HISTORY
OF
SAUK COUNTY,
WISCONSIN,
AN ACCOUNT OF ITS SETTLEMENT, GROWTH, 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.
IX.IL.-rTSTK.A.TIE ID-
CHI C A ( ; ( ) :
WESTERN HISTORICAL COMPANY.
PREFACE.
TT is with no little pride that the publishers present this work to the citizens of Sauk County,
knowing that, with whatever inaccuracies it may be found to contain, it will prove one of the
most valuable books ever added to their libraries. It is a book wholly unlike any other ever
published, being exclusively for and concerning the people of this county, and is of such size,
completeness and comprehensiveness as could never have been furnished had the community
been less advanced in civilization, culture and wealth than it now is.
The index shows what the book attempts to preserve. That it contains errors it would
be foolish to deny ; for the very nature of all historical publications, depending as they do upon
oft-repeated and oft-mangled stories, imperfect newspaper accounts, and memories weakened by
the. toils and sorrows of many decades, renders perfect accuracy absolutely impossible. How-
ever, let the public take these prefatory remarks as a pledge that the publishers have spared no
means, and the historian no labor or patience, to make every account as nearly perfect as possible.
And let every reader remember, also, as he notes the contents of the hundreds of subjects the
book contains, that, wherever the historian has been led in the least astray, it was due to the
citizens of Sauk County, for whom the work was undertaken, and from whom he obtained the
least and the greatest of the facts necessary in its compilation.
To those who have taken particular pains to aid in making this a valuable book sincere
thanks are here returned ; and, as years roll on, and the work becomes more and more cherished
and valuable, the thanks of the future will be still more sincere than ours ; sincere not only,
but universal.
Western Historical Society.
CONTENTS.
iiisioirv 01 wisroxmv.
3
Mil
f
V,,.-,-,-ii, -.. -I..I- VJ
l-ll'l .11 los
State Siip.-iiiil.-ii.l. ill- .
I'.illfgf Sketches
ZZZl48
148
MS
149
Tobacci i i..:,i-.iii-. 21
57
Fourth A.liuiiii>tinti..ii
Fifth Administration
!Z"z .'i
Manufactures
Agriculture'
M„,.-i.,l II.-
Ii '.'.':, ... "
Coppei
c...ld ami - 'i .
It. id, . 'I..- ... .
Cement Rock
l.iiuosi. ... . .
Peat— II . ' .. . -1 -,- -
Railroads,
.rV. , . Mi:-.. ... ■ -. -• p..
.'.'. '.'.\1K
179
180
i. in .. 180
1-1
Is]
Seventh Administration
\\ l: ..is.-. ■ -— i. ii Cmtn.-ii- .-.:.
Eighth Administration
Ninth Administration
117
69
gg«t£T0" i
'IV, luh A.liuiui-tiation
i
1-..H &
Sixteenth Adininistratiun
op.^iapliv an 1 i;...]..gy
■';'•.• A„i,..,,ii ak.-...
lu'.i
Ilii
..'!!!Z!!l4tl
Mil
'
..'..' Ml
142
143
l i;
1 16
146
Ratio ol Si. I,ii. — , Ft llouald and Wiri-
linintologj
r.-.-s. Sliml- .iii-i V, .. -
Fducalinii ..| the P.lilel 21
lll-l|ll:l.- ,,f |l. .,1 .... ' 1 ...... 1 ■ 24
SI it. Pns.ui 21
riupp. » , 1 . :- ,v u.-i- in
Narrow Gau
■
182
191
N<. rth. -in Hospital for the Insain- .' 1
. - - ■ Mllua.il «
Population !■> C. utiti —
Naiivilv l-\ . '..nun. - ...
\ aluation -1 l'i- i ■ . i ,
Acreage of Principal i'1-.p- .. JUI.Ji
illl.a'tintial
School Fund income.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.!'..'.'.
Slat.' li.iv.i-.ily
Agricultural College
Norm .1 S 1 Is
Ten li.-rs' Institutes
Graded Schools
S?frdaT'n,D. •:..:::•:
.:'."
20]
ABSTRACT OI' WISCONSIN STATE LAWS.
Page. I Page, l
Actions j- . n.cii.ui- .ml i:. a., ill Kl.-ctions 26:1 Landlord and Tenant-
Arrest >.'. Fstrays 2711 Limitation ..f A. lions
Attn. I nt -s| Exemptions j-| Marks an I P.rauds
Adoption of Children ::• I ■-" M.,iii-.1\v ■
Assignment of Mortgap .71 In t . -.-, ■ \ . -. - . I .
Aseeesm mt in-l i' .11. . ti.n .f r..\ - i ■ . ': - -. ■
Assessment of Taxes -.. . - . : l
Bills ol Ex. lianL'-..r Pr-.im- .. v \ 1 -
Honey - n : by Snbact
Capital Pimi-I.iii- M I I:- tl i
Collection ..f Tax.-, I • .- .,n. - I .
I ■ .- ■ i . . ■ , nt! H
Comiie.ii s. . ;. Jurisdiction ol
Damages f-.u Tr. -pa- j. , Jurors
Page.
Wisconsin Stav r. institution 287
V. S. Constitution 2:i7
MISCELLANEOUS.
oi the State 3«8
IIISTOISV OF S.VlIt COUJVTY.
Page.
CHAPTER I.
Indian ( iipatic.v J"
The Mascoutins, ECicka] B. Miamis,
Foxes, Sacs and Winnebagoes 310
Early Government 311
First While Men in Sauk County 312
Early Visits to Sank Count} 31 ft
liuu Sauk County got its Name 317
Sank Count} on F.ailv Maps I
The Winnebago Wai 319
United States Land smve}- and Land
Districts
CHAPTER II.
The First Permanent Settlement
County 0fflcsrsl844 to ls.su I
Laying Out the Towns Sell
T. 1 1 Hon ai, state and Congressional
idatioti :l l
Territorial. District and State Circuit
Court 346
County Judges
Political 1'aitie, in sail, ' mi
The First \\ hite Woman in the Bara-
1 Valley 1 "■'.'
A 'lilt with" Redskins 460
Indian Scale of 1S44 4"2
Early Christian Effort in Sauk County 403
CHAPTER VIII— I'm "Oium
: Features 461
Elevations 472
Qj art: tti Ban e 472
Flora and Fauna 486
CHAPTER IX— BaraBOO
Forty-tin 4'.H
Advent Of the Pioneers .. In:'.
c
CHAPTER III.
Locating
Houses
Railroads
Agricultural Indu
Sank County Agri
Blood Cattle
Stock Breeders' At
Dairyii
What it
• ii \ i- : in
Devil's 1
The I'd
E.lio R...U
Bee Bii
I ,,. i.
Congr. is It
CHAPTER \ I
; - iii.M'i
Km
irtm :.t i:d Fire Rei : :
Governmi > :
.: 1 i ,1
■ In !
Cemeteries
CHAPTER XI TiikS.uk Vii.i mis.
Early Historj
Pbairie on Sao, oi I i ri u Sauk...
Page.
Early Settlement and Subsequent
Growth 586
The Old Court House 586
The First Staging 5x7
Genera] Notes 587
Tin- Bridge 588
Post Office and Postmasters oS'.l
Schools 590
Manufacturing 590
Hotels 591
Societies..... 591
churches .. ".!>:-;
Attorneys and Physician., 604
S.u k Cnv.or Lnwi.R Sack 594
Inlv s uleineiit aIKi KTOwth 595
I'n ■ ni i Mnii.,1} Company
Manufactures
Post Office
The lh lilue
Public Schools
Fire Company and Fires...
Societies and Churches.
Attorneys and Physicians.
Mill
SlCK
ll.lltle
Town of Washington ....
614
Town of Dellon.i
Town of 1 i 1 in ind \ il
ige of
North Fie i -.,
625
626
Town of Excelsior and Vil
Ige Of
Village and Town I f Dl It. n
N '
loll .. _....„ .... „
c-lr
Town of Fairfield
CHAPTER XIII— Spuing Gur.r.x.
Intro In. |..n Sk. Id,
' 1 •
644
ibie nil Development
i l
Village Hall
Temperance Issue
livpie-- Company
■ .2
CHAPTER XIV.
Town of Spring Green
Town of Troy
Town of Bear Creek
670
Town of Franklin
Town -III
ToUll ol M- 11.11, e 1.
Town of Piano .... -
Town of Sumter
I'OKTIt ills.
It MM ; It \I-IIH AI, SKETCHES.
lin ,i ...
Dc'llona...
In Hon
Excelsior
Fan li.dd
f 1>'V' MAP OF
WIS.
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
BY C. W. BUTTEEFIELD.
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 sua
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 archaeologist, and the antiquarian of the future to answer —
if they can.
20 HISTORY OF 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 buffalo; 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 heigh' 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 TEIBES OF WISCONSIN. 21
this ancient race and those of modern ones; the results, however, of these comparisoi
iittle, 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 topper 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 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 cf the Gulf of Mexi< o, 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 first 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
small fire, which was kept up for several days. When the rice was well dried, it \\\
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 impounded, 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 npon, 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 Rene 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 the
Sault." His place was filled by Father Louis Andre, 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 Andre 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 172S, 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, 17,50, 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 prejudii e 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 Frencli commander there, against the English. They were glad to substitute English lor
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, fontiac's
War of 1763 broke out, and the [lost 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
-812-15.
When, in July, 1S16, 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 — 1 Si 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 t',e
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 wins, of the Gen-
eral Government, had become greatly extended. It was bounded on the north by the dividing
ridge 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 countrv :
24 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN
east to Green bay and I ake Michigan ; south to the Milwaukee river, and west to Black river.
Vnd what is most surprising is that the feeble tribe of 1761 had now, in less than three quarters
ntury, 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, t lie 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
; s the General Government should desire to purchase it. In 1S36, another portion, amounting to
four million acres, lying between Green bay on the east and Wolf river on the west, was dis-
posed of to tlie 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
ble possession of a country about one hundred and twenty miles long, and about eighty
broad.
Finally, in [848, 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
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 fortheir permanent
on the upper Wolf river, in what is now Shawano and Oconto counties — a portion, but
m til one, of what was once their extensive possessions. To this reservation they removed
in October, 185.'. Thus are the Menomonees, the only one of the original tribes of Wisconsin
a whole, have a local habitation within its limits. This tribe refused to join the Sioux in
their outl lunteers 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 M
i Green bay, Lake Michigan, the Straits of Mackinaw and Lake Huron w
early times, inha of the Algonquin race, forming a barrier to the I »
, who had advanced eastward ippi. But the Winnebagoes, although one of
the trili d passed the great river, at some unknown
> Green bay. Here, this "sea-tribe," as early, it is
visited by an agent ol I reaty concluded with them. Thetribe
after w.o I ira, or Ochunkoraw, but were styled by the Sioux, Batanke,
or Sturgi d of the Ouenibigoutz, or Winnebegouk (as the Winnebagoes
: ionaries, and the Algonquin tribes, meaning men from the
fetid or salt water, translated by the Puants) for the , dthough
'.here is the tribe had be leanwhile by adventurous Frenchmen, when on
the second -ah i ,. some of that nation were noted al a Sa< (Sauk or Saukis) village
by Father Alii -
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 thesoldiers, 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 Hading 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 1718, 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
2b' 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
1 816, 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, 1S16, at St. Louis, the tribe
made 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
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, [837, "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 e1 ewhere. All had bei ome
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 TKIBES OF WISCONSIN. 27
changed their place of abode. Their number, all told, is less than twenty-live 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 State ,
found to be occupied by Indians called the < 'mi 'Pi w \s. Their hunting-grounds extended south
from Lake Superior to the heads of the Menom'onee, 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 lung i ontinued. 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 1S27, the General Gov- .
eminent 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 1S42, 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
Cliff 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
earl)- 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 F'oxes, whence our English name; the other, Muscfuakink, 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 HISTORY 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 17 12, 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 17ns, 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 17-^, 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
1-30, 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
I Mixes 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 1 761, 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 (ireen 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 < ontinued the firm friends of the
English. At th nl ol 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
1 eded this to the Unite* 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-TEKEITORIAL ANNALS OF WISCONSIN. 29
Indian nations of Wisconsin. A striking episode in their subsequent histor) 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 then 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.
uliarity of this tribe — at least of such as resided in what is now Wisconsin — was their
intimate association with neighboring bands. When, in 1669, 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 them 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 ami 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 Slate.
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 May, 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 tin- 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 1S39, they broke up their tribal relations and became citizens of Wisconsin
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 wilderness. Its inhabitants,
the aboriginal Red men, were thinly but widely scattered over all the country. John Ni< mi
.1 Frenchman, who had been in Canada since 161S, and had spent several years among the
30 HISTORY 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
floated 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, tne
"Griffin," laden with furs, left one of the islands at the mouth of Green bay, on its return —
spreading her sails for Niagara, hut never more to be heard of.
Following in the footsteps of the fur traders came the Jesuit missionaries to Lake Superior ;
one "I them, father Menard, as early as 1660, reaching its southern shore as far to the westward,
. 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 Alloue/., arriving on the first day of October, 1665, 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-TERRITORIAL AXNALS OF WISCONSIN. 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 167 1, 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 1671, 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 Xorth-
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 I.ake 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 may be said that its territory had been explored sufficiently for the forming of a
32 HISTORY OF 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 r68o, 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 new 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 167 1, 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 dc hois,
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
re, at most, only the allies of France. Posts — mere stockades without cannon, more for
on to fur-traders than for any other purpose — were erected upon the Mississippi at two
least, upon what is now territory of Wisconsin. On the west side of Fox
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
blished 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
irs; 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 Freni h supremacy, at that
America. Wisconsin, when England's control began, was little better than a howling
rhere was not within the broad limits of u hat is now the Stale, a single boTia fide
settler, at the time the French Government yielded up it, possession to the Knglish; that is to
say, thei acceptation of the term
The military occupation oi v the British, afl fears' \yar, was a brief
; -- 1 1 . 1 1 is now the cit) of Fort Howard, Brown county, was called —
I October, 1701, taken possi toi of by English troops, under 1
1 th regiment. Two days after, that officer departed, leaving Lieutenant
PRE-TERRITOKIAL AXNAI.s OF WISCONSIN. 33
James Gorrell, in command, with one sergeant, one corporal and fifteen privates. Tli
remained at the post a French interpreter and two English traders. The name of the
lion 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 tlie danger which the downfall of the French interests in Canada was sure to bring to them.
The) 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 t'.ie 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 jusl
mentioned, the savages captured; but it resulted in the evacuation of its territory 1»,
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 river to the portage, ami descended the Wisconsin to the
Mississippi. He noticed the tumbling-down post at what is now Green Bay, Drown count)'.
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 Pro\
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
Dubifque; 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 17.83 and of 1795, with 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 from 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 Wisconsin by British
ioldiers, 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 sup Great Britain over
the Northwest was, after an actual continuance oi thirty-five years, at an end.
Although the General Government did not get possession of the region northwest of tin
throughout its full extent, for thirteen years subsequent to its acquirement by the treat) ol
of 1783 with (Ireat 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 count)-
34 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
so much of the region northwest of the Ohio, as had been settled by 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 tine 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 feu- 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
oi them. Kut 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 count)- 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 River Illinois, in what is now the State of Illinois. The
PRE-TERRITORIAL AXXALS 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, 1S00, 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^tate 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 line 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, 1S09, 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 1S16, Indiana became a State, "the territory of the LTnited 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 a
36 HISTORY OF 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, 1S36.
A retrospective glance at the history of this region for forty years previous to the last men-
tioned year, including the time 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 now the eastern portion of the State. Early in 1S14, 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 18 15, 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 began 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
PRE-TERRITORIAL A.X3TALS OF WISCONSIN. 37
the twenty-sixth of October, [818. 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
Nbquet 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 Michilimackinai ." The whole
area in Michigan Territory south of the county of Michilimackinac and west of Lake Mi< liigan
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
22d of December, 1S26, 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 1S24, Henry S. Baird, of
Brown county, was appointed district attorney. Doty held the office of judge until M
when he was succeeded by David Irvin. This court continued until 1.S36, 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 WISCONSIN.
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-General
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 a
treaty made at Fort Harmar, just across the River Muskingum from Marietta, Ohio, in January,
17S9, 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-
sippi. 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 Pox 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 to
tli.- Sa s 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 ( rreat Britain, and the
! 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
: Foxes held treaties with the United States. There was a renewal of the treaty of 1804.
PRE-TERRITORIAL 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 1S30, several additional treaties
were made with the Sacs and Foxes by the General Government : one in 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 lor 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 1S32, 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 forcas. 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, 1S32.
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, ir. 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 I). 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 an
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
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 presenl 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 (lose 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
By tlie 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
nf 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 1 oun< il of Michigan Territory extended her laws over the whole
area, dividing it on the 6th oi September, [834, 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 I north of the line, to be known as the county of Dubuque. This
whole region west of the Mississippi was known as the Iowa district. Immediately after the
treaty of 1832 with tin I States having « ome into ownership of a large
tract in this district, several families c rossed the Mi>sissippi, and settled on the purchase, but as
WISCONSIN TERRITORY 41
the time provided for the Indians to give possession was the first of June, [833, 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 1st 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 on the fourth day of July, 1S36, with a
42 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
proper reservation of rights in favor of the Indians. It provided for subsequently dividing tn&
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 denning 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 ceusus 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; 1
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 twocounties west of the Mississippi furnished nearly one half. The ap
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 ol
sentatives, Iowa got six; Dubuque, five, and Des Moines, seven. The election was held on the
tenth of Octob ing 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 fohn P. Arn.lt, membi rs of the couni ;: Ebenezer Childs, Albert
WISCONSIN 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, Ebenezer Brigham, 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
MeCraney and Thomas McKnight; representatives, Loring Wheeler, Hardin Nowlin, II
Camp, P. H. Engle and Patrick Quigley : from Des Moines, councilmen, Jeremiah Smith, Jr.,
Joseph B. Teas and Arthur B. Inghram ; representatives, Isaac Lefrler, Thomas Blair, Warren L.
Jenkins, John Box, George W. Teas, Eli Reynolds and David R. Chance: from Crawford, repre-
sentatives, James If. 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 AVinnebago, 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 ad 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
the 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 10th 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 1819, 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 attended 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 TERRITORY. 4.5
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 then
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 \Vrh ite 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 Iowas, 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 Wirmebagoes 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, 1S37. 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, 1S39, 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 OF WISCONSIN".
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, 183S, 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, 1S3S, the public buildings at the new capital
having 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 piace 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, 1S3S, 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 live 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 Dodgs duly elected, by a certificate of election, issued on the twenty-seventh day of
1 : on the commencement of the third session of the twenty- fifth congress
WISCONSIN TERRITORY. 47
on Monday, December 10, 183S, 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 1S17, 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 iSth 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, 1S3S, 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 law-, 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 thud 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 2 1 st of the following month. "Although," said the president of the council, upon the 0
of the adjournment, "but few acts of ,i general character have been passed, as the discus-,.
action of this body have been chiefly confined to bills of a local nature, and to the pa
memorials to the parent government in behalf of the great interests of the Territorj ; yel tl
believed that the concurrent resolutions of the two houses authorizing a revision of the laws, 1- a
measure of infinite importance to the true interests of the people, and to the credit and charai -
ter of the Territory."
Tbe census of the Territory having been taken during the year [838, showed a population
of 18,130, an increase in two years of (>,H7
The second session of the second legislative assembly commenced on the twenty-first daj ol
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 ot representatives, Edward V. Whiton, 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 1S39, 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 Territory 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 capital,
and the conduct of the commissioners intrusted with the money appropriated by congress to
defray the cost of its construction. The legislature adjourned on the thirteenth of January,
1S40, 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 legrlative 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,
1S40, 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
1 lei 'ion 1 vo 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
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,
WIM'OXSIX TERRITORY. 49
1841, having continued a term of seventy-five days, the maximum time limited by the 01
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 151I1 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 1S41, 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, iS4r. 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 tthe 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 h d been sold, one tenth of the purchase money received, and ample securities held
50 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, 1S42.
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, 1S43. 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 legislature 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
WISCONSIN TERRITORY. 51
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-
/fonsrtn — 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 —
Wisronsm — 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, 1045.
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, L-nited 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, 1S46.
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 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN.
re-organized the election districts, and conferred on the governor the power and duty oi 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, 1S47, 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
bill 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 : Milwaukeev
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 Dewey, Governor — 1848, 184,;
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
WISCONSIN' 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
hay 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-
has 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
being unorganized.
The first session of the legislature of Wisconsin commenced at Madison, the seat of govern-
ment for the State, on Monday, the 5th day of June, 1S4S. Ninean E. Whiteside was elected
speaker of the assembly, and Henry Billings president of the senate, pro 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
8th of May previous, for the State officers and the two representatives in congress. < >n the same
54 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, for 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, 184S, 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, 184S. 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 term, 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
l'ointe, and St. Croix; the third, of the counties of Washington, Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Brown,
Winnebago, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Marquette, Dodge, Jefferson, and Columbia. Another act
provided for the election of judges of the circuit courts, on the first Monday of August, 184S.
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, 1S49, 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 sine 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 Lac, 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, tc 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 from forced sale of any debt or liability
contracted after January t, 1S49, approved the twenty-ninth of July previous, and another act
for a like exemption of certain personal property, approved August 10, 1S48, 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
56 HISTORY 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, 1S49. 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 tax: 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 been State lands and sold, were derived from the Gen-
WISCONSIN 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, 1S49, instructing Isaai I
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 1S49. 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 was 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, 185 1.
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.
58 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
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 wa'er-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
WISCONSIN 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
20th of January, Dodge was re-elected for a full term of six years. On the 22c!, 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 1st 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, 1S51, Judge Hubbell was re-elected for the full term of six years
as judge of the second judicial circuit, to commence January 1, 1S52.
At the general election in November, 1851, 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 OF 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, Walworth 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
Samuel 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 1, 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; an
increase in moneyed circulation, and the downward tendency of the rates of interest: a prevaii-
ing confidence among bu<->.ess men and in business enterprises; a continual accession to the
WISCONSIN As a sTATF. 61
population of the State by immigration; the energetic prosecution of internal impro
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 oi the Wisconsin legislature commenced on the twelfth of January, 1855.
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 to 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 1
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 2Sth 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, 1S53, the "Wisconsin State Agricultural
Society." which had been organized in March, 1S5 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, 1S53, 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 paint
traits and bound newspaper files; and in its cabinet are to be found many prehistoric relics.
On the first day of June, 1853, the justices of the new supreme court went into office: Associate
62 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN".
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 1S53 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, 1S54, 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 ihe 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, 1S54, 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 court 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
1 ourt, 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 interfera; and his application for a discharge
was denied.
Upon the indictment, Booth was tried and convicted, fined and imprisoned, for a violation
■ if tlv; fugitive slave law. Again the prisoner applied to the supreme court of Wisconsin, — his
WISCONSIN As A STATE. G3
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 1S60, 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, 1S54, 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 1S54 was one of prosperity for-Wisconsin, 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 10th of January,
1855. C. C. Sholes was elected speaker of the assembly. The senate was democratic ; tiie
assembly, republican. On joint ballot, the republicans had but one majority. On the 1st 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 01
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, 1S61.
64 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
On the 27th of May, 1S55, Hiram A. Wright, superintendent of public instruction, died at
Prairie du Chien. On the 18th of June following, the governor appointed A. Constantine Barry to
fill his place. On the 5th 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 1S55, 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 — 1856-181:7.
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. O.i 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, by
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 February, 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 iS, 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, 1S56. 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 OF WISCONSIN.
number of members from one hundred and seven to one hundred and twenty-seven. The session
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 commit-
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 — 185S-1859.
Randall's administration began on the fourth day of January, 1S5S, when for the first time
he was inaugurated governor of the State. On the eleventh of January the legislature
< ommenced its eleventh regular session, with a republican majority in both houses. Frederick
- I,, veil 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
AV1SC0NSIX 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 185S.
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, 1S60 — 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), 1S60-1861.
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-
08 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
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 must be sustained; 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, M nroe, Juneau, Adams, Portage, Wood, Jackson, Trempealeau, Buffalo, Pepin,
Pierce, St. Croix, Dunn, Eau Claire, Clark, Marathon, Chippewa, Dallas, Polk, Burnett, Douglas,
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 lo repel inva ion within the Tinted States,' and 1 was uithorized, and it was
made my duty, to take such measures as, in my judgment, should provide in the ,peed
most efficient manner for responding to such call : and to this end I was authorized to accepi
the services of volunteers for active service, to he enrolled in companies of not ie>s than
seventy-five men each, rank and file, and in regiments of ten companies each. 1 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 a< tive servii i ," 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,
each containing the requisite number of men,. to make up at least tive 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 live 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. I"he 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 constitutional 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, i S6 1. 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 public instruction; and A. 1'. 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 1S60 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, 1S61, 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? 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
oatriots; that men show their love of country by every sacrifice, but that of principle, and by
70 HISTOBY OF WISCONSIN.
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 efficient 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 1 6th 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 to
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 Su.nter 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 tin
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 1:." " 1 he
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 secretarj of war that the First regiment was read)
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 tu commence moving into "Camp Randall," at
Madison, on the first day 'if 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 in 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 into State service, and into United States servii e, 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 instrui ted 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 ami 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 i ivernor 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 filly thousand dollars were appropriated to pay tor the
same. Another authorized counties, towns, cities and incorporated villages to levy taxes for
the purpose ol | '.he support of families of volunteers residing in their respective
limits. The one passed ms session, exempting volunteers from civil process rhile in
the service, was amended so as to include all who might thereafter enlist. One granted live dollars
per month as extra pa) to enlisted volunteer- having families dependent upon them for support,
payable to their families Another authorized tht governor to em ds, clerk-- and
WISCONSIN As A STATE 73
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 i86r, deserve a high
commendation. All that was necessary upon their final adjournment at the close of the extra
session to place tlte 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 "Cam]) 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 ( >n
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
lied 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 ;lic 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 v.p, 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 loud
du Lac, where the regiment wa3 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 se< ond
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 secretary of war to accept from Wisconsin only two three-years
regiments under the second call for troops was soon changed, and three more v.
making it necessary to organize the Fourth, Fifth and Sixth. The Fourth was called into " < lamp
Utley " at Racine on the sixth of June, and was nm tered into the service of the Unit
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
7-4
IITSTOBY OF 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 20th 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, 1 861, at " Camp Sigel,"
Milwaukee. Companies were assigned the Tenth regiment on the 18th 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, 1S61, 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 service
while Randall was governor.
From the commencement of the rebellion a great desire had been manifested for the or^an-
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 Racine.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 >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 1. Seven maximum companies of artillery in camp. * * * Three regiments of
cavalry — two full above the maximum; the third, ahout 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, 1S62, 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, wa^ completed on the nineteenth of October. On the twenty-
76 HISTORY OF 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, tor Washington city, on the eleventh of June, 1861 —
numbering, in all, one thousand and fifty-one. The Third regiment started from "Camp
Hamilton," Fond du Lac, for Karrisburg, Pennsylvania, under command of Charles S. 'Hamilton,
as colonel, on the twelfth of Jul)-, 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, 1S61,
liington city. On the twenty-eighth of July, 1S61, 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, 1S61. 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 Stale in 1861.
Eighth Administration. — Louis P. Harvey and Edward Salomon-, Governors — 1862-1863.
Louis 1'. 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 "I members, there being a number of " Union " men in that branch — enough,
indeed, to elect, b) out iide aid, J. \V. 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
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 77
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 i
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 [une 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 red f party, to aid the wounded and suffering soldiers from the State. On the tenth, Harvej
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 oi
various kinds. At Mound City, Paducah, and Savannah, the governor and his part) 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 Minne-
haha, which was to convey them to Cairo, on their homeward trip. It was late in the evening of
the nineteenth of April, 1S62, and very dark when the boat arrived which was to take the
governor ami his friends on board ; and as she rounded to, the bow touching the Dunleith, on
which was congregated the part)' 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 >ad 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 and melancholy end of the honored and
lamented deceased, are well known to the people, and are. with his memory, treasured up 111
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 " hist 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 seventeuth
of June, 1862
Business of great public importance, in the judgment of the governor, rendering a special
session of the legislature necessary, lie issued, on the twenty-ninth of August. [862, his proc-
lamation to that effect, convening both houses 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 ne< essary to relj upon a system of drafting or conscription, in Wisconsin."
The governor then proceeded to recommend such measures as he deemed necessary to meet
elides 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. The) also authorized the raising
of money for payment of bounties to volunteers. The legislature adjourned on the twenty-
sixth of September, [862, after a session of sixteen days, and the enacting of seventeen laws.
78 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
On the yth 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 ; P.rown, Eldridge, and Wheeler, as democrats.
The sixteenth regular session of the Wisconsin legislature, commenced on the fourteenth of
January, 1S63. 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 1S5S, as amended by an act passed in 1862, and
interpreted by another act passed in 1S75, 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- — Harvf.v 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 1S61, 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 was 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 wen all
tilled and went into camp bj t-1 1 61. 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. '1 red-
way, quartermaster general; Colonel Edwin R. Wadsworth, commissary general; Brigadier Gen-
eral Simeon Mills, paymaster general; Brigadier General E. B. Wolcott, surgeon general; Majoi
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 1S62, 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 — 1S62, 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, raised
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.
SO 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, .... ict was passed providing I ir 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
might 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 Stale 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. si
ulus 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 1S61, 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 lie
shown.
The Ninth regiment left " Camp Sigel," Milwaukee, under command of Colonel Freder.ck
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, 1S62, 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. Loui-, Missouri, on the eighth of March, 1S62, 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, 1S62, 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 reg. mental 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 was 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.
SZ 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, 1S62, 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,
1X62. 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 1S62.
The Thirty-second regiment, organized at "Camp Bragg," Oshkosh, \Wth 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 and 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 1S62.
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.
The muster of the Second Wisconsin cavalry was completed on the twelfth of March, 1S62,
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.
rhe Third Wisconsin cavalry — Colonel William A. Barstow — was mustered in at " Camp
Barstow," Janesville. The muster was completed on the 31st of January, 1S62, 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, 1S61, leaving the State for Louisville, on the 23d of January.
1S62. The Fourth battery — Captain John F. Vallee — rendezvoused at "Camp Utley." Its
muster in was completed on the istof October, 1S61, its whole force being one hundred and fifty
one. The company left the State for Baltimore on the 21st of January, 1S62. The Fifth bat-
84 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
tery, commanded by Captain Oscar F. Pinney, was mustered in on the ist of October, 1S61, 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 iSth 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 18th 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 18th 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 18th
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 16th 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, 1S63, 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." Under 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 |. B. Donsman, 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. Cary, 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
nine 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 1861, 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. Lkwis, Governor — 1864-1865.
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 1 st day of October, J. L. Pickard having resigned as superintendent of public
instruction. J. G. McMynn was, by the governor, appointed to till 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 Slates 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
8b HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
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 P'all election both parties, republican and democratic, had
tickets in the field. The republicans were victorious, electing Lucius Fairchild, governor;
Wyrrian 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 Gay lord, 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. Firmin, 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 S* te in the service of the United States, who had received
WISCONSIN AS A SPATE. 87
local bounties from towns other than their proper places of residence.
At the commencement of 1S64, 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,
J863, and left the State for New Orleans on the 28th of January, 18C4. 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 Alexandria, 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
fames Bintliff; the Thirty -ninth — Colonel Edwin L. Buttrick ; the Fortieth — Colonel \V.
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.
Clark; 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-fust, 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," "11," "I,"
"K," "L," and "M," were assigned to duty in the eastern division ; "B" and "C," to the central
88 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
division; and "D," to the 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
suffrage 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 1S64, 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 ot 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 witli the other loyal States of the Union, she stood — always ranking among
St.. 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 1S61, Governor Randall introduced the practice of appoint-
ing agents to travel with the regiments to the field, who were to take 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.
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92 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Tenth Administration. —Lucius Fairchild, Governor — 1866-1867.
The inauguration of the newly elected State officers 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 t 1 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. Washburn, from the sixth district. All were republicans
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 ssed 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 per
diem allowance, as previously given. A sine die adjournment took place on the eleventh of April,
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 16th 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
tlu-sc officers were the former incumbents. The amendment to section 21 of anicle 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 \ 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 business
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 ele< lion, Byron Paine
osen associate justice for the unexpired balance of Associate Justice Downer's term,
ending the 1st da)- of January, 1872.
At the ball 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 respei tive districts, in the previous
congress — the only instance since Wisconsin bee ante a State of a re-election of till 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 1S69 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 llaetz, 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, 1S69, the duties of the office being transferred to the state
94 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
At this election, an amendment to sections 5 and 9 of article five of the constitution of
the Slate 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
receives, 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, 1S70, commenced the twelfth administration in Wisconsin, Gov-
ernor Fairchild thus entering upon his third term as chief executive of the State ; the only
instance since the admission of Wisconsin into the Union, of the same person being twice
re-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-
ment 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 1S69
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 1S70, 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 resouices; the
advancement of the useful arts, through the application of science, and by the encouragement
of original invention; the» encouragement of the line 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 < >shkosh, Winnebago county. It was authorized by an act of the legis-
lature approved March 10, 1S70. 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, 1S70, 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 ma)- 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, i87i,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 slue die on the twenty-fifth of March. On the thirteenth
of January preceding, Associate Justice Byro 1 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, 1871, 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 daj 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 <>t
March, 1S71 — the object of the society being to improve the condition of horticulture, rural
adornment and landscape gardening. By a law of 1868, provisio 1 was made for the publication
of the society's transactions in connection with the State agricultural society; but by tile act
96 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN
of 1871, 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 1S71 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
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 lire— 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 Sth 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 contributions 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 1S72.
Thirteenth Administration. — C. C. Washburn, Governor — 1S72-1873.
The thirteenth gubernatorial administration in Wisconsin commenced on Monday, January
1, 1872. The only changes made, in the present administration from the previous one, were in
the offices of governor and lieutenant governor.
The twenty-fifth regular session of the legislature began on the 10th 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
commencementof 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
fanuary, 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. W
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, 1S62,
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 four 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
p issing 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-
100 HISTORY 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 die 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, exeept 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. LTnder 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 left 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 1, 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,
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 101
" are so weak as to be without its protection, none are so strong as to be above its restraints. It
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, m 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 . nd 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 office of State commissioner of immigra-
tion, "on and after " the first Monday of January, 1S76. The legislature adjourned on the
twelfth of March, 1S74, 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, 1S74, the governor, on the twenty-third of that month, appointed for State
prison directors, Joel Rich, for tw 1 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 term of office would have expired on
the first Monday in January, 1S76, 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 Cate were " reform ;" the
residue were republican.
At the same election, an amendment to section 3 of article n 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 municipal corporation, shall be allowed to become indebted in
any manner, or for any purpose, to a1'"/ ..ount, including existing indebtedness in the ag
exceeding five per centum on the vai e 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 HISTORY 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, tlie first appropriation for fish culture in Wisconsin was made by the legislature,
subject to the direction of the United States commissioner of fisheries. 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 fish, 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 existed 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
Wis sin 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 h nest and
just. In this, tlie 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 humble, the
rich and tlie pool
Tin- 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
WISCONSIN 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 pledge.
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 equivalent 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, fortv-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 1.1 each house. On the twenty-seventh,
the two houses, in joint convention, hiving 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 16th 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 following, 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 »',. 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 1st of July,
1875, was 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 n'ot 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, secretar) of state, Ferdinand Kuehn, treasurer
of state, A. Scott Sloan, attorney general; and Edward Searing, superintendent of public
instruction. The act 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 agencies 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 thousand ; 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 12th 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
WISCONSIN 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. Lamb was appointed to that office, on the 10th of MarcK, 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,"
said 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 secretary 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 1S76, 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.
106 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 tlie 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 close. By an act of congress, approved .March 3, 1S71, 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 cany
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 1'he
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 1S74, 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, 1S75, 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-ofncio 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 industrial, 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 otheis 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 lie 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. Holtun, alternate From this time forward, the hoard
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 hoard, Adolph Meinecke took his place by appointment of the governor Jul)
24, 1875. Governor Ludington, in his message to the legislature in January, 1.S76, 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 and
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 a presiding officer from each State was appointed. Mrs. A. C. Thorp assumed the
duties of chairman for Wisconsin, in March, 1S75, 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, 1876, 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-offrcio 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, 1S75, 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 [owa,
Chippewa to Crawford, and La Pointe to St. Croix. In 1850, the fifth circuit was divided, and a
sixth circuit formed. In 1864, Crawford and Richland were made part of the fifth circuit. Bj
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 ot
Columbia being made a part of the last mentioned one. In the same year was also formed a
tenth circuit; and, in 185S, Winnebago county was attached to it; but, in 1870, that county was
attached to the third circuit. In 1S58, Kewaunee county was attached to the fourth circuit.
An eleventh circuit was formed in 1864, from which, in 1S65, Dallas county was detached, and
made part of the eighth. By an act which took effect on the first day of January, [871, t he-
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 HISTORY 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 now in the tenth ; Price is in the seventh circuit.
The thirtieth regular session of the legislature of Wisconsin commenced, pursuant to law,
on the ioth 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 number 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 p.-rcentage 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 Sth 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 1S76 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 revisors. 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 to 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 held 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 associa e justices of said
court, to hold their offi< es respectively for terms ending two and four years, respectively after the
WISCONSIN AS A STATE. 109
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, here-
after, "no money shall be paid out of the treasury except in pursuance of an appropriation bj
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, b\
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 21st of March following. On the 1st 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, 1S8S ; 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. 1S78, 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. D. M. 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 1st 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 comfort-,
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-
way, 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
f.ict, 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 feet above its lowest sur-
faces. A few exceptional peaks rise from 400 to 600 teet above their bases, but abrupt elevations of
mure 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
maybe 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
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
! b) 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 vaHey 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 ^lope ascends rapidly to a well marked watershed that stretcher, a< ross
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 AXn GEOLOGY. Ill
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 HISTORY OF 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 160 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
external agencies cutting down, or, in a word, the face of the state is the growth of geologic ages
furrowed by the teardrops of the skies.
GEOLOGICAL HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
In harmony with the historical character of this atlas, it may be most acceptable to weave
our brief sketch of tin- geological structure of the state into the form of a narrative of its growth.
THE ARCH.-KAN AGE.
LAUREN I IAN PERIOD.
The physical history of Wisconsin can be traced back with certainty to a state of complete
submergem e 1 :ath 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 Mate, be pictured to the mind, and let it be imagined to be depositing
TOPOGRAPHY 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, chloride 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 Archasan — ancient — rocks (formerly Azoic.) 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.
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 accumulated, 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, sat d
and limestones, whose combined thickness was several thousand feet.
L14 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN".
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
shales 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 Huro.nian 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 historj oi
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, quart/., 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-
. .iving to the rock an amygdaloidal nature. The native copper was not injected in a
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 115
molten state, as has very generall) 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 aero,-, the northern portion of the state, occupying portions of Ashland,
Bayfield, Douglas, Burnett and Polk counties. When the Huronian rocks were elevated, the)
carried these up with them, and they partook of the folding in some measure. The coppei
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 Archaean 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 bed^, 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
lay ers "I" limestone and shale. These surrounded the Archaean nucleus on all sides, and repo>ed
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 iva , 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 inn
vicinity of Lake Superior; the latter occupies a broad, irregular belt bordering the \
area on the south, and, being widest in the central part of the state, ir, 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 tin-,
m lie in a nearly horizontal position, and repose unconformably upon the wuv..
of the crystalline rocks. The close of this period was mil marked by any great upheaval; there
116 HISTOEY OF AVISCOXSIN.
was no crumpling or metamorphism 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
portion 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 1,000 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 magnesian 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 mollusks, 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 (eased 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
TOPOGRAPHY 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 h
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 oi 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 1 -o feet.
The C.alena 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 tin-
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
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN
Cincinnati
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 formatiun 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 peri >d of the Lower Silurian Age.
Clinton Iron < Ire.
On the surface of the *hales 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 tne
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 tiie name "seed ore," or the
roe of fish, and hence oolitic ore. "Shot ore" is also a common term. This L 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 formation
was essentially that already described, the accumulation of fie 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 number, of molluskg, one of which
{Pentamerus oblongus) som rtimes 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 {Crinoids), 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 cephalbpods held sway over the life of the seas. In the vicinity of th.- reefs,
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY. 119
there seem to have been extensive ( all areous sand Hats and .ire. is over which fine < all an o
settled, the former resulting in a pure granular dolomite, the latter in a i ompai i i lose-textured
stone. The rock of the reel's is of very irregular structure. Of other portions of the formation,
some are coarse heavy beds, some line, even-bedded, close-grained layers, and some, again, irregu-
lar, impure and cherty. All are highly raagnesian, and some are among the purest dolomites
known. The Niagara limestone occupies a broad heh lying adjacent to Lake Michigan.
Lower I [eldi rbi rg Limb stone.
On Mud creek, near Milwaukee, there is found a thin-bedded slaty limestone, that is
believed to represent this period. It has negle ted, 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 AGE.
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 seas, 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 lite, as
before, were present, but the species were of the less ancient Devonian type. Precisely bow 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 civ. At the
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 linn core of most ancient crystalline
rocks, leaf upon leaf of stony strata were piled around it, adding belt after belt to the margin of
The growing island until it extended itself far beyond the limits of our state, and i oalesi ed with
the forming continent. An ideal map of the state would show the Archean nucleus surrounded
b\ i om entric bands of the later formations in the order of their deposition. Lint during all the
120 HISTORY <>K 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 verj 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
t lay that borders Lakes Michigan and Superior ami occupies the Green bay valley as far up a^>
the vicinity of Fond du Lac. After several oscillations, the lakes settled down into their present
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 [and, 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. D
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 i° 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 blowing 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.
V22 HISTORY 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 the 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 winds 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. 12d
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 ti
great areas of tropical seas, hear the warmth and moisture of these seas far inland, and give tin
region the peculiar semi-tropical character of its summers. The average temperature of summei
varies between 8o° for the Gulf states, and 6o° for the extreme north. While in the (lull state
the thermometer often rises to ioo°,in the latitude of Wisconsin this occurs very seldom. During
winter the prevailing winds are from the northwest. These cold blasts from the Arctic
deflected by the Rocky mountains, sweep down unopposed into lower latitudes, and produi
the rigors of an arctic winter. The mean temperature for this season varies between 6o° 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 oi
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 63 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 :
" 1. 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
a 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 experien< ed
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 weather 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 WISCONSIN.
state, and the lowest 640 at Bayfield, Lake Superior. During the months of June, July and
August, the thermometer often rises as hig1! as 900, seldom to 100°. In 1S74 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 700 (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
sou'thern 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 470 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, in the signal service report for
1876, shows that the mean temperature for July was the same in Rock county, in the southern
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 clim tte 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 gi\ ( n area 1 an 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
< onditions 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 greal 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 tor .1 period in duration from one to live months, in the range from Quebec to the coast
of the Gulf." Indian corn attains its full perfection between the summer isotherms 72° and 770,
in Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, and Kansas; but it may be grown up to the line of 650, which includes
the whole of Wisconsin. The successful cultivation of this important staple is due to the intense
heat of summer and a virgin soil rich in nitrogen.
While Milwaukee and central Wisconsin have a mean annual temperature of 450, that of
outhern Ireland and central England is 500 ; 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 90^ 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, Xhe corn, etc., to ripen, while England, with a higher mean
temperature, is unable to mature them successfully. Ireland, where- southern plants mi.
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 6o° will greatly reduce the quan-
tity, or prevent the ripening of wheat altogether, 6o° being essential to a good crop. Wheat, re-
quiring a lower temperature than corn, is better adapted to the climate of Wisconsin. This grain
is far north as Hudson bay.
Autumn, including September, October and November, is of short duration in Wisconsin.
North of the 421! parallel, or the southern boundary line of the state, November belongs properl}
to the winter months, its mean temperature being about 320. The decrease of heat from August to
September is generally from 8° to g" ; n° from September *o October, and 140 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 360 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 1S75, during October, at Milwaukee, the mercury fell seven times below the freez-
ing point, and twice below zero in November, the lowest being 140.
The winters are generally long and severe, but occasionally mild and almost without snow.
The mean winter temperature varies between 230 in the southeastern part of the state, and 16° at
Ashland, in the northern. For this season the extremes are great. The line of 200 is of im-
portance, as it marks the average temperature which is fatal to the growth of all the tend
such as the pear and the peach. In the winter of 1875 and 1S76, the mean temperature for De-
cember, January and February, in the upper lake region, was about 40 above the average mean
for many yea.rs; while during the previous winter the average temperature for January and Feb-
ruary was about 120 below the mean for many years, showing a great difference between cold and
mild winters. In the same winter, 1 S>5~ '76, at Milwaukee, the thermometer fell only si
below zero, the lowest being 120, 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 1S72-3, at La Crosse, the thermometer sank nearly fifty times below zero; on Dei
ber 24, it indicated 370 below, and on January 18, 43° below zero, averaging about 1 2 ° 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., l.eloit, 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 Labrad
1,100 to 2,240 feet high) protects the lake region in no inconsiderable degree from the (
cold of winter.
126 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN.
According to the same authority, the time at which the Milwaukee river was closed wi h icev
for a period of nine years, varied between November 15 and December 1 ; 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 1842-43, 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 270,
which is an increase of nearly 7g from February. The lowest temperature of this month in
1876 was 40° above zero. April shows an average increase of about g° over Match. In 1876
the line of 45° for this month passed from LaCrosse to Evanston, III, 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-
crease from April to May is about 15°. In May, 1S76, 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
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 vers 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 lias 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 10 or 20 degrees below the mean. Most of the rain and snow falls with the east w
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 United
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 anytime 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
fpiantity 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 of
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 1ms been the change in the flow of the Milwau-
128 HISTORY OF Wisconsin'.
kee river, even while the area from which it receives its supply is but partially cleared, that the
proprietorr of" most of the mills and factories have found it necessary to resort to the use of
steam, at a largely increased yearly cost, to supply the deficiency of water-power in dry seasons
of the year." " What has happened to the Milwaukee river, has happened to all the other water
courses in the state from whose banks tire 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." Parts 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.
Bv 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 fencing; the bark is employed in tanning. The domes-
tic consumption 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 < >ak — Q. Jifacrocarpa. — 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. Bicotor. — 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
(if 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 AM) VINES. L29
Swamp Chestnut Oak — Q. Prinus. — This species of chestnut oak is a large, gra< efui tree,
wood rather open-grained, yet valuable for most purposes to which the oaks are applied ; makes
the best fuelof any of this family. A rare tree, found at Janesville and Brown's lake, near Bur-
lington. Worthy of cultivation.
Red Oak. — Q. 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.
Sugar 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 fuel. Slioulu
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 ever;
dwelling, and on all public grounds.
130
HISTOPT: OT W1SCC?S'S1"N
Slippery Elm — V. 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
Teddish 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 — Primus 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, and 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.
Crap Apple — Pyrus Coronaria. — This common small tree is attractive when covered with
its highly fragrant rose-colored blossoms. Wood hard, 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. A me ricana.— -This popular ornament to our yards is found growing in
the northern part of the state and as far south as 430. 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 will amply repay all
labor and expense bestowed on its cultivation.
TREES SHRUBS .\\l> VINES. 131
Black Ash — F Sambucifolia; — 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 — Jtiglaiis 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 and 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. Cinerca. — 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 uf 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, being 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-
lar-. The wood is soft, spongy, and nearly useless.
132 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 diameter 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 — P. Monolifera. — 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 Strohis. — 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 m 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. Resinosa, 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. Banksiana. — 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
riREES. SHRUBS .VXD 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 shipping. It is extensively cultivated for ornament.
Hemlock — A. Canadensis. — The 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 — Junipcrus 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- — J. Sabina. — This is a low trailing shrub. Is conside-ably 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 part 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 : corus
sericea, C. stolonifera, C. paniculata, and C. alternifolia. All these will repay the labor of trans-
planting to ornamental grounds.
Viburnums. — These are very beautiful. We have viburnum lentago, 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 WISCONSIN.
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 — Ptclea trifoliata. — This is a showy shrub with shining leaves, which should be
cultivated. Common in rich, alluvial ground.
Bladder Nut — Staphyleci trifolia. — Is a fine, upright, showy shrub, found sparingly all over
the state. Is ornamental, with greenish striped branches and showy leaves.
Vines.
Virginia Creeper— Ampelopsis 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 — Ce/astrus siandais. — 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 — Vita cordifolia. — This tall-growing vine has deliciously sweet blossom-,,
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
i liversally edible than those inhabiting the ocean. Marine fish are said to be more highly
(la Tired 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 can
you find those conditions more favorable than in the cold depths of our great lakes ? We have
tasted, under the most favorable conditions, about every one of the celebrated salt-water fish, and
can 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.
F \l \A OF U'lMllN'MX 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 amerkand) 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 pro
it to a moderate extent.
The six-spined bass {Pomoxys hexaeanthus, 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 {Hoccus 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 ae
any that belong to the family. There is another branch of this family, the sunlish, Pomotis,
which numbers at least six species found in Wisconsin. They are beautiful fish, and afford
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 {Cyprinidce) 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 Cypriindw 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 (jOyprenius cdrpd) has been
successfully introduced into the Hudsonriver.
The trout family (Salmonida) are soft-finned fish with an extra dorsal adipose fin without
rays. They inhabit northern countries, 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-live 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 sixt)
pounds. The Sisioivit 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 Argyrosomus 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 ( Siluridce) 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 habi;
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 Lepidostcous, 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 $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 hatchery,
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, 1S77 : 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 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
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 rarge 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 A?nericana, 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 1 6th" (October, 1679), " we met with abundance of game. A savage we had with us,
killed several stags (deer) and wild goats, 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 .045.
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
FAUX A OF WISCONSIN. 139
Black river, December, >863. Badgers arc 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 in 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 420 46' north, longitude 870 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
900 to iooc Fahrenheit. The isothermal line conies 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 ciinumerate 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 ; mocking bird, Mi?nus pollyglottus j great Carolina wren,
Thriothorus ludovkiaiius ; prothonotary warbler, Protonotaria citrea; summer red bird, Pyrangia
(estiva; wood ibis, Tantalus loeulator.
Among Arctic birds that visit us in winter are:
Snowy owl, Xyctea niiva ; great gray owl, Syrnium cinerusj hawk owl, Surma ululaj Arctic
three-toed woodpecker, Picoides arclicus; banded three-toed woodpecker, Picoides hirsutus; mag-
pie, Pica hudsonica; Canada jay, Perisorius canadensis; evening grosbeak, Hesperiphona vesper-
tina; Hudson titmouse, Pants hudsonicusj 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
mad; within the boundaries of this state, or indeed, of any other.
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY.
Bv Prof. EDWARD SEARING, State Superintendent 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
I )auphin 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
1S30. 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
20th 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 soon 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 support-
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 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 84 1, and any grant of lands from the United States, the purposes of which 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, 1S45, 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 tor the full support ot 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, in 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 Hon. 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: (1) 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 : (1) 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 for
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 1S70. 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
for 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 1, 1849. The most
important change since made was the abolition of the office of town superintendent, and the
substitution therefor of the county superintendency. This change took effect January 1, 1S62.
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 the increase of
the fund has not kept pace with the increase of school population :
70,457
92,105
288,984
$5SS 00
47,716 00
125,906 02
184.949 76
S0.00S3
.518
.67
.64
335.5S2
412,481
450,304
t:S,6.)2
151, S16 34
159,271 38
184,624 64
185,546 01
fhe amount of productive school fund reported September 3c
The portion (if the fund not invested at that date, was $58,823. 70.
was $2,680,703.27..
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 14-i
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 s1 ite
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, 1S3S, establishing " at or near Madison, the seat
of government, a university for the purpose of educating youth, the name 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 1S38. 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 1S48, declared that pro-
vision should be made for the establishment of a slate 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
erei tion of the same, after having obtained from the legislature the approval of plans. This act
repealed the previous act of 1S38. The regents were soon after appointed, and their first annual
report was presented to the legislature, January 30, 1S49. 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 1S54, 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, 74,17s acres for the sum of $264,570.13, or at an average price of but little more than
$3.50 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 1S62 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 $19 per acre.
144 HISTOBY OF WISCONSIN.
The first university building erected was the north dormitory, which was completed in 1851.
This is no 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 1870 — 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 substantial. 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 $10,000 to increase the income of the uni-
versity. Chapter 119 of the laws of 1S76 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 "in 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 it's various depart-
ments 388 students. The law department, organized in 1868, has since been in successful oper-
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 (1S66) 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 $S,o6i.S6, in 1866, to $244,263, 18,
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 HISTORY. 145
common 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 1066, 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, 1S71, 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 OF WISCONSIN'.
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, 187S, was $1,004,907.67, and the sum of
133,290.88 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 t
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, who
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 Town-ship 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 -lects 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
EDUCATIONAL HISTORY. 14,
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\e 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 1S75 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, 1S76 (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 ~f (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 t iwn 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 HISTORT 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 (185S) 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 which 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 slate 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— 1S5S-59.
Hon. J. L. Pickardf ..Three years and nine months— 1860-61-62-C3.
Hon. J. G. McMynn Four years and three months — 1S63-64-65-66-67.
Hon. A. J. Craigf 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.
11,,,,. YV. C, Whitford Two years— 1878-79.
* Died. May 29, 1845. f Resigned, October 1. 1S63. J Died, July 3. 1S70.
Sketches of Colllges 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 a( ademy for three years previous,
under the Rev. W. H. Sampson. The first president was Rev. Edward Cook ; the second, K,
Z. Mason; the present one is the Rev. George M. Steele, 1>. 1 >. 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 Lay baptists, was opened as a
college in 1S67, having been conducted as an academy since 1S44. 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 lias lands,
buildings and endowments to the amount of about $50,000.
Ripon College, which was known till 1S64 as Brockway College, was organized in 1853, at
Ripon, and is supported by the Congregational church. Since its re-organization, in 1S63, 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 <§tSo,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-
( is 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, 1S56, with Rev. M. Heiss as rector, and witli 25 students. Rev. Jo eph
alzmann 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 267,0!" whom 105 are theologians, 3 1 students of philosophy,
and the rest classical students.
bio Mono College is a Roman Catholic institution, at St. Francis Station, in the immediate
neighborhood of the Seminary of St. Francis. It was founded in 1871, by Rev. Joseph Salzmann,
* The statistics ;r this di ---. -md ire for the previous vear
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 1S48, 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, which 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 1 841, thq 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.
\<;i:in LTURE. 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, ( Ishkosh 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
op 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 stale 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 Wis. onsin
is tanning, 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 OF WISCONSIN.
farmers, in 1840; 52 in 1850; 54 in i860; 55 in 1870. The rapid growth of the agriculture 01
the state is illustrated by the increase in the number of acres of improved land in farms, and in
the value of farms and of farm implements and machinery, as shown by the following table, com-
piled from the United States census:
Farming, at the present time, is almost entirely confined to the1 south haif 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-
in- ready drainage, without being so abruptly broken as to render cultivation difficult. 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 sr.il ^o 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 " strong " 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 1.S50, two years after its admission to the Union, Wis-
consin was the ninth state in order in tin' production of wheat, while in 1S60 this rank was raised
to ihird, Illinois and Indiana only raising more. The true rank of the state is not shown by
nres. 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
iindant and cheap In America, on the other hand, and especially in the newer states,
AGRICULTURE. 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. Xo 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 agriculturo-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 WISCONSIN.
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-
cultural 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.
The 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
I5.657.45S
25,606,344
25,200,000
81,253
888,544
1.325.294
1,340,000
1,988,979
7.5I/,300
15,033,988
15,200,000
3.4M.672
H,059,26o
20,l8o,Ol6
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 tim^s. 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.
AGRICULTURE. 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, 1S70, 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 1 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
1S77. 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 1S75, 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 Lrreater
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 live 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
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
1 S60, fifth in rank among the oat-growing states; in 1S70, 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 arc 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 les3 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 f 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 1S67 and 1S6S, the " hop
fever " be< ame 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 Agricultural society says, in his
report for that year. " Gases are numerous in which the first crop has paid for the land and all
the improvements." To many farmers hop raising appeared to offer 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 1S67, the price of hops was from
40 to 55 cents per pound, while in 1S69 it was from 10 to 15 cents, some of poor quality selling
as low as 5 cents. Many hop yards were plowed up during 1869 and 1S70. 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
7,340 pounds. In 1870, the product was 960,813 pounds. As is well known, the quality
\ 1 in the northern states is greatly inferior for chewing and smoking, to that grown
1 uh. 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
illy on rich, fertile soils, and it is very exhausting to the land. < )f the amount produced
Rock county 645,408 pounds, and in Dane county, 229,568 pounds;
ire remaining portion of the state raised but 85,737 pounds. According to the report of
the secretary of state, the whole number of ,1. res 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, buf [66 acres. While the crop has been fairly productive and profitable, these
tii ; show tli.it up to tile present nine tobacco-raising has been a merely local interest.
The production of flax is another merely local industry, it being confined principally to the
AGRICULTURE. '.",7
counties of Kenosha, Grant, Iowa and LaFayette. Of flax fibre, Kenosha i [in 1869.
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 5< arcel) possible to make the
raising of flax fibre profitable. Flax seed is raised to a small extent in the othei 1 ounties men-
tioned. The present price of oil makes this a fairly profitable crop. If farmers fully appro iated
that in addition to the oil, the oil cake is of great value as a find tor cattle and sheep, a\h\ also
that the manure made by the animals eating it, i-, 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 ,1 ready market in England, at prices which pay well for it. exportation. If
English farmers can afford to carry food for their stock so tar, American farmers may well strive
tain if they can afford to allow the exportation of so valuable food When greater atten-
tion is paid in our own country to the qualit) of the manure made by our stock, more oil-i ake
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,
ow scarcely sufficient in amount to be an item in the state's productions. The in< rease
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 fust 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 1S71, 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 sued) 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 sodryas tomake
"seeding down " a failure, and upon light soils (lover, when not covered with snow, is apt to win-
ter-kill. Vet 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 sto< k 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.
md 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 hois,
heavier English and French breeds, which tire imparting to their progeny their own characteristics
158
EISTORY 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 cpjiet 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
IOO ACRES OF
IMPROVED
LAND.
WHOLE NUM-
BER OFSHEEP.
NUMBER TO
EACH IOO
ACRES OF
IMPROVED
LAND.
POUNDS OF
DUCED.
POUNDS
OF WOOL
HEAD.
iS^o ...
1S60
1870
1S75*
183.433
521,860
693,294
922.9OO
17
14
12
II
124,896
332.954
1,069,282
i,i62.Soo
12
9
IS
14
253.963
I,OII,933
4,090,670
(?)
2.03
3-04
3.S2
(?)
* E«fima'ed 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 \'alue 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.
< )f 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 zf
the factory system of butter and cheese making, and the downfall of the one was scarcely more
rapid than lias 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 1S50,
AGEIOULTUEE.
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.
CHI S]
IS50
1S60
lbs.
3.633.750
13,611,328
22,473.036
lbs.
400,283
1,104.300
L59I.798
13,000.000
15,000,000
17,0 0,000
1S75 ----
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 inditect 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 first 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 with-
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 HISTORY 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 hive 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 excellenc 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 1 3 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, 1 $49,
another meeting was held in Madison, at which it was " Resolved, That in view of the great
importance of agriculture in the west, it i- 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, 1S5 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 eacli year, and of life members, who, upon the payment of
ten dollars, were exempt from the annual contribution. The annual membership was afterward
AGTtlCTTLTt'IlE I'-'J
'. and i ' i the fee constituting one a life member was raised to twenty dollars. The
first annual fair of the society was held in J tnesville, in October, 185 i 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
v to the farmers. The state has been generous in aid of this society, having furnished
commodious rooms for its use in the capitol building, printed 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 ('.rowers' 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 ol " Transactions " was published by the association in
1855. In 1S59 its transactions were published with those of the state agricultural society. From
i860 to 1S65 no state horticultural association was in existence. In September of the latter
vear 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
1 87 1 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, intelligent, 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 whieli 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 thei
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 settlei h td
consequently t (Struggle for a livelihood in the fare of the greatest difficulties. When these o|
162 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
circumstances are taken into account, 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-claw 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 r72i
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, 1700-1 701, 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
MINERAL RESOURCE!
163
the present southern boundary of Wisconsin, August 25, 1700. Captain Jonathan 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, 178S to 1S09, mined in the vicinity of the flourishing city which
now bears his name. After his death in 1809 nothing more was done until 1.821, 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 1 S45 and 1847.
The following table, prepared by the late Moses Strong, shows the mineral production of
southwestern Wisconsin for the years 1S60 to 1S73 in pounds:
YEARS.
GALENA.
SMITHSOMITE.
YEAR
GALENA.
SMITHSONITE.
320,000
266,000
1,120,000
4,198,200
7.373.333
[867
1868
[869
1S70
1S7I
1S72
IS73
13 S20.7S4
13.869,619
I.i 426,721
13.754.159
l3.4S4.2iO
I I,622,66S
9.9r9.734
5.131.445
4,302.383
4.547.971
4.429 5ss
16,618,160
27,021,383
18,528,906
S41.310
3,078,435
6,252,420
7.414.022
9,303.625
16,256,970
IS62
1863
1864
I865
1866
17,037.912
15. IU5. 577
I3.0I4,2IO
14.' >-' 1 192
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 Rockv 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 as galena, or 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, smithsonite, 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-
s (gneiss, granite, etc.). The names and order of succession of the several strata are
indicated in the following scheme, the last named being the lowest in the series:
164 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Formation, Thickness.
Niagara dolomitic limestone 300 — 300 feet.
Cincinnati shales _ 60 — 100 "
( Galena dolomitic limestone _ 250 — 275 "
Lead Horizon - Blue limestone _ 50 — 75 "
' Buff dolomitic limestone _ _. 15 — 20 "
Lower Magnesian (dolomitic) limestone _ 250 "
Potsdam sandstone series 800 — 1000 "
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 affect 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
MINERAL RESOURCES 165
galena much of cither the black-jack or drj -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 1S62 and [873, these two establishments have produced
23.903,260 pounds of metallic lead, or an average of r, 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 cla\\ 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 ii on
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 ii
was first recognized. Associated with its rocks, which are limestones and shales,
stantly found a peculiar red hematite, which is so persistent in its charai ters, both physical and
ltiu HISTORY OF "WISCONSIN".
and chemical, that one familiar with it from any one locality can hardly fail to recognise it when
coming from others. The iron produced from it is always "cold-short," on account of the large
content of phosphorus; but, mingled with siliceous 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 twelve 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, 95.7S4 per cent; phosphorus,
1.675 : carbon, 0.849; silicon, 0.10S = 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 1S72, 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,
377; 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, 1.00; iron peroxide, 73.23; lime,
o. 11 , magnesia, 0.25 ; sulphuric acid, 0.07 ; phosphoric acid, 0.10; organic matter, 5.88; water,
MINERAL RESOURCES. L67
14.24; =99.69: metallic iron, 51.26.
Rrown hematite, mingled with more or less red ore, occurs also in some quantity filling 1 ra< ks
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
kind 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 magneti<
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 Haronian 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 great 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
roi k series holds great beds of lean magni tii and pi 1 nl tr ores. 1 large quantities
of quartz, which, from its great hardness, renders them very resistant to the action of atmospheric
erosion. \ :a m ores are found forming high and bold ridges. Such rii
lean ores have deceived many explorers, and not a h 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 1 , very rarely outcrop. The existence
in quantity of these very rich ores in the Menomonee region has been definitely proven. < >ne
deposit, laid open during the Summer of 1S77, shows a width of over 150 feet of fii
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 tin
ores is as yet an inference only. The P 110 range itself is a wonderful development of
168 HIST0RY05F WISCONSIN.
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 chakopyrite, 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
Like 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.
16fJ
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. 1 and 2 are by Mr. E. T. Sweet, No. 3 by Professor W. VV.
Daniells:
(1)
(2)
(3)
(1)
(2)
(3)
Silici
38.22
975
2.84
1. 16
16.23
7-54
18.50
75.S0
11.07
3-53
0.31 /
I.84 -
1.09
5S.0S
25.38
4-44
8.30
2.16
0.65
°-95
1.85
1-74
0.40
1-54
2.16
Iron peroxide
Cron protoxide...
Moisture
Totals
j- 4-09
Magnesia
99.85
99'5°
100.19
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, 1,7,00,000 ; 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
chin aware 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-c/tfv 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 baseof 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
iriSTOKY 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 in 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 :
RAW CLAY.
PRODUCTS.
RAW CLAY.
LEVIGATIOti
PRODUCTS
COARSE
RESIDUE.
FINE CLAY.
O 1 \RSE
Silica
78.83
13-43
0.74
-
0.37
49-94
36.S0
0.72
trace
0.51
92 36
o-74
0.96
0.10 ;
0.28
Soda
0.0.7
O OI
5-45
0.0S
lV.62
0.05
\lumini
Carbonic Acid
Iron peroxide
Lime
2-53
Tota.s....
99.6o
99.67
99.60
Potash ....
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.
17]
bay, 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 :
Carbonate of Lime
Carbonate of Magnesia
Silica
Alumina ._
Iron Sesquioxide
Totals
I.
2.
45-54
48 29
J2 !'
29.19
17 5"
i.ii
1 10
3-03
2 24
+ 1 34
-
5.00
1-79
Limestone f<>r Making Quick - lime.
Quick-lime is made from all of the great limestone formations of Wisconsin, but more is
burnt 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
$3 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 gfe.it 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
ot 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, loos,-, w!
the making of glass. It is now being put to tin, use at points in the e.
te sand, well adapted to
stern part of the state.
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 Preliminary 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 limits 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 River 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 1 1 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 back 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 183S and 1S41, 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, 1S4S, they opened books of subscription. The charter of the company provided
174 HISTOEY OF WISCONSIN.
that .^ioo.ooo 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 10th day of
May, and Byron Kilbourn chosen president. The charter had been previously amended, in 1S48,
authorizing the company to build a road to the Mississippi river, in Grant county, and in 1S50,
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 185 2, Edward II. 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 1S54 to Madison, and in 1S56 to the Mis-
sissippi river, at Prairie du Chien. In 185 1 John Catlin of Madison, was elected president
in place of Kilbourn.
The proposed length of this article wid 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, Tweed)', Catlin,
Walker, Broadhead, Crocker and many others, deserve to be remembered by our people as bene-
factors of the state. In 1S59 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 property.
Idle "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, die company
;anized, and the first meeting of the commissioners held at LaCrosse. Among its pro-
iie Byron Kilbourn and Moses M. Strong. Kilbourn was elected its first president.
Xo work was done upon this line until after its consolidation with the " Milwaukee, Fond du Lac
1 Bay Railroad Company" in 1854. The latter company was chartered in 1853, to build a
mi 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 $200,000, and gave city bonds. The
company secured depot grounds 111 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 1S55 the road was completed to Horicon, fifty mil
WISCONSIN RAILROADS. 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 1S56, and was consolidated
with the LaCrosse & Milwaukee road in the autumn of the same ye ir.
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 ol
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 1S58 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 $10,000 each. A few months
after the close of the legislative sesssion of 1856 the land grant bonds of the LaCrosse road
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 1S52. Between the
years 1S55 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 via 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 <S: 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 1S58 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. In the 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 Winneconne on 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 187 1 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 Illinois, 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 roads,
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 t< >. >k the name of the "Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac Rail-
WISCONSIN RAILROADS. 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 185s. 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 1S52 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 1S56 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 1S55, and a new
organization called the "Chicago & Northwestern Railwav Company " took their place.
The "Green Bay, Milwaukee & Chicago Railroad Company " was chartered in 1S51 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 1S63, 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 2, 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 tc 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 1S62.
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 1S72 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 1S74. The ridges between Elroy and Sparta were tunneled at great expense and with
much difficulty. In 1S74 the company reported an expenditure for its three tunnels of
§476,743.32, and for the 129 1-10 miles between Madison and Winona Junction of $5,342,169.96,
and a large expenditure yet required to be made on it. In 1S67 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 lattei 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 Fort 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. 170
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 consolidating the two companies, which was done under the name of the " Portage,
Winnebago & Superior Railroad Company." In 1S71 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 187 1 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 vice president 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 1-871, 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 1S72. 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 1S75, was constructed between October 1, 1S75, and October, 1S76,
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 1S56, 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 sin-
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
built 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, and its name
was changed to " Milwaukee, Lake Shore & Western Railway Company," by which name it is
still known.
In 1S66, the " Appleton & New London Railroad Company" was incorporated to build a
road from \ppleton 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 RAILROADS. 1^1
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 &
ita road. It now operates one hundred and forty-six miles of road, extending from Mil
wankee to New London, passing through Sheboygan, Manitowo< and Appleton, which includes
a branch line six miles in length from Manitowoc to Two Rivers. F. W. Rhinelander, of \c\\
York, is its president, and II. G. H. Reed, of Milwaukee, superintendent.
The Green Lav & 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 1S66 as the "Green Lay & 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 1S70 and 1S71, forty miles were constructed and put in operation. In 187?, 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.
Wisi onsin Valley Road.
The "Wisconsin Valley Railroad Company " was incorporated in 1S71 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 theirgoods and
supplies of various kinds for the lumbering region tributary to Wausau. Junes F, Joy, of
Detroit, is president, and F. O. 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 1S72. 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 litigation 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 LaCrosse 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 r865, 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 1S71 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 consolidated with the " Rockford Central
WISCONSIN RAILROADS. 18o
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 1S69, to build a road from
Lake St. Croix, or river, to Bayfield on Lake Superior. The grant of land by congress in L.S56, 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 1S7 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 Wiseon-
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 1S74, 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 capitalist:, 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 1857. Under
its charter, a number of capitalists of the city of Galena, in the state of Illinois, commenced
ISi HISTORY ill' WISCONSIN.
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
ension to YVingville, 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 mad 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 anil in operation from Fond du Lac to
Iron Ridge, a point on the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul railway, twenty-nine miles from Fond
du Lac.
The "Pine River & Steven's Point Railroad Company" was 1 rganized 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 li Chicago & Tomah Railroad Company " organized under the general railroad law of
the state, in 1S72, 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 Kick ipoo 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 i-* located to Belmont, in Iowa county. At Wauzeka it will connect
with the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul line.
The publi -spirited citizens of Nei ed ih, in Juneau county, have organized under the general
law of the state, and grade.] a road-bed from their village to New Lisbon, on the Chicago, Mil-
waukee & St. Paul company's line. The litter 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 beet •< ted 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 ai Hon prohibited railroads from consolidating, ami 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 < ontrol 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 railroad, 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 tin-
farmers, with the prospect of joint ownership in railroads, to subscribe for stock and mortgagi
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. h , ^,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 upon 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
18b HISTORY 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 1S09, 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
ii( onto 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 MANUFACTURE. 187
of [line 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 1S42, 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 181 9 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 1S39 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 many other streams, as the loss from depreciation is very great
after the first year. The quality of the timber is line, 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 1S28 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 whatis the present site of the Union Lumbering Company's
mill at ( Ihippewa 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 250,000,00c to 300,000,000 feet; the production
of logs from 400,000,000 to 500,000,000 feet. In 1.867 tne 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
nt 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 and delivering to the respective
owners. Previous to the organization of the Eagle Rapids Flooding Dam and Boom Company,
in 1S72, 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 [847 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. 189
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
i 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
tilled, 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 ha/.ardous 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
hi. The important branches of the St. Croix belonging in this state are the Apple
Clam, Yellow, Xamekogan, 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 descripti n 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. Alost important, in a lumbering point of view, of all the
. is the Wisconsin Central. It extends from Milwaukee to Ashland, on Lake Superior,
a distance of 351 miles, with a line to Green Hay, 113 miles, and one from Stevens Point to
Portage, 71 miles, making a total length of road, of 449 miles. It lias only been completed to
Ashland within the last two years. From Milwaukee 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 lumbet 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.
Tlie extent of the timber supply in this state has been a matter of much speculation, and
190
HISTORY (IF WISCONSIN.
is a subject upon which but little can be definitely said. Pine trees can not be counted or
measured until reduced to 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 :
LUMBER
MANUFACTURED
IN 1S76.
Green Bay Shore
Wolf River -
Wisconsin Central Railroad -
Green Bay & Minnesota Railroad
Wisconsin River - ---
Black River.. _. -
Chippewa River. -
Mississippi River — using Wisconsin logs
Total - --
2o6,00O,COO
258,500,000
72,500 000
34,500,000
222,000,000
101,000,000
311,000,000
509,000,000
1,714,500,000
138,250,000
138,645,077
31,530,000
17,700,000
139,700,000
70.S52.747
255,866,999
380,067,000
172,611,823
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
LUMBER 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 increase, 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
unfailing markets. The broad plains of Kansas and the rich valleys of Nebraska, which are still in
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 1S36, and the same year several acts were passed
by the territorial legislature, incorporating banks of issue. Of these, one at Green 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-
consin, 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 wen
the legislatures of the territory, of banks and all their works, that, in every act of incorpoi itioi
for any purpose, a clause was inserted to the effect that nothing in the act contained should be
192 HISTORY 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-
cates 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
that 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 tot 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 understock! that the
company would 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 Hank."
In 1S47, 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 Win. T. Henry, who still continues the banking office.
Among the early private bankers of the state were Mr. Kellogg, of ( >shkosh ; Ulmann and bell, of
Racine; and T. C. Shove, of Manitowoc. The latter still continues his business, while that of
the other firms has 1 een wound up or merged in organized banks.
In 1S48, 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 lie in favor of banks, then the legislature might charter banks or might enact a
BACKING IN WISCONSIN. 193
general hanking law, but no su< h special charter or general banking law should have any force
ibmitted to the electors at a general election, and approved by a majority of votes i asl on
ibject. In 1851, the legislature submitted this question to the people, and a majorit) "1
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, ind
its main provisions were intended to provide security for the circulating m tes, 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, 1S53, 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, 1S54, by the " Bank of Mil-
waukee " (now National Exchange Hank of Milwaukee). From this time forward banks were
rapidly established at different points through the state, until in July, 1S57, 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 1S57 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
points in what was then the great northern wilderness of the state; so that it was expensive and
in 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 stale into the habit of
consulting and acting together in cases of emergency, the first bankers' convention having been
held in 1S57. This was followed by others from time to time, and it would be difficult to over-
value the great good that has resulted, at several important crises from the ham onious 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
business 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 OF WISCONSIN.
election of that year.
Banking matters now ran along pretty smoothly until the election in i860, of the republican
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 co tinuous 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 uncurrent ; and, when the rebellion came to a head by the firing on Fort Sumter, the banking
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 presentation 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. 1, 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 1, 1861, and there was no longer any plain practical test for determining which were
good, and which not. In this condition of things, bankers 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 Dei em-
ber 1. 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 over 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 suiting out and sending to Milwaukee, revised the list again, and
r.A\Ki\<; ix 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 charge- of
bad faith on the part of the banks, which culminated in the bank riots of June 24, 1S61. < In
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 street-; wit's
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 ti
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 volley, 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 gutted 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 effect 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 out-
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 1. 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, 1S61, the number of our banks was 107, with capital, $4,607,000; circulation,
$2,317,907 ; deposits, $3,265,069.
I'i\ the contraction incident to the preparations for redemption in specie, the amount of cur-
rent Wisconsin bank notes outstanding December 1, 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 io 1 'I under
it in different parts of the country. The first in Wisconsin was formed by the re-organization of
the Fanners' and Millers' Bank, in August, 1863, as the First National Bank of Milwaukee,
with Edward D. Ilolton as president, and II. II. Camp, cashier. The growth of the new
however, was not very rapid; the state banks were slow to avail themselves of the prh I
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 1 ent.
was- laid upon the issues of the state banks, Tl is tax was imposed by act of March, 1865, and
at once caused a commotion in our state. In July, 1864, the number of Wisconsin stale banks
was sixty-six, with capital 83,147,000, circulation $2,461, 728, deposits §5,483,205, and these
figures were probably not very different in the spring of [865. The securities for thecin dating
re in great part the bonds of our own state, which, while known by our own people to
be good beyond 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, anil 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 .1 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 con.:
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 1S45, 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 varied.industries 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 Shylock. 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 AND MANUFACTURES. 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 faun
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
Men rd, 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 ,, n^-
evw. 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 h Yen, h
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 1S15,
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 1812. The American re-entered the
field in 1816. The fur trade is still 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
HISTOHY OF WISCONSIN.
Lead and Zixc.
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 1S75,
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 1S6S, 10,890 tons. Of the latter ,1111011111,4,648 tons were
from the iron mines at Mayville. There were shipped from Milwaukee, in 1S6S, 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 1S71 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 received
from Iron Ridge 85,245 ions of ore, and 5.620 tons of pig iron. Much of the metal made by the
Wisconsin iron company in 1S72 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 1X72, 1X73 and 1874,
FURN 11 1 -
1S72.
iS73.
1S74.
Milwaukee Iron Company, Milwaukee
Minerva Furnace Company, Milwaukee
11 Iron Company, Iron Ridge -.
Northwestern Iron Company, Mayville
2l,Si8
3.350
5.033
4.SSS
6,910
3.420
5,600
1,780
29,326
5.S22
4.15?
4.137
33,000
3.306
3,000
6,141 6,000
7,999 6.500
6,S32 7.000
1,528 1 1.300
National [roil Company, Depere '_
' ompaiiy, W. Depere
Ironton Furnace, Sauk county
= 2,- 17
"3.9S0
66,f
COMMERCE AXI> MAXLTEACTURES. 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 1S73, the iron, with most other material interests, became seriously prostrated, so that the
total receipts of ore in Milwaukee in 1S74 amounted to only 31,993 tons, against 69,418 in 1873,
and 85,245 tons in 1S72. There were made in Milwaukee in 1874, 29,680 tons of railroad iron.
In 1S75, 5S,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 1S76, at Milwaukee, were less than during any year since 1S69,
being only 31,119 tons, of which amount only 5,488 tons were from Iron Ridge, and the total
shipments were only 49S 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 Green 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 source- ; 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 raft-. 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
. arefully estimated, was 355.055,155 feet. The amount of 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 1S73 and 1874 was
987,000,000 feet. In 1876 and 1877 the Black river furnished 188,544,464 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. II. 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 S,ooo,ooo 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 1S40 and 1841, E. D. Holton, of Milwaukee, purchased a small cargo of wheat (about 4,000
bushels), and in the spring of 1S41, 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 :
1845
1S46
1S47
1S4S
1S49
1850
1851
r852
1853
1S54
1855
1856
1857
185S
1-= 1
I-"1
1861
1862
1863
[864
186;
[86J
1870
>-■:'
!~7-'
[873
1874
1 8 7!
7.550
15.756
34.S40
92,732
136.657
100,017
51.889
92.995
104.055
145.032
181,568
188,455
22S.442
2gS,66S
282,956
457.343
674.474
7".4o5
603.525
4U.333
567.576
720,365
921,663
1,017,598
1.2211,058
1.225,941
1,211,427
1,232,036
2,2i:;.579
2.163,346
2,654,028
WHEAT,
CORN,
bus.
bus.
95oio
213,44s
598,411
602,474
1,136,023
2,500
297.570
5,000
317,285
13.S2S
564,404
2,220
956,703
270
1,809,452
164,908
2,641,746
112,132
2,761,976
218
2,581,311
472
3.994,213
43.95S
4.732,957
41.364
7,56s. 608
37.204
13,300,495
1.4S5
14.91 5.6S0
9.489
[2,837,620
S8,9S9
8.992.479
140,786
io.479.777
71,203
11,634,749
4So,4oS
9.59S.452
266,249
9,867,029
342.717
14,272,799
93.S06
16,127,83s
103,173
1 1,40 1 +67
419.133
11,570.565
1,557.953
24,994,266
197,920
22,255,380
556.563
22,681,020
226,895
16,804,394
96,908
2,100
7.S92
363,841
131,716
404,999
13.333
5.433
2,775
562,067
64,682
1,200
79.094
831,600
811,634
326,472
1.636,595
622,469
536.539
35L76S
210, 1S7
772.929
1.323.234
990.525
726.035
1,160,450
■.377.56o
15,000
15,270
103. S40
322,261
291,890
339.338
63.379
10,398
Soo
63,178
53.2i6
28,056
5,220
44,800
133.449
23.479
29.597
iS,988
30,S22
95,036
120,662
469.325
576.453
931.725
6SS.455
464.837
867,970
[,235.481
54,692
So,365
"3.443
20,030
ii.577
9.735
29,810
126,301
84,047
18,210
51.444
255.329
106,795
9L443
7S.035
62,494
208,896
209,751
255-928
79.879
98,923
220,(164
COMMERCE AND MANUFACTURES.
203
Up to 1856, the shipments were almost wholly of Wisconsin products ; but with the comple-
tion of lines 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 1S70; 50,130,000111 1S76; of cheese, 1,591,000 pounds in
1S70, as against 17,000,000 in 1S76, which will convey a fair idea of the increase of dairy produc-
tion. The receipts of cheese in Chicago during 1S76, were 23,780,000 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 1S70, 3,779,1 14 pounds ; in 1S75, 6,625,863; in 1876,8,938,137 pounds ; ot
cheese, 5,721,279 pounds in 1875, and 7,055,573 in 1S76. 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 general h are
striving with commendable zeal to rival each other in raising the finest of animals for use and
the market.
The folk
/ii years :
ing table shows the receipts of live hogs and beef cattle at Milwaukee for thir-
YEARS.
LIVE lions.
BEEF CATTLE.
YEARS.
LIVE HO'.S. BEEF CATTLE.
IS75
1S74
IS73
I?72
I87I...
1S70
254.317
144.9^1
242,326
241,099
IjS,io6
[26,164
66,133
36,So2
46.717
22,74s
17,262
14.172
9,220
12,972
lS6S
1867-
IS66
1S65
1S64-
I363
52.296
4S.7I7
7.54<<
42,2;o
56,826
I2,=2I
I3,20O
15.527
12,955
M.230
18,345
I4.t55
204 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
The following table shows the movement of hog products and beef from Milwaukee since
Shipments by Rail
PORK, HAM?;. MIDDLES AND SHOULDERS.
LARD.
I!EEF.
and Lake.
Barrels.
Tierces.
Boxes.
Bulk, lbs.
Barrels.
Tierces.
Barrels.
Tierces.
62,461
56.773
53.702
80,010
90,038
SS.940
77."5:
6g,So5
8S.SS8
74.7=6
34.013
67.933
56,432
15.439
15,292
17-1=4
24.954
20,115
20,192
15,819
9.546
13,146
11,614
7.S05
2,713
5.927
15,811
I2,6S5
42,67s
2S.374
39.572
62,211
39,209
I4.93S
5.S75
5,298
3.239
4.522
34.164
5,000
11,634
5,123,818
2,736,77S
1.4,14.112
1,915,610
4.557.950
5.161,941
4,717.630
2,325,150
1,76s, 190
454.7S6
863,746
3.301
601
9,110
4,065
6,276
3.932
2,535
1,180
3.637
2,523
3.2S7
1,929
5,677
10,987
I3.53S
3.439
18,950 4.734
1S.509 5.015
24,399 5.365
707
462
19.746
10,950
S.56S
5.055
8,820
6,292
2.4S7
7.207
10,546
6.761
4,427
7.53S
10,150
lS,g84
11,852
10,427
36 866
42,987
33,174
1,606
925
2.1S5
" iS6S__
4.584
5.S71
" 1S63
6,377
Hops.
The culture of hops, as an article af commen e, received but little attention prior to i860.
In 1805, 2,864 bales only were shipped from Milwaukee. In addition, a large amount was used
by the brewers throughout the state. In 1S66, the amount exported was increased, and 5,774
bales were shipped to eastern markets. The price, from forty-five to fifty-live 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
$4,200,000. In 186S, 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 apprehen
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 1S68, 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 1S68, from which it did not
soon recover. A large proportion of the yards were plowed under in 1870. The crop of 1S69
was much of it marketed during 1S70, at a price of about two and one-half to three and one-
half cents per pound, while that of 1S70 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
of the eastern states, and the decrease in price causing a decrease in production,
what was left <>■, rop of 1S70 more than doubled in value before the new reached the
market. The latter opened at thirty cents, and steadily rose to fifty and fifty-five for prime
COMMERCE AMI MANUFACT1 RES. 205
qualities. The crop of [872 was of good quality, and the market opened at forty to <
rents as the selling price, and fell fifteen to twenty cents before the close of the year. A much
Largei 'quantity was raised than the year previous. In 1873 and [874, the crop was fair and
prices ruled from thirty-three to forty-five cents, with increased production. About 1X.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 1X70, 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 oi 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 1871, when the Prairie dtt 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 : axi-
mum being in 1874,6,982,175 pounds; the minimum in 1S75. j. 743,854 pounds. The crop of
1S76 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. Itis 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 1S51, less than
1,500 barrels were sent out of the state. In 1872, the year of greatest production, over 37,000
barrel's were exported, and, in 1876, about 17,000 barrels. Tl. : 1 .-d 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 1S72, two
hundred and ninety-two breweries and ten distilleries. In 1S76, 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 1S76, 321,611 barrels of lager beei and 43,175
barrels of high wines. In 1S65, it furnished 65,666 barrels of beer, and in 1S70, 108,845 barrels.
In 1S65, it furnished 3,046 barrels of high wines; in 1870, 22,867 barrels; and in 1S75, 39,005.
A large quantity of the beer made was shipped to eastern and southern cities. The beer made
in 1876 sold at the rate of ten dollars per barrel, the wholesale price of the brewers bringing the
sum of $3,216,110. The fame of Milwaukee lager beer is widely extended. This city has
furnished since 1870, 1,520,30s 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 450,50s barrels.
206 HISTORY OP WISCONSIN.
In 1876, Milwaukee produced 43,175 barrels of high wines, or distilled spirits, and the
state of Wisconsin 51,959 barrels. In 1S70, 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 lias
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.
W \ 1 ER Pi iWEKS.
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-live
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 AND MANUFACTURES. -1-''
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.
Chippewa 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
Kinnekinnick 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 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN".
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 manufai turing 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 th.it
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 1S70, there were eighty-two establishments engaged in
making agricultural implements, employing 1,387 hands, and turning out products valued at
$2, jg ;. |oo. 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-live establishments, employing 2.1S4 men, and their product was valued at
$21596,534; for clothing, two hundred and sixty-three establishments, and value of product
$2,34 . \oo ; 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 considered. 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.
( Ioncluding Remarks.
Statistics ire usually dry reading, but, to one desiring to change his location and seeking
information regardinga new country and its capabilities, they become intensely interesting and
alue. 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 MANUFACTURES. 209
iccustomed 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
i 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
physii al laws of man as a social being; to the resources of the country; its productions; the
growth of society, and to (///those facts or conditions which may increase or 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, 1671, 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
Andre\ 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
tiie 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-
-Min, 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
TIIK 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 agricu.-
turists, and the occupation of the country was strictly military. There were, indeed, a few grants
of Kinds made by the French governors and commanders, previous to 1750, to favored indi-
;ix 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
tuthority of the king; of this latter kind, one for a small piece of thirty acres bears with
1 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 Gree'n 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
Fran< e 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, ex< ept 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
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 governmeiu had
212 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
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 delineation of
5he "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 the
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. 41c north 1042^ 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 d 11 Chien before that time, and these were made by French settlers who were in
no wise 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
Suu-s, 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 theii interests to the general government, givii
latter a perfect title, subject only to the rights of the Indians. The deed o\' cession from Virgin]
was dated March i. [784. The other states ceded their claims, some before this date, others
uent thereto.
Virginia made a number of stipulations in her died of cession; among others, that tin-
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 prote< ted in
the enjoyment of their rights and liberties; that 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, 17S8,
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 1 787.
The provisions of this ordinance have since been applied to all the territories of the United
States lying north of the 36? 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,
/hich 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 States, 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.
i. A treaty was held at St. Louis, November 3, 1S04, 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
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.
j. 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 J >( (MAIN. 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 lie 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 1.S04, 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 1S04, and agreed to deliver up all the property stolen or plundered, and in failure
to do so, to fojfeit all title to their annuities. To this treaty, Black Hawk's name appear-, 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 1S04, and at Portage des Sioux in 1S15, 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, 1816, 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, 1S25, 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, 1826, 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 Hay, 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 the south-
western part of Wisconsin which had not been ceded to the United States. A provisional .
216 HISTORY OF 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.
n. Two treaties were made at Prairie du Chien, on the 29th of July, 1829, and August 1,
1829 : at the first date, with the Chippewas, < Htawas 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 430 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, 1S31, 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 1, 1833,
or on any part of the country therein ceded.
14. On the 27th of October, 1832, articles oi 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 m\« r.
15. An important treaty was made at Chicago, September 26, 1833, between the United
Stales and the Chippewas, Ottawas and Pottawattamies. Those nations ceded to the government
all their 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
(-, [832, 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 du Chien, July 19, 1829 — containing about
five millions of acres.
16. On the 3d of September, 1S36, a treaty 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 river, 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.
rS. 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 1, 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, rS3S, 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, i83i,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, 1S32
22. On the 4th of October, 1S42, 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 rSth of October, 1S4S, 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
$350,000, 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, 1S54,
being a supplementary treaty to one made October iS, 1S4S. All the lands ceded to that nation
under the treaty last named was ceded to the United States — the Menomonees to receive from
the Linked 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, 1S54. 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 1, 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 1 1, 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 maybe 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 < laim the people of the place possessed,
and might have for a confirmation of their land titles, they must be founded upon proof of con
tinued possession since the year 1796 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 c ountry, 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 DOMAIN 210
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 certainty, 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 thy 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 17S1, 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 :
1 The Northwest territory proper (1 7S7-1S00) 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, 1S00, 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, 1S05. 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 ^36. The
state of Michigan was formed January 26, 1S37, with its present boundaries.
4. Illinois territory was formed March 2, 1S10. 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, 1S16, 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 420 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 Mi lines and Dubuque counties were formed.
S. Wisconsin territory was formed April 20, 1836. The state was formed May 29, 1848.
The territory of Wisconsin being a part of the Northwest territory claimed, and congress by
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 1
of Lake Michigan. Notwithstanding this plain provision of the ordinance, which is declared to
220 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN".
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 I. aFayette 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 DOMAIN. --i
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 sei ond is
between townships twenty and twenty-one, and so on. They are visually 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 1S35. The sale at Milwaukee was in 1S39. From the reports of the
general land office, it appears that from 1S35 to 1845 inclusive, there were sold at the three land
offices from public sale, 2,958,59- 14ll,';l a< res, 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 ai res. 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, 1S62, 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 10th 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, 186S, 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 n, 1S64. 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 in Wisconsin were relinquished by the secretary of war, January jo, 185 1, and were
originally set apart by the president of the United States, February 17, 1X43
In the month of April, 1857, the secretary of wai 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 i77yVrr 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 territory: 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, 185 1 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 fust 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 Ray 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, 1S36, divided the Green Bay land district, as estab-
lished in 1S34, " 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, 1S49, 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 offic e 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
1 icated. 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,- 1S52, so much of the public lands
in Wisconsin as lay within a boundary line commencing at the southwest corner 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 fniirth 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 H1ST0BY or WISCONSIN
fourth principal meridian, thence north on the range line to the south line of township number
thirty-one north, 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 cf 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
alsc 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 1S30 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 sectiont
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 preferem e. This was 1 ailed a floating right. This pro-
the law was ingeniously perverted from its plain purpose in various ways.
As fist as these evasions came to the notice of the department, all certificates given to
tits 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 [.aid for eight)' acres originally
occupied, as well as those which were not located at the time of such payment, and the additional
trai t paid for before the public sale, were held to be worthless or fraudulent ; but a large number
of these certificates had been issued, and p.issed into the hands of speculators and designing
men, and were a sourc e of almost endless vexation and annoyance to settlers. The law of 1S30
THE I'l BLIC DOMAIN. 225
expired by limitation in one year from its passage, but was revived by the law of [834 for two
years. In the interim no settler could obtain his land by pre-emption. The law of [834 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, 1X41, 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 1S35, 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 1 1, 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 1S47 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 often
miles in width from Lake Michigan to Rock river, amounting to 139,190 acres. Of those lands
43,447 acres were sold at public sale in July, 1S39, at the minimum price of two dollars and fift)
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 canal
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 1S63, 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 ior 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, 1S4S. In the years 1S54 and 1S55, 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 S, 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 Vox and Wisconsin Improvement company, a corpora-
tion created under an act of the legislature of Wisconsin approved July 6, 1S53. 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 PUBLIC DOMAHST. 221
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 ..pproved April 13, 1861, and the acts amend-
atory thereof, the purchasers at said sale, on the 15th 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, 1S70, 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 Wisconsin 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 satisfactory 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 1S47, 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
lands, 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 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
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 Michigan 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 entry, 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 1845 and 1S46. 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 acres,
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 5 1,635 acres.
The quantity of lands donated by act of congress August 6, 1 846, 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 swamp 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, 1S65.
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 construction 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 1S74, the same body by resolution transferred to the Sturgeon bay and Lake 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 Lay field ; 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 1, 1858. Of this
land grant John W. Cary 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 1S56 and 1S5 7, 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 & Portag. 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, 1S64, granting lands to aid in the construction of
certain roads in the state. This was a re-enactment of the law of 1S56, and divided the grant
in 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 1S65 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.I).
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 420 30' and 46° 55' N. latitude, and between 87° and
920 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 w'th 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.
Geolcn .v.
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 geologii al
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 S 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 gravel, 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 injurious 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 arc ne trl) as
porous as loose sand, and in some of them the penetrability for air and water is the same. (A
single brick of poor quality will absorb a pint of water). Such materials used in the construction
232 HISTORY OF 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.
The natural drainage of the state, bearing in mind that the mean elevation of its hydro-
graphical axis is about 1,000 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 in 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 8o°. 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
ioQ 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 440 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 430 3', longitude 900 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.
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. 8S 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 wjthout 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
frequent 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 OF WISCONSIN'
~. , 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
7S0
75
77
Si
51
55
4S
50
44
19th
20
94°
97
96
Si
S4
Sl°
Si
So
71
55
4S
'3 --
14
29
30
63
5°
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 he thirty-two.
Isotherms.
The mean temperature of spring is represented by the isotherm of 450 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 700 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 little
south of east, and enters the Atlantic at New Haven. The mean isotherm of 470 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 200 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.
WThat 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.
IIari
Yearly mean of barometer at 320 F.
,088 feet above thi
1S69 2S.932 inches.
1 2S.S67 "
1871 2S.9S6 "
1S72 2S.S98 '■
RII A
rved
the University of Wisconsin, altitude
1^71 2S.892 i
1S74--- 2S.S67
1875 2S.'75o
1876 2S.920
Atmospherii 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 prom 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 suffer
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, areas 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 <>F WISCONSIN". 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 Nationalit^s.
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 diat 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 Yery
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.
^a» HISTORY (>F WISCONSIN
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 tne 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 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 among men 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 (>F WISCONSIN -o9
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 1S57 : 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 1S65, 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 10
years, commencing 1S29, and ending 1838 (ten years before the admission of Wisconsin into the
Union as a state).
FORT HOWARD, GREEN BAY
30 I This abstra-
Intermittent fever 30
Remittent do 11
Synochal do 4
Typhus do
Diseases of respiratory organs 101
Diseases of digestive organs 184
Diseases of brain and nervous system 9
Dropsies 1
Rheumatic affections 61
exhibits the second quar-
only, the mean strength being
All other diseases 114, excepting vene-
real diseases, abcesses, wounds, ul-
cers, injuries, and ebriety cases.
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, 1S4 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 i% per cent, per annum. The annual rate of intermittent cases is 6,
and that of remittent is 3, per 100 of mean strength.
T.
,k of Ratio of Sickness at Fort Howard.
Si isons.
MEAN STRENGTH. ™MBER
TREATED.
RATE I'ER I.OOO OF
MEAN STRENGTH
TREATED QUARTERLY.
1.764
1,702
1,526
1,594
715
726
1.073
636
405
425
703
399
1.647
ISO TOI7
240
HISTORY 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 -fa per cent. ; and of the adjutant-general's returns, it3j-
per cent.
I ok I U INNEBAGO.
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
abstract exhibits the fourth quarters
mly, the mean strength being 1,571.
All other diseases, 80, with the exceptions i
above.
Under the class of diseases of the respiratory organs are comprised 448 catarrh, n 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, 1 epilepsy. The total number of deaths, according to the post returns, is 20. Of these,
3 are from phthisis pulmonalis, 1 pleuritis, 2 chronic hepatitis, 1 gastric enteritis, 1 splenitis, etc.
TABLE OF RATIO OF SICKNESS AT FORT WINNEBAGO.
Seasons.
MEAN STRENGTH.
M MBF.R
TREATED.
RATE PER 1,000 OF
MEAN STRENGTH
TREATED QUARTERLY.
1.535
1-505
1.527
I.57I
552
517
581
495
36o
343
3S0
315
Annual ratio.
1.534
2,145
1,398
Every man on an average is consequently reported sick once in eight months and a half.
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
affections 5S
s abstract exhibits
only, the mean stre
All other diseases, 309, w
exceptions as above.
the third quarters
lgth being I.8S5.
vith the same list of
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
2tV per cent. The causes of death are: 6 phthisis pulmonalis, 6 epidemic cholera, 1 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. 241y
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 11 KKNC.TH.
NUMBER
TREATED.
RATIO [>ER I.OOO OF
MEAN STRENGTH
TREATED QUARTERLY.
1, 660
1.749
1,885
1,878
9S7
1,267
1.948
I.270
595
724
1.033
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 1S73, no sick list.
For 1872, the mumps went through the school. For 187 1, 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 1.S75, 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
earliest 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 conies 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 simplv 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 : S,of typhoid fever; 1, of typhoid erysipelas:
1, of gastric fever: 3, of brain fever; 1, nervous fever; 2, congestion of the lungs; 2, congestive
chills; 5, of consumption; 1 of dropsy; and 1 of inflammatory rheumatism.
The State Prison.
This was located at Waupun in July, 1857. On September 30, 1S76, 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 j 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 1, 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 1 in 700 of the whole population, the total number in hospitals, poor-houses and
prisons being in 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:
II EA I. Til OF WISCONSIN 243
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. II. 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 arc insanity and phithisis. What may be accomplished by intel-
ligent efforts to stem the increase of insanity in our state ? Much. Early treatment is one means,
of course curative in its character. And its necessity and advantage are well illustrated
in table No. ro 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 In- 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, nd the want of cultivation being alike destructive.
The Northern Hospital for rut: Insane.
This hospital was opened at Oshkosh, May, 1 S 7 3 . The total number under treatment
September t,o, 1S76 was — males 246, females 257, total 503. Xo ailment oi .111 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 socio!
City 01. Milwaukee.
Still adhering to the plan, in writing the sanitary history of the state, of gathering up all
Ith 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.
■ h side of the mouth of Milwaukee river, on the west shore of Lake Michi-
gan in lat. 43"' 3' 45" X., long. 870 57' W., and is considered remarkable for its healthy climate,
ird 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
f age, 758 out of 1,24 umption, 93; convulsions, 128; cholera infantum,
carlet fever, [32; typhoid fever, 52 ; inflammation of the lungs, ri; still-
born, 79. This disproportionate number of still-born children is attributed in part to a
The deaths from consumption in Milwaukee are 7% out of ever)- 100, one third less out
of a like number of deaths than in San I which city, in 4,000 deaths, jji died of con-
sumption, being n out of every 100 deaths for the year ending Jul)'. 1S69. The deaths
numbered 1,655, tne population being at the last census report, 71,6
244 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN
Table of Principal Causes.
Consumption 143
Inflammation of lungs 56 The Milwaukee population being about
Convulsions ._ 259 72,000, the death rate per annum for
Diarrhoea 131 every 1,000 inhabitants would be 21,
Diptheria 74 after proper deductions of deaths from
Scarlet fever 52 other causes than from disease, showing
Typhoid fever _ 49 very favorably as compared with other
Oldage _ 28 cities.
Still-born 123
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 percent., while those of Chicago are 7.75 ; of
St. Louis, 9.68; of Cincinnati, 11.95; an^ 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
also 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 430 5' north, and longitude 890 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}^ feet of red
shale belonging to the same series, and 209^ 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 .it Mr Bride'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
HKALTH OP WISCONSIN". 245
9 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 10 to 20 percent, of < alca-
reous and dolomitic matter, and then furnish a cream-colored building stone ol con iderabli
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, marly 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 tube 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 So 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 sufficiently 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 1S45,
it was visited by an epidemic malarial fever of a bilious type, and not unfrequently fatal, which
passed very generally through the state, and Mas attributed to the turning up of the soil. It was
most virulent in the autumns. Again in 1S54 it was visited by a light choleraic epidemic, which
also swept the state, assuming very generally a particularly mild type. Again in 1057 it suffered
lightly from the epidemic dysentery, which passed through the state. In 1S65, it suffered from
a visitation of diptheria, the disease prevailing generally over the state at that time. It hasalso
had two visitations of the epidemic grip {grippe), 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-
terv. 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,
is built about 70 feet above low water, and 642 feel 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 on.: of the must superb artesian wells in the state, which is attracting
main' persons by its remedial miner. d properties.
Green Bay sanitarily may be considered as sufficiently indicated under the head of Port
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 fur
southern people.
Racine, some 25 miles south by east by rail from Milwaukee and 62 by rail from Chi< a
built upon the banks and some 40 feet above the level of the lake. Its soil is a sandy loam and
246 HISTORY OF ■WISCONSIN'.
gravel, consequently it has a dry, healthy surface, and is much frequented in the summer for its
coolness and salubrity.
Waukesha, iS 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 everv-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 So 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. Tt is, though shut in from the rude world by bluffs 500 feet high, a very
favorite resort, and should bi 1 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, attrai is 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 beaut)' 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,
( "it wok ix Diseases.
In order to ascertain whether the 1 lasses 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
d in the army medical irts Howard, Crawford and Winneb
with those given in the V. S. Census for 1870, and with the medical statistics of th<
Milwaukee. The three distinct and prominent classes prevailing from Carver's to the present
time, are, in the order of prevalence, diseases of the respiratoi onsumption, pneumonia,
bronchitis, etc.; diseases of the dig< : enteritis, dysentery, diarrhoea, etc.; and the
malarial fevers. At 1'ort Howard alone do the diseases of the di ns 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 affaii ures of the relative prevalence of the three
Then disturbing or qualifyi operating and affecting the
amount or distribution of these classi r belts. For instance, there are two
HEALTH OF Wisconsin'. 247
irregular areas in the state; the one extending from tin- Mississippi east and north, and the other
starting almost as low down as Madison, and running up as far as Green Bay, which an- more
subject to malarial diseases than are the other parts of the stale. While it is found thai those
parts of the state least subject to diseases of the digestive organs are, a belt along the western
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, < erebro-spinal and typhus
levers, 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 short- of
Michigan, and stretching acrosi the country by way of Fond du Lac to the Mississippi, is
a bell 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 hall of the
southern boundary line of the pineries, are less affected with consumption than the interior parts
state.
The tendency of these diseases is certainly to amelioration. The sanitary history of \\ i i on-
sm does not differ from that of an}- other state cast of us, in this striking particular; the farther
tory of disease, the worse its type is found to be. It follows, then, thai
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 influem
ever, that sanitary science has brought to beai 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
has been heard in our legislative halls, evoking a law by which we are, as a people, I" 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 stale 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 health)- climate. Our hygrometrii al re< ords show Wisconsin to have one of tl
climates in the ITnited 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 (carryiri
and dissipating malarial emanations), are not destructive to life or property, as is the i
their violence, in some of the adjoining states. A moist, warm atmosphere is always provocative
ate 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 di
rid poisonous exhalations. Its character is readily illustrated by the peculiar smell of
arsh lands on autumnal evenings. Such a stale 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
In \ cry hot weather.
But too much importance is attached by the public to a simply dry atmosphere for respira-
tor)- diseases The same mistake is made with regard to ts in such dison
simply high elevations. Dry air in itself or a high elevation in itself, or both combined, are
-sarily favorable to health, or curative of disease. In the light and rare atmos]
Pike' Peak, . mlse is accelerated, the amount of sleep is dimin-
ished, and the human machine is put under a high-pressure rate of living, < on. Lit ive on )
248
rn-n'oiiY
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 respirator}- diseases, be it noted, comparing most favor-
ably with that of other states, as may be seen in the following table:
CLIMATOLOGlCAl DlSTRIBl riOM OF l'ri'.h>.\;\ l'i-i VSES.
Deaths
by
Phthisis.
Per cent,
of entile
Mortality.
Deaths by all
diseases of Res-
piratory Organs.
Per cent.
Mortality.
:-. 1S5O, U. S. ' trnsus
3,426
2.55S
657
S66
290
17-65
14-55
7.36
9-99
1.0S4
22.27
13-77
24.00
15.00
1S.43
Michigan, 1S50, U. S. Census
Illinois, 1S49-50. U. S. Census
Wisconsin, 1 • nsus
Now, while the moil i of the United States census for 1S50 are acknou
. they are. nevertheles the causes of mortality. Bu1
i certain relative
ipecial, truths which si us in our estimate. Respirator) di-
al! kinds increase in proportion as the tern] le humidity of the air being the
I this class of diseases is variableness
of climate. Still, this featur of our climate is i
i see in the I i unpared with other states. Indeed, it is still
disputed whether there is not more consumption in tropical climates than in temperate climates.
This mm iption is rare i Dr. Terry says
the annual ratio of pulmonan i them than in the southern 1
the United States, and Dr. Drake, an equally eminent authority, recommends those suffering
: pulmonarj affectioi 1 the colder districts ol the
ineis localities near Lake Superior — a recommendation which our experience of
Propor 1 1<
PNEUM.
3.424
2.553
S66
549
S95
647
arolina
-.
562
4-9
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
d states. The United States census of 1850, i860 and 1S70. gives Wisconsin 94 deaths
to 10,000 of the population, while it gives Vermont 101 to every 10,000 of her inhabitants. The
STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN.
249
census of i S 70 shows that the death-rate from consumption in Minnesota, Iowa, California and Wis-
consin arc 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.
1S75.
ADAMS COUNTY.
population.
Towns, cities and
W)
|
I
|
j
<
200
844
164
261
117
204
1113
444
126
121
199
189
501
127
198
153
-no
100
229
137
408
112
lis
99
131
182
433
115
398
154
465
401
397
469
84 7
m
Richfield
'
White Creek
242
3,451
3.045
ASHLAND COUNTY.
Ashland
La Pointe
141
180
44S
282
409
321
AYFIELD COUNTY.
BARRON COUNTY.
Towns, i
Wl
...
459
364
;.;i 1
240
319
216
182
SI
106
628
Hi
542
206
2.068
1,669
BROWN COUNTY.
175
385
35S
ft
1,911
3.6I11
1.721
482
1,017
J'.<
5 1 9
705
579
1.4S9
1.266
llillllliolt...
"2
909
633
529
h}*§
384
434
6
"6
806
696
477
wrtgh?s?ownv"!^!:::::::
941
1.222
18.376
i.i 899
53
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
BURNETT COUNTY.
POPULATION
Towns. Cities ani>
White.
Co.ored
Villages.
7.
I
|
i
<
433
■231
87
751
379
191
82
652
11
5
i 1
827
BUFFALO COUNTY.
296
34
307
138
376
iSS
277
413
339
275
215
402
341
717
899
552
465
500
254
293
279
137
336
321
22 7
372
309
240
212
S§§
671
501
421
494
:
3
550
712
Cross
574
Gilmanton
Glencoe
785
515
1,388
Fountain I'm
994
Total
7.517
2
3
14.219
CALUMET COUNTY.
Clilltuii
864
1
1.061
668
1.00S
1,016
837
910
690
809
l.iioo
592
875
949
753
639
12
Hi
3
i'6 i
193
16
156
183
1.892
1.173
1/267
1.SS4
Rantoul
M'M'klu iiIki-
Total
7.720
6.989
(LARK COUNTY.
197
210
518
310
43
I'.'c li
205
88
113
65 1
187
Perkins
107
289
186
121
138
171
135
—
3.294
7.282
CHIPPEWA COUNTY.
POPULATION.
TOWNS, CITIES AMD
White.
1
£
a
£
<
361
488
654
.'-•■
329
1,360
1,046
34 6
442
269
420
606
1.755
288
1.(17 1
' -
252
368
_ 5,670
"6"
6
"3"
"4"
\"l»im
908
I'lulU'i-ua lalls city
5.050
!;;i ! Kavwt" ' :::;:::::::::::.
1.6SS
wh,'at, ..'.'."'.'.'.'.v.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'::. ..
8,312
COLUMBIA COUNTY.
512
639
481
912
66 2
662
376
749
515
596
541
705
149
853
759
130
2,164
t§8
423
486
580
33
497
584
400
Hi
618
351
712
497
506
505
74 3
S62
737
119
2.161
556
374
347
442
540
3
1,009
1.223
r;ilrdoNi;i
8
"5"
L>Vknrr;i. .!'.'.'. "!"'.'."""'.
1.280
1,103
Lfwiston
Lodi
l',448
III
1,721
1,496
249
M il.rll.Ml
Newport
i;,tn,l-»ll>ii —
1.186
783
Wist w. Vil.
15
9
67
14,710
14.1169
"S sn:)
CRAWFORD COUNTY.
Brid e ort
177
755
798
313
49S
894
411
429
fg
485
704
583
7.759
186
765
588
766
258
404
326
352
535
124
209
468
687
697
511
■ ' v
12
18
"s"
f.
11
SlL
1,618
1.113
571
720
763
964
393
..ill
1
Scott
Bei a
1.094
7,276
15,035
DOUGLAS COUNTY.
346 I 3 I 6 I 741
IF WISCONSIN
251
DOOR COUNTY.
POPULATE.
Towns. Cities and
Villages.
White, jcoiored
|
£
1
£
gf
210
359
344
420
166
368
831
286
220
4,343
186
316
ST!)
210
206
325
107
278
192
211
l
181
454
IRS
Fofestville
Nasewaupi'e
672
418
Sturgeon H.i\
\illaK'-'
1
Washington
54 9
530
Total
3,677
8,020
DANE COUNTY.
DUNN COUNTY.
Colfax
178
261
490
1 10
349
821
156
.
400
us
212
490
23 1
463
19l>
1,467
124
115
313
203
146
hi s
239
203
117
188
348
1,036
1.067
192
954
3.433
254
IMIUII
Lucas.
■
i"
2
Red Cellar
R
l"
1
662
1,176
•
245
Stanton
Tainter
Tiffany
7,394
6.021
DODGE COUNTY.
Ashippun
742
Beaver Dam town
Beaver Dam city
451
694
Fu\ LUrl.i
632
381
1,356
508
Hori.-oi. villa-,-
833
804
1.318
1,245
951
956
912
559
'956
1,026
soil
558
Westfnrd ...
|'
:-. , 5 A r, wMs
Waupun village, lsl ward,
628
441
1
24,785
23.541
35
POPULATION.
Towns, Cities and
White.
Colored
|
|
|
I
Ubion
679
592
451
575
586
576
419
12
866
540
655
530
593
2S3
517
54 6
563
518
582
4 16
474
740
549
571
413
587
575
691
588
448
£87
559
504
495
661
457
3116
479
491
555
55S
484
"l"
3
T
i
3
1
60
"4
20
1
T
1,261
1,135
1,030
1.121
1.593
1.130
1.430
1168
906
1.353
1.173
1.051
78E
10,0a 1
1.417
1.71,8
1.079
919
1.057
1.151
1.057
1,018
1,392
1.307
973
589
1.036
1.039
1.118
1.621
1.191
1.003
>ve
25.814
52,798
FON DU UAC COUNTY.
l'.i\< -In-.-.
4
649
676
1
1 109
1 1
I
563
748
630
611
1
872
612
580
498
1
5,149
24.604
98
80
IllVKiKY oi' WIM'ONMN*.
EAU CLAIRE COUNTY.
FOPl'LATIfiX.
Towns, Cities and
\V1
Ite.
I olored
|
|
|
l
kugnsta village
549
461
419
4.646
281
158
701
196
260
93
337
393
507
383
387
3.777
179
163
553
463
m
290
327
13
13
~
1,056
844
706
8.4 40
400
321
1.254
959
503
171
723
Lilirulll
8,724
7.250
15,991
GREEN COUNTY.
476
565
585
669
695
759
348
450
867
540
462
1.525
550
530
639
446
521)
437
585
554
750
654
751
350
433
84 7
486
441
597
530
393
496
10.900
"l"
"6"
2
"a"
ii
913
1.150
E::::::::::::
1.510
701
1,714
1.1 in
""."".."»"•
876
870
11,102
32,027
GRANT COUNTY.
111. mini:. l:'
: i . ■
I
Glen llliv
Lima
GREEN LAKE COUNTY.
POPULATION.
Towns. Cities and
White.
Colored
j
I
-
|
-
Berlin
Berlin ritv
548
1.5S6
7117
630
737
537
1.076
232
554
1.755
691
759
112
682
521
1,015
225
.„.
6
"6"
6~
1.102
3,341
1.399
895
1.285
1.419
2,091
726
458
7.632
7,642
15,274
IOWA COUNTY.
Arena ...
Milllm
Mm.-r.il 1
MnSrnW .
l.-Mu'evV:.'-.
Tom
924
2
1
1, 159
1.1178
705
3
3
1 1
358
12.384
11,714
26
9
JACKSON COUNTY.
1,428
699
71 I
226
613
12S
565
1.334
620
429
467
5,294
1
2,768
423
210
:::.:::::::::::
Millstou
~J~
6,039
11,339
JEFFERSON COUNTY.
Aztalan
669
665
2.0S1
1,7 1 1
715
799
571
798
24S
US
1.115
3.286
1
4
3
3
5
18
1,812
2.115
1.273
:;. 556
1.199
I.lMi
503
815
2, ISO
6.569
1,192
608
1,968
752
515
r-,
728
255
489
397
1,065
3,283
17.137
"i
,!
"i
40
1
«,;::"■;:
Waterlown i
4th, and 7th wards
17.702
STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN.
JUNEAU COUNTY.
\VI
,,.
Towns i
g
-E
=
■:■
■
"■
-
-
"■
\riin -i i i
519
.• m
I.
gj
569
V
1 001
'
748
!
Wonewoc
. 1
7.301
3
KENOSHA COUNTY.
Bi t
Par
some?"
Wheatland
l.ni',1',
- .
13.W7
KEWALN EE CO UNTY.
Mont;., li.-r.
Red River...
917
Total
14,405
LA CROSSE COUNTY.
■
1
461
■■■
1,195
98a
2
182
499
1 1,590
17
LA FAYETTE COUNTY,
,V.n:,!:;„:::
li.-lll.MI.. .
n.ii; n-j:..:i
i:;i, i ; i-. .i .■
Ia> .■!!.•..
(jr.mot. .-
Total.
g
&
-
-
660
■J 11
116
1,281
1
2 1 5
1
11.388
-
1
2.671
l,7-.'l
469
--J.--.-m
l.i. si
LINCOLN COUNTY.
MARQUETTE COUNTY.
163
338
■1. 19""
271
425
:
1
669
542
669
Total
8,697
MARATHON COUNTY.
373
135
ll I
232
l?g
159
139
1,1
110
• 263
~~ 5.524
50
1 19
385
1,260
"l"
pwlton
264
■Hi'"' ' "' ".'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'
1
10,111
254
HISTORY OF AVI scox SIX.
MWITOWOC COUNTY.
™--—
Towns, - am.
Wl
,te.
Colon.-,
g
|
5
fc
|
951
SSI
773
935
1)34
3,226
606
901
1,(1(10
779
1,057
594
1,005
1,019
858
343
955
780
883
791
875
1,1 IS J
092
787
853
1,014
644
1,016
549
953
857
313
1.906
1,604
1,714
1,564
1.822
l.SO'.l
2.260
1.430
5,724
1.234
1.652
1.754
cSmeiviVu;::::::::::::::::::
"l"
Franklin'.' .'.'.'..".'."."."".'! '.'.'.'.'.'.'.'
Manitowoc cit.\
Meeme
1.423
2.073
1.143
1,958
1.951
1.715
""::.:::::::::
19,535
38,456
3iii.w aiki:i: COUNTY
Milwaukee!
Fnsl V. a
Sec i *
Tlilrteeutli ward.
Fran kin
lV;m.; I
. i .. I
5,101
1
3,183
i;
10
2
1.758
1,232
1,199
1.051
61.758
60,979
96
9 1
MONROE COUNTY.
Adrian
AliK'-lo
Byron
Clifton
■■
Jefler ion.
La Fay.-n, .
LaGram
Little Fa'li .
Lincoln ...
New Lymi
■
Portland.. .
Rldgevilie..
Toman!,!!*.!!
Wellington
Wells
Total..
681
-
410
■•■
33
35
1
5 1 6
1.1 16
1,1(77
2.231
294
629
9.925
17
5 4
OCONTO COUNTY.
Towns, Cities and
W,
ite.
I 'nkii'n
£
|
1
s
-
Gillett
196
551
1 52
1,416
563
2,371
1,495
744
268
179
361
HIS
1,086
453
2.086
1,(122
5.17
185
375
Maple Vallc\
Oconto town
3
6
2
T
3
2.537
1.017
4,457
1.281
Total
7.786
6.017
13.812
OUTAGAMIE COl.'XTY.
. .
3,307
4811
54 6
1
238
536
170
689
,8511
842
719
562
980
263
40S
111
Hill
-L1;1
3,403
492
463
718
179
516
140
655
731
811
669
533
937
236
338
92
100
2 17
62 1
11
"o"
1
22
9
3
i
"7"
20
6,730
1.009
1,559
417
1,052
1.353
1.581
1,653
1.388
1,095
1,917
499
FiwiTuiii
Seymour'.'.'.'.'.!!'.!.'.'"!!!!!!!!!
203
200
537
1,384
Total
13.233
12,313
25,558
OZAlKMi: COUNTY.
1.376
1.04 :
992
910
1.617
1 197
1.0,81
8.516
1,268
1,(1119
8 11
1.522
1.181
8.029
1
1
'
1,916
1.756
Grafton
-
2.060
PIERCE COUNTY.
Clifton
388
324
712
1.170
G Ira
".-n
KH
1,070
5 1 1
544
1,916
I7; ,.,' '
430
369
141
730
973
326
253
579
T(
"mtt-
7.045
"
35
15.101
STATISTICS OF WISCoXSIN".
.';-,;,
POLK COUNTY.
I'ol'l 1
u»
»
Wl
ite
Colored
Towns, Cities and
:i
»
"
to
~
<
\l.lon
510
447
555
171
383
Luck
209
:.i;
47
45
Sterling
111!
244
Total
3.548
3.045
rs
65
6,736
PORTAGE COUNTY
Amherst
650
III
394
277
m
15!
541
571
141
651
783
234
719
711
315
5 75
:; 15
230
332
232
120
497
895
199
49ti
514
130
61(1
711
134
612
687
289
7,0"
1
1,225
721
478
726
509
2 11.
Eau Heine
Lanark
1.04
1.037
Stockton
271
1.207
1.331
1.428
Stevens I'oi
First ward
Second ward
7.842
1
14,856
PEPIN COUNTY.
Uban
194
197
271
311
759
315
593
120
~~ iTowT
181
271
535
117
2,750
2
P" 'i?U£«rt
975
Lima
Pepin
St.ickh.4m
585
6(10
1,128
237
ROCK COUNT'S,
Fulton "™ ".""'. ".'."!"!"
ILninnir,
115
377
2.11.2
506
542
9i.ll
l.O'.O
613
463
5,041)
611
598
662
945
483
639
II
580
1,009
433
2,371
4 73
498
952
950
523
400
5.015
387
533
515
930
171
603
51(1
497
558
537
1,015
31
■ :
"i
2
20
1
878
723
4,(,05
981
1.041
1.922
2,0 1 1
1 136
8.-3
10,115
1,191
1.131
1 079
Magnolia
Plymouth
'
1,019
T
Union .'. . ..'.'.Y'.\'.\\'.Y.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.
19.127
90
M
39.039
RACINE COUNTS.
POPULATION.
('.... srs.Ci riES am.
Wl
ite.
,,„„„.„
g
i
-
|
1.403
1,502
538
'506
.' -:.'
sill
1.121
1,345
4 55
1,104
457
C.,.VI0
710
408
725
755
1
'f
2,847
993
Nor« ..
i. ■
62
"l"
2
51
MM
1 1,616
13,973
RICHLAND COUNTY,
.198
587
4113
353
902
334
5
(190
1
435
403
III
3
8,896
8,436
16
5
ST. CROIX COUNTY,
160
355
184
235
636
277
648
340
979
394
361
329
604
277
259
fit
520
8.009
119
24 7
145
209
!3g
253
572
297
993
831
260
316
685
261
308
223
3)4
166
396
304
"4
"l"
a
:::'
i
li'i'u ii'i'n.- '.'.'.".'..'.'.'.'. '".'.'.'.'..
417
2 ;
3( ..(
52tf
1,220
1,977
■ ■ ■ . .
621
483
0 72
330
916
683
si.i|-|-i:,,l ,•
St. Josepb
Warren'.'.'.'.'.".'.'
Total
6,941
14.966
SAUK COUNTY.
2.026
406
416
311
382
483
560
1,931
402
413
281
485
342
449
497
11
8
"l"
3.970
08
Excelsior
932
1,057
■2oG
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN"
SAUK COUNTY.— Cont'd.
POPULATION.
Towns, Cities and
White.
Colored
|
J
|
|
391
tn
604
156
954
1,114
533
392
551
567
683
439
645
374
6)3
549
l.lii
! 045
1,126
5 1 li
381
501
526
378
575
2"
"3"
17
n
766
1,270
1,311
1,153
1,999
2,242
1,049
773
1,052
1,093
....
«v,iii,-i,i. ....'..'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.;;;;
1,220
13,81b
13,088
26,933
SHAWANO COUNTY.
53
206
31,:!
272
147
213
80
238
11,1
911
72
131
405
218
3,548
130
345
198
124
441
135
196
68
228
136
60
362
21(1
197
•12
26
\3
10
~i7
.S3
236
708
Hartland
Herman
918
282
Palla ... '"'.'.'.''.'.'. '.'.'.'.'.'.'. '.'.".
148
Oil,
Sliauiinu |.,\vi
Sli.iw :iiiij ' il\
1 12
224
789
Total
3,048
6,635
*Sl<M-kl>riilK'f Indian*.
SHEBOYGAN COUNTY.
Holland".'.'.'.".'."!!^;!!!."!."
1,004
1.1. VJ
Mil
1137
552
1,3119
793
2 S3
754
796
565
1,150
918
99 I
,1 !
969
1.085
1.402
1,149
793
544
106
267
710
631
1.192
683
911
8 1 5
1
1.973
2.237
2.1137
2, 1 1 6
1,658
..'.'.".'.'.'.'.'.'..'.'.
2.(175
1,569
550
Sll,-lM,\ I,-:, .
ills village ...
1.175
Tlil.tll'KALlCAl COUNTY.
POPULATION.
Towns, cities and
White.
Colored
2
5.
3
|
E
1
Arcadia
1,464
201
517
293
285
774
557
410
755
316
406
882
1368
169
493
212
291
741
856
463
335
706
303
112
795
"3
*88
1.040
510
576
1.515
1,745
ISurnside
Caledmiia
Dodcri
Ettrlck
G 1
745
619
878
7.844
7,144
TAYLOR COUNTY.
VERNON COUNTY.
476
483
506
361
358
451
650
519
5S1
1,12
55 1
254
464
659
355
1.04(1
522
442
403
458
640
456
451
343
638
359
434
569
487
524
552
561
223
435
621
266
970
473
441
34 4
10.245
55
1
53
936
1.374
939
957
812
717
885
'li'ull'l'ni"'"1 '" '
Ji '
1.194
1.115
447
I. !
1,280
623
2,016
1
"l
58
55
883
747
11.166
21,524
W M, WORTH COUNTY.
IJQIl
Lyons
Blrliinniid
Shnron
Spring Prairie
Troy
Walworth
Total
is •.
1.3K9
in
1.011
1,270
4,895
211.259
STATISTICS or Wisconsin
WASHINGTON COUNTY.
POPI LATH'S.
Towns, Cities and
White.
Colored
?!
J
1
^
£
Erin...'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'".'.'.'!.'!.'!!!!!'!
951
660
612
1,030
1,103
1.028
731
936
951
•-'ill
1,005
B55
451
601
12,882
s.v,
689
.-.. i
889
956
1,321
1,014
S?9
160
855
634
11,576
"l" ....
1.808
1.350
lirir
1.9S5
Kewaskuui
!'7S6
rville
1 912
B e 1 Bi - ■] town
893
1,235
23.862
4 ...
WAUKESHA COUNTY.
BiooktielU
DelaSeld
Eagle
Genesee
Menomonee.'.
Mertou
Mukwonago
Muskego
New Berlin....
Ottawa
Oconomowoc town
Oconomowoc city.
Waukesha tow'u!
Waukesha village,
Total
1,128
1,095
m
1.303
562
731)
573
710
1,115
4
4
1.054
4
4
1,318
1,449
21
16
15,140
14,196
33
2li
3. SOT
29.425
WAUPACA COUNTY.
Creek
393
426
131
411
456
111
478
388
408
534
?!!
510
566
448
205
938
413
261
427
38
451
390
363
402
112
439
376
36 1
303
532
182
436
sol
495
512
397
184
'369
388
l"
7„7
2
*
Helvetia
223
Matteson
373
Roya'tcm
Ocalju.ltinvla
1,006
1,078
498
10,146
9,451
W A U S II A U A COUNTY
Wl
ite
Towns, cities and
Villages.
i
2
i
-i
*
~
'
-
537
' 4T3
6
Col a
117
Dakota
223
Hancock
barton*101'1'"
309
:
3T9
369
588
856
Richford
186
Saxville
319
IRJSET^ :.:::::::::::.
322
335
171
708
5,953
5.560
4
6
11.523
WINNEBAGO COUNTY.
Aigoma ....
111. ok Wolf
ClaWon
I'l'lt'all ...
l;nVhlo..l...
Dtica
Vmlan.l .
U i,„l,,.st,T
Winneconn
Wolf Klver.
Total.
609
, w
331
2.01,3
1.622
1,690
8,26 :
11
1,018
■ '.
3
1.312
4
1
460
23,106
21.825
51
„
1.275
1.123
1.023
m
WOOD COUNTY.
Centralis city
Dexter
Grand Rapidscitj
Grand Rapids
Port Edwards'.'.!".!
Rudolph
Remington
Sigel
wo.'hV'!. !.'.!!!!!!!!
Total
1
376
297
1
125
104
3,291
2,760
ii
1
258
HISTORY OF WISCONSIN".
POPULATION BY COUNTIES.
SUMMARY FROM STATE AND FEDERAL CENSUS.
Asllkitl'l
i!i!wi.-i.i
1C:
I l/aili.i
I'c-iilli ...
I.7»1
809
15.317
in -. -.i
■
■
i-i.-j.-.s
i ■ ■■-.
... ■■ ■
■.MiiT
1.5(11
J..,.. I
-'.(III)
1:1.(111
80,391
■
•.'•J.c.lrJ
il. Ill
S.I.I.S
| .,; ■
J'.'. Hi.
■
..-.■■-
S.llll
■
■Jll.l I'-
ll,(111
,-n.iii-:
Hi. Ml
i-.'.u-j'i
:>:.;. i. is
•jii.i.ii;
r..ii:ll
30,591
lii.iil 1
• l.ll.S
■J.'.ssl
1-J.lSli
■.•c, ii.;-;
2,'Jii.'.
:),'.! 11
35,873
1 i.'.'i'.i
1. I.Mi
l.-,,llli5
l.v.'Ti
•J4,l:W
:u,!i(is
IT).:!! ii i
13,907
ll.lll.i
•.•:(.'.) i:.
•J-.'.lli'.l
B95
:
.M.il'Ji;
i t.sr.i;
1 ;.:!:.:!
i I, ,,,
■ following: "Onthe 1st
STATISTICS OF WISCONSIN.
259
NATIVITY BY COUNTIES.
CENSl
4
393
34
■-; i
8
41
11
379
39
29
97
19
-
92
27
119
:
i :*;
in; .vjiii
HISTORY UF WISCONSIN.
VALUATION OF PROPERTY
[X THE STATE OF WISCONSIN.
'■ , M'ATIiiX
Adams
Ashland
lSaytiel'd.'. ".'.'.'.'.
Buffalo'.'.'.'.!.'.'.'!
Burnett
Calumet
Chippewa
Clark
Columbia
Crawford
Dodge.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'!!
Douglas
Dunn
Eau Claire
Fonddu Lac...
Given Lake...
Iowa
Jefferson
Kenosha '.
Kewaunee
La Crosse
Lincoln ..I'.!.'.'!
Manltowoe
Marathon
Marciuelte. ..
Milwaukee....
Monroe
Oconto
Pepin
Pierce
Polk
Portage
Kaeiuo
Ilirlilaml
Rock
St. Croix
Sauk
Taylor
Waukesha
Waupaea
" aushar.-i
Total
2.107.211
2,35. ,.9:2
i!:iis:i:,::
■'■'u'/'s—
i.'wlvj'i":!
1.I-SJM,
2,5i;n.',n
. ■ : ■ '
1.77.-.. 117
5,29i,.5!i9
1,711.9111
1,1.:;:; 11117
1,11111. 111 I
3.111,557
:■,.:; 1. -.--;t-. .
2,kii;;,.;kn
8 II',. 421
1,9111.988
U.-.'SS, 1-Jl)
111,559.519
1.927.H31
2.4.S1, I...
5,32J.8>;9
si'osi'm
1 .,
■ • .
13.4111,111
,7iu.;:,7
2.927,448
1 U39.528
9.5 11.991,
5..-)isa. 1-Jti
1,512,541
.
5..8H9.M3
3.HI7.3111
5.351,83'J
5. H7 l.ll HI
2.079.979
l',l,s.-....-,i.l
2,1,33 in-.'
3.972.011
3. I*.".. 4 7.1
830 599
3. 173.->l|l
i:'i!-!(':<>'»r
in, 11H..1..-.11
•j. r.'iu,. -,.-.7
18,393,458
3.927.213
5,4111. -.sr,
8U7.1S4
,
3.213.255
1 :.-. 1,. -.'ii
r,.'. -:.>..im
2, 31 1 1.7 IT.
r.'.sm.-.iis
$351,780,351
.111 and'
villas.
|..,.|i.'ll\.
15,31111
1,100
33511
15.71111
5.HSII
us;,.).;
5,368
'.'. '
.'.
1,1,725
17,7211
3,500
55.9311
.1,1,1..
21 2 IS
'.'7.2H2
8.73.1
771.
;.2ini
.:■,,,
lil.il III
■■■'■
211.495
3,735,817
3,111111
13,2211
55.1114
1,300
91.1 12
i. urn
3511, :;' in
121,n;,-,
7.112!)
2.351
3,200
5C.93II
259 linn
1119. HI.",
71',. 995
23. Mil
15.075
172.31111
19.2811
lll.SI.II
■ lu,;:!';
3;. 915
2 12.1,51,
41.370
2.: 125
129. 3111
218.70H
31.1111
111'. <
S9.SIIH
751.9511
68,720
22 500
,ii,,i ,i
P 'in.
1.3(111
1 III mill
60,033
10.38S
329, l,3S
,3,897
1. 51 111
1 1,393
60,11 I
18I.S75
312.1128
88,(170
' "
4!l.51ii
21,1.1143
2H2.3III
111,1140
1111.380
.91 195
71 1.51
11 1,820
524.580
815,2,'* 1
1!"
l.lli; 250
STATISTICS OK \\
ACREAGE OF PRINCIPAL CROPS
GROWN IN [876.
COUSTIES.
»„»»«„
Wheat.
nats. Barley.
B
Hops.
Tobacco
I
Adams
11.456
i6
13,923
9.21SX
2,734
10.21 1
S4.072
29. 101',
352
5
9.671
11.765
}*■■:"?'
Ssiins
15.608
\\r •
10|581
61.54!
si
3 177*
2(i re 1
34.191
8,013
34, 13 !
16,845
1 19
9
1,81 '
12l?u4 '
:i' ''■-',
15 ! i 1 ■ '
1 1.608!
1 ; :. 1
1K.USII
8i847
83
8'554
2,839
666i
1.170
1 6 19
2.164
3,045
1,273
4,299
6TO
93
5,063
1,769
357
'636*
1,421
29K
282*
870
26 1
185
, 648
1.588
7.410
27
15. own ... .'
in'442^
1, | ;
11 181
9.293
15.701X
13,22 ',
12.384"...
27.T01
... Is.',
15,959
6ii'4
20.XS
53.691
34.110
13.516
in w.i
6
9!
1 -. 1 1 1 1 ; 1 1 . »
39
■"
is
136
15
1,156
933
3 155
1,892
613
7,61 1
3 520
68
11
11
11 : ' ,
28
212
ma
1,169
8
•
K:ui Clair,-
!■' 1 • 1 11 I.ac
29
41
1
10,145
Jefferson
runeau
K.-li.»,li.i
Kewi
!
6
3 ill
16 670
■ ■ .
355
If 121
■' u84K
4.104
P. 076
' 'MM',
oil".
33.81 6 w,
1,904
- -J il
12.106
22, 199
45.456
11.613
15.404
958
5.233
116
10.503
'724
51 1
2.430k
56 1
258
2,212
1,770%
15 03SH
1 1611'.
4,332
550
fi ; ;
- .
6.002
7,659
15.416
9£ .;
11
3
1
1
2
390
il'
15
'
...
\
2
I'l'"'
II
I/.'SV
1'.
282
Shawano
'.
19
1ST
295
340
110
14
13
.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'..
14
5
3
0
1,169
Waupaca
Winnebago
3
9
3
Total
1.025.801 V
175.314*
11.184)4
4,842 | 62.008*!
•_'62
>I;Y OF WISCONSIN".
ACREAGE OF PRINCIPAL CROPS
GROWN IN 1876.
O n \ties.
KUMBEB "I ICR1
'';:',' i.^.'.:'.'1
Pot;
Roots.
i.„pl,
Tin r.
! 161
241
266
341!
30
909*
6
75
5
58
1
25,040
1.1.V.MIOU
24,175
553
5
5,769!
13.361
1,925
100
10,032
29 856
5,665
1 1,390
:
816
32, 256 J
10
'
2 1 9
4.000
""126.000
51,879
1.733
1,918*
2, 193
100
1.583!
in 1
1, I'-
16
D
30
111 16 1
ll!
219
2
500 000
l|060
1, isr
781
1,633
106
9
51
61J
46
11
94
'
18*
10
99
86
1,935
• 5.980*
100
99 1
45
14,986
126.116
20.313k
-,1 026
16.211
19.433
2S.71M,
:,i;i;n;:
88!058M
0
i 00
3,848
1,037
566
1,515
107
■'
1.007
IIP
108
L38
50
ill)
71
13
100
46
151
1, 112
20
774M
118
I, i
1,349
60X
457
1,7:10
2
!79
. 19
9 '
1
1,974
2,6 12
9,770
72 1
1,176
2,723
878
1 141
10
'
10
I'Ti
133
11
1 10
121
KL
0
843
sin
5,416
Sll
10 1 18
S 101
1*-
30
185
400
!\ ! Inn-, „
1 ! 1 19
91,194
■■
! 80
12,690
-
2.798
16 880
lEy:,:. '■'-';''-:;::^-^::-:
610
Total.
B89.018 1
123.420K
1 1.624
17.664X
1.090 226X1
76.945*
ABSTRACT OF LAWS.
WISCONSIN.
ELECTORS AND GENERAL ELECTIONS.
Sec. \2. Every male person of the age of twenty-one years or upward, belonging to
cither 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.
■1. 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 t-> be citizens
of the United States, any subsequent law of Congress to the contrary notwithstanding.
4. Civilized |iers< ns 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 rote,
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
he actually resides.
Sec. 14. The general election prescribed in the Constitution shall be held in the
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. lb\ Whenever it shall become 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.
I pon adjourning any election as hereinbefore provided, the Hoard of [nspectors 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 d. strict 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
beheld
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-
ach general election, at the place where said election is to lie held; and in election
districts at which there were polled at the previous general election three hundred v
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
i Inks 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 town
the Hoard shall lie filled in the same maimer that vacancies arc filled at elections.
_!± 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 , rs of their respective districts, placing
thereon the lull 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 -
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-
take therefor such poll-list from the office where kept, omitting such as have died or
removed from the district, and adding the n imes i i 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 besl 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 foui
thereof, and certify fehcoriginal and each copy to be a true list of the electors in their district so far
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
a at the second meeting They shall withm two days after said first meeting file the original
registry made by them, ami said poll-list in the office 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 mill publish" the same in a newspaper at
an expense not exceeding one cent for each name
Si C. 23. The Inspectors shall hold their second meeting at the same place desigmn.
holding elections on the Tuesday two weeks preceding the election. They shall meet at 9 o'clock
in the forenoon. In election districts having less than three hundred voters, as shown by the
A.BSTKACT 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 oaths of two electors of the district to be not
entitled to vote therein at the next ensuing election, unless such person shall appear ami if chal-
lenged, shall answer the questions and take the oath hereinafter provided ; secondly, by entering
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 ami 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 nut 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 .Hoard 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 ami 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 ami 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
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
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
led in case of such false statement or other offense by an elector offerin_
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 lie 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 tiled in the
office of the proper town, city or village clerk. All registries shall at all times be open to pub-
iction at the office where deposited without charge.
Sec. -!4. 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
stry. No vote shall be received at any general election in any ward or election district
n Section 20, if the name of the person offering to vote be not on said registry made at
■id 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 be shall, at the time he offers to vote, deliver to the Inspectors his affi-
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 affi-
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
266 HISTORY OF 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 affidavits 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 ami resideni e
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,
ami 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 m such
city, village or town, such notice shall be given by posting copies thereof in three or more public
places in each ward 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, ami 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-
lience, of the time and place of such meeting, at least five days before the time appointed
dierefor, 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 lie 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 lie 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, ami served in the manner prescribed in the pre-
ceding section. Whenever a district meeting shall be called as prescribed in tins 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. 41."). Whenever il shall bo necessary to form a districi from two or more adj
towns, the Town Hoards of such towns shall meet together and form such districts by then' writ-
ten order, describing the territory embraced in such district, signed by at leasl 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 ol formation to a taxable inhabitant of such district, and cause the sail
nd 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.
Sec. H6. Every school district shall he deemed duly organized when any two of the offi-
cers elected at the first legal meeting thereof shall have co n sen ted to serve in the offices to which
they have been respectively elected, by a written acceptance thereof filed with the clerk of the
fir-t meeting, and recorded in the minutes thereof: and every school district shall he considered
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
recorded 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 sucli district.
. 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 which
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
meeting, 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. 169. 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. 174. Whenever, upon any unusual exigency, any school district shall, before the annual
meeting, vote a sp cia] 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 arid 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
his district as required by law shall be liable to pay the whole amount of money lost by such
268 HISTGEY 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 tune 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 eich 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.
Sue. 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 ia this
title, shall include not only the land itself, but all buildings, fixtures, improvements, rights and
privileges appertaining thereto.
Sec. 103(3. The term " personal property," as used in this title, shall be construed to mean
ami 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 nut 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
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
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 tor Ins 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 Stale 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 tor 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
therein.
B ''ensions receivable from the United States.
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 oi
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 org:
or doing business in this State.
14. The track, right of way, depot grounds, buildings, machine-shops, rolling-stock and
other i sarily used in operating any railroad in this State b
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
d 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 rn.w is or shall be operated by horse-power, whether now or hereafter constructed
in any village or city.
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.
Such tree-belts as are or may hi' planted and maintained in compliance with chapter
sixty six of one of these statutes.
Sec. liyi. 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 Assosors of each town a list of the lands in such town exempt under this section. Noth-
ing in this seci ion shall be s i construed as to apply to lands owned by minors, married women,
widowed women, idiots or insane persons.
ZIV 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-
mil 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 roll.
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 settlement of town taxes; and county orders and juror- 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 eo>ts and
10-per-centum damage-.
Si C. L099. If [lie 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 il cannol lie sold for want
of bidders, the Treasurer shall return a statement uf 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
i lie same manner as if no levy had been made.
HIGHWAYS AND BRIDGES.
Sec. L223. The Supervisors of the several towns shall have the care and supervision oi
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 i" I"' removed all obstructions tin refrom.
2. To 'iniM' 1 1 < 1 1 of the roads used as highways a- have been laid out but not sufficiently
described, and such as have been lawfully laid out and used as such up to the then
pros, ait time, but not fully and sufficiently recorded, to be a certained, described and
entered of iec. id in the Town Clerk's office.
ABSTRACT OF LAWS -71
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 mad 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 mad 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
v. ill 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 drunkards; 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 any
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 ohtained 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 offense 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 sucli 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 officer 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 keepar of any saloon, simp 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 drinks 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. 1075. 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 hearer, any s'nii of money, as therein
mentioned, shall be due and payable as therein expressed, and shall have the same effect and
shall lie negotiable in like manner as inland bills of exchange, according to the custom of mer-
chants. Hut no order drawn upon or accepted by the Treasurer of any county, town, city, village
orscl 1 district, whether drawn by anj officer thereof or any other person, and no obligation nor
instrument made by such corporation or any officer thereof, unless expressly authorized by law
ABSTKACT OF LAWS. 273
to bo 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.
L680. On all bills of exchange payablfl at sight, or at future day certain, within
this State, and all negotiable promissory notes, orders and drafts payable at a future daj 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 hills 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. 1084. 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 LABOR.
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, officer, 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. 172'.*. 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, am*
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. 22HS. Conveyances of land may be in substantially the following form:
WARRANTY DEED.
A B, grantor of County, Wisconsin, hereby conveys and warrants to C I>. 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)
jSEAL.]
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,
( Here describe the premises )
Witness the hand and seal of said grantor this day of , 18 — .
In presence of ^
ZZIZZZj [Sal:]
-<4 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.
_'209. 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.
i 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, hij and In whom payable, tie. ,
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 . IS — .
In presence of
[SEAL.]
[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 sit 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 tax<>s. ;is fully as the forms
of mortgage now ami 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. i2l'10. An assignment of a mortgage substantially in the following form:
For value received I. A I!. o\' — , 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, \\ isconsin, 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 ray hand and seal this day of , 18 — .
fn presence of 1
A B. [SEAL.]
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 HISTORY 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 ;
ABSTRACT OF LAWS. 277
nor shall any such petition he 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 by 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 suffi-
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 effect, 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.
JURISDICTION 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-offs, 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
academies ; 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 studied, 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, flower, grain or other vegetable production, or dig up, sever or
(any away any mineral, earth or stone, or tear down, mutilate, deface or injure any building,
sign l»>ard, 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 away 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, cruelly 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, ne shall publish such notice four
280 HISTORY OF 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 office. 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 office, 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 Sheriff 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 receiving 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 sufficient
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 office, shall oblige such
owners and their hens, 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 different 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 uninclosed 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 shall 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
iaw 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 HISTORY 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.
{-.) 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.
(G.) 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 poor 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.
ABSTRACT 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
sing 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 $50.
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 $10, exclusive of costs, one month ; between $10 and $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. 285
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 official
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 than 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 by the. Thus :
Butter sells at 20(«j30c f lb, and Flour at $8(« 12 f bbl. % for per cent., and # for numbers.
May 1. Wheat sells at $1.20(ai$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
20b HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
basis 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
CONDENSED.
PREAMBLE.
We, the People of Wisconsin, grateful to Almighty God 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. ti. 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 office.
287
288 HlSTOKY 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 officers 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 suffrage.
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. 3. 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. 28b>
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; (3) 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 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Article V.
Section 1. The executive power shall be vested in a Governor, who shall hold his office
two years. A Lieutenant Governor shall be elected at the same time and for the same term.
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 the
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 office 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 offices
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 lie prescribed by law.
Sec. 4. Sheriffs, Coroners, Registers of Deeds and District Attorneys shall be elected
every two years.
Article VTL
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.
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 often 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.
s. 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-
injunction, quo warranto, certiorari, and all other writs necessary to carry their orders
and judgments into effect.
Sec. 9. Vacancies in the office of Supreme or Circuit Judge sh%ll 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 siych 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.
Sd . 23. The Legislature may confer judicial powers on one or more persons in each
organized county of the State. Power- granted to such Commissioners shall not exceed that of
a Judge of a Circuit Court at chambers.
294 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Article 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 sufficient 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 of 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, .-ball 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 breach 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, L84 1 ; and (7) out of the 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. I
Sec. 3. District schools shall be established by law which shall be free to all children be-
tween the ages of four and twentj year-. No sectarian instruction shall be allowed therein.
Sir. 4. Each town and city shall raise for common schools therein by taxation asum equal
to one-half the amount received from the school fund of the State.
CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF Wisconsin. 29i
Sec. •">. Provisions shall be made by law for the distribution of the income of the Bchool
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 (•(insti-
tute "the University fund," the interest el' which shall be appropriated to the support of the
State University. No sectarian instruction shall be allowed in such university.
Sec. T. The Secretary of State, Treasurer and Attorney General shall constitute a Board
of Commissioners to sell school and university lauds 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, excepl lor 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 1 S 7 4
Si C. 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 hanking law.
Article XII.
Section 1. Amendments to the Constitution may be proposedin 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. :!. If a convention to revise or change the Constitution shall be deemed necessary by
the Legislature, they shall recommend 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 tor the same.
A:: in l.i: XIII.
MISCELLANE01 S PROVISIONS.
PION 1. The political year for Wisconsin shall commence on the first Monday in Jan-
uary in each year. General elections shall he 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 HISTORY OF 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.
Sue. 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. G. 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 bylaw.
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. !'. This Constitution shall be submitted to the vote of the people for ratification or
I 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 ami 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 thei existing laws of the Territory of Wisconsin.
Sec. L2. [Omitted. See Section 1, Chapter 3, Acts of Extra Session of 1878.]
Sec. L3. The c mon law in force in the Territory of Wisconsin shall continue in force
in the State until altered or suspended by the Legislature.
Sec. 11. Tlie Senators first elected in the even-numbered Seriate districts, the Governor,
Lieutenant Governor and other State officers first elected under this Constitution, shall enter
upon their duties on tin- first Monday of June next, and hold their offices for one year from the
Srst Monday of January next. The Senators first elected in the odd-numbered districts and the
CONSTITUTION OF THE L'XITED 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 bands, at Madison, the 1st day of Feb-
ruary, A. D. 1848.
Morgan L. Martin,
President of the Convention and Delegate from Brown < 'ovnty.
Thomas McHugh,
iSS crt tor//.
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES.
CONDENSED.
PREAMBLE.
We, the people of the United States, in order to form a more perfect union, establish justice,
insure domestie trampiitlity, -provide fir the common defense, promote the general welfare,
and serin;- 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, live ; South Carolina, five, and
Georgia, three.
Vacancies in the representation from any State shall be tilled by elections, ordered by the
executive authority of the State.
£98 HISTORY 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
, 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 \n 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 different 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.
. 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 oilier place than thai in which they are sitting.
Sec. 6. The compensation of Senators and Representatives shall be fixed bylaw, 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
I [i use.
No Senator or Representative shall, during the time for which he was elected, be appointed
ivil office under the United States winch shall have been created or the emoluments
whereof shall have been increased during such time; and no person holding office under the
( nited 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
il 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.
. 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 lie 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 offices 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 officers 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
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 12th 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) thai 1 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 Mun-h 1 , 17''.;. e, ,riLT. ss pp.vni.-il f >r this coritinc;f'n<-y, .IcHignfl
i.. tti.- chiff Kxi.utiv
i salary was fixed February 18, 1793, at $26, ami was increased March 3, 1873, to $50,1
CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES. 301
Sec. 2. The President shall be the Commander-in-Chief of the army anil navy of the
United States, and of the militia of the several States, when in actual servh f the United
States; lie 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 1 nited 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; hut 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.
A i, ; I !LE 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 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
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 for 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 '"' deprived of its equal suffrage in the Senate.
Article VI.
All existing debts and engagements shall be valid against the LTnited 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
ibis 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
independem f the United States of America the twelfth.
I \ u i i \ ess WHl REOF we have hereunto subscribed our names.
< ■ EORGE WASHINGTON,
President and Deputy from Virginia.
[Other signatures omitted.]
CONSTITUTIONS OF THE I NTTED STATES. 303
Amendments to the Constitution of the United States of America.
Proposed by Congress and ratified by the Legislatures of the several Slates, pursuant to
the Fifth Article of the original Constitution.
A R.TICLE 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 limit for the same offense ; nor shall he be compelled, in any criminal case, to In' a witness
against himself, nor be deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law : nor
shall private property be taken for rjublic 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 he preserved, and no fact tried by a jury shall be otherwise
re-examined in any court of the United States than according to the rides of the common law.
Article VIII.
Excessive bail shall not be required, nor excessive fines imposed, nor cruel and unusual pun-
ishments inflicted.
304 HISTORY OF WISCONSIN.
Article 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,
ami 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 office 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 bem 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 burn 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 make1 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 office 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
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.
Article 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.
SBC. 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.
306
ALPHABETICAL LIST OF 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 Allis exceeds the others, and is taken from the highest vote.
Adams
Ashland
Barron ,
Bayfield
Bn'.wn
Butialo
Burnett
Calumet
Chippewa
Clark
Columbia
Crawford
Dane
Dodge
Door
Douglas
Dunn
Fond du Lac
Grant
Green Lake
1
La Fayette
Lincoln
Ma rath' hi...
Milwaukee.
Monroe ....
Outagamie..
IVl'i"
Pierce
Gubernatorial and Presidential Vote — L877 L876— Continual.
Maj
Richland ....
Rock
Sauk
Shawano....
S
I
Trempealeau
Vernon
Walworth .
■
1
Waupaca. ...
Waushara ..
Winnebago .
Wood
1201
isit.
269
1598
1!
' -
167
2'. 'Ol
994
2484
! 17::
1282
lines
247
729
1620
922
L737
254
731
416
1374
2187
257
22:1*
196
R
II.
K. 70
R. 1 I ,2
ft. 126:
R. 1531
R. :n
R. 483
R. 1025
D. 170
<; 354
1775
4212
1-:
: '
26 12
2080
1736
246
111".
1970
304'
1592
54
41:
109
R. 447
R. 2893
R. 39
R. 1194
D.
D.
I).
R. 1570
l: 1647
R. 2242
D. 1726
D. 206
R. 1050
R. 1532
R. 666
4). 87
Appleton
Beaver Dam
Beloit
Berlin
Buffalo
Centralia
Chilton
Chippewa Falls.
Columbus
Eau Claire
F i d i Lac...
Fort Howard....
Grand Rapids...,
Green Bay
Hudson
Janesville
Kenosha
La Crosse
Madison
Manitowoc
Menasha
Milwaukee
Mineral Point ....
Neenah
Oconomowoc ...
Ocon
Oshkosh
Plymouth
Portage
Prairie du i In. n
Prescott
Racine
Ripon
Shawano..
Sheboygan
Stevens Point...,
Watertown
Waupaca
Wausau
320
377
219
146
4816
260
L15
84
172
27(i
724
240
155
87
1052
270
55
248
252
459
884
85
42
333
207
605
314
671
1057
284
311
5027
249
146
125
167
311
954
127
351
13
17
1050
21
745
456
14
64
"475'
254
1205
1 ;*2
121
696
250
km;
514
10S5
I
291
82 IS
572
212
1013
1542
544
1549
125:
POPULATION OF THE UNITED STATES.
States and
Territories.
Population.
\i,i, ~
i:. n.
1*72.
States and
Territories.
'snll'ire
Miles.
PoPUL
vtios
Miles
K. K.
1*72
187U.
1875.
1870.
1875.
States.
50.722
2,12(1
59.26S
5S.01111
996,992
4*1.471
560.247
537.451
1 J5.I115
is;,; is
1,671
25
1,111!
Slates.
Pennsylvania
46,000
1,306
29. 3s.'
■15.601
237.504
1(1.212
.lii.Di.l
33,001
53.92 1
3,521.791
217.553
1,25,1, 520
81*. 579
442,014
1.051. Oil
'"25*1259
925.145
<':ilil.,i ML.
1 2'H
'.!'■
1.490
485
1,950.171
113.916
104.501
1 17,491
til
90,932
Hi. 77(
121,2(11
69.91 1
:
38,113,253
9,658
39.K64
14,1*1
131,7oo
14,999
91,'*74
86.7*6
'
9.118
392
Michigan*
Minnesota
Mississippi
Missouri
s 3.5 31
17.151
391964
05,211
i.ii; \. mi
2,01,5,260
W»s gun
I"ota! Territories.
Aggregate of U. S..
""498
Nevada
New Hampshire
New Jersej
965,032
442,730
1.265
North Carolina,
"i.ly
::::::::.:
2.915,203 38,555,983
Wl, *5!
PRINCIPAL COUNTRIES OF THE WORLD
Population and Area.
San Salva.l
11, ,11. Unas
San II,, mi:
.•26.S17.llis
2,5011,11011
2.00
1,500,
il...
165.0O11
Census. Square
Miles.
1871
121.515
1611.21 1',
US.SIV
,
17*7
1 111, 1
222,*
262,:'.
Bogota
Port su Prince
i ,,.
2 1 I. IS I
332 Olio
136.900
1
160,11.0
25,00..
177. son
91,600
2",
III. (Mil)
THE FIRST WHITE WOMAN IN
BARABOO VALLEY.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
CHAPTER I.
Indian Occupancy— The Mascoutins, Kickapoos, Miami-, I'ci\i:n, sws ani> Winnebagoes—
Early Government— First "White Men in Sauk County— Earl-* Visits to Satjk County
— How Sauk County got its Name— Sauk County on Early Maps— "The Winnebago
War"— United States Land Surveys and Land Districts.
indian occupancy.
Modern scientific research has demonstrated to an almost absolute certainty the fact that
the first inhabitants of this Western territory were the ancestor of "our noble red men," the
North American Indians. And, this being the case, the fifty millions of people calling them-
selves "the white representatives of a boasted civilization" are simply the progeny of foreign
invaders.
In applying the principles and results of these acknowledged truths to the territory whose
history falls within the province of this work, we cannot consistently overlook the character of
this pre-historic occupation, so far as the evidence of it exists. It is very properly termed pre-
/listnn'f occupation; for, unlike our more fortunate brethren of the Eastern Hemisphere, no
inscribed tablets of aborginal times have been preserved to us, and we have been left to grope
in the dark in search of something tangible upon which to base the logical conclusions so
recently arrived at. True, a variety of testimony presents itself in proof of the generally
accepted theory, that a very powerful race of no ordinary degree of intelligence once held pos-
session of these hills and valleys; their implements of agriculture, of war and of commerce, are
yet quite numerous, and are highly prized by archaeologists; their battle-walls and mound-like
tombs time and the ravages of civilization have not yet obliterated. But among all these
mysterious evidences of ancient habitation, no traces of a written language arc found to establish
the date of such occupation or the origin of the occupants. The theory that they were the
ancestors of the present race of Indians is founded upon the hypothesis that the habits and
customs of the so-called Mound-Builders, as is shown in the pattern of their unique instruments,
were not materially different from the habits and customs of the inhabitants of this country at
the time of the first visitation of the French Jesuits. There is no convincing reason in the
argument that the ancient earthworks, so numerous in Wisconsin, were built ami utilized by the
Aztecs, and many able writers upon the subject have long since abandoned the ground taken in
defense of this theory. The indolent ancl predatory habits of most of the Indian tribes now in
existence cannot be held in contrast with the habits of the first occupants as an argument against
their identity ; for we do not know that they were not similarly disposed. Ami. though it may
be true that the designers and builders of these ancient fortifications and queer-shaped mounds
were uniformly industrious, it is also historically true that races degenerate : ami it is further
of historical record that in the past century " Poor Lo's" tribulations have been of a nature
calculated to speed him on his downward course
310 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Upon this subject the late Dr. I. A Lapham, who was a close student of the Indian char-
acter, says: "The inhabitants of Egypt have ceased to build pyramids and sphinxes; the
Greeks have ceased to erect temples, and yet we have reason to believe that their descendants
occupy the same country. Is it more strange that the ancestors of the present Indians should
have erected mounds of earth than that the aborigines of any country should have had habits differ-
ent from their posterity ? We need not, therefore, look to Mexico, or to any other country, for
the descendants of the Mound-Builders. We probably see them in the present red race of the
same or adjacent regions. If the present tribes have no traditions running back as far as the
times of Allouez and Marquette, or even to the more recent time of Jonathan Carver, it is not
strange that none should exist in regard to the mounds, which must be of much earlier date. It
is by considerations of this nature that we are led to the conclusion that the Mound-Builders of
Wisconsin were none others than the ancestors of the present tribes of Indians."
Dr. Lapham thinks the relative ages of the different works found in Wisconsin are prob-
ably as follows : First and oldest, the animal-formed mounds still to be seen in many parts of
the State, and the famous works at Aztalan, in Jefferson County ; second, the conical mounds
built for sepulchral purposes, which come down to a very recent period; third, the indications
of garden-beds, planted in regular geometrical figures or straight lines ; fourth, the plantations
of the present tribes, who plant, without system or regularity, in small hillocks.
Within the boundaries of Sauk County are found many notable and interesting evidences
of pre-historic occupation and existence. The geographical position of the county is such as to
intimately associate it with some of the important chains or series of earthworks that are found
extending along most of the favorable routes for primitive transportation between the great lakes
and the Mississippi River. The county in this regard seems to confirm the generally accepted
theory that primitive man existed in greatest numbers along the borders of lakes and rivers ;
and the more prominent these bodies of water and the position occupied appear with relation to
the great problems of transportation and subsistence, the more numerous are these ancient arti-
ficial works.
The importance of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers and their navigable tributaries has been
recognized by all nations and tribes in this region that have a written or traditional history.
This and the numerous evidences of a pre-historic occupation found along their entire course,
would seem to warrant a conclusion that these rivers have furnished a medium of transportation
from the days of primitive man's unrecorded existence down to the present time. In this great
thoroughfare of ancient and modern times, the ''portage" occupies a central position, and,
judging from the many evidences of pre-historic occupation, Sauk County was once a favorite
abode of primitive man. He was presumably nomadic and war-like in his nature, and the
causes which led to his departure from this region are shrouded in a mystery as deep and inde-
finable as are the particulars of his advent.
THE MASCOITTINS, KICKAPOOS, MIAMI?. FOXES, SACS AND WINNEBAGOES.
The first positive knowledge we have of his successors comes to us through the medium of
French Jesuits. We are told that as early as the year 1615, Samuel Champlain heard of a tribe
of Indians living many leagues beyond Lake Huron, called the Fire Nation, better known at a
later date as the Mascoutins. Their homes were upon the Fox River at that time, as it is believed,
and here they were visited by civilized man a little less than a score of years after. It is presumed
that their villages were located within the present limits of Green Lake County, somewhere on
Fox River, between Berlin and Lake Puckaway, and that they claimed as their hunting-grounds,
among much othi that now included within the boundary lines of the county of Sauk.
The nearest tribe to the Mascoutins down the Fox River was that of the Winnebagoes, whose
homes wire at the mouth of that stream. To the south, extending perhaps well up Rock River,
was the territory of the Illinois. In the immediate neighborhood of the Mascoutins (but in what,
direction is uncertain), were the Kickapoos and the Miamis. The Illinois, who lived in a.
country "where there was a quantity of buffaloes," were afterward driven beyond the Missis-
HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY. 311
sippi. but subsequently returned to the river which still bears their name. Meanwhile, there
commenced an emigration of the Mascoutins and their kindred, the Kickapoos and Miarnis, to
the southward, as far at least as the south end of Lake Michigan. Their place was taken by
the Foxes and their relatives, the Sacs, and, in time, these also emigrated, but not to the south-
ward : the course taken by them was to the west- and southwest. It is certain the Foxes
claimed for a time the country now forming Sauk County, as well as much other circumjacent
territory. Then came the Winnebagoes from below — that is, from the head of Green Bay —
moving up the Fox River by degrees, having outlying villages on the shores of Winnebago Lake
and in the valley of Rock River. They finally reached the "portage," and their territory
extended down the Wisconsin. This brings us to the time when the United Stares began
making treaties with them. The first of these was held at St. Louis, June 3, lSHi, with that
portion of the tribe residing on the Wisconsin. This treaty (soon after the war with Great
Britain, in which the Winnebagoes engaged on the side of the British) was one for peace only,
no cession of land on the part of the Indians being made to the United States. In 1820,
the Winnebagoes had five villages on Winnebago Lake, and fourteen on Rock River. The
claim of this war like tribe was very extensive, so far as territory was concerned. Its
southeast boundary stretched away from the sources 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 westward and southwestward into the Mississippi. To the northward, it
readied as far as Black River and the Upper Wisconsin : in other words, to the Chippewa
territory : but did not extend across the Fox to the lands of the north side, although they con-
tended for the whole of Winnebago Lake. Within their territory, then, in 1825, was the whole
of tlie present county of Sauk.
By treaties held with the Winnebagoes in 1829 and 1832, all their territory south and east
of the Wisconsin River was acquired by the General Government. West of the Wisconsin,
including the whole of the present county of Sauk was still a part of Winnebago territory ; but,
in November. 1837, this nation ceded to the General Government all their lands east of the
Mississippi River. Not an acre was reserved. So the Winnebago title to all of what is now
Sauk County was extinguished, and the whole was ready for the surveyor.
EARLY GOVERNMENT.
The first civilized claimants to the territory now included within the boundaries of Wiscon-
sin were the French. The whole of the Northwest was claimed by France from 1671 to 1763,
when it was surrendered to the British. By the " Quebec Act " of 1774, all of that region
was placed under the local administration of Canada. It was, however, practically put
under a despotic military rule, and so continued until possession passed to the United States.
Before the last-mentioned event, and during and after the Revolution, the conflicting claims of
Virginia, New York, Massachusetts and Connecticut, to portions of the country, were relin-
quished to the General Government. All these claims were based upon supposed chartered
rights. Virginia adding to hers the right of conquest, as she contended, of the " Illinois country,"
during the Revolution. As early as October, 177S, Virginia declared by an act of her General
Assembly, that all the citizens of that commonwealth who were then settled or should thereafter
settle, on the western side of the Ohio, should be included in a distinct county, which should be
called Illinois. No Virginians were then settled as far north as the southern boundary line of
what i- now Wisconsin, and, as none thereafter located so far north before Virginia relinquished
to the United States all her rights to territory on the western and northern side of the Ohio, it
follows that no part of the territory which afterward became Wisconsin was ever included in
Illinois County as a part of Virginia; nor did the last-mentioned State ever exercise any juris-
diction over the territory of this State, or make claim to any part of it by right of i
Wisconsin was never a part of Virginia.
Notwithstanding the passage of the ordinance of 17s7. establishing a government over the
territory northwest of the Ohio River, which territory was acquired by the treaty of 17s-'! from
312 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Great Britain, possession only was obtained by the United States of the southern portion, the
northern part being held by the British Government until 1796. Arthur St. Clair, in Febru-
ary, 1790, exercising the functions of Governor, and having previously organized a government
for the country under the ordinance above mentioned, established in what is now the State of
Illinois, a county which was named St. Clair. But, as this county only extended north "to the
mouth of the Little Mackinaw Creek, on the Illinois," it did not include, of course, any part of the
present State of Wisconsin, although being the nearest approach thereto of any organized county
up to that date.
In 1796, Wayne County was organized, which was made to include, beside much other ter-
ritory, all of what is now Wisconsin, watered by streams flowing into Lake Michigan. From
1800 to 1809, what are now the limits of Sauk County were within the Territory of Indiana,
and in the year last mentioned passed into the Territory of Illinois. It is probable that Indi-
ana Territory exercised jurisdiction over what is now Wisconsin, at least to the extent of appoint-
ing two Justices of the Peace, one for Green Bay and one for Prairie du Chien. In the year
1809, the Illinois Territorial Government commissioned three Justices of the Peace and two
militia officers at Prarie du Chien, the county of St. Clair having previously been extended so
as to include that point, and probably Green Bay, thereby bringing into its jurisdiction what is
now Columbia County. In the course of time, other Illinois counties had jurisdiction, until, in
1818, what is now Wisconsin became a portion of Michigan Territory.
By a proclamation of Lewis Cass, Governor of Michigan Territory, of October 26, 1818,
Brown and Crawford Counties were organized. The county of Brown originally comprised all
of what is now Wisconsin east of a line passing north and south through the middle of the port-
age between the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, except a small portion of the Door County penin-
sula, which was included in the county of Michilimackinac. The limits of the county extended
north into the territory of the present State of Michigan so far that its north line ran due west
from the head of Noquet Bay. An east and west line, passing near the northern limits of the
present county of Barron, separated the county of Crawford from the county of Michilimackinac
on the north ; on the east it was bounded by the county of Brown ; on the south, by the State
of Illinois, and on the west by the Mississippi River. The present county of Sauk was thus
included in the county of Crawford. By an act of the Legislative Council of the Territory of
Michigan, approved October 29, 1829, to take effect the 1st of January following, the county
of Iowa was established, embracing all the present State of Wisconsin south of the Wisconsin
River and west of Brown County; in other words, it included the whole of what was previously
Crawford County lying south of the Wisconsin River. This left the territory now comprising
Sauk County still remaining in Crawford County. On the 6th of September, 1834, the county
of Milwaukee was set off from Brown County, embracing all of the last-mentioned county south
of a line drawn between Townships 11 and 12, in all the ranges east of Range 9.
By an act of the Territorial Legislature, approved December 7, 1836, Township 10 north,
Range 6 east, and Township 10, Range 7, were included in the then newly organized Portage
County, which embraced all the territory of the present Columbia County, and the western tier
of towns in Dodge. Upon the formation of Sauk County, in January, 1840, the above-de-
scribed territory was set off from Portage County and attached to Sauk. From this date to the
spring of 1844, Sauk County was attached to Dane County for judicial purposes. In this year
it was fully organized.
FIRST WHITE MEN IN SAUK COUNTY."
John Talon, intendant of Canada, labored assiduously to develop the industrial resources of
New France. In 1670, he ordered Daumont de St. Lusson to search for copper mines on Lake
Superior, and at the same time to take possession, in a formal manner, of the whole interior
country for the King of France. St. Lusson set out accordingly, accompanied by a small party
of men and Nicholas Perrot, a Canadian voyageur, as interpreter, who spoke Algonquin fluently
Bj I \\ Butterfi. ld,of U u
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 313
and was favorably known to many tribes of that family. It was arranged thai St. Lusson should
winter at the Manitoulin Islands, while Perrot proceeded to invite the tribes to a general '"li-
fer.nee at the Sault Ste. Marie, in the following spring. The interpreter, having first sent mes-
the different tribes of the North, proceeded to Green Bay to urge the nations upon its
waters to the meeting.
St. Lusson and his men, fifteen in number, arrived at the Sault more than a month in
advance of the day set for the meeting: When all the Indians hail reached the rapids, the
Frenchman prepared to execute the commission with winch he was charged. A large cross of
wood had been made ready. It was now reared and planted in the ground. Then a postof cedar
was planted beside it with a metal plate attached, engraven with the royal arms. " In the
name." said St. Lusson, " of the most high, mighty and redoubtable monarch. Louis, fourteenth of
that name, most Christian King of France and of Navarre, I take possession of this place, Sainte
Marie du Sault, as also of Lakes Huron and Superior, the island of Manitoulin. and all coun-
tries, rivers, lakes and streams contiguous and adjacent thereunto ; both those which have been
discovered and those which may be discovered hereafter, in all their length and breadth, bounded
on the one side by the seas of the North and of the West, and on the other by the South Sea :
declaring to the nations thereof, that from this time forth they are vassals of His Majesty, bound
to obey his laws and follow his customs : promising them, on his part, all succor and protection
against the incursions and invasions of their enemies : declaring to all other potentates, princes,
sovereigns, states and republics — to them and their subjects — that they cannot and are not to
seize or settle upon any parts of the aforesaid countries, save only under the good pleasure of
his most Christian majesty, and of him who will govern in his behalf; and this on pain of incur-
ring his resentment and the efforts of his arms." Thus passed, so far as words and shouts could
effect it, the Northwest, including the present State of Wisconsin, under the dominion of France.
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 fait!: to its won-
dering savages. But none of her fur-traders — none of her missionaries — none of her agents —
had yet reached the Mississippi — the great river, concerning which so many marvels had been
heard. Now, however, the hour was at hand in which would be solved the problem and be
revealed the mystery of the "great water" of the savages. The Governor of Canada was
resolved that the stream should be reached and explored. He made choice of Louis Joliet, who
was with St. Lusson when the Northwest was for the first time claimed for the King of France,
and who had just returned to Quebec from Lake Superior. This was in the year KiTi!. Said
the Governor on the "2d of November: " It has been judged expedient to send Sieur Joliet to the
Maskouteins [Mascoutins], to discover the South Sea, and the great river they call the Missis-
sippi, which is supposed to discharge itself into the Sea of California." " He is a man," con-
tinued Frontenac, " of great experience in these sorts of discoveries, and has already been almost
at the great river, the mouth of which he promises to see."
Joliet passed up the lakes, and, on the 17th of May. 1673 (having with him Father James
Marquette and five others), started from the mission of St. Ignatius, a point north of the Island
of Mackinaw, in the present county of that name in the State of Michigan, journeying in two
bark canoes, firmly resolved to do all and to suffer all for the glory of re-discovering the Missis-
sippi. Every possible precaution was taken, that, should the undertaking prove hazardous, it
should not be foolhardy ; so, whatever of information could be gathered from the Indians who
had frequented those parts, was laid under contribution before paddling merrily over the waters
to the westward, and up Green Bay to the month of Fox River. The first Indian nation met by
Joliet was the Menomonees. He was dissuaded by them from venturing so far into ulterior
regions, assured that he would meet tribes which never spare strangers, but tomahawked them
without provocation; that thewar which had broken out among various nations on his rout. ,
him and his men to another evident danger — that of being killed by the war parties coi
in the path ; that the " great river " was very dangerous unless the difficult parts were known;
that it was full of frightful monsters who swallowed up men and canoes together ; that there was.
314 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
even a demon there, who could be heard from afar, who stopped the passage and engulfed all
who dared approach ; and lastly, that the heat was so excessive in those countries that it would
infallibly cause their deaths. Nevertheless, Joliet determined to persevere: so he ascended Fox
River to the portage.
Joliet found the Fox River very beautiful at its mouth, having a gentle current. It was
full of bustards, duck, teal and other birds, attracted by the wild oats, which were plentiful, and
of which they were very fond. As the party advanced up the river a little distance, it was found
to be difficult of ascent, both on account of the currents and of the sharp rocks which cut their
canoes. Nevertheless, the rapids of the stream were passed in safety, when the party not long
after came to the nation of the Mascoutins. In their village were also gathered two other tribes
— the Miamis and Kickapoos. The Miamis were found to be civil in their deportment. They
wore two long ear-locks, which gave them a good appearance. They had the name of being war-
riors, and seldom sent out war parties in vain. They were found very docile, disposed to listen
quietly to what was said to them. The Mascoutins and the Kickapoos, however, were rude and
more like peasants, compared to the Miamis. Bark for cabins was found to be rare in this vil-
lage, the Indians using rushes, which served them for walls and roof, but which were no great
shelter against the wind and still less against the rain when it fell in torrents. The advantage
of that kind of cabins was that they could be rolled up and easily carried whenever it suited these
Indians in hunting-time.
The view from the Indian village was beautiful and very picturesque, for, from the emi-
nence on which it was perched, the eye discovered on every side delightful prairies, spreading
away beyond its reach, interspersed with thickets or groves of lofty trees. The soil was found
to be very good, producing much corn. Plums, also, and grapes were gathered in the autumn
in quantities by the Indians.
The arrival of Joliet and his party at the village of the Mascoutins, was on the 7th of
June: their departure was on the 10th.
'• We knew," wrote Father Marquette, '-that there was, three [thirty] leagues from Mas-
koutens [Mascoutins], a river entering into the Mississippi ; we knew, too, that the point of
the compass we were to hold to reach it was west southwest, but the way is so cut up by marshes
and little lakes that it is easy to go estray, especially as the river leading to it is so covered
with wild oats that you can hardly discover the channel. Hence, we had good need of our two
| Miami | guides, who led us safely to a portage of twenty-seven hundred paces [the site now
occupied by the city of Portage], and helped us to transport our canoes to enter this river
[ Wisconsin], after which they returned, leaving us alone in an unknown country in the hands
nf Providence.
■• We now leave," continues Marquette, " the waters which flow to Quebec, a distance of
four or five hundred leagues, to follow those which will henceforth lead us into strange lands.
Before embarking, we all began together a new devotion to the Blessed Virgin Immaculate,
which we practiced every day, addressing her particular prayers to put under her protection
both our persons and the success of our voyage. Then, after having encouraged one another,
we got into our canoes. The river on which we embarked is called Meskousing [Wisconsin] ;
it is very broad, with a sandy bottom, forming many shallows, which render navigation very
difficult. It is full of vine-clad islets. On the banks appear fertile lands diversified with wood,
prairie and hill. Here you find oaks, walnut, whitewood, ami another kind of tree with
branches armed with thorns. We saw no small game or fish, but deer and moose in considera-
ble numbers."
In passing down this river they entered upon territory now included within the limits of
Sauk County — the first white men who ever looked upon its hills or valleys, who ever floated
along its southern border, or ever, perhaps, set foot upon its soil.
On the 17th of June, with a joy that was inexpressible, Joliet and his party entered the
Mississippi. After dropping down the "great river" many miles, Joliet returned to Green
Bay, thence to Quebec, to report his discovery ami explorations to the Governor of New France.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 315
EARLY VISITS To SAUK COUNTY.
Not many years elapsed after the voyage of Joliet and his companions down the Wisconsin,
before the river was again navigated by civilized man. Louis Hennepin, a Recollet friar, and
his party, as a detail from La Salle's expedition to the Illinois, reached the portage in 1680, on
his way from the Upper Mississippi to the great lakes, passing up the Wisconsin and down the
Fox River to Green Bay. He says :
•' After we had rowed about seventy leagues upon the river Ouiseonsin [Wisconsin], we
came to the place where we were forced to carry our canoe for half a league. We lay at this
place all night, and left marks of our having been there by the crosses which we cut on the
barks of the trees. Next day, having carried our canoe and the rest of our little equipage over
this piece of land [the portage], we entered upon a river [the Fox] which makes almost as many
meanders as that of the Illinois at its rise."
Le Sueur and his party made the portage in 1683, on their way to the Mississippi.
" About forty-five leagues up this river [the Wisconsin], on the right, is a portage, of more
than a league in length. The half of this portage is a bog ; at the end of this portage, there is
a little river [the Fox] that falls into a bay called the Bay of the Puans [Green Bay], inhabited
by a great number of natives that carry their furs to Canada."
In 1766, Jonathan Carver made a voyage to St. Anthony's Falls, by way of the portage,
from the East. Of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, and the carrying place [the portage], he
wrote :
•'The Fox River, from the Green Bay to the carrying place, is about one hundred and
eighty miles. From the Winnebago Lake to the carrying place, the current is gentle, and the
depth of it considerable ; notwithstanding which, in some places, it is with difficulty that canoes
can pass through the obstructions they meet with from the rice-stalks, which are very large and
thick, and grow here in great abundance. The country around it is very fertile, and proper in
the highest degree for cultivation, excepting in some places near the river, where it is rather too
low. It is in no part very woody, and yet can supply sufficient to answer the demands of any
number of inhabitants. This river is the greatest resort for wild fowl of every kind that I met
With in the whole course of my travels ; frequently the sun would be obscured by them for some
minutes together.
'•About forty miles up this river from the great town of the Winnebagoes, stands a smaller
town, belonging to that nation. Deer and bears are very numerous in these parts, and a great
many beavers and other furs are taken on the streams that empty themselves into this river.
The river I am treating of is remarkable for having been, about eighty years ago, the residence
of the united bands of the Ottigaumies and the Saukies, whom the French had nicknamed,
according to their wonted custom, Des Sacs and Des Reynards — the Sacs and the Foxes.
About twelve miles before I reached the carrying place, I observed several small mountains,
which extended quite to it. These, indeed, would only be esteemed as mole-hills when compared
With those on the back of the colonies ; but as they were the first I had seen since my leaving
Niagara, a track of nearly eleven hundred miles, I could not leave them unnoticed.
" The Fox River, where it enters the Winnebago Lake, is about fifty yards wide, but it
gradually decreases to the carrying place, where it is no more than five yards over, except in
a few places, where it widens into small lakes, though still of a considerable depth. I cannot
recollect anything else that is remarkable in this river, except that it is so serpentine for five
miles as only to gain in that place one-quarter of a mile.
" The carrying place, between the Fox and Ouiseonsin Rivers, is in breadth not more than
a mile and three-quarters, though in some maps it is so delineated as to appear to be ten miles.
Near one-half of the way between the rivers is a morass overgrown with a kind of long grass ;
the rest of it a plain, with some few oak and pine trees growing thereon. I observed here a
great number of rattlesnakes. I observed also that the main body of the Fox River came from the
southwest, that of the Ouiseonsin from the northeast: and, also, that some of the small branches
316 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
of these two rivers, in descending into them, doubled within a few feet of each other, a little to
the south of the carrying place. That two such rivers should take their rise so near each
other, and, after running such different courses, empty themselves into the sea at a distance so
amazing (for the former, having passed through several great lakes and run upward of two
thousand miles, falls into the Gulf of St. Lawrence, and the other, after joining the Mississippi
and run an equal number of miles, disembogues itself into the Gulf of Mexico), is an instance
scarcely to be met in the extensive continent of North America. I had an opportunity, the
year following, of making the same observations on the affinity of various head branches of the
waters of the St. Lawrence and the Mississippi to each other, and now bring them as a proof
that the opinion of those geographers who assert that rivers taking their rise so near each other
must spring from the same source, is erroneous. For I perceived a visibly distinct separation
in all of them, notwithstanding, in some places, they appeared so near that I could have stepped
from one to the other.
" On the 8th of October, we got our canoes into the Ouisconsin River, which at this place
is more than a hundred yards wide ; and the next day arrived at the great town of the Saukies.
This is the largest and best-built Indian town I ever saw. It contains about ninety houses, each
large enough for several families. These are built of hewn plank, neatly jointed and covered
with bark so compactly as to keep out the most penetrating rains. Before the doors are placed
comfortable sheds, in which the inhabitants sit, when the weather will permit, and smoke their
pipes. The streets are regular and spacious ; so that 'it appears more like a civilized town than
the abode of savages. The land near the town is very good. In their plantations, which lie
adjacent to their houses, and which are neatly laid out, they raise great quantities of Indian
corn, beans, melons, etc., so that this place is esteemed the best market for traders to furnish
themselves with provisions, of any within 800 miles of it.
" The Saukies can raise about three hundred warriors, who are generally employed every
summer in making incursions into the territories of the Illinois and Pawnee nations, from whence
they return with a great number of slaves. But those people frequently retaliate, and in their
turn destroy many of the Saukies, which I judge to be the reason that they increase no faster.
" Whilst I stayed here, I took a view of some mountains that lie about fifteen miles to the
southward, and abound in lead ore. I ascended one of the highest of these, and had an exten-
sive view of the country. For many miles nothing was to be seen but lesser mountains, which
appeared at a distance like hay-cocks, they being free from trees. Only a few groves of hickory
and stunted oaks covered some of the valleys. So plentiful is lead here, that I saw large quan-
tities of it lying about the streets in the town belonging to the Saukies, and it seemed to be as
good as the product of other countries.
" On the 10th of October, we proceeded down the river, and the next day reached the first
town of the Ottigaumies. This town contained about fifty houses, but we found most of them
deserted, on account of an epidemical disorder that had lately raged among them and carried off
more than half of the inhabitants. The greater part of those who survived had retired into the
woods to avoid the contagion.
" On the 15th, we entered that extensive river, the Mississippi. The Ouisconsin, from the
carrying place to the part where it falls into the Mississippi, flows with a smooth but a strong
current ; the water of it is exceedingly clear, and through it you may perceive a fine and sandy
bottom, tolerably free from rocks. In it are a few islands, the soil of which appeared to be
good, though somewhat woody. The land near the river also seemed to be, in general, excellent ;
but that at a distance is very full of mountains, where it is said there are many lead mines."
The Wisconsin River was visited by Maj. S. H. Long in 1817, and again in 1823. He
says : " The Wisconsin River, from its magnitude and importance, deserves a high rank among
the tributaries of the Mississippi. When swollen by a freshet, it affords an easy navigation for
boats of considerable burden through a distance of more than one hundred and eighty miles.
[The actual distance to the portage is but 118 miles.] Its current is rapid, and, like the Mis-
sissippi, it embosoms innumerable islands. In a low stage of water, its navigation is obstructed
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 317
by numerous shoals and sand-banks. At the distance from its mouth above mentioned [ which
is too great an estimate by over sixty miles], there is a portage of one mile and a half across a
flat meadow, which is Occasionally subject to inundation, to a branch of Fox River of Green
Bay, thus affording another navigable communication which boats have been known to pass."
In 1819, the Fifth Regiment of the United States Infantry made the voyage from Fort
Howard, near Green Bay, to Prairie du Chien, by way of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, cross-
ing the portage. Capt. Henry Whiting, of that regiment, says : " The Fox River, from Lake
Winnebago to the portage, has always a strong current, and is often entirely overgrown with
grass and wild rice, but presents no other impediments. It winds through a narrow prairie,
bordered by oak openings and undulating lands, generally of a beautiful appearance, but prob-
ably not remarkably rich in their soil, which, wherever the river washes them, seems to be a
sandy, reddish loam. The portage between the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers is about two thou-
sand five hundred yards ; the road runs over a marshy prairie. There is a Frenchman (Francis
Le Roy) residing on the rising ground between the rivers. He keeps the proper transportation
for boats and baggage. The limestone bluffs and highlands begin on the Wisconsin about eight
miles below the portage. Just above Prairie du Sac appears to be the apex of the highland of
that river, and the head of the great valley through which it winds."
Ebenezer Childs records making the same trip in a bark canoe, in 1821. He conducted
the first Durham boat that ever went up the Fox and over the portage.
In 1826, a flotilla of thirty-five boats carried the Third United States Infantry from Green
Bay to St. Louis, by the same streams and crossing.
In 1827, Gen. Pass passed over this route to ascertain the feeling among the Winnebagoes
toward the United States Government.
Ih'W SA1 K COUNTY GOT ITS NAME.
The name this county hears was suggested to the minds of those upon whom the great
responsibility of christening it devolved by the traces they found of an Indian village, once
located on the Wisconsin River, in the present town of Prairie du Sac. History, both written
and traditional, tells us that the tribe to whom the village belonged called themselves the
Saukies. Having searched the vocabulary of Indian appellations in vain for the root of the
word, the writer addressed a professional friend (who is an adept in Indian nomenclature),
holding a high position in the Smithsonian Institution, requesting a scientific explanation. The
following rei)ly sheds electric-light luster upon the subject :
Dkai! Sih — Sacs, Sauks and Saukies are synonymous — all being the names applied to the Indians closely
allied to the Foxes. The Jesuit missionaries wrote " Saukies," which was afterward cut short into " Sauks ; " but
the French, finally, wrote las more in harmony with their language) " Sacs," the identical pronunciation being
retained. The latter orthography is the one usually adopted by I'.nglish and Americans: hence we find almost
universally in nor printed books '■ Sacs and Foxes." Now, the county got its name from " IVairie du Sac ; " but in the
use of the word, the old adage of being " more nice than wise " was reversed ; it was " more wise than nice" to call it
Sauk County" instead of "Sac County." The meaning of the word as applied to the village, is, of course, the
Sauk meadow, or, as (lie French prefer to write it, the Sac meadow; that is. •• I'rairie du Sac." Yours,
P. S. — I forgot to say that the meaning of the word Sauk is unknown.
Concerning the settlement of the Sauk Indians at this point, Augustin Grignon,* in his
"Recollections," says:
" As the details of the war which eventuated in the expulsion of the Sauks and Foxes
from the Fox River Valley, in 1746, are of much interest, I shall give them as fully as I have
learned them from the lips of my grandfather, Charles De Langlade, who took an active part in
some of the occurrences narrated, and from other ancient settlers and Indians.
" The Outagamies or Foxes were at this time ocated at the Little Butte des Morts, on the
western bank of Fox River, and some thirty-seven miles above Green Bay. Here they made it
a point, whenever a trader's boat approached, to place a torch upon the bank, as a signal for the
* Augustin Ori-nwi was mice the posxrssnr of the 1.11111," ti]n.n which a large portion of 1 1 1 * • city of I'
stands. Hecamehy tin- i.in|.i.]ty thriaiL'h Mm Kmyer. wl,., lipid it mid, r French title, and deeded it to Grignon in 1832; '
being, of course, a I'nitei! Mat.- patent, wa, -i-n.-.t hy Ami:, v, tael^nn, I'p-i.lent — Kl>.
318 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
traders to come ashore, and pay the customary tribute which they exacted from all. To refuse
this tribute, was sure to incur the displeasure of the Foxes, and robbery would be the mildest
punishment inflicted. This haughty, imperious conduct of the Foxes was a source of no little
annoyance to the traders, who made their complaints to the commandants of the Western
posts, and in due time these grievances reached the ears of the Governor of Canada.
" Capt. De Velie was at this time commandant of the small garrison at Green Bay. He
was relieved by the arrival of a new officer, whose name I have forgotton. and the new com-
mandant brought with him demands for the Sauks of the village opposite the fort, who had
hitherto demeaned themselves well, to deliver up the few Foxes living among them, in conse-
quence of inter-marriage or otherwise. All were readily given up, except a Fox boy, who had
been adopted by a Sauk woman. De Velie and his successor were dining together, and, becom-
ing somewhat influenced by wine, some sharp words passed between them relative to the tardi-
ness of the Sauks in rendering the Fox boy ; when De Velie arose, and taking his gun and a
negro servant, crossed the river to the Sauk village, which was surrounded with palisades or
pickets. He found the Sauks in council, and was met by the Sauk chief, of whom he demanded
the immediate surrender of the remaining Indian. The chief said he and his principal men
had just been in council about the matter, and thought the adopted mother of the youth was
loath to part with him, yet they hoped to prevail upon her peaceably to do so. The chief proceeded
to visit the old woman, who still remained obstinate, and De Velie renewing his demands for
immediate compliance, again would the chief renew his efforts; and thus three times did he go to the
sturdy old woman, and endeaver to prevail upon her to give up the boy, and returning each time
without success, but assuring De Velie that if he would be a little patient he was certain the
old squaw would yet comply with his demands, as she seemed to be relenting. But, in his warm
blood, the Frenchman was in no mood to exercise patience ; than he at length drew up his gun
and shot the chief dead. Some of the young Sauks were for taking instant revenge, but the
older ami wiser men present begged them to be cool, and refrain from inflicting injury on their
French father, as they had provoked him to commit the act. By this time De Velie, whose
anger was yet unappeased, had got his gun reloaded by his servant, and wantonly shot down
another chief, and then a third one ; when a young Sauk, only twelve years of age, named
Ma-kau-ta-pe-na-se, or the Black Bird, shot the enraged Frenchman dead.
" The garrison was too weak to attempt the chastisement of the Sauks, but upon the arrival
of a re- enforcement, joined by the French settlers, Charles De Langlade among them, the Sauks
were attacked at their village, where a severe battle occurred, in which several were killed on
both sides, and the Sauks finally driven away. In this Sauk battle, two of my father's uncles
were among the slain on the part of the French. The Sauks now retired to the Wisconsin
River and located themselves at Sauk Prairie, where they still resided, and had a fine village,
with comfortable houses, and were apparently doing something in mining lead, when Carver visited
the country in 1766, but which appeared to have been several years deserted when I first saw
the place, in 1795, as there were then only a few remains of fire-places and posts to be seen.
The brave young Sauk, Black Bird, became a distinguished chief among his people, and Mr.
Laurent Fily, an old trader, told me many years since, that he knew Black Bird well at the
Sauk village at the mouth of Rock River, and that he lived to a good old age, and Fily added,
that he was the same person who in his youth had so fearlessly shot De Velie."
SAUK COUNTY ON EAKLY MAPS.
As early as the year 1632, Samuel Champlain, then at Quebec, drew a map of the Valley
of the Saint Lawrence, and of the region of the Upper Lakes — the first attempt of the kind.
His delineations of the country to the westward and northwest ward of Lake Huron were wholly
from Indian reports. Upon this map, Fox River is placed to the north of Lake Superior, and
the Wisconsin is rudely given as leading into a northern sea. There is a narrow space between
the two rivers, and, possibly, it had been described to him by the savages.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY 319
But the first map of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers and the portage, made with any degree
of accuracy, was by Father James Marquette, who accompanied Louis Joliet up the first-men-
tioned stream and down the last, in 1673. The portage is distinctly traced, and the general
course of the two rivers given. Other maps were published at subsequent periods, down to L768,
when the one by J. Carver appeared, attached to his " Travels." This one is, considering the
circumstances under which it was made, exceedingly creditable. It locates the " carrying place "
— the portage — and has a representation of Swan Lake, besides a pretty accurate delineation of
the Baraboo River. On the south side of Lake Puckaway is the Winnebago Upper Town, and
on Sauk Prairie, down the Wisconsin, is located the " Saukies Chief Town." The Portage, then,
in 1766, was about the boundary line between the Sacs upon the AVisconsin and the Winneba-
goes upon the Fox River.
In 1830, John Farmer, of Detroit, published a '"Map of the Territories of Michigan and
Ouisconsin." Fort Winnebago appears as if situated between the Fox and Wisconsin, while
" Etoi's " [Le Roy's] house occupies the site where the fort was, in fact, located ; that is, on the
east side of the Fox. Pauquette's place is designated farther down the last-mentioned stream.
but on the west side. The Baraboo River is noted as " Bonibau's Creek." Winnebago villages
are represented down the Fox and the Wisconsin, and upon the Baraboo.
Farmer's revised map of 1836, has Fort Winnebago in its correct position, on the east side
of Fox River. The whole of the territory now constituting Sauk County is a complete blank,
except as a part of Crawford County. There is, however, a rude representation of the Bara-
boo Bluffs, but the Baraboo River is wholly wanting.
The first '• Map of Wisconsin Territory, compiled from Public Surveys," has upon it, cor-
rectly located, the village of Prairie du Sac. There is also represented, immediately opposite
Arena, the village of Ozaukee, located on the north side of the Wisconsin River, and upon its
immediate bank.
On Mitchell's "Map of the Settled Part of Wisconsin and Iowa." of 1838, the territory
now constituting Sauk County is correctly represented as constituting a small part of the terri-
tory north of the Wisconsin River, belonging to the Winnebago Indians.
On a manuscript " Map of Wiskonsan, drawn by Charles Doty and Francis Hudson, 1844,"
now preserved in the archives of the State Historical Society, the boundaries of Sauk County
are correctly delineated, and so much of the Government survey as was then completed is indi-
cated. But the first published map upon which Sauk County appears, is that of Morse & Breese,
of 1847. Upon this map, the townships and ranges are indicated, also the Baraboo River.
The next published map upon which Sauk County is represented, was Farmer's map of
Wisconsin and Iowa, in 1848. Honey (.'reek and the Baraboo River are pretty correctly delin-
eated, while Prairie du Sac and Ozaukee occupy the same positions as in previous maps.
Sauk County, upon the admission of Wisconsin as a State into the Union, was so fre-
quently represented upon various maps that farther notice is unnecessary.
k "TIIK WINNEBAGO WAR."
Though this memorable conflict did not take place in Sauk County, an account of it will be
interesting, as showing the causes which usually lead to Indian wars : In the early part of the
year 1827, a party of twenty-four Chippewas, being on their way to Fort Snelling, at the mouth
of St. Peter's River, were surprised and attacked by a war-party of the Winnebagoes, and eight of
them were killed. The commandant of the United States troops at the fort took four of the offend-
ing Winnebagoes prisoners, and (certainly with great imprudence) delivered them into the hands
of the exasperated Chippewas, who immediately put them to death. This act was greatly
resented by the chief of the Winnebagoes, named " Red Bird," and in addition to this source of
enmity was to be added the daily encroachment of the whites in the lead region ; for at this
time they had overrun the mining country from Galena to the Wisconsin River. In the spirit
of revenge for the killing of the four Winnebagoes, Red Bird led a war-party against the Chip-
pewas, by whom he was defeated, and thus, having been disappointed, he turned the force of his
320 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
resentment against the whites, whom he considered as having not only invaded his country, but
as having aided and abetted his enemies in the destruction of his people.
Some time previously, a murder by the Winnebagoes had been committed in the family of
a Mr. Methode, near Prairie du Chien, in which several persons had been killed. It was appar-
ent that a spirit of enmity between the Indians and the whites was effectually stirred up ; and,
for the first time since the war of 1812, disturbances were daily looked for by the settlers and
miners.
On the 28th of June, 1827, Red Bird, We-Kaw, and three of their companions, entered the
house of Registre Gagnier, about three miles from Prairie du Chien, where they remained several
hours. At last, when Mr. Gagnier least expected it, Red Bird leveled his gun and shot him
dead on his hearthstone. A person in the building, by the name of Sip Cap, who was a hired
man, was slain at the same time by We-Kaw. Madame Gagnier turned to fly with her infant
of eighteen months. As she was about to leap through the window, the child was torn from
her arms by We-Kaw, stabbed, scalped, and thrown violently on the floor as dead.
The murderer then attacked the woman, but gave way when she snatched up a gun that
was leaning against the wall, and presented it to his breast. She then effected her escape.
Her eldest son, a lad of ten years, also shunned the murderers ; and they both arrived in the
village at the same time. The alarm was soon given ; but, when the avengers of blood arrived
at Gagnier's house, they found in it nothing living but his mangled infant. It was carried to
the village, and, incredible as it may seem, it recovered.
Red Bird and his companions immediately proceeded from the scene of their crime to the
rendezvous of their band. During their absence, thirty-seven of the warriors who acknowl-
edged the authority of Red Bird, had assembled, with their wives and children, near the mouth
of the Bad Axe River. They received the murderers with joy, and loud approbation of their
exploit. A keg of liquor which they had secured was set abroach ; and the red men began to
drink, and, as their spirits rose, to boast of what they had already done and intended to do.
Two days did they continue to revel ; and on the third the source of their excitement gave out.
They were, at about 4 in the afternoon, dissipating the last fumes of their excitement in the
scalp-dance, when they descried one of the keel-boats, which had a few days before passed up the
river with provisions for the troops at Fort Snelling, on her return in charge of Mr. Lindsay.
Forthwith a proposal to take her, and massacre the crew, was made, and carried by acclamation.
They counted upon doing this without risk; for they had examined her on her way up, and sup-
posed there were no arms on board.
Mr. Lindsay's boats had descended the river as far as the village of Wabashaw, where
they expected an attack. The Dakotas on shore were dancing the war-dance, and hailed their
approach with insults and menaces, but did not, however, offer to obstruct their passage. The
whites now supposed the danger over ; and, a strong wind at that moment beginning to blow up
stream, the boats parted company. So strong was the wind that all the force of the sweeps
could scarcely stem it; and, by the time the foremost boat was near the encampment at the
mouth of the Bad Axe River, the crew were very willing to stop and rest. One or two French-
men, or half-breeds, who were on board, observed hostile appearances on shore, and advised the
rest to keep the middle of the stream ; but their counsel was disregarded. Most of the crew
were Americans, who, as usual with our countrymen, combined a profound ignorance of Indian
character with a thorough contempt for Indian prowess. They urged the boat directly toward
the camp with all the force of the sweeps. There were sixteen men on deck. It m?y be well
to observe here, that this, like all keel-boats used in the Mississippi Valley, was built almost
exactly on the model of the Erie and Middlesex canalboats.
The men were rallying their French companions on their apprehensions, and the boat
(named Oliver II. Perry) was within thirty yards of the shore, when suddenly the trees and
rocks rang with the blood-chilling, ear-piercing tones of the warwhoop, and a volley of rifle-balls
rained upon the deck. Happily, the Winnebagoes had not yet recovered from the effects of
their debauch, and their arms were not steady. One man only fell from their fire. He was a*.
HISTOEY OF SAUK COUNTY. 321
little negro, named Peter. His leg was dreadfully shattered, and he afterward died of the
■wound. A second volley soon came from the shore ; but, as the men were lying at the bottom
of the boat, they all escaped but one, who was shot through the heart. Encouraged by the non-
resistance, the Winnebagoes rushed to their canoes, with intent to board. The whites, having
recovered from their first panic, seized their arms, and the boarders Were received with a very
severe discharge. In one canoe, two savages were killed with the same bullet, and several were
wounded. The attack was continued until night, when one of the party, named Mandeville,
who had assumed command, sprang into the water, followed by four others, who succeeded in
setting the boat afloat, and then went down the stream.
Thirty-seven Indians were engaged in this battle, seven of whom were killed, and fourteen
wounded. They managed to put 693 bullets into and through the boat. Two of the crew were
killed outright, two mortally and two slightly wounded. The presence of mind of Mandeville
undoubtedly saved the rest, as well as the boat. Mr. Lindsay's boat, the rear one, did not
reach the mouth of the Bad Axe until midnight. The Indians opened fire upon her ; which
was promptly returned, but, owing to the darkness, no injury was done, and the boat passed on
safely.
Great was the alarm at Prairie du Chien when the boats arrived there. The people left
their houses and farms, and crowded into the dilapidated fort. An express was immediately
sent to Galena, and another to Fort Snelling, for assistance. A company of upward of a
hundred volunteers soon arrived from Galena, and the minds of the inhabitants were quieted.
In a few days four imperfect companies arrived from Fort Snelling. The consternation of the
people of the lead mines was great, and in all the frontier settlements. This portion of the
country then contained, as is supposed, about five thousand inhabitants. A great many of them
fled from the country.
On the 1st of September, 1827, Maj. William Whistler, with Government troops, arrived
at the portage ; : and, while here, an express arrived from Gen. Atkinson, announcing his
approach, and directing the former to halt and fortify himself at the portage and wait his
arrival. The object of the joint expedition of Gen. Atkinson from Jtfierson Barracks, below
St. Louis, and of Maj. Whistler from Fort Howard, on Green Bay, was to capture those who
had committed the murders at Prairie du Chien, and put a stop to any further aggression.
At the opening of the council at the Butte des Morts, between the Government and the Indians,
the Winnebagoes were advised that the security of their people lay in the surrender of the mur-
derers of the Gagnier family. While Maj. Whistler was at the portage, he received a call in a
mysterious way. An Indian came to his tent and informed him that, at about 3 o'clock the
next day, " they will come in." In reply to the question, "Who will come in?" he said,
"Bed Bird and We-Kaw." After making this answer, he retired by the way he came. At
3 o'clock the same day, another Indian came, and took position in nearly the same place and
in the same way, when, to like questions he gave like answers; and at sundown a third came,
confirming what the two had said, adding that he had, to secure that object, given to the families
of the murderers nearly all his property.
There was something heroic in this voluntary surrender. The giving away of property to
the families of the guilty parties had nothing to do with their determination to devote them-
selves for the good of their people, but only to reconcile those who were about to be driven to
the dreadful expedient. The heroism of the purpose is seen in the fact that the murders com-
mitted at Prairie du Chien were not wanton, but in retaliation for wrongs committed on this
people by the whites. The parties murdered at the prairie were doubtless innocent of the
wrongs and outrages of which the Indians complained; but the law of Indian retaliation does
not require that he alone who commits a wrong shall sufl'er for it. One scalp is held due for
another, no matter whose head is taken, provided it be torn from the crown of the family, or
people who may have made a resort to this law a necessity.
About noon of the day following, there were seen descending a mound on the portage a
body of Indians. Some were mounted and some were on foot. By the aid of a glass it could
322 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
be discerned that the direction was toward Maj. Whistler. They bore no arms, and Whistler
was at no loss to understand that the promise made by the three Indians was about to be fulfilled.
In the course of half an hour they had approached within a short distance of the crossing of
Fox River, when, suddenly, singing was heard. Those who were familiar with the air said,
"It is a death-song." When still nearer, some present who knew him said, "It is Red Bird
singing his death-song." The moment a halt was made, preparatory to crossing over, two scalp-
yells were heard.
The Menomonees and other Indians who had accompanied us, says an eye-witness, were
lying carelessly about the ground, regardless of what was going on ; but when the " scalp-yells "
were uttered they sprang as one man to their feet, seized their rifles, and were ready for battle.
They were at no loss to know what these "yells" were; but they had not heard with sufficient
accuracy to decide whether they indicated scalps to be taken or given, but, doubtless, inferred
the first.
Barges were sent across to receive, and an escort of military to accompany, them within
Whistler's lines. The white flag which had been seen in the distance was borne by Red Bird.
And now the advance of the Indians had reached half up the ascent of the bluff on which
was Whistler's encampment. In the lead was Kar-ray-mau-nee, a distinguished chief. Arriving
on the level upon which was the encampment of the Americans, and order being called. Kar-ray-
mau-nee spoke, saying, " They are here. Like braves they have come in ; treat them as braves ;
do not put them in irons." This address was made to Col. McKenney. The latter told him he
was not the big Captain. His talk must be made to Maj. Whistler, who would do what was
right. Mr. Marsh, the sub-agent, being there, an advance was made to him, and a hope
expressed that the prisoners might be turned over to him.
The military had been previously drawn-out in line. The Menomonee and Wabanackie
(Oneida) Indians were in groups, upon their haunches, on the left flank. On the right was the
band of music, a little in advance of the line. In front of the center, about ten paces distant,
were the murderers. On their right and left were those who had accompanied them, forming a
semi-circle; the magnificent Red Bird and the miserable-looking We-Kaw a little in advance of
the center. All eyes were fixed on the Red Bird. In height, he is about six feet, straight, but
without restraint. His proportions were those of most exact symmetry ; and these embraced the
entire man from his head to his feet.
He and We-Kaw were told to sit down. At this moment the band struck up Pleyel's
Hymn. Everything was still. Red Bird turned his eyes toward the band. The music having
ceased, he took up his pouch, and, taking from it kinnikinnic and tobacco, cut the latter in the
palm of his hand, after the Indian fashion ; then, rubbing the two together, filled the bowl of
his calumet, struck lire on a bit of punk witli his Hint and steel, lighted, and smoked it. All sat
except the speaker. The substance of what they said was 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.
As their friends, they liad come with them. They hoped their white brothers would agree to
accept the horses, of which there were perhaps twenty ; the meaning of which was. to take them
in commutation for the lives of their two friends. They asked kind treatment for them, and
earnestly besought that they might not be put in irons, and concluded by asking for a little
tobacco and something to eat.
They were answered and told in substance that they had done well thus to come in. By
having done so. they bad turned away our guns and saved their people. They were affmonished
against placing themselves in a like situation in the future, and advised, when they were
aggrieved, not to resort to violence, but to go to their agent, who would inform the Great Father
of their complaints, and he would redress their grievances; that their friends should be treated
kindly, ami tried by the same laws by which their Great Father's white children were tried:
that, for the present, Red Bird and VVe-Kaw should net be put in irons; that they should all
have something to eat and tobacco to smoke.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 323
Having heard this. Red Bird stood up; the commanding officer, Maj. Whistler, a few
paces in front of the center of the line, facing him. After a moment's pause and a quick sur-
vey of the troops, lie spoke, saying, " / am ready." Then, advancing a step or two, tie paused,
saying, " I do not wish to be put in irons. Let me be free. I have given away my life; it is
gone" (stooping and taking some dust between his linger and thumb and blowing it away) " like
that," eyeing the dust as it fell and vanished from his sight, adding, "I would not take it back :
it is gone." Having thus spoken, he threw his hands behind him and marched up to Maj.
Whistler, breast to breast. A platoon was wheeled backward from the center of the line, when,
the Major 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 them. The com-
rades of the two captives then left the ground by the way they had come, taking with them
Maj. Whistler's advice and a supply of meat, flour and tobacco.
We-Kaw, the miserable-looking being, the accomplice of the Red Bird, was in all things
the opposite of that unfortunate brave. Never were two persons so totally unlike. The one
seemed a prince, and as if born to command, and worthy to be obeyed ; the other, as if he had
been born to be hanged — meager, cold, dirty in his person and dress, crooked in form like the
starved wolf, gaunt, hungry and bloodthirsty ; his entire appearance indicating the presence of
a spirit wary, cruel and treacherous. The prisoners were admitted into safe-keeping at Prairie
du Chien, to await their trial in the regular courts of justice for murder.
The next spring, Red Bird, We-Kaw and another Winnebago prisoner were tried at Prairie
du Chien, before Judge J. D. Doty, who went from Green Bay, by way of the portage, for that
purpose, convicted and sentenced to death. Red Bird died in prison. A deputation of the
tribe went to Washington to solicit the pardon of the others. President Adams granted it on
the implied condition that the tribe would cede the lands then in the possession of the miners.
The Winnebagoes agreed to this. Mine. Gagnier was compensated for the loss of her husband
and the mutilation of her infant. At the treaty held at Prairie du Chien in 1829, provision
was made for two sections of land to her and her two children ; and the Government agreed to
pay her the sum of $50 per annum for fifteen years, to be deducted from the annuity of the
Winnebago Indians.
In closing this account of the " Winnebago war," we give an anecdote which places the
Winnebago character in an amiable light : The militia of Prairie du Chien, immediately after
the affair of the boats, seized the old chief, De-kau-ry, and four other Indians ; and he was
informed that if Red Bird should not be given up within a certain time, he and the others
were to die in his place. This he steadfastly believed. A messenger, a young Indian, was
sent to inform the tribe of the state of affairs: and several days had elapsed and no information
was received of the murderers. The dreadful day was near at hand, and De-kau-ry. being in a
bad state of health, asked permission of the officer to go to the river to indulge in his long-
accustomed habit of bathing, in order to improve his health ; upon which Col. Snelling told him
if he would promise, on the honor of a chief, that he would not leave town, he might have his
liberty and enjoy all his privileges until the day appointed for his execution. Accordingly, he
first gave his hand to the Colonel, thanking him for his friendly offer, then raised both hands aloff
and in the most solemn adjuration promised that he would not leave the bounds prescribed, and
said if he had a hundred lives he would sooner lose them all than forfeit his word. He was
then set at liberty. He was advised to flee to the wilderness and make his escape. " But no ! "
said he. "do you think I prize life above honor?" He then remained complacently until nine
days of the ten which he had to live had elapsed, and still nothing was heard promising the
apprehension of the murderers. No alteration could be seen in the countenance of the chief.
It so happened that, on that day. Gen. Atkinson arrived with his troops from Jefferson Bar-
racks, ami the order for the execution was countermanded and the Indians permitted to return
to their homes.
324
IIISTOUY OF SAUK COUNTY.
UNITED STATES LAND SURVEYS AND LAND DISTRICTS.
As soon as a considerable tract of country south of the AVisconsin was secured from the
Indians by treaties, the General Government commenced the survey of it.
The following is a tabulated statement of the surveys made in Sauk County, with the date of
survey and name of surveyor':
TOWNSHIPS
Surveyor's Names.
Date Of Survey.
Township
Township
Township
TowNsmr
Township
Township
Township
Township
Township
Township
Township
Township
Township
Township
Township
Township
l'ow NSHIP
Township
!'.-« \s|| II'
Toll NSHIP
Tow \siiir
Township
8, Range 3 East
8, Range 4 East
8, Range 5 East
9, Kanue 3 East
9, Range 4 East
9, Range 5 East
9, Hange 6 East
10, Mamie 3 East
10, Range 4 East
10, Range's East
lo, Range 6 East
10, Range 7 East
11, Range 3 East
11, Range 4 East
11, Range 6 East....
11, Range 6 East....
11, Range 7 East....
12, Hanoi: 3 East....
12, Range 4 East....
12, Range ;"» East....
6 East....
12. Range 7 East....
L3, Range 2 East....
: 3 East....
13, Rangi 1 East. ..
13, Hanoi: 6 East....
I ■:, Range 7 East....
I Township Lines.
\ Subdivisions
I Township Lines.
I Subdivisions
I Township Lines.
j Subdivisions
I Township Lines.
I Subdivisions
I Township Lines.
I Subdivisions
I Township Lines.
"j Subdivisions
i 'I hi nsliip Lines.
| Subdivisions
I Township Lines.
I Subdivisions
I Township Lines.
I Subdivisions
i Township Lines.
| Subdivisions
| Township Lines.
) Subdivisions
I Township Lines.
\ Subdivisions
f Township Lines.
\ Subdivisions
I Township Lines.
| Subdivisions
I Township Lines.
( Subdivisions
i Township Lines.
\ Subdivisions
i Township Lines.
i Subdivisions
I Township Lines.
i Subdivisions
) Township Lines
\ Subdivisions
f Township Lines
\ Subdivisions
i Township Lines
i Subdivisions
i Township Lines
I Subdivisions
( Township Lines
'( Subdivisions
I Township Lines
I Subdivisions
i Township Lines
i Subdivisions
- Tow uship Lines
I Subdivisions
i Township Lines
I Subdivisions
I Township Lines
i Subdivisions
1st
quarter,
1840.
2d
quarter,
1842.
1st
quarter,
1840.
2d
quarter,
1842.
1st
quarter,
1840.
2d
quarter,
1842
1st
quarter,
1840.
2d
quarter,
1843.
1st
quarter,
1840.
2d
quarter,
1843.
Isl
quarter,
1840.
1st
quarter,
1840.
1st
quarter,
1840.
2d
quarter,
1842.
1st
quarter,
1840.
3d
quarter,
1843.
1st
quarter,
1840.
November.
840.
1st
quarter,
1840.
Dec, 1844, and Ja
1st
quarter.
1 840.
2d
quarter,
1842.
1st
quarter,
1840.
2d
quarter,
1842.
William A. Burt
Alvin Burt
William A. Burt
Alvin Burt
William A. Burt
Alvin Burt
William A. Burt
Robert I). Lester
William A. Burt
Robert D. Lester
William A. Burl
Alvin Burt
William A. Burt
Alvin Burt
William A. Burt.
Robert D. Lester
William A. Burt
.lames M. Marsh
William A. Burt
Charles E. Freeman
William A. Burt
Alvin Burt
William A. Burt
Alvin Burt
William A. Burt 1st quarter, 1840.
James M. .Marsh November, 1844.
William A. Burt 1st quarter, 1840.
James E. Freeman December, 1844.
William A. Burt March, 1840.
James E. Freeman 4th quarter, 1844.
William A. Burt March, 1840.
James E. Freeman November, 1844.
William A. Burt 1st quarter, 1840.
Alvin Burt 2d quarter, 1842.
J. E. Whitcher \pril, 1845.
(larret Vliet , August, 184").
J. E. Whitcher ■ \pril. 184'..
Theodore Conkey \ugusi, 1845.
J. E. Whitcher.." \|uil, 181"..
Theodore Conkey July. 1845.
J. E. Whitcher \pril, 1845.
John Briuk September, lSl.j.
.1. E. Whitcher April. 1845.
John Brink September, [845.
J. E. Whitcher April, 1845.
(buret Vliet .ulv, 1845
.1. E. Whitcher April, Isl",.
("larret Vliet lune and July, 1845.
.1 I'.. Whitcher \j.ril, ls| i.
(larret Vliet June, 1845.
.1. E. Whitcher Vpril, 1845.
Theodore Conkey August, 1845.
.1. E. Whitcher April. 184",.
John Brink September 1845.
J I. Whitcher April. 184.",.
John Brink September, 184.",.
( DECEASED,'
BARABOO.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 327
The northern boundary line of the State of Illinois, fixed April 11, 181s, on the parallel of
42° 30' north latitude, became, properly enough, the base line of these surveys. A principal
north-and-south line (known as the Fourth Meridian) was run, extending from the base line to
Lake Superior, at right angles with the last-mentioned line. The Fourth Meridian is west of the
territory of Sauk County, running on the east boundary of what is now the county of Grant, and
on the west boundary of La Fayette and Iowa Counties, and thence onward due north, a distance
west of the most westerly point of Sauk County of six miles, striking Lake Superior a short dis-
tance west of the mouth of the Montreal River.
Parallel lines to the Fourth Meridian were run every six miles on the east and west sides of
it. The intervening six miles between these lines are called ranges. Range 1 east is the
first six miles of territory east of the Fourth Meridian ; Range 2 east is the second six
miles, and so on to Lake Michigan — Sauk County lying in Ranges "J. •">, 4, 5, 6 and 7
east.
Parallel lines north of the base line (the north boundary line of the State of Illinois) were
run every six miles, which, crossing the ranges at right angles, cut the whole into blocks six
miles square, called townships. These are numbered by tiers going north from the base line,
the first tier being known as Township 1 north, the second tier as Township - north, and
so on. As the most southern boundary of Sauk County is distant from the base line seven town-
ships, of course the first or most southern tier of townships in the county is numbered 8 north ;
and as there are six tiers, they are numbered consecutively Townships 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13
north. But the county does not include the whole of Townships 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 and 13 north, of
Ranges 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 east, as a considerable portion is included in the Counties of Colum-
bia, Dane. Iowa and Richland.
By the end of 1833, a large amount of public land in Wisconsin, south and east of the
Wisconsin and Fox Rivers, had been surveyed ; and, the fact being reported by the Surveyor
General, two land districts were erected by an act of Congress, approved June 26, 1834. These
districts embraced all the land north of the State of Illinois, west of Lake Michigan, south and
southeast of the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers, included in the then Territory of Michigan. The
area was then divided by a north-and-south line, drawn from the base line to the Wisconsin
River, between Ranges 8 and 9. All east of that line was called the Green Bay Land District ;
all west, the Wisconsin Land District. A land office of the eastern district was established at
Green Bay : of the western district, at Mineral Point.
The public sales of the surveyed lands in the two districts were held in 1835, at Green Bay
and Mineral Point.
It was provided in the act of Congress creating the Green Bay and Wisconsin Land
Districts, that they should embrace the country north of the Wisconsin and Fox Rivers, where
the Indian title to the same had become extinguished. On the 1st day of November, 1837, the
Winnebago Indians ceded to the General Government all their lands east of the Mississippi
River. By this treaty, the United States came in possession of lands north of the Wisconsin,
of which that portion now constituting Sauk County was a part; so this territory (with much
other) was ordered surveyed, which survey, as before stated, was finished in 1845. The two
land districts — the Green Bay and Wisconsin — were then extended north, Sauk County falling
in the Wisconsin District, the land office being at Mineral Point.
An old settler who witnessed the sale of lands in the Milwaukee District, says: "Each
Register and Receiver of a land office had a salary of §500 per annum, together with 2 per
cent upon all sales, until the whole amounted to $3,000 a year. During 1835-36, most of the
land between Rock River and the Mississippi and Wisconsin were offered for sale. Eight hun-
dred and sixty-three thousand acres and more were sold, a large portion of which fell into the
hands of speculators, which greatly retarded the settlement, of the country. Most of those
lands remained unoccupied for many years. The Milwaukee Land District embraced the south-
east portion of the territory as far north as Manitowoc. The Green Bay District was north of
it, and Mineral Point west. The first officers of the Milwaukee District were Col. Morton,
328 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Register, and Rufus Parks, Receiver. The first sale was advertised to take place November
18, 1838, and found the settlers generally unprepared to purchase their claims. They therefore
petitioned to President Van Buren for a postponement of the sale for one year. It was granted
for three months only, and commenced February 19, 1839. The settlers were afraid of having
their lands bid upon by speculators at the sale, and formed combinations to protect each other
in obtaining their lands at $1.25 per acre. To effect their purpose, one man in each township
was previously chosen to bid oft" each man's land and give his name to the clerk of the register.
Thus all confusion was prevented, and each man obtained his claim. The sale in the Mil-
waukee District was conducted in this manner. It commenced on the south line of the Terri-
tory, near Lake Michigan, and proceeded to the north line of the district, when they offered the
next range west, and so continued until the whole was passed over, making about 132 townships
in all, and nearly 27.000,000 of acres. In offering a township for sale, the register began at
Section 1, and went through each section in regular order until he reached Section 36, except
Section 16, which was reserved for school purposes. Each section was offered for sale in 80-acre
lota, beginning at the northeast corner and going through in regular order, making 228 offers
in each township. Each purchaser had his name taken down by a clerk of the register, with
the description of his land, the number of acres purchased, together with the price paid. At
the close of each day's sale a copy of these sales was given to the Receiver, who took the money
of each purchaser and gave him a receipt therefor, which was called a duplicate. The duplicate
was by act of Legislature made evidence of title upon which deeds could be made, until the
issue of the patent from the General Land Office. The patent was a deed from the United States
to the purchaser, made upon parchment and signed by the President of the United States and
the Commissioner of the General Land Office. At the close of each public sale, the office was
closed for three months, to give time for the land officers to make their report to the General
Land Office, and prepare plats of each township, showing that lands had been sold. When the
land office was opened for private entry then land could be purchased in lots of 40 acres, which
could not be done at public sale. At the sale of lands in the Milwaukee District a very small
amount was bought for speculaton, the experience of 1835-36 not having been fo'rgotton, when
immense sums were lost in the purchase of wild lands during the terrible speculative mania of
that period ; so that nearly all the lands not taken by actual settlers were left open for private
entry of actual settlers. It was the unfortunate policy of the United States Government in the
earlier period of its history to discourage the settlement of its hinds previous to their sale, and
to sell, when they sold, in very large tracts. After a time this policy was changed, permit-
ing persons living upon the public lands at a given time to buy 160 acres previous to the sale, at
the minimum price of $1.25 an acre. They also changed the law in regard to the sale, so that
they were offered in 80-acre lots at the public sale, and could be bought at private sale after-
ward in lots of 40 acres.
The early land surveys in Wisconsin were made under the direction of Micajah T. Williams,
of Cincinnati, the father of Maj. Charles H. Williams, now of Baraboo. Mr. Williams was
appointed Surveyor General of the Northwestern Territory by Andrew Jackson.
The number of acres contained in each of the townships in Sauk County is as follows :
Township 8 north, Range 3 east, 10,851.53 acres ; Range 4, 6,485.46; Range 5. 2,601.36.
Township 9 north, Range 3 east, 23,059.87 acres; Range 4, 23,059.32; Range 5,
22,850.29; Range 6, 13,106.91.
Township 10 north, Range 3 east, 23.071.26 acres; Range 4, 23,034.59; Range 5,
22,713.25; Range 6, 22,489.38 ; Range 7, 5,626.83.
Township 11 north. Range 3 east, 22,960.75 acres; Range 4, 22,991.89: Range 5,
22,754.56; Range 6, 22.399.36; Range 7, 22,812.87.
Township 12 north, Ranse 3 east, 22,737.85 acres; Range 4, 23,066.96 ; Range 5,
22,651.22; Range 6, 22.s04.47; Range 7, 22,703.31.
Township 13 north, Range 2 east, 23,242.44 acres; Range 3. 23,079.65; Range 4V
22,894.11; Range 5, 22,480.42 ; Range 6, 16,885.01 ; Range 7, 2,187.26.
EISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 329
CHAPTER II.
The First Permanent Settlement— County Officers from 1844 to 1880— Laying Out the
Towns— Territorial, State and Coxgression w. Representation— Tj rritoki m District
Court and State Circuit Court— County Judges— Political Parties in Sauk Coi nty.
the first permanent settlement.
Early in the spring of 1838, Berry Haney, who was then engaged in staging between Min-
eral Point an.l Fort Winnebago, now Portage City, received information of the ratification of the
treaty with the Winnebago Indians for the purchase of their lands in this region, and on his
next trip to the fort took with him Jonathan Taylor and Solomon Shore, for the purpose o
making a claim on Sauk Prairie. Taylor was left opposite the prairie, while Shore accompanied
Haney to the fort, and returned to him with a skiff, in which they crossed over the river. They
marked out a claim for Haney on the present site of Sauk City. Taylor made a claim on an
adjoining tract above, and Shore took a third claim still farther up the Wisconsin River.
In the month of June, 1838, Haney employed James Ensminger and Thomas Sanser to break
ten acres. When these men came to perform their work the Indians threatened to burn their
camp. They therefore dug a pit, walled it with logs, and protected it with a covering of earth,
as a fire proof dwelling. These were the first permanent locations and improvements made by
white men on the soil of Sauk County. There had been an attempt made in the fall of 1837 by
Archibald Barker and Andrew Dunn to pre-empt a piece of land at the Winnebago corn-fields
near Baraboo, but the Indians destroyed their shanty and compelled them to leave the country.
Mr. Barker subsequently returned and became a permanent resident, and still resides in the
county.
James S. Alban, December 20, 1838, moved with his family to the south end of Sauk
Prairie, wherehe built a cabin in the midst of a small cluster of trees. His was the first white
family in the county. Mrs. Alban survived but a. few years.
The beauty and fertility of Sauk Prairie soon attracted others hither. In December, 1838,
Albert Jameson, accompanied by Andrew Hodgett, Alexander Bills and Nelson Lathrop, came
and located claims on the prairie, farther back from the Wisconsin, near the present southern
boundary of the town of Sumter. William Johnson arrived soon afterward, from Belmont,
crossing the Wisconsin River on the ice, and established himself near Jameson, in the valley of
Honey Creek : erecting a cabin, he engaged, during the winter, in getting out rails to fence an
inclosure. Jameson and Johnson brought their families about a year later.
Early in April, 1839, Charles 0. Baxter came to the prairie and purchased the claim of
Solomon Shore. A short time previously, the site of Prairie du Sac A'illage was claimed and
occupied by David P. Crocker; and about the same time, Albert Skinner and John Wilson
brought the second and third families into the county. Other claims were occupied during the
spring by H. F. Crossman, Burke Fairchild, William Billings, William May, E. B. Harner, a
person by the name of Hunter and another named Parks, with his family.
In the course of the spring, also, Berry Haney moved in with his family and occupied his
claim. His son, Charles B. Haney. was bom here November 30, 1839. he being the first white
child born in the county. The 4th of July was this year celebrated at the site of Prairie du Sac,
by twenty-five persons, among whom were foui females — Mrs. Alban, Mrs. Skinner. .Mrs. Parks
and Mrs. Haney. Jonathan Hatch. Cyrus Leland and George Cargel. with families, became
residents of the prairie during the summer.
The German settlement at Sauk Prairie, was founded in 1840, by Count Augustine Har-
aszthy, and his cousin, Charles Halasz, who set out from Hamburg, in March, 1840
panied by a considerable number of German and Hungarian followers. They found the most
330 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
desirable portion of the prairie occupied by the Americans, but here they decided to establish
themselves. The Count bargained with Fairchild for a portion of his claim, thirty rods in width
upon the river, and extending a mile into the interior, for the sum of $400. He then made a
trip to Milwaukee for supplies. While visiting Milwaukee again in the fall, he made the
acquaintance of an Englishman of rank and wealth, by name of Robert Bryant. A partnership
was formed between them, and together they purchased Haney's claim. Upon this tract of land,
in the summer of 1841, they laid out a village, which was at first named Haraszthy, subsequently
Westfield, and still later, Sauk City. In the fall of 1840, Edmund Rendtorft', a prominent citizen
of German birth, became a resident of Sauk City.
The village of Prairie du Sac was laid out by David B. Crocker, Calvin Frink and John
La Mesuere, in 1840, two miles above Sauk City. This village was settled chiefly by Americans,
and when Crocker came here, in 1839, he brought with him a stock of goods, and opened here
the first store in the county. The location of these two villages so near together engendered a
spirit of rivalry, which was maintained for many years.
The first saw-mill in the county was erected by Robert Bryant, on the site of the present
Sauk City Mills, on Honey Creek, in 1842. William H. Clark, the first lawyer in the county,
took- up his residence at Sauk City in the spring of 1842. The first physician was Dr- J. B.
Woodruff, who located at Prairie du Sac in 1843. Rev. John Cramer, an itinerant Methodist
minister, preached the first sermon in the county, at the house of Henry Teel, in May, 1840.
The first wedding ceremony occurred at the same place, August 15, 1841, in the union of the
Rev. James G. Whitford and Mrs. Sarah Sayles, a widowed daughter of Mr. Teel. In January,
1841, a Presbyterian society of nine members was organized at Prairie du Sac, by Rev. S.
Chafee, and about the same time a Methodist class was formed at Teel's house by Rev. James
G. Whitford.
John Wilson, who has already been mentioned, came with his family from Helena. Iowa
County, and located by the creek which bears his name, near the line between the present towns
of Troy and Spring Green. A little later, a man by the name of Turner located still further
down the Wisconsin River Valley, near the site of Spring Green Village. They were the
pioneer settlers in this portion of the county.
From Sauk Prairie the settlement of the county extended in radiating lines up the laby-
rinthian valleys of the Honey Creek region, and over the hills into the broad basin of the Baraboo
River. In the summer of 1839, Alban, while reconnoitering the highlands north of Sauk
Prairie, came suddenly upon a singular miniature lake, cradled far below his feet between preci-
pices, against whose wild, towering rocks tall, clinging pines appeared like mere dwarfs. The
opening through its lofty barriers upon the north side disclosed to Alban a, glimpse of the
Baraboo Valley. While at Madison, soon afterward, he related what he had seen to Eben Peck,
at whose suggestion the two immediately set out to explore the country. Arriving near the
present site of Baraboo Village, they found upon the north side of the river, near the lower
part of the rapids, the village and corn-fields of the Winnebago Chief, Caliminee. Here Peck-
proceeded to mark out a claim, including the fine water-power at the lower ox-bow or great
bend of the stream, at which the Indians manifested strong displeasure, and obliged the intruders
to re-cross the river. In the fall, Peck visited his claim, accompanied by his wife, Roseline, on
horseback, and while here they met Abraham Wood and Wallace Rowan coming up the valley
from Fort Winnebago, who immediately laid claim to the water-power at the upper great bend
of the river, in the western outskirts of the Baraboo Village. There was a second Indian vil-
lage at the time near Wood and Rowan's claim, at the site of the village of Lyons ; but there
were no longer any hostile demonstrations from their occupants. Wood was living with a Winne-
bago woman, said to be a daughter of the chief, Dekaury, and remained during the winter,
making preparations to build a dam and saw-mill; their mill was completed during the winter
of 1841-42.
About a month later. James Van Slyke came to the Rapids, concluded to "jump" Peck's
claim, and likewise engaged during the winter in constructing a dam. He enlisted in his
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 061
enterprise James A. Maxwell, of Walworth County, who furnished teams, provisions, mill-irons
and means to pay the men. Thus equipped, Van Slyke, early in the spring of 1840, com-
menced vigorously prosecuting the work. In the month of June, however, high water carried
away the greater portion of his dam, Meanwhile, Peck had commenced proceedings in court at
Madison to maintain his right to the claim, resulting in a decision in h is favor. Van Slyke. thus doubly
discouraged, sold his mill-irons to Wood and Rowan, returned Maxwell the remainder of his
outfit, and abandoned his undertaking for the time being. In tl arly part of the fall of 1840,
Peck moved on with hisfamily, but for want of means never undertook to improve the water-power.
Joseph H. Finley was the first man to ascend further up the Baraboo Valley and select a
location. He began opening a farm in L839, about six miles above the Rapids, within the
present town of Excelsior, near the village of the Winnebago Chief, Dandy. Though the
Indians were in general hostile to such intrusion. Finley was not molested. They were removed
out of the country by United States troops early in 1840; and in March of that year, the site
of their village was claimed by .lames Christie, a Scotchman, who became a prominent and
much respected citizen. He removed from the county in 1852. When he came, two lodges
were all that remained of the deserted Indian village, one of which he occupied as a dwelling
for his family until a better could be constructed. It was several years from that time before
this part of the county began to be rapidly settled. Prominent among the early settlers of
Excelsior were A. W. Stark, a descendant of Gen. Stark, of Revolutionary fame, who came to
the town in 1850, and S. A'. R. Ableman, now deceased, who came in ISIS, and after whom
the village of Ableman was named.
In the fall of 1844, Don Carlos Barry, who then resided at the Rapids, in inspecting the
country farther up the valley, discovored a lode of copper in Section 1 of the present town of
Reedsburg. He occupied the place the following spring, and, with the assistance of two miners
from the lead region, proceeded to test the value of his discovery. It was quickly exhausted
however, yielding only about two tons of ore. In May. 1845, James W. Babb settled upon the
prairie which bears his name, just west of the site of Reedsburg. He erected a hewn-log house,
and in the fall, leaving his house and chattels in charge of some Indians, returned to bis family
in Ohio. His son, John Babb, and family, accompanied him hither the following spring. His
own family and a son-in-law, Stern Baker, joined him in 1*47.
The settlement of the county extended up Wisconsin River to the northeast part of the
county in 1841. In the spring of that year, John Mead, J. B. McNeil and Samuel Bradley
located at or near the mouth of Dell Creek, where the village of Newport was laid out. In
1852, Edward Norris and a man by the name of Marshall built here a saw-mill and laid out
the village. It had a rapid growth; nearly a dozen large stores were erected and heavily
stocked ; in 1854, lots were held as high as a $1,000 apiece; and it is said that in 1856 the
place numbered nearly one thousand inhabitants. The La Crosse line of the Chicago, Milwaukee
& St. Paul Railroad was to have crossed the river at this point, but th# crossing was afterward
located where Kilbourn City now stands; consequently, Mr. Norris and eight or ten other
families are all that remain of that once flourishing village. In 1841, the Dell House was built
in this section of the county by Robert Allen, a bachelor ; it was first occupied by J. B. McEwen
and family. The present site of the village of Delton was selected, in an early day, by Edward
Norris. In 1847, he associated with himself Jared Fox and Henry Topping, and commenced
the erection of a fine flouring-mill, which was completed in 1849. During the latter year, Fox
& Topping brought here a large stock of goods for sale, and, the following year, erected a fine
block of stores.
Immigration, following close upon the steps of the pioneers, spread rapidly over the adjacent
country, and, in a brief time, every township in the county received a thrifty and enterprising
population.
COUNTY OFFICERS FROM 1844 TO 1880.
At an election held at the house of Samuel Shaw, in Sauk Prairie Precinct, in the county
of Sauk and Territory of Wisconsin, on the 11th day of March, 1844, the following-named
66-Z HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
persons received the number of votes set opposite their respective names for the following-
described offices : For Sheriff', Joshua E. Abbott received 39 votes, and Burke Fairchild, 1 vote ;
for County Commissioners, John Hoover, 43 votes, Levi Moore, 44 votes, William G. Simons.
46 votes, Arba M. Seymour, 1 vote, Thomas B. Cowles, 1 vote ; for Clerk of the Board of
Commissioners, Burke Fairchild, 38 votes, and William Eikey, 1 vote; for Register of Deeds.
Eben M. Hart, 4(5 votes, and Samuel Riggs, 1 vote; for Treasurer, Nathan Kellogg, 38 votes,
and William Eikey, 1 vote; for District Surveyor, William H. Canfield, 44 votes: for Coroner,
John C. Kellogg, 44 votes, and H. P. Kelsey, 1 vote ; for Collector, James I. Waterbury, 46
votes; for School Commissioners, Cyrus Leland, 4(3 votes, AY. H. Canfield, 45 votes, and A.
M. Seymour. 43 votes: for Assessors. Harris Searle, 45 votes, Jonathan Hatch, 46 votes, Luther
C. Pock. 13 votes, George Williams, 2 votes, A. M. Seymour, 1 vote ; for Justices of the Peace,
Cyrus Leland, 43 votes, Prescott Brigham, 43 votes, Alvin Crane. 24 votes, Burke Fairchild.
1 vote. A. M. Seymour, 1 vote, and Daniel B. Crocker, 1 vote; for Constable, John B. Skin-
ner. 38 votes, A. M. Seymour, 1 vote, Samuel Kelsey, 1 vote, and John Hoover, 1 vote; for
Judge of Probate, Prescott Brigham, 14 votes, and Samuel Kelsey, 1 vote. The Judges of
Election on this occasion were Lyman Crossman, Prescott Brigham and Daniel R. Baxter ;
Clerks, George H. Howard and Henry Wagner. There wee 47 votes cast in all.
On the 23d of September. 1S44. a second election took place for county officers, resulting
as follows : Sheriff', John B. Woodruff; County Commissioners, Prescott Brigham, John Rus-
sell and Levi Moore; School Commissioners, Wallace Rowan. Don C. Barry and Abram Crane ;
Assessors, Jonathan Hatch. Abraham Wood and Harris Searls ; Collector, James J. Waterbury :
Register of Deeds, E. M. Hart: Treasurer, Charles 0. Baxter; County Surveyor, W. H.
Canfield; Clerk of the Board. Andrew Garrison ; Judge of Probate, Lorrin Cowles ; Coroner,
Thomas L. Clarke; Road Supervisors, Isaac Gibbs. McC. Thacker and Adam Dunlap. These
officers entered upon the discharge of their duties on the 1st of January, 1845.
At an election held September 22, 1845, the following officers were chosen: County
Commissioners, Alexander Crawford, Prescott Brigham and John Russell; Clerk of Board,
Edmund Rendtoff; Register of Deeds, Prescott Brigham; School Commissioners, Jonathan
Hatch, Albert Jameson and Harvey Canfield; Assessors. .John Gallard, Isaac Gibbs and Valen-
cia Hill; Collector, Harris Searle; Coroner, Richard (.'lark: Surveyor. Charles <>. Baxter;
Treasurer, Charles 0. Baxter.
1846 — Sheriff, II. F. Crossman; Register, Prescott Brigham ; Treasurer, Curtis Bates :
Commissioners, James Christie, A. Jameson and Egbert Cary ; Clerk, R. II. Davis; Judge of
Probate, George Cargel ; Collector. James II. Haines: Coroner, Lewis Benson: Surveyor.
Charles O. Baxter; Assessors. Edward Cadwell, .1. B. Crawford and Francis Webster ; School
Commissioners, II. Canfield, Hiram Bailey and William II. Hibbard.
1847 — County Commissioners. Jabish T. Clement. .lames Christie and Curtis Bates;
Clerk, I.'. II. Davis; Register. Prescott Brigham; Treasurer, .lames Maxwell; Collector,
Charles Halasz; Coroner, Andrew Hodgett; School Commissioners, John II. Shearer, Cyrus
Leland and Silas Remington ; Assessors, .1. II. Haines. Uriah Kendall. Cyrus Hill and J. B.
At this election a voie was taken upon two important subjects — the new constitution
and negro suffrage. There wen- 111 votes cast in the countj for the ratification of the (first
constitution, and 157 for its rejection. There were fifty-eight voters who east their ballots in
favor of giving the colored man equal rights, while 143 i'yc^ and unfettered American citizens
exercised their privilege against the proposition.
1848— Sheriff, William Dunlop; Treasurer, Harvey Canfield: Commissioners, Charles
Kearns, Charles Halasz and Jacob Slentz; Clerk. U. II. Davis; Judge of Probate, William II.
Clark: Clerk of Circuil Court, Boswell li. Clement; Register, E. P. Spencer: District
Attorney. C. C. Remington; Surveyor, Charles (.). Baxter; Coroner. Philip Slaymates ; School
Commissioners, Harvey Canfield, A. Haraszthy and J. B. Crawford. There were 245 votes cast
for and twelve against the new constitution. The vote for President and Vice President was as
follows: Van Buren and Adams, 159; Cass and Butler. 158; Taylor and Fillmore, 149.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY 3:33
[849 — The county having been divided into six townships, elections were held on the 3d
of April in ouch for the purpose of choosing town officers — three Supervisors, a Clerk, Treasurer,
Assessor, etc. — the Chairman of the Town Board being a sitting member of the County Board.
The following persons composed the County Board, which met for the first time in special ses-
sion on the 13th of August : James Christie, John B. Crawford, James Cass, James J. Water-
bury, Nathaniel Perkins and David C. Reid. On the 13th of November, an election took place
for county officers, resulting in the choice of Alexander Ostrander for District Attorney, Charles
Halasz for Treasurer, George Cargel for Clerk of the Board and W. H. Canfield for Surveyor.
At this election, twenty-six votes were cast for and eighty-one against " equal suffrage for col-
ored persons."
1850 — Board of Supervisors (elected in April) — Lewis Butterfield, Ebenezer Martin,
Joseph Davis, Harvey Hurlbut, Diah Remington, * Lyman Clarke (Chairman), Calvin Danforth,
and Leonard Thompson. County officers (elected in November) — Sheriff, David F. Baxter ;
Register, E. P. Spencer; Clerk of the Board. James T. Moseley ; Clerk of the Court, Boswell
R. Clement ; District Attorney, Alexander Ostrander ; Surveyor, W. H. Canfield ; Coroner,
John Marshall.
1851 — Board of Supervisors (elected in April) — James B. Avery (Chairman), William
Huntington, James Christie, Solomon Soule, G. F. Albertus, Samuel Shaw, Diah Remington,
Joseph Lester, John H. Rork and Daniel B. Young. County Treasurer, Richard H. Davis.
1852— Supervisors (chosen in April) — Bela Warner, Patrick Hickey, James Heany, Sol-
omon Soule, James Waddle, Henry Myres, Ransom E. Stone, Chauncey B. Strong, Reuben
Thornton. John Marshall, Joseph Lester, John H. Rork and John Wilson. County officers
(chosen in September) — Sheriff, Daniel W. Wheeler; Treasurer, Curtis Bates; Clerk of the
Board, James S. Moseley; Register, Edward P. Spencer; Clerk of the Court, George Mor-
tens ; District Attorney, J. B. Quimby ; Surveyor, W. H. Canfield ; Coroner, Royal C. Gould.
At this election, there were 1,013 votes cast for and 150 against the business of banking.
L 853— Supervisors (chosen in April) — R. H. Davis, Lemuel Thompson, Putney Fuller.
Diah Remington, Samuel Northrop, Ebenezer Martin (Chairman), E. G. Wheeler, Ezra Greg-
ory, A. H. Brownell, J. I. Waterbury, G. F. Albertus, Alexander Stewart and Joseph Lester.
ls'"4 — Supervisors (chosen in April) — Charles Armstrong, Caleb Cook, Ebenezer Martin,
Putnam Fuller, Isaac Palmer, G. F. Albertus, John Dennett, A. H. Brownell, Solomon Brown,
Charles 0. Baxter, E. G. Wheeler, Alex. Stewart, Ezra Gregory. County officers (chosen in
November: — Sheriff, Ebenezer Martin; Treasurer, G. F. Albertus; Clerk of the Board, J. S,
Moseley : Register, Edward P. Spencer ; Clerk of the Court, John Bear ; District Attorney,
J. B. Quimby; Surveyor, G. Stevens; Coroner, Charles Halasz.
1855 — Supervisors (chosen in April) — James A. Maxwell, Samuel Northrup, Harvey
Lippitt, P. Chapman, Nathaniel Mitchell, Lemuel Thompson. William Benham, John Dennett,
A. II. Brownell, S. W. Hovey, E. B. King, J. B. Woodruff, John II. Rork. Evan Evans. Ezra
Gregory and James A. Thompson.
1856 — Supervisors (chosen in April) — C. C. Remington. W. F. Longley, C. Christie, Ben-
jamin Teel, John Bear, H. Bailey, J. F. Grone, Eli Denis. P. Fuller, M. G. Todd, S. Brown,
Charles Halasz, J. S. Strong. 0. Thomas, B. Gregory, J. K. Thompson and D. H. Borland.
County officers (chosen in November) — Sheriff, John E. Donavan ; Treasurer, Henry Ochsner;
Register, James M. Clark ; Clerk of Hoard. E. W. Olinf ; Clerk of Court, G. Mertens ; Sur-
veyor, Josiah Dart ; District Attorney. N. W. Wheeler ; Coroner, E. P. Newell.
1857 — Supervisors (chosen in April) — E. Martin. S. Northrup, P. Chapman, Matthew
Hill, N. Mitchell, H. Bailey, J. I. Waterbury, II. S. Archer. M. G. Todd. S. Brown, C. 0.
Baxter, H. W. Andrews, E. Evans, N. Wheeler. II. Pelton. W. L. Clemons, F. Lickam and S.
N. Kinsley.
* Su. ,,'. ,1. .1 l.y ''yru- L>'l:tml in Nuv.-i
' ' ...n.i.
334 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
1858 — Supervisors (chosen in April) — E. Martin, M. Temple, J. Monroe, J. S. Tripp,
John Bear, G. Nippert, W. Palmer, C. H. Rice, A. W. Starks, J. Cottington, C. Root, J. G.
Blakeslee, Alexander Stewart, N. Wheeler, R. E. Stone, E. Evans, A. R. McCoy, P. Chap-
man, A. B. Bradley and H. W. Andrews. County officers (chosen in November) — Sheriff,
Ebenezer Martin ; Register, James M. Clark; Treasurer, Thomas D. Lang; District Attorney,
Smith S. Wilkinson ; Clerk of Board, J. J. Gattiker : Clerk of Court, F. M. Stewart ; Sur-
veyor, E. Norris ; Coroner, B. W. Strong.
1 859 — Supervisors (chosen in April) — Hiram Cook, J. G. Blakeslee, George Hufnail, S.
J. Seymour, Marsena Temple, P. Chapman, Otis Ryder, H. W. Andrews, John Monroe,
Charles Armstrong, A. R. McCoy, William Palmer, D. H. Boland, J. G. Train, R. E. Stone,
Henry Ochsner, Eli Jones, D. D. Thompson, J. S. Tripp, H. McKenna, Alexander Stewart
and < '. W. Hayes.
I860 — Supervisors (chosen in April) — Evan Evans, James A. Taylor, C. 0. Baxter, G.
C. Bancroft, Eli Jones, George Nippert, R. E. Stone, N. Furst, D. H. Boland, William Palmer,
James C. Lamb, D. K. Noyes, John Monroe, William All, Elijah Gleason. E. C. Watson, J.
W. Luce, Hiram Cook, J. G. Blakeslee, George Hufnail, S. J. Seymour and Marsena Temple.
County officers (chosen in November) — -Sheriff, R. M. Strong ; Register, Charles Armstrong ;
Treasurer, T. D. Lang ; District Attorney, N. W. Wheeler : Clerk of Board, J. J. Gattiker ;
Clerk of Court, F. M. Stewart ; Surveyor, D. Woodward ; Coroner, N. Peck.
1861 — Supervisors (chosen in April) — Edward Sumner, J. D. Dewey, S. J. Seymour,
William C. Cody. P. Chapman, J. B. Carpenter, A. R. McCoy, L. Thompson, G. F. Albertus,
W. W. All, 0. S. Knapp, W. P. Cobb, Norman Wood, M. Temple, J. S. Tripp, Austin Seeley,
W. <i. Spencer, Orison Thomas, D. H. Boland, W. Palmer, Ezra Gregory and N. C. Harvey.
County Judge, J. B. Quimby.
1862 — Supervisors (chosen in November, 1861, in accordance with an act of the Legisla-
ture providing for the division of the county into three districts, and the election of a Super-
visor from each to serve two years) — J. I. Waterbury, B. U. Strong and Jonas Tower. At this
election, J. W. Morley was chosen Superintendent of Schools. County officers (chosen in Novem-
ber, 1862)— Sheriff, N. Stewart ; Register, J. G. Train ; Treasurer, T. D. Lang ; Clerk of
Board, J. J. Gattiker ; Clerk of Court, F. M. Stewart ; District Attorney, S. S. Barlow ; Sur-
veyor, Josiah Dart ; Coroner, B. L. Brier.
1863 — Supervisors (chosen in November) — First District, B. TJ. Strong ; Second District,
J. I. Waterbury ; Third District, Jonas Tower. County Superintendent, J. W. Morley.
1864 — County officers (chosen in November) — Sheriff, S. M. Burdick ; Register, J. G.
Train; Treasurer, T. D. Lang ; District Attorney, S. S. Barlow; Clerk of Board, J. J. Gatti-
ker; Clerk of Court, W. F. Carver; Surveyor, D. B. Hulburt ; Coroner, A. West.
1865 — County Judge (chosen in April) — J. B. Quimby. Supervisors (chosen in Novem-
ber)—First District, C. C. Kuntz; Second District, J. I. Waterbury: Third District. S. J.
Seymour; Clerk of Court, F. M. Stewart; County Superintendent, R. B. Crandall.
1866 — Supervisors (chosen in November) — First District. J. S. Walser ; Third District. J.
G. Blakeslee. Sheriff, Eli Jones ; Register, M. Pointon ; Treasurer, R. M. Strong ; District
Attorney, S. S. Wilkinson ; Clerk of Board, Anton Fischer ; Surveyor, J. Dart ; Coroner, N.
Wheeler.
1867 — Surpervisor, Second District, T. D. Lang ; School Superintendent, R. B. Crandall ;
District Attorney, W. N. Wheeler ; Clerk of Court, J. J. Jenkins. All chosen in November.
1868 — Supervisors: First District, .1. S. Walser; Third District, George B. Swain. Sheriff,
N. Stewart; Register, M. Pointon ; Treasurer, R. M. Strong; Clerk of Board, A. Fischer;
Surveyor, H. Muehlberg ; Coroner, N. Wheeler. All chosen in November.
1869 — County Judge (chosen in April), C. C. Remington; Supervisor (chosen in Novem-
ber)— Second District, T. D. Lang ; District Attorney, N. W. Wheeler ; Clerk of Court, J. J.
Jenkins ; School Superintendent, C. F. Viebahn.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY,
335
1870 — Supervisors (chosen in April, in accordance with an act of the Legislature provid-
ing for the election of one County Supervisor, Chairmen of the Town Hoard from each town)
—George Mertens, D. D. Thompson, Thomas Timlin, Charles H. Williams, I). Felt, William
Hudson, A. R. McCoy, Amos Johnson, Henry Ochsner, William All, William Rathbun, Hiram
Bailey, J. N. Vanderveer, J. I. Waterbury, Austin Seeley, James A. Taylor, W. W. Perry.
Alexander Stewart, R. S. Inman, William P. Noyes, Nicholas Rossiter, Uriah Gregory. Vil-
lage Representatives in the Board — Baraboo, T. D. Lang ; Sauk City, J. S. Tripp ; Reedsburg,
T. S. Mackey : Spring Green, B. U. Strong. County officers (chosen in November) — Sheriff,
Benjamin G. Paddock ; Register, M. Pointon ; Treasurer, R. M. Strong ; Clerk of Board,
Anton Fischer ; Clerk of Court, Philip Cheek, Jr. ; Surveyor, H. Muehlberg ; Coroner,. A
West.
1871— Supervisors (chosen in April)— E. Walbridge, D. D. Thompson, T. Timlin, S. W.
Rudd, Royal Ayers, William Hudson, N. Stewart, Amos Johnson, George Nippert, Peter Crook,
S. P. Burney, Norman Wood, J. N. Vanderveer, J. B. Quimby, Alexander P. Ellinwood, James
A. Taylor, W. W. Perry, John Young, R. S. Inman, W. P. Noyes, A. Cottington, Nathan C.
Harvey. Village Representatives— Baraboo, J. G. Train ; Sauk City, J. S. Tripp ; Reedsburg,
S. Mai-key; Spring Green, B. U. Strong. Superintendent of Schools and District Attorney
(chosen in November) — Moses Young and H. J. Huntington.
1872 — Supervisors (chosen in April) — E. Walbridge, George I. Bancroft, Caleb Cook,
David E. Welch, S. W. Rudd, Royal Ayers, William Hudson, Charles Hirshinger, Amos John-
son, Henry Ochsner, Peter Crook, Thomas Wilcock, N. Wood, Adam Class, A. P. Ellinwood,
E. W. Evans, R. E. Stone, John Young, James Lunn, W. P. Noyes, S. T. Houghton, N. C.
Harvey. Village Representatives— Baraboo, J. G. Train ; Sauk City, J. S. Tripp ; Reedsburg,
John Kellogg; Spring Green, B. U. Strong. County officers (chosen in November)— Sheriff,
Alexander McGinnis ; Register, M. Pointon; Treasurer, R. M. Strong; County Clerk, Anton
Fischer: Clerk of Court,"Philip Cheek, Jr.; Surveyor, George Welch; Coroner, A. West;
School Superintendent, J. H. Terry.
Is7:i— County Judge (chosen in April), James W. Lusk. Supervisors (chosen in April) —
E. Walbridge, George I. Bancroft, D. E. Welch, Caleb Cook, Newton M. Burt, P. Chapman,
William Hudson, Charles Hirshinger, John M. True. W. Denzer, N. Stowe, W. W. Rathbun,
X. Wood, George Owen, A. P. Ellinwood. B. U. Strong, W. W. Perry, John Young, James
Lunn, D. B. Hulburt, H. A. Darrow, Caleb Corgell. Village Representatives— Sauk City,
J. S. Tripp ; Reedsburg, W. I. Carver. School Superintendent and District Attorney (chosen
in November) — James T. Lunn and John Barker.
1874— Supervisors (chosen in April)— E. Walbridge, R. H. Thurber, D. E. Welch, Caleb
Cook, James Hell, P. Chapman, William Hudson, John Dickie, John M. True, II. Ochsner,
N. Stowe, F. P. Sanford, N. Wood, George Owen, A. P. Ellinwood, James A. Taylor, H. B.
Knapp, John Young, A. C. Harris, John Nepham, Albert Hawkins, Caleb Corgell. County
officers (chosen in November)— Sheriff, William Hudson; Register, John M. True; Treasurer,
Alfred L. Slye ; County Clerk, Anton Fischer; Clerk of Court, Philip Cheek, Jr.; Surveyor,
D. B. Hulburt; Coroner, A. West.
1875— Supervisors (chosen in April)— James Dykins, R. II. Thurber, D. E. Welch, Pat-
rick Timlin, Fred Baringer, Royal Ayers, Anthony Rick, John Dickie, A. F. Kellogg, H.
Ochsner. N. Stowe, John Tardoff, Levi' Wright, George Owen, A. P. Ellinwood, John R. Lewis,
H. B. Knapp, Peter Schneller, A. C. Harris, D. B. Hulburt, Amos Cottington, Clir. Meffert.
School Superintendent and District Attorney (chosen in November) — James T. Lunn and John
Barker.
1876— Supervisors (chosen in April)— George Mertens, R. H. Thurber, H. P. Barlow,
Patrick Timlin, Fred Baringer, P. Chapman, J. H. Carpenter, John Dickie, Jr., Amos John-
son, H. Ochsner, N. Stowe, W. H. Rathbun, M. M. Cooper, George Owen, W. H. Young,
John R. Lewis, H. B. Knapp, Peter Schneller, David Row, E. G. Christman, Amos Cotting-
doo HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
ton, A. J. Corgell. Village Representatives — Baraboo, J. J. Gattiker ; Reedsburg, S. Mackey ;
Sauk City, J. S. Tripp; Spring Green, E. W. Evans. County officers (chosen in November)
—Sheriff, R. A. Wheeler ; Register, John M. True ; Treasurer, A. L. Slye ; County Clerk.
John P. Witwen ; Clerk of Court, D. E. Morgan; Surveyor, D. B. Hulburt; Coroner, 0. L.
Glazier.
1877 — County Judge (chosen in April), Giles Stevens; Supervisors (chosen in April),
Matthew Hill, R. W. Cunningham, H. B. Barlow, Caleb Cook, Fred Baringer, Davis Hackett,
J. H. Carpenter, Charles Hirshinger, Amos Johnson, Frank Magerlein, N. Stowe, William
Young, Levi Wright, George Owen, H. J. Smith, S. F. Nickey, H. B. Knapp, Albert Sprecher.
D. Rowe, E. G. Christman, A. Cottington, A. J. Corgell, Village Representatives — Baraboo,
J. J. Gattiker ; Reedsburg, H. C. Hunt ; Sauk City, J. S. Tripp ; Spring Green, E. W. Evans.
School Superintendent and District Attorney (chosen in November) — J. T. Lunn and John
Barker.
1878 — Supervisors (chosen in April) — Matthew Hill, James L. Ward, William Hayes, J.
T. Huntington, Lawrence Watson, A. Christie, J. H. Carpenter, E. Maxham, A. F. Kellogg,
F. Magerlein, N. Stowe, Lyman Beery, N. Wood, G. Owen, J. B. Clark, S. F. Nickey, J. M.
Highland, A. Sprecher, A. M. Lee, E. G. Christman, L. G. Grover, S. W. Sherman. Village
Representatives — Baraboo, J. J. Gattiker; Sauk City, J. S. Tripp; Reedsburg, H. C. Hunt:
Spring Green, E. W. Evans. County officers (chosen in November) — Sheriff, John Young ;
Register, John M. True; Treasurer, A. L. Slye; County Clerk, John P. Witwen; Clerk of
Court, D. E. Morgan; Surveyor, R. G. Evenden ; Coroner, 0. L. Glazier.
1879 — Supervisors (chosen in April) — Robert Wood, Abijah Beckwith, Thomas Timlin,
J. T. Huntington, Lawrence Watson, A. Christie, Joseph Bandel, Gustav Scharnke, John
Munroe, F. Magerlein, N. H. Austin, Lyman Beery, N. Wood, S. Kleimer, John Hagenah, S-
F. Nickey, H. B. Knapp, Samuel Babrington, C. J. H. Erffmeyer, E. G. Christman, L. G.
Grover, S. VV. Sherman. Village Representatives — Baraboo, George Mertens; Reedsburg,
Paul Lachmund; Sauk City, Paul Bishop; Spring Green, E. W. Evans. School Superintend-
ent and District Attorney (chosen in November) — J. T. Lunn and Philip Cheek, Jr.
1880 — Supervisors (chosen in April) — J. J. Gattiker, Andrew Dwyer, Patrick Timlin, J.
T. Huntington, Lawrence Watson, Royal Ayres, E. M. Davies, E. Maxham, John Munroe,
William Denzer, Charles Sands, Lyman Beery, N. Wood, Samuel Kleimer, A. P. Ellinw 1,
S. F. Nickey, II. B. Knapp. George Bonham, C. J. H. Erffmeyer, J. H. Reighard, A. Cotting-
ton, J. H. McNees. Village Representatives — Baraboo, G. Mertens: Sauk City, J. S. Tripp;
Spring Green, E. W. Evans: Reedsburg. 11. C. Hunt.
County Officers for 1881 will be chosen at the coming November election. The Repub-
lican nominees are, for Sheriff, 0. H. Perry; Register, F. N. Peck; Treasurer, A. L. Slye;
County Clerk. J. P. Witwen; Clerk of Court, D. E. Morgan; Surveyor, R. G. Evenden;
Coroner, 0. I.. < Hazier.
For the past quarter of a century, a nomination by a Republican Convention in Sauk County
has been equivalent to an election.
LAYING OCT Till: TOWNS.
At the Erst meeting of the first Board of County Commissioners, held at the house of
Joshua E. Abbott, in the town [village] of Prairie du Sac (the county seat of Sauk County, as
located by Commissioners appointed for that purpose), on the first Monday in April, 1844,
there were present Commissioners John Hoover, William G. Simons and Levi Mbore. The
laving met pursuant to an act of the Legislative Assembly of the Territory of Wisconsin,
organizing the county of Sank, proceeded to the election of a Chairman, and John Hoover was
chosen to till that position, liurke Fairchild, who was elected as Clerk at the first general
election for county officers, not having appeared. Andrew Garrison was unanimously appointed
to till the vacancy. He thereupon took the oath of office before A. M. Seymour, Supreme
• 'oiirt < 'oinmissioner.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNT! 337
The first business of importance that came before the board, was the organization of road
districts and the appointment of Road Supervisors. The county was divided into five districts,
as follows :
District No. 1. — Beginning at the north line of Town 9, extending west to the county line ;
thence south to the south line of said county; thence east to the county line, along the Wisconsin
River to the place of beginning. Jonathan Hatch was appointed Road Supervisor.
District No. .'. — Beginning at the line of Town 9, running due west to the line between
Sections 34 and 35, in Town 10 ; thence due north into Town 11, three miles : thence east to the
county line, and south to the place of beginning. Philip Blodgett was appointed Road Super-
visor.
District No. •>'. — Beginning on the section line between 34 and 35, Town 10, running west to
the bounds of the county line ; thence north along the county line three miles into Town 11 ; thence
east on said line to the corner of District No. 2; thence south to the place of beginning. Will-
iam Johnson was appointed Road Supervisor.
District No. .{.. — Beginning half a mile east of the northeast corner of District No. 3. run-
ning due north alcng said line until it strikes the county line; thence east to the county line ;
thence south until it strikes District No. 2 ; thence west to the place of beginning. Chester P.
Matson was appointed Road Supervisor.
District No. ',. — Beginning half a mile east of the northwest corner of District No. 2, run-
ning north to the county line; thence west to the county line; thence due south to the north-
west corner of District No. 3 ; thence east to the place of beginning. McCager Thacker was
appointed Road Supervisor.
It was then ordered that Sauk Prairie Election Precinct consist of Road Districts No. 1,
2 and 3. and that the judges thereof be John Hoover, John Mann and W. II. Hubbard, elections to
be held at the house of Joshua E. Abbott, Prairie du Sac; that Baraboo Election Precinct com-
prise Districts 4 and 5, elections to be held at the house of James Webster, Baraboo; judges.
Abraham Wood, Luther Peck and Orin Hudson. Jonathan Hatch was appointed Assessor for
District No. 1, Harris Searle, for Districts 2 and 3, and Luther Peck for Districts 4 and 5.
The first county order was issued in favor of Charles Hart for 827, being in payment for
services in " locating the county seat." Noah Phelps and John Morrison were allowed 842 and
821 respectively for similar services.
The Clerk of the Board was directed to procure a seal, from Milwaukee or elsewhere, for
the use of the Board of County Commissioners, " the design of which shall be an engraving of a
breaking-team, with one or more yoke of oxen and plow in the foreground, with the words sur-
rounding the margin ' Seal of the Board of <_~'<>un/j/ Cnnuiiissioncrs. .Sunk County, Wisconsin
Territory.' " Upon the introduction of the Board of Supervisors system in 1849, the county
seal was remodeled. It is now the exact size of one of the "dollars of our daddies," the design
sheaf of wheat, a plow and a grain rake, the whole being surrounded by the words
'• Board of Supervisors of Sauk Count//. Wisconsin."
Lyman Grossman, Cyrus Leland and Daniel B. Crocker, as principals, and John L. Mess-
imer, Arba M. Seymour. William H. Hubbard and Joshua E. Abbott, as sureties, having
entered into a. bond with the County Commissioners to erect and build a good and substantial
frame building. 20x30 feet, two stories high, in form suitable for a court house, were requested to
place the said building on the public square of the county seat.
At a subsequent meeting, it was ordered that "a gaol be erected and built, to be paid out
of the funds of the county from the sale of town lots, or the same to be given in exchange at a
fair valuation." It was provided that the building should be completed by the 1st of the fol-
lowing December, but at a later meeting the order was rescinded.
At the July meeting of the board, the Clerk was directed to issue county orders to the three
County Commissioners, for services rendered as such, at the rate of 7.~> cents per day, which
amounted in the aggregate to $18. P. C. Hale was allowed $85 for books for county purposi 5,
and S. F. Blanchard 811 for transportation of the same from Milwaukee. Arba M. Seymour
338 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
was authorized to make, for the use of the Register of Deeds and the Clerk of County Commis-
sioners, two pine tables three and a half feet wide and four and a half feet long, " to be stained
with Venetian red, one large drawer in each."
On the 26th of August, the board discovered that the time had arrived for the appointment
of a District Attorney. William H. Clark was honored with the choice of the board, and was
directed to " enter upon the duties of said office at the present term of the District Court."
On the 30th of September, the Clerk, under instructions of the board, reported on the tax-
able property of the county, as follows : Assessed value of farming lands, with all the improve-
ments thereon, $38,736 ; assessed value of town lots, with improvements, in the village of
Prairie du Sac, $4,675 ; assessed value of merchandise and personal property in the county,
$14,496. Upon the total amount ($57,907) a tax of nine mills on the dollar was levied.
DIVIDING THE TOWNS.
The territory now included in Sauk County once composed a single election precinct, as
has been shown, and that it was afterward organized into five road districts, or two election pre-
cincts. A third election precinct was created April 5, 1848, called Bluff Precinct, bounded as fol-
lows : Beginning at the town line between Towns 10 and 11, running south two miles; thence
commencing at the county line and running west to the west line of Towns 10 and 11 ; thence
north five miles; thence east to the easterly line of Sank County, agreeable to the petition
signed by thirty-five electors in said county ; A. Jameson, George Jeele and John Hoover, Jr.,
being appointed Judges of Election.
It was also ordered " that the county of Adams shall be an election precinct called the
County of Adams Precinct, J. H. Finlay, Andrew Dunn and — Baird to be Judges of
Election."
On the 10th of January, 1849, Sauk County was divided, by order of the County Com-
missioners, into six towns — Honey Creek, Prairie du Sac. Kingston, Eagle, Brooklyn and
Baraboo. the boundaries being as follows :
Honey Creek. — Commencing on the Wisconsin River, on the town line between Ranges 5
and 6 ; running thence north to the northeast corner of Town 9. Range 5 ; thence west on the
town line four miles ; thence north on the section line, six miles to the town line ; thence west
on the town line to the western boundary of the county ; thence south on said boundary line to
the Wisconsin River ; thence up said river to the place of beginning ; the whole being the terri-
tory now embraced in the towns of Spring Green, Bear Creek, Franklin, Troy and the four
western tiers of sections (the west half) of the town of Honey Creek. The house of Jonathan
W. Harris was designated as the place for holding the first election, which took place on the
3d of April, 1849, with the annexed result : Supervisors, James Cass (Chairman), Dewitt
Houghton and Joseph Davis ; Clerk, H. B. Stames ; Treasurer, J. A. Taylor ; Assessor, Henry
Keifer ; Superintendent of Schools, J. N. Cassel.
Prairie <ln Sue. — Commencing on the Wisconsin River on the town line between Ranges 5
and 6; thence north on the said line to the northwest corner of Town 9, Range 6 ; thence west
on the town line four miles ; thence north on the section line, six miles to the town line between.
1<> and 1 1. Range 5 : thence east on the town line four miles; thence south on the town line,
between Ranges 5 and 6, four miles; thence east on the section line to the Wisconsin River;
thence along said river to the place of beginning ; the whole being the territory now embraced
in the town of Prairie du Sac and the four eastern tiers of sections (the east half) of
the town of Honey Creek. It was stipulated that the election should be held at the schoolhouse
in the upper town. That event occurred on the 3d of April, 1849, with the following result:
Supervisors, Nathaniel Perkins (Chairman), Samuel Kelsey and Charles Halasz ; Clerk, Cyrus
Leland ; Assessor, Archibald Hill ; Treasurer, P. B. Staymates ; School Superintendent, J. B.
Woodruff.
Kingston. — Commencing on the Wisconsin River on the section line between Sections 24
and 2">, Town 10, Range 6; running thence west on said section line to the town line be
HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY. 339
Ranges 5 and 6 ; thence north seven miles on the town line; thence east on the section line
twelve miles to the eastern boundary of the county ; thence south on said boundary line to
the Wisconsin River ; thence down said river to the place of beginning, embracing what is now
the towns of Merrimack and Sumter, and Sections 19 and 20 of the town of Freedom, and
Sections 23 and 24 of the town of Baraboo. The first election was held at the house of John
Hoover, resulting in the choice of J. I. Waterbury (Chairman), Samuel Shaw and Isaac Gibbs
for Supervisors ; Prescott Brigham for Town Clerk ; S. Mather for Assessor ; Cyrus Hull
and David Randall (both receiving 34 votes), for Treasurer ; R. E. Stone for School Superin-
tendent, and James Moreland for Sealer of Weights and Measures.
Eagle. — Commencing at the southeast corner of Town 11, Range 5; running thence wesl
on the town line to the western boundary of the county ; thence north on said boundarv nine
miles ; thence east on a section line through the center of Town 12, eighteen miles ; thence
south between Ranges 5 and 6, nine miles to the place of beginning — comprising an area of
territory now embraced in the towns of Washington, Westfield and Freedom (except Sections
5, 6, 7, 8, 17, and 18, Town 11, Range 6), and the south half of the towns of Ironton, Reeds-
burg and Excelsior. The first election in the town of Eagle was held April 3, 1849, with the
following result: Supervisors, James Chrystie (Chairman), J. W. Henthom and Reuben Ward:
Clerk, L. B. Swallow ; Treasurer, Hiram Hubbard ; School Superintendent, Josiah Hunter ;
Assessor, George Randall.
Brooklyn. — Commencing on the eastern boundary of the county on a section line between
Sections 13 and 24, Town 11 ; thence west on said section line twelve miles to the town line
between Ranges 5 and 6 ; thence north on said town line to the northern boundary of the county ;
thence east on said boundary to the Wisconsin River ; thence down said river to the eastern line
of the county ; thence south on said boundary to the place of beginning — embracing what are
now the towns of Baraboo (except Sections 23 and 24), Greenfield, Fairfield and Delton, and
Sections 5, 6, 7, 8, 17 and 18 of the town of Freedom. The village of Baraboo is indicated
upon the plat of the town of Brooklyn as " Adams," then the county seat, and it was ordered
by the Commissioners that the first election in the town of Brooklyn be held at the court house,
and it was so held April 3, 1849, resulting in the choice of John B. Crawford (Chairman i, Sol,,
mon Soule and Lyman Clark, for Supervisors; D. K. Noyes, Town Clerk; William Griffiths,
Treasurer ; A. A. Noyes, Assessor, and Harvey Canfield, School Superintendent.
Baraboo. — Commencing on the town (12) line between Ranges 5 and (J ; thence running west
on the section line between Sections 13 and 24, Town 12, to the western boundary of the county ;
thence north to the northern boundary of the county ; thence east on the north boundary eighteen
miles, between Ranges 5 and G ; thence south nine miles to the place of beginning — comprising
the present towns of Lavalle, Winfield and Dellona, and the north half of Ironton, Reedsburg
and Excelsior. The house of D. C. Reed was designated as the place for holding the first elec-
tion, which occurred April 3, 1849, resulting as follows: Supervisors — D. C. Reed (Chairman),
William Adams and Lewis Butterfield ; Clerk, William McClung ; Assessor, Don Carlos
Barry ; School Superintendent, Patrick Hickey ; Treasurer, Thompson Shepard.
At the same sitting of the board, it was further ordered that " the county of Adams, now
attached to Sauk County for judicial purposes, be- a town called Lemonweir.
On the 8th of January, 1850, a new town, called New Buffalo, was created out of territory
somewhat vaguely described as follows: "Town 13, Range 6, as far north as the petition calls
for; no further east, nor west, than the range line, and commencing at the southeast corner of
Town 13, Range G ; thence one mile west and three miles south ; thence west to the range lines
between Ranges 5 and 6 ; thence north to the northwest corner of Town 13, Range G ; thence
west and north to the limits of Sauk County."
At the same sitting of the board, the town of Flora was created. Its boundaries were as
follows : Commencing on the Wisconsin River on the county line ; thence south on said line to
the southeast corner of Section 24, Town 12, Range 7 ; thence west on the section line seven
miles : thence north to the line between Towns 12 and 13 ; thence east one mile : thence north
340 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
to the Wisconsin River ; thence down said river to the place of beginning, including what is now
the town of Fairfield, with the exception of Sections 2, 11 and 14.
Sections 19, 20, 29, 30, 31 and 32 were also set off from the town of Brooklyn, and added
to the town of Eagle.
In November, 1850, the remainder of Town 10, Range 5, was added to the town of Honey
Creek, in accordance with the prayer of residents therein, and, at the same sitting of the board,
the town of Honey Creek was divided, and the town of Spring Green created, the latter being
set off as follows : "Commencing two miles north of the south line of Town 9, running thence
west to the west line of the county, and all that part of said town lying south of said line shall
be a town called Spring Green."
Out of the town of Baraboo was also created the town of Dellona, by setting off all the north
half of Town 12, Range 5, and the whole of Town 13, Range 5.
On the 11th of December, 1850, acting upon the petition of interested residents, the board,
by a vote of five ayes to three noes, agreed to the formation of a new town out of parts of Bar-
aboo and Eagle, to be known as the town of Reedsburg.
On the same date, an alteration of the boundaries of the town of Brooklyn was authorized,
the town of Eagle being wiped out, and the town of Freedom created.
In August, 1851, it was ordered by the board that '• all that portion of the tract of country
lying north of the north line of Town 13, Range 6. be embraced in a new town, to be called
Lemonweir." During the same session of the board, it was ordered that Town 13, Range 2
(now the Town of Woodland), be annexed to the Town of Reedsburg. Also, that a new town
to be called Marston be organized out of the territory embraced in Town 12, Range 3, Town 13.
Ranges 2 and 3. and Town 11, Range 3. Section 36, Town 13, Range 6, was taken from the
Town of Flora and annexed to the Town of New Buffalo.
In December. 1851, the Town of Dells was organized out of territory embraced as
follows : Smith half of Town 15, Range 5, and Town 14, Range 5 ; also Sections 6, 7, 17, 18,
19, 20, 29, 30, 31 and 32, Town 14, Range 6. The boundaries of the town of Lemonweir
were changed so as to comprise Town 14, Ranges 2, 3 and 4, and the south half of Town 15,
Ranges 2, 3 ami 4.
In September, 1852, in accordance with the prayer of the citizens of Brooklyn, the town of
Greenfield was organized, composed of territory described in the Supervisor's journal as follows :
" All that portion lying east of the range line between Ranges 6 and 7, the west line of which
to be the line above mentioned." At the same session of the board, all that tract of country
lying upon the east side of the Wisconsin River, consisting of Town 14, Ranges 6 and 7, and
Town 15, Ranges 5, '» and 7 (now Juneau County), were organized into a town called Jackson.
Also, Towns lti and 1 7. Ranges 4 and 5 (now Juneau County), were set off as a new town called
Quincy. The northeast boundary line of the town of Dells was altered so as to make the main
channel of the Wisconsin River its northeastern boundary, and the order of December, 1851,
organizing the boundaries of the town of Lemonweir, was rescinded. It was also ordered that
all of that portion of Adams County lying upon the cast side of the Wisconsin River and not
being within the town of Quincy, be attached to the town of Jackson ; and all that portion of
the same county lying west of the Wisconsin River, including Town 18, Range 4, be attached
to the town of Quincj .
In November. 1852, Town 13, Range 4, was set off as a new town called Winfield. The
name of the town of Dells was also changed to that of Kildare. Sections 19 and 20, Town 11,
Range 0. were attached to the town of Freedom. One of the most animated scones in the
history of the board occurred at this session over a proposition to divide the town of Prairie du
Sac. \ rote was taken by towns, on a motion to postpone action on the petition, resulting in
eight noes and five ayes. The vote on the question of division stood the same.
In December. 1852, Sections 2, 11 and 14, Town 12, Range 0 (then belonging to the
town of New Buffalo), were annexed to the town of Flora. The order providing for the divi-
sion of the town of Prairie du Sac was also taken up, and a vote to reconsider was carried. A
HISTOET OF SAUK COUNTY. 311
subsequent motion to rescind the order was voted down — ayes, five, noes, eight. A petition from
citizens of the " Lemonweir " for a new town, to be called Hillsdale, was granted. The terri-
tory now in Sauk County, then included in the town of Hillsdale, was that comprised in the
north half of the towns of Lavalle and Woodland. The greater portion of the town, however,
lay in the present county of Juneau. It was at this session of the board that the name of the
town of Brooklyn was changed to Baraboo, and the southern division of the town of Prairie du
Sac was christened Lower Prairie du Sac.
In December, 1853, the name of the town of Flora was changed to Fairfield.
In November, 1854, the town of Reedsburg was divided, and the new town thus created
was called Westfield. It was also the wisdom of the board that the town of Kingston be like-
wise severed, ami the name of .Merrimack given to the new town. The action of the board in
this regard was prompted by the result of the elections previously held in the towns of Reeds-
burg and Kingston, at which the citizens voted in favor of a division. It was during this
session of the board that the town of Honey Creek was divided, and the town of Franklin
created.
In December, 1855, so much of the town of Marston as was then included in Town 11,
Range '■'>. and Sections 25 to 36, inclusive, in Town 12, Range 3, was organized into a new
town, called Washington.
In January, 1857, Town 13, Range 2, was set off from the town of Marston, the new
town being called Woodland. In December of the same year, the town of Troy was organized
out of the towns of Honey Creek and Spring Green. The organization of the town of Excel-
sior bears the same date, it having been formed out of the towns of Dellona and Freedom. The
territory of the town of Freedom was further abridged, about this time, by Sections 19, 20. 2'.',
30, 31 and 32 being attached to the town of Baraboo.
In September, 1858, the town of Bear Creek was created out of the town of Franklin.
In November, 1859, the towns of Marston and Washington were divided, by setting off
from the former all that part lying south of the town line between Towns 12 and 13, and from
the latter all that part lying north of Towns 11 and 12. Out of the portions thus set off, the
town of Ironton was created.
In November, 1861, the name of the town of Kingston was changed to Sumter, and the
town of Marston was also changed to Lavalle. There have been other slight changes from time
to time in the boundaries of towns. No new towns have been created, however, and for the past
twenty years the number of towns in the county (twenty-two) has not been increased or decreased
TERRITORIAL, STATE, AND CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION.
The First Legislative Assembly under the Territorial Government of Wisconsin, convened
at Belmont, La Fayette County, in October, 1836. The counties of Brown, Crawford, Iowa and
Milwaukee, then embraced the whole territory of what now constitutes Wisconsin. Until 1840,
Sauk County was a part of Crawford, and was so represented in the Territorial Legislature, at
the first session of which James H. Lockwood and James B. Dallam sat as Representatives.
Thomas P. Burnett claimed a seat in the Council, but was rejected by that body, as the appoint-
ment of members belonged exclusively to the Executive of the Territory.
At the second session (1837—38), the Representatives were Ira B. Brunson and Jean Bru-
net ; no member of Council.
The first session of the Second Legislative Assembly convened at Madison November 26,
1838, and adjourned December 22. Council, George Wilson ; Representative, Alexander Mc-
Gregor.
Second Session (1839) — Council, George Wilson; Representatives, A. McGregor and Ira
B. Brunson.
Third Session (1839-40) — Council, Joseph Brisbois ; Representatives, Messrs. McG
and Brunson.
342 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Fourth (extra) Session, 1340 — Council, Charles J. Learned ; Representatives, Messrs. Mc-
Gregor and Brunson.
First Session, Third Legislative Assembly. 1840-41 — Council, C. J. Learned ; Represent-
atives, Alfred Brunson and Joseph R. Brown.
Second Session, 1841-42 [Dane, Dodge, Green, Jefferson and Sauk] — Council, Ebenezer
Brigham ; Representatives, Lucius I. Barber and James Sutherland.
First Session, Fourth Legislative Assembly, 1842-43 — Council, Lucius I. Barber; Repre-
sentatives, Isaac H. Palmer, Lyman Crossman and Robert Masters.
Second Session, 1843-44 — Same as previous session.
Third Session, 1845 — Council, John Catlin ; Representatives, Charles S. Bristol, Noah
Phelps and George H. Slaughter.
Fourth Session, 1846 — Council, John Catlin ; Representatives, Mark R. Clapp, William
M. Dennis and Noah Phelps.
First Session, Fifth Legislative Assembly, 1847 [Dane, Green and Sauk] — Council, Alex-
ander L. Collins ; Representatives, Charles Lum, W. A. Wheeler and John W. Stewart.
Second Session, 1848 — Council, A. L. Collins ; Representatives, E. T. Gardner, John W.
Stewart and Alexander Botkin.
Constitutional Conventii ins.
The first Constitutional Convention assembled at Madison October 5, 1846, and adjourned
December 16, having framed a constitution, which was submitted to a vote of the people on the
first Tuesday in April, 1847, and the same was rejected. Sauk County was represented in the
convention by W. H. Clark.
The second convention met also at Madison December 15, 1847, and adjourned February
1, 1848, having framed a constitution which was ratified by the people in March following. It
does not appear of record that Sauk County was represented in the second convention.
State Government.
The First Session of the State Legislature convened at Madison June 5, 1848, and
adjourned August 21. Sauk County, together with Columbia, Marquette and Portage, was
represented in the Senate by Henry Merrell, of Fort Winnebago, who was chosen for two years.
These counties comprised the Second Senatorial District. Delando Pratt represented the county
in the Assembly.
Second Session, 1849 — Assembly, Cyrus Leland, of Sauk City.
Third Session, 1850 — Senate, G. De G. Moore, Prairie du Sac; Assembly, Caleb Cros-
well, Baraboo.
Fourth Session, 1851 — Assembly, Nathaniel Perkins, Sauk City.
Fifth Session, 1852 — Senate, James S. Alban, Plover ; Assembly, Jonathan W. Fyffe,
Prairie du Sac.
Sixth Session, 1853 — Senate (Twenty-third District created), David S. Vittum, Baraboo;
Assembly (Adams and Sauk), Charles Armstrong, Baraboo.
Seventh Session, 1854 — Assembly, Cyrus C. Remington, Baraboo.
Eighth Session, 1855 — Senate, Edwin B. Kelsey, Montello; Assembly, R. H. Davis, Bar-
aboo.
Ninth Session, 1856 — Assembly, D. K. Noyes, Baraboo.
Tenth Session, 1857 — Senate (Ninth District), J. T. Kingston, Necedah; Assembly
(Adams County detached and Sauk divided into two districts), James G. Train, Merrimack, and
Abram West, Reedsburg.
Eleventh Session, 1858 — Assembly, S. H. Bassinger, Prairie du Sac. and Samuel North-
rup, Dellona.
Twelfth Session, 1859 — Senate, H. W.Curtis, Delton ; Assembly, Nelson Wheeler, Bar-
aboo, and E. 0. Rudd, Reedsburg.
*3 e
<^Zc^ y&T^^?^-~if/^*^
( DECEASED )
BARABOO
HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY. 345
Thirteenth Session, 1860 — Assembly, Ephraim W. Young, Prairie du Sac, and Edward
Sumner, Baraboo.
Fourteenth Session, 1861 — Senate, John T. Kingston, Necedah ; Assembly, John Bear,
Franklin, and Marsena Temple, Newport.
Fifteenth Session, 1862 — Assembly, J. S. Tripp, Sauk City, and A. W. Starks, Baraboo.
Sixteenth Session, 1863 — Senate (Fourteenth District), S. S. Wilkinson, Prairie du Sac ;
Assembly, Alonzo Wilcox, Spring Green, and A. W. Starks, Baraboo.
Seventeenth Session, 1864; — Assembly, same as in the previous session.
Eighteenth Session, 1865 — Senate, S. S. Wilson, re-elected ; Assembly, William Palmer,
Logansville, and A. W. Starks, Baraboo.
Nineteenth Session, 1866 — Senate, A. W. Starks, Baraboo ; Assembly, William Palmer,
Logansville, and R. M. Strong, Reedsburg.
Twentieth Session, 1867 — Assembly, James I. Waterbury, Prairie du Sac, and Stephen S.
Barlow, Delton.
Twenty-first Session, 1868 — Senate, S. S. Barlow, Delton ; Assembly, J. I. Waterbury,
Prairie du Sac, and John Gillespie, Dellona.
Twenty-second Session, 1869 — Assembly, Carl C. Kuntz, Black Hawk, and John Gillespie,
Dellona.
Twenty-third Session, 1870 — Senate, B. U. Strong, Spring Green ; Assembly, C. C.
Kuntz, Black Hawk, and George C. Swain, Kilbourn City (?).
Twenty-fourth Session, 1871 — Assembly, same as previous session.
Twenty-fifth Session, 1872 — Senate, John B. Quimby, Sauk City ; Assembly, William W.
Perry, Prairie du Sac, and George C. Swain.
Twenty-sixth Session, 1873 — Assembly, J ' Young, Black Hawk, and John Kellogg,
Reedsburg.
Twenty-seventh Session, 1874 — Senate, Johr B. Quimby, re-elected ; Assembly, Carl C.
Kuntz, Black Hawk, and David E. Welch, Baraboo.
Twenty-eight Session, 1875 — Assembly, Thomas Baker, Prairie du Sac, and E. D. Welch.
Twenty-ninth Session, 1876 — Senate, David E. Welch, Baraboo; Assembly, David B.
Hurlburt, Logansville, and Silas J. Seymour, Reedsburg.
Thirtieth Session, 1877 — Assembly, same as previous session.
Thirty-first Session, 1878 — Senate, David E. Welch, re-elected ; Assembly, A. P. Ellin-
wood, Reedsburg, and D. B. Hurlburt.
Thirty-second Session, 1879 — Assembly, Ulrich Hemmi, Black Hawk, and A. P. Ellin-
wood.
Thirty-third Session, 1880 — Senate, E. E. Woodman, Baraboo; Assembly, Ephraim
Blakeslee and Thomas Gillespie.
If previous Republican majorities in Sauk County indicate anything, the thirty-fourth session
will witness the attendance of the same gentlemen from this county who took part in the Thirty-third
Assembly.
Congressional Representations.
The act of Congress, approved April 20, 1836, organizing the Territory of Wisconsin, con-
ferred upon the people the right to be represented in the National Congress by one delegate, to
be chosen by the votes of the qualified electors of the Territory. Under this authority the Ter-
ritory was represented by the following delegates : George W. Jones, elected October 10, 1836:
James Duane Doty, September 10, 1838 ; James Duane Doty, August 5, 1840* ; Henry Dodge,
September 27, 1841 ; Henry Dodge, September 25, 1843; Morgan L. Martin, September 22.
1845, and John H. Tweedy, September 6, 1847.
By the Constitution adopted when the Territory became a State, in 1848, two represent-
atives in Congress were provided for by dividing the State into two Congressional Districts.
* Doty afterward regi-neil, he having be.n ai>|">iiite.l < iu\ ,•< uomf the Territory hy I'reMihnt Tyler September !;',. lstl
3-46 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
the First District being composed of the counties of Milwaukee, Waukesha, Jefferson, Racine,
Walworth, Rock and Green; the Second District, of Washington,. Sheboygan, Manitowoc, Cal-
umet, Brown, Winnebago, Fond du Lac, Marquette, Sauk, Portage, Columbia, Dodge, Dane,
Iowa, La Fayette, Grant, Richland, Crawford, Chippewa, St. Croix and La Pointe. Under
this authority, an election was held May 8, 1848, and William Pitt Lynde was elected member
of Congress from the First District ; Mason C. Darling, of Fond du Lac, for the Second Dis-
trict. The people, therefore, then residing within the limits of Columbia County, were repre-
sented in the Thirtieth Congress by Dr. Mason C. Darling.
At the first session of the State Legislature, which continued from June 5 to August 21,
1848, the State was divided into three Congressional Districts, Sauk County falling in the
second. This appointment continued unchanged until 1861. The district was represented
during that period as follows : Thirtv-first Congress, 1849-51, Orsamus Cole ; Thirtv-second,
1851-53, Ben C. Eastman ; Thirty-third, 1853-1855, Ben C. Eastman ; Thirty-fourth, 1855-
57, Cadwallader C. Washburn ; Thirty-fifth, 1857-1859, Cadwallader C. Washburn ; Thirty-
sixth, 1859-1861, Cadwallader C. Washburn ; Thirty-seventh, 1861-63, Luther Hanchett.*
At the Fourteenth Session of the Legislature of Wisconsin, continuing from January 9 to
May 27, 1861, the State was divided into six Congressional Districts, Sauk County falling to
the Third. Under this appointment the district was represented as follows : Thirty-eighth
Congress, 1863-65, Amasa Cobb. Mr. Cobb was thrice re-elected, and was succeeded by J.
Allen Barber, who served until 1873.
The present Congressional apportionment was made at the twenty-fifth session of the Legis-
lature of Wisconsin, continuing from January 10 to March 27, 1872, when the State was
divided into eight districts, Sauk County again falling into the Second District, composed of the
Counties of Jefferson, Dane, Sauk and Columbia. In the Forty-third Congress, 1873-75, the
district was represented by Gerry W. Hazleton ; in the Forty-fourth, 1875-77, by Lucien B.
Caswell ; in the Forty-fifth, 1877-79, by Lucien B. Caswell ; in the Forty-sixth, 1879-81, by
Lucien B. Caswell.
TERRITORIAL DISTRICT COURT AND STATE CIRCUIT COURT.
Until 1823, all that part of the Territory of Michigan now forming the State of Wisconsin
had no separate courts, except County Courts of very limited civil and criminal jurisdiction, and
Justices' Courts. All important civil cases and all criminal cases, except for petty offenses, were
tried by the Supreme Court at Detroit. Here the judicial power was vested in three judges ap-
pointed by Congress, originally to hold the office during good behavior, but subsequently limited
to four years. In January, 1823, an act of Congress provided for the appointment of an addi-
tional Judge for the counties of Brown, Crawford and Michilimackinac. That court had con-
current civil and criminal jurisdiction with the Supreme Court of the Territory. The law pro-
vided for holding one term of court in each year, in each of the counties named in the act.
Hon. James D. Doty was appointed Judge of this court at its organization, and held the office
until May, 1832, when he was succeeded by the Hon. David Irvin. This court continued as
organized until 1836, when it was abrogated by the organization of the Territory of Wisconsin,
what is now Sauk County being then a part of Crawford County ; it consequently came under
the jurisdiction of Judges Doty and Irvin.
The terms of the District Court for the counties of Michilimackinac, Brown and Crawford,
which was established by the act of 1N23, were held once in each year in each of those counties,
at Mackinac in July, at Green Bay in dune, ami at Prairie du Chien in May. Although Judge
Doty had received his appointment in 1823, yet he did not arrive in the district until midsum-
mer, and no regular term of the court was held that year. In October, 1824, he appointed and
held a special term for the trial of criminal cases at Green Bay. At this term the first grand
jury was impaneled in Brown County, and the Hon. Henry S. Baird, who was the pioneer law-
yer of Wisconsin, was appointed District Attorney. A large amount of criminal business waa
* Died November 21, 1862 ; WalL-r IV Mclndoc chow.Mi to fill vacancy.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 347
brought before the grand jury. Forty-five indictments were found and presented to the court,
one for murder, on which there was a conviction, some for assault and battery, larceny, selling
spirituous liquors to the Indians, and last, but not least, twenty-eight cases for illicit cohabitation.
The large number of the latter arose from the reprehensible practice adopted by the traders and
French inhabitants of taking Indian women as wives, according to the custom of the natives.
Those cases were generally disposed of by the defendants being brought into court on a warrant.
Most of them pleaded guilty, when the court suspended sentence until the close of the term,
with the intimation that all who presented the court, in the interim, certificates of legal mar-
riage, would be let off by paying a nominal fine, which fine was afterward fixed at $1 and costs.
Some of the delinquents refused to marry, and were fined $50.
In 1825-28, Judge Doty and H. S. Baird, Esq., traveled from Green Bay to Prairie du
Chien in a bark canoe, by way of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, with a crew of Canadians and
Indians, the time required for the journey being from seven to nine days. In May, 1829,
Judge Doty. M. L. Martin, Esq., and H. S. Baird. Esq., made the trip from Green Bay to
Prairie du Chien on horseback, accompanied by a Menomonee Indian guide. They were the
first white men to attempt and accomplish the land journey from Green Bay to the Mississippi.
After the organization of Iowa County in 1830, the county of Crawford was attached to
[owa County for judicial purposes, and remained so until Wisconsin Territory was organized in
183G. the term of court that had theretofore been held at Prairie du Chien being thereafter held
at Mineral Point.
When the Territory was organized in 183p, it embraced the present States of Wis-
consin, Iowa and Minnesota and a part of the Territory of Dakota. The judicial power of tin-
Territory was vested in a Supreme Court. District Courts, Probate Courts' and Justices of the
Peace. The Territory was divided into three judicial districts, and Justices Charles Dunn,
David Irvin and William C. Frazer, composing the Supreme Court by Presidential appointment,
were assigned to the districts ; Chief Justice Dunn to the First District, composed of the counties
of Iowa and Crawford (to which latter county Sauk County then belonged); Justice Irvin to
the Second District, Dubuque and Des Moines Counties ; and Justice Frazer to the Third Dis-
trict, Milwaukee and Brown Counties.
The Territory of Iowa having been organized July 4, 1838. embracing that portion of Wis-
consin west of the Mississippi River, the Legislative Assembly of Wisconsin, at its session in 1839,
made a new division of this territory into judicial districts; the counties of Iowa, Grant and
Crawford, constituting the First District, to which Chief Justice Dunn was assigned ; the counties
of Dane (to which Sauk had but recently been attached for judicial purposes), Jefferson, Rock,
Walworth and Green, constituting the Second District, to which Judge Irvin was assigned;
and the counties of Brown, Milwaukee and Racine, constituting the Third District, to which
Judge Miller, the successor of Judge Frazer. upon the death of the latter, was assigned.
Upon the admission of Wisconsin as a State in the Union, it was divided into five judicial
circuits, Sauk County, together with the counties of Washington, Dodge, Columbia, Marquette
and Portage, being in the Third Circuit. At an election on the first Monday in August, 1844,
Charles II. Larrabee was chosen Judge of the Third Judicial Circuit, his term expiring Decem-
ber 31, 1854. At the previous April election, in 1854, he had been re-elected for a full term
of six years, commencing January 1. IS.",.",, ami to endat the close of the year 1859; but. Sank
County having been taken from the Third Circuit in April, 1855. and attached to the Ninth, it
came into the jurisdiction of Judge Alexander L. Collins. In the meantime, in accordance
with a constitutional provision, Circuit Judges had been relieved of the duties devolving upon
Supreme Justices, or. in other words, the Supreme Court had became an entirely separate
tribunal, presided over by Justices especially chosen for that purpose.
On the 5th of September, 1858. Judge Collins resigned as Judge of the Third Circuit, and
Luther S. Dixon was appointed in his place until a successor was elected and qualified. Before
the next April election, however, Judge Dixon resigned, having been elevated to the Supreme
Bench, and Harlow S. Orton was elected Judge of the Ninth Circuit to fill out the full term for
348 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
which Judge Collins had been elected, which expired December 31, 1860. On the 3d of April,
1860, Judge Orton was elected for a full term of six years, but he resigned January 28, 1865,
when Alva Stewart was appointed to hold until the next April election. In April, 1865, Judge
Stewart was elected to fill out the full term of Judge Orton, which he did, and in April, 1866,
he was a» ain elected, but this time for a full term of six years, which began January 1, 1867, and
ended at the close of the year 1872. In April of this year, he was re-elected for a second term.
However, on the 2d of April, 1877, upon the increase of the Ninth Circuit by the addition of
Juneau, Adams and Marquette Counties, Judge Stewart resigned, but was appointed on the 5th
of the same month as his own successor to fill out his full term. In April, 1878, he was re-
elected for another full term, which will close December 31, 1884.
COUNTY JUDGES.
On the 11th of March, 1844, the qualified electors of Sauk Prairie Precinct, which then
embraced, together with other territory, all that now contained in Sauk County (then belonging
to Dane County, for judicial purposes), came together and cast their ballots for a complete set
of county officers, including Probate Judge. This office Prescott Brigham* was chosen to fill.
In the fall (September 23) of the same year, the county having been organized and another
election precinct (Baraboo) created, a second election took place in pursuance of the provis-
ions of the organic act. Lorrin Cowles,* father of Dr. Charles Cowles, of Baraboo, was elected
to the office of Probate Judge. It is the belief of an old settler that Judge Cowles' successor
was George Cargel. Maj. W. H. Clark* was then elected to the office, and, at the expiration
of his term, he was succeeded in 1849 by James M. Clark, who was re-elected. Judge Clark
resigned before his second term of office expired, and R. G. Camp* was appointed to fill the
vacancy. E. G. Wheeler was chosen to the position in 1853, and served till 1857, when
S. S. Barlow was elected as his successor. John B. Quimby succeeded to the office in 1861,
and, being reelected in 1865, retired in favor of C. C. Remington in 1869. Judge Reming-
ton resigned the position in 1872, and John Barker was appointed by the Governor to fill the
vacancy. James W. Lusk was elected in 1873, and Giles Stevens, the present incumbent, in
1877.
In the early history of " Old Sauk," County Judges (by which title these dignitaries are
now most generally known) had jurisdiction, as now, over probate matters only. Early in the
fifties, an act was passed by the Legislature giving them jurisdiction also over civil cases. This
law was subsequently repealed.
The " oldest inhabitant " recalls some pleasant memories of the individuals who have served
the people of Sauk County in this capacity. He recalls their characteristics, their manner and
their dignified bearing. Judge Cowles (who is entitled to the distinction of having been the
first County Judge in Sauk County, after its organization), he remembers as a sturdy, honest
old farmer, and likewise Judge Cargel ; both fully competent to handle the affairs of the office
at that date. Maj. Clark was a native of Madison County, N. Y. A graduate of Hamilton
College, he was a fine scholar and an able lawyer. On account of his skill in his profession
and his ability in the Legislature (he having been a member of one of the Territorial Legisla-
tures), he came to be known as the " Lion of Sauk." An amusing incident is related concern-
ing the Judge, who, being engaged in the prosecution of a case of theft, in which the prisoner
was charged with having stolen a light wagon, replied to the Latin phrase, falsus in uno, falsus
in omnibusf, used by counsel for defense, by saying, sotto voce, " Yes, a man that will lie about
a one-horse wagon will lie about an omnibus."
Judge James M. Clark was a graduate of an eastern law school. He was a sociable gen-
tleman, thoroughly competent. He went from here to Tennessee, and later removed to Greeley,
Colo., where he now lives. Judge Wheeler, now of Sioux Falls, Dak., bore his honors
c;isv and had the confidence of the people. His successor, Judge Barlow, made a good Judge.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 849
He lias also distinguished himself as District Attorney, member of the Assembly several terms,
and Attorney General of the State. Judge Remington was a man of strong convictions, and,
like most men of mark, had some enemies. Judge Lusk holds a high position among the
leading barristers of the State as a gentleman endowed with superior legal attainments. He
filled the office of County Judge with credit both to himself and to the people. Judge Stevens,
the present amiable incumbent of the office, is well read in his profession, has a clear legal
mind, and is regarded as a correct and conscientious official.
POLITICAL PARTIES IN SAUK COUNTY.
For the past twenty-four years, Sauk County has been largely Republican. Prior to 1856
and subsequent to the organization of the county in 1844, it was under Democratic rule. The
change of front came in November, 1856, at the Presidential baptism of the Republican party.
As an index to the political complexion of the county for the past thirty-two years, the follow-
ing figures will be interesting :
1848— Zacharv Taylor, W., 149; Martin Van Buren, F. S., 139; Lewis Cass, D., 158.
1 S.V2— Franklin Pierce, D., 681 ; Winfield Scott, W., 622; John P. Hale, F. S., 156.
1856— John C. Fremont, R., 2,014; James Buchanan, D., 993; Millard Fillmore, A., 4
Is,;. (—Abraham Lincoln. 1!., 2,309 ; Stephen A. Douglas, D., 985; John Bell, U., 2.
1864— Abraham Lincoln, R., 2,076 ; George B. McClellan, D., 985.
1868— Ulysses S. Grant, R., 3,262 ; Horatio Seymour, D., 1,366.
1872— Ulysses S. Grant, R., 2,702; Horace Greeley, L., 1,354.
1876— Rutherford B. Hayes, R., 3,395; Samuel J. Tilden, D., 2,201 ; Cooper, G., 16.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
CHAPTER III.
Locating the County Seat— Court Houses— Railroads— Agricultural Industries, Soil,
etc.— Sauk County Agricultural Society— Blood Cattle— Stock Breeders' Associa-
tion Dairying— Statistical— Hops, and the Panic of 1868 -Nature's Provisions.
locating the county seat — court houses.
In 1843-44, the people of Prairie du Sac petitioned the Legislature to fully organize Sauk
County. The residents of the Baraboo Valley remonstrated, on the ground that there were not
voters enough in the county from which to draw a jury-list, and fill the county offices; and, fur-
ther, that it was not politic, at that time, to burden themselves with the expense of a fully or-
ganized county. But this remonstrance availed nothing, for the Saukites had made up their
minds to lose no time in which to allow Baraboo to gain strength, and a bill was pushed through
the Legislature and approved May 10, 1844, under the provisions of which Noah Phelps, of
Green County, John Morrison,* of Jefferson, and Charles Hart, of Milwaukee, were appointed
Commissioners to locate the seat of justice. They were instructed to make a thorough exam-
ination of the whole county, and make the location "with regard to the future as well as the
present population." They finally decided to locate it at one of the Sauk villages — the one
which would make the largest donation. Sauk City, or Lower Town, offered the Bryant-
Haraszthy House, estimated to be worth $3,000. Prairie du Sac, or Upper Town, offered a
certain number of village lots, supposed to be worth more than the Lower Town offer. The
Commissioners accepted the Prairie du Sac offer, and the seat of justice was located accordingly.
Some months later the people of Prairie du Sac offered the deeds of the donated lots to the
County Board. It was then discovered that they contained a clause making the lots revertible
to the original donors in case of the removal of the county seat. This excited great indigna-
tion among the residents of Sauk City, Baraboo and the region known as the Bluffs, and several
public meetings were held at which the matter was discussed.
In the summer of 1845, at one of these meetings, a committee was appointed, consisting
of Count Haraszthy and Edmund Rendtorff, of Sauk City, and Levi Moore, Abram Wood,
Thomas Remington and William H. Canfield, of Baraboo, to make an exploration of the inter-
ior of the county, and ascertain whether the land was fit for settlement and cultivation. The
committee started on this exploration on the 10th of November, 1845. Count Haraszthy's mare
and a week's provisions, a shot-gun, two rifles and a bird-dog constituted the outfit. They took
the pinery road to Seeley's Creek, and camped that night in a pinery shanty. In the morning,
the Count took the halter off the mare and told her to go home to her colt, and, taking one
day's provisions, the explorers started for the primeval forests. The next day, Wood shot a deer,
but ilid not get it, and a partridge, which the Count bagged, had to suffice for dinner, supper
and breakfast, for six stalwart men. Another day was passed with nothing but water to drink,
and the next breakfast and dinner, also, were a blank. It was proposed to shoot the dog that
night for supper, but Capt. Moore's trusty rifle brought down a fine yearling buck, and the fast
was soon terminated.
The committee crossed over the head-waters of Honey Creek, passed on to Bear Creek,
thence down Narrows Creek to the Baraboo River, and thence to Baraboo. They eubsequently
reported to a mass meeting that the interior of the county was not only fit for cultivation, but
would make a fine agricultural district.
In the winter of 1X45-41), the Legislature was petitioned to re-establish the seat of justice
by a vote of the people. The petition was granted, and on the 7th day of April, 1846, an elec-
tion was held, resulting in the removal of the county seat to Baraboo. The county board
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 351
appointed twelve Commissioners to designate the point for county-seat purposes. They made an
arrangement with the school district for the southeast quarter of Section 35, which quarter the
school district had previously claimed. On the day of the Government land sale, which
occurred soon afterward, Prescott Brigham, then a County Commissioner, purchased the said
quarter-section in his own name, and with his own money, there being no funds in the county
treasury, and subsequently deeded it to the county. The County Commissioners platted it into
a village, and called it Adams, in consideration of Mr. Brigham's high regard for the renowned
Massachusetts family of that name. The survey was made by Charles 0. Baxter, and the rec-
ord of it bears date of April, 1847. The name was changed to Baraboo in 1852. The block
upon which the old Western Hotel was afterward built was purchased by Sumner & Maxwell
before a public sale of lots was held. Harvey Canfield and C. C. Remington were appointed
Commissioner and Clerk, respectively, to conduct the sale of lots, and about $4,000 was realized
therefrom. With this money a wooden court house and jail were subsequently put up on the
north side of Fourth street, facing the public square. The courthouse was two stories high,
and was completed in April, 1848, by Col. Edward Sumner, the contractor. The jail, it is said,
resembled a huge dry-goods box, and was surrounded by a high wooden fence. Abe Wood was
among the early inhabitants of this "jail." He had been incarcerated for attempting to shoot
Henry A. Chapman, and, soon after being locked up, raised a portion of the loose floor and dug
his way out.
But Baraboo did not long enjoy her county seat laurels in peace and quiet. About 1850,
Reedsburg became an aspirant for county seat honors. The contest waxed warm for some time,
and finally reached a climax in the spring of 1851, when the citizens of the "burg" took the
position that no rafts or logs should pass over their dam en route for Baraboo. The services of a
United States Deputy Marshal were called into requisition by the Baraboo people, and the Reeds-
burg dam was partially cut away. This event has since been referred to as the "Reedsburg
war."
In 1852, the leading residents of Reedsburg petitioned the Legislature to have a nine-mile
strip stricken from the southern portion of Juneau County and attached to the northern part of
Sauk County. The petition was granted, and the strip added in accordance with the prayer of
the petitioners. This brought Reedsburg nearer the geographical center of the county. In 1853,
through the efforts of Charles Armstrong, member of the Legislature, the strip was set back.
But Reedsburg was not yet prepared to relinquish its claim, and, in 1855, they again came
before the Legislature with a petition, praying that the county seat question be submitted to a
vote of the people. The petition was granted, and in April, at the spring election, the question
being submitted, Baraboo came off victorious.
The necessity for a new and better court house becoming apparent, the County Board at
once took steps toward building. Sixty of the prominent citizens of Baraboo came forward
with a $3,000 subscription to defray a portion of the expenses. In the fall of 1855, a contract
was let to P. A. Bassett for the erection of a two-story brick building, 40x60 feet, in the center
of the public square. The structure completed, was formally accepted by the board on the 1st
of January, 1857.
On the night of the 4th of July, 1857, the old court house (then the property of Peter Van
Wendall) was destroyed by fire. A local writer thus sums up the history of this ancient land-
mark.
" The remorseless fire on the night'of the 4th inst., destroyed the last vestige of this vener-
able edifice. As we stood and saw the fire-fiend wrapping it in his lurid glare, and as one by
one the old timbers dropped to ashes beneath his fiery embrace, we could not help letting our
thoughts wander back to the past, when the old court house was the pride of our village, the
best building in all Sauk County. Erected in 1847, when Baraboo was scarcely a hamlet, and
this county numbered its inhabitants by scores instead of by thousands, its construction was a
work of no small magnitude. When completed, no wonder that the pioneers, long used to the
hut and wigwam, should gaze upon it with honest pride. A year or two after the building
352 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
was put up, we well remember how a new acquaintance volunteered to show us the sights, and
took us the first thing to see the new court house, then the ' elephant ' of the place. The
second story was not only the court-room, but the schoolroom, the church, the lecture-room,
and, in fact, the only place for the accommodation of public assemblages. At last the wants of
the people, growing with the increased population, demanded a new court house, and ere a larger
and more showy building could be completed, the old court house was left deserted, for a time,
when its upper story was let for a printing office to D. K. Noyes, then the proprietor of the
Republic. At last, neglected by man and abused by the elements, it was not fit for a printing
office, even, and the Republic changed its quarters. After that it stood empty and forlorn until
about two years ago, when it was bought by P. Van Wendall, and moved a short distance to the
east, when a new front was built for it ; and, being otherwise- rejuvenated, it presented an
entirely different appearance. It was then turned into a saloon, and no doubt felt the degrada-
tion deeply. But it was not long to endure this humiliation. The fire came, and as the flames
seethed, hissed and roared in, around and about it, it was cleansed of all impurities, and its
ashes sank to earth as pure as nature herself."
In 1857, a hexagonal stone jail was built near the corner of Second and Broadway, over-
looking the river and the picturesque hills and vales beyond. Col. Sumner was the contractor.
In 1864, an addition, or rather a new wooden jail, was built in the rear of the stone structure,
which had come to be considered unsafe. The construction of this latter building was super-
intended by Jonas Tower, of Ironton fame.
In 1867, the interior of the new court house was remodeled. New floors were laid, parti-
tions altered, two fire-proof vaults put in to accommodate the records of the County Court and
Register of Deeds, and a Sheriff's office added.
When the question of a permanent location for the county seat was finally settled, and
Reedsburg ceased to be an aspirant, the citizens of Baraboo turned their attention toward the
improvement of the public square. A large number of the principal kinds of shade and orna-
mental trees were planted throughout the park. Many of them have grown to be full size, and
now spread their cool branches above the heads of a new generation.
RAILROADS.
About 1850, leading citizens of Sauk County obtained a charter for a railroad through the
Baraboo Valley. The corporate title was the Fort AVinnebago, Baraboo Valley & St. Paul Rail-
way Company. At that time, A. Hyatt Smith, Robert J. Walker and others were engaged in
building (chiefly on paper) a line of road from Chicago to Janesville, and from there, it was
understood, the main line was to pass through Madison and the Baraboo Valley to St. Paul,
while a branch was to lead via Fond du Lac to the Lake Superior region. Messrs. Smith &
Walker had organized a company for this purpose, under the statutes of Illinois and Wisconsin,
known as the Rock River Valley Union Railroad Company, and later as the Chicago, St. Paul
& Fond du Lac Company. They had a charter from Janesville to Madison, and had laid con-
siderable track between Chicago and Janesville. The scheme had every element of apparent suc-
cess in its composition, and the citizens of Sauk County, fearing the road from Madison to St.
Paul might be located at a point too far south to be of any benefit to them, procured the charter
referred to, and subsequently obtained amendments to it securing the right of way from Madison
to Baraboo, and thence northwestward to La Crosse or any other point on the Mississippi River.
They stood ready to deliver this charter to Messrs. Smith & Walker, and also to furnish finan-
cial aid, just so soon as those gentlemen manifested their ability to put the road through.
In 1852, a bill was introduced in Congress granting to the Chicago, St. Paul k Fond du
Lac people the alternate sections of land for six miles on either side of the proposed routes to aid
in the construction of the roads. A clause in this bill provided that, in case the lands which would
so fall to the company had been settled by private entry, an equivalent should be given them from
the then unoccupied lands in other parts of the State. The bill passed to a third reading, and
was defeated by one vote, when its friends were confident of its success. Opposition to it came
HISTORY OK SAUK COUNTY. 353
chiefly from Milwaukee, from parties then engaged in directing the affairs of the La Crosse &
Milwaukee road, now the La Crosse Division of the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul. They
fought it vigorously from the very beginning, but, having twice met with defeat (in the first and
second readings), had withdrawn from the contest, and openly conceded its ultimate success. The
friends, as well as the enemies, of the grant, were very numerous. The "third house " was com-
posed almost entirely of Wisconsin men. Smith & Walker had opened regular headquarters, and
it is said the former expended §80,000 in the one article of wine during the two winters that the
contest lasted. P. A. Bassett and Col. James Maxwell, of Baraboo, went to Washington at dif-
ferent times in the interest of the grant, Mr. Bassett being present when the final vote was taken.
The defeat of the grant bill, of course, left the managers of the Chicago, St. Paul & Fond du Lac
Company without prospective resources, and they were compelled to let the project rest.
In the winter of 1856-57, negotiations were opened with the Chicago & Northwestern
Railroad Company, of which William B. Ogden was then President. P. A. Bassett, of Bar-
aboo, having been delegated by the citizens to consult with Mr. Ogden, proposed to him that if
the company would take the matter in hand and build a road through the valley, Sauk County
would give in bonds and securities the sum of $450,000, and that the city of Madison would
increase the amount to $600,000. Mr. Ogden promised that the route should be surveyed the
following spring and work commenced as soon thereafter as possible. The crash of 1857
ruined the company's calculations in this regard and postponed further consideration of the sub-
ject.
A corporation known as the Milwaukee & Western Railroad Company also enjoyed
the favorable consideration of the people of Sauk County at an early day ; but before any
action was taken by the company toward locating a line, the corporate name was changed
to the Milwaukee, Waterto^n & Baraboo Valley. Judge S. L. Rose, of Beaver Dam, becom-
ing President of this company, secured an amendment to the charter, and called it the Mil-
waukee, Watertown, Beaver Dam & Baraboo Valley Railroad Company. The sum of $100,-
000 was named as the amount Sauk County would be required to raise to aid in its construc-
tion, and Judge Rose made a tour through the Baraboo Valley for the purpose of soliciting
subscriptions. Special elections were held in some of the towns through which the proposed
line was to have passed, and money voted to aid in its construction. The town of Merrimack
pledged itself to raise $50,000 should the line cross the river at that point before the bonds
were issued. Other towns along the contemplated route held out similar inducements. The
company was thus thrown upon its own resources to commence the work, and for the want of
means the project was abandoned.
It remained, however, for that great railway genius, Byron Kilbourn, to successfully enlist
the support of the citizens of Sauk County in favor of a railway scheme calculated to make the
"poor rich and the rich richer." The agents of Mr. Kilboum's enterprise invaded the county
from the direction of Milwaukee and induced numerous farmers to give their notes, secured by
mortgages upon their property, for the stock of the then comparatively unknown La Crosse k
Milwaukee Railroad. In many parts of the county they found but little difficulty in securing
customers for their paper. The advantages of a road running in front of every stockholder's
door were pictured in attractive colors and eloquently dwelt upon. Then there was something
irresistibly enticing in the prospect of forthcoming dividends upon the stock, which would
surely enhance its value 100 per cent by the time the road should have been completed.
Meetings were held at all the principal points in Sauk County, at which enthusiastic speeches
were made in favor of subscribing to the stock of the road. Mr. Kilbourn was present in
person at many of these gatherings, and frequently harangued the assemblage. An old
settler of Baraboo remembers hearing him, on one occasion, state that the road would in all
probability pass through Baraboo ; at any rate, " Baraboo stood as good a chance as any other
point in the county." That same evening a meeting was in progress at Newport, at which the
speakers assured the citizens of that pretentious place that the road would certainly cross the
river there. These promises, though glaringly inconsistent, served the desired purpose to keep
354 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
up the excitement, and farm mortgages continued to be given with the utmost confidence in the
declarations of the railroad men ; in fact the granting of mortgages became a mania which
lasted so long as there were unencumbered farms and confiding farmers in the county. It is a
remarkable fact that farms with mortgages upon them were considered worth more than those
that were unmortgaged, so earnest were the people in the belief that the stock of the La Crosse
& Milwaukee Railroad Company would appreciate in value and pay handsome dividends to the
holders of it. Not to be the possessor of shares of this company was for a time considered a
social disqualification, and, it is said, not a few neighborly feuds occurred between holders and
non-holders on account of a manifest feeling of superiority on the part of the former over the latter.
But there finally came a revelation which, at this late date, seems almost cruel to refer to.
The first intimation the people had of the " true inwardness " of the scheme was contained in
the announcement that the company had decided not to cross the Wisconsin River at Newport ;
neither would the line pass through the Baraboo Valley. On the contrary, the managers had
concluded not to penetrate any part of Sauk County with their road. Still the holders of stock
remained hopeful. Passing over the question of anticipated dividends, the stock, they thought,
would certainly be redeemed at par, and in this way they would escape loss. Then came the in-
telligence that the road had passed to other hands, and that the individuals composing the original
company, were no longer responsible to the mortgagors for the redemption of the stock they held.
Following close upon this astonishing information, came still more tangible evidence of duplicity,
in the form of interest-bills upon the bonds of the defunct company. It had been stipulated be-
tween the farmers and the railroad men that the interest upon the bonds should be paid by the lat-
ter, but now that the company had ceased to exist in name, the bondholders naturally pounced
upon the grantors of the mortgages for interest satisfactions. Recourse has since been had to
the courts, decisions being rendered in favor of the bondholders.
In the meantime the road was rapidly approaching the Wisconsin River from the east.
Apparently nothing definite had been determined upon as to the point of crossing, and the cit-
izens of the village of Newport, though sadly disheartened over the prospect before them, resolved
to press their claims to the last. The village had been built up principally upon the verbal
promises of the officers of the La Cross & Milwaukee Company that the road should cross the
Wisconsin River at that point, and in anticipation thereof, lots rose to a very high price. Soon
afterward, however, the company purchased land a mile and a half up the river, and procured a
new location for the crossing. Many of the Newport citizens were stockholders in the road,
Imt had no power to remedy the great wrong inflicted upon them. Finding themselves unable
to obtain redress, they next endeavored to secure a depot on the line of the road opposite their
place. In December, 1858, the company's Board of Directors granted a memorial, signed by
the most prominent business men of Newport, Baraboo, Reedsburg, Delton, and the surround-
ing country, to allow Newport to erect a depot, on the east side of the river, at her own expense,
and have the trains stop there. The prayer of the petitioners was granted, and forthwith was
heard in the then almost deserted village, the busy sound of ax, saw and hammer, and within
ten weeks one of the handsomest depots on the line of the road stood erect and ready for use.
On the '25th of February, 1859, a grand festival was held to celebrate the event, and the next
day the first passenger train stopped there. And Newport was " resurrected." Some of the
toasts on that festive occasion were very appropriate. For instance: "The Resurrection — New-
port on theright, Kilbourn City on the left." " The citizens of Newport and vicinity — may they
never be obliged to go to Kilbourn City to get on a train." And this one, aimed at the heads of
the railroad managers : "The La C. & M. R. R., from Lone Rock to the head of the Dells —
" A serpent once roamed in a garden, 'tis said,
With deception and lies as bis theme;
And engulfed in corruption our primitive head.
ISy his false and fraudulent schemes.
" So his offspring can now, in all they may do,
lie known by the manner they travel —
The serpentine course this railroad pursues,
Will their origin fully unravel."
HISTOKY OF SAUK COUNTY.' 355
But the confiding people of Newport were not permitted long to enjoy the privileges and
benefits accruing to an ordinary way station. Mr. Kilbourn soon pushed his road up the east
side of the river to the present site of the city which bears his name. A crossing was there
effected, and, with characteristic energy, Mr. Kilbourn completed his road to the Mississippi
River, about one mile of the line passing through Sauk County.
The feeling against the company was very intense, not only in this county, but in other parts
of the State where the people had been hoodwinked. In order to quiet the deceived mortgagors,
the La Crosse & Milwaukee Company finally signed over to them their State land-grant. Sales
of this grant have since been made, and the proceeds distributed pro rata among the mort-
gagors. About 20 per cent has so far been realized upon the original amounts invested.
The facts concerning subsequent movements to obtain a road through the Baraboo Valley
are very meager, though the citizens did not pause in their efforts to secure this long-desired out-
let. In the fall of 1862, the Chicago & North- Western Railroad Company made a preliminary
examination of a route from Madison to La Crosse, and, in March following. Vice President
Perry H. Smith, of Chicago, wrote to Gen. Starks, of Sauk County : " The route is an exceed-
ingly feasible one, though some portions of it will be quite expensive. Our Board of Directors
have determined to extend their line to the river, although, with the uncertainties of the times,
I can make no positive promises of an immediate commencement of the work."
At a meeting of citizens held July 23, 1863, the Baraboo Valley Railroad Association was
organized with P. A. Bassett as President, and correspondence was at once entered into with
various railroad companies, setting forth the advantages of the route and the extent to which the
people of the county would lend financial aid. In September following, the Chicago <& North-
Western Company made a survey from Madison to La Crosse, through the Baraboo Valley, Col.
Van Meenan, the surveyor, reporting favorably upon the route. Here the subject appears to have
been temporarily dropped.
The next railroad movement was made in January, 1865, when Gen. Starks introduced a
bill into the Legislature to incorporate the Portage City & Baraboo Valley Railroad. The
measure passed, and under this charter meetings were held in Baraboo and Greenfield, the latter
town pledging $15,000 in aid of the road. In Baraboo, a resolution was adopted pledging $100.-
000. In June of that year, Gen. Starks, R. H. Strong and A. A. Avery had a conference with
the Directors of the Chicago. Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad Company, and a re-organization of
the Baraboo & Portage City Company was effected. In September, a route was surveyed by
Chief Engineer Sill to Pine Island, above Portage. It was the original purpose of the company
to continue the survey to Baraboo through the Lower Narrows, but the changing interests of " Mit-
chell's road " put a check upon further progress in this direction.
On the 11th of October, 1865, a meeting of the Directors of the " Madison, Lodi & Bara-
boo Valley Railroad Company " was held at Madison, Baraboo being represented by Messrs.
Starks, Thomas, Sumner and others. The company thus named was formally organized on the
6th of .March following, 500 shares of the stock being taken, and $5 per share paid in. Noth-
ing tangible grew out of this movement, and it was not until 1869 that the people of Sauk
County, heartily disgusted with the coquettish managers of the great lines from whom they had
cause to expect something, resolved to go into the railroad business themselves. In October of
that year, Col. S. V. R. Ableraan expressed the popular sentiment in a communication signed
'' Locomotive," published in the local papers. The article, the caption of which was " Shoulders
to the Wheel," argued the ability of the citizens to construct a line of road through the valley,
and thus place themselves in a position to dictate terms to either of the companies operating in
this State who desired to make connection with them. This opening gun, as it were, was fol-
lowed by a broadside from the pen of J. C. Lusk, in which was expressed the intense feeling
stirred by Col. Ableman's eloquent appeal. The first meeting was held on the 19th of Novem-
ber, 1869, and was attended by delegates from far and near. An executive committee was
appointed, headed by Col. Ableman, and it was resolved to apply for a charter. An instrument,
covering the ground, was accordingly drawn up and passed by the next Legislature. A
356 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
permanent organization was effected July 1, 1870 (the Baraboo Air Line Railroad Company) by
the election of the following officers: President. T. Thomas; Vice President, J. Mackey; Sec-
retary. T. D. Lang ; Treasurer, R. M. Strong ; Directors, S. V. R. Ableman, J. F. Smith,
Moses Young. S. P. Barney and Jonas Narracong. At this meeting, 500 shares of the stock
were taken, $5 on each share being paid in. In the meantime, propositions had been received
from various railroad officials, which gave great strength to the undertaking and encouraged the
managers to use every energy they possessed in the interest of the project. About this time, a
public statement was made by Messrs. Tracy and Dunlap, of the Chicago & North-Western, that
that company proposed to undertake the construction of a line through the Baraboo Valley.
Holding the charter for a route through the "lake gap," it was evident the Air-Line people
occupied a strong position. The Michigan Central road, through James F. Joy and George E.
Easterly, also made a proposition to build the road, but the North- Western managers seem to
have held out the best inducements, and arrangements were finally made with them. On the
12th and 13th of July, the Directors of the Air-Line road had a conference with the Directors of
the Chicago & North-Western, at which a basis of agreement was accepted by both parties and
reduced to writing. Under this agreement, a re-organization of the Air-Line directory was
effected, five of its members retiring and being succeeded by George L. Dunlap, James H.
Howe, Henry H. Porter and John B. Turner, of the North-Western Company, James L. Hill
being jointly chosen on behalf of both companies.
The history of the enterprise from that time to the present is unattended by events of a
nature demanding exhaustive consideration in these pages. It is sufficient to say that the basis
of agreement has been strictly adhered to by both parties. Sauk County, so long in a position
to aid in the building of a road through her fertile valleys, came promptly forward with the
amount stipulated in the agreement. Work upon the road was commenced and vigorously
prosecuted to the end. The results have been of a character beneficial to both the people and
the company.
The road was completed to Baraboo on Friday, September 8, 1871, and on Tuesday, the
12th, a grand celebration took place, such a one as was never before held in these classic pre-
cincts. There were music, speaking, cannon-firing and great rejoicing generally. It is
estimated that 10,000 people were present. One of the remarkable features of the occasion was
the great arch erected over the track. On either side of the track a circle of hop-poles had been
formed. Through the spaces between the poles, hop-vines were wreathed until the poles were
entirely clad with green. On the top of the columns rested a broad arch, surmounted by a
large keystone, upon which were piled immense golden pumpkins, strings of red-cheeked apples,
sheaves of wheat and stalks of corn. In the center stood a flag-staff, from which floated a ban-
ner.
The iron-horse reached Reedsburg on New Year's Day (1871-72), but, on account of the
unfavorable season for outdoor celebrations, the observance of the event was postponed.
The material interests of the county have undergone a greater degree of development in the
past nine years than during the entire period of its history preceding the advent of the railroad ;
and the permanent location at Baraboo of the company's roundhouse, workshops and business
headquarters for the Madison Division, contributes almost immeasurably to the importance of
the road to every part of the county.
Passing through the southwestern portion of the county, with stations at Spring Green and
Lone Rock (the latter just over the line in Richland County), the Prairie du Chien Division of
the Chicago, Milwaukee .V St. Paul road furnishes a convenient and valuable outlet for the
people of that section. Chiefly in consequence of the advantages thus afforded, Spring Green
has grown to occupy the third position in the list of prosperous villages in Sauk County.
The total amount of farm mortgages given in Sauk County to different railroad companies
was $120,100, as follows: La Crosse k Milwaukee, $87,200; Watertown & Madison, $4,020 ;
Madison, Fond du Lac & Michigan, $27,300 ; Milwaukee, Watertown & Baraboo Valley, $600;
Milwaukee & Horicon, $1,000.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 357
AGRICULTURAL INDUSTRIES, SOIL, ETC.
Sauk County presents productive features of remarkable diversity. Almost every known
kind or quality of soil is found within its borders. There are large areas of prairie, which, it
seems, were especially adapted by nature to the raising of corn ; hills dimpled with small valleys
and surmounted by table-lands, where the best winter wheat in the State is grown, and marshes
calculated for meadows, both wild and tame.
Beginning in the northwest portion of the county, in the town of Woodland, we find, in the
valleys, a soil of rich loam, and on the ridges the quality of clay in which winter wheat thrives
and yields abundantly. This town, however, is more particularly noted for its timber ; in fact,
is the great lumbering region whence, in early days, came all the rafts of pine logs that
were gathered and floated down the Baraboo into the Wisconsin, and thence to the Mississippi.
It was here also that the Wonewoc Wagon Company got their timber until that institution
closed down
Passing west into the town of Lavalle, we find the diversity of soil and the variety of pro-
ductions more marked, though the features west and south of the river are very similar to those
described in Woodland. East of the river, the soil is sandy. Wheat and corn are raised in this
region in about equal proportions. Dairying is the principal industry in the southern part of
the town.
The town of Winfield is very bluffy, and the soil sandy, though a few of the best farms in
the county are situated in this town.
In Dellona, the characteristics are very much the same as in Winfield. The town is largely
devoted to corn.
The town of Delton may be fitly described as poor and sandy north of the two southern tiers
of sections. The extreme southern tier comprises the best soil in the town, though there is a
strip of very productive land along the Wisconsin River. Webster's Prairie is particularly noted
for its sand and unproductiveness. Corn is the principal product in the town.
In the town of Fairfield, the cultivated portions are devoted chiefly to corn. The best
lands are in the north part of the town. An extensive marsh, covering some seven or eight sec-
tions, exists in the southeast portion.
The south half of Greenfield is very broken and sterile, though there are occasional valleys
of fair soil. The north half consists of good prairie soil. A large part of the famous Baraboo
Valley is in this town. Corn, wheat and oats are grown here quite extensively. Dairying is
one of the substantial interests of the town.
Turning westward, we pass into the town of Baraboo, and find two distinct soils, with
the river as the dividing line. North of the stream are the "oak openings " and sand; south
of it, the clay and maple groves, where winter wheat of the very best quality is raised, samples
of it having taken the first premium at a recent State fair. Here, also, are many sugar orchards,
while north of the river not a maple is to be seen, except those transplanted there. The north-
west portion of the town is largely devoted to corn.
In the town of Excelsior, the best lands lie between Baraboo and Ableman, though there
are patches of good land in other parts. Corn predominates.
Within the boundaries of the town of Reedsburg is contained some excellent soil ; especially
is this true of Babb's and Narrows Prairies. The town is especially noted for the great quanti-
ties and superior quality of potatoes raised there and shipped from the railway station. Hop-
raising also forms one of the leading agricultural pursuits.
The north part of Ironton is formed of similar soil to that of the two prairies in the pre-
viously described town. The southern portion of the town is broken and hard to cultivate. Corn
and wheat are raised in about equal proportions, while stock-raising and dairying receive con-
siderable attention. This town is noted for its iron mines, from which it derives its name.
The town of Washington is or was before advancing civilization bore down upon it very
heavily timbered throughout. The soil is very strong, and it has the reputation of being prob-
ably the best winter wheat section in the county.
358 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
The agricultural characteristics of the town of Westfield are not unlike those of the town
of Washington. Winter wheat and hops are the chief productions.
Winter wheat also forms the principal production of the town of Freedom, which is almost
wholly a timber region.
Two-thirds of the town of Sumter is prairie land, which is almost exclusively devoted to
corn. The famous Kirk vineyard is situated in the northeast corner of this town'.
The south and southwest portions of the town of Merrimack are considered the best lands
in its borders. The north and northeast parts are sandy and unproductive. Corn predomi-
nates.
The only town in the county exclusively prairie, and therefore a good corn region, is
Prairie du Sac. In the northern portion of the town the soil is rich and heavy, but it grows
thinner as we pass south, and finally disappears entirely, enormous sand beds taking its place.
The town of Troy is considerably broken, with a large area of sand in the southern por-
tion. There is some excellent land in the Honey Creek Valley. Corn is the leading agricult-
ural feature.
Honey Creek is devoted to wheat, and has some very good land in its borders. Its hills
are well, wooded and valleys fertile.
In the town of Franklin, corn and wheat are raised in about equal proportions. The
southern part of the town is prairie, the north being heavily timbered.
Crossing into the town of Bear Creek, we find ourselves in a region of naked bluffs and
fertile valleys, where the dairying interest takes the lead of all other industries. There are two
cheese factories in this town, and there is probably more of this article manufactured here than
in any other town in the county. Wheat and corn receive considerable attention.
The town of Spring Green, the last in the category, is largely prairie, interspersed with
sand beds. Corn and rye are the principal products.
SAUK COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
The organization of this society took place in 1855. The first meeting of which there is
any record was held on the 22d of February (an historic day) of that year, at Taylor's Hall,
in the village of Baraboo. Due notice of this meeting had been given, and the attendance was
large, considering the very primitive state of agriculture at that date. Alexander Crawford
was called to the chair and James S. Moseley was appointed Secretary. A twelve article
constitution was presented and adopted. The first article declared the objects of the society to
be the "promotion and improvement of the condition of agriculture, horticulture, mechanical,
manufacturing and household arts." The remaining clauses set forth the obligations and duties
devolving upon the officers of the society, and included specified rules for governing the manage-
ment of fairs. Then followed the election of officers for the ensuing year : James M. Clarke
was chosen President; Daniel Pound, Vice President; James S. Moseley, Secretary and R. H.
Davis, Treasurer. An invitation being extended to those present to become members by signing
the constitution and paying into the treasury the sum of $1, the following-named individuals
responded : James M. Clarke, William J. Huntington, R. R. Remington, Benjamin L. Brier,
Isaac W. Mm lev. Charles A. Clarke, B. B. Brier, William Stees, Francis K. Jenkins, John
B. Walbridge, B. F. Mills, Rufus N. Flint, Alexander Crawford, John B. Crawford, S. V. R.
Ableman. Charles II. Williams, Moses M. Chaplin, Ebenezer Martin, Stephen M. Burdick,
Samuel Northrop, Oliver W. Thomas, James S. Moseley, Daniel Pound and John Acker. An
Executive Committee was chosen as follows : Messrs. Morley, Remington, Williams, Jenkins,
Acker and E. 0. Rudd, A. F. Kellogg, Zoeth Eldridge, Henry Ochsner, Alexander Stewart,
William Andrews, E. G. Blakeslee, Albert Kelley, Ransom E. Stone, James K. Thompson
and John Young.
A premium list was arranged, and October 16, 1855, set for the date of the first fair, to be
held in the village of Baraboo ; but unfortunately there is no record of such fair having been
lull. The last meeting of the Executive Committee, prior to the date appointed for holding the
HISTORY OF SAUE COUNTY. 359
fair, took place on the 15th of September. At this meeting, James M. Clarke tendered his
resignation as President of the society, and R. G. Camp was appointed to fill the vacancy.
The next meeting was held on March 15, 1856, when Mr. Camp was elected President; I.
W, Morley, Vice President; R. H. Davis, Treasurer, and M. C. Waite, Secretary. An Execu-
tive Committee was also chosen, composed of one representative from each of the seventeen towns
in the county. Nothing of consequence appears in the proceedings of this meeting in refer-
ence to the fair held the year previous. We are informed, however, that there was a balance
in the treasury of $135, which is conclusive evidence that the first fair of the Sauk County
Agricultural Society was at least a profitable one. At this meeting a premium list for the
next fair, to be held at Baraboo on the 1st and 2d of October, 185G, was presented, aggre-
gating $249.50 in cash. The names of eighty-six members appear on the roll.
In the fall of 1856, there seems to have been a re-organization of the society, as appears
from a minute in the proceedings of a meeting held on the 1st of October, to wit: "On
motion, the funds of the old society were passed over to the present organization." Officers
were elected on the same date as follows : President, R. H. Davis ; Vice President, J. B.
Crawford ; Treasurer, I. W. Morley ; Secretary, E. Martin. Among the seventeen Directors
chosen at this meeting appear many new names, indicating a complete revolution in the manage-
ment.
At the July (1857) meeting of the Executive Board, President Davis presented his resigna-
tion, which was accepted, John W. Powell being appointed to fill the vacancy. The Treas-
urer's report showed $23. '.'7 on hand. On the 19th of September, Mr. Martin resigned the
secretaryship, and was succeeded by William H. Joy. Five days later, the annual meeting for
the election of officers was held, resulting in the choice of John B. Crawford for President, R.
R. Remington for Vice President, John W. Powell for Treasurer, and James M. Clarke for
Secretary. No reference is made, in the proceedings of the meetings held this year, to the
fair of October, 1856.
On the 28th of August, 1858, the Executive Committee met, and adopted the report of
the Committee previously appointed on premium list. Premium money to the amount of $244
was voted to be distributed at the approaching October fair, which, it was subsequently resolved,
should be. held at Reedsburg. October 14, at the close of the fair, the annual election for
officers was held, with the following result: President, J. B. Walbridge ; Vice President, A.
W. Starks ; Treasurer, William H. Thompson ; Secretary, H. H. Peck.
August 12, 1859, the Executive Committee met, and elected A. M. Starks, President, and
A. B. Bradley, Vice President. It was also decided that the next fair and cattle show should
be held at Baraboo, on the 21st and 22d of September. A resolution was passed to the effect
that "a diploma be considered the highest possible testimonial of approbation this society can
bestow." Henry Getchell and R. Jones were appointed a committee " to make inquiries as to
the cost of leasing grounds and erecting suitable buildings for the convenience and accommoda-
tion of the society." The Committee reported in favor of accepting the offer of a site made by
John B. Crawford, with whom they were further instructed to make a written agreement, and also
to mature plans for a building. Mr. Peck resigned the secretaryship. M. C. Waite was
appointed to fill the vacancy, and the board adjourned.
In January, 1860, it was resolved to procure material, and fence the ground leased of Mr.
Crawford. In March, contracts were closed with P. A. Bassett for boards, and with Metcalf &
Paddock for posts, and Messrs. Lee & Lemeroux were employed to build the fence. The fair
this year was held at Baraboo, on the 19th, 20th and 21st of September. The records show
that there were 150 exhibitors and 801 entries. Premiums were awarded to the extent of
$277.50. while the receipts from all sources amounted to $398. At the close of the fair, A.
W. Sturks was elected President: F. K. Jenkins, Vice President ; John B. Crawford, Treasurer,
and M. C. Waite, Secretary. The Board of Directors this year was composed of twenty mem-
bers, and the membership of the society was 140. The financial report showed that there had
3bO HISTORY OF SAUK COUXTY.
been paid $297.23 for work and material on the fence inclosing the grounds, and $548.60 on
the building.
The annual fair for 1861 was held at Baraboo on the 16th, 17th and 18th of September.
There were two diplomas awarded : Mrs. C. A. Hutchins for best lace cape, and Mrs. F. Long-
ley for best sofa pillow. The sum of $142 was disbursed in premiums. The highest premium
($5) was given to F. G. Staley for the best-conducted farm. The business meeting of the
society, held on the second day of the fair, resulted in the election of Harvey Canfield for Presi-
dent, R. R. Remington for Treasurer and H. H. Potter for Secretary. The receipts of this
fair were $253.23.
In January, 1862, Peter Cooper was chosen President of the society in place of H. Can-
Held, deceased. F. G. Staley was elected Vice President to supply the omission made at the
preceding annual election. No record of the fair held this year is to be found.
In 1863, there were 298 entries and $203.40 paid in cash premiums. The receipts
amounted to $285.55, and the total expenditures to $291.79. The old board of officers was
re-elected.
No record exists for 1864. The regular annual meeting of the Executive Committee was
held January 21, 1865, at which Charles H. Williams was chosen President; E. Walbridge, Vice
to hold business meetings in June, but failed on account of a quorum not appearing.
President; R. R. Remington, Treasurer, and J. J. Gattiker, Secretary. Two attempts were made
to hold business meetings in June, but failed on account of a quorum not appearing.
The next record of the society is dated the 18th of February, 1866. At this meeting, it
was decided to hold a fair on the 10th and 11th of October, and $235 were offered in premiums ;
according to the Treasurer's report, however, only $127 was disbursed for this purpose. This
was the most profitable fair held by the society up to that date. The receipts from all sources
amounted to $533.91, while the expenses were but $289.21, leaving a balance of $244.77.
Charles H. Williams was re-elected President and J. J. Gattiker Secretary. H. H. Potter, J.
B. Crawford and F. G. Staley were chosen Vice Presidents, and Henry Cowles Treasurer.
The records for 1867 are somewhat brief. The fair took place in October, but we are left
in the dark as to the financial result. A resolution was passed at the business meeting that
followed, extending thanks to John Y. Smith for an address delivered on the occasion ; also one
to the effect that " in future a diploma be offered in place of any first premiums to those who
shall prefer it to the money." The following officers were chosen : President, II. H. Potter;
Vice Presidents, J. B. Crawford, J. G. Graw and D. D. Lee ; Treasurer, Henry Cowles ;
Secretary, J. J. Gattiker.
On the 18th of September, 1868, in pursuance with a previous call, a meeting of the
Executive Committee was held for the purpose of taking into consideration the advisability of
holding the usual annual fair. A majority of the six gentlemen present favored a proposition
not to hold a fair, and it was so determined, though the reason for this action does not appear.
It certainly could not have been for lack of funds, for the report of the Treasurer showed that
there was $676.10 on hand.
The record of 1869 is also dated the 18th of September, and is very much to the same
effect as the preceding. It reads as follows: "The meeting was called for deciding whether it
would be advisable or not to hold a county fair. There was no quorum present, but those in
attendance were decidedly of the opinion that, under the present circumstances, it would be
best to dispense with the fair. The lease on the Crawford ground had expired, the building
had been taken down, and there was no place to be had except Emery's race grounds, for which
he would charge for two years at the rate of $100 per year. The officers thought it to the
advantage of the society to find a piece of ground which could be bought for a permanent
location."
In May, 1870, it was decided to hold a fair on the 6th and 7th of October, and a list was
made up offering $455 in cash premiums, $84 being for trotting and running. Four hundred
articles were entered for exhibition, upon which there was paid $304. Forty acres of land
^^y.
B A R A B O 0
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNT V. 363
were purchased this year from Adam Nixon for $1,5-10, twenty acres of it being sold after-
ward for §600. At the close of the fair the society found itself in debt .$779.59. Officers were
chosen as follows: President, H. H. Potter; Vice Presidents, J. M. True, J. G. Grow and I.
W. Morley ; Treasurer, Henry Cowles ; Secretary, J. J. Gattiker.
The fair of 1871 was held in the society's new building on the 20th, 21st and 23d of Sep-
tember. There were ninety exhibitors and 326 entries in the different departments. The old
board of officers was chosen, with the exception of I. W. Morley, who was succeeded as one of
the Vice Presidents by John B. Crawford. Owing to the heavy expense attending the construc-
tion of a new building, the financial condition of the society this year was not favorable, though
the prospects were bright. The receipts from all sources were $1,070.70, but the expenses were
sufficiently large to make the indebtedness $1,155.
The result of the fair of 1872 composes no part of the very brief record of that year. A
meeting was held on the 23d of March, at which it was decided to hold the fair on the 17th wnd
18th of September. A very extensive premium list was adopted, amounting to $749.50. There
is no record of the officers elected this year; and, for the following year (1873), while we have a
list of the officers, there is no record of the fair. The officers for the latter year were : President.
H. H. Potter ; Vice Presidents, James Morey, H. Ochsner. John Dennett, P. J. Parshall, I.
W. Morley, J. W. Wood; Secretary, John M. True; Treasurer, T. T. English.
In 1874, the officers were: President, H. H. Potter; Vice Presidents, J. B. Crawford, D.
E. Welch, W. C. Cady, P. J. Parshall, A. Hoage, W. Thiele, J. B. Clark, B. U. Strong, N. H.
Briggs, G. I. Bancroft, T. Gillespie, T. J. Morgans, E. Kimball, H. Ochsner, William Dennett,
Isaac Gibbs, John Young and A. Cottington ; Treasurer, T. T. English ; Secretary, John M.
True.
In 1875, John True was chosen President ; a Vice President was chosen from each town ;
Henry Cowles was Treasurer, and Philip Cheek, Jr., Secretary.
In 1876, H. H. Potter was elected President, H. Cowles Treasurer, and John M. True Sec-
retary. The receipts this year were $1,032.08, the fair being held on the 19th, 20th and 21st
of September.
Charles H. Williams was chosen President in 1877, J. M. Highland, Treasurer, and G. A.
Pabodie, Secretary. The fair was held on the 26th, 27th and 28th of September. Receipts,
$790.25.
In 1878, John M. True was President, John M. Highland, Treasurer, and George A.
Pabodie, Secretary. The Vice President representation by towns was changed this year, two
Vice Presidents being chosen — J. W. Wood and H. B. Knapp. The officers for 1879 were the
same, with the exception of O. H. Cook being chosen as Vice President in place of J. W.
Wood.
The present officers are John M. True, President ; O. H. Cook and J. W. Wood, Vice
Presidents ; J. B. Duncan, Treasurer ; F. N. Peck, Secretary. The receipts of the last exhi-
bition were $536.84.
For the past six or seven years, the winter meetings of this society have been full of interest.
The attendance is very large from all parts' of the county, while not a few practical men from
other parts of the State take interest enough in them to be present. The meetings are chiefly
devoted to the reading of papers on various topics pertaining to agriculture, horticulture, etc*.
and the discussion of those papers.
BLOOD CATTLE.
The rearing of blood cattle has become one of the leading industries among Sauk County
farmers, whose tastes have a tendency in that direction, and this feature of the farmyard, to all
appearances, results in financial returns quite as satisfactory as many of the leading branches of
agriculture. The ample area of lands in the county which produce sweet and nutritious grasses
also makes the dairying interest a profitable one, and dairymen have not been slow in seeing the
364 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
necessity for improving the breed of their milch cows. Hence the demand for short-horns, Jer-
seys, Ayrshires, etc., and the consequent new departure of a few farmers who have turned their
attention entirely to rearing them. Probably the first to take the lead in this industry in Sauk
County was C. H. Williams, whose farm, near the village of Baraboo, is well adapted to stock-
raising. He brought the first short-horns into the county about twenty-seven years ago. and
has now something like thirty head. The Major is the most extensive breeder of fine cattle in the
county. R. A. Morley and John M. True come next in point of numbers, though there are
others, among whom may be mentioned W. T. Kelsey, of Prairie du Sac, G. W. and A. S.
Waterbury, R. E. Stone and James Grisim, who have probably been longer in the business. Of
Ayrshires. Mrs. C. C. Remington has eight or ten head, while A. G. Tuttle is the owner of half
a dozen fine Jerseys.
STOCK BREEDERS' ASSOCIATION.
* On the 13th of June, 1874, Charles H. Williams, H. H. Potter, John M. True, John B.
Crawford, R. J. Wood, J. W. Wood, J. H. Vrooman, William Fessler, Melatiah Willis. P. W.
Carpenter, H. J. Farnum, Charles Teel, G. C. Astle, A. J. Sears, R. Johnson, Charles Payne,
S. McGilvra, S. W. Emery, Ryland Stone, R. E. Stone, J. R. Hall, N. W. Morley, James
Hill, William Christie, H. H. Howlett, R. A. Morley, Levi Cahoon, Amos Johnson and 0. H.
Cook, met in the Court House, Baraboo, and organized " The Stock Breeders' Association of
Sauk County," a joint-stock company with a capital stock of $4,200, having for its purpose
" the procuring and keeping of imported and thoroughbred horses and mares for breeding pur-
poses."
On the 10th of February, 1875, II. H. Potter, M. Willis, Amos Johnson, John B. Craw-
ford and Charles Teel were chosen Directors of the Association, and on the 13th of the same
month, H. H. Potter was elected President, J. B. Wood, Treasurer, and John M. True, Secretary.
The officers for 1876 were H. H. Potter, President; J. J. Gattiker, Treasurer, and John
M. True, Secretary. Directors — Ross Johnson, H. J. Farnum, A. Johnson, H. H. Potter and
J. B. Crawford.
The Directors for 1877 consisted of R. Johnson, P. W. Carpenter, H. H. Potter, Robert
Wood and Amos Johnson. The others officers were the same as in 1876.
On the 12th of January, 1878, R. H. Strong was chosen President, E. Walbridge. Treas-
urer, and J. M. True, Secretary. Directors, P. W. Carpenter, R. Johnson, R. H. Strong. F.
Baringer and 0. H. Cook.
In 1879, R. J. Wood was made President, Messrs. Walbridge and True being re-elected
Treasurer and Secretary, respectively. Messrs. Johnson and Strong were succeeded in the
directory by H. J. Farnum and R. J. Wood.
The present officers are : President, John B. Crawford ; Treasurer, E. Walbridge : Secre-
tary, John M. True. Directors, George C. Astle, R. Johnson, J. B. Crawford, O. H. Cook
and Fred Baringer.
DAIRYING.
Sauk County has become somewhat distinguished for her dairy products, one of her citizens
having secured the highest prize awarded at the National Dairymen's Fair held in New York
in 1S79. The principal dairymen in the county are A. & D. Beckwith and Aaron Southard, of
the town of Bear Creek, who manufacture cheese on quite an extensive scale. J. A. Morley
and Archibald Barker, of the town of Baraboo, are the next most extensive dairymen, butter
bein^ their chief prodnct ; John Tordoff, Lavalle, cheese; Amos Johnson, 0. K. Cook, H.
Bradbury and John Monroe, Greenfield, butter and cheese; Peter S. Young and Henry Hills,
Sumter, cheese. In 1879, J. A. Morley prepared an exhibit of butter and sent it to the
National Dairymen's Fair, where it took the first premium ($50) in the Wisconsin Class. This
entitled it to compete for the sweepstakes, for which no butter could be entered that was not the
best of some State class. The sweepstakes prize ($100) it also took, it being pronounced the
HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY.
3(55
best butter in the Fair. Then, again, it took the conditional prize of $100 offered by the
Higgins Salt Company, which that company agreed to pay to the winner of the sweepstakes,
should it happen that the winning butter was salted with the Higgins salt, as was the case with
the Morley butter.
STATISTICAL.
The following tabulated statement of the agricultural productions in Sauk County for 1878 is
taken from the records of the County Board, and will furnish a fair idea of the productive
wealth of the county :
NUMBER OF BUSHELS.
\l UBEB OF POl NDS
TOWNS
5
1 5 1
j, |
l !
i I
:-
5
i=
i
1 1
!
[8S66 1 1835 :i'll
2015 ■••-■ -•■■'••
15
50 4
u.>
1890 S1915
6000
201
■JiiC.
1 ■■' .
■1 1
-3U
Jl'i
164
i
12
15
'il
.11 192
■.:
L65
32
im.-in
4
7-
93
ii1
20
1-7
51
.,;
14 i - '. |, •■ '
11
'■!!■'.
ij..
.,'.,'■
18545
4-JiiU
: ■
81
1426 061 5191 130
102 24' .
'.'.-.17 :.;<x<4>
20
313
21 6
2914 588
1 .1'. 18837
2JUK4 .".M1S92
2,111
109161772859,731528
30005 75883 12S508 18375 1'
102
73557
961
h,j:ii:i
In 1879, there were grown in the county the following acres of crops: Wheat, 38,230;
corn, 29,0231 : oats, 24,518; barley, l,553| : rye, 1,738| : potatoes, 2,766f; root crops, li!><A ;
cranberries, 5; orchard, 1,653 (witli 47,030 bearing trees); hops, "JIT] ; tobacco, |; grasses,
25,452| ; there were 9,952 milch cows, valued at $135,310.
Here is an item, supplied by the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors in 1868, which will
grow valuable as it grows older: Number of acres of improved land in the county, 85,000;
average price per acre. $15; acres of unimproved land, 447,000 ; price per acre, $4; post
offices in comity, _<» : schoolhouses, L57 ; church buildings, 2.') ; Souring-mills, 12, with 35
runs of stone ; saw-mills. 21, with '■]■'> sets of saws: woolen-factories, 2; foundries and machine
shops, 4; smelting furnaces. 1 : other manufacturing establishments, 24. Population of county
(estimated), 25,000. Population of villages (estimated): Baraboo, 3,000 ; Reedsburg, 1,500;
Sauk City, 1,600; Delton, 500 ; [ronton. 100; La Valle, 100 ; Lyons, 200 ; Manchester, 50 ;
Merrimack, 100; Spring Green, 600 ; Prairie du Sac, 800 ; Loganville, 500.
HOPS, AND Till: PANIC OF 1868.
Sauk is the banner hop-raising county of Wisconsin, and. in fact, of the Northwest. Har-
vey Canfield, Benjamin Colon and Mr. Cottington arc believed to have been the pioneers in
the business in the county. Producers then thought themselves fortunate if they obtained 7
cents per pound for their crop, after hauling it to Beaver Dam, which, in early times, was the
nearest market. About L863, owing to an increased demand for hops, the price advanced to
such an unusual figure that farmers everywhere were induced to devote a portion of their lands
to the cultivation of the article. For the next four years, notwithstanding the increased acreage
360 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
and supply, there was no falling-off in prices; on the contrary, hops advanced steadily, and in
1865, i-eached the extraordinary figures of 50, 55 and even 60 cents per pound, with fair pros-
pects of going still higher. By this time, the cultivation of other farm products was almost
entirely abandoned. Preparations had been made throughout the county to plant almost every
available acre of tillable land into hops. Producers purchased from outside sources the necessary
small grains required for feed and flour, and turned their undivided attention to hop-raising.
The excitement ran high. Speculators, with pocketfuls of money, were plenty, and anxious to
buy. Hundreds of farmers, with but very few acres of land, who had hitherto been considered
poor, and in fact were poor, suddenly became reputably rich. A man needed no higher indorse-
ment than to have it said of him, " He has a hop-yard." His credit was good at any of the
mercantile establishments in the villages where he did his trading. " I'll pay when I sell my
hops," was a sufficient guaranty for almost unlimited credit. It was a day of liberal dealings,
not of sharp bargains, as now. The man with a hop-yard never stopped to say "It's too high ;
I'll give you so much," and he seldom inquired the price of an article he sought to purchase.
It went on the books, and much depended upon the conscientiousness and fair-dealing qualities
of the merchant. Farmers' daughters wore silks and attended universities ; sons went to col-
lege, clothed in broadcloth, and the airs of opulence. There were evidences of wealth on
every hand, and not without cause. A great many men became comparatively wealthy. The
farmers in a radius of ten miles who had made $10,000 in three years, could not be enumerated
upon the fingers twice touched. Enormous hop-houses of fantastic shapes were built ; fine
blood horses were purchased ; family carriages, phaetons and fancy harness found ready sale —
" If you'll wait till my hops get ripe ;" though toward the latter part of the period of excitement
the cash was paid in most cases, and a great many old accounts were squared. But the end
came, finally, and at a very inopportune time, when the acreage had been largely increased.
Prices fell, and with a crash, too. Most of the crop of 1867 was held for higher figures ; 30
and 35 cents was not enough. "They'll be worth more next year," said the hop-grower; but
his prophecy was shorn of its wisdom the following season, when the bottom of the market
dropped completely out, and hops became a drug, commercially, worth from 3 to 5 cents, with
but few buyers. The old crops on hand were, in many instances, more than a dead loss ; the
pickers had been paid half the value of a pound of hops per box at the date of picking, which, a
year later, amounted to more than the market price, and about the only profit left the producer,
was contained in the conversion of his hop-poles into stovewood. One good result, however, of
this hop excitement, was the substantial farm improvements made during its existence. The
large and costly hop-houses now make good barns. Hop-raising, however, was not entirely
abandoned after the panic ; some farmers still continue to grow them quite extensively, and to
some degree of profit.
nature's provisions.
Thirty years ago, when farms were small, owing to the great length of time required to
clear away the heavy growths of timber, many of the settlers in the western portion of the
county found themselves in straitened circumstances and were compelled to fight starvation at
great disadvantage. But nature seems to have provided a way for those who persevered in their
efforts to gain a livelihood. John Jessop, of the town of Ironton, had but recently taken a claim
of forty acres. He strove for a time to feed and clothe his family from the product of a few
acres, but the period was drawing near when he would be called upon by the Government to pay
for his land, and money he must have. At that date wild honey was very plentiful. The woods
echoed with the buzz of the busy bee. Relinquishing his farm labors, Mr. Jessop turned his
entire attention to the gathering of honey. When he had accumulated a wagon load of the
"native sweet," he set out with his ox team for Baraboo, Portage and intervening commercial
points, where he peddled it out to the citizens by the pound, for cash, provisions or anything
else useful he could get. In this way. after making several trips, he paid for his land and sup-
plied his family with the necessaries of life.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 30(
Another of the natural products of the western portion of the county, which indirectly fur-
nished food and raiment for a large number of settlers in early days, was ginseng root, so highly
prized for medicinal purposes by the Chinese. In some localities, the root was very plentiful,
and for a time the people generally devoted their attention to digging and shipping it to market,
where they received as high asftl per pound for any quantity it might be their good fortune to gather.
A widow lady, in the town of Washington, earned enough money in this way to pay off a con-
siderable mortgage on her farm, which the previous hard times had compelled her to negotiate.
Ginseng, so common with us, is a rare herb among the heathens of Asia. With them it is the
panacea for all ills, and after it has undergone a process known to the Cantonese as leong-tsue,
it enhances greatly in value. Large quantities of the article arc transhipped to Australia, the
Hawaiian Islands and that other Chinese province, California, where it finds ready sale among
the nations of the Orient at the exorbitant figures of $25 and $30 an ounce. It. is said to derive
its great value in their estimation from having cured a former emperor of the colic.
The cutting of hop-poles furnished profitable employment to many during the great hop
excitement from 1S65 to 1872. One of the principal industries in the towns of Ironton and
Lavalle at the present time is the cutting and hauling of stave timber to the mills of Messrs.
Paddock & Keith. The burning of charcoal and smelting of iron ore also furnish employment
to a large number of the residents of the same towns. In the southernpart of the county, where
there is less soil than sand, the raising of melons has become a profitable industrial pursuit.
Berries and grapes (wild and tame) and the stronger varieties of tree fruits flourish in every
part of the county. Only about one-third of its broad and fertile acres are now under cultiva-
tion. With its great diversity of soil and peculiar adaptability to almost every variety of useful
products, who can estimate the future importance of Sauk County ?
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
CHAPTER IV.
SAUK COUNTY'S WAR RECORD.
The First Note of Alarm— Rallying of Patriots— Where they Fought and Died— Sauk
County's Contributions— The Draft— The Roll of Honor— What it Cost.
Treason, always despicable, even unto the eyes of traitors, never became more intensely
odious than in 1861, when the climax of a conspiracy, long brewing, was reached, and the best
government under the sun found itself face to face with an unholy and unrighteous civil war. The
object of the South in attempting a separation of the Union was the erection of a great slave
empire, encircling the Mexican Gulf; the duty of the North was clearly to prevent the success
of a scheme so monstrous and inhuman. The first movements of the confederates were made
under very favorable circumstances. They were in possession of many of the chief national offices,
and they very largely controlled the army and the navy. Their military plan embraced three
principal objects — the seizure of the forts and coast defenses, the capture of the national capital
and the possession of the Mississippi River. The South was, nevertheless, thrown upon the
defensive from the beginning of the struggle, and very soon effectually beleaguered. It was the
unfaltering aim of the North to bring the war to a close, with as little bloodshed as possible, by
the capture of Richmond, the rebel capital ; but the first forward movement terminated almost
disastrously at Bull Run on the 21st of July, 1861. This battle, howTever, was without military
significance, since it did not secure the seizure of Washington by the rebels. It taught the North
the real nature of the terrific struggle in which they were engaged. On the day after the battle.
Congress voted $500,000,000 and called for 500,000 volunteers. From that moment, the rebell-
ion was doomed. This act of President Lincoln and his patriotic Congress increased the nation's
confidence in them to deal the righteous blow, and, at the same time, struck terror to the hearts
of the secessionists.
The responses to the call were immediate and of the most encouraging character. Already
a previous call for three months volunteers had been filled. No State in the Union was more
prompt in sending forward volunteers than was Wisconsin, and no part of Wisconsin responded
with greater vigor than did Sauk County. Twenty-six of her sons volunteered under the first
call for 75,000 men, and joined the Madison Guards. The following from the Baraboo Republic
of April 25, 1861, fairly illustrates the depth of interest in the preservation of the Union at that
time:
" The events of the last few days in this village will never fade from the memories of those
who witnessed or bore a part in them. Our commonly sedate population have been elevated to
a most unbounded pitch of enthusiasm for their country, on the one hand, and of intense indig-
nation toward those, on the other, who have proved traitors to it. On Friday, Mr. Nash, of the
Madison Guards, arrived here after having enlisted fourteen names in Sauk City and Prairie du
Sac — < !. E. G. Horn, Julius Schroeter, David Areidt, Robert Mettler, August Wandrey, Arthur
Cruse, Samuel F. Clark, Anton Fischer, Ed Studelman, Ed Carl, William Bartholdt, Peter
Jacob, John Jenewein and Richard Smith — twelve Germans and two Americans. Peter Jacob
has served in the Crimean war. Forthwith recruits began to fall in, and the martial sound of
drum and fife, unheard in our streets this many a day, inspired all hearts with patriotic enthusi-
asm. Among the Baraboo volunteers to the Madison Guards were two sons of a lady who
depended upon them and one other for her support. She gave the other permission to go also
when he should have replenished her wood pile! On Saturday, they were initiated into military
drill by A. G.'Malloy,* also a volunteer, who had served in the Mexican war and was an Orderly
on Gen. Worth's staff. In the evening, a meeting was held to organize a home company to
* Now V. S. 1:,.%,. mi.. < -II. . I..1 .il I ll.T-uM, 1V.XHM.
HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY. 369
offer themselves to the Governor in the service of the Union. F. K. Jennings was called to the
chair, and D. D. Doane appointed Secretary. Speeches full of feeling were made by D. K.
Noyes and others, and a temporary organization effected by choosing A. G. Malloy Captain and
D. K. Noyes First Lieutenant. On the Sabbath morning, the strange sound of the drum, beat
by the expert hand of Rev. W. H. Thomson, to the tune of ' Yankee Doodle,' announced that
the volunteers were about to leave. A very large concourse of citizens met in front of the court
house to do honor to the noble hearts that so promptly responded to their country's call. Rev.
C. E. Weirich, by invitation, acted as Chaplain, and delivered an address eminently appropriate
to the occasion. A national hymn was then sung, and, after the benediction, the friends of those
about to encounter the dangers and hardships of war were invited to bid them adieu. During
the exercises many eyes were moist, but at this juncture every face was wet with tears. Men
whom we had never suspected could be touched with tenderness, stood with flowing eyes, as sis-
ters, mothers and wives came up to give the parting kiss. After taking their seats in the wagon,
E. N. Marsh, in behalf of the volunteers, made a brief but touching address to those assembled.
At half-past 9, with flying colors and to the sound of the drum and fife, under a banner
inscribed on one side ' The Union Forever,' and on the other ' Baraboo Volunteers to the Mad-
ison Guards,' they drove out of town, followed by a procession of wagons and numerous friends
on foot. Following is a list of the Baraboo volunteers : Lafayette Lock, Augustus D. Kimball,
Charles VV. Porter, Albert B. Porter, John J. Foster, F. D. Stone, Edward N. Marsh, Oscar
Allen, Harvey Ames, R. S. Hill, A. Sutcliffe and David Dewell. These twelve volunteers were
enrolled among the Madison Guards, and left Madison yesterday (April 24) for Milwaukee.
They have unanimously resolved not to taste a drop of liquor until they get back to Baraboo."
The particulars of the organization of the " home company " referred to in the foregoing,
are given herewith, as they appeared in the local newspaper: "At the Methodist Church that
morning, after the departure of the Guards, Mr. Weirich spoke upon the duty of maintaining
the Government, and the impression made will never be effaced from the minds of those who
heard him. On Monday, the recruiting continued, and at night, with no call but that of the
drum, there was a spontaneous gathering of the ladies, as well as of the more war-like sex.
The court house was fairly jammed, and the feeling was such that one might put out his hand
and almost feel the electricity in the air. J. B. Avery was called to the chair, and E. Wyman
chosen Secretary. Several items of news, just received, were read by T. Thomas, and the same
gentleman proposed a fund for the support of the families left, offering to give $25 per month.
The announcement was greeted with tremendous cheering. 0. W. Fox responded with $5 per
month, and Job Barstow, the same. The following committee of ladies was appointed to solicit
subscriptions for the purpose : Mrs. R. Jones, Mrs. J. F. Flanders, Mrs. C. A. Sumner, Mrs.
J. B. Avery and Mrs. B. F. Mills. N. W. Wheeler, C. C. Remington, Mr. Crawford. Si..
Timothy Kirk, W. H. Thompson, Mr. Blackett and others made eloquent and patriotic speeches.
Maj. Rowley and other "drummers from Narrows Prairie, had just come in time, and the
thunder heard in that court room, to the tune of ' Yankee Doodle ' was never heard there
before. A. G. Malloy was then chosen Captain without opposition, and A. N. Kellogg came
forward to say that the Republic office claimed the privilege of furnishing one volunteer — Joseph
I. Weirich — and of equipping him with a Sharp's rifle. The meeting then adjourned.
■• On Tuesday, the recruiting continued, and in the evening another meeting was held,
with 0. W. Fox, Chairman, and E. Wyman, Secretary. After various patriotic speeches, the
following resolution, introduced by C. Armstrong, was adopted :
" Whereas, It is reported that some one or two citizens of this town are in the practiceof utteringsentiments of
approval of the course pursued by the Southern States in making war upon our Government, and, while we tolerate full
freedom of speech and of the press in time of peace, we cannot nor will not. now that civil war lias been commenced,
submit lo hear piracy and murder approved, much less witness the United States Constitution violated and traduced
by any resident of Sauk County, in their either directly or indirectly giving aid or comfort to the enemy. Therefore.
• Re otved, thai the presence of traitors is of itself sufficiently burdensome, and that, if they value the privilege
of remaining among us. they must be quiet.
370 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
"For several seconds after its reading not a whisper was heard, then the whole audience at
once sprang to their feet and sent up three of the lustiest cheers ever heard in Wisconsin.
" On Wednesday morning, Hon. Moses M. Strong being in town, the citizens called for
him, when he appeared on the court house steps and made a Union speech, half protesting
against the policy of the administration, but deeming it the duty of every good citizen to support
the Government. After his speech, the recruits started for Reedsburg to enlist accessions to
their ranks. Flags, meantime, have been put up in a dozen or more conspicuous places, and the
enthusiasm for red, white and blue emblems is constantly increasing."
Arrived at Reedsburg, the Sauk County Riflemen (for such was the name by which these
first recruits were known) stopped at the Alba House, where a grand reception awaited them.
Speeches were made by prominent citizens, including William Miles, N. W. Wheeler, F. K.
Jenkins and Rev. W. H. Thompson. Ten recruits were there enrolled, and "the boys" returned
to their homes to await the call of the Governor, to whom their services had previously been
offered.
From this date forward, a blaze of excitement pervaded Sauk County. Impromptu meet-
ings were held in every village and settlement, at which recruits were raised and funds voted for
the relief of those left in dependent condition by the enlistment of fathers, brothers and hus-
bands. The ladies were notably active in forming societies with relief ends in view, and making
bandages and picking lint to be used on the field of battle in case any of their dear ones were
so unfortunate as to be wounded. In Baraboo, the school children, some 200 in number, paraded
the streets beneath the folds of the American flag. C. A. Sumner & Co. displayed a large flag
with eight black stars, representing the disloyal States, surmounted by twenty-six white stars.
On the 4th of May, squads of volunteers from different parts of the county came into Baraboo,
and a grand parade took place, winding up with a presentation of red, white and blue badges to
the volunteers, Mrs. C. A. Sumner making the presentation address. The Sauk County Rifle-
men, while awaiting a call from the Governor, visited Reedsburg, where Capt. Malloy was pre-
sented with a handsome sword. In anticipation of this event, the Reedsburg boys went over to
Ironton to borrow a cannon, but, being refused by the owner of the ordnance, it became necessary
to take the weapon any wray. The following Saturday a visit was made to Dellton, and later, to
Sauk City, but this sort of jollification was cut short on the 28th of May, when an order was
received from Adjt. Gen. Utley, commanding them to report for duty. Before departing for the
front, the company (after being sworn in by Lieut. Col. Atwood, of the Sixth Regiment), was
presented with a stand of colors by the ladies of Baraboo. The departure for Madison was taken
June 25, the occasion being one long to be remembered, by citizens and soldiers alike. The
volunteers marched slowly along the streets to the court house square, followed by the Hook
and Ladder Company and Mr. Thomson's singing-class, consisting of thirty young girls, dressed
in white, heads uncovered, and sheltered from the sun's rays by the stars and stripes. Reaching
the position assigned them, they sang a touching national hymn, written by Emeline S. Smith :
" Who saiii that the stars (in our banner were dim —
That their glory had faded away'.'
Look up and behold ! how bright through each fold
They are flashing and smiling to-day.
A few wandering meteors only have paled —
They shot from their places on high;
But the jijcul and the true still illumine the blue,
And will while all ages go by.
Heaven's blessing upon it ! Its stars never shone
With a luster so pure and so warm;
Like a beacon's calm ray, pointing out the safe way.
They gleam through this gathering storm.
Their heart-cheering light led our fathers aright
Through all the dark perils they knew;
The same magic glow shall lead us to the foe,
And guide us to victohy too ! "
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 371
On behalf of the Sauk County Bible Society, Rev. C. E. Weirich and S. P. Kezerta pre-
sented each member of the company with a neat pocket testament; and Sauk County's first
complete company took its departure for the front. The company rendezvoused at Madison for
a time, under rigorous discipline. Being assigned as Company A, the extreme right of the
Sixth Wisconsin Infantry, they left for the scene of conflict July 28, 1861. With them went
the heartfelt sympathies of the citizens of Sauk County for the integrity of the Government.
1 1 was the substantial result of their first patriotic efforts toward maintaining that Government.
But they did not pause. Volunteers continued to go forward until the serpent-twined palmetto
had ceased to wave, and the" peculiar institution" — slavery — was entombed, never again to exist
in a free and enlightened country.
The following names appear upon the company's description book as those of the persons
sworn into the United States service: A. G. Malloy, Captain; D. K. Noyes, First Lieutenant;
T. C. Thomas, Second Lieutenant; Sergeants — J. A. Schlick, J. A. Coughran, J. C. Miller,
Albert Fox and H. F. Pruyn ; Corporals — H. A. Lee, J. F. McLoney, J. I. Weirich. II. J.
Iluiitinton, A. F. F. Jensen, John Starks, C. H. Foote and George M. Jones; Musicians — T.
.1. Johnson and A. G. Johnson.
Privates — R. H. Avery, R. Atridge, E. D. Ames, J. Alexander, T. Anderson. W. P.
Black, E. Birum, T. B. Butterfield, E. A. Broughton, J. Brecher, F. H. Bunker, F. M. Cran-
dall, H. H. Childs, H. L. Childs, Philip Cheek, Jr., W. H. Copeland, W. H. Clay, A. Darrow,
W. S. Durlyn, J. M. Foster, S. Fort, J. T. Flowers, C. W. Farrington, A. Fancher, D. C. Fen-
ton, F. Fletcher. II. D. Fordyce, J. B. Fowler, L. D. Finton, I. Fort, A. Fowler, C. M. Fesen-
don, F. Gerlaugh, F. Graham, W. H. Groat, G. A. Harp, S. J. Hutchens, P. Hoefner, J. Hill,
J. Hedges, D. Hedges, J. Hall, J. G. Hodgedon, I. Inman, R. Jones, B. H. Jones, T. Joy, H.
D. Jones, T. A. Jones. J. J. Jenkins, T. L. Johnson, F. K. Jenkins, A. P. Johnson, J. 0.
Keyes. A. Klein, C. Kellogg, W. Klein, S. W. Keyes, C. Loit, J. C. Langhart, S. M. Long,
W. L. Livesley, J. H. Moulon, H. C. Mattison, N. Moore, G. C. Miles, M. T. Moore, P. Nip-
pert. 1 >. < »dell, M. Pointon, J. Pearson, W. Palmer, U. Palmer, W. Pearson, W. B. Ryder, E.
H. Richmond, G. W. Russell, C. Reed, G. Rosser, G. Rice, I. Scott, W. W. Spear. W. Soare,
E. F. Smalley, P. Stockhouse, W. B. Thomas, L. B. Van Luven, E. Wyman, C. J. Weidman.
C. A. Winsor, H. Williams, P. Will. J. Whittey and H. H. Young.
WHERE THEY FOUGHT AND DIED.
First Regiment. — This was the first regiment organized in Wisconsin in compliance with
the President's call for 75,000 three-months volunteers. In it was Sauk County's first contri-
bution df men, who went forth to vindicate the right and punish- treason. A list of those enlist-
ing in the Madison Guard (which formed one of the companies in the First Regiment) from this
county has already been given, but they were not all accepted. The description book of the
company shows the names of those who were accepted, as follows : From Baraboo — Oscar
Allen, II. B. Ames, L. F. Locke. A. I). Kimball, E. N. Marsh, A. B. Porter, C. W. Porter,
D. W. Dewey, R. S. Hill, F. D. Stone, H. Sutcliffe, J. J. Foster. From Sauk City and Prairie
du Sac— S. F. Clarke, E. Carl, J. Jenewine, P. Jacob, Anton Fischer, C. E. G. Horn, D.
Viedt, H. Wandrey.
The three months having expired, they were mustered out August 21, 1861. Upon the
re-organization of the regiment, quite a number of the Sauk County boys had joined other
regiments, then forming, the history of which will be found in subsequent pages of this chapter.
The Iron Brigade. — Sauk County was well represented in the famous Iron Brigade, which
was composed of the Second, Sixth and Seventh Wisconsin Infantry Regiments and the Nine-
teenth Indiana. The representation from this county in the Second and Seventh Regiments,
though small, was in fair proportion with that of other counties of greater population ; it was in
the ranks of the Sixth Regiment, however, that the patriots of " Old Sauk " were most numerous.
It is due to the memory of those who fell at the Wilderness, Antietam, Fredericksburg,
Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, and to those who lived through the greatest battles of the
372 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
rebellion, that at least a partial record of the attendant events of their services should be given in
these pages. The Second Regiment was originally enrolled under the President's call for
75,000 three-months volunteers. Under orders to rendezvous at Camp Randall, the various
companies were organized early in May, 1861. Meanwhile, the General Government had
decided to accept no more troops for this short term of service, and, accordingly, on the 16th of
May, the regiment was called upon to re-enlist " for three years or during the war." With
the exception of one company, the entire regiment complied enthusiastically. On the 11th of
June, the Second Regiment, thus organized, was mustered into the United States service, being
the first Wisconsin organization so mustered. On the 20th of the same month, the regiment
left for Washington, and was the first body of three-years men to appear at the capital. On
the 2d of July, they were ordered to Fort Corcoran, on the Fairfax road, where they were
brigaded with three New York regiments, under Col. (now Gen.) Sherman, and, on the 16th,
when the movement on Manassas was made, were attached to Gen. Tyler's Division, by whom
the enemy was engaged at Blackburn's Ford, on Bull Run. On the 21st, the Second Regi-
ment was ordered to assault one of the enemy's batteries. They moved up, under a terrific
enfilading fire of shell and canister from other batteries, formed in a line at the foot of a hill and
charged up, driving back the rebel infantry, which had emerged from a cover in pursuit of
a body of our troops just repulsed in a similar assault. Here they fought against enormous
odds for over an hour, but, the enemy being re-enforced, were compelled to fall back, having
suffered a loss of 30 killed, 105 wounded and 60 prisoners.
On the 23d, the regiment went into camp near Fort Corcoran, where they remained until
August 27, when they were transferred from Col. Sherman's command to that of Brig. Gen.
Rufus King. The subsequent history of the regiment was identified with that of the Iron
Brigade until May, 1864, when they were engaged with the Army of the Potomac in the advance
upon Richmond, under Gen. Meade.
The several companies composing the Sixth Regiment were ordered to rendezvous at Camp
Randall about June 25, 1861. Under the direction of Col. Lysander Cutler, the regiment was
mustered into service on the 16th of July, and on the 28th they left for Harrisburg, Penn.,
where they remained until the 3d of August, at which date they moved by rail to Baltimore,
Md. Proceeding to Washington on the 7th, they encamped at Meridian Hill, joining at that
place the command of Gen. Rufus King.
The Seventh Regiment rendezvoused at Camp Randall in August, 1861, and was organized
under the direction of Col. Joseph Van Dor, being mustered into service September 16. They
left the State for field service on the 21st, and reached Washington on the 1st of October, join-
ing Gen. King's command at Camp Lyon.
It is here that the history of the Iron Brigade properly commences, though its organization
took place in August previous, being composed of the Fifth and Sixth Wisconsin and the Nine-
teenth Indiana. The brigade marched on the 3d of September, occupying a position at the
chain bridge, five miles from Meridian Hill. They crossed the Potomac on the 5th of Septem-
ber, and, after assisting in the construction of Fort Marcy, recrossed the river, and, October 5,
went into winter quarters at Fort Tillinghast, on Arlington Heights, Va. Here they remained
until March 10, 1862, when they took part in the advance upon Manassas. Nothing of start-
ling importance occurred until the forenoon of the 28th of August. The brigade having been
assigned a position in the advance line of the Army of Virginia, they proceeded slowly on the
left of the army, via Gainesville, to Groveton, where they turned to the right on the Bethlehem
Church road, and lay under arms until 5 in the afternoon, when they returned to the Warrenton
pike, inarching toward Centerville. While moving by the flank, the Second Regiment was
attacked by a battery posted on a wooded eminence to the left. The regiment promptly
advanced upon the battery, and soon encountered the enemy's infantry. While awaiting the
arrival of the rest of the brigade, this regiment sustained and checked for nearly twenty minutes
the onset of " Stonewall " Jackson's entire division, under a murderous concentric fire of
musketry. When the brigade arrived, the battle was continued until 9 in the evening, when
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 6(6
the enemy was repulsed, although he continued to hold his own line. About midnight, Gen.
King, who had been promoted to Division Commander, ordered a retreat by the Bethlehem
road to Manassas Junction, where they arrived next morning, having been compelled to leave a
number of their wounded and hospital attendants to fall into the hands of the enemy. August
30, the Second, having been temporarily consolidated with the Seventh Wisconsin, moved with
the brigade in the second line of battle, to assault the enemy's left, posted in a thick wood.
While engaged in assaulting this position, the success of the rebel attack upon the left flank of
our army made it necessary to fall back. The "Iron Brigade " formed in line of battle, and
retained the position until the entire army had passed in safety on the road to Centerville.
Concerning this movement an eye witness writes: " Gibbon's* brigade covered the rear, not
leaving the field until after 9 o'clock at night, gathering up stragglers as they marched, and
showing so steady a line that the enemy made no attempt to molest them."
The brigade also participated in the movements of the army under the command of Gen.
McClellen. and, on the 14th of September, was assigned the duty of storming Turner's Pass,
of South Mountain, where the rebels were strongly posted in a gorge. The assault commenced
about half-past 5 in the afternoon, the Second Regiment leading on the left of the road, and the
Sixth and Seventh on the right. At 9 o'clock, the enemy was routed and driven from the Pass.
On the 15th, leading Hooker's division, in advance of the entire army, they pursued the
retreating rebels through Boonsboro to Antietam Creek, where a skirmish ensued. This move-
ment led them to take a prominent part in the battle of Antietam, which commenced the follow-
ing day. Early in the morning, the brigade became hotly engaged, dislodging the enemy in their
front and occupying his position for two hours, until relieved by fresh troops. On the 19th, they
marched to the Potomac and went into camp at Sharpsburg.
On the 20th of October, the Twenty-fourth Michigan was added to the brigade. After
many severe marches, the brigade reached Brook's Station, Va., November 5. In the mean-
time, Gen. Gibbon having been placed in charge of the division, Col. Cutter of the Sixth took
command of the brigade, but was soon succeeded by Gen. Meredith. Taking part in the gen-
eral movement of the army, ordered by Gen. Burnside, they left Brook's Station on the 9th of
December, and crossed the Rappahannock on the 12th, under fire of the enemy's artillery. In
the great battle of Fredericksburg on the loth, the brigade held an exposed and very important
position on the extreme left. During the two days following, they were constantly under arms,
retiring safely on the evening of the 15th to the north side of the river. They went into winter
quarters on the 23d, near Belle Plain, Va.
On the 20th of January, 1863, they broke camp, and took part in the movement known
as the •' Mud Campaign." On the 12th of February, the Second and Sixth, under command
of Col. Fairchild, proceeded down the Potomac and made an expedition through Cumberland
County, Ya., capturing a number of horses and mules, seizing a quantity of rebel stores and
taking prominent secessionists prisoners. A second expedition, with similar results, was made
in March.
The command of the Army of the Potomac having been transferred to Gen. Hooker, the
brigade took part in the forward movement toward Fitz Hugh Crossing on the 28th of April.
The engineers, with the sharpshooters stationed for their protection, having been discovered and
driven back by the enemy, the brigade was formed for the purpose of forcing a passage of the
Rappahannock. Companies B, D and E, of the Second, manned the ponton wagons and ran
them down to the river, when the whole line advanced on the double-quick under a galling fire
from the enemy's rifle-pits. The pontons were launched and instantly filled by men from all
the regiments, who pushed across, and, led by the Sixth Wisconsin and the Twenty-fourth
Michigan, charged up the heights, carrying the rebel rifle-pits by storm and capturing several
hundred prisoners.
A series of rapid movements through Maryland, with unimportant results, then followed,
and, on the 30th of June, the brigade formed itself at Marsh deck. Adams Co., Penn. At
'"'i 'iil'l'uu lui'l I ii api'uinted Hriiaute t 'uiiimitiider in M.i\
374 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
an early hour on July 1, they moved cautiously in the direction of Gettysburg. When within
a mile of that place they turned to the right, under orders to advance to the support of Gen.
Buford's cavalry, then hard pressed by the enemy. The Second, having that day the lead of
the marching column, first met the advancing enemy. The regiment came into line on the
double-quick behind a slight elevation, and, without waiting for the rest of the brigade to form,
advanced over the crest, receiving a volley which cut down over thirty per cent of the rank and
file. With true Wisconsin bravery, they dashed upon the enemy's center and crushed it, thus
checking the rebel advance. After a conflict of half an hour's duration, the rebels abandoned
the field, leaving over 800 prisoners, including Gen. Archer and the Second Mississippi, with its
colors, in the hands of the brigade. They stubbornly resisted the re-enforced assaults of the
enemy that soon followed and pursued him from Gettysburg, on the 6th, toward the Potomac,
camping at Warrentown Junction, Va., on the 25th.
The Iron Brigade was employed in picket and guard duty on the Rappahannock and Rapi-
dan until the 10th of October, when they took part in the vigorous campaign that followed, fre-
quently meeting and repulsing largely superior forces of rebels. On the 28th of December, the
total number of men belonging to the Seventh, present with the army, was 249. Of these, 211
re-enlisted as veterans. On the 21st, 227 of the Sixth also re-enlisted, and at various dates
during the month forty members of the Second had done likewise. The veterans of the Sixth
and Seventh were mustered into service January 1, 1864, and those of the Second soon after-
ward. The veterans of these regiments were then allowed short furloughs to visit their homes,
and in March were assigned to position as First Brigade, Fourth Division, Fifth Army Corps.
Accompanying the grand forward movement of the army of the Potomac, under Gens.
Grant- and Meade, the Iron Brigade, commanded by Gen. Cutler, broke camp at Culpeper on
the night of May 3, crossed the Rapidan at Germania Ford and marched in the direction of
Chancellorsville. On the morning of the 5th, a line of battle was formed in the Wilderness.
They advanced by companies through a heavy growth of pine and underbrush and soon encoun-
tered the enemy's line. At a distance of forty paces, the enemy, directly in front, poured in a
terrible fire, which was returned with such effect as to throw the rebels into disorder. Our
troops immediately charged with the bayonet, and at this point Corporal George A. Smith,*
Company H, Seventh Regiment, rushed forward and captured the battle-flag of the Forty- eighth
Virginia. The brigade continued to advance, driving the enemy to his second line, which was also
routed, " the severe fire from our ranks, strewing the ground with dead and dying.." After driv-
ing the enemy a mile and a half through the timber, he was re-enforced, and the Iron Brigade
compelled to fall back to its original position, where the line was re-formed. At dusk they
advanced to within seventy-five yards of the rebel lines, where they lay on their arms all night.
At daylight next morning the battle was resumed, and the brigade participated in the grand
charge upon the rebels in front, forcing them steadily back until re-enforcements reached them,
when another retreat became necessary. During the day, after two unsuccessful attempts to
break our lines, the enemy, having massed his troops and made a determined assault, was
again repulsed with great slaughter. During this assault, Gen. Wadsworth, division commander,
was killed. The command then devolved upon Gen. Cutler, Col. Robinson, of the Seventh,
assuming command of the brigade. On the 10th of June, Col. Bragg, of the Sixth, became
brigade commander. ,
On the 8th of May, while preparing breakfast near Spottsylvania Court House, the brigade
was ordered forward. After a severe contest, they were compelled to fall back a mile, when they
rallied and drove the enemy over the ground where they had just fought, and. taking a strong
position within three hundred yards of the enemy's works, successfully resisted several attempts
to dislodge them. On the evening of the 9th, the enemy drove in our pickets and established a
body of sharpshooters within fifty yards of our breastworks. Sixty men from the Seventh vol-
unteered to drive these sharpshooters out, and did so. The next day was spent in attempting to
charge the enemy's works, but the brigade was driven back each time. The 11th was occupied
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. S75
in shelling and skirmishing on both sides. On this day, the Second, having been reduced to less
than one hundred men, and having lost both field officers, who were wounded and in the hands
of the enemy, was detailed as provost guard of the Fourth Division, thus severing its connection
with the Iron Brigade.
On the morning of the 12th, the brigade again took part in an unsuccessful assault, shortly
after which they moved about three miles to the left, to the support of the Second Corps. Eere
they occupied a position on the right of Gen. Hancock's troops, standing in deep mud and
keeping up a constant fire for the protection of the troops who were at work on the fortifications.
From constant firing, their guns became so foul that it was necessary to send details of men to
wash the guns while their comrades kept up the fire. In many instances, the weariness of the
men was so overpowering, having been under fire day and night since the morning of the 8th,
that they lay down in the mud and slept- under the enemy's fire, notwithstanding the exer-
tions of the officers to keep them awake. Early on the following morning the brigade was
relieved.
Participating in the movement of our army to the left, they marched from this place late in
the evening. Their next fight occurred near Jericho Ford, on the Po River, where, after a two
hours* engagement on the evening of the 23d, the rebels were driven from the field in disorder.
The conduct of the brigade in this action was highly complimented by the officers of the
army.
Similar scenes were enacted and like hardships endured by this gallant body of men, now
whittled away by death and disease to a mere corporal's guard in comparison with its former pro-
portions, until the final and death blow to rebellion had been dealt. After this, they partici-
pated in the battles of Cold Harbor, Petersburg, Weldon Railroad, Hatcher's Run and Five Forks,
and, when Richmond had fallen, took part in the grand review at Washington. Under orders
to report to Gen. Logan, commanding the Army of the Tennessee, the Sixth and Seventh moved
by rail and steamer to Louisville, Ky., arriving on the 22d of June, 1865, where the Seventh
was mustered out of service on the 3d of July, and reached Madison on the oth. The Sixth was
mustered out on the 14th of July. On reaching the capital of the State, they were the recipi-
ents of an enthusiastic reception. At the conclusion of the ceremonies, the words of command
were given, the bronzed veterans wheeled to the right, drums and fifes struck up their stormy
music, and, with guns at right shoulder shift, and bayonets beaming in the slant sunbeams under
the green arches of the summer trees, the last organized fragment of the old Iron Brigade, bear-
ing the rent and shot-torn banners on which are inscribed the names of such historic battles as
South Mountain. Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, The Wilderness, Cold Harbor. Peters-
burg, Weldon Railroad, Hatcher's Run and Five Forks, passed on, to dissolve and disappear from
men's eyes forever, but to live immortal in history and in the memory of a grateful people.
Who faltered or shivered ?
Who shunned battle-stroke?
Whose fire was uncertain?
Whose battle-line broke?
Go ask il of history
Tears from to-day,
And I he record shall tell you
Not Company A.
The record shows that there were but nineteen members of the Second Regiment who
were residents of Sauk County. Of these, three — Thomas Bever, Conrad Piatt and Hermnn
Hoppe — died from the effects of wounds received in battle.
The initial company (A) of the Sixth Regiment was made up entirely of residents of Sauk
County, mostly citizens of the towns of Sumter and Baraboo. The list of deaths in this com-
pany is as follows: Killed in action — First Lieut. Howard F. Pruyn, Laurel Hill, Va.. May
8, 1864; Sergt. A. Fowler, Hatcher's Run, Va.. February 6, 1865; Corp. John Alexander.
Antietam, Md., September 17, 1862; Corp. L. D. Fen ton, Cold Harbor, Va., June 2, 1864.
Privates — William P. Blake, Antietam; Fred. Bunzel and Fred. Bauer, Gravelly Run. Va..
376 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
March 31, 1865; Henry Bodecker, Hatcher's Run; W. H. Copeland, Sylvester Fort and Frank
Garlaugh, Antietam ; John Hedges, Wilderness, Va., May 5, 1864 ; R. M. Jones. Gettys-
burg Penn., July 1, 1863; James 0. Kyes, Antietam; William J. Kitner, Petersburg, Va.,
August 19, 1864; Charles Kellogg, Wilderness; Jacob E. Langhart and G. C. Miles, South
Mountain, Md., September 14, 1862; William Pierson, Gettysburg; John C. Whitman, South
Mountain. Died of wounds — Corp. Richard Artridge, received at Fredericksburg, Md., Sep-
tember 14, 1862. Privates— Ashbury Bales, William Kline, Uriah Palmer, Levi Pierson,
George Rice and Henry Stults. Died of disease: Privates — H. D. Ames, Frank M. Cran-
dall, J. G. Hodgedon, James Hill, Israel Inman, Thomas A. Jones, Dennis W. Johnson. Mar-
shal E. Keyes, John Voss and Harry Williams.
William L. Johnson, Company H, Sixth Regiment, resident of Sauk County, died of dis-
ease in Andersonville, October 21, 1864.
There's a cap in the closet,
Old, tattered and liluo.
Of very slight value.
It may be, to you ;
But a crown, jewel-studded,
Could not buy it to-day,
With its letters of honor —
Brave "Company A."
Though my darling is sleeping
To-day with the dead,
And daisies and clover
Bloom over his head,
I smile through my tears
As I lay it away —
The battle-worn cap.
Lettered "Company A."
Those of Sauk County's patriots who lost their lives while serving in the Seventh Regi-
ment, were : Corp. George J. Dewey, Company E, killed at Laurel Hill, Va., May 10. 1864 ;
Edwin Wheeler, Company B. Antietam; Sanford Frost, Company B, Gainesville (Bull Run);
W. 1'. Carter, Company A. died of disease October 14. 1862; George W. Root, Company E,
died of disease February 2:1. 1862 ; Homer Newell, Company 15, died of disease, August 18,
1864: A B. Frost, Company B, February 8, 1865. tit Andersonville.
The commissioned officers of Company A, Sixth Regiment, were : Capt. Adam G. Malloy,
promoted Lieutenant Colonel of the Seventeenth Regiment early in 1862; David K. Noyes,
wounded at Antietam, September 17, 1862, necessitating an amputation of the right foot ; dis-
charged July 2-'!. L864; Lewis A. Kent, mustered out with regiment July 14, 1865. First
Lieutenants— David K. Noyes, resigned October 30, L861 ; Thomas C. Thomas, resigned Sep-
tember 2-".. 1 862 ; John A. Coughran, resigned December 3, 1862 ; Howard F. Pruyn, killed in
action May 8, 1864 ; Howard J. Huntington, discharged July 15. 1864: Mair Pointon. mus-
tered out with regiment. Second Lieutenants — T. C. Thomas, John A. Coughran, H. F. Pruyn,
II. J, Huntington (wounded in action June 18, 1864). promoted : Nelson Moore, mustered out
with regiment.
Ninth Regiment. — Nearly all the members of Company D. of this regiment, were residents
of the towns id' Honey Creek and Prairie du Sac, the towns of Sumter and Troy also contrib-
uting. The regiment was raised under an order authorizing the organization of an exclusively
German regiment. They rendezvoused at camp Sigel, Milwaukee, and were mustered^ October
26,1861, with Frederick Solomon as Colonel. They left the State for Leavenworth, Kan., January
22. 1862, crossing the Mississippi ami Missouri Rivers on the ice and becoming a part of the
great "Southwestern Expedition." which commenced operations in Kansas and Southwestern
Missouri with a view of reducing to allegiance the Cherokee and other Indian tribes, working
under the influence of Confederate emissaries. In this respect the expedition was successful,
but the climate proved fatal to the health of our troops. The heat was intolerable, rising to
EISTOKY OF SAUK COUNTY. 377
118° in the shade. During this time, some most remarkable forced marches were made through
the rebel-infested portions of Missouri.
The first battle of importance in which the Ninth Regiment was engaged was at Newtonia,
Mo., on the 29th of September, 1862. Here Companies D (the Sauk County boys) and G,
with a section of artillery and a squadron of cavalry, under command of Lieut. Col. Jacobi,
advanced upon the fortified position of the enemy for the purpose of ascertaining his strength.
The rebels, numbering 3. 00(1 men, with four pieces of artillery, were concealed in the vicinity
of a large stone barn and behind stone fences. When our troops had advanced within thirty
paces of the enemy, he arose in his sheltered position and delivered a murderous fire. Mean-
time a large number of rebel cavalry came up on both flanks, cutting off and capturing our
infantry. A second expedition against Newtonia was organized, but the rebels had fled, leaving
one wounded behind. The line of march was then taken up. and the First Division, to which
the Ninth belonged, crossed the Arkansas line, encamping at Pea Ridge on the 17th of Novem-
ber.
( In the 7th of December, the rebels under Gen. Hindman were engaged, and the bloody
battle of Prairie Grove was fought. After much privation and many forced marches through
this God-forsaken country, the Ninth Regiment, with portions of the brigade to which it
belonged, reached St. Louis early in July, 1863, where it remained on guard duty until the 12th
of September, when the entire command was ordered to Helena, Ark. Here they remained
until October 10, when they set out for Little Rock, reaching that place on the 22d, when the
Ninth was assigned to the First Brigade, First Division, Seventh Army Corps, under Maj.
Gen. Steele. In January, 1864, 213 members of the regiment re-enlisted as veterans. They
left for Shreveport, La., on the 23d of March, to take part in the Red River expedition.
While at Terre Noir, La., on the 2d of April, the rear of the advancing column was attacked by
Shelby's cavalry, but succeeded in routing the enemy after a loss of ten killed in the regiment.
Resuming the march, they were joined on the 9th by Gen. Thayer's command, and on the fol-
lowing day encountered the enemy, who was driven back. On the 15th, they encountered the
rebel forces, under Marmaduke. at Poison Springs, and a brief engagement followed. On the
26th, it having been determined to abandon the Red River expedition, the return march toward
Little Rock was commenced. On the morning of the 30th, as our forces were preparing
to cross the Saline River, the rear of the column was assaulted by the enemy in greatly superior
numbers, and the battle of Jenkins Ferry was commenced, in which the Ninth lost fourteen killed
and seventy wounded. During this assault, while Gen. Rice was in the act of complimenting the
regiment for their gallant behavior, he was instantly killed, when Col. Solomon took command
of the brigade, leaving Maj. Schlueter in charge of the regiment. On the 1st of May they were
again in motion, reaching Little Rock on the 3d.
November 17, 1864, the regiment was consolidated into four companies of veteran volun-
teers under Lieut. Col Jacobi, and January 22, 1865, a second expedition to Saline River was
undertaken. They returned to Little Rock on the 5th of February. Embarking on the 4th of
June, they moved down the Arkansas and Mississippi, and, ascending the Red, Black and
Washita Rivers, landed on the 13th at Camden. Here they remained until August 3. returning
to Little Rock. The Ninth was mustered out on the 30th of January, 1866, and on the 14th
of February was disbanded.
The losses in Company D were: Killed in action — Sergt. Julius Dobezensky. Newtonia.
Mo. : Corps. Casper Boul, Sarcoxie, Mo., Arthur Cruse and Max Crasher. Newtonia. Pri-
vates— Benjamin Anderson, Jenkins Ferry, Ark. ; Gustav Baumgarth and Christian Baumgarth,
Newtonia; Emanuel Bieneck and John Lohr, Jenkins Ferry ; Christian Lambrecht and Herman
Roediger, Newtonia ; Andrew Sauter and Frederick Schleuke, Jenkins Ferry.
Died of wounds — Corp. Preissner Marzel, Princeton, Ark. Privates, Fred. Bidenstein,
Jenkins Ferry; Jacob Kuntz, Fort Scott, Kan.; Julius Kohn, Springfield, Mo.; Charles Kuehne,
Spoonville, La.
378 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Died of disease — Privates George Accola, John Boul, Peter Bettler, Edward Dischler, John
Grossmeyer, Christian Haidle, Franz Jesse, Charles Jaedick, Lovien Kingsley, Gottleib Lauten-
bach, Michael Pingo, Julius Raedel and John Rufe.
Company D's commissioned officers were : Capt. Charles Buckenen ; First Lieuts. Charles
E. G. Horn, promoted Captain of Company A April 30, 1862. and promoted Lieutenant
Colonel of Second Missouri in May, 1864 ; John Gerber, transferred to Company F and after-
ward promoted Captain of Company K and transferred to Company H ; Jacob Bohn, resigned
February 6, 1863 ; Herbert Pfotenhauer. Second Lieutenants — Jacob Bohn, promoted to Com-
pany B, transferred to D and resigned as above ; Detler Heick, resigned August 13, 1862 ;
William Schulten, promoted to Company B and afterward promoted to Company D, Independ-
ent Battery ; Hugo Koch, promoted to Company H and transferred to Company I ; Louis
Schuetz, transferred to Company A and promoted to Company E ; Richard Kempter, resigned
May 21, 1863 ; Gerhardt Zucker, resigned July 3, 1863 ; Anton Fischer.
Eleventh Regiment. — In this regiment there were representatives of Sauk County in Com-
panies B, D, E, F, G, H and K, the representation being comparatively small in each. The
Eleventh Regiment was attached to the Second Brigade, under Col. Hovey, in Gen. Steele's
command, and under orders to proceed South, passed through Missouri into Arkansas. The
first engagement of any note was at Bayou Cache, on the 7th of July, when Companies D, G,
H and I held in check a vastly superior force of rebels until re-enforcements arrived. The
Eleventh's losses were four killed and twenty wounded. They arrived at Helena on the 13th.
In October, they returned to Pilot Knob, Mo., and remained in that State during the winter.
On the loth of March, 1863, they embarked at St. Genevieve for Memphis. From there they
proceeded to Milliken's Bend, La., and took position in the Second Brigade, Fourteenth Division
of the Thirteenth Army Corps. The 1st of April dawned upon the Eleventh Regiment leading
the advance at Anderson Hill, near Port Gibson, Miss., where the rebels were driven back in
confusion. May 15, the brigade took part in the battle of Champion Hills, and the next day
cut off the retreat of the enemy at Black River Bridge, the Eleventh Regiment taking upward
of 1,000 prisoners, with a regimental stand of colors. On the 19th they were in the trenches
before Vicksburg, and participated in the terrible charge of the 22d. They were actively
employed in the siege that followed, and were there when the place surrendered. Immediately
after that event, the Eleventh joined the expedition to Jackson, and took part in the '• Second
Teche Campaign," going as far as Opelousas. Returning over almost impassable roads, they
embarked at Algiers on the 19th of November for Brazos Santiago, Tex. There they received
orders to re-enforce Gen. Banks at Aranzas Pass, and afterward to proceed to Fort Esperanza,
where they arrived too late to assist Gen. Washburn in reducing the enemy at that place.
Three-fourths of the regiment having re-enlisted, they were relieved from duty on the 11th
of February, and mustered in as veterans on the 13th. The non-veterans were temporarily
transferred to Col. Guppey's regiment (the Thirty-third). The re-enlisted portion reached
Madison March 21, and were received in splendid style by the State authorities and citizens.
They again left the State on the 25th of April, and proceeded to Memphis. They afterward
participated in the various expeditions in Northern Mississippi and Alabama, doing good service,
for which they were highly commended by the commanding officers. The regiment was mustered
out in Mobile September 4, 1865, and reached home on the 18th.
The death losses among those from this county were: Died of wounds — William E.
Stearns, Swerin Mather, Company F. Died of disease — Henry Brill, Company F ; Samuel
Almv, Hiram Porter, Company H ; Peter Alexander, Company F : Abraham Kondrickson,
Company E ; Amos Colborn, Company H ; George Parsons, Sergeant, Company H ; Andrew
Hodgett, Company F; David A. Hesford, Company F; John Anderson, Company K ; Ernest
Black, Company F.
Twelfth Regiment. — Company B of this regiment was composed almost exclusively of
residents of the towns of Reedsburg, Lavalle, Ironton and Westfield. while the towns of Dellona
and New Buffalo furnished about one-third of the members of Company E. There were also
oriS^M?*
(ioaj, fpc^cj /A pJ7 f
BARABOO,
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 381
residents of Sauk County in A and K. The Twelfth Regiment received their first military
instructions at Camp Randall, under Col. George E. Bryant. They left the State for Weston,
Mo., on the 11th of January, 1862, reaching there on the 16th with frozen rations and forty
men disabled by the intense cold and exposure. February 15 they inarched to Leavenworth,
Kan., and on the 1st of March they left for Fort Scott, reaching there on the 7th. On the 2d
of April they found themselves in Lawrence, and after a short rest started /or Fort Riley to join
the projected expedition to New Mexico. Here they were joined by the Thirteenth Infantry
and Eighth Battery of Wisconsin. On the 18th of May, the expedition scheme having been
abandoned, the whole force returned to Leavenworth, the Twelfth proceeding to St. Louis the
next day after their arrival. June 2 the regiment reached Columbus, Ky., ami, after repairing
the railroad and building several bridges, moved to Humboldt, Tenn.
On the 1st of October, the regiment was moved to Bolivar, Tenn., and attached to the
Third Brigade, Fourth Division, Seventeenth Army Corps. They formed the reserve at the
battle of the Hatchie on the 5th of this month, and November 3 commenced the march south-
ward with the Army of the Mississippi, under Gen. Grant. Subsequent movements antedating
the 18th of April, 1863, were of no particular consequence. On the afternoon of this day, they
met Gen. Chalmers' infantry in force at Hernando, Miss. The rebels were routed after seven
of their officers and sixty men had fallen into our hands. The next day the enemy's main body
was found near Coldwater River, but our efforts to dislodge him were of no avail. These expe-
ditions served as the decoy which enabled the gallant Col. Grierson to reach the heart of Mis-
sissippi in his famous raid through that State.
On the 11th of May, the Twelfth embarked at Memphis and made the well-known land
and water voyage to Grand Gulf. On the 9th of June, they proceeded up the river to War-
renton and rejoined their division, taking a position in the trenches on the left of the army
investing Vicksburg. Their loss during the siege was one man killed and five wounded. After
the surrender of Vicksburg, the regiment joined the expeditionary army under Gen. Sherman,
and marched toward Jackson, then in the hands of the rebels under Jo Johnston, and took part
in the assault on that place. After the rebels had fled, the regiment returned to Vicksburg.
On the loth of August they embarked at Natchez, and took the advance in the expedition to
Harrisonburg, La. Similar movements of no particular moment were continued until the 25th
of January, 1864, when the Twelfth was re-organized as a veteran regiment, 521 of the 667
members then present, re-enlisting.
On the 3d of February they accompanied Gen. Sherman on his famous Meridian expedi-
tion, and took part in the action at Bolton, Miss., with a loss of three killed and four wounded.
On the 13th of March, the veterans of the regiment returned to their homes on furlough.
Rejoining the command May 3, at Cairo, 111., having been transferred to the First Brigade,
they accompanied Gen. Gresham up the Tennessee River, thence through Alabama and Georgia,
ami joined the Army of the Tennessee on the 8th of June. On the 11th, they formed in line
of battle and charged two miles through the timber, capturing the skirmish line of the enemy
in front of Kenesaw Mountain, before which the regiment were constantly employed during the
remainder of the month, sustaining a loss of thirty-four men in killed, wounded and missing.
On the 5th of July, forming a part of our line, they advanced toward Nickajack Creek.
driving the enemy from a strong line of rifle pits, and forcing him across the stream to his main
works. Fortifying the point thus gained, on the 8th and 9th they built bridges and established
themselves on the enemy's side of the stream. During the night of the 9th, t lie enemy aban-
doned his works. At this time the regiment was transferred to the First Brigade, Third Division
of the Seventeenth Corps.
On the 17th of July they were again put in motion, and on the 21st, as part of a storming
party, carried a fortified ridge in front of Atlanta. In this action, the Twelfth captured forty-
eight prisoners and 500 stands of arms, sustaining a loss during the day of 154 in killed,
wounded and missing. The next day they aided in capturing nearly the entire attacking for ;e
the Twelfth losing thirty-four in killed and wounded. In the general movement of the army as
6M HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
it closed upon Atlanta, the Twelfth was highly commended for its part in the desperate struggle.
They were engaged in all the battles of that campaign, and in November joined with Sherman's
forces in their celebrated "march to the sea." They commenced the joyous homeward journey
on the 1st of May, reaching Washington in time to participate in the grand review. From
there they went to Louisville, Ky., where they were mustered out on the 16th of July, 1865.
The death losses in Company B were : Killed in action — Sergt. Frank W. Henry, Atlanta,
July 22, 1864 ; Privates — Luther B. Cornwell, Atlanta ; Andrew Dowden, Atlanta ; Amos
and George Ford, Atlanta ; Evert H. Hagaman, Atlanta ; John E. Wickersham, Atlanta. Died
of wounds — Sergt. Spencer S. Miles, Marietta, Ga., Oct. 7, 1864; Corp. William Richards, Atlan-
ta ; Corp. George W. Bell, Marietta ; Privates — Nathaniel Camp, Kenesaw Mountain. June 14,
1864 ; Ralph Hoyt. Rome, Ga., August 19, 1864 ; Mark B. Long, Chattanooga, Tenn., No-
vember 23, 1864 , Charles Riefenrath, Kenesaw Mountain ; James Sammons, hospital steamer,
July 3, 1864. Died of Disease — Privates James T. Allen, Charles L. Campbell, Horace Curtis,
Malachi Conklin, George Curtis, Henry Dearholt, Hamilton Duddleston, Alvis Hobart, Jehiel
D. Hagaman, Anderson Hobart, Daniel Lane, James B. Mason, James B. Meade, Watson C.
Osborn, Charles T. Pollock, James Palmer, Thomas Settle, Elijah Seymour and F. C. Wood.
Company E — Killed in action — Corps. John Stultz and Charles Fields, Atlanta ; Private
Daniel A. Titus, Atlanta. Died of wounds — Second Lieut. James H. Thayer, Marietta ;
Privates C. A. Boughton, Atlanta ; J. L. Boyd, David's Island, N. Y. ; Henry A. Fluno,
Nickajack, Ga., July 6, 1864 ; William Stowell, Atlanta. Died of disease — Privates Amund
Annunson, E. W. Barton, G. W. Bailey, James H. Clement, J. C. Edmonds, W. H. Fisher, J
H. Freeman, C. L. Gloyd, Wesley Harbaugh, Enos Johnston, A. Knapp, G. W. Marshall, G.
C. Montague, Horace Ostrander, Henry Rockwell, Laredo S. Smith, Harlan A. Squires and
John W. Velvick.
The commissioned officers of Company B were : Captains — Giles Stevens, mustered out
October 30, 1864; Chester G. Higbee, mustered out December 2, 1864; Jonathan W. Root,
mustered out with regiment, July 16, 1865. First Lieutenants — Benjamin F. Blackmail, mus-
tered out October 30, 1864 ; Harrison P. Ballard, mustered out with regiment. Second Lieu-
tenants— James W. Lusk, promoted First Lieutenant in Company A, April 10, 1862, and
resigned April 7, 1863 ; Chester G. Higbee, wounded at Marietta, Ga., August 22, 1864, and
promoted as above ; Stephen J. Davis, mustered out with regiment.
Fourteenth Regiment. — There were members of this regiment in Companies A, H, I and
K from Sauk County, the largest number being in the latter company, from the towns of Green-
field and Baraboo. The Fourteenth Regiment rendezvoused at Camp Wood, Fond du Lac, and
was mustered into service, under the supervision of Col. David E. Wood, January 30, 1862.
They left the State on the 8th of March, and reported to Maj. Gen. Grant, at Savannah,
Tenn., on* the 28th, being assigned to the Sixth Division. They entered at once into active
service, their first fight being at Corinth. They afterward participated in the battles of Shiloh,
Vicksburg and Atlanta, and passed through the different campaigns with Grant and Sherman.
They were mustered out at Mobile, Ala., on the 9th of October, 1865.
The percentage of casualties among those from this county who were members of the regi-
ment was very large. In Company K, Rufus Billings was killed at Corinth, October 3, 1862 ;
Charles A. Brier and Joseph Covenstance died from the effects of wounds, and Sergt. Charles
A. Cowles, John and Michael Aukerbrand, Edward L. Mott and John F. Wilson died of
disease.
The Captains of Company K were Edward W. Cornes, James W. McCall, Ogtlen W. Fox,
John N. Price and John J. Postel.
Sevent.rn//, Regiment. — Company H of this regiment was composed of Sauk County
patriots. Their organization was effected at Camp Randall, and the regiment mustered into
service under Col. John L. Doran, March 15, 1862. They left the State on the 20th of the
same month, and on the 14th of April went into camp at Pittsburg Landing. Ten days later
they removed to Shiloh, and soon afterward participated in the siege of Corinth. October 3,
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 383
found the Seventeenth on the crest of a hill, near Corinth, awaiting an attack from the enemy,
which soon came, and the regiment made a gallant charge, driving the rebels from the field.
Their loss during this action was forty-one killed, wounded and missing. On the 5th they
joined in the pursuit of the enemy. At Grand Junction, Miss., November 6, they were
transferred from the First to the Second Brigade, commanded by Col. Bouck, of the Eighteenth.
Col. Doran having been placed under arrest, Lieut. Col. Malloy took charge of the regiment
November 22.
They found themselves before Vicksburg on the 18th of May. in time to take part in the
charge of the 19th, obtaining position within seventy-five yards of the enemy's works, which
they maintained under a heavy fire of shot and shell for nearly two hours. Their loss was
forty five in killed and wounded. In the grand assault of the 22d, the Seventeenth lost twenty-
three killed and wounded. After the surrender, the regiment camped within the enemy's works
until the 12th of July, when they moved by transports to Natchez. On the 27th of August,
they were furnished with horses, and for some time thereafter were employed as mounted infan-
try. September 1, they captured a Black River steamer, after a brisk skirmish. On the 5th
df September they encountered the enemy near Trinity, and after a running tight of nine miles,
during which they captured twenty-five prisoners, they entered Fort Beauregard, the flag of
which fell into their hands. Returning to Natchez, they remained until the latter part of Octo-
ber, when they moved to Vicksburg.
In January, 1864, about seven-eighths of the regiment re-enlisted for three years, and oa
the 8th of March the veteran Seventeenth left for home on furlough. April 22, they were
assigned to the second brigade at Cairo, 111., for an expedition through Tennessee. At Hunts-
ville. Ala., the regiment was assigned to the Third Brigade, Third Division, and on the 22d of
June took part in the battle of Kenesaw Mountain. On the 20th of July they were in the
trenches before Atlanta. From this time forward they were employed with Gen. Sherman's
forces in their famous march. After attending the grand review in Washington, the Seventeenth
moved to Louisville, where they were mustered out on the 14th of July, 1865.
The death-losses of Company H, during the war, were as follows: Died of wounds —
Privates James Flanders and John McMahon. Died of disease — Privates Ira L. Ames, N. A.
Burgess, Gottleib Bantling, Daniel Carmichael, Joseph Herman, Joel Hamblin, John McNulty,
John McClure, Thomas Nelson, Frederick Ordman, John Power, Charles Plum, Walter P.
Scott ami James P. Watson.
Commissioned officers of Company H : Captains — Charles Armstrong, mustered out May
21. and reappointed September 2, 1862; resigned March 24, 1863; Samuel R. Apker, mus-
tered out with regiment, July 14. 1865. First Lieutenants — Samuel R. Apker, promoted;
Darius E. Palmer, mustered out January 24. 1865; HeniyA. Nolf, mustered out with regiment.
Second Lieutenants — Richard Rooney, resigned April 16, 1862; Miles Joyce, resigned Novem-
ber 27, 1862; Darius E. Palmer, wounded at Vicksburg, May 19, 1863, and promoted as
above; James B. Fowler, mustered out with regiment.
Ninetciuth Hcijiment. — The initial company of this regiment was recruited in Sauk County,
principally from the towns of Reedsburg, Baraboo, Winfield, Woodland and Westfield. They
were mustered into service at Camp Randall, April •"><>, 1862, under Col. Horace T. Sanders,
and left for the Potomac on the 2d of June. Going to Norfolk, Va., soon afterward, they
remained there until April, 186:!. and thereafter did outpost and picket duty in Virginia and
North Carolina. They were engaged for the first time at Newbern, N. C, on the 1st of Feb-
ruary, 1864. On the 12th of May, a portion of the regiment participated in the movement
upon Fort Darling, and on the 16th, in attempting to dislodge a party of rebel skirmishers,
lost twenty-five men killed and wounded. In June, they accompanied the advance of Gen.
Grant's army upon Petersburg, and participated in the celebrated assault upon the enemy's
works. In August, the re enlisted men of the regiment, 250 in number, received .eteran fur-
loughs, and reached Madison on the 22d of that month, returning in October, and proceeding
at once to the trenches before Richmond. On the 21stof October, they took part in the battle of
384 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Fair Oaks, leaving on the field 7 officers and 136 enlisted men, most of whom were wounded
and captured. The regiment returned to Camp Chapin, before Richmond, with eighty men,
where they were joined by the non-veteran portion, who had been on duty at Norfolk. On the
3d of April, 1865, they were ordered to assault the enemy's works, and, meeting with but little
opposition, marched into the city and planted the regimental colors upon the city hall. Their
subsequent movements were unimportant, save that which brought them home. They were
mustered out of service on the 9th of August, in the rebel capital, and reached Madison on
the 15th.
The fatalities in Company A were : Killed in action — Sergt. Ferris B. Palmer, Fair Oaks,
Va., October 27, 1864; Corp. John Fuller, Fair Oaks; Privates Robert Cheek, Petersburg,
Va., August 7, 1864; Sylvester Searles, Petersburg. Died of wounds — Corp. Alvah Rath-
bun, Fort Monroe, Va., Nov. 5, 1864; Privates Charles Day, Hampton Va., June 6, 1864 :
Ephraira Hanes, Portsmouth, Va., July 5, 1864; William Miller, Richmond, Nov. 1, 1864:
Daniel Sanborn, Jr., Annapolis, Md., March 20, 1865. Died of disease— Sergt. James Smith.
Sergt. Albert P. Steese, John Casey, W. B. Hobby, William Horsch, Jesse Mallon, James
Markee, Newman W. Pitts and Samuel Street.
The officers of Company A were : Captains — Rollin M. Strong, promoted Major October
10, 1863 ; promoted Lieutenant Colonel December 29, 1863 ; wounded and taken prisoner at
Fair Oaks, Va., October 27, 1864, and discharged from service April 11, 1865 ; Henry A.
Tator, mustered out April 19, 1865. First Lieutenants — Henry A. Tator, promoted ; Alex-
ander P. Ellinwood, transferred to Company A, Independent Battery, May 1, 1865 ; promoted
Captain Company E, May 23, and mustered out August 9, 1865. Second Lieutenants — A.
P. Ellinwood, promoted ; Emory Wyman, mustered out February 22, 1865 ; Charles A.
Chandler, transferred Captain Company A, Independent Battery, June 21, and mustered out
August 9, 1865.
Twenty-third Regiment. — Company K of this regiment was recruited in the towns of Prairie
du Sac, Spring Green, Franklin, Sumter, Bear Creek, Troy and Westfield. The principal
part of Company F was also composed of Sauk County men, from the towns of Baraboo, Del-
lona, Excelsior, Greenfield and Merrimack. The regimental organization was perfected at Camp
Randall, under the superintendence of Col. Guppey, and left for active service September 15,
1862, under orders to proceed to Cincinnati, then menaced by Kirby Smith's forces. Passing
through Cincinnati, they crossed into Kentucky, and were assigned to position in Gen. Green Clay
Smith's Division. After marching through various parts of the Blue Grass State, they pro-
ceeded to Memphis, Tenn., by water, arriving on the 27th of November. The regiment was
there assigned to the First Brigade, Tenth Division, and at once took position in the army
destined for the reduction of Vicksburg.
On the 28th of December, the regiment moved forward to within a mile of the enemy's
works. From this date to January 1, 1863, they were exposed to rebel shot and shell without
suffering material loss. January 2, the Army of the Mississippi proceeded up the river to Mil-
liken's Bend. Embarking on the 9th, the Twenty-third ascended the White River to the
" Cut-off," where they crossed to the Arkansas River and moved up that stream to Fort Hind-
man, which they proceeded to invest the next day. At noon on the 11th, the investment
having been completed, a general engagement commenced. While moving forward, the Twenty-
third was assailed by an unexpected enfilading fire from the enemy's rifle-pits. Companies B,
G and K were thrown out as skirmishers, the remaining companies attacking the rifle-pits.
The conflict continued with great fury for three hours, when the rebels, anticipating the charge
which had been ordered, raised the white flag and surrendered unconditionally. The regiment
received many congratulations for their conduct from the division and brigade commanders.
Their loss was four killed and thirty-four wounded. The regiment then returned to Young's
Point, near Vicksburg, but the malaria of the Yazoo swamps came near accomplishing what the
rebels had failed to do, and of 700 men in line of battle, three-fourths were under the surgeon's
care. The health of the regiment improving, their next active work was at Cypress Bend,
HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY. 385
Ark., on the 18th of February, when a body of rebels were driven through the native swamp,
some prisoqers and munitions of war being taken. March 30 found them on the battle-field at
Port Gibson, Miss., and on the 2d of May were the first to enter that village. On the 15th,
the line of march was resumed, and the loth witnessed the battle of Champion Hills, in which
the Twenty-third participated with such ardor and effect as to receive the congratulations of the
commanding General. The next day, they pushed forward to Black River Bridge, capturing
the Sixtieth Tennessee, with its colors. The 18th brought them to within three miles of Vicks-
burg, and on the 22d they took part in the general assault on the enemy's works, pushing for-
ward to the base of one of the forts. At the close of the siege that followed, the Twenty-third
numbered but 150 men for duty. August 24, they proceeded south, in transports, to Algiers,
opposite New Orleans. After an extended expedition through Mississippi, the brigade to which
the regiment was attached was attacked, at Carrion Crow Bayou, on the 3d of November, by a
vastly superior force. The Twenty-third stood firm, doing effective work, until Hanked on both
sides, when the order was given to fall back. This movement was executed without panic, and
upon the arrival of re-enforcements, they again advanced in line, forcing the enemy back and
gaining possession of the field. The regiment, at the beginning of the action, numbered 220
officers and men, of whom 128 were killed, wounded or taken prisoners, the latter including
Col. Guppey, who was severely wounded. The regiment thereafter engaged in the Texas and
Red River expedition. On the 8th of April, 1864, occurred the battle of Sabine Cross Roads,
in which the Twenty-third lost seven killed, fourteen wounded and forty-three taken prisoners.
The last general engagement in which they participated was at Mobile, Ala. In the meantime,
they had performed some wonderful marches and engaged in numerous skirmishes. They were
mustered out of service July 4, 1805, reached Madison on the 16th, and were disbanded on the
24th.
Company K's loss was as follows; Killed in action — Sergeant James Hilliard, Carrion
Crow, La., Nov. 3, 1863 ; Privates Benjamin F. Lindley, Fort Hindman, Arkansas, January
11, 1863 ; Samuel McCready, Fort Hindman ; James McKeever, Carrion Crow. Died of
wounds — First Lieut, Andrew James McFarland, July 4, 1863; Corporal William Jones,
July 17, 1863 ; Privates William M. Ballard, November 4, 1863 ; Lewis < Meson, January 12,
1863. Died of disease— Capt. Nathaniel S. Frost, December 18, 1862; Sergeant Orson
Patchin, November 23, 1862 ; Corporal Henry Jacobs, January 23, 1863 ; Corporal Thomas
Hardy, September 17, 1864 ; Privates N. B. Aldrich, Robert Blakely, James Burnham, Joel
Campbell, Henry Clements, Moses Dewey, Dudley M. Douglass, John W. Getty, Stephanus
Hines, Nelson Hines, Hugh Hughes, David E. James. Henry Mather, P. S. May, Alexander
Murray, John F. Nichols, James Oakley. Thomas Phegley, M. S. Parker, Charles Rouse,
Frederick Schluckebier, A. M. Thompson, A. D. Thornburg, E. R. Thornton, J. W. Thomas,
L. Wanzee and Frederick Waffenschmidt.
Company F : Killed in action — Privates John Hague, Sabine Cross Roads, La., April 8,
1*64: Erastus D. Miller, Blakely, Ala., April 8, 1865. Died of wounds— Private John
W. Kezartee, August 20, 1863. Died of disease— Christian E. Weirich (Chaplain), First
Lieut. Elisha L. Walbridge, Serg. Oliver W. Thomas, Serg. Ezra G. Seamans, Corporal
William H. Hamilton, Corporal F. M. Crawford, Privates L. J. Bailey, Z. E. Bailey, Charles
Bates, C E. Blivin, E. W. Case, Edward Delap, J. M. Densmore, E. R. Freeman, P. H. Kipp,
P. Knowles, William Lippitt, James W. Mason, Andrew J. Miles, C. K. Newell, William Pol-
lock, Jacob Piatt, Marcus Remington, James D. Roberts, E. C. Spear, B. B. Spooner, John
Staley, George Stowell, G. H. Smith, C. L. Stoner, John Shearer, Marvin Van Orman and
John Waltz.
Officers of Company K : Captains — Nathan S. Frost, died in hospital at Memphis Decem-
ber 18, 1862 ; Ephraim S. Fletcher, resigned July 30, 1863 ; John Starks, discharged May
20, 1864. First Lieutenants — Ephraim S. Fletcher, promoted ; A. J. McFarland, died at
Portage July 4, 1863 ; Joseph W. Richardson, mustered out with regiment. Second Lieuten-
ants— John B. Malloy, resigned January 28, 1863 ; Basil Smout, resigned December 24, 1864.
38b HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
The officers of Compmy F were : Captains — Charles H. Williams, promoted Major August
29, 1862, and resigned February 25, 1863 ; Jacob A. Schlick, mustered out with regiment
July 4, 1865. First Lieutenants — Elisha L. Walbridge, died May 31, 1863, while on his way
home on leave of absence ; Daniel C. Stanley, wounded and taken prisoner at Carrion Crow
Bayou, La., November 3, 1863, and exchanged December 26, 1864 ; mustered out with regi-
ment. Second Lieutenants — Daniel C. Stanley, promoted ; Robert E. Crandall, taken prisoner
at Sabine Cross Roads, La., April 8, 1864, and exchanged June 12, 1864; mustered out with
regiment.
Twenty-sixth Regiment. — About one-half the members of Company K of this regiment
were recruited in the towns of Honey Creek, Prairie du Sac and Troy. The regiment rendez-
voused at Camp Sigel, Milwaukee, September 5, 1862, under the management of Col. W. H.
Jacobs, and was mustered in on the 17th. They left the State October 5, and proceeded to
Washington. On the 15th, at Fairfax Court House, they were assigned to the Second Brigade,
Third Division, Eleventh Army Corps. Their first battle was at Chancellorsville, May 2, 1863,
and proved very disastrous, nearly 200 of their number being left on the field. Their total loss
here was 37 killed, 117 wounded, 20 prisoners and 3 missing. The 1st of July found them
at Gettysburg, where they were again overwhelmed by a largely superior force of rebels. The
loss in this engagement was 41 killed, 137 wounded, 26 prisoners and 6 missing, but four of
their officers escaping unhurt.
On the 2d of October they joined the Army of the Cumberland at Bridgeport, Ala. On the
22d of November they participated in a movement against the enemy on Mission Ridge, Tenn.,
and did effective work. During this short campaign, they sustained no loss, but the hardships
they endured were unusually great. Many of the men were destitute of shoes and blankets.
April 23, they were assigned to the Third Brigade, Third Division, Twentieth Corps. On the
14th of May, 1864, the regiment took a position before the enemy's works at Resaca, and
thrice attempted to drive him hence, sustaining a loss of 6 killed and 40 wounded. May 25,
they took part in the battle of Dallas, 5 of their number being killed and 32 wounded. In
pursuing the enemy they captured a battle-flag, and on the 19th of June found themselves
before the rebel works at Kenesaw Mountain. Here, on the 22d, an attack was made, the
enemy being driven within his works. In this action, the regiment lost 9 killed and 30 wounded.
At Peach Tree Creek, on the 20th of July, the Twenty-sixth captured the battle-flag of the
Thirty-third Mississippi, together with forty prisoners Their loss in this action was 9 killed
and 36 wounded, duly 22, they were before Atlanta, and August 3, were placed in the front
line. The 10th of December brought them in front of Savannah, where siege operations were
commenced. After the abandonment of that place by the enemy, they commenced their move-
ment northward through the Carolinas.
On the 15th of March, 1865. they were at Averysboro, N. O, and participated in the
action near that place, routing the enemy and occupying his works. Their loss at this place
was 7 killed and 10 wounded. March 18, they arrived on the field at Bentonville, and took a
position us a part of the reserve. The homeward march was commenced April 30, after the
declaration of peace. They were mustered out in Washington June 13.
The death loss in the Twenty-sixth was unusually large. The official figures place it at
249. i )f this number, 12s were killed in action. The casualties in Company K were: Killed
in action— Capt. August Schueler. Chancellorsville, May 2, 1863; Sergt. Otto Bernhard, Peach
Tree Creek, July 20, 1864; Corp. George Regenbrecht, Gettysburg, July 1, 1863; Corp.
August Efleck, Chancellorsville; Privates John Hermann, Gettysburg; Jacob In'dermauer,
Chancellorsville; Jacob Klink, Burnt Hickory, May 25, L864; Martin Mengelt. Chancellors-
ville; Fred Roell, Burnt Hickory; Michael Rausch, Chancellorsville; Fred Roehrich, Gettys-
burg; David Rothacker, Gettysburg. Died of wounds — Fred Steinhoff and Fred Sonnen-
schein. Died of disease — Sergt. Fritz Laisch, Fred Balk. Frank Gotthardt, John Mueller.
Company K was officered as follows: Captains — Louis Pelosi, resigned March 12, 1863;
August Schueler. wounded at Chancellorsville, Va., May 2, 1863, his leg being amputated on
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 387
the field, from the effects of which he soon died ; Edward Carl, resigned September 26, 1864 ;
Frederick Koerner, discharged November 4, 1864 ; Casper Buechner, mustered out with regi-
ment, June 13, 1865. First Lieutenants — Jacob Heip, resigned November 19, 1862; H.
J. Berninger, wounded at Chancellorsville, losing his leg above the knee; resigned February 26,
1863 ; Charles H. Doerflinger, discharged February 25, 1864 ; F. Koerner, wounded at New
Hope Church, Ga., May 25, 1864, and promoted a3 above. Second Lieutenants — Edward
Carl, promoted from Company D ; Henry Greve, promoted from Company E ; Christian Phillip,
promoted from Company F ; afterward promoted as Captain of Co. I, and killed at the battle of
Resaca, May 15, 1864 — a brave man.
Tin1 Forty-ninth. — Though the representation from Sauk County in this regiment was
small, it nevertheless has a history of local interest, which is given as follows: The Forty-ninth
Regiment, Col. Fallows, left the State on the 8th of March, 1865 ; moved direct to Benton
Barracks, Mo. Remaining there only a few days, it removed to Rolla, arriving at that place
on the loth of March. Maj. Noyes had command of the regiment until the 8th of April, when
Lieut. Col. Coleman arrived and took command. Company E was stationed in the town for
patrol duty. Other companies and detachments were sent in different directions to keep bush-
whackers and guerrillas in check. On the 14th of April, Maj. Noyes was detailed on court-
martial and military commission duty in St. Louis, remaining there until the 18th of September.
The regiment having previously been ordered to St. Louis, Maj. Noyes was placed in command.
On the 7th of November, Col. Fallows and all the staff-officers reached Madison and were mus-
tered out, and a week later Lieut. Col. Coleman and Maj. Noyes, with the other seven com-
panies, were likewise discharged. On this occasion, among other promotions, Maj. Noyes
received a Lieutenant Colonel's commission.
First Cavalry. — Company F of this regiment was recruited in Sauk County. The regi-
mental organization was perfected at Camp Harvey, Kenosha, by Col. Edward Daniels, the last
company being mustered on March 8, 1862. They left the State March 17 for St. Louis, and
until May. 1863, remained in Missouri. On the 31st of that month they reached Nashville,
Tenn., and were assigned position in the cavalry corps of the Army of the Cumberland. Their
first engagement was at the battle of Chickamauga. October 2, 1863, they distinguished
themselves in an attack upon the rebels under Gen. Wheeler, near Jasper, Tenn., killing and
wounding seventy-nine of the enemy, and taking a large number of prisoners. The loss to the
regiment was but four wounded, one prisoner and three missing. They remained in Tennessee
until early in 1864, participating in numerous skirmishes. On the 17th of January, they took
part in the battle of Dandridge, sustaining a loss of thirty-two men killed, wounded and missing.
On the 9th of March, they again encountered Gen. Wheeler's forces, but were compelled to fall
back. Thenceforward the regiment, with the First Cavalry Division, accompanied the march
of Gen. Sherman's forces, taking part in daily actions with the enemy. May 26, five com-
panies, with a portion of an Indiana regiment, attacked a brigade of rebel cavalry near Burnt
Hickory, routing the enemy with great loss, and capturing three officers and forty-four men.
They were subsequently engaged at Big Shanty, Lost Mountain, Chattahoochee River and
Beechtown Creek. Toward the latter part of July they encountered the forces under Gen.
Armstrong, and after a loss of thirty-one men were compelled to withdraw. On the 4th of
November they left for Louisville, where they were remounted and attached to the Second
Brigade. Col. La (Jrange commanding. Marching thence to Hopkinsville, Ky., they drove the
enemy from the place. The enemy was also put to flight at Elizabethtown. A vigorous cam-
paign then followed in Tennessee and Alabama. They were present at the surrender of Mont-
gomery, and on the 16th of April, 1865, aided in the capture of Fort Tyler, where they lost
seven killed and fourteen wounded.
The history of the First Wisconsin Cavalry is particularly interesting and important, from
the fact that they were instrumental in the capture of Jeff. Davis, and, had it not been for the
unsoldierly conduct of Col. Pritchard, of the Fourth Michigan, they would have accomplished
388 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
this pleasant duty themselves. Leaving Macon, Ga., May 24, they reached Edgefield June 15,
where they were mustered out on the 19th of July.
The death losses in Company F during the war were : Private Edward Ochsner, killed at
L'Augville, Ark., August 3, 1862. Died of Disease— Lieut. H. W. Getchell; Privates Frank-
lin V. Angel, George Boundey, Henry Bray, Ira W. Clark, W. W. Crawford, James Coinbest,
John Farmer, C. R. Foster, Austin Fowler, Jonas Fuller, H. J. Greiber, M. B. Gallagher, John
Hetz, George Harris, E. H. Knowles, C. C. Kimball, C. B. Kimball, F. F. Leonard, John
Lemler, Erastus Moore, J. C. McMillen, J. M. Moorehead, Squire Mounce, Nels Oleson, M. A.
Pease, D. C. Roberts, A. Sattler, K. Swenson, G. W. Seager, J. Vosburg, J. W. Wilder and
Ludwig Wurl.
Company F's officers were : Captains — John Hyde, resigned April 30, 1863 ; James M.
Comstock, mustered out Sept. 31, 1864 ; Milton Martin, mustered out with the regiment July
19, 1865. First Lieutenants — Newton Jones, promoted from Company M ; Peter J. William-
son, mustered out October 31, 1864 ; Milton Martin, promoted ; Charles F. Perry, mustered
out with regiment. Second Lieutenants — Henry W. Getchell, died at Little Rock, Ark., Sep-
tember 13, 1862; John L. Church, mustered out October 31, 1864; William E. Lamb, mus-
tered out with regiment.
Third Cavalry. — Company F of this regiment was recruited in Sauk County, principally
in the town of Baraboo. The regiment was mustered in at Camp Barstow, Janesville, January
31, 1862, under Col. W. A. Barstow, and left the State March 26 for St. Louis. While on
the way, 12 men were killed and 28 injured by a railway accident near Chicago. May 27,
under orders, they reached Fort Leavenworth, Kan., where they were moui.ted, and on the 17th
of June, Companies C, F, I and M arrived at Fort Scott, in the vicinity of which they were
engaged in the pursuit of bushwhackers. Early in August, they encountered the enemy, under
Col. Shelby, near Montevallo, Mo., without definite results. November 30, they engaged in
the battle of Cane Hill, and December 7, took part in the battle of Prairie Grove, Ark. May
30, a portion of the regiment were attacked in the Cherokee Nation by Gen. Cooper's Indian
and Texan troops, whom they repulsed with great slaughter, the detachment losing five men,
killed and wounded. On the return from Fort Blunt, the rebels again attacked them, and were
again repulsed. July 17, they took part in the battle of Honey Springs, aiding in the capture
of all the enemy's artillery and a large number of prisoners. October 16, in a raid upon Wal-
dron, Ark., the rebels were routed. The next day a force of rebel Indians was repulsed. Mak-
ing Van Buren their headquarters, they engaged in numerous successful raids in that section,
and rendered important services in guarding the telegraph and escorting trains thrpugh the
enemy's country. October 6, 1863, Company I fell into a trap at Baxter Springs and lost 22
killed and 4 wounded. The prisoners taken on this occasion by Quantrell's gang were first
robbed and then murdered, many of the bodies being burned.
Early in 1S64, three-fourths of the regiment re-enlisted, and in April, while in Little Rock,
Ark., received veteran furloughs. Thereafter, Company F was stationed at Fort Insley, Mo.,
and mustered out at Fort Leavenworth September 29, 1865.
The death losses in this Company were mostly from disease, the only deaths on the battle-
field being those of George R. Kelley at Battletown, Mo., October 10, 1863, and Nathan
Janney, Van Buren, Ark., September 25, 1864. Those dying from natural causes were Sergt.
Claghorn K. Robinson, Privates John C. Hutchins, E. R. Hall, S. D. Jarvis, J. H. Johnson,
Henry Manke, George Priest, George Richards and Charles M. Tinker. William H. Gardner
lost his life in an aifray at Fort Scott, Kan., July 28, 1863.
The officers of Company F of the Third were : Captains — David S. Vittum, promoted
Lieut. Col., March 9, 1865, and resigned July 17 ; Charles W. Porter, resigned June 19, 1865 ;
Leonard P. Luce, mustered out with regiment, September 29, 1865. First Lieutenants — Asa
Wood, resigned May 5, 1862 ; W. J. Plows, resigned December 8, 1862 ; Clark B. Wilsey,
resigned August 10, 1864; W. Porter and L. P. Luce promoted; Quimby Loveland, mustered
out with regiment. Second Lieutenants — Charles O. Ferris, mustered out April 9, 1862 ;
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 38&
Seth H. Craig, transferred to Company K ; C. B. Wilsey and C. W. Porter promoted ; Eli M.
Cooper, mustered out February 7, 1865 ; Q. Loveland, promoted ; Henry Southard, mustered
out with the regiment.
Sixth Battery. — Recruited chiefly in Sauk County, in the town of Spring Green ;J mustered
into the United States service at Camp Utley, Racine, October 2, 1861, and left the State March
15, 1862, for St. Louis. On the 19th they embarked for New Madrid, where they were placed
in charge of a siege battery, during the siege of Island No. 10. After its surrender, they pro-
ceeded up the Tennessee River, and May 26 took position in the reserve of the besieging forces
before Corinth, and on the 3d and 4th of October were engaged in the celebrated battle of that
name, losing four killed and twenty-one wounded. From here they moved in a circuitous direc-
tion toward Vicksburg, as a portion of the army destined for the reduction of that place, partici-
pating in the battle of Champion Hills and numerous sharp skirmishes en route. Reaching
Vicksburg May 19, they took position in the trenches, and were constantly engaged in the duties
of the siege until the surrender. September 27, 1863, found them at Memphis, Tenn., and
October 6, at Glendale, Miss. Here they joined the celebrated expedition under Gen. Sherman
across the Cumberland Mountains. November 24, they planted two guns at Mission Ridge, and
were engaged in the assault the following day without loss. From this date until the close of the
war, they were almost continually on the move, but without being engaged in any actions of note.
They were mustered out July 18, 1865.
The death losses in the entire battery, which of course included other than Sauk County
men, quite a number being from Richland County, are herewith given from the official records :
Killed in action — Second Lieut. Daniel T. Noyes, Corinth, Miss., October 4, 1862; Corp. L.
B. Honn, Corinth; Corp. Alva B. Page, Vicksburg, July 3, 1863; privates G. W. Barney. G.
D. Brown, Gilbert L. Thomas, Corinth ; died of disease, John G. Haskins, Edwin R. Hunger-
ford, Benjamin I. Johnson, V. A. Bennett, B. Benson, R. E. Banks, William Calborn, C.
Campbell, W. A. Gordon, A. Hauxhurst, Enoch Johnson, P. B. Moss, M. W. Murphy, J. G.
Marden, E. J. D. Perry, H. B. Phillips, John Rodgers, Menzo Tennant, S. F. Wheeler and M.
Weaver; died of accidents, S. J. Gould and Franklin King.
The officers of the Sixth Battery were : Captains — Henry Dillon, mustered out October 10,
1864; Thomas R. Hood, resigned May 17, 1865 ; James G. Simpson, mustered out with battery,
July 3, 1865. Senior First Lieutenants — Henry Dillon, promoted; Samuel F. Clark, mustered
out October 10, 1864 ; John Jenewein, mustered out with battery. Junior First Lieutenants —
Thomas R. Hood, promoted; Alba S. Sweet, mustered out with battery. Senior Second Lieu-
tenants, John W. Fancher, resigned August 3, 1863; James G. Simpson promoted; Sylvester
E. Sweet, mustered out with battery. Junior Second Lieutenants — Daniel T. Noyes, killed
October 4, 1862; J. G. Simpson, promoted; John Jenewein, promoted; S. E. Sweet, promoted ;
Lucius N. Keeler, mustered out with battery. Surgeon, Clarkson Miller, resigned January 16,
1865.
!90
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
ROSTER.
SAUK county's contributions.
There were Sauk County men in various other military organizations not mentioned among
the foregoing sketches. Their names, companies and regiments or batteries will be found in the
following list, compiled from the records on file in the Adjutant General's office at Madison. It
is the most correct list of soldiers accredited to Sauk County, during the war, now in existence.
Besides being copied from official documents, a large part of it has been revised by competent
parties, familiar with the names of those in this county who laid their lives upon their country's
altar :
ards, Norman SimonJs, William Stronner, D. S. Vittuin,
Clark Wilsey, James Wright, Morris Waite, George Kelley,
Augustus Kimball. Charles Porter, Walworth Porter,
Charles Pratt, John Dennis, Charles H Davis, Royal
Dennison, C. 0. Ferris, C. E. Foster, William Gardner,
Schuyler R. Hill, Robert Kelley, Martin Cummings,
Edwin C. Clark, James Colton, Eli M. Cooper, Harrison
J. Case, F. A. Copeland.
Sixth Wisconsin liatlery — William R. Jones, Griffith R.
Jones, Lucius M. Keeler.
Twelfth Wisconsin Battery — lohn Aron, William Fuller,
William P. Harvey.
Ninth Illinois Cavalry— Hamilton Wells.
TOWN OF BARAB00.
First | Kan.) Infantry— Co. K— Jerome Miner.
Second Infantry— Co. D— William H. Langdon. Co. H
— John Wrightmire.
Sixth Infantry— €o. A— George W. Russell, George
Rice, Ira Scott, Elon Wyman, Jacob Schlick, Howard F.
Pruyn, Thomas Corwin Thomas, Joseph I. Weirich,
Charles Kellogg, John Miller, D. K. Noyes, E. Neudick,
Mair Pointon, E. Richmond, Waldo Rider, Frank Gra-
ham, Howard J. Huntington, James Hill, George Harp,
Frederick K.Jenkins, John J. Jenkins, Ralph H. Avery,
Edward D. Ames, Kner Birum, Frederick H. Bunker,
Francis M. Crandall, William H. Copeland, Edward Calk-
ins, William Kline.
Tenth Infantry— Co. H— Delos F. Feegles, George Ma-
son.
Eleventh Infantry— Co. F— Frank Lawdy, William
Stearns. F. D. St. me, George W. Wing, La Fayette Locke,
George Moag, Harvey Ames, George W. Brown, Henry
Brill.
Fourteenth Infantry— Co. K— 0. W. Fox, Martin W.
Hurlbut, Henry Bl'ackett, Charles A. Brier, Charles
Cowles, Ira E. Sweetland.
Seventeenth Infantry — Co. H — James Watson, Adam G.
Malloy, William' (I. Morron, Albert Porter, William Pow-
ers, William Hoxie, John Hamilton, Charles Armstrong,
Theodore Armstrong, Samuel Apker, Ira L. Ames,
Betts, Elliott B. Calkins.
Nineteenth Infantry— Co. A— Hamor Sutcliff, Sylvester
Searls, R. M. Strong, Edson Wheeler, Emery Wyman,
Giles Livingston, Walter 1'ietzsch, G. A. Paddock, Or-
lando Rhines, John Fuller, Robert Cheek, George Gib-
bons, Thomas -l. Johnson, A. G. Johnson.
Twenty-third Infantry— Co. F— Joseph H. Rhodes.
Elijah C. Spear, Charles l.ecker, Thomas B.Scott, Joseph
S". Savage, Charles A. Thomas, George Van Ormen, Mar-
vin Wiggins. II. II. Williams, Elisha L. Walbridge,
Langdon, Argalus Langdon, William Lippet.
Edwin N. Marsh, Charles Monro, .lames ff. Meason, Sain-
uel Maxhara, Jesse Morley, Zepheniah Palmer, Adam
Richards, William Quackenbush, Jacob ('line. Russell
,rge Dustin, Elisha W. Ellis. Dyer W. Hitch-
cock, Peter Kipp, Edward Kingsbury, John 15. Alexan-
der, William \. Brill, Jasper N. Babcock, 11. H. Baldwin,
Thomas P. 'ke, Chauncj M. Blake, Robert P.. Crandall,
Charles Klumpp, Charles l'. Cook, A. M Case
First Cavalry Co. I' John I'.urkly, Peter Schlick,
John M. Mnreiiead, Krastus Moore, Edward I'. Ochsner,
mlei Henry Getchell, John Gilliam, Jasper
Knowles. William t 'raw I', ml
Second Cavalry— Alberl P. Catlin.
rinr.l for,, l,„ Co I' -Ethan Wyman, Ami.* Letcher,
Abram Minot, Levi Jin Id, Hiram H. Rice, George Rich-
row N OF BEAR CREEK.
Fifth Infantry— Co. 11 — Calvin H. Woodcock.
Elerentit /ilfariln/—l\nhen MeCati
Twelfth Infantry— Co. B— 11. 0. Field, Daniel L. Tal-
bott.
Nineteenth Infantry— Co. C— William C. Haskins, Abner
Harriman.
Infantry — Richard Cunningham, Andrew J.
Williams. William H. Bowers, Lyman H. Hayden.
Twenty-third Infantry — Co. K — Alexander M. Thornp-
son, Edwin R.Thornton, Joel Campbell, Jefferson Dag-
get, Willis Campbell. William Ballard.
Sixth Battery- John G. Haskins, Welcome Phetteplace,
George D. Dalrymple, Edgar J. Burdick, Oliver J. Burn-
ham, Sylvester Sweet, Albe Sweet, John McCan
',/ Unknown — Byron Reynolds.
TOWN OF 1IELL0NA.
Fourth Infantry — Co. D — Marshall Newell, Jackson
Peck.
Twelfth Infantry— Co. B— Elijah Seymour. Co. E—
James Camp. Lewis T, Linnell, John Galespie, Henry
Stutson, Isaac Henry, William A. Vincent, Leander Tiff-
any, William Whorry, Alfred W. Stark, Erastus Casper,
\ '.[ Jameson, Uura Stowell.
Seventeenth Infantry — Co. A — John Erwin. Co. H—
Nicholas Stein.
Twenty-third Infantry — Co. F — Jacob Vanderburgh,
George Stowell, John Fuller, Seymour J. Fuller, Lucius
A. Crosier, Phil.. Stutson. John Guwan, Eli ha II. Catlin,
liitt.
Co. J — William Austin.
r— Hiram Huggins.
F — James Riley.
..1 EXCELSIOR.
Fourth Infantry Co. D — fulius Hubbard.*
»The in>.t soldier fro
HISTOUY OF SAUK COUNTY.
391
Sixth Infantry — Co. A — II. 1>. Jones, T. L. Johnson,
Daniel Odell, John Starks, W. 15. Thomas, John M. Fos-
ter, Philip Cheek, Jr., T. A. Jones, B. H. Jones.
Seventh Infantry — Co. A — W. P. Carter.
Twelfth Infantry— Co. E — lohn Caddies, Samuel A.
Burhans, William II. Harrison, John C. Montaney.
\ Infantry — Co. A — George Mead.
Twenty-third Infantry— Co. F — Jasper Udell, G. B.
Paddock, J. F. Gorgus, Charles II. Williams, William G.
Clark, Marvin K. Jopp, Isaac Fry, 0. W. Sutton, Israel
Greeny, Henry Weller, 0. W. Thomas, G. B. Pearl, John
Staley, Edgar Case, W. G. Braley.
Twelfth Battery — G. W. Huntington.
First Cavalry— Co. F— Henry C. Waltz.
Third Cavalry — Co. F — Thomas Chamhers, William
Ableman, M. Malone, Charles I'orte, Thomas Rothwell.
Thirty-seventh Illinois Infantry — Co. J — Alphonzo E.
Jopp.
TOWN OF FAIRFIELD.
Fourth h.fantry— Co. D— Eli Norton.
Sixth Infantry — Co. A — Charles Loit, John Breker,
V. Sayraft, William H. Johnson.
Seventh Infantry — Co. B — Homer Newell, Leroy New-
ell, Robert Hanly.
Eleventh Infantry— Co. H— Truman Newell, Titus Chap-
man, H. 1'orter, Samuel Almy.
Twelfth Infantry— Co. A— J. Johnson. Co. E— A. E.
Kinney, Freeman Hurlburt, Milton, M. Hildreth, Charles
Coleman, James Cornish, Henry Marston.
Fourteenth Infantry— Co. II— M. W. Hurlburt, George
Hurlburt, Richard Myres.
Seventeenth Infantry — Co. H — Derius Palmer, Andrew
Byron.
Nineteenth Infantry — Co. A — Newton Hopkins.
Tweni I / fantry — Co. F— Jack Miles. Harrison
Morrall. \ L Sexton, 1'. G. Crandall.
F.r Cat -Co. F — A. G. Cooper, Henry Vroman,
Herkermer Fuller, Wyman Getchell, Lyman Inman.
Foster's Battery— Henry C. Ilackett, Ephram Hackett.
Reyiment Unknown— L. H. Wells, Charles Hildreth.
Hiram Norton, Andrew Norton. La Payette Atkinson.
William Carl.
Town OF FRANKLIN.
Second Infantry— Co. A— Thomas Bever.
i >ry— Co. II— William L. Johnson.
Seventh Infantry— Co. B— Charles Walker.
Twelfth Infantry— Co. B— Joseph Robinson.
•v' ■ ■ ' "'"< Infantry — William P. Harvey.
Nineteenth Infantry — Co. A — John Hudson.
Twenty-third Infantry — Co. K — James Laitx, Thomas
Wilcox. Alexander Murrey, Adam Cramer. John Rover.
Frederick Bever, George Morgan, Jacob Henry.
Tin nty-xi.. 'ih Infanti y — Christian Wintermantel,
Ninth Illinois Cavalry— Hamilton Wells.
s II', ,,„,,„ ISatterij— Sampson Bever, Martin
Weaver.
Twelfth Wisconsin Battery— Charles Sweet.
Serum/ Infantry -Co. K— John Stair, Man Kyle. Gott-
fried Kyle. Jacob Zimmerly. C. A. Piatt, Conrad Piatt,
1 bchminschnider, William Maekler.
Sixth Infantry— Co. A — Gottlieb Roser, Philip Nippert,
Frank Gerlaugh, Eli A. Rroughton. William P. Black,
John Alexander, Philip Hoefer.
Eleventh Infantry— Co. F— Peter Alexander
Twelfth Infantry— Co. E — George Armstrong, Jacob
Auble, J. C. Knapp, Abram Knapp.
Fourle.nth Infantry— Co. K— Newton Clark, Edward K.
Hill.
Seventeenth Infantry— Co. H— Edward Kellev.
Nineteenth Infantry— Co. A— M. Hofer.
Twenty-third Infantry— Co. K— Charles Bender, Will-
iam Sproul, B. P. Palmer.
First Wisconsin Cavalry— Henry Nippert.
Sixth Wisconsin Cavalry — Wilder Jacobs.
TOWN OF GREENFIELD.
Sixth Infantry— Co. A— Charles Reed, Frank Fletcher.
Fourteenth Infantry— Co. K— Rufus Billings, George
Winters, Sanford Beardsley, John Aukerbran Michael
Aukerbran, Joseph Covenstance, Edward L. Mott, Henry
Tucker, John Simonds, Ebenezer Dawley, Charles
Letcher.
Sev.nteenth Infantry— Co. H— Albert Deveraux, George
Winke, Rhinehart, Henry Loos, Wesley Loos,
Homer, Peter Braintes.
Nineteenth In fantry— Co. A— E. L. Palmer.
Twenty-third Infantry— Co. F— T. M. Crawford, Henry
Fussier, Zoeth Bailey, B. W. l'ryne, Henry H. Johnson,
M. Van Ornian, Lewis Stonner.
Reyiment Unknown — Abram Lazert.
Tenth Battery — I. W. Jackson.
First Cavalry— Co. F— Milton Johnson, Morton Van
(Irinaii, Maxwell Clark. A. S. Baker.
Third Cavalry— Co. F— George W. Montgomery.
HONEY CREEK.
id Infantry— Co. K— Herman Hoppe, Augus
Wan-
icy ,
.ban Ri
Third Infantry — Co. I — Ludwig Sawal.
Sixth Infantry — Co. A — Augustus Klein.
Ninth Infantry— Co. D — lohan lorbryansky, Gottfried
Bogshart, Peter Leiken. Johan Riks, Max Kroscher,
Johan l.ohr, Ferdinand Keller, Carl I.ehmaun, Carl .lac-
dike. Peter Gudeyan, Michael Gudeyan, Christian Ahorn,
Franz Jesse, Joseph Mueller, August Radel, Julius Radel,
August Hildebrand. Heinrich Sorg. Vicens Heck.
Nineteenth Infantry— Co. A — Michael Hoefer.
'Twenty-sixth Infantry — Co. K — Johan Gaess, Michael
Bausch, G. Pfeifer, lohan Mueller, Wilhelm Pimler,
Christian Heldstab, Albert Hertner, Heinrich Nold, Mar-
tin Mengel, George Taescher,
Fourth U.S. Battery— Sylvester Fort, Isaac Fort.
Si-rih /lattery — lohn Jen'ewin, Leonard Schueler.
Twelfth Illinois Reyiment— Carl Harter.
TOWN 01 IR0NTON.
Sixth Infantry— Co A— S. M. Long, D. C. Fenton,
Chauncv Winsor. William Croat, Nelson M 'e
Seventh Infantry— Co. D— Isaac Frost, Edward Wheeler.
Seventh Infantry— Company unknown — George J. De-
wey.
Eleventh Infantry— Co. E— Abraham Hendrickson.
Twelfth Infantry— Co. 1'.— Anthony Benson, Elias Rob-
inson, IS. F. Blackmail, Lucius Carr.Matson C. Osbourn,
Samuel Barnet, Constance Beuchat, Albert Sprague, Fer-
nando C. Wood, Gil Spicer, Archibald Mellon, James
Simon, H.J. Groat, Charles Pearson, Hiram Hawkins.
John Kinneman, Jr., William Richards, M. B. Long,
Henry Ramo, J. C. Wickersham, N. Camp.
Fourteenth Infantry— Co. A - L. Jones. Co. I— Chester
Green.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Seventeenth Infantry — Co. II — Hugh Harper.
Nineteenth Infantry— Go. A— H. E. Stowe, John Mellon.
Co. G — Julius Sparks, Lewis Calhoon.
Third Cavalry — Co. F — C. K. Robinson, Anthony Hol-
bert, Jesse Bailey, Charles M. Kester, William Stans-
field, Daniel Wright.
Regiment unknown — George Keworthy, Ezra B. Rey-
nolds. Edward Woodworth, John Maucka.
Sixth Infantry— Co. A— William Pierson, Reuben
Jones. Co. K — lohn Holden.
Twelfth Infantry — Co. B — John Juta, Henry C. Palmer,
John Sanborn, John Oliver, George W. Bailey, William
Dowell, Ephram ISlakeslee, Harrison P. Bollard, William
Buudy, Elwood Mason, Jehial D. Hagaman, Ebert H.
Hagaman, Levi Seeley, George W. Dickins, FraDk Culi-
gan.
Sixteenth Infantry— Co. F— Charles A. Norton, Ole Nel-
son.
Nineteeth Infantry — Co. A — Daniel Lanbutn, Sidney A.
Howard, Alvah Rathburn, James Curtis.
Regiment unknown — Alfred A. Mathews, William Bai-
ley. John Holden, Jr., Joseph Fisher. Fletcher Gardner.
Twelfth Wisconsin Battery — John H. White, Eliacum
Perry.
First Cavalry — Co. H — Alexander Wilkinson.
Second Cavalry— Co. F— George H. Sterner.
Third Cavalry— Co. E— G. M. Taylor, [saac Van Sice.
I OWN OF
BIFFALO (DEI.TON).
Third Michigan Infantry— -Co. I— William H. Kirkland.
Fourth Infantry— Co D — Alonzo Woodford.
Sixth Infantry— Co. A— Albert Fox. James F. McLon-
ey, Charles H. Foot. Isaac Tucker, Herbert A. Lee, Harry
Williams, William II. Clay, Jarvis Hall. Co. K— Silas
W. Temple.
Seventh Infantry— Co. I! — Gustavus P. Briggs, George
Gaymon, Sanford Frost.
Twelfth Infantry— Co. E— George Freer, Justus Freer,
William Wharry, Lorenzo Clement, Madison Clement,
William H. Fisher, Harvey Canfield, John Bromley,
George Lanshae, John Montague, Wesley Ballis, Chaun-
cey R. Richardson, H. A. Squires, William Hanser, Sam-
uel Campbell. Co. E— William H. Denham.
Fourteenth Infantry— Go. K— John Wilson, Edwin Hall.
Seventeenth Infantry— Co. H— Charles Barens, A Bates,
Andrew F. Washburn, William H. James, M. T. Blake.
Twenty third Ohio Infantry — John .1. Welch.
First Cavalry— Co. D— James Dunlap. Co. F— Elias W.
Kirkland. Ira W. Clark, Holden Smith.
Third Cavalry— Co. F— Samuel Welch, David Morrison.
Regular Army — Alonzo Blake.
TOWN OF MKRHIMACK.
Sixth Infantry— .Sweden Rich. Co. A— J. G. Hodge-
don, Lawson D. Finton. Dewit C. Finton, Thomas B.
Buttertield, Henry II. Childs.
Ninth Infantry— Co. D— William Theile.
Eleventh Infantry — Co. A — Michael Donahue. Co. F —
Edward Baker. Co. G— Anthony Dever. Co. H— Royal
F. Randall, Amos Colburn, George Parsons, John Dever,
Fred Barns.
Fourteenth Infantry— Co. K — Henry Shane, Jesse
EI well.
Seventeenth Infantry— Co. H— Samuel D. Crates, George
Siyys, Thomas Hannon, Stephen St. John. James T.
Flowers, Nicholas Jerret, Esquire Baker. Patrick Kelley,
Austin Burgess.
Twi nty-third Infantry— Co. F— A. S. Colburn, William
H. Hamilton, Henry R. Ketchum. Co. F»-L. J. Bailey,
J. M. Densmore, Charles E. Dennett, A. M. Ritter, John
Weidman.
Regiment unknown — Charles M. Fessenden, Edward D.
Fessenden, Amos S. Colburn, Elisha Nettles, Byron J.
Odekirk.
Sixth Battery— William Colborn, Fred Schwarz, Chris-
tian Burgen, Alfred Rich.
First Cavalry— Co. G— Thomas Kelley.
Second Cavalry — Co. E — Isaac Walters. N. Kennison,
Edwin Pierce, Joseph G. Dean.
TOWN OF PBAIR1F. DU SAC.
antry— Co. D— John Jansen. Co. 1— G. W.
Dillsy. E. S. Fletcher.
Sixth Infantry— Co. A — A. Fancher, Richard Attridge,
II. L, Childs.
Ninth Infantry— Co. D— John Schneider, William Carl,
Herman Rudiger, Karl Such, Jacob Bohn, I. Heick,
Michael Egger, C. H. Rendtorff, Cunrade Kuoni, David
Veidt, Anton Fischer, Richard Wehr, Joseph Bulleshach,
August Sperling, Fred Schneider, Julius Kohn, C. C.
Buchannan, Otto Stadelman, Edward Stadelnian, T. Helm,
C. E. G. Horn, John Stiefenhafer, I. Zimmerman, John
Kehl. Jr., Peter Llurisch. Co. D — Jacob Thuny. Casper
Buhl, Christian Kindschi. Arthur Kruse, ETfiard Kind-
sclii.
Ehrenth Infantry— Co. H— Henry Turner. Co. K —
Baltiser Braun.
Thirteenth Infantry — Co. K — William A. Wyse.
Fourteenth Infantry— Co. K— Charles Davis, Andrew
A. Boy n ton.
Fifteenth Infantry — Company unknown- -Robert Met-
tler.
Seventeenth Infantry — Henry McKennan, Surgeon.
Illinois Cavalry — Car) Lachmund.
first Cavalry — John Church.
Srronil Cavalry — Co. E — Jerry O'Larry, R. W.Sawyer,
William Ellsworth, A. Margueth.
Seen,/ Wisconsin Battery — Edward Neudick.
Sixth Wisconsin Battery— C. B. Worthington, Charles
Richardson. B. Jackson. Andrew Howe, J. W, Fancher,
August Dilley, I. F. Clark, C. A. Trowbridge, Hiram
James, Fred Baker, A. B. Page, H. P. Dunning, Levi
Venneps, E. I. Williams.
Twenty-thud Infantry — Co. K — Rudolph Braun. George
Steil, Henry Clemens, Dudley Duglas, Martin Kanen,
James Bnrnham, Phillip Steuben. N. I. Troser, John 0.
Link, John W. Gelty, Philander I. May, Edwin Morrill,
Arthur Ettridge, Homer Wardwell, Bartholomew Malloy,
John Malloy, Hartson I. Thomas, Chauncey Thomas,
John M. Thomas. Basil Smart, Henry Jacobs, George M.
Davis, E. Mclnnis, Jacob Eluse, Audon Bartsch.
Twenty-sixth Infantry — Co. K — Edward Carl, L. Schlos-
sen, Leonhard Von Wald, Smith Freeman, Gottlieb Pfeil,
David Rothacker, Albert Morsbach, Conrad Hartmann,
Christian Philip, Lutzius Philip.
TOWN OF EEEnSBFRO.
Sixth Infantry — Co. A — G. M. Jones, Theodore Joy,
George Miles, J. A. Coughran, John W. Dickins, Leroy
D. Dickins, Alfred Darrow.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
li'Xi
Seventh Infitntrii — Co. A — llufus Hodgeman, A 11.it! ( '.
Hunt. Co. E— George W. Root.
Eighth Infantry — Co. D — Samuel Fausnaught.
Twelfth Infantry— Co. 1!— Edward Buelow, F. W.
Henry, Augustus H. Johnson, l'hilo Lane, Spencer L.
Miles, .lames W. Lusk, .lames Miles, Ellis Pond, C. F.
Pollock, Charles Reifenrath.fi. 1). Spicer, Milo E. Seeley,
Giles Stevens. Co. E— Henry 11. Rennet. Co. K— W.
W. Winchester.
\ Infantry — Co. A— Jacob Auhle, Peter Iirad-
dy, J. W. Benjamin. Ezra Burton, Hugh Collins, John
Carry. II. C, Cole. Julius Castle. James C. Castle, C. A.
Chandler,!'. A. Dwinnell, 0. H. Dwinnell, C. A. Dan-
forth, Charles Day, Albert E. Dixon, Peter Empser, A.
P. Ellinwood, John Fosnot, Martin Gatinstet, Giles Craft,
Nelson GarJner, Charles Holt. Ephraim Hinds, A. Harsk,
Edward Harris, James Hobby. William Hobby, Jacob
Herbel, Edward Leonard, E. D. Milder, James L. Marker.
R. S. Pitts. Newton W. Pitts, Amos Pettys, Frank Pettys,
l',u--el Kediield.Dwight R William Since, N. P. Stuce,
Martin Seeley, H. V. V. Seaman, Charles Stone, John
Thorn, Richard Thorn, Henry A. Tator, Henry Waldron,
Orson Ward, George Wattenberger, Menzo Winnie, F. S.
Winchester. Co. G— Holden Miller. Co. I— Amos 0.
Rowley.
Twenty-third Infantry— Co. F— Peter Knowles, W. W.
Pollack, John Waltz. Company unknown — Smith Deur-
reaux, Ira J. Hall, Thomas Holton, Jason Shaw, Robert
Robatham.
Tenth Wisconsin Battery— A.. Day. E. T. Shepherd.
Twenty. sixth Infantry— Co. K— William H. Kipp.
Twelfth Wisennsm Halt, r„— John Collins, John Down-
ing, George Flaut, M. L. Jewett, Jay Jewett, William
.Miles, John White.
Ninetei Wisconsin Battery— Co. G— Dexter Green.
First ( Co. F — Amos Knowles, E. H. Knowles.
/• ' Co. I II. J. Gardner, George Priest,
Moses Van Camp, Henry Buelow.
TOWN OF SPRING GREEN.
Second Infantry — Co. K — Rosselus Davidson.
Tenth Infantry— Co. G — Harvey Devol.
Twentieth Infantry — Co. K— Alexander McCarty.
Twn y-third Infantry— Co. K— Thomas Loosee, Addi-
son Thornburgh. Granville Parton, Charles W. Thin,
Morris Parks, Thomas J. Pagely, Benjamin Rhodes;
Lewis Olson, Milton Campbell, Hans Anson, Moses
Dewev, Jessie J. Fuller, Hugh Hughes, David B.Jones,
William Jones, David .lames. Smith Love.
Twenty-, ■ ( Infantry — Co. A — Amandus Silsby.
> •• II Battery — Joseph Lester, Armstrong
Moore, Daniel I Noyes, George M. Spencer, Thomas H.
Shelden, Asa A. Shell. -n, Jacob P. Seiders, Thomas Grif-
fith, Menzo W. Tenants, John Proctor, Richard Proctor,
Ephraim J. D. Perry. Horace I'heltyplaee, Riley 0. Allen,
George W.Benedict, James M. Bailey. William II. Bailey,
Lorenzo Beckwith, Byron Babcock, Daniel J. Davi", Silas
0. Davis, Evan W. Evans, David Evans, Thomas H.Grinell,
Thomas Goodman, William Hamilton, Nathan I'.. Hood,
Thomas .1. Hungerford, Watson F. Hare, Thomas B.
Hood, Alexander J. II 1, David B. Hood. Joseph M.
Hood, Edwin R. Hungerford, George Jones.
Sixth Infantry— Co. A -Sylvester Fort, Isaac Fort,
Alison Fowler, Charles W. Farrington. Dayton Hedges,
John Hedges, Jacob Langhart, James B. Fowler, L. B.
Van Luven, Uriah Palmer, William Palmer, Edward F
Smalley, Christian Chriss.
Xinth Infantry — Co. D — lohn Weir, Florran Clement,
Herman Albrioht, Jacob Tenney, Jacob Nolt, Christian
Hart man.
Eleventh Infantry— Co. 15— Charles White. Co. F— Jo-
seph Fauman, Frank Kern, Andrew Hodget, Augustus
Michael, David llesford, James Lenox, Rodney Hurlburt,
William A. Johnson, Swerin Mather, Reuben King, Will-
iam Divine. Co. H — Alexander Furbur, Henry Bluker,
Eugene Davis.
Sixteenth Infantry— Co. D— Mathew Clark.
Twenty-third Infantry — Co. K — Levi Schnell, William
Renley, Harlon Baxter, Chester Ricker, Thomas Harter,
Henry Mather, James Hilliard, Stephanus Hines, Nelson
Hines, Elish Palmester, W W. Rose, Henry Rose, G. W.
Johnson, John Batch, James Oakley, Conrad Coon, John
Rooney, Frederick Woffensmet, Charles Rowse, Henry
Steele, Frederick Sloguber, Lewis Wanckee, Alexander
McGinnis, .1. C. Damon, Jerome Hugerboom, J. 0.
Perry.
Sixth Wisconsin /lattery — Edwin Ricker, John Camp
bell, James Brat, John Keller, Victor Bennett,
Third Cavalry — Co. F — Benjamin Johnson^ David
Dewel.
TOWN OF WASHINGTON.
Sixth Infantry— Co. A— Israel Inman, W. H. II.
Inman.
Seventh Infantry— Co. B-Abram B. Frost, Henry H.
Travis. Co. G— Warren A. Hart.
Twelfth Infantry— Co. B— Lewis Bitney, Lursis Town-
ser.
Eighteenth Infantry— Co. A— Elias White.
Nineteenth Infantry — Co. G — lames Upham.
Twentieth Infantry — Co. B — Horace Herten. Company
unknown — Campbell Miller, Alexander Miller, Robert J.
Pewell, John Lee.
Twenty-second Infantry — Company unknown — Edson
D. W 1.
Twenty-third Infantry— Co. F— H. D. Newell, Theodore
Guim, Charles Bates. Co. 1- William II. Wood. Co. K—
Andrew Baker, Addison Thornburg.
First Battery- -Nathan Frosl
Sixth Wisconsin Battery — Henry W. Miller, Peter
Grim.
Twelfth Wisconsin Battery— Frederick Rowe, Henry C.
Grever.
Second Cavalry — Co. M — Clark R. Buell, James A.
Buell.
TOWN OF TROY.
Ninth Infantry — Co. D — Flonan Schroper, Gustav
Baumgarth, Christopher Baumgarth, George Luck, Val-
entin Sutter, Henry Bick, Jacob Kuntz, Conrad Kuone,
Peter Jacob.
lifer, ith Infantry — Co. G — lohn By water, Jacob l.ange-
neckhaid, William S. McCready, John Anderson.
Seventeenth Infantry— Co. II— John Kelly, Anton Plon
Twenty-thud Infantry— Co. K— Washington Ambler,
Phillip A. Th as. Orson Patchier, Benjamin Linley
William H. Harris, Henry Boch. Co. K— PeierSchuetler,
Gilbert Walser, George Dascher, Jacob ludunianer.
Bernhard Ott, Daniel Baker, Andrew Baker. John Davis.
Samuel McCready, Anton Bartsch.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
Twenty-sixth Infantry — Jacob Hauser, Theobald Fuchs,
Christian Diehl, Jacob Gasser, John I'. Witwen, Gubert
Walser.
Sixth Battery — lohn William Robson, Solomon Wheeler,
Franklin Wheeler, William Runyan. '
Missouri Swiss Regiment — George Trey.
TOWN OF WESTFIELD.
Second Infantry — Co. K — Henry N'ippert.
Fifth Infantry — Co. K— Charles Fosdick, Iowa, John
Fosdick, Iowa.
Sixth Infantry — Co. A — lohn C. Weidman, Henry
Saare, George Moog, M. T. Moore, Peter Stackhouse.
Eighth Infantry — Co. D — Joseph Palmer, James Rich-
ards. Ira Wiiislow, Jacob Apple.
Ninth Infantry— Co. F— Earnest Brandt.
Eleventh Infantry— €o. F— Earnest Black, William
Black, Sr. Co. G— Leslie Graves. Co. K— William
Stackhouse.
Twelfth Infantry — Co. B— Frederick Giles, George
Mead, Franklin .Fosdick, Henry Sargant, Sylvanus
Richards, John Selden, J. W. Root, Charles Gulliford,
Henry Deerholt, John Kyle, Thomas Little.
Fourteenth Infantry — Co. A — Lucius M. Jones — Com-
pany unknown — G. F. Jones.
Nineteenth Infantry — Co. A — Alexander Wiedman, John
Werron .lames B. Taylor, Dwelton Shelden, Charles
Shelden, .lames Fosdick. Harlow Shelden.
Twenty-third Infantry— Co. F— H. D. Snell, Molby
Culvin, Beaman S] ler, William Sallade, Samuel Emery,
Cephus K. Newell, N. B. Aldrich, Calvin Bliven, Philip
Stackhouse, George \b»>g, John Shear, Henry Black,
John Hinds, E. (i. Seamans, A. A. Wescott.
Forty-fourth Illinois Infantry— Co. B— Riley Mead.
Berdan's Sharp Shooters — Charles Edward, Jonah
El wood.
Third Cavalry— Co. F— Daniel Waltz.
Navy — Arend Benkers.
TOWN OF WINFIELD.
Fourth Infantry— Co. D— William P. Stittock, William
P. Cott.ington, George Foyles, George Underwood.
Sixth Infantry— Co. A— James Whitiy.
Twelfth Infantry — Co. B — John Fessey. Horace Curtis,
George Curtis, Dennis Curtis, Lewis Curtis, L. B. Cornell,
Jonas Salmon, Alfred Darrow, John Kird, James Lams-
bury. Charles Camel. Co. E — Judson Cruker. Co. A —
John Seaman, John Seymour.
Nineteenth Infantry — Co. A — Frederick Barber, Eleazer
Millard, William Millard, William Reynolds, Henry
Grotta, Michael Keril. L. D. Ford, William Swcatland,
Seth Sweatland, Patrick Garrigan, Timothy Hasley. Co.
E — John Eagon.
Tw.iiti, third Infantry— Co. F— John Hayne.
First Wisconsin Cava'lry— Co. F— Herkimer Fuller.
Third Wisconsin Cavalry— Co. II— Bradley Fuller, Co.
F — M. Kevil, George Kelley.
TOWN OF
-Samuel J. Hutchins. Co. I—
Sixth Infantry — I
William H. Nichols.
Twelfth Infantry— Co. B— Oscar Tabor, Stephen
Davis.
Seventeenth Infantry — Co. H — Jonathan Stanley.
Nineteenth Infantry — Co. A— James R. Apker, Je
Mellon, George \V. Cooper, .lohn Ilollingshead.
Sixtieth Ohio— Co. C— Adolphus Mellon.
First Cavalry — Co. II — Nicholas S. Chambers.
Third Cai-airy— Co. F— Frederick Reincke.
THE DRAFT.
Under the call of the President, dated October 17, 1863, for 300,000 volunteers to serve
for three years or the war, the quota of Sauk County was 197, divided among the towns as fol-
lows : Fairfield, 6; New Buffalo, 9; Dellona, 5; Excelsior, 8; Winfield, 7; Reedsburg, 14;
Lavalle, 6 ; Woodland, 7 ; Ironton, 12 ; Washington, 8 ; Westfield, 7 ; Freedom. 6 : Baraboo,
24 ; Greenfield, 7 ; Merrimack, 8 ; Sumter, 7 ; Honey Creek, 10 ; Bear Creek, 8 ; Franklin, 7 ;
Spring Green, 8 ; Troy, 8 ; and Prairie du Sac, 15. The 5th of January, 1864, was fixed as
the date the draft should take place in case the quotas were not filled, but volunteers came for-
ward in sufficient numbers to obviate a "last resort."
Under the President's call for 500,000 volunteers, dated July 18, 1864, the quota of Sauk
County was 437, divided bv towns as follows: Fairfield, 12; New Buffalo, 9; Dellona, 11;
Excelsior, 15: Winfield, 8;" Reedsburg, 27; Lavalle, 18; Woodland, 12: [ronton, 25; Wash-
ington, 30 ; Westfield, 13 ; Freedom, 9 ; Baraboo, 42 ; Greenfield, 18; Merrimack, 19; Sumter,
16; Honej Creek, 30; Bear Creek, 18 ; Franklin, 20; Spring Green, 16 ; Troy, 23; Prairie
du Sac. 16.
On the 1st of October, 1864, Deputy Provost Marshal Philip Cheek, Jr., was compelled to
remind the citizens of Sauk County that there1 was still a deficiency in their quota. He said:
■'The draft will commence in Sauk County on the 3d of* October, and those drafted will report
at Prairie du Chien on the 19th. The towns that have not filled their quotas up to this date by
the record of my office are as follows: Dellona, 4: Excelsior, 6; Winfield. 1 ; Reedsburg, 7;
Ironton, 4 ; Lavalle, 11; Woodland. 6; Washington, 19; Westfield, 4; Freedom, 5 ; Honey
Creek, 17; Sumter. 3; Franklin, 14; Bear Creek, 8."
Accordingly, the draff took place in the towns of Lavalle, Woodland, Washington, Bear
Creek and Franklin. In some a supplemental draft was necessary, owing to quite a number of
those enrolled having business and being absent in Canada when the drawing took place.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 395
In March, 1865, the last draft took place, but the fall of Richmond and the surrender of
Lee happily made its enforcement unnecessary.
In connection with the subject of the draft, the following from N. V. Chandler, of Reeds-
burg, concerning local credits and bounty money, will be of interest.
" I had held aloof from enlisting from a conviction, that, so long as there were still tens of
thousands of single men who had not entered the service, there was no pressing call of duty for
one situated as I was, to sacrifice the comfort of those depending on me by doing so. I realized
that, with the high and constantly rising scale of prices for the necessaries of life, the pittance
of SI?, per month, with all the bounties then offered by the National and State Governments,
would be entirely inadequate to the comfortable maintenance of my wife and six children during my
absence, even should I be so fortunate as to return at all. Nevertheless, I foresaw that the time
would come when it would become a duty to enlist, and I settled that time to be whenever the
needs of the Government should require it to levy and enforce a draft. That time had now
come. A draft had been ordered, and the time for it to take place fixed. I left my home in
Reedsburg on the evening of December 25, 1863, to go to Clinton Junction, Rock County, on
business. While there, a rousing war meeting was held in the evening, and a local bounty of
$300 was offered to every man who would enlist and be credited to the town. I was urged to
enlist and take the bounty. I stated my willingness to do so, but questioned whether my credit
to the town of Clinton would stand in view of the fact that I was a resident of another county.
There was a division of opinion upon the question, no authoritative decision upon such a case
ever having been promulgated, so far as any one present knew. I finally offered to telegraph to
Lieut. Col. Lovell, in command at Camp Randall, Madison, stating the case, and if he decided
that I could be credited to their town I would enlist and pay the expense of the telegram, other-
wise the town should pay the cost of the message ; which proposition was accepted, and I
telegraphed at 11 A. M. of December 28, I think, about as follows :
"Lieut. Cm.. Lovell, Camp Randall, Madison, Wis.:
■■ Vm resident of Sauk County. Can I be credited to Clinton, Rock County, and take local bounty?
" N. V. Chandler.
" On sending the dispatch, I stated to the town authorities that I would wait, if necessary,
for an answer, until the arrival of the passenger train from the north at 12.5 A. M. of the 29th,
thirteen hours, when, if no answer came, I would proceed homeward via Chicago. Frequent
visits to the telegraph office during the afternoon and evening gave no answer, and it was
within ten minutes of train time, and I had given up all expectation of one, when the following
came rattling over the wires :
" N. V. Chandler, Clinton Junction:
" A man will be credited to the town whose bounty he takes.
" Lovell, Lieutenant Colonel, commanding Camp Randall, Madison, Wis.
" It seems that the question was as new to Col. Lovell as to me or to any one with
whom I conversed at Clinton Junction, and he could not answer it ; but recognizing the impor-
tance to the recruiting service of an official decision of the point by the highest authority, he had
at once forwarded my message to the Secretary of War, by whom it was kid before the full
Cabinet, a decision arrived at, and that decision telegraphed back to Col. Lovell in season to
hold me. The next morning's dailies throughout the North contained the following telegraphic
announcement: ' It was decided in full Cabinet, yesterday, that a man will be credited to the
town whose bounty he tak£s.' The decision had undoubtedly been made in my case."
THE ROLL OF HONOR.
How sleep the brave who sink to rest.
By all their country's wishes blest.
When Spring, with dewy fingers cold.
Returns to deck their hallowed mold,
She there shall dress a sweeter sod
TIimi Fancy's feet have ever trod.''
«ye HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
The decoration of the graves of those who fell in the cause of the Union was extensively
participated in throughout Sauk County, in May, 1868. In Baraboo, the citizens generally
laid aside business cares and joined in the solemn procession that proceeded to the cemetery on
that occasion. The heroes who sleep their last sleep, or whose monuments are in this home of
the dead are twenty-or.e in number. They are but a platoon of the regiment of the county's slain
A far greater number lie on the fields where they met death in their country's cause, or in
unknown graves where the dead of the battle-field, the hospital or the prison pen, have been
gathered together. Of these nineteen, a brief record is given :
Harlan B. and Burrett C. Cochran ; the former killed at the battle of Falling Waters, on
the Potomac, July 14, 1863; the latter died suddenly at home July 27, 1865, eight days after
leaving his regiment, and one day before he was to have been discharged from service.
Robert Crawford, one of the earliest and most esteemed settlers. He was a member of the
Third Cavalry, and died January 30, 1868, from the eifects of exposure in the south.
Francis Marion Crawford, son of the preceding ; a member of Company F, Twenty-third
Regiment : died at Greenfield, Miss., where his body rests.
Henry R. Ketchum, Company F, Twenty-third; died from disease contracted in the service.
Henry W. Getchell, Lieutenant Company F, First Cavalry ; died at Little Rock, Ark., in
a rebel prison.
Charles Cowles. First Sergeant, Company K, Fourteenth Veteran Volunteers; died Sep-
tember 20. 1864, at Brownsville, Ark.
Elisha L. Walbridge, First Lieutenant Company F, Twenty-third ; died March 31, 1863,
while on his way home.
Howard H. Baldwin, Company F, Twenty-third ; returned home sick at the close of the
Vicksburg campaign, and died some two months after his return.
Charles A. Brier, Company K, Fourteenth; mortally wounded at Pittsburg Landing, April
6, 1862; died 26th of the same month at Mound City Hospital.
Rev. John M. Springer, drafted September 1863 ; assigned to the Third Infantry, he was
soon afterward made Chaplain ; right knee fractured at the battle of Resaca, from the effects of
which he died in the hospital at Nashville.
John Starks, Company A, Sixth Regiment (Iron Brigade) ; severely wounded at Gainesville
on the 28th of August, 1862 ; received a mortal wound at Vicksburg, "with a manifestation of
a chivalrous and soldierly spirit scarcely ever surpassed," wrote Col. Vilas, after the battle.
Charles A. and Oliver W. Thomas, sons of Mrs. Joanna Thomas, who gave four of her five
sons to the defense of the Union; Charles died at Milliken's Bend, and Oliver at Memphis.
Frank H. Crossman, Fortieth Regiment; died May 17, 1867, aged 21 years.
W. G. Fuller, Captain in the Sixteenth Michigan Volunteers; killed by guerrillas inOct. 1864.
Warren A. Brown, Forty-sixth Infantry; died at Athens, Ala.
George W. Wing, Eleventh Infantry; died from diseases contracted in the South.
George Turner, died while in the Navy.
Edgar Ames, enlisted early in 1861, in Company A, Sixth Infantry; died at Arlington
Heights ; his was the first deatli in the company. His father belonged to the Seventeenth, and
also died in the service.
Col. David S. Vittum, Third Wisconsin Cavalry ; died in Baraboo, April 10, 1880.
Reedsburg'g Roll. — Capt. II. A. Tator, Sergt. F. W. Henry, Corp. Alvah Rathbun, Sergt.
Spencer S. Miles, Henry Bulow, Jason W. Shaw, Lafayette Ackerman, James Markee. John
Hines, G. W. Priest, Harrison Root, George W. Root, George C. Miles, Lewis Curtis. John
Collins, Hugh Collins, and John Mcllvaine.
What it Cost. — The amount of money paid by the several towns in Sauk County fur war
purposes during the rebellion was about $100,000. The county raised $12,000 by tax for the
support of families of volunteers. In addition to this, for the same worthy purpose, the town of
Franklin raised $300 ; Reedsburg, $800; Washington, $3,600, and Woodland, $1,800. There
is no measure by which can be calculated the amount of human suffering and self sacrifice result-
ing from the unhappy strife.
BAR AB 0 0.
HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY.
CJHAPTEE V.
NATURE'S WONDROUS WORK.
Devil's Lake— The Dells of the Wisconsin— The Peewit's Nest— The Upper and Lower
Narrows— Parfhret's Glen— Doeward's Gorge— Mirror Lake— The Devil's Post
Office— Echo Rock— The Bee-Hive— Fern Dell— Congress Hall.
devil's lake.
" Nestled close down between wild, rocky bills.
Feeding no rivers and fed by no rills.
Devil's Lake lies, like a jewel rare,
Dropped from the Oceans casket there."
Strangers coming to this delightful spot for recreation and pleasure or a brief surcease of
business cares, are seriously perplexed to know why it is called Devil's Lake. " Blast me heyes,"
said a discerning English tourist, after returning from a trip on the " Minnewaukan," "hi caan't
see hanything that looks like the devil, you know." Nor can any one explain the reason for
applying to it so opprobrious a title. When the lake was first discovered by the whites, they
called it Spirit Lake, because they were told by the Indians whom they found here that the
daughter of one of their chiefs had drowned herself in it on account of a love affair, and that at
certain stages of the moon her spirit could be seen floating over its smooth surface. From Spirit
Lake, they say, it " degenerated " into Devil's Lake ; but the two words are so far from being
synonymous that this explanation can scarcely be accepted. There is certainly nothing about
the lake or in its vicinity that suggests the devil or his handiwork. On the contrary, there is
everything to suggest something nearer heaven : for here nature has toiled with a divine hand.
The place is less romantic than picturesque. It is almost devoid of cozy glens and wild nooks
arched "with moss-covered rocks from which ooze springs of clear, cool water; but there is some-
thing sublimely grand in the view obtained from almost any point. It is a perpetual object of
interest, full of strange, inspiring beauty ; a home for poets and artists ; a retreat for lovers and
misanthropes.
A current of fiction seems to pervade the surcharged atmosphere, and it is not surprising
that love-tragedy tales are willingly related to those who will listen, by the few inhabitants there-
abouts. It is said — and of course no one will dispute the authority — that in very early times,
before white men came to till the lands, there was camped on the lake's shores for awhile, a
roving Indian band. The dusky chief of the tribe had a bright-eyed daughter named Ke-she-ah-
ben-o-i|ua, which in our language means the "early dawn." She is described as having been
beautiful as dawn, with a slender form of swaying grace, and dark, sweet eyes, full of love. It
was in the queen month of summer, splendid June, when the Indian band lit their camp-fires in
the woods just back from a grassy slope near Devil's Lake. And by strange chance a hunter.
who had strayed here from vine-wreathed France, strolled, weary and woe-begone, longing for
sight of some human face. He discovered the lake, and, well-pleased with so beautiful a picture,
wandered down to its shore. But Ke-she-ah-ben-o-qua had preceded him to that wild nook, for
she loved the sky and its twin-sister in the water. So when Pierie's eyes caught sight of her.
they were magnetized and spell-bound by her wonderful beauty. The shy Indian maiden was
startled by the unusual presence of a white hunter, and she vanished among the trees like a
scared bird. Site was not averse to the stranger's face, and for a long tune she pondered the
mystery in her heart; but at night she found the pale-faced hunter in her father's tent, smoking
the pipe of peace. A blush of recognition and a downward glance of the sweet eyes Ke-she-ah-
ben-o-qua gave in return for Pierie's admiring look. From this their acquaintance grew and
ripened into love. For months the French hunter camped with the Indian braves, and when the
400 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
corn was ripe and rustled on its stalks, and the moon hung full in the sky, Pierie went to the
Chieftain to ask of him his daughter ; and Windago, a young brave who had jealously watched
Pierie and loved Ke-she-ah-ben-o-qua from afar off, went also. The old Chief gave a strange
reply. Actuated by pride only, he led the rival lovers to the side of Devil's Lake, and pointed
to a pine tree, high up in the crags of the opposite shore, in the topmost branches of which he
had seen an eagle seek her nest. He said, " The chosen suitor shall be he who can first bring
to me from yonder tree, an unfledged eaglet." Windago and Pierie were in their canoes and
across the lake in a trice. They were pretty nearly even in scaling the almost insurmountable
rocks to the base of the tree, but here Pierie gained upon Windago, and climbed the tree first.
He went up, up, and — 0 ! victory — clasped the eaglet in his hand. But fierce Windago, seeing
his adversary triumph, threw a glance of wicked hate upward, and gave the branch of the tree
whereon Pierie's foot rested, a wrench that sent poor Pierie headlong, bleeding and lifeless on
the rocks below. A wild cry, in falling, like the cry of a broken heart, the pale French hunter
gave. And Ke-she-ah-ben-o-qua. Ah ! she saw it all from the opposite shore of the sweet little
lake, and, with a wail of despair, threw herself into the water, and her spirit went to meet her
lover's on the Shadowy Plain. It is said that on moonlight nights, the shades of the lovers may
be seen floating over the water. So it was named at first Spirit Lake.
" Woe to the warrior, maid or child,
That meets the specter, weird and wild,
i lr hears the notes of the vengeful cry
That fills the air as it passes by ! "
Notwithstanding the persistency of these ever-present "spirits" in flitting from rock to
rock and hill-top to hill-top and skipping over the water at all hours of the night, regardless of
the weather, Devil's Lake has become a favorite summer resort for large numbers of people
from almost every clime. Its popularity is increasing from year to year, and its convenient
location — situated on one of the principal railway lines running northwest from the great city
of Chicago, the entrepot of America — brings it within easy access. Visitors, to the number of
seventy or eighty, can find first-class hotel accommodations at the Cliff House — a structure built
in Swiss style, with ample wings and verandahs, and surrounded by groves and walks, bo*th nat-
ural and artificial — now under the management of W. B. Pearl, an experienced landlord. At
the south end of the lake N. C. Kirk has erected a row of summer cottages with all the appur-
tenances to housekeeping. Each cottage will accommodate six of eight persons, and, as an
evidence of their popularity, they are in constant use during the summer months usually devoted
to quiet vacations by "city folk." Bathing, boating and fishing occupy the time of the pleasure
seeker, either of these recreative pursuits being conducive to good health and amiable dispositions.
In 1868, a small steamboat, the " Capitola," was placed on the lake, but it soon proved
to be too small a craft for the accommodation of visitors, and, in 1873, Capt. Thompson, who
has an eye to the comfort of every one, built a larger boat, the " Minnewaukan," capable of
conveying 150 passengers. A trip around the lake on the " Minnewaukan " is one of the most
pleasant features in the long list of pleasant things with which the visitor meets.
The particular points of interest about the lake can be better seen and more thoroughly
appreciated by a pedestrian tour over the bluffs ; though the most striking objects are pointed
out from the deck of the "Minnewaukan." The curiosities of the east bluff, aside from the
magnificent view, are the Devil's Doorway and Elephant Rock. The Doorway is situated over
!< hi feel above the lake's level, and is in the form of two well-defined columns of bowlder stone
standing side by side, and reaching probably forty feet above the base. The top sto.ie of each
column appears to have fallen at the same moment, and, meeting each other over the aperture
between, formed an arch or lintel.
Elephant's Rock is a large sandstone bowlder, some fourteen feet long and eight feet high.
In form, if represents an elephant lying upon one side, with well-shaped head and ear. It is
said that Capt. Thompson appropriated the ivory tusks, and that a Chicago traveling man
secured the trunk. There tire many other fantastically shaped rocks on the east bluff, which a
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 1(»1
well-developed imagination might form into various things, from a dry-g Is box to a locomo-
tive.
The especial features of the west bluff' are the Turk's Head and Cleopatra's Needle, the
latter being about fifty feet high, and standing out from the face of the bluff'-wall in an attitude
of perpendicular security. The Needle can scarcely be called an obelisk, which literally means
a high, slender monument of one stone. The Supreme Architect has used many stones in the
of the Needle. Therefore it would not be a convenient article to transport, and when
transported would be very difficult to reconstruct. Should Chicago become ambitious for an
obelisk to perpetuate the memory of a wicked woman, as did Gotham, she may go elsewhere
than Sauk County for it.
The Turk's Head is a rocky promontory which stands a short distance north of the Needle.
The rocks comprising it appear to have been piled one upon the other, or left there when the
bottom of the adjacent territory "dropped out." At a distance the huge mass has the outline
appearance of the turbaned head of a Turk. The facial complexion is also of the Ottoman hue.
The tall pines in front so obstruct the view that we are left in the dark as to whether this par-
ticular Turk occupies a sitting posture and smokes the serene nargile. After all, it may be only
the head of a Turk severed from the offending body by a God-fearing Russian, or a gory-handed
Circassian.
The impressions left upon the minds of those who visit Devil's Lake are naturally very
marked. The awe-inspiring hills, witli great quartzite bowdders clinging to their sides, and
massive piles of sandstone heaped high above the soil-level of the adjacent peaks, are silent
though eloquent witnesses of Nature's wonderful work. By what process did the result we see
come about'.' Let us consult the scientific mind. James 11. Eaton, A. M., in a report on the
geology of this region says : Running east and west through the center of Sauk County are two
parallel ridges, with an average elevation of 400 to 500 feet and a base of two to four miles.
The distance between them is three to four miles. The Baraboo River runs in this valley, and
empties east into the Wisconsin. A north-and-south valley cuts half-way through the end of the
southern ridge, and trends east toward the valley of the Wisconsin. In the north end of this
valley lies Devil's Lake. The ridges are compact, crystalline sandstone, without cement, or
quartzite. The predominant colors are pink and red. often banded with straight or contorted
parallel lines of lighter or darker colors. In some places, the rock is a homogeneous wdiite
quartz with distinct and well-formed crystals. Both the nature of the rock and its position give
evidence that it is metamorphic Potsdam sandstone. The rock presents all gradations, from the
simple sandstone to the perfectly crystallized quartz. The Potsdam sandstone consists of snrdl,
round grains of quartz, and is very loosely cemented. It can easily be crumbled with the
fingers. Pieces of the quartzite may be obtained in all stages, from this friable sandstone to that
where the grains are apparent and the rock is less friable, to that where the homogeneoi!
here nearly approached, but the small grains can still be seen, and finally to the perfect homo-
geneous quartz. No sharp geographical line of demarkation between the sandstone and quartzite.
and no gradation in any direction, is observed. The homogeneousness of the colored quartzite
is nut as perfect as it appeal's. Whenever a. surface has been subjected to the weather, the
rains come to view again. The bandings of the quartzite are very similar to those in the
undisturbed sandstone. These bands sometimes consist of layers of fine grains of sand. Some
of the great blocks of quartzite, winch have fallen down the sides of the valley, arc mostbeauti-
rered with regular ripple-marks. They must have been first made in the moving sands.
The layers are nearly as perfect as in the sandstone, and have a dip equal to the inclination of
the ridges. The dip on either side can be seen best from the opposite aide. The anticlinal
ridge on the east side "f the lake is removed by the valley, which trends to the east, and on the
west by another valley, which comes down to the lake. Vertical joints also lead to th
sion that the ridge has been formed by the upheaval of the horizontal layers of sandstone. The
layers were not traced north and south to determine whether they are continuous horizontally.
Both the nature id' the rock and its position forbid the idea of aqueous fusion or active volcanic
402 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
agency. The change must have taken place by the purely wet way of partial solution and crys-
tallization, or by a low degree of heat, working for a long series of years, through the moisture in
the sandstone, probably aided by the pressure which lifted the ridges. If the latter, the change
and elevation of the rock took place at the same time, and both effects were produced with
extreme slowness. The ridge must have been raised before the glacial epoch. Abundant proofs
of the movement of glaciers over the rock since it has been metamorphosed have been dis-
covered. In many places on the elevated portions, smoothly polished surfaces of quartz of great
extent have been exposed by removing the soil. Before the glacial epoch, there seem to be no
data for fixing the time of the elevating and metamorphic action. There has, therefore, been
ample time for metamorphic action of the most extreme slowness.
Dr. Lapman has advanced the view that the Baraboo River once ran through this valley on
its way to the Wisconsin, and was turned from its former course into its present one by glacial
drift. If this view is correct, as the facts seem to warrant, this valley may have been made at
any time from the Lower Silurian up to the glacial period. It is not necessary to introduce any
great convulsion. The regularity of the layers would forbid any sudden and violent upheaval
and cracking of the i-ock. The slowly-acting agencies of the atmosphere and of water can
have thrown down the great mass of debris which" lies on the south of the valley. The valley
is about half a mile wide. The ridges slope up from two hundred to three hundred feet,
as steep as the large blocks will lie upon each other, and the remaining height is a per-
pendicular wall cut by vertical fissures into most fantastic shapes, with natural fortifications
and castles, turrets and towers, making one of the most charming bits of landscape in
our State. A word in evidence that the Baraboo River formerly ran through the valley
and was turned aside by the glacier drift: The surface of the lake is thirty feet above
the court house at Baraboo, and one hundred and sixty feet above the Wisconsin River to the
south. The lake is more than thirty feet deep, and has a bottom of sand. There is, therefore,
a sufficient descent. The valley is a natural course for the river, and running water would have
given it some of the features of its present form. In the valley, both north and south of the
lake, there is an abundance of drift. In a few hours, a large variety of northern rocks was col-
lected— granite, syenite and Lake Superior rocks. They, with sand, have filled up a deeper \ al-
ley to such a height that the river finds a new course to the Wisconsin.
There is another point of great interest in this region, which does not appear to be easy of
solution. On the top of the ridge, and in lines running north and south, are conglomerated bowl-
ders. These are local, and do not extend far to the south of the southern ridge. They consist
of rounded, water-worn pebbles, and large bowlders of quartzite imbedded in friable sandstone.
Some of these conglomerated bowlders weigh many tons. They are evidently deposited at a
very little distance from the place of their origin. Evidently, in this immediate neighborhood,
pieces of quartzite have been for a long time subjected to running water, and have formed them-
selves in a bed of sand, which has been hardened, and some moving cause has carried them into
their present position. The place and time and agencies which have produced these effects
demand a more careful and close study. There are also signs of a secondary metamorphic
action in some of the quartzite. A number of specimens were obtained, which were homogene-
ous, but contained large numbers of rounded pebbles, of the same quartzite, or of white quartz,
firmly imbedded in them.
It is the opinion also of the State Geologist that this valley has been at some time the pas-
sage of a large stream. The large size of the valley, he thinks, suggests that it may have been
the passage of the Wisconsin River, which at the close of the glacial period found Its ancient
channel obstructed by the great drift heaps that are now to be seen in it. If this is a correct
view, he says, the river (the Wisconsin) must have had a passage through what is now known as
the Lower Narrows of the Baraboo, "a much wider channel than is needed by that small
stream."
The Narrows spoken of by the State Geologist bear a close resemblance to some parts of
the Dells of the Wisconsin, and this gorge, like the Dells, was in all probability cut through by
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. -103
the action of water forcing itself down from the north and west — first finding an outlet through
the smallest imaginable crevasse, and gradually wearing away the rocks until the entire stream
of water flowing in from above could pass through. The State Geologist offers this explanation
of the origin of the valley of Devil's Lake as a suggestion only- The Baraboo, he says, may
be the stream to which the work should be allotted, " but, if so, we must imagine it to have been
a much larger and more powerful stream than now." Very true ; and in all probability it was a
much larger stream than now. There is pretty good evidence that at one time the Baraboo
River was a much larger stream than the Mississippi is now, ami that it covered the entire area
now known as the Baraboo Valley. This being true — and the proposition is not only reason-
ably plausible in the very nature of things, but is substantiated by the testimony of a very
large number of learned men in regard to the former size of other rivers — we must accept the
theory advanced by Prof. Eaton that the Baraboo did pass through the valley of Devil's Lake,
and. further, that the valley was none too large to accommodate it. Accepting this theory, then,
leads also to the conclusion that the valley between the point where is now located the village of
Baraboo, and what is now the Lower Narrows, was once an inland sea, so to speak, and remained
so until the pressure of the water forced an outlet through the rocks (the Narrows). The
course of the river then changed from the valley of the Devil's Lake to its present channel.
THE DELLS.
About two miles north of the south lines of the counties of Juneau and Adams, the Wis-
consin River, which for many miles above that point is very broad and flows lazily along, meta-
phorically turns upon edge and rushes with a deep and sometimes deafening roar through a nar-
now, crooked gorge seven and one-half miles in length. This narrow passage is cut through
high grounds (or, more properly, through a mountain of sandstone), which, after bounding the
river valley on both sides for a great distance northward, gradually approach and join. The
lower or south end of this gorge terminates a short distance above Kilbourn City, at a point
where the north line of Sauk County strikes the Wisconsin River. The stream flows on across
the north line of Section 4, in Township 13 north, of Range 6 east, with a course bearing to
the eastward, crossing into Section 3, but soon turning back again into Section 4. Here a dam
crosses the river. All above this point is known as the " Upper Dells." From this dam is seen
Columbia County and the village of Kilbourn City, in the town of Newport, on the right ;
Sauk County and the town of Delton, on the left ; the river forming the boundary between the
two counties. Below the dam — or, what is specific enough, below Kilbourn City — are the
"Lower Dells," where the river again turns upon its edge, but less ferociously than before, and
continues in this peculiar attitude for another seven miles, the east side being in Columbia
County and the town of Newport ; the west side in Sauk County and the town of Delton ; but
the general trend of the Wisconsin is toward a southeast course, in the '-Lower Dells." At
the point where the river loses its characteristics of a gorge, it is called "the Foot of the Dells-"
Just how long the "Old Wisconse " has been traveling through these gorges, no one will
pretend to say. There are good reasons for believing, however, that this rock-walled pathway
is not very ancient in comparison with the age of the earth. The river, which is believed at one
time to have passed to the east of the high grounds referred to, doubtless forced its way through
the soft sandstone of these hills by degrees, something after the manner of the Baraboe's passage
through the Narrows.
Throughout the whole length of the narrow passage, from the " Upper Jaws " to " the Foot
of the Dells," fanciful names have been given to the most striking objects and places. Begin-
ning at the dam and traveling up the river, the first striking feature of the gorge is Angel Rock,
situated about one-half mile from the steamboat landing in Kilbourn, on the right-hand side of
the river. It is a rugged projection, curiously shaped. This lofty crag a lively imagination can
easily transform into a huge angel with outspread wings ; hence the name. It is also called Marble
Rock, from the peculiar little round lumps of sandstone found on the ledge and in the river
below.
404 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Swallows' Rock, or where the swallows live, is a little further along on the same side. In
early spring and summer, thousands of beautiful little swallows may be seen here in the brown
cliffs, occupying innumerable holes in the rock, safe from danger, and the happiest family to be
found anywhere. Their jolly twittering can be heard far out upon the water.
The Jaws of the Bells, or entrance to the Dells proper, are guarded by two immense rocks —
High Rock and Romance Cliff — standing like sentinels on duty and sternly looking down in
their stately grandeur, as if disputing the right of man to explore the intricate passage beyond.
High Bock, on the right, rises from fifty to seventy-five feet above the river. It presents
a rugged, rough aspect, with curiously shaped sides, and has a meager growth of stunted pines,
birch, and other trees and foliage.
Romance Cliff, on the left, is a grand old pile of stately rocks, covered with a dense growth
of trees and shrubbery. It is somewhat higher and more stately than its vis-a-vis, High Rock,
and lias much more of the curious and wonderful in its makeup and general appearance. It is
suggestive of the stately crags and beetling cliffs of the weird and grand scenery of the Rocky
Mountains.
Chimney Rock is one of nature's singular freaks, left standing for innumerable ages, formed
by the action of the wild waters, looking like the old-fashioned stick and mortar chimney of the
days of the forefathers. Standing out from the cliff behind, it looks as if the touch of a child's
finger would topple it into the river. It is on the right, just beyond High Rock.
Echo Cove. — A most pleasing echo can be heard here. It repeats everything, and is a
beautiful place for bathing and enjoying a quiet hour in a cool, pleasant retreat.
The Bell Souse, "a wild, rambling old rookery," on the left, is one of the first frame
houses ever built on the river above Portage. It was erected in the year 1837-38, by Robert
V. Allen, and for many years was used as a tavern.
( 'hapel Gorge is the next point on the right hand, and nearly opposite the Dell House. It
is a beautiful, shaded glen, and is named from the peculiarly shapen rock at its entrance, resembling
a chapel or place of worship. The Gorge is pleasant and shady.
Boat Cave is just beyond the Chapel, on the same (east) side of the river. It should always
be visited to be appreciated, although a general idea may be had from the steamer's deck. It is
cin' of the most peculiar formations, showing the action of the water upon the soft sandstone.
It can (inly be traversed in a small boat. Beginning with a perfectly arched doorway, only large
enough to admit an ordinary skiff, it opens out in a vaulted chamber in the solid rock of the cliff,
then turns at right angles and, through another hall with a water floor, ends in a large door far-
ther up the river.
Circle Bend is the next place of interest in ascending the stream, where the river and rocks
form :i half-circle. The rocks are high and bold, presenting a cliff of solid masonry, formed and
carved ami hewn anil worn into a wall of adamant by the action of the whirling waters. Its top
is covered with a dense growth of cedar, hemlock, pine, birch, oak and all the many varieties of
ferns and shrubbery that so abundantly abound throughout the Dells.
Sturgeon Rock, mi the left, is a bold, projecting rock, resembling a sturgeon. Here w^e
enter upon the looked-for wild grandeur of the Dells.
Navy Yard is on the left of Sturgeon Rock, and is one of the most picturesque and won-
derful formations on the river. Here the imagination pictures huge stone vessels of war, with
prows and sides and ribs so solid and stanch that for ages they have withstood the battles and
warring of the waters, and. as time has rolled on, they have become more complete and shapely
in form and build. Bold guardians are they of the Narrows.
Eaton Grotto is a long, deep opening — a rift in the face of the cliff from top to bottom —
extending back some forty feet into the rugged wall of rock. It is on the opposite side from the
Navy Yard.
Gates' Ravine,dXhO on the right, is a few hundred yards further up the stream, and extends
back from the river nearly a, mile. It is a delightful place for a ramble, and is filled with beau-
tiful ferns and flowers, tall cliffs, rugged crags and sparkling streams.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 405
Skylight Cave is a very similar opening to that of Eaton Grotto, and is just at the head of
the Navy Yard, on the same side of the river as the latter. Here, with a small boat, one can
seek the deep recess of the rock for upward of a hundred feet, lighted only by a little rift in the
rocks overhead. It is a delightful place to visit.
The Narrows. — Here the river suddenly narrows to the width of only fifty-two feet, and the
water is eighty feet in depth. The river is now running upon its edge, hemmed in on either
side by ponderous rocks. In low water, the current is nearly as calm and placid as at any point
on the Dells, but when the river is up, the raging waters come pouring through this narrow gorge
with groat force.
The Old Bridge.— In the year 1850, Schuyler S. Gates erected a substantial bridge across
the Narrows. This was the first bridge ever built across the Wisconsin, and was used for a num-
ber of years. Thousands of teams and passengers paid toll here. It was carried away by the
high water of 1866.
The. Devil's Elbow is the point where the river makes an almost square turn, just at the
entrance of the Narrows.
Black Hawk's Cave can now be seen on the left hand. It was here (the legend hath it)
where the old chief hid safe and secure in the days of the Black Hawk war.
Notch Rock.— This is (to raftsmen) the dread of the Narrows. It is a square, bowlder-
looking rock, on the left, and is known as Raftsmen's Terror, on which in high water, rafts are
sometimes broken, and lives lost. It can be seen close down to the water's edge.
Rattlesnake Bock is the high crag or solitary-looking rock on the left, just back of Notch
Rock. It is covered with, shrubbery.
Artist's Glen. — This is one of the most beautiful ravines on the river. It is on the right,
nearly opposite Rattlesnake Rock. This glen is delightful for picnic grounds, and has a large
number of fine butternut and other trees, affording an elegant retreat.
Sliding Rocks are here upon either side of the stream, and are so called from their peculiar
formation, the sides being oval-shaped and sliding inward, throwing the water to the center of
the stream.
The Ancient River-Bed is seen as a sand bank on the left. In an early day, the river
divided here, and a part ran around, coming out and uniting with the main river at or below the
Dell House, forming a large island.
Cold-water Canyon.— This canyon requires a full half-day to explore thoroughly. It is one
of the grand features of the Dells. You proceed through a rocky defile and under frowning
crags — a glory of cavern and valley. Far-distant archways are seen overhead. Here one
scrambles and slides, between towering chasm walls so near together that both sides can be reached
at once by the hands. In this canyon fourteen varieties of ferns are found, including one that is
fragrant. Finally, you come to the
Devil's Jug. — In a moment you reach a deep, wild, narrow gorge, walled in with rocks,
which are in some places almost vertical, and in others overhanging the pathway. The gorge is
80 narrow that we do not see the Jug until we step inside of it, and look around with wondering
curiosity upon its splendid curves and magnificent proportions. It is, of course, a broken jug,
the ravine extending through and beyond it for a considerable distance, and on one side the lines
are imperfect, owing, doubtless, to the unusual hardness of the rocks ; but the other side is hol-
lowed into a perfect resemblance of the inside of an immense jug, as smoothly fashioned as if
turned upon a potter's wheel. The entire width of the jug is about thirty-five feet at the bot-
tom, and its height is not far from seventy feet. The rift at the top is quite narrow, admitting
light enough to see with tolerable distinctness, but leaving the upper part of the cavern in twi-
light gloom. The gorge beyond the Jug is passable for some distance. A ramble through this
vast canyon, and a visit to the Jug will afford a world of pleasure. All the many varieties of
ferns and mosses may be gathered here.
The Devil's Arm Chair. — You will wonder why his Satanic Majesty should perch his chair
in such a place, unless he, too, is an admirer of the wonders of nature. It is on the left and but
a short distance up the river from Coldwater Canyon. The next place of note is the
406 HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY.
Clam Banks, in which nothing is to be found except the name to remind us of the delicious
bivalves gathered on the shores of Narragansett Bay, unless, in imagination, a collection of pro-
digious stones is converted into clams.
Ruffle Rocks are upon each side of the stream, and would look well on the shirt fronts of
the giants of olden days. They adorn with becoming grace the river's sides for a long distance.
Chameleon Cave is a seam in the bank, and can only be visited by climbing a ladder from the
steamer's deck, going to the high bank, and then down into the earth. You will need the light
of a lantern and guide to reach the bottom. It contains beautiful changing mosses. It is on the
right just above Steamboat Rock.
Steamboat Rock challenges especial attention. It stands on an island in a curious circular cove,
and resembles, from some points, a huge ocean steamer, without smoke-stack and wheel-house. It
is about 250 feet long by 100 feet wide and some 40 to 50 feet in height, with perpendicular,
rugged sides and covered with pine, oak and shrubbery.
Rood's Glen. — This- is just beyond Steamboat Rock, on the right. It is a large cavern, and
if it were near a large city would be made useful as a lager-beer hall.
Honey Bee Spring is on the left, just above. The rock is shaped like an eagle's beak.
Arch Cove is a delightful place for picnic parties. It is here one can get the best view of
the many islands at the head of the Dells, and of the river for a long distance. The Cove is a
beautiful, shady recess, and contains an elegant spring of pure, fresh water. It is on the left-
hand side of the river. Nearly opposite, on the right side of the river, at the upper jaws of the
Dells, is the
Witches' Gulch. — At the head of the Dells, on the right, extending three-quarters of a
mile from the shore, will be found this remarkable gulch. The precipitous rocks tower aloft on
either side to the height of perhaps a hundred feet, their sides being worn smooth and their
ragged edges rounded off by the long-continued action of the water. One can almost touch with
outstretched arms both sides of this gloomy gorge, which surpasses in grandeur anything hitherto
seen in the Dells. The rocks overhead are in many places shelving and rounded into immense
scallops. The stream through this wild pass is in many places waist-deep. It contains many
curious points — a miniature waterfall, Phantom Chamber, Fairy Grotto, and hundreds of other
remarkable features.
The Islands. — From the head of the Dells, or " Upper Jaws," a fine view of the river, bluffs
and islands, is had for a long distance. This view is often compared to a similar scene in Lake
George. Above the Dells the river " spreads itself" all over the country, as it were, and is full
one-half mile in width and very shallow, the water in summer being not over one or two feet in
depth. About three-fourths of a mile above Witches' Gulch, are seen on the left bank, a num-
ber of interesting points.
Hornets' Nest has the shape, and at a short distance the general appearance of an immense
hornets' nest, [t serves as a pillar in front of a natural portico, the rock having in the course
of time been washed out, leaving a flat roof overhead, with the Hornets' Nest as its principal
support. Passing through the archway formed by this singular rock, we ascend and follow the
hillside for a few rods, and presently stand in
Luncheon Hall. — The waters have at some remote period swept through here with great
force, wearing a passage through and under the rocks, and leaving the flat rocks which
formerly stood at the " top of the heap," as a natural roof for the hall, which is of considerable
extent. The roof has a single break, a few inches wide ; otherwise it is perfect ; and the rocks
which support it furnish convenient seats and tables. Located on the top of a ridgb, the hall
presents a grand appearance to the spectator at a distance, and commands a fine view of the
river. Once within its massive portals, awe gives place to curiosity, and the visitor finds pleasure
in observing the odd shapes which the rocks have assumed under the slow but persistent action
of the current which once swept the Wisconsin Valley, leaving its impress on every hill, and cut-
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 407
ting its way through the rocks until it formed the romantic channel through which the river now
runs. A short distance from Luncheon Hall, is found the wonderful
Stand Rock. — To reach this, one must ascend the bank a short distance and follow along
the edge of the ridge, coming to the rock upon the upper side. The top of the rock — a large
sandstone slab — is nearly as level as the floor, and its superficial area is about 18x24 feet. A
pathway leads to the foot of it, and the view from below is more interesting than that from above.
The water-rounded column which supports the super-poised tablet is of rather irregular shape
and is sixty-two feet high. With the neighboring rock, a sort of arch is formed, somewhat
resembling the cavernous opening at Luncheon Hall. All around is a scene of beauty. The
hills are covered with trees clothed with magnificent summer foliage; a fine farm, trees and
shrubs spread out up-riverward, and the glen is full of ferns and flowers in great profusion.
THE LOWER DELLS.
The river here is broader and the banks present a greater diversity of bluff and bottom
than in the Upper Dells, but the character of the rock composing the banks is the same, and a
similar, though varied, succession of curious and pleasing forms is presented. The rocks have
been worn and hollowed and rounded into every imaginable shape. In some places, great
shelves, with stalwart ycung pines growing upon their very edges, overhang the dark waters ;
elsewhere, perpendicular walls loom up like the front of some vast fortification, and, a little
further on, a similar wall is supplemented with coigns, bastions, projecting towers and covered
archways ; again, the rocks are rounded at their bases, so as to resemble the stems of small
vessels — much inferior in size and appearance to the ponderous hulks at the Navy Yard in the
Dells above. Then the rocks slope gently downward to the green, grassy vale, where a pretty
farm gives charming variety to the panorama, and on the opposite side to the broad bottom,
where the village of Newport once stood in her pride, now interesting in her remarkable decay.
Farther down the river are more noted objects. The lofty banks here, as above the dam,
are crowned with a luxuriant growth of trees, shrubs, plants and grass. The first attraction
after leaving the dam, going down the river, is Taylor's Glen, on the left — a wild half-cavern
and half-vale, which winds around and under the village of Kilbourn City.
Echo Point. — Standing upon the rocky cliff where the tunnel from Taylor's Glen comes
out under the railroad, any unusual elevation of the voice brings a prompt and distinct response
from the massive, smooth-faced cliff opposite, every word and tone being repeated with surprising
clearness and accuracy. Persons curious in such matters (and who is not ?) may easily reach
Echo Point by walking a few rods down the railway, to the river bend, and descending the
pathway to near the mouth of the tunnel, where the benches of the rock afford good standing-places.
Bear's Cave is on the same side, a few rods below, and is a hole in the rock, with a cleft
extending out to the edge of the cliff, and thence downward to the water's edge, the cave form-
ing a recess near the top.
Chimney Rock is a little further down, on the same side, and in size is less than the one up
the river, but greatly resembling it in situation and appearance.
Then comes the Pulpit, standing near the water's edge, and shaped like the sacred desk in
some sanctuaries. Below this on the river, but above it in height, is
Observation /'<>int, standing upon which you can see a magnificent landscape. On the
opposite side
Stultz Rock, a terror to raftsmen, whose rafts are sometimes drawn into the eddy and
whirled to destruction thereon. Steering clear of this treacherous place, and turning a point,
we have in front of us
Signal Peak, upon which the red man, it is said, used to light his signal fires to warn his
brethren up and down the river when there were enemies around. Swinging around the bend,
we soon come to the
Sugar Boivl. which stands out in the stream, as cleverly molded as one could wish. The
shape of this singular freak of nature is as true to its name as that of anything up the river,
though it is hardly so striking as the interior of the Devil's Jug.
408 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
The Inkstand next claims attention. At first first view it seems a counterpart of the Sugar
Bowl, but we soon perceive a difference. The rock, entire at the top, parts a little way down,
and the passage, tapering gradually, is at the water wide enough to admit a small canoe. It
bristles on the top with small pines.
Lone Rock stands in massive majesty mid-river, smiling with its summer chaplet of verdure
upon the tawny flood that washes its feet. It is a broad oval in shape. As we approach we
find that its sides are perforated with caverns, into the largest of which, the
Cave of the Bark Waters, or, as the Indians call it, the place of the Nah-huh-nah, we
push our boat and rest awhile. From the other side, a few straggling gleams of light reach us
through
Reflection Arch. — Nothing in this vicinity is more curious and wonderful than this rock,
the outer walls and internal caverns of which show the abrading effects of different currents and
eddies of water. Leaving this romantic spot, we head up stream along the south side of the
river, to
Grotto Rock. — This is formed by an immense flat rock, and is supported by massive jambs
of the same material. It is quite spacious, and is surmounted and surrounded by the luxuriant
arborescence and verdure, which throw a graceful charm over all the scenery oft his region, and
form a lovely setting for many a striking or quaint and curious picture.
Places of interest in the Lower Dells besides those already mentioned, are Falls of the
Dam, Coldwater Spring, Earle's Cave, The Ovens, Hawk's Bill, Bald Hill, Cobble Stone Cove,
and many others.
MINOR PLEASURE RESORTS.
The Peewit's Nest. — Two and a half miles west of Baraboo is located the romantic Skillet
Creek Falls, better known, perhaps, as the " Peewit's Nest." Skillet Creek derives its name from
a skillet-shaped rock which exists near the falls. The name of Peewit's Nest is attached to the
place for the reason that large numbers of the species of bird commonly known as peewit, or pee-
wee, build their nests among the rocks. A road leads within a few rods of the spot, which is
a gorge but a few feet in width, but of great depth, comparatively, formed by Skillet Creek in
passing through rock of different degrees of hardness. For a quarter of a mile above the " Nest "
the water is still and deep, imperceptibly moving in a channel probably twenty-five feet wide.
Then comes the dam, a structure half-natural, half-artificial, of twelve or fifteen feet span, but
hanging thirty-five feet above the water below. Before the dam was built, the water, after col-
lecting to a depth of twenty feet or more, ran in a trickling stream over the thin rock which
formed *the foundation for the artificial portion, erected in 1856 by John R. Shoards. No swell-
ing flood will ever carry out this dam until rock shall rot and mortar mold, for it is literally
" dovetailed " into the solid rock, extending fully fifteen feet higher than water has ever flowed.
Immediately below the dam, the gorge opens, and on the north side is the Peewit's Nest proper.
It consists of a perpendicular opening, shaped like a horseshoe, about fourteen feet the longest
way, with its open side nine or ten feet across, the walls on the side opposite the stream being
slightly overhanging. Across its throat, some twelve feet above the water, rests a sill, the rem-
nant of the flo.tr of a retired blacksmith's shop, commonly believed to have been of the bogus
order, which was in full blast as early as 1845. William Brown, of Baraboo, at that time hav-
ing a plow which needed mending, took it there for repairs, and only succeeded in landing it in
the shop by letting it down with a rope from the overhanging cliff forty feet above. From this
circumstance, the extent of the blacksmithing operations there maybe guessed. Ill-natured per-
sons surmised that the building was thus peculiarly located, being over a pool twenty-five feet
deep, in order to scuttle any disagreeable-looking dies or molds in case of a sudden visit from
" the powers that be," or, rather, that were. Below the " Nest," the stream speedily contracts
to a width of about eight feet, and here, probably, is the only mill-wheel in the world whose
axles rest in sockets of solid rock. The wheel is itself thirty-four feet in diameter, with a face
of about four feel breadth, and bearing on a five-inch axle. This wheel once furnished power
HlsTOltV OF SAUK COUNTY. 409
for a small saw-mill, situated at the mouth of a gorge, and admirably contrived so that one man
performed all the necessary labor for running it. Here, in early times, Mr. Shoards sawed
about 200,000 feet of lumber per year. This wheel utilized 99 per cent of the force of the
water, a greater portion than any other pattern then in existence ; and the necessity for this
economy in force is apparent on looking at the stream a little lower down, where it trickles no
faster than a thirsty cow could drink. Yet this little stream has performed the wonder-
ful work of cutting its way through the solid rock to a depth, in places, of seventy-five feet.
While upon the subject of counterfeits, it will be in place here to say something of another
mysterious spot, said to be located in Section 33, town of Franklin. Ine arly times, it was
known as "Bogus Camp," and is thus described by a gentleman who visited it over twenty-one
years ago. "'It is situated in a sly-looking pocket of natural formation in the rocks, overhung
with high bluffs. In front is located a pretty grove of oaks and maples, and near by a refresh-
ing spring leaps from the hillside. When I visited the place in 1858, in company with several
gentlemen, we found an old trough, about thirty feet long, which conducted water into a log
cabin, which was then partially decayed. Within the cabin was a dilapidated forge, and, it is
said, an old pistol and other trinkets had been found there before. Near by was a powerful
press, constructed of trees. A rock maple, eighteen inches in diameter, had been felled in front
of a sturdy old oak. The maple, for a space of six feet opposite the oak. had been hewn down,
and in the flat surface was sunk a groove two inches wide, three inches deep, and about six
feet long, intended probably to receive a bar containing counterfeiting dies. In the standing
oak had been mortised a hole, perhaps six inches square, and deep enough to receive the end of
a lever ; and near by we found the lever, a red elm, seven inches in diameter and seventeen feet
long. Here, doubtless, fifty years ago, a gang of outlaws carried on their nefarious work unin-
terrupted."
The Upper and Lower Narrows. — Near Ableman Station, in the town of Excelsior, the
Baraboo River has cut through the high range of bluffs, making a wild and ragged gorge nearly
a mile in length. For most of the distance the revine is just wide enough to admit of the
passage of the river, railroad and a wagon road. At some points the overtopping walls are 200
feet high. The place is known as the Upper Narrows of the Baraboo, and is an interesting
spot, very convenient of access. It was at the south end of this gorge that Col. S. V. R.
Ableman, recently deceased, finally decided to locate, in the belief that it was the only place a
railroad could pass up the Baraboo Valley. And he was right. Here can be procured the
finest specimens of the quartzite rock and the most beautiful conglomerates found in the State.
On Section 31 of the town of Excelsior is another gorge, known as the Narrows of Nar-
rows Creek. In its structure and rock occurrences, it is similar to the Narrows of the Baraboo,
the veined quartzite, however, being less developed than at the latter place.
The Lower Narrows has its romantic features as well, and must be seen to be appreciated.
Geologically, it is an interesting locality. Prof. Daniels thus wrote of it twenty-two years ago :
" The lower part of the Baraboo Valley is one of the most interesting portions of the State. In
variety and picturesque beauty of scenery it cannot be surpassed in the West. The Potsdam
Sandstone has here been violently disturbed, and in some cases changed from a soft, crumbling
state into a very hard quartzite, usually of a red color, but often gray, or banded with red and
white. Manges of this quartzite extend often several miles, and form lofty hills with precipi-
tous escarpments. The high bluffs of the Baraboo at the Narrows, at Spirit Lake and at Gar-
risonville, are mainly composed of quartzite. At the latter place, just back of Mrs. Garrison's
house, the quartzite forms the top of the bluff", wdiile at the base the sandstone seems only
slightly changed, and furnishes a building material of excellent quality. On the opposite bank
of the river the rock is unchanged, but a band of limestone occurs in it so pure and extensive as
to be quarried and burnt for lime. This is located on land owned by Mr. Eiky, and is the only
instance of the discovery of good lime in the Potsdam Sandstone of this State.''
Parphrep's trim. — Eastward fn»m the mouth of the valley of Devil's Lake, Section 29,
town of Merrimack, the southern face of the quartzite range continues high and bold. On Mr.
410 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Fitzsimmons' place in Section 22, near what is known as Parphrey's Glen, a favorite resort for
pleasure seekers, one of the highest points on the whole range of bluffs occurs. This point is
in use by the United States Coast Survey as a signal station. Parphrey's Glen is the objective
point for tourists and others seeking a view of nature's beauties. There was once a grist-mill
at this place, and the oldest settlers whisper that previous to that time a distillery nourished there
and corn was made up into juice ; but of course no one will believe such a slander. The ruins of
the pond and mill now form a romantic place of special interest. The dam was built across the
mouth of a canyon which is walled in by sandstone, some fifty to seventy-five feet in height, worn out
far back into the rock at the lower side, walls nearly touching at the top. After proceeding up this
channel some thirty rods, you are surprised and pleased on turning a point to see a series of beau-
tiful cascades. Very fine ferns and mosses abound here in profusion. After you have taken
your picnic lunch, you can drive two miles farther and visit
Dorward's Gorge, in the town of Caledonia, Columbia County. This beautiful dell is the
ancient bed of a small lake, no doubt. The different stages of water are marked by the erosions
in the rock and the terraces washed up at the several boundaries. At one point, the creek has
worn a bed through solid rock, and the south shore is a perpendicular wall, most beautifully
covered with mosses, kept continually moist with the drip from a spring at the top of the bluff.
It is culled "Weeping Rock."
Mirror Lake. — Situated between the Dells and Devil's Lake, as connecting links, as rest-
ing-points on the way, are several beautiful scenes. They are located upon Dell Creek, a small
river emptying into the Wisconsin at the ruins of Newport. The water is very pure, conse-
quently shadow pictures are one of the principal features of this pretty locality. Mirror Lake
isthe name given to about three miles of Dell Creek, along whose shores are glimpses of a nar-
row canyon with its moss-covered walls from seventy-five to one hundred feet in height; the beauti-
ful fern-clad Dell, with its sparkling spring brook, and shady seats; the mossy grotto to whose ragged
out-lines cling the exquisitely tendriled vine, and ever-varying shaded lichen ; the overhanging
crag, bare of all foliage, as if fearing to risk its life at such a dizzy height. On the left as you
go up the creek you find
The Devil's Postoffi.ee, situated at the outlet of a small ravine; the shelving letter-boxes,
deliveries, etc., are all there. Imagine the Postmaster and call for your mail. Next, on the same
side, is
Echo Rock, a high promontory at a bend in the stream, composed of a light yellow sand-
stone. A very distinct echo is heard from the top.
The Bee-Hive is on the left. It resembles an old-fashioned bee-hive, the base about half
way to the top of the bluff, the apex reaching to the top. At the terminus of the creek is
situated
Fern Dell. — This is one of the neatest little places in this whole region. Is a valley
hemmed in by overhanging rocks, about seventy feet high, a mass of verdure clinging to their sides.
Congress Hall. — This is on the east of the village of Delton, a short distance from Mirror
Lake. Is evidently an old bed of Dell Creek. At ordinary times, but little water is found — in
the shape of a small rivulet formed by springs, which winds its way through. The Hall is an
eroded canyon, in the soft yellow sand-rock, wildly broken and distorted in its windings. Some
places where the rock is harder, the passage is quite narrow, and then widens into large, spacious
rooms. These views as they develop are quite pleasing and somewhat different from all others
in this section. It is well worth a visit. The Dell Creek is noted for its excellent fishing —
mostly pickerel and black bass.
It is confidently believed that no county in the State, or any section of equal size in the
State, can successfully compete, in point of variety of scenery, with " Old Sauk " as a pleasure
resort. And there is certainly no part of Wisconsin that approaches it as a vast schoolroom for
thestudy of nature's wonders.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 411
CHAPTER VI.
The Sauk County Press— Some of Sauk County's Illustrious Dead— First and Last Census
i\ Sai k Coi nty— The Old Settlers' Society— The County Poor— Ornithology.
the sauk county press.
BARABOO.
Thirty years ago, in the summer of 1850, Cyrus II. McLaughlin,* a practical printer, found
himself in Baraboo with a few eases of types and an ancient hand-press. It is believed that Mr.
McLaughlin came from Madison, where he had been engaged in the mechanical department of
one of the Capital papers. He was soon joined by another journeyman typo, one II. A. McFad-
den, who, it is said, hailed from Monroe, Wis. The vacant loft of Morehead's tin and
hardware store was secured for an office, and, on the 25th of June, 1850, the first; number of the
San k •. C'linit// Standard was issued therefrom. Politically, the Standard advocated the prin-
ciples of the Whig party, but the convictions of its editors soon changed, whether from a right-
eous regard for " political purity," or from causes of self-interest, will probably never be known.
The change of front occurred in February, 1851, and, about the same time, Mr. McFadden
retired, his interest having been purchased by M- C. Waite. In May of the same year,
Duncan C. Nevin, of Albany, N. Y., succeeded Mr. Waite, and, at the close of the first volume
of the Standard, George R. Clarke, now of Chicago, and John H. Wagoner, became the propri-
etors. This partnership lasted until the 10th of March, 1852, when Mr. Wagoner sold out to
R. H. Davis. t N. V. ChandlerJ then became the virtual publisher of the paper, he agreeing
to perform the mechanical duties of the office for a stipulated sum per week, which must have
been a great relief to Messrs. Clarke & Davis, for neither of them knew anything of the " art
preservative of all arts." When Mr. Chandler took charge of the office, the position of " devil "
was being filled by H. A. Perkins ;§ John W. Blake|| was "first imp." Mr. Chandler held
the position of publisher until September, 1852, when David S. Vittum purchased Clarke's inter-
est. On the 22d of December, Cyrus H. McLaughlin, one of the founders of the Standard, and
the undisputed Nestor of journalism in Sauk County, bought into the concern, becoming the
partner of Mr. Vittum, and, at the close of the Standard's third volume (June 8, 1853), his
name appeared as sole owner. In the early part of August following, R. C. Gould became the
associate of Mr. McLaughlin, and, on the 30th of August, 1854, they both retired in favor of
Andrew C. Holt, who conducted the paper alone until May 30, 1855, when Victor E. Peck and
James I. Dennis became the publishers and proprietors. On the 6th of August following, the
more appropriate title of Democrat was substituted for Standard, and, in December, the name
of J. W. Phelps appeared at the editorial masthead, indicating that individual as the political
editor. In March, 1856, J. H. Wells, the warm supporter of " Barstow and the balance," and
a reputed member of that historic and politically-renowned band known as the " Forty Thieves."
succeeded to the interest of Mr. Dennis in the Democrat, and took the editorial seat of Mr.
Phelps. The paper was then enlarged from twenty-four columns, its original size, to twenty-
eight columns. But circumstances over which the editor had no control caused the suspension
of this much-managed paper in November, 1856.
The Baraboo Republic. — In December, 1851, Silas Noyes, In-other of Col. D. K. Noyes, of
Baraboo, established a Whig paper in Portage called the Northern Republic, which he conducted
with fair success, considering the tribulations which beset the party whose cause it championed.
Both the party and the paper finally went down together, ami the material of the latter was
removed to Baraboo, where, in January, 1855, the proprietor having associated with him his
412 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
brother D. K., the Baraboo Republic was established, with the latter as political writer, and the
former as miscellaneous editor. It was the exceptional good fortune of the Republic to have
been born and reared in the sunlight of Republicanism, and it seems to have-been received with
as great favor locally as was the party whose principles it chose to expound, though there were,
at first, occasional omissions in its weekly issue which could not be avoided, however great the
disappointment to its patrons and well-wishers. The first change in the management occurred
October 13, 1855, when Silas Noyes withdrew, and his name as " miscellaneous editor " was
"lifted from ehe form." In the following number (October 20), Henry A. Perkins and John
Blake appear as the publishers, "office in the old court house ; " and in January, 1856, D. K.
Noyes, the editor, having been chosen to represent his district in the Assembly, N. W. Wheeler
made his bow to the public as the temporary perpetrator of editorial pabulum and local
jokes.
In September following, Ansel L. Kellogg* became associated with Mr. Noyes as contrib-
uting editor, and, in October, the names of Mr. Kellogg and H. A. Perkins appear as publish-
ers, with the former as editor-in-chief. Mr. Noyes, after nearly two years of editorial labor, bade
adieu to his friends and supporters in the following words :
" We have labored nearly two years, as far as we have been able, to build up a good Repub-
lican paper in Sauk County. We have never claimed to be the gifted, the eloquent, the states-
man ; we claim to be a patriotic pupil, willing to learn the politics and the history of our
country. We can say to the friends of the Republic that we leave it in a prosperous con-
dition, our hopes have been fully realized, the Republic is a living paper, and we leave it
content."
The new proprietors thus saluted the public: "Having been thus favorably introduced to
the readers of the Republic, we are, of course, expected to make our bow and deliver a set
speech. The former we do with a diffident pleasure ; against the latter, however, we shall have
to protest, being unable, in these exciting times, f to offer anything better than an impromptu
expression of our hope to serve the right and to meet the approval of our readers in so doing.
We contemplate many improvements, not the least of which is the moving of our charters to Mr.
Taylor's bank building, south of the new court house."
The editor's promise of many new improvements was carried out at once, the leading
being a complete new dress of type. The Republic soon obtained a high rank as a
leading party organ. The copartnership between Messrs. Kellogg & Perkins was dissolved
January 5, I860, and on the 4th of June, 1862, Mr. Kellogg's connection with the paper ceased,
ami John W. Blake and C. E. Stuart became the proprietors. In August, 1863, Mr. Stuart
withdrew, leaving Mr. Blake sole owner, in which capacity he continued until the 12th of April,
1865. In the meantime (August, 1864), the subscription price of the paper, owing to the
advance in the price of paper, etc., was increased from §1.50 to §2 per annum. William
II ill: was the successor of Mr. Blake. Mr. Hill was fresh from Southern battlefields, and,
being an old ami experienced journalist, the Republic, under his management, lost nothing in
loyalty or business prestige. In August, 1866, the proprietor dispensed with the "patent out-
side" system, which, even then, had become chronic in interior journalism. The appearance of
the paper was further improved by providing it with a new dress of type. April 15, 1868, the
form of (In Republic was changed by the addition of a column to each page, the columns also
being made narrower.
On the 28th of August, 1872, Mr. Hill penned his valedictory, announcing his withdrawal
from the proprietorship of the paper in favor of Joseph I. Weirieh. He said: "However
* N"« ■ •' i ''I""' I V'v. \.:: , n M ._«.,-■. ,,!,.,!} plnii of pi intinu'. When the I'rcsiilent i-su.-.l his
i-lp in til-' /,', /,,</,/<,•'.*
Hi N:. ,....,), ,.| H„. //,,,„/,/„. |, „■ t|„. wi-i-k. Mint 11 fllli paper colli, |
|.. ll.t.li.,.iiM„/,.jN„,„ i I i.l, with war news,
"i-inl matter Wliili. tnailii.i; th.. i .) Mi,- "patent" side
, ntiil tli,, Hrpuhlir was thus run, In it,', I l.y Mr K, 11,-- -
mill i,v it acquired , large fortune
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 41?.
much I might say in grateful acknowledgment of the steadfast support which has been given
the Republic, and myself, personally, in these past eight years, I feel that mure should be left
unsaid. Let me, then, briefly, since more avails not, return my deepest thanks to the many
friends who have thus until now made my labors light. "
Mr. Weirich made his bow to the public in a few well-chosen words, complimenting his
predecessor upon having doubled the subscription list of the paper, and promising fealty to the
Republican party.
In April, 1874, Edwin E. Woodman took an interest in the Republic, the announcement
being made in a simple copartnership notice, signed by the parties to the agreement. May 1,
1878, after the death of Mr. Weirich, the name of the remaining partner appeared as sole pro-
prietor. In January. 1880, J. H. Powers, a veteran typo, renowned for the fluency with which
he wields a composing-stick, became the partner of Mr. Woodman.
The Re public is under the immediate editorial supervision of the senior proprietor ; it holds
an honorable place among its contemporaries. The subscription price is $1.50.
The Independent. — In July, 1866, Col. D. K. Noyes, but recently returned from the war,
and having so well performed his part in putting down the rebellion that there was little likeli-
hood of his being again called to the front, sought out some peaceful occupation. His impulse
and talent tended toward journalism, and, previous experience having demonstrated his fitness
for the business, he at once engaged in it. On the 17th of July, of the year above mentioned,
the first number of the Independent was issued. Politically, it was supposed to be what its name
indicated, but the strong Republican proclivities of the editor brought it within the category of
a party organ. Col. Noyes, in his salutatory, said he felt no bitterness of partisanship, "We
believe this to be the time for pacification, for toning down political excitement, and cultivating a
more friendly feeling among our citizens, especially among the people of Sauk County." The
Colonel published the hide/*, nd, nt one year, and then sold it to W. II. Canfield, M. J. Drown
and I). S. Vittum, the two latter taking a fourth interest each. The office was soon afterward
rented to Peter Richards and J. C. Chandler, who published the paper about three months,
when Mr. Chandler was succeeded as editor by Mr. Canfield. The politics of the paper then
became Democratic. In August, 1868, editor Canfield disposed of his interest to Messrs. Vit-
tum & Drown, but continued as editor pro tern, until after the Presidential election. F. E.
Everett succeeded Mr. Canfield. and in June, 1869, the Independent ceased to exist.
The Sauk County Herald. — Upon the ruins of the Independent, however, was soon founded
another paper, the Sauk Count// Herald, the first number of which was issued January 6. 1870.
J. C. Chandler was the responsible editor, and for a short time he made of the Herald probably
the liveliest paper ever issued in Sauk County. Though brilliant, its career was brief. Poor
"Shanghai " was appointed to take the census of Sauk County, and his zeal in the work led him
to visit Juneau County for the purpose of " enumerating" old and convivial friends he had there-
in the meantime the Herald suspended. The material upon which it had been printed was used
for a short time by Powers & Richards as a jobbing office. It was afterward taken to Elroy and
used there in the Union office. From Elroy it was shipped to Lodi, in Columbia County, where,
on the 22d of April, 1874, Peter Richards established the Lodi Valley News.
The Sauk County Republican — Established December 23, 1879, by Walter Noyes and
C. W. Dykins, as a Republican paper. At the end of two months, Mr. Noyes withdrew from
the concern, and Mr. Dykins was joined in the publication of the paper by Lis father. James
Dykins, the style of the firm being James Dykins & Son. The Republican is an eight-column
paper, devoted largely to local news. The office is well equipped with new material, including
a Prouty press,* the only power press in the county at the present time, and the fir
believed, ever u.<ed in the county. The Republican is issued on Tuesday of each week, at
>'l .50 per annum.
* Tin' Prouty pp-- \v.<- |ai. nt. <] about tt yi'.irs a;_-.> ly t ] l «■ !:■ v ;' 1'r-mty, of M:i/.' Maul.- Th.> first 'tie was manufactured in Bara.
1 il th t -ui ,.lry of W. F. Wuoklrr, and i- now in nso in Mazo Manio. Otiito :i miinOor >f tlnnn w. rr nnoP in tin- ~ i f. -molry
used in tin- officos . .f interior pap-o-. Tin' inanufa. tun a th -■ pr -- ■-■ '.\ trri.-ij ui in Malison. Mr lYuity'-p1'
' ylinder the bed of tl
414 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
The Sauk County Democrat — An eight-column weekly newspaper, issued at Baraboo on
Saturdays, by Joshua G. Ford. The Democrat, which in politics is all its name indicates —
being, in fact, nothing if not a Democratic organ — was established January 31, 1880. Mr.
Ford is a veteran newspaper publisher, having been almost continuously in the business for the
past thirty years. He published the Southern Shield at Owensburg, Ky., for many years sub-
sequent to 1856. The Democrat is a good local paper. Price, $1.50 per annum. •
The Wheelbarroiv Express. — Was the title of a seven-by-nine sheet perpetrated by Cyrus H.
McLaughlin in the fifties, after his return from the West. The little nondescript bristled with
spice and jokes. McLaughlin, like many another man, had his enemies, and he made vigorous
use of the Express as the whip or mentor, wielded in the form of ridicule, with which he
punished them. The paper was short-lived.
SAUK CITY.
Pioneer and Wisconsin. — The initial number of this paper was issued November 23, 1853,
L. Joachime & Co. being the publishers, with C. Duerr as editor. It was located at the com-
mencement of its existence in the place, Sauk City, where it yet remains. The first issue, and
many subsequent issues, were five-column and quarto in size. In the salutatory, the editor speaks
at large of the difficulties besetting the enterprise at such an early day, and alludes to the toils and
deprivations of the pioneer as an illustration applicable to the character of the undertaking and
position of the paper. He announces that the paper " will be Independent in politics, siding with
parties only according to the demands of justice and the necessities of the times, and shall
maintain the same position with regard to all other topics." The paper was edited in a fairly
vigorous style from the first, and took sides strongly against slavery and pro-slavery laws, although
leaning clearly to the side of Democracy and general Democratic interests.
April 21, 1855, the paper became the property of C. Kuntz. The new editor announced to
the people that he would maintain the principle of independence in politics — that he would
oppose slavery with might and main, and go against temperance fanaticism and Know-Nothing-
ism with all his strength. He also speaks of the paper as the first publication on the banks of
the Wisconsin, and further says that " it will doubtless have to fight for existence, like every-
thing else in a new country." The paper, having been enlarged to six columns, with four
columns printed in English, June 1, 1854, previous to Mr. Kuntz's ownership, was continued
the same in size, but without anything printed in English.
Messrs. Kohn & Baumann bought out Mr. Kuntz January 19, 1856, and immediately
reduced the paper to its original size, five columns. During the time the paper was in the hands
of these gentlemen, it maintained neutral ground, with a manifest preference for the Republican
party.
October 2, 1858, L. Crucius and H. Kleinpell bought the paper and effects, and very soon
after it became thoroughly Republican in politics, the position which it now maintains.
During the war, the Pioneer gave its earnest support to the Government, and loudly
rejoiced when the slaves were liberated; consequently became very unpopular among
Southern sympathzers, large numbers of whom then lived across the river in Dane County;
so much so, indeed, that during Shrovetide festival, in February, 1863 (a festival that
was then largely celebrated by the Catholics in this vicinity), and while the maskers from
over the river were parading the streets of Sauk, some one cried out : " Destroy the
Pioneer!" A rush was almost simultaneously made for the office, and, doubtless, it would
have come to grief had not the home-guards and citizens generally rushed to the rescue. In
iN'>7. it was enlarged to six columns in size again.
March 1. 1878, II. Muehlberg purchased Mr. Kleinpell's interest and assumed the editorial
management. Mr. Muehlberg came into the position thoroughly fortified and prepared to main-
tain and improve the excellence of the paper, from having been connected with it for many years
as foreman. The new (inn briefly announced in their salutatory that the paper would be con-
ducted much as before, being independent upon all topics, and that it would be their chief aim
REEDSBURG.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 417
to advance the general interests of the community and to improve the former high standard of
the paper. In 1879, the paper was enlarged by a weekly supplement, patent-sheet, called " The
Story Teller," issued every week. The Pioneer and Wisconsin is now the oldest living paper
in Sauk County, and is said to be the oldest paper in the State printed in the German language.
It is ably edited and has a large circulation.
Keedsburg.
Tin- lieedsbun/ Herahl — Made its first appearance on the 21st day of October, 1856, pub-
lished by C. Lowman and P. Ruge, in the west wing'of the Reedsburg Hotel (L. Ordway's
building), $1.50 per annum, " invariably in advance." The Herald was a seven- column quarto,
filled with interesting reading matter and local advertisements, and, if we are to judge from the
character of the selections on the first page, its "scissor editor" was brimful' of the tender
passion, — for there we find two pieces of poetry : ''Think Not, Sweet One," and "True Pur-
pose of Woman's Lips," the latter containing all the words in the vocabulary that would rhyme
with •■Kiss." These were followed by a story from Putnam s Monthly, entitled " How I
Courted Lulu," in seven tableaux. The first column of the first page was devoted to profes-
sional and business cards, among which we find those of " E. G. Wheeler, attorney and coun-
selor at law, County Judge and general land agent;" " J. Mackey, attorney and counselor at
law, and Commissioner for the State of New York ;" " E. W. Olin, attorney at law and Notary
Public;" "William Miles, attorney at law, Notary Public and land agent;" " G. Stevens,
civil engineer and County Surveyor;" " Dr. Ramsey, office at post office." Among the busi-
ness cards were the announcements of J. B. Gregory, brickmason, and W. Warren, blacksmith;
and Alba B. Smith and J. and A. Smith carried on the Alba and Mansion Houses, respectively.
Turning to the second page of this the first copy of the Herald, we find, in large, black
campaign type, the names of James Buchanan, for President of the United States, and John
C. Breckenridge for Vice President. Samuel Crawford was the choice of the Herald for Con-
gress, and J. II. Wells and M. C. Waite for Senator and Assemblyman. E. C. Watson headed
the county ticket for Sheriff, followed by E. P. Spencer for Register of Deeds, Charles Halasz
for Treasurer, H. Nickerson for Clerk of the Board, William H. Joy for Clerk of the Court,
William J. Huntington for Coroner, Giles Stevens for Surveyor and J. S. Tripp for District
Attorney.
Just how the Herald came to be Democratic in politics, we propose to let its editors tell in
their own language. The " To the Public " or salutatory was signed by J. Mackey, E. G.
Wheeler and S. Ramsey, who, after a brief appeal for public patronage in the measure of their
merit, say :
" In coming before you to make our editorial bow, and ask your aid in carrying forward an
enterprise, we shall depart somewhat from the path usually marked out by our predecessors, and
shall confine ourselves to a brief statement of the facts connected with the origin of the Herald,
and which have led to its publication, and given it the character in which it now appears. Some
two months ago one of the publishers of this paper came here with the greater part of type and
other printing materials, wishing to establish a paper in our village, and sought the aid of out-
citizens in the enterprise. The proprietor met witli encouragement — the people were anxious
(or seemed to be) to have such a channel of communication. Subscriptions were made and money
raised to prosure a press, and it was agreed by those mostly interested i.i the matter, that the
paper should be devoted to home and foreign news- agriculture, literature, science, local infor-
mation, etc., and independent in politics, and a prospectus was issued accordingly. In the mean-
time, a variety of causes, incident to ajirojectof this nature, conspired to delay its publication for
•-in,' weeks longer than was anticipated, ami it was finally ascertained, that in order to bring
the paper out at all, and give it such a character for stability and permanency as is necessarj
to secure the public patronage, the individuals whose money and credit bad procured the pre-,
etc.. should take the conduct and management of the paper into their own hands. With that
view, a meeting of the stockholders was called, and the subject freely discussed, resulting in the
418 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
appointment of the undersigned* as editors of the paper. The offer had been freely made to all
classes of our citizens to take stock in the press at $5 a share, thus bringing it within the reach
of all, and, though this offer had been before the public for nearly two months, and this, too, with
the understanding that the paper should be independent in politics, yet when the stockholders
were called together, it was ascertained that, out of 120 shares, only three were owned by Repub-
licans— the Republican party thus giving the project the ' cold shoulder.' It was therefore
agreed, that, inasmuch as the Democrats of the village were obliged to take the whole burden
upon their own shoulders, justice and sound policy would dictate that the paper should ad-
vocate the sentiments of the Democratic party of the country. It was with this understanding
that the undersigned accepted the appointment of the chair editorial. We have accordingly
raised to our ' mast head ' the Democratic national, State and county tickets, and shall
float them there and battle for their success, until their final ratification by the people on the
4th of November next."
Following this was an editorial article, addressed " To the Electors of Sauk County," set-
ting forth the rare and righteous principles then claimed for the Democratic party, and perforat-
ing the Republican platform with virtuous anathemas. An account of the troubles in Kansas,
a telegraphic dispatch conveying the news of Democratic victories in Pennsylvania and Indiana,
and an article on the early settlement and commercial advantages of Reedsburg, completed the
contents of the second page.
On the third page were the marriage notices of Walter Bates and Isaac Flinn. of Baraboo,
to Miss Ruth Bunker and Miss Emily L. Bunker, of New Buffalo ; Stephen A. Greenslitt to
Miss Minora Loomis, both of Dellona ; Moses Young, of Reedsburg, to Miss Catharine Amelia
Medberry, of Troy ; and Jonathan Knoles, of Freedom, to Miss Lydia Burnard, of Washing-
ton ; a list of letters remaining unclaimed in the post office of Reedsburg (E. W. Young, P. M.);
the advertisements of Green & Waterman, dry goods, groceries, etc. ; L. H. Jewett, variety
store : A. Petty, jewelry ; M. & E. W. Young, staple and fancy goods; T. Lichtenhein & Co.,
dry goods and ready-made clothing; M. Finch, harness and saddlery; J. & A. Smith, stage
line ; Ring & Demerest, market, eating saloon and groceries ; Clark k Sanburn, livery stable ;
George Meyers, furniture and hardware, and numerous smaller notices of farms for sale, etc.
The fourth page contained a few short selections, and most of the third-page advertisements
already mentioned, which the editors were compelled to duplicate to " fill up."
Number 3 of the Herald announced the result of the election as follows : " Three
cheers for the Democracy of Reedsburg ! They have done nobly. Within the last year, they
have increased their vote from 46 to 110, while the Shanghais have increased theirs since last
fall but 8. So much for a full discussion of our principles ; they have but to be understood to
be embraced. Our opponents, who counted on 150 majority, have but 34.
" P. S. — Just as we are going to press we have returns showing that the Republicans have
carried the county by not far from 900 majority."
On the 5th of March, 1857, a dissolution of copartnership took place between Messrs. Low-
man & Ruge, in the publication of the Herald, Mr. Ruge retiring from the firm and Mr.
Lowman remaining as sole publisher. In April, there having arisen some dispute between the
Herald and a Baraboo cotemporary, as to the authorship of a certain article. Mr. Lowman's
name was placed at the head of the local columns, with the announcement that he would be
responsible for all that appeared therein in the future ; and a month later (June 4) the Herald
passed entirely to the management of Mr. Lowman, he having purchased it from the stockhold-
ers. Messrs. Mackey, Wheeler and Ramsey also withdrew from editorial responsibility, and
Mr. Lowman's name appeared as sole editor and proprietor. But the struggle for existence,
though manful, was without avail, and on the 21st of November, in Number 4 of Volume II,
the editor made an aide appeal to his patrons, pointing out to them their duty toward their
adopted party organ. The appeal, however, had not the desired effect of bringing a sufficient
number of the delinquents to time to encourage Mr. Lowman's further publication of the Her-
*MeBsrB. Muok'-y. "Wheeler and B
HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY. 410
aid, and the property was turned over to its original editors, Messrs. Wheeler, Ramsey and
Mackey, who, after a delay of about a month, brought it out reduced in size to a six-column quarto.
The editors acknowledged that they were not surprised to sec, •■ notwithstanding the three week -'
repose of the Herald,'' that the world had continued to wag. The old year had gone, and the
new arrived ; Kansas had not failed to bleed ; the Wisconsin Legislature had assembled in an-
nual session, ostensibly to make laws, but, as the editor feared, only to do mischief; the Presi-
dent had not changed his Kansas policy — and still the Herald had actually been in a state of
suspension for nearly a month ! The new management was very brief. Retrenchment became
so urgently necessary that N. V. Chandler, who had removed hither but a short time previous,
was employed to get oul the paper at a stipulated price per week, which he continued to do
until some time in February, 1858, when, on consultation of the managers, examination of
1 ks, etc., it was demonstrated that every number published involved a positive loss; under
these circumstances, it was resolved to suspend publication forthwith, and the Reedsburg Herald
was numbered among the things that were.
The lu-cdaliiiri/ Free Fress. — The life of a country editor, as we all know, is not an easy
one; even after he becomes permanently established his trials do not cease. He still continues
to be the ill-paid subject of merciless criticism, unless it so happens that within his composition
is found that anomalous quality fitting him for the exceptional position of one who knows how
to run a paper to suit everybody. But rarely have we encountered a recital of tribulations so
vivid as the following from the pen of N. V. Chandler, the founder of the Free Press. For
genuine perseverance and perpetual disappointment, the case, we believe, is without a parallel.
"After the suspension of the IFerahl," says Mr. Chandler, "upon the publication of which I was
employed by the Herald Printing Company, after the ' Lowman fiasco,' I busied myself as best
I could, doing such jobs of printing as I could obtain to do, using the material of the defunct
Herald, which I rented for that purpose, and, to eke out a subsistence, doing any other kind of
work that offered, and even going to Baral and other points to work at my trade, when work
could be procured. Sometime in the fall or winter of 1859-60, E. G. Wheeler, who had
acquired a controlling interest in the stock of the company, sold the material of the Herald to a
Mr. Wells, of New Lisbon, and I was thus deprived of my chief source of income. Business of
all kinds, all over the country, was at a very low ebb, and the prospect of success in the news-
paper business was far from flattering, even if I had possessed capital to embark in it. One day
1 was remarking to a friend, Mr. Willard Shumway, the low condition of my finances, and de-
spondingly inquired how I was to obtain the means of supporting my family, when he said tome
1 Why don't you start a paper here?' ' Start a paper !' said I. 'Wha1 have 1 got to start a
paper with? 'Circulate a subscription,' said he, 'among the business men.' 'How much will
you give?' said I, somewhat amused at the idea, which at the moment I did not entertain at all.
• Oh, I will give something,' said he. And so the conversation terminated. But the idea
remained with me. I had canvassed almost every other scheme for obtaining an honest liveli-
hood, and the prospect looked gloomy enough. After thinking the matter over for a day or
two, I came to the conclusion that it could do no hurt to try the experiment. I had heard of a
second-hand press I could buy at Richland Center for $50, and 1 believed that for $200 I could
get together enough second-hand material to print a six-column paper.
■• Accordingly, I drew up a subscription paper, setting forth my intentions, and promising
that if the sum of 8200 was raised. 1 would establish a paper and publish it one year, refund-
ing the amount in advertising, job work or subscription — no portion of the monej to be paid
to me until the first number appeared. Notwithstanding the liberality of this proposition, after
two weeks of persistent canvassing (during which 1 exhausted my powers of rhetoric and per-
suasion, and after demonstrating over and over again to my own satisfaction, at least, that if the
amount was forthcoming, the paper would be also, and that for one year, at least, Reedsburg
would be represented among the newspaper towns of the State), I had only obtained the pledge of
$165, in sums of $5 to $20. In a fit of desperation, I went to J. F. Danforth, who was known
to have some money, and proposed to him that if he would put down his name for the balance,
420 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
$35. I would give him a mortgage on the material of the office, when procured, before demand-
ing the money, and would repay the loan in cash, with lawful interest, which was then, I think,
12 per cent. After thinking the matter over two or three days, and after much urging, and
after taking counsel as to the binding nature of the agreement, he finally signed the subscription.
"All this looks very ridiculous at this distance of time, and in the light of the recent finan-
cial prosperity of the town and surrounding country ; but it was all dead earnest then. Like
the boy engaged digging out a wood-chuck by the roadside, when asked by a traveling preacher
who came along, if he thought he would get the animal. ' Get him ?' said the boy, ' I've got to
get him ! — we're out of meat, and the minister is to be at our house to-night !' I was out of meat,
and something had to be done.
" Well, the amount of $200 being subscribed, the question arose as to how I was to make
it available to purchase material. By its terms, no part of the subscription was to be paid until
the appearance of the first number. My whole available capital was §5 in gold, while I
was in debt to the various merchants for the means of previous subsistence. But faith in my
ability to accomplish whatever I undertook was then strong within me, and, nothing daunted, I
set out for Richland Center to secure the press, walking the entire distance. I left Reedsburg
about 11 A. M. of a hot day in the beginning of May, and traveled through the woods, over
mads entirely new to me, a considerable part of the way, to everybody else, also, as I could
scarcely distinguish the track, and only went by ' blazed ' trees. I stayed all night at a farm-
house six miles this side of the Center, and the next morning walked in, through a drizzling
rain. I saw the press and its owner, and quickly agreed upon terms — which were that I should
pav $50 for the press, and 15 cents a pound for about a hundred pounds of nearly new minion
type, which was in a ' pied ' condition — he making the purchase of the type a condition of sell-
ing me the press. But when the question of pay came to be discussed, a difficulty arose that
threatened to be fatal to the enterprise. He knew nobody in Reedsburg : I was known by no-
body at Richland Center. I offered a note signed by myself and two citizens of Reedsburg, pay-
able in two months. Finally, he bethought him that he hail a slight acquaintance with George
Flautt, then a law student at Reedsburg, and wrote him a letter, in which he stated that if
George would certify to the responsibility of my indorsers, lie would sell me the press. 1 imme-
diately started for home, where I arrived the same night, having walked thirty-six miles, and
made the bargain that day.
" George Flautt having signed a statement that the indorsers of my note were good, I
procured a team and went for my press and my hundred pounds of minion type. After resting
a lew days, I started for Milwaukee and intermediate points, to hunt up the balance of the type
necessary to get out a paper. I walked to a point fourteen miles beyond Portage, forty-four
miles from Reedsburg, the first day ; and the next morning walked four miles further, to Cam-
bria Station, and took the cars for Beaver Dam, where I had acquaintances. I went to the
Citizen office and inquired of the proprietor if he had any second-hand type for sale. He said
he had not, but, after a few moments' thought, said there was an old disused office lying in town,
and that George Stewart was agent for the sale of it. I went to Stewart, who at first refused
to sell a part unless he could sell the whole, which included a power-press ; but finally he acted
upon my suggestion that he ask the advice of Mr. Wells, of the Citizen. This gentleman, upon
being consulted as to what he would do with the material in question if he owned it, replied :
'Box it up and send it to the foundry for old type, as quick as I could.' This decided Mr.
Stewart to -ill. ami lie asked me what proposition I had to make. I told him I would give him
50 per cent of the type-foundry price for everything I selected, which Mr. Wells tolcl him was
an exceedingly liberal offer. Then came the question of pay, and I had a much harder time to
convince Mr. Stewarl of the safety of selling me $2(H» worth of material than I hail the Rich-
land (enter man. He was not convinced of the responsibility of my sureties, and one propo-
sition after another was rejected, until finally I proposed to re-enforce the note signed by myself
and the two Reedsburg men (one of whom was John Kellogg, whose unindorsed note would
now he good for thousands of dollars) with a mortgage upon the materials purchased, and upon
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. +-i
the press which I had at home. This proposition was accepted, and I succeeded in selecting
type, -cases, sticks, rides, dashes, etc., to the amount of $225, which I boxed up and shipped to
Reedsburg without further delay. Eight miles from Beaver Dam, I had two brothers living,
and one of them, Charles A. Chandler, who was a mechanic, accompanied me home to assist
me in getting the office running. In the course of a month, on the 25th of June, 18(30, 1 got
out my first paper upon this condemned, second-hand type, which an excellent printer, Mr.
Cullaton, had pronounced utterly unfit for use, and upon the $50 press, which, when 1
bought it, was so utterly out of joint that the seller had no idea that it could ever be used ; and
so well did I use my knowledge of presses and type that, when it appeared, the paper was
highly complimented by the State press, and the Milwaukee Sentinel, in noticing it, went so far
:i- to say, 'printed from new type.' Upon the issue of the paper. I realized upon my subscrip-
tion paper which I had previously circulated, §160, not availing myself of the arrangement
with Mr. Danforth ; and. as the number of cash-paying subscribers was very fair, I was at once
able to liquidate the indebtedness, and put the paper, which I had christened the Free Press,
upon a paying basis.
" I fulfilled my agreement with the citizens of Reedsburg, continuing the paper until the
7th of September, 1861, when, the war being then in progress, the people of this community,
like those of every other throughout the nation, were greatly exercised over the heavy taxation,
expected to ensue, and could give no positive assurance of support, though they professed them-
selves satisfied with the paper, and would do what they could to support it. But Mr. Wells, of
New Lisbon, having lost his press, through inability to pay for it, made me what I regarded a
good offer, to move my press up there, which I did. I run the Juneau < 'ounty Argus until the
fall of 1802, when, the county having gone Democratic and elected a county ticket in the
interest of Mauston, thus depriving me of the county printing, I suspended publication, and in
February following moved my family and printing material back to Reedsburg; but I did not
engage in publishing a paper, because of the unsettled and embittered state of public feeling.
In the last days of that year 1863, 1 entered the military service, where I remained until June,
1866 — more than a year after the close of the war. Upon arriving home, I found that my press
and material had been sold, to go to Mazo Manie, and I therefore turned my attention to other
pursuits."
Mr. Chandler has neglected to mention the fact — which of course every one then knew,
but which every one would not know a hundred years hence should we now fail to record it —
that the Free Press was a stanch Republican paper, and its first number was issued just in time
to announce the nominees of the Chicago Convention of June, 1860 — Abraham Lincoln and
Hannibal Hamlin. In his indorsement of the nominees, the editor said: " As to our political
course, we need only to refer our readers to the flag which we carry at the mast-head, inscribed
with the names of the gallant rail-splitter of Illinois and the printer-lawyer of Maine, and to
the declaration of principles as set forth by the Republican National Convention.
And now up to the ceiling goes the editorial felt, while we hurrah for Old Abe. the giant of the
West."
The motto of the Free Press was, "Pledged but to truth, to liberty and law." Typo-
graphically it was probably the neatest paper in the Northwest. In its first number we find the
business cards of Stevens & Miles, J. Mackey and E. G. Wheeler, attorneys at law : of A. O
Hunt and A. West, Justices of the Peace; of Dr. S. Hall, physician and surgeon ; of J. Barn-
hart, wagon and carriage maker; of M. Finch, harness-maker; of A. Pettyes, fashionable
tailor: of William A. Pixley, watchmaker and jeweler; F. A. Weir, advertised the Alba
House, and Perley Sargent the Western Hotel, while Justus Freer appeared as the landlord of
Cottage Inn, at Delton. Sanford & Son sold sufficient dry goods to enable them to employ a
column of the Free Press to tell the people about it, while J. L. Green was not far behind in
the same line of business. John Kellogg sold plows and ice cream and lemonade and anvils,
and anything else in any other line to be thought of. Dr. Ramsey sold drugs, paints, high-
wines, etc.; Volney Ayres did blacksmithing, and Electa Ayres had a farm for sale ; I! C. Lewis
*-■!> HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
was the village tinner, and D. R. Kellogg took pictures ; J. W. Lusk and H. M. Haskell,
issued insurance policies, and M. Shumway sold ice; Murray & Jones, Baraboo, kept hard-
ware, while Moritz Pietzsch bound books ; G. H. Stewart & Co., of Beaver Dam, advertised
the product of their woolen mill — and altogether the Free Press was well patronized.
As has been stated by Mr. Chandler in his reminiscence, the Free Press was suspended in
September, 1861. After a sleep of nearly eleven years, it was resurrected. The first number
of the new series appeared March 22, 1872, and the success of the enterprise, it is said, was
marked and immediate. Mr. Chandler continued its publication until July 1, 1878, when he
disposed of what he had made a very good property to John W. Blake, a veteran typo and pub-
lisher, and John H. Powers, the latter now being one of the publishers of the Baraboo Repub-
lic. In November, 1879, Mr. Powers sold his interest to his partner, Mr. Blake, who is at
present the sole proprietor. The Free Press is the largest paper published in Sauk County,
being a nine-column quarto. On political propositions it has always been soundly Republican ;
locally, it is a fair specimen of what a local paper should be.
The Sauk County Herold — Printed in the German language, is the title of the only other
newspaper published in Reedsburg. It was established in 1876, the first number being issued
on the 22d of December of that year, by William Raetzmann and Richard Porsch. It is an
eight-column quarto, ably edited and carefully printed. In the spring of 1877, Mr. Raetz-
mann purchased his partner's interest and is now the sole publisher and responsible editor.
Peaieie du Sac.
Sauk ('utility News. — This paper was established by the firm of Burnett & Son, of Black
Earth, Dane County, and G. W. Ashton, of Prairie du Sac, on the 21st of October, 1876. It
was a six-column quarto, with E. W. Ashton as responsible editor. The News was printed at
Black Earth and published at Prairie du Sac. Mr. Ashton conducted the paper until Nov.
1877, when his interest passed into the hands of S. W. Corwith, who enlarged it, adding one
column to each of its four pages. Politically and socially, let the News speak for itself, in a
prospectus issued by its present editor, Mr. Corwith, soon after mounting the editorial tripod :
" It will advocate good government, independent of party lines. Principles first, men and par-
ties afterward. The News will labor for the interests of this town and the county in particular,
and the world in general. It will appreciate kindness from its friends and kicks from its ene-
mies, if any there be. For every dollar it receives it will give value in the very best service that
can be rendered through its columns. The News will always exercise the broadest charity con-
sistent with right and justice; it will not censure without cause, or approve that which has no
merit." The circulation of the News has increased from 150 copies, under former management,
to 600.
Spring Green.
In December, 1877, J. F. Morrow, of Spring Green, established the Dollar Times, a
weekly journal with greenback proclivities and patent outside, printed at Black Earth. Dane
County, and dated and circulated in Baraboo and Spring Green. Robert T. Warner was the
editor of the Baraboo edition, while Mr. Morrow conducted the Spring Green issue. The
Dollar Times was a sprightly local paper, but seems to have espoused an unpopular political
cause. The Baraboo issue was suspended under a postal regulation' relative to rates of postage.
About this time the name of the paper was changed to the 1 at, r-County Times, and under this
title, suspended publication in the spring of 1880.
SOME OF SAUK COUNTY'S ILLUSTRIOUS DEAD.
The compiler of this work has been only partially successful in his efforts to secure for its
pages sketches of the lives of the leading actors in this historical drama. Not a few of the early
settlers and others prominent in the county's history have passed away, leaving no record of their
lives ; and, in some instances, there are no relatives, at this late date, to furnish the desired infor-
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. -423
Jonathan Hatch
was born in Milton, Conn., September 14, 1793 ; he died in the village of Lyons on the 14th
of January, 1879. When quite young, his parents moved to Scipio, Cayuga Co., N. Y., and
at the age of eighteen he left his home and went to the head of the Alleghany River and engaged in
lumbering, rafting on that and the Ohio River. In 1813, he spent ten months in the army and
helped to build Fort Stephenson, on the Lower Sandusky, being engaged meantime in several
skirmishes with Indians.
In 1835, he came to Wisconsin, and in 1836 first saw the soil of Sauk County, being of a
party of surveyors that platted " Superior City," on the Wisconsin River, opposite what is now
Sauk City. In June, 1839, he moved to Sauk Prairie, and there raised the first oats, corn,
wheat and potatoes ever brought forth from Sauk County soil. He was married in 1818, and
eight daughters and one son was the result of this union. He became a widower, and in due
course of time — June 12, 1845 — married a sister of William Johnson. By her he had one child,
a daughter, now the wife of J. B. Duncan. The daughters of his first wife grew to womanhood ;
the son died young. Jonathan Hatch was highly respected.
James S. Alhan
was one of the very first pioneers of Sauk County, Mrs. Alban being the first white woman in
the county. He located on Sauk Prairie in January of 1839, and afterward engaged in the
practice of law at Sauk City. He was well read in his profession. About 1850, he removed to
Plover, where he was subsequently chosen to represent his constituents in the Legislature. He
also served as County Judge, and, when the rebellion broke out, entered the Union army as
Colonel of the Eighteenth Regiment. He lost his life on the battle-field at Shiloh.
Peescott Brigham
emigrated from the town of Shrewsbury, Worcester Co., Mass., to Blue Mounds, Wis., in 1838 ;
thence to Sauk County in June, 1840. Mrs. Brigham died October 20, 1846, and is remem-
bered as a most excellent woman. Their house was like an oasis in the desert, ever open to
strangers and neighbors. Mr. Brigham's last days were spent with his son-in-law, T. B.
Cowles, in the town of Sumter. At an early day, he was an advocate for locating the county
seat at Baraboo Rapids, as it was then called, and loaned to the county the money with which
to purchase from the Government the quarter-section of land upon which the village now stands.
Out of respect for Mr. Brigham, the place was first called Adams, by his request, from the great
esteem in which he held John Quincy Adams. Mr. Brigham was elected to the office of
Register of Deeds in 1845, serving two years. He died on the 28th of May, 1862.
Eben Peck
was born in Shoreham, Addison Co., Vt., in 1804, and was taken to Middlebury, Genessee,
now Wyoming County, N. Y., by his parents when quite a child, and on his return to Ver-
mont in 1827, he established himself in business in Middleton, Rutland County. There he
was married February 24, 1829, to Miss Roseline Willard, whose mother was Julia Ann Burn-
ham, and her grandmother Burnham (wife of John Burnham, an able member of the Bennington
ban was a sister of Gen. Isaac Clark, of Castleton, Vt., a soldier of the Revolution, who also
commanded a regiment in the war of 1812, and was a member of the Constitutional Convention
and Judge of the County Court; died at Castleton January 31, 1822. Gen. Clark was the
grandfather of Satterlee Clark, a Wisconsin pioneer of 1830. Miss Willard was born February
24, 1808, at Middleton. She was married in the house in which she was born, her parents,
grandparents ami others being present. In 1832, they removed to Middlebury, N. Y., and
thence, in 1836, to Blue Mounds, Wis. Mrs. Peck was the first white woman to cross the
Baraboo Bluff's. She now resides on her farm near Baraboo, in the enjoyment of good health.
Mr. Peck started for California in 1844, and, though since reported as in Texas or New Mexico,
is supposed to have been massacred by savages on the plains.
424 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
AiinsTON HARASZTHY,
more familiarly known as Count Haraszthy, was born in 1812, in the Comitat of Bacska, Hun-
gary. His family was one of the oldest and most influential of the old nobility, the name
appearing frequently in the history of that country extending over a period of seven hundred
and sixty yeai-s. He was educated to the law, as was the custom there, and at the age of
eighteen was a member of the body-guard of the Emperor Ferdinand, which was composed of
nobles. After filling the office of Chief Executive of State for a period, he became the Private
Secretary of the Viceroy. When the Liberal movement began in 1839-40, he at once took the
lead of that party, but was afterward, through the failure of the movement, compelled to leave
his country. He came to New York, and, after traveling over the United States, he wrote and
published a book upon their resources. The work was designed to invite emigration from Hun-
gary, and was the first work upon that subject ever printed in the Hungarian language. About
1S40, he made Wisconsin his home, purchasing large tracts of land, founding several settle-
ments, building bridges, constructing roads and establishing ferries. Having in his possession
valuable State papers, the Austrian Government opened negotiations for their surrender. The
question was referred to Lewis Cass, who succeeded in gaining permission for Havaszthy to
return to Hungary and remain for one year. This he did, settling up his affairs, and, although
his landed estates were confiscated, he succeeded in saving $150,000, which he brought with him
to this country, together with his family and a large portion of the family plate and paintings.
Returning to Wisconsin, he engaged in mercantile pursuits. In 1842, after having, through the
perfidy of a land officer, lost $5,000 in attempting to establish a colony, he came to the beauti-
ful spot where now stands the village of Prairie du Sac. Here he founded a new colony, calling
it by his own name (Haraszthy), and had it incorporated. He started a horse ferry across the
river, mape excellent roads, established mills and stores, and subsequently ran a steamboat down
the Wisconsin and Mississippi to St. Louis. But yearly recurring prairie fires destroyed his
crops and many of his buildings ; besides, the commercial crisis of 1847 crippled him severely.
His family joined him in 1844. and in 1846 he succeeded in having his place selected as the
county seat of Sauk County, building a court house at his own expense. Still, the many losses
between that year and 1849 told heavily on his finances, and, with a long train of over fifty
associates, he started overland for California. He settled at San Diego, was elected Sheriff of
the county, afterward laid out '' Middle San Diego," and, in 1852, was elected a member of the
Legislature. From San Diego, he removed to San Francisco, thence to the adjoining county of
San Mateo, devoting himself to agriculture. President Pierce appointed him Assayer in the
United States Branch Mint in San Francisco, and at a later period he was made melter and
refiner. In 1856, he removed to Sonoma County, and engaged in viniculture. He was the first to
employ Chinese labor in his vineyards. In 1861, he was appointed by the Governor of California
as a Commissioner to visit the wine countries of Europe, which resulted in the importation of four
hundred different varieties of grapevines. A year later, he was chosen President of the Cali-
fornia State Agricultural Society. In 1863, he organized the Buena Vista Vinicultural Society,
to which he conveyed his four hundred acres of vines in Sonoma County. In 1868, he went to
Nicaragua, where he became interested in sugar plantations, and erected an extensive distillery
for the manufacture of spirits. In 1869-70, he returned to California to charter a vessel with
which ti> open trade between San Francisco and the ports of Nicaragua. Upon his return to
Central America, he was drowned while attempting to cross a stream of water by means of a
fallen tree which reached from bank to bank. His body was never found, and it is suoposed to
have been devoured by crocodiles or carried by the swift current to the ocean, four miles
distant from the scene of the tragedy. Count Haraszthy will long be remembered as one of the
substantial pioneers of " Old Sauk."
James Maxwell
was born at Guilford, Windham Co., Vt., May 1, 1789. Removed to Walworth County
in 1837, which county he represented in the Territorial Council for six years, being President
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. *25
of that body in 1840. In the spring of that year, he crossed the Baraboo Bluffs and began ai
Manchester the improvement of the water-power, but soon after he returned to Walworth County,
where he continued to reside until 1840, when he came to Baraboo the second time, and made a
permanent settlement. In the same year, he erected the first building upon the public square,
the once well-known old corner store. The only other building in Baraboo proper at that time,
was the log schoolhouse. In 1851 and 1853, he was a prominent candidate in the Whig con-
ventions of the State, and at one of those conventions was nominated for Secretary of State.
The decline of that party worked Mr. Maxwell's defeat. In 1856, he removed to the western
part of Nebraska and opened a large farm on the Platte River. At the date of his death — the
16th of December, 1869 — he was residing at the home of his son in Baraboo.
Stephen Van Ranssalaek Ablejian
was born December 25, 1809, in the town of Bethlehem, Albany County. State of New
York. lie died July 10, 1880, at Ableman, Wis. His father,' Christian G. Ableman,
was born in Prussia, liermany. He was a soldier of our Revolution. His mother, Reirina
Kanier, was born in Claverack, Columbia Co., N. Y. In a few months after, her parents arrived
from Bordeaux, in France. In 1820, his parents moved to Albany. Stephen for two years was
sent tn the Laneastarian School in that city. In May, 1822, he was bound an apprentice during
his minority, as the old indenture reads, " to learn the art, trade and mystery of a carpenter and
joiner, after the manner of an apprentice, for and during the full end of the term, during all
which the said operative, his said masters, faithfully shall serve, their secrets keep, and their
lawful commands everywhere readily obey. He shall do no damage to his said masters, or see
it done by others without letting or giving notice thereof to his said masters, nor waste his
masters' goods, nor lend them unlawfully to any person. At cards, dice or any other unlawful
game he shall not play. Whereby his said masters may have damage with their own goods or
the goods of others ; without license from his said masters, he shall neither buy nor sell. He
shall not absent himself day or night from his masters' service without their leave; nor haunt-
ale-houses, taverns or play-houses, but in all things behave himself as a faithful operative ought
during the said term; and the said masters shall use the utmost of their endeavors to teach or
cause to be taught or instructed the said operative in the art, trade and mysteries of a carpenter
and joiner, and promise to provide for him sufficient meat, drink, boarding, mending, lodging
and washing, fitting for an operative during said term of time, and pay him in cash the sum of
$25 per year, to be advanced and paid as his necessities may require. Signed and sealed."
This indenture was canceled December 25, 1830.
In 1825, by the consent of his masters, he enlisted as a drummer in the National Guards,
Ninth Rifle Regiment, and served in all their drills in this capacity for four years. He was
then rhosen Ensign, and rendered this service for three years, until elected Captain of the same
company. He then took his discharge. It reads, "Thirty- first Brigade, Ninth Rifle Regiment.
S. V. R. Ableman has paraded in the said Ninth Rifle Regiment, uniformed and equipped
according to law, and has performed all such military duty as has been required of him for the
space of seven years last past, and is, therefore, free from military duty, except in cases of insur-
rection or invasion, or when called into actual service."
May 4, 1831, he married Elizabeth Bolt Jarvis. She was bom October 25, 1812, and died
May 19, 1800. She was confined to her bed for the last eleven years of her life, a great sufferer
from neuralgia and rheumatism. Nearly all her joints became ossified. The issue of this
marriage was two children — a son who was born June 14, 1832, ami drowned in the Bay of
San Francisco March 24. 1853, and a daughter, Laura Elizabeth (now Mrs. E. C. Watson), burn
September 7, 1835. After Mr. Ableman's marriage to Miss Jarvis, he immediately opened a
carpenter shop on Water street, Albany, and has since performed many heavy contracts. July
2'.'. 1833, Ensign Ableman was elected Captain, with rank from date, of the National Guards,
Ninth Rifle Regiment, Thirty-first Brigade, commissioned by Gov. William L. Macy, Levi
426 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Hubble Adjutant General. In 1838, he was elected Colonel of the Two Hundred and Forty-
ninth Regiment, New York State Militia, and duly commissioned. In 1843, Col. Ableman was
elected Alderman of the Eighth Ward, Albany, N. Y., and served as such, and was subsequently
re-elected. He was also appointed Commissioner of the Poor of said county, and keeper of the
almshouse for 1842 and 1843.
In the spring of 1845, he came to the broad West, arriving with his family in Milwaukee
on the 17th of June. He established there the first Woodworth Planing Mill, and, in 1848, he
built a steam planing-mill, and a sash, door and blind manufactory on West Water street. This
season he located lands in Sauk County, in Excelsior. In 1850, he sold his mills and moved
temporarily to Baraboo, and commenced improving his lands. After a few months' residence
here, he moved to the point that afterward became his permanent home. In 1853, Col. Able-
man was appointed United States Marshal for the State of Wisconsin, by Franklin Pierce, and
served as such until Buchanan's administration, in June, 1858. While in this capacity, he
arrested the slave Glover, whose case, it will be remembered, caused so much excitement and
agitation. November 30, 1865, he married Mary Ann, eldest daughter of Capt. Watson, and
widow of the late Capt. Adam Gilmore.
In 1869, the Colonel wrote and published several articles, over the signature of " Locomo-
tive," urging the people of the Baraboo Valley to organize for railroad purposes, and laid down a
plan of operation. The force with which these letters were written caused an organization to be
made, which was entitled the Baraboo Air Line Railroad Company. The Colonel was chosen
President of this company. The commencement of the work, and then the sale to the Chicago
k North-Western Railroad Company, and the construction of the line through the county within
one year's time, was viewed with inexpressible satisfaction by the Colonel. The Chicago &
North-Western Railroad Company, out of esteem for him, named the station at the village then
known as Excelsior, "Ableman." The post office and village have since received the same
name.
Col. Ableman built the well-known hotel, the Delavan House, in Albany. He also built
the Methodist Church in Baraboo, on coming here, and before settling on his lands at Ableman.
When he selected those lands, he drove across the country from Milwaukee. The belief then
was that the first railroad west would follow the Baraboo Valley. The Colonel looked along this
valley, and, coming to the Narrows near Ableman, readily decided that a railroad never could
miss that point, and so purchased lands there. It was many years before his hopes of a railroad
were realized, and he was then past active life. His sole remaining ambition was to sit on his
porch and see a train go by. He lived a number of years after the present road fulfilled his
desire. Col. Ableman was a man of strong characteristics, but one of the best-hearted and most
genial friends in the world. He was a giant in size and strength, but never used his physical
power but usefully.
Cyrus Clark Remington
was born in Sheridan, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., November 10, 1824, and died in Baraboo,
October 13, 1878. He came to Wisconsin when 16 years of age with his parents, who
settled in Waukesha County. All imaginable hardships in pioneer life were the lot of the Rem-
ingtons in their new home, and the subject of this sketch was compelled to apply himself vigor-
ously to the toils incident to farming. His few leisure hours, however, were devoted to study,
and he soon became competent to instruct the youth in his father's neighborhood, and was for
several terms engaged as teacher. He remained in this capacity — farmer-teacher — tor nearly
six years, when he went to study law in the office of Alexander Randall, of Waukesha, after-
ward Governor of the State. He subsequently went to Milwaukee and finished his professional
reading with Messrs. Finch A Lynde, being admitted to the bar February 16, 1847. In May
following, he entered the county of Sauk, en route for Baraboo, with his wardrobe and library
upon his back in a carpet bag, and with 25 cents in his pocket. At that time, Lyons was the
Athens <4' the Baraboo Valley, and here young Remington paused in his westward march, and
HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY. 427
took board at the house of Alexander Crawford. In 1852, he was married to Maria S. Train,
by win mi he had six children. In 1854, he represented in the Assembly, the district com pris-
ing Adams and Sauk Counties, and he was County Judge of the latter from 1870 to 1873,
when he resigned. As a lawyer, Mr. Remington stood at the head of the Sauk County bar.
lie never sullied his professional character by a questionable, much less a dishonorable, act. As
a wise counselor, he was the reliance of many business men, who had implicit faith in him.
As a citizen, he was honorable, patriotic and public-spirited. It is worthy of record, that, when
the war of the rebellion broke out, he loaned the United States Government $1,000 to help the
cause along, and did it from a pure sense of duty. This act was characteristic of his citizen-
ship.
Albert Jameson,
one of Sauk County's earliest settlers, died at his home, in the town of Sumter, November
17, 1875. He was born in Wilkesbarr, Penn., August 15, 1809. Removing to Ohio in
1834, he spent two years in that State, and then went to Rockford, 111., where he married Miss
Elizabeth Hoover, November 25, 1837. From Rockford he soon removed to Belmont, Wis.,
and, in December, 1838, in company with three others, he came to Sauk County, crossing tho
Wisconsin River on the ice. The following season, the four pioneers made claims on Sauk
Prairie, where Mr. Jameson lived until his death, with the exception of a few years he spent in
California, Oregon, Colorado and Idaho. He was an enthusiastic lover of the sublime and won-
derful in nature, and was always entertaining and happy in his descriptions of what he had
seen. He had collected many rare minerals and curiosities in his travels in the wonderful West.
IIenuy Howard Potter,
was born November 6, 1824, at Hartsville, Onondaga Co, N. Y. He came to Baraboo in
1849, remaining a year as clerk for James A. Maxwell. Returning to Pennsylvania (where
his parents made their home soon after his birth) he remained five years, returning to Baraboo
permanently in 1855. In the fall of 1856, he was married to Emma A., eldest daughter of
James A. Maxwell. Five children were born to them. Mrs. Potter survived her husband, and
is still a resident of Baraboo. Mr. rotter possessed traits that gave him many warm friends.
He was warm-hearted, charitable, trustful, candid. His influence was powerful through his
large accpuaintance with men, but he never used that influence unworthily.
Alexander Crawford
was born in Delaware County, N. Y., in 1798. In 1830, be removed to Ohio, and there
resided until 1839, when he removed to Michigan. In 1844, he came to Wisconsin, and in
February, 1845, settled in Baraboo. The public lands were not then in market, but a claim of
an acre was bought from Moore & Wood, on which Mr. Crawford erected a log house, occupying
the spot upon which he lived until his death. For many years, his was a favorite stopping-place
for travelers. Count Haraszthy was numbered among the transient guests. Mr. and Mrs.
Crawford celebrated their golden wedding on the 23d of September, 1869, and on the 13th of
September, 1870, Mr. Crawford was relieved of his earthly cares by death.
Robert Cram ford
was born in Greenfield, Huron Co., Ohio, in 1820. He came to Wisconsin, and settled in
Baraboo in 1845. He helped to erect the old Maxwell Mill, and wTas a partner with B. L.
Brier, in the erection of the first carding-mill northwest of Madison. In 1863, Mr. Crawford
enlisted in the Third Cavalry, in which he served three years. During this period his health
was undermined, and after his return he failed rapidly. He was of the mold of men through
whose energies the young territories have grown great — honest, neighborly, of sound judgment,
enterprising and public-spirited. He died January 31, 1868.
428 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Harvey Canfikld
was born in New Milford, Conn., July 4, 1794, and removed with his father's family when a
boy to the then wilds of the West, Onondaga County, N. Y. He came to Wisconsin in 1844,
and settled in what was afterward known as the village of Lyons. He was an energetic business
man, speculative and enterprising. Before coming to Wisconsin, he was a contractor on the
Erie Canal at Little Falls ; then a farmer, salt manufacturer and merchant ; then a gold digger
in the Carolinas ; afterward a contractor on the Oswego Canal, and also on the Auburn & Syra-
cuse Railroad and the Genesee Valley Canal. He died, it is supposed, of heart disease, while
plowing on his field near Baraboo, on the 18th of October, 1861. He was buried with Masonic
honors, of which order he was an active member.
Daniel Schebmeehoen.
Diligent search fails to reveal the birthplace of Daniel Schermerhorn. He was born
August 27, 1793, and died in Wonewoc August 26, 1875. The following tribute to his memory
appeared in the local papers at the date of his death : " And so the pure, grand, peculiarly
eccentric, widely-known, honest ' Old Judge ' has at length been admitted to the ' Grand Lodge
above.' The patriot soldier, the first magistrate, and the ever-esteemed citizen, the pioneer
whose name all pioneers loved to hear so well, very ripe in the harvest time, is gathered in by
the Mighty Reaper. A remarkable man, whose sterling, positive qualities commanded such
respect that most of the time for fifty-four years he was in public life, a sworn officer of some
sort, although he never attended school six weeks in his life ; yet he had a great understanding
of very many things of the world, and not a narrow view of any question whatever. His ideas
were as ennobling as his once towering, noble form and features ; in every way a self-made man ;
aye, every inch a man. His life was indeed a grand success — from boyhood to manhood."
Daniel Baxter
was born in 17S7 in one of the New England States. He came to Wisconsin Territory
in 1837, settling in Green County. He moved to Prairie du Sac at a very early date in the
county's history. Mr. Baxter held an honorable place in public life in the Empire State, having
been a member of the Legislature in 1828 and 1829, in which capacity he served with Silas
Wright. Millard Fillmore and other noted men. He was a member of both of Wisconsin's Consti-
tutional Conventions. He was also one of the contractors who built the old Territorial Capitol,
for his part in which, it is claimed, he never received his full pay. He died at Prairie du Sac on
the 18th of September, 1867.
James W. Babb
was born about three miles from Winchester, Frederick Co., Va., September 26, 1789.
He remained in Virginia until the fall of 1810, when he was about twenty-one years old. remov-
ing at that time, with his father, to Greene County, Ohio, where he remained for a year or two
before returning to Virginia, to bring thence as a bride, Rebecca Scarft", whose acquaintance he had
formed before moving thence. He ultimately received from his father 400 acres of valuable land,
which he improved, and became one of the substantial men of his section. But, having fre-
quently become security for other parties, and generally having the debts to pay, he found him-
self, in the year 1845, seriously embarrassed, and determined to sell his property in Ohio, and
remove to the " Far West," and make himself a new home. Accordingly, he disposed of his real
estate, and early in April, 1845, started for Wisconsin Territory, in company with two persons
named Kilpatrick, distant relatives of Mr. Babb's, one of whom lived near Janesville. and had
been East on a visit. This person gave Mr. Babb a glowing description of a beautiful prairie,
with rich, deep soil, lying in the valley of the Baraboo River, above Baraboo, which he had
crossed in one of his hunting tours, and which had rarely, if ever before, been trodden by the foot
of civilized man ; and it was to sec and claim this prairie that Mr. Babb started from Ohio. He
was also accompanied by his son John. The journey was made with a horse team across the
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 429
>i,iiis of Ohio. Indiana and Illinois, and with a short tarry at Kilpatrick's house in Rock
County, Wis., the party pushed on to this place. Arrived at Baraboo, then a mere hamlet,
the party was augmented by several persons, among others by a Mr. Clark, who knew the way.
They probably came through the Narrow Creek Gap, as the first view they obtained of the prai-
rie was from the bluff back of the Dixon place, on the 1-th day of May. Mr. Babb was then
upward of fifty-five years of age, in the very prime of his manhood, of strong physical frame,
robust health and iron will, and the difficulties and hardships of such an undertaking as he con-
templated, and which would-be sufficient to appeal to one of less courage and powers of endurance,
had no horrors for him. Sticking his claim stake, he proceeded at once to improve, employing
parties upon Sauk Prairie to come up and break seventy acres of land, upon a' portion of* which
lie raised, the same season, a crop of buckwheat, potatoes, etc. He built a double log house,
after the Southern style, two stories in height, consisting of two buildings sixteen feet square,
separated between by an open space twelve feet wide, but with the upper story extending the
whole length, forty-four feet. The front of the building faced the south. Upon the north side,
the alley between the buildings was extended twelve feet by an addition of logs, and closed at
the north end, making a room twelve by twenty-eight feet, one story high. The whole was
covered with shingles, obtained from an adjacent pine grove, where there were already hardy
lumbermen engaged in converting the timber into lumber and shingles. To raise this house —
the logs having been prepared by Mr. Babb and his son, and perhaps some other persons — it
was thought to utilize the labor of the friendly Indians; but after getting the building up some
distance, Mr. Babb became afraid that the reckless way in which they handled the heavy tim-
bers would result in seriou3 injury to them, procured help from Baraboo and Sauk, respectively
sixteen and twenty-eight miles ; and thus the building was raised. The same summer he went
to Baraboo, purchased lumber, built a flat-boat, loaded it with provisions and other useful articles,
and poled it up the river to his place. The boat was afterward used as a ferry-boat to cross
teams at Reedsburg, when the river was too high to be forded. Some time in December he-
returned to Ohio, where he remained during the winter. Early in the spring of 1846, accom-
panied by his sons John (and his wife) and Strother and Wash Gray, he started for Wisconsin again,
bringing some household stuff and a set of blacksmith's tools, which Strother knew how to use.
They arrived here in time to get in a crop that season. Early in the fall, Mr. Babb returned
alone to Ohio for his family, and wTas somewhat hurried up in his preparations for moving by
the intelligence that the land sale in this district would take place on the 1st of December. ( In
the 30th day of October, he started on the return journey, with his wife, his son Philip, his
daughter Betsey, and her husband, Stern Baker, bringing the remainder of his worldly goods,
cattle, etc. It took nearly a whole month to reach Whitewater, and there the weather was so
cold that the party halted for a couple of days, and Mr. Babb left them to go to Mineral Point
to enter his land, which he did, entering 000 acres in a body at that time. Journeying onward,
the party reached Portage City, then Fort Winnebago, on the 28th of November, where they
found considerable anchor-ice running, and a high wind prevailing, and they were obliged to
camp eight days before they could prevail upon the ferrymen to cross them over. Upon this sid
they were rejoined by Mr. Babb, who was accompanied by Don C. Barry, and they made the
home stretch inside of two days, arriving at the Prairie on the 8th day of December, 184(3. For
years, Mr. Babb and his family were constantly surrounded by Indians, and for some time they
were almost his only neighbors; and it speaks volumes for his justice and generosity, that he
and his were always upon friendly terms with the aborigines: ami that, throughout the whole
period of thirty years which elapsed since his first settlement, neither he nor any of his family
ever lost $5 by the depredations of their red neighbors, shows that they fully appreciated tin-
justice and generosity. Mr. Babb died on the 14th of May, 1ST"), and was buried according to
oft-expressed wishes, without religious ceremony.
•' Babb's Prairie " will probably be known as such to future generations. It is the garden
apol of Sauk County. Mr. Babb made acquisitions to his original claim until his farm comprised
1,800 acres, almost all of it being at one time or another under cultivation. The productions of
430 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
this farm were very large. In 1860, there were raised upon it, 17,500 bushels of grain. 900
bushels of potatoes, 160 tons of hay, and a proportionate amount of vegetables. Philip Babb.
the eldest of the sons, still resides upon the homestead.
Alfred Avery
was born near New London, Conn., on the 9th of March, 1797. He was descended from
an ancient and honorable family that settled early with the Massachusetts colony. From the
early settlement of New London and Groton, his ancestors, the Averys and the Allyns, on the
mother's side, held a prominent place in society. The first thirteen names on the Groton mon-
ument to those murdered at Fort Griswold were his immediate relatives. His father was one of
the few picked men whom " Mad Anthony " Wayne led that dark night to take Stony Point.
In 1805, his father, with his family, formed a part of a colony which emigrated from Granville
and Granby, in Massachusetts, to Central Ohio. The new Granville that they built soon be-
came a marked educational center. When he was but nine years of age his father died, and he
was thus thrown early in life upon his own resources, and, when only twelve, engaged to chop
and clear a piece of land. He was but a mere lad when he supported his mother and two sisters.
A youth of fifteen, he served in the war of 1812, after which he engaged in the mercantile
business, driving the hogs and cattle which he took for pay, over the mountains to Baltimore,
and carrying provisions to New Orleans on flatboats. Before the advent of railroads, he had
crossed the Alleghany Mountains eighty times, and when there were twenty-six States in the
Union, he had visited all of them on business. He helped build the Ohio and Maumee Canals;
established one of the first iron foundries in the State ; and was President of the first bank in
Granville. He removed to New York in 1846, and engaged in the wholesale dry-goods business,
in which he continued until 1854, when, having established his eldest sons in the same business,
he ceased to be an active partner. In 1868, he came to Baraboo, where he lived and enjoyed
the respect and confidence of the community, until xApril 11, 1880, when he died, in the eighty-
fourth year of his age, mourned by all who knew him. Mr. Avery married Jane Mower in
1823, by whom he had four sons and two daughters. In 1836, he became a widower, and, in
1843, he married Lavinia Dexter, by whom he had one daughter.
"William Lt/sk
was born in Union, Broome Co., N. Y., January 19, 1802, and died at his residence in
the village of Reedsburg, Sauk Co., Wis., June 8, 1ST'.1.
During his early childhood his father died, and he was left to the care of his grandparents,
who resided in Canaan, N. Y. From them he received a faithful religious education, and when
seventeen years old he was converted and united with the church. He fitted for college in
Lenox, Mass., a pupil of Dr. 'Jonas King, the distinguished missionary to Greece.
After graduating at Union College, at the age of twenty, he taught, for one year, the acad-
emy at Springfield, Mass., and then entered the Seminary at Princeton, where he completed his
theological course. He was licensed by the Presbytery of Columbus in 1826, and ordained by
the same body April 23, 1829, and entered at once upon the work of the ministry, with the
energy and devotion which has characterized his whole life, and continued in the service until he
was obliged to relinquish it on account of ill health. He had as classmates in the Seminary
Revs. Dr. Bethune and Erskine Mason, and while they lived was on very friendly and intimate
terms with them. Mr. Lusk's mind was an unusually active one, and by constant reading ami
correspondence he kept himself well acquainted with the events of his time. He gathered a
valuable library am! was a great reader, and no new work from the press escaped his attention.
Mr. Lusk has labored in various fields, the most prominent being the churches in Cambridge,
Saratoga Springs, Nunda, Cherry Valley, Batavia and Huron, in the State of New York. Will-
iamsburg, Mass., ami Piqua, Ohio. He became stated supply of the Presbyterian Church of
this village, which had been recently organized, remaining until the spring of 1860, when he
removed to Piqua, Ohio. In November. L869, he returned to Reedsburg and resumed his work
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 431
as stated supply of the Presbyterian Church, in which he continued until October, 1874, when
the infirmities of old age obliged him to give up his charge. He was genial and attractive in
social life, instructive and earnest in the pulpit, and greatly endeared to his family and all the
people among whom he labored. He left three sons and one daughter. One of his sons, bear-
ing the same name as his father, is an alumnus of Princeton Seminary, now connected with the
Protestant Episcopal Church, and resident at North Haven, Conn.
Marcus Warren.
one of the oldest and wealthiest citizens of Sauk County, died at the residence of his brother, in
Baraboo, on Sunday, February is, 1872, aged sixty-two years. The deceased settled where
Sauk City is now located, in 1845 or 1846. He brought with him a heavy stock of goods,
the first stock of any importance brought into the county. At that time the few residents on the
Baraboo did their trading with him. He soon purchased what was known as the Bryant residence,
which he converted into a hotel, at the same time buying the Bryant interest in the village, thus
becoming one of its leading proprietors. He was afterward joined by his brothers, of whom,
however, only T. M. Warren became a permanent resident of the county. Mr. Warren soon
became the leading moneyed man of Sauk City, and was largely interested in real estate.
When he died his fortune was estimated to be worth about $300,000.
J. F. Smith
was born in Irasburg, Vt., February 1, 1822. At the age of thirteen, he was left alone in the
world, so far as paternal care is concerned, but, by indomitable energy and perseverance, he
acquired a liberal education, and entered business relations of life in the employ of the Messrs.
Hammonds, of Crown Point, N. Y. Later in life, he was engaged in the lumbering business
in Pennsylvania, but not finding it lucrative, he went to Poughkeepsie, N. Y., and was connected
with the iron manufacturing interests of that place. From there he removed to Chicago, where
he became identified with the banking business until 1858, when he removed to Ironton, Sauk
County. He was first in the employ of Jonas Tower, in the iron mines, and afterward a part-
ner, until the death of Mr. Tower, in 18G8, by whose will he was made equal heir with others in
the estate, and eventually became sole proprietor of the iron mines. In later years, he turned his
attention to land matters, and at his death was considered the richest, and perhaps the most
extensive, farmer in the county.
A. W. Starks.
Knowledge of the early life of this well-known pioneer is unfortunately very limited. He was
born, it is believed, in Williamsburg, Mass.. in 1801. He was for a time a resident of Jefferson
County, N. Y., and at a later period lived in Albany and became one of the Aldermen of that
city. He came to Wisconsin early in the forties, and in 1844 or 1845, was Marshal of the then
young city of Milwaukee, where he continued to reside until 1852. when he removed to Sauk
County. In 1853, he was elected State Prison Commissioner on the Democratic ticket. The
honesty with which he discharged the duties of the office, and his refusal to be influenced by
partisan considerations, drew upon him the hostility of political factions, and charges were
preferred against him, which, after strict investigation, were disproved. At the expiration of
his term he returned to his farm in Sauk County, and when the war broke out he took a position
against the secessionists, which wholly identified him with the Republican party. In the move-
ment in 1861, to unite the loyal masses of both parties, in the support of the Government, Mr.
Starks was brought forward as a Union candidate for the Legislature. He received unanimous
support, and thereafter served five successive terms in that body. He died June 20, ls7^.
Joseph Mackey
was born May 17, 1822, in the town of Broome, Schoharie Co., X. Y., and died October
22, 1879, at Minneapolis, Minn., in the 58th year of his age. He received academic instruc-
tion at Schoharie Court House, and in 1842, commenced the study of law. In 1845, after
432 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
admission to the bar, he removed to Gilboa, N. Y., where he practiced his profession till 1848,
when he removed to the county seat of Schoharie County, and was elected District Attorney.
In 1854, he came West and settled in Reedsburg, where he resided about a year before his
death. He entered immediately in the pursuit of his calling and continued to practice law until
about 1870, when he engaged in banking. He removed to Minneapolis in 1878. The leading
traits of character developed in Mr. Mackey were the energy and thoroughness by which he
accomplished everything he undertook. As a lawyer he was particularly noted for the complete
and perfect preparation of his briefs. At the age of twenty-five, he married Cornelia, daughter
of Daniel Mackey, of Gilboa. The result of the union was three children, two of whom.
with their mother, survived their father.
Joseph I. Weirich*
was born at Mooresville, Harrison Co., Ohio, April 14, 1837. He was the second son and
third child of Rev. Christian E. and Maria Weirich. His father, a Methodist preacher of ability.
and a man of eminent Christian character, was also at several periods an editor and publisher ;
and here we have a key to the life of this sou, who drew his moral inspiration and acquired his
love of the editorial profession from the same paternal source. When but fifteen years old, young
Weirich was accepted as an apprentice in the office of the Washington (Penn.) Examiner,
where he served three years with creditable acceptance. In the meantime his father had joined
the Wisconsin Conference. So, on completing his apprenticeship, Joseph came to this State,
in 1856, with the rest of his father's family. During the next two or three years, we find him
engaged as a compositor in Madison, first on the State -Journal, where he was associated at the
case with A. J. Turner and Peter Richards ; afterward on the Patriot, where he was the imme-
diate associate and friend of S. S. Brannan — names honorably connected with the history of
Wisconsin journalism. At a later date, he was similarly employed on the Richland Democrat ;
and, partaking of the itineracy of his father, who was assigned to Baraboo as preacher in the
fall of 1859, the son, in 1860, first went to work as a printer upon the paper which eventually
he was to own and edit. In January, 1861, he had an attack of lung fever which came near
proving fatal. The crisis past, he rapidly recovered his strength, and renewed work in the
office, continuing in that employment until the President's first call for three years' men to sus-
tain the Union, when he enlisted as a private in Company A of the Sixth Regiment, Iron
Brigade, of whose original muster only about twenty-five men survived the war. He was wounded
in the breast at the battle of South Mountain, September 14, 1862, and was honorably dis-
charged as Sergeant at the expiration of his term of enlistment. He now rejoined the family
circle, which during his absence had centered at Monroe, and renewed his occupation as a printer*
During the next four or five years, he was mostly employed on the Monroe papers, the Sentinel,
Republican and Vindicator, being foreman of the last two offices; and during this period, also, it
was his happy fortune to be married to Miss Rebecca Ball. In 1869, he removed with his family
and a number of kinsmen and friends, forming a colony, to Eden, in Dakota Territory; but.
severe experience during the succeeding winter causing him and others to abandon their agricult-
ural adventure, he returned with his family t Monroe and resumed his former work. In
August, 1872, he purchased the Baraboo Republic, which ho conducted alone till the spring of
L 874, and afterward, till his death, jointly with the present writer. So passed away, on the
21sf of December, 1877, this dear friend. Beneath flowers in the sunny cemetery at Monroe,
near the bed of "The Best Chaplain in the Army," from whom he inherited so much of the
best thai was in him, and of whom he lias written as his Sainted Father, sleeps the mortal part
of Joseph I. Weirich.
Ii II IBOD C Xi.
was born at Bristol, Oneida Co., N. Y.. September 26, L810. At the age of seventeen, he
entered the the academy a1 Canandaigua, where he remained three years in the capacity of
|ni|iil and teacher. While there, lie had for fellow-student Stephen A. Douglas, whom he in
i. ri:il ;illi- l.j E. I: " ' 25. ISTv
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[ DECEAS E D )
I RONTO N.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 435
later life encountered in political debate on the prairies of Illinois. On leaving the academy,
he entered Middlebury College, and, while there, commenced his career as an Anti-slavery lec-
turer, and in so doing incurred the displeasure of those in authority in that institution, on
account of which he voluntarily left without completing the course. After that, his persecutions
in that behalf came fast and more trying, until he had received violent treatment at the hands
of pro-slavery mobs on no less than forty different occasions. He early espoused the temperance
cause, and delivered nearly one hundred lectures on that subject before arriving at the age of
twenty-one. At this time, the doors of the churches were closed against the temperance lec-
turer, and. to use Mr. Codding's own expression. " the pioneers in the temperance cause had to
get their hearing in the churches by printing pamphlets and throwing them over the walls of
Zion from the outside." A great deal of light has since been infused into the church after sim-
ilar means. After leaving college, he was employed by the Anti-Slavery Society to lecture in
the New England States. He came West in 184o. stoutly maintaining his opposition to slavery.
He was ordained a minister of the Congregational Church at Waukesha in 1846, Owen Lovejoy
officiating as one of the ministers on that occasion, in whose behalf Mr. Codding afterward had
the honor of declining a nomination for Congress. Mr. Codding also declined a like nomina-
tion on another occasion. His extensive researches and investigations soon led him to change
his religious views, and placed him outside the so-called orthodox churches. As a religionist,
he may be classed among that branch of the Unitarians represented by Theodore Parker. He
held, like Thomas Paine and many other men of deep thought, that there is a religion arising
from man's relation to God and his fellow-man not dependent on written revelation. The one-
ideaism of his life was to plant himself on the broad platform of eternal truth and justice, and
defend it against all assailants. His discourse was argumentative, sometimes eloquent. Although
not a politician, the Republican party had no aider advocate than he, and he especially endeared
himself to the thinking people of Baraboo during his four years' residence among them for his
righteous denunciation of secession. His death occurred on the 17th of June, 1866, upon the
eve of his intended departure for Bloomington, 111., where he was under engagement to preach.
To Ichabod Codding, Chief Justice Chase once paid this tribute: " I have heard Webster, Clay
and most of the great orators of this country, but none of them could equal Codding. When I say
greatest orator, I wish to qualify the expression. Many may be ranked higher by the usual
standards, but by the standard which, after all. should measure the power of oratory — that of
effect produced upon a large and promiscuous audience — Codding surpassed any speaker I ever
heard."
David P. Chandall
was born at Austerlitz, Dutchess Co., N. Y., November 24, 1802. He was twice married — in
1828 to Catherine Bradt, and in 1838 to Priscilla East, who survived him. By the latter he had
three children, two of whom, Robert B. and Mary C, are still living. In 1831, he went from
his native town to New Orleans, and remained South till 1846, when he removed to St. Charles,
111., and the next year to Baraboo. Here the first home of the family was a room ten feet square
in Brown's saw-mill. In 1851. Mr. Crandall with his family returned to Mississippi, where they
remained until 1856, when they came back to Baraboo. Mr. Crandall was a man of mark and
was famous for his endurance. He was one of the first members of Rev. Ichabod Codding's
church in Baraboo, and was also a prominent Mason, being the first Master Mason made by the
Baraboo Lodge of that order. His character was marked by noble and admirable traits.
1! II. ('AMI'.
The subject of this sketch died in Baraboo. November 5. 1872. He was born in Litch-
field. Conn., in IT'-1'.1. Early in life he studied law. and was Judge of Probate a number of
years in his native State. He came to Wisconsin and located at Baraboo in the fall of 184S.
He also held the office of County Judge of Sauk County for a short time at an early day. He
was always a firm opponent of slavery, and during the war was a zealous friend to the soldier.
He was strictly honest and upright in his dealings, and was frequently honored by his fellow-men
with positions of trust and responsibility.
436 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
Newman Peck
was born in the town of Bristol, Hartford Co., Conn., on the 24th of December, 1796. He
came to Wisconsin in 1841 and settled in Racine County. In 1856, he came to Sauk County
and located in the town of Excelsior, where he continued to reside up to his death. Mr. Peck
was the first Deputy Sheriff that his native county in Connecticut ever had. He was one of the
first Assessors in Racine County, and the first Justice of the Peace in the town of Excelsior. He
was < loroner of Sauk County one term. He was a man that had read very extensively, and his
memory of men and events was very remarkable.
John C. Young
was born in Montgomery County, N. Y., November 10, 1790, where he lived till March, 1834.
removing thence to Otsego County. From there he went in 1848 to Jefferson County, and in
May, 1 s-~>(>. he settled on Section 5 in the town of Reedsburg, where he died on the 17th of
February. 1878. Mr. Young was particularly illustrious in having, been a soldier of 1812, and
also a Mason of over sixty years' standing, having received all the degrees of the order obtaina-
ble in America.
R. A. Orvis
was born in 1827. He came to Baraboo in April, 1857, and engaged in business as a mer-
chant, with his uncle, Ransom Jones, afterward entering into and for six years continuing in
partnership with H. A. Peck. Later, he was associated with Messrs. Lang & Camp. In the
spring of 1870, Mr. Orvis sold out his business in Baraboo and removed to South Bend, Ind.,
with a view of forming a more important business connection. Soon after his departure, the
construction of a railroad to Baraboo being assured, he made frequent visits to his home — his
wife still living in Baraboo — and, had not his untimely death occurred, he would, doubtless,
have made his permanent home here. He was drowned at South Bend on the 13th of Decem-
ber. 1870.
J. II. ROKK
was born in Essex County, N. Y., August 12, 1811. At the age of 14 he removed, with his
parents, to Sheridan, Chautauqua County, N. Y., where, on the 15th of September, 1830, he was
married. In 1837, he removed to Racine, and from there came to Sauk County, settling in
Reedsburg, on the 11th of February, 1848. Six months previous, he had been here and
had erected a log-house half a mile east of the present village. He continued to reside in the
town and village until his death. He had filled numerous minor offices, and at the time of his
death was a member of the Board of Trustees. He was the father of nine children, six of
whom survived him. Mr. Rork was a highly respected citizen, and was particularly noted for
having been one of the very first settlors in Reedsburg.
Ai.oxzo Wilcox
i at Edmeston, N. Y., March 18, 1810. When twenty-one years of age, he removed to
.Medina, in the same State, ami from that place he went to Chicago in 1835, where he purchased
and partly improved forty acres of land now included in the corporate limits of that city. In
1837, he became a merchant in Joliet, 111., where he became deeply interested in the political
issues of the day. taking a decided stand with the Abolitionists about the time of the assassina-
tion of Lovejoy, and in consequence he lost many friends, and, with the rest, his business. In
1840, he went to Warsaw, Wis., ami, in 1843, to Madison, where, the following year, he married
Miss M. F. Toffelmire, by whom he had seven children, lie filled several minor local offices,
and. in 1848, Was a Free-Soil candidate for State Senator. Iii 1849, he was nominated for
Congress by the same party, but declined. In 1854, he resui 1 the study of medicine at the
Cincinnati College of Medicine and Surgery, he having studied a brief period in 1839 for the
profession of a physician. He graduated, but never offered himself as a practitioner. In 1856,
he identified himself with the interests of Sauk County, settling in the town of Honey Creek.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 437
in 1862, he removed to Spring Green, and represented his district in the Assembly during the
winter of 1863-64. He was Sergeant-at-Arras in that body in 1865. He died at his home in
Spring Green, March 25, 1878.
David Sands Vittum,
the fifth child in a family of eight of David and Dolly Vittum, was born at Sandwich,
N. II., October 21, 1820, where he resided till his tenth year, when his parents removed to
Meredith Village in the same State. He was graduated from Dartmouth College in 1845, and
subsequently read law for two years at Laconia, N. H. On being admitted to the bar, he prac-
ticed as an attorney in company with a Mr. Lyford for two years, and then for two years more
in partnership with George S. Stevens, of Meredith. In 1851, he came to Wisconsin, first
stopping in Milwaukee, and in August of that year came to Baraboo. Although a member of
the Sauk County bar for many years, it was only in the early part of life here that he was known
as a practicing attorney. For a time, he edited the Sauk County Democrat, one of the first
newspapers published in the county. But he may be said to have devoted most of the years
previous to the war to business operations, making speculative ventures chiefly in the way of
real estate and land warrants, in which he laid the foundation of his fortune. He was State
Senator in 1853-54, then representing the counties of Sauk, Juneau. Adams and Marquette.
In 1861, he raised, in Sauk County, Company F of the Third Wisconsin Cavalry, which was
mustered into the United States service in January, 1862, and served with the regiment until it
was mustered out in 1865, when he came home with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. After the
war, Col. Vittum returned to his business pursuits. He took an interest in the Island Woolen
Company, which he held for a number of years. In 1873. he organized the First National
Bank, subsequently buying out the Sauk County Bank, of older existence, and consolidated its
business with that of the new bank. He continued at the head of this bank till his death. In
Ins social character, Col. Vittum was a dignified and polished gentleman, of tender sensibili-
ties and warm heart. He was very exact in his business habits, but liberal and accommodating
to those whom he could favor.
II. A. Tatoe
was born in Lysander, Onondaga Co., N. Y., April 23, 1826. At the age of ten years,
he removed with his father's family to Delavan, Walworth County, where his father died October
20, 1836. In 1854, Capt. Tator removed with his mother and sisters to Reedsburg. In
November. 1861, he enlisted in Company A, Nineteenth Infantry, and was soon after commis-
si, ,ned as First Lieutenant of his company. Three years later, he veteranized with his regiment
and served to the close of the war, succeeding to the command of the company on the promotion
of Capt. (now Colonel) Strong. He returned to his home in September, 1865. In August,
1869, he went West for his health, but died on the 24th of September, at Brigham, Utah.
S. A. Dwinm I.I.
was born in Lee, Berkshire Co., Mass., and was the eldest of a family of ten children. At the
age of nineteen, while attending school at Springfield, Mass.. he was converted and began a
life of Christian service which was decided and steadfast to the end. The next year, he entered
Phillips' Academy at Andover, Mass., and while there united with others in forming a society
called "The Missionary Fraternity," for the purpose of gathering information about the con-
dition of heathen nations, and of preparing themselves for missionary work. Among the mem-
bers "f this society were Champion and Grout, afterward pioneer missionaries to the Zulus in
South Africa. On account of ill health, Mr. Dwinnell was compelled to leave school and give
up his purpose to preach the Gospel. Some time previous to this, he had become convinced that
total abstinence was the true ground to be taken against the evils of intemperance, and so he
signed the temperance pledge, although he stood entirely alone among his companions in doing
it. In 1834, after a careful and candid examination of the subject, he came to the conclusion
that slavery, as it existed in the United States, was a sin against God and a great wrong to the
438 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY;
enslaved, and that it ought to be abolished at once. From that time, he cast his lot with the
little band of reformers who were called Abolitionists, and with tongue and pen advocated the
cause of emancipation. In 1835, he came West to Indiana, and three years later moved to
Walworth County, in this State. While residing there, Mr. Dwinnell organized the first Sab-
bath school ever held in the county, held religious meetings at his own house, and when called
upon conducted funeral services ; he also spoke frequently upon the subject of temperance. On
his first visit to Reedsburg, in the fall of 1848, he gathered together the entire population of
the village (twenty-nine in all), on the evening of the Sabbath, and spoke to them upon the
duty of obeying the law of God. Two years after this, he sold his farm in Walworth County,
and became a citizen of Reedsburg, then a little hamlet of twenty-five families. Here his
interest in the cause led him to active work, and as a result the Congregational Church of the
village invited him to become their Pastor, and he was licensed by a council of ministers, called
together at Baraboo, in August, 1852, and a year later he was ordained to the Gospel ministry.
Mr. Dwinnell's work as preacher extended through about fifteen years, ten years of which time
he was installed Pastor. His labors were abundant. He preached in the schoolhouses far and
near. During the period of his ministry he delivered over sixteen hundred sermons, attended
about nine hundred other meetings, conducted 122 funerals and traveled 13,545 miles. In all
these years, he left his people but five Sabbaths without providing for the supply of his pulpit.
As a preacher, Mr. Dwinnell was plain and practical, dealing faithfully with the evils of the
day. He spoke boldly against Sabbath-breaking, profanity, intemperance and slavery. No
consideration of self-interest, no fear of pecuniary loss, ever kept him silent when he felt that
he ought to speak, or made him endeavor to soften the repulsive features of what he believed to
be a wrong.
" A man of thoughtful mind and courage strong,
And conscience keen to feel the force of right ;
He struck hard blows 'gainst every form of wrong,
Doing whate'er he did with all his might."
During the war he taught the duty of supporting the Government in its struggle for exist-
ence : and when the war was finished, he rejoiced that the shackles were stricken from the limbs
of the slave, and that our land was free in fact as well as in name. He preached his last sermon
in 1867. Since that time, though laid aside from active work, he did much with his pen,
writing sketches of the pioneers of the State, and tracing the growth of her towns and cities.
The last two years of his life he was confined mostly to the house, and at times suffered intense
pain ; but he bore his sufferings with Christian patience, and, when the hour of death came, he
fell asleep in the full assurance of a blessed immortality. He left behind the faithful wife, who
had been his companion for more than forty years, three sons and three daughters.
John Starks
was born in Albany, N. Y., in 1841. While very young, he came to Wisconsin with his
parents, who finally settled in the town of Excelsior. When the war broke out, young Starks
was attending the Collegiate Institute in Baraboo. He laid aside his books, and became a mem-
ber of Company A, Sixth Regiment, going out as a Corporal. At the battle of Gainesville, he
was wounded in the knee, and carried the leaden missile to his grave. When wounded, he had
in his pocket a commission as Adjutant of the Twenty-third Regiment, and, upon recovering,
joined that regiment at Paris, Ky. He was at the battles of Arkansas Post, Port Gibson, Cham-
pion Hills, Black River Bridge and the storming of Vicksburg. At the latter place, he was
wounded in the In-cast, and never wholly recovered. The office of Adjutant of the Twenty-third
had been filled when Capt. Starks reached the regiment, and he was given a lieutenancy in one
of the companies. He afterward received a Captain's commission, and died at his home in
Excelsior March 16, 1865.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 439
James F. Flanders
was born in Enfield, N. H., in 1813, and came to Wisconsin in 1838 as an accredited minister
of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His first appointment was on the Troy Circuit, in Wal-
worth County. He became identified with the interests of Baraboo at a very early date, and
was the leading spirit in the organization of the first Methodist society in the place, being the
first to preach the Gospel in the little " slab church.'' This was a building composed entirely of
slabs from the lower mills. Mr. Flanders' little flock used mother earth as a floor and sawdust
for carpeting around the desk. He died at Marietta, Ga., on the 12th of September, 1864, of
dropsy of the heart.
ML' >.\ NO! ES,
i ne oi the founders of the Baraboo Republic, died at Mason City, Iowa, on the 18th of Janu-
ary. 1 s7o. He was born in Chelsea, Orange Co., N. Y. in 1833 ; came to Wisconsin in 1844.
In 1855, he engaged in the publication of the Baraboo Republic, in conjunction with his brother,
W. W. Noyes, having previously been connected with the Portage City press. He removed to
Iowa in 1857, and for a few years engaged in farming, but, being a practical printer, his love for
his chosen profession led him again to engage in it, and he purchased an interest in the Cerro
Gordo Republican. This he retained, with, perhaps, an intermission of a few months, until his
death. As a mark of appreciation of his services to the county as its pioneer editor, about a
year previous to his death he was elected County Auditor. He left a wife and three children.
Joseph Gaylord Blakeslee
was born at Paris Hill, Oneida Co., N. Y., February 12, 1805, and died at Ironton December
26, 1878. His parents were pioneers in that part of New York, in which he found much more
hard work than opportunities for education- In the absence of canals ami railroads, the usual
routine of his rural youth was mostly varied by trips with sleigh to Albany, 140 miles, with farm
produce and return with merchandise. The fashion and economy of those early days are illus-
trated by his taking from home enough cooked provisions for the round trip of ten days to two
weeks, in order to clear anything by such hauling. Experiences in trading on such trips caused
him, when of age, to engage in peddling through most of the New England States, in which he
acquired more of experience than capital. During several years following, he alternately
formed, ran a saw-mill and essayed a wagon and blacksmith shop, employing several hands.
Soon after being married, January 1, 1835, to Ruby Bliss, who survives him, he had the mis-
fortune to have his shop, tools and stock consumed, which led him to give up all his remaining
property to his creditors. With several long-time acquaintances, he then determined to abandon
New York, and make a new start in Wisconsin, in which Territory he settled, near Salem, Keno-
sha Comity, in 1844. One drawback after another, including sickness, induced him to desire a
new location, and, hearing of the Baraboo country, he, with several friends, made no less than
seven prospecting and hunting tours between 1848 and 1852. during which, by means of cash
and warrants, he entered several hundred acres of excellent land lying about one or two
miles northwest and west of Ironton Village. On this land lie settled in the spring of
1852. Much of this land he soon disposed of, but retained enough for a good farm until about
ten years ago. This farm being situated in Lavalle (then Marston, including what now is
Woodland, Lavalle, Ironton and Washington), he was soon chosen Chairman of il
of Supervisors, and many times represented it in the old county boaid. In these early days he
was also a noted Justice of the Peace, and thereby acquired the title of " Squire." which clung
to him through life. After the death of .lames Tower, founder of Ironton. who was one of the
members of the County Board, he was appointed and then elected to the position, which he retained
about four years, and gained the respect and good will of his colleagues. Having a good offer
for his farm, he disposed of it in the spring ol 1868, and purchased a comfortable home in the
village of Ironton, where he resided until his death. Throughout his Sauk County career, he
was one of the landmarks of Republicanism, never wavering in its support, and contributing
440 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
freely of his money, time and labor for its success. He was specially noted for the persistence
with which he insisted that his town should always be represented in county convention, whose
every session he has attended for a generation. The massiveness and shape of his head betok-
ened, what he really possessed, much more than average mental endowments, which, had they
in youth been fairly cultivated, would have raised him to much more important stations in life
than he occupied. While observation and keen analysis, with sound reasoning and considerate
judgment, guided by justice, insured him a fair measure of social, official and financial success
without wronging another, and placed him on the right side of most public questions, and
caused his opinion to be respected and frequently consulted; wealth and station, however, were
but secondary with him, for he distributed the one and waived the other more than is generally
known. He was for many years an Odd Fellow, but gradually communed more and more with
the Free Masons, with whom be remained in good standing to his death. He also worked with
the Good Templars for a number of years. In all these organizations, he was an active and
influential member, and frequently held important official positions in each. In the pioneer
days of the Little Baraboo, many were those who were freely welcome to his bed and board, and a
seat about the old-style fireplace ; and often did the capacious old log house contain a merry com-
pany whose down-right old-fashioned sport and ready wit caused the walls to fairly ring again;
and often do his children refer to the endearments of the old farm home.
John Metcalf
was born in Rhode Island in 1786. He came to Wisconsin in 1831. and commenced the build-
ing of a shot-tower at Helena, in company with Mr. Ilambleton and Capt. Terry, but the Sac
and Fox [ndians becoming hostile, the work was abandoned. In 1832, and until 1835, lie was
in the employ of Daniel Whitney (the first American owner of the present site of Portage), who
had obtained permission of the Menomonee Indians to make shingles on their lands lying along the
Wisconsin River. He and Mr. Whitney took into the pinery a whip-saw, and sawed by hand a,
raft of lumber, which Mr. Metcalf ran to the Portage. Therefore, he was the pioneer raftsman
of Wisconsin, having, of course, the honor of running the first raft through the Dells. His
account books show that he had dealings with Augustin Grignon, from whom Mr. Whitney pur-
chased title to the land Portage now stands upon. Grignon held the land by a title from the
French Government, and the deed from him to Whitney is signed by Andrew Jackson, then Presi-
dent of the United States. After peace was concluded with Black Hawk, the tower at Helena
was finished. Gradually failing, however, in business prospects at that place, Mr. Metcalf pur-
chased, in 1849 or 1850, one-half of the "Upper Mills" in Baraboo, where he remained until
death snapped the brittle thread, if indeed it was* not unwound to its natural end, on the
22d of January, 1864. Mr. Metcalf was never married, and had at his death no known
relatives.
James Steele
was particularly illustrious for having reached the great age of one hundred and thirteen
years six months and eleven days, as claimed by his son William Steele, of Delton, at wdiich
place the elder Steele died April 23, 1872. He was born at Harper's Ferry, Va.. and settled in
Sank Countyal a very early day. He was one of the leading citizens of Newport. The old gentle-
man claimed to have borne a part in the Revolution, and later to have participated in tin
of Maumee. under ;' Mad Anthony Wayne," of whom he spoke in terms of enthusiastic eulogy.
He was married a second time when ninety-eighl years of age to a Canadian-French woman who
was ninety-one. She died November 12, L873, aged one hundred and two years four months
and fourteen days.
William Palmek
was born at Acquia Creek, Md., in 1805, and died at his residence in the town of West-
field, September 20, 1873, in the sixty-eighth year of his ago. Mr. Palmer learned the trade of
a carpenter in his native State, and soon became a master builder. In 1828, he went to Phila-
delphia, where he remained six years, and where he was married. In 1884. he removed to
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY 441
Belmont Co., Ohio. Here he acquired considerable property, but meeting with subsequent
financial reverses, he wenl to California in L850, returning in two years with means to Tree his
property "f its incumbrance. In L854, he removed to Wisconsin, arriving in Reedsburg on
the 16th of May. He soon afterward purchased 160 acres of land near Loganville, of King
Thompson, and entered 600 acres more lying adjacent thereto. In 1855, in company with
Chauncey P. Logan, he built a saw-mill, and. with J. D. Mackey, in 1861, a flouring-mill at
Loganville. In 1864, he was elected to the Assembly from the south district of the county,
and re-elected the next year. At the expiration of his second term and until his death, In-
devoted his attention to the management of his farm, retaining a lively interest in town politics.
He was Chairman of the Town Board when he died. A wife and five children survived him.
Herbert X. Huntington
was born in Connecticut April 'J, 1807, and died in Baraboo January -. 1878. While
quite young, he removed with his parents to Mexico. Oswego Co., X. Y., where be was educated.
He married. February 'l. 1836, Miss Amanda M. Steele, the schoolmate of his youth. Two
children were the result of this union, one of whom died in infancy. The other is now Mrs
William Staley, of Baraboo. Shortly after their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Huntington removed
to Scriba, N. Y.. where they resided till 1851, when they came to Wisconsin, settling in Baraboo,
and Mr. II. engaging in the mercantile business. He was a careful, sober and industrious busi-
ness man, with a sound and reliable judgment.
Julius Converse Chandler
was born in West Randolph, Orange Co., Vt., August _:>.. 1833. The disease of which
was dropsy, induced by cirrhosis of the liver. He was the fifth son of William B. Chandler, in
a family of thirteen children, all of whom possessed strong characteristics, and several id" them
cupied important and responsible positions, both in civil and public life. Julius entered
as an apprentice to the printing trade at an early age in the office of the (Irrrn M»iuit,i.
man, published at Montpelier, Vt., which was the leading paper in the State. On completing
his apprenticeship, he set out as a journeyman, his first stopping-place being Quincy, Mass. In
1853, he went thence to Cleveland, Ohio, where his brother William then resided, and worked
for a time as a compositor on the Leader. In the fall of the same year, he went back to Quincy,
and was married to Miss Helen W. Adams, of that place. Returning to Cleveland, he continued
his work there until August. 1854, when he removed to Janesville, in this State, where he
worked on the Democrat, of which Judge Armstrong was editor. From Janesville he went to
Portage, where he and his brother, John A., started the I'lidi'/icinicnt. John withdrew at the
end of nine months, and after the paper had lived two years, Julius sold to Robert B. Went-
worth. He continued a year longer in Portage, out of business, and then went to Friendship
ami started the Adams County /ni/fpi-mleiil, which he published till the war broke out, when he
enlisted in the Second Regiment. In the first battle of Bull Run, he was disabled so that he
was discharged from the service. He then returned to Friendship and continued the In
ent irregularly till May. 1864, when he again enlisted, this time in the Fortieth, a 100-day reg-
iment, serving till October. In December of the same year, he entered the service of his
brother. William W., as traveling agent of the Star Freight Line, and so continued for about two
years and a half, in the meantime selling his office at Friendship. In 1867, he removed to Bar-
aboo, and soon afterward established the Sauk County Herald. Still later, he made newspaper
ventures at Augusta, Hau Claire and Elroy, and. in 1877, he edited a paper called Frontier
Business, al Morris. Minn.
The sobriquet " Shanghai " was given to him by the local Democratic politicians, as the
representative of the Republican or " Shanghai " party, as it was called by the Democracy in
1854-55. The new species of Shanghai poultry was introduced into the State about the time
the Republican party was in the period of incubation. When it finally made its appearance, it
was dubbed the " Shanghai party," because it was a new species of fowl in the political bam-
442 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
yard. Mr. Chandler's ardent advocacy of the principles of the new party, as well as his per-
sonal appearance, obtained for him the cognomen of " the Shanghai ;" he accepted it and used
it as his nom de plume in some of his correspondence, and by it he ever after was generally
known. He died at Baraboo, August 28, 1878, aged forty-five years and five days. His widow
still resides in Baraboo.
FIRST AND LAST CENSUS OF SAUK COUNTY.
In the spring of 1842, Sheriff A. A. Bird, of Dane County, to which Sauk County then
belonged, under official instructions and in accordance with an act entitled "An act to provide
for the taking of the census of the inhabitants of the Territory of Weskonsan, approved Feb-
ruary 18, 1842," returned the names of the following persons, as "heads of families," then
voiding in the county. The figures set opposite the names indicate the number of persons be-
longing to each family, though they really included others :
Sauk Prairie. — Prescott Brigham, 4; E. P. Brigham, 4; Josiah E. Abbott, 7; J. Wag-
goner, 5 ; Andrew Garrison, 2 ; Nathan Kellogg, 6 ; William G. Simons, 5 ; H. F. Crossman,
6; John La Messeure, 15; W. Langdon, 3; Calvin Frink, 11 ; John Gallard, 3; A. Morgan,
4; George Dunlap, 3; Jonathan Hatch, 9; Albert Skinner. 7: J. Havden. 8; Adolph
Rendtorff, 6; James S. Alban, 8. Total, 116.
Baraboo. — M. Grain, 2; Robert V. Allen, 2 : Levi Moore, 5; Moses Nulph, 4 ; John
Meads. 1 ; M. Gillson, G : Orrin Hudson, 1 : Peter Manaar, '■'< ; John Rainey, 2; John de la
Rond, 1; Thomas Kelsey, 1 ; C. Randall, 7 ; Henry Lewis, 6; Milo Blood, 5; Don Carlos
Barry, 6; .lames Christie, 6; D. Gilson, 7: Edward Kingsley, 5; Mrs. Y. B. Hill. 6; Abram
Wood, 3; Wallace Rowan, 11; John Draper, 5; Lewis Branson. 5; William II. Canfield, 3;
Simeon Griffith, 5; Richard Clark, 1; Thomas Clark. 3; Solomon Shaffer, 3; Edward John-
son. 5; Daniel Brewster, 3; Eben Peck, 5; William Stephens. 1 ; S. Knox or Traux, 5.
Total, 134.
Helena. — [The name of the census district which is supposedto have included a strip of ter-
ritory south of the Wisconsin river. It is well known that Charles Halasz, Robert Bryant and
others whose names are familiar in the history of this county, lived on the lower end of Sauk
Prairie, north of the river, but, as the taking of this census occurred two years before the organ-
ization of the county, and while it belonged to Dane County, it may be that Helena census dis-
trict lav on both sides of the Wisconsin. Such is the opinion of an old settler of Baraboo. —
Ed.]— P. M. Nichols, 4; Charles Halasz. 13; Robert Bryant, 10; Birosch, 8; Alvin
Crane. 8; II. B. Staines. 9; E. Brown, 1 ; Cyrus Leland, 10 ; John Russell, 2 ; Henry
Tin!. 6; M. Blodget, 1 ; John Hoover, Jr., 3; John Hoover, Sr., 4; Zenas Herrington, 8;
Albert Jameson, 5 ; Albert Myers, 4 ; John Kellogg. 4 ; Andrew Hodgett, 1; William John-
son. 9; Samuel Mather. 3; D. I!. Baxter. 4; George Cargill, 5; Samuel Woodruff, 9; Will-
iam Tanner, 1: John Wilson. 7: Frank Pravoncil, 5. Total, 146.
This census was by no means a correct one. It is the only one in existence, however,
taken at that early day. It is known to be incomplete for the reason that the names of several
of the first settlers in the county who were heads of families wore omitted. The census-taker
seems to have contented himself with the names of those at the head of families, and those en-
gaged in business, overlooking many persons then engaged as " hired hands." For instance,
it will be observed that there were thirteen persons, in the ••family " of Charles Halasz. This
doubtless included ten or a dozen men then in the employment of Mr. Halasz. The same may
also be san] in reference to the figures opposite the names of many others.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 443
In 1870, the population of Sauk County was 23,060; in 1875, 26,932, an increase in five
years of 3,872. The population for 1880, by towns, is as follows :
Merrimack 829
Lavalle 1,
Prairie du Sac I
Reedsburg 2,547
Spring Green L,09i
Sumler 745
Troy 1.02s
Washington 1,169
Westtield 1,462
Winfield 780
Woodland 1,367
Total 29,104
THE OLD SETTLERS' SOCIETY.
A preliminary meeting of the old settlers of Sauk County was held in the parlor of the
Baxter House, in Prairie du Sac, on the 22d of February, 1872. Jonathan Hatch, a pioneer
of 1839, was called to the chair, and Charles Halasz was chosen Secretary. The following
old settlers — opposite whose names are placed the dates of their arrival — were present : Jonathan
Hatch. July, 183l» ; William and Alexander Johnson, December, 1839; George Dunlap, May.
L840; Charles Halasz, June, 1840; Cyrus Hill. June, 1840; J. I. Waterbury, September,
1840; John Gallard, April, 1841 ; Archibald Hill, May, 1841; D. R.Baxter; May, 1841;
John Acola, May, 1842; William It. Canfield, May, 1842; Henry Gatwinkle, August. 1842;
A. M. Seymour, September, 1S42 ; George Owen, September, 1842; H. H. Webster, December,
1842; John Tlnlke. May, 1844; James 11. Haines, May, 1844: John B. Crawford, October,
1844; B. F. Brown, May, 1845; James Cowles, October. 1845; John Sharpe, February.
1846; David B. Crandall, November, 1846; Robert B. Crandall, February, 1S47 : Ransom E.
Stone. February, 1847; D. K. Noyes, June, 1847 : Ryland Stone, September, ls47: S. W.
Corwith, September, 1847 ; L. V. Tabor, October, 1847.
Annual meetings of the remaining old settlers of Sauk County continue to be held. The
proceedings are very interesting, but are not usually of an historical nature, partaking more of
sociability than of reminiscence.
THE COUNTY POOR.
Upon the organization of Sauk County, the town poor system, then in vogue in other and
earlier settled parts of the State, was adopted. In March, 1854, by vote of the Board of Super-
visor, the distinction between town and county poor was abolished, and three County Superin-
tendents of the Poor were chosen — one to hold office for three years, another two years, and the
third one year. E. G. Wheeler, Charles O. Baxter and James Maxwell were elected to the
offices thus created. From this date until November, 1855, the county at large was responsible
for the care and maintenance of all the paupers within its borders, a poor tax being levied
in each town, and turned over to the county for that purpose. At the fall meeting of the board
of this year, the distinction between town and county poor was restored, the old system
town caring for its own paupers being again adopted, and the county caring for such transient
paupers as might come within its borders. This system remained unchanged until 1*72, when,
at the spring term of the board, the town system was again abolished. Immediate measures
were taken for the location of a poor farm and the construction of a poor house. A committee,
of which H. P. Ellinwooil was chairman, was appointed to select a site. and. after making an
examination of some thirty or forty farms in different parts of the county, the committee
reported in favor of purchasing 125 acres of land of James B. Clark, in Section 34, town of
Reedsburg, and paying therefor $5,000. The report being adopted, an appropriation of $4,000
was voted toward building a poor house, and the work was soon afterward commenced. At the
•Including population of village! Population of 1 : 11
444
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
same sitting of the board, J. I. Waterbury, G. Stevens and Enos Kimball were chosen Superin-
tendents of the Poor. A Superintendent is chosen annually, one going out' each year, and three
being continuously in office.
While the new poor house was being built, and during the prevalence of a wind storm Sep-
tember 26, 1872, a portion of the north wall was blown down. Two young men, named Thorn
and Knowles, were unloading brick at the time at the base of the wall, and the former was con-
siderably bruised. The heaviest portion of the falling mass overreached them, however, but
their escape from instant death was almost miraculous.
A separate structure was erected for the safe-keeping of the county's insane, or that portion
of tins unfortunate class who are returned from the State asylums as incurable. During the
year 1879, there were cared for at this institution sixty-one paupers and fifteen cases
of insanity. The present Superintendents of the Poor are Anton Fischer, 0. Thomas and
N. Stowe.
"l:\lTllnl, ntiY.
One of the most peculiarly interesting evidences of home talent and industry to be found
in this county is a collection of birds, animals, insects and minerals, gathered and prepared by
Mr. Charles Dininger, of Sauk City, taxidermist and ornithologist. "This splendid collection",
large in number and numerous in variety, is the result of nearly half a lifetime's labors ; twenty-
nine years of hard work and study having been almost uninterruptedly devoted to the work of
collecting and preparing these specimens for permanent preservation. The amount of persever-
ance, enterprise, talent, strength and time, that it takes to accomplish anything really appre-
ciable in such a field of effort, can hardly be overestimated, and is seldom ever fully appreciated.
A man, to be successful in such work, must not only be imbued with a love and engrossing
admiration for nature and her productions, but he must be willing to give the best energies of
his life entirely to his pursuit : for thus, and thus only, have the varied mysteries of nature been
solved, and her paramount beauties exposed. Although but few may ever look at this collection
with aught save the interest created by curiosity, yet that few will give Mr. Dinninger the credit
which is due to his fine intelligence, and unusually excellent achievements, in placing before
them, from field, forest and stream, so much that is graceful and beautiful, as well as being, in
many cases, exceptionally rare and remarkable.
The number of birds, of various species, indigenous to tins part of the country, is very large,
and includes many of exquisite beauty of plumage as well as perfection of form. Of these, and
those also that come to this county annually (migratory birds), Mr. Dininger has succeeded in
getting specimens, there now being several hundred in the collection, and all being very per-
fect, from the wee young ones of our red-throated humming-bird in their nest, to the monster
gray eagle, sitting in native majesty on his perch, and that measures 8 feet 4 inches from tip to
tip of his wings. The albinos (odd specimens of regular species) are. perhaps, the si novel
in appearance of any kind here, and, though being almost unknown, are worthy of careful men-
tion. There are a pair of beautiful white quail ; a yellow-breasted white robin; a black robin,
with white-mottled head and white-tipped wings ; a variegated robin, being white, brown and
yellow : a white pheasant, with beautifully tufted head and heavy brown ruff; a white specimen
of the specie purple crakle, or blackbird: a white redwing starling i very rare), and female
starling, with red on wings ; a snowy owl, with mottled plumage, and ears like the great horned
owl (not mentioned in any work). Among the others there are large numbers of exc lingly
imens, of which may be mentioned : A pair of pilated woodpeckers, now very rare : a
pair of Bohemian waxwings, or wanderers, a bird which, it is said, roams through, the cold
regions of the entire globe; a yellow-headed crakle, indigenous to California; a yellow-breasted
chat, strayed hither from the Sunny South : a greal heron, of magnificent plumage, and a cor-
morant, with greenish Mack body and neck, beautifully mottled crest, and mottled, dark bronze-
colored wings — a most superb specimen.
The description could be continued to almost any length, so many and worthy are the
various specimens: but the above is sufficient to give a fair idea of the character and merit of
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 445
the collection, which, be it remembered, has been made entirely in this county. Below is given
a catalogue of the different birds that abound in the county, with their common names, nil of
which are represented in Mr. Dinninger's collection :
Bald eagle, golden eagle, peregrine falcon, pigeon hawk, sparrow hawk, marsh hawk, white-
breasted hawk, broad-winged hawk, rough-legged hawk, goshawk, cooper's hawk, red-tailed hawk,
sharp-shinned hawk, black-belted hawk, American fish-hawk, great horned owl, snowy owl,
snowy owl (or a very light-colored mottled, with cars; not found in books), mottled or screech
owl. barred owl, hawk owl. long-cared owl. brown wren, golden-crested wren, red-crested wren,
black-billed cuckoo, blue-jay, red-headed woodpecker, golden-winged -woodpecker, yellow-bellied
woodpecker, hairy woodpecker, whippoorwill, night-hawk, belted kingfisher, great northern
shrike, white-bellied nut-hatch, kingbird, peewit or Phoebe bird, ruby-throated humming-birds,
Maryland yellow-throat, black -throated blue warbler, yellow-rump warbler, chestnut-sided
warbler, black and yellow warbler, black-throated green warbler, black-burnion warbler,
bay crested warbler, black-poll warbler, lesser red poll, brown thrush, water thrush, wood
thrush, green black-cap flycatcher, American redstart, scarlet tanager, purple marten, barn
swallow, bank swallow, chimney swallow, white-bellied swallow, cat-bird, cedar bird, Bohe-
mian chatterer or waxwing, purple finch, siskin, snow bunting, the American creeper, black-cap
titmouse, American skylark, goldfinch, bluebird, song-sparrow, fox-colored sparrow, tree spar-
row, indigo bird, red crossbill, rose-breasted grossbeak, ground robin, bobolink or rice bird, red-
winged starling, rusty blackbird, swamp blackbird, purple crakel or crow Jblackbird, cow
bunting, meadow lark, Baltimore oriole, turtle dove, passenger pigeon, pinnated grouse, ruffed
grouse, sharp-tailed grouse, quail, sandhill crane, bittern or stake driver, least bittern, great
heron, snowy heron, green heron, night heron, golden plover, kill-deer, king plover or semi-
palmated snipe, Wilson's English snipe, field plover, parrie plover, yellow-legs, prairie plover,
sandpiper, woodcock, clapper rail, sara or common rail, coot or mud hen, hell diver, Canada goose,
snow goose, white-fronted goose, brant, black duck, ruddy duck, redhead duck, pentail duck, wood
duck, mallard duck, blue-winged teal, green-winged teal, buffel-headed duck, spoonbill duck,
scaup duck. American widgeon, sheldrake, goosander, hooded merganser, common cormorant,
double-crested cormorant.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
CHAPTER VII.
REMINISCENCES.
Pioneer Days— Early Visits to Sauk County— A Tribute to some of the First Pioneers
—The First White Woman in the Baraboo Valley— A Tilt with Redskins— The
Indian Scare of 1844— Early Christian Effort in Sauk County.
PIONEER DAYS.*
Early in the spring of 1838, Berry Haney received private information from George W.
Jones, who was then Delegate in Congress from Wisconsin Territory, that the treaty with the
Winnebago Indians, for their lands north of the Wisconsin River, had been ratified. Haney,
at that time, was engaged with Col. Abner Nichols, of Mineral Point, in staging between Min-
eral Point and Fort Winnebago. They had two men in their employ by the names of Jonathan
Taylor and Solomon Shore. Haney lived on Black Earth Creek, at the place now called Cross
Plains. On the receipt of the intelligence of the ratification of the treaty, he sent Taylor to
the Wisconsin River, opposite Sauk Prairie, there to await the coming of Shore, who went with
Haney to Fort Winnebago, to purchase a skiff to take down the river to Sauk Prairie, in order
to get across. They met at that point according to previous arrangement, crossed over, and
proceeded to mark out their claims. The first one marked out by them was for Berry Haney,
on what is now Sauk City. Taylor claimed the next above Haney, and Shore the next, which
claim I afterward purchased and own at this time. Haney, I believe, had the first land broke
in Sauk County. In June, 1838, he employed James Ensminger and Thomas Sauser to break
ten acres, for which he paid them $100. The first place in the shape of a dwelling, on Sauk
Prairie, was built by Ensminger and Sauser. They dug a pit in the ground, about four feet
deep, twelve by sixteen or eighteen feet square, logged it up, and covered the hole with hay and
earth, making a sort of root-house. This they did for the purpose of preventing the Indians
from burning them out, as they had threatened. James S. Alban (who was afterward Judge of
Portage County) and family moved on to Sauk Prairie in January, 1839, being the first family,
1 believe, in Sauk County, or what is now Sauk County. I believe it is claimed by John Wil-
son, of Wilson's Creek, that he and family were the first. However this may be, I cannot say ;
1 have always understood, until a few years since, that Alban and family were the first. I left
Rock Island for Wisconsin about the 1st of April, 1839, on board the old steamer Fayette. I
arrived at Galena in due time, and there took stage — or rather wagon — for Mineral Point. The
proprietor was John Messersmith. We arrived at his place at Elk Grove, at noon, where we
were very politely entertained by the Squire and his family, and after an excellent dinner we
proceeded on our way. We arrived at Mineral Point in the evening of the same day. I there
lay over one day for the stage — or rather wagon, again — to Madison. At Mineral Point, I met
Berry Haney. who introduced me to A. A. Bird, of Madison, who was also waiting for the
stage, and to many prominent citizens of the Point. We were one day in going from the Point
to Haney'a place in Black Earth Valley, where I arrived, I believe, on the 6th of April. A
few days after I arrived at Haney's place, Haney, Joseph Denson, from Iowa Territory, and
myself, started for Sauk Prairie. We followed a dim trail to the river, left our horses on the
south side and crossod over in an Indian canoe. We visited several of the cabins and claim-
shanties, among others, that of D. B. Crocker, which was situated where the village of Prairie
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 447
ilu Sac is now situated. While there, a little incident occurred that may be worth relating.
The day was pleasant, and we were all seated out in front of his cabin, admiring and conversing
upon the beauties of the country, when some one of the company discovered an animal of some
kind approaching the grove below us, from the prairie. Some supposed it to be a deer, others
thought it was a wolf. Denson, being an old hunter and a good marksman, proposed to go down
and try to get a shot. He took Crocker's gun and went down to the grove, where he soon dis-
appeared. Presently we heard the report of the gun, and very soon saw Denson with his hat
oft', running with all his speed toward us, making signs to us to come to him. We all ran as fast
as we could. When we came up to him he told us he had shot an animal, the like of which he
had never before seen. He said when he fired, it leaped into the air about ten feet, and then
he thought it was making after him, which was the cause of his running and giving us signals
to come to him. After reloading his gun, we cautiously advanced to the spot, and there found
a monster lynx pierced through the heart.
The only families that were then settled in what is now Sauk County, were those of James
S. Alban, Albert Skinner and John Wilson. Wilson was living at Wilson's Creek at the time.
There were several young men making and improving claims when I came. They were H. F.
Crossman, Burk Fnirchild, D. B. Crocker, William Billings, William May, Nelson Lathrop, E.
B. Harner and an old bachelor by the name of Hunter. The third family that moved in was
named Parks, and the fourth, Jonathan Hatch.
Some time in October, 1839, five of us, Berry Haney, Burk Fairchild, Solomon Shore,
Samuel Taylor and myself, crossed the bluff's over to the Baraboo Valley. The trail led us over
the bluff's immediately back of what is now known as the Teel place, the highest peak, I
think, in the center range between the prairie and Baraboo. The trail led us directly to the
Baraboo River, at the place where Maxwell's mill-dam now stands. Here we forded
the river and entered the village of the Indian Chief, Oaliminee, where we were very
warmly ami hospitably received. We rested and refreshed ourselves and horses, and
were very much amused in seeing the Indians playing at cards and horse-racing. Some
of them would stake their last string of " wampum " on a single chance at cards. The
game we could not understand. After spending about two hours at this village, we started to
traverse the river above, which we did, whenever it was approachable, as far up as " Dandy's "
village, which was five or six miles above. At this village we were received with marked dis-
pleasure by the Indians, many of them gathering around us, and making much noise and con-
fusion. They made signs and gesticulations for us to leave. After some parley with them,
however, we succeeded in restoring quiet, and afterward purchased some corn to feed our horses
for the night, and left them in peace. We encamped about two miles above the village, where I
spent the most disagreeable night of my life. It was very chilly and dark, and rained the entire
night. We had no shelter except that afforded by our blankets, which was but little, and we
were drenched to the skin in a short time, through blankets and all. After much trouble we
succeeded in making a fire, which somewhat relieved us from the cold. The next morning the
rain ceased. After drying our clothes, and taking breakfast in the Indian style, we pro-
ceeded up the river to the Narrows, from which point we returned on the direct trail to the
lower village, where we had the honor of dining with the Chief. We spent several hours at this
village, and then went down the prairie to the Narrows below, from which place we returned
home. After a very tedious and tiresome journey across the bluffs, we arrived at Sauk some
hours after night, and lodged in the primitive house (or dugout, as we used to call it), which
was a very agreeable change from the night before.
We saw no visible signs of white men in the Baraboo Valley. I think in all probability we
were the first white men that ever crossed the bluffs between the prairie and Baraboo Valley.
Some time in the after part of the summer of 1839, Cyrus Leland and George Cargel moved
their families to the prairie, being the fifth and sixth families who came ; and a little later in the
season of the same year. Berry Haney moved his family to the prairie, being the seventh. On
the 30th of November. 1839, Charles B., son of Berry and Anna Haney was born, being the
448 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
first white child born in Sauk County. There was nothing further of importance transpired
during the winter of that year. The winter was very cold, with much snow, which covered the
ground until spring. This ends my first year's stay in Wisconsin.
EARLY VISITS 'TO SAUK COUNTY.*
On the 1st day of May, 1848, 1 set out from my home at Spring Prairie, Walworth
County, for my first visit to the valley of the Baraboo, of which I had heard, for the first time,
only four or five years previous. A young man whose father's farm adjoined that of my father
in Massachusetts, had spent the preceding winter with us. During that time, the land warrants
which Congress had granted to the soldiers of the Mexican war, began to come upon the market.
My friend sent to a New York broker and bought one for 160 acres for about $120, and wished me
to assist him in its location. Sauk County at that time was regarded as the best portion of the
State accessible to us for obtaining Government lands. For that reason we directed our jour-
ney here.
Friday morning, May 3, 1848, found us at the little village of Prairie du Sac, the guests
of Rev. Warren Cochran, who then resided there. He had removed the autumn previous from
the vicinity of our home in Walworth County, and was preaching alternately at that village and
at Baraboo. We found him at the time too feeble in health to ride to Baraboo to preach on the
next Sabbath, and he wished me to hold meeting in his place. He was then in the vigor of early
manhood, of strong physical powers, a towering intellect and a benevolent heart — such a giant
intellectually and morally as is seldom found on the frontiers. He came to Wisconsin with the
intention of founding a college. Although he failed in accomplishing that object, he did estab-
lish a school of elevated character, which became the Baraboo Collegiate Institute, and which
continued to educate for usefulness large numbers of youth, until it was supplanted by the pres-
ent graded school. Mr. Cochran went everywhere preaching the word with the zeal of an Apos-
tle, there not being a village or schoolhouse in the county in which his voice at one time or
another was not heard. At 8 A. M., we set out for Baraboo upon substantially the same road
now traveled over Sauk Prairie, which then was but partially under cultivation. About midway
of the prairie we met Maj. James A. Maxwell and family on their way to Sac Village to attend
a quarterly meeting of the Methodist Episcopal Church. He had removed with his father from
Walworth County the year previous and purchased the lower water-power on the Baraboo, now
known as the village of Manchester. As we passed up the southern slope of the Baraboo Bluff's,
we were presented with the finest landscape view we had ever beheld. Sauk Prairie for a dozen
miles, dotted all over with fields of growing grain, was presented to our vision. It was a scene
worth a hundred miles' travel to look upon. For six miles across the bluffs there was aj that
time not a house to be seen, and the road was filled with bowlders. In the vicinity of Devil's
Lake, the scenery was more Alpine than anything I had before seen west of New England. We
found Baraboo to be a pillage of some three hundred inhabitants, lying mostly near the river on
both sides. On the south side was a saw-mill, which was converting logs from the Baraboo
pinery into lumber, most of which was rafted down to the cities .•ml villages on the Mississippi
River. The largest hotel in the place was kept by Lyman ('link, now of Windom, Minn. It
was situated just north of where the present railroad depot stands, and has since been converted
into a brewery. There were also a dozen to a score of dwellings, mostly small, on the south
side. The river was crossed by a bridge. On the north side ran a street parallel with the river.
upon which were two or three stores and several houses. A small unfinished grist-ir.'lt of
run of stones stood upon the site of the present large flouring-mill of R. H. Strong. The pro-
prietor, whose name was Brown, had been killed by the fall of a timber in raising an addition
to it, a few weeks previous. The county seat had been removed from the village of Prairie du
Sac the year previous and located upon a square quarter-section composing a part of the land
between the first and second bluff from the river, the present court house standing somewhere
i :ii writing nf S A. Divinm-ll.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY 449
near the center of it. The village was named Adams, and this strange anomaly in namea was
presented to a stranger. The post office was Baraboo, the village was named Adams, the town
was Brooklyn, while the only town in the county named Baraboo was what is now Reedsburg,
with some adjacent territory. The County Commissioners had caused a village to be platted
the previous summer, and m order to raise money to build a court house had sold a large num-
ber of lots at public sale, at from $4 to $8 a lot. A court house, in size about 26x36 and two
stories high, hail been erected on the north side of the public square. Col. E. Sumner was pro-
prietor of a small, unpainted, two-story hotel at the northeast corner of the public square, which
forms a part of the present Western Hotel.* Col. James Maxwell bad built a small store at the
southeast corner of the park, since known as the " Corner Store." Besides these, there were ;i
few board shanties occupied by families. The village site was covered with a sparse growth of
small oaks.
Mr. Cochran had directed us to the house of Dr. Charles Cowles for entertainment and
information. He then lived on Peck's Prairie, four miles down the river. We found him at
home. We introduced ourselves, and, when he came out to care lor our team he peered anxiously
into our wagon, and, seeing a quantity of oats there, said: " 1 am glad you have brought prov-
ender, for there is not a bushel to be bought in all this region." Dr. Cowles informed me that
I would be expected to officiate at the funeral of a young man at the court house on the coming
Sabbath. I spent Saturday in preparing a discourse and in assisting my friend in exploring
the country. On Sabbath forenoon, we proceeded to the court bouse, which we found filled with
some 200 people — a very fine-appearing congregation for a new country — only one of whom.
Col. Maxwell, bad I ever seen before. Col. Alexander Crawford had charge of the funeral
arrangements. The congregational singing was good. I informed the congregation that I was
not a preacher, either lay or clerical, and was not much used to public speaking, but, in conse-
quence of the illness of Brother Cochran, I had consented to try to officiate on that occasion. I
addressed the people from James: "For what is your life V It is even a vapor, that appeareth
for a little time, and then vanisheth away." The body was buried about forty rods northwest
of the court house, where quite a large number of graves had already been made, and the whole
entirely unprotected. In the afternoon, I gave a lecture in the court house, on temperance, in
connection with Dr. Sewall's plates of the human stomach, which I had brought with me.
Those plates showed the condition of the stomach in a healthy state, and also in the various
stages of disease, from the moderate and the immoderate use of alcoholic liquors.
Monday, May 7. 1848, was spent in assisting my friend in selecting land on which to
make a home, which we found about two miles northeast of the village and a short distance
north of where the cemetery is now located. A large portion of the land in Sauk County was
then open for entry, although it had been in the market two or three years. The principal set-
tlements in the Baraboo Valley were on Peck's Prairie, below the village, ami at Christiehood,
named for a Scotchman who was a pioneer settler on a prairie some miles above the village, on
the north side of the river. There were a few families on Webster's prairie, so named for the
first settler there, and a few also on Babb's and Narrows Prairies. On Tuesday forenoon, we
returned to the village of Baraboo, where the people had assembled at the first election for
State officers, consisting of executive and legislative officers and Judges of the Circuit Court,
which at first acted as Judges of the Supreme Court also. The grist-mill there was the only
one in this valley, and the only one in the county except Leland's, on Honey Creek, two miles
or so northwest of Sauk City. On Tuesday afternoon, we set out for the land office at Mineral
Point, and spent the night at Prairie du Sac. The first settlement in the county had been made
at that place in the years 1839 and 1840. Some men, having viewed the prairie from the high-
lands on the south of the Wisconsin, swam across upon their horses, and made claims for farms
at or near the sites of the present villages of Prairie du Sac and Sauk City. During two
years, eight men settled there with families, together with four single men. Among the settlers
of 1839 were two lawyers, Cyrus Leland, afterward a member of the Legislature, and James
±50 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
S. Alban, some time after a Circuit Judge of the Stevens Point Circuit, and Colonel of the
Eighteenth Regiment of Infantry, who fell at Pittsburg Landing in April, 1862. Hans B.
Crocker, who came during that year, opened the first store in the county in 1840, with a stock
of $200 or $300 worth of goods. Among the settlers of 1840 was R. H. Davis, for many
years Treasurer of the county, who taught the first school in the county in a framed room,
18x24, which stood on the present site of Sauk City. It was a private school of twenty pupils
in the fall of 1841. The teacher was promised $20 per month for three months ; but a number
of the bills of poor families were never paid. Berry Haney opened the first, public house in
1840, and, building a ferry-boat, combined, the business of innkeeper and ferryman. Maj. W.
H. Clark, a lawyer, settled there in 1841, and, with the assistance of his wife, taught the second
school, in 1842. The first regular preaching in the county was by Rev. P. W. Nicols, in 1842,
at the log cabin of Jonathan Smith.
Among the settlers of 1840 was Augustus Haraszthy, an Hungarian Count, and his cousin,
Charles Halasz, who were the pioneers of the German seltlement at Sauk City, and of all those
of Sauk County. Among the settlers of 1840 was also a German by the name of Lueders, who
some years after planted the pioneer vineyard of Wisconsin, on the steep bluff on the south side
of the river, and at the time of his death, a few years ago, was the most extensive grape-grower
in the State. Several of the single men dug a room into the river bank, and there for a season
kept bachelor's hall, in the only dugout I ever heard of in Wisconsin. On Wednesday morn-
ing, May 9, we crossed the river, and, after proceeding some miles through sparsely settled open-
ings, we entered the valley of Black Earth Creek. It consisted of prairie from eighty rods to
half a mile in width, with thin openings on each side as far as we could see. We soon discovered
a peculiarity in the settlement which we had noticed nowhere else in the West. The houses
were all built of logs, about 18x20 feet in size, and two stories high, in connection with each of
which was a field of three or four acres, fenced and broken. We also noticed that many of the
houses were unoccupied. At noon we stopped upon the banks of the creek to feed our team
and ourselves. I suppose it was somewhere near where the village of Mazo Manie now stands.
The current of the stream was quite rapid at that point. There came from a neighboring
house two women to get water, of whom we inquired concerning the settlement. We found
them to be good talkers and quite intelligent. They were disposed to give us all the information we
sought. They informed us that some five or six years previous to that time a project had been
formed among the operatives of a certain manufacturing city in England to form a colony and
emigrate to the frontier of the United States to engage in farming. For this purpose, 200 men,
with families, entered into a written compact, by which each was to put a certain sum of money
into a common treasury and send out two men as agents to enter land, build houses, and fence
and break a small field for each family before they came over. Each family was to have 80 acres
of land, and the settlement to extend along the creek for the distance of twelve miles. Many
of them had large, not to say wild, expectations. As one of the women remarked, they thought
if they should only get upon a farm in America they should live on strawberries and cream. They
seemed to imagine, that if they could only become the possessor of a farm, a house and field on
the rich prairies of the great West, they would have all the fortune they needed for this life.
1 >!' the inconveniences and trials incident to settling in a new country, they knew nothing and
anticipated nothing. When they found themselves from right to twelve miles from a physician,
a store, or any of the conveniences to which they had been accustomed in England, and engaged
in a business of which they knew absolutely nothing, many of them became homesick and dis-
couraged. One after another left for other places to find business by which they could sup-
port their families, until one-half of them had deserted their homes. 1 think it was not true,
however, that in the final result they regretted their emigration to the United States. At that
time n seems that none of them had returned to the land of their birth.
On Tuesday, the 24th day of October, 1848, 1 set out from my home in Walworth County
on my second journey to the Baraboo Valley. I bad three passengers, all of whom, like myself,
were looking for homes. 1 had unexpectedly and providentially come in possession of several
//fcz^rscc^sl£-
SAUK CITY
HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY. T-:;
land warrants, and came to find land upon which to locate them. Our journey was through the
villages of Whitewater, Fort Atkinson, Aztalan, Lake Mills, Waterloo, Columbus, Fall River
and Wyocena. We reached Portage on Thursday evening. On Friday forenoon. October "27,
we visited Fort Winnebago. We crossed the Wisconsin River by ferry, owned and tended by a
half-breed Frenchman*. At the landing on the south side was a wind grist-mill,f the first I
had seen in the West. As the Wisconsin overflowed its banks, we found no settlers for three or
four miles, after which our way was through openings, where we found an occasional dwelling
and a small farm. In the afternoon we reached Baraboo, and put up with Col. Sumner, where
we unexpectedly found a company of four who had arrived there the evening previous, from the
same town in which we lived in Walworth County. Soon after we arrived, a heavy rain set in,
which continued until 9 A. M. on Saturday. As we learned that a man by the name of David
C. Reed was building a mill and founding a village on the river sixteen miles above, we resolved
to proceed thither. After leaving Lyons, there was no house on the way except the beard
shanty of Thompson Shepherd, on Copper (.'reek. In what is now Reedsburg, we found the frame
of a saw-mill, and five log shanties which stood in what is now Main street, just in front of
where Reineke's hotel and Roper's eating-house now stands. The west shanty was occupied as
a sleeping-room, with berths one above the other in steamboat style. It had an outside stone
chimney so poorly made that much of the smoke found its way into the room and rendered its
occupants quite uncomfortable. The second cabin was used as a storeroom, and the third,
fourth and fifth, by the families of Powell, William McClung, the millwright, and Elder A.
Lock. On Sunday morning, our company engaged Mr. Reed to go with them to look for land,
on the plea of necessity that he could not leave his work to go on a week day. Mr. Reed
inquired of me if I was going with them. I told him I was not ; that I was intending to come
here to settle, and I was coming with clean hands, so I could reprove the people for Sabbath-
breaking and other wrong-doing. He laughingly replied that they were not going to break the
Sabbath, but only intended to bend it a little. I told the company that sooner than look for
land on that day I would return home without any. I induced one man to remain with me.
At the breakfast table I gave notice that, with the permission of Mr. Powell, I would give a
lecture in that room in the evening. During the day, I took a stroll by myself, on the only
road that led into the place from the north, crossing a part of what is now the Greenwood Ceme-
tery. Near where Smith Devereaud now lives, the track turned west to the creek on
which Reed and Powell had cut a quantity of hay during the summer, from which circum-
stance the stream was named Hay Creek. Upon the rocks, under the pines, I sat down
and prepared my lecture for the evening service. In the evening, twenty-nine persons assem
bled in Mr. Powell's cabin, when Elder A. Lock offered prayer and 1 gave a lecture upon law.
I remarked that law was not arbitrary, as many supposed, but was founded in the nature of
things ; that moral law was founded in the nature of moral beings, and grew out of the relation
the) sustained to each other — angels with angels, men with men, and the whole with God, their
maker. I then spoke of the Sabbath law, showed the necessity for rest one day in seven, and
the reasonableness that men should obey it. I then presented the law which bound the citizen
to the Government, and his duty to cast his vote for rulers who would sustain correct principles.
This was just previous to the Presidential election at which Taylor was chosen President. I
dwelt also upon the application of law in other matters. It is worthy of mention that not one
of the five men who went out to look for land on that Sabbath settled in the county, although
all professed to be searching land for that purpose One of them, who was a Sabbath-keeper
and sanctuary-goer at home, made a pool- selection, and in the sale of it. some years afti
mitted a State-prison offense.
Five of the eight men who reached Reedsburg on Saturday the 28th of October, Is 18,
went hunting land the next day, and one of the others let his horses go, with the agreement thai
At tli.ii .1 it.' tli-' 1. n\ i id— hilt tin- Wisconsin I;: . William Armstrong, nnw ;i r.--h!--nt --f )..
MMisL.-.l tult a century ago by tin' famous I'n-i n- I'm
t Erei.-t.-il l.j S-ilmin-n l.-iiih, who is -nil living in l\ut:iK,.. wh.-re In s.-ttl. .1 in 1 -.:.<. -Hi).
454 HISTORY OF SAUK COTTNTY.
they should make a good selection for him. David C. Reed took them nearly ten miles from
home before he showed them any vacant land. They made claims on three quarter-sections
that dav. two of them very good ones, the best of which I entered after all the others had obtained
their lands. At that time there was not a family settled in the present towns of Westfield,
Washington, Woodland or Winfield. I think there were three or four families near where the
village of Ironton now is. and two or three near by. in the south of Lavalle. There were five on
Babb's Prairie and five on Narrows Prairie, a small Irish settlement, known as Sligo, in what
is now Dellona. the Butterfield settlement in the north part of Excelsior, of about a dozen fami-
lies. Christihood, near where Ebenezer Church now is, and a community on Seely Creek, now
North Freedom. Of all the fifty families or so then living in the present ten towns in the north-
west part of Sauk County, I think not more than five or six now (1876) remain, and some of
them are depleted of a part of their numbers. Mr. Reed informed us that a fine, large prairie,
surrounded with heavy timber, could be found to the south of Narrows Creek, near its head.
Several of us made an ineffectual attempt to find it on Monday, and returned to the settlement
on Narrows Prairie to spend the night. On Tuesday morning, four of our company, including
myself, started out again with the determination to find the coveted prairie. After traveling
several miles up the creek, we crossed to the south and struck into the timber to find a section
line. The day was cloudy, and when we found a line and followed it to a section corner, we
discovered that each one of us was completely turned about — north to us was south, and east was
west. In this bewildered state we passed the rest of the day. tracing the section lines near the
center of what is now the town of Washington. The country was covered for the most part with
a fine growth of young oak timber, with small streams of water each half-mile, along some of
which were strips of prairie. When night came, we kindled a fire by a large log, in front of
which we built a bower, and, covering the ground with dry grass, which we pulled for the pur-
pose, we slept comfortably till morning, although it snowed quite freely during the night.
None of the company, except myself, were accustomed to the woods, and all gave up to me to
pilot them out. Fortunately, I had with me a sectional map of Wisconsin — which on that day
I would not have lost for $50 — by means of which I discovered that the stream upon which we
camped emptied into Narrows Creek. We resolved to follow it down, and had not gone far
before we were delivered from our bewilderment, and the points of the compass were all right
again, much to our satisfaction. We proceeded to the house of Mr. Pitts, near where the Parker
Schoolhouse now stands, and, taking my team and buggy, which had been left there, we came
directly to Reedsburg, which we reached at noon. After dinner, I informed Mr. Reed of our
inability to find the large prairie surrounded by heavy timber, of which he gave us such a glow-
ing description before we set out on Monday morning. To our chagrin, he informed us that the
prairie was in the valley of Narrows Creek, which at that time consisted of only a small piece of
open land. He had sent us upon a "wild-goose chase." He evidently feared that we were
all of us a set of speculators, and wished us to locate our warrants as far from the village as
possible. Mr. Reed was the only man in this part of the country who could give information
a- to vacant hinds in this region. T said to him that T wished to hire his services for a day to
show me land, and would pay him any price he should demand. Making very little objection on
the score of his own business, he went with me. The first quarter-section he showed me as vacant
whs the one upon which I now live. He said that his millwright had claimed one eighty of it,
and he had promised to enter it for him. but had been disappointed in respect to money to do it;
that if I would enter it and give him one forty, it would be satisfactory. This I promised to do,
and at the same time told Mr. Reed that I should need a quarter-section of timber to go with it,
and he gave me a descriptions of one adjoining his land on the south, which I entered. We
traveled northeast over lands now owned by the Messrs. Sparks, Pelton, Montross and Charles
Pelton, and I took descriptions of all the best locations on the route, none of which I entered,
however, as there were more valuable ones to be found elsewhere. Soon after we set out, a
severe northeast snow storm set in. which continued for thirty-six hours. In the course of the
afternoon, Mr. Reed gave me an interesting account of his life, and remarked with special
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 455
e to the manner in which he had spent the preceding Sabbath, " I know far better than
I do," he said ; " I was brought up by a Baptist minister, ami well instructed by him and his
wife. After 1 was married and they became superannuated, I took them home and cared for
them as long as tbey lived. I know my duty better than 1 do it." How many id' us air com-
pelled to make the same acknowledgment !
On Thursday, November 2, we looked over land near Babb's Prairie to find a quarter-
section to enter tor Mrs. Pamolia Tator, then living at Delavan. The storm still continuing,
and the bushes being covered with damp snow, we were nearly as wet as though we had been
out in a rain-storm without an umbrella. I passed an uncomfortable night, hut. fortunately,
took no cold. The whole company, having made satisfactory selections, proceeded to Baraboo
on Saturday, where we spent the Sabbath.
On the 20th of February. L849, 1 set out on my second journey to Reedsburg for the pur-
pose of entering land. On Friday, March 2, we arrived. Since our last visit, in November,
the dam had been finished and the" saw- mill put in operation, although it was without roof or
other covering. One family bad been added to the population, that of Austin Seeley. He had
put up the frame to the L part of what has since been known as " the old mill-house," and cov-
ered it with green, rough hoards. His family had recently removed from Delavan, and they
were living in it. We obtained dinner here, but found the people quite short of provisions. In
the afternoon we proceeded to Narrows Prairie, and found lodgings with William Pitts. On
Saturday we spent the entire day selecting a quarter-section of land for myself, ami were well
paid for our labor. It was a mile or more north of where Loganville is now built, and consisted
of rich prairie with a fine stream of water running through it, and sixty acres of heavy timber
on one corner. It has been since converted into a farm, which for several years past has been
owned and occupied by H. B. Dornick. On Sabbath, March 4. we rested, according to the
commandment. On Monday we looked out a quarter-section, with a mill-site upon it, on Nar-
rows Creek, for the young man who accompanied me. but he was cut down by death before he
improved it. A mill'was afterward built upon it by D. 0. Sheldon. That was the day Zachary
Taylor was inaugurated President of the United States. On Tuesday, March <i, I reviewed
my selections of lands on Copper Creek, examining the soil, which was not frozen, by boring
through the snow with my staff. Stopping over night at Baraboo, we proceeded to Matt's Ferry
the next day, only to find the river open and no man at home to set us across. There was a
family there, living in a part of a storehouse erected on the river hank. We traveled down to
Sauk City and put up with Marcus Warren, a wealthy bachelor, and proprietor of the United
States Hotel. During the evening, Augoston Haraszthy, the Hungarian Count, came in and
spent an hour. He was a very intelligent man, of fine colloquial powers. I was much inter-
ested in his conversation. He, with his cousin, Charles Halasz, sailed from Hamburg in
March, 1840, with the intention of settling in the territory of Florida, glowing accounts of w Inch
they had read in their native land, as a new-found Eden. Before leaving port they had pur-
chased some of Maryatt's books of travels for the purpose of whiling away their time on ship-
board. His description of the country between Green Bay and Prairie du Chien, together with
the account given by some English fellow-passenger who had been at Mineral Point, of the beauties
of Wisconsin, induced them to change their destination. Upon landing in New York, they pro-
ceeded at once, by the way of the Erie Canal and the lakes, to Milwaukee. They purchased
horses, employed* a guide and interpreter, and explored the country until a satisfactory spot to
settle, on Rock River, was found at the head of Lake Koshkonong. There they set to work
vigorously to make improvements, until they lost nearly everything by the burning of their tem-
porary dwelling. Desolate and half discouraged, they resolved to abandon their claim. PiekiiiL'
up what few '• traps " they had saved from the fire, they proceeded by way of Madison to Prai-
rie du Sac, where they arrived about the middle of duly, 1840. They were enchanted with the
beauty of the country and found it equal to the description given by Capt. Maryatt in his trav-
els. The Count purchased a claim to lands on the river, below the village of Prairie du Sac. and
the next season employed Charles 0. Baxter to lay out a town, which was named Haraszthy.
456 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNT\.
The name was afterward changed to the one it bears at present, Sauk City. In the spring of
1842, the Count returned to Hungary, and came back in the course of the summer with his wife
and children, and with his father also, who was known as the " Old General," who was an excel-
lent chemist. They soon drew around them a large German settlement, which spread to other
parts of the county. The Count occasionally visited the Territorial Legislature when in session
at Madison. On such occasions he dressed in the livery he was accustomed to wear on court
occasions in Europe, deeming it an act of respect due a legislative body. He always attracted
a good deal of notice. A few weeks after I saw him, the family removed overland to Califor-
nia, where the " Old General " was appointed Assayer of the mint at San Francisco, and the
Count received the appointment of Clerk. Charles Halasz, who recently died at Sauk City, had
at various times been elected to town and county offices, which he satisfactorily filled.
On Thursday morning, March 8, we found a bridge of ice at Sauk City about four roils
wide, between the swift-flowing currents, above and below. Taking with us heavy clubs,
with which we pounded on the ice in front of us, we crossed in safety. Making our way to
Lodi, we took our horse and cutter and started for Madison, which we reached at night in the
midst of a severe rain-storm. The next day, through mud, snow and running water, we reached
Cambridge. On Saturday morning the snow was all gone. Leaving our sleigh, and taking
turns in riding and walking, we reached home, forty miles, Saturday evening, thoroughly
exhausted by our journey. I succeeded in entering, through the mails, every piece of land
which I had selected, and was well satisfied with my two weeks' work.
Early in November, 1849, I set out with two passengers on my third trip to Reedsburg,
having been employed by several of my friends to enter lands for them. We pursued essen-
tially the same route as I did the spring before, except that we left the Madison road at Cottage
Grove, and came through the American settlement on Sun Prairie, and the Scandinavian at
Norwegian Grove, and then through Hundred-Mile Grove to Lodi. It was a splendid portion of
country, much of it improved by settlers. The grove was said to be named Hundred-Mile from
its being just 100 miles from Galena, and the same distance from Green Bay on the old traveled
road through the Indian lands, before any portion of Wisconsin was purchased of them by the
United States Government. We found that several families had been added to the population
of Reedsburg. The mill was covered, and a bridge constructed over the river. The east por-
tion of the mill-house had been built and occupied by A. C. Reed and family, who kept a house
of entertainment. Austin Seeley had put up the main part of a house now owned by J. F.
Danforth, and used the lower part for a cabinet-shop and the upper as a dwelling. William
McClung had built the L part of the house now owned by Robert Greenwood. Rev. J. S.
Saxby had erected a part of what was afterward the Green Tavern, standing where Henry
Dewey now lives. It, was afterward enlarged by II. II. Treadwell, and used for many years as
a public house. It was at length removed by R. B. Percival to his farm on pJabb's Prairie, and
still occupied as a dwelling by A. S. Winckler. Proceeding to Narrows Prairie, we found some
increase of population there. On our previous visit, L. M. Swallow's was the farthest house,
and he lived on Bear Creek, where Levi Craker now lives. Old Mr. Daniel ('lark had built a
Ion house where Maj. McClure now lives, and was removing his family into it from Big Foot
Prairie, in Walworth County. Horace N. Smith and A. I!. Sprague had just settled in log
cabins as the first families in what is now Westfield, two miles north of where Logansville is
situated. I spent two days in making careful selections of lands just south of the present
village of Logansville, and also in the prairie valley west of it on the line of the present town
of Washington. The selections were all valuable, and I succeeded in entering each one of them
fur the several men fur whom they were intended. Most, or all of them have since been
improved and are now valuable farms. I returned to Reedsburg to spend the Sabbath, and
listened to a sermon by Rev. Mr. Saxby, at the house of Eber Benedict, which ho had just
built, a little east of the mill-house. This was the first regular preaching in this valley west of
Baraboo, excepl the appointment of Elder A. Lock, on Narrows Prairie and on the Little Bar-
aboo, near where [ronton Village now is. These were made a few months earlier. Mr. Saxby
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 457
had removed here with the intention of settling upon a tract of land upon Copper Creek, which
1 had entered for him the previous spring. He thought it best, however, to make his first set-
tlement in the village, but soon sold and removed to his farm, which he improved, and event-
ually sold to Joseph Osborn, who resided upon it until his death, a few months ago.
' Mr. Dwinnell came to Reedsburg with his family and settled permanently, in July. 1852.
\ TRIBUTE To SOME OE THE FIRST PIONEERS.'1
Thirty years have now elapsed since he who now addresses you first became acquainted
with a few", less than one out of a hundred, of your number present, who were then each of them
a pioneer of pioneers. They had severed the strong ties of kindred and of home in the hearl of
civilization to seek new homes at its furthest extremity on the prairies of the West, where the
trail of the savage had been uncrossed by the foot of a white man. I speak now of the pioneers
who preceded my arrival in 1842, and of them I need not say, sinee it is a self-evident proposi-
tion, that they were and arc men of no ordinary mold. Bold, hardy, industrious, with a zeal
that never abated, and witli hearts that never faltered, they encountered all the hardships and
privations of pioneer life, broke the virgin soil and plowed the furrows deep, fatted the pork and
stall-fed the beef, sowed the grain and planted the corn that fed not only themselves, but also
supplied the wants of the straggling hundreds who followed them. When, in 1S4"2, 1 first
became a resident of Sank County, all the necessary comforts of life were cheaply furnished and
easily obtained. To their untiring patience, unremitting toil and herculean efforts — to that old
pioneer plowf — is this consoling fact to be attributed. They thus laid the foundation of almost
an empire in this broad territory of ours. Largely, these men were of American birth. But
there were other pioneers here not of American birth. It is a singular fact that in that early
day most of the nations of Europe were represented among the few inhabitants of Sauk Prairie.
There were one or more immigrants and estrays from England, Ireland, Scotland, Spain, Ger-
many, Poland ; " the furious Frank," "the fiery Hun," and even one of " Afric's dusky sons "
were there. On the evening of the 4th of July, 1S4'J, at a ball held in the lower town, where
" music arose with its voluptuous swell" and "Hying feet" kept, time to its harmonics, the
favorite dance of each nationality (the last excepted) succeeded the other in regular order. The
music was that of a piano, the keys of which were touched by the fingers of a lady recently
from London, and again by a "wee Scotch lassie," not then in her teens, since known as one of
the most gifted vocalists and accomplished musicians of the State, now a. resident of Madison.
and to whom we of Baraboo had recently the pleasure of listening. This occurred at a time
when the wigwam of the Indian was still in view, and before his moccasined feet had made their
last indentation on his war-worn trail. Full well do I remember the tall and graceful form of
the Indian Chief, " De-ko-ra," who was looking on, and hearing him exclaim, '■'■Heap dance :
lift/i i/iuxir : ih'ix/irs/ieill s'/th//r.'"
A number of the Hungarians and Germans were co-immigrants with, and formed part of.
the retinue of Count Augoston Haraszthy, an Hungarian nobleman, in many respects a very
remarkable man. ami probably the first pioneer of foreign birth to set foot on the soil of Sauk
County. In person and mind, he fully typified "the fiery Hun " of Campbell. Leaving his
native home, amid the vine-clad hills of far-off Hungary — a home surrounded by every luxury
which extravagance could desire, and which had descended from father to son through a long line
of nobility — having resolved to become a citizen of Republican America, he visited many of its
famous localities for the purpose of selecting (as he told me) a new home which, to himself and
his family in Hungary, should prove not less attractive in its natural characteristics than the
home they were to abandon for it. He wandered from place to place, from village to city, and
through the rural districts of many States in the Union. Many places were beautiful, but not
'Address of W. II. Clark l...f..rr- 01,1 Seal, t-' s« i.-iv. 1-7-.
Nice.
458 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
altogether what he sought, until chance led him to the banks of the Wisconsin River. Ascend"
ing to the top of the nearest bluff, opposite to where is now Sauk City, his delighted eye gazed
on the unrivaled landscape which lay outstretched before him : "Eureka! Eureka!" he
exclaimed. " Italia! Italia!" Without going into the particulars of his remarkable career,
filled with adventures stranger than fiction, or relating any of the numerous anecdotes concern-
ing him, I will only say further, that soon after the discovery of, and settlement upon, his minia-
ture Italy, he set out for his native home, and, on his return, was accompanied by his wife, a
lady of Polish origin, of great beauty and rare accomplishments, by their two children, and by
his father and mother, lint his mercurial activity unfitted him for a quiet life. Now the owner
and captain of a steamboat on the Lower Mississippi : then again, at home tilling his many
acres; now a merchant dealing out to customers (whom he always trusted) large quantities of
merchandise ; then a lumberman on the Upper Wisconsin ; now at San Francisco, a member of
the Legislature and Assayer of the United States Mint, or in the interior of California, carrying
on, perhaps, the largest vineyard in the world ; now again in the Old World — finally, while pur-
suing another avocation in the heart of Central America, his restless spirit was forever quenched
in its murky waters. Death accorded to him a fate as strange as his life, and his body was
devoured by alligators. Who that ever knew can forget the " Old General," the father of the
Count? Father and only son and child — in the structure of their minds, in their habits, tastes
and dispositions, they were the very antipodes of each other, as unlike as ever could be. Never-
theless, their attachment for each other was unbounded. Naught but deatli would separate
them ; where went the son, there accompanied or followed the father. In sunshine and in storm,
through good and evil report alike, lie cherished "mein son Augosta," as he called him. He
was probably the best-educated man who ever came to this country from abroad, having studied
and mastered all the sciences through the medium of the Latin language, which was lisped by
his infant tongue before that of his native laud. lie soon became a proficient in the English
language, which he constantly made his study. After he had mastered it sufficiently to commu-
nicate his ideas intelligibly, a more entertaining and agreeable companion could not be found. I
have thus briefly alluded to the character of these two men — father and son — not only because
they were among the first settlers of our county, and had great influence in attracting foreign
population hither, but because, also, they are now among, the number of those who have passed
away, il being one of the duties of this association, and its most sacred one. to extol the virtues
of its dead pioneers.
Another of the favorite and distinguished pioneers of our county, whom not to mention
and commemorate on this occasion and in this connection, would be an omitted duty and a
criminal neglect, is also now among the lamented dead. .lames S. Alban was the first white
man who ever pitched In- lent and erected his cabin in our county. We all knew him well,
and loved him much. Nestled among a cluster of trees that grew in the southern extremity of the
prairie, was his cabin home, which, though rudely constructed and scantily furnished (as a mat
ter of course in those days), yet sheltered from the storm ami protected from tin' >mi as happy a
family as an} other. Having been a boarder in his family for many months, [ am a good witness
to the fact that hi- wife, the •" Amanda " of his boyish love and the mother of his children, was as
tinea specimen of a pioneer matron as ever administered to the necessities of way-faring human-
ity. When the latch-string of the cabin door was pulled by either friend orstranger, the incomer
i saluted with a kind " Come in " and greeted with a -mil.' of welcome. With few of the
accomplishments of the modern lady, and with none hut a common education, she was
adapted to the situation in which Provi lence had placed her. and her cabin home was
as happj a- industry, cheerfulness, gentleness and truth could make it. When, blown by the
: the fell destroyer the lamp went out. and her gentle spirit ascended from her paradise
on earth to the paradise above, and her body was consigned to the sepulcher at Prairie du Sac.
I ling tears burned 1 n the cheeks of all alike — husband, children, friend and neighbor!
This sad occurrence broke the family up, and the children were sent to Ohio to be reared and
educated by a kind old uncle. He must have discharged his duty well, for the only son of
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. ^59
Amanda is now a prominent young lawyer at Stevens Point, this State, and the eldesl girl became
the wife of a member of Congress. Mr. Alban, after the dea^h of Ins wife, became a lawyer,
then County Judge, Assemblyman and Senator from the same county, and when the war of the
late rebellion broke out became the Colonel of a regiment of volunteers and fell at its head on
the bloody field of Shiloh.
"Green be the grass aben
Friend of my early days —
None knew thee but to love thee.
None named thee but to praise.
THE FIRST WHITE WOMAN IN THE BARABOO \ ALLE1 .
In the autumn of 1840, we arrived at Barahoo. Our nearest white neighbors here were
on the other side of the Bluffs, six miles. Land on this side of the Wisconsin River was not as
yet in market. We made a claim of a mill privilege, and settled near it on one side of the
Baraboo River, and claimed a piece of fanning land on the other, and got it fenced and a larger
part improved : then my husband left, under the pretense of going to Oregon, and claiming the
offers of Government then held forth to actual settlers. From that time, 1 have struggled alone
to bring up my little family. Other settlers soon began to come into the place; 1 received
numerous families into my house, sometimes with seven and eight children, until they could
hunt claims, and frequently sent our teams to assist in erecting their house.-,, all without charge
— too glad, you see, to get neighbors. Well, it was a hard place, and we strove hard to live for
seven long years, and then the land was thrown into market, and, no money to be got, a great
many were deficient m the means to enter their land ; finally, the null privilege and land that
we were residing on was entered from under us by a speculator, and then a drunken man broke
into the house and drove us out, and destroyed everything in it that he could, and threw the
rest out of doors. I took my children and went to the neighbors, and never lived in the house
again. I soon got a board shanty put up on the opposite side of the river, near our improved
part of the claim and moved into it. I then went to the land office to try and get a pre-emp-
tion on my improvements, but was informed that 1 must bring proof of my husband's death, or
1 could have no pre-emption. I immediately wrote to my parents, residing in York State,
requesting them to send money to enter my farm. They sent it, but while on its way hither, a
man named Brown, then residing at Whitewater, came here to visit his parents, and, my larm
taking his fancy, he immediately went to the land office and entered it. The settlers^ had
previously formed a claim society, and had their officers all elected — Esquire Crawford, Presi-
dent— and a constitution framed and published. One of its articles was, •• that if any actual
settler had his improvements entered from him, there should be a committee appointed to wait
on the purchaser, and endeavor to repurchase." Finally Brown returned to Baraboo, and I
had an interview with him. He said I could have it hack by paying him $60 more than he
gave. I informed him that my money had arrived; this being Saturday, he said he would call
on Monday morning and complete a settlement with me ; and so that same morning our claim
society met and chose their committee to wait on him, provided he did not.settle with me. I he
committee waited for him to fulfill his promise until noon, and, learning that he had not called,
they went to see him, and found that he had -one to the land office, as was supposed, to enter
another claim. They followed and overtook him at Sauk Prairie and brought him hack two
or three miles toward Baral intending to have him fulfill his promise. He finally voluntarily
proposed to go hack to Sauk Village, take his money and deed the land over. They concluded
to let him do so. Two or lime of the committee went back with him for that purpose ; the rest
returned to Baraboo.
Brown and the tWOOr t hree witnesses went before Esquire Leland and got the deed executed.
Leland asked Brown if it was his own voluntary act. He said yes. If it had not been,
he could have just as well said uo, as he was before power legally authorized to command the
'Written i Urs. Rosaline !'■ ck, ol B
460 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
peace ; supposing that they had previously had him in duress, there was no compulsion at that
time. The witnesses paid my money over to him, and he authorized Leland to take charge of
it until he (Brown) called for it — but he never called. Brown wrote to me to go to Leland and
get my money, as I could not have the land. He waited two years, until two witnesses to the
deed had gone to California, then threw it into chancery to make a forced deed of it ; and after
adjournments and appeals for four or five years, our beautiful "Court of Equity" at Madison pro-
nounced it all Brown's — fences, improvements, everything — and mulcted me in the cost of some
hundreds of dollars. Now, according to Leland's testimony, there was no force. Their other
point, or quibble, was, that he had never received the money. Then, what business had he to
put my money into another's possession ? True, Brown had a right by United States" law to
enter the land : he had also a right to deed it.
After Host my improvements, I sold my last cows, at the rate of 812 and $15 apiece, and
thereby raised money and bought the piece of land I now live on, and afterward entered some
more; but it was a long time before I got ahead far enough, besides supporting my family, to
make improvements on any part of it.
But the robbing is not all done yet, for within the last year I owned a delightful little grove
of timber, consisting of about three hundred trees, mostly large forest shades, situated on a
beautiful elevated building-let in town, near the banks of the Baraboo River, reserved for my
own use, where, if my life was spared long enough, I anticipated building a snug little residence
to die in. And during a freshet one spring, some two or three hundred citizens, with twenty
or thirty teams, cut the whole of it down, and. without saying " by your leave," hauled and
rolled them into the Baraboo River to save a flouring mill, valued at $25,000 or $30,000, owned
by some of our rich capitalists ; and they saved it, and do you think that either of the propri-
etors, or those who committed the trespass, have called on me to say, " Thank you, madam ? "
Not a bit of it. If they had offered me their mill, water privilege and all, at that time, I
should have been reluctant to make the exchange, for if I owned a mill, somebody would be
sure to steal the grist and toll both. Now this was robbing Peter to pay Paul, with a ven-
geance. And so my whole life, it seems, thus far has been spent in striving to accumulate for
others' benefit ; and if I am taxed in future as formerly on what little I do possess, I think,
when I leave the world, I shall leave the young Peck — quite independent.
A TILT WITH REDSKINS.*
Blue Mound, we ascertained, was not the permanent home of my uncle*
He had, during the summer previous to our arrival, determined to locate in Sauk County, and
had abandoned a long, dark hole in the ground that for years had absorbed every surplus dol-
lar and the best years of his life in attempts to secure the leaden treasure which he believed to
lie just beneath the last stroke of pick and gad. Sauk County was, at this time, only a county
in name. Its territorial limits had been fixed; to use a Western phrase, it had been ''staked
out." hut there were scarcely white men enough to fill the usual county offices. Of Indians, there
were enough and to spare. Their title to the land had been extinguished, but it was not yet
surveyed. Each emigrant selected such portion of the public domain as seemed to him good,
and either staked out the boundaries or marked the dimensions of his claim by " blazing " the
trees. Tn case of dispute between claimants, the matter was settled by a squatter's court, acting
under a code of laws adopted by themselves in mass meeting, from whose decisions there was no
appeal, for the unhappy man who attempted to evade a decision of that court had better n°ver have
been born. My uncle had made a claim at what is now called the Bluffs, seven miles west of
Prairie du Sae. The latter was then a village containing one log store, wherein was also a hotel,
one blacksmith-shop, one cabinet-shop and four log dwelling-houses. One mile south was Sauk
City, then called Ilaraszthy, named after the principal proprietor, an Hungarian refugee Count.
It was a rival village of Prairie du Sac, containing about the same number of inhabitants. The
r Qen John i Kellogg
HISTORY (>F SAUK COUNTY.
401
principal business of these two villages was to fight each other, the residents of each believing that
all which prevented their village from rivaling New York City was the close proximity of the other,
and the inhabitants of each seemed fully convinced that, to attain greatness and prosperity, the
first step was to destroy its rival. A more beautiful site upon which to build a city, so far as nat-
ural beauty of location is concerned, than that upon which Prairie du Sac is built, is hard to find.
In 1S40, i't was confidently believed that at nodistant day the Wisconsin River would bear upon
its bosom the commerce of the West ; that at Prairie du Sac, or Haraszthy, would be the grand
outlet and market for all that vast and beautiful farming country lying for thirty miles on either
sub- <,f the river. It was considered very doubtful whether either Madison or Milwaukee would
ever amount to much. Baraboo, the present flourishing village and county seat, was then
unthought of. It consisted of one saw-mill and two or three shanties.
As I have before stated, Indians were numerous ; they were not only numerous but
troublesome. Their visits to the settlers were made without reference to the rules of etiquette,
the night being generally selected as the time to make them, and they were usually successful
in carrying away with them as souvenirs any little useful articles found lying around, especially
'• kokcosh," " wahampra " and " washcobra."* If the man of the house was temporarily absent,
the family were sure of receiving a visit from one or more of them. At the time of which I am
writing, the Black Hawk war had so recently taught them lessonsof prudence that they did not dare
make any open attack upon the settlers. Still, their numbers so greatly predominated over the
whites that they plundered us whenever occasion served, believing we would submit to little
annoyances rather than attempt to punish them, and by so doing provoke hostilities. And, upon
general principles, they reasoned correi tlv.
Our nearest neighbor on the north, or up the river, was Mr. Garrison, whose family con-
sisted of himself and wife. The latter belonged to one of the first families in New Brunswick,
and had been accustomed to good society. Mr. Garrison had been compelled to leave his wife
alone while he made a visit to Mineral Point on business. The Indians soon discovered that
there was no man about the premises, and determined to take advantage of the situation. Dur-
inur the first night of Mr. Garrison's absence, they visited the cabin used as a storeroom, which
was adjoining the dwelling-house, and carried away the major part of the provisions intended to
supply the family during the summer, or until they could harvest the first crop. The next morn-
ing, Mrs. Garrison discovered her loss, and in the flour the Indians had spilled upon the floor
moccasin tracks were plainly discernible. Unlike many ladies, who. in her situation, would have
abandoned all and fled to the nearest neighbors for protection, Mrs. Garrison determined to stay
and defend her property. There was a, double-barreled shotgun in the house, and plenty of
ammunition, but she lacked the skill to load it. Fortunately, about this time aBob,"f then a
boy of thirteen years, came along upon his regular morning errand of hunting the cows. Mrs.
Garrison called him in and showed him the tracks in the flour. She told him of her loss, and
asked him to load the gun for her.
•• Why. Mrs. Garrison, you won't shoot them, will you ? "
'•Yes, I will, if they come around here again while Mr. Garrison is gone."
"Well, I'll load the gun for you, but I wouldn't shoot them, for I'm afraid they would rise
and murder us all."
" I don't care; we might as well be murdered outright as to starve for want of provisions
they steal from us. Put in a good big load, Bob," she continued.
Accordingly, Bob loaded the gun heavily with powder atid "bouble B" shot, and, having
finished the operation, wended his way toward the prairie. He had been gone about an hour,
when, just as he came in sight of the house upon his return, he heard both barrels of the gun
discharged almost simultaneously, and at the same instant saw an Indian, near the house, spring
into the air and fall upon his face in the road, evidently badly wounded if not killed. Two other
Indians, his companions, caught him up and ran with him toward their camp. To say that B >b
462 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
was frightened, was no name for it. He full)' expected that the Indians would retaliate, and per-
haps destroy the settlement before night. He ran at once to the house, and upon his arrival
found Mrs. Garrison just struggling to her feet, rubbing her shoulder and moaning with pain.
The recoil of the gun had thrown her violently to the ground, and almost dislocated her shoulder.
"Good heavens," exclaimed Bob, "what have you done, Mrs. Garrison? "
" I really don't know. I wish he had been at my end of the gun. I believe my shoulder
is gone."
" Never mind your shoulder ; where is the gun ? Let me load it for you at once," said Bob,
"they may come back here and kill you."
"Yes, that is right, Bobby, load it up again. But don't put in so much next time ; it shoots
both ways."
-- Why. Mrs. Garrison," exclaimed Bob, "I believe you have killed that Indian."
" I hope so," she replied ; " I'll teach them to steal my pigs."
" What were they doing ? " queried Bob.
" Why," said she, " I had started to the pig-pen with a pail of swill, and what should I
see but three great strapping fellows in the pen taking out one of my best shoats. I called to
them to puckachee [go away], but they called me a squaw ami laughed at me. I dropped the
swill and brought the gun. When they saw me coming with that in my hand they dropped the
pig and ran around the stable. I ran to the upper side, and, putting the gun over the fence, got
a good rest, and when they came in sight, I took the best aim I could and pulled both triggers at
once — I was afraid one barrel might miss — ajid the recoil of the gun knocked me nearly a rod,
I should think, by the way my shoulder feels. But, Bob, do you really think I killed him ? "
" I am afraid you have, Mrs. Garrison, and you must go away from here at once ; they will
come back and murder you."
" What ! go away and leave all these things to be stolen, and the animals to die of starva-
tion ? I shall do nothing of the kind ; and if they come, the dogs and this gun will hurt some
of them. I don't believe they will trouble me again.'
THE INDIAN SCARE OF 1844. f
I was. at the- time, living with William Farnum, Sr., on the prairie near the Bluffs. Some
time in the night, Albert Jemison waked us up and told us that Mrs. Brewster, who lived
between Baraboo River and the Bluffs, had come over the Bluffs barefooted and out of breath,
bringing the news that old Richard Clark had been killed by the Indians, and his house burned,
ami that the savages were coming this way. We asked him what we should do. and he said that
every one must take care of himself. Then he left, ami I, wishing to do something for myself
ami country, went to John Hoover's, near by, am! told him that the Indians were coming, and
that we must do something for the people. So I took a small pony of his and started over the
prairie to give the alarm. 1 called first mi Uncle Bill Johnson, telling him the story as Jemi-
son had told me. lie asked me what wo were to do. and I said, a- Jemison had done, that every
one must take care of himself. I then called on Philo Barber's brother, waked him up ami told
him that the Indians were upon us. The strong man trembled lil e an aspen, and faltered.
"What shall 1 do?" Again [ gave Jemison's advice : "' Take care of yourself.' " I next called
on Thomas Tab in I hi sal [uestion was asked. " What shall we do?" with the
same response given. I had now reached the lower part of the prairie settlement. The Tabor
■ luded that discretion was the better part of valor, and asked to go with me back to the
Bluffs. There was a terrible confusion by this time. Wagons could be heard going in every
direction, ami voices everywhere were asking, " What, shall we do?" Thomas Tabor made some
provisions for his wife to make her escapt — in some wagon, I think — to where they were think-
ing of making a place of defense. Then one of the Tabors got on that wee pony behind me.
ould have done so had there been room on its hack, hut two were all that could squeeze
t, [ir.ivi..i tli.> »-i».|..n ith of her husband, and, In due
married Dr.
| I'.y .limn - \ Taylor
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. -It;:!
on. When we got to the Bluffs, we learned that all the people were collecting at Uncle Bill
Johnson's for self-protection. Some came in wagons, some on horseback and cithers cm foot.
Thev brought all the old guns and pitchforks that they could get in the hurry, and such treas-
ures as they possessed. I believe that Uncle Teel brought his cook-stove. There were about
one hundred and fifty persons in all. It was arranged that the women and children should go
into the cellar, and the men stand battle. While waiting for the attack, the women were running
bullets, and all was bustle and confusion, some asking and others advising what to do. *
We had been in suspense all night, and still no signs of the Indians: and we held a coun-
cil of war, and concluded to send a scout to reconnoiter the grounds in the neighborhood of
Uncle Clark's house. But not a soul dared to act as scout except John Grey. He took a horse
(a gray one) and started alone cm his mission. An hour and a half passed, and he did not return.
whereupon we became more and more alarmed, and a company of men, headed by David Baxter,
started out to find what bad become of him. They went about a mile and met Johnny return-
ing. They heard his story, and then put spurs to their horses and rushed back, crying "The
Indians are upon us !" What a consternation and confusion they created ! The women and chil-
dren fled to the cellar, and stout hearts st 1 still in terrible anticipation. But from John Grey
we learned the true story. He had been to Uncle Clark's house. It was not burned, and Uncle
Clark had no remembrance of having been massacred. In fact, he had seen or heard no Indians.
Baraboo slept peacefully, undisturbed by the war-whoop of the savage. The people now con-
cluded to disperse, and. as a closing scene, word was given to take aim and lire. But, to our
amusement, and consternation likewise, only one gun went off. By the time daylight began to
break, the fort was vacated.
It seems, from what I can learn, that Mrs. Brewster had started barefoot over the Bluffs to
Sauk Prairie on business, and had met an Indian, wdio frightened her. Uncle Clark bad that
day been burning some brush heaps, and the great smoke led Mrs. Brewster to believe that the
house was burning. Her imagination did the rest.
EARLY CHRISTIAN EFFORT IN SAUK COUNTY.
It was my privilege to be one of those inevitable men on the frontier, a Methodist itinerant
preacher, as early as the spring of 1841. I was not, however, the first of my class to visit Sauk
County. That honor, I think, belongs to Rev. James G. Whitford, now of Volga City, Iowa.
It has been suggested to me that, possibly, Rev. John Crummer preceded him. but of this 1 have
no knowledge sufficient to form a belief. Mr. Whitford. after spending a number of years of
widowerhood, part of them near St. Paul, as an Indian and frontier missionary, very naturally
desired to find a fellow-sufferer of the gentler sex. hoping, as many do, that by uniting their sor-
rows they could bear them more joyfully. Mrs. Sarah Sayles. the widowed daughter of Henry
Teel, who had removed to the Bluffs <m Sauk Prairie in 1840, attracted him. During his visits
here, he preached to the few settlers that gathered for the purpose, and, 1 believe, formed the
first class in Sauk County: but of the date, and of all the names, he has no record. The ehiss
was formed ;it the house of Father Teel. still standing at the foot of the Iduffs, which, for several
years, was the place of meeting. Mr. Whitford and Mrs. Sayles were united in marriage by Rev.
Mr. Simpson on the 15th of August, 1841, and this was probably the first marriage in Sauk
County. My first record relating to this county mentions meeting Rev. Henry W. Reed, nov
of Epworth, Iowa, Presiding Elder of the Dubuque District, and J. G. Whitford, on their way
to Sauk Prairie. May. 1841, to hold a quarterly meeting. Mr. Reed was then Presiding Elder
of the Platteville District, Rock River Conference, which embraced all this region of country,
and Mr. Whitford was stationed at Mineral Point, associated with this County Circuit. 1 was
his assistant. They left an appointment for me a few weeks from that time, and promised the
people a preacher for the next year. I reached the Prairie on the 23d of June. 1841. The
only road therefrom Mineral Point was by way of Blue Mounds, and the only vestige of habitation
464 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
between Brigham's tavern and the river at about where the Lower Bridge now is, was Mr.
Thomas' Station, near Cross Plains. All the supplies for the Upper Wisconsin pioneers were
drawn on the military road leading to Fort Winnebago, now Portage City. Mr. Thomas had
established a way station for teamsters and travelers. From this road, a way was opened from
about the present Alden Corners to the river. The crossing at Lower Sauk Village was the
only ferry then between the Fox River and the shot-tower at Helena. I copy the entry in my
journal, as made on my first visit on the above dale :
■ After riding through a heavy rain-storm on a very bad road, I crossed the river and got
to Father Teel's, at the Bluffs, just at dark. I have often heard of this prairie, but, like the
Queen of the South, I can say ' The half has never been told me !' It is on the west bank of
the Wisconsin River, eight miles long and four wide, being about eighty-dive miles from the mouth
of the river. The lower part of it is about ten feet above high- water mark, and it gradually rises
until the northern part is fifty or more feet high. The soil is in places sandy, but very pro-
ductive and all adapted to cultivation. This was once the great headquarters of the Sac nation
of Indians, and large fields of their corn-hills are yet plainly visible. These were driven hence
by the Winnebagoes, and subsequently they gave place to the whites, some of whom first settled
here about two years ago. There are now about two hundred and seventy inhabitants on the
prairie. A flourishing little village is commenced on the river."
To show what sad havoc thirty years will make with a man's opinions of taste, and, if you
look at me as I read this, with his personal appearance, I continue the quotation:
" There is here an Hungarian Count — so he calls himself — who claims to have large quantities
of money, and is expending it liberally in improvements. There is also an Englishman here who
claims to have been a lord in the old country. He is in partnership with the Count. They
both look like savages, wearing a long beard above as well below the mouth. And they are the
great men of the place, and others adopt their customs and make themselves as ridiculous as
possible."
On Thursday evening, June 24, I preached at the Bluffs, from 1 Cor., xiii, 13; Friday
evening, at the Lower Village, in an unfinished schoolhouse, from Rev., iii, 20; Sunday, A. M.,
at the Bluffs, and in the evening, again at the village. At the Rock River Conference held at
Platteville, closing September 2, 1841, I was appointed to Muscoda Mission, in Platteville Dis-
trict. Rev. Henry VY. Reed. Presiding Elder. The mission embraced all the settlements mi both
sides of the river, from Muscoda to Fort Winnebago. Before the close of the year, I had appoint-
ments at Muscoda, Blue Mounds, then known as Centreville, near Meeker's lead furnace, Helena,
(Highland, lour miles north, was not even thought of then), Ridgeway, Blue Mounds, Sauk
Village, Honey Creek Mills, Bluffs and Baraboo. It required three weeks to make my round,
involving a travel of over 200 miles, for there were scarcely any roads. My first appointment
at Honey Creek Mills, where several families had settled, was September 16, and the text was
James, iv. 8, the t ting being at Mr, Gould's, and there were eighteen present. At this point
we afterward held the meetings at a Mr. Crain's, wdiose wife was a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church. Finding the distance so great to go and return by way of the Mounds, I crossed
the river at Helena (Mr. Alva Culver, who boar-led the shot-tower men, keeping a scow for the
purpose), on the 30th of September, and went up to Sauk on the old Indian trail. This route
1 traveled eight or ten times during the year. The trail was circuitous, bearing out from the
river and crossing several wet marshes, where my little Canada pony could not bear me up. To
avoid the inconvenience of dismounting in a quagmire nearly knee deep and wading twenty rods,
as I often did. I sought a better route. Sometimes I went up the river bank, buu logs and
gorges, to say nothing of the bluffs, coming to the water's edge, made that a difficult road. I
tried several times to vary the former track, to split the difference between the impassable rivet-
bank ami the swampy trail, but, like almost all bargains on splitting the difference, I found my-
self badly sold. I settled down at last to the conviction that it is safe to follow the trails of
Indian- until civilized highways are made. There were no settlers in this country, west of
Honey Creek, till the fall of 1841 or the spring of 1842. Mr Wilson, the shot-tower cooper, moved
HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY. 465
his family to the mouth of Wilson's Creek in the latter part of 1841. He was a well-informed
Scotchman, and had a family of well-posted children. I stayed with him one night, when I was
informed it was an established family order that, by turns, one should read history or some other
solid work — of which he had a good library — each night, while all the others worked and lis-
tened. Hence, the intelligence of the children was remarkable for a frontier family. Soon after.
a Mr. Turner settled about where Spring Green now is. and several young men took claims on
tlir prairie. On the :J0th of May, 1842, I preached in Mr. Turner's house to the family and
three young men who came in. My text was. " The time is short ; " 1 Cor., vii, 29. That, was
undoubtedly the first attempt at preaching in Spring Green. In 1.841. there was a temporary
bridge built across Honey Creek at the mill, which saved me trouble. Before that, I had made
my pony swim the creek at the crossing of the trail, and had taken my baggage across on a log.
Sometimes my pony concluded it was as easy for me to walk and carry my luggage as it was tor
him to carry that and me too. Once I walked immediately behind him for about seven miles.
West of this bridge a Canadian, Mr. Brisset. with a young Yankee wife, settled in 1842 ; J
spent one night in their little cabin. Still west of him a mile or two. in a beautiful valley, after
the burning of the grass, I saw a field of several acres of parallel ridges, about five feet apart,
very nearly straight, that must have been used many years before, for large white-oak trees grew
all among them. They were more artistic than any remains of Indian cultivation I have ever
seen.
My first visit to Baraboo Mills was October 5, 1841. Notice of my coming had not been
given, and we therefore had no meeting. At that time, the saw-mill had been repaired, a new
dam put in and some men employed. An old man. Mr. Draper, a member of the Baptist
( Ihurch, was some way interested in the mill, and it was called Draper's Mill. He invited me to
come and establish meetings there. A Mr. Hill, from one of the New England States, had
built a log cabin about ten or fifteen rods east of the mill, and boarded Mr. Draper and the hands.
This mill was not far from half a mile above the ford on the Baraboo River. On the 16th of
October, Tuesday evening, I preached in Mr. Hill's house to eleven persons, from 2 Cor., v. 2d :
which was certainly the opening of the Gospel for the first time in Baraboo Valley. None of
those present professed to be Christians, save Mr. Draper. After that, my appointments were
regularly filled there, except once, when the roads were impassable. On Sunday, February 6,
Is 12. 1 formed a Methodist class at Baraboo Mills, consisting of Solomon Shaffer, leader, Ollie
Shaffer and Parmelia Gibson, all of whom were Methodist immigrants, recently arrived. Mr.
Shaffer was the mill blacksmith, and lived in a house newly built south of the mill. Mrs. Gibson
and family had settled about a mile above the river, on the north side. Before I left the circuit,
there were one or two families moved in above the Gibsons. I think about, five miles up the river.
I visited them once, but have no record of the names. My impression is that one of them was
Jones. On the 10th of April. Mrs. Mary J. Hill, the woman of the house where our i itings
were held, joined the class. She was the first convert to religion in the valley, having made a
profession in the early spring of 1843. The unfinished schoolhouse at Lower Town, as Sauk
City was then called, was very uncomfortable as a place of meeting; besides, the people there-
were chiefly Germans, and iiad little sympathy with our forms of religion. Early in the winter
of 1841-42, we got the privilege of holding our meetings at the house of Mr. Skinner, and there-
after had no services at Lower Town. About the 1st of April. 1842, Rev. Phillip W.
Nichols came with his family to Upper Town as a Presbyterian Home Missionary, under the
auspices of the American Board of Commissioners for the Home and Foreign Missions of the
Presbyterian Church. He had formerly been a Methodist itinerant preacher, but, for reasons
satisfactory to himself and his church, his connections with that body was dissolved, lie had
connected himself with the Congregational body: but at that time in Wisconsin Territory, under
what is known as the " Union," a minister of either the Congregational or Presbyterian Church
could serve the other without change of ecclesiastical relations. So he was a Presbyterian Pastor,
but a Congregational minister. The scattered Presbyterian friends here hail received him as a
missionary, with an appropriation from the mission fund of $400, they agreeing to furnish him
466 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
a dwelling, fuel and provisions for one year as their part. He was the first regular Pastor for
Sauk exclusively ; for, although I preceded him, ray parish embraced Grant, Iowa, Dane and
Richland Counties, besides Sauk, and all the settled regions beyond. Again, his salary equaled
$700 or more, while mine could, according to our law, be no more than $100. He had $100
missionary funds ; I but $50, aside from which I only received during the whole year 92 cents.
He had a pleasant home with his family ; I boarded round like the schoolmaster of the times.
He was a man of years of experience in the ministry, and knew the inconveniences of Methodist
pioneering: I was inexperienced in both. It is therefore no wonder at our first interview at
the house of Mr. Skinner after I had preached and called on him to close, he gave me and
tin- audience to understand that he thought I had vast room for improvement. We first met
April 13. after which we alternated in holding meetings at Upper Sauk. My principal home
during the year was at Father Teel's. I spent nearly a week there once in three weeks, and
myself and horse shared the best they had. The family consisted of two old persons and George,
about seventeen, and Charles, about twelve. Mother Teel was more than a mother to me, for
she saved my life once, at least, by her skill in treating a dangerous disease successfully. No
poor itinerant ever met with more generous hospitality than I did at that " Methodist Tavern,"
and my home there is among the most cherished memories of my life.
I finished my year on July "20, having traveled about 3,500 miles, besides visiting generally
about the settlement, preaching nearly 200 times to congregations ranging from two, the lowest,
to thirty, the highest, averaging eight. I could count my congregation every time for the whole
year without making a mistake. The people were generally poor, consisting in most instances
of newly married couples, just beginning life for themselves. But they were exceedingly kind,
and I may add. patient, for I was often ill, and at best, could poorly interest, much less profit
them. But it was a valuable year to me, rich in privations, trials and opportunities, and one I
can never forget, because of its pleasures. At the Conference of 1843, held at Chicago, Sey-
mour Stover succeeded me on the Muscoda Mission, while I was sent far hence to the Gentiles:
that is, among the Chippewa Indians at the head of Lake Superior. Mr. Stover is still living
near Chicago. His connection with the Sauk County people did not prove very happy. At
the end of his year, the mission was left off the minutes. In 1844, it was again favored with
mention, but not called " Sauk Prairie " and left " to be supplied," being yet in Platteville
District. Benjamin T. Kavanaugh being Presiding Elder. Being far away, I have no knowl-
edge as to who was the supply for that year, but he probably was a Badger.
HISTORY OF SAUK COl VI V
CHAPTER VJII.
TOPOGRAPHY AND GEOLOGY.
Physical Feature — -Elevations— The Baraboo Quaktzite Ranges— Wisconsin's Amazon
—Flora and Fauna.
physical features.
Sank County is situated midway between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi River, in the
center of the south half of the State. Upon its south, southeast and northeast sides, sweeps the
rapid current of the Wisconsin Liver, one of the largest tributaries of the " Father of Waters,"
into whose channel every stream in the county eventually finds its way. The county is bounded
on the north by Juneau, on the west by Vernon and Richland, on the south by Iowa, southeast
by Dane, and east and northeast by Columbia. County.
The soil embraces every variety, found frequently in strangely close proximity. Stiff clays
are sometimes found terminating abruptly in beds of sandy loam, or gradually intermixing with
them, so that a single farm often embraces many varieties. Marshes occur along the water-
courses, sometimes of considerable extent, though rarely of a swampy character. Rich bottom
lands occasionally hem in the streams, while fertile prairies, for the most part of quite limited
dimensions and skirted with timber available for farm purposes, greet the eye of the traveler
in nearly every portion. The largest of these is Prairie du Sac. But one of the greatest
glories of Sauk County is her extensive and heavily timbered lands, lying nearly midway
between her northern and southern limits, and running the entire length from east to west.
The largest branch but one of the Wisconsin River is the Baraboo, a stream of perhaps
one hundred miles in length and running through the county from east to west. Directly south
of this stream lie the famous Baraboo Bluffs, a range of hills with occasional subranges #shoot-
ing off. which also stretches entirely across the county. Upon this range, and its offshoots, are
located the large supplies of timber. The east end of the Baraboo Bluffs is geologically very
interesting. Here nature has cut many freaks. The bluff is from three to four miles wide,
and for this distance has but few spurs, but is indented here and there with small streams, in the
valleys of which there seems to have been a general tear-up. The redeeming feature of this local-
ity is the abundance of timber. Passing from this mountain-like end of the Baraboo Bluff, which
averages from four hundred to six hundred, and at ^ome points eight hundred, feet above the Wis-
consin River, to the line of Range 4, we leave the flinty or vitrified sandstone and come upon the
Lower Magnesian limestone and the lower sandstone. Here the top of the divide softens down
to good farming land of a clay loam — white-oak soil. The top of the ridge, being wide enough
for a farm and in some places two abreast, thus forms a solid chain of farms, not only on the
main ridge, but for some distance on the spurs. As we pass into Range 3, in Town 11, the
Baraboo Bluff meets and unites with other ranges, which radiate off to the south, northeasl and
north, the main bluff passing out of the county to the northwest. These " divides " form broad.
elevated tables of excellent lands, well timbered with red and white oak and poplar. There is
but little rough land.
The basin of the Baraboo River has an area of over six hundred square miles, extending.
of course, without the county. The stream itself is about two hundred feet wide at its mouth,
ami has a volume of water, made up mostly from the flow of springs, of between 15,000 and 20,-
000 inches, as calculated on the edge of a dam. It passes through two ranges of bluffs, form-
ing the Upper anil Lower Narrows, the latter being an opening in the Wisconsin River bluffs
468 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
about ten miles from the mouth of the Baraboo. At this point, the valley is but sixty to eighty
rods wide, and upon either side the bluff is from three hundred to four hundred feet high, pre-
senting, in some places, a face of perpendicular rock, and, in others, rugged slopes covered with
pine, red cedar and oak firmly rooted in the broken debris. This pass, or gorge, is half a mile in
length, the river being very shallow along its entire extent. It was a favorite fording-place for
Indians in primeval times. Below the Narrows, the Baraboo and Wisconsin River bottoms soon
unite and form a large tract of variegated soil. The Wisconsin River being the most rapid
stream, the floods that collect here soon discharge through its broad channel. In these bottoms.
there are patches of marshes, but a good share of it can be plowed and cereals grown. From
the Upper to the Lower Narrows, a distance of fifteen miles by six or seven wide, the country
is interesting from its peculiar geological features, which are referred to in another part of this
work. It forms a distinct basin from the other part of the Baraboo Valley. It contains about
one hundred square miles, and the Baraboo Rapids seem to have been designed as its business
center. There is but very little poor land in it, and the river is the dividing line between two
distinct soils. That upon the south side is mostly a heavy clay subsoil, with a vegetable loam
surface soil, being timbered with lime, maple, oak, elm, walnut, hickory, ash and cherry. That
upon the north side has a similar subsoil, but more sand with the surface soil. In contradis-
tinction with the cherry timber of the south side, the north side comprises openings, marsh and
prairie, nearly equally divided. The rapids are some two miles and a half in length, and have
a fall of fifty feet. The land being so well divided between timber, oak openings, prairie and
marsh, well watered with springs and runs, and very healthy withal, time will give it credit for
more advantages than are here rehearsed.
Narrows Creek breaks through the Baraboo range about two miles west, and flows at its
base to the river. The gorge is very narrow, having a little more than enough width for the
creek bed and a road. Here there is a natural fall over rapids of about ten or twelve feet, mak-
ing a good water-power with from five hundred to one thousand inches. The opening for the
river is still narrower. The quiet stream in this narrow dell, with rocks wildly arranged to the
height of three hundred to four hundred feet, the absence of sunshine, the hemlock and pine.
with their " music of a thousand harps," lead us to thoughts of nature's wonders. Above this
range of bluffs, the basin of the Baraboo River is in unison with the country previously described,
with the exception of some variations in soil. The great physical features of the Upper Bara-
boo country are the prairies dotting the heavily timbered districts. The area of these prairies
is from one acre to several hundred. Some of the largest have names — such as Narrows, Ball's,
Blakeslie's, IlubbeH's. Kerstetter's, Stead's, Ribock's, etc. Narrows Creek Valley is quite
equally divided between timber, marsh and prairie. It lias a large basin of country, containing
from forty-five to fifty square miles, and is a rich valley of land.
Passing from Narrows Creek over a divide capped in several places with limestone, we come
into the valley and basin of Babb's Creek, which is the largest of the timber-inclosed prairies
above described, and lies thirty to fifty feet above the creek. The arms of the prairie extend in
several directions into the heavy timber, and upon the main body there are several " timber
islands," making the whole aspect a very pleasant one. Upon its east side is the Baral
River, and here, in early days, was an Indian ford, the bottom of the river for a short dis-
tance being rock. Now upon this rock bottom the river is dammed, and near by is the village
of Reedsburg.
Seven or eight miles further up, we come to the beautiful valley of the Little Baraboo, con-
taining nearly forty square miles, one-fourth of which is in Richland County. 3*he Little Bar-
aboo River furnishes, at its mouth, probably 12,000 inches of water, and is a very permanent
stream. Further on is the valley of the main river, which, upon the southwest side, is rather
rolling, but not rough, the soil being very rich. Next come the Kerstetter, Stead and Ribock
and then we find ourselves in the Plum Valley, which is about one-third the size of the
Little Baraboo, with similar characteristics. Across the river, on the northeast side, are the
remains of the famous " Old Pinery," whence came so many " drives " of logs in the early
PRAIRIE DU SAC.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 471
history of this wonderful valley. The town of Lavalle, and especially the Ox and Big Creek
Valleys, is not inviting to the lover of prairie land. Turning southward into the town of Winfield,
we enter the narrow valley of Twin Creek, surrounded by rich-soiled table-lands, which lie from
seventy-five to one hundred feet above the creek bottom, and are well timbered with oak. In
the eastern part of Winfield, there is an excellent country, in the edge of the Irish settle-
ment formerly called Sligo. Nearer Reedsburg, in the Copper Creek Valley, the soil is light
and sandy. Not far from the mouth of Copper Creek is a copper mine, which at one time cre-
ated considerable excitement. The ore was rich, and several tons were taken out, but it seemed
to run out and was abandoned. In sinking shafts or making excavations anywhere in this
region, a sheet of clay is found strongly impregnated with verdigris.
Dell Creek enters the Wisconsin River near the foot of the Little Dells, and furnishes about
one thousand inches of water. The area of this basin is sixty-five square miles. This is very
large for the size of the stream, owing, probably, to there being but few hills or elevated lands,
which always furnish an abundance of water. With the exception of some country in the neigh-
borhood of the Dells, and a few isolated mounds, such as Hay Rick, Rattlesnake Bluff, Hay-
stack and Prospect Hill, the basin is an unbroken level. The lower part of the basin is of a
light, sandy soil, with black-oak openings and pine groves. There are, however, places in this
region, equal to about a third part of it, that have a stiff clay soil, with white-oak openings.
Interspersed through this light soil are occasional marshes. In the upper part of the valley,
and lying at the foot of the ridge that divides it from the Baraboo Valley, is a strip of country
equal to about half a township, which is second to none in the county in productiveness. The
soil is a deep, rich clay loam, lying on a shelf about fifty feet higher than the rest of the valley.
This vicinity is well supplied with timber.
In the southern portion of the county the aspect changes. Leaving Harrisburg and pass-
ing in a southwesterly direction, the traveler finds himself in the little valley of Wilson's Creek,
so called in honor ofJohn Wilson, a Scotchman, who settled there in 1840. In passing down
the Wisconsin River, about four miles from Wilson's, the bluffs recede from the river at Sauk,
and for the first two or three miles the basin is timbered with white and burr oak openings, and
has a very fair soil. From this we pass to a prairie dotted with patches of sand. About three
miles from Spring Green and five miles from Lone Rock, Big Hollow opens out upon the prairie.
This hollow, or canyon, is about three miles long, and its soil is an excellent clay loam.
Honey Creek empties into the Wisconsin River some two and a half miles below Sauk
City, and is nearly forty feet wide. It flows along the south end of Sauk Prairie four or five
miles, above which it has the appearance of being lost among the bluffs, or rather coming
abruptly and almost mysteriously out of them. These high and formidable-looking bluffs, pre-
senting in very many places perpendicular faces to the south anil capped with red cedars, are
mere walls — for their base is as nothing compared with their height — that stand from 100 to
150 fret high, and scarcely thick enough to support themselves. The valley of Honey Creek is
from two to three miles wide, and almost level. It is divided up between marsh, prairie, open-
ings, tamarack swamp, thickets, oak brush, etc. It is emphatically a valley of "pockets,"
varying from ten acres to a section of land in size, nearly inclosed by these high bluff walls.
The soil has a clay base and is generally of a durable nature. Excellent quality of building-
stone is found in the foot-hills. This locality is somewhat famous tor its caves, which, in cold
weather, emit steam like furnaces. They are penetrated with considerable difficulty. In one
of these caves have been found some very beautiful stalactites.
Bear Creek Valley, with its branches, is properly a grazing country, as there is more
meadow or marsh land than grain land. The soil is considered rich, and is well watered by
little rivulets coming from the adjacent rocks. There are no bold-faced rocks and picturesque
hills here as in Honey Creek Valley, though the bluffs are equally high. The narrow ravines
near the heads of the streams wind around in a most singular manner, and those unacquainted
with the face of the country thereabouts will do well to take along a guide when they make
exploring expeditions.
472 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Taken altogether, the surface features of Sauk County present an interesting study and
are the most remarkable in the State.
ELEVATIONS.
The unevenness of the surface of Sauk County has frequently attracted the attention and
scientific observation of geologists. Among the most instructive minor characteristics of the
topography of the county are the elevations of a number of different points of its surface above
the water-level of Lake Michigan. These are given in feet. By adding 589 feet to those of
any given point, the result will be the elevation above the ocean. Following are the highest
and lowest topographical points in the various towns mentioned :
Spring Green depot, 144 feet above Lake Michigan ; top of bluff, northwest quarter Section
5, 465 feet.
Town of Troy, northwest corner Section 2, Township 8, Range 4, 130 feet; top of bluff,
northwest quarter Section 14, Township 9, Range 5, 500 feet.
Prairie du Sac, base of bluff at southwest quarter Section 21, Township 9, Range 6, 166
feet ; top of bluff in Section 17, 490 feet.
Town of Franklin, Section 2, Township 9, Range 9, 195 feet; Section 19, 490 feet.
Honey Creek, Section 31, Township 10, Range 5, 200 feet; Section 2, 610 feet.
Town of Sumter, Section 15, Township 10, Range 6, 230 feet; road-bed on Section 26,
Township 11, Range <>. 625 feet.
Town of Merrimack, Section 28, 260 feet; Section 23, 580 feet.
Town of Westfield, Logansville, Section 17, 330 feet ; Section 11, 660 feet.
Town of Freedom, bridge on east half of Section 2, 268 feet ; Sections 23 and 26, 830
feet.
Town of Baraboo, depot grounds, Section 2, 280 feet ; cliff-top on middle west line of
Section 24, 850 feet.
Town of Greenfield, road-bed on Section 26, Township 12, Range 7, 215 feet; point near
the middle west line of Section 15, Township 11, Range 7, 900* feet.
Town of Reedsburg, surface of creek, Section 35. 280 feet; highest points on Sections 29
and 30, 580 feet.
Tov\n of Excelsior, middle north half of Section 2, 290 feet ; bluff-top in east half of
Section 5, 575 feet.
Town of Fairfield, bridge, center Section 23, 225 feet ; bluff-top, southeast quarter Section
22, 590 feet.
Town of WinSeld, southeast corner Section 27, 280 feet ; southeast corner Section 24,
468 feet.
Town of Dellona, Section 5, 300 feet; Section 19, 390 feet.
TIIK BARABOO QTTAKTZITE RANGES.
It will be interesting to consider those isolated areas of Archrean rocks which are found pro-
truding through the surrounding horizontal Silurian strata, at points widely scattered over the
Central part of the State. Besides doubtful isolated areas, which may be somewhere connected
with the main Archaean region without intervening horizontal strata, there are many others
which occur as'much as fifty or one hundred miles within the region of the Lower Silurian rocks.
All .if die scattered patches are but points of the universal Archiean basement, upon which all
the later strata are built, having earned their especial immunity from complete burial by virtue
of the resistant nature of their materials. They are, properly, buried mountains, and were high
islands and reef-ledges in the early Paleozoic seas. All the areas, except the one, or rather the
group, including the Baraboo ranges in Sauk County, are of small size, generally occupying
much less than a Bquare mileofarea. With the same exception, they are all mound-like in form,
rising, usually, somewhat abruptly from the surrounding country, which is frequently level, and
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 473
showing, always, considerable rock exposures on the Hanks and summits, being often almost all
bare rock. They reach heights of from 50 to 250 feet, but are usually lower than the surround-
ing outlying bluffs of the horizontal strata. The Baraboo group, unlike the others, constitutes
a series of bold ridges, one of which reaches elevations of 800 and 900 feet above Lake Michi-
gan, and a length of over twenty miles. The nature of the rocks composing the several areas
is not always the same. The large areas in Sauk County, and a few others, are chiefly of
quartzite; a number are of quartz porphyry; still others of granite, which is different in differ-
ent cases ; andyet others, occurring in Jackson County, and close to the main Archaean area, .nc
of ferruginous quartz schist. Except in the eases of the granitic areas, these rocks are generally
quite distinctly bedded, and are usually tilted at high angles.
The Baraboo quartzite ranges occupy much the largest extent of territory, and are at the
same time much the most striking and most important as influencing the topography of the State
of any of the isolated Archrean areas that occur within the region of the Silurian rocks. Their
bold character, and the dissimilarity between their rocks and those of the country around, have
drawn to them the attention of the State Geologists as well as of other scientific men. Percival
regarded the quartzites composing the ranges as resulting from a metamorphism of the Potsdam
sandstone of the surrounding region. Hall refers them, correctly, to the Archaean, making them
Huronian, but his detailed examinations were not published. Alexander Winchell calls them
"Lower Potsdam," on the evidence of some fossils belonging to the Middle Potsdam, and found
in the sandstone lying against the quartzite. This he regards as proving the " Lower Potsdam "
age of the quartzite, losing sight of the fact that the latter is unconformable with the sandstone,
and projects upward into the horizon, not only of the Middle Potsdam, but even far above, into
that of the St. Peter's. The Archaean age of the quartzite was first definitely proved by the
State Geologist in 1872, and this conclusion has since been abundantly confirmed by the work
of other geologists, and also by his own further researches in the region.
The Baraboo Bluffs constitute two east-and-west ranges, extending some twenty-five miles
in length through the towns of Caledonia, in Columbia County, and Greenfield, Merrimack,
Sumter, Baraboo, Honey Creek, Freedom, Excelsior and Westfield, in Sauk County. The
southern one of the ranges is much the bolder and more continuous, and the two are not exactly
parallel, but diverge as they are traced westward. At their eastern ends, in Columbia County,
they unite in a bold point, rising abruptly from the low ground of the Wisconsin Iliver, at
the easternmost point of the great, bend which the quartzite ranges compel it to take. Tracing
them westward, we find the two ridges, about midway in their lengths, some four miles apart,
and at their western ends a mile or so more than this. Here a bold, nearly north-and-south
cross-ridge, also with a quartzite core, unites the two, thus finishing an entire cordon of bluffs
around a depressed interior. All around the outside of this circuit of hills, except beyond the
western cross-ridge, the country is comparatively low, and often quite level, so that the ridges
rise very boldly, forming, for a non-mountainous country, quite a striking feature of the landscape.
The southern quartzite range is broken down in only one place, the gorge in which lies the
Devil's Lake, and, as seen from the low ground of the Wisconsin River on the south, presents a
continuous wavy crest, often with large areas of bare rock, and with elevations of from 500 to
70(1 feet above the river, and of 700 to 900 feet above Lake Michigan. Its higher portions
have a width of from one to four miles, the outline being quite irregular on account of the deep
and very anciently eroded valleys that indent its sides. The great antiquity of these valleys is
evinced by their showing, on their sides and bottoms, layers of horizontal sandstone, clinging to
the underlying quartzite. The sandstone has evidently been deposited in valleys which were
originally formed long before its deposition, ami have been carved out anew in the same places,
on account of its friable and non-resistant nature. The country on top of the range is heavily
timbered, presenting, in this regard, as also in its almost universal heavy clay soil, a marked
contrast wTith the lower country around. This clay soil has caused the making of many excel-
lent farms on top of the range. It occurs alike on the quartzite and the high-level sandstone.
In the eastern extension of the Bluffs, it might be regarded as of glacial origin, but to the
474 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
westward, the glacial drift-limit is reached about midway in the length of the range, and some
other origin must be sought.
The northern range is much less pronounced than the southern. For about seven miles
west from the junction of the two, in Columbia County, it forms a continuous ridge some 300 or
400 feet in height, but generally much less than a mile in width. Further west, its height lessens
for long distances, the Archaean rocks forming its core, at the same time becoming covered by
the overlying horizontal sandstones, through which they appear here and there in small outcrops.
Further west still, this range rises again, and where it joins the cross ridge at its western extrem-
ity has become again bold, with a height of 200 to 300 feet. Although thus indefinite in its
middle portions, the higher ground never entirely disappears along the line of the range, except
at the three points where the Baraboo River and one of its tributaries cut through in deep gorges.
The depressed area within the circuit of quartzite bluffs is, for the most part, somewhat
higher than the surrounding outside country, and toward its eastern and western extremities rises
rather rapidly up to the inclosing ridges. In Columbia County, much of the area between the
ranges is as high as the northern range itself, and is underlaid by a great thickness of sandstone,
which fills in the canoe-shaped trough of the uniting quartzite belts. At one time, the rest of
the valley between the ranges was filled in a similar manner, and has since been partially recarved
in the friable sandstone which still forms its bottom. This valley is now traversed longitudinally
by the Baraboo River, which enters and leaves it, by deep gorges, through the northern ridge,
having a fall between the gorges of about seventy feet.
The rock constituting the great body of the Baraboo ranges is a quartzite of a non-granular
(usually flaky) texture, and of a color from nearly white, through gray, pink and amethyst, to
purplish-red and even brick-red, the gray and deep red being the most common, the white the
least so. Very rarely a distinct granular texture is seen. The quartzite is frequently very dis-
tinctly laminated, the lines of lamination being contorted in a remarkable manner, and marked
by alternating light-colored and dark-colored lines. There is never any cleavage parallel to the
lamination lines. Next in abundance to the regular quartzite. and merging into it, are heavy
beds of a fine metamorphic conglomerate, usually of a grayish to amethystine color, in which
the matrix and pebbles are alike quartzite, and not always very well defined from one another.
Forming thin layers between the thick layers of quartzite, is in many places to be seen a pecu-
liar greasy-surfaced quartz schist, the laminae of which are composed of quartzite like that of the
regular quartzite layers, seamed and covered on the surface with a soft, lilac to white, tale-like
mineral. Tins slate or schist usually exhibits the true slaty or transverse cleavage. The soft
mineral pervading it is suspected to be always, as it certainly is sometimes, aluminous rather
than magnesian. It occurs occasionally, forming slaty layers with but little quartz admixture,
and, in small seams, even entirely pure. It then lias rather the physical characteristics of a
compacted clay, and this appearance is borne out by the analyses given beyond, which show that
the pure clay-like kinds are probably not distinct minerals, but rather a mixture of a clayey sub-
stance with fine silica. In both physical properties Mini chemical composition, this material is
closely allied to the pipestone of Southwest Minnesota, from which it differs only in color. Other
quartz schists of quite a different character have been observed forming the lowest layers of the
north quartzite range, both at the Lower Narrows of the Baraboo and at the Upper Narrows oi
the same stream. These are white to straw-colored, distinctly granular in texture, the quartz
grains being of translucent, glassy quartz. The whole rock is more or less pervaded by a soft,
clayey material, and splits out in large thin sheets. On the northernmost portions of the north
range, at. the Lower Narrows, and also for a short distance to the westward, a great thickness of
quartz porphyry is also to be observed. This porphyry resembles that of the several small
porphyry areas of the adjoining portions of Columbia, Marquette and Green Lake Counties, and
proves at once that, we must regard these areas as part, of the same formation that appears in the
Baraboo ranges.
Iii the quartzite, milk-white veins and nests are frequently to be seen. In some places, as
at the Upper Narrows, the white quartz veins show, frequently, geodic cavities lined with quartz
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 475
crystals of great clearness and beauty, and not unfrequently of very largo size, though usually
small. In the veins at the Upper Narrows, such crystal-lined cavities are exceedingly numerous.
Along with the crystals, sometimes compacted over them, sometimes loose in the cavities, and
again in thin seams by itself, is to be seen a soft, white mineral. This is often pulverulent, at
times gritty, at others a nearly impalpable powder, and is shown by analysis to be essentially a
silicate of alumina. With the white quartz, in nests of some size, is often to be observed brill-
iant specular iron in largo crystalline surfaces. It occurs also in some of the layers of quartzite
in fine scales. Titanic iron is' also reported. These, with the peculiar aluminous silicate alluded
to in connection with the quartz schists, are the only minerals known t :cur in the Baraboo
rocks.
The quartzites and associated rocks are quite distinctly bedded, though the bedding is not
unfrequently obscured by cross-join tjng, which is often to be observed on a grand scale. The
dip, wherever observed, is toward the north through the whole extent of both ranges, but varies
much in amount. In the southern range it is usually quite low, as low sometimes as 15° in the
middle and broadest portions. In the northern range, the dips are always much higher, running
from 55° to 90°. The rocks of the two ranges appear, however, to be parts of a continuous
series, the quartz porphyry beds of the northern range constituting the uppermost layers.
Beginning the detailed descriptions at the best known, and at the same time one of the most
remarkable, points about the quartzite ranges, we note, first, the occurrences in the vicinity of
Devil's Lake, in Township 11, Ranges 6 and 7. Here the southern range is cut entirely through
by a deep quartzite walled valley or gorge, 500 feet in depth, and three-fourths of a mile in
width. In its northern portion, this valley trends due north and south for about a mile; turn-
ing then abruptly at right angles, it extends eastward two miles and a half. In the north and
south part lies Devil's Lake, with a length of something more than a mile, and a width one-
fourth less than this, its surface being about one hundred feet above the valley surface at the
eastern end of the gorge, more than one hundred feet above the Baraboo River at Baraboo, and
more than two hundred above the Wisconsin at Merrimack. It is held in this elevated position
by two immense morainic heaps of glacial drift lying at either end of the lake, and rising more
than one hundred feet above its level. The lake has a nearly level sandy bottom, except near
the shores, and is, over most of its area, some thirty feet in depth. It has no outlet and but
one small stream running into it. It is thus, probably, fed chiefly by springs, and maintains its
level by evaporation and by filtering through the heaps of gravel and sand which hold it in place.
Near the northwest corner a small stream, running into the Baraboo, passes within a few rods ol
the lake, and, possibly, carries with it some of the lake water. On its west and south sides, the
lake washes the bases of the bounding cliffs of the gorge. Both east and west cliffs are highest
near their southern ends, toward which they rise gradually from the north, following, roughly,
the dip-planes, which also rise southward, and the edges of which can be seen, quite well marked,
on either wall of the gorge. By aneroid measurement, the highest point of the west bluff is 475
feet above the lake level, or 800 feet above Lake Michigan, and the southern portion of the east
bluff but little lower. In their upper portions, the cliffs are vertical, sometimes for as much as
two hundred feet or more, but their lower parts are clothed with a heavy talus or "ankle," com-
posed of great blocks of the quartzite that have fallen from the cliffs above. These masses are
often as much as twenty feet on a side, with a somewhat regular shape imparted by the powerful
ioints that everywhere traverse the quartzite, and cut it into blocks only needing to be slightly
dislodged in order to fall down the cliff. For the greater portion of their lengths both east and
west bluffs are quite narrow, being backed by deep ravines opening northward. The northern
end of the east bluff, especially, is a mere crest, having behind it one of the ancient, sandstone-
lined ravines that have before been mentioned.
In its east and west extension, the valley preserves the same characters as above described,
the cliff on the north side being the highest and boldest, and retaining for a long distance the
height it attains at the corner where the valley bends. Along the face of this cliff, the heavy
quartzite beds are seen on the strike, and present, therefore, an appearance of horizontality when
476 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
viewed from the valley below. At the mouth of the valley (southeast quarter Section 20, Town-
ship 11, Range 7 east), the northern cliff' is of horizontal sandstone, behind which the quartzite
passes, while the south cliff terminates in a sharp, rocky point, known as the Devil's Nose.
Doubling the Nose, we are on the south side of the range, with Sauk Prairie in front, and the
high bluff with its roches-montonees surfaces of quartzite behind. These surfaces rise in rude
steps, which are due to the gradual northern dip.
Near the top of the sides of the ravine, on the southwest corner of the lake, horizontal sand-
stone and coarse conglomerate occur, the pebbles of the conglomerate coming from the quartzite
against which it lies. Nowhere else along the sides of the valley, until we reach its eastern end,
are there any indications of its ever having been filled with sandstone, and, consequently, of its
equally great antiquity with other ravines about the quartzite ranges. This occurrence itself is
not, necessarily, any such indication, for the sandstone is found only at a high level, and may,
therefore, have been introduced from the northward, quite independently of the valley of Devil's
Lake, which, we are thus led to believe, is of more recent origin than the Potsdam period.
This valley has evidently been, at some time, the passage of a large stream. We cannot
suppose that it has been produced by any other process than that of erosion, and such an erosion
as could only be effected by the agency of running water. Confirming this view, we find,
high up on the cliff sides, within 150 feet of the summit, remnants of large pot-holes, several feet
in diameter, presenting smoothed surfaces, and having about them many small pebbles and
smoothed bowlders, which may have been engaged in the work of their formation. The large
size of the valley suggests that it may have been the passage of the Wisconsin River, which, at
the close of the Glacial period, found its ancient channel obstructed by the great drift-heaps
that are now to be seen in it and was forced to find its way eastward to the valley of the great
river that for long ages before the Glacial period drained the whole basin of the Wolf and Upper
Fox, through the valley of the Lower Wisconsin to the Mississippi. This valley, which the deflected
river reached at Portage, and which it subsequently appropriated as its own, passes altogether to the
eastward of the eastern extremity of the quartzite ranges. If this is a correct view, the river must
have had a passage through the northern range also, and this passage would be found in the Lower
Narrows of the Baraboo, a much wider channel than is needed by that small stream. This
explanation of the origin of the Devil's Lake Valley is offered as a suggestion only. The Bara-
boo may be a stream to which the work should be allotted, but, if so, we must imagine it to have
been a much larger and more powerful stream than now. Only ten miles above on its course,
the gorge through which it passes the northern range presents no such proportions as seen about
the Devil's Lake Valley.
The rock in the vicinity of Devil's Lake, omitting reference now to the Silurian conglomer-
ate and sandstone, is nearly altogether the typical quartzite of the region, as above described.
It generally shows some shade of red. On the weathered surface of some of the large fallen
masses in the edge of the lake, a distinct tendency to a granular texture is perceptible, while a
fresh surface shows generally no traces of it. Fine lines of lamination are nearly everywhere to
be seen, and are generally quite strikingly marked, but there is never any structure parallel to
them. They are nearly always bent into sharp angles, or curved and contorted, presenting often
the irregularities seen in the bedding of sandstone. While many of the bendings in these lines
may be due to original irregularities of deposition, or to contortion at the time of disturbance and
alteration, there are surfaces where they present such a peculiar knotty and concentric appear-
ance as strongly tn suggest a concretionary origin. The lines are alternatingly ligl't and dark
red. In a few places white quartz veins with geodic quartz crystals are seen, but these do not
characterize any considerable portion of the rock. All about the Devil's Lake Valley the bed-
ding of the quartzite is quite distinct, and is made apparent by the existence of large dip sur-
faces, often beautifully ripple-marked. At the northern ends of both east and west bluff's of the
lake many such surfaces occur. Others are seen on the sides of the railroad track about mid-
way the length of the lake. These all give an inclination to the north of 15° to 25°, the
higher figure being seldom readied, and a strike of north 80° east. The quartzite layers are
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 477
many feet in thickness, showing no internal structure whatever parallel to the general dip direc-
tion, but being affected everywhere by the curved and bent lamination alluded to. Between the
quartzite beds occur layers of greasy quartz slate, usually but a few inches in width. Such a
layer is well exposed on the side of the railroad track on the east side of the lake, the lamina'
dipping north 37°, or transverse to the bedding planes. The slate is quartzite, like that of the
surrounding beds, but is penetrated by a soft, greasy mineral, and affected by slaty cleavage.
As the cleavage planes of the slate approach the surface of the adjoining quartzite, they curve
toward and penetrate it to a short distance. Large surfaces of quartzite, which have had one
of these slaty layers removed from above them, show a peculiar ridgy appearance, evidently due
to the passage into them of the slaty cleavage planes.
At the summit of the east bluff, near its southern end, indications of a somewhat lower dip
than elsewhere are seen, while at Devil's Nose, surfaces occur slanting as much as 29° northward.
At the latter place, many cross joints oliseure the bedding, nearly all of the planes, however,
sloping northward. Some very large ones were noted, with as high an angle as 82°, covered
with a shining, soft, greasy film. In seams and nests in the quartzite, in this vicinity, occurs a
compact, but soft, clay-like substance of a, lilac color, which is penetrated by fine white strings,
and contains: Silica, 62.16 ; alumina, 29.67 ; iron oxide, 4.17 ; lime, 0.16 : water, 2..~>0 — 99.36.
This substance appears to be the same as that which pervades and gives character to the quartz
schists of the region, and is closely allied to the red " pipestone," that occurs with the quartzite
of Barron County, and again in southwest Minnesota.
On the summits and sides of all the cliffs about the lake and valley, two sets of very
marked vertical cross-joints are to be seen, the more prominent and persistent set trending
north 45° west. These joints have produced, on the upper portions of the cliffs, a striking col-
umnar appearance, the separate columns of quartzite, twenty to forty feet in height, often
standing entirely detatched by joint cracks from the main cliff. In some cases, intervening
masses of quartzite have fallen, and left entirely isolated needles at a distance from the cliff face.
As in the ravine at the southwest corner of the lake, so also in many other places on the
north bank of the ridge, horizontal ledges of sandstone and very coarse conglomerate occur,
abutting against, and unconformably overlying, the quartzite. At the northern point of the
east bluff, the contact of the two formations is beautifully exposed. Here the ends of columnar,
joint-detached masses of the quartzite are surrounded and filled between by the horizontal sand-
stone, the whole capped with a heavy layer of a conglomerate composed of angular, subangular,
and rounded masses of quartzite, embedded in a coarse, friable, sandy matrix, which is occasion-
ally cemented by the brown oxide of iron, and is not unfrequently almost altogether excluded
by the included bowlders. The quartzite of the bowlders and pebbles is the same as that of the
ledges further up the bluff. Places also occur where the sand and quartzite pebbles are wedged
down into the joint-cracks of the quartzite.
Eastward from the mouth of Devil's Lake Valley, in Section 29, Town 11, Range 7, the
southern face of the quartzite range continues high and bold on the right hand, as far as
Section 25, Town 12. Range 8, in Columbia County. On Mr. Fitzsimmon's place on Section
22, Town 11, Range 7, Sauk County, near Parphrey's Glen, and only a short distance from the
south slope of the ridge, one. of the highest points on the whole range of bluffs occurs, the eleva-
tion being nearly one hundred feet greater than that of the Devil's Lake bluffs. The point is
in use by the United States Coast Survey, as a Signal Station. North from the Signal Station,
the quartzite range has a width on top of nearly three miles. As far as Section 3, Town 11,
Range 8, Columbia County, the south face of the range, except at the higher levels, where large
surfaces of bare quartzite occur, is composed of sandstone, with some coarse conglomerate, which
flanks the quartzite in horizontal layers. These flanking sandstones are well exposed at the
mouth of the Devil's Lake gorge ;„in Parphrey's Glen, on the line between Sections 2:! and 22,
Town 11, Range 7, and again in Dorward's, or St. Mary's Glen, on the line of Sections 18 and
7. Town 11, Range 8, Columbia County. In all these places, the sandstone layers appear to
possess a small dip, about 5° away from the quartzite core. At Dorward's Glen, the quartzite
478 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
is to be seen at the north end of the gorge, and lying upon and against it sixty feet of hori-
zontal sandstone and bowlder conglomerate. These are exposed on the wall of the gorge, the
conglomerate forming the base of the cliff and the stream-bed, with a thickness seen of four feet.
The bowlders of the conglomerate are largely irregular, angular masses, reaching up to eight
inches in size, and are almost entirely without surrounding matrix. The quartzite at the head
of the glen is non-granular, pinkish-gray to red, and without plain bedding. East of Section
3, Town 11, Range 8, as far as the end of the range, the flanking sandstone appears to be want-
ing, outcrops of quartzite in places extending from summit to base of the southern face of the
range. Such a place occurs on the northern side of Section 3, and southern side of Section 31,
Town 12, Range 8, near Mr. Fleming's house. Here the quartzite bluff rises immediately from
the north side of the Portage road, showing for the first steep ascent of 250 feet, large loose
masses and rough exposures cf a metamorphic conglomerate, in which matrix and pebbles are
both of quartzite; the pebbles being very small, and in no way different from the matrix. From
the top of this slope, a gradually rising wooded steep is crossed for about a third of a mile to a
second nearly precipitous rise of over a hundred feet. The summit is of bare rock, ami is a
mere crest, others similar to it occurring east and west along the range. The bedding of the
quartzite is distinct, the strike being north 63° east, and dip 60° north.
On Sections 31, 35, 26 and 27, Town 12, Range 8, numerous other large quartzite expo-
sures occur. On the southeast quarter of Section 27, large outcrops on the road-side show pink-
ish-gray opaque quartzite with very fine greenish-black streaks (mica?).
The eastern end of the quartzite range is on Section 25, Town 12, Range 8, where the two
ranges unite in the bold point that has been heretofore alluded to. On the north side of the
point, the horizontal sandstone begins again to flank the quartzite. On the northwest quarter
of Section 25, the road ascending the bluff shows sandstone, with a slight slant eastward, nearly
to the top. Near by, on the southeast quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 2(3, are large
rounded exposures (roches-montonees) of quartzite, showing on the top glacial furrows and
scratches, and also several large smoothed pot-holes, the largest two feet wide and one foot deep,
with connecting furrows. Occurring where no stream could now possibly run, these pot-holes
are of interest, as showing the great erosion the quartzite must have undergone since their
formation.
Along the northern side of the north range and westward from the eastern extremity, the
flanking sandstone continues nearly to the county line. On the south side of Section 23, well
up on the bluff', a steep ravine has laid bare the sandstone and quartzite nearly in contact. The
quartzite here is a Hue metamorphic conglomerate, in which the matrix of pinkish-white quartz
embraces darker-hued pebbles one-sixteenth inch to one-quarter inch in diameter. The pebbles
are very firmly attached to the matrix, and are not always well defined from it. Nests and
veins of white quartz occur in this rock.
On the northeast quarter of Section 22, Township 12, Range 8, a deep ravine shows a
great thickness of sandstone, with a bed of bowlder conglomerate, dipping northward, or away
from the quartzite. Further westward, along the road from Portage to Baraboo, which follows
the tout of the bluff, sandstone is seen in numerous places. On the northwest quarter of Section
21, high up on the bluff', a well goes through ten feet of sandstone and then into quartzite. It
is quite probable that the quartzite core is in places along here entirely covered by sandstone.
The core does not extend, however, beyond the southern line of Sections 19, 20 and 21, for
here wells pass through over 170 feet of sandstone. After passing the county line, the north
slope of the quartzite is again free from its sandstone mask, and is to be seen in small outcrops
dipping north t',n .
On Sections 23 and 26, Township 12, Range 7, the Baraboo River passes the north
quartzite range in a gorge known as the Lower Narrows of the Baraboo. The passage is nearly
half a mile in width, the level bottom extending to the foot of the cliffs on either side. The
cliff's rise 10(1 feet above the river, and show finely the great beds of quartzite and associated
strata. The gorge is much wider than needed bv the small stream that now occupies it, and
HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY 479
may, as already suggested, have been at one time used by the Wisconsin, as the valley of Devil's
Lake seems to have been. It is unlike the hitter valley, in having been in part, at least, formed
first before the Potsdam period, as indicated by (he way in which horizontal sandstone and con-
glomerate ledges occur around the heads of steep ravines that extend down the cliff toward the
main gorge. It is a combination of a, paced section made along the west line of Sections 23 and
26, and of another not so carefully measured, made about forty rods further west. The first follows
closely the edge of the cliff, where the quartzite beds are exposed, to the southern edge of the
ridge"; the other runs a little west of north from the Garrison place, in the northeast quarter of
Section 27, and passes for a long distance over horizontal sandstone and conglomerate layers
filling an old ravine in the quartzite.
Beginning with the north end of the section, we find, forming the north face of the range,
in bold, northward-sloping ledges, quartz porphyry about 600 feet in width. This porphyry is
for the most part dull red to pinkish on the weathered surface, which is a good deal altered, often
iron-stained, and has generally a whitish undercrust. The least-altered specimens show a
brownish-pink matrix, through which are scattered, very thickly, large facets, up to an eighth
of an inch in diameter, of bright-red cleavable feldspar, and, more sparsely, minute facets of a
white kind. In nearly all specimens a few small greenish-black blotches, apparently composed
of fine mica scales, occur, as also small iron stained cavities, which often show linings of minute
quartz crystals. The porphyry is very distinctly bedded, showing an east-west strike, and a dip
of 58° to 60° north. Toward' its lowest portions, and higher up on the bluff, it becomes grad-
ually more slaty in character, the feldspar facets, though very numerous, becoming at the same
time less well defined, and the surface of the laminre becoming covered with a soft, greasy
mineral. This finally changes to a distinct schist, about eighty feet wide, containing a large
proportion of the soft mineral, and allied to the greasy quartz schists occurring at Devil's Lake,
but without transverse cleavage. Continuing the ascent of the bluff southward, quartzite is
seen lying immediately underneath the schist, and forming the body of the ridge to the foot of
its southern slope. At first this quartzite is much veined and seamed with reticulating veins of
white quartz, in which fine specular iron is occasionally to be seen. At the summit of the hill,
this character is less marked, and the rock is a dark reddish-purple quartzite, with a distinct
tendency to a granular texture, the individual grains being vitreous and translucent, but the rock
as a whole having a dull, opaque appearance. The bedding of the quartzite is not everywhere
very plain. Toward the north the layers appear to conform to the directions noticed in the over-
lying porphyry, but further southward the inclination is much steeper, and on the south slope,
near the end of the ridge, beautifully ripple-marked vertical surfaces are seen. Interstratified
with the quartzite in places are some greasy-surfaced schistose layers. At the foot of the hill,
near the Garrison piace, the lowest member of the series is seen in a peculiar white to straw-
colored quartz schist or slate. This slate occurs in regular smooth-faced, brown-tinted layers,
one-sixteenth inch to three or four inches in thickness, and has a fine granular texture, the grains
being of more or less angular quartz. Surrounding the grains and pervading the mass is a fine
white pulverulent matrix, which renders the rock soft, and has a highly argillaceous odor when
breathed upon. Only about fifteen to twenty feet are exposed. The northward dip is very
plain, the edges of the layers in places being much bent out of the true inclination, which, as
seen in the old shaft near by, is as much as 60° to 70". The whole thickness of the metamor-
phic rocks represented in this section is not far short of "j,000 feet.
A short distance westward, and a few feet above the quartz schist just described, horizontal
sandstone is quarried. Further up the bluff, this is succeeded by a great thickness, probably a
hundred feet, of a horizontally bedded, coarse bowlder conglomerate, the bowlders chiefly of red
quartzite from the rocks near by, and the matrix usually a loose, friable sand. The conglomerate
rises nearly, or quite, to the summit of the ridge.
The east bluff of the Narrows does not present so fine a section as the one just described ;
the exposures are, however, very large. At the south point of the cliff, the elevation is 310
feet above the Baraboo, and the rock a very compact, red-tinged, slightly vitreous quartzite.
480 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
Near the middle of the cliff, a very steep ravine indents its face. On the south side, and around
the head of the ravine, are horizontal ledges of a conglomerate of quartzite pebbles up to six
inches in diameter, for the most part without matrix. What matrix is present appears in many
places to be almost as much of a quartzite as the pebbles themselves, though in others it is sandy
and friable. On the north side of the ravine, semi-translucent, amethystine quartzite is seen,
unconcealed by conglomerate. Further northward, the steep north 70°-dip of the quartzite is
very plain, the dip surface being often laid bare for a great distance, and giving a very steep
slope to the north side of the ridge. The east cliff of the Narrows does not extend so far north
as that on the west.
West from the Narrows, for about two miles, the north face of the range trends north of
west, continuing to show all along beds of quartz porphyry. Since the strike throughout is east-
west, the existence of a very much broader belt of porphyry than shown in the Narrows section
is indicated. On the south side of the southeast quarter of Section 16, the porphyry reaches its
northernmost point, showing in a bold, rocky projection. The rock hert presents a dull,
brownish appearance mi a weathered surface, and is much fissured by weathering, the surfaces
of the fissures showing generally a brownish iron stain. A schistose structure is apparent in
places, and the bedding is plain, with an east-west strike, and dip of 55° north. A fresh frac-
ture shows a compact, flaky matrix, of dark-brown to nearly black, sometimes grayish, color, the
last being characteristic of altered portions. The color is not quite uniform, but is mottled with
fine strings and specks of whitish or pinkish color, and of indefinite outline. This matrix fuses
easily to a black glass. In altered specimens it is easily scratched by the knife ; in unaltered
ones the knife makes almost no impression. Sparsely scattered through it are minute white and
pink feldspar facets, and still fewer large brick-red ones. In this regard the rock is quite different
from that of the Narrows section.
About one eighth to one-fourth of a mile eastward from this rocky point, in the northeast
quarter of the northeast quarter of Section 21, the porphyry is seen again in a large exposure,
showing the same weathered appearance and bedding structure. Specimens from this place
resemble the rock last described, having somewhat more numerous feldspar facets, and containing
— silica, 71. "24; alumina, 12.20 ; iron peroxide, 1.71 ; iron protoxide, 5.44; lime, 0.98; mag-
nesia, 0.13; manganese oxide, 0.97 ; potash,J..86 ; soda, 4.29 ; water, 0.81— 99.63. The
large content of soda, as compared with potash, is noteworthy.
The quartz porphyries have thus been traced along the north flank of the range from the
Baraboo Narrows, in Section 23, to the south side of Section 16. Judging from the bedding
directions, their whole width cannot be less than three-fourths of a mile, nor their actual thick-
ness short of 3,200 feet. They arc found nowhere else in the Baraboo region. From the
description and analysis given, it will be seen that these rocks have a matrix too silicious to be
purely feldspathic, through which are scattered crystals of orthoclase, possibly also of a soda
feldspar, the porphyritic quartz crystal generally characteristic of quartz porphyry being absent.
They are evidently nearer to true quartz porphyry, however, than to the non-silicious porphy-
rites.
Further west again, and until we reach the Upper Narrows of the Baraboo, in the town of
Excelsior, the quartzite exposures along the north range are only occasional, as on the low
ridge north of Baraboo, and on the northeast quarter of Section 23, Township 12. Range 6.
On Sections 28 and 29, Township 12, Range 5, in the town of Excelsior, the Baraboo
River breaks southward through tlie north quartzite range in a narrow gorge, 201) feet in depth
and something more than half a mile in length, known as the Upper Narrows of the Baraboo.
For most of its length the ravine is just wide enough to admit of the passage of the river, rail-
road and a. wagon road. Here the quartzite core of the north range is finely shown, flanked on
either side, and even overtopped by the horizontal sandsi and conglomerate.
At the southern end of the 3ection — the jaws of the Narrows — horizontal sandstone layers,
alternatingly hard and quartzitic, and soft and friable, are seen abutting against and overlying
heavy beds of northward sloping, pinkish-gray, dark gray and purple, vitreous quartzite. The
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 481
exacl contact of the two formations is finely exposed, the sandstone filling the cracks between
the layers of qaartzite and including large detached masses of the latter rock. A short distance
northward, along the wall of the gorge, this quartzite is terminated by a steep ravine, on the
north side of which comes in the veined quartzite that forms the body of the ridge. This curiously
veined rock may be described as a light to dark-reddish, sometimes purple, usually somewhat
vitreous quartzite, which has been shattered throughout into small, sharply angular fragments,
and these cemented together again by milky- white vein quart/., the numerous cavities in which
are lined with small, brilliant, and very perfect quartz crystals. The extensive Assuring to
which this rock has been subjected is indicated not only in the interlacing veins of white quartz,
which often make up half the mass, but also in the frequent juxtaposition of different-looking
fragments of the quartzite. Certain portions of the rock are more fissured than other neighbor-
ing portions, and then appear like wide veins into which numerous fragments of the wall rock
have fallen. In some of the crystal-lined cavities, a soft white coating is noticed in the crystals.
The same material is seen sometimes lying loose in the cavities, and again tilling cracks in a
more compact condition. According to Prof. Daniels' analysis, it contains silica, 53.15 per
cent, and alumina. 45.09 per cent, the balance being water. The bedding of the veined quartzite
is indistinct. It appears to stand at a high angle to the northward.
North of and overlying the veined rock is another belt of quartzite without veins, of a pinkish
color, and containing much of the greasy, talc-like mineral, which, in places, imparts a highly
schistose character to the rock, sometimes predominating over the quartz. In these cases, the
slaty laminae incline westward 15 , while the whole rock is intersected by east and west planes,
standing at nearly 90°. The schistose layers are only in the upper portion of the belt which
further south is purer quartzite, with an evident northward dip. The quartzite is overtopped
for nearly the whole length of the section by horizontal sandstone and conglomerate layers.
The conglomerate capping the bluff in its highest portions, and overlying the veined quartzite,
shows a mass of pebbles and small bowlders of the veined rock, compacted together without
matrix, or with one that is very hard ami quartzite-like, and of a brownish color. A fine
exposure of this conglomerate is to be seen at the top of the cliff, at a point just east of the
southernmost of the two railroad bridges within the Narrows, anil on the south side of the bend
which both gorge and river here make to the eastward. At the top of the cliff, on the north
side of the bow, 140 feet above the railroad track, sandstone, partly hard and brownish, with a
vitrified appearance, and partly friable, is underlaid by horizontal ledges of conglomerate, having
a hard quartzite matrix, and including red quartzite pebbles and bowl lets of all sizes. Twenty-
five feet below the top of the cliff, the junction of the conglomerate with the underlying vertically
bedded quartzite is seen. As viewed from the track below, the unconformability is very strik-
ing. The conglomerate extends northward from this point, and down the side of the ravine
next north of the bend of the river, to within thirty feet of the railroad track. Its lower portions
show a loose, friable, brownish matrix of coarse sand, the quartzite pebbles running up to a toot
in diameter, but being usually smaller than this. Below the conglomerate, and abutting directly
upon the railroad track, is a cliff, twenty to thirty feet high, of coarse, brownish, friable sand-
stone, without pebbles, showing cross-lamination on a grand scale. North of the ravine, a low
sandstone ridge is capped by the lower layers of bowlder conglomerate.
On Section 31, of the town of Excelsior, is another gorge, known as the narrows of the
Narrows Creek. In its structure and rock occurrences, this gorge is similar to the narrows of
the Baraboo, the veined quartzite, however, being less developed than at the latter place.
Between the two gorges the summit of the range is quite level.
Westward from the passage of Narrows Creek the north quartzite range curves southward
to meet the north-and-south ridge that connects it with the southern or main range; in the road,
near the center of Section 36, Town 12, Range 4; Reedsburg, well up on the ridge, quartzite
is exposed with an east-and-west strike and dip of north 70°. This is its northern limit, and the
western end of the range, for just west of the road a rocky ravine, over one hundred feet in depth,
shows the quartzite flanked on the north by heavy beds of coarse conglomerate and friable
482 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
sandstone, the quartzite occurring only on the eastern wall of the ravine, the western side being
altogether of sandstone.
South from the center of Section 86, along the connecting ridge, the ground rises steadily
for several miles. For the first mile, horizontal sandstone ledges are seen rising to an elevation
of 520 feet. In the north part of Section 13, Town 11, Range 4, Westfield, elevations of
over 600 feet are reached. In this vicinity, and over a considerable area in Sections 11, 12, 13,
14, 23 and 24, low outcrops of quartzite occur, the area including them being all very high, and
constituting a rounded swell above the general level. A long, low outcrop, near the Lutheran
Church, in the southwest quarter of Section 13, shows dark, purplish red, flaky-textured quartzite,
which is plainly bedded and laminated, and dips 57° northwest, the strike being north 47° east.
Southward from the quartzite outcrops, the elevation continues to be between 500 and 600
feet in Sections 23 and 26, but the only rock to be seen is horizontal sandstone. Westward from
these sections the elevation remains about the same, and one passes insensibly on to the Lower
Magnesian limestone. Eastward, in Sections 24 and 25, the descent of 200 feet to the head-
waters of Seeley Creek is very rapidly made, and sandstone is exposed through nearly the whole
vertical distance.
On Section 35, a large exposure of reddish glassy quartzite occurs in a ravine at an eleva-
tion much below that of the country occupied by sandstone to the northward. A few rods up
the ravine sandstone ledges occur at a higher level. Taken together with the construction of the
high country all through the east side of the town of Westfield, this outcrop is believed to indi-
cate the existence throughout of a quartzite core only slightly covered with sandstone layers.
The outcrop just referred to is on the slope downward toward the valley of the Wisconsin,
and is really the western end of the southern quartzite range. From here eastward to Devil's
Lake, we find this range as bold and wide as it is east of the lake, and characterized by the same
heavy timber and clay soil. In Town 10, Range 5, Honey Creek, the southern slope of the range
is in the northern row of sections. On the south side of Town 11, Range 5, Freedom, are very
high-rounded swells, some of which are among the highest points on the range. On the northern
slope, in this town, the streams flowing north into the Baraboo set back into the ridge in deep
ravines, about which sandstone sometimes occurs at high levels. On the northwest quarter of
Section 22 the quartzite shows in two blufl's, 150 feet high on either side of the creek, witli a
distance between of about one-eighth of a mile. The rock here is for the most part closely like
that at Devil's Lake, but portions are unusually light-colored, showing a light brown weathered
surface, and a nearly white, slightly granular fresh fracture. Regularly interbedded is a soft,
light gray, greasy, finely laminated clay slate, containing, according to analysis by A. C. Pres-
cott, silica, 59.84; alumina and iron oxide, 35.39; magnesia, 0.10; water, 4.67 — 100, the iron
oxide being in a very small amount only. Both quartzite and slate are plainly bedded, the strike
being north 23° west, the dip 16° north.
On the road extending southward from Bloom's Station across the range into Honey Creek,
horizontal sandstone ledges are seen, as far as the northwest quarter of Section 23, at an eleva-
tion of 530 feet. In the southern part of the same section, quartzite is exposed at an elevation
of 700 feet, and along the east side of Section 26 an elevation of 830 feet is reached.
In the southern row of sections of Town 11, Range 6, Sumter, the south slope of the
range is very bold and prominent, owing to the low ground of Sauk Prairie, which stretches
from the foot of the bluffs for eight or nine miles to the southward. All along the slope toward
the prairie are large rough exposures — as, for instance, on the west ; Sauk road, on Section 31 ;
in the ravine mi Section 27 ; mi the east Sauk road, in Section 35, and all along the range east-
• ward from here to the Devil's Nose. On the north slope of the range in the northeast quarter
of Section 15, Town 11, Range 6, dark-grayish, somewhat granular quartzite shows in a large
exposure, with a dip of 26° north.
Within the circuit of the quartzite ranges are a few isolated points of quartzite and schist-
ose rocks, which rise through the sandstone that forms the basement of the valley. One of
these on the south line of Section 29, Town 12, Range 7, on Peck's Prairie, is a low, rounded
HISTORY OF SAUK COITNTY. 4M
ridge seventy-five feet high. The rock hero is a light pinkish-gray metamorphic conglomerate,
composed of small rounded pebbles of quartzite l-16th to l-8th of an inch in diameter, imbedded in
a finer-grained matrix of similar character. An obscure north 70°-dip is to be seen at a few
points, and veins of milky quartz occur, carrying nests of large-surfaced, brilliant specular iron.
One of these veins is seventy-five feet long and two feet wide, with nests and seams of specular
iron, one to three inches wide. A few rods west of the quartzite, at the center of the north line
of the northwest quarter of Section 32, horizontal sandstone ledge3 are seen.
Other areas showing quartzite and slate occur on Section 5, Town 11, Range 6 ; Section 4,
Town 11, Range 5 ; and Section 2, Town 11, Range ' 5. The two former are high, rocky
points, the latter a low outcrop on the river side. Still another occurs on the southeast quarter
of Section 33, Town 12, Range 5, near Ableman's. Here a railway cutting passes through the
point of a ridge, near the north bank of the Baraboo River. At the west end of the cutting,
coarse white sandstone, in horizontal ledges, lies against a craggy cliff of light-colored quartz
schist, resembling that at the south side of the section at the Lower Narrows of the Baraboo,
but less regularly slaty. At the junction of the two rocks, large bowlders of quartzite are in-
eluded in the sandstone, which itself fills in the cracks between the layers of schist. One hun-
dred and thirty feet from the west end of the cutting, the light-colored schist gives place to a
gray or greenish clayey rock. Some of the layers are bright green in color, and marked with
very fine lines of lamination. These layers are apparently quite silicious. Seventy feet further,
pinkish granular quartzite is indefinitely exposed. The exposures throughout the cutting,
though in places forty feet high, are very much jointed and confused. The position near the
end of the ridge has caused much weathering and alteration. There is evidently a high dip, ap-
parently to the north.
Geologically, the quartzite ranges passing through Sauk County are the most important
and most interesting formations of the kind in all the Northwest.
Wisconsin's amazon.
Much the most important stream in what geologists have been pleased to term the Central
Wisconsin District, is the Wisconsin River, which, with its valleys, constitutes the main topo-
graphical feature of the region comprising the greater part of eight counties. As this river washes
the eastern border of Sauk County, a scientific description of it will be interesting. The total
length of the river, from its source to its mouth, is about 500 miles. Rising in Lac Vieux Desert,
on the summit of the Archaean water-shed, at an elevation of 951 feet above Lake Michigan, it
pursues a general southerly course for 300 miles over the crystalline rocks, and then, passing on
to the sandstones which form its bed for the remainder of its course, continues to the southward
for some eighty miles more. Turning then westward, it reaches the Mississippi within forty miles
of the south line of the State, at an elevation of only thirty feet above Lake Michigan. Like
all the other streams which run to the south, southeast and southwest from the crystalline rocks,
it has its quite distinct upper or crystalline rock portion. In the ease of the Wisconsin, however,
we may conveniently regard the river as having three distinct sections: The first including all that
part from the source to the last appearance of crystalline rocks in the bed of the stream, in the
southern part of Wood County ; the second, that part from this point to the Dells, on the south
line of Adams and Juneau Counties ; and the third that portion from the Dells to the mouth of
the stream. The first of'these divisions is broken constantly by rapids and falls, caused by the
descent south of the surface of the Archaean area, and by the obstructions produced by the in-
clined ledges of rocks which cross the stream. The second and third sections are alike in being
almost entirely without rapids or fall?, anil in the nature of the bed rock, but are separated by
the contracted gorge known as the Dells, which, acting in a measure as a dam. prevents any con-
siderable rise in the river below, the water above not unfrequently rising as much as fifty feet in
flood seasons, while below the extreme fluctuation does not exceed ten feet. The total lengths
of the Archaean, upper sandstone and lower sandstone sections of the Wisconsin are, respectively,
300. G2 and 130 miles, the distance through the Dells being about seven miles.
484 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
For a description of the course of the river more in detail, we begin with its entrance into
the district in the northern part of Marathon County. From here, where the width, according
to the Land Office plats, is from 300 to 500 feet, the river pursues a general southerly course
through Towns 29, 28, 27. 26, 25 and 24, of Range 7 east, and Towns 24 and 23, of Range 8
east, in the southern part of Portage County. In this part of its course, the Wisconsin flows
through a densely timbered country, and has, except where it makes rapids, or passes through
rock gorges, a narrow bottom land, which varies in width, is usually raised but a fev;' feet above
water level, and is wider on one side than the other. Above this bottom, terraces can often be
made out, with surfaces in some cases one or two miles in width. Above, again, the country
surface rises steadily to the dividing ridges on each side, never showing the bluflf edges so char-
acteristic of the lower reaches of the river. Heavy rapids and falls are made at Wausau (Big
Bull Falls). Mosinee (Little Bull Falls), Stevens Point, and on Section 8, Town 23, Range 8
(Conant's Rapids). All but the last named of these are increased in height by artificial dams.
Two miles below the foot of Conant's Rapids, just after receiving the Plover River on the east,
the Wisconsin turns a right angle to the west, and enters upon the sparsely timbered sand plains,
through which it flows for a hundred miles. At the bend, the river is quiet, with high banks of
sand and a few low outcrops of gneiss at the water's edge. From the bend, the course is west-
ward for about nine miles; then, after curving southward again, the long series of rapids soon
begins, which, with intervening stretches of still water, extend about fifteen miles along the river
to the last rapid, at Point Bass, in southern Wood County. East of the river line, between the
city of Grand Rapids and Point Bass, the country rises gradually, reaching altitudes of 100
feet above the river at points ten or fifteen miles distant. On the west, the surface is an almost
level plain, descending gradually as the river is receded from. At Point Bass, the gneissic
rocks disappear beneath the sandstones, which for some miles have formed the upper portions of
the river banks, and now become in turn the bed-rock, and the first division of the river's course
ends. The main tributaries which it receives down to this point are, on the left bank, the Big
Eau Claire, three miles below Wausau; the Little Eau Claire, on the north side of Section 3,
Township 25, Range 7 east, just south of the north line of Portage County; and the Big
Plover, on Section 0, Township 28, Range 5 east, just at the foot of Conant's Rapids. On the
right bank, the Placota, or Pig Rib, about two miles below Wausau; the She-she-ga-ma-isk, or
Big Eau Pleine, on Section 19, Township 26, Range 7 east, Marathon County; and the Little
Eau Pleine, on Section 9, Township 25, Range 7, in Portage County. All of these streams
are of considerable size and drain large areas. They all make much southing in their courses,
so that their lengths are much greater than the actual distances from the sources to the Wis-
consin at the nearest points, and all of them have a very considerable descent, making many
rapids and falls over the tilted edges of schistose and gneissic rocks, even down to within short
distances of their junctions with the main river. The streams on the west side head on the
high country along the line of the Fourth Principal Meridian, about forty miles west of the Wis-
consin, and at elevations from 200 to •'!<•!) feet above their mouths. Those on the east, head on
tin' divide between the Wisconsin and Wolf, about twenty miles east, at elevations not very much
less. Reaching back, as these streams do, into a country largely timbered with pine, and
having so large :i descent, they are of great value for logging and milling purposes.
The second section of theWisconsin River begins at Point llass. with a width of from 700 to 900
feet, 'l'h'- next sixty miles of its course, to the head of the Dells, is a southerly stretch, with a
wide how to the westward, through sand plains here and there timbered with dwarf oaks and
interspersed with marshes. These plains stretch away to the cast and west for twenty miles from
the river bottom, gradually rising in both directions. Scattered over them, at intervals of one
to ten miles, are erosion peaks of sandstone from 50 to 300 feet in height, rising precipitously
from the level ground. Some of these are ne;ir and on the bank of the river, which is also, in
place-, bordered by low mural exposures of the same sandstone. The river itself is constantly
obstructed by shifting sand-bars, resulting from the ancient disintegration of the sandstone, which
in the vicinity everywhere forms the basement rock, but its course is not obstructed by rock rap-
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 185
ids. As it iiears the southern line of Adams and Juneau Counties, the high ground that limits
the sand plain on the west, curving southeastward, finally reaches the edge of the stream, which,
by its southeasterly course for the last twenty miles, has itself approached the high ground on
the east. The two ridges thus closing in upon the river have caused it to cut for itself the deep
and narrow gorge known as the Dells. In the second section of its course, the Wisconsin
receives several important tributaries. Of those on the east, the principal ones are Duck Creek
and Ten Mile Creek in the southern part of Wood County, and the Little and Big Roche a Cris
Creeks, both in Adams County. The two former head in a large marsh twenty-five miles east
of, and over one hundred feet above, the main stream. The two latter head on the high dividing
ridge on the west line of Waushara County, at elevations between 150 and '200 feet above their
mouths. These streams do not pass through a timbered country, but. have very valuable water-
powers. Of those on the west, two are large and important — the Yellow and Lemonweir Rivers.
Yellow River heads in Township 25, in the adjoining corners of Wood, .Jackson and Clark
Counties, and runs a, general southerly course nearly parallel to the Wisconsin for over seventy
miles, the two gradually approaching one another, and joining in Township 17, Range 4 east.
The Yellow bus its Archfean and sandstone sections, the former exceedingly rocky and much
broken by rapids and falls, the latter comparatively sluggish and without rock-rapids. The
upper portions of the river extend into the pine regions, and much logging is done in times of
high water. The water-powers are of great value. The Lemonweir is also a large stream.
Heading in a timbered region in the southeast corner of Jackson County, it flows southward for
some distance through Monroe, and, entering Juneau on the middle of its west side, crosses it in
a southeasterly direction, reaching the Wisconsin in Section 24, Township lf>, Range 5 east,
having descended, in its length of some seventy miles, about two hundred feet.
The Dells of the Wisconsin, as already said, is a narrow passage cut by the river through
the high grounds which, after bounding its valley on both sides for many miles, have now grad-
ually approached and joined. The total length of the gorge is about seven and one-half miles.
At the upper end, about two miles north of the south line of Juneau County, the river narrows
suddenly from a width of over one-third of a mile to one of not more than 200 feet. Through-
out the whole length of the passage the width does not much exceed this, while in one place it
is only fifty feet. The water in the gorge is very deep, although immediately above it there are
broad sand flats, with scarcely enough water at low stages to float a canoe. The perpendicular
sandstone walls are from fifteen to eighty feet in height, the country immediately on top of them
being about one hundred feet above the river. From this level, about midway in the passage,
there is a rapid rise in both directions to the summit of the high country on each side. In sev-
eral places, branch gorges deviate from the main gorge, returning again to it. These are, evi-
dently, old river channels, ami are now closed by sand. The streams entering the river in this
portion of its course make similar canyons on a smaller scale.
At the foot of the Dells, the Wisconsin enters upon the last section of its course, and also
upon the most remarkable bend in its whole length. From a nearly southerly course, it now
turns almost due east, in which direction it continues, with one or two subordinate turns, south-
ward for about seventeen miles, through low sand-banks, as far as Portage. Here it bends
abruptly south again, and, reaching its easternmost point at the mouth of the Baraboo, soon
swerves around into the final southwestward stretch to the Mississippi. The cause of this long
detour to the east is sufficiently evident. As the river leaves the Dells, it finds, lying directly
athwart its course, the two bold quartzite ranges which extend east and west through Sauk
County for upward of twenty miles, and, crossing into Columbia, finally unite about eight miles
east of the county line, in a sharp and bold, eastward-projecting point, which rises 400 feet
above the river bottom. Above Portage, where the Wisconsin forms the southern line of the
town of Lewiston, the ground immediately north is lower than the water in the river, the heads
of Neenah Creek, a tributary of the Fox. rising within a short distance of its banks. In times
of high water, the Wisconsin overflows into these streams, and thus contributes much to a
totally different river system. At Portage, the Fox, after flowing south of west for twenty
486 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
miles, approaches the Wisconsin, coming from the opposite direction. Where the two streams
are nearest, they are but two miles apart, and are separated by a low, sandy plain, the water in
the Fox being five feet below that of the Wisconsin at ordinary stages. The greater part of
this low ground is overflowed by the latter stream in times of high water, and to this is chiefly
due the spring rise in the Fox. After doubling the eastern end of the quartzite ranges, as
already said, the Wisconsin turns again to the west, being forced to this by impinging on the
north side of a high belt of limestone country, which, after trending southwest across the east-
ern part of Columbia County, veers gradually to a westerly direction, lying to the south of the
river along the rest of its course. Soon after striking this limestone region, the river valley
assumes an altogether new character, which it retains to the mouth, having now a nearly level,
and, for the most part, treeless bottom, from three to six miles in width, ten to thirty feet in
height, usually more on one side than on the other, and bounded on both sides by bold and often
precipitous bluff's, 100 to 350 feet in height, of sandstone capped with limestone. Immediately
along the water's edge, is usually a narrow timbered strip, rising two to four feet above the
river, which is overflowed at high water. The line of bluffs along the south side of the valley
is the northern edge of the high limestone belt just mentioned, which reaches its greatest eleva-
tions ten to fifteen miles south of this edge. In front of the main bluff face, especially in its
eastern extension, are frequently to be seen bold and high isolated outliers of the limestone
country. On the north bank of the bluffs are at first the edges of similar large outlying masses,
but further down they become more continuous, the river crossing over the northwestward trend-
ing outcrop line of the Lower Magnesian limestone.
In this last section of its course, the Wisconsin is much obstructed by bars of shifting
sand, derived originally from the erosion of the great sandstone formation which underlies the
whole region, and to whose existence the unusual amount of obstruction of this kind in the river
is due. The peculiar instability of these sand-bars, and their liability to form and disappear
within a few hours, renders their control very difficult. In view of the enormous quantities of
this already disintegrated sand in the region drained by the river and its tributaries, many of
which have their entire course through sand districts, the construction of a continuous canal
along the Wisconsin River, from Portage to its mouth, would appear to be the only way to utilize
the natural highway from the lakes to the Mississippi, which is offered by this and the Fox
Rivers. In the last section of its course, the Wisconsin receives within the limits of our district
only one stream of importance, the Baraboo, which enters the river near the easternmost point
of its great bend. Heading in the adjacent corners of Monroe, Vernon and Juneau Counties,
at an elevation of about 400 feet above its mouth, the Baraboo runs southeastward into Sauk
County, where it breaks into the valley between the two east-and-west quartzite ranges already
alluded to, through a narrow gorge in the northern range. Turning then eastward, it runs
along the middle of the valley between the two ranges for about fifteen miles, and then, break-
ing again northward through the north range, follows its northern side east to the Wisconsin.
The Baraboo is a stream of very considerable size, and yields a number of excellent water-
powers in the valley between the quartzite ranges, having a fall on this portion of its course of
seventy feet. The tributaries on the south side of the Wisconsin, in tiiis section of its course,
are of little importance, owing to the nearness of the limestone divide. The most noteworthy
is Duck Creek, which, with its branches, drains a considerable area in the towns of Pacific,
Springvale and Courtland, in Columbia County, cutting a long way back into the divide.
FLORA AND FAUNA.*
On a bright July morning, of the year 1841, a keelboat, freighted with furs, floated down
the Wisconsin River from Fort Winnebago.
Besides its crew, it harbored two passengers, Mr. J. Grapel, the brother-in-law of Mr. E.
Rendturff, and my person, both intending to land on the western bank of the river, at a point
• lulv ,.t.«.rvati..u»..f K Ci I I, ii. iIit-
SAUK CITY
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 48U
styled Sauk Prairie. About noon the same day, the craft cast anchor at the coast of Prairie du
Sac, in shallow water. The obliging boatmen, being French Canadians, voluntarily carried our
persons on their backs through the surf, and soon after we received the welcome of Messrs.
Rendturff and a few other persons, who had noticed the arrival of two new-comers.
My object at that time was not to settle in the Wisconsin Valley, but to study the flora and
fauna and make general observations connected with natural sciences. Forty years ago, all the
country west of the Wisconsin River up to the Rocky Mountains was left blank on the maps,
and styled Wisconsin Territorium. Therefore, on of the first proceedings I engaged in was to
determine by astronomical observation the point of landing. This was near the present Sauk
City bridge, in latitude 43 degrees and 15 minutes north, and about 89 degrees 38 minutes west
longitude from Greenwich. After knowing where I was, the counting-up of the houses near the
river bank in the village of Westfield, the present Sauk City, was easily performed. The foot-
ings of all the streets added together amounted to one frame building occupied, one frame school
and meeting house, one two-story frame building in progress of finishing, and a few log cabins.
A mile north of Westfield, near the river bank also, the present village of Prairie du Sac,
another settlement, was located, the buildings of which did not outnumber those of the lower
town. The settlement west from the river had extended to a distance of three miles, and
amounted to about four families. To the northwest, in the present town of Sumter, near the
Baraboo Bluffs, a settlement of about six families had located. And last, further north, on the
Baraboo, a saw-mill was in operation.
After having been introduced into almost every log cabin, and having shaken hands with
.the polite and obliging pioneers, we may be permitted to direct our attention for a short time to
the scenery that surrounds us, near and distant, and strive to catch a slight impression of the
contours of the landscape.
Nature had then entered the zenith of the summer season. To the north, about six miles
distant, rising abruptly from the prairie, extending east and west, lay the Baraboo Bluffs, densely
clothed by a luxurious growth of timber ; to the west, the outline was indented with outlyers of
bluffs, which served in a great measure to relieve the monotony, while the southern margin of
the prairie was girded by a belt of oak openings that divided in a marked line the prairie from
the lowlands of the south. At a distance of about fourteen miles could be seen the Blue
Mounds, the highest landmarks of the Northwestern plains, while on the east the Wisconsin
River coursed, its banks garnished by a narrow belt of timber, and the stream itself being
interspersed by a series of islands, which sustained a most luxuriant vegetation of mixed forest
trees; and now last, but not least, a beautiful green prairie carpet, dotted with innumerable
flowers of great variety, lay beneath our feet, and stretched away beyond the verge of the hori-
zon. Suffice it to say, the landscape of Sauk Prairie, in its uncultivated aspect, was appropriate
to leave a very favorable impression on every mind susceptible to Nature's charms. Therefore,
it is not surprising that a spot on the earth, where nature offered so many inducements for home-
seeking men, was not passed over by the pioneer without accepting the invitation to stop and
build up a home. The latter remarks apply to some extent to myself, for extensive journeys
afterward over the Western Continent, and by sea and land in both hemispheres of the globe,
did not expunge the impression left by the lovely spot above considered.
But there was much else to be considered that contributed to the rapid settlement, and pros-
perity of Sauk County, the productivity of the soil ranking foremost. The topography of the
county sustains the suggestion that the soil of the area covered by the county is of very diverse
composition and of variable chemical combinations, and is therefore adapted to furnish the
various ingredients of life necessary for a great variety of agricultural plants. If we study the
flora of the twin range of the Baraboo Bluffs somewhat close, and compare the result of our
investigation with the variety of trees and shrubs that are indigenous to the whole State of Wis-
consin, we gain the information that a relatively large percentage of the inhabitants of the
forests and fields of the State are represented in Sauk County. The majority of vegetables for-
eign to Sauk County favor either particular localities or else the border of the great lakes.
490 HISTOKY OF SAUK COUNTY.
The range of the Baraboo Bluffs is for a great extent covered by glacial drift, the progres-
sive disintegration of which furnishes a soil that contains an abundance of food for plants in
general. The dissolution of the magnesian limestone formation generates a productive soil for
all cereals, but where the deposits of the Potsdam sandstone predominate, the soil is of inferior
quality. Yet this, in its -natural state, furnishes nourishment for some shrubs and herbaceous
plants. Luckily the greater part of Sauk County is not desolated to any extent with the last-
mentioned unproductive soil.
In connection with the cultural development of the county of Sauk, we return once more
more to Sauk Prairie, as the principal treeless area of the county is termed, which is occupied
by the town of Prairie du Sac and by the greater part of the towns of Sumter and Merrimack.
Sauk Prairie is the cultivated starting-point of Sauk County. What the nursery is to the
orchard, that has Sauk Prairie been to the county.
The people here, favored by an area of productive land where scarcely a single root
obstructed the plow on sixty and more square miles, and where timber for log cabins and all
farm purposes lies close at hand in every direction, were enabled in a few years to supply the
new-comers with the necessities indispensable to starting new farms. The basin of Sauk Prairie,
now closely dotted by neat farmhouses and barns, was in ancient times intersected by rambling
water-courses, for in some sections the subsoil reveals a layer of clay of equal composition for
many square miles overlying pebbles and gravel. Granitia and gneisoidic bowlders of three
feet in diameter, lying near the surface, are sometimes met with from four to seven miles dis-
tant from the bluffs and several miles west of the present river bed, and a sandy ridge, the back-
bone of the prairie, strikes from east to west to the length of six miles. Not unfrequently we
meet, by penetrating several feet deep, within the square of a few acres, the evidences of a stream
bed covered by brick clay. All these prehistoric evidences prove that the ultimate condition of
the prairie basin depended on the diminution of water flowing from north to south.
Now, having related a few facts concerning the variable condition of the subsoil of Sauk
Prairie, it may be easier to account for the great variety of plants in some sections of the
country ; whilst another tract of land, having the same surface soil, produces a relatively small
variety of indigenous plants. The topography of a country largely influences the climate ;
and this is in a limited degree the case in the area of 800 square miles, which is covered by
Sauk County. On the northern slopes of the Baraboo Bluffs, crops may be grown to advantage
that would not yield a remunerating harvest on the prairie, and yet the soil in both locations
may be the same. Favored by the configuration of the ground occupied by the county, and also
aided by a productive soil, the flora of Sauk County is exceptionably numerous in variety.
Of the prominent forest trees, we mention only the oak in six and more varieties, the
maples (soft and sugar), the ash, elm, poplar, birch, linden, hickory, butternut, cherry, mountain
ash, crab apple, tamarack, and a variety of trees secondary in value. Trees of the pine order
present themselves occasionally, but in small groves only. Of indigenous plants, collected by
my youngest son Herman (who inherited from his father the inclination to study natural objects)
in the town of Prairie du Sac, the variety of species numbers nearly six hundred. Of these,
ninety-five species belong to the grass and sedge tribe ; seventeen species are ferns ; twelve
species are orchids ; the remaining varieties of trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants are shared
by different species. But the above number foils far short of representing the variety growing
forty years ago in this section, before the plow invaded the prairie and oak openings.
I herewith submit the result of my observations on the rain-fall in Sauk County, taken
since 1859. I have in that time made observations on the weather and aurora borealis phe-
nomena six times a day, and will soon publish a work of 500 pages on the subject : 1860, 32.09
inches; 1861,40.89; 1862, 45.52; 1863, 32.37; 1864,28.36; 1865, 30.88; 1866,24.50;
L867, -".1.28; 1868, 19.36; 1869, 35.80; 1870, 25.21 ; 1ST I, 30.47; 1872, 19.05; 1873,
26.77; 1874, 21.67; 1875, 24.55; 1870, 27.63; 1877, 28.22; 1878, 38.56; 1879, 27.47.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 491
CHAPTER IX.
BARABOO.
forty-three years aoo— advent of the pioneers— the first village surveys— baraboo
in 1847— The Baraboo Claimants' Association— Substantial Improvements— The Rail-
road and its Beneficent Results— The Busy Baraboo— The Post Office— Government
— Organized as a Village — The Baraboo Whisky War— The River on a Rampage —
Origin of the Name "Baraboo"— An Immortal Brotherhood Destructive Fires in
Baraboo— Banks— A President in Baraboo— Educational— Religious— Hotels— The Tom
Paine Anniversary— Secret Societies— Temperance .Esthetic and Social Life — The
Cardiff Giant— The Home of the Dead— Olla-Podrida— Lyons— Manchester.
FORTY-THREE YEARS AGO.
Wisconsin having been organized as a Territory in April, 1836, its first Governor, Henry
Dodge, after perfecting the arrangements for its government, took the initial steps toward
securing a cession to the United States of the remainder of the Winnebago territory. By treaties
held with this Indian tribe, in 1829-1832, all their lands south and east of the Wisconsin River
had been acquired by the General Government. A large area of territory west of that stream,
including the whole of the present county of Sauk, still belonged to them. In the summer of
1837, Gov. Dodge, having consulted with the principal Winnebago chiefs and ascertained their
views, proceeded to the national capital to perfect arrangements for a second treaty. In this
he was successful. Even at that early date, a large number of adventurous individuals, anxious
to lay claim to the fertile lands of the Winnebagoes when they could legally do so, impatiently
awaited the result of Gov. Dodge's negotiations.
Henry Dodge, Jr., a son of the Governor, was then located at Mineral Point, at that time a
scene of much activity in consequence of the recently discovered lead mines. Being in com-
munication with his father in Washington, he occupied an important position as one naturally
calculated to receive the first information relative to the success or failure of the negotia-
tions then pending. Among the few individuals enjoying the confidence of young Dodge were
two Milesian miners — Archibald Barker and Andrew Dunn— names not unfamiliar in the
subsequent history of Sauk and Columbia Counties. When, in November, 1837, the last treaty
with the Winnebago Indians had been signed, ceding to the United States Government all
their lands east of the Mississippi River, Gov. Dodge at once conveyed the intelligence to his son
in advance of its public announcement. Messrs. Barker and Dunn were not disappointed in
their anticipated receipt of information upon the subject ; but the sequel illustrates the proverb
that '"haste makes waste."
Taking their departure from Mineral Point, they proceeded northward in the direction of
the Baraboo Valley, of which they had already heard favorable reports from roving Indians.
They reached the Wisconsin River at a point a few miles south of the present site of Sauk City,
constructed a light raft and were soon across the stream. They passed over the sand plains
of Lower Sauk Prairie, and pushed on through the more inviting region further north. A deep
worn Indian trail led them through the dark and lonesome ravines and over the grand old hills
east of Devil's Lake, and, finally, to the banks of a considerable body of water, which, from its
sluggish appearance, they supposed to be a bayou belonging to " the sand-island stream," the Wis-
consin. Following the trail toward the West, in search of a convenient crossing (Mr. Barker
says he then believed the end of the bayou could not be far away, and that they would soon pass
around it) they discovered that the water moved, almost imperceptibly, in the opposite direction
492 HISTORY OP SAUK COUNTY.
to that which they were traveling. Soon they came to a place where the water was more shal-
low, and they saw that it was a living, moving stream, and, for the first time, discovered that
they were on a river, of considerable width and volume. It was the Baraboo, the stream that
threads the center of the valley of which they were in search. A low, rumbling sound, which
become more and more distinct to their expectant ears as they pursued their journey, told of
rushing waters, and sped them on in eager anticipation of new disclosures. The winding trail
soon brought them again to the water's edge ; and here they beheld the famous Baraboo Rapids,
now so dextrously harnessed to turbine wheels. Near by, they found a rude log bridge, par-
tially the work of man, but chiefly the result of floods, which had carried the drift-wood from
above and lodged it upon the rocks, over which the translucent waters of the Baraboo leaped in
apparent ecstasy. Crossing to the opposite shore of the stream, the adventurous explorers
again struck the Indian trail and continued their westward course, passing over ground now
included in the village limits of Baraboo. Rounding a heavily wooded hill and turning slightly to
the north, the trail led them to a large open space almost surrounded by forest trees and under-
growth. It proved to be an abandoned Indian corn-field, and, to the agricultural mind, was
like an oasis in a desert ; for here were several acres of land almost ready for the plowshare.
The merits of the stream for water-power purposes having previously been discussed by the
claim-hunters, they resolved to go no farther, and at once made preparations to camp for the
night; for the shades of evening had overtaken them, and the chilly November atmosphere was
a sufficient admonition that nature's shelter must be sought. Here, beneath the protecting
branches of a stalwart oak, the weary men were soon lost in sleep, dreaming, mayhap, of happy
homes and plenty ; for, although they were in a new and strange region, far away from friends,
their hopes were bright, their slumbers golden-visioned.
The next morning, the two hardy miners set about the task of building a cabin, having
brought with them the necessary tools. During the following day, while Barker and Dunn were
busily engaged at work, having reared the walls of their prospective shanty to a height of five
or six feet, their progress was suddenly arrested by the appearance of a band of Indians, who,
in angry tones and with threatening manners, interposed their objection to further proceedings,
and demanded that the new-comers leave the premises immediately. The irate natives empha-
cised their expressed disapprobation by tearing down the unfinished cabin. The two white men —
and on that occasion they were unusually white — attempted to explain matters, telling the In-
dians of the recently matured negotiations between their leading chiefs and the "Great Father,"
but all to no purpose. The information was not official. The great chiefs had not yet notified
their people of the fact that a treaty had been made, and, until such notification came from the
proper authorities, no pale-faced pre-emptor of Indian corn-fields would be permitted to live upon
the west side of the Wisconsin River, unless at the peril of his life. Such was the import of
the red man's wish, clearly expressed in his repeated ejaculation, /n/cJatcfiee, and the two white
men knew too much of the Indian character to disobey. ,
Gathering their little stock of provisions, their blankets and axes, they quietly withdrew,
leaving the Indians in possession. Following the Baraboo River along its north bank, they
reached the Wisconsin and camped for the night. The next morning they pushed on up that
stream until they came to a point opposite "the Portage." Crossing to the opposite shore, they
visited Fort Winnebago, where they remained a few days, undetermined as to future movements.
During their stay at the Fort, Hugh McFarlane, with whom they were acquainted, came up from
Mineral Point. He, too, had been favored with special information concerning the treaty with
the Winnebagoes, and was in search of a claim. McFarlane said he had good reason to believe
a city would some day be built near the "carrying-place" (the Portage). A3ide from the Fort
buildings, there were then less than half a dozen houses within a radius of fifty miles, but there
were indications that the interest then centering about Fort Winnebago would result in a large
permanent settlement in that vicinity. Procuring a stock of provisions, Barker, Dunn and
McFarlane crossed the Wisconsin River and made a joint claim of the land opposite the west
end of the portage, in the belief that this would prove to be the most favorable point for the loca-
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. *v°
tion of the prospective city. Here they constructed a cabin of logs, chinking the cracks between
with a composition of mud and grass ; but, soon after its completion, the grass took fire in the
middle of the night, and the entire structure was destroyed, together with the effects of the occu-
pants, including their boots, hats and coats, the occupants themselves barely escaping with their
lives. In this sad plight the three men crossed the river on the ice and reached the Fort early
the next morning, their feet sore and bleeding, having walked nearly two miles over the frozen
earth. As soon as convenient, they returned to Mineral Point, making the trip on foot, wrapped
in blankets, their pedal extremities encased in Indian moccasins.
Barker returned to Baraboo Valley in 1841, and, with a party of loggers, proceeded to the
head-waters of the Baraboo River, where he superintended the cutting of the first "run" of
logs that ever passed down this stream. The logs were sawed at the mill of Wood & Rowan,
and Mr. Barker floated the lumber down the Baraboo and Wisconsin Rivers to Dekorra, in
Columbia County. In the winter of 1842-43, he again went up the river with a crew of six men
and four teams, for the purpose of cutting and launching another " run " of logs. The snow was
two feet deep on this occasion, and the party were nine days traveling thirty miles, being com-
pelled to cut roads and bridge the streams along the entire route. Mr. Barker declares that to
have been the coldest winter he has ever experienced in Wisconsin. Before reaching the pine-
ries his feet were so badly frozen that it became necessary for him to have medical attendance.
Being unable to walk, lie proceeded to Fort Winnebago in a wagon and remained there under
treatment until early in the spring, having suffered the loss of all the toes of his right foot. Re-
turning to the pineries as soon as he was able to travel, he succeeded in getting together a large
number of logs, and, when the river opened in March, ran them to Wood & Rowan's mill.
Here they lay awaiting the sharp tooth of the saw until June, 1843, when, during the great
freshet of that spring, they went over the dam, and, together with the saw-mill, were carried to
the Gulf of Mexico. After this calamity, which also worked untold ruin to many others, Mr.
Barker, in casting up accounts, found that he had but five toes and one horse — "a very sorry
nag." The latter he soon traded off, for fear of accidents, obtaining therefor the land he now
lives upon, in Section 29, town of Baraboo. Since then his experience has been varied. The
first wheat he raised he hauled to Hecock's mill, near Dodgeville, Iowa County, giving half of
his crop to have the other half ground into flour, and paying cash for ferriage over the Wiscon-
sin River. And yet he was more fortunate than most of his neighbors, who, having neither
money nor teams, were compelled to grind their grain in coffee-mills.
ADVENT OF THE PIONEERS.
The first settlement at the Baraboo Rapids resulting in permanent location commenced in
1839, with the coming of Eben Peck, Wallace Rowan, Abram Wood and James Van Slyke.
Mr. Peck was probably the first of these to make a claim to any portion of the territory in this
region. Messrs. Rowan and Wood came about the same time, or very shortly after. The
particulars of the settlement of these parties will be found in a subsequent article of this chapter,
devoted to the different water-powers. Wallace Rowan is accredited with having been the first
settler in Columbia County. He lived near the present site of Poynette, and kept a sort of
half-way house between Mineral Point and Fort Winnebago, where he numbered among his
guests many persons whose names have since become eminently connected with the history of
Wisconsin. He came to Sauk County in company with Abram Wood in 1839. The two made
a claim of the land and water-site at the " Upper Ox-bow " of the Baraboo River, and built a
saw-mill thereon, the first mill on this stream. Rowan had a large family ; he lived with them
near the Upper Ox-bow. Wood was also a man of family, his wife being a squaw, the daughter of
the Indian chief De-ko-ra. She is represented as having been a superior woman, considering
this fact, while Wood is remembered as the terror of the country. He was a very large man,
of dauntless energy, fearless and daring ; a hard drinker, rough and profane, and most terrible
when angered, if under the influence of liquor. A few anecdotes may serve to illustrate the
character of the man. He was peaceable enough when sober, but when tipsy he went prowling
494 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
around the country in a lawless way, helping himself to anything he desired, and taking ven-
geance on those whom he did not like. One night he entered the cabin of one of his neighbors
and deliberately carried off a keg of beer. He was discovered in that act by the lady of the
house, who grabbed him in the back by his shirt, he being coatless, and demanded that he
should relinquish the beer. This he showed no disposition of doing, and, her grip being a firm
one, he dragged her a considerable distance, bawling out the while at the top of his voice, " Keep
fast hold, madam, and I'll take you straight to h — 1 ! " His taking of a Mississippi River
steamboat at an early day is quite amusing, and shows the fearlessness of the man's nature. He
and three others who styled themselves the " Baraboo Rushers," took passage on a steamboat
for Saint Louis. On the way, one of the boatmen took ill with the cholera, which was raging at
the time. The idea of the cholera on board caused much consternation, and it was decided to
leave the sick man on shore. But none of the crew would venture near him, so great was their
fear of the disease. Then up spoke Abe: "Give us a blanket, and we, the Baraboo Rushers,
will take him ashore. We ain't afered of man or devil, much less a gripe in the stomach." A
blanket was furnished, and at the next landing the four men took the victim off, carrying him
straight to the hotel. " We want a bed for a sick man," said Abe to the landlord. " Beds all
full," was the reply. " Show me one, I'll empty it d — d quick," retorted Abe. But the land-
lord was not disposed to do so. Meanwhile, the captain, considering that the " Baraboo Rush-
ers " were exposed to the infection, concluded that then was his time to get rid of them ; and
without a touch of the bell put the boat out from the landing and continued the journey. The
"Rushers," seeing the state of affairs, dropped the sick man on the 'hotel porch, and started
after the boat. They were all good swimmers, and in a very short time they " overhauled her."
To say they were angry does not half express what their feelings were. As soon as he touched
the deck, Abe began to swear, and such swearing even those boatmen had never heard. He
cursed all of the crew from the highest to lowest, up and down and every other way. At last,
the captain threatened to put him ashore. This was the signal for a row. The "Rushers"
were armed after the manner of backwoodsmen, with tomahawks, knives and revolvers. Flour-
ishing these, they sprang forward for a battle. The suddenness of the attack and the daring of
the men, so surprised the captain and crew that they surrendered without a struggle. When he
had them completely at his mercy, Abe flourished his tomahawk over the captain's head and
cried: " We don't want your d — d old rickety boat, but we intend to teach you that the Bara-
boo Rushers are not to be trifled with. This craft never lands again until we say so, nor starts
till we get ready. If that don't suit you, we will run her to h — 1 in spite of you." The cap-
tain was very willing to agree to the terms, and for the remainder of the trip the " Rushers "
had things their own way.
Some years later Abe Wood was killed, not far from Baraboo, by being pitched backward
in a wagon, and thus having his neck broken.
Rosaline Peck* was the first white woman who ever looked on Baraboo Valley. She came here
with her husband, Eben Peck, and his brother Luther, in the fall of 183!). They made the trip
from Madison to Sauk Prairie in a carriage. From thence they were obliged to travel on horse-
back, following an Indian trail to the Baraboo River. The water was very high, and Mr. Peck
advised his wife not to cross the river, but she was determined to see the claim made by Mr.
Peck a few months previous, and so swam her horse across at the expense of a thorough wetting.
Capt. Levi Moore'" looked in on this part of the world in 1840. He at first thought that
he could not live in so wild a country, and was about turning his face in another direction,
when he accidentally met Mrs. Peck. Her bright, hopeful face caused a re-action of feeling,
If a little woman like her could endure the hardships, he certainly could. So he remained.
What is known as the middle mill-power was claimed in June, 1844, by George W. Brown,
a resident of Whitewater. The land was pre-empted in 1846, at the land sale, by William
Brown, f a brother of George, who deeded it for the claimant. George W. Brown, upon his
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 495
arrival in 1844, immediately set about improving the power, and, in August of the same year,
Marvin Blake, a brother-in-law of the Browns, George Grant and several workmen made their
advent here, for the purpose of assisting in the erection of a saw-mill at that point. While ex-
cavating for the mill, the workmen found the remains of a mammoth, some eight feet from the
surface. The position of the bones showed the animal to have been some thirty-six feet long.
The bones, though apparently well-kept, on being taken from their resting place, gradually air-
slacked and became dust. The mill was in running order the next spring, but, in 1847, it
proving insufficient for the amount of work to be done, a better and larger mill was erected on
the same power. A few months previous to the erection of the saw-mill, its proprietors had
built a grist-mill on the opposite or north side of the river, and this was the first grist-mill on
the Baraboo. It began work with one run of stone.
W. H. Canfield came to this part of the country in 1842. He found his way hither from
Madison by means of marked trees, the road having been surveyed, but not improved. He took
up some land near Ski'.let Falls, some three miles from Baraboo. Himself and wife lived in a
dry-goods box for six weeks, and until the erection of a log house was effected. Hiram Web-
ster, now a blacksmith on Third street, was also one of the comers of 1842.
The building of the mills of course brought many new-comers, and as early as 1845, quite
a village had sprung up. Previous to this, times had been hard for the settlers. People pounded
the wheat and corn they used for bread, or ground it in hand-mills. Capt. Moore had a hand-
mill which for a time served the whole country. Money was not to be had, and people had great
trouble in securing their lands from parties who went about "jumping claims," the settlers, in
many cases, not being able to make the necessary improvements to hold them, and having no
means to defend their rights. Even when the land came into market, in 1846, few if any were
prepared to attend the sale. But at or near that time, Maxwell purchased from the Government
the mill claim held by Eben Peck, and in 1848 moved here with his family. The Pecks had pre-
viously let a portion of their claim pass into the hands of Augoston Haraszthy, and he had erected
a small frame house near the dam, and had opened a store there. This building the Maxwells
purchased in order to obtain an undisputed title. They then built, on what is now the east side
of the square, the first frame building on the north side of the river. This was for a long time
known as the "corner store." The same year, 1847, the Western Hotel was erected by Col.
Sumner. D. K. Noyesf came to town the same year, and found the Western in process of
building on his arrival. This hotel was kept for a time by Col. Sumner, and later was many
years under the supervision of William Wallace.
In 1845, Lewis Hayes, Delando Pratt and Josiah Hayes bought a portion of the middle
power and erected a shingle and lath mill, and a chair-factory. Philarmon Pratt,* in 1847,
bought the saw-mill and a half-interest in the water-power. The next year he settled with his
family at this place.
The first physician in Baraboo was Dr. Charles Cowles. He came from Ohio to Milwaukee
in 1846. Milwaukee at that time had less than two dozen houses in it. Leaving his wife and
child in the Milwaukee woods, he went to Baraboo, or rather to the residence of his father, Judge
Lauren Cowles, a short distance below Baraboo. The Judge started immediately after his son's
wife and child, but, owing to the bad state of the roads, it took two weeks to make the trip. The
Doctor began to practice at once in this part of the country. But that was up-hill work in those
days. In January, 1847, he showed, on one occasion, a most remarkable endurance — going
after supper to see a patient a distance of sixty-four miles, facing a keen north wind, and stopping
for neither rest nor refreshments of any kind. The next year, the Doctor came to Baraboo and
purchased the two lots where his residence now is. The total cost of the lots was $7. He still
continues to practice here.
David, Samuel and Simeon Crandall, brothers, in company with Ira Angle and G. W.
Knapp, came to Baraboo in 1846, and the five and their families moved into the log schoolhouse
on the south side, where they remained until buildings could be erected.
* Now residing in Baraboo.
4yb HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Another arrival of 1846 was the Walbridges, Elisha and Eleazer, brothers. The former
died in the army. Eleazer Walbridge is a real estate and insurance agent, still residing here.
Mr. Herschinger came to town the same year.
THE FIRST VILLAGE SURVEYS.
At the land sale which took place in 1846, one of the County Commissioners, Prescott
Brigham, purchased the quarter-section of land now included in Baraboo proper, with his own
money, for the county. The Commissioners platted a village, having the court house square in
the center, and named it Adams, at the suggestion of Mr. Brigham, who held the Adams family,
of Massachusetts, in great esteem. This was done in April, 1847. The village of Adams is
described as follows in the field-notes of Charles 0. Baxter, the surveyor : " Commencing at the
northwest corner of the southeast quarter of Section 35, Town 12, Range 6; thence east forty
chains to the quarter-post between Sections 35 and 36 ; thence south thirty-nine chains sixty-
four links to the section corner on the town line ; thence west on said line thirty-one chains fifty links
to the Baraboo River ; thence north forty-one and west four chains ; thence north seventy-eight
and west six and eight one hundredths chains to an open line through Section 35 ; thence north
thirty -five chains fifty-five links to the place of beginning — the plat covering the southeast quar-
ter of Section 35, Township 12, Range 6. except a small fraction on the south side of the river."
About the same time. George Brown caused a survey to be made of his property, the greater
portion of which lay south of the river. He called his plat Baraboo. From the field-notes of
the surveyor, we find the boundaries of the plat to have been as follows : Commencing at the
northeast corner of Section 2, Town 11, Range 6 ; from thence south six chains thirty links to
the Baraboo River (eight chains fifty-eight links to the south bank of the river) ; thence south
twenty-two chains seventy-five links ; thence west twenty chains ; thence north thirteen chains ;
thence east twenty chains to the east line, one chain seventeen links south of the river — the plat
covering forty acres, a strip equal to about thirty lots lying along the south side of the river,
being "reserved for private use " by Mr. Brown for mill and other purposes. The plat extended
north of the river to the extent of thirty-four lots, 62x132 feet in size.
On the 14th of January, 1849, the Board of County Commissioners ordered that the name
of the village plats of Adams and Baraboo, as they then (and do now, in fact) appeared upon
record in the Register's office, be changed and known by the name of Brooklyn. The villages
continued to be separate, however, until the village charter, which was obtained in May, 1866,
united them under the name the place now bears. At the suggestion of the postal authorities in
Washington, in 1852, the name of Adams was dropped. The post office was thereafter known
as Baraboo. The following additions have been made to the original plats: Mrs. Peck's First
Addition, June 15, 1849 ; Wallace's Addition, August 9, 1849 ; Mrs. Peck's Second Addition,
July, 1855; English's Addition, November, 1856; Moore & Drown's Addition, April, 1860;
Thomas' Addition, May, 1873 ; Camp's Addition, September. 1873; Brown's Addition, October,
1873; Langdon's Addition, July, 1874. In July, 1855, R. G. Camp laid out an addition east
of Mrs. Peck's Addition, which he called the village of Litchfield — a favorite name with the
Judge, he having been born in Litchfield, Conn. — and his son Arthur made an addition to the
village of Litchfield in September, 1873. These two last additions are not incorporated with
the village.
BARABOO IN 1847.*
In the spring of the year 1847, I arrived with my wife and family at the village of
St. Charles, in the State of Illinois, where my wife's sister, with her husband, John Lock, and
family, had taken up their residence. The fever and ague prevailed everywhere in the West that
season. To a new-comer it was discouraging. Mr. Lock had gone to Baraboo with his son
Lafayette, and his wife (now Widow Nelson), who with his daughter still reside in Baraboo, was
waiting the result of his exploration. I was introduced to Mr. Eber Crandall, who had been to
Ity ' liiu I'-- Aiin-trMTi'_'.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 497
Bamboo, and bad entered lands upon wliicli lie intended to locate as soon as possible. His three
brothers (David, Samuel and Simeon) and two sisters, with their husbands and families, had
already taken up their abode at Baraboo. Seeing that the ague prevailed in St. Charles, and,
as far as I could learn, everywhere throughout Illinois, I concluded to start for Baraboo, where
Eber Crandall assured me that the disease did not prevail. I accompanied a man from Canada,
whose name I cannot recall, he having a team and covered wagon. At that time, corn was one
shilling and oats 10 cents per bushel ; hence our supplies did not cost much. We went by the
way of Sun Prairie, my fellow-traveler having a desire to visit an acquaintance who had the
previous year taken up his residence on that prairie. We stopped at Waterloo overnight and
in the morning struck Sun Prairie, which at that time included all the prairie between Waterloo
and Mineral Point. We drove all day and met only one person, from whom we could get no
information. Fearful of getting lost and night coming on, we struck for the timber, and, for-
tunately, right to the shanty of my comrade's friends, where we stayed all night. We started
early in the morning for Dekorra, on the Wisconsin River, at which place we found a deserted
blacksmith shop and other marks of an abandoned settlement. We perceived a ferry-boat on
the other side of the river, and by waving our handkerchiefs, at length persuaded the boatman to
come over, and we were landed safe on the west side of the Wisconsin River. We then drove over
the bluffs, on the summit of which there was here and there a settler. I remember one, named
Lewis, an Irishman, who had served in the United States Army and received his discharge at
Fort Winnebago. Descending the bluffs to the Baraboo River, we found no habitation in sight,
but discovered a rope fast to a tree and extended across the river, and on the opposite bank was
a ferry-boat. We yelled and hallooed, and, at length, discovered a tin horn suspended on a small
burr oak tree. Finally, after repeated blowings by first one and then the other, we perceived a
woman running, who jumped into the boat, took hold of the rope and pulled the boat across to
us. There was quite a rapid current in the river, and in her efforts to get the boat across the
woman blistered her hands. Imagine our surprise on finding her a most intelligent lady. She
informed us that her husband, Andrew Garrison, had gone over to their former home on Sauk
Prairie, and that the hired help was with William Eiky, at the limekiln. Mrs. Garrison (after-
ward Mrs. Dr. Taylor) directed us where to find feed for the horses, and prepared for us an
excellent dinner ; and, after partaking heartily, we started for the county seat. As we passed up
the Baraboo Prairie, we saw here and there a breaking-team turning over the virgin soil.
We passed Mrs. Peck's place. She was at that time engaged in having a house built, while
she and her family occupied a shanty in the rear of her present residence. Opposite here, Fred-
erick Stanley had erected a shanty, which he and his family occupied. I expected to see some-
thing of a town, but on we drove, and just as the sun was setting we came up to a log house, over
the door of which was a buck's horn. I jumped out of the wagon, and, the door being open,
entered. The house consisted of one large room, in the middle of which, seated around a table,
were some half-dozen men in red shirts, playing cards. Finding I was not observed, I started
back to the wagon, feeling alarmed for our ladies. At a short distance, I perceived a tall, stout-
built man, and, stepping up to him, I said, " Sir, is there no other place that a stranger could
get accommodations over night, only there?" pointing to the buck's horn. I discovered in his
features an open, manly expression, and intuitively felt that we were safe. He opened his
broad, frank mouth, and said, "Yes, if you will take up with such accommodations as I have in
my little house, you are welcome," at the same time starting with me toward the house. On
entering, I found a house unsurpassed for cleanliness — in fact, one of the cleanest I ever had my
foot in. This was the home of Alexander Crawford. Here he lived with his wife and his son
John. Although the couple were somewhat advanced in years, they seemed to be perfectly
happy. Here I met my brother-in-law, John Lock, who was boarding with them. He had
located a claim of one hundred and sixty acres, and sent his son back to St. Charles after cattle,
intending to break up and improve the land, and move up his family as soon as possible ; but
when his son Lafayette arrived at St. Charles, he found a recruiting rendezvous bidding up for
volunteers for the Mexican war, and he enlisted. His love for army life never forsook him. He
498 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
was among the first to enlist in the three-months service of the late war, and soon after being
discharged, on the expiration of the time of his enlistment, he re-enlisted, and was Orderly Ser-
geant of Company F, Eleventh Wisconsin Infantry. So he was in the first and in the last bat-
tle of the rebellion. Mr. Remington, then a young attorney, was boarding at Crawford's, and
acting agent for the County Commissioners in disposing of lots at the county seat, then called the
village of Adams. I bought some three or four, not intending that I would ever settle on them.
I looked around for a day or two, but it was such a wilderness of a country that I could see no
prospect of making my business at all profitable. I could not see where customers were to be
found that would sustain a tailoring establishment. I started back for St. Charles, stopping on
the way at Madison, Janesville, Beloit and other villages, in all of which business was dull and
ague prevailing. I returned to St. Charles, not knowing or having determined where I would
locate. Eber Crandall assured me that in a very short time Baraboo would be a large town. I
finally hired teams, and, with wife and two children, started thitherward. The last day of our
journey we reached the foot of the bluffs about sunset, and put up at the Hoover tavern. It was
kept by Mr. Hoover's son-in-law, Job Barstow. Mr. Barstow piloted us in the morning over
the bluffs. On the way, we met people who were returning from the Fourth of July celebration,
which, I learned, had been held at the house of Mrs. Peck, at Baraboo. We passed over what
was called the west road, and crossed the river near Wood & Moore's mill. We passed near the
house occup ied by Abraham Wood and the saw-mill known as Moore's & Wood's mill. The vil-
lage of Lyons had the same year, or previously, been laid out, but, owing to the enterprise of
George and William Brown, who had that season selected the quarter-section of land adjoining
for a county seat, the few settlers at Lyons felt somewhat jealous at the superior prospects and
advancement of Baraboo. We drove on down to Brown's mill and crossed a rude bridge which
spanned the river near where the present bridge stands. Erastus Langdon had built a house
(i. e., had an inclosed frame). He kindly proffered us shelter, and his kind lady prepared for
us a good dinner.
Dr. S. P. Angle at that time occupied a shanty near where John Loy's shop now stands.
He introduced me to Col. Maxwell, who was then engaged in the framing of a building
which was afterward known as Maxwell's store, and stood on the corner where the Burrington
Brothers afterward built a better one. I was greatly discouraged, but the old Colonel, who most
of his life had pioneered it, gave me every encouragement possible. He told me that Col. Sum-
ner had gone east to Ohio after his family, and would build a good hotel. He introduced me
to old Mr. Canfield, who was a generous, good, kind-hearted man, who proffered me house room
free of expense till such time as I could build. My family, in the meantime, was at the house of
Erastus Langdon, who kindly proffered to shelter us until we should conclude what we would do.
Daniel Kelsey, then a young man, was boarding with them. I finally purchased Mr. Langdon's
house, and he moved out and into a shed. Marvin Blake, a brother-in-law of Mr. Langdon's,
lived in a shanty near where his present residence stands. The house which I bought from Mr.
Langdon was neither lathed nor plastered, and it had a shake roof. Jeptha Jackson occupied a
small house which stood in the street near where the American House now stands, owned at
present by Mr. Peck. George and William Brown hail, some two years previous, made claims to
the land embracing the water-power, and which at that time constituted the village of Baraboo
proper; William had sold his interest to George, and George soon sold a portion of the water-
power to Philarmon Pratt, with the saw-mill. George intended fully to improve the north-side
grist-mill. In raising au addition to it, a timber fell on his head and killed him. Delando
Pratt had some two years previous purchased from the Browns a portion of the water power, and
commenced the manufacture of hubs and bedsteads. Owing to the sudden death of George W.
Brown, business became somewhat suspended. His father, Cliauneey Brown, was his legal heir,
and he with his son William, administered on the estate. They proceeded to complete the mill.
Philarmon Pratt and the Browns became involved in law. and for years they kept up the fight, so
that every term of the court Pratt vs. Brown and Brown vs. Pratt filled the calendar. Delando
Pratt sold the portion of the water-power he owned to John Seaburn, and joined his father-in-
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 499
law, Mr. Schermerhorh, in the tanning business. Both of those establishments in a short time
were destroyed by fire. The Browns had completed the mill, and afterward that was burned.
Such were the circumstances that myself and a few others were fully satisfied in our own minds
that it was the work of an incendiary, and we believed we knew who he was. The dam went out,
and for a long time Baraboo proper was at a stand-still, no business being done. Finally, Joseph
F. Sanford and Patrick A. Bassett bought it and built the present mill, now owned by R. H.
Strong.
Lyman Clark came to Baraboo in the spring of 1847 and pre-empted forty acres directly
southeast of the original village of Baraboo. But, anxious to build a hotel, he disposed of it to
Judge Camp for a mere trifle. Lyman built the Baraboo House. He never turned any one
away, money or no money, and frequently would apply to me to lodge some of his guests, and
he would often consult with me as to the best means to help some new arrival. I remember one
morning he came to my house and said that there was a family, consisting of a man and wife,
with two children, that had been stopping at his house for some days, and were out of money ;
that the man was sick, and the woman was a tailoress and willing to work ; that he had a span
of young horses and a wagon. The day previous, Clark said he had killed his only cow for meat,
and had not feed for this man's horses. I went over and found the family greatly discouraged.
I owned a shanty and lot near where Mr. Patrick Dougherty now resides. On consulting with
him, they concluded to move into it. Soon the man recovered his health, and in a short time he
purchased land north of Baraboo and the Wisconsin River, where, 1 believe, he still resides.
His family are grown up, and I understand all are in comfortable circumstances. His name is
Gardiner Myers. After he had become prosperous, I joked him relative to his feeling so dis-
couraged on his first arrival.
Col. D. K. Noyes, then a young man, came the same year, and, I think, taught school one
quarter. He then engaged in land agency, pre-empting and entering for settlers. As there was
no room in the tavern in which to transact business, he would run over to my house, which con-
sisted of one room with a shed in the rear. In that room I carried on tailoring, had my work-
bench, the cooking-stove, table, etc. Sometimes a half-dozen of neighbors, besides him, would
come over with two or three new arrivals and make out their pre-emption papers or contract to
enter lands for them. It was fun for us men, but pretty trying for the women, who at times
were greatly bothered to get along with the housework. It soon became evident that David's
mind was not. settled. He hurried up, the next season, a little house near where Daniel Kelsey
lives, and then started for Vermont. In a few weeks, he returned with his better half and went
to housekeeping.
The first political meeting I attended in the West was held at Widow Peck's house. She
had built her house that year. The upper part was a hall, where Harris Searl, who was Jus-
tice of the Peace, and resided with Mrs. Peck, held his court. Being the only large room in
the vicinity, it was used for public meetings, balls, etc. In the fall of 1847, Col. Batkin, then
a lawyer, who, by the way, was a great practical joker, residing at Madison, was a candidate
for member of the Territorial Council. The Colonel was a Whig, and his competitor, whose name
I have forgotten, resided in Marquette County. It was agreed that they would jointly canvass
the district ; hence, they were to hold a joint discussion at Baraboo. Public notice having been
given, nearly all the inhabitants turned out, so that Mrs. Peek's hall was well filled. By agree-
ment, it was Col. Batkin's privilege to open the discussion. He commenced by complimenting
the intelligence of his auditors, whom he flattered up to the highest notch, and in eloquent and
glowing terms, eulogized the beautiful valley of the Baraboo, dwelling on its magnificent advan-
tages, its water-power, its great manufacturing privileges, its romantic scenery, its productive
soil. Then he paused, and at length exclaimed : " One thing you especially need, and you are
justly entitled to it; and that is, a good road over the bluffs. How can you procure it ? How
can that most desirable end be attained ? I will tell you how ! If, through your sufferance, I
have the honor to represent you in the Territorial Council, send me your petition to organize a
company for the purpose of macadamizing the highwav over the bluffs. You don't desire to subject
500 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
the inhabitants of Sauk Prairie to pay toll on the way to your mills, nor persons coming to
transact business at the county seat. Hence, I shall endeavor to get an appropriation from the
Territorial treasury to macadamize that road." Of course, cheers rolled up for Col. Batkin. His
competitor hemmed and hawed, and assured them if they voted for him, he would do all for them
that Col. Batkin could do or had promised to do. The meeting closed with a speech from Hon.
William Welsh, of Madison. Then Jim Badger struck up the violin, many joined in the dance,
and did not go home till morning. The next discussion between these two gentlemen was at
Prairie du Sac. The Colonel's competitor led off; so he thought he would take all the wind
out of the Colonel's sails. He started in, deprecating their condition, being shut out from com-
munication with the beautiful valley of the Baraboo, and having to pass over such a miserable,
dangerous road. If he should be elected, he would put a bill through the Legislature appropri-
ating a sum toward macadamizing the bluffs. At that time, Prairie du Sac was smarting under
the removal of the county seat, and hoped to get it back again ; hence, anything that would con-
tribute to the advancement of Baraboo, Prairie du Sac was decidedly opposed to. The Colonel
rejoined ; "Fellow citizens : I am astonished at the diabolical proposition made by the gentleman.
What is that he proposes ? Why, that you shall be taxed to build up a town in a barren, worth-
less, rocky, stone-bound region, where there is no town, nor never ought to be one ! When I
look upon your beautiful, rich prairie, your magnificent river, the trade and business which
must necessarily center here, I think with indignation of the proposition made by my opponent,
that you should be taxed to help build up a competing town, where neither God nor sensible
man ever intended there should be one." The Colonel was overwhelmingly elected. He car-
ried both sides of the bluffs.
The following year, George Hiles built a rough building, directly west of the Baraboo
House, for a store. He procured some whisky and a few groceries. Soon after, William Hoxie
came from McHenry County, 111. He brought with him a remnant of an old stock of goods, and
went into partnership with Hiles. In a short time Samuel Hiles came. Mr. Hoxie was elected
Justice of the Peace. W. H. Clarke, known as " Mayor Clarke," also as the " Lion of !?auk,"
at that time resided at Sauk City, but soon after removed to Baraboo. He was considered the
best counselor at law the county afforded. Among the first cases which were tried before
Esquire Hoxie, a motion was made to dismiss. It was argued pro and con. The court seemed
perplexed — hesitated. Samuel Hiles was present ; he watched earnestly the countenance of the
Justice. His sympathies evidently prompted him to assist the court. At length he exclaimed:
" Sqaush the d d thing, Bill ; squash it ! "
In 1849, Rev. Warren Cochran came. He was a man of very decided, positive character.
He thought his mission demanded that everything should move under his dictation, and yet, I
presume, he was sincere. He was opposed to every kind of amusement. He had great powers
of invective. 1 remember once hearing him preach, in which he denounced and ridiculed dan-
cing. " Some," said he, " hold that it teaches them to be graceful in their movements, and
really teaches them gentility. " Well," said he, " in this Ideality, they have a quadruped to
teach them manners." James Badger was the fiddler. On the day following this sermon,
William Dunlap, who was then Sheriff of the county, met Badger and told him that Cochran had
outrageously abused him. " Why, he called you the worst oame that could possibly be applied
to any one, a quadruped!" "What is that? "says Badger. •• Why, it is the worst name
that could be given any person. I would prosecute him ! Right out before the whole congre-
gation he called you a quadruped." Neither Dunlap nor Badger knew what the term meant, and
Badger was for some days in dead earnest in his threats to prosecute Cochran for slander.
Judge Camp came, I think, in 1848 — it may have been 1849. There were several from
Litchfield County, Conn., who came about the same time, among whom were Mr. Tuttle, now in
the nursery business, and who was for a time partner with David Munson in the mercantile
business ; Deacon Clark and family and others ; Lodge Brier came from Indiana, but was a
brother-in-law of Judge Clark and also of James Maxwell Brier, was a millwright and built the
mills known as the Maxwell Mills.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. .r>01
Warren Cochran sought to make Baraboo just what a quiet New England village was, not
considering that our population was cosmopolitan, and could not all be alike. But such was his
organization that every one must submit to what he deemed right. However, he saw the neces-
sity of combining as many of the religious elements in one body as possible. Being himself a
Congregationalist, he sought to unite the Presbyterian element with the Congregational. For a
time it seemed to progress favorably, but there was Deacon Lodge Brier, a Hoosier possessed of
all the rigid prejudices of the old Scotch-Irish character ; Judge Camp and Deacon Clark also,
who had come from Litchfield County, Conn. Then, there was Dr. Cowles, who taught the
choir. The discordant elements, of course, could not long remain united. Disagreement and
difference of views sprang up. Elder Cochran would not yield a hair's breadth. Judge Camp
was the leader of the opposition ; Deacon Brier sided with the Judge ; Deacon Marvin Blake
stood in the breach, trying to conciliate both sides. They had a very angry discussion at a
church meeting held on a certain Saturday afternoon. Dr. Cowles, laughing in his sleeve at
the whole performance, sided with the Elder. Elder Cochran preached the next day, and took
for his subject '•Prejudice." He eloquently portrayed the various manifestations of prejudice,
and finally exclaimed : " There are those in the congregation who, if they were transferred to
heaven in their present condition, would walk the gold-beaten streets of the New Jerusalem, and
gaze on its pearly walls — yes, they would walk up to those walls and pick those pearls, and
deliberately turn around and say : ' We have got as good an article as these in Litchfield!' "
That was the hair that broke the camel's back. No more union of Presbyterians and Congre-
gationalists in Baraboo. The Elder next attacked secret societies, Masonry and Odd Fellowship.
Well, we had neither then at Baraboo, but the boys had a society known as the " One Thousand
and Ones." It was a burlesque on all secret organizations. But the Elder, in his sermon, after
denouncing Masonry and Odd Fellowship, said : " I don't know what that order is, but I believe
it consists of one thousand rascals to one decent man.
We organized a lyceum and debating club, and invited some of the ablest lecturers of the
times, among whom was Ichabod Codding. Mr. Codding was pleased with the liberal sentiment
of Baraboo. He did much to elevate the standard of free thought, and divested orthodoxy of
some of its more odious features. The result of his labors was the organization of the Unitarian
or Liberal Christian Church, and the erection of their meeting house. But there was still a more
liberal element prevailing in that community — a class who demanded the reasons, the why and where-
fore, of every doctrine. But the war commenced and absorbed every consideration. Hardly a regiment
left the State for the seat of war that had not a representative of Sauk County in its ranks.
Sauk County was patriotic.
THE BARABOO CLAIMANTS' ASSOCIATION.
Great excitement existed in the Baraboo Valley at the time of the Government land sale,
and for some time afterward, regarding the claims of early settlers. The people, unable to hold
their lands by law, banded together for mutual support until such a time as they could get the
money to make their payments. The Baraboo Claimants' Association was organized September
7, 184(3, as a means of protection of the rights of first settlers, Alexander Crawford being
appointed chairman of the meeting held at that time. An extract from the constitution will
show the purpose of the organization.
" Whereas, Congress has from time to time passed pre-emption laws for the purpose of
encouraging the settlement of the public domains and securing to settlers the benefit of their
improvements, and, whereas, under a full belief in the protection afforded by these laws, many
enterprising, industrious and worthy citizens have embarked their all, and been induced to settle
on Government land in this section of the country, thereby spending labor and means, and
undergoing all the privations incident to the settlement of a new country ; and whereas, Govern-
ment has recently proclaimed these lands for sale on the 20th of November next, without giving
the usual notice of six months, as has always been done, thereby depriving the settlers of timely
notice, and placing it out of their power to procure means to purchase their lands at the public
502 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
sale ; therefore, for the purpose of securing to ourselves our just rights, and to protect our
improvements, it is unanimously resolved that we will be in readiness to protect each other in
our respective claims to the utmost of our power ; and that a claim shall consist of not more
than 320 acres, in two legal subdivisions, for the purpose of farms or settlement only, and not
for speculation."
The officers of the Association were : Harvey Canfield, President ; Abe Wood, Vice Presi-
dent, and John B. Crawford, Secretary. The resolutions were signed by fifty-six persons, resi-
dents of the precinct of Baraboo. The following were within the limits of what is now the town
of Baraboo, and will show who some of the early settlers were : Harvey Canfield, Ralph Cowles,
Andrew Garrison, Andrew Washburn, Job Barstow, Jr., Nathan Dennison, Hiram Webster,
J. T. Clements, G. Willard, Andrew Paulson, Chester Matson, E. G. Williams, James Christie,
Alexander Crawford, John B. Crawford, Dr. C. Cowles, Luther Peck, A. F. Washburn. Marvin
Blake, J. H. Jackson, Job Barstow, Chauncey Brown, J. Lamar, W. B. Clement, Edward
Johnson, W. H. Canfield, Erastus Gilson, James Waddle, Levi Moore, Abe Wood and H. P.
Van Valkenburgh.
Notwithstanding the organization of this society, the lands were in some cases entered from
under the settlers. From the Madison Express, of August 24, 1847, something more respecting
the society and its work is learned : " Previously, Eben Peck had started for California, and
had probably been massacred by the Indians, as nothing was ever heard of him afterward, and
nearly all of his party are known to have suffered such a fate. This left Mrs. Peck to fight
her battles alone, and to support herself and her two little children. A meeting of the Claimant
Society was held August 10, 1847, with James Waddle in the chair. Count Haraszthy, an
Hungarian, addressed the meeting, and pictured out their wrongs in glowing terras. A
committee of five was then appointed to draft new resolutions, the substance of which was as
follows :
" ' Whereas, certain persons not residing in the county, unjustly and in defiance of the
rights of early settlers of the county, have entered the claims of those, who, from unseen and
unfortunate circumstances, have been unable to protect themselves, and as Chauncey Brown has
chosen to seize upon, and enter lands, embracing all the improvements of Widow Peck ; it is
resolved that we will defend and protect each other; that we will prevent any and all persons
from taking possession of the lands thus entered by Chauncey Brown, Jr., one Esterbrook and
Simeon Crandall, and use our best endeavors to punish any person or agent of such person who
shall attempt fo take possession of or improve such claims.' "
The fourth of July had been celebrated for the first time that year, and the table was still
standing in the grove. After the resolutions had been drafted, a meeting was held at that place,
and it was resolved that Simeon Crandall should listen to the reading thereof. He refusing to
come peaceably, they carried him to the spot and laid him out on the table. But as soon as an
opportunity occurred he made an attempt to escape, and would have done so had not an enthusi-
astic dog, that had the rights of old settlers at heart, seized and detained him until his captors
could again get possession of him. He was therefore obliged to listen to the reading of the
resolutions ; and he afterward made a satisfactory settlement with the claimants of the land. But
Chauncey Brown, Jr., held on to his newly acquired property, refusing even to sell it. The
enraged settlers followed him finally to Sauk, where he had taken refuge, taking him from his
bed one stormy night, and forcing him to begin with them, on foot, a return journey to Baraboo.
On the way, after repeated threats of hanging, they rolled him in a mud-puddle, and that brought
him to terms. He agreed for a certain amount of money to deed the land to Mrs. Peck. To con-
summate this all parties went back to Sauk, where the deed was made out and the money paid
into his hands. The money he gave for safe-keeping to the official by whom the business was
transacted. But the matter did not end here. The deed, having been obtained by force, would
not stand in law, and by taking the matter into the courts Brown won the case. The land suit
was in law five years, and cost Mrs. Peck several hundreds of dollars. Besides all this, not
being able to prove her husband's death, she did not have the same advantages in entering lands
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 51M
as the others had. In order to secure herself a home, she borrowed money at 50 per cent
interest, and purchased an 80-acre piece, upon a part of which she now resides.
There were other similar cases in which the association participated as the defenders of old
settlers' rights ; the foregoing, however, will suffice to show the character of them.
SUBSTANTIAL IMPROVEMENTS.
The growth of Baraboo has been of the cautious character, and what it is to-day is the result
of mere necessity. This speaks well for the frugality and bank accounts of its citizens, though
in the past five or six years there has been a more general unloosing of purse-strings. Let us
review the various stages of its growth. In April, 1856, a local correspondent wrote : " The
village and vicinity are rapidly increasing in population. In the village there are six churches
organized ; three of them have good houses built, and stated preaching. Baraboo has a popula-
tion of about 2,000, and is the most healthy, as it is the most beautiful, village in the State. We
have a first-class female seminary, and it is in a very prosperous condition. Baraboo has a
water-power superior to any within a hundred miles of her. On what is known as the Baraboo
Rapids, within a distance of less than two miles, four dams have been built, and there is a chance
for another. At the lower mills, known as Manchester, there is a large flouring-mill, a saw-mill,
and a carding and cloth-dressing establishment. At the next dam above, which is situated
centrally in the village of Baraboo, there is a large grist-mill — built the past season — a saw-mill,
a lath, picket and shingle machine, an extensive cabinet and planing establishment, and other
machinery. At the next dam above is a saw-mill ; and at the next above that is another saw-
mill, doing the best business of any mill on the river ; also an extensive machine and cabinet-
ware establishment, which gives employment to a large number of hands."
A year later, the editor of one of the local papers set forth the advantages of the place in
the following terms : " We have one bank, one banking-house, eight dry-goods stores, five grocery
stores, three hardware and stove stores, three drug stores, two flouring-mills, three saw-mills,
one carding-mill, one tannery, two furniture factories, one sash factory, one pottery, one
jewelry store, one book store, five hotels, a livery stable and two markets. We have besides
half a dozen physicians, as many lawyers, the same number of clergymen, two dentists, two
daguerreans, five or six painters, as many shoemakers, half a dozen blacksmiths, five cabinet and
wagon makers, two gunsmiths, and as many harness-makers."
In 1862, the institutions were thus reckoned up: One bank, three boot and shoe stores, one
bakery and confectionery, six blacksmith-shops, two cabinet warerooms, three cooper-shops, five
dry-goods stores, two drug stores, two dentists' rooms, one daguerrean gallery, two flouring-mills,
three grocery stores, one gunsmith shop, two hardware stores, four hotels, one harness-shop, one
hub-factory, one jewelry store, one millinery and book store, one music store, two meat markets,
one mill for grinding corn, one pump factory, one sash and blind factory, three saw-mills, two
tailor-shops, three wagon-shops, one woolen-factory, one college and one female seminary.
" It is a perfect New England town," says a writer of 1863, " transplanted to a new coun-
try, with its wide streets, shaded by beech, locust, elm and maple trees, its clean, fresh-looking
white-painted homes, embowered in shrubbery, roses and trailing vines ; its gardens, fruit
orchards, pleasant walks and that general air of refinement denoting a population intelligent,
cultivated and independent. Baraboo, although the shire town of Sauk, one of the oldest and
richest farming counties in the State, is more especially noted for its manufactures, to the devel-
opment of which it has brought a genuine Yankee skill and perseverance. The beautiful Bar-
aboo River, gracefully winding through the valley about a stone's throw from the court house
square, is the archimedean lever that turns numberless mill-wheels, and offers a cheap, immense
and inexhaustible motive power to future mills and factories that must sooner or later arise upon
its banks. The beauty of the scenery in the vicinity, differing from that of other parts of the
State in its larger variety, is the universal remark of travelers and tourists. The residents
themselves pay but little attention to it and frequently go abroad for "a change of scenery."
The somewhat renowned Baraboo Bluffs lie but two miles distant, in view of nearly every part
504 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
of the village ; .and the steep declivities of the " lake gorge " are likewise visible. Overhang-
ing the north side, is a beautiful hill known as Mount Mercy. The village itself is adorned with
many fine oaks of open forest growth, and the surrounding knolls and valley-dimpled plains are
covered with handsome groves and shrubbery."
THE RAILROAD AND ITS BENEFICENT RESULTS.
When the Chicago & North- Western Railroad had been completed to Baraboo, the company
very wisely selected this place as the grand central distribution point for what is known as the
Madison Division, and temporary workshops, roundhouses, etc., were erected with all the speed
consistent with the uninterrupted progress of the road westward. The effect upon the business
interests of Baraboo was immediately perceptible. There was a general revival in trade, and a
noticeable activity in real estate. South Baraboo, especially, became the scene of renewed enter-
prise. There seems to have been an awakening of the progressive spirit that predominated in
pioneer days, when mills and dwellings, schoolhouses and churches, were completed in a fort-
night. Building lots were in greater demand at advanced prices ; likewise, brick, lumber and
stone. Mechanics and common laborers were less plentiful than formerly ; there was no longer
any excuse for idleness. Handsome brick stores and hotels and neatly finished dwellings was
the result. Baraboo long since took on the airs of a city, and the gradual and substantial
increase in population during the past ten years entitles her to recognition as such.
In 1879, the railroad company enlarged their shops and increased the capacity of their
roundhouse to twenty-five stalls. The total amount expended in improvements of this character
was from $40,000 to $50,000. A large portion of this was paid to residents of Baraboo for
material and labor. The average number of men employed in connection with the company's
shops at this point is about one hundred. The estimated disbursements on the division will
reach nearly $60,000 per month, or $720,000 per annum. Of course, this amount is not all dis-
bursed in Baraboo. For instance, the aggregate of the monthly salaries paid to agents, tele-
graph operators and clerks distributed along the line of the division will reach about $4,000.
It is estimated that $12,000 per month is paid out to " train men " (conductors and brakemen),
$4,500 to section men, and at least, $10,000 for extra men employed in connection with the con-
struction department. The monthly salaries of engineers and firemen approximate $8,000;
$5,000 per month, is considered a fair estimate of the average amount expended in the con-
struction and the repair of bridges, and a like amount is disbursed every month among the
employes of the company who are stationed permanently in Baraboo. Supplies and ordinary
repairs cost $10,000 per month on an average. Here we have nearly three-quarters of a million
dollars for operating expenses alone, expended annually on the division running from Belvidere
to Winona, a distance of 219 miles. Baraboo, being located midway between the two points, and
being the division headquarters, necessarily reaps vast benefits from the road, other than the
advantages arising from its favorable situation. It is claimed that about $200,000 of this amount
is expended in Baraboo. This may be a slight exaggeration ; it is considered, however, a very
fair estimate, speaking in round numbers.
There is no denying the fact that the permanent location of the division headquarters at
this point, combined with the ordinary advantages of the road, has placed Baraboo in the front
rank of interior cities in Wisconsin. A few years ago, the place was scarcely known outside a
radius of fifty miles ; now it has become renowned, wherever civilization has penetrated the
Western Hemisphere. This very desirable condition of tilings has been brought about chiefly
through the energy of its own citizens in striving to secure an outlet by rail. A great many earnest
efforts were made in this direction at an early day, but the citizens were deceived in the promises
made them by the managers of Milwaukee's railway interests. It was not until they "put their
own shoulders to the wheel " that outside capital saw a safe investment in the construction of a
road through the Baraboo Valley. The road completed, Baraboo's advantages as a business
place, as a permanent home, and as a summer resort, became known.
(
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BARABOO.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 507
THE BUSY BARABOO.
The hum of a thousand wheels now greets the ear, where, forty years ago, no sound of
progress was heard. The Baraboo River has been made the patient servant of commerce, and
the torrent, subdued to man's service to drive the complicated machinery invented by his in-
genuity, has been taught to leap forth in the morning to its toil, and to glide away at evening to
its rest. The bark canoe of the savage no longer ruffles its glassy surface ; the voice of the
savage has been hushed, and his canoe turned adrift. Civilization now casts its resplendent
rays athwart this ancient stream. Science and industry have measured and 'utilized its powers.
Let us see to what extent and to what purpose.
The Middle or Island Woolen-Mill Power.— In the fall of 1839, Abram Wood and
Wallace Rowan, while penetrating the wild Baraboo Valley from the east, in search of a water
site, made a claim of the land on the river where now is situated the Island Woolen-Mill.
Rowan soon returned to his home, near the present site of Poynette, in Columbia County,
where he kept a hotel. Wood remained and engaged in making improvements, building a dam
— the first on the Baraboo River — and getting out mill timbers. The erection of the mill was
commenced the following spring, but very little progress was made that year. The next fall,
Levi Moore came to the place and made a claim of half a section of land near Skillet Falls.
The Captain, as he is generally called, built himself a hewn-log house on his claim, and when
this was finished he was employed by Wood & Rowan to work upon their mill, he being a
mechanic and the possessor of a kit of edged tools. The mill was soon finished and put in
working order. In 1843, Capt. Moore purchased the half-interest of Rowan, Wood selling
about the same time to Henry Perry and Moses Nuff. In the spring of 1844, the dam and
mill were swept away by a freshet. This calamity was as unexpected as it was serious. It had
been the intention of the hardy pioneers to manufacture a large amount of lumber that year.
Numerous rafts of pine logs lay above the dam, awaiting the sharp tooth of the saw ; but now
all was lost. The torrents had carried almost every vestige of the results of the millmen's
labors. The misfortune bore so heavily upon Perry and Nuff that they relinquished all interest
in the claim. But the Captain, though disheartened, went bravely to work, and Abe Wood
having come into possession of one-half of it, through the action of Perry and Nuff, joined
him in the herculean task of putting up another building not far from the site of the one that
had been carried away. A four-foot dam was constructed across the west arm of " the ox-bow,"
and a race about five hundred feet long cut through the narrow neck of land, thus securing to
them a good fall of water. The mill was soon finished, and the rattle of the old " up-and-down
saw " was again heard in the land. It is worthy of remark that, though Wood was acknowl-
edged to be a fair specimen of the genus belonging to the family of " hard cases," the Captain
avers that such a thing as a harsh word never passed between them during their six years' part-
nership. In 1848 or 184'.*, Wood, becoming involved, was succeeded in the business by J. B.
Clement. In 1851, the mill was closed, and it remained idle until 1858, when M. J. Drown
became the owner of a half-interest in it. The other half was soon afterward purchased by
George H. Stewart, of Beaver Dam. The purpose of this partnership was the building of an
extensive woolen-mill. But before the project was entered upon, Mr. Stewart disposed of his
interest to Mr. Drown, who immediately set about carrying out the original design. Work
was commenced early in 1863, and, in just one hundred and ten days from the date of the ham-
mer's first stroke, the machinery was in operation. In 18G5, Mr. Drown disposed of an interest
to William Andrews and D. S. Vittum, and soon afterward Messrs. Drown & Vittum bought
Andrews out. They ran it until 1807, when it was turned into a joint-stock company, the
stockholders being Messrs. Vittum, Drown, Andrews and Henry Rich. Two or three years
later, Andrews' stock was purchased by Alfred Avery, who, in 1873, together with Mr.
Drown, sold out to Messrs. Rich & Vittum. The concern then ceased to be a stock company.
On the 10th of May, 1875, J. A. McFetridge, an experienced manufacturer of Beaver Dam,
purchased of Mr. Vittum a one-fourth interest in the establishment, and in January, 1876, Mr.
508 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Rich and his brother, Willis B. Rich, bought Mr. Vittum's remaining interest, the firm becoming
Rich, McFetridge & Rich. In the fall of 1879, Henry Rich purchased his brother's interest.
Messrs. Rich & McFetridge are now carrying on the business under the name of the Island
Woolen Company. Their goods, mostly fancy cassimeres, are manufactured from the fine-blood
wools of Southern Wisconsin and Northern Illinois. The annual product of their looms is
between ninety thousand and one hundred thousand yards, and they give employment to about
thirty-six hands. Sales are made throughout the Northwest.
In 1867, M. J. Drown and others organized the Baraboo Manufacturing Company with a
capital stock of $35,000. The company had for its purpose the building of an extensive fur-
niture factory on the Island Woolen-Mill dam. The project was soon perfected, and the factory
put into successful operation. In 1876, the personal property of the company passed to the
First National Bank of Baraboo, and the real estate to William Andrews. The concern was
subsequently transferred to the Island Agricultural Works, whose managers recently turned
their attention to the manufacture of Maj. A. McNaught's " Challenger Threshing Machine,"
ten of which were turned out and put in use during the season of 1879. The Agricultural
Works Company now have a contract with Minnesota manufacturers to put in use in that State
a number of " Challengers " equal to any other machine of a similar character.
The Lower Water Power. — In the summer of 1839, Eben Peck and James Alban crossed
the bluffs from Sauk Prairie, for the purpose of exploring the Baraboo Valley, a glimpse of
which Mr. Alban had but recently seen from the high bluffs east of the Devil's Lake. They
struck the Baraboo River at a point since known as the Lower Ox-bow, about one mile below the
present village of Baraboo. Crossing over the stream, they came upon two small Indian vil-
lages, the inhabitants of which met them with frowns of disfavor. The two white explorers,
regarding discretion as the better part of valor, recrossed the river as if to return over the bluffs ;
but, instead of doing so, they camped for the night near the stream, upon the land that Mr.
Peck had pre-determined should be his claim. Returning to Madison, Mr. Peck's home, he
gave a glowing description of the region he had visited, and he announced his purpose soon to
make a home at the foot of the noble rapids. In the fall, he, in company with his wife, Rose-
line, and brother Luther, again visited the spot, crossing the bluffs on horseback, Mrs. Peck
riding upon a man's saddle. They met with no opposition from the Indians, and, while passing
through the fertile precincts of what is now known as Peck's Prairie, they met Wallace Rowan
and Abram Wood, who were on their way to examine the Baraboo Rapids. The Pecks returned
to Madison, and Wood and Rowan soon afterward made a claim further up the river.
A month later, James Van Slyke and Chester Matson visited the Baraboo Rapids, and,
after a careful inspection, concluded to locate on the Lower Ox-bow. It is not quite certain
whether they knew at that time that the land had been previously claimed : at any rate, they
commenced work upon it, and, being short of money, they acquainted James Maxwell, then of
Walworth County, and Berry Haney, of Dane County, with the facts concerning the advantages
of the location, and from them obtained means to improve their power. Upon this subject Mr.
Maxwell says : " Van Slyke returned to Walworth County in the early part of the following
winter (1840) and induced me to take a half-interest witli him in building a saw-mill, he to do
the work, I to furnish the means. Hence, in the early spring of 1840, I let him have two yoke
of oxen, chains and wagon, loaded them with a set of saw-mill irons, pork, flour and beans, and
he set out for the Baraboo Valley with four or five hired men."
At what date they commenced work upon the dam is not positively known ; it is the
opinion of a few old settlers that Wood and Rowan preceded them in making the first improve-
ments on the Baraboo River. Work progressed rapidly, however, until Van Slyke & Co. were
summoned to Madison to prove their title to the property. This they failed to do.
" The suit with Peck," continues Mr. Maxwell, " dampened Van Slyke's ardor, and, the June
floods sweeping away what improvements had been made, he sold the mill-irons to Wood k
Rowan, disposed of the provisions, and drove the train back to me, I think some time in July,
1840."
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 509
In the fall of 1840, Mr. Peck moved his family from Madison and took up his abode on his
claim. But he, like other pioneers of a new country, was kept busily engaged earning the
necessaries of life for his family, and had no time to devote to improvements. In 1846, when
the land was ready for market, Van Slyke again put in an appearance and entered the land
under the pre-emption act of June, 1840. Mr. Maxwell furnished the means to enter it, for a
half-interest, and afterward purchased the remaining half. Van Slyke executed the deed to
Maxwell August 14, 1846, but did not himself receive a deed from the Government until 1848.
In the winter of 1846-47, Col. Maxwell, his son James and a man named Esterbrook came
hither and ran the lines of the Van Slyke claim. They found Count Haraszthy upon the prem-
ises with a stock of goods, and found also that they should require another " forty " to cover the
entire water-power. Esterbrook, by agreement, went to Mineral Point and entered the requisite
" forty." This he deeded over to the Maxwells November 17, 1848. In the spring of 1848,
the dam and race having been completed, work was commenced upon the saw-mill.
The subsequent transfers of the present grist-mill property, as they appear from a recent
deed made of it, are as follows : July 18, 1849, Col. Maxwell sold to his son James, and Benjamin L.
Briar; in November, Benjamin McVickar purchased a quarter-interest, and, about the same
date, James T. Flanders purchased another quarter ; September 25, 1850, Maxwell and Briar
deeded the remainder to McVickar & Flanders ; April 1, 1854, McVickar sold to Mr. Flanders ;
January 27, 1857, Mr. Flanders deeded to Sarah Jane Cook ; September 25, 1857, John and
S. J. Cook to John Woodruff; October 21, 1859, the Sheriff, under foreclosure, to Walter P.
Flanders and Ebenezer Lane ; Lane immediately sold to Flanders, who in October got a deed of
the Sheriff; December 22, 1866, W. P. Flanders to Charles H. Wheeler and Olivet W. Gunni-
son ; August 19, 1870, they conveyed it to W. S. Grubb ; October 5, 1874, Mr. Grubb to B.
M. Jarvis and J. C. Spencer ; a year later, Jarvis sold his interest to R. H. Spencer.
Of the improvements which have been made upon this water-power, a great deal might be
written. The old Maxwell grist-mill (now the woolen-mill) was built under the supervision of
B. L. Brier, now of Jamestown, Tenn., and, the saw-mill having burned down, a new one was
erected upon the ruins of the old, in 1857, by the Cooks, whose names appear in the foregoing
as purchasers from Mr. Flanders. They also built a tannery, and purchased of L. Brier a card-
ing machine, and from other sources obtained one set of woolen-mill machinery, and put it into
operation in the saw-mill building. This property having passed back to Mr. Flanders, he
rented it in 1858 to John Dean, who added new looms, and, assisted by his brothers, James and
William Dean, carried on the business until about 1865. In the meantime, the Maxwell grist-
mill, which had been doing good service, was leased by the proprietors of the Baraboo Flouring
Mill, on the " Central " dam, and closed down. The machinery was subsequently purchased
and placed in the Honey Creek Mill, now the property of Koenig & Fagel. The empty mill
building and the water-power were then purchased by Mr. Dean, and utilized by the removal of
his woolen machinery thereto. Andrew Andrews and Henry Rich becoming the partners of Mr.
Dean, the institution was conducted for a time under the firm name of John Dean & Co. It
then passed to the hands of Joseph Ellis, Ira L. Humphrey and G. H. Bacon. The latter sold
his interest in 1873 to M. J. Drown. Under this management, operations were suspended in
the fall of 1874. Levi Crouch subsequently became the purchaser of the Ellis interest. During
the early part of the summer of 1880, Edmund Brewster purchased the property, and is now
engaged in erecting extensive buildings for a paper-mill. The old woolen-mill will be devoted
to the manufacture of yarn.
For the past six years, the old saw-mill building has been run as a grist-mill, having been
fitted up for that purpose by Spencer Brothers. The mill has two runs of stones, with a com-
bined capacity of forty barrels per day.
The Central Mill Privilege. —In 1844, George W. and William Brown came to Baraboo
from Whitewater, the former in June and the latter in July, for the purpose of locating perma-
nently. They laid claim to the land upon which South Baraboo now stands, including the water
site now known as the " Central Mill Privilege," and commenced building a dam across the
510 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
stream. The dam completed, a saw-mill was erected and put in operation. In 1847, William
Brown sold his interest to his brother George, and the latter soon afterward disposed of half the
property to Philarmon Pratt. About this time, Delando Pratt, brother of the preceding,
having purchased 200 inches of the water, built a mill on the same dam and fitted it with
machinery for sawing lath and shingles. It was used for this purpose only two or three years,
when it was sold to John and Thomas Seaborn. From that time, the building was known as
the "cabinet-shop." The Seaborn brothers put into it machinery for the manufacture of bed-
steads, chairs and cabinet furniture, and continued to occupy it for that purpose for fifteen years,
when it was consumed by fire. Previous to this unfortunate occurrence, J. N. Savage had
become a partner in the business, and was a large sharer in the loss, as was also M. Partridge,
who was at the time conducting exclusively the chair department. A part of this building,
together with an addition built for the purpose, was at one time occupied as a foundry and
machine shop, and considerable in this line was accomplished. Among other works, a steam
engine was constructed, which was set up and run at Prairie du Sac. The enterprise was
finally abandoned. A short distance east of the old cabinet-shop, a building erected by D.
Schermerhorn and P. Pratt was occupied for a time as a tannery. Mr. Pratt afterward used
the shop as a hub-factory. The structure, with the cabinet-shop, ended in smoke. A lath-mill
was also built by Mr. Pratt in connection with his saw-mill, and the upper story was used as a
sash and blind factory.
The building was afterward occupied by Mr. P. A. Bassett, who did an extensive business
in the manufacture of staves and headings for flour barrels. The building fell a prey to the
devouring element, involving a heavy loss to Mr. Bassett and also to Mr. Heylman, who was at
the time engaged in the sash and blind business in the upper story. The stave mill was imme-
diately rebuilt and put in operation by its founder, Mr. Bassett, who ran it until about 1863,
when his son, William P. Bassett, having obtained control of it, moved the machinery to a point
five miles west of Baraboo and there continued the business until 1875. Returning to Baraboo
with his apparatus, he re-established himself on the north side of the river, two blocks east of
the "Central Mill Privilege," where he has since continued the manufacture of staves and
headings, which are shipped to principal points in Wisconsin, Minnesota and Illinois. Mr.
Bassett also manufactures flour barrels for the local market. During the busy season, the insti-
tution requires the services of a fifty-horse-power engine and about twenty men.
Baraboo Flouring Mills. — In 1846, a grist-mill was erected by George W. Brown on the
north side of the river, upon the site now occupied by the Baraboo Flouring Mill. It was fur-
nished with two runs of stone, and did the custom work for the then sparse population inhabiting
an area of some forty or fifty miles' radius. During the construction of an addition to this mill,
December 15, 1847, Mr. Brown was instantly killed by a falling timber. The property then
reverted to Chauncey and Carissa Brown, father and mother of the deceased.
In 1852, this mill shared the fate of the three across the river, being destroyed by fire.
In 1855, P. A. Bassett and J. F. Sanford purchased a half-interest in the water-power and the
north-side mill site, and erected a four-story building, about 40x50 feet in size. Four runs of
stone were put into this mill, and were kept busy day and night to supply the demand. The
next year, Mr. Bassett, having bought out his partner, erected a separate mill for custom grind-
ing, converting the original one into a strictly merchant mill. Finding a want of room for the
storage of wheat and flour, Mr. Bassett, the same year, erected another building of the same
size and height as the first, filling the space between the two mills and thus connecting them.
Thus matters progressed until 1862, when the property passed to the hands of R. H. Strong
and L. H. Kellogg, commission merchants of Milwaukee. Mr. Strong soon afterward became
the sole proprietor, and has ever since carried on the concern. There are eight runs of stone
in the merchant mill, with a combined capacity of 125 barrels per day; the custom mill has
two runs. The machinery of both is entirely new. An excellent brand of flour is made, which
finds ready sale in all the leading markets, shipments being made to Norfolk, Va., New York, Pitts-
burgh, Boston, Cincinnati, Portland, Me., and the lumbering stations of the Lake Michigan shore.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 511
The Upper Water Power. — In 1844, George and Edward Willard came to the Baraboo
Valley and made a claim on the river about two miles above the present city of Baraboo. A
dam and saw-mill were constructed and put into successful operation. The proprietary interests
of the Messrs. Willard soon passed to Culver & Conkey, who, a year or two later, sold to Met-
calf & Crossman. In 1850, Nathan Paddock and Martin Waterman purchased Mr. Crossman's
interest, and for thirteen years the firm remained unchanged. But sharp competition, aided
by the depressing effects of the war, resulted in financial embarrassments which led the creditors
to take measures that would secure them from loss. In 1863, Capt. Levi Moore took charge of
the property as legal creditor. The firm had previously built a second structure, and placed in
it the necessary machinery for the manufacture of furniture, which was rented and operated by
Ryan & Hollenbeck. In 1866, Thomas, Claude & Thomas purchased the entire property, and
established, in the furniture department, a hub and spoke factory, the furniture machinery being
removed to the shops of the Baraboo Manufacturing Company on the island. In 1874, a Mr.
McDonald, of Chicago, purchased the institution. By him it was sold in 1875 to Jacob Hes-
peler, of Ontario, Canada, and, in 1878, M. J. Drown became and is now the owner. This dam
furnishes seven feet head of water, which sets back over thirteen miles.
Miscellaneous.
The Baraboo Foundry. — In 1867, Nathan Starks purchased 200 inches of the " Central
Power " water, and established on the south bank of the river, an iron foundry, engaging largely
in the manufacture of hop-stoves, an article in great demand at that date. The hop panic
which followed soon afterward seriously involved Mr. Starks, and he was compelled to suspend
operations. The property then passed to Gen. Starks, brother of Nathan, who rented the estab-
lishment to William E. Kittredge. Upon the death of Gen. Starks, the property was inherited by
his daughter. She rented it to W. F. Wackier, who in 1870, purchased and now conducts it.
Tub and Barrel Factory. — In 1877, Langdon Bros, commenced the manufacture of barrels,
tubs, churns, etc., on the lake road, south of Baraboo. In 1879, they removed to the village
and established themselves on the north side of the river, opposite the railroad workshops. Here
they manufacture by steam almost all kinds of cooper's ware, such as pork and pickle barrels,
making a specialty of butter and pork packages. They also make the body of a patent churn,
sold largely in Ohio by the patentees, and manufacture churns of their own design.
Sash, Doors ami Blinds. — George Reul & Sons have been engaged in the manufacture of
these and other articles used by builders since 1876. Their machinery is propelled by a thirty-
five-horse-power engine. Besides supplying a large demand in Sauk County, they make ship-
ments to different parts of the Northwest.
Breweries. — The manufacture of beer in Baraboo has grown to be quite an industry. The
first brewery in the place was located on the north side of the river, and was burned down, with
other property, at an early day.
In 1866, George Ruland established a small brewery on the south'side'of the river. The
capacity of the concern has been increased from time to time to accommodate local custom.
In 1867, George Bender and Frank Miller embarked in a similar enterprise, just east of
Ruland's brewery. Miller soon withdrew from the firm, and Bender conducted it alone until
his death a few years ago. The business is now carried on by his widow, who, in 1876, added
to it a two-story brick hotel.
An ale brewery was established by Parrish Brothers, also in 1867, on the north side.
In 1868, L. Parrish sold to E. R. Bow, and, in 1870, business was suspended.
Tanneries. — In 1850, Squire Schermerhorn established a tannery in a building put up
by Mr. Pratt on the south side of the river. In 1856, Baldwin & Densmore built a tannery on
the lower water-power. Both enterprises were unsuccessful, and the business was abandoned
after a short time.
The Baraboo Tannery was founded in the early part of 1866, by D. H. Daniels & Co., D.
Munson being the silent partner. In 1867, W. S. Grubb became associated with the original
512 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
founders, and the firm name was then changed to Daniels, Munson & Co. The late Andrew
Andrews succeeded to the management of the institution, which finally proved unprofitable, and
business was suspended. The buildings were located on the river, about one block below the
main bridge, and covered some 450 square feet.
THE POST OFFICE.
The first settlers of Baraboo had but little time to devote to letter-writing, and, correspond-
ence between they and their friends in far-off Eastern homes being limited, a post office was
not among the first requirements. It was not until the winter of 1846-47 that serious thoughts
of having a' post office in the then embryo village were entertained. Prior to that time, the pioneer
citizens had received their mail matter from Prairie du Sac, and it is needless to say that, the
country being naturally in a wild state with few roads, there must have been considerable
irregularity. A post office was finally established, early in 1847, Dr. Seth P. Angle being the
first Postmaster. Prescott Brigham, having loaned money to the county with which to purchase
the land for a county seat, insisted upon his right to give the place a name, and, out of his great
admiration for the abilities of certain members of a renowned Massachusetts family, he chose to
call it Adams, and it was so recorded in the Post Office Department at Washington. The mul-
titude of post offices in the United States similarly named, however, soon convinced Government
officials that the name must be changed, and the citizens were officially notified of the fact. The
next question was, What shall we call it ? And, as is usual in cases of this kind, there was a
division of opinion. An effort was made to call it Brooklyn, the name of the town in which the
village was located ; but opposition to this proposition soon became so violent that the Brook -
lynites were compelled to abandon the ground they had taken in favor of it. Finally, in 1852,
the name Baraboo having been substituted for Brooklyn, as it applied to the town, the villagers
agreed upon the adoption of the same name, and the momentous question was settled, once,
and doubtless, for all time to come.
When the post office was first established, Mr. Brigham, who lived on the road leading north
from Prairie du Sac, contracted to carry the mail. During fair weather, he made regular weekly
trips ; but in the fall, winter and spring, the seasons of bad roads, he rarely came through
oftener than once every fortnight. A remedy for inconveniences of this character finally came
in the form of better roads, and, at a memorable period in the later history of the county, the
iron horse came snorting through the great Baraboo Valley, distributing epistolary favors and
the great dailies, fresh from the lightning printing presses, to all classes
The office was first located " under the hill," on the north side, near the present site of Mr.
Kelsey's residence. Dr. Angle soon afterward built the house now occupied as a parsonage in
connection with the Catholic Church, and moved the post office thereto. In the spring of 1848,
Eber W. Crandall was appointed to succeed Dr. Angle, and the new incumbent removed the
office to the real-estate office of D. K. Noyes, "under the hill," where it remained until Mr.
Noyes wearied of the duties thus imposed upon him in the absence of the Postmaster. The
Colonel still has the twelve pigeon-holes which, over thirty years ago, accommodated all the
mail matter that came to Baraboo. Before the expiration of Postmaster Crandall's term, he
located the office in Tuttle & Munson's store, which stood near the present site of Fisher's drug
store. Here it remained until B. L. Purdy became Postmaster, who removed it to the corner
of Second and Ash streets, within a few feet of the spot where now stands the residence of J. C.
Spencer. Mrs. Lucy F. Perkins, now of Sioux Falls, Iowa, was the successor of Mr. Purdy.
She removed the office to the present residence of H. N. Souther, just east of the high school
building. There it remained until 1857, when James Buchanan, in pursuance of the Demo-
cratic doctrine, " to the victors belong the spoils," appointed James H. Wells to the office. Mr.
Wells was or had been the editor of the Sauk County Democrat, and, being one of the " victors
of 1856," was thus rewarded. He located the office in a small building opposite the present
office of the Sauk Count// Republican. In 1859, T. J. Wood succeeded Mr. Wells, and he
remained in the position until 1861. In the grand distribution of places that occurred early
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 513
in this memorable year, the Baraboo Post Office prize was drawn by Samuel Hartley. It
was he who erected the frame building that now serves as an office for the Republican,
and fitted it up for a post office, placing therein 472 boxes and seventy-six drawers. In May,
1867, Col. D. K. Noyes succeeded to the position and has held it continuously to the present
time. The Colonel has been assured by his Democratic friends that, as a reward for his faithful
services, he will be permitted to enjoy an extended vacation after March 4, 1881. When Col.
Noyes took charge of the affairs of the office, he purchased the building erected by Mr. Hartley,
and remained in it until January, 1872, when, having previously built a substantial brick on
the corner of Ash and Third streets, he removed the office thereto. The office has all the modern
conveniences, including 200 Yale lock boxes, 392 glass boxes and eighty-three large drawers.
The office became a money-order office in 1867, the first order being issued to A. Lory, of
Baraboo, in favor of Otis T. Garey, of Biddeford, Me., for .$1, on the 9th of September of that
year. The first week's business amounted tj $130.25. Upward of 27,000 orders have been
issued to date. D. W. K. Noyes has filled the position of Assistant Postmaster for the past five
or six years.
GOVERNMENT.
The original town of Baraboo did not include the present village of Baraboo, but comprised
the territory now embraced in the towns of Lavalle, Winfield and Dellona, and the north half of
the towns of Ironton, Reedsburg and Excelsior. The first election in the town thus bounded
and described, occurred April 3, 1849, at the house of D. C. Reed, situated in what is now the
village of Reedsburg. The town was subsequently divided, from time to time, until the name
Baraboo was dropped entirely, so far as it related to the territory mentioned.
The village of Baraboo, until the winter of 1852, was located in the town of Brooklyn, which
originally embraced within its limits the territory now comprising the towns of Delton, Fairfield,
Greenfield, Baraboo, and parts of Freedom, Excelsior and Dellona, or about one-fifth the entire
area of the county.
The first town meeting for the town of Brooklyn was held at the court house in the village
of Baraboo on the 3d of April, 1849. F. C. Webster, William Babb and David Vanalstein were
the Judges of Election, while D. K. Noyes and F. G. Stanley acted as Clerks. The ticket
chosen was as follows: Supervisors, John B. Crawford (Chairman), Lyman Clark and Solomon
Soule; Town Clerk, D. K. Noyes; Town Treasurer, William Griffith ; Assessor, A. A. Noyes;
Justices of the Peace, D. Vanalstein, R. H. Davis, W. H. Canfield and D. K. Noyes ; Super-
intendent of Common Schools, Harvey Canfield; Constables, E. W. Piper, F. C. Webster and
C. A. Clark. The town having been divided into thirteen road districts, the board at its first
meeting appointed a Road Overseer for each district and apportioned the taxes of the town,
which amounted to $473.30.
The next town meeting was held on the 2d of April, 1850, town officers being chosen as fol -
lows: Supervisors, Lyman Clark (Chairman), John Metcalf and Leonard Thompson ; Clerk,
D. K. Noyes ; Treasurer, Peter Folsom ; School Superintendent, John D. Perkins; Justices,
W. II. Canfield and John D. Perkins ; Constables, C. A. Clark, James S. Badger and Joshua
Delap ; Sealer of Weights and Measures, D. Munson. The new board came together on the
day of their election and voted to raise $400 taxes to defray the expenses of the town for the
ensuing year.
The following was the result of the spring election in 1851 : Supervisors, James B. Avery
(Chairman), Harvey Canfield and Isaac Palmer; Clerk, Joseph H. Waggoner; Treasurer, J.
D. Perkins ; Assessor, James A. Maxwell ; Superintendent, Josiah Dart ; Justices, R. H.
Davis and Peter Cooper; Constables, Royal C. Gould, L. Parrish and Samuel Hartley ; Sealer,
W. Andrews.
In 1852, the officers were : Supervisors, Bela Warner (Chairman), John Monroe and Jabish
T. Clement; Clerk, Mark Shepard ; Assessor, M. C. Waite ; Treasurer, J. H. Pratt; Super-
intendent, Peter Conrad ; Justices, Isaac Palmer and A. B. Dearborn ; Constables, C. H. Mc-
Laughlin, J. G. Wheeler, G. W. Tucker and R. T. Tinkham ; Sealer, James Dykins.
514 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
In December, 1852, the County Board voted to change the name of the town of Brooklyn
to that of Baraboo, and at the spring election of 1853 the following officers were chosen : Super-
visors, R. H. Davis (Chairman), A. P. Dearborn and H. D. Evans: Clerk, E. L. Walbridge ;
Treasurer, J. H. Pratt ; Assessor, M. C. Waite ; Superintendent, D. S. Vittum ; Justices, D.
Schermerhorn, C. Armstrong, W. H. Canfield and R. M. Forsythe ; Constables, L. Parrish, C.
H. McLaughlin, E. Hart and R. C. Gould ; Sealer, James Dykens.
1854 — Supervisors, Charles Armstrong (Chairman), R. C. Gould and H. H. Webster;
Clerk, E. L. Walbridge; Assessor, M. C. Waite; Treasurer, J. H. Pratt; Superintendent, J.
B. Avery ; Justices, William Brown and Martin Waterman ; Constables, John Miller, Daniel
Smith, R. T. Tinkham and Hiram Langdon ; Sealer, R. Parrish.
The record of the election for 1855 is incomplete, and only shows that James A. Maxwell,
Charles J. H. Haines and B. B. Brier were chosen Supervisors, and L. F. Cook, Town Clerk.
In 1856, the result of the election appears to have been as follows : Supervisors, C. C.
Remington (Chairman), C. A. Clark and S. M. Burdick ; Clerk, N. W. Wheeler; Assessor, R.
G. Camp ; Treasurer, B. L. Purdy ; Superintendent, Warren Cochran ; Justices, Lyman Clark
and G. B. Crawford ; Constables, Lyman Messenger, Daniel Smith and P. Burdick ; Sealer, R.
Parrish.
1857 — Supervisors, E. Martin (Chairman), C. C. Barnhaus and D. D. T. Perry ; Clerk,
N. W. Wheeler ; Assessor, R. R. Remington ; Treasurer, B. L. Purdy ; Superintendent, War-
ren Cochran; Justices, E. W. Olin, E. Martin, R. R. Remington and B. B. Brier; Constables,
D. Smith, H. H. Webster and D. Chamberlain ; Sealer, R. Parrish.
1858— Supervisors, E. Martin (Chairman), D. D. T. Perry and A. Christie; Clerk, N. W.
Wheeler: Treasurer, W. H. Thompson; Assessors, R. G. Camp and R. R. Remington; Super-
intendent, H. A. Peck ; Justices, D. K. Noyes, W. H. Thompson, A. Christie and C. Arm-
strong ; Constables, D. Smith, E. L. Walbridge and John Miller ; Sealer, R. Jones.
1859 — Supervisors, Charles Armstrong (Chairman), Daniel Brown and George Holah ;
Clerk, A. L. Slye ; Treasurer, W. H. Thompson ; Assessors, R. G. Camp and J. B. Avery ;
Superintendent, H. A. Peck; Justices, A. Christie and Charles Armstrong; Constables, G.
Gibbons, E. Martin and C. Messenger ; Sealer, R. Jones.
1860 — Supervisors, D. K. Noyes (Chairman), F. G. Stanley and A. Allen; Clerk, B. L.
Purdy; Superintendent, H. A. Peck ; Treasurer, C. A. Clark; Assessors, R. G. Camp and A.
Christie ; Justices, George Mertens and F. K. Jenkins ; Constables, G. Gibbons and W. W.
Wolcott ; Sealer, G. Gibbons.
1861 — Supervisors, E. Sumner (Chairman), E. Walbridge and A. Allen; Clerk, D. D.
Doane ; Treasurer, C. A. Clark ; Assessor, R. G. Camp ; Superintendent, H. A. Peck ; Jus-
tices, D. K. Noyes and A. Christie; Constables, J. C. Dockham, W. B. Boutwell and A. Wilder;
Sealer, G. Gibbons.
1*62— Supervisors, E. Walbridge (Chairman), A. Allen and F. G. Stanley; Clerk, D. D.
Doane ; Treasurer, Bela Warner ; Assessor, R. G. Camp ; Justices, B. L. Purdy, George Mer-
tens and E. Walbridge ; Constables, J. C. Dockham, Joseph Scott and Henry Holah ; Sealer,
William Brown.
1863 — Supervisors, F. G. Stanley (Chairman), A. Christie and A. R. Case ; Clerk, D. D.
Doane ; Treasurer, C. A. Clark ; Assessors, R. G. Camp and E. Kimble ; Justices, A. Christie
and J. S. A. Bartley ; Constables, J. C. Dockham, John Miller and Robert Lott; Sealer, B. L.
Brier ; Poundmaster, P. Pratt.
1864 — Supervisors, R. G. Camp (Chairman), William Andrews and A. R. Case; Clerk,
D. D. Doane ; Treasurer, George Holah ; Assessor, R. G. Camp ; Justices, G. Mertens and B.
L. Purdy ; Constables, J. C. Dockham, Peter P. Calhoun and Orin Huyck ; Sealer, B. L. Brier.
1865 — Supervisors, F. G. Stanley (Chairman), George Hall and David Munson; Clerk, A.
C. Tuttle; Treasurer, D. D. Doane; Assessors, R. G. Camp and E. Kimble; Justices, J. S. A.
Bartley and A. Christie ; Constables, J. C. Dockham, Robert Lott and H. Calkins ; Sealer,
John Caldwell ; Poundmaster, P. Pratt.
IIISTOHY OF SAUK COUNTY. 515
1866 — Supervisors, George Mertens (Chairman), David Munson and J. II. Harris ; Clerk,
Mair Pointon ; Treasurer, D. D. Doane ; Assessor, F. G. Stanley ; Justices, B. L. Purdy, D.
K. Noyes and J. J. Gattiker ; Constables, J. C. Dockham, Charles Pfannstiehl and George
Caldwell.
A full complement of town officers has been elected each year, but since the spring of 1867
they have exercised no authority in the management of municipal affairs in Baraboo.
ORGANIZED AS A VILLAGE.
The Legislature of 1865-66 passed an act incorporating Baraboo as a village. Section 1 of
the incorporating act provided for the boundaries of the village as follows : The southeast quarter
and the south half of the northeast quarter, and the east half of the southwest quarter of Sec-
tion 35, and the west half of the southwest quarter of Section 36, in Township 12 north, Range
6 east, and the northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of Section 1, and the north half of
the northeast quarter of Section 2, in Township 11 north. Range 6 east, in Sauk County, shall
hereafter be known and designated by the name of the village of Baraboo.
Section 2 provided that the management of the fiscal, prudential and municipal concerns of
the village should be vested in a President and six Trustees, one Clerk, one Treasurer, one Con-
stable (who shall be ex officio Marshal), one Attorney, one Surveyor, and such other officers as
the Trustees might see fit to appoint.
Section 51 of the charter related that the first election for officers should be held on the
second Monday in April, 1866, "in case this act shall take effect on or previous to that date ;
and in case this act shall not take effect on or previous to that day, or in case no election shall
be held on that day, then such first election of officers may be ordered and appointed by any ten
freehold voters."
The first record, however, of any election held under the provisions of this act is dated
April 2, 1867, when the qualified electors residing within the boundaries of the village assembled
at the court house and proceeded to cast their ballots for a village President and the required
number of Trustees. The record informs us that " the whole number of votes cast for Presi-
President and Police Justice was 104, of which number S. M. Burdick received 83 and
William H. Clark received 21; that the whole number of votes cast for Trustees was
104, of which B. F. Mills received 103, A. Andrews, 101 ; T. D. Lang, 96 ; J. R. Hall, 104 ;
B. L. Purdy, 103; C. C. Remington, 80; J. R. Dibble, 2; M. J. Drown, 11; and T. Thomas,
James Dykins, William Marrah and D. K. Noyes, 1 vote each. Consequently, Mr. Burdick
was elected the first President, and Messrs. Mills, Andrews, Lang, Hall, Purdy and Remington
the first Trustees of the village of Baraboo, which, up to the present writing, has been under
village government.
The first meeting of the first Board of Trustees was held April 5. The officers elect, with
the exception of Mr. Remington, took the oath of office, and the vacancy created by the declina-
tion of Mr. Remington to serve was filled by the appointment of C. A. Sumner. The appointive
offices were then filled as follows : Clerk, John Barker ; Attorney, C. C. Remington ; Treasurer,
R. M. Strong ; Constable, J. C. Dockham ; Surveyor, W. H. Canfield ; Fire Warden, M. C. Waite.
The village attorney was instructed to draft suitable ordinances for the guidance of the board
and the government of the village, and the first meeting of the first Board of Trustees was
adjourned for ten days.
The second charter election was held March 9, 1868, and resulted in the choice of M. Mould,
President and Police Justice, and E. Walbridge, C. T. White, T. D. Lang, James Dykins, Will-
iam Powers and Andrew Andrews, Trustees. The appointive officers this year were Anton
Fischer, Clerk; R. M. Strong, Treasurer ; Frank Fletcher, Constable ; W. II. Clark, Attorney ;
W. H. Canfield, Surveyor; M. C. Waite, Fire Warden, and James Goodwin, Poundmaster.
In I860, J. R. Hall was chosen President; M. C. Waite, Police Justice, and N. W.
Wheeler, Frank Avery, W. Burrington, T. T. English, William Moore and B. Frank Brown,
Trustees. Officers appointed — Anton Fischer, Clerk; R. M. Strong, Treasurer; C. C.
516 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Remington, Attorney ; J. C. Dockham, Constable ; W. H. Canfield, Surveyor, and James
Goodwin, Poundmaster.
1870— President, J. R. Hall ; Police Justice, M. C. Waite ; Trustees— N. W. Wheeler,
Frank Avery, J. C. Chandler, Thomas Oates, T. T. English and B. F. Brown. Officers
appointed — Anton Fischer, Clerk ; R. M. Strong, Treasurer ; W. H. Clark, Attorney ; D. E.
Kelsey, Constable; E. Barstow, Street Commissioner; James Goodwin, Poundmaster.
1871— President, J. R. Hall ; Police Justice, M. C. Waite ; Trustees— J. G. Train, D.
Munsou, B. F. Brown, A. Andrews, George Mertens and G. W. Merchant ; Supervisor, J. G.
Train. Officers appointed — Anton Fischer, Clerk ; Mair Pointon, Treasurer ; C. C. Remington,
Attorney ; B. J. Paddock, Constable ; Daniel Pruyn, Commissioner ; Abram Hunt, Pound-
master.
• 1872 — President, James Dykins ; Police Justice, M. C. Waite ; Trustees — Frank Avery,
William Hoxie, T. T. English, M. Mould, J. J. Gattiker, and J. G. Train ; Supervisor, J. G.
Train. Officers appointed — Philip Cheek, Jr., Clerk ; J. J. Gattiker, Treasurer; John Barker,
Attorney ; A. Andrews, Constable ; M. C. Waite, Fire Warden ; S. W. Emory Commissioner ;
Thomas Oates, Poundmaster.
1873 — President, Samuel S. Grubb; Trustees — J. M. Haines, F. Barringer, William
Hoxie, T. T. English. T. D. Lang and H. H. Webster ; Supervisor, William Stanley. Officers
appointed — Philip Cheek, Jr., Clerk ; T. D. Lang, Treasurer ; H. J. Huntington Attorney ; A.
Wistans, Marshal; George Nelson, Poundmaster.
1874— President, M. Mould ; Police Justice, Eli Jones ; Trustees— T. T. English, T. D.
Lang, James Dykins, John Barker, P. Pratt and A. Andrews ; Supervisor, William Stanley.
Officers appointed— Philip Cheek, Jr., Clerk; John Barker, Attorney ; J. R. Davis, Marshal;
Andrew Patrick, Poundmaster.
1875— President, M. Mould; Police Justice, J. W. Blake; Trustees— T. T. English, T. D.
Lang, William Hoxie, John Barker, James Dykins and Gustavus Scharnke ; Supervisor, W.
Stanley ; Justice of the Peace, S. Hartley. Officers appointed — Philip Cheek, Jr., Clerk,
Fred Johnson, Treasurer ; J. R. Davis, Marshal and Commissioner; W. C. Hatch, Poundmaster.
1876— President, Frank Avery ; Police Justice, J. W. Blake ; Trustees — G. W. March-
ant, P. Pratt, G. Scharnke, John Thatcher, W. Stanley, and J. H. Halstead ; Justice of the
Peace, R. T. Warner ; Supervisor, George Mertens ; Constable, L. 0. Holmes. Officers
appointed— Philip Cheek, Jr., Clerk ; W. Stanley, Treasurer ; Henry Cowles, Marshal ; William
Hatch, Poundmaster ; M. Hoffman, Commissioner.
1877— President, D. S. Vittum; Trustees— W. Stanley, D. E. Welch, Isaac Green, W.
Scharnke, W. Hoxie and J. Thatcher ; Clerk, Philip Cheek, Jr. ; Treasurer, Henry Cowles ;
Police Justice, R. T. Warner ; Constable, L. 0. Holmes ; Assessor, E. Walbridge ; Supervisor,
J. J. Gattiger ; Attorney (as appointed by board), John Barker ; Street Commissioner, (ap-
pointed), George Claus.
1878 — President, D. S. Vittum ; Trustees — William Power, Isaac Green, W. Hoxie, A.
Fischer, J. G. Train and E. A. Watkins ; Clerk, Philip Cheek, Jr.; Treasurer, L. 0. Homes;
Police Justice, R. T. Warner ; Supervisor, J. J. Gattiker ; Commissioner (appointed), M.
Hoffman ; Marshal (appointed), L. 0. Holmes ; Poundmaster, W. Hatch.
1879 — President, D. S. Vittum ; Trustees — William Hoxie, William Powers, J. G. Train,
A. Fischer, W. Schranke ; Clerk, Rolla E. Noyes ; Treasurer, M. Hoffman ; Police Justice,
Jasper A. Dibble ; Justice of the Peace, T. C. Thomas ; Marshal, L. 0. Holmes ; Constable, J.
Prethero ; Supervisor, George Mertens; Commissioner (appointed), M. Hoffman; Attorney
(appointed), John Barker ; Poundmaster (appointed), M. Hatch.
1880 — President, William S. Grubb ; Trustees — George Nicholson, W. Dower, J. Dykins,
W. Stanley, Ira L. Humphrey and Frank Avery; Clerk, R. B. Griggs ; Treasurer and Commis-
sioner, E. 0. Holden ; Police Justice, J. A. Dibble ; Justice of the Peace, T. C. Thomas ; Su-
pervisor, George Mertens; Poundmaster (appointed), F. N. Ross; Attorney (appointed), John
Barker.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 517
Baraboo has about outgrown her village garments, and must necessarily become a city
within the next two or three years.
THE BARABOO WHISKY WAR.
"Alas ! the depths of sin anil shame
That Bacchus' devotees have found ;
Their hopes can now but. live in name,
Their joy is but an empty sound.
Their manood has departed hence,
For which they find no recompense.
"Despairing Hope to frenzy driven —
In drunkards' wives and children too —
Has roused the strength to woman given
And urged such deeds as they can do.
Their votes go not in ballot-box,
So more direct they slay the ox.
" With aching hearts, but purpose true,
They make their way to hell's dark door,
From which the flames of wrath do spew;
King Alky feared ne'er thus before —
But with such blows as woman gives
They struck him hard " right where he lives."
"And lest his imps with lawyers bound
Should bring him back again to life.
They put him deep down in the ground
Without the aid of drum or fife.
His mourning friends look sadly on,
While all his foes rejoice 'twas done."
Thus sang the local poet. The cause that inspired his muse will perhaps be better understood
if given in prose. It was in the spring of 1854. A resident of Baraboo, a hard drinker, but
withal a good citizen, when not "in his cups," became an habitual patron of the "Brick
Tavern " bar. His appetite for liquor led him to neglect his family, and finally resulted in his
attempting to take the life of his wife. The neighbors of the unfortunate woman, knowing the
facts, and very naturally deprecating the cause, had more than once beseeched the proprietor of
the rummery to refuse liquor to those of his customers whose thirst for it led them to deeds of
violence ; but their appeals, being in opposition to the successful pursuit of his nefarious business,
were not heeded. The wife, acting under the impulse of her despemte situation, had also sought
to arouse the blunted sympathies of the rum-seller by personal interviews in her own behalf ; but
all to no purpose. Death finally intervened, and the family of the poor inebriate saw the grave
close about the form of the husband and father. In the meantime, the dispensation of intoxicat-
ing drink went on unmolested in all the ante-rooms of hell then flourishing in Baraboo.
Sympathy for the widow and orphans was very deep throughout the village, and a quiet
though earnest determination to put an end to such sad and disgraceful affairs in future seemed
to take possession of the better classes of citizens. Especially was this feeling noticeable among
the ladies, who were naturally the first to appreciate the situation of their grief-stricken sister.
The painful subject furnished an excellent theme for the pulpit, and nearly all the ministers
in the place referred to it in their discourses. The Sabbath succeeding the funeral, W. II.
Thompson, Pastor of the Methodist Church, became particularly eloquent in denouncing the
political system which permitted the sale of liquor, and said he wished " to God the thunderbolts
of heaven would shiver the brick tavern and its contents, animate and inanimate." Lawyer
Pratt, in private conversation a few days later, said he would like to see all the liquor in the
village poured into the streets. In this expressed wish, a large number of the indignant citizens
of Baraboo discovered a suggestion for summarily solving a difficult problem. At an impromptu
018 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
meeting of a few stalwart ladies, the subject was discussed and a line of action quietly deter-
mined upon. As the local poet tells us —
" The drunkard's threat, the midnight shriek ;
The cracking whip, the loaded gun,*
The fruits of Rum and Rummy's votes —
All plainly show what must be done—
' Destroy the fiend !'
The word, the blow; the last came first.
" They came with resolution fixed,
Some forty matrons less or more ;
And daughters, too, with earnest look,
In all perhaps about threescore.
Blessed prospect, !
Something now is surely meant."
Hark ! There's a sound of devastation — a sudden unloosing of liquid devils. The bar-
room of the Brick Tavern is in the process of female invasion. Fumes of liquor infect the air.
" Rye," " Bourbon " and " Fine Old Tom " meet a common fate, and are rapidly absorbed by
the parched earth in front of the hotel. The whilom dispenser of these evil spirits is wrapped
in slumber; for it is early morn, and none but sober citizens are* abroad. The righteous work
of destruction proceeds so quietly that his repose is not disturbed. In disposing of the empty
bottles, a corrugated " Schnaps " is deposited in an adjacent dry goods box in which a reveler of
the previous night has taken lodging. The breaking of the falling bottle does not molest him,
but there is a familiar smell about it which brings him to his feet with all the alacrity of a toper
invited to drink ; and he looks out upon the strange scene and weeps.
Across the street a grocer, " who keeps a little to accommodate his customers," has just
opened his establishment, after having taken one of his own "eye-openers." Thither the earn-
est band of women go, but before reaching the place the door is locked. The ladies make the
liquor-seller a proposition to buy his stock that they may destroy it, but, while he hesitates to
set a price, an entrance is effected from the rear of the house; and the quiet turning of faucets
and drawing of stopples is not molested until the "wrath of the casks" has flooded the floor,
and the "silent workers " are on the march toward " French Pete's." By this time the news of
the revolution has spread to all parts of the village. The populace is alarmed. Rumors of a
general uprising are abroad, and the people crowd upon the scene of action only to learn the
facts, and calmly watch the result. There are many loud and earnest exclamations of acquies-
cence in the proceedings ; there are also murmers of disapproval. The report of a gun is heard !
The keeper of the bagnio that is now being attacked, after uttering murderous threats against the
Amazonian brigade, has discharged his shot-gun in the air, intending to scare them away ; but
the ruse avails nothing.
" While the earth drinks in the rum
The throng around exclaim, ' Hurrah!
A glorious jubilee has conic ;
We are ahead of Maine afar.' "
It is the most vigorous temperance movement ever witnessed by the people of Baraboo —
temperance with a vengeance. Elder Cochran is present, his face wreathed in smiles. To him
it is a pleasing sight to see the poisonous stuff mingling.with the dust. The keeper of the saloon
has joined the crusaders and is also emptying the bottles of their contents. He has irrigated his
parched throat with the best in the house, to give him courage, and is now hurling beer glasses
through mirrors and windows and creating a general havoc. The excitement is intense. Sheriff
Munson commands Elder Cochran to disperse, but the Elder assures that high official that such
a thing would be a physical impossibility. Another crash within ; the drunken saloon-keeper
has fallen through a glass door. Tim Kirk mounts an empty beer barrel, and in supplicating
tones beseeches the ladies, in the name of the forefathers and free institutions, to desist. He
•The inijiti'MK'iitM mill which tin- ilw-wcl inc-l.rintv hud nuiiulit In " rhu."ti»r " hi* wife.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 519
promises them that within thirty days every rum-seller in Baraboo shall be driven from the
place. The ladies quietly withdraw and go to their homes ; the crowd gradually melts away,
and peace once more hovers about the scene.
A week or ten days later, warrants of arrest are issued for the ladies who are alleged
to have been the ring-leaders in the crusade, and whose husbands are reckoned to be responsible
for any damages that may be adjudged against them. They are taken to Lower Sauk for an
impartial trial (the officials probably fearing that a Baraboo jury might hang them !) The Teu-
tonic Justice holds them to answer before the Circuit Judge, anil remands them to the pro-
tecting care of the Sheriff, who returns with them to Baraboo, but does not find it within his
heart to lock them up, and they are released on their own recognizance. At the next term
of the Circuit Court Judge Wheeler assesses the total damage at $150, which is immediately
paid. And thus endeth the Baraboo whisky war.
THE RIVER ON A RAMPAGE.
On the night of March 14, 1859, the Baraboo River, greatly swollen by the spring rains
and melting snows, burst through the north wing of the boom, just above Bassett & Pratt's dam,
carrying down a large "drive" of logs with great force against the upper dam timbers, which
gave way. This increased the flow of water in that direction, and hurried thither hundreds of
other logs, which, like so many battering rams, soon beat a large hole in the dam, and, within
thirty minutes' time, a torrent of water four feet in depth, poured through the chasm with
irresistible force. The immense volume of water, as it poured through the opening, struck the
bank just above the flouring-mill, and was rapidly undermining it. As piece after piece of the
dam gave way, the current gained force and volume, and at daylight beat so furiously against
the bank, which kept dropping into the insatiable flood, as to oblige Mr. Bassett to look to the
security of the large quantity of Hour then stored in the mill. Several teams were employed to
transport the flour to the neighboring buildings. This task about finished, it occurred to the
assembled citizens that something should be done to stem the ravages of the stream, and repair
the break. Great confusion reigned, some proposing one method, some another, but all agreeing
that something must be done. Finally, William Brown took the lead. Parties were sent off to
fell trees, and others were dispatched for teams to draw them to the spot. In a very short time
the progress of the water was checked. Large trees, secured by cables, were deposited where
the current struck the bank hardest. Brush, logs and stftnes were gradually added to the mass
to give it weight. It is said there were nearly 500 men engaged in the work. But the current
was not wholly checked until some 6,000 cubic yards of earth had been washed away. By this
time, one-third of the dam was gone. The immense flood of water passing down broke away
some twenty or thirty feet of the lower or Maxwell dam. The excitement had scarcely died
away, when, early the following morning, the bells in the village rung for help. A large part
of the artificial bank, made the previous day, had been carried off", and lodged against the
bridge. The foundation of the mill was again being attacked by the relentless and obdurate
current. A force of men and teams was soon on the ground, and two or three hours of unre-
mitting labor warded off the threatened danger. The loss on this occasion was estimated at
$2,000; but the citizens considered themselves fortunate in having saved the Bassett-Pratt Mill
from destruction, as it was then the largest institution of the kind for many miles around, and
about it centered the interest of the entire community.
ORIGIN OF THE NAME "BARABOO."*
In introducing the following letter from Prof. Henry, it is due also to other gentlemen who
have sought to assist me in ascertaining the origin of the name " Baraboo," that I should express
to them my thanks. In answer to my own letters of inquiry upon this question, I have received
letters from Mr. Draper, of the State Historical Society ; Mr. Tapley, of the Green Bay
520 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Gazette; the Rev. Father in charge of St. Mary's Church at Green Bay at the time of its
bi-centennial celebration some years ago ; and Gen. Cobb and Hon. J. Allen Barber, Repre-
sentatives in Congress from this district. I have also conferred with and am indebted to several
gentlemen connected with the press of the State and of Chicago, familiar with the early history
of Wisconsin, certain of them translators from the French. That these latter gentlemen failed
to hit upon the natural solution presented by Prof. Henry, is perhaps due, in part, to the fact
that, with the main question, I submitted to them also all the theories which had been advanced
in respect to the name, and that these theories had a tendency to mislead them.
Generally it was assumed by those whom I consulted, as it had been assumed in all instances
to which their attention was called, that Baraboo was derived from a French surname. Other
theories were advanced, but only to be finally rejected by those who made them. Aside from
the name of the mythical old Frenchman, "Barabeau," to whom legend assigned a shanty at the
mouth of the river in days prior to the settlement of the valley, a number of names of real per-
sonages give hints of the name Baraboo. The Barbou family were, perhaps, the most celebrated
printers of France from the sixteenth to the eighteenth century. Jean Louis de la Bruyere
Barbeau in 1759 published, under the title of Mappemonde ffistorique, an ingenious map, then
entirely new, in which geography, chronology and history were simultaneously presented. Royer
P. F. Barbault (pronounced Barbo), a native of St. Domingo, of African descent, took part with
his countrymen in the insurrection of 1792, and was honored with a mission to France, where
he afterward continued to reside. He was an author, an editor and lawyer of some repute, and
held a place of importance in the French Bureau of Foreign Affairs.
Mr. Tapley suggested the name of " Gen. de la Barre, Governor, resident at Montreal, of
the French Possessions of the Northwest." There is no mention of a Governor de la Barre in
the outline histories of Canada contained in Appleton's Encyclopedia or the Conversations Lexi-
con, though I find a reference to a Lieutenant General of that name who was in the French serv-
ice in the latter part of the seventeenth and the commencement of the eighteenth century.
There was also a Col. Isaac Barre (descendant of a French refugee) in the English service, a
friend of Wolfe, and wounded at the siege of Quebec by the side of his chief, whose death he wit-
nessed. He was one of the many to whom were attributed the letters of Junius, and of him it
was said : " His name will always be connected with the history of America." I took no especial
pains to assure myself as to the correctness of Mr. Tapley's citation, because, while the idea was
in itself plausible enough that some one of the personages thus named — high in the French and
English service in the early history of the. Northwest, or in the French Bureau of Foreign
Affairs, or in the invention of charts of the world, or in printing — should have held such rela-
tion to some one of the early explorers as that the name of the former should be bestowed by
the latter upon one of his discoveries, still there is an inherent probability that a name thus con-
ferred would have been recorded and perpetuated.
For this reason I was led to favor the theory that the name might have been derived from the
name of some American officer of French descent and name, connected with some of the early
army expeditions, or with the first garrisons at Fort Winnebago. This suggestion, together with
others made in the premises, I made in my letter to Mr. Barber, referred to Prof. Henry. I
record them here, realizing how far "out of the way" they are, especially when contrasted with
Prof. Henry's solution of the question, as a matter that may be of curiosity to some, and as show-
ing that I have neither overlooked nor ignored any suggestion made to myself.
Recently, in a letter upon this subject, Hon. J. Allen Barber wrote to me : " Mr. Hoar,
a gentleman versed in the "curious in literature," has expressed the opinion that Prof Henry, of
the Smithsonian Institution, if any one, can find out the facts in the case." Accordingly, my
previous letter to Mr. Barber was referred to Prof. Henry, and the following is his reply,
received through Mr. Barber. The letter (copied) is without date or signature, as below ap-
pended :
" I have received a communication from Mr. Hill, inquiring as to the origin of the term
' Baraboo ' given to the river, town and village in Sauk County, Wis. Of the history of the name
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 521
I know nothing. It is not impossible it is, as your correspondent suggests, a corruption of some
French or English officer's surname ; but it seems to me much more probable that it came either
from the French Barbue — cat-fish — a not uncommon designation of rivers and creeks by the
early voyageurs; or from Barbeau — carp, or sucker. What is now ' Putnam's Creek ' in Essex
County, N. Y., running into Lake Cliamplain from the west, south of Crown Point, was Riviere a la
Barbue of the French, and is so set down on M. de Levy's map of 1748, and in Pouchet's Me-
moir of the war of 1756-60. On Russell's map, 1783, Barbe R. (Riviere a la Barbue of
Morse's Gazetteer, 1797), enters the lake from the northeast, 'forty miles W. N. W. from the
extremity of Long Point in that lake.' A third R. a la Barbue is mentioned in the same
gazetteer, and by Alcedo, and is laid down on the maps of the last century, flowing westerly
into Lake Michigan — now known, I believe, as the (South) Black River, between Ottawa and
Allegan Counties, Mich. 'Catfish River,' the outlet of Four Lakes in Dane Co., Wis., still
retains that name. I might add other examples of streams bearing the French or English
name of this fish. The transition from Barbue to Baraboo is easy, and Riviere a la Barbue
comes to be Baraboo River, as naturally as Point au.v Bales to point Abbaye, or Bale de la
Bete grise to ' Bay Degrees,' or Baie des Noquets to ' Bay de Nock.'
"Though the French in America uniformly gave the name of barbue to the cat-fish (Pime-
lodus), all the French-English dictionaries into which I have looked, restrict it to a marine fish
of the turbot and flounder family — the 'brill,' 'dab' or 'sandling.' This has occasioned some
curious mistakes : For example, in the English translation of Labouton (London, 1703, Vol. I,
p. 246), where the great cat-fish of the western rivers are described as 'lake dabs or sandlings.'
Occasionally, too, translators confound barbue into barbeau (carp or sucker). The latter was
described by Sagard, in 1631, under its Huron name, Einehataon, as somewhat resembling the
Barbeau of Europe. There are two pr three of these ' Carp Rivers ' entering Lake Superior
from Northern Michigan, and ' Point Barbeau ' is named in Foster and Whitney's Report (Part
2, p. 395) as an important fishing station on Lake Michigan. It would be nearly as easy to
make Baraboo from Barbeau, as from Barbue — if the river, on examination, proves to be richer
in suckers than in catfish."
Referring to French and English dictionaries for the term Barbeau, in like manner as Prof.
Henry has referred for the term Barbue, I find that it is synonymous with Barbel, which
applies, not only to a particular kind of fish, but (vide Webster), to "the small vermiform proc-
ess appended to the mouths of certain fishes." The barbel proper (or barbeau) is described as
" a large, coarse, fresh-water fish found in European waters, having several barbs or beard-like
feelers pendant from its leathery, sucker-like mouth, which give it its name. It grows to the
length of three feet, and attains to a weight of from eighteen to twenty pounds." Old Izaak
Walton speaks of "the barbel, so called by reason of his barbs or wattles." Barbue has a like
signification. Fish of the turbot family are unlike the cat-fish, in that the former are round, flat,
with small heads, while the cat-fish is large-headed, long and tapering. I infer that the terms
barbue and barbeau or barbel were applied by the French voyageurs to the fishes of American
waters, not from any resemblance in their form to the European barbue or barbeau, but from
their having the same head-like feelers pendant from their mouths. It would follow that within
this category should be included the sturgeon, our native variety of which, as well in respect to
its barbs, its sucker-like mouth, its general form and coarse flesh, bears a resemblance to the bar-
beau or barbel proper. The sucker has no wattles. I place the more stress upon this distinc-
tion that, while the Baraboo is rich in suckers and cat-fish (the former being the most numerous),
we have in a reminiscence of Baraboo's earliest settler, Mr. Archibald Barker, a very remarkable
account of a shoal of sturgeons encountered by him in running, in the spring of 1841, the first
raft which left the Baraboo. Mr. Barker says :
" In Company with Ed Kingsley, going down [the Lower Baraboo Rapids], each on a
crib, I halloaed to him to look — that somebody seemed to have made a dam of stones across the
river. As we approached we saw it was the backs and tails of fishes. We were soon among
them, and found they were sturgeons. I killed three with my handspike. In jumping into the
522 HISTOKY OF SAUK COUNTY.
water to get them I was knocked down by others running against my legs. Forja short distance,
the river seemed to be jammed full of them."
I incline to the opinion that " Riviere a la Barbeau " should in the case of the Baraboo be
interpreted "Sturgeon River." But, whether we apply the term Barbeau to sturgeons or suck-
ers, it gives us a solution which we believe will be accepted as conclusive and satisfactory of the
origin of the name Baraboo. It strengthens this conclusion that the Winnebago name of the
river, Ocoochery, signifies " plenty of fish." It is further in favor of the French derivation of
the name Baraboo that the French gave to the river the first name under which it appears in any
record — that of the Belle *Chasse, and names bestowed by the French upon bay, river, hill and
prairie, abound, from Depere, by the " Portage" and Prairie du Sac, to Prairie du Chien. In
speaking of the transition of the term Barbeau to Baraboo, we have also to take in account the
familiar roll of the French "r" — thus : Bar-r-r-beau — and we have, with scarcely a transition
even, the name of our river, town, village and valley.
Believing, as I have already in other words said, that we have here the derivation of a name
for which until this time no derivation has been found, I have but to add that whatever thanks
the discovery is entitled to are due mainly to Prof. Henry, while it is not less due to Mr. Barber
that I should reiterate my thanks to him.
Following is an extract from a letter addressed to Mr. Hill, by Louis Claude, dated March
12, 1872 : " The name ' Baraboo ' is now up for final judgment, and although the abundance of
'suckers,' both aquatic and terrestrial, which it appears has always distinguished this valley,
lends so great a weight to the ' Barbeau ' theory that I will not ' carp ' at it, still I beg to offer
the following mite of suggestion — it can hardly be called information — viz. : Fifteen years ago I
brought here a map, of the date of about 1837, which a small but dishonest boy sold me (emphat-
ically) on the cars for one of 1857. On this map the Baraboo River was marked as ' Barivaut's '
or 'Baribaut's' Creek. I had always believed the above to be the correct derivation."
Concerning the name Baraboo, the Hon. J. Allen Barber writes : " It seems probable that
the name is a corruption of some French word or phrase, as it does not appear like an Indian
term. The place is at or near the portage between the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, on the route
from Lake Michigan to the Mississippi, and in the ordinary line of communication between the
two by means of canoes. In 1649 and 1650, the Hurons and their allies, who had been converted
to Christianity by Father Brebeuf, were overthrown by the Iroquois, and part of them fled to
Wisconsin on their way to the Mississippi. They were met and driven back by the Sioux.
They were found by some French traders, in 1659-60, stationed about six days' journey south-
west of Lake Superior, or not far from what is now called Baraboo. Very soon after that period,
they had returned to Green Bay. As they were all Christians, may they not have given the
name of their religious teacher, whose memory they would honor, to their temporary residence near
the portage? The word ' Brebeuf might possibly leave its shadow behind it in the form of
Brabo or Baraboo. The phrase ' bois brule ' was not infrequently applied to localities by the
' voyayeurs.' It is the name of a river farther north. It may also have been applied casually to
the small stream near the portage, and have been converted into Baraboo by some rude pioneer
or hunter, who had no knowledge of French. These conjectures, of course, have very little
value, but such possibilities sometimes serve a purpose when positive information is wanting. The
fact that the intelligent people who now live in Wisconsin, and very near to the locality in ques-
tion, have no record or tradition respecting the name, gives force to the supposition that it was
casually applied, and has been corrupted into its present form. Barbaroux is a not uncommon
French name, and if left behind by some trader with the Indians would very easily become
'Baraboo.' "
The suggestion that the last syllable of the name of Brebeuf might have been corrupted into
a guttural with the/ silent (perhaps favored by the fact that in certain French words ending in
f—clef, for instance — the/ is silent) was submitted to the Rev. Father of St. Mary's Church of
m:i|j pul.liahort (an a|>|"'ftrH from iu i;.-ograi>liy) in 1H17, now in the possession of Mr.
y^^/^^t <y
BARABOO;
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 525
Green Bay, himself a French scholar, and acquainted with the patois of the voyageurs and their
descendants. He thought such a corruption improbable. Here, however, the theory is that
the name was transmitted through Indians to those who succeeded them, and in this light the
supposition has more weight; while the objection that there should be some record of the fact in
the event of a river being named after a discoverer of the prominence of Brebeuf, is at the same
time removed.
AN "IMMORTAL" BROTHERHOOD.
It would be an injustice to the memory of the "old boys " of Baraboo not to say some-
thing in these pages concerning their pioneer amusements, the early settlers of the West were
a hardy set, thoroughly honest, but not always amiable. They enjoyed a good joke, and the
rougher the joke the more enjoyable it became to them. They would go further to witness the
perpetration of a practical joke upon some unsophisticated individual than to attend an election,
or take part in devotional exercises ; and this is saying a great deal within the bounds of truth;
for the old settler, or, rather, the new settler then, besides understanding and always exercising
the duties of a freeman at the ballot-box, was exceedingly devout. He has been known to drive
a yoke of wicked oxen fifteen miles to church, and then lead in prayer ; and it is proverbial
that none but those who can successfully resist the temptation to swear at an ox, can pray with
any degree of Christian fervor. All the " old boys " of Baraboo could pray, but some of them
didn't make a regular business of it. In the perpetration of jokes, however, they all took a
hand. There was a surpi-ising unanimity of feeling in this regard ; there was always a quorum
present.
A branch organization of the then extremely popular "brotherhood " known as " the 1001 "
was effected in Baraboo at an early day, over a quarter of a century ago, probably. Neither the
origin nor meaning of the title of this " fraternity " are known. Elder Cochran once threw
some light upon the subject when he said he supposed it meant " one thousand rascals and one
good man ;" but it has been vaguely hinted that the Elder was not entirely free from a peculiar
prejudice against secret organizations. The obligations of this mysterious "order" were so
strict that its members never revealed the particulars of the Elder's initiation ; in fact, it is not
positively known that he ever was initiated.
Could the walls of the old Sanford store, under the hill, unbosom themselves concerning
the scenes witnessed within them, it would be " fun for the millions " to listen. It was here
that the members of the order gathered in the early history of their " missionary work." It
was here that the new-comer, anxious to win immediate business and social prestige in the com-
munity, was accommodated. It was here that the patent-right fiend found the true source of
influence, and the young limb of the law, fresh from an Eastern college, and full of " technical
inspiration," learned points in backwoods jurisprudence. The manual of the order being an
unwritten one, there is no record showing the modus operandi of the initiation, or giving the
names and purposes of the utensils employed in the "work." It is said by those who have
seen initiates soon after their escape, that the "form " must have been in the nature of some-
thing long to be remembered by the candidate.
Taylor's Hall became the headquarters of this " illustrious brotherhood" in after years,
and here more than one initiate swore "by the great toe of Confucius" to practice the teach-
ings and keep secret the obligations of the order ; more than one initiate experienced the exhila-
rating effects of a stuffed club, and, at the close of the ceremonies, was cooled off on a cake of ice.
Finally, the Baraboo branch of the order developed into an "Ecclesiastical Court" for the
trial of cases which the short-sighted framers of the statutes had not contemplated. A Cincin-
nati safe agent came hither some years since, and it was plain, from his general demeanor and
mode of doing business, that the " Ecclesiastical Court" had not been created in vain. Fear-
ing that the Cincinnati man might inflict himself upon the good people of Reedsburg (ungrate-
ful Reedsburgers), charges of an awful nature were preferred against him, and he was brought
into the presence of the just judge of this august body. He pleaded not guilty, and requested
that the court appoint counsel to defend him, he being a stranger in a strange land. Judge
526 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Bilhox said he heartily sympathized with the prisoner, and would endeavor to secure for him a
fair and impartial trial by appointing the most learned and dignified Ecclesiast in the room to
plead his case. The kind heartedness of the court had a softening effect upon the burglar-proof
safe man from Cincinnati, and he was deeply moved. His contrite manner won for him many
friends. The most touching scene that occurred during the entire proceeding took place when
Mr. Colslye adjusting his glasses, arose and informed the court in a few choice words that,
recognizing the compliment paid him in having been mentioned by His Honor in connection
with counsel for defense, he_would accept the responsibility and take charge of the case ; though,
when he took into consideration the giant intellect of the gentleman who appeared for the
people, he could not help feeling apprehensive as to the result. When Mr. Colslye sat down,
ex-Judge Johnbark arose and bowed his recognition of the tribute paid his genius, and the Court
with the sleeve of his judicial ermine, wiped away a tear. There wasn't a moist eye in the house.
Through the superior legal skill of prisoner's counsel, the jury returned a verdict of guilty,
but he was allowed to go on his own recognizance, Lucholmes being instructed to keep his official
eye upon him. The dignity maintained by Judge Bilhox during the trial furnished a theme for
general comment. His decisions on points of evidence were of the profoundest character, and
left a lasting impression upon the minds of those of the legal fraternity who were fortunate
enough to be present. Ex-Judge Johnbark and Mr. Colslye also asquitted themselves with
great credit.
" I'm Judge now," said His Honor, greeting his wife upon his return home that night ;
"and you must hereafter address me as such."
" Indeed," replied his wife, " and who am I, pray ? Mrs. Judge —
" No, you 're the same blamed old goose you always were."
But, alas for the Ecclesiastical Court ! The next day warrants were out for the arrest of
His Honor, the jury, counsel and spectators, and about forty of Baraboo's citizens had urgent
business in Reedsburg. It was a splendid opportunity for the citizens of the "burg " to show
their love of justice, and eleven of the jury held out for heavy fines, but Capchase was there,
and the culprits were let off with the nominal fine of $5 each. It was a clear case of the biters
bitten, though, and the calendar of the Ecclesiastical Court has not since been overcrowded with
cases. Since the Reedsburg affair, His Honor has treated his wife's allusions to his being an
"old goose" with silent and dignified contempt.
The prevailing spirit for eccentric amusement took new form a few years ago, in an organ-
ization known as the "Grand Quorum of Sages and Knights of Spirit Lake." Three annual
feasts are held — the " Feast of Open," the " Feast of Yonder " and the " Feast of Shut," usu-
ally in Kirk's Pavilion, Devil's Lake. The sages prefer this place on account of the close
proximity of a large body of pure and wholesome drinking water. The form of invitation
issued to visiting statesmen is as follows :
Deab Sir : < in the twenty-seventh rising of the 8th Moon, at hour of li.] 1'. M., you will be expected to meet
the Grand Quorum of Sages and Knights of Spirit Lake, at the Passenger Depot of the Chicago i Nnrlh-Western
Railway, there to take passage to the classic shores of Minnewaukan, and, with the Sages assembled, partake of the
Joys and Festivities of their annual Keast of Yonder. An early reply to the committee of your acceptance or non-
acceptance of their Ukase, is respectfully requested and desired.
Committee of Sages.
DESTRUCTIVE FIRES IN BARABOO.
The first conflagration of note in Baraboo occurred at tin early hour on the morning of
the 5th of July, 185'J. The fire originated in Wood's store, and, there being no means at hand
for checking it, the most that could be done was to save the goods in the adjoining building.
The flames made a clean sweep from the small brick structure formerly owned by the county, to
Oak street, consuming in all, seven buildings, as follows: Van Wendall's building, occupied by
Peter Van Wendall, as a saloon and residence. The contents were mostly saved, but the loss
was about $1,500, of which $1,000 was insured in the Franklin Company of Fond du Lac,
which had recently failed in making good its losses in the Oshkosh fire. Then came a one-story
HlvroKY OF SAUK COUNTY. 527
building formerly occupied by D. J. Baldwin, and owned by Mrs. Bow. It was unoccupied at
the time ; loss, $500. Wood's store, owned by L. C. Stanley, and occupied on the first floor
by Van Patten & Swetland, painters, who lost a greater part of their stock, valued at $125.
The upper story was occupied by W. Powers as a tailor-shop, none of the contents of which
were saved. Stanley's building, owned by L. C. Stanley, the first floor of which was used by
him as a store, and the second story by Dr. Miles, dentist, whose loss was $60. The remaining
three buildings on the " Garrison Corner," owned by C. A. Sumner, were of little value. One
of them was occupied by Dr. Slye as an office, the other being empty ; loss estimated at $300.
By tearing down the corner building, the store known a* the " Bee-Hive " was saved. The
cause of the conflagration was attributed to the careless use of the frisky fire-cracker.
On the 3d of December, 1871, another serious conflagration visited Baraboo. The flames
started in the store of Bower, Obert & Co., on the south side of the public square. Within
three hours the following places of business were totally destroyed: Lang, Camp & Co.'s drug
store, Avery & Green's boot and shoe store, Draper Bros.' meat-market; Bower, Obert & Co's
store, Mrs. Sharpe's millinery store, William Scharnke's jewelry store, and Lang, Camp & Co's
dry-goods store. The total loss was estimated at $30,000.
On the night of November 26, 1872, a fire broke out in a building owned by T. B. Quig-
ley and occupied by Charles Sears & Co. as a meat market. The flames could not be checked,
and when they had spent their fury seven buildings were in ashes. The losses were : Building
corner Oak and Fourth streets, owned by Levi Crouch and occupied by Frank McGinnis, loss
$1,000; building owned by J. Udell and occupied by R. Kingsland, loss $3,000; Quigley's
building, where the fire originated, loss $1,200, insured for $1,000; August Sperling's billiard
hall and dwelling, loss $3,000 ; L. Wild's furniture store and factory, loss from $5,000 to
$6,000 ; H. Moeler's wagon-shop, loss $700 ; G. G. Gollmar's blacksmith-shop, loss $1,000. The
foregoing figures are estimates, and are probably somewhat exaggerated.
On the morning of the 6th of November, 1878, a fire broke out in a building on the east
side of the square owned by Charles Summer. Phannsteihl's bakery was the second building to
take fire; then followed Gattiker's building. The Western Hotel was soon wrapped in flames.
While these structures were burning, the citizens tore down the stores of R. and C. Burrington,
grocers, and C. E. Ryan, jeweler. This checked the flames in that direction. Nearly all the
personal property, goods, etc., in these buildings, were saved. The Western Hotel was the prin-
cipal building destroyed. The entire loss was something like $15,000.
On the night of April 13, 1880, a fire occurred at the corner of Oak and Third streets, and
swept away nearly one-fourth of the block. The losers were Dr. B. F. Mills, druggist, insured
on building and stock for $8,000 ; Dr. Kezenta, dentist, insured for $250 ; John Saare, barber,
loss trifling ; Louis Piatt, harness-maker, loss $150 ; Fred Lang, express agent and confec-
tioner, loss $100; Joseph Udell, household effects; Mrs. Slade & Co., dressmakers; J. G.
Train, frame building insured for $1,000, contents, not insured, $500; D. T. Desmond,
loss $200 ; J. G. Train, brick building, insured ; J. H. Brewer, billiard hall, insured ;
Claud Heron, barber, loss trifling. There were other slight losses, covered by insurance.
BANKS.
The Sauk County Bank was the first institution of the kind established in Baraboo. The
date of its organization was July 1, 1857, a year ever memorable as one of general distrust and
financial embarrassment. Its officers were Simeon Mills, President, and T. Thomas, Cashier.
The circulating medium in Baraboo at that time was the issue of a Niantic (N. J.) bank, the sol-
vency of which was somewhat doubtful, and the managers of the Sauk County Bank, being in
a position to float a home issue of unquestioned stability, fortunately succeeded in making Niantic
scrip exceedingly scarce by the time the New Jersey concern failed, which it did (like many other
banks throughout the Union at that date) "without previous notice."
The capital of the Sauk County Bank was $50,000. In 1861, Mr. Thomas purchased the
interest of Mr. Mills, and conducted it on his own account until 1873, when it was merged into
528 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
the present First National Bank of Baraboo. It is a remarkable fact that the' Sauk County
Bank weathered the storm in the series of panics which occurred before and during the war.
While other State banks were failing on every hand, it maintained its credit.
The First National Bank was organized January 31, 1873, with a capital stock of $50,000,
and the following officers: D. S. Vittum, President; George Mertens, Vice President; W. B.
Rich, Cashier. The Directory was composed of the officers named and T. T. English and Henry
Rich. The present Directors are R. H. Strong (who is also Vice President and acting Pres-
ident since the death of Col. Vittum), T. T. English, W. H. Vittum, Mrs. A. P. Vittum, and
J. Van Orden, Cashier.
A PRESIDENT IN BARABOO.
For the benefit of future generations and those now living who may forget the important
fact, it is herewith recorded that the village of Baraboo was once honored by the presence of a
President of the United States — R. B. Hayes. The distinguished individual was accompanied by
his family, Attorney General Devens, Secretary of the Navy Thompson, and Commissioner of
Agriculture Le Due, the party being en route to Minnesota and Dakota. They arrived at 6
o'clock in the evening, and took supper at Capt. Cowles' eating-house. A large number of the
ladies and gentlemen of the place were present, with Spirit Lake Band, and assisted in the
reception. The eating-house tables were beautifully decorated, and fairly groaned under the
weight of good things. On returning to the train, the President appeared on the platform and
shook hands with as many as could reach him, but did not make a speech. He also gave his auto-
graph to quite a number. The kind face of Mrs. Hayes won for that lady the respectful affection
of all who looked upon it.
EDUCATIONAL.
The cause of education found an abiding-place in the Baraboo Valley as early as 1844,
and, as is generally the case on the borders of civilization, the first temple of learning was con-
structed of logs. The building stood in the northwestern portion of the village. Notwith-
standing the abundance of timber in the immediate vicinity, it is said the structure was put up
on the most economic plan. An old settler, whose stature is not remarkably great, remembers
being compelled to stoop uncommonly low when entering the door, " and you could throw a cat
through the cracks without touching a hair."
The names of the pupils who first sought the benefits of primary instruction in this rude
contrivance called a schoolhouse, would appear to great advantage in these pages, had their
teacher carved them upon something imperishable ; but the little roll of honor has been
destroyed, and no record can be found of who they were or what their progress was. It is only
from hearsay and other equally vague and fragmentary evidence that the compiler is enabled to
give the merest outline of the history of this school. It seems that E. M. Hart was employed
as teacher, and was therefore the first to organize a school in the Baraboo Valley. This was
before the district system had been established in these parts, and Mr. Hart's school was there-
fore a private one. It was late in the spring of 1844 that the first measures were taken looking
to the establishment of a school. A meeting of citizens was held, and a committee of three —
Wallace Rowan, W. H. Canfield and Lewis Bronson — appointed to select a site for a school-
house that would be most convenient to the community at large. After some delay and con-
siderable discussion on the part of the committee, it was finally decided to build on the north-
west corner of the southeast quarter of Section 35, and the log structure referred to was the
result. I\. P. Clement, l». K. Noyes and William H. Joy were also among the early teachers
who worried with the ''young idea " in the primitive log schoolhouse. After the building of
the new schoolhouse — the one which in 1869 was removed to the northwest corner of Ash and
Fourth streets, and is now occupied as a dwelling — the school records seem to have been more
carefully kept, and show the names of teachers as follows :
1851— M. Mason, M. A. Noyes, E. Howard, F. Canfield, IT. J. Van Valkenburg.
1852— D. G. Moore, Mrs. George R. Clark, Miss E. S. Camp, T. M. Morley.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 529
1853— George R. Clark, Adelaide Clark, Sophia Munroe, Louisa Wheeler, E. Crandall,
Louisa Packer, Frances Ames.
1854 — Nancy Wyman, Mrs. Wheeler, E. Crandall.
1855— Mr. Smith, Miss M. M. Nethaway, Miss E. Chapman, Mrs. Little, Miss Hill.
1856— J. Lovell, H. J. Lovell, Eliza Chapman.
1857— J. S. Hart, A. L. Burnham, Miss M. M. Nethaway and Miss E. L. Chapman.
1858— Prof. Burnham. William 11. Joy, Misses Nethaway and Chapman, and Miss M.
Sprague.
1859 — Prof. Burnham, Miss Nethaway, Miss M. J. Martin and Mrs. S. A. W. Pearson,
isiii) — Prof. Burnham, Mrs. Pearson and Misses Nethaway and Chapman.
1861— Mrs. 0. W. Fox, Mrs. Helen Hoadley, Misses Nethaway, E. Atkinson, Mattie
Sanford and E. A. Thomson.
1862 — D. N. Hitchcock, Mrs. Hoadley, Misses Atkinson, Nethaway, Sarah Flanders and
Sarah Stewart.
L863-64 — The names of teachers do not appear, though the record for the latter year
says that seven different teachers were employed, " all of whom had taught previously."
|stir,_John Barker, Misses Chapman, M. J. Vail, M. F. Flanders and M. J. Perigo.
1866. — Ten different teachers employed, the names of those teaching the first term only
being given : Misses E. M. Park, G. H. Denison, L. A. Flanders and Ella E. White.
' 1867— Martha A. Shepard, Louisa Meyers, Lucy A. Flanders, Ella E. White, Mary F.
Flanders, Belle Hurlbut and Lilian D. Park.
1868— The Misses Flanders, Ella E. and Maria H. White, James T. Lunn, Miss Hurlbut
and Fannie C. and Alice J. Quiner.
1869 — John M. True, Lucy Flanders, Miss Nethaway, Clara Yocum, Eva Slye, Mary
Haines, Eleste Palmer, A. N. True and Gertrude Denison.
1870 — Isaac A. Sabin, Mrs. Hoadley, Miss Nethaway, Miss Palmer, Roxie C. Tyler, Ida
Meyers, Hattie H. Brown, Mrs. L. L. Cochran and Clara G. Newson.
1871 — Prof. Sabin, Mrs. Cochran, Mrs. Hoadley. Jennie Sprague, Anna Taylor, Mrs. M.
Dennett, Mary J. Cooper and Misses Nethaway, Tyler, Palmer, Newson, Meyers and Brown.
1872 — C. A. Hutchins, Mrs. Cochran, Mrs. Dennett, Miss Martha Lawson, Jennie Dodd
Miss C. Sheldon, and Misses Newson, Tyler, Sprague, Taylor, Palmer and Cooper.
1873 — Prof. Hutchens, Mrs. Dennett, Mrs. Cochran, and Misses Dodd, Newson, Palmer,
Lawson and Cooper.
1874— Prof. William A. Willis, Miss Newson, Mrs. Dennett, Mrs. Clark, Miss M. Gatti-
ker, Miss Dennison, Mrs. B. Blachley, Mis3 Belle Bacon, Miss Maggie Moore, Miss Sprague,
Mrs. Briscoe and Joseph Luce (music).
1875 — Prof. Willis, Nettie Salisbury, William Eaken, Mrs. A. Noyes, Miss Dennison,
Miss Newson, Alice B. Crawford, Clara Martin, Miss Gattiker, Mrs. Clark, Miss Ella English,
Miss Alice Sears.
1876 — Prof. Wdlis, Miss Dennison, Miss Newson, Miss H. M. Remington, Miss Crawford,
Miss Randall, Miss M. Grout, Miss Sears, Miss Cottington.
1877-78— Prof. Willis, Miss Crawford, Miss M. Gillispie, Miss Dennison, Miss Newson,
Miss Remington, Mrs. G. Fallon, Miss H. Terrill, Miss S. Holden, Miss E. Warner. Miss
Gattiker, Miss Bacon.
1878-79 — Prof. Willis, Miss Remington, Miss Holden, Miss Bacon, Miss H. Huntington,
Miss L. Little, Miss Terrill, Miss Gillespie, Miss Dennison Miss Newson, Miss Rheull.
1879-80— Prof. Willis, S. Williams, Misses Holden, Little, Huntington, Bacon, Terrill,
Dennison, English, Mrs. Fallon, Miss A. Blachley, Miss A. Schultz and Miss Willett.
As has been shown, the first schoolhouse erected in Baraboo was a small and unpreten-
tious log, with a low doorway and enormous cracks. This structure, in its time, served
the purposes of court-room, town hall and general meeting-house, and, until about 1849,
seems to have afforded ample room for that character of gatherings. By this time, however,
530 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
the village commenced to assume proportions of a more metropolitan nature, and a larger school-
house became necessary. After several protracted discussions of the question, the popular
union school system was adopted, and in 1850, a two-story frame house; thirty-five feet square,
was erected on part of Block 38, north side. The building contained three large apartments,
and served the purposes of the district for nearly twenty years, when, from causes which neces-
sitated the original enlargement of school facilities, the need of still more commodious quarters
became apparent. The first movement with a view to this end was taken on the 13th of July,
1868, when, at a special school meeting, a committee of five was appointed to select and report,
on a school site. Two weeks later, the committee reported in favor of purchasing the Baptist
Church building. This proposition was rejected, and the School Board authorized the purchase
of the Fox and Walbridge properties, at $1,900 and $2,200, respectively. Before the end of
the month, the Walbridge property had been secured and paid for, and on the 18th of August,
the Fox property became that of the school district. At a subsequent joint meeting of the
board and citizens, it was unanimously agreed to sell the recent purchases and buy additional
lots on Block 38, and erect a school edifice thereon.
District Clerk A. L. Burnham, in his report for 1870, gives the following interesting
particulars concerning the new building which now graces the north bank of the Baraboo and
overlooks the animating scenes below : " The excavation for the foundation of our new school
building was begun on the 9th of April, 1869. On the 24th of the same month, the corner-
stone was laid, and, on the 30th, the first brick. It was completed on the 10th of October,
1870, at a cost of $33,000, formally accepted from the contractors and opened for school the
same day. The seating capacity of the building is as follows : The 1st, 2d, 3d, 5th and 6th
departments are furnished with sittings for seventy-two pupils ; the 4th, 7th and 8th depart-
ments with 84, 60 and 48, respectively, and the south side or mixed department, has sittings for
forty-eight pupils. This number can be increased without inconvenience in the 1st, 2d and
4th departments, by fifty more, while the assembly hall can be seated to accommodate 220,
making a total of 870."
The history of school buildings on the south side is somewhat meager, though the rapid
growth of the village in that direction brings it within the pale of importance. The first
schoolhouse on that side of the river Col. Noyes remembers to have been a board shanty, which
stood near where now stands the Pratt House. The Colonel taught a class there during two
months of the winter of 1847-48. In 1868, the district built the present frame structure
which stands just south of the railroad track. This building has about outlived its usefulness,
and now, as the work of compiling the " History of Sauk County" is in progress, arrange-
ments are being perfected for the erection of a two-story brick-veneered building on Lots 3, 4
and 5, Block 4, of Brown's Addition. It is to be 52x44 feet in size, with four rooms for inter-
mediate and primary departments, and will cost about $4,000.
On the 17th of April, 1877, the School Board— James H. Halstead, H. Cowles and T. D.
Lang — passed the following resolution :
Whereas, t ho Legislature of t he State of Wisconsin, at its annua] session of 1877, passed a law authorizing the
Commissioners of School and University Lands to loan a portion of the trust funds of this State, not exceeding $S.ouO,
in School District N.i. V. of the town of Baraboo, county of Sauk, and authorizing the said school district to borrow a
sum not exceeding the above amount of said Commissioners, and to issue to said Commissioners certificates of the
indebtedness so contracted, said indebtedness to bear interest at the late of 7 per cent per annum, said interest to be
paid annualh the first day of March of each year, and said principal to be paid, $2,000 on the first day of March,
issr, ; $2,000 on the first day of March, 1SS7 : $2,(100 on the first day of March, 1888, and $2,000 on the first day of
March, 1889— therefore, be it
Resolved, that we, the School Hoard of said School District, in special session duly assembled, according to
law, do hereby accept the provisions of said Act, and the terms and limitations therein provided.
A Committee on High School was subsequently appointed, and on the 13th of August
following it was decided to organize a Free High School, $1,000 being appropriated to defray
the attendant expenses; $1,000 has been appropriated each year for high school expenses.
Quite a number of graduates have gone out from this institution, not a few of them having since
passed through the branches of the State University or other academic curriculum, and settled
HISTOKY OF SAUK COUNTY.
531
down in business amid the scenes of days consumed in elementary studies and boyish and girlish
games. The citizens of Baraboo certainly have reason to feel proud of their public schools.
The following tabulated statement, compiled from Baraboo's school records, which, in many
instances, are incomplete and disconnected, will give an idea of the growth of the schools in the
past thirty years :
1850
$198
1851
690
1852
*1,106
1853
418
1854
is:,:,
668
1856
217
1857
250
1858
500
1859
405
1860
515
1861
615
1802
540
1863f
1864
764
1865
900
Aggregate whole No. wholeNo.
Amount of Chudren in CLiMren in
leacaers I District. Attend' nee.
.Salaries.
440
433
482
462
491
524
533
537
1869.
1870.
1871.,
1872.
1873.
1874..
1875..
1876.
1877.,
1878.
Amount
of Taxes
Raised.
1,000
1,100
U3,358
*6,820
*9,198
*6,955
*6,651
*6,430
4,772
5,001
4,832
4,566
5.12i;
5.04:1
Aggregate
A) ml of
Teachers'
Salaries.
,150
.932
,873
1,750
1,177
1,050
1,200
1,245
1,378
Whole No
Children in
District.
562
634
724
675
Whole No.
Children in
Attend' nee.
357
405
409
Baraboo Female Seminar//. — In 1850, measures were taken by a few leading citizens look-
ing toward the establishment of a school of a high order for the education of girls. After two
or three preliminary meetings, an organization was effected, and subsequently a charter obtained
through legislative enactment, authorizing the founding of the Baraboo Female Seminary. Miss
Mary A. Potter was installed as Principal. Taking charge of the school, she conducted it for
one year, when she was succeeded by Miss Jane Gregory, who remained one term. Miss Mary
Mortimer was then placed in charge by the trustees. In the meantime, the school had become
denominational, being supported by the Presbyterian Church, in accordance with a resolution
passed by the Presbytery. Miss Mortimer remained in charge about five years, and was suc-
ceeded by the Rev. H. H. Kellogg and his laughter Julia. As the public schools grew into
favor, and became more popular through the judicious management of the district officers and
teachers, the star of private schools began to wane and the doors of the Female Seminary were
finally closed. Mrs. Bevy Clark was the last Principal. The institution, however, had pros-
pered in its time, enabling the managers, of whom P. A. Bassett was the principal, to erect
suitable edifices in the early years of its history. These were afterward sold to the Episcopalians
for a church and rectory.
The incorporators of the Female Seminary were Shubael G. Spees, William A. Niles, J. A.
Hall, P. A. Bassett. D. K. Noyes, C. E. Rosenkrans, J. G. Kanouse, Alanson Hewson, R. H.
Davis, Lewis N. Wood, Herbert Huntington, John B. Preston, John Taylor, J. B. Crawford,
Cutling Marsh, Sidney H. Barteau, John W. Rowell, R. G. Camp and James Cornelley. The
act of incorporation was approved March 6, 1857.
Baraboo Collegiate Institute. — Before the day of high schools in Wisconsin, colleges and
seminaries were very numerous. Every village claiming any pretensions to enterprise and en-
lightenment afforded a select school where the public-school student, after having reached a cer-
tain position in the primary or intermediate grades, could acquire a higher education. A select
school of this character was instituted in Baraboo as early as 1856-57, by the Rev. Warren
Cochran. The class was formed and received instructions in the old Congregational Church, an
ancient-looking brick structure that has almost outlived its usefulness. Out of this select school
^Increase owing to appropriation for lmikiing purposes.
532 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
grew what was known as the Baraboo Collegiate Institute, an institution whose day is also of the
past. The institute was formally established in the fall of 1858, being located in " the old feed
store," now occupied as a harness-shop by A. Ringting. It was regularly incorporated, though
the act of incorporation is not dated until four years later (March 2-3, 1863). Section 1 of the
act provides that " D. P. Crandall, Herbert Huntington, Terrell Thomas, C. A. Clark, C. C.
Cowles, E. Martin, and their successors, are hereby created a body corporate under the name
and style of the Baraboo Collegiate Institute, and shall be trustees of said corporation for the
purpose of maintaining and conducting an institution of learning ; * * * to appoint the
requisite professors and teachers, and to grant such literary honors and degrees as they may
deem proper ; provided that the advantages and honors of the institution shall be alike attaina-
able by both sexes." It was further provided that the property of the institution and the lands,
not exceeding twenty-five acres, should be exempt from taxation, and that no test of a sectarian
character be required of any officer, professor, teacher or student connected therewith.
The Collegiate Institute opened under auspices of the most flattering nature, and at once
took rank among the educational institutions of the country. Mr. Cochran assumed charge as
Principal, while Miss Savage, now Mrs. A. B. Benham, of Kansas, filled the position of Pre-
ceptress. Miss Savage had but recently taught a select school for girls, established and main-
tained by the Presbyterian Church. She came to Baraboo from Vermont, through the medium
of an educational society formed in that State, for the purpose of sending teachers into the
wilds of the West, to instruct the children of frontiersmen. A. L. Burnham was also one of the
original teachers in the institute, occupying the position of Professor of Mathematics. Prof.
Burnham remained one term. The trustees, encouraged by the liberal patronage bestowed upon
the institute, purchased ground and built upon it an edifice* better calculated to meet the re-
quirements of students and teachers. About the time of its first occupation, Principal Cochran
was succeeded by Prof. Pillsbury, who soon after fell heir to a fortune through the death of a
brother, and returned to New York. Prof. Hobart, now in the school-book and school-furniture
business in St. Louis, then became the Principal, and held the position until 1866, when Prof.
J. S. Kimball, a graduate of Dartmouth College, took charge, and soon afterward purchased the
institution of the Trustees and carried it on as a private enterprise. The school continued to
flourish and was well patronized until the opening of the present free high school, when par-
ents, for obvious reasons, naturally withdrew their children from the institute, and it gradually
passed away, being now numbered in the vast category of things that were. In its time, how-
ever, it served an excellent purpose, and many of the citizens of Sauk County have cause to
remember it with pleasure.
Miss Crandall's Select School. — In 1875, Miss Grace Crossman opened a select school for
children in Mrs. Elliott's dwelling, and introduced some of the minor features of the kindergarten
system so common and popular in Germany. The school was the natural outgrowth of the over-
crowded condition of the primary departments of the public schools at the time, and soon became
well patronized. At the end of a year, Miss K. M. Crandall joined Miss Crossman as an
assistant. The latter subsequently retired, leaving Miss Crandall in charge. The school was
soon afterward removed to the institute building, and now has an average attendance of twenty-
five pupils. Aside from the kindergarten features, the course of study is not unlike that in
vogue in the public schools. Children between the ages of four and eleven years are eligible to
admission as pupils at the very moderate tuition of $4 per term often weeks.
In 1864, Miss M. M. Nethaway, whose name, it will be observed, frequently appears in
the roll of teachers already given, opened a private school for primary pupils, and taught with
marked success until the opening of the graded school.
In the fall of 1867, Miss Rose P. Thrall, an Ohio lady, came to Baraboo and opened a
school in Taylor's Hall, then being occupied by the Episcopalians as a place of public worship.
The Rev. Mr. Hudson, of the Episcopal Church, took an active interest in this school, teaching
a class in Latin and music and conducting daily religious exercises. In March, 1869, Miss
*Tbe orn' n -w .m upi.,1 hv Mis* Ciati'lull's private school.
HISTORY OF SAUK Cor X'l'V 533
Thrall withdrew from the school, Mr. Hudson and his wife taking charge of it. The school was
then removed to one of the buildings purchased by the church in 1868.
The first sermon preached in the Baraboo Aralley of which there is any record, was by the
Rev. T. M. Fullerton, a Methodist itinerant, on the 16th of October, 1841, in the log cabin of
William Hill, which stood ten or fifteen rods east of what was then known as Draper's Mill,
" located half a mile above the ford on the Baraboo River." The sermon was from 2 Corinthians,
V, 20, and there were eleven persons present, none of whom professed Christianity except Mr.
Draper, who was a Baptist. On the 6th of February, 1842, Mr. Fullerton formed a Methodist
class, consisting of Solomon Shaffer (leader), Ollie Shaffer and Parmelia Gibson. On the 10th
of April following, Mrs. Mary J. Hill joined the class, and was therefore the first con-
vert to religion in the valley. A second class of this denomination appears to have been
organized in 1843. It consisted of six members, four of whom were Lorrin Cowles, Ralph
Cowles, and Solomon Shafer and wife. Rev. A. M. Badger, who had but recently been
appointed to the Sauk Prairie Mission, officiated on this occasion, and for some time thereafter
held stated meetings here. Services were first held in private houses, and afterward in the
court house. In 1848, James A. Maxwell, Peter Losey and A. Crawford were elected a Board
of Trustees, and a year later Baraboo was set off from the Sauk Mission and made a separate
charge, under the name of the Adams Mission, the Rev. Asa Wood being appointed Pastor.
Mr. Wood received for his first year's services $117.91, including $50 donated by the Missionary
Society. The number of members at its organization into a mission was sixteen, as followr :
Alexander Crawford and wife, James A. Maxwell ami wife, C. A. Clark and wife, E. Langdon
and wife, J. M Clark and wife, Mrs. Chauncey Brown, B. L. Purdy, Charles Stanley, Ralph
Cowles, Mrs. James Crawford and Mrs. C. M. Adams. About this time, it was decided to
build a church edifice, and the society at once took measures with that end in view. It was in
midwinter, but cold weather had no terrors for this little band of Christian workers. Clearing
away the snow from the ground, they erected a rough board building, 24x36 feet, sheathed both
inside and outside with unplaned inch boards and filled in between with sawdust. A rough
board pulpit and seats were also improvised, and in less than three weeks from the day they first
cleared the snow away they were holding a protracted meeting in their primitive house of wor-
ship. It was the first church building in Baraboo. It stood on the corner of the lot now occu-
pied by the present Methodist Church edifice. In 1851, the name of the mission was changed
to Baraboo, and steps were taken toward. building a new church edifice, which was completed in
1853, being dedicated August 26, of that year, by the Rev. Bishop Levi Scott, of Wilmington,
Del. In 1864, it was enlarged to its present dimensions, 36x74 feet.
There have been three annual conferences held in Baraboo — the first in 1853, Bishop Scott
presiding. This conference included all of the State of Wisconsin and the then Territory of
Minnesota. There were present one hundred and twenty-five ministers. The second confer-
ence was held in 1860, Bishop Scott again presiding, and the third in 1873, Bishop Merrill pre-
siding.
The pastors of this church since the time of the Rev. Mr. Badger have been the Revs. P. S.
Richardson, Edrich Holmes, Joseph Williams, Asa Wood, Nelson Butler, C. P. Newcomb. W.
H. Thompson, Augustus Hall, W. B. Hazletine, I. A. Sweatland, W. M. Osborne, C. E. Wei-
rich, W. H. Kellogg, Washington Wilcox, J. E. Irish, J. B. Bachman, Elmore Yocum, J. H.
Whitney, James Lawson, James Evans, Joseph E. Irish and S. W. Horner. The membership
is given at 250.
The Baptists.— In the fall of 1845, the Rev. P. Conrad, then residing at Prairie du Sac,
commenced his labors in the Baraboo Valley as a missionary preacher. Meetings were held in
the pioneer schoolhouse. The Baptist Church of Baraboo was organized by Mr. Conrad on the
17th of July, 1847, and consisted of five members— Geo. F. Nelson, Mary Ann Clark, Warren
534 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Brewster, Robert Crawford and Annis C. Crawford. The following day, two more mem-
bers were received — Simeon and Ruth Crandall. Elder Conrad moved his family to Baraboo
in May, 1851, and continued his pastorate until September, 1852, at which time forty members
had been received (mostly by letter from other churches) and twelve had been dismissed. The
first baptism in this church is said to have been that of Harriet J. Smith, December, 6, 1851.
The church was incorporated, under the laws of the State, as the First Baptist Church of
Baraboo, on the 8th of September, 1860. On the 8th of October, 1857, it was voted to build a
church edifice, which was completed and occupied in January, 1858. The structure was origin-
ally 24x36 feet, and cost about $500. In the summer of 1872, an addition was built in the rear,
doubling the capacity of the church, at a cost of $500.
The pastors since the time of Mr. Conrad have been the Revs. Thomas Harwood, N. Wood,
J. B. Patch, A. A. Drown, E. B. Edmunds, Spencer Carr, L. M. Newell, S. F. Stimpson, Levi
Parmley, J. B. Mann (died in New Woodstock, N. Y., May 20, 1877), A. Gibb (who served as
Pastor pro tem. for some three months with great acceptance and success) and E. J. Stevens
(called October 30, 1877, and succeeded in June, 1878, by the present Pastor, A. A. Drown).
The whole number of persons who have been members of the church is 392 ; present member-
ship, 90.
The record-book of the Baptist Church is a curiosity in its way. The first part of it was
written by Lewis N. Wood, and in it is revealed the genius of the man. As an illustration of
what this record contains, the detail in which it is given and as a matter of history as well, the
following items have been selected from it: " In the early history of the church, a burial-place
was purchased on the northeast quarter of the southwest quarter of Section 35, Town 12, Range
6, for that purpose. It formerly belonged to Ira S. Angell, whose mother, a member of this
church, was the first one buried there. She was about sixty-six years of age, and was named
Mercy, from which the cemetery took the name of Mount Mercy. The dead, however, were
subsequently removed to another burying-place, on the southeast quarter of Section 26."
Another remarkable entry in this record book is the account of the conversion of Curtis F.
Shipman, " the Kickapoo hunter." This event occurred during the pastorate of Rev. Mr. Conrad,
and is thus described: " On the evening of March 8, 1852, during a heavy fall of rain, while
the Pastor was in his study, a man by the name of Curtis F. Shipman, dressed in deerskin coat,
pantaloons and moccasins, came to the door and was admitted. He said he was from the head-
waters of the Kickapoo River, where the Lord had found him out, and asked the Pastor, ' What
must I do to be saved V After ascertaining his former advantages for religious instruction,
Elder Conrad gave him the advice which he deemed adapted to his case, and held a family prayer
meeting on his behalf. He tarried through the night, but seemed on the verge of despair and would
not believe, but on the 10th of March he went into the woods alone and poured out his heart before
God, when it pleased God to reveal His Son in him, and he returned to the house with a heart
full of joy, which was manifest in his whole appearance. He took part in all the prayer meet-
ings and remained in Baraboo two weeks, attending divine service and relating on one occasion
before the church a reason for the hope that was in him. He was duly received and baptized,
and when he left for the Kickapoo country, took with him a Bible, hymn book, and a bundle of
religious tracts, resolved to become a missionary."
There is also of record in this book an account of the singular sight of three denominations
baptizing at the same time and place, and many other interesting incidents which go to make it
a remarkably well-kept record, of which the church should feel proud.
The Congregationalists. — Warren Cochran was the avant-courur of Congregationalism in
Baraboo. His first visit to the place was in August, 1847, when he preached a sermon in the
log cabin of Marvin Blake. On the 18th of December of the same year, he came again to the
place and organized the First Congregational Church of Baraboo, with nine members, as follows :
Dr. Charles Cowles and wife, Marvin Blake and wife, B. L. Brier and wife, and Brazillia
Hickok, wife and daughter. The organization took place in the little log schoolhouse, Baraboo's
cradle of learning.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 535
When the first court house was completed, the Congregationalists, in common with the
Baptists and Methodists, occupied the court room for religious worship. In 1852, a church edi-
fice was built at a cosl of $1,200, including lot. When the proposition to build was first made,
there was much opposition to it, many of the members believing it premature as well as expen-
sive; but Elder Cochran was firmly in favor of the project. He said to his parishioners, " We
can build a meeting-house of our own," and with assurances of support from a few of his fol-
lowers, he set about the work in earnest, helping to scrape the clay from the hillside and mold
the brick, and when they had been burned, he aided the teamsters to load and unload them.
The structure still stands on Second street, just west of the public schoolhouse. This house was
subsequently sold and a larger one built at a cost of $4,000.
The new church was dedicated on the 10th of December, 1867, the discourse being delivered
bv the Rev. William De Loss Love, of Milwaukee. Prof. Hutchins announced that the debt
of the church was $550. He made an appeal to the liberality of trfe congregation, resulting in
four members of the church — Z. Lee, F. B. Baldwin, B. B. Brier and L. L. Lee — offering to
make up one-tenth of the amount. Mr. Burnham, of the Methodist society, pledged that church
to contribute $25. In addition to this, the Methodists present subscribed $100. Deacon
Cowles gave $20, and, with other subscriptions, the entire debt was there and then wiped out.
Elder Cochran, who remained at the head of the church until 1864, with the exception of
three years, during which time he resided at Brodhead, the pulpit being filled by the Rev.
Henry Hutchens and the Rev. E. D. Seward, thus writes concerning his congregation : " The
members from the beginning have all been pledged, especially to some principles of reform.
Prominent among which were temperance and anti-slavery, the advocacy and practice of which
were not always met with popular favor — sometimes with persistent opposition."
In April", 1869, forty of the fifty-six members of the Congregational Church withdrew
and formed the "Second Presbyterian Church," but soon afterward united with the First
Presbyterian Church. The forty members thus withdrawing, having aided in the building of
the new Congregational Church edifice to the extent of about $2,200, proceeded to install
themselves therein under the banner of Prcsbyterianism. The sixteen individuals who had
remained faithful to the Congregational creed, turned the other cheek by causing a writ of
ejectment to issue, and the Presbyterians were dispossessed. The matter was finally com-
promised by the Oongregationalists paying the Presbyterians $500 in consideration of their
interest in the building, and the latter denomination went back to their own house of worship,
leaving the faithful sixteen in undisputed possession.
Upon the resignation of Elder Cochran, in 1864, the Rev. E. D. Seward supplied the
pulpit until the spring of 1865, when Mr. Cochran again took charge. He was succeeded in
November, 1867, by the Rev. H. H. Hinman. Smith Norton was the next Pastor, and it was
during his incumbency that the division above referred to occurred. The Congregationalists
were then without a Pastor for a year or more, but finally secured the services of the Rev. A. J.
Smith. The Pastors since then have been the Revs. F. W. Fairchild,* and O. G. May, Prof.
Butler of the State University, the Revs. J. B. Bidwell, N. T. Blakeslee ami M. B. Harrison.
The membership is given at fifty-one.
The Catholics. — The Rev. Maxwell Gaertner was the first priest who officiated in that
capacity in Baraboo. He came hither from Sauk as early as 1850, and said mass in the Wis-
consin House, but, the accommodations here proving too limited, the place of meeting was soon
transferred to the house of Mrs. Gray, which now forms a part of the Lavoo Hotel, on the south
side of the river. Father Gardner visited the place once a month, and performed the rites of
the church until his return to Austria about 1851. He traveled on foot through snow and
mud, and put in an appearance with remarkable regularity for one of his age. He was about sixty-
five when he closed his labors and returned to his native'land. In 1858 and 1859, the Catholics
purchased, for $500, the little brick church originally occupied by the Congregationalists. It
was dedicated in October, 1862, and served their purpose as a house of worship until 1877,
♦Since Professor of Languages in tin' II. wind rnivi-rsity, Washington.
536 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
when their present church edifice was completed, at a cost of nearly $5,000. The old property
was sold to J. J. Gattiker. The priests who have supplied the parish since the time of Father
Gardner are Fathers Montague, Weinhart, Nassau, Heiss, Eitchman, Schriner, White, Coghlan
(who died here), Burbach, Lineal, Gungel, Michaels and Lavin. The membership is between
ninety and one hundred families.
The Presbyterians. — This denomination date the organization of their church from the
early part of 1851. On the 26th of February of that year, a meeting was held in the Method-
ist house of worship by a number of former members of the Congregational Church, and an
organization perfected, styled the First Presbyterian Church of Baraboo. Rev. Dexter Clarey,
agent of the American Home Missionary Society, of Wisconsin, preached from Matthew, xvi, 18
" Upon this rock I will build my church." Letters were presented by the following persons:
John D. Perkins, Lucy Perkins, Ralph G. Camp, William Griffith, Hannah Griffith, Benjamin
L. Brier, Eveline Brier, George W. Cook, Catherine Cook, Elizabeth F. Tuttle, Lucinda Noyes
and Anna Wood, all from the First Congregational Church of Baraboo ; Jane F. Camp, First
Congregational Church of Bristol Conn. ; Albert G. Tuttle, Third Congregational Church of
New Haven, Conn. A covenant and thirteen articles of faith were adopted, the thirteenth
article being as follows : " We believe that the soul is immortal, and that at the last day, Christ
will raise the dead and judge the world in righteousness ; that all who die impenitent will go
away into everlasting punishment, and the righteous be received to heaven to enjoy eternal
felicity."
The following interesting resolutions were also adopted : " That in the view of this church,
American Slavery is a sin of great magnitude; that while we deprecate all harsh language, and
rash measures in the removal of this evil, we will, nevertheless, avail ourselves of all suitable
measures to enlighten and correct the public mind in regard to the sin of slavery, and that we
will use all the measures within our power to banish it from the land."
John 1). Perkins was chosen Elder, and R. G. Camp, Clerk, and the first meeting of the
First Presbyterian Church of Baraboo adjourned.
In August, 1851, the Rev. James Kasson preached to the society in the schoolhouse, and in
October, he became their Pastor for one year. During that winter and fall, a frame church edi-
fice was erected, and occupied for the first time February 22, 1852. The structure still stands
on its original site, opposite the public school building.
In August, 1854, the Rev. Charles M. Moorehouse, having been invited to take spiritual
charge of the church, assumed the duties of Pastor. Mr. Moorehouse was succeeded in October,
1855, by the Rev. George Spaulding, the latter being followed by the Rev Sidney H. Barteau,
in October, 1856. In May, 1857, the Rev. Hiram Gregg became Pastor, and remained as such
until May. l*t>(*, when he was succeeded by the Rev. James A. Hawley. The Rev. E. B. Tut-
hill became Pastor in March, 1861, and in August, 1*6-J, was succeeded by Rev. E. B. Miner.
Mr. Miner resigned in July, 1864, and was followed by Rev. H. S. Clark, and he in July,
1865. by the Rev. F. Z. Rossiter.
In March, 1870, the Congregational Church having proposed uniting by letter with the
Presbyterian Church, it was agreed that joint-meetings should be held — the morning Sabbath
service and Sunday school in the Congregational Church, and the evening Sabbath service and
week-day meetings in the Presbyterian Church — " the arrangement to be entirely informal, and
to continue one month, in the hope that it will expedite an organic union." At that date, there
were ninety-two names of members on the roll of the Presbyterian Church, and one hundred
Sabbath school pupils. This attempt to unite the two churches was not entirely successful, a
few of the Congregationalists withholding their presence, the united portion, however, occupy-
ing the Congregational Church for nearly one year, when they went back to the old Presby-
terian Church. The Rev. Mr. Rossiter was, soon after this event, succeeded by the Rev. George
F. Folsom, and during the second and third year of his pastorate the present Presbyterian
Church edifice was built at a cost of something over $12,000. For about a year prior to May,
L879, the church was without a pastor, the Rev. R. L. Williams, the present incumbent, begin.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 537
ning his labors on that date. The present membership of the church is given at 175. The con-
gregation is usually very large.
The Elders of the church, since its organization, have been John D. Perkins, Merritt Clark,
Eliphalet Dustin, B. L. Brier, Marvin Blake, Chauncy Hall, Darwin Hill, Leonard Newcomb,
Harper T. Savage, Jedediah Hubbard, Miller Blachly, Ezra 0. Holden, John B. Crawford,
Henry Cowles and Ira L. Humphry.
Unitarianism. — The organization known as the Free Congregational Society was accom-
plished February 16, 1860. The founder of the society, Rev. Ichabod Codding, who had be-
come widely and favorably known as a powerful advocate of liberty and reform during the Presi-
dential canvass of 1860, preached in the court house October 28 of that year and on several
occasions thereafter, taking charge of the society's destinies May 18, 1861. Mr. Codding at
once drew about him a large circle of warm friends and supporters. The congregations were
large, and the efforts of both society and pastor for the Anti-slavery cause and the local sanitary
commission, showed that they could both preach and practice. Mr. Codding, on account of ill
health, resigned his charge in March, 1865, and died* in Baraboo June 17, 1866. The Rev.
A. A. Roberts was settled in October, 1865, and ordained February 13, 1866, as Pastor of the
society, which now became generally known as the Unitarian Church. This charge was partly
brought about by the generous aid of the American Unitarian Association in building the church
edifice, which was dedicated on the 11th of December, 1867. Mr. Roberts closed his pastorate
in September, 1868, and was succeeded in October following by the Rev. Fred May Holland.
Since the pastorate of Mr. Holland, the society has had no regular minister. The Rev. Mr. Albee,
of Sparta, favors them with an occasional lecture. For the past six or seven years, the church
has been used for theatrical and other similar purposes — in fact, it is about the only hal in
Baraboo that will accommodate entertainments of this character.
In connection with the history of this society, a rather amusing incident, implicating a well-
known citizen, is related. During the incumbency of the Rev. Mr. Roberts as Pastor, an effort
was made by a few of the members to oust him. At a meeting at which the matter was dis-
cussed, and after the disgruntled members had given their reasons formaking"a change, the afore-
said well-known citizen arose and opposed the proposition to dispense with Mr. Roberts' services.
He cited, in defense of his position, the fact that the pastor had done a great deal toward build-
ing the church and bringing the society up to its then prosperous condition; " and," he contin-
ued, warming up to a moderate degree of earnestness, "if you turn him out now, d d if I
don't quit this church and go over to the hell-fire and brimstone fellows at once."
The German Methodists. — The pioneer German Methodists in Baraboo were Frederick Fil-
bert and wife and George Wolf and wife. Meetings were held as early as 1865, in the basement
of the English Methodist Church building. The first Pastor of the little congregation was the
Rev. Charles Mueller, who was accidentally drowned in the Missouri River in 1866. The suc-
cessors of Mr. Mueller have been the Revs. G. A. Saultzer, Mr. Wentz, Conrad Hedler and
Frederick Griekmann. In 1868, the society purchased, for $1,300, the old Presbyterian Church
building, opposite the public schoolhouse, where they have been permanently located ever since.
The society had grown to considerable proportions in 1874, when a disaffection occurred and one-
half '! members withdrew and joined the Alb'rechts. The original organization still continues
to li id pother.
77/. Episeojiidiuns. — On the first Sunday in dune, 1867,' a missionary of the Protestant
Episcopal Church began services in a small upper room on Oak street, Baraboo, then used as a
Good Templars' Hall. Taylor's Hall was soon afterward rented and transformed into a house
of worship. A few months later, a parish, under the name of Trinity Church, was duly organ-
ized according to the canons of the church, and became an incorporated body, according to the
laws of the State. In September, 1868, it was resolved to purchase the property on the north-
east corner of Oak and Sixth streets, known as the seminary property, then owned by P. A. Bas-
sett, and $1,000 was the amount of purchase money agreed upon, one-fourth of which was raised
' Sir article on " Illustrious Dead " of Sank County for 1 i f . ■ mid servii'i-n of Mr (.'milling.
538 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
in local subscriptions, one-fourth in Milwaukee and the balance in various Eastern cities. A
deed for the property was executed in June, 1869. Mr. Hudson remained as Rector of the
church until April, 1873. His successors have been the Revs. Ritchie, Lemon and Cow-
drey.
The Lutherans. — In 1870, the Rev. Baumbach, of the town of Honey Creek, came to
Baraboo at the solicitation of a few German citizens desirous of forming themselves into a
religious society. Meetings were held in the institute building, and an organization perfected
with the following constitutional members : Dr. Koch and wife, William Schultz and wife, Mr.
Curtis and wife and Mr. Alpeter and wife. In 1878, a church edifice was built on East Fourth
street, at a cost of $2,000. The stated Pastors have been the Revs. Giesel and Shaffelman, the
latter now being in charge. The membership is given as thirty-seven.
The Albrechts. — "Emmanuel Church of Baraboo of the Evangelical Association of North
America " is the title of a religious organization perfected in 1875, having for its purpose the
dissemination of the quasi-Methodist doctrines of Jacob Albrecht, who, about 1790, established
this form of religion in Pennsylvania. Among the leading names of those who figured in the
early history of the society are the following : William Scharnke, George Wolf and wife, Gus-
tave Scharnke and wife, Leonard Smith and wife, Tobias Clavadatcher and Peter Sprecher.
Services were first held in what was then known as Post Office Hall. David Wolfs wagon-shop
was subsequently rented and fitted up for the accommodation of the society. In 1879, a neat
brick-veneered church edifice was built on Second and Broadway, at a cost of about $2,500 The
Rev. C. F. Finger was the minister who first had charge of the organization. In the spring of
1876, the Wisconsin Conference sent the Rev. Mr. Reichert as permanent Pastor. Conrad
Wiegand was Mr. Reichert's successor. The present Pastor is the Rev. Peter Massueger. The
membership of the church is about 100.
HOTELS.
The early pioneers of Baraboo and vicinity took lodgings in Nature's vast chamber, with
the star studded canopy for a roof; and, though their couches were hard, their consciences were
clear and their repose sweet and unbroken. Not a few of the old residents, who are still living,
remember the luxury of a night's rest in the log schoolhouse north of the river, after the
erection of that structure in 1843, or in the rude 10xl2-cabin of some kindly neighbor on
the south side. Some time in 1843, James Webster, father of H. H. Webster, of Baraboo,
completed a frame building in Lyons and accommodated new-comers. This was the first house
in the Baraboo Valley approaching the hotel order.
Early in 1847, Col. Edward Sumner purchased of the county a lot at the northeast corner
of the court house square, and put up a small one-story frame. He also took boarders, and
" slept " sonic of the strangers then coming to this region " looking land." This was known as
the Adams House. It was twice enlarged, being raised from two to three stories at the second
enlargement. Col. Sumner went to California in 1849, renting the Adams House to a man
named Watson, who kept it until the return of the Colonel from the " land of gold " in 1852.
In the meantime, the name of the village having been changed from Adams, for which the
Adams House was named, the latter had been christened the Western Hotel. It was then the
principal public house in the place, and as such was the headquarters for all classes of people,
the bureau of information and the nucleus of village gossip. It was here, in later years, that
Maj. Clark, "Jim" Brown, Levi Crouch, "Charley" Sumner and several others, familiarly
known to the residents of Baraboo, were wont to stretch their legs beneath the mahogany of the
old Western and discuss religion, crops and politics. But it is remarkable what different effects
the food had upon different persons. Look at Crouch, for instance, and then Sumner; look
upon this picture and then upon that. The efforts of the old Western landlord to increase the
avoirdupoise of one seemed to have taken unanimous effect upon the other, and vice versa. Maj.
Clark occupied the seat of honor at the table, and usually led off' in the diurnal jokes. " Jim "
Brown was always in a hurry. He kept a small stock of goods near by, the receipts from the
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 539
sale of which averaged probably 15 cents a day ; but he ate as rapidly as a merchant doing
business up among the thousands. He finally " starved out " and went West, where he was
successful. He is now one of the permanent guests of the Palmer House, and deals largely in
wheat.
In 1855, Col. Sumner sold the Western to Dunn & Davis. Dunn sold his interest at the
end of a year to William Wallace, Davis' interest being subsequently mortgaged to J. E. Wright.
Wallace ran the house until 1870, when both interests were leased to a man named Campbell.
He remained in control one year. The house was then closed. About six months afterward,
William Pearl, now of the Cliff* House, Devil's Lake, rented the premises and conducted the
hotel until a week previous to its total destruction by fire, November G, 1878.
The Baraboo House, built by Lyman Clark in the fall of 1817, is another landmark. It
now does service as a brewery on the south side of the river.
The Wisconsin House, now the property of Herman Albrecht, was built in 1852 by a Ger-
man named Cornell or Connell. The City Hotel, under the hill, also dates its existence from
about this period.
When the railroad was completed to Baraboo, there was an increased demand for hotel
accommodations. In 1873, P. Pratt converted his residence, just west of the railroad depot,
into a very neat little hotel, and still conducts it as such. Mr. Pratt is one among the very few
men now living who have witnessed and been identified with the growth of Baraboo for the past
thirty-four years.
In 1878, the North- Western Railway Company erected an extensive eating-house near their
depot in Baraboo, and placed B. K. Cowles in charge. This house does a large transient busi-
ness and has a good reputation.
Last, but by no means the least, may be mentioned the Sumner House, erected in 1877-78
(being opened in September of the latter year) by Charles E. Sumner. It is 60x66 feet in size,
exclusive of kitchen and outhouses, two-stories high, and has seventeen numbered rooms, neatly
and tastefully furnished. Its outer walls are built of sandstone blocks, uniformly sized and
edged. The architecture, in style, is rustic, of attractive design, augmented by an iron front
and large French plate glass in the lower story.
THE TOM PAINE ANNIVERSARY.
The "29th of January, 1867, marked an important era in the history of Baraboo. The
occasion was the celebration of the one hundred and thirtieth anniversary of the birth of Thomas
Paine, by a few of the leading members of the " Free Congregational Church," of which A. A.
Roberts was then Pastor. Efforts to secure the church building having failed, owing to the
opposition of a majority of the members, the admirers of Paine repaired to one of the halls
of the village, and there held their exercises, consisting of a lecture by Mr. Roberts and brief
eulogies of the philosopher and statesman by others present. The affair created quite a stir in
church circles, and was for some time afterward the subject of much discussion pro and con.
Happily for those who took part in the celebration, there were no statutory laws prohibiting
the expression of opinions that were not derogatory to the teachings of Paine. There were
no pillories for the punishment of disbelievers ; there were no stocks for the hands and feet of
free-thinkers ; there were no branding-irons to scar the foreheads of " heretics." The epoch of
"religious" murders had passed away. Less than 150 years ago, when Tom Paine was a boy, a
law was in force in Maryland, providing that, " if any person shall, within this province, willingly,
maliciously and advisedly, by writing or speaking, deny our Saviour to be the Son of God. or
shall deny the Holy Trinity, the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, or the Godhead of any of the
three persons or the unity of the Godhead, and shall therefor be convicted by verdict, shall, for
the first offense, be bored through the tongue and be fined £20 to be levied of his body. And,
for the second offense, the offender shall be stigmatized by burning in the forehead the letter
B, and fined =£40. And that for the third offense, the offender shall suffer death without the
benefit of clergy."
540 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
There has been a great change since the enactment of this barbarous law by the Christian
gentlemen of Maryland. The Christianity of Paine's day is not the Christianity of our time.
The preacher of that period who would have dared to deny the existence of a hell forty miles
deep, filled with salamandrian devils, would have been roasted to a cannibalic brown and dished
out to soulless swine. And so would have been the Rev. Mr. Roberts, J. J. Gattiker, Matthew
Mould and Isaac Green, had they then lived and dared to eulogize a man who denied the inspi-
ration of the Bible.
But what has this to do with the history of Baraboo, says an orthodox friend. It has much
to do with it. The history of the institutions of Baraboo has been given with all the attendant
details of growth and improvement. It would be a dereliction of duty not to say something of
the improvement of the mind, the expansion of the realm of thought, the intellectual develop-
ment, and the progress of true Christianity. The indorsement of the deistical doctrines of
Thomas Paine in 1867, it seems, did not meet with the complete approval of the Unitarian
Church in Baraboo. Only a small minority stood firm and carried out their determination to
celebrate the birth anniversary of the man whom they believed had given utterance to their sen-
timents. A majority of the members, however, at first regarded the movement premature ; but
when the 29th of January came again, no objections were made to holding the exercises in the
church building, and a full attendance resulted. Fred May Holland, the Pastor, delivered a lec-
ture. He is said to have been " very guarded in his utterances, and his most conservative lis-
teners took no offense. " Since then, celebrations have been held annually, and the admirers of
Thomas Paine have lost nothing of their social standing or respectability.
SECRET SOCIETIES.
Baraboo Lodge, No. 34, F. $• A. M. — Organized November 6, 1851, under a dispensation
granted, on the 27th of October previous, to James Maxwell as W. M.; Harvey Canfield, S. W.;
John G. Wheeler, J. W. ; George J. Miller, S. D. ; ( !. G. Gollmar, J. D. ; R. M. Forsythe,
Sec. ; Daniel Schemerhorn, Tiler. H. G. Jones and W. D. Truax were the only Masons
present, besides the officers, at the organization. On the 8th of June, 1852, the Lodge received
its charter. The instrument was dated at Janesville, and signed by A. D. Smith, G. M. The
Worshipful Masters have been : James Maxwell, who held from the date of dispensation to the
end of 1852; W. D. Truax, 1853 ; Edward Sumner, 1854; M. C. Waite, 1855-57 ; D. Rug-
gles, 1858; W. H. Joy, 1859 ; H. A. Peck, 1860; F. M. Stewart, 1861-64 ; Levi Crouch,
1865; F. M. Stewart, 1866; T. D. Lang, 1867 ; T. C. Thomas, 1868; A. J. Cooper, 1869;
F. M. Stewart, 1870; M. C. Waite, 1871; T. C. Thomas, 1872-3; T. D. Lang, 1874 ; John
Barker, 1875; D. S. Vittum, 1876 ; W. W. Andrews, 1877 ; D. S. Vittum, 1878 ; John
Barker, 1879-80. The present S. W. is R. Metcalf; J. W., W. B. Blachley. The membership
is 108— M. M., 88; F. C, 5; E. A., 10.
Baraboo Valley < 'hapter, No. 49. — This is the only Masonic Chapter in the county. Its
membership is not entirely confined to Baraboo, quite a number being residents of Reedsburg ;
one of Ableman's and one of Lavalle. It was organized July 5, 1875, with George G. Swain.
II. P. ; E. A. Watkins, K. ; Mair Pointon, Scribe ; J. E. Owen, Sec. ; T. D. Lang, T. The
chapter was chartered February 16, 1876, with the following charter members, including those
mentioned above ;is officers : George S. Rockwell, William Fox, G. M. Rule, John H. Hull and
S. H. Waldo. The High Priests have been G. G. Swain, D. S. Vittum and John Barker. The
membership is given at thirty six, one of whom — D. S. Vittum — is dead.
Baraboo Lodge, No. 51, L. O. O. F. — This Lodge was first organized and chartered about
1850, but was not successful financially. At that early day, Odd Fellowship was not on so
substantial a basis as it is now, and the Lodge went down after a short existence. It has been
found impossible, after so many years, to obtain the names of the original charter members, but
the following are known to have been connected with the lodge as charter members : D. K.
Noyes, Charles Wood, M. D. Evans, L. C. Stanley, Dr. S. Angell, T. Kirk and C. H. Mc-
Laughlin. The present Lodge (No. 51; was chartered Oct. 23, L871, with the following charter
BARABOO,
HISTORY OF SAUK COUHTY. 543
members: D. K. Noyes, E. M. Coon, H. H. Webster, H. D. Newell, James Dylans and W. 0.
Stephenson. It lias now (1880) about 125 members. The Lodge owns its own building, 22x70
feet, with store below and lodge-room in the second story, which is neatly and appropriately fur-
nished. The Lodge has seventeen Past Grands, and is entitled to three representatives to the
Grand Lodge. Following is the list of the Noble Grands from 1871 : D. K. Noyes, H. H.
Webster, F. B. Baldwin, A. J. Gorman, A. H. Cowles, F. Barringer, Thomas Libbey, P. P.
Palmer, L. 0. Holmes, J. M. True, H. D. Potter, H. D. Snell, J. W. Blake, Fred Baldwin,
A. A. Roberts, W. H. White, T. Spellan, and Edwin R. Bow, the latter being the present
incumbent.
Northwestern Encampment, No. 20, I. 0. 0. F. — Was instituted at Reedsburg, Sauk Co.,
on the 15th day of January, 1868, by P. G. M. C. C. Cheeney, of Janesville, with the follow-
ing charter members : B. F. Blackman, Leander Wheeler, Albert Spooner, Nelson Wheeler,
J. F. Hackett, C. M. Gaylord, J. G. Blakeslee, A. Mellen, J. B. Kastater, G. H. Flaut, John
Kellogg, E. G. Jackson, and R. A. Wheeler. After two years' work, the lodge at that place
having suspended, the Camp surrendered its charter. On the 15th day of November, 1875, it
was revived, and located at Baraboo. The following were the charter members : L. 0. Holmes,
P. P. Palmer, II. D. Potter, Thomas Libby, A. C. Tuttle, A. H. Cowles and S. F. Smith. The
Camp was instituted by Grand Patriarch Dr. J. H. Vivian, of Mineral Point. The first officers
elected were L. 0. Holmes, C. P. ; S. F. Smith, H. P. ; P. P. Palmer, S. W. ; A. C. Tuttle,
Scribe ; Thomas Libby, Treasurer, and H. D. Potter, J. W. The Camp now numbers about
forty members. The present officers are A. A. Roberts, C. P. : P. P. Palmer, H. P. ; George
Bloom, S. W. ; H. D. Potter, Scribe; George Merriott, Treasurer ; Fred Baldwin, J. W. The
Camp is entitled to one representative in the Grand Lodge. Both the Camp and the subordinate
lodge are in a healthy condition, financially and otherwise.
MUSICAL.
Baraboo has been musically inclined for a number of years. Dr. Charles Cowles might be
termed, with propriety, the father of music in this and other parts of Sauk County. He taught
singing-school in this village and neighborhood some twenty years, and many of those who
might now be termed "old singers," received their first lesson from him. Since his retirement
from the position of " singing master," several have attempted to fill his place, but have sig-
nally failed. On the 10th of June, 1867, after a musical convention held by Prof. H. R.
Palmer, an association known as the " Sauk County Musical Society," was formed, who adopted
a constitution and by-laws, elected Rev. Mr. Rossiter, President, D. D. Doane, Secretary, and
0. W. Fox, Conductor. This being a new experiment, it did not long survive, for we find by
the records of the association that it did not exist subsequent to May 20, 1868.
The next attempt at a musical organization we find to have been made after a convention
held in the Congregational Church on July 18, 1872. This organization was known as " The
Baraboo Musical Union," with D. D. Doane, President, William Butler Secretary, and J.
Hawes, Conductor. This association, like its predecessor, was of short duration, and gave up
the ghost after running a few months. Two failures, following so close together, was rather
discouraging to associated musical efforts, but after a few years the desire again found expression
through Mrs. D. S. Vittum, who invited the singers of Baraboo to her house on the evening of
October 23, 1878, for the purpose of organizing a musical society. This association was organ-
ized under the name of the "Baraboo Choral Society," and, after effecting an organization by
electing J. J. Gattiker, President, A. C. Tuttle, Secretary, and J. Hawes, Conductor, continued
to meet at the residence of Mrs. Vittum until a suitable place for weekly rehearsals could be
procured. This society is still in existence, having met in different places, but is now meeting
on Tuesday evening of each week, in Gattiker's new block, in the room occupied by the Ladies'
Art Society.
Baraboo can boast of one unorganized musical fraternity, which meets at the residence
of J. J. Gattiker on Monday evening of each week. This gathering of the lovers of good
544 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
music was set on foot by Mr. J. Hawes, in the year 1871, for the purpose of cultivating a taste
for a higher order of instrumental music. With few exceptions, on each Monday evening can
be heard overtures, duets, solos, etc., by the old masters ; and all musicians who visit Baraboo,
always find a welcome at this hospitable home ; also the lovers of good music, whether perform-
ers or listeners.
TEMPERANCE.
The cause of temperance has found many advocates and stanch friends in Baraboo. As
early as 1843, an organization known as the Washington Temperance Society was perfected here.
It enjoyed quite a long and useful existence. Solomon Shafer will be remembered as one of the
leaders. In 1850, this society was supplanted by the "Sons of Temperance," and "the Sons"
in turn by the "Good Templars." The different Christian ministers of course took a deep
interest in the success of all these movements, and materially aided them by picturing from the
pulpit the evils of intemperance and the good results of total abstinence. Elder Cochran was
particularly vehement in this regard. The agitation finally, in 1854, led to a wholsome uncork-
ing of jugs and breaking of bottles by a large number of stalwart temperance women. The
Good Templar and other organizations have been constantly at work ever since emphasizing the
vigorous work of their predecessors of 1854. In regard to the individuals who, in more recent
times, have kept the importance of the work before the public, it would be impossible to particu-
larize; the attempt to do so, indeed, would be invidious. All classes of citizens have manifested
their feelings in this regard. And, as a result, the sight of a drunken man on the streets of
Baraboo is an unusual thing ; where thirty and even twenty years ago, it was not uncommon to
encounter half a dozen in an evening's walk. This is not alone true of Baraboo; the writer
finds the same condition of things to have existed in other parts of the State. If this salutary
change can be attributed to the efforts of temperance workers, there is indeed cause for congratu-
lation.
ESTHETIC AND SOCIAL LIFE.
While the various institutions pertaining to the growth and prosperity of Baraboo are being
discussed, it behooves the historian not to forget or overlook the social and aesthetic side of life
here ; for, nationally and provincially, it may be truly said that the condition of the home life,
with its various social and aesthetic relations, is as certainly an evidence of the real intelligence,
purity and power of a people, as aught else.
The social and aesthetic life of Baraboo can claim marked excellence when contrasted with
that which exists in many other communities of equal age, opportunity and consequent experi-
ence. It is, in fact, far above the general average existing at large, and has been so, as far as
the better evidences prove, for many years. What element or class deserves the greatest
distinction or credit for building up and continually promoting this condition, it is not easy to
decide ; as there seems to be almost a balance of the forces for good between male and female
here, and because the prevailing sentiments, liberal and conservative, or religiously orthodox and
radically heterodox, appear to be pretty equally divided throughout society. But, considering the
particular means by which the social and aesthetic life here expresses itself, in the form of working
clubs or organizations, especially, conducted by the women of every shade of opinion, thus
united it can be said that they are justly entitled, as a class, to the mo3t praise. These organi-
zations, although having in some respects special and different methods of working, are all
devoted to the same general objects, viz., the cultivation of a liberal and high social status, and
the dissemination and acquisition of knowledge upon all matters pertaining to the aesthetic
culture in vogue and demanded as a part of our civilization.
The Old Uexpi'riatis. — Probably the first literary ami debating society organized here under
a name, where essay reading or intellectual contest and disquisitions on " realization or anticipa-
tion " were indulged in, was the Hesperian Club of " auld lang syne." The society was formed
during the time the old Academy and Collegiate Institute were running, before the war, some time
in the latter part of the " '50's," and was in its day a flourishing affair, and a power among the
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 545
young folks. It probably received its name from the old legend of the sisters Hesperides, that
reside in the west, where the sun goes down, and that were connected with heaven and earth, and
were great singers; and, taken all in all, were an unusually excellent set of girls, "so the story
goes." The society collected books and established a library, 'some of the old books of which are
still here in possession of the public school. After running a number of years, the Hesperian
Club, it is to be regretted, went up, where all good things are wont to go. May its shade rest
in peace in the garden of the Hesperides, soothed to rest by the sweet refrains of the fairy
sisters, its patron saints, and content in the memory of past well doing.
The (loose Club. — About seventeen years ago, while the great rebellion was at its height,
a few of the leading women of Baraboo united in forming a reading circle, believing that they
had a right to, and should pay attention to what was going on in the world of science, the arts,
and philosophy, as well as to the duties of housekeeping. The first steps taken in this direction
by the little band of pioneers, bound upon exploring the world of aesthetics, supplied a capital
theme for the sportive remarks of a few of the masculine wiseacres and wits of the place, who
denominated the " reading circle " the " Goose Club ;" and, as the children were permitted to go
to the club meetings, they, it was allowed, were the goslings ; the general conclusion being that
they all met to gabble, and consequently would not last long..
The first meeting of the reading circle was held in the schoolroom of Miss Nethaway, a
select-school teacher, and since that time they have met regularly every Saturday evening at the
same place. They have no constitution or special mode of procedure, the meetings always being
conducted in an entirely informal manner. The matter for reading is furnished at will by the
members, and has been since the commencement; and almost everything under the light of the
sun has been read about at these meetings, and perhaps discussed. As for gossiping, it was
never done ; for if that sort of thing had been indulged in it is safe to say the Goose Club would
have ceased to fioat long ago ; and further, it is presumptuous and ungenerous to suppose that
these women had no higher aim than the indulgence of such a puerile diversion as talking about
themselves and neighbors alone.
One of the social habits of the Goose Club, followed from the first, has been the giving of
annual dinner parties, each of the ladies taking turns as hostess at these fetes. At such times,
of course, the ganders are invited ; and it may be easily believed that they are nothing loath to
come and enliven these festive occasions with their sublime cackle.
The first members were the Rev. Mrs. Codding, Mrs. Dr. Slye, Miss Eva Slye, Mrs. Judge
Remington, Mrs. J. G. Train, Mrs. Freeman Longly, Miss Nethaway and Mrs. Norman
Stewart. There have been acquisitions to the membership at various times, and withdrawals
as well. Of the original members, five only are now left, but the institution still exists, and is a
credit to its founders and the village.
Literary Club of '76 — So called from having been established in the winter of '76. This
club was the successor of the Hesperians, being devoted to similar objects, and being made up of
both sexes. The organization meeting was held at R. H. Strong's, the members being the rep-
resentative young folks of the town. Much enthusiasm was manifested at starting out, and a
determination expressed to raise funds and revive the old library and establish a free reading-
room. Subsequently, the meetings were held at different private residences until September of
1877, when the society had, by giving lectures, readings, dramatic plays, concerts, etc., and by
personal contribution, accumulated about $175. Then they decided to open a reading-room, and
did so, making public announcement in the papers to that effect. The reading-room was supplied
with periodicals and books contributed by various parties for library purposes in connection with
the old books of the Hesperian library. It was kept open about a year ; then, as but few of the
business men encouraged and aided the enterprise, it was closed, although it had been well pat-
ronized. The books contributed were returned to their former owners, and so ended the second
library enterprise.
Industrial Art Association. — Fine art, as relates especially to painting, drawing, etc., had
but few real working representatives, or even patrons, here ten years ago ; but now nearly every
546 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
house is adorned by landscapes and various sketches in oil and crayon work, besides other artistic
embellishments too numerous to mention, a majority of these productions being the work of those
living here. This change is doubtless due, in large measure, to the influence exerted upon the
taste of the people by a resident artist, a Miss Maclure, who has been located here some seven or
eight years. She has been engaged almost exclusively in the work of teaching painting and
drawing since being here, and has been very largely patronized by young and old. In this con-
nection it is but fair to state, in honor of this woman's influence and work, that she is a consci-
entious artist of superior abilities, having made Art the work of her life, and having kept up
with the improvement of the times. At different intervals, various and special teachers have been
here, and have always met with encouragement when there has been any real merit exhibited.
The organization, the name of which heads this article, and which is really the slow outgrowth
of the work of years, held its first meeting Feb. 25, 1880, at the house of George Mertens, and
was attended by a large number of the prominent ladies and gentlemen of the place. After dis-
cussing what arts should be studied, the meeting proceeded to organize and elect officers. J. L.
Claude was elected President ; Mrs. F. Longly, Vice President ; Miss Minnie Drown, Secretary.
Subsequently, a constitution was drawn up and submitted by a committee, and indorsed by the
society, Article 2 of which says : " The general objects and purposes of said association are the
cultivation of the principles of art, and their application to industrial pursuits ; the receiving of
gifts, trusts and loans; and the having and maintaining such suitable establishment, and using of
suitable means, as the association may be able to acquire."
The association has a suitable room provided for their use, where they hold meetings, recep-
tions and art fairs. Their regular meetings are convened once a month, and at these times every-
thing pertaining to art, useful as well as ornamental, or for domestic or general use, whether in
the realm of architecture, sculpture, painting, or the making of laces and doing fancy work, is
open for discussion.
The Woman's Club. — This club was organized April 23, 1880, by the following ladies as
members : Sarah Powers, Adele Cook, Addie Donavan, Lizzie Woodman, Ida P. Roberts, Emma
Train, Sarah Spence, Fanny Holz, Mary Donavan, Lucy Case and Emma P. Scott. Officers :
Lizzie Woodman, President; Fanny Holz, Vice President; Lucy Case, Secretary. The above
union was entered into by the ladies that they might better and more freely and kindly inter-
change thought and experience, and thereby become more mutually helpful to each other and
society than they could be individually and alone. According to their constitution, the objects
are " to strengthen the feeling of sympathy and fellowship among women, independently of
social distinctions, and outside of the natural and proper affiliations of personal friendships, or
any existing organizations ; and to discuss without personalities such theoretical and practical
questions as relate to the well-being of home and society ; and also to extend our knowledge and
broaden our culture by such reading and study as we shall deem best adapted to our needs. The
meetings of the club occur semi-monthly. Before it lies a broad field to be explored, and may
they long continue in the course they have blocked out.
The [>t>n;ix Society. — Many years ago, a Dorcas Society of elderly ladies was operating
here, and under their direction what was called the " Little Dorcas Society " was set afoot, and
met as children, but, as the years slipped by and the little misses grew to womanhood, the older
ladies withdrew leaving the Little Dorcases now mistresses of the field. It is almost needless
to mention the fact that this is a benevolent society, devoted almost solely to relieving the wants
of the sick and afflicted, whoever they may be in the community. Words of praise given to
such an institution as this, and so begun, can but feebly express the admiration which every
right-minded person must feel for the noble and constant work of this society. Long may it
exist, and may each member rear children to grow into another. They give suppers, theatricals
and various entertainments to raise money, and many a dollar do they raise for the suffering
ones. Last year they raised about $200.
Magazine Club. — There are now three magazine clubs here that operate on the inter-ex-
changeable system, each member of the clubs taking some periodical which is in turn changed for
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 547
others, with the various members, until at last it comes home well read if not worn. This is a
most excellent idea, and materially reduces the expense of the best of reading, while it stimulates
each one to read and keep up with the times and neighbors.
There was a literary society of a social nature formed here during the past winter, which
met in the parlors of the Presbyterian Church. And in all probability these meetings will be
resumed next season.
The Quintecem Club — Organized in the latter part of 1879. The club is composed of
fifteen members, as is indicated by its name, and has for its purpose the social enjoyment of its
founders and the entertainment of their visiting friends. The members are A. H. Noyes, D.
E. Morgan, Frank Strong, R. E. Noyes, Jacob Van Orden, George Rockwell, Fred Lang, Dr.
W. II. Vittum, Walter Richards, Mark Warren, Lee Bohn, Ward Monroe, Will Warner, Cyrus
Brown, and Frank Eldridge. They have a nicely appointed club room in Post Office Block,
The floor is covered with a durable canvass, and the ceiling hung with gilt and black chandeliers,
while in one end of the room stands a handsome piano and in the other a Monarch billiard
table. Then there are chess, checkers and card tables, comfortable chairs and sofas, and all the
appurtenances to a gentleman's club-room, the entire outfit rivaling similar institutions in the
great cities. Each of the members is a host, and all are gentlemen, whom to meet is a pleasure.
Hunting Clubs. — Baraboo is the home of the members of three sporting clubs — the Gram-
pus Club, consisting of Charles H. Davis, J. W. Davis, Thomas Thompson, William Thomas,
E. Blakesleeand Benjamin G. Paddock; the Skillet Creek Club, consisting of N. C. Kirk,
George Mertens, Norman Stewart, A. L. Slye, T. D. Lang, C. A. Swineford, W. S. Grubb
and John Hull ; and the Owl Club, consisting of Joseph Hawes, Sr., D. D. Doane, A. L. Slye,
and T. D. Lang. These clubs make extended excursions into the game and fish regions of this
and other Western States, and were never known to return with empty game-bags.
THE CARDIFF GIANT.*
The " Cardiff" Giant" controversy, instead of subsiding like a collapsed humbug, is grow-
ing warmer and more mysterious. Below we give the Chicago Tribune's version of the creation
of " Old Cardiff"," which, if true, would seem to settle the question, and cause people to laugh
loudly at one of the best-planned and most successful humbugs ever perpetrated, outrivaling the
Mermaid, Joyce Heth or any of the rest of Barnum's best. On the other hand, we have before
us a copy of the Onondaga (Syracuse) Standard, of February 2. containing ten affidavits and
a copy of about as many freight bills, showing that the big iron-bound box which the Tribune
assumes to have contained the gypsum giant, really contained tobacco manufacturing machinery
of George Hull, our former townsman, packed with unmanufactured tobacco ; and showing as
straight a tracer as ever lawyer or railroad man could desire for conviction, that the said mysteri-
ous iron-bound ton-and-a-half box was conveyed to a point on the Black River Canal, south of Rem-
son, Oneida County, and there opened in presence of Orson Davis, a reputable affiant, and that its
contents were tobacco machinery and tobacco, as aforesaid, and that said contents were then
transferred to a canalboat in waiting. The supposition, on a review of this theory, is, that
George Hull was smuggling his wares away from seizure by the revenue officers, he having been
"confiscated" and proceeded against at Binghamton some weeks previous for having defrauded
the Government. While the erudite, keen, scrutinizing Syracuse detectives are out affidaviting
their Chicago cotemporaries, we, an unpretending countryman, well acquainted with George
Hull, will suggest to them the way they were fooled, as follows : The box which they traced
from Chicago to Black River Canal was not the box that started, but got duplicated by a box of
similar dimensions, somewhere in the region of Cardiff"; and while the giant statue was being
buried one night on Newell's farm, George Hull's machinery, boxed at the place of somebody in
league with him, was trundled right along to the Black River Canal for the very purpose of
* From the firs
ducing the article
i much interested '
548 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
having this same tracer follow it as the same box which left Chicago. The head or heads cun-
ning enough to originate the giant hoax are certainly shrewd enough to mystify a people by just
such a trick as this. The Tribune says :
" In an article on the ' Cardiff Giant,' published in the Tribune about two months since, it
was asserted that the ' ancient individual ' was made in Chicago. There was sufficient ground
for making the assertion at that time, but the evidence necessary to prove it could not be
obtained. It was known to exist, however, but those who possessed the facts were unwilling to
divulge them, fearing that they might in some way compromise their reputations as honest men.
They read the opinions given by learned scientists as to the antiquity of the piece of gypsum,
and laughed in their sleeves. They could not understand how people could be so easily hum-
bugged. This cannot be wondered at, because they were workers in marble and could not tell
whether the statue had been cut out by a workman or not. The majority of those who were
present when the ' last one of an extinct race ' was unearthed, did not know whether it was
stone or a petrifaction. Hence the excitement which followed, and the interest taken in the
' giant ' is, in a measure, excusable. The opinion of an eminent sculptor of New York, who
was called upon by the finder (?) to examine it, was not regarded, for the reason that he main-
tained that it had been chiseled out. Such a thing was impossible, they said. He did not know
anything. The learned scientists — gentlemen who have devoted years of study to unravel the
secrets of antiquity — were next called upon. They confirmed the statement of the unlearned
rustics, and said it was really a petrified man. There were some men who were incredulous,
and these endeavored to explode the theories advanced by the said scientists, but, as they were
in the minority, they were unsuccessful. Every story started by them was circulated through-
out the country, and so were the refutations made by those pecuniarily interested in the 'giant.'
The latter individuals had the best of it, and many thousands of people in the country to-day
firmly believe the Cardiff Giant is really a petrifaction, and that he, thousands of years ago,
walked, talked, ate and slept. To prove that this is not true is the purpose of this article. The
few men who were aware of the circumstances connected with the making of the image, have
furnished the information. Their names are suppressed, but if the gentlemen now exhibiting
the swindle to the people of the East want them, and the affidavit of the man who cut the figure
out, they can be satisfied upon application.
"In the latter part of June, 1868, two men, one of them at present a large owner in the
giant, arrived in Chicago. They had some time considered the feasibility of inaugurating a
humbug, and had determined upon having something ancient — a statue so old that it would
cause wonder and create such an excitement that before it subsided their pockets would be full,
and their object accomplished. The work of cutting out the statue would have to be done
secretly, and none but a man who could remain quiet was competent to do it. They searched
for some time, and finally met a German who had been in this country about four years, then in
the employ of a well-known sculptor of this city. He agreed to do the work for $75, down. A
block of gypsum, twelve feet long, three feet wide and eighteen inches thick, was procured from
Fort Dodge, Iowa, and placed in a gentleman's barn near Lincoln Park, on the North Side.
The owner of the structure was let into the secret, as was another, an assistant to the German.
These were the only persons, beside the two men mentioned, who knew anything of it. Even
the three did not know what was to be done with it when it was completed. In the latter part
of July, the two commenced the work of chiseling. In consequence of the thinness of the
stone, about a foot and a half was taken off one end of the block, in order to hav^ a better pro-
portioned man. A model was necessary, so one of the men who made the arrangements — Hull
by name — who is himself a giant in size, with sufficient intellect to humbug the learned savans
and wise men of the East, stripped and chose the peculiar position to suit the twisted and unfa-
vorable position of the stone. The artist then inquired what was -to be made, and was instructed
to make anything — a monkey, a baboon, or something that would represent a man. So, without
questioning the motives of his employers, he set to work. There was no necessity for his leaving
the bam for a drink when employed, as plenty of beer was supplied him. At the close of the
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 54U
eighteenth day the figure was nearly completed. He did not work at it steadily every day, but
whenever he got an opportunity during the daylight, also at night. His employers then came
to look at it, but what was their surprise when they found that the artist had given the figure
any quantity of hair. There were ringlets dangling from the head, lung beard and patches on
other parts of the body. Hull said that would never do — hair would not petrify. The German
was puzzled, and knew not what they meant, but removed the hair at their request. In two
days more the work was pronounced done by the artist, and his employers, after examining it,
expressed themselves as satisfied. Now to make it look old. A gallon of strong acid was pro-
cured and put on him. It ate into the soft material, producing spongy-looking cavities. A
quantity of English ink was then applied, and this had the effect of giving the giant the appear-
ance of venerable age. The next step was packing him in a box. During the next week the
box was carted to the Michigan Southern Railroad depot. It remained there for so long a time
that the owners were notified to take it away, as it occupied so much room and could not be
moved to make space for goods received and delivering. It was subsequently removed and
placed aboard a schooner, which sailed for some Eastern lake port. The next heard of it was
being unearthed on a farm in New York State, and an announcement of its antiquity. What
has been done with it since, the public well know, and therefore repetition is unnecessary.
" The artist, who is a very modest man, and whose name is yet unknown to fame, does not
consider this his best effort. This is evidenced by a remark he made when told that it was a
very poor piece of workmanship. 'Veil,' said he, ' they hurried me like doonder — any baker
could make so goot a tings out of dough.' He further said, in view of these hard times, that
he would be willing to take orders for duplicates from the admirers of antiquity and petrifaction
at the same price, provided that the ten-acre quarry at Fort Dodge, which was purchased by
Hull & Company to get the stone to make the giant, is not already exhausted by parties seeking
specimens of this now celebrated stone for their cabinets.
" If the owners of the giant who perpetrated the joke on the savans, and a goodly portion of
the people of the country, find that their swindle is in any waynnterfered with by this expose, let them
secure the services of some influential newspaper, and some more affidavits and opinions of the
wiseacres of science, and they may be able to sell some more stock in their enterprise. If they
do this, as stated before, the names of men in this community — honest, responsible men, who
are now acquainted with all the circumstances — will be given, backed by their affidavits, and
conclusive proof will be brought forward to show the Cardiff Giant to be one of the greatest
humbugs ever gotten up in this country."
The "discovery " of the "giant" naturally excited a good deal of interest, as is shown by
the following :
Syracuse, December 24, 1869.
To tht Postmaster, Bamboo, II is.:
Dear Sir — Has the man Hull alluded to in the inclosed slip ever lived in your town ? He is said to have
figured there as a manufacturer or dealer in tobacco, or both.
Any information you can give of him, the time he was there, his surroundings and conduct, will be thankfully
received.
Is there a Mr. Henry Peck living in your town ? By communicating early you will place me under great
obligations. Yours, etc ., A. Westcott.
Address Dr. A. Westcott, Syracuse, N. Y.
In reply to the above very polite note, Dr. Westcott, of Syracuse, is informed as follows
George Hull came to Baraboo in the spring of 1867, from Binghamton, N. Y., he said.
He leased a shelly kind of a building, of the value of about $400, perhaps, and entered in on
the manufacture of cigars, employing a couple of workers, and being associated with certain
others as peddlers of his wares. His chief delight, socially, was to expound infidelity, bet on
Seymour's election, and advocate New York Democracy generally. His peddle-wagon move-
ments were as mysterious, circuitous and nocturnal as characterized the four-horse teams toting
" Old Cardiff." Consignments of cigars and tobacco sent to him from east and west, were
known to have been deposited in unreasonable and unseemly places.
550 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
In the latter part of August (we think), of the same year, at about midnight, one night,
the " cigar- factory," which stood aloof from other buildings, was discovered in a roaring blaze,
from sill to rafter, and from end to end ; and nothing was saved from the fire. Meanwhile,
George Hull was away, on one of his peddle-wagons. Next morning it was ascertained that
there had recently been insurance on the stock, amounting to about $12,000; and many people
said, "Nigger in that fence!" And so thought the insurance companies; for out of all his
insurance, we are credibly informed that he settled, or compromised, or was allowed to ' slide,'
on receipt of less than $1,000, after much blustering about heavy lawsuits, following the com-
panies to Federal Courts, etc.
His family, we think, returned to Binghamton, the spring or summer following, and our
community mostly supposed he was with them ; and the next heard of him by this public was
that he was a brother-in-law or relative of the Newell who exhumed the petrified giant near the
hamlet of Cardiff, twelve miles from Syracuse; and our villagers, who knew George well, all said :
" George Hull holds a good share of the trumps in that game !" And after it was ascertained that,
although ostensibly having no pecuniary interest in " mummied relics of a race of giants," yet
he had been known to receive a loan of $9,600 from Newell, and there's not a man who knew
him here who could be made to believe that he ever intended to pay a cent of it.
Since our community have all come to be interested in George Hull as a very wily fortune-
maker, whose name will go down to posterity famed as a humbugger whose genius Barnum may
covet, it is natural that his peculiar traits of character and uncommon conduct should be closely
scrutinized. A prominent official of this city, who is known to have been on terms of intimacy
with him, has divulged the fact that Baraboo came near being decided upon as the scene of the
wonders of petrifaction. Near our village, on every hand, are some of the most remarkable
Indian mounds found anywhere. Haifa mile below the village, are several scores of the largest
and highest of these conical tumuli that we ever saw — and we have seen many thousands. One
of the largest of these, a little isolated from the main group, on a slight elevation, near Judge
Remington's house, George Hull selected, one Sunday, as a receptacle of a petrified — something;
he hadn't decided whether to chuck in a graven Indian, or gorilla, or mongrel rhinoceros crossed
with a hippopotamus. "'Twill sell fifty times as well as any cigars I can make!" declared
George. But circumstances changed his field of operations.
This incipient idea, not bad, indeed, for a " sell," grew in George Hull's mind, until it
assumed the proportions of the Cardiff giant, which was born of George Hull's wily brain, and
has made the scientific men of the East as big a butt of ridicule as ever were takenjn and
done for.
We have before us a photograph of the Giant, taken by Gott, of Syracuse. He hath a high
intellectual head with a phiz and expression resembling Bishop Simpson full as much as George
Hull. His right hand, open, rests on the abdomen, the left behind. Our District Attorney
has recognized a perfect type of that of one of our most prominent citizens in the ponderous pro-
portions of another prominent feature, and openly charges him with being in complicity with
Hull and standing with him for the model. The knees are a little cocked or bent, while the feet
and toes are atwist and look as though "Old Cardiff" was laid out after he had got cold.
Though not a graceful form, it is well conceived for an idea of petrifaction. Length of
body, 10 feet, 4.V inches, weight 2,990 pounds. We gaze on it some as we should on the image
of gold, 60 cubits high, which Nebuchadnezzar set up in the plain of Dura; and feel about as
much like taking stock in it as Shadrach, Meshech and Abednego felt like'falling down to that
fellow.
We know by the peculiar twinkle in the small, keen blue eyes of George Hull's cranium that
he would not scruple to humbug the world, nor any part thereof. The first time we made his
acquaintance, those eyes looked right at us, and seemed to peer into us, and pry, and gimlet,
and cork-screw their way clear down into the innermost recesses of our soul. And his giant six-
foot-three form, with his broad shoulders, and full but not obese person, straight as a glass
bottle; with about one whisker per square barley-corn on his round face, and his ever-sleek hair,
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 551
made him a very remarkable-appearing person indeed. And yet how little we thought, when
we punched amateur billiards with him, and discussed politics and the merits of cigars of his own
manufacture with him, and stage-coached on the same seat with him, and glistened to his inge-
nious theological dissertations — little we thought, we repeat, that our companion was so soon to
surmount the tip-top round of Fame's ladder, apply his thumb to his nasal organ, and, taking
a sight o'er his digits, defiantly pipe to a world of Science, History, Literature and Finance, the
mellifluous tune of " tweedle, deedle, dee!"
We have in our day seen crowned heads and princes, and mighty potentates ; we have seen
the Japanese embassay ; have shaken hands with live Presidents, and in solemn awe beheld dead
ones in their sarcophagi ; we have seen Daniel Webster eat, and smelt his breath after he had
drank, and saw him lying in state at Marshfield ; we have seen Gen. Scott a-hossback and Lola
Montez in swimming ; we have seen Henry Ward Beecher with a bile on his nose, and Tom
Hyer, and George Hyer, and John C. Heenan ; and Blondin lugging a cook-stove on a rope across
Niagara's yawning chasm ; we have seen a wax statue of the crucifixion in the largest cathedral in
America, and heard Barnum lecture on Temperance, and gazed at Pat Wildrick when he
couldn't wipe his nose ; we saw Andy Johnson swing around the circle, and met the Black Hoss
Cavalry ; but insignificant on the tablet of our recollection shall be all these, when we consider
that George Hull, with the ingenuity adequate to dupe, diddle, defraud and gull a whole conti-
nent, did nevertheless once lend us a dollar ! George, come back now and we'll pay you ?
Yes, George come back ! You shall have the freedom of the village and a key to Bender &
Miller's beer cellar. The President and Trustees will greet you with open arms, and every man
in town will tumble down and do you homage. Women will peep from behind curtains at you
as you pass, and grin benignantly. Children will shy away and twist around you and point at
you and say, sotto voce ! " Old meat Cardiff!" The revival meeting might not commend your
idea of the proper use of gypsum, but we warrant you a special prayer, if we have to pray it our-
self. No Connecticut town ever waxed prouder of being the home of Barnum, than will Bara-
boo of having been the home of Hull. We'll erect a grand triumphal arch, on which shall be
inscribed :
"The Hull Hog or None"
and Joe Davis be your charioteer as you are drawn through it in a chariot formed of the Hull of
Sam Hartley's steamboat, while the band plays Hull's Victory, and the procession shall Hull
and eat peanuts, and the boys play no games but Hull-gull ! Hull shall be the watchword ; Hull
the password ; Hull the countersign ; and the parole shall be Hull. We'll have the almightiest
Hull-ibulloo in the Hull world ; and after you're gone there'll be more children named Hull
than there were after you left t'other time — or if there are not there ought to be ?
George, we cry unto you again : " Come ! Stand not on the oi'der of your coming, but
come. You little imagine how much more you'd be lionized here now than you were in days
of yore; and if you'd only strip and strike that twistified attitude you assumed for the Teutonic
chiseler (for you to chisel the world by means whereof), why —
Silently we'd gaze on Hull,
As on a lion loose !
[The "giant" was shipped from Chicago to Union, New York, and from there taken in the
night by four-horse team to Newell's farm, in the town of Cardiff. There it was buried in New-
ell's barnyard, and when it was considered "ripe," Mr. Newell employed some men to dig a
well, selecting the spot where the " gia.it " lay. When the workmen came upon it and reported
the fact, the excitement in that community can well be imagined. Of course Hull and New-
ell were present, fully prepared to be greatly astonished. The well was abandoned, the giant
being removed to the barn and placed on exhibition. Thousands and thousands of people visited
and paid $1 each to look at it. When curiosity began to wane, a stock company was organized
and the giant was disposed of to speculators at the small figure of $100 per share, Hull and
Newell disposing of their interests. The last heard of the Cardiff giant it was in New York
552 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
City. Hull subsequently turned his attention to the manufacture of a stone giant, and running
short of funds, enlisted the patronage of P. T. Barnum, who was furnishing the necessary funds
to complete it, when a former employe of Hull in the cigar business threatened to expose the
fraud unless he was paid $10,000. This amount not being forthcoming, he did expose it, and
the scheme was abandoned. Hull is now living near Binghamton, N. Y., engaged in raising
tobacco. He is as poor as a church mouse. — Ed.]
THE HOME OF THE DEAD.
The first death of a white person in the Baraboo Valley is said to have been that of Dr.
John Morrison, a resident of Jefferson County. Dr. Morrison was one of a commission of three
appointed to locate the seat of justice of Sauk County, and while in this official capacity, being
in W. H. Canfield's "sugar bush," he was stricken with apoplexy and died suddenly on the
night of March 15, 1844. The body was taken to the home of the deceased for burial. The
next death was that of Fred Blabern, who was drowned in the river, below the Lower Narrows,
during the July (1844) flood, which proved so disastrous to mills and dams throughout the
country. The body was not recovered. In 1845, a man named Birdwell, employed by George
and William Brown in constructing their dam, met his death by the caving of an embankment.
His is believed to have been the first burial of a white person in these parts. William Brown
thinks the body was interred in an old Indian burying-ground northwest of the village, on what
is now the Ruggles place. The next death within the memory of the oldest settler was that of
Wallace Rowan, one of the very earliest of early pioneers, who went to sleep on a little knoll
near his rude abode, not far from the grave of the unfortunate individual who lost his life in the
treacherous cave. Mr. Rowan died in the winter of 1845 or spring of 1846, leaving a large
family. One of his daughters, the wife of James La Mar, now resides in the town of Fair-
field. She was born in Platteville, Grant County, as early as 1830, and is probably the oldest
living woman born in Wisconsin.
In 1847, a part of Block 20, of the village of Adams, was set aside for burial purposes, and
the body of George W. Brown, who was accidentally killed by the falling of a mill timber Decem-
ber 15, 1847, was the first buried in this plat.
A year or two later, the Baptist Church purchased of Ira S. Angell the northeast quarter
of the southwest quarter of Section 35 for burial purposes. Mr. Angell's mother, a member of
this church, who died about this time, was buried in these grounds — the first interment made in
them. Her name being Mercy, the new cemetery took the name of Mount Mercy. It is a
lovely spot, overlooking the Baraboo Bluffs and valley for many miles on either hand. Quite a
number of the pioneers of Baraboo, of both sexes, were laid away on Mount Mercy when their
earthly pilgrimage had closed. But the advance of civilization and progress soon caused their
remains to be disturbed.
In 1855, the Baraboo Cemetery Association was organized; ground was purchased of John
B. Crawford, in Section 26, and the bodies previously deposited in the three burying-grounds
already mentioned were disinterred and removed to the new plat. The first Trustees of the
Baraboo Cemetery Association were R. G. Camp, Ransom Jones, Irwin Crain, Thomas English,
Edward Sumner, John B. Crawford and Benjamin L. Purdy, Mr. Camp being President, Mr.
Purdy, Secretary, and Mr. Jones, Treasurer. Five of the ten acres of land purchased of Mr.
Crawford were surveyed by Josiah Dart, and laid out in burial-lot form. Mr. Crawford received
$400 for his land, $2u(i cash, ami the balance at the end of a year with 12 per cent interest.
There seems to have been some misunderstanding concerning the transfer of title from lots in
Mount Mercy Cemetery to the new grounds, as will appear from the following resolution, which
appears on the records of the new association, dated September 12, 1855 :
Resolved, That this association accept no more certificates from Mount Mercy Association, and fill out no deeds
to persons claiming lots in the same, until said association indemnify this association for lots thus deeded, or make
an assignment of their grounds to this association.
HISTOKY OF SAUK COUNTY. 553
The difficulties were soon settled, however, and the bodies then lying in Mount Mercy
ground were removed to the new plat. The receipts from the sale of lots, during the first year
of the new association's existence, amounted to $373, but a very small portion of it being paid
in. In the meantime, the ladies of the village had held a fair for the benefit of the association,
the proceeds amounting to $88.75. The remaining five acres (the north division) of the original
plat have been improved, and, in the spring of 1879, an additional ten acres were purchased of
Mr. Crawford for $500. The present officers of the association are T. Thomas, President ; W.
S. Grubb, Treasurer ; Louis Wild, Secretary.
Catholic Cemetery.— -In 1872, the Catholic Church of Baraboo purchased four acres of
land, situated on the Kilbourn road, and laid it out for the purposes of a cemetery. The first
interment therein was that of the body of the Rev. Mr. Coghlan, who died while in charge of
the parish. The cemetery belongs to, and is entirely under, the management of the church.
OLLA PODRIDA.
Mrs. Peck was the first white woman in the Baraboo Valley.
Capt. Levi Moore is the oldest living male settler on the Baraboo Rapids.
Archibald Barker was the first white man who came to Sauk County with the intention of
settling. He is now a resident of the town of Baraboo.
The first bridge built across the river was at a point where the present bridge crosses on
the street leading to the depot. It was constructed, in 1846, of rough round logs, and was what
is known as a " crib bridge."
Abraham Laezert was the pioneer Crispin in Baraboo. Daniel Schermerhorn also made
boots and shoes here as early as 184S.
E. M. Hart was the first school teacher.
Dr. Charles Cowles was the first physician.
In 1859, William Crawford and James Crawford, Jr., while fishing below the lower dam,
caught a sturgeon which weighed 113 h pounds, and was six feet long. A discussion of the
merits of this "catch " among old settlers brought out some pretty tough fish stories, one by
Archibald Barker, who says that, in 1842, while running the first raft of lumber ever taken
down the Baraboo, he saw in the stream, at a point just below the Lower Narrows, a very large
school of sturgeon plowing along, their backs being out of water. They had, apparently,
formed a line reaching from one bank to the other, and Mr. Barker says, when he first discov-
ered them, he thought some one had dammed the river. He killed three very large ones with a
hand-spike, and, while in the water trying to secure them, he was knocked down by others fully
as large as those he had killed. While upon the subject of fish, it may be well to state that P. A.
Bassett caught the first eel ever taken from the Baraboo River by any of the early white settlers.
Thomas Fullerton preached the first sermon in the Baraboo Valley, at the house of Mrs.
Valentia B. Hill, in the winter of 1842. Mrs. Hill was the first person baptized in these
parts, and her son, Ichabod B. Hill, was the first white child born in the same region ; the latter
event occurred January 9, 1842.
The first rat ever seen in Baraboo was found in Mrs. Garrison's store, which stood on the
corner just east of the Sumner House, in 1858. The old lady called upon some of the boys,
Levi Crouch among the rest, to kill the rodent, which they did, with neatness and dispatch.
It was a Baraboo Constable who, acting under instructions from the Sheriff, levied upon
some swine to satisfy a judgment, and, upon reporting the fact to the court, said : " I have
seized the hogs and have them in my procession."
LYONS.
The first village plat made of any part of the Baraboo Valley was that of Lyons, located
just west of the present village of Baraboo. It was recorded in April, 1846, and it was confi-
dently believed by those interested that this spot was especially designed by nature for the future
554 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
metropolis of Sauk County. James Webster built a hotel here in 1843, having become a resi-
dent the year previous. Mr. Webstefdied in 1853. Alexander Crawford came in 1844, and
erected a house near Webster's. He also kept hotel, and accommodated travelers and new-
comers ; Mr. Crawford departed this life in 1870. Thomas Morehead came in 1850. In this
year a school was established in Lyons, which is now in School District No. 6. Diligent search
and inquiry have failed to unearth the early records of this institution of learning. George
Holah, one of the school officers, has furnished documents showing the names of those who have
taught school in the district from 1867 to 1876, as follows : Francis Avery, L. M. Park, Delia
Odell, Samuel F. Beede, Hannah Holah, Lina A. Flanders, Belle M. Flanders, J. M. Savage,
Mrs. A. B. Savage, Mary Perigo, Jennie Dodd, Robert B. Crandall, William Barker, Prof. J.
S. Kimball, Bertie Van Sice, Belle Remington, Emma J. Jones, F. T. Twist, G. A. Pabodie,
W. B. Sprague, R. DeT. Evans, George A. Gross, Nellie Bacon and R. R. Remington, Jr.
Mr. Holah came to Lyons in 1856 : J. P. Atwood, Robert Lot, and J. W. Aldrich date
their settlement early in the fifties. Lyons succumbed to the inevitable, and gave way to the
more rapid growth of Baraboo, of which it is now a very lively suburb. It is to Baraboo what
Brooklyn is to New York, and, occupying this position, it must be a consolation to its citizens to
know that their village may some day receive the surplus population of Baraboo. The location
is all that could be asked. With the more thorough improvement of its water-power privileges
will doubtless come additional population, and with the latter — well, Lyons, as one of the wards
of the city of Baraboo, would be in a position " not to be sneezed at."
MANCHESTER.
The first claim made to any part of the land comprised in the Baraboo Valley was at a
point on the river known in early times as the " foot of the rapids." It was here, as has been
shown in the first part of this chapter, that Eben Peck, in the face of Indian opposition, and
amid the surrounding solitude of a wild and unsettled country, determined to make his home,
and soon afterward carried out that determination. The history of the water-power and the
manufacturing interests of this point has already been given. In May, 1850, a village survey
was made here, the field-notes of that survey as they appear in the Register's office being as
follows :
" This certifies that I have surveyed for Walter P. Flanders a town plat, called Man-
chester, situated on the northeast quarter of Section 1, Town 11, Range 6, with lots, blocks,
streets and alleys. All full lots are 66x132 feet; the streets are 66 feet wide, except that on
the south side, which is 33 feet ; all alleys are 16h feet wide. At the northwest corner of the
public square a stone is planted, which is 10 inches long, 10 wide and 5 thick, from which a
white oak, 18 inches in diameter, bears south 37°, and east 91 links distant; and a white oak,
12 inches in diameter, bears north 29J°, and east 72 links distant. The southwest corner of
Block No. 5 is 71 links northeast of a post in the center of said section, from which a white oak,
10 inches in diameter, bears north 24°, and east 85 links distant. Fractional Blocks 1, 2 and
3, lying west of Front street, are in Brier and Maxwell's Addition."
The foregoing was signed by Peter Folsom, Jr., Deputy Surveyor, and E. P. Spencer,
Register of Deeds, and acknowledged before John D. Perkins, Justice of the Peace. The plat
covered the entire quarter-section described, and in its time was among the most noted paper
villages on record ; though in reality there were a few mills and dwellings to mark the spot.
In fact, the place has by no means been lost sight of, but as a village it will probably nover prove
a success. Edmund Brewster will doubtless do his share toward rejuvenating it ; and should
the movement now on foot to establish a watch factory there result favorably, Manchester will at
least hold its own with the pretentious little village of Lyons, which in early days competed for
supremacy with Baraboo, and was distanced.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY 555
CHAPTER X.
REEDSBURG.
A l.i gend — Early Settlement— Shanty Row— Manufactories— Schools— Churches— Post
Office— Hotels— Banks— Eire Department and Fire Record— Ellinwood's Fair Grounds
—Orders and Societies— Government— Bridges Over the Baraboo— The National Anni-
\ ersart— First Criminal Trial— A Pen Picture— Cemeteries.
a legend.
Far back in the misty past, before the dawn of civilization, two Indian hunters — " noble
red men " they must have been — met in mortal combat in a grove of quivering aspens upon the
banks of the Baraboo. Both were slain ; each died from the effects of the other's knife-wounds.
Near their lifeless forms lay the carcass of a deer, punctured with arrows, its flesh still hot and
jerking. A deep silence pervaded the awful scene, but no explanation of the cause was needed.
It was the result of a sanguinary chase. Over hills and crags, through thickets and across
streams, the lithe hunters had given pursuit to the deer, each bent upon its capture. The ani-
mal finally slain, they quarreled over its possession ; quarreling, they fought, and, fighting, they
died. Had they been wise men, they would have divided the spoils, one taking the meat and
the other the hide ; but perhaps the smiles of a " dusky maiden " depended upon the result, and,
this being an Indian legend, such is presumed to have been the case.
The fallen braves were buried side by side on the crest of a large mound which stood where
now stands the Mansion, or Sallade, House. Here for many years their sorrowing relatives and
friends were wont to gather and bewail their loss. Among the mourners who came most fre-
quent were the mothers of the deceased hunters ; and it was from the lips of one of these old
squaws that the story of the tragedy was obtained by the earliest white settlers in that vicinity.
Recollections of the mothers' lamentations at the graves of their sons are yet recalled by residents
of Reedsburg. In the center of the mound, it is related, stood a tamarack pole, fifteen feet high
and five inches in diameter nearest the ground. On top of the mound, around the graves of the
dead Indians, a trail several inches deep had been worn into the earth by the feet of the mourn-
ers, who often came in large numbers and walked in a circle about them, singing and crying
piteously. It was a sad day for the faithful frequenters of this lonely spot, when the graves of
their honored dead were desecrated by the "implements of labor and liberty" — the pick-ax and
spade — in the hands of their white brethren. It seems but little less than vandalism. The
bones of these scions of American aborigines, together with the gravel and sand that surrounded
them, were finally consigned to the current beds of the Baraboo as a part of the dam which, in
after years, David C. Reed was glad had washed away — " For now I know what ailed it, and
can build a better one; I'm glad on it."
EARLY .SETTLEMENT.
The Indian was the earliest known inhabitant of the region about Reedsburg, but his moc-
casined footprints are no longer to be seen. He left many evidences of his presence along the
Baraboo, and when the first white settlers came they found his tribe in larger numbers than was
at all times comfortable or convenient. The fall of 1844 saw the first white man in these parts,
at least the first who came with the intention of remaining. Don C. Barry, accompanied by a
man named Henry Perry, while exploring this part of the country in search of a lumbering loca-
tion, discovered traces of copper in Section 1 of what is now the town of Reedsburg. A claim
556 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
covering the " find " was made and Perry left in charge, while Barry returned to his home. The
next summer he came back, bringing with him from Mineral Point two experienced miners. In
the meantime, James W. Babb and his son John came to the Baraboo Valley, reaching a point
looking out upon the prairies from the Narrows Creek Gap on the 12th day of May, 1845. Pro-
ceeding further up the river, Mr. Babb and his son soon reached the fertile lands comprised in
the tract since known as Babb's Prairie, and here they concluded to stop and make their claims.
Mr. Babb, unlike most new-comers, was blessed with some means, and with it he employed par-
ties then living on Sauk Prairie to come to his claim and with their teams break seventy acres
of land, upon a portion of which he raised, the same season, some buckwheat and potatoes. He
built a double log house two stories in height and sixteen feet square, separated below by an
open space twelve feet wide, but with the upper story extending the full length, forty-four feet.
The building was covered with pine shingles from the forests further west. During the sum-
mer, he went to Baraboo, purchased lumber, built a flat-boat, loaded it with provisions and
polled it up the river to his place. In December, he returned to Ohio, and early in the spring
of 1846, accompanied by his sons Stiother and John, the wife of the latter and Washington
Gray, he returned to Sauk County, arriving in time to put in a crop that season. Early in the
fall, Mr. Babb made another trip to Ohio for the remainder of his family, consisting of his wife,
his son Philip, his daughter Betsey and her husband, Stern Baker. The party, after a long
and tedious trip, arrived at "the Prairie" on the 8th of December, 1846. At the point where
the village of Reedsburg now is, Mr. Babb soon ascertained that a magnificent water-power
could be obtained, and he looked upon the section with a desire to possess it. He did not have
money enough to enable him to invest in the enterprise at the time, but he hoped at some future
day to lay claim to it. Before that day arrived, David C. Reed, then a resident of Walworth
County, heard of the superior advantages for a mill site in this part of Baraboo, and, in the
spring of 1847, he, in company with a Mr. Powell, came and laid claim to the land upon which
the principal part of Reedsburg now stands, including the mill power. In June, 1847, the
first improvements were commenced — the construction of a dam and the building of a shanty
for the accommodation of the men engaged in the work. In June, 1848, the frame of a
saw-mill was put up, and during that summer a few accessions were made to the yet meager
population.
SHANTY ROW.
It was in the fall of this year that the famous " Shanty Row" was built. When Austin
Seeley and family came in January, 1849, the inhabitants were Messrs. Reed and Powell, and
the family of the latter; William McClung (the millwright) and family; J. L. Green and Keves
Bishop (two single men). The snow was three feet deep and food was exceedingly scarce. A
few frozen potatoes and a short allowance of " cannel," with wild meat, composed the daily bill
of fare. The weather being extremely cold, and the inhabitants thinly clad, hunger was, per-
haps, the least of their sufferings. The houses were of the rudest pattern, and afforded but little
protection from storms. The rain and snow beat in on all sides, and during severe showers at
night, the older members of families were compelled to protect their sleeping children from the
torrents by holding over them umbrellas, and placing milkpans, buckets and other vessels on the
beds beneath the "leaks," to catch the water. The wind, at times, would whistle through the
apertures in the walls and almost blind the inmates with ashes and dust from the mud fire-places
and earthen floors.
The little log houses, five in number, composing "Shanty Row," were made of tamarack
poles taken from the river. These poles had been cut by George and Edward Willard, of Bara-
boo, along the upper banks of the Baraboo, and had been floated down stream to where Reed and
Powell were building a dam. Here they were confiscated anil turned to building purposes by
the settlers, who were out of doors, without a roof to shelter them, ami had no time to wait for
permission from the owners to take them. Two apartments were erected under one roof; that is
to say, two rooms, twelve by sixteen feet, were built twelve feet apart, tamarack poles of sufficient
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 557
length to reach across both structures being placed on top, thus forming a covered compartment
between the two. The roof was made of elm bark, peeled horizontally from adjacent trees, and
used in the same manner as shingles, two tiers of bark being sufficient to cover one side of the
shanty. The cracks in the shanties were " chinked and daubed," with pieces of three-cornered
wood and a liberal proportion of the native swamp mud, which, in soft weather, existed in
generous quantities ; and, when this composition of bog and basswood dried, there was no neces-
sity for windows for purposes of light or ventilation. Probably the most annoying feature of
one of these frontier dwellings was the basswood door, which, during damp weather, would grow
much too large for the aperture. Mrs. Seeley remembers, on one occasion, when her door was
" on a swell," having placed a large stick of wood against it on retiring. During the night, un-
der the influence of a warm fire and drier weather, contraction set in, and the door "went to
with a bang." The noise brought the sleeping occupants of " Shanty Row " to a sitting posture ;
but, not hearing a second volley, their fears of an attack from Indians were soon dissipated.
The houses in " Shanty Row " were numbered after the manner of more palatial residences
in large cities. No. 1, which stood at the west end of the row, next to the river, was known as
"Bachelors' Hall." It was here that " the boys " came together and discussed the day's topics,
after which they joined in devotional exercises and retired to their respective apartments, to be
up with the lark in the morning. In No. 2, lived Mr. Powell and his family, consisting of a
wife and four children, one boy and three girls. With Mr. Powell lived a young man named
Brace, who afterward married the eldest daughter, a buxom girl of twenty years, and 210
pounds avordupoise. It is said that a gunny-bag, somewhat altered and revamped, figured as
an important part of the bridal trosseau. The third house, or No. 3, was the domicile of William
McClung and his wife and daughter. Mr. McClung was the millwright employed by Reed &
Powell, to superintend the building of the saw-mill. In No. 4 lived Elder Locke, his wife and
six children — John, Susan, James, Rebecca, Levi and Phoebe. The Elder is said to have been
the first to preach the Gospel in Reedsburg. His pulpit was a chair, and his temple the open
roadway. He now resides on Hay Creek, a few miles northwest of the village. The fifth
shanty in the row was the last one put up, and its first occupants were the family of J. H.
Rork, who came in February, 184!', from Racine. Unlike some of the other settlers, they came
moderately well supplied with provisions and money. They found the people in the shanties in
a state of destitution, the only eatable thing in the whole row being a shank of venison ; and
they at once shared their plenty with the less fortunate. But a time came when they were as
destitute as the others. Sickness and misfortune attended them ; they shared their provisions
with the others until all were gone, and potatoes were all they had for food. Provisions could
not be obtained nearer than Portage or Madison, and there were neither teams nor time to haul
them hither. There were seven members in the Rork family ; J. II. and Diena Rork, the father
and mother ; L. E. Rork, A. R. Rork, Wealthy Elizabeth Rork, W. W. Rork and 0. 0. Rork,
the children.
Early in 1849, Mr. Powell sold out his interest in the mill to Caleb Croswell, a new-comer,
and Mr. Croswell in turn sold to William Van Bergen the same year. In this year, also, the mill
was put into operation, and the first lumber sawed was used to cover the mill and build a shanty,
into which Austin Seeley and family moved temporarily, and which was afterward known as the
" old mill house."
The completion of the mill marked an important era in the history of Reedsburg. Its pro-
jectors met with many difficulties in the form of bad weather, scarcity of provisions, impassable
roads, sickness, etc. As already stated, work was first commenced in June, 1847. A pleasing
feature of the work was the finding of a solid rock bottom in the river bed, upon which the dam
was built. This must have been an agreeable surprise to the inhabitants, who, from the character
of the ground upon which the village now stands, had about arrived at the conclusion that there
was nothing but mud beneath them. The weather being cold, and working in the water a disa-
greeable task, a few of the many Indians in the neighborhood were employed to wade into the
stream and deposit the material for the dam. They were paid for their labor in economical
558 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
quantities of whisky, which with poor Lo is a currency always above par, no matter how freely
it may be " watered." The mill building was raised in June, 1848, three days being devoted
to the work. There were present representatives from all the then settled parts of the county,
and it is of oral record that "a good time" was had.
" The year 1849," says Mrs. French in her " Sketch Book," " brought a few other settlers.
Z. T. Carver and his wife and two children came that year. So did Daniel Carver. The latter
located on a farm. Mr. Vernoy and family, J. P. Mowers, Horace Carver and Samuel Chase
also settled here that year. D. B. Rudd and E. 0. Rudd, brothers, were among the pioneers,
having arrived here in 1849. They were single men, and they brought their mother and sister
to keep house for them. But Col. Strong, who came in the next year, finally coaxed that sister
to accept the position of Mrs. R. M. Strong, and to make glad his home instead of theirs. The
blow was a terrible one to the brothers. Neither ever took another housekeeper. The frost of
life's winter is gleaming among their dark hair, but no gentle hand ever strokes it away.
Though wealthy and influential, they have turned from womankind, and live only to console
each other. Z. T. Carver, A. F. Leonard, Samuel Leonard, his father, John Leonard, and
George Huffnail, were also settlers in 1849."
The first frame house, if we except the slab shanty known as the " Old Mill House," was
put up in the fall of 1849. It was built and occupied by Austin Seeley and family, and is
still standing, being the residence of J. F. Danforth. The next frame was erected by John C.
Clark, on the present site of the Reineke House, and known as the Clark House, it being used
as a hotel. It was one and a half stories high, and was regarded as a " bi^ thing," probably
second only to the mill. It was here that the first store in the place was located, a stock of
goods being opened for sale in the bar-room by 0. H. Perry. The goods were the property of
J. F. Sanford, now of Lavalle, who then kept a store in Baraboo. The amount of merchandise on
hand was small, and in order to prevent the annoyance of people asking for articles not on
hand, a half-sheet of paper containing a catalogue of goods for sale was kept posted on the
door, so that all might ascertain, without asking, if the articles wanted were there. In the
spring of 1851, the store was removed across the street to a little frame built for that purpose.
J. S. Strong was the founder of the next store in the place. He kept a small stock of dry
goods, groceries and crockery. The old gentleman's three sons assisted him. Two of the sons
are still residents of Sauk County.
The territory of the present town of Reedsburg was formerly divided between the towns of
Baraboo and Eagle. In 1850, a town of Reedsburg was established, named in honor of D. C.
Reed. It comprised the present towns of Woodland, Lavalle, Winfield, and a portion of Iron-
ton, in addition to what is now known as Reedsburg. The town articles were drafted in a
blacksmith-shop, and upon the top of James W. Babb's hat. The first officers of this town
were John II. Rork, S. Kerstetter and W. P. Randall, Supervisors ; and Daniel Carver, Treas-
urer. Reductions of territory were made at intervals until 1854, when the town was included
in its present boundaries. At this time, there was a great range for county seats. Every man,
as soon as he built a house, marked out a court house square and expected his place to be the
county seat. In consequence, there was a great deal of rivalry and jealousy between different portions
of the county. The original village plat belonged to D. C. Reed and George H. Irwin, a rela-
tive of Reed's ; one owning the land south, and the other that north of Main street. The
additions to Reedsburg are Mackey's First, made August, 1853, and Dwinnell's Addition, made
about the same time; Mackey's Second and Third Additions, Mott's three Additions, and Mrs.
Titus' Addition. The village was laid out and platted in 1852.
In the spring of 1851, occurred the somewhat famous saw-log war, or better known prob-
ably as the Baraboo war. It was then a common thing for early settlers engaged in the logging
business to cut timber from the vast domains of Uncle Sam without his permission, and before
the old gentleman surveyed and sold his hinds in that region, there was a wide expanse along
the upper waters of the Baraboo covered with tall and graceful pines. Among others who cut
and rafted saw-logs from this section were George and Edward Willard, of Baraboo. The
y£7f.-J*/r(,teC^ /J?,(CX<
REEDSBURG
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 561
building of a dam at Reedsburg seriously interfered with the successful pursuit of rafting, and it
soon became optional upon the part of Mr. Reed for rafts to pass over the darn. It finally
occurred to him that it would be to his interest to prohibit further operations of this kind. In
doing so, he would not only prevent the probable demolition of his dam, but it was in the natural
order of things that the large number of logs then lying in the stream could be purchased at a
low price, and made into lumber at his mill. But the Willards insisted upon their right to pass
their logs over the dam, and when Mr. Reed, backed by the citizens of Reedsburg, positively
refused them this privilege, they returned to Baraboo for the purpose of mustering a sufficient
number of their friends to help them cut the dam and pass the logs over. In the meantime,
the Reedsburg citizens dispatched a messenger to Madison for the United States Marshal, who,
they supposed, would seize the logs, they having been cut from Government land. They were
disappointed, however, when the Marshal appeared with a posse of men and ordered the'daui
cut away and the logs released. An indignation meeting was called at once, and a large and
excited crowd assembled in Sanford's store. Inflammatory, as well as conciliatory, speeches
were made, but E. G. Wheeler finally convinced the crowd that it would be the height of folly
to attempt resistance to United States authority. It is worthy of record that there was no
recourse to violence ; and, although the cutting of* the dam was a vital blow at the then leading
interest in Reedsburg, the citizens bore their misfortune with true pioneer fortitude.
In July, 1852, when the Rev. S. A. Dwinnell came to Reedsburg with his wife and six
children, he found upon the site *of the present village twenty-seven families and eight single
men, 114 persons in all. This was the growth of three years. Following is a list of the inhab-
itants at that date, the figures indicating the number in each family : J. S. Strong, 4 ; L. Gay
Sperry, 4; Austin Seeley, 4; S. H. Chase, 2; Z. T. Carver, 6; 0. H. Perry, 2; Eber Bene-
dict, 4; Peter Barringer, 4; Volney Spink, 5; A. H. Witherall, 2; P. B. Smith, 3; W. Mc-
Clung, 3; A. C. Reed, 8; Dr. R. G. Williams, 7; Kindred Priest, 3; H. H. Carver, 4; J.
Clark, 5; J. C. Bovee, 3; E. G. Wheeler, 6; W. W. Carpenter, 3; Garrett Rathbun, 7;
Harry Bishop, 3; J. Mowers, 6; William Peck, 4; Aaron Hall, 4; Orlando Secor, 5, and
David C. Reed, 5. To these must be added Mr. Dwinnell's family of eight, making the entire
population, twenty-nine years ago, 122 persons. The business portion of the village was located
in what was then a black-alder swamp. In the eyes of strangers, this was regarded as a draw-
back to the growth of the village. The people coining from Baraboo and all the region east, as
well as those coming from what is now the town of Winfield and the settlement in the town of
Dellona, known as Sligo, were obliged, in order to get to the stores, the tavern and the saw-
mill, to travel along a ridge of hard land from near " Kelsey's Corner " to the rear part of what
is now the Central House, and around to the north of the Mansion House into Main street, near
Strong's store, now the saloon and eating-house of William Roper. Main street, from "Kelsey's
Corner" to Nelson Carver's saloon, was an impassable swamp. A ditch had been dug on the
north side of it, which remained the only improvement upon it for two or three years. It was
afterward so covered with sand that teams began to travel over it, but it was many years before
it was rendered perfectly safe for teams to pass without getting " sloughed."
In the summer of 1851, business was greatly depressed. It was a very hard time for the
laboring man and the mechanic. Money and provisions were scarce. Lumber was the only
article which was abundant. Mr. Dwinnell brought with him a large quantity of flour and a
number of cows, which he exchanged with his neighbors for lumber, labor and hay, greatly to
their advantage as well as his own. A deep gloom hung over the future of the place. With
few exceptions, everything about the village looked '-slipshod, down at the heels, out at the
toes." The exceptions were the new, commodious, painted Reedsburg Hotel, built the year pre-
vious, by John Clark ; also the two-story store and dwelling of J. S. Strong, which was also painted,
and just west of it a large building being erected for stores and a dwelling by Volnev Spink.
To these should be added the cabinet-shop, and a dwelling over it, of Austin Seeley, "near the
northeast part of the park, now occupied, with more recent additions, by J. F. Danforth. This
building was also painted white. The other houses were mostly small" unpainted and without
cornice or ornaments. Most of them were covered with rough boards. 0
562 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
The causes which led to the stagnation of business in Reedsburg and prevented its growth
while other villages in the county were prospering, are numerous ; but a recital of them in these
pages would only have the effect of opening afresh wounds that have gradually healed. Be-
sides, it is not the purpose of the publishers to revive sad recollections of the local feuds they
find to be a part of the history of every community. There is enough to record that is pleasant,
and, as it was not through the medium of personal differences that the village attained its pres-
ent important position, but the result of liberal ideas and a close adherence to the mandates of
the much-violated Golden Rule, it is proper that all save that which will impress future gener-
ations with the integrity of their ancestry, should be consigned to oblivion. Therefore we pass
over much that has been written concerning early personal strife in Reedsburg, and take up the
record of that which resulted for its good and bound lasting ties of friendship. This is ably set
forth in one of Mr. Dwinnell's pioneer sketches. He says : " The first direct effort to save the
place from ruin was the organization of the Reedsburg Mill Company, in August, 1851. It
consisted of E. G. Wheeler, John H. Rork, Z. T. Carver, Daniel Carver, S. A. Dwinnell, D.
C. Reed, Eber Benedict and W. W. Carpenter. The first five persons above named were con-
stituted a board of trustees, of which S. A. Dwinnell was chosen President and E. G. Wheeler
Secretary. The design of the company was to purchase the property of Reed and clear it of
incumbrance ; to put the flouring-mill in operation and give deeds of lots to such persons as were
entitled to them by previous purchase of Reed, and sell lots to those who wished to erect build-
ings. In order to effect this object, the stockholders gave a mortgage upon real estate to the
amount of the stock subscribed by them. In the month of November following, Messrs. Wheeler
and Reed were sent as agents to the city of New York, to make an effort to raise money upon
these farm mortgages. In that intended negotiation they were unsuccessful. But Reed found
there an old acquaintance by the name of A. H. Irving, who loaned him sufficient funds to can-
cel the mortgage held by Van Bergen, upon the quarter-section south of Main street, and to
purchase of A. A. Mott,* of New York, the quarter north of Main street. Irving took a deed
of the property and gave Reed power of attorney to give deeds to such persons as had purchased
lots of him, or might wish to do so. This delivered the place of the embarrassments which
threatened to ruin it, and relieved the anxieties of those who had purchased lots of Reed and
built upon them. In the spring of 1852, Abram West, J. H. Rork and Z. T. Carver made an
arrangement with Reed to put the flouring-mill in operation. In order to raise the necessary
funds to effect this object, the farmers in the vicinity, as well as some of the inhabitants of the
village, advanced money and agreed to take pay in grinding. By this means the mill was run-
ning in season to grind the grain of the harvest of that year. It was a great convenience to the
people in this region, who had previously been obliged to go to Baraboo or Delton for all their
milling. In the year 1854, J. and S. Mackey purchased the property of Reed, and the year
following they took in their brother, Dr. E. R. Mackey, as a partner. The financial prosperity
thus became permanently restored. Settlers began to come in rapidly. Money became plenty,
and a large number of houses and stores were built. A. B. Smith erected the Alba House, and
D. C. Reed and Dr. E. R. Mackey the Mansion House. In 1856, Northrup & Young built a
large store and filled it with goods. About the same time came J. Johnson & Co. and J. V.
Kelsey, and opened dry goods stores. George Meyers opened the first furniture store. The
country around rapidly filled up with the population, and people came here to trade for a dis-
tance of twenty and thirty miles to the west. Reedsburg consequently became the center of a
large business, and its commercial prosperity was from that time assured."
A local writer, in the fall of 1856, speaking of the growth of Reedsburg, said : " From
forty to fifty good substantial buildings have been erected within the last eighteen months, some
of which, for beauty of finish, will compare favorably with those of any inland town East or
West. We have three public houses, one 40x62J feet, three stories ; one 30x60 feet, three
stories, with large and commodious outhouses attached to each. We have thirteen stores and
groceries, one ready-made clothing establishment, one cabinet, one shoe, one wagon and two
♦Into whu-r hun. I* it htrl (;l[|, n tliro- ynr- prrvk'n- I'V 11" nun fulMlliurnt ..[ the .■uiulitiniin uf li bcmd between he and Mr. Reed.— En.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. ~'r>:]
blacksmith shops, all doing a successful business. Two new stores are now in progress of erec-
tion, and the building of two more large stores is contemplated the present fall. Several large
and elegant dwelling-houses are in progress of erection in different parts of the town. A saw,
grist mill and sash factory are propelled by water, the former of which is surpassed by no mill
in the county. The steam saw-mill is also in successful operation. Still, there is a great lack
of machinery to supply the necessary wants."
A year later, a local correspondent of a Baraboo paper, wrote : " A grist and saw mill
have been in successful operation for a number of years, and one steam saw-mill has been estab-
lished more recently. We also have ten dry-goods and provision stores, two good hotels, one
drug store, one boot and shoe store, one hardware store, one harness-shop, one gunsmith, one
sash, door and blind factory, two blacksmith-shops, one wagon-shop, one cabinet wareroom, two
churches and one seminary."
In 1866, there were in the village seven dry-goods and two drug stoics, two groceries,
three saloons, two furniture rooms, one hotel, one jewelry store, two boot and shoe shops, three
blacksmith-shops, one harness and two stove and tin shops, with other minor institutions in pro-
portion. Of professional men, there were three lawyers, three physicians and four clergymen.
The year 1873 was a very profitable one for Reedsburg. A resume of the principal busi-
ness transacted that year was prepared by Mr. Chandler, of the Free Press, from which the
following figures are taken : Hops shipped, 2,837 bales, valued at $226,960 ; potatoes pur-
chased by produce dealers, 20,029 bushels ; pork, 281,841 pounds ; 40 head of cattle, 270
of sheep, 25,000 pounds of poultry, 1,000 pounds of venison, 600 partridges, 11,000 pounds
of hides and 175 pelts, 10,000 pounds of butter, 17,000 dozen of eggs, 33,000 pounds of wool,
13,000 barrels of Hour, 30,000 hoop-poles and 13,750 railroad ties. There was purchased by
dry-goods and grocery dealers $214,025.98 worth of stock. The books of the two hard and
tinware firms showed' transactions to the extent of $45,000. About $10,000 was expended by
the ladies in the purchase of millinery goods; $8,000 went for jewelry, $14,087.99 for drugs
ami medicines (and it wasn't a good year for the doctors either), $4,526 for musical instruments,
and $2,615 for sewing machines.
The growth of Reedsburg for the past five years has been of the most substantial character.
It is now the second village in size and population in Sauk County, and, so far as the enter-
prise of its business men is concerned, has no superior, if indeed it has an equal, in the county.
Its tasty brick business blocks give to it the character of a city in appearance, and remind one
that the destruction by fire of the old-fashioned frames which formerly lined Main street was
but a temporary loss. It is said the first brick building in the place was a small one-story con-
cern which stood where now stands the Reedsburg Bank. It was occupied as a merchant^
tailoring establishment, and was burned down. Upon its ruins, in 1878, was built the bank
edifice referred to. Prior to this, however, the residence of A. L. Harris was erected by
William Dierks. Then followed Kelsey's store, Kreutzmann's saloon and Harris & Hosford's
store (veneered). This brings us to the fire of 1878, after which Peter Byrne and J. S. Dear-
holt put up bricks. The bank building was next, after which came Reineke's hotel. Barker's
furniture store, Judge Stevens' red brick, Timlin's tin store and Brooks' hall and restaurant.
The institutions of Reedsburg, however, have separate histories which must be distinctly
treated. All the sources of information have been exhausted to make the record complete and
reliable.
.MANUFACTORIES.
Kellogg s Mill. — As is already known, the improvement of the Baraboo River, at what is now
Reedsburg, was commenced in June, 1847, by David C. Reed and Mr. Powell, and a year later,
the frame of a saw-mill was erected. Some time in 1849, Mr. Powell sold out his interest in
the mill to Caleb Croswell, who, in turn, sold to William Van Bergen the same year.
In the meantime, a grist-mill had been commenced, but for the want of funds the work was
often delayed, and for a long time the citizens procured their flour at Madison and Portage. Mr.
564 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Reed becoming involved in debt, Messrs. Garver, Rork and West, who had been working for
him, finally took charge of and completed the grist-mill. They ran it for about a year.
In 1853, J. Mackey, then of Schoharie County, N. Y., made arrangements for pur-
chasing the grist and saw-mills, together with 320 acres of land adjacent to them, and 600 acres
of pine land, lying from eight to fourteen miles further up the river. Mr. Reed, not being able
to raise the heavy mortgages on his property, was obliged to let it pass out of his hands. In
the spring of 1854, Joseph Mackey and his brother Safford took possession of the mills. At
that time the grist-mill consisted of one run of stones, and the saw-mill of two up-and-down saws,
both mills being much out of repair. The new proprietors put them in complete order, and im-
mediately began to pay cash for labor and supplies, which gave a new impetus to the business
and growth of the town. The nearest mills to the east were then at Delton and Baraboo ; and
to the west, on the Kickapoo River. An additional run of stones was put in the grist-mill to
meet the increasing business.
In 1855, the Mackey brothers associated with them in business another brother, Dr. E. R.
Mackey, who remained here until 1861, when he returned to New York. In the winter of
1861, the Mackey mills were destroyed by fire, and several thousand bushels of wheat were lost
in the conflagration. But the proprietors immediately began the erection of new mills at the
points where the others had been. The grist-mill, thus rebuilt, is 40x60 feet on the ground,
three and half stories high, and has five run of buhrs, two of which were put in when the mill was first
built, and the others somewhat later, giving it a capacity for grinding of from eight hundred to
a thousand bushels per day, or five hundred barrels of merchant work in a week, besides the reg-
ular custom. The property was purchased of Safford Mackey, in February, 1880, by John Kel-
logg, the present owner. The water-power is capable of driving more than twice the amount of
machinery that it now runs. The dam has been recently rebuilt, making one of the best water-
powers on the Baraboo River, affording in all from one hundred and sixty to two hundred horse-
power.
Cooperage. — The manufacture of tight-barrel cooper stock (staves and headings) was in-
augurated in Sauk County, in 1871, by E. A. Miller at Valton, and J. P. Stafford at Reedsburg,
following the building of the railroad. These parties continued the business, with some success,
up to 1875-76, since which time both concerns have been controlled by Charles Keith and B.
G. Paddock, with A. E. Miller, who holds a working interest, as superintendent. The Reeds-
burg factory is the largest and most complete institution of the kind in the State, cutting 30,000
staves and headings annually. The firm supplies the largest machine barrel manufactory in
Chicago, or any other part of the Northwest, witli material. The Reedsburg factory was de-
stroyed by fire March 7, 1880. A new one was finished on the 10th of May, and is now in com-
plete operation. The main building is 30x60 feet, with a boiler and engine room 30x36, in
which is a sixty horse-power engine, and boilers double that capacity. Twenty-one hands are
employed in the Reedsburg factory, and twelve in the factory located at Lavalle. These facto-
ries afford a ready market for the large supplies of white oak, basswood and ash, to be
found in almost any section of the county, and their central locations place them among the
leading institutionswithin its borders. It is quite an advantage to farmers to be able to dis-
pose of their timber for cash, instead of reducing it to ashes to get rid of it, as was the case in
early times. The firm of Keith & Paddock dates back to June 3, 1858, when they were in busi-
ness, as merchant-t, in Ironton. They still continue the mercantile business at Lavalle.
Reedsburg Brewing Company. — Frank and Florin Meckler built the first brewery in Reeds-
burg. It seems to have lacked the merit of success that was desired, and its founders, while
endeavoring to bring it to a greater degree of perfection, were so unfortunate as to see it
destroyed by fire. In the spring of 1877, Frank Meckler and Fred Schrader built a second
brewery, and had put it into operation when, in the fall of 1878, Meckler failed, and the
property was sold on a mortgage, Hagenah & Geffert being the purchasers. They took possession
in March, 187'J, and at once commenced the work of making additions and other improvements
on a large scale. In June, 1880, William Dierks purchased a fourth interest, and the Reeds-
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 565
burg Brewing Company was formed, composed of Mr. Dierks, Henry Geffert and John and
Peter Hagenab. The most important feature of the establishment is the summer beer vault,
situated a few rods northeast of the brewery. It was perfected at a cost of nearly $5,000, and
is doubtless, the best vault in the State. Here the temperature is kept at 40° Fahrenheit,
only 10° above the freezing point, and this, during the hottest of summer weather. It is a
complete refrigerator, on a scale sufficiently extensive to accommodate nearly 10,000 gallons of
beer. Beneath the brewery building proper are two oblong vaults, formed in the solid rock
some ten feet below its surface, where the winter's product is stowed in enormous casks. The
other parts of the establishment are in keeping with the features above described. The product
of the brewery, at the present time, is sixty barrels, or -,400 gallons per week, which falls far
short of supplying the demand. The trade is almost exclusively local, but very little being sent
beyond the boundaries of Sauk County. .
SCHOOLS.
The first school in the village of Reedsburg was a private one taught by Miss Amanda, a
daughter of Rev. J. S. Saxby, in the winter of 1840-50. It consisted of seven pupils, and
was kept in a shanty twelve feet square, lighted by a single window, and occupied by Mr. Saxby's
family, consisting of seven persons. This was a case of teaching under difficulties. In the
spring and summer of 1850, Miss Amanda Wheeler, now Mrs. S. H. Chase, taught the second
school in the L to the mill-house and in the Saxby house, which was afterward the Green
Tavern. It consisted of about twenty pupils. In the fall of 1850, a school district having been
formed in the village, and a small house built on Walnut street, 15x22 feet in size, now a portion
of the residence of Patrick Carney, the first public school in town was kept during the following
winter by R. M. Strong, who afterward distinguished himself in the war of the rebellion. This
small schoolhouse served the district for six years, and S. J. Brown, C. P. Sanford, Seymour
Sage, Miss Esther Smith, now Mrs. J. J. Nye, and several others taught there.
During the summer of 1856, the district purchased of J. and S. Mackey three-fourths of
an acre of land, on the northwest corner of Sixth and Pine streets, for .$300, and erected a
schoolhouse 30x40 feet in size, and intended for three teachers. Thomas Mobrey was the
builder. In December, J. S. Conger and wife commenced school in it, assisted by Miss Emma
Tator in the lower room. Mr. Conger and wife were good teachers and excellent disciplinarians,
and continued the school for three years. They were succeeded by A. P. Ellinwood, who con-
tinued two years, until he entered the army in 1861. He was assisted by Miss Alma Haskell.
Charles Newcomb had charge of the school for the next year, assisted by his wife, and the year
following W. S. Ilubbell taught, assisted by his wife. After Miss Emma Tator left the lower
department, it was taught by Sarah Shaw, Francis M. lams and perhaps others. In the fall of
1863, Miss Sarah Flanders was employed to teach in the upper department, and her sister Mary
in the lower. After this, Mr. William Gillespie taught a year, succeeded by J. Bloomer and
George Gregory, each for a year, during much of which time Miss Frances Smith, now Mrs.
A. L. Harris, taught the lower department. In the autumn of 1867, Orsen Green took charge
of the upper department and George Gregory the lower, until the burning of the schoolhouse
in February, 1868.
In the summer of 1868, a new schoolhouse was built upon the site of the old one, in size
40x50 feet, arranged for three departments and four teachers F. Green, of Wyocena, was the
builder. It cost about $5,700, not including site or apparatus. Albert Earthman commenced
teaching in October, and continued in charge of the grammar department for six years, much of
the time without assistance in his room. He was assisted in the intermediate and primary
departments by various young ladies, Miss Emeline Martindale in the latter. In the autumn
of 1874, J. H. Gould became Principal of the school, and continued in charge two years, assisted
the first year by Miss Jennie Little and the second year by Miss Roxa Taylor. During the
principalship of Mr. Gould, some half a dozen of his pupils were graduated in certain branches,
and entered the State University at Madison. In the fall of 1876, J. S. Thomas took charge
566 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
of the school for two years, assisted the first year by Miss Taylor, and the second by Miss Anna
Sneathen and J. S. Ingalls. Mrs. Bell Sheldon succeeded Miss Martindale in the Primary
room, and continued until 1877, when Miss Alice Greene took charge of it. The Intermediate
Department was taught in 1874-75 by Miss Lena Little; in 1875-76 by 0. G. Schonfeldt; in
1876-77 by Willis Stone, and in 1877-78 by Miss Carrie Peck and Miss Anna Sneathen. In
the autumn of 1878, J. H. Boyle, assisted by Miss Mary Nelson, took charge of the school.
Miss Mary Neeley also took charge of the Intermediate Department, and Miss Alice Greene the
Primary.
At the beginning of the school year, in 1879, a new department was created, known as the
Second Primary, Miss Hannah Weinzierl being employed as teacher. Miss Mary Neeley also
succeeded Miss Mary Nelson as assistant to Mr. Boyle, Miss Nellie Neeley being employed to
fill the vacancy thus created in the Intermediate Department.
In September, 1879, the School Board took adequate measures for carrying out the provis-
ions of an act of the Legislature providing for the establishment of free high schools. Addi-
tions were made to the schoolhouse for the accommodation of two extra departments, one of
which was immediately organized.
The school system of Reedsburg has reached a remarkable degree of perfection- The
average enrollment is about 300 pupils, the percentage of attendance being very satisfactory.
The cost of maintaining the schools, not including the expense of building and improvements, is
in the neighborhood of $2,400 per annum, or about $8 for each pupil.
There are seven frame schoolhouses outside the village, most of them good ones. The
Carver Schoolhouse is two miles west of the village, and the Jones Schoolhouse about two miles
east of it, while the Safford Schoolhouse is in the south part of Babb's Prairie. There are four
schoolhouses in the south part of the town, nearly on a line east and west. In these country
temples of learning, schools are usually taught seven months in the year, for the most part by
female teachers.
Elder Barbour's Select School. — This is one of the institutions of the past, but it will be
remembered by many still living who patronized it. Frances Dwinnell Elliott, daughter of the
late S. A. Dwinnell, who was one of the pupils in this school, recently wrote the following rem-
iniscence of it: "It was taught in the fall, winter and spring of 1854-55. A finely bound
volume of Tupper that I received as a prize the last day of school bears date March 16, 1855.
A pleasant upper room over Danforth & Shumway's store was the Seminary building, and, there
being no cloak room, our various wrappings disputed with the blackboard for the possession of
the walls. The only ornament was a board placed conspicuously opposite the door, bearing the
inscription, ' Order is the first law of Nature.' The Elder's patience was often sorely tried by
our failure to observe the same. He was an excellent instructor. I shall never forget how, after
a tedious explanation of a problem on the board, he would say, ' Now, if there is one in the class
that doesn't understand this perfectly, I will go all over it again.' After teaching a few weeks,
he realized that it was not good for schoolmasters to be alone, and secured an assistant in the
person of Miss Mary J. Strong, an aunt of the Colonel's. How well all remember her, with her
plain, freckled face, and bright auburn hair, but with such a sweet expression' of countenance
and grace of demeanor as to be really beautiful. Her character was one of the few in this world
that can truthfully be denominated 'perfectly lovely.' To my youthful eyes she was perfection
itself, and as one too good for earth she is yet inscribed in my memory. Main street was then
in quite a primitive state, and the mud was appalling to behold and wade through. Wegirls, in
consequence, adopted the bloomer costume, and a gent by my side, who was one of the boys in
that distant period, says it was vastly becoming. I believe he never buys nineteen yards for a
dress without wishing we had never doffed it. But in the breaking of winter the mud grew
unbearable, even with pants ; and one day, at noon, we grew desperate, and, going down to the
mill, we confiscated each of us a slab, and, marching up single file with them on our shoulders,
we deposited them with due solemnity on the mud. There were quite a lot of them, and, by
laying them end to end, they covered quite a length of sidewalk. It should be inscribed on the
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. &b7
archives of Reedsburg that its first sidewalk was laid by the young ladies of Elder Barbour's
select school."
And so it is inscribed.
THE CHURCHES.
The civilizing influences of religion have done much for the welfare of Reedsburg. Elder
A. Locke, who still resides near the village, was the first to preach the Gospel in the place. The
12th of July, 1848, was the date and "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God" the text of
his sermon. The people assembled in the shanty of Mr. Powell, which stood in what is now
Main street, almost in front of the old Strong store, now Roper's eating house. He continued
to hold services here and also at Ward's, in the eastern portion of Narrows Prairie, and on the
Little Baraboo, near where Ironton now is, for a year or more before any other minister came.
He lived during the time in a shanty which he had built a short distance east of the Powell
place. The next resident minister was J. S. Saxby, a Congregationalist from Walworth
County.
The Methodists. — The first church organization was effected by the Methodists in November,
1850, at the house of John Clark, the Rev. N. Butler, of Baraboo, officiating. The congrega-
tion was very small, consisting of J. H. Rork and wife, John Clark and wife, Garrett Rathbun
and wife, Zabina Bishop, Phillip B. Smith, Mrs. Willard Bowen, Mrs. A. C. Reed, Mrs.
Volney Spink, and Mrs. Peter Barringer ; but the membership was largely increased, and, in
1853, the society numbered sixty-three. In the fall of 1865, the church erected a tabernacle
of boards, 20x30 feet in size, at the northwest corner of Fourth and Locust streets. It had a
seating capacity of about 100, and served them as a place of worship for eight years. In 1872,
a commodious church edifice was erected at the northeast corner of Pine and Second streets. It
is B5x 5< i feet, and will seat 225 persons. It was dedicated February 16, 1873, the Rev. S. Fallows, of
Madison, officiating, the text of the sermon being " He musfneeds go through Samaria." At
this meeting a subscription of $630 was raised toward liquidating the $1,<>00 indebtedness of the
society. Following is a list of the Pastors since the organization : Nelson Butler, E. P. Sanford,
W. P. Delap, J. Bean, E. S. Bunce, A. V. House, E. H. Sackett, J. Bean again, R. Row-
botham, John M. Springer, C. C. Holcomb, E. S. Bunce again, O. B. Kilbourn, B. L. Jack-
son, R. Pengilley, I. A. Sweatland, John Harris, R. Langley, N. Leach, J. B. Bachman, J.
W. Bell and J. H. Whitney.
The (Joni/ regat ii malists. — The next church organization — that of the Congregationalists —
took place in the village schoolhouse, February 8, 1851. The Rev. Warren Cochran and the
Rev. J. S. Saxby officiated. There were present, composing the membership of the society, J.
S. Strong and wife, J. S. Saxby, wife and daughter, I. W. and L. R. Morley and their wives,
N. Cornish and wife and three others, to which number S. A. Dwinnell and wife and two others
were soon added, making twenty-two in all. In 1855, a church edifice, 32x50 feet in size, and
valued at $1,600, was erected at the corner of Third and Pine streets. It was built by Abrarn
West and Volney Spink, and was dedicated on the 18th of October, 1855, Rev. Warren Coch-
ran preaching the sermon. It was the first church building erected in Reedsburg. At that
date, the nearest structure of the character on the north was at Stevens Point, on the east at
Baraboo, on the south at Dodgeville, and on the west at La Crosse. In 1871, the house was
repaired and re-furnished at an expense of $1,200, and was re-dedicated on the 17th of De-
cember of that year, the Rev. M. Bennett preaching the dedicatory sermon. The Pastors have
been the Revs. J. S. Saxby, from 1849 to 1851 : S. A. Dwinnell, from January, 1852, to Jan-
uary, 1868 ; Warren Cochran one year, H. H. Hinman one year, M. Bennett four years, W.
H. Hinckley three months, W. Mooney one year, and J. A. Bartle^tt, who came in the fall
of 1879.
The Baptists. — On the 24th of January, 1852, Elder Peter Conrad, then engaged in mis-
sionary work among a few small and scattered congregations on this then sparsely settled frontier,
succeeded in organizing a Baptist society in Reedsburg. The first communicants were William
J. Bentley and wife, Z. Craker and wife, Ammon Vernoy, Mrs. Eber Benedict, Mrs. James
568 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Vernoy, Mrs. Daniel Carver, Mrs. H. H. Carver, Mrs. L. G. Sperry and Mrs. J. C. Bovee.
The members were by no means well to do financially, though their faith stood unalterably at
par, and until 1873 they had no settled place of worship. The old schoolhouse, the Alba House,
Union Hall, the Congregational Church and the basement of the Presbyterian Church were used
alternately by the society. At one time during this long period, the erection of a church edifice
was seriously contemplated ; a lot was purchased and some of the timber hauled upon the ground,
but the stringency of the times prevented the consummation of the plan. In the spring of 1872
the project was renewed, and this time with better success. In June of that year, J. N. Parker,
the architect and builder, laid the foundation, and during the summer and fall raised and inclosed
the building, which was completed the following year (1873), at a cost of $2,000, and dedicated
October 12, Elder Raymond, of Chicago, officiating, being assisted by Elders Fish and Seamans.
It was shown by the report of the Treasurer, Elder Barbour, that the indebtedness of the church
at that date was $1,100, of which amount $400 was owing to the building fund. At the close
of the evening service on the day of the dedication, the remaining amount of the indebtedness,
$700, was subscribed. The Pastors of this church, since the time of Mr. Conrad, have been
the Revs. E. D. Barber, B. D. Sprague, W. J. Chapin, Mead Bailey, John Seamans, E. D.
Barber again, G. W. Lincoln, J. Staley and F. Hill.
The Presbyterians. — This church was organized in what was then known as the new school-
house, on the 22d of November, 1857, by the Rev. Hiram Gregg, of Baraboo. The original
members were T. Tait and wife, L. Gifford and wife, Chester Buck and wife, and Miss L. Buck.
A church edifice, 38x60, was erected during the following year, dedicatory services being held in
the basement in December, the Rev. William Lusk, Sr., preaching the sermon. The house was
not wholly completed till 1870. It was dedicated in December of that year, the Rev. B. G.
Riley, of Lodi, officiating. The structure cost $5,200. The Pastors of the church have been
the Revs. William Lusk, Sr., William Lusk, Jr., T. Williston, S. A. Whitcomb, William Lusk,
Sr., again, D. S. White, H. L. Brown and J. A. Bartlett.
St. Peter s Church. — The German Evangelical Lutheran Church was organized in 1868,
and August Rohrlack became Pastor in 1869. The church was composed mostly of families
from Hanover, Germany. They soon made a purchase of an entire block, just north of the Con-
gregational Church, upon which was a dwelling-house, which was fitted up as a parsonage and
schoolhouse. In 1870, a church edifice, 40x70 feet, was erected at the southeast corner of Fourth
and Locust streets. The most striking feature of the structure is its eighty-foot steeple, in which
hangs a bell weighing 1,500 pounds. The dedication took place on the tenth Sunday after Trin-
ity, 1870. A parish school was erected near the church in 1874. The Rev. Mr. Rohrlack
taught the first school connected with this church. He was succeeded by Julius Neils. Mr. E.
Lussky is the present teacher. The size of the school ranges from sixty to ninety pupils.
St. Johns Church. — A second Lutheran society was organized in 1874, consisting of about
twenty-five families, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Mr. Woerth. Among the first members
were William Stolte and wife, George Stolte and wife, John Meyer and wife, Fred Dangel and
wife, John Fuhlbohm and wife, Henry Kipp and wife, Fred Niebuhr and wife, and William
Raetzmann and wife. Services were held in the English Methodist Church and the Episcopal
Church until the fall of 1878, when the society erected a house of worship on Market street, in
the northern portion of the village. The edifice cost $1,500. The pastors have been the Revs.
Th. Jahnsen, George Woerth, Dr. Deichman, and G. F. Engelhardt, the present incumbent. The
membership is about seventy families.
The Catholics. — About three years ago, the Rev. Father White, of Baraboo, visited Reeds-
burg"at the solicitation of«a few Catholic families residing here, and held mass in private houses.
A yearprevious to this, Mrs. E. F. Buelow took the initiative in starting a subscription for the
purpose of building a church in Reedsburg. The object was accomplished in the spring of 1880,
a $1,200 church edifice being erected. The subscribers to the fund and members of the parish are
the families of Paul Bishop, Patrick Tierney, Peter Byrne, Stephen Timlin, William Horkan, E.
F. Buelow, Edward Timlin, Mrs. Frank Ingalls, Win. Boehm, Frank Meckler and Mrs. Loselet.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
THE POST OFFICE.
In 1849, Horace Croswell received an appointment as Postmaster of Reedsburg. The
mail matter which then came to this point was not sufficiently cumbersome to necessitate the
building of a special apartment for it, and Eber Benedict's slab shanty became the post office;
though it is said that Lavina Reed carried the letters in her pocket during the first part of
Horace's term of office, because she and Horace were both young and much inclined toward each
other. Croswell, as a part of his contract with the Government, took the mail pouch on his
back and made weekly trips to Baraboo, sixteen miles away, the schedule time being eight
hours. L. Gay Sperry was his successor as mail carrier. He reduced the time between the two
points to six and a half hours. This he continued to do for a year. When the " Strong
building " (now Roper's eating-house) was erected, and a store established therein, the post office
was removed thereto by Mr. Croswell. Caleb Croswell, brother of Horace, and also a brother
of the founder and editor of the Albany (N. Y.) Argus, succeeded Sperry as mail-carrier, and
placed on the route his team of white and brown mules. About 1851, the change in adminis-
tration carried with it the usual decapitations in the Post Office Department, and whether or not
Mr. Croswell's head fell under the political guillotine, or whether he resigned the office, is not of
record. At any rate the office became vacant and E. W. Young was appointed. He remained
in office until 1861, keeping it in the store of Young, Northrup & Co., and on the 16th of March
of that year he was succeeded by J. L. Green, who removed it to his store, which stood where
Finch's harness-shop now stands. In the spring of 1865, E. 0. Rudd succeeded to the position.
The office was then located by Mr. Rudd in Henderson's store, where it was attended by his
sister, Mrs. Col. Strong. When the Colonel returned from fighting the battles of his country,
he and his wife took up their residence in the original Strong building, erected at an early day
by the Colonel's father, taking the post office with them, where it remained until about 1869,
when John Kellogg was appointed to the position. He remained in office till 1873, resigning in
favor of A. L. Harris, the present incumbent. The office became a money order office July 1,
1869. The first order was issued on the 15th of that month ; the remitter was Horace F. Chace,
of Reedsburg, and the payees Swale, Cameron & Co., Milwaukee, the amount being $23.63.
Since then over 12,000 orders have been issued. C. F. Sheldon has been in the office as assist-
ant for several years.
HOTELS.
The first hotel in Reedsburg was a " tavern," for it was by this somewhat antiquated appel-
lation that the Clark House, built in 1849-50, was known. J. C. Clark was the proprietor.
The structure was one and a half stories high, and the entire population pointed to it with feel-
ings of pride as the first frame building of note in the place, the material of which it was con-
structed being the product of the greatest institution for many miles about — the saw-mill of Reed
& Powell. The Clark House stood wliere the American House (the property of Mrs. Reineke)
now stands. There were many changes in the proprietorship and management of this house, and
it is not in the power of the •' oldest inhabitant " to recall the names of those identified with its
history. Thomas Ingalls, A. P. True, John Schaum and George Stewart are enumerated as
having been among the individuals connected with its later management. It was for some
time the property of J. D. Mackey, who sold it to G. Reineke. It was destroyed by fire in
May, 1877, and rebuilt of brick. Upon the death of Mr. Reineke, his widow succeeded to the
management.
The next hotel was built by J. S. Saxby, though it was used at different periods as a resi-
dence by Mr. Saxby, a man named Secor and A. West. The latter sold it to H. H. Treadwell,
who converted it into a hotel. By him it was subsequently transferred to John Sanborn, who
sold it to Jehu Seeley. A Mr. Clark then came along and purchased it. but soon sold out to
one Percival, who removed it to a farm two miles west of the village, and it now does service as
a farmhouse.
570 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
The Mansion House came next in the category of hotels. It was built in 1855 by Dr.
Mackey, and was a part of the property of the Mackey brothers. It was purchased and carried
on by Ransom Smith & Sons, but in 1859 reverted to the Mackeys on account of the inability
of the Messrs. Smith to pay for it. L. Gaylord then became the lessee, and he was succeeded
by one Cooper, concerning whom there are many mysterious things related. It is said the
Mansion House, under his management, became a rendezvous for bad characters who inaugur-
ated an era of systematized plunder. Charley Hunt remembers having, in the capacity of an
officer, searched the premises and found portions of stolen harness and other articles furnishing
satisfactory evidence tending to justify the general belief that there was "something decayed in
Denmark." It is also asserted that on one occasion a wagon with a small party of men aboard
arrived at the house one dark night, and the hostler was instructed to care for the horses and
have them ready to start at 3 in the morning, but he was threateningly warned not to use a
lantern or go nearer the wagon than was absolutely necessary in the performance of his duty.
After the last member of the suspicious crowd had left Reedsburg, the hostler ventured to relate
what had happened, supplanting his story with the statement that he did make an examination
of the wagon and found therein the body of a dead man. When Cooper left the country, G.
W. Bellinger came into possession of the Mansion House and converted it into a private resi-
dence. He soon afterward sold to Thomas Ingalls, who opened it again as a hotel. W. H.
Finch, now of Kilbourn, succeeded Mr. Ingalls, and he sold to 0. E. Briggs, who conducted it
until March, 1878, when Mr. Ingalls again took it. In February, 1880, Dr. N. W. Sallade
bought the property and is the present manager.
What is now the Central House was built in 1856-57, by Alba B. Smith. It was then
known as the Alba House. Mr. Smith sold to E. G. Wheeler, whose son-in-law, Ruben Green,
managed it until about 1859, when F. A. Weir became the proprietor. In 1861, it fell into the
hands of one Woolsey, who, it is said, was in some way connected with the Cooper gang, and
under whose management the Alba House fell into disrepute. Woolsey, it is said, was no better
than he ought to be. In 1863, N. V. Chandler rented the house, and, as illustrating the low
ebb of affairs at that time, Mr. Chandler relates that he only paid $5 rent per month for the
entire establishment, livery stable and all. In November, 1863, Mr. Chandler retired in favor
of George Mead, who kept it till May, 1864, when Daniel Clark purchased it of a Mr. Love-
land, of New York, who came into possession by purchase from Mr. Wheeler. Clark sold to
Schwecke k Stotte, the present proprietors, who closed it as a hotel and kept a store in the
lower part, making dwellings of the upper. In November, 1876, it was remodeled and re-opened
as a hotel by Frank P. Ingalls, whom no one can conscientiously say does not " know how to
keep a hotel."
BANKS.
The first hanking business done in Reedsburg was by a Mr. Ege and H. M. Haskell, both
of Portage. It was of the wildcat order, and, like many others of the same character, went to
pieces when Southern securities began to depreciate.
In the winter of 1868, a private bank was established by Mackey, Rudd & Co. (Joseph
Mackey, E. 0. Rudd and J. W. Lusk). Messrs. Rudd and Lusk retiring soon afterward, Mr.
Mackey conducted the business alone until about 1876, when he withdrew also and went to
Minneapolis, Messrs. Rudd and Lusk and Henry Geffert, Moses Young'and H. C. Hunt, being
his successors. In the summer of 1877, the Reedsburg Bank Building was erected, the institu-
tion being permanently located therein. The present officers are J. W. Lusk, President ; Henry
Geffert, Vice President; George T. Morse, Cashier.
In 1863, Dr. S. Ramsey engaged in the business of buying and selling foreign and domestic
exchange, and has since devoted a large share of attention thereto. In 1875, he announced
himself in gold letters as a full-grown banker, and from that date to the present time has received
deposits in the regular way of other bankers. The Doctor is also considered an adept in diag-
nosing a hop-yard, and, in his time, has invested many thousands of dollars in the article.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 571
FTRE DEPARTMENT AND FIRE RECORD.
In October, 1873, in accordance with a previous resolution of the Village Board, a Babcock
fire apparatus was purchased, at a cost of $6f>0 for the complete outfit, consisting of a truck,
four six-gallon extinguishers, provided with twelve chemical charges, four ladders, aggregating
sixty-eight feet in length, ten fire-buckets, two axes, two pike poles, one hook and chain, five
lanterns and sixty feet of drag-rope. The equipment was temporarily housed in Mrs. Wheeler's
barn. On the 15th of November, a meeting of citizens was held, at which the Babcock Hook
and Ladder Co. No. 1, of Reedsburg, was organized, with Moses Young as Foreman, James
Lake, First Assistant ; A. R. Rork, Second Assistant; W. A. Wyse, Secretary; W. Warren,
Treasurer, and A. W. Sallade and 0. H. Perry, Chemical Captains.
In June, 1877, a hand engine was purchased of the city of Fond du Lac for $350, which is
now in use. In the winter of 1879-80, the Village Board voted authority to build an engine-
house, and the fire apparatus of the village is now properly housed. W. W. Rork is Chief of
the Department, while F. G. Rodermund and 0. E. Byington are Foremen of the engine and
hook and ladder companies respectively.
Following is a record of the principal fires which have occurred in Reedsburg :
In November, 1852, the small store building of J. F. Sanford, in charge of 0. H. Perry,
took fire in the night, and burning through the floor was discovered and extinguished. The
goods were badly smoked, which was the principal loss. The fire was thought to have been caused
by a coal from the pipe of a smoker.
The second fire was the burning of W. Warren's blacksmith-shop, in May, 1855, caused by
concealed fire in a load of charcoal left over night near the shop.
In December, 1859, the store of L. M. Swallow, standing where Horkan's saloon now is,
was burned in the night-time, evidently an incendiary fire.
In 1860, the large frame house of Stern Baker, on Babb's Prairie, was burned in the day
time, caused by a stove standing too near the plastered wall of the sitting-room.
December 8, 1860, the saw-mill, flouring-mill and storehouse, with 2,000 bushels of grain
belonging to J. and S. Mackey, were burned. Loss, $7,000, with no insurance. Caused by coals
carried by one of the workmen into the lower part of the saw-mill to warm a rubber belt.
In August, 1861, the large log house and granary of J. W. Babb were burned with all
their contents. It is supposed to have been caused by fire dropped from the pipe of one of the
harvest hands. It was the first log house and the second dwelling erected in the town of Reedsburg.
In 1862, a small house near Maj. McClure's, on. Narrows Prairie, was burned. It was
supposed to have been caused by the explosion of a kerosene lamp left burning through the night
in the room of a sick person.
April, 1864, Northrup's drug store, which stood where Geftert's old store now is, and an
unoccupied store building on the west of it, were burned in the night-time, and it was supposed
to be the work of an incendiary.
February 7, 1868, the schoolhouse was burned from hot ashes poured beside the building.
No insurance.
A hop-house belonging to a German by the name of Meyers, near Babb's Prairie, was
burned, with its contents, in September, 1868.
In 1871, the meat market of C. S. Hunt was burned in the day-time ; caused by a defective
flue.
In December, 1871, the dwelling of Benjamin Bost was burned, with no insurance; cause
unknown.
January 22, 1874, the house of Levi Waltz, in the southeast part of the town, was burned.
June 12, 1874, Mechler's brewery and the dwelling of F. L. Mechler were burned. Loss,
$6,000, partly insured.
September 30, 1874, the hop-house of A. F. Scoon, in the southwest corner of the town,
was burned. Loss $1,100 ; insured for $600.
572 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
May 8, 1877, all the buildings on the north side of Main street, between Walnut and Mar-
ket streets, except Kelsey's brick store, were burned by a fire which started in the north end of
Peter Byrne's saloon, on the corner of Walnut and Main streets, consuming three one-story
buildings and seven two-story buildings. Loss $20,000 ; well insured, as most of the goods were
saved.
May 21, 1877, Peter Byrne's saloon and Reineke's hotel, on the north side of Main street,
near the river, were burned, the fire commencing in Byrne's saloon.
On the 25th of November, 1878, a fire broke out in A. M. Sanders' blacksmith-shop, and
soon the whole structure, including the adjoining paint-shops, was in a blaze. An account of
this fire is worthy a place in history, from the fact that it was the first conflagration that
found the village prepared to combat. The flames were extinguished in ten minutes.
December 31, 1878, a fire occurred in Harris & Kellogg's building. The printing offices
of the Free Press and the Herald had a narrow escape from total destruction. The damage
was estimated at the time at $10,000.
February 3, 1879, A. R. Rork's cigar factory took fire, and the flames spread to the resi-
dences of W. Barstow and F. Moritz, all being consumed.
March 18, 1879, the carpenter-shop of Hackett & Buckley was destroyed ; loss $3,000 ;
insured for $1,600.
On the 7th of March, 1880, the stave-mill was burned — the last fire of any consequence in
Reedsburg.
ellinwood's fair grounds.
In the fall of 1872, A. P. Ellinwood conceived the project of converting a portion of his
land north of Babb's Creek into a driving-park and fencing and otherwise improving the grounds
with a view to holding annual fairs thereon, and accordingly, in furtherance of the idea, partially
fitted up a track ; but circumstances rendered the immediate fulfillment of his plans impracticable.
The work of putting the grounds in order was not relinquished, however, and the track was
completed in 1874. On the 6th, 7th and 8th of October of the same year, the first fair was
held, which proved to be a success even exceeding the expectations of those most interested.
There were 550 entries, thirty of them being babies. Mrs. Barnhardt's took the first prize for
beauty, while that of Mrs. Bishop carried off the prize for corpulence. There were fully 5,000
people present.
The next gathering occurred on the 3d, 4th and 5th of July, 1875, the 4th falling on
Sunday. The first day was devoted to prize declamations, there being two series of prizes, and
the victors afterward coming together in competition for a third prize, which was won by Mrs.
Nellie Seeley. On Sunday, the 4th, the features were patriotic sermons by the Rev. John
Bascom, President of the State University ; H. Stone Richardson, a prominent Methodist
divine, and W. Langdon Sanders, a Baptist minister of equal prominence. On Monday
occurred the commencement exercises of the public schools, which closed with a lecture entitled
" Backbones, " by the Rev. Mr. Sanders. The foregoing is a fair sample of the character of
celebrations that have since been held on each recurring anniversary of the Nation's birthday.
Mr. Ellinwood makes it a point to secure the attendance of " stars of the first magnitude, " and
it will not be surprising if he succeeds some time or other in capturing a President of the
United States, or a real live Prince, to edify the people of Reedsburg and vicinity. Thus far,
his books reveal the names of the following distinguished individuals: Robert Collyer, Prof.
Swing, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Will Carleton, Schuyler Colfax and Robert Marion La Fol-
lette.
Fairs are held in the fall of each year. Mr. Ellinwood, in the capacity of President of the
Association, has entire management of affairs. Mrs. Ellinwood superintends the arrangement of
exhibits in Floral Hall. The Association is recognized by the State, and receives the annual
appropriation of $100, usually given to like associations.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
ORHKKS AND SOCLKTIEi?.
Tlie Masons. — In 1856, a Masonic Lodge was organized, known as Reedsburg Lodge, No.
79. It worked under dispensation for a year. In 1864, it was transferred to Ironton, and was
thereafter known as Ironton Lodge. The charter officers of this lodge were : E. G. Wheeler,
Worshipful Master ; W. H. Young, Senior Warden ; Moses Young, Junior Warden. In 1866,
a charter was granted for a new lodge, known as Reedsburg Lodge, No. 157. The charter
members were Moses Young, W. M. ; Giles Stevens, S. W. ; Henry A. Tator, J. W., and S.
Ramsey, J. C. Young, E. W. Young, A. E. Markee, W. Mackey, A. P. Ellinwood, R. M.
Strong, W. H. Young, J. Mackey, J. W. Lusk, W. W. Warren, C. A. Chandler, and A. W.
Sallade. The Worshipful Masters of this Lodge have been Moses Young, 1866, 1867, 1871
and 1880; Henry A. Tator, 1868 and 1869; Giles Stevens, 1870, 1874, 1876 and 1877; J.
W. Lusk, 1872 and 1873 ; H. A. Chase, 1876 , J. N. Parker, 1879. The present officers are
Moses Young, W. M.; E. F. Seaver, S. W. ; W. 0. Pietzsch, J. W.; John Kellogg, Secretary;
D. D. Russell, Treasurer E. 0. Byington, S. D. ; N. W. Porter, J. D. The present member-
ship of the lodge is sixty ; fourteen of these belong to Baraboo Valley Chapter, No. 29.
Meetings are held the first and third Fridays of each month. The lodge has a very convenient
and well-arranged hall, built at a cost of $2,000. It was dedicated December 27, 1879, the
late Col. D. S. Vittum, of Baraboo, acting Grand Master, conducting the ceremonies. The
Rev. J. A. Bartlett delivered an able address entitled, " Freemasonry Justified."
The Odd Fellows. — In December, 186.5, a lodge of Odd Fellows was instituted in Reeds-
burg, known as Reedsburg Lodge, No. 135. W. O. Pietzsch, Dr. Gaylord, John Hagenah,
George 0. Pietzsch, S. F. Smith and E. F. Bulow were among the charter members. North-
western Encampment, No. 21, was also organized at the same time, the charter members being
the same as in the subordinate lodge. In 1869, the charters were surrendered, and the camp
was removed to Baraboo. Gn the 5th of April, 1877, the subordinate lodge was re-instated, with
authority to work in the German language. The charter members of the re-instated lodge were
W. 0. Pietzsch, E. F. Bulow, Peter Empser, John Hagenah and Frank Meckler. The Noble
Grands since then, have been E. F. Bulow, W. 0. Pietzsch (two terms), A. Boehm, William
Stolte, William Raetzmann and G. Oehlers. G. H. Shultz is the present Vice Grand ; H.
Fanteck, Secretary; William Stolte, Treasurer, and William Henrich, P. S. There are thirty-
six members, eight or nine of whom belong to and attend the meetings of the Camp at Baraboo.
The lodge has a neatly appointed hall, over S. J. Dearholt's store, where it meeis on Thursday
evening of each week.
Temperance. — The first load of goods brought to Reedsburg consisted of two barrels of
whisky, one barrel of pork and a few minor sundries. The wagon containing it took the lead,
and its driver was the avant-eourrier of the little band of pioneers who arrived a few hours later
and took up their temporary residence in "Shanty Row," which had been constructed the pre-
vious season by Messrs. Reed & Powell. One of the shanties in the row was used as a store-
house ; and it was here that the devil, in the form of intemperance, first developed the skirmish
line of the grand army which destroys mankind with rum. It must not be understood that the
occupants of the shanties were intemperate ; just the reverse. Of course, a few of the men
imbibed a little, but the majority of the community abhorred the name of whisky, and the duty
of consuming the two barrels of liquor fell to the Indians, who were employed to assist in build-
ing the dam, being paid in "fire-water," a species of wampum always above par with poor Lo.
In the spring of 1849, E. G. Wheeler visited Reedsburg, and was entertained by the citizens in
their usual spirit of liberality. In the " storeroom " was a keg of whisky on tap, and an extra
glass was set out for the Judge ; but he would have none of it. He mildly rebuked those
present for permitting the sale of liquor, and finally, in his indignation, remarked that he felt
as if he could lecture. That was sufficient. In fifteen minutes every person in the village was
present, and the Judge was given the opportunity he expressly desired. Mrs. Seeley says she
574 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
never, before nor since, heard such eloquence. Singing followed, and every one felt good. And
Judge Wheeler's was the first temperance lecture in Reedsburg.
The first temperance organization in the place was effected about 1850. The society was
known as the Washingtonian Society, and embraced a large number of the citizens. Meetings
were often held in the little rude schoolhouse on Walnut street, which was afterward converted
into a dwelling-house and occupied by Patrick Carney. When the Congregational Church was
finished, in 1855, the society transferred its headquarters to the new edifice. There were many
stanch workers in the reform movement, and, though it would seem invidious to particularize, the
name of S. A. Dwinnell should be mentioned in this connection. His opposition to the liquor
traffic was characteristically earnest, and, though he had many friends he made not a few enemies.
It was the recollection of Mr. Dwinnell that L. B. Swallow established the first saloon in Reeds-
burg, on the corner now occupied by William Horkan. Swallow carried on the business in
defiance of the statutes, and, in the winter of 1853, he was indicted by the grand jury, but
eventually escaped punishment. Finally, about 1856, after he had triumphed over his opponents
for three or four years, he sold his business, joined one of the village churches, "and," says
Mr. Dwinnell, " became a respectable citizen." He took to preaching finally, but soon fell from
grace.
Probably the most successful temperance organization ever known in Reedsburg was effected
in the spring of 1878, when the Blue Ribbon Band was organized, with Mrs. Austin Seeley as
President, and Mrs. Olive Rork, Secretary. The band now numbers nearly 400 members.
Enthusiastic meetings are held on alternate Sunday afternoons in the churches and public halls.
The Sons of Temperance, Temple of Honor and Good Templars have also flourished in Reeds-
burg. James A. Stone, S. C. Chase, N. W. Porter and others have been and are active workers
in the cause.
Grand Army of the Republic. — On the 10th of April, 1880, a large number of the tried
and true patriots of Reedsburg came together and organized H. A. Tator Post, No. 13, G. A.
R. The post was instituted by L. O. Holmes, of Baraboo. The following are the charter mem-
bers: W. G. Hawley, W. I. Carver, O. W. Schonfeldt, W. A. Wyse, James Miles, C. F. Shel-
don, H. P. Persons, A. S. Brooks, H. C. Hunt, W. 0. Pietzsch, E. F. Bulow, R. E. Nichols,
Peter Empser, B. Rathburn, Philo Lane, J. H. Fosnot, George Lawsha, S. L. Miller, M. H.
Medberry, M. E. Seeley, D. G. Spicer, E. F. Seaver, David Sparks, H. B. Turney, George
Swetland. Officers were elected as follows : H. C. Hunt, Post Commander ; William G. Haw-
ley. Senior Vice Commander ; E. F. Seaver, Junior Vice Commander ; H. B. Turney, Ser-
geant ; W. A. Wyse, Chaplain ; James Miles, Quartermaster ; J. H. Fosnot, 0. D. ; A. S.
Brooks, 0. G. ; 0. W. Schonfeldt, Adjutant ; W. I. Carver, Sergeant Major; M. H. Medberry,
Quartermaster's Sergeant.
Reedsburg Manner Turnverein. — Organized March 17, 1875. Charter members : Henry
Kreutzmann, William Raetzmann, Henry Liessmann, Henry G. Shultz, Henry Westedt, Will-
iam Gade, Henry Reineke, Henry Beushausen, R. Tansend, C. Gehle, Frederick Vorlop,
William Riggert, William Stolte, William Pahl, Frederick Moritz, Emil Lanz and Frederick
Berg. The first officers were : William Raetzmann, President ; Henry Liessmann, Vice Presi-
dent; William Pohl, Secretary ; William Riggert, Assistant ; William Stolte, Treasurer ; F.
Moritz, Assistant; Emil Lanz, Turnwart ; F. Berg, Assistant; Henry Beushausen, Zeugwart ;
Henry Reineke, Assistant. A hall was fitted up in the rear of Roper's eating-house, and sup-
plied with gymnastic machinery. Two evenings of each week are devoted to exercises under
the instruction of a regular trainer. Business meetings are held once a month. The member-
ship has been as large as thirty.
GOVERNMENT.
On the 29th of May, 1849, a special town meeting was held in the town of Baraboo, with
the following result : Lewis Butterfield and William Van Bergen, Justices of the Peace for two
years ; Lewis Johnston, for one year ; Charles Minchin, Constable ; Jacob P. Mowers, Sealer
of Weights and Measures.
HISTOKY OF SAUK COUNTY. 575
The first regular town election was held at the house of D. C. Reed, April 2, 1850, sixty-
two votes being polled. The successful candidates were : For Supervisors, Lewis Butterfield
(Chairman), Eber Benedict and Samuel Northrup ; Town Clerk, Horace Croswell ; Assessor,
Samuel Northrup and Eber Benedict received fifty-nine votes, according to the record ; Town
Superintendent, Horace Croswell; Town Treasurer, John H. Ilork; Constables, Alex. Murry,
Charles Minchin and Jacob P. Mowers ; Sealer, Horace Croswell.
In 1851, the town of Reedsburg was organized, and on the 1st of April a town election
was held at the schoolhouse, at which 102 votes were polled. The following officers were elected :
Supervisors, John H. Rork (Chairman), Sebastian Kerstetter and William P. Randall; Super-
intendent, Robert G. Williams ; Clerk, Oliver II. Perry ; Justices, William Randall and Will-
iam Andrews ; Treasurer, Daniel Carver ; Assessors, Alanson C. Reed and John Randall ; Con-
stables, Alfred Leonard, Amos R. Sprague and John Kerstetter ; Sealer, Horace Croswell.
In the early records of the Town Board (1850), we find that a school had been taught in
School District No. 2 for three months, the wages as agreed upon between the Clerk and the
teacher being twelve shillings per week, or $18 for the term.
Reedsburg continued under town government until the spring of 18G8, when it was incor-
porated as a village according to a special act of the Legislature, sitting the previous winter.
The first election under the charter was held on the 13th day of April of that year, 107 votes
being polled as follows : President and Police Justice, A. 0. Hunt, 105 votes, and C. M. Gay-
lord, 1 ; Trustees, Nelson Wheeler, 100 ; W. Warren, 105 ; Moses Young, 104 ; D. B. Rudd,
105; D. Schwecke, 105 ; O. H. Perry, 65; E. A. Dwinnell, 41; G. Bellenger,l ; H. Smith,
1; Clerk, Giles Stevens; Treasurer, H. C. Hunt; Constables, G. Bellinger and W. II. Root;
Attorney, G. Stevens ; Street Commissioner, G. Bellinger ; Surveyor, G. Stevens.
1869 — President and Police Justice, A. O. Hunt ; Trustees — Moses Young, Henry Gef-
fert, A. P. Ellinwood, W. Warren, M. Finch and E. G. Gregory ; Clerk, G. Stevens ; Treas-
urer, H. A. Tator.
1870 — President, John H. Rork ; Police Justice, J. D. Mackey : Trustees — E. Buelow, A.
F. Leonard, R. C. Lewis, Henry Geffert, William Stolte, and N. W. Sallade ; Clerk, G.
Stevens ; Treasurer, J. V. Kelsey.
1871 — President, N. W. Sallade; Justice, A. O. Hunt ; Supervisor, S. Mackey ; Trustees
— Moses Young, W. Warren, W. Stolte, J. Barnhart, R. C. Lewis and A. F. Leonard ; Clerk,
Moses Young ; Treasurer, J. Mackey.
1872 — President, A. P. Ellinwood; Justice, A. West; Trustees — Austin Seeley, W.
Stolte, A. Barnhart, Thomas Ingalls, B. A. Barnhart and G. Stevens ; Supervisor, John Kel-
logg ; Clerk, G. Stevens : Treasurer, W. Stolte.
1873 — President, A. F. Leonard ; Justice, R. A. Wheeler ; Supervisor, W. I. Carver ;
Trustees — H. Geffert, A. R. Rork, John Geffert, J. B. Clark, James Lake and J. F. Danforth ;
Clerk, J. F. Danforth ; Treasurer, William Finch.
1874 — President, W. Warren ; Justice, W. A. Wyse ; Supervisor, W. I. Carver ; Trustees
— H. J. Smith, A. P. Ellinwood, Peter Dangel, H. Halm, S. Ramsey and J. W. Gale ; Clerk,
A. P. Ellinwood ; Treasurer, M. Finch.
1875 — President, D. A. Barnhart; Justice, R. A. Wheeler; Supervisor, W. I. Carver;
Trustees — W. G. Hawley,* Peter Dangel, Thomas Ingalls, William Roeckel, E. L. Leonard
and W. Stolte: Clerk, W. G. Hawley;* Treasurer, W. Stolte.
1876 — President, A. P. Ellinwood ; Justice, A. West ; Supervisor, S. Mackey ; Trustees —
S. J. Dearholt, P. Buck, A. L. Harris, W. Stolte, P. Dangel and W. Roeckel ; Clerk, W. A.
Wyse ; Treasurer, M. Finch.
1877 — President, Moses Young ; Justice, F. J. Mackey ; Supervisor, H. C. Hunt ; Trus-
tees—F. G. Rodermund, N. W. Sallade, H. J. Smith, J. H. Rork, J. H. Hagenah, Fred
Schroeder ; Clerk, W. A. Wyse ; Treasurer, W. A. Sallade.
•Resigned as Trustee and Clerk April 12; W. A. WyBe appointed to fill vacancy.
576 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
1878 — President, Safford Mackey ; Justice, W. G. Hawley ; Supervisor, H. C. Hunt ;
Trustees— J. Kellogg, H. J. Smith, E. F. Seaver, J. H. Hagenah, A. P. Ellinwood and P.
Dangel ; Clerk, W. A. Wyse ; Treasurer, Moses Young.
1879 — President, R. C. Lewis ; Justice, J. M. Stewart Supervisor, Paul Bishop ; Trus-
tees— D. A. Barnhart, F. G. Rodermund, J. C. Young, W. Roeckel, John Buckley and Henry
Krug; Clerk, W. P. Briggs ; Treasurer, A. R. Rork.
1880 — President, Horace J.Smith; Justice, W. P. Briggs ; Supervisor, H.J. Smith;
Trustees— J. B. Clark, George Hagenah, H. Geffert, A. S. Brooks, W. Stolte and J. W. Gale;
Clerk, W. A. Wyse ; Treasurer, J. W. Gale.
BRIDGES OVER THE BARABOO AT REEDSBURG.
The only place in the town of Reedsburg where the Baraboo River could be crossed before
the erection of bridges was just below where Kellogg's mill now stands. The water there was
about two feet deep at a low stage, and ran rapidly over a rock bottom. Of course a flood
stopped all travel. In the spring of 1858, some emigrant families, bound for Narrows Prairie,
reached here at the time of the flood. After camping several days on the high grounds, near
where the Congregational Church now stands, the water subsided enough to enable them to
cross. They took over their household goods in a scow belonging to J. VV. Babb. Mrs. Stern
Baker, who was then living at her father Babb's, came down with her clothes-line and assisted.
The line was tied to the horns of the cattle, and, one at a time, they were forced into the stream
and swam across. No one knows the value of bridges like those who have settled a new coun-
try in advance of their being built. The first bridge over the river was built in the spring or
summer of 1849, by D. C. Reed and others, as a volunteer effort. It stood two or three rods
above the present bridge in the village, where the stream was then quite narrow. In the course
of two or three years, the land on the west side of the river became so soft in the wet season of
the year as to be unsafe for travel, and a new bridge was deemed indispensable. Therefore, in
the winter of 1853, D. C. Spaulding and James Goodwin entei-ed into a contract for building a
new one. It was about the length of the present structure, and was placed upon the ground
where it now stands. It was made entirely of wood, the posts of the piers being put down
through holes cut in the ice. It cost $300, $75 of which was paid by the town. The third
bridge was erected in the winter of 1861-62, by John H. Rork, at an expense of $1,200, which
was paid by the town. It was placed upon stone abutments and piers, about thirty feet apart.
The portion of the bridge between the piers was upheld by two piers of timber, placed at the
center, in the form of a letter A, with an iron rod running from the top of the A to the bottom
of the bridge. This proved to be an insufficient support, and the bridge fell in August, 1867.
There were teams upon both the second and third bridges when they went down, but they
escaped without injury. A temporary bridge was built in August, 1867, some ten rods below
the mills, which was used until the following winter, when the present bridge, made in Chicago,
was put in by John Kellogg and C. M. Gaylord at an expense to the town of $3,000.
In the spring of 1851, the town voted an appropriation of $100 for two bridges over the
river, below the village. During the ensuing summer, the Fordham and Cole bridges were
built, partly by volunteer efforts of individuals. They have since been rebuilt and kept in
repair at the expense of the town.
THE NATIONAL ANNIVERSARY.
Mrs. Belle French, in her "Sketch Book." relates the following: "The first Fourth of
July celebration in patriotic Reedsburg occurred in 1849. There was little with which to make
a celebration. The men determined to raise a liberty-pole on that occasion, and regretted that
they had no flag to adorn it. But the women resolved that a flag should adorn that same pole,
and they set their wits to work in order to find material. The men wore blue denim clothes,
and so did many of the women, but this, after much wear, was not very blue. Neither could
HISTORY TOF SAUK COUNTY. 577
they get a piece large enough for the ground-work of the flag, so it was resolved that the stars
should be blue upon a white ground. The men wore buckskin patches on the seats and knees
of their pantaloons, and, to economize as well as to get pieces that were of a brighter blue, the
women cut out the half-worn denims under the buckskin and made it into stars. A woman's
under-garment furnished a square of white and some stripes, while, by a little shortening up of
the men's shirts, some red stripes were obtained. But the women did not know how to cut a
five-pointed star, and, in consequence, the stars on that flag all had six points. Horace Croswell
was the ladies' man and general confidant at that period. To him the women confided the secret,
showing him the flag. 'That won't do,' he immediately declared. ' The national star has only
five points.' So the stars were all ripped oft'; and, as there was no material to make new ones,
one point of each was cut off and the others twisted into shape. One young lady, Agnes Mc-
Clung, embroidered on a piece of cloth that charming couplet :
•• ' The star spangled banner, long may it wave,
O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave.'
This was tacked on the flag, and the work was pronounced complete. Then came the dinner to
prepare. Groceries and luxuries were few, but the combined possessions of the settlers formed
quite an array of dainties, though no one person could have made even a pie, independent of her
neighbors. Rev. A. Locke delivered the address. His only trouble was his forgetting the
exact date of the Declaration of Independence ; and, no one being able to inform him, his
hearers bade him " proceed and never mind it.' Otherwise the lecture was pronounced a success.
The dinner, the like of which had never been tasted in this part of the world before, was highly
enjoyed, and the remains of it were given to the Indians, that they might make merry too.
The celebration was held in the mill, which had neither floor nor roof. But some loose boards
had been put down, and upon these the people danced that night, lighted by only a few flicker-
ing tallow-dips. It was the first dance in Reedsburg."
Elder Dwinnell tells us of the succeeding celebrations : " The second celebration was in
1850. The day being rainy, the assembly convened in the west wing of the newly erected
hotel of John Clark, near the bridge. An able address was given by E. G. Wheeler.
" The third celebration was held on the public square, in 1852, the writer giving the address.
Many of his hearers were displeased with it because he arrainged our nation as inconsistent and
wicked in boasting of being the freest and most enlightened nation on the globe, while holding
3,000,000 of its people in the most abject and degrading bondage. The objection was grounded
on the position, which the speaker regarded as false, that nothing should be said on the Fourth
of July in which all did not agree. A picnic dinner was provided by the ladies.
" In 1853, a celebration was held in the park, the address being given by E. G. Wheeler.
The procession marched to the music of a flute and a violin. The States were represented by thirty-
one young ladies, each carrying a banner with the name of the State printed upon it, the two
who led the procession being dressed in Bloomer costume, the first that had been seen in these
parts. After a picnic dinner had been served, sentiments and toasts were in order. L. Gay
Sperry gave the following, referring to the representations of the States : ' Behold the lilies of
the field, how they grow ; they toil not, neither do they spin ; and yet Solomon, in all his glory,
was not arrayed like one of these.'
" The fifth celebration was held in the park July 4, 1856. The assembly was large and the
day fine. E. G. Wheeler was President of the day, and J. Mackey Orator, and Rev. E. D.
Bunce Chaplain. A. B. Smith provided dinner at his newly opened Alba House, now the Cen-
tral ; $100 was spent for fireworks, which were sent up from the southeast corner of the public
square. This was the first exhibition of the kind in this part of the county, and was witnessed
by large numbers. Taken all in all, in its results and consequence, near and future, that was
the most important celebration' ever held here. It was estimated at the time that it cost the
people $1,000.
578 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
" In 1858, J. S. Conger and wife projected a picnic celebration for their pupils. It was held
on the land of A. A. Mott, some thirty rods east of the Congregational Church. The writer
addressed the children, giving them an account of the cause of the separation of the United States
from the British Crown, with the blessings which had accrued therefrom.
" In 1860, the celebration was held on the public square. E. G. Wheeler was President of
the day, J. S. Strong, Marshal, and the Rev. William Lusk, Jr., Chaplain. The Orator was
Hon. S. S. Wilkinson, of Prairie du Sac, whose address was regarded as able and patriotic.
There were fireworks displayed in the evening.
" In 1864, the Sunday school of the Congregational Church, being the only one then in the
village, with a large number of persons from this and other places, accompanied by a band of
music, went to a grove near Andrews' mill, in the south part of the town, and celebrated the
day. Rev. W. Shumway was Chaplain, and addresses were given by Rev. J. H. Roscoe and
the writer. A picnic dinner was spread, and we had an enjoyable time. The whole proceed-
ings were under the charge of J. S. Strong as Marshal, just previous to his lamented death.
" The next celebration was on the public square on the 4th of July, 1870, Joseph Mackey
and Rev. W. Lusk giving the addresses. Several illuminated balloons were sent up in the
evening.
" In 1874, there was a celebration under the auspices of the Women's Temperance Union of
the place. They assembled on the park at 10 A. M. and marched to Ellinwood's Grove, where
they were entertained with music and addresses by Revs. M. Bennett, N. Leach, W. Lusk and
G. W. Lincoln. Another was held at the same time in Sparks' Woods, where a good number
attended.
" In 1875, the 4th of July occurred on Sunday. The day was celebrated under the direc-
tion of Capt. A. P. Ellinwood upon the fair grounds. Rev. W. L. Sanders was Chaplain, and
sermons were preached by President J. Bascom of the State University, and Rev. Stone Rich-
ardson, of Madison.
" In 1876 and 1877, they were under the same auspices, upon the fair grounds, and the Rev.
Stone Richardson and Rev. Robert Collyer were the Orators.
" In 1878, the celebration was held on the public square. The expected Orator, Hon. C.
Pope, of Black River Falls, being detained by sickness, impromptu addresses were made by
Rev. J. W. Bell and H. L. Brown, which were regarded as well adapted to the occasion by the
large audience which listened to them.
" The celebrations of 1879 and 1880 took place at Ellinwood's Park."
THE FIRST CRIMINAL TRIAL.
The Rev. S. A. Dwinnell, in one of his numerous sketches, relates the following : " On
Sunday, October 5, 1851, two men, by the name of Judson Baxter and William M. Reynolds,
from the State of Illinois, came driving into the village with a four-horse team attached to a
lumber wagon. It was-at 4 o'clock P. M., and just at the time our people were assembling for
divine worship in the little schoolhouse on Walnut street. Such a team was quite a novelty
at that time in this part of the country — as nearly all the people drove oxen — and it attracted
very general attention. Putting up their team at the Reedsburg Hotel, kept by John Clark,
they proceeded very soon to Jesse Leach's blacksmith-shop, now the building of George Mead,
near the Central House, and got him to work for them, I remember quite well that the click of
his hammer was very annoying to the worshipers at the schoolhouse. On Monday noon, the
two men started west on the newly opened State road to La Crosse. It was soon discovered
that they had paid Leach for his Sunday work, as well as their hotel bill, in counterfeit coin,
and that they had stolen a nail hammer and a small vise from Leach's shop. The necessary
papers for their arrest, having been made out by E. G. Wheeler, were issued from the office of
L. B. Swallow, a Justice of the Peace, and put into the hands of Constable A. F. Leonard.
Just as night set in, he, in company with Justice Swallow, set out on foot, to overtake and
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 579
arrest the culprits. Arriving at the cabin of Richards brothers, a few miles west of where
Ironton now is, and making known their business, they found them ready to join in the pursuit,
for they also had received bogus coin from Baxter and Reynolds, in change for a $5 bill, which
they had paid them for whisky the day before. After a long search in the darkness, they
finally found the men, about midnight, asleep by a fire, under an oak, not far from the prairie in
the south part of what is now the town of Woodland. Each of them had a loaded Sharp's rifle
and a large knife lying by his side. In accordance with a previous arrangement, two of the
company seized the prisoners while the other two bound them with cords before they were fairly
awake. Finding no counterfeit coin in their wagon, the officers made a long but unsuccessful
search for it in the vicinity, and then, harnessing the team, started for Reedsburg, where
they arrived Tuesday afternoon. The prisoners at once dispatched Constable Leonard to Bara-
boo to summon witnesses, and to engage attorneys for their defense. On Wednesday morning,
October S, W. H. Clark and J. H. Pratt, two of the best criminal lawyers, at that time, in
the county, appeared for the defense of the prisoners. There was no one to appear for the
prosecution. The District Attorney resided at Prairie du Sac, thirty miles away. Lawyer
Wheeler had been called away, and L. G. Sperry, who sometimes took charge of suits before a
Justice, was also absent. In this dilemma Mr. Leach came to me, desiring that I would act as
prosecuting attorney. I told him that I had never conducted a suit before a Justice in my life,
and I did not like to undertake it. He said that there was no other person who could do it, and
that, unless I would engage in the work, the prosecution must be abandoned. Under these cir-
cumstances, I told him I would do the best I could to convict the prisoners. I first arraigned
them for theft — a jury was called, and they were convicted. They appealed the case to the
Circuit Court — a young lawyer of Baraboo, by the name of Clark, giving bail for them. The
bail was forfeited and Clark was obliged to pay it. They were next arrainged for uttering coun-
terfeit coin. There was no difficulty in proving their paying out the coin which we charged as
bogus ; but wc had trouble in proving it to be spurious. The lawyers for the prisoners got a
decision from the Justice that each witness called to give his opinion as to the coin should first
swear that he was an expert in the business of detecting counterfeit coin. Among other
witnesses, I called J. S. Strong, who testified that he had been accustomed to handling coined
money for thirty years and had never had a spurious piece passed upon him yet. As he was un-
willing to say that he was an expert, his testimony was rejected. I then called Dr. R. G. Williams,
who testified that he was a practical chemist, and that he could test the coin by the use of
sulphuric acid. He applied the test in the presence of the court, and pronounced the coin,
which had been passed by the prisoners, to be spurious. That point was then conceded by the
prisoner's counsel. They then introduced a witness, who swore that he was a partner of George
Hiles, of Baraboo, that Baxter and Reynolds purchased goods at their store, on Saturday pre-
vious, and that he passed upon them counterfeit coin to the amount which we had proved that
they had passed upon others. Upon that testimony, the Justice discharged the prisoners. The
trial lasted three days, and nothing was left undone, on the part of the prisoners, in efforts to
bribe the witnesses and intimidate the counsel for the Government. The Justice evidently had
but little confidence in his own legal ability to act in the premises, and was fearful, that, if he
committed the prisoners, he should perpetrate some error whereby he would be liable to a suit
for false imprisonment. He therefore made his decision as favorable to them as possible. I was
well satisfied with that, my first effort in conducting a suit, but was deeply indignant at the
discharge of the prisoners, under the circumstances, and so informed the court. The next day
after the discharge of the prisoners, the two Richards brothers brought to this village a bag,
containing about a peck of bogus 50 cent pieces made of Babbett metal, which they had found
concealed in some brush near where the men were arrested.
580 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
A PEN PICTURE/
" How dear to my heart are the scenes of my childhood,
When fond recollection presents them to view."
It was the 2d of July, 1851, that my childish eyes first saw its towering sand-bank. I well
remember following the cow-path that led from Prospect Hill to the edge of the village, and
gazing upon the fifteen or twenty houses that composed it. Two of them, Mr. Strong's and Mr.
Seeley's (now Mr. Danforth's), were conspicuous on account of their white paint. The others
were tinted in various shades by the weather, whose taste seemed to run in the direction of slate
color, the front of Squire Wheeler's house having evidently had the most time spent on it.
But what would Reedsburg have been without a Squire Wheeler and Squire Wheeler's
unfinished house ? It was the dancing-hall of the place. My first entrance into society (which
happened to be at a candy-pulling) took place in that same hall. We enjoyed it a great deal
more than if we had been in a parlor, for we were not used to parlors. Mrs. Strong — dear
woman ! — owned the only one there, and that was on the second floor, and only used on great
occasions. Her sitting-room, with its " bough ten " carpet and big lamp, was quite bewildering
to most of us, accustomed to bare or sanded floors and tallow dips.
The Strong mansion, indeed, gave us a glimpse of city life, for it contained kitchen, dining-
room and sitting-room, in three separate apartments, while the rest of us combined them all in
one, with sometimes a bedroom thrown in. What a pleasure it was when the sewing circle met
there, or the sing ! I can yet see the merry group that composed them. Young faces — now
grown old — bright eyes — now spectacled and dim — and the beautiful old face of our hostess,
now lying beneath the sod. How much good one such refined, joyous Christian woman does in
the world !
Another dear spot was the schoolhouse — that little old dwelling opposite Judge Wheeler's.
I don't know who occupies it now ; but if it is haunted by the ghosts of its former occupants it
must be a lively place. It was for a long time schoolhouse, lecture-room, town hall and meeting
house — the different denominations occupying it once in two or four weeks.
There my good father preached his first discourses ; there Elder Conrad sermonized, and
Mr. Locke held forth at 4 o'clock. There the first choir was organized. That day " the men
set on the women's side and sang new-fangled tunes that old folks didn't know," as some one
reported at the Lyceum the next week — the Lyceum of which L. Gay Sperry was the life !
There the Maternal Association held its annual meetings, where long before the days of
Women's Suffrage Conventions, a Mrs. President presided, and Madame Secretary presented a
report, with the usual begged-leave permission, while we children and our papas looked on
admiringly, feeling, like the newly elected Squire's wife, that it was a great honor to us all.
There, too, was kept the writing-school — the only one worthy to be historic. It was held
at night, of course ; 'twould have been much less interesting in the day-time. The teacher, a
pretentious youth, knew how to use the pen, and often spent the recess-time in sketching scrolls
and birds to ornament our copy-books. One night he drew a graceful swan, and just above its
outstretched wings inscribed his own initials — A. H. B., — when a young girl, the merriest of
the group, ran up, ami glancing at it said : " What's that ? Oh, I see, A. H. B. — Goose ! "
then, ducking her head in her peculiar style, received the shouts of laughter that proclaimed a
telling hit. The poor fellow never outlived the name while she stayed in that locality. It stuck
to him like wax.
It was from the same building, too, that our first paper was issued. It was during the
school of S. J. Brown, if I remember right — than whom we had few better teachers. It was
called The Tattler, and did not disgrace its name. It was edited by the scholars, one of each
gender being appointed for every paper. Messrs. R. Rork and W. I. Carver, and Mrs. Bellinger,
will perhaps remember filling in their turn the chair editorial of that interesting sheet. Then
there was our first daguerrean gallery — in that old square house that Mr. Sage commenced to
By Friuii't'H I>\* inn' II Kllh.tl
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 581
build. It was the favorite resort for the young men and maidens; but whether the pictures or
the picture-makers possessed the greater attraction, was never satisfactorily settled. Certain it
is that " impressions " were made there that have never been effaced. It is pleasant to linger on
the past.
THE CEMETERIES.
The first burial in the town was that of the body of a man named Farringtno, who died at
the house of Don C. Barry, on Copper Creek. Farrington was in the employ of the Govern-
ment Surveyor, who was then (1846) subdividing the towns into sections. The body was
enclosed in a coffin of rough boards, by Mr. Barry, James W. Babb and Dr. Woodrough, of Prai-
rie da Sac. On the 6th of February, a young man named David D. Howard died at the house
of John H. Rork. At that time, David < '. Reed gave a tract of land for the burial of the dead,
opposite the present residence of Mrs. S. A. Dwinnell, which was used for that purpose five
years. In this solemn spot were deposited the bodies of five adults and six children. Upon the
completion of the present cemetery, the bodies were removed thither.
On the 20th of June, 1854, the Greenwood Cemetery Association was organized, consisting
of S. A. Dwinnell, E. D. Barbour, J. S. Strong, 0. H. Perry, W. Bowen, Eber Benedict, J. L.
Green, E. W. Young, Volney Spink, A. H. Witherall, L. B. Swallow, H. H. Carver, Daniel
Carver and S. H. Chase. On the 5th of August of that year, the Trustees of the association
purchased five acres of land for the sum of $40, of S. A. Dwinnell, situated half a mile north-
east of the village, and in the autumn the grounds were surveyed and platted by S. J. Brown.
Two principal aisles were laid out through the center of the ground at right angles, the remainder
of the plat being appropriately laid out in lots and minor avenues. The lots were offered for
sale at $2.50 to $4 each, with but few purchasers. The first interments were the bodies of Mrs.
Atwater, foster sister of David C. Reed, and her infant child, in the fall of 1854 ; James Cotting-
ton, February 12, 1855, and two children whose names are not remembered. The grounds were
consecrated on the 9th of May, 1856, a touching and appropriate address being delivered by
Elder Dwinnell.
In May, 1868, the Trustees purchased of Mr. Dwinnell, an additional three acres of land
for $150. The grounds were soon platted and the entire eight acres inclosed. A row of maples
was planted along the entrance side of the tract, in April, 1869, and the place was otherwise
cultivated and beautified. In 1873, there had been 360 burials, of which 189 were of adults.
In May, 1868, the German Lutheran Society purchased of S. A. Dwinnell two acres of
land adjoining the Greenwood Cemetery on the south, for the sum of $100, and the first inter-
ment was made in November of that year. Among the first burials was the body of D. Schweke,
in April following. He was a leader in the society, and was deeply interested in the purchase
of the grounds.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
CHAPTER XI.
THE SAUK VILLAGES.
Early History— Prairie dtt Sac, or Upper Satik: Early Settlement and Subsequent
Growth— The Old Court House— The First Staging— General Notes— The Bridge—
Postoffice and Postmasters— Schools— Manufacturing— Hotels— Societies— Churches.
Sauk City, or Lower Sauk: Early' Settlement and Growth— Causus Celebre— The
Old Military Company— A Murder— Comparative Notes— Government— Hotels— Man-
ufactories—Post Office— The Bridge— Public School— Fire Company and Fires— Socie.
ties and Churches— Saukyille, or Middle Sauk.
This locality, including the above villages, or village and burgs, with their euphonious titles,
may be justly called the site of the parent settlement of Sauk County; for here the first emi-
grants pitched their tents, in 1838 and 1839, and here the first improvements that amounted
to anything were made, and for many years these points were a sort of commercial metropolis or
center for the entire adjoining county.
When the surveyors for the " Superior City " fiasco came to the old tramping-grounds of
Black Hawk, on the bold and imposing bluffs extending along the east bank of the Wisconsin,
they beheld spread out before them to the west, as far as their vision could reach beyond the river,
one of nature's most beautiful panoramas; a land to them then denied, which gave promise,
through the perfection of its natural resources, of a future that would some day become excellent
in every detail of civilization, if not celebrated in the annals of history. That condition, then
only so dimly foreshadowed, has at last been realized ; scarcely half a decade has passed by, and
the scenes that then only resounded to the savage cries of wild animals, and the blood-curdling
yells of the aborigines, now re-echo the plow-boy's whistle, the faithful call of domestic animals,
the constant whir of busy machinery, and the joyous shouts of happy school children, or the
laborer's voice.
Forty years ago, the wild flowers bloomed in countless profusion and variety on these prai-
ries, and civilized man had scarcely invaded the precincts of virgin nature ; now all is changed ;
the whole country teems with the fruits of peace and industry, and myriads of houses dot the
landscape, the dwellings of happy families. What a marvelous transformation is this, and how
seemingly impossible ; and yet the country is almost aged already, so precocious has been its
development ; and very many of those who began the work of taming the wilderness, and thus
gave the first impetus to the steps of infant progress, are now no more. Fortunately for them
and their successors, history comes to the rescue and furnishes a meed of praise, and perpetuates
the record of their efforts and achievements for the instruction and entertainment of their
posterity.
When we pause to think that this beautiful country — now completely conquered by the white
man's hand, and yielding abundantly the various productions needed to supply the demands of
his growth — was but a few short years ago only a haunt for wild beasts and the unrestrained sons
of the forest, we can scarcely comprehend the change. Neither can the efforts of those who first
invaded the land and turned up the native soil to the sun's mellowing rays be understood by the
young of to-day. Only those who have been here from the first, and seen the gradual progress
that the passing years have wrought, can fully realize the change and appreciate the struggles
and sufferings of nearly half a decade in the past. Then, men here had almost to fight day by
day for the barest necessities while they were making homes for themselves and their successors,
and paving the way for a future of successful effort, in the work of utilizing nature's resources,
HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY 583
to supply man's necessities. Of the men who first came here in adventurous youth, but few
remain to tell the tales of living in a "dug-out," or lying down to sleep with the canopy of
heaven for a covering, and the howls of wolves to disturb their slumbers.
All the past seems but a phantom of the mind, a creation of some idle moment when com-
pared with the realities of to-day ; yet such is the history of progress and civilization almost
everywhere; the scenes of the past forty-one years' growth here are but a repetition in the main
of the vast work of development that has been going on for nearly three hundred years in this
country, and that even now is coursing onward through the mighty West.
Those who first stuck claim-stakes here were Americans, or Yankees, a restless, adventurous
kind of people, who are ever fond of change and new scenes, and for whom a pioneer life is
replete with a certain wild enjoyment. Many of these, disliking the restraints and incumbrances
of an older civilization, as the country improves go on farther to the front, and finally end their
lives far from the place of beginning, perchance, in a wild, new country. Had they but located
permanently somewhere, and let the youths of their families do the advance work, they might
have lived to see and enjoy the results of their early efforts. Yet, perhaps it is well that the
country is large enough, and life broad enough, to allow every man at this age to select a place to
suit his fancy and convenience, even though his nocion may not be productive of lasting good to
himself, or those who may have to depend on him.
THE EARLY HISTORY.
It is said that Jonathan Hatch, one of the Superior City surveying party, crossed over
to Sauk Prairie, at or near this point, at the time the survey of that paper city was being made,
on a prospecting expedition ; but, as the land had not been secured as yet by treaty from its Indian
owners and occupants, he did not remain. However, nothing absolutely authentic relating to
this matter is known, and, as Mr. Hatch is dead, nothing further will be known.
Who the parties actually were who came here and made the first claims, it is not easy to
decide, owing to different accounts ; but that none came here before 1838 seems very evident,
for the treaty securing these lands from the Indians was not ratified before that time, and, con-
sequently, any settler coming here previously would have been in danger of losing his life.
It appears to be the prevailing opinion that James S. Alban with his wife and three children
were the first family that settled here; they, it is said, arrived here in December, 1838, and
crossed the river on the ice. Although they were, in all probability, the first white family who
came, yet they were by no means the first white persons, for their advent was heralded by a
number of young and old men, who had come, during the spring and summer of 1838, and
made claims extending back from the banks of the Wisconsin, and who were living in a dug-out
near the banks of the river, where the thrifty town of Sauk City now stands. Perhaps a brief
description of this primitive habitation will not come amiss here. The dug-out is a mode of
dwelling often adopted on the frontiers, when the people have little time and less money with
which to put up a comfortable house, or where there is so little certainty of life and property
being left unmolested by Indian depredations and prairie fires, that it does not appear advisable
to erect anything more expensive ; they are usually made by digging a hole in the ground to the
depth of three or four feet, then rolling up logs around and above this hole, and covering the
whole with almost anything that will keep the water out. This sort of habitation is used almost
exclusively on the plains, owing to the scarcity of timber, etc., but though it furnishes protection
from sun, wind and rain, yet it is but a poor excuse for a dwelling, and is hardly to be tolerated by
any but the hardy frontiersman and hunters, who can eat or sleep almost anywhere.
The "dug-out" of our subject, is said to have been made by James Ensminger and
Thomas Sanser, in June "or July, 1838, they having come here to do some breaking (the first
done there) for a Mr. Berry Haney, who, 'with Jonathan Taylor and Solomon Shore, came
to this point quite early in the spring of 1838. Haney laid claim to the land where Sauk City
now stands, and Shore and Taylor made each a claim next above Haney's. During this summer
584 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
and the following winter and spring, H. F. Crossman, William May, D. B. Crocker, Burk Fair-
child, I. B. Harner, N. Lathrop, Mr. Hunter and a few others came in.
In the spring or summer of 1839, Albert Skinner put in an appearance with his family,
and settled at Lower Sauk, and built, or bought out J. S. Alban, and took the single men to
board, a blessing to them, as they would testify, were they here. This was the second family
that settled here. Soon after, Charles Parks and family came and built, or moved into a house
built by D. B. Crocker, on his claim, a part of which is now a part of " Prairie du Sac " Vil-
lage. This was the first house erected at Prairie du Sac, but as to who really built it, that must
remain unknown ; suffice it to say, it stood on the lot now occupied by Jacob Ochsner. About
the last of June, Jonathan Hatch and family moved in, going at once into a large cabin which
Mr. Hatch and H. F. Crossman had previously erected, where a house now stands, on the
property of Miles Keyser, a little south of Prairie du Sac, or Upper Sauk. During this season,
Charles 0. Baxter, Joseph Denson, William G. Simmons and Mr. Haney and family, and
Cyrus Leland and George Cargel and their families moved in, with perhaps a few others,
making, in 1839, a settlement on the present village sites and adjacent, of not more than forty
persons, all told. However, considering the difficulties to be met and overcome by emigrants at
that time, when the greater part of the entire State was unbroken wilderness, traveled by Indian
trails alone, this may be regarded as a very good showing, and speaks volumes for the enter-
prise and push of the pioneers.
Of those mentioned above, not a single individual now lives here, unless we mention Mrs.
Judge Quimby, one of the family of Cyrus Leland, then a mere child, and Mrs. A. Hill, daugh-
ter of J. Hatch. The majority of the first comers are dead ; the others have moved away, and
their places have been filled by new forms and faces during the constant changes which time is
working everywhere.
The first celebration and jollification in the county, according to the white man's idea, was
indulged in here on the 4th of July, 1839, and probably every settler in the county partici-
pated in commemoration of the great national event. About twenty-five grown persons are
said to have been present, including the few women in the community. That they had a glo-
rious time cannot be doubted, although they had neither cannon nor fireworks, nor the present
national plague, the small boy and firecracker ; neither did a brass band regale their senses,
and, very likely, not even the military fife and drum stirred the patriotic pulse; yet it was an
occasion of good-fellowship, and an expression of sincere patriotism. The demolition of baked
beans and corn bread, together with the recounting of their various experiences, it may be sup-
posed, constituted the chief business of the day.
PRAIRIE DU SAC, OR UPPER SAUK.
This village is one of the most naturally attractive, as well as pleasantly located, in the
county. The streets are nearly all broad, and richly shaded with stately trees, the growth of
forty years ; and the entire aspect of the place is one that Goldsmith would have delighted to
describe, so quietly restful and peaceful is the scene, and so far removed from the restless and
more pretentious activities of large commercial centers. To the north, east and south, the broad
Wisconsin trails its lazy, tortuous way throughout the land, basking like a silvery serpent, be-
neath the sun's glorious beams, while to the west extends Sauk Prairie, the richest portion of
Sauk County, presenting to the eye a most magnificent rural view. Any lover of nature
will acknowledge the perfection and beauty of the whole picture, and, perchance, may in-
dulge a sigh that all the world, and every place in particular, is not so happily conditioned.
The inhabitants here are, with a few exceptions, of the stanch old New England stock, or
are representatives of the Eastern States, all well known in our vernacular as Yankees, who
have dropped out of the ever westward -flowing tide of their brotherhood, and settled down here.
Some of them, but a few, however, came to the country previous to 1845, there being, all told,
not more than four or five. They are Archie Hill, J. I. Waterbury, George Owens and D. K.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 5K.f>
Baxter. The remainder are recruits of a much later day. The intellectual and moral standing
of the inhabitants are exceptionally good, there being, for a place of its size, excellent educa-
tional facilities, and besides, two flourishing churches, and one other church, now not in a
healthy condition.
The amount of business transacted here, and goods sold, is equal to that of any place of
its size in the county, and, in point of fact, it is claimed by many that the place has a more
extensive trade by far than any other of equal size in the county. Almost every class of busi-
ness is represented and will be mentioned further on.
Early Settlement and Subsequent Growth.
In 1839, D. B. Crocker, who first laid claim to the land where the principal part of the
village now stands, laid out a part of his claim in village lots and streets, thereby taking the
initial step toward the upbuilding of a village. From this time forward, this point began to
assume proportions, and, for a time, was the leading burg on Sauk Prairie.
In the fall of 1839 or the spring of 1840, Mr. Crocker, who, it appears, was quite enter-
prising, put up a log building and brought in a small stock of merchandise, this being not only
the first store in the county, but the first one, according to all accounts, this side of Madison.
Such an undertaking was then attended with a great deal of difficulty, for nearly everything
had to be brought from Milwaukee over the most abominable roads imaginable. The store
building stood a little south of the Baxter House, and was torn down two years ago. During
the above-mentioned time, John LeMeassure and William Frink came and bought an undivided
half of Mr. Crocker's claim, and proceeded to erect cabins. The winter of 1839-40 was very
severe.
In 1840, Joshua Abbott came here, and, with Mr. Archie Hill, who also came this year,
erected a frame building for a hotel, the land upon which it stood being donated by D. B.
Crocker & Co. In the spring of 1841, Mr. Abbott moved his family here and opened the hotel,
this being the first frame building, as well as tavern, in the county. The building was main-
tained in this capacity but a few years, it being converted, eventually, into a tenant house. It
is now owned by Mrs. Drew, and occupied as a photograph gallery and the residence of Dr.
Whitford.
In 1840, William Frink built and started that much-needed thing on the frontiers, a black-
smith-shop. This shop stood where his successor, T. Kelsey's, shop now stands. The officiat-
ing mechanic was a man by the name of Axtell, who came about this time. Here, all the first
settlers came to get their plows, chains, etc., mended, and, very likely, many of them received
here their first introduction to the weight and virtues of a sledge-hammer, when it had to be
wielded for a couple of hours or so.
During this year, 1840, William Simmons went oft' and brought back a wife, then bought
out Charles Parks, and went to keeping house ; this was the first marriage of any one in these
parts.
The first mail received in the county was brought here in 1840, from Madison, by William
Frink, who carried it on horseback. It is related that, in coming through at one time, he lost
the road and wandered over the hills, until finally, at night, he came to the banks of the Wis-
consin, where he lay out in a terrible storm, not knowing where to cross. The mail was, at
that time, distributed by Cyrus Leland.
In 1840, Lyman Crossman was appointed Justice of the Peace, and about two years after,
having married two or three couples, he was married himself, his wife being the present Mrs.
George Owens. About the time of his marriage, he was appointed Postmaster, and very soon
after he went to keeping hotel in the building which had been Mr. Crocker's store. This hotel
had been started the year before, by two new-comers, who bought out Crocker. Hub-
bard and Seymour ; they soon after disposed of it to a Mr. Shaw, from whom Mr. Crossman
took it. Here the first regular post office was kept. The building, after passing through
several hands, was finally demolished two years ago.
586 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Previous to this, in 1840 or 1841, a Methodist itinerant preacher, a Mr. Fullerton, put in
his appearance, and held the first religious services here, probably at the house of Charles Parks.
Since those first devotional exercises, so very many years ago, various thriving societies have
sprung into existence, and where once great difficulty was experienced in the enjoyment of relig-
ious privileges, now every opportunity is offered for divine worship; such are the present bless-
ings, and such is the state of advancement.
A wagon-shop was one of the first mechanical institutions of the place. It was opened
by George Owen, in 1843, and to this gentleman belongs the distinction of having made the
first wagon, constructed on modern principles, made in the county. As in those days,
everything was made in a very thorough manner, of the best material to be had, this wagon was,
doubtless, a first-class vehicle.
To trace out connectedly the various business developments as well as social conditions of
the place from year to year as they came into existence, is almost literally impossible ; however,
it is the purpose of the work to give a fair index to the general early growth by tracing out sub-
jects, not individuals solely, in an impartial manner. Messrs. Hubbard & Seymour, when they
came in, purchased a part of the Crocker claim, to which they added a wing, and continued the
store until they disposed of their interest.
After Hubbard & Seymour, it is said H. Chapman and a Capt. Esterly with him, came here
from the West Indies, in 1844 or 1845, s\nd opened a small store in the house which Mr. Le-
Meassure built in 1839. This house was afterward sided over, and now stands on Front street,
and is used for a warehouse. It is the oldest house that is of any value now in the county. The firm
of Chapman was but short lived, as the founder had more money than experience. While Chapman
kept store, he often, as most dealers did, sold liquor by the quantity, and, it was thought, at retail as
well without a proper license. At any rate, it was known that he sold liquor, and George
Skinner, of Lower Town, not being particularly friendly toward Chapman, determined, so to
speak, that he would make the place too hot to hold him, and, to carry out this intention, brought
suit against him for retailing liquor without a license. When the case came off, it was sworn
away from this point by the defendants, and Skinner was beaten, proving that you are never
sure of anything except costs in law. This circumstance is narrated particularly because it was
one of the first, if not the first, of the kind in the county, and because a few parties in this local-
ity labor under the impression that Chapman was beaten and forced to leave owing to the result
of the suit.
The Old Court House.
In 1843, the county seat was located here as the most desirable and accessible point in the
county. The owners of the town site gave their interest in what is now the public square to the
county for a court house square, and the people contributed from their slender means to build a
court house and presented that also, on condition that the county seat should remain here, but
their most sanguine hopes in this direction were eventually doomed and the county seat removed
to Baraboo. Had this not occurred, the place would now have been a much larger town,
the center of prosperous manufacturing industries and extensive commercial transactions, and
would doubtless have had a railroad, and such advantages for development as ready outside com-
munication brings would have been secured beyond a peradventure.
During one of the first court sessions here, while Judge Irwin presided, a rumor came
in that a large number of black bears were roaming around through the country but a short dis-
tance from the village. The Judge, being something of a sportsman, suspended the administration
of justice, and Judge, jury, officers, prisoners and all, it is said, went hunting. The Judge, before
starting out, told Mrs. Grossman (now Mrs. Owens) not to get dinner until they returned, for
they would bring in bruin, and sure enough they did return with a monster bear, as black as jet,
that measured fifteen inches from the tip of his toes to the last joint above in the foot. This
illustrates the free-and-easy nature of judicial proceedings on the frontier. The jurymen, it is
said, came in, in ringed, streaked and speckled attire, looking like a lot of bushwhackers bent
upon making a raid upon the village.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 587
In 1844, the first stage was run between this point and Madison, by Prescott Brigham as
proprietor, jehu, and mail and express man. Subsequently, the stage business became one of
the chief necessities of the community, and lines were established running to Mazo Manie, Bara-
boo and Merrimack, and, perhaps, at times to other localities. Prescott Brigham was the first
Register of Deeds in the county.
Some time in the year 1844, the steamer Otter, Capt. Cook commanding, came to Lower
Sauk, and finally pulled up at Prairie du Sac for repairs, as she could go no further. She was
a rather old hulk, and had for load and ballast a cargo of Norway rats, the first ever seen here.
These proceeded to unload themselves and disperse around town, to the great disgust and annoy-
ance of the townspeople, immediately after the boat arrived. The people were then very much
in need of some means by which they could get goods brought to the place cheaply, and were
only too ready to listen to Capt. Cook, when he proposed, if they would assist him in rebuilding
his vessel, to run the boat regularly between this and various points on the Mississippi River.
Thereupon, the people took the matter in hand, and fitted him out in shape with a good boat.
The Captain proved to be an unreliable and ungrateful wretch ; for, after making two or three
trips, he was never seen again, and his benefactors were left to do as best they could, Capt. Cook
having sailed for other shores with boat, money, good-will and all.
About 1846 or 1847, Cyrus and Eleazer Leland erected a building, and Messrs. Howard
and Leland put in a stock of merchandise, dry goods and groceries, and began keeping store,
but did not continue business long before selling out. The parties succeeding them were Messrs.
Baxter and William Hubbard, Mr. Baxter being the backbone of the institution. After running
for a brief period, the store and goods either passed out of their hands, or the business was dis-
continued, and the building, after being the property of various parties, was at last converted
to its present use as post office and book store.
The firm of Keyser & Morrel started here about 1848, and continued for a few months only,
when they were succeeded by the firm of Green & Morrel, who kept quite a large assortment of
goods. What other firms may have sprung into existence here before 1850, if there were any,
cannot be ascertained, and, as everything in the way of commercial enterprise seemed to spring
into life here and pass away like mushrooms, it is not to be wondered at.
A disciple of St. Crispin located here at an early date, in the person of Mr. Crane, and,
from that time to the present, the last and awl mechanic has been here, ever ready to supply feet
coverings or soles for the wayfarer. Various other mechanics doubtless came in before 1850.
In the spring of 1850, M. S. Moore came here from the East, and opened a store in the
present post office building, which he occupied until he could erect a new building, the one
which is now occupied by E. C. Moore, son of M. S. Moore, and successor in the business started
by his father nearly thirty years ago. This establishment is one of the old stand bys, and the
proprietor is one of the oldest merchants who began business in the county, and one of the most
influential in his locality, having been responsibly connected with nearly all of the local enter-
prises of the village that have been on the tapis since he became a citizen.
General Notes.
The land here was entered in 1843 by William Hubbard, for the settlers, and was afterward
divided among them. M. E. Moore started a lumber-yard in 1851 ; he was succeeded by
C. Obrecht, who has a yard here now. Mrs. S. R. Mathews conducted a store here as early as
1850, which had been established by her husband about where Congar Bros.' store now stands.
Dr. Bassenger started a drug store as early as 1853. A. F. Ansel had a store here in 1855.
The firm of M. E. Moore & Smith was running here from 1854 to 1857, now M. E. Moore
alone. After Ansel, H. B. Stanes kept store for a time, when Mercer & Weight came, and
subsequently, in 1860, Mr. Belle.
588 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
In 1860, it is said there were five dry-good stores running here, one hardware and tin
store, two boot and shoe stores, three blacksmiths, one wagon-maker and four saloons. There
are now four general stores, two drug stores, one furniture store, one hardware and tin shop, one
book store, four blacksmiths, four shoemakers, two harness-makers, one wagon-maker, three dress-
makers, two milliners, one tailor, one broom-maker, one photographer, one marble-cutter, one
meat market, one poultry dealer, one paint-shop and undertaker, one dealer in pumps and wind-
mills, one dentist, one dealer in farm machinery, one dealer in organs and sewing machines, one
saloon. The hotels and manufacturing interests are mentioned elsewhere. Of physicians, there
are two There is also a newspaper, a spicy sheet, called the Sauk County News, con-
ducted by S. W. Corwith. In 1850, D. Morrell started a tannery, a little west of the village,
and did a good business for many years.
The Bridge.
Previous to the arrival of M. S. Moore & Son, a bridge charter, securing rights and pro-
visions for building a bridge, had been obtained, but nothing further had been done. A bridge
across the Wisconsin at that early day was a very great desideratum, as the difficulty and slow-
ness attending a ferry-boat passage over was very great, and retarded a great many from coming
here to trade, besides being a great hindrance and annoyance to the inhabitants of the village,
who had to go and come over the river when they made trips to the cities for supplies. But,
notwithstanding this condition of things and the charter privileges, nothing was done, no one
having been found ready to take shares and advance money enough to push the thing through
until Mr. Moore came. He at once took hold of the matter, for if anything was to be done it
must be done without delay, as the charter would soon expire ; and owing to the rivalry existing
between Upper and Lower Town at that time, the chances were that they could not get another
charter ; therefore, without delay the enterprise must be, and was, started during the fall of
1850, under the direct supervision of Mr. Moore, the engineer or chief mechanic being Thomas
Worthington. Very little was done this year, but in 1851 the work was begun in good earnest.
At first spiles were driven into the hard-pan about twelve feet beneath the bed of the stream or
sand surface, and on these the bridge was built, there being no other foundation. The result
was as had been predicted — the ice and spring freshet nearly swept the entire bridge away ; so
the stockholders could do nothing but start the work again in the spring. This time the
foundation was supported by putting in stone piers at convenient distances, and making the
bridge as strong as possibly can be done when wood is the material used. The bridge was about
eighty rods long, with a suitable draw, and originally cost about $1,500. It has been
repaired occasionally, owing usually to the effects of ice or a lumber raft striking the piers,
which has been by no means unfrequent, for the raftsmen at first seemed not to care to avoid a
collision with the bridge ; and even at the present time it occasionally occurs. The bridge, it is
estimated, has never been a paying investment for the stockholders, although a liberal toll is
asked. In conclusion, it may be added that this bridge was the first crossing over the Wisconsin,
and remained so for several years.
One of the most interested parties in the bridge was E. B. Crane, now dead. He was a
resident of Bloomfield, N. J. A. M: Morell was the first President ; M. S. Moore, first Vice
and Secretary ; A. Ostrander, first Treasurer.
In 1852, E. B. Crane was President ; Thomas B. Worthington, Vice President end Secre-
tary ; S. B. Bassenger, Treasurer.
1853— E. B. Crane, President ; E. P. Taylor, Vice ; M. S. Moore, Secretary ; S. H.
Bassenger, Treasurer.
1854— E. B. Crane, President; E. P. Taylor, Vice; M. S. Moore, Secretary; S. H.
Bassenger, Treasurer.
1855— E. B. Crane, President; E. P. Taylor, Vice; M. S. Moore, Secretary; S. H.
jr, Treasurer.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 589
1856— E. B. Crane, President ; E. P. Taylor, Vice ; M. S. Moore, Secretary ; S. H.
Treasurer.
1857 — Elisha P. Tabor, President ; John Dennett, Vice ; A. N. Seymour, Secretary ; M.
S. Moore, Treasurer.
1858 — S. H. Bassenger, President; John Dennett, Vice; D. T. Noyes Secretary; M. S.
Moore, Treasurer.
1859 — S. H. Bassenger, President; John Dennett, Vice; I. F. Smith, Secretary; M. S.
Moore, Treasurer.
I860 — S. H. Bassenger, President ; John Dennett, Vice ; I. F. Smith, Secretary ; M. S.
Moore, Treasurer.
1861 — S. H. Bassenger, President ; John Dennett, Vice ; I. F. Smith, Secretary ; M. S.
Moore, Treasurer.
1862 — Henry Rowell, President ; John Dennett, Vice ; I. F. Smith Secretary ; M. S.
Moore, Treasurer.
1863— John Dennett, President ; J. P. Wiswell, Vice ; I. F. Smith, Secretary ; M. S.
Moore, Treasurer.
There has been no change in the above officers since, with the exception that E. C. Moore
was elected Secretary in 1868 ; and J. I. Waterbury President in 1878.
The Directors at various times since the organization of the Bridge Company, have been
J. P. Wiswell, Hiram Perkins, W. H. Hubbard, P. B. Stamatz, Isaac Morehouse, J. I.
Waterbury, A. J. Lewis, 0. Morehouse, E. B. Crane, E. P. Taylor, John Dennett, A. M.
Moore, Cyrus Hill, William Dunlap, John Whitehead, D. T. Noyes, Thomas Ambler, N. H. Drew,
S. H. Condit, C. R. Akers, A. M. Baldwin, Fred Harris, H. C. Beach, S. S. Mather, the
latter being the present Director.
PostOffice \m> Postmasters.
Frank Grossman, as has been stated, was the first Postmaster here ; he was considered a very
worthy man, and was a member of the Territorial Council at one time. The Germans of Lower
Town held him in high estimation, so much so, in fact, that on a Fourth of July, about 1840, a
large number of them turned out early in the morning and marched up to Prairie du Sac and
gave him a rousing salute of musketry and "three cheers for 'Squire Crossman," with a "long
life and many blessings." He has been dead these many years. George Cargel succeeded Mr.
Crossman, and held the office until his death, having performed in a faithful and satisfactory
manner the duties of his position, and was succeeded by his widow, an amiable and worthy
woman, who conducted the affairs of the office until 1851 or 1852, when, Simeon Dean,
of Lower Sauk, was appointed to the office. The office was then removed to Lower Sauk,
and the Upper Sauk people were obliged to go to Lower Town for their mail for about
six months ; when a new office was established, and G. A. Ostrander, a lawyer, was ap-
pointed Postmaster. Mr. Ostrander held the office but a short time, then resigned and went
to New York, where he has become signally noted in his profession. After him, in 1853, J. D.
Evans was appointed to fill the vacancy. He was a tailor by trade, and kept a shop and book-
store where the post office now is. His was quite an eventful career, and ended in a most deplo-
rable manner. He was a drinking person when he came here, and probably never would have
received the position had it not been that one of the churches took him up, believing it to be an
act of charity to endeavor to save him. Through their aid he took a start, and married a very
estimable lady. He was elected to several town offices and was on a fair way to prosperity, but
at last, for some unexplained reason, he shot himself. After his death, his wife held the office
until August 1, 1861, when Thomas Baker, the present incumbent, and a representative
man, was appointed to the position. Mr. Baker, since he has held the office, has repeatedly
expressed a desire to resign, but to this his townsmen will not listen, believing that an old, tried
and efficient officer is better than a novice. The feeling of respect which is almost universally
expressed for him is a tribute of which any one may be proud.
590 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Schools.
The first teacher here was a Scotchman named Quentin Smith, who taught what would be
called a select school, in a private dwelling, probably his own, as early as 1843. There was at
that time no schoolhouse, and, indeed, so far as can be ascertained, the village did not have a
public schoolhouse until the old court house reverted back to its builders. As is often said, "No
great loss without some small gain," so, although the place lost its prestige when it lost the county
seat, yet the people had a building ready to their hand for a schoolhouse. Who may have been
the first pedagogue to train the young idea in this first temple of law and learning remains
to us unknown, as the early Secretaries' reports have disappeared. But Q. Smith was, in all
probability, the teacher. The old court house supplied the educational needs of the burg until
1856, when the present neat and substantial stone structure was erected on the site of the old
schoolhouse, that having been sold to F. Myers for $112 and converted into a workshop. It is
now used for a barn ; so has it descended from the topmost round of usefulness. The
stone schoolhouse, 30x40, cost $1,200, I. Morehouse being builder. Nothing was added in
the way of accommodations for pupils until the district purchased the old academy when the
academy organization suspended operations. This building was purchased for $1,450, and
removed to its present site during the spring of 1871. The school is now divided into three
departments, and is said to maintain a very fair standard of excellence.
The Academy Association. — This is one of the has beens, the absence or loss of which
must be a source of regret to many, although in the loss of the academy the public school has
been undoubtedly benefited, for, where private institutions of learning are maintained, the public
schools usually suffer in direct proportion to their prosperity. The first movement toward start-
ing an academical school was caused almost entirely by the severely felt want of a good school.
A meeting was first held by the citizens of the place, at the schoolhouse, June 10, 1863. At
this meeting twelve corporators were elected, and all the preliminary steps taken toward organ-
izing a joint-stock company. The corporators were: S. S. Wilkinson, L. Tabor, R. Meriher,
J. Werner, L. F. Smith, E. Watson, M. S. Moore, I. D. Evan?, J. Dennett, J. Perkins, J.
Leverell and D. Conger. The corporation elected S. S. Wilkinson, President ; M. S. Moore,
Vice; D. Conger, Secretary, and I. D. Evans, Treasurer. The Capital stock was put at $2,000,
with shares at $25 each, the institution to be called Prairie du Sac Academy Association. Soon
after, a committee was appointed to sell shares, and fifty were disposed of. A committee was
also appointed immediately after this to select a site for building and report on same. When
this committee reported, it was decided by the corporation to increase the stock $500. October
31, a meeting of the stockholders was held, and nine Trustees were elected, and subsequently a
schoolhouse site was purchased for $100, from S. S. Wilkinson, Lots 1 and 2 and 8 and 9 in
Block 12. A school building was completed in August, 1864, the property being mortgaged to
raise the funds needed that were not supplied by the stockholders. The building cost $1,809.50.
The compensation for teachers was not to exceed the tuition received. The first Principal was
John Lovewell ; school commenced September 12, 1864. After the school had run a few years,
it was stopped and the house sold to the district, as before stated.
Manufacturing.
M. S. Moore, as early as 1853, erected a building to be used as a warehouse. In 1860,
this building was fitted up and machinery put in by a Mr. Rowell, the same to be run as a
steam-mill. The engine was twenty-five or thirty horse-power. Two or three runs of stone
were soon put in for grain grinding, after which it was run for a time, but, like all of the mills
that have been started in this locality, it did not pay ; consequently the venture was not a success,
and the mill had to cease operations. The machinery was subsequently sold and removed, and
the building converted to its present use as a tin and hardware shop.
Eureka Mill— This mill was built by J. Werner in 1864, for the firm of T. West & Co.
It was started first as aplaning-mill, but in 1868 two sets of buhrs were put in and the milling
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 591
business begun. This continued for about two years, when the mill suspended operations.
Nothing further was done for three or four years ; then 0. Burnett bought the establishment.
He ran it until about 1879, then stopped it. Conger Brothers then bought the machinery, and
soon after sold it to Mr. Bloom, of Bloom Station, who ran the mill for a short time, then
removed the fixtures, leaving the mill as it now stands, vacant, waiting for some enterprising
person to convert it to some useful purpose.
The Christian Plow Manufactory. — The plow-shop of James Christian was built in 1858,
by the present proprietor. Mr. Christian is a practical workman and inventor, and deserves
a wider field for effort than is here offered. The machinery of the establishment, from the
powerful and novel horse-power to the drill, was all made by him, and usually differs very
materially from what is generally used, and is also very ingenious, perfect and strong in
every detail of construction. He has ready at hand everything needed by a mechanic in his
business, besides mechanical appliances for various other uses. There are from fifty to seventy-
five plows a year made here, beside the repairing which is done, one man only, the proprietor,
doing the work. The plows are all sold in this vicinity, and are said to be thoroughly good in
every respect.
Warehouse and Elevator. — The largest grain warehouse and elevator in the county, and
the only one in this section, stands on the river bank at this point. It was erected, in 1869, by
M. H. Keyser k Co., at a cost of $10,000. The foundation is of stone, sixteen feet high, 40x40.
Upon this is erected a massive frame about forty-four feet in height. One hundred and fifty thousand
feet of the best lumber and over one hundred kegs of spikes entered into the construction of the
building, besides the various other articles used. It has a capacity for the storage of about 50,000
bushels of grain. This being the only grain-shipping point in this part of the county, an enor-
mous shipment is made annually, the amount sometimes exceeding 100,000 bushels per annum.
The proprietors of the warehouse are also owners of the steamer Ellen Hardy, a boat of 150,000
tons. She is one hundred and twenty feet lcng by twenty-three feet beam, and draws but six-
teen inches. Besides shipping grain, the firm ship annually about two hundred car-loads of live-
stock, both grain and stock being sent to market by way of Portage on the Ellen Hardy and
the Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad.
Reaper Manufactory. — The manufacture of reapers by J. Werner is one of the indus-
tries carried on at this point that will probably become very large in the future, although now
only in its infancy. The machine manufactured is called the Challenge Harvester, and is, in its
chief points of excellence, the invention of Mr. Werner, the same being covered by patents. These
are principally a double adjustable reel with serrated beaters, an endless chain and slat-
ted platform, and a lever arrangement for raising or lowering the entire machine at will. In
addition, it may be said of this machine and for the inventor that it is said to be unexcelled by
anything now in use in the general excellence of its mechanism and the material used.
Hotels.
One of the oldest hotels in the county is the Baxter House, D. K. Baxter,' one of the pio-
neers and probably the oldest landlord in the county, being its proprietor. The hotel was built
by the firm of Steinmetz & Fife, who kept the old hotel here for some years prior to that time.
Of them, it may be said in this connection that they were, in their day, called the prime land-
lords between Madison and Prairie du Chien. Soon after the hotel was completed, Mr. Baxter
purchased it and christened it. It is a large and commodious building, and is well managed.
Societies.
Cemetery Association. — The first meeting of the people for the purpose of organizing a
cemetery association here, was convened November 11, 1859, at the schoolhouse. After pre-
liminaries, an organization was effected and the following Trustees elected : Nath. Kenison,
Samuel Kelsey, M. S. Moore, Samuel H. Bassinger, George Owen, J. E. Wright and I. More-
house. These Trustees were so divided that a portion of them could be elected each year. Six
592 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
days after this, a meeting of the Trustees was called, and committees were appointed to select
grounds and draft by-laws. Nath. Kenison was elected President; I. Morehouse, Secretary,
and M. S. Moore, Treasurer. February 20 following, another meeting was held and arrange-
ments made to purchase three acres of land, from Mr. Kenison for a cemetery, and to have the
same platted and laid out in lots each side of a central avenue. The lots were priced at $5, $7,
and $10, according to location. But little more than twenty years have passed since that time,
and yet these grounds are now thickly studded with tablets reared to the memory of the
departed, telling us how rapid is the flight of time and how fleeting our existence. The
grounds are well kept and present an attractive appearance to the passer-by.
Eureka Lodge, No. 113, A., F. £ A. M. — This lodge of the ancient order received its
charter in June 1858, there being at first but seven members, as follows: S. S. Wilkinson, W.
M.; J. S. Tripp, S. W.; S. B. Dilly, J. W.; H. J. Turner, S. F. Amy, H. McKennan and Isaac
Richardson. The lodge is now large and thrifty. The present officers are : J. S. Tripp, W. M. ;
Ed Ortell, S. W.; J. Werner, Jr., J. W.; George Grow, S. D.; J. N. Cole, J. D.; D. Grodo-
phorst, Secretary ; Thomas Baker, Treasurer, and H. L. Page, Tiler.
Prairie Lodge, No. 18, I. 0. G. T. — Was organized December 22, 1857, with twenty-two
charter members. This lodge has withstood the changes and incidents of twenty-three years,
and has now a membership of sixty-six, but of the first members, one only is now left. The old
standby of the institution, Charles Evans, has labored at all times, and many times successfully,
to prevent the lodge from sinking, and has at intervals occupied nearly all of the positions of
trust and distinction that the order has to offer. The first officers were : Nath. Kenison, W. C;
M. A. Wadsworth, W. V.: J. D. Evans, Secretary ; R. W. Sawyer, Marshal, and E. C. Miller,
Chaplain. At one time a division of feeling arose here on the temperance question, or with
regard to running the lodge, and a new lodge was organized called the Excelsior. It lasted but
a few years. There was also a lodge of the I. 0. 0. F. here a few years ago, but it also sus-
pended, and is now no more.
Sauk Prairie Bible Society. — The Prairie du Sac Bible Society, was organized on the 13th
day of February, 1853. The first officers were : Curtis Bates, President ; F. Jones, Vice ; C.
Stuzaker, Secretary ; Rev. E. G. Miner, Treasurer. In 1 854, officers were : C. Bates, Presi-
dent ; E. Kellogg, Vice ; J. S. Hart, Secretary ; Rev. E. G. Miner, Treasurer. In 1855, S. H.
Bassenger was President ; E. Watson, Vice ; L. A. Cooper, Secretary ; I. D. Evans, Treasurer.
This year the name of the society was changed to Sauk Prairie Bible Society, and became an
auxiliary to the American Bible Society. In 1856, the officers were : M. S.Moore, President;
Thomas B. Cowles, Vice ; I. Smith, Secretary ; I. D. Evans, Treasurer. 1857. — M. S. Moore,
President; R. H. Davis, Vice; I. Smith. Secretary; I. D. Evans, Treasurer; Rev. Noyes,
General Agent. 1858 — There was no change made in the officers. 1859 — The officers the
same, excepting S. H. Bassenger being elected Secretary instead of I. Smith, and the Rev. R.
B. Seymour becoming general agent. In 1861, M. S. Moore, President; J. S. Tripp, Vice;
S. H. Bassenger, Secretary ; I. D. Evans still retaining the office of Treasurer, and Rev. R. B.
M. Seymour, General Agent. In 1862, the only changes made were in R. M. Merrihue being
elected Vice President, and A. M. Seymour, Secretary. In 1863, I. F. Smith was elected Secre-
tary in place of A. M. Seymour. In 1864, L. T. Stowell became Vice President, the balance of
the officers remaining as heretofore. In 1865, L. T. Stowell was elected President ; J.. I. Water-
bury, Vice ; the balance of the officers retaining their former positions. No change was made
until 1868, when M. S. Moore was elected President; Rev. D. C. Miller, Vice; E. C. Moore,
Secretary ; I. D. Evans, Treasurer. There was no further change in officers until 1870, when
Rev. B. F. McKinney succeeded Rev. D. C. Miller as Vice President. In 1871, Rev. W. H.
Blair became Vice President, and Thomas Baker, Treasurer. In 1873, the only change made
was B. F. McKinney, he being elected Vice President, In 1874, Rev. E. C. Hall was elected
Vice President. In 1875, Rev. G. F. LeClere succeeded Rev. Hall as Vice President. In
1877, Rev. A. Reid was elected Vice President. In 1878, H. Glarner was made Vice Presi-
dent. Since that time, no change has been made in the officers of the society.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 593
Churches.
The Presbyterian Church of Prairie du Sac* — Two brief extracts from the earliest
records of this church will best show the main facts concerning its organization. " In the
winter of 1841, Rev. S. Chaffee, by request of the few members of the Church of Christ who
had emigrated to Prairie du Sac, and who were living without being organized into a church,
visited the place, preached one sermon, and organized a Presbyterian Church. "
" Prairie du Sac, January 22, 1841. At a meeting for religious purposes, after the sermon,
the following members of the different branches of the Church of Jesus Christ were in due form
constituted the First Presbyterian Church of Prairie du Sac, by Rev. Solomon Chaffee." These
original members, eight in number, were Calvin Frink, Mrs. Lydia L. Frink, Mary E. Frink.
Charles F. Parks, Burke Faircliild, John C. Kellogg, Nathan Kellogg and Mrs. Jane Axtell,
None of them are now here.
On November 29, 1844, the church was by unanimous vote, made Congregational. Arba
M. Seymour (who joined the church December 4, 1842) was a leading mover in this change.
On April 4, 18(34, the church was, by a large majority vote, made fully Presbyterian, and so
remains. Martin S. Moure (who joined the church January 14, 1851) was prominent in this
change. Till 1864, the church was connected with the Presbyterian and Congregational Con-
vention of AVisconsin. On October 8, 1864, it united with the Dane Presbytery. It now be-
longs to the Presbytery of Wisconsin River.
The first minister of the church began to preach here in February, 1842. The list of
ministers is as follows: Philip W. Nichols, E. G. Bradford, W. Cochran, E. G. Miner, J. G.
Kanouse, D. T. Noyes (who, some time after ceasing his ministry, became Lieutenant of artillery
in the late war, was killed in the service, and is buried at Prairie du Sac), Henry Hutchins, J.
Silsby, Charles Thompson, Rufus P. Wells, John W. Densmore, Henry W. Woods, William H.
Blair, Erwin C. Hull, George F. Le Clerc, Archibald S. Reid (now preaching here; September
1880). Elders (Presbyterian) prior to November, 1844, were Calvin Frink, Nathan Kellogg,
Charles F. Parks, Burke Faircliild ; since April, 1864, Martin S. Moore, Arba M. Seymour.
David Congar, Luther T. Stowell, Isaac F. Smith, Daniel Wells, Lavalette V. Tabor, John
Wotring, David S. Congar, Richard L. Hand, E. Conway Moore. Deacons (Congregational)
from 1844 to 1864, were Calvin Frink, Nathan Kellogg, Arba M. Seymour, Elias B. Crane,
Martin S. Moore, S. H. Bassinger. Luther Keysar. Deacons (Presbyterian) before 1844, were
Calvin Frink, Nathan Kellogg, Quentin Smith, John S. Mann; since 1864, Isaac F. Smith,
George T. Moore.
The first house of worship, quite a small one. of the value, probably, of $500, was built in
1851, and dedicated in October of that year, Rev. J. G. Kanouse preaching the sermon. It
was afterward considerably enlarged. On May 30, 1867, it was sold for $200, to the Free-Will
Baptists, and by them soon removed to its present site. The second house of worship, that now
used (1880), was built just after a marked revival, in 1867, during the ministry of Rev. J. W,
Densmore, and dedicated on February 14, 1868, Rev. Edward G. Read, then of Madison,
preaching the sermon. It is in size 37x57, cost near $5,000, and seats nearly 300. It is
comfortable, commodious, and attractive, and will probably suffice for many years to come.
The Sunday school has long been a very pleasant and flourishing one. The whole num-
ber of church members received, including the original ones, has been 229. The present mem-
bership is fifty-two. The church lias passed through some trying and some very cheering
phases of experience. It has exerted and still exerts a strong influence for good in the com
munity. Like all persons and all institutions, it must be known by its fruits. Long may it
produce those both good and abundant, showing itself faithful to God and to all His truth.
The Union Unitarian ami Unirerxalixt Parish of Prairie Du Sac — Was organized on the
25th of August, 1867, with E. W. Young, Joseph Keysar, John Dennett, John Werner, Miles
H. Keysar and Joshua Perkins for Trustees. The names of the original members are as follows :
* Prepare.1 September, Issi.t. by the past...! >>t tie ehurcli. ,j
594 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Elisha P. Tabor, George Frost, E. H. Keysar, Charles Bunnell, Edward Oertel, Ophelia Frost,
Hannah Tabor. Frances J. Coburn, Maria Werner, Betsy Wiswell, Elmeda Wiswell, Harriet
E. Miller, E. \V. Young, John Werner, Joseph Keysar, Joshua Perkins, J. P. Wiswell, Stephen
Coburn, M. H. Keysar, John Dennett, L. A. Perkins, J. M. Perkins, E. T. Perkins, Mary A.
Watson, Nathaniel Perkins, Mary C. Morrell, S. D. Perkins, A. A. Perkins, Isaac Tabor, D.
Tabor.
A church in connection with the parish was instituted April 30, 1871, with the following
officers and membership: E. W. Young, Moderator; Edward Oertel, Treasurer; Elisha Tabor,
Joshua Perkins. Deacons ; Rev. M. G. Todd, temporary Pastor and Clerk ; Isaac Tabor, S. M.
Blake, John Werner, Elvin Wiswell, Mrs. M. A. Watson, H. W. Perkins, Hannah Tabor,
Cynthia Cummings, Fanny Coburn, Mary D. Benton, J. Werner, Mrs. Young, Miss M. C.
Morrell, Mina Perkins, Emma' Miller, Elmeda Wiswell.
Universalism was first preached in Prairie du Sac, by Revs. M. G. Todd and J. C. Craw-
ford. The first settled minister was Rev. J. M. H. Smith, who, after a brief pastorate, was suc-
ceeded by Mr. Todd. In 1873, Rev. B. F. Rogers became the minister of the parish, but re-
signed his office after one year's service. During the succeeding years until 1877, it had no
minister, and only an occasional supply of its pulpit by Rev. Mr. flesselgrave, of West Point.
In this year, Rev. A. Constantine Barry, D. D., was called to the vacant pastorate, and under
his judicious labors the broken fortunes of the parish have been gradually repaired, and some-
thing of the old prosperity restored. It is free of debt, owns a neat and commodious house of
worship costing $5,000 ; is turning attention again to abandoned or neglected enterprises, and
equipping itself anew for the Master's work.
Sai K City (in Lowei: Sauk.
One would scarcely think, upon a cursory glance when first visiting this thriving village,
that here was the first site of any permanent habitation for a white man in the county, and still
less would he realize that more than forty-one years have since come and gone, " like birds in
the night," so quiet has been the passage of Time and so lightly has he touched each spot with
his aged fingers. And yet the town and county are old — old in civilization as a part of the white
man's domain, and old in the history of its former tenants, the aborigines, who, it is said, had
once a large village just at this point. Their history, though for them unpenned, is told in the
legends of hunters and travelers, and their unique mound farms, and the relics of a rude archi-
tecture, and by the weapons and various utensils left, that mark, with unerring certainty, their
condition before the white man came.
Those who have virtually made a success of the growth of this place and given it its present sta-
bility are principally Germans, the community to-day being essentially Teutonic, and expressive, in
all its operations, of the German life, feeling and intelligence, and embodying the various domestic
and social institutions that are necessary to the happiness of this home-abiding, home-loving peo-
ple. Of the inhabitants here, more than one-tenth are solid, jolly, fun-loving, joyous, generous,
honest and industrious German people, and they are prosperous, too — a condition that need
scarcely be mentioned. The Yankees are wont to say the Germans will thrive where any other
class of people would starve, so well understood is their thrifty way of getting on in the world
in spite of all obstacles. And this is essentially true, and is a remarkable feature among this
people, (■>! they will undoubtedly get on, and get on well and happily, where many other classes
would be discouraged and fail. To attempt to account for this is useless ; it is on? of the pecu-
liarities natural to the German constitution, and thai is ;i good thing to inherit.
The village site is such that, at any time in the future, should the tide of coming events
bring a railroad, the town could be built up and extended almost ad libitum. The streets are
broad Mini well kept, being lined with pretty cottages and fine dwellings, ami are beautifully
shaded by fine, wide -spreading old trees, the growth of thirty or forty years. Socially, relig-
iously and politically, there exist here the same differences that are found almost everywhere,
and, in some things, more extreme differences than in many localities, especially in religious
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 595
sentiment; yet the German character, fortunately, is such that the happy mean of mutual toler-
ance and forbearance prevails, and a general harmony of interests seems to obtain, which is
doubtless in great part due to the high order of intelligence existing here, and to the liberalizing
sentiment that prevails largely everywhere throughout this favored land.
The management of public affairs, while being just and sufficiently generous, in maintain-
ing the interests of all, is withal conducted in a very prudent and economical manner, the system
evidently being founded upon the necessities of the whole, and having grown into perfection as
the town has grown.
The public schools are an honor to the community, everything obtainable by this method of
education being provided to the utmost limit of the law, from the infant department to the high
school. Commerce and general business in this village are thrifty and well up, and, considering
the location, very large amounts of goods are sold annually.
There are now eight general stores, three hardware stores and tin shops, two drug stores,
three notion, grocery and confectionery shops, two furniture stores, three harness-shops, two
tailors, two milliners, one jewelry store, five wagon-shops, five blacksmith-shops, five shoe-shops,
three meat markets, one photographer, one barber-shop, one livery stable, one tobacconist,
eleven saloons, two dealers in agricultural implements, and two lumber dealers, the last-named
business being carried on here very extensively, especially by C. Obrecht, the largest dealer
in the county ; there is also a green-house here which has been in operation for some time. The
manufacturing interests are represented by the above-mentioned mechanics' shops, and more
especially by four breweries and two mills, which will be spoken of hereafter.
Early Settlement and Growth.
Although the first-comers (mentioned elsewhere) in the county made claims here as early
as 1838, immediately after the treaty with the Winnebagoes was ratified, and did something in
the way of starting, as making the dug-out spoken of, getting some land broken, and building a
house or two before 1810, yet it remained for Count Augoston Haraszthy and William Bryant
to give the town the starting impetus' in growth that has made it what it now is. The name
of the Count and many of his exploits is yet familiar to most of the Germans here. Owing to
political troubles, and a certain youthful ambition which stimulated him to come out and see
the new world, he embarked in March, 1840, for America, accompanied by his cousin Charles
Halasz. Their intention at starting was to go to Florida, but they were diverted from their
purpose through seeing one of Capt. Maryatt's novels while on board the ship, which con-
tained descriptions of a trip on the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers, and through hearing that the
country adjacent abounded in rich mineral deposits, and was so healthy that one could hardly
die. So on they came for Wisconsin, and, after employing an interpreter, and buying horses
and camp equipage, they started on a prospecting expedition. Suffice it to say of this, they first
went to Rock River, near Lake Kosbkonong and located, but finding they had taken land already
claimed, and after getting burned out, they picked up their traps, such as were left, and started
for the Wisconsin River.
After going safely through the various unpleasant as well as the pleasant features attending
a tramp through the wilderness, they came, at last, in July. 18-10. to the scenes portrayed to
them by fiction. The desirable portions of the country being already taken, the Count, if he
would stay, where, as he was wont to say, " everything was very splendid," must needs buy a
claim. This he did, buying at Srst a claim made by Burk Fairchild. In the fall he went to
Milwaukee and remained there during the following winter. During this time, he became ac-
quainted with an Englishman by the name of Robert Bryant, who hail just come to Milwaukee,
and who was well supplied with the needful. The Count, by giving glowing descriptions of the
country here, and showing how an immense fortune could be made by building up a town, in-
duced Bryant to embark with him in the scheme.
In the spring of 1841, they came out to Sauk, and immediately purchased a claim of Berry
Haney, the first one made here, for $1,000. Very soon after, a force of laborers and mechanics
were employed to come here, ami the upbuilding of the place began in earnest.
596 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
During this year, the village was platted by Charles 0. Baxter, under direction of Har-
aszthy and Bryant.
It is said that the only house worth mentioning that stood here before 1841 was a large
log building that was burned about 1845 ; here Albert Skinner lived and kept boarders — the
workmen of the Count and Bryant. In 1841, a number of buildings were erected and several
fresh arrivals heralded.
The first frame, it is said, was built by a man by the name of Morgan, for Haraszthy or
Bryant, and which is yet standing here in town, a small affair, owned by Mr RendtorfF, and in
which he lived for several years. However, at that time, the different houses were built so
nearly at the same time that it is difficult to say, after the lapse of so many years, to which
distinctly and beyond doubt belongs the right of first.
The large house on Water street, now owned by Charles Deinnger, was erected in 1841, and
at that time was considered a grand affair for the frontier, and even at this time is a handsome
and commodious structure. It was intended, at the first, as a dwelling for Mr. Bryant. While
it was being built, he lived in a log cabin in the north part of the village. This building was
eventually used for a store and hotel kept by Marcus Warren, and finally was purchased by its
present owner especially to accommodate his collection of birds, animals, insects, etc. (spoken of
in the general history).
After the above house was finished, one of the social customs called house-warmings, pecul-
iar to all new countries, was indulged in, in honor of the new acquisition. The warm-
ing took the form of a grand banquet and dance, and nearly everybody in town was
present from far and near. Speeches were made and toasts drank, to the echo of cheers
and laughter and hilarity, and such a sumptuous repast delighted the senses and regaled
the appetites of the sturdy frontiersmen as may never be forgotten by those who partici-
pated. When evening came, the dancing was ushered in, young and old, if there were any old,
taking a hand, and " they danced all night, till broad daylight, and went home with what girls
there were in the morning." Although this jollification occurred at so early a day, yet it was
not the first one, for Albert Skinner, on the 4th of July previous, had given what in all proba-
bility was denominated a grand ball, the first in the county.
In 1841 or 1842, Francis Halbleib erected a house and opened a tavern, and kept liquor.
This was the first inn and saloon in the place, and was the only regular public house in the vil-
lage for several years subsequently. It is now used for*a store and photograph gallery by P. J
Schadde. During tnatyear, the Count had a house built, and various other parties alse built, and
some say that the Count opened a store here this year, Ed Rendtorff, who came in the fall of
1840, being the clerk.
At about this time, a young man came here and opened a store. This is said by many to
have been the first one in the place, and where the Count afterward kept store for a time. The
winding up of this person's life and business occurred soon after, and illustrates how wholly
uncertain life is, and how easily our brightest anticipations of success and our various schemes
for personal benefit may come to nought. He had been here but a few weeks, and had just got
his little stock arrange'! and the opening work done, when one night himself and his establishment
were struck by lightning. He was instantly killed, and the store literally disemboweled. This was
a sail catastrophe, and was keenly felt by the little community. In all probability, this person's
death was the first that occurred in the town or village.
At this time, a great strife for pre-eminence existed between Haraszthy and its rival above,
the little village of Prairie du Sac, in which the latter got rather the best of the bargain, seem-
ingly, when the county seat was located there. However, in after years, a change came over the
scene in many respects.
In 1841 or 1842, the first marriage between parties living in both villages was solemnized,
and John Gallard, of Lower Sauk (or Haraszthy), and Miss Caroline Hatch, of Upper Sauk (or
Prairie du Sac), were married. Mr. Gallard still lives in the north part of Sauk City, in the
enjoyment of a comfortable home, and can tell many a tale of the first days and people of Sauk
Citv.
HISTORY OF SAUK CiU'NTY. 597
One of the early enterprises of the founders of the village was in steamboating, they having
an interest in the Rock River, which, under their management, made several trips to various
points on the Mississippi.
In 1842, Count Haraszthy went over to Europe and brought out his family, one of whom was
the old General, his father, said to have been a man of very fine qualities and great executive
abilities.
Some time after the Count's return, about 1844, a brick building was erected by him and
Bryant, or by Bryant, who was really the moneyed man of the firm, as when he came to Mil-
waukee in 1840, he had $90,000, which he proceeded to spend here right and left. The brick
for this building were made by Jacob Rasche, in a small yard where a part of C. Obrecht's
lumberyard now is. After the building was finished, it was filled with a stock of goods, some
say by Marcus Warren, others by Haraszthy. . Be this as it may, they both started stores here
at about the same time, one in the brick and the other in a building erected by John Gallard in
1843, for a shoemaker named Daniels. This man Daniels became discouraged while building,
it is thought, as he could not get it done, and at last ended his melancholy and dejection by
hanging himself. The building stands on Water street, and is now occupied for a private dwell-
ing ; but, whether it is visited by the spook of its former owner, and whether the walls sadly
resound at the midnight hour, to the rattle of the last, or the tap of his hammer, tradition saith
not.
Marcus Warren had not been here a great while before he bought out Mr. Bryant's interest
in the town property, it is said, for about $5,000. Bryant then went to Milwaukee and sold
property which he had there, and then went to California, having only a little more than enough
left of his handsome fortune to get him there. So ended his speculation in building up Sauk
City.
The land at this point was entered at the land sale, by Gen. Haraszthy, and it is said that
Bryant was so confiding, and unknowing of the tricks of land buying, that he came near losing
everything, and would have lost his claim, had it not been for one of his workmen, who, seeing
how his money was going, and how things were going generally with him, interfered in his behalf.
One of the first things was a blacksmith-shop, as a matter of course, for nothing is more
needed in a new place. The first smith to open here, according to most accounts, was a sturdy
German by the name of Harter ; soon after, another blast and forge were running in opposition,
A. Maunk being the operator.
The Count, after having had a hand in nearly every speculation set afoot in the place, from
running a steamboat to keeping store, finally, after the advent of Marcus Warren, toward
whom the town property seemed to gravitate, as if by mutual attraction, determined to close up
his business and go forth to new scenes. This he did, about 1848, and so the town lost its
most enterprising citizen of early days. His experiences there (many of these are given in his
biography) and hereafter savor almost of the character of romance, so peculiar were they.
Charles Halasz, who came with Haraszthy, remained here until his death, which is sup-
posed by many to have been caused by grief over the death of his wife. He was the first regular
lumber merchant here, having opened a yard in 1846, and was also one of the first Justices of
the Peace. He was a good-natured man and a great story teller, and was wont to beguile the
hours for his friends by relating the novel experiences of the early days in Sauk City. Squire
Halasz also built the first warehouse here. He was succeeded in his business by Paul Lach-
mund, his son-in-law.
The name of the place Haraszthy, was at quite an early day changed to that of Westfield,
as being more short and appropriate. Then a few years after it was again changed, to be called
Sauk City, after the name of the county ; principally because this was the first settlement in the
county, and therefore entitled to that distinction. It may be asked what is in a name ? In
reply it may be said: Everything! to those who have a right to a name and are worthy of it.
Dr. Woodruff came about 1847, and opened a store in the building now occupied by the United
Workingmen. This store, it is said, did not continue long, the proprietor becoming involved,
oaa HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
partly through trusting out goods to the workingmen of Bryant and Haraszthy, and partly
through inattention to business and poor management.
At about this time or soon after, two or three brick buildings were erected or were being
erected, and the town generally was growing quite rapidly.
In 1850 or 1851, the old Astor House was built, also the present United States Hotel, and
Charles Noble's old store, which burned in 1877.
The first drug store is said to have been opened here by R. Winter about this time.
Previous to 1850, one of the principal industries of Sauk City was commenced, an industry
that has since grown very large in dimensions, and that always flourishes among such social and
easy-going people as the Germans. Beer-brewing was begun here in a very primitive manner
by Mr. Leinekugel, who, for want of better means, had to begin the work by boiling the ma-
terials in a big kettle. How the product of this first process tasted, tradition saith not, but that
it was welcome, and not discarded by any, may be well believed. But that it was up to the
standard of the article manufactured here at present is not probable ; yet when it came fresh from
the old iron kettle, who can say that it was not as sweet and pleasant to take as any, and, with-
al, what better means of brewing the foaming beverage were in vogue a century or two ago any-
where.
One of the chief features of the olden time which should have been maintained, but that
was only introduced for a brief time, and then, like the Arabs, silently took its leave, to be
eventually consigned to oblivion, was the telegraph line of the Milwaukee, Green Bay & Madison
Telegraph Company, that ran their wires through here in 1850, and established an office in
the old store of Marcus Warren, where Van Eschen's furniture store is now kept. The operator
was Mr. Conradi, who had but just come here, and was employed by Mr. Warren as clerk. The
line did so little business, and paid so poorly, that it was abandoned in two or three years, the
operators being paid oft' in large part by worthless company notes. A telegraph connection
with this point to-day would doubtless prove a more profitable investment, and is one of the
things that must come here sooner or later, for in the two places, Upper and Lower Towns, there
is as much a necessity for the means of quick communication with the outside world as there is
for a railroad.
In 1852, a Dr. Wolff" came and started a drug store where Mrs. Caspar Leman keeps.
Also about this time, or soon after, J. J. Heller started in business here by keeping a small
hardware and tin store. From this beginning, lie has gradually grown into his present business,
which is one of the best in this part of the country. In 1857, he built his present large double
store and dwelling-house, which is one of the most substantial structures in the town, and is
stocked with a complete line of general goods.
Very soon after Mr. Heller began business, Mr. Conradi and E. Rendtorff opened a drug
store, which is still being conducted by Mr. Conradi, who can now be regarded as one of the
oldest permanent fixtures of the place, and who will deal out a dose of medicine or philosophy
with equal readiness and precision. Mr. Rendtorff', one of the old firm, retired some years ago
to rest on his laurels. He has been here since 1840, and it is a question if there are
any living anywhere belonging to the German element of that early day that came before he
did. He is yet hale, and enjoys the confidence of his friends and townsmen to an unusual
degree, having held responsible public positions for many years.
In November, 1853, the Pioneer am Wisconsin, said to be the oldest German paper
published in the State, was established here. The advent of the paper was hailed with delight,
for a town with a newspaper in it at that time was considered quite advanced, in fact much above
the average in enterprise and go-aheadativeness.
One of the most needed of manufacturing enterprises at an early date was the saw-mill or
grist-mill. This need was supplied here by the erection of a steam saw-mill of a good capacity,
a little south of the village, about 1851, by Garhart Wingen. In 1854, it became the property
of the firm of Mann & Peasler, for whom it was enlarged and refitted by the millwright Martin
Ludi, new machinery being put in. The mill was run but a few years, as the owners, failing to
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 599
get enough logs to saw to make it pay, were compelled to discontinue the work and abandon the
mill to their creditors.
Another of the early manufacturing enterprises was a foundry by'Mr. John Rosche, estab-
lished in August, 1854. This institution was operated by him until 18b'8, and at one time, it is
said, did a very fine business, casting stoves and various other articles. It passed from him
into the hands of a Mr. Frezel, who converted the foundry into a machine-shop, and run it until
L872, when it was abandoned.
There was also a distillery established here as early as 1854, by Robert Hantzsch, which,
though small, did a very good business for several years. It subsequently passed into the hands
of Mr. C. Obrecht, who run it until the Government placed the tremendous revenue on
distilled liquors. The law permitted the stock on hand at the time it was passed to be exempt
from tax, after this was used up the still was abandoned. In this connection, an account of
an occurrence at the time this still was started will doubtless interest many :
Causus Celebre.
Some of the incidents connected with the war against saloon-keepers made by the women
of Baraboo, in May, 1854, may yet be fresh in the memories of a few here; but after the lapse
of so many years, it will not be at all singular if those occurrences have been nearly forgotten,
although at the time, a prodigious excitement was created here by the affair, and throughout
the entire county and country at large. It appears that the women of Baraboo, having become
thoroughly incensed at the social condition existing there among the men through intemperate
habits, determined at all hazards to drive out the saloon-keepers. So one morning, without
previous warning, they turned out, some fifty or sixty strong, and marched to the attack. They
first went to the Wisconsin House, kept by one Cornell or Connell, and demanded his liquor.
Mr. and Mrs. Cornell and Miss Fanny Heller, who was present, remonstrated, but without
avail ; in went the women, and out came whisky barrels, beer kegs, bottles and all, pell mell,
the heads of kegs and barrels were knocked in, the belligerents being armed with axes, spades,
shovels, hoes, sticks, etc., which they used without ceremony, and the liquor was allowed to
"gush." In the melee, the landlord's wife had her arm cut with an ax or hatchet. From
this place they went to a grocery store kept by a Mr. Warner, and proceeded to enact the fore-
going scene. Mr. Warner met them at the front door and declared that he was going to defend
his property to the last, but while he was parleying at the front with some of the women, the
others went in at the rear, and gave vent to whatever they could find in the way of whisky or
beer. After having achieved two victories, the women felt strong enough to go through the
whole town, and thereupon proceeded to storm the principal stronghold of the enemy — a saloon
kept by a man called French Pete. Peter, when he saw the female brigade coming, knew what
to expect, and stood prepared to receive them with an ax in hand, but, not feeling this to be
sufficient protection, he dropped the ax and run for a gun, then went and got a huge bowie-
knife, and rushed about like a lunatic, threatening the lives of the whole party. At this, the
women became somewhat frightened and called upon the men to help them, but the men refused
to have anything to do with the battle. Thereupon the women plucked up courage and sailed
in, determined to carry the day at all hazards. One of them gave Peter a tremendous whack
on the head with a spade, and fairly knocked him out of time, while another hit him on the arm.
A young man who went to the rescue of Peter, was seized by the collar by one of the invaders ;
owing to the bursting of a button, he was It ft like Adam in Paradise, in less time than it takes to tell
it, and within a short titne. the entire stuck in trade was demolished, and the interior and exterior
of the institution left smelling worse than a still. The women, being satisfied by this time, ceased
operations, and retired. The news spread like wild-fire through the county, and was for a time the
chief topic of conversation ; the people of Sauk City sent messages of condolence, and there
seemed to be about an equal division of feeling on the subject in various quarters. Complaint
was entered before Squire Ilalasz, of Sauk City, and six of the women ringleaders were sued.
They arrived in Sauk on the 2d day of June, 1854, under charge of Constable Robert Morsback,
600 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
and were arraigned before the Justice for trial, Mr. Remington, of Baraboo, now dead, and J.
S. Tripp being their defense, with J. B. Quiraby as Prosecuting Attorney. The trial lasted
two days, when the women were bound over to the Circuit Court in the sum of $200, but, not
furnishing the same, they were handed over to Sheriff Munson to be lodged in the county jail.
The defense then issued a writ of "habeas corpus," and secured their liberty until next court
session. They appeared at court July 3, 1854, and were tried before Judge Wheeler, who,
after listening to the pros and cons of the case, sentenced the six to a fine of $30 each. So
ended the case.
At this time, 1855, there was a population in the village of 700 all told, 390 of whom
were males, and 310 females. During the fall of this year, a flatboat-load of potatoes was
shipped from here, but did not get far on its way down the river before it ran on a sand-bar,
and, being very heavily loaded, went to the bottom ; thus the bed of the Wisconsin was sowed
with more than 2,000 bushels of potatoes.
The Old Military Company.
In the spring of 1854, one of the institutions that have long ceased to be, the old Sauk City
Rifle Company, was organized, having about sixty-four members when in thorough running
order. Robert Hantzsch was Captain ; one Bentine, First Lieutenant, and Jacob Bohn,
Second Lieutenant. There were four Sergeants and Corporals, and a brass band of seven
instruments besides a drummer. During the winter following, they received their guns
and accouterments, Martin Loddi going after them, by order of the Governor, to Mayville, and
bringing them through. On the 15th day of April, 1855, they appeared in uniform for the first
time. The riflemen, dressed in gray pants, green coats and glazed caps, being led by their gallant
Captain and the brass band, must have presented a novel and striking appearance. The company
continued to be one of the prominent organizations of the place until 1861, when, after the three
months' service was over, they enlisted, becoming Company D of the Ninth Volunteer Infantry,
Charles Buchenau being Captain, C. E. G. Horn, First Lieutenant, and Jacob Bohn, Second
Lieutenant. There were then sixty-five members, all told. The evening before starting, the
ladies of the town prepared a grand banquet for them at the Astor House Hall. Patriotic
speeches were made, and the whole affair wound up with a grand dance, the last for many a brave
fellow. The next day, they left in grand style in a train of fifty-eight wagons, being led on the
way to Mazo Manie by the band. They first went into camp at Milwaukee. When they
were mustered in, they were pronounced the finest company in the gallant Ninth. They
afterward did splendid service, and won laurels for themselves and honor for their country-
men.
A Turners' society and theatrical society, two of the social orders common among the Ger-
mans, were at one time prominent features here, each having a goodly membership and being in
a thriving condition during their best days. They have long ceased to exist.
One of the worst crimes ever perpetrated in the county was committed here, in the summer
of 1856, by William Millard, who shot James Davis, on the ground that Davis had threatened
his life and was too familiar with his wife. Millard, from a concealed position, discharged a heavily
loaded shotgun into Davis' person, which killed him. Millard was tried and sentenced to the
penitentiary, from which he was pardoned by the Governor on the 3d of December, 1858.
In 1856, the Sauk City Bank was established, with M. D. Miller as President and G. B.
Burrows as Cashier. The following year, a counterfeiter issued a bill on the ban!' for $5, but,
as the bank did not issue any $5 notes, he was soon caught. After running a few years, the
bank discontinued. Its place is now supplied by J. S. Tripp, who for the convenience of
his patrons and the people at large, does a banking business in connection with his legal
practice.
Clippings from Old Files or the " Pioneek \m Wisconsin."
During 1859, the boats ran very freely. Early in the spring, a two-master sailed down the
river carrying adventurers to Pike's Peak.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY 601
The one hundredth anniversary of Schiller's birth was celebrated this year (November 10;
in grand style, Mr. Schroeder, the leader of the Liberal element here, being the speaker.
In December, 1859, Mrs. Beller threw herself into the river and was drowned. Her body
was found eight days after.
In 1860, when Abraham Lincoln was elected, a grand demonstration was indulged in,
nearly all the people exerting themselves to show their appreciation of the circumstance.
Van Amburgh's show here this year was the first circus on record.
A Democratic Club formed here this year, called the National Hickory Club, used to ham-
mer the Republicans.
During this year, Peter Kohl was awarded first premium at the State Fair for grapes raised
here.
The Sauk County oil excitement raged this year, and culminated in a meeting on the
3d of April, 1861. There are plenty who have stock now laid by to show for that meeting.
In August, 1862, two large squads of men were enlisted, one of ninety men and one of
forty-six.
A Home Guard was organized in September of this year, under command of D. Heick.
During this year, the Sauk County Rifle Company met with a severe loss.
February 3, 1863, the Pioneer am Wisconsin office was threatened by maskers
celebrating Shrovetide, but they were not permitted to do any harm, the office being defended
by the Home Guard and citizens generally.
" In July, 1841," says Mr. Lueders, " there were at Sauk City the following buildings :
One frame school and meeting house, one small frame building occupied, a two-story frame
partly finished, and six or eight log houses. The pioneers were exceedingly kind and obliging
to strangers who came there and to each other, and the whole appearance of the country was
charmingin nature's garb."
The Pioneer am Wisconsin in an editorial of 1854, says: "Sauk City is a flourish-
ing town on the banks of the Wisconsin, ninety miles from Prairie du Chien, and forty
miles from Portage City. There are two saw-mills here, one saw and planing-mill and
one saw and grist mill, besides a distillery, a brick-yard, a printing office, ten stores, hotels,
and saloons. There is a Humanist society, and one Catholic, one Lutheran and one Methodist
Episcopal Church ; a singing society, a theatrical society and a military company. The popu-
lation here and in this vicinity are principally German, the most of whom are farmers. Wild land
can be bought for from $2 to $5 per acre." The principal business firms here now are J. J.
Heller, Kouni & Co., Mr. Conradi and Mrs. Anna Hamburger.
Government.
The village corporation was organized, and a charter secured, by act of Legislature
approved March 30, 1854. This charter provided that the voters should meet at the District
Schoolhouse, in the village, on the first Saturday of April, 1854, at 10 o'clock A. M., for the
purpose of electing officers. Two Judges of Election and a Clerk were to be elected viva voce ;
these to superintend the regular ballot election of officers. According to the provisions of charter
these officers were, one President, ex officio Trustee, and five Trustees, a Clerk and a Treasurer.
Annual elections for ensuing years were to be held on the last Monday in March, for which the
Trustees must give ten days' notice, together with place of election.
This charter, it appears, was designed and secured principally for the purpose of enabling the
village to obtain funds for the construction of a levee or causeway, from the cast shore of the
Wisconsin River to and across the island opposite to Sauk City."
The President and Trustees were authorized to raise any sum of money not exceeding
$2,500 on the credit of the corporation, and secured by bonds against the corporation, to be
expended on said causeway or levee, and in providing such boats and tackle as might be deemed
necessary to connect the causeway with the west shore of the river or Sauk City. The rates of
toll allowed for crossing were 25 cents for team of horses or cattle and wagon; 15 cents for
602 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
single horse and wagon or buggy ; 10 cents for man and horse ; 5 cents each for horses or oxen,
if not in droves ; if in droves 3 cents each ; for foot passengers the same.
On March 9, 1857, an act amendatory to the charter was granted by the Legislature in
compliance with a petition of the people of Sauk City. There being no prudential provisions
in the draft of the first charter, such measures as were deemed obviously necessary, were
demanded and incorporated in the charter, by this act. Among the various ordinances adopted,
one for the establishment of a fire department may be especially mentioned, as it indicates par-
ticularly the prudent character of the people at that early date, for many villages in adjacent
localities of equal pretensions to advancement, had nothing of the kind then, nor for many
years after.
April 26, 1858, an additional act was passed by the Legislature authorizing the President
and Trustees of the town to borrow any sum of money not exceeding $20,000, secured by bonds
on the credit of the village, for the purpose of building a bridge across the river from the cause-
way or levee to the village, providing a majority of the legal voters should indorse the raising of
such a sum. The money not to be borrowed for a term of years under two nor exceeding
twelve, nor at a rate of interest over 12 per cent per annum.
In March, 1866, another act was passed providing for the maintenance of the bridge.
March 4, 1868, an act was passed remodeling and amending the preceding acts of the
Legislature. At this time, a police or municipal court was established, the President being Police
Justice, and the Marshal being constituted Constable. The establishing of streets, grades and
walks was then particularly provided for, the tax-payers being permitted to pay the road tax in
labor, money or material at will. J. S. Tripp drafted this amended charter.
March 8, 1870, another amendatory act was passed, by which the President and Trustees
received authority to use the money received from the payment of village licenses for village
purposes. This last act has proved a capital one in every respect ; as the money thus obtained
is more than sufficient to pay all the expenses of the village government, and laying cross walks,
digging drains, etc. After having fairly run the gamut of amendments, the town has at last got
a good government.
April 1 , 1854, the Judges of first election were Charles Nebel and Simon Snyder ; Clerk J.,
B. Quimby.
The first village officers elected by ballot were as follows : Simeon Dean, President; J. B.
Quimby, Clerk ; Marcus Warner, Treasurer; Charles Nebel, J. H. Hantasch, Thomas Cook, F.
Halbleib and A. Class, Trustees.
March 26, 1855 — J. H. Hantzsch, President; C. Leland, Clerk; Marcus Warren, Treas-
urer ; Charles Halasz, Aug. Scharff, Charles Deininger, Robert Conradi and James J. Heller,
Trustees.
March 31, 1856— Charles O. Baxter, President ; Robert Morsbach, Clerk ; Robert Conradi,
Treasurer ; Charles Halasz, W. H. Guett, Max Stingelhammer and J. B. Quimby, Trustees.
March 30, 1857— Charles Halasz, President; R. Morsbach, Clerk ; Robert Conradi, Treas-
urer ; F. Siebenmann, Thomas Burnett, Curtis Bates, W. Nebel, W. H. Guett, Trustees.
March 29, 1858— Charles O. Baxter, President ; Robert Morsbach, Clerk ; J. H. Hantzsch,
Treasurer ; A. Gilmore, C. Spiehr, W. Lenz, J. S. Tripp and J. J. Heller, Trustees.
March 28, 1859— J. S. Tripp, President ; Robert Morsbach, Clerk; W. H. Guett, Treas-
urer; A. Gilmore, J. J. Heller, J. Veidt, A. Class and J. Gallard, Trustees.
March 26, 1860— J. S. Tripp, President; Robert Morsbach, Clerk; C. C. Buchenau,
Treasurer; A. Gilmore, J. .1. Heller, C. H. Deininger, A. Class and Ch. Spiehr, Trustees.
March 25, lstil — I. S. Tripp, President; Dr. H. McKennan, Clerk; C. Buchenau,
Treasurer; A. Gilmore, A. Class, Charles Deininger, J. J. Heller and Ch. Spiehr, Trustees.
March 31, 1862— J. S. Tripp, President; Robert Conradi, Clerk ; F. Schlungbaum, Treas-
urer ; A. Gilmore, A. Class, Ch. Spiehr, J. J. Heller ami Charles Deininger, Trustees.
March 30, 186:!— J. B. Quimby, President; J. B. Kehl, Clerk; G. B. Burrows, Treas-
urer ; J. J. Heller, A. Class, A. Gilmore, Charles Nebel and M. Derleth, Trustees.
HISTORY OF SAUK COl M 5 603
March 28, 1864— J. B. Quimby, President ; J. B. Kehl, Clerk ; G. B. Burrows, Treasurer ;
J. J. Heller, A. Class, M. Derleth, Martin Loddi and J. Veidt, Trustees.
March 27, 1865— J. B. Quimby, President ; J. B. Kehl, Clerk ; G. B. Burrows, Treasurer;
A. ('lass, C. Deininger, M. Stingelhauimer, J. Veidt, C. Obrecht, Trustees.
March 26, 1806— J. B. Quimby, President; H. Kleinpell, Clerk; C. Bates, Treasurer;
A. Class, M. Stingelhammer, C. Obrecht, L. T. Stowel, and B. A. Jacobs, Trustees.
March 2.".. 1867 — J. S. Tripp, President; II. Kleinpell, Clerk ; Curtis Bates, Treasurer;
William 11. Guett, S. llaniard, Charles Halasz, John Buerke and Ch. Spiehr, Trustees.
March 3, 1808— J. S. Tripp, President and Police Justice; H. Kleinpell, Clerk; John
Buerke, Treasurer; William H. Guett, A. Class, Charles H. Ross, Ch. Spiehr and Stephen
Bernard, Trustees.
March 29, 1869— J. B. Quimby, President and Police Justice; J. S. Walser, Clerk: Ed
Rendtorff, Treasurer ; William H. Guett, Ch. Spiehr, Stephen Bernard, A. Andres and C.
Nebel, Trustees; Val Sutter. Constable and Marshal.
March 28, 1870— J. S. Tripp, President and Police Justice : J. S. Walser, Clerk ; Ed
Rendtorff, Treasurer; Ch. Schumm, A. Billiter, K. Derleth, Stephen Bernard and A. Class,
Trustees ; S. Amberg, Marshal and Constable ; J. S. Tripp, Village Representative in County
Board.
March 27, 1871— J. S. Tripp, President and Police Justice; John S. Walser, Clerk ; Ed
Rendtorff, Treasurer; Adam Class. Stephen Bernard, K. Derleth, Phil Hoefer and J. J.
Heller, Trustees ; Martin Leikem, Constable and Marshal ; Supervisor County Board, J. S.
Tripp.
March 25, 1872— Charles Naffz, President and Police Justice ; J. S. Walser, Clerk ; Ed
Rendtorff, Treasurer ; Nick Truckenbrodt, A. Class, William Lenz, J. Thiehle and John Buerke,
Trustees; Martin Leikem, Constable and Marshal; J. S. Tripp, Supervisor County Board.
March 31, 1873— Charles Naffz, President and Police Justice : J. S. Walser, Clerk ; Ed
Rendtorff, Treasurer; William Lenz, Phil Hoefer, N. Truckenbrodt, John Buerke and J.
Thiehle, Trustees ; Martin Leikem, Constable and Marshal ; J. S. Tripp, Supervisor County
Board.
March 30, 1874— Phil Hoefer, President and Police Justice; J. S. Walser, Clerk; Ed
Rendtorff, Treasurer; Ch. Schumm, L. Clement, J. J. Heller, J. Buerke and F. Derleth,
Trustees ; J. S. Tripp. Supervisor County Board.
March 29, 1875— Phil Hoefer, President and Police Justice; J. S. Walser, Clerk; Ed
Rendtorff, Treasurer ; C. Schumm, L. Clement, J. J. Heller, J. Buerke and F. Derleth, Trust-
ees; Andrew Williams, Constable and Marshal; J. S. Tripp, Supervisor County Board.
March 27, 1876 — Charles Naffz, President and Police Justice ; J. S. Walser, Clerk ; Ed
Rendtorff, Treasurer; C. Boiler, F. Derleth, F. Commans, William Dresen and John Buerke,
Tiustees; M. Leikem, Constable and Marshal; J. S. Tripp, Supervisor County Board.
March 26, 1X77 — K. Derleth, President and Police Justice; J. Bach, Clerk; Ed Rend-
torff, Treasurer ; William Dresen, A. Class, J. Commans, Ch. Spiehr and C. Schumm, Trustees ;
J. Derleth, Constable and Marshal; J. S. Tripp, Supervisor County Board.
March — , 1878— K. Derleth, President and Police Justice . J. Bach, Clerk ; Ed Rend-
torff, Treasurer ; William Dresen, J. Commans, A. Class, Ch. Spiehr and C. Schumm, Trustees ;
J. Derleth, Constable and Marshal ; J. S. Tripp, Supervisor County Board.
March 31, 1879— P. Lachmund, President and Police Justice; J. Bach, Clerk ; Ed Rend-
torff, Treasurer; H. Muehlburg, J. Weisenborn, William Dresen, C. Kouni, C. Schumm, Trust-
ees; J. Derleth, Constable and Marshal; P. Lachmund, Supervisor County Board.
March 28, 1880— Phil Hoefer, President and Police Justice; J. Bach, Clerk; Ed
Rendtorff, Treasurer : N. Truckenbrodt, George Roeser, M. Molitor, C. Spiehr and William
Dresen, Trustees ; A. Morsbach, Constable and Marshal ; J. S. Tripp, Supervisor County Board.
604 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
The present hotels here are the United States Hotel and the Astor House, the latter
successor in name to the old Astor House, which is now occupied by N. Truckenbrodt, saloon,
which was built by M. Loddi, for C. Schreiber & C. Schneider.
The United States Hotel was built by A. Wilde, in 1850; he previously kept a sort of tavern
and boarding house. After passing through various hands, it at last, in 1877, came into the
hands of the present proprietor, Fred Meyer. The hotel is built in a substantial manner, and
there are ample accommodations for about forty guests.
McFarland, the man who became notorious through killing Richardson, kept a select
school, or sort of academy, here, about 1854, in the upper story of the United States Hotel.
Besides the United States Hotel, there is but one other in the place, the Astor House. This is
also a substantial brick structure, which has been built for several years. It is now kept in a
very satisfactory manner by Chas. Weissenborn
Manufacturers.
Although several of the old establishments are gone, there are a few left yet, with plenty of
room for more. The breweries date back farther than anything else, and of those there are at
present four. The oldest of these is Linekugals, which was in operation as early as 1850. At
present it has a capacity of about 1,000 barrels per annum, but not more than 500 are manu-
factured. The next one built was by Charles Deininger, who began operations as early as 1851.
This brewery was purchased by William Lenz, in 1868. He has enlarged and improved it until it
has now a capacity of about 1,200 barrels per annum, but not more than 500 to 800 are made
each year. Max Stingelhamraer's brewery was built next in 1852, and run by him until he
bought the bridge. Since that time it has been run by various parties; George Kazer now owns
it. It has a capacity of from 500 to 800 barrels per annum. Joseph Shor built a brewery a
little west of the village in 1866. About a year after, Nick Dropon bought in, and within five
years was the owner of the institution. His widow now runs it. It has a capacity of from 500
to 800 barrels per annum. The entire product of these breweries is sold here and in this vicinity,
and besides, some years there are as many as 500 barrels more brought in from abroad to supply
the demand.
Sash, Door and Blind Factory and Planing Mills.
The fine establishment of Philip Hoefer was begun in 1867, the first part, 24x40, being
built by J. P. Tarnutzer at that time. In 1870, Mr. Hoefer became owner, and, between 1872
and 1874, he made improvements on. the building by adding another story and putting up an
addition. His business from the first having been prosperous, he finally determined to increase
the capacity of the mill very largely, by putting up a large building and adding the latest and
best machinery to be had. Having perfected his plans, he began the first of this year and
erected a large building, in addition to what he already had, 40x80, with lean-to 18x40. The
machinery, which is very complete in every particular, is driven by a thirty-horse-power engine,
which Mr. II. says is the best he ever saw. The engine is thoroughly protected by a substan-
tial stone house, 28x32, erected in 1876. The mill has a capacity of fifty doors or 100 sash or
blinds per day. This is said to be the finest factory of its kind in the county. Mr. Lachmund
has a planing-mill here, established by him in connection with his lumber-yard in 1877. This
mill is used exclusively for planing and making molding, and is completely fitted throughout for
its work.
Physicians and Attorneys
The following physicians have resided in Prairie du Sac: Dr. Nichols, A. P. Cummings,
Stephen Coburn, Corydon Farr, Samuel Bell, Fred H. Conger, D. H. Whitford, Dr. Hooper,
Samuel II. Bassenger, Samuel M. Blake, Jonathan Watring and Charles P. Reily.
Attorneys resided in Prairie du Sac: A. Eastland, Alexander Ostrander, R. J. Harvey,
Smith S. Wilkinson, II. J. Kelsey, George DeGrow Moore, J. H. Northup, R. K. Wilkinson,
William T. Kelsey.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 605
Post Office.
The post office was established here in rather an original manner. At the time Simeon
Dean was appointed, about 1851 or 1852, the office was at Prairie du Sac, and had been there
always before that time, but, as Mr. Dean was a resident of Sauk City, it was proposed to move
the office down there rather than have the Postmaster move to Prairie du Sac. Accordingly
twenty or twenty-five men from Sauk City went up to Prairie du Sac one day and took the office
paraphernalia — " will you, nill you ? " — and moved it to Sauk City. The office was kept in Mr.
Dean's store until about 1854, when the store burned. It was then moved into a stone ware-
house, now a part of Mr. Schoenfeldt's store. In 1854, Mr. Dean resigned, and F. A. Hoffman
was immediately appointed. The people were very much displeased at this change, and
requested Mr. Dean not to relinquish the office until they could send a petition to the Postmaster
General to have some one else appointed. A petition was circulated, and all but seven of the
citizens signed it, to have E. C. Watson appointed, which was done soon after. Mr. Watson did
not hold the office long before J. S. Tripp was appointed, who kept post office in his present
office. In 1861, after Lincoln's election, the Republicans of this section held a meeting and
took a vote as to whom they would like to have for Postmaster ; this vote resulted in the election
of William H. Guett, who, being appointed, kept the office where Mrs. Lemm's millinery store
now is. Mr. Guett held the office until 1866, when Conrad Kuoni succeeded him. At that
time, C. Obrecht put up a small room, an addition to the store he was then keeping, to be used
as a post office. This store is now a tin-shop and the post office room a barber shop. Eventu-
ally, Mr. Kuoni, who still holds the office, moved it to his store, where the office now is.
The Bridge.
The first method of crossing the Wisconsin here was on a sort of flatboat, built by B. Hany
in 1839, which had to be poled over. Tins institution, with rights and privileges, was pur-
chased by Count Haraszthy after he came. This method of transportation was largely
improved by him, but was not then, or for many years subsequent, satisfactory or desirable.
But when the first charter was granted, in 1854, a radical improvement was made by construct-
ing a levee from the east bank of the river, and by running a convenient ferry-boat from the island
over the principal channel to the town. This method of transportation satisfied the people for
a time, but, as Prairie du Sac had a bridge, they wanted one also. This the Upper Town folks
opposed, but at last, by the amendment of 1S5S. they secured the right to raise funds and build
a bridge. Immediately after the right was granted by the Legislature, bids for building were
advertised for by the town authorities, ami within a short time the contract for doing the work
was let to J. B. Woodruff. Mr. Woodruff went to work and succeeded in getting two spans done
next the west bank, then failed. The bridge interest then passed into the hands of Marcus
Warren. In Augusl of L860, the bridge was finished. After Warren, II. Miller and Mr.
Worthington had control of it, and eventually Miller became sole proprietor. He soon after sold
to Charles Nabel. Mr. Nabel had had the bridge but a few weeks, when on came a freshet and
swept out two spans ; he then sold back to Miller. Soon after this, in July, 1866, Max Stin-
gelhammer bought in; they then rebuilt the two spans, and also replaced the draw. The follow-
ing year, Mr. Stingelhammer bought out Mr. Miller. In 1878, a terrible storm came, and so
affected the draw and two west spans that they had to be rebuilt. This time they were built of
iron by a Milwaukee firm, the cost, with repairing of piers, etc., being about $9,000. The village
advanced $4,000 on bonds, and gave $1,000 toward this work. The whole cost of repairing
and rebuilding since Mr. S has been connected with the bridge has been $32,000. The old part
of the bridge will be replaced by iron eventually. The rates of toll are provided by the charter.
The bridge paid from $5,000 to"$6,000 per annum at one time, but does not now pay more than
$3,000. The village furnish the funds necessary to maintain it in part and take security on the
bridge. At some future day it may become the property of the corporation ; then it will proba-
bly be a free bridge.
606 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
Prijuc School.
The records of this school (District No. 5) date back to 1847 only. But, as previously
stated, there was a school here as early as 1841. Who the first teacher was, or what the num-
ber of pupils, remains unknown. The first male teacher, recorded as having been employed
here, taught in the winter of 1850-51. The schoolhouse at that time was valued at $500, with
half an acre of land on which it stood. It had two rooms, with entry.
In 1860, a committee of carpenters and masons was appointed, at the annual meeting, to
draft a plan for a new schoolhouse and make an estimate of costs. This being done, and the
tax-payers approving, a contract was let to Charles Nabel, Jan. 27, 1861, to build according to
plan. The house is a substantial structure, built of brick, having two rooms and entries. It
was finished in 1860, and cost, when completed, $2,096.2*2 In January of 1862, it was conse-
crated by a celebration in honor of educational interests, on which occasion F. G. J. Lueders
was principal speaker. In 1871, and in 1874, additional frame buildings were erected. The one
erected in 1871 cost about $750 ; the other, with hall, cost about $650. In 1877, a high school
department was established, the Principal having supervision over the lower departments, which are
three. The estimated value of the property is at present $3,825, besides a school library con-
taining 326 volumes. The first recorded treasurer's bond was $200, now it is $6,000. Total
money raised in 1850, for school expenses, was $250.17 ; on the other hand, the sum expended
on the school this year (1880), amounts to $2,123.68. The number of male school children in
1850 was 85, females 88; the average attendance 97. Now the number of school children in
the district is 185 males and 217 females, with an average attendance of 262. The first male
teacher received $50 for teaching the winter school in 1850. Now the Principal here commands
from $800 to $1,200 per .annum. Several meetings were held this year (1880) for the purpose
of making arrangements for erecting a commodious new school building. However, nothing
has been accomplished thus far. It should be mentioned that a French and English boarding-
school was opened here in the spring of 1854 by H. J. Turner, which run a few years,
accommodating not more than thirty pupils at any time.
Fire Companies and Fires.
Previous to 1854. there was neither a fire extinguisher nor fire company in Sauk City, much
as they may have been needed, and then, in all probability, there would not have been either,
had not J. J. Heller, on realizing the unprotected condition of property, had a small hand-engine
constructed, during the early portion of that year, for his individual use. This extinguisher
though small and somewhat rude in construction, was, nevertheless, quite ingeniously gotten up,
embracing the salient principles embodied in the best of engines, and was vastly superior to no
engine at all.
On the Fourth of July, 1854, the oldest house in town caught fire, while the tenants were
away celebrating, and before it was discovered, it had so far advanced, that, had not the little
engine come to the rescue, it must needs have perished. Thus to the work of this primitive
affair is Mr. Rendtorff indebted for the preservation of this relic of by gone days. It is said that
troubles never come singly, and sure enough, again this year, on November 21, there was
another fire. This time Simeon Dean's store, tin-shop, barn and four horses were destroyed, and
Charles Nabel's house and store and Mr. Klutch's cooper-shop were also burned. This fire, for
so young a town, was a very large one, and caused the men of the place to think it about time
that they should prepare some sort of a defense against this common enemy. Accordingly, a
public meeting was held December 26, 1854, to consider the question. Charles O. Baxter and
Cyrus Leland were elected President and Secretary, and a committee was appointed to consider
a plan of action. The committee, after due deliberation, recommended an organization consist-
ing of four departments ; first, an engine corps ; second, hook and ladder; third, bucket company ;
fourth, rescue and protection, with a Captain of entire company, and Captain to each depart-
ment. The second meeting was held January 2, 1855, when the previous recommendations
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 607
were acted upon, and the company permanently organized. John A. Ilantzsch was elected
provisional Captain of the company; J. J. Heller, Captain first department; W. Cook, Captain
second department; F. Frenzel, Captain third department. The fourth department was filled
by the rihV company, who volunteered to supply the place. Soon after this the company, out of
personal funds, provided hooks, ladders, and tin buckets. September 20, 1857, the company
was recognized, and incorporated by the town authorities, in conformity with the provisions of
the amended charter of that year. In August, 1859, a hook and ladder wagon was purchased.
With tli ese few appliances the company got along for nearly three years more, then $225 was
raised, partly by subscription, to purchase a small hand-engine. This was bought in Mil-
waukee, anil arrived here on the 21st of April, 1862. Then the company for the
first time felt that they were prepared to render really efficient service. The balance
of the money needed to pay for the engine was raised by giving a picnic in Stingle-
hammer's grove. The company also purchased a lot for their use this spring (1862),
and succeeded in persuading the town authorities to build an engine-house. A few years
subsequent, the village purchased a large hand-engine, and various equipments, from the
Madison Kire Department, costing about $1,200, so that now, considering the needs of the
place, the company is very fairly provided for. The company has on all occasions given evi-
dence of willingness to do and has, through its exertions, has saved a good deal of valuable
property at different times. About the first house saved was J. J. Heller's, in May, 1862. In
1867, Mr. Hoffman's house, now the Catholic priest's dwelling, was saved. Very soon after the
company succeeded in putting the fire out at Lenz's brewery. While Viedt & Lachmund were keep-
ing store where Van Eschen now is, on May 2, 1875, the building caught on fire and was saved.
When the fire of June 3, 1877, broke out, and burned Charles Nebel's store, erected in 1851,
and William Phillips' and Nick Truckenbrodt's buildings, south of the old Astor House first
known as the Leibig house, the fire company managed to save the hotel, which is yet standing,
and Mr. Conradi's drug store. Taken all in all, the record of the company is first-class.
Societies and Churches.
Singing Society. — German social life is never complete without social singing, or singing
societies ; and nothing conduces more to harmony of feeling than engaging in evoking the
almost divine harmonies of sound that have been evolved by the master minds in music during
past ages. Germany is the land of great composers, and where the people are all lovers of the
sublime art, and her sons and daughters, wherever we find them, still maintain the national
excellence in this particular. When the first gathering for social singing was convened here, no
one can tell, but doubtless at a very early day ; and even the exact date when a permanent
organization was formed, cannot be given, as the Secretary's books were burned in Trucken-
brodt's fine hall three years ago. However, the society is about twenty-six years old, being
one of the oldest in the State. The first members were, as nearly as can be ascertained, Robert
Morsback, John Klutch, Edward Rendtorff. Max Stinglehammer, II. Schlegelmilch, Edward
Kuehn, Theodore Schramm and I). Heick. Robert Morsback was Leader. There are now
forty-six members, twenty-five of whom are singers, the remainder being passive members.
Charles Naffz is Leader. The present officers are II. Schlegelmilch, President; Max Stingel-
hammer, Vice President ; John Buerki, Secretary ; Edward Rendtorff, Treasurer ; Edward Stadel-
mann, Librarian ; II. W. Thede, Standard Bearer. The officers are elected annually. The
first standard was presented by the ladies in 1862. Last New Year's the society celebrated for
their twenty-fifth anniversary.
Benevolent Society. — The Sauk City Benevolent Society was started in 1874, the first
movers in the matter being Andrew Kahn and John Buerki. The first meeting was held at
Truckenbrodt's hall, March 4, 1874, there being about twenty persons present. They then
organized, ami elected John Buerki President; John Baertsch, Vice President; Andrew Kahn,
Secretary ; Henry Trueb, Treasurer; Gasper Steuberand Edward Neidiker, Bysiters. Of the first
members five or six have withdrawn, but, on the other hand, new members have come in, until now
608 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
there is a membership of thirty-two. The society is strictly a mutual protective organization,
with no secrets or password. If a member is not able to work he gets a regular appropriation
of $3 a week. In case of the death of a man, the heirs get $30 from the treasury and 50
cents each from the members. When a man's wife dies, he gets $15 from the treasury and 25
cents each from the members. A man cannot be over fifty-five to join, and must be in good
health. The membership fee is $3. The meetings of the society are held once a week.
Sauk City Brass Band. — A brass band was first organized here at about the time the old
military company was formed. There were at first but five members — John Junge, D. Schramm,
A. Vogel, Ed Kuehn and Henry Schegelrailch, J. Junge being the leader. In 1856, the band
number was augmented by the addition of Samuel Kleiner and Peter Bernhardt. With the
exception of a few changes, the band continued until 1868 or 1869, when it broke up, never
having been more than nine or ten strong at any time, and seldom more than the first seven. In
the present band, organized but a short time, there are ten members : Samuel Kleiner, leader,
and V. Wuerth, E. Van Eschen, Rudolph Kleiner, Nic Muller, A. Marguart, M. Bohnsak,
Charles Schlungbaum, Ed Stadelmann and John Meyer.
Cemetery Association. — The Sauk County Cemetery Association was organized at the
schoolhouse, July 27, 1852. The Trustees elected were Henry Wild, Thomas Cook, L. Accola,
T. Hitzmier and Curtis Bates. On the 6th of September following, the land of the cemetery
was purchased from John Gallard for $50, and soon after was platted. At present, lots sell for
from $8 to $10, according to location. At present, P. Lachmund is President ; F. G. J. Lueders,
Treasurer ; Ed Rendtorff, Secretary. Mr. Rendtorff has been Secretary of the society for
twenty-four years. Mr. Lueder is now Superintendent of the grounds, which are tastefully laid
off and ornamented with shrubbery.
A. O. U. W. Society. — The only secret society now in Sauk City is the lodge of United
Workingmen, No. 62, A. O. U. W. This order was organized here May 1, 1879, with eighteen
charter members, which have since increased to thirty-eight. The charter officers were H.
Muhlburg, P. M. W. ; John Bach, M. W. ; A. Fischer, V. ; J. Shaddi, G. F. ; H. Meyer,
Secretary ; M. Loddi, Treasurer ; J. Just, Financier. The officers now remain the same, with
the exception that A. Ferber is now G. F., and Samuel Kleiner, Secretary.
Humanists. — The society of the " Free German Association " held their first meeting, ac-
cording to various accounts, as early as 1842, at which time they styled themselves "Humanists,"
the name which is now commonly applied to them. Charles Duer, now deceased, was their first
speaker, but the society was not regularly founded until the 24th of October, 1852, after Mr. Ed-
ward Schroeder became speaker. The society was incorporated June 3, 1853, as the " Free German
Association of Sauk County." At first the organization met with strong opposition from church
people, which has become modified during the passage of time. The congregation has no settled
dogma, neither do the members recognize any authority as being infallible, and to be explicitly fol-
lowed. The works of nature, and the revelations of human experience in history, serve as foundations
for whatever opinions may be entertained, subject to the analysis and conclusions arrived at by
reason. The chief principles acted upon are for the advancement of general intelligence, and
the maintenance of sincerity, honesty and truth in all things, as opposed to hypocrisy and false-
hood. All members stand on a footing of perfect equality, without regard to sex. The speaker
is the teacher of the old and young, and the general exercises consist in lectures, singing, decla-
mation and the instruction of the children in morals, under his supervision. The congregation
belongs to the Wisconsin Union of Free Congregations, and to the Union of Free Congregations of
America, and to the North American Union of Radicals. The society owns two halls, one at
Sauk City and one at Honey Creek. Their speaker, Mr. Edward Shroeder, has recently gone
to Europe as the Delegate for the German Free-Thinkers of America to the Free-Thinkers' Con-
gress at Brussels.
The Catholic Church and Society. — Sauk City St. Moysius Congregation is the oldest
Catholic congregation in Sauk County, and one of the oldest in Western Wisconsin. It was
founded in the year 1*44. The first baptism recorded is that of Catharina Holbleib, baptized
HISTORY OP SAUK COUNTY. 609
2d of October, L844. The first Catholic priesl was Rev. Albert Inama, of the order of the
Prsemonstratensians, of the Convent Welten, near Innsbruck, Tyrol, who died 1879, in Roxbury
Town, Dane County, Wis. The first Catholic Church was built in Sauk City in 1845. It was
a small frame building, and was burnt down by an accident in the following year. During that
year Count Haraszthv, an Hungarian nobleman, gave lots to the Catholic congregation for build-
ing purposes, the deed of said lots being dated 17th of February. lS4(i. In the same year. Rev.
.Maximilian Gaertner, of the same order as Rev. Inama, arrived and took charge of the congre-
gation remaining until 1858, when he retired to his home country, Tyrol, where he afterward
died. In 1851, the 29th of May. Brst steps were t iken to erect the new Catholic Church build-
ing which is now in use. Catholics and non-Catholics united for this purpose, and $880 were
subscribed. On the '21st of July. 1851, the corner-stone was laid, and Mr. Stingelhammer did
the mason work. Messrs. Werner. Kraus and Mortens were building committee. The rear or
brick part was first finished, then the work stopped because of lack of funds. In 1853, work was re-
commenced, and the church finished under the supervision of Rev. Gaertner and Rev. Wein-
hardt. The building is 103x50 feet and thirty feet high (walls inside clear thirty-nine feet), and
cost about $13,000, all of which is now paid. The Rev. Weinhardt left in 1861. Hissu
Rev. Voessem, finished the plastering and left in 1865. Since then several priests have bad
I the congregation, which consists of about 130 families, of which twenty-five are Irish.
A Catholic school is attached numbering about seventy Catholic children. There is also a mis-
sion belonging to this congregation situated in town of Honey Creek, consisting of about forty
Catholic families. They "have just finished a stone church 50x28 feet, eighteen feet high;
steeple, seventy-six feet, at a cost of about $1,800. The Rev. Herman Grosse is now the
Priest.
in Reformed Congregation. — The first preaching of this society was held in the old
schoolhouse as early as 1850, the Rev. Mr. Snangler being the minister. He continued here
until 1856, when Rev. Mr. Knoepfel came. After him in 1858, the Rev. Etter was minister.
Then in 1859, Rev. R. Ruetenick became Pastor. During Mr. Ruetenick's time the society
was regularly organized. He was succeeded by Rev. A. Winter, in 1860. The church was
built in 1861, at a cost of $2,000, during the pastorate of the Rev. Winter. In 1864, the Rev.
J. Brecht became minister. He remained until 1869, when he was succeeded by Rev. J. Herpjd,
After him in 1869, came the Rev. F. Kuenzler, who served until 1*77. when the Rev. J.
Gruenigan .superseded him. In 1875, the Rev. S. S. Thalers, the present Pastor, was installed.
At first there were but five members, C. Obrecht, J. L. Accola. J. Buerki, (1. Schaefer
and C. Shultz, these being Swiss and German] There are now 250 members of the same
nationalities.
Ennojflirnl Axxoeiatuni. — The first services of this denomination were held here in the
schoolhouse in 1844, by Bishop Johannes Seybert, the first Bishop of the German Evangelical Asso-
ciation of America. With him came the Rev. Mr. Miller, who afterward came out here for some time
every four weeks. A few years after their services were held every Sunday, the place of meeting
being changed to the house of Mrs. J. E. Wright, at Saukville. The church was built in 1871.
by John Thilke, and was consecrated by Bishop Escher. The society here is a branch of the
Salem Church, at Honey Creek, and is supplied by their minister. There arc fifty-live
members here.
ATTORNEYS AND PHYSICIANS.
The following is a list of attorneys that have practiced here: William H. Clark, James
S. Alban, Cyrus Leland, J. Stephens Trip]), John B. «Juimby and J. W. Johnson.
Physicians : John B. Woodruff, William Wolf, George H. Briggs, Henry McKenna, H.
G. Lachmund and A. F. Jonas.
SAUKVILLE, OH MIDDLE SAUK.
This little village lies midway between Upper and Lower Town. The most thai has e\
done here toward erecting a village is the work of J. E.Wright, now deceased, but, owing to the unfa-
610 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY".
vorable location, just between the villages of Prairie du Sac and Sauk City, very little more than
making a fair start has ever been accomplished, for, as the trite old saying expresses it, " that which
stands between two stools must needs fall to the ground." It is not beyond the possibilities that at
some future time a railroad may pass directly through here; then who can say but that that
which has heretofore shown small vitality may suddenly take new life unto itself, and withal out-
strip its more favored competitors. At least, whatever may occur, it is always well to look on the
bright side, and hope for the best. And furthermore, that the village of Sauk City and Prairie
du Sac may some time be united by the growth of a village here, is to be devoutly desired, for
then the interests of the two places may become identical, and correspondingly strong and influ-
ential abroad.
A huge brick chimney and a dilapidated wooden structure now mark the spot where, in
1852, .1. E.Wright, in company with P. Tinker, a practical machinist, began the erection of a steam
saw and grist mill combined. In 1853, Soreno Wright came on from the East and purchased J.
E. Wright's interest in the mill, and, with Mr. Tinker, went on and completed it. The mill
began running in 1854, and for that early time was a large institution and did an extensive busi-
ness. The mill continued in active operation until October, 1858, when it was burned (cause
unknown), with a loss of $5,00.0. After the building of the mill, in 1854, J. E. Wright, Sr.,
put up a large store building, which is yet standing near the road on the handsome property of
his estimable lady. This store was first occupied by a Mr. Forbes, of Portage City. Subse-
quently, after having been used several years as a store, it was converted to its present use as a
private dwelling. Shortly after the buildnig of the mill and store, blacksmith-shops, wagon-
shops, etc.. were started. Of those that were started early, none are left, and, to sum up, the
business of the place is now represented solely by the blacksmith and wagon shop of Mr.
Habermann.
After the burning of the mill, Soreno Wright immediately began building a steamboat, for
a good boat with a special home interest at this point was then very much needed. She was
ninety feet long, twenty-two feet beam, and eighteen inch draft when loaded, being constructed
especially for navigating the Wisconsin. A large part of the machinery was made at the old
foundry and machine shop of Mr. Rosche. The boat was launched in July, 1859, and made her
trial trip in a satisfactory manner, with about two hundred and fifty on board. She was first
called the Wisconsin Pioneer, but the name was subsequently changed to the Sauk City Enter-
prise. This boat was for many years one of the principal craft on the river, as well as the repre-
sentative boat of this section.
The church of the German Evangelical Association is located a short distance south of
Saukville.
Tin: SAI K BATTLE.
At a very early day, in the career of Sauk City, the raftsmen made a practice of tying up
here at night when they could, and going up town en masse to rampage and bum, perhaps the
whole night through, constituting themselves a law unto themselves, to the terror of the saloon-
ists and the law-abiding citizens, ft was but the common turn of affairs for them to run the
saloon-keepers out of their places, and to bill defiance to all restraints, and to indulge in the
most indecent routs conceivable.
This sort of thing could not last always; so, after long suffering, the Germans, who are
slow to anger, bul determined when they gel started, turned nut in strung numbers one night,
.ami. armed with cudgels, attacked a large gang of raftsmen. The engagement was a hotly-
ed and bloodj one, but a worse whipped ami used up ct iwd of rowdies it would In- hard
to find : bloody noses, cracked skulls and broken bones was their condition generally. Some of
the worst injured ones brought suit against the Germans lor damages, but when it came to be
tried, the lawyer who acted for plaintiffs was chased from Lower to Upper Town by the infuriated
defendants, ami SO ended this affair as well as any further abuses by the raftsmen. They had
had enough.
AIK COUNTY.
CHAPTER XII.
Town \m>\im \>-i oi Lavalle— Town of Washington— Town of "Winfield— Loganvillf. \m>
Town oi Westfield- Town oi Dellona— Town oi Freedom and Village <>i North
Freedom— Town oi Greenfield— Town and Village of [ronton- Town oi Exi'klsiok
AND Vn VG LBLEJIAN— VILLAGE AND TOWN 01 DeLTON— NEWPORT— TOWN "I WOOD-
LAND— Town of Fairfield.
TOWN AND VII. LACK OF LAVALLE.
The town of Lavalle is formed of Township 13 north, Range '■'• east, lying in the north tier
of towns of Sauk County, and, were it not for the town of Woodland, which stands by itself on
the west, would he the northwest corner town of the county. It is hounded on the north by
Juneau County, on the east by the town of Winfield, on the south by Ironton, and on the west
by Woodland. The surface of the town is uneven, hut well watered by the Baraboo River and
its tributaries. Good wells are easily obtained : springs are abundant. Timber is plenty and of
good quality, principally oak. of several varieties. Railroad ties, hardwood timber and staves
are made in large quantities. Considerable pine was found here at an early day. hut it is now-
very scarce The soil is clay and black ami sandy loam : rock, principally sandstone ; some lime-
stone is found, of good quality for building purposes. Adjacent to the streams are found some
picturesque masses of perpendicular rock, from fifty to two hundred feet in height, decked out
with vines, mosses and shrubs, adding greatly to the beauty of the landscape. Wild fruits com-
mon to this latitude are abundant in season. In early days, wild bees were so common that wild
honey was obtained with but little trouble. Bee-trees are frequently found at this time by those
who know how to trace them. Several good water-powers exist in the town ; one at Lavalle. on
the line of the Madison Division of the Chicago & North- Western Railroad, which crosses the
town from the southeast to the northwest ; another is found on Section '24, where William
Rathbun has a good saw-mill in operation ; and another on Section 1, on Big Creek, where
Harvey Gifford lias a fine saw-mill in operation ; still another mill is doing a flourishing business
at a switch on the railroad, called Podunk, owned by a Milwaukee man. Large quantities of
railroad ties, wood and timber, are bought here. A store, boarding-house and blacksmith-shop
are in operation at this point.
The first white man to locate in the town was Samuel Karstetter, who built a shanty on
Section 28, in L847. Mr. Manelious Pearson, a native of England, came in L 848, and, in
.Inly of that year, erected the first substantial house, situated on Section .'14. Mr. Pearson
still resides on the farm of his first choice. His daughter Mary Ann, now Mrs. George Inman,
horn September 21, 1850, was the first white child horn in the town. Among the very earliest
settlers should I in addition to Karstetter and Pearson. George Harrison, who
came in L848, Jabez Inman. in 1849, Ansel II. Brownell in 1850, John Tordoff in 1851,
Edmund Tordoff in 1851, A. I>. Potter in 1853, W. S. Hubbellin L854, George W. Dickens
in 1854, am! John While in 1854.
The territory nov embraced in the town of Lavalle was originally in the town of Bai
and subsequently in the town of Marston. It became the town of Lavalle in 1861. The first
town meeting was held in the village of Lavalle April 1, 1862. ,1. G. Blakeslee was elected
Chairman: E. B. Hageman md J. II. Douglass. Supervisors; C. K. Christnot, ('Ink: II. G.
Howard, Treasurer; II. A. Sturgess, Assessor; David Beery. II. A. Sturgess and Calvin Gard-
ner, Justices.
The first school dis rid V, as organized w 1 1 1 1 . ■ the town was a pari of Marston. in 1851. A
schoolhouse was commenced that year, situated on the north side of Section 33, near the Iron-
ton and Lavalle load. Owing to a lack of harmony among the people, work tva
612 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
it. It was finally completed in February, 1853. This is said to have been the first school in the
town of Marston, of which the present town of Lavalle then formed a part. When the school-
house was completed, W. S. Hubbell was Clerk, William All, Treasurer, and Samuel Hoskins.
Director. The first teacher was William II. Brown.
The first religious meetings were held at the house of the Rev. Mr. Hamlin — also a Sab-
bath school, with Mr. Hamlin as Superintendent — in the summer of 1851. Mr. Hamlin was a
Free-Will Baptist minister.
Village. — The early settlers in the vicinity of what is now the village of Lavalle were J.
F. Hamlin, Solon Rushmore, A. H. Brownell, Elisha Potter, Ezra Hagaman, Sebastian Kar-
stetter and M. A. Matthews. Mr. Hamlin made a claim of the land upon which the village is
situated, and commenced the improvement of the water-power in the year 1849. He built a
temporary board shanty, in which to live, on the south side of the Baraboo, opposite the point
he decided upon as the most feasible one for the construction of a dam and mill. He was soon
afterward joined by Solon Rushmore, who took an interesl in the enterprise. The year of 1849
was spent in making a dam and building the frame work of a mill, and, in the spring of 1850,
the machinery w^as put in. The mid irons were manufactured in Baraboo by Sanford (.!. F. i
& Becktel, who were then carrying on a foundry at the county seat, the former being engaged
in the mercantile business also. Mr. Sanford settled in Baraboo in 1848, and owned the first
stock of goods ever taken to Reedsburg for general sale. The saw-mill was put into operation
in the summer of 1850, the first lumber turned out being used, it is believed, in the framewwk
of a more substantial dwelling for Mr. Hamlin. It is still standing as a part of the residence
of Mr. Hunneberg.
In 1864, the mill property passed to the hands of .1. F. Sanford. who removed to Lavalle
and took immediate charge of it. A flour-barrel factory was soon established in connection
witli the saw-mill. Both institutions were carried on successfully for a few years. The manu-
facture of broom-handles also became a part of the enterprise. In 1869, Mr. Sanford turned
Ins attention to the building of a grist-mill, to lie propelled by the same water-power employed
in running the saw-mill, barrel factory, etc. A large three-story building was erected just
below the dam, and, the necessary machinery being procured, the citizens of Lavalle were soon
enabled to use home-made flour. The grist-mill is now the property of Lyman Beery and Theo-
dore Yager. It has three run of stones, which are employed principally on custom work.
In 187 4, the old machinery in the saw-mill was taken out and the establishment fitted up
for the manufacture of staves, by Stafford & Co., of Reedsburg, who had rented the building and
a certain portion of the water-power for a term of three years. In 1876, Messrs. Keith \ Pad-
dock, who also own and conduct the Reedsburg stave-mill, obtained control of the concern. In
the fall of the same year, a building was erected a short distance above the dam. In it were
placed a steam boiler and engine and other necessary machinery for the manufacture of staves.
Work was commenced and carried on until the L5th of June, L878, when the establishment was
destroyed by fire, at an estimated loss of $1,200. Immediate preparations were made for occu-
pying the old saw-mill building, and, in due course of time the buzz of busy saws again echoed
in the cpiiet precincts of Lavalle. The capacity of this mill is about 500 staves an hour. In
L879, the combined product of Messrs. Keith & Paddock's Lavalle and Reedsburg Mills was
1,500,000 staves. A. E. Miller is Superintendent of both establishments. The surrounding
country, being heavily wooded with oak and basswood, furnishes an inexhaustible supply of
profitable employment to large numbers of industrious citizei^. The man-
ufacturers find a ready market for their work in the leading cities of the West, the major part
of it being shipped to Chicago, where.it is made into pork and Hour barrels.
In 1*74. the Northwestern Hoop-Pole Company, of Chicago, put up a steam mill in the
eastern part of Lavalle, in which machinery for the manufacture of hoop-poles and dressing of
staves was placed. The business has been conducted with varied success up to the present time.
In 1878, F. Itickeii set up a carding machine in the upper part of the stave-mill, where he
does local carding on a small scale.
HISTOID OF SACK COUNTY. 013
So much for the manufacturing interests of Lavalle. The early growth of the place was
necessarily slow, situated as it was in a dense wilderness, scarcely accessible to ordinary road
wagons. But the pioneer's first pathway is always rough, and he is thankful if he can but dis-
cern the outlines of even an Indian trail. New-comers gradually found their way inti
hills and valleys, which weresoon settled upon and cultivated. A school was established in the
tall of 1855. It was held in a little shanty just north of the present residence of I! <i. Pad-
dock. There are no records of this school prior to 1865. [n 1859, the district built
spacious schoolhouse, which was occupied until 1875, when the present very creditable temple of
learning was constructed, at a cost of S 1 .son. the old schoolhouse being converted into a town
hall. At the end of the school year of 1879, there were 127 pupils in the district over four and
under twenty years of age who had attended school. There are two departments, Marion Groat
and Charlotte Beauchat presiding over them as Principal and Assistant respectively.
A post office was established in the spring of 1856, with S. I'. Harney as Postmaster. It
was what was then commonly known as a special office, the mail being carried from Reedsburg
by the citizens, who at first were in the habit of having a meeting anil " drawing cuts ' to
decide who should carry the mail for the next two weeks. W. II. Young is said to have been
the first victim of the •■ cut system." Finally a subscription was taken up and a regular mail
carrier employed. This continued until the railroad reached the place in LS72. Mr. Barney
held the office until 1864. It then became what Mr. Barney aptly terms a "a political office,"
requiring the special attention of an individual with strong party leanings and more or less
political influence. William P. <.'obl> was selected to supplant Mr. Barney, but he lived only a
few months, and upon his death J. F. Sanford, one of Mr. Cobb's sureties, was appointed. Mr.
Sanford held it ten years, and resigned in favor of William 11. Croft, who. in the spring of L876,
withdrew in favor Mr. B. G. Paddock, more commonly known as " Ben," who is the present
incumbent.
While the people of Lavalle are all law-abiding Christians, their religious enthusiasm has
never led them to erect extravagant temples. Methodist meetings were held in the place as early
as 1 856, soon after the construed f the " shanty schoolhouse." Stated services have been of
frequent occurrence since. The Adventists, existing in very limited numbers until recently,
have also held meetings. Sanford's Hall. Field's Hall and Odd Fellows' Hall have been used by
both denominations. In 1*7S. the Adventists built a neat church edifice. Among the sub-
scriber- to the fund were Elder Groat, of Ironton ; J. Abbott Douglass, Robert White, W. 11.
Field. B. ('. Douglass and J. 'N. Nye. Elders Graves and Hitchcock have supplied the pulpit.
In December. ls75. a lodge of Odd Fellows — Lavalle Lodge, No. 244 — was chartered, with
II. A. Sturges, H. P. Apker, Wenz Mihlbauer, Asa Gale, R. W. Clarke and Frank P. Sanford
as charter members. The P. G.'s in the lodge tire Messrs. Sanford, Apker', Muhlbauer, Sturges,
dale. A. Found. F. Myer and B. Douglass. There are about thirty members.
The temperance cause has received considerable encouragement in Lavalle. Probably the
most effective organization of this character in its history was accomplished in August, 1879,
when a Good Templar's Lodge was instituted. The charter members were Mary. Fannie and
Parker Apker, W. Bierd, A. Clement. II. W. Douglass. J. A. Douglass, Henry Eger, Alice
Graham, Annie Head, Seth Kingsley, W. Marden, II. Paddock, Dell Sanborn. Charles Sander-;.
Milo Seeley, Mrs. A. Pound and Robert Wilkie. II. W. Douglass was the first W. C. T. : the
present is Herbert Paddock. The lodge is in g 1 working condition.
Before the railroad reached Lavalle the traveling public were accommodated by C. Ilenne-
berg. Upon the completion of the railroad in 1872, J. F. Sanford enlarged his residence, ate;
converted it into a hotel. W. X. Carver is the present lessee of the Sanford House.
The town of Lavalle was formerly a. part of the town of Marston, in which was also included
the territory of what is now the towns of Woodland, Washington and Ironton. The two former
were set off as separate towns, leaving what are now Ironton and Lavalle, the town of Marston.
A petition was -cut to the Hoard of Supervisors, praying for a change in mime from Marston
to Lavalle, but the prayer was not granted. The inhabitants of the smith end of the town then
614 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
petitioned to be set off as a separate town. To this, the citizens of the north end, for some
reason best known to themselves, demurred, but the Ironton people succeeded in carrying
through the project, and the town of Ironton was the result. This naturally left the records
of all the territory in question in possession of the town of Marston (now Lavalle), and it was con-
sidered a pretty good joke when the town of Ironton found itself compelled to make a tran-
script of them at its own expense. Marston soon after became, as it is now, the town of Lavalle,
and every one was happy.
The village of Lavalle now contains three general stores, one hardware, one drug, and one
hardware and grocery store ; one hotel, two blacksmith-shops, one wagon-shop, one livery-stable,
one shoe-shop, millinery store, one saloon, one stave-mill, one hoop-pole factory, one grist-
mill, one carding-mill, one graded school, one church, one Odd Fellows' Lodge, one Good Tem-
plars' Lodge, and has one doctor.
TOWN OF WASHINGTON.
This town is situated in the western tier of towns in Sauk County, and twelve miles south
of the north line of the county. The territory included within the limits of the town was origin-
ally a part of the town of Eagle, subsequently was organized as the town of Marston, in con-
nection with the townships now known as [ronton and Lavalle, and, on the 1st of April, 1856,
the town of Washington was organized. The town boundaries included the present territory.
Town 11 north, Range 8 east, together with the two tiers of sections lying directly on the
north, being a part of Town 12 north, Range 3 east, making the town eight miles north and
south, and six miles east and west, in extent. The first election was held in the schoolhotise. on
Section 15, April 1, 1856. The inspectors of election were II. W. Reeve and Nelson Wheeler.
The whole number of votes cast was seventy-five. The officers elected were D. II. Roland.
Chairman; Arva Frost, Joshua Holmes. Supervisors; E. S. Drake. Clerk; H. W. Reeve,
Superintendent of Schools : G. W.Gray, Treasurer : Ira Jones, Assessor : Nelson Wheeler,
Thomas J. Gray, Justices of the Peace: <!. V. Ostrander, Thomas DeVoe, Samuel Drake, Con-
stables.
Subsequently, the two tiers of sections from Town 12, Range -\ were cut off and annexed
to t lie Town of Ironton, leaving the town in its present form, that of a Government township
of thirty-six sections.
The surface features are generally of an uneven character. One wide ridge extends north
and south, through the western part of the town, on a line north from Sections 32 and 33,
swinging slightly to the west on Sections ii .and 7. This ridge varies in width, being from two
to three miles wide. Originally, it was heavily timbered, but at this time it contains many
well cultivated farms. Another wide ridge extends eastward from Sections 2'.' and 32 to the
east line of the town, widening out on Sections 26 and 25. The main ridges form the division
between the bead-w at'ers of several streams. From these ridges extend lateral ridges or spurs,
generally at righl angles, ^uitc an extensive and rich valley sets in near the northeastern
part of the town, and extends in a southwesterly direction to Section 21. On the uplands, the
soil is a strong clay loam, and in the valleys a rich black loam, well adapted, in both localities,
to all products of this latitude. Tame grasses grow luxuriantly on both uplands and valleys.
A large portion of the town was originally heavily timbered. The exceptions were portions
of the south ridge and the valley mentioned above. A second growth of timber now covers
such portions ,,f that territory as are not under cultivation. The timber throughout the town is
wry thrifty, and, in many places, large and clear. Trees two feel iii diameter and clear of limbs
ami knots for the first fifty feet, are common. Stave bolts and wagon lumber form quite an im-
portant part of the products of the town. The variet ies of timber consist of oak, in its several
kinds of white, black and red: white ash, hickory, hasswood. elm, hard and soft maple, butter-
nut, ironwood ami cherry. The several varieties of oak constitute a large proportion of the
timber.
The town is remarkably well supplied with water by its numerous creeks and springs. In
the valleys, at the base of the ridges, tine springs of cold water abound. Their number exceeds
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 615
hundred. These springs form clear brooks of never-failing water, which area greal con-
e to the farmers for the watering of stock. Windmills are almost unknown. On the highest
ridges, good water is obtained at an average depth of seventy-five feel. Narrows < 'reek and its trib-
utaries flow through the northeastern part of the town, and tributaries of Honey < 'reek through the
southeastern, of Hear Creek through the southwestern, and of Willow Creek through the north-
western part. Speckled trout were once quite plenty in the latter streams in early days. At
this time, they are not found in numbers great enough to satisfy the lovers of the rod and line.
The rock is composed of lime, flint and sandstone. One large limekiln is in successful
operation on Frederic Rowe's farm, on Section li. and another has been recently started by Gr.
L. Sebring, on Section 2.
There are two posl offices in the town. The Sandusky Post Office was established in the
fall of L855. The first Postmaster was William Dano. and the present is II. W. Reeve. The
office is situated at the northwestern corner of Section 33. For the past fifteen years, the office
has had four mails a week. Arrangements have been perfected by which it is expected soon to
have a daily mail. The second office was established February. 22, 1880. It is called Tuckerville,
and is situated on the north side of Section 14. John T. Pollock is Postmaster. Mails arrive
and depart on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
There are ten school buildings in the town: all frame but one. which is of logs. The first
mse was built on Section 2, in 1854. School was taught by Miss Jane Wheeler. R. 0.
Myers was Clerk of the district, and Nelson Wheeler, Director.
The first store was opened and kept by William Dano and J. Holmes, at Sandusky, in the
L855; the second by Robert Hawke, and the third by II. W. Reeve, opened in the
spring it' 1861. Mr. Reeve is still in business at this writing (1880). Another is kept by Fred
Zweig, also at Sandusky. The two latter are all that are in operation at this time.
Tb sre are four churches in the town. The first was built by the Sandusky Society of the
Evangelical Association of North America. The building was erected on land donated by Mr.
C. -I. II. Erffmeyer, on Section 27, in October, 1864. Cost of building, $400. The society
■anizcd at a meeting held at the house of Charles Schluter, June 5, 1862. Trustees
were elected — Frederic Schoephoister for one year, Henry Ties for two years and Charles
Schluter for three years. C. J. H. Erffmeyer was Chairman of the meeting, and the Rev.
Joseph Harlacher, Secretary. Mr. Erffmeyer donated one acre of land in the northeast quarter
of the northwest quarter of Section 27 for church and cemetery ; in consideration of which, he
was voted lots free for a family burying-ground. Rev. Joseph Harlacher was the first Pastor.
Among the first members were Charles Schluter, Fred Schoephoister. Henry Ties. < 'hris Schluter,
C. J. H. Erffmeyer, John Schoephoister. Christian Uphoff, Ernest Biernhiet and Chris Gieseke.
The present membership is about forty families. The present Pastor is the Rev. .
St. Paul's Evangelical Lutheran Church is situated on the north side of Section 26. This
society was organized about 1864. The first regular Pastor was the Rev. A. Susner. Six years
• to this, meetings were held in private houses by various traveling ministers. The first
meeting was held in the log cabin of Mr. Charles Brandt, in 1858; the old house still stands.
Among the first members were Charles Brandt, Frederic Brandt, Henry Brandt, John Wise,
Chris Krueger and Mr. Westedt. The church was built in October. 1871, at a cost of about
8400. The membership was thirty-one families: Trustees, Charles Muchow, Aug Krueger and
William Krueger: Pastor, Rev. M. (.'bins.
The society known as the United Brethren was organized about 1868, and meetings were
held in private houses. The first Pastor was the Rev. George Hickey. In 1876, a very neat
and roomy church was built at a point known as Tuckerville, on the north side of Section 14,
and dedicated the last Sunday of June, 1877. The Pastor at that time was the Rev. .lames
Aldricli. The cost of the building was about 81,100. Among those who contributed toward
the building of the church may be mentioned John Shoup, Nelson Blood, William Blackburn,
Levi Purdy and Philip Apple; Adam Tucker donated the site. The present Pastor is Rev. J.
Good. The first Baptist services were held in the schoolhouse on Section 27. about 1869,
616 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Mr. John Seamans officiating. About 1872, the society was organized, the first regular Pastor
being Rev. Harvey Bacon. In 1875, a building was bought, situated on Section 34, that is used
as a church. The present membership is fourteen, and Mr. A. L. Prouty is Pastor.
The Methodists have no church building within the limits of the town of Washington.
They are connected with the Ironton Church, a history of which is given in that of the town of
Ironton. The first Methodist services held in the town of Washington were conducted at the
schoolhouse on Section 2, in the summer of 1855. Preaching was by the Rev. Mr. Hall. The
church at Ironton was built in 1863, and the present Pastor is Elder George Tyake.
Forest Lodge, No. 106, I. 0. 0. F., was instituted about 1863, J. G. Blakeslee, D. D. Cj.
M., of Ironton, doing the work. The lodge was instituted in Reeve's Hall, Sandusky. D. B.
Marah was elected N. G., and H. W. Reeve, R. S. The lodge had a membership of thirty-five.
About 1873, the charter was surrendered by consent of the members.
The Good Templars had an organization in this town in 1867. Meetings were held in the
Sandusky schoolhouse at first, and subsequently in Reeve's Hall. The lodge was organized by
Miss Emery (State Lecturer). It only existed about three years.
There are several steam saw-mills, one water-power grist and flouring mill and one cheese
factory in the town. In addition to these should be mentioned several cooper-shops and a few
blacksmith-shops. Mr. William Schoephoister is rebuilding his steam saw-mill on Section 22.
Its capacity will be 6,000 feet per day. Hardwood is the principal timber in use ; much of it is
worked up into wagon material ; shipping-point, Reedsburg. E. & H. Staples have a steam
saw-mill in operation on Section 33. Another is run by Charles Nebel on Section 31. John
Williams has a new grist and flouring mill on Section 14, run by water-power ; capacity, 100
bushels per day. A cheese factory is in operation at Tuckerville ; run by Edwin Booker,
lessee ; capacity, 400 pounds per day. A cooper-shop at Sandusky is owned and run by
Thomas Lyndon, and doing a good business. Several others are operated in different parts of the
town by various parties.
The first white settler in the original town of Washington was Washington Gray. He built
his log cabin on Section 35, Town 12, Range 3, in the spring of 1850. He was followed in
November of the same year by R. O. Myers, who located on Section 3, Town 11, Range 3.
As that portion of Town 12 on which Gray settled was subsequently set off and attached to
Ironton, Mr. Myers is left the first settler in the town of Washington, in its present form.
The next settler after Mr. Myers was Sevyer Selden, who located on Section 2, Town 11,
Range 3, where he still resides. Nelson and John Wheeler followed, settling on Section 35,
Town 12, Range 3. From 1852 to 1856, the town settled very rapidly- Among those who
came in about this time may be mentioned Clark Miller and family, 1852 ; Campbell Miller,
L852; Lewis Lumery, 1852; E. S. Drake, 1853; D. H. Boland, Doc and Edward Davison,
'/,. Staples, the Strouds, William Dano, J. Holmes, H. W. Reeve, Gilbert Wheeler, Jeremiah k
C. 1!. Buel, Addison Hale, A. C. Harris, Philip and George Apple, Samuel Thompson, Timothy
Chapman. The first German settler was Charles Schluter, coining in 1856.
Tin- raising of log houses was the order of the day. In fact, it became quite a tax on the
time i.if the lirst settlers. Some weeks they were away from home at raisings five days out of
n ; but, as they were glad to get neighbors, the service was rendered cheerfully. Mr.
Myers says the first time lie saw an assessor was when a gentleman came up from Sauk City,
assessing the town of Reedsburg. He was warned out to do road work on a slough five miles
from his home, by the Pathmaster of his road district, and who was living at Ca^enovia, eight
miles distant.
Tin' first frame house in the town was built by Gilbert Wheeler on Section 14.
The first mill was built by William Cobb and II. W. Reeve, a steam saw-mill, situated
near Sandusky, on Section 32 ; sawing commenced January 1, 1857.
The first grist-mill was built in 1*79, on Section 14, by John Williams (water-power).
The first post office established was the Sandusky office; William Dano, Postmaster,
appointed in the fall of 1855.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNT'S 617
The first schoolhouse was built on Section 2, in 1854; Miss Jane Wheeler was the first
teacher. Previous to this, in L853, Miss Laura Tucker had taught school in a private house.
The first church was built on Section 27, and dedicated October 2, L864, by the Sandusky
of the Evangelical Association of North America; Joseph Harlach, Pastor.
The first religious meetings are believed to have been held by the Methodists, in the fall of
lS.r>4. in the schoolhouse on Section 2; Rev. Mr. Hall officiating. Rumors of meetings held in
private houses, prior to this date, may have some foundation, but nothing positive is known.
The first deatli of a white person is believed to have been that of a young boy named Willie
Beman, which occurred in the fall of 1853.
A daughter of Mr. Aden Tucker died in August, 1854, and a daughter of Samuel Welch
September 11, L854.
The early marriages were Isaac Frost, to Mary Wheeler, in the spring of 1S55; L. Acker-
man, to Jane Wheeler.
The first white child born in the town was of the family of Washington and Frances Gray,
born in 1852.
In the spring of 1865, indications of carbon oil were found on the surface of a spring, on
the farm of J. C. Piper, Section 36, Washington. Two companies were at once organized, with
a view of developing the oil business in this town. Each of them leased about a thousand acres
of land in the vicinity of the discovery. One was composed mostly of parties from Sauk City ;
the other from citizens of the town and other parts of the county. The Sauk City Oil Com-
pany procured an engine and boiler and drilling apparatus; an expert was employed, and the
drilling commenced. Excitement ran high. Fabulous prices were asked for land in the vicinity.
Parties by the name of Long & Perkins" built a hotel near the proposed well.
The drilling progressed to the depth of 138 feet, when the drill was lost. Shortly after-
ward the work was abandoned. The excitement abated, and the citizens of Washington awoke
from their dreams of sudden prosperity to the fact that they were only an agricultural people.
< )n a Saturday evening, shortly after the New Ulm massacre of Minnesota, when the people
living on the frontier were excusably nervous on the subject of Indians, a Mrs. Stambaugh,
living a mile and a half northwest of Sandusky, seeing, as she supposed, a party of Indians pass
through the w is near her place, took her little ones and tied to Mr. Hart's, one of her nearest
neighbors, and sought protection. On hearing her story, the news soon spread, and, by common
consent, the neighboring settlers gathered with their wives and children at the Hart place,
taking with them only such weapons and household goods as they could conveniently carry.
Here they made a stand, determined to sell their lives as dearly as possible.
Fort Hart was soon in order to resist an attack. Windows and doors were barricaded;
weapons, from a rifle to a pitchfork, put in order. A young man living further south, and who
happened to be at Hart's, mounted his horse and made a bold push for home. On the way, he
spread the alarm without stopping to enter into particulars. As he passed Mr. Reeve's place, on
a dead run, he made out to shout, " Oh, Harvey, tin1 Indian* <ir<- rumiiuj ; tin- woods are full
of th< in." and passed on like the wind. This very naturally excited Mr. Reeve's fears. And
he prepared to put his cabin on a war footing. Bullets were run ; the rifle loaded ; corn knives
and scythes placed at hand. Barricades were erected, and things began to look as though no
small hand of Indians would have any business with that ranche. About this time, neighbor
Joseph Powell put in an appearance at the Reeve fortress. He and Mr. Reeve determined to
reconnoiter Fort Hurt. At great risk of being shot for redskins, they made out to gain admis-
sion to this formidable place. Here they found about, thirty men, women and children crowded
into one small room, the floor covered with bedding and such household goods as the refugees in
their flight had brought with them; women and children, pale and trembling; men evidently
nervous, yet pretending to be cool. All sorts of weapons hail been pressed into the service, from
a flint-lock rifle to a brush scythe. It was certain that no scalps would he taken here without a
desperate struggle. One old man with considerable bravado opened the door and called out —
"Come on, ye blood-thirsty savages." but shut it very hastily for fear of being taken at his word.
618 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Capt. Reeve and the veteran Powell watching an opportunity when no painted warriors were in
sight stole quietly back to the protection of their families. Greatly to Mr. Powell's alarm, he
found his home deserted. It was plain the wife and little ones were prisoners in the hands of
the merciless savages. In fear and trembling he made a closer search of the premises, expect-
ing every moment to stumble upon the murdered remains of some of his dear ones. Finally, a
faint voice from the log barn-loft reached him. Greatly to his relief he found them all safely
hidden away under the hay. Mr. Reeve, in order to allay the fears of his family, pretended to
doubt the actual presence of any Indians and went to bed, hut >/>,/ to sleep. His wife, not satis-
fied witli this arrangement, spent the long night in anxious watching. She was very positive
that, if they were permitted to live till another day, they should go back to Ohio at once. The
long night passed without an unusual sound. The clear light of day brought with it confidence
and hope. The garrison at Fort Hart ventured on an investigation. It was then discovered that
Mrs. Stambaugh's ferocious Indians were only three innocent neighboring hunters, who, in passing
her place in the dusk, by their bronzed faces and buckskin suits, had caused her to mistake them
for Indians. Thus ended the great Indian scare of Sandusky.
When the settlement was young, one summer evening, as one of Sandusky's fair mothers
was wending her way home from a neighbor's, accompanied by her son, a hopeful of perhaps
fifteen years, they suddenly discovered a large black animal approaching them. Black bears
were quite common in those early days, and, recognizing Bruin at once, they took to their heels
for safety, the animal lumbering along behind them. The mother, finding that she was likely to
be left behind by her stalwart son, seized him by the coat-tails, to help herself to escape from
the savage brute in pursuit. Imagine her feelings when the boy tried to shake her off, very
coolly observing, " What is tin- use of us both being • </t *//< .• " but the mother wouldn't let go, and
together they reached their gate, only a few steps in advance of — not a great hungry bear, but
of a pet black calf.
The ] [ile of Washington, like their neighbors in other towns of Sauk County, date many
of their financial troubles back to the hop crash of 18(38. For a few years previous to that year,
the growing of hops had been very remunerative. The yield was so good and prices so fair,
that very large profits were realized. Men could count their money by thousands who had only
had hundreds before. It got so that a man who was known to have a hop-yard was counted
financially solid, no matter how small the yard. An extravagant credit was given the hop-
grower, which in many eases was injudiciously used. The clearing of land and general farming
were neglected : many spent their large profits lavishly and went deeply in debt on the strength
of their expectations. Suddenly the collapse came, as it always does, sooner or later, in such
eases. Good crops in other hop-growing districts, and a general increased production through-
out the country, caused prices to tumble. The crop of 1868 was picked on the expensive prices
of previous years, and, when the hops should have been marketed, they were so low that many
held on. hoping bo- a raise. This was going from bad to worse, as the prices still declined : ruin
followed: mortgages and executions were uncomfortably common. Many have never recovered
from the effects of the disasters of that time. The planter did not suffer alone; all classes, mer-
chants and mechanics, werecrippled alike. To redeem their fortunes, people turned their atten-
tion again to legitimate farming. Lands were cleared, staple products cultivated, more attention
given to stock and dairying, and to-day, Washington is prosperous, and safer by far than she
was in the palmy days of hop-growing.
TOWN OF WINFIELD
i- formed of Township No. 13 north. Range I east, and contains thirty-six sections. It is
situated on the north line of Sauk County, the third town west from the Wisconsin River. The
territory comprising this town was first organized as n pun of the town of Baraboo, and was
organized as the town of Winfield in November, L852. The first Chairman of the Town Board
whs Ezra Gregory; <'lcrk, Hiram Pelton.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 619
The surface of the town is formed of ridges and valleys, with stretches of table-land on the
bluff; soil, black ami sandy loam in the valleys ; and uplands, clay loam. Water is abundant
and of good quality. Good springs are numerous. Twin Creeks and tributaries How from the
northern part of the town to the southwest, emptying into the Baral >n Section 31. The
head-waters of o her streams form in tins town. The rock is principally sandstone.
Many picturesque masses of Rock, forming bluffs of considerable height, add greatly to the
beauty of the scenery. The town contains many well-improved farms, tasty residences and good
outbuildings. The population in the wesl and northeastern parts of the town is mostly Irish.
In the southeastern and central, mostly English and American.
There are seven school buildings generally good structures. On the northeast corner of
Section 21 is a fine Catholic Church, situated on a tract of four acres given by Mr. Martin Con-
way for church purposes, being the only church in the town. People of other denominations
either hold services in the schoolhouses, or go to Reedsburg, which is not far distant.
The Catholic society was formed in 1867. The Trustees were Patrick Dailey, Patrick
Whitty and Martin Conway. A wooden church edifice was built in the fall of 1868, at a cost
of over $2,000. The Rev. John Conroy was the first priest. lie was succeeded by the Rev.
B. DeGoy, and he by Rev. C. Van Droste, who is in charge at this time. The membership
numbers about seventy families, representing the towns of Winfield, Lavalle and Seven Mile
Creek. Service is held in the church every alternate Sunday.
This town has the credit of being the first in which hops were grown in Sauk County. In
the spring of 1852, Mr. Jesse Cottington (one of the pioneers of Winfield, of whom a biograph-
ical sketch is given elsewhere in tins work l ordered a lot of hop roots from the yards of C. I».
Palmer. Waterville, Oneida Co., N. Y., where he had been for several years overseer. The
roots were shipped to Milwaukee by boat, ami brought from Milwaukee by wagon to Reedsburg.
Mr. Amos Cottington brought them to his father's in Winfield. Section ^<>. in a home-made
wagon, composed of a dry-goods box. supported on running gear, the wheels of which were
formed of sections sawred from the end of a log. Mr. C. planted about an acre of hops from
these roots, but. from being so long on the way, many of them had become damaged, and failed
to grow. He built a hop-kiln of logs, size li'x-Jd feet, without windows or stove. By burning
a pit of charcoal, he procured fuel with which he could dry his hops. The charcoal was burned
on the ground floor, in such a manner as to produce the desired effect. As he had no press, the
Imps of the first picking were stamped by foot into a sack, the first crop yielding only 150 pounds.
Tin- sack of Imp- was marketed in Columbus, Columbia Co., Wis. The transportation is worthy
of mention. A friend, Mrs. Van Camp, was going to Columbus on a visit ; her conveyance,
one horse and wagon. Mr. and Mrs. Cottington, with the sack of hops, accompanied her.
After various mishaps, capsizes and breakdowns, the party reached Columbus, where the hops
were sold for 30 cents per pound. So the receipts of the first Sauk Co. hop crop were $45 in
gold. In the spring of the year following his first planting, Mr. Cottington, at the request of
Harvey Canfield, of Baraboo, sent for some roots for him, and in the same box had some sent
for himself to complete his yard. His second crop amounted to 2,000 pounds. These were
sold at Madison for 25 cents per pound. Mr. Cottington supplied roots to his neighbors and
neighboring towns, and thus was inaugurated a business that, in a few years, caused almost a
revolution in the agricultural interests of the county. It was a rival in a small way to the gold
excitement of California. During the year 1867, the receipts for hops in this countj reached
$2,000, i. In the year (1867). Mr. Cottington's crop sold for $8,000. He became a' dealer in
hops, and handled that year about $200,000 worth.
It is not positively known who was the first actual white settler in Winfield. It is reported
that a man by the name of Bowen made a claim in the southeastern part of town in the year
1848, ami built a shanty. Mr. Alexander Locke claim- to have built the first shanty in the
town. He came to Town 13, Range 4, now Winfield. in April, 1849, and built a shanty. 12x12
feet, on the southeast quarter of Section 34, he having taken that tract in IMS, by land war-
rant. Mr. Leonard and George Ilufl'nail built a shanty together, to the north of Mr. Locke, ami
620 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
the same spring that he built his shanty. Mr. S. J. Seymour, of Dellona, says, in regard to the
early settlement of Winfield, that he was on Section 24, of this town, on the 13th day of June,
1849, looking land; that he found Mr. William Andrews with his two sons and his son-in-law, named
Mills, eating their dinners by a log fire, on the tract of land now owned by Mr. Silas Fish. The
party had come up from Baraboo, with D. K. Noyes, the day before, who had shown them the
land. They had not. as yet, built even a shanty. They shortly after did build one on this
tract. And in the fall of that year, Mr. Seymour helped them raise a log house, in which Mr.
Andrews made his home.
Mr. Seymour further says, that, about the first of June of the same year, he found
some land newly broken on the northwest quarter of Section 36, on the tract of land now
owned by Mr. Powell ; that he was informed that the improvement was made by a man named
Duncan. He was not aware of any other improved claim in the town at this time. He after-
ward helped Mr. Duncan raise his house, but cannot remember whether it was prior to raising
the Andrews house or not. He also states that Mr. Mills commenced a log shanty on the place
now owned by Mr. Carlisle, and that after cutting a few logs, Mr. Mills met with a serious
accident, cutting one of his legs badly. This caused him to leave his claim and go East, to his
home. Mr. John Carlisle came in 1849, and bought this tract, whether from the original claim-
ant or not does not appear.
Among the early settlers may be mentioned John Pelton and his sons, who came in 1850 ;
Lachlan and Joseph Mcintosh came in April, 1851 ; Robert Greenwood and sons, in 1851 ;
Edward Hemingway in 1851 ; George F. Lawson, in the spring of 1851 ; Samuel Montross, in
1852 ; Jesse and Amos Cottington, February, 1852 ; Thomas Senogles, July, 1852 ; Peter Golden,
in 1850 : John Flynn, in 1850.
The first sehoolhouse was built in the spring of 1852, and was situated on the northeast
quarter of Section 34, near the road, and just south of where Mr. Ransom's house now stands;
this was District No. 1. Mr. Jesse Cottington remembers helping to build the sehoolhouse, for
his assessment for the payment of glass, sash, etc., was §1, and, not having that amount of
money by him, he walked to Lyons and borrowed it of a member of his family. The first teacher
was Miss Esther Smith, now Mrs. Jonathan Nye. Previous to this, a school was kept, for a short
time, in Mr. A Locke's house, by a Miss Cole.
District No. 2 was organized October 7, 1852, with William Andrews, Clerk ; T. C. Safford,
Director; Thomas Senogles, Treasurer. The sehoolhouse was built that fall, and school com-
menced in December, with Miss C. D. Hastings, teacher. Her contract provided for twelve
weeks' school, at $2 per week. The sehoolhouse was built on the northeast quarter of Section
24. The new house was built in the summer of 1875. on the northeast quarter of the same
section.
Religious services were first held in Mr. A. Locke's house, next in William Andrews'. The
Catholic Church was built in 1868, being the only church building in the town.
The first white child born in this town was Harriet Locke, daughter of Mr. A. Locke (so
says Mr. Locke). The first death was that of a Mr. Barber, who died about 1851. Mr. Leon-
ard also died at an early day. Mr. James Cottington, who came to the town in 1850, died Feb-
ruary II. 1855.
Among the notable features of the town, may be mentioned the large apple tree in the
orchard of Mr. C. R. Kelley. The variety is the Pennsylvania Red Stripe ; age, twenty-eight
years ; circumference, sis feel ten inches near the ground ; area covered by the top, forty-six
fort east and west, ami forty-eight feet north and south. The tier is healthy, and the fruit large
and fine. It bore twenty-six bushels of apples last year. Mr. Kelley also has a curiosity in the
shape ofa native apple tree. The tree was discovered i>\ Mr. Golden, who entered the land in
L850. It was then about fifteen years old. It was bearing a yellow, sweet apple, about the
size of a Transcendent Crab. Mr. Kelley has cultivated it. ami the fruit is much improved,
being now as large as an average Golden Russet. The flavor is sweet and the color yellow.
HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY. 621
The wood resembles the wild crab somewhat. The tree is now nearly ten inches in diameter,
and has borne, this year, about eight bushels of fruit.
The question is. how came it there fifteen years in advance of civilization 1
LOGANVILLE AND TOWN OF WESTFIELD.
This town is six miles square, Town 11, Range 4, and is situated six miles east of the west
line of the county, and twelve miles south of the north line. The territory comprising it was origi-
nally a part of the township of Eagle, and was set off from the town of Reedsburg, to which it sub-
sequently belonged, and was organized as Westfield in 1854. The first town officers were : J. K.
Thompson, Chairman : Martin JJavey and Henry Nippert, Supervisors; William Baird, Clerk;
R. B. Balcom, Treasurer; Chancy P. Logan, Justice of the Peace; Lyman Twist, Assessor;
N. H. Briggs, Superintendent of Schools ; R. T. Root, Constable.
The town is composed of hills and valleys, ranging north and south in the central and
western parts, and east and west in the eastern. The soil is clay loam on the uplands and a
black loam in the valleys. Strong' and fertile, even to the summit of ridges, tame grasses and all
products common to this latitude are grown very successfully.
The rock is composed of lime and sand stone. In the western part of the town several lime-
kilns are in successful operation.
The timber is abundant, and principally of the different varieties of oak (white, red and
black). Maple, hickory, basswood and elm are found in considerable quantities. There are no
large marshes.
The town is watered by Narrows Creek and its tributaries. A great number of natural
flowing springs are found. Good well water is obtained at an average depth of forty feet. The
advantages of water, while both valleys and uplands are so productive of grass, makes the grow-
ing of stock very profitable.
Fully three-fourths of the inhabitants are German ; the balance is made up of Americans,
Irish and English. The market towns are Ableman and Reedsburg.
A good water power is found at the village of Loganville, where Mr. Frank Dorn has a
grist-mill in operation. Iron ore has been found in the town in quantities that promise to pay
for working. Work has been commenced with a view to develop the mines.
There are many good hop-yards in cultivation in this town, and some of the old hop-growers
are hopeful of striking it rich again some day. The experience with hops has been the same in
this town as that already described in neighboring towns.
A German Lutheran Church was built in the spring of 1865, on the north side of Section
15. It is a frame structure ; Rev. A. Rohrlack is Pastor. Among the first members should be
named Henry Licht, Henry Giflfert, Sr., Henry Giffert, Jr., Fred Tilker, Fred Horstmann,
Henry Luhrsen, Nicholas llasz, Nicholas Luhrsen, William Funte, Fred Gade. William Krueger,
Christ Kcenecke and Fred Darger. A. E. Winter is the present Pastor.
The German Lutheran (Zion's) Church was organized in 1865. The same year the church
was built at a cost of about $2,300. It was built of stone, and is situated on the north
Section 23. Rev. Christopher Kessler, Pastor. Among the early members were Caspar
Luckensmeier, H. Schmidt, Fred Schulte, William Schulte, Carl Uphoff, H. Behn, Johan Halm.
Heinrich Schewe, H. Burmeister, H. Shrceder, II. Baumgarten, William Kopf, Peter llasz and
1. C. Luhrsen, and their families. The present membership number sixty families. There is a
good school in connection with the church.
St. Peter's German Lutheran Church, Loganville. was organized in 1874; Mr. C. Kesler,
Pastor. The church was built the same year at a cost of about $1,500. \niong the early
members were Henry Niemann, John Williams, August Meyer, Christian llasz, Nicholas Hasz,
Fred Tilker, Henry Licht, Aug. Marquart, George Kruse, Aug. Schacker, Charles Behn,
William Behn and Henry Jacobs. Present membership, about fifty families. George Worth
is the present Pastor.
622 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
The first Methodist meetings were held in what is called the Bacon Schoolhouse, about 1853,
by the Rev. Mr. Butler, the circuit preacher. The first organization was in the Loganville
Schoolhouse, about a year later. Rev. Mr. Bean presiding. Among the early members were
Daniel Gulliford and wife, David Wise and wife. Samuel Bliven and wife, and Mrs. Sarah
Newell. In 1876, a. log church was built on Section 28.
The German Methodists built their first church in 1859. The building was made of logs,
and was used till 1877, when the present church was built, at a cost of $1,800. This is a line,
brick-veneered building. The first Pastor was the Rev. Adam Salzer ; present Pastor, Rev.
William C. Krueckmann. Among the active members are Henry Faller, John Werron, Philip
Grubb, George Moag, Peter Stackhouse, N. Haefer, and Chris. Moag.
The Presbyterians organized a society in 1855. Rev. Mr. S. Uhlfelder, Pastor.
The Baptists organized in 1855. The work was commenced by the Rev. D. B. Barker,
and finished by the Rev. John Seamans, now of Lime Ridge.
R. Sprague is said to have been the first white settler in this town. He located here in
L850. lie was followed by Horace Smith, in 1851. Martin Davey, Lyman Twist, John Mop-
ham, John Selden and others came in 1852. The next three years brought large numbers of
settlers. Among these we find Chancey P. Logan, Stephen N. Kinsley. William Palmer, R.
B. Balcom and James Davis, all of Loganville. Daniel Gulliford came, in 1854, from Sumter,
Sauk County, where he had been a resident since 1846. Among the early German settlers
were John G. Schaum (1851), John Werron (1852), John Moag (1853), and H. W. Kept
(1854).
In February, 1854, Mr. Chancey P. Logan built a log cabin in the southeast corner of Sec-
tion 8, on the site of the village of Loganville, near Narrows Creek. The old log house still
stands, but has not been tenable for many years. This was the first improvement, and
the origin of the village. Mr. R. B. Balcom joined Mr. Logan, and the two, with
their families, lived together for several years. In the summer following, S. N. Kinsley, A.
II. Bosw >itli. It. T. Root, Truman Parker. William Palmer and others located here. William
Palmer elected the first frame house in the village in the summer of 1854. Mr. Kinsley after-
ward bought it and made it his home. Mr. Logan and Mr. Kinsley at once commenced work
on a dam anil saw-mill. By tapping the Narrows Creek across a narrow neck, a good brad of
water was obtained. The mill was completed and sawing commenced early the following spring.
The old mill stood till about 1877.
In the spring of 1855, a post office was established, called Loganville. S. N. Kinsley was
appointed Postmaster. The office was held in the first frame building mentioned above.
The first schoolhouse was built by Logan and Kinsley, at, their private expense, on the
c; but the district afterward bought it. S. X. Kinsley was the first teacher. When
the present schoolhouse was built, in 1869, the old one was moved down street, and is now used
by Adam Leischer for a wagon-shop.
The first religious services were held in the log cabin of Logan in May. 1 854, and were con-
ducted by 8. A. Dwinnell. a ( 'onvregationa.] minister of Reedsburg. Meetings were held about
every alternate Sunday. The people were scarcely ever without a minister. In the pioneer
■ lays, ministers were far more plenty than churches. The Baptists organized a society in 1855.
Rev. D. l'> Barber and Rev. John Seamans were the leaders. The Presbyterians organized in
1859. The firsl Pastor was the Rev. S. Uhlfelder.
The first, store was opened l>\ A. I>. Gibson, now deceased. The second store was opened
by E. P. & E. II. Newell, in a building erected by Logan .V Kinsley, who gave the rent free
for one year to encourage the parties to locate with them. The firsl wagon-shop was kept by
William 1 1 . Logan ; the first blacksmith shop by A. Lennox and 1. Richards. John Putnam was
cabinet-maker. A grist-mill was built in the summer of L861 by D. .1. Mackay and
William Palmer.
At the present, the village has a population of about 200. It has a good water-power, one
lill, owned and run by Mr. Frank Dorn. Two general stores, one kept by J. C. Luhrsen,
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 623
i by John Williams. Two hotels, one kept by Adam Leischer, and the other by George
Raetzmann ; one harness-shop, one wagon-simp and three blacksmith-shops. Oneof these is a
new shop, kept by Henry Heitkamp. One shoe-shop; one wagon-shop, kept by Adam
Leischer; one cooper-shop ; and our milliner-shop, kept by Mrs. Adam Leischer. There are
two physicians. Dr. E. G. Cristman has been in practice in Loganville about thirteen years,
and is favorably known throughout the county.
Prairie Lodge, No. L08, 1. 0. 0. F., was instituted July 21, L865, D. I), G. M. I>. I1..
Marsh doing the work. W. W. Kester was elected N. »;.; C. W. Kester, V. G. ; N. Wheeler,
I!. S. ; Thomas Allen, Treasurer. Samuel Forest and Samuel Aton were eleeted to member-
ship and initiated January -1, 1866. The lodge opened under the name of Westfield Lodge, No.
10s. ,],,. charter and seal having been obtained: <'. M. Kester, N. G. ; N. Wheeler. V. <i.;
George Stewart, R. S. April 3, 1*1'2, the hall and contents, with the exception of the Secre-
tary's hooks, were burned. The lodge re-organized September 28, 1ST.!, 1']. G. Cristman,
N. G. Present membership, twenty.
The Westfield Farmers' Mutual Insurance Company was organized March 4. 187(j — Henry
Meyers. President; Nicholas Hasz, Secretary. The present officers, 1S80, are: J. C. Luhrsen,
President; Nicholas Hasz, Secretary; Henry Niemann. II. W. Kopf, William Behn, Assessors.
The company does business in the towns of Westfield, Freedom, Excelsior, Reedsburg and
Washington.
TOWN OF DBLLONA.
The territory now included in the town of Dellona originally belonged to the town of Bara-
boo, which also embraced the territory composing the towns of Lavalle and Winfield and the
north half of Ironton, Reedsburg and Excelsior. In November, 1850, the north half of Town-
ship 12, Range 5, and the whole of Township 13, Range •">, was set off from the town of Bara-
boo and called Dellona. In January. 1857, the town of Excelsior was organized from the town
of Freedom and that portion of the town of Dellona, lying south of the line between Townships
12 and 13. making the boundaries of the town of Dellona the same as at present.
The first settlement upon the territory now included in this town was made by Patrick
Hickey in the year 1845, when Sauk County belonged to Dane County, and had less than
300 inhabitants within its borders. Mr. Hickey was followed by Peter Haskin, Patrick Mulli-
gan, James Slaven, John Timlin and S. J. Seymour.
In 1*17 occurred the first birth in the town, that of Bridget Slaven, and the 11th of Feb-
ruary, 1850, witnessed the tying of the firs! lmneuial knot. Patrick Hickey was the happy bride-
groom. Michael lliekey's is believed to have been the first death of a white person in the
town. This sad event occurred on the 4th of June following the first marriage.
In 1851, a log schoolhouse was erected on Section 20, and a district school established, a
Miss Wheeler being the first teacher. A post office had been established the year previous called
Dellona. Samuel Northrup, one of the pioneers of the county, was the first Postmaster. A
Roman Catholic Church was built in 1858, the pulpit being at first supplied by an itinerant
eh rg Yman.
The town of Dellona is Largely devoted to agriculture. A cheese-factory was established in
the town a few years ago. by -I. L. Dwyer, and carried on about two years, when i
operations.
TOWN or FREEDOM AND VILLAGE OE NORTH FREEDOM.
The present town of Freedom was originally embraced in the towns of Brooklyi .
and Prairie du Sac. On the 11th of December, L850, an alteration of the boundaries of the
town of Brooklyn was authorized, the town of Eagle being wiped out and the town of Freedom
created. A complete set of town officers seems to have been chosen April 3, 1849. The Su-
pervisors were Jane- Christ (Chairman), -1. W. Hentham and Reuben Ward: Town Clerk. !..
B. Swallow; A e Randall; Treasurer, Hiram Hubbard: School Superin
624 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
J. Hunter ; Constables, R. N. Kingsley, W. Peck and J. W. Henthara ; Justices of the Peace,
N. E. Guile, S. B. Swallow and W. B. McEwen.
The first settlement made on any part of the territory now included in the town of Freedom
was in 1846, by R. N. Kingsley, on Section 2. Samuel D. Sleutz settled soon afterward, in
the same year, on Section 7. The Rev. James Waddell entered the south half of the north-
east quarter and the west half of the southeast quarter of Section 12 on the 11th of February.
1847. William Sproul and George Nippert were the next settlers. Then followed the gradual
occupation of all the available cultivatable lands in the town.
Mary Waddell was the first white child who first saw the light of day in the town of Freedom ;
she was horn May 17, 1847. July 16, 1848, occurred the first death, that of Elizabeth Harri-
son. A district (No. 4) school was established in the winter of 1849-50, J. R. Guile being the
first teacher. A private school had been taught previous to this, by a young lady whose name
is not now recalled. The first religious services were held at the house of Mr. Hirschinger, in
the fall of 1847, the Rev. James Waddell officiating. Nicholas Guile built a saw-mill on Seeley
Creek at an early day, and in 1878, Gustavus Scharuke built a grist-mill on the same stream.
The year 1856 witnessed the building of the first house in what is now the village of North
Freedom. John Hackett was the builder and owner. In 1867, Bloom & Kimball erected a
saw-mill, which was soon afterward destroyed by fire. They now have two saw-mills. There
are now in the village eight stores, including a drug store ; three blacksmith-shops and a wagon
and paint shop, and three churches. John Ladd opened the first store in 1871. A post office
was also established this year, with J. M. Haines as Postmaster. The village of North Freedom
was surveyed and platted by W. C. T. Newell in 1873.
In May, 1871, G. W. Bloom purchased a tract of 27 acres of land in Section 2, and in 1872
it was surveyed and platted and called the village of Bloom. The depot buildings of the Chi-
cago & North- Western Railroad Company are located on Mr. Bloom's plat. There are also a store
and several dwellings on the plat. The people of these villages are particularly proud of their
temperance record, there not being a saloon in either of them. Two temperance organizations
exist as follows :
Maple Hill Lodge, No. 143, I. 0. of G. T., was instituted by John Rooney, on the 18th day
of March, 1872, with twenty-four charter members. It has stood the test for over eight years, and
much good has been accomplished. The following are the present officers : E. Maxham, W. C.
I Maxham, W. V. T. ; J. Q. Haines, W. 1!. S. : George Turnhara, W. F. S., Allice
'Turnham, VV. T.. Charles Hanley, W. M., L. Lyon. VV. Chap., Ella Lamport, W. I. G.: John
Rooney, W. 0. G. ; John Rooney, L. D. The lodge numbers at the present time, thirty-two
members in good standing.
Earnest Lodge, No. 4S2, I. 0. G. T, was organized :it the Methodist Episcopal Church,
under the management of Miss Genie F. Nash, January 31. isT'.i. There were twenty-five
charter members from that time to May 25, 1880, when there were eighteen initiated into the
lodge. The officers for the quarter ending April 30, L880, were: W. C. T., J. M. Blachley ;
VV. V. T.. Mary Trumble; W. Chap., Mr. Sedgwick; W. I!. Sec, Tracy Ellas; W. F. Sec,
E. N. Trumble: W. Treas., Cora E. Wood: W. M.. Stacy Ellas; W. 0.*G., Day Means; W.
1. G., Samuel Carpenter; 1'. VV. C. T.. G. W. Bloom; D. M., P. 1'. Wood: L. D., E. Rich;
Trustees, G. VV. Bio E. Rich and P. P. Wood; for the quarter ending July 31, 1880, VV.
C. T.. .1. M. Blachlej : W. Y„ Mary Trumble; VV. 1!. Sec, Wesley Hackett; 'W. F. Sec, E.
N. Trumble: VV. Chap., E. Rich ; W. M., Charles Walrath; W. Treas., Cora Wood: VV.
Sent., George Gray : W. G., Rosa Rice; P. VV. G. T., Brother Ellas. For thequarter ending
■ I L879, tin' same officers as in the previous quarter. For thequarter ending January
31, L880, W. C. T., Tracy Ellas; VV. V.. Mary Trumble; W. R. Sec. Wesley Hackett : VV.
I . Vddie Ellas : W. V. See., E. N. Trumble; W. M.. Fred Black ; W. Senn, Dav Menu- ;
W. <;.. Rosa Rice. For the quarter ending April 3d, 1880: VV. C. T., E. N. Trumble: W.
\\. Emma Brown; W. I!. Sec, Wesley Hackett; VV. Chap., Roberl Smith: W. F. See.. Rosa
Itice; VV. Treas., Addie Elks; VV, M., George Hackett; VV. Senn, F. Rich : W. G., Lydia
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 625
Hackett. For the quarter ending July 31, 1880: W. C. T., Tracy Ellas; W. V.. Alice
Newell ; W. R. Sec, Wesley Hackett ; W. F. Sec., James Blachley ; W Treas., Rosa Rice :
W. Chap., Robert Smith : W. M.. George Hackett ; W. Senn, Mary Trumbull; W. G., Lydia
Hackett. Their night of meeting was Tuesday, and they met in Hackett's Hall, over the store
of T. Hackett & Son.
There are three churches in the village, one of which is known as the " Mormon Church."
Mormonism, however, is not practiced by the members of this church to the extent to which it
is carried by the Salt Lake saints.
The Methodist Episcopal Church was organized by S. 0. Browne. Pastor, in the fall of
L873 The Board of Trustees at the organization was as follows: H. G. Jones, M. Petteys, <!.
W. Bloom, W. C. T. Newell, J. C. Lamb, William Christie, Royal Fisk, Elijah Rich, Jonathan
Wiggins. The pastors have been S. 0. Browne, three years ; Thomas Evan, one year; W. E.
one year ; G. B. Haseltine, one year; Robert Smith, one year.
The German Baptist Church of this place was organized in 1858, but not incorporated until
1^75. The first Trustees elected were L. Ristan, H. Egerer and II. Lange. The Pastors of the
church have been, from 1858 to 1864, T. G. Werthner : from 1*64 to 1865, II. Tilvner ; 1865
to L873, K. Manthey; 1873 to 1874, K. Roos; 1874 to 1875, K. Manthey ; 1875 to 1877,
0. F. Zeckser; 1877 to 1878, K. Manthey ; 1878, H. J. Miller.
TOWN OF GREENFIELD.
The first settlement on any part of the territory now included within the boundaries of the
town of Greenfield was made in 1<S41. by Edwin Johnson, who came with his family, consisting
of a wife and three children, and located in the southwest corner of the town. Mr. Johnson
resided in the town until his death. The next settler was Thomas Clark, who came in 184"2,
and, two years later, built a grist-mill on a small stream in the southwest corner of the town,
near what is now known as the Red Schoolhouse. Mr. Clark purchased a couple of small mill-
buhrs from some one who had been unsuccessful in operating a mill on Honey Creek, and
attached them in the usual way to a centrifugal water-wheel. There was no bolting apparatus
in this mill, and the early settlers who patronized it took their flour or meal with the bran in it.
R. G. Cowles remembers having carried upon his shoulders to this mill a bag of corn to be
ground, and, not finding the miller at home, he poured his grist into the hopper, turned on the
water and ground it himself. He don't remember whether or not he left the usual toll, but
believes he took the toll for his labor in grinding the grist. In 1843, there came to this section
Lorrin Cowles. Sauk County's first Probate Judge; ft. G. Cowles, son of Judge Cowles, and
Solomon Shaffer, son-in-law of the Judge It is believed no new settlers came in 1S44. tn
1845 came Aaron Nelson and Moses Nulph : 1846, Job Barstow, Sr., and Dr. Charles Cowles,
the latter now of Baraboo. The year 1S47 brought Simeon Crandall, senior and junior. The
former is dead, and the latter is now a resident of orange-groved. alligator-inhabited and politi-
cally-doubtful Florida ; also Thomas Risner, who afterward moved to Missouri, and, when the
rebellion broke out, was pressed into the rebel army, and lost his life fighting, in opposition to
his wishes, against the Union. John Sanborn came also in this year. Andrew Garrison, John
McGee, Abram Hoag, Thomas Jones, Mr. Dennison and Mr. Stevenson came in L848. Jones
and Hoag still reside in the town: McGee went to Colorado, and Garrison died on the plains,
en route for California. Mr. Garrison dammed the Baraboo River at the Narrows, and built a
saw-mill, which he operated for a short time, sawing a quantity of lumber, when a spring Hon, I
took a portion of the dam away. The opposition of the settlers whose lands had been flooded
with the back-water from the dam, prevented Mr. Garrison rebuilding. The saw-mill was
abandoned, and now passes into history. The year 1849 brought quite a number oi
settlers, among them John Munroe. Peter Cooper, Austin Tucker. Aaron ami Joseph Wilkin-
son and William Fessler. Messrs. Munroe and Fessler and Joseph Wilkinson are still living in
the town; Aaron Wilkinson, Austin Tucker and Peter Cooper are dead, the latter having taken
his own life.
626 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
In early days the citizens of the town of Greenfield went to Blue Mounds to mill.
There is now a good grist-mill in "the Eikey district," owned by Andrew Prentice. A saw-mill,
the property of William Eikey, formerly stood upon the site of this institution.
'Flic first birth in the town of Greenfield occurred in October, 1843, that of Mary Shaffer.
Ollie Shaffer's was the first death, March, 1844.
The first school was established in 1850. It was kept in the house of Job Barstow,
and taught by a Miss Vanvalkenburg. District No. 1 having been organized, a schoolhouse
was built on Peek's Prairie in 1851 : it, is the one known as the Barstow Schoolhouse. A second
schoolhouse (Dennison's) was built in the winter of 1851. The town has been divided from
time to time, until there, are nine districts and as many schoolhouses.
An auxiliary branch of the Baraboo Congregational Church was organized in the eastern
part of the town in 1851. Warren Cochran favored the church with occasional visits.
In 1875, Amos Johnson, John Munroe, 0. H. Cook, Seth McGilvra, 0. F. Kellogg, C. W.
Kellogg, Joseph Palmer, Henry Bradbury, Peter Wilkinson and John Dean, organized them-
selves into a stock association for the purpose of manufacturing cheese. The capital stock was
$2,200. The institution has proved successful, and is still in existence.
The town of Greenfield originally belonged to the town of Brooklyn, and was set off as a
separate town about 1853. Lemuel Thompson is believed to have been the first Chairman of
the Board of Supervisors in the town.
TOWN AND VILLAGE OF IRONTON.
This town is situated on the west line of the county, being the second township from the
north, is formed of Town 12 north, Range 3 east, and contains thirty-six sections. At one
time, the two south tiers of sections were attached to the town of Washington. By act of the
County Board they were set off and now form a part of Ironton. The territory comprising this
town was originally a part of the town of Marston. Ironton was organized in November, 1859.
The records of the town are so defective that a fair history of its organization is not obtainable.
Like many other towns of Sauk County, the town of Ironton is composed of hills, valleys and
table-land's : soil variable-black, sandy and cky loam. It is well timbered. The rock is prin-
cipally sandstone. Numerous brooks and springs furnish plenty of water. The Bamboo River
crosses the northwest part of the town. Iron exists in large quantities. The John F. Smith
Iron Company has about 6,000 acres of land in the vicinity of Ironton Village. The making
of charcoal for the use of the furnace at Ironton is one of the important industries of the town,
and has been the cause of much larger clearings having been made than otherwise would have
happened. About the year 1859, when times were hard, and many of the settlers found it
difficult to supply their families with the necessaries of life, a way was opened to them almost as
unexpectedly as the rain of manna to the children of Israel. A root, known as ginseng, called
by the settlers " sang," was found growing in large quantities in many parts of the town. This
l'oot. when dug and washed, was merchantable at first at 81 per pound. It afterward fell to 50
cents per pound. Thousands of pounds of it were dug. and the proceeds brought food and com-
fort to many a suffering family. < >ne poor widow woman, with the aid of her children, procured
an amount that, when sold, enabled her to pay the mortgage on her place. When the ginsing
failed, a new source of revenue was presented, in the hoop-pole business. The young hickory
Saplings that were so much in the way of the settler, when clearing, were found to have a market
value. Large quantities were cut and sold. More than Si oi MM if I worth of hoop -poles were sold
in the western towns of the county in the winter of 1868 and 1869. Of course. Ironton had a
touch of the hop fever, and suffered like her sister town-. The credit of originating the popular
seedling, called the Humphrey, is due to this town and Mrs. George Humphrey.
Wild honey was very plentiful in the woods of this section. One successful bee-hunter
hauled at one load to market 1,500 pounds of honey, the result of his labors, from the proceeds
of which he paid for his land.
HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY. 627
The first white settler in the territory comprising this town was William Cochran, who
built a shanty to the southeast of the village site, in 1846. Cochran never made much
improvement, us he devoted the most of his time to hunting. In 1848, theJessops (Joseph and
John) settled on Section 3. Reuben Thornton and family came in September, 1849 In the
spring of 1850, G. Washington Gray made a settlement on Section 36. In the winter of L850,
Dennis Clasey and George Humphrey settled on Section 23. William All. C. II. Sands, Abram
Stansfield ami others came in L853. For tin- nexl few years the town settled very rapidly.
The first white child horn in this town was Elizabeth Jessop, daughter of Joseph and Ann
Jessop, horn in the summer of 1849. The first marriage was that of Philip Babb to Anna
Thornton. Mrs. Babb is a daughter of Reuben Thornton. They were married April 2, 1851.
The first death was thai of Mrs. William Cochran, which occurred in April, 1850. During her
sickness. Mr. Karstetter's family used to visit her in a boat. The river being at a high stage of
water, and there being no bridges, this was the only means of communication. There were just
thirteen people at the funeral, and those represented three townships. The grave was made near
where the iron-ore lied is situated.
The first Baptist services in this town, were held in a stone building in Ironton, in process
of construction, by Elder Conrad (a missionary), m August, 1855. Meetings were held in the
basement of the same building the nexl year by Rev. Mr. John Seamans. The society was
organized February L2, 1859, at a meeting held in the schoolhouse at Ironton. Rev. A. 1».
Barber conducting the services, and acting as Pastor till the fall of that year. There were
twelve constituenl members. In the fall of 1859, Rev. E. Chapin was chosen Pastor, and was
retained till January 28, 1865, when the Rev. John Seamans succeeded him, and has held that
position to this date. September, 1880. The society numbers twenty-three.
The first schoolhouse was built on Section 2:'.. in 1854. The' Hist teacher was Miss Mil-
dred Barnes. This house was afterward moved t the west side of the same section. March
17. 1860 (St. Patrick's Day), it was burned. The next winter, school was kept in the house of
Mi-. George Humphrey, and the next three terms at the house of Dennis Clasey The new
use was built in 1 862.
The town of Marston included the present towns of Woodland, Lavalle, Ironton and
Washington. The first town meeting was held at the house ol Reuben Thornton. Town 12,
Range 3, April 6, 1852, in pursuance of an act of the County Board. The appointed officers
were: Reuben Thornton, Chairman: Peter Millard. Allen B. Horton, J. F. Hamblin, Inspect-
ors of Election. The officers elected were: Reuben Thornton. Chairman; Manelious Pearson.
Peter Millard. Supervisors; J. F. Hamblin, Clerk : John Tordoff, Treasurer ; A. II. Brownell,
W. Cray. Assessors; James Harrison. A. Mallon, Henry Voss, Constables.
This town lost its identity in the formation of Washington, [ronton, Lavalle ami Wood-
land.
The Iron Mine. — There is a wide diversity of opinion a- to the real discover of the enor-
mous bed of ore from which the village and town of [ronl lerive their name. It is believed
— in fact it is quite certain — that the discovery was made as early as 1849. By some it is said
the discoverer was Henry Perry, who came to' these part- in 1844 with Don' C. Barry, the
individual who ! per mine in Sec ' own of Reedsburg. The fact that
Perry died the following spring would seem to dissipate the belief that he was the individual.
Others say that the disc verer was a man whose name is now unknown, and who also died, soon
after his return to Walworth County, hut not until he had made known the fact of the dis
t" David C. P. nt Reedsburg fame. Mr. Meed, it is claimed, started at once from
County for the purpose of laj He arrived at
what is now Reedsburg in the spring of 1847, bu on of the land
upon which is located, the ore-bed in question until the 6th day of August, 1849, as appears of
record in the Ri ; at Baraboo ; nor was I I claimant of this hind, as has
own, also, by the record, that the southwest quarter of Section 10,
Town 12, Range 3, was the property of C. C. Washburne, from whom Mr. Peed purchased.
628 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
On the 8th of February, 1850, Messrs. Reed k Van Bergen, the latter having become a partner
of the former in this as well as other possessions, mortgaged the property to George Tibbitts.
Whether or not Mr. Washburne knew of the existence of iron on this quarter-section before dis-
posing of it to Mr. Reed, is not known. It is evident, however, that Mr. Reed must have had a
knowledge of the fact, else he would not have been tempted to make a land purchase at that
early day, so isolated in situation ; for there was certainly little beside the iron mine itself to
recommend this particular quarter-section as a desirable property. Be that as it may, Mr.
Reed was not so fortunate as to reap profit in the ownership of the land. As has been shown,
it was mortgaged to Mr. Tibbitts ; and here again we are at a loss to know — for diligent search
has failed to discover any record to set us right on this point — whether Jonas Tower, the indi-
vidual who. in 1855, came into possession of the property, did so through the medium of a
Sheriff's execution in favor of Mr. Tibbitts, or whether the mortgage given by Mr. Reed was
duly raised by that gentleman, and a subsequent sale made of the land by him to Mr. Tower.
It is said that Mr. Tower came into possession of the property some time in 1855, alter
becoming satisfied that iron of a superior quality existed there in abundance. The opening of
the mine and preparation for working it entailed a vast amount of labor, and required an outlay
of no little capital. It is not surprising, then, that a period of nearly three years elapsed before
a furnace could be constructed and placed in successful operation. The water-power for the
blast was formed by damming a small stream, which runs northward through the valley and
empties into the Little Baraboo. This power, however, was soon found to be too limited, ami a
steam engine took its place for furnace purposes, the water-power being used exclusively in the
machine shop. The furnace is located one mile north of the main ore-bed. To those who do
not comprehend the condition of things as they exist at Ironton, this appears to be an awkward
arrangement, for it is natural to suppose that the furnace should have been built as near the mine
as possible; but there is evidence that this was. after all, a judicious arrangement. In the first
place, the choice of a site for a furnace was regulated by the fall of water by which it was origi-
nally operated. Again, a location was sought which would be most convenient of access to the
numerous teams which Mr. Tower foresaw would lie required in the work of drawing fuel from
the surrounding country for smelting purposes. The hauling of ore comprises but a very small
proportion of the team-work necessary to carry on the enterprise, for, of the one hundred and
lit'rv men employed, about four-fifths of the number are engaged in burning and hauling char-
coal. Over $12,000 worth of fuel of this kind is used each year.
Upon the death of Mr. Tower, in I860, the property passed to the control of John F.
Smith. His will was filed for probate September 14, 1863. The estate, which was worth $101,-
150.44, and included a large amount of real estate, was divided unequally between Martha
Tower (his wife), Albert Tower (his son), Sarah 1. Blackman, Mary Tower and Ada B. Shriver
(his daughters), E. M. Tout, John H. Tout, Ellen M . Cooper and his friend John F. Smith.
Albert Tower and John F. Smith were appointed executors.
Under Mr, Smith's management, the property increased largely in value and extent, and.
when he died, in 1878, the estate was probated af $170,960.82. The original will is drawn in
Mr. Smith's own hand, and is a fair specimen of his accurate and methodical manner of doing
business. The legatees mentioned in the instrument are Frank Byrne (who has been one of the
superintendents of the vasi estate for nearly twenty years), Orvin C. Blanchard, Mary Tower.
Emily Currier, Ella J. King, Mary A. Thro,. p. Sarah Bennett, M. L. Cooper, C. F. Hammond.
Henry Grannis, Emma Macklin, the two children of Chester P. Smith (uncle of the deceased),
A. I,. Slye, Col. K. M. Strong, Philip Warren. Moses R. Doyon (son-in-law of the deceased,
ami present superintendent of the mine), the Methodist Episcopal Church of Ironton, the village
of Ironton (a liberal sum for library purposes) and Janette S. Herrick (spelled Harick in the
will), only sister of the deceased, to whom fell the larger part of the estate. M. R. Doyon and
Peter Crook were the executors.
Concerning the geological features of this mine. Prof. Daniels wrote, in 1858, only a short
time after the smelting of the first ore :
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 629
" The brown hematite, of [ronton, is located on Sections 9 and 10, Town 1:>>, Range 2. Its
geological position is in the potsdam sandstone, which occupies most of the surrounding country,
capped "ii the highesl points by limestone. 'The ore presents itself on the cast bank of Tower's
Creek, and extends from the brow of the hill down its slope, and sonic distance into the valley.
The surface is covered with fragments, generally small, but sometimes attaining a ton's weight.
Large masses of sandstone lie upon the surface, in the fissures and cavities of which veins of
fibrous hematite occur. The valley of Tower's Creek, in which it occurs, has Kith worn out of
the sandstone, which rises on either side over 300 feet. The ore was, no doubt, formed in the
sand-tone previous to the wearing down of the valley, and, by the removal of the rock, in which
it was once contained, has been left scattered upon the surface or mingled with its rubbish. No
marks of volcanic action are seen in the vicinity. The ore is clearly a hydrated brown oxide,
quite pure, generally massive. It will yield 4.~> per cent of metallic iron."
This, it appears, is the accepted belief of other geologists concerning this locality. No
scientific estimate has ever been made of the supposed quantity of ore in the bed. Evidences of
it exisl for many miles around, and it is safe to say that the next century will have passed away
before the mine is exhausted. The meadow lands on either side of the village are rich in " bog
ore," which is found in convenient form just below the drift.
The manufacture of iron at this [dace has grown gradually to be the chief industry in the
neighborhood. A large foundry was established some years ago in connection with the furnace,
and large quantities of the ore taken from the mine is now shipped in the form of improved
castings. Among the articles manufactured here may be mentioned sleigh-shoes, plows, cauldron
kettles, holster plates, blacksmiths' tryeres, wagon irons, thrasher castings, sledges, hop-Stoves,
wagon skeins, scrapers and minor small castings of every pattern. These articles are shipped
direct to dealers in almost every direction, principally to the Western and Northwestern markets.
The Village. — Among the early settlers in this locality were F. J. Groat, R. B. Thornton,
A. II. Brownell,* J. G. Blakesleo,* S. Karstetter and M. Pearson. Although not settlers on
what is now the site of Ironton, yet they may he mentioned in connection with its history, as
they were of the advance guard of the grand old army of pioneers who have made Old Sauk
'• blossom as the rose." Theirs is the usual tale of pioneer life — few neighbors or conven-
iences, long distances to travel going to mill, or to help some new-comer raise his cabin. The
greater part of the present site of Ironton Village was then covered with a forest growth.
among which the second growth stood so thick as to make its penetration almost impossible.
There does not seem to have been any idea of a village being started here until the summer of
1855. At that time, Jonas Tower, now deceased, came upon the scene to examine the iron
deposits in the vicinity, with a view to turning them to some account. Finding the project
feasible, he at once purchased the tract on which the iron beds are found, and also from a Mr.
Hubbell, the site of Ironton, with the intention of laying out a village, and erecting suitable
buildings for mills, furnaces, etc. At the time, there were associated with him, as a firm, R.
Dickinson, J. ami E. Tout, C. Keith and P. Fuller, all of whom afterward withdrew, leaving
Mr. Tower to prosecute his enterprises alone. They proceeded at once to erect a saw and grist
mill on the Little Baraboo, and the forwarding of these works naturally brought around quite a
number of people. In a short time, a flourishing community, composed of moral and indus-
trious citizens, was established. During the summer of IS.",!',, the saw and L'rist mills went into
operation. The first frame building was raised August 6 of this year, by Ezra Ilagaman. it
being the property of .1. Sandgren. During the next two years, the greater part of the houses
were built. The first store in [ronton was opened by Tower & Co. The goods wen kept
mostly to accommodate the employe,- connected with the mines. " Store pay " was then as
ash. The first building erected for the exclusive purposes of a store was by 'font .v
Fuller.
hi April. 1861, the saw and grist nulls were burned, entailing a. loss on the proprietor of
about $6,000. A subscription was taken up among the citizens, who had learned the value of
* Dead.
bdU HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
convenient mills, and both structures Boon arose from their ashes more substantial and bettor
adapted to business than ever. Five years ago, a set of new (Houston) wheels were put in,
greatly increasing the power. The grist-mill has four run of stone. The old saw-mill is still
running. It is one of the very few institutions of the kind to which Sauk County owes its early
greatness that has been kept in permanent repair. Most of these "first tilings " have been sup-
planted by something better.
A -'special post office" was established in Ironton in 1855 or early in 1856, with N. H.
AuEtin as Postmaster. The "special" feature of the office developed itself in the citizens
having to carry the mail from Reedsburg, most of the time on foot. Ben Paddock, now of La-
valle, was the successor of Mr. Austin, and remembers something of the "special" duties. 1>.
F. Blackmail succeeded Mr. Paddock. Peter Crook is the present Postmaster.
A district school was established in 1857. The first record of the district is dated Sep-
tember 29, of that year. The officers were Putnam Fuller, Director; W. W. All, Treasurer;
N. II. Austin. Clerk. It was voted that a tax of $50 be raised for school purposes, and that
"the site of the schoolhouse be removed." by which it is understood there must have been a
schoolhouse prior to the date of the record. An old settler remembers the existence of one on
Brownell's Hill, and another described as " Pearson's," which "stood a mile away." Whether
or not these were maintained under the district system, be is unable to say. At the next meet-
ing of the hoard, it was resolved to purchase of Jonas Tower a schoolhouse site in the village for
$150. Upon tins site an educational edifice was subsequently built, of brick, at a cost of $600.
Prior io tins action of the board, E. M. Tout taught a class in a dingy apartment under Fuller
i Keith's store, and Sarah A. Bailey, of Reedsburg, gave instructions to a limited number of
pupils in the carpenter-shop of Mr. Johnson. B. F. Blackman and John F. Wilcox seem to
have been the first to teach in the brick schoolhouse. This was in 1859. Since then the fol-
lowing-named persons have taught: Miss V. Long. Miss Alma Wier, Nellie Davis, Rosa < '.
Glass, 0. T. Green and wife, Jabez Brown, Frances E. Danforth, Ella Kieth, Miss Meyers,
Miss Ellinwood, Phoeba Bates, Lorenzo Brown, Miss Sprague, Miss Walker. J. T. Lunn (now
County Superintendent), Mary A. Wood, F. M. Croat. W. T. Cortleyon, D. E. Morgan
ent Clerk of the Court i. Frank Twist, Mary W 1. Katie Fitzgerald. Hannah Mann. Lizzie
Stowe and II. M. Johnston. The roll shows the attendance of 134 pupils.
When the village was laid out, Mr. Tower set aside a spacious lot for a church and parson-
age. Mrs. Tower, who inclined to Methodism, took the initiative in securing temporary minis-
trations by itinerant preachers, and, after the schoolhouse was completed, meetings were frequently
held therein. A regular organization did not take place, however, till 1873, when a church
ed fice was built, costing So, (Mill. Since the organization, the ministers in charge have been i he
Revs. Walker, Dudley. Thomas. Holcomb am' Tyakc.
The Catholics in the neighborhood organized a parish and built a church in 1862. James
Douglas, Frank K email. Henry Martin and their families and Frank Byrne were among the first
of the parish. The church edifice cosl about $300. Peter Montague was the first
Pastor. He came from Linden Station twice each month, on an average. Alter he came ll.
Steeley, who presided over a charge in the town of Westford, Richland County, from which
place the pulpn has since been supplied. The Revs. Bow, Bernard and Meizler have officiated
for stated terms in the order in which [heir names appear. There are about sixty families be-
longing to the parish.
In December, 1864. Reedsburg Lodge. No. 79, A.. F. & A. M.. resolved to remove to
[ronton. Meetings were held in Ironton. the old officers of the lodge officiating, until June 'J,
]>>i.">. when the name was changed to [ronton Lodge, No. 7:». Charles Keith, F. M. Tout. B.
G. Paddock and B. F. Blackman were among the original members. The present officers are
James Harrison. W. M.; S. Andrews. S. W.; Charles Sands. J. \\\: A. Blakeslec. Secretary;
E. J. Lewis, Treasure) r about thirty-five members.
[ronton Lodge. No. 130, I. <). 0. F.. wa 1867, the charter being
granted earl} in 1868. The first members were W. W. Kester, J. Karstetter, II. A. Sturges,
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 681
M. Pearson, M. Kester, Archibald Mallon, John Atkinson and J. (J. Blakeslee. There are
now twenty-five members. W. W. Kester was the first Noble Grand; Fred Rabiiek is the
present.
Besides the institutions already mentioned, there are in [ronton two general stores, one
hardware store, one boot and shoe store, one drug store, one milliner's store, one hotel and three
wagon and blacksmith shops. The village is delightfully situated on the Little Baraboo, over-
ig beautiful valleys and overlooked by picturesque hills.
TOWN OF EXCELSIOR AND VILLAGE OF ABLEMANS.
Originally, the town of Excelsior was included in the town of Baraboo. In December,
L857, the town of Excelsior was formed, as it exists at present, from parts of the towns of Free-
dom and Dellona The settlement of the territory now included in the town commenced as early
is 1846 or 1847, with the coming of the following individuals: E. II. Hubbard, William. James
and Archie Christie, Edward KingsleyJ Jacob Vanloon,* Winslow Braley, Joseph Vanloon, A.
W. Starks,* Ilattle Braley, Alexander Finley,* Daniel* and George Paddock, John Foster,
Charles Riflerod,* L. M. Burt. George and Alexander Douglass. Nathaniel Chapman,* Isaac
Morley, William Hudson, Isaac and Thomas Metcalf, Joseph Pimley (now of Baraboo), William
Philip Cheek, Sr., Joseph Rothwell, Ike Britton, John Johnson," William Mai tin,
Ruben Kipp,* Horatio Jones, John Sanborn,* Col. S. V. R. Ableman,* Levi Colton. Maj.
Charles 11. Williams (now of Baraboo), Messrs. Wetherby, Davis, Sheppard and others. Don
Carlos Barry,* who is accredited with having been the first settler in the town of Reedsburg, is
said to have had a claim on Section 7, in the town of Excelsior, and was engage.! in copper
mining when the land in this locality was being first surveyed. The section upon which Mr.
Barry was located was returned by the Government officers as mineral bind. George Handy*
was also an early settler in the town of Excelsior. He built a large frame house just east of
where Athenian's Station is now. and called it the Massachusetts House. " Mr. Handy was a
Massachusetts man. Jonathan Knowles, now a resident of Ableman's, deserves especial men-
tion as a pioneer of Excelsior. He came to the town in 1847, anil, in 1848, while living on a
farm on Section 21, had the misfortune to lose his wife. Hers was the death of the first white
woman in this region. A man who was engaged with the surveyors the year previous (1846),
and whose name is not remembered, is said to have died on this section, near a spring, which
was afterward known as Dead Man's Spring, so named by James Babb.
Ablemans. — In 1851, Col. S. V. R. Ableman, having made an examination of the
country, arrived at the conclusion that, when the iron horse penetrated Sauk County, the most
natural outlet to the Northwest would he through the Upper Narrows of the Baraboo Valley,
and that this point would be a favorable location for a village and a permanent home. Acting
in accordance with this belief, he settled on the east side of the Baraboo River, and commenced
the work of building a frame house, hauling the timber therefor from Baraboo. He first put up
a log shanty on an elevation near the site of the railroad tool-house, and here his family resided
for seven weeks, this rude edifice also furnishing shelter for half a dozen carpenters and others
employed by the Colonel upon his frame building, which, when finished, was the third house on
the road fro'm Baraboo to Reedsburg. Gen. A. W. Starks soon afterward built a house a mile
west. ami. in 1853, Maj. Charles II. Williams made a location and put up a house a few rods
east of the Colonel's. E. C. Watson (who afterward became the son in-law of Col. Ableman),
Peter Mattheys, John Moistard, William Wademan and Stephen Pearl were the earl
in Ablemans. Mr. Mattheys' was the first house built on the west side of the river on land
within the present limits covered by the village plat. William Wademan and Hannah Moistard
were the first persons united in marriage in the village. In L857, Col. Abelman built a saw-mill
on Narrows Creek, a few rods above the junction of that stream with the Baraboo. In 1861, he
632 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
enlarged the building and added machinery for a grist-mill, hauling the apparatus over bad roads
from Kilbourn, which place the La Crosse road had just reached. The Colonel carried on these
mills until 1875, when the management of them passed to Alexander McDonald. From Mc-
Donald, the property passed to E. W. Gilmore and N. W. Dean, who continued to run the mills
until the beginning of the present year.
A district school was organized in Ableman about 185(3-57. Maria Welton was the first
teacher, and the cabin built by Col. Ableman to accommodate his workmen during the construc-
tion of his frame dwelling, was converted to the purpose of a schoolhouse, being therefore not
only the first house in the place, but also the first temple of learning in these parts. It was here
that Philip Cheek, Jr., the present efficient District Attorney of Sauk County, was wont to
exhort his fellow-students in the Sabbath school class that assembled here on Sundays, and point
out the moral way to them; and it was here, also, that in later years, he expounded theological
doctrines to older people, and, they say, did it in a manner creditable to the cloth. In 1871, a
new schoolhouse was erected at a cost of $650. There are about 100 children in the district.
The old schoolhouse was in use for many years, and for a long time was church and hall as well.
There are two church organizations in the village ; the German Baptists and the German
Lutherans. The former was organized some twenty years ago, it is believed, at the house of old
man Stackmann, who was a leading member. Among the first members of this church besides
Mr. Stackmann, may be mentioned Charles, Henry and William Man they, August Marquart,
Fred Luepke, Jacob Schmeltzer, M. Rindfleisch, Christ, Graetzka, Jacob Felske, Adam Oegel,
and others. The society was formed in connection with a similar organization in North Free-
dom, from which place it is now regularly supplied. In 1874, a church edifice was built at a
cost of $700.
In 1872, the German Lutherans organized a society with the Rev. C. Kessler as Pastor.
Mr. Kessler belonged in the town of Westfield and made stated visits to Ablemans. H. Heit-
mann, Adam Schuster, E. Bender, J. Pfoff and William Bartenbach were among the first mem-
bers. The Rev. Mr. Brueckner is the present Pastor. The membership is given at twenty-five
families. Meetings are held in the public schoolhouse.
The English Methodists have a church building about two miles west of the village.
In the way of hotels, Ablemans is particularly well-supplied. The history of these institu-
tions begins in 1864, when M. B. Waltz built the first house entitled to recognition as a hotel-
Then came the Charter House, built by Col. Ableman in 1868. It was christened in 1870, at
a memorable feast held within its walls, the occasion being the celebration of the success of the
Chicago & Northwestern Railroad line, which was then approaching the place. Col. Ableman,
it is known, took an active part, with others, in securing the charter for the Baraboo Valley
Air Line road, and, as is also known, the present line of road had its inception in this charter.
The Charter House was therefore appropriately named. It is the principal hotel in the place,
having twenty-three guests' rooms, and one of the most amiable landladies in the land. Mr. and
Mrs. Watson are perfectly at home in Ablemans, and succeed admirably in making others so at
tin- < lharter House.
The Schulte llous<' also stands above the average village hotel. It was built ten years ago
by Edward Duschades, who soon sold it to Henry Wested, and Mr. Wested in turn sold to the
present proprietor, K. C. Schulte. The house contains fifteen sleeping-rooms.
In 1*74. William Ilinrichs built a small hotel and saloon opposite the Schulte House, and
dors something in the way of entertaining the public.
The post office was established in Ablemans in the fall or winter of 1871, soon after the
railroad reached the place. Prior to that time, Col. Ableman was provisional Postmaster; that
is to say. the mail was brought from Baraboo, perhaps twice a week, and deposited in a large box
at the Colonel's home. The citizens came and helped themselves. Samuel Carpenter, now
Postmaster al North Freedom, was the first Postmaster here. He kept the office in his tin-
shop. William Sallade succeeded Postmaster Carpenter, and removed the office to his store.
HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY. 633
Louis Goedecke is the present incumbent. The office is located in the store of Fey & Co., A.
Fey being Deputy Postmaster.
One of the leading institutions in Ablemans is the steam stave factory of Abram Walton.
established in the fall of L874. The product of this factory is what is known as "tight work,"
that is. material for pork barrels. The principal shipments arc made to Wmterbottom & Son.
Joliet, 111.
Another industry, although not peculiar to the village of Ablemans, but which furnishes
employment to a large number of men. and ultimately increases the prosperity of both, is the
quarrying of sandstone from the imposing heights north of the place, for use in railway con-
struction.
Two miles west of the village, on Narrows Creek, is located a first-class flouring-mill,
owned by N. Carpenter, and built in 1879. It is located on the site known as the " Rocky
Rice" place. It was here that Joseph Rice built a saw-mill in 1853, in a narrow, rocky gorge,
through which Narrows Creek flows. The plenitude of rocks in the vicinity was perhaps the
means of suggesting an alliterative title for Mr. Rice. The old saw-mill was destroyed by fire in
1800.
Ableman & Watson built and conducted the first store in the village. John G. Stein was
the next merchant who established a store here. The firm of Fey & Goedecker was the next
mercantile establishment to solicit a ••share of public patronage." Then came the firm of Sal-
lade. Son & Pearl (Dr. Sallade, now of Reedsburg, his son William and William Pearl). E. S.
Pierce is the latest acquisition in this respect. The business portion of the village now consists
of two stores, three hotels, one stave-mill, one grist-mill and one saw-mill (not in operation), two
blacksmith-shops, two wagon-shops, two religious societies, one public school, one post office, one
meat market, one shoe-shop and one grain and produce dealer. The village was platted by Col.
Ableman in 1853, ami re-platted in 1879 by E. W. Gilmore, the latter being the only plat
recorded.
The place is beautifully situated at the base of the famous Baraboo quartzite range, in full
view of the romantic and wonderful spot known as the Upper Narrows. The surroundings are
cheerful and grandly picturesque.
VILLAGE AND TnWN OF DELTON — NEWPORT.
The village of Delton is admirably situated within convenient access of some of the mos
remarkable and awe-inspiring natural wonders to be found in the State. Congress Hall and
Mirror Lake are already renowned far beyond the borders of Wisconsin. Both of these places
are fully described in a preceding chapter. The settlement of the village of Delton commenced
over thirty years ago. with the coming of Levi Huntington, Edward Norris,* Jacob Adams,
.Tared Fox.* Alexander Vosler and the Toppings (Elijah IF. Eber and the Rev. Henry*). Mr.
Huntington built the first frame house in the place. Prior to this, Mr. Vosler put up a board
shanty to shelter a few men engaged upon the first mill building. The list of first settlers here
may be continued as follows : Rufus Orne, Jerome Marble,* James Rickon, Diah Remington,
A. II. Thomson, C. H. Foote, Jacob Rice,* Harvey Bowman, Charles Young.* James Vail,
Thompson Wallace, George Morehouse." E. B. Bullis," Darwin Woodward, * S. S. Barlow, D.
B. H. Wilder. John Leach," Roderick Coe," Charles Duval, Norman Nickerson, the Pearsons.
Carlos Could. Jonathan Bowman, Dr. G. W. Jenkins, Horace Duryea, C. M. Ashley, Herrick
Bailey, Elder Dickens and many others whose names arc not remembered.
The people of the village and town of Delton are particularly proud of their longevity, and
the community boasts of a greater number of persons who have passed fourscore years than can
be found in any other section of the country of equal size and population. As Squire Keyes
tersely expresses it. •• the people never die; they dry up and blow away." The nocturnal
'• blizzard " has no terrors for the Squire, however, and' he is in good condition to withstand, for
some time to come, the violence of the gale.
t>34 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
In considering the institutions of Delton, it is proper that we should begin with the lower
mill power. A dam and saw-mill were constructed here, in 1850, by Fox & Topping. A
grist-mill was erected the following winter, and put in operation in March, 1851. Messrs. Fox
& Topping carried on both these institutions until about 1861-62, when they sold to John L.
Ward. Two years later, Mr. Ward died, and the administrators of the estate sold to Jacob H.
Adams, one of the substantial pioneers of Delto'n. Mr. Adams ran the mills probably two
years, and sold to John E. Winkenwerder. Under an execution of the Sheriff, it soon after-
ward passed to the hands of T. M. Warren, and, in 1877, Mr. Adams purchased the property
and is its present owner.
The " Upper Mill," located on one of the best water-powers in the State, was built in 1860
by Labar & Boorman. Under their management it was run until 1*72, when F. Dorn became
the purchaser, Boorman having previously sold to Mr. Labar. Dorn ran it a year, when he
traded it to J. H. Adams, the present proprietor. It is one of the finest grist-mills in the
county.
In 1858, J. 11. Adams and Charles Clement built a machine-shop and foundry on Spring
Brook, and carried it on about five years, when Adams sold to S. Clement, a brother of Charles.
They soon afterward took in E. G. Chase, who, at the end of a year, bought out the Clements.
In 1871, Mr. Chase sold to J. H. Adams, who, in turn, traded it to William P. Harvey. In
the meantime, the foundry portion had been suspended. The next proprietors were Peter
Flickner and S. K. Ayers. It is now owned by Frank Hulbert. Mr. Hulbert now manu-
factures fanning- mills and does planing.
In 186*2, J. II. Adams built a second foundry, this time on the Lower Dam. He lias since
added a machine-shop, and both concerns are in successful operation.
I>:i>t, bul not least, of the industrial institutions of Delton. is the steam sorghum mill oi J.
T. Huntington. It is the largest concern of the kind in the county, and, probably, in the State,
having a capacity of 250 gallons per day. A large area of the surrounding country has, of late
years, been devoted to the raising of sugar cane, and the capacity of Mr. Huntington's mill is
severely tried. At the present writing (October, 1880), the mill is being run day and night.
The necessity for this is manifest in the constant arrival of material to be worked up. Mr.
Huntington intends attaching sugar-refining machinery to the institution, and a portion of next
year's crop will be made into sugar.
-V post office was established at Delton in 1850, with Jared Fox as Postmaster. It was
called Lorretto, in honor of the wife of Edward Nonas, whose given name was Lorretto. Mr.
Norris was a prominent and highly respected citizen. It was he who first platted the village.
Postmaster Fox kept the office in his bedroom in Norris's house, and, when Topping \ Fox
established a store in the village, it was removed to their place of business. The successors of
Mr. Fox have been Elijah Topping, .1. X. Vandervear, Charles Topping and Levi Huntington,
the latter being the present incumbent. Mr. Huntington was appointed to the position in May.
1855, and has held the office almost continuously. He was out about twenty months, having
been deposed by that " political calamity " who occupied the Presidential chair prior to the
inauguration of the martyred Lincoln. S. F. Newman was the choice of Buchanan. Mr.
Huntington was re-appointed in 1861 .
The Erst school in the village was established in L850, m a building put up by subscrip-
tion. It Stood on the north side of Adams street, and is n>'V, a part of the residence of 1,. D.
Clements. Philander Fenton was the first teacher in this temple of learning. The old house
answered the purpose lor which it was built for five or six years, when the district erected a
brick schoolhouse, the one now in use. To tins a wing was added in 1867. Two departments
are now maintained in this school, there being, at present, ninety-one pupils on the roll. The
town of Delton l- D.OW divided into ten districts, each having a good schoolhouse. There are
323 pupils in the town. One of the scholastic institutions of the past in Delton was the Acad-
emy, built in 1853. 1 1 suspended in 1865, and the building is now used as a Methodist Church.
IIISTOKY <H' SAUK COUNTY. ,i;:'
The first bote! in Delton was a board shanty built in 1849, by Alexander Vosler. In the
fall of L850, Mr. Vosler built the Delton House, and soon afterward traded it to .Justice Frear
forafarm. Frear sold it to Fox & Duval, and, after passing through several hands, it was pur-
chased, in 1872, by E. D. Montanye. Mr. Montanyedied about four years ago, and the house
is now managed by his widow.
The Baptists organized the first church in Delton, about 1850, with the Rev. Henry Top-
pingas Pastor. This denomination was very powerful until about 1865, when the organization
went down. The society built the Delton Academy and carried on a good school for a number of
years, with Prof. James Haskell as Principal. The Rev. Mr. Conrad succeeded Mr. Topping
as Pastor of the church, and was himself succeeded by the Rev. Mr. Green, the last Pastor in
charge.
The Methodists organized at an early day. and held meetings in the primitive schoohouse.
In 1865, they purchased the Delton Academy building, and occupy it at the present time, hav-
ing made improvements in the structure. The Rev. A. F. Thompson is the Pastor.
The Advent ists organized a society about a year ago, with the Rev. L. II. Cook as Pastor.
They hold their meetings in the Masons' Hall.
The Wesleyan Methodists had an organization here at an early day. They were wont to
assemble in the schoolhouse and listen to Elder Magee, whose stentorian voice penetrated the
walls of every house in the village and came back in echo from the walls of Mirror Pake
like blasts from the horn of Gabriel. Physically, the Elder was immense.
In 1857, a Masonic Lodge was instituted in the village of Newport. It was then known
as Dells Lodge, No. 78. Upon the decline and fall of Newport, the lodge was removed to Del-
ton, where the order have a hall and building. There are twenty-three members. .1. T. Hunt-
ington is the present Master : C. H. Foote, S. W. : G. E. Adams, J. W. ; J. R. Lawsha, Treas-
urer and J. C. Vosler, Secretary
The Good Templars have a lodge of seventv-four members (Eureka Lodge, No. 425), with
P. Fickner as W. C. '1'. : Mary Fickner, V. 0." T., and J. C. Vosler, L. 1>. There is also a
Temple of Honor in Helton.
Although the citizens of Delton have but little use for a cemetery, they tire, nevertheless,
supplied, in case of accident. The first death in the vicinity is said to have been that of a man
named Bushkirk, who was killed in an altercation with a man named Osborne. The locality is
an extremely healthy one, and death is a rare visitor.
The tourist who fails to '-take in" all the natural wonders of the place, will have lost an
opportunity to witness some remarkable sights, Congress Hall is near at hand, and Dr. Jones
will pilot you through if he has to swim. And if he should be fortunate enough to escape
being drowned, he will get up steam on the "Fleetwood " in the afternoon, and you may behold
the beauties of Mirror Lake and visit Fern Glen, a natural amphitheater and a charming re-
sort.
V correspondent for a Milwaukee paper, who visited Delton m 1866, thus spoke of the
place :
•• This is a small but pleasant village some three miles south of Kilbotirn. It lias a voting
population of about 300. Of these, there were only four votes cast lor the Democratic ticket at
the last election. When the St. Paul road was being constructed through this region, it was
expected it would pass through this place, but failed to do so, and Kilbourngot the prize
instead: consequently, the village has increased but little of late years. If the inhabitants were
disappointed in the railroad matter, they are in part compensated in being free from the mixed
and Boating population a, railroad always brings with it. Two small streams run through the
town, which afford water-power facilities. These are improved by a machine shop and foundry
owned by Messrs. Clement & Chase, who manufacture heavy and light castings, cooking, parlor.
office and hop stoves, fanning mills, plows, sleigh-shoes, castings lor woolen mills, etc.. ami do a
great deal of job work in their line. They have a fall of water of twenty feet, and use an
overshot wheel of nine horse-power. They also manufacture Ay ers & Wilder's fanning-mill
bbb HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
and the Ladde water-wheel, a small but very effective cast-iron wheel, designed to work under
water.
" The other is the Dell Creek, on which is the flouring-mill of Horace La Bar, who operates
three runs of stones, and manufactures 200 barrels of flour per week, which he ships to Chicago.
On the same stream is the flouring and grist mill of J. 11. Adams & Co., who have three runs of
stones, and put up flour at the rate of 100 barrels per week for the Milwaukee market". Mr.
Adams also has a foundry, which he opened last spring. It is devoted, principally, to the man-
ufacture of hop stoves. With him is associated J. D. Grout. Mr. Adams and Mr. A. G. Low,
have just erected a two-story building for a woolen-factory, which they intend to have in opera-
tion for the next year's clip of wool.
" There are here, also, a drug store and post office, kept by Levi Huntington, who has held
the office for ten years, with an interim of ten months during Buchanan's administration. J.
Shaw has the largest store in the place, purchasing a portion of his goods in Milwaukee. The
only other store is kept by J. M. Clement, who purchases wholly in Milwaukee. Mr. Clement
was, for four years of the war, in the 12th Regiment, and is now a cripple from wounds received
at Atlanta. A. H. Thompson carries on the manufacture of farm wagons. He is an old settler
and a reliable citizen. W. P. Thatcher is the village blacksmith. The public house is kept by
T. Frear as the Union Hotel. E. B. Bullis is the Justice of the Peace. Judge S. S. Barlow
resides here, and is the member of Assembly from this district. There is one meeting-house,
which is occupied by the Methodists, with Rev. Mr. McGinley as Pastor. The Unitarians have
a society, under the charge of Rev. H. Norton. The Advent believers also hold a Sabbath meet-
ing. The village is situated in the midst of a hop-growing locality. Many farmers whose places
were under railroad mortgage, have been enabled to get out of their embarrassment through the
profits on their Imps."
Newport. — The glory of Newport will ever live in the memory of those who participated in
the unequal struggle which resulted in its rise ami fall. The hopes of the people who made invest-
ments here twenty-five years ago were blasted in an over-abundance of confidence in the integ-
rity of Byron Kilbourn. Dr. Jones, now of Delton, was one of the sufferers. He states that at
one time there were 1,200 people living in Newport ami the little settlement over the river, all
anxiously and confidently awaiting the advent of the iron horse, having received positive assur-
ances from the railroad managers that the Lit Crosse k Milwaukee road would cross the river at
that point. lintel-, stores, schools, churches and dwellings were reared and occupied, village lots
sold fin- from $200 to $300 each, and everybody was happy. The citizens got a charter for a
dam, and were about to harness the old " Wisconse " to turbine wheels, but they were induced
to make over the charter to the Wisconsin Hydraulic Company, composed chiefly of railroad
directors, who immediately obtained an amendment permitting them to remove the site to Kil-
bourn. This was the beginning of the end. Newport went into a decline, from which it never
recovered.
The pioneers of Newport were John Marshall (the founder of the place), Dr. Ambrose
Jones, Edward Nonas. William Steele, Joseph Bailey and .lames Christie — the two latter being
the first settlers on the east side of the river. Frank Darrow established there the first store.
There were nine mercantile establishments when the plan' was in its prime. Tin' Mary Lyon
Female Seminary was founded here in 1856, a building being constructed at a cost of $3,000 or
$4,000. This institution was carried on about two years. The managers issued finely printed
circulars and sent them broadcast over the land to induce patronage : and they wei" not entirely
without avail. We quote the following from one of these circulars giving a description of the
place: '-The location is selected at a point approaching the center of the State, north and
west, upon a system of railroads that will soon give access to all parts of the State. It is above
the latitude of bilious diseases, in a climate favorable to vigorous mental effort. The location
being in a region whose base is sand rock, anil not lime, insures health. The site proffered for
building is about one mile from the depot at Killioiirn City, upon the l.a Crosse Railroad, where
it crosses the Wisconsin River. The road will be in running order to this point before the sem-
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. «oi
inary opens, in September. The region around has the diversity of lull and vale, mingled with
wildness, calculated to interest the lover of nature. The bluffs upon the river and the dells of
the Wisconsin (a miniature Niagara), with several wild gorges, furnish places of resort for hours
of pastime. The people are mostly of Eastern origin; the moral state of society is elevated;
its influence not only desirable, but equal to that of more favored Eastern communities."
William Steele built a large hotel in the place, and a Mr. Clark did likewise ; societies
became numerous; the Presbyterians had a splendid church edifice (since removed to Kilbourn)
and Freeman Longley put up a hexigonal house. William 8. Grubb now lives in it in Baraboo.
Among other early settlers in Newport may be mentioned Frank and Norman Stewart. Joseph
Kendrick twin, kept the first hotel). E. B. King (a lawyer), Marcena Temple, Ephraim Kings-
bury (who built a big steam saw-mill), Abraham Vanderpool, T. Hoffman (who risked his means
in a brewery), Dr. G. W. Jenkins and Amyntus Briggs and others. Let their names be
recorded.
In April, 1868, the last traces of the former glory of Newport were wiped out. The post
office was discontinued, and the County Treasurer ceased to advertise Newport lots for the non-
payment of taxes. Vale, Newport.
The following persons deserve recognition as the pioneers of the town of Delton : Joseph
Sanders, who came in 1*4'.) and located where the Shaw place is now; Daniel T. Clay. C.
M. Fallen, Hiram Mason, William Bell, Solomon, George, Frank, Orange, Edson, Erastus
and Daniel Brown, Henry House, Simeon Freeman, I. K. and Harvey Ainsworth, Roderick
Hill, Simon Cobleigh, A. F. Washburn, Rev. W. 15. Putnam, Walter Woodmancy, Moses Nulph,
Freeman Comfort. John Lousy. Samuel Gilson, Antoin Prevoncil, the Rev. Vanalstein, Thomas
Bell, 0. W. Spalding, -Mr. Cheesebrough (an old bachelor). F. K. Jenkins, Nelson Welch, Will-
iam Hill, Jacob Frear. Frank Roberts. Jacob Flickner. John Lawsha, J. P. Shults, Thomas
Marshall. Messrs. Wood. McCoy, Gray and many others.
TOWN OF WOODLAND.
This town is formed of Town 13 north, Range 2 east, being the extreme northwest town of
Sauk County. It lies west of the general west line of the county, forming a jog by itself. The
township is full, containing thirty-six sections. It is bounded on the north by Juneau County,
on the east by the town of Lavalle, on the south by Richland County, and on the west by Vernon
County. The surface is uneven, consisting of ridges, table-lands and valleys. The soil is gen-
erally good, and may be classed as variable clay and sandy loam. Many of the valleys are nat-
ural meadows, where not heavily timbered. Timber consists principally of oak in its various
forms, interspersed with butternut, elm. basswood, hickory, soft and hard maple, ash and some
other varieties. Water is abundant; the North Branch of the Little Baraboo takes its rise in
the southwest part of the town, flowing southeasterly, and leaving the town on Section 36.
There are two mills on this stream; a sawmill on Section 32, built in 1863 by Caleb Harvey ;
another saw-mill is in operation on the same stream, at Valton, a small village situated on the
east side of Section 29. This was the first mill built in the town. It was erected by William
Mann in 1857. Dr. John Thompson bought this mill in 1868, and put in a run of stones,
making a grist-mill of it. On the north, a fine stream flows through Plum Valley, emptying
into the main Baraboo on Section 2. The Baraboo Hows through Sections 2 and 1. Numerous
brooks and fine springs furnish a good supply of water for stock. A large saw-mill was erected
on the Plum Valley Creek in 1875 by J. T. Heath.
In an early day, this section of the town contained considerable pine. At one time, it was
the scene of active lumbering operations. Now, only a few straggling pines are to be seen, too
poor to tempt the lumbermen to destroy them. They mournfully whisper to each other, in the
freshening breeze, of happier days long past, when their family held their heads the highest and
represented more wealth than any other in the valley.
The Madison Division of the Chicago & North-Western Railroad crosses the northeastern
part of the town, and just north of Section 2, with its suburbs touching Sauk County, lies the
638 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
thriving village of Wonnewoc, Juneau County. As this is one of the principal market towns of
Woodland, it is proper that it should be mentioned in connection with a history of the town.
Thousands of dollars are paid annually to Woodland people at this station for railroad ties,
staves, wood timbers of all sorts, live stock and farm produce. Among the mamy industries of
Woodland is one that is fast growing into prominence; that is. the growing of amber sorghum
cane, 'flic high ridges, with their rich, warm soil, and immunity from early frosts, seem pecu-
liarly adapted to the growth of this product.
One factory at Valton (Jones & Mortimer's), by the close of the season (1880), will have
manufactured 4,000 gallons of sirup. Their evaporator is twenty by ti ye feet, while the grind-
ing is done by a four-horse-power machine. They make at the rate of 110 gallons per day of
twelve hours. The sirup is of fine quality, ami sells readily for 50 cents per gallon.
Michael Truher has a factory on Section ^7. where lie manufactures 100 gallons per day of
twenty-four hours. He will make this season 2,000 gallons. The business was established in
1876, by S. G. Yeo, who sold to Truber. September, 1880. Mr. Solomon Cook, Section 36,
has manufactured S27 gallons this year. Last year he made 1,'iGS gallons. S. W. Sherman
and a few others are making sirup on a smaller scale The whole product of the town will reach
8,000 gallons.
The town pos-'csses four buildings used exclusively as churches. The first church estab-
lished was that of the "Ironton Monthly Meeting of Friends." The society was organized on
the L8th day of January, 1860, in the dwelling of Fielder Brown, on Section 36. It opened
with sixteen members, who emigrated to this State from Hamilton and Grant Counties. End.
Their names are as follows : Solomon Cook, Mary Cook, Nathan Cook, Martha Brown, Thomas
Mason, Mahala Mason, Jesse Dennis. Rachel Dennis. Antoinette Cook. Martha E. Cook, Ben-
jamin Pickering. Sarah Pickering, Isaac Jay, Ruth day. Charlotte Brown and Francis Jones.
The meeting now enrolls 128 members, embracing eighteen entire families and seventeen parts
of families.
Services are held regularly twice every week, besides the regular monthly church meetings
for the transaction of business. There are two "recorded" ministers, James Stanley and Mary
A. Cook. In the year 1860, the society built a small log building for a meeting-house, arid, in
the year 1867, they built a new church building. 30x50 feet, with a large room above for school
purposes, though this last-mentioned room has never been finished and occupied. This meeting.
with a small subordihate tributary at Valton. in this town, is the only organized " Friends' "
Church in the State of Wisconsin, and this, with its above named branch, is subordinate to the
Iowa Yearly Meeting of Friends. The members who petitionedthe Iowa Yearly Meeting lor an
organization here all lived to see their petition granted and the meeting permanently established,
but many of them have since passed over the river, to lie seen of men no more. The subordi
nate bra n eh of the In m ton Monthly Meeting of Friends of Valton was established June 18, I s7o.
James Stanley, "recorded" minister.
The United Brethren have a new church at Valton thai they are just completing, and the
Catholics have a small church at the southeasl corner of Section 11.
There are eight school buildings in the town, mostly g I structures. The best appointed.
judging from the exterior, is the Marsh Schoolhouse, District No. 1. The southeastern
of the town has furnished many of the teachers.
The territory comprising this town had its first political organization in connection with
three other townships now Lavalle, Ironton ami Washington), under the name of Macston. The
ition was effected al the house of Reuben Thornton, of Ironton. April 6, 1852'. Reuben
Thornton was elected Chairman by act of the County Board. The organic election of the town
'if Woodland was held in Town 13, Range 2, April 7, 1>C>7. Walter L. Clemons was elected
Chairman; B. Pickering and E. R West. Side Supervisors; George F. Wood, Clerk : John
Fessey, Treasurer; Isaac 11. Stultz, Assessor; James J. Duro, Superintendent of Schools; J.
B. Tennell, Peter Apker, Mark Davis and Samuel feeder, Justices; W. II. Davis, David
Swooveland and Truman Joiner, Constables. Resolutions were adopted to raise $150 for
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
town expenses, $200 for school purposes and $50 for p ■ expenses. Whole number of votes
cast, 43.
The lii'- ' white settler in the territory comprising the town of Woodland is supposed to have
been William Richards, who settled on Section 36 in 1849. John Rice was probably the first
to enter land. He look up the southeast quarter of Section 36 early in 1849. J. D. R. Mitchell
was the second settler, who came in L850. He was followed by a Mr. Kingsley the same
vear. Then came [saac Jay and Mark Davis, who settled in the southeast part of the town
soon after. Alexander Camp settled in Plum Valley in 1850, James Burwell in July, 1851,
Jesse Mallows in L853 and J. 11. Horine in L853, Section 35. Richard Mann settled in the
southeast part of the town in 1854. William Mann was the first settler tit Valton, 1856. From
1854 to 1856, the town settled up very rapidly- Of those who came in 1855 may he mentioned
J. E. Wallace. M. Hansbury, James Canon, Simeon Mortimer, Solomon and Hiram Cook and
W. C. Broas.
The first store was established at Valton, in 1857, by Samuel Mann. The next year,
another was opened by the Davis Brothers & Benson. This firm wits succeeded by McKoon &
Benson. Shortly after, McKoon bought out Benson and continued the business till his death,
which occurred in 1871. In the spring of this year. Mr. Lester Clemons started the store where
he is still in business.
The first post office was estahlishsd in the spring of 1857, and called " Daks." Hiram
Cook was the first 1'ostmaster. A few years ago. the office was discontinued, and re-established
in October, 1879. Eli D. Horton was appointed Postmaster of Section 26. About 1866, a
post office was established at Valton, called " Valton." Alonzo McKoon was the first Post-
master. After McKoon's death, William H. Bedell was appointed in 1872. He was
succeeded by William Craig, and, in January, 1876, Lester Clemons, the present incumbent, was
appointed.
The first school was taught by Mrs. Jane Gill in the summer of 1855. She began the term
in the dwelling of Mark Davis, and completed it in the new schoolhouse in Section 35. This
was the first schoolhouse built in the town.
The first church was built by the Society of Friends in 1860. It was built of logs, and was
situated on Section 36.
The first wedding was that of David Fancher to Mrs. Jane Gill, in October. 1855, Squire
Blakeslee officiating.
The first white child born in the town was James Mitchell, March 7. 1853, son of J. D. 1>.
ami Catharine Mitchell, Section -".li.
The first death was that of Ameda Kingsley, a girl about eight years of age. She 'lied
in the summer of 1854, on Section 36.
Mr. J. D. 1!. Mitchell brought the first stove into the town in the fall of 1850.
Town OF FAIRFIELD.
This town is of irregular size, containing in all about forty-five sections It is twelve mile-
long by about five wide at the widest point. The country is largely rolling and bluffy in con-
tour, and in the southeast part quite marshy or swampy. The soil is good in patches and bad
the same. Often, in going a distance of ten rods, the traveler will pass from the poorest of sun-
dried yellow sand to a heavy loam or clay soil, of excellent quality ; but, on the average, then-
is more of sand than is needed or desired. Nature scattered a large quantity of stone and glass
making material here that the people would gladly dispense with. There are but two or three small
streams of water in the town; considering its size, it is the poorest watered of any town in the county.
It is very well timbered in the main. The inhabitants are principally Americans. They are
sober, industrious, frugal, and, morally, somewhat above the general average. One will find
here representatives of nearly every religious denomination commonly found in this country,
from the free-thinking Universalis! to the conservative Presbyterian. The products at
640 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
grains, fruits, bops, sorghum, etc., pretty equally divided, there appearing to be no special lean-
ing toward one more than another — only their actual relative merits are considered. This is
the true way to pursue agriculture. Nothing that mother earth will produce, that it will pay
to raise, should be ignored, for, as is generally the case, some one or more products will usually
be poor each year ; but which they may be, none can ever tell certainly. The town is bounded
on the north by Delton and the Wisconsin River, on the south by Baraboo and Greenfield, on
the east by Columbia County, and on the west by Excelsior.
Early Settlement.
The first settler in the town of Fairfield was Anion Anderson, a Norwegian, who, accord-
ing to the most reliable authorities, came here in 1843, and settled on the Wisconsin River, in
the north part of the town. He then set to work and prepared the ground ready for sowing the
ensuing year, and built a cabin. The next year he raised a snug little crop, and from that time
on until his death, several years ago, was regarded as a prosperous farmer. He left a fine farm
to Ins son, which has since passed into the hands of John Lamar. A little more than a year and
a half elapsed after this before any other permanent settler came ; then Benjamin Teel put in an
appearance, and located a claim on Section 7, Town 12, Range 7, and began work. Shortly
after this. Mr. Teel moved on to Webster's Prairie, but the absence of wood and good water soon
drove him back to his first claim, where he has since remained and reared a family. He and his
eldest son are now owners of 400 acres of land in the town, the most of which is excellent in
quality.
.Mr. Teel has been in the town n'ow longer than any other settler, having been in the
country and seen its growth from its earliest infancy of improvement until the present. During
this time, he has always voted a straight Democratic ticket, win or lose.
Below are given the names of a majority of the settlers who came before 1850, ami. as
nearly as can be ascertained, the dates of their arrival : T. M. Adams, 184o ; S. Soule, 1845 ;
Harvey Hurlbut, 1846; L. L. Lee, 1846; Jesse Bushnell, 1847 ; M. Newcomb, 1847 : S. W.
Turner, is 17; A. Poison, 1846; J. B. Russell, 1846; D. G. Hunter, 1846-47; C. Wells.
1846-47 ; C. L. Peck, 1847-48 ; Robert Hornby, 1846-47 ; Milton Newell, 1847-4S ; 0. II.
Battles. 1847-48; Hiram Bushnell, 1847; J. H. Bennett, 1 848-4 9 : II. Greenslit, 1848-49;
II. C. Wilcox, 1848; Benjamin Brown, 1848-49; Job Benton, 1848-49; J. Brown, 1848-
49; P. G. Pearshall, 1848; F. Clark, 1S49 ; A. Fuller. 1848-49 j P. Fuller, 1848-49; C.
A. Holmes, L849; William Hill, L849 ; William Little, L849 ; A. Norton, 1848-49; O.
Newell, 1848-49; D. B.Norton, 1848-4'.) ; Charles Robinson, 1849; W. Woodmansel, 1849 ;
Samuel Williams, L849 ; E. Heath, 1849. Aside from others whose names and the dates of
arrival can not be learned, are Robert Bushnell, Ed. Delang, Ira Norton, 0. Spalding, Charles
Thatcher, Levi Thompson, ami J. Xoonan, who came before 1850.
The first death iii the town was that of Mrs. Anderson, in 1845.
Amora. daughter of P. J. and Anna Parshall, was the first white child born in the town of
Fairfield. She was horn in January, L848, and is now the wife of J. H. Vrooman. of Baraboo.
The first school was taught at Russell's Corners, David Felt being the teacher.
The first blacksmith -shop was opened by Stephen Inman at Russell's Corners.
Tlie first religious meeting was held at T. Adams' about Ls47. the Rev. D. Van Alstine, a
Universalist. being the preacher.
Who were the first to tie the hymeneal knot or have it tied here, it. is not easy to ascertain.
as there are none who are ready to stand forth and plead guilty to the charge of first. How-
ever, it is thought that David Hunter and Betsy Fuller were the guilty parties, and that Justice
T. Adams spliced them before L850, but how long before cannot he proclaimed.
\t lirst the town was called Flora, after a town down East, or one of the mythological beau-
i nation of the far Last. The sturdy frontiersmen, thinking the name rather too fanci-
ful, changed it to Fairfield after two or three ycar>. Fairfield has a good cemetery, mentioned
below, together with the cost and location.
HISTORY OF SACK COUNTY. 041
There are two churches in town, the Advents and Methodist, which have been in operation
For ;i good many years. Twelve or thirteen years ago, they used to hold their meetings alter-
nately in the schoolhouse of District No. 5; then they each wanted to hold protracted meetings,
and finally a misunderstanding arose and the house was closed against the Methodists. The
Methodists then went at it. and built what is known as the basswood shanty. This proved a
very cold investment during the winter, for hardly any one's religious enthusiasm was strong
enough to take them to that little church at Russell's Corners very often during cold weather.
It is said that, the lumber being green when it was built, it shrank so that it was almost as open
as a sieve. When the Methodists purchased the Templars' Hall (Section 5), James Halsted
bought the basswood building.
The Advents also have a church on Section 17, so the schoolhouse is now free from denomi-
national encroachments.
The first meeting of the Fairfield Lodge. No. 264, was held at the Methodist Episcopal
Church. April 16, 1878. After the granting of the charter, the following officers were elected
and installed: II. Porter. W. C. ; Mrs. N. M. Herrick, W. V. ; M. L. Dame, R. S. ; William
Kinney, Treas. ; F. B. Thomas, F. S. : A. Norton, W. C. ; J. Wrightmyre, W. M. ; II.
Bunker, P. W. C. T. : Mrs. F. B. Thomas. R. II. S. ; Mrs. H. Porter, L. II. F. ; Carrie Agers,
A. S. : Anna Deval, D. M. ; H. Bunker, L. D. ; Lizzie Thayer, I. G. ; Perry Porter, 0. G.
This lodge is the only secret society that has headquarters in this town. It is the successor to
the old Lincoln Lodge that was started here many years ago. Owing to some difficulty between the
members, it was broken up. Lincoln Lodge was, at one time, quite influential, and succeeded
in building a hall to hold their meetings in. After the difficulty, however, the hall was sold to
the Methodist Episcopal Society, and it now- serves a very good purpose as a church or place to
hold religious services.
Town Organization and Notj •
The first town meeting recorded was held at the schoolhouse, near Russell's Corners, pursu-
ant to previous notice, on the l")th day of April, 1850, and the town organized into an independ-
ent precinct. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year : Chairman of Town
Board, Harvey Hurlbut ; Side Supervisors, Benjamin Teel and John Inman ; Town Clerk, T.
M. Adams ; Assessor, Benjamin Teel ; Treasurer, John B. Russell ; Superintendent of Schools,
Jesse Bushnell ; Justices of the Peace, Jesse Bushnell, Edwin Plummer, T. M. Adams and Ben
Clark; Constables, Peter Parshall and John II. Bennett; Sealer of Weights and Measures,
David B. Norton. The whole number of votes cast did not exceed thirty. At a special meeting,
held the 14th day of May following, a vote was taken and carried to raise $150, to pay the town
expenses for the ensuing year. At the end of the first fiscal year, there was left a balance of
$70.79 uncollected taxes in favor of the town. At first, but $100 was appropriated to defray the
expenses of public schools. In 1852, at annual town meeting, April 0, the chief question of
interest to the electors was the moving an appropriation of money to build a bridge over the
Baraboo River. In response to motion made. $50 was voted tor this purpose. This included
all charges to he made against the town. The bridge was built near Mr. Butterfield's, being the
first public work of that kind that the town had engaged in. The town was divided into seven
road districts at the first, which in the progress of time have increased slowly until there
are now thirteen. During the first five years or more after the town had been organized, cattle
and swine were allowed to roam on the commons, excepting uncastratcd males. At the annual
town meeting in 1855, there were forty seven voters, there being an increase of seventeen in five
years. At this meeting 8250 were voted for school purposes.
At the town meeting, April, 1858, voted to purchase a certain piece of land at Russell's Cor-
ners for a burying-ground. to pay for which the sum of $12 was appropriated, anil this is the only
cemetery in town. In 1860, the town electors had increased to ninety-six, and the Superintend-
ent's report shows $218.74 used for educational purposes. During the year 1862, a fence was
built around the graveyard. November 17, 1862, a special meeting was called for the purpose
of raising money to pay the volunteers enlisted from this town, by L. H. Wells. After the
642 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
meeting was called to order, it was at first proposed to raise $361 ; motion put, and lost. It
was then moved that the above sum be raised by a tax on the next assessment roll. This motion,
being agreeable to the voters, was approved. On the 1st day of December, 1863, pursuant to
a call of twelve electors of the town, a special meeting was held for the purpose of raising more
money to pay volunteers. At this meeting it was decided by vote to raise and pay $200 each
to six men, required to fill out a town quota of men demanded for the service. Again, on the
27th of February, 1864, a special meeting was held, and a vote taken to pay $200 each to every
volunteer from this town. On the 16th of August of the above year, another meeting was held
pursuant to a special call, and a vote was taken to levy a tax to raise $2,400 bounty for twelve
volunteers. At this meeting, seventy-two votes were polled, fifty being for the tax, and twenty-
two against it. Pursuant to call, another meeting was convened soon after the above, namely,
in January, 1865, when $2,400 more was appropriated to pay more men for going to the war.
July 29, 1865, another special meeting was called to raise money to pay for destroying a
different foe, the enemies in this case being wildcats and wolves, which had become exceedingly
troublesome. The bounty voted was $10 for every wolfskin, and $5 for every wildcat or lynx-
skin. This was eventually reduced to $5 and $3.
Amount of money used for education in town in 1865, was $311. At the town meeting,
on the 2d of April, 1878, the voters denounced the action of former Town Board, and declared
they had been acting fraudulently and deceptively in collecting a larger amount of money than
had been voted at the annual meeting. (For number of voters now in the town, consult census
reports.)
The Franklin Mutual Farmers' Insurance Company was organized in the town of Franklin,
January 6, 1877, and at first included only the towns of Franklin, Spring Green and Bear Creek.
James Bandel was elected President at the time of organizing, and holds the position still;
Richard H. Douglas, Secretary. The Directors were George G. Morgan, Richard H. Douglas,
James Bandel, Edward Lester and James Ochsner. In 1879, the company embraced the town?
of Ithaca, Buena Vista, Sylvan, Richland, Willow and Rockbridge, in Richland County.
The amount of property now insured by them is $158,886 ; their losses thus far have
amounted to only $62, and no assessments have been made. The rate of survey and policy for
each individual is $1.50 ; the funds obtained in this way have thus far been enough to pay all
running expenses, and leave a surplus on hand sufficient to pay any small losses. Nearly all
the leading farmers in the towns enumerated above are members. The officers are now the same
as mentioned at first. The Assessors are George Morgan, Edward Lester and James Ochsner
The community are indebted principally to the efforts of James Ochsner, James Bandel and
Richard H. Douglass for getting the company established.
i)F SAUK COUNTY
CHAPTER XIII.
SPI! I NG (i R E EN V I L L AC E.
[ntroductor's Sketch— Government- The General Developement- Village Hall— Tem-
perance [ssues, Past wi> Present— Downy— Educational— Post Office— Express Com-
pany Seculak Society and Churches.
[NTRODUCTOR'S sketch.
The above title, in any case, will prove to the visitor to this thriving town, a happy intro-
o what follows in the pleasant surrounding scenery,
"Of inviting tit-Ms anil meadows green,
With charming woodlands interspersed between,
That greet the eye mi every hand,
And supply man's wants and adorn the land."
The village is located about one and a half miles north from the Wisconsin River, on the
line i>( the Milwaukee & Prairie du Chien Railroad, to the coming of which it is really as much
indebted for its existence and presenl prosperity, as to the condition of the surrounding coun-
try, from which it derive its chief support. When the railroad passed through here in L856,
the land where the village now stands was in a completely natural condition, being covered with
trees, brush, weeds and grass, and could not even boast a squatter's cabin, with the accompani-
ments of children, pigs and chickens, to enliven the scene. The first cabins were those of the
railroad workmen, two of which were afterward occupied by Thomas D. Jones and Mr. Holmes,
the very first comers that settled in the village. For some time previous to the building of the
railroad bridge over the Wisconsin, parties of settlers bound for this part of the i ountry or fur-
ther west, were brought by rail to the other side of the river, from which point tiny were privi-
i continue on as best pleased them. The last party of emigrants to disembark at the
then terminus of the route arrived mi Sunday, August •".. 1856. The next day the brid
tried, and an engine for the first time passed over it and through the future village ^\' Spring
Green. Since that time, how great the change here! One of the must attractive villages in the
county litis sprung into existence, and almost till of the hind in the immediate vicinity, except
woodland, is under a fine state of cultivation, where but a few shortyears ago it was lving
useless. «ild, and unfruitful of ought stive nature's must common products.
< >f the vilkge proper, it can be truly said, it is one of the best laid-oul pit s in the county,
and when one impartially observes its straight, level and well-shaded streets, with the neat dwell-
ings ami tidy lawns and gardens on either side, besides the freedom from noise and disturbance
which is particularly noticeable, he can but acknowledge that in general excellence of appearance
and condition, Spring Green now has few superiors in the country at large.
Tin- amount of business done here in past years, especially during the Hush Imp times and
during the war, was something remarkable ; tens of thousands of dollars came in through this
channel to the farmers of the surrounding country, and were expended here again in huge part,
affording a trade, considered comparatively, of enormous proportions. The very Hush times have
taken wii mselves and departed, or like the Arabs, have ••silently stole away," yet the
town is prosperous : the business men, mechanics and laborers are kept constantly busy, and
enough is made to live well and to spare, as is evidenced by the large school building erected here
four years ago, and by the best town hall in the county, none excepted, that was built last year.
An air of life and thrift pervades everything, and nearly every year new additions are made to
the place in some direction, whether in the increase of building and business, or inhabitants, dues
644 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
not signify, as one is but the concomitant of the other. Of the future it is safe to predict, acci-
dents and casualties aside, that the place can but maintain its present prestige. The inhabitants
at present are chiefly Americans, although there is a fair sprinkling of other nationalities.
VILLAGE GOVERNMENT.
Spring Green was incorporated by act of Legislature, published March 29, 18(19, per
Chapter 365, P. and L. laws:
•• All that district of country described as follows: The southwest quarter and the west
half of the southeast quarter of Section 7, and the northwest quarter of northeast quarter, and
the north half of the northwest quarter of Section 18, Township 8 north, of Range 4 east : also,
the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 1-!, and the northeast quarter of the northeast
quarter of Section 13, Township 8 north, of Range •"> east — all being in the town of Spring
Green, Sauk Co., Wis."
The above act provides that the fiscal, prudential and municipal concerns of the place shall
be vested in a President, ex officio Trustee, and four Trustees, and such other officers as might
be afterward ordained, as one Clerk, one Treasurer, and one Constable, who was ex officio
Marshal. Electoral methods and provisions, similar to those usually provided, were secured by
this charter. The money received for license was to be used for village purposes, providing the
amount be not less than that fixed by law. The Village Board were authorized to make and
provide penalties, and to change or add to ordinances, as they might deem expedient; also pro-
visions for a fire department and for preventing fires generally, were made. Provisions for
levying taxes to pay for grading streets and sidewalks were also made, to be paid in labor,
money or materials. The President, Trustees and Police Justices were to be elected, the others
appointed. Election to be held the first Monday in May. The village was re-incorporated in
1878, under the general law. According to this chapter, there is a President, six Trustees, a
Clerk, a Treasurer, a Supervisor for County Mi. aid. a Police Justice, a Justice of the Peace, a
Marshal and a Constable, elected by the people, the Street Commissioner being appointed. The
various specifications of this charter may be seen by reference to Chapter 40 of the General
Laws for L878.
Offk i a i. Roster.
1869 — Whole number of votes cast. si. C. B. Pearson, President; M. F. Hurley, Henry
Kifer, P. W. Runyon, C. W. Farrington, Trustees ; C. E. Brainerd, Police Justice; Louis
Goedecke, Clerk ; C. W. Finn, Treasurer; George B. Van Orman, Constable.
1870— J. C. Brainard, President; 0. Roth, IL Kifer. E. W. Evans, E. P. Newell, Trust-
ees ; B. N. Strong, Supervisor: E. C. Brainerd. Police Justice ; W. A. Wyse, Clerk; C. W.
Finn. Treasurer: J. R. Lewis, Constable and Street Commissioner.
1871 — I. G. Pelton, President: M. F. Hurley, .lanes Dickson, C. L. Harlocher, G. W.
Thompson, Trustees; B. U. Strong, Supervisor; E. C. Brainerd, Police Justice ; W. A. Wyse,
Clerk; J. N. Finn, Treasurer: E. F. Maher, Constable; J. A. Taylor, Street Commissioner.
L872— E. P. Newell, President; M. F. Hurley. James Dickson, 0. Roth. 11. Kifer,
Trustees; B. U. Strong, Supervisor; E. C. Brainerd, Police Justice ; W. A. Wyse, Clerk; J.
N. Finn, Treasurer: E. F. Maher, Constable; E. George, Street Commissioner.
L873— M. F. Hurley, President; N. Schoenmann, II. Kifer, J. G. Pelton, John Reely,
Trustees; B. U. Strong, Supervisor; E. C. Brainerd, Police Justice ; S. P. G^jjrge, Clerk: J.
X. Finn, Treasurer; C. Goodwin, Constable and Street Commissioner.
1874— C. D. Pearson, President; John Reely. J. Witzel, 0. Roth, James Dickson, Trust-
ees; E. W. Evans, Supervisor; E. C. Brainerd, Police Justice; S. P. George, Clerk ; J.N.
Finn, Treasurer; 11. M. Hungerford, Constable; C. Goodwin, Street Commissioner.
is:.-, — c. B. Pearson, President; John Reds. D. I ». Davies, 0. Roth, J. Witzel, Trustees ;
!•:. W. Evans, Supervisor; .1. R. Louis, Police Justice; A. Gill, Clerk: J. N. Finn, Treasurer ;
D. I,. Talbot, Constable; William Reely, Street Commissioner.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 645
L876— M. F. Hurley, President; J. Witzel, J. J. Nickey, G. M. Whiteis, William Tun-
stall, Trustees; E. W. Evans, Supervisor; E. C. Brainerd, Police Justice; A. Gill, Clerk ; D.
1>. Davies, Treasurer; E. F. Maher, Constable; W. M. Austin, Street Commissioner.
L877— C, B. Pearson. President; 11. Kifer, G. A. Sweet, A. M. Hungerford, J. E.
McKenna, Trustees; E. W. Evans, Supervisor; E. C. Brainerd, Police Justice ; A. Gill,
Clerk; I). 1). Davies. Treasurer; William Reely, Constable ; J. J. Nickey, Street Com-
missioner.
IsTs^J. E. McKenna. President; A. M. Dye, G. W. Whiteis, S. F. Nickey, H. B.
Dewey. Trustees; E. W. Evans. Supervisor; J. R. Lewis, Police Justice: J. N. Finn, Clerk:
D. D. Davies, Treasurer; H. J. Jones. Constable; Gr. A. Sweet. Street Commissioner.
L879— H. B. Dewey. President; A. M. Dye, C. Zilg, L. D. Ellsworth, A. M. Hunger-
ford, A. C. Scheble, J. G. Pelton, Trustees; E. W. Evans, Supervisor; J. N. Finn, Police
Justice; M. F. Hurley, Justice of the Peace; J. N. Finn, Clerk; D. D. Davies, Treasurer; E.
P. Noves, Marshal: D. L. Talbot, Constable; G. A. Sweet. Street Commissioner.
1880— M. F. Hurley, President; J. Bettinger, J. J. Nickey, M. Ilutter, William Tun-
stall, C. Scholl, J. N. Schoenmann, Trustees; E. W. Evans, Supervisor; J. N. Finn, Police
Justice and Clerk; D. D. Davies, Treasurer; M. Hutter, Marshal and Constable; H. Kifer,
Streel Commissioner.
THE OENERAL DEVELOPMENT.
The south half of the southwest quarter of Section 7, Town 8, Range 4, upon which Spring
Green village is located, was entered from the Government by William Barnard, from whom it
passed into the hands of E. B. Evans, who paid $600 for it. In 1856, it was purchased by A.
C. Dairy, who, in order to secure assistance in building up a town, and to render the property
more valuable, sold an undivided quarter to B. F. Edgerton and one-third to A. G. Darwin,
reserving the remainder for himself. These were the original owners of the town property. In
the spring of 1857, the village was platted by Mr. Putnam, Surveyor, the entire eighty being
laid out in streets and blocks in a square, all of the streets being sixty-six feet wide, excepting
Jefferson street, which is eighty feet wide, and the blocks being uniformly three hundred feet
square.
The first persons to come here and settle, after the village was started, were a Mr. Holmes
and Thomas D. Jones, who lived for a short time near the railroad, and B. U. Strong, who came
in April, 1857. The latter purchased half of Block 10, facing south on Jefferson and west on
Lexington street, where his hotel is now located. Immediately after purchasing, he erected a
small frame on the corner, this being the first hotel and one of the first houses in the village. He
soon after moved his family in, and also put up a small building near the railroad track, and
brought in a stock of goods and opened a store — the first in the village and one of the first in
this section of the county. This building was afterward converted into a warehouse and event-
ually destroyed.
During the early part of the summer, the railroad company built a depot, and trains began
to make regular stops. When the depot was completed, P. West came on and took charge of it
as agent, he being the next man to locate here. Soon after this, Dr. Hubbard, the first physi-
cian in this section, came in with his pills ami potions, prepared to grow up with the country, if
the people should get sick ; if not, to leave.
In the fall of 1857, an acquisition was made to the business element by the coining of <■.
F. Pound and Thomas Worthington, who purchased a lot on Block 10, and, soon after, had a
building under headway. When it was completed, a stock of goods was put in, and tin' second
store in the town was thrown open for purchasers. This building long since passed into other
hands, and is now known as the Blue Store, and is owned by Mr. Warren, of Baraboo.
Benjamin Bailey, a disciple of Vulcan, also struck the town this fall and put up a shop,
and, very soon after, the ringing music of the anvil and hammer woke the morning echoes and
ushered in the quiet of evening.
<->4t> HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
About this time, the little place and surroundings were caught, with the rest of the county,
in the toils of the panic of 1857, which effectually checked its growth at the time, for but very
few came in during the remainder of the year, and not much of anything was done until the
autumn of 1858 had partially restored the country to its pristine vigor.
The Wigginton brothers came this. fall (1858), and built on Block 19, facing north on Jef-
ferson street, and opened a general store. They soon alter sold out to W. G. Spencer and
removed.
G. F. Pound and T. B. Worthington dissolved partnership this year, and Mr. Pound built
the store now standing, facing east on Block 18, corner of Jefferson and Lexington streets, and
opened a general store. Subsequently, about 1859, C. L. Daley, brother of the original owner
of the town plat, went into partnership with him. They built a warehouse this year. This firm
continued until some time after the war, doing a good business.
In 1857 or 1858, Garwood Green bought Egerton's share of the town plat, and a division
of the property was made, one party taking three lots, one four lots, and the other five lots, in
each block of twelve lots that remained unsold.
In the fall of 1858, Joshua Simpson came here from Richland City, and also moved up
a hotel from that place, settling on the southeast corner of Block 11, where E. D. Davies' saloon
now stands.
Very little else than the above mentioned occurred this fall in the way of building up or
improving the place.
In 1857 or 1858, the first death — that of a child of F. Gill — occurred here.
In 1860, J. T. Barrium and Leman Bartlett bought out Mr. Spencer and opened a well-
filled store. They remained here about six years, doing a very extensive business, selling goods
and buying and shipping produce of all kinds.
About 1860, S. H. Vedder put in an appearance here and bought out Mr. Worthington,
then Worthington went to Madison, where his son Worthington afterward distinguished himself
as the finest penman in the United States. Within a year or two, Mr. Vedder moved his goods
and set up in a small building just west of the Simpson Hotel, where he remained until he sold
and left.
About this time, Mr. Spencer, who sold to Barnurn & Bartlett, opened a cabinet-shop — the
first in town. This business he continued a few years, then sold and departed like the rest.
• lames Simpson, son of the proprietor of the Simpson building, brought in a few goods at one
time, probably about 1862, but did not continue long in trade, either because goods or buyers
were wanting.
In 1865, W. II. Hamilton bought out Mr. Vedder, before mentioned, and enlarged the for-
mer business by taking A. Wilcox in partnership with him. They conducted the business
together until November of the above year, then dissolved, Mr. Wilcox coming out (so to speak)
at the small end of the horn, for, in return for. the SI, Mill which he invested, he had to take
decayed obligations against worthless parties, and such materials as he could squeeze out of the
failing institution. His experience but illustrates the efforts and failures of scores of men who
think they have but to invest money to get a return. That they always do get returns is certain,
but, alas, how sold. nil do they inert t heir e\ :pecta tiolis.
I n I >ecember of the above \ ear I I 865 |, D. I >. I >a\ ies. who began bis business career here as a
clerk, ami who had worked for both Vedder and Hamilton, bought oul the latter, taking a brother
into partnership, and launched his first mercantile crafl as commander and salesman. They
opened in the old Simpson House (before mentioned), where they carried on the business, receiv-
ing a good patronage, until the night of the 11th and 12th of March, 1867, when they were
burned out, at a considerable loss, and bad their worst experience of the uncertainty of preserv-
ing combustible material from the rapacity of the fire fiend. The goods that were saved were
moved temporarilj into a shoe-store, but recently built by Mr. Hurly, where they did business
until the present store was erected. This was commenced immediately after the fire, and was
pushed rapidly to completion, being finished ready for occupancy by July of 1867. During that
1IISTOKY OF SAUK COUNTY. 647
tnc nth. their goods were moved in, and hero D. D. Davies, who purchased his brother's interest
January 27, 1870, continues to do business. Mr. Davies is now the oldest regular merchant
here, having dealt out goods constantly for about twenty years, and having won the goodwill
of, and an extensive patronage from, the majority of the people in this vicinity.
In 1867, B. D. Strong built the present hotel, the Park, which tonus an addition to the
original building, and far outrivaling ils predecessor in size, convenience and good looks. Wind,
fire and flood aside, this is undoubtedly, with its landlord, one of the permanent fixtures of the
place, and indeed, Spring Green without B. V . Strong would be like France without the French,
or a dog without a tail — the wag would be missed.
An anecdote or two connected with Mr. Strong's career, as a representative man in this
section, when he was the first business man, ami where he has lived so many years, must not be
omitted, tor the history of the village could not otherwise be considered complete :
In 1872, he was 'elected member of the State Senate, and, during the winter following, on
the very .last day of the session, a bill, making certain appropriations for use on the Chippewa
River at Eau Claire, came up before the House of Representatives just previous to the bill on
necessary general appropriations; consequently, it had to be acted upon at once, and was passed,
to give time for appropriations, the House deciding to let the Senate kill it, if it must die. The
Senate were considerate enough to pass the bill on appropriations first, then proceeded to net on
the other. This bill was, for various reasons, objected to by several of the Senators, who were
determined to stop it, but they were in the minority. When it came before the chamber, who
acted as a committee of the whole, four of the opposing party decided, as there was only five or
six hours remaining to the session, to talk it out. So one after another spoke, until the last man,
B. U. Strong, took the floor, with about one hour and a half of talk before him. He began, and
gently discussed the question, diverging solemnly as the theme progressed, until one could hardly
have told whether the speech was about the pyramids of Egypt, the dells of the Chippewa, the
raising of hoop-poles, the curing of the epizootic, getting out sawdogs or what-not; yet on. and
irresistibly on, it went, slowly but surely beating time all to flinders, and as surely beating the
opposition : fir stop him they could not." and, as lie had the floor fairly, they could not rule him
down. While the big talk was yet deluging them, in fully rounded periods, without cessation or
diminution, the hour of midnight arrived, and the session must needs close. So the bill went
quietly to rest (for a time), and thus ended one of the moat celebrated speeches ever made at
Madison.
Mr. Strong is as hearty a landlord as one needs to meet, but, nevertheless, he does not care
to entertain drunken persons. Not very long ago a chap, several seas over, came in and asked
to be shown the washroom of the hotel. Mr. Strong said, rather gruffly, " This is not a hotel, I
reckon '." " Not a hotel !" the fellow asked ; " if it ain't a hotel, then what is it ?" " Well, it's a
schoolhouse, I guess, and there (pointing to Prof. De La Matyr) is the school-teacher," said
Strong. The man withdrew, squinting at the " Park Hotel " sign, and loath to believe his eyes
eived him. or that one could call a hotel a schoolhouse.
In 1866 or 1867, Ed McMahon erected a small building on Block 11, facing Jefferson
ind opened a tinJshop. He continued to do business here until his death. This was
probably the first tin-shop in the place.
During the above time, H. Whities put up a building on Block 11, as above, to be used as a
saloon. In 1868, it passed into the hands of William Austin, who shortly after purchased a
stock of auction goods and opened a store, which he operated until 1877, then removed to Hol-
land. The building has since been used for various purposes; at present, it is occupied by
George Harrison for a harness-shop.
In 186b', Alonzo Wilcox built on Block 11, fronting on Lexington street, and opened a shoe-
store. In 1870, he closed out his business ami rented the building; then, about a year after,
sold it to E. II. Newell. Mr. Newell opened with a stock of dry goods and groceries, hut did
not flourish, so to speak, for we find that, about two years since, the business came to an untimely
end. The stock had been absorbed, while debts were accumulating, which is but the common
64* HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
history of business ventures, and, as is generally the case, the business was closed by creditors.
Mr. Newell is now in Nebraska.
In 1866, the firm of Farington & Kifer bought out Barnard & Bartlett, and, in 1872, erected
the only brick edifice in town, on the northwest corner of Block 19. Subsequently, Kifer became
sole proprietor of the business and property, which he sold to J. D. Phelps in*1875. In the
spring of 1879, the property passed into the hands of S. M. Harris. This purchase included
the lot, stores and warehouses. In October, 1879. the old store burned down, and with it was
destroyed a quantity of tin and hardware, stock and fixtures, the property of H. B. Dewey, who
was thereby incontinently cleaned out of a good business. The spot is marked by the remains
of the old cellar wall, the only evidences of a fire to be seen in the place.
E. P. Newell and D. R. Phelps erected a fair-sized building in 1865 or 1866, on Block 19,
facing Jefferson street, and opened a general assortment store. Two years after, finding they
had not enough room, they enlarged the building, making it much larger. At present, it is the
third in size among the business houses in the place. Soon after the building had been enlarged,
Mr. Phelps sold his interest to E. H. Newell, brother of E. P. Newell. The new firm did not
run long together before another change was made, E. B. Newell becoming sole proprietor. He
continued the business successfully until his death, in 1872 or 1873, then Thomas Hill, his son-
in-law, became administrator. Under his management, the business was unprofitable, and finally,
in 1877, matters came to stand, the creditors of the institution demanding a settlement ; a settle-
ment was effected by E. H. Newell, who re-opened the store, only to close out the business
within a year. The building was soon after engaged by D. H. Finkleston, who is now con-
ducting a general business.
In 1867, J. N. Finn and C. W. Finn built on Block 11, fronting Lexington street, and
opened a grocery and confectionery stoi-e. In 1872, J. N. Finn purchased his brother's interest,
and has continued the business up to this date, this being the second-oldest establishment in the
village. Mr. Finn is a very respectable citizen, having held some position of public trust regu-
larly since the incorporation of the village. The Town Clerk's office is kept here by him at
present.
During the above year, M. F. Hurley erected his building in Block 11, facing Jefferson
street, and opened a store and shoe-shop, which he still continues. Mr. Hurly, it appears from
the village record, is a man whom the people respect and largely trust with the management of
public affairs, he having been President of the board several times, and having held other
important offices repeatedly.
Some time during the war, probably about 1864, John Whiteman built on the southwest
corner of Block 11, and opened a confectionery store or something of the kind. This he con-
ducted until 1868, when Conrad Zilg bought him out, and enlarged the building and converted
it into a hotel, running it as such for nine or ten years. It is now used by him for a private
dwelling.
In 1*67. John Hollenback came here and built on Block 11, fronting on Lexington street,
and started a grocery and confectionery store. About two years after, he moved away, and,
subsequently, M. Zangle purchased the property and opened a saloon, which is yet in operation,
M. Xonker being the present owner.
During the above year, on July 4, the village indulged in a grand celebration, which,
although not the first, was by far (according to all the reports) the biggest genuine demonstra-
tion of the kind ever gotten up in this part of the county. The sum of $125 were expended to
hire a band to come from Madison, and other tilings in keeping were provided, and Spring
Green fairly reveled in the delights and glories of our national anniversary. Fathers, brothers
and sons felt gallant and lirave; mothers, sisters and daughters happy and proud, while
that youthful cion of liberty, the small boy with torpedo and cracker, vindicated the cause of
independence to his heart's content.
The harness-shop on Block 18, facing on Jefferson street, was built about 1868. It is the
property of A. C. Daley. It has been occupied by several different parties at various times, and
is at present used by A. C. Scheble.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 649
1868 — During this year. E. George came here and began his present building, which was
completed and stocked by 1879. This may be considered the first, regular furniture and under-
taker store located here. The establishment is now conducted under the firm name of E.
George & Son. Mr. George had a lumber-yard at one time also.
The Gerber Brothers bought out and carried on the old Pound & Dike store from 1869
to 1871, then S. M. Harris carried on business in the old place from 1*72 to 1879. Since
that time, it has been occupied by Miss E. Macklin for a millinery establishment. In this con-
nection it may be mentioned that Mrs. Wyman was the first one to carry on a regular millinery
establishment, that is so necessary to the happiness, if not comfort, of the fair sex. Also, a
Miss James has done a millinery business here for about ten years.
J. Witzel built a wagon-shop on Block 18, facing on Jefferson street, in 1876. This after-
ward passed int.. the hands of Christopher Scholl, who fitted it up for a shoe-shop.
The liberty-pole was erected during the above year. It stands near the center of the vil-
lage, looming up to a height of ninety-five feet, and is, beyond a doubt, the straightest and
handsomest pole in the county. In fact, it is very seldom that one will meet with anything
like as perfect a pole for one so tall. The people are justly proud of it.
Dr. Pelton's Hotel, that stands facing the south end of Lexington street, is ons of the old
stands, the doctor having been here operating in the capacity of physician and mine host for
nearly fifteen years.
There were no sidewalks here to amount to anything until after the village charter was
secured in 1869. The chief object of the people in getting the charter was to so arrange their
fiscal and judicial affairs that they could receive the benefit of the taxes paid for road purposes,
by applying the money to the village streets and walks. Now. good walks are to be found on
the business streets, and many of the side streets are also provided with walks.
In 187'.'. S. M. Harris, one of the most energetic of the business men here, opened in the
brick store previously spoken of. This is a well-kept store, and its proprietor does a large busi-
ness, especially in shipping. The following report shows the amount of his last year's ship-
ments : Wheat, 27. ODD bushels: rye, 6,400 bushels: oats. 9,600 bushels; butter. 13,890
pounds ; poultry, 4,500 pounds ; egg's, 9,890 dozen; hoop-poles, 136,000. Paid the railroad
freight bills to the amount of $7,300. Mr. Finklestine also buys large quantities of produce.
His shipments for last year were : Wheat. 17,600 bushels : rye, 2,400 bushels; oats, 3,000
bushels; butter, 31,029 pounds; eggs, 10,710 dozen; hoop- poles, 65,000. There is not much
buying and shipping outside of these two firms, unless it be hops, hogs and beef cattle, which
are purchased partly by non-resident buyers. The amount of sales of merchandise made here
now annually will probably average about $100,000, and perhaps more. The above represent-
ation is certainly as fair a showing of prosperity as can be made by anyplace of eipial size in this
vicinity, and it is only to be wished for all concerned that the place may live long and prosper
more and more.
In 1876, George Sweet and Byron Pelton erected a building for a planing-mill and grind-
ing feed. It was moved, about three years since, from its first location to its present situation.
This is the only mill, either for planing or grinding, that has ever been built here, and the
amount of that kind of business to be done here does not warrant the erection of another.
After Mr. Zilg closed the hotel, J. Zilg & Co., the present firm, was formed, and in 1880,
their huge double store, which stands on the northwest corner of Block 1*. was built. This is
the largest store building in town, and is stocked exclusively with a fine assortment of hardware.
Previous to the above, in 1877. A. P. McDonald purchased the vacant corner where the
old Simpson Hotel stood, which was burned in 1867, and put up the present building and opened
a saloon.
A. M. Dye opened the first watch-maker's and jewelry establishment, during the above
year. Before that time, the general stores kept whatever was to be had in the line of gold, sil-
ver, plate or pinchbeck, and. probably, clocks and watches as well. How a village so well reg-
ulated could have gotten on so long without a watchmaker, remains a mystery. A large wagon,
650 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
blacksmith and paint shop was erected in 1879, on Block 18, facing Jefferson street, by J. Bet-
tinger, where the principal business in those lines is now done.
VILLAGE HALL.
The elections were held here in a house rented from B. U. Strong, until 1869, when the
Village Hall scheme, which had been discussed for some time, came to the point where the
building was started and completed. The building is of frame, 26x60 feet, and two stories high.
The lower story is divided into Police Justice room, ante-room and two cells for criminals, which
seem to be strong enough to hold the most desperate of characters. The upper story, which is
reached by a flight of stairs winding up through a graceful tower, is fitted up in a very tasty
manner for all general public gatherings. The building is finished and furnished throughout
in a very thorough manner. It cost, complete, about $2,575, and is especially noticeable on
account of its architectural beauty and perfect adaptation to the use for which it is intended.
The most casual observer cannot escape observing this building, and instituting comparisons
between it and buildings devoted to similar purposes in other portions of the country, in places
of even greater pretensions than this.
The lumber yard was started here as early as 1858, by a Mr. Mears, and about this time,
also, H. Celleyhan had a yard. Soon after, A. Walrath was engaged in the business. Then
King & McKutchen took hold of the business, in connection with their produce buying. In
1865, Wilcox & Hamilton were engaged in the trade, and. two years after. E. George and C. L.
Daley took hold of it. Mr. George withdrew from the business and left Mr. Daley sole pos-
sessor of the field, which he still remains. Mr. Daley is one of the oldest business men in the
place, having been engaged in trade here since the village was in its infancy.
TEMPERANCE [SSUES, PAST AND PRESENT.
At an early day. the temperance sentiment in this section, among many of the people, was
very strong, while, on the other hand, liquor-drinking proclivities with some were exceptionally
strong. The first one to open a shop for the sale of forty-rod killer copper-distilled dew, was a chap
by the name of Jacob Comeen, who came here about 1856 or 1857 and opened up near the
eastern railroad crossing. Jake, as he was called, rapidly developed a first-class groggery,
which became the nightly and Sunday rendezvous for every loafer in the locality. From being
had at first, it soon became a perfect nuisance, until, finally, the better class of people in the village
ami country decided to end the business. An opportunity to carry out their designs was soon
offered, by the coming of a two penny jack-o'-lantern show, winch Jake went to see, leaving an
open tield for operations. When Jacob returned, the metamorphosis that met his eyes must
have given his nerves a greater shock than the biggest dose of fusel oil, strychnine, stramonium
and the like, that he had ever swallowed, for there, without a good or sufficiently apparent
reason, was Ins liquor being licked up. house and all. by lire the thirsty flames fairly dancing
over the destruction, with the eager fury and delighf thai is supposed to possess the spirits of
demons when the ruin of some poor human soul is accomplished, and he becomes the willing
slave of alcohol. With the destruction of his stock. Comeen took his departure, ami. for a time.
the people were tree from the whisky evil-. This immunity did not hist long, however, for
within a veai- after, a man by the name of Mullen erected another temple to Bacchus in the vil-
lage, ami very soon the former condition of things was re-established, and. perhaps, even to a
'■hi. \i anj rate, the nuisance soon became intolerable to a large portion of the law-
abiding inhabitants, and. of course, the next step was to give the institution the grand bounce.
This was effected one night while the proprietor was out. hut the means taken were not quite so
although fully as effectual. The business was upset by upsetting the shop. It
was unceremoniously laid on its side, like a trunk ticketed to leave on the next train, or waiting
to be moved. The invitation to subside was duly heeded by the dispenser of lightning nectar,
and thus ended the second saloon.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. ,;:'l
For many years subsequent to this, a majority of the people kept up a high temperance
sentiment, and maintained a nourishing lodge of Good Templars But, as the years multiplied,
the interest subsided, until now there is no lodge. Also, saloons have long been in operation,
but the business is now conducted according to law, and in a comparatively quiet manner \
liberal license is exacted, which is used, when obtained, according to certain charter provisions,
by the village authorities for making and maintaining street improvements and such Other
village purposes as may be deemed necessary.
Spring Green has had its newspapers, and the newspapers have had their day of short-
lived mediocrity, unfortunately for the place, for a good paper is needed here. As for the
editor, the annals of ihis history ran scarcely do him justice. Suffice it to say. he is almost tun
well known here and elsewhere to need mention.
Spring Green has a couple that, it is supposed quite naturally, are not very happily united,
considering developments. Doubtless, any one who witnessed the division of a feather-bed, in
the hands of said parties, not so very long ago, just outside of the door on a windy day, must
have been struck with surprise to see that which floated away so lightly, remain down, and. further
more, it is solemnly asserted that at one time in the fracas, a knock-down or pull-down was highly
imminent. However, the feathers were ventilated and that downy bed is now no more forever.
EDUCATIONAL.
The first school of District No. '2 was taught in the old log schoolhouse on Section 7. long
previous to the residence here of any of the present townspeople. Many years before the
first graduates of the present excellent high school had learned their a-b abs, the old loghouse,
with us high wooden benches ami knife-hacked desks, had turned out its graduates in readin',
ritin' and spellin'. Then Sander's. Maguffy's or the old English Reader and the Pennsylvania
or Cobb's Speller, furnished literary pabulum for the minds of ambitious or lazy tyros in the
field of literature. All the world was then described by Olney's. or some other ancient
geography, that told big stories about the unexplored portions of this country, and the
Cherokees, Chickasaws, Chocktaws, Sioux, Seminoles, etc.; then Papa Murray's syntax and
prosody (the first really scientific grammatical production) was freely ground into the rebellious
craniums of the unappreciative youth, who liked the good old way of saying, " 1 seen.'' rather
than " 1 saw." and when it was. as now, much easier to understand the verb love, with the pro-
noun 1 prefixed, than in any other form. Ami who among the old folks can forget the peculiar
vocal struggles that, were then required, when words of six or seven syllables were spelled, and
every syllable pronounced, and added on to the string consecutively like a row of buttons : and
the terrible rule of three. Oh shades of Archimedes, Euclid and Cocker ! How far thy mighty
thoughts have penetrated, and how many weary hours have been spent over thy problems.
The old log house is gone, and the system of education then followed is now a thing of the past.
So the old continually gives place to the new. as the sands of time run out.
After the village had gotten fairly started on its course of development, the first school-
house was built on the lot occupied by the present building, which was presented to the public
for this purpose by the proprietors of the village plat. In 1862, the roof of this building was
raised, another full story being added to furnish the room nece-san to accommodate the largely
increased number of pupils. This schoolhouse was the only public school building in the vil-
lage until the erection of the present commodious edifice, hut. according to the arrangements
made with the preceptor in the old academy, a certain number were taken in there from the
district school, each year, for instruction in the higher branches of education.
In ISTA. the academy having closed and the means of instruction being totally inadequate
to the demands of the place ami locality, a proposition was submitted to the voters of tin- town
of Spring Green at the meeting, to make an appropriation of funds for the purpose oi erecting
652 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
such a high-school building as would furnish ample educational facilities for the entire surround-
ing country. A majority of the voters, upon ballot, were in favor of entering into the enter-
prise, but the town authorities failed to comply with the requirements of the law in such premises,
and, consequently, the action was lost. District No. 2 then took up the matter, and, going
vigorously to work, soon perfected arrangements for erecting the present fine structure. The
building was constructed by Mr. Cory, of Madison, and cost, when finished complete, the snug
sum of $5,500. It was ready for occupancy in the fall of 1876, and opened under the best
of auspices and with a large number of outside pupils. Architecturally considered as a school
building, there appears to be nothing lacking ; the rooms are large, lofty, well lighted and well
ventilated, and the exterior, in simplicity and elegance of design, is in perfect keeping with the
interior. There are three departments, each being supplied with appropriate recitation rooms
and first-class modern furniture.
The people in this vicinity hold this school in high estimation, believing it to be the equal
of any public school in the State ; and not without good reason, for, according to reports on
public schools, this institution is the equal of any other in the amount of outside patronage
which it has received from the very start. The first year's receipts from outsiders were
$582.58 ; the second year, $540.37 ; the third year, $588.67. The price of tuition is 50 cents
per week, or $6 a quarter, what is usually charged by academical schools. Prof. De La Matyr,
the principal now in charge, has been teaching here since the high school was opened, and the
real excellence and popularity of the school is doubtless due more to his excellent management
and instruction than to any other cause. The salary of the Principal is $1,200 per annum,
nearly half of which is paid by the regular outside receipts. The old academy was in its day a
flourishing institution here, around which lingers yet, in the memories of old pupils, many a
kindly recollection. It was located at first at Richland City, and to the fall and decay of that
emporium of a sister county. Spring Green was chiefly indebted for the establishment of the
academy here. Prof. Silsby commenced the school in 1861, in the old blue store built by
Worthington and partner, but, very soon after, it was removed to another unused building, stand-
ing on Block 10, facing Lexington street, now used for a harness-shop. In the meantime, several
of the prominent citizens had interested themselves and furnished cash and help, and had taken down
and moved the academy building from Richland City, and re-erected it where it now stands, at an
expense of about $500. With this favorable send-oft", and with a liberal patronage, the school
started, but did not continue long under Mr. Silsby 's direction, for the sound of " To arms! "
that was then ringing through the land, started the war fever to raging in his veins, and. like
thousands oi other brave fellows, he left home, friends and everything, to espouse bis country's
cause. The school district then purchased the building from him, paying him $700 for it.
They then employed J. II. Turvey, who was subsequently County Superintendent of Schools,
to teach, paying him a certain sum for teaching district scholars and whatever he could get
foi teaching others. After be had been here four years, another arrangement was
entered into with him, by which he was bound to keep the academy running a certain number
of years, and by which lie became the owner of the institution. Mr. Turvey continued the
school about ten years, then closed it, owing to want of proper patronage. It is now occupied
for a private dwelling-house, and probably will never more resound to " Veni, vidi, vici," and
•' "I'is education makes the common mind."
THE POST OFFICE.
The post office »:is first kept by Mr. West, then by Garwood Green, in the depot, and was
opened as early as L856-J 57. In 1859, it passed into Worthington's charge: then, in 1860, S.
II. Vedder came and took the office, holding it until 1864-65, when \V. II. Hamilton became
Postmaster. From him it was transferred. December 23, 1865, to D. 1). Davies, who has since
held it.
HISTORY OF sack col Xl'V. 653
EXPRESS COMPANY.
S. M. Vedder was the first express , -men t here ; when he left, F. Lacy was appointed ; then,
in 1868, it passed into the hands of D. D. Davies. The first express company was the United
States. But, soon after Mr. Davies' appointment, a competitor appeared in the field in the per-
son of G. F. Pound, as agent for the Merchants' Union. After running opposition for a short
time, the United States Company withdrew. II. 11. Johnson, who is now agent, succeeded Mr.
Pound. Since he 1ms been in office, a change lias been made, the United States Company taking
this station and the Merchants' Union going to another.
3EC1 LAB SOCIETY USD CHURCHES.
Masons. — A dispensation was first granted to Lodge No. 212. F. & A M., in May. l^T'-1.
the officers being as follows: 11. B. Dewy, W. M : S. M. Harris. S. W.. and P. II. Parsons,
J. W. The lodge contii 1 under dispensation until June, 1880, when a charter was granted.
and the lodge regularly organized by P. A. Daggett, Acting G. M. There were fifteen char-
ter members, who elected the following officers: S. M. Harris. W. M.; P. II. Parsons. S. W.; ,
H. R. Johnson, J. W.; J. G. Slyter, Treas.; J. 1!. Mabbett, See.: W. A. De La Matyr, S. !>.;
J. S. Slyter. J. D.; S. L. Davis. Tiler. The lodge has a good hall, well furnished, and is in a
flourishing condition.
'''■i)</rr</ii/i<i)iiif Church. — A society was first organized here February 15, 1859, in the old
schoolhouse, Rev. Mr. Benton, of Richland City, and the Rev. D. L. Noyes, being the officiating
ministers. The first members were D. L. Noyes. 1!. V . Strong and wife, Dr. C. T. Hubbard,
wife and two daughters. P. West and wife. M. B. West and W. C. Spaulding. Dr. Hubbard
was elected Deacon, and P. West Secretary and Treasurer. The Rev. Noyes remained with
the society until December, 1862, when the Rev. J. Silsby took the pastorate, lie was suc-
ceeded by the Rev. Jonathan Jones, who came October 22, 1864. He was followed by the
Rev. Mr. Cochran, who entered upon his duties December 4 of the above year. During his
pastorate, in the year ls<>7. the church was built, at a cost of $1,200. After the Rev. Cochran,
came the Rev. .Mr. Pullen, in 1872. He remained until December •">. 1^T.">. when the Rev. ( >.
II. Smith was called. The pulpit is now supplied by the Rev. Mr. Stoddart, of Boscobel. Of
the first members, none but B. U. Strong and wife are left. There are now about forty members.
lliplist Society. — The first meeting of the Baptist denomination was held at the school-
house in 1869, the Rev. William Phillips, a Welshman, being the preacher. This preacher,
who lived at Wilson's Creek, came regularly afterward for about a year before a society was
formed: then a regular class was organized, consisting of thirteen members. In 1871, Rev.
Enoch Prouty and family came. After they had been here about a year, the little society set to
work to build a church. The church was built in 1872, but not completely finished. In the
spring of L873, Dr. William H. Brisbane was called to the pastorate. During this season, the
church was finished all but painting, at a cost of $600. Dr. Brisbane remained until his death.
in 1878. Since that time, services have been held irregularly, students from Madison and
itinerant ministers being the supply. The church is free from debt.
MethoJisI /•J/i/si-o/>iil Church. — The first class of the Methodist Episcopal Church here was
organized by John J. Walker, as nearly as can he learned, about 1861. The first member-
ship was fourteen souls, all told. They began by holding their meetings in the schoolhouse.
Rev. Walker served one year; then Rev. J. C. Brainard came and remained two years. During
his pastorate a revival was held, which resulted in making five converts, who were admitted to
full membership. The parsonage was built while he served, at a cost "\' about $900, $200 of
which was paid oft' only this last year. The next preacher was Rev. R. Could, who served but
a year, with no material advancement shown. After him. Rev. A. G. Cooly came and remained
a year, two additions being made to the society while he was here. He was followed by J.
Thomas Pryor, who served two years. During his time revivals were held at different points,
and large numbers were converted and joined the church here and elsewhere. The succeeding
654 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Pastor was Rev. William R. Irish ; he served two years. After he came, in 1868, the organi-
zation was forbidden to use the schoolhouse any longer, and, to supply a temporary place of
worship, a rough board shanty, capable of seating about 150 persons, was erected. Quite a
number were taken into the church at this time. Rev. Henry J. Walker came next, in 1870,
and remained two years. During his pastorate, in 1871, the present church was erected and
finished, and was dedicated on the 4th of February, 1872, by Rev. D. VV. Couch. The church
is 36x54, without entries and recess; it is a frame, veneered with white brick and built on stone
foundation. It is very neatly finished and seated, and has handsome stained-glass windows. It
has also belfry and good bell. The parsonage and barn are in a good state of repair, and, taking
the whole church property here into account, it is one of the best in the county. The cosl of
the church is $4,500, as it stands to-day. During the time the church was being built, a diffi-
culty arose between the principal members ami the Pastor with reference to the building, which
ultimately caused an open rupture, and about fourteen of the leading members left. This move-
ment so crippled the resources of the church that, at the dedication, there was an indebtedness
standing against the church of $2,200. At this time subscriptions were taken, purporting to
be enough to pay the debt, but, in the event, many of the parties failed to pay, there ben
little more than one-half of the $2,200 paid. Eventually, the Methodist Episcopal Extension
Society gave $400 toward paying the debt and loaned 8:10(1. But, notwithstanding this aid and
what was paid by subscribers, in 1879, through the accumulation of interest and the misman-
agement of funds, the church was yet in debt $2,00(1, hut finally, during that year, under the
managemenl of the Rev. D. Clingman, the whole amount was canceled, leaving the property
entirely free from debt. The three lots, a 'quarter of Block 4, were donated by the original
owners of the village plat.
Rev. Robert Smith succeeded Rev. H. J. Walker in the fall of 1872, and served one year.
He was followed by James T. Bryant, who served from L873 to 1875. After him, Rev. E. T.
Briggs was appointed and served one year, a few additions being made to the church. Then
Rev. S. W. Haigh served from 1876 to 1878, without any material change being made in the
church affairs. In L878, the Rev. D. Clingman came to thecharge. He has succeeded, during
his service, in restoring order where confusion prevailed, and has left the church in a healthy
financial condition and also made various improvements in the property. There are now thirty-
two members in good standing in connection with the chinch here. There are, besides, at the
present time, six regularly organized classes in connection with this charge, located in various
parts of the county adjacent to this point.
TORY OF SAUK COUNTY
CHAPTER XIV.
Town of Spring i Jreen— Tov x 01 Troy— Town of Bear < !reek— Town 01 Franklin -Town < >i
Honey Creek- Tow n of Merrimai k— Town of Prairie dtj Sa< Town oi Sumter.
town of spring green.
Tin' town ot Spring Green is located in the extreme southern part of the county. On the
smith, it is bordered by the Wisconsin; on the north, by the towns of Bear Creek and Frank-
lin; on the West, by Richland County, and on the east by the town of Troy. This town is, in
great part, one of the best farming districts in the county, a large portion of the lands being
well adapted, in every respect, to gram and stock raising. The south half is almost entirely
level, while the northern portion is very bluffy, and, on the southern face, very sterile. The
bluff district is intersected by numerous valleys, which are usually occupied by farms. The prin-
cipal of these are the Wilson Creek Valley, Big Hollow and Mondago Valleys. The soil is vari-
able through the town ; near the river it is generally sandy, but, as we approach the bluffs, passing
north over what by many is considered the head of an ancient mammoth stream, we come to a very
fertile soil, consisting chiefly of rich alluvial deposits. The soil of the hills is principally clay
and sand, and, in the valleys, a rich, dark loam, mixed, in many instances, with sand washed
from the hills. The various farm products common to this county, excepting fruits, are raised
here in abundance. In the more sheltered districts, winter wheat is largely sown ; but corn and
spring grains are chiefly raised. An industry which is yet comparatively in its infancy — raising
sorghum — is being largely pursued here, and, as the soil and climate are well adapted to its
growth and perfect maturing, the probabilities are that this will become one of the chief indus-
tries. Hop-raising is also followed here, but to a limited extent only, as the general low price of
the article at present and excessive fluctuations in value which are constantly liable to occur,
beside- the cost of raising a crop, prevent anything like extensive investments in this work. The
time has been when hop-raising was the great thing to engage in to make money; then, after-
ward, as nearly all of the farmers too well know, it became the great avenue for losing money,
and. as a result, nearly till of those who made money in them lost what they made, and more too,
before they were satisfied to stop.
The town is not so well watered with small streams as some of the adjacent towns, but
among the bluft's there may be found a good many choice springs. On Spring Green Prairie
there are to be seen evidences of a former stream that flowed from east to west, and which would
add greatly to the value of the adjacent lands .and lie materially beneficial if it were here now.
During the summer, the channel that this stream pursued can be easily traced by the crops grow-
ing on it and along its border, as in the center of the channel the growth is but little more than
half as strong as on the borders and beyond.
The town is well supplied with prehistoric remains and various geological features interest-
ing alike to the archaeologist and scientist, and that must be seen to be fully appreciated. One
rather singular discovery or development we particularly mention, as it shows how enormous
must have been the changes that have been wrought in the condition and topography of the
country within a few hundred years: Mr. X. Mood, of Hood's Valley, while digging a well,
found fallen timber and shell at a distance of fifty or sixty feet beneath the surface. These
remains were so old that when brought to the surface they immediately resolved into dust.
The timber supply is very fair, although not so good as in some localities. There are no
creameries or butter factories in town, and probably no regular dairies, although the country is
656 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
well adapted to stock-raising, for cheese and butter-making purposes. There is some fine stock
being bred here, but the majority raised are hogs and cattle, solely for the butchers' market.
Settlement and Development.
The first settler to come into this section of the county was Charles Wilson, who settled in
what is now known as the town of Troy. The first one to locate in this town, according to the
best accounts, was a Mr. Turner, who came about 1841 or 1842 and laid claim to what has long
been known as the old Thomas Williams place, on Section 18. Reports regarding Mr. Turner
are very meager of reliable information. It is only known that he came at that time, and that
ho died soon after from the effects of sunstroke. This was probably the first death in town, and
occurred before any of the present residents had come, so many will know nothing of it. His
wife was the first woman in town, and, when he died, was left alone among the Indians with a
sin, .11 child to care for.
Very soon after Mr. Turner's death, Thomas Williams came, probably as early as 1*42.
and we learn that, ere many months had passed, he had wooed and won the widow Turner.
What sort of a marriage ceremony was performed, or how many presents were given, and guests
present, remains unknown. Whether the traditional broomstick came into play, or what was
done, conjecture only can explain.
Shortly after Mr. Williams' arrival, Evan Jones and family of two sons and two daughters
settled here on the banks of the river, a little southwest of where the village of Spring Green
stands. Mr. Jones started in with the intention of building up a town, but signally failed. At
one time, three men from the East came here on a prospecting expedition, and proposed to pur-
chase Mr. Jones' claim and start a place, but he would not sell. The place, such as it was. was
known as Jonesville. A very sad calamity befell a portion of Mr. Jones' family not long after
their coming. A son and two daughters were out riding one day in a canoe on the Wisconsin,
when, through some unexplained cause, the frail vessel upset, and they were drowned.
Mr. Jones remained here several years, and his remaining son, Thomas, afterward opened
a store, probably as early as 1846 or 1847. This was the first store in this section of the
countv. Before, the people had either to go to Prairie du Sac, Richland City, or over into
Iowa County I'm' needed commodities.
\lioui 'thi- time, the first post office was established there, with Mr. Thomas Jones as Post-
master.
T. J. Morgans came into the town as early as |s| I. and settled. Mr. Morgans now lives in
the town of Franklin, ami is one of the oldest, if not the oldest, settler in the southwestern part
of the county.
Another of the early settlers was E. Goodell, a hunter, who made a claim on Section 7,
near Spring Grei a Village. Goodell, like the majority of hunting characters, was not a person
in gather moss, consequently be went West with the tide of emigration.
The Davidson family, Ed, Oramel and William, came in as early as 1846. It is said
that one of these brothers supplied the early settlers with the first blacksmith-shop, but, as a
cotemporary historian might say, he did not forge out a fortune ••from the much iron" he
hammered.
To enumerate consecutively all of the different early settlers, ami give the dates of their
arrival entirely correct, would be next to an impossibility, ami. besides, it is nol necessarily
essential or proper, as very many of the first comer- left very soon after their arrival, some
going farther West ami others returning to Eastern homes thai they deemed themselves foolish
\| ,, when the country was new, miasmatic conditions prevailed largely on the
prairie, "('hills ami lever are always a sure source of misery to the most determined and hope
fi,]. and will quell tie- most ardent enthusiasm ; so ii is not to be wondered at that people were
coming and going constantly, and that but feu Btayed in proportion to the total number that
I went.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. t>57
An old assessment roll of 1850 furnishes the following names, some of whom are yet living
on the prairie, and nearly all of them enjoying the fruits of early industry ami economy, as is
attested by their large farms ami comfortable homes. There were, besides some of those already
mentioned, Amos Mercer, James Watson. Smith Love, James Cass. Samuel Huntly, Evan
Evans, Daniel Williams, .1. Dalley, J. R. Louis. William Parry, William Bower, II. Anderson,
John Oleson, Daniel Evans, William Barnard. J. Y. McKee, Andrew Bear, Thomas E. Jones,
D. B. Young, John Jones, Robert McCune, William Ecker, Alvin Parton, D. Jones. Isaac
Blake, George and James Coon, Andrew Rutherford, James Thomas and James Werden. This
gives about all that were residents of the town as early as 1850.
To describe fully the extreme deprivations that were endured by many of the people here at
an early day, would require a volume of no mean size and that would be intensely interesting,
In a general way, none were exempt from bitter experiences, which the following account of Mr.
Amos Mercer, if true as given by others, will fully illustrate. It is said, after he had planted
some potatoes one season, probably the first, he was obliged to dig them up again for food. At
another time, a letter came to Richland City for him, but he had not money to pay {'or bread,
aside from the 25 cents postage, and, had not one of those generous souls that have brightened
the earth in all ages, lent him $5, he might have been reduced to a worse condition than
having to dig up potato seed. These early struggles were but the clouds of the past, that
obscured the sun of to-day, and that have served a useful purpose in creating a thorough appre-
ciation of present blessings.
The first physician here was a Welshman, Dr. Evans, who came before 1850, and, it is
said, died not long after. After him came Drs. Hubbard and Davies. James Coon (given abov
was the first horse doctor. He came at a time when the horses were principally of the horned
variety.
As before mentioned, Thomas Jones kept the first post office. After him the brothers
Alfred and Fred Gill, who started a store at Jonesville very early, kept it. Then in the
spring of 1855, the Rev. J. Davies took it. ami from here it was transferred to the village
Thomas Williams and a man by the name of Teuton also opened a store in the town about
L850. This establishment afterward broke up in a row, which eventually had to be settled by
the neighbors, who met at Dr. Davies and smoothed out the ruffled feathers.
A saloon was started by a man by the name <>f Anderson, on corner of Section 7. as early
as 1850 to 1851. This institution furnished liquor to the county until Spring Green Village
came to the rescue, then it subsided.
The first road over the prairie ran from Helena Ferry to Richland City. And i
ferry that crossed the river in this section of the county was a scow boat, run by Aha Culver,
as earl\ as 1841, between Helena and this town. Mr. Culver also boarded die hands of the
shot-tower.
A schoolhouse was built in the town as early as 1848 or 1849, on Section 7, nearh
site to where E. W. Evans now lives. The first teacher was. as nearly as can be ascertained.
Miss Millie Cass; the next, Thomas Watson.
The summer of 1850, there were twenty-eight pupils going to this school, Mrs. S. Love
being the teacher.
The early settlers throughout the county were as often in an early day the victims id'
various swindling schemes, as now. Cue of the child' methods pursued by rascals was to claim
the improved farms of settlers, stating that they had first purchased them." In some instances
took well, but in others it failed most completely, as the following show g ; I )ne day,
about 18.37, a nicely dressed chap drove through the county making inquiries for lands, and
showing certain numbers on ivory tablets, and among the rest the numbers of Mr. Mercer's tine
farm were shown. Mr. Mercer, hearing of this, prepared for war. declaring if he showed his face
on his premises, he would kill him. The fellow, learning how kind a reception awaited him.
quickly slid out.
658 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Nearly all localities have at some time had their literary characters. Spring Green had
one one time in the person of a Mr. Beckwith, long since departed. He was genial and often
invited his neighbors in to inspect his library of 300 volumes. So one day, James Watson, one of
the oldest settlers here, an educated man and son of the Emerald Isle, called to see the library,
when lo ! the 300 volumes consisted of a collection of 300 almanacs.
Miners from Iowa County came here in large numbers, from 1845 to 1850, prospecting for
ore, but, owing to the absence of such mineral deposits as they sought, they went away empty-
handed.
Spring Green has had one suicide, which occurred ten years ago. John Evans hanged him-
self in his stable for fear of coming to want.
Also, at a very early day, there was an attempted murder, that caused the first law-suit in
the town. A Mr. Louis, who came before 1850, was shot at with a musket, the ball passing
through his hat. He accused a man by the name of McReady of the deed, and had him tried
before Squire O'Meara, but could prove nothing against him.
The first cemetery here was opened on the old Thomas Williams place. The first one
buried here being, in all probability, Mr. Turner. Now there are three, but one only is in use,
the others having been long abandoned. It is located on Section 6. In a few years this will
be filled also by the ashes of the departed.
There is a good stone quarry in town, owned by John Beaver. It is said to be the best in
this vicinity.
About the only manufacturing pursued in town, aside from ordinary mechanical business,
is the making of sorghum molasses by evaporators, two of which are located in town. One,
owned by J. Mann, is located about five miles west from Spring Green, and has been in opera-
tion each season for fifteen or sixteen years. The apparatus is not large, but the quality of
molasses made is said to be very good. E. P. Ailing owns the other evaporator, which is situated
about a quarter of a mile south from the village. This apparatus was only set up last year, but
it is, notwithstanding, doing a very good business. It lias a capacity for making about 100 gal-
lons per day. This season it will run off about 2,000 gallons.
The following anecdote illustrates how the poll-tax was paid twenty-five years ago: About
1 858, a large party met in Big Hollow [now occupied by Norwegians, principally] to work out
their poll-tax. The first thing the party did was to chip in and make up enough money to buy
a couple of gallons of whisky. This was then scut for and brought, and also cards. When the
cards and whisky came, then the labor began, which consisted in drinking, wrestling, running,
jumping, boxing, card-playing, etc., until the day's work was done.
A United States Coast Survey party came on to the prairie two years ago, and were sta-
tioned here several months, establishing base lines for altitudes, and also erecting signal stations,
of which there are three, located at different points about three miles apart, and in the form of a
triangle.
The first religious services were held here by the Rev. Fullerton, a Methodist itinerant, in
Mr. Turner's cabin. There were but three or four young men besides the family present.
The oldest religious society now existing in the town is that of the Welsh Congregational
Church, which was organized in 1850 by the Rev. William Parry, a native of Anglesea, North
Wales. The first membership was eighteen. The Deacons were Daniel Williams and Thomas
Williams. The early meetings were held in private dwelling-houses. In the year 1855, they
built their church, which is 30x40. and which cosl $600. A Sabbath school was started during
the same vear the society was organized. The ministers that have supplied the church at dif-
ferent times were, alter Parry, Revs. John Davies, Jonathan Jones, John Jones, and now the
Rev. William Harrison. There are no other churches in town outside of Spring Green Village.
Elections ami Management, Etc.
The town of Spring Green was at first a part of the town of Honey Creek, in connection
with other towns, but was set off into an independent precinct by the County Board in 1850,
HISTOKY OF SAUK COUNTY. 659
and ut that time included a pan of the town of Troy within its limits, being about eighteen
miles long by five wide. The first town meeting was convened on the 1st day of April, 1851,
wlum James M. ('as-. Thomas Pound and Alex Stewart were chosen Inspectors, and .lames
Watson and Thomas Wilson Clerks. Then the polls were declared open and officers elected. A
tax of $150 was voted for town expenses, and 3 mills on a dollar of all taxable property for
roads and 3 mills on a dollar for public schools. A road district was formed on the east end
of the town [now Troy], extending east from the range line between Sections 4 and 5, and
from the river to the town boundary on the north, Orison Thomas being appointed Roadmaster
of the same. It was also decided at this meeting, that Thomas Williams should open a road
from Helena to the big hill on the old road running up from the ferry that connected with the
State road on the Iowa County side.
At the first meeting of the Board of Supervisors, July 5, 1851, by-laws to the following
effect were passed, viz.: That a fence was legal, constructed of any durable materials, four and
a half feet high, with no holes through it over six inches within thirteen feet of the ground.
Stallions were also restrained from running.
It is noticeable that at that tunc the principal demand of the farmers was for roads, no less
than four petitions having been presented to the board at its first session for the laying-out of
new roads or changing old ones. It was a hard struggle to know who should get a road first,
and no little wire-pulling was the consequence.
The total amount of tax collected in the town this year was $528.47.
The first order recorded as drawn on the town, was by Thomas Pound for $1 for serving as
In-] tor. The other Inspectors and Clerks also received pay.
At the second annual meeting, held April ti. 1852, the same amount for roads and schools
i as at the first election, while $75 only was voted to pay town expenses.
A road from the Wisconsin, opposite Helena, in Iowa County, was laid out to Baraboo
ar. The tax collected this year amounted to $524.70.
At the third annual meeting, held April 5, 1853, the taxes were put at $100 for town pur-
iiool tax four mills on the dollar, road tax three mills on the dollar. This year, a road
scraper was first purchased. The town tax this year was $598.67.
At the fourth annual meeting, held April 4. 1854, $200 was raised for town purposes; five
mills on a dollar for schools and three mills for road ; also a special tax was levied to raise $100
to I'lp build a road from Madison to Prairie du Chien.
At thegeneral election held October 16, 1854, there were thirty-seven votes cast : $1,318.81
tax recorded this year, and the first license granted, for §10.
At the fifth annual meeting. April 3, 1855, sixty votes are recorded. In the evening,
after the polls were closed, eight or ten Irishmen, who were working on the railroad, came to
the polls and demanded to vote, declaring that they should vote any way. The inspectors said
they should not, and prepared for battle. But the foe withdrew, satisfied that it was no go.
Tax raised this year, $1,298.04.
At the sixth annual meeting. April 1, 1856, there were fifty-four votes cast. The taxes
f.r thi~ war were put at $125 for town purposes; road tax, seven nulls on the dollar, and
ix, six mills on the dollar. At the Presidential election, 1 15 votes were east, of which
J. C. Fremont received 97. The tax-list for 1856 stood: State tax. S-'lo:',.:;.", ; ccuntv tax,
$325 32; school tax. $86.67; town and local taxes, $1,300.95— total, $2,016.29.
At the seventh annual meeting. April 7. 1857, the number of votes cast was eighty-six:
taxes voted for the ensiling year — town. $125; road, three mills on the dollar, and school, seven
mills on the dollar; also, $50 additional road tax to be collected in order to obtain a grant of
$100 from the county for said purpose. This year, two pounds were established for the restraint
of unruly cattle, and poundmasters elected for each.
At the election held November 3, fifty-one votes were cast: $2,159.89 tax recorded this
year.
660 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
At the eighth annual meeting, April 6, 1858, ninety-five votes were cast. It was voted
that three Constables be elected for the ensuing year, and that the township be divided into two
road districts. At the general election held November 2, 108 votes were cast. At a meeting
of the board, November 30, it was voted that no license be granted to any one for the sale of intoxi-
cating liquors until they have a good, substantial house for a tavern to accommodate travelers.
The total amount of tax this year was $1,867.77.
The ninth annual meeting, April 5, 1859, was held in Mr. Simpson's bar-room. Number
of votes cast, 147. An appropriation of $57.74 was made for paupers. The taxes voted were
$200 for town purposes, $300 for school purposes and three mills on the dollar for roads.
The tenth annual meeting, in April, 1860. Taxes voted — $100 for town purposes, $300 for
schools, and three mills on the dollar for roads. Stamps were this year procured for the regis-
tering of dogs, and notice was also given that all dogs must be licensed. Seven dogs licensed
this year.
The eleventh annual meeting, April 2, 1861. Taxes voted — $150 for town purposes ; $300
for school purposes ; three mills on the dollar for roads. At general election, November 5, 1861,
number of votes cast for State Governor was eighty-six. At this election, seventy-four votes were
cast to amend the banking law.
The twelfth annual meeting, April 1, 1862 ; 108 votes were cast at this meeting. Taxes
voted — $300 for school purposes, two mills on the dollar for roads. At general election, held Novem-
ber 4, number of votes cast, 113. On the question of the proposed amendment to Constitution,
twenty-seven votes were cast for and none against. On the amendment to banking law, sixty-
three were cast for ami none against.
The thirteenth annual meeting, April 7, 1863. Number of votes polled, 108. Taxes
voted as follows: $300 for school purposes, 1A mills on dollar for road tax, and $200 for town
purposes. At a meeting held December 26, 1863, to raise money for soldiers, the whole number
of votes cast was ninety -nine, of which fifty-five were against raising said tax, and fifty-five
for raising the
February 24. 1864, a special meeting was held for the purpose of raising $1,400 to pay
volunteers. The whole number of votes cast was 106, of which number seventy-two were for the
tax, ami thirty- four against. On the 26th day of March. L864, a special meeting was called for
the purpose of raising a tax of $1,600 to pay volunteers. Whole number of votes east was
ninety-six, of which fifty were against the tax, and forty-six were for the same.
The fourteenth annual meeting, April 5, 1864. Taxes voted were $500 for school pur-
$150 for town purposes, $50 for pauper purposes and $25 for road purposes. Number
of votes oast. 111. October 17, special meeting for the purpose of voting to raise a tax of
$1,500 to pay volunteers. Whole number of votes. 1 HI, of which seventy-four were for the tax
and forty-two against it. At the Presidential election. November 8, number of votes cast. 1 16,
of which William Field, etc., received 113.
1865 — Special meeting, January 16, 1865, for purpose of voting on tax of$l,600 to pay
volunteers to fill the quota of town under the last call of President. Whole number of votes,
sixty-eight, of which sixty were for the tax and eight against.
The fifteenth annual meeting. April 4, 1865. Taxes voted: $300 for school purposes,
$150 for town purposes, and 1 mill on dollar for road taxes. September 10, dog fund appor-
tioned to school. \i the general election, November 8, eighty-two votes were cast
The sixteenth annual meeting, April 3, L866. Taxes voted : $15<l lor town purposes, $300
for school purposes, and three mills on dollar for road taxes. Number of votes east, thirty-seven
The seventeenth annual meeting, April 2. 1867; 150 votes cast. Taxes voted : $175 for
town purposes, $450 for town indebtedness. $250 For school purposes, and one mill on dollar for
road tax. At general election, held November 5, Dumber of votes cast for Governor, 163, of
which L. Fairchild received I 27.
The eighteenth annual meeting was held April 7. 1868; I'M votes east. Taxes voted:
$200 for town expenses, three mills on dollar for roads. $800 for schools and $100 for poor fund.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 661
The nineteenth annual meeting, April 6, L869 ; 204 votes were cast. Tuxes voted: $203
for town purposes, $300 for school purposes. SOnu tor road purposes and $150 for support of
poor. April til, S_'7t> granted B. IT. Strong for pauper claim. At general election held
November 2. L83 votes wen' east for Governor, of which L. Fairchild received 134.
The twentieth annual meeting, April 5, I S7< ►. Taxes voted as follows: $300 for school
purposes, $150 for support of the poor. $600 for road purposes and $200 for town purposes. A I
the general election, November 8, 1870, there were 133 votes cast.
The twenty-first annual meeting, April 4, 1871. Taxes voted were X-'5<HI tor school pur-
poses, $125 for pauper fund, §175 for town purposes and $400 for road purposes. The law that
hogs be restrained from running at large was passed this year, being the third time the question
had been up before the town meeting. At a general election, November 7, the whole number of
votes east for Governor was 154, of which C. C. Washburne received 106.
The twenty-second annual meeting, April 2, 1872. A motion was adopted to the effect
that $200 of the special road tax then on hand be appropriated for town purposes for the ensu-
ing year, $300 voted for school purposes, and a road tax of one mill on the dollar. Voted that
$150 of the special road tax of last year be applied as a part of the $301) for school purposes.
At the general election, November 5, the number of votes east for the elector of President and
Vice President was 180, of which 133 were cast for W. E. Cramer, Elector.
The twenty-third annual meeting, April 1, 1873. Taxes voted, §300 for school purposes,
and two mills on the dollar for road purposes.
The twenty-fourth annual meeting, April 7, 1874. Taxes voted, $250 for town expenses,
i school purposes and three mills on the dollar for road purposes. On motion, the
Clerk's salary was fixed at $75 per year. General election, Nov. 3. 1874. Number of vote-.
cast, 171.
The twenty-fifth annual meeting, April 6, 1875. Taxes voted were three mills per dollar
road tax, $300 for school purposes, and $500 for outstanding and current expenses of town.
Number of votes cast, 159. December 4, 1875, the board passed an order for a tax to raise
0 satisfy awards and damages in opening certain roads.
The twenty-sixth annual meeting, April 4, 1876. Taxes voted, three mills on the dollar
for tnad purposes, $300 for school purposes, §250 for town expenses, $150 for special road- work,
$36.80 to pay a road overseer, $100 for purchasing additional ground for cemetery, and a com
mittee was appointed for said purposes. A motion carried to establish a free high school in the
town. At the Presidential election, November 7, the whole number of votes cast for electors of
President and Vice President was 331, of which number T. \V. Weeks received 151.
February 7. 1ST". S. P. George was appointed Treasurer, to fill the place of A. Gill, who
was disqualified on account of sickness.
The twenty-seventh annual meeting, April 3, 1877. Taxes voted were, $300 for school
purposes, three mills on the dollar for road purposes ami $250 for town expenses. At the gen-
eral election, November 6, 1877, the number of votes polled was 146.
The twenty-eighth annual meeting was held April 2, 1878. Taxes voted. $250 for town
expenses, $3 for school purposes, three mills per dollar for road purposes, Sl5.sJ to liquidate
the indebtedness of the town. At the general election November 5, number of votes cast, 185.
The twenty-ninth annual meeting was held April 1, 1870. Taxes voted, $262.50 for town
expenses, $3 for town school fund, $54.91 to pay indebtedness of Road District No. -J. At
the general election November 4. 1879, 151 votes were polled.
The thirtieth annual meeting was held April 6, 1880. Taxes voted. $250 for town pur-
poses, SI 1.86 special tax for road in District No. 2. $300 for school purposes, three mills on the
dollar road tax, $500 to be applied to the road running south from the village to the river. $150
for purchasing additional ground for a town cemetery.
Total amount raised by the town to pay volunteers in the civil war, $4,600.
Special taxes for road purposes, that have been raised frequently, are not given.
662 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Town Officers.
In 1851 — D. B. Young, Chairman ; Andrew Bear, E. Cad well, Side Supervisors; E.
Evans, Clerk; D. Williams, Treasurer; A. Stewart, Assessor; T. Williams, Road Overseer;
R. McCune, Superintendent; J. M. Cass, Seale.r of Weights; T. Pound, F. L. S. Ausdell and
E. Davidson, Justices of the Peace; W. Davison, R. T. Bentley and W. Ecker, Constables.
In 1852 — J. Wilson, Chairman; S. Corwith and J. Rogers, Side Supervisors; E. Evans,
Clerk; J. Williams, Treasurer; A. Stewart, Assessor; A. Stewart, Road Overseer; E. Evans,
Superintendent; J. Watson, Sealer of Weights; A. Rutherford, F. L. S. Ausdell and J. O'Meara,
Justices; J. Dalbey and E. B. Plumb, Constables.
In 1853 — A. Stewart, Chairman : R. T. Bentley and S. Richards, Side Supervisors : E.
Evans, Clerk: M. O'Meara. Treasurer; J. Rogers, Assessor; J. Dalbey. No. 1. R. C.
Stephens, No. 2, W. Bo wen, No. 3, Road Overseers, E. Evans, Superintendent; A. Bear,
Sealer of Weights; W. L. Talbot, D. Gwin and D. W. King, Justices; J. Dalbey and ().
Thomas, Constables.
In 1Si4 — Alex. Stewart, Ch. S. Richards and \V. li.Tatchen, Side Supervisors; A.Gill,
Clerk; E. Evans, Treasurer; J. Rogers. Assessor; J. Anderson, No. I, II. Lorpabel, No. 2.
E. D. Jones, No. 3, Overseers; J. O'Meara, Superintendent; T. Williams, Sealer of Weights;
J. O'Meara, F. Gill and A. Nickey, Justices; J. Barker, J. Watson and S. Huntley, Constables.
In 1855 — E. Evans, Chairman; S. Corwith and A. Nickey, Side Supervisors; A. Gill,
Clerk; F. Gill, Treasurer; S. Corwith, Assessor; E. Cadwell. J. Rogers and G. Reely, Road
Overseers; S. Richards, Superintendent; T. Williams, Sealer of Weights; W. L. Talbot. W.
W. Minor and E. Evans, Justices: 0. Thomas and I1]. D. Jones, Constables.
In 1856 — S. Richards. Chairman ; J. Throne and < ). Thomas, Side Supervisors ; A. Gill,
Clerk : T. Jones. Treasurer : S. Corwith, Assessor: J. W. Harris, P. Booker and E. Patchen,
Road Overseers: J. Davies, Superintendent; A. Stewart. Sealer of Weights; J. Rogers and
J. Watson, Justices; J. Crook and E. S. Talbot, Constables.
In 1857— G. McFarlin, Chairman; E. B. Plumb and I). Helt, Side Supervisors; J.
Decker, Clerk; T. D. Jones. Treasurer; 0. Thomas, J. Guime and S. S. Munday, Assessors;
S. Huntley. W. Reely and S. Corwith, Road Overseers; J. Lester, Sealer of Weights ; S. Cor-
with. A. Peck and E. Evans. Justices; E. Cadwell. T. Hood and A. Stewart, Constables.
In 1858 — E. Evans, Chairman; J. Throne and J. Siders, Side Supervisors; Phillips,
Clerk; D. Williams, Treasurer; J. G. Thomas, Assessor; S. S. Munday and T. Peck, Road
Overseers; J. Davies, Superintendent ; A. Peck, T. 15. Worthington and T. Ersly, Justices : A.
Gill and P. Booher, Constables.
In 1859 — C. W. Hayes, Chairman; E.Jones and W. Ecker, Side Supervisors; T. L.
Jones, Clerk; II Ersly, Treasurer; J. Davies, Superintendent ; P. Ersy and E. Evans, Jus-
tices; 1'. Thornton. D. W. Bliss and D. I>. Jones. Constables.
In 1860 — E. Evans, Chairman; T. C. Reck and J. Throne, Side Supervisors; T.L.Jones,
Clerk: R. C. Ersly, Treasurer: P. Booher, Assessor; II. (Vlleyhain No. 1, D. Jones, No. "J.
F.Gill, No. 3, M. Sherwood, No. 1. Road Overseers; S Spiker, Superintendent; A. Peck
and W. O. Spencer, Justices; A. R. West. D. B. Allen and Thomas Hood. Constables.
In 1861— W. <!. Spencer, Chairman; W. Ecker and A. Nickey, Side Supervisors; F.
Gill, Clerk : R. C. Ersly, Treasurer; A. Gill, Assessor; II. (). Cass, No. 1. W. Jones, No. -'.
F. Gill, No. ::, ('. \V. I five-. No. I, Road Overseers: S. Spiker, Superintendent; K. Evans and
E. Chapin, Justices; li. ('. Ersly, R. Allen and T. Hood, Constables.
In 1862 W. (i. Spencer, Chairman; A. Nickey and \V. Ecker, Side Supervisors; F.
Gill, Clerk ; J. Hollenbeck, Treasurer; A. Gill, Assessor; W. G. Spencer, M. Parker and
E. Evans. Justices; J. Hollenbeck, J. Holmes and < '. G. Herrinuton. Constables.
In 1863 I'.. I. Strong, Chairman ; A. Nickey and W. Ecker, Side Supervisors; F. Gill,
Clerk; J. Haves. Treasurer; A. (Jill. Assessor: E. Evans, E. Chapin and A. Peck. Justices;
.1. Hollenbeck, S. Davies and D. B. Allen. Constables.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 663
In 1864 — B. U. Strong, Chairman; A. Nickey and E. Jones, Side Supervisors; F. Gill,
Clerk; D. R. Phelps, Treasurer; A. Gill, Assessor; A. C. Daley, No. I, B.James, No. 2,
D. K. Phelps. No. 3, J. Holmes, No. 4, C. Hayes, No. 5, Road Overseers: B. !". Strong. A.
Peck and A. Wilcox, Justices ; 8. Davis, A. U. Gardner, J. Ecker and L. Burroughs, Constables.
In 18(35 — B. U. Strong, Chairman; A. Nickey and W. Ecker. Side Supervisors ; J. Temby,
Clerk; E. W. Evans. Treasurer; G. G.Nick, Assessor; E. W. Evans, B. James, A. Wilcox,
J. Holmes and F. Booher, Road Overseers; .1. G. Thomas and A. Nickey, Justices: A.J.
Hood, B. F. Bailey and J. Ecker, Constables.
In 1866 — B. U . Strong, Chairman ; C. B. Pearson and I. Burroughs. Side Supervisors ;
F. Gill, Clerk ; E. W. Evans, Treasurer ; G. G. Nickey, Assessor ; C. B. Pearson, Peter
Beaver, A. Gill. T. Peck and F. Booher, Road Supervisors ; B. U. Strong, J. T. Temby and
E. Chapin, Justices; G. Van Orman, Constable.
In 1867 — B. U. Strong, Chairman ; T. D. Jones and C. W. Hayes, Side Supervisors : J.
R. Lewis, Clerk: E. W. Evans, Treasurer; J. C. Brainerd, Assessor; J. R. Lewis, J. G.
Thomas, J. L>. Jones, J. Holmes and N. Hood, Road Overseers; J. G.Thomas, A. Wilcox and
T. R. Hood, Justices : J. R. Lewis, D. D. Jones and F. Booher, Constables.
In 1868 — B. U. Strong, Chairman ; C. W. Hayes and J. G. Pelton, Side Supervisors ; J.
H. Terry. Clerk: T. D. Jones, Treasurer; G. G. Nickey, Assessor; B. U. Strong, B. H.
Hayes and E. W. Evans, Justices ; T. J. Hungerford, J. R. Lewis, J. D. Jones and D. D.
Jones. Constables.
In 1869 — F. Gill, Chairman ; E. W. Morgan and A. Nickey, Side Supervisors ; T. Hill.
Jr., Clerk: G. M. Spencer. Treasurer; E. W. Evans, Assessor ; S. S. Munday, T. Hungerford,
J. D. Jones, W. M. Gridley and S. Huntley, Road Overseers; J. M. Hood and T. Norton. Sr.,
Justices ; J. J. Nickey. E. Norton and G. B. Van Orman, Constables.
In 1870 — J. A. Taylor, Chairman; A. Nickey and E. P. Morgan, Side Supervisors : W.
A. Wvse. Clerk ; G. M. Spencer. Treasurer; E. W. Evans, Assessor; T. D. Jones, P. Beaver,
J. D.Jones, T. C. Peck and F. Booher, Road Masters; C. N. Finn, Sealer of Weights; E.
C. Brainerd, E. W. Evans, B. H. Hayes and J. G. Thomas, Justices; W. Logan, D. D. Davies,
D. D. Jones and J. Fulcomer, Constables; J. Dickson, Pound Master.
In 1871 — J. A. Taylor, Chairman; T. D. Jones and T. C. Peck, Side Supervisors; W.
A. Wyse, Clerk; J. N. Finn, Treasurer: E. W. Evans, Assessor; T. D. Jones, B. James, J.
D. Jones, E. B. Evans, L. Tracy and C. W. Hayes. Road Masters; J. G- Thomas and J. M.
Hood, Justices : W. Stewart. J. J. Nickey, E. F. Maher and D. D. Jones, Constables.
In 187^— E. W. Evans, Chairman ; T. D. Jones and C. W. Hayes, Side Supervisors; W.
A. Wyse, Clerk; J. N. Finn, Treasurer; F. Gill, Assessor; T. D. Jones, D. D. Jones, J. D.
done-.' E. B. Evans, N. B. Hood and C. W. Hayes, Road Overseers; E. C. Brainerd and E. W.
Evans, Justices ; W. M. Austin, D. D. Jones and E. F. Maher, Constables; J. Dickson, Pound
Master.
1873 — B. U. Strong, Chairman ; E. P. Morgan and T. D. Jones, Side Supervisors ; S. P.
George, Clerk; J. N. Finn. Treasurer; E. W. Evans, Assessor; T. 1>. Jones, E. Lester, J. D.
Jones. W. II. Harris, G. Dike and D. C. Reed, Road Overseers; H. R. Johnson. Sealer of
Weights; T. Hungerford and C. W. Hayes, Justices; E. Lester, E. F. Maher and W. H.
Harris, Constables ; J. Dickson, Pound Master.
In 1874 — -I. A. Taylor. Chairman; P. Bridgman and S. S. Munday. Side Supervisors;
S. P. George, Clerk: J. N. Finn, Treasurer; E. W. Evans, Assessor: W. 1). Jones. J. D.
Davis, J. D. Jones, E. B. Evans, H. Layton and C. W. Hayes, Road Overseers ; II. R. John-
son, Sealer of Weights; G. G. Reely and C. W. Hayes, Justices; W. H. Harris, E. James. P.
R. Pelton, Constables ; J. Dickson, Pound Master.
In 1875 — J. R. Lewis, Chairman ; E. Mercer and F. Booher, Side Supervisors : A. Gill,
Clerk ; J. N. Finn, Treasurer ; E. W. Evans, Assessor ; C. Jones. J. Davis, J. Jones, H. Harris,
E. V. Thornton and J. Hayes. Road Overseers: H. R. Johnson. Sealer of Weights : .1. Watson
664 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
and J. Reely, Justices; J. R. Lewis, G. Stewart andE. James, Constables; J. Dickson, Pound
Master.
In 1876 — J. R. Lewis, Chairman ; E.Mercer and J. Hayes, Side Supervisors; A. Gill,
Clerk ; J. N. Finn, Treasurer; E. W. Evans, Assessor ; C. Jones, J. G. Thomas ; J. J. Jones,
Jr., A. Mercer, S. V. Thornton and D. C. Reed, Road Overseers ; H. R. Johnson, Sealer of
Weights ; E. C. Brainerd and E. W. Evans, Justices ; W. H. Lewis and D. L. Talbot, Con-
stables ; J. Dickson, Pound Master.
In 1877— S. F. Nickey, Chairman ; E. Mercer and J. M. Hayes, Side Supervisors ; A.
Gill, Clerk ; S. Jones, Treasurer ; E. W. Evans, Assessor ; C. Jones, T. Fouchs, J. D. Jones,
E. Evans, J. Mercer and D. C. Reed, Road Overseers ; H. R. Johnson, Sealer of Weights ; B.
U. Strong and W. H. Lewis, Justices; M. R. Hurley, D. L. Talbot and G. A. Sweet, Consta-
bles ; J. Dickson, Pound Master.
In 1878 — S. F. Nickey, Chairman; W. H. Harris and C. Jones, Side Supervisors; J. A.
Taylor, Clerk ; S. Jones, Treasurer; E. W. Evans, Assessor ; D. J. Davis, M. McPhillips, E.
B. Evans, J. Mercer and W. Hayes, Road Overseers ; H. R. Johnson, Sealer of Weights ; E.
W. Evans and J. McKeeme, Justices; H. J. Jones, E. P. Noyes, N. B. Hood, Constables ; J.
Dickson, Pound Master ; E. George, Sexton. t
1879 — S. F. Nickey, Ohairman ; W. H. Harris and C. Jones, Side Supervisors ; J. N.
Finn, Clerk; J. T. Jones, Treasurer; E. Mercer, Assessor; D. J. Davis, J. Gasser, M.
McPhillips, E. B. Evans, L. W. Hood and W. Hayes, Road Overseers ; B. U. Strong and N.
B. Hood, Justices ; H. J. Jones and J. Howe, Constables ; B. U. Strong, Pound Master.
1880— S. F. Nickey, Chairman ; E. James and W. Hayes, Side Supervisors ; J. N. Finn,
Clerk; T. J. Hungerford, Treasurer; E. Mercer, Assessor; E. W. Evans, J. M. Hayes,
Justices ; I. W. Reymond, D. J. Davis, E. P. Noyes and W. B. Hayes, Constables.
TOWN OF TROY.
This town is the largest in area of any of the towns in the county, there being above fifty-
three sections in all. Like the town of Spring Green, it is bordered on the south by the Wis-
consin, on the north by the town of Honey Creek, on the east by the town of Prairie du Sac,
and on the west by the towns of Spring Green and Franklin. The surface, in some portions,
is exceedingly broken. The belt of bluffs that courses along the northern boundary of Spring
Green, and which appears to be the boundary of some great body of water, continues its way from
east to west, through the south central part of Troy, forming a prominent division between the
northern and southern parts of the town. The soil south of these bluffs is generally quite
sandy or marshy, the marsh lands being, in many places, entirely impassable for teams, so
much so, indeed, that a large part of the road from the town of Prairie du Sac to Spring Green,
goes winding deviously along close to the bluffs in order !o avoid the marshy places. North of the
bluffs, the soil is much better, it being composed principally of clay loam and black sand. In this
section are located some of the finest farms in the county, or to be found anywhere. These lands
are usually called the Honey Creek bottom lands, but, as in other localities, this town lias its
different prairies ami hollows. One of the points that was first located, lies south of the bluffs
and is considered very fertile. That is Cassell Prairie, named after Dr. Cassell, the first settler
there. Numerous other points might be mentioned, but they possess a minor interest. The town,
in the north part, is splendidly watered by Honey Creek anil two or three small branches. In
the south. Wilson's Creek and another small stream supply water. Honey and Wilson's
Creeks supply fair water-powers for milling purposes. Troy, like all of the towns, has its tumuli
and various natural curiosities. The timber supply, especially among the bluffs, is excellent.
These bluff's, with their pockets, are all owned principally by foreigners. The population is
mixed, the German element preponderating. The people are sober, industrious and frugal ;
they have good schools, and there are three churches, the latter being liberally supported. The
general tone of feeling prevailing among the people is decidedly good and probably somewhat
above the average.
HISTOKY (>F SAUK COUNTY 665
:ai:i
The very first settler in this town was Thomaa Wilson, a Scotchman, lie selected land in
the southwestern part of the town, on a small stream. Wilson's Creek, called after him. Mr.
Wilson was a somewhat restless and adventurous person in Ins youth, and had, before he
came here, in his more advanced years. "Keen about a good bit" here and there. Gov. Wash-
burn and partner employed hira to come from St. Louis to Helena to work in their shot-tower,
at a very early day, ami, being so close after the treaty with the Winnebagoes was concluded,
he must needs conn1 over the river anil examine the country. Upon seeing it, he determined to
locate. How early it might have been when he first came over prospecting cannot be deter-
mined, but, possibly, in the spring of 1838. Afterward, as early as 1840, we learn he had
moved in his family and was living here permanently. The old Government canoe that used to
carry provisions up the Wisconsin to the forts, and that was cut out of a lug, and which was
large enough to carry fifty barrels of flour and the men to row, was in Mr. Wilson's possession,
and served him in navigating the river, after having served Uncle Sam. Mr. Wilson was a man
of no mean ability and talents. He was something of a scholar, and could paint, draw and
carve very artistically. Alexander Stuart has a Scotch highland scene, painted admirably,
and there are many other relics of his genius scattered about the country. He has been dead a
good many years.
The first white persons to come into the north part of the town and settle permanently were
J. A. Sprecher and Nick Darnutzer, two Swiss, who emigrated hither very early in the spring
of 1846. They came in by way of Prairie du Sac, and hail to build a bridge over Honey Creek
before they could reach the goal of their ambition. They came with a load of lumber to make a
cabin, and. no sooner were they over the bridge, than they had their first experience in getting
stuck, but. m all probability, not the last. There were three yokes of cattle hitched to the load,
hut they did not avail anything against the " set." so the load had to be carried by hand. A
new and splendidly fertile lot of land lay before them to pick from. That they were careful and
judicious in making their selection, is shown by their excellent farms.
< >ne day. after they had been here two or three weeks, Mr. Sprecher went out for a ramble,
when, what should he discover, but the wagons of a party of new arrivals, camped on Section
18, on a branch of Honey Creek These were Thomas Wells, J. W. Harris, Dewitt Slauter
and J. Kifer. They came from Ohio. J. W. Harris made a claim at what was considered an
eligible point to start a village, and we learn he did not wait long thereafter before laying out a
plat. The remainder of the new-comers drove their stakes in the immediate vicinity, and thus
the little party were finally settled. Mr. Harris put up a comfortable house, and opened,
within a year or two, as tavern-keeper. Of these four families, not a single one is living here
now. as. the village project not proving a success, they sold and emigrated to another town.
Besides those above given came, in or before 1850, A. Harrington, Robert McReady, Ed
Mix, John Feller, H. B. Staines. William Young, George Bonham. Samuel Walster, Lem
Cooper, William Hasheider, F. Stifer, C. Stifer, F. Darnutzer, S. Miller. L. Buechler, F.
Nobis. II. Meyers, J. Schmidt, Daniel Held, J. Bear, H. Haiflisch, James Davis, Frishim M.
Dohnson, II. Folkinstine, II. Bear, S. W. Corwith, John Loganfall, J. Young, Alex Stuart and
others. Alex Stuart was one of the first settlers on the south of the bluffs ; as ear as 1841
saw him pocketed among the hills, where he yet lives.
The first marriage in the town occurred March 1. 1*47, when James Taylor, now living in
the town of Spring Green, was married to Phebe Harris. Charles 0. Baxter, who officiated at a
good many early weddings, spliced them.
The first one to see life first here was a granddaughter of Thomas Wilson, bom in 1846.
A school was taught in town in a log-house just west of the Harris settlement, now known
i- Harrisburg, in 1847 or 1848, Miss Laura Drew being the teacher.
In the above schoolhouse, the first religious services were also held in is 17. a t 'ongregational
itinerant minister preaching.
bbb HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY
Tlie first child born in the north part of town was Joseph Harris, born December 15, 1847.
A saw-mill was built on Section <S by John Bear, about 1850, the first in town; J. Ran-
ey next owned it, then Curtis Bates, who refitted it for a grist-mill. In 1863, C. L. Harlacher
bought the property, and afterward enlarged it and added new machinery. There are now two
runs of stone, operated by a turbine wheel. The water-head is 6i feet.
In 1867, the Witwin Brothers built a mill in town. This mill also has two runs of stone
and two turbine wheels, of about twenty five horse-power when under full head. Another mill
in town, on Wilson's Creek, is but just finished. It has one run of stone, a turbine, and 18-foot
water-head. The proprietors are Mr. Cropper & Son.
A store was first opened in town at Harrisburg by J. W. Haws, in 1855. He purchased
the Harris homestead. He probably kept the first post office in the north part of the town.
William Young, who came in about 1850, was the first blacksmith.
The first religious services were held in the log tavern of J. W. Harris, as early as 1846,
by an itinerant Congregational minister.
After the old State road was laid through Iowa County, a horse ferry was started to run
from what was known as Hogarth across to Section 6. This was about 1852 or 1853. Mr.
Alex Stuart was hired to erect a causeway out from the river across a bad marsh and slough to
solid land. Mr. Barnard paid §100, and' the town authorities §100. The bridge was 14 feet
wide, made of split logs laid on cribs. At that time this was the great thoroughfare into the
county from the south. After the railroad came in 1850, the ferry was discontinued and the
bridge removed.
About the time the ferry was started, a road was built from Spring Green to Cassell Prairie.
Another ferry was started before 1850, connecting with Arena on the Iowa County side.
It was started by Marcus Ashmore, and ran to Big Island, then from that point over. After
Ashmore, D. Brisbane run the ferry for several years, then abandoned it. Two years ago. the
people formed a joint-stock company to help establish a permanent ferry. They built a boat on
this side, and the Arena people bought a cable and paid a man to run the ferry.
There was, it is said, a post office established at the old Barnard Ferry. The first one
probably in town was kept by Uriah Peck, at Wilson's Creek, the mail being carried from Prairie
du Sac to Prairie du Chien. A man by the name of Banks was the first mail-carrier.
When the railroad came, the old route was suspended, and one established from Spring
Green to Portage City. Alexander Stuart was the first carrier on this route, a man by the name of
Patchen being the Postmaster in this town.
Mr. Stuart tells a rather amusing anecdote of how they managed to collect money when the
times were hard and money scarce. One Andrew Bear was owing him for a yoke of cattle
and had neglected to pay. when Mr. Stuart and family were depending on it to get food.
When Mi-. S. went for his pay, Bear told him he would not pay unless he was sued, giving for
a reason that he would then have an excuse to collect from a man who was owing him,
and hi' from one who was owing him and the next man from one who was owing him and so on.
So the ball was set to rolling, but the Justice who was to do the business induced them all to pay
up after a few days, and so tli dlection was effected.
Another circumstance illustrates how hard it was for the pioneers to get along and how-
wary they were ul t lending.
Mr. Stuart had nothing for his family to eat, and he knew of only one place wh°re flour was
to I"- found. That was at James Watson's, in town of Spring Green. So, taking his bag on his
back, wiih a heavy heart, he started on his borrowing expedition. Thinking it would not do to
state his business suddenly, he sat down and joked and sang with Mr. Watson and a younger
brother, until finally, when the ice was broken, he waded in and told his errand. Mr. Watson. Si-..
declared he could not spare any flour. The younger brother hopped up and said. " Yes ye have,
plenty and to spare." Mr. Watson, thinking his flour was gone never to return, had to yield, and
Stuart triumphantly backed away a bagful, when the Hour was paid for, Watson, delighted,
declared he would always accommodate Mr. Stuart.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. OUT
There is now a post office at Cassell Prairie, one at Riche's Corners and one at Black
Hawk. The latter was established in 18(1(3 by C. C. Kuntz, former Editor of the Pioneer am Wis
cousin, and County Representative to Madison on several occasions.
Mr. Kuntz opened a store also at the time at that point. Tins is now owned by
J. C. Etendtorff. who also holds the post office. Harlacher's mill stands here.
An attempt was made to start a Swiss cheese-factory near here in 1877. It run for a short
time ami then suspended operations, as it could not be made to pay.
Probably the most disastrous enterprise that any of the citizens of Troy and Honey Creek
ever went into was the forming of a company and building a large factory for the manufacture
of beet-sugar. The first step^ were taken before 1870; beets were raised and the saccharine quali-
ties tested before anything was done. Then, the experiments proving satisfactory, a company
was formed, the shares being placed at S250 for each member and four acres of roots.
A charter was secured through the instrumentality of Mr. Kuntz, then member of the
House, in the year 1870. and the work of building was started about the same time or soon after.
A practical beet-sugar maker came on from Germany, and everything looked fair, the members
of the company being very sanguine of a grand success. The first year's crop of 1.3d acres was
as perfect as could be asked, but, unfortunately, the mill was not in running order quite soon
enough to manufacture the crop entire, and, consequently, it was nearly a dead loss. At first,
there were but fifty shares, but the second year each took another share, this making $25,000
cash already invested. Some of the first year's manufacture was sent to Madison, where it was
examined by the representatives, who passed an act exempting such enterprises from taxation
one year in order to promote the business of sugar-making. The second year proved a deplor-
able failure, the crop being very poor, only about four tons per acre were produced, where there
should have been from twelve to fifteen. The stockholders had to furnish ten cords of wood
apiece.
The wretched failure of this year put such a damper on the spirits of the stockholders that
some were in favor of throwing up the whole business. However, it was decided to try again.
As ;1 result, the third year's crop was even a worse failure than the others, as the frost came on
before they were quite ripe, and nearly spoiled the entire crop. This last disaster broke the
company up, after about $18,000 had been expended and wasted. Not more than L,500 bar-
rels of sugar was manufactured altogether. Fifty hands had to be employed to run the mill,
besides large numbers of children and women that were engaged in tending to the beets while
they were growing. The company affairs were left in a wretched condition, and, worse than
all, the charter was so drawn up that one person was made responsible for all. So. in order
that justice might be done, an amendment was obtained. In finally closing up and disposing of
the various apparatus, nearly everything went at a tithe of its original cost. Machines that cosl
$350 were sola at Slot* each, and other property in proportion.
The company was formed, principally, of Germans and Swiss, who firmly declare they will
never go into partnership again in any kind of enterprise with any one. That another sugar
factory will ever be started in the county, is scarcely probable, yet it is to be regretted that this
large and really valuable building should be left standing unused, when sorghum cane ran It
successfully grown in this climate, which makes loaf sugar, fine in grain and excellent in
quality.
Of the three churches in Troy, the Bethlehem Church of the Evangelical Association has
the largest congregation, and is a really fine church. The society was incorporated February
25, L848. The church was commenced in June, 1866, and was completed October 11, ISO",
when it was dedicated by Bishop Escher and Bishop Lang. It is built of stone, 34x65 in
dimensions, and cosl $3,400. There are now two hundred members. At first, this church was
connected with the Salem Church of Honey Creek, but now it is the head of a circuit, there being
another church in the vicinity connected with this church. Since this church became the head
of a circuit. Revs. E. P. Viel, C. F. Finger and J. Kahl have served here. There is also a
comfortable parsonage in connection with the church.
bbK HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
There is a Reformed Lutheran Church in town that stands at Ilarrisburg. It is a com-
modious frame building, and there is a fair membership. The church is supplied by a
minister from Prairie du Sac.
Troy has a Grange Lodge, No. 271, which was established in 1873, with nineteen mem-
bers, to which forty members have since been added. They have a purchasing agent in connec-
tion. This was the first Grange in the southern part of the county. Alexander Stuart was
Master the first four years, then S. P. Hoxy one year, then G. W. Proctor.
The first preaching on Cassell Prairie was by a Presbyterian. Elder Adams, in a private
house, in the fell of 1850. About four years after this, Rev. Daniel Phillips came into this
neighborhood and organized the first society, a Baptist class of twelve or fifteen members, several
of whom were baptized at the time. Shortly after, he moved into the neighborhood and lived
and preached here and in the vicinity. He served the society about four years, then removed
to Evansville. After his departure, the organization continued to have preaching by different
ministers until 1864 ; then it was merged into a society of Advents. This society was organ-
ized under the labors of Rev. George W. Turner and Rev. William Sheldon, to be called the
Church of Christ, of Cassell Prairie, taking, by covenant, the Bible as the rule of faith and
practice, making a platform large enough for any creed or denomination to rest upon. There
were nineteen members in all — seven from the Baptist society, and ten that were baptized at the
time, and two from a church at Amboy, 111. 0. Thomas and A. C. Pierce were elected Deacons
and ordained by the Rev. William Sheldon. Subsequently, there were enough names added to
bring the membership up to twenty-four. At present, there are but twelve or fifteen active mem-
bers. ami services are held quite irregularly. The place of meeting lias usually been the school-
house of District No. 1.
The Methodist Episcopal Society of Harrisburg was formed in 1849. Rev. Mr. Bunce
preached the first sermon. The first teacher at Ilarrisburg was Miss Ursa True, in 1850.
The German Reformed Church organized in 1858. Trustees — -Fred Schumacher, William
Schumacher, U. Schoenemann, H. Schulz, John Rieser. The first Pastor was Rev. Gustave
Knoepfel. The church was built in 1868.
Sorghum raising, which has become quite an extensive industry in the county, was first com-
menced in town by 0. Thomas and T. C. Chamberlain a tew years before the war. They sent to
Washington at first to obtain seed, and each planted small patches. When the time came for the
cane to be crushed, Mr. Chamberlain had a wooden roller mill made ready, and a generous yield of
the saccharine fluid was squeezed from their cane. They then must needs boil the product before
it could be eaten, and this was done in large iron kettles; but, alas ! at the last the sirup was
not fit to eat, being black and impure. After this attempt, sorghum raising was abandoned as
a failure, nothing further being done until the war; then the high price of sugar induced the
people to try again, and, also, by that time, a regular method of boiling the sap had come into
vogue, by which it could lie purified by using open pans which were manufactured expressly for
the purpose.
The first one to pin-chase a boiling apparatus or evaporator tor general use in the town, and
probably in the county, was Mr. 0. Thomas. At that time (1864), Mr. Thomas' neighbors
signed an article of agreement to raise each a certain amount of cane to place in his hands to be
converted into sirup, enough being pledged to justify his getting the apparatus. This cost, with
mill for crushing, $300. Since that time, a large amount of sirup has been successfully manu-
factured here cadi year, varying from 500 to 1,700 gallons per annum, the cane being brought
for miles from every direction.
Charles Fox also has an evaporating apparatus at work in the southwest part of the town,
which does a very satisfactory business.
Sorghum molasses sold as high as $1.25 per gallon during the war here, but is now down
to f)0 cents per gallon.
There is a Good Templars' Society in the north part of the town, organized recently. Tt
is the first of its ilk that has sprung into existence in the town, it is said.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 669
ScI 1 District No. 1 was organized in the spring of 1851. At the time, Mr. 0. Thomas
purchased an old granary, and gave the district the use of it, this being the first schoolhouse.
Miss Louisa Adams was employed for teacher, the money for first wages. Si' per week, being
raised by subscription, she. after the fashion of early days, boarding around. The school was
taught in Mr. Thomas' building for two seasons; then, in 1852, the district erected a log school-
house. The log house burned a few years afterward, and the present frame was erected.
Town Meetings and Officers.
Until 1858, this town was a part of the towns of Honey Creek and Spring Green. When
it came to be set off and organized, a regular opposition to the move was made by a part of the
Spring Green people, under the lead of Alex Stuart, to whom were particularly opposed the
eastern section of the Spring Green people, under the lead of 0. Thomas. The east section
wanted to be set nil', ami the west did not. The fight was rather a bitter and hotly contested
one, the west division, as the sequel proves, being defeated. The soreness of the conflict affected
some of them for a long while: but time is a balm that heals such wounds, and now all is peace-
ful in the family.
The first town meeting was held April (J, 1S5S, at Harrisburg — Officers: Alex Stuart,
Chairman : James A. Taylor and J. Sneller, Side Board : S. W. Corwith, Clerk ; W. J. Hows,
Treasurer; William Bonham, Assessor: J. Ramey, Superintendent of Schools; Theo Taylor,
B. Etagatz, Justices; W. II. Harris, Ed Cadwell, Solomon Wheeler, Constables; L. W. Corwith,
Sealer. A tax of $150 for town purposes, 5 mills on the dollar for schools, and 5 mills on the
dollar for roads. Tax to be collected, $2,456.08.
Second town meeting held April 5, 1859 — Officers: Alex Stuart, Chairman; J. Bethson,
H. Leopable, Side Board; Samuel Walser, Clerk; B. Ragatz, Treasurer; J. Sneller. Assessor :
W. K. Patchen, Superintendent. Tax. $2,459.75.
Third town meeting held April 3, 1860 — Officers: .Tames Taylor, Chairman; J. Pattison
and H. Leopeble Side Board; J. S. Walser. Clerk; George Bonham, Treasurer; J. Keely,
Assessor; W. R. Patchen, Superintendent of Schools. At the Presidential election. 112 votes
were cast, the majority being Republican. Tax, $2,275.87.
Third town meeting held April 2, 1 Sill —Officers : 0. Thomas, Chairman; A. Sprecher,
William Schafer, Side Board; J. S. Walser, Clerk; George Bonham, Treasurer; J. Sneller,
Assessor; W. R. Patchen, Superintendent. Assessment, $2,483.33.
Fourth annual meeting held April 1, 1862 — T. Young. Chairman ; A. Sprecher, F. Gentsch,
Side Board ; J. S. Walser, Clerk ; George Bonham, Treasurer ; J. Sneller, Assessor. Tax
assessment. $2,791.12.
Fifth annual meeting April 7. 1863 — Officers: Alex Stuart, Chairman; J. A. Sprecher.
James A. Taylor. Side Board ; J. S. Walser, A. Sprecher, Treasurers ; J. Sneller, Assessor. Tax-
assessment. $2,598.37. January 21, a special meeting was field, and a bounty of $200 voted
to be paid to every volunteer of the town. February 25, another meeting was held, and a rote
was taken as above, with the additional provision that all enlisting above each regular recruit that
were accredited to the town, should receive $12."). The town borrowed money to pay the bounties.
Sixth annual meeting held April 5. 1S04 — J. S. Walser, Chairman; J. A. Sprecher and
E. P. Tabor. Side Board; C. C. Kuntz, Clerk; A. Sprecher, Treasurer; J. Sneller, Assessor.
'fax assessment. $5.0(10.55, ,,f which S2,4iii>.12 were for paying bounties.
enth annual meeting April 4. 1865— Officers: C. C. Kuntz, Chairman; E. P. Tabor
and Gustav Baumgarth, Side Hoard; J. T. Barker, Clerk; J. S. Walser, Treasurer; John
Sneller, Assessor. Tax assessment, $9,875.78, of which $0, oils. 25 was a special tax raised to
pay bounties.
Eighth annual election, held April 3, 1866 — Officers: A. Tarnutzer, Chairman; G.
Baumgarth and 0. Thomas. Side Board; P. Sneller, Clerk; J. S. Walser. Treasurer; J.
Sneller, Assessor. Tax assessment, $5,590.22. of which $2,404.20 was a special tax to finish
paying bounty money. Besides the amount raised by tax here, the fund, was increased bj
about $2,500 private contributions.
670 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Ninth annual meeting, April 2, 1867 — Officers : A. Tarnutzer, Chairman ; 0. Thomas
and G. Baumgarth, Side Board; P. Sneller, Clerk; P. A. Thomas, Treasurer; J. Sneller, As-
sessor.
Since 1867, C. C. Kuntz has been a Justice of the Peace, and has done the majority of
Justice business, in connection with Orison Thomas. Tax assessment, §3,220.84.
Tenth annual meeting, April 7, 1868 — Officers: A. Tarnutzer, Chairman: A. Sprecher
and J. Fulcomer. Side Board; P. Sneller, Clerk; George Bonham, Treasurer ; C. C. Kuntz,
Assessor. Tax assessed, $3,936.92.
Eleventh annual meeting, held April 6, 1869 — Officers: William McCready, Chairman;
A. Sprecher and J. Fulcomer. Side Board: P. Sneller, Clerk; George Bonham, Treasurer; J.
Sneller, Assessor. Tax assessed. $3,708.99.
Twelfth annual meeting, held April 5. 1870— Alex Stuart, Chairman ; A. Sprecher and
James F. Barker, Side Board ; J. P. Witmen, Clerk ; L. Sneller, Treasurer ; J. Sneller. As-
sessor. Tax assessed, §1,964.18.
In this connection, it may be stated that the Justices and Constables elected in the years
enumerated are not given, because very many of them never qualified. The most of the Justice
business of the town has been done by C. C. Kuntz and Orison Thomas.
TOWN OF BEAR CREEK.
This is one of the largest towns in the county next to the town of Troy, it containing fifty
sections. It is five miles wide by ten long, extending north and south along the west edge of
the county, and being in Townships 9 and 10. It is bounded north by Washington, south by
Spring Green, easl by Franklin and west by Richland County. Bear Creek is splendidly
watered and traversed in all directions by roads, but the country is very rough, almost the entire
surface being a succession of hills or bluffs and valleys.
The Little Bear Valley, so called from a creek that inns through it of the same name, and
where the first permanent settlement was made, is regarded as being one of the finest tracts in
the town. It is from one to two miles in width, including outlying pockets, and extends north
and south. The farms here are excellent, being well adapted to raising grain or stock. The
latter business has been pursued here quite extensively for a good many years, in connection
with dairying and cheese-making. In the extreme west part of town, the valley of the Big
Bear River extends along from north to south, it being divided between this town and Richland
County, lien' are also some very good farms and a grist and saw mill and two cheese-factories.
In the north part of the town the surface is somewhat broken, being pretty fairly divided be-
tween hills and hollows, or pockets. Two or three small streams rise in this part of the town.
Of timber, there is more than enough, the various varieties indigenous to the county being gen-
erally found here, excepting pine.
"The soil represents, in different parts, all of the qualities to be met with in the county,
there being black muck, loam, sandy loam, marl, clay and gravelly soil.
The inhabitants arc mixed, the foreign element preponderating. In the north part of the
town there is a large [rish settlement. The educational, social aid moral standard is fair at the
present time, but a feu years ago it is said to have not been good. Two or three parties who
had money, it is said, disappeared among the lulls at different times long past. However, this
is not certain.
This town, especially m the north part, lias alv .Med with wolves, which by
their depredations have rendered sheep-raising nearly impossible. The pockets and cooleys, with
their heavy timber and underbrush, afford them ample protection and inviting runways.
\u industry, followed to a considerable extenf in tins and adjoining towns, is the raising of
umption. As nearly all of the Germans and Irish, and the majority of the
Americans and English, use the weed, raising it at home saves a, really large expense The
general products arc staple, as winter ami spring grains, coin and vegetables, hops not being
grown to any considerable extent. The facilities for fruit raising are good, especially in the
'171
pickets, where ample protection is afforded from the winter blasts. However, the people
not availed themselves largely of these favorable conditions.
SETTLEMENT.
Who the very first permanent settlers were, it is not easy to fully determine ; but il is
generally conceded that a family of McClouds, William and Robert, were about the first to come
into the town. They first laid claims in Hood's Valley, in the town of Spring Green, but, owing
to difficulties with Indians, remained nowhere long. How early they came cannot be more readily
determined than other points: but in all likelihood they found their way over the Wisconsin
about 1840 or 1842, for as early as 1844 they were known to be rambling over the country
hunting Indians. This was their chief occupation. The Indians, it is narrated, at one time slaugh-
tered a part of their family, and, as a consequence, they were their sworn enemies to the death.
This feeling was fully reciprocated by the Indians, who spared no pains to hunt them, hoping to
ticket them for the happy hunting-grounds. As a matter of course, they had many a fight
together, and the only wonder is that the McClouds were not killed, or that the other early set-
tlers did not get embroiled in the vendetta. The Indians at last made it so hot for them that
thev emigrated toward the setting sun, about 1850.
The first regular settlement was made in the Little Bear Valley by the Phetteplace family,
father and sons, Jason Bancroft, George and J. and A. Stratton, M. R. Whelply, J. Seaman, L.
B. Ilanchett. .1. Hensel, and perhaps a few others, as early as 1850. Subsequent to the advent
of the above named, and those whose names cannot be ascertained, the influx of settlers was
quite rapid, so that within ten years, or before the breaking-out of the rebellion, the town was
well settled up.
The first death was that of .Mrs. S. Phetteplace, in July, 1851.
The first marriages were the double weddings of Josina and Lucy A. Bancroft, to John
Harrison and David Clark.
The first frame house in the town was built by Stephen Phetteplace, on what is now known
as the Johnson stock farm, on the Little Bear.
A frame schoolhouse was erected on this farm as early as 1852.
Soon after M. R. Whelply came in, he, in company with another, went over to the Big
Bear, and started to build a dam and saw-mill. After they had nearly completed the dam. and
laid the foundations for the mill, they had to abandon the work — or did abandon it — the Indians
were so troublesome. Nothing further was done at this point, and an embankment and a few-
timbers only are left to show the beginning and end of the first saw-mill enterprise in the town.
In 1853 or 1854, when fears of the Indians had about subsided, Peter llaskins built a dam
and saw-mill about half a mile above the Whelply dam, and went to work. lie lam the mill
until 1864, then sold it to James Ochsner, who continued it for some time, then moved it over
the stream and enlarged it, adding a muley saw. The saw-mill having ceased to pay, Mr.
Ochsner converted it into a cheese-factory, in connection with Mr. Beckwith. As a factory for
cheese-making, the building has again become profitable. There is but one 5,000-pound vat.
The average amount of milk handled here per diem for seven months, will be 4.7« »«> pounds,
or seven 60-pound cheeses made per day.
The first one to begin and make a regular business of cheese-making was .1. Johnson, who
started in L859 or 1860 with fifteen COWS, lie had no factory, but manufactured on the ordinary
dairy plan until 1867, when lie quit the business.
In 1868, A. and D. Beckwith came into the valley of the Little Bear and purchased a large
stock farm and erected the first cheese-factory in town, and one of the first in the county This
is a two-vat factory. At first, from 5,500 to 6,000 pounds of milk was used, now about 6,500 to
7,000 pounds are handled per day. The factory, with eight-horse-power engine and fixtures
complete, cost about $1,500. Ten men are employed through the season to make cheese and
care for the cows, of which they keep 1 1- milkers. The bam provided for stalling and feeding
these animals in is a model affair, and will accommodate ninety head.
672 HISTOEY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Ed Booker also has a cheese-factory on Section 19, 80x40 in size, with one vat at
present, but capacity for another.
The factory now handles about 2,000 pounds of milk per season.
There is a grist-mill on Big Bear Creek, near Mr. Ochsner's cheese-factory, built by Mr.
Ochsner in 1869. It is 30x40, and accommodates three runs of stone, two for wheat and one
for feed. The dam has an eight-foot head, and the water supply is ample. The machinery is
propelled by Leffel turbines.
In 1860, James llarriman built a small saw-mill on Section 19, which James Bodentine,
who purchased it in 1874, is now operating.
The manufacturing of sorghum molasses is not pursued here, although a good deal of the cane
is raised.
There is one religious society, the Catholic, which is very large. They have a church
located in the north part of the town, and a resident priest.
Town Organization and Oi in eks.
Bear Creek, with all of the southwest towns, was at first included with Honey Creek, where
the first town meetings were held. This town was set off and the first town meeting held April
5, 1859, in the schoolhouse of District No. 6.
There were ninety votes cast at this election, and the following officers were elected : D.
D. Thompson, Chairman ; James L. Wain, S. Giles, Side Supervisors ; A. G. Burnham, Clerk ;
H. Giles, Treasurer; J. Johnson, Superintendent; R. H. Thurber and J. Johnson, Justices;
R. II. Thurber, Assessor ; M. Herriman, G. W. Giles, P. Donahue, Constables; Richard Tal-
bot, Scaler ; $200 were voted to defray the town expenses for the ensuing year. One cent on
the dollar was voted and i-aised for road tax, and hogs were restricted from running at large.
At Presidential election, sixty-five votes were cast.
April 3, lXtJO, this town meeting held at schoolhouse, District No. 6. Officers elected — G. I.
Bancroft, Chairman; J. J. Boram, James Harvey, Side Supervisors; A. G. Burnham, Clerk;
William Larkin, Treasurer; J. D. Dewey, Treasurer; J. Craul, F. G. Raynolds, S. A. Phette-
place, Justices ; D. C. Talbot, Superintendent ; F. R, Snow, G. I. Bancroft, C.Jones, Constables;
R. Talbot, Scaler ; §200 raised to defray expenses of town, $50 included for the poor. A fund
of $50 raised for selmols.
The third town meeting, held April 2, 1861, at schoolhouse, District No. 4. Officers —
.1. I>. Dewey, Chairman; S. A. Phetteplace and M. Sullivan. Supervisors; A. G. Burnham,
Clerk; William Larkin, Treasurer; R. H. Thurber, Assessor; I). C. Talbot, Superintendent;
James L. Ward and R. II. Thurber, Justices ; James Talmadge and G. I. Bancroft, Constables :
Richard Talbot, Sealer. Town expenses as before.
The fourth town meeting held April I. L862, at same place as before : $250 raised for ex-
penses aiel $50 For the pom-. Officers — 1. D. Dewey, Chairman : S. A. Phetteplace and M. Sul-
i. n Supervisors; A. <i. Burnham, Clerk; William Larkin, Treasurer; C. Jones, Assessor;
P. J. Randolph, John Phaler and F. C. Raynolds, Justices ; <i. 1. Bancroft and M. Herriman,
Constables ; Richard Talbot, Sealer.
The fifth election held April 7, 1863, as above ; town expenses and | r fund as above ;
as above. Officers — D.D. Thompson, Chairman; James L. Ward and M. Sullivan, Side
Supervisors; A. G. Burnham, Clerk; William Larkin, Treasurer; R. II. Thurber, A
A. Sweet. I!. 11. Thurber, Justices; I>- Miller, P. II. Haskins, and A. Hagderl, Constables;
R. Talbot, Sealer. At a special meeting held this season, $1,200 were voted for army volun-
teers On the 17th of March, L864, a special meeting held, and $2,000 raised for volunteers,
allowing $200 each.
The sixth town meeting held April A, 1864, as above. Officers — D. D. Thompson. Chair-
man : James L. Ward and M. Snlli\an. Side Supen isors : A. G. Burnham, < Jerk : F. King, Treas-
urer; M. llarriman. Assessor: I'. J. Randolph and J. Phalen, Justices; J. King. A. Stratton
and E. Pinch, Constables; J. I>. Dewey, Sealer; town expenses as above.
HISTOBY OF SAUE COUNTY. 673
The seventh town meeting held April 4, 1865, as above ; $350 were raised to defray town
expenses. Number of votes, seventy-two. Officers — D. D. Thompson, Chairman; M. Sullivan
and A. 0. Williams, Side Supervisors; A. G. Burnham, Clerk and Treasurer; R. H. Thurber,
Assessor; R. H. Thurber and A. Sweet, Justices; B. F. Hobart, A. Conally and G. I. Bancroft,
Constables ; no Sealers.
The seventh meeting held April 4. 1866, as above. Officers — A. 0. Williams, Chairman;
S. A. Phetteplace and William Larkin, Side Supervisors ; A. G. Burnham, Clerk ; L. E. Sweet,
Treasurer; J. Johnson, Assessor; C. C. Bowers and J. Phelan, Justices; George Matheson, B.
F. Hobart and A. J. Moss, Constables ; R. Talbot, Sealer.
The eighth town meeting held April 3, 1867. Officers — O. D. Thompson, Chairman ; M.
Sullivan and B. F. Brown, Side Supervisors; A. G. Burnham, Clerk; L. E. Sweet, Treasurer;
J. J. Bomm, Assessor; A. Sweet, L. Neimau, Justice; J. R. Hazzard and B. F. Hobart.
Constables; S. A. Phetteplace, Sealer; town expenses about as during above years.
The ninth town meeting held April 7, 1868, as above. Officers — A. Sweet, Chairman ;
William Rooney and J. Johnson, Side Supervisors; A. G. Burnham, Clerk : A. Dwyer, Treas-
erer ; J. J. Bomm. Assessor; J. Phelan and Beekwith, Justices; D. Millane, J. Coen and J. M.
Bower, Constables.
The tenth town meeting held April 6, 18611. Ollieers — D. D. Thompson, Chairman ; M.
Sullivan and William Rooney. Side Supervisors; A. J. Burnham, Clerk; A. Dwyer, Treas-
urer ; R. H. Thurber, Assessor ; A. Sweet, G. I. Bancroft and L. Neiman, Justices ; M. Coyne
and F. S. Warner, Constables.
The eleventh town meeting held April 5, 1870, as above. Officers — D. D. Thompson,
Chairman ; M. Sullivan and William Rooney, Side Supervisors ; A. J. Burnham, Clerk ; A.
Dwyer, Treasurer: J. J. Bomm, Assessor; L. Neiman, J. Phelan and W. H. Burnham, Justices ;
B. McClosky, B. W. Reynolds and V. C. Young, Constables. Votes recorded this year amount
to 146.
TOWN OF FRANKLIN,
geographically considered, is of the same dimensions and shape, and occupies the same relative
position in Townships 9 and 10 that Bear Creek does. It is bounded on the north by the towns
of Westfield and Washington, on the south by Spring Green, on the east by the towns of Honey
Creek and Troy, and on the west by the town of Bear Creek. Its physical configuration is
somewhat similar to that of its twin, Bear Creek, only Franklin has more good tillable lands. What
is known as the South Branch of Honey Creek takes its rise in this town, it being made up of
numerous small streams that flow from the springs among the hills, and go rippling merrily
along to join the brimming river. There is certainly no lack of good water. Along the Honey
Creek Branch, and the streams, and in the pockets that lead out from the bottom lands, may be
seen splendid farms under an excellent state of cultivation. The soil is similar to that of Bear
Creek, but with less of stone or gravel, the result of glacial drifts and streams. The products
are principally agricultural. There is a good deal of stock raised here, but not so much for
dairying purposes as is the case in some of the towns. There is also some fruit raised, but only
to a limited extent. The inhabitants are principally foreigners, there being a very large Ger-
man representation. The social and moral condition is similar to that of other localities made
up largely of Germans. It is something after this fashion : Work hard all the week and have a
good time Sundays — or whenever you can, for that matter. They have churches and schools that
are very well supported and patronized in the main, although the people are not extravagant in
their devotion to those things. Franklin does quite a large importing business in the way of
luxuries, but in all probability there will some time be an end put to this by its manufacture at
home, by some enterprising Teuton. Headquarters for the article is Plain Post Office, commonly
called Logtown. where a thirsty individual can get ninety-two per cent of bitter water fuddled
with eight per cent of alcohol, known as beer, on demand at almost any time.
673| HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Early Settlement.
Dewitt Slauter, formerly a settler in the town of Troy, and one of the first there, was the
first settler here, and came in the fall of 1849 and settled in what was known as Sugar Grove, a
forest of hard maples on Section 36, taking half a section, but not the pick of the county so far
as the lay of the land and quality of soil is concerned ; yet, on the other hand, he had splendid
timber, and a fine spring burst out of the ground but a short distance from his cabin. Pie came
originally from the Buckeye State, and brought in a family of eight to endure the hardships of
a new country, and to grow up with it and improve it. He lived to see the county partially
settled and improved ; then, in March, 1860, he died.
T. J. Morgans was the second settler here. He first came to Spring Green Prairie in 1844,
where he bought a claim of a Rev. D. M. Jones, one of the very earliest claimants there, and
who left very early. In 1849, Mr. Morgans sold there, and. soon after, came up and located
one quarter-section on the fertile bottoms of Sugar Grove Hollow, in the present town of
Franklin, where he has since resided and developed one of the finest farms to be found in this
section. Mr. Morgans is now the last and oldest of the first settlers here, and also is undoubt-
edly the oldest permanent settler in the southwest part of the comity. When Mr. Morgans came
here, the county was a wilderness in toto, and gave little promise of its present condition. The
land was covered thickly with brush, trees and grubs that were scarcely intersected by even an
Indian trail, and the only road was a bee hunter's trail from Helena, on the Wisconsin, up
through the Bear Creek country on the ridge. Mr. Morgans is a native of Wales.
Thomas Wells, one of the early settlers in Troy, settled here in the fall of 1850, on Section
8, but subsequently sold and moved to the town of Westfield. We also find that a few others came
in during the above year or soon after.
They were R. A. Davidson, Samuel Richards, John Smith, Charles Lamb, John Noble,
Andrew Cooper, Jerry, John and A. Cramer, William Ilarreman. X. Mitchell. J. Whiteis and
sons (H. J. and G. M.), A. Moss L. Butt, and perhaps a few others whose names have not been ascer-
tained.
The first death in the town was Mary Morgans, a child of T. J. Morgans. She died Octo-
ber 4. 1849.
The first birth is also recorded in the above family — that of Phoebe Ann Morgans, born
June 23, 1851.
The first religious services were held here as early as 1850, in Thomas Wells' house, the min-
ister being a Rev. Mr. Bunce. He came only three or four times, as his patronage was not very
liberal, and, as he said, the people were not Methodistical enough for him, and, besides, they did
not shell out the wherewithal, not having it to shell. His weekly presence, it is stated,
was not considered a great loss, as his instruction was not of the quality to create a gap by its
absence.
The schoolhouse of District No. 1 was built in 1851. The district included and drew its
supplies from all the country around for miles. The first teacher was T. J. Morgans, who also
taught several subsequenf terms to the satisfaction of all parties, small hoys not excepted. The
compensation for a teacher at that time did not exceed $15 per month.
In 1850 or L851, a notable event transpired til town in the marriage of James Davis and
Catharine Wells. Davis was afterward, in 1856, shot at Sauk City by a man by ihe name of
Millard, whom Davis had threatened to kill for being intimate with his wife. Davis was" shot
dead, and Millard was sentenced to State Prison for life, bul was pardoned out, after twenty-two
months' imprisonment, by the Governor. The wedding will he remembered as having been quite an
affair for those days. A good dinner, consisting of chicken, etc.. was served, and. if they had no
marriage hells, they wire at least merry. Mr. I 'avis wrote out his wedding service, and Daniel
Held, a new Justice, read it. While Daniel was tremblingly reading the ceremony, Andrew
Cooper stood in the rear spurring him up to the scratch, not gently, with a pin. It is recorded
of Held that he endured like a hero, neither running nor backing up.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 674
At first, the mail was distributed in town by John Cramer, the neighbors taking turns
in bringing it until a post office was established at White Mound, in 1859; then a Mr. Smith
was appointed Postmaster, and Jacob Henry carried the mail. Jerry Carpenter is now Post-
master at that point. There is also a post office at Plain, called Logtown. that has been estab-
lished several (about ten) years. P. Stutz is now Postmaster here.
The blacksmith business was started here as early as the fall of 1850, by < r. M. Whiteis.
His first simp was mother earth for the floor and the skies for a roof. Before this, the settlers
had to go either to Sauk or Richland City to get their work done.
The first store was opened at Logtown, formerly called Cramer's Comers, by Mr. Perry, in
1869. He sold to A. 1 Inter in 1873, who, in turn, in 1875, sold to P. Stutz, the present
saloonist. Then, in 1879, Alois Huter built on the corner and started another store. There
is also a blacksmith-shop at this point, which may be denominated the metropolis of the town.
in one particular (before mentioned).
The first road in here was from Prairie du Sac, via Honey Creek, hut, in 1856 or 1857, a
pretty direct road was opened by which the people could get over the bluffs to Spring Green.
Deer were very thick here in an early day, and the wolves went for sheep and poultry in a
way which they have not yet gotten over, for even now they are troublesome to sheep.
The first bridge in the town was one of nature's formation, a sod causeway over a branch of
Honey creek, strong enough to bear the weight of a man.
An elk was killed here in I860, the only one ever seen by whites in the town. The antlers
may now be seen at Prairie du Sac.
A store was started at White Mound a few years ago by Justin Carpenter, but there is
none there now.
In connection with the above, an anecdote concerning one of the carpenters will not come
amiss. In an early time, when there were no good roads and settlers were few to direct a
traveler, J. C. went to Sauk one day and did not start on his homeward way until quite late.
Just in the dusk of the evening, when well on his way, he stopped at a settler's cabin to inquire
the route, but the man, being a German, could not guide him. So he journeyed on awhile,
then came to a house again. The proprietor was duly roused out and the way inquired. Again
a German, so he must needs journey on. Two or three hours again passed in traveling in the
dark, and at last, thank fortune, he came to another cabin. Again he pounded the owner up.
who very reluctantly arose, and again be bad struck the wrong nation. Germany was still to the
fore. What should he or could he do? Nothing but journey on, evidently. A while later,
dawn broke over the wilderness, and lo ! before him a settler's cabin! lucky circumstance!
Now he would surely learn where he was! But what do these numerous fresh wagon-tracks
about the house mean? and who is it that comes out? Only his " Nicht verstane " of the
night before. What ! Can it be ? traveled all night after himself? Such are the facts.
During the winter of 1852, E. Mead and John Bear built a saw-mill at the junction of
Morgan's and Honey Creek, on Section 5. They were assisted by the people in the vicinity,
who, in order to get the mill ready for running as quickly as possible, turned in and helped
them get out the timbers and erect it. It was started in the spring. They did a good business
for two or three years, then sold out to T. Slinger, who has since run it. doing a poor business.
There is talk of building a grist-mill, as there is a good water-power here and a mill is needed
George Claridge, on Section 17. was sufficiently enterprising to rig up a mill several years
bough it is a sort of original affair in the get-up, nevertheless, it does pretty fair grind-
ing, and the farmers in the immediate vicinity get work done there.
L. Cooper, in 1^77. opened a cheese-factory, which run a couple of years ; then, the property
getting into litigation, the factory was closed, and, besides, it is said, that it did not pay.
There is a sorghum refinery on Section 29, owned by G ge Morgan, established this
year, which is doing a very fair business, which will probably be better the coming year. There
are no other manufacturing establishments in town than these.
674J HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
There are two churches in town ; one a Catholic, at Logtown, that has a resident priest,
and a Methodist Episcopal Church at White Mound, that has been established for some time,
and which is auxiliary to the Spring Green Circuit, being supplied with a minister from
that point.
Organization and Town Officers.
Franklin was a precinct of Honey Creek until April 3. 1855, when, the town having been set off
into a separate precinct, the first town meeting was held, and the town regularly organized and
officers clec i id. The meeting was held at School District No. 1. Officers as follows: N.
Mitchell, Chairman; John Johnson and James Henry, Side Board; T. J. Morgans, Clerk; J.
B. Carpenter, Treasurer; Justin Carpenter, Assessor; T. J. Morgans. Superintendent of
Schools; A. Sothard, George Matteson and G. E. Corbin, Justices; J. Bancroft, R. Remrard,
Constables. A tax of $150 was voted to defray town expenses, and seven mills on the dollar
for mad tax, the same as it yet remains. There were forty-four votes cast at this election.
The second annual meeting was held April 1, 1856. Officers — J. Bear, Chairman ; Sol
Cramer and T. C. Peck, Side Board; T. J. Morgans, Clerk; J. B. Carpenter, Treasurer; A.
E. Lindly, Assessor ; F. C. Reynolds, Superintendent ; James Harvey, F. C. Reynolds and
T. J. Morgans, Justices; G. P. Howard and M. Ott, Constables.
The third annual meeting held April 7, 1857. Officers — N. Mitchell, Chairman ; H.
Dickison and A. Stuthard, Side Board; T. J. Morgans, Clerk; Smith Phetteplace, Treasurer;
J. Bear, Assessor and Superintendent; T. J. Morgans, D. D. Thompson, Justices ; R. Rennard
and A. Sweet, Constables.
The fourth annual meeting held April 6,1858. Officers— J. Bear, Chairman; D. D.
Thompson and Nat Mitchell, Side Board; A. G. Burnham, Clerk: Eli Jones, Treasurer; J.
Bear, Assessor ; J. Johnson, Superintendent ; A. G. Burnham, James Harvey, Justices ; R.
Rennard. P. Donahue, W. Williams, Constables.
The fifth annual meeting held April 5,1859. Officers— E. Jones, Chairman; George
Morgan and J. Weishan, Side Board; T. J. Morgans, Clerk; Eli Jones, Treasurer; N.
Mitchell, Assessor ; E. Jones, Superintendent ; T. J. Morgans, James Catlin, Justices ; J.
Cramer, George Morgan and J. Robison, Constables.
Sixth annual meeting held April 3, 1860. Officers — E. Jones, Chairman; J. Cramer and
George Morgan, Side Board ; T. J. Morgans, Clerk ; J. Bear, Treasurer ; N. Mitchell,
Assessor; E. Jones, Superintendent; J. Bear and T. J. Morgans, Justices; J. Cramer and
George Morgan, Constables ; William Henneman, Sealer.
Seventh annual election held April 2, 1861. Officers— J. B. Carpenter, Chairman: Jerry"
Cramer and A. Hutter, Side Board; T. J. Morgans, Clerk; William Hudson, Treasurer; N.
Mitchell, Assessor ; no Superintendent ; B. V. Bunnell, William Hudson, Justices ; S. Beaver
and J. Henry, Constables : William Huneman, Sealer.
In L860, at Presidential election, about sixty votes were cast.
Eighth annual meeting, April 1, 1862. Officers — E. Jones, Chairman; J. Weisham and
William Claridge, Side Board; J. S. Curly, Clerk ; William Hudson, Treasurer; N.Mitchell,
i : T. J. Morgans and .1. S. (Jul!, Justices; .1. Henry. William J. Herreman and T. J.
Cooper, Constables.
Ninth annual meeting April 7, 1863. Officers — T. J. Morgans, Chairman; H. Dickerson
and William .1. Henneman, Side Board: .1. S. Cully, Clerk; William Hudson. Treasurer: N.
Mitchell. Assessor; B.V.Bunnell, William Hudson, Justices; -I. Cramer and ■). M. Baker,
Constables.
Tenth annual meeting held April 5. 1864. < >fficers— E. Jones, Chairman ; George Morgan
and J. Cramer. Side Board; ,J. K. Dunn, Clerk; William Hudson, Treasurer; N. Mitchell,
T. I. Morgans and B. Calkins, Justices; J. Cramer and H. Dickerson, Constables.
Presidential votes, 60.
Eleventh annual meeting held April 4, 1865. Officers — E. Jones, Chairman; William
Henneman and J. Dickerson, Side Board; T. J. Morgans, Clerk ; William Claridge, Treas-
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 675
urer; J. 1!. Carpenter, Assessor; 1!. V. Bunnell and J. B. Carpenter, J. Cramer and Joseph
Robinson Constables.
Twelfth annual meeting held April 3, 1866. Officers— E. Jones, Chairman; Joseph
Bandel and Joseph Robinson, Side Board; T. J. Morgans, Clerk: William Clarridge, Treas
urer; Joseph Bended. Assessor: T. J. Morgans and E. Jones, Justices; James Murray and .1.
Cramer, ( lonstables.
Thirteenth annual meeting held April 2, 1367. Officers— Joseph Bandel, Chairman; J.
Cramer and A. Riek, Side Board; J. T. Morgans, Clerk; William (darn,!-,.. Treasurer; Will-
iam Hudson, Assessor: B. V. Bunnell. William Hudson, K. Kennard, Justices; J. B. Crawl,
J, mics Murray. Constables.
Fourteenth annual meeting held April 7, 1868. Officers — Joseph Handel. Chairman; A.
Riek and George Gasser, Side Board ; T. J. Morgans, Clerk; William Clarridge, Treasurer;
William Hudson. Assessor; T. J. Morgans and B. Calkins, Justices; J. Cramer and .lames
Murray. Constables. Presidential election in November, 96 votes.
Fifteenth annual meeting held April 6, 1869. Officers — loseph l'.endel, Chairman;
George Gasser and P. Luther, Side Board ; T.J. Morgans, Clerk: William Clarridge, Treas-
urer; William Hudson, Assessor: B. V. Bunnell and William Hudson, Justices: .1. Cramer
and James Murray, Constables.
TOWN OF HONEY CREEK.
This town is not equal in size to Bear Creek and Franklin, there being forty-eighi Sections
in Township 10. It is bounded north by Westfield and Freedom, south by Troy, east by
Sumter and Prairie du Sac, and west by Franklin. In physical formation, it is generally more
level than the southern tier of towns: but is. nevertheless, quite broken in places and somewhat
marshy. The soil presents nearly all the varieties to be found elsewhere in the county, only
dition is better than the average for farming purposes, being mainly com-
posed of a sandy loam, very rich in quality, and deep. There are numerous striking natural
objects or formations existing in this town, the result of nature's upheavals and glacial streams.
The most noticeable of these is a natural bridge, which is really a wonderful and beautiful pro-
duction. We quote from the description given by R. D. Irving, State Geologist: "On the
northwest quarter of Section 17. a narrow, precipitous spur from a higher bluff, is worn entirely
through, firming a natural bridge of considerable dimensions. The arch is about ten feet thick,
the under side being thirty feet from the ground, and the width of the archway thirty to forty
feet. The upper portion of the rock is potsdam sandstone, containing the usual calcareous
bands, and is highly charged with small pebbles of red quarf/.ite. < hie thing in this connection,
that may be regarded as peculiar in the light of history, is the fact that very many of the people
living within a short distance of this beautiful object, have never seen it, and scarcely ki
ther- is such a place. The town is magnificently watered by Honey Creek and numerous small
streams that thread the land in all directions, and that flow southerly. How this principal
stream ca led Honey <'reek is not positively known: but it is conjectured that it was
owing to the large amount of wild honey that used to be found through this portion of the coun-
try, by the bee-hunters, who, at one time, made a regular business of gathering it for the market
! as elsewhere stated i. The obtaining of that kind of sweet cost less in experience, money and
labor, than the subsequent manufacture of sweet by the people here, and paid better dividends
in the end. The products of the town are very general, not being very exceptional in a
ticular, unless it be in the absence of beets The inhabitants are largely Cenn.au and Swiss,
ng enough of other nationalities to fill up the niches. The people seem to be in a
uniform: condition, as is evidenced by their comfortable homes and well kept and
well-tilled farms. The educational, moral .and religious conditions are excellent in every respect,
although, religiously, a great diversity of opinion prevails. There is not much done in tl
of manufacturing, but a good deal of good stock is raised here, the country being well adapted to
that purpose. In conclusion of these observations, it may he justly said that this town and
adjacent country is as good, in most respects, as any in the county.
6751 HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Early Settlement.
The settlement of the town began very early, compared with that of some contiguous towns.
The very first comers here were Bartholomew Ragatz, and his sons, Christian and Thomas.
They came in and settled on Section 36, where Thomas Ragatz now lives, in July, 1842. There
were then no white neighbors on the west or south of them, except Wilson and Turner, at
Spring Green, and none nearer on Sauk Prairie than V. Accold and A. Wolf. They imme-
diately erected a cabin and proceeded to prepare outhouses and provender for their stock, as
Mr. Ragatz brought fifteen head of cattle with him and as many head of hogs, his intention being
to following stock-raising and dairying exclusively. At that time, raising pigs, when the woods
were infested by famishing wolves, was a very risky undertaking, and one seldom attempted to
such an extent by the early settlers. Nevertheless, Mr. Ragatz and sons had the good luck to
get along all right wi.th the enterprise, for, within three years, they had fortv head of cattle and
100 hogs.
Mr. Ragatz made the first butter and cheese in the town ; in fact, cheese was made by him
years before any other was made here. •
The Ragatz family also built the first bridge, and run the first road into Honey I
The bridge over the creek stood where the present one does.
The land in this town did not come into market until three years after Mr. Ragatz came ;
consequently, before they could enter and pay for what they had claimed, they had made a large
improvement.
In 1846, Fred Rose and John Thilke, brothers-in-law, came into the town, Mr. Thilke hav-
ing previously lived on Sauk Prairie.
Before they came permanently, Mr. Thilke and wife went on a prospecting tour, to see
what they could " find them out." In going in they met with no serious difficulties, but in com-
ing out they decided to return roundabout. When they got to Honey Creek, over which they
had crossed all right in the morning, they found themselves in something of a dilemma, the only
bridge they could find being a tree fallen over the stream. Mrs. Thilke protested that she could
not walk the log, so John said he would crawl over on his hands and knees with his wife on his
back. In this manner they started, but alas! when they were about half over, John slipped, and
in they went, and were only able to get out with their lives. - Mr. Thilke will remember his
I most unwelcome bath in Honey Creek, to the end of his days.
Very soon after this, the two families came in and settled on what was then called Thilke's
Prairie, now known as Little Prairie, one of the choicest tracts of land in the town. The same
raised corn, potatoes, etc. Mr. Thilke, within a couple of years, sold his claim ami
moved to Sauk. Mr. Hose still lives here.
About this time. A. Reedy and M. Luetscher and Andrew Suton came in to the town and
settled permanently.
In 1S4T, several families came in nearly together, the heads of said families being F. Haas,
M. Tane, H. Clement, George Van Bschen, V. Nold, F. Nold. Besides those above mentioned,
there were B. Carish, 11. Schneller, J. Saifer, <i. K. Crone. Mr. II. Ochsner and several more
not known, who came in from L8 16 to L850.
The first death thai occurred in town was that of Andrew Sutor in 1*16: he was the first
one buried in Salem's churchyard.
Christian Ragatz and Catherine Stifer were the first married, in 1844, Justice Grossman,
of Prairie du Sac, performing the ceremony.
The first birth in the town was that of Louisa Thilke. born April, 1847.
The lirst sehoolhousc built in town is standing yet on Mr. Rosi farm, and yet serves the
original purpose. It is an odd-looking little affair, and not well adapted to modern educational
work.
A saw-mill was built in town in 1848 or 1849, by a Mr. Leland. It bad a large under-
shot wheel, and was altogether one of those groaning, squeaky old affairs thai used to slowly
thrash out the lumber.
HISTORY OF s.UK COUNTY. 676
In 1868, the firm ofKoenig& Pazel built a grist-mill at this point. li 1ms two runs of
stones, with water-head aboutseven feet. Turbine wheels are now used. It stands on Section 17.
Mr. Ragatz brought in a horse-team as early as 1845 ; very many of the first settlers were
in own any teams at all, and had to carry everything on their backs or go without.
The first regular breaking-team was run by the Ragatz family; the rig consisted of six
yokes of cattle and a thirty-inch breaking plow. They obtained for breaking from $2.25 to $2.75
per acre.
Of the ancient contrivances in vogue here at an early day the wagons made with wheels
sawed off from the ends of big logs, were, perhaps, the most conspicuous. With these the
Germans would trundle contentedly to town, asking no odds of anyone, only their share of the
prairies and bluffs to travel on.
Henry Ochsner, brought in a reaper about twenty-five years ago. Before that time, and even
after, the ancient sickle, witli lame backs to back it, cut the grain, together with the more
modern contrivance — a cradle.
When the Ragatz family came into town, the Indians were very plenty, and had a village
of sixty or seventy families located on the land that they claimed. This lot of Indians hung
around until 1851, in the meantime having moved their village to what is known as Kohl's
Hill. At that time, one night, the Bucks got hungry and tried to break into the cabin of
Christopher Utterly, a lame tailor, who hail no gun. Huerly's cries for assistance at. lass
roused his neighbors, who went to his rescue, firing their guns as they went. At this, the Indi-
ans withdrew, blowing their deer-calf signals. The morning after, fifteen or twenty men. armed
with guns, went to the Indian camp and told the chief that he must leave. The next day they
went and for good, never coming back, only in small parties, to hunt and fish, or to visit some
of their white friends and their old homes. The last they still continue to do. occasionally.
An adventure with a wolf, that occurred here, is well worthy of a description. It happened
as follows: The Rev. Henry Esch. who was preacher for the German Methodists here in 1850,
was almost as fond of hunting or adventure as of his Bible, and. being a man of bulk, brawn
and intelligence, he was a power in either direction. He was as fearless as a lion and al
powerful. One evening, after being out, he returned late to Father Ragatz's, as he is familiarly
called, and hearing two large dogs barking fiercely, he thought he would take an ax and go ami
interview the intruder. When he got to them, what should he find but a huge gray wolf, being
assailed by the dogs. Tne wolf was so occupied watching the dogs that he did not
approach of Mr. Esch, who managed to get near enough to givje the wolf a whack on the head.
The blow staggered the wolf but did not lay him out. Esch then jumped a straddle of his
back. ami. grabbing the animal by the nape of the neck, succeeding in beating his lira
lie was a monster, measuring seven feet from the point of nose to tip of tail.
Of the various deprivations endured here, it is almost useless to speak. Every one had a
share in that kind of experience, and all know well enough what it is to endure hunger and
want.
The first religious services held in town were by the German Methi dists as early as lv44.
Salem Church of the Evangelical Association of North America.
On the 28th of July, 1844, the first religious services of this sect were held in the frame
schoolhouse in what is now Sauk City, by Johannes Syhert. first Bishop of this denomination
in America. With him came Rev. J. G. Mueller, who made an appo cue and
preach here once in four weeks. He came at intervals for two years, then the Rev. Mathias
Ilauert took his place. Rev. Samuel Baumgartner was the Presiding Elder, after tin.' establish-
ment of the mission, for nearly four years. While the Rev. Hauert was in chi
school was organized in the winter of 1846. The Rev. Ilauert continued in charge un
when he was succeeded by the Rev. Christian Lintner, who remained but a year, then Rev.
Henry Esch came, in, the L 2th of October, L850, a protracted meeting was commenced by
him, under the auspices of Bishop Sybert and Rev. S. Baumgartner, at the house of Father Ragatz,
676| HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
and which resulted in the conversion of seventy or eighty persons. The Rev. Henry Esch
remained but one year, until 1851, then the Rev. Christian Lintner came. Previous to this
time, for about two years, the people had been preparing to build a house of worship, which
was finally erected early in 1 S51, and was dedicated April 8, of the above year by the Rev. S. Baum-
gartner. The land upon which thechurcU'Was located was six acres, a gift from Father Ragatz.
In 1852, Rev. C. A. Schnake came to the charge. During that year, this mission was con-
verted into a self-supporting circuit, the minister receiving no salary outside his charge. At
that time, the Rev. J. J. Escher was Presiding Elder of the district. The first parsonage was
completed during the summer of 1852, and on the 15th of September following, the Rev.
Schnake and family moved in. The first camp-meeting of the society occurred in the summer
of 1853, at which twenty persons were converted. In 1854, the Rev. J. Riegel was stationed
here, then in 1855, the Rev. George Fleischer came. At that time, II. Rohland was Presiding
Elder. In 1856, the Wisconsin Conference of this denomination was organized.
In 1856, the Rev. C. A. Schnake was re-appointed, the Rev. J. George Escher then being
Presiding Elder. In 1857, the Rev. C. Pfeil came. The Wisconsin Conference held its session
here in the spring of 1858. Two ministers were then appointed to this, circuit, the Rev. 0.
Ragatz and Rev. N. Sehiick. The Rev. I. Kuter came in 1859. C. A. Schnake was then Pre-
siding Elder. Rev. Goerge Schafer was appointed in 1860 ; after him. Rev. James Harlacher
and Rev. P. Jenny. In 1862, the Rev. Halacher and Rev. G. Schwantes. In 1863, Rev. F.
Huelster and G. Schwantes — August Huelster then Presiding Elder. In 186-1, Rev. Huelster
and Rev. F. Stroebel. In 1865, J. M. Hammetter and F. Stroebel. In 1866, the Rev. J. M.
Hammetterand Rev. F. Moser. In 1867, Rev. P. Held ami A. Etasch. In 1868, Rev. P.
Held and 0. Kuederling. In 1869, Rev. C. F. Finger and W. Kaun. In 1870, Rev. C. F.
Finger and II. Uphoff. In 1871, Rev. II. Guelich and II. Uphoff. During that year, the cir-
cuit was divided into East and West Sauk Circuits. In 1872, Rev. II. Guelich. In l<S7o-74-75,
Rev. T. Qmbreit. In 1875, the present fine church was built, of stone, with a basement, cost-
i00; the present parsonage was buill in 1868, at a cost of Si'JHiO. This church is one
■ >f the best in the State. In 1876, the Rev. J. C. Brendel. In 1879, I'. Speich, the present
Pastor, cane' to the charge. There are 1 19 members in this society : ill Sauk. 56; east part of
town, 62 members.
Emanuel's Church, of the above denomination, in this town, was built in 1868, during the
ministration of Rev. P. Held, of the Salem Circuit. In (Jet. Int. Bishop E. E. Escher dedi-
cated the church. In l^T'A the congregation .if this church Were assigned to the ministrations
of the minister of the Bethlehem Church of the town of Troy, which connection they still main-
tain. 'C . about $600. There are forty members.
Zion's Kirche. built of logs, was erected ill LB59, at a cost of $350. It is located on Will-
iam II. Deuzer's land, in this town. The first minister was the Rev. Israel Kuter.
There is also a branch station of the Sauk City Humanists in this town. They have a hall,
and are in a thriving condition. The membership is For further information, see
Sauk » :
The first election recorded for the town of Honey Creek, was held at .1. A. Stains' April
;'>. 1849, when the following officers were elected : J. M. Cass. Chairman; J. Davis and Hewitt
Slauter, Side Board; II. 1!. Slams. Clerk; .lames Taylor. Treasurer: II. Kifer, Assessor; D.
Capells, Superintendent of Schools ; J. Sprecher, J. Davis and J. Rogu, Justi#ss; A. Hen-
nington, Thomas Wells and Daniel Meld. Constables. No appropriations were made at this
election, owing to the fact that the voters del not know what they could legally do unt il they
obtained a copy of the town laws
At the first regular i ting of Supervisors, May 1 I, it was decided to have a road from the
end of the Helena road, on log Hill, running northeast between Sections II and R) to Little
Prairie.
Tax for town expenses was laid at ■"> mills on the dollar for town expenses. 2 A mills for sup-
-'•liools and 5 mills for maintaining roads.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 677
Second annual i ting, held April 2,1850; election held al house of J. W. Harris.
Officers — T. Davis, Chairman; D. Slauter and J. W. Harris, Side Board ; II. B. Stams, Clerk;
James L Taylor, Treasurer ; T. J. Morgans, Assessor ; $150 tax lor town expenses; 1 ] mills
on the dollar tor schools, and roads as above. Tax collected. S:i71.18.
Third annual meeting held April 1. L851. Officers — G. Albertus, Chairman; J. Ragatz
and A. Roll. Side Hoard: F. E. Watermeier, Clerk : II. Ochsner, Treasurer: 1!. Ragatz; T. E.
Watermeier, Superintendent; three Constables were appointed to keep the discordant elements
at peace ; tax. $233.
Fourth annual meeting held April 6, 1852. Officers — H. Meyer, Chairman : .1. Rear and
A. Roll, Side Board ; J. F. Grone, Town Clerk; J. H. Taylor, Treasurer; J. Bear. Assessor;
James H. Taylor, Superintendent.
Fifth annual town meeting held April 5, 1853. Officers — G. F. Albertus, Chairman : M.
Lycum and B. E Ragatz, Jr., Side Board ; J. F. Grone, Clerk ; William Bonham. Treasurer ;
B. Ragatz. Sr., Assessor; J. Bear, Superintendent.
Sixth annual meeting held April 4, 1854. Officers — G. F. Albertus, Chairman : -T Sneller
ami A. Roll, Side Hoard: .1. F. Grone, Clerk; U. Henry, Treasurer; J. Bear, Assessor.
Seventh annual town meeting held April 5, 1855. Officers — H. Ochsner. Chairman;
William Bonham and F. Leikham, Side Hoard; J. B. Lancamp, Clerk; U. Henry. Treasurer;
D. Dahlen. Assessor.
Eighth annual meeting April 7, 1856. Officers — J. F. Grone. Chairman ; G. F. Albertus,
and -T. A. Taylor, Side Board: J. B. Lancamp, Clerk; M. Leikham. Treasurer: A. Roll,
Superintendent.
Ninth annual election held April 7, 1857 Officers — J. F. Grone. Chairman : G. F.
Albertus and F. Leikham. Side Board; J. B. Lancamp, Clerk: M. Leikham, Treasurer ;
W. Klaes, Assessor; George Parker, Superintendent.
Tenth annual meeting April 6, 1858. Officers — (I. Nippert, Chairman ; N. Sneller and F.
Ragatz, Side Board : J. J. Gattiker, Clerk ; A. Roll, Treasurer : D. Henry. Assessor : A. Wilcox,
Superintendent.
Eleventh annual meeting April 5, 1859. Officers — H. Ochsner, Chairman; G. Jacobs and
L. Sneller, Side Board; A. Hill, Clerk: A. Roll, Treasurer: William Klaes, As
Twelfth annual meeting April li. 1860. Officers — George Nippert. Chairman; U. Henry
and D. Dahlen, Side Board; A. Hill, Clerk; William Klaes, Treasurer: G. F. Grone, Assessor.
Presidential votes 1 :li>.
Thirteenth annual election April 2. 1861. Officers— G. F. Albertus, Chairman : William
H. Deuzer and J. Leidig, Side Board: J. B. Lancamp. Clerk: William Klaes. Treasurer: J.
F. Grone, Assessor.
Fourteenth annual meeting April 1. ls<>2. Officers — G. F. Albertus, Chairman; II. W.
Deuzer and .1. Leidig, Side Board ; J. F. Grone, Clerk : N. Buehler, Treasurer: William Klaes,
Assessor.
Fifteenth annual meeting April 7, 1863. Officers — H. W. Deuzer, Chairman : N. Sneller
and C. Schumm, Side Board; J. F. Grone, Clerk : N. Buehler, Treasurer: William Klaes.
Assessi 'i'.
At a special meeting held the 7th of January, 1 si!4. it was voted to offer a b
to each person who should volunteer in the town, and, if the United States did not pay a bounty,
thej would pay $300 to each person necessary to fill out the town quota. The hoard were
authorized to borrow what money should be needed for this purpose. A special meeting was
held January 23, 1864, for the purpose of raising money to aid in the support of the families of
those who had paid $300 commutation money, and the sum of $25 was voted for each family :
also a motion was made and carried to raise $200 for each family, the head of which was drafted ;
$2,000 were paid for bounties this year, besides personal subscriptions.
Sixteenth annual meeting April 5. 186 1. Officers — L. Sneller. Chairman : 0. Schumm and
A. Hageback, Side Board ; J. F. Grone, <.'lerk : J. Schiess, Treasurer : William Klaes, Assessor.
This year $2,0011 were paid to volunteers.
677i HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Seventeenth annual meeting April 4, 1865. Officers — G. F. Albertus, Chairman ; G.
Nippert and A. Hageback, Side Board; J. F. Grone, Clerk; J. Schiess, Treasurer; A. Roll,
Assessor. A volunteer fund of $6,883 was raised by special tax this year.
TOWN OF MERRIMACK.
Merrimack, being in the extreme east part of the county, was one of the first settled, and is
therefore one of the oldest, towns in the county. It was at first a part of the town of Kingston,
what is now known as Sumter. The town is irregular in shape and small in size, then' being
not more than twenty-seven sections of land all told. On the southwest it is bordered by the
Wisconsin, on the north by Greenfield, on the east by Columbia County, and on the west by
Sumter.
The surface is broken, and the soil highly diversified, from the richest alluvial to the poorest
quality of light sand. Along the northern boundary of the town extend the Baraboo Bluft's,
with their rough and uninviting surface. On the east, along the river, the prevailing character
of the soil is light sand, with uneven surface. In the southwestern part, bordering on the river,
the soil is better, being made up largely of black sand and rich alluvial deposits. Nature, in
shaping this portion of the country, and in contributing a variety of qualities or properties to the
soil, seems to have been unusually prodigal, if not thoroughly beneficial, inher bequests. The town
is fairly well timbered with the various species indigenous to this portion of the country (as spoken
of elsewhere) ; and, taking the general attributes of climate, soil, timber and water into account,
there are many worse places t<> live. The products are principally cereals and stock. Hops are
also raised more largely, and sorghum. At one time and another there has been a good deal of
milling done, which covers the ground of manufacturing pursued here entirely, unless we except
the minor considerations of sorghum molasses making, dairying and the various mechanical pur-
suits followed. There is much to be seen hen- that is attractive to the tourist and curiosity
seeker, as the cavernous gulches and singular mounds of the prehistoric, which abound here as
largely, perhaps, and which are as singular in appearance, as in any other portion of the county.
One very peculiar natural formation is Porprey's Glen (named after an original owner) ; another
form, the creation of man, is a mound on Section :!, doubtless intended to represent a bird, it
is very large, being 240 feet from tip to tip of its wings. Other features might be mentioned in
this connection, but it is scarcely necessary, as they are not sufficiently striking or unusual. The
inhabitants represent nearly all nationalities, from the hardy Welsh, Scotch, English and
Americans in the north, to the Germans and Irish in the south. The social, intellectual ami
religious status is good ; although almost every shade ami difference of opinion prevails. Taking
all things into account, the condition of the people is average.
It appears from records that the town was not organized until April 3, 1855, then, accord-
ing to previous notice, the qualified voters of the then town of Kingston, residing in Township
10 and 11. met at the hall of W. P. Flanders, in the village of Merrimack, at 9 o'clock A.
M., for the purpose of organizing a new town. The town was named Merrimack by Mrs. J. B.
Train, after the town of Merrimack in New Hampshire. At election, E. G. Buck was Chair-
man of Inspection, and Samuel VY. Ilovey and Luther Crosby. Inspectors.
The first officers as follows: M. Quiggle, Chairman; L. W. W. Ilovey and M. Brindlur,
upervisors; II. W. .Manly, Assessor; .lames (J. Train. Treasurer; Charles Naffy, Clerk ;
Norman Wood. Superintendent of Schools; J. Quiggle, Samuel Shaw, and J. M. Haines,
Justices of Peace; .1. M. Emerson, Constable.
At special town meetings held during the war. Sil. 100 was raised by the town, to be used
as bounty money for men who enlisted.
When the Baraboo Airline Railroad Company was discussing the project of running through
the county, tin- property-holders and voters of the town convened August :i7. L870, and voted
to bond the town to pay the railroad company $10,000, if the road was run through the town.
The bonds were accepted by the company, and the railroad run through the town, but up to date
they remain unpaid, although, according to some, the railroad has offered to compromise for
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 078
one-half the sum. The chances are now that there will he a suit instituted against the town by
the road, to get the money. What will he the termination of the affair cannot he suggested.
The townspeople are largely unanimous in repudiating the bonds, and will doubtless make a
stiff" fight for what they consider right under the circumstances. When the bonds were voted.
there were ninety-nine for giving them and sixty-six against.
Settlers Before 1850.
The first man to emigrate hither and settle permanently was George Wood, who came in
1^1:'.: after him, in 1844, Zaeth Eldridge came in. In 1S47. D. B. Randall, who is now the
oldest settler in town, came to Merrimack. Before 1850, as nearly as can lie ascertained, there
were Chester Mattson, George Grant, Thomas Trott, W. P. Flanders, William Thile. C.
Steidtman, Rohert Coulhorn, S. Hovey, N. Furst, L. Crosby, I. Emerson, Hiram Bailey, Her-
man Kuntz, George Fris and I), and T. Swartz. There were several more wdiose names cannot
he ascertained, as they have mostly died or departed.
The milling business spoken of is now a thing of the past, the several mills that have
been erected having long since ceased to saw or grind; the first one was a grist-mill, built as
early as 1844 or L845, by II. Searl, on Section 4, on what is known as Searl's Creek, it had
not been up more than two months, when a freshet undermined the dam and swept everything
to rack and ruin. It was not rebuilt.
The next person to enter the field was David King, who, two or three years after the above
disaster, bought whatever was valuable left of the Searl mill, and, building a mill near the bluff's,
on the same stream, began operations. Two or three years subsequent the mill burned. He
soon after rebuilt a saw-mill, which, subsequently, after his death, in 1855, became the property
of a Mr. Naragong. Mr. King also started a distillery, which passed into the hands of Fred
Roper.
Mr. Naragong put an engine into the old mill. Previous to this, undershot or overshot
wheels hail been used here altogether. Mr. Naragong's enterprise proved a failure.
In 1856 or L^oT. Fordice Roper built, which soon after passed into the hands of Fred
Roper, who moved the still to the mill and refitted it. This institution run for a few years.
until the tariff' on whisky stopped it.
The Roper Mill passed into the hands of Mr. J. Gibbs about 1860, then afterward Roberl
Porprey bought it. Before Porfrey got it, it had a forty-foot overshot wheel, which, with various
other traps, cost about $3,500. Porprey put in a sixty-foot wheel and run it a while, then
changed to turbine, or something similar, and run for a time; then like the rest, it went quietly
to rest.
Hi i (gious vxd Secular Societies.
The Free- Will Baptists organized and held services as early as 1851. There were at first
fifteen or sixteen members.
The Humanist Society started here as early as 1848, with Carl Duer for speaker : he was
also connected with the Sauk City Society of the same name. They have a hall in town, hut
the society is not very large.
The Methodists have held services here for a good many years, and have organized two dif-
ferent societies, one at Merrimack in 1852, with but few members, and one at the Bluffs in L856,
with five or six members. The class at the Bluffs erected a house of worship, 20x30, in I860,
calling it the Chapel. The society at Merrimack erected one in 1*7(1. as subsequently de
Village oi Merrimack.
The first actual settler here is said to have been a man by the name of Brown, wh
as early as 184G. and built a cabin, then soon after mysteriously disappeared. After him came
Chester Mattson. the originator of the old State road scheme and ferry. He came in 1S47,
and during the ensuing winter succeeded in getting a charter for a State road and ferry. Soon
678i HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
after this the road was regularly laid out, and very soon we find a stage making regular trips
over it, and Mattson engaged in transporting teams and passengers over the river. The road
was known as Mattti ferry road. Mattson started the second building in the place for a tavern,
but did not finish it, although it was occupied by a man by the name of Grant for a brief time.
Mattson was appointed Postmaster here as early as 1849, the place receiving the name of the
Postmaster General in honor of the circumstance.
In 1849, James Flanders came here and selected a quantity of land, and entered it for W.
P. Flanders, his brother, who bought the land for the settlers who could not pay themselves, he
taking bonds from them to secure the pay. Of this land, which extended over a large area,
there is left, in this inmicdiate vicinity, about twelve hundred acres, a part of this being in a
grain and stock farm of 500 acres. Very soon after the purchase of the land, W. P. Flanders
came on. and within a short time after, purchased Mattson's interest in the town and ferry for
$700. Mr. Flanders also made arrangements for building and starting a store. At first, a
stock of goods was brought on, about 1852, and the store opened in the basement of a building
now used for a dwelling-house, in Lot 7, Block 1. of the town plat. In-1852, a store building
was started, but before it was entirely completed, it was burned, as was thought, by an incen-
diary. Not to be discouraged, however, Mr. Flanders immediately commenced another build-
ing, which, within a few months, was finished and stocked with goods. This was the first per-
manent store, with W. P. Flanders as owner, and J. M. Hanes as clerk.
In 1854, .Mr. Flanders sold out to J. M. Haines, 1- Hodgson and Mr. Sturdevant. This
linn continued but a lew years, and then sold to .lame- Seville, Jr. While Seville was in pos-
session the .-tore burned up slick and clean : so ended the first store.
About 1853 or 1854, Mr. Flanders finished building the hotel, which had been started by
Mattson. After the hotel was completed it was christened the Ferry House, the first landlord
being Mr. Hartwig. This hotel is still running, Mr. Henry Bensens being the proprietor.
During the staging days, and when the railroad was building, it did an excellent business.
There was a warehouse built down near the river as early as 1851, from which the Sauk
City enterprise used to transport various products to market, and bring back such supplies as
were not hauled here from Madison and Portage by teams.
In 1855, Mr. T. Emery and Mr. H. Morey built a blacksmith shop for Mr. Flanders. A
man by the name of Thatcher was installed first smith, and after him a Mr. Pierce.
Ansel True started a store here after Seville burned out. Soon after came C. C. Noise,
then the present L. M. Smith began in trade here, and after him Mr. Tyler and Mr. Jones.
A saloon was opened here first in 1870, liquors having been kept in the stores previous to
that time.
The saw-mill and chair factory of II. M. .lone.-, which stands on the extreme edge of the
village, near the river, was built and started in 1858. The institution, which is now literally
rotting down, was gotten up quite elaborately, the building and machinery costing in the neigh-
borhood of $5,000. Mr. .lone- conducted the mill about two years, at first: then, through
various involvements with a moneyed partner, it passed from hi- control, never having been
used enough since to pay the interest on the money invested in it. At the present time, it is too
far gone to ever he resuscitated. If manufacturing could he done here, it would he well for the
In L872, the railroad arrived here, to the great delight of the residents, who then thought
that, in all probability, the place would grow in size quite rapidly. The depot which was built
at that time is ;1 very good one, it being unusually large for a small town. Mr. Flanders was
largely instrumental' in getting the road run through here, he having paid $5,000 down in cash
as an inducement to have Li cross the river at this point. Ill connection with the road are a
<toek yard and warehouse, hut. OWing to the large amOUl -hipped at this point,
which appears to he increasing voarly, the warehouse is considered, by many, not large enough,
and tie i ent, talk of building another, that the accommodations may be ample.
From Lai to 200 car loads of stock, and from forty to fifty car loads of grain, are sent to mar-
iint annually. This is n remarkable showing for sq small a place.
HISTORY OF SACK col XIV 679
The railroad bridge is one of the important and attractive features to be seen here. It is
an immense affair, made of iron, and extending a distance of 1,900 feel over the Wisconsin. It
was built by Fox, Howard & Co., of Chicago, in 1877, and stands directly in the path and on
the same spot where the wooden bridge stood before, which was built in L871. The piers on
which the bridge tests are supported by piles sunk in the bed of the stream, and which were
eut off' beneath the surface of the water at the time the piers were built. These are of stone
masonry, so built as to resist effectually the effects of the spring freshets. Alter the bridge was
completed, its strength was tested by running three or lour engines on one span. The
gate weig tes was much greater than that of the span, but, notwithstanding, they
did not settle it more than three-eighths of an inch, so tremendous is the strength of this net-
ron. Immediately after they were withdrawn, it returned to its former position, not
being affected in the least by the enormous weight placed upon it. It is regarded by good
judges as our of the very best bridges in the State, and, mechanically, is considered as being
aufait. The total cost was about Ssiiojhjo. It is forty-five feet above low-water mark.
The first school was taught here in a log schoolhouse, which stood nearly opposite where L.
M. Smith's store is now located. After this, about 1854 or 1855, a small frame building was
erected, which was used for several years. In 1876, another house was built, and the old one
sold to dames II. Smith for adwelling house. In 1879, an addition was made to the last-men-
tioned building, increasing it in size sufficient to accommodate two departments. The first
irere burned, consequently nothing further etui be given relating to the early particu-
lar-. There tire now 128 pupils registered. In 1879, the district was re-organized, as it was
then discovered that this district, in common with all but one in the town, had been operating
illegally.
Merrimack has a Good Templar's Lodge at present. For many years previous to the start-
ing of this (or the second Iod^e), there was one in the town, which held its meetings in the
chapel The second lodge. Riverside, No. 129, was organized in 1872, flourished finely tor a
time, then gradually subsided. The present lodge. Riverside, No. 500, was established last
year, by Jenny Nash, and is now in a flourishing condition and has a large membership.
A Grange club also meets here, but, as the genius that instigated that movement has ceased
to actuate the farmers, this, like the majority of the lodges, will probably soon be numbered
among the have beens. having perished to give place to some equally injudicious and unnecessary
movement.
Merrimack has a fine church, erected by the Methodists in 1876, at a cost of about S:',. I,
It is built of brick, and has basement for Sabbath school, etc. This is now used by the town
for holding town meetings, there being no town hall. Religious services are not held here
regularly at the present time, there not being a settled minister at this point.
In this connection may be mentioned the Park Hill Cemetery Association. This organiza-
tion was founded and formed December 19, 1865, by the following persons: T. Ed
Wheeler. S. Roby, L. N. Smith, L. Wright. William Butterfield, .Jame> Morey and George S.
Shepherd. Subsequently, two acres of land were purchased, and laid out suitably in lots, which
are sold at ST each. Mr. Wheeler was the first one buried in the cemetery, but already,
since that time, numerous headstones rise from the ground to mark the Spot of the final rest.
To sum up briefly, the village was lirst called Colamar after tin' Postmaster General who
appointed Mattson Postmaster, but was subsequently changed to Merrimack, after the town.
The village was platted at quite an early day by Mr. Flanders. The location is suitable for the
building up of a handsome village, which may eventually be done. The different Postmasters
have been, after Mattson : J. M. Haines, L855 : then .Messrs. Hodgson, Percy, Terril and True.
In 1860, the present Postmaster, D. <i. Tyler, was appointed. The business of the place is
represented now by four stores, two blacksmiths, one hotel and one saloon.
679| • HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
TOWN OF PRAIRIE HI S M\
Together with the villages, to this town belongs the distinction of having been the first
place of settlement in the county. It is considerably below the average in size, it being only about
thirty-one sections in area. It is bordered irregularly on the south and east by the Wisconsin,
and on the north by the town of Suniter, and on the west by the towns of Honey Creek and
Troy. The surface of the country is prairie, interspersed witli undulating and slightly hilly
tracts. The soil is not above the average, although it is by no means of a poor quality in many
localities, or so worthless as to preclude the possibility of a profitable cultivation. It may be
generally described as a light, sandy loam, and excellently well adapted to horticultural purposes,
it being naturally very warm and friable. However, all kinds of grain are grown here, corn con-
sidered the best average crop raised in the way of cereals. Of fruits, an abundance of wild
and cultivated grapes, currants and berries, are raised, and stock both for marketing
and dairying are grown here extensively. The town is well watered by Honey and Otter
Creeks. The latter, a small stream, is entirely absorbed by a desolate sandy tract of land in the
south part of the town, and the most worthless in town. Of timber, there is a somewhat limited
supply, yet there is enough to supply the wants of the present generating, and, may be, one or
two more. The inhabitants are principally German, although there is a liberal sprinkling of
other nationalities. The social and moral status is good, and will compare favorably with
that of adjoining towns. Churches and schools are liberally provided and well patronized.
Of manufacturing in the town, it may be said, there is about all done in that direction that there
is a legitimate demand for, from brewing beer to grinding grain, or from making plows to build-
ing reapers. Commercial pursuits are and always have been confined to the villages, which,
with their early settlement, are fully described in another chapter.
The F.aki.i Settlement.
The very early settlement, and events connected therewith, occurred at the villages, and
are thus fully mentioned. However, of those who settled on the prairie at an early day. aside
from the village residents, we present such names as could lie obtained. These were Louis
AmiLi. Mr. Wollf, John McQuacker, Mr. Freeman, George Luetcher, Nat and Josh Perkins,
T. Tah..r. J. Keyser, II. B. Staines, James Taylor, J. II.' Woodruff, R. H. Davis, Ed Tabor,
II. Stiver, Mi-. Thatcher, the Waterburys, Capt. Watson, Mr. Bryant and a few others. The
majority of the first-comers are dead, or departed have to other scenes. By 1850, the country in
this section was pretty well settled, and continued to fill up very rapidly until all of the land was
taken.
In 1841, the first bridge was built over Honey Creek.
The first religious services in town were held in the schoolhouse in Sauk, June 25, 1841,
by Rev. T. M. Fullerton.
The first-born was a child of B. Haney's, born L838, in the dug-out at Lower Sauk.
The Indian scare on Sauk Prairie, an episode of L845, caused some very funny exhibitions
of character and odd doings. A brief allusion to .lames Taylor's experience at that time will
very aptly illustrate what happened generally. The first thai -lames Taylor heard of the matter
was Johnny Gray waking him up. crying, "The Indians are coming! Flee for your lives ! "
Taylor mounted an old black mare he had, ami generously Started to rouse the people. He first
waked Ed Tabor. Tabor warned to gel up behind, so Taylor took him on. Then they went to
Tom Tabor and roused him, and took him on. From this they went, as fast as the old mare
could waddle with her load, to get the people out. and finally pulled up at Ben Johnson's and run
bullets all night. No Indians came during the night, yet in the morning they all turned out
and formed in battle line, determined to have a smell of powder if they could not win any glory.
Caylor commanded, "Make ready! Aim! Fire!" At the last command one old
muskel wenl off solemnly, like an -echo from a tomb, telling them what they had escaped.
Since that time, Mr. Taylor has been known as the General.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 680
In |S4T, Ed Juessen, who is now eminent as a lawyer and speaker in Chicago, and
brother-in-law to Car] Schurz, tended sheep with Charles Naffs on Sauk Prairie, for Count
Haraszthy. One day, either by accident or for mischief, they set fire to the prairie: and, the
whole condition of things being, as a result, too hot for the young chap, lie left, and thereby
made his fortune.
There has been a mill on Honey Creek, in this town, since 1841. The original builder was
a man by the name of Roberl Bryant, who started a saw-mill. From him it passed into the
hands of II. I! Staines. He bought some of the mill fixtures of an old grist-mill in .Merrimack,
including an enormous overshot wheel, and began refitting the mill, but, before he was entirely
dmie. sold to Mix & Wilson, who finished his work and made other improvements. J. K. Wood-
rass bought the property about 1856 or 1857, but soon after sold to II. Rowell. From him it
passed into the hands of the lirm of Merrihew & Rowell, who in the winter of 1859 and I860
built a stone mill, which was burned five years after. The mill property being involved, it was
soon afterward taken on a mortgage by Morrihew's father-in-law. Nothing further was done
here until 1877 or 1878, when Martin Luddi bought and built the present large frame mill.
This mill has three sets of four-toot buhrsj and one pony buhr. The dam has a seven-foot head,
and three turbine wheels are used. This is the only mill in town.
Berry Haney and Uberl Skinner were the first ones who, according to various accounts,
attempted to settle their differences . about an early claim, by fist and bludgeon. In the melee.
Skinner came out second best ; he having been somewhat lame from wounds received in the
Black Hawk war, as well as being under sized, could not hold his own.
A thrashing machine was brought in here as early as 1843, by George Owens, of Prairie
du Sac. and was said to have been the first in this county or Dane County at that time. He
received one bushel in ten for thrashing.
The first settlers had to go some thirty miles to mill, to what was then known as Hickox
Mills, now Ruggles' Mills, in Richland County, this being the nearest point, in 1840, where they
could get grinding done.
The early settlers very often killed bears and wolves in this vicinity.
The first brick were made in town as early as 1841, for Mr. Bryant, and were used to make
chimneys and fire-places.
In 1860, a grand Republican rally and mass meeting washeld at Reedsburg, to which about
twelve wagon-loads of people went from Prairie du Sac Town.
A Republican town club was formed in 1860.
One of the principal industries, among the Germans, especially, of this locality, is the rais-
ing of wild and tame grapes, the wild grapes being raised exclusively for the purpose of making
a wine which very much resembles port wine in color and flavor. Tame grapes are raised in
large variety for domestic use. and for making wine also.
In 1860, Peter Bohn, proprietor of the Sauk City Greenhouse, received first premium for
grapes at the State Fair.
[uantities of sorghum are raised here for molasses-making.
George ( hveii was the first person to make a business of hauling merchandise, as dry g Is,
and liquors, into the town.
A Baptist minister. Elder Conrad, established a Baptist society at Prairie du Sac at a very
early day. He first held services in the house of H. Page, then afterward in a schoolhouse,
until the society purchased the old Presbyterian Church. They were close communion. The
first religious debate in town was between Elder Conrad, and Elder Cavanagh. Methodist. The
church has no minister at present.
There is an Evangelical, or Dutch Reformed. Church in the southwest corner of this
iety wa< incorporated in the spring of 1851. The church is a neat-looking structure.
24x32 feet. On the map it is called Lutheran Church, which is an error.
At the first town meeting, held on the •"»! day of April. 18 19, subsequent to organization of
first towns, of which this town was then one, the following officers were elected:
680| HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
Chairman, Nathaniel Perkins; Charles Halasz and Samuel Kelsey being Side Supervisors;
Town Clerk, Cyrus Leland ; Assessor, Archie Hill ; Treasurer, P. B. Stamatz ; Superintendent
of Schools, J. B. Woodruff' : Justices, Charles 0. Baxter, Lyman Crossman, John Kupell and
Henry Myers : Constables, II. K. Howard, Albert Mann and Archie Hill ; Overseers of High-
ways. E. 1'. Tabor, John Accola and Henry Myers : Fence Viewers. B. Howe. J. Hatch and John
Gallard. At this election, it was decided that the town meeting should be held next at Prairie
dil Sac.
At the general election, November 6, 1849. the whole number of votes cast was 185. Of
these, Nelson Dewy received over three-fourths for Governor.
The amount of school tax collected here this year was $l!o!>.-">2. The tax collected for
town purposes was 8/204. 10. Expense during said year was Xlii5.2o.
The second town meeting was held April 2, 1850, at Prairie du Sac. when Cyrus Leland
was elected Chairman, and George Cargill, Town Clerk.
The third meeting was held at Westfield, April, 1850. Joseph Lester, Chairman ; I !
Mertens, Clerk.
At the general election this fall, the number of votes had increased to 220.
Nothing special occurred in connection with the next town meeting, aside from the election
of officers, and voting of funds for fiscal purposes, unless mention be made of §200 appropriated
to build a bridge near the old mill of J. C. Wilson.
At the general election held November 8, L853, 276 votes were cast, there being an increase
of 56 votes over the last general election. At this election, the Prohibitory Liquor Law. sub-
mitted by the Legislature, was voted upon, there being 192 votes against it, the balance for
the law.
In L855, swine were restrained, by order of the board, from running at large. This order
was repealed soon after by a special meeting of the voters. But again, at the town meeting held
April 1, 1856, the swine question again came up, and was definitely settled by their being
restrained from running at large in the future.
I OF SUMTER.
This town was called Kingston up to 1861, when, on account of the confusion of mails with
Kingston, Marquette Co., the name was changed to Sumter," in honor of Fort Sumter. The
town is somewhat irregular in shape, especially on the northern boundary, which makes it two
sections larger than the regular towns. It is bounded north by Baraboo and Freedom, south by
Prairie du Sac, east by Merrimack, and west by Freedom and Honey Creek. The surface of
this town is as agreeable to look at as it is, in the main, available Tor the purposes of husbandry.
It lies nearly in the center of the Sauk- Prairie basin, and. therefore, embraces all of the best
of surface contour and soil. Along the northern pari of the town extend the Baraboo
Bluffs, from which'can be obtained a view of the bottom lands of the town, and of Sauk Prairie
generally, and as charming as fancy could suggest or desire. <»n the southwest may be seen
narrow belts of bluffs, outlying and environing the ever recurring pockets, which break away on
: and east into undulating prairies, covered with well cultivated farms, margined and dotted
with clumps of timber. Probably no more picturesque or truly beautiful scene than this is afforded
unity. The bluffy portion of the country here, as elsewhere, is all taken up by the
farmers, to be used for pasturage and timber. Of this there is a fair supply, but principally a
young growth (except back in the Baraboo Bluffs), the larger trees, apparently, having been cut
down. The tillable soil is second to none in the county. The bottom lands are. principally, a
deep, rich loam, occasionally mixed with sand. From this, passing on to 'lie bluffs, the soil be-
COmeS a -tony clay, which, although loth heavy and col-1. is highlj productive when well tilled.
The town is very well watered, especially in the central and north part, where numerous small
streams bead, and which ultimately unite, forming Otter Creek. Anything that can be raised
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 681
tn advantage anywhere in the State, either for home use or the market, can be produced here.
The cereals. vegetables, fruits, etc., of all kinds, indigenous to this climate, readily grow and
mature here; while, for grapes and stock, no part of the county or country is better : the geo-
logical formations, and prehistoric remains in tins town, present some exceedingly interesting
especially fKe former. There are large beds of ealaferous sandstone located in some
portions of the bluffs that are well adapted to building purposes, and, as though for an accom-
paniment, dolomite lies above ready to be burned into lime for cementing the stones into build-
ing wall. One of the formations particularly valuable for geological research is the Mendota
limestone, which abounds here in large quantities. Mr. 11. E. Stone, a practical geologist living
in Stone's pocket, has found some very valuable specimens of trilobites here. One feature in
i, which Mr. Stone has observed, is that specimens of these animals are sometimes
found in this locality, lodged in the interstices of quartzite rock, two hundred feet above the
level of their natural home. Who can explain this'.''
Recently, Mr. Stone, in connection with the State (ieologist, opened one of the Indian
mounds here, to find it occupied by the skeletons and implements of the former inhabitants.
The most noticeahle features were, that the mound was built above the natural earth level, and
that the bodies were covered by clay, brought from some other locality.
Other notes in the above connection might be given, but these are sufficient to give a fair
idea of the condition of the town. The inhabitants are mixed. But the American element
predominates, and has always done so since the first settlement. The social, moral and intel-
lectual status is above the average.
This was one of the first settled towns of the county, the date of its first settlement being
nearly cotemporary with that of Prairie du Sac. It is pretty generally conceded that the first
parties to come into the town were Albert Jameson, A. Bills, A. Hodgett and N. Lathrop,
who came here on a prospecting tour during the month of December, 1838; also John Hoover
came in about this time, or soon after, and Uncle William Johnson, wdio is now the oldest of the
first settlers living in the south part of the county. None except Mr. Johnson remained longer,
that winter than was necessary to make their claims. lie and his help threw up a. cabin near
where he now resides, and lived in it the rest of the winter. The next summer, Uncle William
brought the first breaking-team into the town, and with them the old double-geared breaking-
plow that is said to have done the first breaking in the town. It now stands at the door of an
old tumble-down log cabin, a dilapidated memento of early days.
The first families to settle in the town were Charles Parks and Zena Harrington. They
came in the summer of 1889. In November, of this season, A. Jameson moved in.
In 1840, Henry Teel, John Hoover. Andrew Hodgett, Isaac Gibbs, Alex Johnson, Charles
Teel, P. Brigham and William (Airy were here, some of them possibly having come during the
fall or winter of 1839. During 1840, Uncle William Johnson brought in his family. There may
have been more settlers here in 1840 than above enumerated, but nothing can I learned of such
persons.
No attempt will be made to trace the number of settlers who came in before 1850, only
the names of those now living here who came in before that time will be given. William John-
son, old Mrs. Jameson, old Mrs. Teel, Henry Tod, Isaac Gibbs, A. Waterbury, J. <". Payne,
J. Freeman, George and II. Gatwinkle, II. J- Farnham, U. II. Kendall. J. W. Gordon, Samuel
Ha-kins. Theodore Rock, Robert Colburn, 1». E. Stone. II. Durke and A. Stedman are about
all that are left of the early comers, and they will soon move away to give place to Others.
The first birth in the town was the second one in the county, Charles Parks, son of Mr.
and Mrs. Charles Parks, who was born in February, 1840.
The first deaths in town occurred during the above month and year, two children of Mr.
Zera Harrington, with scarlet fever.
The first marriage, that of Phillip Blodgett, of New York, and Susan Harrington, daugh-
ter of the above-named gentleman, was executed about Is hi.
681| HISTORY OF SAUK COUNT'S
Another of the early marriages is worthy of mention. The Rev. James G. Whitford, who
wanted a wife, came to town in 1840, to visit the Widow Sayles, a daughter of Mrs. Teel. Mr.
Whitford held religious services and organized a class while the wooing sped, and finally, on
August 15, 1841, they were married, the Rev. Mr. Simpson coming from a distance to perform
the ceremony.
It is the opinion of some that Mr. Whitford was the first minister who preached in the
county, but Mrs. Teel avers that the Rev. John Crummer, a Methodist minister, came in May,
1840, and preached at John Hoover's, and Mrs. Teel certainly ought to know, considering that
the other minister was her own son-in-law. The Rev. Thomas Fullerton was the first circuit
rider to come here and fill stated appointments. He came the 23d of June, 1841.
A school was taught here as early as 1843, by Mrs. Brooks, in a log-bouse on Section 34.
A tavern was opened in town on the east Sauk road, in 1843, by J. Hoover, Sr.
A post office was established here in 1850, named the Bluff office, with Prescott Brigham
as Postmaster. It was located afterward at what was called New Haven. There is now no
post oflice in town.
The above-mentioned place was regularly laid out on Section 3. and platted as a village in
the spring of 1856, by Sol King; before that, it was called King's Corners. There were at
one time a tavern, store, several dwellings and mechanics' shops, and a church, here, but at this
time the village is a thing of the past.
William Wagner opened the first store in town, at New Haven, in 1856 or 1857, and Hoy
King the tavern.
A steam saw-mill was built at the foot of the bluffs, on Section 4, and near Otter Creek, in
1855. by II. J. i William Farnham and E. Kellogg. They also bad a small grist-mill attached.
Two years after, the mill passed into the hands of Mr. Babcock, who afterward sold it, and then,
about 1866, for want of business, it was discontinued.
A short time after the above mill was built, a man by the name of Hedges laid out and
platted what was called the village of Otterville, near the mill. Another saw-mill was also
built near here about this time by Robert Baxter; but this, like its predecessor, has long since
ceased to operate, and the village of Otterville is now no more forever.
In 1866, Luther Daniels built and opened a store on the east road, in Section 2. Daniels
also kept the post office here but the institution failed in about a year. The post office was
then suspended, and the building passed into the hands of Isaac Gibbs.
The first reaper was brought into town by Henry Teel, ami the first article that could
grind anything from corn, cob and all. to small grains, was an overgrown coffee-mill, brought in
by Uncle William Johnson. This mill is still in existence, and i- said to have done grinding for
pioneers all over the West. Like Uncle William, it is now rather too old to repair, and, with
the old plow, needs to lay on the shelf.
The first land was entered by Mr. Johnson after it came into market here — Sections 6
and 15.
[n the Methodist Church class, organized in L840 U Rev. Whitford, there were the fol-
el. George Teel, Lucy Brigham, Catharine Kellogg, Martha Brig
ham. Thomas I!. Cowles and Andrew Hodget.
After the Rev. Fullerton had been coming here for about a year, what was called the Sauk
Pri VI ion \\u c lablisbed, e\ tending from Black Earth Creek, in Iowa County, to Dekorah,
in Columbia County. The second Quarterly Conference was held at Benjamin jrbhnson's, on
Sauk Prairie, December _s. L844. B. T. Kavenaugh was Presiding Elder qf the Mission.
In L849, Blai k Earth and Dekorah were set off.
The present Methodist Episcopal Church was erected in L862, and firsl stood at New
Haven. Five years ago it was moved to its present location and repaired.
In the northeasl pari of the town, there is a society of il Evangelical Association of
North America:" they have a chapel on the northeast corner of the John Thilke farm,
24x30; the society was organized March 23, L863.
HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY. 682
There is also a Lutheran society in the town that was organized in 1862. They have a
chapel, built in 1862, situated on the cross muds, one mile north of the above church.
There are a good many Germans that belong to the " Free German Association of Sauk
County," who have their lecture-room in the town of Merrimack.
There are some members of the Baptist Church, who attend service at Prairie du Sac
where the society have a chapel.
There is also a First- Day Advent society in town, that have no house of worship.
The refining of sorghum is followed here each year quite extensively. Knapp & Water-
bury have an evaporator, bought in 1859. This was the first in this town, or adjacent towns.
Henry Hill started one soon after. But, on account of wrong quality of cane, their work was
nol satisfactory. There is also another one owned by John and George Weisch, and another man,
which is in part the relics of an evaporator bought by sixteen or eighteen farmers in company,
several years ago, but which, like all of them at that time, proved of no use. The cane used
here is principally white amber.
There is a cheese-factory in town, established by Peter Young and Henry Hill, which was
opened to the public in May, 1878. This is the first anil only cheese-factory in Sumter. It
has a capacity for handling 3,500 pounds of milk per diem, there being one vat. Each year
they have made a large quantity of choice cheese, both for themselves and their patrons.
The first town meeting was held April 3, lsd'd, at the house of .lames Moreland. Officers
elected: J. S. Waterbury, Chairman; Isaac Gibbs and Samuel Shaw, Side Hoard: Prescott
Brigham, Clerk: David Gulliford, Treasurer; Samuel Mather, Assessor; It. E. Stone, Super-
intendent of Schools; L. B. Smith, Alden Maynard and Samuel Shaw. Justices; Daniel Bar-
ber and David Gulliford, Constables : William Johnson. P. Blodgitt and William Farnhain,
Overseers of Highways: X. Cordon, Charles Kern and Samuel Dewey. Pence Viewers; James
Moreland and Samuel Shaw. Sealers Weights and Measures.
1850 — Calvin Danforth, William Farnam, John Thilke, Supervisors; D. R. Baxter, Clerk;
Hiram Bailey, Assessor; R. E. Stone. School Superintendent; Albert Jameson, Treasurer.
June W>, T. B. Cowles was elected Treasurer in place of A. Jameson, resigned.
1851 — Samuel Shaw. John Dennett, Charles Kern, Supervisors; D. R. Baxter, Clerk; J.
I. Waterberv. Assessor; A. Jameson, Treasurer; 1!. E.Stone, School Superintendent.
1852— R. E. Stone, Ira Ball, Michael Quiggle, Supervisors; Fred. S. Roper, Phillip B.
"i's : Calvin Johnson. Treasurer ; Samuel Shaw, School Superintendent.
-J. I. Waterberry, Eli Davis, F. S. Roper. Supervisors : Philo Barber, Clerk; J.
W. Fyle. Assessor; George Gatwinkle, Treasurer.
1854 — Eli Davis, Nicholas Furst, John Dennett, Supervisors; Charles Naffs, Clerk: Rob
George Gatwinkle, Treasurer: Norman Wood. School Superintendent.
L855 — John Dennett, David Shell, Peter Perry, Supervisors: Thomas D. Long. Clerk;
David Zimmerman, Treasurer; Ryland Stone, [saac Gibbs, John F. Stone. Assessors; R. E.
Stone. School Superintendent.
1856 — Eli Davis, Samuel Mather, William Farnam. Supervisors; T. D. Long. Clerk ;
John Dennett, Treasurer; T. D. Long. School Superintendent ; Peter S. Young, Samuel Wat-
erman, Charles Kern, Assessors.
1857— James I. Waterberry. William Johnson. George C. Bal Thomas
D. Long, Clerk ; David Zimmerman, Treasurer; William W. Perry, School Superintendent;
Eli Davis, Assessor.
1858 — Thomas D. Long, Hiram Houghton, A. Hall, Supervisors: (). S. Knapp, Clerk;
D. X. Barber, Treasurer; J. I. Wat sor; C. S. Abbott, Superintendnet of Schools
-R. E. Stone, A. L. Justine, C. Farrington, Supervisors; 0. S. Knapp, Clerk ; D.
N. Barber, Treasurer; C. S. Abbott, J. I. Waterberv. Assessors: G. \V. Waterberry, Super-
intendent of Schools.
1860— R. E. Stone, John Dennett. Charles Kern. Supervisors; William W. Perry. Clerk;
Harvey Durkee, Treasurer; Eli Davis, Assessor; L. B. Swallow, Superintend.!
682A HISTORY OF SAUK COUNTY.
1861 — 0. S. Knapp. John Dennett, Charles Ryone, Supervisors ; William W. Perry,
Clerk ; Harvey Durkee, Treasurer ; A. J. Sears, Superintendent of Schools ; William Johnson,
Assessor.
1862 — S. M. Burdick, John Dennett, Charles Teal, Supervisors; William W. Perry,
Clerk; H. Durkee, Treasurer; Eli Davis, Assessor.
1863— S. M. Burdick, Charles Teal, P. S. Young, Supervisors ; William W. Perry, Clerk ;
H. Durkee, Treasurer ; Eli Davis, Superintendent of Schools ; Eli Davis, Assessor.
1864— M. Willis, J. B. Cowles, George Gatwinkel, Supervisors ; W. W. Perry, Clerk ;
H. Durkee, Treasurer ; Eli Davis, Assessor.
1865— M. Willis, J. B. Cowles, George Gatwinkel, Supervisors ; W. W. Perry, Clerk ;
H. Durkee, Treasurer.
1866— M. Willis; W. W. Perry, Clerk; H. Durkee, Treasurer; R. Barber, Assessor.
1867 — W. W. Perry, Thomas G. Francis, John Thilke, Supervisors ; Edwin Burnette,
Clerk ; Harvey Durkee, Treasurer ; R. Stone, Assessor.
1868 — W. W. Perry, John Thilke, John Dennett ; Edwin Burnette, Clerk ; Harvey
Durkee, Treasurer; A. Jameson, Assessor.
1869 — R. E. Stone, D. F. Denison, Joseph Lunich, Supervisors ; William A. Johnson,
Clerk ; Harvey Durkee, Treasurer ; Ryland Stone, Assessor.
1870 — William W. Perry, P. W. Carpenter, H. Gatwinkel, Supervisors ; W. A. Johnson,
Clerk; H. Durkee, Treasurer ; Ryland Stone, Assessor.
November 14, 1855, the Town of Merrimack was organized out of Kingston Territory.
Sections 23 and 24 of Town 11 north, Range 6 east, was set off to Baraboo, 1862.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES.
.V 15 B R. E V I A T I O N S .
Company or county I W. V. I Wisconsin Voln
.Wisconsin Volunteer Artillery P 0.
Volunteer Cavalry | -t
CITY AND TOWN OF BARABOO.
HERMAN ALBRECHT, one of the proprietors of the Wisconsin House, was born in Prus-
Kl. I~-.".o. came to America in 1849, and to Sauk City in 1852. In 1861, he enlisted in Co. 1».
9th W. V. [., and served three years and mx months; he was mustered out Dee. 9, 1864. He was mar-
ried -June 26, 1865, to .Miss Lina Schlang; she was born in Sauk Co. April 27, 1*44. In polities, Mr.
Albrecht is a Republican.
JAMES W. AlMHtH'll. wagon-maker, and is at the present time working for Mr. M.
Renland; was horn in Chenango Co., N. V., Die. 16, 1812; eame to Sauk Co., and to Band , Wis., in
1855, and lias worked at his trade ever since, lie was married, April 21, 1836, to Miss Esther Gowin ;
born in Washington Co., N. 5T., and died duly 18, 1843; they had four children- Tl as J.,
i A .one died in infancy, and Edgar M. He was married the second time to Miss
Mary A. Boyd, Oct. 2, 1 845; she was hum in Canada ; they have had six children, viz., Gordon A., William
R., one died in infancy, Maria, Elizabe'h , deceased i, and Mary A. Both Mr. and Mrs. Aldricll
mil Day Adventists. In polities, lie is a Republican.
SA JIUEE F. AMY, contractor and builder; was horn in Sherbrook Co., Canada East, Feb. 6,
1^27; moved to the States with his parents in 1838, and I itedin Vermont; learned the trade of carpenter ;
i bridge-building on the railroad tip to 1848; he then shipped as carpenter, and followed the sea
six years; June, 1S5i;, came to Sauk Co; in the fall of 1872 moved to Baraboo ; he has served al
1 puty Sheri If siice he has been in the county. He was married May 10, 1857, at I leaver Ham.
is born in Sherbrook, Canada East; they have four children, viz.,
Allice J.. Ernest C, Merton S. and Arthur A. Mr. and Mrs. Amy and their two oldest children are
('the Presbyterian Church, and in politics he is a Republican.
ANDREW ANDREWS, farmer, See. 11; I'. (). Baraboo; is a sou of William and Rebecca
- to Wisconsin in the fall of 1849, locate,! in the village of Band and i
fears; owns 10 acres of land; also in the village owns 8 i acres, three lots, shoe-
Mr. Andrews learned the trade of shoe-making in England, and followed that occu-
\"ars in the village of Baraboo; was employed one year in the woolen-mill ;
Manchesti iboo; went, to England in the fall of 1877, and returned the following spi
i the farm whir he was burn in Ledbury, Herefordshire, England, I'YI
• 1849. He married Lydia Gotheridge. about 1840, in Herefordshire,
had ten children, all of whom died ; married Mary Ann Mould, daughter of Matthew ami Jane
Mould, in Baraboo, June 10, 1863; have; one child, Andrew 1\, who is now living with his father. Mrs.
was born in Woodnewton, Northamptonshire, England, in 184s, and emigrated to America in
it, Herkimer Co., N. V.; came to Baraboo, October, 1857, with her father and
mother, who yet reside in the village engaged in the grocery business.
CHARLES S. AMIIMS (deceased) ; he was born in York State Nov. 7. 1830
to Sauk Co. in 1858, and bought a farm. He was married Oct, 1. I860, to Mis- Mary J. Martin ; she
was born in Franklin Co., N. Y.-, they ba\ ne child — Alma A. Mrs. Andrus is a membe
Unitarian Church.
684 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
RAJISOX M. ANDRUS, farmer, Sec. 3; P. 0. Baraboo ; son of Edwin and Macena (Moore)
Andrus ; he came to Wisconsin November, 1S54, and located in Reedsburg, Sauk Co., the same year ;
he located in Baral , Sauk Co., December, 1875 ; he owns 80 acres of land near the village of Baraboo ,
he was born Sept. 8, 1838, in Avon, Lorain Co., Ohio He married Mary Theresa Terrell, daughter of
Gillaspie and Lucretia Tucker) IVnvll. at Chicago, 111., Oct. hi. 1867 ; Mr Andrus has one child— Fred-
rick \V. Andrus. He was oiigiged in the saw-mill business and connected with farming eight years;
before coming. tn Wisconsin, Mr. Andrus sailed three years, and after remaining in Wisconsin four years,
he returned and sailed five \aars more, after which time he settled in Wisconsin and remained here since;
tiled on all the lakes. Mr Andrus is a member of the Masonic Order.
CLARENCE A. APRER. dispatcher at round-house ; was born in Greenfield, Sauk Co.,
Wis., Sept. 5, 185 : he commenced railroading in 1872, for the ('. & X. W. R. R. Co. ; he has h
ployed by them ever since.
in. W. ARXOLD, proprietor of the transfer teams; was born in Chenango Co., X. Y., June
12, 1819, and came to Sauk Co. Xov. 2, 1855 ; he lived in Dodge Co. nine years before he came to Bar-
aboo. He was married, June 30, L857, to .Miss P. Marble ; she was horn in Madison Co . X. Y . . they
have one child — Earnest B. In polities, Mr. Arnold is a Republican.
FRANK AVERY, dealer in boots and shoes, on Third street ; also manufactures to order ; horn
in the county of Kent, England. Xov. IT. 1830 ; came to America in is,"):',, and to Baraboo in 1856 has
held the office of President of the village during the years of 1875-76, also been one of the Trustees for a
number of years, and still holds that office. He was manic, 1. May 31, 1859, to Miss Emily Andrus;
she was horn in the Stale of Ohm. In politics, Mr. Avery is a Republican.
ARCHIBALD BARKER, Sec 20; P. 0. Baraboo; born in December, 1816, at Tyrone,
Ireland; is a son of Thomas and Rebecca Barker; came to Wisconsin in lS:i7, and in the fad! commenced
to erect a shanty near the present site of Baraboo; but as fast as he and bis comrades could raise it the
Indians would pull it down. In 1850, Mr. B. went to California and was absent four years, he then
returned and located on the place where lie now resides; owns 200 acres. Mr. B. was married in L859,
to Miss -lane Laniborn ; she was born Oct. 26, 1836 ; has eight children— William, born Aug. 26, I860 .
John, Xov. 8, 1861 ; Thomas, Feb. II. 1863; Joseph, April 8, 1866; Sarah M., May 15, 1867; Alex-
ander, March 13, 1870; Perry R., April 3, 1872-; Samuel, Feb. 25, I
JOHN BARKER, attorney at law; born in the village of Sand Bank, Oswego Co., X. V.,
March 29, 1839; educated in Oswego and Jefferson Counties; engaged in clerking near Ironton, Ohio,
from 1861 to 1865 ; then returned to Oswego Co., X. Y. ; studied law before and after going to Ohio, and
was admitted to the bar at Syracuse, X. Y.. in October, 1S65, and came to Baraboo the Fame month,
where ho engaged in the practice of his profession; taught school in the winters of 1865-66 ; has held
various offices Town Clerk, Town Treasurer, County Judge and District Attorney. Mr. Barker was
married in New Haven, Oswego Co., X. Y.. Xov. 29, 1870, to Alice A. Druse; she was bom in Oswego
Co., X. Y. ; they have three son-- Ralph, born Xov. 27. 1872, and twins horn Aug. 7. 1880.
JOHN F. BASSINUER, carpenter; born in Lewis Co., X. Y„ Mas 9, 1838; in 1850,
moved to Fond du Lac Co., Wis , and to Baraboo in 1866. In politics, he is a Republican,
CHARLES BFXDER, carriage manufacturer and general repair shop, on Fourth street . he
was born in Germany Oct I, 1842; came to America to Baral in is;,;. He enlisted Aug. 11. 1862,
in Co. K, 23d W. V. I., and served three years; was in fifteen battles; while in the ser<
wounded twice, and was in the hospital at New Oilcans about lour weeks. He was married. Dec.
31, 1868, to Miss Gretchscn Kugelman : she was bom in Germany; they have four children — Mary, Emma.
[da. In polities. Mr. Bender is a Republican.
GEORGE REXBER (deceased . was bom at Nassau, Germany, May 31, 1819. Was mar-
ried May 31, 1848, to Miss Anna Ohnosorg; be came to America in 1848, stopped for a fro months in
Milwaukee, then to Sauk City in 1858; came to Baral and engaged in the saloon and village hall
ip to 1869, when be built the Baraboo City Brewery : nd ran it till his decease, which occurred
April 1, 1874. They have had nine children, six Mrs. Isabel Junk, Robert W.. Adolph,
Frank, Albert .Land End. Sinci the death of Mr. Bender, the widow has built a fine brick hotel
Bender House) on the corner of Bridge and Linn streets; she still owns the hotel and brewery; the
business is all run and managed by her oldest sou, Robert W. Bender,
M. BENTEEY, lawyer ; he was born in Binghamton, N. Y., April 9, 1836; in L848, he
moved with his parents to Na Grange, [nd., and in 1855 to Columbia Co., Wis.; in 1861, his father enlisted
BARABOO. 685
in Co. G, 2d W. V. I ; was discharged July. 1862, and he then enlisted, Jan. 19, 1864, as a recruit to
Co. E, 23d W. V. I ; was taken sick 1 sent to the hospital at New Orleans, and died March 31, 1864,
and his mother died the sum' Jay at her home in the village of Poynette, Columbia Co., Wis. M. Bent-
ley, the subject nf this sketch, enlisted Dec. 24, ISC,:;, in Co. K, 10th N. V. "Heavy Artillery, and
served about six months, and was discharged on acounl of disability. Mr. William K. Bentley. his only-
brother, was in Co. G, 2d VV. V. [., and was killed at Antietam. He was married, Oct. 27, 1858, to
Miss Susan \ Booth . she was born in New York ; had five children — Alice K., Charles V., Prank K.,
Addie B., deceased, and Clara A. His wife died Aug. 27, 1867 ; he married the see 1 time, April 18,
1868, in .Mrs. Jennie Jenks ; have one child, Ernest R. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bentley are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church ; he isa Republican.
JEROME BEXTOX (son of G. W. and Sophrone Van Curan Benton,; farmer, Sec. 11; P.
(t. Baraboo ; came to Wisconsin with his parents about 1859 ; owns 40 acres of land one and a half miles
from tin; village of Baraboo; horn Sept. I'd, IS;")!!, in Erie, Penn. He married Ulrica Matthias, daughter
of Peter and Mrs. Matthias, June 29, IS75, in Bamboo, Sauk Co.; had one child, who died Aug. 29,
1877. Father and mother of Mr. Benton are living in the town of Sumter, engaged in farming. Father
nt Mrs. Benton is living in the town of Able-man's, engaged in farming. Mr. and .Mrs. Benton belong to
the Free- Will Baptist Church.
WILLIAM B. BLACHLY, born April 10, 1844, at Weathersfield, village of Niles,
Trumbull Co., Ohio; moved to Dane Co., Wis., with his parents in 1S50. At the age of 20, he enlisted in
Co. D, 16th W. V. [., and remained until the close of the war; at the age of 27, he commenced to learn
the trade of blacksmith , in 1873, he commenced work for the Chicago tV North- Western Railroad Com-
pany in the town of Baral where he is at the present time. lie was married, in 1872, to Miss A. J.
White. In politics, Republican.
MARVIN BLAKE, fanner; P. 0. Baral ; was born in Oswego Co., N. V.. May 5, 1814;
at the age of 1 1. he went with his uncle to Verm int, and lived there till he was of age ; then returned to
New York. He was married Feb. 1 1, 1838, to Miss Lucy Brown ; she was born in Clinton Co., N. Y. ;
they moved to Whitewater. Wis., Nov. .">, 1843; he landed in Baraboo Aug. 11, 1844, with his fam-
ily ; he owns 50 acres of land near the village ; they are the first family that settled in the village of Bara-
boo ; he assisted in building the first dam that was built in the village; they have one child, Chauncey
M., who is married and settled in Bamboo. Bmh Mr. ami Mrs. Blake arc members of the Presbyterian
Church, and in politics he is a Republican.
(wEORdiE BLOOM, boot and shoe store, and dealer in hides, pelts and furs, on Bridgi
he was born Nov. 2, 1824, at county of Wurzburg, State of Bavaria.; came to America April 28, 1851,
and located at Pittsburgh Nov. 11, 1855; he landed in Baraboo and started the shoe business in 1863;
went on a farm, and on Aug. 17, 1864, enlisted in Co. D, 9th W. V. I., and served about one year. He
was married. Dec. 18, 1861, to Miss Catherine Wild : she was horn in Prussia, mi the River Rhine ;
they have four children — Robert G., Henry F., Edward K. and George P.; the second son. Henay
l'\. commenced work as fireman in July, 1ST!', and intends to tit himself for an engineer, [n poli-
tics, M i. Bloom is a Democrat.
A. I). BREWER, fireman; born at Koshkonong, Jefferson Co., Wis., duly 3, 1859; cam,- to
Baral. in May. 1875; ci mmenced work for the Chicago & North-Western Railr I Company in 1879,
where he is still eni]
II. V. BROWN, engineer on the Chicago & North-Western Railroad : horn in Windham Co., \ I
Feb. 28, I848; commenced railroading, in 1869, as fireman ; took an engine in 1873, and has been run-
ning on the road ever since. In politics. Republican.
DR. S. O. BROWNE, physician and surgi ; his practice is homoeopathic; he was born in
Sullivan Co., N. H., Sept. 23, 1821; he studied medicine and commenced practice in 1850, in Ware.
Mass., -and in 1868 came to Dunn Co., Wis., and in 1873 to Sauk Co. lie was married, May 1. 1844,
to Hattie Whipple, and sin- died Sept. is, [847 ; he was married the second time, June 5, 1850. to Miss
Mary M. Whipple; she was born m Worcester, Mass., Aug. I, L826; they have two children— Hattie
M., born in Springfield, Mass., D id Mary E., bom in Sutton, Mass., duly 25, 1862. The
Doctor and his wife are members of the M. E. Church.
WILLIAM BROWN, attorney at law; born in- Franklin Co., N. V.. duly 27, IS
\ iseonsin Sept. 1 I. 1842, and located in Walworth Co. ; was there about two years ; he moved
to Baraboo in duly. 1 844, and has lived in the count} ever since, with the exception of about two years;
68b . BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
he entered the first piece of land that was entered this side of the Bluff, which embraces the water-power
now owned by Mr. Strong; he and his brother built a saw-mill on the place, and his brother built a grist-
mill, being the first one built in the county ; Mr. Brown has been engaged in the practice of law for about
twenty- three years. He was married, in 1856, to Nancy A. Wyman ; she was born in Maine; she died
Feb. 22, ls.")S ; he was married the second time, Nov. 19, 1877, to Mrs. Mary A. Merriam ; she was
born in Jefferson Co., N. Y. Mr. Brown, in polities, is a Republican.
S. H. BROWN, conductor ou the 0. & N. W. It. R. ; he was bun, in Rock Co., Wis., Oct. 19,
I 357, and came to Baraboo in 1876.
BANIEL Bl'HJIEVER, proprietor of cigar factory; he was burn in Cologne, Germany
June 14, 1840; came to America in 1853 with his parents, and to Baraboo in 1878; the business was
established by his brother about 1875. He was married, Aug. 25, 1864, to Miss Mary Delany, and she
was born in Illinois; they have four children, viz., Minnie, Carrie, Willie and Mamie. In politics, Mr.
Buhmeycr is a Republican.
W. If. BLRXHAM (deceased); born in New York City March 17, 1818; he was a graduate
of Berkshire Medical College ; he was in practice for about forty years ; he moved to Baraboo in 1865,
and commenced practice ; he was taken sick the same year, and had to give it up; he traveled some and
engaged in other branches of business ; he was Professor for two terms in one of the medical colleges
in^New York City, where he had located in 186!); he died Oct. 28, 1879. He was married, Feb. 10,
185 1. to Mrs. C. A. M. Smith ; they have one child— C. W. II. ; Mrs. Burnham has one child living by
her former husband. J. F. Smith ; Mrs. Dr. Burnham is engaged in manufacturing and sale of the Tri-
umph Truss, also the retention and cure of hernia.
WILLIAM W. HI HOICK, of the firm of Chamberlin & Burdick, contractors and build-
ers, Baraboo; was born in Clinton Co., X. Y., Nov. 6, 1825; he came to Baral May 25, 1852, with
his family. He was married, April 25, 1850, to Miss Evaline C. Myers, daughter of Christian Myers;
she was born in Clinton Co., N. Y.; they have two children— Geonre W. and Carrie M. Mr. Burdick. in
religion, is a Liberal ; in politics, he is a Republican. His wife is a member of the Baptist Church.
LYMAN BI'TTERFIELB. fanner, See. 16; P.O. Baraboo; son of Lyman and Tilda
Hooper Butterfield ; born March 24, 1S2S. in Syracuse. Onondaga Co., N. Y.; came to Wisconsin Pec.
5, 1878, and located in Baraboo, Sauk ('<>. He was a member of Co. 1. 13th 111. V. [.; mustered in June,
lsiil, discharged about July, 1862, on a unt of disability ; he participated in the battle of Pea Ridge.
the tight at Wilson's Creek, and all other battles fought by his company while with them. Mr. Butter-
ither's family consisted of four boys and four girls; one sister of Mr. Butterfield is married to
Jacob Hunt with whom Mr. Butterfield lives; they have had two children i lied in the spring of
L875, the other is still living. Mr. Butterfield has been :mber of the Good Templars and
Suns of Temperance for some years. He owns H* acres of land.
LEVI CAHOON, fanner. Sec'. 9; P. 0. Baral , son of Wilbur and Tirza i M. uiv Cahoon ;
born June 2, 1834, in Won, Lorain Co. Ohio n in July, 1865, located in Delona, Sauk
Co.. and remained there two years; located where he now resides in the fall of 1867. He was married
in Baral .Sept. IT. 1 365 to Willie L, daughter of William and Ann Eliza Eaton i Wells ; they have five
children Wells. Wilber, Nee. Paul and Roger. Mr. Cahoon has held the offices of Town Clerk and
Supervisor, Dictrict Clerk, Treasurer and School Director. Mrs. Cahoon belongs to the Baptist Church.
Mr. Cal n is a member of the A./F. & A. M. Lodge. He owns 173 acres of land, three and a half
miles from the village of Baraboo.
JAMES CAMP, farmer; 1'. 0. Baraboo ; son of John and Eliza Jones Camp ; hum near the
city of Hamilton. Canada West; came to Wisconsin in April, 1854; wenl to Canada in April. L855;
returned shortly afterward, and after being occupied in various parts of the county, and serving in the
tted where he now resides in 1871. He enlisted, Sept. 21, 1861, in Co. E, 12tn W.\ I . was
tege of Vicksburo and at the second battle of Corin 1864; was wounded in the arm
in front of Atlanta; the result of this wound was the resection of a portion of the bone four inches ,,,.
length; although his arm was not amputated, yet i( has troubled him very much ; he is now managing
a farm. I out of the servrce Sept. 20, 1864, having lain in Harvey Hospital, at Madison,
Wis., awaiting the result ofhis wound. He married Man \en Crook-Camp, daughter of John and Mary
Holden) Crook and. widow of Nathaniel Camp; they had four children— Almira, Katy J , Martha V.
and Emma; before marrying James Camp, Mrs. Cam]- had two children, their father being Nathaniel
J. Camp; thee were Mary Iv and Nathaniel J. Mr. Camp owns 1 10 acres of land, and resides on a
BARABOO. 687
beautiful farm of loo acres near the village of Baraboo. He has held the offices of Town Treasurer,
District Treasurer and Director for a Dumber of years.
GEORGE CAPENER, contractor and builder; born in London, England, July 29, 1829;
came to America with his parents in 1836; they located in New York City May 11. 1850; he landed
in Baraboo, where he has been engaged most of the time at his trade; he has built most of the churches,
and a large number of the principal buildings in the town. He was married. Nov. II. 1849, to Miss
Harriet J. Dunn; she was born in Meadville, Penn.; they had four children, all hern in Baraboo, Wis.—
Emma J., Sarah A.. Win. A. and Geo. D. .Mrs. Capener died June 18, 1865. He married th
time, Sept. 2, L866, to Louisa Shew; she was born in Baraboo, and they have two children living —
Arthur and Leona May. In politics, Mr. Capener is a Republican.
A. .1. CABOW, contractor and builder; he was born in Canada West Jan. 25, 1843; he came
to the States in 1 S00, and to Baraboo in 1 872. lie was married Augusi . 1 s 7 o , to Miss Martha L. M 'e ;
she was hum in Wisconsin ; they have had six children — Lottie Bell, deceased ; Frank A.. Ceo. W.. [rwin,
Maud and Herbert T. Both Mr. and Mrs. Carow are members of the Presbyterian Church, and in
politics he is a Republican.
DAN CHA.IIBEBLIN, born Nov. 25, 1839, at Pittsfield, Mass.; moved to Belvidere, 111.,
with his parents about 1 Slil . lie commenced railroading as fireman. In 1 862, enlisted in Co. B, 95th 111. V.
I.; served three years, was at the siege of Yicksburg and other engagements; in 1S7.J>, took an engine on
the C. & N. W.K. R., and is still engaged there, He was married.' Nov. 26, 1867, to Miss Jessie Ball ;
she was born in New York State; they have two children — Adda and Dan ; he also has charge of two
children of his sister, who is deceased, and is raising them up as his own : their names are Mary and .lanes
Hardy.
D. It. CHAMBEBliAIN, contractor and builder, one of the firm of Chamberlain \ Burdick ;
he was born in Franklin Co., N. Y.. April 17. 1826; he came to Baraboo June 8, 1852. He was mar-
ried to .Miss Sarah A. Heath in 1S.">2 ; she was born in Franklin Co.. N. Y.; they have had two children
— Arthur A . deceased, and Minnie. Both Mr. and Mrs. Chamberlain are members of the Presbyterian
Church, and in polities he is a Republican.
PHILIP CHEEK., Jr., attorney at law; son of Philip and Hannah (Gunningham) Cheek,
who came to Excelsior, Sauk Co., Wis., May, 1856, and settled on See. 27, both now residents of Bara-
boo; Philip, Jr., was bora in Silverton, Somersetshire, England, May 11. 1841 ; came to America with
his parents May 1, 1852; lived two years at Newark, N. J. and two years at Pawtucket, R. I.; from
there came to Wisconsin. Enlisted April 'Jo, 1861, in Co. A, 6th W. V. I. ; served in this regiment until
Dec. 25, 1862; when he was wounded at Antietam, received appointment of Deputy Provost Marshal for
Sauk County Nov. IT. L863 ; finally mustered out May 15, 1865; he settled in Baraboo, permanently,
Oct 15, 1870, hi, in: I n appointed Clerk of Circuit Court on that day ; elected Clerk of the same court
in the fall of 1870, re-elected as Clerk until Jan. 1, 1877 ; elected District Attorney in the fall of 1879 ;
be has been engaged in practice sinceJan. 1, 1877; was admitted to the bar in September, 1870. Was
married in the town of Excelsior, July 2: 1, 1801, to Catharine, daughter of Henry and Mary (Horn)
Fuller, who came to the town of Freedom in 1855, and still reside there. Mrs. C. was bom May 24.
1840, at Pittsburgh, Penn.; they have two children living — Arthur W. and Jennie; lost one son, born
Sep,. 28, 1864, and died April 14, 1880.
GEORGE COBDES, manufacturer of and dealer in furniture. Bridge street ; born in Ilan
many. March 12. 1826; became to America in the fall of 1869; stopped for three months in Ra-
cine, and the same year came to Baraboo and commenced work in the Island Agricultural Works for six-
years; he then moved to lteedsburg. went into the furniture business for about three years, then returned
to Baraboo and started his present business. He was married, in May, 1857, to Miss Johanna 1 1 an man
she was born in Hanover, Germany, and cane to America with her husband ; they have had five childri d
— Johanna, Henry deceased . (i y. \V., Marie S. and Frieda L. Mr. Cordes and his wife are members
of the Lutheran Church.
PHI LIT E. COSGBOVE, born in Adrian, Mich.. July 10, 1854; commenced to learn the
trade of boiler-maker in 1870 ; moved to Baraboo in 1870, in the employ of the C. & N. W. R. I! Co
He was married. Oct. 10, 1876, to Miss Sarah Lynch; she was born in Michigan City, Tnd. ; they have
one child — May.
HENRY H. COWAN, iductor on the C. & N. W. R R.; born in Rensselaer Co., N. Y ,
Aug. 31, ls::0; came to Baral in 1873; he lias been railroading for the last twenty-three year.-. He
688 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
was married, Jan. 8, 1860, to Miss Mary E. Anderson; she was born in Chicago, III.; they have two
children — Charles II. and Edith. In polities, Mr. Cowan is a Republican.
R. A. COWAN, Assistant Train Dispatcher; born in Massachusetts July 20, 1845. He was
married, May 4, 180!*, to Miss Anna M. Willott ; she was born in Boone Co., 111. In politics, Mr. Cowan
is a Republican ; he has been iu the employ of the C. & N. W. R. R. Co. about thirteen years; he cauie
to Baraboo in 1872, and has held the position he now occupies ever since he has been'here; he took a
pleasure trip to England, the present season, and returned.
DR. CHARLES COWLES, was born Oct. 5, 1815, in Geneva, Ashtabula Co., Ohio; his
parents were poor, but honest, respectable people ; his father, Lorrin Cowles, was born in Norfolk, Conn. ;
his mother, whose maiden name was Betsey Hulburt, was born in Northhampton, Mass.; he emigrated
with his father, mother and a family of eight children, to Gull Prairie, Kalamazoo Co., Mich., in 1831;
among the very first pioneer settlers of that part of the State; there being no schools at that time, he
availed himself of the advantages of the evening tallow-candle and rainy days to acquire such education
as circumstances would admit; went to Oberlin, in Ohio, in 1836, and prepared for college in view of the
Christian ministry; was dissuaded therefrom, by an old Congregational Minister by the name of Knappen,
who urged as a reason that he was too light and trifling in his make-up for so grave and dignified an office,
which he subsequently and now regards as the first great mistake of his life; in the winter of 1811 and
1842, taught the village school at Battle Creek, Mich., at the same time prosecuting his studies in
medicine in the office of Drs. Cos & Campbell; in the winter of 1843, attended a course of medical
lectures at Willoughby, Lake Co., Ohio. In the spring foil. .wing, the 20th of March, was married to
Miss Mary Cowles, daughter of Squire Adna Cowles, of Harpersfield, Ashtabula Co., Ohio; entered Dr.
Serwood's office in the further prosecution of his medical studies, where he remained one year and eight
months; in the summer of 1844, taught school near Lexington. Ky., by which he obtained means to
attend another course of medical lectures at Willoughby, in the winter of 1844 and 1845, and graduated in
March following; he settled in the town of Saybrook, Ashtabula Co.. Ohio, for the purpose of practicing
his profession ; in May, 1846, he emigrated to Baraboo, Sauk Co., Wis., where his lather and one brother
had settled three years previously ; there he has remained to the present time ; they have had six children,
three of whom died in infancy, the remaining three — two daughters and one son — are still living;; the
-no, Lucian C.,is a practicing physician and druggist at La Crosse. Wis.; Maria A. married Albert Dennett,
a graduate of tie- law school nt Ann Arbor, Mich., by whom she has a daughter. Young Penned was a
man of great brilliancy and promise, but death marked him for bis own, and he succumbed to phthisis-pul-
monalis in Denver, Colo., whither he had gone in hopes of regaining his failing health ; his young widow-
ami infant daughter returned to her father's house, where she remained the six subsequent years, being
engaged as teacher in the graded school at that place; subsequently married James Crobly, of Cadillac,
Mich., where she now resides; Nellie, the youngest, lives at home with her parents. Dr. Cowles wis the
first regular physician in Sauk County, and was exposed to many perils in his long rides into the northern
pineries; on one occasion at sun-down, Jan. '■'■. 1st", was called to go sixty-four miles to visit a lumber-
man taken with pleuro pneumoni i ; on an Indian pony he rode that distance bj I o'clock the next morning
without dismounting, the thermometer being at 26° below zero; such a feal demonstrating a d
physical endurance seldom seen in our time; he has followed the practice of his professsion thirty-four
years in this county with indefatigable zeal, taking great interest in the different phases of diseases as they
have appeared from ti to timi f our county ; if in anything he may be said I i excel it
is in diagnosis, arriving at conclusions from facts ami observation, known as the inductive method, rather
than a priori reasoning; his success as an obstetrician lias been, as far as he knows, without a parallel within
■ of his observation; has had 1,386 cases, not one of which has died either proximately or
is the result of parturi i ■ ps eases and fourteen of puerperal convulsion, all saved,
a record of which ho i- .1 | . ; , commission from the Governmenl as Examin
ing Surgi mined 3, 000 men for enlistment from this county in the la!e unpleasant-
ness with our Southern bl the disabled soldiers since the war, who have applied for pen-
sions within a circuit of twenty miles. In the spring of ISO 1 , he visited the Rocky Mountains, traveled
1,100 miles on foot in Colorado ind searching for new deposits; was the first one
n mstrated the prai parating gold from the pyrites of iron by rusting the ores with
tash or soda; was a Garrison Abolitionist ; the first vote be cast for President was for .lames ('..
d the Republican cause in its ineipieney, and is a firm believer in the universal natural
■■•its of all men, without distinction of race or color ; always cheerful and happy ; given to bospi
: tlity, and in sympathy with the oppressed of every race and dime ; is a firm believer in the Christian
BARABOO. 689
religion, and regards it as better adapted to human needs than any or all religions know to mankind ;
believes the United States of America the best country iu the world, and its government the besl on the
face of the earth.
CAPT. R. K. COWL.ES, proprietor of the Railroad Hotel and Eating House al Baraboo ;
>ni in Franklin Co., Ohio; he took charge of the Cliff House in L876, and opened the Railroad
House in 187.8. He enlisted July, 1861, as a private in Co. K. 6th Iowa V. [. ; promoted (o 1st Lieutenant
October, L861, and then i i Captain in the spring of lsiij. immediately after the battle of Shiloh; was
then detailed as Acting Assistant Adjutant Ceneral on the Staff of Brig. den. John A. McDowell; served
in that rapacity till his resignation, on aeeount of disability ; time of service, about three years. I lis wife was
horn in Licking Co., Ohio ; they have three children— H. L., Laura K. and Byron K., Jr. [n politics,
Capt. Cowles is a Republican.
JAMES CRAWFORD, farmer. See. 1; I'. ( ». Baral ; son of James and Lucy Wallace
Crawford; came to Wisconsin in the fill of 1st,, located where he now resides, in spring of 1 848 ; hnru
near Columbus, Huron Co., Ohio ; emigrated from Ohio to within .six miles of Beloit, Wis., and remained
there until 1847, when he located where he now resides. Mr. Crawford enlisted in the army as a musician
and was stationed at fort Scott. Ivan. James Crawford, father of subject of this sketch, was horn in
Delaware Co.. X. V.. and died Ann'. If. 1876, in Baraboo, Wis. '['he mother of Mr. Crawford was born
in Vermont, and died Oct. 14, 1873, in Baraboo. Mr. Crawford has held the office of Supervisor ; belongs
to the Temple of Honor, was a member of the Good Templars, always been a temperance worker ; he is a
member of the Methodist Church.
LEVI CROUCH; was born in the town of Cohocton, Steuben Co.. N. Y.. Feb. 29, 1836; came
to Baraboo December 8. is.") 7 ; has keen engaged in practice of law, dealing in real estate and speculating,
I hat time ; he has also carried on stone quarrying extensively — owning two quarries — the only ones
of consequence here. Married at Liberty. Steuben Co., X. ST., Sept. 17. 1861, to Julia Woodworth ; she
Has horn near Cambridge. Washingt m Co., N. Y.. Feb. 29, 1840; they have one daughter. Minnie
Belle, born June 23. 1865. Lost one son, Francis Clark, aged a little less than one year.
SAMUEL CROUCH, one of the firm of Crouch Bros., livery business, and sale stable, on Oak
street, opposite the Sumner Housi; they keep a large stock, and have some of the finest turnouts in the
town ; the stable was built in 1878, of brick, two stories high, fifty four feet front, and sixty-six feel deep
has ;i basement and stable room for twenty five bead of horses, has all the modern improvements for a first-
class livery. They also keep some first-class stallions, among them three head of young Hambletonians,
grandsons of Rysdik's Hambletonian, and these are the first importation of that breed to Sauk Co.-
ROSE DAVIDS, occupation, farming, Sec. 4 ; P. 0. Barahoo ; daughter of Isaac II. and Sarah
Mitchell : came to Wisconsin in the fall of L839, and located in Walworth, Walworth Co.; located in Bar-
aboo, Sauk Co., March, 1854 ; owns 40 acres of land four miles from the village of Baraboo; horn in
Warren, Wan en Co., I'eiiu.. March 5, 1816. Married Xov. L7, 1831, to Isaac Davids, Si f G
Davids ami Elizabeth Wells Davids. Isaac Davids died Feb. 6, 1860. Mrs. Davids' family con
ten children— Elizabeth, Castnda, Kutban. Louis \\\. Alfred II.. Francis M.. Emma, Isaac, Samuel W.
and George W. Alfred, died March 26, ISC.S; Casmda, died Aug. 3, 1863 . Louis W. was in the army
and a member of 4th W. V. C. Father of .Mrs, Davids was in the war of 1812. Isaac Davids, hu-band
of Mrs. Davids, was the first man who drove a four-horse team into the city ol Madison, Dane Co., Wis.
Mrs. Davids belongs to the M. E. Church.
MOSES MITCHELL DAVIS was born in Sharon, Windsor Co., Vt., August 27, 1820 ;
his father was Moses Davis, a native of Methuen. Mas.-; his mother was Polly Chandler Davis, a native ol'
Pomfret, Conn ; he wa.- educated in the common schools, and at Norwich University, which institution he
entered in the spring of is: 17 ; while acquiring bis education, he was compelled for want of funds to tea h
school during the winter months, and labor on a farm in the summer, attending to his studies in spring
and autumn. He commenced the study of medicine and surgery with Dr. D. C. Joslyn, of Wail '
in 1843 ; thesamsyear hi attended medical locturesal Dartmouth, the New Hampshire Medical College;
ubsequently he atte I I two courses of medical lectures at the Vermont Medical College, at Woodstock, from
which college he graduated in . I une, 1846; he at once entered upon the practice of his profession at Noi
wich, Vt. ; in L854, he removed to Portage City, Wis., where he was engaged in the practice of his pro-
fession most of the time, until early in 1863, he removed to Appleton, Wis., to take charge of the land-
donated by Congress, to rite State, to improve the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers audio conned the same bj a
canal. This change of resi lence was made necessary by his appointment as Trustee of the property ; after
690 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers improvement, property was sold under a decree of foreclosure. He removed
to Chicago, where he resided until a short time subsequent to the great fire of 1871, when he removed to
Baraboo, where he has since been engaged in his profession. While a resident of Vermont, he was a mem-
ber of the Connecticut River Medical Society ; he is a member of the Wisconsin State Medical Society,
and a member of the American Medical Association, and also a member of the American Public Health
Association. He has always been a decided Republican ; in 1852, he was a delegate from Vermont to the
National Convention held at Pittsburgh, Penn . which nominated the late Hon. John P. Hale, of New
Hampshire, for President; in 1856, he was a delegate from Wisconsin to the National Convention which nom-
inated li.ii. Fremont for President; in November, 1855, he was elected to the Assembly from the north
half of Columbia Co.; in November, 1856, he was elected to the State Senate for two years, and he
was re-elected to the same place in November, 1858; in 1860, he was elected President pro tem. of the
Senate ; in 1858, in joint convention of the Legislature, he was elected Regent of the State University for
six years, and in 1 864, he was re-elected ; on there-organization of the University he declined the appoint-
ment of Regent ; from 1863 to 1870, he was a Trustee of Lawrence University ; while a Regent of the State
University, he was mainly instrumental in the passage of a resolution in favor of the co-education of the
sexes ; in 1862, he was appointed Trustee of the Fox and Wisconsin Rivers improvement property, his
associates being Hon. Charles Butler and Judge Alexander Spaulding of New York ; in 1862, he was
appointed Draft Commissioner for Columbia Co : in June, 1861, he was commissioned to take charge
of the Indians residing in the vicinity of Green Bay ; after more than five years' service, he resigned.
as he did not choose to hold office under President Andrew Johnson. While a member of the
Legislature, the officers of the Milwaukee & La Crosse Railway Company used nearly a million of
dollars of company bonds to secure the passage of bill giving that company the lands granted by
Congress to aid in the construction of a railroad from Columbus or Madison, Wis., to Portage and thence
northwesterly to the River or Lake St. Croix ; this bill did not secure the construction of the road,
although it donated the lauds ; Dr. Davis opposed the bill, which passed and was vetoed by the Gov-
ernor; a new bill was prepared, giving the lands to the same company and securing the construction of the
road; in 1858, a joint committee of the Legislature investigated the transactions of the company in using
its bonds to control the action of the members of the Legislature ; it was proved that most of the mem-
bers took bonds, and a very few refused them ; Dr. Davis was numbered among the few ; the officials of
the company visited him with their displeasure ; they bought up two of the three Republican papers in the
countj and tried to defeat him for the Senate ; without notice, or offer of compensation, they entered upon
and took possession of his lots and lands in Portage ; the result was a law-suit; the Doctor got an injunc-
tion against the occupancy of his property until it was paid for; the company refused to obey the order of
the court; alter two days' notice, the Doctor took up the track on a part of his land ; the company sent a
hundred men to forcibly take possession ami relay the track; the Sheriff arrested about ninety of the rail-
road men and lodged them in jail; the engines and cars that were run on to the Doctor's land were dumped
in the sand, and then the company paid the damages which had been proved in court, and thus this bit of
railroad war ended. On the 3d of December, 184(1, he married Miss Eunice E. Dana, of Warren, Vt. ;
live children have been born in this family — three sons and two daughters ; one son died in infancy; the
eldesl daughter is married and settled in Chicago, 111. ; tin; sons are married and engaged in railway service
in Minnesota.
.1. A. DIltKI.iFi, J. I*., was born in Danbury, Conn., May 2. ISJ2; came to Baraboo with
bis parents July 16, L852 ; be is engaged in tin- boot ami shoe trade ; in I860, was elected Town Treas-
urer, and. in L878, Justice of the Pet , to lill an unexpired term, and in 1 879 was elected to fill the full
t nil. If- was married Nov. 22. L865, to Miss Mary A. Worth ; she was born in llichmondville. X. V. ;
i hey have four children — Julia C, Mary B., Frank A. and Carrie M. Both he and his wife are members
of the M. Iv Church, and Squire Dibble, in polities, is a Republican.
I>. I). DOANF. dealer in fancy gr ries and confectionery, in connection with dining hall ;
bis bakery is lirst class, running up into a line of goods that are seldom found outside of large cities ; meals,
lunches and ice-cream served at all hours; also a nice line of picnic goods always on hand. Mr. Doane
is a Vermonter by birtb, and has lived in Baraboo since 1856.
.IOIIX DKAI'FK, "i f the firm of Draper Bros., proprietors of meat market, on Third street ;
he was born in Welby, near Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire. England, Jan. 27. 1S27 ; came to America in
March. L856, with his family, and located in Philadelphia for one year; in 1857, moved to Madison,
Wis., and in L868 moved to Baraboo. He was married July 3, L846, to Miss Rebecca Stevenson; she
was horn in Leicestershire. England, March 18.1827; they have two children— Mary C, now Mrs.
BARABOO. 691
Rolla E. Noyes, and John J. H. Mrs. Draper is a member of the Episcopal Church. In politics, Mr.
Draper is Independent, and liis son. John J. H . is a Democrat.
CHARLES A. DYKE, telegraph operator for the C. & N. W. R. R. Co. ; born a( Nashua
N. 11., .March 22, 1853, and came to Baraboo, Wis., in 1874. Was married Nov. 26, lS7(i, to .Miss
Nellie Palmer; she was born in Dane Co., Wis. In politics, Mr. Dyke is a Democrat.
JAMES DYKIXS was born near Elmira, N. Y . Jan. 1. 1820; served an apprenticeship at
carriage-making at Williamsport, Penn., and then returned to New York: in 1S| I. went to Pittsburgh,
Penn., and from there to St. Louis; fi i the latter city he emigrated, in the summer of 1845, to Free
port, III., where he was married, in 1,846, to Eleanor Thatcher; in 1849, he came to Baraboo, and has
lived here ever sinee. engaged in wagon-uiaking. Mr. and Mrs. Dykins have four children — John. Charles
W., Emma -Jane and Eddie J., all living; the eldest son and the daughter resell' in Chicago.
CHARLES W. DYKIXS was born in Baraboo July 31, 185*; received a common-school
education, and commenced learning the printer's trade in 1*07 , es<uMishod the Sunk County A'.,
in partnership with I). W. K. Noyes, in December, 1ST!'.
CHARLES ERER; born at Haardt Palatine, Germany, Aug. 1. 1852; came to
April 1, 1870. with his parents ; they stopped in New York City for a few months ; he commenced rail-
roading on the P. & R. R. R.; then on the I'. & E R. 11. ; then on the P.,C. & St. L.R.R.; then in 1ST J.
moved to Baraboo, Wis.; went to work on the ('. & X. \V. R. 1! ..as brakeman ; then to firing up to .Jan-
uary. 1870 ; he then took an engine. He was married Nov. 9, 1875, to Miss Barbara Egerer; they have
one child, Anna.
FRANK ELDRIDUE, telegraph operator for the C. & N. W. R. R. Co. . he was born at
Dupre, Wis., July 7. 1853, ami came to Baraboo in 1875. He was married Jan 1 1, 1880, to Miss Fannie
H. Tuner : she was born in Utica, N. Y.
THOMAS T. ENGLISH, farmer; he was born in Virginia April 'Js. 1824 . came to Sauk
Co. in 1852, and moved his family in 1853; since he has been in the county, he has followed farming,
merchandising, etc.; he is one of he largest bee-raisers in the State; also one of the stockholders and a
Director in the First National Bank at this place; he has served on the Village Hoard. is Trustee; has been
elected Town Assessor two terms. He was married, July 27, 1848, to Miss Ann E. Powell ; she was born
in Franklin Co., Va. ; they have four children, viz.. Thomas W., John E., Ella V. and Alice M. In
polities. Mr. English is a Democrat.
HEXRY I>. EVANS, farmer, Sec. 20; P. 0. Baraboo; came to Wisconsin in 1837, arriving
at Milwaukee in May; has been a permanent resident of Baraboo since 1846; lived in the village for eight
years, where he worked at his trade, carpenter and joiner, when he removed to his present residence; was
born Dec. 16, ISIS; son of Abitha and Mary i Doty ) Evans. Was married, Nov. 30, 1845, to Miss
Bridget H. McBride; Mrs. E. died April 6, 1874; has two children — Abitha (deceased), [zro, now Mrs
T. VV. English ; has been Supervisor and Clerk of School Board.
THOMAS FERRIS, proprietor paint-shop, over Grollmar's blacjcsmith-shop ; he was born in
England Sept. 11. 1829; came to America and to Baraboo, Wis., June, 1852. lie was married March
12, 1852, to Miss Patience Stubbs ; she died March. 1872; they bad three children, viz., Sarah, now
married to 11. Hurlbert; Lorenzo J.; Nelson R. Mr. Ferris was married, the second time, Dec. 5, 1872. to
Miss Cornelia M. Monroe; she was born in Madison Co., N. Y. [n polities. Mr. Ferris is a Republican.
AXTOX FISCHER, retired ; was born in Germany Nov. 5, 1833 ; came to America
Sauk City November. 1851, and learned the tinner's trade, and wastheretill 1861, when he enlisted in Co.
D, 9th W. V. [., and was promoted to Lieutenant ; was mustered out December. 1864; he wa
County Clerk in 1866, and served ten years in that office. He was married. May 29, 1870, to Miss Lucy
Pold ; she was born in the State of Wisconsin. In politics, Mr. Fisher is a Republican.
A. F. FISHER, druggist, on Oak street east ol the court house ; was bom in Sauk
10, 1857, and came to Baraboo. 1875; he was employed by Mr. Bacon, in the drug business, and in the
fail of 1878, he bought the business out and moved into his present store Jan. 10, 1880.
.1. in. FORI), editor Baraboo Democrat; was bom in Princeton, Caldwell Co., Ky., in 1831.
OTHO OERLAIOH, farmer, Sec. 11 ; P.O. Baral ; son of Adam and Catherine Haines]
Gerlaugh ; came to Wisconsin in 1846, and remained i tie year when he returned to Ohio; again in l^.V:.
he came to Wisconsin, and located in Freedom, now Excelsior, Sauk Co. ; purchased land where he now
resides, in 1867, but did not locate on it himself until April, 1878; he owns 1 U acres of land and one
692 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
house and lot in the village of Baraboo; born Aug. 28, 1812, at Beaver Creek, Greene Co., Ohio. Mar-
ried Ellen Eirkpatrick, daughter of Samuel and Mrs. Kirkpatriok. June 10, 1840, in Ohio; had two
children — an infant died unnamed, and Franklin, aged 19, was killed in the army. Franklin, son of Mr.
Gerlaugh, enlisted April 1, 1861, in Co. A, 6th W. V. I., when but IS years of age, and was killed at
the battle of Anlietam Sept. 17, 1S<!2 ; participated in the battles of Gainesville. Smith Mountain, and
other battles en-raged in by Ins company. Mr. Gerlaugh's first wife died in 1847; married again to Har-
rietl Chapman, daughter of William and Rodj | Culver Chapman ; had three children, all of whom died ;
names of children were Eleanor, Corwin C. and Julia E. May (I. 1850, Mr. Gerlaugh started from Ohio
on an overland trip to California, in search of gold; the trip was made in four months; he returned Dec.
'_'.">. 1851. In religion, Mr. and Mrs. Gerlaugh are very liberal Free Congregalionalists.
<wEOR4jcE B. GIBBONS, carpenter, contractor and builder ; was born iu Kent Co., Eng-
land, Feb. 1^1. 1S2S; came to America in 1832 with his parents; they located in Madison Co., N. Y. ;
came to Racine, Wis., May 9, 184"), and to Baraboo in April, 1850; he enlisted on hie, 19. 1861, in Co.
A, 19th W. V. 1., and was promoted to Commissary Sergeant; was discharged Aug. 29, 1862, on account
of disability ; then enlisted in lid U. S. Cavalry. February, 1863, and was discharged Sept. '.». 1865, on ac
count of disability. lie has served as Under Sheriff for two years and Constable about twelve years. He
was married, March 29, 1862, to Miss Mary Pointon ; she was born in Staffordshire, England; they have
six children — Lavina G., Francila, Philip EL, Charles L., Ida and George P. In polities, Mr. Gibbons is
a Democrat.
JOSEPH CwILLIAM, dealer in flour ami iWd. Bridge street ; was born May 7, 1826 at Liv-
ingston. N. V. Slate; moved to Mercer Co., Penn., with his parents; resided there till he was married.
April 20, IS 17, to Miss Jane Ilulby ; she was born in Mercer Co.. Penn.. in 1851 ; he moved witli his
family to Omro, Wis ; was there one year, and his wife died, leaving iwo children, viz., George and Lauretta;
he then returned to Greenville, Penn. Was married a second time, Oct. 30, 1852, to Miss Isadore Sterns;
she was born in Sheridan. Chautauqua Co., N. Y. ; they have four children — Phebe F. i deceased . Clara
E., Addie E. and Frank. Mr. Gilliam came to Baraboo in 18.">1. In politics, he is a Republican.
(jr. ii. (kOLLMAJR, of the firm of Gollmar A Son, manufacturers of wagons and carriages, and
general repairing; be was born in Germauy Dec. ]-. 1823; came to America with his parents in L830,
and located in Ohio; removed to Baraboo in L851. lie was married Nov. 25, 1846, to Miss Mary Julian;
she was born in France; they have had thirteen children — Sarah (deceased . Jacob ('., George J., Caro-
line L., Ed, William 11., LillieM., Charles A., Benjamin F.. Fannie. Sarah (deceased), Frederick C. and
Arthur II. In politics, Mr. Gollmar is Independent.
IS. B. 4iiBIip}<iJS, of the firm of Jones & Griggs, dealers in ready-made clothing and gents' fur-
nishing g Is, Third street, west of the post office; he was born in Lake Co., 111., Aug. 30, 1S4S; became
to Baraboo June 5, 1874. He was married, Oct. 11. 1877, to Mis- Addie F. Williams; she was born in
the State of Main,'. Mr. Griggs, in polities, is a Republican.
WILLIAM S. iiitl BB. The subject of this sketch was born at Wilmington, Del., Feb.
-. 1833 ; came from t here to Wisconsin in the spring of 1851 . and located at Madison ; took up a large
tract of land at the west end of Mondota Lake, about one thousand acres, and improved the property to
the extent of $30,000 ; he resided eight y -s on his farms, and in Madison until the fall of 1866 ; was
■ it in L856 and 1857, and laid out- a large addition there; platted what was known as Turnei
& Grubb's Addition. Married, at Sauk City. Dec. 12, 1856; his wife was born at Utica, Oneida Co., N.
Y. ; they bave one daughter living. Lizzie S., born near Madison, hate Co., Wis. Augustine Grubb,
the first of his family to come to America, came with William Penn. The daughter of Augustine Grubb
was the first child born of Quaker parentage in Pennsylvania. The Penns were cousins of the Grubb
family. Joseph C. Grubb, an uncle of William S. Grubb, was one of tic oldest, merchants of Philadel-
phia. William S. was commissioned by Gov. Randall as General of the S< id Wisconsin Brigade,
and w.,s also appointed to the same position by Guv. Bashford. .Mr. (!. is at present Mayor of
Baral For the last ten years he has dealt extensively in hops, bring now one of the largest dealer- in
that product in Wisconsin.
WILLIAM S. HARSEIM, Sec. 23; I'. 0. Baraboo; was born>t Winchester. Va., Nov.
11. 1845, son of Augusta and Johannah Barseim; his father moved to Wisconsin when he was - years
old. stopping at Milwaukee for sis years, when he removed with his family to North Freedom, Sauk Co.;
Mr. II. remained with his parents until Oct. I, 1864, when he enlisted in Co. A. 19th W. \'. 1.. and
served his country until Aug. 9, ISii.'i ; his regiment raised the tits! flag in Richmond after the surrender.
BARABOO. 693
Mr. II. moved to Sec. 23, town of Baraboo, in the fall of 1865, where he lias since lived . be owns 10
acres. He was married Jan. 9, IS68, to Miss Amelia ('.. daughter of Stephen M. ami Betsey Burdick ;
Mrs. II. died Aug. 13, 1869, leaving one child, Gussie B., born Dec. 21, L868. Again married May 21 ,
1871, to Miss Belle E . daughter of John and Sarah Capener, of Cal.Ml.niia. Columbia Co., Wis. ; has two
children — Ernest \., born Jan. 30, 1874, and Alma I., born Aug. 22, 1876. Mr. and Mrs. Harseim are
members of the Second Advent Church.
E. W. HART, farmer, See. 22; P. 0. Baral , born in Summit Co., Ohio, April 20, 1816 J
to Sauk Co. in 1846; he was married in September, 1838, to Rachel Lattie ; she died about
1845; his present wife was Matilda Robinson. Mr. Hart has three children by his first wife — Hattie
George W. and Maria; has one child by his present will — John ('. Mr. Hart is a Republican in
politics.
PHIN C. HASELTINE, farmer, Sec. 23; P. 0. Baral ; son of Damah and Sophia
Newell Haseltine; came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1846; located in the village of Baraboo, Sauk Co. ;
located where he now resides in 1855 ; has held the. offices of School Director and District Clerk for sixteea
years ; owns 60 acres of land three miles from the village of Baraboo; horn Oct. I, 1818, in the town ol
Middletown, Rutland Co., Vermont. Was married three tim.s; married first wife, Louisa Clements, in
the town of Wells. Rutland Co., Vt., .May 6, 1846; married second wife, Susan Hutchins, August,
1856: had two children — Maria Lucretia, Jacob, who died about 1859; married third wife, Lydia
Anna Hart, daughter of Josiah and Mahala Harrington Hart. Feb. 17, 1874, in the village of Baraboo;
had one child — Agatha Zaluka. Josiah Hart, father of Mrs. Haseltine, was horn March 6, 1802, in Paris,
N. Y.. and di d Feb. 3, 1873 ; Mrs. Hart, mother of Mrs. Haseltine, is. with her son Phineas J., living
with Mr. Haseltine. Having arrived in Wisconsin, Mr. Haseltine, the subject of this sketch, was mobbed
by the land-claimers, who were hound to protect each other at the peril of their lives; but after giving him'
a trial, he was acquitted and not molested afterward ; Mr. Haseltine belongs to the Odd Fellows and Sons
of Temperance.
CHRISTIAN HOLSINGER, foreman of Wackler's machine shop, where he has been for
Beven years ; he was born Nov. 27, 1855, in Sink Co., Wis. ; he is an attendant at the M. E. Church,
and in politics is a Republican.
ROKERT HENDERSON, born Dec. 3, 1845, in the county of Durham, England; came
to America in 1ST:;, and located in Chicago, 111.; the same year he moved to Baraboo. in the i
the C. & N. \V. R, R. Co., at his trade — blacksmith. He was married, February, 1869, to Miss !
Richey ; she was born in the county of Durham, England, and came to America with her husbat
have three children, viz.. Charles R., Emily J., Robert A.
JOHN HEWITT, farmer, Sec 9; P. ( ). Baraboo; so,, of Elisha and Catherine Benner
Hewitt ; came to Wisconsin in 1870; I icated in the village of Baraboo, where he now resides, in July,
1877; OWUS S2 acres of land, four miles from the village of Baraboo — farm well improved ; horn in West
Waterloo Co., Canada, July 27, 1850. lie was married, in Baraboo, April 4, 1877, to Mary
Moglar, daughter of John and Caroline Kline Moglar; Mr. Hewitt has two children — Freddi,
infant unnamed. Before he en aired in lannircj. he worked three years in a woolen-mill. Mrs. Hewitl
to the M. E. Church.
MICHAEL HIRE, mason, builder and stonecutter; born in Scotl Co., Iowa. Aug. 14,1840!
moved to Wisconsin in isiis. and to Baral in 1873. He , nlisted Aug. 13, 1862, in Co. K, 112th 111.
V. I., and served till the close of the war. He was married. Oct. 6, 1861, to Mi- Betsy Morna ; she was
born in England; they have one child — Jessie It. [n politics, Mr. Hit. .
GEORGE HOLAH, contractor and builder, Sec 27; P.O. Baral ; born in Huntingdon-
hire, England, July 10,1819. He was married, Dec 25, 1844, to Miss Hannah Finnigan ; came to America
in 1849; lived in Cleveland, Ohio, until 1851 ; arriving in Milwaukee Ma;, 25, this year, he c; ■ direct
to Baraboo ; remained h, the village ten yens, when be removed to his farm residence, where he now lives,
Mr. 11. has been an extensive contractor and builder, having built the public school building, b; n
and all the brick business hous s in Baraboo, with one exception; was the architect of the eourl bouse;
has had five children— Hannah I'... born Jubj II. 1846, died when 1 month old; Hannah. July 16,
1847 ; Amelia. Sept. 9, isis. died Jan. 9, 1854 ; Elijah A., duly 9, 1850; George II . March 30, 1855.
Mr. 11. has been Supervisor. Town Treasurer and a member of the School Hoard
L. O. HOLMES, Under Sheriff and Village Marshal, an office he has tilled foi
was bom in New Hampshire Oct. 29. 1844. He enlisted in August, 1861, in Co. E, rtb X H.
<j!'4 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
V. I., and served about eighteen months, and was discharged on account of disability ; in Aug., 1863, he
re-enlisted in the 3d N. H. B., and served till the close of the war. He was married, September, I860, to Miss
Vira Johnson ; she was born in Baraboo ; Mrs. R. Peck, her aunt, is the first white woman that settled in
Sauk Co. ; Mr. and Mrs Holmes have four children— Willie IT., Minta I., Guy E. and Attie L. In
politics, Mr. Holmes is a Republican.
HENRY H. HOWLETT, seed-grower and farmer, oec. 10: P. 0. Baraboo; sou of Parley
and Maria (Canfield) Howlett ; he came to Wisconsin February. 1 -C>7. and located in Baraboo, Sauk Co. ;
he owns 80 acres of land near the village of Baraboo; he was born Sept. 21, 1840, in the town of Onon-
daga, ( mondaga Co., N. Y. He married Josephine L. Strong, daughter of Argalusand Ann Eliza (Eaton)
Strong, March 26, 1872; bis wife died May 5, 1878; he has one child — Josie May Howlett. Mr. How-
lett has been Treasurer of School District. He is a life member. of Sauk Co. Agricultural Society, and
also df the Horticultural Society ; he has been President of the Baraboo Farmers' Mutual Insurance
Co. ; be lias been a member of the Baraboo and Sauk Co. Grange. The father of Mr. Howlett was a
minute man in the war of 1812, and one of the earliest, settlers in Onondaga Co. , N. Y. ; he was en-
gaged in farming, the manufacture of salt and the curing of beef and pork; and was the first man to
ship a cargo of salt into Ohio.
JOHN HAEBERT HILL, the subject of this sketch was born in Greenbush. N. Y.,
Dec. 28 1834 ; he resided in Saratoga Co. from the time he was '2 years old until he came to Chicago, in
April, 1855; he has been connected with the C. & N. W. R. R., ever since he came West, first as brake-
man, and for a number of years passenger conductor, until a year or two prior to the Chicago fire; he was
train dispatcher for five years, afterward for one year at Hudson, Wis. ; Jan. 17. 1874, he came to Bara-
1 and lias held the position of train dispatcher ever since. He was married in Chicago, June 10, 1858,
to Harriet J. Near; she was born in Ballston Spa, Saratoga Co., X. Y., Sept. 8. 1841; they have
five children — Ada M., now Mrs. John McCutchen, of Elroy, Wis.; Charles M., George H., John Henry,
and Arthur.
HERBERT N. HUNTINGTON (deceased) ; he was born in New Haven, Conn., April 10,
1809. and moved to New York State with Ids parents when quite young ; be came to Baraboo with his
family in 1851, and was a merchant at the time of his death ; he was one of the firm of Huntington &
Stanley ; the name of the firm has not been changed, as his widow is holding the same interest. He mar-
ried Feb. 2, 1836, to Miss Amanda M. Steele; she was born in Oswego Co., N. Y. ; they had one child —
Louisa A., now Mrs. Stanley. Mr. Huntington died Jan. 2, 1878. Mrs. II. is a member of the Congrega-
tional Church.
I*. I*. JACOBS, proprietor of the City Hotel on Bridge St. ; he was horn in Wyoming Co..
N V.. Jan. 6, 1837, and came to Sauk Co. in 1855, and followed farming and dealing in stock, etc. ; be
owns 40 acres of land in the town of Excelsior, on Sec. 24, which he rents ; Nov. 15, 1877, he took
I i oftheCity Hotel. He was married, Sept. 25, 1857. to Miss Lucinda Petteys ; she was born in
Wayne Co.. N . V.; they have one SOU— Fred W. In politics, Mr. Jacobs is a Republican.
SMITH JENNINGS, Constable; was elected to that office seven years ago, and has been
elected everj term up to the present time; be is also engaged in stone quarry; he furnishes fine stone for
buildings and dimension work of all kinds; he was born in St an lord. Delaware Co., X. Y.. May 2, 1835 ; he
has one son. George B. In polities, Mr. Jennings is a Republican.
H. I*. JONES, of the firm of Jones .V Griggs, dealers in ready-made clothing and gents' furnish-
on Third street, west of the post office ; he was horn in Walworth Co., Wis., April 19, 1849;
came to Baraboo in 187:>, and established his present business. He was married, Sept. 2, 1874, to Miss
Mar} E Sharp; she was horn in Manitowoc Co., Wis. ; thej have two children- StacyS. and Margie C.
In politics, Mr. Jones is a Republican.
AIGI'ST KAMRATII. meat market, on Bridge street ; he was horn in Prussia, Germany,
April 8, 1852 ; came to America with bis parents in 1858; they located in Sauk Co., Wis., and he came
to Baraboo in March. 1879.
J. F. KAIM'ACIi, gents' furnishing goods, tobacco and cigars, on Bridge street; was born in
Austria Feb. 7, 1852; came to America with his parents in 1858; they located in Watertown, Jefferson
Co., Wis., and in 1871 he came to Baral where he is still engaged in business.
JAMES SPENCER KIMBALL was born in Stratford, Orange Co., Vt , June 12, 1817;
!n~ early advantages Tor education were limited to the district school, in which be was an ornament in
scholarship and deportment; at the age of 17. he left home without money or experience, but rich in a
BARABOO. (395
conscientious determination to do right; this principle and a strong desire tor improvement lay at the
foundation of his character and constituted his entire " stock in trade ; " by adopting the strictest princi-
ples of temperance, industry and economy, he accumulated means sufficient for a liberal education ; his
academic course was taken at Shelburne Falls, Mass.; in 1843, he entered Dartmouth College, from which
institution he graduated in 1847 ; subsequently, the degree of A. M. was conferred on him by .his alma
mater ; immediately after graduating, he entered upon his chosen profession, that of teacher ; in 1847-48,
he was Principal of the high school at Woburn, Mass. ; in August, 1848, he, with fifteen other teachers,
left Boston for St. Louis to engage in their professional work. On this tour to the " Far West," an
impromptu i ? i marriage was sprung upon the party at Niagara Falls. Here Mr. Kimball united his for-
tunes with those of Miss Clara Partridge, of Templeton, Mass., one of the party; the ceremony took place
on board the " Maid of the Mist," a gallant little steamer that plied her daily antics under the F'alls ; on
her trip, Aug. 10, 1848, she '■ missed the maid." On arriving at St. Louis, he look a position in the
" English and Classical High School," of which Prof K. Wymau was Principal ; after four years' service
in this school, he became Principal of the Wayland Female Seminary at Upper Alton, III. ; in 1856, be
moved to Keokuk. Iowa, where, for ten years, he was engaged in teaching in public and private schools;
in 1866, he moved to Baraboo, Wis., having been engaged as Principal of the Collegiate Institute; in this
position lie lain. rod six years; during nearly all these long years of toil in the schoolroom, Mrs. Kimball
was his faithful and efficient assistant ; his first term of teaching was in 18li!» and his last in 1878, extend-
ing over a period of just forty years, during which time in three cases only was he detained from the
schoolroom a single day by sickness: he is now Town Clerk of Baraboo. He and Mrs. Kimball became
members of the Baptist Church in 1842, and have been active and efficient members of that denomination
ever since. Their children are three sons and one daughter, the latter of whom died in childhood and was
buried on the banks of the Mississippi amid the (lowers of June ; the sons are all engaged in active busi-
ness. Prof. Kimball retains his mental and physical faculties in a remarkable degree, which he declares
to be the result of sociability, absolute temperance, and loyalty to Republican principles.
X. C. lilljli. proprietor of Kirkland (at Devil's Lake) Vineyards, picnic grounds, wine cellar
and cottages for guests, etc.; the extent of his grounds and his parks is about 250 acres; he was born in
the eastern part of Ohio; came to Baraboo in the spring of 1850. In politics, he is a Democrat.
HUGH KELEEY, born March 3, 1853, in Sheridan, N. Y. ; in 1858, he moved to Baraboo
with his parents; at the age of 15. he went to learn the printer's trade, and continued work at that for
about five years; in 1874, he commenced work for the C. & N. W. R. It. Co. as night foreman in their
shops; in November, 1 879. he took charge of their engine in the machine shop. He was married, Sept.
17, 1878, to Miss M. E. Ryan ; she was born in Columbia Co., Wis. In polities, he is a Republican.
I>R. S. I*. KEZERTA, dentist; office on Third street; he was born in Ashtabula Co., Ohio;
Btudied dentistrj in 1838; came to Baraboo in 1856; he has lived here ever since, with the exception of
about four years that he was in Illinois. He was married in February, 1857, to Miss S. S. Brown, of
Fond du Lac; she was born in the State of Vermont; both are members of the M. E. Church; he has
been a minister of that church for thirty-five years. In politics, he is a Republican.
IMS. T. KOCH, physician and surgeon; office at his residence; born in Prussia, Germany,
March 28, 1828 ; lie graduated at the Medical College at Berlin ; he came to America and to Baraboo in
1871 ; he has been in practice for twenty-six years. He was married in February, 1856, to Miss Anna
Palm; she was bom in Berlin, Germany; they have four children living — Charles A. O., Richard T.,
Margaret T. A. ami Otto P. In polities, the Doctor is a Republican.
SUMMER J. LAMBERT(K\, deceased, he was born in Ashtabula Co., Ohio, March 20,
1823; died March 13, 1*71 ; came to Sauk Co. and to Baraboo in 1857 ; he was a merchant tailor, and
was engaged in that business for about two years. Oct. 1!>, 1m;:;. be enlisted in Co. II, 17th W. V. I..
and served about eighteen months, and was discharged on account of disability, which finally resulted in
his death. He was married, Jan. 1, 1848. to Miss Ann Huntington ; she was born in Oswego Co., N. Y.;
they have had six children — Katie Dell ami Albert 8. both deceased), Clara Bell, Charles W., Laura C.
and Edith.
C. A. EAXtwDOX, dealer in lumber, lath, shingles pickets sash. .1 -s and blinds, also building
paper, on Bridge st reel, liarahoo; lie was born Jan. 11, 1843, in Franklin Co.. X, Y. came to Band
J tin. 26, 1856. Enlisted in Co. F, 2:;d W. V. I., and served nearly three years; was in the battle at Yazoo
Swamp, and others ; from 1868 to 1873, was building railroads in Minnesota and Iowa; in February,
1-75. started in the lumber business He was married. September. 18(5(1, in Miss Nellie Burnham ; she
was born in the Stile of New York ; they have three children — Wni. M., Emma L. and Dora.
bUb BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
LANtwDON BROTHERS, proprietors of tub and barrel factory, on Water street, Baraboo,
Wis.; came when quite young, with their parents, and worked with their father at the same business for a
number of years, and in 1S70 built the factory which they are now running; they make a specialty of but-
ter and pork packages.
REV. P. J. LiAVOJ, priest of St. Joseph's Church, Baraboo; he was born in Ireland Aug.
14, 1840 ; he graduated first at Carlow, then at Athlone ; then he studied at Maynooth, and was ordained
at St. Francis, Milwaukee; was then located at Madison, assisting Father Smith; after this, he established
a mission in Dane Co. ; then he went to Mauston, Juneau Co. ; from Mauston to New Lisbon, Necedah,
Lemonweir, Marion, Tomah, Union Center, Warnerville, Lynden and Greenfield; in 1871, he returned
to his native county, made a visit of about six months when he came back, and resumed his labor in
the interest of his church; located at, Black River Falls till May, 1872, attending several stations which
were formed at that mission ; from there he went to Hudson, St. Croix Co., for a few months ; from
that point to Erin Prairie, and was there till the spring of 1880; he then took charge of St. Mary's
Church, at Baraboo, Wis.
GEORGE F. LODDE, butcher, market on Bridge street, Baraboo; was born in Milwaukee
Jan. 17, 1854 ; moved to Sauk City with his parents, and in 1870 came to Baraboo, where he is still in
business.
PRESCOTT E. LONGJLEY; born in Albany, N. Y., Feb. 10, 1843; when an infant, his
parents, Freeman and Millicent B. ( Wood) Longley, removed to Massachusetts with their family and
resided there a few years, also a short time in Vermont, then returned to the State of New York and set-
tled at Sterling Center, Cayuga Co.; remained there three years, coming to Newport, Sauk Co., Wis., in
1854 ; removed from there to Baraboo in 1861. Prescott E. enlisted 'in Co. F, 3d W. V. C, in 1862 ;
served nearly three years ; mustered out in July, 1865, and engaged in mercantile business in Baraboo
when he returned from the army; continued in this business one year, then clerked two years for ('. A.
Sumner, then with Savage & Halsted two years, when he went to Dixon, 111., and remained there two
years ; then traveled for the Victor Scale Company in Wisconsin; was (heir first salesman; then engaged
in the dry-goods business for one year; has been in the livery business since January. 1880. Married at
Baraboo, Nov. 7. 1876, to Mrs. Mary Frances Sharp; she was born in Hartford, Conn.
THOMAS McCOY, conductor on the C. & N. W. R. 11.; he was born in Ireland Sept. 13,
1847 ; came to America with his parents in 18 18 ; he coramei 1 work for this company in 1874, and he
came to Baraboo the same year. He was married, Sept. I, 1876, to Miss Margaret Henry ; she was hum
at Port Huron, N. Y. Mr, McCoy is a Catholic, and his wife is a Presbyterian; in politics, lie is an Inde-
pendent
T. J. MoRERHIT, foreman of round-house and machine shop at this place. Baraboo, Wis., for
the C &. N\ W. 11. 1!. Co., and had been engaged a number of years in the same business before he came
to Baraboo; he was born Oct. 2, ]<','.',, at Hampton Co., Penn. He married Arminta Troy; they have
three children— George, Mamie and Kate.
JAMES A. McFETRIDGE, born in Koch 3ter, \. V.. June 20, L838; lived two years
in Sparta, Livingston Co., N. Y.. prior to his coming to Wisconsin, where he arrived April 3, 1857, and
located at Beaver Dam ; engaged in the woolen-mill business there until 187(1, producing the lower power
and establishing the woolen-factory now known as the Beaver Hani Woolen Mills ; came to Baraboo May 1 0,
1875, and has owned an interest in the woolen-mills here since then. Married at Beaver Dam, Oct. 2,
1 SOL', to Maltha G, Aiken; she was bom al Putney, Vt.: the} have four children— Mary Ella, Will
Henry. Edward Parker and Georgiana. Mr. and Mrs. McFetridge and eldest daughter are members
of the Presbyterian Church.
P. FRANK McttlBWIS, Sec. 22 ; P.O. Baraboo; born in Louth, Ireland, in 1844; came
to America with his parents in 1846; lived in Philadelphia, Penn . for fourteen years, when hi
to Delavan Walworth Co., Wis, Enlisted as private of Co. C L3th W V. I.. Aug. 29, 18tiS, and served
his countr] three years ; carried his gun in the ranks one year and a half, when he was appointed Assist-
ant Hospital Sic ward in the field, which position he held to the end of his term of service. Married Sept.
15, 1865, to Alice T.Carey, of Portage, Columbia Co.; has five children— M. Lottie, born July 10,1868;
James F., Jan. 13, 1871; Gertrude, June 13, 1873; Anna. March 30, 1ST."); William J., April 20,
1879. Since coming to Baral Mr. M. has worked twelve years for the Islam! Woolen Mill Co.
H. Mi'KEWAX. physician and surgeon; a native of Herkimer, Herkimer Co.. X. Y. ;
born in May, 1835; he is a graduate of the Albany Medical College, and practiced a short time in
BARABOO.
697
Western New Fork before coming West; came to Wisconsin in L856, and located at Sauk City. [n
December, 1861, he entered the United States service as Surgeon of the 17th W. V. L, and served until
January, 1865, when he returned to Sauk City, where he remained until 1871; then went to Chicago,
and remained there until he came to Baraboo in 1876. Married in Sunk City, May 3, L859, to Marie
A. Turner, of Dtica, X. V. ; they have two children— Hattie T. and Marie A.
.1 OKI-', I'll McVEA,bornin Toronto, Canada West, August 18, 1846; came to the United
States in Will with his parents ; they first located in Detroit, Mich. ; at the age of 15, he went to learn the
trade of carpenter ; from Detroit, he went to Nashville, Tenn. ; was there about two years ; in 18615, c;
to Wisconsin, and to Baraboo Nov. .">. ls"!i, and engaged to work tor the C. & V W. R. 11. at his trade.
Be was married, June 27, 1870, to Miss Mary McXallie , she was born in Glasgow, Scotland ; they have
four children — Frank A., Henry W.. Maud and Eller.
CHARLES MAXXIX<;. engineer on the C. & X. W. R. R. ; born in Randolph, Crawford
Co.,Penn., May 11, 1856; came to Baral in 1871 : he commenced on railroad as fireman, took an
engine June 22, 1878, and has been running on the road ever since. He was married. Jan. 6, ls> i. to
Mis- Hattie Du Bois ; she was born in Sauk Co., Wis.
E. G. MARRIOTT, dealer in and manufacturer of boots and shoes, Third street; he was
born in Pmgland Sept. ::o, 1S..0; came to America Aug. 22, 1869, and to Baraboo Aug. -i the same
year, lie was married May 2, 1876, to Miss Elizabeth Kelley; she was bom in New York; they have
one child — Belle. In politics, Mr. .Marriott is a Republican.
H. MATHEWS, dealer in dry g Is, groceries, hats, caps, notions, crockery, etc., Third street,
south side of the court house square; he was horn in Posen, Prussia, Germany, Sept. 22, 1847; came
to America in 1862, and located in Xew Orleans; in 1873, he came to Baraboo and started his present
business. He was married in February, 1874, to Miss Susan Schlag ; she was bom in Sauk Co.; they
have one child — Edward P. In polities. Mr. Mathews is Independent.
<wEOR<*E MERTEXS, was bom in Berlin, Prussia, Oct. 22, 1822; came to Sheboygan,
Wis., in HIT, where he remained until he came to Sauk City in the spring of 1849, where he was em-
ployed as a clerk ; came to Baraboo in .January. 1852; was elected Clerk of the Circuit Court while a
resident of Sauk City, which office he held for four years; since then he has been engaged in abstract and
insurance business ; lias been Chairman of the Town and County Board of Supervisors Beveral terms; one
year and a halt Director and Vice President of the First National Bank, being connected with it at the
time of its organization. He was married at Sauk City, in September. 1853, to Miss J. S. White, a native
of the State of Xew York. Mr. Mertens is a member of the order of A., F. & A. M.
RICHARD METCALF, born Aug. 26, 1847, in Dutchess Co., X. V.; in 1852, moved
with bis parents to Sauk Co., Wis.; worked at farming till he was 20 years old ; then wont to work for
Manufacturing Co. lor three years , in March, 1873, commenced work for the C. & N. W. R.
R. Co. as yardmastor, which posiiion he st'ill holds. He was married, Nov. 2, 1867, to Miss Mary B. Brit-
ton; -he was horn in the State of Rhode Island; they have three children — LeWH E., Mabel and Uice,
I'll I LIS9 MICH A KIL engineer on the C. & X. W. R. R. ; was born in Quebec, Canada, April
11, 1848; ram- I ■ I'nited States with his parents in 1851, and they located in Iroquois Co., 111. He enlisted
1864, in Co. B, 156th 111. A'. I., and served till the close of the war; moved to Baraboo, Wis., in is?:;. IP- was
married, Nov. 20, 1866, to Mrs. Salina Michard ;-they have one child, Isaiah.
FRAXK MILLER; restaurant on Third street; was horn in Germany Nov. 22, 1839; came
to America in 1853, and to Baraboo in 1864. II.' was married. Feb. 2, I860, to Miss M. C. SI
was b.rn in Germany and came to Saul; Co. when quite young with her parents ; tl ihildren —
Anna. Louisa. Arthur, Augusta and Car1 Mr. Miller in politics is Independent.
BEX.IAMIX P. MILLS, M. D.; was bom in Watertown, X. V.. Dec. 19, 1821 ; educated
at Castleton, Vt.. Willoughby University in < »hin, and the College oi Physicians and Surgeons, New York;
ited in thespringof 1846 at Willoughby University and spent one summer at the South
Bock Co.. Wis. ; in Nov., 1846 i imenced practi it Clinton Corners; remained there until April. HIT,
then removed to Uni n in the same count ntinued the practice of medicine up to the
coming to Barabo i in 1850 ; has bom engaged in the drug business since is."!."), until his store was
destroyed by fire ; the Doctor, was the oldest merchant of this place at the time of the fire which oc-
curred in 1880 ; for the last war and a half he has devoted hi- sole attention to his profession. He was
married at Beloit.Nov. 28, 1848, to Cordelia B. Goddard; she was born fob. 25, I--''; it
v. Y. ; they have one child, Nettie C, Mrs. Charles D. F. I
by 8 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
they lust, four children — Carrie F., born March 17, 1854; died Dec. 2, 1862; Anna G.. born Nov. 17,
1858.; died Oct. 11, 1871 ; Clarence, born Aug. 6, 1863 ; died Aug. 14, 1863 ; Cbryssa S., born Sept. 28,
1866 : died Sept. 25, 1871. The Doctor is a member of A., F. & A. M. ; he was one of the corporators
of the Ft. Winnebago & Baraboo Valley Air Line Railway Company.
HENRY MOELLER, of the firm of Moeller & Thuerer, manufacturers of wagons, buggies
and carriages of all kinds, on Main street; he was born in Prussia Feb. 17. 1828 ; came to America in
1852, and located in Milwaukee in 1856 ; he moved to Baraboo with his family. He was married, in 1855,
to Miss Kate Julear; she was born in France and died June 21. L879; they have three children — Mary,
Henry and Carwin. In politics, Mr. Moeller is a Democrat.
LOUIS MAtiJLER, saloon on Bridge street; he was born in Wurtemburg, Heilbronn, Ger-
many, April 8, 1839, and came to America in 1862 ; located in Cleveland, Ohio, for nine months.
Enlisted in Co. E, 124th Ohio V. I.; was taken prisoner at Dallas, Ga., on the 27th of May, and taken
to Andersonville Prison and kept there six months ; was then exchanged and taken to Annapolis Hospital ;
was there for three months, then went to his command at Huntsville, Ala. ; served till the close of the war ;
early in life, he learned the stone-cutter's trade, which he followed in Germany and in this country till 1875,
when bis health failed, and he then went into the saloon business; he came to Barab.oo. Wis., in 1865.
Was married, Dec. 25, 1869, to Miss Mary Johnson ; they have two children — Louis E. and William F.
In politics, he is a Republican.
NELSON W. MORLEI, farmer; P. 0. Baraboo; Sec. 20-; was born Jan. 2, 1831, in the
State of Ohio; son (if Thomas and Lillis ( Russel ) Morley; came to Wisconsin in 1853; arrived at Bara-
boo May 15. Was married, Sept. 29, L853, to Miss Adaline, daughter of Ambros and Chloe Fuller, of
Springfield, Mass. Mr. M. has resided on the place which he now owns for the past fourteen years; in the
spring of 1867, built a cheese factory, which he conducted, with a capacity of 300 to 4(10 pounds per day,
until the fall of 1875, when it was christened the Cold Spring Creamery, and as such it stands without a
peer. Mr. M. bad eight children — William, John, Thomas, Joseph, Sarah M., Alexander, Perry
(deceased i, and Samuel.
HENRY MORRELL, farmer; P. O. Baraboo; son of Tunis and Charity (Acre) Morrell i
came to Wisconsin May 1, 1854; located in Fairfield, Sauk Co.; came to Baraboo in the fall of 1868 i
worked at the carpenter and joiner trade, which he learned at Lafayette. Onondaga Co., N. Y. He has
I: ild the offices of District Treasurer and School Director; born in Oswego, Oswego Co., N. Y., Sept. 15,
1819 Married Flora Newell, daughter of Timothy and Filimla Wilcox Newell, at Lafayette, Onondaga
Co., N. Y., July 17, 1842; had three children— Henry H, Clara Melinda and Millard. Henry H. was
in the war of the rebellion, and belonged to Co. F, 23d W. V. I., and also 3d W. V. ('., Co. L; enlisted
Aug. 1 I, 1862, in 23d W. V. I., and discharged April 24, 1863; enlisted in cavalry Feb. 20, 1864;
mustered out Oct. 2:;. 1865; was in first engagement at Vicksburg and Fort llynian. Is now married
and living on a farm near the village of Baraboo. Mr Henry Morrell and wife belong to the Wesleyan
M< thodist Church.
DAVID JII'NSON (deceased), was bom in Holbrook, Conn., Dec 15, 1801 ; came to Bara-
I W is., in 1 848 . built a store and commenced merchandising, winch continued for about four years, then
closed out his business; he was then elected to the office of Sheriff, and served one term; in 1868, he was
elected to the office of Town ( llerk, which he held up to his death, I >ec. 11, 1876. He was married, J une
21, L849, to Miss Martha Chatman; Bhe was horn in Middlebury, Ohio, Feb. 16, 1824; she came to
Baraboo in 1*17. and engaged in leaching school up to the date of her marriage : she is a member of the
Presbyterian Church.
MOSES M. MURPHY, fanner, See. 21 ; P. O. Baral ; he was horn in New Jersey Oct.
. he moved to Pennsylvania, then to Ohio, and to Rock Co., Wis., in !852,toSauk Co. in L854 ;
has held several offices in his school district. He was married, May, 1836, to Miss Frances Smaltz ; she
was bom in Pennsylvania; they have eight children Nicholas S., George W.. Patterson. Alex., Nancy,
Levina and Katy. Mrs. Murphy died January, 1872. [n politics, Mr. Murphy is Independent ;
he owns I 50 acres of land.
S. S. NEWELL, horn Oct. 17, 1832, in Clinton Co., N. V.; in September, 1854, came to Sauk
Cu , Wis., and in 1856 to Baraboo; in the years of 1857 and 1858 served as Deputy Sheriff and in 1874
commenced work for the C. & N. W. K. I! Co. as carpenter. He was married, October, I860, to Miss
Helen A. Case; she wasbornin Avon, Ohio; they have five children -Case. Harrison C, Guy, Delia P.,
Clayton S.
BARABOO.
WW
GEOROE NEWSON, stone mason, was born in Stafford Co., England, Aug. 5, 1811 ; he
came to America April 13, 1849, and to Baraboo in August the same year; he was elected one of the
Town Board April, 1879, and 1880. He was married, April 7, 1833, to Miss Margaret J. Alexander; she
was born in Edinburgh, Scotland ; they have had seven children — Priscilla, Alfred (deceased), Martha
i deceased |, Jane, Man, Joseph i deceased), Clara G. (deceased). Mr. Newson was raised by the Society
of Friends, and in polities he is a Republican; Mrs. Newson is a Methodist.
GEO. T. NICHOLSON, born May 4, 1837, in Detroit, Mich., and at the age of 20 moved to
Chicago and learned the blacksmith trade ; he remained there working at his trade till September. 1S75.
then moved to Baraboo, Wis., and took charge of the blacksmith-shops of the ('. 4 N. W. R. 11. Co. at
this place, where he stiil remains ; he was elected Town Trustee May 4, 1880. He was married, May 17,
1866, to .Miss Mary Sunnock ; she was born at Syracuse, N. Y.; they are both attendants at the Presby-
terian Church.
COL,. DA VID KNOX NO YES, was born in the town of Tunbridge, Orange Co., Vt.,
Oct. 28, 1820 : son of Enoch and Mary Ann ( Knox ) Noyes, who were natives of Tunbridge. D. K.
Num., came to Wisconsin Sept. 17, 1844 ; went to Dodgeville and other places in the lead-mining regions
of Soul hern Wisconsin ; in IS 15, he followed prospecting and making what they called "sucker holes ;"
Gen. Amasa Cobb was associated with him. They enlisted in a Wisconsin company for the Mexican war,
but the company was not accepted. He went to Beloit in November or December of the same year,
where he entered the law office oi Noggle & Spaulding and read law with them, and was admitted
to the bar early in the year of IS 17; in June of the same year, came to Baraboo and engaged in
the practice of' his profession and dealing in real estate, which business he followed lor many years, in con-
ii h farming operations, locating land, etc. In November or December, 1855, he brought t lie JitjudMc
newspaper to Baraboo and conducted it with a younger brother ; sold out the newspaper in 1857 ; enlisted
in Co. A, 6th W. V. I., at Baraboo, in April, 1861 ; was commissioned First Lieutenant when the
company was first organized, and was promoted to the captaincy of the same compauy in the fall of 1861 ;
was in all the engagements his regiment participated in until he was wounded at Antietam, Sept. 17.
1 862, when he lost his right foot ; was. in January, 1863, appointed to the charge of the State recruiting
corps, which position he held until July. 1864, when he took his discharge; in the following winter, he
again entered the service, as Majorof 49th Wis. V I., and served until November, isr,.> having been com-
missioned Lieutenant Colonel prior to his discharge, from April to November. 18G5, was a member of the
Military Court Martial Commission stationed at St. Louis; in 1866, he started the Independent newspaper,
running it one year; has been Postmaster since 1867; was first Town Clerk of Baraboo, Chairman Town
Hoard of Supervisors twice; elected member of the Legislature to represent Sauk and Adams Counties in
1856 ; was the first State Treasury Agent appointed in Wisconsin, and served until the order of President
tii-aut. prohibiting ( uivernment officials from holding State or other offices. Married at Chelsea, Vt., June 18,
1848, to Lucinda Barnes, a native of that place ; they have four children— Clara L., now Mrs. Howard
J. Huntington, of Green Bay ; D. Walter K., Arthur H. and Rolla E. Col. Noyes has been a member
of A.. !•'. & A. M. and I. 0. <>. F. for nearly thirty years ; he is also a member of G. A. R.
ARTHUR H. NOYES, was born in Baraboo April 15,1853; was educated in the public
f Baraboo and five years at the State University, four years in an academic course, and one in the
law department ; graduated front both departments; commenced practice in October, 1878.
ROLLA E. NOYES, was born in Baraboo July 18, 1855; spent five years at State Univer-
i; institution and commenced the practice of law at Baraboo, as a partner of
Hon. Cyrus C. Remington, in June, 1878, and continued with him until his death, which occurred in
the same year. In March. 1879, the firm of Noyes Bros, was formed. Mr. N. was married
in Baraboo. Oct. 22. 1S79, I i Cordelia Draper, also a graduate of the State University; she was born in
England.
I». WALTER K. NOYES, was born in Baraboo May 6, 1851, where he has resided most of
the time since. He was educated in the Baraboo Public School, and at the State University at Madison ;
i ;,ear- in the latter institution: was with his father. Col. D. K. Noyes, in the army during the
time he was connected with the 49th Regiment ; is a printer bj trade, and was. for a short time, one of the
proprietors of the Sauk Cumin/ lirpulil!, ■,;■,. He was married in Friendship, Adams Co., Wis.. May 6,
1875, to Miss Nellie Hill ; they have two sons— Walter 11. and Jessie 1'.. Mr. X. is a member of the
I O.O. K.
JOHN O'CONNELL, fanner, See. 1 ; P. ( ). Baraboo ; son of Lawrence and llanorah l'rindi-
lonnell; born Dec. 23, 1823, at Castle Island, County Kerry, Ireland, emigrated to America in
700 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
1847 ; came to Wisconsin in 1855; located in Baraboo, Sauk Co.; owns 40 acres of land two miles from
the village of Baraboo. He has been married twice, first at Battleboro, Vt., July 14, 1850, to Ellen
Shay; had three children — Anna, William and Ellen; Mrs. O'Connell died Jan. 14, 1862. He married
again, Oct. 1, 1865, at Lyndon, Juneau Co., Wis., to Mrs. McCauley, nee Mary Ann Hackett, widow of
John McCauley, who died June 1, 1858, leaving one child — Mary McCauley, who is now living in Mil-
waukee, Wis.; Mrs. O'Connell is the daughter of Patrick and Mary Ryan Hackett. Mr. and Mrs.
O'Connell are members of the Catholic Church
RITFUS A. ORVIS (deceased); born in Michigan Nov. 6, 1827; came to Baraboo in the
spring of L857 mid engaged in the hardware trade, and continued that fur a number of years; then he
changed his husiness to that of the drug trade, which he carried on till a short time before his death,
which occurred Dec. 15, 1870. He was married Nov. 7, 1854, to Miss Caroline A. Casler ; they had
two children — Fred J. (deceased) and Carrie A. .Mrs. Orvis was married the second time to Henry D.
Evans, Feb. 17, 1876. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church.
P. P. PALMER, plasterer, Baraboo; was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Dec. 9, 1844; came to
Sauk Co. Aug. 10, 1847, with his parents. He enlisted, Sept. 1, 1864, in Battery L, 1st W. V. A., and
served one year. lie was married, Dec. 4, 1866, to Miss Mary McGilvra; she was born in Utica, N. Y.;
they have two children— Martie M. and Mac M. In politics, Mr. Palmer is a Republican.
FREDERICK PARKS is employed at the coal-shed of the C. & N.-W. R. R.; he was
born in England Oct. 24, 1824; came to America in 1849 and located in Bufl'alo, N. Y.; in 1854, he
came to Milwaukee, and was there till 1859, when he moved to Sauk Co. and followed farming till 1878,
when he moved to Baraboo; he rents his farm, which he still owns, containing 200 acres, in Greenfield
Township. He was married, March 8, 1845, to Miss Caroline Button ; she was born in Sussex Co.. En-
gland ; they have had eight children, viz.. George T., Charles II., Harriet J., Frederick B. (dei
Caroline, Charlotte, William E. (deceased, and Albert J. They attend the M. E. Church; in politics,
Mr. Parks is a Republican.
\\. B. PEARL, proprietor of the Cliff House, northeast corner of Devil's Lake, near the C. &
N.-W. R. R., Baraboo. Being a summer-resort hotel, the Cliff House is a handsome and comfortable
house of Mime fifty rooms; it is built in the style of a large Swiss chatelet, and contains, among other
attractions, one of the pleasantest dining-rooms imaginable, commanding through its glass front a pecu-
liarly lovely view of the hike; the billiard-room, dining-room and otlices generally are on a seal.' with
much larger houses; a small steamer and numberless row-boats float ready for such guests as wish to sail,
fish or row on the lake; there are also numerous bath-houses for the accommodation of guests, besides
plenty of amusements in the way of billiards, ten-pins, quoits, dancing, croquet, archery, etc. ; in con-
nection with the Cliff House is a well-stocked livery; teams will he furnished guests at reasonable
rates; excursion parties can he titled out with good rigs for forward's Gorge, Peewitt's Nest or the Delia;
there is a telegraph, ticket and baggage office at the Clin House ; the proprietor begs to inform all thai the
above well known and popular summer resort has been entirely refilled and refurnished, and is ready to
receive guests ; rales of hoard per day. $2 ; per w k, from $10 to $12; special rates for children.
NICHOLAS S. PEABODY, engineer al the water works for the C. &. N.-W. R. R. Co.
Baraboo; was horn Jan. 5, 1813, at Middletown, R. [.; came to Buffalo, N. Y., in 1833, and in 1857 to
Madison, Wis.; followed farming for three years, then went into the foundry business, and in 1S72 com-
menced work for the C. <& N.-W. R R. Co.; came to Baraboo'in 1873. He was married, Feb. 17,1838,
to Miss Maria Volkinburg ; she was hum in Lexington, N. V.. Nov, 4, L818; they have two daughters—
\I;i,'\ married Henry J. Watson), Catherine (married .lames L Hccox ; they have two children — Nel-
lie and James I, . Jr.; Mr. and Mrs. Watson have four children — Beulah C, John M., George P. and Henry
J., Jr. In politics, Mr. Peabody is a Democrat ; Mrs. Peabody is a member of the Baptisl Church.
ROSELI\E PECK, was born in Middleton, Rutland Co., Vt., Feb. 21. 1808; her
maiden i te was Julia Ann Burnham : her father was Samuel Willard. Mrs. TVek was mar-
ried to Eben Peck in February, L829, and togeth Wisconsin in the fall ofl836, settling in
in the spring of 1837 : she was the first white woman in Madison, and, coming to Baraboo with
indin the hill of 1840, was also the first white woman to cross the Baraboo Bluff, and make her
the valle\ north of them; Mr. and Mrs. Peek settled on their claim previously made on that
he river known as the Lower Ox lens, since platted ami called Manchester; here 'hey lived for
rs,'when thej were dispossessed Vf their claim ; thej then moved to Mrs. Peck's present home, hav-
,] ,;,„ to a pari of th r igion now knovt d as Peck's Prairie, and commenced the improvement of a
farm; m> I irted foi California and while en route was massacred by Indians. Mrs.
BARABOO. TO]
Peek was thua lefi with two children to battle for a livelil d ; and her subsequent experience was sore
enough ; various attempts were made to take her home from her under the pre-emption laws, and to save
it. she was compelled to borrow money from .lames \Y. Babb. and pay Till per cenl interest ; in early days.
before the coming of a physician, .Mrs. Peck treated the sick with great success; she remembers setting the
broken leg of a neighbor's child who lived five miles away, she being compelled to ride behind ber bus-
band along an Indian trail alter dark to reach the house, and when she arrived, there wasn't a candle in the
house, the father of the child being cum). died to walk half a mile to a neighbor's who had some lard.
from which a '■ grease dip " was made ; the operation was successfully performed, and the child rapidly re-
covered . Mrs Peck says there were no deaths in this valley till " after the doctors came ;" Mrs. Peek's
children are both alive: the eldest, Victor, was horn April 25, 1833, and now resides in Milwaukee, being
in charge of the Johnson House, at the Union Depot: the other. Victoria W.. is the will of Nelson Wheeler.
and now reside- at Chippewa Falls; she was the first white child horn in Madison, this important event
taking place Sept. 1 1. 1837. Mrs. Peck is mm 72 years of age. but is still vigorous and active; histori-
cally, she is an important character.
JAMES H. PE1RCE, born in Milwaukee, Wis., Aug. 7, 1856 ; commenced railroading in
1 ST 1 as fireman; in 1877, he took an engine on the C. & N. W. Ky. He is an attendant of the Pres-
byterian Church. In politics. Republican.
MIS*. E. A. POTTER, farming, Sec. 1 ; P. O. Baraboo ; widow of II. II. Potter, and daugh-
ter of James A. and Susan B. i Clarke) Maxwell; came to Wisconsin in 184(1, located in Baraboo, Sauk
Co.. where she now resides; born in Rob Roy, Fountain Co., Ind. Married to Henry II. Potter. Oct. 15,
1856, at Baraboo; has five children — Carrie V., Ida A., Kate M., Mary B., Howard II.; owns 251
acres of land, a part of which is platted off and termed the Potter Addition to Baraboo; Mrs. Potter
resides on a beautiful farm near the village of Bara"boo; farm well improved. Mrs. Potter belongs to the
Methodist Church. II. H. Potter deceased, husband of Mrs E. A. Potter was horn Nov. 6, 1824, at
Hartsville, Onondaga Co., N. Y.; came to Baraboo in IS4H ; engaged as clerk for Jas. A. Maxwell, father
of Mrs. Potter, subject of this sketch ; he returned to Pennsylvania in 1850, coming again to Baraboo in
1855, and in the fail of 1856, married Emma A., daughter of Jas. A. Maxwell. Mr. Potter died Jan.
28, 1878. CI. .lame- Maxwell, deceased, grandfather of Mrs Potter, was born at Guilfoid, Windham
Co . Vt., May 1. ITS!) or 1790; removed to Chicago in 1836; from Chicago he went to Geneva Lake.
Wis, and located there in 1837, and in the spring of is In came to Baraboo and engaged in improving
the water-power at Manchester, where now stands the grist-mill of Spencer Bros ; he returned soon after
to Walworth Co., Wis., and remained until IS It;, when, accompanied by his son Jas. A. Maxwell, again
returned to Baraboo and permanently located; died Dee. 16, 1869.
ELIAS I>. POTTER, in charge of the rour.d-bouse for the C. & N. W. R. R. Co at Bara
boo ; he was born July 7, 1 822, in ( (swego, N. Y.; moved to Sauk Co., Wis., Town of Merrimack, in 1 v .">.">
and followed farming for eighteen years; in 1873, moved to Baraboo. He was married, July -t, 1855, to
Miss Eliza Pierce; she was horn in Hillsboro, Co., N. II.; came to Sauk Co. in Will; taught school on.
term, then went to Columbia Co. and taught five terms; they have had five children, three living — Mrs.
H. R. Palmer, Lyman H. and James; the two deceased were Aldiu A. and Viola, they were at play on
the ice and broke through aud both were drowned.
JOHN W. POWELL, farmer. Sec. 25 ; P. 0. Baraboo ; was born April 22, 1822, in Frank-
lin Co., Va., and son of William and Sarah i Newvill Powell. Mr. P. lived on his father's farm until he
reached the age of 18, when his father died; he then attended a select school for two year.-; went to
Tennessee and worked two years in a picture molding factory, returning to Virginia in the fall of 1847,
Married, Jan. 6, 1818, to Miss Harriet M., daughter of Stephen and Martha i Kemp) Dudley; removed
with his family to Wisconsin in 1851, arriving at Baraboo June 3; lived in the village for sixteen years.
where he engaged in the real estate and lumber business with his brother-in-law, P. A. Basset!
removed to the firm where he now lives, and owns 80 acres of land ; they have six children — William S..
born in Virginia; Katie M., Ashley B., John D., Charles J. and Samuel H., born in Wisconsin. He
has been Clerk of the School Board since its organization. Mrs. P., his wife and four children, Katie.
Ashley, John and Charles, are members id' the Presbyterian Church.
JOHN H. POWERS, the fifth sun of Peter and Cynthia Powers; was born in the town of
lunty of Compton, province of Quebec, Lower Canada, the 28th of July, 1844; he came to the
United States in the fall of 1859, and settled at Derby Line, Vt., and commenced learning the printer's
trade; in the snmmer of 1862, he went to Manchester, X. H., where he got employment on the Dollcr,
Minor. Here he enlisted in the 4th X. II. V. I.. Co. D, and was in the service during the remainder of
702 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
the war; was at the taking of Morris Island, S. C, and in the sieges of Forts Waggoner, Grugg and
Sumter, and in the Virginia campaign of 1864, and took part in nearly all of the principal battles of the
campaign ; was wounded at the taking of the Heights of Petersburg, Va. ; the last hard-fought battle was
at the t iking of Ft. Fisher, at the mouth of the Cape Fear River, N. C. ; was discharged from the United
States ser\iee, at Raleigh, N. C., Aug. 23, 1865, and a few weeks later received final discharge from (lie
State at Concord, NT. H.; he came to Wisconsin in November, L865, and arrived at Baraboo Feb. 22,
1 866, and engaged at his trade in the Ilr/tn/i/ic office, and has been engaged with the press of Sauk Co. ever
since, except about two years, when he was connected with Durand Times ; he also founded the Trempeleau
Cmii, iii Journal and the Elroy Union; he was for a short time part owner of the Reedsburg Free Press.
In December, 187!*. he became one of the proprietors of the Baraboo Republic, a stanch Republican
journal. John H. Powers was married, Dec. 27, 1868, to .Miss Sarah A. Capener; Blanche, their ..oily
child, was born Jan. 4, 1870.
WILLIAM POWERS, merchant tailor, Oak street; was born in Ireland Nov. 28, L828 ;
came to America Sept. 15. 1850, and located in New York fur about four years ; in 1854. he came to
Baraboo and worked as a journeyman at the tailoring business. He enlisted in 1861, in Co. H, 17th W.
V. I., and served one year ; in 1st;:;, he established his present business; he is at present a member of
the Village Board, and has been for a number of years. He was married, Jan. 22, I860, to Miss Kate
Mitchell ; she was born in Ireland and came to America, in 1848. with her parents to Massachusetts ; they
have three children, viz., Mary A., Ellen and William. Both Mr. and Mrs. Powers are membsrs of St.
Mary's Church ; in politics, he is a Republican.
P. PRATT, retired; was born July 28, ISIS, in Madison Co., N. Y. ; came to Walworth Co.i
Wis., June 12, 183!', and to Sauk Co. in the spring of 1848, and for twenty-nine years was engaged in
the lumber business, and has done a great deal in building and improving the town of Baraboo ; he has
held more or less of the town offices. Among the buildings that lie has erected is the hotel known as the
Pratt House, and he has now in contemplation the building of a good bridge, so as to have another Btreet
opened across the river. In politics, he is Independent. Be was married, in 1842, to Miss Charlotte
Dodge ; she was born in Madison Co., N. Y. ; they have bad six children, viz., Emma, Ida, Charon^
(deceased , Capron C, Clarence (deceased), and Adin H.
JAY PROTHKRO, musician ; was born in Jennings Co., End., Nov. 6, 1839 ; he came to Bar-
aboo with his parents in 1853. He enlisted March 9, 1864, and was placed in Gen. Bluut's band, and
served up to June, 1865. He was married, Aug. 21, 1864, to Miss Agnes Barter; she was born in Sl.u-
bensville, Ohio; they have four children living— Eva B., Belle M.. Maggie M. and Jay.
MARIA S. REMIMiJTOX, farming, Sec. 36 ; P. 0 Baraboo; widow of C. C. Remington
and daughter of .Marshall and Mary S. Greeley Train ; came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1848, locate. 1
in the city of Milwaukee; came to Sauk Co. in the spring of 1850; located in village of Baraboo, and
resided in the village lor eighteen years; located, where lie M"» resides, in 18(18, Born in New London,
Merrimack Co., N. II . Feb. 6, 1832; was married to Cyrus C. Remington, son of Silas and Margaret
Clarke Remington, in the city ol Milwaukee. Wis.. Aug. 12, 1852; had eight children' as follows: Helen
M ; Oeorge. who. lie. I Aug. 30, L862; Maud E.; Mary B. ; Arthur; Hattie T. ; Tom M. ; and an infant, who
died unnamed. Owns 1 25 acres of land . resides on a beautiful farm of 65 acres nearthe village of Baraboo ;
the residence of Mrs. Remington commands on.' of the finest views ill Sauk Co. On this farm also are to be
found numerous Indian mounds, several of which have been opened and found to contain relics, etc. of
ancient tribes. C. C, Remington .deceased), husband of Mrs. Remington, the subject of this sketch, was
born N..v. 10, 1824, in Sheridan, Chautauqua Co., N. V.; educated in the law profession ; came to
Wisconsin with bis parents in the spring of 1840, local I near Waukesha, Waukesha Co.; he remained
he farm here about six years, when he went to read law with Alexander Randall, of Waukesha, alter
ward Governor of the State; he concluded his studies with Finch & Lynde, and was admitted to the bar
Feb, 16, 1847, in the city of Milwaukee. He practiced law in Baral from 18 17 until iff time of bis
death, which occurred Oct. 13, 1878. As a lawyer. C C. Remington stood at the head of tne Sauk Co.
bar for many years, [n 1854, he represented in the Assembly the district comprising Adams and Sauk
Cos., and he was County Judge of Sauk Co. from January. 1870, to April, 1873, when he resigned. Mr.
Remington was a self-made man. and was possessed of rare I raits .4' character, which rendered him honored
and revered by his fellow man. The ancestors of Mrs. Remington emigrated to America in 1834. and
were of Scotch descendants. Mrs. R. belongs to the Unitarian Church and society.
MATIIIAS RKLLAND, wagon and buggy manufacturer; does all kinds of jobbing, horse-
shoeing, etc.. on First street ; be was born iii Luxemburg. Germany, Oct. 17. 1846; came to America with
BARABOO. 703
his parents in 1853, and to Sauk Co, ; at the age of 21, he went to learn his trade at Madison ; was three
years there; went to Minnesota, worked there three years, then returned to Madison, was there a few
months. Married, May 21, 1S72. to Julia Derleth ; site was born in Pennsylvania. He then moved to
Iowa, and in the spring of 1873, he moved to Bamboo and bought the building and lot where he carries
on his pleasant business. They have four children, viz.. Gustave J., Elizabeth, George and Leo. A.
E. A. RICE, ear and engine painter for C. & N". W. Railroad Co. . was born Sept. 15, 1848, in
Macoupin Co., 111. ; came to Bamboo in 1ST7 ; he ran a paint shop till 1879, when he commenced work
for the Railroad Company, wherehe is still employed. He enlisted February, 1865, in Co. G, 150th 111.
V. I., served till the close of the war. He was married June, 1ST'.', to Mi-s Theresa M. Torbert ; she
was born in Columbia Co., Wis. They have one child— Mable. In politics. Republican.
HEXRV RICH, son of Davis and Affie M. (Wright) Rich, natives of Vermont ; was born in
Shoreham, Addison Co . Yt.. Sept. 23, 1838, where he lived until fifteen years of age, when he removed
to Burlington, in the same State, where he was for four years engaged in clerking. He entered thi
1861, and served until the close of the war; after leaving the service, he came to Wisconsin, arriving in
Bamboo in September. 18i;">. and engaged in the woolen-mill business ; was in the Manchester Mills one
year, and then became connected with the Island Woolen Mills. Mr. Rich was married at St. Louis. Mo.,
March 7, 18f>7, to Emma Leonard, a native of Orwell, Vt. ; they have four children — Cora L., Paul D.,
Robert B. and Helen T. Mr. and Mrs. Rich are members of the Presbyterian Church.
W . C. RICHARDS, of the firm of J. Richards & Son, lumber dealers on Bridge street, near
the depot ; all kinds of pine lumber, sash, blinds, and doors, building material of all descriptions ; was
born in Florida. Aug. 21, 1858, and moved to Dane Co., Wis., with his parents, and to Bamboo in 1879.
GEORGE S. ROCKWELL, chief clerk for the C. >V X. W. R. R. Co. ; was born in St.
Lawrence Co., N. Y.. Jan. 28, 1847; became to Bamboo in 1874 and took the position he now occupies.
He was m irried, Nov. 15, 1870, to Miss Lucia A. Sibley; she was born in Rock Co., Wis., in April, 1847.
Mr Rockwell, in politics, is a Republican.
E. 11. ROSS, proprietor of the Union Hotel, on Water street; was born in Scotland Jan. I'.,
1819; came to America in 1842, and worked at steam boiler-making about twenty-five years in New
York City ; in 1869, he moved, with bis family, to Illinois, and in 1874, to Bamboo, and worked at his
trade, being the first one here who had that trade ; he also owns a 120-acre farm in the town of Excelsior,
in Sec. 16, and is worth about $2,500. He was married May 6, 1847, to Miss Isabel McKay ; she was
born in Scotland ; they have tour children, viz., Nettie, Alexander F., Daniel and Margaret. In politic-.
he is Independent.
JOHX R. ROWE\, night foreman of the round-house for the C. & N. W. R. R. Co. ; born
in New York March 7. 1849; moved to Rami in 1879. He was married Feb. 5, 1866, to Miss Ellen
Spencer ; she was born in Boone Co., 111. ; they have two children — Cora L. and Albertis B. In politics,
Mr. Rowen is a Democrat.
HEXRY R. RYAX, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O. Baraboo; son of Roger and Mary Dyer Ryan ;
came to Wisconsin in October, 1853, and located at Portage, Columbia Co. ; located in Baraboo, Sauk
Co., in May. IS")."); from IS.").") to 18(17, he was engaged in the manufacture of cabinol-waro. since which
time he has been farming; owns 440 acres of land; resides on a beautiful farm near the village of Bar-
aboo; farm well improved; he has held the office of School Director. He was born Aug. 1, 1818, in the
town of New Ipswich, Hillsboro Co., N. II. He was married in Smithville, Chenango Co., N. Y., to
Abbie Gazlay, daughter of Joshua and Abigail Jones Gazlay ; he has four children — George H.. Charles
A., Abbie M. and Willis F. Mr. and Mrs. Ryan are members of the M. E. Church ; Mrs. Ryan has had
charge of the primary department of the M. E. Sabbath school for a term of years.
JOHX E. SAARE, proprietor barber-shop, on Third street, near the post office; he was bom
in Watertown. Wis , July 18, 1858; he came to Baraboo in 1874, and started his present business for
himself in 187G.
L. W. SAXDHERG: has charge of the water- works of the <\ & X. W. R. R. on this division ;
he was born Sept. 11, 1838, in Sweden; came to America Aug. 24, 1864, and immediately enlisted in
Co. I, 29th M. V. I. ; served till the close of the war; came to Baraboo, Wis., in 1875. He married,
Dec. 7, 1878, Miss Bertha Lee; they have one child — Gustaf A. In politics, Republican.
H. SCHOEXFELD, gun and lock smith, and dealer in that line of goods, Third street, Bara-
boo; be was bom Feb. 24, 184G, in Murchbjtrg. Prussia, and came to America in 1849, with his parents,
and to Baral July, 1878. W- was married Sept. 1 r> 1875, to Mi- Erwinc Wiskocil . she wa
704 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Sauk Co . Wis. ; they bave two children — Ella and Erwine. Mr. and Mrs. Schoenfeld are both members
of the Free Congregational Church. In politics, he is a Republican.
JOHN SCHLUNGRAUM, harness manufacturer, Bridge street, Baraboo; was born in Sauk
City, Wis., Jan. 9, 1855; commenced to work at his trade in 1S7< I, and came to Baraboo in 1877 and
started Ins business; he makes g 1 and substantial goods.
I'll A It LES SECKER, brick-maker, Baraboo ; yard is located three miles from Baraboo ;
he commenced this business about ls.)5; his was the third kiln that was burned in the county. He
was born in England Oct. 25, L837, and came to America about 1851 with his parents; his father. John
Seek, a-, is still jiving, at the advanced age ■ >f S!l. and he make- bis home with his son. Charles Seeker
enlisted August, L862, in Co. F. 23d W. V. I., and served three years. He was married, Aug. 17, 1865,
to Miss Alumna Morehead.Swho was born in Pennsylvania ; they have four children — John T., Anienla C.
Nellie E. and Carl M. Both he and his wife are members of the M. E. Church. In politics, he is a
Republican.
JOHN K. SHOURDS, farmer, Sec. 15 ; P.O. Baraboo; born in Macedon, Wayne Co., N.
Y., Aug. 11. 1828; son of Joseph and Catharine Walker Shourds, formerly of New Jersey; came to
Wisconsin in the fall of 1845, and located at Delavan, Walworth Co. ; came to Sauk Co. Dec. 8, 1848,
and located in the village of Baraboo; located where he now resides in the fall of 1863. Married Fannie
Alleydon, in Waruervilie, Juneau Co., Wis., Oct. 27, 1861 : they bad two children— Florence C. and Jessie
E. Mr. Shourds built a saw-mill in 1858, and continued to run it till Sept. 1, 1864. Enlisted in 1st Wis.
Heavy Artillery, stationed at Fort Willard, with headquarters at Fori Lyon, Sept. I, 1864, and served till
the end of the war : was discharged July 14, 1865. Mr. Shourds went to Colorado March 12, 1866, and
engaged in the stamp-mill and mining business; after remaining in Colorado about four years, he returned
io Sauk Co., Wis., and is now engaged in limning; own- L40 acres of land. Mr. Shourds be-
o the M. E. Church ; was a member of " Grange," Good Templars and Sons of Temperance.
WILLIAM SLADE, Quartermaster in the Government service; was born in Vermont March
16, 1822; came to Baraboo in 1877. He was married. Aug. 21, 1S64, to Mrs. Hamilton; she was born
in Virginia ; she has one son by her first marriage, viz . Samuel J. Hamilton. Mrs. Slade is engaged in
millinery and dress-making business; she carries a good stock and keeps up with the times; she is a mem-
ber of the Presbyterian Church.
H. F. SMITH I deceased ) ; was born in Chenango Co., N. Y.. Aug. 21, 1815 ; came to Wisconsin
in 1836, and located in Milwaukee ; came to Sauk Co. in L849, and to Baraboo Township in 1864; he
was engaged in fanning all his life ; he died March 16, 1868. He was married, Dec. Is. 1 s.'iil. to Miss
Mary ( (linger ; she was born in ( >hio ; they have four children — Lovina, Albert M.. Nelson II. and Albion
E. : the last-named son graduated at the State University, and then spent three years in Europe. Mrs.
Smith owns and lives on the borne farm of 160 acres in Sec. 30, Baraboo Township; she is a member of
the Methodist Episcopal Church.
H. D. SWELL, track-layer for the C. & N. W. R. IF Company; was born in Windham Co
Conn., Jan. :;, 1833; he came to Sauk Co. in 1854. He enlisted in the fall of 1863, in Co. P, 23d W.
V. I.; was in the service about one year, then came hoi n a furlough sick, and was discharge! ; be ha-
b i n in the employ of the railroad company about seven years. He was married July 3, 1856, to Miss
P E. Newell . she was born in Essex Co., N. Y. ; came to Sauk Co. with her parents in 1852 ; tb
,,ne son, .1 P. Shell. Iii politics. Mr Snell is a Eti publican
HENRY SOUTHARD, farmer, Sec. 11; own- 40 acres of land; was born in Lycoming
Co., Penn., Fee l" 1831; came to Baraboo October, 1850. He enlisted in Co. F, 3d W. V. C.,, ] 1,
1863, and served till October, 1865. He was married, July, 1852, to Miss Catherine Vanvalkenburg ; she
was born in the State of New York; they have six children, viz., Ruth, John V., Emmer J., Mary J.,
Robert B. and Henry V. In politics, Mr. Southard is a Democrat.
II. X. SOI'THER, carpenter; was born in Grafton Co., X. II.. Oct. 12, 183$; he with his
parents moved to Vermont in 1836, and, in 1854, came to Portage, Wis. ; in L855, he moved to Baraboo.
He was married.. Ian. 20, 1862, to Miss Mary A. Horn; she was born in Germany; they have thr ihil
dn n- Sarah E., John E. and Nellie M. ; both Mr. and Mrs. Souther are members of the Methodist Epis-
copal Church, [n politics, he is a Republican.
JAMES C. SPENCER, owner of the Manchester grist-mill ; P.O. Baraboo; son of Eli A.
and Anna M. Chilcotc Spencer; came to Wisconsin in April, 1858; located in Madison, Dane Co. ;
came to Sauk Co. Nov. 9, 1874; located in Manchester, where he now resides; owns 5 acres of land
BARABOO. 705
connected with grist-mill; born Aug. 18, 1845. at Somerset, Perry Co., Ohio. Married Sept. 3, 1867, at
Cazenovia, Richland Co., Wis., to Sarah Jarvis, daughter of George and Sarah Brockelhurst Jarvis; has
two children Willie and Mary. Mr. Spencer was in the army, a menlber of Co. F, 37th W. V. I.;
mustered in March ID. ISti-l . participated in the battles ill' Ins company and was mustered out duly 15,
isti.'i. be engaged in the battle of Cold Harbor, and was also with Grant in his march through' the Wil-
derness; was mustered in tts 1st Lieutenant id' Co. F, and mustered out as Captain of Co. G, 37th Etegi-
ts wounded June 18, al Harrison's Creek. \'a., by the explosion of a shell. Was in the drug
\ business during the years of 1867, 1868 and 1 Siiii, at Sheboygan Kails, Sheboygan Co., Wis. ;
;ed in the manufacture of wagon v\ Is al Cazenovia, Richland Co., from 1870 to 1st:;, when he
was burned out ; be rebuilt and sold out in 1874, and built the grist-mill in Manchester, which he still
manages; he generally employs two men about the mill. Mr. Spencer belongs to the Masons and Grand
Army of the Republic.
HORRIS E. SPRING, farmer. Sec. 12; P. o. Baraboo; sun of Sidney and Caroline Pratt
nil.' to Wi>e his n in the fall of 1869, and located in Baraboo, Sauk Co., where he now resides ;
owns 90 acres of laud near the village of Baraboo; farm well improved. Horn lire. 7, 1843, in Eat
Madison Co., N. Y. Married .Mary E. Brown, daughter of Emerson and Margaret Douglas Brown, Oct.
29, L867, in Smithfield, Madison Co., V Y. ; have had three children — Effie A., who died in Baraboo,
April 7, lS7'd; Bessie M. and Nellie It. Mr. Spring has held the office of District Clerk; is a member
of do Hooker Post. No. 9, G. A. R Mr. Spring was in the army, a member of Co. K, 176th N. Y. V.
I.; enlisted Nov, I. 1S62: participated in the battles of his company, and was mustered out Nov. 8,
1st;:; . Mrs. Spring is a member of the Methodist Church.
STALLJIAS& WHEELER, dealers in hardware and household furnishing goods, near
the corner of Oak and Third streets; established in 1876 ; they carry a full line.
WILLIAM STANLEY, of the firm of Huntington & Stanley, dry-goods merchants; son of
Whiting Hay and Maria i Castle i Stanley, of Caiiandaigua, N. Y. ; came to Wisconsin in 1847, when a
boy of 111 years, and settled upon a farm in Dane Co., where he stayed until he attained his majority: in
1853, he cam.' to Baraboo and went into mercantile business with his brother, Lemuel Stanley, where he
continued until 18.JS; he then retur 1 to the farm in Vienna, dan. 15, 1859, he was married to Miss
Louisa A. Huntington, the only surviving daughter of Herbert N. and Amanda M. Huntington, who was
born in Scriba. OsWegn Co., X. V., Sept, L6, L839,but removed to Baraboo with her parents at the age of
I '1 years, and was educated at the Ladies' Seminary there. Mr. Stanley spent two years after his depar-
ture from Baraboo before he returned and entered again into the dry-goods trad!' with his father-in-law,
mulcr the firm name of Huntington & Stanley, in which business be has remained until the present time.
< hitside of his large mercantile and other personal duties. Mr Stanley has been called upon to serve the town in
most of its responsible offices, and he has ever ben regarded ,,.- efficient in guarding all interests intrusted
to hi- caro; he has been for some time upon the School Board, and very helpful in its management.
Though not a member of the church, Mr. Stanley is a believer in Christ, and is zealous of good works; is
an active Republican, and at the lead of the Temple of Honor. Mr. and Mrs, Stanley have had seven
children — Maria M.,born Jan. 26, 1861, died Oct. 1 t. 1863; Ida Louisa, born April lilt, 1 St;,:, died Oct.
in. 1864; Herberl H., born June 6, 1866; Whiting Day, born Aug. II, 1868; William Nelson, bom
June 21, 1872, died Dec. 22, 1872; Mary Grace, bom July 22, 1874 ; I iel C, bom Sept. 6, 1879,
died Nov. 2, 1879.
JOHN G. STEIN, farmer, Sec. 19; P.O. Baraboo; was born in Holstein, Germany, Aug 8,
]>:!, ; is a son of J. 1'. and Anna S. Stein ; Mr. S. emigrated with his parents to America in July, 1848;
resided in Michigan seven years, and came to Milwaukee, Wis., duly 1, L856, remaining there five years.
when he remove. 1 to Sauk Co. ; lived in the town of Dellotia eight years ; he then kepi store two years in
the town of Excelsior, and was in trad.- three years in the village of Baral , when he removed to the farm
where he now resides, and owns 160 acres Mr, S. was married at Dellotia to Miss Dora S . daughter of
Henry and Mary Goerbing, of Ozaukee Co., Wis.; they have seven children— Mary A., Lilly A., Louisa
I!., Frank M., Ida S.. Anna D. and George M.
S. F. STEELE, patentee of Steele's drag saw ; was born in Delaware Co., N. Y.. duly 1, 1824,
and came to Wisconsin in 18 15 ; located in Iowa Co. in 1846 and came to Baraboo in 1868. He enlisted,
February, 1865, in Co. G, 3d I. V. C, and served about nine months. He was married in January, 1850,
to Miss Ruth Farwell; she was bom in Ohio; they have five children — [ola. May, Emory, Ruth and
Millbum. Both he and his wife are members id the Congregational Church, In politics, he is a 1 0
crat.
706 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
R. H. STRONCw, bom in Rochester, Monroe Co., N. Y., Aug. 28, 1820; when 16 years
of age he went to Charleston, S. C. where he remained three years in the wholesale dry-goods house of
Miller, Ripley & Co., when he came to Wisconsin ; was Clerk in Territorial Legislature in the winter of
1839 and 1840 ; in the spring of 1840, he went to Michigan and engaged in the fur trade, and remained
there until 1844 ; in the spring of this year, went to Milwaukee and engaged in the forwarding and com-
mission business, having an elevator in connection therewith ; continued in this business for about four
years prior to his removal to Baraboo ; at the time the railroad was completed, he received the first freight
(by special can that came over the road, to this place; has been connected with the First National Bank
most of the time since its organization ; also carrying on an extensive flouring-mill, dealing in grain, etc.
Was married in Marshall, Mien., in 1845. to Emiline R. Ganson ; she was born in Leroy, Genesee Co.,
X. Y., and died in Milwaukee; had three children by this union — Bertha L., now Mrs. Dr. 0. W. Carl-
son, of Milwaukee: Emeline M.. the wife of Fred. Noonan, died in Kansas City in May, 1879 ; and
Frank IL, now associated with his father in carrying on his business. Mr. Strong's second wife was Mrs.
Edmund Sanderson ; she was born in Springfield, Mass. ; they have three sons and one daughter —
Warner B., Beebe H., Robert D. and Evelyn L.
R. HI. STRONG, born in Bridgeport, Vt,, July 27, 1830; educated at Troy Conference
Academy, Poultney, Vt. ; removed to Wisconsin June 1, 1850; settled at Hee.lsl.ur-, Sauk Co.,
October, 1850. Married Sarah E. Rudd February,1856, who was born in Willoughby, Ohio. Oct.
14, 1832; E. O. Strong, son of above, was born April 5, 1857, died July, 1865. R. M. Strong
was elected Sheriff of Sauk Co. in November, 1860, and resigned January 1, 1861. Recruited
Co. A, 19th W. V. I., and was commissioned Captaiu of same Dec. 19, 1861 ; promoted Major
September 30, 1863; promoted Lieutenant Colonel December 29, 1863; took part in all the marches,
skirmishes and battles in which his regim. nt was engaged until October 27, 1864, when, in charging the
rebel earthworks at Fair Oaks, Va., was wounded and afterward taken to Libby Prison, where his left leg
was amputated ; was parolled Feb. 19, 1S65, sent to Annapolis, Md., and exchanged March 25, 1865 ;
resigned and returned to Wisconsin in May, 1865. Was elected a member of the State Assembly Novem-
ber, 1865, and County Treasurer November, 1866 ; re-elected in 1868, 1870 and 1872, holding the office
eight years ; was Clerk of the Assembly Session of 1873 and 1874 ; was one of the original directors of
the Baraboo Valley Air-Line Railway, and labored earnestly until the C. & N. W. R. R. obtained control
and completed the road ; is now a successful stock and grain farmer in Yellow Medicine Co., Minn. Col.
and Mis. Strong still continue to reside in Sauk Co., where they have near relatives and a large circle of
warm friends.
C. J. STURDEVArVT, foreman and car repairer; born in Erie Co., Penn., Nov. 30, 1841 ;
came to Baraboo in 1876 ; has been in the employ of the C. & N. W. R. R. Co. nearly seven years. He
enlisted Aug. 28, 1861, in Co. E, 27th N. Y. V. I., and served about two years, the term of his enlist-
ment. He received a very serious scalp and skull wound at the battle of Gettysburg, an unhealed wound
that he will carry through life. He was married Dec. 21, 1868, to Miss Tomah MeCarty ; she was born
in Canada; they' have three children — Nettie May, Sylvester and Bennie Burton. In politics, Mr. S.
is a Republican.
V. A. SIJINER was bom in Akron. Ohio, then known as Middlebury, March 16, 1831, where
he resided until (•inning to Baral in April, 1855 ; engaged in mercantile business; continued in general
trade unlil 1874. In 1866, be purchased the Warren farm, nursery, etc., and made the improvements in
1867 ; sold the place t" Mr. Warren in 1878; completed his present hotel budding, ready for occupancy,
in September, 1878. From July. 1876, to February. 1877, he carried on the crockery business in Chicago!
when he removed bis stock to Baraboo. Mr. Sumner has boon enured in mercantile business since he
was 17 years of age He was married in Galena. 111., Oct. 16, 1860, to Millie Van Hyde; she was born
in Hadimarsen, Holstein, Nov. 30, 1841, and came to New Jersey in 1848; they have four children
living— Carl, born March 21, 1863; Julius I., May 12, L865 ; Anna Louise, Nov. 18, 1870, and Nellie
.Minerva. Jan. 15, 1875.
C. A. SWIXEFORI), Division Superintendent of the C. & N. W. R. R, ; born in Ashland,
Ashland Co., Ohio, July 12, 1840; came to Wisconsin in August, 1863, and located at Fond du Lac,
where he remained about a year. He was conductor for nine years on the Wisconsin Division of the
C & N. W. I!, i; ; then went to Chicago, where he remained until coming to Baraboo. Jan. 1. 1874.
Since February, 1874, he has held the position of Division Superintendent. He has been connected with
the C & V \V Et. 1! sin.. 1863. Before coming to Wisconsin, Mr. S. had been connected with railroad
work tor about a year and a half.
BARABOO. 707
WILLIAM THATCHER was born Jan. 16, 1855, in Baraboo, Sauk Co., Wis., where he
has always lived ; commenced to learn the blacksmith trade at the age of II; after he had finished lii.s
apprenticeship, he started a shop for himself. In 1878, lie commenced work for the C. & N. W. 1!. li.
Co., at this place, where he is still employed. He was married, March 7, 1878, to Miss Ida M. Lezeart ;
-he was bom in Sauk Co.. Wis.. December, 1855; 1 1 n_\ have one child -Claud.
TERRELL THOMAS, sen of Benjamin and Joanna (Terrell) Thomas, his lather was a
native of Baltimore; his mother was horn near Richmond, Va. ; the subject of this sketch was horn al
Si Clairsville, Ohio, Jan. 10, 1826; when 21 years of age, went to Baltimore, Md., and entered a- whole-
sale ami retail dry g Is Store, where he remained three years, then was engaged with his father in Ohio
in dealing in produce ami pork packing husincss; in May, Is.", I. came to Wisconsin, locating at Madison
and engaging in banking ; was Cashier of State Bank until January, IsfiT; came to Baraboo in July of
that year; ensured in banking here: organized the Sauk County Bank in connection with Mr. Mills, of
Madison; Mr. Mills retired two years later, then Mr. Thomas conducted the business alone until January,
1ST:;. Married at Cincinnati. May 26, 1857, to Sarah A. Williams; she was horn in Cincinnati May 12,
1831 ; have one daughter — Hannah W. (now Mrs. Rev. Robert Ritchie , of Quincy, 111.
CARLOS C. THOMPSON, horn March 27. 1849, in Baraboo, Wis., and has lived here all
his life ; lie went to railroading in 1868, on the Milwaukee & St. Paul Hallway, as brakeman ; in 1872, he
commenced with the Chicago & North- Western Railroad as fireman till May, 1878, when he took an engine,
where he is still engaged. In politics, he is a Republican.
D. W. THOMPSON, superintendent of the bridge department of the Chicago & North- '
Western Railroad, on the Madison Division; he was horn in Monroe Co., N. V.. Nov. 5, lsi_'7; he moved
to Chicago in October, 1859; had charge of the wood-work shop for twelve years; moved to Baraboo in
y, 1875. lie was married Dec. 20, 1853, to Miss Sarah I'. Page; she was Horn in Canada East ;
four children— Alphonso H., Efne T., Wesley 0. and Frances M. Mrs. Thompson is a member
of the Congregational Church. Mr. T. in politics is a Republican.
THOMAS THOMPSON, carpenter and builder ; office ami shop on < >ak street ; he was born
in England April 16, 1840; came to America in IS.")."! with his parents; they located in Philadelphia for
two years, and. in 1 357, came to Sauk County , located near Devil's Lake in 1862 ; moved into Baraboo,
where he has followed his present business; he has also built a fine little steamboat, the Minniwakan,
which he has placed on the lake, and it is a little gem, and is used by the visitors at the lake. He was
married Dec. 24, 1866, to Miss Polley E. Warier; she was born in Connecticut ; they have three children
— Frank T.. Noble and Louis.
CHARLES THIRER, of the firm of Moeller & Thurer, on Main street, manul
of wagons and carnages ; repairing a specialty ; he was born in Switzerland. May 15, 1846, and came to
America in May, 1866. He married, Nov. 1."). 1869, to Miss Annie Tarnutzer ; she was born in Switzer-
land ; they have four children living — George, Christian. Maggie and Edward L. Mr. and Mrs. Thuerer
are both members ofthe German Evangelical Church, and in politics, he is a Republican.
FRED TOKLER.-l keeper on third street ; he was hum in Switzerland Oct. 17, 1830, and
came to Sauk City in 1852, and to Haral in 1856. He was married, Jan. 12, 1S53, to Miss Ursula
Smith ; she was born in Switzerland. In politics, Mr. Tobler is a Democrat.
JAMES <w. TRAIN, retired ; he was l»,rn in Merrimack Co., N. II.. March 2, 1830 ; he stud-
ied law with M. W. Tappan, and was admitted to the bar in October, 1853 ; he first came to Baraboo in
1849, and in tin- fall of 1853, moved here with his family, anil has lived in the county ever since ; be fol-
lowed farming up to 1863; he was elected to the Legislature in 1856, and served one term, and in 1863
was elected County Recorder, ami held the office two terms, and served on the Village Board for several
terms. He was married < let. 20, 1853, to Miss Emily K. Sheppard ; she was horn in Merrimack, N. II. ;
tiny have three children living — Arthur P., Aliceand Frank Marshal. Mr. Train and family are Liberal
in religion, and in politics, he is Independent.
JOHN M. TRl'E. the subject of this sketch, was horn in Moultonboro, Carroll Co., N. II..
Oct. 9, 1838, and earn, from New Hampshire to Merrimack, Wis., in the spring of 1866, and engaged in
farming and mercantile business; in the fall of 1866, he removed to Sec 32, town of Grei nfiel I and en-
gaged in farming and teaching, until he was elected Register of Deeds, in 1874 ; then sold his farm and
came to Baral : he is now fitting up a farm on See. 31, town of Greenfield, and Sec 36, town of Bara-
boo, having purchased the farm in 1877; he was re-elected Register of Deeds in 1876andl878; while liv-
ing in Greenfield, he was Town Clerk for four years ; he was also member of the County Board for two
708 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
years and held other minor offices, such as Justice of the Peace, etc. Be was married at Moultonboro,
\ || , \|,ril 20, 1864, to Mary Annie Beede; she was born in Dover, X. II., Aug. I'li. 1845; thej have
three children Rodney Howard, Gordon Haines and Ernest Beede; Mr. T. is a member of the I. 0.
(). I'., Sol. ordinate ami Grand Lodges and Encampments ; lie has been President of the Agricultural Soci-
ety for lour years, and Secretary of the Sunk Co. Breeders' Association since its organization.
.1. J. VALLIKETT, meat market on the corner of Oak and Main streets : he was born in
Montreal, Canada, March 15. 1845, and came to the States with his parents in 1846; they located in
Clinton Co., N. Y.. and ho came to Baraboo in April, 1855. He was married Dee 9, 1866, to Miss M. L.
Koons ; she was horn in Ohio ; the children are Walter C. Ellis, Morean < deceased i and one unnamed ; Mr.
and Mrs. Vallikett are both members of the Congregational Church, and in politics, he is a Republican.
I>R. W. H. VITTUM, physician and surgeon ; he was born in Sauk Co., Wis. : his office is
I icated in the Bank Block ; In- graduated March HI. 1875, at the Universitj of Louisiana, at New Orleans.
WILLIAM F. WACKLER. proprietor of foundry and machine shop on South Si
was horn in Wurtemhi rir. Germany, March Hi. 1842; came to America in October L866, and located in
Milwaukee, and, in May, 1ST-, came to Baraboo and started his present business. He was married, May
3, 1870, to .Miss Bartra Pierson ; she was bom in Milwaukee; they have three children — Katie II., Har-
ald and Arno. In politics. Mi-. Wackier is a Republican.
COL. MARVIN C. WAITE was born in East Mendon, Monroe Co.. N. Y., Dee. 1
where he resided until 17 years of age; he then went to East Bloomfield and learned the trade of making
woolen cloth; remained there until the fall of 1828, when he went to Batavia, Genesee Co., X. V. from
lsjit io is.;:;, be was traveling on the road with a wagon, selling patent medicines; in L835, he went to
Darien, N. Y., where he lived a little over a year ; in 1 336, be went to Tecumseh, Mich., and engaged in
the hotel business for over a year ; in 1838, he went to Pike's Peak; in the spring of 1839, he came back to
New Vork State ami located at Palmyra, Wayne Co. ; remained there until October of the same year, in the
brick trade; went Io Mud Creek, Steuben Co.. N. Y., then, and went into the hotel business aiel
trade, which he continued until the fall of 1 S 41 ; he then bought a woolen and saw mill near Bath, in the
mnty, ran it < ne year and a half, then went to Painted Post and kept hotel there until the fall of
1847; then came to Racine, Wis. ; was thereuntil the spring of 1848; then removed to Whitewater,
where he engaged in the practice of law until November. IS I!), when he came to Baraboo and engaged in
law. real estate and nursery business, giving considerable attention to horticulture since he came here; in
1st:;, he removed to Bloomington, 111., and engaged in abstract, loan and insurance business, but returned
to Baral in October, L879; the Colonel was Court Commissioner twelve years ; he was appointed by
Gov. Dewey lirst Appraiser of the University lands of this district : Notary Public twenty year.- ; appointed
by Gov. Dewey Colonel of the JTth Light Infantry. lie was married, first in Medina. Orleans Co.,
N. V., in 1834, to Elvira C. Sholes; she died in 1837, leaving one child— Helen E., now Mrs. Edson
Wheeler, of Valley Springs. Minnehaha Co., D. T. ; the Colonel married bis second wife tit Hornellsvillej
\. Y. in December, 1839; her maiden name was Emily A Robinson; she was born near Hornellsville,
X. V.; one child living by this marriage— Clara Y.. now Mis. II. G. Ellis, of Cincinnati. Ohio; second
wile died in L867 ; in' 1808. he married Susie A. Tyler; she died in 1875; married again Oct. IT. 1879,
at Madison, to Mrs. Lydia C. Garliek ; sic was born tit Augusta, Me. ; tic Colonel became a member of
the I. ( >. i). 1-'. in 1839 ; was made ;i Mason in is:; I. in Genesee Co.. X. V. ; joined the Baraboo Lodge
in 1853; was educated at East Bloomfield Academy and al Hamilton College.
\\. V. WA RNER, store on Bridge street, he also carries on a fruit and vegetable farm; he
was born in Rome, Xew York Stale, May 5, 1815; moved with bis parents to Erie Co., Penn., in 1817;
,.a„,(. t„ Baral in 1851, and in 1852 brought his family ; in 1862, started for C, lorado with ox and cow
iking bis family with him; returned in 1864 ; when they arrived at Reynold's ranch, about 100
miles east of Denver, the] were attacked by Indians and two of their number were killed ; they lived in
Colorado about two and a half years; he and his family then returned to Baraboo, where they have lived
and still have their home, be had charge of the post office part of a year under Buchanan's administra-
tion; be is now Treasurer of Sauk Countj Grange and of Horticultural Society. Married, Sept. 17,
1836, io Rothilda Atkins; she died in 1847; he was married to Miss Susan P. Patridge December,
HTs, she was born in England . i bey have live children living Wilber W., Anna E., Ellen, Edwin R.
and Frank A.
E. A. WATKIXS, born ill Springfield. Vt.. .Iul\ L'.">. IS:!] ; went to Manchester to barn the
machinist trade in L848 ; look an engine on the N Y. & E. 11 R. in 1852, and 1862 he commenced on
the I c |; R and run for about eight years; was foreman of round house four years; in 1874, moved
BARABOO. 709
to Baraboo, Wis., and took an engine on the C. & N. W. K. I!.. the first year run extras and worked in
the shop, since thai has worked steadily in the shop. Married, July 5, 1865, to .Mis- Annette II. Davis,
of Chester, Vt.; have two children— Frank E. and Ruth A.
WILLIAM WIIEELItHaiT. engineer on the C. & V W. II. K.. was born in Wash-
ington Co., Vt., Oct. 25, 1844; he now lives ai Harvard, McHenry Co., 111. He enlisted Aug. 31, L861-
in Co. K. 1st W. V. [.; served three years and three mouths; he came to Wisconsin in L855 ; com
nicnivil railroading in ISi'.S, as Inakeman for three years, then three years at firing, then took an engine
in L87] and followed the railroad into Baraboo, where lie is still employed, lie was married, Maj 6, 1865,
to Miss Leonora M Olcott ; she was born in Ohio; they have one child— Nellie M' His politics are
Republican.
H. H. WEBSTER blacksmith, on Third street ; was horn July 14. 1822, in Vermont ; came
to Baraboo in 1842 ; at that time the country was sparsely settled, not more than a dozen families in the
town. He was married, September, is.")."), to Miss Ann E.Calhoun; she was horn in Nevt 5Tork Stati
they have three children— Inez E., Fred E. and Bell P. Mr. and .Mrs. Webster both are active members
of the M. E. Church, and ho is also an old and prominent Odd Fellow, and has passed through all of
the chairs, and has been a delegate to the Grand Lodge ; he is also a member of the Encampment
DAVID E. WELCH was horn in Milton, Wayne Co., Ohio, Dee. 1. 1835; received a com-
mon-school education : in 1856, went to Bowen's Prairie, Jones Co., Iowa, where he remained until 1858i
when he returned to Westtield, Medina Co., Ohio, to engage in mereantile business ; he was appointed
Postmaster by President Lincoln, in 1861, which office he resigned to enter the military service in August
of the same year. Enlisted as a private in the I'd Ohio V. C, but, upon the organization of his company,
ted 1st Lieutenant ; subsequently, he was promoted through all the grades to Lieutenant Colonel ;
was with his regiment during its service on the frontier of Kansas, Arkansas and the Indian Territory;
then with the Army of the Tennessee under Gen. Burnside, and, after re-enlistment, with the Army of
the Potomac under Gen. Sheridan : alter the muster-out of his regiment, he was retained, by special order
of the War Department, in the Cavalry Bureau until February, 1866 ; upon leaving the service, spent one
year in Venango Co., Penn. He cam • to Wisconsin in 1867, and settled as a farmer in the town of Del
ton, Sauk Co., where he served as Chairman of the Board of Supervisors four years ; removed to Baraboo,
in 1876, to en- age in the sale of agricultural machinery. He was a member of the Legislature in 1874 and
is;.") : was elected to the Senate for L876-77, and re-elected for 1878-7!', receiving :;,(is:i votes against
Joseph Mackey Democrat,, and 784 for J. B. Potter (Greenbacker). Col Welch is still
engaged in the sale of agricultural implements in Baral
HEXKV F. WILLARD, farmer, Sec. L3; P.O. Baral ; horn in the town of Chitte-
nango, Madis. n Co., N. V.. Aug. 15, 1826 : son of Rufus and Eliza (Warren) Willard'; came to Wiscon-
sin in the fall of 1852, and located in the village of Baraboo; located, where be now resides, in August,
1867 : own- 58 acres of land two miles from the village of Baraboo. He has held the office of District
Treasurer for eight years. He was married, Dec. 20, 1848, in Racine Co., Wis., to Abigail, daughter of
Joshua and Eliza i Parmerly) Marsh ; they have two children — Emma and Ellen ; Emma is married to
Nathan Sherman, and living at Mi. Tabor, Vernon Co., Wis., and has three childreu. For eight years,
Mr. Willard was et:gi-ed in luinheriii": in Wisconsin ; in IS60, he went to Colorado and engaged in gold-
mining, returning to Wisconsin in the fall of 1862. Mr. Willard's mother died i„ 1856; his father died
in 1 875, aged 75 years.
CHARLES II. WILLIAMS, son of Micajah and Hannah .Jones, Williams, was horn in
Cincinnati, Ohio, Dec. 21, 1818; was educated in his native city, under the famous astronomer. Prof. 0
VI. Mitchell, afterward Gen. Mitchell, a graduate of West Point : Mr. Williams wont into service as civil
in Indiana, in 1836 . pursued this occupation about three years, when he accepted a position in the
Ohio Life Insurance & Trust Co.'s Dank, at Cincinnati, of which his father was Presidenl ; in the spring
of 1843, he went to Toledo, Ohio, and opened a commission house under the linn name of VVinslow &
Williams, continuing in this business for three years. He was married Jan. 12, 1846, in St. I
Belmont Co., Ohio, t . Sarah, daughter of Benjamin and Joanna I'eriell) Thomas; they had live children
— Micajah T., Benjamin (who died Jan. 29, L85] ,, Charles II.: Samuel M. and Alice (died May 3. 1859 .
After the death of his father, in June, 1 844, he became the administrator of the estate ; Mr. W. first
cam,- to Wisconsin in 1842. returning again in 1846, and locating in the city of Milwaukee,
remained until the spring of 1853, when he settled on a farm in the town of Freedom (rrow I
where he now reside; in the fall of 1870. While in Milwaukee, he was appointed Receivei
of the United States Laud Office by President Taylor, and served in this capacity four years:
710 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
was also a member of the Common Council of the city of Milwaukee, and served one term £
was Treasurer of the Milwaukee & Prairie du Chien Railroad during 1858 and 1859; has been Chairman o
the Board of Supervisors ; also School Treasurer in the town of Excelsior for a number of years ; he is a life"
member of the State and County Agricultural Societies, and for ten years a member of the Executive Com"
mil tic of the former; served as President of the county society several terms. Has been engaged as a
farmer and breeder of improved stock in ibis county, in connection with other business, from 1853 to this
time — devoted his time and farm largely to breeding short horn cattle, one of the most profitable branches
of farming —and laboring all these years to induce the farmers of the county and the State to engage in
tlii- vi tv important branch of agriculture. Concerning the military record of the subject of this sketch,
Gen. Guppey, of Portage, writes : " Maj. Williams raised Co. F, 23d W. V. I.; was the first Captain of
that company, was promoted to Major of the regiment before it was mustered into the service of the United
States, and was on active duty in that position till Feb. 25, 1863, when he resigned on account of ill health,
lie was, in all respects, an excellent officer, brave in the field, and hard-working in the camp and on the
march, to secure the comfort and efficiency of the command. His ability was rated so high that at our first
attack on Vicksburg, in December. 1862, he was placed in charge of the construction of a portion of the
earthworks thrown up in the night time to cover t he approaches of our troops, and performed that duty
with great skill ; and when the attack of Dec. 27 and 28 was made, Maj. Williams commanded the
regiment — Col. Guppey being in command of an attacking column of which the 23d formed a part, and
Lieut. Col. Jussen being absent. At the capture of Post Arkansas, otherwise called Fort Hindman, Maj.
Wilbams bore a distinguished part in the charge of the 23d, which drove the enemy from a cluster of cab-
ins in front of his works, and forced him to flee to his intrenchments. This was the last battle in which
Maj. Williams took part ; and soon after it was fought, the regiment, with other forces, returned to the
vicinity of Vicksburg, where Maj. Williams' health soon became so impaired by the effects of hard service
and a malarious climate, that he was compelled to resign, as before stated."
CHARLES W. WILSON, farmer, Sec. 23; I'. 0. Baraboo ; son of John and Emma J.
Surner Wilson ; came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1869 : located in the village of Baraboo ; located where
now resides, April 1, 1880; owns 7 acres of land; born Oct. 1 I. 1S|I. in Salisbury, Conn. Married in
the spring of IS7H. to Maria L Hazeltine, daughter of Phin. C. and Lydia A. Hart Hazeltine ; has three
children— Nettie, Emma, Ettie. Mr. Wilson served in Co. C, 37th Mass. V. I., being mustered
in in 1862; being a minor, only 17 years of age, his step-father, John Maston took him home, and
refused to allow him to serve his country; but young Wilson, determined to fight the " Rebs " enlisted
again in the 27th Regiment, under the assumed name of ''Charles C. Maston" and served until the
close of the war. being mustered out July 2, 1865, as First Lieutenant; he participated in twenty-
seven battles ; among the rest were those of Spottsylvania, three battles of Fredericksburg, Gettysburg,
Deep Bottom, dill Harbor, Petersburg. Sailor Creek and Shiloh ; in the battle of the Wilderness,
be was wounded seven times, he was detailed on scout duty by Major Young. Chief of the scouts on
Sheridan's stall', and remained with them the last eighteen mouths of service ; being in the Rebel lines,
the scouts surrendered with Gen. Eee. Mr. Wilson by trade is a mason and wagon-maker.
JOHN 1*. WIT WEN. was born in Switzerland, Feb 9, 1840; came to America in June.
1851 : is the son of John P. Witwen and Elizabeth Luetscher. both natives of Switzerland; lived. in
Wateitowii, Wis., one year, then came to Sauk Cit\ ami lvmai I dure until 1856 ; then moved on a farm
in the town of Tro\ ; be lived tie re mini Vug. 15, L862, when lie enlisted in Co. K. 26th W. V. I.;
served until June 13, lst',5, when be was mustered out . was in all the battles his regiment participated in
except Chanoellursville ami Gettysburg; returned to Troy, and lived there until Jan. 1. 1S77; In- was
lected Countj Clerk in 1876 and holds that office at the present time; has conducted the Troy flour
ing Mills since 1867 ; was Town Clerk in Troy liming the years of 1870 and L871 ; also Town Treasurer
for two years in 1873 and 1874. Was married in the town of Granville, Milwaukee Co., April 11,
1867, to Susan B, Leister; she was born in the town of Granville, Milwaukee Co., Wis-, Sept. 17. 1846;
they have three children Lovina, Mary C . and Emma S. ; lost one son. George, who was, born Feb. 19,
1871, and died Oct. 5, 1874.
T. J. WOOD. P. 0, North Freedom ; son of Joseph and Sarah I Wilton W I ; was born in
Chittenden Co., Vt., June 12, ISll'i; was engaged in the mercantile business at Burlington. V I Was
married Nov. 16, 1847, al Meredith Village, V II., to Miss C I. D Vittum, daughter of David and I).
B Vittum; they have two children -Louie N. and Caddii , resided in Vermont till 1852, then came to
Wisconsin, locating at Baraboo : Mr. Wood was Postmaster of Baraboo during Buchanan's administration.
Hi- - ii Dr. Louie N Wood, was married to Lucy Blish December, 1879; is practicing his profession at
REEDSBURG. 711
Wonewoc, Juneau Co., Wis. Mr. Wood's proper home is Baraboo ; is temporarily stopping on a farm in
Excelsior. Sec. 23.
EDWIN E. WOODMAN was born at St. Louis, Mo., June 1, 1838 ; received an academic
and collegiate education; removed to Wisconsin in 1856, settling in Janesville ; lived at Monroe, Wis.,
from 1858 to 1874; in the latter year, removed to Baraboo, and entered on tl litorship of the Baraboo
Republic, a work in which lie is still engaged. On the breaking-out of the civil war, in 1861, he assisted
to raise Co. B of the 13th Wis. V. 1., ami was commissioned Captain; served ihree years, mostly on
detached service ; was Post Inspector of Nashville on the staff of Brig. Gen. Robert S. Granger, and Topo-
graphical Engineer on the staff of Maj. Gen. Rousseau ; is by profession a civil engineer, and as such 1ms
had charge of some of the most important railway constructions in the Northwest ; was resident engineer
at Tunnel No. 3 on the North-Western Railway, in charge of construction. lie was elected State
Senator in 1879; received the honorary degree of Civil Engineer from the University of Wisconsin in
1880.
W. W. WOOLC'OTT, contractor and builder and general commission dealer; he manu-
factures and repairs all articles in the wood line ; shop on the corner of Oak and Fifth streets; be was
born in Wyoming Co., N. \\. Oct. 8, 1827, and came to Baraboo May 7, 1854. Enlisted Feb. t, 1865,
in Co. D, 46th W. V. I., and served till the close of the war ; in 1860, he was elected to the office of Con-
stable and served one year. He was married. May 11, 1860, to Miss Katie B. Murphy; they have three
children living — Ellen L., John L. and Al. In politics, Mr. Woolcott is a Republican.
GEORGE W\ YOUNG, engineer on the C. & N. W. R. R. ; was born in Vermont. June 22
1840, and came to Baraboo in 1873. In 1861, he enlisted in Co. II, 13th I. V. [., and served three years; he
was at (besiege of Vicksburg, Arkansas Post, and numbers of other battles. He was married, in October,
1876, to Miss Nellie Hatch ; she was born in Baraboo, Wis. ; they have one child — Mable P. In politics,
he is a Republican.
JOHN YOUNG, Sheriff of Sauk Co.; was bornin the town of Troy, Richland Co., Ohio, July 22,
1826 : moved from there to Wisconsin, came to Sank Co., and settled on Sec. 13, town of Troy, in Novi ru-
ber, 1853, wit, re he resided until elected Sheriff in 1878 ; he still owns the farm where he first located.
Before he was elected Sheriff, he was Chairman of the Town Board for live years. Married in Troy,
( thio, Jan. 8, 1852, to Amanda L. Day. a native of the same place, who was born Jan. 30, 1830 ; they
have had seven children, five still living — Alvin L., Benjamin Day, Charley E., Orra Belle and Sarah
Eleanor; lost two — Elizabeth, died in July, 1867, and Jesse Edith was drowned Nov. 30, 1879.
VILLAGE AND TOWN OF REEDSBURC.
EDWIN ANDRUS, farmer, See. 29 ; P. (.). R isburg; was born in Glastonbury, Hartford
Co., Conn.. Feb. 25, 1 806 ; he is one of a family of four children ; when about 7 years of age, he was sent to
Berkshire Co., Mass., and bound out to a Mr. Sage; lived with him until 15 years of age, but was dissat-
isfied with the treatment he received, ami had no opportunity for any education ; through the kindly
intervention of a friend, Mr. Smith, he was released by agreeing to remain until September of that year;
afterward, he began to learn a trade at Winstead, Conn., but, desiring to have a sailor's experience, be
shortly afterward started for sea; went to several towns, but found no chance for going out as a sailor;
then went to Jersey City, at which point be paid out bis last shilling for crossing the ferry; he went to
the nortl New Jersey, having nothing to eat on the way bul what he could pick up in the
w Is; when he reached Sullivan Co., N. Y. he hired oul on a farm ; be worked thereat lumbering.
At 1!* years of age. Mr. Andrus married his first wife. Mi-s Susan Gillet, by whom he had five children,
all of whom subscq u atlj died of consumption , he stayed in Sullivan Co., N. Y.. until 25 years of age,
when, feeling discouraged there, he determined to secure a farm ; he started for Ohio with only S100, and
bought a farm of 50 acres ; here his first wife died Feb. 1 1 , 1837. Mr. Andrus improved his first place
in Ohio ami afterward boughl 100 acres of wild land on the lake shore, near Cleveland, cleared it and
built a house and barn upon it ; he leased this place, and. coming West, settled, in 1854, upon his present
place of 208 acres in Sec. 29, near Reedsburg; in 1855, be sold his place in Ohio; in politics, be is
Republican; voted for Andrew Jackson when be was first elected. Mr. Andrus has spent much time in
bee culture, and has now over 1 » H ► swarms. lie mat lied, for his second wife. Mrs. Maeena Moore Cahoon,
712 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
who had three children hy her first husband; Willard, her oldest son, was born Aug. 14, 1832: Celia
May 25, 1834 ; and Marian, Nov. 4, 1835; her husband. Mr. Jesse Sweet Cain urn. died in Ohio Feb. 28,
1836, from the effects of hard work. By his present wife, Mr. Andrus has five children — Ransom M.;
Amelia, now Mrs. McClure, born Sept. 8, 1838; William, Oct. 21, 1840; Adelaide, Dec. 6, 1849; and
Rosette, now Mrs. Sorge, Sept. 17, 1852. Mr. Andrus is a member of the Baptist Church.
WILLIAM ANDRUS. farmer, Sec. 35; P. 0. Reedsburg; born in Lorain Co.. Ohio,
Oct. 21. 1840; he came with his parents, in 1854. to Reedsburg. and settled on Sec. 28; in 1863, he
bought his present place of 158 acres in See. 35. Mr. Andrus has been Assessor and member of Orange,
and has acted as Church Trustee; he owns and r,uns the saw and feed mills which were built in 1856
bv Messrs. Edwin Andrus, George Waltenburger and Willard Cahoon ; he also owns the cheese factory
now run by Mr. Bird H. Terrell. March 26, 1864, Mr. Andrus was married to Miss Adarene Terrell,
who was horn in Ridgeville, Ohio, in 1844; Mr. Andrus' family consists of five children, viz., Mary Belle,
born Jan. 27, 1865; Addie Amelia. Aug. 28, 1867; William 'Terrell, April 14, 1868; Frank Claude,
Nov. 30, 1869; and Robert Colyer, May 2, 1877.
WILLIAM II. BARRINGER, farmer, Sees. 28 and 21; P.O. Reedsburg; born in
Williamstown, Oswego Co., N. Y., July 17, 1819 ; his parents afterward removed to Ontario Co., N. Y. ;
from New York, Mr. William Barringer went to Iowa in 1844, where he took up claims, worked some
time upon the land, and then sold out; be also owned two village lots, which he sold. In Iowa, Feb. 19,
1846, he married Miss Lydia Goodwin, who was born in Pike Co., 111., Pec. 22. 1830; in June of L850,
Mr. B. went to Reedsburg. Wis., where, in the fall of 1 852, he bought part of his present farm, making
additions to it afterward, until he now owns 240 acres in Sees. 28 and 21 ; when he first went to Reeds-
burg, there were neither stores nor grist-mill in the place, and Mr. B. was obliged to go to Baraboo for
trading and marketing. Mr. B. has a family of twelve children, nine of whom are living. Mr. William
Barringer is the son of Henry and Abigail Barringer, lie belongs to the Christian Church.
HENRY BLACK, Sees. 14 and 23; P.O. Reedsburg; born in Newbern, Franklin Co., Ind.,
Aug. 23, 1839 ; in 1856, he went to the town of Westfield, Sauk Co., where he lived until 1862. when
he enlisted in Co. F., 23d W. V. I. ; passed through the whole of the Vieksl.urg campaign ; he was in two
battles at Jackson. Miss.; was also at the engagements of Port Gibson, Champion Hills, Grand Gulf,
Black River Bridge and Arkansas Post ; during the last year of army service, Mr. B. was promoted to ( \,r-
poralof his company; he was discharged in 1865. Mr. 15. was married Aug. 25, 1862, to Miss Catherine
Herbel; he has a family of eight children, viz : George II. F, horn in Milwaukee, Wis., Jan. 6, I 365
William K . born in Reedsburg Nov. 5, 1866 ; Philippine, March 13, 1868, at the same place : [nez lv.
in Excelsior, Wis.. April 2. 1870 ; Harvey C, Feb. 22, 1872; Sarah A.. July 17, 1874; Mary E., Jan.
11), 1877; and Jacob, who was born March 5,1870; the last four were all born in Reedsburg Wis
Mr. Black owns 80 acres of land in North Freedom, on Sees. 1 I and 23. The two families— Mr. Black's
and Mr. Herbel's— are connected with the German Methodist Church. Mr. Black is now (1880) resid-
ing on bis fatherjn-law's — Mr. Herbel's — -place.
JOHN W. BLAKE, editor and proprietor of Reedsburg Free Press; was horn at South
Moulton, England, March 27. 1834 ; came to Columbus. Wis., with his parents, in June, 1848; remained
there until August of same year, then came to Baraboo ; is the so:, of Philip and Mary | May) Blake his
father lived at Baral about one year, then removed to Lemonweir, and there he. lied; his mother is still
living and resides in Baraboo. John W. commenced learning the printer's trade in the fall of 1851 ; in
1862, in coin]. any with Charles H. Stuwart .now of Chicago . purchased the Baraboo A'- /.»/.//.■, and they
continued the publication for about a year and a half, and, for one and a half years, Mr. Blake conducted
it without a partner; he lived in [independence, Iowa, for a year and a half interested in the Bulletin ; then
returning to Baraboo, connected with the Independent as long as D. K Noyes continued its publication.
Mr. Blake has been in the printing business all this time except five years before coining to Reedsburg ;
July 1. 1878, he purchased the Uee'dsburg Fm- Press, with J. II. Powers ; Nov. 6, L879, Mr. Bowers re-
tire.1. Mr. 15. was Town Treasurer at Baral for five years, also Police Justice lor a time. lie was mar-
ried in Baral to Mary E. Ambler, Nov. 13, 1856; she was born in Hillsdale, Mich.. March 25, 1837;
have had three children — Nettie M., Phillip Ambler (died Nov. 7, 1874, aged 13 years), and Louis ('.
EI>WARI> F. BLANK, born in Ced Co., Wis., Dec. 27. 1854 ; his father,
E. F. Blank, is still livii ing one of the oldest settlers there. Mr. E. 1\
Blank. Jr.. went to Kilbourn City about 1868, and went into general merchandise stove with Mr. G. J.
Hansen ,v Co , remaining there until 1872, when he went to Uoe.lsl.urg. Wis., and took the position he
still holds as clerk in Hansen, dale & Co.'s hardware store, Jan, 31, 1878. Mr. B. was married to Miss
REEDSBURG. 713
Marj .1 Wheeler. Mr. B. has one child, Genevieve, born Oct. 1, 1879. Mr. B. is Town Clerk. Repub
lican in politics.
GEORGE BOGENRIEE, farmer in Sec. 11 ; P.O. address, Reedsburg; was born in
Mifflinburg, Penn., Jan. I, 1818 ; he came to Beloit, Wis., in the spring of 1848, where he lived for four
years, when he removed to Greene Co.; remaining there only one year, he went to Madison, Wis., where
for four year- he was engaged in machine business ; he is, by trade, a machinist ; about the year 1857,
Mr. R. came to Reedsburg ; since that time, he has owned and improved two farms, and sold them again ;
he bought his present farm of 80 acres, in 1879. Mr. 6. was married, April 20, 1842, to Miss Sarah
Taylor, who was horn March 6, 1825, in Lewisburg, Penn. Of a family of five children, bul one is liv-
ing George W.. born June 30, 1851 ; he was educated at Reedsburg High School, and is now working
at home on his lather's place.
ALBERT BOEHJI, photographer and taxidermist, was horn in Prussia Dec. 1. 1829, and,
eaving his native land, studied for a druggist ; he came to America, and landed in Milwaukee.
1855; in the same year he went to Portage, Wis., where he was in the drug and photograph
business until 1858, when he went to Juneau Co., Wis., where he remained five years ; in 1874, he re-
moved to Reedsburg, Wis.; for nearly ten years. Mr. Boehm has been engaged in gathering together and
preserving a very extensive collection of birds, insects and small animals ; he has birds from (iermany, and
mens from nearly every section of the United States — from the lakes to the gulf; be has also
illection of minerals, shells, etc., the whole comprising one of the finest collections in the State.
Mr. B. was married for the second time, in 1875, to Miss Frances Wolf; by his first wife he has four
children — Bertha, Louise. Charles an 1 Emma. Mr. B. is a member of Odd Fellows' Lodge.
A. S. BROOKS, proprietor of restaurant at Reedsburg. came to that town with his parents, in
1856. His father, Samuel Brooks, 1. ought land and located near the village of Reedsburg. For two
seasons. Mr A. S. Brooks was with the Maekeys in Reedsburg mill. and. for seven years previous to com-
ing to his majority, lived in the family of II. W. Andrews. While working for the Government at Wash-
ington, D. O, in 1864, Mr. I!, enlisted in I'd Pennsylvania Heavy Artillery ; was mustered out in June
of 1865. Mr. B. is a native of New York, born at Peterboro, Madison Co., N. Y.. Dec. 22. 1841 ; he
spent two years in Indiana, where he was associated with Andrews in the ice business; for a time he was
fireman on Michigan Southern R. R. ; then he went to Jackson, Minn., where he took up a soldier's
claim, and began farming, but. for four successive seasons, lie was eaten out by grasshoppers, after which
he returned to P.eodshurj. ; at this place. Mr B. has just erected a new brick building, 34x82, I v. ■
in heighl — bakery underneath and a fine hall overhead ; the first floor is occupied as a store and restaurant.
Mr. B. was married March 28, 1867, to Miss Narcissus E. Cornish, who was born Feb. 23, 1840. Mr.
B. has -me child. Mamie, born June 5, 1868. Mr. Brooks is now a member of the Village Board, a
Mason and a member of the Grand Army of the Republic; he belongs to the Fire Company of Reeds-
burg.
BENJAMIN W. BROWN, farmer, Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Logansville ; horn in Maryland May
8,1823; when he was but 3 years old, his parents removed to Ohio, where he lived until he came
West. Oct, 21, 1847, he was married to Miss Mary Settle, who was horn in Ohio June 23, 1826 ; they
have nine children — Elizabeth, now Mrs. Warren; Lucy II., now Mrs. Fausnaught ; Sarah: Rosella, row
Mrs. Cross; William F., David L., Nancj I!.. Mary Emma, Benjamin W. and \da. Mr. lb-own settled
on his present place, a farm of 40 acres, in the fall of 1855. In politics he is a Republican.
CHESTER BUCK, farmer, Sec. IT; P.O. R Isburg ; son of R fho was
born in the town of Great Bend, Penn. Was married at Tunkhannock, Penn., Dec 30
1>. Redfield, daughter of Russell and Betsey Redfield. Mrs. Buck was horn in Bainbridge, N. \\: lived in
Wyalusing, Bradford Co., Penn.; came to Wisconsin in 1^55 ; settled in I;
7here they now reside; have three children— Lurancy, now Mrs. Dennis Bishop,
: Reedsburg; Porter, married to Susan Teal, living in Reedsburg Village. Mr.-. Porter
Buck's people were among the first settlers of Sauk Co. The youngest, N. A. Buck, is a farmer living
with his parents on Sec. 17: was born in Bradford Co.. Penn., Jan V. 1842: came to Wisconsin with bis
parents in 1855 ; spent one year in the villageof Reedsburg; then D
reside See 17 his 120 acres ; has been Director of his school district ten
E. F. BI'EliOW. propri n and billiard hall, Reedsburg; horn in Prussia Feb. 28,
1 830 : came to America ill 1 851 . and, in ( ►etober of thai year, went to Sauk Prairie. Wis., and 1
tanning. In 1861, Sep! 26, he enlisted in Co. B, 12th W. V. I.; he afterward :
714 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
for regiment, and, subsequently, promoted to head leadership of " quarter-band " of 17th Army Corps'
under Gen. Howard ; Mr. B. was mustered out of service in August of 1865, and afterward went to Reeds-
burg, Wis., where he began his present business. Aug. 20, 1356, Mr. B. was married to Miss B. D.
Hoobeen, who was born in Galway, Ireland, March 29, 1841 ; Mr. B. has had a family often children, of
whom he has lost two ; his oldest sob, George, was born Dee. 13, 1859 ; Katie, July 20, 1862 ; Edward,
December, 1865 ; Hattie, Jan. 20, 1868; Nellie, Sept. 13, 1870; Thomas, Dec. 16, 1873; Theresa, June
21, 1 376, and William, Aug. 10, 1878. Mr. Buelow is a member of the Odd Fellows' Lodge.
B. T. BURDICK, engineer of stave-mill, etc. ; born in Vermont Oct. 4, 1835. He was
married to Miss Sophronia Jackson April 28, 1861 ; this lady was born in the State of Pennsylvania Oct.
22, 1 839. Mr. Burdick's parents came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1843. and settled on Sun Prairie, where
they remained for four years ; removing at that time to Sauk Co., they bought land in that county and settled
there on a farm. In the year 1850, Mr. B. T. Burdick left the farm and went to work in a steam-mill at
Richland City, Wis. ; was there for some time, and then went to Dane Co. For the greater part of the time
since 1862, Mr. B. has had charge of an engine at various points ; in 1S63, he was in Jefferson Co., Wis. ;
in 1864, had Government engineering in charge at Chattanooga, Tenn. Mr. B. came to Reedsburg in Sep-
tember, L878, and took his present position as engineer of the stave-mill. Mr. B. is a Methodist in relig-
ion, a Republican in politics, and a member of the Odd Fellows ; he has bad three children, but only one is
now living, a sou, Willie L., born Oct. 15, 1864.
NORMAN V. CHANDLER; was born in Otisco, Onondaga Co., N. Y., Dec. 30, 1831; came to
Wisconsin June 1,1851 ; had no particular home until the 29th of March, 1852, when he located at Barabooand
took the contract to print the Sunk County Standard, and continued its publication for six months ; then going
tu Portage, where he remained afew weeks, when he went to Stevens Point and established the HVscwis/u
Pinny Jan. 14, 1853; continued its publication for one year, and then sold out and engaged infarmingduring
the summer of 1854, then went to Beaver Dam and established the Beaver Dam Sentinel; sold out in a
few weeks and returned to Stevens Poiut ; engaged in various kinds <.i luisim ss there until the fall of 1857;
he then came to Reedsburg and worked in the Ihcihl office and printed it during its existence; then in
other business until June 25, 1860, when he published the first number of the Free Press; continued its
publication until September, 1861 ; then removed the printing materials to New Lisbon and published
.In m mi ( 'mi in y .1 r./tis until November, 1862; in February, 1863, he returned to Reedsburg and was engaged
in hotel business during the summer of 1863; Jan. 4. 1864, he enlisi d in the 1th W. V. C. ; served until
the 19th of June. 1866, when he was discharged at Madison, doing service on the Rio Grande over a year
previous to discharge ; then engaged in mercantile business here until February, 1867 ; then devoted his
time to farming until February, 1872 ; then re-established the Free Press; published the first number of
this paper on March 22, 1872, and continued its publication up to the time of selling out to Mr. Blake,
July 1. 1878, and since then he has been looking after larm interests in Minnesota, until the spring of
1880, when lie engae-eil in the furniture business in Reedsburg, in company with B. F. Barker, under the
firm name of Barker & Chandler. In the fall of 1880, moved to Minnesota .ml engaged in farming.
Mr. C. was married in town of Wheatland. K n sha Co., Wis., March 3, 1852, to Matilda J. Parks ; she
was born in Jersey City, N. J., Nov. 28, 1834, and cane to Wisconsin with her parents in an carl', day :
they have nine chi i A.., born March 16, 1853; Marcia J., Feb. 20, L855; Ellen L., Feb II,
1857; Clara li . Feb. 25, 1859; 0 1 na, Jan. 6, 1862 j Lula M., Jul) 13, 1864; Schuyler P., May
■">, 1868; Jessie J., .May 13, 1872; Norman V., March 29,1877,
L. I>. CRAKER, farmer, Sec 34; P. 0. Reedsburg; wns born in Erie Co., N. Y., May 3,
lv:!S; he came from New York, with his parents, to Spring Prairie, Walworth Co., Wis., in the year 1848
His mother. Rebecca Barretl Craker, died in April. L849 ; shortly after this event he left home, and for
tour years resided with John Bacon, Jr. . at the end of this timi in I 353, he went with his father, Mr.
Z Craker, to Reedsburg. Sauk Co., Wis Mr. L. I>. Craker Inula must earnest desire I'm
worked and attended school alternately, as opportunity i. tiered, until by dint of hard work he had gained
sufficient education for teaching . he ifterward tiiuirht school I'm- several terms, and at intervals during the
time attended the aca lemj at 1 ielton where he took high rank in his classes ; thus, teaching and studying,
his time wa :upied ii] to the yenr 1863. July I. L863, he married Miss Lucelia Hurd, also a
who was horn in Ohio Nov. 3, 1 M"> : they have a family of seven children Luther, born Aug. 28 1864 ;
Alma, Aul'. 27, 1867: \ddic born March 1. 1870; Clarence, born Jul) 3, 1872; Francis, born Sept.
8,1874; Rubie, born May II, 1877, and Lester, born March 21, 1880. The family attend the Baptist
From 186 I in 1868, Mr. Craker was engaged in imp raising : he then bought his present farm
of To acre- in Sec .'It. In politics he is a Republican. His father. Mr. Z. Craker, who is still living in
-ink Co., Wis., wis born in Englandin the year 1811.
REEDSB1 RG. Tl.r)
MOSES L. CRASH, mason, Reedsburg; was born in Bloomfield, N. .)., July 2, 1846;
learned liis trade in New Jersey, and worked at it, iu his native State, for nine years; he settled on his
present place of six or eight acres in L874. lie was married to Miss Flizabeth E. Whitely March 'J.~i .
I St IT ; tltis lady was born at Little Falls, N. .)., Dec. 10, 1845 ; they have four children living, and have
lost two; Ada Anna, the oldest living, was horn Dec. 9, 1869; Moses L., born Dec. L6, L874; Samuel
\V., horn Aug. ."), L876, and [ra T., horn Feb. 26, 1879. Mr. and Mrs. Crane belong to the Methodist
Church.
AUGUSTUS DARRENOITGITE, barber ; he was born at Estiales, France, mar the Pyre
nees .Mountains. Jan. 3, 184] ; he learned his trade in France; in L862, he enlisted 111 the French Army
and served five years; in the fall of 1867, Mr. D. came to America, and went immediately to Reedsburg,
Wis. ; for three years, he worked on a farm, for one year at the jeweler's business, and for one year found
employment on the railroad ; in 1873, he began business as a barber, in Reedsburg, and has added to
this business a fine bath room, where steam and Russia vapor baths can betaken. July 23, 1874, Mr.
I >. married Miss .Josephine Mess; the family consists of two children — Forest, bom Nov. 28, 1875, and
Leon born March 16, 1877; Mr. D, is an adherent of the Roman Catholic Church.
LUTE S. DEARBORN, farmer, See. 35; P.O. Reedsburg, Wis. , be was born in Neosho,
Dodge Co., Wis.. Jan. 13, 1851, where he lived until he was 14 years of age, when he went to Cowa, and
spent one year ; in July, IStiti, he settled, with his parents, on his present location, a farm of 35 acres ; his
father, S. Dearborn, lives now in Baraboo, Wis. Aug. 23,1874, Mr. L. Dearborn married Miss Hattie 1>
Knapp, who was horn Sept. 14, 1854, in New York, near Dauby ; they have two children — Mary Ella,
born May 15, 1877, and Merritt Slillman. horn Jan. 23, 1880 ; Mr. and Mrs. D. belong to the Methodist
Episcopal Church ; in politics, Mr. D. is a Republican.
S.J. DEARHOLT, merchant. Reedsburg, Wis.; he was horn in Westfield, Morrow Co.,
Ohio, Feb. 18, 1844 ; he came to [ronton, Wis., with his parents, and was on a farm there about four
years; then removed to the town of Westfield, Wis., where he lived fir about five years; he then removed
to Reedsburg, and from 1867 to 1869, was raising hops near town, and running a blacksmith shop in the
village ; in 1869, Mr. D. began mercantile business at Swede Point, Iowa, where he remained for two
years, and then located, in the same business at. Reedsburg in the spring of 1871. He was married,
Dec. 29, 1865, to Miss Adelaide Mackey ; his wife was horn in Albany Co., N. V., July 12, 1845 ; thi \
have two children— Lee, born Sept. 29, 1869, and Hoyt, born March 2,1879.
P. DERLETH, blacksmith, Reedsburg; born in Pennsylvania Oct. 23, 1845; marrie
13, 1873, to Miss Mary Andres, who was horn April 27, 1853; his family consists of lour children,
whose names and dates of birth are as follows: Henry, born March 1, 1874 ; Englebert, Oct. 28, 1876 ;
Josephine, Oct. 22, 1878, and Leon, Feb. 8, L880. Mr. Derleth is a blacksmith by trade; he came to.
Sauk City, Wis., with his parents in 1852; his father, Michael, was a blacksmith, and from him Mr. D.
learned the trade, at which he has worked for about twenty years, was, for nearly fifteen years, associated
witli Ins father in a blacksmith-shop; hut, after his father's death, which occurred in 1st;,"), Mr. F. Der-
leth came to Reedsburg, built his present shop and located in his business. Mr. D. is an adherent of the
Roman Catholic Church.
WILLIAM DIERKS, brewer ; bom m Hanover, Germany, March 22, 1841 ; cane- direct
from the eld country to Reedsburg. Wis., June 7, 1866; his father, J. W. Dierks, died in the year 1876.
tving Germany, Mr. William Dierks had learned the carpenter's trade, and for the first nine
years afli r coming to America, worked as contractor and builder. In 1875, he opened a furniture store,
and up to March, 1880, was engaged in that business ; he then sold out to Barker & Chandler, and bought
an interest in Reedsburg Brewery. Mr. Dierks married Miss Lucy Gifford ; he has three children-
Willie, Ei ( and Eddie. Mr. 1). is a member of the New Lutheran Church; be also belon
Odd Fellows' Lodge.
HON. A. P. ELLLWVOOD. This gentleman was born in Peterboro, N. V., Sept, 9,
i he age .^ 16, entered New \ , lege at McGrawville, N. Y„ where he received his
i : he afterward taught school for three terms in McGrawville — teaching in the win
attending school during the summers afterward, had charge nf Kishaeoipiillas Academy for a lime, Mr.
Ellinwood came to Red-bur-. Wis., in 1858; taught scl 1 in the vicinitj for one year, and then
position of Principal of I , ,„ School, which position he tided until December of 1861. He
enlisted in this month in Co. A, 19th W. V. I., and was elected Lieutenant of the company; I
through the campaigns of the Potomac and James, and belonged to the brigade, which was tin
716 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
enter Richmond after its surrender; was mustered out of service in 1865. Mr. Ellinwood was scut to the
Legislature irj 1877, and re-elected the following year ; lias been Chairman of County Board for five years
and is also President of Village Board ; has also been, for several years, Clerk of School Board. Mr E
is a Mason, and also belongs to the Sons of Temperance Society; Ins property consists of about 3 "JO acres
of land — much improved — and a lumber-yard in the town of Reedsburg. On his grounds, Mr. E. has
arranged spacious fair grounds, and here, every season, the meeting of the Baraboo Valley Agricultural
Society, of which Mr. E. is General Manager and Treasurer, is held. Fourth of July celebrations usually
take place on these fair grounds. Mr. E.'s residence and surrounding land is known as " Mott's Second
Addition." Dec. -1, lsils, Mr. E. was married to Miss Hannah Cottington, who was born in Madis id
Co., N. V., May 27, 1846; they have an adopted daughter, Edith, who was born Aug. 16, 1870. Since
Mr. E.'s house was built and improvements made, a number of other very fine residences have spuing up
about the place.
REV. GEORGE F. EXGELHARDT was born in Germany Aug. 16, 1843; was edu-
cated in the kingdom of Witteaburg, in the college at Ulm ; he afterward spent some time in the mis-
sionary school at St. Chrishona, near Basle, Switzerland, and still later, studied iu the Evangelical St.
Martin's Stif't at. Coblenz ; from this place Mr. E. came to America, in the year 1863 ; for a tiuie after
reaching this country, he was both student and teacher in the university at Watertown, Wis.; leaving
this position, he opened a private school at Richwood, Wis., and for two years gave his attention to that
work; he afterward spent one year in Quincy. 111.; Mr. E. was twice located in Louisville, Ky.; once as
German Principal of Public Schools, and, later, as assistant editor ol the Louisville Anszeiger; at a meet-
ing of the German Protestant League of North America, held in Hamilton, Ohio, in the spring of 18t!7,
Mr. E. was regularly ordained by the Rev. A. Kroell, of Cincinnati, Ohio; Mr. Engelhardt has acted as
Pastor for the church in Pomeroy, Ohio, and also at New Richmond, in the same State. Mr. E. was
married. May 21, 1865, al Kichwood, Wis., to Miss Paulina Anders, who was born in Prussia Nov. 12,
1840; Mr. E. has a family of four children— Mary, born July 15, 1867; Charles, bom Nov. 28, 1869
(is now a vi dinist i; Arthur, born Nov. 22, 1875 : and Eliza, who was born Oct. S. 1878. Mr. E. went
to Reedsburg, Wis to issume the pastorate of St. John's German Evangelical Church March 15, 1880.
SAMUEL AND B. ffl. FAUSNAUGHT, farmers ; Sec. 31 ; P. ( >. Reedsburg are sods of
V John Fausnaught, who was born in New Holland, Lancaster Co., Penn., Jan. 25, 1804 ; when about 9 years
old, he went from there with his parents to Milton. Penn.; for several years before coming West, he was
overseer on canal and railroad, and for a number of years was a distiller; he bought bis present place of
-o acres in See. 31, in the yeai 1856. Sept. 30, 1835, Mr. .1. Fausnaught married Miss Lydia A.. Smith,
who was bum in Lycoming Co . Penn., Aug. 18, 1817 ; ilc-\ have bail nine children, of whom
living— Samuel G.. born Nov. !», ls:-;,S; Adam, born Sept. 22, 1840; Elizabeth, born Sept. 13, 1842;
Delilah Ann, bom Feb. 2, 1844; George W., bom Dec. 22, 1846; Julia, burn Dee. 22, 1848; Benja-
min, born Jan. 17, 1851 ; Nathaniel W. S., born Nov. 30, 1852; and Caroline, bom Nov 9, 1854. Mr.
Samuel G. Fausnaught enlisted in lKlJl, in Co. D, 8th W. V. [., and served three years and four months;
he was in the siege of Vicksburg and in the battle of Corinth, and participated in all tl impaigns oi
the regiment; be was wounded in a skirmish on the Tallahatchie River; bis brother George W. also
eDlisted
M. FINCH, harness-maker, Reedsburg: bom in Greene Co., N. V., April 8,1835; came to
Milwaukee, Wis., in May, 1855 ; thence went to Baraboo, Wis., for three months, and in the fall of the
same year settled in Kee.Kburg. where he has since resided, with the exception of one year that was spent
Mr. F. learned bis trade ("that of harness-maker) in Brown Co. In January, 1857, Mr. F.
was married to his first wife, Mjss Marian Goodwin, who died March 1 I. 1878 ; Sept. ,. 1879 he was
married again, to Miss Mary E. Morse. Mr. finch is now in busiuess as a harness-maker, dealer in
trunks, etc., iu Reedsburg. in politics he i a Republican, having been a member of that party ever
sii its organizatioD.
.1. W. GAL<E, dealer in hardware, machinery, etc. ; born al Quaker street, Schenectady Co., N.
Y.. Dec. 3 1836; he came to Walworth Co., Wis., near Sharon, with his parents in 1850, and
on a farm, engaged in farm work, till about 25 years of age . his father, Stephen B. Gale, died in Adams
Co., Wis., about the year 187-1 ; in 1862, Mr. .1. W. Gale wei Washington Territory, bul returned to
Wiscousin in 1 863, and from there went to Idaho for two years ; in I S65, returned to Wisconsin and went
on. where he carrie 1 on grain and commission business until 1871 ; afterward went to Reedsburg,
Wis., where he opened business in hardware, machinery, hops, etc., but, io 1875, he went to California
prospecting, and, in 1 376, iuteoding to reside thi re, moved his familj to thai State ; but, not being so well
pleased as he had hoped, he returned to Reedsburg, where ho hassince resided; returning, he resumed his
..Id lm.-incss as hardware merchant, etc.; bis firm i.- known as Hansen, Gale & Co. Mr. G. was married
Sep! 13 1866, to Miss Lucy Mallory, who was born Sept. 13, 1848; they have two children Earnest,
born June 20, 1869, and Gladys, May 13, 1ST!). Mr Gale has been twice a member of the Village B iard,
In politics, lie is a Republican.
LEWIS GIFFORD, farmer. Sec 2 ; I'. ( ). Reedsburg ; born in Greenville, Greene Go., X.
Y. July IS, IS117 ; before coming West, was a farmer, hut for several season*, since he has lived in the
West, has worked at lumbering and en the railroad ; in 1845, he Came to Summit. Waukesha Co.. Wis. ;
in the spring, about May of 1855, bought his present farm near Reedsburg, and also a lot in the town of
Reedsburg; the latter property, however, he soon alter sold. Jan. 8, 1834, Mr. G. was married to Miss
RosiuaSchermerhorn, who was horn Nov. 10, lS]t;; Mr. G. litis a family of seven children — Mary, who
was horn April I.",. 1835; John, May 19, 1837 ; Frederick, May 25, 1841 ; Harvey, Feb. 17,1844;
Jane. Dee. 28, 1847; Lucy, Oct. is, 1854, and Rose, April IS. 1859; their youngest daughter, Rose,
graduated from Wisconsin Slate University June. 1880, alterative-years course tit thai institution. Mr.
Gilford has served on Town Board.
J. 18. GRAHAM, farmer. Sec. 34; F. 0. Reedsburg; horn in Washington Co., N. V.. June
14, 1812 ; he was brought tip there on a farm ; his father, Joseph ( rraham, died in Vermont in 1848 ; Mr.
J. B. Graham went to the town of Reedsburg in IS.iil ; bought the' farm now occupied by Messrs. Me-
Clure, Twist and others, and moved on to it in the spring of 1857, and lived there for three years ; then
for two years on the Hamilton farm ; afterward bought his present place of III acres in Sec. '.',[. Sept. 1,
1836, Mr. G. married Miss Elizabeth Stone, who was born in Jackson, Washington Co.. N. Y.. Julj 26,
1815; Mr. G. has had a family of seven children, two of whom are now living — Mary Jane, now Mrs.
Vosburg, bom May 7. 1837; Julia Sanford Graham, bom June 27, 1842, died June 30, 1875 : Jessie F.,
born Sept. 25, 1846 ; Emily, now Mrs. Tibbitts, born Jan. 9. 1850 ; and Hattie, now Mrs. Dorland, born
June 22, 1858. The family belongs to the Presbyterian Church. In polities. Mr. G. is a member of the
Greenback party.
E. G. GREGORY, firmer, Sec. 16; P.O. Reedsburg; son of Ezra and Eva Brakemen
Gregory, bom in Ashtabula Co., Ohio, May 23, 1832; when 15 years of age, came with his parents to
Whitewater, Wis. ; lived there five years, then came to Winfield, Sauk Co.; in 1865, moved to Lavalle ;
remained there about two years, and in 1867 came to the village of Reedsburg. Was married Sept. 18,
1857, in Winfield, to Lizzie Greenwood, daughter of Hubert and Eleanor Greenwood. Mrs. Gregory was
bom in England. They have four children — Mattie, Robert E., James and Lou. Mr. G. was engaged
in mercantile business in Reedsburg ; lately moved to his present farm, lias been Director of the Reeds-
burg School, and is the present Director of School District No. 6.
HENRY G ROTE, farmer, Sec. 22 ; P. 0 Reedsburg; bom m Hanover, Germany, Feb. 1 1 .
IS III ; his father, Mr. George Grnte, died several years ago. iii Germany ; Mr. H. Grote came to America,
and direct to Keedsburg, in 1 SCO. In 1861, he enlisted in Co. A, 19th W. V. I., and became Corporal
of the company; passed through all the campaigns of his regiment, and was mustered out in August of
1865. In October of 1867, he was married to Miss Dora Hieming, who was born in Hanover. G
Sept. 6, 1849 ; they have tour children — Levi, Bertha, Willie and Paulina. Mr. and Mrs. Grote belong
to S( Peter's Lutheran Church. Mr. Grote has served on the Town Hoard.
GEORGE HAGEXAH, dealer in live and dressed stock, poultry, game hides, and proprie-
tor of the wholesale and retail meat market of Heedsburg ; bom in Scholiseh, a province of Hanover.
Germany, on the 25th of February, 1854; he received his education in the CnivorMty of Siade ; came to
America in 1873 ; went directly to Reedsburg, Wis., where he located in his present business. Mr. II.
was married March 14, 1875, to Miss Mina Mollenhauer, who was born in Ludingworth, in Hanover.
Germany, on the 21st of September, 1855 ; Mr. H. has one child, Arthur William Christopher John, who
was born Dec. 30, 1879. .Mrs. Hagenah came to this country with her parents in the year 1856.
Mr. If. is a member of the Odd Fellows' Lodge, is i of the Trustees of the Village Hoard, and is con-
nected with the St. John's Evangelical Church of Reedsburg.
JOHN H. HAGENAH, hardware merchant, Reedsburg; he was bom in Hanover, Germany,
On the 28th of January. 1843 ; he came to America in 1866. and directly afterward found his way to R Is
burg, Wis.; for the first year he was engaged in farming, but in the fall of 1867, went to Kilbourn City,
and found employment until the following spring in a hold at that place ; in April, 1868, he Wi iii to Bar-
aboo, Wis,, and was employed tin- year in the Western 1 lot el of that eii,\ ; in the following year he went to
Chicago, and was employed there until the fall of 1869, by the hardware firm of Elder & Taylor; in 1870
718 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
he returned to Reedsburg, and finally, in 1874, established himself at that place, in his present business
as hardware merchant, in the firm of Hagenah, Giffert & Co. On the 26th of April, 1878, Mr. Hagenah
was married to Miss Catharine Meyer, who was, like himself, a native of Hanover, Germany; their first
child, Clara, was born Feb. 16, 1879. Mr. J. Hagenah, was, for several years, member of the Village
Board, ami Chairman of that board for one year, and Town Treasurer for two years; he is a member of
St. John's Church of Reedsburg ; he is an Odd Fellow, and also belongs to the Masonic Brotherhood; he
has beM all offices in the Odd Fellows' Society up to Noble Grand ; he has also filled several offices in
the Masonic Lodge.
PETER HAGENAH, hardware merchant, of the firm of Hagenah, Giffert & Co.; bom in Scho-
lisch, Hanover, near Hamburg, March 7, 1848 ; he came to America, and directly to Reedsburg, Wis. ; in
1867, six months later, he went to Milwaukee, where he found employment in a hotel ; he afterward went
to Kilbourn City, and was employed in a hotel until the spring of 1868, when, in company with Mr.
Dierks, be built and ran a saloon, in which he remained until 1869, when he left Wisconsin for Missouri,
and while in that State he worked at Platte City Academy; he next went to Tennessee, and found em-
ployment in Peabody Hotel, at Memphis ; thence he went to Cincinnati, Ohio, where he remained but nine
months, after which he again turned his face toward Reedsburg, Wis., where he found employment with
a butcher: in 1872, Mr. Hagenah went into a dry goods store, and finally in May of 1874, after having
worked for a short time in Loganville, came back to Reedsburg, and. buying an interest in the hardware
business, is still engaged therein. Mr. Hagenah was married to Dora Magaretha, who was born in Han-
over, Sept. I, 1S52; he has four children, viz., George, born July 2, 1874 ; Meta, Dec. 24, 1875; Lily,
March 5, 1877; Adolph, who was born Jan. 14, 1880. Mr. Hagenah is a member of the Lutheran
Church ; lie belongs to the Odd Fellows' Lodge. Mr. Hagenah was in the German Army during the
Austro-Prussian struggle, in 1866; he was taken prisoner, and, upon being released, came immediately to
America.
DR. SAMUEL HAEL, born at Fayetteville, N. C, March 10. 1829; his parents came to
Connecticul in 1832; Dr. Hall's father, Reuben Hall, was born Dec. 19. 1789, in Cheshire, Conn., and
died Jan. s. 1869, al New Philadelphia, Ohio. The mother, Esther Hall, was born Aug. 27, 1789, in Stratford,
Conn., and di d Nov. 2S. 1869, in Shanesville, Ohio ; both father ami mother were members of the Methodist
Church for more than sixty years. Dr. Hall was educated at Starling Medical School, Columbus, Ohio;
in the winters of 1841 ami 1842, he attended Roscoe's Academy at Canal Dover, Ohio ; he came to Wis-
consin and settled at Delton in 1856, where be practiced medicine for about one year ; he removed to
Reedsburg in 1859 and began the practice of his profession, in which, with intervals of absence from the
place, he lias since continued ; in the winter of 1867, he went to Tomali, Monroe Co., Wis., to look after
a hop-yard, which he then owned at that place; he was there for three years; lie then returned to
Reedsburg for a stay of about one year, which I I ! .nee of nearly a year al Akron
(thin. Dr. Hall was married June 24, 1849, to ., iret Steese, who was born in Union Co.,
Penn., Oct. 31, is:;:!; the Doctor has four children, whose names and dates of birth areas follows:
Annette (V. born in Shanesville. Ohio, June 8, 1850; Abbie Ann, born at the same place, Sepl 16, 1853;
Harriet I,. in Dellona, Wis., Jan. 23, 1856; ami Man Helen, born in Reedsburg, Wis.. Feb.
27,1861. Dr. Hoi. iti Medical Society of Wisconsin. From February, 1865, to
Ma\ of the Same year. Dr. Hall was Assistant Surg i of the ."list W. V . 1. ; he is a member of tie Post
of the Grand Army of the Republic.
W I l.l.l AH ii. HAWLEY, insurance, collector and real estate agent; born in Leicester
England, June L6, 1846; came to America July of 1861, and went directly to North Prairie, Waukesha
Co., Wis. ; bis father, whose name was also William Hawley, died in England in 1856. Mr. Hawley, Jr.,
for a time after reaching this country, was employed as book-keeper, first b\ Mr. M. Leahy, of Milwaukee;
then for E. Buckley & Co., of Manistee, Mich. ' November, 1864, he enlisted in Co. A, 28th W. V. I.,
ami saw army service. In 1872, he began business for himself at Manistee, Mich., but remained there
only one year, leaving thai point for Madison, where he took the position of book-keeper for Alexander
Findlay, of thai city ; in 1874, removed to Reedsburg, Wis., and began his presenl business of Insurance,
Collector and Real Estate Agent. Mr. 11. was married Oct. 24, 1868, to Miss Carrie A. Evarts ; has a
family of three children -Freddie W., born January. 1870; George Archer, born July, 1871 and Philip
EvartS, born October, 1875. Mr. II. has been .ln-.ii f the Peace for lour years, and still holds that
position; lias also .served as Town Treasurer ; is a Mason, and a member of the Grand Army of the
Republic, and is Senior Vice Commander. Mr. Hawley represents the North American Insurance Co.,
Continental of New York. American of Chicago. London Assurance Co., as well as the Phoenix
I ad several others.
REEDSBURG. 719
VltVI'lK LOGAN II ARRIS, son of Jonathan W and Abigail C. Harris; his father died
Oct. 3, 1ST-'; his mother died in the town of Troy, Sept. 14, 1860. A. L, Harris was bom near Mans.
field, Ohio, Sept. 15, 1839; came from there with his parents to Wisconsin, locating on Sec. 18, in the
town i<i' Troy Sank Co., in June, 1846. In I860, he left the farm, and was traveling salesman in ibis
State and Iowa until the fall of 1862; then followed the army in sutler's department until the close of the
war, with the exception ol a few months spent in Canada in 1863. After the war he was engaged in the
grocery business in Mobile for a year ; returning to Troy be engaged in farming until 1867, then went
into mercantile business at Loganville, where be remained until October, 1871, then came to Reedsburg,
and went into partnership with John Kelloge, and they did business together until February, 1880, when
J. H. Hosier became associated with him. Mr. Hosier was book-keeper for Mr. Harris five years previous
to entering in busin :ss as a partner; lias I n Postmaster since 1873. He was married in Reedsburg Dec.
13, 1868, to Fran es Smith; she was born in Oriskany Falls, Madison Co., N. Y. , they have two
children — Julia P. and .J. Earl.
J. H. HOSLKR. merchant, of the firm of Harris & Hosier; born in Morrow Co., Ohio., near
Mansfield, Dec. 2 1 , 1844 ; must of bis early life was spent in Indiana ; bis father. Samuel 11., is still living
at Brimfield. hid. Mr. .1. H. Hosier came to Spring Green. Wis., in the spring of 1870, and was. for a
time, associated in business with H. Kifer & Son, of that place; from then', went to Chicago in the spring
of 1872, and for two years acted as book-keeper for a firm there; in January, 187."), came to Ueedsburg,
and was with the firm ol Kellogg & Hairis, of that place. In February, 1880, Mr. Kellogg sold out his
interest in the firm to Mr. Harris, anil, soon after, Mr. Hosier bought an interest in the business. Mr.
H. was married to Miss Anna B. Gibson, Nov. 28, 1872 ; this lady died June 12, 1S77, leaving one child —
Grace, who was born Feb. hi, 1876. Mr. H. is a Mason, and a member of the Chapter at Baraboo, Wis.
WILLIAM HUEBING, farmer, Sec. 32; P. 0. Reedsburg; born in Hanover, Germany,
June 26, 1843; came to America in 1861, and settled first in Westfield, Sauk Co., Wis.; in 1864, he
removed to the place where he now resides — a farm of 160 acres. March 2~:. 1864, lie married Mis-
Catharine Kipp, who was bom in Hanover, Germany, Dec. Hi, 1845 ; they have four children, viz., Eddie,
born Kb. 11. 1865; Emma, born Aug. lit, 1SC>7; Albert, bom February of 1870, and Bertie, who was
born Feb. 1. 1873. Mr. and Mrs. 11. are members of the Methodist Church. In politics, Republican.
'I'Ue brother of Mr. TV. Huebing. viz.. Mr. Henry Huebing, owns a farm of 80 acres in Sec. 22; hi- 1'. 0
i- also Reedsburg; he was born in Germany April 22, 1826; came to America — town of Reedsburg, in
October of 1861 — bought in that town a house and two lots, and for two years made bis home there; in
1867, be bought his present place, and moved upon it in 1868. April of ISIS, be was married to Miss
Elizabeth Harms, who was born in Hanover, Germany, in October of 1S24; they have live children, viz.,
\ Mrs. Grote, born Sept. 12, 1849; Catharine, now Mrs. Canaris, born Feb. 11, 1858; William,
born Aug. 14, 1859; Henry, born in Westfield. Sept. (I, 1802, and Anna, born in Reedsburg, Feb. 11,
1865; the first three children were born in Hanover, Germany. The family belongs to St. Peter's
Lutheran Church of Reedsburg.
H. C HINT, merchant. Reedsburg; was born in the town of Bradford, McKean Co., Penn.,
on the 27th of January, 1840. Mr. Hunt came to Reedsburg when a boy of 14, and received his educa-
tion at the Reedsburg school. On April 21. lSill. be enlisted at Bloomington, 111., in Co. C, of 2lKh
111. V. I.; was Sergeant in the company; during the last two years of service in the army, was on
detached service as clerk in Commissary Department. He saw active service in some campaigns in
Missouri . afterward participated in the battle of Port Donelson, at which time he was slightly wounded ;
was. also, in lie en- eminent of Pittsburg handing; was mustered out of the service on June 24. 1 Mi 1.
On the Kill of July. lSi;4, was married to Miss Mary J. Smith, who was born on Otsego Co., Nt. Y.. on
tie ] <.ili of March, 1843. Their two children — Clinton W. and Mabel— were born Sept. :;. 1867 and
April 4, 1875, respectively : both were born in Reedsburg. Wis. Mr. Hunt began his present business,
general merchandise, in IStiii. He has held the office of Town Treasurer, was County Supervisor for
two years, and has recently I^Sll , been appointed Chairman of the hoard of* Supervisors to fill vacancy ;
he is a member of the Board of School Directors ; he is a Mason; is Democratic in politics; is a member
of the Grand Army of the Republic; and commander of the Post at Reedsburg. Father of H. C. Hunt
was Auburn 0. Hunt, who died in February, 1 S 7 7 .
FRANK P. ING ALLS, proprietor of the Central House of Reedsburg, Wis. ; was born
near Kenosha, Wis., Sept. l!-t, 1852. hi 1S57. his parents removed to Rock Co., Wis., and after the
lapse of eight or nine years, removed to Reedsburg, Wis. The father of F. P. [ngalls, Mr. Thomas
Ingalls, was born in 1806, and is still (1880) livinir in Reedsburg. Mr. T. I ngalls was, for thr r foul
720 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
years after settling iu Reedsburg, proprietor of the American House, ami afterward, for about six
the Mansion House, now known as the Sallade House. For a greater pari of this period of nine or ten
years, the subject of this biography, Mr. F. P. Ingalls, was associated with his lather in the hotel-keep-
ing business ; after leaving Mansion House, however, Mr. F. P. was clerk in the Finch House at Kilbourn
City for three years. In 1876, he leased the Central House, of Reedsburg. and still continues his busi-
ness there. Mr. Ingalls married Miss Kate MeCabe. Mr, 1. has one child. Mary C born July 1, 1877.
Mr. [ngalls lias sample room- and good accommodations for the traveling public.
\TI11 JOHXSON, tailor and cutter, for firm of Harris & Hosier; Reedsburg; was born in
Flekkefjord, Norway, Feb. 10, 1851 ; he learned his trade in Norway, and afterward came to America,
landing in Milwaukee, Wis., in May of 1872. For three years Mr. J. remained in Milwaukee, working
at his trade, but afterward went to Berlin, Wis. Remained there about one year, when he went ti
burg, Wis., reaching there in May 1876. Since then he has been cutter for the firm of Kellogg &
Harris, now Harris & Hosier. Mr. Johnson is a Mason and belongs to the Chapter; his father. Johan-
- ill living in Norway.
1>. R. KELLOGG, photographer. Reedsburg ; was bom in Tompkins Co., X. Y.. Dec. 5,
1840; lie came with his parents, in 1846, to Whitewater, Walworth Co., Wis., and lived there until
1857, when he came to luedsbnrg ; in ls.io. Mr. Kellogg learned photography at Reaver Ham, Wis., and
immediately after coming to Reedsburg, began his present business as photographer, dealer in musical in-
struments, sewing machines, etc. Mr. K. was married to Miss Lucy Kellogg in lXllO: she died in June,
1-74 ; by bis first wife Mr. K. had four children, whose names and dates of birth are as follows : Hattie,
ben, Feb. 11, 1861 ; Bertie, born Feb. 13, 1865; Herbert, born Aug. 2, I869,and Archie, born Dec. 8.
1872. Mr. Kellogg was married, the second time, on July -, 1878, to Miss C. G. Saunders, who was born
July 3, 1856 ; he has one child by his present wife. They belong to the Methodist Church.
CHARLES KEITH, manager of the stave mill at Reedsburg; was bum in Fred mia. Chan
tauqua Co.,N. Y., March 2S, 1828; he grew up in Xew York State, and was a clerk for several years in a
mercantile house of Clinton, N. Y ; afterward worked in a furnace in the same town; he came to Iron-
ton. Sauk Co., Wis., in 1855, and for two years thereafter was in partnership with Jonas Tower and
is, who laid out the town site, built a furnace, opened ore bed, built saw and grist mill, etc Feb.
1 I. 1865, Mr. K. enlisted in 46th W. V. I., as Quartermaster Sergeant, and acted as such until the reg-
iment was mustered out. Mr. Keith was married Oct. 27, lSlio. to Miss Helen L. I 'avis, who was
born in Sauk Co., Wis., April 27, 1843 ; he is a member of the Masonic brotherhood, and is now general
manager of the stave-mill at Reedsburg; he has one child, Mary E., born Oct. 30. 1866,
JOHN KELLOGG, miller, Reedsburg; born in town of Dix, ChemungCo., X Y., Dec. 11,
1833. On the 1st of January, 1856, he was mariicd to Miss Sarah .1. Chandler, who was born April 1',',
I 334. Mr. Kellogg came to Walworth Co., Wis., in May. 1850, and afterward went to Sauk Co., Wis.,
On a farm three miles east of Keedsburg, where he lived for live wars ; in the fall of 1856, lie
moved into Reedsburg, and for two years carried on a brickyard ; lii 1858, wenl into trade, and I tinned
upied until February, 1880; op to the year 1865, was alone in business, but in that year Mr.
Chandler became his partner; he was followed by Mr. Wheeler, who in 1867 became Mr. Kellogg's part-
ner, continuing with him until the year 1870, when Mr Harris was associated with him in the business,
under the name of Kellogg and Harris, in February, l8Su. Mr. Kellogg bought the mill erected in 1861
by S. Mackey & Co., and began bis present business; his mill is a large building — 10x60 — and stands
three and a half stories above basement ; has five run of stone. S-e Keedsburg Flouring Mills, Mr,
Kellogg has two children, both girls— Hetty M. was born Sept. 29, 1862, and her sister. Iva 11., April
has been a member of the M. E. Church sine.- 22 year-' of age. He was lor
some time connected with the Odd Fellows' Lodge, and is now a member of the Masonic fraternity. Mr.
Kelloge was o member of the legislature in 1 s~'.', ; he is this year (1880 Siate Elector; has been Town
Clerk, and held for three years the office of Assessor.
\V. W. KESTER. farmer. Reedsburg ; son of Joseph and Sarah Bonnell) Kester; was bom
in Harrison Co., \a. Dec. 5. 1819; al the age of 15, he left his native State with his parents and moved
to Delaware Co., Ohio. Here he was married September, L 841, to Rosette S. Washburn, daughter of Miles
and Priscilla W 1 Washburn; Mrs. Kester was bom in the Slab' of Xew York; they have bad
eight children, of whom all but one are living — Charles M.. married to Julia A., daughter of L. D. Kin :.
and living in [ronton ; Sarah I'., now Mrs. D. (i. Spicer, of Reedsburg Village ; Charlotte J. di i
was the wife of ex-Sheriff R. Y Wheeler; Olive E., now Mrs. L. V. Gleason. residing in the town of
REEDSBUKG. .21
Reedsburg ; Harriet Alice, now Mrs. Robert Post, living in the town of Washington ; Clara 1! . now Mrs
[ra Cannon, living in Valton ; Pet, living at home, [mmediately after their marriage, Mr ami Mrs.
Kester moved to Tyler Co., 7a.; here Mr. K. was engaged in the asherj business; al'i -r thi
returned to Ohio, and in June, 1855, came with teams to Sauk Co., Wis. ; settled on Section 36 Town
! 3, now Ironton, whsre he still own* a fine farm of 1 20 acres ; in Dec ber, 1879, moved to the
villas.' of ll.'o.Uliui-o'. where he now resides.
C. H. KNAPP, farmer, Sees. 2-4 and 25; born in Collins. Brie Co., N. V.. Feb. 19, 1829 ; in
June, 1854, he went prospecting to Reedsburg, Wis., and in 1855 moved West and bought neai Reeds
burg; in 186-1, he went to Idaho, but returned in 1869 and bought his present place. Mr. K. was mar-
ber 11 1848, to Miss P. M. Fisk, who was born in Danbury, Rutland Co., Vt., Mav IT. 1830.
Mr. K. has a family of eight children— Merritt A.. Edwin L. and Hattie D., born in Collins". Erie Co.,
X. Y., on the following dates : May 22, 1849, May 16, 1851, and Sept. 14. 1854; Frank C. born in
Reedsburg March 16, 1858; Mary E., Boise Valley, Male.. Aug. 2, 1866; and Laura B., Walter R.
and Alma B., all born in Reedsburg on following dates ; Nov. 3, 1869, Dec. 8, 1871, and April I. 1873.
Mr. K. has been a member of the Town Hoard of Supervisors for two years. He owns I 111 acres of land
in the Rowley estate.
1>K. F. W. KORDEXAT was born July IS. 1826, in Germany; was educated in Univer-
sity Albertus, at Koenigsburg, Prussia ; was also, for a time, in Koenitz Gymnasium, in West Prussia ;
from the year 1847 to 1S66 was surgeon in the German Army; then, in private practice in Germany
until 1874, when he came to America, and located in Newark, N. J., where he practiced medicine for
three years; then he went to Honesdale, I'enn., where he remained until his removal to Reedsburg, Wis..
in May. 1880. Dr. K. has been twice married ; by his first wife, he had four children — Sarah, bom July
17. 1851, now Mrs. Oskwald ; Charley, horn Oct. 10, 1857; Martha, bom Aug. 15, 1860, and Leo, born
in April of 1866. Dr. K. was married the see 1 time, in February, 1*07. to Miss Frances Roehl ; by this
there is one child — George, horn Feb. •"•, 1869. Dr. K. is a member of the German Evangelical
Church of Reedsburg. Dr. i\. was surgeon, in the army during the German-Austrian war, and is now
crippled from the effects of a wound received at lvienigsgratz.
X. KRA\Z, laborer, was born in Hanover, Germany, near II esse Ca.-sel. • I une !.">, W>2; after
America, Mr. K. worked at home until he was 'I'.', years of age. then began life for himself with shovel
and hoe, and for some time, earned his living by burning lime ; he is now drawing stone, and. in the winters.
works in the pinery. By hard work and persevering industry he has made a good beginning in life.
He was married to Miss Lucelia Edwards ; she was born Nov. 9, 1857 ; they have had three children, but
have lost one: the two living arc Jessie, horn April 1 1. 1*77, and Addie Bell, bom Feb. 7. 1878.
H. A. LEONARD, jeweler and watchmaker: was born in Reedsburg, Wis., dune 5, 1856 : he
Old in the school at Reedsburg, and in Worthington's Business College, at Madison. Wis.; from
t lie time of beginning business, up to the year 1872, Mr. L. was with his father in a grocery stor.
ward went to Elgin, 111., and, in the watch factory at that place, learned his trade, in 1878, Mr. L.
returned to Reedsburg, and began his present business. He was married, dan. 13, 1*77. to Miss Ida A.
Bradley, who was born in Northville, Mich., dan. 31, 1856. Mrs. L. is a membei of the Congregational
Church. Mr. L. has one child — Harry A., born Feb. 27, 1 379. 11 A. Leonard's father, A !■'. Leonard,
was one of the first settlers of Reedsburg.
SAFFORI) HACKJEY, born in Gilboa, Schoharie Co., N. Y., July 25, 1831; was
on a farm until 16 years of age: then went to Catskill, N. Y.: was educated at Kingsl.oro. X. Y. .
afterward went back home and had a position in a store until his 22d year; in 1854, removed to Reeds
burg, Wis., where he has been engaged in milling and lumber trade, and, for six or seven years, dealt quite
largely in hops; hi- father. Solomon S. Mackey, was horn Jan. 1. 1793; went to Reedshurg in 1860, and
died therein the fall of 1867. Mr. Safford Mackey was married July 8, L856, to Miss Harriet Mackey.
who was born Jan. In. 1835.
A. E. TIARItEE. merchant, of the firm of Xoyes \- Markee. Reedsburg; bom in Gu
(' ... Ohio. June 2n. 1838; his father, Thomas Markee, is still living in Vernon Co., Wis.; Mr. Markee
came to Reedsburg, Wis., in the spring of ls.V.1: previous to his engagement in mercantile business, was
for eight years a farmer, located tear the town of R Islmrg. but fin- the last ten years he has for the
part of the time been engaged in mercantile pursuits. July 3, 18(12, Mr. M. was married to Miss
0 M. Seeley, who was a native of Ohio ; Mr. Markee has a family of three children — Fred, horn July HI.
Mil.; ; Mina, born March 25, 1870 ; and Frank, who was born March 17. 1873.
722 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
MARTIN H. MEDRERY, agent Singer Manufacturing Co., Reedsburg ; son of Hiram
and Nancy (Chambers) Medbery ; born in Fulton Co., N. Y., April 30, 1843; when 5 years of age went
to Troy, Walworth Co., Wis., with his parents; lived there till 1860, then came to Reedsburg, Sauk Co.
Was married at Reedsburg Feb. 10, 1867, to Angie Shurnway, daughter of W. and Sarah (Bushman)
Shumway ; Mrs. Medbery was born in Rock Co., Wis. ; have four children — Frank W., Stella, Emma and
Ivan. Mr. Medbery enlisted in the summer of 1864, Co. E, 1st W. H. A. ; served till the close of the
war ; made his hone in Reedsburg till after his marriage, then moved to Washington, Sauk Co. ; stayed
there about three and a half years; and in 1870, came to Lavalle, made their home on Sec. 36 ; com-
ii). in ad work for the Singer Manufacturing Co., October, 1879; has three towns in Sauk Co., two in Ver-
uun and six in Juneau.
W\ H. MEEKER, dentist, Reedsburg. This gentleman was born in Morrow Co., Ohio, June
27, 1857 : his father's name was Mordecai Meeker ; he died in the army, during the war of the rebellion.
Mr. W. II. Meeker came from Ohio to Lime Ridge. Sauk Co., Wis., in 1872 ; remained there until 1875,
when he removed to Reedsburg, where he has since lived ; he studied his profession of dentistry with Dr.
Sweathen, of Baraboo, and after with Dr. Andrew Sallade, of Reedsburg ; in March, 1879, he bought out
Dr. Sallade's office, and began there his present business as dentist. He was married to Miss llatlie
Greene Jan. IS. 1879 ; this lady was born Sept, 28, 1861 ; they have one child— Eva, born Feb. 8, 1 380.
JOHN MEPHAM, farmer, Sees. 26 and 35 ; P. O. Reedsburg; was born in Sussex, England,
March 7, 1819 ; came to America in 1840, and settled in Madison Co., N. Y., where he remained until
he came West ; in the fall of 1850, he went to Westfield, Wis., and settled on a farm which he had bought
in May, 1848, from the Government; this was the first piece of land bought from the Government in
that town ; in 1875, he left Westfield, went to Reedsburg, Wis., and bought his present place of 160 acres.
April 1. 1840, he was married to Miss Mary Forward, who was born March 10, 1821, in Sussex, England ;
they have had a family of eleven children, only five of whom are now living, viz., Maria (nbw Mrs.
Palmer and living in Nebraska), who was born Dec. 22, 1S42 ; Ida, born March 25, 1856; Daniel, born
July 13, 1857; Joseph, born Nov. 7, 1859; and Mary, born Nov. 23, 1861 ; there is one grandchild in
the family — William Ware, born March 6, 1866. Mr. M. has been Supervisor of the town of Westfield,
Wis., and served several terms as Chairman of the Hoard ; in politics, he is a Democrat, His father,
William Mepham, who is still living in the family of his son. Mr. J. Mepham, was born July 14, 1797.
FREDERIC MEYER, farmer, Sec. 4; P. O. Reedsburg; son of Henry and Dora Meyer;
was born in Hanover Dec. 14, 1822. Was married in 1843 to Christina Soule, daughter of Christ
Soule; she was born in Hanover ; they have four children— Thad (living in Dakota), Dora, Henry and
Willie. Mr. Meyer came to the United States in 1866, lived in Minnesota two years ; then came to
Reedsburg and settled on Sec. 4 ; he has 80 acres of laud.
<*EOR4*E T. MORSE, cashier of the Reedsburg Bank ; was born in Gilboa, Schoharie Co.,
N. V., June 17, 1852 ; became to Reedsburg in June, 1868, and in 1872 became assistant cashier of the
old Reedsburg Bank, which position he held until 1875, at which time he went to Lincoln, 111., and took
the position of assistant cashier of the First National Hank of that place, where he remained until the
winter of 1870; he spent the winter of 1878 in Florida; in January. 1879, he returned to Reedsburg
and took his present positii n (1880 I in Reedsburg Bank. June 1, 1879, Mr. M. was married to Miss
Belle Ward, of Dubuque; Mrs. Morse was born in troy, N. Y. Mr. Morse's father, Hiram M., died in
the army during our late war.
<*UOR<irE MYERS, was born in Northhausen, Saxony in Germany, May 8, 1S07; he came
to America :n 1*47 ; went first to Chicago, where he spent two years ; thence to Janesville, Wis., and from
there he went to K lslmrg, where he has since resided. Mr.Myers is a cabinet-maker by trade, but built
the house now occupied by Mrs. Charles Hunt as a millinery establishment ; in this house he began his
of cabinet-making, it being the first cabinet shop in Reedsburg, and for seventeen or eighteen years
carried it forward at thi ' rs since, he retired from business. On March 3,
L840, Mr Myers was married to Miss Louise Newmyer ; this lady died Oct. 1,1864; they have hada
family of eight children, but only thr if these are now living; their names and dates of birth are as fol-
lows' Louis.-. Maj 5, 1846; Man. Dec. 6, 1848; Clara, Aug. 6, 1853. Mr. M. is a regular attendant
of the Presbyterian Church ; in politics he is a Democrat.
1>. NARRACOX<;. miller. Reedsburg; born at Auburn, N. Y., April 25, 1839 ; his father, wh..
died in the fall of ISC.!), was a miller, and one of the oldest in New York ; Mr. Narracong learned hi- trade
lather, and worked most of the time, until he came West, in a mill at Skaneateles Outlet, N. Y. In
REEDSBURG. 723
1856, Mr. Narracong came with his parents to Lodi, Columbia Co., Wis., where he perfected his trade as
miller; for a time, Mr. Narracong had charge of a .mill in Union City, Marquette Co., Wis,, he then
bought an undivided half of Uriggsville Mill, in which place he remained for four years ; from there he
went to Montieello, Wis., where he spent five years; after this, was one year at Beaver Dam, Dodge Co ,
Wis., four years at Poynett, Columbia (Jo., Wis., ami three years at Pardeeville, Wis. About this time,
he laid aside regular business as a miller and invented the Centennial Buhr Dresser and the Badger State
Machine for dressing mill-stones; finally, in February, 1880, he took his present position as foreman of
the K Isburg Mill. In August, 1863, Mr. Narracong was married to .Miss Phoebe A. Stroud, who was
born April 15, 1840; Mr. and Mrs. Narracong have two children — William Arthur, horn Oct. 12, 1864,
and Winfield Otto, July 8, 1868. Mr. Narracong is a Mason and an Odd Fellow.
CHRISTIAN NIEMANN, fanner, Sec. 23; P. 0 Reedsburg; born in Hanover, Germany,
July 12, 1855 ; he received his education in Germany, and came to America and direct to Reedsburg in
1870; in 1875, he went to Washington Territory and remained for three and a half years; returning to
Reedsburg, he settled on his present place iii the fall of 1879. Nov. 2, 1879, he was married to Miss
Katie Hah n, who was born in Hanover, Germany, Oct. 29, 1861, and emigrated to Westfield, Wis.,
in 1867.
HENRY NIEMANN, farmer, Sec. 22; P. O. It Isburg; hen in Hanover, Germany, Dec.
t. 1- 10. Mr. Niemann came to America and direct to I! Isburg, Wis., in 1870, and bought his present
farm of 90 acres ; his occupation in Germany was farming ; each year, for seven years, he pave n th's
service to the army while he lived in his native land. Mr. Niemann has been tv ice married ; bis first wife
was Miss Margaret Schliekan, to whom he was married May lit, 1869; she died Feb. 3, 1879
two children — Herman, born March 17, 1870, and Emma, July 11, 1872; Mr. Niemann was married the
second time, Nov. 1, 1ST!', to Miss Kate Heferman, who was born in Hanover, Germany, in May, 1856
Mr. and Mrs. Niemann belong to St. .John's Church of Reedsburg.
J. N. PARKER, carpenter and builder; came to Reedsburg in I860; he was bom in Jeffer-
son Co., N. Y., May 31, 1836; his father, Allen Parker, died .in 1870, in the State of Missouri; his
mother, Mary Budlong Parker, died in the same year. Mr. J. N. Parker learned his trade in Ni
and has made it a life-business. He was married Nov. !), 1856, to Miss Laura Iv Sparks, who was born
Oct. 8, 1838. Jan. .">, 1864, Mr. Parker enlisted n Co. F, 3d W. V. C. ; was discharged, on account of
disability, March 3, 18(15 : for two years he was Justice of the Peace in [ronton, Wis. ; he isa Masi n, and
has hem .Master of Reedsburg Lodge ; this year ( I 880 ' he is employed to take the census of the town.
A. W. PERKY, lawyer and insurance agent. Reedsburg; was bom in Reedsburg Feb. I, 1854,
and was educated in the public school of the same ['lace, he read law in the office of Judge Lusk, and
was admitted to the bar in 1873, at Baraboo, Wis.; was admitted to the Supreme Court in the winter of
\s~{\, at Madisnti, Wis.; in 1879, he became Village Attorney of Reedsburg He was married. Od. 31,
1*75, to Miss ,M. K. Gale, who was a native of the State of New York ; thev have two children— Willis,
horn Nov. 2d, 1877, and Alice, horn July 25, 1879.
A. H. PERRY, overseer of county house and county farm, Reedsburg; was horn in Rutland
Co.. Vt., Aug. 28, 1846; he came with his parents to Whitewater, Wis., in the spring of 1853, and
remained there for five years; they then removed to Lavalle, Sauk Co., where he was engaged in farming
later part of the time up to taking his present position in February. L878. In ISli.Y h.
in Co. I, 50th W. V. L; was mustered out in June of the same year; he received his education at the
Lavalle c. minion school. He married Miss Addie Warner, who is a native of the State of New York ; she
was born Sept. 30, 1854; .Mr. P. is a Mason; in politics. Rcpub
W. O. PIETZSCH, manager for Singer Sewing Mac! ine Company, Reedsburg; was horn in
Germany July 13, 1844; he came to America in 1848, and lived at Watertown, Wis., for nine
1858, he went to Baral Wis., and clerked for the firm of Bassett .V. Brown. In January, 1862, he
in Co. A, I9th W. V. I.; Oct. 27, 1864, at the battle of Fair Oaks, be was taken prisoner, con
Hried in Libhy Prison, and also at Salisbury ; was parol.. than four months' imprisonment.
Oct. 7, 1873, he was married to Miss .Mary Shumway, who rn July 13, 1848 ; the
child. Mr. P. is a Mason ; beholds the position of Deputy Grand Master of Distrii
Fellows' Lodge.
J.. W. PRIEST, far r; P. 0. Reedsburg; is a son of Richard and Ellen Priest, and
May 15, 1845 in Madison, In.L. where hi i ars ; but, in the sprinj
his parents removed to Dane Co.. near Madison. Wis.; about 1849, they removed to Reedsburg Wis.;
72+ BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Mr. J. W. Priest is, by trade, a carpenter, and has worked at his trade in many different parts of the
country; has been in Kansas, Indian Territory. Illinois ami Michigan; he followed his trade for the
greater part of his time, until in 1878, when he began farming on his present place of 81) acres. March
28, 1-7'-', Mr. P. married Miss Emily E Wheeler, who was born in Ohio Nov. 7. 1849; they have three
children— Archie Reuben, born April 17, 1874 ; Floyd Duane, bom Feb. 18, 1877, and Hugh Maxwell,
horn March 14, 1879. Mr. P. is a Mason'. The mother of Mrs. J. W. Priest, Mrs. Warner Wheeler,
was bom inDutchess Co., -Y Y.. Sept. LO, 1811 ; married Mr. Nelson Wheeler July 10, 1830; he died
Oct. 19, 1868. There were in the family nine children, six of whom are now living, viz., Henry. L andi r,
Alonzo, Emily, Mary and Duane.
WILLIAM RAETZMAW, the present editor of the Sauk Uounty Herofd, Reedsburg ;
was born in Barum, Hanover, Germany, Sept. 9, 1847; Mr. R. came to America in October, 18(56, and
went directly to Reedsburg, Wis. ; lie was, from that time until 1S76. engaged in mercantile business, but
in this year began the paper of which he is now the editor. April 26, 1874, Mr. 1!. was married to Miss
Amelia Licht, who was hom in Westfield, Wis., Sept. 30, 1855 ; Mr. R. has three children— Ewald Lu-
dolf Friedrich, born March 20, 1 875 ; Amandus Hugo Lothair, hom Aug. 8, 1876, and Meta Louise
Frieda, bom Dec. 26, 1878. He is a member of the Lutheran Church ; he has served as Justice of
the Peace, and is now a Notary Public; lie is a member of the Odd Fellows, and holds the agency for
several steamship lines. Mr. liaet/.mann studied law in lS(!7_(.iS with Mr. Joseph Mackey. ami attended
North Western University at Watertown, Wis., in the winter of 1868-69.
DR. SAMUEL RAMSEY; born in the township of Chester. Wayne Co., Ohio, Dec. 2
1824 ; resided at W ouster, Wayne Co., Ohio, for fifteen years prior to coming to Wisconsin in 18">:J, ; in
November of that year he located in Reedsburg, where lie engaged in the practice of medicine; after a
year, he established the first, drug store in the place; drugs wore kepi by other merchants in connection
with other business, however. In 1861, he abandoned general practice, devoting his attention principally
to his drug business. He t unci, cod the business of brokerage and exchange about fifteen years ago,
which he still continues in connection with his other business. He was married at Congress. Wayne Co.,
Ohio, Sept, 27, 1853 to Sarah C Kline, a native of Pennsylvania; they have three children — Callie E.,
i and Virgil S. ; Mrs. Ramsey died Dec. 28, 1879. Mr. 1!. has been for many years a member
of the Presbyterian Church. In 1846, he enlisted in the regiment of mounted Riflemen U. .8. A., now
known as the 1th Cavalry, ami served until the close of the Mexican war. In March, 1848, he was pro-
moted to Lieutenant of the loth Regiment Infantry. He acquire! I his literary education at several Ohio
seminaries, and at Alleghany College, spending three years at the latter institution. His medical
education was obtained at the Cleveland Medical College.
WILLIAM H. RAMSEY, druggist, associated with Dr. Ramsey, of Reedsburg; was horn
near Milwaukee, Wis, Dec. 18, 1850 ; first came to Reedsburg in 1864; Mr. R. graduated at Phila-
delphia College of Pharmacy, in the spring of I87i> ; cam.- to Reedsburg. and in the fall of 1879, formed
the partnership now existing, and began present business. Mr. Ramsey was married, Dec. 3, 1879, to
Miss Nellie J. Temple.
MRS. LOUISE RIENEKE, proprietor of American House, Reedsburg; was bom in
Prussia Jan. 27, 1842 ; came to America in 1864; her maiden name was Schmidt; alter coming to
America, her home was, for two years, in Waukesha, Wis.; then lived for four years in Milwaukee; while
there, was married May HI, 18117, to Mr. GuStaVUS Ricneke. who kept a bakery in that place. Mr.
Rieneke was born Jan. 29, 18:;:;, and died Nov. 2, L879. When Mr. and Mrs. Ricneke first came to
Reedsburg, they bought and occupied the place now occupied by Mr. Roper. In 1873, they bought the
■cation, and kept what is known as the old American Hole], which was burned down ill 1877 ;
aftei the fire, they erected the present building, known as the new American Hotel, which is a two-storied
house, with good sample-rooms, newly refitted. Mrs. R. has three children Bertie, born June 22, 1869;
Emma, bom Oct. 1. 1871, and Louise, born Dec. 12. 187:;. Mrs. R. is a member of St. John's Church.
F. U. RODERDHIrVI), blacksmith, of the firm ol Rodermund & Tierney ; born in Madison,
Wis., \pril 24, 1852; he learned his trade partly in Madison and partly at Reedsburg; while living ill
Madison he worked for nine or ten years in the brewery ; Mr. R. settled in R Ishurg Sept. 15, 1*75. and
has worked at present business ever since that date. Dec. 24, 1872, he was married to Miss Annie Veith.
who was hom in February, 1851 ; Mr. R.'s father. John Rodermund, died June 22, 1875; Mr. R.
is a member of Odd Fellows' Lodge and has been Village Trustee for two yens.
REV. AKilST ROHRLACK, Pastor of St. Peter's Church ol Reedsburg; born in
Nan Ruppin, Prussia, Pee. 27. 1835; Mr R. received his educational Liepsic, where he graduated in
REEDSBURG. '-•>
1 858 . after which event, he ctime in the same year to America, went al once to Madison, Wis., where he
was ordained by the Rev. Mr. Deindorfer; Mr. R. has, since his ordination, had charge of churches at
Bird City and Oshkosh, Wis.; in the fall of 1869, he went to R l.-l >u !■•.• and assumed the pastorate of St.
Peter's Church, where he has since labored ; in connection with the church, there is a parochial scl I, in
charge of Mr Earnest Lussky, which numbers about 100 pupils; Mr. R. belongs to Missouri Synod,
N i .ri 1 ! restern District, and is now Secretary for both the < ieneral and District Synod ; since the year 1864,
he has made out the annual reports of both S3 Is. Mr. I!, lias been twice married; his first wife, to whom
he was married in the spring of 1859, was Miss Caroline Thalacker, who died in August of 1868 ; by this
wife he had tour children, one of whom is dead ; the three surviving ones are John, horn Feb. 7. I860 ;
Mary, horn May 28, 1864 ; and Peter who was born Sept. 23. 1866. Mr. R. was married again, April,
1869, to Miss Louisa Sehab, who was horn Dec. 12, 1843; by the second marriage there are four children—
Regina, horn July 5, 1870 ; William. Dec. 9, 1871 . Otto, March 15, 1874 ; and Esther, who was horn
April 25, 1880.
O. E. ROOT, lumber dealer of Reedsburg ; born at Beaver Dam. Wis.. Oct. 19, 1847; a few
years later his parents removed to Richford, Wis., where they lived until 1861, when they went to Reeds
burg; for several years Mr. 0. E. Root ran a dray; afterward was. for one year, employed in Smith's
lumber yard, and afterward was for two years m the employ of A. P. Ellinw 1. Mr. Root enlisted in the
fall of 1864 in the 4th W. !?., which was a pan of the 24th Army Corps, and one of the first batteries to
enter Richmond after iis capture; Mr. K.'s regiment was mustered out July 3, 1865. W. II. Hoot, the
father of 0. Iv, was in Co. E, of the 7th W. V. I., and was wounded at the battle of Antietam ; the ball
passed through the left arm, shattering it badly, and lodged in the sixth rib, within ihree quarters of an
inch of the heart ; for eleven years he carried this ball thus, and finally died from the effects of it. Mr.
(». Iv Root began business for himself, in his present line, August of 1879. He was married to Miss Mary
F. Barnhart Aug. 9, 1870; this lady was horn Aug. 17, 1851 ; Mr. R.'s family consists of one child
Florence, who was horn Aug.l, 1879.
O. K. RYAN, .jeweler, Reedsburg, Wis.; horn in Deering, N. II., Jan. 1. 1856; came to
Baral Wis., in the fall of lSlJti, and remained there for nine years, working with an uncle, who was
also a jeweler; at the end of this time, Mr. 1!. went to Reedsburg, Wis., and from 1875 up to 1878 found
employment thereat his regular business; in 1*7*. he began business for himself at Reedshui ".. Mr.
Ryan was married to Miss Jessie I-'. Barhart Nov. 15, 1877; Mrs. Ryan was born in Rockford, III., Sept.
18, 1858. Mr. Ryan is now 1880 Treasurer of the Sauk County Sunday School Association ; he has
one child. Feme, horn Nov. 15, 1879.
IMC. X. \\. SALLADE ; born in Dauphin Co., twenty miles north of Harrisburg, Penn., on
the 5th ot September, 1*17. lie was married at Jersey Shore, Lycoming Co., Penn., on the 9th of Feb-
ruary. 1*41, to Miss Sarah II. Stewart, who was horn at Bellefonte, Penn., Oct. 7. HI 7. Dr. Sal lade came
to Wisconsin in 1854; decided upon Narrows Prairie, Wis., as a good location, and settled there in 1856.
For tiye years, he devoted himself to farming and the practice of his profession. In 1861, he began mer-
cantile business in company with Iv II. Newell, Esq., and. without abandoning his profession, continued
in this business until the spring of 1862, when he sold out his interest in the firm. Almost immediately
thereafter, however, he recommenced the same employment with Eleazer Newell, a half-brother of his
former partner. In the winter of 1864, he bought property in Reedsburg, and, in January of 1865,
1 thai 1 'mi. and began mercantile business there. In the fall of 1868, he opened a d
in Reedsburg; in 1*77. this store was destroyed by lire, but he rebuilt and continued til tin' same place
until the winter of 1878, when he sold out, and, buying the Mansion House from Mr. [ngalls, changed
the name to that of the Sallado House; in company with his son. he is still carrying on this hotel Dr.
Sallade's family consists of three children, all of whom were born in Lycoming Co., Penn.; bis eldest,
William A., born April 2, 1842; Andrew \V. born Feb. 9, 1845; Mary Emma, born March 9, 1849.
Dr. Sallade is a member of the Presbyterian Church, in which body he has held the position of Trustee;
he was for some time Chairman of the Village Board, lie is a member of the Masonic brotherhooi.
A. M. SANDERS, carriage-maker; born in Greene Co... Ohio. Nov. 9, 1*17; came to Reeds-
burg with Ins par- in- in September of 1*53; his father, John Sanders, located land near lore about 1 855,
and Mr. A. M. Sanders lived with his parents on the farm until he was 18 years of age; lie afterward
\rlin-ton Heights, 111., and learned the trade of carriage-maker, spending lour years in the above
named place; he afterward return' d to Reedsburg and established himself, in 1*71. in his present business
of manufacturer of carriages, sleighs, cutters and wagon- ; he now employs thn e
business. Mr. S. was first married to Miss Louisa Williams, of Arlington Heights; but this lad
726 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
1872, leaving one daughter, Cora, bom May 6, 1872; Mr. S. married again on the 16th of June, 1877,
Miss Clara Green, by whom he has two children, the oldest of whom is named Charles.
Id;i.l> Sl'HFLZE, Jr., farmer, Sec. 7 ; P. 0. Reedsburg; born in Hanover, Germany, Nov-
3, 1850 ; came to America with his parents in 18(18, and most of the time since then has lived in Reeds-
burg. Wis. ; he settled on bis present place in 1874. He was married to Miss Augusta Schroeder ; they
have two children — Ida and Otto. Mr. and Mrs. Schulze are members of the Lutheran Church.
HEXRY SCHULZE, fanner; 1'. O. Reedsburg; born July 20. 1853, and is the son of Mr. F.
Schulze, who is also a farmer in See. 7. near Reedsburg, Wis. ; Mr. F. Schulze, Sr., was born in Hanover.
Germany, April 24, 1824; lie is the son of Fred anil Mary Schulze; came to America and direct to
Reedsburg, Wis., in 1869; while in Germany, he served for three years in the army. In November of
is IV. Mr. Schulze manic. 1 Miss Mary Ripka, who was born May 0. 1826; they have four children, viz..
Fred, bom Nov. 3, 1850; Henry, July 20, 1853; George, in August, 1858 ; and William, June 3, 1S62.
.Mr. F. Schulze, Sr., belongs to the Lutheran Church.
ALFRED F. SCOOX, farmer, Sec. 31 ; I'. 0. Loganville ; born in Washington Co., N. Y.,
July 4, 1829 ; learned the cooper's trade in the East, and worked at it there ; Mr. Scoon came to Logan-
ville in the fall of 1 856, after which lie owned several farms and dealt considerably in real estate ; was also
o.il c lop business lor a time. Jan. 15. 1864, he enlisted in Co. B, 12th W. V. 1. ; was mus-
tered out ol service in July, 1865, as a veteran reserve; was with Sherman in bis march to the sea until
he reached Atlanta, when he was taken sick ; he was in the battles of Kenesaw Mountain, Resaea and
other minor engagements. Mr. Scoon was first elected Justice of the Peace in 1858, and still hold- that
position, having held it continuously for the past twenty-two years, with the exception of one year, and
ai.-o the time he spent in tlie army; he has been Assessor for two terms, and served as Constable for one
term ; Mr. Scoon is a Democrat ; he owns a farm of 190 acres in Sec. 31. He has been twice married ;
first, to Miss Kiiieliiie E. Strong March 10, 1851; she died March 27, 1865; by this wife there were
eight children, only four of whom are now living, viz . Frances I'., now Mrs. Widget-, born Feb. 1. 1852;
Lyman S., July 23, 1859; D. W., April 12, 1S62; and Emma E., April 3, 1864; Mr. Scoon was mar
ried the second time, to Miss Louise ('. Seamans. Nov. 21, 1865; she was horn in Ashford Town. Wind-
ham Co , Conn., March 12, 1829. Mr. Scoon has an adopted son — John Puane — who was born Nov. 2,
1860. Mr. Seoon is a member of the Methodist Church.
31 S,§MI AX AND WILLIAM SEVEKE, brothers, the former a farmer on See 22. P. < >.
Reedsburg, the latter, proprietor of saloon and howling alley in Reedsburg; are sons of Henry and Eliza-
beth Seveke; their father was horn in June, 1S24. and died in September, 1877, in Reedsburg. hi- death
rused from injuries received by the running-away of a team; the mother. Elizabeth, is still living.
Mr. Herman Seveke was horn in Verzen, Hanover, Germany, Oct. 5, 1856; came from Hanover to
Reedsburg, Wis., July 13, 1867; he bought his present pi f 100 acres about seven years ago. He
belongs to the St. John's German Lutheran Church of Keeil-hurg. Mr. William Seveke came with bis
brother to Reedsburg, Wis., from Hanover, Germany, in July of 1867 ; he was born in Hanover June 29,
1852; until the spring- of 1880, he was engaged in farming, and then began his present business. On
No -. 13, 1875. he was married to Miss Ella Card, win was horn April 13, 1S57, in Wiufield. Saul. Co
Wis.; they have two children — Herman, bom April L3, 1876, and Clara, Nov. 11, 1S79. Mr. William
Seveke is, 'like his brother, a member of St. John's Church.
CHARLES F. SIIELDEX, Assistant Postmaster in Reedsbunr; horn in Oneida Co.. N.
Jf., Sept. 2, I 3 I- ; came to Walworth Co., Wis., with his parents in 1845 ; his father. Dewitl C. Sheldon,
is still livin ■ in Reedsburg, Wis. ; for eleven years Mr. S.'a parent- remained on a farm at Elkhorn Spring.
Wis.; went from there to a farm i n Nnrrows Prairie In January, 1862, Mr. C. F. Sheldon enlisted in
Co. A. 19th W. V. I. ; he was in the 18th Army Corps, under Gen. Butler at the siege of Petersburg
and other contests in that vicinity ; was mustered f the service in June, 1865. On Pee. 16, 1868,
Mr. Sheldon was married to Miss Bell Hood, of Racine, Wi-. ; Mr. Shelden has two chiretren — W alter
I>. . horn Feb. 2, 1870, and Mabel, October 18, 1877. Mr. Shelden has held the office of Town Clerk.
He belongs to the Masonic fraternity.
BET. W. SHUMWAY was bom Jan. 24, 1815; he came to John-town. Rock Co.. Wis.,
in 184 I. and in the same year was ordained a minister of the Christian Church ; during the past thirty-
liirtv-six vears. Mr. S. has preached nearly every Sabbath, while Ld>ini: his attention during tin
. hi the transaction of other business; for a period of eleven years, Mr. S. filled an appointment
on Narrows Prairie, Wis. ; he is now preaching al Excelsior, near Reedsburg; he lived for ten year- in
REEDSBURG. 727
Rock Co., Wis. ; then, in L854, removed to Reedsburg, Wis., where for two years he held a position in a
store after this, he opened a meat market and carried on that business for two or three years, when he
went out on a farm three miles to the southeast of Reedsburg, where he spent eight years ; during this
time, he did a little in the hop-raising business; in May, 1876, he returned to town. Mr. S. was married
April 10, 1836 ; Mrs. Shumway was, before her marriage. Miss Sarah Bushman ; she was born Di c. 29
1816; she died duly 1. 1 s 7 7 . leaving three daughters — Hattie, now Mis. Sprague ; Angie, now Mrs.
Medbury, and Matie, who is now Mrs. Pietzsh ; the dates of their births are; Hattie, born Nov. 18,
1842; Angie, July 25, 1845; Matie, July 13, 1848.
A I IwlST SIEFERT. hardware merchant, Reedsburg; was born in Hessen, Germany, Aug
14, 1855 ; he came to America in 1ST.'!, and went directly to .Milwaukee-. Wis., where, tor one year, he
was employed in a grocery store ; in IS74, he went to Reedsburg, where be found employment in the firm
of Hansen, Gale & Co. ; he now owns a partial interest in. and is book-keener lor, the same linn. Mr. S.
obtained his education in the city .schools of his native land; his father, Friedrich Siel'ert, died in 1872.
S. F1. SMITH, of the firm of Rork & Smith, cigar manufacturers, Reedsburg; was born at
Augusta, Oneida Co., N. Y., May 22, 1832; bis father, Timothy Smith, died in Watertown, N. Y., in
1875 ; his mother, Lucy Smith, died in 1S7:1. Mr. S. F. Smith came to Newport, Wis., in the spring of
1 85 I nid was for several years engaged in the hardware business ; then spent two years in Dalton, Wis.,
after which, in 18(15, he came to Heed-burg and began his present business as cigar manufacturer. He
twice married; by his first wife he had two children. He married his second wife, Miss Nellie
Eggleston, at Fox Lake, Wis., on May 4, 1870; she was born Dec. 27, 1845 ; the only child of tins mar
riage, Byrd L., was bom April 30, 1 S77.
STEKELBERCk A. HIDE, cigar manufacturers and dealers, Reedsburg. This firm began
its present business in the town of Reedsburg in the fall of 1S7IJ ; it manufactures about L'llil.iHMl cigars
yearly, and keeps employed from four to six hands during the year. Mr. W. C. Slekelbcrg was born in
Mechlenbiirg. Germany, Feb. 22, 1 857 ; came to America in 1868, and lived for seven years in Madison,Wis.:
where be loaned bis trade ; came to Reedsburg in 1875, and in 1S7G began his present business. April
27, 1 880, lie married Miss Annie Parrott ; be belongs to the Odd Fellows' Lodge. Mr. J. F. Hide is. like
his partner, a native of Mechlenburg, Germany, where he was born Nov. IS. 1850 ; came to America in
settled in Reedsburg in July of the same year; he was in various kinds of business until the
fall of 1876, when his present partnership was formed. Oct. 11, 1877, he was married to Miss Rati.
Berkman ; they have one child, Emil. born March 9, 1879. They belong to St. John's Church of Reeds-
burg.
WILEIAM STOFTE, merchant, Reedsburg; was bnrn in Hanover, Germany, March 2,
1 833 lie learned the tailor's trade before coming to America ; he came to this country and direct to Reeds-
burg. Wis., in the spring of I860 ; in the fall of that year he went to Madison, Wis . where he remained
for two years, working at his trade ; he then went to Kilbourn and opened a tailor-shop, remaining in this
business until 18G5, when he returned to Reedsburg and opened a general dry-g Is stoic with Mr.
Schwekee, the firm being known as Schwekee & Stolte ; in 1869, his partner, Mr. Schwekee, died, since
which time he has carried on the business alone. Mr. Stolte married Miss Dora Myer ; they have a
family of eight living children — Dora, Willie, Ada, Nana, Louise, George. Leda and Lena; they have
lost one son. Henry. Mr. and Mrs. S. belong to tie- Lutheran Church. Mr. S. is a member of the Odd
Fellows' Lodge; he has filled the office of Past Grand and is now Treasurer; he also belongs to the
Turners. lb' i- now on the Village Hoard, and has been on the Town Board for several years. His
father, George Stolte, is still living on a farm near Reedsburg; his mother, Dora, is dead ; Mis. Stolte's
father was in the Russian war, and was for three years a prisoner.
MRS. PAMELIA STONE, Sees. Id and 9; P.O. Reedsburg; was born in Sniithfield.
Madison Co.. X. V .Oct. 25, 1827; came to Reedsburg and settled on her present place in February.
1870. Mrs. Pamelia lEllinwood) Stone married Mr James R. Stone March 29, 1849; he was born in
Smitltlield, Madison Co.. X. Y.. May '27. 1822. lie enlisted. July. 1861'. in Co. F, 157th X. V. V. [.;
he raised the company, and was Captain of the same; be was in the Army of the Potomac,
part in the battles of the Wilderness and at Gettysburg ; at the latter place, he was taken prist
Prison, where he remained about eleven months ; was sent from there to Macon, Ga., where he
'lied Ati". 12, 1864. Mrs, Stone has five children — Willis C, born April 21, 1855; .lane- A., born
Dec. 1. 1856; Orna P., born Sept. 24, L858 ; Mina L., born April IS. I860 ; and <> Lincoln, born July
24, 1861. Mr. Willis C. Stone is pursuing the full curs..' of study in the Oshkosh Normal School, and
728 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
lias taught several i< this ; Miss Mina L. and Mr. James A. Stone have also taught for several terms;
Orna P. Stone is new employed in the Census Bureau, at Washington, D. C.
ORA B. TITIS, farmer, Sec. 35; P. 0. Reedsburg; was horn in Avon, Lorain Co., Ohio,
Aug. 23, 1846 ; has been engaged in farming and fruit-raising business for the greater part of his life.
In December, lSi;:;, he enlisted in Co. I, 12Sth O. V. I., and served until June, 1864, when he was dis-
charged on account of disability ; he eame to Reedsburg: in 1865, and in 1875 settled on his present
place of SO acres in See. 35. Oct. 3, 1872, he was married to Miss Addie Andrus, wlio was born in Ohio
Pee. 6, 1843; they have a family of three children, viz., Jessie Cahoon, burn July 22, 1873; Wilbur,
born Dec. 19, L874, and Ora Andrus, born Dec. 24, 1878.
LEWIS TWIST, farmer. Sees. 33 and 34; P. 0. Loganville, Wis; was born in town of
Otselic, Chenango Co., N. Y.. June 17, 1835. He eame. with his parents, to Sheboygan Co., Wis., in
1S47, where he was engaged in farming until March, 1865, when he bought his present place of 148 acres
in town of Reedsburg May 5,1858. Mr. Twist was married to Miss Emma 0. Brooke, who was born
in Cuningsby, England. Jan. 28, 1837. Mr. T. has four children liviuL', viz., Orloff Duane, born June
23, 1859, in Lima, Wis.; Elmer Lewis, born Feb. 13, 18(32; Mary Bell, born Jan. 13, 1867; and
Emma Adell, who was born Feb. 22, 1869. Has lost one child, Maggie E. O., born June 5, 187 1. and
died Feb. 28, 1875. Mr. Lewis Twist's father, Joseph, was born in Cambridge, N. Y., Aug. 31. 1800,
and died April 17, 1875. He was married March 2, 1S23. to Miss Margaret Groesbeck, who was born in
Cambridge, Washington Co., N. Y. The father of Mrs. Lewis Twist, Mr. Thomas Brooke, was born in
Kirkstead, England, Jau. 10, 1807, and was married to Miss Mary Auckland Sept. 13, 1831. She was
baptized when an infant in Bardney Church Feb. 1, 1814. They had five children— John, born Oct. 20,
1832; Frederick William, June 6,1835; Eliza O., Oct, 26,1838: Agnes, born about 1844; and
Thomas A., June 4. 1853
SAMCEIi WEIDMAJf, farmer, Sees. 28, 27 and 21 ; P. O. Reedsburg; was born
in Summit Co.. Obi... Oct. 10, 1833; eame West with his brother Alexander. In the fall of 1852, went
to the town of Reedsburg; returned to Ohio in the following May. and remained there through the
summer. In the fall, he went to Illinois, where he lived for one year, when he returned to Reedsburg,
and for three winters worked in the pineries on the Wisconsin River. He settled on his present ,
farm of 196 acres, in 1858. Dec. 13, 1857. be was married to Miss Celanda Graff: they have a family
of five children Crittie now Mrs. Richards), born Nov. 9, 1858 ; Elmer, born May 5, 1861 ; Bessie,
born Aug. 10, 1868 ; Julia, born Aug. 6, 1871 ; and Hattie, horn Jan. 4, 1877. Mr. W. is a Mason ;
in polities, a Greenbaeker ; has been several times a member of Supervisors.
ABBAM WEST, carpenter, Reedsburg: born June 1(1. 1805, in Grafton, Rensselaer
Co.. N Y. : he eame to Spring Prairie, Walworth Co.. Wis., in 1845, reaching that place on the 1st of
October, after a journey of nearly one thousand miles from Verona, Oneida Co., N. Y. ; Mr. West and
his family made this journey by horses .and wagon, in just one month's tine. I!eacbing Spring Prairie,
he bought a farm, which he worked for six years. In November of 1851. lie eame to Kcedsburg. bought a
farm near that place, but soon sold it and agreed with Mr. Reed to repair and run his mills in the town of
Reedsburg. Mr. Wist is, by trade, a carpenter, and built several houses which he afterward sold; he
built the Congregational Church of Reedsburg. Mr. West was married Sept. 5, 1826, to Mis- Susan
who was born June 3, 1805. The two children of this marriage were Lueina, who was horn Feb.
21). 1828, and Sydney, who was born Oct. 5, 1831. This son, Sydney, engaged work as Government
Carpenter, and went to Arkansas ; returning 1 e from that State, he died when within forty-seven miles
of the city of Chicago. The date of his death was Oct. 14, 1864. In 1852, Mr. West was elected
the Peace, and, with the exception of about two year-, held the office continuously for twenty-
four years. In the fall of 1856, was elected to the State Legislature. Pining the year L875 and 1S7H,
Mr. West was Police Justice of I! Jsburg. In politics, In' is a Republican; he voted lor John Quincy
Adams; has voted for every President since that time. Before the formation of the Republican party,
Mr. W. voted with the old Whig party. Mr. West's father, Benjamin, was horn in Connecticut. June
REV. .1. II. WIIITXEV: born at Sutton. Mass., Nov. 2 1 . 1834; is the son of David and Tyla
Whitney; be lived for the greater part of his early life tit Ashhurnhain. Mass.; studied law with Judge
,i Worcester, Mass. In May. 1861, .Mr. W. enlisted for three months' service in Co. A. 4th Mass.
V. I. ; at the expiration of this time he re-enlisted in Co, G. 21st M. V. I,, as Sergeant of company, and
was soon promoted to Sergeant Major of the same company, and. finally, became Second Lieutenant of the
com]. tiny. Mr, W. was in the 9th Army Corps, in Burnside's expedition to North Carolina, and also with
REEDSB1 RG 7a9
Pope's army iii his campaign of Hull Run and other battles. In 1863, failing health made it accessary for
Mr. W. to return home for a time; but, in 1864 he re-enlisted as a private in 1th Mass. II. A.; was
promoted in In' S, tl' i 'in i Major of his company, which was mustered out in June, L865. Mr.
W. studied for the ministry at the Biblical Institute of Concord, N. H., and afterward, at the theological
department of Boston University : he cam,- to New Lisbon. Wis., in lsus, ami preached there as a supply.
Mr. \V. was ordained Deacon in the M. E. Church Oct. 2, 1870, and Elder of the same Sept. 22, 1872.
He has been stationed at Baraboo, Wis., for two years ; at Sparta, for one year, and at sevi ral other points.
In 1875, Mr. W.'s health obliged him to leave ministerial work and go South . he taught for a time the
Central Tennessee College at Nashville; returning North, he was stationed at New Lisbon; here his first
wife, who was Miss Mary L. Hubbard, and to whom he was married Jan. 24, 1864, died, leaving one
daughter— Tyla. Mr. W.'s first wife was horn at Hubbardton, Mass., Sept. 17, 1839, and died at New
Lisbon, Wis". April 17. 1877. After the death of the first Mrs. Whitney, Mr. W. relumed to Nashville.
Tenn., where he remained until June of 1879, when he returned to Wisconsin and filled a vacancy at
Tenia. In the fall of 1879, Mr. W. was stationed at Reedsburg, Wis. In October of the same year, was
married to his second wife ; she has two children by a previous marriage; Mr. Whitney's lather died
Dec. 28, 1876.
IIER11 AX WISCHOFE, boot and shoe-maker, Reedsburg; came to Reedsburg in the spring
of 1 S 7 1 ; , and lice.au his present business, in which he has ever since heen elected ; lie is a native of Ger-
many, horn in Hanover Dec. 13, 1850 ; he came to America in 1868, and for seven or eight years after his
arrival in this country worked at his trade, which he had learned before leaving Germany, in the city of
He was married, in November, 1875, to Miss Elizabeth Halbersleben ; they have three chil-
dren Ida. ('aniline and Herman. Mr. and Mrs. W. belong to the Lutheran Church.
W. A. WYS-E, attorney, Reedsburg; was born July 27, 18t4, in Claremont, N. II.: when
between 5 d, his parents came to Inland's Milis, a town on Honey Creek, Sauk Co., Wis., and.
after living there four or five years, removed to Sauk City ; the father, David A., died in August, 1844. Mr.
1 In- education in common schools and at Madison University; he began teaching when only
14 years old, and taught for two winters. While at Madison University, in April. 1861, he enlisti
K. 1st W. V. I., known as the Governor's Guard, or Fain-hild's Company; this enlistment was for the
three months Bervice, and in the August following the regiment was mustered out, but Mr. W. re-enlisted
in Co. K. 13th W. V. 1.. Oct. 9, 1861 ; was appointed Corporal May 12, L863; March 1. 1865, he was
made Sergeant of the company, and acted for some time as Sergeant Major; re enlisted as a veteran Jan.
in. 1864 was in the Army of the West, and participated in all the campaigns of the regiment ; was dis-
charged at San Antonio, Texas, Nov. 24, 1865. Sept. 25, 1867, he was married to Mary E., daughter of
Dr. Sallade, who was born March 14. 1849; they have three children living and dead; his eldest,
Lena L. was born Oct. 27, 1871 ; Belle E. was born March 16, 1876, and bis sou William II. was horn
Oct. 22, 1878. Mr. W. has been Justice of the Peace for six years; has also served as Town Clerk,
Police Justice, Court Commissioner and Village Clerk. He is a Mason, and a member of the
Gratid \nuv of the Republic; he is of Universalis! faith, and in politics a Democrat.
.11 OSES ITOUBfG, druggist, Reedsburg; was born at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., Oct. 3, 1822;
r. ■ i - < ■ i \ 1 his education at the Sarat igu Springs Academy. He was married, Sept. .">, 1S.">7. to Miss ('. A.
Medberry. of Troy, Wis.; this ladj was born in Saratoga Co., N. Y., Dec. 25, 1826. Mr. Young cam. to
Troy, Wis., in 1 850 ; spent one year at that place, and went from there to Portage City, where he engaged
in the lumber business until the fall of 1854, when he removed to Reedsburg, Wis.; here, in the spring
of 1855, he opened a store, and continued in that business for about fifteen years; thereafter, for about
rs, lie was engaged in buying and selling bops ; in the summer of 1S77. lie aided in the erection of
the 1! Isburg Bank. and. for .me and a-half year- thereafter, held the position of Cashier in this Bank ;
he then bought out Sallade's drug store and began hi- piv-ent business. Mr. Young is a Mason, and is
lew Worshipful Master of the Lodge at l!eedshur_: ; he is a member of the Presbyterian Church ; he has
I n tbr several years connected with the Village Board, and has also occupied the chair of thai b
1-7-'. be was elect d Superintendent of Public Schools in Sauk Co. Mr. Young has one child— Carrie E.,
born July 26, 1858.
T. R. YOrXCr, merchant. Reedsburg; was born in West Troy, Albany Co., N. Y., July 12,
1848; his father. J. C. Young, is still livin- at lb ■.■d.-bur--. Wis.; for a time, the family resided in Wau-
kesha Co.. Wis., but about W>7 the] removed to Excelsior, where T. P. Young, the subject of this sketch,
was engaged in farm-work; in 1867, he removed to the northern part of the' town of Excelsior, and con-
tinued farming until the fall of 1877, when he Went R i-biirg, Wis and, in partnership with J. W.
730 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Kelsey, engaged in buying and selling grain ; in February of 1880, he began trade for himself by opening
a store for general merchandise in Reedsburg. Mr. Young's wife, formerly Miss Mary A. Du Bois, Nov.
8, 1871, was born May 29, 1849; they have two children ; the eldest, Edna, was born Aug. 28, 1876,
and Fred born Aug. 5, 1878. In politics, Mr. Young is a Republican.
W. H. YOUNG, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Reedsburg; is a son of John C. and Hannah Dingman
Young; was born in Montgomery Co., N. Y., May 10, 1824; resided in his native county till about 10
years of age ; then went to Otsego Co., N. Y., and lived there till about 1847. He was married in Otsego
Co. March 3, 1844. to Peggy A. House, daughter of Conrad and Margaret House; she was born in ( (tsego
Co. ; a separation and divorce occurred in 1846, and the next year Mr. Young moved to Jefferson Co.,
N. Y.; remained there till 1854, and then came to Wisconsin; settled at Reedsburg. He was married at
Baraboo, January, 1856, to Adeline Crawford, daughter of James Crawford ; she was born in Ohio ; there
were two children by this marriage, Clarence, and Howard, deceased. Mr. Young came to his present farm
in July, 1856 ; Mrs. Young died July 10, 1861. Mr. Young has been Chairman of Reedsburg one year,
Supervisor four years, and District Clerk sixteen years. He was married Dec. 17, 1863, to Lydia Dewey,
daughter of Henry and Mary A Dewey; they have had three children — George, Charles ( dt ised >. and
Winnie F. Mr. Young has 200 acres of land.
TOWN OF WOODLAND.
WILLIAM C. BROAS, farmer, Sec. 36 ; P. O. Ironton ; son of William and Luanda
( Cleveland ) Broas ; his father was a native of Massachusetts and his mother of Connecticut ; William C.
was born in the town of Union, Broome Co., N. Y., March 27, 1820. Was married Dec. 1, 1844, in
Tioga Co., N. Y., to Emeline It. Shepard, daughter of Rohson and Polly (Burton) Shephard ; Mrs.
Broas was bom in Cortland Co., N. Y.; have six children — Allen A., married to Emeline Thornton.
residence, W Hand; Burton B., married Mary Mohler, residence, Woodland ; Chancy T., Phoehe A.,
Mary J., Lui v M .. John i deceased ), Albert ( deceased ; .Mine to Wisconsin in 1S51 ; settled in Walworth
Co.; stayed there two summers, then came to Sank County; settled in the town of New Buffalo now
Fairfield"; spent one year there; then came to Woodland 1854 . located on Sec. 22; had 40 acres;
lived there eight years, then moved to his present home. See. 30; has now 315 acres, lying partly in
Sauk and partly in Richland Co. Mrs. Broas is a member of the BaptUt Church ; Mr. B. has been
Clerk of the School District, No. 7, three years. Politics, Democrat.
JABKZ BROWN, farmer and teacher; residence, See. 36; P. O. Ironton. Was married in
Wayne Co., Ind., Nov. I, 1849, to Sarah Durflinger ; they have nine children — Alonzo, Lorenzo (married
to Emma Hackett, residence, North Freedom, Sank Co , George J., Mary E., Fielder, Martha V. and
Meli-sa V. (twins) and Viola C. and Orin. Mr. Brown and familj came to Sauk Co., Wis., in June,
1855; settled in Ironton July 4; remained there till 1861 ; then moved to their present home, Sec. 36,
VV Hand, was twice elected Superintendent of Schools of the town of Marston, and each time was
obliged to resign in order to pursue his business of teaching; lie has taught twenty-five winters and twelve
summers in Wisconsin ; nearly all of his children have been teachers. Mr. B. and eldest daughter are
members of the Society of Friends. In politics, is Republican.
JAMES CANON, fanner. Sec 20; P.O. Valton; son of William N. and Lydia (Luce
Canon ; was bom in Mercer Co., l'enn., Oct. 2, 1827 ; came to La Fayette Co., Wis., in 1847, and about
a year afterward moved to Jo Daviess Co . 111. Was manic, 1 Feb. 5, 1852, in Jo Daviess Co., to Eunice
.■ml' Bryant and Sarah Nail) Davis. Mrs. Canon was born in Iowa. Dubuque Co .
have had eight children, five boys and three girls— William B., died when 3 years of age ; Ira R.,
married to Clara B. Kostcr, residence. Valton ; John W., died when I years old; Awilda J., now Mrs.
Robert Skene, residence. Jo Daviess Co., 111.; Thomas H., died in childhood; Edgar J.. Ilattie Belle and
Nora V. In November, 1855, came to Wisconsin; settled in Sunk Co.. town of Woodland, Sec. 20;
has 190 acres in Woodland and 100 acres in Buena Vista Co., Iowa. Enlisted in February, 1864, in Co
A, 36th W. V. I ; at the battleof Reeme'a Station, Va., Aug. 25, 1864, was captured and taken to Libbj
Prison, from there to Belle Isle. Va., then to Salisbury, X. C.J was exchanged the last of March, 1865;
bas bee,, Supervisor four years, and Treasurer of his School Districi twenty years. Politics, Republican.
Mrs Cat is a member of the church of the I nited Brethren.
TOWN OF WOODLAND. 731
SAMUEL, CANON, farmer, Sec. 19; P. 0. Valtoa ; son of William and Lydia I Luce) Canon,
was born in Mercer Co., Penn., Aug. 7, 1825; moved to Jo Daviess Co., III., in 1845. He'was married,
Sept. Ill, 1848, to Louisa Sutton, daughter of George and Mary (Whiting) Sutton; Mrs. Canon wae
born in London, England; her people came to the United States in 1837; they have nine children —
William 0., married to Eliza McCarthy, residing in Woodland; Thomas B, married to Phoebe Macy,
residing in W Hand; Mary E, now Mrs. Gustave Anderson, of North McGregor, Iowa ; Sarah E., now
Mrs John Mulholen, of Woodland; James H., Samuel W., Lucy C, Idell and Loella. In L858, they
moved to LaFayette Co., Wis., and in October, I860, to Sauk Co., and settled on Section 19; he has 162
acres of land ; has filled all the offices of the school district. Mrs. Canon is a member of the I ni ed
Brethren Church. Mr. Canon, in polities, is a Republican.
LESTER CLEJIONS, Postmaster, merchant and stock-dealer, Valton ; son of William and
Harriet (Lyman) demons; was born in Licking Co., Ohio, Jan. 26, 1S.<7 ; in May, 1855, he came to
Wisconsin and located on Sec. 30, town of Woodland, Sauk Co.; had, with his lather, 400 acres of land
He was married. Nov. oil. 1865, at Richland Center, to Jennie S.Smith, daughter of Stephen ami Saran
Glasier) Smith ; .Mrs demons was born in Windsor Co., Yt. ; they have had four children— Hattie B.,
Mattie L., Harry S. (deceased i and Carrie. In May, 1870, he came to Valton, built the store ho now
occupies and commenced business as dealer in dry g Is, groceries, provisions, boots and shoes and general
merchandise; he also deals in live stock and staves — market, Chicago. He has been Assessor tin
and is serving bis third term as Treasurer; was Town Clerk one year; has twenty eight village lots ami
Mo acres of land where he resides. Politics, Republican.
SOLOMON COOK, farmer, carpenter and cabinet-maker, Sec. 36 ; P. O. Irontou ; son of Na-
than and Anna | Wickersliam I Cook ; was born in Wayne Co., End., Aug. 20, 1821. He was married:
Nov. 5, 1846, in Hamilton Co.. at Strawtown, to Mary A. Brown, daughter of Fielder and Martha
I Bundy i Brown ; Mrs. Cook was horn in Wayne Co.. [int., Jan. 1, 1832; they have had seven children —
Antoinette, now Mrs. A. J. Coryell, living in Woodland: Ella C, now Mrs. Charles Veeder, of Richland
Co. (near W Hand); Sadie L., Charles O., Drusilla, Caleb E. and Alice, who died when 1 yearofage
In July, 1855, Mr. Cook and family came to Wisconsin and settled in Richland Co., town of Westford,
Sec. 1 , remained there till 1872, then moved to Woodland, Sauk Co., on See. 36 ; has 45 acres of land, a
portion of which lies in Richland Co. ; was Assessor of Westford one year, and of Woodland one year;
was Treasurer of School District No. 9. Westford, six years, and of Joint School District No. 9, Wood-
laud and Westford, six years. Mrs. Mary A. Cook is the recorded minister of the " Ironton Monthly
Meeting of Friends' Church," See. Illl. The daughters have all been teachers; Antoinette has taught loin
years, Ella ('.. ten years, and Sadie L., six years. Mr. Cook litis manufactured sorghum sirup quite ex-
tensively ; in 1S7H. he made l.l'liS gallons, and litis year he has made 827 gallons.
CHARLES GIBBINS, farmer, Sec. 29; P. ( ). Valton ; son of William and Rebecca Gib-
bins : was born in Lincolnshire, England, in 1S27 : came to the United States in 1848, and settled in the
town of I (shkosh, Wis. : lived there about three years ; then went to Oconomowoc. He was married, in
September, 1S57, to Mary Ann, daughter of John and Jane i Cuttrell) White; Mrs. Gibbins was bom in
England; they have four children — William, married to Laura Frasier, living in Woodland ; Henry, mar-
ried to Allie Chamness, residing in W Hand ; Janie, and Ezra. In 1860, moved to Sauk Co. and
on Sec. 29 : have 100 acres of land ; served in the army about four months the last year of the war. In
politics, he is a Democrat.
REV. JOSEPHLS <«OOD. Presiding Elder of the East District of Wisconsin Conference,
United Brethren Church ; residence Section 28, P. <>. Valton; son of John and Ann i Davis) Good; wa<
born in Preble Co., Ohio, Sept. 15, 1829; when about 12 years of age, went to Randolph Co., tnd. He
was married in this county, March 31, 1855, to Sarah E. Stanley, daughter of Jesse and Annie i Cox
Stanley; Mrs Good was born in Indiana; Mr. Good followed the profession of teacher in various places
across the State to K sciusko Co.; was licensed to preach in 1S60 by the Wesleyan Methodist Church; in
]si!2. moved to Wisconsin; settled mi See. 1'7. Woodland, Sauk Co.; about ISI',5, attached himself to the
United Brethren Church and traveled in Northern Wisconsin as Presiding Elder of the East District of
the Wisconsin Conferei Children in the family are Elizabeth A., now Mrs. Samuel Woolsey
living in Woodland; Josephine, now Mis P. Jackson, of Richland Co.; Heywood, died when
James V. Buldah, Willie B. and Wilbur. He has hen Assessor of Woodland
term and Treasurer live years; has 280 acres of land. Polities, Republican.
NATHAN C. HARVEY, farmer; Sec. 32; P. 1 1. Valton; son of Caleb and Pen
Harvey; was barn in Indiana Dec. 28, 1831 ; when 20 years of age. he came to Wisconsin and
732 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
See. 22, Woodland. He was married Oct. 22, 1856, in Parke Co., Ind., to Mary A. Kersey, daughter
of Stephen and Jemima Kersey; they have eight children — Clementine, Wilson I!., George L., Anna L.,
Man Iv. Horace G., Edward S. and Jane C. Mr. H. enlisted, December. 1864, in Co. H, 12th W. V.
I . and served lill the (.'lose of the war; was in all engagements in which his regiment participated; was
with Sherman in his celebrated march to the sea ; in 1870, moved to See 30. and took the contract for
carrying the mail from Cazenovia to Mauston ; in 1873, moved to See. 32; has 240 acres of land; was
Chairman of Woodland five years, Clerk two years. Assessor one year, and Town Superintendent of
Schools one year ; was appointed Enumerator of * 'en-ns for the town of Woodland for the year 1880.
_ JOHN HEI1VRICK, farmer. Sec. 27; P. <). Oaks; son of Peter and Margaret (Angel)
Heinrick, was horn in Switzerland, July 10, 1824; came to the United States in 1848, and settled in
Kenosha, Wis. ; lived there fourteen years, then went to Wheatland, same county. Was married, Oct. 24,
1862, at Wheatland, to Mary Premers, daughter of Bernard and Ann C. ( Bocker i Premers ; they have
had three children — Peter, Annie, and Dora t ha, who died in infancy ; came to Sauk Co. November, 1866,
ami settled on Sec. 27 ; has 205 acres of land. Mr. Heinrick's mother came to the United Stales some
time after her sun did. and died at his residence at the age of sl years. Mr. and Mrs. II. are members of
the Lutheran Church ; in politics, he is a Democrat.
J. H. HORIXE, farmer, and proprietor of limekiln and grindstone quarry, Sec. 35; P.O. Oaks ;
burns from 1,000 to 3,000 bushels of lime annually; Mr. H. was born in Mercer Co.. Ky., March
24, 1 ^27 ; son of J. X. and Mary (Dean) Horine; when 8 years of age, moved to Highland Co.. Ohio;
stopped there two years, then went to Delaware Co., Ind. ; when 18 years of age, moved to Howard Co.
Was married in Grant Co., Ind., Feb. 24, 1848, to Rachel Davis, daughter of Mark and Rebecca
(Osborn) Davis; .Mrs. II. was burn in Henry Co., Ind.; they have had nine children — Mary A., new
Mrs. Nelson Stickles, of [owa ; Ruth, now Mrs. ,1. Mullennix, living in Iowa; Enoch ; Nancy, new Mis.
William Mann, of Nebraska; Stephen D., T. Jefferson, John M , Rebecca and Julia M. Mr. II and
family came to Sauk Co., Wis,, Oct. Ill, 1852 ; stopped in Sauk City awhile, and in 1853 came to Town
13, Range 2, now Woodland ; settled on Sec. 35 ; has 70 acres of land ; Mr. and Mrs. Horine are members
of the Wesleyan Methodist Church ; politics. Republican.
KLI I>. HOItTOV farmer. Sec. 26 ; P. ( >. Oaks; son of Giirdon and Lucy (Davison. Horton.
was born in Oswego Co . N. Y., Nov. 27, 1834; resided in his native county till 13 years of age, then
removed with his parents Lo the Shaker community, near Albany ; when 211 years of age, moved to Jeffer-
son Co., Wis Was married, March 2S, 1858, to Ann E. Sherman, daughter of Leonard and Anna
i Whit ford i Sherman; Mrs. Horton was born in Onondaga Co., X. V. ; they have four children
S.. Lucy A., Dell and George D. A. ; in October, 1860, came to Sauk Co , and settled on Sec. 23 . two
years afterward moved to See. 32 ; lived there seven years, then moved to bis present farm, See. 26 : has
45 acres. He enlisted, August, 1862, in Co. I. Isi W. Y. I. , was severely wounded at the skirmish of
Burnt Church, Georgia, June, 18li4 ; up to this time was in every engagement in which his regiment was
engaged; was discharged \pril. 1X05; has been Clerk of Woodland from 1807 to the present time,
with the excepti f two years; moved to Minnesota, April, 1^75, and returned in June of the same
year; was appointed Postmaster of Oaks P. O., October, 1879, and is the present incumbent; politics,
Republican.
SIMEON MORTIMER, farmer. See. 29; P. O. Valton; son of Michael and Mary
Rogers) Mortimore, was born in Wiltshire, England, in 1826; was married September, lsl'.i, in En-
gland, to Sarah Mortimore, daughter of Ahram and Sarah Mortimer. Mrs. Mortimer was bom in
they have had four children — William (deceased . John Iv. married to Rhoda Small, residence
at Valton Mary E . now Mrs, Charles Jordon, living in Vernon County ; Noah, married to Winnc Green,
residence at Valton; Albert; came to the United Sta'es, January, 1850; lived in Waukesha Co., Wis.
alien' five years; then came to Sauk Co. and settled on Sec. 29, Town 13, Range 2. now W Hand;
have 120 acres; served four months in the army during the las' year of the war. Mr. and Mrs. M. are
members of the Church of the United Brethren, of Valton.
S. W. SHERMAN, farmer. See. 15; P. O. Wonewoc son of Leonard and Annie (Whitford)
Sherman; was born in Chautauqua Co., X. V.. March 27, L828 ; when about 7 years of age, moved with
his parents to Oswego Co.; came lo Wisconsin in 1853; located in Jefferson Co.; returned to
Xew York and was married September 20, 1854, to Ann Eliza I La-ton. daughter of Purdy and Hannah
• I. I'm I\ Horton ; Mrs Sherman was horn in Pittstown, llensselaer Co., X. Y.; Mr. and Mrs. Sherman
returned to Jefferson Co., Wis . ae< panied by Mr. Sherman's father's family, consisting often boys
and two girls; of these boys, eight went into the army during the war ; two Were wounded, and one made a
TOWN OF WOODLAND. 733
prison*; all came out alive, lu the spring of 1858, Mr. S. and family moved to Sunk County; settled
on Sec. 15, where they now reside; have 80 acres of land; they have a family of nine children living ;
one, Emmoarene, the eldest, died when 17 years of age; those livin » are George I*'.. Ma. J.. Lydia M..
Nellie M.. General -I . Charles E, .Minnie J., Myrtle II :\nd William N.; has I n Chairman of Wood-
land two years, and Supervisor three years; served in the army during the last year of the war; politics,
K. publii hi ; when he settled on his land he found it in a perfectly wild stair , we often hear of men stick-
ing their stakes under such circumstances; well, the first stake that Mr. S. drove happened to be a white-
about two and one half inches thick and five feet high ; that stake took runt and grew and now
measures three feel live inches in circumference, while its height is fully fifty feet ; while sitting beneath
[i of this splendid tree, which casts its shadow on his house, Mr. Sherman, with pardonable pride.
tells the story of his first stake.
JAMES STANLEY, farmer and recorded minister of " The Friends" Church, at Valton ;
residence, Sec. 22; P. < >. Valton; son of James and At-nes Stanlej . was born in Surry Co., N. ('..
Dec. 9, 1808; when about 18 years of age, moved to Randolph Co, I ml : was mat tied at Springfield,
Meeting of Friends. Wayne Co., Ind., March 25, 1829, to Jemima Mills, daughter of Richard and
Nancy Mills: Mrs. Stanley was born in Clinton Co., Ohio; they have bad six children — Elmina
deceased' was the wife of Charles Beson ; Nancy, died when 16 years of age; Martha, died when 23
years of age; Huldah. married to William Pickering, living in Clay Co., Iowa; Elkana, married to
Catharine Wright, living in Woodland. In 1857, Mr. Stanley and family came to Sauk Co., Wis., settled
on See. 22, Woodland ; have 80 acres of land. Mr. Stanley has been the Recorded Minister of the Val-
ton Branch of the " [ronton Monthly Meeting of Friends" since its organization .June 18, 1873).
RICHARD TENNANT, Jr., farmer, Sec. 13; P.O. Lavalle; son of Richard and Agnes
lb i Thompson i Tennant; was born in Manchester, England, May 1, 1843; came to the United States
with bis parents in 1S.">(I ; stopped tw i years in the town of Granville, Milwaukee Co., Wis. ; came to Sauk
Co. in March. 1868, made his home in the town of Woodland, Sec. 13; has 665 acres of land, lying
partly in Woodland and partly in Lavalle. He was married, .March 22, 1871, at Wonewoc, Juneau Co.,
at the residence of J. B. Frazell, to Hannah Jolls, daughter of Jeremiah Jolls ; Mrs. Tennant was born in
Cattaraugus Co., N. Y.: they have three sons— Richard, Hubert T. and Harry A. Mrs. Tennant died
April 13, 1880. Mr. Te at has been Clerk of School District No. 4 six years. Is a member of the
Unitarian Church. Politics, Republican.
DR. JOHN THOMPSON, physician and farmer, See. 33; P. 0. Valton; son of Samuel
and Christiana (Harris i Thompson ; was born in Perry Co., Ohio, July 1. 1818; moved to Miami Co.
i now Clinton i. lie was married in Howard Co., Ind., Dec. 29, 1844, to Celia Lamb, daughter of John
and Lydia Mendenall i Lamb : Mrs. Thompson was born in Indiana ; they have had six children (i, ,nL.,
VV. married to Mary A. Edgerton, residing in Fremont Co., Iowa), Lydia E., Samuel .].. David F.,John
G. (died when two \ :ars of age and Susanna. Dr. T studied medicine with Dr. Andrew Mathis, of the
Eclectic school at New London. Ind.; in lS.'il. be moved to Dallas Co., Iowa; practiced bis profession
'it five years, and then moved to Sauk Co., Wis., in June, 1859 ; settled on a firm nearlronton,
and remained there till 1865; then located at [ronton Village, and, in ISliT, came to Valton, town of
Woodland; bought the saw-mill at this place, and. in 1868, added a run of stone to the mill, making a
combined saw and grist mill of it; in 1877, bought bis farm. See. 33, where lie now resides; has 1'iHi
acres of land. He has I n Scl 1 District Treasurer two terms, and is the present Clerk of District No
6. Dr. and Mrs. T. are members of the United Brethren Church. In polities, Dr. T. is a thorough
Greenback er.
JOHN VORHEES, farmer, Sec. 22; P. O. Wonewoc; son of Albert and Catherine (Hoalts)
Vorhees; was born in Guernsey Co., Ohio, April 22, 1829. Was married at Cambridge, Ohio, Oct. :;.
1850, to Mary A. Struble. daughter of Abraham and Mary A. I McClurg) Struble ; Mrs. A', was born in
l ruernsey ( !o., < )hio ; they have six children — Elizabeth, now Mrs. Thomas ; ( ieorge. residing in Woodland ;
Alpl.eus" W.. married to" Melinda Griffe, also of Woodland; William A. ; Eliza ('., now Mrs. John Sper-
rier, living in Woodland, and David R. Mr. V. came to Wisconsin in 1 Slit;, and settled on Sec. 'I'l. Wood
land, Sauk Co.. lias 160 acres of land ; has been Supervisor of Woodland one year and Assessor live
years ; has been Director of School District No. 2, fourteen years. Mr. and Mrs. V. are members of the
Christian Church. In politics, he is a Democrat.
JAMES E. WALLACE, farmer, Sec. 26; P, 0. Oaks; son of Nathan and Susanna (Gal-
lup) Wallace; was bo,-,, in Otsego Co., N. Y.: Dec. 12, 1816. Was married, June 1. 1847, to Chloe M.
Crcgory, daughter of Uriah and I'hila i Motlelt i liregory ; sbe was born in Otsego Co., N. V : they have
i-U BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
had five children — Ellen (deceased), Lydia (deceased), Mary E. (now Mrs. Samuel Bailey, of Woodland),
Edwin G. and Emily L. In May, 1855, they came to Sauk Co., Wis., and settled on Sec. 26, Wood-
land ; he has 135 acres of land ; has served his school district as Treasurer. In politics, is a Democrat.
TOWN OF MERR MACK.
BATHASER BOEGNER, a leading citizen and farmer. See. 5; P. 0. Merrimack ; was
burn in Bavaria, Germany, May 19, 1819 ; he remained in Bavaria until he was in his 15th year, then
went to Austria, living there until 1849, then came to this country, and married in Roxbury, Mass.. Miss
Margaret Qerstner; they came to Wisconsin in 1854, settling in the town of Merrimaek. Sauk Co., where
they have since resided on their farm of 82 acres, which is finely improved and well located. Mr. Boeg-
ner, has been elected to many local offices, including that of Justice of the Peace, which position he fills at
present writing. Politically, he acts with the Republican party. Religiously, he is a Free-Thinker.
ABRAHAM COLBFRN, farmer, See.:;:; . P. 0. Merrimack; born in Erie Co., N. Y.. in
1824 ; his parents removed to Canada, when he was 8 or 10 years of age. He was married to Mary Com-
fort, born in Canada. He came to Sauk Co., about 1854, and settled in the town of Merrimaek . settled
on his present farm in 1867; Mr. Colburn has six sons and three (laughters; his farm contains 1 T < » acres
ADAM ESCHENBACH, farmer, Sec. 5; P. 0. Merrimack; is a native of Bavaria, Ger-
many ; born April 2, 1842 ; he remained in Bavaria, until the year 1846, then came to this country, and
married in Boston, Mass., Miss Barbara Gerstner ; they resided in Boston until the autumn of 185 I. then
came to Merrimack, Sauk Co., Wis., which has been their home since ; they have two children — Frank and
Alexander ; the former is married, and is engagedjin farming in Merrimack ; the latter carries on his father's
farm, and is a young man of much enterprise; Mr. Eschenbacb owns 12(1 acres of land, well improved;
he has been a member of the Merrimack Town Board of Supervisors, and was School Treasurer of his dis-
trict for twelve years.
<iiEOK(iE FRESE, farmer, Sec. 17 ; P. 0. Sauk City ; is a native of Germany; was born in
the village of Berndorf, in October, 1825, where he remained until the year 1851, then came to the United
States, locating in the town of Merrimack, Sauk Co., Wis., and has been closely identified with the inter-
est of that town since, officially and otherwise. He married in Merrimack, Miss Nanette Goette ; they
have five children, viz. : Christine, wife ofCharlesGrjf.nl' Merrimack; Bertha, George, Ida and Will-
iam At present writing, Mr. Frese is a member of the Town Board of Supervisors, a position he has
filled for three years ; he has been School Treasurer in the district where he resides eleven years. In his
native country, he served three years in the army. Himself and wife are members of the Lutheran Church ;
his farm consists of 90 acres, and is well improved ; he takes a 1 lading part in the public affairs of his town,
and is a public spirited citizen.
JOHN J. GABER, farmer, Sec. 5; P. 0 Merrimack ; son of John and Barbara Gaber; he
was born in Wiirteniberg, ( b.-rniauy, in 1846; came with his parents to this country in 1848; his lather
settled in the town of Merrimack, where he now lives. Mr Gaber was married to Emma Burkhart ; they
have shild — Paulina ; farm contains 5 I
CARL GRAF, farmer; P. 0. Merrimaek ; was born in Waldeck. Germany, Feb. 2, 1842; he
came to Wi ■..,. -in in 1^68, and settled in Merrimack, Sauk Co.. and married then' in 1874, Miss C. Frese,
daughter Fresi a leading citizen of Merrimaek ; they have three children — Hilda. Charlie and
Mr. Graf owns 100 acres of land.
JOH\ D. JONES, the leading merchant of Merrimack, was born in Lebanon, N. H., in 1849;
in 1856, he ne to Wisconsin, and in L872 engaged in business in the village of Merrimaek. Sauk Co.,
where In ieii iii building up a large and lucrative trade. Be married in Barabbt), Wis., Miss
Bertie Vansice ; thej have one child — J. Claude.
HERMAN KTNZ, farmer: P.O. Prairie du Sac ; was born in Saxony, Germany, in 1828;
in 1846, he came to this country, locating in the town ot Merrimaek, Sauk Co., Wi»., the same year, where
i\.e I le iii n -riod. iii Merrimaek. Mi - Man Bauer; thej have three children — -August,
1 llattie Mr. Kiuizownsa well-improved farm of i 2o acres, and is one of the well-to-do farmers
of the town of Merrimack, in which town he has isident for thirty-four years. He takes a
part in the educational affairs of the town, and has filled iffices. He trades fair.
TOWN OF MERRIMACK. 735
WILLIAM LEISER. fanner; P. 0. Merrimack ; was bom in Baden, Germany, Nov. 17,
1838 . in 1 350, he came to this country with his parents, John and Caroline Leiser, both natives of Baden :
they settled in the town of Sumter, Sank Co., Wis., when' William, the subject of this notice, remained
until 1864 in which year he removed to the town of Merrimack, which has been his home since. He
married in Sauk City. Wis.. Mis, Susan Mueller; they have eight children — Charlie, Willie, Susan, Louise,
('aniline. George, Robert and Freddie. Mr. Leiser owns a finely improve! farm of L60 acres. In polities,
he is a Democrat. His father is still a resident of Sumter ; his mother is deceased.
JIATHIAS LEUSER, stone mason and plasterer, Sec. 5 ; P.O. Merrimack; son of John
Leuser, who came to Sauk Co.. from Germany, in 1851 ; family lived iu Sauk City for a few months, then
settled in the town of Sumter, where his father now lives: the family consisted of seven children, only three
-nis of whom are living. Mr. Leuser was married to Maria E. Gate; has six children — three boys and
J. B. O^UItwIwLE, a prominent citizen of Merrimack, was born in Hampden. Geauga Co..
Ohio, March 4, 1830 ; iu 1841, he removed, with his parents, to La Fayette, Walworth Co., Wis., where he
remained until about 1850, then came to Merrimack, where he has since been successfully engaged in farming
and stock dealing. During the war of the rebellion, lie enlisted in Merrimack, in Co. C, I2d W. V. I.; was iu
active service, and was honorably discharged at Madison, Wis., in 1805 ; iu Merrimack, hi' has been elected
: local offices. He married, in Merrimack, Miss Harriet, daughter of Michael Quiggle, an esteemed
citizen, and an early settler of that town ; she was born in Hampden, Ohio; they have one son — Eugene
E. Politically, Mr. Quiggle is an earnest supporter of the Republican party ; his farm is pleasantly located
and finely improved. His father, .lames Quisle, was a native of Pennsylvania ; he married, in Hampden
Co., Hannah M. Bartholomew, a native of Connecticut; they .ame to Wisconsin in 1841, lived in Wal-
worth Co. until 1850, then moved to La Crosse Co., Wis., where he died in about 1874; she is still a
resident of that county; one of their sons. Nelson, a brother of the subject of this sketch, was a volunteer
in the 8th W. V. I. in the war of the rebellion, was wounded at Corinth, and died of said wound at the
home of his parents in La Crosse Co. ; the records of his company show he was a good soldier and a genial
comrade.
MICHAEL QUIGGLE, farmer, Sec. 4 ; P. O. Merrimack. Mr. Quiggle was horn in Penn-
sylvania, in 1805; his parents removed to Geauga Co., Ohio, when he was 4 years of age ; he lived in
Ohio till 1848, when he removed to Walworth Co., Wis., where he lived till 1S50, when he came to Sauk
Co. and settled on the farm which be now owns He was married, in Ohio, to Miss Olive Hall, of Ohio ;
her parents removed from Connecticut to Ohio at an early day; Mr. Quiggle has six children — Harriet,
Henry, Lenora, Franklin, Delos and Harlow; Delos still resides at the homestead ; be was born iu 1845 ;
ted February. 1865, in the I'.Mh W. V". I., served till close of the war, and was mustered out of
service November, 1865: he was married to Katie Stiver, of Sauk Co.; they have two children — Law-
rence D. and Candas ; two other sons. Henry and Franklin, served during the rebellion iu the 2d W. V.
C. ; Mr. Quiggle's farm contains 160 acres.
FRED REUSLER, farmer, Sec 8; P. O. Sauk City; was born in Waldeck, Germany, in
1817 ; he came to this country in 1S48, settling in Wisconsin the same year; he has been a resident of
Merrimack the greater part of the time since. lie was married to Miss Matilda Seusner ; they have four
children, viz., Robert, Amanda, Selma and Fred ; Mr. Reusler served in the army of his native country
about three year.-; he owns 120 acres of land, desirably located and well improved.
AMOS TODD, retired fanner. Sec. 23 ; P. O. Merrimack. Mr. Todd was born in the town of
Homer, Cortland Co., X. V.. Oct. 2, 1804 ; when IU years of age, he removed to Friendship. Allegany
Co., where he whs married to Harriet Pratt (deceased), born in the town of Simmers, Tolland Co.,
Conn.; he lived in Allegany Co. about three years; he then removed to Covington. Cenesee Co.;
he afterward returned to Homer, where he remained three years ; he removed to Michigan in 1828. where
he lived several years ; thence to Geneva, Ashtabula Co.. Ohio, where he lived twenty years; he came to
Wisconsin in 1853 and settled on bis present farm ; his wife died in the fall of 1805. Mr. Todd had
seven daughters and three sons, five daughters and one son are still living — Hiram J.; Mrs. Peninah
Pratt, resides in Connecticut; Mrs. Mandura A. Austin, in Ohio; Mrs. Harriet L. Coats; Mrs.
Almira A. Fisher, in Ohio, and Mrs. Vienna M. PremQ. Hiram J. was born December, 1829; he mar-
ried Charlotte Coats; he now owns the homestead. During his life, Mr. Todd has made himself a
heme in four States of the Onion, and planted an orchard in each State; he recently made a visit to
each of these farms ; during that fall, he ate apples from trees that he had planted in four different States ;
this is a fact that but few men are permitted to realize.
736 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
D. C. TODD, farmer, Sec. 33; P. 0. Merrimack ; son of M. G. Todd, a native of the State of
New York, who rain.' to Dane Co., about 1854, and settled where his son now lives; his father now
lives in Columbus. Mr. D. C. Todd was born July 1'7. 1856 ; he was married to Miss Emma Crosby.
June, 1880. The homestead farm which Mr. Todd and his brother now conducts contains 170 acres.
BERNARD WEICJAND, farmer, of Merrimack, was born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1819 ;
in IS 111, he came to the Tinted States, locating in Boston, Mass., where he married Miss Theresa (ierst-
ner : thev came to Wisconsin in 1854, settling in the town of Merrimack, Sauk Co., where they have
made their home since ; thev have one son, Henry, who resides at home with his parents and manages the
farm. Mr. Weigand owns S3 acres of valuable land, finely improved and desirably located.
NORJIAN WOOD, farmer, Sec. 28; 1'. 0. Merrimack. Mr. W 1 was bom in Cave, i Co
N. Y.. in 1 S 1 ( i , his parents removed to Tompkins Co., when he was a child; he cam.' to Wisconsin
in 1854, and settled where he now lives. Mr. Wood has been twice married ; he has eight children, three
by first marriage and five children by present wife. He is present Chairman of the Town Board, his farm
contains 80 acres.
TOWN OF HONEY CREEK.
JAMES BUCKLEY, farmer, Sec. 25 ; P. O. Black Hawk ; was born in County Tipperary,
Ireland, in 1825; when he was about 1 year old, his parents emigrated to the Quebec District. Canada,
where he remained until 1856; in which year he came to Wisconsin, locating in the town oi Hone} Creek.
Sauk Co., which has been his home since; he has held various local offices, including that of Town Super
visor; he owns a desirably located aud well-improved farm of 160 acres. He married, near Quebec,
Canada. Miss Elizabeth Crotty, a native of the city of Quebec; their children are Jeremiah A., James I ».
Thomas R . William, Henry, Edwin, Cathrine, Mary J. and Elizabeth. Mr. Buckley, in politics, acts with
the Democrat party ; he takes a deep interest in educational matters, aud is alive to everything tending to
enhance the public interests of his town.
HON. rERICH I1EMMI, P. O. Black Hawk; was born in Churwalden, Canton Grau-
bunden. Switzerland, June 14, 1829; lie came to Wisconsin m 1848. locating in the town of Honey
Creek. Sauk Co.. which lias been his home since; he was a member of the Wisconsin Legislature in 187U ;
has been several times elected a member of the board oi' Town Supervisors, in Homy Creek, and has held
the offices .if Assessor and Treasurer. He married, in Honey Creek. K izabeth Joos. Children are Anna.
Stephen II.. Martin, George, Caroline, John Ulrich and Peter, Mr. Hemmi and wife are members of the
Evangelical Association ofNorth America; he owns a well improved farm of 137 acres ofland. In politics.
he acts with the Republican party.
FRANl'IJS JIAiwERLEIX, a prominent citizen of the town of Honej Creek, was born in
Meckl ii liar-, Germany, June 1 I, 1841 ; he recen ed a liberal education in early life ; in L 850, he came
to Milwaukee. Wis. residing there until 1855; then came to the town of Honey Creek, Sauk Co., and
],as been identified with the various public interests of that town since; he was Chairman and member lit'
the Board of Supervisors several years, besides filling a number of other local offices. lie married, in
Honey Creek, Miss Jane Quirk ; they have one child — lolm. In politics. Mr. Magerlein acts with the
]i mocratic pan v. He owns a well-located and valuable farm of 200 acres of land; is a public-spirited
and enterprising citizen.
HEXRV OCHSNER, a leading citizen and farmer of the town of Honey Creek. Sauk Co.,
Wis., was horn in Nanuikun. ('anion Zurich. Switzerland. Nov. 20, 1825; in early life, he received a lib-
u, ami read law in Cster. the countj seat of Zurich, where he practiced in the lower courts
several years; in 1849, he came to Wisconsin, settling in the town of Honey Creek. Sauk Co., and has,
Since that lime taken a leading part in all of its public interests; he was Treasurer of Sauk Co. ill the
years 1857 58, County Commissioner on drainage in I860, Chairman of the Town Board a number of
years, Town Treasurer several times, and has taken an active part in the educational interests, having, at
various times, tilled scl I offices, always working for tie- advancement of the school system. In L853,
Mr. Ochsnei returned to the land of his nativity, and married there Miss Juditha Hot tiger ; she was hom
in Richterweil, Canton Zurich, Switzerland, July 13 L832 ; they have five children— Henry A., John
A .V. Louise, Edward and Emma J. Mr. Ochsner owns over one section of land, finely improved.
in\V\ OF SUMTEK.
737
TOWN OF SUMTER.
I'll 1 1 O W. CARPENTER, farmer, Sec. 14 ; P. 0. Prairie du Sac ; son of John and Sarah
Francis Carpenter; came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1855 and located in Sumter, Sauk Co.; located on
the farm where he now resides in the spring of 1865; owns 203 acres of land; resides on a heautiful
farm of 120 acres, five and a half miles from the village of Prairie du Sac ; farm well improved. Born
in Wales, Brie Co., N. Y., Jan. 7, 183(1; remained in New York until he was 22 years of age, when he
went to Illinois and engaged in farming; after three years, he returned to New York, and, remaining one
year, came to Wisconsin. He married Eliza MuGinnis, daughter of William and Jane Kyle McGinnis,
in Sumter, Sauk Co., Wis., Oct. 20, 1857 ; had one child— James. R., born July 1'-', ISCl: He has held
the offices of Supervisor and District Treasurer. Mrs. Carpenter was born in Baragh, County Tyrone,
Ireland. July 27, lS'.Y.\ : emigrated to America with her parents in 1847 and settled in Massena, St. Law-
rence Co., N. Y. ; the father of Mrs. Carpenter was born Oct. 13, 1800, and died Sept. 7, 1876; the
mother of Mrs. Carpenter was born about 1796, and died April 10, 1876; the father of Mr. Carpenter was
born June 25, 1808, at Pompey Mill. Onondaga Co., N. Y., and died Nov. 28, 1S74; the mother of Mr.
Carpenter was born Jan. 7. 1811, in Chenango Co., N. Y., and is still living in Wales, Erie Co., N. Y.
Mr. and Mrs. Carpenter belong to the Free Will Baptist Church.
I RLI>RI< I* COBURN, farmer, Sec. 23; P. O. Prairie du Sac; son of Fredrick and Mary
Sanborn Coburn ; came to Wisconsin in August, 1855, and located in Kingston, now Sumter, Sauk Co. ;
located on the farm where he now resides in 1867; owns 102 acres of land; resides on a well-improved
farm of 80 acres, two and a half miles from the village of Prairie du Sac. Born in Greenwood, Oxford
Co., Me . Dec. 21, 1817. Married Harriet Verrill, daughter of Daniel and Eunice Cordwell Verrill, Jan.
21, 1848, in Greenwood, Oxford Co., Me. ; had one child— Stephen Oscar— who is at home, and a mem-
ber of the Good Templars' Society. He has held the offices of District Clerk three years and District
Treasurer three years; is a member of the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Co. of Merrimack. Mr. and
Mrs. Coburn attend the Universalist Church.
WILLIAM DEVINE, farmer, Sec. 15; P. O. Prairie du Sac; son of Bernard and Lucy
McCoray Devine ; came to Wisconsin about 1853 ; located in Baraboo, Sauk Co. ; located where he now
resides in 1856; born Jan. 14, 1846, in Erie Co., Penn. Married Maggie E. Mather, daughter of James
and Sarah B. Cox Mather, in Sumter; had two children— C. A. and Lulu. Mr. Devine was in the army
as member of Co. F, 11th W. V. I. ; mustered on Oct. 2, 1861 ; participated in all the battles of his
company, particularly those of Jackson Champion Mills, and was wounded at Vicksburg May 22, 1S63,^
in left leg; April 9, 1865, was wounded in right groin at Fort Blakely ; he also participated in battles of
Mobile Bay, Edward Station, Black River Bridge; was mustered out of service in October, 1865.
HENRY J. FAMIM, farmer, Sec. 10 ; P. O. Prairie du Sac ; son of William and Lydia
T. Randall; came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1843; located in Sumter, Sauk Co. ; located on farm
where he now resides, in Sumter, also spring of 1867. Owns 236 acres of land ; resides on a beautiful
farm of 176 acres, six miles from the village of Prairie du Sac; farm well improved. Born July 31,
1831, in Erie Co., Penn. When 5 years of age, he, with his parents, mov«d to Stark Co., Ohio, where
he remained until he came to Wisconsin. Married Elizabeth Keutner, daughter of David and Levina
Ketitner, in Sumter, Feb. 10, 1856 ; had five children— Ida L., who died May 17, 1865 ; Eddie J. ;
Charles H : Emma J., who died Aug. 14, 1868, and Jennie M. Mr. Farnum has held the office of
District Clerk for a number of years. Mr. and Mrs. Farnum belong to the Methodist Church.
ISAAC GIBBS, farmer, Sec. 2; P. O. Prairie du Sac; son of Gill and Polly (Moore)
Gibbs; was born in Rutland, Worcester Co., Mass.. July 20, 1814; remained there until he was 26
years of age, engaged in farming and brick-making; came to Wisconsin in 1840, and located in Sumter,
Sauk Co.; owns 440 acres of land ; resides on an excellent farm of 160 acres, seven miles frnm the
village of Prairie du Sac; in 1849, he made an overland trip to California; was three and a half months
making the trip; while in California he was engaged in gold mining; returned to Wisconsin about 1852.
Mr. Gibbs dug the grave for the first person that died in Sumter ; he carried the household goods across
the bluffs for the first white woman who located in Baraboo; he was Chairman of the first Hoard of Super-
visors elected in the township of Kingston (now Sumter).
JOHN M. HIGHLAND, farmer, Sec. 11; P. O. Prairie du Sae; son of Thomas and
Eliza A. (Grow) Highland ; born in Pierpont, N. H.; remained there until he was 6 months uld, when
738 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
he went with his parents to Bradford, Orange Co., Vt., where he was engaged in farming till he became
20 years of age, when he went to Rutland, Vt., and engaged as clerk in the freight department of the
Rutland & Burlington R. R. for two years ; was conductor of passenger train three years ; from Rutland
he went to Dover Plains, Dutchess Co., N. Y., and was employed there as station agent ; was conductor
of passenger train in New York for two and a half years, when he came to Wisconsin in July, 1867,
and engaged in farming, locating where he now resides, in Sumter, Sauk Co.; he owns 120 acres of well-
improved land, six miles from Prairie du Sac. Dec. 10, 1861, he married Janet E. Harkness, in Rut-
land, Vt.; she died Dec. 1, 1865. Dec. 1, 1868, he married Mary L. Shell, daughter of David and
Lovina (Kentner) Shell, in Sumter, Sauk Co., they have had two children — Ada E., who was born Feb.
8, 1871, and died May 16, 1877 ; Bevie L., born May 30, 1878. Mr. Highland has held the office of
Justice of the Peace six years, Town Treasurer four years, Chairman of the Board of Supervisors one year.
The following letter Mr. Highland received while railroading: "New York, May 24, 1864. To Whom
it May Concern: During my connection with the Rutland & Burlington Railroad as Superintendent,
the bearer, J. M. Highland, was employed on that road for several years as clerk of the freight depart-
ment and conductor of passenger trains, and performed all his duties to my entire satisfaction. I cordially
recommend him as a young man of good character and reputation, industrious, of good capacity, strictly
honest and reliable, and well qualified to give satisfaction to any one who may require his services. — E. A.
Chapin, Supt. N. Y. & Harlem R. R.
JOHN HOOVER, deceased; father of Sigel R. Hoover; born Plain, Franklin Co., Ohio,
Aug. 24, 1812 ; came to Wisconsin in 1836, located in Dane Co. ; located on his claim in Sumter, Sauk
Co., in the spring of 1830; he entered 240 acres of land in 1848. Married Arietta Rutherford in
1840; had four children; his wife died about 1850, in Sumter. He was married again, to
Rosaline Jackson, about 1850, in Sumter ; had six children, two of whom died. Sigel R. Hoover, a very
enterprising young man, is now living in Sumter, engaged in farming. The first 4th of July celebration
in Sumter was held at John Hoover's farm ; it was here also that the people of Sumter gave a dinner to
the first company (Co. A, 6th W. V. I.) that went to the war from Sauk Co.
MRS. ELIZABETH JAMESON, widow of Albert Jameson, and daughter of John and
Anna Smith Hoover; farming, Sec. 3 ; P. O. Baraboo; owns 243 acres of land ; came to Wisconsin in
June, 1836 ; located at Mineral Point, remained eighteen months, then located where she now resides, in
Sumter (at that time Kingston), in 1839 ; born in Plain, Franklin Co., Ohio, June 19, 1818 ; was married
to Albert Jameson, son of John and Clarissa Barnes Jameson, Nov. 25, 1838 ; had six children — Temper-
ance (who died in September, 1864), Orren, Isabel, Salmi. Wilbur W. (who died in infancy), and Blanche.
Orren Jameson was in the army, in Co. K, 17th W. V. I. ; enlisted Nov. 4, 1863 ; was killed near At-
lanta Ga., Aug. 7, 1864. Isabel married James B. Fowler July 12, 1861, in Sumter, Sauk Co. ; they had
three children — Zaidie, an infant who died unnamed, and Lizzie J. Fowler, born Feb. 1, 1872. Mr.
Fowler is the son of John and Susan Allison Fowler; born Nov. 9. 1840, in Hancock Co., Va. ; came to
Wisconsin in November, 1854, and located in Sauk City ; removed to Sumter in 1855. Enlisted in the
army, in Co. A, 0th W. V. I., May 9, 1861 ; was mustered in Juue 16, 1861, and served till 1862, when
he was discharged; re-enlisted Nov. 2, 1863, in Co. H, 17th W. V. I. ; participated in all the battles of
his company, particularly Sherman's campaign during the siege of Atlanta ; in 1864, he was promoted
to Sergeant, and finally discharged July 26, 1865. He belongs to the Freemasons. Blanche Jameson
married Mr. Campbell, at Kelton, Utah Ter., July 13, 1*79. Mr. Campbell is a merchant in Idaho Terri-
tory. Albert Jameson, deceased, husband of Mrs. Jameson, subject of this sketch, was born in Wilkes-
barre, Luzerne Co., Penn., Aug. 15, 1809 ; as he grew up, he learned the carpenter's trade, and followed
this occupation more or less during his lifetime ; he was one of the first settlers of Sumter, Sauk Co., hav-
ing located herein 1839. In 1851, he made an overland trip to California ; returned in 1852 ; during
his life he crossed the plains eight different times; he has held the offices of Town Treasurer, Assessor and
District Clerk ; was one of the County Commissioners to locate the county seat, and chose Baraboo ; dur-
ing his lifetime, he was a very exemplary man, admired and respected by all; he died after a short illness
Nov. 17, 1875, in the town of Sumter.
ROSWEEE JOHNSON, farmer, Sec. 10; P. O. Prairie du Sac ; son of William and Mahala
(Thomas) Johnson; came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1840; located in Sumter; located where he
resides in L858 ; owns 140 acres of land; resides on a farm of 100 acres, five and a half miles from the
village of Prairie du Sac ; born in Ohio Sept. 15, 1834. Married Mary McGinnis, daughter of William
and Jane | Kyh) McGinnis, in Baraboo, March 13, 1857 ; had six children — William A., James T., who
died June 16, 1861, in Sumter, Sauk Co.; Henry J., John R., Kate M., Edmond G. The father and
TOWN OF SUMTER. 739
mother of Mrs. Johnson, also Mrs. Johnson, were born in County Tyrone, Ireland ; emigrated to America
in 1M7 and settled in Canada ; from there went to Massena, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., where they re-
mained until they came- to Wisconsin; the father of Mrs. Johnson was born Nov. 13, 1800; died Nov. 9,
ISTii ; the mother of Mrs. Johnson was born July, 1788; died April 10, 1876. Mr. Johnson has held
the office of School Director ; has been Director of Sauk Co. Stock Breeders' Association ; is also a member
of the " Grange." Mr. and Mrs. Johnson belongs to the Methodist Church.
WILLIAM JOHNSON, farmer, Sec. 15; P. 0. Prairie du Sac ; son of Koswell B. and
Mary ( Graves) Johnson ; came to Wisconsin in 1836 and located in Belmont, Grant Co. ; came to Sauk Co.
about 1840 and located where he now resides, in Sumter; owns -320 acres of land ; resides on a beautiful
farm five miles from the village of Prairie du Sac; farm well improved; born in Troy, N. Y., Sept. 2,
1790 ; when 2 years of age Mr. Johnson, with his parents, moved to Pennsylvania; remained in Pennsyl-
vania until he was 21, when he emigrated to Ohio, where he engaged in farming until he came to Wis-
consin in 1836. Married Mary Tillberry September, 1811, in Luzerne Co., Penn. ; had four children —
Karv, Mary, Elizabeth, Ruthan ; his wife died about, 1828. Married again to Mahala Thomas, daughter
of Michael ami Elizabeth ( Watz) Thomas, Dec. 18, 1829; had eight children — John, who died .March
18, 1854; Benjamin, who died April 21, 1864; Roswell ; George W.; Thomas, who died in 1849; Will-
iam A., Joseph D., James M. ; three of Mr. Johnson's sons were in the army — William A., Co. F. 11th
W. V. 1. ; George W., Co. K, 23d W. V. I. ; Joseph, 47th W. V. I. ; Benjamin, 3d Calvary. George
W. was color bearer of his company ; was wounded in the knee, and is now farming in Storm Lake, Iowa.
James M. Johnson, youngest son of Mr. Johnson, subject of this sketch, was born May 25, 1851, in
Sumter; attended the Prairie du Sac Academy, and Northwestern Business College at Madison ; is now
managing farm for his father. William Johnson, the subject of this sketch, assisted in the erection of the
building occupied by the first Legislature of Wisconsin at Belmont, Granc Co. ; was a sub contractor ; he
plowed the first furrow in the township of Sumter, and has the historic plow still in his possession. The
mother of Mr. Johnson died in Pennsylvania in 1809 ; the father died in Sumter in 1850 ; the mother of
Mrs. Johnson died in 185") in Ohio; the father died in 1863 in Ohio. Mr. Johnson has held the offices
of District Clerk and School Director. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson belong to the Methodist Church.
JOHN K 1. 1. 1.r.K. farmer. Sec. 23 ; P. O. Prairie du Sac ; son of Eugene F. and Maria Smith
Keller , came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1857 ; located in Kingston, now Sumter, Sauk Co. ; located on
the farm where he now resides in the spring of 1869 ; owns 135 acres of land ; resides on a beautiful farm
three miles from Prairie du Sac — farm well improved ; born in Albany, N. Y., Feb. 15, 1841, where he
remained until he was 16 years of age, when he came to Wisconsin. Married Mena Thillkee, daughter of
John and Mary Thillkee, in Sumter, Jan. 20, 1868 ; had seven children, viz., John, Olive, Ulysses, Eugene,
Lawrence and Benjamin, who died in November, 1878; and Leo. Mr. Keller was in the army as
member of the 6th Wisconsin Battery of light artillery ; was mustered out Oct. 2, 1861, at Racine, Wis. ;
participated in siege of Island No. 10; siege of Corinth, battles of Corinth, Jackson, Raymond, Champion
Hill and Rook Springs; was wounded at Champion Hill May 16, 1863, in the right hand and arm; was
discharged Oct. 10, 1864, when he went to Arkansas, in the Government employ, and remained until
1865, when he returned to Wisconsin ; and after spending one year in the saw-mill business at Chippewa,
engaged in his present occupation, farming. Mr. Keller is a charter member and Director of the Farmers'
Mutual Fire Insurance Co., of Merrimack, organized November, 1*72. and representing five townships,
viz., Merrimack, Sumter, Stoney Creek, Troy and Prairie du Sac; has held the offices of Assessor, District
Treasurer, Clerk and Director. Mrs. Keller belongs to the Evangelical Church.
Al'^wl'STI'S lil'NCE, farmer, Sec. 24 ;'P. O. Prairie du Sac ; son of Frederick and Henrietta
Kunce; came to Wisconsin about 1852; located in Prairie du Sac, Sauk Co.; located where he now
resides in the spring of 1877 ; owns 96 acres of land ; resides two and a half miles from the village of
Prairie due Sac; born in Butler Co., Penn., May 3, 1835. Married Mary Nettle, daughter of Gideon
and Sarah Shoe Nettle, July 4, 1859, in Merrimack, Sauk Co.; had two children — Clara and William.
Mr. Kunce learned the trade of wagon-maker in Prairie du Sac, which occupation he followed for fifteen
years; since 1877, has been engaged in farming, in connection with wagon-making. Mrs. Kunce was born
in Ohio; came to Wisconsin with her parents in 1854; located in Baraboo, then removed to Merrimack.
The father of Mrs. Kunce died June 21, 1876, in Baraboo ; her mother is still living in Green Bay. The
father of Mr. K. died in March, 1857, in Merrimack, where his mother still resides. Mr. and Mrs.
Kunce belong to the Advent Church.
JOSEPH LANTCH, farmer, Sec. 22 ; P. O. Prairie du Sac ; son of Christian and Matilda
(Morrison) Lanich ; came to Wisconsin May 20, 1855, and located in Reedsburg, Sauk Co.; located
740 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
where he now resides in Sumter December, 1868; owns 280 acres of land; farm well improved ; born Oct.
15, 1822, in Rockingham Co., Va. ; remained in Virginia till he was 19 years of age, when he went to
Clearfield Co., Penn., and engaged in teaching school connected with farming, which he followed till 1855,
when he came to Wisconsin. Married Constantia Orr, in Clearfield, Penn., in March, 1847 ; had one
child, Cevessa, who died in October, 1849 ; wife died in January, 1850. Married Susan Collins, daughter
of John and Anna (Smith) Collins, in Clearfield Co., Penn., in January, 1S54 ; had eleven children —
Allyn, Mary, Connie, Annie, Ulysses, who died Sept. 22, 1865 ; Joseph W., who died Oct. 12, 1865 ;
Ada, Nina and Tina (twins) ; Tina died in infancy ; Bertha and Arthur. Mr. Lanich has held the offices
of District Treasurer, Supervisor and Assessor. Mr. and Mrs. Lauich belong to the Methodist Church.
JAMES MATHER, farmer, Sec. 11 ; P. 0. Prairie du Sac; son of Jesse and Margaret
(Shively) Mather ; came to Wisconsin in April, 1853, and located in Jefferson, Green Co. ; came to Sauk
Co. in the fall of 1853 ; located in Sumter ; owns 160 acres of land ; resides on alarm of 80 acres, six miles
from Prairie du Sac; born in Greenwood, Columbia Co., Penn., May 27, 1825. Married Sarah B. Cox,
daughter of William and Mary ( Battin) Cox, Dec. 16, 1847, in Greenwood, Columbia Co., Penn.; had
twelve children — William H., Margaret E., Jesse A., Horace, Mettler, James E., who died Aug. 8, 1877 ;
Mary A., John C, Carrie L., Samuel G., Prank M., and infant, unnamed, died Dec. 24, 1868. William
H. was in the late war with Co. G, 42d W. V. I.; enlisted Aug. 26, 1864, and discharged in June,
1865; is now in Minnesota, engaged in milling business. Mr. Mather belongs to both Masons and Odd
Fellows. Mr. and Mrs. Mather are members of the M. E. Church.
CHARLES PAYNE, farmer, See. 10; P. O. Prairie Du Sac; son of Scammons and Lucy
(Stearns) Payne; came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1847, located in Dane, Dane Co., and came to Sauk
Co., March, 1849, and located in Sumter ; located where he now resides, in Sec. 10, in February, 1872 ;
owns 644 acres of land, and resides on an excellent farm of 164 acres ; the farm is well-improved ; he was
born in Massena, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., July 16, 1*24, and remained in New York until he was 23
years of age, when he came to Wisconsin. He married Opha Squires, daughter of Ezekiel and Percy
(Hoadley) Squires, in Massena, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Dec, 25, 1840 ; had four children — William,
who married Percis Dennitt June 1, 1877; Jefferson, who married Betty Hedges Feb. 22, 1872; Isaac,
who married Ida Barstow March 22, 1876; Elizabeth, who married Orren McGilvery Dee. 7, 1S75.
The father of Mr. Payne was born in Massachusetts, in 178S, was in the war of 1812, and died in New
York in 1865 ; the mother of Mr. Payne was born in Vermont, 1790 ; died in New York in 1858. Mr.
Payne has held the offices of District Treasurer, School Director and Supervisor ; Mr. Payne belongs to
the " Masons."
RACHEL POPJOY, farming, Sec. 2; P. O. Prairie Du Sac; widow of Daniel Popjoy, and
daughter of Heury and Catherine (Whitbeck) Rivenberg ; came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1855, and
located in Sumter, on a farm where she now resides ; owns 80 acres of land, well improved ; she was born in
Hillsdale, Columbia Co., N. Y. ; was married to Daniel Popjoy Oct. :'., 1853, in New York City ; hag four
children — Henrietta, Jessie Josephine, Richard K.. Isaac Gr. Henrietta married Howard Mather June
5, 1875, in Sumter; has one child— Irvin; Jessie married Mettler Mather March 19, 1880. Mr. Pop-
joy (deceased), was in the late war, connected with the navy mi the Mississippi ; served ten months in the
last year of the war, and received, while in the navy, an injury, which finally caused his death Jan. 28,
1-878, in the town of Sumter Mrs. Popjoy is a member of the Baptist Church.
JASON S. SO,UIRKS, farmer, See. 8; 1'. 0. Prairie du Sao ; son of Ezekiel and Percy
(Hoadley) Squires; born in Massena, St. Lawrence •'".. Y V.. lice. 1 I, 1837, where be remained until he
came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1850, ami located in Dane. Dane Co.; came to Sauk Co. in December,
1850, and located where he now resides in Sumter ; owns 1 l(t acres of land, and resides on a well-
improved farm, nine miles from Prairie du Sac. lie married Sarah E. Stone, daughter of Thomas S. and
Sarah P. (Treadwell) Stone, March I, 1862, in Sumter: they have bad eight children — Ulysses S.,
Sherman T., l'\, Nellie M ., Sheridan, Charles II., Rutherford and Sarah E. Mr. Squires has held the
office ol' District Treasurer six years. Mrs Squires was horn in July. 1843, and died Nuv. 24, 1878, in
Sumter. The lather of Mr. Squires died Oct. 24. L864 ; his mother is still living.
GEORGE W. WATERRURY, farmer, See. I.",; 1'. () Prairie du Sac; son of Solo-
mon and Hannah (Schofield) Waloilmrv; born May I, L831, in the town of Massena, St. Lawrence Co.,
N. Y.; came to Wisconsin in 1853, and located where be nuv resides, in Sumter. Sauk Co.; resides on a
1" tiful, well improved farm, six miles from the village of Prairie du Sac. Married, Sept. 25, 1860,
at Fort Atkinson. Jefferson Co., Wis., Jane B. Frissell, daughter ol' Caliph and Sarah (Eaton) Frissell ;
TOWN OF SUMTER 741
they have six children — Clayton, Charles, Judson, Edwin, Irwin and Mary. Mr. Waterbury lias held
the office of Town Superintendent of Schools. Mr. and Mrs. Waterburj are uie rubers of the Baptist
Church. Owns 110 acres of well-improved land.
GEORGE WEIRICH, farmer, See. 12 ; P. 0. Sauk City; son of Peter and Anna Treiber
Weirich; came to Wisconsin in August, 1849, and located at Kenosha; came to Sauk Co. in 1851, and
located where he now resides in Sumter; owns 140 acres of land ; resides on a beautiful farm, six miles
from the village of Prairie du Sac; farm well improved. Born in Baden, Germany, Oct. 1, 1833; came
to America in 1848. Married Nina Kuehm, daughter of Edward and Austina Erber Kuehra, Oct. 24,
1859, at Sauk City; they have had five children— Anna M., Edward, Louis, Emil, Charlotte. Mr.
Weirich is a member of the Farmers' Fire Insurance Co. of Merrimack ; has held the office of School Di-
rector a number of years.
JOHN WEIRICH, farmer, Sec. 12; P.O. Prairie du Sac ; son of Peter and Anna Treiber
Weirich; came to Wisconsin in August, 1849, and located in Kenosha, where he remained two years ;
then came to Sauk Co., and located where he now resides in Sumter in 1851 ; owns ISO acres of land and
resides on a well-improved farm of 100 acres, five and a half miles from the village of Prairie du Sac. Born
in Baden, Germany, Oct. 18, 1840 ; came to America in 1848, with his parents." Married Dolly S. Young,
daughter of Peter and Sabrina Young, Dec. 25, 1866, in Sumter, Sauk Co. ; they have had five children
— John P., Cora M., Mertie A, Albert and Minnie. Mr. Weirich was in the army ; enlisted Sept. 23, 1861,
as a member of Co. D, 9th W. V. I.; was mustered into the United States service in October, 1861, and
discharged in May, 1802. He is a member of the Farmers' Fire Insurance Co. of Merrimack; has held
the office of District Clerk three years. Mr. Weirich belongs to the Presbyterians and Mrs. Weirich be-
longs to the Free-Will Baptist Church.
WALTER .1. WELCH, son of Moses and Anna (Robinson) Welch ; farmer, Sec. — ; P.
O. Prairie du Sac. He came to Wisconsin, Sept. 15, 1852, and located in Dane, Dane Co. ; he came to
Sauk Co., March 16, 1867, and located where he now resides ; he owns 240 acres of land, seven miles
from Baraboo and Prairie du Sao ; the farm is well improved. Born Oct. 24, 1806, at Stanstead, Lower
Canada, now Province of Quebec. He married Lydia Huntington, daughter of Zebulon and Keziah
(Nichols) Huntington, June 20, 1830, in Russelltown, Lower Canada; he had twelve children — Daniel,
Moses, Alma, Rhoda, Maria, Alfred. Rufus, Persis, Barnabus, Albert, Anna, and one died in infancy.
Alfred was in the army, Co. E, 11th W. V. I.; he enlisted September, 1861, and was killed at Ft.
Blakely, Mobile, Ala. Barnabus was in the army, Co. C, 27th Iowa V. I., also was in the Indian war, and
through Texas with Custer. Moses was married to Lydia A. Smith, in the town of Bridge Creek, Eau
Claire" Co., Wis., Dec. 5, 1872 ; he had four children ; the infant, unnamed, died Dec. 19, 1873 ; Alfred E.,
Willis, Winnefred; he owns 160 acres of land in Buffalo Co., Wis., but resides on and manages a farm of
his father. He belongs to the Methodist Church. Mr. Walter J. Welch and wife are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Sabbath School and Missionary Society.
ALBERT C. WISWELL, farmer, Sec. 27 ; P. O. Prairie du Sac ; son of Benjamin and
Susan (Sawyer) Wiswell ; came to Wisconsin March 15. 1868; located in Prairie du Sac, where he now
resides; owns 00 acres of land, four miles from village of Prairie du Sac ; born in Newton, Middlesex Co.,
N. H. Married Catharine Morrison, daughter of John and Nancy (Morrill) Morrison, April 5, 1870, in
Rolling Prairie, Dodge Co., Wis. Has held the office of School Director. Mr. and Mrs. Wiswell belong
to the Free- Will Baptist Church.
PETER S. YOUNG, farmer, Sec 24; P.O. Prairie du Sac; son of James and Saloma
(Corner) Young ; came to Wisconsin in October, 1850, and located in Sumter, Sauk Co ; owns 120 acres of
land; resides on a well-improved farm of 80 acres, three and a half miles from the village of Prairie du
Sac; born in Lawrenceville, St. Lawrence Co., N. V., July 5, 1819. Marrieda Sabrin Gilman, daughter
of I. and Dolly (Atwood) Gillman, May 15, 1S12 ; had six children— Dolly. Lottie, who died Aug. 10
L848; .Mary, Frank, I5urt and Delia, who died in Iowa. Mr. Young has held the offices of District
Clerk, School Director, Supervisor and Justice of the Peace. Was Deacon of first Free-Will Baptist.
Church in Prairie du Sac, organized in 1864, and is still a member ; is a member of Sauk Co. Grange, in
which he was Chaplain for two years.
742 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
TOWN OF FREEDOM.
L. T. ALLBE, proprietor of sawmill at North Freedom; manufactures lumber, box and barrel
heading; he was born in Windsor Co., Vt., July 26, 1845; came to Sauk Co. in 186S ; has served one
year as Supervisor and three terms as Town Clerk. He was married, Oct. 11, 1868, to Miss Louise S.
Whitcomb ; she was born in New York ; they have three children — Sarah L., Adelia A. and Cora E. In
politics, Mr. Allbe is a Republican.
CHARLES E. ARMSTRONG, farmer, Sec. 27; has 80 acres; he was born in Sauk" Co.,
Wis., July 29. 1857 ; he has lived in Minnesota for thirteen years, but has now returned to his native
county and settled on his farm. He was married, Dec. 31, 1879, to Miss Amelia Schellenberger ; she was
born in Sauk Co., Wis., and is a member of .the Lutheran Church. In politics, Mr. Armstrong is a
Republican.
JOHN P. BIERLEEY, farmer, Sec. 4 (has 120 acres) ; he was born in Bavaria, Germany,
Nov. 3, 1844; came to America in 1853 with his parents; they first located in Ohio, and came to Sauk
Co., Wis., in 1859. He was married in January, 1865, to Miss Sophia Ode ; she was born in Germany ;
they have six children— Anna, Joseph, John D., Augusta, Lizzie and Martha. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bier-
lein are members of the Latter- Day Saints ; in politics, he is a Democrat.
<w. W. It I ,<MM1 . retired ; his time is occupied attending to his different interests, as he has sev-
eral farms and other property that consumes a]l of his time; he was born in Bradford Co., Penn., Dec. 1 1 >
1822; he came to Greenfield, Sauk Co., Wis., in 1850, then to Barabooin 1855, and to Freedom in I860;
he had bought land in this town in 1856, and commenced farming; in 1868, he, in company with E.
Kimbel, built a saw-mill, and the same year he bought his partner out ; he has been very active in busi-
ness, and has done a great deal for the improvement of the village ; it was by his earnest work and business
skill that induced the C. & N. W. R. R. Co. to locate the depot at his village, as there were no buildings
to any amount at that time, and as they had already located a depot at Ableman's, only three miles from
the village of Bloom ; when he first came to Wisconsin he was very poor, and he deserves a great deal of
credit for what he has done for himself and family ; when he had been here only a few months, he met
with a severe accident ; he was engaged in scoring timber for his father-in-law's house, with another man,
when the ax in the hands of this man struck Mr. Bloom on his right arm and nearly cut it off, and in
this condition he worked on his farm, with that arm in a sling, and when his crop was harvested he took
wheat to Milwaukee and sold it for 50 cents a bushel, and that was the way he got his first money ; what
a contrast between those times and to-day! He was married Jan. 20, 1847, to Miss Harriet Willkinson ;
she was born in Lycoming Co., Penn., April 12, 1824; they have had five children — Deborah J., born
June 29, 1848, and died March 20, 1857; Selinda D., March 3, 1853, who married Charles W. Clark ;
William H., Dec. 11, 1854; James E., May 10, 1861, died in November, 1861 ; Hattie F., March 29,
1868. Both Mr. and Mrs. Bloom are members of the M. E. Church, and have been for more than thirty
years; in politics, Mr. Bloom is a Republican.
CHARLES R. BROW\, brick and stone mason, North Freedom; he was born in New
York Dec. 21, 1850; came to Sauk Co. 1871. He was married, Feb. 22, 1873, to Mary A. Pease; she
was born in Dane Co., Wis. They have three children — Matilda F.. Lewis and an infant not named.
Mr. Brown, in politics, Republican.
R. (jr. CARPENTER, farmer, Section 15; has 541 acres of land , he was born in Madison
Co., N. F., June 24, L816; came to Wisconsin in 1842, and to Sauk Co., 1866. He was married 1838
to Miss Jane Bead; she was born in Pork State. They have three children — Rollin B , Oscar D. and
Washington J. Mrs. Carpenter is a member of the Seventh Day Baptist Church; in politics, Mr.
Carpenter is a Republican. „
l>. ii. CRATSEXBERdi, farmer, Section 20; has III acres of land; he was born in Lewis
Co., N. V.. Sept. 10, L848 ; came to Richland Co., Wis., in 1850 with his parents, and to Sauk Co., in
1872. He was married Dec. 24, 1874, to Miss Ma\ Welton ; she was born in Sauk Co., Wis. They
have three children — Tressie M., Sarah M. and Birdie D. In polities, Mr. Cratsenberg is Independent.
T. S. ELLAS, presiding officer of the lodge of Good Templars at North Freedom.
J. L. 4>llt TO\, dealer in agricultural implements, organs and sewing machines, North
Freedom; lie was burn in Lincolnshire, England, July 13, ISIS; came to America with his parents in
TOWN OF FREEDOM. 743
1850, and located in New York, then moved to Michigan, where his father died ; then the mother and
family moved to Walworth Co., Wis., in 1852, and September, 1856, moved to Sauk Co.; in the spring
of 1877, Mr. Girton was elected Justice of the Peace; re-elected to second term 1879. He was married
Oct, 11, 1869, to Miss Mary E. Powell; she was born at Loekport, N. Y., Sept. 29, 1848; they have
four children — Mary J., William R,, John L. and an infaut not named. Mrs. Girton is a member of the
Latter Day Saints; in politics, Mr. Girton is a Republican.
FRANK B. GRAY, proprietor nf paint and repair shop at North Freedom ; does all kinds of
work in that line. He was born in Richland Co., Wis., March 24, I860 ; came to Sauk Co. with his
parents in 1862; he started business at this point last July.
I'UlMi HACKETT, farmer, Sec. 2; was born in Boone Co., 111., July 24, 1841 ; came to
Sauk Co., Wis., with his parents, in 1848. Nov. 16, 1861, he enlisted in Co. F, 3d W. V. C, and served
one year, when he was discharged on account of disability. He was married, Feb. 10, 1867, to
Miss Ann E. Loomis; they have eight children — George W., James F., Samuel J., Joshua T., John M.,
Jacob A., Mary A. and Martha E. Mr. and Mrs. Hackett are both members of the Latter Day Saints'
Church ; in politics, Mr. H. is a Republican. His father, Samuel Hackett, was born in New Jersey
April 14. 1805; he married, July 27, 1825, Miss Dency Terry; she was born in Ontario, N. Y.; they
came to Sauk Co. in 1848; lie followed farming after they came to the State ; they had fifteen children,
ten are living, five deceased. Samuel Hackett died Feb. 18, 1873; the widow married, June 26, 1879,
John Hackett ; they are living at North Freedom. When they came to the county it was sparsely set-
tled, and the privations that they had to contend with were many, but they struggled on and raised a
large family; he owns 38 acres of land. They were both members of the Latter Day Saints, in which the
old gentleman took a very active part during the last years of his life.
JOSEPH LAMPORT, farmer, Sec. 20; was born in West Penard, Somersetshire, England,
Nov.- 10, 1S14; came to America in 1819 with his parents; he came to Milwaukee, Wis., in 1843, and
followed the carpenter business there up to 1855, when he came to Sauk Co., and, in 1866, he, in company
with Mr. Delap, built the saw-mill at this place, and afterward sold his interest to his partuer. He was
married, Jan. 20, 1840, to Miss Marietta L. Demuth ; she was born in Pennsylvania; they have'nine
children — Priscilla E., George T., Mary J., Hattie A., James A., Clark and Clara (the twins), Ella J.
and Grant. Mrs. Lamport died Feb. 10, 1880. Their son George T. enlisted in the 3d W. V. ('.. and
served till the close of the war. In politics, Mr. Lamport is a Republican. He has 80 acres in the home
farm.
HENRY MAERTSKE, farmer, Sec. 9 ; was born in Prussia, Germany, Sept. 5, 1837, and
came to America and to Sauk Co. February, 1809. He was married in January, I860, to Miss F. Reke ;
they have six children — Henry, August, Charles, Ferdinand, Minnie and Antonia. Mrs. Maertske died
March 12. 1871 ; Mr. M. was married the second time, July, 1871, to Elizabeth Kreger. He is a mem-
ber of the Baptist Church ; in politics, a Republican. He has 40 acres of land.
E. MAXHAJI, farmer. Sec. 21 ; he was born in Oswego Co., N. Y., April 6, 1837 ; he came
tu Wisconsin in 1846, and to Sauk Co. in 1856; located in Baraboo, and moved into Freedom Township
in 1 868. He was elected that year one of the Board of Supervisors, and served one year ; in 1870, was
elected Town Clerk, and was elected every year for that office for seven years ; then he was elected Chair-
man of the Board of Supervisors, and served one year, and, in 1880, was elected to the same office ; he has
taken a great interest in the temperance cause, and is the present presiding officer of the Maple Hill
Lodge of Good Templars. He was married, July 13, 1857, to Mi-s Sarah J. Seely ; she was born in
New York ; she is a member of the M. E. Church. In politics, he is a Republican. He has 60 acres of
land.
JOH\ F. XELMOX. fanner. Sec. 21; be was born in Illinois April 15. 1846; came to
Sauk Co., Wis., 1852, with his parents. Enlisted July IS, 1862, in Co. F, 3d W. V. C, and served till
the close of the war. Hewas married October, 18(17, to Miss Ellen A. Delapp ; she was born in New York ;
they have four children — Orinna, Arthur H., John D. and Ethna L. Mrs. Nelson is a member of the M.
E. Church. In politics, Mr. N. is a Republican.
W. C. T. XEWEIili, druggist, stationery, perfumery, etc., in North Freedom; he was born in
Tompkins Co., N. Y., Dec. 13, 1833; came to Dubuque, Iowa, 1854, and to Sauk Co., Wis., 1855 ; has
followed farming, and did considerable surveying; was by appointment, County Surveyor for about one
year. He was married, May 1 1 , 1856, to Miss Temperance Waddell ; she was born in the State of I ndiana,
and is the daughter of James and Betsey Waddell ; her parents came to Sauk Co., Wis., June, 1847 ; her
744 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
father was a very prominent man in the county at that time, as farmer, preacher and doctor ; by his life and
industry, he gained many friends; he was born in the State of Virginia Feb. 16, 1800, and he died Feb.
'.I, lSC.Y He was married_in 1821 to Temperance Cunningham, and there are three children living by that
wife — William G., James M. and Margaret A. After the death of his first wife, he was married the second
time to Miss Betsy A. Coverstone, March 3, 1831 ; she was born in Ohio; they had five children — Henry,
Temperance, James H., Julia A. and Mary. Mr. Newell and wife have six children — Mary E., Clarissa,
Alice A.. Eliza E., George A. and Herbert L. Mr. and Mrs. Newell are both members of the M. E. Church.
In politics. Mr. N. is Independent.
WILUAM ODK, farmer, Sees. 9 and 10; has 120 acres; he was born in Mecklenburg, Ger-
many, Nov. 5, 1848; he came to America and to Quincy, 111., 18G4. Enlisted in the fall, and the next
spring he enlisted in Co. E, (i5th 111. V. I., and served till the close of the war. He was married, August,
1871, to Miss Albertaner Mateke ; she was born in Germany; they have three children — Emma, Albert
G. and William. Both Mr. and Mrs. Ode are members of the German M. E. Church. In politics, he is
Independent.
JOHN QUABfDT, farmer, Sec. 16 ; he owns 40 acres ; he was born at Mecklenburg, Germany,
Jan. 12, 1841 ; came to America and to Sauk Co., Wis., in 1867. He was married August, 1865, to
Miss Louisa Frien ; she was born in Germany ; they have seven children — -Sophia, John, Charles, Henry,
Eliza, George and Joseph. They both are member's of the Latter Day Saints, and their daughter is a mem-
ber of the same church. In politics, he is Independent.
ELIJAH RICH, carpenter; was born in Worcester Co., Mass., Oct. 21, 1830 ; he came to
Rock Co., Wis., 1848, to Adams Co., 1849, to Sauk Co. in the spring of 1873. He enlisted Sept. 21,
1864, in Co. K, 42d W. V. I., and was commissioned First Lieutenant; resigned near the close of the
war. He was elected to fill a vacancy for Justice of the Peace, in 1878, and re-elected in 1879. He was
married in May, 1853, to Miss Mary E. Freer ; she was born in New York ; they have seven children —
Libbie M., George W., Jennie P., Katie B., Nellie C, Louise B. and Charles S. Mr. Rich is a member
of the Methodist Episcopal Church; in politics, he is a Republican.
GUSTAY SCHARNKE, proprietor of the Neptune Mills, on Sec. 17 ; he was born in Prus-
sia, Germany, Oct. 9, 1847 ; came to America with his parents in 1849, and to Sauk Co., Wis., 1863i
and in 1876, took possession of the saw-mill, and in 1878, built the first grist-mill that was built in the
township, in addition to his saw-mill ; he has served as Chairman of the Town Board for the last year.
He was married, Oct. 17, 1866, to Miss Wilhelmine Sahler; she was born in Wurtemburg, Germany ; they
have one adopted son — Gustav. Both he and his wife are members of the Evangelical Association, and
in politics he is a Republican.
AUGUST F. SCHELLENRERGER, farmer on Sec. 25; he was born in Wurtemburg,
Germany, Dec. 16, 1850 ; came to America and to Sauk Co., Wis., 1856, with his parents. He was mar-
ried, April 1 9, L875, In Miss Eveline Hersinger ; she was born in Sauk Co., Wis. ; they have two children
— Charles E. and John F. Both he and his wife are members of the Lutheran Church, and in politics
he is a Republican.
ADOLPH SCHELLENRERGER, proprietor of blacksmith-shop, located at Neptune
Mills; he was born in Wurtemburg, Germany, Nov. 23, 1856; came to America and to Sauk Co., Wis.,
in 1857, with his parents; he learned his trade in Baraboo, with Charles Bender; he does horseshoeing
and general repairing. In politics, he is a Republican.
JOHN W. SEIUS, farmer, Sec. 24; owns 77$ acres; born in Pommern, Prussia, Germany,
May 28, 1819; came to America and settled in Sauk Co., Wis., in 1868. He was married February,
isi::, to Mi- Minna Milke; she was born in Prussia, Germany; they have seven children — Minna,
Augusta. Matilda, Hannah, Lena, Theresa and Theodore. Both he and his wife are members of the
Baptist Church ; in politics, Mr. Seils is a Republican. He has given his children a good education, and
some of bis daughters have taught more or less in the public schools.
S. I>. SI.EXTZ, farmer, Sec. 7 ; P. O. Baraboo; born May 2::, 1^26. in Greene Co., Ohio;
came to Sauk Co., Wis., in 1845. He was married Jan. IS, 1S76, to Miss Minnie Ronshousen ; she was
born in Pennsylvania ; they have three children — Marion, Samuel I). and Corwin. He has held the office
of Treasurer of the town, and has been its Assessor for a number of years; he owns 230 acres of land. In
politics, Mr. Slentz is a Democrat.
A. I. SIVVIIK. dealer in tin, stoves and hardware, North Freedom, Wis.; born in York Co.,
Penn , March 12, 1831 ; moved to Springfield, Ohio, in 1859. He enlisted in August, 1862, in Co. A,
TOWN OF DELLONA. 745
04th Ohio V [., and served till the close of the war. He was in the battles at Stone River, Tenn., Chicka-
mauga, Lookout Mountain and Missionary Kidgc; was wounded at Resaca, Ga., and was transferred to
tlio Invalid Corps at Camp Douglas, Chicago ; mustered out at Springfield, 111., at the close of the war;
came to Sauk Co. in L877. lie was married Feb. 18, 1877, to Mrs. Sarah A. Swetland , they have one
child — Eva, born November; 1878. Mrs. Spahr is a member of the M. E. Church; and in politics Mr.
S. is a Republican.
WILLIAM SPROLL, farmer, Sec. 11 ; has 157 acres in northwest quarter, Township 11
Range 5 — a splendid farm ; horn in Monroe Co., Ohio, March 12, 1822; moved to Indiana about 1829,
and to Sauk Co. September, 1S48 ; located on what is called Bear Creek, and entered 40 acres ; from there
he moved on to his present farm in 1849, where he has always lived ; like a great many of his neighbors,
was poor, and had to make rails, and sell them for $1 per hundred to pay for his present farm, and his
flour he bought by working for 75 cents per day ; his meat was procured by the use of his gun. He was
married July 1, 1843, to Miss MaryStotser; she was born in Switzerland; they have had four children —
James, John W., Mary J., who is deceased, and Alice M. Mr. Sproul is a Republican in politics. The
son James enlisted « let. 5, 1864, in Co. A, 19th W. V. I., and served till the close of the war. He was
at the capture of Richmond ; the flag of his regiment was the first that was raised on the rebel capital.
EDWARD Jf. TRTJMBIjE, farmer, Sec. 2 ; has 40 acres of land ; born in Montgomery
Co., N. Y.. Sept. 27, 1844 ; came to Jefferson Co., Wis., in 1852; came to Sauk Co. in 1853. He enlisted
April, 1861, in Co. K, 6th W. V. I., and served till the close of the war. He was married May 26, 1867,
to Miss Mary Waddell ; she was born in Sauk Co., and was the first white child born in the town of Free-
dom. In Politics, Mr. T. is a Republican.
<.! OK4.I V. TURXHAM, farmer, Sec. 27 ; has 80 acres of land; he was born in Illinois
July 20, 1852, and came to Sauk Co., Wis., in 1868. He was married July 2, 1879, to Miss Alice E.
"Welton ; she was born in Ohio. Mrs. Turnham is a member of the United Brethren Church. In
polities, Mr. T. is a Republican.
JOHN WHjKjJLVS. carpenter, builder and contractor, also dealer in lumber, North Freedom ;
he was born in Oswego Co., N. Y., July 4, 1841. He enlisted May 24, 1861, in Co. F, 16th 111. V. I., and
was discharged May 20, 1862, on account of disability ; he enlisted second time Sept. 29, in Co. F, 3d W,
V. C, and served two years ; he came to Baraboo, Wis., Dec. 11, 1851. He was married Feb. 19, 1865, to
Miss Polly J. Moore; she was born in Dane Co., Wis. ; they have three children — Eva B , Luna M. and
Volney H. Mr. and Mrs. Wiggins are both members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In politics, he
is a Republican.
JACOB ZIMMERLY, farmer, Sees. 25 and 26; owns 138 acres of land ; he was born in
Monroe Co., Ohio, Jan. 2, 1841 ; came to Sauk Co., Wis., in 1851 with his parents. He enlisted Oct. 16,
1861, in Co. K, 2d W. V. I.; served about eight months; was discharged on account of disability ; he en-
listed the second time Feb. 15, 1864, in Co. K, 45th W. V. I. ; served till the close of the war ; he has
taken considerable interest in the public schools, and has served as Director more or less. He was mar-
ried Feb. 19, 18(12, to Miss Caroline Schellenberger, she was born in Wurtemburg, Germany; they have
six children — Mary A., Charles R., John A., Alfred S. L , Louisa P. and John R. ; he and wife were
members of the Lutherin Church. In Politics he is a Republican.
TOWN OF DELLONA.
SAMUEL BROWN, farmer, Sees. 33 and 35 (has 160 acres) ; he was born in Orange Co.,
Vt,, March 4, 1815 ; came to Sauk Co., Wis., in 1865 ; he has held the office of Town Assessor. He
was married. Jan. 26, 1841, to Miss Sally M. Salisbury ; she was born in Oneida Co., N. Y. ; they have
four children — Addison F., Duane A., Cordelia E. and Orange H. In polities, Mr. Brown is Inde-
pendent.
STILLMAX BASS (deceased) was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Jan. 12, 1816 ; came to
Sauk Co. in the fall of 1851, and was engaged in farming till his death, on Sec. 35 ; owned 1(11) acres in
his home farm. He was married in 1837 to Miss Julia Butterfield ; she was born in Vermont ; they had
twelve children — Chester R. (deceased), Laura J. (deceased), Luconda L. (deceased), Charles W.
(deceased), Stillman O., Charles W., William A., Clarissa L., Mary F. (deceased), Melissa R., Hattie L.
746 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
and Julia E. The two sons, Stillman 0. and Charles W., enlisted in Co. G, 49th W. V. I., and served
about eight months ; they were discharged on account of disability. Stillman 0. Bass was married Oct.
26, 1868, to Miss Agnes Bass ; they have four children — Marian A., Charles S., Oscar L. and Chester
A. Mr. Bass owns 160 acres of land on Sec. 27.
ANDREW CAMP, farmer, Sec. 17 ; born in Canada West Nov. 10, 1827; came to Sauk
Co. in December, 1849 ; he has served two terms on the Town Board and one year as Town Assessor.
He was married Jan. 1, 1852, to Jane E. Buck ; she was born in Canada ; they had four children — John
A., James E., Francis H. and Freeman L. ; Mrs. Camp died in January, 1877. Mr. Camp was married
to his second wife Jan. 20, 1880, Miss Juliette Brown, a niece of John Brown, of Kansas fame. He has
160 acres in the home farm and other tracts of land in the township to the amount of 170 acres more.
They both attend the M. E. Church. In politics, he is a Republican.
C. P. DAVENPORT, farmer, Sec. 2 ; born in Vermont March 9, 1819 ; came to Sauk Co.
in 1854 ; he was elected Justice of the Peace in 1862 and 1865, and served on the Town Board one term,
Treasurer one term and Assessor three terms. He was married, Sept. 19, 1854, to Miss Mary Gillespie ;
she was born in Scotland ; they have had five children — Lawrence C. (deceased), Carrie J., Alice F.,
Anna M. and John W. Mrs. Davenport is a member of the M. E. Church, and he is an Adventist and
in politics a Republican. For a number of years he traveled and practiced surgical dentistry. The
son that died had just finished his second term of teaching ; he was a promising young man, the pride
of his family and respected by all that knew him ; he had attended school at Baraboo, under the instruc-
tion of Fmf. Willis for some time ; he died March 24, 1876, aged 20 years 1 month and 6 days. Mr.
D. has altogether 300 acres of land.
J. L. DRYER, farmer, Sec. 33 ; has 200 acres ; was born in Madison Co., N. Y., March 3,
1830 ; came to Sauk Co. in August, 1865, and located on his present farm at that time. He was married
< let. '_':;. 1S50, to Miss Adaline Richardson ; she was born in Tioga Co., N. Y. ; they have seven children
— Helen J., Eta J., Bertha J., John W., Grant, Eva and George. In politics, Mr. Dryer is a Republican.
JOHN FOSS, farmer, Sec. 28; he was born in Mecklenburg, Germany, June 3, 1839; came
to America in October, 1850, with his father, Chris Foss, and located near Milwaukee ; came to Sauk Co.
in 1863; he has 160 acres of land. He was married in L858 to Miss Minnie Springer; she was bom in
Baden, Germany; they have four children — Albert, Jonk, Paulina and Frank. Both Mr. and Mrs. Foss
are members of the German Lutheran Church. In politics, Mr. Foss is a Democrat; he has his father
make his home with him, his mother having died some fifteen years ago.
THOMAS GILLESPIE, farmer, Sec. 2 ; P. O. Kilbourn City ; he was born in Wigtown,
Scotland, Jan. 15, 1831; came to America in 1842, with his parents; they located in Vermont, then re-
moved to New York State, and came to Sauk Co., Wis., in October, 1856, where he has lived ever since;
in November, 1879, he was elected to the Legislature of bis State for the term of 1880, on the Republican
ticket, and at the convention of his party in the fall of 1880, he received the nomination For the same
office, which is considered, in bis county, equal to an election. He was married Oct. 31, 1851, to Miss
Martha Simpson ; she was born in the State of Vermont ; they have ten children -Marv J., William G.,
Hattie M., John T., Nellie M., Carra E., Thomas W., Bertie A., Earl L. and Ed. S'. Mr. and Mrs.
Gillespie are members of the M. E. Church, and four of their daughters are members of the same church.
In politics, Mr. Gillespie is a Republican; he has 280 acres of land.
JOHN HEMER, farmer, Sec. 16; was born in Bavaria, Germany, March 15, 1821; came to
America in 1852, located in Ohio, removed to Dodge Co., Wis., in 1854, and to Sauk Co. in 1860, and
located on his present farm, where lie has lived ever since; he 1ms 3SII acres in all, only SO acres in his
home farm. He was married Oct. 16, 1854. to Miss Mary Knadler; she was born in Wurteniburg, Ger-
ina:,v ; they have two children— Josephine and George. The whole family are members of the German
Lutheran Church. Mr. Hemer, in politics, is a Democrat.
CHARLES LEIGH, farmer, Sec. 23 (he has 240 acres) ; I' < > Helton. He was b->rn in Cheshire
England, Jan. '■'•. L815, and came to America in ISIJ'J ; be located in Krie, N. Y., and came to Wisconsin
in 1858, tli, n to Iowa, and lived there about four years, when lie moved to Sauk Co. in the fall of 1875.
He was married, in 1843, to Miss Sarah N, Tease ; she was born in the State of New York ; they have
four children — Frank II., John D., Mary E. and Eugene A. Both Mr. and Mrs. Leigh are members ot
the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in politics, he is a Republican.
I.. R. MONTGOMERY, farmer, Sec. 32 ; P.O. Eteedsburg, Wis. He was born in Cort-
land Co., N. V., Feb. 22, 1835, and came to Racine Co., Wis., with his parents, in 1845, and to Sauk Co.
TOWN OF DELLONA. 747
u\ L849, He was married, Jan. 27, 1859, to Miss Achsah B. Peck; she was born in Hartford Co.,
Conn., March 9, 1836. In politics, Mr. M. is a Greenbacker. They have four children — Lyman B.,
Isabella i deceased i, Sarah and Charles L.
HENRY RADWELL. farmer, See. 26 (has 80 acres). He was born in Yorkshire, Englandi
March 7. 1819, atid came to America in 1813, and to Sauk Co. in 1867. He was married, July, 1855,
i" Rachel A. Abraham; they have six children — Edward, Joseph, Henry, Sarah J., Martha and Marga-
ret. His wife died in L875. Mi. Radwell is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and in
politics he is a Republican.
JOSEPH S. RADWELL, farmer, Sec. 19 and 24 (he has LOO acres); P.O. Delton i
was bom in Kenosha Co., Wis., Feb. IS, L852. lie was married, Jan. 15, 1879, to Miss Jessie A. Gib-
son; she was born in Rock Co., Wis. In politics, Mr. Radwell is a Republican.
SILAS J. SEYMOUR, farmer, Sec. 30; P. O. Reedsburg ; was born in Poiupey, Onondaga,
Co., N. Y, Feb. 21, 1S24; bis father moved to Genesee Co., N. Y., in 1828, and the subject of this
sketch remained there till he was 14 years old ; then he left home and went to the State of Ohio, where
he lived two years; be then returned to Covington, Wyoming Co., N. Y. (his old home), and remained
there till bis i-<tli year; lie then went to his native place, in Onondaga Co.; after remaining there about
oik' year, lie commenced teaching district school ; followed teaching in the winter and studying in summer
atMaulius Academy for about four years, making his home at Manlius Square; he then returned to Wyoming
Co. and remained there until he was 25 years old, teaching in winter and working on a farm in summer ;
in May, 1849, he came to Wisconsin, and in the month of June of that year entered the quarter-section
that lie -till makes his home. Since the town of Dellona was organized, he has repeatedly held the offices
of Town Clerk, Assessor, Town Superintendent of Schools, Chairman of Supervisors aud Justice of the
Peace; he was for one term County Supervisor, and one year Swamp Land Commissioner of Sauk Co.; he
served his District in the bower House of the State Legislature in 1876-77 ; in 1879, he was appointed
by the Governor Commissioner of the Wisconsin Railroad Farm Mortgage Land Company, which office he
now holds ; for over twenty years of his resilience here, he practiced plain surveying as occasion presented ;
his eyesight becoming impaired, he relinquished the business. He was married, Sept. 23, 1851, to Miss
Mary A. Conine, of Perry, Wyoming Co., N. Y.; she was born in Windham, Greene Co., N. Y., Aug. 9,
1827 ; they have had five children— Ellen A., Ida J. (deceased), Merton E., Walter F. aud Arthur R.
In politics, Mr. S. is a Republican.
JOHN SLAVEN, farmer, stock-dealer and stock-raiser, Sec. 32 ; he has 240 acres in his home
and 80 acres in Sees. 14 and 20; he was born in Greenfield, Dane Co., Wis., May 27, 1845, and came to
Sauk ( !o.j with his parents in 1840 ; his father, James Slaven, located at that time in the Town of Dellona,
where the subject of this sketch has always lived ; he litis served as member of the Town Roard five terms,
and has held some office in the school interests nearly all the time since he was of age. He was married,
Feb. 6, 1S77, to Miss Sarah Timlin ; she was born in the town of Dellona, Sauk Co., Wis. ; they have two
children — James and Eva. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic Church. In polities, Mr.
Slaven is Independent.
THOMAS TIMLIN, farmer, Sec. 29 (has 200 acres he purchased in 1868) ; he was born in
Ireland ( let. 15, 1833 ; he came to America in 1842, and located in Oneida Co., X. V. . he then came to
Rock Co. Wis., and to Sauk Co. April 11, 1847, and located in the town of Dellona, with his father, who
died Aug. 21 , 1874, at the age of 70 years ; his mother and the youngest brother occupy the home farm.
He was married Jan. 8, 1860, to Mary A. Hayes; she was born in New Jersey; they have ten children
—John W., James S., Kate, Winnefred, Mary A.. Thomas D., Joseph F., Daniel, Sarah E. and Francis
V. Both he and his wife are members of the Catholic Church. In politics, he is a Democrat. Mr. Tim-
lin has handled hops quite extensively, and has taken two tripsto England in connection with the hop trade,
viz., 1869, and again in 1875 ; he litis arrangements there with commission men whereby he can ship at
any time ; he was Chairman of the Town Board for three terms— 1869,1870 and 1871, also in 1879 ; he
spent some time in the South before the rebellion.
D. C. WOOSTER, farmer, Sec. 2 (has 80 acres) ; P. O. Kilbourn City ; he was born in Han-
cock Co., Me. May 22, 1822; at the age of 19, he shipped before the mast on board the Pioneer, and
next on a British brig called the Albion, and other ships, till he was 24 years of age; he shipped on the
brig Wallace, and while on her he was promoted chief officer, aud for a number of years he served as si i -
ond and first officer on differ tit boats, up to about L850, when he took command of the brig Charles that
sailed out of Boston, and he contiuued in that business for about eighteen years, up to 1808 ; most of the
748 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
time he was engaged in the European trade. He was married, July 9, 1863, to Miss Elizabeth Eakins ;
she was born in Scotland, and came to America when quite young with her parents, who settled in Ver-
mont ; they have two children — Calvin M. and Josephine E. Mr. Wooster, in politics, is Inde
pendent.
TOWN OF DELTON.
GEORGE W. ADAMS, miller, Delton ; born in Delton Aug. 24, 1853. Married Jan. 1,
1880, to Miss Grace A. Brown ; she is also a native of the town of Delton, born July 19, 1860. Mr.
Adams is a Republican in politics.
J. II. ADAMS, proprietor of the Delton City and Delton Mills, also proprietor of foundry and
machine shops ; born in Upper Canada Feb. 21, 1823; in 1839, he went to Montgomery Co., N. Y.,
where he remained till 1850, when he came to Sauk Co., where he has since resided ; he has been actively
engaged in business — farming, manufacturing, merchandising, etc. ; he has done as much for the prosper-
ity of the town of Delton as any other citizen of the township. He was married Jan. 26, 1840, to Miss
Rachael Vanderveer, born in Montgomery Co., N. Y. ; they have had twelve children — Eliza A. E. (deceased),
Charles H., Emma E., George W., Henry (deceased), Mark E., Almira L., David M. (deceased), Frede-
rick, Albert D. (deceased), Mary M. and John A. In politics, Mr. Adams is a Republican.
S. K. AYRES, farmer and manufacturer of sorghum, See. 21 ; P. 0. Delton; farm contains
150 acres of land ; born in Addison Co., Vt., April 9, 1826 ; he removed with his parents to the State of New
York in 1830, and located at Peru ; in 1848, he went to Watertown, and to Sauk Co. in 1857, and to
Delton in 1865. He was married Jan. 5, 1853, to Miss Annie Clement; she was born in Montgomery
Co.,N. Y. ; they have had twelve children — George D. (deceased), MelindaO., Eli A. Julia A.,TiltonA., Ida
E., Charles R., James M. (deceased), William E. (deceased), Libbe E., Wilbur J. and Martha L. In
politics, Mr. Ayres is a Republican. His father had eight sons, the children of these sons have eighty
children, an average of ten each. The eight brothers are all members of the Methodist Church ; they have
made it a point to meet yearly for many years. Mrs. Ayres is the daughter of Stephen and Phebe Cle-
ment ; her father died at the age of 67 ; her mother is still living at the age of 86 years ; her mother has
twelve children, and in 1875, they all met at the public hall in Delton, on the birthday of their mother.
JOHN H. BENNETT, farmer; P. O. Baraboo. This enterprising citizen, an early settler
of the town of Fairfield, but now a resident of the town of Delton, was born in Madison, Lake Co.,
Ohio. Jan. 1. 1823. He married in his native county Clarissa M. Olds ; they came to Wisconsin in 1847 ;
lived in Walworth Co. the first summer, then came to Sauk Co. ; entered Government land in the town of
Fairfield, and set about making themselves a home in the wilderness; how well they have succeeded is
amply shown by their large and well-cultivated fields, large and substantial buildings, surrounded by every
advantage tending to promote comfort; their children are Albert J., now in Arizona; his wife was Fern
Ranney ; Adelia is the wife of A. G. Cooper; he was a soldier in the 1st W. V. C. during the war of the
rebellion ; Ella, wife of John Gillman. Mr. Bennett, in the town of Fairfield, filled various offices, including
that of Town Treasurer, member of the Town Board of Supervisors, Town Clerk, etc. ; he also held various
school offices; he has lived in the town of Delton since 1S79. Politically, he acts with the Republican
party; his father. Lionel Bennett, served in the United States Army during the war of 1812; he died in
Ohio ; his wife, whose maiden name was Sarah Norton, is still living and is in the 85th year of her age.
ORANGE BROWN, farmer, Sec. 33 ; P. O. Delton ; was born in Orange Co., Vt., Jan. 28,
I 325 came t.. Wisconsin in 1849, and located in Rock Co. ; be came to Sauk Co. in 1851. and located
on his present farm ; he has served as a member of the Town Board lor several terms, and has held the
office of Assessor of his town for the last three years. lie was married to Almira Follett Nov. 26, 1846 ;
they have four children Charles L., Ira F., Emmett and Emery H. Mrs. Brown died April 8, 1856.
Mr. Brown was married, < )ct. 21, 1858, to Miss Mary A Lillie , she was born in Lamoille ; they have live
children — Grace A., Clara J., Minnie E., Myron O. and Myrtle K. Mr. Brown is Independent in politics;
has a farm of 240 acres.
SIDNEY COB LEIGH, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O. Delton; he was born in Larderdale, Miss.,
March II. L8 12 ; I ante to Sauk Co. in April, 1851. He was married in November, 1 868, to Miss Jennie
Gafna; she was born in Ireland; they have three children — Orril J., Mary B. and Leler B. In politics,
he is Republican.
TOWN OF DELTON. 749
W. P.HARVEY, millwright; P. 0. Delton ; son of James and Esther (Foster) Harvey; was
horn in Tioga Co., N. Y., Aug. 3(», 1836 ; when 15 years of age, he moved to Sauk Co., Wis. (1852), and
located in the town of Bear Creek. He was married in Franklin, Sauk Co., Sept. 30, 1858, to Hannah
Slauter ; Mrs. Harvey was born in Kankakee, 111. ; they have five children — Mary (now Mrs. F. Alfred,
residence Lavalle. Mr. Harvey enlisted, February, 1S62. in the 12th Battery (Wis.), and served till Oct.
8, same year ; he re-enlisted, February, 1804, in Co. H, 44th W. V. I. ; was Hospital Steward of the regiment ;
served till the close of the war ; came to Lavalle Jan. 1, 1880 ; leased the Rathbun mill, on Sec. 24 ; Mr.
Harvey has a residence in Delton. to which he intends returning next year. Politics, Republican. Mrs.
Harvey is a member of the United Brethren Church.
J. T. HLNTIX^TON, proprietor of the Delton Steam Syrup and Sugar Works, Delton ; Mr.
Huntington has established the first steam tanks for the manufacture of syrup and sugar from sorghum in the
county ; his building is 30x50 feet, two stories high, with engine room, 18x22 feet, with twenty-horse-power
boiler and ten-horse power engine; he has evaporators and tanks for manufacturing 300 gallons of syrup
per day of twenty four hours; he has one of Plymer's largest Victor Mills for grinding his cane; taken as
a whole, it is one of the most complete institutions of the kind in the country. Mr. Huntington was born
in Franklin Co., in the State of New York, Aug. 18, 1S43. He was married Jan. 7, 1865, to Miss Lois
E. Nicholas ; has one child — Percy R. Mr. Huntington is the only child of Leon and Mary Huntington.
Father is Postmaster at Delton, has held that office for twenty-four years. In politics, Mr. H. is a Repub-
lican.
AMBROSE JONES, physician and dentist, Delton; also owner of the steamer Fleetwood,
that plies mi Mirror Lake for the accommodation of pleasure-seekers ; the Doctor was born in Montgomery
Co., N. Y , March 20, 1820 ; he attended medical lectures at the Albany Medical College, and graduated at
Rush Medical College, Chicago, in the class of 1847-48 ; he was located at Waterloo, Jefferson Co., Wis., for
a short time ; thence to Sun Prairie, where he was engaged in the practice of medicine until the spring of
1850, when he removed to Sauk Co., where he remained till 1862, when he removed to Packwaukee and
engaged in the practice of his profession ; he enlisted, in August, 1864, in the 5th W. V. I., and was im-
mediately promoted to the position of Assistant Surgeon of that regiment, and served in that capacity till
the close of the war ; he removed from Packwaukee to Adams Co. in 1869, but returned lo Sauk Co. in
1879. The Doctor was married, in 1848, to Miss Sarah Moural, born in the State of New York ; he is
a Republican politically.
L. L. LEE, farmer, Sec. 15; P. O. Baraboo ; he has 240 acres; he was born in Madison Co.,
N. Y., Feb. 27, 1823; came to Sauk Co., Wis., in 1847. He was married, in the fall of 1848, to Miss
Harriet 31. Gardiner; she was born in Madison Co., N. Y. ; they have five children — Frank (}., Maria
C, Mary E., Charles H. and Hattie E. Mr. and Mrs. Lee are members of the Presbyterian Church ; in
politics, he is a Republican.
DAVID M. LEWIS, farmer, See. 21 ; P. O. Delton ; born in Yates Co., N. Y., July 1,
1839; he removed to Kansas from the State of New York in 1867; he settled in Sauk Co. in 1873.
He was married in December, 1861, to Miss Mary II. Spink ; she was born in Yates Co.; they have five
children — Lizzie, Carrie, Charles F., Manny and Adda. Politically, he is Independent.
THOMAS H. MARSHALL, farmer, Sec. 22; P. O. Kilbourn City; has 71 acres, and it
is one of the best-improved farms in the township ; he has a very fine bearing apple orchard ; his res-
idence is commodious, and, being situated between the town of Delton and the Dells, it is a pleasant place
for parties to spend a few weeks in the summer-time ; Mr. Marshall is a congenial gentleman ; his wife,
amiable, a g 1 housekeeper, and would make all feel at home that would favor them with a call. He
was born in Hillsboro Co., N. H., Ausr. 12, 1845; he moved to Sauk Co., Wis., with his parents, in
1854. He enlisted, Feb 13, 1865, in Co. A, 49th W. V. I., and served till the close of the war. He
was married Oct. 11, 1867, to Miss Eliza M. Smith; she was born in Milwaukee Co., Wis., July 24.
1848; they have had three children — Alva B. (deceased). Charles La Forest and Leon A. E. ; all were
born in Nashua, N. H. Mr. Marshall moved back to Nashua in 1869, and was engaged in the manufac-
ture of cotton goods; returned to Sauk Co. in 1876, and, in the fall of 1877, bought his present home;
both he and his wife are members of the Congregational Church ; in politics, he is a lb-publican.
HENRY D. MOIVTAIVYE (deceased); born in Montgomery Co., N. Y., April 19, 1813 ; he
was a farmer by occupation till 1872, when he came to Delton and purchased the property known as the
Delton House, which he kept as a hotel till his death, which occurred Jan 27. 1>77 He was married,
June 21, 1840, to Cornelia Parslow, born in Oneida Co., N. Y., Nov 4, 1821 : they have eleven
750 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
children — Charles C, Mary, Cornelia E., George J., John H., Frank. Dow, Ed. L.. William, Minnie A.
and Alfred A. Mrs. M. is a member of the Christian Church. She still keeps the hotel.
J. G. PALMER, farmer, Sec. 10; P. 0. Baraboo ; was born in Windham Co., Vt. ; he
removed to Sauk Co. in 1856. He was married in Sauk Co., in September, 1846, to Eliza Crandal ;
she was born in Oneida Co., N. Y.; they have three children — Charles E., Clementina and Effie L.
Mrs. Palmer is a member of the Presbyterian Church. Mr. Palmer, in politics, is a Democrat. He has a
farm of 80 acres.
HENRY SARRINGTON, farmer. Sec. 21; P. 0. Delton ; born in Northamptonshire,
England, Dec. 25, 1835 j he came to America in 1856, and located in Oneida Co., N. Y.; he came to
Sauk Co. in 1867. He was married, July 4, 1865, to Miss Susan Balderson, a native of England ; they
have two children — Eva and Henry L. Mrs. Sarrington is a member of the M. E. Church. Mr. S. is
a Democrat, politically. He has a farm of 75 acres.
JOSEPH P. SHUETS, farmer, Sec. 26 ; P. 0. Delton ; was born in Columbia Co., Penn.;
at the age of 10 went to New Jersey, and in the spring of 1850 came to Walworth Co., and to Sauk Co.
in 1854, where he has lived ever since ; he came to the county poor, and by industry and good manage-
ment has accumulated a fine property. He was married, Jan. 19, 1850, to Miss Mary N. Flickuer ; she
was born in Hunterdon, N. J.; they have four children — Jacob F., Asa S., Mary A. and Frank E. Mr.
Shults is, in politics, a Republican. He has a farm of 560 acres.
OLIVER W. SPAEEDIN, farmer ; P. O. Delton ; was born in Hartland, Windsor Co.,
Vt., May 7, 1815; raised in his native town till 1848, when he came to Wisconsin, coming directly to
his present home. Here he entered the southwest quarter of Section 6, Town 12, Range 5, now town of
Delton, and has made it his home ever since. Mr. S. was married Sept. 7. 1841, to Ruth E. Pike. They
had eight children — Henry (deceased), Annette (deceased), Charles, Emma, Albert, Harriet, John and
Frank (deceased). Mrs. Spauldin died Feb. 20, 1863. Mr. S. married again Nov. 3, 1864, to Mrs. Mary
E. Luttle. Mr. Spauldin was Supervisor of the town of New Buffalo (now Delton), in 1849, and has
held the same office two terms since. The first brick chimney built in the town was made by Mr. Spauldin,
who used clay for mortar, and a paddle for a trowel. The first school held in District No. 6, town of
Delton ; was kept in Mr. S.'s house the first half of the term ; the schoolhouse then being completed,
the term was finished there; the school was taught by Miss Lucretia Crawford, of Baraboo. Mr. S. has now
240 acres of land.
A. H. THOMSON, manufacturer of wagons, carriages, sleighs, etc. Repairing also promptly
done; Delton ; born in Portage Co., Ohio, Sept. 30, 1816; he came to Wisconsin in 1845, and located
in Walworth Co. In 1850, he came to Sauk Co., where he has since resided. He has served on Town
Board for one term ; has been Town Clerk for several years, lie was married Nov. 7, 1850. to Miss
.Maria L, Pitkin, born in Stark Co., Ohio. Mr. Thompson is a Republican in politics.
JOHN <i. TRAVIS, farmer, Sec. 36 ; P. O. Delton ; born in Schoharie Co., N. Y., May 6,
1811. He was married in 1836 to Miss Eunice Rafinan; tiny have five children — John D., Curtis,
Henry, Eunice and Immogine ; his second wife was Rebecca Rapp ; they have have one child — Abra-
ham ; his third and present wife was Mrs. Mary E. Eggleston ; they were married Dec. 14, 1874; she
was the widow of II. A. Kgirliston, who died Aug. 28, 1S6S ; she had by her first husband six children —
William R. (deceased), Ella !•'. (deceased ), Mary E., Florence C, Frederick (deceased) and Cora H.
Mr. and Mrs. Travis are members of the M. E. Church. His farm contains 80 acres.
A. F. WASHBl'RNE, farmer, Sec. 16; P. 0. Baraboo ; farm contains 120 acres; born in
Genesee Co., N. Y., Oct. 4, 1826 ; heremo\,-d to Michigan <vith his parents about 1836, and to Sauk Co. in
1848. He was married, in October, 1850, to Cordelia McCoy, born in the State of New York ; they have
had six children — Delos, Charles (deceased), Alveretta, Leroy A., Laraty and Bertram F. Mr. W. is a
Democrat in politics
CITY OF GREENFIELD. 751
TOWN OF GREENFIELD.
A. fir. ALBERT is a sun of Frederick ami Caroline Albert; his parents caine from Hanovei
German)-, when he was but 1 year old, and settled in Waukesha Co. in 1846 ; after three years, the family
removed to Dane Co.. where they resided till 1857, when they came to their home on Sec. 12, Greenfield,
where they had a farm of 140 acres; Mr. Albert died of slow consumption in 1866, leaving four sons and
one daughter — Anna Sophronia, and his widow yet lives with her son, A. G., upon the home farm. Mr.
Albert was married, Jan. 6, 1872, to Mary Jane, daughter of William and Mary Ann Taylor, born Sept.
.'!. 1851, by whom he has four children — Mertie Rosetta, William Henry, John Lewis and Mary Maud ;
the farm is securely sheltered from the winds, is not troubled by late frosts, and is well adapted to fruit,
having already a fine orchard of over one hundred trees; Mr. Albert is not enjoying good health, and, for
that reason, could he sell, would remove to a milder climate. He is a helpful member of the Republican
party, a member of the Town Board, and in every respect a useful citizen.
RKV. .IOHX BE AX ( deceased |, came to Wisconsin in 1845, and commenced the work of an
itinerant missionary near Milwaukee; in 1853, he came to Sauk Co. and entered 80 acres in Fairfield ; he
still held his place in the Methodist Conference, laboring at West Bend, Big Foot Prairie, East Troy,
Watertown, Albion. Portage City, Reedsburg, Union, Mauston, Necedah, Black River Falls, Russell's
Corners, Beetown, Jamestown, Washburn. Fennimore, Juda, Monticello and Middleton, until he became
so crippled with rheumatism that he could not well attend to his pulpit and pastoral duties, when he came
to Fairfield to live in 1870 ; in 1876, he removed to his place in Greenfield, where lie died of apoplexy,
May 1, 1880. Mr. Bean was a son of David and Sally Bean, of Strafford, Vt., where he was born in
L816 ; was educated in the academy at Newbury; was licensed as exhorter in the Methodist Church at
the age of Is. and was married at 22 to Miss Caroline Hayes, who, with very marked fidelity and rare
helpfulness, shared his toils and cares through all his changeful life ; Mr. Bean was an excellent revival
preacher and a shrewd business man, which made him successful in building up his churches, and helped
him in laving by a competency for old age.
WILLIAM BREWSTER came to Racine, Wis., in 1844, and removed to Sauk Co. in
1848; he came to hi> present home on Sit. 9, Greenfield, in 1855, where, in a beautiful basin, surrounded
by the delightful Baraboo hills, he has one of the finest grain and grass farms in the town ; he cuts about
one hundred tons of hay, besides his ample grain crop, which will be still more abundant when his 280
acres are all improved ; Mr. Brewster is brother of the gentleman who is just now erecting the paper-mill
at thi- lower dam in Baraboo ; is a son of Samuel and Lucy Brewster, of Oneida Co., N. Y., where he was
born July 7, 1826. In 1845, he was married to Lavinia Fry, by whom he had four sons — William A.,
born in August. 1840, married to Elizabeth Nunser, of Cameron, Mo., where he now lives; George E.,
born Sept. 11. 1 -US. married to Elizabeth Buck, of Greenfield, now residing at Vanville, Wis. ; one who
died in infancy, and Charles E., born Aug. 28, 1S50, married to Emiline Prothero, who lives with his
father and is engaged in looking after the large interests of the home farm ; Charles E. has an only child,
a boy of 4 years.
ORAXfjrE H. COOK, is a fine illustration of Western enterprise, coupled with hard work
and close economy. This son of Marvin and Clarissa Cook was born at Westfield, Medina Co., Ohio,
December, 1825, and has in the composite of his blood the shrewdness of his Connecticut mother, and the
comprehensiveness of York State men ; he came to Sauk Co. in 1845, walking from Racine, and living on
half-rations until he found employment at Prairie du Sac; in 1S46, he claimed his present home in Sec.
32, but, for twelve years, spent much of his time lumbering upon the Wisconsin and its tributaries.
Meanwhile, he was married, Sept. 26, 1853, to Lucinda T., daughter., of Asa Reed, of New Hampshire,
who was born March 4, 1832, by whom he had a son, Edward M., born July 3, 1854, who died Sept. S,
1S67, and a daughter, Clarinda S., born August, 1856, who died Jan. 1, 1861. Mrs. Cook died of con-
sumption Dec. 11, 1856, leaving her children in care of her sister, Clarinda F. Reed, whom Mr. Cook sub-
sequently married, and by whom he has a daughter, Jennie I... born June 24, 1858 ; Frank S., born Dec.
19, 1859 ; Howard H., bom April 18, 1862 ; Ada, born Sept. 8, 1804, who died Feb. 11, 1865 ; and on
the 21st of March following, Mr. Cook's home was again overshadowed by the death of his second most
excellent wife, who, like her sister, fell a prey to hereditary consumption. The loss of these young chil-
dren, and the sorrows and cares of their father were lightened by the tender and very efficient si l
the present Mrs. Cook, daughter of Frederick and Barbara Felber. born in Fairfield, Ohio, Oct. 23, 1842,
752 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
and married to Mr. Cook Nov. 12, 1865, by whom he has four children — George 0., Alice A., Effa M.
and Archibald. Mr. Cook has in his home farm, 406 acres of choicest land, with good barn, and upon
which he is just completing one of the best farm dwellings in the county. He has no mood to go West,
but contents himself with buying Greenfield farmsTrom those who do, having just combined the Briar and
Warner places, making a farm of 240 acres (probably for Frank, who is one of the most industrious and
reliable boys in any town ). These farms, with six forties of timber, make up Mr. Cook's land possessions,
but his farms are heavily stocked with sheep, and about ninety horned cattle and sixteen horses. Mr.
Cook is not one of those men who rusts out, living on money at large interest, which cannot be " resur-
rected " by the voice of any assessor, and for this reason his townsmen like to borrow his money. There
is fresh life in it that is a tonic to the holder, which inspires the ability to repay it with use. formerly a
Democrat, he has for many years faithfully adhered to the Republicans ; has held repeatedly the offices of
Assessor and Treasurer, and been for several years upon the Town Board.
RALPH G. COWLES, son of Lorrin and Betsey Cowles ; when a boy, lo3t his mother at
Kalamazoo, Mich., a windstorm blowing a tree across the wagon in which she was riding; in July, 1843,
in company with his father, he crossed the Wisconsin at Sauk City, swimming their cattle, and on the
7th they came over the well-nigh impassable bluffs to Baraboo ; the Winnebagoes were assembled upon
their council grounds, on the spur of high land south of Mrs. C. C. Remington's, and their corn-fields were
green up and down the Baraboo ; they settled on Sec. 33, now in Greenfield, the second settlers in the
town ; here Mr. Cowles' sister, Mrs. Peter Shaffer, gave birth to a daughter in October, 1843, the first
white child born in the town, and Mrs. Shaffer's death, in the following March, was the first instance of
mortality ; the father also having died, the land was entered by Ralph and his brother in 1847. In 1851,
he was married to Lueretia A., daughter of James and Lucy Crawford, born in April, 1832, by whom he
has had five children — Lorrin H., born Sept. 3, 1852, married Sept. 16, 1874; Orpha, born Jan. 22,
1857, died Oct, 19, 1864 ; Elmer E„ born May 26, 1861, died Oct, 4, 1864 ; Fred M., born July 20,
1866, and Lulie E., born Oct. 29, 1872. Orpha and Elmer were taken away by dysentery, which was so
widely prevalent and fatal in 1864. Mr. and Mrs. Cowles are excellent neighbors, having a wide moral
influence, and living intensely religious lives. Formerly, he was a member of the Methodist Church, of
which his father was the first Class-leader, but now he is Elder in the Seventh Day Advent Church. He
was an ardent. Abolitionist of the olden time; has been and is a radical temperauce man, and a Republican
from before the organization of the party.
WILLIAM H. I'lKKV. deceased, came from Brunswick, Germany, to Wisconsin, in 1840,
and stopped first at Madison, but about 1845 came to Baraboo, and settled on Sec. 26, in Greenfield,
in 1847, where his widow now resides; he built the first limekiln in 1848, and in the fall of 1849 he
built the first frame schoolhouse in Greenfield, yet known as the Eikey Schoolhouse ; in 1852, he put up,
where the Prentice Mill now stands, the first saw-mill into which he also put machinery for sawing wagon
stuff. Mr. Eikey was married, Feb. 18, 1849, to Miss Anna Umberger, daughter of Abraham and Sarah
Umberger, of Wythe Co., Va., born in March, 1830, by whom he bad one daughter, Mary O, born 1 1th
(if January, 1851, who was married to Mr. C. F. Moher, of Caledonia, June 30, 1872. Mr. Eikey was a
good mechanic, and was much employed in early years as a stone and brick mason at Baraboo ; he had a
fine mind, and is said to have received in early life a liberal education ; he was an active Republican and
a member of the Methodist Church. Mr. Eikey died Dec. 21, 1*70, aged 60 years 8 months and 13
days, leaving his farm of 23(1 acres to his wife and daughter.
J. IK (wAXO came to Wisconsin in 1844, and settled at Rio, from which place he removed to
his present home in Sec. 5. in 1867 ; this son of. lames ami Mary Gano was born in Columbia, Herkimer
Co., N. Y., May 24, 1822, where he was educated. In 1840, he was married to Emily L. Tidd, of Homer,
N. Y., by whom he had four sons and two daughters — Marion B., James A., Irvine D.,Theron A., Almira
E. ami Sarah A., now deceased. Mrs. Gano died of dropsical affection in 1860, and in 1862 Mr. G. was
married to Mrs. M. S. ( Hughes) Sharp, of Wales, by whom be has three children — William D., Sarah,
Etta and Olio .1., all now living. Mrs. Gano died of consumption in February, 1870, ami Mr. Gano has
since married Mrs. Margaret A. Willey, of New York City, daughter of Mr. Bradbury, a soldier in the
regular arm\ ; a son. Claud Bradbury, is the only fruit of this marriage. Mr. G. is a man who delights
in his family, and has special gifts for training children under the power of fatherly affection. He has
served the district seven years ami been twice elected Justice of the Peace.
JOHN <wLIi\T is the Greenfield philanthropist; he was thoroughly educated for this calling in
Scotland, but came to Wisconsin to carry out his mission of doing the greatest good lo the greatest num-
ber ; when he came to Greenfield, lie turned Mr. Prentice's mill into a sanitarium, thus founding the only
TOWN <)K GREENFIELD. 753
benevolent institution in Greenfield ; he has prevented sourness from entering many homes, giving light
for darkness, so that far and near families eat their bread with gladness; he understands all the mysteries
of ancient and modern milling, having run the second purifier ever operated in Milwaukee, in the mill of
.1. B. Martin, but he believes the old process to be far better for the consumer than the new, and is doubt-
less making the best family flour in Sauk Co. Mr. Glen came to this planet in January, 1830, making
his entrance at Glasgow, Scotland, stopping at the borne of John and Elizabeth Glen, who kindly cared for
and educated him after the straitest of the Scotch Presbyterians. At the age of 20 he was married to
Miss Margaret, daughter of James and Susan Whitelaw, born at Glasgow, in 1837, by whom he has five
children— James A., born in 1864 ; Charles J., in 1868 ; William M., in 1871 ; Forrest, in 1874, and
Robert in 1877. Mr. Glen is making up his mind on the political issues of this country.
<> I I .151 ' It T !l V 1*11 V \. son of John and Ann Harman, was born in Brooklyn, N. Y., July
18, 1831 ; bis father came from Wurteniberg in 1818; married a lady upon Long Island, but soon moved
to Lycoming Co., Penn., from which place his son (i illicit came West, as far as Milwaukee, in 1852 ; was
married to Amanda, daughter of David and Maria Sutton, Dec. 23, 1855, who was born in Michigan June
1, 1835. In 1855, Mr. Harman came to his present residence in Greenfield on Sec. 2, where he has 170
acres of good clay soil, well adapted to wheat and fruit. Mr. Harman has probably done more hard work
than any man in the county, and as a result he has above 100 acres nicely cleared and the abundant crop
of stone made into fence which will be sound when the last history of Sauk Co. has been written. He
also bis excellent buildings, especially a barn, built at a large outlay of time and money, and good for one
huudred years; a fine orchard of 170 trees gives him more apples than he knows what to do with. Mr.
Harman has lust three children— Sarah Ann, William and Rosa E. C. ; and has two daughters, Laura Ann
and Mary Melissa, living and at home. He drew a prize in the first draft, which be paid $300 to transfer
to another man. His family worship at the Methodist Church ; be is himself a Democrat.
ABRAM IMH',4. E, came to Sauk Co., May, 1847, and bought the 80 where his house now
stands, in Sec. 28, March, 1848. to which he has since added until he now has 240 acres, much of it
highly improved, with valuable buildings. He is one of the most thrifty farmers in the town ; is a very
quiet man, of sterling integrity, of strong convictions, a thorough Republican, and recently united with
the Baptist Church, of which his wife has long been a member. Mr. Hoege, son of John and Elizabeth
Hoege, was born in 1819, on the Western Reserve at Mayfield, Ohio; his mother's father lived 104 years,
and his mother 00. He was married Feb. 20, 1842, to Miss Abigail E., daughter of Peter and Elizabeth
Covert, of New Jersey, by whom he has three daughters — Elizabeth A., married to John Plummer ; Ellen
Jane, married to W. P. Thompson; and Rovelia 0., married to Allan Stewart. Mrs. Hoege died in 1862,
having faithfully filled the office of wife and mother for twenty years. In the following year, Mr. Hoege
was married to Miss Eliza, daughter of Amyntas and Mary J. Briggs, of Rome, N. Y., who came West
in 1854, and settled at Newport. From this marriage there are two sons— Oron B., born July 24, I SCI.
Alba Jay, born Aug 23, 1866 : a daughter, Cora Elmina, born July 12, 1868. Mr. Hoege was the first
.1 ustice of the Peace in Greenfield . has been several years upon the board ; aud has in all positions proved
himself entirely trustworthy.
AMOS JOHNSON, son of Lewis and Nancy Johnson, was bom in Plymouth, Conn., in 1822,
In 1845, he married Betsey, daughter of Isaac and Rachel Baldwin, of Litchfield, who was born in 1826.
He came to Sauk Co. in 1852, and settled on Sec. 32, Greenfield, where he now has 263 acres of Prairie
and 85 acres on the great marsh. Mr. Johnson is of genial, free, hearty temperament ; having not a trace
of Plymouth Rock in his face, or of Blue Laws in his constitution, or of the rebuking character of his
namesake, the Prophet ; in his manner, nature, anticipating his westward movement, made him in an
elastic mold to expand with the empire. Mr. Johnson's eldest daughter died in infancy, and Ellen, born
1850, died of consumption in 1870; Lewis, born 1854, married Lucy Scott, and lives upon a part of the
home firm ; Luther, born 1858, died in 1862 ; Wesley, born April, 1865; and Ellsworth, August, 1867,
are promising boys, doing good work whether on the farm or in the school. Mr. Johnson is a respected
citizen ; a member of the Republican party ; an efficient school officer, aud has been Chairman of the
Town Board for eight years. His wite is a quiet woman of deep religious convictions, who is thoughtfully
and prayerfully training her boys.
THOMAS JONES, son of Griffith and Ann i Morgan i Jones, was born in Cardiganshire,
Wales, Aug. 10, 1S^7 ; his father was a mechanic, but Thomas had a taste for farming, and left home for
America in 1847 ; he came directly to Sauk Co. and settled on See. 28, a part of his present farm, since
which he has bought the 40 acres on which his residence now stands ; instead ol the two shillings which
he had when he came to Baraboo, he now owns 200 acres of beautiful land, well-located and productive,
754 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
160 acres under cultivation, with buildings that cost 82,500 ; where the herd of deer then pastured and the
wolves prowled about for their prey, and the rattlesnake coiled ready for its deadly spring, he now counts his
varied stock. Mr. Jones was married, Sept. 4, 1848, to Anna Morgan, from his former home in Wales,
by whom he had two sons, David and John M., and a daughter, Elizabeth, who died of accidental burning
in 1854 ; Mrs. Jones died in confinement March 7, 1859. Mr. Jones was married to Miss Ellen, daughter
of Robert and Jane Owens, in Caledonia, in November, I860, by whom he has had eleven children, eight
of whom are still living — Robert, Evan, William, Jane, Nellie, Elizabeth, Margaret, Luella and Thomas ;
three daughters — Jane, Elizabeth and Kate, died in infancy. Mr. Jones' people attend the Calvinistic
Methodist Church and Sabbath school. He is an advocate of free-trade, but left the Democratic party on
account of slavery, and cast his first Republican vote for Lincoln.
CHAIJNCEY W. KELEOGfw was born Dec. 15, 1821, at Plymouth, Conn.; his father,
Frederick Kellogg, was descended from the youngest son of the martyr, John Rogers, who was burned by
Queen Mary in 1555 ; he was a wholesale and retail merchant in New York City for about fourteen years ;
he subsequently came to Baraboo and died at his son's, in May, 1860. C. W. Kellogg was married, Oct.
4, 1846, to Mary Eliza, daughter of George and Eliza Bassett, who was born in Derby, Conn., March 3,
1826; one of Mrs. Kellogg's paternal ancestors held a Colonel's commission in the army of George III,
and was sent to America to help subdue the colonies. Chauncey Kellogg came to Greenfield while it was
yet a part of Baraboo; helped organize the town, and was its first School Superintendent, which oifice he
held many years, greatly advancing the interest of public instruction ; he served his own district as Clerk and
Director, helping to make it the best school of the town. Mr. Kellogg was educated at the Cheshire
Academy, and adheres to the Episcopal Church, where his family worships ; he is a member of the Repub-
lican party. His present residence on Sec. 32, where he has 135 acres of choice land, is one of the
nicest sites on Peck's Prairie, and marks a home of intelligence and refinement, so pleasant that all his
children — two sons, George T. and Archibald, and two daughters, Mary A. and Kate, seem to prefer abiding
there.
PATRICK U. KELLEY, born in Kerry Co., Ireland, on the 17th of March, 1834; is
the son of John Kelley, a tradesman, interested with his brother in coasting vessels, doing business along
the shore of Ireland ; his mother was a Mary Goulding, descended from the Blennerhassett family. Mr.
Kelley came to America Nov. 30, 1852, and, in 1857, married Miss Joanna Finnegan, daughter of
Thomas and Mary Finnegan, of Kerry Co., Ireland, bom March 21, 1835; Mr. Finnegan was a farmer
and fruit-raiser before became to America, and settled in Essex Co., N. Y.; two of Mrs. Kelley 's brothers
were soldiers in the Union army, and Patrick Finnegan lost a leg at Antietam. Mr. Kelley came to Bar-
aboo April 15, 1858, and worked for Claude & Gowan tour years, and, in 1862, he settled on his place in
Sec. 30, Greenfield, where he now owns 55 acres of good land and buildings; he has taken unusual pains
to inform himself, and is an intelligent and public-spirited gentleman ; he has been trusted with responsible
offices of his town, being twice Treasurer and serving several years as Supervisor; he has a bias toward
the Greenback party, and is a member of the Roman Catholic Church ; nine children have been added
to the family, all born in Baraboo — Mary E., John Thomas, Francis M., Ambrose Jerome, Daniel M.,
Jeremiah J., Margaret Jane, Patrick Paul and Hiram Henry.
HENRY W. KOXKEL was born in Lycoming Co., Penn., April 13, 1828, where he lived
uutil he was 22 years old; he came to Sauk Co. in 1850, and, in the following year, bought his farm of
160 aires in Sec. 36, Greenfield; after five years of hard labor and privation, he returned to his native
county and married, Nov. 8, 1855, Mrs. Mary Wilkinson, a lady of English descent, who was born June
9, 1834 ; they have seven children; the eldest, De Witt Clinton, was born Dec. 16, 1856, and has recently
taken a homestead in Custer Co., Neb. ; Clara Ella, born April 7, 1858; Walter Howard, May 12, 1859 ;
Emily Alice, March 20, 1862; Henry W.. Jr., April 13, 1867; Reuben W., Oct. 28, 1868; Lila Bell,
Jan. 8, 1874. Mr. Konkel has been a very industrious farmer, is much esteemed by the neighbors, be
longs to the Republican party and is a public-spirited citizen.
.1AC-OR KRAMER was born in Bavaria Oct. 13, L830 ; son of Peter and Catharine Kramer;
his father was a soldier under Napoleon I for six years ; was three years in the Peninsular war ; spoke
very fluently the Spanish, French and German languages; he died at the age of 89, in Waukesha Co.
Jacob Kramer came to Columbia Co., N. Y., in 1846, where he remained ten years; in 1856, he removed
to Waukesha Co., Wis., and farmed in New Berlin two years, at Vernon Center seven, and at Mukwonago
ten . then removed, in November, 1874, to Sauk Co., and settled on Sec. ■'., in Greenfield, where he has
an excellent stock and fruit farm of 110 acres, with a good orchard. Mr. Kramer was married, in the fall
of 1845, to Christine, daughter of Mathias and Maggie Boss, by whom he has nine children — Konrad,
TOWN OF GREENFIELD. 755
born Sept. 12, 1846; Eliphalet, Jan. 23, 1349; Jacob, Dee. 26, 1850; Jobn, Aug. 25, 1853; Susan,
April 26, 1856; Kate, Oct. 26, 1S59 ; Peter, Dec. 28, 1863; Christina, Dec. 8, 1865; and t Caroline,
June 25, 1ST0.
SETH T. McGILYRA, Sec. 30; P. 0. Baraboo; was born Jan. 8, 1824, in Herkimer Co.,
N. Y.; came to Wisconsin in 1856, arriving in Sauk Co. Sept. 16; purchased the place where he now
resides, and has made it his home since that time; owns 450 acres of land. He was married, Jan. 24,
1849, to Miss Seviah C., daughter of Amos and Aurilla Ferrington ; Mrs. M. died Jan. 1. 1860, leaving
three children — Mary F., George B. and Albert D.; he married again, April 11, 1860, to Miss Mary A.,
daughter of Samuel P. and Sarah Huntington ; she also died, leaving four children — Seviah S., Louisa
H., Emma J. and an infant, deceased ; was married Aug. 1, 1872, to Mrs. Mary (Stuart) Cranson, daugh-
ter of tsaac and Huldah Stuart; have two children, Avis A. and Sarah L. Mr. M., since living in Green-
field, has been a member of the Town Board two terms.
PETER NETCHER, deceased, son of Jacob and Elizabeth Netcher, was born in Hessen,
Germany, Feb. 22, 1822; he first immigrated to Wheeling, Va., in 1846, but removed to Sauk Co. in
1850, and in 1851 he settled on Sec. 1 1, where he had a farm of 160 acres of good land ; he assisted the
surveyors in locating most of the public roads in the south part of the town, and had been prominent in
all the improvements made upon the blurts ; especially was he interested in the public school work of his
own district, discharging the duties of some of its offices most of the time, being Treasurer wheu he died.
Mr. Netcher was Democratic in politics and belonged to the Roman Catholic Church. He was always
respected in his neighborhood, greatly beloved by his family, and is truly mourned by a large circle of
friends ; his last sickness was brief, but very severe ; he died May 18, 1880, in his 61st year, after an ill-
ness of nine days, with inflammation of the bowels ; his greatly bereaved widow, to whom he had been
married about twenty-six years, survives him ; but she lives in the past, upon the tender memories of one
so faithful and kind. Her sorrows are shared and lightened by her six children — Henry, who has charge
of the farm ; Augustus, Barbara, Elizabeth, Charles and Rosa, wh. are living at home.
BENJAMIN SIMONBS came to his present home on Sec. 4, in company with his father,
in October, 1849 ; he is the son of Joseph and Susanna Simouds, and was born at Fredonia, N. Y., Aug.
31, 1835 ; both his grandsires were in service with the New York militia in the war of 1812, and four of
his brothers were in the civil war ; but Benjamin, the youngest, was needed at home and has tastes for
other pursuits. He was educated at the academy at Baraboo, was Superintendent of Schools the last
year of the town system, has been Assessor for two and Clerk for six years; this year (1880) he took
the United States census; he has a good reputation as a teacher in the county, and has been efficient
in maintaining the debating club in District No. 8. Mr. Simonds was married Nov. 26, 1868, to Helen
E., daughter of Sheldon and Philena Thompkins, of the family of Daniel D. Thompkins, Vice President ;
Mrs. Simonds was born at Waukegan, III., Nov. 8, 1841 ; she has two daughters — Minnie Bell and Mabel
Clair, aged 7 and 2 years. The farm of 120 acres is very pleasantly located at the foot of the bluff, giving
it great value as a fruit farm ; there are about 200 trees, most of them loaded with apples. Mr. Simonds
was once nearly drowned in the Baraboo River, but was rescued and resuscitated by his brother ; it was
not his time to die ; he belongs to a long lived family ; his father, now healthy and active, is 83, and his
grandmother died at 92. He has proved himself a very useful citizen ; is an earnest Republican, of feeble
Greenback proclivities.
ORSON SIMONDS was a soldier in the civil war, enlisting in the 10th Battery of W. V. A.
Sept. 6, L864 ; lie joined the army at Atlanta; the battery was under Gen. Kilpatrick's command, with
Gen. Sherman, on his campaign through Georgia and the Carolinas ; Mr. S. followed the fortunes of the
war till it closed with the grand review at Washington May 25, 1865. This son of Joseph and Susannah
Simonds was bom at Hanover, N. Y., Feb. 12, 1826 , came to Two Rivers, Wis., in 1847, and worked
three years in steam saw-mill ; came to Sec. 4 in Greenfield in 1854, where he now resides on a g 1
fruit farm of 78 acres, having about 201) trees. Mr. S. married July 18, 1852, to Miss Evaline, daughter
of Elisha and Polly Dolley, who was born in Otsego Co., N. Y., Oct. 5, 1825, by whom he has seven
children— Martin O., born June 5, 1843 ; Helen M., Aug. 14, 1854; Mary M., Sept. 1, 1855 ; Freeman
W., Nov. 7, 1856; Martha J., July 1, 1858; Cyrus H., Feb. 6, 1S60, and Edwin Ray, Oct. 11,
1872. Mr. Simonds is a Republican; has served upon the Town Board; worships with the Congre-
gational Church, and believes in soft money.
JOSEPH STOTLER, son of Roman and Lucinda Stotler, was born in Prussia Dec. 18,
1S22 ; was a soldier in the Prussian Cavalry service for six years; came to America in 1854. and was mar-
ried in Buffalo, N. Y., to Miss Lucinda Feter, by whom he has five sons — John, Charles, Sophia, Louis
756 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
and Joseph ; and two daughters — Alme and Lucinda. Mr. Stotlet spent one year in Madison, and in
1855 he removed to Greenfield, Sec. 14, where he now owns 256 acres of meadow and upland, with an
orchard of 150 bearing trees, and buildings that cost about $1,500. When he first came to the Bluff's,
there were many deer; sometimes they came in herds of twelve or twenty ; one winter, when there was a
deep snow and a thin crust, they slaughtered great numbers of them. Mr. Stotler has been very fortun-
ate in business and has a nice income aside from the proceeds of his farm. He is Republican in politics,
and a member of the Roman Catholic Church.
TOWN OF WESTFIELD.
HENRY BRANDT, dealer in stock and sewing machines, Sec. 19 ; P. O. Loganville ; son of
C. H. and Louisa H. (Wochmann) Brandt; was born in Prussia March 8, 1849 ; came to America in 1846,
settled in .Madison, Wis. ; resided there till tlie fall of 1807, then came to the town of Washington, Sauk
Co. Was married March 20, 1873, at Reedsburg, to Amelia Werth, daughter of Gottlieb and Charlotta
(Schilling) Werth ; they have three children — Augusta, William and Charles. In 1876, went to Mil-
waukee to live ; only remained there one summer and then came to Westfield, Sauk Co., settled on Sec.
19 ; has 77 acres of land.
JOHN It I ltKI.. farmer, Sec. 18; P. O. Loganville; son of Thomas and Sophia (Rustine")
Burke ; was born in Maine June 4, 1829 ; moved to Nova Scotia while a child, and lived there till 14 years
nl age, then went to sea; followed the sea about six years, sailing in the ships of the Black Star Line,
between New York and Liverpool ; then located at Quebec, Canada ; lived there three years then moved to
New York, and from there to Ft. Ann, Washington Co., N. Y. ; in 1856, he came to Sauk Co., Wis., and
settled where he now resides; has 120 acres of land. Was married Dec. 25, 1851, at Ft. Ann, N. Y., to
Dorathy Green, daughter of Peter and Elizabeth (Connor) Green ; they have one child, deceased. Mr.
and Mrs. Burke are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church. Mrs. Burke's father, Mr. Peter Green,
was born in Orange Co., N. Y., 1797 ; was married in 1*21 to Elizabeth Connor; they had five children,
of whom two only are living. Mr. Green came to Wisconsin in 1856, and now resides with his daughter,
Mrs. Burke.
DR. E. ii- CRISTMAN, physician and surgeon, Loganville; son of John and Catha-
rine (Shell) Cristman; was born in Herkimer Co., N. Y., .Ian. 20, 1839; resided in his native
county till 22 years of age; is a graduate of Columbia University, New York ; in 1867, went to Minne-
sota and located in Winona Co.; then removed to Wisconsin and settled in Loganville, town of Westfield,
Sauk Co., where he has continued to practice his profession till the present time, 1880. He was married, Oct.
20, 1869, in Westfield, to Martha A., daughter of William H. and Amelia (Brooks) Lewis; Mrs. C. was
born in Illinois; they have five children — Frank P., Frances L., Ezra R., Edgar S. and a girl unnamed. Dr. C.
enlisted, in September, 1802, in Co. C, 152d N. Y. V. I., was appointed Assistant Regimental Surgeon, and
was soon after placed on the medical staff of the 2d Division, 2d Army Corps, where he served till the
close of the war. He lias 148 acres of land, beside bis two acres al bis residence in the village. He was
elected Chairman of West Held four successive years. 1876-79, and has held the office of Town Clerk two
years.
FREDERIC DARKER, farmer, Sec. 19; P. ( ). Loganville; son of Peter and Mary
I Becker) Darger ; was born in Berum, Hanover, Nov. 11, 1821. Was married in the city of Hamburg.
in October, 1851, to Dora Behn, daughter of Henry and Charlotta (Wermann) Behn ; they have mi,,
child, Louisa, now Mrs. Herman Riggert ; Mr. Darger and family came to America in June, 1855, and
settled in the town of Reedsburg, Sauk Co., Wis.; they remained in this town till 1879, then came to
Westfield, Sauk Co., and located on Sec. 19, where he now resides Mr. Darger was Supervisor of Reeds-
burg one year, and was President five years of the Farmers' Mutual Insurance Co. of Reedsburg. Mr.
I>. and family are members of the St. Peter's Lutheran Church of Loganville.
HENRY K. DORNECK, farmer; P.O. Loganville; son of John and Mary Palmer Dor-
neck; was born in Perm., Sept. 12, 1836; when 11 years old, moved to Belmont Ohio; lived in the
vicinity of Pittsburgh for several years. Enlisted in the 156th Ohio V. I. in 1863; was in the service
>ix months; afterward went to Wheeling, W. Va., to live ; and in 1865, came to Wisconsin; settled in
Sauk Co., town of Westfield, See. 'J ; after a residence of six years in this place, he bought the farm of 80
aires where be new resides. Mr. I>, was married in Reedsburg, in I860, to Temperance Dearholt,
TOWN OF WESTFIELD. 757
daughter of John and Lucinda (Aldrich) Dearholt. Mrs. Domeck was born in Morrow Co., Ohio; they
have three children — Eva, Myrtie and Maud.
I |,'l 1)1 lil< GILES, farmer ; P. (). Loganville; sqn of William and Mary Ennis Giles;
was born in Kent, England, village of Hothfield, July 19, 1835 ; came to the United States in 1851 ; set-
tled in Oneida Co., N. Y. ; remained there about six years, and then removed to Sauk Co., Wis., town of
Franklin, where he entered some land ; in 1865, sold out and came to Westfield ; lived in the village of
Loganville about a year, and then moved on to the farm of lilt acres which lie now owns. In the tall of
1861, he enlisted in Co. B, 12 th \V. V. I. ; was appointed Corporal; served till the close of the war.
Was married in Westfield. Jan. 1, 1868, to Mary E. Mead, daughter of John and Mary Mead ; they have
two children — John and William.
DANIEL GULLIFORD, farmer. See. 29; I'. 0. Loganville ; son of Samuel Gulliford, who
was the son of William <!., who was the son of William Gulliford, a minister id' the Church of England,
who preached in the city of Philadelphia, Penn., before the Revolutionary War; Daniel Gulliford was born
in Springfield, Erie Co., Penn., Dec. 1'-'. 1811 ; his mother was Catharine Ball, daughter of Daniel and
Catharine Ball; Mr. G. lived in his native county thirty-five years; was engaged in finning. Was mar-
ried |)n\ _!5, 1SH1, at Springfield, Penn., to Melissa Johnson, daughter of Friend and Polly ( Perry i John
son; Mr. and Mrs. G. have had nine children, of whom six are living — Catharine ( now Mrs. George
Gattwinkel), Harriet M. (now Mrs. Simon P.Sutton), Rosanna { now Mrs. John H. Gray), Charles
W., | married to Olive Tinker), Horace W. (married to Mary E. Sweesey), and Violletta, Loran. Anna
and Ursula, deceased. Mr. G. and family came to Wisconsin in 1840; located in what is now Sumter,
Sauk Co. ; resided there till 1K54; then came to Westfield; settled on Section 29 ; has 100 acres. Was
Town Treasurer one year in Sumter, and Assessor two years in Westfield.
NICHOLAS HASZ, farmer; P. 0. Loganville; son of Peter and Rebecca (Karstens) Hasz ;
was born iu Hanover. Germany, Sept. 12,1836; lived in his native place till 1850, when the family
moved to America. The fir.-t home was made at Madison, Wis., where they remained about six months,
and then moved to Sauk Co., town of Westfield. Mr. Hasz was married at Loganville, Nov. 28, 1862, to
Mary Luhrsen, daughter of Henry and. Annie (Liendhoff) Luhrsen ; they have seven children, three boys
and four girls — Henry, Auiie, Annie, Mary, Martin, Theodore and Henrietta. Mr. Hasz has been
Supervisor of his town one year, and Treasurer eight years; is the present Secretary of the Farmers' Mu-
tual Insurance Co. of Westfield. Mr. Hasz and family are members of St. John's Lutheran Church of
Westfield.
ROBERT HAWKINGS, farmer; P. 0. Loganville; son of Richard and Mary Powell
Hawkings ; was born in East Kent, England, February 1827 ; resided in his native place till IS years of age ;
came to the United States in 18-15 ; lived in Brookfield, Madison Co., N. Y., about ten years ; came to
Wisconsin in 1855 ; settled in Washington, Sauk Co.; was engaged in farming seven years, and then came
to Westfield ; located on Sees. 20 and 21 ; has 100 acres of land, where he now resides. Was married
July 17, 1850, at Utica, N. Y., to Ann Port, daughter of William and Harriet (Buss) Port. Mrs. H. was
born in England. They have had seven children — Harriet R., Rhoda A., Charles R. and Willie L. ; those
dei eased are Mary E., George W. and John W. George W. was a native of Loganville, and was 24
year- old at the time of his death ; Rhoda A. is now Mrs. Charles E. Brooks, of Reedsburg ; Harriet R.
is now Mrs. Daniel Canfield, also of Reedsburg. Mr. Hawkings has been Justice' of the Peace four
years.
HENRY HEITKAJIIV blacksmith; P. O. Loganville; son of William and Elizabeth
Heitkamp, was born in Prussia Feb. 9, 1853; in 1854, came with his parents to the United States;
settled at Blooming Grove, Dane Co., Wis. ; lived there about three years, then moved to Madison; in
187S, came to Loganville and opened a blacksmith-shop, where he is now in business Was married
March 20, 1879, to Mary Wise, daughter of Henry and Mary Wise.
DAVID B. HI LBl RT, farmer; P. 0. Loganville; son of James H. and Lydia (Peters)
Hulburt; was born in Portland. Chautauqua Co., N. Y., Dec. 8. 1829 ; passed his boyh 1 in his native
place; spent three years in Buffalo, N. Y.; was connected with the R(:[>ulilir printing office; was also
engaged in teaching in Chautauqua Co. Was married at Portland, in February, 1855, to Josephine M.
Van Scoter, daughter of Thomas and Abigail (Jones) Van Scoter; they have eight children — Alice M.,
Frank D., Hattie, Arthur D., Josephene M., Lena Belle, Harvey L. and Jessie M. Mr. 11. and family
came to Wisconsin in July, 1857; settled in Loganville; has 170 acres of land; was town Superintend-
ent of Schools six years; was Town Clerk one year ; Justice of the Peace eight years . County Surveyor
758 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
six years; Postmaster of Loganville four years ; was Chairman one term, and elected to the second, which
he resigned on being elected to the Legislature; was elected member of the State Legislature in 1875 ;
re-elected in 187(3 and in 1877; was enrolling officer during the war, and is at present enumerator of
census for 1880; the first years of his residence in Westfield were engaged in farming and teaching; in
1870, he opened a general store in Loganville in company with E. H. Newell ; sold out in 1874, and is
now engaged in farming. Politics, Republican.
REV. CHRISTOPHER KESSEER, minister of the Zion German Lutheran Church,
Westfield, residence Sec. 13 ; P. 0. Ableman ; son of Christopher and Catharine ( Keisler) Kessler ; was boru
in Prussia June 2, 1829 ; came to America in 1859; settled at Platteville, Wis ; remained there about a
year, and then went to Guttenberg, Iowa ; was a graduate of the seminary of Henendetselsan, Germany ; was
ordained a minister and served as a missionary four years in Wyoming Territory. Was married at Galena,
111., Jan. 27, 1863, to Susannah Oberhein ; they have eight children — Carl, Maria, Heinrich (deceased),
Theodore, Christopher, August, Eugenie and Frederic; in 1864, came to Westfield, and located where he
now resides ; has 20 acres of land.
STEPHEN N. KINSLEY, son of Cephas and Lucinda (Newell) Kinsley, was born in
Clinton Co., N. Y., July 16, 1828 ; soon after reaching his majority, came to Wisconsin ; remained about
two years, then returned to Clinton Co., and, in company with two other young men, built and run a
potato-starch mill, using about 2,000 bushels of potatoes a year ; carried on this business about three
years; then came to Sauk Co., Wis., in 1854, settled in Loganville, where he now resides; was a
partner of Mr. Logan in the saw-mill and plat of the village. Was married, July 29, 1856, in the town
Westfield, to Lucy A. Seamans, daughter of Benjamin and Abigail ( Brown) Seamans ; they have had
four children— Frank D., Fred B., Charles H. and Burt (deceased). Mrs. Kinsley died April, 1S68. Mr.
K. was married again October, 1869, to Elizabeth E. Seamans, daughter of Geo. B. and Matilda (How-
ard) Seamans; have had three children — Hoyt S. (deceased), Martha M., Aimee. Mr. Kinsley was the
first Postmaster in the village, and is the present incumbent, has held the office six years ; was also the
first teacher in the village ; was Supervisor three years ; Town Clerk two years, and Justice of the Peace
fifteen years; has 100 acres of land.
<*EORGE KONECKE, farmer and stock-dealer, Sec. 3 ; P. O. Loganville ; son of Joseph and
Dorothy (Hovermann) Konecke; was born in Hanover March 11, 1827; came to America in 1868, arriving
in Westfield, Sauk Co., Wis., May 22, and located on Sec. 3, where he has 84 acres of land. He was mar-
ried in Hanover, Germany, Feb. 25, 1852, to Dora, daughter of John and Catharine (Meyer) Bless;
Mrs. K. was born in Hanover ; they have one child, Hermann. Mr. K. has been Supervisor of Westfield
three years, and Assessor two years. Mr. and Mrs. Konecke are members of the German Lutheran
Church of Reedsburg.
HENRY W. KOPE, carpenter and mason, Sec. 26; Loganville; son of H. N. and Annie
(Stone) Kopf; was born Oct. 28, 1829, in Hanover; came to the United States in April, 1852, and set-
tled in Saginaw Co., Mich.; in 1854, he came to Wisconsin, and settled on Sec. 26, Westfield, Sauk Co.,
where he has 134 acres of land. He was married June 20, 1850, at Cottage Grove, Wis., to Eliza Dora,
daughter of Nicholas Lerenthal ; she was born in Hanover; they have four children living — Henry N.,
Mary (now Mrs. Henry Licht, Jr.), Louis and Hermann. While in Michigan, he was engaged in steam-
boating. He has held the office of Supervisor in Westfield three years, 1877-79. Mr. K. and family
are members of the Zion Lutheran Church.
HENRY A. ECCKENSMEIER, farmer. See. 24 ; P. O. Ableman ; son of Caspar and
Maria (Eveler) Luckensmeier ; was born in Westphalia, Prussia, Nov. 27, 1 846 ; came to the United
States when 7 years of age, with his parents; lived at Madison, Wis., a few months, then moved to
Roxbury, Dane Co.; resided there about three years, then moved to Sauk Co. and located on Sec. 24,
Westfield, where be now resides; he has 136 acres of land. He was married in Westfield, June 10,1866,
to Johanna, daughter of August and Johanna Fingerhood ; they have four children — Mary, Annie, Mena
and Amelia. He was Supervisor of Westfield in 1877. Mr. and Mrs. L. are members of the German
Lutheran Church.
JOHN C. LI1IRSEN, merchant and farmer, Loganville ; son of Nicholas and Catharine
Rusch) Luhrsen; was born in Hanover, Sept. 22, 1822; came to New York City in 1851; remained
there three and a half years, then came to Dane Co., Wis., where he was engaged in farming; came to Sauk
Co. in the spring of L857, and located on See. 35, Westfield, where he had 200 acres of land ; sold out in
1876 and came to Loganville, where he now resides; here he commenced business as a dealer in general
TOWN OF WESTFIELD. 759
merchandise. Mr. L. was married in L846, in Hanover, to Christiana Luback ; she died in New York, of
cholera, Sept. 12, 1855 ; he was married again, Aug. 6, 1856, in New York, to Christiana Ost ; she was
born in Hanover; they have eight children, five boys and three girls — Louisa, Nicholas 11., Frederic W.,
Annie C, Emma M., August H., Henry W. and Edward C. Mr. Luhrsen has been Assessor four years,
Supervisor six years, and Justice of the Peace one year. He has 92 acres of land.
UEORCSE MOOCii, farmer, Sec. 12; P. 0. Ableman ; son of Christian and Elizabeth Moog i
born in Hessen, Germany, Sept. 18, 1834; came to the United States in 1853 and settled in Ohio; about
ten months afterward, he moved to Sauk Co., Wis., and located where he now resides; lias 79 acres. He
was married Nov. 7, 1858, in Westfield, to Mary E. Schmidt, daughter of John and Klizabeth ( Kaps)
Schmidt ; Mrs. Moo- was born in Prussia; they have seven children living — Annie M , Mary Iv, Henri-
etta \\\, Bena I!.. Peter V. George F. and Emil ; Louis H., deceased. Mr. Moog enlisted, in August,
1862, in Co. F. 23d W. V. I., served eleven months and was discharged for disability ; the daughter,
Annie M., is now Mrs. Charles Hammermeister. Mr. Moog and family are members of the German M.
E. Church, Westfield.
HENRY F. NIEMANN, farmer; P. 0. Logauville; son of William and Margaret (Bredfeld)
Niemann; horn in Holstein, Prussia, March 31, 1839; came to New York in 1856, and from there to
Iowa; stopped in the vicinity of Davenport till the commencement of the war. Enlisted, in April, 1861,
on the call for three-months men, and re-enlisted iu the twelve months volunteers for three years; was
wounded at Vicksburg in the leg, by a gunshot; was in the hospital till (he three years expired, and then
discharged ; remained about St. Louis till 1867 ; in 1868, came to Sauk Co. and located near the village
of Loganville; has 23 acres of land ; was Assessor three years, and was elected Justice of the Peace in
1879, and is now serving in that capacity. He was married at Loganville Nov. 25, 1871, to Annie Hasz,
daughter of Peter and Rebecca Hasz; they have three children — Laura, Bertha and Henry.
WILLIAM PALMER, deceased; son of Richard and Casandra Palmer; born in Maryland
in 1806 ; Mr. Palmer was a carpenter by occupation. In 1833, he was married, at Philadelphia, to Eliz-
abeth Myers, daughter of John and Elisabeth Brunner Myers; Mrs. Palmer was born in Pennsylva-
nia ; they had nine children, of whom five only are living— Mary M., now Mrs. Francis Conroe, living
in Ohio; Jesse B , married to Adelia Westenhaver and now in the Black Hills; Joseph S , married to
Elizabeth Dougal, also in the Black Hills; Charles W., married to Sarah J. Bunker, residing in Walworth
Co.. Wis.; Florence, now Mrs. E W. Bunker, living in Westfield; the deceased tire John R., Sarah E.,
William A. and William H. Mr. Palmer came to Wisconsin in 185-1 and located in Loganville, town
of Westfield. Sauk Co. ; he built the first frame bouse in the village— the house now occupied by F. Dorn ;
Mr. Palmer was interested with Mr. C. 1'. Logan in the building of the first saw-mill in the town ; finally
sold out to Mr. Davis, and, in the fall of 185-1, moved his family to the farm on Sec. 6, where they now
reside; was also interested in the building of the grist-mill, with Mr. Mackey, in 1861, at Loganville, and
afterward sold out his interest to Mr. Mackey. Mr. Palmer was a member of the Wisconsin Legislature
two terms; was Chairman of the town of Westfield three terms, and Justice of the Peace one term; his
death occurred Sept. 21, 1873; the heirs have 320 acres of land. Joseph S. Palmer enlisted, in 1861,
in Co. D, 8th W. V. I. ; re-enlisted as a veteran and served till the close of the war ; Charles W. enlisted
in 1863 ; was wounded in the shoulder by the same ball that killed Mr. Richards, of this town ; the ball
passed through Richards' body before striking Mr. Palmer ; he served two years. Mrs. Palmer's post office
is Loganville.
JACOB H. KEIUHAKU, farmer and dealer in farm machinery; P. O. Loganville; son of
Jacob and Lucy Simon i Keighard . born in Williamsport, Lycoming Co., Penn., April 24, 1824; resided
in his native place till 22 years of age, then removed to Wheeling, W. Va. ; in 1853, he went to Pitts-
burgh, Penn., ami engaged in the manufacture of glass. In November, 1861, he enlisted; helped to re-
cruit a company of cavalry — Co. G, 11th P. V. C. — of which he was commissioned First Lieutenant ; after
serving two years, he received an injury from a fall of his horse while on duty; resigned in 1863. He
was married Oct. 4, 1811, at Lock Haven, Penn., to Caroline Dorneck, daughter of John Dorneck ; she
was born in Lancaster, Penn.; they had three children, of whom only one is living, named Kllis W , and
married to Addie Holmes, residing in Westfield. In 1855. Mr. Reighard purchased a tract of 240 acres
of land in Westfield, Sauk Co., Wis., and in 1863, with his family, came to Wisconsin ami took |
of it i Sec. 18 ), where he now resides ; has held the office of Chairman of Westfield by appointment once,
and was elected, in the spring of 1881), to the same position.
JOHN RICHARDS, farmer; P. O. Loganville; son of Joseph and Al. i Carpenter ) Rich-
ards ; was born in Guernsey Co., Ohio, June 27, 1838; when about 2 years of age, the family moved to
160 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Belmont Co., Ohio ; remained there till about 15 years of age, and in 1854 came to Wisconsin and set-
tled on Sec. 5, Westfield, Sauk Co. ; has 80 acres of land, and is a farmer by occupation. Was married
Jan. 6, 1861, in the town of Washington, to Minerva I. Deerholt, daughter of John and Lucinda (Aldrich)
Deerholt ; they had four children by this marriage— Mary Ella, Flora E., Cora E., and Walter I. (deceased ).
Mrs. Richards died in May. 1867." Mr. R. was married again Dec. 12, 1869, in Westfield, to Sarah J.
Westenhaver, daughter of Jonas and Sarah (Weary) Westenhaver ; they have four children — Gertrude,
Georgie, Verna and Ruby Madge. Mr. R. was chairman of Westfield in 1875.
HERMANN lCM.<.r,ltl . farmer; P. 0. Loganville ; son of Henry and Catharine Marquart
Riggert; was born in Hanover, March 29, 1854; came to America in 1873, and settled in the town of
Westfield, Sauk Co., Wis. Was married, Nov. 9, 1875, to Louisa, daughter of Frederic Darger ; they
have three children — Elsie, Emil and Feide.
JOHN ii. SCHAUM, farmer, Sec. 11; P. 0. Loganville ; son of Louis and Mary Wolford
Schaum; was born in the Province of Rhine, Germany, April 23, 1822 ; came with his parents to the
United States in 1837; located at Pittsburgh, Penn. Was married in Pennsylvania, June 11. 1849, to
Margaret lloldenhauseii, daughter of Henry Holdenhausen ; they have ten children living — Amelia t now
Mrs. Fred Oetzman), Louis, Caroline, Lucelia, John G., Henry J., Frederic William, Altilena, Charles B.
and Gertrude. Mr. Schaum, in 1851, came to Westfield, Sauk Co., Wis. ; took up 160 acres of land, where
he now resides; Mr. S. was obliged to cut out a road to his farm, the country being almost an unbroken
wilderness ; he was three years without a team, and for along time had to pack his flour and provisions on
his back from Baraboo.
HEINRICH SCHEWE, farmer, Sec. 32; P. O. Ableman ; son of William and Catharine
( Saunders) Schewe ; was born in Hanover, April 16, 1828. He was married in 1853, in Hanover, to Cath-
arine Licht, daughter of Frederic and Catharine (Werner) Licht ; they have one child, Henry, now mar-
ried to Dora Schultz, and residing in Westfield. Mr. Schewe came to Wisconsin from Germany in 1862;
settled where he now resides; has 120 acres. Mr. S. and family are members of the Zion German Lu-
theran Church of Westfield.
JOHN W. SCHUETTE, farmer. Sec. 26 ; P. O. Loganville ; son of John and Catharine
Schuette ; was born in Hanover March 31, 1849; came to America in September, 1863, and settled in the
town of Westfield. Sauk Co., Wis., on See. 26; has 1 13 acres of land. Was married Oct. 24, 1870, in
Westfield, to Dora Reinecke, daughter of William and Mary I Neimann) Reinecke ; they have five children
— Amelia, Henry, Elizabeth, William and Annie. Mr. Schuette has been Supervisor of Westfield two
years — 1877 and 1S7S ; has been Treasurer of his school district five years. Mr. Schuette and wife are
members of the German Lutheran Church.
JOHN WERRON, farmer, Sec. 12; P. O. Ableman; son of John and Catharine ( El ic He i
Werron; was born in Hesse- Darmstadt, Germany, Nov. 1. 1819; left Germany in 1846, coming to Pitts-
burgh, Penn., where he remained about Jsix years; then came to Westfield, Sauk Co., Wis., in 1852, and
located on Sec 12; has 79 acres. He" was married May 1, 1849, at Pittsburgh, Penn., to Phillipena
Crasser, daughter of Sebastian Grasser; she was born in Bavaria; they have four children — Phillipena,
Catharina, John W. and Anna M. ; Phillipena is now Mrs. William Stacichouse, living in Westfield; Cath-
arina is now Mrs. ('. Black. Mr. Werron enlisted in 1862, in Co. A, 19th W. V. I.; served three years
and nine months. Mr. W . and family are members of the German M. E. Church.
E. A. WINTER, P. 0. Loganville; minister of the German Lutheran Synod of Missouri,
Ohio and other States; son of William and Henrietta « Meisneri Winter; was born in Waldeck, Prussia,
l>ec. 27, 1838 ; came with his parents to the I nited Stales in IS 14 ; the family located in Fairfield Co.,
Ohio; in 1849, they moved to Fort Wayne, Ind., where Mr. Winter was educated in the seminary of
the German Lutheran Synod of Missouri, Ohio and other States ; ('mm Fort Wayne he went to Minnesota,
living there fntir anil a half years, and in 1865 came to Wisconsin ; located in Westfield, Sauk Co. ; was
ordained a minister of the above-mentioned church in July, L861 , and on coming to Westfield, became
Pastor of the Lutheran Church, on Sec. 23. He was married duly .'!, 18(12, at Mequpn River, to Chris-
tiana I'osner, daughter of Augustus and Therese i Lever > Posncr; Mrs. Winter was born in Silesia, Prus-
sia ; they have six children living — August E. W., Daniel, Magdalena, Martin, Theodore and Martha.
Mr. W. has a farm of SO acres.
TOWN OF WASHINGTON.
TOWN OF WASHINGTON.
I'll 1 1,1 1* APPLE, farmer, Sec. 11 ; 1'. 0. Tuckerville ; was born in Bavaria, Jan. 22, L832 .
came to the United States in 1845; made his home in Lycoming Cm. Penn.; in April, L855, he came
tn Sauk ('"., Wis.; made a short stay at Reedsburg, then wont to Loganville ami assisted Mr. Kinsley in
building the saw-mill ; a year afterward he passed mi to the Wisconsin pineries, spending a year and a
half in the lumber camps, he concluded to settle down ; having previously purchased a piece of land in
the town of Washington, Sec. 11, he built a cabin and commenced the foundation of his now pleasant
home. Dee. 31, L857, he was married at Loganvillo to Sarah Kyle, daughter of Andrew Kyle ; one
child was bom of this marriage— Frank W., Feb. 9, 1865, Mr. Apple enlisted in Co. E, 49th W. V. L;
served till the close of the war ; Mrs. Apple died April 13, 1866 ; Mr. Apple lias been Treasurer of his
school district three years, and Director five years. Was married Oct. 5, 1867, in [ronton, to Mrs.
Almira Mead, daughter of Joseph and Lydia Harriman . Mrs. Apple was born in St. Lawrence Co., N.
V; two children were born of this marriage— Minnie May and Rena A.; Miss Almira Harriman, now
Mrs. Apple, was married No\. 11, L860, at Bear Creek, to Ezekiel Mead; they bad one child— Floyd E.
Mead, now living with his mother; Mr. Mead served in Co. A, 36th W. V. I.; was wounded at Peters-
burg. .1 tine is, L864, and died in the hospital at Washington, July 5, following. Mr. Mead was from
Pennsylvania, and settled at Lone Rock Prairie, Wis., in 1850. Mr. Philip Apple died July, 1880.
LINUS F. BENNETT, farmer. See. 17.; I'. 0. Sandusky; son of John and Jane (Scott)
Bennett, was born in Pennsylvania, near Montrose, Feb. 6, 1818; when (i years of age the family
moved to Ontario Co., N. V.; remained there about eleven years, and then went to Medina Co., Ohio;
was there about four years ; then went to Michigan ; spent seven years in Michigan and Indiana working
at bis trade, that of carpenter and joiner. Was married in St. Joseph Co., Mich., in 1845, to Marcia H.,
daughter of William and Lucy Estas ; Mrs. Bennett was born in New York; they have had three
children, of whom two are living— Hattie A. and Frederic J. | Edward L., deceased •; in 1845, Mr. Bennett
and family came to Janesville, Wis.; here he worked at his trade till 1850 ; getting the gold fever, he
went across the plains to California ; after a year spent in that State he returned to Janesville ; again, in
L855, making a change of base, be became one of the pioneers of Sauk Co., settling on Sec. 17, town of
Washington, where he still resides. Mr. B. is now serving his third term as Supervisor of his town ;
lias been Clerk of his school district five years. Present occupation, farmer.
EDWIX BOOKER, farmer and cheese-manufacturer; P. O. Tuckerville; son of James and
Mary | Makeson I Booker ; was born in Sheffield, Yorkshire, England, Jan. 1, 1832 ; came to the United
States in 1849 ; located near East Troy. Walworth Co., Wis., ami engaged in farming; in 1854, moved to
Milton. Rock Co. Was married there June 12, 1855, to Rebecca F. Bacon, daughter of Freeman and
Rebecca Larkins) Bacon; Mrs. Booker was born in Genessee Co., N.- Y. ; they have three children Mary
Ann. now Mrs. Robert II. Perry, residing at Otter Creek, Eau Clair Co.; Alice Isabel, now Mrs. Carlton
Page, living at Wilson Creek, Sauk Co., and Rebecca Annie, living at home In L859, the family removed
to Janes\ ill.' . after a residence of six years in that city, they moved to Sauk Co. in 18(15, and settled in
the town of Bear Creek, on See. oil ; here Mr. B. engaged in farming and the manufacture of cheese ; the
factory was built in 1877; though small, containing only two rooms 12x26, and a curing-rnom 18x26,
6,400 pounds of milk were handled daily during the summer of 1878; a new factory was built in the
fall of 1878, size 40x34 feet, with sixteen-feet posts, called the Bear Vallej CI se Factory; 75,0(1(1
pounds of cheese are made annually ; the factory lias a capacity of 100,000 pounds a year. In the spring
of 18S0, Mr. Booker leased the factory at Tuckerville, and leaving his farm and the Bear Valley factory
m tbr care of a competent man, he moved to Tuckerville and conducts this factory himself; the capacity
of this concern is 400 pounds of cheese daily. Mr. Booker enlisted Jan. I, 1864, in Co. F, 16th W. V.
I., and served till the close of the war; was with Sherman in his march to tin- sea. The farm of 82 acres
and the factory at Bear Creek are still owned and run by Mr. B. Mrs. Booker's parents were pioneers in
Wisconsin ; they were natives of Massachusetts, but. came to Wisconsin in 1846, and settled in Rock Co.
EREDERIC BKAXDT, wagon-maker and farmer, Sec. 2(3; P. 0. Sandusky ; son of Charles
D. and Elizabeth (Brant) Brandt ; was born in Prussia Oct. Ill, 1833 ; came to the United States in 185 1 ;
spent the first year in Cincinnati; then went to Madison, Wis. ; remained there about two years, and in
the fall of 1857 came to Sank Cm. ; settled on See. 26, (own of Washington , lias 56 acres. He was mar-
ried in Westfield, Nov. 14,1862, to Lorretta Wise, daughter of John and Margaret Wis.-; Mrs. Brandt was
7C2 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
bora in Hanover , they have had eight children, of whom five are living, viz., Mary E., Frederic William,
Charles T., Albert 0, and Kate Elsa; the deceased are Charles Chris, John William and Louisa S.
Oct. 19, 1864, Mr. Brandt joined the army, as a member of Co. A, 6th W. V. I., and served till the close
of the war. The family are members of the Evangelical Church of Washington. Mr. Brandt and his father
were among the German pioneers of Washington.
JOHN BROWN, farmer, Sec. 9 ; P. 0. Lime Ridge; son of Luke and Mary (Butler) Brown I
was born in the town of Adams, Berkshire Co., Mass., April 20, 1813; resided in his native town till 24
years of age, then moved to Licking Co., Ohio. He was married in 1833, at Stamford, Vt., to Lucy Phil-
lips, daughter of Otis and Mary (Jinks) Phillips; Mrs. Brown was born in Stamford, Vt. ; they have four
children — Mary P., Wright H., Helen R. (now Mrs. L. II. Thomas, residing in Kansas), Amos .1. i mar-
ried tn Ellen E. Thomas, living in the town of Washington i. From Licking Co., Ohio, the family moved
to Stamford, Vt. ; here Mr. Brown worked at his trade (the wheelwright business), until 1864, when they
moved to Sauk Co., Wis., settling on Sec. 9, town of Washington, where they now reside ; in company
with Mr. Phillips, he has 1 GO acres of land. Mr. Brown was Chairman of Washington one year; his two
sons were in the late war; Amos J. was a member of Co. A, 2d Vt. V. I.; he enlisted in June, 1861 ,
served two years, and was discharged for disability ; Wright H. enlisted in Co. K, 14th Vt, V. I., in 1862,
and served about a year.
CLARK R. BL'ELL, farmer, Sec. 16; P. 0. Sandusky; son of Jeremiah and Beth iah (Rob-
inson) Buell ; was born at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., Feb. 2, 1834 ; traveled with his parents to various
places; finally settled in the town of Washington, Sauk Co., Wis., in 1855. Was married May 12, 1861,
in Washington, to Emily M. Grover, daughter of Orin 1!. and Sophia Marsh Grover; Mrs. Buell was born
in Greenville, 111.; they have one child— Ida M. Mr. Buell enlisted Jan. 6, 1862, Co. M, 2d W. V. C. ;
was promoted to the position of Commissary Sergeant, and served in that capacity till the close of the war ;
was mustered out Nov. 25, 1865. He located the land on which he now resides, the north half of the
southwest quarter Sec. 16, in 1855. Was once Town Treasurer, and has been Clerk of his school district
for six years.
.Mltl.ll I ,\ II Kl I.M.. farmer and blacksmith, Sec. 16; Lime Ridge; son of Reuben and Mary
Cisco Buell ; was born in Claremont, N. H., Sept. 7, 1802 ; remained only a few years in his native town,
when the family moved to Leicester, Addison Co., Vt., from there moved to Brandon, Vt., and at the age
of 14, moved to West port, Essex Co., N. Y., where he resided till 25 years of age ; served his time at the
blacksmith and shoemaker's trades. Was married in 1831, at Saratoga Springs, N. Y., to Bethiah Robin-
sou, daughter of Isaac C. and Martha (Howe) Robinson ; they have four children — Mary E., now Mrs. D.
T. Kenyon, of Jauesville, Wis. ; Clark R.. married to Emily M. Grover, and living in Washington; Jane
A., now Mrs. A. It. Kingsley, of Milton, Rock Co., Wis, ami James A. Buell, married to Miss Malina E.
Marsh 1 now deceased). In 1849, Mr. Buell came to Wisconsin ; settled in Rock Co., working at black-
smithing; in 1855, came to Sauk Co. ; settled on Sec. 16, town of Washington, where he now resides ,
has St I acres of land.
FELIX I). COSTERISAN, farmer. Sec. 3; P. ( ). Loganville; son of Claudius and Mar-
garet (Dubosc 1 Costerisan ; was born in Lyons, France, Oct. LO, 181 I ; came to the United States in 1826;
when 14 years of age, went to sea ; sailed in the merchant service five years, and three years in the United
States Navy, in the frigate Delaware; was discharged in 1836. Was married in the fall of 1S37, in Tiogo
Co., l'l'tin . to Rachel M. Seining, daughter of Jonathan and Sarah Sebring ; Mrs. C. and parents were all
natives of Pennsylvania ; Mr. ('. was engaged in mercantile business a I unit three years, and afterward in farm-
ing ; in the spring of 1859, came to Wisconsin, settled on See. :'», town of Washington, Sauk Co., where
he now resides; has Ilitt acres of land; Mr. and Mrs. C. were blessed with thirteen children, eleven of
whom are living; those deceased were named Margaret and Claudius ; the living are Sarah C, now Mrs.
Alexander Miller, living in Richland Co.; Mr. Miller was three years in the late war; Robert G. served
two years in Co. F. 3rd W. V. C, was married to Jane A. Traverse (deceased) ; Clara jt., now Mrs.
George Hornbeck, living in Iowa, Harriet ('., now Mrs. Janus Kieliards, living in the town of Washing-
ton ; George P., an architect bj profession, was a member of Co. F, 3d W. V. ('..married to Rosa Pow-
ell, living at Eureka. Nevada; John J., married to Phebe Carson, living in the town of Washington ;
EJenrj W., married to [da E. Peters, living with Mr. Costerisan ; Hannah ('., now Mrs. Benjamin Tyler,
of [ronton; Michael Charles, married to Minerva May field, and living in Iowa; Rachel M., now Mrs.
Joseph Hough, of Richland Co., and Francis M., at home.
TIMOTHY C HA PM AN, carpenter and joiner and farmer. Sec. 20; P. 0. Lime Ridge ; son
of Caleb and Deborah (Knowlton) Chapman; was born in the town of Morgan, Ashtabula Co., Ohio,
TOWN OF WASHINGTON. 763
April 17, 1824. Was married, April, 1843, in the State Line House, between Pennsylvania and Ohio, to
Mary Gardner, daughter of John and Edith (Sisson) Gardner. Mrs. Chapman was born in Unadilla, N.
Y. ; they have three children — Nancy, now Mrs. Jacob Runyon, of Belleville, Green Co., Wis.; Caleb,
now a resident of Coffeeville, Kan. ; and Guy, married to Ann Powers, and living in Richland Co. In
1854, Mr. Chapman and family came to Wisconsin and located at Lone Rock ; two years after came to Sauk
Co., and located on Government land in the town of Washington, where they now reside; he has 80 acres
of land. The country was so sparsely settled that he was only able to muster six hands to help raise his
log house. Mr. C. was Constable one year, Assessor one year, and was defeated the second time by only
one vote.
DANIEL L. CONSTANTINE, farmer and shoemaker, See. 32 ; P. 0. Sandusky , son of
Daniel and Caroline (Stewart) Constantino ; was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., near Utica, Jan. 15, 1839 ;
resided in his native county till 1857, when he went to Buffalo, N. Y., where he worked at his trade.
March 16, 1865, he was married to Mary E. Piatt, daughter of Joseph and Ann (Lord) Piatt; Mrs. Con-
stantine was horn in Rochester, N. Y. ; they have two children — Chester W. and Cora L. Mr. C. enlisted
Aug. 15, 1862, in Co. E, 116th N. Y. V. I.; served two years and seven months; was in the battles of
Ft. Donelson, Gettysburg, Baton Rouge and Ft. Hudson; was wounded at Ft. Hudson, June 14, 1863,
ami sent home to St. Mary's Hospital, N. Y. ; when well enough for duty, was made Wardmaster ami
Clerk of the hospital, and was afterward detailed on the secret service; was discharged March 9, 1865,
for disability. From Oneida Co., he moved to Madison Co., and in 1S70, came to Wisconsin, located on
Sec. 32, town of Washington, Sauk Co. ; has Si l acres of land. Mr. C. has been Justice of the Peace
five years, ami is the present Director of School District. No. 8.
OWEN" COONEY, deceased; was born in Ireland in 1820; came to the United States with
his parents while a boy ; lived in Michigan and Ohio till 1855, when he came to Sauk Co., Wis., settled in
the town of Bear Creek. Was married about 1850, to Aon Graham ; they had six children, of whom four
are living — Eliza, John E., Anna and Mary ; those lost bore the same names as the two last written, Anna
and Mary. Mr. Cooney died at his farm on Bear Creek, in March, 1865. Mrs. Cooney was married to
James Quinn in 1867 ; they resided on Sec. 35, Washington. Mr. Quinn died in 1875 ; Mrs. Quinn and
her son John live on the farm still ; they have 120 acres.
JOHN E. COONEY, farmer, Sec. 35 ; P. O. Sandusky; sou of Owen and Ann (Graham)
Cooney; was born in the town of Bear Creek, Jan. 14, 185(1; after the death of his father and his
mother's marriage with Mr. Quinn, he made his home with them in the town of Washington. Since Mr.
Quinn's death he has taken charge of the farm, making his home with his mother.
JOHN COPLEY, farmer, Sec."15 ; P. O. Tuckerville ; son of Harvey and Ruth (Emerson,)
Copley, was born in Vermont, April 10, 1825, lived in his native county (Addison) till 17 years of age
then went to Windsor Co., where he remained about five years and then returned to Addison Co. Was
married in Windsor Co., Vt,, Jan. 1, 1852, to Lura Carlisle, daughter of William Carlisle; there were
three children by this marriage — William, Royal and Snphronia, all deceased. Mrs, Copley died in July,
1858. In 1*72, Mr. C. was married to Sarah Parker, daughter of Stephen and Betsey Parker, in Windsor
Co., Vt, Mr. and Mrs. Copley have two children — George and Jane L. In 1872, Mr. Copley and family
moved to the town of Washington, Sauk Co., Wis., settled on See. 15, where they now reside. Mr. C. has
a well-improved farm of 120 acres ; he is just building a pleasant and roomy dwelling-house ; he was
Supervisor and Assessor of the towu of Goshen, Vt. ; has been Supervisor of Washington two terms ,
has served as Clerk and Treasurer of his school district, and is the present. Director.
DANIEL CORSON, farmer, Sec. 12; P. (). Loganville; son of Cornelius and Phebe (Tallman)
Corson; was born in Lycoming Co., Penn., Nov. 2, 1809. Was married in Tioga Co., Penn., May 30,
1837, to Hannah Sebring, daughter of Jonathan and Sarah Corson Sebring ; Mrs. Corson was born in
Lycoming Co., Penn. ; they have two children — Sarah E., now Mrs. John S. Miller, living in the town of
Washington; Robert P., living at home. In 1837, Mr. C. and family moved to Illinois, and spent three
and a half years near Ottawa, and then returned to Tioga Co. In 1856, came to Wisconsin, settled on
Sec. 12, town of Washington, Sauk Co. Mr. C. has 120 acres of land; has been Supervisor one year,
and Director of School District No. 5 tor eleven years. Mrs. Corson has been a member of the Methodist
Episcopal Church since 1839, and Mr. Corson has been since 1843; they belong now to the [ronton
Church.
HENRY DEARHOLT, farmer, Sec. 24; P. O. Loganville; son of Henry and Ann Holer
Dearholt ; was born in Baltimore, Md., Nov. 16, 1816 ; when quite young went with his parents to f >hio ,
764 BIOGRAPHICAL .SKETCHES:
after a residence there of a year and a half, they returned to Maryland. Mr. Dearholt was married in
Baltimore Co., January, 1839. to Ann Criswell, daughter of Richard and Jemima Criswell ; Mrs. Dearholt
was born in Baltimore Co., Md. ; they have had ten children, seven of whom are living, viz., John W.,
married to Mary Lockwood, and living in the town of Lavalle, Sauk Co. ; Richard H., married to Miss
Atwood ; Mary A., now Mrs. H. Baublits, living in the town of Washington ; George ; Rachel, now Mrs.
Alonzo Thurber, living in Lavalle ; William and Samuel. The deceased are Elizabeth A., Eliza and Peter.
In 1865, Mr. D. and family moved to Wisconsin, and located on Sec. 24, town of Washington, Sauk Co. ;
has 79 acres of land.
CHARLES J. H. ERFFMEYER, farmer; P. O. Sandusky ; son of C. E. and Elsabein
Ernsting Erffmeyer; was burn near Minden, Prussia, -Tan. is, 1831 ; came to the United States Nov. 11,
1851; made his home near Schenectady, N. Y. He was married there, Feb. 27. 1855, to Caroline M,
Schluter, daughter of Charles and Mary Schluter; Mrs. Erffmeyer was born in Hille, Prussia; they had
nine children — Charles F., married to Lisa Hoffsomer; he is a minister of the Evangelical Association of
North America, residing at Newton, Kan.; Caroline A., Sophia A., Henry E., Samuel J., William E. (de-
ceased), Amelia M., Benjamin E. (deceased), Silas J. In 1855, Mr. E. and family moved to the vicinity of
Rockford, 111. : after a residence there of two years, came to Sauk Co., Wis., in March, 1857, and settled on
Sec. 27, town of Washington. He served in the late war, in Co. A. 6th W. V. I , from Oct. 3, 1864, till
the close of the war ; has 80 acres of land. Mr. E. has been Supervisor of Washington six terms, and is
serving his second term as Chairman ; has served as Director <>f his school district nine years, and Clerk
six years. Is Republican in politics, and a member of the church of the Evangelical Association of North
America. Mrs. Erffmeyer died Dec. 29, 1879.
\IHHNO\ HALE, farmer, Sec. 10 : P. 0. Lime Ridge; son of Levi and Eunice (Downing)
Hale ; was bum in Geauga Co . Ohio, Sept, 27, 1815 ; remained in his native county till 24 years of age ;
in 1839, came to Wisconsin and located in Walworth Co. He was married there in 1843, March 20, to
Olive Lavisa Bacon, daughter of Joseph S. and Rebecca (Sweaney) Bacon ; Mrs. Hale was bom in Erie
Co., Penn. ; they have had seven children — Alvina, now Mrs. Samuel Miller, living in the town of Wash-
ington ; Eunice L., now Mrs. It. 0. Myers, of the same town ; Alonzo A., married to Lizzie Brown, also
of Washington ; La Fayette W., married to Nettie Halleck, they are about making their home in Dakota ;
Melissa, deceased; rainier E. and Viola M., living at home. May 111, 1854, Mr. Hale moved bis family
into the town of Washington, Sauk Co., and made his home on See. Ill; has 183] acres; at this time the
whole town was a wilderness, there being but a few families in advance of Mr Hale in the settlement ; he
has been Treasurer of his school district (No. 4) one term.
FiDWARI) IIVMtl). farmer, Sec. 19; P. O. Sandusky; son of Mathias and Frances (Zim-
merman) Hanko, was born in Austria, March 18, 1844; came to the United States with his parents in
August, 1855; they settled in the town of Blue Mound, Dane Co., Wis.; in 1859, came to Sauk Co.,
town of Washington; settled on Sec. 19; has 200 acres of land. Mas married in Ithaca, Richland Co.,
Feb. 7, 1871, to Christina Weitzel, daughter of Jacob and Margaret Weitzel ; Mrs. Hanko was burn in
Waukesha Co., Wis ; they have four children living ; the names of the living are Joseph M., Albert,
Fronica A. and Mary Elizabeth ; one died in infancy. Mr. Hanko has been Supervisor one term. The
family belong to the Catholic Church ; Mr. Hanko's father and brother live near him.
A. C. II ARRIS, farmer. Sec. 9 ; P. O. Lime Ridge ; son of Francis and Angeline (May) Harris ;
was born in Stamford, BenningtQn Co., Vt., Nov. 27, 1827 Was married Nov. 28, 1846, at Stamford, Vt.,
to Mary E. Potter; lias one son by this marriage — Arthur E., now married to Elizabeth Walton, and
living in the lown of Washington; went from Bennington Co., Vt,. to New Lyme. Ohio; residing in
this place about three years; in 1S5I, came to Wisconsin ; settled on Sec. 9, town of Washington, Sauk
Co.; has L60 acres of land. Mrs. Harris died Dec. 4, 1863. Mr. Harris has been Chairman of Wash-
ington two years and Supervisor two years; was married Dec. 17. 1865, to Mrs. .lane A. Jayne, daughter
of Lyndon and Lucy B. Potter; they have one child — Angie May. Mr. H. enlisted in February, 1864,
in Co B, 36th W. V. I., and served till the close of the war.
XATIIAXIEL HART, carpenter and farmer; I'. O. Sandusky ; son of John and Elizabeth
i Eaton Hart ; was horn in Cayuga Co., N. Y., March 19, 1817 ; was married in his native county, Jan. 7,
1843, to LydiaA. Newland, (laughter of Joseph .Vewland ; they have had five children — Orcelia (now Mrs.
Henry Grover), residing in Minnesota; Mary E., married to Charles Ward; Mrs. Ward died in Decem-
ber, 1874; Charles married to ]|Carrie Earle, they reside in Richland Co.; Ada, married to Lee Coan ;
Mrs. Coan. died in July. 1 S77 ; Marjia, now Mrs. William Webster, living at Sandusky. Mr. Hart
emir n, Washington, Sauk Co., Wis., November, 1856; settled on Sec. 20; has 80 acres of land.
TOWN OF WASHINGTON. 7f>5
. \X. €. HOPl'liK. farmer, Sec. 5 , P. 0. Lime Ridge; son of John and Jane E. (Kirkpatric)
Hopper; was born in Morrow Co., 'Ohio, Nov. 2. lsif> ; when about 10 years of age came to Wisconsin
with his parents; located on Sec. •">, town of Washington, Sauk Co.; has 80 acres of land; was married
Jan. 1, 1871, in the town of [ronton, to Betsey E. Hineman, dmghter of Daniel ami Margaret Hine-
mati ; Mrs. Hopper was born in Rock Co., Wis.; they have three children — Burkie Alvira, Delia Miud
and Cora S.
REV. OKIN B. KILBOURN, Sec » P. 0. Lime Ridge; has been ;, member of the West
Wisconsin Conference for nearly seventeen years ; is the son of Erastus and Lydia ( Whetmore) Kilbourn ■
born in Litchfield, Conn.. March 12, 1820; when 17 years of age, he left his native State, and located in
Luzerne Co., Penn. He was married in January, 1841, at Carbondale, Perm., to Lavina M. Palmer,
daughter of Gideon Palmer. Mrs. K. was born in Rhode Island; they had one child by this marriage ■
Ann E., now Mrs. Julien Whitman, residing in Hudson, Wis. In 185(3, Mr. Kilbourn and family
moved to Effingham Co., 111.; Mrs. Kilbourn died in 1857. Mr. K. married again in June, 1858, in
Westerly. R. I., to Clara K. Palmer, halt-sister of the former Mrs. Palmer; her father was the father of
twenty children; there were five children born of this marriage — Lillian M., Otto 1!. (deceased], Theral
B.. Linas B. and Kingston P. Previous to this marriage, Mr. K. had located in Wisconsin, at Janesviile.
In 1858, he came to the town of Washington, Sauk Co., See. S; shortly afterward he moved to See. 9
where he now resides ; has L50 acres of land. He has served one term each as Town Clerk, Treasurer and
JOHN LlTiNLER (deceased i; born in Germany in 1830; came to the United States in
1845; settled in Morrow Co., Ohio. He was married here to Margaret Wachtmann Dee. 27, 1S50;
they have three children — William and Henry, who live at home and manage the farm, and Catharine,
now Mrs. Z. Stambaugh, living in Iowa. Mr. Luemler and family settled in the town of Washington,
Sauk Co., Wis., in an early day; locating on Sec. 14, where the family still reside; they have 46 acres of
land Mr. L. was drafted and died at Nashville, Tenn., in 1865. Mr. Luemler and family are members
of the church of the United Brethren.
JOSEPH LUNiV, farmer and machinist; P.O.Sandusky; son of John and Easter Ebittson
Lunn ; born in Yorkshire, England, near Huddersfield, Dee. 27, 1816 ; served a regular apprenticeship as a
machinist at Ashton-Under-Lyne, near Manchester. lie was married in May, 1839, at the Parish Church
at Ashton-Under-Lyne, to Ann Taylor, daughter of James and Mary Scofield Taylor. Her father was a
radical reformer, and was imprisoned for his political acts. Two days after the' marriage, Mr. and Mrs.
Lunn sailed tor the United States. On their arrival, they made their home in Paterson, N. J. After
three years' residence there, they moved to Wisconsin, and, in the summer of 1842, settled in German
town. Washington Co., on Government land ; remained here about four years, and then removed to Mil-
waukee. Mr. Lunn spent eleven years in Milwaukee, working at his trade; then moved to Sauk Co.,
settling on See l".i. town of Washington; they have seven children — John, James, Taylor, Lunn, born
in Ni « Jersey ; James T. was married to Mary J. Blakeslee. daughter of the late Squire Blakeslee, of I ron-
ton. James T enlisted in the 36th W. V. I., and was promoted to a lieutenancy; was elected Superin-
tendent of Schools for Sauk Co., in 1874, and has been re-elected twice since — is" the preseut incumbent.
The next son, Joseph, is living in Dakota ; Easter Ann, now Mrs. Conley, resides in Mason City, Iowa;
Sarah Ann and Samuel are living at home. Mr. Lunn has 280 acres of land. He was Town Superin-
tendent of Schools for one year ; Chairman of "Washington two years and Postmaster of Sandusky about
sis months.
THOMAS LYNHON, cooper, Sandusky ; residence and shop at Sandusky ; son of James H.
and Elizabeth (Roland) Lyndon, was born in the city of Utica, N. V., March 'J, 1819; when 5 years of
age, moved with his family to Rochester, N. Y. After a twelve-years resident in lioehester, they returned
to Utica. Mr. Lyndon was married in Onieda Co., N. Y., July 1, 1841, to Louisa M. Webb, daughter of
Gould and Fanny (Parker) Webb; Mrs Lyndon was born in' Connecticut. .Mr. L. and family came to
Wisconsin in 1848, and settled in Hustisford, Dodge Co. ; was there about two years, and then moved to
Marquette Co. ; wasengaged in coopering in this county about two years, and then returned to Dodge Co.
In August, 1855, moved to Sauk Co., town id' Washington ; remained here only a short time, and then
went to Reedsburg, and from there to Excelsior; resided in Excelsior about six years, and then came to
Sandusky, town of Washington, where he now resides. The Lyndon- have an adopted son, Prankie. Mr.
L. was Supervisor of Washington one term, and Treasurer of his school district three years. Mrs.
Lyndon is a member of the Methodist Episcopal Chun li
766 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
LEWIS MAXHAII, farmer, Sec. 13; P. 0. Loganville; son of Asa and Cynthia (Sprague)
Maxham ; was born at Sandy Greek, Oswego Co., N. Y., April 24, 1827 ; lived in his native county till
18 years of age, and then moved to Wisconsin ; located at Elkhorn, Walworth Co. Resided there about
two years, then moved to Sugar Creek, same county. Was married in this town, Oct. 28, 1849, to Harriet
J. Flitcroft, daughter of William and Polly (Parks) Flitcroft. Mrs. Maxham was born in Steuben Co., N.
Y. ; they have five children — Alice E., now Mrs. Henry Stewart, of Loganville, Sauk Co. Mr. Stewart
is engaged in the insurance business, and is Town Clerk of Westfield ; Frances E., now Mrs. Vance Richards,
residing in Westfield; Charles W. ; Lewis L. ; Henry L., living at home. In 1851, Mr. Maxham and
family came to Baraboo, Sauk Co. ; resided there five years, and then moved to the town of Washington,
Sauk Co.; settled on Sec. 13, where they now reside; they have 160 acres of land in Washington and
80 acres in Westfield. Mr. M. was Supervisor of his town one term, and Clerk of the School District three
years, and Treasurer two full terms and part of a term.
CAMPBELL MILLER, farmer, Sec. 22; P. 0. Tuekerville ; son of Clark and Matilda
(Wood) Miller; born in Fleming Co., Ky., July 30, 1830; when about 2 years of age, the family
moved to Marion Co., Ind. ; in the spring of 1852, moved to Sauk Co . Wis., locating on Sec. 27, town
of Marstnn, now Washington. Mr. Miller was married, May 12, 18b'0, in this town, to Lois A. Copley,
daughter of Harvey and Ruth Copley ; Mrs. Miller was born in Vermont ; they have two adopted chil-
dren— Addie and Richard. In 1875. moved on to the farm where he now resides, Sec. 22; has 120
acres. Mr. M. has been Supervisor two years and is the present Town Treasurer. In 1802, he enlisted
in Co. E, 32d W. V. I., and served till the close of the war. Mr. Miller's family was one of the first to
settle in this town ; his father purchased his land, 240 acres, from the Government.
RUSSELL O. MYERS, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O. Lime Ridge; son of Oliver and Amy (Hall)
Myers; born in Columbus, Chenango Co., N. Y.,Sept. 14, 1819 ; lived in his native town till 1850, then
came to Wisconsin, settling in the township now called Washington, Sauk Co., on Sec. 3 ; entered 160
acres at Government price, aud afterward took up 80 acres more. Was married in Brookfield, Madison
Co.. N. Y., Aug. 2, 1843, to Jane Mclntyre, daughter of Price B. Mclntyre; had two children by this
marriage — Byron L. and Daniel H.; Byron L. was married, March 1, 1868, to Margaret J. Johnson,
daughter of George Johnson ; they are residents of Washington. Mrs. Myers died July 23, 1870, in the
town of Washington. Mr. M. has been Assessor of the town fourteen years, and Clerk of his School Dis-
trict eight years. He was married Dec. 8, 1870, in the town of Washington, to Eunice L. Hale, daughter
.if Addison and Olive L. Hale; they have two children, twins — Russell O. and Eunice L. Mr. Myers
was the first white man who made a settlement in this town, that is, in the territory now included within
the boundaries of Washington ; Washington Gray preceded him a few months in the territory comprising
the original town of Washington.
\\ I 111 \ M P. PALMER, carpenter and joiner; P. O. Tuekerville; residence, west of the
church, Tuekerville ; is the son of Benoni and Eliza J. ( Denslo ) Parmer ; was born iu Orwell. Ashtabula
Co., Ohio. Oct. 22, 1850 ; when 3 years of age, the family moved to Wisconsin, settled in the town of
Freedom, Sauk Co., in 1853 ; residedin Freedom nineteen years, and in 1S72, went to Neilsville, Wis., where
he worked at his trade; went from there to Anamosa, Iowa. Was married in that city, March 17, 1873,
to Rosetta Blood, daughter of Nelson and Malinda Blood ; Mrs. Palmer was born in Waukesha Co., Wis. ;
they have four children, of whom three are living — Bertie K., Clauda A. and Percy F. ; one died in
infancy. Mr. Palmer is a stalwart Republican.
LITCIEN S. PHILLIPS, fanner. See. 1 ; I". (). Lime Ridge ; sou of Otis and Mary Jenks
Phillips; was born in Bennington Co., Vt., July 27, 1831 ; lived in Bennington Co. till 1867, then moved
1. 1 Wisconsin ; settled on Sec. I, town of Washington, Sauk Co. ; has 80 acres of land. Was married June
26 1853, at Hoosic Falls, N. Y., to Frances A. Winch, daughter of Luther and Eliza Winch; they have
four children living — Mary, now Mrs. Joseph Hoppel, residing in Nebraska; Arthur O, Francis A. and
Walter C.
JOHN T. POLLOCK, Postmaster, Tuekerville; son of John W. and Rachel ( Chapman) Pol-
lock ; was born in the town of Brutus, Cayuga Co., N. V. ; when a boy. went to Oswego Co. Was mar-
ried there Dee. 23, 1S3S. to Harriet Annstrope, daughter of Samuel and Hannah Armstrong; Mrs. Pol-
luck was horn in the town of Mexico, N. V ; in IS 17, Mr. 1'. and family came to Wisconsin ; settled in
Jefferson Co. ; remained there till 1854, when they moved to Sauk Co., locating at Reedsburg, where he
worked at his trade, that of carpenter and joiner ; from Reedsburg he went to Humboldt; was Postmaster
there one year ; he then wenl to Loganville. and engaged in trad.' in company with G i fiord ; afterward
bought Mr. Gifford out ; was also Postmaster; resided there live years; from Loganville went to Lime
TOWN OF WASHINGTON. ib7
Ridge, where he carried on a Btore for fouryears, and served aa Justice of the Peace; then went to Caze-
novia ; was in trade there two years, and then came to Tuckerville ; was appointed Postmaster Feb. 22,
1880 : is the present Justice of the Peace; Mrs. Pollock died April 14, 1S62. Mr. P. was married, at
Reedsburg, to Mary E. Oohoon, daughter of James and Palmyra Baird Cohoon ; Mrs. P. was born in Ohio ;
the marriage occurred July 13, 1862 ; had eight children by his first marriage, and tour by the last; those
living are George E., Clinton A.. Mar)- L., now Mrs. H. J. Kirkpatrick, living in Ohio ; William R. and
Andrew W. ; the deceased were named Rachel M ., John W.. Stephen A., Charles T. (was a member of the
1 2th W. V. I .. and died at Bolivar, Tenn. ), William A. (was a member of Co. F, 23d W. V. I., and died
in Mississippi), J. Riley, Violetta P. and Milo.
JOSEPH POWELL, shoemaker and farmer. Sec. 32; P.O. Sandusky; son of Robert
and Elizabeth ^Ringwood i Powell; was born in the County of Tipperary, Province of Minister,
Ireland, April 9, 1814 ; came to the United Slates iii 1832 and made his home in Now York City,
working at his trade. Feb. .">. 1835, he was married to Esther, daughter of William and Esther Belcher ;
she was born in Ireland; they have bad twelve children, of whom four died in infancy ; those living are
William . I. ( married to Lucy Powers and residing in O'Brien Co., Iowa), Robert 1. ( was a, member of
Co. K, 32d W. V. I., and is supposed to have died a prisoner in South Carolina), Prank II. (was a mem
ber of Co II. 36th W. V. I., is married to Emogene Smith and living in Sandusky), George A. (mar-
ried to Augusta Smith and living in O'Brien Co., Iowa i, Edward li. (married to Annie Maxwell and
living in North Freedom), Mary E. i now Mrs. Joseph Gurton, also living in North Freedom), Rachel A.
I widow of Joseph Kennedy, living at Sandusky), Joseph B, (married to Ida Saulsbury and living in the
town of Washington). After ten years' residence in New York City, Mr. Powell and family moved to
Lockport, N. V., and lived there about ten years; moved from there to Beloit, Wis., where they spent one
summer, and in 1854 came to Sauk Co., town of Washington, and settled on Sec. 32, where they now
reside and have 120 acres of land. Mr. Powell is an Episcopalian.
LEVI PURDY, carpenter and joiner ; P. 0. Tuckerville; son of Henry and Kaziah Purdy ;
was born in Columbiana Co., Ohio, Oct. 10, 1832. Was married at Galion, Ohio, January, 1861, to
Sarah J., daughter of Thomas and Fanny Miner; she was born in Ohio. Mr. Purdy enlisted in 1862, in
Co. B, 43d Ohio V. I., and served one year and ten months; was with the regiment in the battle of Nash-
ville. Came to Wisconsin in 1867, and settled in Sauk Co., town of Washington, locating on See. 14,
where he now resides. Has two children living — Frank and Captain ; four deceased — Charles, Parley,
Fanny and Lucy. Mr. Purdy and wife are members of the church of the United Brethren.
HARVEY W. REEVE, Postmaster, loan agentand conveyancer, Sandusky ; son of Benjamin
and Martha (Sill) Reeve; was born at New Lyme, Ashtabula Co., Ohio, March 3, 1823; resided in his
native county till 31 years of age. Was married July 4, 1848, at Rome, Ohio, to Elizabeth, daughter of
Edward C. and Ursula (Willey) Dodge; they have eight children — Dora A. (now Mrs. I. W. Francis,
residing in Dakota), Ida V.. Rosa A. i now Mrs. Charles W. Towsley, of Lone Rock), Emma O, Wesley
E . Nettie N., Hubert L. and Georgie C. Mr. R, was engaged in farming; held the office of Town Clerk
in his native town ; received an academic education in Grand River Institute, Ohio; studied law with Mr.
E. Lee, of New Lyme. Oct 20, 1S.">1. he moved with his family to Wisconsin and settled in Sauk Co.,
town of Marston, since called Washington ; the family took shelter in an old log cabin on Sec. 31, called
the "Mansion House;" it had walls and a roof, and an opening for a door, but no floor ; in this one room
the party, consisting of Mr. Reeve's family and three geutlemen friends, spent the night; the following
day they moved into a similar house on Mr. Reeve's land ; here they lived ten days, till a commodious log
house was built on Sec. 17 ; after a year's residenc i this place, Mr. R. moved to Sandusky, a locality
that was supposed to be destined at no distant day to develop into a thrifty village; the place has hardly
realized the ambitious hopes of its founders; here Mr. Reeve, in company with Mr. William Cobb, built
a steam saw-mill ; after about a year's experience in the milling business. Mr. Reeve sold out and went into
the mercantile business, opening a general store at Sandusky, where he now resides. Mr. R. was appointed
Postmaster in 1861; he has held the office over eighteen years, and is the present incumbent; he was
elected the first Superintendent of Sel Is, and has been re-elected three times; has been Town Clerk
about ten years and Notary Public twenty-four years; he has 80 acres of land, and his wife 80 acres.
Mr Reeve's grandfather on his father's side was a Captain in the Revolutionary war, and his father was
a soldier of the war of 1812 ; his death occurred in 1879, at the age of 92.
DAVID ROWE, farmer, Sec. 6; P. O. Lime Ridge; son of Asa and Hannah I Remar ) Rowe ;
born in Steuben Co., N. Y., Aug. 10, 1831 ; when li years of age, he moved with his family to Chemung
Co He was married, Feb. '■'>, 1857, to Mary B. Aber, daughter of Phillip Aber ; they have' three children
768 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
living — Willis M., Ellen A. and Arthur G. In 1854, he came to Wisconsin; settled in the town of
Spring Green, Sauk Co. ; came to the town of Washington in the fall of 1857 ; located on Sec. 0 ; has 80
acres of land in Sauk Co. and 80 acres in Richland ; was Chairman two years, Supervisor five years and
Justice of the Peace two years. In 1864, he was a member of Co. A, 6th W. V. I. ; served till the close
of the war; witnessed the surrender of Gen. Lee at Appomattox. Mr. and Mrs. Rowe have lost three
children — Corel E., Milton M. and one unnamed. Mr. Rowe is developing quite a lire business; he has
more than a hundred swarms humming their sweet songs around him. He is just completing a fine barn,
supported by a stone basement the full size. It is one of the finest structures of the kind in the towu.
FREDERIC ROWE, farmer and mechanic, Sec. 6 ; P. 0. Lime Ridge; son of Asa and
Hannah Remar Rowe; born in Steuben Co., N. Y., Feb. 26, 1828; lived in his native county till 1850.
He was married in Pennsylvania, Jan. 1, 1840 ; in 1850. he moved to Tioga Co.. Penn. Mrs. Rowe died
in 1851 ; they had one child — Emma, now Mrs. Edward Lyons, residing in Pennsylvania. In 1852. Mr.
Rowe moved to Wisconsin ; located in the town of Spring Green. Sauk Co. He was married in Spring
Green, July 4. 1852. to Louisa Gwin, daughter of David and Mary James Gwin. Mrs. Rowe was born in
Ohio ; their children are named respectively — Philura, Silvia (deceased). Alvah P., Clarinda V.. Kate Bell,
Herbert M., William T. S.. Frederic C. and Mabel. Mr. Rowe moved to the town of Washington in 1857 ;
settled on Sec. 6; has 147 acres of land. He enlisted in 1862, in the 12th Battery Light Artillery;
served three years. Mr. Rowe has a lime-kiln on his farm in successful operation, and has also utilized
one of the magnificent springs that abound in his valley. By conducting the water through his fine stone
milkhouse a constant stream of cold spring water is carried through wide troughs, in which the milk is
set. A couple of beautiful speckled trout sport in the water and are so tame that they jump their full
length into the air to take food that is offered them ; another, fully a foot in length, holds ins court in the
spring.
CHARLES D. SCHLUTER, born in Prussia; came to America in August, 1854, and
made his home near Rockford, III. ; remained there till the spring of 1856, when he came to Sauk Co.,
Wis., and located on Sec. 20, town of Washington. He was married in Prussia to Mary Maerhof ; they
had a family of seven children — Caroline M., wife of C. J. H. Erffmeyer, deceased ; Christian, living in
Dane Co. ; Louisa, living in Buffalo Co. ; Charles F., living in the town of Washington, Sauk Co.; Henry
also living in Washington ; Mary, now Mrs. William Schoephoister, and Minde, now Mrs. Fred. Kollmeyer;
all of Washin gton. Mr. Schluter was the first German settler in the town of Washington, was an active
leader in his church, and much respected by his fellow townsmen; he died in 1870.
CHARLES F. SCHLUTER, farmer, See. 26 ; P. O. Sandusky ; son of Charles D. and
Mary I Maerhof) Schluter ; born in Prussia, Feb. 2, 1845; came to the Unitod States in August, 1854;
stopped near Rockford, 111., about two years; then came to Sauk Co., Wis., and settled on Sec. 26, town
of Washington : lias 200 acres of land. Was married in this town Oct. 10, 1869, to Catharine Scher-
mann, daughter of Henry and Suebilla Sehermann ; Mrs. Schluter was born in Richland Co., Wis. ; they
have five children — Annie, Lydia, Henry, Clara and Martha. Mr. Schluter was a member of Co. K,
I 7th W. V. [., and served during the last two years of the war. His lather was the first German settler
in the town of Washington. Mr. Schluter and family are members of the Church of Evangelical Associa-
tion of North America.
WILLIAM SCHOPHOISTER, proprietor of steam saw-mill, Sec. 22; P. O. San-
dusky; Bon of Frederic and Louisa Schophoister ; born in Prussia Sept. 27, 1S47 ; the family came to
the Tinted State- in IS51, settled near Sauk City, Sauk Co., Wis., lived there about four years, and then
moved to Washington. Sauk (Jo. Mr. William Sehoplioister's steam saw mill is situated on Sec. 22 ; the
timber used is principally hard wood ; capacity of the mill, 6,000 feet per day ; the manufacturing of
wagon material forms the principal part of the work , shipping point, luvil-'mrg. Mr. S. was married,
Oct. Ill, 180S. in the town of Washington, to Mary Schluter. daughter of Charles D. Schluter ; Mr. and
Mrs. S. have three children — Charles E., William and Frederic. Mr. Schophoister has been Treasurer of
his school district three years.
GEORGE L. SE BRING, farmer, See. 1. P. O. Tuekeiville : son of Jonathan and Sarah
Corson i Seining ; horn in Tioga Co., Penn.. Aug. 9, 1 S27 ; remained in his native county till 22 years of
age ; then went to McEwingsville. Penn.. and made a stay there of one year. He was married in Lyco-
ming Co., Penn., Sept, 10, 1850, to Rebecca M. Thomas, daughter of William and Anna (McElrath )
Thomas ; Mrs. Sebring was born in Clinton Co., Penn. ; they have had four children, of whom three are
living — William T., married, Oct. 22, 1S76. to Isabelle Rockwell, they reside in the town of Washing-
ion : Emma l\ died May 15 1876 was the wife of Irwin Baird; Robert II. and Cora Bell, living at
TOWN OF WASHINGTON. 769
home. From McBwingsville Mr. Sebring moved to Jersey Shore, Lycoming Co., Penn. ; then, in 1853,
went to California, spent a year and three months in the <_;-< » I « 1 re-inn, ami retur 1 to Jersey Shore; leav-
ing this place, he spent two years al his old home in Tioga Co. and returned to Jersey Shore; once more
he is on the move, arriving in Wisconsin in April. 1867 ; he located on Sec. 1 . town of Washington, Sank
Co., where he now resides; ha- 1 L'o acres. Mr. Sehring and family 'are members of the M. E. Church :
he has b ten Clerk of his school district sis years. Mr. Sebring's parents came to Sauk Co., Wis., in 1 355,
living on the farm now occupied by their son ; Mr. Sebring, Sr., died at the advanced agi of 96 years 6
months and 6 days.
JAMES C. SKIM; WICK, cooper. Sandusky ; son of Calvin ('. and Harriet N. i Webb i Sedg-
wick ; horn in Neosho. Dodge Co.. Wis.. S. pi 30, 1851 ; in 1856, the familj moved to Reedsburg, Sauk Co.;
in afew years changed to Excelsior ; and. in 1861, came to the town of Washington, settled on S. .
iter on See. 10. Mr. Sedgwick was married in Sandusky, June 26, 1868, to Nancy Waters,
daughter of Daniel and Caroline | Walker) Waters; Mrs. Sedgwick was horn in Springfield, Ohio; they
have an adopted daughter — Nettie L. Mr. Sedgwick made his home in Sandusky in 1 Still, where he now
re-ides; has 40 acres id' land in Sec. 9; he has served as Clerk of his school district one year, and Director
three years.
I. W. THOMPSON, farmer, Sec. 12; P. 0. Loganville ; son of James and Margaret A. Thomp-
son; was horn in Lycoming Co., near Williamsport, Penn.. Sept. 9, 1830; resided in his native county
till I860, when he came to Wisconsin; settled on Sec. 12; has 160 acres of land. Was married in Lycom-
ing Co., Penn., in 1871, to Amy L. Hagerinan. daughter of Anson Hagerman. Mrs. Thompson was born
in the State of New York; they have three children — William J., Alice and Clyde.
SAMUEL THOMPSON, farmer, Sec. 2; P. O. Reed,lu,rg; sou "of .lames and .Margaret
I Carotin rs i Thompson ; was born in Lycoming Co., Pent)., June 15, 1826 ; remained in Pennsylvania till
21 year- of age; then spent two years in traveling in Ohio. Indiana and Illinois; was married in Tioga
Co., Penn., Jan. 31, 1850, to Harriet Sebring, daughter of Jonathan and Sarah Sebring; Mrs. Thomp-
son was born in Tioga Co.; was the thirteenth child in her family ; 3Ir. and Mrs. Thompson h.e,
children living (all boys i — Reese W., married to Ida King, they reside in the town of Washington;
Royal 1'. Minion V.. Georgi S., Ernest W. and Otto G.; they have lost three — Orlan 0., .lames L. and
Phebe E. In 1854, Mr. T. and family came to Sauk Co.; settled on Sec. 2, where they still reside; have
30 acre- of land ; Mr. T. was Town Treasurer three years and a member of the board i year i 1879 -
Mr. Thompson and wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church of [ronton.
NltS. HARRIET THORXBIT«;iI, Sec. 6; P. 0. Washington; willow of William B.
Thornburgh and daughter of Chauncy and Rhoda Hammond ; was born in Cattaraugus Co., N. Y ; was
married in Morrow Co., Ohio, Dec 25, 1852 to William B. Thornburgh; the family moved to Wisconsin
in June, 1856 ; settled on Sec. 6, town of Washington, Sauk Co.; there are lour children -Wellington B ,
married to Mary Sheble, and living in the town of Ironton; Corington (.'.. Effie A. and Mem,. 1; ,n
home. Mr. Thornburgh was a tailor by trade, and was engaged in that business previous to his settlement
in Wisconsin ; after coming to this State he made farming his business till the time of his death, which
Feb 26, 1869. Previous to his marriage to the present Mrs. Thornburgh, Mr. Thornburgh was
married to Ursula Hammond, Jan. 18, 1844 ; three children were born of this marriage -Addison D.,
who was a member of Co. K. 28th W. V. I., and died in hospital near Memphis, Tenn . Feb. 5, 1863 .
Adelia R., now Mrs. Isaac N. Settle, of the town of Ironton, and Ursula A . uov, Mrs O. W. Schoonfeldt,
of Ree Isburg.
WALTER WALLIX<; i deceased i ; was the son 0f Charles and Clara Walling ; was bom in
Otsego Co., N. V.. in 1821 ; while unite young went with his parents to the town of Orwell, Ohio. Was
married at Hartford, Ohio, in 1843, to Phebe Huntley, daughter of Selden and Lavisa I Peek) Huntley;
Mrs. Walling was born in the town of New Lyme, Ohio children S Maria (now Mrs.
George Jaquish, living at Ithaca, Wis.!, Riley (living in O'Brien Co., Iowa), tiaus deceased ,. Selden
to Mary Donahoe, living in the town of Washington), Sarah L. (deceased), Bion II. li
home). Mr. Walling and family came West in 1862, settled on See. 30, town of Washington, Sauk Co.,
Wis., where Mrs. W. and her sons still reside. Mr Walling enlisted Feb 2 t, 1864, in Co. A. 36th W.
V. [., and died in hospital at Petersburg, Va . July 19, 1864. Mrs. Walling's P. 0. is San
<'. R. WKIilt. farmer. See. 28; P. 0. Sandusky; son of Hiram and Eliza i Beach) Webb; was
born in Oswego Co., N. Y . March ">. 1837; resided in his native town till about 12 year- of
to the adjoining town, where he made his heme till 1870, when he moved to Sauk Co., Wis.,
77n BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
settling in the town of Washington. Was married in Spring Green, April 8, 1873, to Hannah Griffith,
daughter of William and Anna i Morgan) Griffith ; they have three children — Myrtie E., Charles Stanley
and Alma E. Mr Webb has been Treasurer of his school district six years. Has 79 acres of land.
GILBERT WHEELER, farmer. Sec. 14 ; P. 0. Tuckerville ; son of William and Miranda
Payne Wheeler; was born in Brown Co., N. Y., June 19, 1823; resided in his native county twenty
years, and then went to Bradford, Penn. He was married in Lycoming Co., Peun., June 9, 1846, to
Eliza 1. Hulburt ; they have one daughter, Hattie, now Mrs. F. J. Reckon, of Delton, Wis. Mr. Wheeler
came to Wisconsin in June, 1847 ; stopped in Walworth Co. seven years ; came to Sauk Co. in 185 I and
located on Sec. 14. town of Washington; has a well-improved farm of 160 acres. Mr. Wheeler enlisted
in Co. M, 1st W. V. G. in October, 1864, and served till the close of the war. He has served one term
as Supervisor of Washington, and seven years as Clerk of his school district.
JOHN H. WISE, farmer, Sec. 25 ; P. 0. Sandusky; son of Henry and Dora Wise; wa»
born in Hanover March 27, 1830. He was married in Hanover, in the fall of 1858, to Dora Meyer,
daughter of John Meyer; Mis. Wis.' was born in Hanover; they have three children — John H.,
William H. and John Henry. Mr. Wise came to the United States in August, 1867, and settled on Sec.
25, town of Washington, Sauk Co., Wis. ; has 80 acres of land. Mr. Wise and family are members of the
St. Paul's Lutheran" Church of Washington.
DR. WILLIAM A. WOOD, firmer, Sec. 2.") ; P. (). Sandusky ; son of Abiel and Sarah
i Moulton) Wood; was born in Thetford, Orange Co., Vt., April 19, 1811 ; resided in his native town till
19 years of age; commenced the study of medicine with Dr. Burge, of Ellisburg, and concluded with
Dr. J. B. Crawe, of Watertown, N. Y. ; commenced the practice of his profession in the town of Chau-
niorit. X. V. Was manic. 1 in Jefferson County in December, 1836, to Betsey Ann Ball, daughter of
Eleazer and Mary Farlin Ball; they had seven children — Samuel (married to Frances Gray, residing at
Princeton, 111. ), Naomi i deceased, was married to C. D. Spoon i. William (deceased, was a member of the
23d W. V. 1.'. died in hospital at St. Louis), Albert (married to Ida Organ, residing on See. 25, Wash-
ington), Mary, Francis F. and Jessie, living at home. Dr. Wood and family moved to Rock Co., Wis., in
the fall of 1 >52 . after a residence there of a year and a half, came lo Sauk Co. ; settled on Sec. 25, town
of Washington ; has 80 acres, Ha^ served as Chairman and Town Clerk, one year each, and is now Jus-
tice of the I 'eace,
TOWN OF IRONTON.
WILLIAM W. ALL, farmer, Sec. 4 ; P. O. Ironton ; son of Peter and Mary All ; was born
in Schoharie Co., N. V., March 25, 1818; while ijuite young, moved with his parents to Herkimer Co.,
and, when about 1 5 years of age, moved to Washington Co., X. Y.; here he was married, ill 1843, to
Phebe, daughter of Zenus Hurd ; Mrs. All was born in Orville, Vt. Mr. All and family moved to Dane
I !o., Wis., in L844 ; settled in the town of Albion ; in 1853, moved to Sauk Co., town of fronton
on Sec. I ; has a well-improved farm of 200 acres; ihey have eight children — Peter 1!. i was a member of
Co. E, 50th W. V. I.; was married to Lydia A. Davis, and now living in Ironton), Julia M. (now Mrs.
William A. Wright, living in the town of Ironton . Elizabeth i now Mrs. John Markham, of Dale
vestei C, Lucretia If new Mrs. P. I'.urgcss, of Ironton), Chloe A.. Olive A. and Josephine E. Mr.
All was Chairman of Ironton si\ years, and Treasurer of his scl 1 district two years.
X. H. AUSTIN, Ironton ; money -leaner and retired firmer-, son of Peter and Rachel I Rogers)
Austin: was born in Onondaga Co., X. V.. \u<j. I, L812; commenced teaching school when 17 year- of
age; taughl thirteen winters in succession in his native county ; met I, a Fayette on his second visit, to the
United States, and was present at the celebration of the completion of the Erie Canal ; came to Me Henry
Co., 111., in 1843; lived there eleven years; was engaged in farming, teaching and mercjfttile business.
Was married, in 1843, to Lucretia Mitchell, daughter of Samuel and I iviia (Cook) Mitchell; Mrs.
Austin was horn in Granby, Hartford Co., Conn. Mr. A u.-iin and family came to Sauk Co.. Wis., in
1851; settled on Sec, t, Town 12, Range 3 now Ironton; has 300 acres of land. Mr. Austin was
appointed Postmaster of Marston bj Franklin Pierce; was the first Postmaster; the name of the office
rard changed to [ronton ; be held the office till 1861 ; has been Justice of the Peace four years,
and is now serving' in that capacity: was Chairman of Ironton in 1879; has served twelve years as
Assessor. P ilii li Dei -rat.
TOWN OF [RONTON. 77!
JAMES L. BENSON, farmer, Sec. 34 ; P.O. Lime Ridge; son of Almeron and Lucinda
Stanton i Benson ; was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y., March I. 1833; while quite young, went with his
pan tit- tn Morrow Co., Ohio. Was married in that county, Sept. 21, 1854, to Louisa A. .Martin, daughter
el' llemaii ami Sarah Martin. Mr-. Benson was born in Crawford Co., Ohio ; havi had ten children, of
whom eight are living -Ellen, now Mrs. Martin Towner, living in Minnes ; Heman ; Emma, nov* Mrs
Albert Fox, living at Rochester, Minn. ; Elizabeth V., now Mrs. William Helm, residing in Sank Co.:
(Joseph and .lennie ilereaseil i : .lames I!.; Levi anil llattie. Mr, llonsoii came lo Sauk Co.. Wis , in
1855; made his home in [ronton Village for two years, then came to his present farm, See. :;i ; has 120
acres ; has served as eonstable of I rot and two terms as Director of his school district. Mr. Benson
was one of the pioneers of [ronton, and has not forgotten the advantages of digging eonsing root and
cutting hoop-poles, diversions which aided greatly in keeping the wolf from the door in the early days in
the woods.
E. BliAliESIiEE. merchant, [ronton Village, of the firm of E. & N. G. Blakeslee, dealers in
general merchandise and farm produce ; son of J. G. and Ruby (Bliss) Blakeslee; horn in the town of
Fennel-, Madison Co. X. Y., May 12. ISMS; when 6 years of age, he went with his family to Salem,
Kenosha Co. Wis., and in the spring of lS.'il, moved to Stink Co., Wis ; settled on Sec. 32, Town 13
north, Range 3 east, now Lavalle. He was married, March 4, 1861, in the town of Lavalle, to Mary
Ballard, daughter of Hiram Ballard ; they have three children— Eulella J., Charles (i. and Alfred J. Mr.
Blaki -lie enlisted in the fall of 1861, in Co. B, 12th W. V. I. ; went into the service as a private, was
: to a Lieutenant's commission in Co. 11, and afterward to the Captaincy id' the same company;
was in all the engagements in which his regiment participated, and served till the close of the war. On his
return from the army, he followed farming for a few years ; in the spring of 1 SdS. commenced in the mer-
cantile liiisinessat Ironton. Mrs. Blakeslee died Aug. 27. 1872. Mr. B. was married, Sept. 14. 1873, to
Mrs. Caroline A. Swift, daughter of Lodwick and Charlotte Smith) Huntley ; Mrs. Blakeslee was born
in Ashtabula Co., Ohio; was married. Oct. Id. 1854, to Charles Swift, and resided at Cazeiio\ia; the\
had two children — Mary L. and Lee C. Mr. Swift's death occurred Feb. (J, 1866. Mr. Swift was a
member of Co. F, 3d W. V. C. ; his death resulted from disease contracted while in the army ; he was
Quartermaster Sergeant when discharged. In IST'.i. Mr. Blakeslee was elected on tin Republican ticket to
the Wisconsin Legislature, and served during the session of lsso : is the party nominee for the same office.
NOAH ii. BLA KESEEE, of the firm of E. & N. G. Blakeslee, Ironton, dealers in general
merchandise; this firm are large dealers in butter, eggs, fruit, fresh meat and farm produce; they have
lately completed a commodious refrigerator, which enables them to handle perishable produce to great
advantage; Mr. Blakeslee is the son of Joseph G. and Ruby (Bliss) Blakeslee; born in Kenosha Co.,
Wis., Jan. 2, 1848, and came to Sauk Co., in 1851, with his parents ; they located mi See. 32, Town 13,
R now Lavalle. He was married, Aug. 25, 1872, at. Ironton. to Mary E. Blanchard, daughter of
(>. C. and Hannah i Kezear) Blanchard; Mrs. Blakeslee was boil) in St. Lawrence Co., N. V.; they have
two children— Nellie E. and Orin G. In April, 1st:;, commenced his present business: has been Clerk
of Scl 1 District No. 2 for three years ; is the present Town Treasurer of Ironton. Mr. and .Mrs. B. are
members of the Congregational Church. Politics. Republican.
O. C. BEAXCHABO, cabinet-maker, undertaker and bee culturist, [ronton; son of Henry
and Mary Crosby) Blanchard: born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., July 19, 1820. He was married,
January, 1850, in his native county, to Hannah Kezar, daughter of Luther Kezar; Mrs. Blanchard was
born in St. Lawrence Co., N. V. Mr. B. and family came to Sauk Co , Wis., in 1854, and settled in the
town of Kingston, now called Sumter: was engaged in farming; in Hod, moved to Recdsburg, remaining
there till Sept. 30, 1858. when he removed to Ironton. and engaged in his present business. There are live
children in the family— Mary E., now Mrs. V G. Blakeslee i Mr. Blakeslee is the junior partner of the
firm oi' E. & S. (I. Blakeslee); Agnes A., Carrie M., William II. and Bertha L. Mr. Blanchard has
entered into the culture of bees qui Xtensively, having at this time ITS swarms. Mr. and Mrs. B. are
members of the Congregational Church. .Mr. B. is ft, ■publican in politics.
Ell (ill H. BBENIZER, farmer, dealer in fanning mills, Sec. 33; P.O. Lime Ridge ; sells th.
Pacific Mill of Kenosha, Wis.; son of Adam and -lane I!. , Elliott I Brenizer; was born in Morrow Co., Ohio,
Pec. 11, 1836. lie was married, Jan. 1, I860, in Morrow Co., to Elizabeth Wheeler, daughter of [Jptoi
and Eliza Wheeler : she was born in Baltimore Co., Md. . they have three children— Orson W., Clarena
W. and Rolvin C. In 1871, he moved to Sauk Co., Wis., and settled on Sec. 33; has '.hi acres; he ia
operating in the Western States and Territories. Mr. B. and wife are members of the United Brethren
Church.
772 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
WIIiL,IAJl H. It it I'A'IZK IS. farmer, Sec. 28; P. 0. Lime Ridge; son of Adam and
Jane R. (Elliott) Brcnizer; was born in Morrow Co., Ohio. March 29, L845. Enlisted in July, 1864, in
Co. A, 174th Ohio V. I., and served till the close of the war. He was married in Morrow Co., January.
1S68, to Martha, daughter of Upton and Eliza Wheeler ; she was born in Maryland. Mr. B. and family
came to Wisconsin in 1870, and located on Sec, 28, town of [ronton, Sauk Co. ; have 80 acres of laud ;
they have two children — Ada and Owen; he has been Clerk of his school district one year, and Director
three years.
JOHN C. BRICE, farmer, See. 35; P. 0. Lime Ridge; so,, of Robert and Mary (Crode)
Brice : was born in Dorsetshire, England, Dec. 2!>, 1828 ; came to the United States in 1848, and made
his home in Waukesha Co., Wis. ; lived there and in Walworth Co. till 1861 ; then came to Sauk Co.,
town of [ronton, Sec. 35 ; previous to this, in 1855, he had been here and entered the north half of south-
east quarter of Sec. 35, where he now resides. He was married Nov. 22, 1862, in [ronton, to Permilla
Col daughter of James and Palmyra Cohoon ; there were six children born of this marriage — Henry
L., Joseph T., Melvin U., James W. and Mary (twins), and Simeon B. Mr. B. enlisted, in January,
186 1. in Co. F. 3d W. V. C, and served till the close of the war ; was discharged in ( Mober, 1865. His
wife died Feb. 7, 1876. He was married, May 3, 1878, to Emma < ksburn. daughter of Joseph and Han-
nah i Nickerson) Osburn ; she was horn in Allegan y Co., -V Y. : they have one child, Anna M.; he has
been Treasurer of his school district for fifteen years. Mr. B. and wife are members of the Christian
Church. In politics, Republican.
BAYID BRYDEX, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. O. Ironton ; sot, of David and Jenet | Lees) Bryden ;
was born in Scotland, < >ct, 16, 1831 ; came to the United States in 1854, made a short stay in Waukesha
Co., Wis., and then came to Sauk Co., 185."), and settled on Sec. 28, [ronton. Was married April 26,
1859 to Julia A., daughter of Lumen Swallow. Mrs. linden was born in the State of New York ; they
have three children — David, Annie and Jessie ; three died in infancy. Mr. Bryden was Justice of the
I 'race one term, ami is the present Director of his school district, Mr. Bryden has several hundred acres
of land.
VOIiNEY A. BlTMAJf, foreman of John Smith's iron works Ironton ; was born at Roches-
ter. N. V.. .May IS, 1827; son of Benjamin P. and Mary (Cook) Batman; whet) 4 years of age went with
his family to Milan, Hudson Co., Ohio, now Erie Co. Was married, Oct. 25. 1847, at Milan, to Lucre-
tia. daughter of Archibald and Agnes i Root Benjamin. Mrs. Butman was bom in Lewis Co., N. Y. ;
they have had live boys and two girls — Francis M.. Mary (deceased), John S., Jennie (now Mrs. F. M.
Groat, living at Lavalle), Lewis. Jonas, William (deceased), Minnie and Thomas. About 1850, Mr. B.
went to Michigan, established a foundry at Lowell ; aftei a few months moved to Waukogan, 111., stayed
there i year, then returned to Ohio, remained live years, and in 1853 came to Wisconsin ; settled in
Aiken, Richland Co. ; from there he went to Ironton and engaged in his present business. Politics,
Republican.
PELEGCARR, carpenter and farmer. See. 33; P. 0. Lime Ridge; son of Thurston and
Bethana Bailey Carr. was born Sept 26, 1812, in Susquehanna Co., Penn., and at o years of age, went
with his parents to Ashtabula Co., Ohio ; remained in that county till 22 years of age, then went to Lake
Co Was married there in 1836, Sept. 3, to Mary Trumbull, daughter of Luther Trumbull. Mrs. Can-
died in 1841. Mr. Carr was married in hake Co. Sept. 6, 1842, to Jane E. Genung, daughter of Amos
and Mary Belknapp Genung. Mrs. C. wa> born in Vales Co., N. Y. ; they have ten children ; the
elde i Rev. Lucius G . is married to Mattie Brewster, ami is the Pastor ol'ihe regular Baptist Chmvh, .,,
Stillman Valley, 111. Grocius L., livingal hoi, a- ; Arthur E., living in Black Hills; Mary 0., now Mr- Jeffei
son Reynolds living near Lone Rock, Wis, ;Ozro F., living in the Black Hills; Oliva A., now Mrs. John H. Cle-
ment, livingin the town of Ironton ; Cary. Luther A., Gilbert 11. and Ada I .. all living at home. In 1846, Mr.
Cur and family came to Wisconsin ; settled at Palmyra. Jefferson Co.. Wis. remained there till May, 1 857,
when lie moved to Sauk Co.; located at Ironton Village, where Mr. Carr worked at his trade; in the spring
ok 1862, moved to his present farm, See. :;:;. Town 12, Range 3, now [ronton; has 40 acres of land.
Lucius G. »as a member of Co. B. 12th W. V. L ; enlisted September, 18(11 . re-enlisted as a veteran and
served till the close of the war. Grocius L. enlisted in the fall of 1864, in Co. P. 35th W. V. P. and
served one year. Mr. Carr was Chairman of the town of Washington one year, and Justice of the Peace
Of Ironton; has also served as District Clerk and Treasurer. Mr. and Mrs. Carr are members of the
Baptist Church.
DENNIS CLOSEY, far r, Sec. 23; 1'. 0. Reedsburg ; son of Thomas and Susan i Kelley I
Closey ; was horn in Comity Kilkenny . Ireland, in 1813; came to the United States the year of tin' great
TOWN OF [RONTON. 773
fire in New York City ; remained there about pleven years. He was married al Hudson, July 22, 18 12,
m Mary, daughter of Felix and Catharine i McGregor) Donley ; she was born in the County of Antrim,
Ireland; Mr. C. and family came to Wisconsin in L845, settled in the town of Lima, Rock Co., and in
October, 1850, came to Sank Co., stopping a shorl time in the village of Eteedsburg ; he boughl 160 acres
in Sec. 23, Town 12, Range 3, now [ronton; here the walls of a log house were erected, and Dee. 15 the
family moved, without roads or bridges, to their new habitation ; as they depended on the lumber which
formed the shanty at Reedsburg to complete, the house, they found themselves in a cold rain-storm in a
house without roof or floor ; one corner was covered with loose boards; here the family took shelter till
the lumber could be brought to finish the house; their nearest neighbor was G. W, Gray, living three and
a half miles to the south, and the next one was Mr. S. Baker, living four miles east . the first white per-
son whom tluy saw was Mr. Cray, in the April of the next year. Mr. and Mrs. C. have seven children —
Edward, married to Isabella Pine, living in Minnesota; John, married to Margaret Sammon, living on
the same section as his father; Thomas, married to Margaret Welch, also living on the same section;
William J., living at home; Felix 1).. living in Allegany Co., N. Y.; Catharine and Joseph, living in
Chicago. Mr. Closey has 1 n Clerk of his school district ten years. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of
the Catholic Church.
CORNELIUS COHOON, farmer, Sec. 26 ; P. O. Reedsburg ; son of James and Palmyra
i Baird) Cohoon; was born in Illinois Get. 14, 1853; lived there till 3 years of age, then came to Sauk
Co., Wis., town of Ironton; is located on Sec. 26, and has 20 acres of land. He was married Nov. 15,
1875, at Ironton, to Alice, daughter of Harvey and Susan Lyons; she was horn in Wisconsin; they have
liildren — Daisy, Gertrude and Ralph.
JAMES COHOON, farmer. See. 25 ; P. 0. Reedsburg ; son of Stephen and Margaret I lole
of New York Sept. •_'. 1814; while quite young went to Erie Co., Pcnn.,
with his parents, and from there to Delaware Co., Ohio. He was married March 2, 1835, to Palmyra,
daughter of Victor and Mary E. i Potter) Baird; she was born in Orange Co., X. Y.; they have had
twelve children — William M.. deceased; Polly A., now Mrs. William 0. Horton, residing in the town of
Washington; Henry L.. married to Sarah Wheeler, and living in Nebraska; Permilla, deceased, was the
wife of John C. Brice ; Mary E., now Mrs. J. T. Pollock, of Tuckerville ; Rebecca, deceased ; Amanda
ised, was the wife of Andrew Simmons. Cornelius, married to Alice Lyons, living in the town of
Simeon B.. married to Martha Mallet, and living in Nebraska; Elijah, decease/; Ethel
Euphrasia, now Mrs. Fred Mois, residing at Lloyd. Wis., and Hezekiah. In 1847, Mr. C. and family
came to Dodge Co., Wis., and settled at Rubicon ; remained in this town about four years, then went to
Illinois ; stayed there about ten years, and returned to Rubicon ; after a farther residence in that place of
two years, the family moved to Sauk Co. and settled on See. 25, where they now reside; the} have 60
acres of land ; on eomii!": to Sauk Co., they brought enough clothing and provisions to last them three
years ; not having lumber to roof their log house with, they covered it with hay ; one day in the following
March the hay roof took fire, and the house, with almost its entire contents, was burned; Mr. C. was sick
with a fever at the time ; as he did not recover early enough to make any clearing or put in any crop that
year, the family had a hard struggle for existence; shortly after this, Mrs. Cohoon began to lose her eye-
din a few years had become perfectly blind ; after several years of darkness, she recovered her
this hopeful deliverance was almost immediately followed by a misfortune no less terrible; a
cancer appeared on her face, which, though partially cured, will in any event leave her fearfully disfigured ;
under all these afflictions Mrs. C. is cheerful and happy, in fact she is jolly; Dickens' Mark ]
entirely eclipsed by her; if it is her religion that sustains her. it is a pity there are not more of the same
sort in the land. Mr. ami Mrs. Cohoon are members of the Christian Church.
E. T. CORBIN, was bom Jan. 6, 1805, in Vermont. He was married in 1828, to Phillotta
Williams; had four children by this marriage, none of whom are living; Mrs. C. died in 1838. Ma\ I.
1832, Mr. C. moved to Toledo, Ohio. He was married. Aug. 3, 1845, in New York, to Mrs. France,
sister of bis first wife; they had two children, one of whom. Seneca, is living. In 1859, Mr. C. and
family came to Wisconsin; settled in Fairfield, Sauk Co, and, in the spring of 1864, came to [ronton,
Sec. 27, where he now resides. He has I" acres of land ; is a member of the Christian Church, and
Republican in polities. When Mr. C. came to Toledo, there were only eleven white people there.
SENECA CORBIN, farmet S i 11 P. O. Lime Ridge; son of E. T. and Esther (Williams)
Corbin; born in Erie Co., N Y., Sept. 20 1846; while quite young he moved with his parents to Lena-
wee Co., Mich.; resided there till \l years of a ;e, then went to Iowa, and two years after cami
boo. Sauk Co., Wis. i L859); lived there about two years, and then went to Dellona. Feb. 29, 1864, he
774 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
enlisted in Co. 1!. 36th W. V. I., and served till the close of the War; was taken prisoner, .June 1. 1864 I
was eight days at Libby Prison; three and a half mon'hs at Andersonville ; then moved to Savannah-
i,;i , and held there about three weeks; from there to Mellen, Ga. ; from there to Blackshear Station, and
from tlin-e to Charleston, S. C, where, with a number of other prisoners, he was exposed to the lire of the
Federal vessels. From Charleston, he was removed to Florence. S. ('., and. on the 13th of December,
1864, was paroled, and rejoined trie army about the time of her'.- surrender. He was married in the
town of Washington. Dee. 13, 1866, to Adelia M Emery, daughter of Harrison Emery. Mrs. Corbiri
was horn in New York ; they have live girls and one boy — Mary E., David E., Cora B.. Ada E., Maud M.,
one unnamed and Ellas E. deceased i. Mr. ('. came to [ronton, and settled on his present farm, July 16,
1865 ; h s 80 acres of land, situated (iii Sees. 27 and 34. lie has served as Supervisor four years, and is
now on the fifth ; has been District Clerk one term, and is now serving the second ; was the United States
Enumerator for [ronton for 1880. Polities. Republican.
M. RAXSOJI DO YON, Superintendent of the John F. Smith Iron- Works, Ironton ; son of
John and Arvilla (Darling) Doyon ; born in Franklin Co., Vt., Dec. 18, 1845; when 20 years of age,
lie moved to Chittenden Co., Vt. He was married, Oct 19, 1869, to Amelia Herrick, daughter of Moses
D. and Jennette S. lleniek. Mrs. Doyon was born at Milton. Vt. ; they have three children — Charles H,
Jennette II. and Bertrand H. Mr. Doyon was engaged in the mercantile business in Vermont till 1878.
when he came to Wisconsin; located at Ironton. and. after the death of Mr. John F. Smith, was made
Superintendent of the Iron-Works. A sketch of the [ron Works and mine is <jiven in the history of
the town.
V. FISCHER, fanner. See. 22; P. 0. [ronton ; S f Joseph and Elizabeth Fischer; horn in
Tans, Fr.nce. June 12, 1820; when lti years of age. he engaged in the stock business, and, in pursuit of
his c.d'ing, traveled through the principal countries of Europe, lie was a soldier of the French army;
s rved eight years in Africa. On his return to France, he was married, in May, 1854, near Paris, to
Malinda Loudez, daughter of John Baptiste Loudcz; they have seven children — August, married to
Bertha Danile, and residing in Appleton : Alexander, married to Mary Hunt, and residing in the town of
Ironton; Elizabeth, now Mrs. William Humphrey, living in Dakota; Mary, now Mrs. Enos Baldridge,
living in Ironton ; Herman, Molina and Alfred are at home. Mr. Fischer and family came to the United
States in 1857 ; made their home at Pittsfield, Mass. ; remained there till 1863, then came to Wisconsin ;
spent a year in Bear Valley, Sauk Co., and then came to [ronton. Sec. 22, where he now resides; has 200
acres of land. The li rst three years of his residence here was engaged in burning coal for the [ronton
Furnace, since when lie lias applied himself to his farm ; lias [00 acres under cultivation. He has served
■i- Director and Clerk of his school district. No. 7, one term each.
IjEEWELEYX <». <jJRAV. wagon-maker and carpenter. Ironton; son of Lewis and
Elizabeth (Pulver) Graj ; bom in Waukesha Co., Wis., .June 13, 1853; moved to Juneau Co. while
quite young, with his parents; lived there till 1870, then Ciime to Sauk Co., Wis.: settled in the town ol
[ronton. He was married, \pril 9, 1876, in the town of [ronton, to Elizabeth Mason, daughter of Nathan
aid Elizabeth Meek i Mason. Mrs. (i was bom in Richland Co., Wis.; they have one child- Martin
Mr. Cray came to lroiii.ui Village iii 1877; is now in the employ of the John Smith Iron-Works. He
has been Town Clerk one year, and is now serving the second term. Politics, Republican.
AIMS A II AH <«K1FFR\. farmer. Sec. 16; P. I >. Ironton; son of John and Mary Chapman
Griffin ; bom in Lincolnshire. England, Feb. 7. 1833; came to the United States in 1847 ; made his home
hi Like Co.. 111. lie was married there March 2. 1854, to Henrietta La Grange, daughter of Henry and
Elizibeth (Cross) La Grange. Mrs. Griffin was born in Cleveland. Ohio; they have seven children
living— George H., Rachel H., now Mrs. Arthur Hind, living in Kansas; Ida M .. Henrj c. Willie W.,
Frederic L. and Clifford E. ; John F. (deceased). In November 1861, came to Sank Co., Wis. ; settled
on See. 16; has 120 acre- of laud. Mr. Griffin ...listed, Feb. 23, 1864, in Co. K. 35th W. V. L. and
served till the close of the war. lie has I tas ssor of [ronton two years, and Clerk of S.hooi District
I. years.
REV. FREDERIC J. GROAT, Sec. I; P.O. [ronton; has been a minister of the Chris
tian Church about twelve years; son of Frederic and Cornelius (Spun- Croat; born in Herkimer Co.,
V Y.. July 13, 1822; while quite young, he moved with his ...other to Columbia Co., N. Y : when
age he moved to Berkshire Co., Mass . remained there about eleven years, then went
i ■ Brown Co., N. Y., and lived there six years He was married Oct 22, 1846, to Mrs. Claris-. a Groat
widow of his brother. Jacob Croat: Mrs. Croat is the daughter of Cornelius and Rachel ( Newman) Spurr ;
TOWN OF [RONTON. 775
Mrs. Groal was born in Lenox, Berkshire Co., Mass.. ahe had one son by her first marriagi — William II.;
he was a member of Co. A. 6th W. V. I., re-enlisted as a veteran in the 35th W. V. [., and died near
Vicksburg. Mr. and Mrs. Groat remained in Brown Co about three years, and then came in D
Wis,, town of Lowell : spent one year in tins town, then came to Reedsburg, Sauk Co., in the spring of
1849, ami to [ronton, Sec. 4, the following fall; have 1 15 acres of land ; they have sis children— Francis
M. .married to Jenny Butman, residing in Ironton ; teacher by occupation), Camelia (now Mrs. Walter
Roys, living in Lavalle), Esther (now Mrs. William Burchell, of Lavalle), Mary, Ella and Ina. Mr.
Groat has been Justice of the Peace two terms; he enlisted, in September. 1861, in Co. B, 12th \\ . \ .
I.; re-enlisted as a veteran, and served in all four years, lacking a month ; In' was a Sergeant. Polities,
Republican.
RICHARD HAINSTOCK. machinist, Sec. 16; 1'. 0. Ironton; son of John and Eliza-
beth Hunt' Hainstock; born in Canada West Nov. 1, 1833. He was married in Canada, April 30,
1859, to Catharine Dennon ; Mrs. Hainstock was horn in Dublin, Ireland; they have had eleven ehiklren
— John. Mary J. (deceased), Charles (deceased), William, Elizabeth, Sarah , docca.-ed ■. Rosa, Richard
(deceased), Thomas. Cora and Lenora. Mr. Hainstock and family came to the United States in 1859 ;
stopped at Reedsburg, Sauk Co., Wis., one year, then came to the village of Ironton in 1860; was em-
ployed by Jonas Tower in the Iron-Works as machinist ; after Mr. Tower's death, he was employed by
Mr. John F. Smith in the same capacity ; since Mr. Smith's death, he is still employed by Mr. Doyon,
the present Superintendent of the John"]?. Smith Iron Works. In 1878, he moved his family to his farm
of liiU acres. See. lb, near the village ; while acting as machinist of the Iron-Works, he still finds time to
superintend his farm. Politics, Republican.
JAMES HARRISON, farmer. Sec 3; P. 0. Ironton: son of George and Martha (Bottom,
ley) Harrison; born in Bradford, Yorkshire, England, May 10, 1828. He was married in England, in
the fall of 1S4T, to Mary Chester; one child was bore of this marriage, who died in infancy; Mrs.
Harrison died in 1848; the same year, Mr. Harrison moved to the United States; lived in Massachusetts
one year, and then came to Sauk Co., Wis., and settled on See. 34, Township 13, Range 3, now Lavalle;
was married, in 1856, to Martha Pearson, daughter of Manelious Pearson ; Mrs. Harrison was born in
England; twelve children were born of this marriage, of whom eleven are living— Johanna (deceased .
Amanda (now Mrs. Bert Lawrence, living in Wonewoc), Ambrozine, Isaac, Charles G., Sarah, Manelious,
Edward, Bertha, Johanna, Minnie and George. In 1 S68, he settled on his present farm, Sec 3, Iron-
ton; has 77 acres; served in the war in Co. K, 18th W. V. I., from the fall of 1864 till the close of the
war : has been a member of the Town Board four years, and is now acting in that capacity.
MOSES D. II IK KICK. Ironton village; son of Elijah and Polly (Davis) Herrick ; was born
in Milton, Chittenden Co., Vt., July 17, 1820; engaged in mercantile business in early manhood. Was
married in November, 1S46, to Janette Smith, daughter of Frederic and Janette (Strowbridge) Smith ;
she was born in Hashing. Vt. ; they have two children — Amelia, now Mrs. M. R. Doyon, _ residing in
Ironton: Geneva S., residing at home Mrs. Herrick's brother, Mr. John F. Smith, made his sister and
her daughters his principal heirs. Mrs. Herrick is sole proprietor of the John Smith Iron Works, of
Ironton, and of about 5,000 acres of land in the town of Ironton. In 1879, Mr. Herrick and family-
moved to Wisconsin, village of Ironton, Sauk Co. Mr. H. was Postmaster of Milton, N't., fourteen years,
and resigned at the time of departure for Wisconsin. Politics, Republican. For description of the Iron
Works, see county and town history.
MRS. NAXCY HUMPHRY, widow of George Humphry, See. 23; P. O. Reedsburg;
daughter of Felix and Catharine I McGregor) Donley ; was born in the city of Glasgow, Scotland ; came to
the United States in is:;:,. Was married May 10, 1845, in Hudson, N. Y., to George Humphry; they
moved at once to Whitewater, Wis.; after a residence there of five years, came to Sauk Co. in 1850,
settled on Sec. 23, and bought 160 acres of land. Mr. Humphry was born in Yorkshire, England, in
1822 and came to the I'nited States when about 18 years of age; they had seven children — William,
married to Eliza Fischer, and living in Minnesota; Isabella, deceased; Mary, now Mrs. Oscar Dixon,
living in Minnesota; George, married Miss D. Evans, living in the village of Ironton ; Nelson, deceased ;
Esmerelda, dow Mrs. L. N. Larue, living in the town of Ironton ; and Catharine, deceased. Mr. Hum-
phry died, and was buried Feb. 20, 1864, together with his youngest child, Isabella; another child had
been buried only four days previous — such was the havoc typhoid fever had wrought in this family.
JOHN JESSOI\ fanner. S,c 3; P. 0. Ironton; son of John and Mary (Saville Jessop ; was
born in Brairley, Yorkshire. England, the last Tuesday in July. 1820 : came to America, arriving in New
i lb BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
York May 2, 1849, and in Sauk Co. May 17, same year; settled on See. 3, Town 12 north, Range 3,
east, now Ironton ; helped to organize the town of Marston, of which the present town of Ironton then
formed a part. Mr. Jessop was married Oct. 22, 1862. in Ironton, to Mrs. Betsey Markham, daughter of
Amos and Mary (Greenwood) Grunshaw ; Mrs. Jessop was born in Lancashire, England; came to the
United States in 1827. Was married February, 1838, at Fall River, Mass., to James Markham ; they had
six children — Mary, deceased; Sarah, now Mrs. R. R. Gatley ; John, married to Elisabeth All, and liv-
ing in Dakota; in 18..5, Mr. Markham went to Chicago on business, and has never been heard from since
by his family ; Mrs. Markham took care of her children, and saved a few hundred dollars, with which she
came to Wisconsin in 1802. Mr. John Jessop was one of the very earliest settlers in Ironton ; a couple
of hunters were his only neighbors within the limits of the present town of Ironton the first year of his
residence here ; he has 140 acres of land ; they have two adopted children — John J. Cludeary and Ella
Atkinson.
KEXARD KENWORTHV, deceased ; was the son of George and Ann (Jones. Kenwor-
thy; was born in Yorkshire. England, April 13, 1814. Was married in England on Easter Monday April,
1834, to Catharine Brade, daughter of John and Alice (Wogding) Brade ; Mrs. K. was born in Lanca-
shire, England; Mr. K. and family came to the United States in 1849, settled in Philadelphia ; Mr. K.
was a cotton warper by trade ; remained in Philadelphia about eight years ; in March, 185(5, came to Sauk
Co., Wis. ; settled on Sec. 32, Ironton ; bought 80 acres of land ; there are six children living — George
K., married to Martha (a ward of her aunt's) ; Emily, now Mrs. George Law, living in Iowa; Alfred,
married to Celia E. Crouch, and living on the homestead ; Mary E., now Mrs. Peter Inman, living in
Iowa, and Thomas J., living in Iowa; Mr. Kenworthy died April 12, 1878; one son (John) was a mem-
ber of Co. H, 22d W. V. I., and died in hospital near Vicksburg.
ALFRED KENWORTHY, farmer, Section 32 ; 1'. (). Lime Ridge; son of Kenard and
Catharine I Brade i Kenworthy. Was married in Reedsburg, Oct, 12, 1873, to Celia E. Crouch, daughter "I
Horace and Mary Ware) Crouch ; Mrs. K. was born in Westfield, Sauk Co., Wis.; they have two chil-
dren— Ralph W. and Florence A.
CHARLES M. KESTER, farmer, Sec. 25 ; P. 0. Reedsburg; is the son of William W.
and Susan R. (Washburn) Kester; was born in Morrow Co., Ohio, July 22. 1842; when 13 years of
age came to Sauk Co., Wis., with bis parents, who settled on See. 36, [ronton. He enlisted in the fall of
1861, in Co. F, 3d W. Y. C., ('apt. Yittum, and served a little less than three years; was injured at
Camp Barstow, Jaucsville, Wis., which eventually caused his discharge. He was married at Reedsburg,
Oct. 4, 1860, to Mrs. Julia A. Ford, daughter of L. D. King; she was burn in Jefferson Co., V V . was
married Feb. 28, L855, to Amos Ford, in Dodge Co.. Wis.; two children were born of this marriage —
Mary E., now Mrs. Fred Banks, residing in Nebraska, and S. Lorenzo, located in Nebraska ; Mr. Ford
was killed duly 2, 1864, at the battle of Atlanta; .Mrs. Kestcr's people came to Wisconsin in 1854, and
settled in the town of Trenton, Dodge Co. Mr. and Mrs. Kester have two children — one girl called X,
and a son, Charles Earle. Mr, K. lias a well-improved farm of 80 acres on Sec. 25, with good buildings;
has 60 acres under cultivation. In politics, he is a Republican.
CHARLES J. LAWRENCE, farm,,-. Sec. 27; P. O. [ronton; sou of Robert and Sarah
Lawrence: was born in England; came to the United States in 1853; located in Lake Co., 111. Was
married in November, 1859, to Eliza Newton, daughter of John and Eliza Newton. Mrs. L. was born in
England; they have six children— Ezra, Julia A.. Lucius, Matilda, Albert and Luther. Mr. L
and family came to Sauk Co., Wis, Sep! 1, 1863; settled on See. 27, [ronton; they ba
land. Mr. L. enlisted in February, 1864, in Co. K, 35th W. V. I. N Republican in politics
THOMAS V. LAWRENCE, farmer, See. 21; P. 0 [ronton; son of Robert and Sarah
Jackson Lawrence; was born in Lincolnshire, Eng., July 6, 1836; came to the 1'nited States in July,
1856; made his home in the town of Pleasant Prairie, Kenosha Co., Wis.; the next five years were spenl
reral States of Wi-mn-in. Illinois, Missouri and Minnesota; in November, 1 861, came to Sauk
Co., Wis.; settled ,in See. 21; has 8 tres. Was married, Oct. 8 1863, in [ronton, td Sarah M.
Widner, daughter of Samuel and Mary Widner. Mrs. Lawrenee was born near Rochester, Genesee Co.,
N. Y'.; they have tour chi \ Robert EL, Thomas P. and Irwin A. Mr. L. enlisted Feb.
I 1 365 in Co. I'. 19th W. V. I.; served till the close of the war. lias been Clerk of School District
No. 3 li.r three years : is the presenl Clerk. Politics, Republican. Mrs. Lawrence and eldesl
members of the Regular Baptist Church.
ROGER LAUGHNEY, farmer, See. 26; P. O. Reedsburg; son of Patrick and Ann
I tughney ; was born in Count; Mayo [reland in February, L802. Was married, in 1837, to
TOWN OF [RONTON. 777
Mar. Moore; Mrs. Laughney died one and a hall' years after her marriage; iii 1840, Mr. L, was married
to Bridget McDonald ; there were seven children born of this marriage -John i a farmer, living al home),
Man in i\v Mrs. (I'.Mally — widow : her husband was killed in the iron-ore bed at [ronton, by the fall of a
body of ore, Oct. I, L872), Patrick J. (married Mary Davlin; residing -at l'iiislini here he is
in the wholesale dry-goods business , Sarah now Mrs. Thomas Moran widow ; Mrs. Moran
keeps the Grand Central Hotel .at Fmlenton. Venango Co., Penn.), Ann now Mrs. John Timlin, widow,
living in Kilboun .\isedi, .Jennie iv Mrs. Thomas J. Flynn, living in Pennsylvania;
Mr. F. is engaged in the mereantile business. Mr. Laughney and family came to the United States in
1864; settled in the town of [ronton, Sauk Co., Wis.; has 1 60 acres of land situated on Sec. 26.
PATRICK NEWMAN, farmer. See. 23; P. 0. Reedsburg; so,, of William and Ellen
Keenan) Newman ; was boi n in County Longford, Ireland, in 1828 ; eame to the United Stales in 1850 ;
home in Brooklyn, X. V., tor fifteen years. He was married, June 23, 1861, to Catharine,
daughter of Felix and Catharine ( McGregor) Donley; she was born in Ireland; they have three chil-
dren— Ellen. Edward and Katie. In 1865, he moved to Allegany Co., X. Y.; after a residei there of
four years, he came to Sauk Co., Wis., and settled on See. 23 ; they have 80 acres of land. Mr. Newman
has been Treasurer of his School District nine years.
CHARLES PERRET, farmer, Sec. 27; P.O. [ronton; son of Joseph and Mary l'erret ;
was horn in Haute Saone, France, Aug. 13, [827 ; came to the United States in June, 1852; lived in New
Yorkeighf years. He was married there Dee. |:;, 1857, to Margaret, daughter of Frederic and Catharina
Becker; she was horn in France; they have four children — Charles, Lina, Adaline and Jennie. Mr.
l'erret and family came to Sauk Co., Wis., in June, 1869, and settled on Sec. 27 ; they have SI) acres of
land. They are members of the Christian Church.
FREDERIC REXAUI), farmer, Sec. 21; P. O. Ironton; son of George and Elizabeth
Renaud; was born in Eastern France Vug '_'. 1835; came to the United States in October, [853, and
settled in Connecticut; lived there one year, then went to Massachusetts, and in 1858 came to Sauk Co.,
bought his farm on Sec. 21 ; has 120 acres. Returned to Massachusetts, and was married
there, Nov. [9, 1 361, t i Judy, daughter of Henry Beuchat ; she was horn in Switzerland ; right after the
marriage, Mr. and Mrs. Renaud eame to Sauk Co., Wis., to their present, home; they have eight children
I. . Alina E., Mary E., Flora V., Alice L., Frederic A., Frank O. and Maud. Mr. R. has 90
acres under cultivation.
EZRA B. REYNOLDS, farmer. Sec. 33; P. O. Lime Ridge; son of Richard and Cynthia
Kimball Reynolds; was born in Oswego Co., X. Y., Dec. 29, 1817. He was married Oct. 30, 1851, in
Oswego Co., to Elizabeth Crysler Riddle; she was horn in Canada. In 1857, Mr. 1!. and family moved
to Wisconsin, and settled in Dane Co.; lived there about five and a half years, and, March 1, 1862, came
to Saul Co. and settled on Sec. 33, Ironton; have [0 acres of land. Aug. 1."., lsi',2, Mr. R. enlisted
in Co. II. 23d W. V. [..served about eleven months, and was discharged for disability. Mr. and Mrs. II.
: hildreu — Aretus E., living in Dakota; Cynthia M., now Mrs. John Delmore, living in North
Freedom ; Emogene, now Mrs. E. Tupper, living in Honey Creek; Alice E. and Jesse; the thi
were born in the State of New York, the younger in Wisconsin. In politics Mr. R. is a Republican.
Mrs. Reynolds is a member of the Methodisl Church.
CHARLES H. SAXDS, farmer, Sec. 9; P. ( ). fronton; son of Nathaniel and Jan,
Weyart i Sands; was born in the town of Benton, Yates Co., X. Y., Sept. 30, 1830; while quite young,
went with his family to Cayuga Co., \. V.. where he remained till 16 years of age; Aug. 29, 1846, he
■Vi-roii-in : the family located in Walworth Co. ; after a residence there of three years, they re-
moved to Dane Co., and, in the spring of 1853, Mr. Sands came to Sauk Co. He was married. Jan 5,
1854 in Ironton. to Elizabeth A. Atkinson, daughter of John Atkinson; there were seven children born
of this marriage— Jane (now Mrs. A. Hughes, residing in the village of [ronton), George G., Orin L.,
Annie, Charles II., Willie and Arvin C. Mr. Sands located on Sec. 5, Town 12, Range J. now [ronton ;
resided there till 1864 ; in the spring of thai year, moved to his present farm on Sec. 9, same town ; has
155 acres. In March, 1865, he enlisted in Co. Iv 50th W. V. I., and served till April, 1866 ; v,
Treasurer of [ronton several years, and Supervisor three or lour years , was < 'hairman in 1863 and 1 364,
and is the present Chairman I 1880 i ; has served as Sehool District Clerk four years, and is the
Director of Joint Sid 1 District No. 2. His wife died Fob. 15, 1872. He was married, Sept. 25, 1873,
in Ironton. to Mrs. Susan Bostwick, widow of Charles Bostwick, and daughter of Anthony Emily ; she
had three children by the first marriage — Isa, now Mrs. Howard Wickersham, living in Dakota ; Willie,
living in Minnesota, and Nelson, at home.
f78 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
REV. JOHN SEAMANS, minister of the Regular Baptist Church and farmer ; P. 0. Lime
Ridge ; was born in Ashford, Windham Co., Conn., May 12. 1819 ; remained in his native county till 19
Mars of age; in November, 1838, went to Chicago by the way of Buffalo and the lakes; took passage on
ii r Illinois, in company with about 500 othns; they wore thirteen days making the voyage; while
on Lake Michigan they experienced one of the most terrible storms ever seen on those waters; the snow
flew with such cutting force that it was almost impossible to stand up against it ; the vessel proved sea-
worthy, ami, though looking more like a huge iceberg than a steamer, she rode out of the storm in safety.
Stopping only a short time in Chicago, he proceeded to Du Page Co., where he and a brother who had
preceded him, prepared to make a home; the country not having been surveyed, they marked out a tract
of about 320 acres by plowing a furrow around it ; the flourishing village of Wheaton now occupies the
site of their claim ; alter a residence of three years in Du Page Co.. he went to Genesee Co.. X. Y. There
he was married, Feb. If,, 1846, to Lucinda Dexter, daughter of Reuben and Sally (Groff) Dexter; they
hid seven children — Charles L. (deceased), Frederic B. (married to Aliua Emery and living in Westfield),
John A. (married to Alice Kenworthy and living in Monona Co., Iowa), Clara M. (deceased), Sarah E..
Edwin D. and Ida M. In October, 1846, came to Sauk Co.. Wis. ; stopped at Loganville during the win-
ter, and in the spring moved to his farm of 80 acres on Sec. 34, Ironton, where he still resides : has been
an officer of the school district several jears. He was ordained, at Loganville, a minister of the Regular
Baptisl Church, in July, 1858; during his twenty-two years' labors as a minister of the Gospel in Sauk
Co. he has married seventy couples and preached 160 funerals services.
ISAAC N. SETTLE, farmer, Sec. 32 ; P. O. Lime Ridge ; son of William'E. and Lucy I Payne
Settle; was born in Harrison Co., Ohio, Jan. 11, 1835 ; while quite young, went with, his parents to Bel-
mont Co., Ohio ; in 1857, came to Wisconsin, settled in Westtield, Sauk Co. Was married in Washing-
tun, Dec. 31. 1863, to Adelia R. Thornburgh, daughter of William B. and Ursula A. Thornburgh. Mrs.
Settle was born in Morrow Co., Ohio. Mr. S. enlisted Feb. 27, 1864, iti Co. B. 35th W. V. I.; was
taken prisoner at the battle of Coal Harbor, June 1. 186-1 ; spent one week in Libby Prison and Castle
Thunder, four months in Andersonville ; from there was taken to Savannah Ga. ; from there to Mi lien,
where ho spent a month, and was then removed to Blackshear, and from there to Florence, where he was
paroled and sent North. In 1866, moved to his present farm, See. 32, Ironton ; be has 4(1 acres. Served
one teiiu as Supervisor of Ironton. and is the present Clerk of School District No. 2. Mr. and Mrs. Settle
have five children living— Rhoda R, Bertha B.. Cora M., Charles N.. ami one girl unnamed. Mr. Settle
is a Republican.
EPHKAIM T. SMITH, blacksmith and farmer, See. ;>,[ ; I'. (). Lime Ridge ; son of Oliver
and Deborah (Thomas) Smith; was horn in Rutland, Vt., Aug. 19, 1826; remained in his native countrj
till 10 years of age. then came to Ohio with his parents, who made their home in Delaware Co. ; lived there
about eii'ht years, and spent two in traveling in Indiana Was married in Delaware Co.. Dec. 2, 1845, to
Wheeler, daughter of Lyman and Mahala Wheeler. Mis. Smith was born in Onondaga Co., N.
V. ; they have nine children — Albert U. (married to Mary Johnson, living in the town of Washington |,
John L. (married to Ellen Selden, residing in [ronton), Melissa A. (now Mrs. 11. St. John, living in
Woodland . leremiah, Mahala II. (now Mrs. S. Z Hudson, living in Baraboo), Joseph E., Clarinda
I., Emmet D. F. divine i„ W Hand), ami Malimla V. Mr. Smith came to Sauk Co., Aug. 1. L855,
and settle,! on See. :;i ; has 80 acres of land. In February, 1865, he enlisted in Co. A. 49th W. V. I. ;
served till the close of tin- war. Has been Supervisor of hi- town one year; uas the first Clerk of his
school district, and is the present Treasurer. In politics, Republican. Mr. and Mrs Smith are mem-
bers ol the ( hristian Church.
AltKA.1I STANSFIELD, farmer, Sec. 3; I'. ( > [ronton ; -on of John and Susan i Dobson
Stansfield ; horn in York-hire, England, Pec. 1. 1813. He was married in Yorkshire, in 1838, to Grace
Marshall, daughter of William and Anna Marshall; Mrs. Stansfield was horn in Yorkshire. England; they
had two children, of whom onlj one is living — William ; Susannah, deceased. Mr. Stansfield and family
e; to tie United States in 1849; made his hoim in New JTork ( 'it \ for about three years, then wont to
Massachusetts and remained ,.ne year, (hen came to S:.uk Co.. Wis , ami settled in See. 3, Ironton; has
40 acres of land. Mr. Stansfn-hl uas Cli rk of hi- school district three years. William enlisted, in the
fall of 18&1, in Co F. 3d W, V. C. ; went into the service as a private, and was promoted to the position
of Quartermaster Sergeant ; served three year- and three months. Mr. and Mrs. Stansfield are members
.■ular Baptist Church.
4.1 OI{<;i'. STOWE, farmer and proprietor cheese factory. Sec. 6; P. 0. Ironton; is the sonof
William K and Sarah Ii. Dunn Stowe; born in Lincolnshire. England. Oct. 3, 1830. He was married
TOWN OF [RONTON. <«'■'
Jan. 2::. [857, to Sarah Batty, daughter of William and Rebecca Kirk i Batty; Mrs. Stowe was born in
Lincolnshire, England; they Lave four girls — Lizzie A.. Sarah L. i now Mrs. George Wiekesham, of Iron-
ton), Mary A. and Minnie R. Mr. Stowe and family came to the United States in .May. 1857, and made
their home in Madison Co , V Y. ; he was engaged in dices i-making al Bouckville ; manufactured 335,000
pounds of cheese annually; after a residence of five years in this place, the family m >ved to the town of
Eaton, same county ; lived there aboul eleven years, and then came to Wisconsin in April, LS73; settled
..ii Sec. 6, town of [ronton : has 34] acres of land ; in is; l. he started a small cheese-factory on Sec. 6;
makes about three tons of cl se a year.
\. STOWE, farmer, Sec. 5; P.O. [ronton; son of William E. and Sarah B. Dunn Stowe!
born in Lincolnshire, England, Aug. 11. 1822. He was married in May. I-^IT. to Ann. daughter of
Thomas and Mary Maw; they have two boys and two -iris — Sarah B. (now Mrs. E. Stanley, living in
[owa i, Mary J. I now Mrs. Charles Noble, of [ronton i, William F. and George W., at home. Mr. Stowe
came to the United States in June. 1847; made his home in Bouckville, Madison Co., N. Y., where he
■I'd in distilling : in the fall of 1859, he'came to Wisconsin and settled in Sank Co., town of
Woodland, Sec. 28 ; was Chairman of that town from 1862 to 1865. Mr. Stowe ottered himself three
times as a volun'eer soldier, and was rejected; finally he was drafted and taken, in February, 1865. and
served till the close of the war. In 1867, he came to [ronton and settled on Sec. 5, where he now re-
sides; he has a well-improved farm of 235 acres; within a week after coming to [ronton, he was elected
Supervisor, and the next year was elected Chairman; has served in that capacity sinee that time, with the
-if three years ; has served as Justice of the Peace several years, and Town Treasurer two years .
was elected Superintendent of the Poor for the north district of Sauk Co.. in 1879, and is now serving
in that capacity.
V. L. VAN LOON, blacksmith, wagon and carriage maker. Ironton ; son of Abram and Sarah
i Colier i Van Loon ; born in Steuben Co., V Y.. May 1, 1832 ; when 14 years of age. he went to Penn Yam
Yates Co., and served three years learning the blacksmith trade; traveled in Canada, New York. Pennsyl-
vania and other Statej as a journeyman blacksmith; came to Wisconsin in the fall of 1871 ; engaged with
John P. Smith as blacksmith. lie was married, June 16, 1873, in the town of Ironton. to Mary J.
Wells, daughter of Thomas ami Susan M. i Bond) Wells. Mrs. Van Loon was born in Ironton ; they
have two children — Frank and Susan M. Mrs. V. is a member of the Methodist Church. In the fall of
187 i. Mr. Van Loon opened his present shop; has nine lots and two houses. Politics, Democrat.
AARON WESTON, Sec. 26; P. 0. Reedsburg ; son of John and Ann Payne) Weston:
born in Sussex, England, Dec. 3, 1825 ; came to the United States in 1849, and settled in Oneida Co..
N. Y. lie was married in that county, May 25, [850, to Charlotte Peal, daughter of John and Ann
I Men - Peal; Mrs. Weston was horn in Sussex. England. In Is.")], they moved to Wisconsin, settled
in Neosho, Dodge Co., and two years after came to Sauk Co. ; located at Reedsburg till 1866, and then
came to Ironton, Sec. 26 ; they have 1 20 acres of land. In 1 864, Mr. Weston enlisted in Co. P. 3d W. V.
I. . Was injured by a fall, and was discharged at MeClellan Hospital, Pennsylvania. July 12, 1865, for dis
ability ; there are five children in the family — lohu ; Anna, now Mrs. Benjamin Doty, living in Baraboo ;
Albert, married to Jane Oler, living in the town of [ronton : Charles and Frank. Mr. Weston has been
Clerk of his school district in Reedsburg one term. Polities. Republican.
JIKS. ELIZA WHEELER. Sec. 31 . P. < >. Lime Ridge; widow of Upton G. Wheeler.
of Henry and Nancy Dearholt; horn in Baltimore Co., Md. He was married. June 30, 1839,
to I pton G. Winder, has had live children — Elizabeth, now Mrs. II. H. Brenizer, of the town of Ironton ;
William II. was a member of Co. C. 96th O. V. I.; was killed in Lousiana. Nov. 3, 1863, at the battle of
Cache Bayou; Martha A., now Mi's. W. II. Brenizer, of the town of Ironton . Emily J. died in infancy,
Upton G. was married to Leonora Shourds, and living in the town of Ironton. In 1850, the family
moved to Monroe Co., Ohio. Mr. Wheeler was a blacksmith by trade; his death occurred in 1851. Mrs.
Wheeler and family moved to Wim sin in 1*70; settled on Sec. 31. [ronton, where they in":.
they have 80 acres of land. Mrs. Wheeler is a member of the Free-Will Baptist Church.
HENRY WHEELER, farmer. See. 35; P. 0. Lime Ridge; son of Nelson and I
i Warner i Wheeler; born in the State of New York May 3, 1836; when about 2 years of age his parents
moved to Morrow Co., Ohio; resided there about nineteen years, and then moved to Wisconsin in July.
1854 settled on Sec. .!.">, Township 12, Range 3, now Ironton. His father, Mr. Nelson Wheeler, entered
36U aero of laud, of which Henry has S2 acres, where he now resides. Mr. Henrj Wheeler was married
Oct. 13, 1861, in the town of Ironton, to Electa Benson, daughter of Almeron and Lucinda -
780 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Benson; they have four children — William, Orton, Elias and Emeline. Mr. Wheeler is proprietor of
a J. I. Case Eclipse Threshing Machine ; he has been engaged in threshing about twenty-eight years.
LEAXDER WHEELER, farmer, Sec. 35; P. 0. Lime Ridge; son of Nelson and Emeline
Wheeler ; burn in Morrow Co., Ohio, July 10, 1839 ; came to Wisconsin with his parents, July 13, 1854 ;
settled on Sec. 35, Town 12, Range 3; has 190 acres. He was married, Nov. 8, 1863, to Phebe Blakeslee,
daughter of J. G. Blakeslee; they have six children living, have losi one; those living are Nelson, Walter,
Arthur, Hattie and Mattie ; the two last are twins, 5 years old, and so nearly alike that their teacher cannot tell
.me from the other; Herbert anil Ruby E. (deceased*. Mr. Wheeler has been Clerk of the School His-
trict six years ; Director one term, and now serving the second. In politics. Republican.
NELSON WHEELER, deceased ; son of F. E. Wheeler, was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y.,
in 1811. He was married to Emeline Warner, of New York, and moved to Ohio in 1838 ; lived there
till 1S54, then came to Wisconsin, and settled on Sec. 35, Town 12, Range 3, now Ironton. Had seven
children — Jane was married to La Fayette Ackerman, now deceased ; Henry, married to Electa Benson,
living en See. Mo, [ronton ; Leander, married to Phoebe Blakeslee, living on Sec. 35, Ironton; Robert A.,
married to Mary Sbal'er ; Emily E., now Mrs. James Priest ; Mary J., now Mrs. Ed Blank, and Nelson
P. Mr. Wheeler was Justice of the Peace and Chairman of Washington several years, and also of Iron-
ton : he was the first Chairman of Washington, was present at the organization, and suggested naming the
town Washington in honor of G. Washington Cray, the first white settler, and it was carried ; was Assessor
and Justice of the Peace, and a member of the Wisconsin Legislature of 1S59. Politics, Republican.
His death occurred in October, L869.
TOWN OF EXCELSIOR.
MILTON ARMSTRONG, shoemaker. Able,,,,,, . s f Daniel and Laura (Week- Arm-
strong; was born in Granby, Oswego Co., N. Y.. Aug. 19. Is:;:;; when 9 years of age, moved with his
family to Kane Co., 111.; remained there three years, and then moved to .lellerson, Wis. He was married
Nov. 12, 1856, to Sarah Ann Snoad, in Adams Co.. Wis., daughter of William and Frances M. (Smith
Snoad ; Mrs, \, was born in Rochester, \. V. ; they, have two children — Savillie and Myron. Mr. Ann-
strong came to Able, nan. Sauk Co., in 1868, where he is now engaged in the hoot and shoe business
FREDERIC BARINGER, farmer, Sec. 36 ; P.O. North Freedom: son of John F. and
Margarel Brich Baringer; his father died July 5, 1868. Frederic Baringer was born in the city of
Easton, Northhampton Co., Penn., Nov. 1, 1827. He was married March 6, 1851, to Caroline Born,
daughter of Henry and Catharine Sheid ' Born, at Lock Haven Penn; t ! i ■ - \ l,a\ e three children — Anna,
Lotta and William 10. Mr. Baringer came to Wisconsin in 1855, and located at l'.arahoo ; after a resi-
dence of one year at that place, lie moved to his limn in Exeebior. Sec 36 where he now reside-; has
320 acres of land. Mr. I'., was Treasurer of the town of Excelsior in 1862, and Chairman during tl
1876-77-78. Mr. and Mrs. Baringer are members of the M. E. Church.
EHREXREICH BENDER, fanner. Sec.:;:;: P.O.Ableman; so,, of Christopher and Bar-
hraidt) Bender; was bom in Wittenburg, Germany, April 6, 1837; came to the United States
June 4, 1857 ; located in the town of Freedom, Sauk Co. Was married March 1 9, IS, 17, to Louisa Kern mele,
daughter of Frederic and Cat harine , Minsing i Kemmele; Mrs 1!, was born in Wittenburg; the; havi
four children — Ida Carrie, William, Frederic and Gustave. Mr. B. came to Excelsioi in the spring of 1 m;s,
and settled on Sec. 33 ; has 108 acres of land; was a member of Co. C, 35th [owaV. I.; enlisted Aug.,
1862, served three year.-, ami was with hi- regiment in all engagements participated ill by them, was
Supervisor of Excelsior in 1877 and 1878. Mr. Bender is proprietor of the plal of Rock Springs, Ex-
celsior.
X. Jl. RI'RT, fanner See. 30; P. 0 Reed-burg; S f Samuel and I'amelialScari, Burl : was
born Ap native town -South Wilbraham, Mass. during his childhood; went with
..■■ old; lived there till 1832, when the family moved to Medina,
I from i here to Wisconsin in 1850, spendin ; one yeai in Dane Co., and then moved to Sauk Co.
i„ 1851, settling in Excelsior,on Sec. 30, where he now resides. He was married Dec. 21, 1834, to Eliza
Hull, daughter of Austin Hull ; they have three children living, and one deceased — Newton M. and Milton
A. (twins), Gertrude, now Mrs. E. F. Barker, and Samuel deceased . died ( >c. 12, 1867 ; Milton A. was
a member of Co. A. t9th W. V. I. Newton M. Burt was born at Medina, Medina Co. Ohio,June6 L838,
TOWN' OF EXCELSIOE 781
was married Oct. 23, 1862, to Miss Mary L. Fisk, daughter of Royal and Harriet i Mead Fisk ; they have
three children — Lester M., Ralph M and Royal S.
NEWELL CARPENTER, farmer, Sec. 31; P. 0. Ablemau's ; was born in the town of
Sutton, Worcester Co. Mass.. .Ian. '_'!, 1S2J: occupation millwright, worked al bis trade throughout the
V>\ England States till 1854, when he moved to Wisconsin, locating at White Creek, i.dams Co. Mr.
('. is ihe owner of 160 acres in Adams Co., where he has a large combined saw shingle and planing mill .
without disposing of this property, Mr. C. moved to Sauk Co. in 1877, settling in the town of Excelsior,
,,i, See. .".1 . here he erected a fine grist-mill on what is known as Narrows Crook, and with the help
of his son. carries on the milling business. Was married, Feb. 21, 1847, in (' leeticut, to Mary E.
Maxficld, daughter of .lane-- and Betsey (Butler) Maxfield. Mr. Carpenter is the sou of .John and
Abagail Heally) Carpenter. There are six children in the family of Newell Carpenter— Charlotte T. ,
Franklin. Abner, Alice, Newell and Leonard.
THOMAS CHAMBERS, farmer, See. 27; P. 0. North Freedom; son of William Cham-
ber-, was born in Lancashire, England, March 12,1838; came to Sauk Co. in 1856; has a farm of
situated on Sec. 27, Excelsior Was married in January, 1862, to Miss Ann Etchels, at Beaver
Dam, Wis., daughter of Thomas and Johanna (Udell) Etchels. Mrs. Chambers was bom in Lanca-
shire, England. ' They have one child— Robert. Mr. C. was a member of Co. F, 3d W. V. I.; served
three years and three months ; was in all the engagements in which his company participated.
CHARLES E. Dll BOIS, farmer, See. 5: P. 0. Reedsburg ; sun of William and Cynthia
i Eighmie) Du Bois ; came with his parents to Wisconsin in 1851 ; settled on See. 10, town of Dellona,
now Excelsior ; after residing there twelve years, moved to Sec. 5, same town, where lie now lives ; occupa
tion farmer, and agent for Waupun wind mills and farm machinery; has 190 acres of land : was born in
Is IT. mar Saratoga Springs. X. V. Was married in Excelsior, Nov. 27, 187 I. to Miss Emma A. Young.
daughter of John C. and Mary Young : have one child — Floyd M. John Henry Du Bois. brother of C
E was killed at the battle of Cold Harbor in 1864. C. E. Du Bois and wife are members of the Congre-
gational Church. Reedsburg.
ADAM FEY. merchant. Ableman ; son of Adam and Annai Thomas i Fey : born in Holtzhousen,
Prussia, Feb. 10, 1827 ; lived in Prussia till 1854, when he moved to Iowa, where he remained till he
came to Wisconsin in 1855, locating in the town of Troy. Sauk Co., where lie was engaged in farming for
fouryears; in 1869, he moved to Spring Green, and opened a general store, and in 1871, removed to
i where he now resides: he is dealing in general merchandise, and has a large, well-stocked store
in company with L. Goedecke. He was married at Madison, Wis., May 5, 1872, to Hannah Rueder,
daughter of Adolph Rueder: have had two hoys — Adolph, and one unnamed.
ALANSON FOSTER, fanner. See. 22; P. 0. Ableman; son of Parley and Esther Will-
iams Foster ; was born in Oneida Co., N. Y., May 5, .1807 ; when 1 year old, his parents moved to Mad
ison Co., X. Y., where they lived till he was 2-1 years old, when the family moved to Elba, Genesee C i.
N. Y. Mr. F. was married in Elba, February, 1832, to Eliza, daughter of John Robinson; they have
tildren, of whom four are living — Maria, now Mrs. J. W. Harris; Parley J., John M.. George W.;
Cornelia, who died when 5 years old; two others who died in infancy; in 1835, Mr. P. and
family moved to Peoria, III., where they resided about ten years, and then came to Wisconsin;
located on Sec. 22, Excelsior. 1859 ; has 80 acres of land; Mr. F. has been Chairman and Supervisor
of Excelsior ; was Assessor one year. Mrs. Foster died about the 1st of March, 18S0. John M. enlisted
in Co. A, 6th W. V. I., in April, L861 ; served one year ; re-enlisted in 1864, his brother enlisting at the
same time; they served till the close of the war. John M. was married to Ella Ryder. George W. was
married to Eva J. Peers Jan. 1. L873 ; has 80 acres of laud. Farley has Kill acres.
EDWIN GARDNER, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P.O. Reedsburg ; son of Isaac and Perrino Gardner ;
was bom in Winslow. Stephenson Co., 111., in 1845; lived in Illinois till 1866, when he came
burg, Wis. ; served two years in the late war; was a memberofCo. M. 17th 111. V. C. Was married, Feb.
7. 1871, at Kilbourn City, to Miss Jennette Winnie, daughter of Cornelius and Mary Winnie: they have
one child. Mary Edith. Mr. G. has 160 acres of land.
WILLIAM J. GEMMILL, farmer, Sec. 16 ; P. O.Reedsburg : sou of William and Frances
(Blaine Gemmill ; was born in Hopewell, Xork Co., Penn., Oct. 16, 1828 ; went with his parents to
Indiana when 7 years of age. where he lived till 1853, when he went to California ; after spending three
years in the gold regions of that State, he returned to Indiana. He was married, Feb. 17. 1856, to Miss
C. F. Cass, daughter of J. B. and Augusta Chaffee) Cass ; thesameyear they a Wis
(82 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
in the following year he purchased and took possession of hi* present farm of 240 acres, situated on Sec.
16. Excelsior. Mr. Gemmill has been Supervisor of his town two years; Treasurer four years, and Justice
of the Peace ; he lias just received the appointment of enumerator of the census of 1880. for his town ;
has four children — Ambrose J . Emmett J.. William and Walter. Mr. and Mrs. G. are members of the
Methodist Episcopal Church. Politically. Mr. G. is a Republican.
E. W. UILJIORE, station agent C. & N. W. R. R. Ableman ; son of Adam and Mary A.
(Watson) Gilmore ; was born in Bedford, N. H.. July X. 1 s 1 : t ; resided in his native town till coming
to Wisconsin in 1X50 ; stopped first at Baraboo. Sauk Co.. a few months, and then located in the town of
Honey Creek ; occupation, fanner and real estate dealer; is now agent of C. & N. W. R. R. Company,
at Ableman. Was married. Jan. 15. 1870. at .Milwaukee, to Miss Clara M. Sax ton. daughter of H. and
Sarah (Gilmore) Saxton ; they have one child. Mary C. Mr. Gilmore is half-owner of a tract of 520
acres, situated in K\c. l-iur ; aportion of Ableman is located on this tract.
LOUS (wOEDECKE, merchant, Ableman; son of Henry and Henrietta (Hilgendag)
Goedecke; born in Brunswick, Germany, Dec. 5, 1834; cane to the United States in 1853, landing in
New York Dec. 5. After one year's residence in New York, Mr. G. came to Milwaukee, where he was
employed as clerk with H. E. Einbock, remaining in Milwaukee about two years; then went to Waupun,
Wis., where he engaged in business for himself as a dealer in general merchandise. He was married at
Waupun. Oct. 2li, I85ti, to Julia Morsbaeh, daughter of Jacob and Henrietta (Lange) Morsbach ; they
have lour children— Henry, Louis A., Hugo and Ella. Mr. Goedecke and family moved to Sauk Co. in
1857, and located near Sauk City ; was engaged in farming about six years, then went to Sauk City, and
engaged as clerk with Charles Nebel ; remained here about three years, and then went to Spring Green
ami opened a general store; continued in business here till 1X71, when he removed to Ableman, where he
now resides. On coming to Ableman, Mr. G. went in business in company with Mr. Weitzel, under the
firm name of Weitzel & Co. After three years, Mr. W. sold out to Mr. A. Fey, and the firm name was
changed to A. Fey & Co. These gentlemen have a well-stocked store of general merchandise.
ISRAEL GREENY, farmer, Sec. 31; 1". < >. Ableman; son of Anthony and Elizabeth
Smith i Greeny; born in the town of Orwall, Addison Co., Vt . Ma, 16, 1832; lived in his native town
till the time of coming to Wisconsin in 1853; located at Waupun, and was appointed an officer of the
State Prison under (Jen. A. W. Starks. Commissioner; served in that position during his residence at
Waupun, six years. He was married at Waupun to Miss Mary Jane Starks May 14, 1X54. Mrs.
Greeny is the daughter .if Gen. A. W. Starks; her mother's maiden name being Mary Ann Filkins. Mr.
Greeny and family cam.- to Sauk Co. in 1850. locating on Sec. 29, Excelsior, where they resided till 1871,
when they removed to the old homestead of Gen. Starks on Sec. 31, same town; they have 235 acres of
land ; their family consists of six children, two boys and four girls named Charles, John Starks, Maggie,
Amie. Sarah and Ann. Mr G. is Republican in politics, lie enlisted in Co. V, 23d W. V. T.. and was
rejected at Madison. Mrs. Greeny'.- father. Gen. A. W. Starks, was one of the pioneers of Sauk Co.,
rilled here in 1 852.
T. W. II ARRISOX. farmer, Sec. 1 ; P. O. Delton : son ,,!' Higgins and Margaret ( Williamson '
Harrison; horn in the town of Alexander, Hunterdon Co.. N. .1.. in \K'A> ; resided in his native town till
L854, when he moved to Wisconsin, settling on Sec-. 1, town of Excelsior. lie was married, March 0,
1861, to Miss Mary Minott, daughter of James ami Nancy (Sheaf Minott; they have four children —
Nellie, Josephine, Edith and Minott. Mr. Harrison has a well-improved farm of 320 acres. Politics,
CHARLES HENGSTLER, farmer, Sec. 35; 1' 0. North Freedom; son of Charles and
Marjaret (Waltz Hengstler; born Sept. 12. 1x51, in Lycoming Co.. Penn. ; in 1X55, with bis parent-,
he came t" Wisconsin, locating in the town of Greenfield, Sauk Co. after two years, the family a
Excelsior, making their home on Sec. 35. lie \\ os married, June 18, 1879, to Emma Shale, daughter of
Christian and Margaret B .1 Reedsburg, Wis.; they have one child — Alice. M> II. has
if land.
ELIAS II. Ill RRARIt. farmer, Sec. 28; I' 0. Ableman; son of Hiram and Hannah
Archer) Hubbard; born in the town of Burke, Caledonia Co., Vt., Lug. 30, 1824; came to Wisconsin
in May, 1 845, making hi- home on Sauk Prairie, town of Prairie du Sac, where he resided till 1 X5.'t. when
he moved to his present home on See. 28, Excelsior; he held the office of Town Treasurer during the
19 and 1850, town of Prairie du Sac; ha- been Director of hi- scl 1 district several years; Mr.
is tl u MiT of a farm of L20 acres; he -pen! the first niin ■ years of his life in his native place •
TOWN OF [RONTON. 783
,r thi expiration of that time, he went with his parents to Canada; after living there eight years, he re-
turned to Vermont, making liis home in Addison Co.; afterward returned to Canada, and alter a year's
staj moved to Michigan, stopping in Wayne Co, ; shortly afterward, returned to Vermont, and moved with
his' parents to Wisconsin, arriving here in 1845. Mr. Hubbard was married at Roedsburg. April 28, 1850,
to Catharine Barringer, daughter of Henry and Abigail Barringer; Mr. and Mrs. Hubbard have six chil-
dren living, one deceased -Klias Henry, Calisla Eveline, Mary Ellen, Stephen Julius, Theresa Belle
livnne: and Alice, deceased. Mr. Hubbard is a stalwart Republican; he enlisted, in 1864, in the 49th
W. V. I., and was rejected af Madison.
STEPHEX D. HAMBEETOX, Ableman; son of Aaron and Sophia , Briggs) Humble-
ton ; born in Aurora. Erie Co.. N. V.. Sept. 23, 1820; lived in New York till 1845. when he came to
Wisconsin, making his home at Yorkville. Racine Co. He was married April 23, 1848, at Yorkville. to
Mary A.Taylor daughter of James and Nancy Taylor; Mrs. Hambleton was born in St. Lawrence Co..
N. V. . James Taylor was a soldier of the war of 1812. In 1848, Mr. Hambleton and family came to
Randolph. Wis., to live; Mr. Hambleton voted at the adoption of the State Constitution of Wisconsin;
was the first Town Clerk of Randolph ; was the second Town Superintendent of Schools of Randolph, and
the third of the town of Scott. Mr. Hambleton came to Satrk Co. in 1809 and settled in Dellona, where
he resided till 1875, when he moved to Excelsior; he is now a resident of Ableman Village; was Super-
visor of Excelsior in 1877 and 1878; has three children living — Rachel (wife of George Acers. of La
Crosse), Addie and Myra; Mrs. Hambleton and four children — Charles. Nancy, Hattie and Frederic —
sed away; Mrs. Hambleton died March 20, 1870. Mr. Hambleton has followed a variety of
callings, having been by turns farmer, merchant, hotel keeper, and is now engaged in the butchering busi-
ness. June 15. 1875. Mr. Hambleton was married to Miss Augusta Wilson, daughter of Warren Wilson.
SENECA J. EAMBERTON, farmer, Sec. 13; P. O. Baraboo ; born at Geneva. Ashtabula
Co.. Ohio. Oct. 14. 1823. where he resided till about 18 years of age; was engaged in the tailoring busi-
ness in various places till he came to Wisconsin, in 1854. lie was married Aug. 31, 1844, at Kenosha,
to Miss Eliza Huntington, daughter of William J. and Laura (Kuler) Huntington; has five boys — Adel-
bert M., William A.. Frank W.. Percy C. and Charles H. Mr. Lamberton eame to Wisconsin in 1844
located at Kenosha and engaged in the clothing business; after about a year, he moved to Delavan. contin-
uing at bis trade till 1849; he moved to Baral mo. where he opened a clothing store ; this was the first
house of that line in the village; previous to this, be had entered the northeast quarter of Sec. 13. Town-
ship 12, Range 5. now a part oi Excelsior; this was in 1848; here he made improvements, the first to
be seen on that road between Baraboo and Reedsburg; the first machine thrashing in the town was done
on this place. Mr. Lamberton continued to carry on business in Baraboo until 1854, when he moved to
his farm, where he now resides ; he has now 400 acres of land ; in reference to the business of Raraboo
at the date of Mr. Lamberton's settlement there, he says his cash receipts for the first six months were
86.30, he having to take lumber in payment for goods; this was made into rafts and poled down the Bar-
. ■ !' to the Wisconsin, and from there to the Mississippi, before a market was found and it could
be converted into money.
AI'drUST LAXtwEXHAX, proprietor of blacksmith-shop ; docs a general blacksmithing
business; Ableman; son of Valentine and Mary S. Icgelmilch ) Langenhan ; was born in Saxony, Ger-
many, Nov. 23, 1849 ; came to the United States in May, lst!7 ; lived in Baltimore, Md . one year, then
moved to Sauk Co., Wis., and settled at Sauk City, where he learned bis trade. He was married in that
place, May 1, 1877, to Ida. daughter id' Henry and Louisa Sehlegehnileh ; she was burn in Sank City;
they have one child, Walter; in ls7o, Mr. L.'s family removed to Wausau, where they remained one
year, ami then returned to Sauk City; -pent a short time in Spring Green; went from there to Mazo-
manic, and, in October, 1876, came to Ableman Station, Excelsior, ami opened the shop where he now
dors business. Has two lots where his shop is, and two at his residence.
A. I>. C. LAJIOREAUX, stock-dealer ami farmer. Sec. 33; I'. 0. Ableman. son of
Andrew and Electa (Colton) Lamoreaux ; horn Sept. 19,1849, at Chester. Lake Co.. Ohio; when 4
age, went with his parents to Freeport, 111. ; after a residence of one year in that city, the family
moved to Cherry Valley, 111., making only a short stay in this place; they moved to Baraboo, Wis., in
is.")."). Was married, May 1. 1873, at Raraboo. to Elizabeth Hirsehinger, daughter of Michael and
Melinda Hirschinger ; they have four children — Edith, Arthur A.. Cora ami Howard. March 1. 1879,
Mr. L. moved to his farm of 95 acres, situated near Ableman, on See, :. , ,]er and
farmer.
784 BIOGRAPHICAL .SKETCHES:
ISAAC METCALF, farmer, Sec. 8; P. 0 Reedsburg; son of Richard and Hannah (Cooper)
Metcalf; born July 6, 1826, at Kilbourn, Yorkshire, England; lived in his native town till 1847. and
then came to the United States. Stopped three years in Dutchess Co., N. Y., where he was married. Feb,
20, 1850, to Mary Ridings, daughter of William and Martha Ridings ; Mrs. Metcalf was born in Lanca-
shire, England. Mr. M. and family came to Wisconsin in June, 1850, and located on Sec. 8, Dellona,
now Excelsior ; he entered from Government the northeast quarter of Sec. 8, 160 acres ; afterward bought
the east half of southwest quarter, 80 acres, and afterward 93 acres, together with 120 acres which be
owns in Reedsburg, making a total of 453 acres. They have eight children — Martha, Hannah, Margaret
Ellen, Frank II , Fred. I., Charles W., Emma and Louis. lias been Supervisor two years, and is now
serving the third term ; has been Director of his school district fourteen years.
THOMAS METCAL.F, farmer, Sec. 9 ; P.O. Reedsburg; sou of Richard and Hannah
Ccoperi Metcalf; born in August, 1820, at Kilbourn. Yorkshire, England ; came to Wisconsin in 1852.
<i on See. 9. Excelsior, purchasing 80 acres; has since bought 108 acres more in this town; has
4o acres in Fr loni and 20 acres near Baraboo, making in all 308 acres. Mr. M. was married in Cox-
wold, England, April 10, 1847, to Mary Ann Brassington ; the children by this marriage arc Richard,
Alice, Ellen, now Mrs. Herbert Dauo ; Margaret, Jane and two sons named William are deceased. Mrs.
Metcalf died March 10, 1859. Mr. 31. was married in July, 1859, to Jane Hannah, daughter of John
and Elizabeth (Mclnnis) Hannah, of the Highlands of Scoilaud ; Mrs. Metcalf was born in Galloway-
shire, Scotland.
ISAAC W. MORLEY, farmer, Sec. 20 ; P. O. Ableman ; son of Thomas and Lillis
( Russell i Morley ; came In Wisconsin and entered the land where he now lives in May. IS 19, and look
possession in June. 1850; was engaged in farming and milling. In 1861, was elected County Superin-
tendent of Schools, being the first to hold that office in the county ; was re-elected and held the office four
years; was Town Superintendent of Schools for several years, and Town Clerk a short time. Has 363
acres of land. Was born in Mentor, Lake Co., Ohio, Sept. 2,1820; resided in Mentor previous to
coming to Wisconsin, except about three years spent in Kirtland, Ohio. Was married, Oct. 15, 1845, at
Kirtland, to Miss Maryette Smith, daughter of Elijah and Rachel Smith ; they have four boys and three
girls — Mary I,., now Mrs. R. C. Cole; Alvin II.. Lucius W., Thomas E., Harvey W., Leaphe R. and
Minnie E. Mr. and Mrs. Morley are members of the Congregational Church, Reedsburg. of which Mr.
Morley is Deacon. In politics, Mr. Morley is Republican.
FRANCIS X. PECK, tanner. See. 0; P. ( >. Reedsburg; sou of Newman and Sarah Cone
Peck . was horn duly 21 , 1830, in the town of Bristol, Hartford Co.. Conn., where he resided prior to his coming
onsin, June 10, 184 1, locating in the town of Caledonia, llacinc Co.; came to Sauk Co. March 29,
1856, and settled on Sec. 6, town of Dellona (now Excelsior). In 1857, he was elected Town Superin-
tendent of Schools ; at the first annual town meeting of Excelsior, held in April, 1858, he was elected
Supervisor ; in 1863, he was elected Town Clerk, and wa re-elected for each successive year till 1880, with
the exception of one year, having acted longer in that capacity than any other person ill tic counts : he
has been Justice of the Peace since 1875, was Chairman in 1868, now holds the position of Secretary of the
Sauk Co. Agricultural Society, and is the Republican candidate for Register of Deeds. Ele has I
of land. He was married Nov. 3, 1853. to Miss Klizi Jcnnette Montgomery, at Racine, Wis.; she is
the daughter of William and Caroline (Lovell) Montgomery; they have seven children — Carrie Iv,
Kate M. -now Mrs. (denies W. Randall), Agnes J., Tracy L-., Earl G., Grace L. and Ruby. Mr. Peck is
a member of the I iced -burg Congregational Church, and Mrs. Peck and daughter are members of the M. E.
Church.
EDWIX S. !M I. !»<!,. merchant, Ableman; son of .lames and Gerusha (Gilson) Pierce; was
born in Schaghiicokc N. Y, Aug. 17. 1819 ; went with his parents to Canada, where they made their home
for awhile and then moved to Massachusetts, lie was married at Boston, Mass.. Dec. 25. 1 S 13. to Xarina.
if Benjamin and liehecca i i Smith i Tarbox ; thej have three children living and twqjdeo
Edwin II., Richard M. and Emma A.; Melville K. and Carrie, deceased Mr. Pierce came to Wisconsin
in 1854; settled in the village of Rig Spring. New Haven, A.dams Co.. and engaged in the boot and
si business, and afterward in general merchandise; came to Ableman, Sauk Co., April, 1 879, and opened
a general country store, where he is still in the business. lie held the office of Assessor two years and
Treasurer year, while residing in NV» Haven, Adams Co. Mr. Pierce and wife are rabers of the
V] E. Church ; Mr I', is a Republican in politics.
EDWARD P. RICHARDSON, P. 0. Ableman; son of Edward and Lorinda (Phillips)
Richardson; was bom in Brookfield Worcester Co., Mass., Oct. 19, 1847; lived in his native town till
TOWN OF EXCELSIOR. 785
1858, when he ca to Wisconsin; ho made his home al Hi- Spring, Adams Co., where, after reaching
manhood, he followed the business of fanning, buying and selling grain and live stock, and dealing in farm
machinery. He held the offices of Town Clerk and Justice of the Peace in New Haven, Adams Co.,
Wis. lie has 80 acres of land in that town. He ca to Sink Co. in 1877, and settled in Ahleinan.
town of Excelsior, where he new resides. He was married. Vug. '.'A, \<~i\. at Big Spring, to Miss Addie.
daughter of W. S. and Mary A. Pierce; they have one child. Sidney [•'.. Mr. Richardson's mother's
father, John E. Phillips, was a relative of Wendell Phillips; he was a soldier of the Revolution, and was
104 years and 8 months old at the time he died ; it is a fact worthy of note that he voted at every Presi-
dential election, from Washington's till Lincoln's second election. Mr. Richardson is the present Justice
of the Peace at Ableman, and is engaged in selling farm machinery and dealing in produce, stock and
grain. In politics, he is a Republican.
JOI1X D. SANFORD, farmer. Sec. 3 ; P. 0. Reedsburg ; son of Abram and Priscilla
(Hambly) Sanford ; was born in Cazenovia, Madison Co., N. V. Nov. 17. 1820; removed in childhood
with his parents to Oneida Co., N. V., where he resided till 1850, when he came to Wist sin, settling in
il: town of II Istmrg on Sees. 32 and 33; resided in Reedsburg twenty-five years, when he changed
his residence to See. :i, in Excelsior. He was married. Dec. 22, 1876, to Mjss Ellen, daughter of John
and Lydia (Denton) Dyson; they have three children — Lilly. Walter and Edna. Mr. Sanford has a
well-improved farm of .'J20 acres.
ADAM SCHUESTER, farmer, See. 34; P. 0. Ableman; son of Adam and Catharine
Sehuester ; was horn in Wittenberg, Germany, July 17, 1832 ; came to the United States in June, 1857,
and settled in the town of Freedom, Sauk Co., Wis. ; after five years' residence in this town, removed to
iled on See. 34 ; lias 141! acres. Was married Pee. 1, 1860 ; they have seven children
— Heinrich, August, Frank, John, William, Mary and Elizabeth.
FREDERIC C. SCHLLTE, hotel-keeper, Ableman; son of Carl and Fredericka Schulte;
was born July 27, 1846, at Westphalia, Prussia ; came with his parents to the United States in 1857, and
located in the town of Westfield, Sauk Co. ; after about four years spent in this town, Frederic C. went
to Sauk City, and to Ableman in 1876. Was married. Nov. 12, 1871, to Caroline Pohlmann, daughter of
John and Catharine Pohlmann ; they have lour children — Frederic. Alvina, Walter and Lena. P. < ).
Ableman.
CHRISTIAN SHALE, farmer. Sec. 35; P. 0. North Freedom; son of Ferdinand and
Agnes I. ouch I Shale ; was born in Lycoming Co., Penn., Nov. 13, 1817. Was married at Hebron, Penn.,
June 26, 1835, to Margaret Baringer, daughter of John F. and Margaret F. | I '.rich Baringer ; they
have had ten children, six girls and four boys — Catharine Sophia, Frederic, John, Mary. William, Eliza-
beth, Emma, Ellen and Charles II dei i . Mary is now Mrs. David Wolfl', residing in Iowa ; Sophia
is nmv Mrs. Henry Wolff, residing in Iowa; Catharine is Mrs. Charles Klumpp ; Elizabeth is Mrs. Will-
iam Sipp, and Emma is Mrs. Charles Hengstler. Mr. Shale resided in his native town till 1858, when he
Wisconsin, and settled on Sec. .'!.">. Excelsior. Sauk Co.; his three sons arc in Dakota, near Wat-
Mr. S. has been Supervisor id' Excelsior three years ; has 160 acres of land.
ABRAM SILVERXAIL, farmer. Sees. 7 and 8; P, 0. Reedsburg; son of Nicholas and
Maria (Miller) Silvernail ; was born in Ancram, Columbia Co., N. V.. Aug. 13, 1827. Was married.
Dec. 11, 1843, at Hillsdale, N. V., to Anna Maria Kilmer, daughter of Jacob Kilmer; they have one
sou. Ja\ 1). In S-ptemher. l-.">o. the family came to Wisconsin, locating at Genesee, Waukesha Co.,
where they lived till February, 1879, when they came to Sauk Co., and settled on the farm of 120 acres
which is ;
CHRISTOPHER STACKMAXX, farmer. See. 36 ; P. 0. North Fr lorn ; was born in
the Circuit of Bromberg, Province of'Posen, Prussia, Sept. 14, 1827 ; came to the I uited States in IS64,
in Westchester Co., N. Y., aboul four years; he then came to Wisconsin in 1868, and settled on
i. where he has 80 acres of land. He was married in Prussia, in 1856, to Caroline Zilke
(deceased'; has five children, one girl and four boys — Mary. Paul. Theodore. Julius and Edward. Is a
memberof the Baptist Church, North IV
CHARLES S. TI'RXER, farmer and carpenter. See. 29 ; was horn in Chautauqua Co., N.
Y., Jan. 30, lS3li; learned the carpenter's trade. Was married Feb. II, 1863, to Angie Ball.
of Stephen and Abigail Ball ; had two children by this marriage — Herbert and Romney Leigh d
Mrs. Turner died Nov. 1. 1868. Mr. Turner was married July 8, 18C9. to M..! ighter of
Robert Cooper; they have four children — Charles Glynne, Lenedie, Robert C and Benjamin. Mi T
786 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
came to Wisconsin in 1866, and located on Sec. 29, Excelsior, where he now resides; has 185 acres of
1 1 1 1- 1 . Mr. Turner was one of the victims of the hop crash in L868, he having that season 15 acres under
■ res that he is cultivating, and has faith thai a persistent effort in the business
will brin- success. .Mr. Turner was elected Town Clerk in L868, and served in that rapacity.
EI>\YAK1> C. WATSOX, hotel-keeper, Ableman; son of Ebenezer and Mary (Corbin i Wat-
son ; was born in Bradford, Merrimack Co., N. EL, Sept. 24, 1833; lived in New Hampshire till 1848,
when he went to Boston, and in the spring of 1850, came to Wisconsin, located in Sauk City; in the fall of
the same year came to Baraboo; in May. 1855, came to Ableman. Was married May 15, 1855. to Miss
Laura K. Ableman, only daughter of Col. S. V. 1!. Ableman . her mother's name was Elizabeth (Jarvis)
Ableman; Mrs. Watson was born in Albany. N. i'. ; thej have one child — Ellen F. Mr. Watson lias
been Chairman if the town of Freedom, when it included the south portion of what is now Excelsior, was
also town Clerk ; has been Chairman of Excelsior three years, and Superintendent of schools two years. Mr.
Watson is proprietor of the Charter House, at Ableman ; has 200 acres of land in Excelsior, Sees. 27 and
32. Mrs. Watson's father, Mr. S. V. R. Ableman, was one of the pioneers of Sauk Co. ; he has been
prominently identified with the public interests of the county. More appropriate mention will be made of
the Colonel in connection with the general history.
LAWRENCE WATSOi\, farmer, Sec. 12; 1'. O. Baraboo, Wis. In 1850, at the age of 4
years, beinn an orphan. Lawrence was taken into the family of William AVatson, a resident of Franklin,
N. J. In 1854, Mr. William "Watson purchased 160 acres of land in the present town of Excelsior, Sauk
Co., Wis. In 1858, he moved his family to this farm. Mr. Lawrence Watson's name was established by
act of Legislature in 1805. He was married in Excelsior, Nov. 27, 1877, to Delia A. Elliott, daughter
of Charles and Calisla ,■ Chamberlain! Elliott. Mrs. Watson was born in Mecklenberg, Schuyler Co., N.
Y. ; they have three children— Edith E., Eva C. (twins), and Charles T. Mr. Watson was elected Chair-
man of "his town in 1878, and re-elected in 1879 and 1880, being the present incumbent ; was Supervisor
in 1875, Treasurer in 1876 and 1877, and Justice of the Peace in 1874. He has a well-improved farm
of 120 acres; occupation, former.
JACOB WEICHER. wagon and carriage maker, Ab'eman ; son of Peter and Annie i Simon
Weicher. was born in Rochester. N. Y., Aug. 7, 1850; lived there till 1871, then came to Milwaukee,
Wis., stopped there a few months and then went to Sun Prairie. Dane Co. ; here Mr. W. carried on a
wagon -bop for nearly six years, and in 1880. came to Ableman, Sauk Co., his present residence, and
agon shop. Was married in July, 1870. to Mary Kleiner, daughter of E, and
Sophia Kleiner ; they have one child — Peter. Mr. W. has recently bought the old grist-mill, and has
fitted it up into a Hue wagon-shop.
3IENZO WIXXIK. farmer. Sec. 12; P.O. Reedsburg ; son of Cornelius and Mary (Case)
Winnie; was born in Blenheim, Schoharie Co., N. Y.. Nov. 9, 1840 resided in his native place till 1844,
when, with his parents, he moved to Wisconsin ; the family settled in Walworth Co.; remained there till
1850, and then moved to Sauk Co., locating in the town of Reedsburg, on Sec. 12; in 1800, Mr. Winnie
purchased and look possession of his present farm in Excelsior; the farm contains 160 acres. Mr. Win-
nie was married, March 28, 1867, at Baraboo, to Percis, daughter of Henry and Maria Gardner; they
have two children— Alma and Ernest, Mr. Winnie served about two years in the late war; enlisted Dec.
31, 1861, in Co. A. 19th W. V. I.
TOWN OF LAVALLE.
H. I*. APKKilt. Lavalle, of the firm of 11. P. >V E. E. Apker, liverymen and proprietors
0f [ronton and i ine. Mr Apker was born in Lycoming Co., Penn., May 23, L825 ; son
of Peter and Charlotta (Meyers Apker; when 2:i years of age, went to Stephenson Co., 111., was en-
gaged in farming and mill business; after two years, camo to Baraboo, Wis., in 1850, Was married in
1*52. in Illinois, to Caroline Clay ; they had ( child, which died in infancy; Mrs. Apker died ill
March 10, 1855. Mr. Apker was married, Jan. 27, 1857, to Betsy E. Parker, daughter of
Chester G. and Electa Parker. Mrs. Apker was born in Onondaga Co., N. Y.; they have six children
- Edward I'... Man C, Harry P., Fanny E., Ina Et. and Clinton C; from Baraboo, Mr. Apker moved
to Woodland and engaged in farming ; in 1867, moved to Lavalle, and was engaged in the stave busi-
ness several years.; operated the carding-mill four years; in the spring of 1880, went into his present
business; has been Supervisor of Woodland one year, and of 1. avail, two years. Politics. Republican.
TOWN OF LAVALLE. Hit
S. P. BARNEY, retired merchant ; son of Royal and Rachel Barne3 , was born in Ellisburg,
Jefferson Co., N. Y., Sept. 3, 1819 ; when I years of age, wenl with his paren-s to Lorain ('....Ohio.
Was married there, Jan. 20 L 840, to Lydia, daughter of Joshua and Ruth Harrington. Mrs Barney
was born in Stockbridge, Madison Co., N. Y; they have three children II. S.. married to Annie \.
Potter, and living in Lavalle; Miranda L., now Mrs. Alonzo D rotter, living in the town of Lavalle; E.
K., married to Mary Allen. Mr. E. E. Barney is engaged in the drug and general merchandise business
at Lavalle. Mr. S. 1'. Barney and family came to Wisconsin in 1850, settled at Ft. Atkinson, Jefferson
Mr. B. iva< engaged in the drug and general merchandise business; in May. IS.")"), came to
Lavalle ; was engaged in farming aboul one and a half year- : then engaged as dealer in ■■• neral merchan-
dise; in Is.")'.', his More was burglarized to the extent of S600; Mr. B. then turned his attention to hop
and tobacco growing; in 1873, Mrs. Barney died. The following year, Mr. 1! resumed the drug and
general merchandise business at Lavalle: in 1876, sold out to his son. E E. who now carries on the busi-
ness. Mr. Barney was appointed the first Postmaster of Lavalle, by President Pierce in 1856; served
about five years ; in 1859-60 was Assessor ; served two years as Town ( ■ ■ t.-d Chairman in
1870 previous to the transfer of Baraboo Valley R. It. to the C. & N. W. liy.. Mr. Barney was one of
the directors of the road ; Mr. Barney's parents came with him to Sauk Co ; his father died in 1858.
LYMAN BEERY, of the firm of Beery & Yager, millers ; was horn in Fairfield Co. Ohio,
Dee. II. 1845; -en of David and Sarah (Shisler) Beery. When about 6 years of age, went with his
parents to Delaware Co., Ohio; remained there three years, and then came to Stink Co., Wis. The
family located on See. 1, Town 13, Range3,now Lavalle. Mr. Beery was married, Jan. I. 1875, at Augusta,
Wis., to Adelia Andrews, daughter of Russell and Caroline (Noble) Andrews, Mrs. Beery was born in
Morrow Co., Ohio ; they have three children — Elna A., Ada and Lodema. Was engaged in farming
for three years; spent two years traveling in Iowa and Wisconsin ; then located in the village of Lavalle,
and engaged in the lumber and warehouse business; January, 1879, bought into Lavalle Flouring Mills ;
Chairman of Lavalle for the past three years ; is the present incumbent ; has been Town Clerk
one yi ar, and is the present School District Clerk ; polities. Republican ; has six acres of hind where he
resides.
THOMAS CAMERON, wagon and carriage maker, Lavalle ; son of Abraham and Annie
(Stephens) Cameron ; was born in Indiana Co., Penn., June 26, 1849 ; came with his parents to Wis-
consin in 1850; settled near Baraboo. Sauk Co.; remained there about ten years; in I860 moved to
the town of Lavalle, Sec. 36. Mr. Cameron was married at Lavalle, March 4, 1873, to Addie Fuller;
they have one child — May; soon after his mat riage, Mr. Cameron moved to Lavalle and commenced
business as a wairon and carriage maker; in politics, Mr. C. is a Republican; Mrs. Cameron is a member
of the Methodist Church.
PATRICK CARROLL, farmer, Sec. 24 ; P. O. Lavalle: was horn in Tipperary Co., Ire-
land, in L830 ; son of Patrick and Jane (Cooper) Carroll ; came to the United States in 185] ; spent one
winter in Albany, and, in the spring of 1852, went to Schoharie Co., N. Y.; remained there till the fall
of 1855; came 'to Sauk Co., Wis.; settled at Reedsburg ; lived th'ere six years. Was married, Jan. 24,
I860, to Bridget Casey, daughter of John and Mary (O'Gara) Casey; their children are John,
Jane, Mary deceased i, Ellen, Patrick, Annie, William and Margaret . ; in 1861, he moved to Lavalle and
settled on See. 24 ; has 80 acres of land ; Mr. Carroll was Clerk of School District No. 13 three years.
and Treasurer six years; Mr. Carroll and family are Catholics; in polities. Mr. C. is a Democrat.
THOMAS J. CLARK, farmer. Sec. S; I. O. Lavalle; sou of Justus B. and Matilda
(Carver) Clark ; was bom in Milwaukee Co., Wis., March 26, L847 ; when N years of age, went to
Jefferson Co., Wis., and in 1865, to Juneau Co.; in the fall of 1868 moved to Lavalle, Sauk Co.,
settling on Sue 8. Was married in Juneau Co., April-!), 1874, to Sophronia Lane, daughter of
Daniel and Mary Green) Lane. Mrs. ('. was horn in the town of Lavalle. Sank Co.; they have four
children — George J., Justus B., Homer X. and Jasper II. Mr. Clark's father (Justus Clark i was bom
in Rutland Co., Vt.; moved to the State of New Yoik. and, in 1832, to the Territory of Wisconsin ; set-
tled near Milwaukee, which was then only an Indian trading-post; when the land came into market he
entered l quarter section ; about 1 SOS, he moved to Sauk Co., where be now resides town of Lavalle).
Mr. T. J. Clark has 1 a Clerk of his School District No. 12; politics. Democrat.
GEORGE W. DICKENS, farmer, See. 35; I'. O. Lavalli ; was born in
N. Y, March 14, 1823; son of Philip and Lucy (Rathbone) Di kens. Was married, Sept. 6, 1846, in
Cayuga Co., X. Y, to Miry Clark) Mallon ; Mrs. Dickens was born in Woolwich, England they have
had ten children — Sarah M. (now Mrs. William II. Field, residence Lavalle , If John M.
788 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
(married to Mary A. Gear, residence Lavalle), Lucy J. (now Mrs. K. Leigh), George (deceased), Lydia
(now Mrs. V. Courtier, of Ironton). Idellah M. (now Mrs. James Courtier, also of the town of Ironton"),
Ellsworth E., Maston and Mary A. In 1848, Mr. Dickens ami family came to Wisconsin and made their
home in Past Troy, Walworth Co., living there six years; moved to Sauk Co. in 1854, and settled mi Sec.
35, Town 13, Range 3 (now Lavalle!, where they still reside; have Sil acres of land. Mr. Dickens
enlisted, Oct. 18, 1861, in Co. It. 12th W. V.I.,and served till Oct. 28, 1864 ; has been Treasurer of his
school district one year, and Assessor of the town of Lavalle one year. Polities. Republican.
BENJAMIN C. DOUGLASS, of the firm of II. W. Douglass & Co., butchers. Lavalle; was
born in Windham. Conn., Oct. 25, 1826; son of Henry W. and Sophia ( Crandall) Douglass; when 1 ,
years of age, lie went to Rhode Island ; resided in Pawtucket ; subsequently moved to Charleston, R. I.,
where he was overseer of the carding in the Caroline Cotton Mills five years. He was married at Paw-
tucket, R. 1 . April 9, 1848, to Abbie A. Salisbury, daughti r of Joseph and Lydia Salisbury ; Mrs. Doug-
lass w s born in Maine; they have had four children — Henry C. (married to Viola Watkins, living in
Lavalle), Joseph A. I married to Susan Burdick, living in the town of Lavalle . Rose > who died at I 2 years
oid Harry W. (married to Alice Graham i ; II. W. is in partnership with his father in the butcher-
in- business al Lavalle. Mr. Douglass enlisted, in 18(12, in Co. I ', 26th Conn. V. I., and served about a year ;
at the siege of l'ort Hudson, he escaped a broken thigh by his steel tobacco-box and a plug of tobacco
catching an Enfield rifle ball ; as it was, he was knocked down by the force of the ball and rendered unfit
for duty for several days ; Mr. D. cherishes that ball as an interesting relic of the war. In 1867, he came
to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Lavalle, Sauk Co , Sec. 23 ; he has 164 acres of land ; rented his
farm in 1878, and came to the village of Lavalle. where he engaged in his present business. Mr. I), has
\irru a member of the Town Board of Lavalle three years. 1'olities. Republican. Mrs. D. is a member of
the S „.d Advent Church.
HENRY C. DOUGLASS, fanner. Sec. 15 ; P. O. Lavalle; was born in Pawtucket. Mass..
Jan. 31, 1849 ; son of I!. C and Abbie A. < Salisbury i Douglass ; when about 5 years of age, he went to
Windham Co., Conn., and remained there till 1868; then the family moved to Wisconsin, and settled in
Sauk Co., town of Lavalle, Sec. 2:!. He was married, March 2. 1873, to Lucy V. Watkins, daughter of
<) G. and Louisa Watkins; Mrs. Douglass was born in Fairfield, Sink Co., Wis. ; they have three ehil-
dn ii i" orge II . Ann V. and Elvira M. Tn the spring of 1873, he moved to his present home. Sec. 15;
has 30 acres of land ; spent one year in Lavalle in clerking; has been Assessor two years, and is serving
his third term as Justice of the Peace ; was Census Enumerator, for 1880, of Lavalle. Mr. and Mrs D.
are members of the Second A<l\cnt Church. Politics, Republican.
JOHN W. FINDUAY, farmer. Sec. 10 ; P. 0. Lavalle ; son of James and Ruth ( DeVaughn
Findlay ; born in Baltimore, Md., Aug. 2 1, 1 s:-',s ; when about (i years of age, went with his father to
Philadelphia, and in May, 1851, came to town of Freedom, Sauk Co., Wis. Was married, Jan. 3, 1859,
at Baraboo, to Miranda A. Allen, daughter of Abram and Eliza (Hatch) Allen; Mrs. Findlay was born
in Le Raysville, Jefferson Co. Y V. ; they have three children Andrew A., Prank P. and Ruth E.
Lived in the vicinitj of Baraboo loi -event! years, and in March. 1859 moved to Lavalle, settling on Sec.
Id; has lil acres. In politics, Mr. P. is a Republican. Mrs. Pindla\ is a member of the Advent Christian
Church ; her father Abram Allen, came to Sauk Co. June S, [846, and settled near Baraboo.
JAMES FORDHAM, farmer, Sec. 25; P.O. Reedsburg ; son of James and Mary Ann
fParish) Fordham ; was horn in Essexshire, near L Ion, England, Jan. 9,1824; came to America,
landing at Quel in the spring of 1 829 ; lived there several years, moved to Buffalo, and shortly after
\ Y ; came to Wisconsin in L845, and made his home in Mount Pleasant, Racine
Co.; in 1851, moved to Sauk Co., stopped at I! Ishurir. and participated in the first election Was
married al Newport. Wis., Jan. 1. 1854, to Nancy A. Carbine, daughter of .Michael and Mary Carbine;
Mrs. F. was born in Ohio ; they have had eleven children — George IP. Emerette P, . now Mrs. Lewis
Menard, living at Milwaukee ; Addie, deceased ; \nne deceived \ i..la deceased; Elizabeth, deceased ;
Mary. Frank, James, Ignes and John, all born in Sauk Co. Came to Lavalle in 1861, and settled on
Sec 25; ha- 200 - of laud. Mr. Fordham enlisted in March. 1865, in Co. E, 50th W. V. [. ; served
till April 2<i. 1866. lias been Supervisor of Laval! year; has been three years Treasurer of his
school district, and Director nine years ; is the present incumbent Politics, Democrat.
ASA GrAIiE, of the firm of Gale Pros., Lavalle, dealers in lumber, sash, doors, agricultural
implemer tl farm produce; business was established Jan. I. 1874; successors to Berrj &
Gale Mr. V.sa Gale is the son of Stephen and Eunice (Weaver) Gale; horn in Schoharie Co., N. V
: !" when I iyearsofage, went with his parents to Walworth Co., Wis.; remained there
TOWN OF LAVALLE. 789
about Four years, and then removed to Adams Co. Enlisted in March, L865, in Co. A, 19th W. V. I.,
served till the close nf the war. Was married, in Adams Co., in May, 1871, to Ella Ketcham, daughter
of Jesse and Eli/.a Ketcham ; Mrs. G. was born in N" > ■ w Y irk ; they have two children -Aggie ami Maud.
In 1871, went to Thayer, Kan., and engaged in the hardware business; after two years' residence in
Kansas, came to Lavalle, Wis., ami engaged in his present business. Has been Treasurer of Lavalle five
_\. Mrs ami is iln' ], resent incumbeut. Politics, Republican.
HARVEY GIFFORD, proprietor of saw-mill; residence and mill situ; 1 on Big Creek,
See. L2 ; P. 0. Lavalle. The mill was built by Mr. Gifford in 1868 ; saws ahum 1,500 feet per day, hah
pine and hardwood lumber; market. Lavalle, four miles distant. Mr. Gifford was born in Schoharie Co .
N. Y.. Feb. II. 1844; son of Lewis and Rosina (Schermerhurn) Gifford; came with his parents to Wis-
consin in the fall of 18 15 ; the family located in the town of Summit . Waukesha Co. ; resided there till
1857 ; then came to Sauk Co., and settled in the village of Keedsburg ; after three years, removed to a
farm in the same town. In 1867, Mr. Harvey Gifford came to the town of Lavalle, and settled on Big
Creek, See. 12; ha- 30 acn - of land in this section, beside 27 acres in Juneau Co. ; built the sawmill
which he now owns and operates. Was married, Dee. L'.'i, lsiis, in Rock Co., to Coralin Fessendea
daughter of Aaron and Jane Baker i Fesseiideti . Mrs. Gifford was born in Illinois ; they have three chil-
dren— Lewis, Elnora and Alma. Mr. G. has been Director of School District No. 10 eleven years, h
politics, Democrat.
HENRY G. HEAD, fanner, Sec. 9; P. O. Lavalle; son of Henry G. and Bettj (Wilbur)
Head , was horn in Schenectady Co., X. Y.. Oct, 2, 1825. Was married, Aug. 31, 1848, at Cobbleskill,
Schoharie Co., N. Y., to Marie Seaee, daughter of John and Mary (Goodram i Seaee ; Mrs. Head was horn
in Suffolkshire, England ; her people came to the United States in 1831, and settled in Albany, N. Y. ;
have had seven children — John l deceased at '_'o vcars of age i, James, Charles, Annie, < iilbert, William and
Julia. Mr. Head enlisted Feb. ;i. 1865, in£o. D, 192d N. Y. V. I.; served till the close of the war.
In March, 1869, came to Wisconsin, and settled in Sauk Co., town of Lavalle; has eighty acres of lacd.
Politics. Democrat.
WELLINGTON S. HUBBELL, farmer, Sec. 35; P. 0. Lavalle: was born in Otsego
Co., N. Y. Feb. 8, 1828 ; son of Zalman and Cinda (Beardsley) Hubbell ; while quite young, moved with
his parents to Chenango Co., X. Y. ; in 1850. came to Wisconsin; made a short stop of one year at
Beaver Dam ; in the spring of 1851 located in [ronton (site of the present mill-power there); had
learned the trade of carpenter and joiner; worked at his trade in various places in the Wet:
in 1854, traveled in Ohio and New York. He was married in Utica, Licking Co., Ohio, Oct
18, 1854, to Mary Patrick, a daughter of Alanson and Dorinda Patrick; Mrs. Huhhell was horn in
the State of New York; they have had six children — Eugene W., Ella G., Henry A., Florence
M. dei eased . Charles E. deceased), and Myrtie E. In the fall of 1854, Mr. II. sold his fronton prop-
erly to Mr. Tower; in the fall of the same year he came to Wisconsin and bought his present farm, the
northeast quarter of Sec. 35, Town l:>. Range :i, now Lavalle ; in the spring of ls~>f>, he moved his family-
out : his farm was originally a favorite maple-sugar ground of the Indians. Mr. Huhhell has been Jus ice
of the I'.ace one term and is now serving the second ; was drafted in October, 1864; the situation of his
family making it inconvenient for him to go, he furnished a substitute. Mr. and Mrs. H. are members of
the Congregational Church. Politics. Republican.
WILLIAM IttllV. blacksmith' and wagonmaker, Lavalle; was horn at Nassau, Germany,
1844; son of George and Mica Rehm Kuhn. came to the United States in 1866, and located
in Wisconsin ; worked at. his trade about a year in Wonewoc, and the same time in Mansion ; then wenl
to Monroe Co., where he was married, Nov. 20, 1869, to Annie Hansen, daughter of Lambert and Celie
Ilamloeh i Hansen; Mrs. Kuhn was horn in Germany; they have five children — August W., Celie
Adelia, Maggie and Annie. Mr. Kuhn and family came to Lavalle in October, 1875, and opened the shop1
where he now does business ; has three lots. Mr. Kuhn served one and a half years in the Austrian
army. Politics. Democratic. Mr. and Mrs. Kuhn are members of the Catholic Church.
SAMUEL LIVESLEY, farmer, hop-grower and dealer in Imps, Sec 25; P. 0. Lavalle;
horn in Cheshire. England, Dee, L'.i. ls:;u. sun of George and Esthei Waddoll , Livesley ; came to tin
United States in 1841, with his parents; lived in Geauga Co., Ohio, about four years; then returned to
England; learned the trade of sail-making, and returned to the United States in 1848; sailed on the lakes
till 1850, when he sailed for California via Cape I lorn , was at San Francisco at. the time of the great fire ;
sailed again, making the Sandwich and South Sea Islands and South America; followed the sea about
nine years ; made twenty seven passages of the Atlantic in the merchant service. He was marrii <
790 BIOGRAPHll AX SKETCHES:
in England, to Margaret Maddock, daughter of Robert unci Elizabeth Maddock. Mrs. L. was burn in
Cheshire, England ; they have ten children — Robert M., Esther E., Lizzie, George l\. Minnie. Thomas A.,
William .J.. Charles, Magnus A. and Samuel W. Mr L. and family returned to the United States in
1S57, and settled in the town of Iiccdsburg, Sank Co.. Wis ; moved to [ronton in 1861 ; remained there
till 1873, when they moved to Lavalle ; located on Sec. 25, their present farm; has I.'hi acres of land
Mrs. L., and son Robert, are members of the Congregational t'liureh. Mr. L. is Republican in politics.
THADEUS S. MARTIN, farmer. See. 1 ; P.O. Lavalle ; son of Samuel and Lucy (Tarbell)
Martin; horn in Franklin Co.. Vt., July 10, 1832. He was married, March 29, 1854, at Shell, urn.
Vt., to Elizabeth Lewis, daughter of William Lewis; Mrs. M was horn in Quebec,
Canada; they have seven child* n— George W., married to Nancy Pheasanden, living in Wonewoc ; Emma
J., Herbert II.. Hattie A.. Lillian B.. Edward L. and Byron W. In May. 1855, came to Wisconsin, and
ille, Wis.; in January. 1856, moved to Sauk Co., Wis., See. 1. Lavalle; has 120 acres.
He was Justio of the Peace two years, and Clerk of School District No. 10 about fifteen years. Mr. M.
enlisted, November, 1864, in Co. 1>, 18th W. V. I.; served till the close of the war. Mrs. Martin died
in February. 1880. Mr. Martin is a member of the Second Advent Church. Politics, Republican.
FREDERIC MEYERS, proprietor of billiard and sample rooms, Lavalli ; born in Germany,
Oct. 17. 1848; sen of Henry and Dora .Waller u to the United States in 1868; arrived in
Reedsburg, Sauk Co., Wis., May 26; engaged iii farming that .summer; attended school the following
winter, and lie next spring went to Iowa; worked al railroading till the spring of 1871, then came to
Sauk Co., Wis ; wem to work on tbeW. W. R. II., and afterward was engaged on the ('. ,V N. W It. R.,
Madison Division, one year ; spent one winter in the woods getting out bridge timber ; met with a severe
by a cut from a broad-ax, which resulted in a permanent lameness. Finding himself unfit for
a live labor, he opened bis present sample rooms, lie was married. Dee 29, ls-7s. at \\
Aiiek.-i Schwartz, daughter of Jo>cph and Arieka i /: Mrs. Meyers was born in Milwaukee.
Wis ; they have two children— Alta and Henry K,
WENZ M III liRATER, farmer. See. 17; P.O. Lava i Matthiasand Annie M.
M hlbauer; bom in Baden, Germany, Sept, 25, 1834; came to the United Stales in 1854;
arrived at N< w York. May 14, after a five mouths' voyage ; spi nl a short time in that city ; then went to
ipped at West Killiiucr. nee Providence, till 1855; then cam.' to Wausau, Wis. He
was married at this place. March 15, 1857, to Elizabeth Kuiiz. daughter of George and Margaret I Rohm )
Kunz; Mrs. Mihlbauer was born in Germany; tl children — Anna ('.. Phillip J.. .Mary and
Emil. In December, 1857, Mr. M. and I'amiK moved to Sauk Co., and settled on Sec. 7. Lavalle; subse-
moved to his present farm ; has 1 ill) acres, more than 1 00 of which is under g 1 cultivation. Mr.
M. enlisted, Oct. 24, 1864, in Co. D, 44th W. V. I.; served till the close oi the war lie has been Super-
visor of Lavalle fur eight years; been Director of bis school district, No. 6, three years, and Treasurer
Politics, Democrat. Mr. and Mrs. M. are members of the Catholic Church.
JEWETT X. NYE, farmer and manufacturer of the Taylor harrow, Lavalle, was born in Somer
Maine, Feb. 1. 1840; sun of Sewell and Ann l Nutting) Nye. When (1 years of age, came with
his parents to Wisconsin; lived at Fitcbburg, Dane County. Was married. April '.». 1865, at Evansville,
Rock Co., Wi to Ella A. Dougherty, daughter of Smith and Harriet Dougherty; Mrs. Nye was born
in Maine; they have four children Zella M. Arthur W., Arvie B. and Irwin D. In 1866, movedto Rock
Countj . lived there two year-, ami then returned to Dane County ; stopped till 1^7."> . went to Mitchell
Co.. [own: was engaged in fanning; after a year, returned to Fitcbburg, and, in 1877, came to Sauk
County and engaged in the flouring-mill business, under the firm name of Nye & Yager; followed this
business in 1878 and 1879, about one and a half years ; then sold out to Mr. Lyman Beerey ; has 140
acres of land en See. 28 ; poli'iis, Republican.
R. ii. PADDOCK, merchant and Postmaster, of the lino oi Keith A Paddock Lavalle, sou
of Daniel and f Paddock, was born at Vienna, Oneida Co., N. Y., Nov. M. 1827; was
married at Clinton, V Y. Sept. 12, 1856, to Hattie Davis, daughter of Charles Davis, Mrs. Paddock
died Aug. 6, 1857; in May. 1858, Mr. Paddock came to Wisconsin aid settled in [ro n Village ; June
:!. of that year, commenced business there as a dealer in general mi rchandisa ; was married. Jan. in. 1859,
at Clinton, N. Y .. to Harriet hes. daughter of Silas Ives; tloy have three children — Cora L , Herbert
E. ami Can!.- M, .Mr. Paddock was Town Clerk one year and Justice of the Peace four years; was
appointed Postmaster of [ronton by President Buchanan ; served till 1S71 ; was elected Sheriff of Sauk
County in the fall of 1870; -Ian. 1. 1871, moved to Baraboo ; remained there the two years billowing;
i i i 1876. Min 1 mnv»d ie Lavalle where he led previously established a
TOWN OF LAYALLE. "!,1
store (1873); was appointed Postmaster of Lavalle July 1,1876, h\ Presidenl Grant; is the present
incumbent ; Mr. Paddock is of the firm of Keith & Paddock, manufacturers of light barrel staves; they
have one factory at Reedsburg and another at Lavalle. Mr. E. A. Miller is associated with them in the
stave business; the capacity of the two mills is about one and a half million slaves annually; Keith &
Paddock buy ties and wood for the C. & N.-W. R. R. Co.; they purchase about 50,000 ties and 1,500
cords of Wood a year.
MANELIOLS PEARSON, farmer, See. 34; i'. O. [ronton; was born near Bradford,
Yorkshire, England, in 1810 ; was married in the same shire, in 1832, to Sarah Roe, daughter of Thomas
and Sarah Roe; Mrs. Pearson was born in England; Mr Pearson came to the United States in 1841;
stopped one year in Indiana; then came to Columbia Co., Wis.; in 1848, moved to Sank County : located
on Government land, in Sec. 34, Town 13, Range 3, now Lavalle, took up 160 acres; Mr. P. built the
first house in the town, his only white neighbors being some hunters living in shanties; shortly after-
ward, several English families settled near him — the Harrisons. Jossnps John and Joseph), the Thorn-
tons, Tordoffs and others. Mr. Pearson has increased his acreage till he now has 344 acres; in 1847, he
had returned to England and brought his family to this country the following year ; there are six children
— Charles, married to Martha Harrison, and living in the town of (ronton ; Martha, now Mrs. James
Harrison, also of I ronton ; Isaac, married to Emily Mallon, and residing in Lavalle ; Mary (deceased),
Mary A., the first white child born within the territory now called Lavalle, now Mrs. George luman, of
the town ol Lavalle; Thomas, married to Martha Greenhalgh, and Christopher (.'., married to Eliza
Greenhalgh, also of Lavalle. Mr. Pearson was one of the lirst Supervisors of the town. Charles was a
f Co B, 12th W. V. I. ; Isaac was a member ..I Co. F, 35th W. A'. I.; George Enman of Co. B.
12th VV. V. 1. Politics. Democrat.
CHRISTOPHER C. PEARSOX, son of Manelious and Sarah i Hoc i Pearson, was born
in Laval!,. Sauk Co., Wis.; was married to Eliza, daughter of Peter and Anna (Crook) Greenhalgh.
Mrs. Pearson was horn in Yorkshire, England; they have three children— Harry, Edwin aud one girl
unnamed
A. D. POTTER, farmer. Sec. 16 . P. <). Lavalle; was horn in Bainbridge, N. Y., Aug. 27,
L837; is the son of Elisha and Climena (Calkins) Potter; Mr. Potter's father was a miller by trade ; he
moved to Waterville, , Oneida Co., N. Y.. and from there to Otsego Co., and in 1844 to Leonardsville,
Madison ; three years afterward returned to Otsego Co., town of South Edminston ; lived there about
six years. mmI in 1853 came to Wisconsin, and settled in Town 13, Range 3, now Lavalle. locating on
See." 16. A. D. married, Dec. 31, 1865, at Reedsburg, Miranda, daughter of S, P. and Lydia (Harring-
ton Barnej . she was horn in Lorain Co., Ohio; they have four children- Nellie M.. Herbert E. (who
died when nearly 3 years of age), Burr S. and one unnamed. Mr. Potter has been Supervisor of Lavalle
two years. Assessor one year, and Director of his school district three years, politically, he is a Democrat.
He has 1 60 acres of land.
W. \\ . RATHRl'X. lumberman and farmer, See. 24 ; was horn in Steuben Co., X. ^ . Sept
29. 1824; son of Thomas and Nancy < Yroman , Rathbun ; when 17 years of age. went to Madison, Wis..
resided near Madison from 1844 till 1855 ; was employed as pilot on the Mississippi and Wisconsin Rivers,
in ihe lumber business; in 1855, purchased the land where he now resides He was married in the sum-
mer of 1858, at Reedsburg, to Julia A., daughter of Israel and Calista i Mosier) Perry; Mrs. it. was hern in
Vermont ; her father was a grand-nephew of Commodore Perry; they have had four children, of whom
only two are living; Adolbert died when 7 years id' age, James when 1 year old ; William and Julia are
living. Mr. Rathbun has been Chairman of Lavalle four years, and Justice oi the Peace two terms, lie
isV.G of] O.O. I'. Lodge, No. 244, Lavalle He has 260 acres of land.
WILLIAM RARLCK, farmer, See. 19; P. 0. Lavalle; son ol John and Dorathj I
was horn in Germany March 25, 1828; earn- to the United States in is I, ; stopped near Mil-
waukee. Wis., till the fall of 1851, then came to Sauk Co. Was married July S, 1852, in Lavalle, to
Sarah Ann Karstetter, .laughter of Sebastian and Elizabeth Karstetter ; Mrs. Rabuck was born in Ohio;
they have thirteen childien, all living — Joseph II.. ma tried to Cornelia Gardner, residence, town of La Valle ,
Mary M.. now Mrs. J. H. Karstetter, also of Lavalle; William S., John W., Albert A.. Edward N.,
Jane S., Charles E.. Frank P., Levi II., George A. and Arthur R. Mr. R. located on Sec. 19, Lavalle;
has 314 acres oi land. He enlisted March. 1865, in Co. A. 52d W. V. I. . served till the eli.se of war.
When Mr. R. commenced the improvement of his land, he had the misfortune to lose an ox ; remember-
ing something of the customs of the " Fatherland," he broke a cow to work with his odd os : the first time
he drove his new team to the village, it caused considerable amusement, but the experiment
''■'•- BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
all the same ; by training some more cows to work, he soon had a breaking-team ; his first wheat crop was
put in with a grub-hoe, and yielded at the rate of fifty bushels to the acre ; this he sold to settlers for $1.25
per bushel ; Mr. R. manufactures sorghum sirup ; his sou Albert superintends the work ; they will make this
season 1,200 gallons ; when Mr. R. did his thrashing, and, was running his cane-mill at the same time, he had
to employ only one hand outside of his family ; Mrs. R. is a member of the Christian Church. In politics,
Mr. R. is a Democrat.
FRANK P. SANDFORD, farmer and hop-grower ; P. 0. Lavalle ; is the son of Joseph F.
and Ruthama (Parker) Sandford ; was born in Byron, Ogle Co., 111., Nov. 11, 1838; went with his
parents to Dubuque, Iowa, and from there to Shullsburgh, La Fayette Co., Wis.; in July 1848. the
family removed to Baraboo, Sauk Co.; the following spring they returned to Illinois; one year after they
returned to Baraboo. Frank P. was married at Baraboo, Oct. 1, 1857, to Sylvia Hammon ; she was bom
in Pennsylvania ; they had two children — Joseph F. was drowned when nearly 3 years old; Jessie R. died
in infancy. Mr. Sandford came to Reedsburg in the spring of 1S5II, and engaged in mercantile business;
ten years afterward be came to Lavalle, and was engaged in the mercantile business about six years, then
entered upon his present business of hop-growing and farming; he has 11 acres in hops ; he has 27] acres
of land. He was Chairman of Lavalle one year, and Treasurer three years ; in politics, he is a Republican.
GEORGE P. SANDFORD, money-loaner and dealer in real estate, Lavalle ; son of Joseph
F. and Ruthama (Parker) Sandford; was born in Byron, Ogle Co., 111., Deo. 24, 1S43 ; went with his
ii 1845 to Shullsburgh, Wis., and in 1848 to Baraboo. Sauk Co., to Delcon iu 1S57, to Reedsburg
in 1860, and to Lavalle in 1864. He was married May 7, 1878, at Reedsburg, to Mary, daughter of
John and Ann Hague; she was born in Winfield, Sauk Co.; they had one child, who died in infancy;
Mrs. Sandford's death occurred March 14, 1879. Mr. S. was engaged in Lavalle in the mercantile busi-
ne.-s and the manufacturing of tight-barrel staves. He was married at Garden Valley, Jackson Co., Wis..
-May 26, 1880, to Mary B., daughter of J. W and L. M. Leveretl ; she was born in Salem. Neb. Mr. S.
served as Postmaster of Lavalle from lS69to 1873; was Town Treasurer two years; was proprietor of
P. Sandford's addition to Lavalle; gave the C. &. N.-W. R. R. Co. the ground for depot and
right of way. He has 1,000 acres of land. In politics, he is a Republican.
JOSEPH F. SANDFORD, merchant and dealer in general merchandise, Lavalle; son of Jared
and Abagail ( Wooster) Sandford ; born in Prospect, New Haven Co., Conn., -I ul \ 10, 1811 ; went to Penn-
sylvania when 1 f yens of age i 1825 | ; spent about seven years in Pennsylvania and New Hampshire, and
then went to Michigan ; after three years in this State, went to Illinois, locating at the present site of Rockford
i 1835i; his nearest neighbor was at Dixon Ferry, forty miles distant; as an incident of the times might be
mentioned his experience of going to the post office in company with a man named Garner ; Mr. Sandford
started for Cherry Grove, the nearest post office, forty-five miles away, to mail a letter; the snow was nearly
two feet deep, and they were obliged to camp two nights in the snow, being nearly frozen before reaching
office. Mr. S. was married at Dixon's Ferry, 111., Jan. 28. |s:;s, t < • Ruthama Parker, daughter
of Joel Parker; Mrs. Sandford was born at Stoekbridge, Oneida Co., N. Y. ; they have two sons —Francis P.,
married to Sylvia A. 1 [ammon, and living in the town of Lavalle ; (leorge P., married to Mary B. Levereli
and living in the village of Lavalle. In 1 S4.~p, moved to La Fayette Co., Wis., ami remained there three years ;
moved to Baraboo, Sank Co., in July, 184 s ; was engaged in business as a dealer in general merchandise ;
in 1850, opened the first store in Reedsburg ; the store was carried mi by K. M. Strong and O. II. Perry;
moved to Reedsburg in 1861, continued in business there till 1864, when he went to Lavalle and com-
in the stand now occupied by B. ti. Paddock; in addition to his mercantile business,
Mr. Sandford attends to the renting of his numerous buildings and to loaning money. Was appointed
Postmaster of Lavalle in 1863 and served till 1869. George P. acted as Postmaster from that time till
1873 Mr. 8. was proprietor of the original plat. Was Chairman of Lavalle one year and Treasurer
several ; i
JOHN SINCLEAR, farmer, See. 32 ; P. 0. [ronton ; son of Smalleyand Roxalana Sinclear ;
born in Niagara Co., N. V., Dec. 22. 1829; when I'd years of age, wenl to Cass Co., [nd. W.i.- married
in Logansport, [nd., June IT, L855, to Elizabeth J. Bates, daughter of [saac Bates; Mrs. Sinclear was
born in Indiana they have had ei".ht children, of whom six are living Julia, now Mrs. ( Iscar Bunker, of
Iowa; Deidama, now Mrs. John L. Beeson, living in Lavalle; Addie. now Mr,-. E. Hunker, of Lavalle;
Charles E., ('lemma and \|ina ; two died in infancy. In 1857, Mr. Sinclear and family moved to Wis-
0i i'ed in the village of I ronton, Sauk Co.. lived there eight years, then eame to Lavalle and settled
I where he now resides, and has 335 acres ofland. Mr. S. enlisted in February, 1864, in Co.
D. 46th W. V. [.. and served till the close of the war. Was Treasurer of Ironton five years ; has been
Ti>\\\ OF LAVALLE. 793
Director of his school district ten years. Politics. Republican. Mr. and Mrs. Sinclear are members of the
Wesleyan Methodist Church.
JOH\ TORDOFF, farmer, Sec. 34; P. 0. Lavalle; born in Yorkshire, England, March 22,
1830; son of Samuel and Elizabeth (Priestley) Tordoff; came to the United States in 1848, and located
in Columbia Co., Wis. ; remained there till L851, when he moved to Township 13, Range 3, now Lavalle,
and settled on Sec. 34. Was married, March 11, 1852, to Emma Thornton, daughter of Rueben and
Elizabeth Thornton ; Mrs. T. was horn in Yorkshire, England , had six children by this marriage —
Edmund, Samuel, Emily, deceased ; Squire, John, and Paul, deceased ; Edmund married Amanda Kars-
tetter, residing in Lavalle : Samuel married Emma Royer, also of Lavalle ; Mrs. John Tordoff died in July,
1864. In 1858, Mr. Tordoff came to his present farm. Sec. 33, where he has 236 acres of land. Mr.
Tordoff went to England, and was married there March 30, 1870, to Fanny Tetlow ; Mrs. Tordoff was
horn in Yorkshire, England -, Mr. T. and wile returned to his home in America ; they have four children —
Annie. Ledger. Hairy and Tom. Mr. Tordoff was Chairman of Lavalle one year and Treasurer two years.
Politics. Republican.
JOHN WHITE, farmer, Sec. 14; P. 0. Lavalle; son of Charles and Mary (White) White;
horn in Devonshire, England, May S, 1812. lie was married Nov. 1, 1830, in England, to .lane Cot-
terell ; they have had nine children — Charles H. (deceased), drowned June I, 1857, in the Baraboo
River; .Mary E., now Mrs. Charles Gibbins ; William A., married to Almira Lake; John II., married to
Emily Pond ; Sarah, now Mrs. L. Gardner ; Elizabeth A., now Mrs. William Canon; Anna (deceased) ;
Robert J., married to Ann J. Slater. Mr. White ami family came to the United States in 1849 ; settled
in Waukesha Co., Wis. ; came to Reedsburg, Sauk Co., in February, 1854, and the next year to Lavalle;
has 120 acres of land.
JOHN H. WHITE, farmer; residence, Sec 14; P. 0. Lavalle; son of John and Jane (Cot"
terell White. He was married, Dec. 15, 1861, to Emily Pond, daughter of Andrew ami Mary Pond
they have five children living — Annie A., Charles J. B., Abbie L., Lorenzo A. and Frank E. ; Robert E.
(deceased). Mr. White enlisted in January. 1862; mustered in March following; was a member of the
12th Wisconsin Battery; served three years ; has 80 acres of laud. He has been Justice of the Peace four
terms, and Clerk of School District No. 4, twelve years.
DR. JAMES J. WORTHY, physician and surgeon, Lavalle; son of James G. and Mary
[Strong Worthy; born in the vicinity of London. England, Oct. 9, 1827; studied medicine, and gradu-
.i King's College; was a student of Barthi mew Hospital, London; sailed as ship's surgeon;
made twelve voyages across the Atlantic, as surgeon to -hips carrying from eight to fifteen hundred people ;
was never rpuarantined. He served as Surgeon in the British army in the East Indies in 1849-50 ; came
to the fTntted States in 1856; located at St. Peter. Minn., and entered upon the practice of his profession.
He wa> married in Cleveland, near St. Peter, Minn., Sept. 22, 1857, to Maria C. Humphrey, daughter of
Ludwick M. and Charlotte (Smith) Humphrey. Mrs. Worthy was born at Plymouth, Ashtabula Co..
Ohio; they have four children — Willoughby B., Hattie C, James H. and one unnamed. In tl
part of 1860. he went to Cazenovia. Richland Co.. Wis., where he practiced his profession till !
then moved to Ironton, Sauk Co. ; remained in Ironton till the spring of 1880, when he came to Lavalle,
where he now resides. He was Chairman of the town of Westford, Richland Co., two years.
THEODORE YAGER, of the firm of Beery & Yager, millers; manufacturers of flour and
feed. Lavalle; brand, Lavalle Mills Choice Winter ; water-power mill; capacity, seventy barrels per day.
Mr. Yager was born at Middletown, Butler Co., Ohio, Dec. 12. 1830; son of George ami Margaret . Crai- ,
..line to Wisconsin in June. 1859 settled al Fulton. Rock Co.; was on-agod in milling at the
Fulton Mills. He was married at Belleville, Wis.. December, 1859, to Louisa Yager, daughter of 11. W.
Mrs. Y. was born in Canada; they have had two children, both deceased. Me remained at
Fulton one and a half years, and then went to Stoughton ; ran the Stoughton Mills about eighteen months ;
then went to Belleville. Wis. ; ran the Belleville Mills about three years; from there he moved to Moscow,
Iowa ; was engaged in milling one year: from there he moved to Stephenson Co., [11. ; ran the Orangeville
Mills one year; then bought a half-interest in the Dover Mills, Wis. ; was there two years, and then went
to Mazomanie ; had charge of that mill for eight years. In July. 1874. came to Lavalle; took the Lavalle
Mills on lease about nineteen months; then wen! to I bed-Intro, and ran those mills one year, returned to
Lavalle, and, in company with J. N. Nye, bought the Lavalle Mills. In 1878, Mr. Nye sold out to Lyman
Beery, Mr. Yager's present partner.
BIntiHAPlIK AI
TOWN OF WINFIELD.
MARTIN CONWAY, farmer, Section 21; 1'. <> Reedsburg; son of Patrick and Hannah
i O'Hara i Conway ; was born in the County Mayo, Ireland, April 15, 1820 ; came to the United States in
1^17 ; la in led in Philadelphia April 9, ami went to Pottsfield ; stayed there a short time and then moved to
Rensselaer Co., Penn. ; lived there about two years; then located in Washington Co. Ho was married
Dec. 21, 1*5], to Bridget Hession, daughter of Thomas and Ellen (Sommers) Session ; Mrs. Conway was
bom in Holy Mount, County Mayo, Ireland ; they have had nine children — Rev. Thomas M., Catholic
Priest of North Platte, Neb., Ellen, Patrick J., Mary A.. Alice, Martin H. (deceased), Peter II.. Catha-
rine B. and John H. Mr. Conway and family came to Sauk Co. April 13, 1857; stopped in Dellona
till winter of 1858; then came to his present farm on Section 21, Winfield ; has 200 acres of land; in
1874, built his new house, one of the most tasty and costly residences of the town. Mr. C. has been
Town Clerk one year. Supervisor one year, and Treasurer of the school district twelve years. Mr. Con-
way and family are Catholics. In politics, Mr. C. is a Democrat.
JOHN CAKLIIjE, farmer, Sec. 24; P. ( >. lloedsburg ; son of James and Elizabeth i Camp
bell i Carlile, was bom in the North of Ireland Aug. 5, 1824 ; left Ireland when 12 years of age, came to
Canada unaccompanied by friends . 1 si'.C'j ; remained in Canada till 1849, when he came to Sauk Co.,
Wis., and bought his present farm. See. 24, Winfield : he has now 270 acres ; in 1853, went to California
via the [sthmus, stayed three years. On his return, was married July 28, 1S57, at Winfield. to Mary
M 'Cray, daughter of Prank and Sarah ( McCookin ' Mot 'ray ; they have had four children — Blanch, James
("deceased), John and Matie. When Mr. Carlile selected hi- farm in Township 13, Range l, now Win-
field, it was comparatively a perfect wilderness; there were not more than three or four families settled in
the township at that time (the Duncans, Andrewses, Lockes and Leonards). Mr. Carlile has been
Director of his school district several years. Polities. Republican. Mr. and Mrs. C. are members of the
Presbyterian Church.
AMOS COTTINGTON, farmer and hop-grower. See. 26; P. 0. Reedsburg; .-on of Jesseand
Rebecca Forward Cottington; was horn in Ticehurst, England. Dee, 1 I. 1838 ; came to the United States
with his parents in 1841 ; lived in Madison Co., N. Y.. three years, then the family moved to Waterville,
Oneida Co. ; in IN52, they moved to Wisconsin, miking their home in Sauk Co., town of Winfield. Mr.
A uos Cottington was married Dee. 3, 1862, at Portage, Wis., to Elmina M. Fish, daughter of Elisha and
Polly (King) Fish; Mrs. Cottington was born in Hensselaerville, Albany. Co., N. Y. ; they have two
children— Edna E. and 0. E. Mr. C. enlisted April I. L865,inCo. F,51stW. V. [.; served till the close of
the war. Has 1 n Chairman of Winfield four years, and is now serving the fifth ; is the present Treasurer
of School District No. I has served ten years in succession Mr. C. sett led on his present farm in lSli^;
has 200 acres of laud ; has always grown hops (pule extensively .- commencing business for himself; in
fact, hops are associated with his earliest recollections; says his first work was done in a hop-yard, and he
has been at ii co'ntinuouslj since ; has at present, five acres in hops.
JESSK COTTINGTON, farmer and hop grower, Sec. 26 ; P. 0. Reedsburg ; son of Robert
and Sarah (Woodsell) Cottington ; was born in Sussex Co., England March 24, 1816. He was married
in his native county, in 1834, to Rebecca Forward, daughter ol Robert and Mary (Waters) Forward ;
ngton was bom in Sussex Co.; they have eight children — Agnes (died at Carthage. Mo., January,
1880, was the wife of ( ». F. Gregorj . Amos ( married to Elmina M . Fish, residence Winfield . I ,• \ i t mar-
l, hsah Brown, bi the three elder children were born in England, the others in the
States; Jeremiah i married to Lavina Stillick, and living in Barron Co.. Wis.), Mary (died in
infancy i, Hannah (now Mrs. A. P. Ellinw I, ol Robert M. D. , married to Ida Barnhart,
residing in Chip] I Marj n m Mrs. Reuben Spaulding, living in Lowa). Mr. Cottington
came to the United States in May, 1841, and settled in Madison Co., V V. ; after three yesSfe, he moved
to Waterville, Oneida Co. ; was manager of the hop-yards of C. D. Palmer seven years ; in 1851, moved
i" Wisconsin; remained a few mouths in Westtield, and, in February, 1852, located on Sec. 26, Winfield,
Sauk Co., his ]. resent residence; he has 200 acres off, ml. Mr. Cottington planted the first hop-yard in
8 ink Co. in thespring of 1852. For particulars, see history of Winfield. lias at present 5 acres of hops
Mr. Cottington was Chairman of Winfield one year, and Treasurer two years. Politics, Republican. Levi
C. was a member of Co. F, 3d W, V. ('.. and served two yea] Jer h P. was a member of
1 o, If lib W. V. [., afterward transferred to, cavalry ; enlisted in April, 1861 ; re-enlisted a- a veteran
and served till the close of the war.
TOWN OF WIM'IKI.l). 795
.IOHX FESSEY, farmer, Sec 6; P.O. Lavalle ; was bor Buckinghamshire, England,
Ocl T. 182<I . s f Joseph and Elizabeth (Griffin) Fessey. He was married May 18, L844, in Buck-
inghamshire, to Elizabeth Caves, daughter of Joseph and Mary | Winkle i Caves . Mrs. Fessey was born in
the same shire as her husband ; they have had nine children —Joseph married in Filena Andrews, resi
dence Juneau Co. i, William (married to Amanda Rogers, residence Lavalle), Richard G. (deceased). Mary
E (now Mrs. F. Potter, living in Juneau Co.), George (deceased), Sarah, Carrie, Frederic G.' and John
F. Mr. Fessey and family came to America in 1844; landed in Quebec and remained in Canada one
year; then removed to Vermonl in April, 1845, and was engaged in Canning in that State seven years;
d to Janesville, Wis . and resided there live years, and, in November, L855, came to Sank Co.
and settled in Town 13, Range 2 . now Woodland i. He was Treasurer of Woodland five years, or during
his entire residence in the town; in 1860, came to Winfield ; located on Sec. 9, and, in L863, moved to
his present farm on See. 6 ; be has about 200 acres, lying partly in Sauk and partly in Juneau (' ities.
Enlisted, in September. 1861, in Co. B, 12th W. V. [., and served one year. In politics, Republican.
SILAS FISH, was born in Albanv Co., N. V. Was married. Nov. 20, 1824, to Betsy Ray-
mond ; they bad nine children— Elizabeth, now Mrs. Thomas 11. Powell, of Winfield ; William, deceased;
Elias R., married to Adelia P. Darrow, residence, Sparta ; Spencer C, married to Mary J. Fish, residence
Winfield; Jasper M., married to Temperance Hand, residence, Walworth Co.; Lewis N.. married to Sarah
Darrow, residence Winfield; Emma J., now Mrs. ('. E Kelley, residence, Winfield ; Lucius, married to
Phcebe M. Darrow, residence, Monroe Co.; Elbert W., married to Ella McCray, residence, Winfield. Mr.
Fish and family cam ■ to Wisconsin April l.">, IS.Vi, and located on See. 24, town of Winfhld, Sauk Co.,
where he now ivside,,. Mr. and Mrs. Fish celebrated their fiftieth or golden wedding six years ago. Mr.
Fish ha- 'i- of Winfield ; in politics, he is a Democrat.
LEWIS X. FISH, farmer, Sec. 24 ; P.O. Reedsburg ; sou of Silas and Betsy (Raymoi.d)
Fish; was Lorn in Albany Co., N. Y.. Aug. 8, 1838; came to Wisconsin with his parents in 1855;
located in Winfield, Sauk Co., Wis. Was married, March 1. 1862, to Sarah Darrow. daughter of Henry
A. and Luseva I Dann) Darrow. Mrs. Fish was bom in Walworth Co. (her people came to Wisconsin
in 1839 . They have had eight children Ida M. (deceased . George L., Edwin K., Emma B., Jasper
T., Walter E.. '.Mary A., and one boy unnamed. In December. 1867, Mr. Fish and family settled on
their present farm ; has 317 acres. Mr. F. has been Supervisor of Winfield one year, and Treasurer of
S'li iol District No. 2 six years. In politics, a Democrat.
SPENCER C. FISH, farmer, See. 27 ; P. 0. Reedsburg . son of Silas and Betsy i Raymond)
Fish; was horn in Greene Co., N. Y., July 3, IS32 ; served an apprenticeship at the blacksmith busi-
:i 1854 came to Wisconsin, settling on See. '27, his present farm; has USD acres. Was married
April I. 1855, in Albany Co., N. Y., to Mary J. Fish, daughter of Elisha and Dolly King i Fish. Mrs.
Fish was bi rn in Albany Co., N. Y. They have three children— Edgar C, Orton G. and Mina M. Mr.
ed March 8, 1865, in Co. F. 51st W. V. I.; served till the close of the war; was Second Ser
geant ; Mr. F. has been Supervisor of Winfield one year; Treasurer two years, and Clerk of the School
Distri several years Politics, Republican.
ROItttRT GREENWOOD, Sr., stone-mason and farmer. Sec. 16; P. 0. Reedsburg; son
of R berl md Elizabeth i Fawcett) Greenwood; was born in January. 1803, in Yorkshire, England; was
married to Eleanor Jackson ; they had nine children— Joseph, deceased : Elizabeth, now Mrs. E. G. Greg-
dsburg ; Robert, married to Eveline Miller, living in Winfield ; John, married to Mahala Curtis,
Winfield ; tsabclla. deceased; Margaret., now Mrs. James Dawson, of Racine Co.; .lames, mar-
ried to Emma Buck, deceased, residence. Nebraska ; Miles, married to Emma Cameron, residence, Winfield ,
and Jane. Mr. Greenwood came to the United States in 1847, spent four years in Racine Co., and came
to the town of Winfield, Sauk Co., in 1851 ; when he reached his land, he found himself with onlj $10
in money, in a wilderness of timber, without a foot of land cleared, and a wife and nine children to provide
for; the first summer was pa-sed by the family under some boards set against a pole ; provisions were
id Mr. Grecnw l's good marksmanship often enabled him to bring home a fat beer to replenish
the larder; once he nearly lost his life in a fight with a large bear that he had wounded, but was saved bj
stance of his dog, which attracted the bear's attention while Mr. G. re-loaded, when the bear was
dispatched.
ROBERT GREENWOOD, Jr., farmer, See. lb; 1'. O. Reedsburg; son of Robert and
Elea Jackson) Greenwood ; was born in Yorkshire, England, Aug. II. 1839; when 8 years of age,
came with his parents to the United States in L847 ; the family made a settlement in Raymond, Racim
Co., Wis., alter four years moved to Sauk Co. in June, 1851, settled in Winfield, Sec. 16; has 103 acres
796 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
of land where lie resides; SO acres in the town of Reedsburg, besides two In. uses and lots in the village.
Was married, Feb. 11, 1874, at New Lisbon, Juneau Co.. to Dora Capstick, daughter of George a'nd
Margaret Capstick. Mrs. Greenwood was born in the United States ; she died five weeks after her mar-
Mr. G. has been Chairman of the town of Winfield two years; Assessor three years, and served
two terms as Treasurer, and three terms as Clerk of School District N'o. 3. Was married, April 22, 1879,
to Eveline Miller, daughter of Heman and Elizabeth ( Darrow ) Miller. Mrs. G. was born in Walworth
Co., Wis. Mr. Greenwood enlisted November, 1862, in Co. F. 3d W. V. C, and served till the close of
the war. Politics, Republican.
EDWARD HEMINGWAY, farmer, Sec. 16; P. 0. Reedsburg; son of Francis and
Elizabeth i Croft) Hemingway; was born in Yorkshire, England, Dec. 23, 1824; came to the United
States with his parents in IS III; spent several years in New Jersey and New York, in the cities of Pat-
erson, Little Falls, and Bloomfield, and again at Little Falls; in hopes of benefiting the mother's health,
the family returned to England; however, after nine months, they returned to Little Falls, N. J; here
Mr. II. and his father were engaged as ingrain-carpet weavers. Mr. Edward H. went to Poughkeepsie,
and was married Dec. 21. 1849, to Mary Mcintosh, daughter of James and Ann (Burns) Mcintosh ; Mrs.
Hemingway was born in Paisley, Scotland; they have one daughter and two sons living; Elizabeth, now
Mrs. Frank T. Houghton, of Winfield, Francis (deceased i, James, Francis deceased), Ann (deceased),
Edward 1. Mr. II. and family came to Wisconsin in the spring of 1851 ; located on Sec. 9, town of Win-
field. Sauk Co., where he remained till the spring of 1872, when he moved to Sec. 1(3, where he now
resides; lias 180 acres; has been Supervisor of Winfield two years, and Treasurer one year, and Director
chool district three years ; Mr. H. still does some flannel and carpet weaving winters. Politics,
Republican. Mr. and Mrs. II. are members of the Baptist Church.
JAMES IIOItK AX. farmer. Sec. 21 ; P. O. Reedsburg ; son of Peter and Bridget I Rewan)
Horkan ; was born in Illinois Oct. 14, 1844; came to Wisconsin in 1848 with his parents; settled iu
Dellona, Sauk Co. Was married Jan. 19, 1867, in Lyndon, Juneau Co., to Mary Gallagher, daughter of
James and Catharine | Mcllugh i Gallagher; Mrs. Horkan was born in Ireland; they have six children —
William F.. John, James E., Bridget W., Peter J. and George P. ; Mr. H. came to Winfield in 1866 ;
Bettled on Sec. 21 ; has 160 acres ni' land ; Mr. and Mrs. Horkan are members of the Catholic Church.
Mr. H. is a Democrat.
S. T. HOI <.II S 'OX. farmer, Sec. 22 ; P. O. Reedsburg; son of Abner and Susannah (Taylor)
Houghton , was born in St. Johnshury, Caledonia Co., Vt., May 28, 1812; was brought up on a farm;
when 21 years of age, engaged with the Fairbanks Scale Co. ; went to Watenille, Me., and built a dam
for the company ; then went I0 A.UgUSta and worked as a pattern maker. Was married, Oct. 2. 1837, to
Catharine Albee, daughter of Benjamin and Betsey (Cunningham) Albee ; Mrs. Houghton was bum at
Wi.-casset. Me.: they have four children — Corrilla, now Mrs. V. B. Clark, residing at Minneapolis,
Minn; John C, died Dec. 1, ISTT; was married to Annie Mauvor, resided at Fairbury, Neb.; left a
wife and two children ; Maria S. ; Frank 'I'., married to Elizabeth Hemingway, residing in Winfield ; Mr.
m went tu California, January, 1852, via Panama; returned to Augusta, May, 1853; in 1855,
came tu Wisconsin; arrived at Reedsburg, Sauk Co., July I. came at mice to his farm. Sec J-'.
Winfield, where he now resides; has 2111 acre- ; has been Chairman of Winfield line year. Politics, lli in
ocrat. Mrs. Houghton is a member of tin Episcopal Church ; Frank T. and wile are members of the
Baptisl ( Ihurch.
JOHN JACKSON, farmer, Sec. 15; I'. 0. Reedsburg ; son of Roberf and Ellen (Jackson)
Jackson, was born in Yorkshire, England, July 2.'!, 1823: came to the United Males with his parents in
1845; they made their home in Poughkeepsie, X. V. Mr. Jackson was married at Poughkeepsie. July
17, 1852, to Eliza Croft, daughter ^i' Robert and Rachel (Field. Crofi ; Mrs. Jackson was born in York-
shire, England; the} have had eight children — Robert C., William I'., Ann E., Jonathan (deceased),
Richard R. James deceased , the two lasl named were twins, John G. and Isabella; all but the eldest
were born in Winfield. [n September, 1855, Mr. Jackson and family came to Wisconsin, "Stopped six
months in Raymond, Racine Co., then came to Winfield, Sauk Co., settled on Sec. 15, where they now
Mi .1 has 200 acres of land ; has been Director of School Districl three years. Mr. and Mrs.
•lark -mi are members of the Baptist Church.
CHARLES U. KELLEY, farmer. Sec. 14; P. 0. Reedsburg; was born in Sanbornton, N.
II Belknap County, Nov. 18, 1815; sun of Timothy and Sarah Chatman) Kelley. Was married in New
Hampshire, July 29, 1839, to Eliza J. Dearborn, daughter of George and Martha i De Merritt) Dearborn.
Mrs. Kelley was burn in the Slate of XVw Ymk ; they have had eleven children — Charles, Edwin (mar-
TOWN OF WINFIELD; 797
ried to Emma J. Fish, living in Winfield), Ann Eliza, George W. married to Amanda Root, residing al
Reedsburg), Ellen I now Mrs. ('. Fuller, residing in Winfield), Harriet i now Mrs. A. Fuller, residing in Win-
field La Fayette M ' married to Mary E. Wener, also of Winfield), [sabella (now Mrs Joseph B. Kindall, in
Minn.), William 1... Fremont A . F. Adelberl ; those unmarried, arc living at home. Mr. K. moved to Laconia,
N. EL, and in May, 1854, came t<i W'isn.Msin. slii|ip,il at Baraboo, Sauk Co., a year, and in June, 1855, moved
to Winfield. settled mi his present farm, Sec. 11 ; lias In ■en Assessor of Winfield two years, and Clerk of School
District No. - one year. In politics, is a Republican. Mr. Kelley lias a fi rchard, from which he will
gather this year ,u least 27"> barrels of apples ; he has one tree that is "is years old, that is undoubtedly
the largest in the county; its circumference is six feet ten inches, and its branches cover a space 16x48
feet; last year it bore twenty-six bushels of apples.
C. EDWIN KELLEY, farmer Sec, 23; P. 0. Reedsburg; son of C. R. and Eliza J. Dear
born Kelley, was born in Laconia. PL II.. May 12. 1840, came to Wisconsin in 1 S.) I ; lived al Baraboo,
Sauk Co., about one year, then came to Winfield, settled on Sec. 23. Was married in Winfield. March 5,
1862, to Emma J. Fish, daughter of Silas and Betsy I Raymond) Fish ; Mrs'. Kelley was born in Greene
Co., N. Y. . they have had three children Lemuel R., Ella Ida i deceased ,, Herbert D. In April, 1862,
located on his present farm, See. 23; has 407 acres of land. Mr. K. enlisted March 8, 1865, in Co! F.
."list W. V. I.; served till the close of the war. Has been \s^ossor of Winfield one year, and is serving his
fourth term in succession as Treasurer; has been .Justice of the Peace two years, and Clerk of ScTool Dis-
trict No. 2, seven years. Polities, Democrat.
LAFAYETTE M. KELLEY, farmer. See. 16; P.O. Reedsburg; son of C. R. and Eliza
J. i Dearborn) Kelley; was born in Meredith Village, Belknap Co., N. II., Feb, 4. 1847; in May, 1854,
came with his parents to Baraboo, Sauk Co., Wis.; remained there till June, 185 I to Win-
field. He enlisted and was mustered into the service Jan. 2*. 1XC4, in Co. B. 12th W. V. I. ; was wounded
Jul) 28, 1864, in front of Atlanta, producing a permanent disability; served till July 1. 1865. He was
married Nov. 6, 1867, in Winfield, to Mary E., daughter of Charles and Doratha (Kiber) Wener; she
was born in Burlington, Racine Co., Wis.; they have seven children — James II.. Mary. I va I!., Mabel II .
Charles 1!.. Inez, and one girl unnamed. Mr. Kelley came to his present farm in the fall of 1869; it lies
in See. 16, and contains KMI acres. He bis been Justice of the Peace two years, Clerk of School District
No. 2 three years, aud of No. 3 six years; has I n 'respondent of the Reedsburg Fnr Press six
years ; is a Republican in polities.
ALFRED F. LAWTON, farmer. See. 26; P. 0. Reedsburg; was Imn, in Albany Co., X.
V.. Oct. 26, 1829. Was married in the sain unty Dee. 23, 1855, to Emily, daughter of Elisha and
Polly i King Fish ; she was born in Albany Co.; Mr. Lawton and family came to Wisconsin in 1855 and
settle. 1 on his present farm of 85 acres in See. 26, Winfield, Sauk Co. He enlisted, March I I. 1865, in
Co. F. 51st W. V. I., and served till the close of the war; was Post Quartermaster at Milwaukee. He
has been Town Clerk of Winfield eight years, and Justice of the Peace two years; in politics, he is a
lean.
«EORGE F. LAWSOJf, farmer, See. 15; P. O. Reedsburg; son of George and Susan
Riley) Lawson ; was born in Nottingham, England, May 30, 1808; came to Canada in June, 183] .
remained there about two years, then went to Kennebec Co., Me.; stopped there about a year, and then
went to Boston, Mass.; in 1 *:;.">. he enlisted in the 1st U. S. Artillery; served in Florida in the Seminole
war, till wounded in the fall of 1836 ; his horse was killed under him and fell, shattering his right leg; he
was in the hospital all winter, and was discharged in the spring of 1837. He stopped a short time in
Washington, then went to Boston, and from there lo New Hampshire, where he learned the shoemaking
business. In 1848, he went to England, and was married in Nottingham, in June, 1848, to Susan,
daughter of dames and Lydia Lawson. In about two months he returned to the United Slates and stopped
al Lawrence, Mass . about one and a half years, then came to Sauk Co.. Wis., iii May. 1851, and settled
on Sec. 15, town of Winfield; he bad 160 acres, has now 80; they have six children Su-an now Mrs
.Joseph Mcintosh, of Winfield), George J., Lydia and Elizabeth. Mr. Lawson has been Superintendent
of Schools of Winfield two years, Supervisor one term. Justice of the Peace two terms. Clerk of Scl 1
District No. 3 two terms, and Director one term ; in politics, he is a Republican.
LACHLAJf MdNTOSH. farmer, See. 10; P. 0. Reedsburg; so,, of .lanes and Ann
I Burns i Melutosh, was born in Paisley. Scotland, dune 18, 1828 ; came to the United States in 1841 ,
made his home in Cherryville, Conn.; about a year afterward went to PoughkoepMc, X. V. Was married
there, April 9, 1851, to Catharine Cameron, daughter of Alexander and Margaret i McWhinnie) Cameron.
Mrs Melutosh was born in Westchester Co., N. Y. lu 18")1, came to Wisconsin and settled in Town 13,
T,,s BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Range t. now Winfield, on Sec. 10; he has '2~:\ acres; they have had eleven children, of whom nine are
living — Mar ,: i .|i 'i . M.n.l . ; .Tallies, married to Alice Southerby. residing at Reedsburg; Ann;
Catharine, now Mrs. George Thayer, living in Winfield . Thomas L.; Joseph; Mary i deceased ) ; Jennie;
Lizzie ('. ; John E. and May. Mr. and Mrs. Mcintosh and three of the children are members of the
Baptist Church. Mr. .Mcintosh has been Town Superintendent of Schools, and Justice of the Peace
r- was Supervisor one year, and Assessor several years; was the first Clerk of the School
District on permanent organization, and has held the offices of Director and Treasurer at different times;
first Town Superintendent of Schools.
SAMUEL MOXTROSS, was born iii Dutchess Co., X. V., Sept. 11, 1804; when 21 years of
age, went to Greene Co. and engaged in the Hudson River trade; followed the river about twenl
during this time was a steamboat Captain many years. Was married in Athens. Greene Co.. April. L825,
to Lydia Raymond, daughter of Lemuel and Temperance Raymond; they have had two children — Enos
L., married to Sally A. Pelton, living in Windfield ; I'lnebe T.. deceased, was the wife of George IVlton.
Mr. Montross came io Wisconsin in isf>2, and settled on See, '_'.">. Town 13, Range 4, now Winfield, Sauk
Co.; jointly with his son has 180 acres of land. Mr. Montross has been an active leader in the Liberal
religious movement in Sauk Co., and has given the cause material aid, both by liberal contributions of
money and by speaking. He has acted in sympathy with Ichabod Codding, the well-known liberal speaker.
and is favorably known as a leader in the cause.
E. 1,. MONTROSS, farmer, Sec. 25 ; P.O. Reedsburg; son of Samuel and Lydia (Raymond)
Montross, was born in Albany Co., N. Y.. .May 29, 1 827. Was married in Greene Co., N. Y., to Sally
A. 1'elton, daughter of John and Sarah . Hinckley! Pelton. Mrs. M. was born in Athens, Greene Co.
have had two children — Frederic and Ivah, both deceased, and on. adopted daughter, Agnes Williams
Montross (deceased) ; Agnes was a woman of great spiritual power. She was the wife of Jason Pelton.
and died about a year after her man
<*EOR4iiE PELTON, farmer, Sec. 36; P. 0. Reedsburg ; son of John and Sarah , Hinckley
Pelton ; was born in Austerlitz, Columbia Co., N. Y.. Feb. 9, 1830 ; in 1850, came to Wisconsin and set-
tled in Township L3, Range t i now Winfield |, northwest quarter of Sec. 36, Sauk Co. ; went South in
1853; spent a pari oi two years iii Mississippi. On his return, he was married, Nov. 16, 1854, to Phoebe
Montross, daughter of Samuel and Lydia (Raymond) Montross; Mrs. Pelton was born in the State of
New York ; they had three children | sons i — S. Aylmer. Montross and Meredith I who died Oct. I. I S65 .
Mr. P. enlisted. March 8, 1865, in Co. F, 51st W. V. [., and served till the close of the war; was mus-
Sept. 5, 1865. Mrs Pelton died June 14, 1870. Mr. Pelton has been Treasurer of joint
School District No. II for nine years ; he has 86 acres of land. Politics, Republican.
HIRAM PELTON, farmer, P. O. Dallas. Harm,, Co., Wis. ; son of John and Sarah I Hinck-
ley) Pelton; was born in Eastern New York Aug. 30, 1825; while quite young, the family moved to
Athens, Greene Co. He was married al At hen.-. Jan. 31, 1849, to 1 'eborah Seaman, daughter of Samuel
and Annie i ( roodfellow I Seaman ; Mrs. Tel ton was born in Albany Co., V Y. ; they have had five chil-
dren— Ida : deceased . Aha, Maynard, Ernest and Fanny. In 185(1, moved to Wisconsin and settled in
Sauk Co., Town 13, Range I now Winfield), Sec. 35 ; had 10 acres. Was elected the first Town Clerk
of Winfield, and was re-elected six successive years; served as Chairman one year ; was Clerk oJ School
District No. I three years. In. lune, 1870, moved to Dallas Barron Co., Wis., where he now resides;
teres of land ; has been Town Clerk of Dallas three years, Supen isor of the town ol Barron two
years, and Treasurer one year. In politics, Republican.
WILLIAM U. SCAIFE, farmer, See. 16; P. 0 Reedsburg; son of Joseph and Mary
(Gibson) Scaife ; was born in thecountyof Durham, England, \pil 18. 1824; was married in Yorkshire,
Jan. 17, 1846 to Eleanor Thompson, daughter of Mathew and Margaret Main Thompson. Mi
was born in Hartforth, Yorkshire; they have had two children, bo Mr. S. was a bill
by occupation. In 1849, came to the United States, arrived in New York April t; lived at Buffalo, V
ear, then went to Boston, Cattaraugus Co., N. Y.; was there al the comple ion of the Erie Rail-
ir returned to Buffalo: lived at Dari ill September, 1852, moved to McHenry
Co.. 111., and in May. 1855, cam S oik i 'o . Wis., settle,] in Lav. die. See. 1. ; in March 1861, moved to
Ironton, from there in i;.,dl,in- deai to Lavalle again In October, 1865, came to Winfield. Sec. 16,
where they now reside; they have I20acresof land; spent the summer of 1873 in Reedsburg, where Mr
S. has a ': lots has been Treasurer of the School District in Lavalle ; Clerk of his District,
No 6, Winfield. Mr. and Mrs. Scaife are members of the Second Advent I
TOWN OF PRAIRIE Dl" SAC. 799
TOWN OF PRAIRIE DU SAC.
JOHN BACH, lealer in agricultural implements, Sauk City ; born in Luxemburg, Germany,
Nov 21, 1842; he came to Wisconsin with his parents, Valentine and Susanna Bach, in 1852, and
located in Sauk City, where he lived until 1857. He then moved to Hone3 Creek, this county, where he
married Miss Mary A. Yunk, of that town; they have six children— Susanna M . Man T., Katie, Valen-
tine, Anna M. M. and Matilda J. Mr. Bach is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the A 0. CI. W.
at present writing He has filled tl Bices of Justice of the Peace since 1875, Village Clerk since 1877,
and Treasurer one term. He moved from Honey Creek to Sauk Citj in 1876 he has been a dealer in
agricultural implements four yeais, and is doing a large business.
IIOX. THOMAS KAKER, Prairie du Sac; born in Weymouth, England, Nov. 10,
1832 he left his native place April I. 1852, and arrived in Sauk Co., Wis., in June of the same year ;
he came to Prairie du Sac in is."):;, and it lias been his home the greater part of the time since. He was
appointed Postmaster at Prairie du Sac in I sill, a position he lias continued in since to the gen i
faction of tlic citizens. He was a member of the Wisconsin Assembly in 1875, and Deputy United States
Collector ot Internal Revenue, under 1!. M. Coates, from December, 1869, until the second and third dis-
tricts were consolidated July 1, 1871. Vt presenl writing, -Mr. Baker holds the offices of Postmaster,
Notary Public, School Treasurer. Treasurer of the .Masonic lodge, of the Presbyterian Church, of the Sauk
Prairie Bible Society, and of the Prairie du Sac Cemetery Association. He married, in this county, Miss
A. J. McGinnis : they have one child — S. Jennie.
«J. II. BAIEE Y. proprietor of harness shop, Prairie du Sac ; born in Belmont, La Fayette ( !o.,
Wis.. Nov. 21. lSii'J : his lather. B. F. Bailey, had settled in that county in 1833, and married there
Elizabeth Johnson, daughter of William Johnson, a pioneer settler of Wisconsin, and now a resident of
Sumter, this county. During the war of the rebellion, J. II. Bailey, the subject of this sketch, enlisted
in the 6th Wisconsin Battery ; was enrolled in Spring Green, this county, in 1861, and participated in
ninetetn otigagt incuts, the principal ones being Corinth. Vickshurg. Chattanooga. Jackson, Mission Ridge
and Kingston ; he was honorably discharged in September, 1863. He married, in Sumter, this county,
Miss Louise (Jttendorfer, of Spring (ireen ; she was born in Delaware Co., IVnn. ; they have one child,
Frances. Mr. Bailey has been for a number of years engaged in the harness trade ; he keeps a full supply
in that line in his shop in Prairie du Sac. and promptly attends to repairing.
JACOB BOHX. plasterer and proprietor of greenhouse, Sauk City ; was born in Heide, Ger-
many, Aug. 16,1827. Tn his native country, in the revolution of 1848, he was four years in active
service in the German Army, and was wounded al Schleswig. He came to the United States in 1851,
een a resident of Sauk City a greater part of the time since. During the war of the rebellion,
he enlisted in Co. D, 9th W. V. I., and was wounded at Newtonia, Mo., where he was honorably dis-
charged as First Lieutenant. lie married, in Sauk City, Aldine Stadelmann ; they have seven children —
Herman, Leander, Edmund, Amelia, wife of August Nietart, of Madison, Wis. ; Alma, Elvina and Adale.
Mr. Bohn is a member of the Masonic fraternity. In politics, he is a Republican.
CHARLES BOHXSACK, of the firm of Charles Bohnsack & Son, manufacturers of
wagons and carriages, also gent ral repairing, Sauk City : born in Germany Oct. s, I S22. He married, in
I country, Mary Brosh ; they < migrated to this country, and settled in Sauk City, Wis., in 1852 :
he engaged in the manufacture of wagons and hue i ar, and is new the pioneer in that business
in Sauk City. Himself and wife are members of the Free-Thinking (.'onuregati.ui of Sauk Co. Their
oMcst son. William, married Lizzie Webber; they reside in Sauk City, and he is partner in business with his
father ; eldest daughter. Mary, is the wife of A F. Marquardt, of Sauk City . Emma, second oldest daugh-
ter, is the wife of Bernard Reno, MaZO Manie, Wis. Messrs. Bohnsack & Son have a large trade ; their
work is well known for its superior make.
CASPER BOLLER, of! the firm of Boiler & Kuoni, merchants, Sauk City; was born in
Zurich Switzerland. Aug. 29, 1829; came to Wisconsin in 1855. locating in Sauk City. He has been
twice married ; his first wife was Barbara Myer ; his second wife, Julia Rost ; both are tb ased. He is
the senior member of the firm, Boiler & Kuoni, and is an energetic and capable busines
enjoying the confidence of all with whom he is acquainted,
'\. If. BRfGGS, Prairie du Sac; was born in 1818, in Hancock. Berk-hire Co., Mass ;
he married in his native county, Mi- Margaret \ North; they came to Wisconsin in 1849,
800 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
settling in Troy, Walworth Co., where they remained until 1854, when they removed to the town of West-
uk Co., there remaining until 1876, in which year they went to Reedsburg and were engaged in the
hotel business until 1878, then came to Prairie du Sac, where himself and son 0. E. Briggs have since
kept the Briggs [louse — the leading hotel of the place. Mr. Briggs was the first Justice of the Peace
eli cted in the town of Westfield ; he was also elected the first Town School Superintendent, and was Town
Treasurer several terms ; he was sent as a delegate from the town of Westfield to Republican County
Convention twenty two consecutive James ; his oldest son 0. E., is engaged in the hotel business with
him ; he was born in Hancock, .Mass., and during the war of the rebellion, served in Co. E,49th W. V.
ad son, W. P., lives at Reedsburg. Third son, (ieorgo X., lives in St. Peter. Minn. Mr. Briggs
i- a II. publican in polities, having always acted with that party.
THOMAS J. BRYANT, farmer, Sees. 27 and 28 ; was born in Turner. Androscoggin Co.,
Me., June 1(>, 1840. where he remained the most of the time until 1861, when he went to Canada
in lumbering until about 1865, in which year he came to the town of Prairie du Sac, Wis., and
in farming, which he bus successfully continued ever since. Hemarried, in Quebec District, Can-
Eliza Parker; they have four children — Ella M., William E.. Grade E. and Herbert A. Mr.
Bryant owns200 ions of well-improved land, and is an energetic and enterprising citizen.
,1. J. Bl RO, dealer in wines, liquors and cigars, Sauk City ; was born in Tlukawy, Ritseheu-
waldi, Province I'osen, Germany, June 28, 1851. In 1869, he came to ibis county, locating in Sauk City,
which has been his borne since. He married in Sauk City, Miss Lissette Wehner ; she was born in Madison,
Wis., June 19, 18511 ; they have three children — Julius, Eda and Custav. Mr. Buro and wife are mem-
i i Lutheran Church. He is also a member of the A. <>. U. W : in politics, he acts with the
Republican party ; he has boon in business in Sauk City for several years and has been very successful.
JOHN COMJ1ANS, dealer in wines, liquors and cigars, Sauk City; was born in Prussia Jan.
28, 1828; in his native country he was a soldier in active service four years; he came to Wisconsin in
1854, and settled on a farm in the town of Prairie du Sac. Sauk Co ; in 1874, he moved to Sauk City
and engaged in business. lie married in Prussia Miss Johanna Heeg . they have bad four children, only
living. Mr. Commaus has been Assessor for the town of Prairie du Sac four
years, and has held various school offices.
KOBKRT CUNRADI, druggist, Sauk City; was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, Dec. 11.
ii quired bis knowledge of the drug trad" by working ten years in one of the principal drug stores in
Augsburg, Bavaria, Germany; four years prior to bis coming to ibis country, he was general agent for a
Manufacturing company, and had for his territory < lermany and Italy; in 1849, he came to the
United States from .Munich, Germany, and located in Sauk City, Wis., the same year; in 1851, he went
!-. Mo., and there had charge of a drug store until 1S5I1. then returned to Sauk City, and, in
company with Edmund Rendtorff, engaged in the mercantile business, wherein they continued and bad an
trade for 'e than twentj years, at the end of ^hich time Mr. Ren dtorrff retired from the
Mr. Cunradi is new engaged in the drug and grocery trade ; he carries a large stock, and has a
first-class trade. He married in Sauk City Miss Mena Mauiugarih; they have seven children — August.
Kobert, Charles, Edward, Herman, Eliza nod Emma. Mr. Cunradi has filled various offices, and is a
prominent citizen of Sauk Co. H of the Free-Thin] Sauk Co.
JULIUS DALL.MANN, farmer; I'. < ». Prairie da Sac ; was burn in Germany in 1843. He
married, in his native country. Pivdriea Klein, mith; thet came to Wisconsin in 1868, and lived in Sauk
City until 1872 ; then moved on a farm in Prairie du Sac, where they have since lived ; they h'
children — Bertha. Charlie. Ida, Lilly, Emma, Adda and Adolph. Mr. Dallmann served in the army in bis
native Country two years. He is a successful lariner.
J AIRE'S DODO, retired, I'rairie du Sac ; was born in Bloomfield, N. .)., in 1811. H
ried in his native town Emeline Baldwin; they came to Wisconsin in 1863, locating in the town of Sum-
ter, Sauk Co., where they lived three years, then moved to I'rairie du Sae, win I ir homi
since; their children are Matilda, wife of Aaron Magee, Baraboo; Charlotte, wife of Jesse Mather, Sum-
r : E 18 I. . wife of Edward Farr, I'rairie du Sac; Edward 1!.. married and lives in Minnesota ; Julia
of A. Baldwin. I'rairie du S ic ; Charles I!., live, ill Newark. N. J. lie served in a N. J. V. I
luring the war. Mr. Dodd and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.
REV. HERMAN CwROSSE, Pastor of Catholic Church. Sank City; was born in Saxony,
in 1842; was educated in the College at Heiligenstadt. the universities at Munich and
A ustria, and at Westphalia, being ordained al the latter city June 16, I 865. In 1866, he came
TOWN OF PRAIRIE DU SAC. 801
to this country, and was again ordained in Milwaukee. Wis., in June of that year, and immediately after-
ward went to Missouri and had pastoral charge of a church at Kansas City for five years; thence to
St. Mary's, Monroe Co., Wis., and was Pastor of the church at that place about seven years ; then com-
ing to Sauk City, and having charge of the congregation there since.
JOSEPH I. HELLER, dealer in general merchandise, Sauk City; was horn in Baden, Ger-
many, July 29, L816 , in early life he learned the tinsmith trade, and was in business on his own account
in his native country eight years. He married his wife in Germany ; her name was Aplouia Fuerst:
they came to this country in 1850, locating in Sauk City, Wis., which has been their home since; tin \
have three children — Julia, wife of John C. Rendtorfl, a merchant in Black Hawk, this county; Othelia,
wife of Julius Wissenborn, of Sauk City ; and Eugene K. Mr. Heller has been in business in Sauk City
since 1851, and by close application to details and fair dealing, he has built up a large and flourishing
keeps a large stock of general merchandise, and in his store can be found everything usually
kept in a first-class general store.
PHILIP HOEFER, manufacturer of sash, doors and blinds, and proprietor of planing and
saw mills, Sauk City ; is a native of Naestaeden, Kries Nassau, Germany ; he came to Wisconsin in is. 5 I.
locating in Sauk Co., where he resided until during the war of the rebellion, when he enlisted at Baraboo,
in Co. A,6th W. V. I. ; served nearly two years; was wounded severely at Gainesville, anil was honorably
discharged. In 1867, be went to Minnesota, and was engaged in the mercantile business three years ; in
l.sTd, he engaged iu' the manufacture of doors, sash, blinds, moldings, etc., in Sauk City, doing a largi
and lucrative business since. He married, in Blue Earth, Minn., Miss Caroline Teske ; the\ havi sis
children — Caroline, Frank, Philip, Edward, Alfred and Samuel. Mr. Hoefer has been Clerk of the Sauk
City High School five years, and is Justice of the Peace, President of the Sauk City Board of Trustees,
Chief Engineer of the Fire Department, and was Town Assessor three terms, and is connected with various
societies. In politics, Mr. Hoefer acts with the Republican party.
O. B. HUBBARD, P. 0. Prairie du Sac. This gentleman, a pioneer settler of Sauk Co., is
a native of Burke. Caledonia Co., Vt. ; was born July 25, 1827, where he remained most of the time until
1843; then went to Essex Co., N. Y., and. in L845, came to Wisconsin, locating in Sauk Prairie; there-
fore, is one of the oldest settlers now in the southern portion of Sauk Co. He has been three times mar-
ried ; his first wife was Miss E. Foster, a native of New York ; she died in Excelsior, this county. His
second wife was Cathrine M. Howard ; she was born in Burlington. Yt., and died in Freedom, this county
His present wife was Eliza J. Ladd. of St. Lawrence Co.. N. Y. ; by the first maniage there are no children ;
by the second marriage there are two children -William A. and Granville H. ; by the present marriage
the children are Julia E. and Maude. He owns nearly 300 acres of land; his home farm is well located,
a short distance from Prairie du Sac. and is finely improved ; he is a member of the Old Settlers' Associa-
tion of Sauk Co. In politics, he is a Republican.
A. F. JONAS, M. D., Sauk City . born in Arlington, -Columbia Co., Wis.; when he was 1 year
old, his parents removed to Madison, where he enjoyed the advantages of obtaining a thorough education,
and afterward entered the Bennett College of Eclectic Medicine and Surgery, where he graduated
in the class of 1877, since that time having followed the practice of his profession in Sauk City
large practice, and has the entire confidence of the community at large. He is a member of the Eclectic
Socii t\ is also a member of the A. ( ). U. W., for which he is examining physician.
ANDREW KAIIX. manufacturer. Sauk City; was born at Frankfort-on-the-Main, Germany,
June 15, 1838; in L858, he came to Milwaukee. Wis., where he remained until I860, in which year In
came to Sank Citj ; in December, L 861, he established his wagon and blacksmith simp, and in 1875 added
to it his machine works, and in 1879 started a foundry; he does a large business m manufacturing and
repairing; Ins shops are the most extensive of any in the southern portion of Sauk Co. He ma
Sauk City, Sophia, daughter of George and Sophia Froly, pioneer settler- of Wisconsin; she was born
Oct. 21, 1843, in the town of Roxbury, Dane Co., Wis., and was the first white child bom in that town
rldren are Augusta, William. Selma, Andrew, Henry, Emma, Edward and Gustav. Mr. Kahn and
wife are members of the Lutheran Church ; in politics, he is a Republican.
SAMUEL KLEINER, present Chairman of the Prairie du Sac Town Board of Supervisors ;
is a native of Lenzlmrg. Switzerland; was horn Feb. 21, 1830; he came to the United States and settled
in Sauk Co.. Wis., in 1855. He has been Chairman and member of the Board of Supervia i
terms, and takes an active part in the advanc f the religious, educational and other interests of his
town ; besides serving on the Board of Supervisors, he has hen elected to various other offices of public
trust. He owns a well-improved farm of 200 acres in the vicinity of Sauk City. He married in his
802 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
native country Miss Mary Suter; they have eleven children. Politically, Mr. Kleiner is an earnest and
consistent supporter of the Republican party.
licI'STAV KKAISE, dealer in and manufacturer of harness, saddles, collars, bridle
Sauk City; was horn in Berlin, Germany, Aug. 3, IS 15 ; in 1853. he came with his parents, Ernest and
Louise Krause, to Prairie du Sac. Wis., where they now reside, in affluent circumstances ; Mr. Krause fol-
lowed harness making four years in Chicago, 111., and in all has followed that, business about sixteen years.
He married in Sunk City Miss Adeline Breeht ; she was born in Ohio ; they have three children —
Louise, Otto and Annie. In polities, Mr. K. is a Republican.
C. KUONI, of the firm of Boiler & Kuoni. dealers in general merchandise. Sauk City ; was born
in Switzerladn, Feb. 23. L842 ; eame to Wisconsin in 1860, and. in 1861, enlisted in Co. D, 9th W. V. I.,
serving three years and six months; was severely wounded at Jenkins' Ferry. Ark., losing a leg thereby :
was honorably-discharged as Orderly Serjeant, at Madison Wis. He was appointed Postmaster in 1866,
a position he still fills to the general satisfaction of all. He married, in Sauk City. Miss Dora Boiler; they
have live children — Julius. Elizzie, Paulina, Richard and Emma. The firm of Boiler & Kuoni carry a
large stock of general merchandise, and are doinga large and lucrative business.
WILLIAM LEIVZ, proprietor of the Sauk City Brewery; was born in Baden, Germany, in
1825; in 1848, he came to this country and located in Milwaukee, Wis., where he resided until 1850;
after that he went to several places in the United States ; 1ms been engaged in brewing in Sauk City since
1868. He married, in Milwaukee, Miss Elizabeth llamm ; they have nine children — Mary (wife of
Oscar Staddleman, Mazomanie, Wis.), Emil (in Milwaukee). Adolph, Gustav, Louise, Willie, George,
Lena and Johana, at home.
MARTIN LODDE, of the firm of M. Lodde & Son, proprietors of the Sauk City Flouring-
Mills: was horn in Westfalen, Greven, Prussia, Nov. 8, 1819 ; in his native country he learned the
machinist and millwright trade; he came to the United States, and worked at his trade in various places
in New York until 1848, when he cam.- to Milwaukee, Wis.; followed his business there until 1850, then
came to Sank City, which has been his home since; he has erected numerous mills in this portion of Wis
consin. He married, in Milwaukee Co.. Wis., Miss Christiana Zeeh ; they have seven children — Henry,
-mi, is a partner in the mill ; George, the second oldest son, is proprietor of a meat market in
Baraboo; Anna, the oldest daughter, is the wife of Carl Hedausen, M. D., in Appleton, Wis.; Mary,
Christina, Katie, Amelia. Mr. Lodde was twelve years a member of the Town Board of Supervisors
and six years Chairman of that body. The Sauk City Mills have four run of buhrs, and the flour
made in them is widely known for its superior quality.
AUGUST F. MARQUARDT, proprietor of paint-shop, Sauk City; was born in Kries
Obornik, Germany, Nov. ■'!. fstn : in 1 sif>4, he came to this country, and has been a resilient of Wisconsin
the most of the time since. During the war of the rebellion, he enlisted, at Portage, Wis., in Co. E. 2d
W. V. ('.. served fouryears. and was honorably discharged at Madison. Wis. He married, in Sauk City,
Miss Mary Bohnsack; they have five children — Ella. William, Julius, August and Robert. Mr. Marquardt
has been engaged in painting in Sauk City a number of years, and docs a g ] business. In politics, he
is a Republican.
P. MEYER, proprietor of the United States Hotel. Sauk City; was born in Nordenbek, Ger-
many. June 20, lv:;.". ; he served in the army of his native country; was engaged in hotel-keeping sev-
eral years in Nordenbek, and is still owner of tie- Meyers Hotel in that city; he came to this country in
el located in Sank City. Wis., where hi' has been engaged in the. hotel business the most of the
time since. He married, in Sauk City, Othelia Boiler; they have one child, Eda. Mr. Meyer has in
connection with his hotel a billiard-room and livery-Stable; his hotel is the leading one of Sauk City.
E. C. MOORE, a leading merchant. I'rairie du Sac . was born in Orange, N. J., June 3, L835 .
he came to I'rairie du Sac Wis., in 1850, and since that time has been prominently identified with the
various interests of the village, and ha- for several years past been a leader in her mere, 'Utile interests.
His first wife was Cathrine M. Bell, a native of Ohio ; she died in I'rairie du Sac ; the children by this
marriage are Martin C. and Prank W.; the former married Alice Kelsey he is engaged in the store with
bis father; Frank W. is deceased. Mr. Moore married his present wife, Elizabeth E. Egberton, in West
Id, N. J.; the children by this marriage are Annie E. and George I>.
V. ALBERT MORSKACII, Marshal of Sank City ; was born in 1829 in Prussia; he came
with his parents. John J. and 1 lennci iet ta Morsbach, to the United States in L848; lived in Milwaukee,
Wis., until 1849, then came to Sauk City ; afterward moved to Spring Green, where his mother died, and
TOWN OF PRAIRIE DU SAC. 803
from which place his father moved to [owa, where ho now resides; Alberl lived in Spring Gr about
eleven years, then returned to Sauk City, where he has made bis home since. Her married, in [owa C<>.,
Wis., Miss .Marreita McCutcheon. In politics, Mr. Morsbach is a Republican. He lias been a contini al
■ i Sauk Co. since 18-19, with the exception of about one year he spent in Iowa. Besides being
t ity Marshal, he has filled the office of Constable several years. Served in Co. K 26th Regt. W. V. I. ;
was wounded at ( 'haiieelliirsvillle ami afterward transferred to the 23d Reg. Vet. Reserve Corps, where
he was till close of the war.
DAVID 1IYERS, proprietor of wagon and general repair shop, Prairie du Sac; was hum in
O., N. V.. in 1823; he came in Wisconsin in 1846, and has been a resilient of Prairie du Sac
since. He marrii d Esther, a daughter of J. Hatch, a pioneer settler of Sauk Co.; she was born in Oh in;
they have six children — Cornelius, llaitie J., Mary, Elihu, John and Frank. Mr. Myers has been engaged
in blacksmithing in Prairie du Sac for a number of years, and has a leading trade.
COX RAD MYER, proprietor of meat market, Sauk City; was horn in Baden, Germany, iu
1830; he came to this country in 1854 and settled in Sauk City, Wis., which has been his home most
of the time since. He married, in the town of Troy, Sauk Co., Wis.. Mena Kreuker; they have live
children — John, Fred, Mary, Annie and Herman. In his native country. Mr. Myer served in the Ger-
tie has lieen engaged in ke.-ping meat market since 1ST4. In politics, he is a Republican.
CHARLES XAFFZ, dealer in general merchandise, Sauk City; was horn in Wuerzberg,
on the Main, Bavaria, Germany, Sept. 8, 1825; in early life he received a liberal education in his native
city, and, prior to his coming to this country, was engaged in the hanking business several years; in Is IS.
he came to the United States, locating iii what is now the town of Merrimack. Sauk Co., Wis., where he
pari in i rgaiiiziiig the first schools, and was the first Town Clerk, and the first Justice of
thi Peaci elected ; the latter office he filled from 1854 until 1863. and the former three years; hi
rilled various other local offices; in 1863, he came to Sauk Ciiy and engaged in general merchandising,
and has a large and constantly increasing trade. He married, in Sauk City. Roselia Bosch ; sin came to
Wisconsin in 1849; they have eight children — Henry, i he oldest son. is in the mercantile business in
Madison. Wis.; Charles II.. second oldest, is a druggist in Madison, Wis.; Victor II., third oldest, is a
salesman for a wholesale firm of Chicago. Edwin M. S., Gustavus, Thekla, Ella and Eugenia, the
younger of the children, are at home. Mr. Xallz is agent of Bremen and Hamburg St< amers; American
Steamship Co., Philadelphia and Liverpool; lied Star Steamship Line, Philadelphia and Antwerpen; also,
fire and life insurance agent. Notary Public, and agent for the sale of German railroad tickets to any
principal < ierman seaport, and railroad tick' ts from New York and Philadelphia to Mazomanie via
Pennsylvania Central and Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroads.
C. H. XOLD, photographer and confectioner, Prairie du Sac; was born in the town of Troy.
Sauk Co., Wis , March 14, 1859 ; his parents were pioneer settlers of that town ; he engaged in his pres-
ent business in Prairie du Sac in 1ST7 ; he is a young man of enterprise and energy, and has a large and
constantly increasing trade.
C. ORRECHT, a prominent business man of Sauk City since 1857 ; was born in Jennins, Can-
ton Graubueten, Switzerland, July 9, 1830; at the age of 14, he went to Poland and learned confec-
tionery in the city of Re/.escbow. and in 1849 returned to his native country, and thence to the United
Stat i s in the same year, locating in Sauk Cil v, where he has resided since, with the exception of four years
he was engaged in the confectionery business iu St. Louis, Mo; in 1857, he engaged in the mercantile
business in Sauk City, and most successfully i ontinued in it for over twenty yi ars , in 1 v.'is. he established
himself in the lumber business, c i lonnection with his merchandising, and is now the largest
and most .successful lumber merchant m the Wisconsin River. He married, in Sauk City, Miss Caroline
Hitzeneimeir ; she was bom in Mengernhausen, Germany, Nov. 16, 1835, and came with her parents to
Sauk City, Wis., in 1844. In polities. Mr. Obrechl is a Republican. By industry and enterprise he has
accumulated a large property, having real estate and other interests in various cities in the Northwest.
E. A. OERTEL, manufacturer of carriages and wagons, Prairie du Sac ; was born in Saxony,
Germany, in 1827; in 1849, he came to this country, settling in Wisconsin the same \ear; he I)
in the manufacture of cairiagos and wagons in Prairie du Sac for a number of years, and has a
large trade. He married, in Prairie du Sac. Miss C. Wilson ; the) have one child, Mary J. Ml
has been elected to various local other-, and is a citizen of enterprise and energy. He was lour years in
Los Angeles, Cal. (from 1866 until 1870), and a portion of the years 1874 and 187.")
GEORGE OWENS, Prairie du Sac; was horn in (lion, ester. England; came to the United
States in 1841, first settling in Whitewater, Wis., wdiere he lived until 1843, when hi cam i Prairie du
804 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Sac. which has been his home since. He married, in Prairie du Sac, Mrs. Mary Crossman. Mr. Owens
owned and ran the first threshing machine in Sauk or Dane Cos.; he brought it to this county in 1843, and
it was the only machine in the county until 1845 ; in 1846, he made the first lumber wagon in Prairie
du Sac. Mr. Owen was a member of the Town Board eight years, six years of that time being Chairman
of that body.
J. C. PRY, dealer in all kinds of agricultural implements and farm machinery, Prairie du Sac i
was born in Washington Co., Penn.,July 14. 1839, and resiled there uatil the breaking-out of the war of
i:, i ib llion, when he enlisted in Washington. Penn., in Co. A. 100th Penn. V. I., better known as the
i; ,'indhead Regiment, to serve three years He participated in a number of engagements; was severely
. a\ South Mountain. Md. After his discharge from the service, he returned to his native county,
run! came from there to Prairie du Sac, Wis., in 180"); oiua.'od in dealing in agricultural implements, and
has successfully continued in that business since. He married, in Prairie du Sac. Miss Minnie Aiken; they
two children — Lizzie B. and Maude E. Mr. Pry is Special Treasury Agent. In politics, he is a Re-
publican.
HON. J. B. QUIMBY, Sauk City; he was born in Ireland May 16, 1823; in early life, he
li inic education, and resided in Morristown, Vt.. from 1828 until 1850; in the latter year,
he came to Wisconsin, and has been a resident of Sauk Co. since 1851. April 22, 1856, he married Miss
Sarah Leland, daughter of the Hon. Cyrus Leland ; she was born in Peoria. 111., in 1837 ; they have eight
children. Mr. Quimby is a lawyer by profession ; he was District Attorney of Sank Co. from 1852 until
County Judge two terms (eight years), and was elected to the Wisconsin Senate in 1871. and re-
el eti d in 1873.
P. JOSKPH SCHADDR, photographer and dealer in notions and fancy goods, Sauk City;
he was born in Krefehl. Germany, Sept. 20, 1S38 ; he learned photography in his native city, and was in
there, on his own account, for several years. He first came to the United States in 1864, remaining
a short time in Boston, and then returned to Germany, remaining there until 1867, when he again came
to this country, and in May, 1878, located in Sauk City. Wis., establishing himself in the photograph
bu in 1S77. he added to bis business a large stock of notions and fancy goods; be is doing a large
and has the confidence of the community. He married, in Sauk City. Emma A. Brawn ; they
have had three cbildr n Alvin J., Herman T. and Hugo ; the latter is deceased ; lie died in 1870. Mr.
iber of the Masonic fraternity, and A. 0. U. W., in which he has filled various offices.
CJIAKJ-iUS SCIlI,I'N<«B.\rM, manufacturer of and dealer in harness, saddles and collars,
bridles, whips, etc., Sauk City; he was born in Sauk County, Wis., dune 7. 1853; his father. Ferdinand
Schlungbaum. who is also the manufacturer of harness and supplies in Sauk City, was a pioneer business
man of the city. Charles Schlungbaum, the subject of this notice, married, in Sauk City. Anna Boiler.
daughter of Casper Poller, now a leading merchant of that <-it\ ; they have one child, a daughter, Alma
Mr, S. has had thirteen years' experience in the harness trade and is doing a large business. Tn polities,
h. i- a Republican.
F. .SriIOENFFiM>, Sauk City, was born in Magdeburg, Prussia, in 1815 ; became to Wis-
consin in I and settled in Sauk City, where he has since lived, with, the exception of about six years
irado. lie married, in bis native country, Fredrica Yedeke ; they have three children —
and llan-y. Mr. Schoenfeld carries a full stock of groceries, jewelry, guns, pistols, etc.,
.oil business ; in Prussia, be was in the military service for fourteen years, being in active
in of the time, ate is promoted to the rank of Major in his regiment.
CHRISTIAN SCHUMM, Sauk City; was born in Langenburg, Kingdom of Wurtemberg,
ly, Jan. 11. 1821. He received a liberal education in his native country, and in 1846 crossed
intictO make' a home in the " New World." lie first located in the cit\ of New York, remaining
thereuntil 1848, then came West; lived in Galena, HI., one year; then went to El Dorado Co., Cal.,
remaining irs, at the end of which time he returned to Galena, and moved tjien to Honey
Creek. Sauk Co., Wis., in 1859, where he was engaged in farming until 1864, when he came to Sauk City
i a retail dealer in wines, liquors, etc. He married in Galena, 111., Miss
I i in Baden, German) ; they have eight children — George now attending
the Cornell University; Otto, a printer, in Galena, 111.; Lizzie, Lena, Herman. Emilie, Adele and Walter.
CI1RISTOPI1 SPIFIIIt. dealer and manufacturer ofl tS and shoes, Sauk City; was born
in Mccklenbui hwerin, Germany, Sept. 7, 1818; he came to Wisconsin in 1848; lived in Milwaukee until
1 850, then came to Sauk ( litj . n hi n In has bei □ -oce engaj i d in his present business. He married, in
TOWN OF PRAIRIE DU SAC. 805
Sauk City, Mis> ('. Werner; they have three children — Louise, wife of Charles Wiscnbom, proprietor of
the Astor House, Sauk City; Bertha and Charles. Mr. Spiehr was President of. the Free-Thinking
Congregation of Sauk Co. three terms — nine years. He has held various town and school offices. In pol-
itics, he is Liberal.
MAX STINGrLHAlIMEB, proprietor of the Sauk City Bridge the Wisconsin River,
Sauk City : was born in Landau, on der Isar, Bavaria, Germany, Oct. 6, 1824 ; in liis native country, he
learned the mason's trade, and followed it several years ; in 1847, he came to the United States, located in
Milwaukee, Wis., where he remained until 1850, when he came to Sauk City and engaged in the mer-
cantile business for about two years, and afterward built a brewery, and engaged in brewing until the fall
ol 1865 ; in L866, he purchased the Sauk City Bridge, of which he is now sole proprietor ; maiden name
of his wife was Anna Barbara Grohanni ; they were married in Sauk City; she was born in Gennino,
Switzerland. Mr. Stinglhaimner is a Republican in politics, and has acted with that party since its organ-
ization, being at its birth in Madison. He has been a member of the Board of Supervisors three years,
Village Trustee two years, United States water-gauge keeper three years. He takes an active part in
public affairs, and is very popular.
J. >•». TRIPP, attorney at law, Sauk City. This representative gentleman was born in Duanes-
burg. Seder eetady, Co., N. Y.. duly 5, 1868; he was educated in Schoharie Academy, one of the oldest
and most noted schools of his native State ; after having finished the academical course, he began the
study of his chosen profession, the law, in the office of Goodyear & Martin, leading attorneys of Schohu ie,
and, after completing the course, was admitted to the bar, June, 1S53; at that time, Westward, ho ! was
the cry -the attention of the youth of the Eastern States being directed particularly to Wisconsin as a
land rite with splendid opportunities and golden prospects; so hither came the young lawyer to make his
fortune and grow up with the country ; he first located at Baraboo. and remained there until September,
1 854, then moved to Sauk City and hung out his shingle ; here he has siuee remained, and in the pr SS of
- built a fine legal business and won the unlimited confidence of his friends and patrons; in 18(i2,
he was elected to the Assembly, being appointed Chairman of Committee on Contingent Expenses, and one
of the Committee on Corporations, he also served on several special committees, for which position he
proved himself well adapted; he has been elected Chairman of the County and Town Boards of Super-
visors several times, and has been Town Clerk of Prairie du Sac for mere than sixteen years; in 1860, he
was a promising candidate for State Senator : since 1868, he has been engaged in the banking business,
and. in short, has been one of the representative men of the county for many years, in all general business
relations. Mr. Tripp has been twice married; his first wife, Fannie W. Hallett, died in 18l!5; his pres-
ent wife was Nellie M., daughter of J. 1. Waterbury, of Prairie du Sac, Wis.
REV. JOHN III I IK I.. Prairie du Sac; was born in Hanover, Germany, April 7, 1816,
where be remained until he was 1 ."> years of age; he then went to Hamburg and lived in that city until
1 S [:\. « hen he went to London, England ; from there he came to the United States, and, in 1 844, he came
to Wisconsin, and lived in Prairie du Sac until the following year ( 1845 |, when he located in the town of
Honey Creek, thus becoming a pioneer settler of that town ; lie afterward removed to the town of Smut, r,
which town was his home for a number of years; in lSTo. he came to Prairie du Sac, and has been a
continual resident of that village since. He married, in New Orleans, March :'.. 1844, Miss Mary Heidt-
mann ; they have three children — Louisa, wife of A. Fisher, Prairie du Sac ; Emma, wife of Rev. Charles
Snyder, of 'Arlington. Wis.; Mcua, wife of John Keller, of the town of Sumter. Mr. Thilke was Justice
of the Peace in Sumter from 1849 until L870 and was also elected to various other local offices. U^ was
preacher of the Evangelical \ssooiation of North America in I860, and has been active in
ministerial labors since that time. He keeps constantly on hand all of the best makes of sewing-machines
and a full lii f supplies: also a line of organs.
NICHOLAS TRIAKEXBROTT. Sauk City: was born in Coburg, Saxony. Germany
March 19, 1838; be came to Wisconsin in 1860. Ho married, in Sauk City, Mi>s Louise Deininger; they
have two children — Mena and Emma. In politics, Mr. T. is a Republican. He is a dealer in wines and
liquors, and owns his place of business.
HO\. J. I. WATERBIRY. Prairie du Sac : was born in St Lawrence Co.. N. V.. Aug. 4,
1818. Li 1*44. he married, in hi- native county, Miss P. M. Stone; they have one daughter, Nellie,
wife of Hon. J. S. Tripp, of Prairie du Sac. Mr. Waterbury settled in Wisconsin in 1839, and located
in the town of Prairie du Sac, Sauk Co., in 1840; in 1867-68 he was a member of the Wi
Assembly, and has been Chairman of the Prairie du Sae Town Board of Supervisors several terms ; "as
a member of the first Board of County Commissioners, and collected the first tax collected in Sauk Co.
8 16 BIOGEAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Mr. Waterbury has been a continual resident of the town of Prairie du Sac since 1840 ; he owns a valuable
farm adjoin inn ( lie village of Prairie du Sac; his home is pleasantly located in the village, and surrounded
by all nl i he modern comforts.
HOX. E. XV. VOUNG, Prairie du Sae ; born Oct. 7, 1821, in the town of Bingham^ Somerset
Co., State of Main:- ; was educated at Harvard Univ a'sity. M,i-- ichu-ctt-v graduating in I ho class of ISIS;
was Principal of a grammar school in Lowoll, .Mass.. from Si-|.ti-nil>iT. ls|s i,, Vpril, 1849, and teacher f
natural science in the high school, in Lowell, from April, 1849, to Oatob er, 1 Soil ; bo studied law in the
olfn f lion. Tappan Wentworth, in I, m [1 Mass , and was admitted to the practice of law in the
Supreme Cmirl of .Massachusetts in October, Hod. He was married to Harriot Norton, of Lowell. Mass.,
in His; ih,.', have had two children - a daughter, died at the age of 20 months ; the other, a son,
was killed by runaway horses at the age of 17 years. Mr. 5Toung settled at Prairie du Sac, Wis., in 1856,
residing there since. He was a member of the Wi cousin \ssombly from the South District of Sauk Co.,
L861 to ] 365, inclusive; Chief Clerk of the \
66 to 1ST:!, inclusive . was app tinted Trust. f the Wisconsin State Hospital for the Insane, by
Gov. Randall, in 1860, and held the trust until his resignation in April, 1874; was appointed on the
ite tli ■ \ at 1 1,. in Hospital for the Insane, by Ho v. Fairchild, in 1869 ; he was nominated
Republicans, at the convention held in Malison, in August, 1873, as their candidate for S
of State; in politics, he was a Whig until the organization of the Republican party, and since then always
a Republican.
TOWN OF SPRINC GREEN.
DAVID D. DA VIES, druggist and dealer in 1 ks and stationei j. Spring Green, was born in
Cardiganshire, South Wales, on the 30th of November, 1841. He .one to this coi \ in 1853, lived in
ania until his coming to Wisconsin in 1856, arriving in Spring Green in August of that year,
and has been almosl i continual resident ince During the war of the rebellion, he enlisted at Madison
E 19th W. V. I., as a private; was pr ted Sarg. ■am. then Sacond Lieutenant, and was honora-
- -ucli at the close of the war. In ISlio, he en -age. 1 in his present business, and is always
alive to every vital interest touching the prosperity of the village ,,f Spring Green. Dee, 31
married Miss Mattie Iv Greene; they have three children. Mr. Da vies has been Postmaster since i 865. Is
Public, Treasurer of the Auxiliary Bible Society, and holds, and has filled, various other offices.
lie is a practical mall, his habits industrious, and be has been active in aiding in the building of schools,
the organization of churches and Sabbath schools ; till of the latter institutions he has been prominently
identified with for a number of years.
JOHN Itl'VS'T I \<- l''.l{. manufacturer of carriages, buggies, light and heavy wagons. Spring
' born in Bavaria, Germany, in 1852 : in 1869. he to this count} hi- wife was Mi-s Louise
Zilg, of Spring Green , they have one child, Carroll. Mr. Bettingei is a memb ir of the Village Board of
eil in the manufacture of carriages, buggies ami wagons several y
is now lining a good liusii.es- iii that line , he erected n iw shops in 1879. which are the equal of any in
Sauk (',.. Mr. Bettinger is a man of enterprise and is doing his share toward building up the business
interests of .-spring I liven
DAVID J. DAVIES, farmer, Sec. 7: P. 0. Spring Green ; was born in South Wales in
1830; lie came to this country in 1853, locating in Jackson County, Ohio, where be remained a short
time; then moved to Armstrong Co., then Green, Sauk Co., Wis., which has been his home
sine. Nov. 28j 1860, he married, in Spring Green, Mary T. Jones, of thai town: they have had seven
children Minnie D., Joshua deceased, Eliza M., Thomas A., Benjamin P., George W., and Gracie. Mr.
ms 1 32 acres of land ; Lis home farm is most desirably located in close proximity to the village ol
SpringGreen; Mr. Davics has been a continual resident of Spring Green since 1853, anoVhas taken au
active part in the improving and advancement of the town ; he is a citizen of much energy and enterprise,
and takes a deep interest in the advancement of the educational and other public interests of general
REV. JOHN DAVIES. Spring Green ; was born in North Wales in 1821. He received a
liberal education in hb> native country ; in 1848, he came to this country, lived in Kvansburg. IVnn
tl n moved in Ulossburg, Tioga Co., and was there ordained a minister of the Congrega-
iet.7, 1849; he had pastoi il i liai ■ of thi Con in itional Church at Blossbura until
TOW X OF SPUING GREEN. 807
1854, then was ;i]>| mini cil iii ill.- .-1 1 :i i- _i. ■ of tin- Welsh ( 'ongrogatinnal Church in Racine, Wis., where he
continued until the following year - 1855), when he came to Spring Green, taking pastoral charge of the
itiou at that pla m active part in the organization of the English Congregational
Church in Spring Green ; and afterward having charge of Congregational Churches at Fish Creek and
ng.aged in ministerial duties down to the present time in various places.
1851, he married, in Charleston. IVnn. Annie Edwards; they have had six children, three of
re living. Mr. Da\ ies lias a proficient medical education, and followed the practice thereof for over
eighteen years. Much of the present efficiency and the past success of the religious and educational inter-
est- nt' this portion of Wisconsin are due to him . he takes an active interest in the passing events of tin-
day, and his love for the best works in literature is permanent; he is thoughtful ami independent in the
formation of opinions, and is possessed of dignity and firmness in maintaining his iileas of right and duty;
his home is pleasantly located in the vicinity of the village of Spring Green, where he owns a finely im-
proved farm of over 100 acres of land
A. 31. DYE, proprietor of jewelry store, Spring Green; was born in Cedarville, Herkin
N. V., March 17. 1840. During the war of the rebellion, he served in Co. I!. 121st N. Y. V. I., and
participated in the battles of Rappahannock Station. Mine Run and Gettysburg, was wounded at the
[ In- WiMernos. served three years and was 1 rably discharged, lie was married in Herki-
mer County, to Miss Ettie Ellsworth; they ha\e one child— Leon, burn in Cedarville, N. Y. ; in 1877,
they came to Wisconsin and located in Spring Green; Mr. Dye has been engaged in the jewelry busi-
. i -r nineteen years, and is an excellent, workman; he keeps a full line of jewelry, watches,
lie takes an active int -rest in matters pertaining to the advancement, of all the local inter-
ests of Spring Green.
DANIEL J. EVANS, farmer. P. ( ). Spring Green; born Oct 15, 1856, at Dodge-
ville, Wis.: his parents, John and Elizabeth J. Evans, natives of Wales, came to Wisconsin in 1854,
locating in Dodgeville, when- they remained until 1862, when they removed to this town (Spring
making it their home during their life; their children are Annie, now the wife of Charles A. Palmer.
Kansas; Daniel J., whose name appears at the head of this sketch; Mary and William ; Daniel J owns
a desirably located farm, situated only a short distance from the village of Spring Green; he is a very
farmer.
J. X. FIXX, merchant, Spring Green; born in Edinburg, Saratoga Co., \\ V.. Feb. 12, 1831 ;
when be was 8 year- of age, he removed with his parents to Ontario Co., X. V.; thence to Vernou,
Waukesha Co.. Wis., and from there to Union, Rock Co., where he remained until 1852; afterward he
lived one year in Arien, Wis., then Went to Buena Vista. Richland Co.; remained thereuntil 1855, in
which year he commenced clerking in a store at Richland City ; in 1 S57, he went to Steele Co., Minn. ;
in 1858, returned to Wisconsin and engaged in clerking in a drug Store at Lone Lock one year, then
learned broom-making, and was engaged in that and farming until 1867, when, in connection with his
brother, Charles W. Finn, lie engaged in business at Spring Green. In 1873, he purchased his brother's
be keeps a full stock of general groceries, fruits, etc lie is Town and Village Clerk, also Jus-
tice el the 1'eace. He married, in Spring Green. Wis.. Ella Finn; they have one son. Frank
J. Finn.
^ THOMAS FRANCIS, farmer, Sec. 34; P. 0. Spring Green; bum in North Wales in
in this country while a young man. and lived in Cincinnati, Ohio, Lawrence Co . IVnn.,
and Wheeling, Ya., prior to his coming to Wisconsin; he lias, at present writing, been a resident of Sauk
Co., Wis., for more than twenty years. He married, in [owa Co., Wis.. Miss Margaret .lames (daughter
of Benjamin and Catharine .lames, early settlers of Dodgeville, Iowa Co. : ; they have live children — Eliza
II. Emma k\. Man B. and George E. Mr. Francis owns 1 lu acres of land ; his farm is loca-
ild Brook Valley, and is well improved.
WILLIAM II. HARRIS, farmer. Sec. 35 ; P. 0 Spring Green ; was bom April 26, 1832,
near Mansfield, Ohio; he came to Wisconsin with his parents, Jonathan W. and Abigail 0. Harris, and
. the town of Troy, this (Sauk - Co., in about 1845, where they plaited the village of Harrisburg.
and a thriving local business has been carried on there since. During the war of the rebellion, William
H. Harris, tin- subject ol this sketch, enlisted at Harrisburg, in Co. K. 23d W. Y . I .. and participated in the
battles of Chickasaw Bayou, from Dec. 25 until Dec 31, 1862; Ft. Hinman, Jan. 11. 1863; Cypress
Bend, Feb. 19; Port Gibson, May 1 . Champion Hills, May 16; Black River Bridge, Maj 17; Vicks-
burg, from May 19 until .J uly 1 : Jackson, from duly 12 until duly 23 ; Carrion Crow Bayou, Nov. 3 in
this battle he was wounded) ; Sabina Cross Roads, April 8, 1864; Cain River, April 23 ; Jackson Oct
H08 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
5 ; Dallas Station, Dec. 24-25 ; Greenville, from Feb. 16 until Feb. 23, 1865 ; siege of Mobile, March 25
until April 12, 1865; the records of his regiment show that he was always in active service, and was
under fire in all of the above battles, and that be was honorably discharged at the close of the war as First
Sergeant. He married, in Decorah, Wis., Dorotha Benson, a native of Pennsylvania; they have
resided in Spring Green since 1866; their children are George W., Abigail N\, William L., Helen I.,
Jennie B., Eva E., Bertha, Irwin S. and Alma G. Mr. Harris owns 230 acres of land, located in the
vicinity of the village of Spring Green, and well improved. He has been elected to various offices of trust,
and has the confidence of the entire community.
S. M. HARRIS, dealer in general merchandise, Spring Green ; was born in Richland Co., Ohio,
Nov. 15,1837; he came to Wisconsin with his parents, JonathanW. and Abagail C. Harris, in 1845, and settled
where Harrisburg now stands, it being named for them ; in early life. S. M. Harris learned the carpenter and
joiner trade, and continued in it for about seventeen years, a great portion of the time being engaged in contract-
ing and building; he engaged in the mercantile business in Spring Green Jan. 1, 1872, and has a large and
constantly increasing trade. He is a leading and prominent member of the Masonic Fraternity. Mr.
Harris married in Troy, this county, Mary, daughter of Samuel Davis, an esteemed and early settler ; they
have three children — Florence C, Gilbert L. and Effie. Mr. H. takes an active interest in educational
matters, and has filled various school and other local offices ; he is everywhere regarded as a man of
superior business attainments and a man of integrity.
CjJ. S. II A It It I SOX. proprietor of harness-shop, Spring Green ; was born in Iowa Co., Wis.,
Oct. 18, 1854; his father. William Harrison, came to Iowa Co. in 1842, and there married Maria Hodg-
son ; they were both natives of England; they still reside in Iowa Co., well-to-do and esteemed citizens.
G. S. Harrison learned harness-making in Dane Co.; he located in Spring Green the present year (1880) ;
he has a good stock of harness, saddles, and everything usually kept in the harness line ; he has a good
trade, which is constantly increasing.
THOMAS HILL., farmer, Sec. 7; P. 0. Spring Green; was born Oct. 16, 1847, in Lanca-
shire, England; in 1855, he immigrated to this country with his parents, Thomas and Margaret Hill;
they first lived in Racine, Wis., a short time, then removed to Spring Green. Thomas Hill, the subject
of this sketch, first engaged in clerking in a mercantile store, which he continued in several years ; in
1872, he engaged in the mercantile business on his own account, continuing in it until 1S77 ; in 1879, he
purchased the farm he now resides on ; it is adjacent to the village, is well improved, and contains 120
acres. He married in Spring Green, Emeline S., daughter of E. P. Newell, an early settler, and for a num-
ber of years a leading merchant in Spring Green, holding various offices of honor and trust, highly
esteemed in every respect, and enjoying the full confidence of all ; they have three children — Ernst T.,
Earl and Carl. Mr. Hill is an active and energetic man. social in disposition, and is deservedly popular.
Himself and wife are leading members of the Congregational Church.
W. R. HOOD, farmer. Sec. 29; P. 0. Lone Rock; was born in Pittsburgh. Penn., Aug. 14.
L840 ; be was educated at the " Iron City " I lollege, Pittsburgh ; he came to Wisconsin in 1859, locating
in the town of Spring Green, Sauk County, which lias been his home ever since, with the exception of the
time lie was in the service of the Union, and the year 1868, which be lived in Loganville, tl>is county.
In the war of the rebellion, Mr. Hood first enlisted in the Sixth Wisconsin Battery; was enrolled in
September. 1861, and served in the battery until December, 1862, then was transferred to United States
irps, in which he served until July, 1864, and in January, 1865, entered Co. E, 49th W. V. I.,
rved in thai regiment until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. In poli-
tics Mr. Hood is an active Republican; al present writing be holds, the offices of Justice of the Peace,
■ ary Public and Clerk of Districl Schools, lie has been twice married ; his first wife was Miss M. Sweet;
"I" died Dec. 31, 1862 ; two children by the first marriage — Ida and Sylvester; his present wife was Miss
I onnielifl'. of Loganville. this county; they have five children — Clarence C, Victor V., Eliza E.,
Adda A. and Ralph II. .Mr. Hood owns a valuable farm, well located and improved.
S. I'. IIOVIK. farmer. Sec. 8; 1'. < ». Spring Green ; was born in Piscataquis Co., Maine, April
30,1832; in 1 s it. he came to Wisconsin and located in Cooksville, Rock County, where he remained
until 1865, then removed to his present home in Spring Green, Sank Co., Wis. lie married in Richland
Co.. Wis.. Miss Elmina Cass . they had four children— Frank A., James A., Lillian B. and Freddie M,
lloxie owns a finely located ami well improved farm of 1 in acres, in the vicinity of the village of Spring
Green ; he has been a continual resident of Wisconsin since 1817. with the exception of three years he
spent on the Pacific Coast. In politics, he is a Republican ; he is a prominent member of the Grange, and
has filled various offices in that SOi
TOWN OF SPRING GREEN. KU-'
M. F. HOR LEY, President of the Board of Trustees, Spring Green, was Lorn in County
Waterford, Ireland, in 1819; in 1841, he emigrated to British America, and to the United States in 1850 ;
lived in Boston, Mass., and Chicago, 111., until 1859, when he came to Wisconsin ; located in Richland
City; in 1850, came to Spring Green; he has been Chairman of the Village Board several terms, and
a school officer o\ er nine years. He married in the Province of Nova Scotia, B. A., Miss Mary A. Duggan ;
their children are John, Michael, Ellen, Celia, James and Annie ; their oldest, John, is salesman for a Mil-
waukee firm ; Ellen is the wife of James McKanna of this town ; Celia is teaching school.
JOHN T. JONES, far.iier and stock-raiser ; P. 0. Spring Green; was born in Dodgeville, Wis.; is
therefore a native to the manor born ; his parents, Thomas E. and Martha Jones, settled in Dodgeville in
1st 1. and shortly after the birth of John T. removed to Spring Green and built and run the first store in
that town and were honored and esteemed citizens; their childaen were John T., whose name heads this
notice ; Margaret E.. now the wife of J. T. Barnard, of Spring Green; Thomas E , deceased. Mr. J.
T Jones owns over 500 acres of land, and is one of the most extensive farmers in Spring Green; his
paternal grandfather, Evan Jones, was the third person to settle in the town of Spring Green, and took an
active part in the improvement of the new county.
EDWARD LESTER, farmer. Sec. 32; P. O. Spring Green ; was born in Leicester, En-
gland. July 16, 1841. In 1848, his parents. William and Mary A. Lester, emigrated to this country and
settled in Dane Co., Wis., where they still reside, esteemed citizens. Edward Lester, the subject of this
sketch, lived in Dane (',.. until the breaking-out of the war of the rebellion, when he enlisted at Madison,
in Co. F. 11th W. V. I. ; served four years and participated in every engagement his command was in, and
always in active service. He married, in the town of Troy, this county, in 1866. Miss Agnes Stewart,
daughter of Alexander and Agnes Stewart, old settlers and still honored residents of Troy. Immediately
after they were married, they moved to Spring Green, where they have since resided ; they have two chil-
dren—Helen E. and William E. Mr. Lester owns 200 acres of well-improved land. He is a Republican
in politics.
WILLIAM HAUOFFIN, M. D., Spring Green; was born in Harrisburg, Ky., in 1824;
studied medicine in his native place and in the New York Medical Institute, graduating m about 1857 ; he
first practiced his profession in New York City about one year; then went to Woodville, Miss., and prac-
ticed there the greater part of the time until the breaking-out of the war of the rebellion, when he returned
to his native State and was in the Confederate service in the position of surgeon during the war. At the
close of the rebellion, he engaged in the practice of bis profession at Savannah, Ga.; until 1872, when his
health began to fail, and, in consequence, he moved to Minnesota, thence to New Albin, Iowa, where he
resided until the autumn of 1878, when he came to Spring Green. He has a large practice and enjoys the
confidence and esteem of all, and is universally respected for his sterling integrity and liberal views. Dr.
Magoffin married in Savannah, Ga.. Miss Annie B. Patterson ; their children are Marian, William B..
Annie aid Jennie.
SILAS F. NICKEY, an extensive farmer and stock-dealer; P. O. Spring Green ; was born in Mor-
row Co., Ohio, Sept. 1. 1852 : his parents, Abraham and Margaret Nickey, moved to Wisconsin the same
year and settled in Spring Green. Silas F. married Miss Frances Sherwood, a daughter of M.lvin Slier-
wood ; they have one child — Gertrude. Mr. Nickey is, at the present writing. Chairman of the Town
Board of Supervisors, a position to which he has been elected four times ; he has also filled local offices in
the village of Spring Green ; he owns a large and well-improved farm, which he manages, besides giving a
good deal of his time and attention to buying and shipping stock, in which he is largely interested.
T. C. PECK, farmer, Sec. 34 ; P. O. Spring Green ; was born Oct. 3, 1825. in Wayne Co. N.
Y., where he remained until 1846, when he came to Wisconsin, locatingin Newark. Rock Co., where be
resided about seven years, at the end of which time he removed to the town of Franklin, this (Sauk (V ;
lived in Franklin one year, then moved to Spring Green, which has been bis home since. He married.
in Howard. 111., Miss Mary Colwell ; they have eight children— Eva I., their oldest daughter, is the wife of
P. Morrison, of Newark, Rock Co., Wis.; Ruth. Mary, Frank E., Lydia, George H., Sylvester and Fred
L. ; the younger children are all at home. Mr Peck has, for a number of years, filled the office of Dis-
trict School Treasurer, and has been a member of the Town Board of Supervisors several terms ; he owns
280 acres of land, desirably located and well improved. Mr. Peck came to Wisconsin two years prior to
its becoming a State ; then he had scarcely any of this world's goods, but he came with a determination to
win and make for himself a home and competence ; how well he has succeeded, is proved by his broad acres
in a high state of cultivation and improvement, and the many comforts which surround his home.
810 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
GEORGE G. REELY, farmer, Sec, 33; I'. 0. Spring Green; born in County of Kent,
England, March 7, L826 ; in early life, he followed the sea as a sailor, and visited many of the principal
f the world ; in 1847. he came to the United Stairs, and lived in the State of Louisiana thi
part of the time until 1849, i'i which year lie came to Wisconsin, and has been a resident of the town of
• .iron, Sank Co.. Wis., the' greater pari id' (he time since. During the war of the rebellion, he
enlisted in Co. A, 36th W. V. I. ; was wounded at North Anna, and was present at Lee's surrender of
Richmond; lie w;n l.oiiorably discharged at the close of the war. He married, in Dane Co., Wis., Miss Ann
O'Mera ; they have three children — Sarah A., their oldest daughter, is the wife of Thomas Norton, of
Spring G ioys, William M. and John W., are at home Mr. Eteely owns an improved farm
in polities. He takes an active interest in educational matters, and
school offices.
WILLIAM REELY, builder, Spring Green; born in Brooklin, Kent County. England,
Aug. 10, 1828; in 1847, he emigrated to Ft. Stanley, Canada, where he remained until 1849; tl
to Wisconsin, and lias resided in Spring Green since that time, with the exception of the short time he was in
\pril 21, 1856, he married, in Spring Green. Phoebe Robson, a native ofSpauld-
ing, Lincolnshire, England; they have six children — Sarah J., wife of W. Hayes, who served in the 17th
W. V. 1. during the war; Thomas, Nettie, Lilly, Harry and Ralph. Mr. Reely has been eng i-ed in eon
tracting and buildiug for a number of years ; he is an experienced mechanic and doe- a good business.
RICHARD C. ROBSON, farmer, Sec. 3 ; P. 0. Spring Green; horn Aug. 22, 1844 in
Spauldin nd; he came with his parents, William and Phoebe Robson, who are
lis county, in 1851, and in 185 !, located with them ill the town of Tro\ .
Wis During the war id' the rebellion, he enlisted in the 1st Wisconsin Bat
until the clos ■ of the war. when he was honorably discharged. He married, in Spring Dale Dane Co.,
Wis., Miss Belle Thronson ; they have three children— Charles II.. Thomas M. and, Cora C. Mr. Robson
owns 60 a.-res of land. Is a Republican in politics.
JOSEPH SEIDERS, farmer, Sec. 3 ; P.O. Spring Green ; born in Reading, Penn., July
4, 1810. He married, in Lebanon Co., Perm.. Eliza Keiler ; alter their marriage, they moved to Richland
Co., Ohio, where they lived until 1854, when thej came to Wisconsin, locating iii the town of Spring
■ sided Their oldest son John, served in the 6th Wisconsin Battery
during the war id' the rebellion ; P. J., the second oldest, also served m the 6th Battery, and was wounded at
Corinth, Miss. ; William is the third oldest ; oldest daughter, Mary, is the wife of Joseph Hood, a soldier
in the 6th Wisconsin Battery during the war . Eliza, second old. ,-i dan- liter, wa- man c d twice, her tirst
husband was Capt. II I, ol the 6th Battery, .ind he is deceased ; her present husband is Lemuel H iod ;
< 'assaline. third oldest daughter, is the wife of Charles heck, who was a s ldier in active ser\ ice during our
war with .Mexico ; Louisa, fourth daughter, is the wife of Charlie Finn ; and .Miss Cornelia E., younge.st
daughter. Mr. Seiders owns about 270 acres of land; his farm is splendidly improved.
PHILIP J. SEIDERS, farmer, Sec. 3; P. O. Spring Green; was born in Richland Co.,
Ohio, Oct. 15, L837; he came to Wisconsin with his parents, Joseph and Eliza Seiders, in 1854, and
settled in Spring Green, Sauk Co. \t the breaking out of the war of the rebellion, he enlisted in Done
Rock, Wis . to serve in the iiih Wiscn-in Batter} . and was i itive service the greater part of the time,
until honorably discharged, lie married, in Spring Green, Clarissa K Elwood ; they have one son
William II. While in the -en ice Mr Seiders was severely wounded in the right shoulder at the faille
of Corinth, Miss He owns a valuable and well improved farm.
A. C. SCHKHLI'L proprietor of harness shop. Spring Green; was horn in Switzerland
March 11. 1825; in 1833, he came to this country ; learned the trade of harness-maker in Marion, Ohio;
."i 3, locating in Richland City. During the war of the rebellion, he enlisted at
Windsor. Wis., in Co. A. 36th W. V. I.; participated in all the battles his command was in, among them
were Cold Harbor, Hatcher's Bun, Petersburg, Deep Bottom, Beam's Station. He married in
Morrow Co., Ohio, Rebi a Knapp ; their children are Josephine, now wife of Albert Clayton, of Rich-
land City, Wis ; he was a soldier in the 6th Wiscon in Bi Mary, wife of W. Thornburg; of I ronton,
this coin. f.. I \| married Hettie Morey ; they live in Rock Co., Minn.; [sadora, wife of John T.
this town; William, Ellsworth, Charles, Richard, Jane and Eugene. ( >n bis return home from
i VIi Schebli moved to Richland Center, and then to this county in 1867, and has been engaged
in can- making sh. p in the city since.
IIOX. IS. IT. STRONG was horn in Woodbury. Litchfield Co., Conn., in 1819. He married, in
Mar; II Gri n 'lev came to Wisconsin in 1854, and located at Janesyille, where he
TOWN OF sprint; GREEN. 811
: mtil 1857 in which year he came to Spring; Green, where he has since resided ; since Ik:
lias lived in Sauk Co., he has been elected to several offices of h r and number of times a
f tlie Hoard i if Supervisors and J usi ice of the Peace ; in 1870-71, he was a member of the Wis
I e filled with honor to himself and constituent-. Mr. Strong was tbi i!
of the village of Spring G I and kept the firs! store; he was, for a number of yeai
in dealing in stock; he is proprietor of the Park Hotel, and has run it in ci 'Ction with his other busi
ness livery, stock-dealing, farmin - ; in every position lie lias been chosen to fill, he
has discharged the duties to the satisfaction of all, and is held in high esteem bj his fellow citi
JAMES A. TAYLOR, farmer; P, 0. Spring Green, is a Co., Ohio, born in 1822 ;
came to Wisconsin in 1844, locating in the town of Sumter, Sauk Co., where he entered Government
land, and improved a farm, and resided on it about ten years; then moved to Harri
another iarra improved it, and remained there a tl twelve years at the end oi which time, he came to
Sprint; Green, which has been his home since: he i- a large land-holder, and one of the most successful
farmers in the county. Mr. Taylor married in Troy, this county. Miss Phoebe Harris^ daughter of Jon-
athan W. Harris, who first locate. 1 the village of Harrisburg : they have five children — Louisa, wife of F.
B. Davison, of Grant Co., Wis ; \ W., who is married and lives at Emmetsburg, Iowa, his wife was Miss
Kitlic SToung ; ('has G. married Sarah Morgan, they also r< side in Kmmelsburg ; Alice T., and Delia
Mr. Taylor is a member of the Congregational Church. He has served the people i- various local offices.
.IOIIX ii. THOMAS, farmer. Sec. 33; I'. (). Spring Green ; was born in South Wale,. i„
1812. lie married in his native country Miss Nellie Jones. In 1851, they came to this country andset-
iiiia Centre, Jefferson Co., Wis., where they remained until 1855, in which year they came to
Spring Green, Sauk Co . and were among the tirst settlers in the vicinity of where the village of Spring
now located; in about 1861, the} removed to Sec. 33, Cold Brook Valley, where he has since
lived. His wife died in 1871; she was a sincere and an earnest Christian woman ; their children are
oldest daughter, was the wife of John J. Thomas, she is now deceased ; Griffie, oldest son. is
living in Chicago. 111.; his first wife. Susan Davis, is deceased; his present wile was Ann D. Jones, of
Spring Green; he was a volunteer soldier in the t'.th Wisconsin flattery during the war; was honorably
discharged at its close; John, the -■■eon.l oid< i son, served in the .'!7th W. V. I, during the war; was
wounded at Petersburg; lie married Eliza Jones; they live in Adams Co., Iowa; Margai
■daughter, resides in this town ; Lewis, the third oldest son. married Mary Richards ; they live in Adams
Co., Iowa; Rachel, the third oldest daughter, is the wife of Richard Damrey, Macon Co., 111.; Magda-
lene, fourth oldest daughter, was the wife of II. Ballard; she is now deceased ; Hannah, the fifth oldest
daughter, is the wife of John Rose. Chicago, 111. ; Thomas, the fourth oldest sen. died in Ixoiiia Centre,
Jefferson Co., Wis. ; David, the fifth oldest son. married Nellie Jones; they live in Dawson. Neb. Mr.
Thomas has been for over twenty-six years a Deacon iu the Congregational Church, and has alwa
rest in religious and educational matters, lie has held the other, of Justice of the Peace twelve
\-sessnr two year-, and various other local offices. He owns a valuable farm of 200 acres in Cold
Brook \ alley. The name " Cold Brook " was given by him to the valley in the early history of its settle-
ing the name of a valley near his native place ill Wales. Mr. Thomas is a leading and enterpris-
ing citizen, and has been very successful in life.
WILLIAM TI'XSTALL. farmer and dealer in agricultural implements, Spring Green , was
born May 3, 1836, in County Cumberland, England. He married, in his native county, Margaret Tennion ;
they came to this country in 1869, settling in Sauk Co., Wis., the same year, and it lias been their home
\ have seven children — John, William, James, Moses. S. Jennie. Bessie and Mamie. Mr. Tun-
still In- filled various local offices of trust. Owns 160 acres of valuable laud in this county, also property
in Spring Green. He is a leading member of the M. E. Church, and takes an active interest in religious
and educational matters.
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
TOWN OF TROY.
MRS. ABAGAIL AMBLER, Sec. 13; P. 0. Riche's Corners: her maiden name was
Pidcocli ; she was born in Lambertville. N. J. She married, in her native place, Thomas Ambler; they
came in Wisconsin in 1851, and settled in the town of Troy, Sauk Co., where she s'ill resides, esteemed by.
.ill with whom she is acquainted ; their children are George W.. now in Missouri ; he was a soldier in Co.
K. 23d W. V, I. during the war of the rebellion ; Jacob F., of this town ; Joshua, in Kansas ; William,
manages the farm; Elizabeth, wife of S. Ranson, of Grant Co., Wis. ; Louisa, wife of Marion Jacobs, of
this county; Abbie A. and Roxte. Mrs. Ambler owns 120 acres of well located and improved land.
SAMIEE BABINGTON, farmer, Sec. 27 ; P. O. Cassell Prairie; was born in Milbrook,
Canada, in 1847 ; in 1865, he went to Pennsylvania, thence to Illinois, and from that State came to
Wisconsin in L866?and located in the town of Troy, Sauk Co. In 1872, he married Miss Tomazine Pat-
terson ; they have four children — John T., Robert S., Maude M. and Guy. Mr. Babington owns 260
acres of land, and is an energetic and go-ahead citizen. Mrs. Babington, his wife, was born in the city of
New York, where her parents, John and Mary Patterson, had lived for several years prior to their coming
to Wisconsin in 1852 ; they were pioneer settlers of Patterson's Valley, town of Troy, Sauk Co., where
they lived a number of years, and were esteemed citizens.
GEORGE BOXHAM, farmer. Sec. 19 ; P. 0. Black Hawk ; was born in Wingrove, Buek-
inghamsl ire, England, ( )ct. 1 .">. 1821. When he first came to this country, be lived near Mansfield, Ohio, a
short time; in 1851, he came to Wisconsin and settled in the town of Troy, Sauk County, which has
I n his home since. He married, in the town of Franklin, this county, Miss Ruhamah Jacoby, a native
of Stark Co., Ohio ; they have seven children — Susan. Hollis G., Phoebe A., Lucy L., James L., John
E. and William B.; the oldest daughter, Susan, is the wife of Benjamin Young, of this town (Troy).
Mr. Bonham owns a valuable farm of 125 acres; he is Chairman of the Town Board of Supervisors, and
was Town Treasurer several years, in politics, a Republican ; In- is ( 'l.i-s-leader in the Methodist Episcopal
Church ; himself and wife are leading members. His wife's mother, an old resident of this county, is still
King, herself and husband were early settlers of Franklin, this county.
T. <". I'll A .11 ItF.lt lil\. an early settler of this town i Troy . and a leading fanner in Sec. 36 >
I' < ». Cassell Prairie; was born April 11. 1820, in Windham, Windham Co., Vt., where be remained
until 1.") years of age; then removed with bis parents to Winhall, Bennington County, where he married
wife, Paulina Kidder, who died a few years after her marriage, leaving one child, a daughter,
!'.. who is now the wife of J. \V. Brooks, a leading physician in Hot Springs, Ark. Mr. Cbam-
berlin married his presenl wife. Regina Helf. in Brattleboro, Vt.; alter their marriage, they went to
Worcester, Mass . where he was employed officially in the Hospital for the Insane, iii 1853, they came
in Wisconsin, purchased the farm where they now live and have resided since; they have three chil-
dren— Lulu, llattie and Cora. Mr. Chamberlin was Postmaster of Cassell Prairie P. 0. over sixteen
rears lie has taken an active part in advancing the religious, educational and other interests of the town
of Troy, and in improvements he has steadily kept pace with the growth and prosperity of the country;
his farm i^ well located and contains over '.'Mi) acres.
l-'ICEIt EEA.1IME. proprietor of blacksmith and wagon shop. Black Hawk; was born in
Germany March 16, 1847; in 1868, he came to Wisconsin, locating in Richland Center, working there
and in various other places in the southern part of Wisconsin until his coining to Black Hawk, where he
engaged in blacksmithing and wagon-making on his own account, and has succeeded in buildingup a large
ili married, in Richland County, Miss Maggie Berger; she was horn in Richland County; they
o children Fred and Curtis. Mr. Flamme learned mechanical work in his native country, and
had years ofexperiei before his coming to ibis country; his work is strictly first class.
A. W. inSllllitlli. farmer; P. 0. Black Hawk; was born in the town of Troy,
Wis., Feb 3 1852. He married Miss Mary Gasser, daughter of George and Margurite Gas-
med citizens of Franklin, this county. .Mr. Hasbeider's parents, William and Charlotte llas-
H0W live in Sauk City, in affluent circumstances; thej were early set tiers of the town of Troy,
which was their home for a number of years. A. W. Hasheidor, whose name heads this sketch, is one
ading tanners of the town of Troy ; in politics, be is a Republican ; himself and wife attend the
meetings of the Evangelical Association of North America.
TOWN OF TROY. 813
HON. C. C. KUNTZ, Sec. 7; P. 0. Black Hawk; wa« horn in the town of Moerzheim,
Landau Co.. Rhenish Palatinate, Germany, Jan. 11, L832; was educated al the normal schools and the
college at Kaiserslanter, Rhenish Palatinate, where he graduated in 1852; he came to Wisconsin in
L853, and settled in Sauk City, this county, when' he edited the Pioneer am Wisconsin, the
first German Republican paper in Wisconsin ; in 1856, he was a delegate to the National Convention
at Philadelphia, which nominated J. C. Fremont for the office of President of' the United States; he was
a member of the Wisconsin Legislative Assembly in 1869, 1870, 1871 and 1874, four terms, serving each
term as Chairman of the Committee on Education ; in the town of Troy he has filled various local offices.
and, in every position he has been called to fill, has discharged the duties thereof with signal ability. Mr.
Kuntz married, in St. Louis, Mo., in lS.")li, Miss Susan Mix daughter of ('apt. Mix, of the United States
Navy; they have two children — Eugene and Katie. Mr. Kuntz owns a finely located and improved
farm, which of late years he has devoted the most of his time to cultivating and improving.
H. LOERI'ABEL, farmer. Sec. .",2; P. 0. Cassell Prairie; was born in Prussia in 1821 ;
he came to this country and Wisconsin in 1849; lived near Pewaukee, in Waukesha Co., one year, and
then went to St. Louis, Mo., there remaining but a short time; he then came to Lowa Co., Wis., and
thence to the town of Troy, Sauk Co., which has been his home since, lie married in Lone Rock, Rich-
land Co., Wis.. Maty McCready ; they have nine children. Mr. Loerpabel owns 240 acres of land, and
has held various local offices.
CARLTON PAGE, farmer; P. O. Spring Green ; was born in Richland Co., Wis., in 1850
his parents, Gerritl and Jane Page, were pioneer settlers of Wisconsin, and were honored and esteemed
citizens. He married in this (Sauk) county, Miss Alice Booker; she was born in Janesville, "Wis., and
daughter of Edwin Booker, one of the early settlers of that enterprising ;1nd growing city ; they have
one child— Chester L. Mr. Page is largely engaged in farming, and has been very successful thus far in
life.
ROBERT F. PALMER, farmer, See. 18 ; P. O. Black Hawk ; was born in < (range Co . N
Y., Feb. 7, 1811 ; when he was 19 years of age, he removed with his parents to Onondaga Co., where he
married, June . 'Kt, 1839, in the town of Skaneateles, Miss Jane E. Briggs; -lie was bom in Mareellus,
Onondaga Co.. N. Y., Feb. 17, 1818; in 1849, they came to Wisconsin; they first located at Beaver
Dam, where they remained over one year; then moved to the town of Scott, Columbia Co.. which was
their home until 1856, in which year they removed to Wcstfield, this county, and thence to their present
home in Troy in 1866 ; their eldest son, Harrison J., lives in Holt Co., Neb, ; he married in Wcstfield,
this county, Maria Mepham ; the eldest daughter, Mary E., is married and lives in Michigan ; Charles A.,
second eldest sou, married Anna J. Evans, of Spring Green ; they now live in Kansas; Sarah J., second
eldest daughter, is the wife of John A. Young, of Richland Co., Wis. ; Ajah A., unmarried, lives in Min-
nesota; Edward R. and William IL, the youngest of the boys, reside in this town. Mr. Palmer owns
150 acres of land ; his farm is desirably located and well improved.
JOHN B. PATTERSON, farmer, Sec. 34 ; P. 0. Cassell Prairie; was bom it, County
Down, Ireland, May 20, 1841 ; his parents, William and Jane Patterson, were of Scotland ; she
died in Ireland, and he emigrated to this country in 1851, bringing his family with him ; in 1852, they
a what is now known as Patterson's Valley, in town of Troy, Sauk Co., Wis., where he did in
i 360 his children are John B., whose name heads this sketch ; Mary, who is now the wife of William S.
Pierce, of this town ; Robert G., now in Kansas ; Jane. John B. Patterson, our subject, has been a con-
tinual resident of Troy since 1852. He married, in Delton.this county, Miss Huldah R. Snow, a native
of Ohio; he owns 130 acres of land ; is a Republican in politics; has filled various school offices.
MARCUS L. PATTERSON, farmer, See. 33; P. 0. Cassell Prairie; was born it, lowa
Co.. Wis.. Dec. 21. l-.">7. lie married in Waukesha. Wis.. Miss M. Felix; she was born in the town of
Honey Creek, this county, and was the daughter of G. Felix, an early settler ami esteemed citiz f that
town; they have one child, Lizzie C. Mr. Patterson is extensively engaged in fanning ; he owns 260 acres
of land; his parents, Henry and Eliza Patterson, were early settlers of Wisconsin, and were au
first to settle in the valley now known as Patterson's Valley, in the town of Troy, the valley del
name from the Patterson families, of whom they were one, who were the first settlers.
JOHN W. PROCTOR, farmer.' Sec L6 and .'ill; P. 0. Spring Green; was born 'in
Cooksville, Rock Co., Wis., Feb. 17, 1845 ; his parents, John and Julia Proctor, were pionei C settlers of
Wisconsin, and arc now esteemed citizens of' Pocahontas Co., lowa. During the war of tin- rebellion, J.
W. Proctor, the subject of this i in the 6th Wisconsin Battery, and was in active service
814 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
until honorably discharged at tln> close of the war. He married, in Tmv. Sauk Co., Wis., Jeanette Stt w
art; she was also born in Rock Co., Wis., and is the daughter of Alexander and Agnes Stewart, who
settled in Rock Co. in its early history, and at pros, ait writing have been honored residents of this Sauk
county Cor over thirty-one years. Mr. Proctor owns 160 acres of well-improved land; he has been a resi-
dent , if this town (Troy) since 1857, and has taken a just pride in its improvements.
JOS1X C. RENDTORFF, merchant. Black Hawk : was horn in Sauk City, Wis., June 3,
1845 ; his lather. Edmund Kendtorfi', is one of the oldest settlers now residing in that city. John C, the sub-
is notice, was educated in Sauk City and St. Louis, Mo., and wa< for several years a mercantile clerk
in .Milwaukee, Wis., an 1 Chicago, [11.; in 1868, he engaged in the mercantile business in Black Hawk,
and has by his untiring zeal, g 1 manage nl and close attention to duly, secured a large and constantly
increasing trade; he was appointed Bos' master in 1869, a position he still tills with entire satisfaction to the
■my. He married, in Sauk City, Miss Julia Heller, daughter of J. I. Heller, now a leading mer-
chant of thai place: they have two children — Edmund and Walter. Mr. Rendtorff is a Republican in
politics; he has been elected to various local offices, and is withal very popular; he carries a large stock of
general merchandise, and does an extensive trade..
JOSEPH REUSCIILEIN, farmer, Sec. 2; P. 0. Spring Green ; was born in Baden, Ger-
many, in 1837; in 1848, he came to this country with his father and step-mother, his'mother having died
iny; they settled in Burlington, Racine Co., Wis, where he remained until [851, in which year
he came to Sauk Co and located in the town of Franklin, where he resided until 1ST.'!, when he moved
to his present home. He married in Franklin, Sarah J. Faust, a native of Indiana, of which State her
daivnts. James and Mary Faust, were early settlers; they now live in Crawford Co., Wis. Mr.
nproved farm of about 240 acres. He has been a continual resident of Wisconsin
witnessing its growth from a population of little more than 300,391 until the present
time, when it embraces a population of over 1,300,729.
S.VIIl'Fili 15. ROBSOX, one of the early settlers of the town of Troy, and now an extensive
farmer on Sec. 6; P.O. Spring Green ; was born Aug. I, 1837, in Spaulding, England; he immigrated
mntry with his parents, Willard and Phoebe Robson, in 1851, locating with them in the town of
Troy, Sauk Co., Wis .in [854, where he, in common with other settlers of Sauk Co. at that time, endured
the hardships and privations that must necessarily lie under-one by the first settlers of any country. He
married Elizabeth J. Lonsdale, a native of Northamptonshire, England, and daughter of Robert and Catha-
rine Lonsdale, who settled in this county in 1849; they have ten children— Edward 15., George H., Will-
iam R., Irwin W., Alpheus J., Lonsdale C, Silas B., Walter F., Myrta A and Elsie L. Mr. Robsou
owns 200 acres of valuable land ; is a thorough and go-ahead fanner, and is fully identified with the prog-
ress the town of Tro\ has made, from an almost unbroken and uncultivated wilderness, until the present
time, when it compares favorably with any towu in the county, in her various improvements and interests.
WILLI All RORSOX. farmer, Sec. 2 ; P. 0. Spring (liven; was born April 15, 1812, in
Lincolnshire, England. Feb. 26, 1834, he married, in the Episcopal Church in Spaulding. England, Miss
Phoebe Clear: sic was bom March 23, 1809, in Lincolnshire; they crossed the Alantic in 1851; lived at
St at en Maud until 1854, iii win in to Wisconsin, settling in the town of Troy, Sauk Co.,
the same year, entering their land from he Government, thus becoming the pioneer settlers of the southern
■ of Troy, which has been their bom.' since. Their oldesl sun, Samuel B., married Eliza-
beth J. I. i iw reside in this town; John W , their second oldesl son, is a merchant in Bane Co ,
Wis. ; he served i In ■ ■ t li Wisconsin Battery in active service ; bis wjfe was Georgiana l'tmh ; she
died in June. 1880 ; Richard C., thi third oldest son, served in the Wisconsin battery of heavy artillery ; was
honorabl} of the war; he married Belle Thomson ; Henry, the fourth son. 'served
all through the war in the 6th Wisconsin Battery; re enlisted at the close of the war to do service on the
frontier, and died in the service in Arizona . tl Idest daughter, Mar) J., was the wife of John Wyinan ;
be died in Staten Island ; second r. Sarah A, is the wife of John Gleason. of Spring ( ircen ;
the third oldesl daughter, is the wifeof William Reely, of Spring (iivm ; fourth oldest. Eliza S., is
oi \ioi-on Rldred, Dane Co., Wis. Mr. Robson owns 150 acres of land; himself and *(ife have a
vivid recollection of piaieer life in Sauk Co., and of many of the old settlers who prepared the way for the
lie county al the present time, who have gone to a fairer clime, and of a more
enduring and satisfying tenure than this.
JOIIX A. Nri:i,< II I.K. a pi r -ettler and a wdl to do farmer of the town of Troy,
en iii Switzerland, iii 1823; he came to Wisconsin in I S-Ki, making a settlement where lie
i ; on all sides of him there was an uncultivated wilderness, bat now all is i hanged ; on every hand
TOWN OF TROY. 815
arc seen the workings of industry, and fields in a high state of cultivation ; that he has kept ps with the
growth and improvement going on around hi in is amply testified to by his well improved acres and sub-
stantial 1 mi Minus. Be married, in Sank City, Wis., Man ha Sheets ; sin- was also a native of Switzerland;
their children are John, now in Trempeleau Co., Wis.; Albert . fndrew ; Martha, wife of L Schneller, aud
Lizzie. Mr. Sprecher has filled various local offices in the town of Troy, and has taken an aqtive part in
her public affairs. Himself and wife are members of the Evangelical Association of North America. He
was in in i I i ia service in his native country. In politics he is a Republican.
ALEXANDER STEWART, Srv prominent citizen and Tanner. Sec. 1; P. ( ). Spring
Green; born in Renfrew, the seat of Kenfrewshirc, Scotland, in lsiti; most of his boyhood was spent in
his native city, near the River Clyde, a short distance from Clasgow. When he was 21 years old, hi i ime
to this country, and married, in Newark, V. I. .Miss Agnes Moreland. In 1845, they came Westand located
in Rock Co., Wis . whi re thej remained four y<ars, at the end of which time they moved to this county
and located in the town of Troy, which has been their home since. Their oldest son, William, served in the
I M W. V . I . during the war of the rebellion. lie married Julia Fulcomer . they now live in Rooks Co.,
Kan., second oldest son, Alexander, Jr., married Betsy Pultson ; third oldest son. .lames F., married
Mary Aron ; oldest daughter, Eliza, is the wife of John Pulcomer ; second oldest daughter, Jane H., resides
at home ; third oldest daughter. .Icatiette, is the wife of W. John Proctor ; Agnes, the fourth daughter, is
the wife ot' E. holer, Annie, the fifth daughter, is the wife ot Enos (iwjn. Mr. Stewart was elected the
first Chairman of the Town Board of Supervisors in Troy, a position he has several times been called on
to till since that time, and has keen officially identified with the history of the town in various positions
since its organization. He is an extensive and successful fanner; is a prominent member and organizer
in the Orange Society, and is always ready to lend a helping hand to any enterprise that gives promise in
any way of advancing the interests of his town or county; he was, for several years, the most
extensive hop -rower in this portion of Wisconsin ; he owns a valuable and well improved farm of about
400 acres.
ORISON THOMAS. Sec 36; P. 0 Cassell Prairie ; born in Chesterfield, Cheshire Co.,
N. II.. Aug. '_'. 1822, where he remained until 1841. when he went to Worcester, Mass., and was employed
in an official capacity in the Hospital for the Insane until 1850, in which year he came to Wisconsin,
locating in Raymond. Racine Co., where he resided until March, 1852, when he removed to this 'Sauk i
county and entered a portion of the farm he now resides on, and which has been his home since. Mr.
Thomas married in Worcester, Mass. ; maiden name of his wife was Isabella P. Brown ; she was a native
of Paxton, in that State ; they have two sons — Robert E. and Eugene F. ; Mr. Thomas and wife were
among the first settlers of what is now the town of Troy, and are now the oldest residents in the south-
eastern part of the town, and fully appreciate the changes made since the early days, when the town of
- almost entirely a wilderness. Mr. Thomas is one of those enterprising and energetic men to
whom much credit is due for the establishment of many beneficial interests, always taking an active part
in educational and religious matters. He was several years a member and Chairman of the Town Board of
Supervisors, and has filled nearly all of the town offices several times; he has been a member of the
Board of County Poor since 1ST:;, being Chairman of that body a portion of the time; in every position
he has been called to fill, he lias discharged the duties with entire satisfaction to the people. He own- a
valuable tract of well-improved land, consisting of nearly (10(1 acres. He is one of the representative men
of Sink County — always prominently identified with the public interests.
SAMUEL WA ESTER, farmer. Sec 19; P.O. Black Hawk; bom in Lincolnshire, En-
gland. Feb. 13, 1817 ; he came to this country in 1850. Married, in Richland Co., Ohio. Miss Elizabeth
Bonham, a native of Buckinghamshire, England; they came to Wisconsin in 1851 and located in the
town of Troy. Sauk Co., which has been their home since; they have seven children — Mary J., Andrew
EL, Harriet, Albert, Parker, Belle and Isaiah; Mr. Walster is a leading and successful farmer; he owns
over 300 acres of laud; his farm is well improved and desirably located. In polities, be is a Republican.
J. S. WILLIAMS, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P.O. Cassell Prairie; born in Seward, Winnebago Co.,
111., in 1840 . his parents, Thomas and Margaret Williams, were natives of Wales, and settled in Winne-
bago Co. prior to the Black Hawk war, thus becoming pioneer settlers of the Northwest; .1. S. was edu-
cated in the common schools in his native county, and lived there until 1856, when he went to Delaware
Co., Iowa, remaining there four years. In 1860, he returned to Wisconsin and married in Iowa Co.,
and made that county his home until 1869, when himself, wife and only daughter. Jeanette, removed to
uk) county and located where they now live. Mr. Williams is one of the leading farmers in the
town of Troy ; he owns I'TO acres of land ; he takes a part in school affairs ami other public matter-., and
several ti mi- has been officially identified with the district school interests
816 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
TOWN OF FAIRFIELD.
B. F. AMES, farmer, See. 10; P. 0. Baraboo ; was born in Madison, Wis., Dec. 17, 1853, and
the following year his parents removed to Baraboo, Sauk Co., where he resided until 1875, in which year
he came to Fairfield, where he has since been engaged in farming. He married, in Greenfield, Sauk Co.,
Wis.. Miss Prothera, daughter of Mason and Martha J. Profilers, pioneer settlers of that town ; they have
one child, Charlie. Mr. Ames and wife are members of the Presbyterian Church; in politics, he is a
Republican. Be owns so acres of well-improved land, His father, Ira L. Ames, came to Wisconsin in
1843, settling in Dane Co.; be was a native of Oneida Co., N. Y .; during the war, he was a resident of Bar-
aboo, ami there enlisted in the 17th W. V. I., and died in the service at Corinth ; he married his wife in
bis native county ; her maiden name was Sarah A. Brooks.
ROYAL AYKES, farmer. Sec. 17; P. 0. Baraboo; this leading citizen of Fairfield was born
in Rockingham, Yt., .March -~ , 1824. He married, in Plymouth Co., Mass., Miss Nancy Jackson, a native
of Abington, Mass. In 1855, they came to Wisconsin, locating in the town of Fairfield, Sauk Co., of
which they have been esteemed citizens since. In the war of the rebellion, Mr. Ayres served in Co. E,
49th W. V. [., and was honorably discharged on the restoration of peace. lie is, at preseut writing,
in of the Fairfield Town Board of Supervisors, a position he has filled at various times since his
cuming to Fairfield, besides holding several other local offices. He owns a valuable and well-improved farm
of 100 acres. Himself and wife are leading members of the M. E. Church. Their children are Abbie
E., wife of E. D. Kidder, of Delt this county; Carrie F., wife of E. R. Thomas, of the town of Fair-
field ; Ella V. and Charles J. Politically, Mr. Ayres acts with the Republican party, being an active and
intelligent worker in its interests; in religious and educational matters, he has done much, and has ever
helped by every means in his power their advancement.
JOSEPH BURTON, farmer, See. 2; 1'. 0. Baraboo; is a native of Lincolnshire, England;
was born Dec 12, 1839; in ls;>5, he came to the United States locating in Milwaukee, Wis., until 1859,
then came to Fairfield, Sauk ('..., Wis., remaining there one year, at the end of which time he went to
Peak; went from there to Missouri, and from the latter State returned to Fairfield, which has
been bis home since. He married, in Baraboo, Wis., Miss Hattie A. Barker, of that city ; they have two
children -Lilj E. and Clara A. Mr. Burton has a. well-located and finely improved farm. He has been
District Sclei.il Treasurer about six years. In politics, he is a Republican. His parents, Robert and Man
A. Burton, wru- residents of Fairfield, Sauk Co., Wis., from 1866 until 1871, when they removed to Mil;
waukce, Wis., where thej new live.
^i. \\. O AXE. farmer, Sec. 3 ; P.O. Baraboo. This gentleman, a resident of the town of Fair
field, Sau 4, is a native of New Hampshire, and was born in Crawford Co., May 16, 1813'
remained until he was IS years of age, then went to Medford, Middlesex Co., Mass., where he after-
ward married M i '•■ .i nivenf Meredith, N. H.; prior to their coming to Wisconsin, they lived
n Point, N. Y.; she died in this town Fairfield), in 1878 ; she was a member of the
M. E. Church, and an esteemed and ( Ihristian woman ; their children are Charles, who is married and resides
in this town - the maiden name of his wife was Man Fuller ; George, who. during the war of the rebellion,
enlisted in the 32d W. V. I., and died in the service, at Jackson, Teiin ; Willie, also deceased ; Melden, now
attending -h : Julia and Ad. lie at home, and Man K .deceased). Mr. Dane has been
.1 with the history of the town of Fairfield, several times holding the office of Town Super-
visor, Assessor, and other town offices. He is a leading member of the M. E. Church. He owns a finely
improved farm, wellocated.
J. P. DAN&ERFIELD, farmer, Sec."8 ; P.O. Baral ; was born in Salem Co., N. J., Oct.
17,1819; in 1847, he came to Wisconsin, and. in January. 1849, married, in Walworth Co., Miss Caroline
Warn, a native of Aurelius. Cayuga Co.. V V : thej cametoSauk Co. and settled in the town of Fairfield,
in 1 B53, making it their home sine Mr, Dangerfield has been elected to various town offices o& honor aud
trust , and 1 i leading position in the town of Fairfield since his coming ; he takes an active pari
in politics, being an active and consistent worker in the ranks of the Republican party. His father, J.
: was iii the aiuiy of thai country several years ; Mrs. Dangerfield -
ind Priscilla Warn, were pioneer settlers of Keck Co., Wis . where they settled in 1844 and
lived until 1855, when they cam., to Sauk Co., residing in the town of Fairfield until their death. Mr. Dan-
ind . his home farm is well impn
T<>\\\ OF FAIBFIELD. 817
C. II. GETCHELL, farmer, Sec. L3 ; P.O. Baraboo ; born in Gilmanton, X. II.; when he
was 2 years old. his parents removed in Sebec, Me., where most of his youth was spent in attending
school. He married, in the town of Milo, Me., Julia A. Battles; she was born in New Vineyard, Me. ;
they came West in L850 settling in tin' town of Fairfield, Sank Co., Wis. where they have since lived.
with the exception when they lived at [ronton ; they have six children, viz., Ann, wife el li .
11. Travis, of Marathon Co., Wis. ; he was a soldier in the lid W. V. < '. during the war ..I' the rebellion,
and prior to serving in that regiment served in the navy; Aaron, who married Eldora Watkins ; Frank,
Fred, Mark and Gertrude. Mr. Getchell has tilled a number of local offices, including those of Town
Supervisor and Vssessor In politics, ho is a Republican. 1 lis parents. Mac and Lydia Getchell, both
natives of New Hampshire, came to Wisconsin in ISoO. and settled in Fairfield, where he died in 1866;
she is still living in Fairfield. Mrs. Getchell's parents, James and Abagail Battles, settled in Walworth
Co., Wis., in 1847, and in 1848 came to Fairfield, where they lived the remaining years of their lives
esteemed citizens.
JOSEPH L. HACKETT, tanner, Sec. 24; P. 0. Baraboo; born in New Vineyard,
Franklin Co.. Me., July 27. 1839. He came to Wisconsin in 1865, and married in Kilbourn, Wis.,
Miss A. Teel, daughter of Benjamin Teel, a pioneer settler and esteemed citizen of Fairfield, Sauk Co.,
Wis.; they have five children — Phoebe, Josephine, Granville, Charlie, the fifth is an infant unnamed.
Mr. Hackett owns a mostdesirable farm, pleasantly located, and containing 120 acres of land. He has
held various local offices, and is at present writing a member of the Fairfield Town Board of Supervisors.
X. DAVIS HACKETT, farmer. Sec. 13; P.O. Baraboo; horn in New Vineyard. Me.,
Oct. L8, l^:!'.t; he came to Wisconsin in 1853, and located in Fairfield, Sauk Co., which has been his
home the greater part of the time since. During the war of the rebellion, he was a volunteer soldier iu
Co. M. 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, and was honorably discharged at the close of the war. He mar-
ried Mi-s Carrie, daughter of William Brown, who was a soldier in an Illinois regiment in the late war.
and died in the service. They have four children— Millecent M., Eda M., Ephraim L. and Carrie F.
HARTSO\ HACKETT, farmer, Sec. 13 ; P. 0. Baraboo ; born in New Vineyard, Franklin
Co.. Me., Aug. 2, 1806. He married, in his native county. Miss Martha Johnson, a native of Farmington,
Me.; tbe\ came to Wisconsin in 1853, locating in the town of Fairfield, where they have continued to
reside since ; they have four children — Mary S.. wife of John Luce, of this town ; Emelie, married Joseph
Luce; during the war id' the rebellion, lie enlisted in Co. M., 1st W. V. A., and died from ill health con
traded in the service ; Mandelia, wife of John Atkinson, of Delton, this county ; X. Davis is the youngest
of the family ; during the war of the rebellion, he served in Co. M. 1st Wisconsin Heavy Artillery ; bis
wife's name was Carrie Brown. Mr. Hackett has filled various town and school offices,
HENRY S. HOLDEN, farmer, Sec. .'! ; P. 0. Baraboo; was born in Kingsville, Ashtabula
Co., Ohio. dan. L3, 1836, where he remained until 1 Sol), in which year he moved to Kane Co., Ill
where, during the war of the rebellion, he enlisted in Co. I, 52d 111. Y. I. ; was in active service, and was
honorably discharged tit Rome, Ga. Prior to his coming West, he married, in Geneva, Ohio, Miss Eliza
Poles; they came to Fairfield, Sauk Co., Wis., in the autumn of 18(14, and it has been their home since :
their surviving children are Jennie, wife of Thomas Warn, of Baraboo ; Ruby, wife of Ceorgo Clark, of
this town, and Miss 1 1 at tie. Mr. Holden owns 160 acres of land; his home farm is well improved. In
polities, he acts with the Republican party; he takes a lively interest in educational matters, therefore, has
been at various times chosen to fill school offices.
DAVID G. HUNTER, farmer, Sec.. IS; P. O. Baraboo; is a native of Vermont ; was born
in Addison Co., March 20, 1820, where he remained until 1837, when he went to Essex Co., X. V., there
residing until his coming to Wisconsin in 1850, in which year lie settled in the town of Fairfield, Sank Co .
thus becoming one of the early settlers. He married, iif Fairfield, Mis- Betsy Fuller, a native of Vermont ;
they have three children — Mary, Jennie and Louise ; Mr. Hunter owns 150 aire- of land ; he ha- taken
an active interest in educational matters, therefore, has at various times been elected in school offices.
HARVEY Hi ICS.HJ It T. farmer. Sec 11 ; I'. < ). Baraboo ; was ben. in Herkimer Co.. X
Y., in 1805. He married, in New York State, Sarah Brown, they came to Wisconsin in 1848, and settled
in the town of Fairfield, Sauk Co., where he still resides an old and esteemed citizen ; his wife died in
May. 1880 ; she was a most exemplary woman, and her loss was deeply mourned by a large circle of friends
and relatives; their children are Martin, who, during the war of the rebellion, served in Co. K. 1 lib W. V. [.,
as Second Lieutenant; was wounded at Pittsburg Landing, he now resides in Hannibal Mo. ; Truman,
who served in Co. E, 12th W. V. I., four years as Drum Major, now resides in Eaulaire, Wis
818 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
served first in Co. K, 14th W. V. I., until after the battle of Pittsburg Landing, then became a soldier of
the lTtli W. V. I., in which he served until the close of the war, he is now living in California ; Oscar A.,
agesl of the sons, served in Co. E. 49th W. V. [. during the war, he resides in this town; the
oldest daughter, Audulushia, is the wife of A. M. Phelps, of Fond du Lac, Wis. ; the youngest, daughter is
Miss Eva, Mr. Hurlbut is a Republican in politics; he has been elected to several town offices; owns an
im] roved farm,
OSCAR A. HUKLBURT, farmer. S,c. 11; P. 0. Baraboo ; was born in Jefferson Co., N.
Y. ; he i';i to Wisconsin with his parents, Harvey and Sarah Hurlburt, locating in Fairfield, Sauk Co.,
in lsis. During the war of the rebellion he served in Co. E, 49th W. V. I., and received an honorable
discharge at the expiration of his term of service. He married Nellie Mereten, daughter of Henry Mere-
ten, a pioneer settler of Portage City, Wis. ; he is a farmer by occupation, and very successful. In politics,
he is a Republican.
JAJIES LAMAR, farmer, Sec. 31 ; P.O. Baral This gentleman, a pioneer settler of the
Northwest, was born fifty six miles southeast of Nashville, in Smith Co., Tenn.,in 1820, where he remained
until 1 335, when he went to Jefferson Co., III. ; thence to Coles Co., in 1842. and from there went to Bur-
lington. Iowa, and from there to Galena. Ill . in 1843; and came from thereto Dodgeville. Wis., in the same
vcar ; in November, I 8 14, he came to Baraboo, Sauk Co., and has been a resident of Sauk Co. since. He
in Baraboo. Miss A. Rowen ; she was born near Plattville, Wis. ; they came to the town of Fair-
field in 1866, and own a pleasantly located and well improved farm of 150 acres; their children are Marion,
who married Miss E. P. Norton, of this town; Melissa, wife of Amos Z. Norton; Eleanor, wife of Charles
Myers, of Newport, Wis. ; Rhoda, wife of C. Myers, of Fairfield ; James F. Brittemarte and Alf'rida are
unmarried. In politics, Mr. Lamar is a Republican. Mrs. Lamar's parents, Wallace and Elizabeth Rowen,
settled in Wisconsin prior to the Black Hawk war, and were esteemed citizens; both have long since been
called to their long borne
JOHN LIFE, farmer, Sec. 13; P. 0. Baraboo; wasborn in New Vineyard, Franklin Co., Me.,
Dec. 30, 1819. He married, in his native county. Miss Mary S. Hackett, daughter of Hartsou Hackett, of
this town. They came to Wisconsin in 1852. locating in the town of Fairfield, Sauk Co.,aud it has been
their home since ; their children are Elwin C, James II. and John S. Mr. Luce owns a most desirable farm ;
he has filled various town offices, including those of Town Supervisor, Town School Superintendent, under
the old system, and Town Clerk. His father, John T., was a soldier in the war of 1812. The maiden name
of his wife was Betsy Wendell; her father, Thomas Wendell, was a soldier in active service in the Colonial
army, two of Mr. Line's brothers, Thomas W. and Joseph W., were in the army of the Union in the war ol
the rebellion ; both are now deceased ; Thomas died while in the service, and Joseph died from the hard-
ships and exposure lie passed through in the tented field iii defense of the principles of union.
GARDINER II. MYERS, farmer, Sec. 31 ; P. O. Baraboo ; is a native of Chenango Co.,
N. V. ; ■ town of Columbus, July 13,1817; in 1843, he came to the Northwest, and, in
1847, came to Baraboo, Sauk Co., Wis., remaining there until 1849, in which year he came to Fairfield
and has been variously identified with the interests of that town since, tilling many of its offices and taking
an interest in its progress and improvements. He married in Chicago, 111., Miss Lydia Myers; she was
born in Chautauqua Co., V Y. ; their children are Charles, Frank, [da, Lucinda and Edith ; Charles, the
first named, married Rhoda Lamar, of this town ; [da married Franklin Warn. Mr. Myers owns a valuable
far f 1 60 acres. In politics, he is a Republican, and is a firm supporter of the principles of that, party.
His father, Oliver Myers, served through the war of 1812; he was a native of Vermont, his wife, Amie
_' also a native of that State; her father. Gardiner Hall, was a soldier in active service in the
army. Mrs. John Myers' father. J. .Myers. saw servicein the war of 1812; his wife was Lucinda
were both natives of Veri t. t
F. O. NEWELL, farmer; P.O.Baral wasbornin Erie Co., Penn., Sept. 8, 1840 ; when he
was al.out 6 years old, his parents, Orange and Anna Newell, came to Wisconsin, locating in Hock Co., where
ined a short time ; then i.Sauk Co., thus licoomn r- of that town.
F. i >, Newell, the subject of this notice, during the war of the rebellion, enlisted in Co. L, :;d W. V. C, to
serve three years; was leu 1 al the close of the War, in Leavenworth, Kan. lie married, in
Fairfield. Miss Marian Miles; they have t hive children Venlic, Daisy and Cora. I luring the time Mr.
Newell was in the service, he was actively engaged on the frontier. Heownsa valuable farm, located a short
distance! tccessful farmer ; hi.- wife's parents. Danieland HarrietMil
early setthrs of Sauk Co. ; he is deceased; she is now a resident of this town. Mr. Newell's father. Or-
ange Newell, is still living and is an esteemed citizen of Fairfield.
TOWN OF FAIRFIELD. 819
AMOS XOKTOX. one of the leading farmers, as well one of a- tin' carlii-si settlers nf thai
leson Stc. 10; I'. (). Barabo >. He was born in I [otuer, ( lortland Co., N. Y.. Feb. 5, 1816 ; when he
was T years old, his parents removed to < leatiga ('".. Ohio, where he spenl his youth in attendin
In 1836, he married, in Lake Co Ohin. Cordelia ( >'d- a native of Mas-iohu-ctis; they came to Wis i-
sin in 1845, locating in Racine Co., a few miles west of the city of Racine, where thej remained until
1848, wh I i the town of Fairfield, Sauk Co., where she died in 1860. His presen
maiden nine' was Catharine Wrightmyer ; she was born in Prince Edward Township, Ontario District,
Tana. la: her first husband was ( '. Mar-inn. The children by Mr. Norton's firsl marria
who is now a resident of Kansas ; he married Lizzie Baldwin ; during the war of the rebellion, he was a
volunteer soldier, in active service in a regiment of Wisconsin cavalry ; Eli, now a blacksmith tit Poynette;
he was three year- in the service, in a Wisconsin regiment, and was wounded ; he married Addie Ingra-
ham ; Nirum S., served three years in Co. Iv. 32d W. V. I. . he is now a resident of this town : he mar-
ried M Annie Larson ; Melissa C, was the wife of Henry Marston ; she is deceased : he served four years
in the Union army during the war; Sarah A., is the wife of Harry Woodin, of Minnesota ; he served in
i army through the rebellion; Charlotte A., wile of L. G. Marston, of Lane Co., Wis.; \ s
Z., who married Melissa Lamar, of Fairfield; Ellen P., wife of Marion Lamar, of t his town. By Mr.
present marriage there is one son — William D. Mr. Norton owns 200 acres of valuable land ;
: a a prominent position in the town as a citizen, and has filled several town offices ; he had the
first thrashing machine in the northern part of Sank Co. ; it was purchased and brought by him to the
county in 1849.
GEORGE A. PABODIK, farmer, Sec. 1 3 ; P. 0. Baraboo ; was horn in Norwich, Chenango
Co., N. V., Dec. 3, 1840 ; in early life lie learned the printer's trade in his native town, also followed teach-
everal years in various places in Chenango Co. At the breaking-out of the war of the rebellion,
lie enlisted in the town of Addison, Steuben Co., N. Y., in a regiment raised to serve for three months, and
afterward entered Co. E, 34th N. Y. V. I., and afterward was in the 20th N. Y. V. C. ; in all of those
regiments he was in active service . was wounded at the battle of Fair Oaks; reported killed, and obituary
notices of him were published in the papers of his native county, which be read, but did not believe they
in spite of the reports concerning his death, he fully recovered, took an active part in several
ii nts, and was auain wounded in the battle of Frodi'icksburg, and taken prisoner, but escaped
i time; he was the first man that entered the service from Chenango Co. ; he was at the battle of
Balls Bluff, and was all through with the army of the Potomac, and with the army on the dames, under
Gen. Butler; he was made Lieutenant, and. toward the close of the war. was Chief Clerk in the 25th
ps; he was honorably discharged at the close of the war in 1865. In January, 1867, he mar-
1 lida Co., N. Y.. Mis.- Jennie M.Tyler; immediately after they were married, they came to Sauk
I : they have one child living — Alice C. Mr. Pabodie was Secretary of the Sauk Co. Agrieul
ty three years, and Deputy Register of deeds in L880. In polities, be is a Republican. Owns
a pleasantly located and valuable farm. He is a lineal descendant of the celebrated John Alden
Flower fame, and traces his history back to L630.
I>. E. PALMER, farmer. See. 23 . P. 0. Baraboo. This gentleman is an old resident of Sauk
Co., and an esteemed citizen of Fairfield : was born in Oneida Co., N. ST., April 3, 1830 ; in 1849, he came
to Sauk Co., Wis. ; was in the mercantile business in Baral in 1858. In L861, he enlisted in Co. II,
17th W. V. L; was made 1st Lieutenant, afterward served as Captain of his company two years; was wounded
iii the -iege of Yieksburg, and was honorably discharged in 1S05. lie married in Merrimack, Sauk Co..
Wis.. Miss Sarah Green, a native of St. Lawrence Co., N. Y. , they have three children — Lilburn II.,
Elmer E. and Jay. Mr. Palmer and fa led in Fairfield several years ; he owns over 300
acres of land, and is extensively engaged in fanning. In politics, he acts with the Republican ['arty, being
upporter of its principles; he has been elected to various offices, including thoseof Town Super-
visor, Assessor, and Justice of the Peace.
P. J. PARSHALL, farmer. Sec. 12; P. 0. Baral ; has been a resident of the town of
Fairtiold. Sauk Co., Wis., since 1847, hence, there are few earlier settlers now living in that town than
id wife; he was born in Cleveland, Ohio, in L819; in 1836, he went to Chicago, 111., and was
a sailor on the lakes for several years. In Chicago, he married his wife, her maiden nun was Hannah M.
C i if Benjamin Teel, an old and esteemed citizen of Fairfield ; her birthplace was Wil-
ni"t. X. H. ; tlcir oldest children ar, lean J., Aroura and Inez : dean J. is an enterprising young man,
and carries on the farm with his father; Aroura was the first white child born in the town of Fairfield,
I II Vim mi hi. of Baraboo ; Inez, the youngest of the three, is the wife of Melvin
820 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Smith ; the younger children are Orria A. and Eureka. Mr. Parshall owns a finely improved farm of
126 acres. His son-in-law, Vrootnan, was a soldier in the 1st W. V. C, and saw active service. Officially,
Mr. Parshall has been elected to various offices in the town of Fairfield ; he has always taken an active part
in the public affairs of the town, working for everything that gave promise of enhancing the local
interests.
ANDREW POESON, farmer, Sec. 32 ; P. O. Baraboo ; Mr. Poison is a native of Kingsbury,
Norway ; was born June 10, 1S21 ; in early life he enjoyed the advantage of obtaining a liberal educa-
tion, and in 184-1, he came to the United States, coming to Wisconsin the same year, and residing in Bar-
aboo and vicinity, until 1847, when he located in the town of Fairfield, and has been identified with the
growth and improvement of that town since. He married in Baraboo, Miss Ose Tolliffson, in 1850 ; their
children are — Charles E. and Alice S. Mr. Poison is the earliest settler of Sauk Co., now residing within
the limits of the town of Fairfield ; he owns 200 acres of land well improved, and stands in the front rank
of the well-to-do farmers of Sauk County. In polities, Mr. Poison is a Republican. -Mrs. Poison's father,
Tolliff Tolliffson, and his wife, Hannah Tolliffson, were pioneer settlers of Boone Co., 111., where they both
died in 1847. Mr. Poison owned the first reaper run in the town of Fairfield ; he was for several years
interested in the manufacture of lumber in the northern part of Wisconsin, where he owned several acres
of pine land, which netted him profitable returns.
ROBERT RAMSEY, farmer, Sec. 28; P. O. Baraboo; is a native of County Fermanagh,
Ireland; his father was from Scotland; his mother from Leeds, England ; he came to America in 1855, first
living in Brooklyn, N. Y.; then going to Connecticut, New England, where he lived several years. In 1861,
he married, in Hartford, Conn., Miss Matilda Scott, a native of St. John's, New Brunswick, Canada ; im-
mediately after they were married, they came to Wisconsin, locating in the town of Fairfield, Sauk Co.,
where they have since resided on their farm, which is well located and finely improved. They have six
children — Mary A., Annie I., Nellie G., Barbara J., Robert W. and Frank H. Mr. Ramsey has been
Treasurer of School District No. 6, four years, has also held the offices of Clerk and Director.
EDWIN A. SMITH, Sec. 3; P. O. Baraboo; was born in Gardiner, Kennebeck Co., Me.,
June 3, 1^22, where be remained until about 1843, in which year he went to Boston, Mass., where he after-
ward married bis wife, Hannah M. Morse; they came from Boston to Baraboo, Wis., where they resided for
about two years, then came to Fairfield, which town has been their home most of the time since, and of
that town they an- early settlers and esteemed citizens. Their children are Henry S., Wilton L. and
Morgeanna. Mr. Smith owns 120 acres of land, and is one of the well-to-do and successful farmers of
the town of Fairfield ; his farm is located in a desirable part of tin- town, and is well improved. To such
men as Mr. Smith the town owes, in a great measure, its present advanced state of improvement.
AARON F. TEEL, farmer, Sec. 7 ; P. O. Baraboo ; this gentleman, an enterprising citizen and
progressive limner, was born in St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., Nov. 27. 1837 ; in 1845, he came to Wisconsin
with his parents, Benjamin and Phoebe Teel, locating in the town of Fairfield, Sauk Co., then, compara-
tively speaking, a wilderness. He married, in Fairfield, Miss Mary Watts, a native of Ohio; her parents
were early settlers of Sank Co., and esteemed citizens. Mr. Teel and wife occupy a high position in
i heir children are Frank P., Lilly ML, Nelson and May S. Mr. Teel owns 300 acres of land
his farm is most desirably located in one of the best districts in the town of Fairfield, and possesses many
natural advantages. Officially, Mr. Teel has been elected to various local offices, including that of Town
Supervisor.
BENJAMIN TEEL, farmer, Sec 7 ; P. O. Baraboo ; is the oldest settler of the town of Fair-
field now residing within its boundaries; lie was born in Merrimack Co., N. H., Dee. 12, 1800, therefore
is in his --llih year. He married in Wilinot, N. H., Phoebe Morrill, a native of that place; they came to
Wisconsin in 1*15, and Settled in the town of Fairfield. Sauk Co.; she died in 1869; their children are
Joseph, who married Mary (iitchell, who is a farmer in affluent circumstances in this town. Aaron F.
married Miss Mary Watt; Hannah, wife of P. J. Parshall, an extensive farmer, Sec. 12, this town; Lucy,
wife of Benjamin Clark, Nebraska; Susan, wife of P. Buck, Reedsburg, this county; Aiuiena, wife of
Joseph I, I lack ei i. of Baraboo. Mr. Teel has been closely identified with the interests of the town of Pair-
field from its infancy to the present time, and has taken an active part in her public affairs, being elected
many times by his (ellow-citi/.cns to offices of honor and trust, the duties of all of which he disi harged
with signal ability, and to the entire satisfaction of the citizens. Ho has of late years retired from active
life, ami is passing hi- declining years in peace and plenty, the rewards which a well-spent life is sure to
bring.
TOWN OF BEAR CREEK. 821
T. H. TOLIilFF. farmer, Sec. IT; P. 0. Baraboo; was born in Belvidere, [11., Oct. 24,
1844; his parents, 0. G-. and ^.nn Tolliff, settled in Illinois in about 1838 ; they came to the town of
Vernon, Lane Co., Wis., in about L858, where they now live, T. II.. the subject of this notice, coming
with them. In December, 1861, he enlisted in Co. I, 15th W. V. I., serving one year, then entered the
Quartermaster's Department, Nashville, Tenn.. where he served three years as shipping-clerk ; in 13fi5, be-
came to Barabno. Wis. He married Miss Helen Palmer, daughter of Levi S. and Elizabeth Palmer, old
settlers of Fairfield ; they have three children — Nettie, Arthur and Henry. In Baraboo, Mr. Tolliff fol-
lowed harness-making; he moved to Fairfield in 1878.
XORKIS C. WILCOX, farmer. Sec. 12; P. 0. Baraboo. This esteemed citizen of Fair-
field was born in La Fayette. Onondaga Co., N. Y., June 25, 1824, where he remained until 1844, in
which year he came West, locating in Clinton, Rock Co., Wis. ; engaged in farming there until 1849,
when he purchased the farm he now lives on ; moved on to it the same year and commenced the work of
improving and building up a home, in which he proved eminently successful. He has been twice married,
his first wife was Laura A. D. Losey. she died in July, 1S52. His second wife was Charlotte Olds, she
is also deceased ; one child, a son. Bishop, by first marriage. He married Sylvia Andrews and is engaged
in farming in this town ; by his second marriage there are four children — Norris, Mary A., Ulysses and
Minnie. Mr. Wilcox has been a continual resident of Wisconsin since 1X44 ; in the town of Fairfield, he
has been elected to various local offices of trust; his farm is located a short ride north of Baraboo, is finely
improved and very valuable, containing 120 acres.
JOHN W KM* IIT.1I1 LIS. proprietor of general repair and blacksmith shop, and farmer, Sec-
5 ; P. 0. Baraboo; was born in Prince Edward Township. Ontario District, Canada, Nov. 25, 1832 ; he
came to Madison, Wis., in 1S50. and there learned the blacksmith trade ; in about 1853, he bame to Sauk
Co. and engaged in blacksmithing in Baraboo until the breaking-out of the war of the rebellion, when he
enlisted in Co. A. 2d W. V. I. ; was in active service three years, at the end of which time he received an
honorable discharge; after his discharge, he worked six months for the Government in Nashville, Tenn.;
then returned to Baraboo where he remained until 1867, when he came to Fairfield and established a gen-
eral repair and blacksmith shop in which he does a good business; he also owns a well-located farm of
about Kit) acres. He married, in Madison, Wis., F^leeta A. Ames ; she was born in Oneida Co.. N. Y.,
and came to Wisconsin with her parents prior to its becoming a State ; her grandfather, Nathaniel Ames,
was a soldier of distinction in the Colonial army ; her father, Ira L. Ames, was a soldier'in the 17th W.
V. I., in the war of the rebellion, and died in the service ; two of her brothers also saw service in the war,
Edgar and Harvey B. Ames, the former dying in the service at Arlington Heights, the latter is now a
resilient of Illinois. In politics, Mr. WYightmyer is a Republican.
TOWN OF BEAR CREEK.
JOHX I). DEWEY, farmer, Sec. 22; P. 0. Spring Green; was born in Westfield, Mass.,
April 20. 1810; when he was 1 I years of age, his parents removed to Portage Co., Ohio where he married,
in 1833, Miss Mary Ferry; in 1830, they came to Wisconsin, settling in Oconomowoc. Waukesha Co.
Oconomowoc at that time contained a population of twenty-seven persons. In about 1845, Mr. Dewey and
his family returned to Portage Co., Ohio, where his wife died, leaving six children, the oldest of whom,
Benjamin I''., now of this town, served in Co. G, Wisconsin Heavy Artillery during the war of the rebell-
ion; Sarah L., the second oldest, is married and lives in Richland Co., Wis.; Eliza J., wife of Daniel Mil-
ler, of Richland Co., Wis., was the first white female child born in Oconomowoc; Moses F., the fourth
oldest, enlisted in Co. K, 23d W. V. I., and died in the service ; Mary E., the fifth oldest, is the wife of
Henry Flummer, Idaho Springs. Colo. ; Ellen 0., sixth oldest, is the wife of S. Shaw, Kent, Ohio. July
25, 1 3 18. Mr. Dewey married bis present wife, in Brimfield, Ohio; her maiden name was Louisa Hoo] er ;
Bhe was born in Huntingdon Co., lYnn.. Sept. HO, 1821 ; they have one son. George D., born in Kent,
Ohio; he is a leading farmer in this town I Bear Creek |. Mr. Dewey and his present wife came to Rich-
land Co., Wis., in 1854, and lived in that county until 1858, when they moved to their present home;
he has at various times been elected to local offices, and, during his residence in Wisconsin, has been
closely identified with the manufacturing and other interests.
ANDREW DWYER, farmer, Sec. 15; P. O. White Mound; was born in County Clare,
Ireland; be came to this country in 1852, and lived in the States of New York and Ohio until his com-
ing to Wisconsio in 1854, locating in the town of Delafield, Waukesha Co.; he afterward moved to
822 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
Pewaukee', where he was railroad agent for four years ; in 1866. he came to Bear Creek, Sauk Co., where
he has sine; lived. He married, in Akron, Ohio, Miss Catharine Dwyer; they have eight children —
James, William, Thomas, John, Annie, Bridget M., Mary A. and Andrew. Mr. Dwyer owns L'211 acres
of well-improved land. He is the present Chairman of the Town Board of Supervisors, and was Town
Treasurer four years and Clerk five years.
JAMES FERGUSON," farmer. Sec. 22; P. O. Spring Green ; was horn near Madison. Wis.
April 2, 1855; he has been a resident of Bear Creek since 1869, with the exception of three year.-, a
portion of which he spent in attending school at Chicago. 111. He is af presenl Town Clerk, and takes
an active interest in the public affairs. His father, John Ferguson, married, in County Mayo, Ire-
land, Bridget Murray; they came to this country in IS 15; lived in Massachusetts a short time, then
came to Dane Co.; moved thence to Juneau Co., where he died. He enlisted in Co. A, 47th W. V. I.,
during the war of the rebellion ; was wounded at Manassas, was in active service two years, at the end
of which time he was honorably discharged. His wife moved to Bear Creek in 1869, and is still living;
their children are Mary, Thomas, James. Catherine, Eliza and Emma.
JOHN JOHXSOX. a leading farmer and stock-raiser, See. IS; P. O. Lone Buck; was burn
in Burlington, Oisi-,, Co., N. V, March 22, 1815, He married, in his native county, Miss Rachel Brooks;
sic was bom in England ; they came to Wisconsin in 1851 . and settled in the town of Bear Creek, Sauk
Co., which has been their home since ; they have two children — C. D. Johnson, an enterprising and ener-
getic young man, and Miss Lucy J. In early life, Mr. Johnson followed school-teaching, and taught
school several years iii bis native county; be manufactured the first cheese in the town of Bear Creek, a
business be was engaged in several years. He owns L'SII acres id' land ; his farm is desirably located and
is finely improved; his residence was erected in 1878, and is one of the finest buildings in the -ouiheni
portion of Sauk Co.
WILLIAM LARKIX, fanner. Sec. 9; P. (). Spring Green; was bom in Kings I
land, in 1828; he came to Wisconsin in 1851, and settled in the town of Bear Creek, Sauk Co., in 1857.
He has been married twice— his first wife, Margaret Faighety, died in Iowa Co.. Wis.; his pres
was Electa A. Stratton, a native of the State of New York ; her father, iUfred Stratton, was a pioneer
ed she taught the first school in that town; M. I, :j kin's children are Eliza ('..
wife of John Morgan, of this town ; Adda, Clarvina. Bertha. I, no and Katie During the war of the
rebellion, Mr. Larkin enlisted in Co. E, 49th W. V. 1., he was in active service and was honorably dis-
charged. If' 1m-. filled various local offices, and is at present writing Justice of the Peace. I!
pleasantly located and valuable farm.
AXTOIXE MOR4»AX, farmer and stock-raiser, See. 26; I'. ( ). Plain; born in Bavat
many, Dec. 25, 1819. lie came t i ibis country in 1853, and. in Hoi, settled in the town of Bear Creek.
where be has lived since, lie married in Milwaukee. Wis., Miss Josephine Grotz ; they have three chil-
dren—Adeline, Sophia and Mary. Mr. Morgan was one of the prime movers in (lie organization of the
Franklin Fanner-' Mutual Fire Insurance Co.. and has been a member of lie Board "I' Directors in that
since its organization. lie owns 1;.'_! acres of land ; his farm is well -improved, and in a desirable
location.
JOSEPH OCHSWER, proprietor of Bear Vallej Flouring Mills, Sec 31 ; I'. 0. Hear Valley.
Mr. Ochsner was born in Baden, Germany. May ;"), 1817. He came to ibis country in 1844 ; married in
Utiea, Miss Mary Rothmund; they came io Wisconsin in ls.">(>; located at Saxonville, Richland Co..
where they resided until 1865, in which year they moved to their presenl borne in Ileal' Creek; their
children are Edward, William H., Joseph, Charlie, Benjamin, Arthur, Maggie, Mary, Louisa and Fannie.
The first named I I'M ward i. married Carrie Sellout/. ; they live in Richland Co. ; the second, named William
II., married Kittie Schontz ; Joseph, thi is in Colorado; the rest reside af homi Mr.
wns 220 acres of valuable land. He erected his flouring mill in 1871 ; it is substantially built ;
contains three run of buhrs. His son William II. now manages it. and the flout of his make is well-
known for iis superior quality. In April, of the presenl year, the saw-mill on Mr. 0chsn8t.fi farm was
nl is run by William II. Ochsner and the Beckwith Brothers. Mr.
Ochsner is a membei of the Board of Directors in the Franklin Mutual Farmers' Fire Insurance Co He
has filled various town offices, and is a leading and energetic citizen.
»F FRANKLIN. >-:'>
TOWN OF FRANKLIN
JOMJMI BANDEL, M. D., Sec. 27; P.O. Plain; born in Wurtemberg Germany, Sept.
21, 1830. In early life, he received an academic education, and afterward entered a medical college it
Heidelberg, where he graduated al the end of five years; then was appointed a surgeon in the military
service of his native country, a position he filled for nearlj three years. In 1852, he came to Wisconsin,
and resided in Madison the greater part of the time until I860, when he moved to the town of Franklin,
Sauk Co., which has been his home since. During the war of the rebellion, he was a soldier in Co II,
37th W. V. I ; was liiiiiui\ibl\ discharged at the close til' the war as Second Lieutenant. He i
Chairman of the Franklin Town Board of Supervisors four years, lie is I 'resident of the Franklin Mutual
Fanners' Fire Insurance Co., a position he has filled since its organization in 1S77. He was also Town
Assessor of Franklin three terms. Mr. Bandel was married in Milwaukee, in 1S52, to Christiana Phillip;
they have ten children. He owns over MOO acres ot land ; his farm is pleasantly located and well improved
' JOHN H. CARPENTER, farmer, Sec. 18; P. 0. White Mound ; born in Richland Co., 111..
in 1843. He was educated, and spent the most of his early life in Morrow Co., Ohio. During the war
of the rebellion, he enlisted in Co. F, 13d Ohio V. [., and served in that regiment about one year. In
1864, he came to Wisconsin, and enlisted in the First Wisconsin Heavy Artillery, in which he served
until the close of the war. The war records of both States > Ohio and Wisconsin i, show for him a good
record, and that he was in active service. He married his first wife, Julia A. Culley, in Morrow Co.,
Ohio; she died in Wisconsin, leaving one child, Charles. His present wife was of Spring Green (this
count} Carrie C. (Jttendorfer. Mr. Carpenter owns a pleasantly located and well-improved farm of 95
acres of land. In politics, he is a Republican.
4»EOR<*E CLARIIM»E, farmer, Sec. 17; P. 0. White Mound; was bom in Leicester,
England, in 1843; in 1847, emigrated with his parents, William and Elizabeth Claridge, to Dam C
Wis., thei to the town of Franklin, Sauk Co., in 1850. During the war of the rebellion, he enlisted in
Co. \, 36th W. V. I. ; was wounded at Cold Harbor, and was afterward transferred to Co. A, of the loth
1 'oi-ps in which he served until the close of the war, when he was honorably discharged. He mar-
ried in Richland Co.. Wis.. Mi.»s Elizabeth Born ; they have six children — Ellen. John \\ '.. George II.,
Annie, Albert L. and Alice A. Mr. Claridge owns 2S0 acres of land ; himself and wife are leading mem-
M. E. Church.
E. M. DAVIES, farmer, Sec. 32; P. 0. Plain ; was born in the town of Franklin, Sauk Co.,
Wis., Nov. 18, 1853; was educated at the high school at Spring Green, Wis. [n 1880, was elected Chair-
mi f the Franklin Town Board of Supervisors. He is cvten^iveU engage! in farming, being one of the
leading agriculturists of the town of Franklin; his father. R. W. Davies, was a native of Wales; lie mar-
ried in his native country, Margaret Margans ; they came to this country, and settled in the town of Franklin,
Sauk Co., Wis., in 1851, thus becoming early settlers of that town; he died April 27, 1^77; she is still
living, and is a resident of the town of Franklin; their children arc Thomas, who is married and resides
in Franklin ; his wife was Ella Carpenter. E. M., whose name heads this sketch, R. W. Davies. was a
leading member of the M. E. Church; he was highly esteemed by all as a liberal and upright man.
RICHARD H. DOUGLAS, Sec. 34; P.O. Plain; was born in Aberdeen, Scotland, in
1815; when he was I ! year- of age, he emigrated to Canada; studied surgery, and was appointed a Sur-
geon in the military service in 0I! ■ be tilled several years, afterward went to Toronto, and
was in the servii f the Government, as Superintendent of Public Improvements, and other official
until 1840, when he came to Wisconsin, locating in Sauk Co., Wis., which county has been his
home since. He married, in York, Canada. Miss Louisa Ferman; they have ten children. Mr. Douglas
owns 1 g'o acres of land ; he is Secretary of the Franklin Farmers' Mutual Fire [nsurance C
position be has filled since its organization in 1877.
HEXRY MITCHELL, farmer, Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Plain; tsa nativeof Westmoreland Co., England ;
was born Oct. I. 1832. Hisfirsl wife's maiden name was Mary Taylor; she died in England ; his pi
was Jane Baxter. Mr. Mitchell came to this country in 1 Still, and lived in Buffalo, N. Y.. until his coming
asin in 1871 , in which year In located in the town of Franklin, Sauk Co. ; his children an
two daughti rs and a son ; the daughters are married and reside in Buffalo, X. Y. ; the son, [saac, is home.
Mr. Mitchell owns a well improved farm of 120 acres of land. lie has been elected to local offi
takes an interest in th > pr of the resources of his town
824 BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:
T. J. MORGJANS, a leading citizen and farmer, Sec. 32 ; P. 0. Plain ; was born in Breckenshire,
Wales, Jan. 24. 1814 ; when he was 6 years oF age, his parents removed to Glenniorganshire, where his
early life was spent ; in 1S41, he came to this country, living in Pennsylvania until 1843 ; then went to
Galena, 111.; thence to Dodgeville, Wis., in 1844, and from there to Spring Green, then known as Helena
Bottoms, in the same year, thus becoming one of the first settlers in the south part of Sauk Co. July 7,
1848, he married, in the town of Troy, this county, Phoebe Slauter ; she was born near Williamsburg,
Ind., and came to Sauk Co., Wis., with her parents, Dewitt and Phcebe Slauter, in 1845; her father,
Dewitt Slauter, was the first settler of what is now the town of Franklin, this county; in 1849, Mr. Mor-
gans and wit'.' removed to the town of Franklin, which has been their home since ; they are now the oldest
settlers living in that town ; their oldest son, John T., is a minister of the M. E. Church, in Dane Co.,
Wis.; their second oldest sun Dewit, is in Nora Springs. Iowa ; their third oldest son Howell, is also in
Nora Springs; David W., [saac, Phoebe A. Daniel and Mary arc at home. Mr. Morgans' quarter-section
of land is most desirably located. He has been Justice of the Peace for over twenty-five years ; is
Notary Public, and has been at various times elected to local offices ; he taught the first school in the
town of Franklin, held many of the first offices in that town, and has always taken an active part in her
public affairs.
A. RIEK, fanner, Sec. 12; P. 0. Plain ; was born in Wurtemberg, Germany, Sept. 13, 1832;
in 1853, he came to this country, living in Michigan until 1855; then came to Manitowoc Co.. Wis..
where he remained about, one year; then went to Richland Co., Wis., and was engaged in milling and
farming in that county until 1860, in which year he removed to Franklin, Sauk Co., which has been his
home since. His first wife, Elizabeth Lewis, he married at Richland City ; she died in this town (Frank-
lin ; they bad one daughter, Annie, now the wife of Frank Lunenschloss, of Richland Center, Wis.; Mr.
Rick married bis present wife, Katrina Schmitz, in Ithaca, Wis. He owns 164 acres of, land; is a mem-
ber of the Franklin Town Board of Supervisors, of which body he was Chairman twice.
II1TGH SCALA1V, farmer and mason, Sec. 13; P. O.White Mound; was born in Sherbrooke,
Canada, March 20, 1823; in 1838, he came to the United States and worked at the mason trade in
various States, until the breaking-out of the Mexican war, when he enlisted in Battery L, U. S. A., and
was in active service until the close of the war. In 1849, he returned to Canada, and married, in Sher-
his native town, Miss Mary McKeegan ; in 1853, they came to Boone Co., 111., where they were
living when the war of the rebellion commenced. He then went to Beloit, Wis., and enlisted in the 4th
Battery, W. Y. A.; he was wounded at Ft. Monroe, and was bonorabl\ discharged at the close of the war.
■ In the autumn of 1865, he removed to the town of Franklin, Sauk Co., Wis., which has been the home of
himself and family since ; they have three children — William, born in Montreal, Canada, in 1853 ; Mary
( now the wife of William Kaley), born in Boone Co., 111., in ls.">6; Hugh, also born in Boone Co.. 111..
in 1858. Mr. Scallan owns 2711 acres of land.
TEMPEST $L1N<*ER, farmer, and proprietor of Slinger's Mill, Sec. 5 ; P. 0. Plain ; was
born in England, in 1 -21 ; lie came to the United States in 1856, and settled in Wisconsin in 1S57 ; he
has been a continual resident of the State since. His first wife, Anna Riley, died in England: the
maiden name of his present wife was Margaret Dick; they have four children living — Henry, John,
Fred and I >i< k. Mr. Slinger owns a pleasantly located farm. In politics, he is a Democrat.
MISCELL WI'.tM S. 825
MISCELLANEOUS.
SAMUEL VEEDER, proprietor of the Juneau House, Wonewoc, Juneau Co., son of Adam
and Penelope | Bradt) Veeder; was born in the town of Clenn. Montgomery Co., N. Y , Aug. 1G, 1815;
when 12 years of age, moved with his parents to Cortland Co., N. Y. He was married Feb. 12, 1842, to
Martha J. Carnes. Mrs. Veeder was born in the Stair of New Y'ork ; they had six children — Frederic S.,
attorney-at-law, married to Cyrene Horton, living at Maustnn ; Charles, married to Ella C. Cook, resid-
ing in Richland •'<>. , Martha, now Mrs. Chester Moore, of Forest, Vernon Co. ; Harriet, now Mrs. Joseph
Snyder, of Woodland ; Mary, died dune .">. 1864, al the age of six years, and Frank. In 1852, moved to
Cayuga Co., X. Y. ; in May, 1855, came to Sauk Co., Wis., settled on Section 10, Woodland, in what is
known as Plum Valley. Mrs. Veeder died Feb. 2, 1870, at the age of 55. Mr. Veeder was married,
July 25, 1871, to Mrs. Julia Kelley, daughter oi David and Lydia Baird. Julia Baird was married
November, 1851, to Dr. H. B. Kelley, and resided in Oneida Co., N. Y. Dr. Kelley died March 1, 1859;
they have two children — Ella E.. who died when 2 years of age, and Everette H. J., residing at Wonewoc.
Mr. Veeder was one of the first Justices of Woodland. In Oct. 7, 1*7!>, he moved to his present home,
Wonewoc, and entered upon his business of hotel keeping'. Polities. Republican. Mis. Veeder is a mem-
ber of the Congregational Church of Reedshurg.
CHARLES A. PEETON, fanner. See. -.'5; P. < >. Reedshurg; son of John and Sarah
(Hinckley) Pelton ; was bom in Greene Co., N. Y.. Nov. 28, 1831 ; while quite young, went to Columbia
Co., N. Y., and remained there till 15 years of age ; spent two years on a farm ; then followed the Hudson
River boating for some years ; came to Wisconsin in December, 1850, and stopped a couple of years with
his father in the town of Winfield, Sauk Co. ; spent about two years in the Yellow River pinery, and then
about two years in breaking land and threshing. He was married in January. 1857, at Portage, Wis., to
Nancy M. Oakes, daughter of Edward and Nancy (lakes; there were three children born of this marriage
—Olive W. .now Mrs. Charles Powell, married in March. L879, residence Winfield), May H. deceased,
and Charles (living at home). Mr. P. moved to his present farm, Sec. 25, in 1857; he has IMS acres.
Mrs. Pelton died March 2. L868, Mr. Pelton was married. Jan. 17. 1870, to Mrs.Emily Wakefield, daugh-
ter of Timothy and Sophronia (Flint) Temple ; Mrs. Pelton was born in Reading, Mass.; they have one
child — Willis." Mrs. Pelt,, n is a member of the Congregati il Church. In polities', Mr. P. is a Re-
publican.
TOO LATE FOR INSERTION IN PROPER PLACE.
PRAIRIE 1)1" SAC.
The town raised by tax and paid out us bounty to volunteers, during the war, $13,152.
Raised by voluntary subscription by residents of the town liable to military duty, for same
purpose, $3,000, making in till the sum of $16,152.
PASSENGERS BOUND FOR
CALIFORNIA, COLORADO, NEBRASKA,
DAKOTA, IMIIIIsriKriESOTA,
WISCOZCTSIJNT, ZMTOISTTAIsr-A.,
AUSTID THIE TEEEITOEIES,
Should, if they would consult their interest, buy their tickets via the
Chicago & North -Western Railway
This is the LEADHTO- :R..<£-II-|-\77".£>-"2" of the
"WEST A.JSTn NORTHWEST.
iiiip'Thtnt system dI Kiiilwuv Lin
' the Largfst Corporationa in the World,
2,390 MILES OK ROAD.
Chicago, Council Bluffs & California Line.
Chicago, Sioux City & Yankton Line.
Chicago, Clinton, Dubuque & La Crosse Line.
Freeport & Dubuque Line,
Chicago, Green Bay & Marquette Line.
Chicago, La Crosse & Winona Line.
Chicago, Minnesota & Dakota Line.
Chicago, St. Paul & Minneapolis Line.
Chicago, Milwaukee & Lake Superior Line
points in th,- WEST, ViKTIIW EST, nml, through it«
These Lines enable tin- "CHICAGO ,v NORTH-WESTERN" h. reach all
connections, tin) FAR WEST.
It offers every facility f..r <>uick, Sate and Ceinf utahle Transit to the traveler who selects Ibis as his
It stands second to nu road In the West, alel otleis iiidlicp-moiils and advantages that ale not ami can not he offered by any of its (
Its management adopts everv iinprovement know n to the modern Riiilwav Svstem, ml is determined that the CHICAGO .v. NORTH-
WESTERN RAILWAY shall remain the 1, EA DIM 1 ltail«.,ioi thcCREVI' WEST.
Passengers should ask for and he certain their Tickets have a Coup ,n which reads, over the
CHICAGO & NORTH-WESTERN RY/
All Ticket Agents will be glad to sell them via this Line.
ixpn
* XOKTll-H'ESTERX RAILWAY i, I'.EUi IN MlNll.no oiler load inns Pullman Hotel Cars, or any form of Hotel Cans,
THROUGH between Chicago and the Missouri liner. This is t .nlv Line that has Til Ri lit ; II EATING CARS of any sort.
NO TRANSFER at ST. PAUL via the CHICAGO & NORTH-WESTERN RY.
Passengers procuring tickets to points beyond ST. PAIL should use GREAT CARE to see that they read over the
Chicago &, North-Western Railway,
Chicago, St. Paul &■ Minneapolis Line.
And not oyer a n ate having a SIMILAR NAME, as this is
ss^THE ONLY ROUTE YOU CAN TAKE TO AVOID A CHANGE OF DEPOT AT ST, PAUL."**
SI w MiRK ii'-l'ICE No dI:, Broadway.
HUSTON lit I ICC N, ,', Slate Street,
MILWAUKEE CITY TICKET OEEU'E-I
COUNCIL Ml, I EPS TICKET iiFKICES-Coruer Ilroadwav and
Pearl Stieet, Union Pacific Depotj and Chicago * North-
Western Railway I' j,,,i
(IMMM PICKET OFFICES— Union Pacific Depot, and 1324 Far-
SAN FRANCISCO OFFICE -S New Montgomery Street.
LONDON ENGLAND, OFFICES— 449 Strand, and 3 Adelaide
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