun photos, as may be seen by samples in his rooms. He married, in Avoca, Miss Mary Frost, a
native of 111. ; they have three children — Arthur D., born in Avoca ; Sarah J. and Mary A., both born in
Dodgeville. Mr. and Mrs. MoElhose are members of the M. E. Church. He is a Republican and aa
Odd Fellow.
TOWN OF DODGEVILLE.
893
GEORGE MICHEAL, butcher, Dodgeville ; was born, Oct. 6, 1846, in Dodgeville ; is a son
of George and Kliza (Smitherm) Micheal, who came from Redruth, Cornwall, to America in 1846, settling
in Redruth Hollow, north of Dodgeville Village. The father engaged in mining until 1852, the last two
years in California. Up to 1861, he kept a saloon in Dodgeville; was then, for two years, in the mines
of Pennsylvania, and, from 1867 until 1870, in Dodgeville. In 1870, he went to Colorado; returned in
1872 to Dodgeville, where he died, April 27, 1875. His son, our subject, grew to manhood in Dodge-
ville, accompanied his father to Colorado, was two years in the Lake Superior iron mines, and, in May,
1 875, began his present business in his native village. He married Miss Jennie, daughter of Charles
Bilkey, the pioneer butcher of the place ; they have two children — George W. and Charles — both born in
Dodgeville. Mr. M. is a member of Iowa Encampment, No. 27, I. 0. 0. F., and a Democrat.
JOSEPH MITCHEIiL, Sees. 13 and 24 ; P. O. Dodgeville ; born in Camborne Parish,
Cornwall, June 21, 1829. After spending his early life as a miner in England, he came to America with
his wife in 1848, buying the farm of George Messersmith, one of Iowa Co.'s earliest pioneers. Mr. Mes-
sersmith had erected a log cabin about half a mile north of Mr. Mitchell's frame residence. The latter
gentleman now owns 160 acres, and his son and son-in-law own an adjoining farm of 204 acres, where
Messersmith last lived in the State. Mrs. Mitchell was Jane Hooper, born in Camborne, and married
there May 14, 1848; she died May 14, 1874, leaving six children — Elizabeth J. (Mrs. N.Bailey),
Joseph, William, John, James, Mary and Anue. Joseph and William live on an adjoining farm. The
latter was so unfortunate as to lose his left arm in a threshing machine, in 1878. John Mitchell married
M. A. Griffiths, and Joseph married E. J. Cutler. Mr. M. is liberal in politics and religion.
PETER J. MORRIS, retired blacksmith, Dodgeville ; was born in Carmarthenshire, South Wales,
June 28, 1828. On leaving the farm of his ancestors, he served a three years' apprenticeship as blacksmith,
which trade he followed until 1852, when he came to America. Reaching Summit, Waukesha Co., Wis.,
he devoted his time to his trade and to learning the English language. In 1854, he went to Platteville,
Wis., and the next year to Cottage Inn, Wis., for a short tim?. The next removal was to his native
Wales, where he married Rachel Evans. Their wedding tour was the voyage to their new American
home. After eighteen months in Platteville, or in the year 1858, Mr. Morris and wife came to Dodge-
ville. He at once bought the lot on which the Iowa Co. Court House is built, it then being occupied by a
small blacksmith-shop and numerous " sucker holes." The only semblance of a street was one running
in the direction of the Roberts Hotel. The old liberty-pole stood on ground now occupied by the court
house portico. Mr. M. built his house in the rear, or to the west, of his shop, digging the cistern, which
is still in use by the county officials. Iowa Co., having decided to make a change in the location of the
county-seat, bought the lot of Mr. Morris, thus causing his removal across what is now Iowa street — his
house to where it now stands, and his shop to ground on which, in 1860, he built the shop now occupied
by Prideaux & Kelly. In this shop he worked until his retirement from business, in 1875. Much is due
Mr. Morris for his public spirit in building up his part of the village. In 1861, he built the Hahn
store, then bought the lot adjoining his shop, and sold it to one Midbow, on condition that he build upon
it, he (Morris) agreeing to take a mortgage upon the property. In 1868, he built the store now owned
by him and occupied by Bilkey & Kennedy. He also bought and sold the lot where Joseph Rogers now
lives. His plan was to buy lots, and either build upon them or to sell only on condition that the buyer
should build, thus promoting the healthy growth of the place, instead of a spirit of speculation. Mr. and
Mrs. Morris have eight children—James (born in Platteville), Frances, Margaret, Lemuel, Peter, John,
Clarence and Hannah J. — all born in Dodgeville. Mr. Morris is independent of churches and societies,
and a Republican.
T. R. MUND Y, of Mundy & Pearce, Dodgeville, is a son of William Mundy, who was born, in
1829, near Penzance, Cornwall, Eng. ; he resided several years in Scotland. At 22, married, in the IfIo
of Man, Miss Deborah Milburn ; they came to America in 1855, where Mr. M. engaged in mining up to
1867, when the firm of Hendy, Mundy & Co. was founded and the present furnace buUt ; Mr. Handy
retired, as did the Milroy Bros., who were at one time partners; Mr. Pearce, the present partner, joined
Mr. Mundy in 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Mundy have five children — Thomas R., born Oct. 28, 1855 ; Annie,
born April 30, 1858 ; John J., born Dec. 30, 1860 ; Deborah, born June 15, 1868, and George W., born
July 30, 1873 — all in Dodgeville ; the eldest son, William H., born on the Isle of Man, was educated at
Lawrence University, and became a practical druggist ; in company with the brother whose name heads
this sketch, he went to Texas, and died in Kansas on the return trip ; Thomas R. was educated in Dodge-
ville, and is a jeweler by trade, working at it four years in his native village, but has of late devoted him-
self to the smelting business, owning an interest. He married Clara Hoskins Dec. 11, 1879, in his and
894 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
her native village. Mr. Mundy is a Freemason and a Good Templar ; his parents both belong to the M,
E. Church.
ROBSiRT €}. OWENS, of Jones & Owens, Dodgeville, was born in Llandudno, Carnarvon-
shire, North Wales, April 27, 1838 ; his parents, Owen T. and Winnifred Koberts Owens, came to America in
1849 with a family of four children ; settled in Dodgeville, where, after a year in the lead mines, the father
died in 1850, of cholera ; in 1855, the son whose name heads this sketch went via the New York & Nicar-
agua route to California ; was in the gold mines there until 1861 or 1862, when he returned to Dodge-
ville. The firm of Jones and Owens was formed in May, 1863 (see sketch of H. W. Jones) ; Mr. Owens,
like his partner, inherited no property, and has earned every dollar. He is an Odd Fellow, a Kepublican,
and was a Village Trustee. Has a handsome three-story brick residence that is now in process of con-
struction on the southern outskirts of the village, which will be the finest residence in Dodgeville and the
home of Mr. Owecs and his sister. The mother died in 1879.
WILLIAll OWENS (deceased), was born, in 1813, in Flintshire, North Wales. Married
Mary Grriflfith, of the same shire, and came with five children to America in 1847 ; located in Dodgeville,
where he worked in the lead mines until 1858, when he settled on the Owens homestead of 126 acres ; he
died Oct. 30, 1878, leaving six children — Margaret (Mrs. D. L. Koberts), Thomas, Elizabeth (Mrs. W. H.
Jones), Peter, John and William ; of these, the three eldest were born in Wales, and the others in Dodge-
ville. John Owens, born June 28, 1850. Is a Republican. Married Miss Mary A., daughter of Evan
W. Williams; they have one daughter — Edna Mary. William Owens was born March 19, 1854. The
family belong to the Salem Church (Welsh Congregational) ; the father was a Deacon in this church and
a Democrat in politics ; he served three years as a Supervisor of his town.
REV. WILLIAM OWENS, Dodgeville, was born in Carnarvonshire, North Wales, Sept.
17, 1821 ; came to America and Dodgeville in 1847 ; engaged in mining, having spent his early life in the
Welsh slate quarries ; in 1849, he joined the Wisconsin Conference of the M. E. Church, and was placed
in charge of the Welsh Mission ; a year later, he was sent to Cambria, Columbia Co. ; was there uniil
1852 ; was then for two years with his former charge ; went to Cambria again, and, returning in 1856,
has since lived in Dodgeville as a local minister ; has owned a small farm on Sec. 26 since 1857. Married
Jane Owens, of his native shire; they have eight children — William, Jennie, Ellen, Mary, David, Edward
F., Thomas and Fannie ; Ellen and Mary were born in Cambria, and the others in Dodgeville. Mr. Owens
is a Republican, and was Town Treasurer in 1875. His wife came to America in 1830, and to Wisconsin
in 1845 ; her father, Ellis Owens, died at Mill Creek.
RICHARD T. PARRY, Dodgeville, Cashier of Reese's Bank ; was born Feb. 13, 1836, in
Anglesea, Wales ; was educated there ; came to America in April, 1855, and, in the fall of 1856, to Min-
eral Point; in the fall of 1857, his parents, Richard and Catharine (Owens) Parry, joined him and bought
a farm in Dodgeville ; here R. T. spent two years, then married and settled on a farm of his own in Sees.
5, 6 and 4. In the fall of 1862, he enlisted in Co. E, 30th W. V. I., and saw service in enforcing the
draft in Wisconsin, in building Ft. Wadsworth, Minn., and, later, in Paducah and Lexington, Ky. ; after
his honorable discharge at the close of the war, he resumed farming in Dodgeville ; in 1868, he sold his
farm and settled in the village of Dodgeville, serving a year as Assessor of the town and as Deputy Regis-
ter of Deeds ; he then bought another farm ; during the winter of 1870-71, he was Transcribing Clerk in
the State Senate ; sold his farm in 1877, having accepted his present position in 1876. He married
Elizabeth Jones, a native of Pottsville, Penn. ; they have three children — George, William Sedgwick and
Anna B., all born in Dodgeville. Mr. Parry is a Republican and a member of the W. C. Church, his
wife being a member of the Congregational Church.
JOSEPH PEARCE, smelter, Dodgeville ; was born in Camborne Parish, Cornwall, Eng.>
Jan. 2, 1819. He married, in the church of his and her native parish. Miss Jane Treloar ; they
were wedded May 1, 1845, and a week later embarked for America, arriving in Dodgeville July 14,
1845 ; during the first three months, his wife stopped with the family of Henry Prideaux ; they then com-
mencing housekeeping in the old log cabin of Ed Tbomas ; in 1847, Mr. Pearce built hia brick house, it
being the third or fourth in the village of that material ; his early life was spent in the mines of old Corn-
wall, and, after mining lead until 1851, he went to California, and, after three years and eight months of
gold mining, returned to Dodgeville ; he owns 150 acres in the village, and is both a farmer and smeltor,
having associated with William Mundy in 1877 in the latter business (see sketch of T. R. Mundy) ; Mr.
and Mrs. Pearce have three children — Joseph (of Penberthy, Pearce & Co.), William James (now a med-
ical student in Chicago) and Bessie (the wife of J. H. Melbourne, of Michigan). Mr. P. is a Republican
TOWN OF DODGEVILLE. 895
a Freemason, and has been two terms each on the Village and Town Boards ; Mrs. Pearce is a member
of the M. K. Church.
JOiiiEPH PEARCE, Jr., of Penberthy & Pearce, Dodgeville ; was born Feb. 18, 1851, in
Dodf^evillo ; his father, Joseph Pearce, Sr., settled here early, and is now mining, farming and smelting;
the son attended the village schools, and learned the tinner's trade; he began his present business in 1874,
and has charge of the hardware department of this store. Mr. Pearce married Sarah Ryall ; ^he was born in
England, but has spent most of her life in this town ; they have two children — Joseph E. and Annie A.,
both born in Dodgeville. Mr. and Mrs. Pearce are members of the M. E. Church ; he is also a member of
the Temple of Honor.
JOHW H. PENBERTHY, merchant, Dodgeville ; was born July 9, 1835, in Cornwall,
Eng. ; his father, James Penberthy, came with his family to America and to Dodgeville in 1846 ; in
185:i, he removed to Canada West, and died at Bruce Mine ; his widow and seven children were in
Dodgeville, where J. H. labored manfully to assist in the support of the family ; the burden was a heavy
one on his young shoulders, and, hearing " glad tidings " from his old friend, James Roberts, then in Cali-
furnia, he wrote to him asking that he send a remittance that would enable him to join him ; the gener-
ous friend promptly sent the money, and during the year 1856 he reached the Golden State; after four
years oK successful mining, he returned to Dodgeville, and for two years carried on the lumber trade in
Dodgeville and Jonesdale, Wis. ; began mercantile business in 1863, and spent part of 1864 and 1865 in
the mines of Montana; he carried on mercantile business alone in Dodgeville from 1866 to 1875, then
associated with Joseph Penberthy and Joseph Pearce, Jr. (now J. H. Penberthy & Co.) ; the firm carry
a general stock of merchandise, including hardware. Mr. P. has held local offices, and is a Republican. He
united with the M. E. Church of Dodgeville in February, 1851 ; was ordained local Deacon by Bishop
Sampson in 1871, and local Elder by Bishop Harris Sept. 28, 1880. He married Miss Elizabeth Rogers,
born Oct. 22, 1836, in Cornwall, Eng., and a resident of Dodgeville since 1837.
HENRY PENGEIjLiY, of Pengelly Brothers, Dodgeville; was born in Pottsville, Penn.>
March 23, 1849 ; his parents both natives of Cornwall, England, came to the United States in 1848, and
to Dodgeville in 1856 ; here the father, William Pengelly, engaged in farming; he died October, 1861 ;
he left four children — William, Henry, John and Mary; the mother is now a resident of the village; the
oldest son is farming in Kansas, where Henry spent part of the year 1874; he had previously spent a
winter in Colorado. In 1864, he began work for the EUwood Brothers, and continued in their employfor
about twelve years; he and his younger brother formed the partnership in 1876, and have since been in
the livery business; the brothers have spared no pains to succeed, and have built up and added to their
establishment, now owning five good teams, with the accompanying " rigs." Henry Pengelly married Miss
Mary Hopkins, a native of Painesville, Mo. ; they have three sons — William, James and George, all
born in Dodgeville. Mr. P. is an Odd Fellow and a Democrat: is now serving his fourth term as Con-
stable.
THOMAS PERKINS, hardware dealer, Dodgeville ; was born in Calstock, Cornwall, En-
gland, Feb. 20, 1845 ; is a son of James and Mary Anne (Jenkins) Perkins, who came to America in
184li ; resided in New York State until 1848, then came to Mineral Point, and a year later to Dodgeville,
where they still live. Thomas Perkins was one of the party from this locality that went to Montana in
1864 ; he returned in the fall of 1865, and the next year began his present business ; is himself a prac-
tical tinsmith ; he employs two h:inds ; carries a full line of hardware, stoves, tinware, etc. He married
Anne Kelly, a native of the Isle of Man ; they have a daughter — Mabel, born in Dodgeville.
REV. SEM PHIIililPS, of the Welsh Congregational Church, Dodgeville; is a son of
Thomas and Sarah Phillips, and was born Jan. 21, 1826, in New Church, Carmarthenshire, South Wales ;
was received as a member of the Bwlchnewydd Church ; spent three years in the preparatory schools of
Ffrwd-y-fal and Narveth ; graduated in the college of Brecon ; was ordained in 1878, at Llangynid ; after-
ward transferred to Llantrisant ; came to America in 1866 ; was placed in charge of two congregations in
Steuben, Oneida Co., N. Y. ; and, in July, 1872, came to Dodgeville, where he has since resided in charge
of the vi lage church, and the Holyhead, and Bethel-in-the- Woods Churches. The Revs. D. M. Jones,
Evan Owens, J. D. Davis and Benjamin Jones were his predecessors.
FRANCIS PRIDEAUX, of Prideaux & Hooper, merchants, Dodgeville ; was born in No-
vember, 1832, in Cornwall, England ; his father, Francis Prideaux, came with his family to America in
July, 1837, and began mining in Linden, Iowa Co. In 1841, he went to Weston, 111., where he died
June 14, 1847 ; his widow, formerly Sarah Sims, then returned to her relatives in Dodgeville. In 1851,
896 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
young Prideaux went to the mines of Lake Superior, and went in 1855 to California, where he spent ten
years and three months in the gold mines ; returning, the firm of Hocking & Prideaux was formed ; and,
in August, 1868, the former sold out to William Hooper. Mr. Prideaux married Jan. 10, 1867, Misa
Susan A. Treloar, whose father, William T., was one of the pioneers of Dodgeville, where she was born ; they
have seven children — Eddie E., William M., Annetta B. and Kittie E. (twins), Oscar C. and Alvin and Orlia
(twins). The firm carry a general stock: dry goods, clothing, hats and caps, boots and shoes, everything
in the grocery line, notions, etc., etc. Mr. Hooper was born in 1837, in Cornwall ; came with his parents-
to America in 1848 ; resided in Dodgeville up to 1 863 ; then spent a year in the Montana gold fields.
Married Miss Alice Treloar, who was born in Mineral Point, Wis.; she died July 23, 1879, leaving five
children — Elizabeth M , William J., Albert H., Charles and Alice E., all born in Dodgeville.
WIIililAM H. PRIDEAUX, smelter, Dodgeville ; is a son of Capt. Henry Prideaux,-
and was born May ll, 1837, in Camborne, Cornwall, England. The family came to America and to
Iowa Co. in 1838, Capt. P. engaging in the mining and liquor business since, with the exception of four
years spent in California. In 1862, he again went West, and remained until 1865, in the mines of Colo-
rado, Montana, Idaho and California. During the past six years, he has been Street Commissioner of the
village. His son, our subject, attended the noted old pioneer school, taught by " Papa" Jenkins, and,
when grown to manhood, went to the Montana gold hills, spent three years, and returned in 1866. Prior to
this, or when 18, he taught two terms of school, and kept a small confectionery store several years ; he
also spent several years at teaming; began work for Hendy, Mundy & Co., in 1867, and for the past ten
years has smelted for this firm, and when not engaged at this has taken contracts for digging cellars, etc,
is a Republican, and served a term as Town Clerk, by appointment ; is now serving his third term as Sec-
retary of the Iowa County Agricultural Society ; married Elizabeth Corin, a native of Camborne, boro
May 19, 1841 ; married Aug. 19, 1858. They have eight children — Amelia (Mrs. L. Ryall), Henry L.,
Willie F., Flora J., Celia C., Lizzie I., Frances J. and Sarah E. ; all were born in Dodgeville.
REV. JAMES T. PRYOR, was born in Cornwall, England, Sept. 4, 1814, and married,
Feb. 5, 1838, Miss Mary Harris, of the same county. They sailed March 13, 1842, for America, arriv-
ing at Mineral Point, Wis., July 15, 1842; resided there until the fall of 1849, then went to Dubuque,
Iowa, returning to Mineral Point in 1850. Here he engaged in the retail grocery trade, in connection
with a tailor shop. In 1851, he was admitted on trial, in the Wisconsin Conference of the M. E. Church •,
was ordained Deacon in 1853, and Elder in 1855. Upon the division of the Conference, he became a
member of the West Wisconsin Conference, with which he is still associated. During twenty-five years
he was in the effective ranks, and was, during four years. Presiding Elder of the Prairie du Chien District.
His health having failed, he was granted a superannuate relation, and in 1875, settled, and has since resided
in Dodgeville, in impaired health. Of their six children, only the eldest, J. Thomas Pryor, is now living..
Joseph, the fifth child, enlisted inCo. H, 7th "W. V. I., in 1861 ; died at Falmouth, Va., July 6, 1862, of
typhoid fever.
J. THOMAS PRYOR, cashier in Orville Strong (feCo.'s bank; is a son of Rev. James T. and
Mary Harris Pryor, and was born July 11, 1839, in Redruth, Cornwall, England ; came to Iowa Co. with
his parents in 1842 ; received a common-school and a partial academic education. Beginning when a little
more than 15 years of age, he was engaged in teaching most of the time until 1866, during the last seven
years, in Dodgeville Village. In 1866, he was ordained a local Deacon, admitted on trial in the West Wis-
consin Conference M. E. Church, he was stationed at Spring Green, Sauk Co., Wis. His health faiHng
during his second year's service, he was granted a location at his own request; returned to Dodgeville in
the fall of 1868, and was employed in the County Register's office, under Mr. Kearton Coates ; in January,
1869, was appointed Town Clerk, and the next spring elected to the same office. In the fall of 1869, he took
charge of the schools in Dodgeville, and continued in that capacity until 1 873 ; in 1874, was appointed Dep-
uty County Treasurer, re-appointed in 1875, and in the spring of 1876, again elected Town Clerk of Dodge-
ville; in the fall of 1876, was elected County Clerk, and again in 1878, declining a nomination in 1880;
is a Republican in politics, and is a member of the following societies: Dodgeville Lodge, No. 119, A.,
F. & A. M., and Iowa Chapter, No. 6, R. A. M., Mineral Point ; Mineral Point Commandery, No. 12. K.
T.; Dodgeville Lodge, No. 71, A. 0. U. W., and Dodgeville T. of H., No. 212. He married Miss Mary
J. Harris, a native of Cornwall ; they have three children — Mary Caroline, Ellen Josephine and James
William ; another son died in infancy.
JOHX RALiPH, wagon-maker, Dodgeville; was born in Cornwall, England, Dec. 10, 1840.
His parents, William and Mary (Richards) Ralph, came to America in 1850; were two years in the
Michigan copper mines ; then went to Hazel G-reen, Wis., where the parents died. The son, our subject.
TOWN OF DODGEVILLE. 897
grew to man's estate in Hazel Green ; enlisted in 1861 in the 25th W. V. I., and, as one of the regimental
band, was mustered-out in 1862. In the spring of 1864, he re-enlisted in the 5th Iowa Cavalrj' ; served till
the close of the war in the Southwestern army in Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee; took part in the
decisive battle of Nashville, and when finally discharged returned to Hazel Green ; came to Dodgeville in
1867, and has since been engaged at his trade here. He was united with Dodgeville Lodge, No. 147,
I. O. 0. F., in 1872, and has held all its official positions ; also those in the Iowa Encampment, No. 27 ;
was a charter member and has since been Recorder of Dodgeville Lodge, No. 71, A. 0. U. W. Is a
Republican. He married Miss Prances Gribble, who was born near Hazel Green, Wis. ; they have six
children — Frank A., Justin, Myrtella, Minerva, John and William ; the two eldest were born in Hazel
Green, and the others in Dodgeville.
JOSHUA REESE, Sec. 14 ; P. 0. Dodgeville ; born in Carmarthenshire, Wales, June 3, 1816.
His early life was spent at mining. In September, 1841, he engaged in the mines of Pennsylvania, Sugar
Creek, Minersfield, Blossburg, etc., for several years ; then spent a few months in Rhode Island. In
1845, he came to Iowa Co., and worked in the lead diggings until 1856, when he settled on his present
ISO-acre farm. All was timber, except 3 or 4 acres, on which stood a log house. Mr. Reese has done
good work here, erecting a storehouse, granary, stables, etc. He married Anne Jones, also born in Wales ;
they have five children — Anne, Evan, David, Henry and Mary, all born in Dodgeville. Mr. R. is a
Democrat.
S. W. REESE, attorney and counselor at law, Dodgeville ; is one of the solid men of Iowa
Co. ; born Nov. 29, 1829, in Montgomeryshire, North Wales; attended the common schools there, and,
later, the select schools of Shropshire, England. In 1845, he came to the land of the free, locating in
Cincinnati, Ohio ; came to Dodgeville in 1852, and was employed as clerk by that veteran merchant,
B.F.Thomas. In 1856, he began the study of law, and was admitted to the bar two years later; has
continued in active practice since. In 1871, he opened the first bank in Dodgeville, which proved a
most successful business venture. No more firm advocate of Republican principles can be found in the
• State than Samuel W. Reese. His first vote was cast for Gen. Scott, and he has been a stalwart Repub-
lican since the organization of the party ; has been Chairman of the town and President of the village
several years, and was elected District Attorney in 1876. He married Miss Alice N. Ennor, by whom he
has four children — Emma, William, Eddie and John, all born in Dodgeville.
SAMUEL, F. ROACH, Sec. 19; P. 0. Dodgeville; was born April 16, 1824, in Pembroke-
shire, North Wales. His early life was spent as a farmer. In 1845, he landed at Quebec, and came
thence to the Blue Mounds, where he moved lead three years ; then, after farming for a time, went to
Madison, where he dug wells during the winter of 1848-49. In the spring, he went overland to California,
and remained until the spring of 1852, when he spent a month in his old home. The second trip was
made by water, he remaining just two years ; returning, he bought a farm west of Dodgeville, where he
lived nine years ; sold out, and went again to California ; spent three years ; returned, and bought his
present farm of 160 acres. His last trip to California, in 1879, was over the Union Pacific R. R., which
gave him an opportunity of noting the wondrous changes in the West made since his overland trip in 1849.
Mr. Roach was married, in 1853, in Dodgeville, to Margaret Owens, a native of North Wales ; they have
four children — Francis, Sarah A., Martha and Margaret, all born in the town of Dodgeville, and have lost
four children — Elizabeth, aged 7 ; David, aged 10 ; Emma, aged 8, and an infant. Mr. R. is a member
of the W. C. Church.
RICHARD ROACH, Sec. 33; is the third son of John and Blanche (Curnow) Roach, and he
was born Feb. 18, 1838, in St. Ives, Cornwall, England. He came to America with the family, in 1844,
(see sketch of Thomas Roach), and has since resided in Dodgeville. He owns 240 acres of good land, and
has good buildings and improvements. Married Feb. 17, 1871, Miss Elizabeth, daughter of Joseph and
Mary (Thornton) Elam ; she was born in Dodgeville, in August, 1847 ; they have five children — George
H., Sarah, Sybella, Josephine, Edward A. and James E., all born on the Dodgeville farm. Mr. Roach is
a Republican.
THOMAS ROACH, Sec. 33 ; is a son of John and Blanche (Curnow) Roach, of the parish
of Towednaok, Cornwall, England, where their son, our subject, was born July 14, 1839. The family came
to America, Mineral Point, in 1844 ; here, the father,who was a carpenter, built a house of his own, and
lived in it three years ; he then pre-empted the present Roach homestead, and built a temporary shanty by
setting posts in the ground, a small doorway was cut, but it was floorless and windowless ; here they spent
the months of July and August, then a good log house was built, which was the home of the family eight
years. There were five children — John, Samuel, Richard C., Thomas and Mary A. The father died in
898 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
May, 1875, and the mother in April, ] 873. Thomas Roach married in December, 1874, Miss Rebecca,
daughter of William and Sybella Bennett; she was born in St. Ives, Cornwall, England, and came to America
and Dodgeville. They have three children — John, Luman and Mariannie. The wild, rough tract of thirty
years ago, has been made into a fine and productive farm of 240 acres, a good house of frame and stone
has been built, and other improvements made. Many an Indian arrow and spear head has been found on this
farm, also stone knives, bowls, tomahawks, etc.
A.B. ROBI]V!>$OX, Dodgeville; was bora April 25, 1819, in Sussex Co., Del. In May, 1835,
he located in Knox Co., Ind., where he learned the trade of tanner ; worked at this business in Edwards-
port, Ind., until 1850, when he removed to Highland, Iowa Co., Wis., and began the livery business, after
a time spent in the mercantile business; in June, 1859, he came to Dodgeville, and has since kept a livery
stable here ; going in 1874, to Bon Homrae Co., D. T., he was one of the victims of the grasshopper pUgue
of that year, and, leaving his son in charge of the farm, returned to Dodgeville. Mr. R. is an old stager as
well, having run the stage line from Highland to Mineral Point, and the Lone Rook and Richland C mter
line from 1854 to 1858. In 1849, he joined Wabash Lodge, No. 20, I. 0. 0. F., Vincennes, Ind., and
was a leading spirit in founding, and a charter member of, the Dodgeville Lodge, as he says,. " I am just
one day older than Odd Fellowship in the United States, and am one of the few living men who have voted
for eleven Presidents of the United States, in a space of fess than forty years." His first vote was east for
Gen. Harrison, Nov. 3, 1840, and his last for Gen. Garfield, Nov. 2, 1880. He married February, 1852, in
Bdwardsport, Ind., Miss Rhoda Goodman; they have four children — Edward J., Millie A., Laura B. and
Mary F. ; all except the youngest were born in Highland, a daughter, M. Leonie, died in Dodgeville, aged
six years.
A. li. ROBBIBfS, insurance agent, Dodgeville ; was born in Wadsworth, Medina Co , Ohio,
Feb. 22, 1850. His parents, L. D. and Juliette,(Byam) Robbins, afterward settled in Dane (^o.. Wis., the
father dying in Belleville. The son attended the select school at Mt. Horeb, and the city schools at Min-
eral Point. He married November, 1871, Miss Georgiana Barker, who was born in Johnstown, Wis.;
while in Mt. Vernon and Belleville, he worked with his father at wagon-making, but, since his location in
Dodgeville, has devoted his time to the iusurance business, acting for Madison Mutual, Continental, Com-
mercial and West Chester, of New York, the Heckla, of Madison, and the St. Paul Fire & Marine Compa-
nies, oflSce, Strong & Co.'s Bank. Mr. and Mrs. Robbins have three children — Lizzie A., Ella B. and Nellie,
all born in Dodgeville. Mr. R. belongs to the Dodgeville Lodge, I. 0. 0. F., the Iowa Encampment, No.
27, of which he is District Deputy, and the A. 0. U. W. Is in politics a Republican.
JAMES ROBERTS, druggist, Dodgeville; born Oct, 2, 1835, in the parish of Camborne
Cornwall, England ; his parents, Thomas and Ann (Rule) Roberts, came to America, with their chil-
dren, in 1846, and settled in Dodj;eville ; here they both died. In 1852, James Roberts went, via the
Nicaragua route, to California, and was in the mines of the Golden State until 1859 ; he then returned
to Dodgeville, and was in the smelting business with Bennett, George & Co. until April, 1864, when he
again went West, and was in the Montana gold mines until November, 1865. He began his present busi-
ness in the fall of 1866 ; he carries a large and full assortment of everything usually found in a
village drug store. Is a Methodist, and belongs to the I. 0. 0 F. and A. 0. U. W. of Dodgeville. He
married Miss Elizabeth, daughter of James and Mary A. (Jenkins) Perkins, of R druth, Cornwall; they
have eight children — Edith A., Henry F., Luella M., Alfred, Clarence J., Jennie T., Hattie R. and Nel-
lie, all born in Dodgeville.
JOHN ROtrERS, retired miner, Dodgeville; was born in Redruth, Cornwall, England, in
October, 1810 ; came to America in 1840, with his wife ; worked for a time on the Croton Water Works,
New York, then went to Pennsylvania; he then made a visit to Missouri, and, later, was in Maryland;
came West in 1845, reaching Mineral Point in October, and, the next summer, settled at Dodgeville, build-
ing his first log cabin in " Redruth Hollow," just north of the village ; soon after, he became associated with
Messrs. Perkins, Corin & George, in the mines, they succeeding W. M. Todd; in 1852, Mr. Rogers sold
out to Joseph Bennett and opened a saloon, which he kept fourteen years ; has since lived in retirement.
He married, in his and her native parish. Miss Susan Polkinghorne ; they have seven children — Joseph
v., born on the Atlantic; David, born in Allegheny County, Md., and Thomas, Samuel, Virginia, John
H. and Adeline, all born in Dodgeville.
JOHN ROGERS, miner, Dodgeville; was born June 17, 1807, in Cornwall, England; has
been a lifelong miner; came to America, with his wife and two children, in 1837 ; arrived July 4, at St.
Louis, Mo.; then came to Mineral Point; thence to Dodgeville, where most of the land was owned by
four men. Gov. Dodge, Madden, Block and Jenkins ; Henry Dodge had a store and grog-shop, while a
TOWN OF DODGEVILLE. 899
queer character, known as Dutch Mandy, had the only blacksmith-shop ; " Mandy " was shiftless, however,
and most of the work was done at '• The Point." Mr. Rogers lived two years on a Linden farm, and may
fairly be ranked among the old settlers of Dodgeville. He married Susanna Bailey, of Cornwall, by
whom has six children — Susan and Elizabeth (born in Cornwall), John, George, Esther A. and Annie, all
natives of Dodgeville. Mr. Rogers was one of the original members of the Dodgeville M. E. Church,
and has been -^ Trustee of the church since 1842.
JOSEPH V. ROGERS, grocer, Dodgeville; was born on the 5th of May, 1840, while his
parents, John and Susan Rogers, were crossing the Atlantic, from England to America, in the ship Mary
Ann Jane, Joseph Verney, master ; he was christened Joseph Verney, in cooapliment to the Captain ; after
the settlement of the family in Dodgeville (see sketch of John Rogers), he attended the early schools,
and, in June, 1860, began his present business; Mr. E. has never sold out or formed a partnership, and
his twenty years of steady business as a grocer has been equaled by no man in the place. He married, in
Dodgeville, Miss Agnes Alderson, born near Shullsburg, Wis,; they have four children — Verney J., J.
Elmer, Cora May and Bert, all born in Dodgeville. Mr. Rogers is an attendant of the P. M. Church, and
has been a Village Trustee.
RICHARD ROGERS, proprietor of the Dodgeville Hotel, Dodgeville ; was born in Corn-
wall, England, Jan. 14, 1814 ; his early life was spent as a teamster; came to America in 1845, with a
family ; spent a year in Mineral Point, then came to Dodgeville ; mined two years, then went into the
" backwoods," five miles north of the village, and for three years engaged in burning lime. In 1852, he
went to California and spent fourteen months in the mines ; returned, and, during the next fourteen years,
burned lime in Wyoming Township; in 1867, he built his hotel, and, as "Uncle Dick" Rogers, has
become one of the most popular of landlords. He married Amy Potter, a native of Cornwall, who died
Sept. 25, 1863, leaving two sons — Elijah and Frederick. The present Mrs. Rogers was Mary Webb ;
they have three children — Richard, Caroline and Elizabeth.
THOMAS ROGERS, Postmaster of Dodgeville; is a son of John and Susan (Polkinghorn)
Rogers, both Cornish people, who came to the United States about 1840 ; spent a year or two in Maryland
and Pennsylvania, and came to Dodgeville early in the forties ; here Mr. Rogers began work in the diggings
of Bennett, George & Co. ; years after he engaged in the saloon and livery business, and now, aged about 70,
is enjoying a well-earned rest. His son, the subject of this sketch, was educated in Dodgeville, where he was
born Jan. 10, 1847. In May, 1864, he was appointed Deputy Postmaster under S. W. Reese. In 1866,
he opened up a stock of books, stationery, etc., in which business he has since continued. Was appointed
Postmaster in March, 1880, succeeding Joel Whitman. Is a Bepablioan. Married Miss Anne Jones, of
Dodgeville, by whom he has a son, Eddie J., born May 6, 1874, in Dodgeville.
WIIiLIAll ROGERS, miner, Dodgeville ; was born March 1, 1815, in Illogen Parish, Corn-
wall, England ; his early life was spent in the mines of Redruth Parish ; came to America with his wife
in 1839 ; worked in forkville, N. Y., and on the Croton Water Works ; later, he went to Pottsville, Penn.,
thence to Maryland, and in 1845 came to Mineral Point, spent the winter there, and in the spring of
1846, came to Dodgeville, dug lead up to 1852, then went by water to California, mined gold two and a
half years, and has since engaged in mining and smelting, having for the past six or eight years been in
the employ of Bennett & Hoskins. He married in Illogen Church, July 26, 1839, Mary Palkinghorn,
and at once left the church for their new American home ; they have five children — Mary J., Grace, Will-
iam, Anselena and Henrietta ; the two oldest were born in Pottsville, Penn., and the others in Dodgeville ;
the eldest is Mrs. William Johns, of Dodgeville ; Grace is the wife of Benjamin Thomas, Jr. ; the son is
in California ; Anselena is Mrs. William Bartle, of Linden, and the youngest the wife of Theodore Millered,
of Grant Co., Wis. Mr. and Mrs. Roacers belong to the Dodgeville M. E. Church, of which he has been
Class Leader, Trustee and Steward. He is in politics a Republican, and was Town Treasurer.
MATTHEW and W. H. ROGERS, Dodgeville. The father, Matthew, was born in
1827, in Cornwall, England, where he spent his early life as a miner ; came to America in 1847, and after
a year in Hazel Green, came to the Dodgeville diggings in 1848; resolution, with health and bone and
sinew, was his only capital, he beginning in debt ; after a few years in the diggings, he went to California
and mined gold about two years, returned to Dodgeville, and in 1864 went to the Montana gold fields,
returning in 1867 ; he has since lived here. The Rog-^rs Block was built in 1879, and here his onlv son,
William H., has a fine stock of merchandise, in the best-arranged store in town. Matthew Rogers is a good
type of the successful, self-made man. Is a Republican. He married Miss Anne Roberts, and the only
son was born July 20, 1850, in Dodgeville. He married Miss Elizabeth A. Harris, who was born in Min-
eral Point, Wis. ; they have three children — Jennie, Bertie and Nannie May, all born in Dodgeville. Mr,
^00 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Rogers is a live young merchant, and does his share of the business here. Is a member of Dodgeville
Lodge, I. 0. 0. F.
WILIilAM M. ROWE, Sees. 10, 19 and 18 ; P. 0. Uodgev^lle ; born July 15, 1826, in
'Camborne, Cornwall, England; his father, John Rowe, died in England, and in 1845, his mother, Jane
(Vincent) Rowe, brought her family of six children to America, and located in Dodgeville, where William
M. began mining. His mother died in the fall of 1847. He married July 29, 1851, Miss Jemima, daugh-
ter of Thomas and Sarah Webster ; she was born Aug. 12, 1833, in Camborne; her mother died in Eng-
land, and in 1835 or 1836, her father brought his family to America and Iowa Co. ; in 1852, Mr. Rowe
went to California, returned in 1855, and the same fall bought 160 acres of his present farm ; it was in a
state of nature, and, while he made the first improvements, he lived on a rented farm near at hand ; from
1863 to 1866, he was in the gold mines of the Par West. Mr. R. now has 240 acres in the homestead,
and owns 460 acres in all. He is a member, with his family, of the P. M. Church, and a Republican in
politics. Mr. Webster was a friend of John Hoskins, and their rude cabin in Dodgeville was the favorite
resort of the frontier clergymen, and took the name of the " Methodist Tavern." Mr. Webster went with
Mr. Rowe to California in 1852, and died in town of Dodgeville, in January, 1861.
H. and J. ROWE, Dodgeville ; sons of John Rowe (deceased), and Jane (Vincent) Rowe ;
the widowed mother came from her native Cornwall in 1846, to America, bringing six children, all born
in Cornwall; of these, Henry Rowe, born February, 1835, went from Dodgeville to California in 1858,
spent ten years in the mines of California and Montana, returned and went into partnership with his
tirother James, who came to America before him, and who died in 1872 ; Joseph Rowe was born August,
1841, and has resided thirty-four years in Dodgeville as a miner and in mercantile business, having clerked
for his brothers ; the present partnership was formed in 1872 ; the firm carries a general stock of dry
goods, boots and shoes and clothing, also groceries, notions, etc., etc.
EDWIX H. SCHOL/FIEJLD, harness-maker; was born July 26, 1827, in the city of Lon-
don, England ; his parents, Wm. and Betsy (Turton) Scholfield, came to America in 1832, and located at
Toronto, Canada, where both died; E. H. Scholfield was brought by an uncle, Jos. Turton, to Cassville,
Wis., in 1836, and, two years later, to Mineral Point, then a rude mining settlement best known as " Shake
Rag." The sessions of the Iowa County Court were held in the old log building so well remembered by the
pioneers ; Mr. Turton and young Scholfield afterward went to Galena, 111., thence to the Lloyd settlement,
where Mr. S. put in his first work as a farmer, breaking up what is best known as the old Turton farm ; in
1850, he came to Dodgeville and learned his trade, and on March 14, 1853, opened a shop of his own ;
iprobably no man in Iowa Co. has so long a continuous record as a harness-maker. Mr. S. is a Democrat
and a Freemason. He married Sarah Elam, who died March 26, 1871, leaving six children — Florence,
^eo. E., Osborn, Mary, Rosa and Josie ; a son, James, died in 1862. Mr. Scholfield married again, Mrs.
Jane Aulsley. widow of Chas. Aulsley, who at his death, in 1871, left a diughter Mary. Mr. and Mrs.
■S. have three children — Henry, William and Jennie, all the children were born in Dodgeville.
DUNCAN ISILliERIS, Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Dodgeville; is a son of James Sillers, a native of the
Isle of Arran, and who was a merchant at Dairy, Ayrshire, Scotland, for many years ; his wife, formerly
Anne Hamilton, was a native of Ayrshire, where Duncan was born, Nov. 18, 1825 ; in 1837, the parents
and seven children came to America, and settled in Racine Co., Wis.; went from there to Dodgeville in
1844, locating on the farm now owned by Wm. Sillers ; in 1849, his brothers, Henry and James, started
for California, the former died at St. Joe, Mo., and the latter made the trip; in 1850, Duncan and his
father also went, the father dying there, and both sons returning, now live in this town. Duncan Sillers
settled on his present farm twenty-five years ago ; has 1 60 acres, and has made first-class improvements.
He married Elizabeth Odgers ; her parents, Wm. and Mary A. (Edwards) Odgers, were English people,
who, in 1843, settled at Mineral Point, Wis., where she was born. Mr. and Mrs. Sillers have seven
■children — Henry, William, Laura, George, Jennie, Edward and Charles, all born on the Dodgeville farm.
Mr. S. is a Congregationalist ; is independent of party politics, and served as Supervisor of- his town in
1873-74, and 1877-78.
O. C. SMITH, attorney at law, Dodgeville ; was born Oct. 15, 1832, in Clayville, Guerhsey Co ,
Ohio ; he attended the common schools, and received a course of instruction at the Albany Ohio Academy ;
came to Viroqua, Vernon Co., Wis., in 1853; was admitted to the Vernon County bar in June, 1867,
and during that year, settled in Mineral Point; in 1869, he came to Dodgeville, and has since resided
and practiced here. Mr. Smith is independent of all societies ; is a Democrat, and has never been a can-
'didate for any office. He married Miss Mary Williamson, a native of New Jersey, by whom he has five
TOWN OF DODGEVILLE. 901
■children — Elthia I., Bffie M., Amaryldia, Eulalia and Birney M.; the two eldest were born in Viroqua,
the third in Mineral Point, and the others in Dodgeville.
_ JAIHEIS W. SMITH, Sec. 30 ; P. 0. Standart Grove ; is a son of Peter and Anne (Dow)
Smith, both natives of Aberdeenshire, Scotland, where their son, our subject, was born, Oct. 29, 1834 ;
the parents and six children came to America in 1844; spent two years in Summit Co., Ohio, then went
to Jo Daviess Co., 111.; from there in May, 1847, they came to the Floyd settlement; the father pre-
empted, and a year later bought, 80 acres, and 76 were afterward acquired under the graduation act, thus
constituting the homestead, where the father died Feb. 4, 1879, and where the widow, aged 79, still lives.
J. W. Smith remained there until 1859, then weut to Colorado ; spent the winter of 1859-60 at home,
and went again to Colorado in the spring of 1860 ; was in 1861 elected President of the Boulder District,
is identified to that extent with the organization of the Territorial Government ; he spent considerable
time prospecting for gold on the present site of Leadville, extracting only twenty ounces ; he returned to
Dodgeville in 1864, and the third time went to Colorado in February, 1865, returned in November, 1866,
and has since lived on the homestead. He married Dec. 4, 1877, Miss Grace Rodda, born Sept. 16,
1858 on the Northern Peninsula of Michigan. They have two children — Marion E. and William. Mr.
Smith is in politics, a Democrat, and is now serving his second term as Supervisor of his township; he is
also a member of Dodgeville Lodge, I. 0. 0. F.
ALiEX STEPHENS ; was born in Vegle, Numedahl, Norway, July 22, 1820 ; his early life
was spent as a farmer; in 1838, he came to America, and hired out to a farmer in East DuPage, 111.,
where he spent two years : he then spent about a year in looking over the country. His first view of
Chicago, in 1838, was of a small collection of poor houses in a low, miserable-looking marsh; yet, in
1840, the town showed wonderful growth. In 1841, Mr. S. spent a short time in Mineral Point, and, in
the spring of 1842, began mining near Dodgeville ; continued it until the spring of 1850, when he went
overland to California ; spent the winter of 1850-51 in Dodgeville, then went again to California, and
spent eighteen months in the gold mines; returning, he, on the 22d of January, 1854, married Martha
Nelson, born Oct. 11, 1833, in Eevya Sogen, Norway ; her family came, in 1844, from Satersdahlen, Nor-
way,-to New Orleans, where they spent one winter, then came North and settled on the farm now owned
by John Rowe and occupied by his son Richard. Mr. Stephens settled on his present farm of 166|
acres in 1854, building a small log house, which Mrs. Stephens says shall be preserved during her lifetime
as a reminder of old times ; Mr. S. did good work here with his ax and breaking- plow, and is to-day
rewarded with an improved farm, a substantial frame house, built in 1876, a basement barn, 30x50 feet,
etc. He spent the years 1864-65 in California. He is a member of the Lutheran Church and a pro-
gressive farmer. Mr. and Mrs. Stephens have ten children — Caroline, Helen, Mary, Sarah, Matilda,
Annie, Henry, William, Esther and Lena, all born in the old log house, as were two others, who died in
infancy.
F. W. STRATMABf, Dodgeville; was born in Kronenberg, Rhenish Prussia, Sept. 13,
1832 ; came to America in 1854, in order to avoid military service and secure freedom ; was in the employ
■of Evans & Adams, Galena, 111., six and one-half years, then came to Dodgeville; was for twelve years in
partnership with Peter Spang, making the plow business his specialty; in 1872, he bought out the inter-
est of Mr. Spang and associated with Richard Lane, his present partner ; this firm is the leading one of
the village and county in manufacturing, and the present intention is to add a blast furnace and large
engine; a farm-wagon made by this firm was awarded the first prize at the Wisconsin State Fair over 120
tjompetitors. Mr. Stratman married Miss Anna H. R. Tesche, who was born, educated and married in
Kronensberg; they have four children — Gustav E., born April 19, 1860; Anna, Feb. 8, 1862; Fred-
erick W., Aug. 12, 1865, and George Washington, Oct. 3, 1876; the eldest was born in Galena, 111., and
the others in Dodgeville ; they have also lost nine children. While clinging to the old Presbyterian faith
■of their native place, they attend the M. E. Church here. Mr. Stratman served on the first Village
Board.
ORTIIiliE STRONG, banker, Dodgeville ; is a son of L. M. Strong, one of the first settlers
of Marion, Lynn Co., Iowa, where Orville Strong was born March 25, 1843 ; in 1848, the family
removed to Highland, Iowa Co., Wis. L. M. Strong was elected to the Wisconsin Legislature, was Post-
master of the village, and having, through his own unaided studies, secured an admission to the bar, was
three times elected County Judge; while serving the third term he died, Dec. 4, 1867. His son, our
subject, was educated under the tuition of Prof. Pickard, of Platteville Academy. Enlisted in August,
1862, as a private in Co. C, 31st W. V. I.; was afterward promoted tp Sergeant Major and Lieutenant of
Co. K, same regiment ; under Sherman, he fought through to Atlanta and made the march to the sea and
902 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
through the CaroHnas. Since the close of the civil war, he has resided in Dodgeville. Was elected
Town Clerk in 1868 and appointed Village Clerk the same year, holding the latter office eleven years -^^
was elected Clerk of fowa Co. in 1868, which position he held until Jan. 1, 1881, and held the office six
years; was appointed to the office of Deputy County Treasurer in 1878. He is a Democrat, a Mason^
and belongs to the A. 0. U. W. During the past fourteen years, he has done a most successfixl business-
in real estate, loans and insurance; on Jan. 8, 1881, he established a bank in Dodgeville under the firm
name of Orville Strong & Co. Mr. Strong married Miss Louise, daughter of George Sims; she died
in April, 1874, leaving three children — George L., Luman M., and an infant that soon followed the mother ;^
by the present wife (nee Miss Minnie Carkeek) he has two children — Mary L. and Throop M.
JOHN SYMONS, Sec. 7; P. O. Dodgeville; was born in 1822 in Poundstock, Cornwall,
England, where he spent his early life as a farmer. He came to the United States in 1852, and at once
to Dodgeville, with team from Milwaukee. His father-in-law, James Webb, had located here in 1850,^
and lived here till his death, in 1876. During the first three years, Mr. Symons rented a farm, and, in
1855, entered 80 acres of his present farm, which he bought of the Government at 75 cents per acre. It
was burr-oak opening land, and his Norwegian neighbors cleared it for him at the rate of $1 ah acre, and
cleared an acre per day. During 1855, he built a frame house, 14x24, one of the first, and for years the
best, in his vicinity. He has added to his house and his farm, now owning 210 acres and a good home.
Wheat, his principal crop, was ground at Moscow, twenty-two miles distant, two days being needed to.
make the trip. The numerous springs on the farm adapt it to stock-raising, to which he now devotes it.
He married, in his and her native parish. Miss Jane Webb, born April 6, 1825, and married April 20,
1849, in the parish church. Their children are Mary J. (^Mrs. David Potterton), Elizabeth G. (Mrs.
George Potterton), William, John, Caroline, Mary A., Lewis, Margery and Ellen ; all except the eldest
were born in Dodgeville. Mr. S. is a Republican, and an attendant, with his family, of the M. E.
Church.
BEKJAmN THOMAS, Sr., the premier merchant of Dodgeville, was born in Cornwall,.
England, Jan. , 1815 ; came to America, in 1837 ; spent six weeks in Mineral Point; in August, 1837,
settled in Dodgeville, the present county seat of Iowa County, then comprising about eight or ten log huts.
Hy Dodge had a small stock of goods in one of them, and a large stock of whisky in another. Twenty-
five or thirty persons were all the population, and among them were J. E. Bartle, Thomas Jenkins and a
Mr. Carnes. During his first year at mining here Mr. T. just earned his board ; living in a dug-out,
roofed with poles and sod ; all the daylight visible was through the smoke-Jiole and door. Hy Dodge was^
the merchant, and John Lindsay the butcher, of those days. Flour cost, including transportation ftoia
Galena, $14 per barrel. In 1842, the mercantile firm of Hoskins, Thomas & Co., was founded ; in 1847
he built the old Rough and Ready House ; in 1849, 1850 and 1851 he was in California ; with the excep-
tion of three years in the lumber trade, he has since been in mercantile life, at Jonesdale. Mr. Thomas
is a Democrat; was County Commissioner one term, and has been several terms Chairman and Town
Treasurer. In 1841 he married Anne Prideaux, of Cornwall ; they have five children — Benjamin, Will-
iam H., Elizabeth A., Eliza J. and Edward.
THOMAS THOMAS, Sec. 26; P. 0. Dodgeville; was born March 26, 1806, in Monmouth-
shire, England; came to America in 1832; spent over two years in Newburg, N. Y., and Pottsville,^
Penn.; went to St. Louis, in August, 1834, and from there to the " Blackjack " mines, now in the town of
Mifflin, in April, 1837 ; later he went to Grant Co., Wis.; to Blue Mounds in 1838, and Dodgeville iit
1839; in 1841 he bought his present farm, of a Mr. Ward, a son-in-law of Gov. Dodge. He married,,
in 1842, Mrs. Catharine (Campbell) Jones, born Jan. 13, 1805, in Lanarkshire, Scotland; she came to
America, and to Dane County, in 1838, as the wife of Terence Jones — their son, Edward P., was the-
first white child born in the Fourth Lake settlement ; he was born Dec. 28, 1839, and Mr. Jones died in
1841. For nearly two years after the wedding, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas lived at Blue Mounds, then settled
and have since lived on the Dodgeville farm. They began in a log cabin, so small that the bed and fire-
place were dangerously close together, with scant furniture and still less money, yet the latch-string always-
hung out, and the wayfaring man was none the less welcome on account of the scant room. Mr. and Mrs^
Thomas are a genuine old pioneer couple ; own 260 acres, and were never parties in any law-suit whatever.
They have three children — William T., now in business in Dodgeville ; Thomas, now on the homestead^
and Mary Anne, widow of Neil Davison.
WIIililAM TEMBY, one of the pioneers of Dodgeville, now deceased, was born in 1810, ift
Cornwall, England ; in 1835, he left England for America, and during the year arrived at Dodgevillef
then consisting of a few rude hovefs for the use of the miners ; a year later he revisited his native land^
TOWN OF DODGEVILLE 903
returning to the lead diggings in 1836 ; spent five or more years in Jo Daviess Co., 111.; was in Dodge-
ville in 1850, 1851 and 1852; that year he went to California, and remained in the Golden State and
Australia until 1857, when he returned to his family in Dodgeville; in 1859, he again visited California,
and in 1862 settled in Dodgeville, where he died, Oct. 12, 1880. John Temby, his sou, was born July
12, 1846, in Jo Daviess Co., 111.; has been a resident of Dodgeville since 1850; is a member of the
Methodist Episcopal Church, and now Master of Dodgeville Lodge, 119, A. F. and A. M. He manied
Miss Bathsheba Perkins, a native of Cornwall, England. They have four children — Joseph P., Ralh-
sheba, Jane and Clarinda — all born in Dodgeville. The firm of Pryor & Temby, was established Feb.
25, 1876 ; carries a general stock of groceries, boots and shoes, crockery, notions, etc., and is looked upon
as one of the substantial firms of the county.
JOHIV C TREZONA, merchant, Dodgeville; was born in Cornwall, Enjrland, in 1848;
the family came first to America and then to Cliff' Mine, Lake Superior, thence to Dodgeville in 1859 ; he
returned to Lake Superior and again came to Dodgeville in 1861 ; returning to England, in March, 1862,
they went, via the Cape of Good Hope, to New Zealand, where the father engaged in mining ; they returned
to England in 1867, via Cape Horn, and, crossing the Atlantic the third time, came again to Dodgeville,
where they still reside. J. C. Trezona entered the employ of Spang & Stratman, as a carriage-maker;
afterward at Appleton, Wis., and in 1879 the firm of Trezona & Treseder wasformed ; in April, 1880, Mr.
Trezona bought out his partner, and continues the business, carrying a general stock of goods, dry goods,
bouts and shoes,' hats and caps, groceries of all kinds, glassware, crockery, notions, etc.
WIIililAM TYRER, one of Iowa Co.'s earliest settlers, was born Sept. 29, 1810, in Broome
Co., N. Y. His father, Asa Tyrer, was born in 1788, in Vermont, and removed with his family to Illinois
in 1822; there Asa Tyrer engaged in farming, and, in the summer of 1828, went to Dodgeville with his
son, whose name heads this article, they spending the summer on what is now the Thomas Parry farm,
north of the village; their winters were spent in Illinois until after the Black Hawk war. William and
Simon Tyrer were among the last to seek refuge in Brigham's fort at the Mounds, and a few days later
left for Galena, thence down the Father of Waters in a rude canoe, to Quincy, 111., where the parents then
resided, and where the mother now lives, at the age of 90. Asa Tyrer died in 1874, in Quincy, and
before his death used to relate the events connected with his ride on the first steamboat that ascended the
Upper Mississippi from Quincy. William Tyrer went to California in 1849, and again in 1852 ; has been
a resident of Iowa Co. since the Indian war of 1832 ; settled where he now lives, on the noted Van Meter
survey, in 1840 ; his wife, formerly Louisa Tyrer, of Erie Co., N. Y., died Nov. 10, 1879, leaving four
children — Oscar, Helen (Mrs. Sanford), Amy and Alvin. Oscar Tyrer, born April 28,1845, in Eric Co.,
N. Y.; has spent his life in Iowa Co., Wis.; he married Marietta Boring, of Covington, Ky.; they have six
chidren — Effie, Cora, Nellie, Millie, Louie and Lela. Father and sons are Republicans, and the elder son
is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church.
FRANCIS VIVIAN, the veteran ex-County Treasurer of Iowa Co., was born Feb. 19, 1801,
in Camborne, Cornwall, England ; is a son of Francis and Anne (Richards) Vivian ; his earlier life was
spent in the tin and copper mines of Cornwall; the year 1832 found him in New York City; from
there, he came by way of the Hudson River and Erie Canal to Buff'alo ; thence by boat to Ashtabula, Ohio ;
thenee by stage to Millville, Ohio; then dovvn the La Belle River to Cairo; thence via St. Louis to Galena ,
111.; he and five others were all the men the master of the steamer could get to help him run the boat
from St. Louis to Galena; he expressed himself as highly pleased with the amateur boatmen; the trip
from Galena to Mineral Point was made with ox teams, and, arriving at the " Point " on Saturday evening,
he enlisted Sunday morning in Capt. John Moore's company to war against Black Hawk ; Mr. Vivian was
at the garrison at the " Point " until the red chief was overthrown ; Mr. V. then mined lead a year on the
Van Meter survey; spent a few months in Dubuque, Iowa, and then locating at Mineral Point, resided
there twenty-five years ; for a few years he kept store ; was then for a few years a partner of Jenkins &
Musgrove, in the smelting business ; he was next employed by a Buff'alo, N. Y., firm, as agent in buying
mineral ; he was one of the first men to be elected President of the village of Mineral Point, but refused
to serve ; in 1856, he had 137 majority as Treasurer of Iowa Co., Gen. Fremont getting only eighteen
majority; the Democratic majority in 1854, was 350 ; Mr. Vivian was then elected eight successive terms
as Treasurer of this county, always on the Republican ticket, serving sixteen years, or probably a greater
length of time than any man in the Northwest in the same office; in 1870. he had nearly a thousand
majority; in 1857, he was elected and served as Alderman of the Second Ward, Mineral Point; in May,
1.865, he settled in Dodgeville, and from there removed to his 280-acre farm in August, 1874 ; 80 of this
he entered of the Government in an early day. He married Feb. 7, 1827. Dinah Kendall, of Illogen
yO'i BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Parish, Cornwall ; she died April 26, 1859, leaving three children — Annie, born in Cornwall, and Mary
Jano and William Francis, both born in Mineral Point. March 10, 1860, he married again. Miss Jane
Hollow, who was born in 1831 near Penzance, Cornwall; they have five children — Ida, John H., Abra-
ham Lincoln, Francis J. and George Grant ; the two oldest were born in Mineral Point, and the others in
Dodgeville. " Uncle Frank," as he is best known, is hale and hearty for a man of now almost 80 years of
age, and a good type of the men who hewed down 'the barriers, that settlement and civilization might
follow them into the State and county.
JOEL WHITMAN, of Dodgeville, was born in Wells, H .milton Co., N. Y., Feb. 1, 1830 ;
was educated in Oneida Seminary ; came West in 1855, and, after six months in Madison, settled at West
Blue Mounds, where he worked at his trade of carpenter up to 1860 ; while at the Mounds he also served
as Justice of the Peace and Town Clerk of Ridgeway ; from 1860 to 1866, he was Clerk of the Iowa Co.
Court ; and, in the fall of 1866, elected to the Wisconsin Legislature ; has since been a resident of Dodge-
ville ; a member of the Board of Trustees several times ; Postmaster from 1875 to 1879, and President of
the village twice ; is now serving his fourth term as President of the Iowa Co. Agricultural Society. Mr.
Whitman has a small farm in the village ; takes his share of solid comfort. Is a stanch Kepublican. He
married Anna B. McClure, a native of Prince Edward Island ; jthey have two sons — George R. and Piatt
J. ; the youngest was named in honor of ancestors who founded and named Plattsburg, N. Y.
EVAN W. WILLIAMS, Sec. 25 ; P. 0. Dodgeville ; was born in August, 1823, in Mon-
mouthshire, South Wales, where he spent his early life as a miner. In 1841, he came with his mother
to America, settling in Pennsylvania ; thence going to Kentucky, thence to St. Louis. Mr. W. then
spent a summer in New Diggings, Wis. ; returned to St. Louis and stayed there until 1846, when he set-
tled in Dodgeville ; with Phillip Rowen he began prospecting; spent the winter of 1847-48 in St. Louis ;
and, in the spring of 1848, went up the Illinois River with a brother, David Williams (now deceased),
and worked for a time in the coal mines near Kingston, 111. ; then came to Dodgeville. In the spring of
1850, his brother, John Williams and himself went to California ; returned in 1853, and went again in
1854 ; returning, he settled on 80 acres of his present farm in 1856 ; years before he had prospected here,
and since this time he has both mined and farmed it ; during the past ten years he has annually extracted
150 tons of zinc ore and " mineral " in proportion ; beginning in a small half-underground house, he has
since erected a large and pleasant residence, and built around it a small village of barns, etc. Mr. Will-
iams is a member of the Salem Church, and a Republican. He married in 1853, in Dodgeville, Margaret
Williams, who died in April, 1857, leaving two children — John and Evan ; the latter died six months later.
His present wife was Miss Sarah, daughter of Morgan J. Jones, an early settler here ; by her he has four
children — Mary A., Hannah, David and Gomer ; all were born on the home farm ; they also lost four chil-
dren, deceased.
JOHN WILLIAMS (Ty Mawr) Dodgeville ; was born in 1820, in Holyhead, Wales; spent
his early life as a farmer. Married Jane Owens, of the same place, and came to America in 1858; at
once settled upon his present 240-acre farm in Dodgeville ; the farm takes the name, Ty Mawr, of his old
homestead in Wales. Mr. W. has made most of the improvements here ; abount thirty years ago he
united with the Welsh Presbyterian Church, and in his house the first Welsh sermon was preached in the
neighborhood ; he was made Deacon and Clerk of the Salem Church in 1858, and holds both positions at
present. Mrs. Williams died Oct. 4, 1879, leaving two adopted daughters : the children of Capt. William
Jones, who married her sister, Elizabeth Owens. •
ROBERT R. WILLIAMS, Sec. 12; P. 0. Dodgeville; born Dec. 3, 1814, in Carnar-
vonshire, North Wales ; is a son of Robert and Sarah (Jones) Williams ; came to America and Iowa Co. in
1844; mined lead in Dodgeville until 1849, then bought-his present farm, comprising 240 acres, of the United
States ; paid $100 for the claim and spent the first two years in a rude shanty; to-day we see the roomy
farm-house and substantial barns, standing as monuments to his care and industry ; he celebrated his
adopted country's centennial by erecting a model stone granary; the stone walks, and groves and orchards
of his own planting, show that his life has been spent in useful activity. Mr. Williams married, April 21,
1848, in Dodgeville, Elizabeth Jones, a native of Merionethshire, Wales ; she came to America in 1840,
and at her death, April 7, 1869, left ten children — Robert, Mary A., Sarah, Ellen, William, Abel, BUza-
beth, Harriet, Maria and Edwin, all born in this town. Mr. W. is a Republican.
THOMAS ^WILLIAMS, Sec. 30 ; P. 0. Dodgeville ; was born Jan. 1, 1823, in Carnarvon-
shire, North Wales; came to America and Dodgeville in 1845, and mined lead until he bought his farm
in 1858. He married, April 8, 1849, Elizabeth Griffiths, born Feb. 15, 1829, in Flintshire, Wales ; they
have twelve children — William, born Jan. 8, 1850; Anne, Jan. 10, 1852; David, July 23, 1853;
TOWN OF DODGEVILLE. 905
Thomas, May 15, 1855; Mary, Sepf. 30, 1856; Maggie, Jan. 17, 1859; John, Nov. 11, 1861; Robert,
Aug. 17, 1863; Hugh, April 5, 1865; Sarah, April 2, 1867 ; George, April 1, 1870, and Peter, Dec.
10, 1872 ; they lost a daughter, Elizabeth, who died Dec. 30, 1872, aged 15 ; William and Mary are now
in Colorado. Mr. Williams has 320 acres, with good buildings as a reward of years of honorable toil and
good management.
WILLIAH WILLIAMS, Sec. 23; P. 0. Dodgeville; was born in Corowall, Eng., June 8,
1818; spent his early life as a farmer; came to America in the fall of 1851, located at Mineral Point,
and soon after bought a threshing machine, which he operated during the next fifteen years in the south
part of Iowa Co. ; this gave him the name of " Thresher " Williams ; in 1865, he bought his present 300-
acre farm. Married, in 1855, in Dodgeville, Mrs. Eliza Hendy; they have three children — Eddie, Ella
Etta and Charles Burdette, all born and now living in Dodgeville. Mr. Williams is an Independent
Republican in politics.
WILLIAM B. WILLIAMS, Sec. 2; P. 0. Dodgeville; born March 2, 1832, in Carnar-
vonshire, North Wales, where he spent his early life as a miner ; came to America and Iowa Co. in 1857 ;
his family resided in Dodgeville while he worked in the mines of the vicinity ; after eight years he settled
where he now lives, on his farm of 168 acres ; this farm he has made since his settlement here, erecting uU
buildings, etc. ; in 1862, he went to Colorado, returning the same year. He married, in his native shire,
Elizabeth Evans, who died Jan. 23, 1864, leaving three children — Evan, Sarah and Mary; the present
Mrs. Williams was formerly Mary Jones, born in Carmarthenshire, South Wales ; they have nine children
— Lavinia, Elizabeth, Janie, Annie, Laura, David, Winnie M., Alice and Nellie ; the eldest sou, born in
Wales, is now in Nevada ; all the others were born, and are now, in Dodgeville ; Mr. W. lost two children
by the first wife and five by the second ; he joined the Welsh Congregational Church in his native land,
and has been a member of the Dodgeville church since his settlement here ; has been a Deacon since
1870 ; is, in politics, a Republican ; served as Assessor of his town in 1876-78 ; has also served as an
officer in his school district (No. 17).
WILLIAM H. WILLIAMS, Sec. 2; P. 0. Dodgeville; was born Oct. 29, 1839, in Ash-
burton, Devonshire, Eng. ; in October, 1854, his father, Charles Williams, who had married Susanna
(Greenstade) Brock, came with five sons to America; the parents now live on Sec. 19, town of Mineral
Point; William H. spent ten months in the Lake Superior mines about 1858 ; returned to Mineral Pcjint
and married, Aug. 29, 1862, Tryphena Bennett, born Jan. 10, 1842, in Mineral Point, where her father,
Matthew Bennett, settled about 1834 ; iu August, 1863, Mr. Williams went again to the Superior mines ;
returned to "the Point" in November, 1864, and, in 1870, went to Jackson, Mich., worked five months
in the coal mines, returned, and, in 1874, settled where he now lives. Mr. and Mrs. W. have seven chil-
dren— Annie, Laura, Emily, Alberta, Esther, Carl and Amelia ; the latter was born in Dodgeville, and
the others in Mineral Point. Mr. W. is a Republican, and has held local office.
HON. ROBERT WILSON, of Dodgeville, was born on a farm, now the site of the city of
Ashland, Ky,; was born July 16, 1814, and is a son of Thomas Wilson, who was born near Philadelphia.
About the beginning of the present century, he located in Kentucky, where he married Mary Poage ; she
was born near Washington, D. C, and was a niece of Col. Robert Poage, who Commanded an Ohio regi-
ment at the battle of the Thames. The father of the Judge was Captain of a company of Kentucky
troops during the war of 1812, serving under Gens. Harrison and Winchester. When Robert was 16 or
17 years sold, the family settled in Vermillion Co., 111.; soon after, young Wilson returned to his native
place to attend school, and while there was apprised of his mother's death ; returning, he spent most of his
time in Vermillion Co., until he carried out aa idea he had formed by coming to the lead diggings of the
Northwest Territory of Michigan; he arrived in the " sucker" settlement of Dodgeville, May 29, 1834.
Gov. Dodge was living in his stockaded frontier house, and, at Blue Mounds, he the next day saw the fort
erected there as a defense against Black Hawk's" copper- colored cohorts." During the next ten years, young
Wilson speculated, mined, and hauled lead, etc.; in the fall of 1839, he, having exposed himself to a cold
November rain, was confined during almost the entire winter in consequence, with rheumatism ; he was at
the time a clerk for Dodge & Floyd ; in the summer of 1840, he taught school in the " first schoolhouse,"
i. e., the one built of logs near the present house of James Hoskins. In 1844, he married Amanda Wig-
ginton ; she was born in Kentucky, and settled in Dodgeville, in 1841. In 1845, Mr. Wilson built a
house in Dodgeville Village ; was elected Justice of the Peace in 1846, and, for several years succeeding,
did nearly all the Justice business in the town, and many a well-remembered trial was held in his court ;
part of 1850 and 1851, he spent in La Crosse, Wis.; in 1852, he settled and has since lived on his farm,
six miles north of Dodgeville ; here he has erected tasteful and substantial buildings, planted orchards,
&00 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
etc., and established himself in a most pleasant home. The Judge has usually acted with the Democratic
party since he became a voter. In 1860, he was elected to the State Legislature, served during the mem-
orable sessions of IStil and 1862, and also the extra session of June, 1862; he then served his town as
Chairman, after the close oFthe war, doing much, as a patriotic citizen, to give Dodgeville her place amung
her sister towns in sending out men and money. In his " Old Kentucky Home," he had become a prac-
tical surveyor, and was twice elected Surveyor of Iowa Co., and served two or three terms as Deputy Sur-
veyor, one term under J. B. Whitelaw. His legal experience as Justice in pioneer times having well fitted
him for the office, he was, in 1869, elected County Judge, over John T. Jones, and again elected, in 1873,
over Kerton Coates. The Judge has held minor town offices, and, in the spring of 187&, was again elected
Chairman of his town; reelected in 1880, and furnished the writer with many valuable data regarding
old times.whileameetingof the County Board of 1880 was in session. Though most ofhis early life was spent
on the borders of civilization, utterly devoid of the comforts surrounding him now, his 66 years sit lightly
upon him, and he is to-day a fine type of the old settler of Wisconsin.
TOWN OF LINDEN.
WILLiIAH ALTON, farmer; Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Mifflin; born at Benton, La Fayette Co., Wis.,
July 24, 1851 ; lived at home until 1875 ; he now owns 160 acres of land, and has made the improve-
ments himself; his wife, Perrilla Avenell, was born in Linden in 1838 ; they were marri edMarch 15,
1875 ; they have three children — Charlie, born in 1876 ; Lulu Bell, born in 1878, and an infant daughter,
born in 1880. He is now building, in company with his brother and Mr. Baxter, a creamery that will be
known under the firm name of Alton, Baxter & Co., and will be ready for business in the spring of 1881.
CHARL.es AVEJtfELL, farmer. Sec. 19; P. 0. Linden ; born in Wiltshire, England, Sept.
15, 1814 ; came to America in 1837, and remained in New York ten months ; was then two years in War-
ren Co , 111.; thence to Wisconsin ; he owns 140 acres of land, and has a fine place. His wife, Jane Stroth-
ers, was born in Virginia in 1818; thej' were married Oct. 22, 1850; they have two children — Perrilla
(now Mrs. Alton) and Albert, at home. In politics, Mr. A. is a Republican ; in religion, a Primitive
Methodist. He has been School Clerk and Treasurer, and is now Director.
' JOSEPH AVENELL, farmer; Sec. 19; P. 0. Linden; born in Perton Parish, Wiltshire,
England, Oct. 11, 1822; came to America in 1837 ; located in Herkimer Co., N. Y., seven years; thence
to Warren Co., 111.; thence to Wisconsin in 1846 ; he now owns 100 acres of land, and has made the im-
provements himself His wife, Mira Ann Elaton, was born in New York in 1807, and died in May, 1878;
they had two children — Emma, now Mrs. Tompson ; and Hannah Ann, now Mrs. James Alton ; his sec-
ond wife was Isabell Millar, a native of England ; they were married in 1878, and have one child, Frank.
In politics, Mr. Avenell is a Bepublican ; in religion, Adventist. He has been School Clerk and Path-
master.
JOHN ARTHUK, farmer ; Sec. 28 ; P. 0. Mineral Point ; was born in Lugan, Cornwall,
England, in 1816, and came to Wisconsin in 1846; he owns 160 acres of land, and has .made the im-
provements himself His wife, Catharine Lundree, is a native of Cornwall, England, born in 1824 ; they
were married in March, 1841 ; they have ten children — John (enlisted in Co. B, 30th W. V. I., in the
war of the Union), Mary J., William, BuUie, Samuel, Charlie (deceased), Martha, Joseph, Elizabeth and
Henry. In politics, he is a Republican ; in religion, a Methodist.
JOHN. BATTEN, farmer, Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Linden ; born in Dodgeville, Iowa Co., May 18, 1850 ;
owns 104 acres of land, and has one-third interest in 260 acres in the towns of Mifflin and Linden. Hiswife,
p]lizabeth J. Stephens, was born in Cornwall, England, in 1844; came to this country in 1848 ; they
were married April 3, 1873 ; they have three children — Annie, Nellie and Rosoo. In politics, Mr. B. is
Republican ; in religion, liberal believer. Thomas Batten, his father, was born in England June 18, 1815 ;
came to Wisconsin in 1840 ; his mother, Mary Oals, was born in England in 1820 ; came to this county
in 1848 ; married in 1849 ; the? had three children — John, Asenath G., William L. 0.
WILLIAM BATTEN, farmer, Sec. 12; P. 0. Linden; born in Cornwall, England, in 1819;
came to America in 1841 ; engaged in the mines for four years, and then bought 100 acres of land ; now owns
472J acres, with good improvements. His wife, Susan Francis, was born in Cornwall, England, May 1,
1825 ; came to America with her mjther, her father being in this country ; he died in 1860 ; her mother
TOWN or LINDEN. 907
•died in Pennsylvania. They were married in Pennsylvania May 27, 1843 ; they hive eleven children —
-James, Elizabeth Ann (now Mrs. Holman), Thomas, Mary Jane (now Mrs. Richards), William Francis
(died June 2, 1872, kickel by a horse), Victoria (now Mrs. Powell), Grant, Flora, Caroline, John
William. In politics. Republican ; in religion, Methodist; has baen Steward and Treasurer of School
District No. 7. ^
PHILIP BAXTEK,farmer,Sec.30; P. O.Mifflin; borninBerkshire,Eng., in 1842; came to
Wisconsin in 1855 with his parents; engaged in farming in 1860; owns 165 acres of land; has made all of the
improvements ; also owns one-third interest in the creamery. His wife, Elizabeth Alton, was born at Benton,
La Fayette Co., Iowa, in 1848 ; they were married in 1868 ; they have three children — Thomas, born in
1870; Leroy, in 1875; Joseph, in 1877. In politics, Mr. 15. is a Republican ; in religion, liberal; has
been Treasurer of School District No. 10 ; enlisted, in 1861, in the 30th W. V. I., Co. B ; was discharged
in 1865.
JOHN BREBfT, of the firm of Cowley & Brent, cheese factory and creamery, Sec. 1 ; P. 0.
Mineral Point; was born in Cornwall, England, in November, 1845 ; came to Wisconsin in the spring of
1868, and settled at Mineral Point, and run the engine of the mill two years, then came to Linden and
bought 160 acres of land, and made the improvements; also owns a half-interest in the factory built in
April, 1879, with the capacity to handle 10,000 pounds of milk per day. His wife, Martha Jane Tri-
goning, Wis born in Linden ; her parents are old settlers of this community. They were married in 1870,
■and have seven children — Thomas T., Fannie J., John T., Amy C, Irvin H., Martha, and an infant son.
In politics, Republican ; member of the Methodist Church ; Superintendent of the Sunday-school ; has
been Pathmaster and Clerk of Schools. He has some very fine imported Cotswold sheep.
JOHN BREIVEB, farmer, Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Linden ; born in Cornwall, England, in 1822 ; came
to America in 1851 ; settled in Linden, near the mines, and in the spring rented land, and finally bought,
in the spring of 1866, 100 acres; now owns 240 of well-improved land. His wife, Jane Lidaeote, was
born in England in 1827; they were married in 1848; she died Sept. 28, 1866; left nine children —
Mary, now Mrs. Hammill ; Martha, now Mrs. De Witt, of Avoca ; Jane, now Mrs. Lidaeote ; Annie, now
Mrs. Vickerman; Elizabeth, James, died 1880; John Henry, Emma Cordelia, Thomas, died 1865. His
second wife was Hannah Andrews, born in England, and was married to Thomas Brewer in 1853, who
-died April 20. 1870. By this marriage there were seven children— James, Nicholas, Bessie, buried in
England, Graeie, John, Annie, Jane, died in 1868, William Thomas. She married John Brewer in 1873,
and they have two children — Alma and Fred. In politics. Republican ; in religion, liberal believer.
DAVID BBOWN, farmer. Sec. 28; P. 0. Mineral Point; was born in Durham, England, in
1827; came to Wisconsin in 1849 ; worked in the mines and farmed ; now owns 300 acres of well-improved
land. His wife, Isabell Curry, was born in Durham, England, in 1825 ; they were married in 1846 ; have
ten children — Elizabeth, now M.ia. Curry ; John R., Ann Isabell, now Mrs. Tompson ; Mary Jane, David,
Margaret, now Mrs. Jackson ; Ellie Clenia, William, Lillie. Republican in politics ; in religion, Methodist.
Has been Pathmaster ; was formerly engaged in the bakery business at the Point.
JAIIEIS F. BROWN, farmer. See. 33 ; P. O. Mir.eral Point ; born in Monaban Co., Ireland,
Aug. 22, 1817 ; came to America, May 28, 1845 ; to Wisconsin in 1846 ; was employed in the mines, and was
disabled by an accident. He now owns 140 acres of land, and has this year manufactured 1,008 gallons of
sorghum molasses. His wife, Eliza Benson, was born in Monahan Co., Ireland; was married in 1840;
they have eleven children — William, in Oregon ; Margaret, now Mrs. Ross, in the Point ; Catharine, now
Mrs. Bleakly, in Chicago ; James W., in Colorado ; Zackoy, in Atchison, Kan. ; Henry, in Oregon ; Abbie,
in Chicago ; Susanna, at the Point ; John, at the Point ; Eliza Ann, George. In politics. Democrat. Has
been School Director six years ; Pathmaster, a number of terms. In religion, Presbyterian.
JAMES BUCKETT, farmer. Sec. 6 ; P. O. Linden ; born in Cornwall, England, in 1827 ;
came to America in 1849, and worked in the mines ; owns 90 acres of land. In politics, Republican ; in
religion, liberal believer.
WILIilAM BUCKETT, farmer. Sec. 6 ; P. 0. Linden ; born in Cornwall, England, in
1828; came to America in 1847 ; worked in the mines at Linden. Bought 80 acres, and now owns 170 acres
of land. His wife. Ester Johns, was born in Cornwall, England, in 1837. They were married in 1860 ;
they have had six children — Hannah, Elizabeth, Ester, Susan, TjuIU; Susan and an infant daughter are
deceased. In politics, Mr. B. is a Republican ; in religion, a believer.
JAHEJii CALIiOW, farmer, Sec. 11 ; P. 0. Mineral Point; was born in the Isle of Man, in
1824; came to America, in 1849, and to Wisconsin, in 1853; was engaged in mining and firming;
908 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
bought 280 acres of land, and now owns over 196, on which he has built a fine house, 26x20, with an ell
26x30, a barn 40x30, 16-foot posts. His wife, Ann Skillicorn, was born on the Isle of Man, in 1840.
They were married in 1859, and have had twelve children — William J., Ann J., Mary E., Clara J., John
H., Sophia E., Luther C, Kattie M., Frances C, Lillia C, infant daughter (deceased), Henrietta H. (de-
ceased). In politics, Mr. 0. is a Republican; in religion, Primitive Methodist. He has been Steward,
.Trustee of the Dodgeville Church, School Director and Treasurer.
WRIGHT CLAYTON, farmer. Sec. 9; P. 0. Mineral Point; born in Derbyshire,
England, Sept. 6, 1821 ; came to America and Wisconsin, in 1850 ; was in the mines five years; now
owns 380 acres of land, house, 26x32, two stories, wing, 12x16; barn, 28x36, 16-foot corners, stone base-
ment and stable, 9-foot ; good grade of stock and Cotswold sheep. His wife, Elizabeth Evans, was born
in Wales, July 20, 1821 ; married in 1855 ; they have seven children — Ellen, born Sept. 14, 1847 ;
Henry, born April 16, 1850 ; Mary Jane, May 25, 1856 ; Martha Ann, born Aug. 6, 1857 ; Elizabeth,,
born July 30, 1859 ; Eliza Emma, born Aug. 25, 1862 ; George Wright, born April 21, 1866. In poli-
tices, he is a Republican; in religian, a Methodist. He was Treasurer of School District' No. 2, fourteen
years; School Director, three years; member of the Board of Supervisors, five years. When he first began,
he had to pay for four shares in the Mineral Point R. R., which nearly swamped him, costing four hundred or
five hundred dollars in gold. He also makes a specialty of raising bees, and has at the present time, about
one hundred stands.
KEABTON COATBS, farmer. Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Linden ; born in Yorkshire, England, in
1820 ; came to America in 1842, to Platteville, Wis.; was employed in the mines ; remained there one
year and a half, then to Hazle Grreen, Grant Co., Wis. ; mining there six months; June, 1844, came to
Linden ; worked in the mines until 1860, then bought 40 acres and built a cabin ; now has a fine home
with 140 acres of land. His wife, Elizabeth Sangwin, was born in Devonshire, England, in 1825 ; came
to America with her parents at the age of 3 years, and settled in Wayne Co., Penn.; came to Wisconsin in
1844. They were married in 1845, and have fifteen children — Annie M., Ralph, Mable M., Kearton J.,
Susan A., Leonard, Ivey L., Jessie M., Thomas R., Julia A., Ellen, Generd M., Mary L., Caroline and
Archie (deceased, Sept. 19, 1880). Mr. Coates is a Republican and a Methodist. Has been School
Clerk and Treasurer, Clerk of the town and Assessor for seven years; was elected Register of Deeds of
Iowa Co. in 1866 ; was Chairman of Town Board, and member of the County Board in 1870, 1871, 1872^
1873 and 1874; member of Assembly representing Second Assembly District, 1875 and 1876.
HOX. I. C. COMFORT, farmer. Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Linden ; was born in Chemung Co., N.
Y., April 6, 1823 ; went to Michigan in 1833, near Detroit, farming with his brother; in 1851, to Iowa
Co., Wis., and entered 40 acres ; now owns 200 acres of land, and has made fine improvements, with fine
house and barn. 36x60, 18-foot posts; has as fine a herd of short-horns as there are in the State; he
raises Poland-China hogs. His wife, Maria Martin, was born in New York in 1818 ; they were married.
In 1850 ; they have no children. In politics, Mr. Comfort is a Democrat. Has been Clerk of School
District six years ; member of the Town Board three years ; Chairman one year, and Commissioner of
Poor Farm. Is a member of A., F. & A. M., Chapter and Commandery.
JOHX COWL.E Y, farmer. Sec. 36 ; P. 0. Mineral Point ; born on the Isle of Man in 1 830 ;
came to America, and to Wisconsin, in 1853, and, the following January, bought 100 acres ; now owns
30 1 acres of land, with a fine house. His wife, Jane Kneal, was born on the Isle of Man, and they mar-
ried in 1853; they have seven children living — Persilla, Matildia J., William, Fulton, Alfred Lancaster,
John J. and Clarance E., Joseph John (deceased). In politics, he is a Republican ; and in religion, a
Primitive Methodist, and has been a local preacher for about fifteen years ; has been on the board four
years, and also Pathmaster. Has a fine and substantial stable, stone basement; owns one-half interest in
the cheese factory and creamery with Mr. Brent.
HENRY CURRY, farmer. Sec. 28 ; P. 0. Mineral Point ; was born in Cornwall, England,
Jan. 1, 1812; came to America, and Wisconsin, in 1846 ; engaged in mining in 1846 ; went to Lake
Superior, but remained only a short time, then returned and went to farming ; now owns 160 acres or
land. His wife, Mary Tompson, was born in Waterford Co., Ireland, in 1820, married in 1849 ; they
have thirteen children — Mathew T. (was in the 11th W. V. I. three years; now in Kansas), Thomas Will-
iam (was in the 11th W. V. I., died at Black River, Mo.), Samuel and seven others, deceased; Samuel
H., Lillia Ann, Angeline A., attend the State Normal School at Platteville. In politics, he is a Repub-
lican. In religion, he is a Methodist, and has been Steward a number of years, and also class-leader.
JOHN DAVIS, farmer, Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Mineral Point; was born in Wales in 1810 ; came to.
America in 1833; settled in Pennsylvania, and worked at his trade of tailoring; he remained there tea
TOWN OF LINDEN. 909
years, and then, in 1843, cause to Wisconsin and bought 160 acres of land, on which he made the improve-
ments; they now own 120 acres. His wife, Harriet Colcumb, was born in Herefordshire, England, Aug.
17, 1818; they were married in 1832, and have had eleven children — John, deceased; Alvira, now Mrs.
S. Davis, in Oalifornia ; Harriet, now Mrs. Pedley (deceased) ; Mary Elizabeth, now Mrs. Davis ; Ade-
laide, now Mrs. Bass, in Grant Co.; Joseph, deceased; Winfield, in Mineral Point; Cortus, in the
pineries ; Amanda, now Mrs. Bamber, in Nebraska ; William, Laura and Etta, at home.
JAMES DOLPHIIV, farmer, Sec. 12 ; P. 0. Linden ; born in the County of Durham,
England, in 1839 ; came to America with his parents, who settled where he now lives ; his father died in
1873 ; his mother died in 1872. He went to California in 1863, then to Montana, Nevada and Colorado;
then returned to Wisconsin in 1868 ; in 1877, he took the old home, and now owns 130 acres of land,
well improved. His wife, Georgia C. Culver, was born in New York in 1851 ; they were married in 1873;
they have one child, Bertie, born in 1878. In politics, Mr. D. is a Kepublican.; his wife is a member of
I he M. B. Church.
SEVERING EVERSON, farmer. Sec. 29; P. 0. Linden; born in Norway in 1819; came
to America in 1849, and to Dodgeville, Wis., in 1850 ; he bought 80 acres of land, and now owns 224
acres, and has made the improvements. His wife, Caroline Sophia Knudson, was born in Norway in 1822;
they were married in 1847 ; they have seven children — Charles E., a Lutheran preacher in New York City ;
Adolph, deceased ; Steven, in Dodgeville ; Caroline, Edward, John and Amelia. In politics, Mr. Everson
is a Democrat; in religion, a Lutheran. He was elected Justice of the Peace, but did not qualify.
EDWARD EYRE, farmer. Sec. 13; P. 0. Mineral Point; was born in Rutland, England,
in 1818; came to America in 1849, and direct to Dodgeville, Wis.; bought 80 acres of land, and now
owns 260 acres, with good two-story house, 18x20. His wife, Charlotte Brewster, was born in Barkston,
].,incolnshire, England, in 1820 ; they were married in 1840, and have had nine children — John Duncan,
George, Oliva, Emily, Jane, Mary, William, and two are buried in Linden Cemetery. He is a Methodistv
and has been Steward in the church ; has filled the office of Pathmaster.
WIIjIjIAM fox (deceased); born in Cornwall, England, in 1818; came to America in
1847, and worked in the mines at Linden; o^vns 80 acres of land. While at work with a threshing
machine, he accidentally caught his arm and pulled it out of the socket, and injured the case of the heart,
causing his death ; the accident was Nov. 28, 1854, and he lived about ten days a great sufferer. His
wife, Ann Buckett, was born in Perrin, Cornwall, England, in 1838; they were married in November,
1842, in the old country ; they had eight children — John, Hannah (now Mrs. Vickerman), Elizabeth,
James (on Lake Superior), William, Joseph, Thomas and Laura. Mrs. Fox's father and mother came to
this country in 1848; her father died four weeks after arrival; her mother died in 1860, and left six
children.
B. M. OILiIi, II. D., Linden ; was born in Chautauqua Co., N. Y., July 31, 1840 ; his par-
ents were natives of New York; died, and left their son in the care of relatives until he was 18 years of
age, when he then went to school at Allegheny College, Pennsylvania, and at the time of the war he was
still at school; enlisted in the 10th Pe'nn. Reserves May 25, 1861 ; served until Aug. 5, 1864; enlisted
as private and non-commissioned officer until the second battle of Bull Run, when he was appointed Hos-
pital Steward ; after the war, he went to the oil regions and engaged in business, and then went to Green-
ville, Penn.; remained two years, and then, 1868, was in Lawrence, Kan., on business, and remained until
1878; attended, during this time. Rush Medical College, at Chicago. His wife, Nancy M. Devendorf, was
born in Ohio in 1844 ; they were married in 1864, and they have five children — Ford, bom in 1866 ;
twin daughters, Mary and Minnie, deceased ; Myrtle, born in 1871 ; Waldo B., born in 1875. In poli-
tics, Republican ; a believer in religion ; member of the A., F. & A. M.
JAMES GIiANVIIil>E, retired miner and farmer; P. 0. Linden; born in England, County
Cornwall, Sept. 8, 1808 ; came to America in July, 1834, to Mineral Point ; worked in the mines about
two years, then came to Linden ; he now owns 90 acres of land, on which there are good improvements,
and has one of the best-paying mines in the vicinity. His wife, Jane Bilkey, was a native of Cornwall,
England, and came to America in 1837 with her brother; they were married in 1837 ; she died in 1850,
and left four children — James (in Dodgeville), Mary Jane (now Mrs. Vivian, in Linden), John and
Emily (at home). His second wife, Jane Collard, was born in 1828 ; came to America with her parents ;
they were married in 1856; she died in 1870, and left four children — William, Charles, Royal and
Albert. Mr. G. has been Town Treasurer for twenty-seven years.
FREEMAN GOLDMAN, farmer. Sec. 12; P. 0. Linden; was born in Hanover, Ger-
many, June 12, 1816; came to Wisconsin in 1847; owns 160 acres of land, improved; his wife, Helena
910 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Sundrun, was born in Hesse-Darmstadt July 2, 1829 ; came to America in 1851 ; they married in 1852,
and have nine children — Ella, now Mrs. Clough, in Grant Co. ; George, in Grant Co. ; Agnes, now Mrs.
Fitzsimmons; Mary, Lydia, Charles, Lewis, Lena and Minnie. In politics. Democrat; in religion,
Lutheran.
THOMAS Jfl. GOLDSWORTHY, County Clerk ; born at Mineral Point Feb. 19, 1843,
aiid " brought up " by William J. Bennett, of Bloomfield, having been left an orphan at an early age. In
October, 1861, he enlisted in Co. C, 12th W. V. I., known as the Dodgeville Guards, with which ho
served faithfully until the 21st of July, 1864, when, in a charge in front of Atlanta, a rebel bullet shat-
tered his right arm, and he fell into the hands of the enemy and was carried to Andersonville Prison, where
he was held four months ; since the war, he has lived at Linden, and for upward of ten years was Post-
master at that place — a position which he filled to the entire satisfaction of the people ; he was also
Treasurer of School District No. 1, for four years; has also been Steward in the Primitive Methodist
Church, for the last three years ; was elected County Clerk in 1880 ; he is honest, he is capable, he is faith-
ful and courteous, and who can look upon the empty sleeve and say he is not deserving ; his wife, Rachel
Pitts, was born in Devonshire, Eng., in July, 1840 ; came to America at the age of 3 years, with her par-
ents; settled in Linden; they were married Jan. 1, 1867, and have four children — Martin R., George.
W., Mary A. (deceased) and Elizabeth Olevia (deceased). In politics, Mr. G. is a Republican
GEOBGC: J. MARKER, farmer. Sec. 24 ; P. 0. Dodgeville; born in Benton, La Fayette
Co., Wis., March 9, 1849 ; resided at the old homestead ; owns 580 acres of land, with a large house,
barns and outbuildings ; barn 60x36, barn 24x28, sixteen-foot posts, wind-mill, granary, and crib to hold
6,000 bushels. His wife, Miss Barris, was born in Iowa Co. in 1857, and is the daughter of Gilbert Har-
ris, an old settler of this county ; they were married in 1877, and have two children — George B., born in
1878, and Cora A., born April 25, 1880. In politics, Republican ; in religion, Methodist Episcopal.
SIMON T. HARKER, farmer. Sec. 24; P. 0. Dodgeville; born in Linden Feb. 19, 1853 ;
now on part of the old homestead; he owns 500 acres of land, with a fine house. His wife, Mary Ann
James, was born in 1857 ; married at Djdgeville, 1875, and died March, 1877 ; left one child, Simon W.,
born Fe'iruary, 1877 ; his second wife was a daughter of Edmund Baker; born in Linden in 1857 ; mar-
ried, Jan. 8, 1880 ; in politics, Democrat ; liberal believer.
WILIilAM B. HARRIS, farmer, Sec. 36; P. 0. Dodgeville; was born in Cornwall,
England, in 1824; came to Dodgeville, Wis., in 1842 ; worked in the mines, and remained there fifteen
years, when he bought 40 acres; now owns 20 acres, on which he has made substantial improvements.
He imports and breeds fine dogs, chickens and ducks; he has been School Clerk and Pathmaster; in pol-
itics. Republican, and is a liberal believer. His first wife, Agnes Jewell, was born at Ulverton, Lan-
cashire, England, in 1842 ; came over with her parents ; married in 185.3, and died in 1866, leaving five
children — Mary A., Jane J., Sammy, Lucretia and Willie (deceased). His second wife, Jane James,
and afterward Mrs. Walters, was born in Cornwall, England, and married in August, 1867.
WIIiIilAM HEATHCOCK, retired miner and farmer, Sec. 8 ; P. 0. Linden; born in
Stafibrdshire, England, Nov. 10, 1810 ; came to America, January, 1831 ; landed in New York March
3, 1831, and remained in Pennsylvania a short time, then went to Salina; remained about two years, and
to Mineral Point in 1833 ; worked in the mines, and to Dodgeville July 5, 1833, and in the mines known as
Pedler's Creek Diggings. When land came in market, he, in company with his brother John and Mr.
Poad, entered 1,000 acres, and sold the right of the digging to Ross & Henry, of Mineral Point. He
now owns, in company with his brother, between 1,200 and 1,300 acres of land, with a fine house and out-
buildings in good order. His wife, Mary Thomas, was born in Cambridge, South Wales, May 20, 1812;
came to America in 1834, and was married in 1834. They have seven children — Mary Ann, now Mrs.
Smith, born, April 13, 1837; Susa M., now Mrs. R. S. Smith, born, April 12, 1838,; William D., born,
March 12, 1840, died, 1847; Ellen (deceased), Joseph (deceased), Maria, born Aug. 3, 1844, died in
infancy ; wife died, December, 1869. In politics, Repubhcan ; religion, Methodist ; has been Class-Leader
for thirty years. In company with Mr. Poad, they built the first sohoolhouse, a log one, and afterward
rebuilt a rock one, which was used as a church. The first preaching was in the house of Mr. Heathcock,
and there they held weekly prayer meetings.
JAMES HICKS, of the firm of Hopper & Hicks, dealers in general merchandise. Linden ;
was born in Cornwall, England, Nov. 12, 1845 ; came to America in 1846, with his parents ; settled in
Linden, and engaged in mining. At the age of 19, he left home and went to California, then to Nevada,
then to Montana, then to Colorado, and then returned to Linden, and engaged in business, July, 1877.
His wife, Carrie Weeks, was born in Michigan, in 1842; came to Wisconsin in 1865 ; married. May 24,
TOWN OF LINDEN. 911
1870. They have two childron^Heory J., born, May, 1871, in Black Hnwk, Colo. ; May, born, July
2, 1874. In polities. Democrat; in religion, liberal believer.
EDWARD G. IIVCirRAlI, decessed ; was born in Gwinier, England, Oct. 1, 1824; came
to America in April, 1848, and, until the time of death, Jan. 31, 1876, kept hotel. He always took an
active part in the settlement of the town ; was Treasurer of Schools a number of years. His wife, Jane
Rolph, was born in Cornwall, England, in 1825, and came to America Oct. 2, 1849 ; they were married
Oct. 4, 1849, in New York City, and then went to the mines in Montgomery Co. until 1856 ; they had
nine children — Jessie Ann (born Oct. 31, 1850, now Mrs. Smith), Emma Amelia (born June 14, 1852,
now Mrs. Batten), Elizabeth Jane (born Feb. 17, 1855, now Mrs. Hopper), Percilla Rebecca (born
Sept. 22, 1856, now Mrs. Baker), Sarah Levina (born April 28, 1858, died Feb. 2, 1864), Melrose,
Eugone (born April 9, 1860, died Oct. 20, 1860), Edward John (born Sept. 27, 1861 ; now in Quin-
nesies, Mich., in drug store, and Postmaster), Thomas Henry (born Sept. 9, 1863), Charles William (March
3, 1866).
ARTHUR JEWELL, farmer, Sec. 11; P. 0. Mineral Point; was born in Cornwall,
England, in 1833; came to America in 1842 ; settled in Iowa Co. on a farm of 80 acres, and now owns
160, with good improvements. His wife, Johanah Vanning, was born in Cornwall, England, in 1837 ;
they were married in 1859, and have five children — Elizabeth Ana, Mary Louisa, George, Albert and
Lillia. In politics, Mr. J. is Republican ; in religion, Methodist and local preacher ; has been on the
Town Board, and Constable twice, and Treasurer of School District.
JOHX LEE, farmer. Sec. 33 ; P. 0. Linden ; born in Norway Oct. 23, 1823; came to Amer-
ica in 1843 ; settled in La Fayette Co., Wis.; he is a shoemaker, and learned the trade in the old country,
and engaged at this business in Wiota, and continued one year ; then to Dodgeville, in business six years ;
then to Mifflin, eighteen months ; then entered 160 acres and built the cabin ; now owns 260 acres, with
40 acres of timber, and a fine new house, 26x18, with wing 16x18, good barn, windmill, sheds and build-
ings for other uses. His wife was Alrie Nelson, born Feb. 25, 1829, in Norway; came to America in
1843 ; settled in Dane Co., Wis.; married in 1848, and they have eight children — Matilda M. (born Dec.
26, 1849, died Feb. 11, 1850), Julia and Olive (born May 15, 1851, died Feb. 16, 1852), Nelson (born
July 25, 1852, and married to Julia Peterson, born in Wisconsin in 1858, married in 1874, and have
three children— Allie B., John H. and Mable), John H, (born Jan. 16, 1856, died Feb. 11, 1867),
Daniel (born Dec. 5, 1858), George A. (June 2, 1861, now at the State Normal at Platteville, Wis.),
Mary Eveline (Nov. 11, 1865). In politics. Democrat; in religion, Lutheran. Mr. Lee, while in Dodge
ville, a poor man, gave $3 for the purpose of building a log schoolhouse, the first one in the town, and has
always taken an active part in education.
SOLOMOIV LEWIS, of the firm of Lewis Bros., dealers in general merchandise, Linden ;
was born in Russia, Poland, in 1851 ; came to America Oct. 15, 1869; settled in Chicago; engaged in
selling goods ; then went into business in the city ; then came to Wisconsin, selling goods on the road ;
then, Oct. 15, 1877, settled in Wisconsin and engaged in business in Linden. His wife, Esther SchifiF,
was born in Russia, Poland ; came to America in 1873, to Chicago ; married Mr. L. in 1875 ; they have
two children — Charlie (born Jan. 15, 1877), Abraham Harris (born in Linden April 12, 1879). In poli-
tico, Mr. L. is a Republican ; in religion, a Jew. His business, since settling in Linden, has been very
successful.
HOIV. FRANCIS LITTLE, farmer; Sec. 22 ; P. O.Mineral Point; was born in Ireland, County
Fermanagh, Feb. 22, 1822 ; received a common-scliool education ; is by occupation a farmer; he came t<i
America in 1842, and remained one year with his brothers in Mercer Co., 111. ; then, in 1844, came to
Wisconsin and settled at New Diggings, La Fayette Co. ; in the employ of Stole & Leakley at New Dig-
gings smelting for about four years ; then bought a half-interest in the merchandise business with Leakley,
and continued four years, when he bought 320 acres of land of Col. Bequette, a son-in-law of Henry
Dodge ; this place is of historical value in the history of Iowa Co., as the old Ft. Washington of Black
Hawk war times was located on the place, and only ihis past week the last logs of the old fort were re-
moved ; he now owns 520 acres of fine land, with barn, 45x70 ; twenty feet high ; basement stable, nine
feet; root-house under the entrance; fine milk-house, with smoke-house overhead ; house, 24x32 ; with
wing, 16x32, all two stories ; granary, 22x28 ; stone basement for machinery ; carriage- house and chicken-
house, 22x28. In politics, he is a stalwart Republican ; and was Chairman of the Town Board four years ;
member of the County Board of Supervisors for three years ; Superintendent of the poor for six years ; and
was a member of the Assembly in 1864 and 1865 ; was elected to the Senate in 1870, and again in 1872,
1873 and 1874, by large majorities. His wife. Miss Susana Fawcett, was born in Yorkshire, England,
912
BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
in 1832 ; came to America in 1844 ; they were married in 1851, and have had ten children — Margaret
E., Mary A., Martha L., Sarah E,, Francis F., Lusa C, William D. ; and have lost three— Margaret Ann,
Lucindia and John. Is a member of the Primitive Methodist Church, and has been Steward several
years. Mary Montgunny, is a native of Ireland, and has resided in the family of Mr. Little for the past
seventeen years; has full charge of the house, and is an honest, trustworthy woman.
EDWARD LOUKE, farmer. Sec. 26; P. 0. Dodgeville; was born in Norway in 1848;
came to America; worked round on farms until 1872, when he married Isabel Holverson, who was born
in Norway in 1848, and married to Mr. Severson in 1869, a native of Norway, who died in 1870. She
was married to Mr. Louke in 1872 ; they have three children — Isabel, Stephen and Mary. Mr. S. had
one child Levert — by the former marriage. In politics, Republican. In religion, Lutheran.
HENRY MILiLS, deceased; was born in Cornwall, England, in 1821; came to Americ*
about 1842, and direct to Wisconsin to the mines at Hazle Green, Grant Co. ; thence to Iowa Co. in 1865f
and bought 240 acres of land. His wife, Grace Thomas, was born in Cameron, Cornwall, England, in
1812 ; they were married in the old country in 1842, and had eight children — William Henry, Lizzie,
Caroline, Thomas, Gabriel (now on the farm), Nannie, Samuel (at home), James (at home) ; Sec. 4 ;
P. 0. Linden.
JOHN NOEL, farmer, Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Linden ; bora in Pike Co., Ohio, March 18, 1831 ;
came to Wisconsin in 1850 ; now owns 120 acres of land. His wife, Charlotte Thompson, was bora in
Alston„Cumberland Co., Elngland, Nov. 5, 1837 ; they were married in 1853, and have six children —
Mary Jane, Isabel, Prank, Lovena, Joseph, Clara. In politics, Mr. N. is Eepublican. In religion, his
wife is Free Methodist.
JAME§» PELL.OW, farmer, Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Mineral Point ; born in Cornwall, England, in
1840; came to America and to Wisconsin direct with his parents in 1850; his father died in 1860, and
his mother in 1877 ; he bought 40 acres of land ; made the improvements, and now owns 260 acres, with
barn, 32x22; wing, 18x20. His wife, Emerelda Jenkins, was born in Cornwall, England, in 1842; came
to America with her parents ; they were married in 1863, and have six children — Anna, Laura M., Edith,
Ida, Bennie, Oscar. In politics. Republican. Are members of the Methodist Church. Mr. P. has been
Steward.
JOHN PERRY, farmer, Sec. 28; P. 0. Mineral Point; was born in Cornwall, England, in
1818 ; came to Wisconsin in 1846 ; engaged in the mines ; went to California in 1832 ; returned in 1834;
owns 215 acres of land ; has made the improvements. His wife, Sarah Ann Phillips, was born in Corn-
wall, England, in 1832 ; they were married in 1852 ; they have three children — John William, born in
1856, and married, in July, to Miss Simmons; they have a daughter ; Henrotta and Sarah Jane. In
politics. Republican. In religion, Methodist ; Has been Pathmaster.
ANDREW PETERSON, farmer, Sec. 26 ; P. 0. Dodgeville ; born in Norway Oct. 4,
1832 ; came to America and Wisconsin in 1849 ; worked round for five years; then bought 220 acres of
land in Fennimore, Grant Co., Wis., and built the old cabin ; sold this ; moved to Iowa Co. in 1871, and
bought 160 acres of land ; now has a fine place. His wife was Helen Lee, born in Norway in 1835 ; came
to America in 1853 ; and married in 1855, and they have twelve children — Carrie, now Mrs. Hanson, at
Chippewa Falls, Wis.; Julia, now Mrs. Nelson Lee, Linden ; Annie, Maggie, Peter (deceased),
Nelson, John, Henry, Julia, Peter, Johna, Andrew, infant son. In politics, Democrat. In religion,
Liberal.
HERBRAND PEDERSON, farmer. Sec. 26; P. 0. Dodgeville; born in Norway March 19,
1823; came to America in 1841, and worked round about three years ; bought 80 acres, on whirh he
built the old cabin, and now owns 260 acres, with fine stone house, 20x30, two stories, barn 60x34, base-
ment stable and wind-mill, and things in good repair. His wife, Betsy Larson, was born in Norway,
March 4, 1836 ; came to America with her parents in 1840, to Stephenson Co., 111.; moved to Iowa Co.,
where they died; married 1855, and they have nine children — Caroline, Margret (deceased), Gilbert, Peter,
Margret, Annie (died 1880), Mary, Henry, Hermon. In politics. Democrat — liberal.
mCHAEL POAD, retired miner and tallow chandler; was born in Cornwall, England, Jan.
6, 1806 ; his parents being very poor, he, at the age of 9 years went under ground to work in the china-
clay mines, where he remained until the age of 17, and in the year 1832, came to America and went to
Ohio, and remained one winter there; in 1833, came to Wisconsin, and settled in Linden, and worked in
the mines; he built the first house in Linden in 1835, and when land came in market, he, in company
with John and William Heathcock, -entered 1,000 acres; he also owns town property; he has always
TOWN or LINDEN. 913
taken an active part in the settlement of this county ; in 1836, was in the mercantile business, and the
first man to sell goods in the town ; he, in company with Hoatheock and Baker, built the first school-
house, and it was also used as a church. In politics, he is a Republican, and is a Methodist. His first
■wife was Elizabeth Baker, born in Boston, and came to the Point with her parents in 1836, and was
married in 1857 ; they have one child, Annie, now Mrs. Allen, at Sturgeon Bay, Mich. ; his second wife
was a native of Cornwall, England, and, while Mr. Poad was there on a visit in 1844, they were married ;
he then returned to America and made preparations for the family, and in the mean time she was taken
sick and died before coming to America ; he had two children by a former marriage, who came to this
country — Mary, now Mrs. Pryor, who resides in Iowa ; Thomas, in Dakota.
BI. F. REWEY, Overseer of County Poor Farm, Sec. 35 ; P. 0. Dodgeville ; was born in
Grant Co. Wis.. Dec. 20, 1847 ; lived at home with his parents untilhe was 18 years of age, when he
worked for his brother on the farm for about two years, ihen went to Ohio and worked for a brother in
the dairy business, and in the coal mines. He was married to Miss Emma. C. Bates, a native of Trum-
bull Co., Ohio, in 1869 ; she died in 1872, leaving no children ; he then returned to Wisconsin, and to
Iowa Co.; was appointed Overseer of the Poor Farm, March, 1870, and expects to leave for Rewey in
March next, for the purpose of engaging in the hotel business, which he is now building, 18x28,
two stories, 10-feet ceiling. His second wife, Sarah J. Dobson, was born in La Fayette Co., New Dig-
gings, Aug. 19, 1847 ; her parents were natives of England ; came to this country at an early day ; lived
in Pennsylvania, then came to Wisconsin ; they were married Oct. 13, 1873 ; have two children — Bertram
P., born Feb. 25, 1874; Moble C, Deo. 21, 1877. In politics. Republican, liberal in belief. During
his official duties at the farm, he has buried several of the oldest settlers of Iowa Co. He owns in Mifflin
Township 120 acres of land, 160 acres of land in Nebraska, and town property.
NICHOIiAS RICHARDS, deceased; was born in Cornwall, England, Aug. 11, 1821 ; came
to Wisconsin in 1847 ; worked with the Linden Mining Company until 1860, when he moved on a farm
of 80 acres ; he owned at time of death 160 acres, with fine improvements ; died April 2, 1874. A man
always interested in education, and a member of the Methodist Church ; he held the office of Steward ;
his wife, Ann Stephens, was born in Corwall, England, Oct. 18, 1821 ; they were married 1845, and had
nine children — Mary A , now Mrs. W. H. Baker ; William C, Linden ; John, on the place ; Matthew H.,
teacher; Elizabeth, Charles N., in Spencer, Clay Co., Iowa; Kate and Joseph H., at home; Elizabeth,
deceased. In politics, he was a Republican.
PETER RIGOER, farmer. Sec. 33 ; P. 0. Mineral Point ; was born in Luxemberg, Germany
in 1835; came to Wisconsin in 1857; now owns 200 acres of well-improved land. His wife, Kathrine
Hillier, was born in Luxemberg, Germany., in 1841. They were married in 1866 ; they have six children — •
Nicholas, Martha, Anna, Joseph, William, May. In politics. Democrat. In religion, Catholic.
€r. RDIiE, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Linden; he was born in Cornwall, England, in 1847; he
came to America with his parents; he now owns 275 acres of well-improved land. His wife, Elizabeth,
daughter of William Mitchell, of Mineral Point, was born in Mineral Point in 1847. They were married
in 1868, and have six children — Joseph H., Walter R., Wilber, Jasper, Minnie Mable and Garfield. In
politics, Mr. R. is Republican. In religion, a believer.
JAMES J. RULE, farmer. Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Linden ; was born in Cornwall, England, in 1830 ;
came to America in 1836 with his parents, who settled in Linden, near the mines ; his father entered 60
acres, and owned 293 acres, and 30 in mineral land, when he died in 1861 ; his mother is still living ; James
owns 180 acres of land with good improvements. His wife, Elizabeth J. Smith, was born in Linden in
1851. They were married in 1868; they have four children — James L., George S., Lena, Mary L. In
politics, Republican, and a liberal believer.
JA9IES R. RUIiE, farmer. Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Linden ; was born in Cornwall, England, in 1828 ;
came to America in 1840 with his parents, and settled in Linden, near the mines ; went to California in
1854, and returned in 1864, then bought 120, then 40, and now owns 160 acres of good land, on which
he has made the improvements ; he has a good barn, 20x26, hog house, 40x10x10x38. His wife, Susan
Tregoning, was born in Cornwall, England, in 1 838 ; came to America with an aunt and uncle, and settled
in Scales Mound, Jo Daviess Co., 111., then moved to ShuUsburg, La Fayette Co., Wis., and then to Bloom-
field, Iowa Co., and lived with her cousin John Tregoning until 1863. They were married in 1867 ; have
no children. Mr. R. is a Republican and believer. Has been Town Treasurer and Assessor.
JOHN RIJLiE, farmer. Sec. 30 ; P. O. Linden ; was born in Cornwall, England, July 4, 1825 ;
came to America in 1840 with his parents, and in 1850 he went to California, returned in 1853, and kept
914 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
the hotel at Linden for seventeen years ; then bought and now owns 80 acres of well-improved land. Hi»
wife, Mary Ann Gribbell, was born in Cornwall, England, in 1835 ; came to this country with her parents
in 1848. They were married in 185Y, and have nine children — George, Charles, William, Mary Ann,
Elizabeth, Grace, living ; William, John, Wesley, infant son, deceased. In politics, Mr. R. is a Repub-
lican. In religion, liberal believer.
STEPHEIV RUIiE, farmer. Sec. 5 ; P. O. Linden ; born in Linden in 1848 ; owns 275 acrea
of land, and has made part of the improvements. His wife, Elizabeth Stephens, was born in Linden in
1849. They were married in 186Y ; they have six children — Margaret, Jeremiah John, Elizabeth, [iuk
Bell and Esmerelda. In politics, Mr. R. is a Republican. In religion, a believer.
WILIilAM RUIiE, Jr., farmer. Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Linden ; was born in Cornwall, England, in
1830 ; came to Arfnerica with his parents; owns 160 acres of land ; went to California in May, 1852, and
returned in 1862. His wife, Ann Thomas, was born in Wales Nov. 16, 1843 ; came to America in 1845.
They were married in 1867 ; have nine children — William, Nathan, Margaret N., Lusa, Farwell, Ruth,
David ; James died Dec. 29, 1879 ; infant son. In politics, Mr. R. is a Republican. In reli'.'ion,.
believer.
HENRY SAMPSON, farmer, Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Linden ; born in Cornwall, England, in 1815 ;
came to America in 1842, and in May, arrived at Mineral Point, and remained there until 1848, when he
bought 80 acres of land and built a cabin ; now owns 540 acres of well-improved land ; house, 39x18,
barn, 43x30, 16-foot posts. His wife, Elizabeth Baker, was born in Cornwall, England. They were mar-
ried in 1848 ; have four children — E. F., now Mrs. Watkins, in Linden ; S. H., in Audubon Co., Iowa ;
D. D., in Audubon Co., Iowa; John B. at home. In politics. Republican. In religion, Methodist. Has
been Pathmastet twenty-five years, and Justice of the Peace. Has been an active temperance worker for
over forty years. When he in company with Phillip Allen and James Toay came to Mineral Point, they
only had left about 15 cents. In the time of Mr. Sampson holding: the office of Justice, a young man,
wishing to be married, called on him, and, having no money, he married them, and, the young man seeing
some very nice beans, so informed Mr. S.,and he replied that he would give them a peck to begin life with.
MICHAEL SAMPSON, farmer. Sec. 19; P. 0. Linden ; born in Cornwall, England, in
1823 ; came to Wisconsin in 1845 ; engaged in the mines ; owns 160 acres of land, on which he has
made the improvements. His wife, Elizabeth Wearing, was born in Cornwall, England, in 1828 ; mar-
ried in 1844 and died in 1860, leaving eight children — Henry (deceased), George M., Richard William,
Mary M., Cyrus, Lewis M., Lucy, Francis J. (deceased). His second wife, Ann N. Little, was born in
Cornwall, England, Aug. 6, 1840 ; married in 1860 ; they have six children — Elizabeth, Minnie, Fannie,
Lottie, Lena, Kattie. In politics, Mr. S. is a Republican ; is a member of the Methodist Episcopal
Church. Has been a member of the Town Board three times. Chairman two terms, and Treasurer of
School District No. 10.
RICHARD S. SMITH, of the firm of Smith Bros., dealers in general stock. Linden ; was
born in Linden June 22, 1842 ; lived at home until 21 years of age ; then went to Virginia City, Nev.,
in the mines and remained there two years ; then went to Idaho City, and then to Central City and
remained thirteen months; returned to Linden and then to the home farm Sept. 13, 1863. He eugaged
in business, and was appointed Postmaster in February, 1878. His wife, Susa M. Heathcock, was born
in Linden April 12, 1838, and is the daughter of W. Heathcock ; they were married Jan. 1, 1868, and
have five children — William M., Albert R., Richard J., Mabel E., Dora L. In poliiics, Republican, and
Methodist in religion. Has been Chairman of the Town Board, District Clerk, School Director three
years. Member of the A., F. & A. M.; S. W. of Linden Lodge, No. 206, also a member of the Min-
eral Point Chapter, No. 6.
JAMES STEPHENS, farmer, Sec. 11; P. 0. Mineral Point; born in Cornwall, England
in 1814; came to America in 1842, and lived in Pennsylvania; then, in the fall of 1842, came to Wis-
consin; worked in the mines; returned to England in 184'^, in the fall, and remained until 1848;
returned to America and came to Wisconsin, where he remained until 1851, when he went to California ;
was in the mines ; in 1853, returned to Wisconsin ; bought and now owns 160 acres of land. His first
wife was Jane Enner, a native of Cornwall, England ; married in 1839 and died in 1876, leaving eleven
children. His second wife, Eliza Thomas, was born in Cornwall, England; married in 1877, and they
had one child, Albert. In politics. Republican ; in religion, believer. Has been Pathmaster. His wife
has one child by former marriage.
RICHARD STEPHENS, farmer, Sec. 35 ; P. 0. DodgeviUe ; born in England in 1837 i
came to America in 1 845 with his parents, and then to Wisconsin ; his father now resides in MontfordT
TOWK OF LINDEN. 915
Grant Co., Wis. Owns 260 acres of land, with fine spring, house, barn and buildings. His wife was
Phillis Eddy ; her parents were natives of England, and came to this county early ; married in 1866 ; no
children. In politics, Republican ; in religion, liberal believer.
J. W. T A YliOR, attorney at law ; was born in La Fayette Co., Wis., April 6, 1851 ;. he
studied law at Lancaster, Wis., in 1875-76; graduated in 1876, in December; the Dodgeville Chronicle
of Oct. 15, 1880, says: "The nomination of Mr. Taylor, of Linden, was one eminently fit to be made by
a convention having at heart the best interest of the people ; Mr. Taylor is a young man who has acquired
an education through his own exertions, and during the few years of his practice in this county has risen
steadily in public esteem, as true worth is always sure to do ; honest, studious, industrious, manly, the
various legal interests of the county will be eminently safe in his keeping." His wife, Margaret Oaborn,
was born in Iowa County in 1856, and married in 1879; they have one child — Margaret, born in 1880,
In politics. Republican ; member of the M. E. Church ; has been Town Clerk.
NICHOLAS THOMAS, farmer, Sec. 6 ; P. 0. Mineral Point ; born in Cornwall, Eng., in
1824,' and came to Wisconsin in 1847 ; worked in the mines ; went to Colorado in 1852 ; worked in tho
mines; returned in 1858, and bought 80 acres, and now owns 380 acres of improved land, with fine stone
house and things in good repair, and fine graded stock ; his wife was Susana Bennett, born in Cameron,
Cornwall, Eng. ; came to America with her parents at the age of 5 years. They were married in 1850,
and have four children — Anna (now Mrs. Skillacorn), William, George, Elizabeth. In politics, Eepub-
lican ; in religion, Methodist, and Trustee in the church.
JOSEPH THOMPSON, farmer. Sec. 30; P. 0. Mineral Point; born in Alston, Cumber-
land, Eng., in 1816; came to America in 1841; to Wisconsin in 1844; worked in the mines; in 1860,
bought and now owns 120 acres of land ; has made the improvements ; his wife, Isabell Stevenson, was
born in Alston, Cumberland, Eng. They were married in 1837, and have had nine children — Charlotte
(now Mrs. Noel), John, Robert, Sarah Elizabeth, Joseph, Logan, Mary Ann, Margret Jane, George (died
in 1841). In politics, Democrat; in religion, Latter-Day Saint, and was driven from Nauvoo, 111., at the
time of the Mormon excitement.
JOSEPH H. THOMPSON, farmer. Sec. 20; P. 0. Mineral Point; born at Nauvoo, 111.,
in 1845 ; came to Wisconsin in 1844 with his parents ; owns 80 acres of land ; his wife, Mary Jano
Brown, was born at Lost Grove, Wis , in 1854. They were married in 1874; they have two children —
Lillie Gertrude, born in 1877, and Willie Elmer, born in 1878; in politics, Mr. T. is a Democrat ; in
religion, believer ; has been School Director.
THOMAS TONKIN, Sr., farmer; Sec. 14; P. 0. Mineral Point; born in Rudruth,
Cornwall, Eng., in 1814; came to America in 1845, and went to Lake Superior; worked in the copper
mines ; came to Wisconsin in 1846, and was employed in the mines at Dodgeville ; he then bought 40
acres ; now owns 460 acres of land ; has made all of the improvements from the wild land ; his wife,
Cathrine Barnett, was born in County Cork, Ireland, in 1820. They were married in 1844, and have
had twelve children, eight living — Thomas, Mary Ann (now Mrs. Dulan), John (deceased), Benjamin
(near home), Kathrine (at home), William, Stephen, Francis, George (deceased), Sarah, infant (deceased),
infant (deceased). In politics, Democrat; in religion, Presbyterian ; has been School Director, Treasurer
and Pathmaster.
WILLIAM TREMAIN, farmer. Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Linden ; was born in Cornwall, England,
in 1835 ; came to this country in 1855 ; owns 120 acres of land, and has made the improvements. His
wife, Mary Ann Harris, was born in Cornwall, England, in 1835 ; she came to this country with her
parents. They were married in 1864; have four children — John, Francis May, William Henry, Charles,
In politics, Mr. T. is a Republican ; in religion, a believer.
ROBERT VIAL, farmer. Sec. 9 ; P. 0. Linden ; was born in Cornwall, England, March
25, 1810 ; came to America, and Linden, in 1837 ; worked in the mines and at farming ; owns 170 acres
of well-improved land. His wife, Grace Pryor, is a native of Cornwall, England; was born in 1814; came
to America in 1838. They were -married in 1835 ; have six children — William, Elizabeth (now Mrs,
Rule), Susan, Mary, Robert, Jane (now Mrs. Kislingburg). In politics, Mr. V. is a Republican ; is a
local preacher in the Primitive Methodist Church, and a class-leader.
WILLIAM VIAL, farmer. Sec. 9 ; P. 0. Linden ; was born in Cornwall, England, in 1837 ;
came to America in 1847, with his parents, who were early settlers; they are now deceased. William owns
80 acres of land. His wife, Harriett Jane Rule was born in Cornwall, England, and came to this county
with her brother. They were married in 1858 ; they had five children — Richard, Mary J., Robert, Har.
riett and Mira. In politics, Mr. V. is a Republican ; in religion, a liberal believnr.
916 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
WILiLiIAM F. VIVIAN, farmer, Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Mineral Point. He was born in Mineral
Point, of English parents, March 22, 1840. His father started him at farming, with 200 acres of land, in
1860 ; since then, William has built a fine barn 32x46, with basement of fine cut stone, and a fine house,
two stories, 24x34. His wife, Mary Evens, was born in Cornwall, England, and came to this country with
her parents, who were old settlers of Mineral Point ; she was born July 26, 1842. They were married on
July 26, 1862 ; she died June 4, 1863 ; left one child— Mary P., born May 16, 1863. His second wife, E.
E. Skillicorn, was born on the Isle of Man July 4, 1845 ; came to America in 1859. They were married
Nov. 6, 1863, and they have five children — Francis J. (deceased), Annie T., Fannie J., Annis 8. ; Lilly
May, born April 12, 1878. In politics, he is a Republican, in religion a Primitive Methodist.
CHARLES S. WESTON, farmer, Sec. 28 ; P. 0. Linden ; born in Hampshire, England,
1818; came to America, 1840, and lived in Pennsylvania until 1846; came to Wisconsin; bought 80
acres of land, built the old cabin ; now owns 220 acres, with good house. His wife, Anna Avenabl, born
in Berkshire, England, in 1828 ; came to America in 1840 ; married in 1850, and they have eight children —
Nellie, Walter, Millie, Emma, Libbie, Albert, Willie and Hattie Bell, died 1869. In politics, Eepdblican.
In religion. Advent. Has been Assessor and Justice of the Peace.
EDWARD WESTON, farmer. Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Linden ; born in Hampshire, England, 1817 ;
came to America, 1840, and resided in Pennsylvania until 1846, when he came to Wisconsin, and bought
80 acres of land — he now owns 110, with fine house and improvements. His wife, Mary E. Titus, was
born in Delaware Co., N. Y., in 1830, and married in 1857 ; have one adopted child — Mamie Kneal. In
politics. Republican, and in religion. Advent. Has been Clerk and Justice of the Peace.
STEPHEN WILKINS, farmer. Sec. 30 ; P. 0. Mineral Point ; was born in Baydon,
Wiltshire, England, in 1837 ; came to Wisconsin in 1848. Enlisted in Co. I, 7th W. V. I. ; was dis-
charged April, 1863, and returned to Wisconsin, bought 80 and now owns 105 acres of land, on which he
has made all of the improvements; he has a house, 25x14, with wing, 14x25 ; barn 26x38, 16-foot posts,
stone basement, 8-foot. His wife, Ellen Baxter, was born in Berkshire, England, in 1844, and came to
America in 1855. They were married in 1863, and have two children — Joseph W., born April 14,
1864; Annie L., born Aug. 14, 1872. In politics Mr. W. is a Republican ; in religion, a liberal.
BENJAmiN WILLIAMS, farmer. Sec. 18; P. 0. Mineral Point; was born in North
Wales, Angleshire, Aug. 12, 1825; came to America in 1845, and to Waukesha Co., Wis., in 1848;
thence to Mineral Point, where he engaged in teaming and working in a shop ; then, in 1849, to South
Diggings ; in 1852, bought 240 acres of land, and built the old cabin — now owns 190 acres of land, with
house 18x30, two stories. His wife was Hannah Davis, born in Pembrokeshire, South Wales, May 6,
1836 ; came to America with her parents, and settled in Pottsville, Penn. ; married in 1852. They have
had twelve children — one infant, deceased ; John, born June 26, 1854, died Oct. 26, 1854 ; John, born
Aug. 12, 1855, died Nov. 23, 1858; Mary, born in 1857, and now Mrs. William J. Powell; Elizabeth,
born March 12, 1860; Hannah, born June 29, 1862; John, born Feb. 13, 1865; William, born April
2, 1867 ; Phebe, born Deo. 2, 1869 ; Thomas, born June 17, 1872 ; Annie, born July 8, 1875 ; Ellen,
born June 25, 1878. Has held the office of Clerk two terms and Supervisor three years. Is a Repub-
lican and a member of the Calvinistic Methodist Church, of which he has been Trustee for nine years.
JAMES WILLIAMS, farmer. Sec. 28 ; P. 0. Mineral Point ; was born in Cornwall,
England, in 1823 ; came to America Knd Pennsylvania in 1850, and to Wisconsin in 1853 ; owns 140
acres of land. His wife, Margaret Colvert, a native of England, was born in 1834, and married, in 1850,
Mr. Hillery, now deceased, by whom she had five children — Sarah J.. Henry, Mary Ann, Maggie and
Ella — and in 1867, was married to Mr. Williams. By this union there are ajso five children — James I.,
Millie B., Nora E., Willie L. and Clara L. In politics Republican, and religion Methodist.
TOWN OF MIFFLIN. 917
TOWN OF MIFFLIN.
JAUES ALTON, farmer, Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Mifflin; was born in Wisconsin Oct. 23, 1848;
lived at home until 1870, and now owns 160 acres of land, on which he has made most of the improve-
ments— a house, 16x26; wing, 16x16, two stories; barn, 26x40, basement stables. His wife, Ann
Avenell, was born in Linden, "Wis., in 1852 ; married in 1872, Christmas Day; they have one child —
Wilson, born Oct. 3, 1874.
THOMAS AliTON, Jr., dealer in general merchandise, Mifflin ; was born in La Payette
Co., Wis., July 28, 1849 ; resided at home until the age of 21, when he, in company with his brother,
bought 160 acres of land and engaged in farming; he sold to his brother, and then engaged in the butcher
business, and sold to his brother-in-law; then, in 1876, in company with J..B. Huse, bought out J. W.
Rewey ; then sold to Rewey & Alton, and built a store-room and engaged for himself; owns town prop-
erty and 60 acres of land. His wife, Elizabeth Author, was born in Linden in 1854 ; was married in 1870,
on Christmas Day ; they have four children — George, William, Auther and Frank ; Mary Elizabeth, de-
ceased. In politics, Republican ; in religion, liberal.
THOMAS ALTON, Sr., retired farmer ; P. 0. Mifflin ; was born in Yorkshire, England,
February, 1820. Came to America in 1842, and settled in La Fayette Co., Wis., at Chapel Hill, in the
mines. Remained in this country two years and a half, then went to England and remained three
months, and then returned to Iia Fayette County and remained eleven years, and from there to Mifflin,
Iowa Co., and bought 160 acres of land, and built the old home. He now owns 600 acres of land, hav-
ing retired since March, 1878. He has held the office of District Clerk of No. 7, Pathmaster, a member
■of the Lodge of A., F. & A. M. His wife, Elizabeth Siaale, was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1820 ;
married in the old country in 1845 ; the children are Ann, now Mrs. Greenwood, in Hamilton Co., Iowa;
Elizabeth, now Mrs. Baxter ; James ; Thomas, in business in Mifflin ; William, Barbara ; Margaret, now
Mrs. William Batten ; Mary, now Mrs. Nicholason ; George, on the old place ; John, at home.
C. C. BAINBRIDG-E, miller; P. 0. Mifflin ; born at New Diggings, La Fayette Co., Wis.,
Sept. 29, 1852 ; attended school at the Bailey Commercial College, at Dubuque, Iowa ; was employed in
the store Sept. 25, 1878, when he learned the trade of miller ; he owns town property. His wife, Mary
C. Vickman, was born in Linden in 1847 ; they were married in February, 1877 ; they have two chil-
dren— Ethel, born Aug. 7, 1878; William, born Nov. 31. 1879. In politics. Republican ; religion, lib-
eral. Has been Town Clerk for two years. Member of A., F. & A. M.; was J. W. in 1876.
WILLIAM BAFNBBIDCkE, miner, miller and farmer ; P. O. Mifflin ; was born in Dur-
ham Co., England, August, 1813. Came to America in 1832, and settled in Pennsylvania ; was em-
ployed in the mines, and then came to Galena in the spring of 1834 ; worked in the mines, and remained
until 1836, when he moved to New Diggings, La Fayette Co., Wis., and was there about fifteen years ;
then moved to Iowa Co., in the abandoned Mifflin mines, but, being an expert miner, and finding the
mines good, he, in company with James and John Spensley, bought them, and they have proved a paying
investment. He also owns the grist-mill built by Joel Clayton in 1848, and by him purchased in 1849.
Owns town property and 920 acres of land, with a fine house. His wife, Mary Clayton, was born in Der-
byshire, England, July 15, 1820 ; came to America in 1839 ; they were married April 9, 1842, and they
have eight children — John W.; Charles C, now in the Mifflin Mills ; Thomas B., in the mines; George
W., on the farm ; William E., at the Normal School, PlattevilJe, Wis.; Margaret, now Mrs. Harker, in
Mifflin ; Mary Ellen, now Mrs. Johns, at Palmyra, Neb.; Elizabeth Ann, now Mrs. Jones, in Cass Co.,
Iowa. In politics. Republican ; in religion. Primitive Methodist. Is now Trustee ; has been on the
Town Board, and was Chairman five years ; was also on the County Board.
JOHN W. BAINBBIDGE, farmer, See. 27; P. 0. Mifflin; was born in New Diggings,
La Fayette Co., Wis., May 6, 1850 ; remained at home until 1872. His wife, Louisa Jenkins (the second
daughter of John Jenkins), was born at Dalles Dec. 8, 1851 ; married Sept. 30, 1872 ; they have four
children — Mary Elizabeth, born July 24, 1873, died Feb. 7, 1877 ; Raymond L., born June 27, 1875 ;
Louisa, born March 23, 1877 ; Martha, born Oct. 2, 1879. He has a stock-farm, well stocked and im-
proved, of 520 acres, with a barn 36x60, with 21-foot corner posts; house, 16x24, two stories.
.ij
91;i
BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
GEORGE W. BAI]!lf BRIDGE, farmer; Sec. 28 ; P. 0. Mifflin ; was born Feb. 26, 1856 ;
attended school at Platteville ; now owns 160 acres of land, he having made all the improvements. His
wife was Mary Robson, who was born in Durham Co., England, June 20, 1858; they married July 18,
1878, and have two children— Rodha, born June 8, 1879 ; Ella, born August, 1880. He is a member of
the Lodge of Mendotas.
E. J. BENNETT, grain and stock buyer, Rewey ; was born at Mineral Point, Nov. 9, 1837,
and at the age of 15 began working in the mines, at which he continued until 1867, when he was employed
by Brewer & Penhallagan, afterward for David Jacka, and resided at Belmont, La Fayette Co.; then
with N. T. Olmstead; in 1880, he removed to Rewey. His wife was Ellen Penhallagan, who was borrt
in Cornwall, Engl&nd, in 1839 ; they married in 1859, and have four children — William J., Edwin C.,
Nellie S. and Edith S. In politics, he is a stalwart Republican ; in religion he is a Methodist; member
of I. 0. 0. P. at Belmont, No. 289 ; was Town Treasurer in Belmont, and Chairman of the board.
HIRAM BICKFORD, farmer, Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Mifflin ; born in Niagara Co., N. Y., Nov.
6, 1818 ; was raised on a farm, and, after becoming of age, worked his way West, to Cascade, Dubuque
Co., Iowa ; remained there sixteen days, then came to Potosi, Grant Co., and then to Clifton, working
one year, and then went to Lima, and then to Iowa Co.; entered, and now owns, 160 acres of land, on
which he has made the improvements ; has a fine home. His wife, Nancy A. Deitzman, was born in G-er-
many, April 15, 1831, and was a daughter of John Deitzman; they were married Sept. 15, 1850, and
they have nine children^Mary Ann, now Mrs. Clegg, born at Dodgeville ; Joseph H., born at Ft. Dodge,
Iowa ; Eli H., born in Butte Co., Cal.; Elizabeth M., now Mrs. Fox, bom in Mitchell Co., Kan.; Emily
8., born in Dodgeville; Duglass S., George W., Sarah A. and Eunice J. In politics he is a Democrat;
a Spiritualist; Clerk of District No. 1, Mifflin, and has been Treasurer and Pathmaster.
REV. WIIililAlI BIRD (deceased) was born in England, ajid lived there the first half of
his life ; he was converted in youth, and united with the Baptist Church ; studied in Cherbourg; in the
year 1843, he came to Wisconsin; settled in Waukesha Co., near Waukesha ; in 1857, he left there for
Madison ; when the Hospital for the Insane was opened, he ofi'ered his services to the State, and remained
until his death ; he often oflficiated as Chaplain during the history of the institution ; he was endeared to
his family and friends by kind and charitable intercourse ; his death occurred in 1874 ; the widow now
resides in Waukesha. Their son, Herbert R. Bird, M. D., was born in Waukesha March 24, 1849 ; at
the age of 13, he enlisted in the 23d W. V. I., Co. D, in June, 1862, as musician in the regimental band,
and was in the engagements of Chickasaw Bayou, Miss.; Arkansas Post, Ark.; Greenville, Miss.; Cypress,
Bend, Ark.; Grand GulP, Miss.; Port Gibson, Miss.; Champion Hills, Miss., and Black River Bridge, Miss.;
was slightly wounded at the assault and siege of Vicksburg, Miss., at the siege of Jackson, Miss., Carrion
Crow Bayou, La., where he was taken prisoner ; wslh also at Mansfield, Ga.; Cane River, La.; Jackson, La.;,
Ft. Spanish, Ala.; Ft. Blakely, Ala. After the war, he returned home, and attended school two years ;
then went to Madison, in the hospital, and read medicine, and engaged as Supervisor of the male depart-
ment; then, in 1876, attended lectures at Rush Medical College, Chicago ; graduated in the spring of
1877, and came to Mifflin. His wife, Gertie Meggs, was born in Highland March 18, 1850 ; they were
married in 1875 ; they have had three children — Mabel M., born Feb. 14, 1877 ; Johnnie, born March
21, 1879, died August, 1880; Herbert R., born March 24, 1880. In politics. Republican; in religion.
Christian Advents. Is a member of the A., F. & A. M. and Chapter at Madison. Owns town property,
and 80 acres of land in Arena Township.
JOHN BliACKNEY, blacksmith, Mifflin; was born at Pottsville, Penn., Feb. 26, 1850;
came to Wisconsin at the age of 2 years ; he owns town property. His wife, Sarah Ann Jones, was born
of Welsh parents, and they were married Oct. 14, 1870 ; they have three children — Maggie, Frank and
John. In religion, xldvent. Member of the I. 0. 0. F. ; left-hand support in the lodge at Washburne,
Grant Co.
WILIilAM P. BLUNDELIi, farmer. Sec. 32 ; P. O. Mifflin ; born in Illinois June 20,
1826 ; came to Wisconsin with his parents ; then removed to Savannah, 111., and then to Alton, 111.; then
to Mississippi, and then returned to Illinois ; then to Wisconsin, and bought and owns 115 acres of land —
26f in Grant Co. ; made the improvements of house 14x16, wing 16x26, barn 24x36, sixteen-foot posts.
Enlisted. in Co. E, 30th W. V. I., in 1862 ; was discharged in 1865. His wife, Mary A. Kerr, was born in
Illinois in 1838 ; married Nov. 2, 1856 ; they have six children: — Emma J., Eva A., William E.
(deceased), Mina A., Jessie C. and Freddie. In politics. Republican ; in religion. Christian Advent.
THOMAS BOWES, farmer. Sec. 3 ; P. 0. Mifflin ; was born in Durham, Eng., Jan. 15,
1830; came -to Wisconsin in 1853, to La Fayette^ Co. ; now owns 300 acres of land. His wife-was Mar-
TOWN OF MIFFLIN 919
tha Jane Holmes, born in Indiana June 6, 1840, a daughter of William Holmes ; married in 1859, and
have nine children — -David William, born Oct. 10, 1859 ; John Thomas, born April 24, 1860 ; Charles
Henry, born Aug. 6, 1864 ; Joseph Gibson, born April 15, 1866 ; Ida Rebecca, born Aug. 21, 1868 :
Mary Maria, born Oct. 29, 1870 ; Benjamin Clarence, born Dee. 10, 1872 ; Archie Lincoln, born Oct. 7,
1876 ; Lizzie Jane, born March 3, 1878.
DAVID BOWES ; P. 0. Linden ; was born in Durham, Eng., June 23, 1802 ; camo to
America in 1845 ; settled at New Diggings, La Payette Co., Wis., in the mines, then came to Mifflin and
bought 160 acres of land. His wife, Elizabeth Gibsod, was born in Durham, Eng., Aug. 5, 1801 ; they
married in 1824 ; had eighteen children; John Bowes, the fourth child, now resides in Sec. 3, Linden,
and is by occupation a farmer, and was born in Durham, Eng., in 1832; came to America with his parents
and worked in the mines until 1853, when he bought. 80 acres of land. Enlisted, in 1862, in the 30th
W. V. I. ; was discharged in 1865. His wife, Mary A. Hillery, was born in New Diggings, La Payette
Co., Wis., in 1846 ; married in 1867, and have two children — John D. and George E. In politics. Repub-
lican ; in religion, liberal. ■
JOHN CARPENTER, Sr. ; was a native of Vermont, and emigrated to Ohio and then to
Wisconsin before the Black Hawk war, and engaged' in the war ; he then returned to Ohio, and, in 1835,
brought the family and settled near Platteville, and, while on a visit to Ohio in 1836, he died at Alton,
111. Mrs. Carpenter was also a native of Vermont, and died in 1836 ; by this union there were eleven
children. John, Jr., now residing on Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Mifflin ; the youngest of the family ; was born in
Delaware Co., Ohio, March 19, 1825; came to Wisconsin in 1835, and went to Jo Daviess Co., 1)1., to
work on a farm, and then for a man making fanning-mills; he now owns 490 acres of land, with a barn
30x56, sixteen-foot corners; basement stable, carriage-house, 14x16 ; stabl-", 24x36 ; corn-crib, 24x26 ; hog
house, 18x48 ; smoke-house, 8x12 ; his dwelling, 34x38. In religion, a Methodist ; has been Steward, also
School Treasurer and Director ; three years on the Town Board, a member of the A., P. & A. M., at Mif-
flin, the Chapter at Platteville. His wife, Louisa Hogle, was born in Sangamon Co., 111., Dec. 13, 1828 ;
they married, Jan 24, 1843, and they have had eleven children — John D. (a carpenter in Washburn,
Grant Co., Wis.), William (in the 7th W. V. I., killed at the battle of the Wilderness). Minerva (now
Mrs. Hubbard, in Mifflin), Laura (now Mrs. Dixon, in Washburn, Grant Co.), Clara (in Nebraska),
Eunice Sierra Nevada (now Mrs. De Long, in La Fayette Co.), William E., Minnie, Hiram J., Emma
(deceased), Minerva (deceased).
GEORGrE CLARK, farmer. Sec. 36 ; P. 0. Mifflin ; born in Leicestershire, England, Feb.
14, 1831 ; came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1859 ; rented land, then bought and now owns, in company
with David Jenkins, 700 acres of land, nicely improved ; they have a fine barn, 40x30, sixteen-foot posts ;
house, 24x16, two stories. His wife was Mary A. Kinsley, born in Canada in 1841 ; they married in
1859 ; they have nine children — Sarah, Thomas, Lizzie, John, Minnie, Horatio, Annie, George, and an
infant daughter. In politics, Democrat.
JOISEPH CONLEY, farmer, Sec. 16 ; P. 0. Washburn ; was born in Ireland : in 1849, came
to America; settled in Platteville ; came to Iowa Co. in 1852 ; owns 340 acres of land. His wife, Marga-
ret Dewham, was born in Ireland ; married in 1857 ; they have nine children, six living — Mary, Henry,
Eliza, Sarah, Joseph, Hattie. In religion. Catholic ; in politics. Democrat.
R. B. CULBERTSON, farmer. Sec. 19 ; P. 0. Livingston ; was born in Wayne Co., Ohio,
March 31, 1819; left Ohio and w^nt to Lawrence Co., Illinois, in 1839; then, in 1844, to Grant Co.,
Wis.; engaged in farming, and, in 1846, to Iowa Co.; entered 80 acres of land ; built the old cabin, and
now owns 120 acres of land, [n politics, he is a Republican, and in religion, a Methodist ; he has been
Pathmaster and School Director ; a temperance man. His wife, Lovona David, was born in Ohio in
1816; married in 1840 ; they have had four children^John, Solan, David, Mary A. (died in 1857) ;
first wife deceased ; second wife. Miss L. A. Johnson, was born in Lancaster Co., Penn., in 1836 ; married
in August, 1857 ; they had four children — Enoch, DoHie, Sarah, Cyrus, Grant.
C. CUSHMAIV, farmer. Sec. 6 ; P. 0. Mifflin ;. born in New York April 5, 1827, and removed
to Ashtabula Co., Ohio, and engaged in farming, and then to Iowa Co., Wis., in 1850, and in the mines
prospecting, and then returned to Pennsylvania and remained five years engaged in farming; retuned to
Wisconsin with horses, and then again to Pennsylvania ; sold out and moved to Wisconsin in 1855;
bought 160 acres of land and made the improvements; has a fine house 38x24, barn 36x46, 16-foot cor-
ners, and basMuent; a member of the lodge of A., F. & A. M., and Deacon ; has held all the nifierent
offices; has been Pathmaster. His wife was, Roxie Rosette Streeter, a native of New York, born in 1844
920 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
and married in 1850; they have eight childrea, six living — G-eorge (in Nebraska), Frank, Charles
(deceased), Jefferson, Ezra, Nettie, Willie, Bertie. In politics, Republican ; in religion, liberal believer.
$$ILAS CrSHMAN, farmer. Sec. 33 ; P. 0. Mifflin ; was born in Ohio in 1837 ; came to
Wisconsin in 1855, and bought and now owns 137 acres of land ; his house is 37x16; wing, 16x20 ; barn,
34x34, 16-foot cornice. His wife, Marietta McCord, was born in Pennsylvania in 1844; married in
1863; they have seven children — Mables S , Laura A., Elmer C, Clinton R., Estella, Leslie, Lucy. In
politics, Republican ; in religion. Christian Advent. Has been Pathmaster ; belongs to the A., P. & A. M.:
S. D. in the lodge.
WIIililAM DA VIES, farmer. Sec. 14 ; P.O. Mifflin. John Davies, the father of the
above, was born in Pembrokeshire, South Wales ; came to America in 1840, and died at the age of 84 ;
his mother was born in Pembrokeshire ; died at the age of 79 ; by the marriage there were ten children
—Hannah, buried at the age of 69 ; Sarah, the mother of David C; Mary, now Mrs. Davis ; William,
born in Wales, now owns 240 acres of land with good improvements ; Esther ; Rachel ; Phebe, now Mrs.
Jones, and mother of Will A. Jones, County Superintendent of Schools ; John A., a minister of the
Presbyterian Church, died April 25, 1877 ; Phillip, died in Wales ; David, now on the place, 80 years of
age. B. Thomas, born in South Wales in 1806 ; came to Wisconsin in 1839, and lives with the family.
DAVID C. DAVIES, farmer. Sec. 14; P. O. Mifflin; was born in Pembrokeshire, South
Wales, in 1836 ; came to America in 1840 and settled at Pottsville, Penn., and was in the mines ; in
1843, to the State mines; in 1846, to Wisconsin, in the spring, and bought 80 acres of land; built the
old cabin, and now owns 280 acres of land, with fine house, 22x20 ; hall, 8x16 ; main building, 28x16, two
stories ; barn, 36x22, basement of stone. His wife, Ann James, was born in South Wales in 1848 ; came
to America in 1857 ; married in 1866, and died June 28, 1880 ; they had two children — William, born
in 1867; Elizabeth, in 1869. His second wife, Margaret Jones, was born at Platteville, of Welsh par-
ents, in 1859 ; married Nov. 30, 1880. In politics, Democrat ; in religion, Presbyterian ; is a teacher in
the Sunday school and leader of the singing. Has been District Clerk two years. William Davis, the
father of the above, was born in Pembrokeshire, South Wales, in the year 1800, and emigrated to Amer-
ica in 1840, and to Wisconsin in 1846; died July 2, 1862; his wife, Sarah Davies, was boin in Pem-
brokeshire, South Wales, in 1807 ; married in 1831 ; they had four children — William, born and died in
Wales; Elizabeth, born in Wales, now residing with David; John, born in Wales, died in Pottsville,
Penn. His mother now resides with David, and is quite hale and hearty for one of her age.
OLIVER P. DAVID, farmer. Sec. 6 ; P. 0. Livingston ; was born in Wayne Co., Ohio,
Oct. 27, 1828, and emigrated to Lawrence Co., 111., in 1837, and to Wisconsin in 1845; engaged
in farming ; owns 320 acres of land. In 1852, he went to California, and reiurned in 1855. His wife,
S. A. Flint, was born in Richland Co., Ohio, June 6, 1836, and married March 20, 1860 ; they have
seven children — Cassius V., born March 19, 1861, died Sept. 10, 1862; Arthur F., born Sept. 12,
1862; Orla S., Feb. 28, 1864; Aliehea L., May 24, 1866 ; Effie J., Oct. 9, 1868; John S., Sept. 27,
1870; Clara M., Oct. 12,1875. In politics, a Republican; in religion, liberal believer. Member of
Chapter No. 6, A., P. & A. M. Lodge. Has held a number of school offices and District Clerk.
DAVID DIBTZIIlAIir, farmer. Sec. 33; P. 0. Mifflin ; was born in Washington Co., Penn.,
March 16, 1838 ; came to Wisconsin in 1845, and is now living on the old homestead ; owns 234 acres
of land ; made most of the improvements. He enlisted in 1862, in the 30th W. V. I., Co. E ; was dis-
charged in April, 1865. His wife, Miss Obennouf, was born in Germany Oct. 14, 1341 ; came to Amer-
ica in 1851 with her father, who died in Ohio; her mother died in the old country; married to Mr.
Deitzman Oct. 24, 1865 ; they have five children — Salvanus, born Aug. 29, 1866, died Sept. 6, 1867 ;
Frank C, born Nov. 18, 1867; Mary A., July 11, 1869; John E., June 1, 1873; Ida, Oct. 5, 1879,
died April 1, 1880. Mr. D. is a Good Templar, a member of the Lodge of A., F. & A. M.,also Patrons
of Husbandry, a member of the Christian Advents and Treasurer of the church.
JOHIV DIETZllAiy (deceased) ; was born Feb. 25, 1804, in Saxony, Germany, and emi-
grated to Washington Co., Penn., in 1845, and to Black Jack, Wis., and died Christmas, 1871. His
wife was Hannah Rosanna Obennouf, who was born March 21, 1805 ; married June 21, 1825 ; they brought
up thirteen children — John Henry, Tronket, Ann Nancy, Charles John, David, Noah, Mary, John Solo-
mon, Hannah, Gideon (deceased), Jacob, Sarah J., Emily M.
JOHlKr C. DIETZMAN, farmer, Sec. 4 ; P. 0. Mifflin ; was born in Saxony, Germany,
March 26, 1832 ; came to Wisconsin in 1845 ; engaged in farming and mining ; now owns 200 acres of
land. His wife, Melissa Nolan, was born in Coles Co., 111., in 1845 ; married in 1860 ; they have had
TOWN OF MIFPLIN. 921
seven children— Ella Jane, born May 18,1861; William C, Sept. 16. 1862; Herman G., Sept. 14,
1864; Frank P., Aug. 25, 1866; Martha, Jan. 10, 1869; Charles A., April 8, 1872; Alfaretta, March
29, 1878. Mr. D. has been Clerk of Schools, Pathmaster, member of the Lodge of Mendotas.
FREDERICK DOBSOX, farmer. Section 7; P. 0. Washburn; was born in Durham,
Jflngland, Aug. 14, 1822. Came to Illinois 1842, and then to New Diggings, La Fayette County, Wis.,
then to Grant County in 1862, then to Iowa County. Bought and now owns 200 acres of land and has
made the improvements. Has held the office of Pathmaster, and a local preacher and class leader. In
politics. Republican, and has been Justice of the Peace. His wife, Ellen Snowden, was born in England
Nov. 22, 1823; came to America in 1831, with her parents, who settled in Platteville; they have since
died. Mr. Dobson married in 1844; have had nine children — John Henry, born June 16, 1845;
Emma, June 15, 1847, now Mrs. Beers; Lizzie, Feb. 19, 1849 ; William, Feb. 13, 1851, died June 7,
1851; Mary, born April 30, 1852; Robert, Oct. 6, 1854 ; Maggie, April 21, 1857; Clara, Nov. 30,
1860; Fred, June 15, 1863. Mr. D. was one of nine who came from England and founded a class of
Primitive Methodists, and only two of them are now living.
JONATHAN ELLSWORTH was a native of the Mohawk Valley, N. Y.; born in 1795;
a carpenter by trade ; died in 1840. His wife, Amanda Babcock, was born in Washington County, N. Y.,
in 1799. Married in 1818, and they had eight children — Delecta, deceased; Triphina, deceased; John,
Ruben, died in California in 1849 ; Enfield, deceased ; Amanda, now Mrs. Chopin, in Rock Co., Wis.;
Elesta, now Mrs. Palmer, at Baraboo, Wis.; Sherman, now in Madison, Wis. Mrs. Ellsworth was after-
ward married to Mr. Dean, a native of Rhode Island, now deceased, by whom there were two children —
Sarah, deceased ; James, in the 8th W. V. I., and died at Memphis, Tenn., in the hospital. John Ells-
worth, a son of the above, residing on Sec. 29, Mifflin P. 0., was born in Yates Co., N. Y., Jan. 9, 1823 ;
moved to Onondaea Co., then to Ontario Co., and, in 1847, "to Dane Co., Wis., and to Iowa Co., Wis.,
in 1856, and bought and now owns 600 acres of land, and 40 acres of timber in Grant Co.; has one of the
finest barns in the county, buik in 1880, 54x60, 20-foot corners, basement 11-foot, hip-roof; the old barn
is 34x40, 16-foot corners; house, 24x32, with wing 24x32. Has fine Norman and Clydesdale stock,
which has taken several first premiums. His wife was Eliza Ann Green, born in Yates Co., N. Y., June
14, 1825 ; married Oct. 20, 1842 ; they have eight children — Amanda, now Mrs. David (who is keeping
house for the younger children at Platteville) ; Henry, in Dane Co.; John M., at Livingston ; Eliza, now
Mrs. Dale Baker, residing in Dane Co., Wis.; Mattie, at home; Ruben, in Plattville ; Elenor E.,
Rachel M. Has been Clerk, School Treasurer and Pathmaster. Member of A., F. & A. M., at Mifilin ;
Chapter at Platteville.
JOHN M. ELLSWORTH, farmer. Sec. 18 ; P. O. Livingston ; now engaged in stock
buying at the new village of Livingston ; was born in Oregon, Dane Co., Wis., May 5, 1852 ; came to
Iowa Co. in 1856 ; attended the State Normal School at Platteville two years and a half, then to the State
University, at Madison, one year. Taught school before attending the University two and one-half
years. His wife, Vic. B. Hutchinson, was born at Platteville in 1850. They married in 1867 ; have one
child— Edward D., born Oct. 26, 1879. A member of A., F. & A. M. Lodge. Was Town Clerk two
years. Owns 80 acres of land.
ENOCK ENLOE, retired farmer. Sec. 17 ; P. 0. Washburn ; was born in South Carolina
Feb. 4, 1808 ; emigrated to lUinoi.* about 1820, with his parents, to Bond County ; his parents died
there ; remained there until 1827, when he came to Wisconsin ; then returned to Illinois, and remained
until 1834, when he returned to Iowa Co., Wis. His wife, Louisa Kirkpatrick, was born in Georgia Feb.
8, 1808, and, in 1834, came to Wisconsin for a home. She married Mr. E. Oct. 1, 1829; they have a
family of eight children married and settled near home — Udolia, James, Frank, John, Oscar W., born
Feb. 14, 1841, enlisted in 7th W. V. I., in 1861, Co. C, died Sept. 1, 1865 ; Sarah, deceased ; Ashel,
William. In politics. Republican ; religion, Methodists. Has been member of the Town Board several
times. Collector three times, and School Director three times. Member of I. 0. 0. F. When he first
came to Wisconsin be settled in Iowa County, on 120 acres of land, which he sold to John Carpenter,
and again bought 160 acres, and built the old home where they now reside, and owns 300 acres of land,
living a retired life and enjoying the fruits of a hard-fought battle of life, but came out successful.
JOHN FERRIS, farmer. Sec. 20; P. O. Livingston; was born in County Down, Ireland,
May 18, 1818 ; came to America in 1847, and to Wisconsin in 1848; worked in the mines in Iowa Co.,
then went to Wingville, then, in 1849, to Iowa Co., and bought 40 acres, on which he built the old cabin ;
he now owns 120 acres of fine land, and a fine house, 18x26, two stories. His wife, Mary M. Stevens;
born in Pennsylvania, May 17, 1835, came to Wisconsin in 1846; married Dec. 24, 1859. They have
9"22 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
eight children— Robert, born Feb. 22, 1861; garah, born Feb. 2, 1863: Annie, born Deo. 9, 1865;
John, born March 11, 1867; Mary Jane,, t)orn Nov. 11, 1868; Cornelius Isaac, born Oct. 29, 1872, and
Elizabeth, born Oct. 22, 1876. In religion, liberal ; has been School Director. Mrs. Ferris' father was
a native of New York, and came to Wisconsin in 1846 ; sold out and moved to Iowa in 1872 , then re-
turned to Wisconsin May 24, 1880. Her mother was a native of Pennsylvania, and was married in Penn-
sylvania; was the mother of nine children, five of them now living. She died in Floyd Co., Iowa, Feb.
22, 1877.
WILiIilAM FIEIiDHOUSE, farmer, Sec. 19; P. 0. Livingston; was born in Durham,
England, April 23, 1847; came to America; direct to Wisconsin in 1870, and worked at his trade in
Minciul Point, having learned the trade of stone-mason in the old country. He now owns 65 acres of
land, and has made fine improvements. His wife, Susan Thompson, who was born in Grant Co., Wis.,
May 8, 1851, married Nov. 14, 1872. They have four children— Francis S., born Sept. 16, 1873;
Carrie M., born Dec. 23, 1875 ; Mable L., born Jan. 17, 1877, and Roy Thompson, born March 8, 1880.
is liberal in religion ; has been District Clerk two terms ; is a Good Templar.
WILIilAM FRY, farmer, Sec. 18 ; P. 0. Livingston, Grant Co., Wis. ; was born in Phila-
delphia, Penn., Dec. 29, 1821 ; learned the trade of blacksmith, and removed to Lewiston, Fulton Co., 111.,
and engaged in blacksmithing ; then moved to Grant Co., Wis., in 1841, and then to Iowa Co. He now owns
147 acres of land, and 10 acres in Grant Co. His wife, Nancy Clifton, born in Missouri, in 1830, mar-
ried, November, 1847. They have eleven children, eight living^Caroline, now Mrs. Woodward, in Eden ;
William A., John C, Francis E., Ellsworth Lincon, Albert W., Levina J., Edwin Grant, Sarah M., and
Mary E., infant daughter. He has been School Director and Pathmaster.
WIIililAIlI GIBBON, clerk for J. B. Huse, Rewey; was born in Pembrokeshire, South.,
Wales, December, 1851 ; came to America in 1857 ; resided at home until 1867, and learned the trade of
blacksmith ; attended the State Normal School at Platteville two yearSj then engaged in teaching for four
years, then was with Mr, Huse, at Mifflin, in 1878, and. since removed to Rewey; has held the office of
Town Treasurer one term, Town Clerk two terms, was Census Enumerator for 1880, is a Good Templar,
and Secretary of Pecatonica Lodge.
GEORGE MICHAEL GRUBER, deceased; was born at Steinhart, Bavaria, Ger-
many, April 21, 1815,- and learned the trade of linen weaver, from childhood, and worked at the business
until 1838, when he came to this country and settled in New York ; then went to Monroe, Mich.;
then to Wisconsin, in 1846, and worked in the mines at the Point and in other diggings, and in
1848 bought 40 acres of land, built the old cabin, and they now own 240 acres of land. He died April
30, 1878. His. wife, Hannah Christina Emuel, was born at Nassau, Germany, March 20, 1815; came
New York in 1847, then to Mineral Point, Wis., and worked in the family of Gov. Dodge a short time ;
then married, Aug. 28, 1847. They have five children^George, born in 1848, and. now owner of the
mills known as the Star Mills, built for a woolen^mill in 1866, and afterward converted into a grist-mill.
John Henry, born Aug. 29, 1850, now id Dubuque, Iowa; Robert, born March 26, 1852 ; John Hill,
born May 11, 1853 ; died April 12, 1879 ; Charles, borii Dec. 25, 1854.
FRANK GRIFFITH, farmer. Sec 5; P. 0. MifSin; was born in Marion Co., Ind., Deo.
15, 1826 ; emigrated to Coles Co., 111.; from there to Iowa Go. in 1844 ; engaged in teaming and working
on a farm ; he entered 80 acres and bought in company with his brother 164 acres of land ; his brother
sold out, and he now owns 184 acres of land, and built a fine house in 1880 ; his wife, Adeline McRey-
nolds; was born in Bond Co., 111., in 1827. They married in 1857, and have five children — Samuel, John,
Margaret A., James, infant (deceased). In politics, Republican; religion, liberal believer; Treasurer of
Schools and Pathmaster; member of A., F. & A. M. Lodge, Mifflin; also Patron of Husbandry.
JOSEPH HARKER, dealer in general merchandise, firm of Harker & Bainbridge, Mifflin ;
was born in Yorkshire, Eng., Sept. 28, 1845 ; came to America in November, 1.860, and was employed
in the mines. Enlisted in the 5th W. V. I. in February, 1862 ; mustered out in July, 1865 ; was in the
battles of Williatnsburg, Seven Pines, in the campaign of the Peninsula; was wounded in the left leg,
breast and arm, and thumb of the right hand, and right lung; he then returned to Wisconsin and
worked in the mill and learned the trade of miiUi"'; was there until April, 1869, then went in the mercan-
tile business ; owns town property and 15 acres of land in Grant Co. ; his wife, Margret Bainbridge, was
born at New Diggings, La Fayette Co.; "in 1844. ■ Married in 1866 ; they had five children — Louisa, born
in 1866: Ella, 1868; Maggie, 1871; Mary, 1873; John, 1874.. In politics. Republican : religion, ,
liberal; member of the A., F. & A. M., and S. D> of LDdge ; has' been Justice of the Peace and Post- -
master seven years.
TOWN OF MirrLIN. 923
JOHN HARKER (deceased); was born in Arkendale, Eng., Aug. 20, 1824. In 1847, he
"was united in marriage to Mary Nicholson ; in 1848, he emigrated with his wife to America ; first settled at
Oouncil Hill, 111. ; in 1850, he moved to Linden, Iowa Co., and remained a short time and followed mining,
hut he soon gave this up and bought a piece of land, and went to farming, and continued until 1841,
when he moved to the village of Mifflin, and, in company with Bainbridge and Spensley, opened what is
known as the Penitentiary Mine; after a few years, he sold out to the other members of the company, and
then, by the wishes of the firm, he was appointed superintendent of the company, which position he held
■until a few months before his death, which occurred Nov. 27, 1880, and was buried with Masonic honors
at Big Patch, Grant Co., Wis. ; in 1860, he connected himself with the followers of Christ and joined
■the Primitive Methodist Church, a firm pillar in the Church of God, and so remained until the time of his
■death ; in 1880, his wife died, leaving him alone, and the same year he was again married to Hester A.
Williams ; a short time before his death, he donated freely to a new church building in Mifflin, but, brfore
the completion of the temple, the Great Creator having been pleased out of His mercy to remove him, he
never saw the temple dedicated to the worship of the Supreme Ruler of the universe.
JA1[E$$ HIRD, farmer, Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Mifflin ; was a son of Anthony and Phillis Hird, of
Ranbeck Parish, Kirkland, County of Cumberland, Eng., born Nov. 29, 1825 ; emigrated to America March
2, 1848, and came direct to Linden, then known as Pedler's Creek, and remained there but a short time,
when he went to Mineral Point and worked at his trade, which was that of a tailor ; he then went to Big
Patch, Grant Co., where he married Ann, daughter of Matthew and Margaret Preston, natives of Buck-
den, Parish of Arnciifi', County of York, Eng., who was born May 26, 1827, and came to America in 1849.
They were married Jan. 23, 1849, by Hugh Calhoun, Esq., of Smitzer, Grant Co., Wis., and by this
union there were nine children — Anthony, born July 12, 1850, in Smitzer, Grant Co. ; died April 17,
1860; Margatet, born aept. 8, 1852, in Mifflin; died Feb. 2, 1853; Phillis, Deo. 20, 1853 (now Mrs.
Richard Mills). Adam, March 21, 1856; Elizabeth, May 27, 1858 (now Mrs. Kinney, at Rewey), John
Preston, born Nov. 11, i860 ; Jane Ann, March 21, 1863, at Mifflin; Dorothey Isabell, Feb. 3, 1865, at
Mifflin; MatheW Preston, March 9, 1868, at Mifflin. In politics, a Democrat, and Liberal in religion;
has been Pathmaster, also Chairman of the board, and Assessor for several years; a Patron of Husbandry.
WIIiLIAM HOJLMES, farmer. Sec. 10; P. 0. Mifflin; was born in Southwest Virginia
April 21, 1820; came to Illinois in 1836, and bought 40 acres of land ; in 1842, came to Grant Co.,
Wis., and rented land and worked in the mines about thirteen years, and then came to Iowa Co. mines ;
■now owns 324 S,cres of land, and has a fine barn 20x34 feet, sixteen-feet posts. His first wife, Rebecca
■Scott, was born iti JeflFerson Co., Ind., in 1825 ; married in 1839, died in June, 1844 ; left two children
— Martha, now Mrs. T. Bowes ; John, in Linden. Second wife, Amanda Hamlet, was born in Kentucky
in 1830 ; married Oct. 31, 1850, died June 15, 1872; left nine, children — William, James, Elizabeth
(now Mrs. Woodruft), Annette, Wilson, Joshua (deceased), Catharine (deceased), Andrew Jackson,
Emma, Amanda, Wallace. Third wife, Ganva Hannanell, was born in Norway in , 1857 ;, came to
America in 1871 ; married Sep1;ember, 1877, and they have one ohild^Mary. In politics, Republican.
In religion, liberal. He held the office of Clerk of District No. 8, and most of the school offices since the
district was organized ; three years Justice of the Peace;, Chairman of the Town Board, and member of
the board several years; member of Lodge No. 153, Mifflin, A., F. & A. M.; Mineral Point, Chap-
ter, No. 6. ' ' '
FRED HIJER, farmer. Sec. 5; P. 0. Montford, Grant Co., Wis.; was born in Hanover,
■Germany, in 1841 ; came to America in 1872, and settled in Grant Co., Wis.; then came to Iowa Co.,
bought and owns 130 acres of land. His wife, Pecka Oleson, was born in Hanover, Germany, in 1843 ;
they were married in 1866 ; they have seven children^Rodolph, William, Ida, Mary, Hermann, Henry
and Dora.
ROBERT R. HUGHES, farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. 0. Mifflin ; was born in Mifflin in 1856 ; lived
at home until 1874, when he went West to Wyoming, and then returned to Wisconsin ; he now owns 120
acres of land, and has made the improvements.' His wife, Lizzie Jones, was born in Belmont, La Fayette
■Co., Wis., in 1860; they were married in 1878; they have one child — Mary C. — born in November,
1879. In politics, he is a Republican ; in religion, liberal.
WILLIAM HUGHES, farmer, SeQ. 15;, P. 0. Mifflin; was born in Mifflin, Iowa Co.,
March 5, 1 854 ; now owns 240 acres of land — the old home. His wife. Miss Susan Harris, was bqrn ioj
■Jackson Co., Ohio ; of Welsh parentage, who came to America in 1845 ; her mother died i'n,'186'5.,; her
father now resides in Belmont ; at the age of 19, Miss Harris began teaching school, and taught about
two years after marriage, her husband being one of the pupils; they married in April, 1877 ; they have
924 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
one child — William Arthur, born Nov. 1, 1880. Stalwart Republican, and liberal in religion ; has been
Pathmaster two terms.
Robert W. Hughes, the father of the above, was born in Wales Feb. 22, 1813 ; came to Pennsylvania,
in 1842 ; to Wisconsin in 1846, died Sept. 6, 1880 ; his wife, Leah Powell, a native of Wales, born in 1823 ;
married in 1850 ; they had four children — Maggie, born in 1852 ; married in 1873 to A. J. Davis, born
March 27, 1851, died March 25, 1879, at Leadville, Colo. ; they had one child — Robert L., born Sept.
2t!, 1876 ; William, Robert R., John T. at home, born Oct. 13, 1865 ; Jennitt Powell, who was received
by the family at the age of 7 years, born March 23, 1861.
AETDREW HUSE, farmer. Sec. 25; P. 0. Mifflin; was born in Christian Co., Ky., July
16, 1808; emigrated to Missouri in 1828, and remained one year; then went to Adams Co., III., and
engaged in farming; in the spring of 1832, he came to Linden and engaged in mining; in 1834, they pre-
empted a quarter-section of land, on which he now resides and has a fine home ; with the additions of land
to the first quarter, he now owns 400 acres. Was in the regiment known as the Miners Guards, Capt. John's
company. Dodge's command, in the Black Hawk war. His orchard is one of the oldest in the State, and
was started from the seed. He is a Democrat in politics, and a Spiritualist in religion. His wife was
Elizabeth O'Neal, a native of Montgomery Co., Tenn., born Nov. 30, 1810 ; they were married in 1828,.
and have had eleven children — an infant, deceased ; Charles, at home ; Eliza, now Mrs. Graham ; John ;
Sarah, deceased ; James, deceased ; Eliza, deceased ; Robert, deceased ; David, deceased ; an infant son,,
deceased ; and Jesse B., now in business at Rewey. Mr. Huse has been Chairman of the Board, Justice
of the Peace, School Director and Treasurer, and Pathmaster. Charles, the oldest son, was born in Mis-
souri, in 1830 ; his wife, Mary Flanigan, was born in Illinois in 1855 ; they were married in 1875, and
have three children — May Elizabeth, Ella Blanche and Jessie Eliza. John was born in Wisconsin in
1834 ; was in the war of the rebellion, and at the siege of Richmond and Petersburg ; his wife was Julia
Ann Goodrich, born in Wisconsin in 1842 ; they were married in 1857 ; she died in 1870, and left seven
children — Charlie (deceased), Eugenia, Elizabeth and Dell (twins), George, David and Nellie.
J. B. HUSE, dealer in general merchandise, Rewey. The subject of this sketch (a son ol
Andrew Huse, who came to Wisconsin in the year 1832 and fought in the Black Hawk war, was born in.
Mifflin, Iowa Co., Wis., Aug. 25, 1852, and has since been engaged with J. W. Rewey as clerk, until he
succeeded him in business ; in November, 1880, his store building — 24x40, two stories — being completed,
he removed his store from Mifflin to the new and energetic village of Rewey. Mr. H. attended the
Platteville Normal in the years 1874-75. His wife. Miss Mary J. Warne, was born in Linden in 1862 ;
they were married Oct. 18, 1880. He has been Town Treasurer for five years, and was teacher of'
School District No. 7 in 1876. He is a member of Mifflin Lodge, A., F. & A. M.
JOHN JENKINS, retired miner; P. 0. Mifflin; born in Cornwall, England, Jan. 8, 1826 ;.
came to America in 1849; direct to Mineral Point to work in the mines; remained one year; then ta
Mifflin in the mines ; and then, in 1853, went to Lake Superior, in the copper mines ; then removed to
Mifflin, and then again to the lake mines, and finally returned and settled at Mifflin. In politics, a Re-
publican. In religion, liberal. His wife was Elizabeth Ann Jacka, born inCornwall, England, Aug. 8,
1827 ; they married in 1849, and have eight children — Mary Ann, now Mrs. Miller ; Louisa, now Mrs.
J. W. Bainbridge ; John ; James ; Lillie, now Mrs. Graham ; Mary, now Mrs. John Harker ; Dorcas J. and
Martha.
JOHN S. JOHNSTON, farmer. Sec. 15; P.O. Mifflin ; born in Westmoreland Co., England,
May, 1837; came to America in 1860; settled at Grand Haven, Mich.; engaged in logging; then to
Wisconsin in 1861, and in the mines; in 1863, bought 40 acres of land ; now owns 200 acres with good,
improvements. His wife, Margaret Anderson, was born in Illinois in 1845 ; they married in 1863 ; they
have eight children — Joseph, John, Thomas, Phillip, Robert, Sarah, Isaiah, Edward. In politics. Re-
publican. In religion, liberal believer ; was School Treasurer in 1876.
JOHN KENNEDY, deceased ; was born in Tennessee in 1813, and moved to St. Charles,.
Mo., in 1818 with his parents ; his father was a gunsmith by trade; John, at the age of 18, went to St..
Louis and learned the trade of blacksmith ; and, at the age of 21, removed to Iowa Co., Wis., where he
engaged in the mines, and entered 160 acres of land and built the cabin ; in the spring of 1851, he moved
to Mifflin, where he resided until his death, March 27, 1880 ; he was a member of the Advent Church ;.
had been Postmaster and Director of Schools for over thirty years ; during most of the time he was in
very poor health, not being able to work. His wife, Jane Gillhan, was born in Illinois Dec. 11, 1815 ;
came to Wisconsin in 1835 with her parents ; married in 1836 ; they had one child — Mary Jane, born ia
TOWN OF MIFPLIN. 925
1842 ; married to William Welden in 1864, and died at Iowa Falls in 1871, leaving two children — John
L. and Minnie Ray.
THE KIRKPATRICK FAMILY were of Scotch descent ; the fifth generation were
represented in the Revolution by a great-grandfather, who was killed, leaving four boys, who emi-
grated to Illinois ; James K. came to Wisconsin in 1834, and settled in Iowa Co., and died there ; wife
died there also ; leaving a family of four sons and four daughters, of whom F. C. was the oldest, a native
of Georgia, born Feb. 4, 1803, and came to Illinois in 1818; then went to Missouri; then to Galena, on
April 10, 1827 ; remained there until Wisconsin was bought from the Indians, when he removed to Grant
Co., then to La Fayette Co., and then to Iowa Co.; died in Grant Co., June 3, 1877 ; his wife was Fran-
cis Speeks, born in Tennessee, Oct. 27, 1804 ; came to Illinois with her parents ; married Mr. K. about
1822, and now living in Grant Co.; by this marriage there were ten children, four daughters and six sons,
of whom Mr. I. C. Kirkpatrick, a farmer in Sec. 18, P. 0. Rewey, is the oldest son, born in Washington
Mo., Dec. 4, 1825 ; came to Wisconsin in 1827 ; remained at home until 1847, when he engaged in
farming and mining on 240 acres of land, on which he made the improvements, and now owns 840 acres
of land ; he has held the office of Treasurer of District No. 4 ; member of Town Board ; member of lodge
A., F. & A. M., in Mifflin. In politics. Democrat; in religion, liberal believer; his wife, Mary Mondon,
was born in Jackson Co., 111., in 1827 ; came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1835, and settled in Iowa
Oo. Married Feb. 25, 1846 ; they had seven children — Frederick, born May 5, 1847 ; Jessie, deceased;
James, Feb. 3, 1855 ; Walter, August, 1860 ; George, 1866 ; Frank L., 1868 ; Francis, deceased.
GODFREY lilNDAIJER, farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. 0. Montford ; was born in Wurtemberg,
Germany, April 22, 1829, and came to America in 1851 ; remained in Pennsylvania five years, and came
to Wisconsin in 1856 ; bought 80 acres of land, and now owns 410 acres, on which he has built a fine
barn, 32x42, 18-foot posts, with basement, stable ; a house 16x24, two stories, and has a very fine place ;
his wife was Mary McCready, born in town of Highland, Iowa Co., in 1852. Married in 1870 ; they have
three children — Jennie, Annie and Clara Mabel. He was brought up as a Lutheran.
CHARL.es LIVINGSTON, farmer, Sec. 30; P. 0. Livingston; was born in Wioklow,
Ireland, March 18, 1827 ; came to America May 1, 1849, and settled in Iowa Co., and entered 67 acres
of land, and now owns 309 acres. The new village of Livingston is named from the family on whose land
it is situated. His wife, Jane Gvooell, born in Dublin, Ireland, 1837, married July 4, 1855; they have
seven children — Mary J., Hannah, John, Robert, David, Annie and Hugh. In politics. Republican ; in relig-
i)n. Episcopal; has been Town Treasurer for ten years, and Pathmaster; member of the I. 0. 0. F., and
A., F. & A. M. Lodges at Mifflin.
H. W. McRE YNOLDS, dealer in general stock ; was born in Bond Co., Ill, in 1825 ; came
to Wisconsin when quite small with his parents, who are both dead ; when old enough, he worked in the
mines ; then went to Grant Co. in business ; then to Rewey in October, 1880 ; he owns 160 acres of land in
Sec. 31, finely improved; his wife, Jane Sparks, was born in Wisconsin, in 1845, daughter of an old
settler; they married in 1861, and have five ?hildren — Celista, Ulysses, Eva, James, Syrina ; a member
of L O. 0. F. and A., F. & A. M.
JOHN E. MORGAN, farmer. Sec. 10 ; P. 0. Rewey ; was born in South Wales in 1807 ;
came to America in 1836; settled in Pottsville, Penn., near the mines ; then to Wisconsin in 1850 ; owns
120 acres of land; made the improvements. His wife was Elizabeth Jenkins, born in Wales in 1812;
marled in 1837 ; died Nov. 1, 1876 ; they have two children — John, born 1848; E. J., 1843, enlisted in
the 43d W. V. I, died at Louisville, Ky.,in 1863. In religion, Presbyterian ; In politics. Republican ; has
held most of the school offices.
David Morgan, a brother of the above, was born in South Wales in 1824; came to America in
1843, and remained seven years ; then returned to Wales and London ; then to Russia as engineer to set
up iron works ; he then returned to Wales ; remained a year ; then to America in 1879, farming with his
brother. He is a Presbyterian and Republican.
D. H. MURDOCK, farmer, Sec. 16; P. O. Livingston; a son of Stephen Murdock, who
was born in Washington, N. Y., in 1815; came to Wisconsin in 1846; settled in Waukesha Co. and
enlaced in farming ; then came to Iowa Co. in 1856 ; bought 480 acres of land, and made the improve-
ments ; now resides in Milwaukee. His wife was Catharine Jane Sherman, who was born in Vermont ;
married in 1838, and died in 1877 ; they had five children — Sherman S., born Dec. 7, 1840 ; D. H. born
July 23, 1842, in New York, and came to this place with his parents, and now owns 321 acres of land
and well improved ; has been School Director six years, and Constable several terms ; Charles A., of the
926
BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES:
firm of Jewett, Sherman & Co., of Milwaukee, spice mills; Lafayette, in business in Milwaukee; Fred J.,
a clerk in Milwaukee.
CHARLES S. miLLARD, farmer, Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Mifflin ; was born in Onondaga Co.,
N. Y., April 22, 1813 ; left his father at the age of 9 years, and went to work on the canal, and, at 19,
went to lumbering, from 1832 to 1837 ; then went to Missouri, and on to the Mississippi and Des Moines
Rivers, rafting and keel-boating; then built a wharf-boat at Keokuk, Iowa in 1844, which was sunk by
a steamer ; he then went to Louisiana and engaged in chopping wood ; then on to a plantation as over-
seer ; then returned to the North •,, and, in the fall, again went South as overseer; and, in the spring of
1846, he came to Grant Co. and pre-empted a claim of 160 acres of land and built the old cabin ; he now
owns 480 acres of land, 60 acres of which are timbered, in Grant Co. In 1852, he planted a locust grove,
and has since cut from it 3,00.0 posts, besides firewood. In the year 1870, he went to Colorado, and also
two trips to New York. His wife, Betsey Ann Root, was born in Utica, N. Y., May, 1819. They were
married Sept. 18, 1837 ; they have five children — Albert, born January, 1842 ; was in the 19th W. V.
I., and was killed at Norfolk, Va., March 9, 1865 ; Edwin, born March 29, 1847, in Grant Co.; Emily
H., born in New York in 1842, and died the same year (this was the oldest child) ; Myron, born April
20,1849; Harrison, born July 15, 1851, in Belmont, on a farm. In politics, he is a Republican; in
religion, he is a Free-Thinker ; member of A., F. & A. M.; was J. W. twelve years, and is S. W. at
present; has been School Clerk and Treasurer ; Chairman of Town Board one year; has been Path-
master.
FRANZ MIIiLER, farmer. Sec. 34 ; P. 0. Mifflin ; was born in Saxony,, Germany, Oct. 8,
1834; came to America in 1855 ; settled in Iowa Co., at Mifflin, in the business of brick-making, he hav-
ing learned that trade in the old country. He now owns 120 acres of land, and has made the improve-
ments. His wife was Amelia Gundlach, who was born in Peoria Co., 111., in 1837 ; they married in 1857,
and she died in 1876 ; they had seven ohildren^Rudolph (died in 1878), Bertha, Oscar, Sidonie, Earnest,
Herman, Frank, and two children belonging to a deceased sister — Isabell and Minnie.
JOHN NEWMAN, farmer; Sec. 6; P. 0. Washbuin; was born in Madison Co., 111., April
6, 1832; came to Wisconsin, in 1836, with his parents, who were early settlers of Iowa Co. He bouf^ht
200 acred of land and made good improvements thereon — barn 30x30, house 18x24, two stories. Has
been Director of Schools,- and is a member of A., P. & A. M. Lodge. His wife, Sarah Jane Kimball, was
born in MadisOn Co., 111., Oct. 30, 1831 ; came to Wisconsin ' in 1834; married, in 1855, to William
Mundor, who died in 1865, and by this marriage there were three children — James, Carrie (now Mrs.
Bonriett) and William ; was married to Mr. Newman in 1868, and have two children — Minnie M., born
June'28, 1869 ; Izei-a, born Nov. 19, 1871. Mr. Newman went to California in 1857, and returned in
1867i In politics, he is a Republican ; in religion he is a liberal believer.
(]}EORGE NICHOLSON, farmer, Sec. 25; P. 0. Mifflin; was born in Westmoreland
Co., England, April 4, 1814 ; came to America in 1840 ; settled in Pittsburgh, near the coal mines ; in
1846, came to Black Jack Mines, fowa Co., Wis. He then bought 160 acres of land, on which he made
the improvements; he now owns 280 acres. His wife, Hannah Brown, was born in Westmoreland Co.,
England, in 1815 ; they were married in 1845 ; they have eight children — Joseph (scalded to death while
killing hogs), Joseph, George (in Lost Grove), Barbara A. (now Mrs. Holmes, in Lost Grove), Hannah
(deceased), Mary Jane (now Mrs. Johns, in Linden), Elizabeth (now Mrs. Johns, at home) and William
(butcher in Mifflin). In politics he is a Republican; in religion a Methodist; has been Pathmaster
and Clerk of School District; member of the Grange. John A., born April 11, 1856, and now at home;
his wife, Hannah Livingston, was born. in Mifflin in 1856; married March- 19, 1879; they have one
child — Barbara Luella, born June 11, 1880. Elizabeth was married, in 1874, to George W. Johns, who
was born in Grant Co., arid now lives in Colorado ; they have one child — Annie, born March 15, 1875.
JOHN T. NOLAN (deceased); was born in Wilkesboro, N. C, in 1796; emigrated to
Tennessee ; then to Green Co., Wis. ; then to Iowa Co., and died in 1875. His wife was Lucindia Shreck-
enghaust', married in 1840 ; they had seven children^ — Melissia, John, Pierce, Margaret, Mary, Emma and
Susan. Pierce Nolan, ;farmer. Sec. 34 ; P. 0. Mifflin ; was born in Wisconsin Dec. 25, 1851 ; married
in 1873 ; owns 80 acres of land ; was Pathmaster in 1880. His wife, Sarah McCord, was born in Mifflin:,
Wis., Jan. 21, 1852 ; they have three children — Joseph, born Sept. 4, 1873; Jessie, born March 5, 1875 ;
died in M;arch, 1875 ; Charlie, born Oct. 23, 1876.
JOHN W. OWENS, farmer, Sec. 16 ; P. 0. Rewey ; born in Anglesea, North 'Wales, in
1836; came to America in 1856; was a short time in New Jersey; then went to Wisconsin in 1857;
TOWN OF MIFFLIN. 927
bought 120 aqres ; made most of the improvements ; enUsted in 1862, in the 30th W. V. I., Co. E ; dis-
charged in November, 1865. His wife, Jane R. Jones, was born in iVIorganshire, South Wales, in 1839 ;
came to America in 1842 ; was married iu 1861 ; they have no children. He has been Pathmaster, and
held oiBce, most of the time. In religion. Congregational ; in poli'ics, stalwart Republican ; owns property
in DodgevilJe.
JA.11EI$ PEDIiEY, farmer, Sec. 3 ; P. (). Mifflin ; was born in Yorkshire, England, in 1833 ;
came to America in 1853; settled at New Diggings, La Fayette Co., Wis.; came to Mifflin in 1859, and
bought, and now owns, 280 acres of land, with a fine house, 16x28 feet, with wing, 16x20 feet, all two
stories, and gives some attention to the raising of bees. His first wife, Mary H. Bowes, was born in Dur-
ham, England, and was married in 1857 ; she died April 3, 1868 ; their children are Elizabeth Ann, now
Mrs. Fawcett, in La Fayette Co., Wis. ; Sarah M., now Mrs. Davis; James D., Mary, Hannah, William;
his second wife, Henrietta Ellen Davis, was born in Pennsylvania in 1843; married Oct. 16, 1868; died
May 5, 1877 ; left five children — Addie, Harrison, Eliza E., Ellen A. and Ruth. In politics, Republican ;
in religion, Primitive Methodist ; was Class Teacher and Sunday School Superintendent ; has been Path-
master ; elected Justice of the Pence, but did not qualify.
WIL,LIA1I PATEFIELD (deceased) ; was born in Macclesfield, England, Dec. 8, 1816 ;
came to America in 1845, and to Clifton, Grant Co., in 1852; then to Mifiiin, and engaged as a tailor.
He held the office of School Director, Clerk and Notary Public, and other town offices; died Nov. 13,
1871. His wife, Rachel Uptjn, was born in Macclesfield, England, March 27, 1819; married Jan. 27,
1840, and have eight children — Lydia, Thomas, George, Sarah Ann (deceased), Elizabeth, Mary, Willie
(deceased j and William ; Thomas, attorney at law, collector and insurance agent, Mifflin ; born in England,
March, 1844; came to America in 1846; to Mifflin in 1852; attended school, and worked round until
he was 16 years of age ; then taught school ; was admitted to the bar in 1875 ; was County Superintendent
of Schools from 1871 to 1873, and Justice of the Peace; District Clerk and Town Clerk in 1878-79,
and Deputy Postmaster for J. W. Rewey. He is a Republican in politics, and Liberal in religion. His
wife was Sarah Jane Hillery, born in Dubuque Co., Iowa, May 2, 1847; married June 8, 1870 ; died,
Nov. 17, 1875 ; they have two children — John William, born March 26, 1871 ; George Hillery, born
March 21, 1873 ; died Sept. 24, 1874.
J. W. REWEY. His father, Henry Rewey, is a native of Stockbridge, Mass., who was born
July 9, 1805 ; his father, John Rewey, also a native of Massachusetts, born in 1781 ; his mother was Lucy •
Taylor, a native of Massachusetts, whose uncle George was a soldier of the Revolutionary war of 1776.
Mr. J. W. Rewey's mother, Mary Wiltse Rewey, was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., Nov. 29, 1810, and
was the eldest child of James and Nancy (Livingston) Wiltse. James Wiltse was also a native of New
York, born in Dutchess Co. Nov. 23, .1787. Nancy Livingston was born in North Carolina, May 8,
1788 ; her uncle, Philip Livingston, of New York, was one of the signers of the Declaration of Independ-
ence. J. W. Kewey, the subject of this sketch, is the second son of Henry Rewey, born at Berkshire,
Tioga Co., N. Y., May 26, 1835 ; his father was a mechanic — a wool carder arid cloth dresser — who, see-
ing a family of boys coming on, determined to go West, where he could buy cheap land and engage in
farming. Accordingly, in the spring of 1844, this determination was put into execution, when, on the
2d day of June of that year, the family bade adieu to their friends and native land, and started for the
then Far West, going to Ithaca by teams, thence across Cayuga Lake by steamboat, where they were
loaded into a canal-boat and towed by horse-power to Bufialo, thence across the lakes to Milwaukee,
which at that time was a mere hamlet. Here more serious difficulties were met, there being no public
conveyance for freight or passengers any further west. Finally, some ox-teamsters were found, who bad
freighted lead from the mines at Mineral Point to Milwaukee to be shipped across the lakes to the East-
ern markets. A contract was immediately entered into and terms agreed upon, being that of $1.25 for each
100 lbs. of freight and passengers for transporting the family and their effects to Platteville. The journey
consumed fourteen days, and will never be forgotten by those who participated in its hardships or enjoyed its
pleasures, while life lasts. On June 26, 1844, the family arrived at the home of Alexander Graham, with
whom there had a friendship existed in the State of New York, and whose farm lay adjoining the home-
stead- which had been selected for the Rewey family, located four and a half miles northwest from the
village of Platteville, where they engaged in farming, or rather, in the felling of tall trees, clearing and
opening a farm in heavy timber land, which was attended with many hardships, difficulties and privations.
Assistance .was hired to clear the first seven-acre lot, which was done by cutting and burning the smaller
timber and brush and " girdling " the larger trees and letting them remain standing. The limited means
brought were soon exhausted in erecting a dwelling, clearing ground and living, and from thenceforward
928 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
for many years the only revenue was derived from chopping and hauling cord-wood to Platteville, with a
yoke of oxen — old "Jack" and "Charley" — and sellino: it at an average price of $1.50 per cord. In
the summer of 1848, the first pair of horses were purchased, from Pat Conner, trading old "Charley,"
the only surviving one of the first pair of oxen, paying the balance by note. Upon the advent of a pair of
horses in a family of boys came joy unspeakable. They could now ride on horseback, go to church on
Sunday, and do as rich folks did, Old " Bill " and " Mike " were the center of attraction with the
boys, and were brought into requisition very often to perform errands, either real or imaginary, as the
case might be. Then they could haul wood to Benton and Hazel Green, a distance of twenty miles,
where they could get the very satisfactory price of $3 per cord, to do which it was necessary to start very
early in the morning and be out until late in the evening, making three trips per week.
The only education was obtained by going to the district school two or three months in the winter
time ; in the winter of 1854-55, the subject of this sketch was duly installed teacher of the district school
in the village of Dallas, in Iowa Co., more commonly known as " Black Jack," receiving therefor the sum
of $17 per month and board ; he continued teaching winters, working on the farm summers, until the winter
of 1859, when, on the 16th day of February, he was married to Miss Eliza A. Galbraith, daughter of
Andrew J. and Melinda Galbraith, and engaged in hotel-keeping in Platteville, succeeding William But-
ler, then the " Butler House," which was changed, upon the advent of the new landlord, to the " Rewey
House," which occupation was continued until the spring of 1862, when a co-partnership was formed with
G. D. Pettyjohn, Esq., for the purpose of engaging in the mercantile business, Mr. Pettyjohn having pre-
viously bought of Isaac Hodges his store and goods, of which he very generously sold a half-interest to
Mr. Rewey, taking his promise to pay therefor, which co-partnership terminated two years thereafter by
mutual consent.
In the fall of 1864, Mr. R. removed to the town of Mifflin, in Iowa Co., and engaged in farming,
which was continued for three years, when, in the fall of 1867, he sold his farm to H. P. Woods and
removed to the village of Mifflin, where he erected a store building with dwelling-house attached, and
engaged in the general merchandise business, which was continued with considerable success for nine
years, when he sold his stock of goods and leased his building to Thomas Alton, Jr., and J. B. Huse, of
Mifflin, who had formed a co-partnership for that purpose ; Mr. R. then removed to his present home,
where he had purchased quite a large farm, four miles southwest from the village of Mifflin, through which the
C. and T. Division of the C. & N. W. Railroad runs, upon which the village of Rewey is located, of which men-
tion has been made in this history. Mr. Rewey's father's family consisted of seven sons, all of whom grew
to manhood, except John J., who died in infancy. May 12, 1844 ; the balance are all living, except Henry,
Jr., born Sept. 6, 1841, at Berkshire, Tioga Co., N. Y., and died Nov. 25, 1875, in Cuming Co., Neb.,
in consequence of wounds received in the late war ; Addison was born in Tompkins Co., N. Y., Oct. 26,
1833, and now lives in Lima, Grant Co, ; Jasper L. was born Aug. 18, 1837, in Tioga Co., N. Y., and
now lives at Platteville ; Milton F. was born Dec. 21, 1847, in Lima, Grant Co., and now lives near
Dodgeville, Iowa Co., Wis. ;- Jay, the youngest, was bprn in Lima, Grant Co., Dec, 2, 1852, and now lives
at Platteville with his father and mother, on their homestead ; the old people are comfortably situated and
enjoy very good health for people of their age. Mr. R.'s family consists of his wife, Eliza A. (Galbraith)
Rewey, born Aug. 29, 1838, at Charleston, 111., and their only child, Oliver, born at Platteville, Wis.,
April 13, 1863, 'having had the misfortune of losing their eldest child — Mary, born at Platteville, Wis.,
Nov. 29, 1859, who died at Mifflin., Wis., Jan. 23, 1872. Mr. R. has always taken an active part in
public affairs ; was elected County Commissioner of Iowa Co. in 1867, and was re-elected in 1869 ; was
elected Town Clerk of the town of Mifflin in 1865, and held that office for nine years; was five times
elected Chairman of the Town Board of Supervisors, and served three years as Chairman of the County
Board; was a member of the Wisconsin Legislature of 1868 and 1881. In politics, a Republican. Is a
member of Mifflin Lodge, A., F. & A. M., of Mineral Point, Chapter, R. A. M., and of Mineral Point
Commandery, K. T. In religion, he is liberal, believing in that deep and broad principle underlying all
religion — in the existence and providence of God.
C. HI. REYNOLDS, proprietor of American House, Mifflin; was born in Chemung Co., N.
Y., Aprils, 1835; learned the trade of carriage-maker, and came to Wisconsin in December, 1855, and
engaged in the carriage-making business. He enlisted, Aug. 11, 1862, in the 30th W. V. I.; mustered
out in 1865, and returned to Mifflin; opened a hotel in July, 1880. His wife, Louisa Halsted, was born
in Allegany Co., N. Y., in 1834; they were married^ in 1855 ; have no children. In politics,'*Republican ;
in religion, liberal; member of I. 0. 0. F.; has invented a car-coupler and gang-plow; owns town prop-
erty in Champaign City, 111., 8 acres near Mifflin, and 160 acres in Wayne Co., Mo.
TOWN OF MIFFLIN. 929
H. P. itUNDEIili, farmer, Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Livingston, Grant Co., Wis.; was born in Cornwall,
England, in 1820; came to America in 1853; settled near Platieville; came to Iowa Co., Wis., in 1864 ;
bought 146 acres, and now owns 313 acres of land, and improved with a house 40x18, wing 26x12, as
fine a place as there is in Mifflin. His wife, Elizabeth Ann Bndey, was born in Cornwall, England, in
1830; came to America in 1856: married in 1857 ; they have eight children — Alnia P. (in Montana"),
James A., Melissa P., Georgiana A., Earnest E., Clarence B., Oscar B., Beatrice L. In politics, Repub-
lican ; in religion, Primitive Methodist ; his wife is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church ; he is
also a class-leader, and has been Justice of the Peace seven years.
JOHN SCHIJSTER, farmer, Sec. 16; P. 0. Mifflin; born in Wurtemberg, Germany, Feb.
14, 1828 ; came to America in 1852 ; settled in New York ; remained there about three years, then went
to Galena, then to Grant Co., Wis., and bought 49 acres of land, and made part of the improvements ;
remained there about seven years, then sold out and moved to Iowa Co., Wis., and now owns 280 acres
of land, on which he has made most of the improvements ; his house is 20x24, two stories ; granary 20x
20. His wife, Mary Weller, was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, in 1833 ; came to America in 1853 ;
they married in 1858; they have three children — Carrie, Willie and Katie.
PAINE T. STEVENS, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Montford ; was born in Mifflin, Iowa Co.,
Wis., Feb. 13, 1849, and attended school at Platteville Normal; graduated in 1873, and taught in the
■Graded School at Platteville one year, and then removed to a farm of 215 acres. He is a member of
Wingville Lodge, A., F. & A. M., and W. M. Was School Treasurer six years, County Surveyor one
term, member of the Board of Supervisors, and Justice of the Peace. His wife, Carrie Edwards, was
born in Galena, Jo Daviess Co., III., in May, 1849 ; they were married March 25, 1873; they have one
child — Lorenzo — born June 27, 1876.
GEORC^rE W. STRONG, farmer. Sec. 17 ; P. 0. Livingston ; was born in Portage Co., Ohio,
April 28, 1827 ; came to Wisconsin in October, 1847, and settled in Mifflin, Iowa Co.; he is a blacksmith
by trade ; he owns 160 acres of land ; he moved on the farm in 1875 ; in 1853, he was engaged in black-
smithing in the copper mines in Michigan. His wife, Louisa Jacka, was born in Cornwall, England,
April 16, 1835; came to America in 1849 ; they were married Dec. 27, 1850; they have had seven
children, four living — Emma, now Mrs. Miller ; Fannie, deceased ; Bandolph, deceased ; Edith, deceased ;
John, George W. and Mary. In politics, be is a Democrat ; in religion, he is a liberal believer ; he is a
member of the A., F. & A. M., and Secretary of Mifflin Lodge ; a Good Templar, and W. C. T. He is
School Director of District No. 1.
WILIilAM THOMAS, farmer, Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Livingston ; was born in Derbyshire, England,
Feb. 8, 1826 ; came to America April 6, 1848, and direct to Big . Patch, Wis., where he remained one
year, then to the town of Mifflin one year; in 1850, he went to California and remained about fourteen
months i he then went to England in December, 1852, and returned in April, 1853, to Big Smelzer Patch,
Grant Co.; he remained there about eight years ; then went to Iowa Co. in 1859, and bought and
now owns 500 acres of land, with a barn 30x30, a house 16x30, and a good stock far en ; has a good grade
of Durham stock. His wife was Kittie Peters, born in North Hill Parish, Cornwall, England, in 1830 ;
she came to America in 1852, and they were married in the spring ; they have had fourteen children,
nine living — Nicholas, Elizabeth A., Samuel P., George H., Sarah, William, Noah, Mary J. and Kittie.
He has been on the School Board, and Pathmaster two terms.
JOSEPH WAIiKER WELiLS, miner, Mifflin; born in Burlington Co., N. J., March,
1816, and came to St. Clair Co., 111., thence to Wisconsin in 1838, and then to Iowa Co., Wis.; engaged
in mining. He now owns 80 acres of mining land. In 1852, he went to Colorado, and returned to
Wisconsin in May, 1855. Has been Justice of the Peace and Town Supervisor, under the old organ-
ization.
930 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
TOWN OF ARENA.
ETHAN ALLEN BLYNN, farmer, Sec. 14; P. 0. Mazomanie ; Mr. BIynn was born in
Montgomery Co., N. Y., in 1819 ; he came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1847, reaching Chicago on. May
5 of that year ; thence to Janesville, where he was engaged in a stage ofiBce for about two years ; thence
to Beloit, Wis., where he was engaged as clerk in a hotel known as the " Rock River House ; " thence to
Mineral Point about 1852 ; he afterward went to Illionois, where he was engaged on the I. C. R. R. for
about three years ; he then returned to Iowa Co. Mr. Blynn was a soldier in the war of the rebellion ; he
enlisted in the fiiU of 1861, in the 11th W. V. I.; he was connected with that regiment about ten
months, and was discharged for physical disability ; in 1863, he served in the 40th, a 100-day regiment;
in the spring of 1864, he enlisted in the 49th W. V. I., and served until the close of the war. He then
settled where he now lives, in 1866. His wife was Miss Louisa Smith, born in Madison Co., N. Y.; they
have four children — Charles A., Frank S., Eugene L. and Joseph E. His farm contains 130 acres.
JAMES ALLISON, farmer, Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Arena; born in Scotland in 1808; he came to
the United States in 1835; he lived about three years in Orange Co., Vt., and spent about one year in
Boston, Mass.; he removed to Illinois, and thence to Mineral Point, Iowa Co., in 1840, which makes him
one of the earliest of the pioneers of the county ; he was somewhat unfortunate in his earlier experience
in this country ; he made a claim of a farm in Illinois, which he lost ; after coming to Iowa Co. he lived a
short time at Mineral Point ; went from there to the town of Ridgeway ; he made a claim on Sauk
Prairie, upon which he spent all the money he had, about $90, and afterward lost the land because he had
no money to purchase it when it came into market ; he worked at the shot-tower at Helena about one
year ; his first permanent settlement was in the town of Dodgeville, where he bought 80 acres of land of
Mr. William Ruggles, which he afterward sold and located in the town of Ridgeway, where he entered
360 acres; he settled where he now lives in 1865. He married Mrs. Ellen Williams, formerly Ellen
Perry ; has one daughter — Janet ; his present farm contains 80 acres.
EDWIN R. BOVEE, farmer; P. 0. Arena; was born in the eastern part of the Sta'e of
New York Jan. 22, 1825 ; he lived in that State till 1849, when he came to Waukesha Co., Wis., where
he remained a short time ; he then went to Jefferson Co. and engaged in farming ; he came to Arena in
1857, and engaged as station agent ; this position he held for twelve or fourteen years ; has been engaged
principally in farming for several years. He was married to Miss Anne Bird, daughter of William Bird,
who came to Wisconsin from England about 1843 ; Mrs. Bovee was born in 1838 ; they have one daughter
— Lunette, now a student of Ripon College ; have an adopted son — John R. The parents of Mr. Bovee,
with their family, except himself, who was the qldest child, came to Wisconsin in 1843 ; his mother died
soon after the family arrived in Milwaukee ; his father now lives in Waukesha Co.
WILLIAM H. BRISBANE, farmer and attorney, Sec. 21; P. 0. Arena; son of Dr.
William H. Brisbane, who was born in Beaufort Co., S. C, Oct. 12, 1806. Dr. Brisbane was of Scotch
extraction; his father owned a large plantation, from whom the Doctor inherited a large number of slaves.
In early life, becoming convinced that slavery was wrong, he proved the sincerity of his convictions by
emancipating his slaves, some thirty in number, and saw them all settled in a free State, as free men and
women. By this act, he, of course, incurred the displeasure of the slave-holders of his native State. He
was ever after arrayed with the Abolition party, against the institution of slavery. He was for some time
a resident of Cincinnati, Ohio. In about 1846, he came to Philadelphia, and took charge of an anti-slavery
paper, called the American Citizen ; but, his health failing, he was obliged to discontinue this work at the
end of one year. He then removed to the State of New Jersey, and took charge of a church, near Cam-
den, where he remained until 1849, when he returned to Cincinnati, where he established an anti-slavery
paper called The Crisis, which wielded a great influence both North and South. He removed to Wisconsin
in 1853, and resided a short time at Madison ; but came to Arena in the spring of 1854. From this time
until his death, he was prominently identified with all the leading reforms of the day. At the breaking-
out of the rebellion, he was chosen Chaplain of the 2d Wisconsin Cavalry. In 1862, he was appointed
one of the Tax Commissioners of South Carolina, and took up his residence in Beaufort. This position
he held till 1870. He was, at one time. Chief Clerk of the Senate of Wiscon-sin, and has held other positions
TOWN OF ARENA. 931
of honor and trust. Dr. Brisbane was as strong an enemy of intemperance as of slavery. These he
regarded as the great enemjj of our free institutions, and he fought them with all the energy and ability
that he possessed. Yet so mild was he, and careful of the feelings of others, that he never gave offense,
and all united, of whatever religious or political opinions, in their respect, esteem and admiration of the
man. He was married, when but 18 years of age, to Miss AnuaLawton, who still survives him. They
had ten children, only three of whom are living — Benjamin, who resides in New York ; William H. and
Mrs. Phebe A. Reeve, of Black Earth. Dr. Brisbane died at his home in Arena in 1878. William H.
Brisbane, Jr., was born in Cincinnati in 1838. He was with his father most of the time until he reached
manhood. He enlisted, in 1861, in the 1st W. V. I. for three months. He re-enlisted in the 2d W.
V. C. ; was made a Second Lieutenant, and resigned in June, 1862. He then went to New York
City, where he was employed in the Custom House till 1864. He then joined the 56th New York Militia,
which was ordered to Pennsylvania when that State was invaded by Gen. Lee. In 1864, he went to
South Carolina as surveyor and clerk, at the front of Beaufort. He studied law, and practiced for a time
in New York and Chicago. He was married to Elizabeth Sniffen ; has had eight children — five of whom
are living — Henry C-, John B., Mariem, Edith M. and Phoebe E. The homestead where Mr. Brisbane
now resides contains about 300 acres.
MRS. RUTH CALKINS resides in Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Arena ; she is the widow of John Cal-
kins, who was born in the State of Connecticut in 1803 ; his parents removed to Steuben Co., N. Y., when
he was 18 years of age. He was married to his preseut widow, Ruth Crawford, born in the State of New
York, in 1809 ; they removed to Illinois about 1836, and to Wisconsin about 1845, and settled in the
town of Arena, where Mr. Calkins died in 1873. Mrs. Calkins has had eleven children, nine of whom
are living — Emily, John F., Maria A., Homer, Orra, Stephen, Anson, Reuben and Louis ; the names of
the deceased children were Jerome and Isabel. Louis was born in the town of Arena in 1849 ; he resides
at the homestead, of which he has charge. Farm contains 120 acres.
WIIililAM CALiDWEIiL, farmer, Sec. 36; P. 0. Mazomanie ; son of John and Harriet
Caldwell, who, like many others of the English settlers of this part of Wisconsin, came here under the
auspices of the British Temperance Association ; they came in 1849, and settled in Dane Co., where the
father died in 1861 ; mother died in 1853 ; parents had nine children, eight of whom are living, all born
in England; oldest son, John, still lives in England; William was born in 1828; was married to Mary
Hannah Blakey, who came from England in 1846 ; they have five children — John, Harriet, Elizabeth
Anne, William B. and Tom. Mr. Caldwell's farm consists of 484 acres.
WIIililAlI J. DAVIS, manager of the hardware store of Davis Bros. (John and D. J.), son
of Benjamin J. Davis, a native of Wales, and one of the earliest settlers of the town of Ridgeway, Iowa
Co. ; parents have twelve children, all of whom were born in the town of Ridgeway ; eleven of the chil-
dren are livintr, nine sons and two daughters; John, of the firm of Davis Bros., is at present traveling
salesman for Ball & Goodrich, wholesale grocers, of Milwaukee ; D. J. is a member of the firm of Davis &
Fairlamb, who are extensively engaged in the manufacture of milk cans ; they are located in Chicago ;
the hardware store in Arena, of which William J. has charge, is doing quite an extensive business ; sales
for 1879 were $13,000.
JOHN A. DAWSON, farmer, Sec. 12 ; P. 0. Arena. He is the oldest surviving son of
William and Ann Dawson (see biography of S. W. Dawson); he was born at the homestead May 3,
1846. He was married to Mary Ann, daughter of John Porter; they have five children — Frederick T.,
William L., Nellie, Leonard P. and Franklin. He resides upon a part of the homestead farm ; he has
300 acres of land. His mother resides in the village of Arena.
STEPHEN W. DAWSON, farmer, Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Arena; son of William L. and Anna
Dawson, who emigrated from Yorkshire, England, to Iowa County, in May, 1845. Mr. William L.
Dawson was one of those early English settlers who came over under the auspices of the British Temperance
Association. He settled in the town of Arena, on that portion of the homestead farm where his son Ste-
phen L. now lives. He had seven children — three sons and four daughters ; two sons and two daughters
are still living. He enlisted in the war of the rebellion in the 2d W. V. C, Co. F ; he was appointed
bugler of his company, and afterward became regimental bugler. He died while in the service, in 1862.
Stephen W. was born on the farm where he now lives^ Oct. 23, 1847. He was married to Mary, daughter
of Hiram Carter; they have five children — William, Agnes, Lulu, Stephen A. and Daisy. He has 380
acres of land.
IjOCIS ENOCH, proprietor of Wisconsin House, Arena. Mr. Enoch was born in the town of
Dodgeville, Iowa Co., in 1851 ; his parents, John and Sarah Enoch, natives of Wales, are s'ill residents
932 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
of Dodgeville. Mr. Eaoch has been engaged in mining for many years; he still owns an interest in a
valuable lead mine near Dodgeville. He came to Arena and took charge of the Wisconsin House, in
April, 1880.
JOHN GOODL.AD, farmer. Sec. 12; P. 0. Hyde's Mills; son of William and Ann Goodlad,
who were among the earliest of the English settlers of Iowa County who came over under the auspices of
the " British Temperance Emigration Society." His father settled in the town of Arena, on the farm
which John now owns ; his father went to England about 1868, but returned and settled at Osborne,
Kan., where he died, Aug. 22, 1879. He was born in 1803. Mother now lives at Stavely, England;
she has six children — three daughters, who live in England, and three sons, in the United States. John
Goodlad was born Dec. 23, 1830. He was married to Mary Yapp. They have seven sons and one
daughter — Joseph, John, William, Henry S., Selina, Charles H., Frank and Ernest. Mr. (joodlad has
about 500 acres of land.
JOHN HODGISON, farmer. Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Arena. Mr. Hodgson was born in England, in 1821;
he is the son of Richard Hodgson (see biography of Francis Hodgson). He came to the United States
with his brother William, in .June, 1845, several months before his father came. His wife was Miss Ann
Emery ; like many of the early English settlers, Mr. Hodgson is one of the substantial men of Iowa
Co. The memory of both himself and wife goes back to the time when Wisconsin was in its infancy ; to
the time when the Indian yet lingered on the borders of civilization, and Wisconsin was still the hunting
ground of the savage. A part of the farm which Mr. Hodgson now owns was entered as Government
land. He has now a pleasant home and 265 acres.
WIIililAM HODGSON, farmer. Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Arena. Mr. Hodgson is the third son of
Richard and Jane Hodgson ; he was born in England in 1825 ; he came to Wisconsin from England
with his brother John in 1845 ; he has been a resident of Iowa County since that time. He was
married to Mrs. Harriet Dobney, daughter of Nathaniel Porter. They have three children — Ralphe,
Bertie M. and Lillian L. Mrs. Hodgson has two children by her former husband — Blanche A. and Fan-
nie. Mr. Hodgson settled on a part of his present farm in 185 1 ; he has 220 acres.
FRANCIS HODGSON, farmer. Sec. 26; P. 0. Arena; born in Yorkshire, England, in
1827 ; he is a son of Richard Hodgson, who was born in England Feb. 25, 1797, and who was married
to Jane Wright, b)rn Jan. 7, 1800 ; they were married June 20, 1820, and came to America in Octo-
ber, 1845. They had twelve children, all of whom were born in England. Mr. Richard Hodgson still
lives with his children in the town of Arena ; his wife died Nov. 15, 1875. Francis was married to Betsy
Wilkinson, born in England. Mr. Hodgson, like others of this numerous family, is one of the successful
and substantial farmers of Iowa (Jo. He began life poor; his first successful investment was that of 85,
which he borrowed to pay his wedding expenses. This investment he has never had cause to regret.
From small financial beginnings, by hard work and closj attention to business, he has attained to not only
comfortable, but to affluent circumstances. His farm contains 720 acres. He has six children — Lewis,
Kate, Harriet I., Elmer F., Walter and Wilber P.
JOSEPH S. HUGGINS, farmer. Sac. 12; P. 0. Mazomanie; born in the State of New
Hampshire, in 1818, where he lived till 1840, when he went to the State of Iowa. He resided near Bur-
lington, in that State, for some time; he was also at Galena, 111.; he was engaged in lumbering in
the Chippewa Riyer region as early as 1843. He returned to the State of New Hampshire ; went to
Boston, Mass., where he lived about nine years. He returned to Wisconsin in 1854, and settled where
he now lives, in 1856. He was rairried to Elizabeth Murdough, born in New Hampshire ; has two
children — James and Susan. His farm contains 258 acres. In his younger life, Mr. Huggins was en-
gaged in teaching, for a considerable time. He also learned the business of surveying, which he still fol-
lows to some extent.
DAVID HOLCOHB, farmer. Sec. 17; P. 0. Mazomanie; born in Oswego Co., N. Y., in
1822; he came to Wisconsin with his father's family in 1845 ; the family settled in Troy, Walworth Co.;
they came to Iowa Co. in 1855, and settled where David now lives ; father died May, 1874; mother
lives at the homestead; David took possession of the homestead farm in 1873. He was married to Miss
Annie Appleby, daughter of James Appleby ; they have nine children — Worcester, John, Florence, George,
Nettie, William, Franklin, Ernest and Lulu. Mr. Holcomb's parents had eight children, six sons and two
daughters ; three sons and one daughter are living, all residents of Wisconsin.
RICHARD P. JONES, farmer. Sec. 14 ; P. 0. Arena ; born in Wales in 1828 ; he emi-
grated to the United States with his parents, John P. and Mary Jones, in 1851 ; his parents settled at
TOWN OF AEENA. 933
Blue Mounds, Iowa Co.,where they resided till their death; John P. went to Galena, 111., and engaged in
mining for about two and a half years ; thence to California, where he also engaged in mining ; he made
two trips to that State ; was there altogether, over ten years ; he returned to Dodgeville, where he kept
the United States Hotel ; this property he owned for about twenty years, when he exchanged it for prop-
erty in Adamsville, where he settled in the fall of 1875, and engaged in the mercantile trade; settled on
his present farm in the spring of 1879. His first wife was Mary Watkins ; she died in 1874. His present
'wife was Mary Farris. He has two children by his first wife — Martha and Mary ; has one by his present
wife — Frank. His farm contains about 240 acres.
THOMAS JONES, farmer, Sec. 14 : P. 0. Arena ; born in Wales in 1819 ; he came to Iowa
■Co. with his parents, and settled in Blue Mounds, where his parents resided till their death ; the family
-consisted of the parents and five children, four sons and one daughter ; the children are all residents of
Iowa Co. Mr. Jones went to California in 1850, and engaged in mining ; he was absent about four years ;
he settled on his present farm in 1866 ; his first wife was Elizabeth Edwards ; his second wife was Mar-
garet Morris ; his third and present wife was Margaret Evans ; he has one child by first wife — Mrs. Mar-
garet Roberts ; lost one child ; has five children by second wife — Ellen, Anna, Christie A., Thomas and
Katie ; lost three. Mr. Jones' farm contains 336 acres.
RICHARD KIVIGHT, farmer, Sec. 26 ; P. 0. Mazomanie ; born in Leicestershire, Eng.,
but a few miles from the city of London, in 1834; he came to Iowa Co. from England in 1850; he
remained about two years, and then went to Ohio, where he lived ten years ; he then returned to Wiscon-
sin and settled in the town of Vermont, Dane Co., where he was married to Mary Caldwell ; he settled
■where he now lives in March, 1876; in June, 1876, Mr. Knight met with a severe and nearly fatal acci-
■dent ; while crossing the railroad track at Mazomanie, his team became frightened at the cars, and he was
thrown from his wagon with great force ; his head was so severely injured that it was thought he would
not recover ; he is, however, able to be about and oversee the duties of his farm, but still suifers from the
injuries he received ; he has seven children — Frank, Loraine, John W., Fred, Harriet, William and Mary.
His farm contains about 150 acres.
SYIiVESTER L AMPMAX, farmer and carpenter ; P. 0. Arena ; born in the town of
Swanton, Franklin Co., Va., July, 1834. Hiti parents removed to Dane Co. about 1850; his father still
lives in the town of Cross Plains. Mr. Lampman is a carpenter and joiner by trade, which he followed
for many years ; he settled on his present farm in the fall of 1874. He was married to Fanny Farewell ;
they have seven children — six sons and one daughter. His farm contains 222 acres.
HENRY lilNLEY, fariner. Sec. 13 ; P. 0. Mazomanie ; born in Nottinghamshire, England,
in 1824 ; he is the son of John and Isabelle Linley. His parents and three sons came from England to Iowa
Co. in June, 1844, being among the earliest of the English settlers of this portion of Wisconsin. The
family settled in the town of Arena, where his father has since resided. Mr. Henry Linley lost his first
wife in England, and was married to Miss Sarah Bagnall, and came to Iowa Co. from England in 1849
■and settled, with his father, in Sec. 24, Arena. His father has lived with his son Henry since that time
he is now in his 85th year. In 1856, in company with Joshua Rhodes, he built the Dover Grist-mill
he sold his share of this mill in 1864. Mr. Linley has had seventeen children, ten of whom are living —
Isabelle (now Mrs. Ellis), William H., John, Emily E. (now Mrs. John Thomas), Arthur L., Henry
P., Albert, Gertrude, Herman and May A., all of whom were born in Iowa .Co., except Mrs. Ellis. Mr.
Linley 's farm contains 315 acres.
EVAN liliOYI), farmer. Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Arena. Mr. Lloyd was born in Carnarvonshire, Wales,
in 1823. He emigrated to the State of Pennsylvania in 1839 ; he lived in Pennsylvania for about three
years, and came to Iowa Co. in 1842 ; he lived some time at Mineral Point and at Dodgeville, and worked
at the shot-tower at Helena as early as 1844 ; he settled on a farm, in the town of Arena, in 1850 ; after-
ward went to Missouri, but has been a resident of Iowa Co. most of the time since 1842. He was mar-
ried to Jane Hodgson, whose parents were among the earliest settlers of Iowa Co. ; they have eight chil-
dren— Richard, Edward, Ella, Margaret, Katie, Jennie, Bessie and Robert. His farm contains 305 acres.
PETER LLOYD, Sr., farmer. Sec. 28; P. 0. Helena; was born in North Wales in 1810.
He went to England when 12 years of age, where he lived for several years. When about 20 years of
age, he went to the city of London, where he lived several years ; he then returned to Wales, and after-
ward removed to Liverpool, where he was employed on the police force of that city, and where he was
married to Margaret Davis, also a native of Wales. He emigrated to New York, where he stayed a few
months, and thence to Pittsburgh, where he was employed in a coal mine ; he came to Mineral Point in
KK
934 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
the spring of 1844, and to Helena in April of that year, has resided near Old Helena since that time ; he-
was employed at the shot-tower for many years ; first, when owned by Terry & Metcalf ; afterward, by C-
C. Washburne and Cyrus Woodman ; he also carried the mail from Galena to Highland several years.
Mr. Lloyd lost his wife Aug. 5, 1880. He has four children — Robert H., Peter E. (now station agent
at Helena), John T. (resides in Taylor Co., Iowa) and Mary Jane (np.w Mrs. Alvah Culver). Has also
one adopted daughter — Margaret E. His farm now contains 160 acres. He intends to-jnake his future
home with his daughter, Mrs. Culver, at Lone Rock.
PETER E. liLOYD, station agent at Helena Station; son of Peter Lloyd. He was born
in 1850, in the town of Arena ; has been station agent at Helena since January, 1876. He was married
to Jennie Foster, daughter of Charles Poster; has two children — Dell and Owen.
A. J. liOCKMAN, merchant and Postmaster, Helena ; son of Tracy Lockman, who was born
in Madison Co., N. Y , Feb. 15, 1820, who came to Wisconsin in June, 1847, and settled in the town of
Cadiz, Green Co., where he lived until 1857, when he came to the town of Arena and became Superin-
tendent of the shot-tower at Helena, which position he retained till 1861. While connected with the
shot-tower, he greatly improved the machinery for the manufacture of shot, which increased the manu-
facturing capacity of the tower from 1 ,500 pounds to 5,000 pounds per day. He settled on a farm in
Helena Valley, town of Wyoming ; this farm, containing 400 acres, and one of the best improved farms
in the town, he still owns. Mr. Tracy Lockman has been one of the solid, reliable men of Iowa Co.; has
always taken a prominent part in educational interests. He was Town Superintendent of Schools for the
town of Cadiz for many years. He also filled that position in the town of Wyoming for .several years ;
was Assessor of Wyoming for about a dozen years ; Chairman of the Town Board three years, and was
h.nroUing Officer for the Third District during the rebellion. His first wife was Sarah Brown, born in
Montgomery Co., N. Y., June 20, 1821 ; she died Dec. 31, 1872. His present wife was Flavia Hoskell,
born in Madison Co., N. Y. He has six children by first marriage, three sons and three daughters —
Andrew J., William F.. Cyrus L., Josephine H., Sarah A. and Euphemia. Andrew J. was born in
Cazenovia, N. Y., Jan. 11, 1844, he married Mary Ann Lloyd; has one child — Jessie A. He engaged
in business in Helena December, 1874. Was appointed Postmaster July 1, 1874.
CHRISTOPHER MABBOTT, farmer. Section 2 ; P. 0. Arena ; born in Nottingham-
shire, England, March, 1809. He was married in 1830, to Mary Ana Springthorpe. They came to the
United States in May, 1845, and settled in the town of Arena; settled on present farm in the fall of
1847. Has had thirteen children, ten of whom are living — -William C, John R., Mary Ann, Amos M.,^
Edward J., Christopher A., Thomas S., Martha E., George W. and Laura J. Farm contains about
200 acres.
JOHJV R. MA BBOTT, proprietor of Helena House, Helena ; son of Christopher M. Mab-
bott, who was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1803, and came to Iowa Co., with his family, in 1844,
and settled in Mill Oreek Valley, town of Arena ; parents had thirteen children, eight sons and five
daughters ; nine of the children were born in England ; eleven of the children are still living, eight sons
and three daughters. John R. was born in the town of Cottesmore, Rutland Co., England in 1835. He en-
listed Aug. 15, 1862, in the 31st W. V. I., and served until the close of the war. He participated in some of
the most important events of the war, including the siege of Atlanta and Sherman's march to the sea.
After the close of the war, Mr. Mabbott engaged in farming until 1872, when he came to Helena. He
was married to Mary C. Villemont ; have ten children, sik sons and four daughters.
JAMES McCIJTCHIN, farmer, Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Arena ; born in County Tyrone, Ireland.
He came to America, with his brother Andrew, in 1842 ; he was at Mineral Point in the fall of that
year. He passed the following winter in the pinery region of Wisconsin. In the spring of 1843, he
went to Galena, 111., where he became connected with the steamer Gen. Brooks, which was employed in
furnishing the forts on the Upper Mississippi. He passed the following winter in the pine region. He
traveled a good deal in his younger days, and is possessed of much information pertaining to the early his-
tory of Wisconsin. The McCutchin family is a numerous and well-known family of Iowa Co. His
father, Robert, was twice married ; had five children by first marriage, only two of whom, James and
Andrew, survive. Hugh, another of the five, and a prominent man, recently died. There were also five
children by second marriage, all of whom are living. Robert, the father, emigrated to this country many
years after the older children came. Mr. James McCutchin settled where he now lives, in 1846. He
was married to Jane Gurchie, born in the State of New York ; they have eight children, two boys and
six girls. His farm contains 320 acres.
TOWN OF ARENA. 935
WIIiLiIAM A. McKlNZIE, grain and stock dealer, Helena ; is a son of Benjamin Mo-
Kinzie, who was born on Prince Edward Island in 1795 ; was married to Isabelle McCloud, a native of
Scotland. The family came to Wisconsin, July, 1849, and settled in the town of Ridgeway, Iowa Co.;
his father died at Blue Mounds, Dane Co., in the fall of 1872 ; his mother died in 1876 ; the parents had
nine children, the oldest child, George, still resides at Prince Edward Island, he is a sea captain by occu-
pation ; eight of the children are still living; Wm. A. was born on Prince Edward Island May 6, 1837 ;
has been a resident of Iowa Co., since his parents came to the State. He enlisted in 1864, in the 42d
W. V. I., and served until the close of the war. He was married to Nancy Ward, daughter of Wm. A.
Ward; have had nine children, seven of whom are living — William, James, John, Clarence, Carrie, Adda
and Bessie; one son, George, died at Milwaukee in 1877, in his 20th year, another child died in infancy.
Mr. McKinzie came to Helena and engaged in the grain and stock business in the fall of 1872.
WILLIAM C. MEFFERT, harness-maker. Arena; son of Wm. L. Meffert, born at Frank-
fort-on-the-Main ; his mother was born at Ems, Germany; the family emigrated to this country in 1845 ;
they came to Milwaukee, thence to Mineral Point ; lived for a short time at West Blue Mounds, where
his father died of cholera in 1852, a sister also died at about the same time of the same disease; after the
death of the father and sister, the remainder of the family removed to Dodgeville, where his mother still
resides; his parents had five children, four of whom are living — C. C, born at Ems, now a resident of
Centerville, Boise Co., Idaho; Wm. C; Minnie, now Mrs. B. E. Meigs, lives at Stillwater, Minn.; Eliza-
beth, now Mrs. Kellogg, resides at Ft. Dodge; Wm. C. was born at Ems, Germany in 1842. He en-
listed May 4, 1861, in the 3d W. V. I., served the time for which the regiment enlisted — three months ;
re-enlisted for three years, at the expiration of his term of service, re-enlisted as a veteran, and was dis-
charged August, 1865, having served a period of four years three months and twenty-one days. Prob-
ably no soldier from Iowa Co., and, in fact, but few in the service, was more actively engaged than he
during the long period he was in the army ; he was absent from his regiment but once, a period of four
months, when he was engaged in the recruiting service ; he participated in twenty-two battles, many of
which were the most important of the war, including Antietam, Chanoellorsville, Gettysburg, etc.; after his
discharge, he returned to Dodgeville and engaged in business ; he came to Arena, March, 1867. He was
married to Deliah Rubedeau, born in Galena, 111., in 1842.
GARDINER C. MEIGS, Arena; born in Malone, Franklin Co., N. Y., Sept. 6, 1820 ; his
parents were natives of Vermont, and returned to that State when he was 2 years of age; when he was 9
years of age, they removed to Canada, and settled near St. John's. Mr. Meigs came to what is now the
town of Highland, Iowa Co., in 1844, and engaged in mining; he went to California in 1850, where he
remained about two years, he then returned to the town of Highland; he came to Arena in June, 1852,
and was engaged in business with Mr. Henry Rowell for about two years; he then purchased a farm on
Sec. 15, now owned by Mr. Thomas Jones, which he sold in the spring of 1865 ; in 1866, he engaged in
the mercantile and grain business in Arena ; he continued the grain business about two years, but fol-
lowed the mercantile business till the fall of 1878, when, on account of his failing eyesight, was obliged to
discontinue business. Mr. Meigs has served three terms in the General Assembly of the State, was
elected in 1859, and re-elected in 1860-61 ; he served two years as Sheriff of the county, elected in 1862 ;
has held most of the town oflBces, Chairman of the Board, Assessor, etc.; has been Justice of the Peace
and Notary Public many years. He was married to Louisa Jane Barnard, daughter of John Barnard, of
Avoca; they have eight children — Gardia A., wife of Dr. Herbert Bird; Rebecca N.; John B.; Nettie,
wife of Rev. A. N. Hitchrook, of Mazomanie ; Andrew L., Kate B., Anna M. and Grace C.
JAMES MELLEVILLE, farmer. Arena; born in Carlisle, Cumberland Co., England, in
1808. He came to this country, by way of New Orleans, in 1846 ; thence, up the Mississippi River to
Galena. He settled in Dane Co., where he lived five years; thence, to the town of Arena, where he pur-
chased a farm, and where he lived for seventeen years ; he then settled in the village of Arena. His first
wife was Helen Lithgo ; she died in 1877. His present wife was Mrs. Anne Cork ; had five children by
the first marriage, all of whom died in infancy, except one son, Thomas, who enlisted in the 23d W. V. I.,
and died during the war.
X.AVIER MILLER, farmer. Sec. 11; P. 0. Mazomanie; born in Bavaria, Germany, in
1817. He came to Wisconsin from Germany in 1853 ; he lived in Madison about two years, afterward
settled in town of Arena; settled where he now lives in 1865. He was married to Rosa Crocker, who
was born in Bavaria ; they have four children — Josephine, now Mrs. John Varath, lives in Dane Co.;
Rosa, now Mrs. Robert Gruber, lives in Morrison Co., Minn.; Joseph, who was born in the town of
Arena in 1858; John, born in 1862. His farm contains about 200 acres.
936 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
REV. ADAM PINKEBTON, Pastor of the Congregational Church, Arena; born in
Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1821. He was educated in his native city; graduated at the high school, and
attended the University at Edinburgh for two years. He came to the United States in 1851, and settled
in Tippecanoe Co., Ind., where he was engaged in teaching until the breaking-out of the rebellion. He
enlisted July, 1862, in the 72d Ind. V. I. The regiment to which he belonged served as infantry till
after the battle of Murfreesboro, when they were mounted, and became a part of Wilder's brigade. He
enlisted as a private of Company G ; at the organization of the company, was elected its Captain. He
held that position until September, 1864, when he became Major of the regiment. He was severely
injured by a fall while his regiment was making a charge upon the enemy. The injury he received inca-
pacitated him for further military duty, and he resigned Nov. 28, 1864. He went to Eagle, Richland
Co., Wis., in 1865, and shortly after became Pastor of the Pleasant Hill and Bird's Creek Churches, where
he remained till April, 1871, when he came to Arena and became the Pastor of the Congregational Church
of this village. Mr. Pinkerton's first wife was Nancy C. Crouch ; she died June, 1873. In February,
1875, he was married to Angeline I. Paine, who died in August of that year. He has seven children by
his first marriage — Dr. William T. Pinkerton, who graduated at Louisville Medical College, February,
1879, and is now practicing medicine in Arena ; Mary B., wife of John W. Williams, of Richland Co.;
Lizzie L., Katie B., Margaret A., Archibald C. and Anna Grace. Mr. Pinkerton is a clergyman of much
force, earnestness and ability as a speaker ; conscientious in the discharge of his duties, and respected and
esteemed, not only by his own church, but by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance.
JOHN POPE, farmer. Section 28 ; P. 0. Arena ; born in Somersetshire, England, December,
1832. He emigrated to New York City December, 1855, and removed to Janesville, Wis., in the fall of
1856. He lived in Janesville one year, and then removed to the town of Union, Rock Co., where he
lived seven years ; removed from Union to Dane Co., where he lived two years ; settled, where he now
lives in the spring of 1866. He was married to Martha Douche, who died in Arena. His present wife
was Caroline Thomas, daughter of David Thomas. He has four children by his first marriage, and the
same number by his present wife. His farm contains 160 acres. He and wife are members of the Prim-
itive Methodist Church.
CHABIiEIS PORTER, farmer, Sec. 36; P. 0. Arena; son" of John Porter, who came to
Wisconsin from England in 1845, and settled in the town of Arena, where he died December, 1879.
Charles was born in England April 14, 1833. He came to Wisconsin with his parents; went to Cali-
fornia in 1854; returned in 1858. He enlisted, in 1863, in the 31st W. V. I.; served until the close of
the war. He was married to Polly Miller, daughter of Andrew Miller, who was born in Pennsylvania.
They have nine children, six sons and three daughters. His farm contains 80 acres.
WILLiIAM E. ROWE, Arena ; bom in County Cornwall, England, in 1820 ; his parents
emigrated to Canada in 1834. Mr. Rowe came to Blue Mounds, where he was engaged in mining for
several years. He was married in Dodgeville, to Miss Anna Jewell ; she was a victim of the cholera epi-
demic of 1849 ; Mr. Rowe also lost a daughter, at about the same time, of the same disease. Mr. Rowe
removed to Dodgeville in 1850, where he was engaged for a time in mining, farming and hotel keeping ; kept
hotel about two years. His present wife was Elizabeth Tregaskis, born in County Cornwall, England,
April, 1822 ; her father emigrated to Wisconsin in 1834, and settled at Mineral Point, where he owned
a valuable mining interest. He died in 1842. The mother of Mr. Rowe died in Canada. His father died in
Missouri in 1856. Parents had seven children, all born in England, five of whom are still living. One brother,
John, was killed in Missouri, by the premature explosion of a blast ; one sister, Phillippi, died in Kansas. Mr.
Rowe had two children by first marriage — Mary Jane and Rose Ann ; the former was drowned in the flume at
her father's mill in 1854 ; she was in her 8th year ; the younger daughter died of cholera, as mentioned above.
During the many years that Mr. Rowe has resided in Iowa Co., he has been one of her most active and promi-
nent business men, and has held several public positions. He was a member of the Legislature of Wis-
consin for the years 1859, 1862, 1863 and 1864. He has been Chairman of the Town Board for several
years. He is owner of the " Model Mill," on Blue Mounds Creek, in connection with which he has a fine
farm and a pleasant home.
JA9IES W. SLArSON, farmer, Sec. 19 ; P. 0. Arena; born in Orange Co., N. Y., Sep-
tember, 1836 ; he came to Wisconsin with his parents, Reuben and Rachael Slauson, about 1845 ; the
family settled in the town of Union, Rock Co., where his parents still reside. Mr. Slauson was married in
Rock Co., to Susan E. P. Emery, daughter of Robert Emery, who emigrated from England to Massachu-
setts with his family, and thence to Wisconsin, and settled in Grant Co. about 1844. Mr. Slauson came
to Iowa Co. in the spring of 1867 ; has resided in the town of Arena since that time. He has seven chil-
TOWN OF AKENA. 937
dren — Charles B., Ada L., Edwin M., James S., Herbert W., Daniel R. and Clarence Garfield. His farm
contains 160 acres.
DEWITT C. SMITH, farmer, Sec. 11 ; P. 0. Mazomanie. Mr. Smith was born in Rensse-
laer Co., N. Y., May, 1827; he came to Wisconsin with his parents, Daniel and Charity Smith, October,
1844 ; the family settled in Waukesha Co., where his father died ; his mother still resides there. His par-
ents had eight children, seven of whom are living ; his youngest brother, Frank, was lost on the steamer
" Lady Elgin." His first wife died in 1876 ; she came from the State of New York with her parents in
1836, and settled in Walworth Co. His present wife was Sarah Bates. He has three children by first
marriage — Walter, Eugene and George. Farm contains 280 acres.
CHARL.es STEBRITZ, farmer. Sec. 26 ; P. 0. Mazomanie; born in Germany in 1837 ;
he came to this country in 1863, and located in Watertown, Wis. ; he afterward removed to the village of
Mazomanie ; he settled on his present farm in the fall of 1877. He was married to Mena Yonga, born in
Germany; they have eight children, six boys and two girls. His farm contains 120 acres.
CHARLiES W. SUTCLIFFE, farmer, Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Mazomanie; born in Yorkshire,
England, December, 1820 ; he came to Iowa Co. in 1845, and located where he now lives. He was mar-
ried to Sarah A. Blakey, who came to Iowa Co. with her parents in 1846 ; they have had nine children,
eight of whom are living — Robert W., John and Eliza A. (twins), George, Dean, Henrietta, Charles W.
and Blakey H. (twins) ; they lost their ninth child, Mary E. Farm contains 130 acres.
JOHN €r. TYJLER, farmer. Sec. 24; P. 0. Mazomanie; born in Schoharie Co., N. Y.. in
1832 ; he removed to Ohio with his parents iu 1835, and to Illinois in 1837. His father was drowned in
the Peeatoniea River. Mr. Tyler came to Iowa Co. in 1855, and settled where he now lives. He was mar-
ried to Amelia Watson, born in the State of New York ; they have two children — Albert and Algernon
S. His mother died February, 1875. His farm contains about 200 acres.
H. H. WIIililAMS, lumber dealer, and editor of the Arena Star, Arena ; born in the State of
Pennsylvania in 1847 ; he removed with his parents, Daniel and Elizabeth Williams, to Spring Green,
Sauk Co., in 1851, where the family resided till 1863, when they removed to the town of Ridgeway, Iowa
Co. ; his mother died in the town of Ridgeway ; his father went to Missouri in 1868, where he died about
1870. Mr. D. H. Williams has been a resident of Iowa Co. since his parents settled in the town of
Ridgeway ; in his early manhood, he was engaged in farming during the summer and in teaching in the
winter season ; he taught ten terms of school in Iowa Co. ; he came to Arena and engaged in the lumber
trade in 1873 ; on the death of Mr. J. T. Shumway, editor of the Star, Mr. Williams became its editor;
he had been connected with the paper for some time previous to that time. Mr. Shumway died in Decem-
ber, 1879. Mr. Williams was married to Jane, daughter of Thomas N. Williams ; they have two children
— Daniel H. and Ella J. ; lost their second child — -George E.
JOHN W^Il/SOX, farmer, Sec. 36 ; P. 0. Mazomanie. Mr. Wilson was born in the town of
Ripon, Yorkshire, Eng., in 1823 ; his father's family was one of the many early English families who set-
tled in this part of the State of Wisconsin under the auspices of the English Temperance Association ; his
mother died in England ; his father and his six children came to Wisconsin from England in the spring of
1844; the names of the children in the order of their ages were John M., Joseph, Elizabeth, Ellen,
Thomas and Rose Anne ; father first settled in the town of Mazomanie, about one mile west of the village,
where he lived about four years ; removed thence to Cross Plains, thence to Arena, thence to the town of
Berry ; returned to the village of Mazomanie. where his father died in March, 1872, at the age of 76
years. Mr. Wilson was married, in Ohio, to Mabel Aurelia Henry; she died Oct. 15, 1851 ; his present
wife was Anne Smith, born in Scotland ; he has four children, three sons and one daughter — Francis P.,
Emon H., John J. and C. J. Mr. Wilson settled on his present farm in June, 1851 ; it contains 336
acres.
JOHN WILKINSON, farmer; P. 0. Arena; son of John Wilkinson, who came from SheiEeld,
Bug., to the State of Illinois about 1845 ; his family came the following year ; they resided in Illinois till
about 1848, when they removed to Iowa Co. and settled in the town of Arena, where the father died about
1857 ; mother also died in the town of Arena ; parents had thirteen children, all of whom were born in
England, six of whom are living ; one daughter still lives in England ; six of the children died before the
family came to this country, and one son died in Illinois. John Wilkinson was born in Sheffield ; he
came to Illinois some time after the family removed there, but he came to Iowa Co. at the same time, and
has been a resident of the town of Arena since that time. He was married to Miss Elizabeth Porter,
daughter of John and Elizabeth Porter., who came to Arena from England in 1845 ; her father died in
938 BIOGEAPHICAL SICETCHES:
December, 1879 ; her mother died many years since. Mr. Wilkinson has held most of the town offices ;
is at present Assessor of the town. He sold his farm, which was a part of the homestead, and settled
in the village of Arena in March, 1877. Mrs. Wilkinson is a member of the Primitive Methodist
Church.
JOB WILiKINSON, farmer, Sec. 27; P. 0. Arena; son of John Wilkinson, Sr. (see
biography of John Wilkinson), born in Lincolnshire, Eng., in 1830 ; he came to Iowa Co. with his parents
from Illinois about 1848 ; he has been a resident of Iowa Co. since that time. He was married to Har-
riet, a daughter of Dr. Robert Addison, who came to the United States from England in 1842 ; he located
at Providence, R. I., and came to Wisconsin in 1849, and settled at Dover, town of Arena, where he
engaged in the drug business and also practiced medicine ; he afterward removed to the village of Arena;
ho has eight children living ; he died in Minnesota in 1876, at the age of 73 years. Mr. Wilkinson has
Seven children— Florence, Kate, Alice, Amey, Guy, Stanley and Harold. His farm contains 220 acres.
WAIiTER WILKIIVSON, the youngest son of John Wilkinson, Sr., resides in the town of
Arena, near his brother Job ; he was born in Sheffield, Eng., in 1837 ; he was married to Emily, daugh-
ter of Dr. Robert Addison ; they have three children — Albert, Hattie and Edna.
S. J. YORKER, lumber dealer. Arena; Mr. Yorker was born in Columbia Co., N. Y., in
1828. Except about eight months which he spent in Michigan, in 1852, he resided in Columbia and
Rensselaer counties till 1856, when he came to Iowa Co. and settled in the town of Dodgeville ; he was
engaged in teaching till the fall of 1860. He then went to Spring Green, Sauk Co., and engaged in the
grain business. In the fall of 1862, he came to Arena and engaged in the lumber business. He was
married to Eliza, daughter of Hugh McCutchin, of Wood Co., Wis. They have four children — Minnie,
Mary, Walter and Winnie.
TOWN OF WYOMING.
AliVAH CUIjVBR, farmer. Sec. 29; P. 0. Helena; was born in the town of Bainbridge,
Chenango Co., N. Y., in 1811, where he was married to Catharine Foster, also a native of the State of
New York. Mr. Culver is not only one of the earliest settlers of Iowa Co., but is also numbered among
the early pioneers of Wisconsin. He went to Green Bay in June, 1836, where he worked at his trade,
that of a carpenter and joiner. In October of that year, he came to what is now known as Old Helena,
for the purpose of assisting in the construction of a warehouse at that place. After getting the timber on
the ground and prepared for this purpose, the foundation of the building not being ready, he was dis-
charged, and returned to the State of New York, February, 1837, where he stayed till the following June,
when he removed with his family ro Green Bay, and engaged in work at his trade. After a few months,
he was again sent to Helena to erect the warehouse, but, the foundation not yet being ready, he returned
to Green Bay and removed his family to Helena, where he built a hotel, which he kept as such for many
years. He established the first ferry at Old Helena, and ferried over the first team at this place. He
conducted this ferry for twenty-five years. He removed to Helena Station about 1863, and settled where
he now lives in 1872. His farm contains about 170 acres. He has had six sons and three daughters —
five sons and one daughter are still living.
RICHARD DUIVST AN, farmer, Sec. 35 ; P. 0. Wyoming ; born in Cornwall, England, in
1837 ; emigrated to Illinois with his parents, Henry and Elizabeth Dunstan, in 1840. The family came
to Dodgeville in 1844, where his father died in 1844 ; the mother still lives in that town. Mr. Dunstan
was married to Eliza Jane, daughter of Jonathan Carpenter. Mr. Dunstan was Register of Deeds for the
years 1871 and 1872, and for 1875 and 1876. He is the present Town Clerk of Arena. His farm
contains 120 acres.
J. C EAGA^f, merchant and Postmaster, Wyoming ; born in Ireland in 1844, he came to
this country with his parents when he was a child. They came to Avoca, Iowa Co., Nov. 26, 1856. Mr.
Eagan enlisted Sept. 21, 1861, in the 6th Wis. L. A., and served till the close of the war, a period of
three years and ten months. He participated in many of the most important campaigns of the war. He
was at the siege of Island No. 10, siege of Corinth, battle of Corinth, siege of Vicksburg, battle of Nash-
ville, Jackson, Miss., Missionary Ridge, etc. He located where he now lives soon after the close of the
war. He was married to Mary, daughter of Samuel Claybaugh. They have three children — Maggie,
Mamie and Nellie. He has been Postmaster of Wyoming for five years.
TOWN OF WYOMING. 939
GEORGE W. FOSTER, farmer, Sec. 29; P. 0. Helena; born in Greene Co.; N. Y.,
town of Lexington. When 23 years of age he removed to Delaware Co. He was married to Isabel Gra-
ham, born in Delaware Co. They came to Wisconsin in 1864, and settled where they now live. They
have three children — Helen, James and George H.
SA-BTFORD B. HATCH, farmer, Sec. 16; P. 0. Wyoming; born in Delaware Co., Ohio,
in 1824 ; came to Mineral Point with his parents about 1835 ; family afterward removed to Illinois, but
returned to Rock Co., Wis., and back to Iowa Co. about 1851 ; parents resided in Arena till their death.
Mr. Hatch Hved in Arena for several years; settled on his present farm in 1876. He was married to
Minerva, daughter of William Bartlett ; they have five children — Hattie, Leonard, Hannibal, William
and Luie ; lost one daughter — Katie. Farm contains about 250 acres.
CLARK HICKCOX, farmer. Sec. 26; P. 0. Wyoming; was born in Randolph Co., 111..
Jan. 12, 1820, where his parents had removed from the State of New York in 1818 ; when he was 4
years of age, he was sent to Oneida Co., N. Y., to live with his paternal grandfather. In 1828, his par-
ents returned to the State of New fork, when he returned to his father's family ; settled in Syracuse,
where they lived till 1835, when they removed to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Ridgeway, where
his parents resided till their death. Clark was married, in the town of Ridgeway, to Rebecca C. Green,
daughter of William C. Green, of Green Co., Wis.; her parents immigrated to Wisconsin in 1840. Mr.
Hiokcox entered the army in 1864, as a member of the 6th W. V. I., and served till the close of the war.
He removed to the town of Ridgeway, and settled on the farm which he now owns, November, 1866; he
has had nine children, eight of whom are living — George, William C., Clark A., Laura E., Edward M.,
Ida M., Nat D. and Dana C. Mr. Hickcox has 550 acres of land, and is engaged principally in stock-
raising.
LEMUEL W. JOINER, farmer. Sec. 28; P. 0. Wyoming; born in Royalton, Windsor
do., Vt., Nov. 9, 1810 ; in 1831, he went to Detroit, Mich., tor the purpose of engaging in business with
thfi Northwestern Pur Co., but changed his mind and went to Cleveland, and engaged as a clerk in a
store near that city, where he stayed one year. He then went to Cincinnati, where he stayed about two
years; thence to Warren Co., Ohio, and from thence to Williamsport, Ind., where he was engaged in the
mercantile business till 1845, when he came to Wisconsin and settled on his present farm. He was mar-
ried, at Williamsport, in 1839, to Cynthia Lucas, a native of Ohio; they have had nine children, two
sons and seven daughters ; one son and six daughters still living, viz., Robert L., Sarah E., Julia (now
Mrs. L. C. Lebarre, of Custer City, D. T.), Mary E. (now Mrs. J. T. Morris), Martha B. (now Mrs. C.
A. Hickcox, of Deer Creek, Madison Co., Neb.), Alice A. and Anna (now a student of Whitewater Nor-
mal School) ; Franklin S. (enlisted in 33d W. Y. I., died at Natchez, Miss., Sept. 21, 1863) ; Florence,
their sixth child, died Feb. 28, 1865, aged 14 years. Mr. Joiner has been one of the prominent and
influential men of Iowa Co. He was elected to the General Assembly in 1853, and has served three
terms in the State Senate; was first elected in 1857, and again in 1860 and 1868. His farm contains
330 acres. Robert L. Joiner was born in Indiana in 1841. Was educated at Royalton Academy, Ver-
mont. He was married to Marilla Gaige, daughter of Richard Gaige ; has six children — Beulah, Josie,
Ruth, George, Lethe and Kezia.
JOHN L. JONES, farmer. Sec. 30 ; P. 0. Helena; born in Wales in 1832 ; son of Richard
L. L. and Mary Jones; the father was born in Wales in 1799; mother, in 180'L Family emigrated to
the United States in 1844; it then consisted of parents and seven children; four children were afterward
born in this country. The family first settled in Jefierson Co., Wis., in 1845, and removed to Sauk Co.
in 1855. and to the town of Wyoming in 1863. Mother died in August, 1871 ; father resides with his
son John L. He now has ten children, five sons and five daughters ; four sons and one daughter live in
Wyoming. Mr. John L. Jones was married to Hannah M. Rees, daughter of John D. Rees; she was
born in Ohio ; her parents were from Wales ; they have four children — John R., Thomas L., Mary and
Jenkin L. His farm contains about 275 acres. This is one of the most numerous and prominent fami-
lies in the town of Wyoming. Rev. Jenkin L. L. Jones, a brother of John L., is quite an eminent
Unitarian minister, now in Chicago. The family all profess the Unitarian belief The two youngest his-
ters of Mr. Jones, Ella C. and Jennie L., are graduates of State Normal School at Platteville. The
former is now a teacher in the State Normal School at River Falls. The latter is now in St. Louis, pre-
paring herself for the kindergarten system of teaching.
OWEN KING, lumber dealer, proprietor of King's Lumber Yard, town of Wyoming ; is a son
of Patrick King, who came to Iowa Co. from Prince Edward Island about 1850 ; he was born in 1845.
Married Helen, a daughter of Thomas Weston ; they have five children — Thomas, Mary Jane, Elizabeth,
9-10 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Eugenia and Owen Scott. Mr. King is one of the prominent business men of this part of Iowa Co. He^
has represented his district in the General Assembly two terms.
ROBEiRT H. liliOYD, ferryman of Spring Green and Helena Ferry; son of Peter Lloyd,
Sr.; was born in Pennsylvania January, 1843; came to Iowa Co. with his parents in 1844. Has been
ferryman at Helena Ferry since 1870. Married . Susan, daughter of Gardiner Dodge; they have three
children — Jennie, Carrie and Nettie. He enlisted Oct. 9, 1861, in the 6th W. L. A. Served two years.
Was at New Madrid, siege of Island No. 10 and battle of Corinth, where he was wounded, from the
eifect of which he was discharged.
GOODWIIV LOWREV, retired farmer, Sec. 31; P. 0. Wyoming; born in the town of
Sharon, Litchfield Co., Conn., in 1827. His parents, Daniel and Abigail Lowrey, removed to 'Oneida
Co.. N. Y., about 1832. Mr. Lowrey came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1863, and settled on his farm in
the town of Wyoming. He formerly had 800 or 900 acres of land ; the farm now contains about 400,
He was married to Heloise G., born in Louisiana, of Italian parentage.
MRS. MARY AN\ MORRIS, Sec. 11 ; P. 0. Wyoming; widow of Thomas B. Morris,
who was born in Amelia Co., Va., in 1809 ; he removed with his parents to Jefferson Co., Ky.; thence to
Sangamon Co., 111., where he was married to his present widow, who was born near Frankfort, Ky. ; they
first settled in the town of Ridgeway, in Iowa Co.; thence to the town of Dodgeville ; settled on present
farm about 1855. Mr. Morris died in 1876. Mrs. Morris has three children — Eliza J. Rawdon (lives,
in Dodgeville), John T., Laura Bell (now Mrs. Graham; resides in Nebraska). John T. was born in 1846 ;.
married to Mary J., daughter of L. W. Joiner ; they have four children — Florence, Jos-^phine, Renabell
and Henry. John T. has charge of the homestead farm.
SIMOX C. OliSOW, farmer, Sec. 21; P.O.Wyoming; born in Norway in 1826; came to-
the United States in 1843, to Milwaukee, and thence to Dodgeville in the fall of 1844, where he was
engaged in mining about six years ; he made two trips to California, and finally returned to Dodgeville in
1859 ; he bought his present farm about 1860; he rented the Wyoming mills ; was also engaged for some
time in the lumber trade. He was married to Elizabeth Carpenter, born in England; they have four-
children — Adelaide, Libbie, Henry A., Richard C. His farm contains about 300 acres of land.
THOMAS PARR, farmer, Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Wyoming; was born in England in 1812 ; he em-
igrated to Boston in 1834, where he worked fifteen years for Chickering & Maokey, piano manufacturers;
afterward lived several years in Halifax, Nova Scotia; he came to Wisconsin, and settled on his present
farm in the spring of 1853, which he had bought several years previous to that time. He was married to
Jane Cnnnybare, born in England ; they have five children — George, John H., William S., Louisa J. and
Mary E. (now Mrs. George Hickcox). William S. married Miss Elizabeth Greening.
CHARIiES F. PARKS, farmer, Sec. 34 ; P. 0. Wyoming ; born in the town of Shrews-
bury, Worcester Co., Mass., in 1810, where he lived till 1838. He was married to Elizabeth Hathaway ;
they came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1838 ; lived for some time with Mr. Ebenezer Brigham, of Blue
Mounds, Iowa Co.; he then went to Ridgeway ; thence to Mineral Point, where he lived till March, 1839,
in the employ of Mr. I. T. Lathrop ; thence to Sauk Co., and made a claim on Sauk Prairie. In the
spring of 1840, he returned to Blue Mounds ; he exchanged his claim on Sauk Prairie for a farm in the
town of Ridgeway, where he settled in the spring of 1843. In 1855, he removed to the village of Dover,^
where he kept a hotel ; *xchanged the hotel for a farm in Sec. 24, town of Arena ; thence to the village
of Arena, where he engaged in the mercantile business; settled on his present farm in the fall of 1867.
They have had two sons, only one of whom is living — Charles W., who resides on the homestead.
Leonard, the younger son, enlisted in the 11th W. V. I. in the fall of 1861,. and served till the close o{~
the war ; he was twice wounded, and died June 14, 1867. While residing at Dover, Mrs. Parks received
a fall, from the effects of which she suffered greatly many years ; she was unable to walk at all for ten.
years, but has now comparatively recovered.
MRS. ELIZABETH RICHARDSOX, Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Wyoming; formerly Elizabeth
Woodbury, widow of Leonidas Richardson, who was born in Nashville, Tenn., in 1824; he came to Wis-
consin with his father in 1845. Mrs. Richardson was married in La Fayette Co., where her parents had
removed from the State of New York in 1845 ; they were married in 1849, and setiled on the present
farm soon after ; this farm Mr. Richardson had owned several years previous to his marriage ; he died
July 21, 1874. Mrs. Richardson has six children — Ella H., Lydia L., Jesse T., Albert D., George and
Rosa May ; lost four children — Carrie M. died Aug. 15, 1880, in her 24th year ; the others deceased
were Elmore E., Eddie and an infant. Albert D. was born Sept. 3, 1864.
TOW^r OF HIGHLAND. 941
ROBERT SQUIRE, farmer, Sec. 18 ; P. 0. Wyomiag ; born in England in 1830 ; he emi-
grated to this country with his parents in the fall of 1845 ; the family settled in the town of Wyoming the
same year; his father died in May, 1880 ; his mother died in 1877. Mr. Squire was married to Eliza-
beth, daughter of William Potterton ; they have seven children — Francis S., Levenia M., Marshall Gr.,
Webster S., Luella, Robert H. and George E. Mr. Squire settled where he now lives in 1861; his farm
contains 115 acres.
ANSON WOOD, farmer, Sec. 35 ; P. 0. Wyoming; born in Randolph, N. C, Dec. 5, 1806 ;
his pirents removed to the State of Kentucky when he was a child, where he lived till 21 years of age ;
he then removed with his parents to the State of Illinois. He was married in 1837 to Keziah McGrrew,
who was born in Illinois ; she died in 1840 ; he came to Wisconsin in the summer of 1845; lived in
Dodgeville for a time; settled where he now lives in 1847. He has one child— Keziah Ann — now Mrs.
George W. See, of Morris Co., Kan. Mr. Wood's farm contains 160 acres.
TOWN OF HIGHLAND.
JOHN AID, farmer, Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Highland ; was born in County Kilkenny, Ireland ; he
came to this country in 1846, and located in the town of Highland, Iowa Co., Wis., the same year. He
married, in 1847, Margaret Muldooney ; their children are James ; Ann, now wife of William Man-
ning ; Maggie and Ellon. Mr. Aid and wife have lived in Highland since their marriage ; they own 80
acres of land.
MATTHIAS CHAB, manufacturer, Highland ; was born in Pilgrim, Austria, in 1852 ; he re-
mained in Austria until 1868, then came to this country, locating in the village of Highland, Iowa Co., Wis.,
and learned the wagon-making trade ; in 1877, he engaged in business on his own account ; he manufactures
the various styles of carriages and wagons ; his work is well known for its strength and durability, as well
as for the neatness of its finish. Mr. Chab married in Highland, Miss Frances, daughter of Jacob Dan-
nenhauer, an old and esteemed ci'izen of Highland. They, have one son, Jacob M. Mr. Chab has been
Treasurer of the village of Highland four years; he is a leading member of the I. 0. O. F., and is N. G.
of Vivian Lodge, No. 375.
JOHN P. CHOIi VIN, dealer in heavy and shelf hardware, also tinware, Highland ; was born in
St. Louis, Mo., Aug. 15, 1841 ; in 1849, he came to MifBin, Iowa Co., Wis., with his father, Joseph Chol-
vin (his mother having died in St. Louis), who was for a number of years largely identified with smelting
works in MifBin and in Dodgeville, this county, he died in the latter village, in 1879. J. P. Cholvin, the
subject of this notice, remained with his father in this county until 1857, then he returned to St. Louis,
then learned the trade of boiler-maker ; he afterward, during the war of the rebellion, entered the ordnance
department of the Second Missouri Artillery, where he served until sometime in 1863; in 1864, he en-
gaged in the hardware business in Elizabeth, Jo Daviess Co., 111. Jan. 22, 1865, he married in Wood-
bine, that county. Miss Maggie, daughter of Patrick Malone, who was a pioneer settler, and an esteemed
citizen of long standing of Jo Daviess Co.; after their marriage, Mr. Cholvin and wife remained in Jo
Daviess Co., 111., until 1867, he a portion of the time being engaged in business in Hanover, a village in
that county; they came to Highland in 1867, making it their home since, he engaging in his present
business at that time, and, bv keeping only first-class goods in the hardware and tin departments of his
store, he has succeeded m building up a good trade. Their children are Constant, Daniel W., Francis J.
and Maggie. Mr. Cholvin has held the office of Village Clerk and Justice of the Peace ; of the latter
office, he is the present incumbent, and has held the position three years.
PATRICK DEL.ANE Y, farmer. Sec. 3 ; P. 0. Highland ; was born in Queen's Co., Ireland,
in the year 1812 ; he remained in his native country until 1843, then came to the Uuited States and set-
tled in Pottsville, Penn., where he lived about one year. He married, in the city of New York, Miss Julia
Foley. They came to the Northwest in 1844 ; resided in Rock Island, 111., until 1845, then removed to
New Diggings, Wis.; thence to Hazel Green, and from there to Highland, Iowa Co., in the autumn of 1846,
where they have resided since. Their children are — John, who married, in Highland, Miss S. Thompson —
they now live near Viola, Iowa ; Dennis, also resides near Viola, Iowa; Julia, wife of M. Brennan, of the
town of Eden, this county; William, now a resident of Eden, married Miss M. Brennan; Matthew; Pat-
rick, married, and now residing near Clayton, Wis.; Lucy Manning, of Eden ; James and Martin. Mr.
942 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Delaney's farm is finely improved and well located, contains 200 acres, and possesses many of the natural
advantages common to the southern portion of Wisconsin.
CHARLEIS EG AN, M. D., Highland ; was bom in 1848, in County Clare, Ireland ; in 1854,
he emigrated with his parents, John and Mary Egan, to Pittsfield, Mass. ; thence to Madison, Wis., in
1856, where they remained until 1866, when they removed to Mitchell Co., Iowa, where they now reside
in affluent circumstances. Dr. Egan was educated in the high schools and the State University at Madi-
son ; he began the study of medicine in the office of Dr. Harvey, a leading physician of Janesville, Wis.;
afterward attended a course of lectures in a medical hospital at New Orleans; then entered the Rush Med-
ical College, of Chicago, 111., from which he graduated in 1875 ; immediately afterward, he located in
Highland, where he has taken an advanced place in the practice of his profession, in which he is pre emi-
nently successful ; in 1876, he was appointed U. S. Examining Surgeon ; he is a member of the State Med-
ical Society, and was a delegate from that body to the American Medical Association, which convened at
Atlanta, Ga., in 1878. Dr. Egan was married in Highland to Miss Katie Kent; they have one child,
Walter.
JACOB FBCHT, proprietor of the Blackney House, Highland; was born in Potosi, Grant
Co., Wis., April 1, 1852. His parents, Nicholas and Dorothea Fecht, were pioneer settlers of that couaty,
and are now esteemed citizens of Highland, which town has been their home for a number of years. Mr.
Fecht married, in Highland, on the 16th of November, 1875, Miss Eliza Lampe, daughter of B. Henry
and Katrina Lampe, of Highland ; she was born in Highland. Mr. Fecht has been engaged in hotel-
keeping two years, and is very popular as a landlord. He is a member of the Highland Village Board of
Trustees, in which he has acted two years. Thus far, he has passed the most of his life in Highland, and
naturally takes an active interest in her local government and the promotion of her business interests.
SAMUEIj H. fitch, a resident of the Northwest for more than forty-three years, was born
in Orange Co., S. C, June 10, 1809 ; in 1815, he removed wich his parents from South Carolina to Smith
Co., Tenn., where he remained until 1837, then came to Wisconsin and engaged in lead mining in Potosi,
Grant Co.; in 1838, he was one of the party that founded Jacksonville, Grant Co., which burg was quite
a mining center for several year.i ; in 1839, he disposed of his interests in Jacksonville, and went to Du-
buque, Iowa ; there remaining about four years, at the end of which time he went to Elizabeth, Jo Daviess
Co., 111., where he remained only a few months; in about 1843, he moved to Mineral Point, Iowa Co.,
Wis.; removed thence to Dodgeville, and from the latter place to Highland in the year 1847, where he
has since resided. He married, in Highland, Miss Mary Kunz ; they have four children living — B. Frank-
lin. Mary J., Kittle C. and Samuel H. Mr. Fitch was first appointed Justice of the Peace by Gov.
Dodge, which position he held by appointment until it became an elective office, then was elected for a
number of years in succession. He was also Postmaster of Highland several years, and held the office of
Town Clerk some time.
IIICHAEIi FORD, farmer. Sec. 19; P. 0. Highland; was born in County Kilkenny, Ire-
land, in the year 1825 ; he came to this country in 1849, and married, in Chesterfield, Mass., Julia Cody ;
they came to Wisconsin in 1852, and settled in the town of Highland, which has been their home since ;
their children are John, now in Summit Co., Colo. ; Thomas, of this town (Highland) ; Margaret, wife of
Thomas Muldoon, of Highland ; Mary A., wife of James Aid, also of Highland ; Jane, Anna, Bridget and
Thomas. Mr. Ford is one of the leading farmers of the town of Highland ; he owns nearly 300 acres of
land, very desirably located and well improved.
JAMES G-EORGrE, Postmaster, Highland; was born in Cornwall, Eng., April 19, 1841 ; he
remained in Cornwall until the year 1860, in which year he came to this country, locating in Dodgeville,
Iowa Co., Wis., where he resided ten years. He married, in Dodgeville, Miss Hannah George ; they came
to Highland in 1870, and it has been their home since ; their children are Mary A., Ida B., Flora M. and
Joseph. Mr. George was elected Treasurer of the town of Highland for 1879, and re-elected for 1880 ;
he was appointed Postmaster Aug. 11, 1880, and discharges the duties of that office with efficiency; the
same is true of him in regard to the office of Town Treasurer.
PATRICK GRANT, a resident of the town of Highland since 1850 ; was born in County
Kilkenny, Ireland, in 1840 ; he came to Wisconsin with his parents, Thomas and Johanna Grant, in 1850.
He married in Highland, Miss Elizabeth Gunn; they have four children — Mary I., William, Adelia and
Isabel G. Mr. Grant is, at present writing. Chairman of Board of Supervisors, of Highland, a position he
has filled four years ; he was a member of the Side Board several years, and Town Treasurer three years ;
in all of those positions he gave entire satisfaction, discharging the duties of each with credit. Mr. Grant's
TOWN OF HIGHLAND 943
father died in 1874 ; his mother is still living, and is a resident of Highland. Mr. Grant's brothers, John
and David, have moved away from Wisconsin ; the former is in Lander City, W. T. ; the latter in Dubuque,
Iowa. Mrs. Grant's parents, John and Mary Gunn, came to Wisconsin in 1845, settling in the town of
Highland, where he died in 1861 ; she is still living ; iheir children are James, who, in the war of the
rebellion, was Captain of Co. G, 27th W. V. I. ; he now resides in Virginia City, Nev. ; William, now in
Central City, D. T. ; Isabel, wife of William Bambrick, of Georgetown, Colo. ; Isabel, wife of Patrick Grant,
whose name appears at the head of this sketch.
IjEWIS CjrUYON, deceased; was born in St. Louis, Mo., in 1825 ; at a very early age, he
removed with his parents, John and Amelia Guyon, to Gratint, Wis. ; thus, much of his early life was
spent amid the surroundings of pioneer life. In 1849, he married in MiiBin, Iowa Co., Wis., Miss Char-
lotte Tate ; she was born near Windsor, Canada, and removed with her parents to Warsaw, 111., in 1842,
thence to Mifflin in 1844, where she became acquainted with Mr. Guyon, and was married in the year as
before stated. During the war of the rebellion, Mr. Guyon enlisted in Co. G, of the 27th W. V. I. ; was
enrolled in August, 1862, and was in active service with the regiment all through in its series of engage-
ments on the Potomac ; the records show that he was a brave soldier. Mrs. Guyon's parents, William and
Ann Tate, are both dead ; they were old settlers and esteemed citizens of Mifflin, this county ; he was a
soldier in the war of 1812 ; of their children, four are living, viz., Susan, wife of A. Horsman, of Pree-
porf, 111. ; Clara, wife of George Ansley, of this town ; Mary E., now Mrs. George Dauphin. Mrs. Guyon
has been engaged in the millinery trade in Highland for seventeen years, and is doing an excellent busi-
ness ; she and her sister, Mrs. Dauphin, also have a millinery and notion store in Eden.
CHARIiES HARVEY, a leading citizen of Highland; was born in Cornwall, England; he
came to this country in 1847, locating in Hazel Green, Wis., there remaining until 1852, in which year, he
went to Nevada City, Cal., became engaged in mining, which he followed with good success until 1855,
then returned to Wisconsin, and made Hazel Green his home until 18fj0, when he went to Central City,
Colo., where he remained about one year, at the end of which, he returned to Wisconsin ; in 1864, he went
to Alena City, M. T., and there became possessor of paying mining interests, which he sold in 1866 ; came
back to Wisconsin, purchased a valuable farm near Benton, La Fayette Co., where he resided most of the
time, until his coming to Highland in 1878; in 1875, he engaged in buying zinc mineral for the Illinois
Zinc Company, of Peru, 111., a business he has since engaged in with more than ordinary success. Mr.
Harvey married in Cornwall, England, Mary Kamp ; their children are William H., now in Summit Co.,
Cal; rhomas J., in Silver City, Ark.; Mary A., wife of John C. Butterworth, of Highland; Vivian,
Joseph, Alfred, James and Elizabeth J., all of Highland.
ANTON IMHOFF. This old citizen of Highland is a native of Germany ; he was born
iu the Kingdom of Hanover Sept. 11, 1820; in his native country he learned the carpenter trade ; in 1841,
he came to America, and worked at his trade in New Orleans, La., and in Hamilton, Ohio, until the spring
of 1843, when he came West, to Galena, 111., there remaining one year, at the end of which time he came
to Highland, Iowa Co., Wis., where he has continued to reside since. He married in Galena, 111., Miss
Christine Burrichter; she was also a native of Hanover, Germany ; their children are Antoine, William,
Mary (now wife of Taylor Imhoif) ; Josephine (wife of Henry Neusbaum) ; Elizabeth (wife of Henry
Menke) ; Christine and Annie, all of whom reside in Highland and vicinity in affluent circumstances. Mr.
Imhoff is the possessor of large real estate and mining interests, owning over 600 acres of land, much of it
being rich in mineral deposits.
r> ANIELi JONES, one of the most extensive and successful farmers in the town of Highland,
is a native of Wales ; was born in Dembyshire, about thirty miles from Liverpool, England, Feb. 5, 1819.
In 1848, he came to America and located in Iowa Co., Wis., the same year, making it his home ever
since. In 1850, he married, in Hazel Green, Wis., Miss Elizabeth Roberts; she was also a native of
Wales, who came to Columbia Co., Wis., with her parents in an early day, becoming pioneer settlers of
that county. Mr. Jones and wife have been continual residents of the town of Highland since their mar-
riage. Their children are Thomas, who married Elizabeth Krammer, and is now a resident of the town
of Eden ; William, married Mary Johnson, and resides at Belmont Station ; John, Daniel, Robert, Charles,
Henry, Mary A., Jane and Clara, reside at home. Mr. Jones owns nearly 800 acres of land, much of
it being well located and improved. He has filled several local offices, including that of Town Super-
visor.
niCHAEli KASPER, of Highland, was born in Nassau, Germany, Sept. 12, 1839, where
he remained until 1866, when he came to the United States. He first located in Milwaukee, Wis., living
there until 1868, in the spring of which year he came to Highland, Iowa Co., Wis., and there married, in
y44 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
1869, Miss Mary Wenkes, a native of Hanover, Germany. They have six children— Mary A., Theresa,
Anna M., Josephine, Katie and Lena. Mr. Kasper has been engaged in business in ihe village of High-
land since 1874. He is an energetic citizen, and takes an active interest in everything tending to pro-
mote the various interests of the town and village of Highland.
RICHARD KEWNEDY, a prominent citizen and an active business man of the village of
Highland, Iowa Co., Wis., was born in Minersville, Schuylkill Co., Penn., Jan. 5, 1842; the following
year (1843) his parents came to La Fayette Co., Wis.; thence, to Highland in 1850, the subject of this
notice accompanying them. In early life, Mr. Kennedy received a liberal education. His school days
were scarcely passed when the war of the rebellion came on, in which he became one of the actors, by enlist-
ing in Company G, 27th W. V. I., in which he served as First Sergeant, and participated in the siege of
Vicksburg, and took an active part in all of the battles and skirmishes the regiment was in, up to Nov.
2, 1864, when he was wounded, while guarding a bridge on the Little Kock & Memphis Railroad. Hia
wounds were such as to unfit him for further service in the field, and led to an honorable discharge from
the service. In 1871, he was Town Treasurer and Collector, and, in 1880, was a member of the Wiscon-
sin Assembly, the duties of which position he discharged jfith signal ability, and entire satisfaction to his
constituents, and the people, in general. Mr. Kennedy married, in Mineral Point, Wis., Miss Emma
McCrady ; they have five children — Gracie, William M., Maimie, Thomas and Richard M. Mr. Ken-
nedy owns large mining interests in the town of Highland, and, also, is engaged in the drug business.
WILIilAM KIIVEAR, of Highland, who was born in Kings Co., Ireland, in the year 1842.
He came to this county in 1860; resided in the city of New York until 1868, then came to Wisconsin,
locating in the village of Highland, and, shortly afterward, engaged in the mercantile business, in which
he continued for several years. He married Susan Cary, of Highland; a most estimable woman, and,
for a number of years, a resident of Iowa Co.
R. H. KREUl/, of the mercantile firm of Kreul & Nondorf, Highland; was born in 1848 in
Westphalia, Germany; in 1851, his father, Bernard Kreul, came to this country, locating in Highland,
Iowa Co., Wis. ; the following year (1852), he sent for his family, then consisting of his wife and one son,
B. H. Kreul, who was the only child born to them in Germany ; they are still residents of Highland, and
are held in high esteem by a large circle of friends and neighbors; their children, born in Iowa Co., are
Mary, now M. Josepha, a Sister of Mercy at Roxbury, Dane Co., Wis. ; Katie, wife of B. Berneman ;
Rosina, wife of Albert Haschhoof ; Joseph and John, all residents of Highland, excepting Sister Josepha.
B. H. Kreul, whose name heads this sketch, is the oldest of the children ; he has been identified with the
business interests of the village of Highland since 1869, and has added much to the prosperity of the mer-
cantile interests of the village. He married in Highland, in October, 1 870, Miss Christine Potter ; she
was born in Highland in 1853 ; her father, Albert Potter (deceased), was an early settler of Iowa Co., and
well thought of by all ; after his death, her mother married John Nondorf (who is also now dead), father
of J. Nondorf, Mr. Kreul's present partner in business ; he was in the mercantile trade for several years
prior to his death, and was very successful, having the entire confidence of all. Mr. Kreul and wife are
members of the Catholic Church ; their children are John, Bernard, Mary, Stephen and Joseph. The
firm of Kreul & Nondorf carries a large stock of general merchandise, and are doing a large business.
ANTHOXY KROJLIi, of the firm of Kroll & Pierick, dealers in general merchandise. Dry
Bone ; was born in Germany in 1830 ; he came to the United States in 1856, locating the same year in
the town of Highland, Iowa Co., Wis., in which town the post village. Dry Bone, is located, of which he
has been Postmaster since 1878; he has been in the mercantile business since 1868. He married in
Potosi, Grant Co., Wis., Christine Nondorf, of Highland; they have six children— Lizzie, John, Katie,
Francis, Cynthia and Anthony.
R. H. liAlIPE, a leading merchant in the village of Highland ; was born near the city of Fre-
ren Kries Amt Lingen, Germany, Sept. 21, 1820, where he remained until his coming to this country in
1839; from 1840 until 1850, he lived in Galena, 111., and there married Miss Katrina Wulweber; in
1850, they came to the village of Highland, where she died May 21, 1875 ; she was a most exemplary
and Christian woman, highly esteemed by all ; their children are Mary, now the wife of Henry Imhoff, of
the town of Highland ; Theodore, now in Centreville ; Christine, wife of Garrett Vonder Haar, of West
Point, Lee Co., Iowa ; EHza, wife of Jacob Fecht, of the village of Highland ; Maggie, Rosa, W. Heory,
Annie and Stephen ; the younger children are all home. Mr. Lampe has been engaged in the mercantile
business in Highland since 1859, always having a prosperous trade. He has been Treasurer of the town
of Highland two terms, and four terms a member of the Village Board of Highland, serving as President
two of the terms. He is still actively engaged in the mercantile business, and has a lucrative trade.
TOWN OF HIGHLAND. 945
JDAVID McFARliAXD, a prominent and well-known citizen of Iowa Co., and a resident of
the town of Highland since 1846 ; is a native of Bovina, Delaware Co., N. Y. ; was born June 7, 1822 ;
he came to Wisconsin in 1846, and, as heretofore stated, has been a resident of the town of Highland
since ; in 1853, he carried the first mail from Highland to Richland Center, and continued in carrying the
mail on that route until it was discontinued in 1857. He has been repeatedly elected Chairman of the
Town Board of Supervisors, Justice of the Peace, Assessor and School Superintendent, and was a member
of the Board of '' Fund Commissioners " appointed by the County Board, in 1873, to settle the railway
indebtedness of Iowa Co. ; in 1863, he was a member of the Wisconsin Assembly, and in 1875 and 1876
was a member of the Senate. Mr. McFarland married, in 1847, Miss Eliza Johnston ; she was also a
native of Delaware Co., N. Y. ; they have four children — Eobert, Andrew, James H. and Margaret J.
Mr. McFarland is a farmer by occupation ; his home farm is desirably located a short distance northeast of
the village of Highland, and is well improved.
THOMAS MAQUIJRE, dealer in general merchandise, Highland ; was born in County Mon"
ahan, Ireland ; he came to this country in 1847, and to Highland, Iowa Co., Wis., in the spring of 1848;
and engaged in lead-mining; in 1854, he became possessed of mining interests, which he continued to
manage until August, 1862, when the war of the rebellion was assuming proportions of a magnitude that
made it necessary to again call on Wisconsin for more of her sons to follow those already in the field, and
were doing noble service in defense of the Union. Aug. 15, 1862, Mr. Maguire enlisted in Co. G., of
27th W. V. I., which was afterward assigned to the Eastern division, and did good service on the Poto-
mac, participating in numerous sieges and battles, in all of which Mr. Maguire was in active service ; he
went all through with the command, and was mustered out wir.h the regiment. He married in Highland ,
in 1879; maiden name of his wife was Rose A. MoBntee ; they have one child — Thomas F.; by a former
marriage, Mrs. Maguire has two children — Cassie and Maria Smith ; their father, Mrs. Maguire's first
husband (Patrick Smith), has been dead several years.
WILIilAM MANNIXG, farmer, Sec. 29 ; P. O. Highland ; is a native of County Kilkenny,
Ireland ; he came to the United States in 1841, and, in 1842, settled in the town of Highland, Iowa Co.,
Wis. In 1853, he went to Placerville, Cal., there remaining nearly two years, at the end of which he
returned to Highland, where he has resided since. Mr. Manning has been married twice ; first in Buffalo.
N. Y., to Rachel Powers; she died in Ilighland; his present wife was Katie GriflSn ; their children are
Mary, Bridget, Lucy, Andrew, William, Dennis, Katie and Judea. Mr. Manning owns a valuable farm
of 340 acres ; with the exception of the two years he spent in California, Mr. Manning has been a contin-
ual resident of the town of Highland; he is one of the oldest settlers of the town now living, and has a
vivid recollection of the early history of Iowa County.
MARTIX PHELiAlV, an old resident of the village of Highland, Iowa Co., Wis.; was born
in County Kilkenny, Ireland, in the year 1825 ; in 1847, he came to America, locating in the town of
Highland the same year, where he remained until 1851 ; then, hearing the glowing reports of California,
he determined to try his luck in that El Dorado of the Pacific Slope ; he crossed the plains with a company
of others, arrived in California safely, and followed mining, principally in El Dorado Co., for eight years, at
the end of which time he returned to Wisconsin, and lived in the town of Highland until August, 1862,
when he enlisted as a private in Co. G, 27th W. V. I.; was commissioned Sergeant Oct. 22 of the same
jear, and was in active service all through, participating in every battle and siege his command was in ;
he was honorably discharged, came back to Highland, which has been his home since, and where he owns
large mining interests. John Phelan, a brother of the subject of this, came to Wisconsin in 1848, resid-
ing in Highland until 1852, when he started for California, but never reached his destination ; death
overtook him on the way, and his remains rest on the North Platte, about seventy miles from Fort Lar-
amie ; he was a genial comrade, and had many warm friends.
HERMAJV PIERICK, of the firm of Kroll & Pierick, dealers in general merchandise. Dry
Bone ; was born in Germany in the year 1840 ; he came to this country in 1868, and has been a resident
and business man in the town of Highland since. He married, in the village of Highland, Katie Non-
•dorf ; they have five children— Anthony, Herman, Albert, John and Mary.
_ REV. VALEWTIIirE RADEMACHER, Pastor of St. John's Church, Highland, is a
native of Prussia; was born in Posen June 12, 1836. He was educated at the universities at Posen and
Munster, in his native country, and in the university in Paris, France. He was ordained in Posen in
December, 1861 ; afterward, he was professor in a theological seminary at Krakau for five years. In 1866,
he came to America, and immediately was given pastoral charge of St. Henry, Parish of New Orleans,
946 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
where he continued six years, at the end of which time he returned to the land of his nativity for a short
time, when he again came to this country. His first pastoral duties were in Jefferson, Wis., where he
remained two years; then was changed to Berlin; afterward to Theresa; thence, to Muscoda ; from the
latter place he was transferred to Highland in August, 1877. In all these places. Rev. Rademaoher
labored earnestly among his people, and with good success. In Highland, his church has a large member-
ship, and exerts an extensive religious influence on the community.
BERSTARD TERIVES, attorney at law and Notary Public, Highland; was born in Nieder-
donwen, Luxemburg, in 1850 ; was educated in the normal school of his native country, and, in 1868, he
came to America. After his coming, he followed teaching school for a short time in Muscoda and in
Mineral Point, Wis. ; afterward, entered the Pio Nono College, at St. Francis Station, near Milwaukne,
from which he graduated in 1871 ; he then engaged in teaching school in various places in Illinois, until
1875, in the meantime, reading law. In 1876, he commenced giving his whole attention to the latter,
and was admitted to the practice thereof in October, 1878, immediately locating in Highland, where he is
meeting with good success and practice. Mr. Ternes speaks the English, German, French and Latin
languages with fluency. He represents the village of Highland in the County Board, and takes an active
part in public affairs.
REV. STEPHEN TRAIVT, Pastor of St. Phillip's Church, Highland, was born in Kenosha,
Wis., Dec. 26, 1844. At a very early age he displayed an earnest desire for knowledge, and a perseverance in
its pursuit that stops at no trifling obstacle. He subsequently entered the Seminary of St. Francis of
Sales, an ecclesiastical school at St. Francis Station, near Milwaukee, where he was ordained Dec. 19,
1868, to the priesthood by Archbishop Henni, of Milwaukee. June 27, 1869, he began his ministry of
St. Phillip's Church, Highland, where he has since continued, having the esteem and confidence of the
church and community. His pastorate has been marked in an unusual degree of success. During the
first years of his administration, he found the building too small to accommodate his increasing congregation.
So, in 1871, he had erected, at a cost of $18,000, the present church edifice, which is a tine stone structure,
built on the Grothio plan, and capable of comfortably seating five hundred persons. Rev. Trant is untiring
in his devotion to the interests of his church and the community, and, under his superin tendency, much
has been effected that has proved of the utmost benefit to his church.
WILLIAM H. IJXDERWOOD, farmer; P. 0. Highland; was born in Pulaski, Iowa
Co., Wis. His father, Madison Underwood, was a native of Delaware Co., New York, and a son of Parker
C. Underwood, who came to the Northwest in 1834, and is now an esteemed citizen of the town of Pu-
laski, this county. Madison Underwood married, in this (Iowa) county. Miss Charity (daughter of Will-
iam Booth, who was an active participant in the Black Hawk war, after >Tard was one of the first settlers
of Pulaski, this county, and, during the war of the rebellion, was in active service in the Union army).
She is still living, and resides in affluent circumstances on the homestead, a short distance northeast of the
village of Highland ; her husband, Madison Underwood, died in 1879 ; he was active in defense of the
Union in the late war, and was held in high esteem by his fellow-men. Their children are William H.
(whose name heads this sketch) and Mary J.
THOIflAS WALL, farmer, Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Highland; was born in County Kilkenny, Ire-
land, in the year 1826 ; in 1848, he came to America, locating in the town of Highland, Iowa Co., Wis.,
in the same year. He married, in the village of Highland, Miss Ellen Kent; their children are Ann
(now the wife of Philip Powers), John (now in Colorado ; he married, in Highland, Miss Ellen CuUen),
Robert (now at St. Francis of Sales, an ecclesiastical school near Milwaukee), Thomas (proprietor of har-
ness-shop in the village of Highland), Katie and Walter (at home). Mr. Wall owns 200 acres of land,
desirably located and well improved.
THOMAS F. WALL, manufacturer and dealer in harness supplies. Highland; was born in
the town of Highland, Iowa Co., Wis., Nov. 12, 1860. He lea,rned harness-making in Dodgeville. In
June, 1879, he established in the manufacture of harness in the village of Highland, and, by close atten-
tion to business and excellent workmanship, he has succeeded in building up a good trade, which is con-
stantly increasing. He always has on hand a good stock of light and heavy harness, as well as a large
stock of supplies, consisting of bridles, collars, blankets, whips, etc. Mr. Wall also gives prompt atten-
tion to repairing. He warrants all work of his make.
THOMAS B. WALLACE, farmer. Sec, 3 ; P. 0. Highland ; was born in County Kil-
kenny, Ireland, in the year 1807. He married, in his native county. Miss Margaret K. Ley ; they came
to the United States in 1845, and resided in Cincinnati, Ohio, and in St. James Parish, La., until
TOWN OF PULASKI. 947
their coming to the town of Highland, Iowa Co., Wis., in 1847, which has been their home since. Their
children are Margaret (who is now the wife of P. P. Herbert, Colorado), Mary (wife of John Dennis, of
Mineral Point, Wis.), John, Bridget, Lizzie and Thomas. Since his coming to Wisconsin, Mr. Wallace
has been chiefly engaged in farming and mining, in which he has met with fair success and is now in com-
fortable circumstances.
TOWN OF PULASKI.
JOHIV BAR]NABD, retired merchant, Avoea; was born in Paris, Ky., March 5, 1805. In
1828, he married, in St. Charles Co., Mo., Miss Nancy Baldridge, a native of that county, born in 1811.
Her parents, Daniel Baldridge and Christine HoiFman, were the first couple married under American
laws in Missouri. After their marriage, Mr. Barnard and wife remained in St. Chailes Co. until 1844 ;
they then came to Wisconsin, locating in the village of Highland, Iowa Co.; from there they went to
Arena, in 1847, where he engaged in the mercantile business, and also dealt in grain and stock until
1866; then removed to Avoca, and there he continued his former business until about six years ago,
when he retired with a full competence, having met with more than ordinary success throughout his long
business career. They are now passing their declining years amidst that peace and plenty which a well-
spent life alone insures. Their children are Sophronia, now Mrs. McFarland ; her husband, Andrew
McFarland, is deceased ; Lovisa, wife of Gr. C. Meggs, a retired merchant of Arena ; he was twice Sheriff
of Iowa Co. and once Treasurer; Mary, wife of E. P. Robinson, of the town of Eden ; Henry C, now
a commission merchant in Milwaukee, was twice a member of the Wisconsin Assembly, and filled vari-
ous local offices in the village of Avoca; Eliza, wife of Leman Bartlett, a commission merchant in Mil-
waukee; John T., farmer and stock-dealer, Spring Green, Wis.; James J., of this town, who was for
several years a partner in business with his father ; Grrace, wife of H. E. Lindsay, a physician at
Whitewater, Wis.; Zachariah T., who is engaged in mercantile business in Arena, this county. Mr.
Barnard has held various local offices, and is a public-spirited and enterprising citizen.
MINOR BENXETT, farmer; P. 0. Avoca; was born in Delaware Co., Ohio, May 16, 1819,
where he remained until the year 1839 ; then came to the Northwest and followed mining in Jo Daviess
Co., 111., and in Iowa and Grant Cos., Wis., about three years, at the end of which time he returned to
his native county. In the spring of 1844, he again came to Wisconsin, and located in the town of
Pulaski, Iowa Co., and married there, in the following year (1845), Miss Maria Heath ; she was born in
Medina Co., Ohio ; her father, Dr. John A. Heath, was one of the first settlers of La Salle Co., 111., from
which county he came to Pulaski, Iowa Co., Wis., in its early history, where he resided several years, engaged
in the practice of medicine. Since their marriage, Mr. Bennett and wife have been continual residents of
the town of Pulaski, and are now in aflSuent circumstances, owning over 400 acres of land. Their home
farm is pleasantly located a short distance east of the village of Avoca, and is finely improved. Their
children are Elijah, who married Adelaide Thurber ; John B., married Lillis Buchanan ; she died in
1880 ; George L., married Clara Thurber ; Fred W.; Rachel, wife of D. H. Ryan ; all are residents of
Pulaski, excepting Fred W., who is now in Kansas. Mr. Bennett has been elected to several offices in the
town of Pulaski, including those of Town Supervisor and Treasurer ; has filled the former office about
twelve years. His father, Elijah Bennett, died in Pulaski ; he was a soldier in the United States Army
jn the war of 1812.
H. P. DIETRICH, a'leading citizen of Avoca; was born in St. Joseph Co., Mich., Nov. 11,
1835 ; he was educated in common schools in his native county, and at Cedar Park University, School-
craft, Mich., and the New Columbus Academy, Luzerne Co., Penn.; in 1855, he commenced teaching in
Columbia Co., Penn., and since that time, has taught school in three other States, Michigan, Missouri and
Wisconsin, for a period extending over twenty years ; in the autumn of 1860, he came to Mifflin, Iowa
Co., Wis., teaching the school at that village two terms, then went to Michigan and taught in Kalamazoo
Co., a county he had spent a great part of his early life in, until 1862 ; then returned to Mifflin, marrying
there on the 24th of October of the same year, Miss Lydia Patefield ; she was born near Macclesfield,
Cheshire Co., England, June 7, 1841 ; after their marriage, they remained in Mifflin until 1868, when
they removed to the town of Linden, there remaining until 1872, in which year he engaged in the mer-
cantile business in Mifflin ; in October, 1873, they came to Avoca, which has been their home since.
They have four children — Amanda R., born April 25, 1865; Hervey W., March 28, 1867; George E.
948 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
March 29, 1870 ; and Charles H., Oct. 4, 1874. In May, 1874, Mr. Dietrich was appointed Village
Clerk of Avooa, and was elected Town Clerk of Pulaski in 1870 ; both those positions he has been con-
secutively returned to since, and has discharged the duties pertaining to them, to the entire satisfaction
of all.
W. S. DllIOCK, Sec. 16 ; P. 0. Avoca ; this gentleman, a leading farmer of the town of Pu-
laski, a native of Susquehanna Co., Penn., was born March 24, 1819 ; in 1855, he came West, settling
in the town of Pulaski, Iowa Co., Wis., and since that time, has bean eminently identified with the official
history of the town, being Chairman of the Board of Supervisors from 1871 to 1878, inclusive, and Town
Assessor from 1860 until 1870, inclusive. Mr. Dimock has been twice married, his first wife, Julia A.
McKune, he married in his native county ; she died in the town of Pulaski, leaving one child, Ella, who
is now the wife of Charles T. Rudolph, of Wingville, Wis.; his present wife was Lucy J. Munson, a
native of Susquehanna Co., Penn.; they have five children — Warren, Harry, Minnie, Asa B. and Bertha
R. Mr. Dimock's farm is desirably located, and contains nearly 500 acres.
VINCENT DZIEWANOWSiiKI, Sees. 32 and 23: P. 0. Avoca; was born in Pedolia,
Poland, April 5, 1804 ; his parents were of the first families, and were of high rank ; at the age of 16, he
entered the cadet service, and in the uprising of the Poles for freedom in 1832, he took a distinguished
part on several battle-fields in their cause, and was promoted to the rank of Major for meritorious services
rendered the Polish Government ; the efforts of the Poles to obtain freedom proving futile, he had to flee
his native country ; escaping to Vienna, Austria, he was assisted by the court of that country in a manner
which enabled him to reach America ; he arrived in the city of New York in 1834 ; then for a few years he
was in several cities of the United States ; in 1837, he came to Musooda, Wis., and, in 1838, made a claim and
settled in what is now the town of Pulaski, thus becoming the first actual settler of that town, which has been
his home since Feb. 7, 1843. He married at Walnut Grove, Wis., Miss Mary J. McKowan ; she was born
near Martinsburg, Va., Nov. 10, 1810 ; her father was a leading merchant in Pittsburgh for a number of
years, and, in 1840, removed to Davenport, Iowa, continuing in the mercantile business there; he died
Oct. 16, 1861 ; he was a member of the old settlers' association at Davenport, and was highly esteemed by
all. The marriage ceremony took place at the house of Charles Bracken, Esq., an uncle of the bride ; he
was a pioneer in the Northwest ; had been a soldier in the Black Hawk war, and was a General by brevet.
Since their marriage, Mr. Dziewanouski and wife have been continual residents of the town of Pulaski,
and are old and esteemed citizens. Their children are Mikolay, who served four years in the Sixth Wis-
consin Battery in the war of the rebellion ; he married J. Elizabeth Wood ; they are residents of this town ;
<3-ilbert, who married Mary Stanley, daughter of Dr. Stanley, a pioneer physician of Mifflin, this county ;
Mary E., wife of F. E. Walbridge, a leading physician at Wanpaca Co., Wis. Mr. Dziewanowski owns
over 300 hundred acres of land ; Mikolay, the first of the children above named, was the first white male
child born in the town of Pulaski. Mr. Dziewanouski entered the first land, and did the improving in
the town ; therefore it will be seen that he has been identified with the history of Pulaski from its infancy
to the present time.
MA J. GEORGE R. FRANK, Sec. 8; P. 0. Musooda. A history purporting to give
biographical sketches of many of the leading citizens of Iowa Co. would be incomplete without honorable
mention of Maj. Frank. He was born in the town of Gray, Cumberland Co., Me., May 2, 1824. In
early life he enjoyed good educational advantages, which he improved, qualifying himself for teaching
school, a vocation which he was engaged in, principally in La Payette and Grant Cos , Wis., for a number
of years. Many of his former pupils are now occupying leading positions in various departments of life.
Maj. Frank has been a resident of Wisconsin since 1847. During the war of the rebellion, he took an
active part in raising Co. B, 33d W. V. I., and was commissioned Captain Aug. 16, 1862, and partici-
pated in twenty battles, including those of Spanish Fort, Mobile Bay, Nashville, Tupelo, and several on the
Red River expedition. At Spanish Fort, he was wounded. In February, 1865, he was promoted to Major
of the 33d W. V. I., and served in that position until the close of the war. Maj. Frank has held various
offices of trust; he was U. S. Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue two years, also Assistant Assessor of
Internal Revenue two years, and has several times filled town offices. In 1848, he married in the town of
Hairrson, Grant Co., Wis., Miss Matilda Price. She was born near New Harmony, Ind., and came to
Wisconsin with her parents, Zachariah and Elizabeth Price, in 1836 ; they settled in the town of Harri-
son, Grant Co., thus becoming pioneer settlers. They removed to Mankato, Minn., where they now live.
In 1870, Maj. Frank and wife moved from Grant Co. to where they now live. Their children are Al-
pheus E., now an attorney-at-law at Deadwood, Dak. ; Charles E., a broker in Virginia City, Nev. ; Flor-
ence C, wife of Charles J. McKittrick, a merchant of Muscoda ; Miss Naomi E., William E., George E.,
and Fred E. Maj. Frank owns nearly 500 acres of land.
TOWN OF PULASKI. 949
CHARliES H. FROST, of the firm of Frost Bros., dealers in general merchandise, Avoca;
"was born in Erie Co., Penn., Jan. 16, 1840. He came to the town of Cli'de, Iowa Co., Wis., with his
parents, in 1848, and in that town was, for a number of years, largely interested in milling and farming.
In 1862, he enlisted in Co. A, 31st W. V. I. ; was in active service, and was with Sherman in his march
to the sea ; he was honorably discharged at the close of the war. In the town of Clyde, he was elected to
various oflSees, including those of Town Supervisor and Clerk, positions he filled several terms. He mar-
ried in the town of Clyde, Francis L. Kinzie. They have one daughter — Nellie. Mr. Frost is an ener-
getic business man ; is held in high esteem as a citizen, and is deservedly very popular.
JOSEPH A. FROST, of the firm of Frost Bros., leading dealers in general merchandise,
Avoca ; was born in Erie Co., Penn., in 1838. In 1848, he removed with his parents to the town of
■Clyde, Iowa Co., Wis., where he remained until 1860, in which year he engaged in grain dealing in
Avoca, and in about 1876, opened a general store, well stocked with merchandise. In 1880, his brother,
Charles H. Frost, became a partner in the business with him, and they are having a large and constantly
increasing trade. In 1867, he represented Iowa Co., First District, in the Wisconsin Assembly, discharg-
ing the duties of that office with signal ability. He has. been twice married ; his first wife, Mary Kinzie,
died in 1868; his present wife was Jennie L. Kinzie ; they have one child, a daughter, living — Frances
F. Mr. Frost has been closely identified with the business interests of Avoca for twenty years, and has
done much toward the building-up and improving of the village, and in sustaining the local enterprises.
AUOUSTUS <jrROTE, furniture dealer, Avoca; was born in Westphalia, Prussia, Jan. 1,
1 828 ; he remained in Westphalia until he was 20 years of age ; then came to this country and engaged
in cabinet-making in Galena, 111., for eight years ; he had learned the trade with his father, who was a
large dealer in furniture and lumber in Westphalia. In 1853, he married, in Quincy, 111., Miss Margaret
Hense ; she was also a native of Westphalia, born in 1831 ; after their marriage, they lived in Quincy a
short time ; then removed to Galena, 111., where he engaged in business on his own account ; from Galena,
they went to Lyons, Iowa, and was in the furniture trade there two years ; they then came to Avoca,
which has been their home since ; Mr. Grote was the first to engage in furniture dealing in Avoca, and
has continued in it, with fair success, in that village now for several years. Their children are Elizabeth
{now wife of F. Thies, of Denver, Colo.), Matilda (wife of F. H. Dimock, of Prairie du Chien, Wis.),
Josephine, Prank H., Albert W. and Agusta. Mr. Grote has been Chairman of the Pulaski Town Board
of Supervisors several terms, and has also been President of the Avoca Board of Village Trustees, Justice
of the Peace, and has held other offices of trust.
ROBERT H. KINZIE, one of the successful merchants of Avoca, was born in Racine,
Wis., in 1840 ; in early life, he received a liberal education in the schools at Racine ; in 1851, he removed
to the town of Clyde, Iowa Co., Wis., where he engaged in farming and milling for several years ; in 1872,
engaged in the grain trade in Avoca, continuiug in it about three years ; then engaged in the mercantile
business, in which, with the exception of a shore time, he has been engaged since. During the time he
was a resident of the town of Clyde, he was elected to various town offices ; in this town (Pulaski) he was
Assessor from 1871 until 1879 — eight years; was Chairman of the Town Board of Supervisors in 1876,
and was one of the Board of Avoca Village Trustees four years, and Village Treasurer in 1876 ; in 1877,
he represented the First District, composed of the towns Arena, Clyde, Dodgeville, Highland, Ridgeway
and Wyoming, in the Wisconsin Assembly, discharging the duties of that office with credit to himself
and satisfaction to his constituents. Mr. Kenzie married, in the town of Clyde, Miss Charlotte Frost ;
they have three children — James N., Charles H. and Leone Mabel. His father, James Kinzie, a native
of Detroit, Mich., born in 1793, was prominently identified with the early history of Chicago, being one
of the first settlers, and erecting the first house in that now great metropolis of the Northwest ; he removed
to Racine in 1837 ; was connected with the early growth of that city ; in 1851, he came to Clyde, this
county, where he died in 1869, highly respected and esteemed by all.
DANIEL LiEACH, farmer, Sec. 16; P. 0. Avoca; was born in Providence, R. L, in 1829;
in 1842, he came to Wisconsin with his parents, Oliver and Susan Leach, settling in the town of Pulaski,
Iowa Co., Wis., where he has resided the greater part of the time since. In 1854, he married Miss Mary
Sanford. They have seven children — William R., Daniel W., Franklin T., Mary E., Anna N., Frances I.
and Susan E. During the war of the rebellion, Mr. Leach enlisted in Co. K, 33d W. V. I., and was in
active service two years. His farm contains 200 acres, and is well improved. Politically, Mr. Leach acts
■with the Republican party. He has filled various local offices in the town of Clyde, including that of
District School Treasurer, which he has held a number of years.
950 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
OlilVER liEACH, P. 0. Avoca; was born in Ehode Island in 1791 ; in 1842, he came to.
Wisconsin, locating in the town of Pulaski, Iowa Co., Wis., thus becoming a pioneer settler of that town.
In Khode Island he was commissioned Colonel of a regiment of State militia, a position he filled for several
years. Col. Leaoh has been twice married. His first wife was Susan Kniaht; she died in Pulaski. Their
children now living are — Henry, now in Barron Co., Wis. ; Daniel, a leading farmer of this town, who
was in the service in the late war; Nemiah K., of Avoca; Susan, now wife of C^harles Booth, of Mason
City, Iowa. The maiden name of Col. Leach's present wife was Lizzie Andrews. Her first husband,
Edward Searl, died in Rhode Island. Of their children, two served in the Union army, during the war
of the rebellion — Edward and Jeremiah; both are now dead. Col. Leach owns 100 acres of land. He
is the oldest man now residing in the town of Pulaski.
J. P. McCALililSTER, a successful business man of Avoca since 1866, was born in Put-
nam Co., Ohio, May 20, 1841 . In 1852, he removed with his parents to the town of Pulaski, Iowa Co., Wis.
In early life he learned the tinner's trade, and worked at it in various States in the Northwest for several
years. In 1866, he engaged in the hardware trade in Avoca, which he continued in until 1876, in whiob
year he engaged in general merchandising, in which he is now doing an excellent business. He married
in Avoca, Miss Elizabeth Adnay ; they have three children — Mary M., George H. and Harry A. Mr.
McCallister is a member of the village Board of Trustees, a position he has filled for several years ; he has.
also represented the village in the County Board many terms. He takes an active interest in the local
affairs of the village, and gives encouragement to every beneficial enterprise.
NELSON McCAIililSTEK, farmer; P. 0. Avoca; was born in Pittsburgh, Penn., Jan.
19, 1810. While in his boyhood, his parents moved to Washington, Penn., thence to Jefferson Co.,.
Ohio, where he remained till 1829, then went, to Crawford, Co., Ohio, marrying there, on
the 6th of May, the same year (1829), Miss Mary Johnson, a native of Harrison Co., Ohio,
born Oct. 8. 1808. In about 1836, they removed to Putnam Co., Ohio, and from that
county came to Wisconsin in 1850, settling in the town of Pulaski, almost immediately after, where they
have since lived, highly esteemed citizens. Their children are Angeline, now Mrs. Ferris, of Avoca ;
Ellen died in Ohio; James, killed by runaway team, in 1871 ; Desberry J., now in Cerro Gordo Co.,
Iowa, married in Musooda, Wis., Ellen Moore. In the war of the rebellion he served in the 14th W. V.
I.; Richard C, now in Avoca, was three years in the service; h,e married Aurora Thurber, of this town j
John P., a merchant in Avoca ; he married Elizabeth Adnay ; Nelson A., served three years in the 33d W..
V. I. ; he is a dealer in hardware in Muscoda, Wis. ; Milton E., lives in Avoca; Earl S., lives in Elgin,
111. ; he married in Chicago, Mary Smith ; Alonzo, now in the hardware business in Herman, Dakota,^
married Robertine Dimmock, of this town. Mr. McCallister owns a valuable farm of 240 acres of land..
Himself and wife are members of the Cnngregational Church, at Muscoda. He takes quite an interest
in religious and educational mat'ers, and has filled various school offices.
€r. F. MASON, dealer in general merchandise, Avoca ; is a native of Canton Schaffhausen,
Switzerland; was born Nov. 9, 1832 ; he came to the United States in 1848. In 1857, he married in
Galena, 111., Miss Anna M. Yenny; in 1858, they moved to the village of Highland, Iowa Co.,Wis., and fhence
to Avoca in 1862 ; they have two children — Fred W. and Ferrena. Mr. Mason has been engaged in the
mercantile business in Avoca since 1862, and has met with more than ordinary success ; he is a good manager,
and has succeeded in accumulating a large amount of property, being the possessor of considerable real
estate in Iowa Co. He was Town Clerk of Pulaski in 1871, 1872 and 1873 ; President of the village of
Avoca in 1872, and Chairman of the Pulaski Town Board of Supervisors in 1879 and 1880; in the latter
position, he makes a most efficient guardian of the interests of the tax-payers.
THOMAS J. MORE Y, farmer, See. 14 ; P. 0. Avoca. This gentleman, a pioneer settler of
Wisconsin, was born in Genesee Co., N. Y. He married, in his native county, Maria Sherman ; they
came to La Fayette Co., Wis., in 1841, remaining there until 1845; then came to this town (Pulaski),^
which has been their home since; their oldest son, Hiram M., during the war of the rebellion, served in
the 6th Wisconsin Battery ; was severely wounded in the side at Corinth, from the effects of which he
has never fully recovered ; their second eldest son, William H., served in Co. A, 33d W. V. I., for three
years ; he married, in Avoca, Ella Lucas ; they moved to Dakota in 1879 ; third son, Benjamin A., is in
West Bend, Iowa ; the youngest son, Charles B., is engaged in farming in this town ; Matilda, their eld-
est daughter, resides at home ; Henrietta, second eldest daughter, is the wife of F. M. Scheble, of Rock
Co., Minn. Mr. Morey owns 113 acres of land, pleasantly located, a short distance southwest of the vil-
lage of Avoca ; he has a vivid recollection of early times in Wisconsin, and, in common with other early-
settlers, has witnessed and endured many privations which follow the settlement of a new country.
TOWN OF PULASKI. 951
liOUIS MOSO, farmer, Sec. 14; P. 0. Avoca ; was born in Montreal, Canada, in 1823, where
he remained until he was in his 14th year ; he then went to Buffalo, N. Y., thence to Detroit, Mich., and
from there to Sandusky, Ohio ; there remained about eight years. While in Sandusky, he married
Soprano Hibert ; they came to the town of Linden, Iowa Co., Wis., in 1849 ; settled on a farm, improved,
then sold it, and moved to Kichland Co., Wis., there being only one house in Richland Center at that
time, and the country surrounding it was a wilderness; in Richland Co., they purchased and improved
another farm, on which they lived for several years ; she died in Richland Co., leaving six children, viz.,
Lucy, who is now the wife of Peter Rice, of Muscoda, Wis. ; Louis, now in Iowa; Augustus, Frances E.,
Soprano and Dulcina. Mr. Moso came to Pulaski about 1866 ; his present wife, whose maiden name was
Josephine Euclaire, he married in Richland Co., Wis. ; her first husband, L. Davis, died in Richland Co.
Mr. Moso owns a well-improved farm of 140 acres, located a short distance southwest of Avoca.
SAMlJEIi PARKS, Postmaster, Avoca; was born in Malta, Saratoga Co., N. Y., Sept. 23,
1819 ; was educated at the common schools, and at the academy at Waterford, N. Y. ; in 1848, he went
to Michigan, thence to Warren, 111., in 1849, and followed teaching school there and at Gratiot, Wis., for
about five years ; then went to Minnesota, becoming one of the original owners of the village of Paynes-
ville, Stearns Co., platted it, and was largely interested in many of her industries, and identified with the
interests of the county oflScially and otherwise; in 1862, he came to Avoca; a few years afterward, he was
elected Superintendent of Schools for Iowa Co., a position he filled six consecutive years, laboring assidu-
ously for the advancement of the educational interests, and, therefore, making a very efficient officer ; in
June, 1878, he was appointed Postmaster, and is the present incumbent of that office. He married, in
Avoea, Elizabeth Lucas ; they are members of the Congregational Church. Mr. P. is at the present writ-
ing Village Treasurer of Avoca, and has filled various other local offices in the village.
P. F. QUIIVIV, attorney at law, Avoca ; he was born in Lowell, Mass., in 1854. In 1866, he
came to Avoca, Iowa Co., Wis., with his parents ; was educated in the schools of Avoca and in the State
University at Madison ; afterward studied law, and was admitted to the practice thereof in April, 1880.
Mr. Quinn is a young man of fine ability, possessed of much energy, and is fast making for himself a repu-
tation of merit in his chosen profession, in which he has met with more than ordinary success thus far.
OliE ROBERtjT, merchant tailor, Avoca ; was born in Christians Amt, Norway, Sept. 20,
1825. In 1865, he came to the United States; located in Chicago, 111., and followed merchant tailoring
there until hjs coming to Avoca, Wis., in 1871, where he has continued in the business since. Mr. Roberg
has been twice married ; his first wife, Karen H. Hangrud, died in Norway ; his present wife, Inger M.
Falde, he married in La Fayette Co., Wis. His daughter Olinia, is now the wife of H. A. Hampton, of
this town. Mr. Roberg has been a member of the Village Board of Trustees, Avoca, since 1877, inclu-
sive. He carries a good stock of goods, does good work, and, therefore, has a large trade.
HEIVRY SIEGER, farmer. Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Avoca ; was born in the Rhine Province, Prussiii,
Oct. 7, 1837, where he remained until 1849, in which year he came to this country, with
his parents (Riener and , Margaret Sieger), settling in the town of Prairie du Sac, Sauk Co.,
Wis., they afterward moved to La Crosse, where they died ; he remained in Sauk Co. until
1860. In 1861, he came Pulaski, Iowa Co., where he has since resided. He married, in Sauk City, Wi.s.,
Miss Frances Wanik ; they have three children — Conrad, Joseph and John. Mr. Sieger owns a well
located and improved farm of 230 acres. He is a thorough farmer, and is well to do in this world's goods.
N. H. SXOW, depot agent, also dealer in zinc mineral, Avoca; was born in Worcester Co.,
Mass., in 1848. In 18.58, he removed to Avoca, Iowa (yO., Wis., with his parents, where he now resides ;
has been in the employ of the railroad company, and engaged in dealing in zinc mineral, for several years.
He married, in La Fayette, Ind., Miss Mary A. Simpson ; they have two children — Homer and Charles.
Mr. Snow is the present incumbent of the office of Treasurer for the town of Pulaski. He takes an
active part in advancing the business enterprise of Avoca, adding much to the shipping interests himself
SAMUEL SWISTEHART, farmer ; P. 0. Avoca. This gentleman has been a resident of
Wisconsin for more than thirty-seven years, and closely identified with the early history of the town of
Rockbridge, Richland Co., Wis., of which town he was the first settler, and made many of the first im-
provements; was born in Circleville, Pickaway Co., Ohio, Sept. 15, 1823. In 1843, he came to Wiscon-
sin, and, in 1844, built a saw-mill, the first in Richland Co., on the Pine River, and cleared the river from
Rockbridge to the Wisconsin River, which involved a vast amount of expense and labor, so that he might
float rafts from thatriver tohis mill. He also laid out and cleared many ofthe first wagon roadsin the county.
This, in itself was a great inducement to men looking for homes in those days to settle, and a great many,
952 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
encouraged by those few improvements, which looked vast in those days, did locate, and are to-day among
the wealthiest and most enterprising families of Eichland Co. In 1846, Mr. Swinehart was an active
participant in the so called Indian war of that year, which ended, however, without much bloodshed, and
that all Indian blood. In 1848, he married, in this town (Pulaski), Tabitha H., a daughter of William S.
and Elizabeth Booth, old settlers of Sangamon Co., 111. Mr. Booth took an active part in the Black Hawk
war; afterward receiving a Captain's commission. In 1834, he removed to Wingville, Iowa Co., Wis. ;'
in 1836, to Muscoda, Grant Co.; thence, to Booth's Hollow, this town, in 1842, where he lived at the
breaking-out of the war of the rebellion, when he entered a Wisconsin regiment during the war in
active service. In 1874, he moved to Palo Alto, Iowa Co., where he died in 1877. His wife is still
living, and is now in the 75th year of her age. After their marriage, Mr. Swinehart and wife resided in
Rockbridge, Richland Co., about two years ; they then removed to this town, which has been their home since.
Their children are Charles M. (who married Dakota Walbridge, of this town), William H. (who mar-
ried Rhoda Ciine), Fannie (wife of J. 1\ Roberts), Emma, Lydia, George B., Sammy W. and Edna. Mr,
Swinehart owns largo real estate interests in this county and in Clay Co., Kar. For a number of years
he was deeply interested in lumbering in the north part of Wisconsin, and was a heavy dealer. He was
a member of the Town Board of Supervisors in 1861-62, and 1880, and was Assessor in 1864.
O. P. UNDERWOOD, Avoca. This representative gentleman was born in Roxbury,- Dela-
ware Co., N. Y., August 23, 1826. In early life, he attended the schools of his native county, receiving
a liberal education. In 1845, hearing glowing reports of the Territory of Wisconsin, and of the many advan-
tages it possessed, he wended his way thitherward, and resided the first two years in what is now the town
of Highland, Iowa Co., Wis. In 1848, he came to this town (Pulaski), which has been his home since,
with the exception of the years 1854-55, when he lived in the town of Highland. Mr. Underwood mar-
ried, in Clyde, Iowa Co., Wis., Miss Helen Brewster ; her parents, Justus and Permelia Brewster, were
natives of Massachusetts, and were early settlers of Warren, 111.; came from there to Wisconsin in 1846,
settling in the town of Pulaski, Iowa Co., Tyhere they resided, highly esteemed by all during their life.
Mr. Underwood and wife reside on their farm, which is pleasantly located a short distance west of the
village of Avoca. Their children are Annie, Emma, lone and OUa P. The first mentioned, Annie, is
the wife of D. A. Telfair, of this town. Mr. Underwood owns nearly 800 acres of land. He has taught
school a greater portion of the time since he came to Wisconsin, and has been eminently successful as an
educator. He holds the commission of Major in the 1 1 th Wisconsin Militia. He was deputy United
States Marshal in 1870, and one of the Board of Census Enumerators, in 1880, in the towns of Clyde and
Pulaski. He has been elected to various positions of trust, and is deservedly very popular. He takes an
active interest in public affairs, and is an active worker in the ranks of the Republican party.
PARKER C. UNDERWOOD, Muscoda; was born in Delaware Co., N. Y., Feb. 3, 1803.
He is a son of Dr. Oliver Underwood and Jemima Parker ; Parker C. lived in the State of New York
until September, 1834, when* he came West and located at Buffalo Grove, 111. The following year, he
came to Mineral Point, Iowa Co., Wis., and his home has been in Iowa Co. since that time. He engaged
in mining lead ore, at what are called the Upper Mines. He sold his ore to Col. W. S. Hamilton, who
had smelting works at Wiota, in what is now La Fayette Co. His first sale of ore was 50,000 lbs., at
$20 per 1,000 lbs. It was the first mineral sold. He then sold out his interest in the mines, and went
to what is now called Centerville. and discovered what is now called the Drybone and Black Jack vein,
which yields zinc ore. The place was then known as the Underwood and Billings Diggings, he having
given Mr Billings an interest in the mines. He remained in the mines about three years; then engaged
some in farming. He was elected Constable, also Under Sheriff of Iowa Co., which then embraced what
is now Grant, Richland and La Fayette Counties. He was married, March 11, 1824, to Miss Anna
Parker, a native of New York State; she died in 1848; they had four sons, the two oldest, Joseph and
Oliver P., are living on the old homestead in Iowa Co. ; Madison, the third son, died Dec. 8, 1880 ;
Irving, the youngest, entered the army, and was wounded at the battle of Pittsburg Landing, and killed
at the battle of Corinth.
JOSIAH WARD, grain-dealer, Avoca; was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, Sept. 31, 1835 ;
when he was 4 years old, his parents removed to Scioto Co., Ohio, and thence to near Sandusky, Sauk Co.,
Wis., in 1856, where he remained until 1860, when he went to Helena, Iowa Co., ; engaged in the grain
trade and in the mercantile business there for several years ; in 1871, he removed to Arena, and dealt in
grain there until 1873, in which year he came to Avoca, where he has successfully continued in the busi-
ness since. He married in Mazomanie, Dane Co., Wis., Miss Georgiana Dodge, daughter of Gardiner
Dodge, of Arena, this county ; they have three children — Nellie E., Lilly B. and Jennie M. Mr. Ward
TOWN OF CLYDE. 953
was President of the Avoca Board of Village Trustees in 1876, 1877 and 1880 ; was Village Treasurer
in 1878, and has held various other local offioes. He has been almost constantly engaged in the grain
trade since 1 860, and has met with good success.
TOWN OF CLYDE.
WlLLilAM E. CARROIilj, an extensive stock-dealer of the town of Clyde ; was born in
that town Jan. 1 6, 1859, and has now for several years been largely engaged in buying and shipping
stock ; his father, Dennis Carroll, now deceased, was one of the earliest settlers of the town of Clyde, and
there married Miss Mary Nolan ; she is still living, and resides on the homestead in Clyde ; their children
are William E., whose name appears at the head of this sketch; James, John, Stephen, Michael, Anna
and Dennis, all residents of the town of Clyde.
BEWJAMIJV A. OILE, farmer, Sec. 35 ; P. 0. Clyde ; is a native of Connecticut, but
passed most of his life prior to his coming to Wisconsin in Luzerne Co., Penn. ; he married in Susque-
hanna Co., Penn., Isabel Lew ; they came to the town of Clyde, Iowa Co., Wis., in 1853, making that
town their home since ; their children are Martha, who is now the wife of William Stryker, of this town ;
Lydia, wife of Asa Knight ; Sammy, Stephen, Florence and Louise. Mr. Gile owns 160 acres of land ;
his parents were Stephen and Phillapa Gile, who came to the town of Clyde in 1853, where they were
esteemed citizens during their life ; there are three of their children now living, all residents of Clyde, viz.,
Mrs. Lydia Knight, Samuel S. and Benjamin A. Gile.
SAMUEL S. GILE, farmer, Sec. 35 ; P. O. Clyde ; was born in Khode Island, but while in
his youth his parents, Stephen and Philippe Gile removed to Connecticut, thence to Luzerne Co., Penn.,
the early life of Samuel being spent mostly in the two latter States ; in 1854, he came to Wisconsin,
locating in the town of Clyde, Iowa Co., and has been since identified with the interests of that town in
various ways ; he was several times elected Chairman of the Town Board of Supervisors, a position which
he always filled with credit to himself and to the general satisfaction of the citizens. He owns nearly
300 acres of land, and is one of Clyde's most liberal and public-spirited citizens.
JOHN GILLOBT, farmer, Sec. — ; P. 0. Clyde; was born in Pottsville, Penn., in 1846 ; in
1851, came to La Payette Co., Wis., with his parents; thence to Clyde, Iowa Co., in 1866, where they
have since resided ; Mr. Gillon is a member of the Town Board of Supervisors ; his parents, Michael and
Ellen Gillon, have been residents of Wisconsin since 1851 ; he is living in this town an esteemed citizen;
she is deceased ; their children are John, whose name appears at the head of this notice, Mary and Michael.
The Gillons own a large and improved tract of land, and are successful farmers.
JOHN J. HAGrMANN, Clyde ; a native of Switzerland, born Feb. 19, 1838 ; in 1847, he
came to this country, locating in Sauk City, Wis., making it his home until 1855, when he went to Jack-
sonville, 111., and attended school two years ; afterward learned wagon-making at Springfield, 111.; then
returned to Wisconsin, and settled in the town of Arena, Iowa Co., where he resided until 1878, in which
year he came to this town (Clyde); during the war of the rebellion, Mr. Hagmann enlisted in Co. C,
44th W. V. I; was in active service, and received an honorable discharge; in Iowa and Sauk Cos. he
has taught school a great number of terms ; is very successful as an educator ; in matters pertaining to
education and religion, Mr. Hagmann takes a deep and active interest, being a zealous worker in the cause
of each. He married in Arena. Iowa Co., Wis,, Miss Eva B. Wiechner ; they have eleven children, viz.,
Philip, John, Bernhardt, William, Frederick, August, George, Wesley, David, Margaret and Louisa, all of
whom were born in Iowa Co., Wis. Mr. Hagmann is one of those active, go-ahead men that always add
much to the progress of any enterprise they may be identified with.
PAUL JOHNSON, farmar. Sec. 23 ; P. 0. Avoca ; was born in Holland, Norway, March
18, 1844; at the age of 5 years he emigrated to this country with his parents, settling in Dodgeville,
Iowa Co., Wis., where his father. John Johnson, now deceased, was an esteemed citizen ; his mother is
still a resident of the town of Dodgeville, being one of the pioneer women of Iowa Co. Mr. Johnson
lived in Dodgeville until 1869, then came to Clyde, which town has been his home since. He married
Miss Martha Peterson, daughter of ( He Peterson, an early settler, and still a resident of Clyde ; they have
four children — Anna M., Jrana 0.. John H. and Clara M. Mr. Johnson owns 140 acres of land. Him-
self and wife are leading members of the Lutheran Church, which is lotiated on Sec. 23, on Otter Creek,
S34 • BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
in the town of Clyde; was organized in 1878; the church building was dedicated in 1879; from the
beginning Mr. Johnson took an active part officially and otherwise, in the organization and maintaining of
the church; he has also filled town offices, including those of Town Clerk, and is a mamber of the Board
of Supervisors.
JAMES KINZIE (deceased) ; was a prominent and respected citizen, not only of Chicago in
its earliest history, but of Kacine and this county. He was born in Detroit in 1793, and, in his early
l.fe went through the exciting scene — the massacre at Ft. Dearborn by the Indians — during the war
of 1812. He afterward became the first settler of Chicago, 111., and erected and occupied the first house,
and was for several years prominently identified with the early history of its organization and settlement.
Tiie first election in Chicago was held at his house ; the poll-book is now in the possession of his son,
Robert Kinzie, a merchant at Avoca, Wis., and is the original record. James Kinzie resided in Chicago
until about 1836, then moved to Racine, Wisconsin Territory, and was energetic in starting and building
up of various enterprises there for several years. He had brought there and maintained during his
lifu the character of an able, upright, enterprising business man, and everything he undertook the citizens
put confidence in. In about 1850, he came to Iowa County, locating in the town of Clyde, where he was
extensively interested in farming and milling. He added largely to the progress and improvements of the
town of Clyde, and therefore became very popular, and was almost invariably called on at every election
to fill some office of trust in the town. His character is so well known to the many who knew him, that
it is needless to describe at length its traits ; suffice it to say that he was thoughtful and independent in
the formation of opinions pertaining to right and duty, exhibiting in his every walk of life that integrity
which was the nitural part of a noble and upright mind. Mr. Kinzie was twice married ; his first wife,
Leah See, died in Racine ; of that marriage, there is now one daughter living, Margaret E., wife of Martin
Liscomb, Heywood, Illinois. Mr. Kinzie's second wife was Virginia Hale, a native of Giles Co., W. Va. ;
born in 1822. She was married to Mr. Kinzie in Racine; she occupies the homestead in Clyde, and is
loved and respected by all. Their children are Robert, a merchant in Avoca ; he married Lottie Frost ;
Mary, now deceased, was the wife of Joseph Frost; Fannie, wife of Charles Frost, merchant at Avoca;
Maria, wife of E. L. Thurber, Council Bluffs, Iowa; Erastus E., married M. Lucinda Bourgeault, and is a
leading farmer of this town (Clyde;) Jennie, wife of Joseph Frost, merchant at Avoca; Sarah, wife of
William Liscomb, Sioux Falls, Dak. ; Julia G., Cornelia G., Lizzie G. and James L. reside on the home-
stead with their mother.
FRA.WC1S 9IABTELL, farmer; P. 0. Clyde; came to Wisconsin in 1836, locating in the
town of Ridgeway, Iowa Co., where for nine years he engaged in milling in Hickcox's flouring mills, the
first in the southwestern portion of Wisconsin ; in 1850, he went to California, engaged in mining in and
around Placerville nearly three years ; then returned to this county, settling in the town of Clyde shortly
afterward, which has been his home since, and where he has been interested in farming and milling to an
extent, since 1853; in 1878, he sold his milling interests, but still continues farming, owning about 350
acres of land; he was born near Montreal, Canada, in 1814, and there remained until his coming to Wis-
consin. He has been twice married; his first wife, Rosa Linn, died in 1853; his present wife was
Margaret Hyde ; two children— Francis, now in Minnesota, and James a resident of this town ; the
former (Francis), was by first marriage. Mr. Martell kept the first inn in the town of Ridgeway ; it was
located on the Military road, between Dodgeville and Blue Mounds, which was considerably traveled in
those days.
D. J. mJIiHALIi was born April 5, 1847, in County Wicklow, Ireland; in 1854, he emi-
grated to Schuylkill Co., Fenn., where he received a litseral education ; in 1867, he came to the town of
Pulaski, Iowa Co., Wis., where he remained until 1877, when he came to this town (Clyde), where he has
since resided. Jan. 23, 1869, Mr. Mulhall married in Muscoda, Wis., Miss C. Doyle, of the town of
Pulaski ; they have two children — -Richard and Edward. As an educator, Mr. Mulhall stands high ;
prior to his coming to Wisconsin, he had taught school several years in Pennsylvania, and has successfully
continued teaching in this State. At present writing, he holds the offices of Town Clerk and Justice of
the Peace ; he was the first Village Clerk of Avoca, this county, and also held the office of Justice of the
Peace there two years.
MICHAEL MURPHY, farmer. Sec. 19 ; P. 0. Clyde. The subject of this notice, Mr.
Murphy, is now the oldest inhabitant of the town of Clyde, Iowa Co., Wis.; he was born in County Lim-
erick, Ireland, Sept. 22, 1825, where he remained until 1839, when he emigrated to County Kent, Can-
ada, and there engaged in farming until 1844, in which year he came to Mineral Point, Wis., then an en-
terprising mining town ; there he remained a short time, then went to New Orleans ; returning from there
to Mineral Point in June, 1845, and came to the town of Clyde in the autumn of the same year ; in
TOWN or CLYDE. 955
1846, he returned to Canada, and, in the fall of that year, again came to Iowa Co., making; a permanent
settlement in the town of Clyde, thus becoming one of the first settlers on Otter Creek. He married, in
"Clyde, Miss Sarah Morton ; she was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, and came to Wisconsin in 1 840 ;
they have two children living — John and Michael — the former a book-keeper for a leading firm in Chi-
cago, the latter an extensive farmer of this town. Mr. Murphy, for more than forty five years, has been
closely identified with the history of Clyde, at various times filling many of her offices, and has always
taken an active part in the public afiairs of the town and encouraging every enterprise that gave promise
of general improvement ; he has traded extensively in real estate, and has been more than ordinarily suc-
cessful in life. At the present time he owns nearly 700 acres of land. His parents, James and Bridget
Murphy, came to Wisconsin in 1847 ; they afterward returned to Canada, where they died ; Kate, one of
their daughters, came with them ; she afterward became the vrife of James Dunbar, and is still a resident
of Clyde ; another daughter who had come to Wisconsin, is now the wife of Patrick California. James,
■one of the sons, came in 1846, remained two years, and then returned to Canada.
CORBTELIUS SHELTOBT, a successful and leading farmer. Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Clyde; was born
in County Clare, Ireland, in the year 1830 ; in 1849, he crossed the Atlantic and located in East G-reen-
wioh, R. I., where he married Miss C. Fitzpatrick. In 1856, they came to Wisconsin, settling in the
town of Clyde, Iowa Co., where they have been esteemed residents since ; their children are Thomas,
Patrick, Bridget, Margaret, Joana and Mary A. The oldest son, Thomas, is at present writing Town
Treasurer of Clyde ; he has also held various school offices, and is very popular. Mr. Shelton owns a well-
improved farm of nearly 300 acres, and is one of the substantial and enterprising men of the town of
•Clyde.
ABEL THURBER, Postmaster and farmer, Clyde; is a nitive of Windham Co., Conn.;
was born in Sterling July 18, 1819. He married, in Luzerne Co., Penn., Miss Eliza Lord ; she was
-born in Susquehanna Co. in 1855 ; they came to Wisconsin, locating in the town of Clyde, Iowa Co.,
where they have resided since, held in high esteem by all; their children are B. L., who married Miss
Maria Kinzie, of this town — they now live in Council Bluffs, Iowa ; Elias C. married, in Milwaukee,
Wis., Miss M. Wheeler — they now reside in Cbieago, 111. ; Merton, unmarried, lives in Chicago ; Ella,
wife of A. P. Shumway, Portage City, Wis.; Edward D., unmarried; Eva, wife of James Dean, Mon-
roe, Wis.; James, unmarried, lives at home. Mr. Thurber has been active in the public affiiirs of the
town of Clyde, and has been elected at various times to offices of trust ; he has passed nearly the whole of
his active life as a farmer, and has met with merited success, owning a desirably located and valuable farm ;
himself and wife can now look back to the early history of their settlement in Clyde, and feel that honest
industry will meet with a sure reward.
T. W. THURBER, farmer. Sec. 34 ; P. 0. Clyde. This gentleman, a leading citizen, as well
as an early settler of the town of Clyde, Iowa Co., Wis., is a native of Connecticut; while he was a
■child his parents removed to Wyoming Co., Penn., where most of his early life was spent, and where he
married his wife, Hannah Phillips. In January, 1855, they came to Wisconsin and settled in the town
of Clyde, where they have continued to reside since. Their children are Charles, William H., John W.,
(reorge B., Fred, Clara, Adelaide, Lydia and Celia ; of the children, Clara and Adelaide are married, the
former being the wife of George Bennett, of Pulaski, the latter the wife of B. Bennett, also of Pulaski.
Mr. Thurber is at present writing Chairman of the Town Board of Supervisors ; in the past, he has filled
various offices in the town of Clyde, and has been one of the foremost in her public affairs. He owns 361
-acres of land.
WIIiLiIAM WARD, farmer. Sec. 18 ; P. 0. Standard Grove ; has been a continual resident
of the town of Clyde, Iowa Co., Wis., since 1847 ; thus he is one of the pioneer settlers of the county.
He was born in Liverpool, England, in the year 1810, and, at the early age of 11 years, engaged in a sea-
faring life, which he followed on the salt waters for nearly twenty years, during which time he was in all
■of the principal ports of the world, and several years of the time had command of the " Hercules," a
merchant vessel, and traded between. London and Leeds ; in about 1842, he came to this country, and im-
mediately went on the Lakes, which he sailed several years, at different times being captain of the schooner
" Big Z," of Buffalo, and the "John Jacob Astor," of Milwaukee. Mr. Ward's first wife was Mary
Brook ; they were married in Leeds, England ; she died in this town (Clyde), leaving one child — Emma
— who is now the wife of P. McMahon, Kansas ; Mr. Ward's present wife — Elizabeth Mallalien — was
■born in Yorkshire, England, in 1823, and, in 1856, was married to him ; their children are Amelia (wife
of Charles Ferry, of Dodgeville), George L., Annie M. and Sarah E. Mr. Ward owns a well-improved
farm, pleasantly located ; he has, by well-directed effort and honest industry, made for himself a couipe-
itence, and can now pass the remainder of his life in ease and comfort.
956 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
TOWN OF EDEN.
C. D. AliEXANDEB, farmer, Sec. 29 ; P. 0. Montfort ; owns 240 acres of land, valued ab
$30 per acre ; born in Broome Co., N. Y., in 1844 ; came to Wisconsin in 1856, and settled near Muscoda ;
in 1870, settled on his present farm. Married Alvina Stevens, a native of this county ; have four children —
Lauren, Horace G., Eliza and Amy. In 1861, he enlisted in Co. K, 14th W. V. I., and was discharged in
the same year ; he enlisted in the fall of 1862, and served three years and a half in Co. T, 19th W. V. I.
PETER AXDERSOHV, farmer, Sec. 17; P. 0. Cobb; owns 100 acres of land, valued at|15
per acre ; born in Norway in 1842 ; came to America in 1853, and settled in this State. Married Chris-
tena Gilbertson in 1864 ; they have three children — Carrie. Grustav A. and Charlie. Members of the
Lutheran Church.
OORDOJT ANDREWS, physician, surgeon and obstetrician, Cobb ; has been in the-
practice of medicine for twenty-one years ; born in Canada in 1831 ; came to the United States in 1859,
and located at Highland ; in 1877, he removed to this point, and has been here since. In 1861, he mar-
ried Hannah Louise Kelch, a native of Germany, who died in 1880. Dr. Andrews has one child by a for-
mer wife — Walter Z. Member of Episcopal Church. Is a Greenbacker.
JOSEPHUS BAIIiElT, proprietor of hotel and livery barn, Cobb ; born in Green Co.,
Wis., in 1843 ; came to this county in 1868, and settled on his farm. Sec. 22. In 1868, he married
Mehitable H. Cunningham, a native of this State, and they have six children — Lucy J., Oscar Lee, Pru-
dence, May, Estella C. and infant. In 1864, Mr. B. enlisted in Co. H, 38th W. V. I., and was discharged
in the same year ; was in one engagement, battle of Weldon Road.
CHARIiES BAXTER, farmer, Sec. 16 ; P. 0. Linden ; owns 200 acres of land, valued at
$20 per acre ; born in England in 1839, and came to America in 1860, and settled in this county. The
following year, he enlisted in Co. C, 12th W. V. I., and served four years as Orderly for Capt. Whiting.
In 1866, he married Grace Mesbit, a native of England. They have two children — Mary Ellen and Will-
iam G. Is a Republican.
EDWARD BEIilj, dealer in general merchandise, Montfort ; established business here in 1855 ;
born in England in 1816 ; came to America in 1839, and settled in Placteville ; in 1852, he removed to
this village. Married Mary Walker, a native of England ; they have four children — George S., Frank,
Margaret and Mary Ellen. Is a Democrat.
JOHN H. BILLINGS, farmer, Sec. 15 ; P. 0. Cobb ; owns 440 acres of land, valued at
825 per acre ; born in Centerville, this county, in 1848 ; his father, Henry M. Billings, who was born in>
New York, emigrated to this county in 1832, and settled in Centerville ; in 1849, he located on the farm
now owned by his son John H. John H. Billings was married to Annie Goodsell, a native of this county ;
thev have two children — Annie and Gussie. He assessed this town in 1877 ; in the following year, he was
elected Chairman of Town Board, which position he still holds. Is a Democrat.
li. E. COOIiE Y, dealer in general merchandise, Cobb ; established the business here in Feb-
ruary, 1880; born in Trumbull Co., Ohio, in 1851 ; came to Wisconsin in 1857, and with his parents
located near Platteville. Married Earnestine Stevens, a native of this county ; they have one child — Edna.
Mr. Cooley was Principal of the public school in Platteville three years. Are members of M. E. Church.
In politics. Independent.
ALFRED CUNNINGHAM, farmer. Sec. 23 ; P. 0. Cobb ; owns 159 acres of land, valued
at $40 per acre; born in Green Co., Wis., in 1844; settled on present farm in 1874. Married Eliza
Pritchett, a native of this county ; they have five children — Frank, Amy, Jessie, Earnest and Lucretia,
Is a Democrat.
FRANCIS A. CUNNINGHAM, farmer. Sec. 24 ; P. 0. Cobb ; owns 137 acres of land,
valued at $5,000 ; born in Indiana in 1837 ; came to Wisconsin in 1845 and located in this county; in
1 865, settled on his present farm. Married Edith Currier, a native of Illinois ; they have four children
— Henry 0., Harry A., Lydia C. and Edith D. Is a Republican.
HENRY CUNNINGHAM, farmer, Sec. 24; P. 0. Cobb ; owns 200 acres of land, valued;
at $35 per acre ; born in Green Co., Wis., in 1842 ; came to this county in 1865 and located on his pres-
TOWN OF EDEN. 95T
eot farm. In 1863, he married Sarah Wiley, a native of New York ; they have one child — Charles
Cyrus. Is a Democrat.
HUSTOW CUNIVIIVG-HAM, farmer ; P. 0. Cobb ; owns 240 acres of land, valued at $30
per acre; born in Illinois in 1839; came to this county in 1841, with his parents. Married Catherine
Fillbach, a native of Germany ; they have three children — Wilson, George and Minnie. He is a Dem-
ocrat.
ELIZA W. CULiVEK, Sec. 35; P. 0. Cobb; owns 160 acres of land, valued at 840 per
acre ; is the widow of Jacob Culver ; she was born in Dutchess Co., N. Y., in 1825 ; came to Wisconsin
in 1848 and settled in Waukesha Co. In the same year, she married Jacob Culver, a native of the same
county, who was born in 1816, and immigrated to Wisconsin while it was a Territory, and, in 1856, they
settled on their present farm, where Mr. Culver died in 1873. Mrs. Culver has seven children — Henry
A., Georgia, Amelia S'rances, Hattie, Albert, Ada and Kate. She is a member of the Baptist Church.
D. H. DARNALli, farmer, Sec. 20 ; P. 0. Montfort ; owns 80 acres of land, valued at $30
per acre ; born in Kentucky in 1813 ; came to Illinois when he was 9 years old, and lived there until he
was 21, when he came to Wisconsin and settled in Mineral Point. He was engaged in various kinds of
business while in Mineral Point, and in 1842 he removed to Centerville, where he was married the fol-
lowing year to Annie Runnels, a native of Ohio ; they have five children — Eliza Jennie, Isaac Newton,
Sarah Ellen, William L. and George M. They are members of the Advent Church. He has been one
of the Town Board of Supervisors two years ; is a Democrat.
WIIiLIAM DOYIiE, farmer. Sec. 11 ; P. 0. Cobb ; owns 340 acres of land, valued at $25
per acre ; born in Ireland in 1816 ; came to America in 1848 and settled on his present farm. Married
Mary Griffin, a native of Ireland, in 1851 ; they have three children — Michael F., Bridget and John.
They are members of the Catholic Church. His son Michael has assessed this town several times. Is a
Democrat.
JOISEPH DRIIRY, farmer. Sec. 26; P. 0. Cobb; owns 70 acres, valued at $40 per acre ;
born in England in 1827 ; came to America in 1849 and located in Dane Co.; came to this county in
1851, and settled on his present farm in I860. Married Peggy Edwards, a native of England ; they
have five children — Joseph H., Florence A., William, John and Charles. Is a Republican.
JOHN FIIiliBACH, dealer in general merchandise, and Postmaster; born in Mineral Point
in 1849 ; engaged in his present business in Eden in 1873. Married Maria Goldthorp, a native of Min-
eral Point ; they have three children — Kate, Mattie and Eanea. Are members of the Presbyterian
Church; has been Town Clerk four years; is a Republican.
WILLIAM FILLBACH, farmer. Sec. 22; P. 0. Cobb; owns 160 acres of land, valued at
$30 per acre; born in this county in 1850 ; settled on his present farm in 1876. In 1873, he married
Gusta Anding, who was born in Highland, this county ; they have four children — Henry, Walter, William
and Minnie Clara. Members of the Presbyterian Church ; Democrat.
AXDREW FIIVGERSON, farmer. Sec. 24; P. 0. Cobb; owns 590 acres of land, valued
at $30 per acre; born in Norway in 1828; came to America in 1850, and settled in Linden ; removed to
his present farm in 1868. In 1850, he married Rachel Evanson, a native of the same place ; they have
seven children — Martin, Maria, Fred, Mary, Elizabeth, Edward and John. Are members of the Lutheran
Church ; Democrat.
CHARLES R. FOX, dealer in hardware, stoves and tinware, Cobb ; was born in this
county in 1858; established his present business herein November, 1880. Politically, is a Republican.
CHRISTOPHER FRITSCH, farmer. Sec. 18; P. O. Cobb; owns 260 acres of land,
valued at $30 per acre; born in Germany in 1833 ; came to America in 1850, and located in Mineral
Point, and, in 1853, he settled on his present farm. In 1856, he married Caroline Kreul, a native of
Austria; they have one child — George C, who was born in 1858; they are members of the Lutheran
Church. Is a Democrat.
JOHN GARD, farmer. Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Cobb ; owns 240 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre ;
born in England in 1824 ; came to America in 1849, and settled in Linden ; in 1860, he removed to this
town, and has been a resident of this town since. Mr. Gard has been twice married, first to Elizabeth
Bucket, in 1850; she was born in 1829, and died in 1869; they had nine children — James, John, Mary
Jane, Annie, Anthony, William, Samuel, Elizabeth and Thomas. In 1870, he married Patience Holmau,
a native of Cornwall, Eng. ; she was born in 1845, and died in November, 1880; they have had four
children — Fred, Eddie, Lillie and Nellie. Is a Republican.
958 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
JOHX HOLilEAlV, farmer, Sec. 36 ; P. 0. Cobb ; owns 360 acres of land, valued at $40 per
acre; born in Cornwall, Eng., Oct. 29, 1821 ;came to America in 1841, and settled in Montreal, Can.,
and was engaged in contracting; in 1855, he came to this county, and settled on his present farm. Mar-
ried Mary Oatey, of Cornwall, Eng., in 1842; she was born the 8th of February, 1824; they have ten
children — Richard, William H., Mathew, James, Mary Ann, Jenefor, Elizabeth, Charles, Katie, Benja-
min ; lost one son— John, who enlisted in 1862, and was discharged in 1865, and died in 1875 from
exposure during the war. Are members of the M. B. Church ; is Republican.
MICHAEL GRIFFISr, farmer. Sec. 14; P. 0. Cobb; owns 320 acres of land, valued at
$25 per acre ; born in Ireland in 1828; came to America in 1849, and settled in Vermont ; in the fol-
lowing year he came to Wisconsin. Married Mary Morris, a native of Ireland ; they have ten children —
Catherine, Mary A., Hannora, Frank, Andrew, Margaret, Bridget, Johanna, Ellen and Luke. Are mem-
bers of the Catholic Church. Is a Democrat.
KIVUTB HOJLVERSOIHi', farmer, Sec. 8 ; P. 0. Cobb; owns 40 acres of land, valued at
$10 per acre ; born in Norway in 1819 ; came to America in 1841, and settled in Illinois ; came to Wis-
consin in 1843. In 1846, he was married to Julia Olson, a native of Norway, born in 1812 ; they have
seven children — Albert, Jane, Ole, Emily, Caroline, Knute and Isabella. They removed to this county in
1852, and settled where they now live.
JOHiV JACOBI§iON, farmer, Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Cobb ; owns 280 acres of land, valued at $10 per
acre; born in Norway in 1833; came to America in 1850, and located in Dane Co. ; in the following year
he settled on his present farm. In 1872, he married Peterine Christiansen, a native of Norway ; he has
three children by a former wife — John H., Ole and Gust. Mr. Jacobson was elected on the Town Board
in 1878, which position he still holds. Members of the Lutheran Church.
J. B. JOHlVSOJf, farmer. Sec. 26 ; P. 0. Cobb ; owns 750 acres of land, valued a^. $25 per
acre; born in Oakland Co., Mich. ; came to Wisconsin in 1855, and settled on his present farm. Mar-
ried Martha Comfort, a native of the same place; they were married in 1861, and have four children —
Emma, Burt, Mina, Nellie. Mr. Johnson has held different town offices. Chairman of Town Board, etc.
Is a Republican.
STEPHEIV KEXD Alili, farmer ; P. 0. Montfort ; owns 160 acres of land, valued at $45
per acre ; born in New York in 1843 ; came to Wisconsin in 1851, and located at Avoca; in 1870, set-
tled on his present farm. la 1867. he married Alvira Stevens ; she was born iu this county; they have
four children — Mary E., Jessie M., Clinton Lorenzo and Lewis. Is a Republican.
JOHN N. LEHEN, farmer, Sec. 26 ; P. 0. Cobb ; owns 234 acres of land, valued at $50 per
acre; born in Knox Co., Ind., in 1823; came to this county in 1846, and settled in Highland, and en-
gaged in mining and teaming until 1856, when he settled on his present farm. He married Annie Fitz-
simons, a native of Ireland; they have three children— D. S., L. C, and Annie M. Mrs. L. is a member
of the Advent Church, and Mr. L. is a member of the Christian Church. He has been on the Board of
Town Supervisors several terms, and has the office of Justice of the Peace. Is a Democrat.
A. BT. lIcCRADY, Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Cobb; owns 510 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre!
born in Tennessee in 1818 ; came to Wisconsin in 1844, and located in Highland, and, for three years'
was engaged in mining ; in 1870, he removed to his present farm. He married Jane Hall, a native of
Kentucky ; they have seven children — Emma, Mary, Ann, Prances, William, May and Harry. Mr. M.
has held the office of Chairman of Township Board of Supervisors. Is a Democrat.
PATRICK MANNING, boot and shoe maker, Cobb ; born in this county in 1854 ; he en-
gaged in his present business in 1875 ; is the son of Thomas Manning, a native of Ireland, who came to
America in 1843, and located at Highland. Are members of the Roman Catholic Church. Politically,
Mr. Manning is a Democrat.
RICHARD MANNING, proprietor of Union Hotel, Cobb ; born in Highland in 1853 ; en-
gaged in his present business in 1875. In 1877, he married Mary A. Griffin ; they have two children —
Francis and Bertha. Mr. M. has been Town Treasurer three years. They are members of the Catholic
Church. He is a Democrat.
THOMAS MANNING, Sr., Sec. 14 ; P. 0. Cobb ; owns 80 acres of land, valued at $25
per acre ; born in Ireland in 1817 ; came to America in 1844 and settled on this farm. Married Cath-
erine Gillany, a native of Canada ; they have twelve children— John, Richard, Patrick, Lucy, Lizzie,
Kate, Thomas, Alice, Mary Ellen, Bridget, Julia and Sarah Ann. Are members of the Roman Catholic
Church. Is a Democrat.
TOAVK OF EDEN. 959
MICHAEL MA.IJGIIAW, farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. 0. Rdmundsville ; . owns 100 acres of land,
valued at $H) per aore; born in England in 183(3 ; came to America in 1861 and settled on his present
farm. Married Mary J. Newell, a native of the same place; they were married in 1870, and have three
children — Will, Mary and John. Is a Democrat.
MRS. AIVlVIE mills, Sec. in ; wife of Chimis Mills; was born in the town of Platteville
in 1840. She married Thomas Mills in 1860 ; he was born in Devonshire, England, in 1831 ; they set-
tled on this farm in the same year they were m irried, where they have resided since ; they have five chil-
dren— George Hugh, Clara Ellen, Frances Rebecca, William John and Daniel Thomas.
JOHN PATTERSON, farmer. Sec. 9; P. 0. Linden; owns 240 acres of land, valued at «20
per acre; born in England in 1834; came to America in 1855 and settled in Jo Daviess Co., 111., where
he lived four years; then he removed to this county and located on his present farm. In 1857, he mar-
ried Mary Wilson; she was born in England ; they have eight children — Geor^ie, Jane, Robert, Alfred,
Alexander, Emma, Fidelia and Maria.
HENRY PHILLIPS, Sec. 24; P. 0. Cobb; owns 120 acres of land, valued at 840 per
acre ; born iu Cornwall, England, in 1856 ; came to America in 1870 and located in Linden ; settled on
his present farm in the spring of 1880. In 1875, he married Johanna Baker, a native of this county;
they have three children — John Howard, Lloyd and an infant. Is a Republican.
HENRY POOLEY, farmer, Sec. 28; P. 0. Cobb; born in England in 1830; came to
America in 1848 and settled near Galena, 111.; in the spring of 1880, he removed to this county and set-
lied on his farm. Married Mary A. Pryor iu 1880. Is a Republican.
THOMAS D. POTTS, farmer, Sec. 10; son of Thomas D. Potts, who was born in Schuyl-
kill Co., N. Y.; he emigrated to the Terri ory of Wisconsin at a very early day ; he was engaged, for sev-
eral years, in merchandising at Galena ; he then settled on a farm in the town of Eden, where he resided
until his death, which occurred in the spring of 1873. His wife was Miss Eviline Meeker; they have
had six children, five of whom are living — George H.; Elizabeth, now Mrs. William Lamb ; Mary, now
Joseph Holmes ; Catherine, now Mrs. Calhoun ; and Thomas D. Eviline, fifth child, died at the age of
27. Thomas D., Jr., was born in what is now the town of Eden in 1843 ; was married to Mary A.
Keyes, daughter of Mrs. Ann Keyes ; she was born in Pennsylvania ; they have five children — Eviline,
Mary R. Rosebrook, Ellen, Celia and Katherine. Mr. Potts' farm contains 180 acres; his father was a
soldier in the Black Hawk war.
JOHN PRIDEAUX, wagon, cirrixge and blacksmith shop, Eden ; born in Dodgeville, Wis.,
in 1851 Mirried Sarah Carter, a native of Dodgeville, in 1877 ; they have two children — Annie and
Mary. Are members of the M. E. Church. In 1878, Mr. Prideaux came to Eden and established his
present business.
E. R. PRICHETT, farmer, Sec. 26 ; P. 0. Cobb ; owns 160 acres of land, valued at $40 per
acre ; born in Kentucky in 1817 ; at the age of 11 years, he went to Missouri with his parents ; in 1835,
he came to Wisconsin and settled in Willow Springs, and, in 1851, located on his present farm. Married
Nancy Gregory, a native of New York ; they have five children — Isaac, Inez, Willis, Clara and Milton.
Mr. P. has two children by a former wife — Addison and Eliza. Is a Democrat.
WILLIAM RAPSON, farmer ; P. 0, Cobb ; owns 80 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre ;
born in England in 1819; came to America in 1845, and his first location was in Kentucky, where he
lived about two years and a half He then removed to Pennsylvania, where he remained until 1856.
He then came to Wisconsin; soon after moved to California, where he lived six years; returning in 1864,
he settled on his present farm. In 1843, he married Mary Ingram, a native of England ; they have seven
children — Esther, Jane, Elizabeth, Mary Annie, Margaretta, William John, Thomas H. and Charles
Robert. Mr. R. was appointed Postmaster, which position he held six years. They are members of the
M. B. Church. He is a Republican.
E. P. ROBINSON, farmer. Sec. 23 ; P. 0. Cobb ; owns 175 acres of land, valued at $30 per
acre; born in Delaware in 1821 ; came to Wisconsin in 1848, and settled in Highland; removed to his
present farm in 1862. He married Mary Barnard, a native of Missouri ; they have nine children — Henry,
Mary, Alonzo, Grace, Nellie, Margaret, Nancy, Charles, Edward. His wife is a member of the Advent
Church.
WILLIAM SHEA, farmer, Sec. 11 ; P. 0. Cobb; owns 85 acres of land, valued at $25 per
acre ; born in this town in 1848 ; is the son of Peter and Mary Shea. Peter Shea was born in Ireland in
1813; came to America in 1840, and his first location was in New York; came to Wisconsin in 1845.
960 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
He was married to Mary Manning, a native of Ireland, in 1847; they have eight children — William,
Hannora, Margaret, Bridget, Mary, John, Ellen and Catherine. They are members of the Roman Catholic
Church. He is a Democrat.
NELS THOMSON, Sec. 10 ; P. 0. Union Mills ; owns 160 acres of land, valued at 610
per acre; born in Norway in 1815; came to America in 1853, and settled on his present farm. He mar-
ried Sarah Lee in 1847 ; she, too, is a native of Norway ; they have two children — Betsey and Julia. He
is a Democrat.
S. U. TREGOIVIKG, farmer, Sec. 35 ; P. 0. Cobb ; owns 235 acres of land ; valued at $40
per acre ; born in Cornwall, England, in 1830 ; came to America in 1846, and settled with his parents in
Linden in 1857 ; removed to his present farm in the same year. He married Mary Hallon, a native of
Rutland Co., England; born in 1823; they have three children — William Bernard, John Cuthbert and
Mary Frances. They are members of the M. E. Church. He is a Republican.
DAWIEL ZIIIMER, farmer, Section 25 ; P. 0. Cobb ; owns 120 acres of land, valued at
$40 per acre; born in Germany in 1820; came to America in 1837. In 1846, he located in Highland,
and engaged in the mercantile trade, which business he continued about thirty years. In 1876, he
removed to his present farm ; has held different public offices ; was on the County Board of Supervisors
one term, and at present is Justice of the Peace. In 1847, he married Amelia Newmeyer, a native of
Baltimore, Md. ; they have six children — Amelia, Daniel, Mary Lousia, Edward, William and Fredrick.
They are members of the Catholic Church. He is a Democrat.
TOWN OF RIDCEWAY.
OLE ANDERSON, farmer. Sec. 23; P. 0. West Blue Mounds; owns 700 acres of land,
valued at $15 per acre; born in Norway in 1823; came to America in 1851, and settled on his present
farm. He married Julia Anderson in 1852 ; she was a native of Norway ; ihey have seven children —
Ingar, Annie, Carrie, Lena, Julia, Betsy and Andrew. They are members of the Lutheran Church.
He is a Republican.
A. E. ARNESOIV, farmer, Sec. 26 ; P. 0. Barber; owns 220 acres of land, valued at $20 per
acre; born in Norway in 1840; came to America in 1850, and settled on his present farm. In 1861, he
married Mary Anderson, a native of Norway ; they have eight children — -Julia A., Andelena, Emma,
Sarah Ann, Henry, Clara, Minnie and Ida. In 1865, he enlisted in Co. A, 49th Iowa V. I. ; and was
discharged in the fall after enlistment. Mr. Arneson has been Chairman of the town two terms, and
Assessor one term. They are members of the Lutheran Church. He is a Republican.
C. B. ARXOIiD, West Blue Mounds; born in Delaware Co., N. Y., in 1814; came to Wis-
consin in 1846, and settled in Dodgeville ; then he removed to his present farm ; has been in the mercan-
tile business twenty-three years, and has kept a hotel for about twenty-six years. He is also owner of the
'' West Blue Mound ;" has 615 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre. Mr. Arnold has been twice mar-
ried— first to Elizabeth Harris, a native of New York ; she died in 1875 ; they had two children, both
are still living — Charles Henry and Andelena S. Ho was married again to Matilda B. Thomas, a native
of Ohio ; they have three children — Ralph B., George D. and Clarrissa A. He is a Democrat.
OEORGE H. BEAUMONT, farmer, Sec. 28; P. 0. Hyde's Mills; owns 400 acres of
land valued at $35 per acre; born in Brie Co., N. Y., in 1833; came to Wisconsin in 1853, and settled
in this county. He married Betsey Bellington in 1857 ; she was born in New York ; they have five
children — Ira, Frank, Archie, Elias and William. They are members of the Primitive Church. Is a
Republican.
HENRY BOLEY, Sec. 14; P. 0. West Blue Mounds; owns 215 acres of land, valued at
$20 per acre ; born in Norway, in 1839 ; came to America in 1850, and settled in Dane Co., Wis.; came
to present farm in 1868. He married Martha Brrickson, a native of Norway ; have seven children —
Carrie, Edward, Emma, Lena, Minnie, John and Selina. Mr. Boley was one of the members of the Board
of Supervisors two terms ; is a member of the Lutheran Church. Is a Republican.
THOMAS BUNBURY, farmer, Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Jennieton ; owns 240 acres of land, valued
at $25 per acre ; born in Ireland in 1827 ; came to America in 1837, and first located in Kalamazoo Co. ,.
TOWN OF RIDGEWAY. 961
Mich.; came to Wisconsio in 1846, and settled in Mineral Point and engaged in mining and teaming;
settled on his farm in 1853; married twice; first to Bridget McCann, a native of Ireland; she died in
1870 ; had nine children — Mary Jane, Ann, Jane, Ellanor, Bridget, Louisa, Henry, Edward and Agnes ;
married again in 1871 to Ann Williams, a native of Wales ; they had one child — Thomas.
HON. A CAHPBELL., Sec. 3; P. 0. Middlebury'; owns 240 acres of land, valued at 820
per acre; born in Prince Edward Island in 1828; came to Wisconsin in 1858, and settled at Blue
Mounds; in 1864, removed to this farm ; he enlisted in the 49th W. V. I. in 1864, and was discharged
in 1865 ; has held different public offices; was State Senator one term, and has been Chairman of his
town ten years. He married Fredriea Helmen^tein, a native of Germany ; they have eight children —
■George A., Eliza J , William J., James D., Edward L., Mary, John and Orville. Is a Republican.
DAVID CHABLGIS, farmer, Sec. 2; P. 0. Ridgeway ; born in La Fayette Co., Wis., in
1858 ; he is a son of William Charles, a native of Wales, who was killed in the late war.
BESTJAJlIiy J. DAVIS, farmer. Sec. 4; P. 0. Jennioton ; owns 487 acres of land, valued
at $15 per acre; born in Wales in J 814; came to America in 1842, and settled in Ohio; three years
later he married Sarah Thomas, and they settled on this farm ; they have eleven children — John J..
Daniel, Thomas, Mary, George, William, Stephen, Joseph, Albert, Alfred and Eleanor. Mr. Davis has been
<Jhairman of the Town Board one term, and on the board five terms, and Justice of the Peace fifteen years.
Is a Republican.
JOHX A. DOD&E, Sec. 27; P. 0. Hyde's Mills; owns 200 acres of land, valued at $20
per acre; born in Kings Co., Nova Scotia, in 1820 ; came to Wisconsin in 1850, and settled on this farm.
Married Lucy Ann Dill in 1844; she was born in Hants Co., Nova Scotia; they have three children —
Baneford, Lord Nelson and Theodore H.; last a daughter Addle, who died in July, 1870, at the age of
22 years. Mr. Dodge has held several public offices : has been Chairman and a member of the Town
Board several years.
CHARLES DUFFY, farmer, Sec. 23; P. 0. Ridgeway; owns 320 acres of land, valued at
^18 per acre ; born in Ireland in 1825 ; came to America in 1849, and settled in Pennsylvania ; in 1860,
came to this county, and settled on his present farm. Has been twice married, first to Mary Hamilton in
1856; they had ten children — James, Andrew, Isabella, Alice, Ellen, Patrick, John, Catherine Ann,
Mary and Charles ; his wife died in 1877. In 1878, he mxrried Ellen Connell ; they have one child —
Joseph. Members of Roman Catholic Church. Is a Democrat.
EVAN D. EVAJfS, farmer and contraetor. Sec. 8; P. 0. Jennieton ; owns 194 acres of land,
valued at $35 per acre ; born in Wales ; came to America in 1852 ; in the following year he settled on
his farm. In 1848, he married Charlotte Richards, a native of Wales; born in 1822; they have four
■children — Ellen, Mary Ann, John S. and Emma Jane. Are members of the Congregational Church.
OEORtirE FARWEIiIi, Postmaster, and dealer in general merchandise, Ridgeway ; estab-
lished in 1873 ; born in Stephenson Co., 111., in 1838 ; came to Wisconsin in 1842, and settled with his
parents in New Diggings, LaFayette Co. ; in 1858, removed to this town. In 1861, he enlisted in Co. G,
11th W. V. I., and was discharged in 1865 ; was mustered out as First Lieutenant, and was in all the
battles that regiment participated in. In 1866, he married Florilla Meigs, a native of Whitehall, Vt. ;
have one child — Carrie. Is a Republican.
BIJSSELIi FAR WELL., farmer. Sec. 14; P. 0. Ridgeway; owns 300 acres of land, val-
ued at $40 per acre; born in New York in 1811; came to this State in 1842, and settled in New Dig-
gings, La Fayette Co. ; removed to this county in 1858. In 1832, he married Patience Van Valken-
burgh; she was born in Vermont; they have five children — Minervia, George, Frank, Fred, Ella. Is a
Republican.
THOMAS FERRY, farmer. Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Jennieton ; owns 240 acres of land, valued at $35
per acre; born in Ireland in 1805; came to America in 1832, and to Wisconsin in 1856; by trade, Mr.
Ferry is a blacksmith- previous to his coming to Wisconsin he lived in Canada, where he worked at his
trade ; since he came here has been a farmer. Married Ann Tressa, a native of Ireland ; they have two
children — Ann and Elizabeth. Members of the Roman Catholic Church.
JOHN HARRISON, farmer, See. 8; P. 0. Adamsvilie ; owns 320 acres of land, valued at
f20 per acre; born in Shropshire, Eng., in 1819 ; came to America in 1860, and located in Oueida Co.,
N. Y., in 1863, he removed to Wisconsin and settled on his present farm. Was married in 1849 to Ann
Maria Corns, a native of Cheshire, Eng., born in 1814; they have four children — Annie M., John W.,
Willett, Jane. Mr. Harrison has held different public offices ; has been Justice of the Peace three years.
He is a Primitive Methodist clergyman. Ts a Rppuhlioan.
962 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
JOHN' L. HAYS, farmer, Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Middlebury ; owns 240 acres of land, valued at $10
per acre ; born in Prince Edward Island Dec. 8, 1829 ; came to Wisconsin in 1854, and settled on his
present farm. Married Catherine Owens, a native of Wales ; they have two children — Thomas J., Albert
C. Is a Republican.
HEIiLiICK HELiLICKSON, farmer, Sec. 25 ; P. 0. Barber ; owns 200 acres of land,
valued at $20 per acre ; born in Norway in 1833 ; came to America in 1842, and settled in Walworth Co. ;
removed to this county in 1852, and to present farm in 1866. Married Julia Olson in 1857 ; she was
born in Norway ; they have eight children — Ole, Helena, Sarah, Martha, Christena, Henry, Emma and
Lena. Enlisted in 1865, in Co. H, 50th W. V. I., and was located most of the time at Ft. Sully, D. T.
Are members of Lutheran Church. Is a Republican.
JOHN HEIiMEXSTEIN, boot and shoe maker, West Blue Mounds; owns 160 acres of
land, valued at $20 per acre ; born in G-ermany in 1828 ; came to America in 1848, and settled in this
village. Married Christeanna Van Housen, a native of Germany, in 1854 ; they have ten children — John,
Henry, George, Robert, Christeanna, Edward, Albert, Kate, Caroline and Charles. He has been Post-
master ten years. Is a Republican.
WIlililAM HYDE, farmer. Sec. 23 ; P. 0. Hyde's Mills ; owns 135 acres of land, valued at
$30 per acre ; born in Prince Edward Island in 1822 ; came to Wisconsin in 1850, and settled on present
farm. Married Julia K. Paine, a native of New York, in 1860. Mr. Hyde hus held the office of Town
Treasurer one term. Is a Republican.
D. T. JARVIS, farmer. Sec. 14 ; P. 0. Ridgeway ; born in Shullsburg, Wis., in 1853 ; came
to this county in 1860. Was married to Ella Parwell, a native of this State ; they have three children —
Addie, Mora and Wilber. Is a Greenbacker.
EDWARD li. JOIVES, farmer. Sec. 21 ; P. 0. Jennieton ; owns 200 acres of land, valued
at $13 per acre ; born in Wales ; came to America in 1842, and to this county in 1845 ; in 1856, he set-
tled on his present farm. Married Elizabeth Rowlands in 1851 ; she was born in Wales ; they have two
children — Mary and Henry. Members of Calvinistic Methodist Church. Is a Republican.
EVAN JOXES, farmer, Sec. 27 ; P. 0. West Blue Mounds ; owns 1,038 acres of land, valued
at about $25 per acre ; born in Wales in 1828 ; came to America in 1840, and settled in this town. Mar-
ried Barbara Leyson, a native of Pennsylvania, in 1861 ; they have six children — Emma, Esther, Llewellyn,
Naoma, Alice, Gwen. Is a Republican.
]|1RS. J AlVE JONES, Sec. 34 ; P. 0. West Blue Mounds ; owns 490 acres of land, valued
at $12 per acre ; she was born in Wales in 1824 ; came to America in 1840, and settled in New York j
came to Wisconsin in 1848, and settled in this county. Married Robert P. Jones in 1849 ; he was born
in Wales ; he died in 1863 ; they had seven children — Mary, John, Evan, Maggie, Lizzie, Alvira, Byron.
Mrs. Jones carries on farm herself. Is a Calvinistic Methodist.
ROBERT J. JONES, farmer, Sec. 27 ; P. 0. West Blue Mounds ; farm contains 600 acres
of land, valued at $15 per acre ; born in Wales in 1830 ; came to America in 1840, and settled in New
York ; in 1848, removed to Wisconsin, and settled on his present farm. Has been twice married ; first to
Catherine Williams in 1854 ; she was born in Wales, and died in 1865 ; had four children — Prances, Lil-
lie, Seth and Catherine. Married again to Sidney Williams, also a native of Wales ; they have three
children — Jerome, Grant, Lauce. Mr. J. has been on the Town Board four terms ; two terms has been
Chairman. Is a Republican.
ROBERT W. JONES, M. D., West Blue Mounds; born in Kentucky in 1851; came
to Wisconsin in 1872 ; he located permanently in 1876, and engaged in the practice of medicine. He was
married to Elizabeth McCloud, a native of Columbia Co., Wis.; they have one child —Claire. Is a
Democrat.
THOJUAS J. JONES, blacksmith, Hyde's Mills ; born in Wales in 1848 ; came to America
in 1869, and settled here. Married Isabella Pine in 1872 ; she was born in Prince Edward Island,; have
one child — Thomas. Is a Republican.
WILIilAM M. JONES, farmer. Sec. 27 ; P. 0. West Blue Mounds ; owns 440 acres of
land, valued at $15 per acre ; born in Wales in 1832 ; came to America in 1840, and settled in New
York ; located on present farm in 1849. Married Hannah Jones in 1858 ; she was a native of Wales,
born in 1840 ; they have eight childrei — John, Harvey, Martin, Sarah, Ruth, Hannah, Mary and Minnie.
Is a Republican.
TOWN OF RIDGEWAY. 963
WIIiHAH X. JOXES, farmer and blacksmith. Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Jennieton ; owns 240 acres
of land, valued at |45 per acre ; born in Wales in 1838; came to America in 1870, and settled in Ohio ;
came here in 1871. Married Mary Lewis, a native of Wales; they have seven children — Benjamin, Evan,
John, Willie, Rachel, Sarah and Elizabeth. He was Postmaster at Jennieton three months ; is a member
of the Congregational Church, and a Republican.
REIER K. KRINGL.ee, farmer. Sec. 36; P. 0. Barber; owns 202 acres of land, valued
at $18 per acre; born in Norway in 1851 ; came to America in 1870, and, in 1873, married Sarah Ar-
neson, a native of Dane County; in the same year he settled on his present farm; have two children —
Edward and Martin Christian. Members of the Lutheran Church. He is a Republican.
ANDREW LAWLER, farmer. Sec. 18; P. 0. Ridgeway; owns 160 acres of land, valued
at $35 per acre ; born in Du Page Co., III., in 1853 ; came to Wisconsin in 1866. Married Henora H.
Crowley in 1876 ; she was born in Dodgeville ; they have two children — James and Ellen. Are members
of the Roman Catholic Church. Is a Democrat.
DENlVIiS B. LAWLER, Sec. 29; P. 0. Ridgeway; owns 700 acres of land, valued at $35
per acre; born in Ireland in 1828; came to America in 1847, and located at New York City, where he
lived two years ; he then went to Chicago, where he was engaged with Prink & Walker, taking care of
horses ; he then removed to Du Page Co., III., where he lived until 1866, when he settled on this farm.
Married Catharine Kelley, a native of Ireland, in 1848; she died in 1877 ; they had six children — Eliz-
abeth, Thomas, Andrew, Ann, Bridget and Josephine. Are members of the Roman Catholic Church ; he
has been on the Town Board two years.
REV. M. LiUBY, Pastor of St. Bridget's Church, Ridgeway ; was born in Ireland in 1846 ;
in 1851, his parents came to America, and located in Brooklyn, N. Y., where he received his early educa-
tion ; his college education was begun at St. Mary's School, Chicago, and finished at Milwaukee ; his first
work was at Peoria, 111. In October, 1878, he came to this county, and has taken charge of this parish^
HENRY MEISS, farmer. Sec. 35; P. 0. Ridgeway; owns 220 acres of land, valued at $20
per acre ; born in Germany in 1820 ; came to America in 1847, and located on present farm. In 1852,
he married Martha Taekny ; she was born in Ireland ; they have three children — Catherine, Martha and
Peter. Members of the Roman Catholic Church.
DAVID C MORRIS, farmer. Sec. 24 ; P. 0. Jennieton ; owns 600 acres of land, valued at
$25 per acre; born in Wales in 1820; came to America in 1851, and settled on present farm. Married
Hannah Jones in 1848; they have seven children — John J., David J., Margaret J., William C., Joseph,
Rosanna and Albert R. Are members of the Congregational Church. Is a Republican.
KNUD OIjSON, farmer. Sec. 1 ; P. 0. Barber; owns 322 acres of land, valued at $10 per
acre; born in Norway in 1832; came to America in 1846, and located in Texas; came to Wisconsin in
1853, and settled in Moscow Township, and removed to his present farm in 1867. Enlisted in Co. E,
11th W. V. I., in 1865, and was discharged in the same year. In 1860, he was married to Christena
Hellickson, a native of this State ; they have five children — -Edward, Mary, Sarah Ann, Otto and Oscar.
Mr. Olson was a member of the Town Board four years. Is a Republican. Members of the Lutheran
Church.
JOSEPH PAULIi, farmer. Sec. 14; P.O. Ridgeway; owns 166 acres of land, valued at
$25 per acre ; born in England in 1819 ; came to America in 1847, and located in Dodgeville ; removed
to his present farm in 1854. In 1841, he married Sarah PauU, a native of England; they have six ohil-
dren — Thomas, John, Joseph, Janie, Elizabeth Ann and Sarah. Are members of the M. E. Church. Is
a Democrat.
JOHN REESE, farmer. Sec. 15; P. 0. Jennieton; son of David Reese; was born on his
farm in 1851 ; his father owns 420 acres of land, valued at $10 per acre ; was born in Wales ; settled on
his farm in 1847. Married Sarah Jones, a native of Wales ; they have six chOdren — Margaret, David,
John. Sarah, Joseph, Evan. Members of the Congregational Church. Is a Republican.
SAMUEL ROBERTS, farmer. See. 14; P. 0. Ridgeway ; owns 200 acres of land, valued
at $20 per acre ; born in Cornwall, Bug., in 1835 ; came to America in 1840, and settled in La Fayette
Co., and, in 1845, removed to this county, and settled on his present farm. Was married to Elizabeth
Eden, a native of Cornwall, Eng. ; they have four children — Joseph, Samuel, Lettie and Oscar.
WILLIAM P. RUG-GLES, farmer. Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Hyde's Mills ; owns 426 acres of land,
valued at $25 per acre ; born in Worcester Co., Mass , Feb. 11. 1807 ; came to Wisconsin in 1836, and
964 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
located in G-rant Co.; was engaged in various businesses until he settled on his present farm in 1843.
Oct. 30, 1841, he married Lucinda Scott; she was born in Essex Co., N. Y., Sept. 15, 1808; they have
two children— Lydia P., born March 30, 1849; William G, Nov. 13, 1850.
ANTON O. RUSTB, Sec. 25, Postmaster at Barber ; appointed in 1876 ; owns 120 acres of
land, valued at 120 per acre; borii in Dane Co. in 1851 ; in 1876, he settled on his present farm. He
married Annie Sophia Klevegaard, a native of Norway ; they have one child by adoption — Martin. Is a
Eepublican.
JAMES RYAN, farmer, Sec 22; P. 0. Ridgeway; owns 280 acres of land, valued at $30 per
acre ; born in New York City in 1836 ; came to Wisconsin in 1844, and located, with his parents, in La
Fayette. Co. ; came to this county two years after, and settled on his present farm ; he is the son of Thomas
Ryan, a native of Ireland. Mr. Ryan has held important county offices, having been Sheriff of the county
two terms and Register of Deeds one term. Is a member of the Roman Catholic Church. Is a Demo-
crat.
SEVER O. SEVERSON, farmer. Sec. 36 ; P. 0. Barber; owns 160 acres of land, valued
at $18 per acre; born in Norway in 1842; came to America in 1852, and settled in this county ; in 1862,
he settled on his present farm. Married Mary Knudson in 1866 ; she was born in Norway ; they have
one child, Ole. Members of the Lutheran Church. Is a Republiean.
JAMES SHORT, farmer, Sec. 19 ; P. 0. Ridgeway ; owns 200 acres of land, valued at $25
per acre ; born in Ireland in 1815 ; came to America in 1843, and settled in Brooklyn, N. Y. ; came to
this county in 1863. and settled on present farm. Married Ann Carroll, a native of Ireland, in 1842 ; they
have seven children — Mary Ann, Catharine, Thomas, Ellen, Sarah Jane, Julia and James. Members of
the Catholic Church.
E. C. SIMPSON, farmer, Sec. 10 ; P. 0. West Blue Mounds; owns 240 acres of land, valued at
$30 per acre ; born in Prince Edward Island, in 1853, and, in 1854, his parents removed to this State
and settled .on his present farm. He married Annie Ostenberg, a native of Dane Co. ; they have two
children — Minnie and Tillie. Mr. S. is a son of David Simpson, a native of Prince Edward Island, who
married Mary McKenzie ; they had twelve children — eight sons and four daughters.
BERNHARD STAGNER, farmer, Sec. 23; P. 0. West Blue Mounds; owns 629 acres of
land, valued at $15 per acre ; born in Germany in 1839 ; came to America in 1857, located here. Mar-
ried Salissa Louck, a native of Pennsylvania ; they have nine children— Emma, Mary, Eliza, Rosa, Frank,
Ann, John, Joseph and Charles. Mr. S. has been a member of the Town Board one term. Is a
Democrat.
CHARLES M. STEPHENS, Sec. 15 ; P. 0. Ridgeway; owns 80 acres of land, valued
at $20 per acre ; born in Connecticut in 1852 ; came to Wisconsin in 1855, and settled with his parents
in this township ; settled on his present farm in 1877. In the same year he married Willette Harrison, a
native of England, born in 1 854 ; they have two children — Erwin R. and an infant. Members of Prim-
itive Methodist Church. Is a Republican.
FREDERICK THEOBAL,D, farmer. Sec. 32; P. O. Middlebury; owns 880 acres of
land, valued at $20 per acre ; born in England in 1821 ; came to America in 1829, and settled with his
parents in Prince Edward Island ; in 1848, he came to this county, and settled on his present farm. In
1846, he was married to Mary Goldsmith ; she was born in England ; they have nine children — Eliza,
ElizalDeth, Robert William, Sarah, George, Francis, James Henry, Harriette Martha and John Sherman.
Mr. T. has been one of the Town Supervisors six years ; he is also proprietor of the Middlebury Flouring
Mill, which has a capacity of twelve barrels per day. Are members of the Primitive Methodist Church.
Is a Republican.
GEORGE THEOBALrD, farmer, Sec. 10 ; P. 0. Middlebury ; owns 320 acres of land,
valued at $15 per acre ; born in England in 1830 ; came to Prince Edward Island in 1831, and to Wis-
consin in 1851, and settled on his present farm. Married Rosanna Powers in 1853 ; she was born on
Prince Edward Island ; they have four children — Margaret, Clara, Lydia and William. Members of the
Primitive Methodist Church. Is a Republican.
JAMES THEOBAIiD, farmer. Sec. 3; P. 0. Middlebury; owns 140 acres of land, valued
at $19 per acre ; born on Prince Edward Island in 1838 ; came to America in 1848. In 1866, he mar-
ried Mary Blair, a native of New York ; they have six children — Eleanor Jennette, Frederick, William,
Le Roy, Archibald and Annie Laurie. In 1870, he settled on this farm. Is a Republican.
TOWN OF MOSCOW. 965
ROBERT W. THEOBAIiD, farmer, Sec. 4 ; P. 0. Middlebury ; owns 160 aores of land,
"valued at $15 per acre ; born on this, his present farm, in 1849. Married Lousia Kastner, a native of this
State, in 1871 ; they have, three children — Minnie, Effie and Adell. Is a member of Primitive Methodist
€hurch. Is a Kepublican.
THOHAS B. WATKINS, farmer. See. 22 ; P. 0. West Blue Mounds ; owns 517 acres of
land, valued at $15 per acre ; born in Wales in 1824 ; came to America in 1833, and settled in Luzerne
do., Penn. ; came to Wisconsin in 1845, and located at West Blue Mounds, where he was engaged as hos-
tler for Ebenezer Brigham. In 1863, he married Hannah B. Davis, a native of Wales, who was born in
1842 ; they have five children — Azle L., Mary C, Barbara, Elizabeth and John B. Mr. Watkins has held
several town offices ; he assessed the town in 1849. He has also been a clergyman in the Congregational
Church since 1843.
R. C WILililAMS, farmer. Sec. 16; P. 0. Jennieton ; owns 400 acres of land, valued at
$7,000 ; born in Wales in 1836 ; came to America in 1842, and settled in Racine ; removed to this town
in 1845. Married Margaret Reese in 1869 ; they have five children — Edward, David, Thomas, Sarah and
Jennette. Mr. W. has assessed this town once, and has been Justice of the Peace thirteen years. Mem-
bers of the Congregational Church.
T. E, WIIjJLIAMS, dealer in drugs and medicines. West Blue Mounds ; born in Wales in
1842; came to America in 1871, and located in Milwaukee; came to this county in 1876, and engaged
in his present business. In 1879, he married Henrietta Evers, a native of Germany ; they have two chil-
dren— Lizzie J. and Carl. Is a Republican.
THOMAS H. WIIiJLIAlIS, farmer, Sec. 4; P. 0. Ridgeway ; born in Wisconsin in 1851.
Married in 1871, Mary A. Oliver, a native of this State ; they have three children — Benjamin F., George
Henry and Thomas. Is a Republican.
WULIilAM li. WILIilAMS, farmer. Sec. 3 ; P. 0. Middlebury ; owns 240 acres of land,
valued at $20 per acre; born on Prince Edward Island in 1840 ; came to Wisconsin in 1848, and settled
on his present farm. In 1866, he married Ella Sweet, a native of Maine ; they have four children — John
A., Maud A., Belle and Williard A. In 1862, Mr. W. enlisted in Co. B, 30th W. V. I., and was dis-
charged in 1865. Is a Republican.
RICHARD YAPP, farmer, Sec. 12 ; P. 0. Ridgeway ; owns 200 acres of land, valued $25
per acre ; born in England in 1814 ; came to America in 1850, and located in Ohio ; in 1855, he came
to Wisconsin. Married Elizabeth Richards in 1838 ; she was born in England in 1807; they have two
children living — Samuel and Mary ; lost one son, Richard, who was shot in his own house by unknown
assassins. They are members of the Primitive Methodist Church.
TOWN OF MOSCOW.
P. M. BAKER, farmer. Sec. 13 ; P. 0. Moscow ; owns 185 acres of land, valued at f 15 per
acre ; born in Vermont in 1824 ; came to this county in 1862, and located on his present farm. In 1850,
he married Mary Stevens, a native of Canada ; they have five children — Dwight E., Mary, Jennette,
Wilson F., Ella M. and Nellie. Politics, Republican.
JOHN HANSON BOIiLEBUD, Sec. 34 ; P. 0. Moscow ; _owns 280 aores of land, val-
ued at $10 per acre ; was born in Norway in 1830 ; came to America in 1853, and located on his present
farm. Married Betsy Hanson in 1854; she was born in Norway; they have eight children — Ingaborg,
Edward, Hans Antin, Annie, Theodore, Josephine, Bernhard and Martin. They are members of the
Lutheran Church.
CHRISTOPHER O. BRAGER, miller, Moscow; was born in Norway in 1853; came
to America in 1869, and located in this county ; engaged in his present business in October of this year.
Was married in 1879, to Miss Christina Thompson, a native of Dane Co. in this State.
JOHN E. BURRETS, clerk for Holland Bros., Adamsville ; was born in Norway in 1857 ;
at the age of 16, he sailed on board a frigate for Russia, thence to England and other points, making a
seven months' voyage ; his longest voyage was thirteen months ; on the 11th of May, 1875, he landed in
New York ; he has been in Iowa and Minnesota since he arrived in America ; he engaged with Holland
Bros, in the spring of 1878. In politics, he is a Republican.
MAI
96f) BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCHES:
(jrEOR(jrE DAY, blacksmith, Moscow ; established his present business in 1879 ; was born in
England in 1858, and, in 1861, his parents immigrated to America and settled in Mineral Point. His
father, William Day, was born in England, and was married to Miss Fannie Cqrrie, a native of the same-
place. They have ten children, six daughters and four sons. Mr. George Day learned his trade in Min-
eral Point, with his father and uncle. In politics, he is a Republican.
PETER DEMUTH, Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Mineral Point ; owns 520 acres of land, valued at 812^
per acre ; was born in Germany in 1820 ; came to America in 1854, and located at Mineral Point ; the
following year he removed to his present farm, and has been here since. He married Margaret Kime, a
native of Germany, they have eleven children — Mary, John, Jane, Peter, Margaret, Henry, Paul, Jo-
sephine, Matthew, Michael and Nicholas. In politics, he is independent.
C. S. HOIjLiAlVD, dealer in hardware, drugs and medicines ; established his business in 1879 j
he was born in Norway Aug. 11, 1836, and came to America in 1846 with his parents, who located in.
Walworth Co., Wis., in 1869 ; ho settled in this village, where he engaged in business ; in 1872, he sold
out to his brothers, and removed to Lisbon, Kendall Co., 111., where he lived until 1878 ; he then re-
turned to this village. He married Miss Julia Hemmerson Boe, a native of Norway ; they have si:s
children — Mattie, Annie M., Harmond E., Rachel Syverine, Haldor Malichias and Inga Amiala. They
are members of the Lutheran Church. In politics, he is a Republican.
BJORN AXD SYVER HOIiLiAXD, proprietors of Moscow Mills and dealers in gen-
eral merchandise; they also have a general stock of goods at Adamsville ; have a farm containing 160
acres of land, in Sec. 29, town of Moscow, valued at |15 per acre ; they are both natives of Norway ;
Bjorn was born in 1842, Syver in 18 — ; they cameto America in the year 1846, and located in Walworth
Co., Wis. In 1865, Bjorn married Comelia Johnson ; she was born in Norway ; they have five children
— Gustav S., Oliver S., John A., Mattie, Henry Garfield Smith ; in the same year, he removed to thia
town ^nd engaged in his present business. In 1868, Syver, the younger brother, married Martha John-
son, a native of Walworth Co., Wis. ; they have four children — Syver R., Julia C, Lillian S. and HaK
dora. In 1869, he joined his brother in this village, and they have continued their business together
since ; the Moscow Mills are owned by them, and have a capacity of seventy-five barrels per day ; also
have the best water-power in the State. They are members of the Lutheran Church, and, in politics, are
Republicans.
WIIililAM C. HOSKINS, blacksmith and wagon-maker, Adamsville ; was born in En-
gland in 1854, and, in 1855, his parents came to America and settled in Mineral Point; he has lived in
this county since. In 1875, he married Elizabeth Ingelbrightson, a native of this State; they have two
children— Henry and Grace M. Mrs. H. is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Politics,
Republican.
RICHARD IVE Y, farmer, Sec. 35 ; P. 0. Moscow ; owns 340 acres of land, valued at $15
per acre; born in Cornwall, England, in 1818 ; came to America in 1841, and located in Galena; in
1843, he removed to Mineral Point, and lived there until 1847, when he entered his present farm, and
has been a resident of this town since ; there were six families in the town when he settled here. In
1841, he married Sarah G. Pascoe, a native of England; they have seven children — James, Catharine,
Richard, John, Sarah. Henry Franklin Pierce and William. Mr. Ivey has been Assessor of this town
eighteen years, and has also held the office of Justice of the Peace several years. Politics, Republican.
KARINUS KNUDSOX, farmer. Sec. 11 ; P. 0. Moscow; owns 240 acres of land, valued
at |20 per acre; born in Norway in 1851 ; came to America in 1870, and located in Moscow; he en-
gaged in blacksmithing for a number of years, and, in 1879, he settled on his present farm. In 1875, he
married Susan Johnson, a native of this county ; they have two children — Ellen Sophia and Karl Gustas.
Mr. K. is a member of the Town Board, which office he has held for the past three years. Are membera
of the Lutheran Church. Politics, Republican.
. PATRICK lIcDOIVELIi, farmer. Sec. 29 ; P. 0. Mineral Point ; owns 120 acres of land,
valued at $30 per acre: born in Ireland in 1817 ; came to America in 1837, and settled in New York;
in 1855. he removed to this county and located on his present farm, where he has since lived. In 1840,
he married Mary Sheeren, a native of Ireland ; they have eleven children — Ellen, Alexander, Mary Ann,
Michael, Margaret, James, Catharine, Celia, Elizabeth, Agnes and John. Members of the Catholic
Church. Is a Democrat.
mCHAEIi McKEXIVE, farmer. Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Moscow ; owns 80 acres of land, valued at
$25 per acre ; farms a farm containing 800 acres of land ; born in Ireland ; came to America with his par-
TOWN OF MOSCOW. 967
-ents in 1841 ; he settled on his present farm in 1875. He married Mary L. Eddy, a native of Benton,
La Fayette Co., Wis. ; they have four children— Francis J., Hugh C, Charles M. and Mary L. Are
members of the Roman Catholic Church. Is a Democrat.
JOHN' j|[cKEl!lf]VA, farmer, Sec. 4; P. O. Moscow; owns 500 acres of land, valued at $10
per acre ; born in Ireland in 1837 ; came to America with his parents in 1841 ; in 1846, they settled in
this town. He married Ann McNeil in 1864; they have five children— Mary Jane, Francis Eugene,
Lucy, Ellen and John Charles. Are members of the Roman Catholic Church.
ALEXANDER McKIBfZIE, farmer. Sec. 16; P. 0. Adamsville ; born in Prince Ed-
Ward Island in 1828 ; in 1849, he came to America and settled in this county ; in 1867, he removed to
his present farm. In 1850, he married Kate Ward, a native of Nova Scotia; they have five children-
Clara, Minnie E., Edna A., John and Grant. Mr. M. has been Postmaster for the last five years. Are
members of the Congregational Chnrch. Politics, Republican.
JOHX McWILLIAMS, Sec. 27 ; P. 0. Moscow ; owns 260 acres of land, valued at $20
per acre; born in Ireland in 1815, and came to America in 1837 ; settled in Madison Co., N. Y., where
he worked at his trade (shoemaking) some eight years ; in 1846, he emigrated to this county, and has
been a resident since 1848 ; in 1858, he married Mary O'Kane, a native of Ireland. Mr. M. learned the
shoemaking trade at Clough Mills, Ireland, which business he followed until he settled on his present
farm.
GEORGE PAULSON, Sec. 13 ; P. O. Perry; owns 220 acres of land, valued at $10 per
acre; born in Norway in 1835; came to America in 1853, and located in Dane Co.; removed to this
county in 1855, and settled on his present farm. In 1867, he married Margaret GuUiokson ; they have
four children — Henry, Albert, Carl, Edward. Mr. Paulson has held different oflSees ; at present is Chair-
man of Town Board. Are members of the Lutheran Church. Politics, Republican.
KITTEL, PAlILiSOX, Sec. 14; P. O. Perry'; owns 280 acres of land, valued at $12 per
acre ; born in Norway in 1831 ; came to America in 1853, and located in Dane Co. ; removed to this
county in 1855, and settled on his present farm. Married Grose Sanderson in 1857. Are members of
the Lutheran Church. Is a Republican.
GEORGE F. PEARCE, wagon-maker, Adamsville; was born in this county in 1855;
engaged in his present business in June, 1879 ; he is the son of Andrew Pearoe, a native of Cornwall,
Eng., who came to America in about 1833, and his first location was in Canada; ten years later he
removed to Wisconsin, and located where he now resides. He has a family of ten children, four sons and
six daughters.
DAVID POWERS, Sec. 16; P. 0. Adamsville; owns 120 acres of land, valued at $20 per
acre ; born in Prince Edward Island in 1810; came to the United States in 1850; in 1852, settled on
his present farm. Married Elizabeth Barstow in 1832, who was also born on the Prince Edward Island;
they have three children — Rosanna, John and David. Are members of the Congregational Church. Is
a Republican.
WILIilAM ROBINSOIV, Sec. 29 ; P. 0. Adamsville ; owns 460 acres of land, valued at
$10 per acre; was born in England in 1825; came to America in 1845, and, in 1848, settled on his
his present farm. He married Mary Mills, a native of England ; they have seven children — George M.,
William T., Fred B., Joshua S., Frank L., Warren and Sarah. In 1873. he was elected to the State
Legislature, and served two years. They are members of the Primitive Methodist, Church. In politics,
he is a Republican.
Li. 1j. STATSER, wagon-maker, Moscow ; was born in Moscow in 1858 ; is the son of George
Statser,' who was born in the State of Pennsylvania ; he emigrated to this State in an early day and set-
tled in Moscow ; his wife was Miss Littie Moshier ; they had eight children — two sons and six daughters.
Mr. Statser established his business of wagon-making and repairing in March, 1880 ; he learned his trade
with F. G. Wyman, of Argyle, La Fayette Co.
JACOB C. SMITH, farmer; P. 0 Moscow ; was born in the village of Moscow in 1849. In 1874,
he married Mary J. Baker, a native of Canada. His father, Chauncey Smith, came to this county in
1847. and settled in this town, where he lived until his death, which occurred Feb. 1, 1855.
WILLIAM R. SPEARS, farmer and butcher, Sec. 14; P. 0. Moscow; owns 90 acres of
land, valued at $20 per acre; was born in Ohio in 1838 ; came to Wisconsin in 1846, and located in
■Green Co. with his parents; in 1858, he removed to this county, and settled in this town. In 1864, he
968 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
enlisted in the 37tli W. V. I., and served until the close of the war ; was in all the battles that his regi-
ment participated in. In 1876, he married Caroline Corbin ; they have two children — Ida and Richard
R. ; he has three children by a former wife — Jacob B., Polly and George. In politics, he is a Republican.
OLiE STEBJVSLiAlVD, Sec. 4 ; P. 0. Perry (owns 220 acres of land, valued at $10 per
acre); born in Norway in 1842 ; came to America in 1855, and located with his parents in this town ; in
1866, he settled on his present farm; in the same year, he married Ann M. Isaacson ; they have seven
children — Ingaborg, Andriea, Edward Isaac, Caroline, Maria, Arthur, James. Are members of the
Lutheran Church. Mr. S. has held the offices of Justice and Assessor, and has been Chairman of the
Town Board. Is a Republican.
JACOB VAN XORMAX, farmer. Sec. 12; P.O.Moscow (owns 230 acres of land, valued
at $18 per acre); born in Chemung Co., N. Y., in 1840 ; came to Wisconsin in 1855, and settled on his
present farm with his parents. Married Lydia Corbin in 1862, a native of Pennsylvania; they have
eight children — Jennie, Mary, Samuel, Frank, Sarah Ann, Lillie, Martha and Jeanette. Politics, Re-
publican.
GEOR<^E W. WADE, miller, Adamsville; born in Lawrence Co., 111., in 1844. Married
Laurisa Hollister, a native of this county ; they have one child — -Nellie G. Mr. W. enlisted in 1865 in
the navy, and was transferred in a short time to the Yth 111. V. C. and served until the close of the war.
RICHARD I. WADE, Adamsville, proprietor of Adamsville Mill ; was born in Pennsyl-
vania in 1814; when he was IJ years old, his parents removed to Ohio, where they lived until he was 9
years old; they then removed to Illinois, where he grew to manhood ; in 1846, he removed to this county ;
in 1850, he left for California with a number of others, and was absent about a year and a half; he re-
turned to this county and settled in the town of West Blue Mounds, or better known as Pokerville ; he
was engaged in the mercantile trade for about twelve years ; in 1868, he located on a farm in Waldwiok ;
he traded his farm there for his present mill property, and took up Lis place of residence here in 1876 ;
he has the largest mill in Iowa County ; it contains three run of buhrs, and has a capacity of seventy-five
barrels per day. In 1844, he married Hannah Slawson, a native of Illinois ; they have nine children —
George W., Mary A., Richard I., William A., Nancy Jane, J. B., Kate A., Raohael A., Sherman T.
Politically, is a Greenbacker.
TOWN OF WALDWICK.
JAMES BAlili, Sec. 17; P. 0. Mineral Point; owns 163 acres, valued at .$15 per acre;
born in England in 1834; came to America in 1857, and located on present farm. Married Mary Trick
in 1856 ; she was born in England ; have five children — Pearson A., Gilbert, Ella, Ida, Adaline. A.re
members of the M. E. Church. Mr. B. is a Republican.
THOMAS BURKE, farmer. Sec. 6; P. 0. Mineral Point; born in Ireland in 1823 ; came
to America in 1845, settled on present farm in 1867. Married Mary Kehoe in 1871; she was a native
of Ireland; Mr. B. has five children by a former wife; Mary A., James, John, Margaret, Francis J.
Religion, Roman Catholic. Owns 200 acres of land, valued at $40 per acre.
€r. €r. COX, farmer, Sec. 8 ; P. 0. Mineral Point; born in Suffolk Co., N. Y., in 1842 ; came
to Iowa with his parents in 1850, and located on his present farm. Married in 1865 to Sarah Whitford,
a native of this county ; they have three children — Amelia, Charles and George. Mr. Cox enlisted ii>
1862 in Co. D, 2d W. V. C, and was honorably discharged in 1865 ; was elected a member of the State
Legislature in 1878, which position he now holds.
DAlVIEIi DORNAN', farmer. Sec. 12; P. 0, Mineral Point; son of Andrew and Margaret
Murphy Dornan ; came to Wisconsin May 1, 1844, and located at Mineral Point, where he remained
till August of the same year, when he located where he now resides ; owns 782 acres of land ; resides on
a beautiful farm of 500 acres, twelve miles from Mineral Point, east ; farm well-improved ; born June 10,.
1816, in Killavery, County Armagh, Ireland, where he remained until May, 1839, when he went to Liv-
erpool ; after remaining a short time, returned to Ireland ; sailed for America March 17, 1840, and located
at Staten Island; went from there to New Orleans ; remained there till 1842, when he returned to New
York ; after spending the summer there, returned again to New Orleans, where he remained till Spring ;
after spending a short time in St. Louis, and Galena, 111., came to Mineral Point, Wis Married Mary
Hughes, daughter of Thomas and Sarah Muldoon Hughes, in New Orleans, Dec. 17, 1843 ; had one-
TOWN OF WALDWICK. ^^9
child — Andrew James; wife died July 12, 1873, in Waldwick ; married second wife, Mrs. Bridget Mc-
Mahon, nee Carroll, daughter of William aod Catherine Brennan Carroll, in Highland, Iowa Co., April
29,1877; had two children — Margaret A. and Catharine ; Mrs. Dornan had two children by former
husband, viz., John and William McMahon, who are living with Mr. Dornan. Mr. Dornan has held the
offices of Supervisor and School Treasurer for some twenty years. Mr. and Mrs. Dornan are members of
the Catholic Church of Waldwick. Andrew J. Dornan, son of the subject of this sketch, was married to
Mary Cullen, daughter of John and Mary Kelley CuUen, June 10, 1873 ; had two children — Mary and
Margaret C; his wife died Oct. 9, 1875 ; was married again in November, 1877, to Lizzie Kelly, daughter
of James and Bridget Kelly, of Ridgeway, Iowa Co.; had two children — Daniel and James. Daniel
Dornan and son Andrew are in partnership in their extensive farming operations.
GEORGE FERRELL, Sec. 8 ; P. 0. Mineral Point ; was born in Cornwall, England, in
1819 ; came to America in 1848; settled on his present farm in 1850. Married Elizabeth Tradinnick in
1 839 ; she was a native of England ; they have seven children — George, John, Elizabeth, Stephen, Mary
A. Samuel and Ellen J. They are members of the M. E. Church. Mr. P. is a Republican. He owns
140 acres of land, valued at 835 per acre.
SAMUELi FITZSmONS, farmer. Sec. 19 ; P. 0. Mineral Point ; owns 320 acres of land,
valued at $13 per acre ; born in Ireland in 1833, and came to America in 1852 ; settled in Wisconsin ;
removed to his present farm in 1877. Married Elizabeth Johnson in 1867, a native of Ireland ; they have
five children — Elizabeth, Edwin, John, George and Hester Jane. Are members of Episcopal Church. Mr.
P. is a Republican,
JAlflES GORDO^W, farmer. Sec. 18 ; P. 0. Mineral Point ; he owns 160 acres of land, valued
at $30 per acre ; born in Canada in 1806 ; came to the United States in 1833, and located in Green Bay ;
removed to this county in 1834, and settled on his present farm in 1845. Married Dorcas Boles in 1860 ;
she was born in Ohip. Mr. G. had seven children by a former wife.
THOMAS GRIBBIiE, farmer,. Sec. 35 ; P. 0. Mineral Point. Mr. G. is a Republican aad
owns 467 acres of land, valued at 135 per acre ; born in Waldwick Township, this county. Married Susan
Thomas in 1862 ; she was born in England ; they have ten children — Edward, Catharine, Mary, John,
William, Joseph, Ellen, Charles, Harvey and Elmer.
CHANDLER HEATH, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Mineral Point; owns 144 acres of land,
valued at 135 per acre ; born in this county. Married Elizabeth E. Huxtable in 1879. Is a Republican.
RICHARD JACKSON, Sec. 4 ; P. 0. Mineral Point. Mr. J. is a Republican, and owns
240 acres of land, valued at |35 per acre ; born in Yorkskire, England, in 1842 ; came to America in
about 1852; settled on present farm in 1865. Married Ann Frankland in 1867; she was born in
England ; they have eight children — Emily, James, Margaret, Elizabeth A., Mathew, Mary, Isabel
and Mable.
WILLIAM G. JONES, farmer. Sec. 22 ; P. 0. Mineral Point ; born in 1853 ; is the son
of Griffith Jones, who was born in Wales in 1828, and emigrated to America in 1845, and settled in this
county in 1870 ; he removed to this town and erected a mill on the farm on which he now lives. Was
married in 1848 to Miss Catherine Rowland ; they have nine children — John G., William G., Hannah
G., Margaret G., Lacy G., David G., Daniel G., Catherine 6., Maria Ann. Politics, Republican.
JOHN LAVERTY, farmer, Sec. 31 ; P. 0. Mineral Point; owns 275 acres of land, valued
at $25 per acre; born in Ireland in 1822 ; came to America in 1844; settled on his present farm in 1854.
Was married to Nancy McCloskey ; she, too, is a native of Ireland ; have eleven children — Mary, Ber-
nard, Annie, Ellen, Michael, Johnny, Francis, Alexander, Joseph, Eliza J. and Vincent. Are members
of the Roman Catholic Church.
CHARLES_ LEAVITT, farmer, Sec. 6 ; P. 0. Mineral Point; born in Maine in 1854;
came to this county in 1862; his father, Franklin B. Leavitt, was born in Maine in 1814, and died in
1868. Mr. L. owns 60} acres of land, valued at $30 per acre.
JOHN LITTLE, farmer, Sec. 35 ; P. 0. Mineral Point ; born in England, County Cumber-
land ; came to America in 1848, and located on present farm. Married Mary Tomlinson in 1840 ; she
was born in England; have lost two children; have three children by adoption — Mary J., Robert J.,
Mary A. Mr. L. owns 297} acres of land, valued at $30 per acre.
EDWARD NICHOLS, Sec. 8 ; P. 0. Mineral Point ; born in Cornwall, Eng. ; came to
America in 1835. Married Martha Willey in 1858 ; she, too, is a native of Cornwall, Eng. ; they have
two children — Sarah and Howard. Owns 163 acres of land, valued,at $35.
970 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
MRS. £ISTHEB OOLEY, widow of William Ooley, was married to Mr. Ooley in 1852 ; he
was born in Sangamon Co., 111.; they have had nine children^Henry S., Josephine, John C, Ida A.,
Eva, William A., James, Delia and Joseph L. The farm is carried on by Henry and John Curtis, who
are natives of this county.
JOH5f PIIiE, farmer. Sec. 18; P. 0. Mineral Point; was born in England in 1817; came to
America in 1851, and located in La Payette Co., Wis. ; removed to this county, on his present farm, in
1855. He was married to Ann Maldran, a native of England, in 1851 ; they have five children — Mary
E., Elza J., Maria, John C. and James M. They are members of the M. E. Church. ' He owns 156
acres of land, valued at $35 per acre. In politics, he is a Hepublican.
JOHX ROSS, farmer. Sec. 4; P. 0. Mineral Point; was born in Ireland in 1819 ; came to
America in 1845, and settled on his present farm in 1863. He married Elizabeth Binks in 1852 ; she
was born in Wales; they have seven children — Alexander, Mary, Elizabeth, Martha A., Margaret, John
W. and Leslie. Mr. R. is a Republican ; he owns 240 acres of land, valued at $25 per acre.
JOHN WALSH, farmer, Sec, 4 ; P. 0. Mineral Point; was born in Ireland in ]824; came to
America in 1849, and located in this county. He married Ann Crilley in 1854; she was born in Ire-
land ; they have eight children — David, Bridget, John, Peter, Maggie, William, Anna and Mary. Mr.
W. owns 265 acres of land, valued at $30 per acre.
JAMES WEBBER, Sec. 17 ; P. 0. Mineral Point ; was born in Erie Co., Penn., in 1828 ;
came to Wisconsin in 1846, and settled in Mineral Point Township ; purchased his present farm this year
(1880). He was married to Emeline Matthews in 1855; she was born in Ohio; they have three chil-
dren— Jane, Ettie M. and Elsie. ' ""Mr. Webber was elected a member of the County Board of Supervisors
in 1878, which ofiice he now holds. In politics, he is a Democrat. He owns 82 acres of land, valued at
$25 per acre.
JOHIV WOOI.COCK, Sec. 15 ; P. 0. Mineral Point; born in Cornwall, England, in 1824;
came to America in 1849, and located in Rhode Island, and engaged in mining; in 1851, removed to
Ontonagon, Northern Michigan, and remained there three years, and then removed to Wisconsin, where
he still lives. He was married to Margaret Duggan in 1850; she was born in Ireland in 1826; they
have seven children— Elizabeth, Edward, John, Charles, Amelia, Lillie and Clarence. They are members
of the M. E. Church. Mr. W. is a Republican, and owns 166 acres of land, valued $20 per acre.
MRS. SUSAN YOUN«, Sec. 10; P. 0. Yellow Stone, La Fayette Co.; widowof William
Young, deceased ; daughter of Jonathan and Catharine Mead White ; Mrs. Young was born in Virginia,
and Mr. Young was born in Kentucky. They were married Feb. 13, 1845 ; had ten children — -William
H., Mary A., Abram, Sarah, Celia, Franklin, Miller, Harvey M., Luoinda R. and Julia I. Mary A. is
married to John White ; Abram is married to Matilda J. Wilson ; Frank was married to Nancy Kitchen,
in Oregon, Dane Co., Jan. 1, 1877 ; has one child. Mrs. Young owns 230 acres of land, managed by her
two sons, Frank and Miller. k
PASSENGERS BOUND FOR
CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, NEBRASKA,
Should, if they would consult their interest, buy their tickets via the
Chicago & North -Western Railway
This is the XjE:.A.X)I3SrC3- I^.A.IXj-'TU^.A.'Z" of the
This important ByBtem of Railway Lines is one of the Largtst Corporations in the World, uwDing and operating,
under one management,
3,30o m:ile8 of ROA^D.
Its Lines run from Chicago in Bo many directions that it is necessary to designate its Lines by certain specific names, which will give a cor-
rect idea to the passenger of the part of country each Line traverses. These Lines, numbering nine, are as follows :
Ohicago, Council Bluffs & California Line.
Chicago, Sioux City & Yankton Line.
Chicago, Clinton, Dubuque & La Crosse Line.
Chicago, Preeport & Dubuque Line.
Chicago, Green Bay & Marquette Line.
ChicagofLa Crosse & Winona Line.
Chicago, Minnesota & Dakota Line.
Chicago, St. Paul & Minneapolis Line.
Chicago, Milwaukee & Lake Superior Line
These Lines enable the "CHICAGO & NOETH-WESTEKN" to reach all principal points in the WEST, KOKTHWEST, and, through its
connections, the FAR WEST.
It offers every facility for Quick, Safe and Comfortable Transit to the traveler who Bulects this .as his route.
It stands Becond to no road in the West, and offers inducements and advantages that are not and cannot be offered by any of its competitors.
Its management adopts every improvement known to the modern Railway System, and is determined that the CHICAGO & NORTH-
WESTERN RAILWAY shall remain the LEADING Railway of the GREAT WEST.
Passengers should ask for and be certain their Tickets have a Coupon which reads, over the
'^CHICAGO & NORTH- V\^ESTERN RY.
All Ticket Agents will be glad to sell them via this Xiine.
RFMFMRFR P II MAM HHTF rjA do Are now mnmng regularly between Chicago and council
nCIVICIVIDCn . rUI_l_IVIMlN nUICI- V^anO bluffs ontheCallfomia Express Trains of the C^JC^GO
* yORTB-JVJESTJBltX HAILWAT. /O-BEAR IN MIND, no other road runs Pullman Hotel Cars, or any form of Hotel Cars,
THROUGH between Chicago and the Missouri River. This is the only Line that has THROUGH EATING CARS of any sort.
NO TRANSFER at ST. PAUL yia tlie CHICAGO & NORTH-WESTERN RY.
Paasengers procuring tickets to points beyond ST. PAUL should use GREAT OAB.E to see that they read over the
Ohicago & IVortli-Westeni. liail-v^ay,
— OE THE —
Olxicag-o, St;. I*aixl Sa DJCinueapolis X^ine.
And not over a route having a SIMILAR NAME, as this is
«©"THE ONLY ROUTE YOU CAN TAKE TO AVOID A CHANGE OF DEPOT AT ST. PAUL"^
NEW YORK OFFICE— No. 415 Broadway.
BOSTON OFFICE— No. 6 State Street.
MILWAUKEE CITY TICKET OFFICE— 102 Wisconsin Street.
ST. PAUL TICKET OFFICE— Cor. Third and Jackson Streets.
MINNEAPOLIS TICKET OFFICES— 13 Nicollet House, and St.
Paul & Pacific Depot.
CHICAGO TICKET OFFICES— 62 Clark Street, under Sherman
House; 75 Canal Street; Kinzie Street Depot, corner W^ est Kinzie
and Canal Streets ; Wells Street Depot, corner Wells and Kin-
zie Streets.
COUNCIL BLUFFS TICKET OFFICES— Corner Broadway and
Pearl Street, Union Pacific Depot; and Chicago & North-
western Railway Depot.
OMAHA TICKET OFFICES— Union Pacific Depot, and 1324 Far-
nam Street, comer 14th.
SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE— 2 New Montgomery Street.
LONDON, ENGLAND, OFFICES— 449 Strand, and 3 Adelaide
Street.
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